WHY NOT? Voice of Young People in Australia Report 2017
YMCA MANIFESTO TODAY’S THE DAY.
Not tomorrow, not after that report is tabled or review completed or committee meets. It’s today. A perfectly normal day. It’s today. The day the world needs to stop and listen. Not to the noise or the loud mouths or the bigots. But to those who will inherit this world.
AT THE YMCA
We see their frustration and fear as each new day arrives and they remain unheard and irrelevant. Which is why we are determined to share and amplify their thoughts, wishes, ideas and hopes.
We are determined to give the
To young people. Because today is the day they live in. Not sometime in the future when it may or may not get done.
group with the most to benefit and
TODAY IS THEIR DAY.
Because when today does finish and when tomorrow comes, these young people will be there picking up where we’ve left off.
It’s the day they judge what’s happening and how the world is tackling its many issues. It’s the day they see the world for how it is. And sadly, to them, today is not such a good day. It’s full of things that don’t make sense. It’s a day when true equality still hasn’t been achieved. It’s a day where drugs seem to be everywhere, more of their friends die by their own hands, there are less jobs for them, and more are homeless or giving up on the great Australian dream of home ownership.
the most to lose, a way to be part of that world – starting today.
At the Y, we believe passionately in the power of inspired young people. Our mission is to help bring about that power….today. Everything else will follow.
It’s a day when terrorists are a constant threat, creating fear and distrust and when identity and self-worth is driven by social media. It’s a day when many young people feel helpless and powerless, with little sense of community or belonging. It’s a day devoid of leaders who inspire and empower.
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“Give young people the chance to speak, give them a place to talk and discuss and represent themselves in society” – respondent, YMCA Voices of Young People Report 2017
CONTENTS YMCA Manifesto
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Intro and Executive Summary
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Lack of Voice
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Young People’s Lack of Voice in Society
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Other issues that matter to young people
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Lack of Voice on Youth Mental Health
11-12
Lack of Voice on Marriage Equality
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Lack of Voice on Youth Unemployment
15-16
Conclusion
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About WhyNot Campaign and YMCA in Australia 19
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INTRODUCTION At the YMCA right across Australia we believe in the power of inspired young people and that young people always have and always will shape the future – but only when they’re inspired and empowered. We conducted this research to deepen our understanding of how much or how little young people feel their voices are being heard in society today, on issues that matter to young people themselves. The results of our “Voice of Young People in Australia 2017 Survey” are a wake-up call to a nation where, despite holding strong views, many young people struggle to find a platform other than social media to have their voices heard. There is currently no Minister for Youth at the Commonwealth level. Young people are growing up in a community and society where adults are making policy decisions that will directly affect them. Until they are able to vote, their opinion isn’t considered in public and social policy debates. We need to listen to young people, and we need to provide platforms for them to be heard. Because young people when inspired are powerful, and creative problem-solvers to some of society’s most pressing issues.
ABOUT THE YMCA VOICE OF YOUNG PEOPLE RESEARCH
Via independent researcher Insync, in May 2017, YMCA surveyed a population representative sample of 500 young people across Australia, aged 13-22 years. • 76% were from metropolitan regions • 24% were from regional regions • 50% were female • 49% were male • 1% preferred to self-describe A selection of some of the personal views and opinions of the young people surveyed are shared throughout the report. We hope you will take note of the findings of our survey, and take the time to truly listen to young people in your lives and your communities. Visit our website whynot.org.au to find out more about what young people are saying and want addressed Contributors:
Research coordinator and content: Bec Martinelli, YMCA Victoria, age 26 Content: Georgie Nichol, YMCA Australia, age 25
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In mid June YMCA Australia launched its Why Not? campaign with the YMCA Voice of Young People Report 2017, based on its survey of young people aged 13-22 across Australia. Alarmingly, it showed that 74% of Australians aged 13 – 22 don’t believe those in power are making decisions with their best interests at heart. Two thirds (66%) feel their age prevents them from being heard, while more than half (57%) believe social media is the only avenue to have their voice heard by society and those in power. The research also shows youth unemployment (87%), marriage equality (86%), mental health (80%) are three key issues young people care about but do not feel they are being heard on. Why not?
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“…I try to get this opinion heard but it’s hard” “…They are really behind on this aspect of equality…” “…teaching younger generations how we can have a say and change something for our future…” “Project a stronger voice for change” “…It’s so heartbreakingly clear how significant this issue is for young people…” 6
YOUNG PEOPLE’S LACK OF VOICE IN SOCIETY Do you believe those in power are currently making the best decisions possible for the future of young people like you?
Yes 27%
73% of Australians aged 13 – 22 don’t No 34%
Yes are making believe those in power 66%
No 73%
No 57%
decisions with their best interests at heart
Do you feel your age prevents you from having a voice in society that people listen to? 40
No 34%
30
Yes Two thirds No (66%) feel 43% their age
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prevents them from being heard
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Yes 66%
Talking
57%
20 15
Rallies
10 5
Social media
Support marriage equality
Petitions
As a young person, do you feel you have avenues (other than 0 social media) to be heard by society and people in power?
Talking
No 57%
Rallies
7
Social media
Yes 43%
Support marriage equality
Supported Research friends
More than half (57%) believe social media is the only avenue to have their voice heard by society and those in power
Petitions
Supported Research friends
Yes 43%
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OTHER ISSUES YOUNG PEOPLE IDENTIFIED AS IMPORTANT TOP ISSUE: MENTAL HEALTH Themes around Mental Health came out strongly in the survey, when young people were asked to list their top three concerns (unprompted). The Mental Health issues that emerged included bullying, suicide, anxiety, stress and depression. When Young People were prompted to provide more in depth information around the issue of mental health, it was clear that many young people have been directly affected by mental health issues (either self-affected of affected through a family or friend). Many young people have experienced depression and anxiety themselves or have had a close family or friend go through this issue.
OTHER ISSUES OF CONCERN: SUBSTANCE ABUSE, EDUCATION, FAMILY, HOUSING Other top issues mentioned included substance abuse, education, family and housing. Substance abuse referred to both alcohol and drugs use. Education encompassed both costs of education and obtaining the skill for future employment. Young people mentioned concerns around relationships with families, family violence and family pressures. Housing referred to the cost of living and the rising cost of housing (both to buy and rent).
Mental Health is overwhelmingly nominated as the most concerning issue for young people today
Top issues (unprompted) Mental health Substance abuse Education Family Housing
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“There’s too much of a negative stigma behind mental health… it is okay (almost normal in this day and age) to experience mental health issues, and people should feel comfortable to talk about it”
“…I however wouldn’t know how to go about getting my opinion heard on this one”
“I would like to see school and households talking about it and teaching younger generations how we can have a say and change something for our future…”
“… so everyone no matter their faith or difference has a say”
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YOUNG PEOPLE’S LACK OF VOICE ON MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES 80% of young people do not feel their voices are being heard on mental health issues Action young people have taken within the past 12 months about this issue for themselves and/or others: 60 50 40 30 20 10
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“Trying to work on staying positive and coping strategies” “Make more resources available to combat mental health, teach this in school (the signs and how to overcome)” “…I am not yet ready to speak up about my mental illnesses but hope to one day be able to in order to break some of the stigma and misconceptions around these issues
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“…Mental health issues such as depression and self-harming seems to be a taboo subject, I believe the first step to solving this issue is to actually acknowledge it…Ignoring the topic doesn’t mean that it does not exist”
“More people should learn and understand about mental health as it is becoming more relevant in today’s society. Provide seminars, television programs, make people understand that it not something that can just go away. Telling people to be happy or taking someone’s job away due to mental illness does not help anyone but may make things worse for the person suffering” 12
“I’d like the government to legalise gay marriage. They are really behind on this aspect of equality...”
“I think that more pressure should be placed on governments to legalise gay marriage and to rid Australia of these discriminatory, traditional ways”
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No 3%
LACK OF YOUNG PEOPLE’S VOICE Yes ON WHY NOT CAMPAIGN ISSUES No Yes 27% 34%
MARRIAGE EQUALITY
No 57%
Yes 66%
43%
86% of young people do not feel their voice is being heard on the issue of marriage equalityv Action young people have taken within the past 12 months about this issue for themselves and/or others: 40 35
Talking
30 25 20 15 10 5
Rallies
Social media
Support marriage equality
Petitions
Supported Research friends
0
“I have bought marriage equality rings and have shared many posts as I am a strong advocate for gay marriage” “I’m currently trying to create an LBGTI group and safe space at my school so that everyone can feel safe and have place to turn to. As for marriage equality itself I try to stand up for what I believe and use social media as a way of voicing my opinions”
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LACK OF YOUNG PEOPLE’S VOICE ON YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT 87% of young people do not feel they are being heard about youth unemployment
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0
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others find jobs and helping them with their resumes” “Finding a job can be a stressful and anxiety-inducing - it’s so abundantly clear when talking to my friends on a daily basis…It’s so heartbreakingly clear how significant this issue is for young people. And yet it doesn’t seem like there is a lot being done”
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“I think unemployment is really important. I however wouldn’t know
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Action young people have taken within the past 12 months about this issue for themselves and/or others:
“Just recognising and acknowledging that there is an issue in unemployment is a good start. It’s not particularly helpful being presented as an entire generation of lazy moochers. This constant and relentless depiction really starts to have an effect on your mentality when it’s portrayed almost everywhere”
“I would like to see opportunities in communities allowing the youth to learn about employment and something or someone to encourage their dreams and help them get there”
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“Give young people the chance to speak…”
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CONCLUSION Young people have been very clear, they do not feel they are being heard in society today. They do not feel they are being heard by those in power, nor do they believe the best decisions are being made for their future. Young people stand united on the issues that are important to them, but they do not believe they have an avenue other than social media to share their voice. At the YMCA right across Australia, we believe in the power of inspired young people. We believe young people’s voices matter and the world must stop and listen to them. We must provide young people with a platform to amplify their voice, to empower them to become powerful leaders advocating for change and a brighter future. We know how capable they are and we must give them the opportunity to feel inspired. It starts with hearing their voice. Young people have an opinion on what our world looks like, they believe things can be done better. If young people are the future, they deserve a say in what it looks like.
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WHY NOT? ABOUT WHYNOT.COM.AU The YMCA has established www.whynot.org.au as a platform for young people. Initially, the site will encourage and enable young people to contact those in power about the issue they would like addressed. From here, the YMCA hopes to evolve the site to become a beacon for young people wanting to be heard by society filled with resources, opportunities to identify issues and work towards solutions.
ABOUT YMCA IN AUSTRALIA The YMCA in Australia serves in over 700 communities, offering a wide range of activities from gyms and swimming centres to early learning, school holiday programs, camping, sports, disability, youth services and leadership programs, all united by a shared belief in the power of inspired young people. www.ymca.org.au
whynot.org.au