Desite the dark nature of what you find on the other pages, it's not all doom and gloom. Indeed, there's lots of reason to suggest that younger people today are remarkably hopeful about the future. Here's where we find some light amid the darkness:
This article from Mother Jones describes a recent report from the United Nations that "paints a picture of children believing that the world is improving with each generation, even while they report anxiety and impatience for change." The UN report is focused on the issue of climate change, but this sense of worldwide optimism among people aged 15-24 spans a range of issues.
Here is where the U.N. reports on the findings of their study (published in 2021): "Even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and other global challenges, children and youth are nearly 50 per cent more likely than older people to believe that the world is becoming a better place, according to the results of a landmark intergenerational poll."
Similarly, this article from Education Week describes a recent survey completed by ACT (the college testing firm) that finds that "despite all of the challenges thrown up by the pandemic in the past few years, teens are overwhelmingly optimistic about their futures."
A list from the Washington Post lays out "14 reasons young people are hopeful about the future."
So what makes you hopeful in the story of Spring Awakening? What makes you optimistic about the future in our own society? Add your comments below (anonymously, if you prefer) to share with the cast and creative team.