Being 17 in 2025 – what will be important in the lives of young people and their families?
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Enhancing lives of children, young people, adults, families & communities, recognising diversity & promoting equality
The Growing Up in Ireland Study will interview a large group of young people, who were born in 2008, (known as ‘Cohort ’08), when they are aged 17 in 2025.? This same group and their parents/guardians have been regularly interviewed by the Study since they were babies, with the most recent interview being at age 13.
Age 17 is an important phase of the life-course as they make the transition from school to third-level education or the labour market.? It’s also a period associated with increased independence and exploration.? Some of that exploration may be with potentially risky behaviours such as substance use but there can also be an exploration of identity, and changing relationships with parents and peers as the young people enter adulthood.
We want to support young people and their families through this part of their lives, so it is important that the interview with 17-year-olds and their parents/guardians captures information that can both inform policy and give a voice to young people on what matters to them.? With this in mind, we conducted consultations about what the next survey should look like with young people, policy-makers, researchers and other stakeholders.?
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This process underlined the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to the lives of young people.? It also highlighted emerging issues for the young people of Cohort ’08.? Some of these topics are brand new to the Growing Up in Ireland study, including:
The findings were published by DCEDIY in January 2024 as an online report: ‘Research Needs for Growing Up in Ireland Cohort ’08 at age 17’. Later this year, the Central Statistics Office will pilot the new survey and this will also inform the final questionnaires for the main fieldwork, when thousands of young people and their parents/guardians will be interviewed about being 17 in 2025.
At the age of 17, young adults living with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) no longer receive medication under the LTI scheme. The state withdraws this support at the age of 16. Typically a person with FASD can sleep 3 hours each night unmedicated. The state provides melatonin free of charge to aid sleep through Junior Cert, but ceases that support for Leaving Cert and beyond. At 17, the young adult with FASD is notified by CAMHs that their Psychological Support will cease within a year, as Adult Mental Health does not recognise FASD and therefore there is no service to refer them to. This means that essential medication for any of the 428 co-morbid conditions cease too as most can only be prescribed by CAMHs. It’s really no fun being 17 and living in Ireland with FASD. It just means the state is cutting you adrift, without any support or help. Any wonder that most people living with FASD are not in any employment? Any wonder that people living with FASD are 19 times more likely to encounter the judicial system? Any wonder that our youth suicide rate is so high? We need to act. #LetsGetIrelandTalkingAboutFASD