Researching children, youth and religion: Identity, complexity and agency

Abstract

Research on children, young people and religion is becoming more prevalent following an increased interest in this traditionally under-researched area. However, little discussion has taken place to date on the appropriateness of past frameworks for making sense of children's religious lives. This article calls attention to the issue of religious identity in relation to children and young people. By drawing on the diffuse body of interdisciplinary social scientific research in this area, the article seeks to apply the new social studies of childhood model through the two concepts of complexity and agency. Following this, it then goes on to make some suggestions for future directions in the study of children, young people and religious identity.

Students’ understandings of religious identities and relations: Issues of social cohesion and citizenship

“…The article draws on data from an ongoing study that is exploring the conditions, structures and practices that assist schools to productively address issues of justice and cultural diversity. The conceptions of religion articulated here resonate with a wealth of important research that highlights the variety and range of students' understandings of, and commitments to, religion manifest in the diversity of their affiliations, beliefs, belonging and practice (Nesbitt, 2004;Smith, 2005;Arweck and Nesbitt, 2011;Hemming and Madge, 2012). The focus in such work is on the social processes that shape students' religious identities within the school (through curriculum areas such as Religious Education and also through teacher and peer relations) and beyond it (especially through familial or kinship relations).…”

Religion and Youth

“…These are all differences noted in adult studies as well, so they are not particularly insightful findings for the unique experience of religion or spirituality in youth. Studies involving more ethnographic methods such as observations and/or interviews are able to focus on certain subgroups within these statuses, delving deeper to provide rich detail on experiences, but few existing studies of youth and religion tackle the intersections of these identities (Hemming and Madge, 2012). As our theories expand and develop to consider the complexity of identities and how they are managed, our research questions and methods should adapt to collect and analyze empirical data that can speak to the ideas.…”

“…More recent work in this area has emphasized the interaction and hierarchy of a variety of identities, including religion, to understand how adolescents create multifaceted identities and the extent to which religion is a salient part of that identity (Spencer et al, 1997;Vaisey, 2009). It is important that the study of religion in youth continues to draw on the most recent developments in identity theory at large to refine theory and to improve measurement (Hemming and Madge, 2012). As it becomes increasingly clear that a hierarchy of one's identities informs the consequences of each feature of identity, we should be measuring religious importance in a way that uses other social identities as reference points.…”

On beauty, usefulness, and holiness: attitudes towards languages in the Habad community

“…Strict rules, separate areas of living, and separate educational systems thus contribute to this minority's ability to sustain its unique lifestyle and distinct identity, which is especially important for the younger generation (see also Hemming and Madge 2012;Rymarz and Graham 2006, about central factors influencing the religious identity of young people). Several indications, however, suggest that rates of segregation are currently lower.…”