1455 Was Featured in Daily Good
I Read Hundreds of Poems by Young People – and Found Hope, Not Despair
I Read Hundreds of Poems by Young People – and Found Hope, Not Despair
If you’ve read any commentary about younger people, none of the following statistics will surprise you.
Approximately 19% of Americans who are 12 to 19 years old are depressed — higher than any adult age group. Only about 58.5% of teens who are 12 to 17, meanwhile, say they consistently receive the emotional and social support they need. They often have little faith in institutions – be it the government or schools, or one another. And the average American child age 8 to 18 spends 7.5 hours a day watching or using screens.
On the one hand, these statistics are understandable: Young people are facing a future shaped by climate anxiety, political extremism, economic instability and chronic loneliness.
But those numbers may only be telling part of the story.
I have spent the past six months reading hundreds of poems submitted by young writers age 10 to 21. In June, we published an anthology of writing from 177 of these young people in the “1455 Young Poets Anthology.”
ABOUT YOUNG POETS ANTHOLOGY
A new generation is writing its way forward. 1455’s Young Poets Anthology showcases powerful and original work from writers under 21 across the globe—all exploring the theme of hope in brave and often unexpected ways. These poems challenge us to interrogate what it means to believe in something better, and how imagination and empathy will guide us forward. As one of the inaugural titles from 1455 books, this collection represents a commitment to accessibility, authenticity, and the future of literary culture. Discover the voices that are shaping what comes next. Learn more at 1455litarts.org/ypa
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