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High Schoolers Cheat, Steal, Say Morals A-OK

High schools full of rampant cheating, adults blame pressures

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Nov 30, 2008 8:53 PM CST

(Newser) – Almost a third of US high schoolers are thieves and two thirds are cheaters, a new study says. Among nearly 30,000 students surveyed, 64% admitted to cheating on a test, 30% to shoplifting, and 23% to stealing from family. "The competition is greater," said one education official. "The pressures on kids have increased dramatically." The head of the study took it further, saying that "our moral infrastructure is unsound."

The figures are up from a 2006 study, but several educators said today's kids are no worse than those in previous generations. People criticize teenagers "without recognizing that young people aren't making the decisions about what's happening in society," said one school funding advocate. Few of those polled saw a problem either: 77% agreed that "when it comes to doing what is right, I am better than most people I know."

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

A chair for a student who died in a March 2007 tornado sits draped with his graduation gown and diploma at Bates Memorial Stadium in Enterprise, Alabama, on Thursday, May 29, 2008. (AP Photo/Jamie Martin)

Unidentified actors of French film "The Class," celebrate their top award at the Cannes film festival, in their school in Paris, Monday, May 26, 2008. (AP Photo)

Fort Campbell High School seniors Mark Boroff, 17, left, and Chris Englen, 18, right, sign each others yearbooks on May 7, 2008 in Clarksville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Josh Anderson)

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They have opportunities their predecessors didn't have
(to cheat). The temptation
is greater. - Mel Riddle, National Association of Secondary School Principals

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High Schoolers Cheat, Steal, Say Morals A-OK