In 1985, the generation had become more Republican and were least likely among age groups to have voted Democratic in the 1984 election. In 1997, the generation was again the most independent, liberal, and likely to have voted Democratic in the 1996 election. They are also least likely to vote and the generation gap widened as the older generation increased its likelihood to vote. The generation gap fell from 11.7 in 1973 to 6.2 in 1985 and then to 4.9 in 1997. The convergence came as the issue matured and became less important to younger people.
Older people show little change in their attitudes or a small rise in support for abortions.
Young people became increasingly supportive of rights for homosexuals and older people became more tolerant. The declines came as the young became more inclined to support a view also held by older people that courts should become more punitive. The generation gap moved from 28.2 in 1973 to 25.2 in 1985 and to 14.2 in 1997. Older people are joining younger people in their support of more egalitarian roles for men and women. The generation gap in the area, which measures racial attitudes, remains large, 23.5 in 1973, 23.8 in 1985 and 21.6 in 1997.