Maryland Juice is slowly outlining a theory that there is increasing evidence of a growing generational divide in American policy and politics. Many pollsters have noted the dramatic contrast in views between young and old Americans on a range of topics, including race, LGBT rights, urbanization, public transportation, the role of religion in society, drug policy, gender norms, and many more. Indeed, even young evangelicals are more accepting of LGBT rights than their older counterparts.
But in the past, these generational divides have mostly centered on social issues. Now that we are well into a recession, I believe that current economic inequalities are quickly amplifying these generational divides. The Associated Press today highlighted shocking validation for this belief:
But in the past, these generational divides have mostly centered on social issues. Now that we are well into a recession, I believe that current economic inequalities are quickly amplifying these generational divides. The Associated Press today highlighted shocking validation for this belief:
The wealth gap between younger and older Americans has stretched to the widest on record, worsened by a prolonged economic downturn that has wiped out job opportunities for young adults and saddled them with housing and college debt.
The typical U.S. household headed by a person age 65 or older has a net worth 47 times greater than a household headed by someone under 35, according to an analysis of census data released Monday....
The 47-to-1 wealth gap between old and young is believed by demographers to be the highest ever, even predating government records....
