Young People in 2002
A unique contemporary archive of young people, 'Young People in 2002' provides the answers to over 100 health-related behaviour questions.
37,150 young people, between the ages of 10 and 15, tell us about what they do at home, at school, and with their friends. These data have been collected from 499 primary and secondary schools across the United Kingdom. Annually since 1986, the Schools Health Education Unit (The Unit is now part of SHEU - an independent research and evaluation company based in Exeter) has published the collected Health Related Behaviour Questionnaire (HRBQ) results. Data from more than 626,000 pupils between the ages of 8 and 18, have now been recorded since the questionnaire's genesis in 1977. More than 5,000 separate school surveys have been carried out, some schools repeating surveys of their pupils on five occasions. The data banks at SHEU are a unique resource that are consulted by a wide range of groups and individuals including Local Education Authorities, Health Authorities, Government Offices, University departments, schools, teachers and other interested individuals.
We would like to draw your attention to some of the items contained in the new 2002 report:
'Young People in 2002' is divided into nine sections :
SECTION 1 - Food choices & weight control
SECTION 2 - Doctor & Dentist
SECTION 3 - Health & Safety
SECTION 4 - Family & Home
SECTION 5 - Legal & Illegal Drugs
SECTION 6 - Money
SECTION 7 - Exercise & Sport
SECTION 8 - Social & Personal
SECTION 9 - Responses from primary children that are not contained in sections 1-8.
Notes for Editors
Nevertheless, we caution against simple reporting and interpretation of our databanks as being from 'a national survey'.
37,150 young people, between the ages of 10 and 15, tell us about what they do at home, at school, and with their friends. These data have been collected from 499 primary and secondary schools across the United Kingdom. Annually since 1986, the Schools Health Education Unit (The Unit is now part of SHEU - an independent research and evaluation company based in Exeter) has published the collected Health Related Behaviour Questionnaire (HRBQ) results. Data from more than 626,000 pupils between the ages of 8 and 18, have now been recorded since the questionnaire's genesis in 1977. More than 5,000 separate school surveys have been carried out, some schools repeating surveys of their pupils on five occasions. The data banks at SHEU are a unique resource that are consulted by a wide range of groups and individuals including Local Education Authorities, Health Authorities, Government Offices, University departments, schools, teachers and other interested individuals.
We would like to draw your attention to some of the items contained in the new 2002 report:
- Up to 37% of 14-15 year olds and nearly 45% of 12-13 year olds, for what ever reason, felt unable to respond positively to a question about knowledge of methods of contraception. Similarly, up to 47% of the 14-15 year olds and up to 57% of the 12-13 year olds could not decide which contraceptive methods are reliable to stop infections like HIV/AIDS (SECTION 8) (view pdf)
- Up to 65% will have smoked by the time they are 14 years old. Young people's own smoking habit is strongly correlated with the number of other people smoking at home. This report shows that around 50% of 12-15 year olds live in a 'smoky' home. (SECTION 5)
- Those 14-15 year olds that are drinking are consuming more than pupils in previous years. 19% of the 14-15 year old males drank more than 11 units 'in the past 7 days'. This compares with 16% of the same age group in 2001. (SECTION 5)
- 61% of 10-11 year old females think they are 'fit' or 'very fit'. This falls to 29% by the time they reach 14-15 years of age. (SECTION 7)
- 20% of the 14-15 year old females had 'nothing at all 'for breakfast 'this morning', and 16% of 14-15 year old females 'did not have any lunch'. (SECTION 1)
- 61% of 14-15 year old females 'would like to lose weight'. The proportion of the 14-15 year old females who missed breakfast and lunch and 'would like to lose weight' is 23%. However, from a sample of nearly 4,000, 12% of 14-15 year old females were shown to be medically overweight using Height/Weight data. (SECTION 1)
- 26% of the 14-15 year old males were 'fairly sure' or 'certain' that their friends carried weapons for protection when going out. (SECTION 3)
- 39% of 10-11 year old females feel afraid (at least 'sometimes') of going to school because of bullying. (SECTION 3)
- 29% of 14-15 year old males would keep, to themselves, any problems they experienced with bullying. (SECTION 8)
- More females than males did homework on the evening before the survey, and they tended to spend longer at it. 39% of the 14-15 year old males did no homework. (SECTION 4)
- Up to 61% of the 14-15 year olds are 'fairly sure' or 'certain' that they know a drug user. Up to 19% of 14-15 year olds have mixed drugs and alcohol 'on the same occasion'. (SECTION 5)
- The percentage of young people with a regular job rises from around 25% (12-13 years) to nearly 40% (14-15 years). Over 17% of 14-15 year olds earned more than £30 'last week'. (SECTION 6)
- 'The way you look' remains the principal worry for females aged 14-15 years. 25% of 10-11 year olds worry about 'family problems'. The greatest concern for 14-15 year old males is 'school-work' problems. (SECTION 8)
- Nearly 30% of 10-11 year olds (which has been consistent for a number of years) report that they have been scared or upset by an adult stranger. (SECTION 9)
- 25% of 10-11 yr old males drank alcohol 'last week' and 42% are not aware of AIDS. (SECTION 9)
- The percentage of 10-11 year old males that read at playtime/dinner time has decreased from 29% in 1997 to 17% in 2002. (SECTION 9)
'Young People in 2002' is divided into nine sections :
SECTION 1 - Food choices & weight control
SECTION 2 - Doctor & Dentist
SECTION 3 - Health & Safety
SECTION 4 - Family & Home
SECTION 5 - Legal & Illegal Drugs
SECTION 6 - Money
SECTION 7 - Exercise & Sport
SECTION 8 - Social & Personal
SECTION 9 - Responses from primary children that are not contained in sections 1-8.
Notes for Editors
- SHEU is an independent research, survey and publishing company and the 'Young People in 2004' report is the 19th in the series and based on the work of one of its divisions - The Schools Health Education Unit. The Unit provides reliable baseline data for local needs assessment to inform health improvement plans.
- The accumulated data from the hundreds of school surveys we support each year, involving tens of thousands of young people, is a valuable resource of information and provides many opportunities for research. However, each annual sample of survey schools represents a different combination of regions within the UK. The annual sample is not a random sample selected for the purposes of providing a nationally representative picture. Our confidence in the representative nature of the data is based on:
- its year on-year consistency and
- comparison, where possible, with data derived from surveys using carefully selected national samples.
Nevertheless, we caution against simple reporting and interpretation of our databanks as being from 'a national survey'.
Section 1: Food choices & weight control [ Top ]
Breakfast
20% of the 14-15 year old females and 13% of the 14-15 year old males had nothing at all for breakfast 'this' morning. (p.2)
Lunch
16% of the 14-15 year old females ate no lunch on their previous day at school. (p.3)
Breakfast & Lunch
28% of the 14-15 year old females who had nothing to eat at breakfast 'this' morning (on the morning of the survey) had nothing to eat at lunch the previous day at school (p.2)
Healthy eating
Females are more likely than males to take health into account when choosing what to eat. 24% of the 14-15 year old males say they never do. (p.12)
Weight
61% of 14 -15 year old females and 54% of the 12-13 year old females 'would like to lose weight'. The proportion of the 14-15 year old females who missed breakfast and lunch and 'would like to lose weight' is 22%. However, 12% of 14-15 year old females were shown to be overweight using Height/Weight data (p.4 & 7).
Food choices
(The following comments apply to dietary items consumed on most days.) Over 66% of older pupils have dairy products. Females, from 10-15 years, show a greater preference for fresh fruit, salads and vegetables. Data since 1990 reveal a general increase in those choosing chips/roast potatoes 'on most days'. (p. 8-11)
Section 2: Doctor & Dentist [ Top ]
Going to the doctor
About 27% of the males and females reported visiting their GP within the previous month, and about 50% of all the young people had done so within the previous three months. (p.14)
Confidence with the doctor
24% of the 12-15 year old females, reported feeling 'quite uneasy' or 'very uneasy' on their last visit to the doctor. In previous years we have reported that those young people who say they were at ease with their GP on their last visit were also likely to have visited the GP more recently. (p.15)
Toothbrushing
More than 70% of the males and at least 80% of the females brush their teeth at least twice a day. 26% of older males brush only once. (p.16)
Going to the dentist
About 84% reported visiting the dentist in the previous six months. (p.17)
Section 3: Health & Safety [ Top ]
Baths & showers
More males than females report having seven baths or showers 'in the past week' and more 14-15 year old males (32%) compared to 12-13 year old males (28%). (p.22)
Asthma
Up to 18% of the 10 - 15 year olds report having asthma. (p.23) Medication
53% of the 14-15 year old females had taken painkillers on at least one day during the previous week. Assuming they all cannot be suffering from period pains during the week before the survey it is worth noting that 31% of the 14 -15 year old males also report taking painkillers. 40% of 12-13 year old females and 25% of 12-13 year old males said they took painkillers 'at least one day in the last week'. (p.24)
'Wheezers'
Around 60% of females report 'wheezing' and have trouble breathing (not just out of breath) when they run. (p.29)
Safety outside after dark and during the day
Up to 25% of the sample felt that safety after dark was 'poor' or 'very poor' in their neighbourhood, with females feeling more apprehensive after dark. (p.30)
Carrying weapons
Up to 26% of 14-15 year old males are 'fairly sure' or 'certain' that friends carry weapons for protection when going out. (p.27)
Being bullied
Around 38% of the 10-13 year old females have a fear of bullying. Since 1999 up to 44% of 10-11 year old females have reported, at least sometimes, to a fear of going to school because of bullying. (p.28)
Accidents
During the previous year, around 40% of the males had an accident that needed treatment from a doctor or at a hospital. Most accidents for males occur while playing sport. Females are more likely to report accidents that occur at home (p.30-33)
Section 4: Family & Home [ Top ]
Family structure
In this sample up to 66% of the young people live with both parents, and up to15% live in single-parent families. Around 40% live in a household with five or more people, and the majority live in a home with two children. About 60% have at least one younger sibling and up to 14% are the only child at home. (p.36-39)
School journey
At least 53% walk at least some of the way to school, between 22%-29% go by car and 19% go by school bus. Over 54% of the sample have two or more cars in their family. (p.42-43)
Television
At least 85% watched some TV during the evening prior to the survey. At least 17% watched TV for more than 3 hours and 15% or fewer did not watch at all. (p.44)
Homework
More females than males did homework on the evening before the survey, and they tended to spend longer at it. 39% of the 14-15 year old males did no homework. (p.45)
Computer games
Up to 71% of the males, compared with up to 37% of the females, spent some time playing computer games on the previous evening. (p.48)
Internet
Up to 87% of 14 - 15 year olds access the Internet and more than 78% of the all pupils do have Internet access. At least 57% of pupils have access to the Internet at home. 71% of 14 - 15 year old males browse without adult supervision. Since 2000 we have seen a sharp rise in the percentages of young people that report browsing the Internet without adult supervision (p.47-48)
Evening activities
The most common of all is television watching (between 71-85%). More popular: (with all 10-15 year old males) playing computer games, meeting with friends and playing sport; More popular: (with all 10-15 year old females) reading a book and caring for pets with 12-13 year old females. The fall in percentage of 'readers' between 10-15 years of age implies a decline in the importance of books in the lives of children as they grow older. (p.49)
Section 5: Legal & Illegal Drugs [ Top ]
Experience of alcohol
Between 13%-21% of 10-11 year olds, 28% of the 12 -13 year olds, and 47% of the 14-15 year olds had consumed at least one of the listed alcoholic drinks during the previous week. (p.53)
Beer or lager
27% of the males and 10% of the females, aged 14-15, drank at least one pint of beer or lager during the previous week. Data from 'Trends-Young People and Alcohol 1983-2001' suggest that fewer are drinking but 'drinkers' are drinking more. (p.56)
Wines and Spirits
24% of the 14-15 year old females drank at least 1 small bottle of 'alcopops' during the previous week. 20% of the 14-15 year old females had drunk at least one glass of wine during the previous week. Since 1996, the data shows that older females 'overtook' the males as spirit-drinkers with 20%, 14-15 year old females, drinking one or more spirit measures in the past week. (p.59, 62 & 63)
Alcohol units
Almost twice as many males than females in Year 10 (14-15 year olds) drank 15 or more units of alcohol 'in the previous week'. 19% of the older males drank over 11 units (p. 64)
Obtaining alcohol
The off-licence is the most important source of purchased alcohol, especially for the 14-15 year olds, followed by the pub or bar. (p.66)
Drinking at home
Most 'drinkers' drank at home and substantial numbers of 14 -15 year olds used other venues including friends, disco, club, party, pubs and outside in a public place. Of those who do drink at home, about half do so with their parents always knowing about it. (p.67-68)
Smoking levels
27% of the 14-15 year old females and 20% of the 14-15 year old males smoked at least one cigarette during the previous week. (p.69)
Sources of cigarettes
17% of the 14-15 year old females were able to buy cigarettes from a shop and 8% of the same group were supplied by friends. (p.70)
Attitude to smoking
Between 12-13 years and 14-15 years the number of regular smokers more than triples. Up to 65% will have smoked by Year 10. The majority of current smokers say they would like to stop. 57% of the Year 10 females have a close friend who smokes. The contrast in smoking between females with or without friends who smoke is dramatic, but the highest proportion of all is among females with a 'smoking sister'. Around 50% of all pupils live in a 'smoky'home (p.69-73)
Drug safety
The older they get pupils think that drugs are 'always unsafe', except cannabis, which is considered to be 'always unsafe' by a smaller percentage of the older groups. (p.74)
Drug users
Up to 62% of the 14-15 year olds are 'fairly sure' or 'certain' that they know a drug user. (p.75)
Drug experience
About I in 4 pupils in Year 10 - four times as many as in Year 8 - have tried at least one drug. Cannabis is by far the most likely drug to have been tried, with 29% of 14-15 year old males, 27% of 14-15 year old females, and up to 8% of 12-13 year olds reporting having taken it. Up to 19% of 14-15 year olds have mixed drugs and alcohol 'on the same occasion' (p.76, 78)
Section 6: Money [ Top ]
Paid work during term time
The percentage of young people with a regular job rises from around 25% (12-13 years) up to 39% (14-15 years). (p.80)
Type of work
Paper and milk rounds are prime jobs for the males, with babysitting common for the females. Paid housework is also an important source of income for the younger respondents. (p.81)
Hours worked
Around 12% of the 14-15 year old workers worked for more than 10 hours during the week before the survey. The average hours worked per. week was between 4.1 (12-13 year olds) and up to 6.3 (14-15 year olds). (p.82)
Money earned
Over 17% of 14-15 year olds earned more than £30 a week. The average earnings for the same age group was over £21 for males and females. (p.83)
Pocket money
61% of 10-11 year olds receive weekly pocket money and up to 66% get up to £5, while about 23% of the 14-15 year olds receive more than £10 per week. (p.84-85)
Total income
14% of the 14-15 year olds receive more than £30 per week from pocket money and jobs. (p.86)
Saving money
More older males (37%) than females (30%) are savers and up to 39% of all pupils saved something. (p.87)
Spending money
22% of older males spent more than £20 during the week before the survey. (p.88)
Items bought last week
For all groups: sweets (up to 45%) and soft drinks (up to 38%).
For individual age/gender:
(10-11 yr males): sweets (42%) computer games (35%), leisure/sportscentre and CDs/tapes (29%).
(10-11 yr females): sweets (41%) comics/magazines (34%), cds/tapes (33%), school equipment (35%).
(14-15 yr males): sweets (42%) soft drinks (38%) fast food (29%).
(14-15 yr females): sweets (45%) soft drinks (35%) clothes/footwear (32%), cosmetics/toiletries (29%) (p.89-90).
Section 7: Exercise and Sport [ Top ]
Enjoyment of sport
46% of the 10-11 year old females enjoy physical activity 'a lot'. However, far fewer females than males in each year group report liking sport 'a lot'. Nearly half as many 14-15 year old females as males say they enjoy physical activity 'a lot'. Nevertheless, over 80% of primary school pupils and over 65% of the secondary pupils enjoy physical activity 'quite a lot' or 'a lot'. (p.94)
Active sports
Nearly all of the 36 activities listed show a decline in involvement with increasing age except for 5-a-side football, basketball, soccer, badminton and weight training. Volleyball, tennis and fishing remain generally constant across the age groups and between genders. 'Going for walks' is a popular activity for up to 38% of females. Comparing the 14-15 year old 'no active sport' data since 1992 shows a range of 14%-23%. In the past four years the average has been around 20% reporting taking 'no active sport'. (p.95-97)
Fitness
Up to 69% of 10-11 year old pupils think they are 'fit' or 'very fit'. 26% of the 14-15 year old females describe themselves as 'unfit' or 'very unfit'. Perceived fitness declines with age in males and females. (p.99)
Aerobic exercise
Over 85% of all groups (10-15 year olds) had exercised to the level of 'breathing hard' at least once in the previous week. The gap is seen to widen between males and females among the frequent exercisers as they get older. More than 10% of all groups never exercise (p.100)
Section 8: Social & Personal [ Top ]
Meeting people of their own age for the first time
Around 25% are 'quite' or 'very uneasy'. (p.103)
Information about sex
Between 12-15 years of age there is a trend away from parents and school lessons and a trend towards friends. Parents and/or school lessons should be the main source of information according to these young people. (p.104-105)
Useful school lessons
Most lessons on the list are reported to be less 'useful' as pupils get older. (p.106)
Enjoyable school lessons
Up to 38% report enjoying 'all' or 'most' school lessons. Those that reported enjoying 'all' or 'most' lessons were also more likely to rate the subjects as 'quite useful ' or 'very useful'. (p.107)
GCSEs
50% of 14-15 year olds expect good grades at GCSEs (In England in 2002, 57% of pupils achieved grades A-C). (p.108)
After Year 11
54% of 14-15 year old females and 42% of 14-15 year old males want to continue with full-time education. Figures from the DoES for 2000 show that 72% of 16 year olds were in full-time education.(p.109)
Worries
25% of 10-11 year olds worry about 'family problems'.14-15 year old females top the list of most problem areas. 'The way you look' is the principal worry for this group, but school, money and career worries are also high on the list of the older teenagers. 49% of 14-15 yr females are worried about the way they look (p.110)
School-work problems
35% of 14-15 year old females have school-work problems. Generally there has been a marked rise in worry about school work since 1996. Mother and father are the most common source of support. (p.111) Money problems
Around 50% would talk to their mother and father. (p.112)
Health problems
26% of 14-15 year old females report health problems and 42% would turn to their mother for support. More than half the males would turn to mother and father. (p.113)
Career problems
Mother and father are the most likely source of support and the school teacher plays a stronger part for older pupils. Up to 13% of older females would turn to their teacher. (p.114)
Friend problems
Gender differences are pronounced. More males say mother and father, or 'would keep it to myself' . More females say mother. Up to 31% would share the problem with another friend. (p.115)
Family problems
25% of 10-11 year olds and 36% of 14-15 year old females worry about 'family problems'. Females are twice as likely than males to turn to a friend. Males are more likely to go to mother and father and up to 17% would 'keep it to myself'. (p.116)
Bullying problems
10% of 12-13 year old females report this problem. 29% of 14-15 year old males would keep, to themselves, any problems they experienced with bullying. (p.117)
Self-esteem
The level of self-esteem tends to increase with age. The 'high' group included more males than females. (p.118)
Control over health
The majority feel they are in control of their health. At least a quarter do not think they can influence their health by their own efforts. (p.119-121)
Getting on with adults
Up to 59% 'get on best' with both parents. Older pupils show a move away from parents towards other individual family members and friend. More than 77% trust at least two adults. Around 5% of pupils trust no one. (p.122-123)
Life satisfaction
Males are more satisfied than females. This difference is in line with evidence that females worry about more things than males. (p.124)
Methods of contraception
Up to 37% of 14-15 year olds and nearly 45% of 12-13 year olds, for what ever reason, felt unable to respond positively to a question about knowledge of methods of contraception. Of those that did respond, 58% of males selected 'condoms' and 58% of females chose 'The Pill' as the most reliable contraceptive method to stop pregnancy. (p.126) (View pdf)
Methods of contraception reliable to stop infections like HIV/AIDS
Up to 47% of the 14-15 year olds and up to 57% of the 12-13 year olds could not decide which contraceptive methods are reliable to stop infections like HIV/AIDS. Of those that did respond between 40%-60% chose 'condoms'. (p.127)
Birth control services
37% of the 14-15 year old females knew about the service for young people, and knowledge grew with age. 49% of the older males did not know of a source of free condoms whereas two-thirds of the females said they did know. (p.128-129)
Section 9: The Primary Questionnaire Responses (10-11 year olds) [ Top ]
This section contains responses from primary children in Year 6 that are not contained in the previous eight sections.
Schoolday breakfast
Cereal is a firm favourite. 10-11 year old primary pupils generally appear to be more careful than secondary pupils to have a substantial breakfast. At least 16% had nothing to drink before 'coming to school today' (p.132)
Being bullied
Around 25% experience some form of bullying. Playtime and lunchtime can cause anxiety for up to 16% of 10 - 11 year olds and, 16% of females felt picked on for 'the way they looked'. (p.133-136)
'Stranger danger'
28% (which has been consistent for a number of years) report that they have been scared or upset by an adult stranger. 17% ran away when approached by a stranger (p.137-138)
Alcoholic drinks
69% of 10-11 year old females have tasted wine. Males top the list in all categories of alcoholic drink except wine although both favoured 'alcopops' (28%). 25% of the 10-11 yr old males drank alcohol in the previous week. (p.140-l41)
Smoking
At least 16% said 'maybe' or 'yes' to smoking when they are older. Over 78% said that they didn't think they will smoke when they are older. (p.142)
AIDS & talking about AIDS
42% of 10-11 yr old males do not know of an illness called AIDS (or HIV). Only about 11% of Year 6 teachers have talked to their pupils about AIDS (or HIV), at least according to the recollection of the pupils. (p.143-144)
Talking about drugs
Up to 71% said their parents had spoken to them about drugs. (p.145)
Playtime and dinner time
22% of females compared with 17% of males report reading. Males' reading at playtime/dinner time has decreased from 29% since 1997. (p.146)
Breakfast
20% of the 14-15 year old females and 13% of the 14-15 year old males had nothing at all for breakfast 'this' morning. (p.2)
Lunch
16% of the 14-15 year old females ate no lunch on their previous day at school. (p.3)
Breakfast & Lunch
28% of the 14-15 year old females who had nothing to eat at breakfast 'this' morning (on the morning of the survey) had nothing to eat at lunch the previous day at school (p.2)
Healthy eating
Females are more likely than males to take health into account when choosing what to eat. 24% of the 14-15 year old males say they never do. (p.12)
Weight
61% of 14 -15 year old females and 54% of the 12-13 year old females 'would like to lose weight'. The proportion of the 14-15 year old females who missed breakfast and lunch and 'would like to lose weight' is 22%. However, 12% of 14-15 year old females were shown to be overweight using Height/Weight data (p.4 & 7).
Food choices
(The following comments apply to dietary items consumed on most days.) Over 66% of older pupils have dairy products. Females, from 10-15 years, show a greater preference for fresh fruit, salads and vegetables. Data since 1990 reveal a general increase in those choosing chips/roast potatoes 'on most days'. (p. 8-11)
Section 2: Doctor & Dentist [ Top ]
Going to the doctor
About 27% of the males and females reported visiting their GP within the previous month, and about 50% of all the young people had done so within the previous three months. (p.14)
Confidence with the doctor
24% of the 12-15 year old females, reported feeling 'quite uneasy' or 'very uneasy' on their last visit to the doctor. In previous years we have reported that those young people who say they were at ease with their GP on their last visit were also likely to have visited the GP more recently. (p.15)
Toothbrushing
More than 70% of the males and at least 80% of the females brush their teeth at least twice a day. 26% of older males brush only once. (p.16)
Going to the dentist
About 84% reported visiting the dentist in the previous six months. (p.17)
Section 3: Health & Safety [ Top ]
Baths & showers
More males than females report having seven baths or showers 'in the past week' and more 14-15 year old males (32%) compared to 12-13 year old males (28%). (p.22)
Asthma
Up to 18% of the 10 - 15 year olds report having asthma. (p.23) Medication
53% of the 14-15 year old females had taken painkillers on at least one day during the previous week. Assuming they all cannot be suffering from period pains during the week before the survey it is worth noting that 31% of the 14 -15 year old males also report taking painkillers. 40% of 12-13 year old females and 25% of 12-13 year old males said they took painkillers 'at least one day in the last week'. (p.24)
'Wheezers'
Around 60% of females report 'wheezing' and have trouble breathing (not just out of breath) when they run. (p.29)
Safety outside after dark and during the day
Up to 25% of the sample felt that safety after dark was 'poor' or 'very poor' in their neighbourhood, with females feeling more apprehensive after dark. (p.30)
Carrying weapons
Up to 26% of 14-15 year old males are 'fairly sure' or 'certain' that friends carry weapons for protection when going out. (p.27)
Being bullied
Around 38% of the 10-13 year old females have a fear of bullying. Since 1999 up to 44% of 10-11 year old females have reported, at least sometimes, to a fear of going to school because of bullying. (p.28)
Accidents
During the previous year, around 40% of the males had an accident that needed treatment from a doctor or at a hospital. Most accidents for males occur while playing sport. Females are more likely to report accidents that occur at home (p.30-33)
Section 4: Family & Home [ Top ]
Family structure
In this sample up to 66% of the young people live with both parents, and up to15% live in single-parent families. Around 40% live in a household with five or more people, and the majority live in a home with two children. About 60% have at least one younger sibling and up to 14% are the only child at home. (p.36-39)
School journey
At least 53% walk at least some of the way to school, between 22%-29% go by car and 19% go by school bus. Over 54% of the sample have two or more cars in their family. (p.42-43)
Television
At least 85% watched some TV during the evening prior to the survey. At least 17% watched TV for more than 3 hours and 15% or fewer did not watch at all. (p.44)
Homework
More females than males did homework on the evening before the survey, and they tended to spend longer at it. 39% of the 14-15 year old males did no homework. (p.45)
Computer games
Up to 71% of the males, compared with up to 37% of the females, spent some time playing computer games on the previous evening. (p.48)
Internet
Up to 87% of 14 - 15 year olds access the Internet and more than 78% of the all pupils do have Internet access. At least 57% of pupils have access to the Internet at home. 71% of 14 - 15 year old males browse without adult supervision. Since 2000 we have seen a sharp rise in the percentages of young people that report browsing the Internet without adult supervision (p.47-48)
Evening activities
The most common of all is television watching (between 71-85%). More popular: (with all 10-15 year old males) playing computer games, meeting with friends and playing sport; More popular: (with all 10-15 year old females) reading a book and caring for pets with 12-13 year old females. The fall in percentage of 'readers' between 10-15 years of age implies a decline in the importance of books in the lives of children as they grow older. (p.49)
Section 5: Legal & Illegal Drugs [ Top ]
Experience of alcohol
Between 13%-21% of 10-11 year olds, 28% of the 12 -13 year olds, and 47% of the 14-15 year olds had consumed at least one of the listed alcoholic drinks during the previous week. (p.53)
Beer or lager
27% of the males and 10% of the females, aged 14-15, drank at least one pint of beer or lager during the previous week. Data from 'Trends-Young People and Alcohol 1983-2001' suggest that fewer are drinking but 'drinkers' are drinking more. (p.56)
Wines and Spirits
24% of the 14-15 year old females drank at least 1 small bottle of 'alcopops' during the previous week. 20% of the 14-15 year old females had drunk at least one glass of wine during the previous week. Since 1996, the data shows that older females 'overtook' the males as spirit-drinkers with 20%, 14-15 year old females, drinking one or more spirit measures in the past week. (p.59, 62 & 63)
Alcohol units
Almost twice as many males than females in Year 10 (14-15 year olds) drank 15 or more units of alcohol 'in the previous week'. 19% of the older males drank over 11 units (p. 64)
Obtaining alcohol
The off-licence is the most important source of purchased alcohol, especially for the 14-15 year olds, followed by the pub or bar. (p.66)
Drinking at home
Most 'drinkers' drank at home and substantial numbers of 14 -15 year olds used other venues including friends, disco, club, party, pubs and outside in a public place. Of those who do drink at home, about half do so with their parents always knowing about it. (p.67-68)
Smoking levels
27% of the 14-15 year old females and 20% of the 14-15 year old males smoked at least one cigarette during the previous week. (p.69)
Sources of cigarettes
17% of the 14-15 year old females were able to buy cigarettes from a shop and 8% of the same group were supplied by friends. (p.70)
Attitude to smoking
Between 12-13 years and 14-15 years the number of regular smokers more than triples. Up to 65% will have smoked by Year 10. The majority of current smokers say they would like to stop. 57% of the Year 10 females have a close friend who smokes. The contrast in smoking between females with or without friends who smoke is dramatic, but the highest proportion of all is among females with a 'smoking sister'. Around 50% of all pupils live in a 'smoky'home (p.69-73)
Drug safety
The older they get pupils think that drugs are 'always unsafe', except cannabis, which is considered to be 'always unsafe' by a smaller percentage of the older groups. (p.74)
Drug users
Up to 62% of the 14-15 year olds are 'fairly sure' or 'certain' that they know a drug user. (p.75)
Drug experience
About I in 4 pupils in Year 10 - four times as many as in Year 8 - have tried at least one drug. Cannabis is by far the most likely drug to have been tried, with 29% of 14-15 year old males, 27% of 14-15 year old females, and up to 8% of 12-13 year olds reporting having taken it. Up to 19% of 14-15 year olds have mixed drugs and alcohol 'on the same occasion' (p.76, 78)
Section 6: Money [ Top ]
Paid work during term time
The percentage of young people with a regular job rises from around 25% (12-13 years) up to 39% (14-15 years). (p.80)
Type of work
Paper and milk rounds are prime jobs for the males, with babysitting common for the females. Paid housework is also an important source of income for the younger respondents. (p.81)
Hours worked
Around 12% of the 14-15 year old workers worked for more than 10 hours during the week before the survey. The average hours worked per. week was between 4.1 (12-13 year olds) and up to 6.3 (14-15 year olds). (p.82)
Money earned
Over 17% of 14-15 year olds earned more than £30 a week. The average earnings for the same age group was over £21 for males and females. (p.83)
Pocket money
61% of 10-11 year olds receive weekly pocket money and up to 66% get up to £5, while about 23% of the 14-15 year olds receive more than £10 per week. (p.84-85)
Total income
14% of the 14-15 year olds receive more than £30 per week from pocket money and jobs. (p.86)
Saving money
More older males (37%) than females (30%) are savers and up to 39% of all pupils saved something. (p.87)
Spending money
22% of older males spent more than £20 during the week before the survey. (p.88)
Items bought last week
For all groups: sweets (up to 45%) and soft drinks (up to 38%).
For individual age/gender:
(10-11 yr males): sweets (42%) computer games (35%), leisure/sportscentre and CDs/tapes (29%).
(10-11 yr females): sweets (41%) comics/magazines (34%), cds/tapes (33%), school equipment (35%).
(14-15 yr males): sweets (42%) soft drinks (38%) fast food (29%).
(14-15 yr females): sweets (45%) soft drinks (35%) clothes/footwear (32%), cosmetics/toiletries (29%) (p.89-90).
Section 7: Exercise and Sport [ Top ]
Enjoyment of sport
46% of the 10-11 year old females enjoy physical activity 'a lot'. However, far fewer females than males in each year group report liking sport 'a lot'. Nearly half as many 14-15 year old females as males say they enjoy physical activity 'a lot'. Nevertheless, over 80% of primary school pupils and over 65% of the secondary pupils enjoy physical activity 'quite a lot' or 'a lot'. (p.94)
Active sports
Nearly all of the 36 activities listed show a decline in involvement with increasing age except for 5-a-side football, basketball, soccer, badminton and weight training. Volleyball, tennis and fishing remain generally constant across the age groups and between genders. 'Going for walks' is a popular activity for up to 38% of females. Comparing the 14-15 year old 'no active sport' data since 1992 shows a range of 14%-23%. In the past four years the average has been around 20% reporting taking 'no active sport'. (p.95-97)
Fitness
Up to 69% of 10-11 year old pupils think they are 'fit' or 'very fit'. 26% of the 14-15 year old females describe themselves as 'unfit' or 'very unfit'. Perceived fitness declines with age in males and females. (p.99)
Aerobic exercise
Over 85% of all groups (10-15 year olds) had exercised to the level of 'breathing hard' at least once in the previous week. The gap is seen to widen between males and females among the frequent exercisers as they get older. More than 10% of all groups never exercise (p.100)
Section 8: Social & Personal [ Top ]
Meeting people of their own age for the first time
Around 25% are 'quite' or 'very uneasy'. (p.103)
Information about sex
Between 12-15 years of age there is a trend away from parents and school lessons and a trend towards friends. Parents and/or school lessons should be the main source of information according to these young people. (p.104-105)
Useful school lessons
Most lessons on the list are reported to be less 'useful' as pupils get older. (p.106)
Enjoyable school lessons
Up to 38% report enjoying 'all' or 'most' school lessons. Those that reported enjoying 'all' or 'most' lessons were also more likely to rate the subjects as 'quite useful ' or 'very useful'. (p.107)
GCSEs
50% of 14-15 year olds expect good grades at GCSEs (In England in 2002, 57% of pupils achieved grades A-C). (p.108)
After Year 11
54% of 14-15 year old females and 42% of 14-15 year old males want to continue with full-time education. Figures from the DoES for 2000 show that 72% of 16 year olds were in full-time education.(p.109)
Worries
25% of 10-11 year olds worry about 'family problems'.14-15 year old females top the list of most problem areas. 'The way you look' is the principal worry for this group, but school, money and career worries are also high on the list of the older teenagers. 49% of 14-15 yr females are worried about the way they look (p.110)
School-work problems
35% of 14-15 year old females have school-work problems. Generally there has been a marked rise in worry about school work since 1996. Mother and father are the most common source of support. (p.111) Money problems
Around 50% would talk to their mother and father. (p.112)
Health problems
26% of 14-15 year old females report health problems and 42% would turn to their mother for support. More than half the males would turn to mother and father. (p.113)
Career problems
Mother and father are the most likely source of support and the school teacher plays a stronger part for older pupils. Up to 13% of older females would turn to their teacher. (p.114)
Friend problems
Gender differences are pronounced. More males say mother and father, or 'would keep it to myself' . More females say mother. Up to 31% would share the problem with another friend. (p.115)
Family problems
25% of 10-11 year olds and 36% of 14-15 year old females worry about 'family problems'. Females are twice as likely than males to turn to a friend. Males are more likely to go to mother and father and up to 17% would 'keep it to myself'. (p.116)
Bullying problems
10% of 12-13 year old females report this problem. 29% of 14-15 year old males would keep, to themselves, any problems they experienced with bullying. (p.117)
Self-esteem
The level of self-esteem tends to increase with age. The 'high' group included more males than females. (p.118)
Control over health
The majority feel they are in control of their health. At least a quarter do not think they can influence their health by their own efforts. (p.119-121)
Getting on with adults
Up to 59% 'get on best' with both parents. Older pupils show a move away from parents towards other individual family members and friend. More than 77% trust at least two adults. Around 5% of pupils trust no one. (p.122-123)
Life satisfaction
Males are more satisfied than females. This difference is in line with evidence that females worry about more things than males. (p.124)
Methods of contraception
Up to 37% of 14-15 year olds and nearly 45% of 12-13 year olds, for what ever reason, felt unable to respond positively to a question about knowledge of methods of contraception. Of those that did respond, 58% of males selected 'condoms' and 58% of females chose 'The Pill' as the most reliable contraceptive method to stop pregnancy. (p.126) (View pdf)
Methods of contraception reliable to stop infections like HIV/AIDS
Up to 47% of the 14-15 year olds and up to 57% of the 12-13 year olds could not decide which contraceptive methods are reliable to stop infections like HIV/AIDS. Of those that did respond between 40%-60% chose 'condoms'. (p.127)
Birth control services
37% of the 14-15 year old females knew about the service for young people, and knowledge grew with age. 49% of the older males did not know of a source of free condoms whereas two-thirds of the females said they did know. (p.128-129)
Section 9: The Primary Questionnaire Responses (10-11 year olds) [ Top ]
This section contains responses from primary children in Year 6 that are not contained in the previous eight sections.
Schoolday breakfast
Cereal is a firm favourite. 10-11 year old primary pupils generally appear to be more careful than secondary pupils to have a substantial breakfast. At least 16% had nothing to drink before 'coming to school today' (p.132)
Being bullied
Around 25% experience some form of bullying. Playtime and lunchtime can cause anxiety for up to 16% of 10 - 11 year olds and, 16% of females felt picked on for 'the way they looked'. (p.133-136)
'Stranger danger'
28% (which has been consistent for a number of years) report that they have been scared or upset by an adult stranger. 17% ran away when approached by a stranger (p.137-138)
Alcoholic drinks
69% of 10-11 year old females have tasted wine. Males top the list in all categories of alcoholic drink except wine although both favoured 'alcopops' (28%). 25% of the 10-11 yr old males drank alcohol in the previous week. (p.140-l41)
Smoking
At least 16% said 'maybe' or 'yes' to smoking when they are older. Over 78% said that they didn't think they will smoke when they are older. (p.142)
AIDS & talking about AIDS
42% of 10-11 yr old males do not know of an illness called AIDS (or HIV). Only about 11% of Year 6 teachers have talked to their pupils about AIDS (or HIV), at least according to the recollection of the pupils. (p.143-144)
Talking about drugs
Up to 71% said their parents had spoken to them about drugs. (p.145)
Playtime and dinner time
22% of females compared with 17% of males report reading. Males' reading at playtime/dinner time has decreased from 29% since 1997. (p.146)