Tag Archives: Faith

Gap Year Statistics

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This article is a list of statistics that are taken from various studies about the benefits of a gap year.  The article also gives this image which explains the reasons why students choose to participate in a gap year.

Here are some of the stats that caught my attention.

  • 90 percent of students who took a Gap Year returned to college within a year.
  • In 2014 AGA Members and Provisional Members gave away a combined total of roughly $2,800,000 in scholarships and needs-based grants.
  • 88 percent of Gap Year graduates report that their Gap Year had significantly added to their employability.

Please note:  There is currently a huge need for research and statistics among Gap Year Participants.  Many of the studies listed were not conducted on American students, and did not have a large subject base.

While Gap Years are not for everyone, they definitely have benefits.  If you are considering a gap year, here is an article to get you started.

 

Should You Take A Gap Year?

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Taking a “Gap Year” after high school is becoming more common in the Western world.  While exact details are difficult to determine, but it is clear that interest and enrollment in gap year programs is growing substantially.  If you want to read some statistics on Gap Year, Please check out this site.

Over the next couple of weeks, I will be posting information and articles on this topic.  I am also compiling a list of resources for those considering a gap year.

I came across this article on Forbes that I wanted to share with you.

 

The Credit Card Debt of Emerging Adults

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Credit Card from Flickr via Wylio

© 2015 GotCredit, Flickr | CC-BY | via Wylio

When I was going through college, there would be a salesperson outside our cafeteria everyday trying to get us to register for a credit card.  In return for signing our name, we would receive a free t-shirt, a 2-liter of soda (usually Mountain Dew), or a $10 gift card for pizza.  Preying upon the innocent, their tactics were shady, and their persistence was relentless.

The Credit Card Act of 2009 eliminated excessive marketing of credit cards to young people. It prohibits companies from wooing students with T-shirts, free pizza and other free gifts at university-sponsored events.  This legislative act also requires those under the age of 21 to prove they have an independent income before applying for a credit card.

In spite of these safety provisions, emerging adults are racking up more debt than ever before.  Here are a few statistics:

  • The average credit card debt of college student is $3,173.
  • The average credit card debt of graduating students is $4,100.

Please Note:  These numbers only reflect their amount of credit card debt.  We haven’t even mentioned the average amount of educational debt which is more than 35k.  (Source)  Overwhelmed by this burden, many college students do not even know their current student loan balance.   (Source)

As someone who cares about emerging adults, it is time to begin discussing…

  • how to improve money-management skills of emerging adults.
  • how churches are consumers and contribute to this culture.
  • how living independently by means of debt is not independence, but the entryway to bondage.
  • how to battle consumerism in our lives.
  • how we can effectively teach Jesus’ teaching about money.

In our discussions, we must acknowledge that debt is not a problem of emerging adults, but is an epidemic that affects Christians of all ages.

Maybe the whole problem is that emerging adults have learned from watching us, and our inability to respond to consumerism.

Leave a comment below to express your thoughts or leave a link to a resources on finances.

Financial Resources:

profil pictureDr. G. David Boyd is the Founder and Managing Director of EA Resources, a non-profit designed to equip parents and churches to minister to emerging adults.

College Students and Credit Cards – Some Statistics

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This article attempts to give an overview of student credit card use by presenting some statistics taken from Sallie Mae’s National Study of Usage Rates and Trends of Undergraduate Student Credit Card Use released in April 2009.   

Click Here to Read the Full Article!

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Are Millennials Really Leaving the Church? Yes — but Mostly White Millennials

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Almost everyday, it seems, there’s a new story about how “Millennials are leaving the church.” But there’s a problem with these trend pieces: They aren’t true. American Christianity still has plenty of Millennials — they’re just not necessarily in white churches. Continue reading →

New Conference – Parenting Towards Adulthood

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This week, I am presenting a conference for parents and adolescents on Autonomy this Saturday, November 7 at Christian Life Academy in Farmington, Minnesota.

This workshop is completely free, but to help us prepare we are requesting that you please RSVP to Miss Heather Meyen, 651-463-4545 or hmeyen@christianlifeschool.org if you plan to attend.  This unique workshop is designed for parents of 7th-12th graders and their students to attend together!


Who’s the Boss?: Directions to Adulthood

Autonomy is an essential developmental step towards becoming an adult.  This seminar is designed to increase communication and improve your relationship with your child as you together explore the Biblical definition of autonomy.  We will begin by exploring what autonomy means, and then give you and your child opportunities to evaluate their journey towards adulthood.  The morning will include several conversation breaks for you and your child (discussion questions provided) that will cause you to think, listen, laugh, and grow.

David Boyd 1 (1)If you are interested in hosting a conference or workshop with Dr. Boyd, you can reach him at gdavid@earesources.org.

You (Almost) Lost Me: Why This Young Christian Is Somehow Not Leaving Church…And Rethinking Faith

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What pains me is the defensive reactions of (typically older) generations that have said: “What are we going to do about those darn millennials?” That have talked at us more than talked with us.

 

Here is a link to the author’s blog.

Continue reading →

Signs of Helicopter Parenting – A Visual Guide by Hannah Marks

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I recently came across a visual guide  that describes Helicopter Parenting and its affects upon emerging adults.  While many adults want to give their children autonomy, not all parents recognize when they are too involved in the lives of their children.

helicopter parent1helicopter parent2helicopter parent3

Hannah Marks is the Outreach Manager of the Yellowbrick Program.  You can access the full article at www.yellowbrickprogram.com.

Related Articles:

Why I Stuck with the Church – The Millennial Exodus

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church (2)The Millennial Exodus is a term that I use to mark articles dealing with the declining rate of Millennials who attend the church in the United States.  EA Resources is committed to provide resources to churches and parents who want to encourage Millennials in their spiritual development.

As part of our mission, we purchase written/video work of Millennials who express their stories about “Why I left the Church” or  “Why I Stuck with the Church.”  If you would like to submit your work for purchase, please contact me gdavid@earesources.org.

Here is the story of a Millennial, and why she has stuck with the church.

I have experienced hypocrisy within the church. It was anything, but fun. In spite of its faults, I have chosen to continue with the church. The church has many areas of improvement to focus on, but I must remember that it is an institution. All institutions are ran by imperfect people are therefore – imperfect. The main reason I stuck with the church lies mostly in my choice to stick with my faith. Although I was supported in my faith by various people throughout my life, I made my faith my own.

I was never forced to go to church. I didn’t grow up with a Christian father, and my mother didn’t truly give her life to Christ until I was in high school. Although surrounded by small group leaders and mentors, my belief in God was never based on anyone else’s faith. It was always mine. However, I know that many other young adults struggle to separate their faith from their parents. They wonder if they would still hold to Christianity if they had been raised in a home that taught a different religion.

My plea to the Church. If you want us to stay… Love us.

As Millennials, we will not be forced into Christianity, or scared there by a fear of hell. These methods do not display Christ’s grace and love. I beg you – connect with us! The Bible teaches that the gathering of Christians is vital for a strong faith. We need to see why you believe in God. We need to see your passion.

Give us a reason to see past the imperfections of the church.

Let us see the heart of the church.

Amanda BabcockI’m Junior at Bethel University studying Environmental Science in hopes of doing Environmental Restoration with missions. I love the outdoors, being Minnesotan, and everything about camp– including flannels, chacos, and sharing the gospel. I have my own blog on wordpress if you want to read more by me– amandanoellebabcockblog.wordpress.com