SEX, DRUGS, ROCK & ROLL ???
What does it take to make the average 13-24 year old happy? There are many parents who would pay good money to have the answer. Turns out good money (or any money) won’t buy the answer. The answer is right there in the home.
The Associated Press and MTV recently conducted a poll on the nature of happiness among America's young people. (Reported by WRAL-TV website, Sunday, August 20) They asked more than 100 questions of 1,280 people ages 13-24 trying to find out what makes them happy. The answer might surprise you.
What about money? You might think money would be clearly tied to a general sense of happiness. But almost no one said "money" when asked what makes them happy.
What about the “S” word (sex)? According to the survey being sexually active actually leads to less happiness among 13-17 year olds. If you're 18 to 24, sex might lead to more happiness in the moment, but not in general.
What about drugs and alcohol? The researchers found that among 13-17 year olds; just 40 percent of those who drank in the last seven days reported being happy with life, versus 68 percent of those who didn't. And 49 percent of illegal drug users reported being happy with life, compared with 66 percent of those who didn't use drugs.
Who’s your hero? Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, Hillary Clinton, Tiger Woods and Martin Luther King, Jr. all got mentioned. But nearly half said their hero was one of their parents, with mothers ranking higher (29 percent) than fathers (21 percent.)
What’s the bottom line of the survey? Turn’s out family is more important to the happiness of young people than any other factor. Nearly three-quarters of young people say their relationship with their parents makes them happy. When asked what one thing makes them most happy, 20 percent mentioned spending time with family - more than anything else.
How does this relate to us in the church? The priority and importance of solid, healthy family relationships in the lives of our young people cannot be overstated. According to the Old Testament prophet Malachi God is looking for families that will honor Him in their lifestyle (obedience to his Word) , in their finances (tithes and offerings) and in their marriages (the purity and sanctity of the marriage relationship). God is looking for families where the hearts of the fathers are turned toward their children and the hearts of the children are turned toward their fathers. (Malachi 4:6)
What does it take to make the average 13-24 year old happy? There are many parents who would pay good money to have the answer. Turns out good money (or any money) won’t buy the answer. The answer is right there in the home.
The Associated Press and MTV recently conducted a poll on the nature of happiness among America's young people. (Reported by WRAL-TV website, Sunday, August 20) They asked more than 100 questions of 1,280 people ages 13-24 trying to find out what makes them happy. The answer might surprise you.
What about money? You might think money would be clearly tied to a general sense of happiness. But almost no one said "money" when asked what makes them happy.
What about the “S” word (sex)? According to the survey being sexually active actually leads to less happiness among 13-17 year olds. If you're 18 to 24, sex might lead to more happiness in the moment, but not in general.
What about drugs and alcohol? The researchers found that among 13-17 year olds; just 40 percent of those who drank in the last seven days reported being happy with life, versus 68 percent of those who didn't. And 49 percent of illegal drug users reported being happy with life, compared with 66 percent of those who didn't use drugs.
Who’s your hero? Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, Hillary Clinton, Tiger Woods and Martin Luther King, Jr. all got mentioned. But nearly half said their hero was one of their parents, with mothers ranking higher (29 percent) than fathers (21 percent.)
What’s the bottom line of the survey? Turn’s out family is more important to the happiness of young people than any other factor. Nearly three-quarters of young people say their relationship with their parents makes them happy. When asked what one thing makes them most happy, 20 percent mentioned spending time with family - more than anything else.
How does this relate to us in the church? The priority and importance of solid, healthy family relationships in the lives of our young people cannot be overstated. According to the Old Testament prophet Malachi God is looking for families that will honor Him in their lifestyle (obedience to his Word) , in their finances (tithes and offerings) and in their marriages (the purity and sanctity of the marriage relationship). God is looking for families where the hearts of the fathers are turned toward their children and the hearts of the children are turned toward their fathers. (Malachi 4:6)
Mom and dad, what you children really want is not your money, your house, or your car keys – THEY WANT YOU!
i agree with this survey 100%. God knows what He was going when He created the family.
ReplyDeleteWe are to raise our children in the ways of God, so they will not depart from Him. God will do the rest!
L. Bridges