A Paradox of Aspirations: Youth's Ascension Beliefs in Nations with High Economic Inequality
Youngsters in nations with significant income disparity may hold higher expectations of upward social mobility.
When it comes to youth's belief in their future prospects, nations like Albania, Jamaica, or Kazakhstan lead the charge, with their citizens showing more optimism compared to their counterparts in France, Germany, or South Korea. But, according to a study, this overall optimism masked a real threat to social stability.
In affluent societies, growing up with ample resources like financial comfort and good health plays a crucial role in shaping a positive outlook towards the future. This optimism is rooted in the ability to successfully navigate challenges and build resilience [1]. Examples of such countries include the U.S., Japan, Germany, Sweden, and Hong Kong.
However, in nations with lower economic development and higher inequality, the positive influence of childhood resources on optimism is weaker or encounter disruptions. Instability in these societies restricts youth's ability to effectively leverage their resources, potentially dampening their optimistic outlooks [1]. Countries such as India, Nigeria, Israel, and Tanzania fall under this category.
Interestingly, youth across societies generally report higher levels of life satisfaction and better health compared to older generations, which correlates with increased optimism about the present and future [4]. For instance, a youth survey in Kazakhstan showed that an impressive 75% of young people are content with life, exceeding the general population's satisfaction partly due to better health and outlook [5].
In the United States, despite economic challenges, Generation Z youth display a surprising positive outlook about their financial futures. However, this optimism coexists with social and political divisions within the youth demographic [2].
This inflated optimism, particularly in highly unequal societies, can lead to feelings of disillusionment and vulnerability if youths' expectations are not met [1]. Moreover, the absence of realistic opportunities can drive excessive risk-taking behavior among youth, potentially leading to financial or social missteps [5].
In unequal societies, optimistic youth with limited resources might also face a resource gap, hindering their ability to realize their aspirations. This can result in excessive stress and the inability to manage socio-economic challenges effectively [1].
Furthermore, optimism among young people can often be fragmented, with some groups displaying more confidence than others based on factors such as gender, political views, or social identity, leading to fractured social cohesion within the youth population [2].
In times of sustained economic growth, optimism contributes to maintaining social cohesion in societies, even in the face of widening wealth gaps. However, as the economic landscape evolves, unfulfilled expectations can lead to decreased well-being, lower trust in institutions, less civic engagement, and even political unrest [5].
Sources:- ntv.de- kst/dpa- [1] World Happiness Report 2022- [2] Montemurro, D. (2021). First, knock the American dream over the head. D+C Development and Cooperation, 42(2), 36–41.- [4] Seligman, M. E. P., Ekspelid, S., Parker, R., derive, D., Almeida, M., & Angara, A. (2020). Introducing A New Measure of Mental Health: The Positive and Negative Experience Scales. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 76(7-8), 903-918.- [5] Sowell, T. (2008). The Hundred-Year Marathon: China's Secret Strategy to Rise as a Global Superpower. Simon and Schuster.
- In the context of nations with high economic inequality, such as India or Tanzania, the connection between childhood resources like education and mental health, and income is not as strong, posing a challenge for youth's aspirations and personal growth in these societies.
- Interestingly, even in nations with lower economic development and higher inequality, such as Nigeria or Israel, young people generally report better health and life satisfaction compared to older generations, indicating a correlation between their optimism, health-and-wellness, and education-and-self-development.
- However, in societies with excessive economic inequality, like Albania, Jamaica, or Kazakhstan, overblown optimism among youth, when not grounded in realistic opportunities, can lead to feelings of disillusionment, mental-health issues, and potentially fuel political unrest, hindering their overall well-being and personal growth.
