The United States seems to be the most divided it has ever been in recent years. Political debates, the struggles of the presidential transfer of power, differing stances on human rights and the stereotypes of each political party have caused people to turn against one another and the country as a whole. With everything in shambles, questions concerning the younger generations arise: What are teenagers’ opinions on the current political state of America?

Despite the majority being too young to vote, today’s youth pays attention to what is going on in the world in order to expand knowledge and prepare to become the generation behind it all in the future. Recent events have caused everyone to form opinions and beliefs about the ongoing situations our country is facing.

“Everyone in America is separated from one another,” junior Alayna Booc said. “The effects of centuries of oppression and a cruel, broken system are finally bubbling to the media’s surface.”

Sworn into office Jan. 20, Joe Biden became the 46th President of the United States months after winning the electoral college at the end of 2020. On the other hand, there were many rumors of voter fraud that swept the nation as claims by the previous president Donald Trump and far-right media made their way into the spotlight.

“This election was sketchy,” junior Kyle Berkovitch said. “I’m not saying the results were wrong, but there is a good chance it was inaccurate. The voting system is ineffective right now because it’s too easy to rig.”

The voter fraud theory is still running rampant today and has been the cause of protests and violence against the country’s government such as the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot, which was a violent attack against the 117 United States Congress carried out by Trump supporters in an attempt to overturn his 2020 election defeat.

“The riots and brutality are getting out of hand, but you can easily see where all the anger comes from,” Berkovitch said.

Some, however, are not focusing on the public, but on government officials themselves.

“I think, above all else, it feels like the U.S. is being run by bullies,” junior Abigail Vickery said. “Not a single prominent member of Congress cares about the American people, but only how they can bend their parties to their own ideas.”

Despite the catastrophic atmosphere teenagers are surrounded by, there are still a few who attempt to focus on themselves instead of politics in order to lighten stress and maintain personal relationships.

“I think politics divides people too much,” junior Grant Beaber said. “I don’t think we should destroy each other over things we can’t control. At the end of the day, an opinion is just that: an opinion.”