06-01-12 Those under age 16 are changing the definition of “diversity,” according to Frank N. Magid Associates. This demographic — dubbed the Plurals — represent a changing of the guard, with the youngest members already a generation for which Caucasians are not the majority.
There is also no “traditional” family. Whereas four in five of those from Gen X grew up in traditional two-parent households, on average, only two in three plurals reside in such family units. Moreover, some 250,000 children are being raised by same-sex parents.
Today’s children possess distinctive beliefs depending on the age of their parents. Plurals with Gen X-age parents are less likely than Plurals with Boomer-age parents to cite dependability (19% vs, 30%) and respectfulness (34% vs, 44%) as important qualities for young people to develop. Also, children with Gen X-aged parents are more likely to express pride in individuality and the necessity of learning from their mistakes.
These youngsters also have high expectations for themselves. Two in three girls (66%) and 47% of boys “care a lot” about getting good grades in school and 50% of girls and 40% of boys want to receive positive feedback from parents and teachers.
Source: Frank N. Magid Associates, Sharalyn Hartwell, Executive Director, 15260 Ventura Blvd., #1840, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403; 818-263-3300; shartwell@magid.com; www.magid.com.
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