Talking About Religion? Differences in Religious Socialization Among Recently Arrived Refugees Between Quebec and Other Provinces in Canada

Abstract

How does context shapes religious practices and religious expression of immigrants? Existing work has focussed on changes over the long term and across generations. We argue that context can shape religious practice shortly after arrival. Using a nationally representative survey of Syrian refugees with children who arrived between late 2015 and 2018, we examine how often parents talk to their children about religion, a central mechanism in religious socialization. We compare Quebec, which has become increasingly restrictive about public religious expression to other Canadian provinces, which are often upheld as exemplars of multicultural accommodation. Syrian refugees in Quebec, especially mothers, report significantly less frequent religious discussions with their children than those in other provinces, regardless of whether they are Christian or Muslim. This pattern is not explained by pre-migration religiosity or settlement selection, suggesting that Quebec's distinct socio-political environment shapes religious expression soon after arrival.