1. “I” Kids Youth Today: Who Are They?
2006
“I” Kids Youth Today: Who Are They?
The Roper Youth Report Presentation
Prepared for The Boy Scouts of America
March 25, 2010

2. “I” Kids What Drives It? Individuality Intensely Wanted
2006
“I” Kids
What Drives It?
Individuality
Intensely Wanted
Informed & Influential
Independence Inspired by Technology

3. Kid Conflict Kids’ Ongoing Struggle for Identity Need to Conform
2006
Kids’ Ongoing Struggle for Identity
Need to Conform
Desire to be Themselves

4. Rise in Individualism 1999 say they have their own way of doing things
2006
% 8-17 say what items they agree with or best describes them
1999
say they have their own way of doing things
+10
points
55%
54% of boys (+11 points from 1999)
say they are not afraid to do things other people say is uncool
43%
+13
points
40% of boys (+12 points from 1999)
41%
say they like to stand out in a crowd +3
points
39% of boys (no change from 1999)
Roper Youth

5. Daydreams More Likely to Want to Be Yourself
2006
% 8-17 say what they daydream or fantasize about
31% Boys (-13 pts. From 2002)
10% Boys (-9 pts. From 2002)
17% Boys (-4 pts. From 2002)
Roper Youth

6. Tween to Teen Years - Building Confidence
2006
% of boys who agree with the following statements
Tween Teen Increase
Most people think I’m cool 42% 69% +27
Feel I am attractive
I’m someone people ask for advice
Have own way of doing things
I am popular at school
I like to stand out in a crowd
Not afraid to do things that are uncool
Roper Youth

7. Someone else suggested
Self-Inspired Tweens . . .
2006
% of 8- to 12-year-olds saying which activities they choose to do and which they do because others want them to
Someone else suggested
“I choose to”
Both
Church/religious group 32% 10% 6%
Organized sports team
Orchestra/band/choir
Volunteer work
Clubs
Dance/ballet/drama
Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts
School government
After-school club
Roper Youth

8. Someone else suggested
. . . As Well as Teens
2006
% of year-olds saying which activities they choose to do and which they do because others want them to
Someone else suggested
“I choose to”
Both
Church/religious group 28% 15% 7%
Organized sports team
Volunteer work
Orchestra/band/choir
Clubs
Dance/ballet/drama
Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts
School government
After-school club
Roper Youth

9. Intensely Wanted Reared differentially based on generation of parents
2006
Intensely Wanted
Reared differentially based
on generation of parents

10. 88% of parents today say that children are a part of the “Good Life”
2006
The Parental View
88% of parents today say that children are a part of the “Good Life”
In 1975, the number was 77%
Roper Reports , Q 71,

11. Gen X Kids Do More Activities With Family
2006
% of kids who say they frequently do the following as a family

12. Gen X Kids Under Tighter Supervision and Control
2006
% of kids who say family has strict rules about…
% involved in all/most household decisions that affect them
31% Boomer Kids
19% Gen X Kids
“A lot of boomer parents think they have to be friends and buddies with their kids. A lot of Generation X parents have a god time with kids but have clear boundaries that they are the parent.”
Amy Hannum- a Gen X Mom
Roper Youth

13. Boomer Kids Look to Escape
2006
% of kids who say they daydream about the following
Roper Youth

14. Gen X Kids Have More Optimistic Outlook
2006
% of kids 10-14
88%
of Gen X Kids say they are very likely to be happy when they grow up
+18 from Boomer Kids
52%
of Gen X Kids say that spending time with their family makes them happy
from Boomer Kids
Roper Youth

15. Gen X Kids More Apt to Seek Success and Independence
2006
% of kids who say they…
Gen X Kids Boomer Kids
Are very likely to go to college when grow up 80% 65%
Have high academic standards 39% 31%
Are likely to have lots of money when grow up 76% 67%
Are currently saving money 57% 48%
Roper Youth

16. Informed & Influential
2006
Informed & Influential
Increasingly informed and
savvy; their influence grows

17. Internet Rules – Magazines Persist, Challenges for Newspapers
2006
Internet Rules – Magazines Persist, Challenges for Newspapers
% of kids 8-17 who did the following in the past week
Roper Youth 1997 through

18. Independence Inspired by Technology
2006
Independence Inspired by
Technology
Control + Expression +
Communication = Independence

19. 2006
Kids are Excited About New Technology and Do Not Display As Much Apprehension As Do Adults
53%
I find it exciting and use it as much as I can
32% Adults
24%
It must be mastered if one is to remain up-to-date
31% Adults
11%
It is a bit beyond me
20% Adults 1%
It scares me
7% Adults

20. More Kids Are Going Online…
2006
80% of kids today have a computer in their household
Up 14 points from 2001
20% of kids say that they have their own computer
87% of kids have used a PC in the past month
80% at school
79% at home
82% of kids have ever accessed the Internet
Up 19 points from 2001
90% of yr.-olds
92% of kids have accessed the Internet in the past 30 days
81% at home
70% at school

21. Teen Boys More Engaged: Information, Communication and Entertainment!
2006
Teen Boys More Engaged: Information, Communication and Entertainment!
% who use the Internet for the following
Based on 82% who have ever accessed the Internet

22. “I” Kids Youth Today: Who Are They?
2006
“I” Kids Youth Today: Who Are They?
The Roper Youth Report Presentation
Prepared for The Boy Scouts of America
March 25, 2010