Preadolescents’ voices: a consideration of British and Canadian children’s reflections on religion, spirituality, and their sense of self

Abstract

This article draws on research in Canada and the UK to consider how preadolescents' narratives can further our understanding of their spirituality and sense of self. It exposes the problems of identifying a 'preadolescent', and reflects on how these often unheard voices might inform future research and education issues such as the role of teacher, pedagogy and curriculum. As well as offering two different international perspectives, this article is also boldly interdisciplinary: thus bringing to light a diverse range of concerns and themes that arise from a context which combines anthropological and psychological approaches.