Parent & Teen Perceptions
Do Teens Understand Parents’ Stance On Behaviors? It Depends… Parents were asked to rate their approval (or disapproval) of their teenager engaging in this same set of behaviors, while teens were asked how they thought their parents would feel. Teens correctly gauge parent disapproval of driving while impaired and riding with an impaired driver, as well as binge drinking. Two-thirds or more parents and teens give ratings of strong disapproval, and the gaps between parents and teens are very small (one-to-two percentage points). By contrast, teens overestimate parent disapproval of some other behaviors. Eight percentage points separate parent and teen perceptions of consuming alcohol in any form. There is also a notable gap on consuming marijuana in any form (seven points).
Underlining (X) represents a statistically higher figure at the 95% confidence level.
Disapproval Recedes Among Friends When asked how their friends feel about these behaviors, the sense of strong disapproval wanes. In fact, no behavior commands a majority for “strongly disapprove.” Driving while impaired comes the closest (48%). At the other end of the spectrum, just one in four (27%) teens say their friends are strongly opposed to alcohol consumption.
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Mothers Against Drunk Driving
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