VENTURA, CA, USA, May 22, 2002 — A majority of teenagers in the United States today are confident, satisfied with their life, and optimistic about the future; a sharp contrast from the attitudes of teens even a decade ago.
These are among the recent findings of George Barna and The Barna Research Group Ltd., (www.barna.org), a California-based market research company that studies cultural trends related to values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviours.
The results of their research, (based on interviews with nearly 3000 teens from across the United States), are published in Real Teens, a new book and training video concerning teenagers.
In their polling, Barna's group found that whereas teens of the mid-nineties were marked by a sense of abandonment and hopelessness, and often harboured anger and self-pity for their condition, today's teenagers are much more likely to say they feel intelligent, attractive and optimistic because they express a high level of trust regarding other people.
This dramatic change in perspective and increased self-worth translates into today's young people being a generation with a desire to succeed in school now, as well as in their future life. They share a common list of goals, including a quality education, vibrant health, intimate personal relationships and a comfortable lifestyle.
Fewer Teens Believe In The Bible
But the Barna Research Group has uncovered clear indications that increasing numbers of today's teens accept moral relativism and pluralistic theology as their faith foundation. The percentage of teens who are evangelicals, (i.e., those who believe in the accuracy of the Bible, personal responsibility to evangelize, salvation by grace alone, and who possess orthodox biblical views on God, Jesus and Satan), have declined from 10% in 1995 to just 4% today.
Interestingly, the numbers of young people who claim to be born again Christians has remained relatively constant; 31% in 1990 versus 33% today. And while three out of five teenagers claim they are spiritual, they do not include spiritual goals and life outcomes among their future priorities. The Barna Group sees this as "evidence that spirituality has been mainstreamed into teen life without radically affecting the lifestyles and values of most teens."
Real Teens concludes that only a minority of teens can be expected to remain involved in Christian churches, once they reach the age of independence.
"Teens do not go to youth groups for music and games, and they will not attend 'adult church' for music and preaching. They demand transcendent adventures and supportive relationships. They need an outlet for their desire to have a positive affect on the world and to synchronize their inner drive to be needed with the needs of those in the world that have little. Despite their streetwise attitudes, teenagers have a genuine streak of compassion that influences their life. Churches that provide a conduit for serving the community will create more meaningful bonds with (today's teens)."
Source: Bible News Network with files from The Barna Research Group, April 2002
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