A new study of high school students by The Josephson Institute, a Los Angeles-based ethics institute, shows that more than 1 in 3 boys and one in 4 girls admitted to stealing from a store within the past year and 64 percent have cheated on a test. At the same time, 93 percent of the students surveyed said they were satisfied with their personal ethics and behavior.
Dismaying? It should be. The 2008 study suggests that U.S. families are largely apathetic about ethical standards. Explanations by educators seems to indicate that intensified pressures may be to blame. Lack of strong parental guidance and active parenting could be another culprit. The survey was given of 29,760 high school students at 100 randomly selected public and private high schools nationwide. Another telling response was that 77 percent affirmed that "when it comes to doing what is right, I am better than most people I know."
Parents and caregivers of young children today can do their part of raising a new generation of kids with a greater sense of
character and ethics. But it won't be easy. Tough economic times and a feeling of entitlement coupled with a common belief of "everyone else is doing it, so why shouldn't I?" makes developing ethical standards a greater challenge.
To change the trend, young kids need to see the positive benefits of basic good behavior while
bad child behaviors are stopped. A child who
bites today may begin to
bully others, begin to
talk back, and even lie or steal without proper positive reinforcement and role models. Parents and child care providers alike can work on fostering a healthy dose of
self-esteem while avoiding a child's inflated view of himself and a sense of entitlement, traits that lead to the viewpoint of "everyone else does or has it" later.
Consider these efforts to raise honest and caring kids:
Stay involved in your child's life. Whether it is through volunteering at your child's daycare or school, by being a team parent for soccer or dance, or just watching your child's participation as often as possible, being "there" for your kids makes a big difference.
Set limits. Too many parents are indulging in their child's every want, resulting in spoiled behaviors and a sense of entitlement.
Avoid over-praising your child. Of course, you should offer praise, support and encouragement. But let's face it: many parents overdo it. Overpraising everything leads a child to think she's the star of every show, that he's the best athlete in every type of sports possible, or that he is smarter, better-looking and just "cooler" than everyone else. When the reality hits that other kids have talents too that rival or beat theirs, your child may not have the coping skills to adapt.
Be a positive role model. You can't tell your kids not to fight with one another when you and your spouse do it openly in front of them. Kids watch you to see how you handle situations and emotions such as disappointment and anger, so make sure you present life's challenges in a way you want to see them follow.
