(Note: Due to a coding error in the Aug. 21 CitizenLink Daily Update Top Story, you may have been misdirected to this article. Click here to read the Aug. 21 Top Story. )
A seven-month study conducted by MTV and The Associated Press reveals young people find the most happiness in family, religion is important to them, and they see marriage and children in their future.
Nearly 1,300 young people aged 13 to 24 years old were interviewed in late April. When asked what one thing in life makes them the most happy, 20 percent said family, the top answer. Nearly three-quarters said their relationship with their parents also makes them happy, and most of the respondents listed their parents as their heroes.
"You know what’s really surprising is that this poll really flies in the face of some of these cultural values that MTV is pushing on kids," said Dr. Bill Maier, vice president and psychologist in residence at Focus on the Family. "MTV would say that kids just want pleasure and material goods, and they’re not interested in marriage or commitment and they reject their parents’ values. This poll shows just the opposite.
"It frankly surprises me that MTV allowed the results to be posted because it really contradicts everything that that network is about."
Two-thirds of respondents say religion and spirituality is important in their lives. And about a third go to church at least once a week.
An overwhelming majority (87 percent) see marriage in their future, with 61 percent of those saying they are likely to stay married to the same person. Nearly 80 percent want to have children.
But is the MTV culture getting in the way of their dreams?
"Without a doubt," Maier said. "We know, for example, that girls who are highly promiscuous are much more likely to be depressed and suicidal. We know that kids who live together, who cohabit or have a variety of partners are less likely to have a successful marriage.
"They would do well not to listen to what MTV is telling them," Maier added, "because they’ll be sabotaging their own success in the long run."
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