Teen evolution

Science World, Feb 7, 2003

It's hard to imagine, but your parents may have once have used the excuse, "The dog ate my homework." That's because they used to be teens, too. While homework, zits, and body image remain constant teen themes, many facets of adolescent life have morphed with the times.

Check out some leading stats in the chart at right to discover some unexpected trends. For instance, drinking, smoking, and drug use are in decline since 1975, according to a recent national survey by the University of Michigan. "I can't overemphasize how vital these developments are to the health and longevity of this generation," says Lloyd Johnston, the study's lead researcher. Other trends, such as students' science smarts or average SAT scores, have remained static over the last three decades.

Take an A-to-Z tour through teen life today in our first special double issue. It features classic adolescent topics--from loneliness to kissing--and current hot-button issues like heightened awareness on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, soaring use of the drug Ecstasy, stress overload, and renewed interest in the ancient practice of yoga. We hope you enjoy it.

'70s '80s '90s Today

                                     1970s            1980s

     1 U.S. teen population         (1970)            (1980)
            (ages 10 to 19)       30,888,000        39,410,000

    2 Percentage of twelfth
     graders who have used:         (1975)            (1985)
                 Cigarettes           74                69
                    Alcohol           90                90
                  Marijuana           47                54

           3 New AIDS cases                           (1985)
            (ages 13 to 19)           n/a               32

4 Percentage of high-school         (1970)            (1980)
   dropouts (ages 16 to 17)           12                12

       4 Average SAT scores
                     Verbal           512              509
                       Math           498              500

   5 Average science scores
      for teens on National         (1973)            (1982)
    Assessment for Progress           296              283

          4 Number of teens         (1975)            (1980)
   employed (ages 16 to 19)        7,104,000        6,581,000

        Influential science         (1978)            (1987)
               breakthrough     First test-tube       Prozac
                                   baby born       approved in
                                                     the U.S.

           Influential tech         (1975)            (1983)
               breakthrough       First home       Compact discs
                                   computer           debut
                                  introduced

                                     1990s             2000

     1 U.S. teen population         (1990)            (2000)
            (ages 10 to 19)       34,955,000        40,748,000

    2 Percentage of twelfth
     graders who have used:         (1995)            (2002)
                 Cigarettes           64                57
                    Alcohol           81                79
                  Marijuana           42                48

           3 New AIDS cases         (1995)            (2001)
            (ages 13 to 19)           377              162

4 Percentage of high-school         (1990)            (1999)
   dropouts (ages 16 to 17)           10                9

       4 Average SAT scores
                     Verbal           504              505
                       Math           506              514

   5 Average science scores
      for teens on National         (1992)            (1999)
    Assessment for Progress           299              295

          4 Number of teens         (1995)            (2000)
   employed (ages 16 to 19)        6,419,000        7,276,000

        Influential science         (1996)            (2001)
               breakthrough       Dolly: The          Human
                                 world's first        genome
                                 cloned animal        mapped

           Influential tech         (1992)            (2001)
               breakthrough       World Wide          Segway
                                 Web launched       Scooter: Steers
                                 on Internet         by sensing body
                                                       movements

THINK: Examine the chart and choose one long- or short-term trend.
What social and cultural factors might help explain the change in
figures? For example, why do you think the number of teen smokers
has decreased since 1975?

CALCULATE: The number of new AIDS cases declined by what percentage
between the years 1995 and 2001?

GRAPH IT! Create a line graph using three data sets: the percentage
of twelfth graders using cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana over
three decades. Plot each set separately on the same graph with the
percentage on the y-axis and the year on the x-axis.