Youth Identity Crisis in the Diaspora: Christian Zimbabweans in the United Kingdom

The settlement of Zimbabweans in the United Kingdom happened alongside the severe, continual, and repeated fear of deportations, in the context of deceitfulness, excessive working patterns and culture shock. Immigrant parents were attracted to African Pentecostal churches whose innovative 'victorious theology' identified their congregations as 'the blessed of God', thereby inspiring them to deal with the complex issues of migration. However, there is a gap in the youth identity theology. Young immigrants experience multiple socio-psychological challenges, which not only confuse them but struggle to understand their identity. This case study explores the effect of migration processes on the Zimbabwean Christian youth in the United Kingdom. The study uses qualitative empirical data, the transnational migration theory and the identity theory as theoretical frameworks. Findings show that culture, parental relationships, the sense of belonging, social pressures, self-image and the church are factors that influence the identity crises faced the youth in the diaspora. The case study contributes to the understanding that migration processes cause second-generation youth to have 'hybrid identities' while their first-generation parents have 'dual identities'. Further, for the church to restore healthy youth identity, they should use the youth identity theology which emphasises 'sameness', 'renewal of mind' and 'belonging'.