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Original Intent And The Reagan Court: A New Approach To The Madisonian Dilemma?, Deborah Nelson Snow

Masters Theses

During the Reagan years, a demand was heard for a change in the way in which the Supreme Court decides cases. Answering the call for a "jurisprudence of original intention," scholars, politicians, judges, and justices debated the use of this constitutional theory. In a review of cases decided under the religion clauses of the First Amendment in the years between 1960 and 1988, the opinions of Reagan and non-Reagan appointees to the Supreme Court are analyzed to determine the use of references to original intent by the justices. In particular, the problem raised by Bork and labeled "the Madisonian dilemma" …

Challenges And Prospects Of William J. Wilson's The Truly Disadvantaged, Robert G. Newby

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

I feel that it is a real coup that I had the opportunity to assemble the right scholars and, in turn, edit this special issue of the Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare. These were "the right" scholars in that they offered varying progressive perspectives of high quality on William J. Wilson's award-winning book, The Truly Disadvantaged. Since so much of the debate on the so-called "underclass" is carried out in the parlance of conservative scholars, the articles which appear here are not encumbered in any way by such a retrogression. By contrast, I had the pleasure of engaging a …

Racism In Advanced Capitalist Society: Comments On William J. Wilson's The Truly Disadvantaged, Edna Bonacich

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Let me begin with words of praise. Bill Wilson's The Truly Disadvantaged is a serious and important work. In it he alerts the nation to the alarming rise of social dislocation in Black inner city communities. But rather than joining with the conservative chorus which dominates political debate about this issue, Wilson focuses on the social structure, especially joblessness, as the key to the whole network of pathologies. Black inner city joblessness is, in turn, explained by large-scale economic shifts, interacting with a legacy of past racial discrimination, as well as various demographic factors. The result is the construction of …

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 16, No. 4 (December 1989)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The Truly Disadvantaged: Challenges and Prospects

Editor's Introduction

• CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS OF WILLIAM J. WILSON'S THE TRULY DISADVANTAGED - Robert G. Newby

Part I. Challenges

• THE SOCIOLOGY OF KNOWLEDGE OF WILLIAM J. WILSON: PLACING THE TRULY DISADVANTAGED IN ITS SOCIO-HISTORICAL CONTEXT - Andrew Billingsley
• RACISM IN ADVANCED CAPITALIST SOCIETY: COMMENTS ON WILLIAM J. WILSON'S THE TRULY DISADVANTAGED - Edna Bonacich
• OCCASIONAL LABOURERS AND CHRONIC WANT: A REVIEW OF WILLIAM J. WILSON'S THE TRULY DISADVANTAGED - Carole Marks
• A LIMITED PROPOSAL FOR SOCIAL REFORM: A RESPONSE TO WILLIAM J. WILSON'S
• THE TRULY DISADVANTAGED - Bonnie Thornton Dill
• A CRITIQUE OF THE …

Problems Of Pragmatism In Public Policy: Critique Of William Wilson's The Truly Disadvantaged, Robert G. Newby

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

I want to begin by commending Professor Wilson for focussing his scholarly attention upon one of the more critical social problems confronting our society at this time. You will recall that in his earlier work, Professor Wilson found that the civil rights movement had made a major impact on the character of race relations in our society, particularly relative to the status of blacks. In that award-winning but controversial study, The Declining Significance of Race, Professor Wilson found two diverging trends within the black community: on the one hand, the growth of the black middle class which had benefitted from …

"Occasional Labourers And Chronic Want": A Review Of The Truly Disadvantaged, Carole Marks

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The Truly Disadvantaged is an important book which brings the subject of poverty back into the forefront of sociological discourse. William Wilson's intent is to redirect its study by simultaneously mounting challenges to the ideological orthodoxy of the left and of the complacency of the right. Throughout, he attempts to subtly reconstruct current debates and controversies and to mould them into a form more palatable to the skeptical, voting age masses. For those interested in public policy formation, there is value in both the underlying purpose of such an exercise and in much of its form. Though the work is …

The Sociology Of Knowledge Of William J. Wilson: Placing The Truly Disadvantaged In Its Sociohistorical Context, Andrew Billingsley

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

In this paper I will do the following: first, set forth an introductory statement designed to place Wilson's work in some philosophical-theoretical perspective; then, I will identify and describe what I consider to be three distinct, yet overlapping, phases or central themes in Wilson's work; third, I will discuss how he treats Black families and discuss some features of his policy recommendations.

Comments On William Wilson's The Truly Disadvantaged: A Limited Proposal For Social Reform, Bonnie Thornton Dill

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This is an important book which has already had a major impact on discussions of poverty, race and public policy in the United States. Wilson is to be commended for his willingness to step boldly into the arena of public discourse in an effort to blaze a new trail between the "rock" of conservative thinking on the underclass and the "hard place" of contemporary liberal perspectives. His project-the refocusing of the liberal perspective and the definition of a bold new public policy agenda is inherently controversial. Wilson is quite correct in his assertion that the conservative perspective captured public attention …

Poverty And Electoral Power, Richard A. Cloward, Frances Fox Piven

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The poverty of the American underclass cannot be overcome by any single strategy. But surely it will not be reduced without new government interventions in education, training, employment, housing, and social welfae. That raises the question of how the electoral power-especially electoral power exercised by the underclass itself-can be mobilized to win new public policies.

The Truly Disadvantaged: Structuring An Agenda For Change, James A. Geschwender

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This manuscript addresses the question as to how we may best structure an agenda for change aimed at improving the economic situation for the "truly disadvantaged." I have chosen to address this question within the limits set by existing political circumstances. Policy proposals are presented because they are believed to be achievable and would be effective if implemented. It is impossible to think about this question without considering the proposals presented by William J. Wilson in his pathbreaking book, The Truly Disadvantaged (1987). Consequently, I briefly describe the intellectual context within which Wilson wrote his book and analyze the basic …

Hands-On Purposeful Activity And Short-Term Memory Retention In Elderly Patients With Cognitive Deficits, Desiree Arah Varner

Masters Theses

This study compared the effects of hands-on purposeful doing with demonstration (HO) versus a demonstration-only (DO) activity in terms of the level of memory retention in elderly females. Twenty-nine females with a mean age of 81.8 years (SD = 11.6) and with moderate cognitive deficits as determined by a score of 3-8 on the Mental Status Questionnaire (Kahn, Goldfarb, & Pollack, 1960) were selected from an extended care nursing facility. Fifteen randomly assigned subjects (in three sub-groups of five) had approximately one hour of demonstration and hands-on involvement with ice cream making. Fourteen randomly assigned subjects in sub-groups of four …

An Empirical Examination Of Hispanic-Americans In A University Setting And The Influences On Their Attitudes Towards Assimilation, Ramon Rodriguez

Masters Theses

Recent literature on Hispanic-Americans has determined that Hispanics are the fastest-growing minority in the United States. Both the high rates of immigration and a high birth rate mean it is only a matter of time before Hispanics will form an extensively large population. Hispanics, however, generally remain unassimilated. This study focuses on the influences on the attitudes towards assimilation of Hispanic-Americans in a university setting.

Survey methods were utilized to gather data from a sample of 100 individuals at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan. A survey return rate of 57% was obtained from Hispanic students questioned. The data showed that …

Alcohol Use In The Industrialized West: One View, E. Michael Smith

Masters Theses

Alcohol has great antiquity and is used by most of the world's cultures. Invariably, there are many theories which account for its use. Regardless, whether psychological, biological or sociological they tend to represent alcohol use, alcohol abuse and alcoholism as stages of the disease process. The present paper uses a multidisciplinary approach to the study of alcohol use, incorporating ideas that are psychological, sociological, biological and anthropological. Alcohol use in the industrialized West may, in part, be accounted for because of "subsistence insecurity."

For the purpose of this paper "subsistence insecurity," in the industrialized West, will be represented by the …

Western News, November 30, 1989, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: $500,000 Kresge Foundation grant challenges WMU to raise $3 million more for building, Board OKs additional fund requests, Haenicke comments on MLK, new institute, Asken heads campus planning unit, Barcelona to direct water institute, Board approves academic personnel changes; names associate dean, reappoints chairperson, Fares named coordinator of Writing Lab

Wmu Board Of Trustees Regular Meeting November 17, 1989, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

• Acceptance of the Agenda
• Approval of the Minutes
• Correspondence
• President's Remarks
• Special Recognition - Duane Roberts
• Authorization to Confer Degrees
• Grant Report
• Personnel Report
• Program Revision Requests for 1990/91
• Gift Report
• Personnel Report
• Capital Outlay Budget Requests for 1990/91
• Assurance Agreements
• MAGB Report
• Report on Visit to Japan Center for Michigan Universities
• Remarks by the Provost
• Public Comments
• Adjournment
• Attachment A - Women's Research Group
• Attachment B - MLK Day at WMU The President's Proposal
• Attachment C - 1990/91 Capital Outlay Budget Request
• Attachment D - Remarks by Provost

Western News, November 16, 1989, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Business building courtyard to be named for Duncans, Senate hears call for stronger spring/summer program, Tainted products focus of ethics talk, Interest by Japanese students credited for 38 percent increase in CELCIS enrollment, Second edition of Stenesh dictionary published

Western News, November 9, 1989, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Haenicke proposes plans for MLK observance; discusses race relations and budget with Senate, Teleconference to focus on AIDS on campus, California organizer to speak on involvement by community in health care policy decisions, Kalamazoo, European officials to discuss alternative responses to crime Nov. 13

Western News, November 2, 1989, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Haenicke calls for review of undergraduate curriculum, Computer scientist to be Visiting Scholar, Stoltman earns national geography award, Fox; Quinn named WMU 'Volunteers of the Year', Six elected to WMU Foundation board of directors, board's officers re-elected to one-year terms, Kalamazoo Invitational Goal Ball Tournament slated for Gary Center gymnasium Nov. 4

Western News, October 26, 1989, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Task force to look at alcoholism, WMU guarantees tuition for 20 minority students, WMU volunteers donate time to United Way agencies, Peace week events to explore national security, Expert on aging, visually impaired to speak, 'Successful Aging' to be teleconference topic

Western News, October 19, 1989, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: National leaders to participate in conference on public policy and African-Americans Oct. 21, Campaign business means 'busyness' for loaned execs, Health economics, accounting experts here Oct. 25-26 as part of Visiting Scholars Program, Barnett to advocate legalization of drugs

Western News, October 12, 1989, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Pippen, Walker honored for distinguished service, Cultural Events Committee accepting funding proposals, Six faculty members win computer incentive awards, $125,000 United Way goal challenges employees, Social work professor to be Visiting Scholar, Ross predicts economic boom will mark 1990s and first 20 years of next century

Western News, September 28, 1989, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Three honored with Distinguished Alumni Awards, Teleconference designed to encourage minority youth to stay in education, Research ethics, whistle blowers are talk topics, Assistantship designed to provide more information on lesbian/gay men's issues, Evans named to intellectual skills position, Nuclear waste disposal expert to speak Oct. 2, Maier's work earns national book award, Schma heads Grand Rapids cable access group

Western News, September 7,1989, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Figures indicate record enrollment, Faculty, staff invited to join in community celebration, Poet's son; Irish political leader to speak, Acquaintance rape prevention and education to be focus of seminar and public forum, World War II veterans to report back to duty Sept. 9, Etter-Lewis wins Ford Foundation Fellowship, Ziring selected to spend semester at sea

Social Work And Sexual Harassment, Surjit Singh Dhooper, Marlene B. Huff, Carrie M. Schultz

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Ninety-seven members of the Kentucky chapter of National Association of Social Workers were surveyed about their knowledge of and experience with sexual harassment in their work places. Fifty-one percent knew of sexual harassment of female social workers and 18% knew of similar harassment of male workers. Twenty-six percent had themselves been victims of sexual harassment. Verbal harassment was the most common followed by a combination of verbal and physical harassment in the form of sexy jokes and unwanted touching. A majority of the victims resorted to either avoidance, defusion, or reason in dealing with their harassers. Young workers from small …

Counseling Troubled Adolescents: An Evaluation Of A Statewide Training Program, Susanne Mitchell, Anne White, Wynn S. Wright, Peter J. Pecora

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Susanne Mitchell was a graduate student at the School of Social Work, University of Utah. Anne White, M.S.W, is a staff social worker at the Diabetes Health Center, Salt Lake City, Utah. Wynn S. Wright, M.S.W., was the Project Coordinator of the Utah Child Welfare Training Project, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Utah; and currently is psychiatric social worker at Primary Children's Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah. Peter 1. Pecora, Ph.D., is Associate Professor and Principal Investigator of the Child Welfare Training Project at the Graduate School of Social Work, University of Utah. The research for this …

Low-Income Parents' Attitudes Toward Parent Involvement In Education, Nancy Feyl Chavkin, David L. Williams Jr.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Using data from 978 parents who indicated their family income level on a descriptive survey about attitudes toward parent involvement in education, this article reports on comparisons among low-income, middle- income, and high-income parents. Despite some differences among the groups, the results clearly dispute any idea that low-income parents lack interest in their children's education. The authors provide recommendations of key strategies that social workers can use to facilitate effective involvement of low-income parents in their children's education.

Court-Ordered Consent Decree For The Homeless: Process, Conflict And Control, Alice K. Johnson, Larry W. Kreuger, John J. Stretch

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

A 1985 class action suit on behalf of homeless individuals living in the City of St. Louis mandates both short-term and long-term services to homeless persons. These court-ordered requirements bring together an interesting triparite system: (1) the adversarial and justice-oriented legal system, (b) the highly political city government, and (c) the traditionally voluntary system of human service providers. Service provision to the homeless, the utility of advocacy, privatization, and the ethics of public disclosure are examined from a sociological conflict and control perspective. The St. Louis experience provides guidance for communities wishing to engage the legal, political, and social service …

The Impact Of Americanization On Intergenerational Relations: An Exploratory Study On The U.S. Territory Of Guam, Amanda Smith Barusch, Marc L. Spaulding

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

In-depth interviews with a sample of 60 elderly from the indigenous (Chamorro) population and the immigrant (Filipino) population examined their current lifestyles, with emphasis upon intergenerational relations. Results underscore the dramatic lifestyle changes experienced by Guam's elderly in the wake of Americanization. Among these is an intergenerational "language gap", wherein a majority of the grandchildren do not speak the native language of their elders. Ethnicity, mixed marriage, and length of residence on Guam are discussed as possible determinants of the language gap. The language gap is associated with lower life satisfaction for elders, as well as reduced family contact and …

Eastern European Refugees: Implications For Social Work, Richard P. Baker

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The project examined and analyzed the adaptation and ethnicity of Eastern European immigrants. The methodology consisted of in-depth interviews with 28 families. White ethnic groups are able to rapidly adapt to their new environment, but their ethnic heritage diminishes. Securing employment and learning the language are the two most serious problems for immigrants. A serendipitous analysis concerns the estranged relationship between the immigrants and the refugee center. Improvement of social services to immigrants is also addressed.

Mainstreaming The Underclass, David Stoesz, John Poole, Martha Joseph

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The underclass has become a prominent issue in American social welfare, yet welfare professionals have focused on maintenance as opposed to mainstreaming strategies in working with this population. A mainstreaming strategy would emphasize individual incentives, community reconstruction, and program reorganization, focusing on the social disorganization of underclass communities. The essay details specific programs in each of these areas: transitional benefits, Community Enterprise Zones, and Integrated Service Agencies, among others. Welfare professionals must find ways to stretch existing public resources and identify new private resources if they are to pose plausible programs for the underclass. The public image of welfare professionals …