New Christian Masculinities: Searching for Meaning and Security in a Polarised World
About
This project explores the reported rise in young men’s engagement with Christianity in the context of global insecurity, changing gender attitudes and the fragmentation of identities in a divided society.
Recent surveys suggest that young men in several countries are attending church and identifying as Christian at higher rates than before. The project will investigate how factors such as value polarisation – where young men’s gender attitudes are becoming more conservative and young women’s more feminist – alongside social media, digital cultures, and global political instability, are shaping these developments.
The team (led by Prof. Kristin Aune, with Dr Chris Shannahan and Dr Adam Fenton from Coventry University, the research will include the first in-depth interview study with thirty young men to uncover what is happening and why.
In partnership with the national youth organisation Youthscape (with Dr Hannah Bowden), the project will translate its findings into practical resources for youth workers, alongside wider dissemination to academic and practitioner audiences.
Research Outputs
The project will produce a number of outputs including a 5,000-word research report and journal article, and a webinar with young men who have engaged with Christianity sharing their stories.
With Youthscape, there will also be a ‘Talking youth ministry’ podcast, ‘The Story’ booklet for youth workers and church leaders, Youthscape Essentials training course ‘Deep Dive’ event for youth workers, workshops at Youthscape’s Saetellites youth event and a Youth & Faith Research Community, and a panel discussion with young men engaged with Christianity at the National Youth Ministry Weekend.
Project Outcomes
- Increased awareness of the journeys, beliefs, practices and motivations of young men who have recently become engaged with Christianity and the church.
- Improved understanding of how young men’s Christian engagement relates to a changing social and political context of global insecurity, identity fragmentation and political value polarisation.
- Churches, Christian organisations, youth workers and policy makers equipped with recommendations on how to better understand and work with young men to support their faith needs in ways that foster dialogue and positive gender relations.
- Churches, Christian organisations, youth workers and policy makers equipped with recommendations on how to work with young men to address any negative aspects that emerge, for example conflicts or racist attitudes.