Survey Finds Young Australians Are More Worried About "The Future" Than Literally Anything Else

“We ask 18 year-olds to make huge decisions about their career and financial future, when a month ago they had to ask to go to the bathroom.” - Adam Kotsko

Although children don’t have to worry about mortgages and taxes, they are not as carefree as adults may think. The ABC current affairs program Behind the News just surveyed 20,000 Aussie children (aged 6 to 16) about their concerns – and it found that their future is what has them most distressed.

Forty-three per cent of respondents said they worried about “their future”; a mighty figure compared to runners up “family” (39 per cent), “health” (37 per cent), “friends” (34 per cent), “body” (31 per cent) and “bullying” (30 per cent).

It’s not surprising really. Young Australians face so many pressures on a day-to-day basis - get good grades; make friends; have a social life – and that’s before you even consider the major world problems out there. It already seems like too much, and the idea that there are more pressures in adulthood is a justified cause for worry. The future must seem formidable.

But what is it about the future that really worries "kids today"?

Is it the availability of jobs? We’ve all seen the self-serve registers popping up in supermarkets, but it is predicted that in the next decade more machines will be taking over jobs in administration, finance and a few other markets too. The best way for worried students to overcome this is to have a back-up plan, and although it may be upsetting to not get your dream job straight away, take comfort in the fact that millennials are expected to have an average of five career changes in their lifetime.

The drive to be successful is also bringing about some consternation, as some near-graduates worry that success is defined solely by what you earn. It isn’t, I promise you. Although money makes things easier, it isn’t the be all and end all. Success is also not defined by your relationships or by the age you decide to get married (or not get married). Your life is yours to live as you like, and isn't on a destined timeline.

Something a lot of people find as they age is that time seems to go faster. This is of course just due to our perception and not some sci-fi time vortex coming after your future. The best way to overcome this phenomenon is to, firstly, accept it, and secondly, manage your time well. Not only will it reduce stress over homework and assignment deadlines, but it will also give you time to do the stuff you love.

Of course there are more worries over how the world will fare with ongoing crises, such as climate change and terrorism. Just remember: there’s nothing wrong with being worried. As the study proves, you’re far from alone. I trust our generation, worried or not, will tackle all challenges head on.

What is it about the future that has you worried?

Sarah Bellis is one of Student Edge’s student contributors. Learn more about the contributors program.