The covid pandemic marked a before and after in the way in which young people face risk behaviors. Not only these behaviors were triggered, but also the conviction that “taking risks pays off.”
The data from the latest Youth Barometer published yesterday by Fundación Mutua Madrileña and FAD Juventud suggest that 2023 may mean a turning point because the performance of high-frequency risk behaviors, which had not stopped growing since 2017, shows a slight decline. compared to 2021, but still well above 2019. Unprotected sexual practices and participation in fights are widespread. 51% of young people between 15 and 29 years old have engaged in risky sexual practices at least once in the last six months, and 19% with some frequency. And 41% have participated in a fight. Although the percentage that considers getting drunk has been reduced somewhat, other risk behaviors that seem to compensate young people are driving under the influence of alcohol (26.6% have done it at some point in the last half year) or after consuming alcohol. joints (21% admit to having done so). The percentage of those who agree to drive after consuming drugs or alcohol (8%), not using protection in sexual relations (12%) or getting into fights (9.3%) remains stable or increases. According to FAD Juventud sources, “it could be a consequence of the restrictions imposed by the pandemic and the consequent exacerbation of the idea of maximum enjoyment as a model of life.”
And gender and age have a very clear impact when it comes to taking risks. This conviction that it is worth taking risks if it is about enjoyment is greater among men and among the youngest, those between 15 and 19 years old. Some examples: getting drunk is an activity that “rewards a lot or quite a bit” to do for 19.6% of adolescents in that age group, compared to 14.7% of young people between 25 and 29 years old.
