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New results from a poll of California youth ages 16 to 22 reveals a yearning for the traditional structures of marriage, parenthood, and religion as well as the desire for and benefits of a college education.  Past CTFC grantee New America Media commissioned Bendixen & Associates, in co-sponsorship with the University of California Office of the President, to conduct the first ever cell phone survey of the state's youth.  Since a growing number of American youth rely on cell phones as their primary mode of communication, utilizing cell phones as a new interviewing technology proved instrumental in eliciting broad survey participation. 

Pollsters surveyed 601 African American, Asian, Latino and White youth throughout California, in English, and found that family breakdown is the biggest challenge these young people see facing their generation.  Although this is the most diverse generation the nation has known, it is also one of the most inclusive in terms of race, ethnicity, and gender.  This generation of California youth reflect a general sense of optimism unlike past generations or youth in other states.  Given the general view of California as a trendsetter, this public opinion portrait of our youth sends an important message to the state and country as a whole.