Bader, Christopher David.Palmer-Boyes, Ashley E.Baylor University. Dept. of Sociology.2008-06-092017-04-072008-06-092017-04-072008-052008-06-09http://hdl.handle.net/2104/5165Includes bibliographical references (p. 37-42).Labor market trends are often examined in light of their economic significance. However, little attention has been devoted to the relationship between economic trends and their potential impact on religion. Focusing on the consequences of economic restructuring, I argue that labor market variables have consequences for rates of religious adherence. Specifically, I examine an industry which well exemplifies the consequences of restructuring in the Midwestern United States, the meat processing industry. As a result of restructuring, many processors have relocated to rural communities in the Midwest, which lack a sufficient native labor supply to meet the employment needs of the packing plants, which have characteristically high rate of turnover. Consequently, packing plants have recruited and rely heavily on Hispanic immigrant labor to sustain operations. As Hispanic immigrants migrate to rural Midwestern counties, they bring their religion with them, over time increasing the share of Catholic adherents in their destination communities.vi, 42 p. : ill.871946 bytes210701 bytesapplication/pdfapplication/pdfen-USBaylor University theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact librarywebmaster@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.Hispanic Americans --- Middle West -- Population.Hispanic American Catholics --- Middle West -- Population.Packing-house workers --- Middle West.Meat industry and trade --- Middle West.Alien labor --- Middle West.Immigrants --- Middle West.Middle West -- Religious life and customs.ThesisWorldwide access