Melissa Deckman is a political scientist studying gender, religion and American politics. The author of the wondrous new book The Politics of Gen Z: How the Youngest Voters Will Shape Our Democracy from Columbia Press, she also is CEO of…
About Gen Z and the election: Understand the importance of gender and diversity
Gauging the potential influence of Generation Z on the November election requires an understanding of the importance young Americans place on gender and diversity, said Melissa Deckman, CEO of Public Religion Research Institute. “It’s really, really critical,” she said during…
Gerontocracy
Lately, I’ve been thinking about gerontocracy. It’s hard to miss in our current news. Many debates are raging about President Biden’s age. Sen. Mitch McConnell has had a couple of super public uncomfortable health scares. Both leaders are part of…
With record levels of loneliness, young men need mentors, research shows
Young men desperately need mentors and safe, understanding communities to help overcome the loneliness they are experiencing at record levels, according to a panel of experts hosted by Springtide Research Institute. “What I’m continuing to hear is they are looking…
I asked 46 college students if they feel shame after having sex, and this is what they said
Gen Z is a post-Purity Movement generation, having barely escaped the doling out of purity rings. However, exemplified by the popularity of “Virginity Rocks” T-shirts and regalia, this does not mean sentiments of purity culture never impacted our cohort of…
Young BIPOC have not abandoned religious belief, new study finds
Contrary to popular opinion, young people of color have not abandoned religious belief and in fact are praying, meditating, reading Scripture and building sacred fellowship on their own terms, youth ministry expert Megan DeWald said. This reality escapes or frightens…
From a Gen Z perspective, another ‘Jesus Revolution’ seems improbable
The new film Jesus Revolution has been praised by Christian audiences, loved by people who lived through its events and already brought in more than $32 million in box office sales. But 50 years after the events took place, what’s…
American teenagers prefer to affiliate with congregations that support social justice causes and mental health
A quarter of the world’s teenagers say the church has “definitely” lost its effectiveness as a force against injustice, poverty and environmental challenges, new research shows. But in the United States, Generation Z is more optimistic about organized religion’s role…
Study finds racial and ethnic identity plays a role in mental health of Gen Z
Young Americans of color are slightly more religious and enjoy better mental health than their white Generation Z counterparts, according to a new study by Springtide Research Institute. These findings were quantified in spite of the intense racial prejudice and…