America's Youth

by Espejo, Roman

• ISBN13: 9780737712186
• ISBN10: 073771218X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-11-01
• Publisher: Greenhaven Pr

Summary

America's largest generation of teenagers yet is now coming of age. Therefore, the future of the nation rests on how society confronts the challenges that face youths today. Teen social issues such as drug abuse, gun violence, and peer pressure are examined in this timely volume.

Table of Contents

Why Consider Opposing Viewpoints?	11	(3)
Introduction	14	(5)
What Influences America's Youth?
Chapter Preface	19	(1)
Popular Culture Negatively Influences America's Youth	20	(7)
William J. Bennett
Popular Culture Does Not Negatively Influence America's Youth	27	(7)
Mike Males
Peer Pressure Is an Important Influence on America's Youth	34	(8)
Kathiann M. Kowalski
Peer Pressure Is Not an Important Influence on America's Youth	42	(10)
Michael T. Ungar
Parental Influence Is Important to America's Youth	52	(5)
Susan Gilbert
Parental Influence on America's Youth Has Eroded	57	(8)
Thomas Sowell
Periodical Bibliography	61	(2)
What Problems Confront America's Youth?
Chapter Preface	63	(2)
Youth Substance Abuse Is a Serious Problem	65	(7)
Barry R. McCaffrey
The Problem of Youth Substance Abuse Is Exaggerated	72	(5)
Mike Males
Teenage Pregnancy Is a Serious Problem	77	(7)
National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
Unwed Motherhood Is a More Serious Problem than Teenage Pregnancy	84	(9)
Maggie Gallagher
Youth Gun Violence Is a Serious Problem	93	(7)
Randy M. Page
Jon Hammermeister
Guns Are Not the Cause of Youth Violence	100	(6)
Keith G. Benton
Bullying Among Youths Is a Serious Problem	106	(9)
Sue Smith-Heavenrich
The Extent of Bullying Is Exaggerated	115	(12)
Benjamin Soskis
Periodical Bibliography	123	(2)
What Values Do Young People Hold?
Chapter Preface	125	(2)
Young People Hold Christian Values	127	(8)
Wendy Murray Zoba
Young People Do Not Hold Christian Values	135	(5)
Barna Research Group
Young People Are Interested in Politics	140	(5)
Rudy Kleysteuber
Young People Are Not Interested in Politics	145	(4)
Alliance for Better Campaigns
Most Young People Possess Positive Work Values	149	(5)
Robert D. Ramsey
Most Young People Do Not Possess Positive Work Values	154	(9)
David J. Cherrington
J. Owen Cherrington
Periodical Bibliography	160	(2)
How Can Society Help America's Youth?
Chapter Preface	162	(1)
Society Must Help Fathers Stay Involved in Youths' Lives	163	(12)
David Popenoe
The Adverse Effects of Fatherlessness Have Been Exaggerated	175	(7)
Louise B. Silverstein
Carl F. Auerbach
Community Programs Can Help Youths	182	(8)
Gene Stephens
Schools Should Teach Youths Ethical Values	190	(7)
Kevin Ryan
Karen Bohlin
Youths Should Be Encouraged to Volunteer	197	(7)
Independent Sector
Periodical Bibliography	203	(1)
For Further Discussion	204	(2)
Organizations to Contact	206	(5)
Bibliography of Books	211	(3)
Index	214