Gendering secularization theory

Linda Woodhead

doi:10.1177/0037768607089738

Gendering secularization theory

Linda Woodhead^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Theology & Religious Studies

Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

118 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The author argues that our understanding of secularization can be greatly enhanced by taking gender differences seriously. Whilst existing theories of secularization do a good job of explaining why men disaffiliated from Christianity after the onset of industrialization, they ignore the experience of women-whose experience of modernization was significantly different. Whilst men have been responsible for paid work outside the home, women have been engaged in unpaid care work within the home. Their entrance into the paid labour force since the 1960s has not relieved them of traditional duties of care. It is suggested that we can best understand contemporary women's patterns of religious affiliation and disaffiliation in relation to their working lives, whether embracing domestic employment, or seeking a balance between both forms of labour.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	187-193
Number of pages	7
Journal	SOCIAL COMPASS
Volume	55
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/0037768607089738
Publication status	Published - Jun 2008

Keywords

Gender
Religion
Secularization
Women's employment

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1177/0037768607089738

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Gendering secularization theory

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

Access to Document

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