Thursday, March 22, 2012

Here at Advocates for Youth we believe that young people matter. A lot. When half of the world's population is under 25, it is to everyone's advantage — especially elected officials, decision makers, and members of the media — to listen closely to young people's voices. But what are the issues that matter most to them?

During the next few months we'll be posting blogs about Millennial viewpoints — who they are, what they do, and how their attitudes and beliefs are shaping our world. In fact, our first blog post was just published on Politico. Check it out, share it out, and comment. Also, please check out our new website section about Millennials. It's brimming with facts, polling data, and amazing infographics.

Millennials, young people 30 and under, are coming of age in a world vastly different from that of their parents and grandparents. The Millennial generation is diverse, technologically savvy, open minded, and committed to sexual health and rights. In fact, this generation may just be the most pro-sexual health generation in U.S. history and has the potential to put America on course to become a truly sexually healthy nation.

In 2012 there will be 64 million Millennial eligible voters, 29 percent of all eligible voters. Every year there are an additional 4 million new Millennial voters; by 2016 they will represent 36 percent of eligible voters and by 2020 they will represent just under 40 percent of eligible voters.

You would think that addressing the interests of young people would seem like a natural conclusion for politicians. And yet young voices are continuously pushed aside because many politicians refuse to engage young people on issues that matter to them.

And what's a priority issue for young people? Sex.

They already favor a more pragmatic, comprehensive approach to sex education which means going beyond just talking about risk and disease prevention including the promotion of healthy relationships, effective communication and decision-making based on personal values. Based on their attitudes not only on comprehensive sex education, but marriage equality and reproductive health issues, Millennials could be the generation that finally ends the cultural wars on these issues and moves us to a sexually healthy nation.

Here's looking at you, Millennials.