RESEARCH REVEALS DIVORCE AS TOP THREAT TO FAMILIES

The Christian Post 

Nov 10, 2004 

Partick Duong

The most prominent threats to families in Protestant communities are divorce, negative influences from the media, and materialism.

According to a study conducted by Ellison Research released in the November/December edition of ³Facts & Trends² magazine, the most prominent threats to families in Protestant communities are divorce, negative influences from the media, and materialism.

The research team selected a sample of 695 Protestant church ministers who answered a list of questions focusing on traditional families. The results of the survey indicated 43% over all of pastors agreed that divorce is the greatest threat. The rest of the list (as listed on LifeWay website) included:
Negative influences from the media (38 percent)

• Materialism (36 percent)

• Absentee fathers (24 percent)

• Families that lack a stay-at-home parent (22 percent)

• Co-habitation before marriage (18 percent)

• Pornography (17 percent)

• Morality not being taught in schools (14 percent)

• Poverty, unemployment, and/or a poor economy (13 percent)

• Parental alcohol use/abuse (12 percent)

• Parental drug use/abuse (11 percent)

• Drug use/abuse among teens or children (8 percent)

• Teen sexual involvement/activity (8 percent)

• Alcohol use/abuse among teens or children (6 percent)

• Adultery (5 percent)

• Poor schools or quality of education (4 percent)

• Teen pregnancy (2 percent)

• Sexual predators or sexual abuse (1 percent)

• The expense of child care (1 percent)

• Other issues (12 percent)
  
  However, the perceived threats to family provided by Pastors differed somewhat by region. For example, co-habitation was seen as a great threat in the Midwest compared to other regions. Meanwhile, parental alcohol abuse was considered as a major problem by Western ministers.
  
  Differences of opinion and perspective were also found among different denominational groups. For instance, Methodist Pastors focused on parental alcohol and drug use along with other economic issues. Meanwhile, Pentecostal ministers showed concern for morality and tended to be less concerned about materialism. However, clergy from different perspectives were united in evaluating potential threats to traditional families.
  
  When asked whether or not the raditional view of family (husband, wife, and children) no longer really exists in American society, about half of the ministers agreed with the statement, while the other half disagreed. However, most of pastors agreed that No matter how society defines family, churches need to promote a traditional view of family (husband, wife and children).
  
  "Facts & Trends," where this study is being published, is published by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. For information about "Facts & Trends," contact Chris Turner at 615-251-2307.
  
  (To see a chart that breaks replies down by denomination, go to http://www.christianpost.com/dbase/society/1158/section/1.htm) ############################
  
  ************************** Send replies to this newslist to: diane@smartmarriages.com  Do not hit "reply" - that goes to a filter.  This is a moderated list. Replies are read by Diane Sollee, editor. Please indicate if your response is NOT to be shared with the list.  PLEASE include your email address with your signature. 
  
  To SUBSCRIBE, or Change your subscription address, use the form on our website: http://www.smartmarriages.com. Click Newslist - right under the puzzle piece.
  
  This newslist shares information on marriage, divorce and educational approaches.  Opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by members of the Coalition.
  
  To read ALL past posts to the newsletter, visit the Archive at: http://archives.his.com/smartmarriages/

Has this been helpful?  Make a Contribution: Click here.

FAIR USE NOTICE: This e-newsletter contains copyrighted material the use of
which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We
make such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of
marriage, family, couples, divorce, legislation, family breakdown, etc. We
understand this constitutes a 'fair use' of such material as provided
for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17
U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit
to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included
information for research and educational purposes. For more information go
to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use
copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond
'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.