British Teens More Sedate Than Parents

LONDON —  British teen-agers are more interested in making money than rebelling against the establishment and espousing great causes, according to a survey by one of Britain’s top banks.

It found that teen-agers generally shun walking on the wild side of life like many of their parents did in the era of the Beatles, the mini-skirt and a string of writers called “The Angry Young Men.”

“They reject teen-age icons and stereotyping and, unlike their parents’ youth generation, there are no rebels and very few causes,” said Frank Wilson, youth marketing manager of the Trustee Savings Bank (TSB).

TSB sought the opinions of youngsters who entered their teens during the 11-year premiership of Margaret Thatcher--high priestess of thrift, hard work and self-help.

The bank discovered a “common sense” generation of teen-agers who want to be independent and frequently use cash rather than drift into credit.

The survey of 2,700 youngsters aged 14 to 17 showed they appreciated cleverness and humor in advertisements but were cynical of gimmicks.

They were more likely to spend money on drinks and clothes than on records, tapes, CDs and the cinema.

“School-leavers positively reject the idea of credit and overdrafts and even check books can represent a loss of control,” Wilson said.

“Cash is the favored method of payment with teen-agers preferring to make frequent visits to the cash dispenser to withdraw small amounts.”

The pursuit of wealth figured highly in the teen-agers’ approach to life.

“Time and time again school-leavers interviewed told us being in control of their money gave them greater self-confidence to tackle life in the adult world,” said Wilson.

Teen-agers were keen to carve their own niche in life rather than rely on the state.

“Teen-agers recognize that they are part of a do-it-yourself society,” Wilson said. “They want to stand on their own two feet and do not expect state handouts as a matter of course.”