Will Gen Z Improve Our “Civics Quotient?"
Image by Neo Tam from Pixabay
Takeaways from CivicStory’s Ecology-Civics Survey
Last spring, we shared surprising data from an informal 10-question history-civics survey. The responses to a series of yes-no questions were highly aligned and showed knowledge of essential civics concepts—even ideas that run counter to daily news. For example, 98% of respondents (355 out of 364) disagreed that “In the U.S., political parties have authority over the American people.”
In September we launched a more robust 15-question ecology-civics survey that broadened the idea of “civics” to include media literacy and basic science. This time the quiz attracted a multigenerational cohort, with 40% of respondents representing Gen Z (16 to 29 years old).
This lets us compare quiz data from two groups: one with only 13% Gen Z responders and the other with 40% Gen Z responders. It’s intriguing to guess which shows a greater awareness of civics, and knowledge of the Constitution and election processes. Civics and social studies teachers take heart. The younger group’s responses show that civics awareness is holding steady or improving, with a few exceptions.
Here are the three “outlier” responses from the ecology-civics quiz that showed changes of 12 to 15 percentage points from similar questions in the previous history-civics quiz:
The incorrect statement, “we vote on our representatives in Congress once every four years” was called inaccurate by only 71% of the younger group, as compared to 87% of the older group. This may be due to the strong news focus on presidential elections, with other elections referenced as “midterms” In fact, for the U.S. Representatives—every other year is a full-term, not a midterm election.
On a more conceptual level: 78% of the younger cohort agreed with the statement, “In the U.S., there is no higher government authority than ‘we the people.’” In contrast, 63% of the older cohort rightly disagreed with an inverse statement: “we delegate all our authority as citizens to our elected representatives.” (In fact, “we the people” retain ultimate responsibility.)
Pertaining to the facts of Jan. 6 2021, 89% of the younger cohort of respondents disagreed with the statement: “During several hours of rioting at the U.S. Capitol on the afternoon of January 6, 2021, the tasks of the U.S. President were properly executed.” This question is based on facts of bodily harm: tragically, over 130 police were injured, and 4 people died during those hours.
As noted in previous posts, it is vital that U.S. social studies, civics, and history teachers have ways to reference the facts of Jan. 6 without politicization. Delinking afternoon events at the Capitol from the morning’s events at the Ellipse, using a ‘no-blame’ framework, and referencing the U.S. Constitution Article II, sections 2 and 3 (tasks of the U.S. President) together provide essential historical context.
Three other responses from the survey suggest a high “ecology-civics quotient” among the younger multigenerational cohort:
95% (192 of 202) disagreed with the statement: “In the U.S.A., responsibility for the health of our ecosystems and communities lies solely with our elected representatives.”
98% (198 of 202) agreed with the statement: “Two main causes of rising average temperatures worldwide are deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels.”
96% (194 of 202) disagreed that “before elections, it’s better to judge candidates on their campaign strategies than on their policy ideas, experience, and leadership qualities.”
One other slight difference between the two groups is the level of major party affiliation. While 73% of responders in the older cohort indicated they are affiliated with a major party, only 63% of the younger group “will likely affiliate, or is already affiliated with a major political party.“
There may be reason to hope for less orientation to parties—and less partisanship—in our future discourse.