ABSTRACT
Every person has something that drives him or her. The achievement motivation theory sees the hopes and fears of persons as the main sources of action. In addition, motivation research has shown that people’s visions about the future are an important driving force. A research study within the frame of the EU project “Europe 2038 – Voice of the Youth” examined the extent to which gender and educational differences are reflected in the hopes, fears and future perspectives of young German people. The online survey included 380 Germans (59% female) between the ages of 16 and 25. The group of young people with lower educational attainment (41%) graduated from school after 9 or 10 years, while the group of young people with a higher level of education (59%) received at least 12 years of formal education. It was found that a good social environment was more important to female than male participants. People with higher levels of education wanted happiness and health, family and security more than people with lower levels of education. Women had a greater fear of war and nationalism, violence and disease than men. Persons with a high educational status saw war and nationalism as well as social inequalities as a greater threat than those with a low educational status. Female participants more strongly emphasized questions of minority rights, future technologies, and migration than male participants. Future technologies and migration were more important topics for people with higher education. The findings are discussed against the background of motivation theory and current social trends and changes in Europe.
