Table of Contents

3 INTRODUCTION

5 R E L I G I O U S AT T I T U D E S A N D B E H AV I O R S
16 PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AND STRUGGLES
26 D I G I TA L C O N N E C T E D N E S S A N D I M PA C T
33 I D E N T I T Y A N D R E L AT I O N S H I P S
43 INFLUENCES AND GUIDING VOICES

53 ABOUT ONEHOPE
53 M E T H O D O LO G Y
55 SURVEY INSTRUMENT
INTRODUCTION
Each new generation is unique in its own way, and research can help us understand
how the world looks through different eyes. The world’s current generation of teens and
young adults is sometimes called Generation Z. Across Portugal, there are approximately
700,000 Generation Z teens ages 13-19 comprising about 7% of the population.1

This research reveals the habits, struggles, beliefs and influences of teens in Portugal.
It also reveals teens’ views of God, Jesus, the Bible, and the church. This data is part of
a larger global study that surveyed teens across 20 countries. We believe this study is
the most comprehensive of its kind in terms of taking a deep look at the faith of this
generation. The thousands of data points we collected create a picture of this global
generation including the values they share, the struggles they face, and what teens are
looking to for answers and hope.

20 Countries 14 Languages 8,394 Digitally Ages 70 Item

Connected Teens 13-19 Survey

Africa: Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa (1,275 teens surveyed)

Asia: China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Vietnam (2,100 teens surveyed)
Eurasia: Egypt, The Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Russia,
Spain, The United Kingdom (2,936 teens surveyed)
Latin America: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico (1,673 teens surveyed)
North America: United States (410 teens surveyed)

1 United Nations Population Division, Total Population Database, 3

https://population.un.org/wpp/DataQuery/ Accessed August 2020.
A B O U T T H E P O R T U G A L D ATA
We hope you not only learn something new, but that your mind and heart are moved
to action on behalf of this generation who so need the hope of the Gospel in their lives.
Every statistic in this study represents many individual teens with their own sets of
hopes, fears, and daily challenges. Each of those teens has a name, a story, and an eternal
destiny. OneHope is dedicated to affecting those destinies by reaching every young
person in every country with God’s Word.

419 Teens Ages 13-19 Internet

1
Surveyed Connected

1 As the survey was distributed digitally, being Internet-connected was a prerequisite for
participants in this study. Therefore, this data should not be taken to represent all teens in 4
Portugal but only those who have regular access to the Internet.
RELIGIOUS
AT T I T U D E S A N D
B E H AV I O R S
PORTUGAL REPORT

5
6
Religious Attitudes and Behaviors
This research study was uniquely comprehensive in examining the role faith and
religion play in the lives of the next generation. How important do they say a
spiritual journey is to them? How are they putting their beliefs into practice?

We knew we wanted to explore the religious attitudes and behaviors of today’s

generation and the impact of those on other areas of their lives.

RELIGIOUS IDENTITY

In Portugal, very few teens were Evangelical, with nearly half being Catholic and
the other half being non-religious. Non-religious teens are those who said they
are atheist, agnostic, or have no religion.

However, this does not mean that spirituality is unimportant to them. Nearly half
(45%) of non-religious teens agree that their faith beliefs or spiritual journey are
an important part of their identity, showing that many of today’s young people
separate spirituality from religion.

3 I N 5 T E E N S S AY T H E I R FA I T H
BELIEFS OR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
A R E A N I M P O R TA N T PA R T O F
THEIR IDENTITY

7
U N D E R S TA N D I N G N O N - R E L I G I O U S T E E N S

Many teens in our study (45%) said they have no religion or identified
themselves as atheist or agnostic. However, though these young people reject
a religious identification, they are not hostile towards faith. Rather, they are
observed to be apathetic in their attitude towards God, Jesus, and the Bible.
Some even appear to be curious about God or Jesus.

Non-religious teens may look a little different than what you would expect.
Nearly half say a spiritual journey is an important part of their identity, and
most say that the Christians they know are kind and caring. They would not
necessarily come to church if invited, but are open to personal experiences
changing their mind about faith.

• 45% say their faith beliefs or spiritual journey are an important part of their
identity.
• 44% believe all religions teach equally valid truths.
• 59% say they know Christians and consider them kind and caring.
• 59% say they would not consider coming to church even if someone invited
them.
• 56% would change their mind about a religious belief if they had a personal
experience such as an answer to prayer.

8
Teens and the Church
The witness of the church and the people in it is powerful to a watching world.
Our research showed that the majority of teens in Portugal have a positive
perception of Christians. Nearly 7 in 10 teens say the Christians they know are
kind and caring.

However, teens are not quite as positive towards the church. Young people in
Portugal are half as likely as teens around the world to say they would be open
to attending a Christian church service if invited. Two in five say they are not
open, with another two in five not sure.

O P E N T O AT T E N D I N G C H U R C H

Even teens who attend church may

not necessarily be deeply engaged in
their congregation. Half of church-
going evangelical teens (50%) say
they don’t talk about life issues or
concerns with leaders at their church.

Even more concerning, just 35% 35% OF

of evangelical teens who currently
attend church say they have a youth E VA N G E L I C A L
pastor. Fortunately, some adults are T E E N S S AY T H E I R
stepping into the gap. Nearly 3 in 5
evangelical teens (58%) say they have
CHURCH HAS A
an adult at church who is mentoring Y O U T H PA S TO R
them.

9
Religious Habits
We gained a glimpse into the spiritual disciplines of this generation by
measuring teens’ religious habits including gathering with their faith community,
reading scripture, praying, and having spiritual conversations. Stark differences
were observed between young people in Portugal and those around the world.
Most Portuguese teens said they never do these things.

10
SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES BY RELIGION
Engaging in spiritual disciplines is how we grow our faith. Unsurprisingly, non-
religious teens hardly ever engage in these kinds of activities. But sadly, more
than half of evangelical teens report they never attend church and nearly 2 in
3 say they never read their Bible. How can young people mature in their faith if
they are not practicing these spiritual disciplines?

The data reveals that even religious teens are not having spiritual conversations
very often. In fact, evangelicals are exactly the same as non-religious young
people in how they responded to this question. Over half (52%) say they never
talk about religious or spiritual things with those who do not share their beliefs.

11
U N D E R S TA N D I N G E VA N G E L I C A L S A N D C AT H O L I C S
We wanted to better understand what religious teens in Portugal believe. Both
Evangelical and Catholic young people were similar in their views of God, Jesus,
and the Bible. But their outlook on these and other topics of faith could use
strengthening.

1. Note that this item asked respondents to share the age at which they made their most
important commitment to Jesus Christ. For Evangelicals, the average age was 11, and for
Catholics it was 10. 12
The Committed Few
Saying you are a Christian and being serious about living out your faith can be two
different things. We looked at the core beliefs and key spiritual disciplines that
would reveal a teen is a Committed Christian. These include regularly reading their
Bible, praying, believing that the Bible is God’s Word, that they can have a personal
relationship with God, and that forgiveness of sins is only possible through Jesus
Christ—the Son of God.

6 TRAITS OF COMMITTED CHRISTIANS

Globally, only 7% of teens we surveyed were Committed Christians. In Portugal,

just 2% of teens were discovered to be Committed Christians. Because the
sample size of Committed Christians was so small in this country, insufficient data
was available to make comparative statements between Committed Christians
and other populations.

O N LY 2 % O F
TEENS IN
PORTUGAL ARE
COMMITTED
CHRISTIANS

13
Standing for Truth
One thing that today’s teens seem to believe is that truth is relative and non-
exclusive. Half of teens in Portugal say all religions teach equally valid truths.
Evangelicals were actually the most likely to say this of any religious group.

We were also curious what teens in Portugal think of the mixing of beliefs
between religions, such as syncretizing Christianity with African-rooted beliefs.
Around half of teens said this practice is good, with the other half saying they
were unsure. Almost no teens were opposed to it.

What do you think of the mixture of beliefs that some people

practice, such as mixing Christianity with African-rooted beliefs?

14
Conclusion
This valuable information on the religious identity and habits of today’s teens can
guide us towards practical action. How can we continue to reach out to the young
people who need to hear the Gospel, as well as disciple those teens already within our
churches? Here are some key takeaways:

T E E N S A R E R E L I G I O U S LY A PAT H E T I C
But they may be interested in spiritual things. Many say faith
beliefs or a spiritual journey are an important part of their identity
even if they are non-religious. We have the opportunity to share
with them the only truth that saves and how it has made the
difference in our own lives.

T E E N S A R E P O S I T I V E TOWA R D S C H R I S T I A N S .
However, they would probably not accept an invitation to church.
How can we invest in their lives and draw them into authentic
community even if they are not within the walls of our churches
on a Sunday?

W H O I S D I S C I P L I N G O U R YO U T H ?
It is critical for young people to have wise counsel in their lives
from people who have been walking with Jesus for many years
and can share from the maturity of their faith. But most teens say
they don’t have a youth pastor at their church. How will teens be
spiritually mentored and shaped without dedicated youth leaders?

HOW CAN WE HELP CHRISTIANS DEVELOP IN

T H E I R C O M M I T T E D N E S S TO FA I T H ?
Many teens say they have made a commitment to Christ, but few
demonstrate the beliefs and behaviors that reflect a vibrant life-
giving faith. It is critical to disciple teens in forming the habits of
Scripture engagement and prayer so they can embrace the truth
and freedom God’s Word contains for them.

T E E N S M AY B E C O N F U S E D A B O U T W H AT T H E Y
BELIEVE
For example, Evangelicals are leading the way in saying all
religions teach equally valid truths despite Scripture’s clear
message that Jesus is the only way. How can we help teens
deepen their spiritual convictions and equip them to positively
influence those around them for Christ?

15
PERSONAL
EXPERIENCES
AND STRUGGLES
PORTUGAL REPORT

16
17
Mental Health
Today’s teens are growing up in an increasingly diverse and complex world. Add to that
the fact that the teen years are already a time filled with uncertainties and difficulties,
and you have the beginnings of an explanation for why young people may report
struggles in their lives.

Teens in Portugal were up front in telling us that they are dealing with some serious
personal struggles. These include feelings of loneliness, high anxiety, and depression.
Some teens are even wondering at times if life is still worth living, reporting suicidal
thoughts and even attempts. Teens are sexually active at every age, and many are using
pornography. These topics don’t have easy answers or simple solutions. But the first step
is to allow teens to tell us about the complex realities of being a young person in today’s
world and see what life looks like through their eyes.

M E N TA L H E A LT H S T R U G G L E S
We asked teens to tell us about Within the past three months I have experienced:
their personal experiences and
struggles within the past three
months of their lives.

Data was collected in March

2020, meaning that teens
were reflecting on life before
experiencing widespread effects
from the coronavirus pandemic
which resulted in national
lockdowns and quarantines.

The statistics were startling.

Three in five teens in Portugal
reported feelings of loneliness,
and more than half reported
high anxiety; 1 in 3 reported
depression.1 Portugal had high
rates of loneliness and high
anxiety, but was one of the least
likely to report depression of all
20 countries surveyed.
GLOBAL RANKING OF 20 COUNTRIES

1 Note that these are not necessarily clinical levels of depression or anxiety.
Respondents interpreted for themselves the terms provided and self-reported
if they felt they had experienced them. 18
GIRLS STRUGGLE MORE
An undeniable difference in the data emerged when looking at the results by gender.
Teen girls are struggling much more than teen boys when it comes to their mental
health in every area we asked about. The same trend was observed on a global level
as well.

W H Y I S N ’ T FA I T H M A K I N G A
BIGGER DIFFERENCE?

In our global study of teens, one of the biggest

positive influences on a young person’s mental health
was their committedness to faith. Globally, teens
who hold to the core beliefs of Christianity and
demonstrate the spiritual disciplines of reading their
Bibles and praying were seen to struggle less with
their mental health in every area.

However, this same trend was not observed for teens

in Portugal. The number of Committed Christian
teens in this country was so small that we were
unable to make comparisons between them and
other populations.

We also checked on items including church attendance, Scripture engagement,

and key theological statements to see if any of these beliefs or behaviors
correlated with a young person’s mental outlook. However, although we
have seen some of these items make a difference for young people in other
countries, they did not appear to influence or improve the personal struggles
for teens in Portugal.

19
Suicide
We asked teens to self-report if they had, within the last three months, experienced
suicidal thoughts or made a suicide attempt. One in four teens reported suicidal
ideation in Portugal, which aligned with the global average of teens in other
countries.

1 IN 4 TEENS
REPORTED
SUICIDAL
THOUGHTS

Suicidal ideation can take a range of forms from a casual and largely isolated
thought all the way to detailed and involved planning. Thankfully, not all suicidal
thoughts lead to actual attempts.

However, an average of 5% of teens in Portugal did report an attempt within

the past three months. It is important to remember that this data is self-
reported by teens, not drawn from hospital records which often forms the basis
of other research studies on this topic.

SUICIDE RISK BY AGE

Suicidal thoughts were much lower among younger teens, with no reported
attempts by 13-15 year olds.

20
Research literature on this topic points to many factors that can increase a
young person’s risk for suicide including LGBTQ issues, substance abuse,
bullying, and symptoms of anxiety or depression.1 Our research revealed similar
connections.

Teens in Portugal who have been victims of online bullying were three times
more likely to report suicidal ideation and eight times more likely to have
attempted suicide than the average. Depression, same-sex attraction, a poor
family experience, or being personally hurtful to someone else online were also
observed to accompany higher suicide risk.2

5 FA C T O R S T H AT C O R R E L AT E W I T H H I G H E R
SUICIDE RISK

Suicide attempts, like suicidal thoughts, fall on a continuum from reckless

behaviors that show a low value for life to planned and pointed attempts. It is
not necessarily one event that triggers someone to try to take their life, but
could be a series of small steps and thoughts that each build on the other.

Regardless of the specific circumstances, this data shows that some young
people are in seriously dark places that are driving them towards desperate
action. We should be heartbroken for young people who feel meaningless
enough about life to want to end it. When it comes to suicide, we are not
looking at numbers on a page or percentages of a sample—but at real people’s
lives. Which means any number is too many.

1 CDC WONDER Online Database, Underlying Cause of Death, Multiple Cause of Death
files 2015-2017. AmericasHealthRankings.org, Accessed 2020.
2 Note that the number of suicide attempts in our study is small, so related 21
percentages should be carefully considered.
Sexuality
The teenage years can be a time of
experimentation and include an evolving
understanding of one’s sexuality and
attractions. These were topics we
specifically asked teens to share about,
giving us a deeper look at their personal
experiences.

Three in ten unmarried teens in Portugal

reported being sexually active within the
past three months, which aligns with the
global average.
PORTUGAL: 31% of
This represents a broad spectrum of unmarried respondents have
potential behaviors, but in answering this been sexually active recently
question teens defined for themselves
what it means to be sexually active. Any
teens who also reported being married GLOBAL: 29% have been
were excluded to ensure this statistic sexually active recently
represented only sex outside the context
of marriage. Sexual activity was seen to
trend with age, with very few younger
teens reporting this.

S E X U A L LY A C T I V E B Y A G E

I S I T O K T O H AV E S E X B E F O R E M A R R I A G E ?

22
V I E W O F P R E - M A R I TA L S E X

Teens in Portugal were number one in our global study to say they believe
having sex before marriage is acceptable. Nearly all non-religious teens agreed,
but large numbers of evangelicals and Catholics aligned with this viewpoint as
well.

Pornography
Teens in Portugal are some of the most likely to say they have recently used
pornography of all teens surveyed globally. 58% report they have viewed
pornography within the past three months.

PORTUGAL
RANKS #2 OF 20
COUNTRIES FOR
TEENS VIEWING
PORNOGRAPHY

PORNOGRAPHY USAGE BY AGE

23
Boys are much more likely than girls to be using pornography and those who
spend more time online are accessing it more than those who spend less
time online. Evangelical Christians are the least likely to have recently viewed
pornography of any religious group, yet still nearly half of evangelical teens say
this is something they have either encountered or sought out.

PORNOGRAPHY USAGE BY RELIGION

Other Struggles
Our research revealed several other challenges teens in Portugal are facing.
They are higher than the global average to say they have recently been drunk
and to report having used recreational drugs.

24
Conclusion
This data is a sad picture of how life can look when seeing from the eyes
of young people. The daily experiences and struggles teens face can seem
overwhelming, but helps us understand where to start: by listening. Before we
act, we must first understand.

TEENS’ STRUGGLES ARE REAL.

Regardless of their circumstances or reasons why, we can clearly
see that teens are struggling with aspects of their mental health
and some are in seriously dark places contemplating desperate
action. How can we help young people see the light and embrace
the hope of the Gospel only Christ can provide?

P O R N O G R A P H Y I S H I D I N G I N P L A I N S I G H T.
This is a significant issue for today’s teens and a leading struggle
for teens in Portugal in particular. Neither age nor religion protect
a teen from sexual feelings and urges. And those urges can be so
easily met in today’s digitally connected world in which we live.
How can we address the pervasive issue of pornography usage that
has ensnared this next generation?

G I R L S N E E D A D D I T I O N A L S U P P O R T.
The differences in personal struggle rates by gender are
undeniable, and the high rates among girls cannot be ignored.
Consider the unique struggles girls face in regard to their gender
and how we can empower mature women of faith to disciple this
next generation.

TEENS NEED DIRECTION IN THE AREA OF

S E X U A L I T Y.
Portuguese teens are leading the way in saying that sex outside
the context of marriage is not a problem, with many evangelicals
subscribing to this mindset as well. And as teens age they are
increasingly likely to act on that belief. How can we help them
understand the beauty and benefits of living purely in this area?

25
D I G I TA L
CONNECTEDNESS
A N D I M PAC T
PORTUGAL REPORT

26
27
Online Engagement
This is the most digitally connected generation the world has ever seen. Today’s
teens grew up on the Internet, have had smartphones in their hand from a
young age, and have never known a world without social media.

Being internet-connected was a requirement for participation in this research

study because one of the primary objectives of this research initiative was to
investigate the effects of digital connectedness on teens’ views, beliefs, and
behaviors.

T O TA L T I M E O N L I N E D A I LY
Teens in Portugal are spending
just over 7 hours online daily,
which is a little less than the global
average.1

What are teens doing in the hours

they spend online? Primarily
talking, messaging, or video
chatting.

This was the most popular activity for teens worldwide as well, followed by
social media, watching videos, and finally gaming. Across all of these activities,
Portuguese teens were very similar in terms of amount of time spent compared
to the global average of teens in other countries.

TIME SPENT BY ACTIVITY

1 Note that data was collected in March 2020, before schools transitioned to virtual learning
due to the coronavirus pandemic. Respondents were not specifically asked to exclude school
activities from total time spent online daily, so some may have included it in their estimate. 28
Total time online is not the only
way to understand a teen’s digital
habits. The activities they regularly
return to also paint a picture of
their online engagement.
97% of teens watch
97% of teens in Portugal say videos every day.
they watch videos every day on
platforms including Netflix and
YouTube.

Nearly all teens are using social

media daily. But most said they 63% of teens
spend an hour or less on these spend an hour
platforms and responded with or less on social
mixed emotions about their media daily.
experiences. Girls were nearly
twice as likely as boys to say social
media can negatively affect their
emotional outlook.
Reasons I use social media:
3 in 5 teens say that social
media helps them feel satisfied
with their lives. 1. Connect with friends and family.
2. Find funny or entertaining content.
48% say it can make them
feel sad, anxious, or depressed.

SOCIAL MEDIA MAKES ME FEEL

SAD, ANXIOUS, OR DEPRESSED.

29
The Influence of the Internet
We received a wide variety of responses from adolescents and youth regarding
their usage habits and time online, prompting us to categorize respondents as
light internet users (0-4 hours online daily), moderate internet users (4.1-9.99
hours online daily) and heavy internet users (10+ hours online daily). Looking at
the data through this lens reveals some interesting findings.

TIME SPENT ONLINE

PERSONAL STRUGGLES BY TIME ONLINE

Teens who are heavy internet users are spending much more time online each
day and are struggling more with aspects of their mental health. Teens spending
10 or more hours online daily report higher rates of loneliness, depression, and
anxiety as compared with light internet users. In addition, they are more likely to
be sexually active.

30
Heavy internet users also appear to see themselves in a less favorable light as
compared to others. They are less likely to say they are doing as well as others
their age. Heavy internet users are also much less likely than light users to say
they can find ways to solve a problem even when others want to quit.

Sadly, heavy internet users are more likely to report a poor family experience,
and are less inclined than light internet users to talk to their parents about
issues that really matter to them.

INTERNET USAGE AND LIFE EXPERIENCES

Teens in Portugal are not the only ones navigating a complex relationship
between their in-person experiences and their digital lives. This same trend was
observed globally across the 20 countries surveyed. Many of these same mental
health concerns surfaced across the world when paired with time spent online.
And in other countries we saw even more pronounced differences in teens’
values and views when contrasting light and heavy internet users.

Obviously, these findings are deeply concerning. However, the nature of the
relationship between time online and teens’ personal struggles is far from clear.
This data shows that there is some kind of connection between them, but does
not suggest that one leads to the other. It is possible that heavy internet usage
contributes to these personal struggles in the lives of young people. On the
other hand, teens who are already struggling with their mental health may be
turning to their digital devices as an attempt to escape.

31
Conclusion
Frequent connectedness to digital platforms is the way of life for today’s young
people. Now that we know where they are and what they are doing digitally,
how do we engage them effectively with the Gospel message they need to
hear? Here are some ideas to consider:

T E E N S I N P O RT U G A L A R E S P E N D I N G A LOT O F
T H E I R O N L I N E T I M E C H AT T I N G A N D TA L K I N G .
How can we empower them to be having meaningful, thought-
provoking conversations with their peers? In addition, how can
we as the church engage in meaningful, thought provoking
conversation with teens on these chatting platforms?

VIDEOS ARE VERY POPULAR.

Videos are part of every young person’s daily life and can be a
powerful vehicle to reach them. This generation is constantly
returning to platforms like YouTube and Netflix and watching video
content every day. How can we use this appealing medium to reach
young people for Christ?

S O C I A L M E D I A G E N E R AT E S M I X E D R E S P O N S E S .
Social media can be an effective way to reach teens, but keep in
mind most are not spending a lot of time on these platforms every
day (63% spend 1 hour or less daily). Teens are also divided on
whether or not social media is helping them live their best life, so
consider the content you are putting out for them and how you
can help them navigate their complex relationship with their digital
devices.

K E E P I N M I N D T H AT T H O S E O N T H E O T H E R S I D E
O F T H E S C R E E N M I G H T B E S T R U G G L I N G D E E P LY.
While we can’t say technology is causing these problems, it’s clear
that those who are spending a lot of time online may be dealing
with some serious mental health issues. Think about how you
can come alongside young people and encourage them towards a
healthy outlook.

32
IDENTITY AND
R E L AT I O N S H I P S
PORTUGAL REPORT

33
34
Gender Identity as a Choice
A teen’s identity and relationships are intricate and highly personal. No research
initiative can measure all the aspects involved, so we chose to focus on several
key areas related to how teens view themselves and others. What do they say
about gender identity and what that means to them? How satisfied are they
with their friend and family relationships? What perspectives are they taking
with them into adulthood on topics like marriage? These conversations are
complex, but here’s a look at what we discovered in these important areas.

Around 3 in 10 teens (28%) across Portugal hold to a traditional view of

gender, saying that it is primarily based on the sex a person is born as. But
the majority (70%) of teens believe gender is a choice—something that can be
self-determined according to personal feelings or a person’s sexual attractions.
Portugal is in the top 3 countries globally for teens to report they believe gender
is not an objective reality, but a subjective one.

VIEW OF GENDER

Girls have a less traditional view of

gender than boys do. The vast majority
of girls believe gender is primarily
based on a person’s feelings or desires
as compared with significantly fewer
boys who say the same. Girls are also
much more likely than boys to say it is
acceptable for someone to change their
body to become a different gender.

GLOBAL RANKING OF 20 COUNTRIES

35
Portugal leads the way globally for teens
to say that if a person feels they are a
different gender, they should be able to do
something about it.

Gender identity appears to be a topic

that teens have some definite opinions
about. However, our research showed
that relatively few teens in Portugal say
they are personally experiencing gender
identity confusion.

Around 1 in 10 teens (9%) say they have

experienced gender identity confusion
within the past three months. However,
looking at the responses to this question
by age group reveals that younger teens
are around twice as likely to report gender
identity confusion than the average.

PORTUGUESE
TEENS RANK
#1 OF 20
COUNTRIES
TO S U P P O R T
GENDER CHANGE

THE INFLUENCE OF RELIGION

A teen’s religion is another factor that has a visible impact on their opinions
about gender identity. Evangelical teens are less likely than Catholics or non-
religious teens to agree that gender is primarily based on a person’s feelings or
desires, and also less likely to believe gender change is acceptable.

GLOBAL RANKING OF 20 COUNTRIES

36
Same-Sex Attraction
A significant number of young people
are struggling with their sexual
1 IN 5 TEENS
attractions, with same-sex attraction IN PORTUGAL
being an issue teens are facing around REPORT
the world.
R E C E N T LY
1 in 5 teens in Portugal say this EXPERIENCING
is something they have recently SAME-SEX
experienced, which is identical to the
global average.
AT T R A C T I O N

Teen girls are more than twice as likely

to report same-sex attraction than teen
boys. Non-religious teens were more
than twice as likely to be struggling with
this than evangelicals.

S A M E - S E X AT T R A C T I O N B Y G E N D E R

37
S A M E - S E X AT T R A C T I O N B Y R E L I G I O N

5 CONNECTIONS WITH SAME-SEX

AT T R A C T I O N

In examining these topics alongside other data points in our study, several
interesting connections were revealed. Same-sex attraction appears to cluster
with other behaviors. Many teens who have recently experienced same-sex
attraction also report experiencing gender identity confusion. Rates of same
sex attraction are also seen to be elevated in the lives of teens who report
suicidal thoughts, recreational drug usage, or viewing pornography.

38
View of Marriage

We also investigated teens’

beliefs about marriage—views
they will take with them into
their future relationships and
into adulthood.

Around 6 in 10 teens in
Portugal believe marriage
should be a lifelong
commitment, but almost 1 in
3 say they are unsure.

Teens are even less convinced

that marriage should be
exclusively between a man
and a woman. Four in five
teens in Portugal say no,
making them the second
highest country globally to
have such a strong stance.

Once again, girls demonstrate

a less traditional view than
boys on this topic. Girls
are less likely than boys to
agree that marriage should
be for life, and much more
likely than boys to say that
marriage does not need to be
heterosexual.

1 IN 16
PORTUGUESE
T E E N S H AV E A GLOBAL RANKING OF 20 COUNTRIES

BIBLICAL VIEW
OF SEX AND
MARRIAGE

39
While Evangelicals tend to demonstrate a more traditional attitude towards
marriage than other teens, a biblical viewpoint is very much the minority
opinion. Just 1 in 16 teens believe that marriage should be a lifelong
commitment between a man and a woman and that sex should be saved for the
context of marriage. Portugal is the #1 country globally for teens to say that sex
before marriage is acceptable.

VIEW OF MARRIAGE BY RELIGION

Friend and Family Relationships

The vast majority of Portugal teens 4 I N 5 T E E N S S AY

say they are satisfied with their
friend and family relationships.
T H AT O V E R A L L
Four in five teens say that overall T H E I R FA M I LY
their family experience has been EXPERIENCE HAS
good. Nearly 3 in 5 teens live in a BEEN GOOD
two-parent household.

40
S AT I S FA C T I O N W I T H FA M I LY E X P E R I E N C E

Some teens did report being less satisfied with their family experience
including non-religious teens, girls, and teens living with only one parent.

PA R E N T C O N V E R S AT I O N S
We gathered some practical insight
into teens’ closeness to their parents
by asking them about the frequency
of important conversations.
Portuguese teens were slightly more
likely than other teens surveyed
globally to say they have these
conversations.

More than 4 in 5 teens say they

sometimes or often talk to their
parents about issues that really
matter to them. Just 1 in 6 teens say
they rarely or never do.

F R I E N D S H I P S AT I S FA C T I O N
Portugal is in the top 3 countries
globally for teens to say they have
strong friendships in their lives.
Eighty-seven percent of teens across
Portugal report they have close
friends who know them well.

GLOBAL RANKING OF 20 COUNTRIES

41
Conclusion
It is critically important to understand and embrace our God-given identity and
have healthy relationships and community around us to support our growth.
Yet for many teens, the topic of identity is a confusing one, and they may lack
people who know them well and can support them in this journey.

TEENS BELIEVE GENDER IS A CHOICE.

Many are saying this important facet of their identity is something
that can be self-determined according to their personal feelings or
sexual desires. How do we present what the Bible has to say about
our created identity to young people who believe gender is their
choice and their right?

S A M E - S E X AT T R A C T I O N I S A S I G N I F I C A N T I S S U E
F O R T H I S G E N E R AT I O N .
Teens in Portugal, as well as around the world, are acknowledging
having these feelings and wondering what to do with them. We need
to be prepared to hear their stories and bring the truth of Scripture
to this multifaceted and complex area of their life.

G I R L S A R E S T RU G G L I N G M O R E T H A N B OY S .
We see this in their reported rates of same-sex attraction, as well as
in their less biblical view of gender identity and marriage. How can
we be intentional to provide healthy support for girls that guides
them to reflect more deeply on what God has to say about these
topics?

T H I S G E N E R AT I O N H A S I T S O W N V I E W S O N
MARRIAGE.
Teens don’t see marriage as exclusive between a man and a woman.
How can we help teens understand God’s plan for marriage and the
benefits of commitment when it comes to covenant?

42
INFLUENCES
AND GUIDING
VOICES
PORTUGAL REPORT

43
44
Influences and Guiding Voices
Teens have opinions on a lot of things, but these viewpoints are rarely formed
in isolation. We were curious about this generation’s biggest influences. Who
do they trust for guidance and advice? When it comes to some of life’s most
important questions, what voices are they listening to? What would change their
mind about an important belief? Though far from exhaustive, this data gave us
some insight into how today’s teens form their perspectives.

T E E N S T R U S T FA M I LY
Four in five Portugal teens report a positive family experience and our survey
correspondingly revealed that family is an important guiding voice for young
people. Teens tell us they turn to family most often for guidance on some of life’s
most important topics such as right and wrong and the meaning of life. Younger
teens rely on family for guidance about morality more than older teens do.

Go to family for guidance about right and wrong:

45
I N F L U E N C E B Y FA M I LY E X P E R I E N C E
The influence of family as a guide decreases for teens who report negative family
experiences. 1 in 5 teens across Portugal say their family experience overall has not been
good. These teens consult their parents much less for guidance on morality and meaning
of life and turn more to friends and peers and on occasion social media.

20% of teens said that overall, their

family experience has not been good.

R I G H T A N D W R O N G C O N V E R S AT I O N S
Where I go most often for information or guidance about right and wrong:

M E A N I N G O F L I F E C O N V E R S AT I O N S
Where I go most often for information or guidance about meaning of life:

46
Certainly there are many other areas we could have asked teens about. But
what you believe about life’s ultimate purpose and where morality comes from
has profound implications for how you will behave.

These two foundational questions are critical in the all-important teen years
when young people are establishing their worldview—the set of guiding
beliefs—that they will carry forward with them into adulthood.

THE INFLUENCE OF RELIGION

Where I go most often for guidance on the meaning of life:

A teen’s influences look a little different depending on their religious beliefs.

Catholic teens are the most likely to be turning to their family for information on
the meaning of life, with Evangelicals split between family members and social
media/online sources. Non-religious teens consult their family and friends most
often.

The influence of religious leaders and texts is low, with only 1 in 8 Evangelical
teens saying their pastor or Bible is their primary source of information on this
topic.

47
Gender & Sexuality
and is aConversations
Sexuality Different Conversation

Another area we asked teens

about involved the topics of
gender, sexuality, and sexual
issues. This conversation
looks very different with teens
reporting different influences.

The Internet is the guiding voice

here, with teens twice as likely to
be going to social media or other
online sources than their family.
Specifically on this question,
differences were seen by gender
with girls going to social media
much more than boys.

For some teens, questions about

gender and sexuality are more
urgent and the voices they invite
to speak into their lives are
different as well.

Those who report recent same-

sex attraction are turning to social
media for counsel much more
than they are to family.

59% of same-sex attracted

teens go online or to social
media for guidance.
7% of same-sex attracted
teens go to family for
guidance.

48
What Changes their Mind

Influences help inform and shape

opinions, but at the end of the day
each person decides for themselves
what they will believe and how
strongly they will cling to that belief.

We wanted to dig beneath the

surface to find out what would make
teens change their mind about a
religious belief they already hold.

Personal experiences, such as an

answer to prayer, was the most
popular answer option. In fact,
teens in Portugal were seen to be
the most experiential of their global
generation. They ranked #1 of 20
countries to report being moved by
personal experiences. Girls were
more likely to favor a personal
experience than boys.

Younger teens reported that they

would be impacted by a conversation
with their parents more than older
teens did (22% vs 11%). But still,
personal experiences were the top
answer choice for teens of every age
and across religions.

TEENS IN
PORTUGAL
ARE THE MOST
EXPERIENTIAL
OF ALL TEENS
SURVEYED

49
INFLUENCES BY RELIGION
Most likely to change my mind about a religious belief:

Non-religious teens lean more on their personal investigation than those of

other religions, but still nearly twice that number say a personal experience
would be their primary motivation to change their mind. Teachings from
religious leaders were the least convincing for teens even if they have a religion.

Looking to the Future

We were interested to know what is on
teens’ minds as they look to their future 80% OF
and their goals. PORTUGUESE
TEENS AGREE
Most teens agree that education is the
primary thing that will guarantee them T H AT E D U C AT I O N
a better future, though girls are much WILL GUARANTEE
more likely to say this than boys. THEM A BETTER
FUTURE

50
Portugal was in the top 5 countries
globally to see education as an
important pathway to future success.

E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L AT T I T U D E S
Portugal was nearly identical to the global average in terms of having
an entrepreneurial outlook, although teens ages 18-19 were the most
entrepreneurial in attitude of any age group.

TO P C A R E E R P R I O R I T I E S
Regardless of where they end up working, teens say they want to feel a sense
of fulfillment in their future career. Over half said this was their top priority, a
trend seen globally as well. In Portugal, boys were seen to prioritize finances
more than girls (19% vs 11%), but overall teens agreed that helping people is
more important than how much a job pays.

51
Conclusion
As today’s teens navigate life’s complex and confusing issues and look to their future,
the voices they are listening to are critical. Whether they are seeking guidance on
questions as timeless as the meaning of life and what’s right and wrong, or looking
for input on more personal topics like sexuality and gender identity—every teen has
someone who is influencing their beliefs and behaviors.

PA R E N T S A R E A S T R O N G I N F LU E N C E .
Teens are turning most often to their family for guidance on some
of the most important questions in life. But parents should not take
lightly the privilege they have of speaking into their child’s life. There
are many voices young people can choose to listen to, and when the
home is not seen as a positive place, teens instead go to their peers
or the Internet for guidance.

T H E V O I C E O F C U LT U R E I S G R O W I N G L O U D E R .
Especially when it comes to the conversation around gender and
sexuality, Scripture and the church are losing their place of authority.
More concerning, the young people who are personally dealing
with issues of gender identity confusion and same-sex attraction
are retreating further from family and the church and turning to
social media. How can we ensure these teens have wise counsel and
trusted people in their lives to safely discuss their challenges and
questions?

YO U N G P E O P L E C R AV E P E R S O N A L E X P E R I E N C E S
Teens in Portugal are the most open in the world to encounters with
God that will change their mind about Him. Regardless of whether a
teen is already walking with Christ or has rejected religion, they are
hungry for authentic experiences of faith. How can we help create
environments and opportunities for those experiences to happen?

52
About OneHope
ABOUT ONEHOPE
In partnership with local churches, ministries, and governments around the
world, OneHope has reached more than 1.7 billion children and youth with
God’s Word. Based on in-country research OneHope conducts, Scripture
programs are designed to be age and culturally relevant. Since 1987, OneHope
has helped kids experience God’s Story, sharing the life-changing message of
hope with children and youth in every country. onehope.net

Methodology
This study surveyed 8,394 young people ages 13-19 in 20 countries, including
419 respondents in Portugal. The survey was distributed via an online panel to
young people who have regular access to the Internet. Note that these results
do not reflect the viewpoint of all teens in Portugal, but only those who are
digitally connected.

Data was collected from March 7 to March 18, 2020, which is before the
effects of the coronavirus pandemic were felt in a widespread way. As a result,
we believe this research accurately reflects teens’ beliefs and behaviors as
a baseline before this historic event disrupted life as we know it. Data was
also collected before schools adapted to distance education as a result of the
pandemic. While teens were not specifically instructed to exclude time spent
on homework or school from their estimates of total time spent online daily,
it is unlikely that very many of them were cyber students at the time they
responded to this survey.

The research instrument consisted of 71 questions and was distributed

via Centiment Research. As a quality control measure, respondents were
disqualified if they incorrectly answered a simple attention-check question.

Copyright © 2021 by OneHope, Inc.

Suggested citation:
OneHope. (January 2021). Global Youth Culture, Portugal Report.
www.globalyouthculture.net

53
Definitions
ABOUT ONEHOPE

E VA N G E L I C A L C H R I S T I A N S
Respondents who self-identified as Christian, but not as Catholic, Jehovah’s Witness, or
Mormon.

COMMITTED CHRISTIANS
Respondents who self-identified as Christian, but not as Jehovah’s Witness or Mormon,
and who met the following criteria:

• Believe God exists and that they can have a personal relationship with Him.
• Believe Jesus is the Son of God.
• Believe that forgiveness of sins is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ.
• Believe the Bible is the Word of God.
• Read Scripture on their own at least weekly.
• Pray daily or weekly.

Note that committed Christian respondents teens may be Catholic, Seventh Day
Adventist, Orthodox, or any other Christian denomination.

OTHER RELIGIONS
Respondents who self-identified as Buddhist, Hindu, Jew, Muslim, or other religions.

NON-RELIGIOUS
Respondentswho self-identified as atheist, agnostic, or none of the above.

54
Survey Instrument
1. How old are you?
1. 13
2. 14
3. 15
4. 16
5. 17
6. 18
7. 19

2. What is your sex?

1. Female
2. Male

3. What is your present religion, if any?

1. Buddhism
2. Christianity
3. Hinduism
4. Judaism
5. Islam
6. Other religion
7. I am agnostic
8. I am an atheist
9. None of the above

4. (If Christian) Are you Catholic, Jehovah’s Witness, Mormon or Seventh Day Adventist?
1. No
2. Catholic
3. Jehovah’s Witness
4. Mormon
5. Seventh Day Adventist

5. Who do you live with?

1. One parent (could be a step-parent)
2. Two parents (could include step-parents)
3. Other family members
4. None of the above

6. Are you married?

1. Yes
2. No

7. Where do you live?

1. Rural area (less than 2,500 people)
2. Semi-urban area (at least 2,500 and less than 50,000 people)
3. Urban area (50,000 or more people)

55
8. I think I am doing pretty well.
1. None of the time
2. A little of the time
3. Some of the time
4. A lot of the time
5. Most of the time
6. All of the time

9. I can think of many ways to get the things in life that are most important to me.
1. None of the time
2. A little of the time
3. Some of the time
4. A lot of the time
5. Most of the time
6. All of the time

10. I am doing just as well as other kids my age.

1. None of the time
2. A little of the time
3. Some of the time
4. A lot of the time
5. Most of the time
6. All of the time

11. When I have a problem, I can come up with lots of ways to solve it.
1. None of the time
2. A little of the time
3. Some of the time
4. A lot of the time
5. Most of the time
6. All of the time

12. I think the things I have done in the past will help me in the future.
1. None of the time
2. A little of the time
3. Some of the time
4. A lot of the time
5. Most of the time
6. All of the time

13. Even when others want to quit, I know that I can find ways to solve the problem.
1. None of the time
2. A little of the time
3. Some of the time
4. A lot of the time
5. Most of the time
6. All of the time

56
14. During a typical day, how many hours do you spend online? (include ALL activity)
____ hours

15. During a typical day, approximately how much time do you spend online talking,
messaging or video chatting?
1. I do not typically do this.
2. Less than 30 minutes per day.
3. 30 minutes to one hour per day.
4. More than an hour each day. Please enter the number of hours ____

16. During a typical day, approximately how much time do you watch online videos or
movies (YouTube, Netflix, Aiqiyi, Tencent Video, etc.)?
1. I do not typically do this.
2. Less than 30 minutes per day.
3. 30 minutes to one hour per day.
4. More than an hour each day. Please enter the number of hours ____

17. During a typical day, approximately how much time do you use social media?
1. I do not typically do this.
2. Less than 30 minutes per day.
3. 30 minutes to one hour per day.
4. More than an hour each day. Please enter the number of hours ____

18. During a typical day, approximately how much time do you spend gaming
(Playstation, Xbox, computer, smartphone, etc.)?
1. I do not typically do this.
2. Less than 30 minutes per day.
3. 30 minutes to one hour per day.
4. More than an hour each day. Please enter the number of hours ____

19. I use social media primarily to… (pick up to 2)

1. Help me stay informed
2. Follow celebrities or brands I care about
3. Connect with my friends and family
4. Find funny or entertaining content
5. Let the world know more about me

20. Social media helps me feel satisfied with my life.

1. Strongly disagree
2. Disagree
3. Agree
4. Strongly agree

21. Social media makes me feel sad, anxious, or depressed.

1. Often
2. Sometimes
3. Rarely or never

57
22. Overall, my family experience has been good.
1. Strongly disagree
2. Disagree
3. Agree
4. Strongly agree

23. I have close friends who know me well.

1. Strongly disagree
2. Disagree
3. Agree
4. Strongly agree

24. My faith beliefs or spiritual journey are an important part of my identity.

1. Strongly disagree
2. Disagree
3. Agree
4. Strongly agree

25. It is important to me to be a unique individual and stand out from those around me.
1. Strongly disagree
2. Disagree
3. Agree
4. Strongly agree

26. Education is the primary thing that will guarantee me a better future.
1. Strongly disagree
2. Disagree
3. Neutral
4. Agree
5. Strongly agree

27. What would stop you from going to university? (pick up to 2)

1. Costs too much
2. Not enough time
3. I would not meet the college requirements
4. I don’t know what I would study
5. I cannot get to a university in person or participate online
6. I have another plan that does not require university
7. None of these - I am going to university

28. I would like to start a business or own my own company in the future.
1. Yes
2. No

29. The most important thing in my future career is:

1. How much it pays
2. What I do is respected
3. That I will be helping others
4. That I enjoy what I do for work
5. That I find what jobs are available
6. None of the above
58
30. Should marriage be a lifelong commitment?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Maybe

31. Should marriage be exclusively between a man and a woman?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Maybe

32. Do you believe it is okay to have sex before marriage?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Maybe

33. What do you think gender is primarily based on?

1. The sex a person was born as
2. What a person feels like
3. A person’s desires or sexual attraction
4. The way society sees a person
5. I am confused by this question

34. Is it okay for someone to change their body to become a different gender?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Maybe
4. I don’t understand this question

35. Where do you go most often for information or guidance about the meaning of life?
Select only one.
1. Family members
2. Friends/ Peers
3. Teachers/ Counselors
4. Religious leaders or religious texts
5. Social media or other online sources (YouTube, websites, etc)
6. Books, magazines, television, radio, or newspaper

36. Where do you go most often for information or guidance about what is right and wrong?
Select only one.
1. Family members
2. Friends/ Peers
3. Teachers/ Counselors
4. Religious leaders or religious texts
5. Social media or other online sources (YouTube, websites, etc)
6. Books, magazines, television, radio, or newspaper

59
37. Where do you go most often for information or guidance about gender, sexuality, or other
sexual issues? Select only one.
1. Family members
2. Friends/ Peers
3. Teachers/ Counselors
4. Religious leaders or religious texts
5. Social media or other online sources (YouTube, websites, etc)
6. Books, magazines, television, radio, or newspaper

38. I talk to my parents/guardians about issues that really matter to me.

1. Often
2. Sometimes
3. Rarely or Never

39. What is most likely to change your mind about a religious belief?
1. A conversation with my parents
2. A conversation with friends
3. My own investigation online or in books
4. Teachings from religious leaders
5. Personal experiences such as receiving an answer to prayer

In the past three months, did you experience:

40. Loneliness?
1. Yes
2. No

41. Depression?
1. Yes
2. No

42. High anxiety?

1. Yes
2. No

43. Gender identity confusion?

1. Yes
2. No

In the past three months, have you:

44. Felt you would be most yourself if you were a different gender?
1. Yes
2. No

45. Felt sexually attracted to someone of the same gender?

1. Yes
2. No

60
46. Been bullied by someone online?
1. Yes
2. No

47. Been hurtful to someone online?

1. Yes
2. No

48. Had enough alcohol to be drunk?

1. Yes
2. No

49. Used drugs other than those required for medical reasons?
1. Yes
2. No

50. Looked at pornographic material?

1. Yes
2. No

51. Had suicidal thoughts?

1. Yes
2. No

52. Attempted suicide?

1. Yes
2. No

53. Been sexually active?

1. Yes
2. No

54. How often do you attend religious services?

1. Never
2. Several times a year
3. Monthly
4. Weekly
5. Daily

55. How often do you read the Bible, Quran or other religious scriptures on your own?
1. Never
2. Several times a year
3. Monthly
4. Weekly
5. Daily

56. How often do you pray?

1. Never
2. Several times a year
3. Monthly
4. Weekly
5. Daily 61
57. How often do you talk about religious or spiritual things with people
who do not share your beliefs?
1. Never
2. Several times a year
3. Monthly
4. Weekly
5. Daily

58. Which of the following descriptions comes closest to your view of God?
1. I believe in cosmic forces like good and evil but not in a personal God.
2. God exists and I can have a personal relationship with him.
3. God is an outdated idea that can be harmful.
4. I really do not ever think about God.

59. Which statement most closely reflects your view of the Bible?
1. The Bible is an ancient text that creates more problems than it solves.
2. I never really think about the Bible.
3. The Bible has value as an important text but is not the Word of God.
4. The Bible is the Word of God.

60. Which statement most closely reflects your view of Jesus?

1. I never think about Jesus.
2. Jesus is worth studying as a teacher or sage.
3. Jesus is an ancient myth that may be harmful.
4. Jesus is the son of God.

61. All religions teach equally valid truths.

1. Disagree
2. Agree

62. I have a responsibility to tell other people about my faith or religious beliefs.
1. Disagree
2. Agree

63. Most Christians I know are kind and caring.

1. Disagree
2. Agree
3. I don’t know any Christians

64. I would be open to attending a Christian church service if someone invited me.
1. Disagree
2. Agree
3. I’m not sure
4. I already attend church

65. What do you think of the mixture of beliefs that some people practice, such as mixing
Christianity with African-rooted beliefs, for example?
1. I think it’s bad.
2. I think it’s good.
3. I can’t answer.

62
FOR CHRISTIANS (answer 2 on item 3)

66. Do you have a pastor or teacher specifically for teens or young adults at your church?
1. Yes
2. No
3. I am not sure
4. I do not attend church

67. At least one adult at my church who is not a member of my family is helping me grow
spiritually.
1. Yes
2. No
3. I do not attend church

68. Do you talk about life issues and concerns with a spiritual leader at your church?
1. Yes
2. No
3. I do not attend church

69. Did a church’s ministry to children play an important role in your spiritual growth?
1. Yes
2. No
3. I did not attend children’s ministry

70. Forgiveness of sins is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ.

1. Strongly disagree
2. Disagree
3. Agree
4. Strongly agree

71. At what age did you make your most important commitment to Jesus Christ? Please enter a
number. If you have not made a commitment to Jesus, please enter 0.
_____

63