Race and Trends in Pornography Viewership, 1973–2016: Examining the Moderating Roles of Gender and Religion

While some research has uncovered racial differences in patterns of pornography viewership, no studies to date have considered how these patterns may be changing over time or how these trends may be moderated by other key predictors of pornography viewership—specifically, gender and religion. Using nationally representative data from the 1973–2016 General Social Survey (GSS; N = 20,620), and taking into account different ethnoreligious histories with pornography as a moral issue, we examined how race, gender, and religion intersect to influence trends in pornography viewership over 43 years. Analyses revealed that Black Americans in general were more likely to view pornography than Whites, and they were increasing in their pornography viewership at a higher rate than Whites. Moreover, Black men were more likely to consume pornography than all other race/gender combinations, but differed only from White women in their increasing rate of pornography viewership. Lastly, frequent worship attendance moderated trends in pornography viewership only for White men. By contrast, regardless of attendance frequency, Black men and women showed increasing rates of pornography use, while White women showed flat rates. We conclude by discussing the implications of these findings for research on the intersections of race, gender, religion, and sexuality.     

Religion,Marriage Markets,and Assortative Mating in the United States

As interfaith marriage has become more common, religion is thought to be less important for sorting partners. Nevertheless, prior studies on religious assortative mating use samples of prevailing marriages, which miss how local marriage markets shape both partner selection and marriage timing. Drawing on search theory and data from 8,699 young adults (ages 18–31 years) in the National Longitudinal Study of Youth 1997, the author examined the association between the concentration of coreligionists in local marriage markets and marriage timing and partner selection using event history methods. Religious concentration is associated with higher odds of transitioning to marriage and religious homogamy (conditional on marriage) for women and men at older ages (24–31 years) but not at younger ages (18–23 years). The association was also stronger for non‐Hispanic Whites when compared with other racial and ethnic groups. The findings indicate that religion remains relevant in sorting partners for many young adults in today's marriage market.     

Changing Patterns of Interracial Marriage in a Multiracial Society

We use incidence data from the 1980 Census and 2008 American Community Survey to track recent trends in interracial marriage. Intermarriage with Whites increased rapidly among Blacks but stalled among Asians and American Indians. Black–White intermarriage increased threefold over 1980–2008, independent of changing socioeconomic status, suggesting declining social distance between Blacks and Whites. Marriages between the U.S.‐ and foreign‐born populations also grew rapidly. Marriages to immigrants increased fivefold among U.S.‐born Asian women and doubled among U.S.‐born Latinas since 1980. Out‐marriage to Whites also was higher among self‐identified biracial than monoracial individuals, but these differences were smallest among Blacks. Interracial couples were overrepresented among cohabiting couples. Finally, log‐linear models provide evidence of growing racial exogamy, but only after adjusting for changing demographic opportunities for intermarriage. Marriages between U.S.‐ and foreign‐born coethnics have been driven by new immigration while slowing the upward trajectory of interracial marriage in America.     

Trends in US Army child maltreatment reports: 1990–2004

We present the victim rates and severity of child maltreatment in US Army families by the sex of the child and parent from 1990–2004. Neglect rates decreased from a high point in 1991 to a low in 2000, but by 2004 the rates had increased to about the 1991 level. During two large‐scale deployments of the US Army to the Middle East (1991 and 2002–2004), the rates of neglect increased. Neglect rates were highest for the youngest children and decreased as age increased. Physical abuse rates decreased from 1990–2004, but the decline was slowed during 2001–04. Physical abuse was more severe by male offenders. Emotional abuse showed wide fluctuations in rates. Emotional abuse rates were similar for boys and girls up to age 11, but the rates for older girls were higher. Sexual abuse had the lowest rates throughout the time of this report, decreasing from about 0.5/1000 to about 0.1/1000. The rates of physical abuse and neglect were generally higher for boys than for girls up to the teenage years when the rates reversed. Male offenders were more likely to maltreat children (even excluding sexual abuse) than were female offenders and offenders of both sexes were more likely to abuse male children. We provide suggestions for practice, prevention and research in child maltreatment. Published in 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

School and Family Correlates of Positive Affect in a Nationally Representative Sample of US Adolescents

Research on psychological wellbeing has received far less attention than mental illness and has created a gap in our understanding of positive mental health. This research is even more sparse among adolescents. The present study examined the correlates of one measure of psychological wellbeing, positive affect, in the adolescent population. Two dimensions of school support (teacher–student relationship and student engagement) and family support (family communication and family closeness) were examined. Because previous studies suggest these correlates may be affected by race and gender, analysis was conducted in the total sample and in disaggregated subpopulations. A nationally representative sample of US adolescents (n?=?10,148) from the National Comorbidity Survey—Adolescent Supplement was analyzed in this study. Structural equation models were used for analysis. Latinos reported significantly lower positive affect than Whites. Males reported higher levels of positive affect than females. Blacks and Latinos reported lower perceptions of family communication than Whites and higher school emotional support than Whites. Females reported lower family communication, lower family closeness, and higher school support than males. Analysis revealed that among the total sample, all dimensions of school and family support measured were correlates of positive affect. When the total sample was divided by gender and race there were marked differences in the relationship between school and family support across subpopulations. Males and Whites most closely resembled the total sample while the relationship between dimensions of school and family support were distinct for females and racial ethnic minorities. This study provides an examination of how psychosocial mechanisms operate similarly and differently across adolescent subgroups. In line with other studies, findings provide evidence of differences by race and gender. This study is relevant to social workers because the findings have implications for both assessment and intervention.     

Knowledge,attitudes, and behavior related to condom use and STDs in a high risk population

Since the mid‐1980s, the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among Blacks has increased dramatically nationwide, particularly in Philadelphia and other major urban areas. One approach to this public health problem is to prevent the further transmission of disease through the use of condoms during sexual activity. To provide a basis for condom‐promotion programs within a high risk Black urban community, we explored condom use behavior and the relationship between condom use and variables related to demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, perceived risk and concern about STDs, and STD history. A household survey was conducted of a stratified, quota sample of 925 male and female adolescent and adult residents in North and West Philadelphia. These areas have the highest rate of STDs in the city and among the highest rates in the country. The survey revealed a trichotomy among respondents with respect to condom use: approximately one‐third of the sample used condoms consistently; one‐third used them intermittently, and one‐third never used condoms. Consistent condom users tended to use condoms with both steady and casual partners; less frequent condom users tended to use condoms with partners who could be considered higher risk: new partners and casual partners. Although condom use rates did not vary as a function of age among males, women under age 20 were far more likely to use condoms than were other female age groups. Knowledge about STDs and prevention was not found to predict condom use. Negative attitudes toward condoms were related to non‐use, with the exception of women who used condoms in perceived high risk situations despite negative attitudes.     

THE ERA OF INCREASED VIOLENCE IN THE UNITED STATES: AGE,PERIOD, OR COHORT EFFECT?*

An age/period/cohort analysis is conducted for homicide rates during the years 1952–1976, a period during which rates of violent crimes escalated substantially in U. S. society. This increase is shown to be most effectively conceptualized as a cohort phenomenon, although the effects of age are also evident. Youth cohorts of the early 1960s display substantially higher rates of homicide than previous youth cohorts, and tend to maintain these relatively higher rates through their life cycle. Explanations for this finding are explored via economic factors, for which some empirical substantiation is provided.     

Prevalence and patterns of tobacco,alcohol, and drug use among Iranian adolescents: A meta-analysis of 58 studies

Adolescence is the critical age when adopting high-risk and health-threatening behaviors including smoking, drug and alcohol use is at its peak. Accordingly, this meta-analysis aimed to provide comprehensive nationwide estimates of tobacco, alcohol, and drug use among Iranian adolescents; and to compare their habits with other societies.Electronic databases, including PubMed, Medline, Embase, Google scholar and National Persian databases of SID, Magiran, and IranMedex were utilized in identifying relevant articles. The included studies were those having publications of quantitative estimates and standard errors of the prevalence of cigarette and drug use among 14–19-year-old high school students in Iran from 2000 to 2014. Random-effects meta-analyses were done including a total of 80,588 high school students.The most common drugs among adolescents in Iran were hallucinogens [25.3% (95% CI: 23.9–26.8)], sleeping pills and tranquilizers [25% (95% CI: 24–26.1)], hookah [23.1% (95% CI: 22.2–23.9)], opiates [22% (95% CI: 21.3–22.7)] and central nervous system (CNS) stimulants [20.1% (95% CI: 19.1–21.1)]. Furthermore, overall estimates for cigarette smoking, alcohol and chewing tobacco/Pan/Nas in the participants were 16.8% (95% CI: 16.4–17.2), 14.7% (95% CI: 14.2–15.3) and 10.0% (95% CI: 8.7–11.4), respectively. However, there was some heterogeneity in the pattern of drug use across the country (P < 0.01). Additionally, the risk of smoking, drinking and drug use by boys was considerably greater than girls. Moreover, data showed a varying trend of drug use over three studied periods of time.In conclusion, a diverse pattern and trend of tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking and drug use among adolescents in Iran was verified. Therefore, preventive and control measures (i.e. education) provided in schools should be compatible with age groups, with emphasis being laid on pattern of use in different parts of the country.     

The disparate impact of alcohol,methamphetamine, and other drugs on family reunification

Parental substance abuse is one of the most prominent reasons that children enter foster care. The relative role of substance type in delaying reunification has remained elusive. This study sought to understand the impact of parental use of alcohol, methamphetamine, other drugs, and poly-substances on reunification rates for children in foster care. The authors used administrative foster care data from a Midwestern state between years 2007 and 2012 to evaluate the unique contribution of each substance use domain. Results suggest that parental methamphetamine use has the most significant impact on the likelihood of reunification, followed by other drugs, and poly-substances. These findings further indicate that children removed due to any parental drug use stay in foster care for an average of 49–156 days longer than their peers. Implications for research and practice are addressed.