Failed by short-termist politics, 16-25 generation needs an injection of political capital
The upcoming election will bypass Britain’s 7.4 million 16-25 year olds because of a focus on short-term vote winning rather than the long term problems facing younger generations, according to a major report published by Demos.
An Anatomy of Youth, which was produced with v, The National Young Volunteers Service, says that the failure of the current political debate to adequately discuss problems like long term economic recovery, climate change, the care gap and communities under strain is turning youngsters away from politics altogether, despite evidence that many are passionate about politics and social issues.
Demos’ Celia Hannon, co-author of the report, said: “The idea that our young people don’t care about society or serious issues is wrong, but they don’t feel that politicians are speaking about the issues that will affect them in future. And they’re right about that. As we head into an election, the campaign won’t get near the debates young people need to have about our future. We’re going to see serious generational injustice on a number of issues unless we tip the scales towards young people.”
One interviewee Babatunde, the 21-year-old founder of think tank New Turn, said: “Politicians talk about ‘young people’s issues’ but they’re only trying to push young people on ‘young people’s issues’. By letting them do that we alienate ourselves and allow politicians to patronise us. If we fail to challenge thought on wider issues we will just be affected by those very same issues we choose to ignore now, tomorrow.”
Stereotyped by newspapers, sensationalised by marketeers and pigeon-holed by politicians, our cultural narratives about young people are not fit for purpose. The report looks at what young people have to say about world they find themselves in and how they are meeting the challenges they face.
Loading ...