What do you kids think of this?

"A generation ago, young people vowed never to trust anyone over 30. But as it turns out, those under 30 today are actually more trusting of the government of all age groups, according to a survey by the Pew Research Center....
...it's worth noting that it's still only about a third of the younger set who say they trust the government all or most of the time — and it's often with caveats....
Analysts say that "Obama-love" may be what's propping up young people's trust. Most under-30s supported Obama in 2008 and still do today. But it doesn't explain everything. Even young Republicans who believe the best government is less government are also more trusting than their elders.
The Opposite Of Alienated
If history is any guide, they may be right. Polls going back to 1958 show that trust always begins to head south sometime after age 30. But there are some clues that this generation may be different.
"The millennials are quite positive toward other big institutions — like corporations and the military and faith — so it does give you the feeling that it's a different generation," says Tufts University researcher Peter Levine.
Levine says young people today are not angry or alienated like previous generations were.
"They don't define in terms of opposition or trying to smash everything. They don't have a generation gap, really. They really cite parents as role models or political guides. The current thing is you call your mom on your cell phone to ask what she thinks, which I really don't think was a '60s attitude," Levine says.

ultimately, it may be the economy more than anything else that determines whether or not they continue to trust the government. If the recession ends sooner, young people may give the government the credit — and their eternal trust.
But if the economic downturn persists, their positive attitude most likely will not. " (My italics WT)


Whole Story here


That last bit reminds me of my Mom. Her earliest memories of politics are the Great Depression & the Roosevelt administration, mine are of Watergate, Viet Nam, & Nixon. Mom trusts the Guvmint. I don't.

 

I personally think that the trust levels go down as you get older just because we have learned our lesson. You can only hit your head so many times before you realize that you should not do that. I think that as we get older and based upon our experiences we have just learned. As the saying goes "Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.", needless to say we have been fooled and sucked in so many times how can you not loose trust in the government.

Our system of government gives us that false hope that this time things are going to change. I often see the same tricks and traps used all the time. I have no faith in our government. They are all out for their own ends.

 

i think there are more variables in measuring the confidence/trust levels in people towards their government than age. and these variables are not limited to individual traits (age, race, sex, etc...) but also attributed to socio-cultural evolution

as far as my personal views.. i don't trust the gov't, never have, never will

 

Not sure that comparing today's youth to the children of the 60's and 70's is exactly fair.... though some lessons from that era seem to have been lost amid a media onslaught of "too much information" that has so many people accepting the corruption that many appear to think is an inextricable part of the government.

 

its not that i don't trust the governement, its that i don't care enough to trust them or not

 

Trust levels round this side (well in the UK anyway, not so much Ireland) have turned to shit, the amount of festivals shut down, police brutality at free parties and the shocking amount of tax increase/benefit reduction not to mention the unemployment levels have left all age groups quite bitter. The baboon we have for Taosieach is about as much good as a wet paper bag, the situation in the UK is about to get worse and among people I know over there they are trying to organise riots/protests.

Wouldnt be surprised if the UK goes the same as Greece to be honest. At least among younger groups. I was hoping there would be more outcry against the government here but the general feeling is just apathy which, as far as Im concerned is a lot more damaging to the societies ethos than outright rioting would be.




Edit:

My point exactly.

 

I certainly don't think many younger people are welcoming to alot of the continual expansion of power of government and large corporations but like someone else said we've become apathetic. I think 9/11 scarred the younger generations and that hunger to stand up against your own government's injustices died down a bit because of it.

 

I think Obama's a shit President, and people are dumb.

The "Never trust anyone over 30"-attitude may be even dumber than trusting the Government blindly though.

You shouldn't ever trust anything fully that isn't in your control -- and over time we have let go of our control on the Government, and have had less and less.
It would be retarded to trust it.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Government does so much for the people. More than it ever has, and in some cases, I would argue they do so much that they hurt people by nannying them. The people who just hate on the Government are just as retarded.

 

Oh, ummm, yeah, I realize the Stoner Kids, most of them criminals as a result of government policy, are not likely to be a "representative sample" of the under thirty population.

 

All of them criminals, as a result of Government policy.

Most of them felons.

But it is the people that are failing us. It is we that are failing us. The government isn't going to legalize by itself.

 

im under 30! my earliest political type memories are of Kuwait, and watching Wolf Blitzer cover it. i think generalizing any group by age is stupid. i know older people who are irresponsible, immature etc, and young people who have work ethic and are building credit.
i trust people who have been through something before. id much rather know ahead of time what to do if a ewe has trouble birthing, rather than learn all the information the hard way.

 

I'm leaving room for the minority that might live in a state with medical, and have their papers in order.

Most Felons? Nahh, I doubt it. But these kids that are trying to move a l'il here & there to get a free buzz could well end up over their heads before they know it.