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Why Young Women Are Leaving the Church in Droves
Unpacking the Female Exodus: What Churches Must Learn Before It’s Too Late
Growing up in the evangelical church, the young women used to outnumber the young men about two to one. So bad was this predicament that our church leadership team held crisis meetings to try to curb the exodus of young men from the church scene.
Not only was it decimating the pool from which the church could draw future leaders (because, of course, the church believed that only men could lead), but it was leaving half the young women bereft of a suitable marriage partner. For every young woman who married, one was destined to remain single because young women were expected to marry good churchmen, preferably from within the congregation.
Those who weren’t fortunate enough to be picked up were encouraged to “serve the Lord” as faithful singles, like the Apostle Paul. However, since marriage was viewed in the church as the ultimate expression of human relationships, these young single women were treated with pity as living something less than lives fully realized.
One of the church elders suggested — only half-jokingly — that polygamy could solve the issue. (After all, it was good enough for King David and Solomon, right?)
Of course, that was back then.
Nowadays, the church is facing an altogether different kind of crisis. In the nineties, it was the men who were leaving the church in droves. But according to the latest research, young women are now abandoning the church in unprecedented numbers.
The Exodus of Young Women
Historically, religious disaffiliation has been more pronounced among men. For instance, in the Baby Boom generation, 57% of those who left their childhood religion were men, and only 43% were women. However, this pattern has reversed among Gen Z adults. A recent survey shows that 54% of Gen Z adults who have left their formative religion are women, while 46% are men. This makes Gen Z the first generation where women are leaving the church at a greater rate than men.
