Nearly half of college students wouldn't room with someone who votes differently

[brooklynite]

https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/first-read/new-political-divide-nearly-half-college-students-wouldnt-room-someone-rcna43609

Almost half of second-year college students say they wouldn’t choose to be roommates with someone who supported a different presidential candidate than they did in 2020.

A majority say they wouldn't go on a date with someone who voted differently, and nearly two-thirds of them say they couldn’t see themselves marrying someone who backed a different presidential candidate two years ago.

Those are the findings of a new online NBC News/Generation Lab poll of the class of 2025 as they begin their second year of college.

A year ago, NBC News and Generation Lab checked in with the class of 2025 — as they were starting their first year of college — and found they were optimistic about their futures, less optimistic about the country’s direction and experiencing anxiety and depression.

One year later, those students remain optimistic about their personal lives, they continue to be down on the country’s direction, and many of them still experience anxiety and depression.

[no_hypocrisy]

1. And why would you?

Henry Fonda and James Stewart roomed together. But Hank was progressive/liberal and Jimmy was a staunch conservative.

They literally got into a fistfight over politics.

They moved out and promised never to discuss politics again if they wanted to keep their friendship.

[hlthe2b]

2. I'd never have considered such a thing when I went off to college, but damn, I don't blame them.

There is no way on earth I'd room with a Trumper. I'd change schools if necessary. Not sure I could even stand having a significant number of them--or at least the most vocal types--on the same dorm floor.

[SamKnause]

3. Good for them.

I wouldn't want to be associated with fascist theocratic people either.

[SharonClark]

4. One of my assigned college roommates put a Nixon poster on her wall to counter my

McGovern poster. We never spent any personal time together and she moved out at the semester.

[tulipsandroses]

5. At this time, I say that's probably a good thing

The people that are still voting Republican are likely to be racists, religious bigots, misogynistic, or Qanon freaks. No thanks.

A bit off topic, but related
I’m trying online dating and I think it’s great that you can check if you are liberal, moderate or conservative. I have my filter set to liberals only. I notice that a lot of the folks that check conservative have the flag in the background. I’m guessing it’s codespeak for I’m a MAGAT.

[milestogo]

6. In college I was politically naive.

I voted for Gerald Ford for president, because he was the incumbent. Then I went back to my house and talked to my roomies and realized I'd made a mistake. I should have voted for Carter. I reached for my coat, because the polls were still open... but I was informed that you can't undo your vote. Fortunately Carter won without my vote.

So, if I had taken the time to talk to other people or to my parents I would have made a better choice. I suspect a lot of young people are as poorly informed as I was.

[samnsara]

13. i did too!!!

[Polybius]

18. I voted for Dole because his age was under constant attack in 1996

I felt that 73 wasn't an issue, and I felt bad for him. I did not know any of his policies.

[Demsrule86]

7. As a young single woman, I did not date Republicans. Hubs was a Republican and evaded

the question and then went out and changed his party...hehe. I would never even know if his sisters hadn't ratted him out.

[ibegurpard]

8. Neither would I

Given the choice.
Having to share living space with someone is a lot different than being polite in unavoidable everyday interactions.

[Earth-shine]

9. My wife and I are 99.9% politically aligned. I highly recommend it for a peaceful, loving marriage.

[samnsara]

14. hubby and i are as well in fact he keeps suffering from male guilt

[Baggies]

10. If politics is how you define yourself

If politics is how you define yourself, then by all means no reason to make others miserable. You’ve done everyone else a favor by not wasting their time with your pettiness and immaturity.

[Elessar Zappa]

16. Trump supporters are bigoted morons.

Why would I live with or date a bigoted moron?

[Greybnk48]

11. Today, there's a marked ideology that goes with how someone votes

and it permeates all aspects of someone's life.

If you're a racist, bigoted, christo-fascist, misogynistic asshole who votes Republican, it's hard to hide your rotted hateful core.

[3catwoman3]

12. I sure as hell wouldn't.

I don’t even want to talk to people known to be Trump supporters. And sadly, I find myself wary of venturing into potential new friendships - what if I meet someone I initially really like, only to find out that they are right-wingers?

[samnsara]

15. when my dtr got engaged i asked her...first thing....if he was a trumper...

..thankfully no he wasnt. In fact hes from Aberdeen Scotland...so definitely NOT a trumper.

[Buckeyeblue]

17. I wouldn't want to either

After my wife and I had a few dates, we had the serious political talk. I wasn't going to invest emotionally energy in a Republican.

[HeartachesNhangovers]

19. Politics was the last thing on my mind when I asked someone out.

And I don't remember anyone I dated ever asking how I voted, or about politics in general.

[Hortensis]

20. Before it got this bad, general social orientation was already the

strongest factor in choosing life partners, more so than socioeconomic background, income expectations, educational level, etc.

People whose conservative traits dominate their attitudes toward others and life in general tended to find each other, same for those leaning liberal. And a lot of those who thought it didn't have to matter got divorced. Makes sense.