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Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 29, No. 3 (September 2002)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• FROM HENRY STREET TO CONTRACTED SERVICES: FINANCING THE SETTLEMENT HOUSE - Robert Fisher and Michael Fabricant
• "I RAISED MY KIDS ON THE BUS": TRANSIT SHIFT WORKERS' COPING STRATEGIES FOR PARENTING - Blanche Grosswald
• HETEROSEXUAL MALES: A GROUP FORGOTTEN BY THE PROFESSION OF SOCIAL WORK - Jordan I. Kosberg
• DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LAW REFORMS: REACTIONS FROM THE TRENCHES - Carol Bohmer, Jennifer Brandt, Denise Bronson, and Helen Hartnett
• DIFFERENTIAL TEST PERFORMANCE IN THE AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM: THE IMPACT OF RACE AND GENDER - Stephen J. Finch, Harvey A. Farberman, Jordan Neus, Richard E. Adams, and Deirdre Price-Baker
• DESIGNING POLICIES …

Domestic Violence Law Reforms: Reactions From The Trenches, Carol Bohmer, Jennifer Brandt, Denise Bronson, Helen Hartnett

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

In recent years, feminists have worked hard to pressure society and the criminal justice system into taking domestic violence seriously. These efforts have resulted in more government funding and increased services to victims. In addition, there have also been legal and policy reforms which have affected the way cases are handled in the criminal justice system. This article reports on research on the reactions to those reforms by those most directly affected by them, the victims themselves and those who provide services to them.

Differential Test Performance In The American Educational System: The Impact Of Race And Gender, Stephen J. Finch, Harvey A. Farberman, Jordan Neus, Richard E. Adams, Deirdre Price-Baker

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Contrary to Herrnstein and Murray (1994) who claim that racial groups have different cognitive endowments and that these best explain differential test score achievements, our regression analyses document that there is less improvement in test scores per year of education for African-Americans and women. That is, the observed group test score differences do not appear to be due to racial cognitive differences but rather to other factors associated with group-linked experiences in the educational system. We found that 666 of the subjects in the Herrnstein-Murray database had actual IQ scores derived from school records. Using these as independent controls for …

Review Of Family Group Conferencing: New Directions In Community-Centered Child And Family Practice. Gail Buford And Joe Hudson (Eds.). Reviewed By Richard P. Barth., Richard P. Barth

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Gail Buford and Joe Hudson (Eds.), Family Group Conferencing: New Directions in Community-Centered Child and Family Practice. New York: Aldine DeGruyter; $25.95, papercover, 2002.

Review Of Counseling Female Offenders And Victims: A Strengths-Restorative Approach. Katherine Van Wormer. Reviewed By Elizabeth C. Pomeroy., Elizabeth C. Pomeroy

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Maluccio, A.N. & Daly, J. (2000). Family group conferencing as "good" child welfare practice. In Gail Buford & Joe Hudson (Eds.), Family Group Conferencing: New Directions in Community- Centered Child and Family Practice (pp. 66-71). New York: Aldine DeGruyter.

Review Of Making It In The "Free World": Women In Transition From Prison. Patricia O'Brien. Reviewed By Katherine Van Wormer., Katherine Van Wormer

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Patricia O'Brien, Making it in the "Free World": Women in Transition from Prison. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 2001. $18.95.

Family Diversity: Continuity And Change In The Contemporary Family. Pauline Irit Erera.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book note for Pauline Irit Erera, Family Diversity: Continuity and Change in the Contemporary Family. Thousand Oaks, Sage Publications, 2001. $64.95 hardcover, $29.95 papercover. [January 15, 20021.

Exchange, Action, And Social Structure: Elements Of Economic Sociology. Zafirovski, Milan.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book note for Zafirovski, Milan. 2001. Exchange, Action, and Social Structure: Elements of Economic Sociology. Westport, CN: Greenwood Press. Hardcover, $68.00.

Productive Aging: Concepts And Challenges. Nancy Morrow- Howell, James Hinterlong And Michael Sherraden (Eds.).

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book note for Nancy Morrow-Howell, James Hinterlong and Michael Sherraden (Eds.), Productive Aging: Concepts and Challenges. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001. $48 hardcover.

Designing Policies That Address The Relationship Between Woman Abuse And Economic Resources, Kameri Christy-Mcmullin

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Given the disproportionate and increasing number of impoverished women, and poor women's increased vulnerability to woman abuse, it is crucial we examine economic policies in regards to their equity and adequacy for abused women. Current policies and programs designed to address the economic resources/needs of abused women are analyzed. Limitations in current policies are addressed, and a recommendation is made for the formation and implementation of a policy that would serve to empower women economically. Both the prospect and achievement of economic independence for women may not only reduce woman abuse, but will also increase women's options for economic security.

Beyond Welfare Or Work: Teen Mothers, Household Subsistence Strategies, And Child Development Outcomes, Gunnar Almgren, Greg Yamashiro, Miguel Ferguson

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

There is probably no aspect of the work versus welfare debate that is more contested than the effects of welfare use on child development outcomes. Liberals tend to emphasize the detrimental effects of poverty and welfare stigma on children, while conservatives cite the negative socialization that occurs regarding the value of work within welfare dependent families. However, large scale longitudinal studies that have been used to address this question only indirectly measure critical influences on child development such as maternal mental health and do not consider the effect that a range of economic strategies that low-income mothers might undertake may …

Review Of In The Name Of Hate: Understanding Hate Crimes. Barbara Perry. Reviewed By Wilma Peebles-Wilkins., Wilma Peebles-Wilkins

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Barbara Perry, In the Name of Hate: Understanding Hate Crimes. New York: Routledge, 2001. $22.95 papercover.

Disempowering Minorities: A Critique Of Wilkinson's 'Task For Social Scientists And Practitioners', Mitch Berbrier

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

In this article, I examine Wilkinson's (2000) injunction that practitioners "omit entirely the 'minority' concept" (pp. 124-25). I maintain that Wilkinson's argument disempowers groups-such as gays and the disabledwho have used a "minority" identity effectively, and speciously indicates that African-Americans would benefit from such retrenchment, thereby implying that social justice is a zero-sum game. Rather, "minority" coalitions are effectively pursuing justice for all. Moreover, Wilkinson's deconstruction of "minority" conflates conceptual breadth with conceptual vagueness, and conveniently ignores (or denies) the socially constructed character of "race" and "ethnicity." I suggest that practitioners learn more about the historical development of all of …

The Clinical Irrelevance And Scientific Invalidity Of The "Minority" Notion: Deleting It From The Social Science Vocabulary, Doris Wilkinson

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

A systematic socio-linguistic and historical analysis of the minority label reveals its multiple irregularities and imperfections. These encompass a misleading array of vastly dissimilar nationality or group designations and the erroneous comparison of behaviors and life styles with racial status. As it is currently applied in U.S. political culture and in a variety of disciplines including sociology and social work, the concept has virtually no substantive meaning nor reality-linked usefulness. A thorough appraisal of the consequences of the perpetual reliance on the notion demonstrates that it eradicates ethnic cultural diversity and ignores historical antecedents and the "lived" experiences of oppressed …

Perceived Effects Of Voluntarism On Marital Life In Late Adulthood, Liat Kulik

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The article presents a study dealing with the perceived effects of voluntarism on marital life in late adulthood among a sample of 595 Israelis (336 men and 259 women). These perceptions were examined from three perspectives: benefits, spousal accommodation, and harmful effects. Comparisons focused on different types of families, based on employment status (pre-retired versus retired) and actual volunteer activity (volunteer versus non-volunteer). The findings revealed that among all types of families, the prevailing tendency was to emphasize the beneficial effects of voluntarism on marital life, whereas perceived harmful effects were least prevalent. Synchronous families (both partners pre-retired) and asynchronous …

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 29, No. 2 (June 2002)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• DISEMPOWERING MINORITIES: A CRITIQUE OF WILKINSON'S 'TASK FOR SOCIAL SCIENTISTS AND PRACTITIONERS' - Mitch Berbrier
• THE CLINICAL IRRELEVANCE AND SCIENTIFIC INVALIDITY OF THE "MINORITY" NOTION: DELETING IT FROM THE SOCIAL SCIENCE VOCABULARY - Doris Wilkinson
• PERCEIVED EFFECTS OF VOLUNTARISM ON MARITAL LIFE IN LATE ADULTHOOD - Liat Kulik
• WILL CHURCHES RESPOND TO THE CALL? RELIGION, CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY, AND SOCIAL SERVICE - Emily A. Leventhal and Daniel P. Mears
• CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENT AND CHILD VISITATION: PERSPECTIVES FROM NONRESIDENT FATHERS AND RESIDENT MOTHERS - Stacey R. Bloomer, Theresa Ann Sipe, and Danielle E. Ruedt
• SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK IN HARTFORD, …

Child Support Payment And Child Visitation: Perspectives From Nonresident Fathers And Resident Mothers, Stacey R. Bloomer, Theresa Ann Sipe, Danielle E. Ruedt

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the child support and visitation perspectives of nonresidential fathers and custodial mothers. The focus of the study was to present definitions of child support from both noncustodial fathers and custodial mothers, the barriers they experience that prevent child support and visitation, and suggestions the parents have for improvements in the child support system. The data suggest that although nonresidential fathers and custodial mothers have similar definitions of what characteristicsd efine child support, they have vastly different views of what barriers prevent child support and visitation. Interparental hostility appeared to shape their …

Review Of Building Community Capacity. Robert J. Chaskin, Prudence Brown, Sudhir Venkatesh And Avis Vidal. Review By Michelle Livermore., Michelle Livermore

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Robert J. Chaskin, Prudence Brown, Sudhir Venkatesh, and Avis Vidal, Building Community Capacity. Hathorne, NY: Aldine d Gruyter, 2001. $ 25.95 papercover.

Review Of The Color Of Opportunity: Pathways To Family Welfare And Work. Haya Stier And Marta Tienda. Review By Eric Swank., Eric Swank

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Haya Steir and Marta Tienda. The Color of Opportunity: Pathways to Family, Welfare, and Work. University of Chicago Press, 2001. $32.50 hardcover.

Will Churches Respond To The Call? Religion, Civic Responsibility, And Social Service, Emily A. Leventhal, Daniel P. Mears

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Despite national calls for churches to become more involved in social service, many churches may not be willing or able to respond. Drawing on sociological theory, previous research, and interviews with pastors and parish social ministers from Catholic congregations in a large, urban city in Texas, we examine key factors linked to church-based social service efforts. Particulara ttention is given to church leadership,r ace/ethnicity,o rganizational characteristics, social and political networks, and the intersection of these factors in affecting service provision and advocacy. We then discuss the likely impacts of policies calling for religious organizations to increase their social service activities.

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 29, No. 1 (March 2002)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SYMPOSIUM ON NATIVE AMERICAN WELLNESS

Guest Editors - Hilary N. Weaver & Maria Napoli

• PERSPECTIVES ON WELLNESS: JOURNEYS ON THE RED ROAD - Hilary N. Weaver
• NATIVE WELLNESS FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM: THE IMPACT OF GAMING - Maria Napoli
• O'ODHAM HIMDAG AS A SOURCE OF STRENGTH AND WELLNESS AMONG THE TOHONO O'ODHAM OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA AND NORTHERN SONORA, MEXICO - Teri Knutson Woods, Karen Blaine, and Lauri Francisco
• USING REASONS FOR LIVING TO CONNECT TO AMERICAN INDIAN HEALING TRADITIONS - Thomas L. Crofoot Graham
• ENVISIONING A HEALTHY FUTURE: A RE-BECOMING OF NATIVE AMERICAN MEN - Paul Rock …

Race, Welfare Reform, And Nonprofit Organizations, Michael Reisch, David Sommerfeld

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This article presents research on the impact of welfare reform on 90 nonprofit organizations in Southeast Michigan. Utilizing a refined survey instrument, in-depth interviews and focus groups with agency executives and staff, and the analysis of agency documents, it assesses how the racial characteristics of agencies' client populations affected the organizational consequences of welfare reform. The study confirmed that welfare reform has affected the ability of nonprofit organizations to meet the increased expectations generated by recent legislation. These effects have been particularly pronounced among agencies serving a high proportion of racial minority clients.

Review Of The Living Legacy Of Marx, Durkheim And Weber. Richard Altschuler (Ed.). Reviewed By Shana Cohen., Shana Cohen

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Richard Altschuler (Ed.), The Living Legacy of Marx, Durkheim and Weber. New York: Gordion Knot Books, 2000. (2 volumes at $39.95 each in paperback).

Tripping On The Color Line: Black-White Multiracial Families In A Racially Divided World. Heather M. Dalmage.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book note for Heather M. Dalmage, Tripping on the Color Line: Black-White Multiracial Families in a Racially Divided World. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2000. $50.00 hardcover, $20 papercover.

Discrimination And Human Capital: A Challenge To Economic Theory & Social Justice, Richard K. Caputo

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This article reports findings of a study using the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY79) to test the rational choice theory that discrimination discourages investments in human capital. Nearly 60% of the study sample (N=5585) reported job-hiring discrimination (race, nationality, sex, or age) between 1979 and 1982 and they were found to invest more in job training programs and additional schooling between 1983 and 1998 than those reporting no such discrimination. White males were found to have the greatest advantage over black males and females in regard to job training and over black females in regard to additional schooling. Findings …

Adolescence And Old Age In Twelve Communities, Pranab Chatterjee, Darlyne Bailey, Nina Aronoff

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This paper disputes the theory of universal stages of development (often called the epigenetic principle) asserted by Erikson (1963; 1982; 1997) and later developed in detail by Newman & Newman (1987, p. 33). It particularly disputes that there are clear stages of adolescence (12-18), late adolescence (18-22), old age (60-75), and very old age (75+). Data from twelve communities around the world suggest that the concept of adolescence is socially constructed in each local setting, and that the concept of late adolescence is totally absent in some communities. Further, the stage of old age (60-75) is much shorter in some …

Robbing Drug Dealers: Violence Beyond The Law. Bruce A. Jacobs

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book note for Bruce A. Jacobs, Robbing Drug Dealers: Violence Beyond the Law. Hawthorne, NY: Aldine de Gruyter, 2000. $19.95 paperback.

The Poverty Of Hard Work: Multiple Jobs And Low Wages In Family Economies Of Rural Utah Households, Christina E. Gringeri

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The combination of paid work and poverty, or near poverty, is a growing problem in the United States, one of which is often accentuated by residence in rural, low-wage communities where underemployment is more prevalent than in metropolitan areas. This paper examines the experiences of sixty rural families with inadequate employment using data from ethnographic interviews with a particular focus on the strategies they use to meet their family's needs in spite of low-wage work.

Family And Community Integrity, Joshua Miller

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Family and community are two of the most significant social institutions in the development and daily lives of individuals. This article offers a model to conceptualize the relationship between family and community derived from research conducted in Holyoke, Massachusetts between 1995 and 1997, and inspired by Erik Erikson's concept of individual integrity. A brief profile of the City of Holyoke is presented followed by a discussion about the relationship between family and community, including consideration of the relevance of group membership and social identity, and the importance of social cohesion and community efficacy. The research results are presented within a …

Serving The Homeless: Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Homeless Shelter Services, George M. Glisson, Robert L. Fischer, Bruce A. Thyer

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The effects of homeless assistance services at the local level are tremendously difficult to ascertain. In this study, a four-month sample of homeless persons served by a local homeless shelter and case management program were contacted nine to eleven months after receiving services. The findings suggest that the program had some initial success in assisting the homeless clients to locate housing within the first year after leaving the shelter. However, the housing costs paid by these formerly homeless were quite high, with nearly three-quarters of them spending forty percent or more of their income on housing.