The prospect of driving cars are more attractive than other modes of travel that are more environment friendly for Gen X claims a new research.
The research was conducted by Dr Tilly Line at the University of the West of England.Dr Line's work examined how young people are influenced by knowledge about climate change when it comes to making choices about how they will travel when they become adults.
The study concentrated on the views of young people aged between 11 and 18 years and the findings found an overwhelming desire by young people to drive.
According to Dr Line, it was found that the participants have a general understanding of the link between transport and climate change, but when it comes to their attitudes towards different modes, they place higher value on identity, self-image, and social recognition than the environment.
It is this that explains their positive attitudes towards the car and driving in favour of alternative eco-friendly modes.
"For example, the participants pointed to learning to drive as "a mile-stone in teenage life" - something that everyone does at seventeen. They also pointed to the car as a symbol of social status and the importance of their role as a driver in their friendship groups," said Dr Line.
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"For example, one answer may be to promote cycling as a signal of success and 'being cool', rather than promoting the environmental benefits of this behaviour," she added.
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"This was even the case amongst those participants already driving and it seemed to stem from the belief that such action would empower more people to attempt to tackle climate change through changes in their travel behaviour as everyone would have to behave in the same way," she added.
Source-ANI
SPH/L