Contexts

sociology for the public

In Brief

News and notes.

To Be, Or Not To Be (Gay)

“I’ve been straight and I’ve been gay; gay is better…for me, it is a choice.” These comments made Sex and the City alum Cynthia Nixon … Read More

Gentlemen Prefer Stouts

Six Tastes, by Adam Fagen Most craft beer enthusiasts will tell you that the right beer can enhance your food, complement the seasons, and … Read More

Attack of the Pink Slime

Recent news reports about burger patties are making consumers see red—or at least pink. Last year, Jamie Oliver, a British chef and TV show host, … Read More

From Private Pennies to Public Good

By MoneyBlogNewzBrother, can you spare $25? Nicholas Kristof did. In 2007, the New York Times columnist generated buzz when he wrote about his visits … Read More

Time Flies–When You’re Getting Older

By North CharlestonAs we get older, the passage of time seems to accelerate. Clinical social worker Linda A. Chernus, writing in Time & Society … Read More

Counting Race

The U.S. population continues to become more racially and ethnically diverse. In fact, most of the growth in population from … Read More

Class Struggle in the USA

The public believes that class conflict is rising. Two-thirds of Americans say there are strong conflicts between the rich and the poor in America, according … Read More

Diagnosing Everyone

“When does a broken heart become a diagnosis?” asked the New York Times in a front-page article in January, reporting … Read More

Too Many Friends

by Gabriela Molina (gabrielamolina.com)If you’ve spent any time on Facebook, you have probably wondered if people really have as many … Read More

It Takes a Care Village

We all know that Americans are living longer. But some of us are living much, much longer. According to the latest Census, the number of … Read More