Why Was the Relationship Between Church Attendance and Wage Negative Among Younger Adults in the 1980s? An Explanation Based on the US Evidence

Abstract

Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1979 (NLSY79), this study demonstrates that the relationship between church attendance and wage was negative among younger adults in the 1980s. This is contrary to what is predicted by several studies in the literature. Following evidence from earlier research, the current study presents a theoretical model that explains why the relationship between these two variables may be negative for younger adults, when it is positive for older adults, and tests it empirically using data from the NLSY79. The results indicate that the difference in this relationship exists in most cases due to the evidence of a positive relationship between church attendance and school attendance, and a negative relationship between school attendance and fulltime employment among younger adults.