"Disillusioned with politics"? Understanding the hopes and aspirations of young people
Preferences of Gen Z: Insights into Desired Life Aspirations among Today's Youth
By Aljoscha Prange
The old adage about Generation Z being complacent and disinterested can't be further from the truth, according to a recent study by the Bertelsmann Foundation in collaboration with the Institute for Social Work e.V. (ISA). A national survey of over 1,000 young people aged 10 to 15 unveiled their desires for a fulfilling life and their levels of satisfaction. The encouraging findings suggest that young people are actively seeking ways to make a difference and have their voices heard, though they may not always be asked.
Finances More than just trendy gadgets The results showed that around half of the participants were quite satisfied with their lives, while nearly 46% rated their life as very satisfying. Only 5% reported being dissatisfied. When asked about the most important aspects of a good life, the majority (around a third) mentioned social relationships with peers. Family relationships ranked second, being considered important by a fifth of the participants.
The quest for social connections aligns with the financial priorities of young people; for nine out of ten respondents, money is crucial for shared activities with friends. Only then come luxury items like clothing, cosmetics, and technology (67%), hobbies (61%), and internet and phones (55%). However, it's worth noting that only about 20% of parents cover the costs of their children's leisure activities with friends, leaving the rest to finance their own pursuits.
Financial Worries Struggling with stress and isolation As one might expect, given the financial constraints, children and young people reported having financial worries. Approximately half (46.4%) stated that they often or sometimes concern themselves with their family's financial situation. Furthermore, around 49% of respondents said they couldn't afford things their friends had.
Psychological Effects More than just money It's not just about affording "flashy" items; the pressure from rising rents, food prices, and other expenses affects the overall well-being of both families and young people. Children realize when their family is facing financial difficulties, according to the study. This constant worry can severely impact their mood and stress levels.
Health and well-being
Lukas Thiehoff from the Bertelsmann Foundation's YouthExpert Team explained, "Young people shouldn't have to feel this way. They should be freer in their lives and less controlled by fears." In addition to financial stress, young people face numerous pressures at school, such as exams and homework: "School, grades, homework, exams – all of these cause immense pressure and stress," said Thiehoff in a conversation with ntv.de. Moreover, concerns about current global conflicts, climate change, and right-wing populism make young people anxious.
Education Rethinking the learning process In relation to schooling, while the majority (61%) of respondents rated their school as "good" and 34% as "very good," a more concerning image emerges regarding grading. The bulk (52.3%) thinks grades are unnecessary or even detrimental to their learning process. Only around 13% stated that they need grades to learn. Homework fares even worse, with 63.7% of students saying they need little or no homework for effective learning. They view homework primarily as a burden that could worsen inequalities in the classroom, as it often depends upon the home environment whether students receive support.
Learning Priorities Collaboration, Interest, and Relevance A more beneficial learning environment for young people, according to the findings, is one that prioritizes opportunities for questions, places for focus, tasks that interest them, clear aims for why something is learned in class, and collaboration with others. The opportunity to co-determine topics in lessons is also valued.
Encouraging youth involvement
Greater youth participation and co-determination is something that JEx-team member Romance Bassingha desires, particularly within political spheres. "There are lobby groups for everything, but not for students and young people," she expressed while speaking with ntv.de. "I wish the Bundestag were younger. And I wish for more youth participation."
Policy Implications A brighter future for Gen Z Parliament plays a crucial role in determining the future of young people, but instead of being included in decision-making processes, many young people feel excluded and that decisions are made over and about their lives. "We just want to live in peace. And we want to have a say. We're old enough to make decisions. Some of us even get to vote. We have answers. But we're not asked. I'm so angry at politics," stated a young interviewee.
To address this disconnect, the Bertelsmann Foundation, in their 2024 Annual Report, has identified initiatives designed to amplify the voices of young people, such as training school students as election ambassadors for European elections, creating educational programs for digital media literacy, and promoting entrepreneurial innovation in education. Ultimately, the goal is to provide young people with the tools and opportunities they need to contribute meaningfully to society and secure a brighter future for Generation Z.
Sources:
- ntv.de
- Bertelsmann Foundation 2024 Annual Report[1]
- YouthExpert Team member Romance Bassingha's interview with ntv.de[2]
Keywords:- Youth- Children- Bertelsmann Foundation- Federal Government- Studies- School- Family- Education- Social Media- Participation- Democracy- Media Literacy- Digital Sphere- Political Engagement- Civic Participation- Election Ambassadors- Sustainable Societal Transformation- Economic Competitiveness.
Additional Insights:
- In addition to the Bertelsmann Foundation's ongoing efforts to promote youth participation, Gen Z has been actively engaging with digital media platforms, especially TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, to initiate and participate in social movements and activism.
- The importance of equitable access to quality education and opposition to grades as a detrimental factor in the learning process are reiterated by the study, with many young people advocating for a more student-centered and collaborative learning environment.
- The need for legal rights to volunteer for community service reflects young people's desire for structured opportunities to engage in societal contributions and co-determination.
- The Foundation recognizes the challenges of disinformation and manipulation in the digital sphere, which young people are directly affected by and wish to be addressed through improved democratic resilience and media literacy.
- The study revealed that young people are actively seeking ways to make a difference and have their voices heard, particularly in the realm of education-and-self-development, politics, and general-news, as they desire greater co-determination and involvement, especially within political spheres.
- The Bertelsmann Foundation's 2024 Annual Report proposes initiatives such as vocational training programs to provide young people with the tools and opportunities they need for sustainable societal transformation and economic competitence, aligning with the youths' aspirations for education, life, and lifestyle.
