We hear a lot about people struggling with mental health these days, but according to new research, today’s youth are doing well in school and feeling hopeful about the future. Boys & Girls Clubs of America has just released the results of their latest Youth Right Now survey, which asks more than 130-thousand kids between the ages of nine and 18 about academics, relationships, emotional well-being and how they feel about life after high school.
Boys & Girls Clubs is a national organization that hosts after-school activities for kids and teens and they’ve been polling participants in the program every year since 2012. Key findings of the 2023 survey include:
- Kids seem to be excelling academically, with 46% saying they get mostly As, 75% expect to go to college and 26% have their sights set on getting a graduate degree.
- Nearly three-quarters (73%) say the things they’re learning in school are “important” or “very important.”
- Almost two-thirds (62%) feel confident they have the skills needed to be successful in a job.
- Today’s youth also seem to be making healthy lifestyle choices, as only 10% have tried cigarettes, only 17% have tried alcohol and just 10% say they’ve had sex.
- Among those who admit to having tried substances, 55% say they’re currently vaping, 33% use marijuana, 26% drink alcohol and 25% smoke cigarettes.
- These young people are passionate about social justice issues and committed to making positive changes, with 81% of respondents saying they feel they can make a difference in their community.
- More than half (53%) of teens say racial justice is the top social issue they care about.
- When making a decision, 85% say they think about how it will affect other people.
- Another 86% say they stand up for what they think is right, even if their friends don’t agree.
- An impressive 93% say they want to help others and 85% have already spent time helping their community.
Source: Fast Company
Scott's Thoughts:
- So maybe we’ve been underestimating how strong kids’ mental health is?
- I believe in my kids. They can do whatever they set their mind to.
- I was the type of kid that helped out in the community. But I really didn't think I had the brains to go to college. Heck it took me 5 years to get through high school!