America’s young generations have generally tended to favor the Democratic Party, but opinion polls show that this is about to change – at least for half of them, writes the AFP news agency.
Fo while young women lean largely to the left and support Kamala Harris, an increasing number of young men appear to be turning to the right and support Donald Trump.
Trump seems to be tightening his grip on many male, young voters. This means that Harris will also have to fight against Trump for a large share of the youth vote in an election that experts believe will be one of the most even in the country’s history.
Macho image attracts men
The Trump camp hopes that he will pull off the victory due to the growing support of young men who are apparently attracted by a strong macho image.
Trump has already spent time showing off with young influencers from the traditionally male-dominated kickboxing and cryptocurrency communities.
Recently he went to Texas, where he was interviewed by Joe Rogan on the famous podcast «The Joe Rogan Experience». It is the man behind America’s and the world’s most popular podcast.
Last year, “The Joe Rogan Experience” had the most listeners on Spotify for the fourth year in a row, and Rogan also has 17.5 million followers on YouTube. There, the most popular episode with him has been seen a whopping 61 million times.
Support from Beyoncé
Harris was also recently in Texas, where she focused her message on young women. Pop star Beyoncé, who is a self-proclaimed feminist, officially backed Kamala Harris and said she supported her presidential campaign.
The Democratic presidential candidate went on stage to the Beyoncé song “Freedom”, which has become a kind of election campaign song for the 60-year-old.
Among other things, Harris spoke about abortion rights in Texas, the state that has introduced some of the most radical restrictions in the country.
The lead is diminishing
In one Harvard University poll published in September among 18- to 29-year-olds who plan to vote, Harris had a 31-point lead over Trump.
The same poll showed that 70 percent of young women planned to vote for Harris and 23 percent for Trump. Among young men, Harris had support from 53 percent, while Trump received 36 percent.
A newer one NBC measurement in the same age group shows a clear change: 59 percent of young women preferred Harris to Trump’s 26 percent. Among young men, the margin was much smaller, with 42 percent for Harris and 40 percent for Trump.
Fear of losing rights
– I am concerned about women’s rights, and especially women’s health. They are already trying to take away our right to abortion, what else can they take away from us? What’s next, asks 18-year-old medical student Madeline Tena from Arizona.
Tena, who follows news through Tiktok, says that she will vote for Kamala.
– Based on what I have seen in social media, Kamala appears much better than Trump. He often seems very childish, she tells the AFP news agency.
Trump best on the economy
21-year-old Zackree Kline, who works 60 hours a week as a waiter and also has a job at a funeral home in Pennsylvania to make ends meet, on the other hand, will vote for Trump. He is convinced that Trump is best for the American economy.
– I know that many people still support Trump. The main reason is that most things were much cheaper when he was president, he tells AFP.
Jennie Sweet-Cushman, professor of political science at Chatham University, sees a growing divide in young Americans’ perspective on the future.
– It is more likely that women will pursue higher education and distance themselves from the Republican Party. The men, on the other hand, embrace the right side.
– And when I ask my students if they plan to have children, the young men answer quite consistently that they want children. Almost none of the young women do, she adds.
Less religious
Studies show that a growing number of young women in the United States are turning away from traditional conservative ideas about family, marriage and sexuality. They also distance themselves to a greater extent from religion.
And so it happens in a country where faith and politics are often closely linked.
In survey by the Survey Center on American Life in April this year showed that men born after the Second World War were more likely than women to leave the religion they grew up with.
But in Generation Z – everyone born from the late 1990s to the early 2010s – it’s the opposite. 54 percent of women answer that they are no longer religious.
Many variables
Whether these gender differences will be decisive on election day is impossible to say, given the many variables in an election that is considered to be extremely even.
But one thing is clear: women are historically far more willing to vote.
– For over 40 years in American politics, women have taken part in elections to a greater extent than men. There is no indication that it will be different in 2024, points out Kelly Dittmar, professor of political science at Rutgers University, to AFP.
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**Interview with Political Analyst Dr. Emily Tran on Shifting Youth Voter Trends**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Tran. We’ve seen some interesting shifts in young voters’ political preferences, particularly among men. What do you think is driving this change in support from traditionally Democratic-leaning youth?
**Dr. Tran:** Thank you for having me. The recent polling trends indicate that young men are increasingly attracted to Donald Trump’s messaging, particularly his strong and assertive persona. This “macho image,” as some analysts put it, resonates with a segment of young male voters who feel he embodies a certain strength that they admire.
**Interviewer:** That’s fascinating. So, do you think Trump’s strategy of targeting influencers, especially in male-dominated areas like kickboxing and cryptocurrency, will continue to bolster his support among this demographic?
**Dr. Tran:** Absolutely. By engaging with influencers like Joe Rogan and appealing to niche communities, Trump’s campaign is tapping into subcultures that resonate with these young men. This grassroots approach not only broadens his visibility but also legitimizes his appeal among those who may not have been politically active before.
**Interviewer:** On the flip side, young women still largely support Kamala Harris, especially with the recent endorsement from Beyoncé. How critical do you believe this endorsement is for Harris among young female voters?
**Dr. Tran:** Beyoncé’s endorsement is significant. It not only elevates Harris’s profile but also reinforces her connection with young women, especially those concerned about issues like reproductive rights. The power of celebrity influence in politics cannot be understated, and this could energize her base ahead of the election.
**Interviewer:** Young voters are often seen as a unified bloc, but the division we’re witnessing is noteworthy. What implications does this have for the upcoming election?
**Dr. Tran:** This evolving landscape indicates a potential for a highly competitive election. The divide could lead to a scenario where the youth vote is split, making it crucial for both parties to tailor their messages carefully. Democrats will need to galvanize the support of young women while addressing the concerns of young men to mitigate Trump’s momentum.
**Interviewer:** Given that the polls show a narrowing margin, what strategies should Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party adopt to maintain their advantage?
**Dr. Tran:** They need to reinforce their commitment to issues that matter to young voters, like social justice and abortion rights, while also appealing to young men’s economic concerns. Implementing outreach strategies that directly engage this demographic, potentially through platforms they frequent, will be key.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Tran, for your insights on these emerging voter trends. It seems clear that both parties will need to adapt to the evolving preferences of young Americans.
**Dr. Tran:** Thank you for having me; it’s an exciting time in politics, and the youth vote will undoubtedly play a critical role in shaping the future.
