Purdue News

December 4, 1998 4-H survey shows most youths know right from wrong WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Most young people begin to recognize right from wrong between age 7 and 10, according to a national survey conducted by 4-H. The survey of 2,400 youths, "4-H Ethics Make the Difference '98," was part of a discussion at the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta Nov. 27-Dec. 1. Phillip Gaines of Princeton, Ind., one of 1,300 delegates to the Congress, helped conduct the survey in his community. When asked about himself, he said he began to distinguish between right and wrong between age 3 and 5. "It was when I learned that I was not supposed to play with matches," he recalled. Thearon McKinney, associate state 4-H leader at the North Carolina Extension Service, said the goal of the survey was to collect opinions on how ethics are related to issues facing American youths. He defined ethics as the principles of conduct governing an individual or group. North Carolina Extension designed and compiled the survey to find answers to these questions: What are the most challenging ethical issues facing youths today? Who do youths look to as role models for ethical behavior? Can 4-H make a difference in the ethical behavior of its members? "The answers to these questions are valuable to anyone trying to lead and act with friends, family, school and/or the community to address these critical issues," McKinney said. The survey responses indicated that four categories -- good friends, parents, church and teachers -- were most significant in influencing ethical behavior, but that parents and teachers played the most important role. Those who responded to the survey were divided into four groups: 4-H members, nonmembers, 4-H adults, and other adults. "Within this study group, we have demonstrated that 4-H youths and adults act ethically more often than non-4-H youths and adults," McKinney said. "By promoting group ethics and cooperating with youths, families, community organizations and schools, 4-H can make a difference in the ethical behavior of America's young people." All groups identified negative peer pressure as the greatest challenge to American youths. Substance abuse was the second-most-challenging issue identified by youths, while the adult groups chose lack of parental involvement. "4-H youths were significantly less influenced by good friends compared to non-4-H members," McKinney said. Gaines said that peer pressure is certainly an issue, but that when peer pressure appears to be leading him in the wrong direction, he depends on what he has learned in 4-H. "If I think it is wrong, I try to be a leader," he said. Gaines, a three-year 4-H member and a junior at Princeton Community High School, said he hoped to learn more about leadership at National 4-H Congress and that he participated in the survey because he thought it was a good idea. Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service communications specialist Steve Cain, who served on the design team for the National 4-H Congress and for the survey, said: "The time was right to conduct a survey on ethics, when we hear so much about it in the news media. Ethics are an important part of 4-H, where young people learn not only how to do things but also how to make ethical decisions." For more information on the survey, contact: Thearon McKinney, Dept. of 4-H Youth Development, Campus Box 7606, Raleigh, NC 27695-7606. Sources: Thearon McKinney, (919) 515-3242; e-mail, tmckinne@amaroq.ces.ncsu.edu Phillip Gaines, (812) 385-3913 Writer: Steve Cain, (765) 494-8410; e-mail: cain@ecn.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@uns.purdue.edu