Maltese youth, faith and values

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between different ways in which Maltese youth live their faith and the particular values they cherish. The study was conducted among 200 Maltese youths furthering their education at the Post-Secondary and University levels. The sample was restricted to those aged between sixteen and twenty-two years of age. The study first takes a holistic approach to defining the term youth as being a series of biological, psychological and cognitive transitions. It then proceeded by examining how and why youths search for meaning in their life through faith. The different perspectives of faith: philosophical, theological and psychological were considered. Through the help of various studies conducted in Malta and abroad a set of values were highlighted. The include Religious Values, that is, attending Mass regularly, praying, meditating and being involved in religious activities, and Metavalues, that is, tolerance, justice, service to others and concern for the environment. The study classified respondents into three different categories of faith, namely those who Practise religion in a traditional way, those who Believe in God but are not affiliated to a particular religion, and Non-believers in God. In addition, the respondents were categorised according to whether they belong to a group or not and what type of group they belong to.