Young people living in rural/regional areas of NSW value getting a job more highly than their Sydney counterparts, according to a survey carried out by community service organisation, Mission Australia.

Of respondents, 20.2% of those living outside of Sydney valued getting a job more highly compared to 12% of young Sydneysiders. However, young people in Sydney value their independence much more (32.6%) than their rural cousins (21.5%).

The results are contained in a new publication – based on Mission Australia’s 2005 National Youth Survey – which looks at the similarities and differences between young people living in rural/regional areas and those in metropolitan centres.

Mission Australia’s Youth Survey, which is conducted on-line, through schools and colleges – and with the assistance of community organisations, government agencies and corporate partners – is one of the largest studies of young Australians.

More than 11,000 young people – aged between 11-24 years (with the majority of respondents between 11-19) – participated in the 2005 survey, which aims to identify and clarify key and emerging issues for Australian youth. 47% of respondents were from outside the capital cities.

In NSW and the ACT, around 4,600 young people participated in the 2005 Youth Survey. Other results which reveal the differences between young people in Sydney and rural NSW include:

• Young people in rural NSW were less likely to get involved in sports (66.4%) than those living in Sydney (73.4%). This is the opposite to the rest of Australia where young people in rural areas were more likely to be involved in sport than their big city cousins.
• Young people living outside Sydney are also much less likely to get involved in arts/cultural activities (36.7%) than young people in Sydney (48.3%).
• Mission Australia’s spokesperson, Anne Hampshire, said that there were many similarities between what young people in rural/regional areas of NSW, and those in Sydney, are thinking, feeling and in what they value.

“Regardless of where young people live, family relationships and friendships are what they value most. They’re also involved in their communities, through sport, youth groups, arts and cultural activities and volunteering. These are very positive messages for the wider community, as young people are often presented as being interested only in themselves or financial success,” Ms Hampshire said.

“But the differences between the two groups emphasises for us, once again, that young people in NSW are not a homogenous group."

“It also shows us that when tailoring programs to meet some of the problems facing young people – unemployment, drug and alcohol issues, suicide and depression – one size definitely does not fit all."

“Whatever the differences between NSW’s youth, we need to continue making sure that our young people – and their parents and families – have the information they need to deal with the issues confronting them,” Ms Hampshire said.

Media contact: Anh Dang (02) 9641 5031 or 0423 028 654