What does it mean to solve social problems? The concept of causal depth raises a methodological problem for the current account of problem-solving sociology. This is because, if the goal of inquiry is to track resolutions to fundamental social problems (i.e. problems that have never been solved), then the priority ought to be knowledge of how to address their root causes. Because it seems unlikely that all the causal knowledge connected to a problem necessarily tracks its resolution, we need a methodological strategy for orienting research toward root causes. Consequently, causal depth challenges sociological theorists to recognize that problematics—that is, the problem of defining problems—are an integral part of inquiry and methods, just as a general kind of theory is needed to complement or counterbalance middle-range theory. Toward this end, I advocate for a pragmatist recuperation of social theory.
In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court repealed the landmark case of Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Among other states, Texas outlawed abortion, including pills, at any stage of pregnancy with narrow exceptions. I conducted in-depth interviews with 32 undergraduate students (including 18 women, 13 men, and 1 nonbinary participant) from a large, public university in Texas in early 2023, shortly following Dobbs , which meant some students had engaged in sexual activity before and after the statewide ban. I analyze the ways that students discuss their sexual choices in the immediate aftermath of Dobbs , focusing on how they decide: (1) whether or not to have sex, (2) with whom to have sex, and (3) contraceptive choices. Results indicate that many students claimed to adjust how they followed dominant hookup scripts in the wake of the abortion ban, including reportedly increased abstinence, avoidance of sex with cismen, preference for partners with similar abortion views, and increased condom use. Students’ reactions to the ban highlight how gender, sexuality, race, and political beliefs about abortion influence the ways in which students interpret and negotiate sexual scripts.
How do stigma, logistical barriers, and sociodemographic factors encourage or constrain intentions to access healthcare services following sexual assault? Using original survey data from a diverse pool of almost 900 eighteen to twenty-four-year-old women, we explore potential barriers to accessing three types of medical services often sought after a sexual assault: medical treatment, evidence collection for a rape kit, and getting tested for sexually transmitted infections or pregnancy. Findings suggest that both anticipated public stigma (e.g., "I would worry about health care providers judging me."), the internalization of sexual assault stigma (e.g., ". . . people would think something negative about someone like me if they found out about the sexual assault."), and logistical factors (e.g., access to transportation) are barriers to accessing medical services. Additionally, lesbian, gay, or bisexual respondents are less likely to access medical care or have evidence collected than their heterosexual counterparts. This study highlights the importance of reducing the stigma around sexual victimization to increase access to medical care.
This article examines the intersecting experiences of military veterans who have lived in intentional communities (ICs), exploring how both institutional structures impact personal identity and belonging. Drawing from Uncertainty-Reduction Theory's concept of entitativity as well as qualitative data gathered through interviews with 32 individuals who have experienced membership in both groups, we argue that the experience of military service and life in ICs each provides a coherent group identity and structured sense of belonging that can reduce feelings of isolation and self-uncertainty. Veterans in our study reported that the diverse nature of ICs could imitate the structure and sense of belonging found in the military while allowing for greater personal agency and alignment with one's own personal values, instead of the homogenizing values of the military. By comparing these two group experiences, especially in light of America's ongoing loneliness epidemic, we highlight the importance of value alignment and the role of entitativity in shaping how individuals navigate life transitions. Our findings suggest that ICs may hold appeal for veterans seeking to reconstruct meaning and connection in civilian life after service, especially when traditional reintegration pathways prove inadequate.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic spurred a shift toward remote work, the ideal worker norm, centered on constant availability and physical presence, remains deeply entrenched in U.S. culture. This study examines two unresolved questions regarding the ideal worker norm in the post-pandemic context: how support for the ideal worker norm varies across groups with differing levels of decision-making authority (e.g., age, education, sex, and managerial experience), and whether stronger support for this norm is linked to greater flexibility stigma. Drawing on an original survey experiment with a national sample of 1,003 Americans conducted after the pandemic and using insights from status characteristics theory, we find that men and individuals with managerial experience were more likely to endorse the ideal worker norm, while younger workers were less likely to. Contrary to our expectations, education was unrelated to support for the ideal worker norm. Additionally, stronger endorsement of the ideal worker norm was associated with more negative evaluations of employees requesting remote work, who were perceived as less committed and likable, and deserving of less respect and support. These findings suggest that the ideal worker norm continues to fuel flexibility stigma and underscore the role of cultural schemas and status hierarchies in shaping workplace inequality.
