After the Baby Boomers: How Twenty- and Thirty-Somethings Are Shaping the Future of American Religion (Hardcover)

by Robert Wuthnow (Author)
Key Phrases: vital congregations, spiritual tinkering, religious surfers, United States, General Social Surveys, Asian Americans (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. In a volume sure to change how pundits and clergy think about religion in the contemporary U.S., prolific Princeton sociologist Wuthnow (American Mythos) assembles and analyzes a vast amount of data about the religious lives of Americans aged 21 to 45. His interests include the extent to which younger adults participate in organized worship, as well as how they think about spirituality, the relationship between religion and politics, and theology. Wuthnow insists that in some ways, today’s younger adults are similar to their boomer parents—the vitality of small groups, for example, is nothing new. But there are key differences, chief among them the tendency of today’s younger adults to remain single longer than ever before. Married people are significantly more likely to participate in religious communities; at the same time, participation in at least some religious groups may make marriage more likely. Wuthnow argues that our society provides lots of structural support for children and teens, but leaves younger adults to fend for themselves during the decades when they’re making crucial decisions about family and work. Though long passages of dense statistics make for a sometimes clunky read, this book is terrifically important.

Review
"Robert Wuthnow has just published a tremendously valuable book that looks at young adulthood through the prism of religious practice." -- David Brooks, The New York Times

"What is more interesting is Wuthnow's discussion about how this generation of younger adults is shaping the churches in America." -- Regina Linskey, Catholic Online

"What they will find is a challenge to think more broadly about the future of the church." -- Brian McLaren, The Christian Century

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press (July 16, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691127654
• ISBN-13: 978-0691127651
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #218,605 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of statistics, helpfully interpreted, December 6, 2007

By	M. Abe "deeper into faith" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After reading Smith and Denton's book, Soul Searching, with its great statistics on teens and faith, I wanted a book that was similar with information on young adults. I needed facts, not feelings, and this book offers that. I find it fascinating and easy reading, though I must admit I don't study every table carefully! It has been quite useful in my thesis work with young adults and faith.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great and Informative Read, March 18, 2008

By	F. P. Desiano (Queens, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Wurthnow comes with a formidable reputation and he certainly is no slouch in this book which reviews, condenses and depicts the results of many studies of the "post baby boomer" generation(s), sticking with people between the 20s and 45 years of age. He debunks some casual and widely held myths (e.g., how one generation appears to differ from another) and concentrates on the pretty hard numbers that track changes in the life styles of young people. . . and their consequences for churches. This book seems shaped as a resource for pastors, but almost anyone dealing with the young will get a lot out of it. Well worth the price and the read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Sociologist looks at young people, April 19, 2009

By	R. Channing Johnson "Doc J" (Glendale AZ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This books is a must for those who follow Generational Cohorts but suspect it may be pushed too far as the defining mechanism behind Generation X and Y. Wuthnow looks at the differences in life stages Independence, work force, marriage, children) between 21 to 45 year olds in 2000 (Generation X and Y) AND 1974 (Boomers). Lots of good data and analysis in longitudianal studies that comapre two cohorts at the same age. Differences in age of marriage and percent who do not marry, for instance, explains a lot of the differences in attendance and participation in religion. Be ready to plow through lots of data and disciplined conlusions