Masculinity and Sexual Violence: Assessing the State of the Field

Despite strong evidence that men perpetrate most acts of sexual violence, little is known about the factors that lead some men to commit such harmful acts. A growing body of feminist scholarship has begun to explore this question, although the disciplinary and geographic breadth of these studies has prevented the development of a cohesive research agenda. This literature review contributes to this task by reviewing the major theoretical contributions to the study of masculinity and sexual violence, detailing some of the ways in which sexual violence aids in the production of masculine individuals, groups, and states. Taken as a whole, we argue that this body of scholarship views sexual violence as a mechanism through which social constructions of masculinity are produced and reproduced, although the forms that this violence takes vary by context. We conclude with a discussion of some of the theoretical and empirical limitations of this research and consider the implications of these findings for public policy.     

Community size preference status,community satisfaction and migration intentions

Increasing attention has been directed to the effect of cognitive factors on migration decision making. We evaluate the influence of community size preference status and six domains of community satisfaction on migration intentions per se and short- vs. longterm migration intentions, separately, simultaneously, and with controls on community involvement and social position. The data are from a 1988 statewide migration survey of 851 Utahns. Separate multivariate analyses are conducted for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan residents. Satisfaction/dissatisfaction with selected features of community life primarily impacts migration intentions per se while community size preference status dominates the time frame of migration intentions.     

Indecision regarding a couple relationship A working model for ambivalence

Clients entering therapy with indecision regarding their couple relationship can present a difficult clinical situation for the therapist. These clients vacillate between staying in and leaving the relationship and many resist moves towards a resolution. It is proposed that such indecisive clients fall into two distinct categories, namely, ambivalence and dilemma, with each having a different therapeutic focus. The aim of this paper is to outline a working model for therapists to use with clients experiencing ambivalence in their relationship. A case study based on a composite of actual cases is used to demonstrate the applicability of the model.     

Using performance standards to evaluate social programs with incomplete outcome data. General issues and application to a higher education block grant program

The idea of program evaluation is both simple and appealing. Program outcomes are measured and compared to some minimum performance standard or threshold. In practice, however, evaluation is difficult. Two fundamental problems of outcome measurement must be addressed. The first, which we call the problem of auxiliary outcomes, is that we do not observe outcome of interest. The second, which we call the problem of counterfactual outcomes, is that we do not observe the threshold standard. This article examines how performance standard should be set and applied in the face of these problems in measuring outcomes. The central message is that the proper way to implement standards varies with the prior information an evaluator can credibly bring to bear to compensate for incomplete outcome data. By combining available data with credible assumptions on treatments and outcomes, the performance of a program may be deemed acceptable, unacceptable, or indeterminate.     

Attentional Control Explains Covariation Between Symptoms of Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Anxiety During Adolescence

Symptoms of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety are common during adolescence and frequently co‐occur. However, the genetic and environmental influences that underlie this co‐occurrence are understudied. Using a large twin sample (N = 1,017), we examined cross‐sectional genetic and environmental influences on ADHD and anxiety symptoms during childhood. We also explored whether these influences were shared with attentional control, a putative mechanism for symptom comorbidity. We found evidence for common genetic and nonshared environmental influences on the covariation among attentional control, ADHD, and anxiety symptoms, supporting the putative role of attentional control as a mechanism by which comorbid problems may develop. Genetic factors also accounted for symptom co‐occurrence after controlling for covariation with attentional control, suggesting the presence of additional unmeasured mechanisms.     

DOES THE WOMEN,INFANTS, AND CHILDREN PROGRAM IMPROVE INFANT HEALTH OUTCOMES?

We reevaluate the causal impacts of prenatal participation in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition program on birth outcomes by simultaneously accounting for self-selection into WIC and systematic underreporting of program participation. Combining survey data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort with administrative data from the USDA, we extend partial identification methods to reflect institutional details of the WIC program and validate WIC program participation for a mixture of positive and negative responses. Our preferred estimates imply that WIC increases the prevalence of normal birth weight by at least 4.8% and normal gestation duration by at least 3.7%. (JEL C14, C21, I12, I31, I38)     

Local government service systems improvement: exposing the social networks

Using a local government (LG) case study, this paper describes and qualitatively explores the value and use of social network analysis (SNA) in creating a rich environment for service network innovation and development. The case study analysed manages regional planning development applications and involves a complex social network. The study underpins the view that in LG service environments, mechanistic models for systems improvement are on their own inadequate. SNA constitutes an essential complementary development framework underpinning continuous innovation through human and social capital development. Findings presented are profound for local government and multiple service contexts and argue for a greater emphasis on understanding and developing the human and social aspects of service systems as opposed to a predominant technical systems bias.     

Is Preventing Coerced Repatriation Ethical and Possible? The Case of NGO Repatriation of South Sudanese in Israel

“Voluntary repatriation” to a country of origin may be necessary to restore refugees' rights, when only a country of origin will provide rights associated with citizenship. Yet, if refugees are returning because they do not have access to basic rights in a host country, their return is not voluntary according to UNHCR guidelines (1996). There is a tension between facilitating repatriation to restore rights, and ensuring that repatriation is voluntary. This article will first draw on arguments from moral philosophy to suggest an alternative policy to current UNHCR guidelines. Following this normative analysis, the article hypothesizes that, on an empirical level, a repatriation policy that attempts to only facilitate repatriation that is not coerced, out of concern for voluntariness alone, may fail both to prevent coerced returns and to restore right through repatriation. This hypothesis was then tested in the case of South Sudanese repatriation from Israel between 2009‐2012.