American teenagers no longer think the USA is the "best in the world," writes Jean Twenge, a San Diego State psychology professor, in The Atlantic.
In the early 1980s, 67 percent of high school seniors agreed that “Despite its many faults, our system of doing things is still the best in the world,” Twenge writes. That fell to 27 percent by 2022.
Another poll, by the Democracy Fund, asked Americans if our country's Founders are “better described as villains” or “as heroes," she writes. "Four out of 10 Gen Zers chose 'villains,' compared with only one in 10 Boomers."
Young people -- especially liberals -- are much more likely say they're depressed, writes Twenge. They see everything negatively.
In addition, "negative articles are almost twice as likely to be shared on social media as positive articles," she writes. "Social-media algorithms push angry and divisive content."
U.S. history curriculum also highlights the negative, writes Twenge. "Some — typically liberal — states now spend more time than they once did on the more deplorable facts of the nation’s history, such as the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, the massacre of Native Americans, and the Founders’ ownership of slaves."
Some are projecting high youth voter turnout, which would help Kamala Harris. We'll see. Depressed voters -- and there's a lot to be depressed about this time around -- may not bother to cast a ballot.
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