Religious Participation - Gender

Question 1

What do sociologist report about women and religion?

e.g attendance, and belief in god

Answer 1

• They make up the majority of christian church goers and consequently attend more church than men
• They are more likely to express a greater interest and faith in religion and demonstrate stronger religious commitment
• They believe more in God and the supernatural so consequently are more likely to engage in activities such as praying
• Believe in a god of love, comfort and forgiveness when men favour power, planning and control

Question 2

What is said about women joining NRM?

Answer 2

-They are more likely to join/involve themselves with NRM and NAR

Question 3

Why are women more religious than men?

Answer 3

1) The closeness women have to birth and death as mothers nurturers and carers means they are more likely to reflect on spiritual matters
2) Females are socialised into being submissive, passive,obedient and nurturing which are compatible with religiosity - also due to their roles have more time than men to take part in religious activities
3) Women are interested in the socialisation and control of sexuality of the next generation
4) Women live longer

Question 4

Why have women begun to leave the church at a faster rate than men?

Answer 4

1) fertility rates - Women have fewer children so the older generation is lost from the church and isn’t being replaced
2) Paid employment - Juggling employment,childcare,houseowork etc causes there to be pressures on attending church
3) Family diversity - Churches include fewer non-traditional families and types such as lone parent are discouraged by churches
4) Feminist Values - Challenge traditional christian views about womens role

Question 5

Why do more women join sects than men?

Answer 5

Economic deprivation - More likely to experience poverty so will want to join
Social Deprivation - Stems from lack of power, status etc with they may seek through sect
Organismic Deprivation - Those who suffer psychical and mental problems may turn to sects in hope of being healed
Ethical deprivation - People see the world as going into moral decline and so retreat to sects that seperate them e.g. peoples temple

Question 6

Why are women likely to join cults and New Age Religions?

Answer 6

• NAR highly involve the individual which is mainly involved in personal improvement- Bruce argues women see themselves as needing self improvement
• As it is Private and individualised it appeals to the women who are more likely to be based in a private area of the home. Being at home also helps the fact that NAR have increased due to flexibility e.g DVDS & TV
• Young women are likely to be attracted to movements like ‘Wica’ as they focus on female empowerment
• Womens roles are less aggressive meaning thy fit the expressive emphasis of the new age
• The beliefs tend to focus on nature and remedies such as herbal massages, appealing more to females

Question 7

What does Bruce argue about class and belief?

Answer 7

MC are more likely to subscribe to alternative therapies such as yoga and mediation
Younger WC are more likely to believe in astrology and fortune telling

Question 8

What are the three groups woodhead splits womens diversity of responses to religion into?

Answer 8

1) Home centred - Home and family is priority,tradionally christian
2) Jugglers - Juggle home and work,most likely to invest in NAM as they help them make the most of family life
3) Work- Centred Women - More likely to follow male patterns e.g abandoning religion as it doesn’t fit with schedule