Understanding the religious climate for American teenagers is a highly valuable sociological tool. Not only does it allow for a preview of the future, but it also offers the opportunity to serve as a yardstick for parenting effectiveness. The study of adolescent religiosity also reveals how well adolescents are able to articulate their personal beliefs, which may reveal the strength of their values. Most American teenagers are Christian or not religious at all (Smith and Denton Kindle, location 699). While this is true, there is a small percentage of American teenagers who belong to other religious affiliations. Finally, the teenage years are a good age range to study because conversion is most likely during these years as adolescents are easily influenced by ideas that challenge their beliefs (Smith and Denton Kindle Location 94). One difficulty of adolescence is discovering oneself. According to Chap Clark, “to survive, a young person must learn to be a child, a student, an athlete, and a friend, while at the same time continuing the ever-longer process of determining who he or she is” (2). Additionally, adolescents find themselves searching for the elusive definition of personality amidst myriad influences. As mentioned, the task is indeed a tall order, considering all the outside sources telling teens who they are while they try to figure it out on their own. For example, an adolescent may define himself as a “fundamentally morally responsible agent, an illusion of individuality destined to dissolve into cosmic unity, a divinely redeemed and sanctified sinner” and many other characters (Smith and Denton, Kindle Locations 3812 - 3813). With all these different definitions of personality out there, the… center of the card… continues to exist, because it is already in a state of collapse” (Clark 56). Involved parents can shape their children's ethical and moral foundations and leave a lasting impact. In conclusion, adolescent conceptions of personality are critical to both self-discovery and defining who God is. Many sources, but none more than social factors and parents heavily influence these definitions. From those who are religiously disconnected and highly religious, adolescent religiosity offers good insight into society's visions and our immediate future. After all, almost all dominant cultures have capitalized on their youth for their potential (Clark 7). Works Cited Clark, ch. Wounded 2.0. Baker Book Group. 2011. Kindle edition.Smith, Christian and Denton, Melina Lundquist. Soul searching: The religious and spiritual lives of American adolescents. Oxford University Press. 2005. Kindle edition.