Most young people feel that the world is getting better with time and that the children of their country will be more prosperous than their parents.
But according to a global survey of more than 22,000 young people from 21 countries, this optimism about the future it is not felt as strongly in older generations or in wealthier nations.
The Changing Childhood Project, a collaboration between the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the research company Gallup, found that an average of 57% of young people thought the world was becoming a better place with each generation. And more than half also thought the children would be better off than their parents.
And when it comes to the views of those over 40, half thought children would be worse off. Overall, with each additional year of age, people are 1% less likely to say the world is becoming a better place
The UNICEF project seeks to discover what it is like to grow up today and how young people see the world.
The survey, conducted between January and June 2021, revealed a chasm between generations in terms of how they identify with the world around them, their perspective and, in some cases, their values.
“In the face of unfolding crises, including the COVID19 pandemic and the climate crisis, and despite growing inequality and struggles with mental health, young people are more likely to believe that the world, and children themselves, are getting better with each generation.” say the report’s authors.
“Born into a more digital, interconnected and diverse reality, young people see a world that is far and away a better place for children than the one their parents grew up in: a safer and more abundant world that offers children a better life. education, opportunities and hope for the future.”
A childhood that improves
Younger people are also more optimistic about childhood and the progress that has been made on indicators such as safety, quality of education, health care, opportunities to play, and access to clean water and healthy food.
However, there is much less positivity when it comes to mental well-being. Less than half of young people surveyed think children are now in better mental health than their parents, and people in wealthier nations feel this particularly strongly.
And both young and old respondents feel that children today are under more pressure to succeed than their parents were growing up.
These trends are supported by the young people surveyed’s own responses. More than one in three 15-24 year olds said they often feel anxious, worried or nervous. A roughly equal number of people over the age of 40 reported feeling the same. One in five younger respondents said they often feel depressed or have little interest in doing things, compared to 15% of older people.
The digital gap
Of all the topics covered by the survey, the biggest divide between generations is seen when it comes to technology, both in terms of its use and the benefits and risks.
Nearly eight in 10 young people say they use the internet on a daily basis, compared to half of older people. Young people rely on online sources, primarily social media, to stay informed. And they express much less concern about online privacy than older users.
In general, the younger generation sees much less risk and more benefit in children’s online lives than older generations.
A more equal world
The survey also captured people’s thoughts on topics including climate change, children’s agency and empowerment, and progress towards a more equal world.
On this last issue, there is clear agreement that women and members of racial, ethnic and religious minorities should be treated equally. But young people are more likely to say that it is important that LGBTQ+ people are treated equally. On average, 71% of young people said it was somewhat or very important, compared to 57% of older people.
Charlotte Edmond senior writer, educational content
The Article was originally published at the World Economic Forum..
Also read: We are entering the era of Web3. Depends on taking back the power of big tech
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