Social Work Commons^™

Community Builders: A Tale Of Neighborhood Mobilization In Two Cities. Gordana Rabrenovic.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Gordana Rabrenovic, Community Builders: A Tale of Neighborhood Mobilization in Two Cities. Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press, 1996. $54.95 hardcover, $22.95 papercover.

Poverty Among Asian Americans: Theories And Approaches, Surjit Singh Dhooper

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Asian Americans are not immune to poverty and its consequences. This paper has reviewed several poverty-related concepts and theories and examined their relevance for understanding and dealing with poverty among Asian Americans. Social work interventions are proposed at both macro and micro levels together with the professional skills necessary for those interventions.

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 24, No. 1 (March 1997)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• CIVIL RIGHTS AND ASIAN AMERICANS - Gerson David and Jan Lin
• POVERTY AMONG ASIAN AMERICANS: THEORIES AND APPROACHES - Surjit Singh Dhooper
• FAMILY FUNCTIONING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING IN VIETNAMESE ADOLESCENTS - Quang Duong Tran and Cheryl A. Richey
• DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE KOREAN IMMIGRANT FAMILY - Siyon Rhee
• ASIAN-AMERICAN ELDERLY: A REVIEW OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND SOCIAL SERVICE NEEDS - Mizanur R. Miah and Dean R. Kahler
• ASIAN-AMERICAN WOMEN: AN UNDERSTUDIED MINORITY - Lina Y. S. Fong
• NOTES TOWARD A THEORY OF SECONDARY INTEGRATION: APORIAS OF A LOST PARADIGM - Brij Mohan
• ASIAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCES: …

Turning Points In Social Security: From Cruel Hoax To Sacred Entitlement. Sheryl R. Tynes.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Sheryl R. Tynes, Turning Points in Social Security: From Cruel Hoax to Sacred Entitlement. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 1996. $39.50 hardcover.

Civil Rights And Asian Americans, Gerson David, Jan Lin

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Asian American community composed of no less than 20 different ethnic groups is one of the most diverse and complex minority groups in the nation. This article examines the civil rights perspective on Asian Americans through a historical account of major Asian immigrant groups who have experienced and are confronting institutionalized discrimination and violence; and analyzes contemporary civil rights issues affecting Asian Americans in the areas of public and higher education, the work place, and voting rights.

Family Functioning And Psychological Well-Being In Vietnamese Adolescents, Quang Duong Tran, Cheryl A. Richey

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This paper presents an exploratory study that examines the influences of family functioning on the psychological well-being in a sample of Vietnamese adolescents. Thirty Vietnamese families from the King County area in the state of Washington participated in this study. Thirty adolescents between 13 and 19 years of age and 53 parents (27fathers and 26 mothers) responded to self-reported questionnaires. Data analysis was conducted to provide a descriptive "picture" of family and individual characteristics associated with Vietnamese adolescents' psychological well-being. Gender differences were apparent with Vietnamese female adolescents reporting higher mean scores on depressive symptoms and lower mean scores on …

Domestic Violence In The Korean Immigrant Family, Siyon Rhee

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This article was supported in part by the University Research Grant from California State University, Los Angeles.

This study examines the prevalence of wife abuse among Korean immigrant families in the United States and factors contributing to domestic violence in this population. One of the most serious problems facing the Korean community is spouse abuse. Immigrant Korean families are reported to experience the highest rate of domestic violence among diverse Asian American groups in Los Angeles. Research findings indicate that wife abuse is much more prevalent among the immigrant Korean population in comparison to other ethnic groups. Correlates and factors …

Asian-American Elderly: A Review Of The Quality Of Life And Social Service Needs, Mizanur R. Miah, Dean R. Kahler

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This paper briefly reviews the historical, cultural, and socio-economic factors that affect and define the lives of Asian-American elderly. A close examination of the present quality of life of Asian-American Elderly is made to determine if there are differences between that population and other populations. This paper provides information about existing social services and a summary of culturally relevant social work intervention. In conclusion, the paper underscores the urgent need for additional data collection regarding the Asian-American elderly that will help guide appropriate policy decisions and social services for this neglected group.

Asian-American Women: An Understudied Minority, Lina Y. S. Fong

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This paper describes Asian-American women with their inter-ethnic, intergenerational connections. Diversities in race, ethnicity, and socio-economic status influence their lives in family, participation in education, the labor force, and community life. Issues and implications about the myth of Asian- American as model minority, the influence of feminism, and social work service for Asian-American women are also discussed.

Notes Toward A Theory Of Secondary Integration: Aporias Of A Lost Paradigm, Brij Mohan

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Asian Americans' contributions and experiences add a unique dimension to the nation's ethnic mosaic. While they share many a commonality with other ethnic groups, excursus on the duality of their triumph and failure unfold a host of emerging issues in the study of post-industrial alienation. The premise of this article posits the Asian American experience in the context of secondary integration: a possible reality that, despite delimited access, allows space and humanity in the promised land.

Review Of Individual And Social Responsibility: Child Care, Education, Medical Care And Long Term Care In America. Victor R. Fuchs (Ed.). Reviewed By Ram A. Cnaan, University Of Pennsylvania And Femida Hany, York University., Ram A. Cnaan, Femida Hany

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Victor R. Fuchs (Ed.), Individual and Social Responsibility: Child Care, Education, Medical Care, and Long-Term Care in America, Chicago: The University of Chicago Press and The National Bureau of Economic Research, 1996, 353 pp, hardcover.

Review Of Readings In American Health Care: Current Issues In Socio-Historical Perspective. William G. Rothstein (Ed.). Reviewed By Terri Combs-Orme, University Of Tennessee., Terri Combs-Orme

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

William G. Rothstein (Ed) Readings in American Health Care: Current Issues in Socio-Historical Perspective. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press, 1996. $49.95 hardcover, $17.95 papercover.

Review Of A Kingdom On Earth: Anglo-American Social Christianity 1880-1940. Paul T. Phillips. Reviewed By James Leiby, University Of California, Berkeley., James Leiby

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Paul T. Phillips, A Kingdom on Earth: Anglo-American Social Christianity, 1880-1940.. University Park: Penn State Press, 1996. $55.00 hardcover, $16.95 papercover.

Review Of Inequality In Old Age. John A. Vincent. Reviewed By Martin Tracy, Southern Illinois University., Martin Tracy

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

John A. Vincent, Inequality in Old Age. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1996. $ 49.95 hardcover.

Securing Employer-Based Pensions: An International Perspective. Zvi Bodie, Olivia S. Mitchell And John A. Turner.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Zvi Bodie, Olivia S. Mitchell and John A. Turner. Securing Employer- based Pensions: An International Perspective. Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Press, 1996. $44.95 hardcover.

Approaches To The Welfare State. Pranab Chatterjee.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Pranab Chatterjee, Approaches to the Welfare State. Washington DC: NASW Press, 1996. $34.95 papercover.

The Economic Impact Of The Welfare State And Social Wage: The British Experience. Rafat Fazeli.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Rafat Fazeli, The Economic Impact of the Welfare State and Social Wage: The British Experience. Brookfield, VT: Avebury, 1996. $55.95 hardcover.

Escaping Poverty & Becoming Self-Sufficient, Richard K. Caputo

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Using logistic regression analysis on data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, this study found that sociodemographic factors were far more influential in determining escape from poverty and becoming self sufficient than social psychological factors. The number of years respondents lived in poverty was the best predictor of escaping poverty, while the number of years respondents made use of public assistance programs was the best predictor of becoming self-sufficient. Marital status and change in the number of hours worked influenced the prospect for escaping poverty, though not becoming self-sufficient. Implications regarding the changing philosophy of social welfare from income …

Improving Social Work Practice With Persons Who Are Homeless And Mentally Ill, Carol T. Mowbray, Shirley P. Thrasher, Evan Cohen, Deborah Bybee

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Despite a proliferation of programs targeted for persons who are homeless and mentally ill, few reports in the literature detail the challenges experienced or strategies utilized by workers, the majority of whom are social workers. The present study reports results from two focus group sessions held with staff running a model service intervention for this population at two separate sites. The methodology that was utilized quanitified results, allowing presentation of themes, as well as comparisons of the frequency of responses across categories and by site. Staff perceived barriersa ssociatedw ith client behaviors and characteristicsp redominated at both sites. However, systemic …

Women Behind Bars: Trends And Policy Issues, Mark S. Kaplan, Jennifer E. Sasser

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

In the crusade to get tough on crime, policy makers have also gotten tough on women, drawing them into prisons in rapidly growing numbers. Today, incarcerated women are predominately poor, uneducated, and unskilled; are disproportionately African American and Latina young women with children; and have severe health and mental health problems. This article examines the characteristics and needs of these women and presents recommendations for their more humane and pragmatic treatment and for social policy that is relevant for the decarceration of this country's soaring female prison population.

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 23, No. 4 (December 1996)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• IMPROVING SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE WITH PERSONS WHO ARE HOMELESS AND MENTALLY ILL - Carol T. Mowbray, Shirley P. Thraser, Evan Cohen, and Deborah Bybee
• PREDICTORS OF DEPRESSION AMONG WORKERS AT THE TIME OF A PLANT CLOSING - Nancy R. Vosler and Deborah Page-Adams
• WOMEN BEHIND BARS: TRENDS AND POLICY ISSUES - Mark S. Kaplan and Jennifer E. Sasser
• IMPLICIT BELIEFS ABOUT CHANGE: A THEORY-GROUNDED MEASURE APPLIED TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS SERVING CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES - Susan B. Silverberg, Sherry C. Betts, Angela J. Huebner, and Sonia Cota-Robles
• PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZING - Sung Sil Lee Sohng …

Participatory Research And Community Organizing, Sung Sil Lee Sohng

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The paper summarizes the political economy of knowledge production in an increasingly privatized, postindustrial world of knowledge society. This analysis is linked to the emergence of participatory research movements. It argues that the participatory approach to community research offers epistemology and methodology that address people, power and praxis in our postmodern, information society. The paper then describes howa participatory research project is carried out in community practice, articulating key moments and the roles of the researcher and participants. In order to develop this understanding further, it examines the efforts of two specific projects and shows how knowledge production can serve …

Gay And Lesbian Adoptions: A Theoretical Examination Of Policy-Making And Organizational Decision Making, Thom Reilly

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Most of the inquiry into gay and lesbian adoptions has focused on the rights of this population toadopt, the constitutional issues surrounding gay and lesbian parenting, and the outcomes of children raised by homosexual parents. There has been scant focus at the policy-making or organizational level on this issue. Why have public adoption agencies failed to provide either regulation or written policy on the topic of adoption of children by gays and lesbians?

This article pursues a theoretical examination of policy-making and organizational decision making to explore this issue. Additionally, a survey was distributed to adoption officials in each of …

Services Provided By A Homeless Intervention: Policy And Planning Implications, Carol T. Mowbray, Deborah Bybee

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Despite the acknowledged need for effective programs to serve persons who are homeless and mentally ill, few evaluations of these programs provide quantitative details on service provision. Such information can be useful to planners for replication and also for public policy concerning the need to mandate services most in demand. This report on a successful outreach intervention reports information on service amounts, duration, and types, as well as identifying predictors of service use. The overall amount of service provided to eligible participants varied substantially. While the median duration was only three months, repeat service episodes were common. For most clients, …

Occupational Aspiration Among African-Americans: A Case For Affirmative Action, Ronald E. Hall

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The recent attack upon Affirmative Action in the workplace demands that merit be the sole criterion of employment. Policies designed to eliminate discriminatory practices are in themselves discriminatory and suggest minorities are inferior. Such suggestions are archaic and simplistic. Each assumes that the workplace operates in a social vacuum when in fact a complex system of cultural norms precedes the influence of merit. For African-Americans color is a predcedent of merit. The present study was undertaken to determine the implications of color in the workplace by analyzing it vis a vis occupational aspiration. Using a sample of African- American college …

A Statewide Study Of Neighbors' Knowledge Of And Reactions To Physical Child Abuse, Gary W. Paquin, Janet Ford

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Neighbors are believed to have an important influence on child abuse prevention and intervention. This article reports the results of a statewide telephone survey of Kentucky (n = 650) which examined the extent to which respondents suspected neighbors of child abuse (9.4%), and had ever taken in a neighbor's abused or neglected child (7.2%). Variables related to parenting (having a minor child, age, employment status, receiving AFDC benefits) were the only demographic characteristics significantly associated with suspicion of neighbors' abuse; only being the parent of a minor child was significantly associated with taking in a neighbor's child. The results imply …

Implicit Beliefs About Change: A Theory-Grounded Measure Applied To Community Organizations Serving Children, Youth, And Families, Susan B. Silverberg, Sherry C. Betts, Angela J. Huebner, Sonia Cota-Robles

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The aim of this study was to design and evaluate a theory-grounded measure that taps staff beliefs about the possibility for change in an organization which serves children, youth and families at the community level. The rationale for measuring staff beliefs about change derived from a motivation theory that features two contrasting beliefs structures (entity vs. incremental), and the goals and behavioral dispositions associated with each (Dweck & Leggett, 1988). Twenty-nine individuals associated with the community-based organization completed the newly developed Implicit Beliefs About Change Scale (IBACS) and participatedi n a semi-structured interview. Quantitative analyses indicated that the IBACS has …

America Unequal. Sheldon Danziger And Peter Gottscshalk.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Sheldon Danziger and Peter Gottscshalk, America Unequal. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1995. $26.00 hardcover.

The Disposable Workforce. Thomas S. Moore.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Thomas S. Moore, The Disposable Workforce. Hawthorne, NY: 1996. $37.95 hardcover, $18.95 papercover.

Predictors Of Depression Among Workers At The Time Of A Plant Closing, Nancy R. Vosler, Deborah Page-Adams

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Using an ecological theoretical perspective, this study of white male UAW workers stressed by a plant closing explored predictors of depression at multiple systems levels. The five best predictors of workers' depression were family strengths, age, economic strain, health, and social support. Additional bivariate predictors included self-esteem and having an alcohol problem at the individual level, marital status and family satisfaction at the family system level, and household income, home ownership, and key relationships at the social-environmental level. Implications for collaboration between direct-service and policy-practice social workers are discussed.