Despite decades of declining religious affiliation and church participation in the U.S., a new study says parents who model and share their faith at home tend to reap spiritual dividends, sooner or later.
The report, “Passing the Torch: How Faith Moves Across Generations,” released this month by Communio and the Institute for Family Studies, draws on data from more than 60,000 Americans age 25 and up who were raised in Christian traditions.
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Through it all, the primary finding was that children whose parents actively share their faith are roughly twice as likely to care about and adopt that faith as adults.
Additionally, two actively involved parents proved to make a measurable difference. Only 29% of those with just one parent who attended church regularly grew up to do the same. That share rises to 41% when both parents attended regularly. Strong parent-child relationships also boost outcomes: young adults with close bonds to their parents were 97% more likely to believe in God than those with weaker family ties.
“Families are the single most important factor in whether children adopt and maintain faith into adulthood,” the report states. “Congregational programs, clergy leadership and peer networks matter as well, but they are most effective when reinforced within the home.”
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Sarah Holliday and originally published by Decision Magazine. Used with permission. Used with permission.
