Socio-cultural Perspectives on Religion and Child/Adolescent Development: Research Across Six Continents and Diverse Faith Traditions

Session Type: Conversation Roundtable

Abstract

Religion is an important factor in the lives of many children and adolescents across the world (Boyatzis, 2013; Hardy et al., 2019). Yet, despite its importance, developmental sciences have largely overlooked the role of religion and religious processes in children’s and adolescents’ development (Ebstyne King & Furrow, 2004). The scant literature on this topic is further limited by a primary focus on European-American children and adolescents from the Christian faith. Less consideration has been given to the socio-cultural context and the role of religion among children and adolescents from non-Christian faith groups (Abo-Zena & Barry, 2013; Schnitker, Medenwaldt, & Williams, in press). Sarah Schnitker will moderate a conversation that aims to articulate the role of religion in children’s and adolescents’ development from a sociocultural perspective. The discussion will revolve around religion as a resource and challenge for child and adolescent development with a focus on similarities and differences based on the role of contextual factors and faith tradition. This roundtable will convene scholars who have conducted research on the role of religious processes among children and youth from different faith groups across various different cultural contexts. Panelists Cristine Legare, Mahesh Srinivasan, Pamela Ebstyne King, and Merve Balkaya-Ince will share their perspectives based on their research on Southern African, Brazilian, Vanuatu children; Hindu and Muslim children in India; diverse group of adolescents from various cultural groups and faith traditions; and Muslim American adolescents.

Sub Unit

• Moral Development

Moderator

• Sarah A. Schnitker, Baylor University

Panelists

• Cristine H. Legare, University of Texas at Austin

• Mahesh Srinivasan, University of California - Berkeley

• Pamela Ebstyne King, Fuller Theological Seminary

• Merve Balkaya-Ince, Baylor University