[lefselady2]

I've been reading many of the moving to Las Vegas forums, but I haven't really seen one addressing the special challenges and supports that might affect a Christian family moving to "sin city". My husband is looking into a job there but I have some questions on how raising a Christian teenage girl might be in the environment Las Vegas provides. Does anyone have any good ideas/supports/private school recommendations that would be helpful, or possible regrets/challenges that are still being addressed? I would like our family to make this relocation decision with our eyes wide open. I realize that many of you (from other thread postings) feel like Vegas is just like any big city, but there are unique issues in this city (or possibly some are just more openly available/advertised). Anyway, I would greatly appreciate assistance from a Christian viewpoint. Thank you.

[skisickie]

If you raised her right it really shouldn't matter where she lives.

[pommysmommy]

Originally Posted by lefselady2

I've been reading many of the moving to Las Vegas forums, but I haven't really seen one addressing the special challenges and supports that might affect a Christian family moving to "sin city". My husband is looking into a job there but I have some questions on how raising a Christian teenage girl might be in the environment Las Vegas provides. Does anyone have any good ideas/supports/private school recommendations that would be helpful, or possible regrets/challenges that are still being addressed? I would like our family to make this relocation decision with our eyes wide open. I realize that many of you (from other thread postings) feel like Vegas is just like any big city, but there are unique issues in this city (or possibly some are just more openly available/advertised). Anyway, I would greatly appreciate assistance from a Christian viewpoint. Thank you.

I don't know what city you are coming from but Las Vegas is just another big city. If you move there, it is doubtful your life will center around the Las Vegas strip. Prostitution is not legal in Las Vegas and it happens in every city of the United States. What specific concerns do you have regarding raising your daughter in Las Vegas?

[dynimagelv]

I don't seem to recall that Mormons have any great degree of problems with raising their kids....

[pommysmommy]

Originally Posted by dynimagelv

I don't seem to recall that Mormons have any great degree of problems with raising their kids....

Hey, if Las Vegas is good enough for Marie Osmond, it's good enough for everyone.

[sheriwx]

The only thing different in Vegas than other cities are the many MANY pornographic billboards. This is mainly on the freeway corridors near the strip. You don't see that so much further away from the strip. Henderson is just like any other city.

[photobuff42]

Originally Posted by sheriwx

The only thing different in Vegas than other cities are the many MANY pornographic billboards. This is mainly on the freeway corridors near the strip. You don't see that so much further away from the strip. Henderson is just like any other city.

Don't forget the butts on the back of the taxi cabs--they are not just on the strip, they are anywhere that cab happens to go.

[sheriwx]

Oh yeah. We call them butt taxis. I've only seen one or two in Henderson. But we see them ALL THE TIME when we go near the strip.

[radraja]

Vegas does have the "Sin City" element, but honestly, that's mostly just for the tourists. Families living out in the residential areas really aren't too affected by it. The strip can be pretty raunchy, but the suburban neighborhoods are nice and clean, just like the residential areas of any other city.

My suggestions for your family:

1. Join a church and get your daughter involved in the youth group. There are tons of churches out here from just about every denomination, and most of them seem to have strong youth groups.

2. If you want parochial schools, look at Faith Lutheran and Bishop Gorman. Those are the two well-known Christian high schools in the valley.
---Faith Lutheran is a Lutheran school (obviously), but the student body is religiously diverse...they have a strong mix of Catholics, Protestants, Non-Denominational Christians, etc. It hosts grades 6-12 and has about 150 students per graduating class. The academics are strong, and their best non-academic feature would probably have to be their drama department. They have an exceptional drama department and the campus just added a new performing arts center. I don't know the exact tuition figures for this year, but I think Faith is less expensive than Gorman (or at least it was last time I checked).
--Bishop Gorman is a Catholic school hosting grades 9-12. The student body is mostly Catholic. The academics are strong, but their non-academic claim to fame is in sports. Basketball in particular, I believe. They were the first private school to move up into the upper athletic division (Faith didn't move up to the division until 2 years later). Gorman just built a brand new campus a couple years ago, which is probably the reason for the higher tuition.

3. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer and get involved in the community out here. Plus plenty of activities offered in the schools. Your daughter will have plenty of things to get involved in. From an outside perspective, people would assume that the strip would be a dangerous distraction for teens, but it's really not - they're super strict about age stuff down there, so kids can't get away with much.

[radraja]

As for the raunchy advertisements - I first moved to Vegas back when I was 11 years old (growing up in a religious Christian family), and the ads never phased me. I never thought anything of it. Kids see worse stuff on TV all the time. It's not that big of a deal, I don't think.