Contexts

sociology for the public

health

Suicide’s Gender Divide

Whereas Durkheim considered fatalistic suicide caused by high levels of social regulation a marker of premodern societies, this research suggests gender regulation may be harmful to adolescents’ mental health in the present day as well. Read More

Unemployment and Well-Being

Sociologists of mental health study how the broader social forces surrounding individual circumstances affect psychological well-being. For example, unemployment affects well-being, but how might this … Read More

Foodscape

Consider the places and spaces where you acquire food, prepare food, talk about food, or generally gather some sort of meaning from food. This is … Read More

Molly Deaths and the Failed War on Drugs

Sociologist Tammy L. Anderson proposes that the 2003 RAVE Act may endanger ravers more than protect them. Today's popularity of huge commercial raves—and the incidence of health complications at them—suggests this relic law of the twentieth century War on Drugs needs our attention.. Read More

McDonaldizing Croatia

Formerly a part of Yugoslavia, Croatia has a complex heritage dating back to the seventh century. Because of its diversity, traditional Croatian gastronomy is referred … Read More

The Social Life of Leftovers

Thanks to busy schedules, ever-growing food portions, and poor meal planning, many of us find ourselves with a lot of leftovers. Over 36 million tons … Read More

Growing Concerns

First lady Michelle Obama attracted major media attention when she took a shovel to the White House’s South Lawn in 2009 and pitched the home … Read More

Small Food Co-ops in a Whole Foods® World

Sociologist Michael A. Haedicke explores the world of organic foods co-ops and examines how these countercultural stores are defending their democratic ideals and practices in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Read More

Weighing the Evidence

Sociologist Michael Bader reviews two books, Fat Chance and What's Wrong with Fat?, that hope to reshape the debate about obesity in America. Read More

About Contexts

Contexts is a quarterly magazine that makes cutting-edge social research accessible to general readers. We're the public face of sociology.

It is a publication of the American Sociological Association, edited by David Grazian with managing editor Elena G. van Stee, both at the University of Pennsylvania.