More than 25 percent of the nation’s teenagers consider violent behavior acceptable, even justifiable for the thrill of a fight — an attitude that could have disturbing implications for school safety and workplace ethics, experts said.
“The results of the survey reveal considerable ethical relativism among teens and raises questions about their ability to make good decisions later in life,” said Sean Rush, president of Junior Achievement Worldwide, an organization that recently released a national poll of 750 youths, ages 12 to 17, who answered questions on ethical decision-making.
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“We’re understandably concerned about these results,” he said.
Most teens justified using violence in self-defense, but a third of them rationalized using violence to settle an argument or for revenge.
Others cited dislike for a person (22 percent), gaining respect (21 percent) and “the thrill” of it (10 percent).
Baltimore-area schools brought national attention to school violence in April with several highly publicized incidents:
> Jolita Berry, an art teacher at Reginald F. Lewis High School, was attacked by one of her female students.
>Two West Baltimore Middle School students were severely beaten with lacrosse sticks by peers who mistook the color of one boy’s shoes as a gang affiliation.
>A Columbia teen fatally shot a 2005 Wilde Lake High School graduate in Howard County for “disrespecting” him.
Teens’ overwhelming acceptance of violence could have a major influence on crime rates and school safety, but the implications could reach even further if that attitude spills over into the workplace, said Kathleen Brennan, spokeswoman for Junior Achievement of Central Maryland, a branch of the national organization that prepares youths for the work force.
“When nearly 40 percent of teens say unethical behavior is necessary to succeed, we have to remember that these are the same people who, in a few years, will be performing our hospital lab tests, repairing our cars, running our businesses and leading our communities,” she said.
“Employers — and society in general — will have their hands full if these potential future employees grow up willing to resort to violence and other unethical behavior to settle differences, protect their interests or get ahead.”
The poll also showed that 77 percent of teens who agreed violence was acceptable also said they felt prepared for employment.
“Clearly, teens need ethics education and decision-making tools that help them develop and adhere to a strong code of ethics,” Brennan said. [email protected]
