"Bitter about Politics"? - Common Stereotype or True Feelings among the Youth? Unveiling the Real Wishes of Young Generations
Young People's Preferences - Unveiling the Desires of the Youth Generation
By Aljoscha PrangeMore Info on the StudySchool, Family, and Finance: Perspectives of Young People on a Good Life
Young people are often stereotyped as complacent and disinterested; however, a recent nationwide survey by the Bertelsmann Foundation in collaboration with the Institute for Social Work e.V. (ISA) challenges these assumptions. More than 1,000 children and young people aged 10 to 15 shared their thoughts on their desire for involvement, change, and a voice in society. The astonishing findings reveal that half of these respondents are "rather satisfied" with their lives, while nearly 46% are "very satisfied." Only a mere five percent expressed dissatisfaction.
Young People's Essential Requirements for Happiness
When asked what was essential for a good life, around a third mentioned the importance of social relationships with peers. Family relationships followed, with one in five considering them the most crucial.
The desire for social connections aligns with the financial preferences of children and young people: for nine out of ten respondents, money is primarily significant for shared activities with friends. Only then come "trendy things" like clothing, cosmetics, and technology (67 percent), hobbies (61 percent), and the internet and phone (55 percent).
However, only around 20 percent of parents cover the costs of their children's leisure activities with friends. The majority of expenses often come out of their own pockets. Those who lack funds may find themselves staying at home, potentially leading to isolation.
Financial Worries Among the Youth
Given these financial constraints, it's no surprise that children and young people face various financial concerns. Nearly half (46.4 percent) constantly or occasionally worry about the financial state of their family, while 49 percent stated they were unable to afford something that their friends could.
A Healthy Wallet and Peace of Mind
It's not just about affording "trendy things." The pressure from rising rents and food prices affects the emotional well-being of families, affecting mood and stress levels. "Children are aware when their family is struggling financially" the study notes. The lack of money was cited by 36 percent as a significant factor affecting their quality of life.
However, there are other sources of stress, according to Lukas Thiehoff from the JugendExpert:innenTeam (JEx-Team) of the Bertelsmann Foundation. "School, grades, homework, exams - all of these cause immense pressure and stress on young people." Adding to that worries about ongoing global conflicts, climate change, and the rise of right-wing populism. "Young people shouldn't have to shoulder these worries. They should be free to live their lives with less fear and stress," Thiehoff warns in a conversation with ntv.de.
Grading Systems and Homework: Room for Improvement
While around 61 percent of respondents rated their school as "good" and around 34 percent even as "very good," a starkly different picture emerges when it comes to grading. The majority (52.3 percent) considers grades little or not at all necessary for their learning process. Only about 13 percent stated that they are essential for their learning.
Homework fares even worse: 63.7 percent of students stated they "little" or "not at all" need homework for effective learning. These assessments could potentially widened inequalities in the classroom. "Because it often depends on the home environment whether students receive homework assistance or not," the study notes.
What young people value the most are: "The possibility to ask when something is not understood, places where one can concentrate, tasks that interest them, clarity about why something is learned in class, cooperation with others. And: the possibility to co-determine in lesson topics."
Youth Political Expectations: Wishing for a Voice in Tomorrow's World
Members of the JEx-Team, Romance Bassingha, also wishes for more co-determination, especially on a political level. "There are lobby organizations for everything. But not for students and young people. I wish for a younger Bundestag. And I wish for more youth participation," she says in an ntv.de interview.
As these parliamentary decisions significantly impact their futures, many young people feel excluded from the process. "We just want to live in peace. And we want to have a say. We are old enough to make decisions. Some of us can even vote. We have answers, but we are not asked. I am so angry at politics."
This sentiment - contrary to one of the Gen Z stereotypes - does not seem lazy. Thiehoff recognizes young people facing a double standard. "On the one hand, it is said that young people should work more and yearn for the job market. But they are not offered a realistic future perspective." It's about creating a future where young people can thrive and lead fulfilling lives, not just "40-60 hours of work and burnout." Bassingha agrees: "Sure, there are things that can be said about Gen Z. But lazy, we are certainly not."
Additional Insights on Youth Political Expectations:
- Increased Participation: Young people generally wish for more opportunities to engage in the political process, including voting and decision-making processes.
- Social and Environmental Issues: Many young individuals prioritize environmental sustainability and social justice, expecting governments to address these challenges effectively.
- Transparency and Accountability: There is often a desire for more transparent governance and accountability from political leaders.
- Economic Opportunities: Young people typically expect policies that promote economic stability, education, and job opportunities.
These expectations can vary based on the specific study, but they generally reflect a desire for change and inclusivity in political systems. If you have more specific details about the study, such as the year or region focused on, it might help in providing a more precise answer.
Source: ntv.de
- Youth
- Children
- Bertelsmann Foundation
- Federal Government
- Studies
- School
- Family
- Social Work
- Enrichment Insights:
- Increased Participation: Young people generally wish for more opportunities to engage in the political process, including voting and decision-making processes.
- Social and Environmental Issues: Many young individuals prioritize environmental sustainability and social justice, expecting governments to address these challenges effectively.
- Transparency and Accountability: There is often a desire for more transparent governance and accountability from political leaders.
- Economic Opportunities: Young people typically expect policies that promote economic stability, education, and job opportunities.
- Despite stereotypes, a majority of young people are rather satisfied or very satisfied with their lives.
- Social relationships with peers and family are considered crucial for a good life by many young people.
- Money is primarily significant for shared activities with friends for the majority of young people.
- A significant portion of young people are worried about the financial state of their families, and many cannot afford things their friends can.
- Financial constraints can lead to isolation for some young people who cannot afford leisure activities with friends.
- School, grades, homework, exams, global conflicts, climate change, and the rise of right-wing populism are sources of stress for young people.
- Young people value a learning environment that allows them to ask questions, offers clarity, and provides opportunities for cooperation and self-determination.
- Many young people wish for more co-determination, especially on a political level, and feel excluded from the political process that significantly impacts their futures.
- Increased participation, environmental sustainability, social justice, transparency, accountability, and economic opportunities are common expectations among young people with regards to political systems.
- The study was conducted by the Bertelsmann Foundation in collaboration with the Institute for Social Work e.V. (ISA), involving over 1,000 children and young people aged 10 to 15.
- In this study, the desires and concerns of young people regarding various aspects of their lives, including lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, relationships, pets, travel, cars, education-and-self-development, shopping, and crime-and-justice were explored.
