Strategies to strengthen outlook of life among young people : A case study in a Swedish municipality

• There is a continuous increase in mental health problems, such as stress symptoms, among young people in the Nordic countries. One source of stress concerns young people’s outlook of life in general, and more specific the choice of education and future carrier. Previous studies show that high education has positive impact on a person’s health, but also on regional development. The research project is based on a case study in a Swedish municipality with low educational level. The aim of the study is to explore and understand the low education among the citizens. The study starts in young person’s perspective on their future. Further, how adults in home, school and the neighborhood, influence the young person’s educational and carrier choices. The analyses of the results are based on theories on gender and cultural/social capital. The empirical material consists of surveys and interview studies with young people, teachers and guidance counsellors. The results show that young people often feel unsure of their future chooses and often ask for more support from adults regarding their future education. Several students find it stressful to manage their career choices, particularly if their parents do not have sufficient knowledge to support them in such matters. Teachers and guidance counselors describe a lack of strategies to support and addressing issues of education and future work, but also how they should be passive in relation to influencing the students. In conclusion, the results show the importance, when it comes to social work and social development practices on preventing mental health problems among young people, to develop strategies for working with young person’s educational and carrier choices. In this project some strategies have been identified, on local political and school level, to strengthen outlook of life among young people.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Utbildningsvetenskap -- Pedagogik (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Educational Sciences -- Pedagogy (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Youth

School

Education

Career paths

Career guidance

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)