An annual survey is getting some buzz because it revealed that 23% of 12th grade males identify as conservative, compared to just 13% who identify as liberal. That statistic is getting attention because it directly contradicts reports and opinions that state young people are mostly liberal.
But there’s additional information that is not being discussed.
According to a Monitoring the Future study, over 40% said “none of the above” or “I don’t know” when asked about political beliefs while about 20% identify as moderate.
This survey’s results tend to align with Gallup data that found more young men aged 18-29 identify as conservative rather than liberal, but a plurality (43%) told Gallup they are moderate.
But none of those surveys align with the voting habits of 18- to 29-year-old males. In the 2022 midterm election, they voted for Democrats over Republicans by a 12-point margin.
Straight Arrow News went to Capitol Hill and spoke with students from around the country about their political beliefs. The young men had a broad spectrum of views.
Here’s how they felt and why
SAN spoke with members of the Heyboer family who said they are conservative.
“I’m a Christian and I believe what the Bible has to say. And I believe that the truths in the Bible most closely aligned with that viewpoint,” Jacob Heyboer said.
When asked how they formed those beliefs, Jeremiah Heyboer told SAN that it’s a combination of the way they were raised and added, “the evidence is overwhelmingly in favor of that.”
Jayson from Brooklyn, who declined to give his last name, said he’s a registered Democrat because he comes from a family of Democrats.
“I just agree and align with what they believe in,” Jayson said.
He explained that his first year in college solidified his political ideology.
“I’m more on the liberal side,” Greyson Wilder from Michigan said.
Wilder said he determined he was liberal after he took a survey in his government class that informs respondents where they fall and all his answers leaned left.
Tony Gamez from Texas told SAN he is an independent because both Republicans and Democrats stand for things that he both agrees and disagrees with.
But while their views have been influenced by their faith and family, these students said they aren’t very invested.
“On a scale of 1-10, probably like a two or three.” Jayson said. “I do feel that I could be more politically involved and do my own research so I can feel comfortable with what I identify as.”
“I wouldn’t want to make a decision that doesn’t sit with me well, just because I’m not educated enough on it. So definitely before I become like a member of the party or whatever, I would have to be really educated on what I was doing,” Wilder said.
In October 2022, a survey from The New York Times and Siena College found that 19% of voters said politics had hurt their friendships or family relationships. SAN asked the students if political views impact their relationships.
“I know some of my family members think a certain way and I think completely different, but I don’t let that determine, like, how I think of them as a person,” Wilder said. “Because, like, my parents taught me just never bring politics to the table, especially a family cause it could ruin literally everything.”
“I don’t think that I bring a lot of political stuff into friendships,” Gamez said. “I like having friendships for who they are.”