Shedding Light on Realized Sustainable Consumption Behavior and Perceived Barriers of Young Adults for Creating Stimulating Teaching–Learning Situations

Abstract

Sustainable consumption behavior has a central impact on climate balance. Research on sustainable consumption behavior of young adults is still in its infancy. To boost sustainable consumption behavior for young adults in vocational education training, it is necessary to reveal insights on their behavior during their sustainable consumption processes and in its barriers. To get insights of young adults’ sustainable consumption intention, we used a questionnaire (N = 60). To identify young adults’ consumption behavior as well as the perceived barriers, we also conducted a semi-structured interview (N = 14). Results show that young adults primarily consider the acquisition and bear less in mind the phases of use and disposal during their realized sustainable consumption behavior. The main barriers identified are high price, lack of information, as well as knowledge and abilities. They do not want to spend time for housekeeping and are not ready to disclaim from fashion or habits. Based on that, stimulating teaching–learning situations can be constructed to broaden the view on all consumption phases. Strategies of already realized behavior can be assured.

How Can Teachers Be Encouraged to Commit to Sustainability? Evaluation of a Teacher-Training Experience in Spain

“…In spite of this critical stance regarding the socioeconomic model based on growth and consumption shown in its discourse, none of the people interviewed seemed to be truly committed to responsible consumption or showed characteristics of critical consumers [58].…”

Young People as Drivers or Inhibitors of the Sustainability Movement: The Case of Anti-Consumption

“…Additionally, consumer goods with an environmental or social benefit often come with higher purchase costs. High prices, as well as behavioural costs, are a central barrier to sustainable consumption among young adults even though their intentions to behave sustainably are already developed (Kreuzer et al 2019). Anti-consumption breaks this central barrier, because its practice embodies the opposite of purchasing costlier and a higher number of goods.…”

“…In the transitional phase between childhood and adulthood, young people are a diverse and ambiguous consumer group with studies revealing rather incongruous characterizations. Research addressing this age group (roughly 14 to 24 years) uses a variety of interchangeable defining terms, including young adults (Cloutier and Roy 2020;Kemp et al 2020;Kreuzer et al 2019;Shim et al 2015), youth (Amin et al 2018;Goldberg et al 2003;Slater et al 2018), adolescents (Effertz et al 2014), and young people (Calafell et al 2019;Te'eni-Harari 2014;Wilska 2003).…”

“…Emerging adults are challenged in their consumer roles, as this transitional period is marked by engaging in different activities, gradually accepting responsibility for oneself, making independent decisions, and becoming financially independent before settling into long-term adult roles. Kreuzer et al (2019) also identify housekeeping, time management, and building relationships in the private and work spheres as common life challenges of this age span.…”

“…They are less likely to engage in resource-saving behaviours such as bicycling, conserving electricity, or recycling materials (Kasser 2005). Nevertheless, in a study focusing on food and clothing, Kreuzer et al (2019) found that while product prices constitute the decisive aspect of a purchasing decision, young Germans realize sustainable consumption through buying something only when truly needed, as well as through donating discarded goods to others.…”