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Community: Polls & Surveys

Decide your destiny

In spring 2006 we asked you to look five years into your future. Moving out of the parents' digs, becoming a sports star and having children are just some of your ambitions. Read on for the full story.


The basics

  • Over 200 people took part in the survey
  • Over two-thirds of the respondents were women
  • 18-19 year olds were the best represented age group
  • 7% of those taking part were under 16 and another 16% were over 25

Your dream jobs

Nurturing your creative side is important for many of you. 8% of you would like to pursue a career as a writer or journalist and 7% would like to be an entertainer such as a musician or actor. Others expressed a desire to work in fashion or beauty.  

Public services were also appealing as 8% of you would like to enter a medical profession and 6% are keen to become teachers.

An ambitious 6% of you would like to own your own business and 5% have pound signs flashing in front of your eyes, simply stating you'd like a job that pays well. 6% would like to be sports stars and 4% would like to be successful in the legal field.

The above sums up your most popular choices for a dream career but overall more than 60 different types of jobs were mentioned.

Will you have your dream job in five years time?


Results

  • I'll be working towards it: 40%
  • Yes - I'll have it: 17%
  • It's only a dream: 16%
  • I don't know what I want to do: 13%
  • I'll still be in education: 5%
  • I've got my dream job: 4%
  • I can't see myself finding a job I enjoy: 3%
  • Other: 1%

Sons and daughters

Over two-thirds (70%) of you think you'll have children in the future, with most believing that being in love with your partner (87%) and being financially secure (74%) will help you decide if you're ready. But at what age do you predict this will happen? Just over a third of you (36%) would like to start a family between the ages of 26 and 30 with a further quarter hoping to have offspring between the ages of 31 and 35. 14% would like to have them in your early twenties (21-25) with a further quarter not having any plans for a brood.

Top five worries about having children


Results

  • Will I be a good parent? 20%
  • Will I have enough money? 16%
  • Will childbirth be painful? 12%
  • Will I cope with responsibility? 10%
  • How will they turn out? 8%

Home sweet home

Currently, 53% of you live with your parents, but only 5% of you estimate that you won't have moved out within five years. At the moment 7% of you live with a partner, but that is set to change in the next five years as 47% of you reckon you'll be shacked up with your other half, in either rented or owned digs, in five years' time.

Finding the ideal place to live can be a tiresome process. Having your home near to your place of work is important for 95% of you. Property prices are also significant according to 90% of you closely followed by transport links, which 89% of you claim will affect where you choose to live.

Planning ahead

A forward-thinking 13% of you know exactly where you want to be in the next five years, while at the opposite end of the scale, 25% don't even want to think that far ahead. A more balanced 65% of you have some idea of where you want to be, but are open to change.

Within those plans you have some clear ideas about what you'd like to have achieved over five years. 45% prioritise being in a happy relationship, while passing exams and graduating tops the list for 28%. A quarter of you are focused on your career, while slightly fewer (22%) are aiming to be financially secure. An ambitious 19% are focused on climbing the career ladder and 9% can't wait to travel.

What's getting in the way of your dreams?


Results

  • Money/finances: 34%
  • Getting a job: 10%
  • Finding the right relationship: 6%
  • Health issues: 4%
  • Putting other people first: 3%
  • Education/qualifications: 13%
  • Myself: 8%
  • Confidence: 6%
  • Motivation/laziness: 4%
  • Selling a property: 1%

Hopes and fears

A third of you are most afraid that war will occur in the next five years and 23% would like to see less war and more peace. 17% hope to see an end to poverty and hunger with 5% worrying that there will be problems with welfare and bigger divisions between rich and poor. 7% hope for more respect, compassion and acceptance, while 8% fear terrorism more than anything else. Environmental problems such as global warming, climate change and pollution are a major concern for 6% of you, while the same percentage hope to see an improvement in those areas.



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