”I want to be happy and have experiences and live life to the fullest”

Purpose in life -research opens up life goals of youth at the end of their basic education

Authors

• Merja Viljanen Tampereen yliopisto
• Elina Kuusisto Tampereen yliopisto

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33350/ka.110613

Keywords:

purpose in life, life goals, youth, basic education

Abstract

This study investigates life purposes of the ninth graders of Tampere surroundings (N=843) and how they reflect William Damon’s definition of purpose that is “a stable intention to accomplish something that is meaningful to self and of consequence beyond the self over time.” Qualitative data was analyzed with content analysis and quantitative data with K-cluster analysis. Four purpose profiles were found; purposeful (36 %), self-oriented (33 %), dreamers (23 %), and disengaged (8 %). Purposeful youth seemed to have gained the citizenship skills required in curriculum and that are required in democratic society; participation, involvement and building a sustainable future. In general, contents of life goals were self-oriented. They focused mostly on self-actualization, being happy and their career formation. One third did not identify any life goals, most proportionally of these students were in the disengaged group. This group challenges schools because lack of purpose in life may lead to passivity, under achievement and societal exclusion.