Religion + Age

Question 1

Younger generations

Answer 1

• Less likely to participate in traditional religious practices
• Reflects the broader trends of secularization in many western societies

Question 2

Older generations

Answer 2

• Older people, particularly those 65+ exhibit higher levels of religious participation
• High service attendance and maintaining strong religious identities
• this is a result of many factors such as: social isolation, coping with ageing and death

Question 3

Bryan Wilson

Answer 3

• As people experience higher levels of education and become more rational in their world-view, they are less likely to embrace religion (young disaffiliation)
• The older generations, who grew up in more religious societies, are more likely to maintain their religious practices throughout their lives

Question 4

young disaffiliation (Wilson)

Answer 4

As people experience higher levels of education and become more rational in their world- view, they are less likely to embrace religion

Question 5

What was Hormans theory?

Answer 5

Life course theory

Question 6

Horman’s life course theory

Answer 6

• emphases how an individuals relationship with religion evolves as they go thorough different stages of their life
• provides a social support system to support individuals to navigate their life changes with stability and comfort

Question 7

Example of Homan’s ‘life course theory’

Answer 7

• younger people may not prioritize religion as they are more focused on establishing their identity and career
• Older people may return to religion when faced with certain life changes such as retirement, death, health issues ect.

Question 8

Peter Berger

Answer 8

• When people are children they are socialized by their family into following religious practices and traditions
• However, when they leave home and get influenced by peer groups and religion (wider society), they turn away from their family traditions

Question 9

Linda Woodhead

Answer 9

• Religion offers an important social function for older people
• it provides comfort, meaning and community
• this is particularly relevant to them when dealing with issues of morality, loneliness and illness
• Provides a structured framework for understanding life

Question 10

Uk census 2011

Answer 10

• Younger people (16-24) are more likely to identify as ‘non- religious’