Effects of Faith & Church Involvement on African American Female Adolescents

Abstract

Many studies of African American adolescent females have focused on teenage promiscuity, pregnancy, or substance abuse. Of late, studies in the area of gang participation and drug use among this population have increased. Extensive research has been conducted on antisocial behavior within this and other populations (Elliott & Gresham, 1993; Jessor, Donovan, & Costa, 1991). Although, these topics are of interest both socially and culturally, they represent only a fraction of the African American adolescent female population. This type of showcasing has served only to reinforce stereotypes of African Americans and of African American females in particular.Accurate information is crucial to planning programs for youth. At every level of development, whether it is because of financial, programmatic, or human deficits, there is a tremendous void in studies of the strengths of African American adolescent females. Only when asset-based studies are conducted on diverse youths can communities expect to be prepared to meet their needs. It is critical for youths that community institutions be prepared to welcome the diverse needs of these adolescents. Recognizing strengths and knowing how communities can support them will enhance practice and programmatic outcomes (Ianni, 1996; Stevenson, 1998).The concept of community assets is commonly used in human and community development studies. Even though asset development has been receiving much attention, African American youths, and females in particular, usually have not been the focus of this type of research. Overall, community assets for African American adolescent females can vary in strengths, types, and combinations. Therefore, this study examined the presence of a selected community asset, the church, in the life of African American adolescent females.Review of LiteratureAdolescent Moral DevelopmentMost theorists agree that adolescence is a critical time when youth look for evidence of a moral and just society and practice engaging in activities that hold society accountable for the standards imposed on them. The church may provide a unique context for youth to engage in social experiences that can teach values and encourage them to make moral decisions. Through programs and activities such as church school, Bible studies, youth programs, choirs, dramatics, and spiritual dancing, churches may provide multiple avenues of opportunities for teens to find their voice and develop a moral compass for adulthood.Theories of adolescent moral development describe the development of character, ethics, and moral reasoning from premoral to conventional to principled morality (e.g., Kohlberg, 1970). Each level is influenced both by social, emotional, and intellectual development and by the demands of situational contexts on behavior. Therefore, age is not synonymous with a level or stage. For example, Robert Coles, in his book, How to Raise a Moral Child: The Moral Intelligence of Children presented stories, situations, and dilemmas that children analyzed and to which they assigned moral solutions. The author used the children's choices to explain moral intelligence. He believes that children can learn to be moral. The church is an opportune place to develop this skill.Faith, Spirituality, and ReligionFaith, spirituality, and religion differ on many levels. Faith is described as a belief in something beyond ones self. It is not bound to spiritual understandings but can be applied to any aspect of life. Spirituality has a less concrete expression; it is directly related to a relationship with God and self. Religion, or being a part of a faith community, can offer support among people with similar faith experiences. Attending church and relying on faith have long been mainstays in the African American community (Mattis, 2000). Both faith and the church have been traditional forms of social and familial involvement for African Americans (Hamilton, 1982; Lincoln & Mamiya, 1990; Tate & Brown, 1991). …