Raising children with a love for both God and the GOP presents a formidable challenge for conservative Christian parents, according to leaders in the pro-family community.
A recent article from the American Family Association, a nonprofit ministry established in 1977 to combat indecency and pornography, highlights this struggle. The association underscores that casual conversations about economic issues like inflation during family dinners may not suffice in shaping future Republican voters.
Parrish Alford, associate editor of American Family News, emphasizes this point, noting, “Simply mentioning concerns like boys playing girls’ sports won’t magically instill faith or political affiliation in children. Parents must demonstrate and embody their values to effectively pass them on.”
“Moms for Liberty,” a prominent Florida-based group known for its nationwide advocacy against certain school books, advocates for raising patriots through initiatives like its “Restoring Patriotism campaign.” Their efforts include promoting activities aimed at nurturing a patriotic spirit in children, such as providing patriotic-themed T-shirts, activity books, crayons, and even pocket-sized youth Constitutions.
However, a significant hurdle emerges in this endeavor: a perceived lack of foundational values among parents. According to Christian pollster George Barna, only a scant 2% of parents of children under 13 in the U.S. possess a biblical worldview. Barna, speaking at the 2023 Pray Vote Stand summit organized by the Family Research Council Action, expressed concern over the broader trend within Christian communities where a biblical worldview is increasingly rare among both congregants and clergy alike.
Barna, a key figure at the Center for Biblical Worldview, established by the D.C.-based Family Research Council, asserts that shaping a child’s worldview takes precedence over introducing them to Christ. He argues that a person’s worldview is largely shaped between the ages of 15 months and 13 years, profoundly influencing their decisions and lifestyles thereafter.
Another formidable challenge identified by David Closson of the FRC’s worldview center is the pervasive influence of progressive values across cultural institutions in the U.S. Closson argues that these institutions overwhelmingly champion causes aligned with the Democratic Party, thereby complicating efforts by conservative parents to pass on their values to their children.
Highlighting a gender disparity in political affiliation, Parrish Alford notes findings suggesting that young men raised in GOP households tend to maintain Republican allegiances more consistently than their female counterparts. Specifically, 67% of such young men identify as Republicans today, compared to 44% of young women raised in similar households.
D.G. Hart, a conservative Christian author and associate professor at Hillsdale College, warns against overly politicizing children’s upbringing, cautioning that such an approach risks alienating them from both faith and conservative ideals as they mature. Hart advocates prioritizing theological education over ideological indoctrination, suggesting that fostering a deep-rooted Christian faith in children may prove more enduring than focusing solely on political affiliations.
In conclusion, while conservative Christian parents strive to instill both religious faith and political conservatism in their children, they face multifaceted challenges arising from societal shifts, parental values, and the evolving cultural landscape. Negotiating these challenges, they seek to raise a generation that embodies their beliefs while navigating the complexities of modern American life.