Age and social class and religion

Question 1

Brierley (2015)

Answer 1

-The only group to show a recent rise in church attendance is the over 65 age group
-Since 1980 the number of under 15’s attending church regularly has halved

Question 2

Why are the elderly more religious

Answer 2

Voas and Crockett- 2003
=The ageing effect- Their interest in spirituality increases
=Generational effect- The elderly may be more religious due to their upbringing

Question 3

Why are the young less religious

Answer 3

Socialisation
Ritualism and tradition
Individualisation

Question 4

Socialisation

Answer 4

-Arweck and Beckford
=Increasingly unlikely that parents will pass on their religious beliefs to their children

Question 5

Ritualism and tradition

Answer 5

-Brierley
=87% of 10-14 year olds in 2015 felt that church was boring and that they couldn’t relate to the rituals

Question 6

Individualisation

Answer 6

-Collins-Mayo
=Religion has become more of a personal choice in society
Therefore the young don’t feel pressured

Question 7

Trends in social class and religion

Answer 7

More known in the most deprived of society
It provides a means of coping with the deprivation and oppression

Question 8

Churches and denominations

Answer 8

The m/c tend to be over represented in churches.
60% in 2015 who regularly attended church considered themselves m/c

Question 9

Sects, cults and new age

Answer 9

Sects appear to gain the majority of their support from the most deprived
Cults attract members from a cross section
New age movements are more attractive to m/c who can afford it