Student-Delegate Survey
When Student-Delegates arrived at the Youth Summit, they were asked to fill out the survey below.  Results are available by linking from the individual question.  In addition, you can read an analysis of the survey by Larry LeFlore, Ph.D., who is the Program Center Director at the Center for 4-H and Youth, Family, and Adult Development at WVU.

Question One:  What do you feel are the main causes of youth violence in America today? Please select five causes from the following list. Rank your choices 1 through 5, with 1 being the primary cause.

____ Parents/home atmosphere
____ Peer/academic pressures
____ Inadequate school discipline/structure
____ Violence in the media
____ Alcohol
____ Drugs
____ Youth access to weapons
____ Poverty
____ Lack of stable, safe neighborhoods
____ Other__________________________________

Question Two:  What do you feel is needed in schools and communities to reduce teen violence? Please select three choices from the following list.  Rank your choices 1 through 3, with 1 being the primary need.

____ More support of teens and their personal and psychological needs
____ More after school, community based programs
____ Less violence in the media
____ Church and religiously-affiliated support of teens
____ More cooperation between local law enforcement, schools, and communities
____ Greater discipline in schools
____ Character education (i.e., morals, values)
____ Stiffer/more consistent legal penalties for minors convicted of violent crimes
____ Other __________________________________

Question Three:  What do you feel are the best solutions to addressing the issue of teen violence? Please select five choices from the following list. Rank your choices 1 through 5, with 1 being the best solution.

____ Conflict resolution programs and peer mediation in schools
____ Teen Courts
____ More police in schools
____ Dress codes in schools
____ Restrict access to weapons
____ Job training
____ Increased school discipline
____ After-school mentoring
____ Community service
____ Diversity/sensitivity training
____ Metal detectors in schools
____ Places for youth to get together/hang out
____ Curfews
____ Other __________________________________

Question Four:  If crime does occur in your school or community, which of the following are the most common causes? Please select three choices from the following list. Rank your choices 1 through 3, with 1 being the most common cause.

____ Drugs
____ Gangs
____ Sexual assault
____ Guns
____ Taunting/Harassment
____ Stealing/shoplifting
____ Alcohol/Other drug use
____ Other

Question Five:  How concerned are you about the issues listed below? Please rank your choices 1 through 6, with 1 being the most concerned.

_____  Too many parents and teachers are no longer teaching children the difference between right and wrong.
_____  The media's glamorization of violence teaches children that violence is an acceptable way of solving problems.
_____  Although children at risk are not hard to identify, parents, teachers, and others often do not step in until it is too late.
______ Children today are given too much freedom to behave as they please.
______ Violent products, such as video games, are heavily marketed to children.
______ Peer pressure is strong to use alcohol or other drugs

Question Six:  Think about the community or area in which you live. In general, how well do you feel you know your neighbors? (circle one)

1. Extremely well
2. Moderately well
3. Not well at all

Question Seven:  To what degree do you feel part of (or connected to) the community where you live? Try to place yourself on the following scale ranging from (1)  Not at all connected to (5) Extremely connected. (circle a number)

     1                       2                      3                             4                          5

Question Eight:  In general, how often do you trust adults to do what is right (circle an answer)?

1. Most of the time
2. Some of the time
3. Rarely
4. None of the time

Question Nine:  In general, how often do you trust politicians to do what is right for the country (circle an answer)?

1. Most of the time
2. Some of the time
3. Rarely
4. None of the time

Question Ten:  Do you feel that there is an adult that you could talk to if you had a problem (circle)?

1. Yes
2. No

If yes, what relationship do you have with that adult (circle ALL that apply)?

1. Parent
2. Teacher
3. Counselor
4. Church leader
5. Neighbor,
6. Other Relative
7. Other (please specify)

The Byrd Youth Summit 2000 is produced in conjunction with