This research, conducted before and after the 1996 elections, confirmed America's young adults' disaffection from the political system and their perception of voting as a waste of time. This research showed that stereotypes of Generation X as lazy and apathetic are mistaken and that young people are deeply involved in and concerned about their communities. In particular, these young people's concerns about children may be a force for political mobilization. This study also suggests that electoral reform is not the path to engagement for young people. Rather, a dialogue with young people about politics and their lives is crucial.
Young people are most concerned about education, crime, violence and the environment.
While these issues are important to youth, they do not translate into political engagement. Many young people make a conscious choice not to vote because they do not see voting as affecting what politicians do and because they believe politicians pay no attention to their concerns. In addition, young people pay relatively little attention to the news and politics. This study recommends several strategies for increasing political participation in this age group, including early political education for children, illustrations of local issues and their relationship to voting and mobilizing around the issues that concern youth. Who Don't Vote, July 1996.