Is Cheating the New Norm?

Cheating on tests and flirting with shoplifting has been part of the teen experience for as long as I can remember (certainly it was going on when I was a teen in the 80’s and 90’s). But according to an article by the Associated Press, today’s teens are cheating and stealing more than ever. The article refers to a recent study by the Josephson Institute, which surveyed nearly 30,000 students from 100 different high schools nationwide.

Here are some surprising stats from the study:

• In the past year, 64% of U.S. high school students have cheated on a test
• 35% of boys and 26% of girls acknowledged stealing from a store within the past year
• 35% have used the Internet to plagiarize an assignment (up from 33% in 2004)

Considering this generation of teens is the most overscheduled and overstressed of any before, it’s not surprising to me that these numbers are on the rise. The pressure to succeed, stand out, and do it all is overwhelming, and taking short cuts might sometimes seem like the only choice.

Some school administrators, like Andover High School principal Peter Anderson, agree. From the article: “This generation is leading incredibly busy lives – involved in athletics, clubs, so many with part-time jobs, and – for seniors – an incredibly demanding and anxiety-producing college search. We have to create situations where it’s easy for kids to do the right things. We need to create classrooms where learning takes on more importance than having the right answer.”

What do you think? Do you think this study on teen cheating and stealing reflects what you see in your schools and community?