Why calling young people 'resilient' can let society off the hook
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Research suggests that the mental health of young people not in employment, education, or training depends on external support systems. These factors include safe spaces, institutions, communities, and supportive families. This contradicts the common tendency to praise these individuals for their personal resilience. Relying on the idea of individual grit may allow society to avoid its responsibilities.
Young people who are not in employment, education or training are often praised for being “resilient”. But research suggests their mental health depends less on individual grit than on supportive families, communities, institutions and safe spaces.