/PRNewswire/ -- New data announced in today's Monitoring the Future study shows that while teen smoking rates are continuing their slow decline, an old threat has once again emerged - the use of smokeless tobacco. The study found that among 8th, 10th and 12th graders - all groups surveyed each year by the study - teen smoking rates among 8th and 12th graders continued to trend downward, while daily smoking amongst 10th graders crept upwards (5.9% in 2008 to 6.3% in 2009). Perhaps more concerning is the slight increase in daily smokeless tobacco use amongst 10th graders (now up to 1.9% in 2009 from 1.4 in 2008) and 12th graders (now 2.9 in 2009 up from 2.7 in 2008). Public health experts had predicted this increase in response to the tobacco industry's wide-ranging and aggressively marketed smokeless products now widely available.
The report, now in its 35th year, is the most respected source for data about youth smoking. In light of the findings in today's report, more needs to be done to reduce tobacco consumption writ large among the nation's youth. Also reported in today's announcement:
-- The perceived risk of using smokeless tobacco products has decreased
in all grades as has disapproval of smokeless products amongst 8th and
10th graders - a troubling trend indicating teens are not aware of the
harm smokeless products can cause and that they are a viable
alternative to cigarette smoking.
-- Teens prefer to date peers who do not smoke - 81.3% in 8th grade,
79.9% in 10th grade and 74.9% in 12th grade. This indicates that
social norms surrounding smoking continue to shift.
Legacy, the national public health foundation devoted to keeping young people from smoking and helping all smokers quit, has been committed to finding new ways to reach and engage with the teen audience, with the ultimate goal of reducing youth smoking prevalence. This is especially important as the tobacco industry continues to successfully market its products and addict new smokers.
The public health community, doctors and parents must work together to foster a continued rate of decline. The Master Settlement Agreement reached in 1998 between attorneys general from 46 states, five US territories and the tobacco industry provided our country with a unique opportunity - and with focused funding -- to address youth smoking and help smokers who want to quit.
About eighty percent of all smokers have their first cigarette before age 18(1), and every day 1,500 youth become daily smokers(2). These daily smokers will continue down a path of tobacco-related diseases and will incur higher healthcare costs than nonsmoking Americans. Funding youth smoking-prevention efforts could prevent these ill effects.
On heels of today's study release, the "Broken Promise to Our Children: The 1998 State Tobacco Settlement 11 Years Later" report released last week by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids and other leading public health groups, found that despite two sources of revenue -- funding provided through the Master Settlement Agreement and funding from taxes placed on tobacco -- states are spending just 2.3 percent of revenue from tobacco settlement and tobacco taxes on tobacco prevention and cessation programs.
The Monitoring the Future study has concluded that mass media campaigns can reduce smoking, especially when combined with other tobacco control strategies. However, youth smoking prevention campaigns sponsored by the tobacco industry have been ineffective and may actually have increased youth smoking.
The foundation's truth(R) youth smoking prevention campaign is a national effort that delivers facts and messages to teens about tobacco, but avoids giving directive statements telling youths not to smoke. Research has indicated that in the first four years of the campaign, 18 percent of the overall decline in youth smoking was directly attributable to truth(R). As the only organization directing a national media campaign for youth smoking prevention - other than the tobacco industry - it is critical that funding continues to grow for efforts like the truth(R) campaign and state-specific smoking prevention campaigns.
Legacy(SM) is dedicated to building a world where young people reject tobacco and anyone can quit. Located in Washington, D.C., the national public health organization helps Americans live longer, healthier lives. Legacy develops programs that address the health effects of tobacco use, especially among vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by the toll of tobacco, through grants, technical assistance and training, partnerships, youth activism, and counter-marketing and grassroots marketing campaigns. The foundation's programs include truth(R), a national youth smoking prevention campaign that has been cited as having contributed to significant declines in youth smoking; EX(R), an innovative public health program designed to speak to smokers in their own language and change the way they approach quitting; and research initiatives exploring the causes, consequences and approaches to reducing tobacco use. The American Legacy Foundation was created as a result of the November 1998 Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) reached between attorneys general from 46 states, five U.S. territories and the tobacco industry. Visit www.legacyforhealth.org
(1) Mowery PD, Brick PD, Farrelly MC. Legacy First Look Report 3. Pathways to Established Smoking: Results from the 1999 National Youth Tobacco Survey. Washington DC: American Legacy Foundation. October 2000.
(2) MMWR. 1998. Decline Selected Cigarette Smoking Initiation and Quitting Behaviors Among High School Students. 47(19):386-389.
Showing posts with label teens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label teens. Show all posts
Monday, December 14, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
What is Sexting? Why is it a Problem? What Parents and Teens Need to Know
/PRNewswire/ -- Two years ago, the word "sexting" did not even exist in the English language. Today it is a term that is much discussed and debated by parents, students, educators, law enforcement leaders and policy makers across America. It is widely misunderstood.
"Sexting" refers to youth sending sexually explicit messages or sexually explicit photos of themselves or others to their peers. Today, many teens are using cell phones, computers, web cams, digital cameras, and/or certain video game systems to take and distribute sexually explicit photographs of themselves or others.
Is "sexting" merely an example of "kids being kids," or is it a more serious societal concern that in some cases requires criminal sanctions? In an effort to provide a better framework for policy discussion and to better inform the public, today the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) is releasing a policy statement on "sexting." This statement is a product of extensive dialogue with leaders in the field, and was developed with the strong involvement of the American Bar Association's Center on Children and the Law.
"There has been much concern that teens engaged in 'sexting' would be criminally prosecuted and required to register as sex offenders," said Ernie Allen, President of NCMEC. "That isn't happening. Yet, 'sexting' is a large problem that we have to come to grips with as a nation. Some of these incidents are minor. Some are very serious. Through this new policy statement on 'sexting,' we hope to provide greater understanding and perspective as we strive to cope more effectively with this difficult new phenomenon."
"Sexting" is a complex issue that covers a wide range of severity. NCMEC believes that the primary response to "sexting" must be positive, empowering educational messages directed to parents and teens. Parents must become more involved in their children's lives, be more aware of what they are doing, and set limits. Teens must become better informed about the implications and repercussions of their acts.
Two years ago, before the word "sexting" was invented, NCMEC launched a public service advertising campaign in partnership with the Ad Council. The message was "Think Before You Post." The campaign sought to alert teens to the risks associated with "sexting" and other online communications. Once the images are out there, you can't get them back. They can affect a teen's future, impact his or her ability to be admitted to college, be hired for jobs, and much more.
Yet, NCMEC also believes that in some instances, "sexting" entails serious criminal acts requiring investigation by law enforcement and action by authorities. The vast majority of these cases should be handled through the juvenile justice system with its rehabilitative ideal. But in some instances, more severe sanctions may be necessary.
A survey conducted for NCMEC by Cox Communications and released in June 2009 found that 19% of teens surveyed had sent, received, or forwarded sexually suggestive nude or nearly nude photos through text message or e-mail. Of the teens surveyed who had engaged in "sexting," 60% sent the photos to a boyfriend/girlfriend and 11% sent them to someone they did not know.
NCMEC knows about "sexting" firsthand. NCMEC's Child Victim Identification Program has reviewed and analyzed 27 million child pornography images and videos since 2003, 9 million in the past year alone. Of the children successfully identified and rescued, 10% of the images were self-produced. Another 14% were produced as a result of online enticement by another party who persuaded or extorted youth into taking and sending explicit photos.
A copy of the new Policy Statement on Sexting issued by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children can be found on the organization's Web site www.missingkids.com.
Additional resources for parents include: Safety tips for cell phone use can be found at www.NetSmartz411.org. Parents can locate an Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in their area at www.icactraining.org. Suspected child sexual exploitation can be reported at www.cybertipline.com.
This year the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children observes its 25th anniversary. NCMEC has played a role in the recovery of more than 142,000 children. Today more children come home safely than any other year in the organization's 25-year history, raising the recovery rate from 62% in 1990 to 97% today. And more of those who prey on children are identified and prosecuted. Yet too many children are still missing and too many are still the victims of sexual exploitation. There is much more that needs to be done.
About the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Since it was established by Congress in 1984, the organization has operated the toll-free 24-hour national missing children's hotline which has handled nearly 2,400,000 calls. It has assisted law enforcement in the recovery of more than 142,000 children. The organization's CyberTipline has handled more than 731,000 reports of child sexual exploitation and its Child Victim Identification Program has reviewed and analyzed more than 26,847,700 child pornography images and videos. The organization works in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. To learn more about NCMEC, call its toll-free hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST or visit its Web site at www.missingkids.com.
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"Sexting" refers to youth sending sexually explicit messages or sexually explicit photos of themselves or others to their peers. Today, many teens are using cell phones, computers, web cams, digital cameras, and/or certain video game systems to take and distribute sexually explicit photographs of themselves or others.
Is "sexting" merely an example of "kids being kids," or is it a more serious societal concern that in some cases requires criminal sanctions? In an effort to provide a better framework for policy discussion and to better inform the public, today the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) is releasing a policy statement on "sexting." This statement is a product of extensive dialogue with leaders in the field, and was developed with the strong involvement of the American Bar Association's Center on Children and the Law.
"There has been much concern that teens engaged in 'sexting' would be criminally prosecuted and required to register as sex offenders," said Ernie Allen, President of NCMEC. "That isn't happening. Yet, 'sexting' is a large problem that we have to come to grips with as a nation. Some of these incidents are minor. Some are very serious. Through this new policy statement on 'sexting,' we hope to provide greater understanding and perspective as we strive to cope more effectively with this difficult new phenomenon."
"Sexting" is a complex issue that covers a wide range of severity. NCMEC believes that the primary response to "sexting" must be positive, empowering educational messages directed to parents and teens. Parents must become more involved in their children's lives, be more aware of what they are doing, and set limits. Teens must become better informed about the implications and repercussions of their acts.
Two years ago, before the word "sexting" was invented, NCMEC launched a public service advertising campaign in partnership with the Ad Council. The message was "Think Before You Post." The campaign sought to alert teens to the risks associated with "sexting" and other online communications. Once the images are out there, you can't get them back. They can affect a teen's future, impact his or her ability to be admitted to college, be hired for jobs, and much more.
Yet, NCMEC also believes that in some instances, "sexting" entails serious criminal acts requiring investigation by law enforcement and action by authorities. The vast majority of these cases should be handled through the juvenile justice system with its rehabilitative ideal. But in some instances, more severe sanctions may be necessary.
A survey conducted for NCMEC by Cox Communications and released in June 2009 found that 19% of teens surveyed had sent, received, or forwarded sexually suggestive nude or nearly nude photos through text message or e-mail. Of the teens surveyed who had engaged in "sexting," 60% sent the photos to a boyfriend/girlfriend and 11% sent them to someone they did not know.
NCMEC knows about "sexting" firsthand. NCMEC's Child Victim Identification Program has reviewed and analyzed 27 million child pornography images and videos since 2003, 9 million in the past year alone. Of the children successfully identified and rescued, 10% of the images were self-produced. Another 14% were produced as a result of online enticement by another party who persuaded or extorted youth into taking and sending explicit photos.
A copy of the new Policy Statement on Sexting issued by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children can be found on the organization's Web site www.missingkids.com.
Additional resources for parents include: Safety tips for cell phone use can be found at www.NetSmartz411.org. Parents can locate an Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in their area at www.icactraining.org. Suspected child sexual exploitation can be reported at www.cybertipline.com.
This year the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children observes its 25th anniversary. NCMEC has played a role in the recovery of more than 142,000 children. Today more children come home safely than any other year in the organization's 25-year history, raising the recovery rate from 62% in 1990 to 97% today. And more of those who prey on children are identified and prosecuted. Yet too many children are still missing and too many are still the victims of sexual exploitation. There is much more that needs to be done.
About the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Since it was established by Congress in 1984, the organization has operated the toll-free 24-hour national missing children's hotline which has handled nearly 2,400,000 calls. It has assisted law enforcement in the recovery of more than 142,000 children. The organization's CyberTipline has handled more than 731,000 reports of child sexual exploitation and its Child Victim Identification Program has reviewed and analyzed more than 26,847,700 child pornography images and videos. The organization works in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. To learn more about NCMEC, call its toll-free hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST or visit its Web site at www.missingkids.com.
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Wednesday, August 26, 2009
CASA* 2009 Teen Survey Reveals: Teens Likelier To Get Drunk, Use Marijuana, Smoke Cigarettes If They See Parent Drunk
/PRNewswire/ -- Compared to teens who have not seen their parent(s) drunk, those who have are more than twice as likely to get drunk in a typical month, and three times likelier to use marijuana and smoke cigarettes, according to the National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse XIV: Teens and Parents, the 14th annual back-to-school survey conducted by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University.
The CASA survey found that 51 percent of 17-year olds have seen one or both of their parents drunk and 34 percent of 12- to 17-year olds have seen one or both of their parents drunk.
Teen drinking behavior is strongly associated with how teens believe their fathers feel about their drinking. Compared to teens who believe their father is against their drinking, teens who believe their father is okay with their drinking are two and a half times likelier to get drunk in a typical month.
The survey found that five percent of 12- to 15-year old girls and nine percent of 12- to 15-year old boys say their fathers are okay with their drinking. Thirteen percent of 16- and 17-year old girls and 20 percent of 16- and 17-year old boys say their fathers are okay with their drinking.
"Some Moms' and Dads' behavior and attitudes make them parent enablers--parents who send their 12- to 17-year olds a message that it's okay to smoke, drink, get drunk and use illegal drugs like marijuana," said Joseph A. Califano, Jr., CASA's chairman and founder and former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. "Teens' behavior is strongly associated with their parents' behavior and expectations, so parents who expect their children to drink and use drugs will have children who drink and use drugs."
Prescription Drugs Readily Available
For the first time this year, the survey asked 12- to 17-year olds how fast they can get prescription drugs to get high. More than one third of teens (8.7 million) can get prescription drugs to get high within a day; nearly one in five teens (4.7 million) can get them within an hour.
When teens were asked where they would get prescription drugs, the most common sources were home, parents, other family members and friends.
For the second year in a row more teens said prescription drugs were easier to buy than beer.
Drinking, Drugging and Sex
This year the CASA survey took a close look at teen drinking and discovered that 65 percent of 12- to 17-year olds who drink monthly report that they get drunk at least once in a typical month. Eighty-five percent of 17-year old drinkers get drunk at least once in a typical month.
The survey found that one third of teen drinkers usually drink with the intention to get drunk. Eighty-five percent of teen drinkers who say that when they drink they usually drink to get drunk do so at least once a month. Of those teens who do NOT set out to get drunk, 33 percent find themselves drunk at least once a month.
Compared to teens who have never tried alcohol, teens who get drunk monthly are:
-- 18 times likelier to have tried marijuana;
-- Four times likelier to be able to get marijuana in an hour;
-- Almost four times likelier to know someone their age who abuses
prescription drugs;
-- More than three times likelier to have friends who use marijuana; and
-- More than twice as likely to know someone their age who uses meth,
ecstasy, or other drugs such as cocaine, heroin or LSD.
Compared to teens who have never tried alcohol, those who get drunk at least once a month are:
-- Twice as likely to know a girl who was forced to do something sexual
she didn't want to do; and
-- Nearly four times likelier to know a guy who uses drugs or alcohol to
hook up.
"The message for parents is loud and clear. If your teen is drinking, the odds are your teen is getting drunk. And teens who get drunk are much likelier to try marijuana and hang out with friends who are abusing prescription drugs and illegal drugs like cocaine and heroin," said Elizabeth Planet, CASA's Vice President and Director of Special Projects. "Parents who think their kids are just having an occasional drink each month need to wake up and smell the beer and pot."
Marijuana, Availability Up Sharply
Between 2007 and 2009 there was a 37 percent increase in the percentage of 12- to 17-year olds who say marijuana is easier to buy than cigarettes, beer or prescription drugs (19 percent to 26 percent).
Forty percent of teens (10 million) can get marijuana within a day; nearly one-quarter of teens (5.7 million) can get it in an hour.
Teens who say that the decision to use marijuana by someone their age is not a big deal are four times more likely to use it compared to teens who say this decision is a big deal.
Teens whose parents believe the decision to use marijuana is not a big deal are almost twice as likely to use the drug, compared to teens whose parents say this decision is a big deal.
Most teens who smoke cigarettes (56 percent) say the decision to use marijuana is not a big deal.
Other Notable Findings
-- Two-thirds of high school students say that drugs are used, kept or
sold at their school.
-- Sixty percent of parents say that their child's school is not drug
free.
-- Of parents who say their teen's school is not drug free, almost half
think there is nothing they can do about it, and only a quarter have
even tried.
"Parents are the key to raising drug-free kids and they have the power to do it if they send their children the clear message to choose not to use and demand that the schools their children attend be drug free," noted Califano whose book How to Raise a Drug Free Kid: The Straight Dope for Parents, was published this month by Simon & Schuster's Touchstone/Fireside Division.
QEV Analytics conducted The National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse XIV: Teens and Parents from March 2 to April 5, 2009 (teens) and March 21 to April 10, 2009 (parents). The firm interviewed at home by telephone a national random sample of 1,000 12- to 17-year olds (509 boys, 491 girls) and 452 of their parents. Sampling error is +/- 3.1 percent for teens and +/- 4.6 percent for parents.
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The CASA survey found that 51 percent of 17-year olds have seen one or both of their parents drunk and 34 percent of 12- to 17-year olds have seen one or both of their parents drunk.
Teen drinking behavior is strongly associated with how teens believe their fathers feel about their drinking. Compared to teens who believe their father is against their drinking, teens who believe their father is okay with their drinking are two and a half times likelier to get drunk in a typical month.
The survey found that five percent of 12- to 15-year old girls and nine percent of 12- to 15-year old boys say their fathers are okay with their drinking. Thirteen percent of 16- and 17-year old girls and 20 percent of 16- and 17-year old boys say their fathers are okay with their drinking.
"Some Moms' and Dads' behavior and attitudes make them parent enablers--parents who send their 12- to 17-year olds a message that it's okay to smoke, drink, get drunk and use illegal drugs like marijuana," said Joseph A. Califano, Jr., CASA's chairman and founder and former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. "Teens' behavior is strongly associated with their parents' behavior and expectations, so parents who expect their children to drink and use drugs will have children who drink and use drugs."
Prescription Drugs Readily Available
For the first time this year, the survey asked 12- to 17-year olds how fast they can get prescription drugs to get high. More than one third of teens (8.7 million) can get prescription drugs to get high within a day; nearly one in five teens (4.7 million) can get them within an hour.
When teens were asked where they would get prescription drugs, the most common sources were home, parents, other family members and friends.
For the second year in a row more teens said prescription drugs were easier to buy than beer.
Drinking, Drugging and Sex
This year the CASA survey took a close look at teen drinking and discovered that 65 percent of 12- to 17-year olds who drink monthly report that they get drunk at least once in a typical month. Eighty-five percent of 17-year old drinkers get drunk at least once in a typical month.
The survey found that one third of teen drinkers usually drink with the intention to get drunk. Eighty-five percent of teen drinkers who say that when they drink they usually drink to get drunk do so at least once a month. Of those teens who do NOT set out to get drunk, 33 percent find themselves drunk at least once a month.
Compared to teens who have never tried alcohol, teens who get drunk monthly are:
-- 18 times likelier to have tried marijuana;
-- Four times likelier to be able to get marijuana in an hour;
-- Almost four times likelier to know someone their age who abuses
prescription drugs;
-- More than three times likelier to have friends who use marijuana; and
-- More than twice as likely to know someone their age who uses meth,
ecstasy, or other drugs such as cocaine, heroin or LSD.
Compared to teens who have never tried alcohol, those who get drunk at least once a month are:
-- Twice as likely to know a girl who was forced to do something sexual
she didn't want to do; and
-- Nearly four times likelier to know a guy who uses drugs or alcohol to
hook up.
"The message for parents is loud and clear. If your teen is drinking, the odds are your teen is getting drunk. And teens who get drunk are much likelier to try marijuana and hang out with friends who are abusing prescription drugs and illegal drugs like cocaine and heroin," said Elizabeth Planet, CASA's Vice President and Director of Special Projects. "Parents who think their kids are just having an occasional drink each month need to wake up and smell the beer and pot."
Marijuana, Availability Up Sharply
Between 2007 and 2009 there was a 37 percent increase in the percentage of 12- to 17-year olds who say marijuana is easier to buy than cigarettes, beer or prescription drugs (19 percent to 26 percent).
Forty percent of teens (10 million) can get marijuana within a day; nearly one-quarter of teens (5.7 million) can get it in an hour.
Teens who say that the decision to use marijuana by someone their age is not a big deal are four times more likely to use it compared to teens who say this decision is a big deal.
Teens whose parents believe the decision to use marijuana is not a big deal are almost twice as likely to use the drug, compared to teens whose parents say this decision is a big deal.
Most teens who smoke cigarettes (56 percent) say the decision to use marijuana is not a big deal.
Other Notable Findings
-- Two-thirds of high school students say that drugs are used, kept or
sold at their school.
-- Sixty percent of parents say that their child's school is not drug
free.
-- Of parents who say their teen's school is not drug free, almost half
think there is nothing they can do about it, and only a quarter have
even tried.
"Parents are the key to raising drug-free kids and they have the power to do it if they send their children the clear message to choose not to use and demand that the schools their children attend be drug free," noted Califano whose book How to Raise a Drug Free Kid: The Straight Dope for Parents, was published this month by Simon & Schuster's Touchstone/Fireside Division.
QEV Analytics conducted The National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse XIV: Teens and Parents from March 2 to April 5, 2009 (teens) and March 21 to April 10, 2009 (parents). The firm interviewed at home by telephone a national random sample of 1,000 12- to 17-year olds (509 boys, 491 girls) and 452 of their parents. Sampling error is +/- 3.1 percent for teens and +/- 4.6 percent for parents.
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Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Dating Abuse Affects One in Five Teens
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Studies show that one in five teenagers in a serious dating relationship reports being physically abused by their partner. This issue is so serious that several states have passed laws specifically addressing teen dating abuse.
Hazelden Publishing, the leading publisher of evidence-based violence prevention programs for students in first grade through 12th grade, understands the significance of preventing dating violence and has published Safe Dates, the only evidence-based program that addresses this important issue. Safe Dates helps teens recognize the difference between caring, supportive relationships and controlling, manipulative, or abusive dating relationships.
"There are schools all over the United States that are implementing Safe Dates," said Sue Thomas, expert on prevention and anti-bullying products, Hazelden Publishing. "When implemented with fidelity, research shows that schools and community organizations can see a significant reduction in physical and sexual dating violence."
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), teens involved in an abusive dating relationship are more likely to do poorly in school and often engage in unhealthy behaviors, including drug and alcohol use.
Dr. Rodney Hammond, director of the CDC's division of violence prevention, stated, "Reducing dating abuse requires effective prevention tools that are scientifically based. Recognizing the lack of such tools, CDC funded the development of the Safe Dates program. We hope that the lessons learned from the program can be used by other communities in their efforts to prevent violence."
An ideal component to any middle or high school curriculum or community-based program, Safe Dates targets attitudes and behaviors associated with dating abuse and violence and works to change those attitudes and behaviors. Safe Dates was selected for the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP), and received high ratings on all criteria.
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Hazelden Publishing, the leading publisher of evidence-based violence prevention programs for students in first grade through 12th grade, understands the significance of preventing dating violence and has published Safe Dates, the only evidence-based program that addresses this important issue. Safe Dates helps teens recognize the difference between caring, supportive relationships and controlling, manipulative, or abusive dating relationships.
"There are schools all over the United States that are implementing Safe Dates," said Sue Thomas, expert on prevention and anti-bullying products, Hazelden Publishing. "When implemented with fidelity, research shows that schools and community organizations can see a significant reduction in physical and sexual dating violence."
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), teens involved in an abusive dating relationship are more likely to do poorly in school and often engage in unhealthy behaviors, including drug and alcohol use.
Dr. Rodney Hammond, director of the CDC's division of violence prevention, stated, "Reducing dating abuse requires effective prevention tools that are scientifically based. Recognizing the lack of such tools, CDC funded the development of the Safe Dates program. We hope that the lessons learned from the program can be used by other communities in their efforts to prevent violence."
An ideal component to any middle or high school curriculum or community-based program, Safe Dates targets attitudes and behaviors associated with dating abuse and violence and works to change those attitudes and behaviors. Safe Dates was selected for the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP), and received high ratings on all criteria.
-----
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Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Poll: Most Teens Think They Can Make Ethical Business Decisions, Yet Many Also Believe It Is Okay to Lie and Cheat
/PRNewswire/ -- In large numbers, teens today express a troubling contradiction when it comes to ethical readiness for the workforce. At the same time they express confidence in their preparedness to make the right choices in the future, they freely admit to unethical behavior today. Those are among the key findings of a new national poll from Junior Achievement and Deloitte, the results of which reveal considerable ethical confusion among teens regarding what types of behavior are appropriate in order to succeed.
Key Findings:
-- Eighty percent of teens either somewhat or strongly agree that they
are prepared to make ethical business decisions when they join the
workforce, yet more than a third (38 percent) think that you have to
break the rules at school to succeed.
-- More than one in four teens (27 percent) think behaving violently is
sometimes, often or always acceptable. Twenty percent of respondents
said they had personally behaved violently toward another person in
the past year, and 41 percent reported a friend had done so.
-- Nearly half (49 percent) of those who say they are ethically prepared
believe that lying to parents and guardians is acceptable, and 61
percent have done so in the past year.
-- Teens feel more accountable to themselves (86 percent) than they do to
their parents or guardians (52 percent), their friends (41 percent) or
society (33 percent).
-- Only about half (54 percent) cite their parents as role models. Most
of those who don't cite their parents as role models are turning to
their friends or said they didn't have a role model.
-- Only 25 percent said they would be "very likely" to reveal knowledge
of unethical behavior in the workplace.
What the Findings Mean:
-- Teens' feelings about accountability, coupled with self-reported
unethical behavior, raise a potential concern among employers because
ties within a community, school, work environment or social network
often guide behavior. If teens lack accountability to others, the data
suggests that their choices may be driven purely by self-interest and
not by interest in the greater good.
-- An absence of adult role models can leave a vacuum of ethical guidance
as young people enter adulthood. With a significant number of teens
reporting they don't have an adult role model for ethical behavior,
the data raises even more questions about why adults are not viewed as
role models and what can be done to fill the gap.
-- Teens seem to be experiencing a sense of ethical confusion and
relativism -- an endemic ethical attitude of "the ends justify the
means." Given that in a few years these same individuals will be
performing our hospital lab tests, repairing our cars, teaching our
children and investing our money, the survey results raise concerns
for employers about how ethically prepared their future workforce will
be.
What Is the Solution?
-- To provide tools to teens to help them become better ethically
prepared, Junior Achievement and Deloitte offer "JA Business
Ethics(TM)" as part of a $2 million initiative.
-- "JA Business Ethics" was developed in response to the needs of high
school students; it provides hands-on classroom activities and
real-life applications designed to foster ethical decision making as
students prepare to enter the workforce. Students examine how their
beliefs align with major ethics theories and learn the benefits and
advantages of having a code of ethics.
-- Additionally, Junior Achievement recently updated the original
"Excellence through Ethics(TM)" program, which is available online at
www.ja.org/ethics free of charge and provides age-appropriate lessons
for students in grades 4-12.
Quotes:
-- Attributable to David W. Miller, Ph.D., director of the Princeton
University Faith & Work Initiative and professor of business ethics at
Princeton University:
"There is a troubling incongruence between the degree to which teens feel ethically prepared to enter the workforce, and the unethical behaviors in which they engage. The survey results do prompt concerns about teens' future workplace behavior and forecast serious challenges to businesses around how they will need to prepare and train these future leaders."
-- Attributable to Sean C. Rush, president and chief executive officer of
JA Worldwide:
"The results of the survey reveal considerable ethical relativism among teens and raises questions about their ability to make good decisions later in life. We're understandably concerned about these results but recognize that they do point to a major learning opportunity."
-- Attributable to Ainar D. Aijala, global consulting leader, Deloitte,
and Chairman of JA Worldwide:
"Teens need training in ethical decision making, practical tools and role models that help them understand not only how to make the right choices, but how those choices will impact their personal success and the success of the organizations they join. That is why Deloitte continues to support ethics education in collaboration with Junior Achievement."
Related Links:
Junior Achievement's online Ethics Center
(http://studentcenter.ja.org/aspx/LearnEthics/)
Downloadable Photos
(http://www.jagraphics.org/2008-JA-Photo-Package/index.html)
Related News
(http://www.ja.org/about/releases/about_newsitem524.asp)
Ainar D. Aijala bio
(http://www.ja.org/involved/involved_vol_who_boardchair.shtml)
Sean Rush bio
(http://www.ja.org/near/near_nat_staff_mgmt.shtml#Rush)
David W. Miller, Ph.D. bio
(http://faithandwork.princeton.edu/DWM%20Bio.pdf)
Methodology
This report presents the findings of a telephone survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation, among a national sample of 750 teens comprising 375 males and 375 females 12 to 17 years of age, living in private households in the continental United States. Interviewing for this TEEN CARAVAN(R) Survey was completed during the period October 9-12, 2008. The survey's margin of error is +/- 3.6 percent.
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Key Findings:
-- Eighty percent of teens either somewhat or strongly agree that they
are prepared to make ethical business decisions when they join the
workforce, yet more than a third (38 percent) think that you have to
break the rules at school to succeed.
-- More than one in four teens (27 percent) think behaving violently is
sometimes, often or always acceptable. Twenty percent of respondents
said they had personally behaved violently toward another person in
the past year, and 41 percent reported a friend had done so.
-- Nearly half (49 percent) of those who say they are ethically prepared
believe that lying to parents and guardians is acceptable, and 61
percent have done so in the past year.
-- Teens feel more accountable to themselves (86 percent) than they do to
their parents or guardians (52 percent), their friends (41 percent) or
society (33 percent).
-- Only about half (54 percent) cite their parents as role models. Most
of those who don't cite their parents as role models are turning to
their friends or said they didn't have a role model.
-- Only 25 percent said they would be "very likely" to reveal knowledge
of unethical behavior in the workplace.
What the Findings Mean:
-- Teens' feelings about accountability, coupled with self-reported
unethical behavior, raise a potential concern among employers because
ties within a community, school, work environment or social network
often guide behavior. If teens lack accountability to others, the data
suggests that their choices may be driven purely by self-interest and
not by interest in the greater good.
-- An absence of adult role models can leave a vacuum of ethical guidance
as young people enter adulthood. With a significant number of teens
reporting they don't have an adult role model for ethical behavior,
the data raises even more questions about why adults are not viewed as
role models and what can be done to fill the gap.
-- Teens seem to be experiencing a sense of ethical confusion and
relativism -- an endemic ethical attitude of "the ends justify the
means." Given that in a few years these same individuals will be
performing our hospital lab tests, repairing our cars, teaching our
children and investing our money, the survey results raise concerns
for employers about how ethically prepared their future workforce will
be.
What Is the Solution?
-- To provide tools to teens to help them become better ethically
prepared, Junior Achievement and Deloitte offer "JA Business
Ethics(TM)" as part of a $2 million initiative.
-- "JA Business Ethics" was developed in response to the needs of high
school students; it provides hands-on classroom activities and
real-life applications designed to foster ethical decision making as
students prepare to enter the workforce. Students examine how their
beliefs align with major ethics theories and learn the benefits and
advantages of having a code of ethics.
-- Additionally, Junior Achievement recently updated the original
"Excellence through Ethics(TM)" program, which is available online at
www.ja.org/ethics free of charge and provides age-appropriate lessons
for students in grades 4-12.
Quotes:
-- Attributable to David W. Miller, Ph.D., director of the Princeton
University Faith & Work Initiative and professor of business ethics at
Princeton University:
"There is a troubling incongruence between the degree to which teens feel ethically prepared to enter the workforce, and the unethical behaviors in which they engage. The survey results do prompt concerns about teens' future workplace behavior and forecast serious challenges to businesses around how they will need to prepare and train these future leaders."
-- Attributable to Sean C. Rush, president and chief executive officer of
JA Worldwide:
"The results of the survey reveal considerable ethical relativism among teens and raises questions about their ability to make good decisions later in life. We're understandably concerned about these results but recognize that they do point to a major learning opportunity."
-- Attributable to Ainar D. Aijala, global consulting leader, Deloitte,
and Chairman of JA Worldwide:
"Teens need training in ethical decision making, practical tools and role models that help them understand not only how to make the right choices, but how those choices will impact their personal success and the success of the organizations they join. That is why Deloitte continues to support ethics education in collaboration with Junior Achievement."
Related Links:
Junior Achievement's online Ethics Center
(http://studentcenter.ja.org/aspx/LearnEthics/)
Downloadable Photos
(http://www.jagraphics.org/2008-JA-Photo-Package/index.html)
Related News
(http://www.ja.org/about/releases/about_newsitem524.asp)
Ainar D. Aijala bio
(http://www.ja.org/involved/involved_vol_who_boardchair.shtml)
Sean Rush bio
(http://www.ja.org/near/near_nat_staff_mgmt.shtml#Rush)
David W. Miller, Ph.D. bio
(http://faithandwork.princeton.edu/DWM%20Bio.pdf)
Methodology
This report presents the findings of a telephone survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation, among a national sample of 750 teens comprising 375 males and 375 females 12 to 17 years of age, living in private households in the continental United States. Interviewing for this TEEN CARAVAN(R) Survey was completed during the period October 9-12, 2008. The survey's margin of error is +/- 3.6 percent.
-----
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