Today's Youth Research Articles

Youth Transition, Culture and Identity in Timor-Leste

Over the years, young people in Timor-Leste have faced difficulties accessing employment, and youth violence continues to rise. This study examines how historical events and social changes have shaped youth behaviour in Timor-Leste. It also explores the cultural representation and identity of youth who lived through periods of social turmoil and political tension. Additionally, the study addresses social issues that impact the transition of today's youth. Practical measures to improve the well-being of today's youth are crucial, including encouraging job accessibility, developing relevant youth policies, and enhancing youth-related activities.

Heroism in Malaysia's History: An Analysis of the Curriculum Standard Textbook for Form Three Secondary School (KSSM)

The importance of the subject of History can be seen through the efforts of the government via the Ministry of Education Malaysia (KPM) which made it a requirement to pass History to qualify students for obtaining the SPM certificate starting in 2013. Then, in 2014, the subject of History was introduced into the Primary School Standard Curriculum (KSSR) for Year 4 students. Because History is chronological and narrative in nature, the content of the syllabus is often seen as repetitive and overlapping with events and figures, causing students to fail and become confused in terms of mastery of learning. In line with technological advancements and mainstream currents, the names of figures studied in school such as Tok Janggut, Rentap, and others have 'faded' away. Conversely, today's youth increasingly idolize Western superheroes such as Superman, Marvel, and Spiderman from imaginative film adaptations. Therefore, in the context of nation and state-building, local heroic figures (Malaysian heroes) are essential actors in strengthening national sovereignty, defending the homeland, resisting colonizers, and instilling the spirit of nationalism. Local heroic figures can be identified in two categories: the royal group and the local community. This study aims to analyse the content of KSSM History textbooks and the extent to which these figures are used as drivers of nationalism through the appreciation of local heroes in KSSM History textbooks. This study uses a fully qualitative method with content analysis of textbooks related to aspects of heroism in local history. The findings of the study show that the heroic elements applied can produce Higher Order Thinking Skills (KBAT) in students and are important as preparation for students to master more challenging learning at the upper secondary level.

Psychosomatic complaints at age 15-16 and subsequent depression and anxiety disorders

Abstract Background In recent years, the prevalence of self-reported mental health issues such as psychosomatic complaints has risen among adolescents in several countries, including Sweden. Despite this trend, a gap in the understanding remains regarding the implications of these complaints, including their ability to predict more severe mental health conditions. Depression and anxiety represent common mental health disorders among youth today, significantly affecting daily functioning. In light of this, the current study aims to investigate the association between self-reported psychosomatic complaints at age 15-16 and the likelihood of being diagnosed with depression or anxiety by age 20. Methods Data was drawn from Futura01, a cohort study of Swedish adolescents who attended grade 9 in 2017 (n = 5,225). Information on psychiatric diagnoses was obtained from the Swedish National Patient Register. Psychosomatic complaints were captured through self-reported frequencies of headache, stomach ache, and difficulties falling asleep, which were aggregated into an index (ranging from 3-15). Covariates included sex, parental education, parental country of birth, family type, and prior diagnoses of ADHD, depression, and anxiety. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed. Results The findings show that higher levels of psychosomatic complaints at age 15-16 were prospectively associated with increased odds of being diagnosed with depression (OR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.22-1.34) as well as anxiety (OR = 1.30, 95% CI 1.25-1.35) by age 20, even after adjusting for prior diagnoses and other covariates. Conclusions This study highlights the potential for psychosomatic complaints during adolescence to act as early indicators of future mental health disorders. Recognising the importance of these complaints and implementing public health interventions targeting mental health issues among youth could help improve mental health outcomes in late adolescence and young adulthood. Key messages • Adolescents reporting frequent psychosomatic complaints at age 15-16 were more likely to receive subsequent specialised care due to a depression or anxiety diagnosis in a Swedish sample. • Interventions directed at youth experiencing frequent psychosomatic complaints may have a beneficial impact on their future mental health outcomes.

Notes from the Editors, October 2024

buy this issueIt is undeniable that the rapidly worsening ecological crisis is threatening not only future generations, but the youth of today. Why, then, is the U.S. educational system failing to teach students the reality of this human-caused catastrophe? "Even science itself," MR editors write, "is to be sacrificed on the altar of capital."

Values and Education for Values of Today's Youth

Thesis. The aim of the study is to critically reflect on the challenges and current issues of value-oriented education in relation to youth. It focuses on youth as a specific generational group, internally extremely variable, in the context of massive changes in society, especially with the increase in the importance of digital technologies and social networks in the educational process. Concept. In the published study, several perspectives on the issue overlap on the theoretical and research levels. Healthy, functioning families are at the epicentre of concern for any society that cares about its own future. One of the major problems of contemporary public life, especially after the emergence of the so-called new media, is undoubtedly the issue of raising children in a media-saturated environment. The line of thought of the study is concentrated on the responsibility for the future of the society also through the formation of the value system of the young generation, considering the potential of the family in the given context. Results and conclusion. The study captures the essence, specifics, and selected aspects of insight into value-oriented youth education in the context of contemporary society. The present analysis is based on the knowledge of several scientific disciplines and its interdisciplinary character allows to look at the mentioned issue through the prism of one's own scientific field. The conclusion of the study highlights the irreplaceable importance of values education for youth, based on the central idea that values are the fundamental pillar of any society's development. It calls for values education, which is primarily the task and responsibility of the family or parents, pointing to authenticity and the need to preserve unity of thought, word and deed in a given context. Considering the dynamically changing times with an emphasis on value pluralism, as well as the tremendous growth of digital technologies, the study is a beneficial contribution to the social science discourse on values education in relation to children and youth, especially family education, which is of fundamental, formative importance for the individual.

Effects of Media Representation on Youth Fashion and Style Preferences

Media portrayal has a huge impact on young fashion and style preferences, driving both social and personal trends. This study investigates whether media portrayals, such as social media, television, and fashion businesses, influence young adults' fashion choices and self-image. The study investigates the influence of exposure to media on fashion preference formation through the analysis of collected datasets. The key findings show that fashion personalities and media channels have a significant impact on style acceptance. The study focuses on how brand reputation and the variety of media content impact consumer behavior. It employs SPSS software to conduct statistical methods, such as Chi-Square tests, to examine the link between demographic factors and media influence. The findings underscore the dynamic nature of fashion trends influenced by media and emphasize the need to understand how media shapes the fashion choices of today's youth.

From Clicks to Calm: Investigating the Link Between Mindfulness and Digital Hoarding Behavior Among Chinese Youth.

Digital hoarding refers to the continuous acquisition of digital content and the difficulty in disposing of it. This behavior is increasingly common among today's youth. This study aims to explore the impact of mindfulness on digital hoarding behavior, investigating self-control as a mediator and upward social comparison via social media as a moderator. A total of 956 young individuals participated in this cross-sectional study. The research instruments used included the Mindfulness Measure, the Self-Control Scale, the Social Comparison Scale, and the Digital Hoarding Behavior Questionnaire. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. For more complex analyses, we examined the mediating role of self-control and the moderating effects of upward social comparison via social media in the relationship between mindfulness and digital hoarding behavior. 1) Mindfulness significantly negatively predicted digital hoarding. 2) Self-control mediated the relationship between mindfulness and digital hoarding. 3) Upward social comparison via social media moderated the relationship between mindfulness and self-control, specifically the first segment of the mediation pathway. This research is pioneering in exploring mindfulness as a protective factor against digital hoarding, offering fresh insights into this nascent field. The findings also suggest prevention and intervention strategies for digital information management disorder in young people.

Sport participation as a tool for promoting wellness for youth of colour

AbstractYouth of colour, especially from low socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds, are at higher risk for experiencing mental and physical health challenges due to poverty and racism; however, they are less likely to seek and engage in formal mental health services and medical care due to stigma, time constraints, financial burdens, and cultural mistrust for the medical field more broadly. This commentary will describe how participation in sport for youth of colour from low SES backgrounds has benefits that extend across the Eight Dimensions of Wellness Model, illustrating the power of sport as a tool for prevention and support. The authors conclude with a call to action to mobilize government officials, healthcare providers, educators and coaches to encourage sport participation as a tool to improve individual wellness for today's youth of colour and uplift communities. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement.

Adolescents' perceptions of the credibility of informational content on fitness and dietary supplements: The impact of banner and native advertising.

The assessment of online health-related information presents a significant challenge for today's youth. Using the Processing of Commercial Media Content (PCMC) model, we investigated the impact of advertising on the perceived credibility of informational content concerning fitness (in boys) and dietary supplements (in girls). In a survey-based preregistered experiment, 681 Czech adolescents (aged 13-18, 52% girls) were randomly assigned to three groups and exposed to websites with a banner ad, a native ad, or simple informational text without an ad. The presence of ads on websites diminishes the perceived credibility of informational content. While we did not observe the difference between banner and native advertising, we found one gender-specific difference. Specifically, boys perceive informational content linked with native ads as more credible compared to girls. Additionally, no difference was found between younger and older adolescents. Adolescents demonstrated success in identifying both types of advertisements, irrespective of their age. The findings are discussed in light of individual differences and various approaches to processing online content. It appears that adolescents are accustomed to native advertising, which seamlessly integrates with traditional banner ads. Moreover, it is plausible that boys assess advertising texts more heuristically and less systematically than girls. Contrary to PCMC expectations, even younger adolescents seem to possess sufficient skills to identify the advertisements.

Религиозное воспитание молодежи: социальные аспекты

Addressing the topic of religious upbringing of youth today is very relevant, since religion is one of the social institutions that plays a significant role in the spiritual and moral education of the younger generation in our country. The specificity of the current situation among young people is the presence of a large number of baptized young people, but not churchgoers, so working with young people in the field of religious upbringing is more pressing than ever. The article reveals the concept of religious upbringing, understood as the unity of content, forms and methods of transmitting the cultural religious experience of a person’s conversion to God and communication with the Creator, and highlights the purpose of OrthodoX religious upbringing and its structure. The implementation of religious upbringing should be carried out on two levels, since it is based on two types of laws. The first of them was received by people from God, the second one is determined in accordance with the social structure of human society. Therefore, one of these planes is of a spiritual and mystical nature, the second one is endowed with a rational essence. The relationship between religious upbringing and the process of human socialization has been clarified. The views of modern youth on religious upbringing are revealed, the features of spiritual values that prevail among young people and have a negative impact on the development of personality are clarified. The author reveals the priority forms and directions of work with young people within the Russian OrthodoX Church, focuses on the significant role in the religious upbringing of young people played by OrthodoX youth organizations and associations created on the initiative of both the Russian OrthodoX Church and the youth themselves, and clarifies the features of work on religious upbringing in secondary vocational institutions. The problems that arise in the process of the religious upbringing of young people are also identified.

The relationship between biospheric values and pro-environmental behavior: The role of environmental self-identity and environmental concern.

Today's youth is facing environmental changes. The environmental behavior of adolescents is critical to mitigating the negative impacts of these environmental problems. According to value - basis theory and Value-Belief-Norm theory, the current research examines the link between biospheric values and pro-environmental behavior, together with the mediating and moderating effects of environmental self-identity and environmental concern. We conducted cluster sampling of students in grades four to nine. A total of 1,053 students participated in the survey, and 763 valid data records were finally obtained (the return rate was 72.46%). The findings indicated that: (1) there was a significant positive correlation between adolescents' biospheric values and pro-environmental behavior; (2) there was a significant positive correlation between adolescent biospheric values and environmental self-identity; there was a significant correlation between adolescents' environmental self-identity and pro-environmental behavior. The relationship between biospheric values and adolescents' pro-environmental behavior is mediated by environmental self-identity; (3) adolescents' environmental concern moderates their biospheric values and affects the latter half of pro-environmental behavior through environmental self-identity. Environmental self-identity has a greater predictive impact on pro-environmental behavior when there is a higher level of environmental concern. This paper proposes and verifies the positive relationship between biospheric values and adolescents' pro-environmental behavior, as well as the mediating role of environmental self-identity and the moderating role of adolescents' environmental concern.

Educational Institutions and Youth Contributing towards Meeting the Vision of Viksit Bharat

Abstract In developing nations, resources of the country are being exploited in a limited manner, and there is an indispensable need to optimize material and human resources for the development of human society. Right now, the resources which are utilized are the employees whose number is limited. Apart from this, the human resources which can be utilized for welfare of nation are youth, and they will prove to be valuable assets in welfare of developing country like India. If we can use youth as a resource person with the knowledge of their stream, we can do miracle and contribute to make our country as Viksit Bharat in a fastest way. If the approach of education is 2-dimensional, it will be horizontal in nature with surface learning by students, but when the 3-dimensional approach is introduced, one can explore space and in-depth knowledge and understanding. To cater this, we are proposing a “Modified Attitude-Ethics-Communication (AETCOM) Model”, wherein interdisciplinary integration i.e. humanity, attitude, ethics and communication domains will be there and this will be the only tool which will make them disciplined healthy human resources workforce. In conclusion, the youth of today can act as either co-learner or as a human resource who can contribute their own knowledge and perspectives in the development of the society. In-fact, it won’t be wrong to state that their contribution in meeting the national vision of Viksit Bharat has immense potential.

Critical Consciousness and Youth Political Activism

Like previous generations, today's youth are engaging in political activism to positively transform their local communities and the broader society. This review applies critical consciousness theory to shed light on the factors that spur youth political activism and to highlight how developing critical consciousness engenders developmental benefits. Critical consciousness refers to structural and historical reasoning about inequality, motivation to promote social change, and political activism to bring about social equity. A succinct review of outcomes associated with critical consciousness is presented first, followed by a nuanced contemporary understanding of the precursors to youth critical consciousness development. In closing, this review highlights exciting emerging directions in this area of research and offers reflections on the trajectory of critical consciousness scholarship. All told, critical consciousness research illuminates a strength-based approach for supporting youth's healthy development that adequately attends to the psychological, historical, and structural facets of youth experience.

The Great Migration and Educational Opportunity

This paper studies the impact of the First Great Migration on children. We use the complete-count 1940 census to estimate selection-corrected place effects on education for children of Black migrants. On average, Black children gained 0.8 years of schooling (12 percent) by moving from the South to the North. Many counties that had the strongest positive impacts on children during the 1940s offer relatively poor opportunities for Black youth today. Opportunities for Black children were greater in places with more schooling investment, stronger labor market opportunities for Black adults, more social capital, and less crime. (JEL H75, I26, J13, J15, J24, N32, N92)

Strengthening Christian Values In The Formation Of Adolescent Identity At Gloria Sentani High School

Youth are the hope for the future, but behind this hope lie challenges that may alter the course of today's youth. The students of SMTK Gloria Sentani face challenges that are feared to shake their faith, leading to a degradation of their beliefs. The purpose of this Community Service (PkM) is to strengthen the Christian values of the youth, particularly the students of SMTK Gloria Sentani, in defining their identity to carve out a brighter future. The methods used in this PkM include observation-interviews, lectures-discussions, and the preparation of accountability reports packaged in the form of scientific articles such as national journals. The results achieved include an understanding and cognitive maturity regarding the concept of the "youth planet" and the outlined destinations for youth in general. Through this activity, it is hoped that the students of SMTK Gloria Sentani will develop an optimistic attitude towards the global challenges they are currently facing.

Exploring The Pragmatism of Malaysian Youth Towards Politics

This article delves into the factors shaping the political inclinations of Malaysian youth, a demographic crucial for the nation's future. With youth groups representing nearly half of registered voters, their sway in elections is undeniable. They keenly observe their environment, scrutinizing policies that impact them negatively. Today's youth exhibit heightened political awareness, vital for nation-building. Political education, extending beyond elections, fosters civic engagement and societal progress. This study examines the political literacy of Malaysian youth and their pragmatic approach to politics. Through qualitative methods, including library research and interviews with 200 participants of the Sekolah Rukun Negara Program organized by the Institute of Leadership, Excellence and Development (i-LEAD), Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia, it explores the erosion of partisan ideologies among youth. Findings highlighted youth valuing politics for national stability and rejecting divisive racial politics. The study underscores the importance of political education in fostering unity and realizing Malaysia's national ideals.

Visual Storytelling: A Contemporary Approach to Online Journalism for the Millennial Generation

This case study examines the topic of digital visual content, information dissemination, art, and culture for local Indonesian products on the Instagram account Folkative. Folkative is a company targeting a young audience, primarily millennials. Founded to inspire, inform, and represent the diverse creative culture of Indonesian youth, Folkative accomplishes this through the creation of content and interactive online events aimed at the youth of today. The communication style of the Folkative Instagram account has a significant impact on online activities and the evolution of millennial communication patterns. This research employs a qualitative approach using the case study method. The researcher conducted in-depth interviews with 5 informants selected through purposive sampling criteria. The results of this study indicate that the form of content, quality perception, and reader attitudes support the dissemination of content through the Instagram account Folkative. Visual design, which presents the power of images, has become a suitable medium for storytelling, and it is favored by the millennial generation, particularly in the context of journalism. This transformation has shifted the style of journalism from traditional audio and text-based formats to visual art that narrates current and meaningful information for the audience, thus enhancing the literacy interests of the digital native generation.

Tren Budaya Kontemporer: Interaksi Antara Islam dan Fenomena K-Pop di Kalangan Remaja SMAN 5 Kota Tangerang Selatan

In the context of cultural globalization, the views of Muslims in Indonesia on the influx of foreign cultures, especially K-Pop from South Korea, is an interesting topic to discuss. With respect to K-Pop, the interaction between Islam and the K-Pop phenomenon has become a modern cultural trend that is interesting to study in an era of increasingly connected cultural globalization, while still considering the existence and importance of existing local cultures. Both phenomena have a significant influence on the identity, lifestyle and worldview of today's youth. It is through this study that we can investigate how adolescents at SMAN 5 South Tangerang City who are Muslims respond to and interact with the K-Pop phenomenon, including how K-Pop culture affects their perceptions of social relationships, self-identity, and religious values. The focus of this study is to discuss how the phenomenon of the interaction dynamics between Islam and K-Pop culture among teenagers at SMAN 5 South Tangerang City, including the factors that influence their preference for K-Pop content, how they act on content that contradicts religious values, and how the Islamic community at the school handles the challenges and opportunities that arise from this interaction. The purpose of this study is to provide better information on how Muslim teenagers in schools cope with the challenges and opportunities that arise from these interactions. The rise of this culture, known as the “Korean Wave”, has been growing from the early 2000s to the present. Most people view K-Pop as a cultural threat that will weaken the local values found in Indonesia and undermine the quality of the existing culture. In the end, K-Pop spread because its fans came from all walks of life. It is also spreading not only because of the pop culture factor, but because of the movies, fashion, lifestyle, and culinary that are increasingly favored by Indonesians, especially Muslim teenagers. As a result, ordinary people are noticing the increasing threat of foreign K-Pop culture entering Indonesia.

Luxury Brands Success: Dior as an Example

Luxury goods continue to captivate the aspirations of today's youth, with each brand boasting a distinctive history and unparalleled style. Dior, a renowned luxury brand with nearly a century of heritage, stands as an iconic example. While the name Dior is synonymous with fashion, the profound reasons behind its enduring status as a high-end luxury brand remain relatively unexplored. This article delves into the three enigmatic secrets of Dior's success, a source of inspiration for those who aspire to make their mark on the fashion world, and for anyone who appreciates the art and craftsmanship of luxury brands. First, central to Dior's triumph is its lineage of visionary creators. Christian Dior, the brand's illustrious founder, And other creative luminaries like Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferre, and John Galliano's innovations ensured Dior's perpetual allure and global influence. Secondly, Dior's ascendancy owes much to shrewd marketing and branding strategies. And finally,superlative craftsmanship is the cornerstone of Dior's enduring success. The commitment to detail, perfection, ensures Dior's reputation for unparalleled quality. The brand's enduring allure serves as a testament to the enduring values of hard work, innovation, and a genuine passion for the craft. Just as Dior's legacy continues, so can individuals and brands thrive by staying grounded, working diligently, and nurturing a deep love for their art.

Youth of today

Youth of today