Seven out of ten states that adults never or rarely ask them for opinion in decisions that affect your community. More than half says that when this opinion is asked, he rarely has influence.
Portuguese children and young people feel more and more heard, but most still say that it is rare for adults to ask them and many consider that even when they participate, their perspective has no influence.
The conclusion is from Inquiry “I have a vote in the matter”released Monday by UNICEF Portugal, on the date on which the International Day of Democracy is marked.
In the third edition of the Biennial Public Consultation that wants “Put children and young people in the center of the public debate”Unicef Portugal heard 7,417 people, the overwhelming majority between 10 and 20 years old.
Face a 2021, increased the proportion of children and young people who feel that adults want them often And they consider that their opinions are valued, but still represent a minority.
Near seven out of ten states that adults never or rarely ask them for opinion In decisions that affect your community and 53% consider that when this opinion is requested, it rarely has influence.
“Political decisions have a direct impact on each child’s life, but often Your perspectives are left out of public debate“, underlines UNICEF Portugal’s executive director, Beatriz Imperatori, quoted in a statement.
According to the study, Only one third of children and young people feel completely freedom to share their ideas and opinions, Since about half do not know how to do it, no confidence for fear of being enjoyed or thinks it is not important.
Poverty and cost of living worry younger
On the other hand, the inquiry also sought to realize what are the main concerns of these age groups, and issues such as mental health, internet and social networks or discrimination appear again among the most cited.
Unlike previous editions, at the top of the younger’s concerns now poverty and the cost of living.
“Children and young people in Portugal are aware of the socioeconomic context and feel the impact of poverty and cost of living on their families and communities,” says the executive director.
When asked about the problems that most affect them daily, They dominate environmental issues such as pollution, the future of the environment, the excessive use of plastics and climate disasters such as fires and floods.
As for the improvements proposed for the community, most defend greater care with the environment, more cultural and sports activities, more green and leisure spaces e better quality of schools and public services.
Another of the analyzed dimensions is the perception of security, and if 75% say they feel safe in their community, Just over half (55%) has the same sensation in the ‘online’ environment.
Regardless of context, girls demonstrate being more cautiouswhile younger children reveal feelings of added insecurity when they are ‘online’.
The public consultation also questions young people about the use of mobile phones and many admit that There must be rules at school, which is the most frequent answerafter more school training on online safety and learning where to ask for help if something goes wrong.
Created in 2021, the initiative “I have a vote in the matter” give more visibility to concerns, priorities, ideas and proposals of the youngest and sensitize political society and decision makers to the importance of their involvement.
The inquiry was carried out, in collaboration, by the Advisory Group of Children and Youth of UNICEF Portugal and the Center for Studies and Opinion Survey of the Portuguese Catholic University, and the answers collected between May 7 and June 13.
