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TEENS & FREEDOM
10th annual survey results
Results roundup: What 218,350 teens said about freedom and rules.
Complete national survey results, plus look at the differences among several cities across the nation
Rules at school: 75% of teens would ban clothes with gang symbols at school. But, 83% oppose school uniforms.
New technology, from Internet access to the V-chip, poses dilemmas for kids and parents
Town curfews and mall limitations have gained popularity to fight crime. 50% of teens surveyed support nighttime community curfews for protection.
Tattoos taboo? 17% say tattoos on teens should be prohibited.
Results and comments from our Quick Poll about alchohol breath tests -- your rights vs. your safety. Find out what battles over rights are being fought.
Roundtable: Teens talk to Tipper Gore about age limits and being allowed to make their own decisions.Teen idols say they have limits and rules to follow, too
Teens & Freedom survey results Every year, USA WEEKEND publishes a survey for students in grades 6 through 12 on a topic of importance. This time we explored the topic of Teens & Freedom. A total of 218,350 teens took the survey, distributed in the magazine, online and in partnership with Channel One. Though non-scientific, the survey results are illuminating because they represent the opinions of so many teens from across the nation. Shown here are the complete results of our 1997 Teens & Freedom survey. 1. Today's teens have:
| Too much freedom | 16% |
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| Not enough freedom | 47% |
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| The right amount of freedom | 37% |
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2. Do you think adults today are trying to limit teens' freedoms too much?
2a. If yes, who is most responsible
for the restrictions?
| Parents | 44% |
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| School officials | 16% |
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| Law enforcement officials | 26% |
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| Politicians | 14% |
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3. Do you now have the freedom to: (percentage saying yes)
| Listen to whatever music you want | 87% |
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| Pick your own friends | 92% |
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| Decide how to spend your money | 81% |
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4. Some communities are imposing curfews on teenagers at night to reduce crime. Is that:
5. If you have children, will you be:
| Stricter than your own parents or guardian | 4% |
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| Not as strict | 44% |
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| About the same | 52% |
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6. Do you think public school officials should have the right to tell students what to wear at school?
7. Which do you think should or should not be banned by school dress
codes?
|
Banned |
Not banned |
| Hats |
15% |
85% |
| Baggy clothes |
19% |
81% |
| Short skirts |
35% |
65% |
| Cutoff pants |
20% |
80% |
| Exposed midriffs |
42% |
58% |
| Earrings on boys |
19% |
81% |
| Nose, lip, tongue or eye rings |
44% |
56% |
| Clothes with gang symbols |
75% |
25% |
8. I think uniforms in public school are:
| A good idea |
17% |
| A bad idea |
83% |
9. If the national anthem is played before sporting events at your school,
students should:
| Be required to stand |
69% |
| Have the right not to stand |
31% |
10. Should public schools be allowed to lead students in prayer?
11. Which of the following should school officials be allowed to enforce
to protect students? (percentage saying yes)
| Restrict foul language in writing assignments |
58% |
| Censor what students write in the school newspaper |
38% |
| Ban books, newspapers and magazines considered offensive |
31% |
| Search a student's locker for drugs or weapons without
permission |
58% |
12. Do you think your parents trust you:
| Enough |
65% |
| Not enough |
35% |
13. The respect you get from your
parents or guardian should be:
| Earned |
46% |
| Automatic, unless I abuse it |
54% |
14. Parents today should have the right to ... (percentage saying yes)
| Install a V-chip in the TV to block violent or offensive
shows |
35% |
| Install a special device in the car allowing them
to monitor teens' driving speed |
30% |
| Install a computer program limiting what teens can
access |
36% |
15. Should there be restrictions on teens' use of the Internet?
15a. If yes, which do you favor? (percentage saying yes)
| There should be limits on how much time teens can
spend on the Internet |
28% |
| There should be limits on where teens can go on the
Internet |
87% |
16. How well do you know the lyrics
to the music you listen to?
| Very well |
61% |
| Somewhat well |
34% |
| Not very well |
4% |
| Not at all |
1% |
17. How well do your parents or guardian know the lyrics to the music
you listen to?
| Very well |
12% |
| Somewhat well |
27% |
| Not very well |
30% |
| Not at all |
31% |
18. Does a warning label on a CD:
| Discourage you from buying it |
14% |
| Encourage you to buy it |
7% |
| Have no effect on you |
79% |
19. At what age do you think someone should be allowed to do each of
the following:
|
Average age |
Never |
| Be at a mall without a parent |
13 |
- |
| Drink alcohol |
19 |
19% |
| Smoke cigarettes |
18 |
28% |
| Be sexually active |
18 |
9% |
Only after marriage: 2% |
| Get a tattoo |
17 |
17% |
| Body-pierce, other than ears |
16 |
20% |
| Use hair dye |
13 |
9% |
| Attend a concert without an adult |
15 |
- |
| Stay at home unsupervised at night |
13 |
- |
20. TV networks soon will have to air three hours a week of educational
programs for kids. Do you think this:
| Is a smart idea |
31% |
| Is a dumb idea |
25% |
| Will have no effect |
44% |
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