May I ask you a question?
What percentage of people on our planet are 30 or younger?
What do you think?
More or less than 50 %?
It’s more.
And is expected to reach 57% by the end of 2030!
And be honest, when you think of the youth today, do you think pessimistically or optimistically?
Because interestingly, 15 to 17-year-olds are THE most optimistic age group when believing in a better future. We might say that is the naivete of youth, but nothing gets away from the fact that by 2050, these are the people who will be caring for you in hospitals, cooking up a storm in your favourite restaurants and choosing which films make it to your TV screens. The 1.2 billion young people aged 15 to 24 today would cover the whole of the Isle of Man if they stood shoulder to shoulder, which is pretty mind-boggling! And as such, I’d say they’re a large and important group of people, but when did you last speak to one?
Do you remember when you were a teenager? Was there any specific adult who would listen to you or whom you remember making an impact in your life?
At acet UK, we believe everyone is important, as I hope you do, but as adults, we are not great at modelling that to our children and young people, often thinking we know better than them because of our experience, but failing to listen to them about theirs.
Our challenge to you today is to talk to someone every day this week who perhaps you might not normally engage with in the 15–25-year-old bracket and ask them, “Would you mind if I asked you a question?” And then ask them one.
It might be, “What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do?” or “What makes you happy?” or “Can you tell me about a person who you really like? What is it they do to make you feel that way?” Ask whatever you fancy, but ask an open question that might engage them (and you!) for more than a minute!
And then listen to what they have to say.
Are you surprised? Would you agree?
If you’re thinking, I really cannot understand why they would think that!
Then why not ask them? Get some more clarity - REALLY understand where they are coming from. And then thank them for sharing, sincerely and kindly.
Maybe you have children or grandchildren of your own? Could you give them a call or invite them round for food? Or text them? Or just talk to someone as you stand at the bus stop or in the local shops?
Whoever they are and wherever you find them, we hope that you will be enriched by listening to them and that you will understand and respect their generation a little more than you might do now! Today is National Youth Day and we would love you to engage and listen to what they have to say!
PS. If you already talk regularly with young people and would like to get more confidence talking to young people about wise and healthy relationships and/or self-esteem, then why not sign up for one of our Esteem courses?