Friday Roundup

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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Welcome back! This week on TSP we’ve got social science research on intimate partner violence, male victims of sexual assault, and how lynchings matter for current punitive attitudes. We’ve also got sociological takes on unplanned pregnancies and civil justice.

There’s Research on That!:

“The Pervasive Problem of Intimate Partner Violence,” by Mark Lee.  With the release of Jordan Peele’s recent documentary about Lorena Bobbitt, who retaliated against her husband John after years of alleged abuse, we rounded up social science research on intimate partner violence.

“When Boys are Victims of Sexual Assault,” by Amber Joy Powell. HBO’s airing of Leaving Neverland got us thinking about an often-neglected group of sexual assault survivors — adolescent boys. We gathered sociological research examining how masculinity and heterosexuality shape boys’ experiences of sexual victimization.

Discoveries:

“The Legacy of Lynchings,” by Caity Curry. New research in Criminology finds that in places where lynchings were historically more common, white residents report increased punitive sentiments toward Black people.

Clippings:

“Why Access to Civil Justice Matters,” by Caity Curry. The New York Times talks with Rebecca Sandfeur about why access to civil justice matters.

“When Unplanned Doesn’t Mean Unwanted Pregnancy,” by Javiera Lamoza Osorio. The New York Times discusses the important difference between “unplanned” and “unwanted” pregnancies with Heather Rackin.

From Our Partners:

Sociological Images:

“What Makes “Green Book” an Unusual Oscar Winner,” by Andrew M. Lindner.

Contexts:

“Cedric Herring’s Lasting Legacy: A Tribute,” by Hayward Derrick Horton and Loren Henderson.

Council on Contemporary Families:

“The Real Mommy War Is Against the State,” by Caitlyn Collins.

And from the Community Pages:

• Cyborgology reflects on the history of corporate greenwashing and data privacy.
• Dispatches from a Dean highlights a recent Vox map showing how the racial makeup of neighborhoods changes throughout the day.

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Hello sociology-fans! This week we’ve got new research on how gender matters for beer ratings, why senior citizens are spending more to help their grandchildren, and how The Great British Baking Show can help you give effective feedback.

Teaching TSP:

“The Great British Baking Show and Improving Student Feedback,” by Andrea Krieg. Krieg reflects on how judges from The Great British Baking Show can help teachers and mentors provide effective feedback.

There’s Research on That!:

“Bias and Transgender Personnel in the U.S. Military,” by Lucas Lynch. We rounded up social science research on military attitudes towards transgender personnel and misconceptions about the effects of transgender personnel on military readiness.

Discoveries:

“The Beer Glass Ceiling,” by Mark Lee. New research in Social Forces finds that female entrepreneurs must pass a high bar if they want to enter traditionally masculine fields, while men who make traditionally feminine products are given the benefit of the doubt.

Clippings:

“Seniors Tap Savings to Help Grandchildren,” by Amy August. In an interview for The Atlantic, sociologist Kathleen Gerson explains that sometimes grandparents provide help to the younger generations, even if doing so comes at a cost to themselves.

“U.S. Intervention and the Crisis in Venezuela,” by Lucas Lynch. In a recent article in The Nation, sociologists Tim Gill and Rebecca Hanson reflect on the importance of the chavistas in Venezuela’s presidential crisis.

From Our Partners:

Sociological Images:

“High-Class Hoaxes,” by Evan Stewart.

Council on Contemporary Families:

“Not All Stepgrandparents are the Same: Long-term Versus Later-Life,” by Lawrence Ganong and Marilyn Coleman.

And from the Community Pages:

• Cyborgology reflects on work and the value of data maintenance and narratives about the future.
• Dispatches from a Dean highlights a CityLab article on race, class, and bike-friendly cities.

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Welcome back! This week we’ve got sociological takes on the meaning of prison tattoos, how gender matters for regretted hookups, and masculinity in a recent Gillette ad. To wrap up Black History Month, we reflect on three Black women who contributed to sociology in its early days.

Teaching TSP:

“Are Women People? Teaching Simone de Beauvoir with Sociological Images,” by Meghan Krausch. This class activity uses a Sociological Images post to discuss Beauvoir’s concept of woman as “other.”

There’s Research on That!:

“Unearthing Black Women’s Early Contributions to Sociology,” by Amber Joy Powell and Caity Curry. As Black History Month draws to a close, we reflect on the contributions of three influential Black women.

“The Meaning of Prison Tattoos,” by Isabel Arriagada. We rounded up social science research on the social meaning and function of prison tattoos.

Discoveries:

“How Gender Matters for Regretted Hookups,” by Allison Nobles. New research in The Sociological Quarterly finds that gendered power relations, combined with social norms and beliefs about sex, contribute to who regrets casual sex.

Clippings:

“Masculinity and The Gillette Ad Controversy,” by Javiera Lamoza Osorio. Vox talks with Tristan Bridges about the Gillette Ad controversy and masculinity.

From Our Partners:

Sociological Images:

“‘People of Wealth’ in Politics,” by Evan Stewart.

Contexts:

“Reaching Out, An Interview with Mario Luis Small,” by Fabio Rojas.

Council on Contemporary Families:

“Does Cooperative Divorced Coparenting Matter?” by Jessica Troilo, Jonathon Beckmeyer, and Melinda Markham.

Social Studies MN:

“Comments and Imagined Audiences on News Websites vs. Facebook,” by Allison J. Steinke.

And from the Community Pages:

• Cyborgology reflects on the need to talk about disability in our conversations about climate change.

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Welcome back! This week we’ve got new takes on love behind bars, W.E.B. Dubois, schools’ role in inequality, and accusations against R. Kelly.

There’s Research on That!:

“Love Behind Bars,” by Isabel Arriagada. For Valentine’s Day, we rounded up research on how relationships work during incarceration.

“What Would W.E.B. Dubois Do?” by Neeraj Rajasekar. For Black History Month, we explore a well-known Black intellectual who was also a sociologist, W.E.B. Dubois!

Discoveries:

“Schools Shrink Home-grown Gaps in Math and Reading,” by Amy August. New research in Sociology of Education finds that schools can shrink early achievement gaps.

Clippings:

“Survivors and Racialized Rape Myths,” by Amber Joy Powell. Saida Grundy’s recent piece in The Atlantic helps us break down how Black support for R. Kelly remains despite the shocking revelations from Black women about their experiences of violence.

“Revisiting Familiar Fears in Border Politics,” by Lucas Lynch. The Washington Post reviews work by Doug Massey on what the U.S.-Mexico border symbolizes.

From Our Partners:

Sociological Images:

“Flipping the Script on Romance,” by Evan Stewart.

“Page, Pratt, and Politics at the Pulpit,” by Evan Stewart.

Council on Contemporary Families:

“Household Instability and Complexity among Undocumented Immigrants,” by Youngmin Yi.

And from the Community Pages:

• Dispatches from a Dean highlights an article from Wired on facial recognition technology. 

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Hello friends! This week we’ve got research on political polarization, cross-class marriages, and the relationship between gender, reproductive decision-making and mental health. We’ve also got some great sociological takes on child support, as well as the decision to give kids an allowance.

There’s Research on That!:

“Cross-Class Marriages and Families,” by Amy August and Caity Curry. It’s almost Valentine’s Day and we’ve rounded up research on marriages between people with different class backgrounds.

“The Political Polarization Phenomenon,” by Allison J. Steinke. It seems like political polarization is everywhere, so we rounded up social science research on how we define political polarization and how much really exists.

Discoveries:

“Gender, Mental Illness, and Reproductive Decision Making,” by Caity Curry. New research in Society and Mental Health finds that mental health professionals use both coercive and non-coercive techniques in facilitating reproductive decisions for their clients diagnosed with mental illnesses like schizophrenia and major depression.

Clippings:

“Focus On The People, Not The Wall,” by De Andre’ T. Beadle. In a recent op-ed for the MinnPost, an interdisciplinary team of expert immigration scholars at the University of Minnesota reflects on administrative changes to the ‘public charge’ rule and its potential consequences.

“Childhood Chores as Community Obligations, Not Monetary Exchanges,” by Jean Marie Maier. The Atlantic talks to Heather Beth Johnson about community, inequality, and giving children allowances.

From Our Partners:

Sociological Images:

“Doing Gender with Backpacks,” Jacqui Frost.

Contexts:

“The Deadbeat Presidency,” by Rodrigo Dominguez-Martinez.

Council on Contemporary Families:

“Who Goes to Jail for Child Support Debt?” Elizabeth Cozzolino.

Social Studies MN:

“Gendered Partisanship in the US House,” by Allison J. Steinke.

And a Few from the Community Pages:

• Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies features a valuable teaching resource.
• Cyborgology ponders opposing barometers between the digital news media and influencers.
• Dispatches from a Dean highlights an article about how misunderstandings of “Black English” can have serious consequences.

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Welcome back! We’re thrilled to announce the winner of our 2018 ‘Teach with TSP’ contest, Dr. Meghan Krausch! In new content, we’ve got research on food and sports, development and intervention in the Global South, and stepchildren’s views of former stepparents.

Teaching TSP:

And the winner is …

“Using TROTs for Teaching: Connecting the Indian Child Welfare Act to Boarding Schools,” by Meghan Krausch. In this class discussion, Krausch uses a post from  “There’s Research on That!” to get students thinking about a recent court ruling.

There’s Research on That!:

“A Place at the (Global Development) Table,” by Brooke Chambers. In light of this year’s World Economic Forum meetings, we rounded up social science research on the relationship between international business, development, and intervention in the Global South.

“Food and Sports Beyond the Couch Potato,” by Jean Marie Maier. The Superbowl is coming up this weekend, so we rounded up social science research on the relationship between athletics and eating.

Clippings:

“Presidents Pick the Power Elite,” by Mark Lee. In a recent op-ed for the Washington Post, Timothy Gill discusses presidential cabinet ties to big business.

“How White Niceness Reinforces Racial Inequality,” by Caity Curry. In a recent op-ed for The Guardian, Robin DiAngelo explains how niceness is central to the myth that racism is about “individual acts of intentional meanness.”

From Our Partners:

Contexts:

“Perceptions of Police Procedural Justice,” by Han Kleman.

Council on Contemporary Families:

“Stepchildren’s Views about Former Stepparents Following Stepfamily Dissolution,” by Marilyn Coleman and Lawrence Ganong.

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Hi Everyone! We’re gearing up for another great semester here at TSP headquarters. This week we’re featuring our final honorable mention winner for our ‘Teach with TSP’ contest. Come back next week to see the winning submission! In new pieces, we’ve got research on the social experiences of infertility, why children re-enter the foster care system after being reunited with their parents, and the marriage market gap.

Teaching TSP:

“Teaching Gender with Blogging,” by Ruth M. Hernández. In this assignment, students write a blog post over the semester to explore a topic related to gender.

There’s Research on That!:

“Social Experiences of Infertility,” by Allison Nobles. Michelle Obama talks about her own struggles with fertility in her new book, so we rounded up research on the social experiences of infertility.

“Government Shutdown,” by TSP Editors. We brought back an oldie but goodie in light of the current U.S. government shutdown.

Discoveries:

“For Some Foster Children, “Permanency” Isn’t Permanent,” by Mark Lee. New research in the Journal of Marriage and Family finds that children who were placed in foster care because of parental substance abuse and neglect face greater challenges to being reunited with their parents for good.

From Our Partners:

Contexts:

“The Marriage Market Gap,” by Paige Miller.

Council on Contemporary Families:

“Per Coontz, Equality is Agenda for All Working People Not Just Feminists,” by Virginia Rutter.

“Separating Migrant Families, as Practiced around the Globe,” by Maria Cecilia Hwang, Carolyn Choi, and Rhacel Parreñas.

And a Few from the Community Pages:

• Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies reflects on antisemitism in high schools, as well as the Genocide Convention 70 years later
• Dispatches from a Dean highlights a recent CityLab article visualizing how Americans commute to work.

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Welcome back! This week we’re featuring another honorable mention from our ‘Teach with TSP’ contest about doing gender with backpacks. We also revisit sexual double standards and the precarious work of formerly incarcerated individuals. In new work, we’ve got sociological takes on intensive parenting, reflections on fast food in the White House, and new study on American intimacy.

Teaching TSP:

“Doing Gender with Backpacks,” by Jacqui Frost. In this activity, students read a Sociological Images article about ‘doing gender,’ then analyze the contents of their own backpacks using this lens.

There’s Research on That!:

*~* Best of 2018 *~*

“Best of 2018: Sexual Double Standards,” by Amber Joy Powell. We rounded up social science research on the persistence of sexual double standards between men and women.

Discoveries:

“Best of 2018: Out of Prison, Into Precarity,” by Isabel Arriagada. New research in the American Journal of Sociology finds that formerly incarcerated individuals work in intermittent, short-term, and precarious jobs to make ends meet.

Clippings:

“The Problems with Intensive Parenting,” by Amy August. The New York Times talks with sociologists about how and why parenting has gotten so relentless.

From Our Partners:

Sociological Images:

“White House Fast Food and the Cultural Politics of Distinction,” by Alison Hope Alkon.

“The Social Side of Gender and Strength,” by Maura Kelly.

Contexts:

“Risk and Race in Measuring Special Education Need,” by George Farkas and Paul L. Morgan.

Council on Contemporary Families:

“American Intimacy in Times of Escalating Inequality,” by Virginia Rutter and Stephanie Coontz.

And a Few from the Community Pages:

• Cyborgology reflects on technology and teens’ mental health.

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Hello! This week we’re excited to announce the first honorable mention from our Teaching with TSP contest! Lydia Hou uses TSP content to get students thinking about small changes that can make big differences for people’s health and well-being. We’ll be sharing more of our honorable mentions in the next couple weeks leading up to the announcement of our contest winner. In other new content this week, we’ve got new research on the age-old question, “do we really need to learn math?” In addition, you can find sociological perspectives on what its like to care for a baby while living in poverty, and the relationship between sexism and the names of rock climbing routes.

Teaching TSP:

“Health Tracking Technologies Class Activity,” by Lydia J. Hou. Hou uses this in-class activity in an  Introduction to Sociology course to engage students in critical thinking about small changes that can be made to address people’s micro experiences with health issues and inequalities.

There’s Research on That!:

*~* Best of 2018 *~*

“Best of 2018: Settler Colonialism and Minnesota’s “Wall of Forgotten Natives”,” by Brieanna Watters and Caity Curry. In light of the recent homeless encampment in Minneapolis, made up of primarily American Indians, we rounded up social science research on settler colonialism and resistance to it.

Discoveries:

“Is Calculus Integral?” by Jean Marie Maier. New research in The Sociological Quarterly finds that although knowing advanced math matters for college attainment, it’s rarely used in the actual workplace.

Clippings:

*~* Best of 2018 *~*

“Best of 2018: The Sociology Behind the X-Files,” by Isabel Arriagada. New York Magazine talks to Joseph O. Baker about the social context behind Americans’ beliefs about UFOs.

From Our Partners:

Sociological Images:

“Illusions Show How Our Methods Matter,” by Evan Stewart.

“Self-Help Sociology,” by Evan Stewart.

Contexts:

“Playing Foreign and Building Community at Deer Park,” by Dana Nakano.

“Justifying Gentrification,” by Sara Schmidt.

Council on Contemporary Families:

“Diapers, Depression and Gender Matter for Social Policy,” by Jennifer Randles and Barbara Risman.

Midwest Sociology:

“‘Meet the Midwest!’ Talking with Dr Thornhill,” by Neeraj Rajasekar.

And a Few from the Community Pages:

• Engaging Sports ponders sexism and rocking climbing route names.

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