Alongside their peers of the same age, whose importance has risen appreciably, the main group to which young people relate is the family. Never before have so many youngsters – almost 50 percent of 24-year old men and no less than 27 percent of women of the same age – lived at home for so long. Almost all 12 to 29-year olds state that they have a very good, trustworthy relationship with their parents.

 

One reason for staying at home so long is that more and more young people are staying in the education system for longer and longer. Their standard of qualification has risen considerably. In total, 45 percent of 18 to 20-year olds are entitled to study at a university. More than two thirds of grammar school leavers enter higher education within three years. Around ten percent leave the education system without qualifying. In particular young people from lower social classes and immigrant families represent problem groups for the education system.

 

With regard to the traditional left-wing/right-wing political divide, today’s youth is typically positioned somewhat to the left of the population as a whole; only very occasionally are there instances of political extremism. On the other hand there is a high degree of willingness to get involved with voluntary social commitment. Some three-quarters of all youngsters are actively committed to social and ecological interests: elderly people in need of help, environment and animal protection, the poor, immigrants and the disabled.

 

The number of young men and women opting for a voluntary social or ecological year is also increasing – in 2009 the figure was 6,720. Young men can also be conscripted into military service for a period of nine months (intended to be reduced probably to six months from 2011). In 2009 68,000 young men began basic military service with the German Armed Forces. Anyone who refuses to perform armed service for reasons of conscience and is officially recognized as a conscientious objector must perform community service that currently lasts nine months. This provides an opportunity to gain experience in various social and ecological fields of activity. In 2009 90,500 young men were called up for community service.