The survey shows us that today's teens are affectionate, sensible and far happier than the angry and tortured souls that have been painted for us by stereotypes. From other sources, we also know teenage crime, drug abuse and premarital sex are in general decline. We, of course, need to pay attention to youngsters who are filled with malcontent and hostility, but we should not allow these extreme cases to distort our view of most young people. Half of the students tell us their parents are always supportive of them. When we ask teens to choose a hero, they usually select an older family member rather than a remote public figure.
Most teens say they enjoy the company of both parents and friends.
Many of them volunteer for community service with disadvantaged people. One prevalent quality we have found in teens' statements about themselves, their friends and their families is a strikingly positive emotional tone. Still, it is true that American families are growing closer at the dawn of this new millennium. Perhaps there is less to fight about, with the country in a period of tranquility and the dangers of drug abuse and other unwholesome behavior well known. Perhaps in the face of impersonal and intimidating globalization, a young person's family feels more like a friendly haven than an oppressive trap.