Ch. 18 Faith in Family Life

What is the connection between religion and family?  Is there a connection? Laura Guyton, a hair stylist seems to think so.  She shared her thoughts regarding the matter saying, “I do believe there is a connection between religion and family.  In fact, there are many benefits to a religious family.  Some of those benefits include gaining a sense of community and maintaining traditions both within the religion and the family that helps keep families strong.  Religion also helps maintain order in the home and creates a moral basis that will remain with family members throughout their lives.”

In the last few decades there has been a noticeable shift away from family values and this shift has impacted the relationship between religion and families. Where families once spent time eating dinner together daily, attended church meetings together often, helped each other, and simply enjoyed each other’s company; today such family relationships and dynamics have been altered considerably.  Religion is no longer apart of the family unit it once was.

David Williamson from UNC News Services has gathered research related to religion and whether or not it is connected to stronger family relationships.  In this research he found that a new University of North Carolina study showed that adolescents in families actively involved in religious activities tend to enjoy stronger family relationships than youths whose families have less or no religious involvement (http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/may03/smith050703.html) May 7, 2003).     

“For the youth whose parents were less frequent attenders -- 12 percent for twice a month and 21 percent for once a month or less -- the data also suggested evidence of stronger family relationships than those whose parents did not attend, but with more scattered positive results," said Dr. Christian Smith, a sociology professor at the University.

In this new technological era filled with distractions at every turn, the decline of family activities, and the lack of attendance of church are all contributing factors to the weakening of families.  This weakness it brings issues into the home as demonstrated by the research of Dr. Smith of UNC and David Williamson.  In short even if one does not necessarily believe in a religion, it is strengthening for a family to go to church together and participate in a community that supports families and the relationships therein.

Links to Consider…

http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2006/12/why-religion-matters-even-more-the-impact-of-religious-practice-on-social-stability