We’re so glad you’re here – let’s unpack the Grammys, mental health, family in the UK and our word of the month together!
POP CULTURE: The Grammys
Earlier this month, the Grammys took place and, whilst they may not capture the attention of young audiences in the way they once did, it signals the current music trends, cultural momentum of popular music and what the industry is hoping to push towards young people.
The night had a slew of performances, attendances and awards won by some of the popular stars of the moment such as Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar and Charlie XCX (the latter having influenced the term of ‘Brat’ and ‘Brat summer’ in 2024).
One of the many interesting moments of the evening was Chappell Roan’s award acceptance speech. Whilst her performances portray an air of flair and confidence alongside drag-inspired attire; she conducted her speech with a hint of nerves and a notebook with scribbled words inside held in her hand. She chose the moment to highlight issues in the music industry around fair wages for emerging artists and called on them to support young artists better. A bold move, somewhat typical of Gen Z, that historically would’ve likely meant being blacklisted as an artist. Whereas once upon a time, people may have remained silent, young people are watching artists take a stand publicly and boldly.
Hot Topic: Family and Single-Parents
The most recent report from the Office of National Statistics around families and households shows that there are 19.5 million families in the UK, with 16% of those (3.2 million) being single-parent households. Interestingly, the stats say that 85% of these single-parent families are headed up by mothers.
Information like this is important to keep in mind as it’s part of the tangible reality of many young people that we know or engage with. For example, in a typical classroom of 30 students, approximately 5 would come from single-parent homes (though we know it doesn’t translate as directly as this in practicality). It’s also notable to mention that several life events that count as an ACE (Adverse Childhood Experience) such as death of a parent, divorce of parental estrangement are often part of a young person’s story within a single-parent home and to not minimise the impact this might have. (Follow this link to see our Youth Updates on Adverse Childhood Experiences: https://yfc.co.uk/podcast/season-3-episode-5-aces-arent-ace/)
Ultimately, it’s important for us to remember when engaging with young people, that we don’t assume anything about family backgrounds and to allow it to be a safe space for all young people.
ISSUES: MENTAL HEALTH
It’s no surprise that mental health remains a critical issue regarding young people today. According to Mind’s Big Mental Health Report, one in five young people have a mental health problem, yet only a third received treatment. The Young Minds Impact Report from 2023 further revealed that 59% of young people experienced worsening mental health while waiting for support, and 93% identified loneliness and isolation as major concerns.
Despite these challenges, there’s some positive news – 78% of young people believe that society is more accepting of mental health issues than in the past. Indeed, the stigma seems to be lessening, awareness of terminologies is increasing and parents/guardians seem to be more open and supportive. This growing acceptance is crucial, as open conversations about mental health can lead to better support and understanding.
Source: Big Mental Health Report 2024
Word Of The Month: Sigma
Sigma – 1) Used to describe someone who is confident/cool or 2) Used as part of the phrase ‘What the sigma?’ meaning the same as ‘What the heck?’