4 Troubled Teens Blog

U.S. Youth: We Cheat, We Steal, We're Ethical

Almost one-third of U.S. high school students admit to shoplifting, and 64 percent say they cheat on tests. Yet 93 percent are "happy with their ethics and character."

A survey of 29,270 students from randomly selected high schools found that cheating in school is extremely common and on the increase. Almost 40 percent of students admitted to cheating more than two times in the past year on a test, and 38 percent said they used the Internet to plagiarize. Almost half the boys and 36 percent of girls reported lying to save money; almost a quarter stole something from a parent or relative in the past year, and 20 percent stole from a friend.

Nevertheless, 77 percent told researchers from the Josephson Institute in Los Angeles that "When it comes to doing what is right, I am better than most people."

Mel Riddle, associate director the National Association of Secondary School Principals, believes today's young people are under more pressure to perform because of increased competition.

"They have opportunities their predecessors didn't have [to cheat]," he said. "The temptation is greater."

Labels: ethics, stealing, cheating

Posted By: Aspen Education Group