FoC 169: What Science Says About Our Kids Keeping the Faith with Dr. Amy Adamczyk

Many Catholic parents wonder, will our kids stay Catholic? How likely is it that faith can be handed down to the next generation? Are certain parenting methods more or less effective in raising children who will practice faith when they are grown? What practices matter and how much influence do parents have? Dr. Amy Adamczyk and Chris Smith actually looked at the data and conducted hundreds of interviews with religious families to find out the answers to those questions. The results are fascinating!

Dr. Amy Adamczyk is Professor of Sociology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the Programs of Doctoral Study in Sociology and Criminal Justice at The Graduate Center, City University of New York. Her research focuses on how different contexts (e.g. nations, counties, friendship groups), and personal religious beliefs shape people’s attitudes and behaviors. She has published over 50 journal articles and her first book, Cross-national Public Opinion about Homosexuality, received the 2018 Outstanding Book Award from the International Section of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. Her second book, Handing Down the Faith: How Parents Pass Their Religion on to the Next Generation, (coauthored with Chris Smith) was published by Oxford University Press in 2021. Currently, she is conducting research for her third book, which will examine differences in views about abortion around the world.

In this episode we ask Dr. Adamczyk how likely it is for religious parents to successfully pass on their faith (spoiler: very likely!) and we discuss what relationships and attitudes are key. We talk about the difference between authoritarian and authoritative parenting styles and which is most effective if we want our children to adopt our religious faith as their own. While religious parents often carry a lot of worry about whether their children will participate in religion as grown ups, we think that what Dr. Adamcyzk’s research unearthed will actually set your mind at ease. It’s an interesting and enlightening conversation and we think you’ll really enjoy it!

Sponsor: Monk Manual

This episode is sponsored by Monk Manual, a company focused on helping men, women, and now children grow in peaceful being and purposeful doing.

If you are looking for a great gift for a friend, family member, or yourself this holiday season the Monk Manual has you covered. The Monk Manual 90-Day Planner is a daily system designed to help men and women intentionally focus on the things that matter most.

The Monk Manual supports the whole person through its integration of busy everyday life with ever-present spiritual growth. At times we are all prone to fall into the trap of seeing our lives as two disconnected realities, separating our work lives from our spiritual lives. The Monk Manual is designed to reflect the fact that we only have one life and everything in it has a spiritual dimension.

Inspired by monks, and backed by science, the Monk Manual is perfect for anyone who wants to transcend a life of grind to one that is full of peace and purpose. It’s the perfect way to support your growth and intentional productivity during the upcoming Advent season, the new year, and beyond.

The Monk Manual team also just released The Sprout Journal, a daily reflection practice for children 8-12. With the Sprout Journal, kids are able to build a daily practice of gratitude, generosity, and discernment. Through the daily prompts and weekly themes, children learn to engage their unique purpose, setting them on a path of generosity and gratitude. In a world that is increasingly noisy, the Sprout Journal’s daily practice of quiet reflection will plant the seeds for a more contemplative and intentional life, one rooted in the development of the whole person. Find all Monk Manual products here.

We are also sponsored by Homeschool Connections

HomeschoolConnections.com is an authentically Catholic resource for home educating families. Their mission is educating the heart, mind, and soul in the Catholic tradition with online classes for 3rd grade and above. They offer live interactive classes as well as unlimited access to recorded courses that are available 24/7/365 with top quality teachers.

If you’re a brand new homeschooler or a seasoned homeschooler, head over to HomeschoolConnections.com to see the great resource they can be for your student!

Connect with Dr. Amy Adamczyk:

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