Greece is rearing a generation of optimists according to the results of an extensive study conducted by Unicef on 9-17 year olds in Europe and Central Asia during the first half of 2001.
Greeks emerged as a joyful lot, with 70% declaring themselves "happy".
Happy go lucky
Unicef Athens official Elias Lymberis says the overall results are very encouraging for the structure of Greek society. "Especially if we take into account that the majority of the respondents are adolescents an age-group not particularly known for openly declaring joy."
The report, titled Voices of Youth, questioned perceptions of family and education, as well as the development of a political and social consciousness in children and adolescents - placing participants response in an international context. The conclusions highlight unique national characteristics.
Greece's emerging social profile differs significantly from that of the other European countries that took part in the research (Austria, Germany, France, Denmark, Switzerland, UK, Italy and Holland).
High levels of family support, lack of domestic violence and low substance abuse, fuel an optimism outlook from the Greek respondents. However, a number of problems relating to education in the country clearly emerged from the study.
Greek children are less computer-savvy, lack sexual education, and despite liking school are less satisfied with their education system than their European counterparts.
Personal relations
Unicef's report shows that personal relations are a key element in children's psychological well being. Over half of Greek respondents said friends and family 42% are the main everyday sources of happiness.
School comes in third place (37%) while gifts and academic distinction barely register. Describing their relations with their parents as very good, loving and caring with a high level of communication and understanding, 61% believe their family takes their views seriously although 28% would like to have more of a say on school matters.
Two thirds of the children say there is nothing in particular they want to change about their family while the remaining third say they would like to see less shouting between family members. The values Greek children think their parents estimate the most are respect for others (75%), and honesty (46%).
"The family structure remains the main poll of stability in Greek children's lives. This is a major difference from the other EU participants who report much higher percentages of domestic violence," says Lymberis.
Defining what constitutes violence, especially in a multicultural research is difficult. Yet the percentages denoting domestic violence in Greece are significantly lower than those of the other European countries participating in the research. Sixty-one percent of Greek respondents say they have never experienced domestic violence while only one percent mention physical violence.
In opposition to the positive outlook on family, a surprising 21% of children in Greece - seven percent higher than the European average - mistrust adults. In Lymberis' view "this is precisely because the family structure is so strong. Children feel less of a need to confide in other adults."
Education
The research paints a rosy picture of basic education but points to problems later on in school.
Along with Italy, Greece has the highest percentage of non-working children (94% with 85% being average). Compulsory education is completed by 97% of children with balanced attendance ratios between urban centres and rural communities.
Of those 62% treat knowledge as valuable and 42% say they are driven by career ambition. Only seven percent claim they go to school "because they are forced to."
However, more than half of those polled believe the educational system needs improvement. The report shows lack of familiarity with new technology and sexual education. The number of those who are computer literate is lagging behind at 19%, way below the European average of 41%.
Social and Political concerns
Despite one in four Greek children's inability to mention a single one of their fundamental rights, the report shows that Greek children have a highly developed social consciousness with 65% of the participants asking for greater support for children with learning and physical disabilities.
One-in-two children believe those from financially disadvantaged families and those from different ethnic groups are not treated fairly in Greek society and would like this difference to be eliminated.
"Although a highly developed social consciousness is obviously a good sign, the reasons that lead to it are not necessarily as positive. The concern Greek children express for minority groups may be interpreted as a product of inequality being so widespread that it is impossible for them to ignore."
Four-out-of-five Greek children believe the government is not taking them seriously and would like to have more representation mainly on social and educational issues. Close to one-in-five of those asking for more political power, however, have no particular issues they want to address.
Substance abuse
Greece has the smallest percentage of children from the European participants coming into contact with harmful or illegal substances. Tobacco still holds a strong appeal but only five percent say they know people who have tried drugs while the reports average is 14%.
Looking ahead
One-in-four children think living standards in Greece are continuously improving while close to half believe they will have better living standards than their parents.
Tomorrow's Greek professional don't seem too focussed in a particular direction. 14% say they would like to be doctors and 12% are interested in sciences and teaching. Six percent want to be artists while five percent are interested in the fashion and media industries.
The past exoduses are unlikely to be repeated, though, as respondents overwhelmingly refused to contemplate leaving Greece, with a modest 13% prepared to try living in either another EU country or the US.
