This Week in Sociological Perspective

This week we discuss efforts to determine what the next generation will learn. And, I recently spoke with Dr. Kyla Thomas of the Center for Economic and Social Research of the University of Southern California about her recent paper titled "The psychology of distinction: How cultural tastes shape perceptions of class and competence in the U.S." The paper is to be published in Poetics, and is sole-authored.

Segment 1 -- Kyla Thomas on "The psychology of distinction: How cultural tastes shape perceptions of class and competence in the U.S."

Segment 2 -- Tiananmen Square and Tulsa, Oklahoma: Generational censorship in nations of power

This week we discuss the removal of the allegedly "last" public payphone in New York. But first, I recently spoke with Professor Emily Rauscher of Brown University, about her recent paper titled "Learning to Value Girls: Balanced Infant Sex Ratios at Higher Parental Education in the United States, 1969–2018." The paper is to be published in Demography, and is co-authored by Haoming Song.

Segment 1 -- Emily Rauscher on "Learning to Value Girls: Balanced Infant Sex Ratios at Higher Parental Education in the United States, 1969–2018."

Segment 2 -- As payphones give way to wi-fi hotspots and cellphone dependence, collective goods give way to private goods whose performance in emergencies remain uncertain at best

This week we discuss a spate of articles about COVID. And, I recently spoke with Professor Justine Tinkler of the University of Georgia about her recent paper titled "Sexual harassment training and men's motivation to work with women." The paper is to be published in Social Science Research, and is co-authored by Jody Clay-Warner and Malissa Alinor.

Segment 1 -- Justine Tinkler on "Sexual harassment training and men's motivation to work with women."

Segment 2 -- Sociological challenges in the COVID era

This week we discuss the Politico leak of a draft Supreme Court decision. But first, I recently spoke with Professor Kyle Siler of the Université de Montréal about his recent paper titled "Inequality Within omnivorous knowledge: Distribution of Jeopardy! geography questions, 1984-2020." The paper is to be published in Poetics and is sole-authored.

Segment 1 -- Kyle Siler on "Inequality Within omnivorous knowledge: Distribution of Jeopardy! geography questions, 1984-2020."

Segment 2 – Abortion and the Social Politics of Womanhood

This week we discuss a leaked document showing that Facebook is unable to comply with emerging laws on privacy. And, I recently spoke with Professor Camila Alvarez of the University of California-Merced about her recent paper titled "Analyzing the Military's Role in Producing Air Toxics Disparities in the United States: A Critical Environmental Justice Approach." The paper is to be published in Social Problems, and is co-authored by Daniel A. Shtob and Nicholas G. Theis.

Segment 1 -- Camila Alvarez on "Analyzing the Military's Role in Producing Air Toxics Disparities in the United States: A Critical Environmental Justice Approach."

Segment 2 – Facebook Can't Handle the Truth: Leaked document reveals Facebook doesn't know what it does with your data or where it goes

This week we discuss the repeal of mask mandates for airline travel and other public transit. And, I recently spoke with Reed DeAngelis, doctoral student at the University of North Carolina and the Carolina Population Center, about his recent paper titled "Moving on Up? Neighborhood Status and Racism-Related Distress among Black Americans." The paper is to be published in Social Forces, and is sole-authored.

Segment 1 -- Reed DeAngelis on "Moving on Up? Neighborhood Status and Racism-Related Distress among Black Americans."

Segment 2 -- Mask mandate repeal despite broad scientific and public support

This week we discuss lessons from "Pandemic Kids'" return to school. And, I speak with Hana Shepherd, Associate Professor of Sociology at Rutgers University, about her recent paper titled "Administering New Anti-Bullying Law: The Organizational Field and School Variation During Initial Implementation." The paper is to be published in Law & Social Inquiry, and is co-authored by Idit Fast.

Segment 1 -- Hana Shepherd on "Administering New Anti-Bullying Law: The Organizational Field and School Variation During Initial Implementation"

Segment 2 -- Lessons from schools' response to Pandemic Kids' return to school

This week we discuss an amazing new finding from the study of Mars. But first, I recently spoke with Tyler Bruefach, doctoral candidate at Florida State University, about his recent paper titled "Social isolation and achievement of students with learning disabilities." The paper is to be published in Social Science Research, and is co-authored by John R. Reynolds.

Segment 1 – Tyler Bruefach on "Social isolation and achievement of students with learning disabilities"

Segment 2 – Social implications of the speeds of sound

This week we discuss new efforts to alter the natural world to serve human desires and interests. And, I recently spoke with Professor Denis Trapido of the University of Washington-Bothell about his recent paper titled "The Female Penalty for Novelty and the Offsetting Effect of Alternate Status Characteristics." The paper is to be published in Social Forces, and is sole-authored.

Segment 1 -- Denis Trapido on "The Female Penalty for Novelty and the Offsetting Effect of Alternate Status Characteristics"

Segment 2 -- Another effort to alter the natural world to serve human desires and interests

This week I talked with Professor Kathryn Freeman Anderson of the University of Houston, about the causes and implications of the slow return of passengers to public transportation in the wake of COVID. But first, I recently spoke with Professor Eunmi Mun of the University of Illinois, about her recent paper titled "Meritocracy at Work?: Merit-Based Reward Systems and Gender Wage Inequality." The paper is to be published in Social Forces, and is co-authored by Naomi Kodama.

Segment 1 – Professor Eunmi Mun on "Meritocracy at Work?: Merit-Based Reward Systems and GenderWage Inequality."

Segment 2 – Professor Kathryn Freeman Anderson on changes in public transportation use and policy post-COVID