Does God Provide? Beliefs about Financial Stability and Early Marriage among Evangelical Young Adults

• In Event: 341 - Section on Sociology of Religion Refereed Roundtable Session and Business Meeting
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 04. Religion and Emerging Adulthood

Abstract

Research in sociology has argued that the meaning of marriage in the modern era is best understood as an "accomplishment" and reserved for those who have achieved economic, and also cultural, baselines. This perspective helps to explain why the institution is increasingly entered into at later ages and also is increasingly dominated by those who are relatively privileged in the social structure. However, there is reason to believe that this orientation also underestimates the importance of other understandings of marriage, especially its role within a religious context. Preliminary results from 49 out of 100 anticipated in-depth interviews with partnered (married, engaged, and dating) Evangelical young adults reveal that religious beliefs play a large role in encouraging early unions by moderating concerns about financial readiness for marriage. Rather than avoid or delay marriage until economic baselines are met, Evangelical young adults generally dismiss the importance of financial stability prior to marriage for three reasons. First, many respondents believe in the possibility of God providing for people in their marriage, which lessens the necessity for economic stability of their own making. Second, respondents’ enthusiasm for married life sometimes overrides pragmatic concerns and they may interpret financial struggles as a potential bonding experience for a young couple. Third, working class Evangelical respondents doubt the possibility of financial stability in general and are thus unwilling to delay marriage until its achievement.

Author

• Patricia Tevington, University of Pennsylvania