Authors

• Advisory Council for Youth Affairs (Nuora)
• Finnish Youth Research Society. Finnish Youth Research Network

Keywords

attitudes, cultural interaction, cultural pluralism, expectation, immigrants, occupational life, parents, personal finance management, purchasing, satisfaction, shopping, tolerance, values, youth

Abstract

The main themes of this youth indicator survey were young Finns' attitudes to occupational life, future expectations, sources of money, spending behaviour, financial support received from parents, attitudes to immigrants, and general values. At first, respondents were asked to what extent they agree or disagree with statements relating to commitment to a job or company, unemployment, salary, importance of education in occupational life, etc. Intentions to work or study abroad, set up own business, or start a family were charted. Finnish primary and lower secondary education was evaluated.

Some questions focused on the respondent's economic situation and consumer habits: sources of money, financial support given by parents, amount of money spent on certain things (hobbies, make-up, travelling, etc.). Young people's views on foreigners, different immigrant groups and cultural tolerance were surveyed. Willingness to marry or befriend an immigrant, and willingness to have a person from certain immigrant groups as the next door neighbour were studied. Respondents were asked whether they have friends who are immigrants or of immigrant origin.

Respondents' values were charted by asking how important they considered the following to be: exciting life, self-respect, national security and traditions, religion, equality, social relations, work, own health, own appearance, etc. Satisfaction with life was surveyed. Respondents were also asked how important it was to have, among other things, own family and children, close friends, permanent job, high standard of living, status, high salary, experience in politics, good physical condition by the time they were 35 years old.

Background variables included the respondent's year of birth, household composition, vocational education, main activity, institution of study if a student, type of employment contract, mother tongue, gender, major region of residence, municipality type, and parents' level of education.