When women cease to be more religious than men : the changing face of sex differences in religious affect among young adult Catholics in the Republic of Ireland

Empirical research studies within Christian and post-Christian cultures have consistently reported higher levels of religious practice, belief and affect among women than among men. The present study reported the responses of 1,583 16- to 17-year-old and 1,191 18- to 19-year-old Catholic students within the Republic of Ireland who completed the McGrady Religious Affect Scale (McRAS) in 2003. Among neither age group was a significant difference found between the scores recorded by males and by females. This finding is consistent with the view that young Catholic women may be losing confidence in their religious heritage more rapidly than young Catholic men