In a 1994 survey cited by the Boston Globe , more than half of ninth-graders in an affluent suburb said they saw nothing wrong with stealing a compact disc or keeping money found in a lost wallet. Almost six of ten high school students say they have used illegal drugs, not counting alcohol, according to a 1990 federal study. Rising levels of hate-inspired youth violence promoted the organization Research for Better Schools to publish a handbook on dealing with hate crime in schools.
Children hold up a mirror to society.
The disturbing trends in youth character clearly reflect a wider crisis of character in our nation as a whole.