The “peace and plenty” generation: understanding teenagers’ lives

Abstract

Reports research from the Future Foundation which shows that teenagers are basically very satisfied with their lives; they realise that living standards on the whole have never been better. Outlines the research methods, which used interviews with 500 13‐18 year olds living with their parents in the UK, plus four focus groups in different parts of the country. Finds that school is the dominant concern in teenagers’ lives, although they are not always satisfied that it prepares them for adult life; there is no clear generation gap between teenagers and parents, and parents take a strong interest in their teenage children: families are now more open and democratic than they used to be. Concludes that popular myths about teenage rebellion and resentment are untrue, and that most teenagers have close and supportive relationships with siblings and older family members.

Citation

Rand, N. (2003), "The “peace and plenty” generation: understanding teenagers’ lives", Young Consumers, Vol. 5 No. 1, pp. 45-52. https://doi.org/10.1108/17473610410814049