Grading Grown-Ups 2002: How Do American Kids and Adults Relate? Key Findings from a National Study.

N

13

Community; Policymakers; Practitioners

Adult Child Relationship; Adults; Disadvantaged Youth; Helping Relationship; National Surveys; Social Action; Social Responsibility; Urban Youth; Youth Programs

A recent telephone survey of 1,425 adults and 614 youth aged 12 to 17 is part of an ongoing effort to better understand adult engagement with young people and the impact of these relationships on the development of children and youth. The survey reveals agreement about some fundamental principles for relationships between unrelated youth and adults and provides some information about ways adults are failing children. Youth and adults share ideas about what is important, but there was general agreement among study participants that these relationship-building actions do not occur very often. Of 18 actions studied, only the top 3 prioritiesencouraging school success, teaching respect for cultural differences, and teaching shared valuesare reported to be happening with any regularity. Findings of the survey show that although adults say that positive connections with children and youth are important, as a society we aren't really making these connections happen with any regularity or consistency. The findings also highlight possible steps toward change, and this report lists several ideas derived from the study to increase adult engagement with youth. (SLD)

2003

ED473459