Note that this article has been updated to also include some of the private discussions with thought leaders in the past. You can read my final overview of my research into the Millennial generation along with what I predicted and what happened as they matured at this link. While I still speak about Echo Boomers and iGenZ privately, I seldom add new articles to this specific blogspot site. If you're reaching out about a speaking engagement, you can contact me at the research firm SqlinSix.
According to a few studies, one by Brookings [Update: dead link removed] and one one by Pew, Echo Boomers hold views that are quite different than some previous American generations. Echo Boomers constitute the next major generation of American leaders, and will influence the political spectrum as they mature. Some of the highlights of Echo Boomers' views from the study:
Unlike former American generations, Echo Boomers favor isolationist policies. Keep in mind that this generation has been influenced by the U.S. government spending significant amounts of money overseas, while the U.S. has experienced major trouble in our own society. Echo Boomers may be thinking, "Why help others if we can't even help ourselves?
Echo Boomers use online media sources for their news more than any other form.
Approximately 38% of Echo Boomers identify themselves as Democrat, 26% identify themselves as Republican, and 29% identify themselves as Independent.
Among all different political views, Echo Boomers are influenced most by their parents. It should also be of note here that many Echo Boomers have formed political and economic views based on what happened to their parents (outsourcing, Enron, et cetera).
Echo Boomers, unlike Generation Xers, favor government jobs and opportunities.
Echo Boomers respect energy companies the least, while respecting IT and consumer goods companies the most. When you consider Google and Apple, this should come as no surprise as technology demarcates Echo Boomers from other generations in terms of use. I will caution readers on this point because we see pendulum shifts with industries from one generation to the next. For example iGenZ will probably have a less favorable view toward big tech.
Echo Boomers favor more government than former American generations.
Remember
Remember that generations react to what they've seen in previous generations. When Echo Boomers see a company like Enron fail, what do you think they conclude? The same with the bank bailouts during the financial crisis of 2008-2009.
I will caution that I have observed that the Baby Boom generation was the most anti-war when younger and became the most pro-war as they aged. I note this here because generations can shift from one point to another and faster than you think. What I highlight here from Brookings and Pew is what we observe right now. But this doesn't mean that these will always hold true for this generation. In addition, some of what older Echo Boomers may think in 20 years may be a reaction to what they thought right now ("I was young and dumb" - the common line we hear from older people).
