Critically examine the relationship between gender, religious participation and religious organisation
by
finefreshfears (student)
Critically examine the relationship between gender, religious participation and religious organisation
A hot sociological debate is the relationship between gender and religious participation and organisation. Sociologists have long been divided on the issue.
Sociologist Davie argues that religion is for most women a form of oppression. Davie puts this down to the fact that the Gods in the majority of religions are gendered and if so the majority are male Gods. Armstrong further supports Davie saying that women play a marginal position in the majority or religions. Armstrong says that women have made gains in other areas of life but their gains in religion are still limited.
Miller and Hoffman argue that females are more religious than men. They put this down to two reasons, socialisation and roles. Miller and Hoffman argue that women are more nurturing than men and that the roles they play in society – lower rates of paid work mean that they have more time to do other things, like help out with church activities. Holm continues this argument and says that even though men occupy powerful positions in the public sphere that females do the majority of the behind the scenes work.
