NCJ Number
181098
Journal
Youthviews Volume: 7 Issue: 3 Dated: November 1999 Pages: 1-6
Date Published
1999
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This newsletter contains the views of American teenagers (ages 13 to 17 years) on what their generation will bring to the future.
Abstract
Interviews were conducted with 502 American teens from January to April 1999 and with 208 teens during September and October 1999. Most (from 66 to 81 percent) thought their generation would contribute a society that had a new hope and sense of purpose; was less likely to discriminate against persons on the basis of race, sex or lifestyle; was more concerned about the needs of the less fortunate; was less polluted and more caring about the environment; and was more peaceful, with fewer wars and armed conflicts. However, when asked about the world 25 years from now, nearly two-thirds of teens thought average Americans’ quality of life would be worse than it is today (65 percent). The remaining 35 percent thought it would be the same. No one thought it would be better. Most teens expected to pursue a college education and, regardless of their educational attainment, virtually all expected to have careers. Reading was a pastime of choice for half of teens, with 53 percent reading a magazine, 32 percent reading a book for pleasure and 8 percent reading a comic book. Teens were far more likely to report positively on their personal lives than on the country. This included 88 percent of boys and 79 percent of girls, findings nearly identical to the same questions asked 20 years ago. Tables