Age groups Flashcards
Older people have higher levels of religious practice
The 50+ age group is probably amongst the most religiously committed in society.
Voas and Crockett identify 2 key explanations for the greater religiosity of older people:
The ageing effect; older people turn to religion as they are closer to death and are subject to greater contemplation about what happens after death.
The generational effect is the fact that each new generation is less religious than the one before; therefore there are more old people attending church today because they grew up at a time when religion was more popular.
Disengagement is the view that as people get older, they become detached from support networks associated with work and family life. Retirement and the death of friends and relatives often result in social isolation. Participation in religion may compensate for this because religious organisations offer a community and social and emotional support.
NRM’s (also sects) attract a younger age group
age profile tends to be much younger than for churches and denominations. The younger age group is less likely to have the social responsibilities (marriage, children, mortgage…) of older age groups. In addition, this age group is less likely to have established firm social ties that make religious commitments more difficult.
In sociological terms, anomie may also be a significant factor. Many NRM’s/sects target the young because their message of friendship, companionship and is more-likely to appeal to young adults who may be experiencing a mild form of anomie as they move out of the family group and into education or work.
help adjusting to adult life
New Age Cults attract a middle age profile
For New Age cults appeal to middle aged people who are materially advantaged but spiritually deprived. This age group have the money to invest in cults that offer to release the “inner spirituality” of the individual and the opportunity for success in work and personal relationships.
A study on Pagan membership in 2004 found women were particularly interested in its activities associated with healing and personal development.
Younger people have a lack of religiosity
Up to the age of 15 the influence of parents is evident in children who attend church, as is the fact that religious commitment is not particularly high; it is probable that Church attendance, for example, is related more to the “social activities” organised by churches and schools for this age group - Sunday schools and playgroups, for example - than to any long-lasting commitment to religious beliefs and practices.
Brierley found (2004) very little religious participation in the 15-19 age group .He found young people thought church was boring, old fashioned and full of old people who were out of touch with reality. Young people have not experienced religion as part of their socialisation in the family and so they grow up without a fixed religious identity. Even in school religion is not given a high priority and in many schools it is replaced by discussions of ethics and world issues.
A03
evidence shows young Muslims have a strong sense of their Islamic identity. Young Muslim women have adapted their religious dress to western styles in what Woodhead calls ‘Muslim chic’; a lavish attention to style and design of traditional dress.
