Religious Traditionalists and Social Support in Americans’ Close Networks

• In Event: 165 - Section on Sociology of Religion Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 04. Religion, Philanthropy, and Civic Participation

Abstract

A large literature is currently contesting the impact of religion on prosocial behavior. As a window into this debate, we examine the core social networks of American adults and consider whether religious traditionalists are more likely than other network alters to supply several basic forms of social support. Analysis of the Portraits of American Life Survey reveals three main findings. First, a majority of Americans—religious or not—count at least one religious traditionalist among their core network ties. Second, religious traditionalists are more likely than other types of ties to offer practical help, provide advice, and lend money, a pattern which held among both kin and non-kin network ties. Finally, although traditionalists appear especially inclined to assist other highly religious people, they nevertheless offer social support to Americans across a broad spectrum of religiosity.

Author

• Markus H. Schafer, University of Toronto