Motives of Parents Who Request the Catholic Sacraments of Initiation for Their Children

Figures & data

Table 1. Thematic results for the study question of why parents present their children for Baptism.

Overarching theme	Meaning	Code	Sub-theme
Non-religious incentive	Catholic education Belonging and connection Tick off the box Dressing up	Catholic school enrolment Social inclusion Agenda driven Obligation Ceremony	School choice Connection Welcome Duty bound Celebration
Focus on the child	Spiritual dimension Relationship with God Best for the child Future trajectory	Spiritual symbol Spiritual union Well-being is central focus Future well-being	Spiritual dimension Divine relationship Right thing to do Good beginnings
The struggle in understanding Baptism	Original sin Separation from God until baptized Source of transcendent love	Conflict between original sin and God’s love Spiritual inoculation God loves the child	Seeking understanding Apprehension for the child Transcendent protection
Future orientation	Spiritual practice Future shaping of child’s life Existential value of beliefs	Inner contemplation Life is shaped Personal uniqueness	Spiritual gateway Best path Best beginning
Cultural expectation	Expectation of grandparents Family tradition Cultural responsibility	Grandparent pressure Family tradition Cultural responsibility	Extended family pressure Religious tradition Singular option

Table 2. Thematic results for the study question of why parents continue to present their children for First Holy Communion and Confirmation.

Overarching theme	Meaning	Code	Sub-theme
Child-focused apprehension	Secure peer group Child’s future well-being A serious decision The end of a sacramental journey	Peer inclusion Future well-being A decision of seriousness Relief from parental responsibility	Peer isolation Secure foundation Vigilance Religious identity
Child-focused commitment	Challenged by the child’s welfare Inner ‘tug of the heart’ Connection with the divine	The best for one’s child Parent-child bond parallel Awareness of a divine presence	Facing obstacles Right thing to do Touching the divine
Expenditure of time	Sunday is a workday Accountability for time use Work invades personal time	Time defined by productivity Time is a liability of control Time is an expensive luxury	Yearning for the past Time allocation Need for respite
Priorities in a busy life	Clash between work and child commitments Sunday Mass is burdensome Reminder that Sunday Mass is lost within other life events	Partition of parental duties Non-fulfilling opportunity Sacraments a ‘wake-up call’	Seeking time for self Unwanted burden Loss of focus