Perceived Marginalization, Educational Contexts, and (Non)Religious Educational Experience

Abstract

Prior research has suggested the possibility of marginalization of religious students on college campuses and the marginalization of nonreligious individuals in society more generally. In this article, the authors examine perceived marginalization of religious and nonreligious college students on and off a college campus in the southeastern United States. The authors find that there is not a significant difference in perceived experiences of marginalization on the college campus, and nonreligious students report significantly more perceived experiences of marginalization off the campus. The forms of marginalization on and off campus are generally that of microaggressions, such as insults, jokes, and exclusion. The authors conclude by discussing some of the implications of their findings for colleges and universities.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ryan T. Cragun

a

Ryan T. Cragun ([email protected]) is an associate professor of sociology at The University of Tampa. His research focuses on Mormonism and the nonreligious and has been published in numerous professional journals. He is also the author of several books.

Victoria L. Blyde

b

Victoria Blyde ([email protected]) graduated from The University of Tampa with a degree in sociology. She is now considering her options for graduate study.

J. E. Sumerau

c

J.E. Sumerau ([email protected]) is an assistant professor of sociology and director of applied sociology at the University of Tampa. His teaching and research focus on intersections of sexualities, gender, religion, and health in the historical and interpersonal experiences of sexual, gender, and religious minorities.

Marcus Mann

d

Marcus Mann ([email protected]) is a graduate student in sociology at Duke University. His research interests include sociology of science, knowledge, culture, social movements, and (ir)religion.

Joseph H. Hammer

e

Joseph H. Hammer PhD ([email protected]) is an assistant professor of counseling psychology at the University of Kentucky. He studies psychological help seeking processes and how to measure constructs (e.g., spirituality) accurately across culture.