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Which Societies Provide a Strong Religious Socialization Context? Explanations Beyond the Effects of National Religiosity

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: Religious socialization occurs within the immediate family as well as in the broader social context. Previous research has shown that parents’ religiosity matters less for the transmission of religious beliefs in devout than in secular nations, implying smaller costs of religious socialization. In this article we test which other societal factors affect the transmission of religious beliefs: anti‐religious policies in formerly socialist countries, economic development, and income inequality. Our results indicate that societies with high levels of income inequality seem to provide the most favorable context for religious socialization. Individuals develop strong religious beliefs even if they only received little religious socialization within the family. Formerly socialist nations increased socialization costs through the overall suppression of religious practice. Economic development has no impact on socialization effects, suggesting that inequality is a more important driver of religious change than previously thought.

Source: Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion

DOI: 10.1111/jssr.12147

Authors: Tim S. Müller, Nan Dirk De Graaf, Peter Schmidt

Institutions: Linköping University, University of Oxford, National Research University Higher School of Economics

Language: English

Topic: Religion and Society Interactions

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, No poverty

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W1551455656

FWCI: 2.162

Cites: 60

Cited by: 30

Related to: 10