Entertainment and religion: A study on the media consumption practices of christian adolescents

Abstract

This article investigates how Christian adolescents in Brazil consume media entertainment products and the meanings they attribute to these practices, focusing on the symbolic negotiations between religious values and popular culture. Grounded in Latin American Cultural Studies, Communication and Consumption Studies, and Reception Theory, the study examines how religion functions as a key mediation in young people’s relationship with media. A quantitative methodology was adopted through a structured questionnaire administered to 76 adolescents aged 12 to 18, all members of Christian communities. The findings reveal a predominance of mobile devices and social media use, along with a strong preference for products such as music, films, and series. Genres like comedy, action, adventure, and romance are the most consumed and fulfill relevant social and symbolic functions, including emotional relief, social integration, and educational development. The results show that media engagement among these adolescents is not in opposition to faith but constitutes a hybrid space of cultural translation, where religious values are reinterpreted and incorporated into everyday consumption practices. This research contributes to reception studies by exploring a scarcely investigated field in Brazil — youth media consumption in religious contexts — and by highlighting media as a key arena for identity and spiritual negotiation. The findings also offer insights for discussions on youth, religion, and media culture and suggest directions for future qualitative research aimed at deepening the understanding of these practices.