The new and improved Clint Eastwood: Change and persistence in promise keepers self-help literature

Journal/Book: Sociol Relig. 2000; 61: Marist Hall Room 108, Catholic Univ America, Washington, DC 20064, USA. Assoc Sociology Religion. 11-31.

Abstract: Like other expressions of Christian conservatism, the Promise Keepers (PK) often enact complex and strained relationships between social change and social persistence. These strains are evident in the official PK literature, which employs techniques not unlike those used by mainstream pop psychology. These include the use of ''scientific''-like classifications of information, authors presented as ''experts'' on the topic at hand, and the use of exercises to be enacted individually or in small PK discussion groups. Collectively, these strategies suggest that conservative Christians deal with many of the same complex role demands as non-conservatives. In Particular, the PK stance on gender roles, though Promoted as unambiguously ''traditional'' in favoring male leadership and female submission, in actuality often reflects acknowledgment and perhaps acceptance of some of the more egalitarian changes in gender role norms. Sociological implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Note: Article Bloch JP, So Connecticut State Univ, Dept Sociol Anthropol, 501 Crescent St, New Haven,CT 06515 USA

Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM; GENDER; EDUCATION; EQUALITY; FEMINISM; WOMEN

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