Role of Socialization Patterns in Adopting Rigid Sectarian Identities

Religion is an essential part of individuals’ daily routine practices in the Pakistani society. People rigorously own and defend their particular religious beliefs in the extremely diversified population of the country. The induction of sectarian ideologies in the mindset of children begins with their early socialization. This process further develops with the passage of time and the mindset of children becomes extremely rigid. Sectarian rigidity advances the elements of disrespect and intolerance among the believers of adverse sectarian groups. This study was aimed to explain the role of socialization patterns (religious ideological orientation, cultural socialization and peer group pressure) in enhancing sectarian rigidity in the society. Survey research was conducted in two high ranking universities of Lahore (one government university and one private university). It was based on the responses collected from 250 participants who were selected through the application of simple ransom sampling technique. Two hypotheses were tested to evaluate the relationship and the predictive role of socialization patterns in enhancing the element of sectarian rigidity in individuals. The results of the current study revealed that there was a significant positive relationship between socialization patterns and sectarian rigidity after the application of Pearson product-moment correlation test. Furthermore, the results computed through multilinear regression analysis showed a significant and positive predictive role of socialization patterns in enhancing sectarian rigidity. Thus, religious ideological orientation, cultural socialization and peer group pressure influenced the behavior of individuals that generate rigid sectarian identities in the society.