Is Secularization an Age-Related Process?

Area of Science:

• Sociology of Religion
• Gerontology
• Life Course Studies

Background:

• Sociologists have long studied secularization, noting generational declines in religious affiliation and participation.
• Gerontologists and life course researchers have largely overlooked this trend.
• Previous research relied on cross-sectional data, necessitating longitudinal investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine generational differences in religious participation using longitudinal data.
• To test the hypothesis of between-cohort declines in religiosity.
• To analyze patterns of religious involvement across different birth cohorts.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS).
• Analyzed a sample stratified by 10-year birth cohorts.
• Tracked religious involvement from 2004 to 2016, measuring service attendance, perceived importance of religion, and congregational friendships.

Main Results:

• Significant age-graded patterns in religious participation were observed.
• Older cohorts consistently reported higher religiosity than younger cohorts.
• Longitudinal data confirmed a generational decline in religiousness in the U.S.

Conclusions:

• The study confirms a generational decrease in religious participation, consistent with secularization trends.
• Future cohorts of older adults may have less connection to religious institutions and their social support.
• The long-term impact of declining religiousness on social cohesion among the elderly remains to be seen.