Abstract
Katie Gaddini’s The Struggle to Stay: Why Single Evangelical Women Are Leaving the Church offers an evocative and thought-provoking account of evangelical women’s lives in the United States and the United Kingdom. Gaddini, a sociologist at University College London, draws from extensive ethnographic research and her own personal journey to illuminate the complexities of navigating faith, feminism, and identity in male-dominated religious communities. The book is both intimate and analytical, providing a nuanced portrait of the tension between belonging and alienation experienced by single evangelical women.
The book centers on the experiences of four women, supplemented by interviews with over fifty others, as they grapple with the cultural and institutional constraints of evangelical Christianity. Gaddini delves into the ways these women negotiate their faith within a patriarchal framework, from the promises and pressures of purity culture to the idealization of the ‘perfect’ evangelical woman—white, thin, and affluent (p. 124). These women’s struggles are often rooted in the disconnect between the church’s proclaimed inclusivity and its persistent marginalization of single women, as well as its superficial support for gender equality. Gaddini critiques the culture of evangelical churches that ‘allow’ women’s leadership while maintaining systemic barriers to genuine empowerment.
Gaddini’s exploration extends beyond individual narratives to broader sociopolitical dynamics, examining the intersections of evangelicalism, feminism, and cultural identity. She underscores the role of evangelical influencers in shaping ideals of womanhood, critiques gendered double standards in evangelical churches, particularly purity culture’s promises of fulfillment, while examining how women navigate conflicting messages set by men on faith, relationships, and identity (e.g. p. 95, p. 117). Particularly compelling is her critique of evangelicalism’s reliance on ‘hope’ as a tool of both empowerment and suppression—a hope that promises change but often perpetuates stasis (p. 164). By weaving in her own story of leaving the church, Gaddini adds depth to her analysis, embodying the lived tensions she seeks to unravel.
Methodologically, Gaddini succeeds in blending ethnographic storytelling with sociological analysis. Her vivid descriptions and emotional resonance make the book accessible to a broad audience, including scholars, church leaders, and lay readers. However, some theoretical frameworks—such as Michel Foucault’s concept of power—are mentioned but not fully integrated into the analysis. Similarly, the comparative perspective between the U.S. and U.K. evangelical cultures, while insightful, could have been further developed to provide a more comprehensive understanding of regional variations in evangelical practices.
One of the book’s key contributions is its nuanced depiction of evangelical women as agents navigating their own paths rather than passive adherents to patriarchal norms. Gaddini challenges stereotypes of these women as either complicit or rebellious, illustrating instead the dynamic interplay of resistance and conformity in their lives. This complexity is particularly evident in her discussions of how women engage with feminism within evangelical contexts. Rather than espousing a diluted form of feminism, many use feminist principles as a ‘vital weapon’ to challenge entrenched norms and advocate for change within their communities (p. 207).
Despite its strengths, the book leaves certain areas underexplored. For instance, while Gaddini touches on issues of intersectionality, including the marginalization of Black women and LGBTQ+ individuals within evangelical spaces, these discussions lack the depth they deserve. Additionally, the framing of the book’s title as focusing on ‘why single evangelical women are leaving the church’ feels overly narrow, as the narratives reflect a broader spectrum of experiences—ranging from withdrawal to re-engagement with faith on new terms.
This book is essential reading for scholars of gender and religion, evangelical leaders, and anyone interested in the evolving role of women in faith communities. Gaddini’s work is particularly valuable for church leaders seeking to understand and address the barriers facing single women within their congregations. With its blend of empathy, critique, and academic rigor, The Struggle to Stay offers a profound exploration of the cost of faith and the resilience of those who seek to reconcile their spiritual and personal identities. It is a call to action for more inclusive and equitable church practices and a testament to the strength of women navigating the complexities of modern evangelicalism.