Age and Attitudes

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THIS EDITION of Pulse of the Public probes the relationship between age and attitudes by comparing the responses of 18- to 29-year-olds with those of people 50 and older. Of course, we cannot establish causation beyond doubt, but one would suspect that the differences identified are related, to some extent, to the recency of the respondents' contact with schools. The Biggest Problem When asked to identify the biggest problem facing local schools, those 50 and older place discipline at the top of the list. Discipline is mentioned by 23% of this older group, as compared to just 7% of 18- to 29-year-olds. If discipline and fighting/violence/gangs are taken to be synonymous terms, then the difference shrinks, as 15% of the younger group mention fighting/violence/gangs, while just 6% of those 50 and older do so. The top problem for the younger group is finance, mentioned by 20%, but the difference between the two groups is not great, since finance is also mentioned by 18% of those 50 and older. Overcrowding is mentioned by 15% of 18- to 29-year-olds, as compared to just 8% of those 50 and older. Regarding use of drugs and getting and keeping good teachers -- the last two of the top six problems noted by the entire sample -- there is little difference between the groups. They attract a smaller but uniform number of mentions from both groups. Grading the Public Schools The two groups assign similar grades to the public schools. The percentage giving A's and B's is 47% for the younger group and 44% for those 50 and older. The breakout of specific grades is reflected in Table 1. These high grades may help explain why, when asked to indicate whether improvement should come by reforming the existing public school system or through finding an alternative to that system, reform of the existing system is the strong choice of both age groups. Among those 50 and older, 68% choose reforming the existing system, while 25% would seek an alternative. The corresponding figures for those 18 to 29 are 60% and 38%. Asked to choose between strengthening the existing public schools and offering vouchers for parents to use in having their children attend private or church-related schools, 72% of 18- to 29- year-olds and 70% of those 50 and older choose strengthening the existing schools. The percentages favoring the voucher option are 26% and 28% respectively. Propensity for Change The fact that both groups favor improvement through the existing public schools should not be allowed to mask the fact that those in the 18- to 29-year-old group are more receptive to change. In the poll question asking about permitting parents to send their children to private schools at public expense, a majority of both groups express opposition, but 46% of 18- to 29-year-olds favor this option, while only 31% of those 50 and older do so. And in the companion question, in which choosing a public school is an option along with private and church-related schools, 58% of those in the 18- to 29-year-old group are in favor, compared to just 37% of those 50 and older. …