Unit 4 - Essays - Ageing and Youthful Populations SIMPLE ENGLISH UPDATED Flashcards
‘The main impact of a youthful population on a country is social.’ With the aid of examples, how far do you agree with this statement?
Paragraph 1: Social Impacts – Too Many Young People for Schools and Hospitals
Main Idea: There are too many children for the number of schools and hospitals available, which creates serious social problems.
Education Problems:
The median age in The Gambia is 17, meaning there are many young people who need schools.
In cities like Banjul, classrooms have more than 50 students, making it hard for teachers to give attention to everyone.
The government spends 20% of its budget on education, but it is not enough because the population is growing fast.
In rural areas like Upper River Division, some children have to walk long distances to get to school.
Healthcare Problems:
The Gambia has a high birth rate (28 per 1,000 people), which means many babies are born every year.
The infant mortality rate (babies who die before turning one) is 38 per 1,000, one of the highest in West Africa.
Hospitals and clinics do not have enough doctors and nurses to take care of so many children.
In rural areas, there are not enough medical centers, so many people cannot get treatment when they are sick.
Why This Matters: These are clear social problems because they affect education and healthcare, which are very important for a country’s future.
Paragraph 2: Economic Impacts – Not Enough Jobs for Young People
Main Idea: A youthful population can be good for the economy if there are enough jobs, but in The Gambia, many young people cannot find work.
41% of young people in The Gambia cannot find jobs (youth unemployment rate).
Every year, about 60,000 young people finish school and look for work, but there are not enough jobs for them.
Many young people work in the informal sector (small businesses, street vending, farming), which means they do not have stable salaries or job security.
70% of people work in informal jobs, which means they do not get proper work benefits like pensions or healthcare.
Over time, the problem is getting worse because the number of young people looking for jobs keeps increasing.
Why This Matters: If young people cannot find jobs, they cannot afford healthcare and education for their children, making social problems even worse.
Paragraph 3: Environmental Impacts – Too Many People Using Too Many Resources
Main Idea: More people means more pressure on the land, water, and housing, which leads to environmental problems.
Deforestation (Cutting Down Forests)
The Gambia’s forests are shrinking by 4.2% every year because people cut down trees for farming and firewood.
In rural areas like Central River Division, people clear land for farming to feed their growing families.
Overcrowding in Cities
Many young people move to cities like Serekunda to look for jobs, but there are not enough houses.
This leads to slums (very poor areas with bad housing and no clean water).
Sanitation is poor, leading to diseases like cholera and typhoid because of dirty water and waste.
Water shortages are common because too many people are using limited water sources.
Why This Matters: Although these are environmental problems, they also create social issues, like disease and poor living conditions.
Paragraph 4: Political and Cultural Impacts – A Young Population Wants Change
Main Idea: A youthful population challenges traditional values and puts pressure on the government.
Young People and Politics
Since the end of Yahya Jammeh’s rule in 2017, young people in The Gambia have been more involved in politics.
Many young people are angry about unemployment and poor public services, leading to protests and demands for change.
Social media has given young people a way to speak out against corruption and bad governance.
Example: In Banjul, youth groups have influenced political discussions and government decisions.
Traditional vs. Modern Culture
Young people are changing traditional customs by adopting modern lifestyles and ideas.
In rural areas, families still follow traditional ways of life, but in cities, young people want more independence.
This creates tension between older and younger generations as their beliefs are different.
Why This Matters: Even though these are social changes, they also have political effects because they influence how the country is governed.
Conclusion: Final Judgement
The social impacts of a youthful population are very serious, especially in education, healthcare, and cultural change.
However, economic, environmental, and political problems are just as important.
Final decision: The statement is partly true, but the impact of a youthful population affects everything, not just society.
