Active participation in a democratic society was central to the founding purpose of the public school system. Today, a growing disconnect exists between young people’s support for democracy and their practical experience of it.
Young adults ages 18 to 34, across the political spectrum, are overwhelmingly dissatisfied with how democracy and its civic institutions are addressing the issues they face:
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More than a third have no intention of participating civically, with the same percentage reporting that voting in 2024 was not important to them
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Only 36 percent agree that democracy can effectively address the nation’s most pressing challenges and even fewer – 16 percent – believe democracy is working well for young people
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61 percent do not identify with either major political party
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52 percent have no or very little trust in government institutions
These overlapping realities of distrust, frustration, cynicism, disillusionment, and disconnection from community life are shaping how young people experience civic engagement and whether they feel a sense of belonging within it.
Democracy depends on each generation feeling connected to it. At a time when adults across age groups express dissatisfaction with politics, polarization, and public institutions, the state of youth civic engagement carries particular urgency.
Join us to explore whether Arlington’s civic life is strong enough across generations to sustain trust, participation, and shared problem-solving over time.
Register now at Advance-Arlington.org