Scottish Social Attitudes survey 2021/22: public attitudes to children and young people's decision making

Variations in attitudes between subgroups

How much say adults felt young people should have in decisions that affect their lives varied between subgroups of the population. All differences presented are statistically significant.

The amount of say adults felt those aged 11 to 15 should have varied across subgroups as follows:

• Age – Over half (51%) of respondents aged 16 to 34 said that that those aged 11 to 15 should have either ‘a great deal’ or ‘quite a lot’ of say. Those aged 55 to 64 were least likely to hold this view (26%).
• Children in household – Those with children aged up to 15 living in the household were more likely to say that young people aged 11 to 15 should have either ‘a great deal’ or ‘quite a lot’ of say in decisions that affect them (45%), compared with those not living with children (37%).

There were no statistically significant differences by respondent sex or marital status.

The amount of say adults felt those aged 16 to 18 should have varied across subgroups as follows:

• Age – There was less variation between age groups of adults on the view that those aged 16 to 18 should have either ‘a great deal’ or ‘quite a lot’ of say in decisions that affect their life than for the question about younger people. The percentage of respondents holding this view was highest in the 35-44 age group (80%) and lowest in the 45-54 and 55-64 age groups (68%).
• Children in household – Adults with children aged up to 15 living in the household were more likely to say that young people aged 16 to 18 should have either ‘a great deal’ or ‘quite a lot’ of say in decisions that affect them (79%), compared with those not living with children (71%).
• Marital status – The proportion feeling that 16- to 18-year-olds should have ‘a great deal’ or ‘quite a lot’ of say was lowest among those who were married (65%) and highest for those who were living as married or divorced/separated (both 81%).

There were no statistically significant differences by respondent sex.