gender and religion

Question 1

GRACE DAVIE - why women tend to be more religious than men

Answer 1

research as shown:
- most churchgoers are female
- more woman then men believe in the afterlife
- in all major faiths (except for Sikhs) women are more likely than men to practice their religion

reasons:
- argues women are closer to birth and death (childbearing, caring for the elderly, sick and dying relatives)
- brings women closer to the ultimate questions about the meaning of life that religion is concerned with

Question 2

ALAN MILLER AND JOHN HOFFMAN - three main reasons why women are more religious

Answer 2

• men are bigger risk takers: by not believing in religion, they are risking that religion may be right and that they will go to hell
• women are socialised to be more passive, obedient and caring - qualities valued by religions
• women are more likely to work part time therefore have more scope to participate in religious activities

Question 3

STARK AND BAINBRIDGE - why sects attract women

Answer 3

• women are more likely to suffer from mental health issues - seek the healing that sects offer
• women more likely to see the world in moral decline - attracted to sects which share this view
• sects attract poorer groups and women are more likely to be poor

Question 4

STEVE BRUCE - why women are attracted to NAMs

Answer 4

• women more associated with the caring and healing - new age movements celebrate this role
• women’s experience of child-rearing makes them more co-operative and caring
• where men wish to achieve, women wish to feel
• in BRUCE’s view, this fits in with the expressive emphasis of the new age

Question 5

STEVE BRUCE - class differences and religion

Answer 5

• middle class women are more attracted to new age beliefs - emphasising personal autonomy, control and self development
• working class women are more attracted to traditional religions that give them a more passive role (such as belief in an all-powerful god)