The Children's God (Deity, Religions, Sex Differences).

Abstract

"The Children's God" is a comprehensive search into the nature of children's conceptions of a deity and the various ways in which American society socializes these conceptions. The authors present the argument that American children are oversocialized by Church and family and that their original or spontaneous expressions of belief are inhibited. Conclusions are based on forty extensive interviews with children of religiously divergent backgrounds. These children equally represent four influential religions (Judaism, Catholicism, American Protestant Baptist, and Hinduism), three contrasting age groups (ages four-six, seven-nine, ten-twelve), and both sexes. In addition, the forty children embody seven different personality types and family orientations. The interview process, the method for collecting the children's God imagery, was quite vigorous. Each child provided drawings and stories, wrote letters, acted out play scenarios, and answered elaborate inquiry and probing--all in regard to their deity conceptions. The meaningful and surprising results of this exploration provide the background for "The Children's God." Chapters on religious differences, age differences, sex differences and personal differences unfold--each with an eye toward emphasizing crucial themes and each illustrated by the children's own drawings and responses. Following these groundwork chapters, the author focuses on the institution of the family and demonstrates how family dynamics too place a template on a child's God representation. Ultimately, the work evolves into a discovery of those themes that may be common to all children, and may indeed be of some more universal significance. It is along-side this philosophical discussion that the author also presents the practical significance of his findings, revelations that provide relevant insight into secular and religious education and contemporary political issues.