The religious component of uncertainty avoidance in the child-rearing practices in Kerala, India

Abstract

The degree to which individuals of a society are uncomfortable with unpredictability and ambiguity is expressed by the Uncertainty Avoidance dimension of Geert Hofstede. Many studies have explored Uncertainty avoidance in terms of factors such as religion, law, and technology. The present study focuses on religion as it is the most explored research area while studying uncertainty avoidance of a culture. Based on this premise, we sought to understand the religious component of uncertainty avoidance in child-rearing practices in Kerala. A total of six participants were interviewed for this study from various districts in Kerala. Parents having children in the age group of 15 to 18 were chosen based on the nature of the study. Data collection was carried out through the interview method using a semi-structured interview schedule consisting of 21 questions developed based on the objectives of the present study. Because participants were not available due to the current Covid-19 circumstances, data were acquired and recorded over the phone. The collected data were transcribed, and thematic analysis was performed. The study’s major themes include a sense of belonging as a Keralite imprinted by Kerala’s rich culture, confidence in religion and overcoming uncertainty, and non-religious aspects of uncertainty. Thus the present study explored the nature and concept of uncertainty avoidance and how religion has been interwoven into child-rearing methods across Kerala.