American Millennials Prefer

Experience Over Expertise

 2

Introduction
• A representative sample of American adults born
between 1980 and 1991 was surveyed.
• National sample size was 1,200 people.
• A demographically balanced online panel was used for
the interviewing.
• Respondents were not informed the research was being
conducted on behalf of LifeWay Research.
• Surveys were conducted during August 2009.
• At a 95% confidence level and a 50% response
distribution, the potential sampling error on this national
sample is 2.8 percentage points.
 3

Religious Definitions
• “Christ as Savior” are those whose belief about
life after death is that they will go to heaven
because they have accepted Jesus Christ as
Savior.
• “Other than Christ” are those whose belief about
life after death is something other than going to
heaven because they have accepted Jesus
Christ as Savior.
 4

Sources of Influence and Guidance

Millennials would rather learn from experienced peers

than from recognized experts. The strongest
influences and sources of advice or guidance are still
clearly parents, then friends, then extended family.
Those who are married or living with someone have
strong influences from their partner. Church is a
strong influence for those who attend, but only a
moderate source of advice or guidance. The Internet
is a source of advice for almost as many as turn to
extended family for guidance.
 5

Preferences When Learning from Others

Just 36% of Millennials said they would rather learn from one recognized expert, while
64% said they would prefer to learn from many individuals who have personal
experience, even if they aren’t experts.

Prefer one
recognized
expert, 36%
Prefer many
individuals with
personal
experience,
64%

Q28. When you are looking for information or advice, which one tends to be true about you?
 6

Preferences When Learning from Others

Men and Asians were more likely than other Millennials to prefer to learn from one
recognized expert.

100%
90%
80%
47%
70% 55%
65% 66% 65%
60% 74%
50%
40%
30%
53%
20% 45%
35% 34% 35%
10% 26%
0%
Men Women White Black Hispanic Asian

Prefer one expert Prefer many individuals

Q28. When you are looking for information or advice, which one tends to be true about you?
 7

Sources of Influence on Millennials’ Lives

Among all Millenials, the biggest sources of influence on their lives continues to be
parents, friends, and extended family.

Parent/parents 51% 36%

Friends 33% 48%

Extended family 33% 42%

Religious beliefs 32% 26%

Music 24% 37%

Church 22% 21%

Spouse 19% 6%

Internet 15% 40%

Domestic partner 10% 6% Note: figures are among

all respondents, including
Television 6% 26% unmarried, non-working, etc.
Boss 5% 16%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Strongly positive Somewhat positive

Q16. Right now, how much of an influence on your life is each of the following?
 8

Sources of Influence on Millennials’ Lives

Among those who are married or with a domestic partner, that other individual also has a
major influence on their lives. Church is also very influential for those who attend.
Parent/parents 51% 37%
Friends 33% 48%
Extended family 33% 42%
Religious beliefs 42% 33%
Music 24% 37%
Church 52% 34%
Spouse 73% 23%
Internet 15% 40%
Domestic partner 60% 32%
Television 6% 26%
Boss 10% 34%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Note: figures are among respondents
who fit each category (e.g. not asking Strongly positive Somewhat positive
unmarrieds about the influence of a spouse)

Q16. Right now, how much of an influence on your life is each of the following?
 9

Sources of Influence: Parents

The vast majority of Millennials said their parent/parents remain a positive influence in
their lives, including 51% who called them a strongly positive influence.

Negative, 3%
No influence,
9% "Your parent
or parents"

Strongly
positive, 51%

Somewhat
positive, 37%

Q16a. Right now, how much of an influence on your life is each of the following: Your parent or parents. (Asked of those who have at least one
parent still living; N = 1,187)
 10

Sources of Influence: Parents

Those who trust Christ as Savior, churchgoers, and those who had some sort of
religious beliefs were far more likely than others to say their parents are still a strongly
positive influence in their lives.
4% 3% 3% 5% 1% 4%
100% 6%
5% 6% 5%
90% 10% 4% 11%
16%
80% 33%
34% 36% 37%
70% 38% 39%
60% 40%
50%
40%
30% 58% 55% 61%
49% 54%
20% 40% 46%
10%
0%
Christ as Other than Broadly Other No religion Attend No church
Savior Christ Christian religion church

Strongly positive Somewhat positive No influence Negative

Q16a. Right now, how much of an influence on your life is each of the following: Your parent or parents. (Asked of those who have at least one
parent still living; N = 1,187)
 11

Sources of Influence: Your Friends

The vast majority of Millennials said their friends are a positive influence in their lives,
although only 33% called them a strongly positive influence.

Negative, 3%

No influence, Strongly
16% positive, 33%

"Your Somewhat
friends" positive, 48%

Q16d. Right now, how much of an influence on your life is each of the following: Your friends.
 12

Sources of Influence: Your Friends

There were few differences on this question. Higher-income and more educated
Millennials were somewhat more likely than others to see their friends as a positive
influence in their lives.
3% 3% 4% 5% 4% 1% 2%
100%
9% 11% 11%
90% 16% 16%
20% 23%
80%
70%
60% 48% 56% 54%
45% 51% 46%
50% 43%
40%
30%
20% 39% 34%
31% 29% 29% 32% 33%
10%
0%
HHI <$30k HHI $30-60k HHI $60k+ High school Some College grad Grad degree
college

Strongly positive Somewhat positive No influence Negative

Q16d. Right now, how much of an influence on your life is each of the following: Your friends.
 13

Sources of Influence: Extended Family

Most Millennials also said their extended family is a positive influence in their lives,
although only 33% called them a strongly positive influence.

Negative, 4%

No influence, Strongly
22% positive, 33%

"Extended
family members Somewhat
(grandparents, positive, 42%
siblings, etc.)"

Q16e. Right now, how much of an influence on your life is each of the following: Extended family members (grandparents, siblings, etc.).
 14

Sources of Influence: Extended Family

What differences existed on this question were relatively small. Millennials who trusted
Christ as Savior, churchgoers, and/or religious at all were less likely to see their
extended family as a strongly positive influence.

2% 4% 3% 4% 3% 1% 5%
100%
90% 18% 18% 15%
24% 28% 31% 26%
80%
70%
60% 43% 41% 45%
50% 41% 36% 40%
42%
40%
30%
20% 37% 37% 38%
31% 31% 30%
10% 23%
0%
Christ as Other than Broadly Other No religion Attend No church
Savior Christ Christian religion church

Strongly positive Somewhat positive No influence Negative

Q16e. Right now, how much of an influence on your life is each of the following: Extended family members (grandparents, siblings, etc.).
 15

Sources of Influence: Religious Beliefs

Thirty-eight percent of Millennials said their religious beliefs have no influence on their
life. Thirty-two percent said their religious beliefs have a strongly positive influence,
while another 26% called the influence somewhat positive.

Negative, 4%

Strongly
positive, 32%

No influence,
38%

"Your Somewhat
religious positive, 26%
beliefs"

Q16b. Right now, how much of an influence on your life is each of the following: Your religious beliefs.
 16

Sources of Influence: Religious Beliefs

Blacks, those who trust Christ as Savior, and those who had some sort of religious
beliefs were far more likely than others to say those beliefs are a strongly positive
influence in their lives.
3% 2% 3% 1% 2% 2%
100% 6% 4%
7% 7%
90% 22%
24%
80% 37% 33% 37%
42% 30%
70% 49%

60% 25% 34%

23% 78%
50% 25%
40% 26% 30%
25%
30% 61%
48%
20% 41% 42%
36%
29% 28%
10% 22% 9%
6%
0%
White Black Hispanic Asian Christ as Other Broadly Other No
Savior than Christian religion religion
Christ
Strongly positive Somewhat positive No influence Negative

Q16b. Right now, how much of an influence on your life is each of the following: Your religious beliefs.
 17

Sources of Influence: Music

Most Millennials considered music to be a positive influence in their lives, including 24%
who called it strongly positive. Music was more likely to be seen as a positive influence
than were the Internet or television.

Negative, 5%
Strongly
positive, 24%

No influence,
34%

Somewhat
positive, 37%
"Music"

Q16k. Right now, how much of an influence on your life is each of the following: Music.
 18

Sources of Influence: Music

Younger people and the less educated were somewhat more likely than others to name
music as a strongly positive influence in their lives.

3% 6% 4% 3%
100% 5%
9%
90%
80% 30% 32%
38% 32% 38%
41%
70%
60%
50% 39% 28% 39%
40% 36% 40%
38%
30%
20%
28% 31% 25%
10% 21% 19% 16%
0%
18 - 23 24 - 29 High school Some college College grad Grad degree

Strongly positive Somewhat positive No influence Negative

Q16k. Right now, how much of an influence on your life is each of the following: Music.
 19

Sources of Influence: Church

Half of Millennials said a church or other house of worship has no influence on their life.
Twenty-two percent said a church has a strongly positive influence, while another 21%
called the influence somewhat positive.

Negative, 7% Strongly
positive, 22%

No influence,
50%
Somewhat
"A church or other positive, 21%
house of worship"

Q16c. Right now, how much of an influence on your life is each of the following: A church or other house of worship.
 20

Sources of Influence: Church

Blacks, those who trust Christ as Savior, and those who attend worship regularly were far
more likely than others to say a church is a strongly positive influence in their lives.
7% 2% 2%
100% 9% 1% 10%
8% 8%
90% 14%
21%
80% 38%
70% 46% 41% 34%
55%
60% 32% 61%
70%
50% 25%
40%
26% 28%
30% 18%
52%
20% 45% 17%
35%
21% 14%
10% 20% 20%
14%
6%
0%
White Black Hispanic Asian Christ as Other than Attend No church
Savior Christ church

Strongly positive Somewhat positive No influence Negative

Q16c. Right now, how much of an influence on your life is each of the following: A church or house of worship.
 21

Sources of Influence: Your Spouse

Among married Millennials, 73% said their spouse is a strongly positive influence in their
life. Only 1% counted their spouse as a negative influence. The sample size of married
Millennials was too small to allow for substantial further subgroup breakdowns.

No influence, Negative, 1%
3%

Somewhat
positive, 23%

Strongly
"Your positive, 73%
spouse"

Q16i. Right now, how much of an influence on your life is each of the following: Your spouse. (Asked of those who were married; N = 318)
 22

Sources of Influence: The Internet

Over half of all Millennials said the Internet is a positive influence in their lives. About
four out of ten said it really has no influence on them, but just 8% said it’s a negative
influence.

Negative, 8% Strongly
positive, 15%

No influence,
38%
Somewhat
positive, 40%
"The
Internet"

Q16g. Right now, how much of an influence on your life is each of the following: The Internet.
 23

Sources of Influence: The Internet

Asians, particularly, found the Internet to be a positive influence in their lives. Those
who trust Christ as Savior were less likely than others to name the Internet as a positive
influence.
100% 8% 5% 7%
7% 11% 6%
90%
80% 22%
38% 36% 36%
70% 40%
45%
60%
50% 46%
40% 37% 42%
40% 44%
30% 33%
20%
10% 21% 25%
12% 13% 11% 16%
0%
White Black Hispanic Asian Christ as Other than
Savior Christ

Strongly positive Somewhat positive No influence Negative

Q16g. Right now, how much of an influence on your life is each of the following: The Internet.
 24

Sources of Influence: Domestic Partner

Among Millennials with a domestic partner, 92% called that person a positive influence
in their lives. The subsample of Millennials with a domestic partner was too small to
break down into further subgroups.
Negative, 4%
No influence,
5%

Somewhat
positive, 32%

Strongly
"Your positive, 60%
domestic
partner"

Q16j. Right now, how much of an influence on your life is each of the following: Your domestic partner. (Asked of those who had a domestic partner;
N = 206)
 25

Comparing the Influence of

Spouses and Partners
Spouses are more likely to be considered a strongly positive influence than are domestic
partners in the lives of Millennials.

100%
90%
80% 73%
70%
60%
60%
50%
40% 32%
30% 23%
20%
10% 3% 5%
1% 4%
0%
Strongly positive Somewhat positive No influence Negative

Spouse Domestic partner

6i/16j. Right now, how much of an influence on your life is each of the following: Your spouse/Your domestic partner.
 26

Sources of Influence: Television

Television was much less likely to be considered an influence than was the Internet. A
majority of Millennials said TV has no influence on their lives, and 14% said it has a
negative influence.
Strongly
positive, 6%
Negative, 14%

Somewhat
positive, 26%

No influence,
54%
"Television"

Q16h. Right now, how much of an influence on your life is each of the following: Television.
 27

Sources of Influence: Television

Although there weren’t major differences, women and those who trust Christ as Savior
were particularly unlikely to see television as a positive influence in their lives.

100% 13% 15% 12%

90% 19%
80%
70%
60% 50% 53%
58% 56%
50%
40%
30%
20% 29% 29%
23% 18%
10%
8% 4% 6% 6%
0%
Men Women Christ as Savior Other than Christ

Strongly positive Somewhat positive No influence Negative

Q16h. Right now, how much of an influence on your life is each of the following: Television.
 28

Sources of Influence: Your Boss

Among working Millennials, 44% called their boss a positive influence on their lives, an
equal proportion said he/she had no influence, and 12% said their boss is a negative
influence on them.
Strongly
Negative, 12% positive, 10%

No influence, Somewhat
"Your 44% positive, 34%
boss"

Q16f. Right now, how much of an influence on your life is each of the following: Your boss. (Asked of those who worked for someone else; N = 578)
 29

Sources of Influence: Your Boss

The less educated and lower-income Millennials were less likely to see their boss as a
positive influence in their lives.

100% 9% 8%
16% 11% 15% 11%
90% 14%
80%
70% 40% 33%
55% 44%
55% 41% 43%
60%
50%
40%
30% 40%
33% 40% 19% 32%
27% 41%
20%
10% 18%
9% 10% 9% 10% 12%
0% 5%
HHI <$30k HHI $30-60k HHI $60k+ High school Some College grad Grad school
college

Strongly positive Somewhat positive No influence Negative

Q16f. Right now, how much of an influence on your life is each of the following: Your boss. (Asked of those who worked for someone else; N = 578)
 30

Sources of Advice and Guidance

Among all Millenials, the biggest sources of advice and guidance continues to be
parents, friends, and extended family.

Parent/parents 54% 31%

Friends 30% 49%

Extended family 24% 44%

Bible/sacred books 18% 24%

Spouse 18% 7%

Internet 17% 45%

Church 13% 21% Note: figures are among

all respondents, including
Domestic partner 10% 5% unmarried, non-working, etc.
Your boss 3% 18%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

A lot Some

Q27. How much advice and guidance do you tend to get from each of the following sources?
 31

Sources of Advice and Guidance

Among those who are married or have a domestic partner, that other person is more
likely than anyone else to be a source of guidance or advice.

Parent/parents* 55% 31%

Friends 30% 49%

Extended family 24% 44%

Bible/sacred books 18% 24%

Spouse* 66% 27%

Internet 17% 45%

Church* 34% 42%

Domestic partner* 60% 29%

Your boss* 7% 36%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

* Figures are among respondents
who fit each category (e.g. not asking
A lot Some
unmarrieds about the influence of a spouse)

Q27. How much advice and guidance do you tend to get from each of the following sources?
 32

Sources of Advice/Guidance: Your Parent(s)

More than half of Millennials continue to get a lot of advice and guidance from their
parents, and another 31% get some.

None, 3%

Very little, 11%

Some, 31% A lot, 55%

"Your parent
or parents"

Q27a. How much advice and guidance do you tend to get from each of the following sources: Your parent or parents. (Asked of those who have at
least one parent still living; N = 1,178)
 33

Sources of Advice/Guidance: Your Parent(s)

Hispanics were especially likely to name their parents as a major source of advice.
Those who had no religious preference or who were atheist or agnostic were the least
likely to get guidance from their parents.

3% 2% 3% 4% 6% 1% 4%
100% 3%
9% 9% 5%
10% 10% 13% 13%
90% 14% 12% 14%
15%
80% 31%
19% 31% 31% 25%
70% 32% 31%
41% 32%
37% 35%
60%
50%
40%
30% 65% 60% 62% 63%
55% 59%
53% 50%
47% 45% 45%
20%
10%
0%
White Black Hispanic Asian Christ as Other Broadly Other No Attend No
Savior than Christian religion religion church church
Christ
A lot Some Very little None

Q27a. How much advice and guidance do you tend to get from each of the following sources: Your parent or parents. (Asked of those who have at
least one parent still living; N = 1,178)
 34

Sources of Advice/Guidance: Your Friends

Friends are a major source of guidance for 30% of respondents; another 49% said they
get some advice and guidance from friends.
None, 4%

Very little, 16%

A lot, 30%

"Your Some, 49%

friends"

Q27d. How much advice and guidance do you tend to get from each of the following sources: Your friends.
 35

Sources of Advice/Guidance: Your Friends

Friends were a more likely source of guidance for Whites and Asians than for others.
They were also more of a source for unmarried people and for those with more than a
high school diploma.
3% 3% 3% 3%
100% 6% 9%
9% 5% 4% 4%
12% 13% 11% 13%
90% 18% 17% 15%
16% 20%
80% 29% 20%
70%
60% 48%
51% 55% 50% 48%
47% 47%
50% 57% 54%
48%
37%
40%
30%
20% 38%
33% 33% 31% 34% 32% 33%
10% 21% 25% 23% 22%
0%
White Black Hispanic Asian High Some College Grad Married Partner Single
school college grad school

A lot Some Very little None

Q27d. How much advice and guidance do you tend to get from each of the following sources: Your friends.
 36

Sources of Advice/Guidance: Extended Family

One out of four Millennials got a lot of guidance from extended family members, while
another 44% said this is a source of some advice or guidance.

None, 8%
A lot, 24%

Very little, 24%

"Extended Some, 44%

family members
(grandparents,
siblings, etc.)"

Q27e. How much advice and guidance do you tend to get from each of the following sources: Extended family members (grandparents, siblings,
etc.).
 37

Sources of Advice/Guidance: Extended Family

There were few major differences on this measure. Millennials who attend worship
services and those who were less educated were somewhat more likely than others to
get a lot of guidance from extended family.

100% 13% 7% 6% 4%
5% 10%
90%
26% 18%
80% 22%
30% 28%
26%
70%
60%
46%
50% 42%
37% 52% 44% 42%
40%
30%
20%
29% 31%
10% 24% 19% 21%
18%
0%
High school Some college College grad Grad school Attend church No church

A lot Some Very little None

Q27e. How much advice and guidance do you tend to get from each of the following sources: Extended family members (grandparents, siblings,
etc.).
 38

Sources of Advice/Guidance: Sacred Writings

Only 18% of all Millennials said they get a lot of guidance or advice from sacred texts
such as the Bible or Torah, while another 24% get some. The most common answer
(37%) was none at all.

A lot, 18%

None, 37%

Some, 24%

"The Bible, Torah,

Koran,
or other sacred
writings" Very little, 22%

Q27b. How much advice and guidance do you tend to get from each of the following sources: The Bible, Torah, Koran, or other sacred writings.
 39

Sources of Advice/Guidance: Sacred Writings

Blacks were more likely to get advice from sacred texts than were other groups.
Twenty-one percent of those who trust Christ as Savior, did not get a lot of advice from
sacred texts like the Bible.

100% 7%
18%
90% 19% 34%
41% 38% 14%
80% 37%
15% 48%
70% 24%
60% 35% 79%
18% 23%
50% 31% 21%
24%
40% 24% 32%
30% 30% 23% 23%
20% 44%
20% 37% 20%
24% 14%
10% 14% 15% 19% 20%
8% 6%
0% 1%
White Black Hispanic Asian Christ as Other Broadly Other No
Savior than Christian religion religion
Christ
A lot Some Very little None

Q27b. How much advice and guidance do you tend to get from each of the following sources: The Bible, Torah, Koran, or other sacred writings.
 40

Sources of Advice/Guidance: Your Spouse

Two-thirds of married Millennials a lot of advice or guidance from their spouse; just 7% said
they get very little or none.

"Your None, 1%
spouse" Very little, 6%

Some, 27%

A lot, 66%

Q27h. How much advice and guidance do you tend to get from each of the following sources: Your spouse (Asked of those who were married; N =
318).
 41

Sources of Advice/Guidance: Your Spouse

Married Millennials who were religious (broadly Christian or attend worship) were more
likely to get a lot of advice or guidance from their spouse than were other respondents.
1% 2%
100% 4%
4% 8% 8%
90%
24% 20%
80%
38% 32%
70%
60%
50%
40% 76%
71%
30% 58%
54%
20%
10%
0%
Broadly Christian No religion Attend church No church

A lot Some Very little None

Q27h. How much advice and guidance do you tend to get from each of the following sources: Your spouse (Asked of those who were married; N =
318).
 42

Sources of Advice/Guidance: The Internet

Almost two-thirds of all Millennials get at least some advice or guidance from the
Internet, including 17% who said they get a lot from this source.

None, 10%
A lot, 17%

Very little, 29%

Some, 45%

"The
Internet"

Q27g. How much advice and guidance do you tend to get from each of the following sources: The Internet.
 43

Sources of Advice/Guidance: The Internet

There were few major differences on this measure. Asians were much more likely than
other groups to get a lot of advice or guidance online.

100%
9% 11%
90% 15%
24%
80%
28% 28%
70% 31%
60%
43%
50%
40% 47% 42%
41%
30%
20%
33%
10% 15% 20% 14%
0%
White Black Hispanic Asian

A lot Some Very little None

Q27g. How much advice and guidance do you tend to get from each of the following sources: The Internet.
 44

Sources of Advice/Guidance:
House of Worship
Just 13% of all Millennials said they get a lot of guidance or advice from a church or
house of worship, while another 21% get some. The most common answer (42%) was
none at all.

A lot, 13%

None, 42% Some, 21%

"A church or other house

of worship" Very little, 24%

Q27c. How much advice and guidance do you tend to get from each of the following sources: A church or other house of worship.
 45

Sources of Advice/Guidance:
House of Worship
Blacks were more likely to get advice from church than were other groups. Seventy-
one percent of those who trust Christ as Savior, and 66% of those who attend worship
did not get a lot of advice or guidance from church.

100% 10% 5%
20%
90%
47% 42% 20%
80% 40% 23%
53% 62%
70%
28%
60%
42%
50% 28% 18% 38%
40% 23%
30% 25%
30% 21%
18% 27%
20% 20%
34%
29% 15%
10% 22% 18%
10% 14% 10%
7% 2%
0%
White Black Hispanic Asian Christ as Other than Attend No church
Savior Christ church
A lot Some Very little None

Q27c. How much advice and guidance do you tend to get from each of the following sources: A church or other house of worship.
 46

Sources of Advice/Guidance:
Your Domestic Partner
Six out of ten Millennials with a domestic partner said they get a lot of advice or
guidance from this person (compared to 66% of married Millennials who said this about
their spouse). There were not enough respondents with a domestic partner to compare
subgroups.
None, 3%
Very little, 8%

Some, 29%
A lot, 60%
"Your domestic
partner"

Q27i. How much advice and guidance do you tend to get from each of the following sources: Your domestic partner (Asked of those who had a
domestic partner; N = 206).
 47

Sources of Advice/Guidance: Your Boss

Among working Millennials, only 7% said their boss is the source of a lot of advice and
guidance for them (although another 36% said the boss gives them some of this).

A lot, 7%
None, 18%

"Your boss"

Some, 36%

Very little, 39%

Q27f. How much advice and guidance do you tend to get from each of the following sources: Your boss. (Asked of those who work for someone; N
= 578)
 48

Sources of Advice/Guidance: Your Boss

There were few measurable subgroup differences on this question, although there were
a few slight differences based on education level.

100%
17% 6%
90% 27% 19%
80%
41%
70%
36%
60% 43%
34%
50%
40%
30% 50%
27% 32% 41%
20%
10%
12% 8%
0% 4% 4%
High school Some college College grad Grad degree

A lot Some Very little None

Q27f. How much advice and guidance do you tend to get from each of the following sources: Your boss. (Asked of those who work for someone; N
= 578)
 49

Seeking Guidance
Most Millennials said they try to figure things out on their own rather than seek guidance,
including one-third who felt this way strongly. Only 15% said they tend to seek guidance
rather than taking care of it themselves.

Disagree
strongly, 2%
Disagree
somewhat,
13% Agree
strongly,
33%

Agree
somewhat,
"In general, I try to figure
things out on my own 52%
rather than seek guidance"

Q26f. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: In general, I try to figure things out on my own rather than seek guidance.
 50

Seeking Guidance
Those who trust Christ as Savior were more likely than others to seek guidance
(although still a minority did so). This was also true of Whites; minorities were more
likely to figure things out on their own.

1% 3% 3% 2% 1% 2%
100%
16% 8% 11% 7% 16% 12%
80%
45%
49% 44%
60% 51%
57% 58%

40%

20% 40% 43% 46%

35%
26% 26%
0%
White Black Hispanic Asian Christ as Other than
Savior Christ

Agree strongly Agree somewhat Disagree somewhat Disagree strongly

Q26f. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: In general, I try to figure things out on my own rather than seek guidance.
 51

Asking Parents for Advice

Most Millennials (77%) agreed that they still ask their parent/parents for advice on a
regular basis; just 5% disagreed strongly with this.

Disagree
strongly, 5%

Disagree
Agree strongly,
somewhat,
36%
19%

Agree
somewhat,
"I seek advice from my
41%
parent or parents on a
regular basis"

Q14f. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: I seek advice from my parent or parents on a regular basis.
(Among those with at least one parent still living; N = 1,187)
 52

Asking Parents for Advice

Those who trust Christ as Savior, women, and churchgoers were more likely than others
to ask advice of their parents still.
100% 6% 5% 2% 6% 2% 7%
90% 17% 13%
20% 17% 19%
80% 22%
70%
60% 41% 44%
38%
43% 41% 39%
50%
40%
30%
20% 41% 40% 41%
31% 34% 33%
10%
0%
Men Women Christ as Other than Attend church No church
Savior Christ

Agree strongly Agree somewhat Disagree somewhat Disagree strongly

Q14f. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: I seek advice from my parent or parents on a regular basis.
(Among those with at least one parent still living; N = 1,187
 53

Marriage, Family, and Religious

Preference
Most Millennials are single and almost all have
living parents. About two-thirds called themselves
Christian, with 14% atheist or agnostic, and 14%
having no religious preference. Only 26% trust
Jesus Christ as Savior.
 54

Marital Status
Most respondents were single, but 55% had no domestic partner while another 17% did.
Twenty-six percent were married, with 2% already divorced or separated. Most married
respondents were 24 or older.

Divorced/separ
ated, 2%

Married, 26%
Single, 55%

Domestic
partner, 17%

Q12. What is your current marital status?

 55

Are Parents Still Living?

Nine out of ten Millennials had both parents still living.

Neither still
One still living, living, 1%
10%

Both still living,

89%

Q13. Are your parents still living (if you’re adopted, please answer regarding your adoptive parents)?
 56

Religious Preference
Only 65% of Millennials were willing to call themselves Christian in even the broadest
sense.

No preference,
14%

Agnostic, 8%

Atheist, 6%

Other religion,
8% Christian, 65%

Q24. What is your religious preference?

 57

Making a Commitment to Christ

One-third of all Millennials agreed strongly that they have made a personal commitment
to Jesus Christ; another 24% agreed somewhat with this.

"You have made a personal commitment

to Jesus Christ that is still
important in your life today"
Agree strongly,
33%
Disagree
strongly, 26%

Disagree
somewhat, Agree
17% somewhat,
24%

Q35h. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: You have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still
important in your life today.
 58

Making a Commitment to Christ

Sixteen percent of those who do not trust Christ as Savior still strongly claimed a
personal commitment to Christ, as did 10% of those who affiliated with a non-Christian
religion (demonstrating how much syncretism there is).
1%
100% 1% 5% 5%
20% 15% 8%
35%
80% 37%
24%
71% 65%
33%
60%
23% 22%
40% 79%
26% 63% 25%
48% 12% 23%
20%
7%
16% 10% 9% 16%
0% 3%
Christ as Other than Broadly Other No religion Attend No church
Savior Christ Christian religion church
Agree strongly Agree somewhat Disagree somewhat Disagree strongly

Q35h. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: You have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still
important in your life today.
 59

Beliefs about Life after Death

The most common belief about life after death is that no one really knows.

No one really knows 34%

Saved through Jesus as Savior 26%

Saved through being good person 16%

I just won't exist 8%

Reincarnation 5%

God will save everyone 4%

Saved through 10 Commandments 2%

Other 4%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Q36. There are many beliefs about life after death. Which of the following statements is closest to your own beliefs?
American Millennials Prefer
Experience Over Expertise