Ohio Young Adults Say Job Scarcity, Shrinking Middle Class, and American Dream Slipping

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Oct 11, 2012, 11:47 ET

Majority favor increased energy production and cuts in federal taxes and regulations to create jobs

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Generation Opportunity, the largest non-profit, non-partisan organization in the United States engaging and mobilizing young Americans (ages 18-29) on the important economic issues facing the nation, released new polling data today on Ohio young adults as the 2012 presidential election nears. Since its launch in June of 2011, Generation Opportunity has amassed a following of over four million on Facebook and is actively organizing Millennials across America through grassroots tactics, voter registration, and voter turnout efforts. Generation Opportunity has already engaged well over one hundred and thirty thousand Ohio young adults through its social media and field operations.

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"Young adults in Ohio know firsthand that the policies coming out of Washington for the last few years have exacerbated a weak economy, devastating their lives through high unemployment and less economic opportunity. Through no fault of their own, they are watching their career plans for today and their hopes and dreams for the future move backward, not forward. Young people in Ohio know we can do better – they want elected leaders who better represent their concerns and who have the courage to fight for policies that create more meaningful, full-time jobs, decrease Federal spending, and increase American energy independence," said Paul T. Conway, President of Generation Opportunity and former Chief of Staff of the United States Department of Labor. "Just as importantly, young people in Ohio want access to the same American Dream and opportunities previous generations enjoyed, but they know it will never happen unless the status quo changes. Over the next several weeks, they will assess the words and records of both candidates and base their vote for president not on rhetoric, but rather on their own conclusions on which candidate actually has the ability to put the country on the right track and the experience to create more jobs and opportunity for all Americans."

For Generation Opportunity, the polling company, inc./WomanTrend, conducted a statewide online survey of 507 Ohio adults ages 18-29 between July 27 and August 14, 2012. Randomly selected online opt-in panel participants were sent an invitation to the survey via email which included a secure link to the online questionnaire. Quotas were used to ensure the survey was representative of the larger 18-29 year old statewide population with regard to race, region, and gender. The data were NOT weighted. The overall sampling margin of error for the survey is +/- 4.4% at a 95% confidence interval, meaning that the data obtained would not differ more than 4.4 percentage points in 95 out of 100 similar samples obtained.

OHIO YOUNG ADULTS - ON ELECTED LEADERS, POLICIES IN WASHINGTON, AND THE 2012 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Only 33% of Buckeye State Millennials believe that today's political leaders reflect the interests of young Americans.
50% say we do not have the right leadership in Washington.
51% of Ohio's 18-29 year olds believe the economic policies coming out of Washington are hurting them.
81% plan to vote in the election for President this year.

OHIO YOUNG ADULTS - ON THE AMERICAN DREAM, OPPORTUNITY COMPARED TO PRIOR GENERATIONS, THE FUTURE

73% believe that the lack of job opportunities is shrinking the American middle class.
Compared to their parents' generation, 58% of Ohio's 18-29 year olds are less optimistic that their own generation can achieve the "American Dream."
Only 27% believe that their own generation has more opportunity than their parents' generation.
Which of the following would you prefer for the near future? (RANDOMIZED LIST)
- 60% - A full-time job in my chosen field;
- 13% - More education or training;
- 7% - A full-time job not in my chosen field while I find one in my chosen field;
- 7% - A paid internship;
- 4% - One part-time job;
- 2% - Several part-time jobs;
- 1% - Unemployment;
- 6% - Do not know/cannot judge.

OHIO YOUNG ADULTS - ON GROWING JOBS, ENERGY PRODUCTION, THE ECONOMY, AND AMERICAN PRIORITIES

67% of young adults in Ohio agree with the statement "if taxes on business profits were reduced, companies would be more likely to hire."
61% of agree with the statement "the economy grows best when individuals are allowed to create businesses without government interference."
61% of young adults in Ohio support increased production of domestic energy sources like oil, natural gas, and coal.
62% of Buckeye State Millennials agree with the statement "if taxes were lowered, the U.S. economy would grow faster."
70% prefer reducing federal spending over raising taxes on individuals to balance the federal budget.
63% would decrease taxes on individuals if given the opportunity to set America's fiscal priorities.
78% of Ohio Millennials would decrease federal spending if given the opportunity to set America's fiscal priorities.

OHIO YOUNG ADULTS - SHORT TERM AND LONG-TERM DECISIONS IMPACTED BY THE POOR ECONOMY

85% of Ohio's 18-29 year olds changed some aspect of their day-to-day lives because of the current state of the economy (Accepted multiple responses) (Randomized):

55% - reduced entertainment budget;
43% - cut back on gifts for friends and family;
43% - reduced grocery/food budget;
38% - skipped a vacation;
38% - driven less/relied more on public transit;
37% - taken active steps to reduce home energy costs;
30% - tried to find an additional job;
27% - sold personal items or property (cars, electronic appliances, or other possessions);
24% - changed living situation (moved in with family, taken extra roommates, downgraded apartment or home);
17% - skipped a wedding, family reunion, or other significant social event;
3% - Other, specified;
11% - None of the above (accepted only this response);
4% - Do not know/cannot judge (accepted only this response).

79% of 18-29 year olds in Ohio have delayed or might not do at least one major life event due to the current state of the economy (Accepted multiple responses) (Randomized):

42% - Buy my own place;
30% - Go back to school/getting more education or training;
29% - Pay off student loans or other debt;
27% - Start a family;
25% - Save for retirement;
22% - Change jobs/cities;
20% - Get married;
17% - None of the above (accepted only this response);
4% - Do not know/cannot judge (accepted only this response).

64% of Ohio Millennials believe the availability of more quality, full-time jobs upon graduation is more important than lower student loan interest rates.

Generation Opportunity's social media operations and grassroots organizers and volunteers have already engaged well over a hundred and thirty thousand young people online and at various events across Ohio over the course of the past year. They have trained student leaders on college campuses; co-sponsored trade shows, industry, and manufacturing summits; participated in street fairs and local festivals; and attended happy hours for young professionals. Generation Opportunity is a member of the Chambers of Commerce in Akron, Columbus, and Dayton.

Field activities over the past year include the Hire our Heroes veterans' jobs fair in Akron; Minster's Octoberfest; the Ohio State Fair; the Fountain Square Summer Music Series in Cincinnati; the Ohio Growth Summit in Columbus; Buck-I-Frenzy at Ohio State University; Constitution Day in Cedarville; the Norton Cider Fest; pumpkin festivals in Bradford and New Bremen; local Chamber of Commerce events in Akron, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Dublin, Fairfield, Reynoldsville, Toledo, and Westerville; NCAA and NFL football games; and a charity mud volleyball tournament in Dayton.

In recent months, Generation Opportunity field teams also have met with young adults at college and schools throughout the state, signing up volunteers and further expanding its growing statewide network of grassroots activists and volunteers. Generation Opportunity organizers have visited and recruited new volunteer team members at The Ohio State University, Ashland University, Bowling Green State University, Oberlin College, Otterbein University, Cedarville University, Rhodes State Community College, Ohio Wesleyan University, Ohio University, Miami University, Ohio State – Lima, and Wright State University.

Generation Opportunity's social media and grassroots field teams also recently trained student leaders at the National Student Government Summit, hosted by the American Student Government Association (ASGA), on how high youth unemployment is devastating the dreams and careers of America's Millennials and how they can better organize their respective campuses. Campus leaders representing Ohio colleges and universities were present, including key leaders from the College of Mount Saint Joseph, Muskingum University, Owens Community College, the University of Cincinnati, Clermont College, and the University of Dayton. The organization has dozens more events planned and is providing assistance to events their volunteers are conducting within their own communities and extensive social media networks.

ABOUT GENERATION OPPORTUNITY

Generation Opportunity is a non-profit, non-partisan 501 (c)(4) organization that seeks to engage everyone from young adults, to early career professionals, college students, young mothers and fathers, construction workers, current service men and women, veterans, entrepreneurs, and all Americans who find themselves dissatisfied with the status quo and willing to create a better tomorrow.

Generation Opportunity operates on a strategy that combines advanced social media tactics with proven field tactics to reach Americans 18-29. The organization's social media platforms – "Being American by GO," "The Constitution by GO," "Gas Prices Are Too Damn High," "Lower Taxes by GO," "Keep Texas Awesome," "Jersey Proud," and "We Like Small Government" on Facebook – have amassed a total fan base of more than 4 million. The pages post links to relevant articles and reports from sources ranging from the federal Government Accountability Office (GAO), to The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Brookings Institution, The Wall Street Journal, The Huffington Post, and The Heritage Foundation.

Read about Generation Opportunity here; visit "Being American by GO" on Facebook here, "The Constitution by GO" on Facebook here, "Gas Prices Are Too Damn High" on Facebook here, "Lower Taxes by GO" on Facebook here, "Keep Texas Awesome" on Facebook here, "Jersey Proud" on Facebook here, and "We Like Small Government" on Facebook here.

For our Spanish-language page – Generación Oportunidad – click here.

CONTACT:
Matthew Faraci – 202-997-1636 | EMAIL
David Pasch – 202-230-7947 | EMAIL

SOURCE Generation Opportunity