Teen Trends - Monthly Newsletter from CWK

Aiming Too High?

Many teens have unrealistic expectations about their future.

According to Florida State University Sociology Professor John Reynolds, "Today's teens are both highly ambitious and increasingly unrealistic.” He points out that while ambition can be extremely motivating, in this scenario it can also lead to disappointment and discouragement.

His study shows that half of the high school class of 2000 planned to get an advanced degree and nearly two-thirds expected to work in a professional job by age 30. In 1976, only 26 percent said they planned to get an advanced degree and 41 percent planned to work in a professional career.

Reynolds points out that money may be the underlying factor for all these grand plans. Authority figures are giving students the message that higher education is the only way to get a good job. “In fact, a skilled electrician or plumber can earn as much as say, a college professor,” he says.

Adult Supervision Doesn’t Mean Teen Parties are Drug and Alcohol-Free

One-third of teens go to parties where their friends are drinking or using drugs even when parents are present, according to the annual, back-to-school survey by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University.

Joseph Califano, CASA chairman, president and former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare says, “Too many parents fail to fulfill their responsibility to chaperone their kids’ parties. They have no idea how drug- and alcohol-infested their teens’ world is.”

Although parents need to be even more vigilant, their presence does make a difference. Without supervision at parties, teens say it’s 16 times more likely alcohol will be available, 15 times more likely to find illegal and prescription drugs and 29 times more likely to find marijuana.

Mustang or Civic? Parents and Teens at Odds Over First Car

It’s no surprise. Kids want power and flash. Parents want safety.

According to a recent Kelley Blue Book survey, the Ford Mustang is the first choice of drivers age 16 to 25. Parents prefer the Honda Civic (43%). Somewhat surprisingly, 34% of the younger group is also willing consider the Honda.

“As you would expect, parents’ primary concerns today revolve around safety and reliability,” says Jack Nerad with Kelley Blue Book.

Before buying any vehicle, parents should review safety, crash test and rollover ratings and have a thorough inspection by a trusted mechanic.

Teen On-The-Job Injuries a Growing Concern

Working teenagers are more likely to be hurt on the job than adults, possibly because of inadequate safety training, according to a study in the latest issue of the American Journal of Health Behavior. 70 teenagers die from workplace injuries each year.

This trend has prompted the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to develop a web site for teens with facts on work hours, job restrictions, workplace rights and ways to prevent injury.

“We’re trying to get the message to everyone who has a role in keeping our youth safe,” said OSHA spokesman Frank Meilinger. “It’s important for teens, employers, educators and parents to make sure youth are educated about their rights and how to be safe.”

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