Community: Say hello to the YES generation

Forget sex, drugs and rock’n’ roll – the YES generation are too busy helping their parents and keeping fit

A hoodie-wearing teenager is the common stereotype, brought into sharp focus by recent rioting – but a new survey of young people in Britain by SIM-only network giffgaff reveals a far different profile for the majority of British young people.

Youth research specialists Dubit found a new generation of Young Ethical and Smart (YES) young people who say education, keeping fit and making their parents happy are the most important things to them.

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The research found that only 15 per cent of those aged 16 to 24 said they value their sex life and partying above all else.

More than 80 per cent say their education is more important than their sex life.

The research revealed they also have more traditional notions of sex and relationships: three quarters of those who responded would prefer a long term partner than lots of short-term flings.

Looking after and caring for parents is particularly important to the YES generation. Almost two thirds (61 per cent) said helping their parents was “important” or “very important” to them, two in five (41 per cent) would prefer to live with parents than move out and a surprising one in five (19 per cent) would prefer to stay in with their parents than go out with friends.

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The YES generation are also ethically minded – recycling (38 per cent) and volunteering (30 per cent) are rated more highly than alcohol (21 per cent), porn (11 per cent) and drugs (five per cent).

Tom Rainsford of giffgaff said: “Contrary to the current negative perception of younger people, our research shows that you are increasingly more likely to find young people working towards a better education or helping their family than drinking alcohol and causing trouble.”

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