\u201cBorn Frees\u201d are far more tolerant of immigrants and gay people, and are more satisfied with life, but are less likely to vote.<\/p>\n
This is according to a study, the SA Social Cohesion Barometer project, which examined factors that contribute to a nation living in solidarity and harmony.<\/p>\n
This was an ideal Nelson Mandela stood for, but one that has been elusive and difficult to measure.<\/p>\n
In an effort to strengthen and sustain the cohesion of a rainbow nation, President Jacob Zuma said last year that he would convene a national dialogue on unity and social cohesion. But it was postponed in July last year, and a new date is yet to be announced.<\/p>\n
Commissioned by the Presidency, the study was conducted by Jar\u00e8 Struwig and Ben Roberts, co-ordinators of the SA Social Attitudes Survey at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), and Yul Derek Davids, also of the HSRC. It focused on three \u201cdomains\u201d: the socio-cultural, the economic and the civic.<\/p>\n
The \u201cborn frees\u201d \u2013 the generation born after 1994 \u2013 were more socially adaptable and accepting, a \u201cvery encouraging sign that signified hope for the future\u201d, the study authors said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are much more socio-culturally cohesive, meaning that they are far more tolerant towards immigrants and gay people, have much more interracial contact, feel less discriminated against and are generally more satisfied with life.\u201d<\/p>\n
The youngsters, however, are significantly less \u201ccivically cohesive\u201d than older age groups and are less likely to take part in traditional activities associated with active citizenship, such as voting.<\/p>\n
The study found that coloured, Indian and white groups were more economically cohesive than black Africans, \u201cconfirming the unequal economical divide among the race groups\u201d. – The Argus<\/p>\n<\/p>\n