I found a great article available online describing how and why teens seem to "lose their religion" as they grow into young adults. One of the co-authors is sociologist Mark Regnerus. I mentioned his excellent book on sex and religion among teens Forbidden Fruit a few days ago in a post on teen virginity pledges.
Does College Secularize Younger Adults?
Yesterday, I wrote about a Muslim Televangelist who had lost his religion in college before re-discovering his faith. I am reminded that most people believe that going to college leads young adults to move away from religion.
But here's published research that shows those who avoid college are actually more likely to lose their religion.
From the introduction:
How to Get the Essential Points from the Article
If you don't have time to read the whole article, focus on pages 1-6, and 17-20.
What do you think?
Does College Secularize Younger Adults?
Yesterday, I wrote about a Muslim Televangelist who had lost his religion in college before re-discovering his faith. I am reminded that most people believe that going to college leads young adults to move away from religion.
But here's published research that shows those who avoid college are actually more likely to lose their religion.
Image by murplej@ne - under deconstruction via Flickr
From the introduction:
Contrary to expectations, emerging adults that avoid college exhibit the most extensive patterns of religious decline, undermining conventional wisdom about the secularizing effect of higher education. Marriage curbs religious decline, while cohabitation, nonmarital sex, drugs and alcohol use each accelerate diminished religiosity – especially religious participation – during early adulthood.This article is easy to read and challenges our common sense assumptions.
How to Get the Essential Points from the Article
If you don't have time to read the whole article, focus on pages 1-6, and 17-20.
What do you think?
No comments:
Post a Comment