Laïcité in practice: the representations of French teenagers

Abstract

Focusing on the results of the REDCo (Religion in Education: a Contribution to Dialogue or a Factor of Conflict in Transforming Societies of European Countries) research, this publication sets out how French pupils conceive of laïcité, both generally and in school. It also explores pupils’ perceptions of the 2004 law banning the wearing of ostentatious religious symbols in state schools and their perceptions of the current arrangements for dealing with pupils’ religiously motivated requests (e.g. absence for religious reasons, religious dietary requirements in school canteens). Finally, questions concerning if and how pupils have interiorised the principle of laïcité are considered. Does it still have a militant tone, with a kernel of anticlericalism and often anti‐religious views? To conclude, it is shown that secondary pupils share a ‘laïcité of proximity’ which is neither how the state interprets laïcité, nor how it is used in ideological debates.

Keywords:

• French pupils
• laïcité
• religious pluralism
• religious symbols
• REDCo

Acknowledgement

The author expresses her gratitude to Dr Nigel Fancourt for translating this text from French into English.

Notes

1. This refers to the notorious tournantes: the collective rape of a woman if she behaved in ‘shameful’ ways, typically in the basements of abandoned blocks.