A troubling trend is emerging in America as young women, once the backbone of church attendance, are increasingly abandoning their religious communities. This shift has sparked growing concern about the future of religion in the country, as the once reliable presence of women in church pews diminishes rapidly.
Mojica Rodríguez, a 39-year-old author and daughter of a pastor, represents a growing number of women who are turning their backs on the church. Despite earning a master’s degree in divinity, Rodríguez ultimately left the church due to its restrictive views on women’s roles. “Women are less inclined to be involved with churches that don’t want us speaking up, that don’t want us to be smart,” Rodríguez explained, highlighting the frustration many women feel as they grapple with gender hierarchies within religious institutions. “We’re like the mules of the church – that’s what it feels like.”
The exodus of women from churches is not just anecdotal. Studies cited by AOL.com and other outlets show a significant decline in church attendance and affiliation among women, especially younger generations. The Survey Center on American Life reports that Gen Z women, in particular, are far more concerned than previous generations about the church’s stance on gender roles, reproductive rights, and LGBTQ issues. These concerns are driving them away from traditional religious institutions in droves.
According to the American Enterprise Institute, women outnumber men among young adults leaving their faith across four generations. In Gen Z, 54% of those who have left their religion are women, compared to 46% of men. This disparity underscores the unique challenges religious institutions face in retaining female congregants.
The broader picture of religion in America is also bleak. Data from the Pew Research Center shows that the percentage of Americans identifying as Christian has plummeted from 90% in the 1990s to just 63% in 2020. This decline is mirrored in church attendance, which has also fallen sharply. A recent Gallup poll revealed that only “three in 10” U.S. adults attend church weekly or almost weekly, down from 42% two decades ago. The drop has accelerated in the past decade, with regular attendance falling from 38% in the early 2010s to 30% today.
This steep decline in church involvement has serious implications for the future of religious institutions in the U.S., especially given the crucial role women have historically played in these communities. Sheila Wray Gregoire, a former evangelist and researcher, warns that the church cannot survive without women. “Women do the majority of the work that keeps the church going,” Gregoire said. “They’re the ones staffing the Sunday school, making sure potlucks happen, or that people are supported when they have an illness or are having a baby. The church is not going to survive without women.”
Gregoire’s observations are backed by decades of research on Christian marriage in the U.S. and Canada. She notes that women are often the driving force behind church activities and play a pivotal role in getting their families involved in religious life. Without their participation, the very fabric of church communities could unravel.
Daniel A. Cox, director of the Survey Center on American Life, points to “cultural dissonance” as a key factor in the exodus of young women from the church. “There’s a cultural dissonance with young women being told you can do anything and then being told, well, generally, yes, but when it comes to our place of worship there’s restrictions,” Cox explained. This disconnect between societal values and church teachings is proving to be a significant challenge for religious institutions.
Moreover, shifting priorities among women, including a focus on career goals and delayed marriage and parenthood, are further driving the decline in church attendance. For many women, the church’s outdated views on gender roles are simply out of step with their aspirations and values.
“Why would you want to be at a place where your voice doesn’t matter?” Gregoire asked, summarizing the sentiments of many women who have left the church. “It’s hard when you grow up with a deep, personal faith and then the church you’re in treats you as less than. It’s like having the rug pulled out from under you.”
As more women walk away from the church, religious institutions must grapple with the consequences. Without addressing the concerns that are driving women away, the future of these communities may be in jeopardy.
