To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Gallup Youth Survey (GYS), Tuesday Briefing staff interviewed George Gallup Jr. about GYS findings over the past 25 years and his opinions on what those findings tell us about today's youth. The following is the fourth in a series of interview excerpts, and focuses on how today's teens are different from the teens of 25 years ago, and how teens today feel about the future.
Q. Many of the teens of the 1970s are parents of today's teens. How have teens' views changed since the GYS began 25 years ago?
A. In fact, the change has been quite dramatic. One might say, ' Here come the traditionalists' -- America's current high schoolers and the next age group destined to make its mark on the American scene. Perhaps reacting to what might be described as the excesses of their parents' generation, teens today are decidedly more traditional than their elders were, in both lifestyles and attitudes. GYS data from the past 25 years reveal that teens today are far less likely than their parents were to use alcohol, tobacco and marijuana. In addition, they are less likely than their parents even today to approve of sex before marriage and having children out of wedlock.
Q: In what other ways are today's teens more traditional than their parents?
A: Teens want to reduce the amount of violence on TV; seek clear rules to live by, and promote the teaching of values in school. They are searching eagerly for religious and spiritual moorings in their lives. They want abstinence taught in school, and they think divorces should be harder to get.
Interestingly, however, these traditional views of teens are coupled with expansive views about their future role in the world. Large majorities see their generation contributing toward a world that is less likely to discriminate against people on the basis of lifestyle, race or sex. Teens also look forward to a world that is less polluted, more peaceful and more concerned about the needs of people who are less fortunate.
I recently described some of these findings to my friend, the Rev. Whis Hays, who is executive director of Rock the World Youth Mission Alliance in Pittsburgh. He's worked with young people for many years and said the numbers confirmed his observations of the most recent generation of high school students. He said he's definitely seen a clear and consistent resurgence of many traditional values among young people, as well as a strong interest in positive social influences.
Q: Overall, would you say that today's teens have a positive or negative view of the future?
A: Although there are differences on the basis of economic status, race and other factors, American teens report that by and large they are happy and excited about the future, feel very close to their families, see college in their future, say they are likely to marry, want to have children, are satisfied with their personal lives, desire to reach the top of their chosen careers, expect to live to a ripe-old age, and want to experience spiritual growth in their lives. They are also ready to take on a high-tech world.
Yet teens do not see the future in totally glowing terms. Many feel physically unsafe -- on the street, in school, even in their own homes. They feel a certain degree of angst, and seem to be becoming cynical about the world around them. It is no exaggeration to say that we are a society at risk of losing a generation. Youth are threatened on all sides by deadly weapons, AIDS and other diseases, alcohol and new exotic drugs.
Q: What can adults do to ensure that today's teens will be successful as adults?
A: Surveys reveal that many adults misunderstand and malign teen-agers, dismissing them as unruly, irresponsible and misguided. Remedial action and new partnerships between older and younger Americans should be undertaken with a new urgency, to bring Americans of all ages together and restore a vital sense of community. Our young people binding us together as a nation -- what an exhilarating thought!
The "traditionalists" clearly have the potential to change our society and the world for the better. They have a very special role to play in our new, post-Sept. 11 world, both as leaders in many fields, and as parents. But the nation's spotlight must be on this age group if our society is to help them realize their potential. Certainly the stature and health of a nation are directly related to the well-being of its youth.