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Values, aspirations and expectationsValues and beliefs
Overall, "not stealing" (85%) appears to be the most important value, followed by "respecting others" (76%), "telling the truth" (74%), "helping others" (61%) and "free expression" (42%). Only a small percentage of respondents replied "of little importance" on most of the principles, with the exceptions of Mongolia (19% for telling the truth) and East Timor (11% on not stealing). The principles appear to have less relevance in Mongolia where the lowest positive response rates were found. The response pattern for the value of free expression is completely different from the other principles. Overall, 16 per cent of respondents say it is of "little importance" in their homes, with higher rates in Myanmar and Indonesia (30%) and Papua New Guinea (28%). There is a high degree of harmony across all five values, with only minor differences between gender, rural and urban areas and age groups. Children themselves apparently place an even higher value on these principles than their families, as more respondents say they try to apply them in their daily lives than those who say "a lot of importance" is placed on these principles. Almost all respondents (90%) say they apply all the principles but free expression (81%) in their daily lives.
• My family/parents give a lot of importance to... (total)
[view]
I admire most…Mothers (21%) and fathers (19%) were the most admired persons. Mothers were strongly admired in Thailand (35%), and Philippines and Indonesia (both 30%), while fathers were especially admired in Mongolia (38%) and East Timor (35%). In Thailand, 58 per cent of all responses named either father or mother as most admired, closely followed by Mongolia and Indonesia (57%). Parents were mentioned least in Papua New Guinea (PNG) (23%), China (26%), Hong Kong (28%) and Macau (29%). Country-specific admired figures, apart from parents, include a music group/singer (China 16%, Viet Nam 15%, Mongolia 13%), friend/neighbour (Cambodia, 25%, Lao PDR 17%, PNG 13%), President/Prime Minister (East Timor 21%), historical figure (Republic of Korea 13%), religious figure (East Timor 19%), notable athlete (Australia 13%), actor/actor/comedian (Philippines 17%). It seems significant that political and religious figures got little mention (except East Timor), and that two categories out of the top five overall were entertainers (musical group/singer and actor/actress/comedian). In Hong Kong and Macau "nobody" received the highest number of responses (20% and 29%, respectively) and was also a significant response in Lao PDR and Singapore (both 12%).
• I admire most... (total) [view]
AspirationsThe largest percentage of survey respondents have ambitions to be a teacher (15%) or a doctor (14%) and other occupations fall well below these two in popularity e.g. policeman (8%) and engineer (5%).
The most preferred occupations at country level include member of the armed forces (Indonesia 10%), office employee (Cambodia 12%), nurse (East Timor 11%), government worker (Lao PDR 11%), engineer (Philippines 14%, Myanmar 12%), and policeman (Lao PDR 13%, Thailand 12%, Malaysia 10%). There are substantial differences between boys and girls (teacher and doctor being much more commonly mentioned by girls, for example, and boys much more likely to mention policeman); rural and younger children are more likely to have ambitions to be a teacher than urban and older children.
• I would like to become... (total) [view]
OptimismFour out of five respondents expect their own life will be better or much better than that of their parents, and only 1 per cent expect their life to be worse. Rural respondents tend to be more positive about the future than their urban counterparts. The highest degree of optimism is expressed in China (91%), East Timor (94%) and Viet Nam (92%). Only in Australia (57%) and Cambodia (54%) is the expectation of a better life less than 70 per cent. Older children are more optimistic on this than younger ones - twenty per cent or more in Australia, Cambodia, Macau and Singapore expect their lives to be about the same as their parents', a response given by 14 per cent overall. Uncertainty, as expressed in "don't know" responses, is highest in PNG (13%), Lao PDR (11%) and Cambodia (9%). While most respondents were also optimistic about life in their communities in the future, the level of optimism is somewhat lower. Overall, 74 per cent say better or much better, and 19 per cent say about the same. Don't know is very high in Cambodia (22%) and substantial in PNG (12%), Lao PDR, Mongolia and Myanmar (8% in each). Australia has an exceptionally high expectation of worse or much worse (17%), followed by PNG (8%) and Hong Kong (7%).
• My life compared with my parents... (total) [view]
What government should doMost children spoke about school or education in relation to what government should do, suggesting that access to education for the poor and marginalized be improved. "Provide scholarships for the poor" was the most frequent overall response (14%); followed by "Build schools in areas now without them" (8%) and "Equal opportunity to education" (3%). Major country-specific suggestions included "Have amusement park for children" (Hong Kong 15%, ROK 22%, Viet Nam 11%), "Supply stationery/accessories/clothing for children" (East Timor 33%, Indonesia 22%, Mongolia 17%, Cambodia 12%), and "Create a good living environment" (China 19%).
• My government should... (by demographic) [view] This information is provided as a contribution to discussion on important issues affecting children. UNICEF Regional offices conducted the polls, analysis and interpretations of the findings. For more information, please contact the regional poll contact person directly. |
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