Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
gender gap, religious socialization, political participation
College
Family, Home, and Social Sciences
Department
Political Science
Abstract
Women are greatly underrepresented in politics. Researchers have studied many potential explanations for this such as the competitive nature of politics, gender role socialization, institutional structures, etc. Yet there is little research on the role of religious socialization on women’s political ambition. In this study I hypothesize that religious leaders are powerful socializers and can increase their church members’ level of political efficacy, thus leading to increased political participation. Through an experimental survey, I examine whether the topics that the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS/Mormon) chooses to focus on affect their church members’ level of political efficacy, particularly among female members. I found that women who receive a message that they are needed in politics have a higher level of political efficacy than those who receive a message about the importance of their family responsibilities.
Recommended Citation
Smith, Kalifa and Preece, Dr. Jessica
(2015)
"Reducing the Gender Gap through Religious Socialization,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2015:
Iss.
1, Article 32.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2015/iss1/32