Parents overwhelmingly felt that the influences of peers, media, and society as a whole make it difficult for youth to be spiritual. Additionally, parents found that their children feel pressure from their peers which often causes them to suppress their spiritual side, thus hindering their spiritual development.
When asked to further elaborate on the stresses in which their children face, participants responded:
“The street is having now more impact than the parents (Syria male) Our kids are targeted by forces which are bigger than us”
(Syria)
“Peer pressure forces them not to show spirituality openly. Afraid not accepted in group. So as not to lose friends.”
(Malta)
It is clear to parents that their children must contend with a lot of pressure to conform to ideals put in place by society and their peers. Parents believed that contending with these pressures is one of the main things that makes it difficult to be a parent, and difficult for their children to develop spiritually.
