This study compares PK(pastor's kids) with general youth group in their self-identity in order to figure out the level of self-identity of PK. The case study reveals that PK re more susceptible to identity-crisis for various reasons. The study ultimat...
This study compares PK(pastor's kids) with general youth group in their self-identity in order to figure out the level of self-identity of PK. The case study reveals that PK re more susceptible to identity-crisis for various reasons. The study ultimately tries to provide lesson for PK to establish a positive self-identity by analyzing those problems. The study approached 500 from PK and 1000 from general youth group through e-mail address obtained from Christian website (www.hosanna.net) and other various websites by asking them to answer questionnaire. The study received answer from 131 PK and 106 general youth group. As for the method of identifying self-identity, the study used Suh Bong-Yon's 64 questionnaire based on Dignan's self-identity Scale, which was modified to fit for middle school youth. For the analysis of data collected, the study used SPSS Program Package for statistical analysis of average, the standard deviation, and t-verification. For the case study of PK, the study used 18 e-mail letters and opinion from the chat-room in the internet.
Summary of the Study
1. The study showed PK tend to have low self-identity compared to general youth group.
2. The reasons for PK of pastor tend to go through identity-crisis more easily than general youth group are as followings. First, intrusion of boundary. Most of pastor's family suffer unclear division between their private life and outside environment, which leads to difficult self-identification. Second factor is stereotypes. Most members of the church expect PK behavior in certain way, which forced them to live in typical way even before they identify their own self-identity. Third factor is financial difficulty. Financial difficulty during the period of establishment of self-identity often causes PK a low self-pride and anxiety on their future. Fourth, confusion on their father's role between the preacher of the church and the head of the family could bring identity-crisis. Fifth, the issue of peer group and identity problem. PK tend to go through problem of premature development in their identity development compared to their peer group. Sixth, the problem in religion and identity. PK get a high expectation from church members in their religion. Those high expectations force PK to act superficially in their religious life without helping them to develop a truly meaningful relationship with God. This hinders PK from establishing a religious self identity. Seventh, problem of perspective on their future career. Many pastor and church members tend to expect children of pastor to follow their father's path becoming a pastor later. Those expectation can lead the children to become a pastor without true sense of mission in performing their job.
3. The possible solutions for PK to overcome the identity crisis are suggested as follows. First, the study looked into the bible to see what God wants us to teach within family. According to the bible, God wants pastor thinks God first in teaching their children, rather than paying attention to how other church members expect them to teach. Furthermore, when their children did a wrong, the pastor should make them sure of their misconduct and give them an appropriate punishment rather than taking an evasive attitude. Meanwhile, many pastors tend to pay less attention to their own family while they work for other members of church. For example, lack of conversation between father and their children could bring misbehavior and crime from their children. Pastors need to pay enough attention to their own family with more effort of having their time with their family as well as with their church members. After all good work for church starts from their own family.
Second, it is necessary to recover a good communication among family members. The PK need a frank conversation with their parents. A frank conversation with parents can correct their doubt or wrong decision, and often provide solutions for their problems. In particular, an acceptive attitude by identity crisis and develop a positive self-identity.
Third, it is necessary to keep an appropriate distance between public and private life of pastor. Sometimes pastor need to make an conscious effort to keep a distance between the church and their home. This can provide PK with more privacy without a pressure of living in the watchful eyes of public.
Fourth, it is important to overcome the fixed concept of other members of church on PK. Once the children were given the same opportunity and were relieved from unnecessary high expectation they would not suffer the problem of premature development. Furthermore, the children could benefit advantage being a son and daughter of pastor. Fifth, PK should not choose to follow their father's path simply because of other people's expectation. They will only to do so when they have a clear vision and a mission with their job.
Finally there were several suggestions from PK themselves to develop a positive self-identity. They suggested that PK should understand and help their parent by recovering their divine nature. Members of church should try to recognize and understand the PK as a human being excluding any undue expectation or intervention in their life. PK should establish a right relationship with God by recognizing that they are children of God first of all as well as they are PK. For the development of a positive self-identity, frank conversation with their parents is very important. They also suggested the need for recovering self-pride, and sixth, they need to have a positive approach on being PK as a blessing from God.