Doctors discover spiritual side of healthy children

You might be surprised to learn what the doctor says your child needs in order to enjoy a healthy life. The prescription comes from the national Commission on Children at Risk. The commission consists primarily of pediatricians, child psychiatrists and researchers from prestigious universities as well as youth development advocates from the YMCA of the USA, Search Institute and the Indiana Youth Institute. The medical professionals noted increased numbers of children seeking help for mental and emotional health problems. Lamenting that the eventual treatments of counseling, psychotherapy and medication are after the medical condition already has developed, the docs set out to determine what could be done to prevent those ailments from occurring.

The commission reviewed studies on brain growth, gene transcription and synapse connection. Biology and behaviors were analyzed, and the commission examined human development at various stages in life. And here's what they found.

All of us are born “Hardwired to Connect” (the name of the commission's report) to family, community—- and to moral and spiritual truth. According to the commission, babies are born physically “hardwired” for a strong attachment to family, supportive relationships in community and a fundamental understanding of moral and spiritual truth. The last finding merits notice, although the message is not as unique as the messengers. The positive correlation between religion and healthy human development has been documented elsewhere, such as in Robert Putnam's book “Bowling Alone.” What is noteworthy about “Hardwired to Connect” is that health care professionals known for their emphasis on science, medicine and technology now also emphasize the healthy consequences of religion, morals and spiritual life.

They support their case by citing numerous studies on child well-being. For example, teenagers exhibiting religious faith and practice are less likely to become juvenile delinquents or adult criminals and are less prone to substance abuse. These teens are more likely to become community volunteers, participate in sports and be active in student government. Kids also tend to benefit if their parents have a strong spiritual life. Religious faith and practice correlate with higher levels of parental affection and greater involvement in establishing discipline. These parents also tend to be more active in their child's school. While the devout might ascribe these positive impacts to divine intervention, researchers point to religious teachings that encourage healthy behaviors as well as to the connections with others that can occur within the activities of a congregation or religious group. These faith-based organizations are part of “authoritative community,” defined by the commission as “groups of people who are committed to one another over time and who model and pass on at least part of what it means to be a good person and live a good life.” The docs contend that our inherent hardwiring thrives best if those authoritative communities are strengthened.

Authoritative communities, in the context of moral and spiritual truth, “encourage spiritual and religious development (and) are philosophically oriented to the equal dignity of all persons and to the principle of love of neighbor.” The commission rightfully notes that we live in a country of religious freedom and spiritual diversity, meaning the development of action steps in response to these findings will not be easy. But the doctors are unflinching when they declare, “That is a challenge to be embraced, not avoided.”

Noting that 96 percent of American teenagers profess a belief in God, the commission recommends that youth-serving organizations not shy away from encouraging the moral and spiritual development of children. “For organizations that include children from diverse religious backgrounds or no religious background, this task admittedly will be difficult. But it need not be impossible and should not be neglected.”

As a recent series in The Indianapolis Star reminded us, religion is an integral part of life in Indiana. Yet the commission's findings are still remarkable. Because this time, the doctor says so.

Bill Stanczykiewicz
3 August 2004

http://www.indystar.com/articles/6/167009-8126-021.html

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