Friday, August 31, 2007

What makes teens happy?

Family and friends:

So you're between the ages of 13 and 24. What makes you happy? A worried parent might imagine the answer is something like this: Sex, drugs, a little rock 'n' roll. Maybe some cash, or at least the car keys.

Turns out the real answer is quite different. Spending time with family was the top answer to that open-ended question, according to an extensive survey -- more than 100 questions asked of 1,280 people ages 13-24 -- conducted by the Associated Press and MTV.

When asked what one thing makes them most happy, 20 percent mentioned spending time with family.

Surprisingly, no one said money made them happy.

And a majority of the kids believe in a "higher power:"
Close to half say religion and spirituality are very important. More than half say they believe there is a higher power that has an influence over things that make them happy.
(via)