Media release: All have a responsibility to young people

Scripture Union has responded to the youth research by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), recognising the importance of the issue. The ‘problems of modern youth’ are about adults as much as teenagers, says Scripture Union’s Head of Schools Ministry, Emlyn Williams.

‘Important as parents are, all of us have a responsibility to young people,’ said Emlyn. ‘Parents can’t do it all themselves. Whether it’s as volunteers with schools, churches and youth organisations, or as friends of the family, we can all help young people to learn “how to get on in life,” as the report puts it.’

The general climate of fear of young people among adults is exaggerated, and Emlyn says horror stories in the media don’t help. ‘I agree with the director of IPPR, who says that an aversion to young people by adults “will simply make matters worse”. It’s time that we resisted media generalisations and searched out the truth. To do otherwise is to fail our young people – and ourselves – completely,’ said Emlyn.

Scripture Union, a Christian mission movement with 140 years of experience working with children, young people and families, encourages good role modelling for young people in its activities: 131 residential holidays and family missions this year catering for around 9,000, led by more than 3,000 trained adult volunteers.

The movement also highlights the importance of the family in the lives of young people. The IPPR study points out that teenagers in the UK spend less time with their parents, particularly having an evening meal, than those in other countries.

Scripture Union has identified the need for greater support of the family, and following research this year is about to publish a number of key resources to support parents and to challenge churches in the UK to be involved more in supporting family life.

The first, due out in January – Families with Faith - survival skills for Christian parents, by family counsellor Richard Patterson – is an affirming, non-judgmental and practical resource carrying the message that families of whatever kind, whether disrupted by divorce, single parent, blended, step-families, can not only survive but thrive.

Families with Faith stresses the importance of children and teenagers sitting around the table together to share a meal and talk; and it also describes how parents can work at building a strong family identity with celebrations and traditions, which bind the family together.

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Notes to Newsdesk:

1) Scripture Union is an international mission movement working with churches in more than 130 countries to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to children, young people and families, and to encourage them to develop spiritually through the Bible and prayer.

2) Emlyn Williams is available for interview. Please contact Richard Wells, Head of Advocacy and Communication, on 01908 856161 or 01908 856153. richardw@scriptureunion.org.uk