The ‘NEET’ Phenomenon and Importance of Mental Health By Alex Avila
to talk to each other about their experiences, or more generally to try to understand each other more. While many NEETs often refuse to pursue a job or education, not every NEET is intentionally unemployed. Some have mental or physical disabilities, or they may have some form of trauma they’re living with. Despite originating from the United Kingdom, NEETs have been identified worldwide, with Turkey, Columbia, and Mexico leading the majority of known NEETs. One estimate puts upwards of 26 percent of these countries’ youth to be considered NEETs. Japan has also become a country to identify the issue through their media, such as TV shows, films, and comics involving NEETs. Popular Japanese media addressing the topic include the animated show “Osumatsu-San,” the sequel of a children’s
comic book series of sextuplets now grown up in their 20s who become NEETs still living with their parents. Another parody of NEETs is “Welcome to the NHK,” an animated series about the struggles the protagonist faces being a NEET and a shut-in. Despite the popularity of the term in its media, only three percent of Japanese youth are considered to be NEETs, compared to countries like Turkey, with a total of 26 percent, and the United States, with 13.1 percent of youth being considered NEETs, according to The International Labour Organization database. While NEETs typically come from different backgrounds, they can often find comfort online rather than through their real-life communities. Popular social media sites and programs for NEETs include Reddit, message boards, Twitter, and Discord. These platforms and apps allow them to connect and communicate with each other online. Popular subreddits, meaning niche communities on the Reddit website, include r/NEET and r/AntiWork. These subreddits include over 29,000 members and 1.9 million members, respectively. Members can post their trou-
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When faced with the modern-day, firstworld societal issues, people have different methods of coping. Some decide to pick up new hobbies, take time off work, or pursue further education. Others decide they are not suited for working in a capitalist society and figure they’re better off not working at all. These people have become known as “NEETs.” The NEET phenomenon, an acronym for ‘Not in Education, Employment, or Training’, is a classification of people who, from the ages of 16 to 34, are not currently employed, pursuing their education, or in training. The term coined in the United Kingdom from the late 1990s, but is now used in a more globabl context, including in countries like the United States, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, and many others. Some people refer to themselves as NEETS after becoming unemployed, dropping out of school, or who are just not doing much else after a long period of time. However, for some, it’s also a life choice. Official and self-defined NEETs, those who have come to embrace the term, often come together in online communities to help themselves or each other with advice, company,