Anxiety and Uncertainty Grip Young Slovaks, Study Shows

A recent series of lectures on Catholic social teaching held in Poland brought together about thirty Slovak students, most in their twenties, from diverse backgrounds including Papua‑New Guinea. The participants were described as academically high‑achieving, devout Catholics who think carefully about their vocation.

Despite their achievements, the young people evaluated their own generation as anxious, fearful and restless, expressing deep doubts about identity, purpose and the possibility of hope. They reported feeling pressured to pursue fleeting goals such as money, status and academic success, while perceiving the surrounding society as cynical and lacking confidence in human potential. The commentary also noted a historical parallel, recalling Ronald Reagan’s joke about exploiting youth and inexperience, underscoring the view that youth alone is not a qualification for leadership.