The Chronicle Telegram in Elyria, Ohio

Teens Today Show Fewer Crimes and Babies Amid Mixed Trends

A Foundation for Child Development report dubbed the Child-Well Being Index finds youths age 12 to 17 engaging in less risky behavior and an overall rise in well being over 1993 to 2004. Births per 1000 girls dropped from 20 in 1992 to about 11 in 2004, high school binge drinking fell from 46.9% in 1975 to 29.2% in 2000, and juvenile crime victims declined. Obesity rose to 16% among ages 6–17, and scores on academic achievement remained stagnant despite higher per pupil spending. Researchers Kenneth Land and Jeffrey Butts note economic factors and policing changes as influences, while cautioning against overattributing trends to policy.