[Junior Herald]Korean, American teens have different values

Being a teen today is not easy. In order to measure how hard it is, Time magazine surveyed 501 American teens. The Junior Herald asked similar questions to 500 Korean teens.



The JH`s teen reporters helped in conducting the survey.



The surveys began with questions about the current state of the nation. Forty-six percent of American teens said that their country will become worse than now. Only 22 percent said it will be better.



Korean teens, though, were more optimistic. Thirty-seven percent said Korea will be a better place. Thirty-four percent said Korea has many political, economical and environmental problems.



Korean teens were proud of the nation`s cutting-edge developments in information technology and biotechnology.생명공학



Majority of teens from both countries said they have a close relationship with their parents.



"In today`s films and soap operas, teens are often portrayed as troublemakers," said survey respondent Ahn Ji-eun. "But my friends and I have no problems getting along with our parents."



The teens were also asked about personal relationships. Twenty-five percent of American teens said they are in a relationship. Eighteen percent of Korean teens said they are in a relationship.



Nearly 60 percent of Korean teens said they are open to dating, while 37 percent said it is too early to date. Sixty-three percent of American teens agreed that it is too early to date.



The surveys also asked questions on premarital sex.혼전 성관계 Sixty percent of American teens said people shouldn`t have sex before marriage. As for Korean teens, 47 percent refused to answer. Over 30 percent said people should wait until they get married.



By Sung So-young