The Role of Parenting Styles in Children's Religious Development: A Psychology of Religion Perspective

Abstract

A child's religiosity is a crucial aspect of character and personality formation, influenced by the family environment—specifically, parenting styles. This study aims to analyze the role of parenting styles in the development of a child's religiosity from the perspective of the psychology of religion. A qualitative approach utilizing library research methods was employed. Data were gathered from various secondary sources, including books, scholarly journal articles, previous research findings, and documents relevant to the study's theme. Content analysis was used to identify, examine, and synthesize findings regarding the relationship between parenting styles and the development of a child's religiosity. The results indicate that parenting styles play a significant role in shaping a child's religiosity through parental modeling, the cultivation of religious habits, communication, supervision, and emotional support. Parental modeling emerges as the most dominant factor, as children tend to imitate behaviors demonstrated in daily life. Furthermore, the habitual practice of religious activities and positive family communication reinforce the internalization of religious values ​​within the child. From the perspective of the psychology of religion, the family is the primary environment contributing to the formation of a child's beliefs, acts of worship, and religious behavior. Therefore, the application of positive and religiously oriented parenting styles is a vital factor in optimally supporting the development of a child's religiosity.