A new anatomy of youth

Last week we launched of our new research report,  An Anatomy of Youth, in partnership with Demos. Over the past year Demos have analysed the attitudes of 16 – 25 year olds and some of the key trends they are living through. The research brings together original data from v’s Voicebox survey, expert essays, and portraits of young people to reveal a generation that is creating social change rather than simply experiencing it.

The report identifies the failure of the current political debate to adequately discuss long term problems like economic recovery, climate change, the care gap and communities under strain, this is turning youngsters away from politics altogether, despite evidence that many are passionate about politics and social issues. The Times ran a pre-election feature on the Anatomy of Youth,  and describe young people’s political engagement as; 'Young, cool, indifferent: digital generation finds it hard to connect'.

v volunteer, Rui Jorge Octavio. Photography: Graham Turner[/caption]

The report  shows young people across Britain are keen to contribute to society, but see little evidence that mainstream politics tries to include young people in decisions outside of ‘youth issues’. At v, we’re committed to understanding more about young people through our research programme.

Terry Ryall, Chief Executive of v, said: “The report helps us understand the big challenges young people are facing, now and in the future, so that we can effectively strengthen their role in society. The findings identify the gap between those young people who are hyper-engaged and those who are disengaged with society. At v, we’re committed to supporting every young person to take action on the issues they care about”.

The research sets out five major challenges young people will inherit, and the extent of the sacrifices they will be forced to make in future:

Citizenship – Young people have lost sight of why traditional politics matters. Only 36% voted at the last election. Politicians must engage young people’s passions, or they will go to express their politics elsewhere – as consumers, donors to charity and in grass roots movements.

Climate Change – Young people know that climate change will affect them, but are unsure how government intervention to de-carbonize the economy will affect their personal freedoms. Governments need to be honest with young people.

Care and families – Young people surveyed placed family at the top of their priorities, but over the decades ahead families will face acute pressures to provide more care, and support with fewer resources. Their families will struggle to cope with an ageing population without big changes in flexible working and state support.

Digital identity – The first generation to be called ‘digital natives’ face unprecedented challenges online between balancing internet freedom and privacy and control their personal information. Governments need to consider how they protect this generation’s digital rights.

Community – Young people are inheriting local communities under strain and low on trust and they feel lower levels of belonging to their local area than other age groups. Local and central governments will need to invest in spaces that can foster inter-cultural and inter-generational exchange between people.

The report includes a foreword from David Willets MP and new essays from Zygmunt Bauman, dana boyd , Katherine Rake , Peter Madden, Stuart White; and Rachel, Sabiha, Kit, Kelvin and Rui provide examples of how they as young people are already taking action.

The report concludes by posing six questions, which are examples of the type that should be asked of all political representatives on behalf of the next generation of voters, whether at a local, central, or international level. The responses to these questions will help us to describe a political future for the next generation and establish a different contract with citizens, which are both essential in creating a healthier political alignment for youth in the decades ahead.

An Anatomy of Youth has started a debate on how we can work together to bridge the gap between politics and young people. The event last week brought together key thinkers, politicians and young people to further explore the research findings and possible solutions. Our v20 advisory board reviewed the report and provided their responses via our blog on digital identity, effective citizens, new families, changing communities, and climate change.

The event was very well attended, indeed at one point we had to  operate a one-in-one-out policy! The conversations  around the room  echoed the same sentiment - we urgently  need to consider how we  can best support young people  transitions through to adulthood in  view of the new  challenges posed in the next decade. The new  coalition  government will be tasked with addressing these  challenges  and we must support young people to become  part of the solution.