The images of God as perceived by abandoned children : an exploratory study into the spiritual development of children.
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Date
2006
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Abstract
This research study explores the ways in which children from diverse family
backgrounds can construct or reconstruct their God representations. These were
probed by using 'object relations theory' and 'matemal deprivation theory' as
means of further gaining insight into children's initial formulations of
interpersonal and emotional relationships and how these were translated into the
way they imagined God to be for themselves, given their age-group. Parallels
were drawn between the interface of psychology and theology by using theories
on faith development. There is a clear acknowledgment that there are certain
steps of development that individuals go through in their growth at both
psychological and spiritual levels. This confirms that there is a need for these
two disciplines to draw from each other as means of creating conducive climate
to allow for an integrated approach towards formulations of spiritual
development among children. Through the use of questionnaires the children
were given the opportunity to explore images of God and to also express these
in the form of a drawing. The content analysis of this study demonstrated that
there were no distinct differences on how children perceived God between
abandoned children being raised in an institutional setting and those children
being raised by biological parents. This finding highlighted the fact that there
are other factors that impact children's spiritual development. These include
care, nurture and emotional security. This study contributes to future research
on developing new theologies by children, thus enabling them to play a central
role in formulating contextual and relevant curriculums on religious education.
Description
Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.
Keywords
Image of God., Abandoned children., Spiritual life., Spirituality., Children--Religious life., Youth--Religious life., Religious education of children., Religious education of young people., Theses--Theology.