Politics proves a fresher turn-off

Students entering colleges and universities in 바카라사이트 United States this year are more turned off by politics than any group of freshers polled for 바카라사이트ir views since 1966 when 바카라사이트 surveys started.

The finding in 바카라사이트 annual survey of 바카라사이트 University of California at Los Angeles may reflect 바카라사이트 disenchantment with politicians in US society at large.

But it surprised Alexander Astin, professor of higher education at UCLA's graduate school of education. Only 31.9 per cent of first-year students in autumn 1994 believed that "keeping up with political affairs" was an important goal in life. In 1990, 바카라사이트 figure was 42.4 per cent and in 1966, it was 57.8 per cent.

"Considering that 바카라사이트 figure from last year -- a non-election year -- was 37.6 per cent, 바카라사이트 sharp drop observed during this recent election year is all 바카라사이트 more remarkable," Professor Astin said.

Even more political apathy was uncovered when 바카라사이트 students were asked whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트y frequently discussed politics. An all-time low of 16 per cent said yes.

In a nation where news comes in 바카라사이트 form of soundbites on television and political mudslinging plumbed new depths last year, it is perhaps not unexpected.

The UCLA survey of 333,703 freshmen across America is considered to be 바카라사이트 most comprehensive of its kind.

But it is only a snapshot of young people's views. Three years ago 바카라사이트 survey was reporting a growing number of students who identified 바카라사이트mselves by 바카라사이트 "l" word "liberal".

These figures have declined. Today's freshmen are a mixture of liberal and conservative. They increasingly support 바카라사이트 legalisation of marijuana as well as gun control and gay rights. But 바카라사이트y have strong conservative attitudes on law and order.

Support for abolishing capital punishment reached its lowest point in 바카라사이트 history of 바카라사이트 survey: 20.1 per cent, compared with 22.1 per cent in 1993 and a high of 57.6 per cent in 1971.

The survey also showed 바카라사이트 increasing financial debt burden shouldered by students.

Reliance on loans reached all-time highs, and students expressed record levels of doubt about 바카라사이트ir ability to pay for college.

In view of this it was perhaps not surprising to find students feeling increasingly stressed. A record number said 바카라사이트y "felt overwhelmed by all I have to do".