Preacher's kid
Encyclopedia
Preacher's kid is a term to refer to a child of a preacher
, pastor
, deacon
, vicar
, lay leader
, minister or other similar church leader. Although the phrase can be used in a purely descriptive way, it may also used be as a stereotype
.
Some writers suggest that there is a "preacher's kid syndrome", in which children of clergy reject religion and the church. Such rebellious children of the clergy are a stock figure in the Southern literature
of the United States
, and this view is seen as a stereotype
.
Other writers note that children of the clergy (both Protestant
and Jewish
) may often become clergy themselves. Martin Luther King, Jr.
(son of Martin Luther King, Sr.
) and Franklin Graham
(son of Billy Graham
) are examples.
Children of clergy may be more exposed than their peers to the defining events of life. Former UK prime minister Gordon Brown
recalled that he learned much about life, death, poverty, injustice and unemployment as a minister's son.
The "preacher's kid" phenomenon has been connected with the related one of "military brat
s" (children of active-duty military personnel). Children of preachers who are missionaries
(Missionary Kids
) may also be third culture kid
s.
Examples of the negative stereotype include the preacher's son from Maine in the film Gettysburg, described as the "best darn cusser I've ever heard", and Jessica Lovejoy in the "Bart's Girlfriend
" episode of The Simpsons
.
" is considered very influential on a person's upbringing.
In German, the terms Pfarrerskind and Priesterkind are used to refer to children of clergy.
Preacher
Preacher is a term for someone who preaches sermons or gives homilies. A preacher is distinct from a theologian by focusing on the communication rather than the development of doctrine. Others see preaching and theology as being intertwined...
, pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
, deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
, vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
, lay leader
Lay leader
A lay leader is a member of the laity in any congregation who has been chosen as a leader. Since lay leadership is not an ordained clerical office, the lay leader's responsibilities vary according to the particular tradition to which he or she belongs...
, minister or other similar church leader. Although the phrase can be used in a purely descriptive way, it may also used be as a stereotype
Stereotype
A stereotype is a popular belief about specific social groups or types of individuals. The concepts of "stereotype" and "prejudice" are often confused with many other different meanings...
.
Phenomenon
Children of clergy often experience pressure due to the expectations placed on them, and may develop feelings of isolation and inner conflict as a result. Parental workload (which, by definition, includes working on the weekend) may also be a source of stress.Some writers suggest that there is a "preacher's kid syndrome", in which children of clergy reject religion and the church. Such rebellious children of the clergy are a stock figure in the Southern literature
Southern literature
Southern literature is defined as American literature about the Southern United States or by writers from this region...
of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and this view is seen as a stereotype
Stereotype
A stereotype is a popular belief about specific social groups or types of individuals. The concepts of "stereotype" and "prejudice" are often confused with many other different meanings...
.
Other writers note that children of the clergy (both Protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
and Jewish
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
) may often become clergy themselves. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
(son of Martin Luther King, Sr.
Martin Luther King, Sr.
Martin Luther King, Sr., born Michael King was a Baptist missionary, an advocate for equal justice and an early civil rights leader. He was also the father of Martin Luther King, Jr.King, Sr...
) and Franklin Graham
Franklin Graham
William Franklin Graham III , known publicly as Franklin Graham, is an American Christian evangelist and missionary. He is the president and CEO of both the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the international Christian relief organization Samaritan's Purse.He currently lives in Boone,...
(son of Billy Graham
Billy Graham
William Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr. is an American evangelical Christian evangelist. As of April 25, 2010, when he met with Barack Obama, Graham has spent personal time with twelve United States Presidents dating back to Harry S. Truman, and is number seven on Gallup's list of admired people for...
) are examples.
Children of clergy may be more exposed than their peers to the defining events of life. Former UK prime minister Gordon Brown
Gordon Brown
James Gordon Brown is a British Labour Party politician who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 until 2010. He previously served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Labour Government from 1997 to 2007...
recalled that he learned much about life, death, poverty, injustice and unemployment as a minister's son.
The "preacher's kid" phenomenon has been connected with the related one of "military brat
Military brat
A military brat describes people who spend their childhood or adolescence while a parent serve full-time in the armed forces, and can also refer to the unique subculture and lifestyle of American military brats, the term refers to both current and former children of such families.Lifestyle: The...
s" (children of active-duty military personnel). Children of preachers who are missionaries
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
(Missionary Kids
Missionary Kids
Missionary Kids are the children of missionary parents, and thus most were born and/or raised abroad...
) may also be third culture kid
Third culture kid
Third culture kid is a term coined in the early 1950s by American sociologist and anthropologist Ruth Hill Useem "to refer to the children who accompany their parents into another society". Other terms, such as trans-culture kid, are also used by some. More recently, American sociologist David C...
s.
Stereotypes
There are two different stereotypes of the preacher's kid: In one, they are perfectly angelic role models, in the other they are rebels at the opposite extreme. The existence of these stereotypes is a source of pressure on children of clergy.Examples of the negative stereotype include the preacher's son from Maine in the film Gettysburg, described as the "best darn cusser I've ever heard", and Jessica Lovejoy in the "Bart's Girlfriend
Bart's Girlfriend
"Bart's Girlfriend" is the seventh television episode of The Simpsons sixth season. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on November 6, 1994. The plot of the episode follows the secret romance of Bart and Jessica Lovejoy, Reverend Lovejoy's daughter...
" episode of The Simpsons
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
.
Other terms
In Scotland, to be "children of the manseManse
A manse is a house inhabited by, or formerly inhabited by, a minister, usually used in the context of a Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist or United Church...
" is considered very influential on a person's upbringing.
In German, the terms Pfarrerskind and Priesterkind are used to refer to children of clergy.
Further reading
- Amy L Woods (1995). Preacher's kid. Regent University, Virginia Beach, Va.
- Keleigh Crigler Hadley (2009). Preacher's Kids: Secrets & Salvation (ISBN 978-1449504410) and Preacher's Kids: Wicked and Wise (ISBN 978-1451554106) (religious young adult fiction)
- Daniel L. Langford (1998). The Pastor's Family: The Challenges of Family Life and Pastoral Responsibilities. Routledge (ISBN 0789005840)
- Ruth A. Wallace (2003). They Call Him Pastor: Married Men in Charge of Catholic Parishes. Paulist Press (ISBN 080914171X)
- Patricia Tipton Sharp and Dorothy Schleicher (1999), "The Portrayal of Clergy as Parents in Juvenile Fiction Over Two Decades," Children‘s Literature in Education, Volume 30, Number 3, pp. 203-212.