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American Teenagers Love Diversity and LGBT Relationships

by Michael A. Jones December 03, 2009 06:22 PM (PT) Topics: LGBT Youth

DiversityThings sure have changed since 1989. Milli Vanilli is no longer around. The Berlin Wall, too. And American teenagers have changed their viewpoints dramatically on how they view the sanctity of LGBT relationships.

A new study out by the Girl Scouts of America surveys the state of the American teenage mind and how opinions on loads of issues, from civic engagement to cheating on tests, have changed since 2009. Some of the findings? Teens today place a much greater value on the principle of diversity, and view relationships between LGBT people with more dignity and respect.

The survey, Good Intentions: The Beliefs and Values of Teens and Tweens Today, shows that six out of ten American teenagers support same-sex relationships. That's nearly double from where the stats were at in 1989, and according to one author of the study, a sign that there are generational changes moving the arc of this country toward equality.

"There’s clearly a generational change taking place," said Kimberlee Salmond, the lead author of the study for the Girl Scouts of America. "These young people strongly value diversity, acceptance and civic involvement, and almost across the board they’re more committed to these values than were their predecessors 20 years ago."

That should be a good sign for equal rights, particularly as teenagers hit the voting age. But beyond just LGBT relationships, the study shows that young folks today value diversity in all shapes and sizes, perhaps moreso than at any other time in history. Nearly 60 percent of those surveyed said that they think it's "very important" to be around people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds.

So there ya' have it. When that crotchedly relative starts talking trash about today's generation over dinner during this holiday season, fire back with the Girl Scouts of America. Because as this survey shows, hearts and minds are changing. And intolerance is heading the way of Milli Vanilli.

(Photo courtesy of www.phila.k12.pa.us)

Vcygcorilljgafh-30x30-cropped Michael Jones

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor.

He is the former Communications Director for the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, as well as the former Director of Communications for Pax Christi USA, a national Catholic peace and justice organization. Mike is a graduate of Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and he is also a proud sketch comedy writer.

Comments (7)

  • Courtney C............
    Dec 03, 2009 @ 06:27PM PT
    Courtney C............

    JUST six out of 10?
    =[

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  • Oceania OZ
    Dec 03, 2009 @ 09:08PM PT
    Oceania OZ

    Sure beats "critical mass"

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  • Chris Marshall
    Dec 03, 2009 @ 11:21PM PT
    Chris Marshall

    woop-die-friggen-do. A big fat 60%. Now if we look at it mathmatically that is about 2% because that is how many teens who can vote actually DO.

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    • Harry Mason
      Dec 03, 2009 @ 11:52PM PT
      Harry Mason

      I think what the author is getting at is that these kids will be better adults in the future than what we have now. Unfortunately, I don't really think it works that way. Kids are almost always more open minded to such things. Most of the bigotry sets in letter when they become adults, and then they start shooting down things like gay marriage.

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    • Chris Marshall
      Dec 04, 2009 @ 09:17AM PT
      Chris Marshall

      Pretty much.

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    • Reverend Boony
      Dec 06, 2009 @ 02:55PM PT
      Reverend Boony

      That aint always the case...Sometimes their tollerance survives into adulthood.

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  • Fred Frankenberg
    Dec 04, 2009 @ 05:33AM PT
    Fred Frankenberg

    Funny how many in Congress view the adolescent future leaders of America with a great deal of concern for their lack of maturity and poor involvement in affairs outside of American Idol when it is our elected official 'representatives' that are in fact the bigoted, egotistical perpetuators of inequality, greed, hate and insensitivity.

    60% isn't perfect, but it passes and repeals laws.

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  • Edwin Bonilla
    Dec 04, 2009 @ 02:13PM PT
    Edwin Bonilla

    It's good that many girls and boys support LGBT rights, however girls and boys approving of same-sex relationships in one out of six could do better. The statistic isn't too tolerant because if 60% of girls and boys believe that being around with minorities is very important than the 40% are indifferent or are bigoted. In the next decade, there will be more tolerance and the statistic by the Girls Scouts of America shows that girls and boys are becoming more accepting of LGBT people.

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  • Scott Finnell
    Dec 04, 2009 @ 09:29PM PT
    Scott Finnell

    Since when does the Catholic church speak and read God's mind. This is the silliest thing I have ever heard. How un-humble it is for this man to say such nonsense. This is the same church that took Gallileo's rights away, and whom Copernicus was so afraid of, that he waited til he was on his deathbed to publish his findings that the Earth revolved around the sun. The heilocentric model. I have absolutely no respect for this corrupt church that through the ages have pillaged gold from other peoples. I could go on, but I think I have made my point. I do respect Catholics, and their right to practice their religion, but don't tread on rights to not feel the same way.

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  • Reverend Boony
    Dec 06, 2009 @ 02:57PM PT
    Reverend Boony

    The more we fight for whats right...The more likely it is that WE WILL WIN...So lets never lose hope or determination.

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