Abstract

MIGUEZ, Daniel P.. La conversión religiosa como estrategia de supervivencia: Los pentecostales y el descenso social durante la "década perdida". Intersecciones antropol. [online]. 2001, n.2, pp.73-89. ISSN 1850-373X.

Pentecostalism grew in Argentina during the 1980s, the 'lost decade', a period of economic decline and impoverishment of the middle and lower classes. For some of those experiencing downward social mobility, Pentecostalism represented a material, as well as a psychological and emotional survival strategy. This type of phenomenon has been found by other researchers in other Latin American countries such as Brazil and Chile. However, there has been no previous research on the limits of Pentecostalism as a survival strategy. Therefore, this article will explore the possible limits of this religion as a source of emotional, material and psychological help, as well as the possibilities that Pentecostalism may offer the poor. According to our findings, as a material strategy Pentecostalism is suitable only for those located at the lower levels of the social ladder. With regards to emotional and psychological strategies, Pentecostalism becomes problematic when women must participate in the labour market. Also, when Pentecostal's traditional methods for facing critical situations fail, Pentecostalism tends to lay the blame on the actual people in crisis. This aggravates the emotional and psychological distress of those already facing critical times

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