Weird: Teens Like Families

It's always a little funny to me the way news stories sound surprised when new data comes out suggesting that teens actually like their parents and don't mind spending time with them. I guess you're all supposed to be angry, parent-hating, animal-sacrificing, crime-perpetrating "disaffected youth."

Here's an AP story reporting on the "surprising" results of a new survey of 1,280 13-24 year olds conducted by the AP and MTV about what makes kidsthesedays really happy.

So you're between the ages of 13 and 24. What makes you happy? A worried, weary parent might imagine the answer to sound something like this: Sex, drugs, a little rock 'n' roll. Maybe some cash, or at least the car keys. Turns out the real answer is quite different. Spending time with family was the top answer to that open-ended question.

And here's a stunning news quote from an actual teen to back up this groundbreaking intel:

"They're my foundation," says Kristiana St. John, 17, a high-school student from Queens in New York. "My mom tells me that even if I do something stupid, she's still going to love me no matter what. Just knowing that makes me feel very happy and blessed."

I know that most teens do conflict with their parents sometimes. But I don't think even journalists should be so shocked that God's design for the family as a practical and emotional support system actually works to make people feel happy -- that having older people who make it their job in life to take care of you and protect you and even sometimes have fun with you would be something you don't like because they're also the boss of you for a while. Yes, teens are capable of being rational, caring human beings.

In other news, a survey of car owners reveals that they don't like paying higher prices for gasoline. Later, we report on a controversial new study that suggests eating lots of fatty foods and sugar, when combined with lack of exercise, can lead to obesity. Stay tuned . . .