What They Think Now

"In one of the most rapid turnabouts in our history, college youth--the chief source of social dissidence in the '60s--has moved swiftly toward reconciliation with the larger society, while the noncollege majority has taken over many of the campus-bred values." So says Social Psychologist Daniel Yankelovich, whose research firm has just completed an extensive survey of American youth for five private foundations.* Among the survey's major findings and conclusions about college youth:

> In 1971, 45% of college students felt that "this is a sick society." Now that figure has fallen to 35%.

-In 1971, 56% felt it was morally wrong to use violence even in a good cause. Now that figure has risen to 66%.

> In 1971, 57% identified with the Republican or Democratic Party. Today 73% of college students identify with one of the two major parties.

While tempering their general attack on society, college students have even more strongly swung toward an acceptance of new social values.

> In 1969, 42% felt that homosexuality was morally wrong. Now the figure is 25%.

> In 1969, 35% considered patriotism to be a very important value. Now that figure has dropped to 19%.

> In 1971, 56% believed that the U.S. was democratic in name only. Today 63% share that view.

> In 1971, 38% said that big business needed fundamental reform. Now 54% feel this is an important concern.

The poll also shows that the views of noncollege youth have shifted approximately to those held by the college population five years ago.

> In 1969, 57% of noncollege youngsters believed that casual premarital sex was wrong. Now 34% hold that view.

> In 1969, 60% stressed patriotism as an important personal value. Today that figure is 40%.

> In 1969, 54% said they would welcome less emphasis on money. Now that figure has increased to 74%.

> In 1969, 79% believed that hard work always pays off. Today only 56% share that view.

The study's most predictable findings were about members of minority groups (mostly blacks) and Viet Nam veterans. Only 38% of minority youth say that they are able to make ends meet financially, compared with 71% of the whites who were interviewed. Although they are personally more concerned with education, work and money than other young people, they are markedly more pessimistic (57% v. 79% for whites) about future opportunities.

Among the veterans, alcohol, drug use and unemployment were found to be twice as high as among nonveterans, and only 50% of the veterans (v. 74% of the others) say that "things are going well" in their personal lives.

*The Edna McConnell Clark, Hazen and Mellon foundations, the JDR Third Fund and the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

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