Sense of entitlement rising among youth.

Apparently, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D.-N.Y.) is not the only one who thinks that today's young people have too much of a sense of entitlement. Nearly 83% of those surveyed agree that America's youth feel more entitled compared to 10 years ago, notes a national survey conducted by the Sacred Heart University Polling Institute, Fairfield, Conn.

The poll focused on perceptions of America's youth and explored areas including career choices and decisions about things such as going to College and which political party to join. Perceptions about issues like steroid testing for student-athletes, banning soda in public schools, support for more religious courses in public schools, and allowing students to reference God in their coursework also were addressed.

"People apparently favor the helping professions--teacher, doctor, religious leader, missionary--more than military service, government careers, or political office. The patriotism that was so strong following 9/11 appears to have continued to wane. and people seem to want a kinder, gentler, society," comments Kathryn M. LaFontana, associate professor and chair of the Department of...