Youth, religion and social development in Malta

Abstract

This paper investigates the relation between youth, religion and options for social change in Malta through a comparative analysis of the European Values surveys held in Malta in 1983 and 1991. It seeks to understand the impact of socio-economic development on youth religious values in Malta. First, it examines change in youth religiosity that has occurred over the past decade. Second, it explores whether there is any relation between youth religiosity and a high social intolerance observable in Maltese society relative to other Western European countries. Third, it examines youth options for future social developments in Malta, their materialist and post-materialist values relative to other Europeans, and how this relates to youth religious activity in Malta.