Faith-Based Groups Foster Teens' Growth
Posted: Dec. 13, 2006
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U of I researchers Reed Larson and David Hansen, surveyed 2,280 eleventh graders from 19 schools. They found that of all the organized activities teens participate in, faith-based youth groups provide the highest rates of personal and interpersonal growth experiences.
Religious youth groups stood out from the classroom, part-time jobs, and hanging out with friends as contexts in which such growth occurs.
The teens in the study rated faith-based youth groups higher than sports, performance and fine arts groups, academic clubs, service groups, and community-oriented activities such as scouting.
Whether at church, synagogue, or mosque--these faith-based youth groups provide a positive belief system that addresses the issues that teens struggle with.
Faith-based groups give teens the opportunity for self-exploration, discussing values, and figuring out where they fit in the world.