The ‘NEET’ Phenomenon and Importance of Mental Health

By Alex Avila

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, 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- named “‘Fellow NEETs’ how do you support yourself?” Responses include: ‘Family… otherwise I’d be homeless or dead,” the user, pistochio, said.

Unemployment and disability services are other sources of income NEETs rely on to survive. “Unemployment benefits and parents,” said the user NEET_by2027.

The issue has been identified and researched by journalists and doctors who have tried to better understand the phenomenon, why it’s become so common worldwide, as well as if there are any solutions.

Many attribute the phenomenon to hard expectations of the youth, poor working conditions, or past trauma regarding human interaction, such as bullying, harassment, abuse, or sexual assault.

One example includes a 21-year-old, who has been a self-identified NEET since they were 13 years old and who wishes to be anonymous. “I was homeschooled by my mom, [who] never helped me with anything, so I just gave up,” they said.

This NEET also points to mental issues as a primary result of their current lifestyle. “I struggle with agoraphobia, depression, and social anxiety,” they said.

The idea of reintroducing themselves to a normal lifestyle also leaves them unsure.“I’d like to be a normal functioning adult but I can’t see myself ever getting over my fears and actually contributing to society,” they concluded.

Although NEETs are commonly associated with young males, studies conducted by Eurostat, the Europe Statistical Office, indicate that women between 20-34 years of age make up 21.5 percent of NEETs in the EU, while men of the same age group only make up 13.8 percent of NEETs. The International Labour Organisation has also reported that 34 percent of women ages 15 through 24 worldwide could be identified as NEETs.

Currently, most NEETs do not know what to do with themselves and are typically forgotten by society, unseen by the majority as a small part of their communities.

Though many NEETS who choose this as a lifestyle find support with likeminded individuals online, the real question becomes whether societies are providing enough job and educational opportunities, as well as mental health support, in the real world so they don’t feel like their options are so limited.