VL: Audience: Non-Collegiate Youth

In 2004, there were an estimated 12.1 million 18-24 year old American citizens who had no
college experience. This constituted roughly 48 percent of the estimated total of 24.9 million 18-
24 year old citizens in America. Those without a college education are diverse, but more likely to
be male and disproportionately African-American and Latino than the general youth population. Specifically, from 2004 data, we estimate that among citizens 55 percent of non-college attending 18-24 year olds are male, while only 50 percent of all 18-24 year old citizens are male. Similarly, we find that among young non-college citizens 63 percent are non-Hispanic white, 15 percent are Latino, and 17 percent are African-American. Among all youth, 68 percent are non-Hispanic white, 12 percent are Latino, and 15 percent are African-American. This population of young people is less likely to vote than their college attending counterparts.



What are some predominately shared values? (broadly in life, not politics)

-many young people who aren't enrolled in college are busy starting careers
-non-college youth are less likely to believe that their vote matters
-many are unemployed or blue collar workers


What political policies/issues are particularly important to this demographic in this election?
-job,economy
-Iraq
-health care/prescription drugs
-immigration
-environment/global warming
-gas prices



Are there any cultural references your demographic identifies with? what?

-bums
-blue collar workers
-farming
-factory workers
-hang out friends
-hard workers
-club/bar hoppers


What does their graphic landscape look like? (This is sometimes called a "visual audit")

-televised news/newspaper

-supermarket magazines


-word of mouth from friends


Including the AIGA document and other sources, what are the issues cited for this group not voting?

And non-college youth are less likely to believe that their vote matters, according to CIRCLE's research. James Cooper, 25, is a good example. Cooper works at a perfume kiosk at a downtown San Antonio mall. He says he's never been to a political event or had a campaign reach out for his vote.

"I feel like it doesn't matter," Cooper says, adding, "I hear a lot about the last election with Bush and feel like there's no control — I say we have no control."

Although online videos and campaign Web sites are among the major sources of election news for young voters, their friends are their No. 1 source of information. So researchers say the widening class divide between college students and their working peers cannot be ignored. It starts in high school, where there are disparities in civics education, and can carry on into a young adult's working life.

Link

Civic Youth

Civic Youth

Youth vote matters this year -- a lot

npr