TOP CITIZENS:Awards for youth projects
Celebrities, pop stars and people with money have a much greater influence on young people than their parents, according to a national poll on people's attitudes towards young people.
The poll of 1,000 adults aged over 15 found that celebrities (70 per cent), pop stars (58 per cent), peers or friends (46 per cent), followed by people with money (38 per cent), hold the most influence in young people's lives.
Only one-third of people (33 per cent) believe that young people look to their parents as role models, followed by teachers (14 per cent) and community activists (11 per cent).
The national poll was conducted by Behaviours & Attitudes just over a month ago. It was commissioned by Permanent TSB and Foróige, a national youth development organisation.
Most people (80 per cent) believe that young people face greater challenges today compared to 10 years ago.
On why life is tougher for young people today, availability of drink and drugs, peer pressure and having to acquire the latest fashion and technology were the top three challenges identified in the survey.
The research was published to coincide with the Permanent TSB Foróige youth citizenship awards, which were presented in Dublin last night.
The awards honoured 20 citizenship projects undertaken voluntarily by young people aged between 10 and 18.
Seán Campbell, chief executive of Foróige, said that with support, encouragement and guidance, young people could make a meaningful contribution to local communities. "They are part of the solution rather than part of the problem. We see evidence of this every day as we work with 40,000 young people across the country," he said.
Among the winning projects at the awards ceremony were a health café for young people; a mental health information evening; village improvement projects; fund-raising for charities and the restoration of a local graveyard.
