Blessing or burden?: the exploration of the experience of women raised in interfaith families in Britain
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- Title
- Blessing or burden?: the exploration of the experience of women raised in interfaith families in Britain
- Creator
- Hayley Cass
- Date
- 2015
- Abstract
- This dissertation explores the experience of women raised in interfaith families in Britain, differing from much of the existing research by incorporating the experiences of British women with parents from two different religions, selected from a sample including: monotheism, polytheism, atheism and parents who have converted from their birth religion. This study shows how having parents from different religious backgrounds impacts on evolving identity as the women appeared to spend many childhood and adolescent years yearning for a sense of identity and belonging they imagined religion could give them. It includes the effects of cultural difference, family secrets and mixed messages received from parents promoting their religious and cultural ideals, and how these can lead to family conflict, confusion and depression. The research indicates how the interfaith family experience can steer some women to choose alternative belief systems to their parents at different life stages and how those who have become mothers have struggled to find a religious balance for themselves and their own children. This study reveals the impact religion and belief systems can have on the individual, friendships, relationships, in school as well as family life. It appears that having parents with different belief systems, or being closed to belief systems other than their own, adds a further dimension of confusion and how this can be exacerbated by racial discrimination and authoritative parenting styles. It indicates why religious difference, levels of religious observance and intergenerational patterns within a family needs to be given more importance and consideration in understanding clients presenting in therapy settings."
- Subject
- Psychology and religion|Family Relations||
- Psychotherapy and Counselling
- Extent
- 123 pages : illustrations
- Format
- Publisher
- Regent's University London
- degree
- MA in Psychotherapy and Counselling
- Language
- English
- Date Issued
- 2015
- Type
- Thesis & Dissertation
- Rights Holder
- Regent's University London & Hayley Cass
- Item sets
- Theses or Dissertation