The Great Disillusionment: Gen Z’s Politics Are Not What We Think

Gen Z, those born between 1997 and 2012, is poised to take center stage in American politics after Donald Trump steps down in 2028. Despite being the first digital natives, their politics are a mess of contradictions that defy easy categorization or labels.

The divide within Gen Z is stark. Researchers have identified two distinct groups: those who came of age during Trump’s first term (Gen Z 1.0) and those who grew up during the Biden era (Gen Z 2.0). This chasm isn’t just about politics – it’s also about worldview, values, and trust in institutions.

The theory of the two Gen Zs is straightforward: Gen Z 1.0 was shaped by Trump’s presidency and the subsequent youth-led activism that emerged in response to his policies. In contrast, Gen Z 2.0 grew up during the pandemic era, characterized by mask mandates, vaccine requirements, and a sense of being “guinea pigs” in an experiment they didn’t sign up for.

As a result, Gen Z is wary of authority and institutions – not just politics, but labels of all kinds. Gen Z 2.0 is more independent, resistant to party affiliations or social norms. They reject labels when it comes to gender, relationships, or even politics itself. This generation has grown up with the internet, where information flows freely and identities are constantly in flux.

The infamous gender gap within Gen Z is also worth noting. In the 2024 election, young men overwhelmingly favored Kamala Harris over her Democratic opponents, while young women were more divided. Researchers attribute this to abortion rights being a key issue for many young women, who felt their bodily autonomy and freedom under attack. Young men tended to see it as an abstract concern rather than a personal one.

This shift in the gender gap is telling – while young men have moved rightward, young women have moved leftward since 2017. Social wedge issues like immigration, MeToo, and reproductive healthcare access have played a role. Despite this trend, Gen Z remains remarkably independent: only 28% of respondents in the Murmuration survey could cover an unexpected expense of $500.

Gen Z’s politics are unlikely to fit neatly into traditional party lines or adopt a single ideology. Instead, they’re likely to continue pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo – often in ways that defy easy categorization.

As this generation takes center stage, it’s worth recalling Rachel Janfaza’s words: “I hate labels when it comes to politics… No one wants to be boxed in.” This is a generation that’s grown up with the internet, where information flows freely and identities are constantly in flux. We’d do well to listen – not just to their politics, but to their values, worldview, and sense of disillusionment.

The great disillusionment of Gen Z is about questioning institutions, challenging them, and pushing for change from within. And if we’re wise, we’ll recognize this as an opportunity – not just to adapt to a new generation, but to rethink our assumptions about politics itself.