by Lloyd Wolf for the U.S. Census Bureau
to a family is one bond almost everyone in the world shares, but family
patterns vary from country to country. The United States has many different
types of families, but the traditional structure of the American family
-- mother, father and children -- continues to prevail for the most
part as a new century unfolds. Yet, over the past several decades, US
society has witnessed an evolution in family structure and daily life
in many respects, because of myriad factors, running the gamut from
advancements in science to the composition of the workplace. Single
parenthood, adoptive households, step-parenting, stay-at-home fathers,
grandparents raising children are but a few of the newer tiles in the
is it like to be a young person in the United States?
The typical American child spends six hours a day, five days a week,
180 days a year in school. Children in the US start preschool or nursery
school at age four or under, kindergarten at five years of age. Schools
provide American children with much more than academic education. More
than 80 percent of all students participate in extracurricular activities,
such as sports, student newspapers, drama clubs, debate teams, choral
groups and bands.
their leisure time, American kids spend much time watching television,
listening to music or playing computer games, but many also have after
school jobs. One recent poll indicated that nine out of 10 teenagers
polled said they either had a job or would like one. Child labor laws
set restrictions on the types of work that youths under 16 years can
do. Many youths work part-time on weekends or after school at fast-food
restaurants, baby-sit for neighbors, hold delivery jobs or work in stores.
Many youths are also involved in community service organizations or
are active in church and religious-group activities. Other belong to
youth groups such as Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts,were
they learn about citizenship, crafts, arts, camping and other outdoor
talking in front of their high school
of young Americans volunteer to help take care of the elderly, the handicapped
and hospital patients, or help clean up the environment. While for most
American children and teenagers life today is nearly free of serious
conflict, young people are still under many types of stress. Peer pressure,
changing family conditions, mobility of families, unemployment and problems
at school may lead to use of alcohol or drugs, the refusal to attend
school, running away from home, teenage pregnancies or juvenile delinquency.
About the USA > Society > Demographics
About the USA > Society > Education
Documentaries Looks at 'Generation Next"
42 million 16- to 25-year-olds in the United States -- roughly 14 percent
of the population -- will have a major impact on American society as
they rise into adulthood. In a series of profiles on NPR's Morning Edition
and PBS's NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, Judy Woodruff looks at what makes
Generation Next different from its predecessors.
As a follow-up to the first documentary on the challenges facing Americans
16-to-25 years old, Judy Woodruff and the team have put together another
hour of reporting. This new documentary, called "Generation
Next 2.0," profiles seven young people, their views on society
and outlook for the future.
Teenagers. eJournal July 2005 (America.gov)
What do American teenagers have to say about their lives, values,
hopes and dreams? The essays and reflections in this e-journal give
a glimpse into some of the many ways a teenager's day might unfold
in the United States, as well as an insight into his or her goals,
ambitions, and concerns.
Gallery: Rite of Passage
Images from graduation week at a high school in the state of Virginia
reflect activities common to high schools throughout the United States.
Graduation week brings with it a mix of feelings and emotions for
those who are about to depart school.