Groundbreaking Report Reveals How Young People In Bedfordshire Feel About Life In The Modern World

For the first time, research released this week (8th January) 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 the Centenary year for the Scout Association, indicate that UK teenagers, including those in Bedfordshire, are more confident, respectful and caring about the world they live in than many of the stereotypes commonly applied to them would suggest.

• Teen stereotypes are wrong and misleading and are only reflective of the minority

• Young people express highly positive attitudes towards family life

• There is still a strong desire for adults to give more credence to what young people have to say

• Young people are cynical about the influence of celebrities on their lives

• Boredom remains a problem but youth groups make for healthier, empowered young people who are more self confident and have strong family ties

• Despite recent criticism and the pressures of modern life, young people have positive self-esteem

• Making a difference to the environment is a priority and teenagers have strong social conscience

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.

Tom Rochester (15) a young leader with the 3rd Dunstable Scout Group who was invited to contribute to the survey said, "This report dispels the myth that all teenagers are lazy layabouts who have no respect for adults in society. It is clear that boredom plays a huge part in every day life for some young people and it is vital that we have the opportunity to participate in activities outside of school. For me, the Scouts provides a co-educational environment, packed full of adventure and fun, from local fund raising and community activities to worldwide travel and adventure. The World Scout Jamboree in August is going to be the highlight of the year for me."

The report also highlights how boredom remains an issue with 68% of respondents commonly feeling this way. However, there is clear evidence of a link between participation in 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 being 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.

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 & 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%), and earning a good education (74%)