Christian Teens and Today's Culture
(Part 1)

"Guard your heart with all diligence; for from it flows the issues of life."
--Prov. 4:23

by Marsha Norris

Over the past 10 years, I have worked with Christian teens in both Bible class settings and in home studies. Each year I have become more convinced about two things: most parents are not aware of how intensely the culture is pressuring their teens; and those who are aware are often at a loss about what to do.

I have compiled the results of a survey I sent out to teens in four congregations across the country. The surveys were answered anonymously to encourage complete candor. Beginning with this issue and continuing throughout the year, I will be sharing the results of this survey to help parents be more informed and, hopefully, more proactive in their teen's life. The make-up of the teens participating in the survey is as follows:

Number of teens surveyed: 35
Christians: 29
Non-Christians: 6
Males: 13
Females: 22

Are many of the kids at your school involved in drinking, drugs, or sex?
Yes, yes, and yes! 69% of the teens knew other teens who drank, 63% knew teens who did drugs, and 54% knew teens who were sexually active.

What do you feel are the biggest problems facing teens today?
Teens rated the problems they faced in the descending order: drugs, sex, violence, and pornography.

Do you know any unmarried girls who are now pregnant or have been pregnant?
69% said yes.

Have you ever unintentionally been taken to a pornographic web site while doing a search for something else?
57% said yes.

Have you ever received an unsolicited pornographic email?
65% said yes.

The Star-Banner (Ocala Florida) echoes this survey.
In their weekly series "Thursday's Child," the December 27, 2001 edition of the Star-Banner quoted teens on the topics of drugs, violence, and sex. The teens interviewed were from three local high schools in Marion County. Here is what these teens had to say.

On drugs...
"I know more people that do drugs than I do people that don't do use them...If you go to a party, it will be available." Kristin, 18.

"People are doing drugs, and they don't think they are doing anything wrong. That bothers me." Brittini, 15.

On sex...
The teens acknowledged most of their peers were sexually active.

On violence...
"At my school, there are almost always fights....it's a daily occurrence, and nobody seems to care." Kristin

Brittini adds, "They happen all the time, sure, but that doesn't mean it's not scary....I guess you come to expect it."

Get involved.
Parents, share this newsletter with your teens and get their feedback on this article as well as "The Unpopular Choice." Ask them what they feel are the biggest problems teens face today. Ask them what their experiences have been with receiving unsolicited pornography. You might find they have been wanting to talk to you about a whole lot of issues, but were just waiting for an opening.