Pokolenie polskich milenialsów.Studium socjologiczno-pastoralne

Like never before, the present generation of young Poles is undergoing religious, cultural and lifestyle changes. Even though these youngsters describe themselves as believers, this is not demonstrated in either their religious practices nor in their moral lives. There is a visible tension between the expectations of the Church and the current urge for personal freedom, a freedom that is defined by the meeting of individual needs, pragmatism, and the transience of the moment. Although young people claim that family, love and security are their ultimate goals, in practice the number of people living without traditional notions of commitment – particularly living together outside of marriage – is growing. The Church has a decreasing influence on the lives of the youth, and the educational role of the family is diminishing, such that parents are very often helpless in guiding their children. Many adults do not even try to convince their offspring to attend religion classes, or to go to church at all. For fear of losing a good relationship with their children, parents frequently decide to remain silent on topics concerning morality or religion. Much more than in the past, Polish young people are self-confident, well-educated, speak foreign languages, and present themselves as citizens of the world.