Survey reveals fears of young people in Wales

BREXIT, the election of Donald Trump and social media have added to the fears of young people in Wales about their future, a Prince’s Trust survey shows.

Nearly one in three young people in Wales say they don’t feel in control of their lives as concerns about job prospects, self-confidence and recent political events prey on their minds.

The Prince’s Trust Macquarie Youth Index survey reveals young people feel trapped by their circumstances and out of control of their lives with 17% thinking their life will amount to nothing, no matter how hard they try.

The survey, which asked about young people’s wellbeing across a range of areas from family life to physical health, shows their wellbeing is at its lowest level since the index was first commissioned eight years ago.

Recent political events, including Brexit have made young people in Wales feel anxious about their future, a spokesman said.

They are also worried about online safety and the effect of social media.

One in five say they don’t believe they can change their circumstances even if they want to and 32% say they don’t feel in control of their lives. The report highlights a wide range of factors that could be contributing to young people feeling their lives are out of their control.

For example, 31% do not feel in control of their job prospects, 45% feel stressed about body image and 35% feel stressed about how to cope at work or school.

The Youth Index indicates that the current political and economic climate also appears to be taking its toll on young people. A total of 64% of young people say recent political events make them feel anxious about their future, with 46% feeling more anxious about life in general than a year ago.

Half of the young people surveyed said pressures of getting a job are greater than a year ago and 45% feel that traditional goals like owning a house or getting a steady job are unrealistic.