The Spiritual Child: The New Science on Parenting for Health and Lifelong Thriving
by
In The Spiritual Child, psychologist Lisa Miller presents the next big idea in psychology: the science and the power of spirituality. She explains the clear, scientific link between spirituality and health and shows that children who have a positive, active relationship to spirituality:
* are 40% less likely to use and abuse substances
* are 60% less likely to be depressed as teenagers
* are 80% less likely to have dangerous or unprotected sex
* have significantly more positive markers for thriving including an increased sense of meaning and purpose, and high levels of academic success.
Combining cutting-edge research with broad anecdotal evidence from her work as a clinical psychologist to illustrate just how invaluable spirituality is to a child's mental and physical health, Miller translates these findings into practical advice for parents, giving them concrete ways to develop and encourage their children's--as well as their own--well-being. In this provocative, conversation-starting book, Dr. Miller presents us with a pioneering new way to think about parenting our modern youth.
I really don't know how I feel about this post. Spirituality can mean so many different things, I mean it can mean being religious, or you can be an Atheist that is into yoga. I feel like in some aspect everybody shares in a form of living a spiritual life. What would be considered a life without spirituality. And I'm bewildered by the fact that they said "dangerous sex", what is even classified as dangerous sex?
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you on this Nicole. I dont particularly like how this post approached the idea of spirituality... spirituality can benefit many people but I dont think it puts anyone at a serious disadvantage not to be seirous. This post makes it seem like people are at real-life health and safety disadvantages.
DeleteI think that it is true. Spirituality helps us to abstain from wrong things.
ReplyDeleteI believe most of it is true. But then they are saying that if you do not raise a child in a Spiritual environment, most likely he/she would do drugs, have "dangerous sex" (what does this even means) and have bad grades. I do think that religion helps a lot with building values into people, but I do not think it is the only way to raise a child with strong values.
ReplyDeleteI am a Psychology major thus this has probably been my favorite post this semester in your blog, I am now inclined to read this book. I am a very spiritual person and I have noticed the advantages of such.
ReplyDeleteI am a Psychology major thus this has probably been my favorite post this semester in your blog, I am now inclined to read this book. I am a very spiritual person and I have noticed the advantages of such.
ReplyDeletegood points all! Nicole! where have you been? We have missed you.
ReplyDeleteI believe that spirituality is an extremely powerful force upon an individual's life. It is not surprising to me to read such statistics because mental, spiritual, and physical health are all equally as important in each and every person's life. Definitely interested in reading this book now!
ReplyDeleteIt is quite shocking to think that raising your child in a spiritual sense can prevent them from doing drugs or being depressed. Spirituality is so strong in a sense where it can be used as a guide through life. However, I believe there are a variety of other factors that can cause teenagers to go down the wrong path, regardless of spirituality.
ReplyDeleteI've seen older people improve their behavior and stop addictions from becoming more spiritual. So for kids to always have that spirituality in mind, will definitely help them make the right decisions throughout their difficult teenage years.
ReplyDeleteI can't say I'm surprised by the correlation between spirituality and a child's increased chances for a positive development. Regardless of the beliefs that are taught to the child, I believe that it's taking the time to teach the child right from wrong and instilling morals in them that help's them make better choices through life.
ReplyDeleteI believe most of this is true, spirituality is something very powerful in a human beings life and encourages people to take the right path. But I also believe it is the way a person is raised that influences his actions in the future.
ReplyDeleteI can agree because having a strong faith in God has personally helped me keep from making harmful and bad decisions in the past.
ReplyDeleteA person's state of well-being is the result of various different factors, and it's always muddy waters when you say that "x invariably results in y". Sure, being spiritual may contribute to the general positive factors that are already present, but to say that it single handily produces these effects is far-fetched. My guess is that these kids are brought up in stable, nurturing environments that act as protective factors against the adverse realities of the human condition. But still, like I said, spirituality is probably only beneficial, and not harmful.
ReplyDeleteAs a psychology major, I find this book to be so fascinating and I'm inclined to buy it. Spirituality is such an important part of so many people's lives, religious or not, and I do believe that having a sense of spirituality can be so beneficial for every aspect of one's life. I don't think the author is trying to imply that children who are not raised in a spiritual environment will do drugs, perform poorly in academics, or practice unsafe sex, but that those raised with a healthy influence of spirituality are more likely to be confident in themselves and have a higher sense of purpose, and therefore will be less likely to participate in self-destructive habits. Of course, correlation does not equal causation, and there are many factors that contribute to the happiness and success of a child, but I do think that this book is on to something. Very interesting post!
ReplyDeleteThis book seems extremely interesting because it is addressing a very controversial topic. Spirituality is not something that can be measured. I think it is subjective to a person's idea of spirituality. I agree that spirituality in the sense of religion helps to give a child guidelines,and a right path to grow on. But, the statistics that they are stating are very extreme, and a little bias.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the statistics stated on this post really surprised me, in a positive way of course. However, after really some of the comments I realized that this post could in some ways be a little biased. It makes it seem like religious people all do good things and are never sad, which we all know isn't necessarily true. Yet, at the same time it's not like this post is based on someone's observations or opinions, it is actually scientific proof. That leaves open the question of whether it is biased or a neutral truth. From personal experience, I have seen people change to more moral behavior due to religion and I hope this is a real truth.
ReplyDeleteSpirituality means something different to everyone. For me, it's more personal. Like getting in touch with their spiritual side through private prayer, yoga, meditation, quiet reflection, or even long walks.
ReplyDeleteThis book looks interesting to read. I agree that spirituality is very important in people's life. It helps shape the person to who they want to be but, I feel there are more factors that needs to be added.
ReplyDeleteI am a very religious individual who believes that religion makes you stronger and perseverant in your daily challenges. However, I also think that it all depends on an individual's personality since I know people who do not believe in anything, and still have a very fair life.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds very interesting, but I wonder how the author went about testing this and obtaining this information. Case studies maybe?
ReplyDeleteBeing being spiritual can keep you from doing bad things as well as reducing stress level.
ReplyDeleteWhat I see as spirituality can be seen differently by someone else. I see spirituality as getting connected somehow with your religion, so attending mass, praying, etc.
ReplyDeleteWithout a doubt, spirituality is vital for the development of children since it teaches them from an early age about the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle through purpose and right choices.
ReplyDeleteI can agree with this because with my beliefs and religion I have been strong enough to keep myself from doing any bad decisions I might regret later, but I also do know of people who do not believe in anything and are good people so it all depends really.
ReplyDeleteI could see why this might be true, but I know plenty of spiritually sound and active people who have slipped up a few times. Kids are very impressionable but with some strong guidance in spirituality, it might not be as easy
ReplyDeleteThis very interesting, and to me i believe most of them is true, I do think to some child does give them right path to grown up
ReplyDeleteBeing a psychology major, I was automatically attracted to this post. I find it interesting how they are combing and relating spirituality with psychology, which is not commonly done. As a spiritual and religious person myself, I find these statistics intriguing and relatable.
ReplyDeleteI found this book to be very interesting. I believe we can all be spiritual in our own ways and in our own settings.Overall, I agree being spiritual can lead to good actions.
ReplyDeleteThe concept of spirituality is relative, to some it is a religious devotion, to others it is the occurrence after the consumption of some substance. My belief of spirituality is a journey that our soul takes through the present body and multiple other ones at different points in time, in other words, a soul that learns through reincarnation.
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