London - Young people are becoming disconnected from their communities and families, a study suggests.
Many are drawn to social media stars as their role models instead of to their own parents.
The findings from the Prince’s Trust will raise concerns about a generation of youngsters turning their backs on society.
Its survey of more than 3 000 people aged 11 to 30 revealed that 45 percent do not regard their parents as role models.
This increases to 49 percent among young men and to 62 percent for those not in employment, education or training.
Fifteen percent of young people claim they don’t have any role models at all, rising to 21 percent for those from poorer backgrounds.
The youngest participants in the survey were significantly more likely to cite social media influencers as their role models.
Thirty percent of 11- to 15-year-olds point to these online stars, compared with six percent among people aged in their late twenties.
Commenting on the attitudes survey, Nick Stace, who is chief executive of the Prince’s Trust, said: "A young person’s life gets increasingly complicated in their late teens and early twenties. It’s a critical point for most people and a cliff edge for some."
Ian Stuart of HSBC, the bank which co-sponsored the poll, added: "Every young person deserves the same chance of being connected to job opportunities regardless of where they live or their background.
"Positive role models are a key factor in raising aspirations and giving young people the chance to reach their full potential in their careers."
A young person’s ‘stake in society’ declines sharply between the ages of 15 and 25, the report says.
One in three 11- to 30-year-olds believe that people in their community do not care about them, increasing to 41 percent among 21- to 25-year-olds. A fifth do not believe their actions have an impact on their community, and this increases to 24 percent among the same age group.
The report also shows a decline in career aspirations.
Young people are increasingly less likely to believe they will get a job in their perfect career after they reach 20. Fewer than a third of those aged 21 to 25 still think they will land a dream role, falling to fewer than one in four 26- to 30-year-olds.