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Society is not what it used to be, and culture is evolving rapidly. In these postmodern times, your children are being exposed to an ever-increasing, sometimes dangerous, array of influences.
In the midst of this massive change, a critical question presents itself: Who is teaching your kids?
Who Is Teaching Your Kids?
The internet and cell phones are teaching your kids, seemingly 24/7, but what are they learning, and is it good or bad?
“American children spend an average of 8 hours and 33 minutes immersed in media each day.” (“Protect Your Kids from Negative Influences” by Dr. Bill Maier on ThrivingFamily.com)
“Studies have shown that excessive media use can lead to attention problems, school difficulties, sleep and eating disorders, and obesity. In addition, the Internet and cell phones can provide platforms for illicit and risky behaviors.” (Media and Children, American Academy of Pediatrics)
Television is teaching your kids, and they learn little that is helpful to them.
“The average child sees 12,000 violent acts on television annually. Television exposes children to adult sexual behaviors in ways that portray these actions as normal and risk-free, sending the message that ‘everybody does it.’” (“Impact of Media Use on Children and Youth,” Pulsus Group, Pediatrics and Child Health)
Schools are teaching your kids, sometimes espousing principles contrary to yours.
“Public schools present drug “education” to kids, but 77% of students between eighth and 12th grade have used illicit drugs. Public schools “educate” kids about sex, but about half of the pregnancies among girls attending public school end in abortions. The majority of public school students are completely ignorant about the Bible.” (Conservapedeia)
Friends are teaching your kids, both directly and through peer pressure.
“The study outcome indicates that teens may find it more difficult to control impulsive or risky behaviors when their friends are around.” (“Peer Pressure: Its Influence on Teens and Decision Making”, Scholastic)
The internet and cell phones, television, schools, and friends are all teaching your kids. But are you?
What Are Your Kids Being Taught?
Worldviews are not what they used to be, and your kids are growing up and developing in a totally different–more challenging–environment than you did.
The Barna Group conducted a study of how culture has changed, and they summarized their research findings in “The End of Absolutes: America’s New Moral Code.” The bottom line:
“Christian morality is being ushered out of American social structures and off the cultural main stage, leaving a vacuum in its place—and the broader culture is attempting to fill the void.”
Traditional values are being phased out of modern culture. Your principles as a parent are not being reinforced in what your kids encounter every day. In today’s worldview, everything is relative, and there is very little that is specifically right or wrong anymore.
“Three-quarters of Millennials agree strongly or somewhat with the statement, ‘Whatever is right for your life or works best for you is the only truth you can know.’”
And the most trusted source of wisdom in history is no longer being established as the spiritual foundation for most of today’s youth. When Millennials were asked if the Bible provides moral truths which are the same for all people in all situations, without exception, only 27% of them said that they strongly agree.
“Our postmodern, relativistic culture is having a devastating impact on the faith of our young people, so it’s crucial for us to be intentional about passing on faith to our children.” (Dr. Bill Maier)
What are your kids being taught by the world today?
They are being taught that there are no absolute moral or spiritual principles, and everything is relative. God is whoever or whatever you want him to be, and right and wrong are up to you to declare for yourself. In today’s world, life is mostly about one thing–yourself.
But where are they learning about things like: having faith and courage in today’s world; the humility to face up to our wrongs; forgiveness, no matter what; staying in daily contact with God; and serving others as a way of living.
Finally, and most importantly, who is teaching your kids? Are you?
Because to teach your kids effectively, you will need to be proactive. That will require your commitment of time, and a plan. Are you in?
Question: How involved are you in teaching your kids?
Action: Think of one thing you can do to teach your kids more effectively.
