Bright future for today’s youth

VILNIUS - Today’s Lithuanian youth will face bigger social and economic challenges in the future, but they should not worry too much, as they will soon become desired as employees, says social psychology expert and Ph. D. Associate Professor at Vytautas Magnus University Visvaldas Legkauskas, reports ELTA.

Talking about emigration, the psychologist said that young people are influenced not only by general prevailing moods in the country, but also by the hunger for new experiences. According to him, young people do not have the feeling of helplessness, which is characteristic of Lithuanian society today. Therefore, their efforts to find a better life are natural.
Legkauskas said that one fifth of Lithuanian society consists of young people, which is a relatively low percentage. Thus, in the future, with the decrease in the working-age population numbers, today’s youth will face not only a higher tax burden, but also social life challenges. They will become what scientists call a “sandwich generation” - the ones who still have to provide for the children and also take care of their parents.

However, in the next 5-7 years the youth will be valued a lot. Once they gain professional experience they will become desired employees.

Youth will be needed

According to the expert, after 3-5 years in the labor market people gain experience. In addition, as the proportion of young people is rather small now, areas were youth is appreciated will become more accessible and promising. Thus, young people will gain advantage when bargaining for salaries.
Even though half (47.6 percent) of Lithuanian emigrants were counted as youth in 2012, the psychologist says that these numbers should not worry one too much. “The young are the most mobile group in society, they tend to try everything that is new to them - including new lifestyles, new countries, activities and so on,” said Legkauskas.

He added that people who do not yet have families and children, wealth or a particular social status can more easily decide to change their life, and that the general mood in the country is also encouraging emigration.
“A general depression, negativity and belief that the grass is always greener on the other side, while the situation in Lithuania is the worst, have its effects. If a child is brought up with such notions, and the current generation was being told this for 5-7 years, then of course a young man feels the need to try everything and satisfy his curiosity,” said Legkauskas.