Hales, D. (1996, August 18). "How teenagers see things: A national survey of adolescents conducted for the Horatio Alger association suggests a generation less rebellious and more thoughtful than some adults might expect." Parade Magazine, pp. 4-5.

OVERVIEW

Hale notes:

 

 

According to The Mood of American Youth study, today’s teens are neither as rebellious as adolescents in the 1970s nor as materialistic as those of the 1980s. What they want is not to change the world or to own a chunk of it, but to be happy. Among the teen’s greatest concerns: the decline in moral and social values.

 

 

Here is how four typical young persons expressed their view of life these days. Stephanie is an 18-year-old African-American woman from Starkville, Mississippi:

 

 

Happiness is my goal. Right now, I think that the best way of achieving that is through education and a career. But even though I can’t see myself being happy by marrying Mr. Right and having children, I could change my mind....I don’t go out drinking and smoking: number one, because it’s unhealthy; and, number two, because it doesn’t please God. It’s important to have standards to live up to.

 

 

Heather, an 18-year-old, white female from Renton, Washington had this to say:

 

 

I think the greatest threat to kids today is poor morals, and a lot has to do with the parents. I see friends whose parents don’t have time for them or who don’t set a good example....A few years ago, I would have said I’d raise my children differently, but not anymore. Parents aren’t as dumb as you think they are when you’re younger.

 

 

Ike, 17, from Memphis, Tennessee is an African-American with a football scholarship to Tennessee State:

 

 

Some teens do head in the wrong direction, but not the overwhelming number. There still are lots of teens who are looking forward to believing in the best and still believe in some of the old-time things too....I go to church. I think religion helps with the choices you make. It’s an added strength that motivates you to be good.

 

 

Eric, age 18, of Chesterfield, Michigan, is clear about his main aim:

 

 

My goal is definitely happiness. What would give me that? I don’t know yet. But a lot of people in the 1980s made money and weren’t happy. I want more. My main reason for seeking further education is self-enrichment. I set goals, and when I reach them, I think: "What can I reach for now?" I couldn’t be fulfilled if I wasn’t trying something new, learning something I didn’t know before.

 

 

This study by NFO Research Inc. is the third (one a decade) done for the Horatio Alger Association. A representative sampling of 938 teenagers (13-17) across the US responded. Here are some significant findings:

• 9 Teens in 10 say they don’t drink or smoke.
• 7 Of 10 say that religion is important in their lives.
• 6 In 10 say they don’t approve of premarital sex.
• Teenagers spend 7.5 to 9 hours a day watching TV or listening to the radio.
• These students spend only 51 minutes a day doing homework.
• 67% Of girls and 54% of boys plan to go to a 4-year college or university.
• Top career choice for boys is engineering (10%); teaching for girls (9%).
• 94% Consider their relationship with their mother to be happy.
• 81% Consider their relationship with their father to be happy.
• 19% Of girls and 13% of boys cite a parent as their hero.

The responses to several specific questions and issues are also interesting:

What do you most want out of life? (some respondents didn’t answer)

 

Choices	All	Boys	Girls
Happiness	28%	23%	32%
Long/enjoyable life	16%	18%	14%
Marriage/family	9%	8%	11%
Financial success	8%	11%	5%
Career success	8%	9%	6%
Religious satisfaction	8%	7%	7%
Love	7%	6%	7%
Personal success	6%	6%	5%
Personal contribution to society	2%	3%	2%
Friends	2%	3%	1%
Health	2%	2%	2%
Education	2%	1%	2%

 

What is the worst single influence facing teenagers today?

 

Negative influence	Cited by
Drugs	21%
Peer Pressure	20%
Sex/poor morals	12%
Violence	12%
Gangs	12%
Crime	4%
Television	3%
Alcohol	3%
Other influences	13%

 

Opinions on Families and Children

 

Statement	Agree
Teenagers are not prepared to have babies.	91%
A single parent can raise a family.	75%
I am very likely to raise my children differently than I was raised.	55%
Abortion should remain legal.	48%
Premarital sex is okay.	40%

 

Opinions about Schools

 

Statement	Agree
Condoms should be available in schools.	61%
Local school officials should be able to censor the books and materials used in their schools.	47%
School prayer should not be permitted.	32%
Sex education should be done by parents, not in schools.	32%

 

Opinions on Social Concerns

 

Statement	Agree
The "V" chip will unfairly censor what teens can watch on TV.	67%
It is important to control information on the Internet.	60%
The purchase and use of marijuana should be legalized.	25%

 

Opinions about the Government

 

Statement	Agree
Government spending on AIDS research should be increased.	83%
Adequate health care for all should be provided through a national health plan.	81%
Government corruption and dishonesty are widespread.	79%
Legal immigration to the US should be reduced.	67%
Being rich is necessary to get elected to high office.	55%

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. Do you agree with the generalization that young people of the late 1960s and 1970s tended to be rebellious and concerned about changing the world, those of the late 1970s and 1980s more materialistic, and that young people in the 1990s are more interested in happiness and moral values?
2. How dependable in representing the mood of American youth in the 1990s do you consider this survey? How might it be skewed, and what types of teenagers may have been missed?
3. What most impressed you in this study? Do you consider the statements from the four teenagers to be significant?
4. How might this article and study be used in youth work and teaching?

IMPLICATIONS

1. This survey, of course, is telling us what teenagers say they believe and do. I don’t believe that only 10% of American teenagers are drinking and smoking. In fact another study says more than 10% of US teens are using drugs other than alcohol and nicotine. Still, this study is a very important slice of teenage opinions and ideas.
2. The study and discussion of this survey with young people is very important. Such a discussion might be preceded by giving them some of the questions that can be obtained from the Horatio Alger Association, Dept. P, 2020 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006, USA.
3. It is important to compare this study with those done in the 1970s and the 1980s.

Dean Borgman cCYS

---