Teens Confident in Government as Pressure Rises to Get Good Grades, According to Annual Back-to-School Survey 8/5/2003
From: Anthony Hutcherson or Arnold Landers of the Horatio Alger Association, 301-392-6053 WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- New insights into the opinions and attitudes of American youth are being presented in the 2003 "State of Our Nation's Youth" report, a comprehensive report based on a survey of young people nationwide. The study allows America's teens to present their thoughts and feelings on a wide range of issues affecting the country and their lives including: -- The Government -- 52 percent of young people have a great deal of confidence in the federal government compared to 34 percent of adults. This confidence extends to other national institutions as 47 percent of teens have a great deal or quite of bit of confidence in Congress and an overwhelming 80 percent have a lot of confidence in the military. -- Pressures in their Lives - The pressure to get good grades is being felt more than ever according to the survey where 42 percent of teens felt the pressure to get good grades is a major problem up from 26 percent just two years ago. -- View of the World -- 76 percent of students want to learn more about world events/other cultures up from 66 percent in 2002. 63 percent of teens rely on television for their source of information about world events while nearly half access the internet for that information. -- How Schools Are Doing -- Schools average a C-plus in the eyes of students slightly improving from a C in 2001 and 2002. -- Family Life -- 50 percent want to spend more time with their family and 40 percent recognize a family member their role model. The report compiles the results of the national survey conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates on behalf of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans. This marks the seventh consecutive year the Association has issued the report. "Each year this report allows us a look into how the young people of America see the world and their place in it. It is important that we all take notice of what is on the minds of our nation's young people," remarked Horatio Alger President and CEO Walter Scott, Jr. Peter Hart, president of Peter D. Hart Research Associates, notes in analyzing the survey, "It is clear that students continue to struggle with the pressures they face, particularly in their schools where pressure is increasing, but despite these pressures students are looking to the future with optimism and confidence." Peter D. Hart Research Associates, Inc. has conducted more than five thousand public opinion surveys encompassing interviews with more than three million individuals over the past thirty years. A copy of the complete "State of Our Nation's Youth" report is available for free download at http://www.horatioalger.org. The Horatio Alger Association is a non-profit educational association and provides educational programs for America's youth to learn about the opportunities available in the free enterprise system. Through the generosity of its membership, more than $4 million in need-based college scholarships are awarded annually. For More Information: Visit the Horatio Alger Association at http://www.horatioalger.org For press inquiries or to receive our future releases, please contact 301-392-6053. New releases are available at http://www.horatioalger.org/geninf/prerel.htm |