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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22 |
(NAPSI)-A number of teenagers who are confident in their ability to make ethical decisions regard dishonest and even violent behavior as necessary for success. That's the finding of the fifth annual Junior Achievement/Deloitte Teen Ethics Survey.
The majority of teens surveyed (71 percent) say they feel fully prepared to make ethical decisions when they enter the workforce.
Yet 38 percent of that group believe it is sometimes necessary to cheat, plagiarize, lie or even behave violently in order to succeed.
In a particularly alarming finding, nearly one-quarter of teens surveyed think violence toward another person is acceptable on some level. Their justifications for violence include settling an argument and revenge.
The survey also found that teens have difficulty in understanding that unethical behavior transcends the boundaries between private life, school or work and online behavior.
More than half of all teens surveyed believe it is not fair for employers to make hiring or firing decisions based on material teens have posted to the Internet.
The Business Of Ethics
Fortunately, a unique program may help turn these numbers around. Called "JA Business Ethics," from Junior Achievement and Deloitte, it's a continuation of their $2 million initiative to help young people make ethical decisions.
The initiative provides hands-on classroom activities and real-life applications designed to foster ethical decision making as students prepare to enter the workforce. Students examine how their beliefs align with major ethical theories and learn the benefits and advantages of having a code of ethics.
Additionally, the original program, "Excellence through Ethics," was recently updated by JA and Deloitte. All 30 lessons in the curriculum designed for grades 4 through 12 are available for free download online.
"Integrity and trust are the cornerstones of all human relationships and great societies. As today's teens enter tomorrow's workforce, it's imperative that they learn how to make decisions that are both ethical and appropriate," said Sean C. Rush, president and chief executive officer of JA Worldwide.
Rush explained that the program is one of many offered by JA Worldwide, the world's largest organization dedicated to educating young people about work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.
For more information about the organization or the poll, visit www.ja.org.
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