Resilient Engagement: Emotions, Empathy, and Civic Participation in Gen Z

This report seeks to deepen our understanding of how young Americans view themselves in the context of their country and this moment. We found that people of all ages are less trusting of others than before, with Gen Z showing particularly low levels of trust. Additionally, Zoomers hold relatively strong zero-sum beliefs, viewing success as a limited resource. Despite reporting high levels of distress in response to others' struggles, Gen Z demonstrates a strong commitment to civic engagement. They are also less convinced than older generations that democracy is the best way to govern but still retain some faith in the system.