The Education of Catholic Americans

In this adroit monograph, Andrew Greeley and Peter Rossi try to measure the influence of Catholic schools in both the sacred and secular domains. . . . This book. . . is an important contribution to the growing body of sociological literature on religion and education. The elegance of its methodology is concealed by unpretentious language and, considering the delicacy of the issues it treats, the tone of its policy asides can only be described as amiable. The authors furnish us with an instructive example of how stimulating empirical sociology can be when disciplined intelligence confronts major problems of social science and public policy.

--Marvin Bressler, American Sociological Review

The results of this study are suggestive, not conclusive. That they are the best presently available makes the volume indispensable for anyone who would discuss Catholic education intelligently. Those interested in socialization have something to learn from it as well.

--Robert Hassenger, American Journal of Sociology

Here, then, is a monograph with clearly stated, non-trivial problems and a research design well suited to studying these problems. The analysis of the data was very competently done. The findings have implications for theories of the role of formal schooling in socialization, for theories of the role of religion in America, and for administration of parochial schools. The authors accomplished what they set out to do. What more can a reasonable reviewer ask?

--William Silverman, Review of Religious Research

What difference does it make to the religious and social behavior of American Catholics that they did or did not attend Catholic schools? Greely and Rossi have answered this clearly delimited question from a sample survey of Catholics aged 23 to 58. Because the study is national in scope and expertly conducted, it provides definitive information on the matters it deals with.

--Leila Sussmann, Social Forces

In this adroit monograph, Andrew Greeley and Peter Rossi try to measure the influence of Catholic schools in both the sacred and secular domains. . . . This book. . . is an important contribution to the growing body of sociological literature on religion and education. The elegance of its methodology is concealed by unpretentious language and, considering the delicacy of the issues it treats, the tone of its policy asides can only be described as amiable. The authors furnish us with an instructive example of how stimulating empirical sociology can be when disciplined intelligence confronts major problems of social science and public policy.

--Marvin Bressler, American Sociological Review

The results of this study are suggestive, not conclusive. That they are the best presently available makes the volume indispensable for anyone who would discuss Catholic education intelligently. Those interested in socialization have something to learn from it as well.

--Robert Hassenger, American Journal of Sociology

Here, then, is a monograph with clearly stated, non-trivial problems and a research design well suited to studying these problems. The analysis of the data was very competently done. The findings have implications for theories of the role of formal schooling in socialization, for theories of the role of religion in America, and for administration of parochial schools. The authors accomplished what they set out to do. What more can a reasonable reviewer ask?

--William Silverman, Review of Religious Research

What difference does it make to the religious and social behavior of American Catholics that they did or did not attend Catholic schools? Greely and Rossi have answered this clearly delimited question from a sample survey of Catholics aged 23 to 58. Because the study is national in scope and expertly conducted, it provides definitive information on the matters it deals with.

--Leila Sussmann, Social Forces

-In this adroit monograph, Andrew Greeley and Peter Rossi try to measure the influence of Catholic schools in both the sacred and secular domains. . . . This book. . . is an important contribution to the growing body of sociological literature on religion and education. The elegance of its methodology is concealed by unpretentious language and, considering the delicacy of the issues it treats, the tone of its policy asides can only be described as amiable. The authors furnish us with an instructive example of how stimulating empirical sociology can be when disciplined intelligence confronts major problems of social science and public policy.-

--Marvin Bressler, American Sociological Review

-The results of this study are suggestive, not conclusive. That they are the best presently available makes the volume indispensable for anyone who would discuss Catholic education intelligently. Those interested in socialization have something to learn from it as well.-

--Robert Hassenger, American Journal of Sociology

-Here, then, is a monograph with clearly stated, non-trivial problems and a research design well suited to studying these problems. The analysis of the data was very competently done. The findings have implications for theories of the role of formal schooling in socialization, for theories of the role of religion in America, and for administration of parochial schools. The authors accomplished what they set out to do. What more can a reasonable reviewer ask?-

--William Silverman, Review of Religious Research

-What difference does it make to the religious and social behavior of American Catholics that they did or did not attend Catholic schools? Greely and Rossi have answered this clearly delimited question from a sample survey of Catholics aged 23 to 58. Because the study is national in scope and expertly conducted, it provides definitive information on the matters it deals with.-

--Leila Sussmann, Social Forces