A recent survey showed a little more than half of the country's youth do not have any role models to motivate them or develop their self-identity.
A joint survey titled "Youth Survey 2018" conducted by Brac, Brac Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), and Brac University revealed the statistics recently.
A recent study shows that young females chose intellectuals as their role models, whereas, political leaders were most chosen as role models by young males.
About 34% of females chose intellectuals – such as writers, poets, philosophers and scientists – as their role models while it was only 18% for males.
Meanwhile, in contrast, 35% of males chose political leaders as role models while it was 26% for females.
According to the report, 54% of the country's youth said that they had no one to follow when they were asked to name a person, at national or international levels, as a role model.
However, of the 46% of the youths who had role models, the rural youth showed to have fewer role models than the urban population.
In comparison to young men, young women (13% more) said they did not have any role model, the survey found.
Role model, education level and socioeconomic status
With increasing education and socioeconomic status, the survey found youths were more likely to choose intellectuals (for example – writers and poets) and less likely to choose religious leaders.
Compared to their educated, wealthier counterpart, a large number of youths with limited or no education from poorer socioeconomic backgrounds chose religious leaders.
On the other hand, richer and more educated youths chose someone from friends and family as their role models, which meant these youths were more likely to have someone close by that they could look up to, who could motivate and influence them.
These youths were also more likely to be exposed to intellectuals, who might inspire them to pursue higher education and intellectual careers.
Less education leading to no role models
More than 70% of the youth without any formal or limited education (up to fourth grade) could not mention a role model. Meanwhile, young people with education beyond HSC (Higher Secondary Certificate) had only a 32% chance of having a role model.
Of those who had role models, 31% chose political leaders, 24% mentioned intellectuals (such as – writers, poets, philosophers and scientists), 17% mentioned relatives and friends, and a small minority mentioned religious leaders.
The survey was conducted by dividing the country into five regions, covering 300 villages in 150 upazilas. Fourteen youths (seven males, seven females) were surveyed in each selected village, while a total of 4,200 youths took part in the survey.
