For children’s faith development, the biggest influence is parents. And this includes spiritual influence as well. Whether positive or negative, parents, by their words and actions, heavily affect the trajectory of a child’s faith and spiritual life.
That’s why it’s important to be aware of how parents are affecting children’s faith today. Pew Research, a secular organization, shares findings about this subject. Let’s look at them together.
Findings About Children’s Faith
First, let’s establish who Millennial parents are.
They are young adults ages 18 to 35. They are parenting babies, preschoolers and elementary kids.
- 27 percent of Millennial parents grew up with a mixed religious household.
- 24 percent of Millennial parents grew up with at least one parent who was a religious “None” (some who isn’t associated with any religion).
- 15 percent of Millennial parents were raised by at least one parent who was religious and one who was a None.
- 6 percent of Millennial parents grew up in households where both parents were Nones.
- 3 percent of Millennial parents were raised by a single parent who was a None.
- Only 24 percent of Millennial parents grew up with two Protestant parents. This is compared to 48 percent of previous generations who grew up with two Protestant parents.
So how does this affect children’s faith?
You can see the results in the faith of Millennial parents from these households.
- 62 percent of Millennials, who were raised by a single parent who was a none, now identify as Nones.
- 38 percent of Millennials raised by one religious parent and one non-religious parent now identify as Nones.
- 26 percent of Millennials raised by one Protestant and one Catholic parent now identify as Nones.
- 20 percent of Millennials raised by two Catholic parents now identify as a None.
- 14 percent of Millennials, raised by two Protestant parents now identify as a None.
- 25 percent of Millennials say their spouse does not share their religion.
Let’s look at the impact of mothers.
- 40 percent of those raised in households where both parents shared the same religion, say their mother was far more responsible for their religious upbringing than their father.
- 46 percent of those raised by parents who had different religions, say their mother was the biggest influence on their faith.
- 63 percent of those raised by one parent who was religious and one who was a none, say their mother was mainly responsible for their religious upbringing.
