Ever wonder what teens are thinking? We’ve got some answers. This page explores facts, statistics, and survey results that should shed further light on the teenage view of the world.
Only 52% of teens feel they should have to justify their actions to parents, and a mere third felt they were accountable to society, according to a 2008 survey of 750 teens by Junior Achievement. 27% thought violence was an acceptable way to settle problems with other people. (Larsen, 10-1-2009)
What teens think about their accountability to other teens
Only 52% of teens feel they should have to justify their actions to parents, and a mere third felt they were accountable to society, according to a 2008 survey of 750 teens by Junior Achievement. (Larson, 10-1-2009) Another 27% thought that violence was an acceptable way to settle problems with other people.
What teens think about the police
35% of all 15-year-olds are somewhat or very worried about being treated unfairly by police, and nearly one in five (18%) are worried about being arrested. (Benson et al., 2009)
What teens think about discrimination
Even among well-to-do youth, both Hispanic youth (59%) and African American Youth (47%) are far less likely than white youth (81%) to say they experience racial fairness and no discrimination in their lives. Likewise, 66% of African American youth and 63% of Hispanics are worried about things such as being treated unfairly by police, being arrested, or being a victim of a crime, compared with 48% for white youth. (Benson et al., 2009)
On what teens think about doing good …
A primary reason why many young people do not place a high priority on social issues is that many do not believe they have the power or capacity to make much of a difference. Overall, 38% indicate that they think they can make a great deal or some difference; 30% indicate they can make a little difference; while 26% believe they can make no or almost no difference at all. (Benson et al., 2009)
On what teens think about marriage …
A 2008 report from the University of Michigan, which surveyed 2,300 high school seniors across the USA, found that 80% expect to marry and believe that they’ll stay married to the same person for life. Four-percent say they won’t marry, and the rest aren’t sure. (Jayson, 6-22-2010)
Things that matter most to teens
……………………………………All teens – Male – Female
Having strong friendships …………….. 86% – 81% – 89%
Finding purpose & meaning in life ….. 80% – 76% – 85%
Having lots of money …………………. 58% – 62% – 54%
Making a contribution to society …… 56% – 54% – 61%
Helping people who are poor ……….. 53% – 46% – 59%
Improving race relations ………………. 44% – 41% – 47%
Correcting social/economic …………. 43% – 39% – 48%
inequalities
Being a community leader ……………. 38% – 37% – 40%
Serving my country …………………… 35% – 37% – 32%
What teens think about themselves
“Some of the most important ‘work’ of being a teenager is to shape a self-concept (that is, who I am) and one’s place in the
world (how do I matter?).” – Psychologist P.L. Benson & Associates (2009,p.12)
A 2000 study by the National Eating Disorders Screening program showed that overall, 12% of girls screened said they’d made themselves vomit at least once a month in the prior three months, and of these only 16.5% had ever been treated for an eating disorder. Irregular periods could be a possible warning sign of Bulimia: girls who vomit were 2 1/2 times more likely to report irregular periods than those who didn’t, according to a study in the May 2008 issue of The Journal of Adolescent Health. (USA Today, 5-22-08)
7,882 breast-augmentation surgeries were performed on American teens in 2007, around half for non-medical (cosmetic) reasons.
Statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery show that cosmetic-surgery procedures performed on those 18 and younger have nearly doubled over the last decade. (Bennett, 4-6-09)
Teen attitudes towards money
- The age at which teens think they’ll be financially independent: 16 to 20: 18%; 21 to 24: 44%; 25 to 27: 23%; 28 or older: 4%; not sure: 11%. (USA Today 4/30/2012 p. 1B)
- Yet 22% of teens don’t budget their money according to a recent Junior Achievement Allstate Foundation study. (Family Circle, 2/2011, p. 56)