Religion and Gender (CAGELS) - Beliefs

Question 1

What is Miller and Hoffman’s reason for why women are more religious?

Answer 1

Guardians of family life: The bible suggests this should be a woman’s role, they may turn to the bible for advice + may see it as their role to go to church to maintain tradition

Question 2

What is Davies reason for why woman are more religious?

Answer 2

Visions of God: women associate God with love, comfort and forgiveness (trad. Female roles).

• Women see reviving these functions from God as a benefit
• Men don’t want another man (God) telling them what to do

Question 3

What is Bruce’s explanation for why women are more religious?

Answer 3

Nurturing: women are socialised into nurturing roles which explains greater involvement in denominations, sects + NAMS
- women may join these groups to revive nurture themselves

Question 4

What is Greeley/Davies explanation for why women are more religious?

Answer 4

Greeley: caring attends to be associated with a more religious outlook
Davies: women’s involvement with caring professions = a closer association with birth and death, central issues for many religions
- Women live longer so more likely to be widowed = turn to religion for comfort and support networks

Question 5

What is the social deprivation, marginally and theodicy of disprivilege explanation for why women are more religious?

Answer 5

Women are more likely to experience poverty, personal or family problems and be marganlised so seek self-improvement in NAMS and NRMS
- religion offers them a theodicy of disprivilege

Question 6

What is the status frustration explanation of why women are more religious?

Answer 6

Women may lack personal fulfilment or status as a result of being confined to home or unsatisfying jobs can be compensated by sects NAMs or the church to provide stairs and meaning to the women

Question 7

What gender is more likely to be religious?

Answer 7

Women are the biggest consumers of religion and practice it the most