Ethics-Free Generation?

November 29, 2010 by

Only 3% of adolescents do not fall into the bully victim or perpetrator role?  USA Today recently reported on a study conducted by the Josephson Institute of Ethics this year regarding bullying and other ethical concerns.   According to the Ethics of American Youth Survey, 50% of students disclosed they have “bullied, teased, or taunted someone at least once” in the past year, and 47% indicated they had been “bullied, teased or taunted in a way that seriously upset me at least once.”  Given that 43,321 adolescents ages 15 to 18, from 78 public and 22 private schools were surveyed, the results are undeniable and astounding, as this was reported one of the largest studies ever on bullying.  According to the report, other ethical findings include 52% of adolescents have hit someone in anger and 28% (37% of boys, 19% of girls) say it’s OK to hit or threaten a person who angers them.  In addition, 60% of students said they had “cheated on a test,” and 34% did so twice or more. Surprisingly, 56% of students at religious schools said they cheated while students at non-religious private schools were the lowest percentage (33%).  27% of students said they “stole something from a store.”

Bullying has often been a hot topic in schools, and though the issue may never be completely resolved, this study proves that it needs continued focused attention.  To further highlight the concern, bullying is often association with suicide in adolescents, which has been cited as the 3rd leading cause of death in that age group according to the National Adolescent Health Information Center. http://nahic.ucsf.edu/downloads/Suicide.pdf.  Teen violence, bullying, and other ethical concerns are commonly linked to societal influences such as media, including social media and the resulting cyber-bullying influx, and focus on economic and other global turmoil resulting in neglect or reduced prioritizing of the smaller scale needs such as family and youth.

Despite all outside factors, family is most influential and ethical issues can be addressed in the home in simple ways.  Parents must be continuously mindful that they are models of behavior.  If you curse out the person who pulls in front of you in traffic, make a joke about the cashier being slow, or mumble under your breath about the waitress, children listen and learn.  Granted, we all make poor choices and it is helpful to discuss choices and consequences, even if you’re the one under the spotlight setting the example of what not to do.  Open discussions regarding the impact of one’s behavior on others will also help your child develop the skill of empathy, which is essential to an ethical lifestyle.  You will not be able to improve the behavior of everyone at your child’s school, but you are the most significant influence on your child’s behavior, even your adolescent.

USA Today article 10/26/10: http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/parenting-family/teen-ya/2010-10-26-bullyingONLINE26_ST_N.htm

Comments

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments

Filed Under: Child/Teen Health, Child/Teen Mental Health, Mental Wellness, Mindful Parents
About Kimberly Rodgers, LCSW, RPT-S

Kimberly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Florida and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor through the Association for Play Therapy. She also supervises clinical social work interns pursuing licensure. She has worked as a psychotherapist for twelve years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia and Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Central Florida.

Her experience includes foster care, adoption, youth shelter, youth related research, school-based counseling, and sexual assault crisis center settings prior to private practice. She specializes in counseling children, families, and adults struggling with stress, anxiety, trauma, and adjustment to life transitions. Kimberly is a current Board member of the Mental Health Association of Southwest Florida and former Vice-President of the Southwest Florida chapter of the Association for Play Therapy. She is also a member of the National Association of Social Workers and EMDR International Association.

Kimberly is founder of Monarch Wellness (originally Monarch Therapy), an integrative center focused on empowering individuals and families through emotional and behavioral metamorphosis. In addition to counseling and play therapy, the center offers other supportive modalities to further enhance emotional healing and stress management including support groups, yoga, laughter yoga, breathwork, integrative relaxation, and sound therapy. Monarch Wellness' sister site eFitFamily.com offers health related information and inspiration for everyday families to live healthier every day. The center is also involved with House of Gaia community center and other community and service focused organizations. More information about Kimberly and her practice can be found online: www.MonarchWellness.net.

More about Kimberly