They conducted interviews to these girls in 2016. The last four years made a big, sobering impression on them and their beliefs.
This generation of teenagers was raised hearing that girls could be anything they wanted — maybe even president. Many of them say it’s important for leadership to be more inclusive than in the past. But they are also cleareyed about the sexism female leaders like Kamala Harris and Hillary Clinton face, according to a new survey of 604 teenagers by Dynata for The New York Times.
“I think it’s really damaging. All of those women have shown you can rise above that stuff, and you can be in those positions and succeed. But I think for a lot of little girls and people like me, they see that and think, ‘If that’s what it takes to achieve that position, I don’t think it’s worth it,’” said Sarah Hamilton, a graphic designer from San Francisco.
Hamilton was part of a group of young women who were first interviewed as Oregon high schoolers in 2016 — (we followed up with them in 2021, now that they can vote). The last four years, they said, had opened their eyes to systemic sexism and racism.
For some, like Ana Shepard, it moved them to activism or leadership. Catalyzed by the treatment of immigrants during the Trump administration, Shepard is studying to become an immigration lawyer.
For others, like Daryn Hickok, it made them search elsewhere for a way to make a difference. “It did not motivate me to want to become a senator or anything like that,” she said, “but it motivated me to want to be well educated in it, and to be able to educate others.”
Jordan Barrett was a Trump supporter in 2016, like her family and most of her hometown, Moro, Oregon. She’s still there, attending college remotely, studying animal science. She said the last four years had made her think about whose voices are heard. Her first time voting for president, she chose Joe Biden.“I think my generation is a little more fearless when they stand up for things,” she said. “I’m hoping they’re using their power and voice for good, and to represent people who don’t have a voice.”
Comentarios