books
souls in transition the religious and spiritual lives of emerging adults
how important is religion for young people in america today what are the major influences on their developing spiritual lives how do their religious beliefs and practices change as young people enter into adulthood br christian smiths souls in transition explores these questions and many others as it tells the definitive story of the religious and spiritual lives of emerging adults ages 18 to 24 in the u.s. today . this is the much anticipated follow up study to the landmark book soul searching the religiousand spiritual lives of american teenagers . based on candid interviews with thousands of young people tracked over a five year period souls in transition reveals how the religious practices of the teenagers portrayed in soul searching have been strengthened challenged and often changed as they have moved into adulthood . the book vividly describes as well the broader cultural world of todays emerging adults how that culture shapes their religious outlooks and what the consequences are for religious faith and practice in america more generally . some of smiths findings are surprising . parents turn out to be the single most important influence on the religious outcomes in the lives of young adults . on the other hand teenage participation in evangelization missions and youth groups does not predict a high level of religiosity just a few years later . moreover the common wisdom that religiosity declines sharply during the young adult years is shown to be greatly exaggerated . br painstakingly researched and filled with remarkable findings souls in transition will be essential reading for youth ministers pastors parents teachers and students at church related schools and anyone who wishes to know how religious practice is affected by the transition into adulthood in america today .
hardcover oxford university press usa 2009 isbn13 9780195371796 isbn10 0195371798
abridged n isbn 13 9780195371796 number in series 1 number of pages 355 publisher oxford univ pr release date 62135769600000