Thanks for highlighting this.

It does make me wonder where we as youth workers fit in - maybe as part of the congregation?

Never the less, it does emphasise the vital role of the family in the faith development of the young person to the extent, I fear, that we may have quite a limited influence in the lives of young people - I don't know! What I do know is that we are part of a "package" (for want of a better word) and we must think hard about the different young people who participate in our work because they will be perceiving it in many, many different ways.

I found the idea of frameworks fascinating too. Although, for Catholics, it should not come as a surprise that this is important to faith development. What sociologists find is that Catholics are far more loyal to their Church (local or Universal) than protestant Christians. I think this has to do with the way we pray and worship - it is more regularised and ritualistic. So, if other things change in young people's lives, at least their worship and engagement with God is likely to be a stabilising influence.

I'd like to hear what others think.