The surprising link between political strategy and health policies
American teens face a host of challenges these days, both inside and outside the classroom. A new Pew Research Center survey of US teens ages 13 to 17 reveals that, while boys and girls share some experiences, many of their struggles and pressures differ sharply. From academic expectations to social pressures, gender plays a defining role in the adolescent experience. The findings also show that teens themselves perceive noticeable differences in how boys and girls are treated and perform at school.
Click through to explore the key insights and data.
A major source of stress for teens is academics. Nearly 70% report feeling a great deal or fair amount of pressure to earn good grades, with little difference between girls and boys.
More than half of teen girls (55%) say they feel pressure to look good, compared to 39% of boys. This reflects societal expectations surrounding appearance that disproportionately affect girls.
Teen girls are also more likely than boys to report social pressure to fit in, with 45% versus 37%, respectively, saying they feel this kind of stress.
Boys feel more pressure to be physically strong than girls (43% vs. 23%), highlighting gendered ideas of masculinity in adolescence.
More boys than girls (36% vs. 27%) say they feel pressure to be good at sports, pointing to gender norms in physical competitiveness.
Teen girls are significantly more likely than boys to plan on attending a four-year college: 60% compared to 46%.
More boys than girls say they plan to attend vocational school (11% vs. 7%), work full-time (9% vs. 3%), or join the military (5% vs. 1%).
A shared goal among teens is career enjoyment. An overwhelming 86% say it's extremely or very important to have a job they enjoy.
Friendship is another key priority. About 69% of teens rank having close friends as highly important in their adult lives.
Having a lot of money ranks high for teens, with 58% saying it's extremely or very important for their future happiness.
About 42% of teens believe girls get better grades than boys at their school, while only 3% say the opposite. Most think it's about equal.
Roughly 27% of teens say girls are more likely than boys to have leadership roles in school; 56% see no difference.
Boys are viewed as more disruptive than girls in class by 63% of teens. Just 4% say girls are more disruptive.
Girls are also seen as more likely to speak up in class. In the study, 34% say girls do, versus 18% who say boys do.
Girls are more likely than boys to have close friends for emotional support. About 95% of girls say they do, compared to 85% of boys.
Most teens, 98%, report having at least one close friend. A third say they have five or more close friends.
Nearly half of teens say their friends are a mix of genders. Around 49% say all their friends are the same gender.
A majority (58%) of teens believe girls have an easier time finding emotional support through friends, compared to just 7% who say boys do.
In the study, 53% of teens think boys' sports teams are valued more at school, while only 2% say girls' teams are more valued.
Anxiety and depression are seen as highly common by 30% of teens. Girls are more likely than boys to report this (35% vs. 24%).
About 22% of teens say bullying is extremely or very common in their school, with divided opinions on whether it affects boys or girls more.
In the study, 19% of teens reported that drug use is very common in their schools. Boys are seen as more likely than girls to engage in it.
Physical altercations remain a concern in many schools, with 17% of teens reporting that fights are highly common. Among those, 44% say boys are more likely to be involved than girls.
According to 14% of teens, alcohol consumption is common, and again, boys are more likely to be perceived as participating in this behavior.
Most teens (78%) believe teachers treat girls and boys equally. Among those who disagree, 16% think teachers favor girls.
About 18% of teens are unsure of their post-high school plans, with equal uncertainty between boys and girls.
Fewer teens see marriage (36%) and parenthood (30%) as important goals compared to career success and friendships.
Republican teens are more likely than Democrats to value marriage (43% vs. 29%) and having children (38% vs. 24%).
Black and Hispanic teens place more importance on financial success than White teens, who value friendships slightly more.
Only 6% of teens say becoming famous is important. The overwhelming majority prioritize meaningful careers and friendships over public recognition.
Sources: (Pew Research Center)
See also: Study finds it's harder to be a teen now than in the past
Study reveals adolescence is different for boys and girls
New Pew data reveals the gendered realities of teen life in the US, from academics to emotional support
LIFESTYLE Teens
American teens face a host of challenges these days, both inside and outside the classroom. A new Pew Research Center survey of US teens ages 13 to 17 reveals that, while boys and girls share some experiences, many of their struggles and pressures differ sharply. From academic expectations to social pressures, gender plays a defining role in the adolescent experience. The findings also show that teens themselves perceive noticeable differences in how boys and girls are treated and perform at school.
Click through to explore the key insights and data.