Throughout the country, countless Americans are facing less-than-optimal times. Many people feel that life has gotten harder, more expensive, and less flexible. This is especially true for folks living on tight budgets and younger individuals who've had less time to acquire resources or establish careers.

With a new presidential election coming up this November, candidates on both sides of the political spectrum are weighing in. Likewise, Americans want to vote for someone who they believe can ease their burdens and help pave the way to more opportunities.

Earlier today, a CBS News poll shined a light on just how much younger people are struggling.

The findings are quite bleak

According to the latest data, significant majorities of voters under the age of 30 believe they face worse odds than generations before them.

82% agree that purchasing a home is more challenging than it was for their parents and/or grandparents. Another 76% asserted that raising a family has become more difficult than before, while 70% said the same about finding good employment.

There's more. 55% of adults younger than 30 maintain the United States has fewer overall opportunities. This is compounded by a majority of younger Americans telling CBS News that they see the world as more dangerous and environmentally imperiled.

Only 6% feel they've achieved the American Dream, while 32% believe they have no chance of accomplishing this in their lifetimes.

What's driving this pessimistic sentiment?

On social media, young people aren't hesitating to sound off and explain the source of their general malaise. Many lament the fact that prices have significantly skyrocketed from where they stood two or three generations ago.

These concerns are also fueling the argument that older generations lack the proper standing to give the youth advice on thriving in the modern world. Many young people feel their parents and grandparents just can't relate to what they're up against in 2024.

Frustration about the costs of living and other adjacent issues isn't going to disappear anytime soon. Amid massive layoffs in the service, retail, and tech industries, more Americans will have to get creative as they try to make ends meet and take care of their families.