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Editorial: Adults hold key to optimism in teens

Society has a stake in producing more hopeful kids.

Last update: July 2, 2009 - 5:35 PM

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OPTIMISTIC FUTURES

"For kids to feel hopeful, they must believe that they matter. The beauty of the solution is that anyone can do it -- a friend, a neighbor , coach or any adult can come into a child's life and make a difference. ''

Dr. Peter Benson, president of Search Institute, a Minneapolis nonprofit that promotes healthy children

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The July 4 weekend is often a time for great summer fun -- trips to the cabin or the beach and festive back-yard barbecues. Yet too often the good times are marred by youthful overindulgence. Car and boat crashes, swimming accidents, excessive drinking and fireworks mishaps often coincide with the holiday.

Sometimes teens do crazy things, one argument goes, because many have a "It-can't-happen-to-me'' attitude that causes them to take risks. But a recent University of Minnesota study offers another explanation: Many teens engage in risky behavior because they believe they don't have long to live.

Having such a bleak view of the future is dangerous for teens and for society. The research is a powerful reminder of why it's so important to support children throughout their lives and give them reasons to be optimistic. Fortunately, adults who are paying attention can identify signs of hopelessness early on and help turn them around.

The U study was based on a national sample of 20,000 students in grades seven to 12. Participants were first interviewed in 1995, with follow-up surveys in 1996 and 2003.

Researchers found that nearly 15 percent of teens believe they have a 50-50 chance or less of living to age 35. In reality, more than 95 percent of them will live to that age and beyond. Still, the perception of a short life appears to affect behavior. Overall, the pessimists were more likely to be arrested, injured in fights, use marijuana, cocaine or other drugs and attempt suicide. Dr. Iris Borowsky, the associate professor of pediatrics who led the study, said that teens who don't expect long lives were seven times more likely than their peers to be diagnosed with HIV or AIDS.

The survey also found that pessimism is strongest among lower-income teens of color. Their attitudes are influenced by poverty and by living conditions in which adults have limited hope and poor health.

That so many young people have such bleak outlooks is certainly bad for them individually. With little hope for their own lives, they are more likely to disengage from school and get into themselves in trouble.

Those behaviors are also bad news, and very costly, for the wider community. Teens who drop out or get in trouble with the law become burdens for, rather than contributors to, their communities. They require more juvenile justice as well as social and health services.

So what should society do? Research shows that early intervention is key.

If parents and families aren't there for kids, others must step up. Neighbors, doctors, church members, recreation center staff, businesspeople -- any adults who come into contact with youth -- should be encouraging. Formal and informal mentor relationships can help.

And a recent Centers of Disease control study on school connectedness highlights the important role teachers play in helping children have faith in the future.

Young people deserve lives filled with hope. To build the foundation, kids need caring, trusting relationships with adults.

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