Young Australians aged 15-19 years have revealed what is concerning them right now, with some interesting results.
If you’ve been feeling like the past couple of years were particularly tough on young people, you weren’t imagining it.
In the recently released Youth Survey Report 2021 from Mission Australia, young Aussies between 15 and 19 have shared the issues that are most concerning to them right now.
Covid-19 was listed as a top national issue for the first time, followed environmental concerns — with almost double the number of youth naming it a key national issue this year than in 2012. Equity and discrimination rounded out the top three most pressing issues to young people.
That gives younger generations plenty to be worrying about, but along with Covid-19, came an unprecedented disruption to normal ways of life — something felt keenly by young people in relation to their education and job prospects.
Concerns for reaching goals
The Youth Survey Report discovered that the extensive disruptions to young people’s education and job prospects had taken their toll. Mental health, academic ability and Covid-19 were listed as the main barriers to achieving work and study goals.
When that group is narrowed down to gender diverse young people, the percentage of concerned people jumped from 46.6 per cent, to 70 per cent. Along with mental health, a much higher number of gender diverse young people identified discrimination, lack of family support and lack of school support as barriers to their goals.
“Without the right supports and policy settings in place, there is a real concern the pandemic will have long-term impacts on our young people,” Mr Toomey said.
Rising unemployment rates for young people
Since the pandemic, the unemployment rate for people under 25 hit a record high of 16.4 per cent in July 2020. It makes sense when you consider the sectors hardest hit by lockdowns (like hospitality and retail) tend to have a high number of young employees.
According to The Job Seeker Well Being Index conducted by atWork Australia, even though the country is slowly recovering from lockdowns, young Aussies are still facing obstacles to entering the workforce thanks to a perceived lack of work experience, qualifications, or access to local job opportunities.
Young job seekers experience wellbeing
Steady employment means more than just an income — it’s also a thing that provides a sense of self-identity and a place to make social connections.
It’s not surprising then that The Index found the average overall wellbeing of young job seekers (15 to 24 years old) is 18 per cent lower than the average employed person.
When you look at young people who identify as LGBTQIA+, that number lowers again by a significant 28 per cent, compared to the average employed person.
What can be done?
According to both these reports, it’s not all doom an gloom — it’s just a matter of letting young people be apart of the solution-making process.
“[W]e know that more must be done to ensure young people have ample opportunities to access education, employment and services when they need them, particularly as we move toward pandemic recovery and a ‘Covid-normal’ existence,” said Mission Australia’s CEO, James Toomey.
“Regardless of a young person’s background, location or experience, access to appropriate support at the right time can be life changing.”
“Young people have the answers. It’s a matter of ensuring they are genuinely listened to, included in decision-making processes, and their concerns acted upon. It’s the brightest way forward for us all.”
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