Compassion International Poverty Poll Reveals Optimism Among Young Adults
Compassion International recently sponsored a poll of American young adults, revealing that the age group, more than any other, believes it can make a difference in poverty overseas.
Compassion International recently sponsored a poll of American young adults, revealing that the age group, more than any other, believes it can make a difference in poverty overseas.
The poll, conducted by the Barna Research Group, indicated the emergence of a generational difference, where young adults aged 18-21 were most optimistic about the chances of individual Americans having an influence on the world. This group was more likely compared to other age groups to say that poverty in other countries can be addressed by the efforts of individual Americans (50 percent). The percentage fell as the age groups increase.
“With the optimism expressed by American young people, we are hopeful that this is the beginning of a nationwide trend,” David Dahlin, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Compassion International, said in a released statement. “Each individual, young or old, really can make a difference in the life of a child overseas.”
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The survey also exposed the fact that nearly 50 percent of church attendees in America have not heard a sermon on poverty in the past year, and 30 percent of those people did not have an opportunity to serve the poor through their church.
“Caring for the poor is not optional, according to the Bible,” responded Dahlin. “Now is the time for Churches to come alongside their congregations, share God’s mandate for the poor and provide opportunities for people to put their faith in action and serve the poor.”
Furthermore, according to the survey the majority of Americans believe that poor children overseas should be helped by their parents or their government, rather than by individuals in the U.S – 72 percent of poll participants said governments of developing countries should take responsibility for the poor and 64 percent said parents should be held accountable.
“Many Americans don’t realize the dire poverty that families face in developing countries,” Dahlin said. “Parents who do everything they can for their children find that, in many cases, it just isn’t enough.”
Compassion International is one of the nation’s largest Christian child development organizations, working with more than 65 denominations and thousands of indigenous church partners in Africa, Asia, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Since 1952, Compassion has reached out to more than a million children.
“The tsunami, hurricanes and earthquakes of the past 12 months appear to have had an effect on giving,” said Dahlin in response to the poll’s indication that giving to the poor increased in 2005. “We’re grateful that Americans responded. But we also hope they realize that even when there are no natural disasters, there are still children in other countries are in desperate need.”
