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Among young people in 17 countries, only Russian kids are more pessimistic than the French.

A recently published survey paints a bleak picture of young French people's expectations.

They are hyperconformists, resigned to their fate, without any hope to change society, and incapable of controlling their personal future.

One of the researchers says "Forty years after [the student revolution in] 1968, the only thing they've gained is sexual freedom and a few radio stations."

Among youngsters in 17 countries, the French are practically the only ones who believe obedience is more important for kids than independence. They don't do what they want to do, but what other people expect them to do.

Only 25% of the young in France think their future is promising, against 60% in Denmark, 54% in the USA and even 36% in Germany. And only 22% believe they are in control of their life, against over 50% of Americans.

The only young people who are even more pessimistic than the French are the Russians. British youngsters follow the French closely.

According to the researchers, one of the reasons lies in the French education system, which doesn't prepare children for a working life. The French start their career relatively late, and income support isn't available for under-25s. Children stay longer with their parents, which hinders their development as independent individuals.

Source (in French) | Full report (in French, PDF)