Oh Those Adults: Looking at Adult Religiosity Through the Eyes of High School Youth

Abstract

This study aims to explore adolescents' perspectives on adult religiosity, specifically addressing the following research questions: How do young people perceive adults' understanding of religion, and how do they characterize adult religiosity? While most previous research on adult religiosity in Turkey has relied on quantitative methods, this study contributes to the literature by employing a qualitative research design. This study utilized a qualitative research design, which facilitates an in-depth understanding of how individuals perceive and conceptualize the subject at hand. This approach also enables the examination of natural phenomena in a realistic and interpretive manner. The phenomenological approach was chosen for its ability to uncover the shared meaning and essence of experiences related to the investigated topic. The study sample consisted of 5 female and 5 male students aged 14 to 16, attending a public school located in the central district of & Scedil;& imath;rnak province. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, with the MAXQDA qualitative data analysis software used for processing. All interview data and transcripts were initially uploaded to the MAXQDA project file, after which the interviews were read individually, and notes were taken to facilitate preliminary coding. To enhance the reliability of the study, the main and sub-codes were developed by independently reviewing the data several times in collaboration with an expert researcher in the field. Following the coding process, the researchers engaged in a collaborative discussion to identify patterns emerging from the codes and categories. These categories were then integrated into meaningful themes, minimizing the potential for researcher bias in the analysis. The data derived from the participant interviews were analyzed within the framework of three primary themes: Perception of Adult Religiosity, Preferences, and Critiques. The first theme highlights various categories associated with adult religiosity, including devoutness, imitativeness, trustworthiness, experience, strict adherence to rules, understanding, and resistance to innovation. From the perspective of adolescents, adults are generally regarded as religious figures. Their engagement in more frequent acts of worship, greater religious experience, and role as guides in religious matters were identified as key factors shaping this perception. However, participants also expressed the belief that adults' relationship with religion is not rooted in doctrinal knowledge, suggesting that their understanding of religious matters is often superficial and influenced by superstition and imitative practices. Adolescents viewed adult religiosity as characterized by trustworthiness and a strong emphasis on trust. Experience was also identified as a defining feature of adult religiosity, with young people regarding adults' greater religious experience as an essential advantage. Conversely, participants noted that adults often exhibit a rigid, prescriptive approach to religious matters. Understanding was another quality attributed to adults, though young people felt that only some adults demonstrated genuine empathy. Additionally, adolescents noted adults' resistance to innovation, a characteristic that they perceived as prevalent in the adult approach to religion. In the second theme, which centers on the preferences toward adult religiosity, young people acknowledged that adults engage in worship more frequently than they themselves do, and consequently, regarded adults as more religious. Furthermore, adolescents expressed admiration for adults' guidance in religious matters, recognizing them as primary figures in their own religious education. Additionally, the youth acknowledged that adults often display attributes such as heightened sensitivity to their surroundings, kindness, and a propensity for helping others, which they attributed to the influence of their religious beliefs. In the third theme, adolescents expressed significant criticisms of adult religiosity, which were notably more pronounced than their expressions of admiration. A key issue emerging from these criticisms was the communication gap between adolescents and adults. According to the participants, adults frequently fail to offer adequate explanations, exert undue pressure, exhibit judgmental attitudes, impose rigid rules, neglect to listen, offer excessive criticism, and refrain from engaging in open dialogue regarding religious matters. The adolescents suggested that these communication barriers might contribute to the growing disinterest in religion among their peers and their distancing from religious practices. Furthermore, the adolescents observed that some adults possess limited knowledge of religious topics, which they felt resulted in inconsistencies in religious behavior and practice. These inconsistencies were particularly evident in the realm of worship, where adults, despite their participation in religious rituals, were observed engaging in behaviors such as swearing, rudeness, and non-compliance with religious guidelines. Moreover, there appeared to be a disconnect between adults' verbal instructions and their actions, with adults expecting young people to adhere to practices they themselves did not consistently follow. The adolescents further criticized adults for neglecting moral issues, which they regarded as fundamental to religion. In their view, adults disproportionately emphasized ritual practices while failing to prioritize the importance of morality. Another significant criticism was that adults often failed to serve as exemplary models, with some engaging in behaviors such as gossip, using inappropriate language, and demonstrating indifference towards religious matters. Additionally, the adolescents raised concerns about adult discrimination, particularly in how individuals were judged based on their level of religiosity. Finally, the adolescents expressed criticism regarding adults' interventionist attitudes toward religious matters. The analysis of their statements revealed that their evaluations of adult religiosity were predominantly influenced by the communication challenges they experienced with adults.