How’s the Family?

How’s the Family? Headlines from the autumn 2011 survey 21st Century Evangelicals Report published February 2011

Our survey Completed by 1219 Christians in November 2011 39.5% response Rate Equal number of men and women Wide geographical and denominational spread

Marriage Over two thirds of our respondents are married, compared to only 49% nationally 89% had been married before the age of 30, (average age of marriage 25 for men and 24 for women - national average is 30.7 men / 28.5 women.) Only 13% had lived together before getting married – nationally today 75% do so 69% were very happy and another 20% fairly happy – though lower in “mixed” marriages. 10% said they have at least once received physical abuse or violence 9% reported unfaithfulness in the marriage

Singles 22% of our respondents were single 37% of them living alone. There are 1.7 single females to each single man Among the over-55s, there are three single women to one single man. 61% of the under-35s said they were single, compared to 7.5% of the over-55s

Christian families 28% live in homes where there are both Christians and non-Christians 87% of men had married someone who was a Christian at the time compared to 73% of women 86% had been brought up in a two parent family but only 46% by two Christian parents 669 respondents who have children aged over 11 have a total of 679 offspring who are committed Christians.

Churches and families While most churches see themselves as big extended families often people who are not married feel less than fully accepted Almost all churches provide some activities for children who attend church. Relatively few have outreach activities to un-churched children and youth Although two thirds are aware of members of their church congregation who have disabilities or learning difficulties, provision of appropriate support is patchy

Read the report You can download for free or order printed copies from http://www.eauk.org/snapshot/ You can also make comments and discuss the reports there on the website If you want to see a more detailed data report with all the statistics from the survey please email g.smith@eauk.org

Join the panel We are always on the look out for new members of our panel. We do a survey on a different topic four times a year It takes no more than 15 minutes of your time. Please sign up at: http://www.eauk.org/snapshot/get-involved.cfm

Evangelical Alliance working with: Our academic research advisors: Keith J. White John M Evans Dr Mandy Robbins Dr Matthew Guest Dr Sylvia Collins-Mayo Benita Hewitt Care Care for the Family Christians Against Poverty Compassion CWR Mission Aviation Fellowship Open Doors Prospects Stewardship Urban Saints