Religiöse Pluralisierung im Jugendalter: Longitudinale Perspektiven

Longitudinal perspectives

Abstract

In adolescence, the readiness for thinking about religious questions is growing while the adolescents’ distance to the church also increases. These two short observations are examples of the dynamics which longitudinal studies can show. This article is based on the Tübingen representative study „Youth – Faith – Religion“ which could follow the religious development of youth with their attitudes and views during three years. The focus of this study was on Protestant, Catholic and Muslim youth but many unaffiliated adolescents were reached as well since the study was conducted in RE as well as in Ethics and also in different types of schools (N=7246). Since the same sample was addressed at three different points in time it was possible to capture changes over time as well as characteristics and attitudes which remained the same. The quantitative study was accompanied by a qualitative study which, however, was not longitudinal.Differently from earlier publications on this study (two volumes, 2018 and 2020) the main emphasis of the article is on the question of the benefits of a longitudinal approach and on capturing processes of religious pluralization during adolescence in a differentiated manner. For example, the results indicate that effects of religious pluralization cannot be found with all youth to the same degree.

First, existing research is reviewed and reasons for the interest in longitudinal studies on youth and religion are stated. In a second part, the study is briefly described, together with selected longitudinal results. Finally, open questions for future research on youth and religion are presented as well as considerations concerning possible consequences for schools and congregations.