- About Youth Vital Signs
- Who We Are
- Background
- Key Findings and Grades
- Arts Scene
- Going Green
- Poverty
- Youth Voice
- Youth Spaces
- Health and Well-being
- Youth Housing and Homelessness
- Education and Learning
- Safety
- Employment and Training
- Transportation
- Culture, Identity and Belonging
- Mobile Text Survey
- Grader Profile
- Differences Among Us
- Youth in Action
- Links to Community and Resources
- Find Us
Key Findings and Grades - Differences Among Us
One of the coolest things about Vancouver is its diversity, particularly among youth. In large part, the youth who participated in the Youth Vital Signs survey reflected this diversity. It’s interesting that, regardless of our background, many of us share similar views about the major issues.
However, the differences in opinion are also interesting. Some of these differences are described below.
Age
While we generally agreed on the top four subject areas that need immediate attention, the majority of youth age 15 to 18 identified Education as their fifth issue of importance, while 19- to 24-year olds chose Transportation.
Gender
There were no significant differences between female and male grading of key subject areas or selection of the top four areas in need of more attention.
About 1.5% of youth who participated in this survey said they were transgendered. Culture, Identity and Belonging, as well as Health and Well-being were among the top subject areas for this group, which varied significantly from non-transgendered youth.
Diverse Life Experiences
Overall, the youth surveyed see Vancouver as a welcoming and inclusive place to explore identity and culture. But our perceptions vary on the area of Culture, Identity and Belonging, depending on our circumstances.
Fifty-six per cent of youth who have lived in Vancouver their entire lives graded this issue with an A. However, only 8% of youth who have lived here less than one year perceived this area to be excellent. Youth who said they were European, East Asian, White and Canadian graded Culture, Identity and Belonging with a B – on average one letter grade higher than their peers who identified as First Nations, Aboriginal, Black, African, South and Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern and Latin and/or South American. The latter generally gave this area a C grade.
First Nations and Aboriginal Youth
In addition to Housing, Poverty and Safety identified by all youth as the most urgent of the subject areas, First Nations and Aboriginal youth listed Education fourth and Health fifth among their top subject areas.
Immigrant and Refugee Youth
Immigrant and refugee youth’s top subject areas of concern, in addition to Housing and Poverty, were Education (third), Employment (fourth) and Transportation (fifth).
Youth with Disabilities and Youth in Care
Youth with a disability and youth who identified as being in care at some point in their lives were the only two groups that listed Youth Voice among their top issues of concern.
Current Living Situation
The majority of us agree that Youth Housing and Homelessness is in dire need of immediate attention. Those of us who live on our own, who are young parents with children, who have moved multiple times or not experienced stable housing, or who have been a youth in care, perceived Vancouver’s youth housing scene to be failing (more than 50% gave it an F). This is in stark contrast to youth who live with their parents – only 17% of these gave this area an F, and 3% gave Housing and Homelessness an A.
Community Connectedness
Those of us who do volunteer activities feel a stronger sense of connection to our community. We typically volunteer in our neighbourhoods – places like our community centre or neighbourhood house. We also serve on youth advisory committees, do fundraising, and volunteer to keep our parks clean.
Online versus Print
As mentioned earlier, the Youth Vital Signs survey was conducted in two ways: online using the website, and in community-based settings using printed copies. While there were no differences in top priorities and issue areas of concern between the two sets of respondents, youth who participated using the printed surveys scored eight of the 12 subject areas one letter grade lower than youth who did the survey online.
On both versions, Youth Housing and Homelessness and Poverty consistently received a D and Safety and Youth Voice, a C. The youth completing the print surveys gave the remaining subject areas a C, one letter grade lower than the B grades from the online survey and the overall combined average.
Conclusion
Youth in Vancouver are concerned about housing and homelessness, poverty, education, accessible health services, and public transportation.
These concerns cut across all divisions of age, gender, and ethnicity.
The Youth Vital Signs survey has shown that – whether we are part of an ethnic minority; gay or straight; a new immigrant or someone who has lived here our entire life; whether we live with our parents or in foster care – we all want a roof over our head, safety on the streets, equal opportunities for education, a green and livable city, and a voice on the future of our community.