But how do the young view the future? The survey demonstrated that today’s young are searching for something. For example, observe from Chart 3 how many indicated that what they desire out of life is sincerity and love. That might at first suggest that the young are idealistic and optimistic. However, after considering all the information gained in the survey Professor Shirakashi concluded that “the world’s youth have a pessimistic attitude” about the future. Charts 4 and 5 reflect that.

A college student in California named Linda H. was of that frame of mind, and we can learn something from her experience. She relates: “From my studies in college, I could see that the life-style I was raised with was vanishing. Conditions all over the world were worsening, and I had no answers and no idea where to turn for the answers.”

Whether you are a young person yourself, or know of young individuals who also are seeking sensible answers, take note of what occurred in Linda’s case.

While she was home on vacation two of Jehovah’s Witnesses called at her door. She says that the Witnesses “told me that the answers were to be found in the Bible. We discussed the paradise earth that God will establish under his new order, God’s Kingdom government and his promised destruction of the wicked. I had never been taught that such wonderful truths were to be found in the Bible.”

After Linda returned to college in Arizona she contacted the local congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses and happily accepted the offer of a free weekly Bible study. Today her life and outlook are quite different from that of the majority of young persons. She knows what her purpose in life is. She is guiding her life in accord with the counsel that our Creator provides in his Word. And she is finding joy in sharing with others the marvelous hope of living on a paradise earth in the near future.

Jehovah’s Witnesses find that this experience is not unusual. In recent years hundreds of thousands of young persons have taken similar steps and are now themselves enthusiastically urging others to do the same. If you personally are distressed about what you find around you​—the confused actions and attitudes that are so common—​why not contact Jehovah’s Witnesses. They will be pleased to share with you the meaningful message that the Bible actually contains.

[Chart on page 486]

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Chart 3​—What is the purpose of life?

Brazil Sincerity and love between

yourself and others 44.2

Money and position 12.7

A job that is worth doing 7.2

France Sincerity and love between

yourself and others 56.4

Money and position 18.2

A job that is worth doing 8.8

Japan Sincerity and love between

yourself and others 35.8

Money and position 7.8

A job that is worth doing 28.0

Philippines Sincerity and love between

yourself and others 35.1

Money and position 6.8

A job that is worth doing 23.5

Sweden Sincerity and love between

yourself and others 59.8

Money and position 3.5

A job that is worth doing 20.7

Switzerland Sincerity and love between

yourself and others 52.9

Money and position 9.0

A job that is worth doing 17.9

United Kingdom Sincerity and love between

yourself and others 48.3

Money and position 15.0

A job that is worth doing 13.3

U.S.A. Sincerity and love between

yourself and others 63.5

Money and position 6.1

A job that is worth doing 8.9

West Germanya Sincerity and love between

yourself and others 42.2

Money and position 34.8

A job that is worth doing 31.2

Yugoslavia Sincerity and love between

yourself and others 58.4

Money and position 5.6

A job that is worth doing 7.5

[Footnote]