Contexts

sociology for the public

In Brief

News and notes.

Justifying Gentrification

Incoming gentrifiers often appreciate the authenticity, grit, and diversity of their new neighborhoods. Many even acknowledge feeling guilty for contributing to gentrification, the process by … Read More

What Does Homeownership Buy?

Regardless of racial or ethnic background, there is a strong American preference for home-owning over renting. While this is found to be true time and … Read More

That’s Not My Size

If you’re a woman, at some point you’ve probably wondered why your clothing size is completely different from brand to brand. Katelynn Bishop, Kjerstin Gruys, … Read More

Foraging on the Margins of the Labor Market

Finding a job is hard no matter who you are. But some people face more barriers to obtaining employment than others, including racial minorities and … Read More

Parenting Without Papers

Scholars of immigration and family have depicted the ways immigration enforcement policies affect Latinx children and families. Much attention has been paid to the long-term … Read More

Nonviolent Protests and the Formation of Democracies

Can the barrel of a gun point the way to democracy? Some political scientists and sociologists seem to think so. Ali Kadivar challenges this convention … Read More

Black Deaths Matter

It’s hard to imagine a more traumatic experience than the unexpected death of a loved one. But imagination often becomes reality for Black Americans, who … Read More

Setting Precedent

Jeannine Bell interviews Justice Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar about serving on California’s highest court. Read More

The Academic Partner Penalty

Women represent about half of the students enrolled in doctoral programs, but they are largely under-represented in tenure-track professor positions at research universities. Possibly this … Read More

Looking “Illegal”

“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. Read More