118th Congress By Age
Critical Analysis
According to the data from the visual above, Boomers make up a higher percentage of which chamber of Congress ?
According to the data from the visual above, which generation has the most U.S. Senate representation?
According to the data from the visual above, which chamber has more members of Gen Z?
There is one member of Generation Z in the U.S. House of Representatives. What is the reason it would be impossible for a member of Generation Z (born after 1996) to be elected to the U.S. Senate?
The median age of all members of Congress is 59. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median age of Americans is 38.1. What explains this difference?
Insider’s special investigation, “Red, White, and Gray” describes the United States as a gerontocracy - government by the old. Describe one political consequence of electing a Congress that is more than 20 years older than the average American citizen.
Given the changes in the generational age composition of Congress since the 115th Congress, what do you predict the generational age composition of the 122nd Congress will be?
Make a claim explaining why the average age of a freshman in Congress is lower than that of an incumbent.
Make a claim explaining why the average age of a Democratic freshman in Congress is lower than that of a Republican freshman in Congress.
Recently, I was on a walk. Someone said, “Hey Boomer!” I look around, but they were talking to their golden retriever named “Boomer.” Is it unkind to name a dog, Boomer? Is it worse to name a dog, Gen Z? What is the worst dog name you’ve ever heard?
Learning Extension
Read the Pew Research Center rundown of age in the 118th Congress.
Action Extension
Calculate the year you could first run for the U.S. House or the U.S. Senate and share your information with class. If your GoPo teacher is old enough to run for the U.S. House or the U.S. Senate form an exploratory campaign committee and urge them to run for office!