Written by Mark Kelly
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Most American parents believe things are going well with their families – except when it comes to finances. And a large majority highly values their children having a relationship with God – except when it comes to taking them to worship.
A nationwide LifeWay Research survey of 1,077 American adults with children under 18 living at home found 87 percent feel they have strong marriages. A full 74 percent strongly believe they will remain married for life, and 64 percent strongly agree that if they had it to do over again, they would still marry their spouses. As parents, 76 percent agree they give enough of their time to their children, but only 56 percent agree their families enjoy enough relaxing times together.
Blacks, women and born-again Christians believe most strongly that they give their kids enough time, the study revealed. Parents with evangelical or born-again beliefs and people who attend religious worship services regularly are considerably more likely to report having strong marriages.
When it comes to finances, however, barely half – 52 percent – agree their households bring in enough income to support their lifestyles. Asked what level of income would be needed to make them "financially comfortable" (not wealthy), 14 percent say they would need $10,000 more a year, and 47 percent say they need at least another $20,000. Only a tiny fraction – 4 percent – say they could be financially comfortable on an income lower than what they now make.
Saving money regularly is a crucial element to financial security, but only 28 percent of parents agree their families puts enough into savings each month. More than two-thirds – 69 percent – express concern that their families can never seem to get ahead financially. Half of parents agree they want to give their children more materially than they already have, and almost three-fourths – 72 percent – want their children to have more than they themselves had growing up.
The desire to give their children more than they had growing up was strongest among Hispanic and younger parents who, ironically, came of age during one of America’s wealthiest eras.
For the rest of the article, read on HERE.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Most American parents believe things are going well with their families – except when it comes to finances. And a large majority highly values their children having a relationship with God – except when it comes to taking them to worship.
A nationwide LifeWay Research survey of 1,077 American adults with children under 18 living at home found 87 percent feel they have strong marriages. A full 74 percent strongly believe they will remain married for life, and 64 percent strongly agree that if they had it to do over again, they would still marry their spouses. As parents, 76 percent agree they give enough of their time to their children, but only 56 percent agree their families enjoy enough relaxing times together.
Blacks, women and born-again Christians believe most strongly that they give their kids enough time, the study revealed. Parents with evangelical or born-again beliefs and people who attend religious worship services regularly are considerably more likely to report having strong marriages.
When it comes to finances, however, barely half – 52 percent – agree their households bring in enough income to support their lifestyles. Asked what level of income would be needed to make them "financially comfortable" (not wealthy), 14 percent say they would need $10,000 more a year, and 47 percent say they need at least another $20,000. Only a tiny fraction – 4 percent – say they could be financially comfortable on an income lower than what they now make.
Saving money regularly is a crucial element to financial security, but only 28 percent of parents agree their families puts enough into savings each month. More than two-thirds – 69 percent – express concern that their families can never seem to get ahead financially. Half of parents agree they want to give their children more materially than they already have, and almost three-fourths – 72 percent – want their children to have more than they themselves had growing up.
The desire to give their children more than they had growing up was strongest among Hispanic and younger parents who, ironically, came of age during one of America’s wealthiest eras.
For the rest of the article, read on HERE.
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