![\"Growing](\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2014\/03\/SDT-next-america-03-07-2014-2-01.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\nLegalization of Marijuana<\/h3>\n\n![\"Growing](\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2014\/03\/SDT-next-america-03-07-2014-2-02.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\nMillennials\u2019 support for legalizing the use of marijuana has surged in recent years. Just eight years ago, 34% favored the legal use of marijuana. Today, that figure has roughly doubled to 69%.<\/p>\n\n
Support for legalizing marijuana has risen over the same period among Gen Xers and Boomers, though less dramatically. Currently, 53% of Gen Xers and 52% of Boomers say marijuana should be legal, up 19 points and 18 points, respectively, since 2006. Silents have shown far less change. Just 30% say marijuana use should be legal, three points higher than eight years ago.<\/p>\n\n
Boomers\u2019 support for marijuana legalization peaked in the late 1970s, before plummeting in the 1980s. But today, Boomers\u2019 support for legalizing marijuana is greater than it was four decades ago.<\/p>\n\n
Views of Immigration Policy<\/h3>\n\n
The public has long supported<\/a> a \u201cpath to legalization\u201d for undocumented immigrants in the U.S., though there is less support for allowing them to apply for citizenship.<\/p>\n\n![\"Broad](\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2014\/03\/SDT-next-america-03-07-2014-2-03.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\nMajorities across age cohorts say there should be a way for illegal immigrants already in the United States to stay in the country legally if they meet certain requirements.<\/p>\n\n
But only among Millennials does a majority say those in the country illegally should be allowed to apply for citizenship; 55% among the youngest cohort favor a path to citizenship, compared with 46% of Gen Xers, 39% of Boomers and 41% of Silents.<\/p>\n\n
Abortion and Gun Control<\/h3>\n\n
Generational patterns are less clear on two other major social issues\u2014abortion and gun control.<\/p>\n\n
In recent years, half or more Millennials, Gen Xers and Boomers have supported legalizing abortion in all or most cases while Silents have been less supportive. Currently, 59% of Gen Xers, 56% of Millennials and 52% of Boomers believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases. In contrast, just 42% of Silents say abortion should be legal under most circumstances.<\/p>\n\n![\"Modest](\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2014\/03\/SDT-next-america-03-07-2014-2-04.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\nThere also are modest generational differences in opinions on gun control. Millennials, like older cohorts, are divided over whether it is more important to protect the right of Americans to own guns or more important to control gun ownership. About half of Silents (51%), Millennials (49%) and Gen Xers (48%) and slightly fewer Boomers (44%) say that controlling gun ownership is more important than controlling gun rights.<\/p>\n\n
Generational Differences over Government\u2019s Role<\/h3>\n\n![\"Support](\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2014\/03\/SDT-next-america-03-07-2014-2-05.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\nMillennials have long been more supportive than older generations of an activist government. In a September 2013 survey, about half (53%) of Millennials favored a bigger government providing more services\u2014the highest of any generation. Just 38% said they would rather have smaller government providing fewer services.<\/p>\n\n
Majorities of Silents (64%) and Boomers (59%) say they would rather have a smaller government providing fewer services. Gen Xers are divided, with 49% preferring smaller government and 43% bigger government.<\/p>\n\n![\"Millennials](\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2014\/03\/SDT-next-america-03-07-2014-2-06.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\nNotably, Millennials are as skeptical as older generations of the 2010 health care law. In December 2013<\/a>\u2014the most recent Pew Research Center survey on the Affordable Care Act\u2014there were no significant differences across generations in views of the law. About four-in-ten in each cohort approved of the law.<\/p>\n\nYet by 54% to 42%, Millennials think it is the federal government\u2019s responsibility to make sure all Americans have health care coverage. There is less support among older age cohorts for the government insuring health coverage for all.<\/p>\n\n
Higher Priority for Government: Programs for the Young or Old?<\/h3>\n\n
Millennials differ from older generations over the role of government, and they also are more likely to give priority to government programs that benefit younger people.<\/p>\n\n![\"Millennials](\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2014\/03\/SDT-next-america-03-07-2014-2-07.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\nMillennials are the only age cohort in which more say that government programs benefitting younger people should be a higher priority than programs benefitting older people (53% vs. 31%). There is especially strong support for programs to aid the young among the youngest Millennials (ages 18 to 25): 60% say programs that benefit younger people should be a higher priority for government, compared with 45% of older Millennials.<\/p>\n\n
Gen Xers are divided over whether programs for younger people (36%) or older people (40%) should receive more priority. Boomers and Silents, by wide margins, say that programs that benefit older people should be the higher priority.<\/p>\n\n
<\/a>Views of Social Security<\/h3>\n\n![\"Majorities](\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2014\/03\/SDT-next-america-03-07-2014-2-08.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\nMajorities across generations say that in thinking about Social Security\u2019s future, benefits should not be reduced in any way. Even among Millennials\u2014those furthest from retirement\u2014more say Social Security benefits should not be reduced by a 61%-37% margin.<\/p>\n\n
At the same time, there is considerable doubt\u2014especially among Millennials and Gen Xers\u2014that Social Security benefits will still exist, much less be funded at current levels, by the time they retire.<\/p>\n\n
Boomers say they expect Social Security will be able to provide some\u2014albeit reduced\u2014benefits. Roughly seven-in-ten Boomers expect to receive benefits at reduced levels (42%) or current levels (26%).<\/p>\n\n![\"Half](\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2014\/03\/SDT-next-america-03-07-2014-2-09.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\nMillennials and Gen Xers are much more pessimistic. About half of each group (51% of Millennials and 50% of Gen Xers) say that when they retire Social Security will not have enough money to pay any benefits.<\/p>\n\n
Age, Race and Views of Issues<\/h3>\n\n
As with many attitudes about politics, there are wide racial differences across generations over the role of government, with non-whites much more supportive than whites of activist government. But in opinions about some social issues\u2014notably same-sex marriage and immigration\u2014the differences are much narrower.<\/p>\n\n![\"Wide](\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2014\/03\/SDT-next-america-03-07-2014-2-10.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\nOverall, 53% of Millennials favor a bigger government providing more services. But white Millennials prefer smaller government by 52% to 39%. Non-whites would rather have a bigger government by an even larger margin (71% to 21%).<\/p>\n\n
Similarly, most white Millennials (54%) say it is not the federal government\u2019s responsibility to provide health insurance for all; 68% of non-white Millennials say this is the government\u2019s responsibility.<\/p>\n\n
A similar pattern of racial and ethnic differences is also evident among Gen Xers and Boomers in views about the size of government and whether it has an obligation to provide health insurance for all. (There are not enough non-white Silents in the surveys to analyze.)<\/p>\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\nMillennials\u2019 support for legalizing the use of marijuana has surged in recent years. Just eight years ago, 34% favored the legal use of marijuana. Today, that figure has roughly doubled to 69%.<\/p>\n\n
Support for legalizing marijuana has risen over the same period among Gen Xers and Boomers, though less dramatically. Currently, 53% of Gen Xers and 52% of Boomers say marijuana should be legal, up 19 points and 18 points, respectively, since 2006. Silents have shown far less change. Just 30% say marijuana use should be legal, three points higher than eight years ago.<\/p>\n\n
Boomers\u2019 support for marijuana legalization peaked in the late 1970s, before plummeting in the 1980s. But today, Boomers\u2019 support for legalizing marijuana is greater than it was four decades ago.<\/p>\n\n
Views of Immigration Policy<\/h3>\n\n
The public has long supported<\/a> a \u201cpath to legalization\u201d for undocumented immigrants in the U.S., though there is less support for allowing them to apply for citizenship.<\/p>\n\n Majorities across age cohorts say there should be a way for illegal immigrants already in the United States to stay in the country legally if they meet certain requirements.<\/p>\n\n But only among Millennials does a majority say those in the country illegally should be allowed to apply for citizenship; 55% among the youngest cohort favor a path to citizenship, compared with 46% of Gen Xers, 39% of Boomers and 41% of Silents.<\/p>\n\n Generational patterns are less clear on two other major social issues\u2014abortion and gun control.<\/p>\n\n In recent years, half or more Millennials, Gen Xers and Boomers have supported legalizing abortion in all or most cases while Silents have been less supportive. Currently, 59% of Gen Xers, 56% of Millennials and 52% of Boomers believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases. In contrast, just 42% of Silents say abortion should be legal under most circumstances.<\/p>\n\n There also are modest generational differences in opinions on gun control. Millennials, like older cohorts, are divided over whether it is more important to protect the right of Americans to own guns or more important to control gun ownership. About half of Silents (51%), Millennials (49%) and Gen Xers (48%) and slightly fewer Boomers (44%) say that controlling gun ownership is more important than controlling gun rights.<\/p>\n\n Millennials have long been more supportive than older generations of an activist government. In a September 2013 survey, about half (53%) of Millennials favored a bigger government providing more services\u2014the highest of any generation. Just 38% said they would rather have smaller government providing fewer services.<\/p>\n\n Majorities of Silents (64%) and Boomers (59%) say they would rather have a smaller government providing fewer services. Gen Xers are divided, with 49% preferring smaller government and 43% bigger government.<\/p>\n\n Notably, Millennials are as skeptical as older generations of the 2010 health care law. In December 2013<\/a>\u2014the most recent Pew Research Center survey on the Affordable Care Act\u2014there were no significant differences across generations in views of the law. About four-in-ten in each cohort approved of the law.<\/p>\n\n Yet by 54% to 42%, Millennials think it is the federal government\u2019s responsibility to make sure all Americans have health care coverage. There is less support among older age cohorts for the government insuring health coverage for all.<\/p>\n\n Millennials differ from older generations over the role of government, and they also are more likely to give priority to government programs that benefit younger people.<\/p>\n\n Millennials are the only age cohort in which more say that government programs benefitting younger people should be a higher priority than programs benefitting older people (53% vs. 31%). There is especially strong support for programs to aid the young among the youngest Millennials (ages 18 to 25): 60% say programs that benefit younger people should be a higher priority for government, compared with 45% of older Millennials.<\/p>\n\n Gen Xers are divided over whether programs for younger people (36%) or older people (40%) should receive more priority. Boomers and Silents, by wide margins, say that programs that benefit older people should be the higher priority.<\/p>\n\n Majorities across generations say that in thinking about Social Security\u2019s future, benefits should not be reduced in any way. Even among Millennials\u2014those furthest from retirement\u2014more say Social Security benefits should not be reduced by a 61%-37% margin.<\/p>\n\n At the same time, there is considerable doubt\u2014especially among Millennials and Gen Xers\u2014that Social Security benefits will still exist, much less be funded at current levels, by the time they retire.<\/p>\n\n Boomers say they expect Social Security will be able to provide some\u2014albeit reduced\u2014benefits. Roughly seven-in-ten Boomers expect to receive benefits at reduced levels (42%) or current levels (26%).<\/p>\n\n Millennials and Gen Xers are much more pessimistic. About half of each group (51% of Millennials and 50% of Gen Xers) say that when they retire Social Security will not have enough money to pay any benefits.<\/p>\n\n As with many attitudes about politics, there are wide racial differences across generations over the role of government, with non-whites much more supportive than whites of activist government. But in opinions about some social issues\u2014notably same-sex marriage and immigration\u2014the differences are much narrower.<\/p>\n\n Overall, 53% of Millennials favor a bigger government providing more services. But white Millennials prefer smaller government by 52% to 39%. Non-whites would rather have a bigger government by an even larger margin (71% to 21%).<\/p>\n\n Similarly, most white Millennials (54%) say it is not the federal government\u2019s responsibility to provide health insurance for all; 68% of non-white Millennials say this is the government\u2019s responsibility.<\/p>\n\n A similar pattern of racial and ethnic differences is also evident among Gen Xers and Boomers in views about the size of government and whether it has an obligation to provide health insurance for all. (There are not enough non-white Silents in the surveys to analyze.)<\/p>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\nAbortion and Gun Control<\/h3>\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\nGenerational Differences over Government\u2019s Role<\/h3>\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\nHigher Priority for Government: Programs for the Young or Old?<\/h3>\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n<\/a>Views of Social Security<\/h3>\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\nAge, Race and Views of Issues<\/h3>\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n
![\"Views](\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2014\/03\/SDT-next-america-03-07-2014-2-11.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n