DN Debate. Increased polarisation among young people about migration and gender equality

Metoo-the uprising in the autumn of 2017, the alarm on the increasing psychological ill health among young people, klimatstrejker and it changed the security situation in Sweden and Europe may have influenced young people's attitudes and values. This according to a new report from the Agency for youth and civilsamhällesfrågor (MUCF), which is based on a questionnaire to 6,000 randomly selected young people aged 16-29 years from the autumn of 2018.

For the first time is health care the most important samhällsfrågan for the young, both among girls and guys. Two young ranked health care the highest and it is slightly more common among young people with symptoms of stress or mental ill-health. Migration, integration, climate change and gender equality are other important issues. Work and employment decreases in importance for young people.

Social inclusion for young people are also targets in the EUROPEAN commission's strategy Europe 2020 and the UN's global development goals Agenda 2030. January 1, 2020 will also be the Crc team in Sweden. The decision on young people must build on the knowledge of the young. They have the right to be heard in matters that concern them and to feel a sense of belonging. To be a part of a larger context is important for all people, but especially for the young. During adolescence, the conditions are created for the safety and active participation in democratic processes, in work and education. Lacking influence on the development of society and their own lives creates feelings of alienation and powerlessness.

For the first time is health care the most important samhällsfrågan for the young, both among girls and guys.

the MUCF's study shows that interest in politics is increasing among the young. They are also more beneficial to politicians than what the older generation is. A larger share of young people know what they think in important social issues, compared with the previous ungdomsgenerationer.

more and more young people think that the citizens in general, but also they themselves, can bring their opinions to the politicians. But we see clear differences between the sexes. For the first time since 2002, there is a clear difference between girls 'and guys' attitudes. Girls today do not experience that they can put forward their views to the politicians to the same extent as guys. Girls are falling behind in the sense of being able to influence the development of society.

Partly to catch up and support the individuals who risk to be excluded, both for society at large. Sweden faces major challenges in the labour market with an ageing population and a shortage of labour in many professions.

in other matters, there is a greater difference in guys and girls ' attitudes. For the first time ranks the young, gender equality is one of the five important social issues. The increase, however, depends only on that, more and more girls to rank equality higher and higher. Metoo-the uprising may have contributed to this but the report does not provide answers to the question, or if there is a more permanent development. It is something that needs to be studied further, similarly the question about why the guys are not as positive for gender equality.

the Majority of Sweden's young people are positive towards immigration and immigrants. But even this is different guys and girls ' attitudes. More and more young people, especially girls, see immigration as positive for Sweden. At the same time, more and more young people, especially guys, to Sweden to accept fewer refugees.

But above all, there is a growing concern among youth, especially among girls, for the personal security. They are afraid to be subjected to threats, hate, and scams on the internet. And also for the burglary and vandalism. More and more young people, mainly boys, is concerned about becoming a victim of violence there. Compared with previous studies so is also in security, law and order more important social issues for young people. 83% of the young people, both guys and girls want to see, for example, stiffer prison sentences for serious criminals.

the Support for continued EU membership is high among young people, nine out of ten want Sweden to remain in the EU.

In the survey are also questions about the attitude to drugs. More and more young people think it is okay to use drugs, and the proportion of young people who want to legalize cannabis for personal use has doubled. In this year's survey, 27 percent of all young people who want it, in 2013 it was 13 per cent and in 2007 it was 11%. Guys are more positive to drugs than girls, more than every third guy wants to legalize cannabis for personal use while was the fifth girl to respond.

Support for continued EU membership is high among young people, nine out of ten want Sweden to remain in the EU. Most also want Sweden to collaborate more with other countries in Europe. Half of all young people are interested in european and international politics. Among the group of young people who want to leave the EU, 11 per cent, it is more guys.

Every second girl and every third guy thinks Sweden ought to do more to help poor countries, a total of 41 per cent against 27 per cent in the 2013 survey.

To the young, and especially girls, feel that they themselves can put forward opinions to the decision-makers is a worrying development that all actors in society must take seriously. Otherwise we run the risk that many young people are falling behind in democratic processes, in work and education and in society at large

Likewise, the young people's concerns and vulnerability to sexual harassment, threats of violence, and young people's attitudes to mental health and physical health.

Continued efforts are needed for young people who neither work nor study. Similarly, we need to strengthen the work to prevent mental illness among young people and to improve young lgbt people's living conditions. All young people need in the development of society.