explanations for age differences in religiosity

Question 1

disengagement

Answer 1

as people get older they become detached from society and face a growing privatisation of their lives with increasing social isolation as partners and friends die and so religious groups provides social support

Question 2

religious socialisation

Answer 2

each new generation is less religious than before and so more old people are religious because they grew up at a time when it was more popular which may mean they rediscover a religiosity as they grow older

Question 3

ill health and death

Answer 3

old people are faced with declining health which may generate an engagement with religion for comfort coping and meaning. as they approach death they may become more concerned with spiritual matters and the afterlife