Gen Z: Rethinking Culture
From research by Youth for Christ
Youth for Christ has recently released a report ‘Gen Z: Rethinking Culture’. It looks at Generation Z (Gen Z) youth culture to help to understand how to connect effectively with today’s young people and share the good news of Jesus.
In taking the Good News relevantly to young people we need to be able to assess whether our assumptions about their behaviours, values and beliefs are correct and this research can help.
YfC commissioned a blind survey of 1001 11-18 year olds across England, Scotland and Wales to get as broad a picture as possible of youth culture in Britain. They sought answers to questions not just about religion and faith but also about what young people enjoyed doing and what they are being influenced by.
What were some of the top findings?
|
Hobbies and activities in spare time? |
|
|
Watching Youtube videos |
81% |
|
Watching TV/Films |
77% |
|
Using Social Media |
74% |
|
Spending time with friends |
73% |
|
Gaming |
61% |
|
Favourite place to spend time? |
|
|
Outside with friends |
32% |
|
Inside with friends |
31% |
|
On internet |
24% |
|
Non-school related clubs were only 6%. |
|
|
Who do you most enjoy spending time with? |
|
|
Friends from school |
63% |
|
Friends from outside school |
17% |
|
Family |
9% |
|
Positive influences? |
|
|
Friends |
93% |
|
Family |
92% |
|
Negative influences? |
|
|
Social Media |
67% |
|
Friends |
41% |
|
Youtubers |
40% |
|
Important priorities? |
|
|
Making my family proud of me |
82% |
|
Feeling I've achieved something that matters |
76% |
|
Becoming a better person |
65% |
|
Becoming successful |
64% |
|
Helping others |
64% |
|
Money |
62% |
|
Making a difference in the world |
51% |
|
Concerns - Life? |
|
|
School and exams |
54% |
|
Concerns - World? |
|
|
War and terrorism |
51% |
|
One thing you would change? |
|
|
War and terrorism |
54% |
|
Poverty |
41% |
|
Homelessness |
28% |
|
Beliefs? |
|
|
Believe in a God |
32% |
|
Believe in ghosts/spirits |
22% |
|
Don't believe in either |
47% |
|
59% of those who believe in a God consider themselves to be a follower of Jesus |
|
|
Influences regarding faith? |
|
|
Family |
73% |
|
Teachers |
36% |
|
Friends |
36% |
|
TV and Media |
23% |
|
What might make you think about God? |
|
|
Thinking about life |
24% |
|
People talk about their experiences |
22% |
|
Kind gestures |
18% |
|
People I know |
17% |
|
Answered prayer |
15% |
|
When things don't turn out as expected |
15% |
The report then goes on to discuss the results and possible actions for Christians to reach Gen Z. You can buy the report or access an electronic copy at the Youth for Christ website here.
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From research by Youth for Christ, 23/05/2017