Welcome to this installment of the ’22 Steps in Researching Your Family Tree!’
What’s a genealogist’s favorite song?
“We Are Family” by Sister Sledge!
This blog article is about…
Family History Benefits Adolescents
My thoughts on the article on “New BYU study shows one way adolescents can develop healthy identity and why it matters”. Study provides some empirical evidence that supports what Church leaders have long taught about participation in family history. By Rachel Sterzer Gibson 12 March 2023, 10:15 AM EDT
You can read the original article at the link below:
A new study conducted by Brigham Young University has found that having knowledge of one’s family history can help adolescents develop a healthy sense of identity. The researchers surveyed almost 250 18- to 20-year-old students at seven universities in the US and found that individuals who had healthy identity development also had high levels of family history knowledge. The more youth knew about their parents and grandparents, the better. Specifically, the study found that family history knowledge is linked to healthy adolescent identity development. Adolescents who develop a healthy sense of identity are less likely to struggle later in life with family and individuality conflicts, says the lead researcher, Brian Hill.
The study provides some empirical evidence that supports what Church leaders have long taught about participation in family history. The new findings underline the importance of family history work, which can facilitate important blessings, especially to youth, Hill explained.
The study on family history and adolescent identity is not the first of its kind. There have been other studies in the past that have shown the benefits of family history knowledge. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Family Psychology in 2010 found that adolescents who knew more about their family history had higher levels of emotional well-being and lower levels of anxiety.
Another study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family in 2015 found that family history knowledge was linked to a stronger sense of family identity and greater family cohesion among Hispanic adolescents.
These findings highlight the importance of family history knowledge in promoting healthy identity development, family cohesion, and emotional well-being among adolescents.
Furthermore, family history work is not just important for individual and family benefits. It can also contribute to a greater sense of community and national identity. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Social Issues in 2018 found that knowing about one’s family history and heritage can promote a greater sense of connection to one’s community and country.
In addition, family history work can also have important implications for mental health. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2018 found that genealogical research can be a powerful tool for addressing mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.
Overall, the new BYU study provides further evidence of the importance of family history knowledge for adolescent identity development. It underscores the need for families, schools, and communities to prioritize family history work and to help youth understand the importance of their family heritage. By doing so, we can promote healthy identity development, family cohesion, and emotional well-being among our youth.Some sources that you can refer to for more information on the topics discussed:
1. United Nations: https://www.un.org/en/sections/issues-depth/water/index.html
2. World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drinking-water
3. World Bank: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/water
4. Environmental Protection Agency: https://www.epa.gov/water-research/water-topics
5. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: https://www.noaa.gov/water
In my opinion, our children and grandchildren should know more about what their family history is at an early age.
What do you think about this?
If you have any comments about this article and would like to comment, please use the comments section below.
NOTE:
If you have any questions, comments, or feedback or would like to suggest any improvements, please don’t hesitate to send me a message or email. I value your input and appreciate your support in helping me to create more helpful and informative content for aspiring genealogists. Thank you for following along on this journey, and I wish you the best of luck in your own genealogical research.
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