Scouts Reveal Groundbreaking Report on Young People
10th January 2007
The Scout Association unveils groundbreaking report on how young people feel about life in the modern world
For the first time, research released today (8 January 2007) by The Scout Association has revealed a truthful and modern representation of what motivates young people in the UK today. The findings, commissioned to coincide with the launch of Scouting’s Centenary year, indicate that UK teenagers are more confident, respectful and caring about the world they live in than many of the stereotypes commonly applied to them.
Young people express highly positive attitudes to the family unit, with mum and dad emerging as the top two people admired by young people, followed by teachers and youth club leaders. In contrast, celebrities have apparently little influence on the UK’s teenagers, with over half saying they have either a negative or zero impact on their lives. Pete Doherty topped the list of bad role models spontaneously cited by the young people whilst Kylie and Beckham were the most admired.
The report also highlights how boredom remains an issue with 68% commonly feeling this way. However, there is clear evidence of a link between participation of a youth or community group and the leading of better lives – with members of groups being significantly healthier, far less likely to participate in underage drinking and smoking or be bullied or bored.
Findings also demonstrated a strong social conscience in the nation’s youth – with 84% stating that looking after the environment is important, and almost 79% feeling it is important to be well informed on current affairs.
Katie Carter, 15, an Explorer Scout from Essex: "This report shows that we are not all lazy layabouts who see ASBOs as 'badges of honour' and have no respect for adults. Young people still get bored and it is vital that we have the opportunity to participate in activities outside of school and home. For me, Scouting is packed full of adventure, fun and friends, from local fund raising to worldwide travel. I have recently got back from travelling around 14 different countries in eight days – how many 15 year olds get opportunities like that?"
Other key results from the report include:
Community Spirit:
- 70% feel adults are overtly critical of them
- Community spirit does not seem to be too high
- Members of youth clubs are twice as likely to be community minded
School and Education:
- 90% feel pressure from parents to achieve in school
- 81% respect their teachers
- 87% are eager to achieve good grades
- 81% want to go to University
Family Unit:
- 95% feel their parents want the best for them
- 25% feel their parents don’t really listen to them
General aspirations:
- 85% rate their top aspiration as living somewhere respectable,
- followed by having a good job (76%),
- earning a good education (74%)
The report involved quantitative and qualitative research of 1,004 13 – 18 year olds.
