Although not all parents agreed on the importance of allowing their children to freely choose their own spiritual path, a majority asserted that it is vital that children be allowed to direct their own spiritual journey. Additionally, parents felt that it was important that they provide their children with the necessary information and guidance to assist them along the way.
When speaking about the importance of allowing their children to chose their own spiritual path, parents responded that:
“The question for us as a parent is how to open it and to let it grow… We think we can put…directions to open kind of doors so they can choose the kind of spiritual[ity] that they can use….”
(Israel)
“You choose. You can be a Christian. And if someone asks you, you can say, I am not.” You choose. You can be a Christian if you want to, you cannot be a Christian if you don’t want to. And you can decide. And so I don’t know what she decided. I have not had the courage to ask her.”
(India)
Parents involved in the focus groups thought it necessary to allow their children to define their spiritual journey for themselves, and that the role of parents should be to provide guidance and support when needed.
