Fashion entrepreneurs Byron Robertson and Bryden Zeldin. Picture: Jason Edwards Source: Herald Sun
THEY are growing up in a world driven by seismic technological change, yet their concerns, hopes and dreams are the same as previous generations.
Teenagers who are part of the iGeneration want to do well at school, they want to find jobs they enjoy and they value strong family relationships.
"Right now, I think anything's possible. Hopefully, that's the truth." 18-year-old Sujana, of Craigieburn, told the Herald Sun.
Mission Australia's recent youth survey of more than 15,000 teens found they were overwhelmingly optimistic about the nation's future, with more than seven in 10 reporting they felt either positive or very positive about the future.
The survey found the economy and immigration were their biggest concerns, while the environment was considered a major concern for just 17.5 per cent teens surveyed, down from 37 per cent in 2011 and 38 per cent in 2010.
The Herald Sun interviewed eight teenagers from across Melbourne about their education and aspirations and found they wanted to contribute to their family, community and politics.
Karl, 17, of North Melbourne, believed Australians needed to focus on more important issues than what politicians looked like. "The effort that my family, friends and politicians put into stupid quarrels such as Julia's (Prime Minister Julia Gillard) glasses, or Tony's bulge makes me a little ill sometimes," he said.
"If the amount of effort that we put into these things was centred on real problems, I feel like many things would now have the ability to become better in the world."
Social researcher and author Hugh Mackay said today's teenagers were likely to be more assertive and outspoken than older generations, growing up with the idea that their opinion was as good as anyone else's.
That helps them feel they can make a difference at an early age.
Isabella, of Abbotsford, is 13 and plays basketball four times a week. She recently petitioned for a basketball ring to be installed at her local park. "It's important to contribute to society. I want to improve the world for myself and other people," she said.
Prof Mackay said the iGeneration - also known as Gen Z - were growing up in an environment defined by family breakdown, complex and changing morals, rapid technological change, the global financial crisis and climate change. He believes they will follow Gen Y's lead and delay marriage, children and mortgages.
"People say of them that they are technologically savvy, that's the main thing people notice about them, but actually the thing to notice about them is they are more adaptable, more ready for the idea of change and unexpected happening," he said.
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Making success a reality
THE pressures of being a teenager prompted two friends to set up an entrepreneurial fashion business six months ago.
Beginning with an accessories line and moving on to T-shirts, the Mr Reality range is selling strongly online.
Byron Robertson, 16, and business partner Bryden Zeldin, 16, said the business kept them motivated.
"We don't necessarily want it to be a big business but it's a way of finding motivation to get through our teenage years," Mr Robertson said.
"A lot of my friends find it hard to get that motivation but this business is really fun."
The T-shirts are inspired by the boys' skateboarding heroes and sell for $30-$35.
They created their own website and Facebook page, running the business themselves.
"It's like a hobby but is also something we really enjoy doing," he said.
"It's a good way to express ourselves."
- Catherine Lambert
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