Confession Demographics

[PrayForMeStJude]

Hi all,

I began wondering about something a few weeks ago after waiting in line for confession. To provide some context, let me say that in the past few years I have moved and traveled quite a bit, and been to confession in various Churches in the US and abroad. So my observations are based on more than a one-time occurrence, and I was wondering if other people could share their observations as well.

In any case, a few weeks ago for confession there were two young ladies in line, around college-aged to mid-20s like myself, and it made me realize that I do not often see women of that age group in line for confession. When I reflect on confessions before and since then, it seems to me that the demographics of the confession line seem to break down this way:

• Somewhere close to half or a third of the people are elderly (or getting there), of both genders.
• Women in their 30s-50’s who come with their young children are often a pretty big portion,
• And the other big portion seems to be men of my age, around their 20s.

It seems to me that the demographic group I see the least is 20-something-year-old women. Has anyone else noticed this or am I way off? If this seems to be a trend, what might be the reason? Might women of that age feel particularly uncomfortable confessing to male priests in ways that young girls and older women wouldn’t? Or are women of that age far holier than men of that age?

Thoughts?

 

[MissRose73]

Every time I go, its different demographics of people in line to confess. Men and women, teens and college students, senior citizens, etc. Its hard to judge by age sometimes as I am in my 30’s and have been mistaken for being in my 20’s.

In my 20’s, I usually went 1 or 2 times a year. Only recently, have I decided to go more often and I feel better after going. I’ve gone 3 or 4 times this year alone. My goal next year is to go at minimum 4 times in a year unless I have a need to go more than that.

 

[puzzleannie]

cannot possibly answer without knowing the demographics of the parish and of the city or region
here penitents are all ages, but since we have 2 college campuses in town, our parish and the neighboring one get a fair share of 20-somethings.

 

[PrayForMeStJude]

cannot possibly answer without knowing the demographics of the parish and of the city or region
here penitents are all ages, but since we have 2 college campuses in town, our parish and the neighboring one get a fair share of 20-somethings.

Well, that’s why I made my comment about the various locations in which I have been to confession in the past few years. These include Central California, Northern Virginia, and London. Demographically, very different places. But I feel like my general observations fit all of them.

That group at Georgetown that studies mass attendance and whatnot should do a study.

 

[Nelka]

Always the same when I go. 50+ maybe even 60+ I cannot remember the last time I saw someone young or a child or someone in their 30’s (excluding my wife and myself).

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I haven’t notice sex and ages, but note a high proportion of Asians. Our parish is nearly half Asian. This month we will have three penitential services - two Vietnamese and one English. There will be large number of Vietnamese at the English service.

 

[PrayForMeStJude]

I haven’t notice sex and ages, but note a high proportion of Asians. Our parish is nearly half Asian. This month we will have three penitential services - two Vietnamese and one English. There will be large number of Vietnamese at the English service.

Sounds quite a bit like where I was in Stockton. We had a very sizeable Vietnamese community. Their piety was rather inspiring.

 

[mburn16]

unless said parish is near a military base, its most reasonable to assume that where there are lots of 20-something men, there are lots of 20-something women. I don’t think its unreasonable to consider that women of that age might be all of the following: 1) a bit holier than their male counterparts, 2) more embarrassed about sinning, and 3) less likely to feel the drive to confess.