Race and Ethnicity Commons^™

African-American Males In Prison: Are They Doing Time Or Is The Time Doing Them?, Anthony E. O. King

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

African-American males comprise a disproportionate percentage of the individuals imprisoned in State correctional institutions across the United States. The purpose of this paper is to describe how incarceration affects African-American males. The author recommends more rigorous and systematic analysis of the prison experience, and how it affects the mental, physical, and social well-being of African-American males. Given this nation's commitment to using imprisonment as the principal means for punishing convicted felons, it is imperative that society ascertain the social, psychological, and economic effects of such confinement on millions of African-American males.

Race, Gender, Occupational Status, And Income In County Human Service Employment, R.L. Mcneely, Jerome L. Blakemore, Robert O. Washington

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Data obtained from more than 1,900 public welfare workers employed in five regions of the country were examined to compare occupational status and earnings by race and gender. The study group was stratified so that respondents' educational attainment and job seniority levels could be taken into account. Findings indicate the presence of significant sex and race-linked differences.

Poverty, Homelessness, And Racial Exclusion, John R. Belcher

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This article reviews the societal forces that have made homelessness the end result of racial exclusion and inner city isolation. It is argued that significant societal change is necessary to reduce racial exclusion and prevent homelessness.

Black Pink Collar Workers: Arduous Journey From Field And Kitchen To Office, Judith B. Bremner

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The black female workers' journey from field to office was a long and arduous one. This paper examines the transition of black women from agricultural laborers to pink collar workers during the period 1900 to 1980. More black women than white women have had to work in paid employment in order to maintain their families economically. Discrimination against black pink collar workers in career advancement and the better-paying positions, is especially critical because so many black families are female-headed households in need of all the economic resources that the mother-breadwinner can obtain.

The Reagan Legacy: Undoing Class, Race And Gender Accords, Mimi Abramovitz

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The impact of Reaganomics on women, workers, and person of color is explored by looking at structural forces in the political economy that encourage business and government at one time to support and another time to undermine the welfare state. The expansion of the welfare state from 1935 to the mid-1970s meshed well with the needs of profitable production, political legitimacy and patriarchal control. With the economic crisis of the 1970s, the welfare state became too competitive with capital accumulation and too supportive of empowered popular movements and had to go. Women, persons of color, and the poor ranked high …

Social Support For The Black Elderly: Is There A Link Between Informal And Formal Assistance?, Susie A. Spence

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This study explores informal and formal social support among a sample of elderly southern Blacks. The results reveal that all respondents received informal assistance and that while overall formal assistance was low, a number of respondents received support from both sources. The author discusses these findings in relation to the supplement model of elderly social support and their implications for social service providers.

Promoting Voting Behavior Among Low Income Black Voters Using Reminder Letters: An Experimental Investigation, William Kelly Canady, Bruce A. Thyer

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

A controlled experimental design applied in a field setting was used to determine the effectiveness of a bipartisan mailed letter reminding registered low income black voters to participate in the 1988 Presidential election. Each member of three groups of approximately 85 voters received either one, two or three such reminder letters shortly before the election. A fourth, control group of voters did not receive any letters. Statistical analysis revealed that the reminder letters appeared to have no effect on voting behavior.

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 …

Old Folks' Homes For Blacks During The Progressive Era, Iris Carlton-Laney

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This paper discusses the development of old folks' homes for Blacks during the Progressive Era. Churches, women's clubs, and secret societies played a major role in the development, funding, and operation of these institutions. These groups adhered to the doctrine of self-help and group solidarity which provided impetus for their charitable activities. The members of these organizations believed that leaving "'worthy" indigent Black aged to live out their last years in almshouses was cruel and intolerable. This paper highlights some of the efforts and many of the homes that were established for the Black aged through the cooperation and material …

Race Differences In Seeking Help From Social Workers, Clifford L. Broman, Harold W. Neighbors, Robert J. Taylor

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This paper examines race differences in the use of social workers. A major finding is that blacks are more likely to consult social workers than are whites. Socio-demographic variables did not affect this pattern, nor did the type of problem. Implications for the training of social workers are discussed.

Health And Social Service Needs In A Northeastern Metropolitan Area: Ethnic Group Differences, Paul D. Cleary, Harold W. Demone Jr.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Data from a representative sample of Boston area residents were analyzed to examine differences among ethnic populations in perceived needs and use of services for eight problem areas. The areas studied were: employment problems; financial problems; problems of the aged living alone; alcohol problems; personal; family or marital problems; child behavior or education problems; the need for homemaker services; and the need for a home nurse. The results indicate substantial differences between perceived needs and reported use of services, and both those factors varied by ethnic identification.

The Relationship Of Race, Socioeconomic Status And Marital Status To Kin Networks, Ferol E. Mennen

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Data from a purposive sample of families of elementary school children in New Orleans regarding contact and assistance with extended family members was analyzed to see if race, socioeconomic status or marital status predicted involvement in a kin network. Analysis of variance revealed that black and lower class families had higher levels of contact and black families had higher levels on one of the assistance measures. However when the distance from the extended family was used as a covariate the relationship disappeared. Marital status had no ability to predict.

Recisions, Organizational Conditions And Job Satisfaction Among Black And White Human Service Workers: A Research Note, R. L. Mcneely

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Despite the growing attention evident in the human services literature on the related topics of job satisfaction and burnout, virtually none of the empirical studies published to date have examined the possible influences of recent federal and state cutbacks in human service funding levels on the job satisfaction of human service workers. One outcome of these cutbacks has been the curtailment of services offered by county welfare departments, often achieved by reducing the number of public welfare workers through hiring freezes, attrition, layoffs, etc. The remaining public welfare workers often have then been placed in the unenviable position of trying …

An Analysis Of The General Well-Being Of Blacks And Whites: Results Of A National Study, Sonjia Parker Redmond

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The importance of race as a factor in mental health status has been a topic of controversy. This study examines racial variances in the relationship between selected socio-demographic variables and general well-being. The study also examines the appropriateness of an additive versus an interactive statistical model for this investigation.

Unlike other recent community based mental health studies, this study revealed significant differences between the general well-being of Blacks and Whites. Blacks continued to exhibit significantly lower levels of well-being even after adjustments were made for income, education, marital status, sex, age and place of residence. Statistical interaction was found between …

Predictors Of Job Satisfaction Among Three Racial/Ethnic Groups Of Professional Female Human Service Workers, R. L. Mcneely

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Three hundred and thirty-six female human service workers were studied to determine whether or not racial/ethnic status was related to job satisfaction among managerial, supervisory and professional employees. Both overall and intrinsic satisfaction were assessed. Two groups were similar in the patterns predictive of their satisfaction but the third group appeared to be influenced by concerns peculiar to those achieving recent professional status.

Older Blacks' Predictions Of Their Social Support Networks, Brenda Crawley

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Predicting resources for one's later years is risky and evokes feelings of vulnerability. Findings from a study of older blacks reveal that while race and culture may predispose clients to prefer certain resources, such as spouses and children, others realistically expect kin and friends to care for them. The heterogeneous nature of the black elderly suggests an open posture be maintained in assessing support resources for those who face short- or long- term care needs.

Predictors Of Depressive Symptoms And Unemployed Black Adults, Diane R. Brown, Lawrence E. Gary

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Using data from a probability based survey of unemployed Black adults residing in an urban area, this study explores factors related to the presence of depressive symptoms. Findings indicate that depressive symptoms are less among unemployed persons with higher levels of income, education, religiosity, age and satisfactory social support. Age, however, is the single best predictor of depressive symptoms among unemployed Blacks. There were no significant differences by gender.

Chicano Social Work: A Critical Analysis, Julio Angulo, Lourdes Arguelles

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This paper critically examines an experiment in Social Work education: The development and implementation of a theoretical and practice perspective grounded in the views that Chicanos have about themselves. It is argued that the development of a Chicano perspective has proceeded without reference to the social historical influences on knowledge and curriculum building. More concretely, the structuring effects of dominant scientific paradigms and the organizational requirements of dominant educational institutions. As a result, the Chicano self-view is yet to materialize. Further the scholarship so far generated has been, for the most part, unreflective.

Ethnic Minority Leadership: A Theoretical Perspective, Pallassana R. Balgopal

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Although numerous approaches have been utilized to study leadership (focusing on traits, attributes, styles, roles, situations, performance, results, and so on), there is no agreement on the idal approach. The debate over this issue especially as related to the study of ethnic minority leadership continues. In this paper two major approaches - the "Great Main or Trait" and the "Times or Situational" approaches are examined, and the latter is presented as a viable theoretical framework for studying the ethnic minority leadership.

Notes On A Forgotten Black Social Worker And Sociologist: George Edmund Haynes, Iris Carlton-La Ney

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This paper highlights the career of Dr. George Edmund Haynes, a pioneer sociologist and social worker. It places Haynes in a historical context examining his professional contributions during the early 1900s. Haynes' professional activities reflected the Progressive Era's emphasis on scientific research and social justice. Although he received some recognition as a sociologist and social worker, his contributions were relegated generally to the periphery of both the discipline of sociology and the field of social work.

Black Appalachian Families, Arthur J. Cox

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The black family in America has been subjected to social change more than the family of any other racial or ethnic group. An overview of its adjustment through successive crises of African transplantation, slavery, sudden emancipation, migration to cities and the vicissitudes of second-class citizenship help in understanding the black family's contemporary forms. The black family of Appalachia faces yet another problem - (INVISIBILITY)

Racial Change Or Racial Stabilization: Policy And Process At A Neighborhood Level, John D. Morrison

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Housing segregation and integration are areas of great concern to all citizens. Public policy in the past favored segregation, and while formal policy now favors integration, relatively little is done to implement this policy.

Social science data in the area of residential integration have often been used to foster the status quo by misinterpretation or selective use. This paper reviews some of these data and suggests some principles for practitioners who wish to enhance the potential for integration.

A comprehensive view of a neighborhood should be taken rather than examining only racial factors. Families choose to enter or leave a …

Racial Inequities In The Delivery Of Social Services, James D. Chesney, Rafael Jacob Engel

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Data from a survey of registered social workers in Michigan indicate inequities in the delivery of social services. Providers serving non-whites tend to spend less time providing casework services and more time on providing welfare services than do providers serving whites. These interracial differences may be explained by income or employment auspice. The major racial inequity is apparent when providers serving primarily non-white clients are analyzed. White providers serving non-whites spend more time on welfare activities and less on casework services than do non-white providers serving non-whites. These differences cannot be explained by income or the providers' education and experience. …

Shared Ethnicity As A Correlate Of Acceptance Of The Formerly Hospitalized Mentally Ill, Jonathan Rabinowitz

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This study looked at shared ethnicity of former mental patient and community member as a possible correlate of acceptance of the formerly hospitalized mental patient as a potential tenant. This study is an exploratory study with a comparative perspective using a design in which the willingness to accept a former mental patient as a renter in one of four groups is explored. Current research in this field has ignored the variable of shared ethnicity. The findings of this study did not reach the .05 level of significance, however the results seem to indicate that in some cases shared ethnicity is …

A Contest Of Values: A Cultural History Of Approaches Toward Alcohol, John E. Tropman

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This is a smaller version of a manuscript prepared for the special seminar on Alcohol and Social Policy, School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Winter 1978. The assistance of Kim Hoa Granville and Craig King is gratefully acknowledged. The support and encouragement of Dr. Edith Gomberg also needs to be recognized; without it, this paper never would have materialized.

Social Work Practice In Health Care: An Ethnic Sensitive Approach, Elfriede G. Schlesinger, Wynetta Devore

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The relationship between ethnicity and modes of response to illness has been well documented. One example is stoicism as contrasted with volatile behavior in response to pain of different groups. Another is increasing awareness of the fact that non-traditional healers (eog., espiritistas, cuaranderos) are used extensively by members of various ethnic groups.

Insufficient attention has been paid to how such knowledge can be incorporated in social work practice.

This paper reviews prevailing social work interventive procedures and skills and suggests needed adaptations if social work practice is to be more sensitive and responsive to different health behaviors and beliefs of …

Factors Affecting The Economic Status Of Elderly Chicanos, Alejandro Garcia

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This paper identifies and discusses factors affecting the economic status of elderly chicanos. These factors include historical factors, labor force participation, familial support systems, and human services utilization. Implications for policy are addressed.

A Cross-Cultural Comparison Of Marital Abuse, Suzanne K. Steinmetz

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

A brief history of marital violence and statistics from recent studies are presented. Marital abuse data from six societies: United States; Canada; Finland; Israel, with city and Kibbutz sub-samples; Puerto Rico; and Belize (British Honduras) with sub-samples of Spanish speaking, Creoles and Caribs are compared. In general, similarities were found between political/civil profiles of violence and marital violence score within each society. The percentage of husbands and wives using abuse was also similar for each society. The major exception was Puerto Rico, where almost twice as many husbands were reported to have been violent. The percentage of husbands and wives …

Welfare Reform And The Possible Demise Of White Paternalism And Black Flight In Mississippi, Lewis Walker, Chester L. Hunt

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This article makes an assessment of the possible impact of welfare reform on families currently receiving AFDC payments. An analysis of the data on variations in AFDC monthly payments, the per capital income and AFDC grants, and other selected factors for Mississippi, Nebraska, and New York suggests that the effects of federalization on welfare would indeed be far-reaching. For example, it would increase the economic level of Black mothers and children living in Mississippi (state with the lowest monthly payment), and possibly at the same time decrease the flow of Black emigration from that state.

Poor Urban Blacks And Community Participation, Charles Stevens

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This research elaborates the concept of community participation utilizing activities that reflect the experiences of poor urban Blacks. The residents of a low income housing development are studied with emphasis on how these people involved themselves in community affairs and how they interact with other tenants in their day to day activities. It is largely a descriptive study, in that it attempts to uncover and explain styles of participation that are not generally counted as meaningful participation. Therefore criteria for participation is defined in a manner to include some informal activities and other activities which seem to correspond to the …