Religion & Social Position - GENDER

WOMEN & NRMs

Evidence suggests women are more likely to get involved with sects than men.

- Women are more likely to experience poverty. Those who experience it are more likely to join sects as a form of compensation.

- Women may be more socially deprived than men in terms of power, respect, status & job satisfaction. Women in unsatisfying jobs may find satisfaction in evangelical goals set by conversionist sects such as Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormons.

- Women tend to be more morally conservative than men & therefore more likely to experience ethical deprivation. In 19th century, many sects were initiated by women ----> Ellen White set up Seventh Day Adventists.

Glock & Stark note that all these types of deprivation can result from patriarchal exploitation. Females may turn to religion for compensation for their under privileged…