Children'S Conception of God: A Comparative Analysis on the Basis of Gender

Abstract

This present paper based on a research study tries to make a comparative analysis of Indian children's conception of God on the basis of gender.   It was found through a profound literature study that children's common daily life experiences, which they get through normal participation in family and community activities and practices, are influenced through the process of primary and secondary socialization. This socialization involves learning appropriate role behaviours and the most significant of these behaviours involve sex and age roles. Studies show that from the very beginning children experience gender based socialization. The objective of this study was to make a comparative analysis of children's conception of God on the basis of gender to see if there exists any pattern amongst children's conception of God on the basis of gender. The sample of the study consisted of 420 children of East Delhi and NCR from I-VIII grades , both male and female and from the government and private schools. In the present study different researcher made tools were used for the children of different grades I-III, IV-V , VI- VIII.   For the VI-VIII and IV-V grades children, the tools were in the form of  interesting stimulating stories  which associated children with the characters of the stories  followed by a set of questions    exploring  and uncovering children's innermost feelings, thoughts and views about God.  For the children of I-III grades the tools were in the form of visual clips followed by  oral interaction. In the present study, qualitative method of analysis was used. The findings of the study showed on the basis of the gender there is no major difference in the conception of children about God. However, a marginal difference may be noted as more girls share their experiences of celebrating festivals in the school and singing religious songs on different occasions than boys. The reason behind it, may be the gender socialization , the process that starts at birth and involves learning cultural roles  according to one's sex. Hence, parents , teachers and society need to be more sensitive and aware towards gender stereotypes  so that both the male and female children could get equal opportunities for the all round development.