What if your child grows up to have very different religious, political, or social views than you?

Most teens/young adults will “try on” different beliefs/views and may settle on some that don’t match their parents.

Research indicates that this is a developmental step in becoming an independent person. If parents understand this process and prioritize the relationship over the mirroring of beliefs/views, they will have a closer relationship. Ironically, the child will also be more likely to settle on similar beliefs/views eventually.

However, if the child feels like the relationship is dependent on mirroring their parents’ beliefs/views, they are more likely to have a poor relationship with their parents and choose different long-term views.