Religion, meaning and masculinities: Religion in the lives of men in Finland

This project explores what religion means to men and how the role of religion is changing among men in Finland. Recent statistical data suggest an increase in religiousness among young men. However, religious change has not previously been analysed from the perspective of men and their religious experience. We focus on three themes: what is religion to men and what role does it play for them; what kinds of continuities and changes in religion exist across generations and over the life course of men; and how are religion, meaning and masculinities intertwined in the lives of men. We approach these questions using with both survey data and qualitative co-research approaches. We study men’s lived religion in life transitions, in faith communities, and beyond religion: in other areas of life in which men seek meaning in their lives. By gaining novel insight into the religious lives of men, we also deepen our understanding of the changing role of religion in the Western world.