Are young people more likely to support political violence than older people?

"The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk earlier this month on a college campus in Utah was the latest and perhaps most graphic example of a disturbing trend of recent political violence in the United States. The murder of Minnesota Democratic state lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in June. An arson fire at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's house in April. The shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a New York sidewalk in December."

"A survey of more than 4,100 people conducted last year by a California State Long Beach professor found that 93% of baby boomers and 86% of Generation X members say violence is never acceptable to stop political speech, even the most offensive speech. But only 71% of millennials and 58% of Generation Z agreed. The wrong conclusion to draw, of course, is that millions of young people are celebrating acts of political violence, said Kevin Wallsten, a professor of political science who led the survey."

"Everybody can feel the political temperature rising, and we are being pulled in different directions as a country. We collectively need to think of ways of addressing the deep disaffection that is underneath it. Wallsten said leaders at universities, the media and politicians need to turn down the temperature by emphasizing that democracy depends on listening to other viewpoints. Partisans follow their leaders, he said."

A string of high-profile attacks has included assassinations, a fatal shooting, an arson at a governor's home and an attempted murder of a public figure, signaling rising political violence. Survey data from over 4,100 respondents show stark generational differences: 93% of baby boomers and 86% of Generation X reject violence to stop political speech, compared with 71% of millennials and 58% of Generation Z. Researchers caution against assuming widespread celebration of violence among young people but express concern about deep disaffection. Leaders in universities, media and politics are urged to reduce tensions and emphasize democratic listening and nonviolent responses.

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