3 Min Read
The latest trends in society and culture from The Harris Poll
Good morning from Chicago.
One Interesting Number: 73. From Cadbury (1905) and Oreos (1912) to Ritz crackers (1934) and even Sour Patch Kids (1985), nearly three-quarters (73%) of global consumers eat snacks that have been passed down for generations.
America’s Next Voters Get Loud
While many American voters report feeling detached, a new UNICEF/Harris Poll study finds that teens (14-17) on the cusp of voting feel involved and energized.
- What we found: (80%) of future teen voters are interested in current events, equal to social media trends, while nearly half (49%) tie this to their increasing political involvement.
- The stat you can’t ignore: Yet, two-thirds (66%) of teens believe their opinions don’t matter to elected officials, while half (45%) don’t think that leaders in the federal government are invested in their future.
- What to consider:Feeling counted out isn’t stopping American teens from making space in politics. Two-thirds (67%) are currently engaged in politically focused actions.
What this means: Over half of American teens (14 to 17) say the country is on the wrong track (57% v. right track: 43%). Still, most (82%) believe people their age can make a difference in America today, even if they can’t vote themselves yet. And one such outlet is challenging their families: Two-thirds (64%) say they speak with the adults in their lives about how they should be voting.
From Doers to Directors
We’re about six months or so into really tangible agentic AI. And our CSO, Libby Rodney, writes that while agents seem like distant future tech, Gen Z is already offshoring tasks to them to focus more time on the relationships and experiences that matter.
- What we found: A fifth or more of Gen Z today would entirely let AI file their taxes (24% vs. 16% of the general population), outsource their household shopping (21% vs. 11%), and delegate beauty/skincare decisions (19% vs. 10%).
- The stat you can’t ignore: It’s not entirely either/or for Gen Z. Nearly two-thirds (63%) believe the future belongs to people who can direct AI, not compete with it.
- What to consider: However, you’ll need the trust trinity – transparency, value exchange, and control. These three elements determine whether consumers will delegate decisions to AI. Miss one and you’re out.
What this means: “They’re not afraid of automation – they’re desperate for liberation from decision fatigue,” writes Libby. “But here’s what everyone misses: This isn’t JUST about technology adoption. It’s about Gen Z trying to claw back time for what our research keeps revealing they desperately want: real human connection, serendipitous encounters, the analog experiences they romanticize from the ‘90s they never fully experienced.” Read her full debrief here.
Millennial Housing Costs Pinch Retirement Planning
Millennials face a fundamentally different financial environment than their parents did, leading to entirely new tradeoffs in our study with Nationwide.
- What we found: Three in five (60%) Millennial investors have adjusted their retirement plans at least somewhat this year in response to rising housing costs.
- The stat you can’t ignore: Over half (58%) feel like they have to choose between homeownership and retirement security.
- What to consider: Nearly half (46%) see homeownership as a challenge to retirement security, versus an opportunity to build wealth. Still, there are bargains to be had if you know where to look.
What this means: This housing-retirement tension represents a fundamental departure from traditional wealth-building strategies, forcing Millennials to reimagine how they’ll achieve financial security in retirement without relying on real estate appreciation.
