THE POSITIVE INFLUENCE OF PARENT’S RELIGIOUS PRACTICE ON CHILDREN

While specific doctrine or religious practice may not determine whether a young person chooses to go out and smoke marijuana or steal a car, positive role modeling by parents via religious activity is yet another protective factor that parents can give to their children. What religion represents is a pathway for young people to consider in their developmental journey from youth to adulthood. . . . [A] strong belief in Allah, Jehovah, Jesus, Vishnu, the Virgin Mary, or some other ―higher power correlates to an avoidance of risky behaviors later in life for young people whose parents attend faith services. The Youth Connection, page 5