Take heart! The kids aren't all bad!

As the school year approaches its end (oh, wait -- not yet?? Whaaa!? TWO MORE MONTHS in some places??!), I stumbled across this recent survey that should give you some refreshing new hope about the children that you serve (and serve. and serve.)

They would rather go to college than win American Idol!
They would rather be smart than pretty!
And, in a final fit of maturity and self-awareness, they say that "making lots of money" isn't nearly as important as "the way you feel about yourself."

The "Teen Topix" survey, produced by the research firm OTX and released publicly last week, surveyed 750 teenagers -- with the idea that their answers could be used by marketers. (For example, 55 percent of teens use whitening toothpaste every day...) But I found their completely non-scientific (at least in my humble, English-major opinion) "either/or" questions to be the most fascinating.

Ninety percent of teens said they'd rather earn a B.A. than win American Idol. Fifty-five percent say they'd rather be the "smartest kid in school" than the best-looking one. (Well, that one was actually uncomfortably close, wasn't it...) But 69 percent say they'd rather feel good than look good. And overall, a whopping majority (81 percent) say they're at least somewhat happy -- and what makes them happiest are their friends, talents, abilities and school performance.

So much for the sulking teen!