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Despair over future fuels political anxiety for college students on the cusp of adulthood – WTOP News
Students say job insecurity, housing costs and AI fears are pushing Gen Z toward disruptive candidates, with young Americans’ job optimism down since 2024, Gallup said.
On Sept. 15, 2026, Michigan State University senior Frankie Llerandi attended a campaign event for William Lawrence, the Democratic candidate for Michigan's 7th District, highlighting widespread political restlessness among students.
Economic anxiety persists despite a 7.2% unemployment rate for those aged 22 to 27, higher than the broader 4.1% rate; Texas-based economist Kathryn Edwards noted recent college graduate unemployment reached 5.6%, complicating young adults' financial stability.
Students face AI-powered job hunting and rising housing costs that fuel despair. Marla McGraw, assistant dean of career management in Michigan State's business school, tells them, "The job market is tough, but you're tougher."
Disruptive candidates are gaining support among disillusioned students, with Julian Bautista, 20, planning to leave the United States for the Netherlands, citing what he views as a "failure of democracy" led by corrupt politicians.
Global violence and political instability compound student anxiety. Kira Saiti, a 19-year-old sophomore, struggles to maintain hope, saying, "It's kind of hard to look at that and say, 'This world is a great place.