High-achieving teens admit to cheating
DANE D'ANTUONO
Staff Writer
Top high school students take ethical shortcuts.
Four out of five teens at the top of their classes say they got there the easy way, according to a 1998 poll of students who were listed in Who's Who Among American High School Students.
The Who's Who organization recently conducted an annual survey of its high achievers. Nearly 7,500 students nationwide were selected. Of those, 3,123 students completed the questionnaire, which probed the minds of those students who traditionally are expected to be among the country's future leaders. Eighty percent admitted to having cheated during their academic careers, the highest percentage in the 29-year history of the survey.
Most students' answers reflected a blas‚ attitude about their ethical slips. Fifty-three percent said it was "no big deal" and virtually all, 95 percent, avoided getting caught.
"In all likelihood, when these kids look at the examples now being set by traditional role models - the president, business leaders, Hollywood stars, even the clergy - they have an easier time excusing their own behavior," said Joe Krouse, associate publisher of Who's Who Among American High School Students.
Other findings in the survey include the following:
- Shaky values: Almost half (46 percent) named a decline in social and moral values as the biggest problem facing their generation today; crime and violence came next at 15 percent.
- Sex: Nearly one in five students (18 percent) had had sexual intercourse - the majority of those (84 percent) when they were 16 years old or younger.
- Prejudice: Tolerance is shrinking among the brightest teens, with 48 percent admitting they are prejudiced against homosexuals, up 19 percentage points from last year; and 15 percent are prejudiced against African-Americans and Hispanics.
- Drinking: Nearly half (47 percent) say they have consumed alcohol, despite being underage.
- Violence: Sixteen percent of teens report gang fights occurring at their schools, and 22 percent say students have attacked teachers.
Drawing from Who's Who research, and in response to studies conducted by the U.S. Department of Education, the following checklist for parents to use on how to become a stronger influence in their teens' lives was developed by the Who's Who organization:
- Talk with your child. If parents do not supply their kids with information about sex, drugs, alcohol, cheating, etc., children can be easily swayed by peers with misinformation. Although some parents may find such conversations embarrassing, not having them could have tragic consequences.
- Set a good example for your child. Parents who smoke, drink, use drugs or watch television excessively may find their children rejecting their warnings against these behaviors as hypocritical. But if parents demonstrate that reading and education are important to them, such things likely will become important for their children.
- Maintain an adult presence in your child's life. Parents should not allow peer pressure to set their child's values, but instead have regularly scheduled family time.
- Communicate tough, but fair and consistent, rules. Explain to your child the purpose behind the rule and let him or her know when the rule is no longer necessary. Ensure that your child earns privileges, instead of being automatically given them.
- Work with your child's teachers. Make sure your child knows that any inappropriate behavior at school will have consequences at home because of the importance of acquiring a good education.
Additional survey information can be accessed at www.honoring.com.
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