A Glimpse into the Future? May God help us.

By: American Decency Staff

By: Chris Johnson How often do we hear this theme?  "Our children are the future." Is that supposed to be comforting? ADA's building is located right across from the local high school, and I can tell you, it's not always such a thrilling thing to think about. After all, kids (and most adults as well) have a herd mentality. They tend to go with the flow, so to speak, as Dr. Brenda Hunter and Kristen Blair, mother and daughter authors of From Santa to Sexting, note: "Nothing matters more to your child than fitting in and finding his place." No one wants to stand out, because if you stand apart from the crowd, that makes you an easy target for harassment. So, if the tendency is to go with the flow, the important question to ask is: which way is the flow going? Let's look at some numbers. According to the FBI web site, "A recent study found that 20 percent of teenagers (22 percent of girls and 18 percent of boys) sent naked or seminude images of themselves or posted them online. Another survey indicated that nearly one in six teens between the ages of 12 and 17 who own cell phones have received naked or nearly nude pictures via text message from someone they know.^" Drugabuse.gov gives the alarming statistic that "in 2010, 21.4 percent of high school seniors used marijuana in the past 30 days, while 19.2 percent smoked cigarettes." The same site gave some  "good" news about alcohol use: "Alcohol use has continued to decline among high school seniors with past-month use falling from 43.5% to 41.2% and alcohol binge drinking (defined as 5 or more drinks in a row in the past 2 weeks) declining from 25.2% to 23.2%." The Guttmacher Institute gives us an idea of how many teens are having sex. "Although only 13% of teens have had sex by age 15, most initiate sex in their later teen years. By their 19th birthday, seven in 10 female and male teens have had intercourse." So that's where the flow is going. Not all that encouraging, is it? That is why it is so important for Christian parents to bring their kids to be salt and light in a dark, decaying world. After all, if our kids are the future, the ones who shine will still have to deal with those who try to blow them out. Here's some advice from Hunter and Blair's book, From Santa to Sexting which deals specifically with middle school aged kids' problems. "Can you see just how significant your role is in your children's lives during these pivotal middle school years? They will take their cues from you in the clothing and sexual arenas, as well as in the area of drugs and alcohol. Remember, your attitudes, practices, and presence rule in their lives. Hey, it won't be easy. But your kids are worth it. During these middle school years, you have a Big Job: you need to be a vigilante, a tutor, a listener, a clothing stylist, a substance abuse expert, a detective, and a teacher of morality and spirituality… While cultural forces would try to steal your child's innocence and lead him down a path toward STDs and addiction, yours is the more powerful voice your child hears. If you are physically and emotionally accessible, there's a far greater chance your child will listen to what you say, and comply. Finally, to stand against cultural pressures, your kids need to know that you love them with passion and abandonment, and God does too." The authors then quote Kathie Lee Gifford. "You know, kids just want to be loved, but they look for love in all the wrong places because they don't believe inherently that God loves them just the way they are. And that's the best message any of us can give to our children: 'You don't need to have that jerk on the football team tell you you're beautiful. God tells you you're beautiful from your toes up, and more than that, inside you're beautiful and he has a great plan for your life if you'll only trust him for it. Don't fall for the big lie the world gives you that if you do this, and this, and this, and this, you're going to have it all. No, you're going to have a pregnancy, you're going to have an STD, you're going to have misery in your life, you're going to have despair. OK? Now you have freedom to make that choice.' God gives us that… I get mad at parents who don't tell their parents the truth." Hunter and Blair finish it up. "So tell your children the truth about the high cost of sex outside of marriage. Take a stand. Never waver. And your children will listen, and many will wait for sex inside a loving and committed relationship. Then they will not only make you proud, but they will have a better chance at finding lasting love as an adult." One last word. These authors have a ton of experience with middle schoolers. They have a huge passion for those kids as they see many parents abandoning them as they reach that age as if they no longer need the caring, careful shepherding.  For your information, Christ and Christian values are a major part of their training concerns and counsel.  We highly recommend this book and we encourage you to fight the fight of faith for children no matter their age! ===================================================================== To support our efforts please click here or mail your gift to American Decency Association (ADA), PO Box 202, Fremont, MI 49412. American Decency Association is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.

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