Godparenthood in Ireland: an empirical study of the educational intentions influencing parental selection of godparents

摘要

Education occurs in formal and non-formal contexts. This doctoral study is located in the non-school-based transmission of family religious heritage through the parental educational intentions for baptism and the consequent selection of godparents. While the godparent features prominently in the Baptismal rite, still widely celebrated in Ireland, no empirical research existed on why godparents are chosen and what their educational, social and cultural role entails beyond ceremonial duties.ududA review of Roman Catholic canonical literature identified the origins and obligations of godparents. However contemporary anecdotal evidence questions the need for godparents in an increasingly secular society. The researcher identified a growing corpus of research on godparenthood in other countries and research disciplines.ududThe core research question of this study was to investigate the extent to which parental intentions for baptism and the consequent selection of godparents included an educational dimension. To investigate this an original research instrument was designed.ududUsing a self-selecting snowball sampling strategy, this online survey was aimed at parents who chose to have their child baptised. Through 45 questions (and sub-questions), 75 variables (mainly using Likert items) were presented to respondents. The survey received 695 responses between February to May 2015.ududStatistical analysis identified seven factors related to parental intentions for baptism itself and parental selection of godparents. These were parental religious belief and practice at the time of baptism, faith-based and family celebration-based intentions for baptism, and faith-based and deputy-parent-based selection criteria for both godfathers and godmothers. Analysis identified significant differences in parental intentions for baptism and in godparent selection according to gender, age group and religious belief and practice. It also indicated differences in how parents perceived godfathers and godmothers as having played a significant role in theudchild’s education and faith formation. This foundational study makes recommendations for future studies in this emergent field of research.