Original article written by Zach Williams for NYN First Read
New York City mayoral candidates attended an appropriate event for a race that focused on many issues that impact young people. Last summer, racial justice protests organized largely by young people rocked the city, while young victims of gun violence have dominated recent news cycles. All year, students have dealt with online learning while their families faced pandemic-related instability. Young campaign staffers even disrupted a mayoral campaign they said treated them unfairly.
The Citizens’ Committee for Children recently surveyed 1,330 New York City youth between the ages of 14 and 24 about their experiences over the past year and what they think the next mayor should focus on. Eighty-two percent of those surveyed said public, non-specialized schools need more funding.
Most students surveyed said they did not receive tutoring or job support outside of school. Asked if they wanted professional mental health help, 35% of respondents said “yes,” but fewer than half of those who said they wanted help had actually received any.
More than 60% of those surveyed said they participated in racial justice demonstrations in the past year.
On whether climate change should be a major priority for the government, 87% said it should be.
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