Achievement’ Young People Are Taking Stock Of The Economy (NAPS)—The vast majority of young people think taxes are too high. And most think purchases madeover the Internet should be tax-free. These are just two of the highlights of the most recent installment of an ongoing Achievement (JA) study of the attitudes and opinions young people have on a rangeoffinancial topics. The survey is sponsored by the world’s largest organization dedicated to educating young people about business, economics and free enterprise. Of 546 students queried, 83 percent said taxes are too high and 79 percent said they shouldn't have to pay tax on purchases they makeover the Internet. In one of the more revealing results of the poll, 24 percent of young people reported they already own stock. And, with a nod toward the stability of the traditional economy, 82 percent of the students said they would favor purchasing the stock of a “company that had been around a while” over the stock of a “dotcom”company. At the same time, the survey results paint a picture of today’s teens as politically independent. Seventy percent of teens agreed with the statement that unions should continue trying to protect laborers’ rights and needs. When asked when they should A recent survey revealed that 24 percent of American teens own sharesof stock. —already play an active role in the economy. This, according to JA, under- scores students’ need for personal financial knowledge by the time they go off to college or enter the percent of students polled said “immediately” or “by age 25,” indi- workforce. Achievement addresses this need by giving young people the skills they need to succeed in their future careers andtheir lives. Achievement reaches nearly four million students through a network of 158 offices nationwide. For more information on JA or a copy of the survey results, call 1-800 THE New JA (1-800-843- among young people to plan for their futures. quarters, One Education Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80906. You start saving for retirement, 75 cating a growing awareness Overall, the survey results revealed that American teens—as consumers, workers and investors 6395) or write JA National Head- ean also visit the JA Web site at www.ja.org or contact the near- est Achievementoffice.
