Listen Up

What do teens want? It's pretty basic. They want you to listen to them without pre-judging them. According to the new Boys & Girls Clubs' Youth Report to America 2006 (a survey of more than 146,000 teens nationwide, independently tabulated), teens want adults to look beyond negative media stereotypes and actually "acknowledge the positive contributions of teens in their communities." From the press release:

- More than one-third (36%) of respondents believe that to improve their relationships, adults should listen more.
- Close to half of teens surveyed (48%) said that parents significantly influence their decisions.
- One-fourth (27%) said adults should be more open-minded.

Adults' Perception of Teens

Negative stereotypes of teens in the media can present an inaccurate portrait of America's youth. Broadcasts highlighting teen violence have caused communities to enact restrictive curfew laws, loitering ordinances and increased penalties for youth who commit these acts. Laws are sometimes enacted without consideration for the rights of youth, leaving them feeling powerless and disconnected.

Many of these actions have been taken despite the fact that violent criminal activity among youth has actually decreased over the past 10 years. These stereotypes are causing great distress among young Americans.

I couldn't find the 2006 report online yet, just last year's….Would love to see the whole report.

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