Current Trends

WHAT TEENAGERS THINK OF ELECTED OFFICIALS . . . Researchers at Teenage Research Unlimited have found that youth interest in the 2008 presidential campaign was higher than for any previous election in recent history. Nearly half of teens give adults below average or failing grades for ensuring elected officials represent them. Twenty-six percent of teenagers give adults an F, while another 20 percent give adults a D. Many teenagers are disappointed and frustrated with adults for failing "to forge a safe and harmonious world for the future" (Teenage Research Unlimited, May 12, 2008).

TEEN INSOMNIA: A BIG PROBLEM . . . Researchers in the Journal of Adolescent Health have discovered another big problem facing teenagers in addition to substance abuse, depression, and ADHD. It's insomnia. In fact, 25 percent of teenagers surveyed reported having symptoms of insomnia, such as having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep every night. Those struggling with insomnia were more likely to have trouble at school, have health problems, and were twice as likely to use alcohol and drugs (Newsweek, April 7, 2008).

MORE TEENAGERS HAVING MIDDLE-AGE ADULT DENTAL PROBLEMS . . . More dentists are seeing teenagers having dental problems associated with middle age: sensitive teeth, yellow teeth, and pitted teeth that are losing their protective enamel. Why? Because of dental erosion caused by teens' heavy use of acidic soft drinks and energy drinks. Other teenagers with eating disorders also are being diagnosed with dental erosion. One study of 10- to 14-year-olds found that 30 percent of teens in this age group suffer from this middle-age problem. (USA Today, April 7, 2008).

ACCORDING TO THE LUTHERAN EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE OF NORTH AMERICA, 78% of Lutheran college alumni reported graduating in four years or less, compared to 53% of public university graduates. This means that while their counterparts at public-funded institutions are still attending classes and paying tuition for a fifth or even sixth year, Lutheran college graduates are likely to have already started their careers or begun graduate school.