The impact of religious intensification on family relations: A South African example

Dorit Roer-Strier*, Roberta G. Sands

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Using the example of South African Jewish families in which the daughters became Ultra-Orthodox, this article examines the reactions and adaptations of mothers to their daughters' religious intensification. A qualitative study in which 15 mothers and 15 daughters were interviewed found that the mothers' initial reactions were primarily positive and ambivalent, with some negative reactions, but over time the mothers became increasingly ambivalent. Overall, mothers and newly observant adult daughters made serious efforts to maintain family cohesion and relationships of mutual respect. The results are explained by the South African context, stress theory, the concept of family resilience, and intergenerational theory.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)868-880
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Marriage and Family
Volume63
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2001

Keywords

  • Family
  • Jewish
  • Religion
  • South Africa
  • Teshuvah

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