The resiliency of children and spirituality: a practical theological reflection

Abstract

Resilience is described by Richardson as ‘the motivational force within everyone that drives them to pursue wisdom, self-actualisation, and altruism and to be in harmony with a spiritual source of strength’.The author discusses this view from a Christian theological perspective and in reference to the debate concerning the self-actualisation theories of Maslow and Frankl. The article examines and seeks to clarify the way in which spirituality and resilience mutually support each other. Resilience refers to an ecological model of development and support of children (and others), where different elements cooperate. This does not mean that human responsibility should be disregarded. In the first step, this article sheds light on a proper understanding of the term ‘resilience’ in the context of childhood studies. In the second step, the author shows how resilience can be interpreted in a theological way, thereby referring to three key themes, ‘spirituality’, ‘grace/agency’ and ‘resurrection/hope’. In the third phase, the article explores the relevance of the concept of resilience for pastoral care to children and families.

Keywords:

• children
• hope
• resiliency
• spirituality

Notes

1. In his later work, Maslow was more critical of his earlier focus on self-actualisation and stated that the motivation for self-actualisation does not lie in the growth and self-development in itself, but in metamotivation, as a task or vocation. In this interpretation, self-actualisation is a side effect of the focus on external activities (Maslow 1965, 5–6; Burggraeve 1991, 143–4).

2. ‘Although somewhat contradictory to most developmental theorists, resilience suggests that intuitively people can discern if something is right or wrong’.