Religious upbringing plays a significant role in shaping a person’s faith. A study from Hungary explores the relative influence of family religious instruction and church school attendance on young people’s religious identity. The findings highlight the enduring impact of religious upbringing at home, while also suggesting that church schools can play a supportive role.

The research team analyzed data from Hungary’s Youth Survey conducted in 2016 and 2020. They focused on three key factors:

• Religious Upbringing at Home: Whether or not a student received religious instruction within the family.
• Church School Attendance: If a student attended a school affiliated with a particular religion.
• Effects on Religiosity: How these factors influenced various aspects of a student’s religious identity, including beliefs, values, and practices.

The Power of Family Faith

The study revealed a clear hierarchy of influence:

• Dominant Role of Family: The research suggests that religious upbringing at home has the strongest impact on shaping a young person’s religious identity.
• Supporting Role of Church Schools: For students without a religious background at home, attending a church school can play a significant role in supporting their religious development, particularly in terms of practices and rituals.

Interestingly, the study did not find a significant impact of church schools on the core content of students’ beliefs and values.

The Importance of Nurturing Faith

The findings offer valuable insights for parents, educators, and religious leaders:

• Family as the Foundation: The study underscores the crucial role of families in nurturing a child’s religious identity. Open discussions and participation in religious practices at home can have a lasting impact.
• Church Schools as a Supplement: For students without a strong religious foundation at home, church schools can provide a supportive environment to explore faith and develop religious practices.
• Focus on Values and Beliefs: While church schools can support religious practices, the study suggests a need for a broader approach that fosters critical thinking and exploration of religious values and beliefs.

This study sheds light on the complex relationship between religious upbringing and faith development. It highlights the importance of both family involvement and well-rounded religious education in nurturing a young person’s spiritual journey.

Gabriella Pusztai and Gergely Rosta. Does Home or School Matter More? The Effect of Family and Institutional Socialization on Religiosity: The Case of Hungarian Youth. Educ. Sci. 2023, 13(12), 1209; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13121209