Youth identified issues about "universal welfare" as a small part of their idea of the American Dream:
better religious ties -3%
equality -3%
happiness, peace and harmony -4%
less crime and violence - 3%
more tolerance/less discrimination -2%
reaching out to others/improving quality of life -2%
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

When asked what would be their "idea of the American Dream", males and females identified these factors most often as providing
personal enrichment:
emotional needs/desires -39%
family -16%
happiness/enjoyment -13%
success/achievement -12%
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

Family and Social Relationships

In this 2000 survey, youth reported on their social relationships:
65% of youth "hang out with a group of friends"
28% of youth "have only one or two close friends"
7% of youth "spend most of their time alone."
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

Mothers were rated highly by females and males (85%) as a person "I can talk to about day-to-day issues."
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

Fathers were rated differently by males (70%) and females (58%) as a person "I can talk to about day-to-day issues."
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

The males in this survey reported that they liked both their mother (89%) and father (86%).
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

The females in this survey reported that they liked both their mother (90%) and father (83%).
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

Both mothers and fathers were identified equally (88%) by male teens as "a person I can respect."
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

Females identified mothers (93%) and fathers (84%) as "a person I can respect."
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

Males reported that their mothers (97%) and fathers (91%) "really care about me."
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

Females reported that their mothers (96%) and fathers (92%) "really care about me."
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

In this survey, males identified their mother (69%) rather than their father (48%) as "a person I can confide in about my personal problems."
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

In this survey, females identified their mother (75%) rather than their father (34%) as "as person I can confide in about my personal problems."
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

This group of youth said that their ideal age for marriage was 25.5 years and those who planned to have children wanted 2.3 children!
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

Future Plans

78% of youth (ages 14-18) in this survey said that they planned to continue their education.
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

62% of youth said that they planned to attend a four-year college or university.
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

Males and females chose computer software development, medicine, and teaching as their top three careers.
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

38% of youth said that the top reason they are seeking further education after high school is to get a good job.
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

Only 20% of youth said that their top reason for seeking further education is to have the ability to make a difference/change things for the better.
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

Opportunities for Success

More females (76%) than males (70%) believe that "the harder I work, the more opportunities will be available to me."
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

More females (80%) than males (72%) believe that "I will have many opportunities available to me after I graduate."
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

73% of American youth believe that the harder they work the more opportunities will be available to them.
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

76% of American youth believe that they will have many opportunities available to them after they graduate.
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

In this survey, American youth (58%) believe there is the same amount of opportunity for students of all races and social classes.
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

When asked which academic problem was their greatest challenge during the next year, males and females identified achieving and maintaining good grades and a good grade point average.
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

Males and females identified the following issues as personal challenges during the next year: adjusting to college, getting along with peers, and time management.
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

Role Models

41% of youth surveyed identified a family member as their primary role model.
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

Safety

40% of youth in this survey always feel safe in their school.
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

American youth (43%) in America believe that teachers and administrators have taken all necessary steps for their safety and security.
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

Of American youth, 86% of females and 78% of males agree that they can talk about their problems with at least one teacher or administrator. The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

In this survey, 69% of females and 71% of males agreed that it is important to most of their teachers that they youth do their best.
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

The youth in this survey differed on the amount of work required by their teachers:
Not enough work – 7%
About right amount of work – 53%
Too much work – 40%.
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

The American youth in this survey differed on the amount of work required by parents:
Not enough work – 16%
About right amount of work – 57%
Too much work – 28%.
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

Schools

46% of males and 36% of females try to take the most difficult and challenging courses in school.
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

In this survey, 72% of youth report that "it is important to me that I do my best in all my classes."
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

More males (53%) than females (39%) are involved in athletics or clubs. The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

More females (27%) than males (18%) are involved in service or volunteer groups.
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

12% of youth said that the behavior of other students in their school was a positive influence on their own performance.
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

More females (45%) than males (38%) believe that half or most students cheat.
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

American youth (65%) believe that it is important to most of their teachers that they do their best.
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

43% of youth agree that homework is a priority which they complete before other activities.
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

Work

Over the past three years, 40% of the youth reported having a job in the past school year.
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.

When asked to identify the greatest problems facing our nation, youth surveyed identified these issues:
crime/violence — 33%
decline of family, moral and social values — 27%
drugs — 18%
AIDS — 12%
environmental pollution/deterioration — 8%
racial tension/discrimination — 7%
poverty/unemployment — 6%.
The State of the Nation's Youth, 2000-2001, Horatio Alger Association.