A study from the European Youth Forum warns about the diminishing civic space in Europe for young people and youth organisations in particular. In 17 out of 35 OECD Member countries, youth express less trust in government than their parents. Disengagement with traditional forms of political engagement and frustration with the available channels to make their voices heard are on the rise, with 25% of 15-29 years-old in OECD countries stressing that they are “not at all interested” in politics. 43.3% of the youth organisations surveyed said that they are often invited by national authorities to participate in formulation of solutions addressing the problems relevant to their fields of activity, and 45.1% declared to be rarely invited. About one fifth of organisations reported reasonable influence on decision-making processes, while two in fifths of organisations report significant difficulties to influence or no influence at all on the outcomes of policy processes.
WE ARE FAMILY
As the oldest Millennials will be turning 39 this year, an analysis of government data in the USA by Pew Research Center highlights how this generation is establishing a new family structure. According to the research, Millennials have been slower than previous generations to establish their own households and are less likely to be living with a family of their own than previous generations at the same stage of life. In 2019, 55% of Millennials lived in this type of family unit. This compares with 66% of Gen Xers in 2003, 69% of Boomers in 1987 and 85% of members of the Silent Generation in 1968. 14% of Millennials live with their parents, and Millennial men are more likely than Millennial women to live with their parents (18% compared to 10%). Finally, a majority of Millennials are not currently married: 44% were married in 2019, compared with 61% of Baby Boomers at the same age.
