Gender Differences in American Jewish Identity: Testing the Power Control Theory Explanation

This paper addresses discrepancies in previous research about whether there are gender differences in Jewish identity. Four factors of Jewish identity are examined: multifaceted Jewish engagement, social Jewish identity, communal religious identity, and cultural Jewish identity. Using the 2011 New Y...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Review of religious research
Main Author: Hartman, Harriet 1948- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Springer [2016]
In: Review of religious research
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B USA / Judaism / Identity / Gender
RelBib Classification:AD Sociology of religion; religious policy
BH Judaism
KBQ North America
NBE Anthropology
Further subjects:B Orthodox Jews
B Power control theory
B Jewish denominations
B New York Jews
B Jewish Identity
B Family and religion
B gender differences
B Reform Jews
B Conservative Jews
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
Volltext (doi)
Description
Summary:This paper addresses discrepancies in previous research about whether there are gender differences in Jewish identity. Four factors of Jewish identity are examined: multifaceted Jewish engagement, social Jewish identity, communal religious identity, and cultural Jewish identity. Using the 2011 New York Jewish Community Survey, gender differences in Jewish identity in seven denominational groups of American Jews are examined. The power control theory (PCT) is tested as an explanation for the gender differences, and found to be lacking. Measures of power imbalance in current family situations are used, in addition to measures related to socialization; the rationale for this variation is discussed. According to PCT, the Orthodox would exhibit greater gender differences in Jewish identity, but the opposite is true: significant gender differences are found for non-Orthodox denominations more than are found for the Orthodox. Being raised Orthodox does not contribute to the gender differences. Measures of power imbalance within families do not contribute to the explanation of variance in any of the Jewish identity factors. Possible generalization of the findings is discussed, as well as directions for further research.
ISSN:2211-4866
Contains:Enthalten in: Review of religious research
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1007/s13644-016-0248-3