Commentary

Teens Keen on New Administration

by Jack Loechner , Staff Writer, March 2, 2009

According to a timely study from the Scarborough Kids Internet Panel, 75% of teens in the study said they are optimistic that the new administration will help solve current economic problems. African-American and Hispanic teens appear to be more optimistic than Asian and Caucasian teens, with 46% of African-American teens saying they are "very optimistic" about President Obama's ability to help the economy, along with 31% of Hispanic teens, 24% of Caucasian teens and 20% of Asian teens.

The vote of confidence is well-timed, as teens are feeling the impact of the crisis at home, says the report. 74% of teens surveyed said that they are worried about the economy, including 23% who are "very" worried and 51% who said that they are "somewhat worried." 20% are "not very worried" and 6% "aren't worried at all."

Eighty-six percent of teen respondents think their parents worry about economic conditions, and 70% have discussed the economy with their parents.

47% said that they would like to talk to their parents more about the issue
64% of teens stated that they were discussing the downturn with their teachers at school
81% percent of teens are also interested in understanding more about the causes of the current problems

Many teens report that they have made adjustments in their household to accommodate changing financial situations and health related behaviors. In order to save money:

15% of teens dropped out of a sport or recreational activity
13% missed doctors' appointments
11% stopped or cut back on taking vitamins
33% changed eating habits. (Most frequently eating out, particularly at quick service restaurants)?
20% have cut back on eating organic food

Steve Seraita, Executive Vice President of Scarborough Research. "... Knowing the sentiments of kids, teens and their parents can help marketers tailor messages and new products to meet current needs... There is also a message... for government organizations and policy makers... to use some of the stimulus funding earmarked for youth education/health programs... "

For additional details from Scarborough, please view the PDF file of the report release here.

demographics, politics, research

6 comments about "Teens Keen on New Administration ".

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Joseph Panzica from Barnes Advertising Corp, March 2, 2009 at 9:24 a.m.
We are polling Teens, the most selfish group in America! I would love to see the internals of this poll, the size of the sampling and how many come from public vs. private schools. 33% are cutting out fast foods, I thought that was a good thing. Ask these kids if it is constitutional to take money from one group to give it to another, and show me where in the world that a country prospers when this is done!
Reply

Mike Zeller from Jackson-Dawson Marketing Solutions, March 2, 2009 at 12:14 p.m.

The poor teens have been hoodwinked just like everybody else. What's more the teens are very self-centered and naive so they are attracted to big glossy promises and the novelty of the puppet president without any concern to the real cost to our country's future.

Thorsten Rhode from marqueteer, March 2, 2009 at 8:42 p.m.

It would be interesting to find out the 'motivation' behind these answers. The mere stating of the results and answers teens are giving makes it sounds like they are 'echoing' what everybody else is saying (not trying to say they are being led and/or can't think for themselves). As is, purely regurgitating percentages does not answer questions like 'why are Asian teens are less optimistic than Hispanic teens...!?

Thorsten Rhode from marqueteer, March 2, 2009 at 9:09 p.m.

...and, to boot, mediapost is publishing this article http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=101179

So what gives? Which study do we believe more? Are teens indeed reacting to the economy? Or not? Or does the Scarborough study let them get away with 'socially acceptable' answers that are not reflected in actual behavior? Questions over questions...call me a skeptic (I've been called worse).

David Thurman from Aussie Rescue of Illinois, March 3, 2009 at 8:38 a.m.

Hmph! They are discussing issues with their teachers? I doubt that, it's probably the other way around, our Downs Syndrome child is being taught about Obama everyday, though when Bush was in not a word. Biased? You betcha.

I think what worries me is the teens and adults expect the Government to fix things. That is pretty sad and shows just how far we have come to being a welfare state.

Can't wait till we get another chance to select a new leader/mouthpiece. Let's hope the GOP doesn't toss that election.

Donna Gordon from Investment Resources, March 4, 2009 at 11:27 a.m.

I have 2 teens, and they are split, one for Obama, one against. They are talking about the issue with their friends, and are way more engaged than most teens were when I was growing up in the 80's. they are more engaged, but not better informed. they are mostly re-regurgitating what they hear from liberal educators or their parents. I am alarmed that many of them are looking to the govt to fix problems and they refuse to see that govt IS THE PROBLEM.