Are You Ethical?
A new survey revealed that high schoolers are less ethical than the previous generations. The Josephson Institute surveyed 29,760 students at 100 randomly selected high schools nationwide and discovered the following results:
-- 64 percent of the students cheated on a test in the past year.
-- 35 percent said they used the internet to plagiarize an assignment.
-- 83 percent have lied to their parents about something significant.
-- 42 percent have lied about something to save money.
In spite of these less than impressive numbers, 93 percent of the surveyed teens said they were satisfied with their personal ethics and character, and 77 percent said, "when it comes to doing what is right, I am better than most people I know."
"This generation is leading incredibly busy lives -- involved in athletics, clubs, so many with part-time jobs, and for seniors, an incredibly demanding and anxiety-producing college search," Peter Anderson, principal of Andover High School says.
Roberta Gerold, superintendent of the Middle Country School District says parents and teachers need to enforce strict rules when it comes to plagiarism.
"You can reinforce the character trait of integrity," she said. "We overload kids these days, and they look for ways to survive. It's a flaw in our system that whatever we are doing as educators allows this to continue."
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