ERIC Number: EJ860012
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 35
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0743-5584
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Giving up Something Good for Something Better: Sacred Sacrifices Made by Religious Youth
Dollahite, David C.; Layton, Emily; Bahr, Howard M.; Walker, Anthony B.; Thatcher, Jennifer Y.
Journal of Adolescent Research, v24 n6 p691-725 2009
The concept of sacrifice was formerly a key variable in theorizing about religion and society. Secularization theory and conceptual models equating sacrifice with cost have reduced its usage and apparent relevance, although it continues to be of interest in anthropology and religious studies. Research on sacrifice has been neglected in the social sciences, especially in studies of religiosity and families. Seventy-seven religious adolescents in 55 religious Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Mormon families in New England and northern California were interviewed about whether they felt they had been asked to make sacrifices for their faith as they were growing up. This article discusses how contemporary religious youth view the sacrifices they make for religious reasons. Adolescents reported sacrifices in five domains: societal expectations, popular culture, comforts and pleasures, time and activities, and peer relations. Youth gave the following reasons for being willing to make sacrifices: connecting to a higher meaning or purpose, connecting to God, connecting to the faith tradition or community, fulfilling expectations, feeling affective benefits, and avoiding problems.
Descriptors: Religion Studies, Anthropology, Social Science Research, Behavioral Science Research, Spiritual Development, Social Exchange Theory, Hermeneutics, Interviews, Parent Child Relationship, Role of Religion, Adolescent Attitudes, Parent Attitudes
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A