Final answer:
Older women engage more in religious activities and hold stronger beliefs than men a finding supported by research despite historical religious leadership being largely male-dominated.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that older women tend to have higher levels of religious participation and belief than do men. This statement is supported by the work of Steven E. Barkan and Susan Greenwood in their 2003 study, "Religious Attendance and Subjective Well-Being among Older Americans: Evidence from the General Social Survey." The study found that religious attendance and connections often correlate with heightened wellbeing among older demographics, with data suggesting that older women participate more actively in religious practices and hold stronger religious beliefs than their male counterparts.
Historically, despite religions like Roman and Catholic having male-dominated structures, there have been notable exceptions where women played significant roles, such as the priestesses of Isis and the Vestal Virgins. Feminist theorists critique the gender inequality in religious leadership and advocate for more inclusive roles for women within religious contexts. In contemporary society, religious socialization patterns continue to influence the adoption of religious beliefs and practices, as indicated by the fact that children raised in a particular faith are likely to adopt that faith later in life.