Caption: The youth dances organized to celebrate the transformation of Kauppala into a city filled the machine hall of the then vocational school.
Today's young people in Kankaanpää are generally doing quite well, say those responsible for the city's outreach youth work. Noora Kuuskoski ja Mikaela TervonenYoung people today are open and support each other when life brings sorrows.
– In our work, we encounter young people who have, for example, mental health and substance abuse problems, but in general, young people in Kankaanpää are doing well. The young people themselves have a good attitude and they also dare to ask for help when it is needed, Kuuskoski describes.
Today's young people dream about much the same things as they did in previous decades. A relationship and later a family, their own apartment, car and job are everyday, but at the same time important dreams that touch many.
– In addition, young people miss time with their own family. Even if a teenager rebels and feels distant, in reality young people want to be together and have company. During the Corona period, many young people have been happy about the increased time their families have together, Kuuskoski and Tervonen say.
Tervonen reminds us that young people often don't need anything special to do, but that movie nights or a summer swimming trip are valuable things.
As in past decades, young people like to gather just to hang out, chat and play games. In addition to face-to-face meetings, people spend time online, and keep in touch with friends online, for example while playing games. Frisbee golf has also become a popular leisure activity.
In Kankaanpää, riding has always played a central role in young people's free time. The distances are long, so many people get a moped at the age of 15 and later their own car.
– In the summer, young people spend a lot of time at cottages and beaches. Venesjärvi has been crowded this summer as well, as young people have gathered there to hang out! It's great to see that even if there are no organized activities for young people, they come up with them themselves, Tervonen and Kuuskoski rejoice.
Text: Tytti Wallenius
Photo: Kankaanpää City Museum photo collection
The article has been published in collaboration with the Kankaanpää Region.