Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Law Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Civil Rights and Discrimination

Deirdre M Bowen

Articles 1 - 4 of 4

Full-Text Articles in Law

Manufacturing Moral Panic As Political Distraction: An Empirical And Social Theoretical Analysis Of Domas, Deirdre Bowen Feb 2013

Manufacturing Moral Panic As Political Distraction: An Empirical And Social Theoretical Analysis Of Domas, Deirdre Bowen

Deirdre M Bowen

This article offers the only empirical analysis to date of national data evaluating the claim that defense of marriage acts (DOMAs) preserve and stabilize the family. After concluding that they do not, the article analyzes what variables are, in fact, correlated with family stability. Specifically, the relationships between families below the poverty line, men and women married three or more times, religiosity, percent conservative versus liberal in a state, disposable income, percent with bachelor’s degree, and median age of first marriage, and marriage and divorce trends is fully explored. Next, the article applies the sociological concepts of moral entrepreneurism, which …


I Wanna Marry You: The Irrelevancy And Distraction Of Doma, Deirdre Bowen Feb 2013

I Wanna Marry You: The Irrelevancy And Distraction Of Doma, Deirdre Bowen

Deirdre M Bowen

This article offers the only empirical analysis to date of national data evaluating the claim that defense of marriage acts (DOMAs) preserve and stabilize the family. The article examines marriage and divorce changes in trends for every state over the last ten years for which data is available comparing changes, if any, before and after a DOMA was enacted or same sex marriage was permitted. After concluding that DOMA does not play a role in either divorce or marriage changes in trends or rates, the article explores what variables are, in fact, correlated with family stability. Given that poverty, religiosity, …


I Wanna Marry You: An Empirical Analysis Of The Distraction And Irrelevancy Of Doma, Deirdre M. Bowen Sep 2012

I Wanna Marry You: An Empirical Analysis Of The Distraction And Irrelevancy Of Doma, Deirdre M. Bowen

Deirdre M Bowen

This article offers the only empirical analysis to date of national data evaluating the claim that DOMAs preserve and stabilize the family. After concluding that DOMA is not associated with this goal, the article explores what variables are correlated with family stability. Next, the article explores moral entrepreneurism and moral panic as a theoretical explanation for DOMAs continued attraction. Finally, the article offers pragmatic recommendations for achieving family stability.


Ties That Bind: The Irrelevancy And Distraction Of Doma, Deirdre Bowen Sep 2012

Ties That Bind: The Irrelevancy And Distraction Of Doma, Deirdre Bowen

Deirdre M Bowen

This article offers the only empirical analysis to date of national data evaluating the claim that DOMAs preserve and stabilize the family. After concluding that DOMA is not associated with this goal, the article explores what variables are correlated with family stability. Next, the article explores moral entrepreneurism and moral panic as a theoretical explanation for DOMAs continued attraction. Finally, the article offers pragmatic recommendations for achieving family stability.