Tufts University’s Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), the nation’s leading, nonpartisan research center studying the civic participation of young Americans, released an in-depth study analyzing the political behaviors and civic engagement of young voters ahead of the 2012 presidential election. The findings of the study, "Youth Civic Engagement in the United States, 2008-2010: Understanding a Diverse Generation," shatter stereotypes and dispel conventional myths about the ways in which young people ages 18-29 are involved in the United States political system.

The study uses U.S. Census data on young voters from across the
United States and compares youth engagement in the 2008 and 2010 election cycles. The findings show that, regardless of the over-simplified portrayal of young Americans in the news media, their political engagement is diverse.

The full report and findings are available for download here. More information is available on CIRCLE’s website.

The CIRCLE study shows that at least three quarters of youth were somehow engaged in their community or in politics in both 2008 and 2010. But they engaged in very different ways. The key finding of the study is that young Americans were divided into six distinct patterns of engagement in recent years. In 2010, the clusters were:

• The Broadly Engaged (21% of youth) fill many different leadership roles;
• The Political Specialists (18%) are focused on voting and other forms of political activism;
• The Donors (11%) give money but do little else;
• The Under-Mobilized (14%) were registered to vote in 2010 but did not actually vote or participate actively;
• The Talkers (13%) report discussing political issues and are avid communicators online, but do not take action otherwise; and
• The Civically Alienated (23%) hardly engage at all.

CIRCLE will host a web discussion on the “Understanding a Diverse Generation” report on December 1, 2011 from 3-4pm Eastern. It will be an opportunity to hear a short presentation of the main findings, ask questions, and talk about implications. Register here.