2006 Maine Marks
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 will more likely feel safe, nurtured and respected.

 

 

 

Where We Stand

The trend continues on this indicator, 86 % of all respondents report 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.

For related interview questions, the trends are also similar year to year:

  • 78% of all respondents said that people who know them would perceive them to
    respect the beliefs and values of people that are of a different sexual orientation than
    they are;
  • 46% of the youth interviewed stated that people who know them would perceive them
    to know a lot about people of other races; and
  • 76% 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.

A survey performed by the Search Institute in 2003 examined this issue from a different perspective
and on a national level. The Search Institute a developmental asset of young people, asset 24, “Cultural Competence.” Cultural competence is defined by the Search Institute as having knowledge of and
comfort with people of different cultural, racial and ethnic backgrounds. Forty-three percent of the 6th to
12th grade respondents experience this asset.

 

 

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 random digit dial telephone
survey of Maine youth in grades 9–12 conducted by Critical Insights, a strategic marketing
research firm in Portland, Maine. A total of 402 youth participated in the interviews for this
2005 report, interviews were completed by January 2006. The youth were asked the following
question: “How would people who know you well rate you on the following: (a) Respecting the
values and beliefs of people who are of a different race or culture than I am, (b) Respecting the
beliefs and values of people who are of a different sexual orientation than I am, (c) Knowing a
lot about people of other races, and (d) Enjoying being with people who are of a different race
than I am”. Due to funding limitations, surveys were not conducted in 2003.

NOTE: For all years, only the data in the “all” column is statistically representative
of youth in this age group statewide; the gender and grade level breakdowns are
provided for descriptive purposes only and are not representative of all Maine youth
in this age group.

National data comes from the Search Institute Profiles of Student Life: Attitudes and Behaviors
Survey. This 2003 survey reached approximately 150,000 6th to 12th grade youth in 202
communities across the United States. Complete results and explanation can be found at
http://www.search-institute.org/research/assets/assetfreqs.html.