Remembering 9/11: The Youth Perspective

NEW YORK, Sept. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- For adults, September 11, 2001 was a terrifying day full of unknowns and horrifying images. But, how do those who were young children feel about that day? First, almost three-quarters of today's teens (72%) remember finding out about the events of September 11th on the day it happened. The events of that day, as well as the resulting aftermath, have changed the way they see the world compared to teens before 9/11, particularly regarding their trust and confidence in government.  There is a fear of terrorism as 42% of 13-18 year olds say they are worried that terrorism will strike near them. Yet the number of teens who believe that the war on terrorism is a war the U.S. will win has dropped since shortly after the attacks, from 82% in December 2001 to 64% today.

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These are some of the results of The Harris Poll 1,227 8-18 year olds (465 8-12 year olds and 762 13-18 year olds) surveyed online between July 13 and 21, 2011 by Harris Interactive.

The impact of the war on terrorism on the lives of today's youth

Despite the recent killing of Osama bin Laden, teens today are less likely than those immediately after the attacks to believe that those responsible for the attacks will be found and punished (55% vs. 79% in September 2001).  However, ten years without subsequent attacks has not gone unnoticed.  More teens today believe that the U.S. will be able to prevent things like this from happening again (51% vs. 36% in September 2001) and fewer say that we need more security at places like airports and public buildings (51% vs. 77% in December 2001).

The impact of the war on terrorism continues to be felt in other areas of teens' lives as well.  One-quarter of teens today (27%) say they are less likely to travel by airplane as a results of the war on terrorism, a view shared by a similar number of teens three months after the attacks (26% in December 2001).  Hints of a generational shift in perspective is evident in the finding that more teens today say they are more likely to work hard at school as a  result of the war on terrorism (26% vs. 16% in December 2001) and may even be more likely to listen to parental advice (22% vs. 16% in December 2001).  However, the war on terrorism has lost its influence to spur charitable donations.  While 42% of teens in December 2001 said that they are more likely to donate to a charity as a result of the war on terrorism, that level has dropped to 18% of teens today.

Youth's trust and confidence in government

The events of 9/11 and its aftermath have also influenced how this new generation of teens views government.  Today, fewer teens trust the government in Washington to do what is right in the war on terrorism (53% vs. 72% in December 2001 and 62% in July 2002) and fewer teens believe that the war on terrorism is a war the U.S. will win (64% vs. 82% in December 2001 and 72% in July 2002).

Belief that elected officials are making positive changes in their community did see a brief improvement immediately after the attacks, but has since dropped to pre-9/11 levels.  In July 2001, one-quarter of teens (26%) agreed that elected officials were making positive changes in their community.  In late September 2001, 38% of teens held this belief, but by July 2002 the levels had dropped to 27%, similar to the 25% who hold this belief today.

However, teens today are more likely than pre-9/11 teens to believe in the importance of engagement with the political process.  In July 2001, half of teens (51%) agreed that it is important for people their age to get involved in the political process.  This level rose to seven in ten teens in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 (71% in September 2001 and 67% in December 2001).  Today that level has decreased a bit from those peaks, but is still higher than before the attacks, with 59% of teens agreeing that it is important for people their age to get involved.

The war on terrorism has shown its toll on this generation in as well. One-third of teens today (34%) say that the war on terrorism has made them less optimistic about their future – twice as many as said this in December 2001 (16%).  And, more teens today say that the war on terrorism has made them less likely to enlist in the armed forces when they are old enough (48% vs. 35% in December 2001).

So what?

As today's teens near voting age, elected officials should take note of both this generation's decreased confidence in government and their increased belief in the importance of being involved in the political process.  This generation seems poised to have a distinctive world view, framed by lowered optimism for themselves and the country.  Recent events in Washington, D.C. probably have not helped increase any confidence in government, but as today's teens grow into tomorrow's voters, now is the time for politicians to reach out to this age group.

Methodology

This Harris Poll was conducted online within the United States between August 23 to 25, 2011 among 2,073 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, Harris Interactive avoids the words "margin of error" as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

The results of this Harris Poll may not be used in advertising, marketing or promotion without the prior written permission of Harris Interactive.

The Harris Poll® #96, September 7, 2011
By Dana Markow, VP, Youth and Education Research, Harris Interactive

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American and European offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us – and our clients – stay ahead of what's next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

Press Contact:
Corporate Communications
Harris Interactive
212-539-9600
[email protected]

SOURCE Harris Interactive

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