Most adults do not want to 'relive' their youth

WHILE ADULTS may romanticise their youth, a survey of Irish attitudes to youth suggests most adults have no desire to relive it.

The research by Behaviour & Attitudes found nearly 60 per cent of adults would not choose to go back in time to their teenage years if given the chance.

However, the survey revealed stark differences between men and woman. with a majority of men [52 per cent] saying they would welcome the chance to relive their youth in contrast to just 29 per cent of women.

The findings, published yesterday to coincide with the Permanent TSB Foróige Youth Citizenship awards, were based on a survey of 1,002 adults conducted over two weeks last month.

The research suggested men had a more positive recollection of their youth, or perhaps a different view of how easy or hard teenage years may be nowadays.

It also found cheaper flights, access to education and having more money eclipsed experimentation with drugs, sex and alcohol as something older people would have liked more of when they were young.

On the impact of parenting on youth, the dominant perception was that parents were primarily to blame for younger people getting into trouble.

Nearly two-thirds said they believed young people were less likely to find themselves in trouble if they “had proper parental supervision”.

Of young people who do get into trouble, 82 per cent believed the children were likely not to have adequate supports, “or positive experience, in their lives”.

National Council of Foróige chairwoman Mairí McMahon said: “We work with over 53,000 young people and in our experience, when given the correct supports, the majority of young people can and do make a positive difference to society.”

In terms of positive teenage role models, champion boxer Katie Taylor topped the poll followed by golfers Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy, and Eoin Kelly who captained Tipperary’s victorious All-Ireland hurling team.

The top three older candidates who were considered positive role models for young people were President Mary McAleese, former GAA broadcaster Micháel Ó Muircheartaigh and U2 frontman Bono.

The two pieces of advice adults regarded as the best to dispense to younger people were “treat others as you’d like to be treated yourself” and “no one is perfect”.