Studies reveal Tunisian youth’s aversion to politics and marriage

30/01/2007

The majority of Tunisian youth shun politics and political parties, a recent study shows. The majority also rejected religious extremism and marriage.

By Jamel Arfaoui for Magharebia in Tunis – 30/01/07

[Jamel Arfaoui] Youths in Tunisia reject politics and marriage, studies show.

Two studies conducted by official institutions in Tunisia -- the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Office for the Family -- revealed Tunisian youth’s aversion to marriage and the political party system. Respondents said they are not rigorous about following the domestic press, and the majority asserted their desire for openness to the world.

For about three years, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has been conducting a survey of around 10,000 young people ranging in age from 15 to 25. The survey encompasses five areas of focus: youth and participation; youth, identity and the values scale; youth and development; youth and the information society; and youth and the Tunisia of tomorrow.

With regards to participation in political life, more than 72% of respondents said they refuse to engage in politics or join political and social parties. Only 16% said they belong to NGOs.

"What do followers of politics bring themselves other than a headache? As for political parties, they hoist slogans that are remote from reality and unattainable," Imed Hamrouni, a student, told Magharebia.

Only 9% follow domestic media regularly, while 22% do not follow it at all. Respondents expressed their hope for the development of Tunisian media and for it to be reliable, cover their areas of concern and embody their aspirations.

"It’s natural for Tunisian youth to view our media in this way. Our media is still bent on using a mummified language from the past, and it doesn’t respond to the aspirations and suffering of young people," Neji Bghouri, a member of the Tunisian Journalists Federation's administrative board, said.

Minister of Youth and Sports Abdallah Kaabi said the indicators the survey showed "were positive, but they call on us to give more care and attention to youth".

The study also revealed that 92% of Tunisian young people reject religious extremism, and they regard the religion they identify with to be "the Islam of moderation and the middle way". They deem it necessary to maintain an open mind towards the world and "the other".

Among respondents, 59% were optimistic about the future, whereas more than 69% refuse to work within the short-term contract system. More than 71% of respondents view their physical health as good, but 81% say they find it hard to practice sports due to limited time and insufficient areas designated for sports.

Surprisingly, only 13.7% said they have good knowledge of the Internet.

Another study -- the results of which were published by the National Office for the Family and Population, a government institution concerned with the family planning -- revealed a continuing aversion to marriage among Tunisian young people between age 25 and 29.

Figures recorded over five consecutive years show that the country has seen a continuous increase, with aversion to marriage reaching 65% in 2006, as compared to 35.9% in 2001. The study indicates that the percentage of single women rose from 80% in 2001 to 85% in 2006 within the 15 to 29-year-old age group, and from 16% to 20% during the same period within the 30 to 49-year-old age group.