Youth Indicators, 2005: Trends in the Well-Being of American Youth

Indicator 49: Personal Safety

Figure 49. Percentage of high school students who participated in behaviors that may endanger their safety, by sex and race/ethnicity: 2003

Percentage of high school students who participated in behaviors that may endanger their safety, by sex and race/ethnicity: 2003
1One or more times during the 30 days preceding the survey.
2Examples of a weapon are a gun, knife, or club.
3One or more times during the 12 months preceding the survey.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance—United States, 2003.

In 2003, a higher percentage of male than female high school students reported engaging in a variety of behaviors that put their personal safety at risk. Specifically, a larger percentage of males than females reported driving after drinking alcoholic beverages, carrying a weapon/ gun, and engaging or being injured in a physical fight. Among males, differences were found between Blacks and Whites for fighting and being injured in a fight. White males were less likely to be engaged or become injured in a physical fight than Black males. Race/ethnicity differences also were found among females. Hispanic female students were more likely than Black or White female students to report riding with a driver who had been drinking. Forty percent of Hispanic females reported riding with a driver who had been drinking, but only 9 percent reported driving after drinking. Black females were less likely to drive after drinking alcoholic beverages than White or Hispanic females.


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