NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Boys have spent 71 percent less time in church than girls since 1981, according to a report in American Demographics magazine.

"We've lost a generation of boys," said Jan Marler, childhood ministries specialist for LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Marler led a "Don't Lose the Boys" conference during the National Preschool/Children's Convention Oct. 14-17 in Nashville, Tenn., according to the Baptist Press.

Churches should consider themselves lucky to have any boys in Sunday school, Marler said. Boys are six times more likely to have a learning disorder, three times more likely to be drug addicts and 12 times more likely to commit murder, according to the magazine report.

Keeping boys plugged in at church can help, Marler said, but Sunday school teachers need to be aware of how boys operate.

"Boys are very visual learners," she said. "So, if a boy hits a girl in your Sunday school class, it doesn't do a lot of good to say, ‘Johnny, you hurt Cindy, and you need to apologize.' What you have to do is show him the bruise and say this is what happens when you hit people."

Incorporating pictures, role-playing and concrete examples into Bible lessons helps boys learn, Marler said. A visual form of punishment, such as taking away privileges or toys, is often effective when disciplining, she said.

"Sometimes women need to enlist men to help with discipline," Marler said. "Boys often respond better to men. The male teacher should be stern, but loving. He needs to be a spiritual role model, not just a Sunday school bouncer."