Crisis Of Identity Faced By The Adolescent Muslim In Australia

Abstract

Adolescent crises of identity is an area, with an increasing research attention. However, despite the plethora of studies in this area, there is limited literature and empirical understanding of the crises of adolescence faced by Muslim youth in general, and Muslim youth in Australia in particular. Given the increasing population of Muslims in Australia, there is the need for research in this area, and thereby the motivation for this thesis. The thesis focuses on investigating the crises of identity faced by Australian Muslims compared with the rest of the world, the kinds of coping mechanism that the Muslim adolescents use to deal with various issues they face, as well as how Islamic practices may help these adolescents to cope with the crises. Overall, the specific objectives of the thesis are to: (1) identify the major crises faced by Muslim adolescents in Australia; (2) identify the various mechanisms employed by Muslim adolescents to deal with the adolescence crises, and (3) understand how Islamic practices help in dealing with such crises The thesis adopts a survey research method in collecting the data for the study. Three different questionnaires were used, each for the adolescent group, parent group and the youth workers, to address the study and research objectives. There were 40 respondents for the adolescent group, 37 respondents for the parent group and 3 respondents for the youth workers group. A mix of quantitative and qualitative approaches were used in the study. The questionnaires were presented to both the adolescent and the parent group to complete. The drop and pick method was used for the youth workers group. The survey targeted school settings religious avenues and such areas where potential respondents could be found. The results of the study showed a positive correlation between negative parental norm which is a contributing factor to crises of identity (risk behaviour). Peer pressure which was a contributing factor had a positive relationship with identity crises (drug abuse). Regarding religious coping mechanisms there was no sufficient evidence to suggest a significant relationship with identity crises. The implication of the results obtained in this study is that Muslim adolescents in Australia are prone to drug use and risky behaviours which means more concern and resources must be directed at adolescent programs to support them through this difficult transition period, as doing so may result in healthy outcomes for the adolescent Muslims, their parents, and the community at large. Not doing so may see a future of young adult Muslims left in confusion and misguidance engaging in substance abuse and risk behaviour at the least.