Blessing or Burden? The significance of faith for black faith-practising youth growing up in England and Wales

This unique research study of African Caribbean faith-practising youth explores the benefits and challenges that their faith plays in various environments of their lives. Copious US studies have identified the church’s impact on steering black youth away from crime and anti-social behaviours and toward educational success. This area is under-researched in the UK. Traditional Christian denominations in the UK have been experiencing substantial declines in belief while African Caribbean youth numbers have been growing, particularly in evangelical /Pentecostal churches. This study of African Caribbean faith-practising youth will investigate the extent to which they consider their faith to be beneficial (a blessing) and / or risky (a burden) to their social, familial, educational and community lives.