NEW YORK — So you’re between the ages of 13 and 24. What makes you happy? A worried, weary parent might imagine the answer to sound something like this: Sex, drugs, a little rock ‘n’ roll. Maybe some cash, or at least the car keys. Turns out the real answer is quite different. Spending time with family was the top answer to that open-ended question, according to an extensive survey – more than 100 questions asked of 1,280 people ages 13-24 – conducted by The Associated Press and MTV on the nature of happiness among America’s young people. Next was spending time with friends, followed by time with a significant other. And even better for parents: Nearly three-quarters of young people say their relationship with their parents makes them happy. ‘They’re my foundation,’ says Kristiana St. John, 17, a high-school student from Queens in New York. ‘My mom tells me that even if I do something stupid, she’s still going to love me no matter what. Just knowing that makes me feel very happy and blessed.’ Other results are more disconcerting. While most young people are happy overall with the way their lives are going, there […]
Tuesday, August 21st, 2007
Poll: Family Ties Key to Youth Happiness
Author: JOCELYN NOVECK and TREVOR TOMPSON
Source: The Associated Press
Publication Date: August 19, 2007 4:48 PM EDT
Link: Poll: Family Ties Key to Youth Happiness
Source: The Associated Press
Publication Date: August 19, 2007 4:48 PM EDT
Link: Poll: Family Ties Key to Youth Happiness
Stephan: This AP-MTV poll was conducted by Knowledge Networks Inc. from April 16 to 23, and involved online interviews with 1,280 people aged 13 to 24. AP News Survey Specialist Dennis Junius contributed to this report. It had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. Thanks to Ronlyn Osmond.