Men Sexually Interested in Transwomen (MSTW): Gendered Embodiment and the Construction of Sexual Desire

Unreliable self‐reporting of sexual behavior has been suggested as a major cause of variance in survey research. In addition, differing gender‐related biases are thought to account for discrepancies in reports of oral and anal sex. Insufficient attention, however, has been given to assessing the reliability of the sexual partner's reports. Data obtained from 70 couples concerning 68 sexual behaviors was reviewed. Four different reliability indices yielded moderate to substantial agreement. These included a simple percentage criterion of 87%, a Kappa of .67, and conditional probabilities of .77 and.91. Previously reported discrepancies in the reporting of oral and anal sex were not found. Kappa was found to be superior to simple percentage agreement, but produced overly conservative reliability estimates when derived from behaviors that occur at either high or low base‐rates. The two conditional probability indices are proposed for use in conjunction with Kappa to evaluate the reliability of partner data.     

North Central Sociological Association Presidential Address. Renewing Sociology: Integral Science,Solidarity, and Loving Kindness

Abstract

We contribute to the debate about the effects of immigration in the United States by analyzing the impact of recent (1980-2000) immigration on the economic outcomes of African Americans. We use Census 2000 data for a sample of 150 U.S. metropolitan areas to examine these outcomes. Our findings indicate that after controlling for a variety of theoretically relevant control variables, increases in recent immigration decrease labor force non-participation and poverty, and increase median earnings, among blacks. We argue that recent immigration expands blacks' job opportunities in or near the middle of the occupational hierarchy (e.g., protective services; office and administrative support). However, we also find a non-linear effect of immigration on black median earnings which indicates an immigrant population threshold where black earnings begin to decline. Thus, both sides of this debate may be correct: middle-class blacks benefit from increased immigration, but the gains of the black middle class do not always offset the fact that poor and lower-skilled blacks are losing out because of increased competition with immigrants.     

Trends in Adolescent Development Impacting Practice: How Can We Catch Up?

Changes in the mechanisms of communication and advances in brain imaging technology shape understanding and interpretation of the manner in which adolescents process and respond to information and relate to others. Knowledge about how trends in adolescent development should inform practice with adolescents is limited, and yet emerging trends and new discoveries have implications for adolescent relationships, behavior, and well-being. Our purpose was to critically examine the influence of major technological innovations on adolescent development and the impacts on research and practice with vulnerable adolescent populations. We discuss strategies for researchers and practitioners.     

When Opportunity Structure Knocks: Social Movements in the Soviet Union and Russian Federation

The notion of an opportunity structure has become both popular and confusing for social movement research. This paper attempts to clarify how opportunity structures are understood through a discussion of separatism in two cases: the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation. Instead of being treated as a collective whole, opportunity structures are broken into three factors: A) constitutional rules and rights; B) elite control; and C) the state's capacity and propensity for repression. Factor A represents formal restrictions on potentially insurgent groups while factors B and C are informal restrictions. In the Soviet and Russian settings, four distinct opportunity structures are identified. The first, established under Stalin, was narrow, constraining potentially insurgent groups. But the second, which emerged under Gorbachev, was relatively wide and contributed to the willingness of various republics to declare independence. The third, established at the founding of the Russian Federation, was medium in width, but did not permit the types of activity found in the second. And lastly, the fourth can be dated to Putin's reforms of the early twenty-first century, and is narrow in character. Although future research is necessary for confirmation, this disaggregated model is intended to be generally applicable in other contexts.     

Review Essay: The Dignity of Working Men and Black Identities

Sociological Forum -     

Crisis communication in public arenas

This paper presents the results and recommendations from a survey regarding arena crisis management. The survey was completed by 150 members of the International Association of Assembly Managers (IAAM). Results indicate a heavy reliance on the two-way radio as a means of communication at the outset, and during, an arena crisis.