News
Job Security Out of Reach For Young People Says Think Big
05 August 2011
Think Big, O2's national programme for young people with great community ideas, has released new research into how young people feel about their prospects. And the findings, from a detailed study carried out in partnership with Teeside University, reveal a bleak picture.
Almost one in four (23 per cent) young people feel depressed about their future due to a combination of pressures that harm their confidence.
Only half (49 per cent) feel confident they will have a secure job in the next five years, while 72 per cent say there are not enough good quality jobs for young people.
When it comes to the root causes of this predicament, 57 per cent believe employers discriminate against them because of their age, whilst 54 per cent blame poor advice and support in finding work.
Young people also think that the media’s obsession with celebrity creates unachievable role models and is damaging to young people’s self esteem (82 per cent). Nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) believe that the media portrays young people negatively and, as a consequence, young people are poorly perceived by adults in general (68 per cent), by employers (62 per cent).
The findings are taken from O2 Youth Matters, the first instalment of a long-term research project designed to gain a unique understanding and insight into the outlook, attitudes and opinions of young people. More findings will be published to help create a picture of what young people in Britain think and feel about the important issues affecting their lives.
To see what Think Big is all about watch two short films by following the links below.
For more information on Think Big visit the NYA Think Big Pages
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