Spirituality dimension to children’s agenda demanded

Young people, often portrayed as the ultimate consumers, are
more spiritual than many adults might think, a report by the
Commission on Urban Life and Faith has revealed.

The survey of over 30,000 13- to 15-year-olds across England and
Wales finds that 43% believe in God.

Almost three quarters of young people who prayed every day
described themselves as having a “sense of purpose”,
compared with less than half of those who never prayed. Half of
those without a sense of purpose considered committing
suicide.

“Spirituality is too often taken for granted, but when it is
absent the results clearly show a negative mark on young
people’s well-being,” said commission chair Reverend
Baroness Richardson of Calow.

The report recommends that the government add a spiritual dimension
to its Every Child Matters agenda, warning that a repeated
negative portrayal of young people could have a damaging effect on
their well-being.

It also recommends promoting anti-racism programmes in schools
after one in six of the young people surveyed said they thought
there were too many black people in Britain.

Spiritual Health and Well Being of Urban Young People from
www.culf.org.uk