Young people’s political and social attitudes
Young people in Britain can vote in elections from the age of 18. In the 2001 general election, however, only 1 in 5 first-time voters used their vote. There has been a great debate over the reasons for this. Some researchers think that one reason is that young
people are not interested in the political process.
Although most young people show little interest in party politics, there is strong evidence that many are interested in specific political issues such as the environment and cruelty to animals.
In 2003 a survey of young people in England and Wales showed that they believe the five most important issues in Britain were crime, drugs, war/terrorism, racism and health. The same survey asked young people about their participation in political and community
events. They found that 86% of young people had taken part in some form of community event over the past year, and 50% had taken part in fund-raising or collecting money for charity. Similar results have been found in surveys in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Many children first get involved in these activities while at school where they study Citizenship as part of the National Curriculum.
Check that you understand:
The proportion of all young people who go on to higher education
Lifestyle patterns of children and young people(e.g. pocket money, leaving home on
reaching adulthood)
Changing family patterns and attitudes to changing family patterns (e.g. divorce)
That education in Britain is free and compulsory, and that there is compulsory testing (in
England and Scotland) at ages 7, 11 and 14; there are also GSCE and / or vocational
exams at 16; and Advanced level exams (A and AS) at ages 17 and 18
That there is a government target that half of all young people attend higher education
That there are strict laws regarding the employment of children
That there are important health concerns and laws relating to children and young people
and smoking, alcohol and drugs
That young people are eligible to vote in elections from age 18.
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