Religion, Family, and Chinese Youth Development: An Empirical View

Religion is a fundamental cultural factor that profoundly influences human mental health and behavioral choices. The book Religion, Family, and Chinese Youth Development explores how religious involvement of Chinese parents affects their psychological health and family socialization, leading to various aspects of the development of Chinese youths. It provides insightful social and policy implications for researchers and human service practitioners related to Chinese societies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Religion holds a profound and multifaceted influence on human mental health and behavioral choices, extending its reach far beyond individual beliefs and practices. It serves as a fundamental cultural factor that shapes the way individuals perceive the world, interpret their experiences, and navigate the complexities of life. Moreover, family stands as the most proximal and intimate socialization agent, playing a crucial role in shaping the development of young individuals throughout their lives. In the context of Chinese youth development, the interplay between religion, family, and other cultural factors takes on a particularly significant dimension.

Religion, Family, and Chinese Youth Development delves into the intricate relationship between religious involvement of Chinese parents, their psychological well-being, and the socialization processes within the family. It seeks to understand how these factors contribute to the development of Chinese youths, encompassing a wide range of aspects such as psychosocial maturity, internalizing and externalizing behaviors, and overall well-being.

The book employs a theoretical framework to construct a structural relationship between religion, family socialization, and youth development. It draws upon existing research and theories to explore the complex interplay between these variables and their impact on Chinese youths. By conducting empirical tests in the Chinese context, the book provides valuable insights into the lives of Chinese parents, their parenting practices, and the role of religion in shaping their family dynamics.

The findings of this book are of immense importance for researchers, human service practitioners, clergy, family practitioners, policymakers, management of NGOs, and graduate students of social sciences. They shed light on the complex dynamics between religion, family, and youth development in Chinese societies, offering valuable insights into social and policy implications.

One of the key findings of the book is the profound impact of religious involvement on the psychological health of Chinese parents. Research has shown that religious beliefs and practices can provide a sense of purpose, meaning, and support, which can positively affect the mental well-being of parents. Moreover, religious involvement can promote positive parenting practices, such as discipline, communication, and emotional support, which can in turn contribute to the development of healthy and resilient Chinese youths.

On the other hand, family socialization plays a crucial role in shaping the development of Chinese youths. The family is considered the primary agent of socialization, transmitting values, beliefs, and practices from one generation to the next. The book explores how religious involvement of Chinese parents influences family processes, such as communication, decision-making, and conflict resolution, which in turn impact the development of Chinese youths. For example, religious beliefs and practices may influence family values regarding respect, obedience, and filial piety, which can shape the behavior and attitudes of Chinese youths.

Furthermore, the book highlights the importance of parenting practices in Chinese youth development. It emphasizes the need for parents to provide a nurturing and supportive environment for their children, which includes emotional support, guidance, and discipline. Parents who engage in positive parenting practices, such as setting clear expectations, promoting open communication, and providing consistent discipline, are more likely to produce healthy and well-adjusted Chinese youths.

In addition to the impact of religion and family socialization, the book also explores the development of psychosocial maturity in Chinese youths. Psychosocial maturity refers to the ability of individuals to cope with stress, develop healthy relationships, and make responsible decisions. The book examines how religious involvement and family socialization contribute to the development of psychosocial maturity in Chinese youths, and how these factors interact with other cultural factors such as education, social norms, and peer influence.

Finally, the book discusses the internalizing and externalizing outcomes of Chinese youths. Internalizing outcomes refer to behaviors and attitudes that are directed inward, such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Externalizing outcomes, on the other hand, refer to behaviors and attitudes that are directed outward, such as aggression, violence, and substance abuse. The book explores how religious involvement and family socialization influence the development of internalizing and externalizing outcomes in Chinese youths, and how these outcomes interact with other social and environmental factors.

In conclusion, Religion, Family, and Chinese Youth Development is a valuable resource for researchers, human service practitioners, and anyone interested in understanding the complex relationship between religion, family, and youth development in Chinese societies. The book provides insightful social and policy implications for researchers and practitioners working in the field of Chinese youth development, offering valuable insights into the lives of Chinese parents, their parenting practices, and the role of religion in shaping the development of Chinese youths. By clearly depicting and empirically testing the connections between religion, family, and Chinese youth development, the book serves as a reference for clergy, family practitioners, researchers, policymakers, management of NGOs, and graduate students of social sciences.

Weight: 460g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367694784