Marriage, sexuality, and Christian parental instruction: a descriptive analysis of perspectives and practices

Abstract

ABSTRACT

MARRIAGE, SEXUALITY, AND CHRISTIAN PARENTAL

INSTRUCTION: A DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF

PERSPECTIVES AND PRACTICES

Jennifer Rose Garrison, Ph.D.

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2016

Chair: Dr. Hal K. Pettegrew

The purpose of this study was to describe the perspectives among Christian parents toward marriage and sexuality, to describe the resources and practices utilized by these parents in teaching their children about marriage and sexuality, and to describe to what extent, if any, these parents’ perspectives and teaching practices are influenced by the local church. 28 semi-structured interviews were conducted with Christian parents having at least one child in the range of kindergarten to sixth grade.

Chapter 1 offers a detailed description of the research problem and the purpose of the research. Though traditional forms of marriage and sexuality have long been building blocks of society, current American culture now presents many alternative choices to both marriage and sexuality.

Chapter 2 provides an overview of the precedent literature concerning marriage, sexuality, and Christian parental instruction, as well as key cultural trends related to marriage and sexuality, and a review of twelve parental help texts addressing both issues.

Chapter 3 presents the research methodology of this study. The qualitative research design consisted of the following steps. First, access was obtained to churches who attended CentriKid Camp on the campus of Campbellsville University during summer 2014. Second, children’s ministry group leaders from attending churches were invited to participate in the study. Personal contact information was gathered from each volunteer. Third, an interview protocol was created, validated through an expert panel, and approved by the Ethics Committee of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Fourth, a pilot study was conducted. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded. Fifth, 28 interviewees were purposefully selected based upon the highest number of volunteers from participating churches. Sixth, a Dissertation Participation Form was gathered from each participant. Seventh, 28 interviews were conducted, transcribed, and coded. Types of coding applied to the research included In Vivo and values coding. Eighth, content analysis was completed on the gathered data. Finally, findings were evaluated and conclusions were drawn.

Chapter 4 provides an analysis of the research findings. These findings describe the values expressed by Christian parents in regard to the research questions.

Chapter 5 presents conclusions drawn from the research.

KEYWORDS: Bible, biblical discipleship, biblical teaching, biblical worldview, Christian parenting, church discipleship, church equipping, church influence, cohabitation, comfort measures, culture, discipleship, divorce, gender confusion, homosexuality, life experience, life stage, marriage, marriage education, mass media, mentoring, parental controls, parental instruction, parental responsibility, parental struggle, parental teaching, parental training, parenting, parents, pastor, perspectives, pornography, public school, sexual ethics, sexual morality, sexuality, sexuality education, teaching methods, teaching practices, teaching resources, textual resources, values.