The research in Polish high schools has come to an end. The results are ait surprising as they seems to be a little different from those pointed in scientifical literature. Young people don’t really have too high expectations. They does not feel happy primarily as a result of social pressure directing her towards success in life understood as graduating from a good school, having a good job and material goods. Young people go to school with an overloaded curriculum, they are tired, they have no time for themselves. Therefore, first of all, positive associations with school concern meetings with friends in whom they trust the most.
An important element of the well-being of young people (and the lack of this well-being) is the constant pressure of evaluation: teachers evaluate, family and friends evaluate, evaluation criteria are set by the media. And young people want to be understood, listened to and not judged. They also want direct contacts, support in working together and developing his own passions and interests, the important role of which they fully recognize.
The biggest surprise is the big problem that the Internet is a source of ideals that are impossible to fulfill. The media create an image that young people want to aspire to because they feel obliged to do so by social pressure. This is a huge source of frustration, complexes and, as a result, low self-esteem. It is also related to the constant fear of being judged. The next places were taken by: hate, addiction, stupefaction with too much content, addiction. Young people also notice that due to the overuse of technology (e.g. games), they feel overstimulated.
We strongly believe that this research needs to be continued, especially regarding the fact that the circumstances of living of youngsters are constantly changes according to dynamic contemporary reality.
