What Makes Young People Happy?
A recent survey taken by MTV and the Associated Press about what young people (ages 13-24) said made them happy was released over the weekend. To the surprise of most people the results showed that it wasn't money, fame, drugs, or even sex, but it all boiled down to relationships. In fact, the number one relationship that made them happy is their relationship with their parents.
For those of us who study this age group, this news doesn't come as a big shock. In their ground breaking book, Millennials Rising, both Howe and Strauss point out that this generation is far more connected with their parents than Gen X was or those Boomers of the 60's. So what did the survey reveal?
For those of us who study this age group, this news doesn't come as a big shock. In their ground breaking book, Millennials Rising, both Howe and Strauss point out that this generation is far more connected with their parents than Gen X was or those Boomers of the 60's. So what did the survey reveal?
- 65% said they are happy with their life right now.
- 73% said their relationship with their parents makes them happy.
- 50% said their heroes were their parents (29% mom; 21% dad, with friends and God rounding out the other top spots).
Here are some other facts:
- 64% who said they were happy came from two parent homes (compared to 47% that came from divorce homes).
- 62% believe they will be happy as adults even though they know life will not be easy for them.
- Only 1% listed money as a source of happiness but 58% want to be rich while 28% want fame.
- 85% felt stress in their lives (38% frequent; 47% sometimes).
- 88% do not feel safe (29% rarely feel safe; 59% somewhat safe).
- According to the poll, more than half claimed that religion or spirituality played a very important part of their life or is the single most important thing in their lives.
Most experts believe this survey showed what we already know about this generation, that relationships are a major key factor in how they see the world around them. Although they feel high levels of stress and are concerned about the events of the world they live in, they still believe that life will be better for them in the future and that they will be the ones to make that future better.
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at 6:40 AM.
You can skip to the end and leave a response.
» Post a Comment