WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT ?

The purpose of building character is to fortify the lives of our young people with consensus ethical values and the qualities that define a person's character. These values, which transcend divisions of race, creed, politics, gender and wealth, are: TRUSTWORTHINESS, RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, FAIRNESS, CARING AND CITIZENSHIP.

WHY NOW?

The problems of our youth have escalated over the past few decades. Sixty thousand young people have lost their lives since 1979 by murder or accidental shootings and there are other ways that youth lose out on life. High drug and alcohol use, suicide, unplanned pregnancy, crime, physical abuse, rampant cheating, parental neglect, hopelessness - life in America for many young people is increasingly grim.

Recent research strongly suggests that American youth lack the fundamental attributes and values that are needed to be successful workers, responsible parents and productive citizens. Research of thousands of young people shows alarming numbers of youth feel rejected, unloved and unsupported. Many feel totally unconnected and believe they have no future.

Today our children are exposed to an extraordinary amount of violence, drugs/alcohol, sex, pornography and other forms of anti-social behavior through television, music, movies, advertising and the Internet. At the same time, parenting involvement and support seems to be at an all-time low.

In this environment, the commitment of adults to be models of good character and spend time with young people can make a difference. Young people yearn for consistent adult involvement, leadership and direction, and when they get it, research shows that at-risk behaviors by young people steeply decline.

WHY THE SIX PILLARS?

In 1992 a nonprofit organization called the Josephson Institute of Ethics released a report based on a survey of approximately 9,000 young people, most of whom were in high school or college. The findings were alarming: cheating, lying, stealing, drug use, sexual activity, drunken driving and fighting were commonplace. The lack of ethical values in the lives of young people was obvious.

Following this research, a conference of national leaders, educators and clergy was convened in Aspen, Colorado to investigate ways to reverse these negative trends. From this conference, a consensus was formed outlying the need for character development in youth around six core ethical values that could be taught in the home, school, church, and community. This is what the Aspen Declaration on Character Education developed: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.