Adolescent-parent conflict and religious education: The Yalova example

Adolescence is a stage in which individuals undergo physical, mental, and social transformations. This stage is also a transitional period in which individuals search for their identity, their need for independence increases, and their relationships with their environment undergo restructuring. This transformation process can lead to the emergence of generational differences in values within the family and the reshaping of communication patterns. In this context, conflict is a social phenomenon that arises as a result of individuals having opposing thoughts, attitudes, or expectations, creating tension in relationships. Conflicts experienced during adolescence mostly stem from the search for balance between the individual's increasing desire for autonomy and the family's tendency to guide and control. The main objective of this study is to examine the effects of religious education provided within the family during adolescence on parent-adolescent relationships and to evaluate the conflicts that arise in this process in the context of religious communication. The study aims to contribute to interdisciplinary fields such as religious education, sociology of religion, and adolescent psychology. In this context, the research aims to reveal how religious education practices within the family affect the adolescent's religious development, value system, and relationships with the family. In the study, a case study was chosen from qualitative research designs to examine how adolescent-parent conflict is shaped in the context of religious education. The study was conducted with 16 participants aged 14-18 residing in Yalova province. Participants were selected using purposive sampling; data were collected through semi-structured interviews and evaluated using descriptive analysis methods. The research findings show that the religious education adolescents receive within their families is decisive in the development of their beliefs and values. It revealed that parental attitudes, forms of conflict and reconciliation, and role model consistency directly affect the internalization of worship. It was found that coercive approaches cause resistance and tension, while liberal, guidance-based approaches strengthen adolescents' internal motivation and religious affiliation. It has been seen that tolerance and respect in family communication play an important role in transforming conflicts into constructive dialogue. In conclusion, the success of religious education within the family is possible by laying the foundations at an early age and strengthening the culture of autonomy and dialogue during adolescence.