What Young People Think:
Questions and Answers from Around the World
Greetings from California.
I’m writing a book about global youth viewpoints and would like to include you. I’m collecting responses from young people around the world age 19 and under. I’ll compare by age, gender, and location.
Visit the Global youth Facebook page to dialogue with other youth.
If you are under 19 and would like to be part of the book, please email me for the 10 interesting questions—including translations into different languages.
If you could ask a question of the wisest person in the world, what would you ask her or him about something you would like to know about life?
- What bugs you or bothers you in your daily life?
- If there was one thing you could change about adults, what would it be?
- If there was one thing you would change about yourself, what would it be?
- What do you like to do for fun?
- When have you felt most loved by someone else?
- Why do you think you’re living on earth; what’s your purpose?
- On a scale of 1 to 100, how highly would you grade your school? Why?
- What work would you like to do when you’re an adult?
- If you were the president of your country, what changes would you make?
- Anything else you’d like to add?
Please include your email; what first name would you like used in the book to quote you; how old are you; girl or boy; what city and country do you live in.
Gracious! Merci! Danke! Arrigato! Chi chi!
I’ve published other peer-based books for youth, including The Teen Trip: The Complete Resource Guide and How to Survive Your Parents’ Divorce: Kids’ Advice to Kids.
Thanks,
Gayle Kimball, Ph.D.
earthhavenchico@hotmail.com
Kids’ Comments
All across the planet a new generation is waking up. We are the middle children of history, coming of age at the crossroads of civilization, a generation rising between an Old World dying and a New world being born. We are the “make-it or break-it” generation, the “all-or-nothing” generation, the crucible through which civilization must pass or crash.
–GenerationWakingUp at www.genup.net
Making a book about kids is awesome so now everybody can see our points of view!!!
–Kelli, 12, f, New Mexico
It’s truly wonderful to be able to get my point of view out in the open to someone that actually cares!
–Verena, 14, f, California
I’d like to read the viewpoints from children around the world. I’d like to thank you for making this book, and connnecting children from all over the world in a small, but beautiful way.
–Katie, 15, f, Pennslyvania
Questions about the wise person included how she or he got so wise, what she liked to do, and various questions such as “What type of women do you like?” Fugipy, 10, m, Japan or “Who is the person you respect or admire?” ??, 12, f, Japan
Surprizes
What surprised me was the similarity of the youth. Regional differences did appear, such as concern about pollution in eastern Europe, violence in US schools, and anxiety about exams—especially the college entrance exam—in Asia.
Change About Adults
What change about adults: they don’t listen, don’t understand that being a teenager is different than when they were young, controlling, aren’t any fun, too busy.
Change about Self
What change about yourself: Some comments were about changing appearance—guys becoming taller and bigger, young women being thinner, acne. Other comments were about being more patient, less lazy, more confident.
Earth Haven 