Rural Sociology Commons^™

Paid Sick Time Helps Workers Balance Work And Family, Kristin Smith

Carsey Publications

In New Hampshire, workers fare better than workers nationally, yet one-quarter of Granite State workers do not have paid sick days. The lack of paid sick days places workers in a bind. They are forced to choose between caring for a sick family member or themselves and losing pay. This brief suggests that the long-term benefits of workers having paid sick days out way the cost for employers because it promotes less contagion among coworkers, increased productivity, and reduced turnover.

Child Tax Credit Expansion Increases Number Of Families Eligible For A Refund, Marybeth J. Mattingly

Carsey Publications

The analysis shows that more than 500,000 rural families, or almost 9 percent of rural families, will become newly eligible for the Child Tax Credit under the expansion included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Within these families are an estimated 900,000 rural children. The proportion of urban families benefiting from the expanded Child Tax Credit is slightly lower than in rural areas, but only 5 percent of suburban families are newly eligible for the credit.

Sharing Water Internationally, Past, Present And Future—Mexico And The United States, John M. Donahue, Irene J. Klaver

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

Conflicts over the sharing of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo and Colorado Rivers between the United States and Mexico are usually understood in spatial terms. In this paper we argue for the need to add a temporal horizon. A larger historical context will reveal that water management, including water allocation and river politics, has always been influenced by larger social-political and cultural frameworks. These temporal shifts are sequential, but overlapping so that current policies as cultural constructs operate within the framework of previous treaty obligations though the historical contexts have changed. The Rio Grande/Rio Bravo is still defined as a border …

One Decade Of Drought And Two Of Neoliberal Reforms In The Sierra Sonorense: Responses By The Rural Poor, Marcela Vásquez-León

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

Since the mid-1990s, Northwest Mexico has been experiencing drought conditions. As Mexico’s number one irrigator, the state of Sonora’s agricultural sector is particularly concerned about the availability and distribution of surface and ground water. Drought has contributed to a sharp decline in cultivated area, the abandonment of land, and permanent out migration of a large sector of the rural population. This paper examines the vulnerability to drought of small farmers in the Santa Cruz and Magadalena basins, south of the Sonora-Arizona international border. Farmers’ ability to respond to drought is considered within the larger context of neoliberal reform policies, social …

Local Leaders’ Perceptions Of Energy Development In The Barnett Shale, Brooklynn J. Anderson, Gene L. Theodori

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

In recent decades, the production of natural gas from unconventional reservoirs (i.e., tight gas sands, coalbed methane resources, and gas shales) has become commonplace within the U.S. energy industry. The Newark East Fort Worth Basin field–called in the vernacular, the Barnett Shale–in north-central Texas is one of the largest unconventional natural gas fields (by production volume) in the United States. Unlike many conventional energy development projects, which typically occurred in small rural areas, much of the Barnett Shale production is occurring in and around a highly urbanized geographical setting. In spite of recent efforts to assess the economic effects of …

Quantile Regression: An Education Policy Research Tool, Edward B. Reeves, Jesse Lowe

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

Ordinary least squares regression is often used in education policy research. Unfortunately, OLS regression coefficients may mislead. In OLS models, the coefficients express the conditional mean relations among the variables. Still, what if this estimate of central tendency in the conditional distribution fails to convey important information about the distribution? Quantile regression is a statistical technique that allows variation in the conditional distribution to be examined. Therefore, it can be used to check the validity and applicable range of OLS coefficients. Following the method of Koenker and Hallock (2001), we compare OLS and quantile regression results, examining variables related to …

Occupational Aspirations, Rural To Urban Migration, And Intersectionality: A Comparison Of White, Black, And Hispanic Male And Female Group Chances For Leaving Rural Counties, W. Trevor Brooks, Meredith Redlin

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

It has been documented that not all rural residents are leaving rural counties equally. Social positions may prevent some groups from migrating, while pushing other groups away from rural counties. This paper uses an intersectionality theoretical approach to explain how race/ethnicity, gender, and class shape occupational aspirations and the migration decision. Using the NLSY79, race/ethnicity, gender, and mothers’ educational attainment were each combined with the respondent’s occupational aspiration to predict migration rates for selected intersectional groups. Results show that females with high occupational aspirations, whites with high occupational aspirations, and individuals with high occupational aspirations whose mothers had high educational …

Cafos, Culture, And Conflict On Sand Mountain: Framing Rights And Responsibilities In Appalachian Alabama, Zachary Henson, Conner Bailey

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

This paper presents a case study of controversy associated with large confined animal feed operations (CAFOs) on Sand Mountain in the northeast corner of Alabama, the tail-end of the Appalachian Mountains. We examine competing cultural frames developed by supporters and opponents of CAFOs that produce hogs. Both sides of the CAFO controversy utilize locally-specific cultural understandings of private property. Those opposed have framed their concerns both in terms of formal environmental standards of regulatory agencies and the responsibility of landowners not to engage in activities that adversely affect neighboring land owners. CAFO operators have framed the issue by drawing upon …

Environmental Issues On The Mexico-U.S. Border: An Introduction, Rogelio Sáenz, Karen Manges Douglas

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

The Mexico-U.S. border is one of the most dynamic regions in the world and represents one of the greatest economic contrasts between the developed and developing world. The construction of policies and programs such as the Border Industrialization Program (BIP) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has been primarily responsible for massive population growth and industrialization along the Mexico-U.S. border region. Such changes have also placed tremendous pressures on the environment and natural resources spanning the international boundary. This article provides an introduction and a description of the context for the articles featured in this special issue related …

Southerner And Irish? Regional And Ethnic Consciousness In Savannah, Georgia, William L. Smith

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

This paper attempts to answer the following question regarding regional and ethnic consciousness: Does southern identity vary by the level of ethnic identity one professes? Less than one-third of those who identified themselves as southerners, indicate that their identity as a southerner is much more important than their other identities including their ethnic identity. Some of these respondents practice a symbolic regionalism. Ethnic identity for most of the respondents is more important than their regional identity, although for them southerner and Irish are not mutually exclusive identities. The strength of ethnic identity is not significantly related to the importance of …

"To Come Of Age In A Dry Place": Infrastructures Of Irrigated Agriculture In The Mexico-U.S. Borderlands, Casey Walsh

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

In the Mexico-U.S. borderlands the social uses of water are changing as the focus of the economy shifts slowly from agriculture to industry and services. This article discusses the changes to the physical and social infrastructures erected during the first half of the twentieth century to support a regime of accumulation based in irrigated cotton. Infrastructure is proposed as a particularly useful concept for drawing connections between these social, economic, and cultural changes, and emphasizing their materiality. The article draws upon the Social Structures of Accumulation and Regulation School literatures to explain the dynamics revealed through historical and ethnographic research …

Durkheim Did Not Say "Normlessness": The Concept Of Anomic Suicide For Introductory Sociology Courses, Phyllis Puffer

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

The definitions of anomic suicide presented in introductory sociology textbooks from 1996 to 2007 were compared with the definition given by Durkheim in his own writings both in the original French and the English translation. It was found that only one textbook correctly gave Durkheim’s own definition while the other definitions showed little or no relationship to the original concept. The original concept was based on an analysis of the economy, more particularly the business cycle, and refers only to the structure of society and not to the mental state of the individual. An attempt is made to discover the …

A Social Currency Approach To Improving Health-Related Quality Of Life For Migrant Workers, Alfonso Morales

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

This ten-week pilot study promoted health-related quality of life among migrant workers in rural New Mexico. In cooperation with local organizations, migrant workers formed the organization Nuevos Amigos. Members provided various types of social support to each other, hours were enumerated and exchanged for cash to pay health-related quality-of-life expenses. The program was funded by grant funds from HRSA and administered in cooperation with a clinic and a nearby university. Intake and other interviews, observations of members in action, and spending practices provided data to evaluate the program. The pilot program showed that migrant workers could manage their own organization, …

The Political Ecology Of The Colonias On The U.S.-Mexico Border: Human-Environmental Challenges And Community Responses In Southern New Mexico, Guillermina G. Núñez-Mchiri

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

Economic development and population growth along the U.S.-Mexico border have been determined by the natural resources available for the physical and social transformations in this region. A critical political ecology of the U.S.-Mexico border links environmental hazards with the socioeconomic and political aspects that have generated colonia population settlements as locales within the border region’s spatialized hierarchies. The political ecological approach to community development processes also brings in the larger border issues associated with Mexico and the United States. By exploring human-environmental challenges facing colonia residents, we can gain valuable insights into ecological vulnerabilities also faced by similar population settlements …

Implications For Child Welfare Teaching And Human Services Personnel Perspectives Experiences Of Children With Special Needs, Sarah Huesmann

Honors Capstones

Capstone submitted as a graduation requirement for the BSU Honors Program.

Rural Life Census Data Center Newsletter: Private Industry Change In South Dakota, Priyanka Chatterjee, W. Trevor Brooks, Michael Mccurry

Census Data Center Newsletter Archive: 2007-2010

South Dakota leaders continue to emphasize the importance of economic development. One aspect of assessing economic development is private industry growth. The South Dakota Chamber of Commerce states:
Economic development is not a choice but rather a necessity. Economies that are advancing create jobs with higher pay, offer people amenities and necessities, and provide the tax base for schools, infrastructure, and law enforcement plus many of the intangibles known as “quality of life.” (South Dakota Chamber of Commerce 2006). Private sector jobs make up a large percentage of South Dakota’s jobs. Capitalistic economies, like the United States’, depend on the …

Impact Of Poor Quality Of Life On Adolescents In Rural Kentucky: A Brief Report, Hatim A. Omar, Søren Ventegodt, Joav Merrick

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

In many rural areas in Kentucky, adolescents lack the basic assets for a good quality of life, such as having caring adults, a safe place and useful activities after school. Methods: Analysis of data from middle and high school students referred to a comprehensive school based health promotion center (SBHPC). Results: From august 2006 to February 2008, a total of 382 students (200 female, 182 male, aged 12-18 years) were referred to the SBHPC for help. Only two (0.5%) students had two parents living with them and 12 (3.1%) had safe, organized after school activities. 19.9% of the total were …

Seward Casa Board Development Workshop, Heartland Center For Leadership Development

Heartland Center for Leadership Development Materials

Agenda from the Seward CASA Board Development Workshop, February 21, 2009, presented by the Heartland Center for Leadership Development.

Effects Of Recent Television Signal Changes On Rural Nebraskans, Rebecca J. Vogt

Nebraska Rural Poll

Adapting to the Current Economic Climate in Non-Metropolitan Nebraska

Well-Being In Non-Metropolitan Nebraska: Perceptions Of The Present And Views Of The Future, Rebecca J. Vogt

Nebraska Rural Poll

Views of Community Life in Rural Nebraska

Working In Non–Metropolitan Nebraska, Rebecca J. Vogt

Nebraska Rural Poll

Perceptions of Well-being and Personal Finance Among Rural Nebraskans

Satisfaction With Community Life In Non-Metropolitan Nebraska, Rebecca J. Vogt

Nebraska Rural Poll

Working in Non–Metropolitan Nebraska

Adapting To The Current Economic Climate In Non-Metropolitan Nebraska, Rebecca J. Vogt

Nebraska Rural Poll

Television Signal Changes and Rural Nebraskans

Stress, Status, And Sociability: Exploring Residential Satisfaction In The Rural Midwest Following Rapid Immigration, James Potter, Rodrigo Cantarero, Amy E. Boren

Architecture Program: Faculty Scholarly and Creative Activity

This investigation examined predictors of residential satisfaction among newly arrived residents (NAR) and long-term residents (LTR) of a rural community following a rapid influx of immigrants into the community. The physical environment, social/cultural aspects of life, and resources and public services were hypothesized to affect perceptions of residential satisfaction. Both LTR and NAR were pleased with environmental attributes, sociocultural attributes, and public services. An inverse relationship was revealed between stress and residential satisfaction. The primary sources of stress for LTR related to economics and social status issues, whereas the primary sources of stress among NAR involved issues concerning family and …

Satisfaction With Community Life In Non- Metropolitan Nebraska, Rebecca J. Vogt, Randolph L. Cantrell, Bruce B. Johnson, Bradley D. Lubben

Publications from the Center for Applied Rural Innovation (CARI)

Most of the smaller communities in rural Nebraska have experienced population decline since 2000 while most of the larger communities have experienced population growth. Most communities are also facing budget issues due to the economic recession. Given these conditions, how do rural Nebraskans feel about their community? Are they satisfied with the services provided? Are they planning to move from their community next year? Do their perceptions differ by community size, the region in which they live, or their occupation?

This report details 2,852 responses to the 2009 Nebraska Rural Poll, the fourteenth annual effort to understand rural Nebraskans’ perceptions. …

Adapting To The Current Economic Climate In Non-Metropolitan Nebraska, Rebecca J. Vogt, Randolph L. Cantrell, Bruce B. Johnson, Bradley D. Lubben

Publications from the Center for Applied Rural Innovation (CARI)

The national economy has faltered during the past year. While Nebraska’s economy has also faltered, it has not seen the level of job losses and mortgage foreclosures that have occurred in other parts of the country. Given these conditions, what do rural Nebraskans think about the current economic climate? How has their household been impacted during the past year? What changes have they made because of concerns about the economy? How concerned are they about financial matters? This paper provides a detailed analysis of these questions.

This report details 2,852 responses to the 2009 Nebraska Rural Poll, the fourteenth annual …

Working In Non-Metropolitan Nebraska, Rebecca J. Vogt, Randolph L. Cantrell, Bruce B. Johnson, Bradley D. Lubben

Publications from the Center for Applied Rural Innovation (CARI)

Self employment is the fastest growing part of the rural economy. Given this, what types of jobs do rural Nebraska households have? How many rural Nebraskans derive income from self employment? Are rural Nebraskans self employed out of necessity or because of personal preferences? How many rural Nebraskans have health insurance? Who owns agricultural land in the state and what are their future plans for it? This paper provides a detailed analysis of these questions.

This report details 2,852 responses to the 2009 Nebraska Rural Poll, the fourteenth annual effort to understand rural Nebraskans’ perceptions. Respondents were asked a series …

Effects Of Recent Television Signal Changes On Rural Nebraskans, Rebecca Vogt, Randolph Cantrell, Bruce Johnson, Brad Lubben

Publications from the Center for Applied Rural Innovation (CARI)

In mid-February 2009, some television stations in the country started broadcasting only in digital signal. All were required to switch to digital only signal this past June. This change did not affect households that currently receive their television signal from a cable or satellite TV provider, only those that receive their signal over-the-air through an antenna or rabbit ears. The 2009 Nebraska Rural Poll included questions related to television viewing, providing a picture of how rural Nebraskans prepared for this change and the effect this change has had on 2,852 randomly selected non-metropolitan Nebraskans. Not all television stations had made …

Well-Being In Non-Metropolitan Nebraska: Perceptions Of The Present And Views Of The Future, Rebecca J. Vogt, Randolph L. Cantrell, Bruce B. Johnson, Bradley D. Lubben

Publications from the Center for Applied Rural Innovation (CARI)

Nebraska has experienced the effects of the recent recession. How do rural Nebraskans perceive their quality of life? Do their perceptions differ by community size, the region in which they live, or their occupation? This paper provides a detailed analysis of these questions.

This report details 2,852 responses to the 2009 Nebraska Rural Poll, the fourteenth annual effort to understand rural Nebraskans’ perceptions. Respondents were asked a series of questions about their individual well-being. Trends for these questions are examined by comparing data from the thirteen previous polls to this year’s results. In addition, comparisons are made among different respondent …

Rural Life Census Data Center Newsletter: South Dakota Net Migration Estimates, Trevor Brooks, Joel Vargas, Michael Mccurry

Census Data Center Newsletter Archive: 2007-2010

Migration brings important changes for both migrants and communities. Migration into a community can mean a new community dynamic: individuals who migrate bring their views of the world with them, and sometimes these ideas, values, and beliefs breed conflict (Blau 1994). And migration out of a community also can bring change: rural counties with high out-migration rates may also experience long-term economic hardships (Johnson 2006). South Dakota is affected by both in-migration and out-migration.