Angry young people in the Rems-Murr district demand answers to climate change!

Angry young people in the Rems-Murr district demand answers to climate change!

A panel discussion caused a stir in the Rems-Murr circle. Organized by the Jugend Goes Zukunft Fellbach association, state election candidates from the Waiblingen constituency gathered to address the questions and concerns of young people. The mood was charged: the young people expressed their anger and frustration about the current political situation, with climate change serving as the central topic. This debate shows how urgently young voices need to be heard in politics ZVW reported.

More and more young people are showing interest in political issues, but do not feel taken seriously or understood by the established parties. According to a study by the German Children and Youth Foundation, just 20% of young people believe that their concerns will be heard. Despite their political frustration, 75% support democracy over other systems. This tension between frustration and commitment makes it clear: young people are not indifferent, but rather demand serious consideration of their concerns in the political arena. The DKJS states that over 50% of young people are interested in politics.

The concerns of young people

What do young people care about most? The answers are clear: climate change, fear of war and economic uncertainty are at the top of the list. These issues also shape the growing up of today's teenagers, who are strongly influenced by crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian war of aggression on Ukraine. Nevertheless, optimism is spreading among young people; A recent study shows that 84% of those surveyed are satisfied with their everyday life. The SINUS youth study also proves that despite the uncertainty, many young people hold on to their values ​​and plans for the future.

Another important result is the loss of trust in established parties. Many young voters are skeptical and tend to vote for small parties or the AfD in elections. The political landscape has changed in recent years and young people are proving to be unpredictable when it comes to their voting behavior. This trend is spreading throughout Germany, particularly in East Germany, where parts of the youth are shifting to the right.

Social media in focus

A crucial factor influencing these developments is social media. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have developed into central communication channels for forming political opinions. Young people get information there and make decisions based on what they see on social media. Although they trust traditional media, they often find more appealing content and approaches on social networks. The challenges this poses are significant; not least because right-wing parties benefit from these developments.

The ongoing frustration of young people is a warning signal for politicians. According to a study, many young people feel inhibited in their power and influence and consider authoritarian solutions, while at the same time they value the importance of democratic processes. In order to counteract this, the German Children and Youth Foundation is calling, among other things, for the inclusion of children's rights in the Basic Law and the implementation of a national action plan for child and youth participation.

It remains to be seen how the current political landscape will respond to the demands and concerns of young people. One thing is clear: if politicians do not act and do not take the voice of young people seriously, faith in democratic processes could continue to dwindle. A good knack for communication could be crucial in getting the generation of young voters back into politics.