Being 13: 13 Poll: Thirteen-Year-Olds: What They Really Think

OUTLOOK

Compared with your parents, do you think that being a teenager today is easier, harder or about the same as when they were your age?

Easier --- 18%

Harder --- 67%

About same --- 15%

When you reach your parents' age, do you think the U.S., compared with now, will be a...

Better place to live --- 22%

Worse place to live --- 46%

About the same as now --- 32%

RELATIONSHIPS

How well do you get along with the following people in your life?

My parents

Excellent --- 53%

Good --- 37%

Fair --- 8%

Poor --- 1%

(1% not sure or not applicable)

My brothers/sisters

Excellent --- 23%

Good --- 42%

Fair --- 22%

Poor --- 5%

(8% not sure or not applicable)

My friends

Excellent --- 61%

Good --- 36%

Fair --- 3%

Poor --- 0

PARENTS

Would you say your parents are ...

Very involved in your life—they know just about everything that goes on --- 53%

Fairly involved in your life—they know about most of what goes on but not everything --- 37%

Not too involved in your life—they generally know only about the really big things that go on --- 7%

Not really involved in your life—they know very little about what goes on --- 2%

(1% declined to answer)

Do you feel that your parents have too much, too little or about the right amount of involvement in your life?

Too much --- 24%

Too little --- 6%

The right amount --- 68%

(2% declined to answer)

Thinking about how your parents treat you, are they...

Much too strict --- 7%

A little too strict --- 50%

Not too strict --- 35%

Not strict at all --- 5%

(4% declined to answer)

DATING

What do you think is the right age for boys and girls to start going out together?

Under 12 --- 3%

12-13 --- 27%

14-15 --- 27%

16-17 --- 30%

18 or older --- 6%

(8% declined to answer)

What age do your parents think you should be before you start going out or dating?

Under 12 --- 0

12-13 --- 4%

14-15 --- 20%

16-17 --- 44%

18 or older --- 18%

(13% declined to answer)

Have you started going out or dating anyone yet?

Yes --- 25%

No --- 72%

(4% declined to answer)

Do you think that people should wait until they're married to have sex, or not necessarily?

Wait until married --- 60%

Not necessarily --- 27%

(13% declined to answer)

SCHOOL

What grade overall would you give the school that you currently attend, based on your experience?

A (excellent) --- 26%

B (good) --- 45%

C (fair) --- 22%

F (poor) --- 6%

(1% not sure)