Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Magdalene Laundries: The First Prisons For Women In The United States, Michelle Jones, Lori Record

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

The Indiana Women’s Prison, originally known as the Indiana Reformatory Institution for Women and Girls, is considered the first separate prison for women in the United States. We believe that distinction belongs instead to Catholic institutions commonly referred to as “Magdalene Laundries” that were established throughout the nation beginning in the 1840s and that served as private prisons for women whose sexuality offended mainstream society. We first discovered the existence of a Magdalene Laundry in Indianapolis as part of research on the early history of our prison. In digitizing records for the original inmates, we found that none were in …

Precipitating Factors Influencing Obesity Rates In Indiana, Jeffrey Allen

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

Nearly two-thirds of the American population is now overweight, and the rate of obesity has doubled since the early 1960s. The state of Indiana has elected to forgo Medicaid expansion available through the Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA), which includes funding specific to obesity and obesity-related comorbidities. Utilizing the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 2014 Health Statistics, causative obesity factors found in current research literature is examined for Indiana’s 92 counties. The variables are examined to determine significant correlation with adult levels of obesity. The significant variables (smoking, unemployment levels, physical inactivity) found in the correlation are then placed in …

Factors Affecting Moral Judgment In Business Students, Jim Thomas, Steve Dunphy

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

This study examines the relationship between college major, religious orientation, informal curriculum, and certain student life experiences and moral judgment at an urban commuter institution. Particular attention is paid to business students. Research questions included the effect of college major, religious orientation, and informal curriculum on moral judgment. Students answered questions relating to the constructs using a survey incorporating Sarason’s Social Support questionnaire and Batson and Ventis’s Religious Orthodoxy Scale. Moral judgment was measured by the Defining Issues Test. Responses were analyzed using least squares multiple regression analysis. The results indicated statistically significant relationships involving moral judgment with college major, …

Indiana Academy Of The Social Sciences: The First 85 Years, Kathleen Tobin

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

This paper looks at the history of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences (IASS) and the organization’s contributions to the field. Through a careful examination of documents, newsletters, minutes, and correspondence, a rich account unfolds, demonstrating unceasing commitment to advancing research in multiple disciplines. The IASS built bridges between and among colleges and universities across the state, as well as with state institutions, professional associations, libraries, and high schools. For 85 years, it has promoted camaraderie and respect and has succeeded in fostering support for all of the social sciences.

Navigating Behind The Shadows Of Steel: The Convergence And Divergence Of Identity And Language Among Latino Youth In Northwest Indiana, Scooter Pégram

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

The region of Northwest Indiana is home to many thousands of Latinos, and this dynamic group has a long history in the area. As a group, issues relating to Latinos are well researched; however, primary investigations involving youth from the community are few. Influenced by the surrounding host and heritage cultures, young Latinos find themselves in a unique yet conflicting position as they navigate the parameters of both of these paradigms. This paper examines identity and language use amongst young Latinos in Northwest Indiana, and data are presented from a sociolinguistic intervention undertaken with 310 young Latinos from this region. …

"I Am Haunted By The Question Of What I Shall Do": The Vocational Struggles Of A Teenage Girl In The 1940s As Seen Through Her Diary Accounts, Randy Mills

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

The immediate post-WWII era was a time of great transition and difficulty for many younger women. Among these difficulties for teenage women just graduating from high school loomed key vocational choices. Typically, these choices involved either taking up the traditional gender track role as housewife and mother, or going to college, postponing marriage, and developing a professional career. Although there have been studies investigating such circumstances, little attention has been given to the individual emotional aspects of this difficult vocational journey. In response to this void, this descriptive study seeks to gain deeper insight into the vocational struggles of one …

The Influence Of New Governance Policy On Correctional Management And Policy: The Indiana Example, Joseph Ferrandino

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

Correctional management and policy decisions throughout the nation have been greatly influenced by the new governance of public administration philosophy, and Indiana provides a practical example of this rapid expansion that has gone largely unnoticed in the criminal justice literature. Using state budget data and contractual artifacts from the Indiana Department of Corrections and Department of Administration, this research details the levels of privatization through contracting and private management in the Indiana system. This analysis suggests specific attention of correctional policy makers to the size of private markets, accountability networks, market expansion of private providers, and equity issues that arise …

National And International Indices Of Well-Being: A Critical Analysis, Donna Mclean

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

Over the past decade, increasing effort has been made to develop both national and global indices of well-being. Much like earlier sustainability indices directed at questions of economics and environment, well-being metrics seek to chart the quality of life of citizens in order to (1) support administrative decision making and policy formation, (2) encourage consensus building and public participation in defining what’s important, (3) educate and advocate, and (4) facilitate research through data collection and analysis. This paper explores a number of indices of well-being, including the Canadian Index of Well-being, the OECD Your Better Life Index, and the Happy …

The New Frontier: Genetic Analysis And The Concept Of Rights Infringement, Tyler Counsil

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

Major highlights of genetic analysis and its implications in the field of forensic science are discussed at length, including the discovery of polymerase chain reaction and the importance of one’s genetic material as criminal evidence. A discussion of recent trends in molecular techniques will give way to a necessary dialogue regarding the potential pitfalls pertaining to overinvestment in genetic profiling. Major topics of debate include the use of arrestee databases, constitutional rights infringements through molecular analysis, and unwarranted evidence collection.

An Analysis Of E-Waste: When Do Electronics Die?, Katharine Bohley Martin, Chris Harris

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

E-waste represents a considerable challenge in today’s global economy. The ease of purchase and delivery via online methods, coupled with the rapid pace of technological advancement, has led to considerable e-waste. E-waste represents a different challenge for reverse logistics than just a product return. In the case of e-waste, the product has been used and is no longer wanted. Because an e-waste item is no longer wanted, the possibility of designing a product to eventually be remanufactured is an area of research that deserves investigation. The purpose of this article is to make the argument that U.S. corporations should be …

Changing Counts, Counting Change: Toward A More Inclusive Definition Of Family, Brian Powell

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

Americans now live in a diversity of living arrangements—more so than ever before. Whether or not these living arrangements are counted as family can have direct consequences for people’s lives. Families enjoy many rights and privileges—both formal and informal—that are not provided to others. Understanding the boundaries that Americans make between “families” and “nonfamilies” tells us who is seen as deserving of these rights and privileges. In this article, Brian Powell discusses results of a U.S.-based study in which more than 2000 adults were interviewed about their stances regarding same-sex couples, cohabiting couples, same- sex marriage, and, most importantly, what …

Editor's Note, Kenneth D. Colburn Jr

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

This issue represents my fourth annual volume as editor of JIASS. I hope you, the reader, are as pleased with the result as am I and my editorial staff. As in previous years, we continue to publish high-quality original scholarly research along with theoretical analyses and public policy commentary on a broad range of topics.

Jiass Reviewers And Referees (2010-2015), Jiass Staff

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

Gratitude and appreciation are expressed to the following persons, among others, who served as reviewers and referees for papers. The publication of this journal would not be possible without their professional dedication and support. THANK YOU!

Author Biographical Notes, Jiass Staff

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

Author biographical notes in order of appearance

The Evansville Home For The Friendless And The Problems Of Female Reform, Brianna Mclaughlin

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

The 19th century was an era of social reform, particularly in regard to women. Religious middle- to upper-class women joined forces in an effort to end prostitution and immoral crimes. In an attempt to “heal” prostitutes and other delinquents, reformers founded institutions including maternity homes. The Evansville Home for the Friendless was one such maternity home, established in 1870 and operating for almost 100 years. The Home for the Friendless housed unmarried mothers and wrote logbook entries detailing the lives of others whom the women judged to be morally felonious. The matrons in charge of the Home for the Friendless …

Weak Presidents, Treaty Ratification, And Presidential Leadership Style, Joe Wert, Cliff Staten

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

Traditionally, the president is seen as getting his way when it comes to foreign-policy issues; however, with treaty making, an aspect very much related to foreign policy, things are different. Treaties are seen as salient, high-profile, and requiring direct positive action by the Senate. Presidents with high approval ratings would expect to have a relatively easy job at getting treaties approved by the Senate, but when a president is faced with low public approval, one of the most useful tools at his disposal to get Senate approval is not in play. The authors look at a case study of President …

Cultural Diversity In The United States And Its Impact On Human Development, Jason Vanalstine, Steven R. Cox, Dianne M. Roden

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

Previous studies have yielded mixed results on the impact of cultural diversity on economic performance. We find a positive relationship in the United States between cultural diversity and a comprehensive measure of human development that incorporates health, education, and income. We also disaggregate cultural diversity into three components including ethnicity, language, and religion. We find a positive relationship between human development and both religious and language diversity, and a negative relationship with ethnic diversity. These relationships are robust, using several alternative mathematical measures of diversity. Our results are consistent with diversity generating benefits from exposure to a variety of experiences, …

Feeding A Population: Agricultural Education Priorities In Haitian History, Kathleen A. Tobin

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

The nation of Haiti has experienced a long history of poverty and of tests to its economic development. Among its priorities has been the establishment of an effective educational system. While educational standards remain high, the area of agricultural education—necessary for Haiti’s economy as well as nutritional subsistence—has met with unique challenges. This paper examines analyses and programming policies of the past in order to illuminate contemporary circumstances.

The Mediating Role Of Staffing On Quality Of Care In Nonprofit And For-Profit Nursing Homes In Indiana, Irene Gichungeh, Ae-Sook Kim

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

This study attempts to disentangle the relationships between ownership, staffing, and nursing home quality using Indiana nursing home data. Typical Indiana nursing homes are known to be below average on health inspection and overall quality ratings. This is alarming because Indiana’s population aged 85 years or older is increasing and these individuals are likely to need long-term care services. With an ultimate goal of addressing the poor quality of long-term care institutions, this study analyzed the Nursing Home Compare data collected from 2010 to 2012 by utilizing chi- square tests, one-way ANOVAs, and correlation analysis. The results revealed that nonprofit …

What Happens If Pensions Disappear? A Case Analysis, Jonathan Furdek, John J. Lucas

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

Long before General Motors filed for bankruptcy protection, it closed all 10 of its facilities in Anderson, Indiana, which was devastating to the greater Anderson Community, yet today, more than ten thousand General Motors retirees reside around Anderson and the pension benefits continue to buffer the economic impact on the community. There are viable threats in the current economic climate to this stream of pension income, however.

This study is an attempt to assess the long-term economic impact that a loss or significant reduction of future pensions could potentially have on the Anderson, Indiana, area.

Hobbes In Hollywood: Crime And Its Outcomes In The Natural State, Joseph Ferrandino

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

This content analysis introduces a genre of film that paralleled the rise of conservatism in the United States (1979–1996). Based on the words of Hobbes, the films are perceived to represent the world in its natural state, absent the proper social and law enforcement authorities within existing civilized society. Prior literature on this topic and subject are examined, as are the real measures of criminal justice system breadth over this period, including crime, victimization, arrests, imprisonments, police staffing data, and information on dollars spent. The results of the content analysis reveal the cold, harsh, brutal, nasty, and short world of …

Higher Ground: A Hoosier Soldier's Search For Religious Identity In The Korean War, Douglas Dixon

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

This paper focuses on Private Joe Doe, a Hoosier soldier in the Korean War who struggled with the conflict between conservative Christian beliefs and modernity. The author reviewed 85 letters that Doe sent home to his mother, in addition to Private Doe’s mother’s memoirs and the evangelical literature that Doe encountered in his formative years. Although Doe had been socialized to believe that the church solved the most pressing problems, his experiences also underscored the power of modern science, New Deal programs, public education, and changing roles of women. This is a case study of a young Hoosier soldier’s search …

Explaining Small-Business Development: A Small-Business Development Model Combining The Maslow And The Hayes And Wheelwright Models, Jeff Adams, Chris Harris, Katharine A. Bohley Martin

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

This paper looks at small-business management from the standpoint of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Hayes and Wheelwright’s four-stage model. The paper adapts Maslow’s hierarchy of needs model to small- business development and evolution. Additionally, Hayes and Wheelwright’s four-stage model is combined with the adapted Maslow small-business development model. The implications of the new model on the development of small businesses and future research are discussed.

A Stained Glass Ceiling? Mitt Romney And Mormonism, David E. Campbell

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

Did Mitt Romney’s religion—Mormonism—help or hurt him in his campaigns for the presidency? While Romney’s religious affiliation was generally viewed as an electoral liability, Americans’ ambivalence about Mormons presented the possibility that, depending on framing, it could be neutralized or could perhaps even become a political asset. Survey experiments during both Romney’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns suggest that although Romney’s religion was a detriment when he ran the first time, it had largely ceased to be an issue in 2012. Although Mormonism did not have much effect on Romney’s performance at the polls in the general election of 2012, however, …

Table Of Contents, Jiass Staff

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

A list of article contents for this issue.

Editor's Note, Kenneth D. Colburn

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

It is once again that time of year when I have the distinct honor and pleasure of sharing a few comments related to the publication of the most recent volume of the Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences. The current issue, Volume 18 (2015), represents the fifth and final year of my first term as senior editor in chief. I have been fortunate during this time period to have been able to work with a talented and dedicated staff of coeditors, referee-reviewers and, of course, authors. I am extremely pleased to report that the current volume …

Jiass Reviewers And Referees (2010-2016), Jiass Staff

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

Gratitude and appreciation are expressed to the following persons, among others, who served as reviewers and referees for papers. The publication of this journal would not be possible without their professional dedication and support. THANK YOU!

Author Biographical Notes, Jiass Staff

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

Author biographical notes in order of appearance

Table Of Contents, Jiass Staff

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

A list of article contents for this issue.

Senior Editor's Note, Kenneth D. Colburn Jr

Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences

I am pleased to present Volume 19 (2016) of the Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences. Our latest issue offers a sizable number of papers sharing results in research, pedagogy, and shorter research notes, including remarks from last year’s keynote speaker, Professor Kosali Simon. Taken as a whole, this volume explores a rich and diverse array of topics and issues from across a wide range of disciplinary perspectives. Topics include health, gender, healthcare professionals, and healthcare policy; African American and American Indian families; family, work, and leisure pursuits such as scrapbooking; a 1945 bingo riot in Evansville; …