An article examined the extent to which young women were interested in politics. Young people might have turned away from the ballot box and from parliamentary politics: but, when questioned, they were actually interested in political issues.
Source: Jacqueline Ellen Briggs, 'Young women and politics: an oxymoron?', Journal of Youth Studies, Volume 11 Number 6
Links: Abstract
Date: 2008-Dec
A report examined the link between the portrayal of young people in the media and its impact on their inclination to take part in social action and politics.
Source: Our Stories – Portrayal or Betrayal?, Citizenship Foundation (020 7566 4130)
Links: Citizenship Foundation press release
Date: 2008-Nov
A report evaluated the Empowering Young People pilot, designed to explore further in nine areas the impact that giving disadvantaged young people spending power had on reducing financial barriers and increasing their participation in positive activities. Young people were receptive to EYPP: but take-up was lower than anticipated at this stage of the pilot, because local authorities had faced a number of challenges in engaging young people. These included young people mistrusting the funds offered to them or being uninterested in the pilot. Some of the local authorities had found their initial methods of communication ineffective.
Source: Gill Bielby, Sarah Golden, Michelle Judkins, Rebekah Wilson and Sue Maguire, Empowering Young People Pilot Interim Evaluation: Phase 1 case studies, Research Report RR065, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report
Date: 2008-Oct
A think-tank report said that cheap digital technology and broadband access had broken the moving-image monopoly held by production companies and broadcasters. In its place a new 'theatre of public information' had emerged, creating a new space for debate and expression dominated by younger people.
Source: Celia Hannon, Peter Bradwell and Charlie Tims, Video Republic, Demos, available from Central Books (020 8986 5488)
Links: Report | Summary | Guardian report | Telegraph report
Date: 2008-Oct
A report called for a new approach to improve connexions and build mutual understanding between the generations. Families were more dispersed than ever before, and lived in more linear generational divisions. The increasing distance between young and older people risked creating a new wave of social problems unless urgent action were taken to reduce intergenerational prejudice and discrimination.
Source: For All Ages: Bringing different generations closer together, 4Children (020 7512 2100) and Counsel and Care
Links: Report | 4Children press release | Community Care report
Date: 2008-Sep
A survey found that a lack of parent and adult role models was driving young people to turn to gangs and other peers for support. Young people were forming 'youth communities', where they looked to peers for a sense of identity and even for role models, in the place of traditional adult role models.
Source: The Culture of Youth Communities, Prince's Trust (020 7543 1234)
Links: Report | Prince's Trust press release | BBC report
Date: 2008-Aug
An article examined approaches to engaging excluded young people in decision-making settings, drawing on data from local partnerships to promote social inclusion in Scotland. Offering young people choice about how, when, and where they engaged was vital to increasing the opportunities for young people to influence decision-making.
Source: Suzi Macpherson, 'Reaching the top of the ladder? Locating the voices of excluded young people within the participation debate', Policy & Politics, Volume 36 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2008-Jul
A new book examined issues affecting young people in Northern Ireland – issues which had previously been overlooked due to the impact of sectarian conflict on the lives of people living here.
Source: Dirk Schubotz and Paula Devine (eds.), Young People in Post-conflict Northern Ireland : The past cannot be changed, but the future can be developed, Russell House Publishing (01297 443948)
Links: Summary
Date: 2008-Jul
The Welsh Assembly Government began consultation on an intergenerational strategy, involving mechanisms to promote positive contact between the young and old.
Source: Building a Society for All Ages, Welsh Assembly Government (029 2082 5111)
Links: Consultation document
Date: 2008-Jun
A briefing paper examined the manner, method, and experiences of engagement in formal volunteering by young people, and why some young people did not volunteer.
Source: Mark Hutin, Young People Help Out: Volunteering and giving among young people, Institute for Volunteering Research (020 7520 8900)
Links: Briefing
Date: 2008-Jun
The report of an independent inquiry said that inflexible unemployment benefit rules deterred jobless young people from volunteering. Jobcentres should fully recognize volunteering as a route to work for unemployed young people. It called for a day per year off work to encourage volunteering, and an award scheme to recognize skills gained.
Source: The Morgan Inquiry, Morgan Inquiry, c/o Luther Pendragon (020 7618 9190)
Links: Report | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2008-Jun
A think-tank report highlighted the need for parents, schools, and communities to inspire the young to realize their aspirations. Children's perception of their chances in the labour market affected their level of attainment at school.
Source: Hannah Brian (ed.), Perspectives on Aspiration and Ambition, Smith Institute (020 7592 3618)
Links: Report
Date: 2008-Jun
The government published a document setting out its vision for a world in which all young people, in particular those who were pushed to the margins by disadvantage, were recognized and welcomed as leaders of change. A new national body for youth leadership would be created, bringing together youth leadership organizations.
Source: Young People: Leading Change, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report | ECM press release
Date: 2008-Mar
A report highlighted the urgent need for a more pro-active approach to youth participation to ensure the full engagement of young people in society. Far too many young people were alienated from their local communities, and disconnected from decisions made about their lives.
Source: Empowering Young People, Carnegie UK Trust (01383 721445)
Links: Links removed by Carnegie without explanation
Date: 2008-Feb
A report called for better support for parents of young adults as more and more young people stayed at home for longer, increasing the pressure on families.
Source: Will They Ever Fly the Nest? What parents say about living with young adults, Parentline Plus (020 7284 5500)
Links:Report | Parentline plus press release | Telegraph report
Date: 2008-Feb