SURVEY. Youngsters have nothing against cheating

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SURVEY

Youngsters have nothing against cheating
The Nation 2011-09-22

Children between the ages of 10 and 14 are showing greater acceptance of cheating in games and exams, the Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI) disclosed in its findings yesterday.

The survey, involving 9,035 children in 21 provinces, was conducted to determine their health in relation to emotion, society and ethics. This was the fourth such survey.

"When compared to the 2001 survey, scores in creativity, analytical thinking, problem solving and emotional control are low," Dr Wichai Aekplakorn, from the Mahidol University's Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, said yesterday.

He said, according to the survey, children between the ages of one and five, especially boys, needed to learn obedience and compassion. As for those between six and nine, Wichai said, the overall scores had dropped especially in terms of compassion, concentration, and emotional control.

"Boys in this group have low scores in terms of discipline, while their female peers have low scores in concentration," he said, adding that those between the ages of 10 and 14 showed greater acceptance of cheating in exams and games.

"They have the tendency to cheat if given the opportunity, especially in exams," he said, comparing the latest findings to results from previous surveys.

Wichai said many parents these days did not know how to raise their children.

Dr Amporn Benjaponpitak, who heads the Mental Health Department's Bureau of Mental Health Technical Development, said children nowadays lacked discipline.

"They often don't put away their toys, and parents use harsh words to discipline them and the children learn to behave the same way," she said, urging parents and teachers to become good examples for the youngsters.

HSRI director Pongpisut Jongudomsuk, meanwhile, said he would present the findings to Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri.