Finnish children and youths are increasingly pessimistic these days, according to a survey by the Central Union for Child Welfare.
The survey asked the opinions of kids between the ages of 10 and 17 and found that they were increasingly gloomy, compared to previous surveys. The union characterised the change as significant and said the development should be taken seriously.
The survey found that only 55 percent of children and youths said they think their situation in Finland was good. In 2017 a similar survey found 71 percent of kids having similar sentiments.
The union said the increasing proportion of kids who aren't feeling well is a long-term problem that affects society as a whole.
It noted the results of the survey echoed findings of academic studies on the topic. For example, the union pointed to a study carried out at the University of Turku this year that found anxiety symptoms had particularly increased among girls. More generally, it found that young people were also having increasing difficulties in controlling their emotions, concentrating, as well as getting along with others.
At the same time, the Children's Ombudsman issued a report saying that children feel the world is less safe than before, the union noted.
The online survey queried around 15,000 Finnish- and Swedish-speaking kids between the ages of 10 and 17.
The survey found differences between genders, with 64 percent of boys saying the situation of kids in Finland was good, while 50 percent of girls said the same. Meanwhile 34 percent of respondents who chose "other" as their gender said they think the situation in Finland was good for kids.
Swedish-speaking respondents were more likely to have a brighter outlook than their Finnish-speaking counterparts. Up to 70 percent of Swedish-speaking kids said the situation for kids was good, while only 53 percent of Finnish-speaking respondents said so.
There was also a difference in opinion about the topic of climate change, depending on respondents' mother tongues. Some 63 percent of Finnish-speaking kids said they consider climate change to be a threat, while 50 percent of Swedish-speaking respondents said the same.
However, 61 percent of all of the young respondents said that global climate change posed the biggest threat, while 46 percent said the biggest threat was a perceived increase in inequality in Finland.
An NGO founded in 1937, the Central Union for Child Welfare promotes child welfare and children's rights issues.
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