Contexts

sociology for the public

In Brief

News and notes.

wealthy disillusioned with politics, too

As the rich get richer, as the old saying goes, we might expect their political influence to expand. This logic, however, assumes that elites believe … Read More

law and the looky-loo

Demonstrated by the popularity of Amazon’s Ring app, people are increasingly relying on private-sector technologies for safeguarding their properties and ensuring personal safety. Amazon profits—and … Read More

business on board for the environment

How has California managed to enact America’s “strongest” climate laws when confronted with a “fragmented system of government with multiple veto points,” a dynamic landscape … Read More

Courting Eviction

As the cost of living, and housing in particular, skyrockets, more and more people face eviction. Unsurprisingly, U.S. eviction courts—a specific form of civil legal … Read More

deplatforming blues

Twitter’s post-January 6th suspension of Donald Trump’s account silenced his digital megaphone in an instant. While the immediate consequences for the former president were evident, … Read More

from the corner to the digital street

As the distinction between life on the internet and life in the real world blurs, one consequence is that our online behavior can have a … Read More

Burnout Torches Promotion Possibilities

Employees increasingly encounter workplace conditions that contribute to poor mental health outcomes and, over time, burnout. But what comes after burnout? A recent article … Read More

A Sesame Street Feat

When we think about the spread of American culture, we might picture someone eating a Big Mac in Bangladesh, listening to Bruce Springsteen in Singapore, … Read More

Making Mom Proud

How do lower-income mothers respond when societal expectations for feeding children demand resources they do not have? Amidst the pressure of intensive parenting norms, lower-income … Read More

history lessons

How we teach the past can be a contentious issue, especially around sensitive subjects like race, gender, and genocide. But the debates are high-stakes, as … Read More