Title:

What's the Scoop on Life in NH?

In partnership with Stay Work Play (SWP) New Hampshire (NH), this study replicates SWP’s “Policy and Pints” pop-up series with NH youth to answer the following questions: 1) What are the issues in NH that matter most to youth?; and 2) What affects youth decision making to stay in or leave the Granite State? While the "Policy and Pints” series focused on young adults (ages 21-40), our dialogue series named “What’s the Scoop?” was conducted with secondary students (ages 16-19) recruited through school or intact extra-curricular groups. Eight mixed methods focus groups were conducted across all regions of NH, totaling 96 NH youth participants. Using an interactive online platform, Mentimeter (Menti), participants responded to a mix of qualitative and quantitative prompts using a Wi-Fi enabled device. From this participant pool, the researchers recruited and conducted 15 semi-interviews with NH youth representing the state’s regions. The preliminary “What’s the Scoop?” findings show that NH youth have similar perceptions of NH as those who participating in the “Policy and Pints” series. Youth interested in leaving the state cited the need for developmental exploration, a desire for career or educational opportunities not perceived to be attainable in NH, and the unappealing nature of the state’s lack of diversity, walkability, and housing. Participants interested in staying described feeling safe in the state, an appreciation for NH’s outdoor assets, and their desire to remain close to family. However, most participants reported they are interested in moving out of the state in the near future, indicating that they envision the “grass is greener” elsewhere. The findings of this research indicate that NH youth recognize the contextual factors shaping their postsecondary decision making and future orientation in the state.

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