As promised, I’m back this week with info from our recent focus groups on what students think about their youth groups, families, and the pressures they face at school. (These answers are the result of surveys given to 59 students from all over the country at a FUGE camp in Mississippi in late June.)
Their Student Ministries
Here’s what they had to say when we asked them what they liked most about their church/youth group:
MIDDLE SCHOOL:
The people (22 students selected this)
What I learn (18)
The trips we take (15)
The ways we serve (17)
Other (please specify): (4)
“Youth teacher”
“How we all grow closer together”
“The things we do and how we all get involved in activities that are good for us.”
“That the youth pastors understand what’s going on with us and that we can ask them anything and they will answer honestly.”
HIGH SCHOOL:
The people (15 students selected this)
What I learn (15)
The trips we take (12)
The ways we serve (9)
Other (please specify): (4)
“Our family-like atmosphere”
“I’m glad to learn anything so that hopefully I will apply the knowledge in my future and use it.”
“Fellowshipping”
“Worship”
Their Families
When we asked middle schoolers to rate their relationships with their families on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being the best), they gave an average rating of 7.6. Here are some of the things they said are the biggest issues they face in their families:
“My mom and dad are divorced and I go back and forth”
“Getting along with siblings”
“Attitude”
“They make me mad sometimes and don’t leave me alone”
“Me and my brother fight sometimes”
“The fact that they will not come to church with me”
When we asked high schoolers to rate their relationships with their families on a scale of 1 to 10, they gave an average rating of 7.26. Here are some of the things they said are the biggest issues they face in their families:
“Space”
“Honesty and understanding”
“My step-dad is a non-believer”
“Struggle with money”
“Not getting along with my dad as well”
“Seeing eye-to-eye with them on some things”
“Arguing with my little brother, it puts us all in a bad mood”
Peer Pressure
When we asked them what they feel pressured by their peers to do, here’s what they said:
MIDDLE SCHOOL:
Dress a certain way (17 check marks)
Make good grades (16 check marks)
Get/buy the latest trendy thing (14 check marks)
Lie to my parents (14 check marks)
Hang out with people I’m not comfortable with (13 check marks)
HIGH SCHOOL:
Make good grades (15 check marks)
Lose weight (10 check marks)
Dress a certain way (9 check marks)
I love how transparent students are when they’re filling out anonymous surveys! Hopefully today’s post gives you even more insight into the minds of your girls. Stay tuned . . . I’ve got more interesting stuff to share with you next Thursday!
Leave a comment