Hello friends! This week we’ve got a new teaching activity on names of places, social science research on parental incarceration, and sociological takes on why screen-time guidelines may not reflect the realities of all families.

Teaching TSP:

“Using Rock Climbing to Teach about Sexism, Racism, and Colonialism,” by Meghan Krausch. In this interactive activity, students read a recent post by Engaging Sports and research place names in their communities.

There’s Research on That!:

“The Impact of Parental Incarceration on Children and Families,” by Isabel Arriagada and Caity Curry. By 2012, nearly 2.6 million children had a parent in prison or jail. We rounded up social science research on the effects of parental incarceration on children and families.

Clippings:

“Screen Time in Summer Time,” by Amy August. The Atlantic talks with Jessica Calarco about how screen time guidelines make assumptions that may not be true for all families

And from the Community Pages:

• Cyborgology reflects on the status hierarchy of track changes when editing.

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Welcome back! This week we’ve got social science research on Elizabeth Warren’s student debt plan, how Black motherhood is political, and why Black girls get left out of “police talk.”

There’s Research on That!:

“The Sociologists Behind Warren’s Education and Debt Plans,” by Jean Marie Maier. Meet the sociologists who influenced Elizabeth Warren’s ambitious plan for free college and student loan relief.

Discoveries:

“Do Black Girls Matter in Police Talk?” by Amber Joy Powell. New research in Gender & Society finds that Black girls are left out of public discourse regarding police violence and the everyday “police talk” Black mothers use to teach their children how to navigate interactions with law enforcement.

Clippings:

“Black Motherhood as Political Struggle,” by Amber Joy Powell. The Nation draws on research from Patricia Hill Collins and other social scientists to demonstrate how Black motherhood is a political struggle.

From Our Partners:

Council on Contemporary Families:

“Revisit: CCF Mother’s Day Symposium on Housework, Gender and Parenthood,” by Stephanie Coontz.

And from the Community Pages:

• Cyborgology ponders why the Japanese custom-fit clothing company shut down its international operations and what it means for the rest of us.
• Dispatches from a Dean reflects on media literacy for Generation Z.

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Hello sociology friends! This week we’ve got social science research on the relationship between housing and health, the gender gap in teaching evaluations, and how the private bail industry profits from women of color.

There’s Research on That!:

“Housing Security and Health,” by Allison Nobles. One important and under-appreciated aspect of housing insecurity involves health, and sociologists have shown that the relationships between health and housing are more complicated than you might imagine. 

Discoveries:

“Perfection, but not Brilliance in Teaching Evaluations,” by Jean Marie Maier. New research in American Sociological Review finds that the number of points in a rating scale might reduce the size of gender gaps.

Clippings:

“Politics, Protests and Activist Memes,” by Allison J. Steinke. VICE talks with James M. Jasper about activist memes.

“How Private Bail Profits from Women of Color,” by Caity Curry. The Appeal talks with Josh Page about how the private bail industry excessively profits from low-income women and women of color.

From Our Partners:

Contexts:

“Disrupting the Racial Wealth Gap,” by Melvin L. Oliver and Thomas M. Shapiro.

Sociological Images:

“The Stakes of Steak,” by Allison Nobles.

Council on Contemporary Families:

“Even Gender Inequality is Unequal,” by Virginia Rutter.

Social Studies MN:

“The Ins and Outs of the IMF,” by Neeraj Rajasekar.

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Welcome back! This week we’ve got a special feature on African American reparations, and social science research on sex trafficking discourse and reentry in Rwanda. Take a look at Contexts‘ symposium on college admissions, inequality, and higher education.

Special Feature:

“The Case for African American Reparations, Explained,” by Joe R. Feagin. Feagin explains why the case for reparations may be gaining traction in the United States.

There’s Research on That!:

“Sex Trafficking Discourse and Policy,” by Allison J. Steinke. Social science research explores sex trafficking and sex work, two terms that are often conflated.

Clippings:

“Reentry and Reconciliation in Rwanda,” by Brooke Chambers. Hollie Nyseth Brehmand Laura C. Frizzell explain the reentry process for Rwandans convicted of genocidal crimes for The New York Times.

“Why American Mothers are the Most Stressed,” by Javiera Lamoza Osorio. CNBC talks with Caitlyn Collins about why American moms are stressed and how policy change might be able to help.

From Our Partners:

Contexts:

“Varsity Blues and Lawsuits, Too,” by W. Carson Byrd.

Sociological Images:

“The Social Side of Sales,” by Evan Stewart.

Council on Contemporary Families:

“Gender Structures Every Aspect of Life,” by Barbara Risman.

And from the Community Pages:

• Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies interviews Daniel Reynolds about his recent book, Postcards from Auschwitz.
• Engaging Sports reflects on the demise of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League and the sociological importance of tennis.

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Hello! This week we’ve got social science research on the expanding field of journalism, indigenous identities, and the future of public education.

There’s Research on That!:

“Drones, Journalists and Hackathons,” by Allison J. Steinke.  As the field of journalism expands beyond reporters and editors to other content creators like WikiLeaks, we rounded up research on these newcomers and the future of journalism.

Discoveries:

“Indicating Indigenous Identity,” by Neeraj Rajasekar. New research in Sociology of Race and Ethnicity discusses how Indigenous People in the United States use different strategies to “prove” their group heritage.

Clippings:

“Officiant-Friends and Wedding Norms,” by Allison Nobles. The Atlantic talks with sociologist Ellen Lamont about why more couples are choosing to have their friends marry them.

“The Necessity of Public Schools,” by Jean Marie Maier. Vox talks about the future of public education with Adia Harvey Wingfield.

From Our Partners:

Contexts:

“In Public office, Out of the Public Eye,” by Emily Campbell.

Sociological Images:

“Contemptible Collectibles,” by Jacqueline Clark.

Council on Contemporary Families:

“Gender, Tech Jobs, and Hidden Biases that Make a Difference,” by Koji Chavez.

Social Studies MN:

“The Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies,” by Brooke Chambers.

And from the Community Pages:

• Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies ponders what Americans knew about the Holocaust in the 1930s and 40s.
• Dispatches from a Dean highlights Earth Day and cities.

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Hello everyone! This week we’ve got social science research on taxes, black women and health disparities, and the relationship between meat and masculinity. You can also find sociological takes on the complexity of toxic masculinity and the increasing rate of bisexual identification.

There’s Research on That!:

“No Taxation Without Sociological Imagination,” by Mark Lee. For tax day, we rounded up research on who pays how much to Uncle Sam.

“Black Women and Health Disparities,” by Amy August and De Andre’ T. Beadle. Black women face serious health disparities in the United States, so we rounded up research on medicine and wellness at the intersections of race and gender.

Discoveries:

“Masculinity, Medium Rare,” by Allison Nobles. New research in Socius finds that men who experience a threat to their masculinity are more likely to express attachment to meat.

Clippings:

“The Social Complexity of Toxic Masculinity,” by Allison Nobles. In a recent article in The Atlantic Michael Salter talks with Raewyn Connell about why toxic masculinity isn’t itself to blame for gender violence and inequality.

“How the Politics of Racial Resentment Hurts Everyone,” by Lucas Lynch. Vox talks with Jonathan Metzl about while working-class white Americans favor policies that defund programs that could benefit their own health and opportunities.

From Our Partners:

Sociological Images:

“The Bisexual Boom,” by D’Lane Compton and Tristan Bridges.

“The Wildness of Crowds,” by Evan Stewart.

Council on Contemporary Families:

“Combating Gender Bias in Modern Workplaces,” by Alison Wynn and Shelley Correll.

And from the Community Pages:

• Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies reminds us antisemitism was never gone.

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Hello sociology-fans! This week we’ve got sociological research on peace and conflict in Northern Ireland, morality and monetary exchanges, and why legal doctrines are not enough to stop genocide.

There’s Research on That!:

“Peace and Conflict in Northern Ireland,” by Mark Lee. Sociologists explain why peace is so fragile in Northern Ireland by uncovering the structural, religious, and political roots of the conflict.

Discoveries:

“Naming, Blaming, and Claiming Legal Protection from Genocide,” by Brooke Chambers. New research in Genocide Studies and Prevention finds that the existence of legal protections does little to stop genocide without states and international organizations upholding their commitments.

“What Gifts Can Buy,” by Isabel Arriagada. New research in American Sociological Review finds that the line between acceptable and unacceptable monetary exchanges is blurry.

Clippings:

“Discrimination During Legal Border Crossings,” by Javiera Lamoza Osorio. The Chicago Tribune features research by  Alexander Updegrove, Joshua Shadwick, Eryn O’Neal, and Alex Piquero about discrimination during legal border crossings.

“Race & Basketball,” by Amy August. USC Anneberg Media talks with Ben Carrington about racial representation in sports.

From Our Partners:

Sociological Images:

“Sam Smith & The Sociology of Body Shaming,” by Jonathan Harrison.

Contexts:

“Rwanda, Genocide, and Gender-Based Violence,” by Nicole Fox.

Council on Contemporary Families:

“Liberation Based Healing Practices: An Interview with Rhea V. Almeida,” by Joshua Coleman.

And from the Community Pages:

• Cyborgology ponders on k-pop, social media, and networks of (mis)information.
• Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies reflects on the Rwandan Genocide, 25 years later.

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Welcome back! This week we’ve got sociological takes on mug shots, how emotions spread online, and the Marie Kondo phenomenon. Be sure to also check out our new posts featuring social science research on autism across cultures and what jokes tell us about our social context.

There’s Research on That!:

“‘That’s Not Funny!’ Social Context and Humor,” by Allison Nobles. For April Fools Day, we rounded up social science research on how humor varies by context and how it can create solidarity or social divisions.

“Autism Across Cultures,” by Isabel Arriagada and Amy August. To mark World Autism Awareness Day, we gathered social science research on how culture matters for different communities’ views of autism.

Discoveries:

“When College Sports Cost More Than They Save,” by Jean Marie Maier. New research in Sociology of Sport Journal finds that universities assume athletics are a solid investment, but it doesn’t always work that way.

Clippings:

“Your Smile is Contagious, Especially Online,” by Allison J. Steinke. NPR talks with Nicholas Christakis and Jeff Hancock about how emotions transfer online.

“Ending the Mark of a Mugshot,” by Caity Curry. Slate talks with Sara Esther Lageson about how the movement to end the widespread practice of online mugshots highlights broader debates about transparency, free speech, and due process.

From Our Partners:

Council on Contemporary Families:

“Deep Stuff: A Sociologist Sorts Through the Marie Kondo Phenomenon,” by Michelle Janning.

Social Studies MN:

“The Minnesota Youth Story Squad,” by Neeraj Rajasekar.

And from the Community Pages:

• Cyborgology reflects on families in the age of genetic testing and how data economies matter.
• Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies provides a guide to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival.
• Engaging Sports argues it’s time to invest in women’s soccer.

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Welcome back! This week we’ve got research on how constructions of merit help reproduce inequality, how brain injuries involve changing identities, and the relationship between health and missing utility payments.

There’s Research on That!:

“Constructing Merit in College Admissions,” by Jean Marie Maier. In light of the college admissions scandal, we rounded up research on how constructions of merit help reproduce inequality.

“Reconstructing Identity after a Brain Injury,” by Allison Nobles. To mark Brain Injury Awareness Month, we delve into social science research on how recovery from a brain injury involves changes to identity, social relationships, and everyday routines.

Discoveries:

“When Poor Health Means Past Due,” by Allison Nobles. New research in Sociological Perspectives finds that changes in health predicts missed utility and housing payments more than changes in income.

Clippings:

“Artificial Intelligence, Empathy and Moderating Online Communities,” by Allison J. Steinke. The Verge interviews Katherine Cross about artificial intelligence technology as a way to moderate online communities.

“False Meritocracy in the Elite Workplace,” by Jean Marie Maier. The Atlantic talks with Daniel Laurison about how the culture and personnel of professional firms benefit upper-class workers.

From Our Partners:

Sociological Images:

“Forging New Paths,” by Evan Stewart.

Contexts:

“Ethnographers in Cars with Guns,” by Steven Lubet.

Council on Contemporary Families:

“Children and Happiness: Are Parents in the U.S. Becoming Happier over Time?” by Jennifer Glass.

And from the Community Pages:

• Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies reflects on the Never Again Education Act and historical naming in Minnesota.
• Dispatches from a Dean ponders cashless retail.

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Hello and happy spring! This week we’ve got tips on teaching immigration, social science research on how the Irish became white, and “hot off the press” research about how personality predicts who you know.

Teaching TSP:

“Why Don’t Immigrants “Just Line Up”? Teaching Immigration in a Hostile Climate,” by Meghan Krausch. In this post, Krausch details how to have a productive discussion about immigration by starting with how the U.S. immigration system actually works.

There’s Research on That!:

“The Luck of the Irish,” by Neeraj Rajasekar. For St. Patrick’s Day, we rounded up research on how the Irish became white in the United States.

Discoveries:

“Does Your Personality Predict Who You Know?” by Amy August. New research in Social Psychology Quarterly finds that your personality traits can predict who is in your social network.

Clippings:

“Measuring American Indian Identities,” by Lucas Lynch. NPR talks with Carolyn Liebler and Desi Rodriguez-Lonebear about how determinations of American Indian identities have changed over time.

From Our Partners:

Sociological Images:

“Forging New Paths,” by Evan Stewart.

“Gender, Confidence, and Who Gets to Be an Expert,” by Jean Marie Maier.

Council on Contemporary Families:

“Are Family Courts Therapeutically Just?,” by Cindy Brooks Dollar.

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