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The power of faith and family in education cannot be understated, as demonstrated by a revealing 2020 study published in the Public Discourse journal of the Witherspoon Institute.
The research specifically examined educational achievement gaps between African American and Latino students compared to their white counterparts. The findings were remarkable: these academic disparities completely vanished when factoring in religious faith and two-parent household dynamics, regardless of socioeconomic background.
We build our personal spiritual bridge with hearts and minds devoted to Heavenly Father and His Only Begotten Son as well as to our brothers and sisters with whom we work, play, and live. May our hearts and minds be lifted upward to love the Lord and turned outward to love our… pic.twitter.com/cf78LcKjqG
— Gary E. Stevenson (@StevensonGaryE) October 17, 2024
Lead researcher William Jeynes highlighted that family structure and religious commitment emerged as the most significant factors in reducing educational inequalities. His analysis demonstrated that students from households with two biological parents consistently showed improved academic performance, primarily due to increased parental engagement and involvement.
“The family elements that were most strongly associated with a reduction in the achievement gap were coming from a two-biological-parent family and high levels of parental involvement,” Jeynes wrote. “These are interrelated: When two parents are present, this maximizes the frequency and quality of parental involvement.
“To be sure, there are many dedicated single parents. However, the reality is that when one parent must take on the roles and functions of two, it is simply more difficult than when two parents are present.”
The study emphasized that religious participation played an equally crucial role in academic success. “Regularly attending church, or another house of worship, and defining oneself as being a very religious person yielded the most significant reductions in the achievement gap,” Jeynes noted.
He elaborated further: “There are likely a number of reasons for this relationship; faith can give a person a sense of purpose in life and a disciplined lifestyle that supports academic success.
“Perhaps most significantly, the meta-analysis revealed that, if an African American or Latino student was a person of faith and came from a two-biological-parent family, the achievement gap totally disappeared, even when adjusting for socioeconomic status.
“Various other studies have confirmed that people of faith do better in school by a pretty sizable margin.”
Today, families, marriages, and children face incredible stress and pressure. But God gave us the institution of marriage as a gift and a foundation for unity. His design is clear: “The two shall become one.” Marriage isn’t just about two people coexisting—it’s about living a… pic.twitter.com/rmUezoCHMs
— Tony Scott (@pastortonyscott) December 20, 2024
These findings challenge contemporary narratives that emphasize socioeconomic and racial barriers as insurmountable obstacles to academic achievement. Instead, they suggest that strong family bonds and religious values provide essential foundation for educational success.
Despite mounting criticism of traditional family structures and religious practices in recent years, this research underscores their enduring importance in educational outcomes. The study’s conclusions remain particularly relevant today, as discussions about educational equity continue to evolve.
Following Donald Trump’s electoral victory, there appears to be a cultural shift away from extreme leftist ideologies. This transition may create an opportunity to reassess the value of family and faith in educational success, factors that could prove crucial for improving academic achievement across all demographic groups.
