RESEARCH ON THE ATTITUDES OF YOUTH TOWARD RELIGION, ETHICS, AND EVERYDAY CHALLENGES

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of an original sociological survey conducted among 193
young respondents from five educational institutions in Skopje, North Macedonia, examining the
relationship between religion, ethics, and everyday challenges. The study was implemented across
secondary and higher education institutions, including Orthodox and Islamic theological schools
as well as the Faculty of Philosophy. It aimed to capture how young people perceive religiosity, ethics,
and moral values in the context of their daily lives and psychosocial difficulties. Results demonstrate
that 81% of respondents believe ethics in religion significantly influence their daily behavior,
with the dominant understanding of religiosity grounded not in ritual, but in applied moral values
and belief in God. Statistical analysis reveals strong positive correlations between religiosity and
coping mechanisms: those who consider themselves more religious report that faith helps them
to overcome stress, anxiety, and ethical dilemmas. Conversely, a strong negative correlation (r ≈
–0.98) was observed between age and psychosocial problems, showing acute vulnerability among
adolescents aged 15–18. Furthermore, a notable majority support the introduction of ethics and
religion into formal education, arguing that religious knowledge enhances coexistence and tolerance
in a multicultural society. The findings highlight the dual role of religion as both a personal
resource for resilience and a communal mechanism for fostering interethnic and interfaith harmony.
This research contributes to broader debates on the role of religion in education, ethics, and
youth well-being, positioning Macedonia as a case study of a multiethnic, multiconfessional
society grappling with contemporary global challenges.