Benefits of Belief 

Do parents want what’s best for their children? Almost always. That’s why they work hard, sacrifice time and resources, and try to instill in them values and habits that will help them succeed and flourish. But what if, more than any other activity, regular religious practice is the most likely to help your kid succeed in life? A parishioner recently shared with me some statistics about the ways in which religion seems to benefit young people: 

1. Academic performance 

78% higher college graduation rates 

14.4% higher reading scores 

9.3% higher math proficiency 

65% more likely to participate in extracurricular activities 

2. Mental Health 

48% lower suicide rates among youth 

73% lower risk of substance addiction 

52% reduction in clinical depression 

62% report better stress management skills 

3. Family Stability Indicators 

80% higher likelihood of marriage lasting 20+ years 

47% more frequent family meals together 

82% stronger extended family connections 

56% higher parental involvement in education 

4. Social Development 

67% more likely to volunteer in community 

71% report stronger moral decision-making 

58% lower juvenile delinquency rates 

63% higher empathy scores 

5. Behavioral Metrics 

76% lower risk of high-risk behaviors 

69% better conflict resolution skills 

54% higher self-discipline scores 

82% stronger sense of purpose and direction 

Sadly, because of busy schedules, Sunday Mass is often the first thing to fall out of a family’s weekend schedule in favor of other activities. The research suggests, however, that this has things exactly backwards when it comes to the welfare of young people. That said, as interesting as these findings are, the ultimate reason we practice our Catholic faith is not because of its supposed psycho-social benefits, but because it is the fullest expression of reality – that is, because it’s true. 

posted 11/23/24