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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

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Sociology

Western Kentucky University

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

1999

Articles 1 - 7 of 7

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Sterilization In The United States: Prevalence And Controversies, Carey Brown Dec 1999

Sterilization In The United States: Prevalence And Controversies, Carey Brown

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

There have been many breakthroughs in birth control technologies, many of which have been beneficial for women. However, many feminists who advocate reproductive freedom also warn that freedom for some might lead to further oppression for others. The case in point is the practice of tubal ligation in the United States. Conflict theory indicates that the field of medicine is a social structure that is based upon capitalistic ideology and serves to perpetuate inequality. Feminist theory argues that medicine systematically disempowers women and that notions of family are very narrowly defined. This study examined the prevalence of tubal ligation among …


Social Identity And Substance Abuse In The Lesbian Community, Molly Kerby Dec 1999

Social Identity And Substance Abuse In The Lesbian Community, Molly Kerby

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of substance use (alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs) among members of the lesbian community. Additionally, the investigator attempted to determine if there was a relationship between negative social identity and low selfesteem that is reflected in higher rates of substance abuse. The data collection method employed in this study was a type of nonprobability sampling procedure referred to as a purposive sample. The questionnaire was derived from instruments used by other researchers and validated by an expert panel. In order to select respondents from the lesbian population to be included …


Attitudes Toward Diversity: Determining Differences By Social Locators, Stacey Sympson Aug 1999

Attitudes Toward Diversity: Determining Differences By Social Locators, Stacey Sympson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Diversity training in workplaces is occurring across the U.S. at a growing rate. These programs attempt to make work environments more pluralistic for everyone. Conflict and feminist theory both agree that those with less power will see issues in a different way than will those with more power. This research involved a questionnaire administered to employees at a governmental agency in a small city in the Southeastern United States. Indices were used to measure attitudes toward diversity and sexual orientation. T-tests and multiple regressions were employed to determine the differences in employees' attitudes toward the two dependent variables. Results from …


Attitudes Concerning Euthanasia Among Protestant Denominations, Greg Morgan Aug 1999

Attitudes Concerning Euthanasia Among Protestant Denominations, Greg Morgan

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this research was to uncover differences in attitudes among Protestant denominations concerning euthanasia. Variations in attitudes were viewed using social theories of religion by Emile Dukheim, Max Weber, Charles Glock, and Rodney Stark. These theories were used to establish a basis for variation among the Protestant denominations on social issues. A questionnaire was given to four Protestant Churches in a mid-sized city in Kentucky during the Spring of 1999. The sample of 134 respondents represented six different Protestant denominations. Logistic regression and factor analysis were used to analyze the data. Results suggest that pro-euthanasia attitudes are positively …


The Effect Of Ethnicity And Generation On Cultural Values, Launa Beck Aug 1999

The Effect Of Ethnicity And Generation On Cultural Values, Launa Beck

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Using an existential perspective, the researcher investigated the world views of 155 people divided first by ethnic group and then (n = 144) by generation. African Americans and White Americans, Baby Boomers and Generation Xers completed the Scale to Assess World Views (Ibrahim & Owen, 1994) at a grocery store in the Midwest. Results indicate significant differences between African Americans and White Americans on the Pessimistic, Traditional, and Here and Now world views but no difference in rank order. Coefficient alphas for the subscales ranged from (.42) to (.67) with an overall value of (.82) for the scale. A confirmatory …


An Application Of Hirschi's Theory Of Social Control To The Study Of Partner Abuse, Barbara Fellows May 1999

An Application Of Hirschi's Theory Of Social Control To The Study Of Partner Abuse, Barbara Fellows

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine if Hirschi's theory of social control could be applied to domestic violence. Two elements of Hirschi's theory of social control, attachment and beliefs, were used as the independent variables. The Conflict Tactics Scale was used to measure the dependent variables of directed non-contact violence and directed contact violence. Data was collected on 200 cohabiting heterosexual males. Half of these males were in court-ordered counseling programs, the other half belonged to civic or religious organizations. Crosstabulations were used to analyze the data. The Chi-square test of independence was used with an alpha level …


The Process Of Becoming A Songwriter: A Qualitative Analysis Of Self-Perceptions And Early Environmental Experiences, Becky Ehlts May 1999

The Process Of Becoming A Songwriter: A Qualitative Analysis Of Self-Perceptions And Early Environmental Experiences, Becky Ehlts

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Becoming a songwriter implies a process through which someone must experience specific things indigenous to the social world of songwriters. This research focused on the process someone goes through to become a songwriter. The process as described by the actor is influenced by both the actor and society. Previous research is limited to structural factors while this study allows the social actor to describe, in his or her own words, how his or her self-perceptions and early environmental influences have altered, influenced, and directed the process the songwriter experiences to become a member of the social world of songwriters. All …