Canada

Who am I?

Recent polls provide a portrait of the class of 2011

Who am I?

PHOTOGRAPH BY KC ARMSTRONG

You’re not like your parents, but you confide in them. You’ve been stamped the iPod generation, but you believe in the power of print and that some technologies are evil. Recent polls provide a portrait of the class of 2011.

OPTIMISTIC
Seventy-nine per cent believe it’s possible to create your destiny, and 52 per cent feel you will fulfill every one of your dreams. Almost all of you feel you will make it to graduation, and nearly two-thirds say you’re engaged and enthusiastic about school.

GODLESS
Is there a god? Not likely. You live in the moment, and probably do not participate in religion. In fact, your belief in science may trump your belief in god.

RUSHED
Time is the big stress. It drains your creativity.

FAST EATERS
You spend more on fast food or takeout than groceries.

LIBERAL
Seventy-six per cent agree that 10 years from now “most people will be in support of interracial relationships,” and 72 per cent agree that “non-traditional families will become accepted.” Seventy-seven per cent agree that adoption will be “an acceptable way of creating a family.”

NOT VIRGINS
Forty-three per cent of you have had sex by the time you reach university—still, less than previous generations—and one-third reported having more than one partner in the previous year.

CAUTIOUS
Condom use is on the rise in your age group: 70 per cent of teenage girls reported using one, as did 80 per cent of teenage boys.

FAMILY PEOPLE
Family and friends are a top priority.

MOTHERS’ DARLINGS
Need advice? Most of you turn to mom and dad (33 per cent) over other confidants.

TECHNOPHOBIC?
Surprise: you don’t love technology as much others think. You feel Facebook and too much cellphone use have a negative impact on society.

PRINT-LOVING
Sixty-five per cent feel print newspapers will exist by the year 2020 and 61 per cent believe reading newspapers and magazines will increase in
10 years.

UNIQUE
You’re not like mom and dad: 59 per cent feel your set of values and beliefs diverge from your parents’ generation.

APOLITICAL
Twenty-nine per cent don’t have a political preference or don’t know, although you agree that democracy remains the best system of governance.

GIVING
Volunteering is important, and you like to give back.

HOMEBODIES
You want to own a home and have a good job.

RISK-AVERSE
Unlike your parents, you’re risk-averse, especially when it comes to starting a business. Only 30 per cent anticipate starting a business, and just 33 per cent would rather lead than follow.

(ALMOST) SMOKE-FREE
Fewer of you smoke: 13 per cent in 2009, down from 15 per cent in 2008.

WEDDED
Sixty-eight per cent of you expect to tie the knot in six to 10 years and nearly three-quarters expect to have your first child in that time period.

ANTI-DRUGS
You think smoking, drugs and alcohol are the most important problems facing youth today.

INDEBTED
You’re paying more for school and you’re in more debt than students in the past.

PART-TIME WORKERS
You will likely get a job while at school in order to pay the bills.

BROKE
A major concern is whether your money will run out, and four in
10 of you say your money may not last beyond Christmas.

‘POTENTIALISTIC’
You’ve been dubbed a “potentialist” and believe you’ll reach your personal best through adventure travel or volunteering.

FOCUSED
After graduation, you’ll probably go straight to the company you want to work for (48 per cent) instead of waiting for an advertised position. Most of you have your sights set on a specific job or career (55 per cent) or hope to get a good job out of your studies (43 per cent).

SOURCES: Studentawards Inc. (SAI) 2010; Gallup 2010; Environics 2009; Environics 2009; SAI 2010; Statistics Canada 2005; StatsCan 2008; SAI 2010; SAI 2008; SAI 2010; SAI 2010; SAI 2010; SAI 2010; Policy Research Initiative 2001; StatsCan 2002; SAI 2010; SAI 2010; StatsCan 2010; SAI 2010; Gallup 2004; RBC/Ipsos Reid (RBC/IR) 2010; RBC/IR 2010; RBC/IR 2009; Angus Reid 2010;
I Love Rewards Inc. and SAI 2010; SAI 2010

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