IRP 1

I have always found the role of women in religion to be a fascinating and diverse subject, varying from community to community. Sometimes, the role of a woman in society is so closely linked to her religious role, that the two are indistinguishable. For example, why is it that some women are expected to upkeep the home and children without question? How are such gender roles assigned? Are these gender roles created by religion and upheld by culture or created by culture and upheld by religion? Where do such social expectations stem from? What does the daily life of a woman in religious groups that hold such expectations look like? And given these questions, is it possible for such roles to evolve? Has social change within gender roles occurred in the context of religion? In order to find the answers to these questions and questions like them, one must seek further insight of religion itself and the social context within which it exists.

Oftentimes, societal gender roles shape and form the culture within which they lie. Regardless of origin, such gender roles typically work to reinforce religious values and norms. Additionally, consideration for change and growth within these roles must be weighed in on. Whether or not the historical gender role remains completely relevant in the modern context must be assessed. In order to understand the gender roles and to determine if change or progress has occurred, the interrelationship of culture, society, and religion must not only be referenced, but critically analyzed for detailed explanations and evidence. In order to illustrate said concepts, I plan to survey two common and influential religious communities in the American Southwest; Roman Catholicism and Mormonism. There is a large pop...

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...tudy with both an understanding of contemporary beliefs and practices as well as historic norms and doctrines among these two religious communities will adequately portray how religion impacts the assigning of gender roles and the extent to which they might have changed or grown over time. With an understanding of this relationship between religion, society, and culture, I will be able to answer questions I have had about the role of women in religion and the extent to which these female gender roles might be evolving.

Research questions:

How does the Mormon religion affect gender role formation?

How does the Roman Catholic religion affect gender role formation?

Are gender roles changing or evolving, or are they true to historic norms in each of these respective religions?

In each of these religions, is further growth in female gender roles likely or unlikely?