Even given the fact that teens tend to exaggerate the bad things their friends do, Columbia's findings are consistent with those of other bodies, including the federally funded National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. That study found that spending time with a bunch of risk-taking friends is one of the most hazardous things a teenager can do, particularly in an unsupervised setting.
But what if those are the only friends a teenager has? Or they're the friends who seem to care the most? Teens long to fit in and to enjoy close relationships with kids their age, as Columbia's report makes clear. Asked to identify the most important problem of their age group, they picked "social issues" (including popularity) over education, drugs and violence.
The relationships teens keep are associated with risky behavior -- including smoking and illegal drug use -- according to a survey by Columbia University.
(Thad Allender -- Lawrence Journal-world Via AP)
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Although risky behavior took top billing in this survey, there were some positive notes. Fewer teens were identified as "high-risk" this year than last year, when a similar survey was done. This year's teens said marijuana was getting more difficult to buy; the proportion who said they knew users of hard drugs (LSD, cocaine or heroin) has declined.
Regular church attendance -- which studies show is highly beneficial to teens -- was reported by 77 percent of the teens, an unusually large number compared with other recent surveys.
Almost that many said they ate dinner with their parents four or more times a week. Echoing the work of others, Califano said a close, honest relationship between parent and teen is the most powerful protection there is against the risks his center studies. Mealtimes, he said, are "the most convenient, comfortable way" to build those connections.
What if you want to talk about the older boyfriend? Won't that make kids push back from the table?
Have food your kid likes, he said.
Even burgers and fries?
"I'll probably get in trouble saying this," Califano said, "but I'd be a hell of a lot less worried about obesity than drug use, smoking and excessive drinking."
