Study Shows That Atheist Women Face Stigma, Often Hide Their Beliefs to Avoid Judgment, and Seek Support from Like-Minded Communities in a Religious Society

A woman partially obscured by a translucent veil, representing the concealment of her beliefs. Illustration by the author.

The study “A Grounded Theory Study of Atheist Women in the United States” by Dr. Dena Abbott looks at how atheist women live in a mostly Christian society. Women often face more judgment than men, so many hide their beliefs to avoid conflict or discrimination. Dr. Abbott interviewed 31 atheist women and found that hiding their beliefs is common, especially around family, work, and healthcare.

Atheist women are often seen as “immoral,” and former religious women may have a harder time adjusting to their new identity. Many deal with being an atheist by deciding carefully who to tell, using humour, or joining supportive atheist groups. Hiding their beliefs can be stressful and lonely, but connecting with other atheists helps. The study shows that society could do more to make it easier for women to be open about their beliefs .

Reference:
Abbott, D. M., & Anaya, E. J. (2022). “Breaking Free”: A grounded theory study of atheist women in the United States. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 46(4), 501–517. https://doi.org/10.1177/03616843221115338