MOST teenagers in Scotland believe they will have a worse life than their parents by the age of 30, according to a new poll.
These beliefs come from fears surrounding money, the environment and unemployment.
The study was conducted by children’s charity Barnardo’s and YouGov, who asked 14 to 17-year-olds to imagine their lives at 30.
55% of respondants felt their lives will be worse than their parents, and a third thought their own children’s lives will be even worse.
Almost one in 10 teenagers said they felt “hopeless” about the future, with 18% of respondents believing they won’t have enough money to live comfortably at 30, and 10% believing they are unable to change their own future.
Similar figures are seen across the UK.
One Scottish teen said: “Everyone is struggling these days. My mum struggles to pay the bills and she’s a nurse with a master’s degree.
“I’m not that clever, so imagine my life will be harder than hers.”
Another teen added: “Everyone can go to university and get qualifications. However, if you can’t get a decent job afterwards, then it’s totally meaningless.
“You can only try your best and pray for some luck to come your way.”
Director of Barnardo’s Scotland, Martin Crewe said: “The results of this polling make for very disappointing reading indeed.
“If, as these results suggest, we have a generation of children who believe they will have a life worse than that of their parents, then, as a society, we will have failed.”
This poll coincides with Barnardo’s new report – Chanding Childhoods, Changing lives.
The report looks at the current situation of children and how the cost of living crisis, envirnomental converns and Covid-19 are impacting them.
It also predicts furture development, with things such as the decline in children’s mental health and higher risks of online exploitation.
Mr Crewe explained: “At Barnardo’s, we’re determined that children will not face these future challenges alone and we know the current situation requires urgent action.
“Despite the negative picture painted in this survey, there is also hope that things can get better.
“In Scotland we are committed to keeping The Promise to reform Scotland’s care system, so that all children grow up safe and loved.”
Barnardo’s are calling for the Scottish Government to raise the Scottish child payment to £30, abolish the young parent penalty, and invest in early intervention services and holistic family support.
They also want to UK Government to also abolish the two-child benefit limit and introduce an essentials guarantee for universal credit.
Last year alone, Barnardo’s supported over 11,500 children, young people, parents and carers across 150 Scottish services.
