Concerns About Kids' Values and Behavior.

• Position: Survey results - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

Americans remain pessimistic about the next generation, a study by the Public Agenda, New York, has revealed. As was the case in 1997, when Public Agenda's bench-mark survey of American attitudes toward young children and teens was released, relatively few say today's children will grow up to make the U.S. a better place (37% of the general public in 1997; 38% in 1999). Kids These Days '99: What Americans Really Think About the Next Generation finds that the public continues to be disturbed by youth's lack of such values as honesty, civility, and responsibility.

Children and teens are described by the majority of Americans in negative terms. In both the 1997 and 1999 surveys, 53% characterize them with words such as "lazy," "spoiled," and "rude." About seven out of 10 call teens "irresponsible" and "wild" (67% in 1997; 71% in 1999).

A larger percentage of Americans (49%) blame "irresponsible parents," compared to those who say problems stem from social and economic pressures on families (37%). Just one in five says it is "very common" for parents to be good role models and teach their children right from wrong. Fifty-nine percent feel it is "very common" for people to have children before they are ready. Other criticisms are that couples dissolve their marriages too easily (53%), and that parents think buying things for their children is the same as caring for them (52%).

Seventy-eight percent acknowledge it is much harder to be a parent these days. The public also believes parents...