I’ve been following the demographics of politics for quite a while.
Here’s what I am seeing. Note that these are broad generalizations and are subject to individual experiences.
The Republicans hold control of the country through what is essentially a minority party, and their numbers will continue to dwindle as their backbone (older white Boomers) tend to die off and not be replaced by younger Republicans. Even now, they are forced to gerrymander districts in order to maintain control, and even that will not be enough in the relatively-near future. The current Republicans distaste for diversity, both in color and in gender, make it unlikely that they can even replace their current numbers, much less increase them.
The Millennials are rapidly replacing the Boomers as the generational cohort in charge. The Millennials actually exceed the Boomer numbers, but they aren’t organized and haven’t found their voice and path. When they do, watch out. Millennials also tend to be less-religious, and less fearful of diversity (both in gender and in color) than the Boomers. They grew up in the social-media revolution and are connected in ways never envisioned by cohorts before.
And right behind them are the Gen-Z’ers, those high schoolers who are protesting right now. Gen-Z ALSO outnumber the Boomers even right now, and they are just now starting to come of age. Their parents are largely Gen-X, who have hung around the outskirts of politics and been outsiders for quite a while. In general, Gen-Z’ers have much of the same attitudes of their older siblings, sharing an interest in diversity, fair play, and taking care of each other. More of a community that survives together, than one where individuals profit at another’s expense. This cohort has mastered social media, even more than the millennials, living with it and using it constantly. This cohort EXPECTS instant and constant communication as a right, since they’ve known it all of their lives.
And finally, Gen-X, who as mentioned above tended to be outsiders without a voice. Frankly, their voices were pretty much drowned-out by the Boomers who overshadowed them in sheer numbers. However, Gen-X parents gave birth to Millennials and Gen-Z’ers, and its their kids that will make a difference.
The long and short of it is this. Without a HUGE influx of new blood, the Republicans are doomed to extinction when either the Millennials OR the Gen-Z’ers (or both) decide to step up and voice their opinion in society. And because the Republican Party is largely white, and older, and has no interest in diversity, their likelihood of remaining in power is pretty slim.
Time will tell, but when either the MIllennials finally come into their own (perhaps even pushed by their younger brothers and sisters in Gen-Z), or even the Gen-Z’ers on their own, a tidal wave unseen before in history will come across this country.
There really is no choice… The Millennials and Gen-Z ARE the future of this country.
