Young People's Optimism in Countries with High Inequality: A Mixed Blessing
Youths in nations with substantial income inequality are more inclined to endorse the possibility of social mobility.
A study reveals that young people in countries like Albania, Jamaica, or Kazakhstan are more optimistic about their future prospects than their peers in France or South Korea. This might sound surprising, but it's a reality in many nations, as explained by a pair of experts in the journal "Science".
While economic growth doesn't pose a problem in itself, this optimism carries risks, especially when the gap between the rich and the poor widens. Social mobility, the ability to move up or down the social ladder, is often lower in countries with greater income disparities. As a result, there's a growing risk of frustration, disillusionment, social unrest, and even political strife among the younger generation.
Long-term economic progress is thought to contribute to maintaining social cohesion, despite the widening gap between the rich and the poor. However, this is changing, and unmet expectations can lead to reduced well-being, lower trust in institutions, less civic engagement, and political instability.
The Paradox of Higher Inequality and Greater Optimism
The researchers found that young people believe most strongly in their chances of upward mobility in countries where income disparities are highest. The "Great Gatsby Curve" phenomenon explains this trend, where countries with greater inequality generally have lower social mobility. Surprisingly, young people's expectations of upward mobility are highest in countries where income differences are more apparent.
In countries like Germany, only about 29% of 15-year-olds from lower social backgrounds expect to achieve a higher status later on. However, in countries like Albania, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, and Romania, around 40% have similar expectations. In France (22%), South Korea (18%), and Malaysia (20%), fewer young people hold such beliefs.
Disillusionment, Disengagement, and Decreased Mental Health
As idealized equal opportunities regardless of family background become increasingly difficult to achieve, there may be several negative consequences. Young people may become disillusioned and disengage from civic life, while facing mental health challenges due to the constant pressure to succeed in a highly unequal society.
Furthermore, unrestricted access to quality education is often limited in highly unequal societies, perpetuating a cycle where those who need it most are least likely to benefit. Education may be emphasized as the key to success, but structural barriers in these societies often undermine the prospects of upward mobility.
Differences in political participation among youth are influenced by their socio-economic status, and also their perceived opportunities for mobility. High inequality and social polarization can lead to social and civic polarization, straining social cohesion and civic engagement. In some cases, youth may elect to emigrate in search of better opportunities elsewhere, potentially leading to a brain drain.
Understanding the Risks for Proactive Policy Solutions
Understanding these risks is essential in developing proactive policy solutions to promote genuine social mobility and address the root causes of inequality. Policies should prioritize equal opportunities for all young people, regardless of their family background, to break the cycle of high inequality and provide concrete opportunities for upward mobility. Encouraging a culture of civic engagement, mental health support, and equitable education will help thousands of youths reach their full potential and contribute to a more cohesive society.
- Gap Between the Rich and the Poor
- Youth
- Income
- Disillusionment
- Mental Health
- Education
- Civic Engagement
[1] politico.eu/manifesto-why-young-people-dont-vote-anymore (accessed on 2022-05-06)
[4] ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5619586/ (accessed on 2022-05-06)
[5] jstor.org/stable/40376382 (accessed on 2022-05-06)
- In countries with a wide gap between the rich and the poor, the optimism among younger generations about their future prospects might contribute to disillusionment and disengagement when they face social mobility challenges.
- The high income disparities in countries like Albania, Jamaica, and Kazakhstan may lead young people to believe strongly in their chances of upward mobility, but this belief can eventually turn into frustration and increased mental health issues as equal opportunities become difficult to achieve.
- Education plays a crucial role in promoting social mobility, but in highly unequal societies, structural barriers often limit access to quality education for those from lower social backgrounds, compounding the cycle of inequality and contributing to decreased mental health among youth.
- Proactive policy solutions should prioritize equal opportunities for all young people, focusing on civic engagement, mental health support, and equitable education to promote genuine social mobility and address the root causes of inequality, ultimately helping more youth reach their full potential and contribute to a more cohesive society.
