The world population has been shifting. Many so-called “developed” nations are witnessing declining populations while their “developing” counterparts are experiencing population surges. Concurrent with these changes, religious populations are also evolving, with projections indicating that the Muslim population will potentially equal or surpass the Christian population in size in the forthcoming decades. Such trends suggest a possible relationship between religion and demography. Does higher religiosity mean higher fertility? Vice versa? Or are they both byproducts of other phenomena? Through the research, I want to examine the causal relationship between the two variables.
I aim to apply Sociologist Emile Durkheim’s theory of religion in a modern context of shifting demographics. Durkheim was one of the first to employ sociological tools to study religion. In contrast to those prioritizing empirical evidence, Durkheim underscores social feelings as a determinant of the “health of societies.” During the Industrialization, Durkheim expressed concerns regarding the erosion of social solidarity. Consequently, he undertook a scientific examination of religion as an institution capable of reflecting and fostering moral solidarity. According to him, religion facilitates collective conscience, binding individuals together through shared values and a sense of connectedness. Religion rules individual behaviors, including their approach to family life and reproduction. However, belief in its supernatural power and divinity is essential for such effects.
While Durkheim acknowledges the influence of religiosity on reinforcing social unity and family structure, he does not explicitly connect religion and the fertility rate. Therefore, my research seeks to substantiate this connection by exploring whether believing in a higher being contributes to social cohesion and whether the fertility rate mirrors varying degrees of social cohesion.
Based on Durkheim’s theory, my hypothesis posits that religiosity and its influence on reproduction may vary across regions due to differing levels of rationalization and industrialization. To test this hypothesis, I will compare religiosity, fertility rates, and levels of development between “developed” regions and “developing” regions. I will utilize a selection of sample countries, such as the United States, South Korea, and Nigeria, for in-depth case studies.
Moreover, by applying Durkheim’s theory to the study of demography, I aspire to prompt more reflection on the social function of religion. Regarding religion, there has been a greater emphasis on individual spirituality, culture, or religious conflicts. However, as Durkheim states, religion has been an integral element of what makes society a society to its members. Hence, it can serve as valuable evidence for evaluating the health of societies alongside other quantitative indicators.
Author: Jungyeon Lee