A Change in Teen Values?

Last week Jen picked up a copy of April’s Macleans magazine from the hospital to read on her break. She then brought it home for me to read. And an interesting read it was!

This issue reported on the Project Teen Canada study that is done every 8 or so years by sociologist Reg Bibby. Since the last study 8 years ago there has been considerable drops in teens drinking (down by 7%), smoking (down by 15%), doing drugs (down by 6%) and more teens are abstaining from sexual relationships (up by 5%).

As I read these statistics, I was wondering to myself the cause of such changes amongst teenagers. Initially I thought it was due to the increased awareness in the media in regards to the consquences of doing drugs, drinking, smoking and having sex. In some case this assumption proved to be correct however Bibby noted one reason in particular for these marked changes.

There is a growing disconent amongst teenagers not to follow down the same path as their parents (e.g. Divorce). Even though approx 85% of those in the study said their parents were the greatest influnence in their lives. Teens long for stability in their adult lives. A stability that resembles that of the 1950’s – one that is focused on morals, good values and family. In fact the study shows that more teens want to get married and have kids (both up by 6 and 13% respectively). However the article asks an interesting question:

“But exactly what will there be to hold households together? In the old days, organised religion would have set a template, consecrating marriage, welcoming children into the world and generally setting down the formula for a stable upright family. But today, only 2 in 10 young people attend church regularly. Breaking with the past will require a new social model that adapts old-fashioned values to modern reality.”

In my opinion social models don’t work – history is littered with numerous examples of this. The only way that these teens will see stability in their adult lives, is if they follow the model that God has set forth in his Word. Not to be the pessimist but they are destined for failure even though their intentions are somewhat good.

With fewer teens going to church, how do we encourage and show them that the right foundation for life and family is found only in the Lord? This will be one of the greatest challenges that the church will face for this and the next generation.