Study Shows U.S. Teens Feeling Pressured, Seeking Family Support
by Jim Brown
August 17, 2005
(AgapePress) - A new report suggests that American high school students are looking to be more challenged by their schools, but these youngsters may not meet those challenges in an ethical way. The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans has released its annual report on "The State of Our Nation's Youth," a comprehensive study based on a survey of 1,005 young people between the ages of 13 and 19 from across the U.S. that lets America's youth convey their perspectives on a variety of issues. Students surveyed for the 2005 report said if their high schools asked them to work harder, they would rise to meet those challenges. However, many also indicate that they are willing to cheat in order to make the grade.
Maeve Hebert, a senior analyst at Peter Hart & Associates, which conducted the study, notes that even though students say they want more rigorous academic standards, a surprising number indicate that cheating is prevalent among teens. "What we found was that 42 percent of high school students say that at least half of the students they know at their school cheat," she says.
In fact, the State of Our Nation's Youth report revealed that half of the teens surveyed admitted to cheating and an amazing 97 percent knew fellow students who had cheated. The apparent high incidence of cheating seems to be in sharp contrast with the revelation that a resounding number of teens, over nine in ten, believe providing more opportunities to take challenging courses would improve their education. Teens responding to the survey also showed strong support for ideas such as exit exams (81%) and requiring math and science courses for all four years of high school (75%).
So, in light of the apparent interest kids have in being challenged, the high level of dishonesty being reported might seem puzzling. Yet Hebert points out, "At the same time, this can hardly be a surprising finding in a world where all the institutions that these students look up to are not playing by the rules, whether we talk about athletes taking steroids, big businesses, or the media."
The survey reported that 80 percent of students felt pressure to get good grades to be a problem. That, along with many other issues about which teens indicated they felt anxiety, led an official at Peter Hart & Associates to conclude that high school students feel they are facing a "more serious world than ever before."
In the interests of meeting the challenges of the future, many students indicated a desire for better preparation, and high numbers (88%) say their schools are not doing enough. When asked to rate their schools, Hebert says students gave them an overall 2.8 GPA: a mere 21% giving their schools an A, and the majority (51%) giving their school a B. Schools getting a C follow with 22%, then D-rated schools (4%), and failing schools (2%).
The 2005 survey found that, as teens deal with the pressures that accompany being a teenager and the looming challenges of the world after high school, many are now, more than ever, turning to their families for support. The State of Our Nation's Youth report states that many students said, granted one wish, they would choose more time with their families over a bigger house, more money for material things, or more time for individual spiritual pursuits.
Also, Hebert notes, "We actually asked students if they could pick any kind of a meal, when they think about a good meal, what they prefer; and 71 percent said what they most want is a home-cooked meal -- more than eating at a fancy sit-down restaurant or takeout eaten at home." This was so, the senior analyst notes, even though about half of high school students (51%) said they actually do eat a meal with their family every day.
Jim Brown, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
