Survey of teens reveals high rates of stealing, lying and cheating

Lying, cheating and stealing are rampant among today’s youth, according to a survey called “Ethics of American Youth” by the Josephson Institute.

According to the survey, 30 percent of high school students admitted stealing from a store within the past year. 23 percent said they stole something from a parent or other relative, and 20 percent confessed they stole something from a friend.

     The survey also shows that 42 percent said that they sometimes lie to save money. A substantial majority (64 percent) cheated on a test during the past year and 36 percent said they used the Internet to plagiarize an assignment.

     Statistics show that females have better character than males, and private school religious students have slightly better character than public school students, but certainly aren’t perfect.   

     Some experts blame this trend on the busyness of today’s youth, and the pressure that is put on students to succeed. "The competition is greater, the pressures on kids have increased dramatically," Mel Riddle of the National         Association of Secondary School Principals, told the Associated Press. "They have opportunities their predecessors didn't have to cheat. The temptation is greater." 

     To read the study in detail, click here.  
 

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