George Gallup Jr. polled American teenagers for nearly 50 years, helping his nation keep a pulse on young attitudes. In his surveys, teens reported that they need guidance, structure, and the proper values if they are to be strong leaders for our country’s future.
Gallup cited two trends as especially 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.
Secondly, 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 said.
- 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 likely to keep out of trouble, he said.
His suggestions continue to make good sense.
