Radio Commentary
George Gallup, Jr., has been
polling American teenagers for nearly 50 years, helping his nation keep a pulse
on young attitudes. He said that teens report they need guidance, structure,
and values if they are to be strong leaders for our country’s future.
Gallup
cited two trends he said are troubling: first, America is polarizing into a
land of rich and poor, so the number of children at risk is growing at a
shocking rate.
Second, juvenile crime is rising and
could be even more random and brutal in the future. He had some suggestions:
•
Educate young people about alcohol abuse. Virtually every major societal
problem has an alcohol component, he says.
•
Put constant pressure on TV and movie producers to make movies that
uplift rather than degrade humanity.
•
Put character first in schools and homes or else colleges will turn out
brilliant but dishonest people.
•
Invest in the lives of children in direct, hands-on ways, such as
mentoring.
• Pay attention to matters of right
and wrong. Youngsters with a value system tend to be happier and better
adjusted than their counterparts, and more apt to keep out of trouble, he said.
His suggestions continue to make good sense.
