Friday Roundup

Welcome back! This week we’ve got new pieces on how consumers interpret ancestry DNA test results, how green space may help reduce crime rates, and the surprising way social support matters for cancer treatment.

There’s Research on That!:

“Greener Grass, Fewer Crimes?” by Isabel Arriagada. Green areas, like parks, are widely recognized as an indicator of development and social wellbeing. In light of this, we examine social science research on how natural spaces might contribute to social well-being by reducing crime rates.

“Substance Use, Violence, and Risk-Taking Among Male Athletes,” by Jean Marie Maier. During his Supreme Court confirmation hearings, Kavanaugh talked about high school sports as a beneficial, wholesome activity for youth. However, research shows that sport participation is often associated with substance use, violence, and risk-taking among boys and young men in the United States.

Discoveries:

“Determining Identity through DNA,” by Brooke Chambers. New research in the American Journal of Sociology finds that personal experiences and social expectations help determine how consumers respond to ancestry test results.

Clippings:

“It’s Not All Emotional Labor,” by Jean Marie Maier. The Atlantic talks with Arlie Hochschild about how the term she coined, “emotional labor,” has been used far more broadly than she originally intended.

“Can Marriage Cure Cancer?” by Allison Nobles. The Washington Post consults Linda Waite and Susan Brown about the relationship between social support and the type of cancer treatment doctors recommend.

 From Our Partners:

Council on Contemporary Families:

“The Stuff of Holidays: How Holiday Objects Tell a Sociological Story about Today’s Families,” by Michelle Janning.

“Random Families: Genetic Strangers, Sperm Donor Siblings, and the Creation of New Kin,” by Rosanna Hertz and Barbara Risman.

And a Few from the Community Pages:

• Cyborgology analyzes Peloton’s recent holiday ad, reflects on dating and gene editing, and argues for Google to be more transparent.
• Engaging Sports covers the enduring legacy of the “Black Power” salute.

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Welcome back! A big thank you to everyone who submitted to our Teach with TSP contest! Stay tuned as we review the submissions. In new content this week, we’re featuring social science research on distant war and selective empathy, elite education, and social barriers to reporting sexual assault. And check out the fall table of contents for Contexts, published this week.

There’s Research on That!:

“Distant War and Selective Empathy,” by Brooke Chambers. Thousands of Yemen’s civilians have been killed, half of the population is at risk of famine, and over 20 million people need humanitarian aid, and yet it receives little attention in the United States. Research can help explain the lack of coverage of this crisis and why distant conflict may result in selective empathy.

“Easing into the Elite,” by Amy August. The confirmation hearing for the recently appointed Supreme Court Justice, Brett Kavanaugh called public attention to what goes on inside elite, private boarding schools. In light of this, we rounded up social science research on how boarding schools serve the power elite.

Discoveries:

“Counting the Cost of Reporting Sexual Assault,” by Amber Joy Powell. New research in Sociological Science finds that there are many social risks that keep students from reporting sexual assault.

Clippings:

“Young People and the Great Sex Decline,” by Allison Nobles. The Atlantic talks to social scientists, including Lisa Wade, Paula England, and Michael Rosenfeld about why young people aren’t having more sex.

“Does Piety Persist?” by Evan Stewart. The Salt Lake Tribune delves into debates about piety in the United States, covering research by David Voas, Mark Chaves, Landon Schnabel, and Sean Bock.

From Our Partners:

Sociological Images:

“The Age of Hollywood: A Look at May-December Movies,” by Evan Stewart.

Contexts:

“Race, Displacement, and the Public Intellectual: An Interview with Viet Thanh Nguyen,” by Anthony Ocampo.

“Stop Forgetting Asian Americans,” by Anthony Ocampo.

“Letter From the Editors,” by Rashawn Ray and Fabio Rojas.

Council on Contemporary Families:

“Same-Sex Couples Devote More Attention to End-of-Life Plans than Heterosexual Couples,” by Mieke Beth Thomeer, Rachel Donnelly, Corinne Reczek, and Debra Umberson.

And a Few from the Community Pages:

• Cyborgology reflects on racism and good intentions.
• Engaging Sports ponders soccer, race, and empire and asks what counts as a national tragedy?

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It’s a snowy Friday at TSP headquarters, but that won’t stop us from bringing you the latest sociological takes. This week we’ve got social science research on the social construction of gender and sex, colorblind racism in the constitution, and a new teaching exercise using voter fraud to teach students how to evaluate evidence. And don’t forget TODAY is the deadline to send in submissions for The ‘Teach with TSP’ Contest!

Teaching TSP:

“Teaching How to Evaluate Evidence using Voter Fraud,” by Meghan Krausch. An exercise using TSP materials on voter fraud and the voting rights act to teach students how to evaluate evidence.

There’s Research on That!:

“The Social Construction of Gender and Sex,” by Allison Nobles. In light of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ proposal to change the definition of gender to one that is solely biological, we rounded up research on the social construction of gender and sex.

Discoveries:

“Colorblind Racism in the Constitution,” by Caity Curry. New research in Social Problems finds that covert, colorblind racism was present as far back as the creation of the U.S. Constitution.

Clippings:

“Secrets of the Rich Highlight the Plight of the Poor,” by Isabel Arriagada. In a vivid account of her research in The Guardian, Brooke Harrington explains that wealth managers not only preserve and expand the rich’s fortunes, but also cover up drug addictions, promiscuous behavior, secret love affairs, and laziness at work.

“Diversity Debates in College Admissions,” by Neeraj Rajasekar. In a recent article in The Washington Post, Anthony Chen and Lisa M. Stulberg discuss how the pursuit of diversity has a long history in higher education.

From Our Partners:

Sociological Images:

“Gender Reveals Sparking Controversy,” by Evan Stewart.

Contexts:

“Caravan, Invasion, Exodus: A Photo Essay,” by Veronica Montes.

Council on Contemporary Families:

“Response to Arielle Kuperberg, ‘Cohabitation and Divorce: The Importance of Accounting for Age at Coresidence’,” by Michael J. Rosenfeld and Katharina Roesler.

Social Studies MN:

“The Gender Policy Report: Discover the Gender Equity Implications of Policymaking,” by Allison J. Steinke.

Midwest Sociology:

“The Tea Party is More Complicated Than You Think,” by Allison J. Steinke.

And a Few from the Community Pages:

• Center for Holocaust & Genocide Studies talks with Hasan Hasanovic about his experience as a survivor of the Srebrenica genocide.
• Engaging Sports reflects on sporting nationalism and the bus crash associated with the Humboldt Broncos Junior Hockey Team in April.

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This week we’re thankful for social science research on constructive family conversations, affirmative action in Brazil, transracial siblings’ mistaken identities, and school closings in Chicago. And don’t forget to send us your submissions for The ‘Teach with TSP’ Contest by the end of the month!

There’s Research on That!:

“Table Talk for Thanksgiving,” by TSP Grad Board. For Thanksgiving, we brought back research about what family meals mean and how engaging in constructive conversations about political issues may be fruitful.

“Race and Affirmative Action in Brazil,” by Lucas Lynch. In light of the election of right-wing candidate Jair Bolsonaro who has been openly critical of Blacks and the LGBT community, we rounded up research on affirmative action policies in Brazil.

Discoveries:

“How Transracial Adoptees Combat Mistaken Identities,” by Mark Lee. New research in The Sociological Quarterly finds that transracial adoptees and their siblings are often mischaracterized and develop strategies to respond.

Clippings:

“School Closings and Structural Racism in Chicago,” by Jasmine Syed. In a recent interview with Morning Shift radio, Eve Ewing describes systemic issues that contributed to public school closings and their impacts on communities of color. 

From Our Partners:

Sociological Images:

“In Mapping, Size Matters,” by Evan Stewart.

Contexts:

“Taking a Knee,” by Simón E. Weffer, Rodrigo Dominguez-Martinez, and Raymond Jenkins.

Council on Contemporary Families:

“The Data Behind the Headlines: What Research on the Newest Parenting Topics Really Reveals,” by Michelle Janning.

And a Few from the Community Pages:

• Center for Holocaust & Genocide Studies reviews historians’ thoughts about the genocide that was perpetuated by Germany during the Herero and Nama War.
•  Feminist Reflections reflects on labels and the lesbian generational divide.

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Welcome back! This week we’ve got social science research on civil servants’ emotional wellbeing, perceptions of immigrant illegality, and economic disadvantage among people with disabilities. And don’t forget to send us your submissions for The ‘Teach with TSP’ Contest by the end of the month!

There’s Research on That!:

“State Agents Under Pressure,” by Isabel Arriagada. Social science research helps us understand how state actors — like the state officials Trump recently blamed for not doing enough to fight wildfires — manage their roles and maintain their own emotional wellbeing.

Discoveries:

“Perceptions of Immigrant Illegality,” by Lucas Lynch. New research in the American Sociological Review finds that various factors affect perceptions of immigrant illegality, like an individual’s ethnicity, language, economic status, and cultural factors.

“Disability and Cumulative Economic Disadvantage,” by Allison Nobles. New research in Gender & Society finds that the effects of disability on poverty is the strongest for women of color with low levels of education, but the most advantaged groups take the biggest hits in terms of income.

Clippings:

“Measuring Race and Ethnicity in the 2020 Census,” by Lucas Lynch. A recent NBC News article draws from sociological research to argue that the 2020 census should capture racial and ethnic identities for a more accurate picture of the Latino population.

“Intersectionality and Inclusivity in the Workplace,” by Allison J. Steinke. A recent article in The New York Times explores how intersectionality influences men and women of color in the workplace.

From Our Partners:

Sociological Images:

“The Rainbow Connection,” by Evan Stewart.

Contexts:

“What Does Homeownership Buy?” by Mary DeStefano.

Council on Contemporary Families:

“Queer Kinship in Taiwan: An Interview with Amy Brainer,” by Barbara Risman.

Social Studies MN:

“Migration and Migrants in Terrifying Times: Confronting Challenges, Centering Solutions,” by Neeraj Rajasekar.

And a Few from the Community Pages:

• Center for Holocaust & Genocide Studies reflects on racism, antisemitism, and Islamophobia in modern Europe.

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Welcome back to a sociology-filled week at TSP! This week we’ve got research on why the Indian Child Welfare Act matters, how skin tone is related to arrest and incarceration for black Americans, and sociological takes on the recent synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh. And don’t forget to send us your submissions for The ‘Teach with TSP’ Contest by the end of the month!

There’s Research on That!:

“Immigration, Race, and Welfare Attitudes in Europe,” by Neeraj Rajasekar. Based on several European countries’ public discussion about harsher restrictions on migrants’ access to social assistance, we collected research on welfare attitudes and immigration in Europe.

“Why the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Matters,” by Brieanna Watters and Allison Nobles. In light of a federal judge ruling ICWA unconstitutional, we rounded up social science research about the historical context necessitating ICWA’s creation, with respect to the problematic history of child removal from Native communities.

Discoveries:

“Race, Colorism, and the Criminal Justice System,” by Neeraj Rajasekar. New research in Ethnic and Racial Studies finds that black Americans with darker skin tones are more likely to be incarcerated and arrested than those with lighter skin tones.

Clippings:

“Far-Right Extremism and Anti-Religious Violence,” by Caity Curry. In a recent article for The Conversation, Jeff Gruenewald and William Parkin discuss how the recent rise in violence against religious minority communities is often tied to far-right extremist conspiracies and ideological beliefs.

“Protecting Places of Worship,” by Brooke Chambers. In a new article in The Conversation, Christopher Scheitle and Jeffery Ulmer analyze increased protections and the heightened fear among many religious minorities in their spaces of worship.

From Our Partners:

Sociological Images:

“Midterm Voting: A Research Roundup,” by Neeraj Rajasekar, Amber Joy Powell, Caity Curry, and Evan Stewart.

Contexts:

“That’s Not My Size,” by Simone N. Durham.

“Higher Ed can Learn from First-Gen Students,” by Jessica Cob.

Council on Contemporary Families:

“Are Baby Boomers Bringing the Sexual Revolution to Aging? Are Seniors Today Re-defining Sex?” by Nicholas Velotta and Barbara Risman.

Midwest Sociology:

“‘Meet the Midwest!’ Seeing ‘Colorblind Racism’ with Dr. Burke,” by Neeraj Rajasekar.

And a Few from the Community Pages:

• Engaging Sports asks, is there a silver lining in Trump’s fraught relationship with sport?
• Dispatches from a Dean highlights an article pondering the purpose of academic hoaxes.

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Hi Friends! We’ve got some exciting news this week: TSP is hosting a contest! If you teach with TSP content, tell us how! Details below. This week we have new content featuring social science research on competitive victimhood and conflict, how student debt is racialized, and the blurred lines between work and leisure. You can also read about the myth of poisoned Halloween candy, sexuality in aging adulthood, and nationalism in Korean ice hockey.

Editor’s Desk:

“The ‘Teach with TSP’ Contest,” by Evan Stewart. Do you use TSP content in your classroom? Tell us how! We’ll publish our favorites and send the winners TSP swag!

There’s Research on That!:

“Competitive Victimhood in the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict,” by Mark Lee. Using the concept, “competitive victimhood,” social science can help explain why the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has persisted for so long and how a breakthrough might finally be achieved.

“Why Witchcraft Appeals to Marginalized Groups,” by Allison Nobles and Jacqui Frost. For Halloween we brought back a spooky favorite, examining witchcraft’s long history of empowering marginalized groups.

Discoveries:

“The TANF Tinkle Test,” by Amy August. New research in The Sociological Quarterly finds that states implementing drug testing policies for “Temporary Aid to Needy Families” program applicants were more likely to see recent declines in white labor force participation and have a Republican governor.

Clippings:

“The Racialized Burden of Student Debt,” by Mark Lee. CNBC talks to Jason Houle about how student loans contribute to the racial wealth gap.

“Work + Leisure = Weisure,” by Amy August. In a recent Vox article, Gaby DelValle calls upon the work of sociologist Dalton Conley to describe this latest trend in ‘weisure.’

From Our Partners:

Sociological Images:

“When Science Gets Scary,” by Sofia Lindgren Galloway and Evan Stewart.

“Collective Nightmares Movie Analysis,” by Marshall Smith and Laura Patterson.

Contexts:

“Foraging on the Margins of the Labor Market,” by Kelsey Drotning.

“Of Pigs and Public Sociology,” by Christian Vaccaro.

“Poisoned Halloween Candy: Sociological Debunking,” by Letta Page.

Council on Contemporary Families:

“The Push and Pull of Sex, Gender, and Aging,” by Nicholas Velotta and Pepper Schwartz.

And a Few from the Community Pages:

• Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies sounds the alarm in response to the recent Pittsburgh Synagogue shooting.
• Cyborgology ponders Reddit’s revamping of their quarantine function.
• Engaging Sports contemplates nationalism in Korean ice hockey.

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Welcome back! This week we’ve got a new podcast episode featuring Courtney Bell on how she teaches sociology to high schoolers. You can also find social science research on media coverage of immigration, public housing’s mental health benefits, and the trouble with school registration timelines.

Office Hours:

“Teacher Spotlight: Courtney Bell,” by Amber Powell. In our most recent episode, Amber talks with high school teacher, Courtney Bell about how she makes sociology engaging for high school students.

There’s Research on That!:

“Global Media Coverage of Immigration,” by Allison J. Steinke. Immigration seems to always be in the news, so we rounded up social science research on how media covers immigration globally.

Discoveries:

“How Registration Timelines Worsen School Inequality,” by Jean Marie Maier. New research in Sociology of Education finds that public school registration timelines can worsen school inequality.

“Public Housing Provides Children Mental Health Benefits,” by Allison Nobles. New research in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior finds that public housing may benefit children’s mental health.

Clippings:

“Fewer Marriages Mean Fewer Divorces,” by Mark Lee. In a recent article in The Atlantic, Andrew Cherlin provides an unromantic explanation for fewer divorces.

“Gentrification and Toxic Waste,” by Jasmine Syed. The Guardian talks to Scott Frickel and James R. Elliot about current data on environmental hazards and how gentrification has diversified the types of people at risk of exposure to toxic waste.

From Our Partners:

Council on Contemporary Families:

“Housewife Visas and Highly Skilled Immigrant Families in the U.S.,” by Pallavi Banerjee.

Social Studies MN:

““Fake News” and Informational Moral Panic,” by Allison J. Steinke.

And a Few from the Community Pages:

• Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies reflects on the politics in naming genocides.
• Cyborgology ponders the gender politics of Doctor Who, part two.

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Welcome back! This week on TSP you can find social science research on xenophobia’s connection to whites’ attitudes about punishment, why people often overlook lies told by political figures, and a post about the sociology of horror films.

There’s Research on That!:

“Defining “Genocide” and The Power of Labels,” by Brooke Chambers. In light of recent debates about whether or not to call the Burmese state’s violence against the Rohingya “genocide,” we rounded up social science research on the meaning, use, and consequences of labels like genocide.

Discoveries:

“Xenophobia and Punitive Attitudes,” by Neeraj Rajasekar. New research in The Sociological Quarterly finds that xenophobia may be a strong predictor of whether whites support punitiveness in the criminal justice system.

“Avoidance and Activism in Response to Policing,” by Ryan Larson. New research in Socius finds that some individuals avoid formal institutions like hospitals after an arrest while others take up activism.

Clippings:

“When Lies are Truth,” by Jean Marie Maier. Vox uses research from from Oliver Hahl, Minjae Kim, and Ezra Zuckerman-Sivan to explain why Kavanaugh supporters appeared unfazed by potentially false claims he made during his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“Afros and the Branding of Racial Justice,” by Lucas Lynch. A recent article in The Atlantic by Saida Grundy documents how modern uses of the Afro can both further social resistance and reduce the hairstyle to a mere commodity.

From Our Partners:

Sociological Images:

“Horror Films Are Our Collective Nightmares,” by Marshall Smith and Laura Patterson.

Contexts:

“Parenting Without Papers,”by Chandra Reyna.

Council on Contemporary Families:

“Cohabitation and Divorce: The Importance of Accounting for Age at Coresidence,” by Arielle Kuperberg.

And a Few from the Community Pages:

• Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies interviews artist Rowan Pope on his recent work on exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
• Cyborgology reflects on the gender politics of Doctor Who.
• Girl w/ Pen! revisits an interview with Jessica Fulton on her work in social policy.

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We’ve had a superb week here at TSP and that means more sociology content for you! This week we’ve got social science research on settler colonialism and Indigenous resistance, digital health-tracking technology, and the role of LGBT-specific international organizations in policymaking.

There’s Research on That!:

“The Rise of Health-Tracking Technology,” by Allison Nobles. Social science research demonstrates that health-tracking technology reflects larger social forces and institutions.

“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.

“The Long History of “Día de la Raza” in Mexico,” by Lucas Lynch. Día de la Raza — “Day of the Race”– is celebrated today to commemorate Mexico’s history or racial and cultural mixing.

Discoveries:

“LGBT Advocacy Goes Global,” by Isabel Arriagada. New research in Social Forces finds that LGBT-specific international organizations play a key role in whether nations adopt LGBT-friendly policies, more so than international organizations broadly focused on human rights.

Clippings:

“The Emotional Toll of Natural Disasters,” by Jasmine Syed. The Atlantic talks to sociologist Alice Fothergill about her research on the emotional turmoil caused by Hurricane Katrina.

“‘Good Guys’ and Rape Culture,” by Jean Marie Maier. In a recent op-ed for Huffington Post, sociologist Sarah Diefendorf challenges the argument that “good guys” can’t commit rape.

“How White Parents’ Decisions Reinforce Racial Inequality,” by Allison J. Steinke. The Atlantic talks to sociologist Margaret Hagerman about how white parents can reinforce racial inequality by putting their own children first.

From Our Partners:

Sociological Images:

“What’s Trending? Trust in Institutions,” by Evan Stewart.

Council on Contemporary Families:

“Gender, Race, and Girls in California’s Alternative Schools,” by Kenly Brown.

Midwest Sociology

“‘Meet the Midwest!’ A Conversation with Dr. Hlavka,” by Amber Joy Powell and Neeraj Rajasekar.

Social Studies MN:

“Local News is Not What it Used to Be,” by Allison J. Steinke.

And a Few from the Community Pages:

• Cyborgology contemplates academic hoaxes.
• Girl w/ Pen! introduces powerful, young female writers.

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