Abstract

In this article, we examine whether problems of meaning are real. We begin by outlining the theory of meaningfulness that constitutes our point of departure. We then situate it within the context of the contemporary sociological debate about detraditionalization, thus clarifying our position in that debate. On the basis of those theoretical principles, we proceed to develop and test a number of hypotheses regarding the problems of meaning that might be produced by detraditionalization. Subsequently, we investigate the effectiveness of some possible alternative sources of meaning. We conclude this paper by looking at the social implications of our findings. Our hypotheses will be tested using two surveys of young people. The first was carried out during the 1996-97 school year and involved students in the sixth year of secondary school . The second survey took place in the 1999-2000 school year and involved students in the fourth and sixth year of secondary school