Contexts

sociology for the public

Contexts Blog

Dark money in American politics

The term “Dark Money” conjures images of back-room deals, bribes and quid pro quo arrangements, but what is Dark Money, really? And why should we … Read More

Is the Border Safe? Border Residents’ Perceptions of Crime and Security

The overwhelming majority of residents of El Paso, Texas, reported feeling safe in their city. Read More

Don’t use wounded veterans as symbols for your cause

The misappropriation of images of wounded veterans isn’t something new to this community. Read More

an unequal distribution of partners: gays versus straights

Partnerships are most equally distributed among straight women and least so among lesbians. Read More

Weiners Galore

“Shit, this is the worst,” Anthony Weiner declares to himself at the beginning of the titular documentary (now in theaters), as he waits for someone … Read More

Who has how many sexual partners?

A novel application of the Gini coefficient shows how much sexual partners are unequally distributed. Read More

Primates, scolding, and dismissive finger-wagging

A response to Myra Marx Ferree’s review of Primates of Park Avenue. Read More

Contexts Quicklit: Digital Sociology

If you want to learn more about how the digital relates to your sociological research, here are some great places to start. Read More

Walmart’s Consumer Redlining

When Walmart opened its first two stores in Washington D.C. in late 2013, Mayor Vincent Gray said that the massive retailer would help … Read More

The Converging Gender Wage Gap, 1980–2012

During the 1970s, women’s greater integration into the economy coincided with significant cultural and structural changes. One of the most popular television comedies during this … Read More