This commentary confuses me, Michael. I agree with your 2008 report's findings, and your bottom line, but I disagree strongly with your definition of cynicism. Merriam Webster online defines "cynical" as being distrustful of human nature and motives, reflecting a belief that human conduct is motivated primarily by self-interest, and a disbelief in sincerity or integrity with the given example being cynical about politicians' motives. The definition admittedly contains an air of contemptuousness about being a cynical person.

That said, my takeaway from the 2008 report is that to be cynical about the integrity of these younger generations is sound reasoning - certainly not that their cynicism is the cause of an increase in dishonesty and corruption.

"Unless educational interventions alter these negative..."

Why is it that the schools are responsible for changing things? Kids model the behavior of the adults in their lives. Adults are more cynical. More and more people complain how life is unfair.

Why is it that schools are expected to be the parents of the new generation? Where is the parent responsibility?

A whole lot of people don't even think what they do or what the consequences are. Many students in the school that I go to steal a whole bunch of books when there is a book fair. A book fair in our school sells books for grades kinder to 8th grade. They steal a whole bunch of books because the prices are unfair. I ain't saying I'm stealing or not because I bought this comic for $15.99 plus tax. I had only $18 dollars and I wanted to buy another book so instead I bought the expensive one. Many students also cheat on a test that they don't know or didn't study for. I have seen about 20 to 25 students cheat on tests. Many people say "I'll copy the next person near me because I know that person is smarter than me." When they cheat, the teacher might notice that they cheated. Then you might get a 0 on your test. When I was little, I used to copy some people near me because I thought they were smart. I copied about 2 or 3 problems, but now since I'm older I don't copy at all because I know a lot about English (maybe a little). Since I like math, I get better grades in my math. So it is better if kids don't steal or cheat because you may face the consequences.

I read with enthusiasm your commentaries on a regular basis. While I have consistently agreed with you and found your words timely and informative, I am disapopiinted with 642.5. There are hundreds of high school students who are ethical and make honesty decisions every day. It is not the responsibility of the school to instill in students ethical behavior. That is the job of parents. With wide-spread corruption in government, scandals in religious organizations, dishonest practices in the business world and the family unit deteriorating, I am surprised that the percentages of unethical behavior is not higher. Schools have codes of conduct that expect and reinforce respectful behavior. Students are held accountable for their decisions. Perhaps schools are the only organizations expected to uphold values. School officials are expected to be teachers, counselors, parents, confidants and prepare the kids to compete in the 21st century. The expectation is unreasonable, but educators get blamed anyway. Let's put the responsibility back where it belongs.

As an intermediate school teacher, I deal with cynicism on a daily basis. Sadly, I have witnessed a dramatic increase in this disease in my 8th grade students. Where before the percentage was less than 10% of my students who could be classified as cynics, that percentage has increased to include nearly one-fourth of the students I see. Thank goodness my solidly optimistic population has held steady at at least one-third of my students, but the wavering middle is tumbling into the cynical abyss. While I do promote the Six Pillars of Character in class in a variety of ways and have the definitions of each pillar posted in my room, I do agree with the other comments that the source of the growing cynicism is parents. In parent meetings I see the source of the cynicism in parent attitudes and comments. For successful students, I hear encouraging words and see positive demeanor. Even if a student is struggling, the parents' attitude toward their child is "We can do this." With my cynical students, the reaction from parents ranges from "How dare you" to "I give up." The look on the students' faces when their parents say these things is one of being lost or defiance, yet always with a want for the parent to do or say something where the child is reassured that what he or she does matters to their mom and dad. It is also this second group of parents who are the most difficult to get in touch with and will cancel or find an excuse to not make a parent conference and show up the least to parent nights. Admittedly, it can be very frustrating. While teachers see and experience the proof that parents are a major source of our students' cynicism, I can declare that in my and my colleagues' classrooms, we take the starfish attitude...we have and will continue to foster a positive attitude in our students, and if we can save even one from the cynical abyss, we can give the same answer as the little boy who was asked why it mattered to save starfish on a beach: "It mattered to that one."
Thank you, Michael, for your commentaries, and thank you to your listeners who take the time to respond. Let's keep the dialogue going. It's a healthy way to keep building positive character in everyone.