Arnett, J. J., & Jensen, L. A.
(2002) A Congregation of One: Individualised Religious Beliefs Among Emerging
Adults. Journal of Adolescent Research, 17 (5): 451-467.
(2002) A Congregation of One: Individualised Religious Beliefs Among Emerging
Adults. Journal of Adolescent Research, 17 (5): 451-467.
The paper
details out a study on 140 emerging adults religious beliefs. The data
collection and analysis includes quantitative as well as qualitative methods. This
is one of many papers that Arnett has focussed on in studying emerging adults,
a life stage that he describes as a bridge between adolescence and young
adulthood in industrialised societies.
details out a study on 140 emerging adults religious beliefs. The data
collection and analysis includes quantitative as well as qualitative methods. This
is one of many papers that Arnett has focussed on in studying emerging adults,
a life stage that he describes as a bridge between adolescence and young
adulthood in industrialised societies.
The study
hypothesised that participants’ religious beliefs will be highly
individualised, and will not be influenced by the religious beliefs of their
parents, and childhood religious socialisation. The central questions about
emerging adults that the study explored are: “What are their religious
beliefs? How important a part does religion play in their lives? To what extent
is their childhood religious socialisation related to their current beliefs? How
do they view religious institutions?”
hypothesised that participants’ religious beliefs will be highly
individualised, and will not be influenced by the religious beliefs of their
parents, and childhood religious socialisation. The central questions about
emerging adults that the study explored are: “What are their religious
beliefs? How important a part does religion play in their lives? To what extent
is their childhood religious socialisation related to their current beliefs? How
do they view religious institutions?”
The data
gathered was analysed on the variable of age, gender, marital status,
parenthood status, educational attainment, mother’s education, and father’s
education. It was found that parents and religious institutions have little
influence on the religious beliefs of emerging adults. The emphasis on
individualism in American society was visible in two ways: “viewing their
independence from their parents’ beliefs as a good and necessary thing… An
emphasis on individualism also underlies their rejection of religious
institutions.”
gathered was analysed on the variable of age, gender, marital status,
parenthood status, educational attainment, mother’s education, and father’s
education. It was found that parents and religious institutions have little
influence on the religious beliefs of emerging adults. The emphasis on
individualism in American society was visible in two ways: “viewing their
independence from their parents’ beliefs as a good and necessary thing… An
emphasis on individualism also underlies their rejection of religious
institutions.”
The authors
also question if emerging adults are likely to return to their religious institutions
beyond emerging adulthood, as is indicated by other studies. The study found that
participants who are married and have children indicated higher religious
participation. The study also showed that even though emerging adults were not
involved in religious institutions, they were not uninterested in religious
issues. Interviews revealed that they had given a lot of thought to religious
concerns. Further, religious beliefs were important to many for whom religious
participation was not.
also question if emerging adults are likely to return to their religious institutions
beyond emerging adulthood, as is indicated by other studies. The study found that
participants who are married and have children indicated higher religious
participation. The study also showed that even though emerging adults were not
involved in religious institutions, they were not uninterested in religious
issues. Interviews revealed that they had given a lot of thought to religious
concerns. Further, religious beliefs were important to many for whom religious
participation was not.