CHARACTER COUNTS!: Programs: Ethics of American Youth Survey: Josephson Institute's Report Card

Thirty percent of the students surveyed say they have stolen in the past year...23% say they have stolen from a parent or realtive; 20% from a friend...42% have lied to save money...83% have lied about something significant to their parents...64% have cheated on a test taken in the last year... 

And yet, here's a conclusion that chills the mind:

"As bad as these numbers are, it appears they understate the level of dishonesty exhibited by America’s youth. More than one in four (26 percent) confessed they lied on at least one or two questions on the survey. Experts agree that dishonesty on surveys usually is an attempt to conceal misconduct.

Despite these high levels of dishonesty, the respondents have a high self-image when it comes to ethics. A whopping 93 percent(!) said they were satisfied with their personal ethics and character and 77 percent said that when it comes to doing what is right, I am better than most people I know." (Emphasis Mine.)

Role models, present and future, anyone?