New Survey Suggests 30% Of Adult Gen-Z’ers Identify With LGBTQIA+, Less Religious, And Unprepared For The Workforce

The nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute published a thorough and detailed study titled, “A Political and Cultural Glimpse Into America’s Future: Generation Z’s Views on Generational Change and the Challenges and Opportunities Ahead.”

The authors of the survey wrote in the summary introduction:

Members of Generation Z are coming into their own politically, socially, and culturally, bringing their values and viewpoints to their communities and workplaces, and to our nation’s political system. In addition to being the most racially and ethnically diverse generation in our nation’s history, Gen Z adults also identify as LGBTQ at much higher rates than older Americans. Like millennials, Gen Zers are also less likely than older generations to affiliate with an established religion.

This report considers what sets members of Generation Z apart from older generations in terms of their political and cultural values, their faith in communities and political institutions, and their views on religion and the importance of diversity and inclusion in the nation’s democracy. The report is based on both the results of a national survey of all Americans, which includes oversamples of Generation Z — both Gen Z adults (ages 18–25) and Gen Z teens (13–17) — and on an analysis of ten virtual focus groups that included a wide cross section of Gen Z adults from across the United States.

The survey size was 6,616 Gen-Z Americans from the noted age brackets.

One of the more notable findings in this study that received plenty of coverage was the generation’s affiliation with LGTBQIA+, standing at 28%. The survey found that this was roughly doubling from each generation before it; Millennials (16%), Xennials (7%), Boomers (4%), and Silent (4%).

The survey covered a number of other as well, which was summed-up by the authors. The study also found:

Gen Z adults trend slightly less Republican than older Americans. More than half of Gen Z teens do not identify with a major party, but most share their parents’ party affiliation.

Gen Z adults are more liberal than older Americans. Gen Z teens are more moderate.

Gen Z is more religiously diverse than older generations. Gen Z teens mirror their parents’ religious affiliation. Gen Z teens are more likely than Gen Z adults to attend church or find religion important.

Most Gen Z Americans, particularly Gen Z Democrats, are more likely than older Americans to believe that generational change in political leadership is necessary to solve the country’s problems. Younger and older generations both express a lack of understanding across generational lines.

Americans overall largely reject the notion that young people are too lazy to get good jobs, and instead believe that they lack necessary training.

Only half of Gen Z adults think college is a smart investment in the future. Gen Z teens express more optimism about college’s financial impact on their future.

Gen Z adults strongly back affirmative action programs for poor students or students of color, as do most Americans. At least 3 in 4 Gen Z adults support student loan forgiveness, as well as investment in programs to fund technical school, community service, or training to understand the political system.

How Americans form meaningful connections differs across generations, with Gen Z forming more connections online.

Gen Z adults, along with their millennial counterparts, hold little trust in America’s political institutions, but they participate in many political activities at similar or higher rates than older Americans. Gen Z teens also distrust political institutions, but they are less politically active than Gen Z adults.

Gen Z adults report more experience with hostility and discrimination than older Americans or Gen Z teens…