The American Psychological Association research has found that religious involvement is the best indicator of psychological self-esteem among 8th graders. H.B. London of Focus on the Family notes that is the same age as young people in churches begin to drift. Other findings in the study:
· 8th grade self-esteem seems to be lower than at any other time.
· People who rated themselves as being "very religious" are persons who are very secure in themselves.
· 8th grade students without a strong religious base are at the point where peers matter more than family.
· 8th graders guided by parents’ opinions and religious training have an edge over kids with no foundation. For self-esteem you need a point of confidence— religion is one of those pillars.
· Religious activities are often done as a family— mutually reinforcing the importance of both.
· The ages between 6 and 13 are pivotal to a child’s accepting Christ. (PWB 8/31)
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