Pew Study: Young Adults Optimistic Despite Underemployment

There’s a tepid optimism brewing in this country. The latest jobs report showed an economy in recovery–a sluggish recovery but still a recovery–and now new numbers from the Pew Research Center suggest even those hardest hit are finding bright spots.

The study focused on the impact of the recession on young adults and found that the number of young adults ages 18-24 currently employed is at its lowest since the government began collecting data in 1948 and large majorities of the public say it is harder for young adults to reach many of the basic financial goals their parents may have taken for granted.

Yet despite this glum news 88% of young adults say they either have or earn enough money now or expect they will in the future?

The findings mark similar trends of optimism in other populations hard hit by the recession.

Adults ages 35 and older are much less optimistic with 28% saying they don’t anticipate making enough money in the future.

One explanation in the increased pessimism in adults could be the cost of raising children. Daycare costs make saving for college impossible and the price of college tuition makes attending more and more difficult. With nearly one-third of this population feeling the pinch, parenthood is a reasonable link.

Read more: economics, great recession, underemployment

Photo from sterling college via flickr.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Joy D.

5:56AM PST on Mar 2, 2012

I suggest we give credit to all whom have achieved high spirits during this "down" time amongst many whom have not. There is a future for this logic. It is those whom choose to drag others down with them that we wish to achieve and acquire to our positive way of thinking. Happily, I say, there is more positive than negative in the universe. Our future is already won. It is a done deal. NOW THAT IS POSITIVE. Should one prove otherwise, I will think eternally on this until I can prove he/she is wrong.

To find leadership ability in our youth is truly inspirational for our future holdings.

send a green star

Robert H.

5:32PM PST on Feb 16, 2012

For your information Sue many Older baby boomers are having to move in with their kids too.

Most young people are out there trying to make things happen. Some groups are setting up barter systems…….some are out there hawking whatever talent they have. Very few are just sitting home living off of mom and dad like you are implying. And that last smugly self important statement you made is beyond the pale.

Sue T.

1:49AM PST on Feb 12, 2012

yeah I'd be optimistic too if I had baby boomer parent who worked their asses off to provide for their now spoiled brat kids who refuse to do anything!

F'you young ones. one day mom & dad will not be ther to take care of your ass.

Welcome to the real world. you will be my bitch

Jane B.

3:42PM PST on Feb 11, 2012

Well sure, Big Biz loves young cheap help. That's all they'll hire. As soon as this batch grows up Big Biz with dump them like a hot potato and hire more young ones. It's the new Newt Gingrich morals. Use em up, dump em and get another one. These kids are gonna get screwed just like the rest of us, they just don't know it.

Donna H.

7:56AM PST on Feb 11, 2012

Interesting article - thanks for posting.

Ernest R.

9:13PM PST on Feb 10, 2012

@ cecily w …”The more people that have to share a resource, the less each person gets”. Thanks for recognition of the overpopulation disaster.
The above quote is especially true in Canada which has a commodities economy. In other words the economy relies on selling wood, minerals and other pieces of the country.{ fish used to be included }, so the ongoing welcoming of thousands of “new Canadians” is particularly insane.