Muslim childhood
religious nurture in a European context
Jonathan Scourfield
239 pages | ~7 hrs
Muslim childhood
religious nurture in a European context
By Jonathan Scourfield
How do families nurture spiritual identity in children when their faith exists as a minority tradition within a largely secular society? This thoughtful exploration examines the intricate process through which British Muslim families transmit religious understanding to their children during the formative early and middle childhood years.
Drawing from extensive qualitative research with sixty Muslim families in one British city, this study reveals the everyday practices, conversations, and experiences that shape young people's spiritual development. The authors investigate fundamental questions about religious learning: whether faith develops through repeated ritual practice, conscious individual choice at pivotal moments, or deeper cognitive structures that underpin human spirituality.
The research uncovers how Muslim families navigate the unique challenge of maintaining religious devotion while raising children in a predominantly secular Western environment. Through detailed observation and analysis, the book illuminates the strategies families employ to ensure their spiritual traditions remain vibrant across generations.
Beyond examining religious transmission, this work explores how spiritual identity intersects with other forms of belonging, including connections to nation, ethnicity, and local community. The findings suggest that British Muslims demonstrate particular effectiveness in passing faith to younger generations compared to other religious communities.
For readers interested in understanding how spiritual communities sustain themselves across generations, this book offers valuable insights into the delicate balance between tradition and adaptation in contemporary religious life.
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Understand psychological principles
- ✓ Explore Islamic religious education of children
- ✓ Explore Social aspects
- ✓ Explore Muslim families
- ✓ Explore Muslims, europe
- ✓ Explore Muslims
- ✓ Explore Muslim children
- ✓ Explore Islam
Topics
Details
- Published
- 2013
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- ISBN-13
- 9780199600311
- ISBN-10
- 0199600317
- Pages
- 239
- Language
- EN
