Helping Kids Succeed Alaskan Style!
Practical Suggestions for Building Assets in Your Child
Asset # 19- Religious Community
Words of Encouragement Research: Faith communities are one of the few places where youth,
people who are "middle aged", and the elderly can be together and
all have the same standard of behavior. In these communities, people of all
ages come together in a place where similar values and beliefs are shared
between individuals. Here, young people can bond with peers and with elders
in a safe environment, which can give lots of support while building and
sustaining assets. Time spent in spiritual activities is associated with: An increased sense of well-being (Donahue &
Benson, 1995; Moore & Glei, 1995) Increased self esteem (Thomas & Carver,
1990) Increased life satisfaction (Hong &
Giannakopoulos, 1994) Decreased problem behaviors including decreased alcohol use (Burkett, 1997;
Cochran, Wood, & Arneklev, 1994; Donahue & Benson, 1995; Kandel,
1980; Rohrbaugh & Jessor, 1975) Decreased alcohol dependence (Clapper, Buka,
Goldfield, Lipsitt, Tsuang, 1995) Decreased marijuana use (Kandel, 1980) Decreased use of other drugs (Adlaf & Smart,
1985) Decreased delinquency (Mulvey, Arthur,
& Reppucci, 1997, Thomas & Carver,
1990) Decreased early sexual activity (Jensen, Newell,
& Holman, 1990; Zelnik, Kantner, & Ford,
1981) Lower levels of depression (Wright, Frost, &
Wisecarver, 1993) to name a few. Research We've all heard the idea that it "takes a village
to raise a child." Part of that village can be found in faith
communities where every member can easily take part in children's lives. The
opportunity for connecting with kids is easier here than almost anywhere
else. This is the place where people come together to discuss and share in
something greater than the self. Similar to gathering around a warm fire sharing
stories, this is a great place for youth to learn their family's values and
behaviors. Faith communities are places where moral and ethical behaviors
are expected and reinforced. By modeling appropriate behaviors and letting
youth get to know us, we can instill those values with ease. The concept of building assets can be ingrained in your
thoughts the same way that your clothing captures the smoke that circles
around you from a shared fire. And the longer you sit and listen to the
lessons, the more the smoke becomes a part of you - just like the ideals
that are quietly being taught. Quote: To educate a
person in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society. Theodore Roosevelt This newsletter and
other asset resources are produced by the Association of
Alaska School Boards Alaska Initiative
for Community Engagement (Alaska ICE)
316 West 11th Street Juneau, Alaska 99801 Tel: (907) 586-1486 Fax: (907) 586-1450 Email: alaskaice@aasb.org