Taco Bell Foundation for Teens

Boys & Girls Club Teens Identify Adults’ Perceptions of Youth As Top Issue
for 2007 National Service Project; Part of the Taco Bell Foundation national Keystone Conference

ATLANTA, March 21, 07 – Young people from around the nation have chosen adults’ perception of teens as their top issue and as their national service project for 2007. The new project was recently announced as more than 1,200 teens gathered at Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s 40th Annual National Keystone Conference in Minneapolis.

At the Keystone Conference sponsored by the Taco Bell Foundation, teens released a report entitled: “Young America Speaks.” The report focused on three areas: education, adults’ perception of teens, and relationships. From those three areas, the teens chose adults’ perceptions of teens as their key concern.

“We’ve proudly supported Boys & Girls Club teens for more than 10 years and have watched them do some incredible things to benefit their communities,” said Sally George, Taco Bell Foundation manager. “This national project is the perfect opportunity for Club members to spotlight the great work they’re already doing and help others see more positive examples of teens.”

The teens will return to their hometowns and implement the project as best suits each of their local communities.

By the numbers: (Source: BGCA’s Youth Report to America, 2006 – survey of 146,000+ teens nationwide, independently tabulated)
• More than one-third (36%) of respondents believe that to improve their relationships, adults should listen more.
• Close to half of teens surveyed (48%) said that parents significantly influence their decisions.
• One-fourth (27%) said adults should be more open-minded.

Adults’ Perception of Teens
Negative stereotypes of teens in the media can present an inaccurate portrait of America’s youth. Broadcasts highlighting teen violence have caused communities to enact restrictive curfew laws, loitering ordinances and increased penalties for youth who commit these acts. Laws are sometimes enacted without consideration for the rights of youth, leaving them feeling powerless and disconnected.

Many of these actions have been taken despite the fact that violent criminal activity among youth has actually decreased over the past 10 years. These stereotypes are causing great distress among young Americans.

”Teens want a more realistic portrayal of youth in the media,” said Roxanne Spillett, president, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “They want adults to acknowledge the positive contributions of teens in their communities and a greater voice in those communities.”

To address this, the “Young America Speaks” report recommends:
1. Help teens become more aware of their civic rights and responsibilities and engage them in government.
2. Improve the images of teens in the media – showcase the good.
3. Create forums to help teens increase confidence and build self-esteem.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) comprises a national network of some 4,000 neighborhood-based facilities annually serving more than 4.6 million young people, in all 50 states and on U.S. military bases worldwide. Known as “The Positive Place for Kids,” the Clubs provide guidance-oriented character development programs on a daily basis for children 6-18 years old, conducted by full-time professional staff. Key Boys & Girls Club programs emphasize leadership development, education and career exploration, financial literacy, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation, and family outreach. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.