“Like sand through an hourglass, so are the days of our lives”: Youth, religion, and social capital in South Africa

South Africa has experienced significant transformations, including the dismantling of the apartheid system and the transition to a democratic regime. Despite progress, South Africa still struggles with inequality and fostering social cohesion. Social capital refers to networks, relationships, and...

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Main Author: J. Beukes
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of the Free State 2024-12-01
Series:Acta Theologica
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/at/article/view/8148
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author J. Beukes
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author_sort J. Beukes
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description South Africa has experienced significant transformations, including the dismantling of the apartheid system and the transition to a democratic regime. Despite progress, South Africa still struggles with inequality and fostering social cohesion. Social capital refers to networks, relationships, and customs that enable collaboration. Young people’s networks and connections shape their social and economic success. Social capital helps young people establish friendships and access to resources. Religion improves social capital in many places. This article analyses the concept of social capital imposed by religious institutions and their practices in various communities, larger societies, and younger generations. It aims to investigate the distinctive role of religion in enhancing social capital in an effort to demarginalise youth. The article examines the correlation between youth, religion, and social capital in South Africa, focusing on how religious practices and beliefs can affect young people’s sense of social connectedness and community.
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spelling doaj-art-c0810138dd0949328847809a94e113d12025-02-11T09:27:30ZengUniversity of the Free StateActa Theologica1015-87582309-90892024-12-0144210.38140/at.v44i2.8148“Like sand through an hourglass, so are the days of our lives”: Youth, religion, and social capital in South AfricaJ. Beukes0University of South Africa (UNISA) South Africa has experienced significant transformations, including the dismantling of the apartheid system and the transition to a democratic regime. Despite progress, South Africa still struggles with inequality and fostering social cohesion. Social capital refers to networks, relationships, and customs that enable collaboration. Young people’s networks and connections shape their social and economic success. Social capital helps young people establish friendships and access to resources. Religion improves social capital in many places. This article analyses the concept of social capital imposed by religious institutions and their practices in various communities, larger societies, and younger generations. It aims to investigate the distinctive role of religion in enhancing social capital in an effort to demarginalise youth. The article examines the correlation between youth, religion, and social capital in South Africa, focusing on how religious practices and beliefs can affect young people’s sense of social connectedness and community. https://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/at/article/view/8148YouthReligionSocial capitalMarginalisation
spellingShingle J. Beukes
“Like sand through an hourglass, so are the days of our lives”: Youth, religion, and social capital in South Africa
Acta Theologica
Youth
Religion
Social capital
Marginalisation
title “Like sand through an hourglass, so are the days of our lives”: Youth, religion, and social capital in South Africa
title_full “Like sand through an hourglass, so are the days of our lives”: Youth, religion, and social capital in South Africa
title_fullStr “Like sand through an hourglass, so are the days of our lives”: Youth, religion, and social capital in South Africa
title_full_unstemmed “Like sand through an hourglass, so are the days of our lives”: Youth, religion, and social capital in South Africa
title_short “Like sand through an hourglass, so are the days of our lives”: Youth, religion, and social capital in South Africa
title_sort like sand through an hourglass so are the days of our lives youth religion and social capital in south africa
topic Youth
Religion
Social capital
Marginalisation
url https://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/at/article/view/8148
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