Indicator: 4 - Youth Respecting Others
Why This Is Important
Maine is often described as a homogeneous state, meaning that there are few apparent minority
populations in Maine. Young people of various races, cultures and sexual orientations need to be
able to live safely in our communities. Children are safe in Maine communities when their race,
cultural lifestyle or sexual orientation is respected. Young people who grow up in families and
communities that promote tolerance and respect willmore likely feel safe, nurtured and respected.
Where We Stand
The trend on this indicator is similar to previous periods, with 85% of a sample of Maine youth
in 2004 reporting that they believe that people who know them would perceive them as respecting
the values and beliefs of people who are of a different race or culture than themselves. Another
trend that is continuing is that females are more likely to report this perception of themselves than
males. Beliefs varied little among Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors.
- 76% of the respondents said that people who know them would perceive them to respect
the beliefs and values of people who are of a different sexual orientation than they are;
- 39% of the youth interviewed stated that people who know them would perceive them to
know a lot about people of other races; and
- 71% of the interviewees said that people who know them would perceive them to enjoy
being with people who are of a different race than themselves.
Data Sources and Context
This Maine Marks indicator is adapted from the work of the Search Institute
(www.search-institute.org) and their research into developmental assets of young people.
The developmental assets framework is popular with many who work in the field of youth
development. The data source for this indicator is a statewide telephone survey of youth grades
9-12 conducted by Critical Insights, a strategic marketing research firm in Portland, Maine. A
total of 403 telephone interviews with Maine youth were done in November 2000, 402 in
November 2001, 400 in November 2002, and 400 in December 2004. Due to inadequate
funding, there weren’t any interviews conducted in 2003.
The youth were asked the following: “How would people who know you well rate you on the
following:
- Respecting the values and beliefs of people who are of a different race or culture than
I am
- Respecting the beliefs and values of people who are of a different sexual orientation than
I am
- Knowing a lot about people of other races
- Enjoying being with people who are of a different race than I am”.
For all years, only the data in the “all” column is statistically representative of youth
statewide in grades 9-12. For 2004 only, the data was weighted by finding an average
of the proportion of students in each secondary grade level, by gender, over the past five
years. Attendance reports from the Maine State Department of Education were used to
develop these weighted estimates. These weighted results are rough estimates and are
primarily descriptive in nature.
