Muslim and Christian Peer Images in Turkish-German Muslim Children's Human Figure Drawings

Abstract

In this study, the religious social perceptions and friendship relations of Turkish-GermanMuslim children between the ages of 7-14 about their religious groups and their host Christianpeers were examined. 42 students, including 17 girls and 25 boys, participated in the study.Here children's drawings were benefited as a primary source of information and a diagnosticmethod in which secondary information (open-ended questions) were directed. The data wereanalyzed by descriptive qualitative analysis method based on the research questions. In thisstudy, it was seen that religious indicators, signs, and symbols (religious-social images)emerged effectively through the drawing method. Theological semiotic may be used as adiagnostics method in more studies in determining the development of religious concepts inchildren. The number of religious differences in the drawings increased with age. It wasunderstood that 9-14-year-old children could make religious categorization in interviews aboutdrawings and responses concerning open-ended questions. In-group favoritism and in-groupfriendship preferences increased with age. At the same time, as age increased, moral reasoningin choosing friendship increased.