Reading: 9-3 Hardwired to Connect
The following is another article from Prison Fellowship
Hardwired to Connect
Although people with loving, Christian parents do make
choices that lead to prison, unhealthy home
environments are more closely linked to criminal behavior. But why do abuse and
neglect predispose
children toward deviancy as adults?
A major scientific research paper sheds light on how human
beings are biologically designed to se ek
nurturing relationships and spiritual purpose, and how the absence of these beneficial
influences
adversely affects brain development.
Crime is always a moral choice and cannot be outright excused
by environmental factors. However, this
study helps us understand how upbringing relates to the empathy deficits seen
in prisoners and how
the power of the Gospel brought by caring volunteers can help transform lives.
The study, called Hardwired to Connect: The New Scientific
Case for Authoritative Communities, was
conducted by the Commission on Children at Risk, a team of 33 pediatricians,
research scientists,
mental health specialists, and youth service professionals. The co-sponsors were
Dartmouth Medical
School, YMCA of the USA, and the Institute for American Values.
From this research, the Commission has published three key
findings with important applications for
prison ministry:
1.Finding: "Humans
are hardwired to form relationships." At the genetic level, human beings
seem designed to form deep, lasting, nurturing attachments to others. Even
hormones support
the formation of relationships. Caring for and engaging intimately with others, for example,
causes spikes in the levels of oxytocin (a bonding hormone that causes feelings
of contentment)
and depresses levels of testosterone (an aggression hormone).
Application: Our relational ministry to prisoners matters.
While programming is important,
nothing can replace the impact of the person-to-person connection we offer as
volunteers.
Even
though trauma, shame, guilt, or distrust may warp prisoners' natural instincts
for intimacy, we
will see results as we patiently share the love of Christ with prisoners.
2.Finding: "The
presence or absence of a nurturing environment during childhood alters
brain development."
When a child has a secure and highly nurturing environment, she actually
develops brain circuitry that helps her cope well with stress and bond easily
with others.
Conversely, when a child grows up in an insecure and non-nurturing environment,
the child's
brain develops a greater sensitivity to stress and an incapacity to form
nurturing relationships.
Application: Our ministry to families matters. During early childhood
and adolescence,
young people learn altruism and empathy from adult role models, or they learn
distrust and
hostility.
That's why
our efforts to reconcile and strengthen families through Angel Tree(r)
Christmas, parenting workshops, and special family events are so crucial. As we support the
development of secure, nurturing families, we increase the chances of success
for the rising
generation.
3.Finding: "Human beings are biologically primed to seek moral and spiritual meaning."
Across races and cultures, children seem predisposed to seek
out spiritual and moral meaning.
Those who find it enjoy benefits including: stronger immune systems, more
positive attitudes
about life, reduced risk of injury, less drug abuse, and other positive
outcomes.
Application: The "God factor" matters. No matter how far we
wander or how hardened our
hearts may become, we still long for God and thrive when we find Him. And even
more
importantly, God does not cease to knock on our hearts' doors. That's why as
volunteers we
can have hope that every prisoner - young or old - will respond to the Gospel. We are all
"hardwired to connect" with Him.
For more information about these findings, read the report: Hardwired
to Connect
(www.amazon.com/Hardwired-Connect-Scientific-Authoritative-Communities/dp/1931764042
).
This article was retrieved from https:/
/www.prisonfeliowship.org/resources/training-resources/in-prison/ministry-
basics/hardwired-to-connect/
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