Students from the Medill Graduate School of Journalism examine the issues confronting the generation of young adults as they confront their futures in a diverse America. Issues in “Young Urban Adults and the New America” include identify, lifestyle, career, community, social responsibility, dating/marriage and others.
- Careers: A Diverse Generation Explores its Choices
“What do we want to do when we grow up? Oh, wait, that’s now! ” This project explores how young people use technology and creativity to start their careers, even in tough economic times.
- Community: A Diverse Generation Explores its Choices
Young people, from artists to activists, organize themselves around shared experiences or values to connect with each another.
- Identity: A Diverse Generation Explores its Choices
This collection of stories explores ways young people form a sense of who they are and what they stand for though culture, morality, ethnicity, politics and sexuality.
- A Diverse Generation Confronts its Future
This series of stories shows how young people connect with those they love — friends, parents, siblings and partners.
- Gay in America:
When culture and sexuality collide: At some point, nearly everyone grapples with their identity – faith, family, sexual orientation. But it can be even more difficult for minorities or immigrants struggling to sort through their sexuality. Video, timeline, text.
- Bollywood, the American Way:
One young woman, hooked on Indian cinema on a long plane ride, turned her obsession into a full-time project and created, The Bollywood Ticket. Video, text.
- Sibling Dynamics in Immigrant Families
This series, through the voices of several adult children of immigrants, explores what happens when the next generation’s culture and values collide. Video, text, photos.
- Like Mother, Like Daughter:
Three cultures. Two generations. One bond. This series delves into the lives of mothers who came to the United States from other countries and the daughters they have raised here, focusing on career, family and cultural perspectives. Video, text.
- This Muslim-American Life:
A six-story package explores the lives of second-gen Muslim-Americans from various perspectives: culture, arts, community, young adults’ activist, artistic voices and more. Text, video, graphics.
- Food, Faith and Bacon (now there's a holy trinity)
There are Hindus who haven’t set foot in a temple in a decade, but still refuse to order a burger. And Muslims who smoke and drink, but won’t eat a pork chop. And Jews who haven’t been to synagogue for awhile still pick bacon bits out of Cobb salad. Text, glossary.
- Coming Out Atheist
As teens, young nonbelievers start thinking that it just doesn’t make sense anymore, and for years, it’s their secret… then, in college, surrounded by more open-minded peers, they come out of the dark, still-stigmatized atheist closet. Text, charts, video, sidebars.
- Money Matters and the Young
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago has started programs and initiatives targeting young people through interactive workshops, seminars and activities. Text, chart.
- Navigating the Twists and Turns of Interfaith Marriage
If dating someone of a different faith is tricky, then marrying someone of a different faith can be downright difficult and problematic. Whether a couple about to enter into matrimony is Catholic and Jewish, or Muslim and Mormon, or Buddhist and Protestant, uniting the traditions, cultures and beliefs of two people, and two families, is undeniably complex. Text, video, sidebars.
- For the Love: Professional Passions of Six Adults
A half-century ago it was a white picket fence, 2.5 kids and a secure job to support them. Today it encompasses the hopes of a constantly changing America, and what constitutes a successful life is a definition that’s just as volatile. Ask five young people what they hope to accomplish as adults, and you’ll likely get five very different answers. Video, text.
- The Detour Years:
A series of podcasts explores less-traditional post-college experiences like moving to a small Texas artists’ enclave, joining VISTA and taking an extended road trip. Photos, audio.
- Health Care Options and the Young:
Most college graduates bid farewell to their insurance plans the same day they bid farewell to their alma mater. But some states and private insurance companies are addressing the increasing numbers of uninsured young adults with programs or laws to make the transition to the working world a little easier, and healthier. The question is whether these policies are enough. Text, photos, video, graphics.
- Volunteerism or Service: Young People Explore Options
From an Air Force recruit to a political volunteer and a Cuban-American activists, the young in America are passionate about their choices. Text, audio, galleries.
- Gay Veterans honored
Veterans from World War II sat side-by-side in Chicago’s Daley Plaza with veterans from the Gulf War during a salute to gay servicemen and women. Chicago is the only city to proclaim such a day. Video, text.