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Whatever... do Gen Y care about?

Nov 26 07:46am

The concerns of 11-24 year olds don't get as much media attention as what obsesses this age group. And these misconceptions may be another thing that causes the generation stress.

Mission Australia ’s 2008 National Survey of Young Australians has highlighted body image, drugs and family conflict as the biggest worries for 11-24 year olds.

Most of all, it’s drugs that are increasingly weighing on their minds. 

These were the top four issues:

1. Drugs: The increased level of concern around drugs, especially for 11 to 14 year olds and male respondents, supports the need for enhanced education programs and strategies that take account of age and gender.

2. Stress and depression: Young adults continue to be particularly concerned about coping with stress and depression, and there is an ongoing need to put strategies in place to assist young adults with these issues.

3. Body image: Perhaps contrary to expectations, concern about body image increased with age.

This suggests the need for strategies targeting young people into early adulthood including through their workplaces, community groups, higher educational institutions, online and the media.

4. Personal safety: The level of concern around the new item personal safety was consistent for all age groups and both genders and was higher than expected.

Mission Australia believes that ensuring the safety of young people in the range of environments in which they engage should be a national priority. This will require concerted efforts from a diversity of individuals and institutions including families, educational institutions, governments and the broader community.

Are you in Gen Y? What do you think Gen Y care about? Tell us below...

 

6 Comments Report Abuse
1. peterjhorsfield - Nov 26 08:13am
Through the Adopt-a-pensioner scheme I met a young lady (Chloe) who is 19yo. She is a very caring angel - apart from helping me she also works with people with who have disabilities. Give these members of Gen Y the publicity they deserve; not the minority idiots.
2. shane_sanders@y7mail.com - Nov 26 10:04am
you cant gereralise an answer to this, if you say...the y's are obsessed with possession...someone will say ..i know a girl who-etc. Gen y is a major component of our modern austrailia, so - TEACH THEM WELL!! INFORM THEM..NOW!! as we need them!! but they must be informed , or we are in big trouble!!
3. cronulla46 - Nov 27 11:40am
if the members of gen y took a bit of notice from baby boomers they would see that a bit of extra work, ie, second part time job, would provide for them the chance to enter another life circle, make more money to pay their mounting debts and cut back on the time they spend thinking how "hard" it is
4. kissmesoftly_x - Nov 28 10:34am
I am a Gen-Y and work two part-time jobs as well as attending uni full time. The stigma attached to GY's as being self-pitying, lazy and "unaware" is getting a little annoying. The GYs I know, care about the same things as everybody else - family, friends, the environment and financial security.
5. doomkitty92 - Dec 08 03:56pm
I am a member of gen x. I can remember the reputation we had. Now that we are all in our thirties or older, the majority of us are upstanding citizens. Perhaps we need to let kids be kids, and let young adults have fun before they have all the responsibilities that come with age.
6. doomkitty92 - Dec 08 03:58pm
I am a member of gen x. I can remember the reputation we had. Now that we are all in our thirties or older, the majority of us are upstanding citizens. Perhaps we need to let kids be kids, and let young adults have fun before they have all the responsibilities that come with age.
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