Almost one-third of high school students admit to being thieves; almost two-thirds admit to being cheaters. And 93% are satisfied with their morals. What does this tell us about our future?
Of course, there is no shortage of excuse giving and rationalizing. "Intensified pressures," says one Mel Riddle, account for the widespread unethical behavior. He explains: "The competition is greater, the pressures on kids have increased dramatically. They have opportunities their predecessors didn't have (to cheat). The temptation is greater."
Everything Mr. Riddle says is preposterous. The "competition" is not greater; our declining test scores disprove that notion. Just the opposite is likely the case: so low have our academic standards fallen that many students are no longer equipped to perform at even a mediocre level; they cheat as a way to cope for their lack of basic skills and knowledge. And "competition" in no way explains why almost one-third of students steal from stores, their families, and other students--and don't seem to think that this behavior is wrong. That last point is the crux. It is one thing to do wrong but admit that you are a wrong doer. At least you acknowledge a moral standard even if you do not live accordingly. It is quite another thing to do wrong but not acknowledge the wrongness of your acts and believe yourself to be just as good as everybody else. That is moral nihilism, deadly to both individual and society.
You can cobble together your own hypothesis; it might even have some truth. The stark fact remains: the younger generation accepts stealing and cheating as ordinary ways of life. What will life be like when such people are running the country?
Read the cheerful tidings here
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