Jason Cowley, Editor of political and cultural magazine New Statesman, visited his old college on Friday 22 April, with a BBC Radio 4 producer, to talk to current students about changing behavioural patterns in today’s young generation.

Jason, who was born and brought up in Harlow in the 1960s and 70s, spoke to students at Harlow College about the changing attitudes and pressures that today’s young people have to deal with and how they differ from previous generations.

According to data from the Office for National Statistics, today’s generation is living differently to the ones before, with academic pressure, new technology, the economy and public policies being key influencers on young people’s way of thinking.

Jason is investigating a theory called ‘social repair’, where social problems are repaired between generations.

The visit was recorded for BBC Radio 4 current affairs programme ‘Analysis’, which examines the ideas and forces that shape Britain and abroad.

Ellie, an 18-year-old A Level student, living in Harlow, was impressed with the visit: “It was interesting because we got to hear a different perspective of society from a different generation. Our parents lived differently in many ways to how we live today, for instance my parents didn’t go to university.

“There’s so much more pressure on young people to do well than in previous generations, with academic success, finding a good job and getting on the housing ladder our main priorities.”

Jason said of his return to his old college: “I’ve come back to make a programme for the BBC, having been at Latton Bush school and then Harlow College. In the late 1970s and early 80s, only about 8% of the population went to university, so when I was at school there wasn’t the expectation that you were being prepared for higher education.

“Talking to the students here today I was struck by their maturity, but also their realism and the sense of the pressures under which they’re operating. I’m also impressed with how the College has been transformed, with its focus on academic attainment; how good its results are and what a serious place it now is.”

Karen Spencer, Principal of Harlow College, said of the visit: “It’s always great for our students to meet Harlow College alumni and to see what they’ve achieved. We think it’s really important to provide them with opportunities, like Jason’s visit and the BBC radio programme, to raise their social and political awareness.

“Listening to their contributions, I’m always impressed with their analytical thought, their self-expression and their confidence to talk about what impacts on their day-to-day lives and futures.”