1811 research outputs found
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Know Thyself? Network Creation in Postgraduate Urban Environments
No full textPrior sociological research on social networks is exceedingly broad and far-reaching, and while much has been done to examine the social dynamics of the college campus itself, (Chambliss & Takis 2017) the transitory period of the postgraduate social network is largely unexplored. This study aims to compare the social landscape of a small liberal arts college campus with that of a city, specifically both Boston and San Francisco, to understand what the change in social networks looks like for college graduates from a small engineered social experience to the expansive world of adult responsibility. Through a series of in-depth interviews with Hamilton alumni from the classes of 2013-2020, this study seeks to understand the various ways in which young adults socialize in urban areas after leaving campus. This study’s findings present the transition from college to the working world as an overall positive experience and showcases the various techniques young adults use to build, establish, and grow their community in their everyday lives as professionals with established careers, routines, and social networks. Ultimately, while the current social environment has made it more difficult to form connections and bonds than in previous generations, the groundwork that the college experience laid for each of these alumni helped them understand their own social patterns, nuances, and preferences, and prepared them for success in the “real world”
It’s a (Parasocial) Love Story, Baby Just Say Yes: A Procedural Exploration of the Creation and Maintenance of the Taylor Swift
No full textThis essay tracks how Fandom is built and maintained, and its effect on its participants, using the Taylor Swift fandom as a case study. Scholars have previously approached the topic of fanaticism with preconceived biases against much of popular culture, and I posit in this essay that much of this condescension is based around misogyny and a continual shame of traditionally feminine interests. This study is conducted through interviews. I discuss the similarities between the Star Trek fandom and the Swift fandom, largely building off of the work of Michael Jindra, who established the idea of fandom as a religious proxy. I identify parental indoctrination and the process of feminist conversion as the key entries into the fandom. In maintenance of the fan community, fandom persists as it largely fills the role of traditional religion in the younger generation. It fulfills the need for spiritual and social connection, allowing participants to expand and deepen social networks. Contrary to past studies, I posit this community and support network positively affects fans’ mental health
Crossing Borders, Bridging Care: Examining Reproductive Healthcare Access and Health-seeking Behaviors among Migrant Women in Utica
No full textBy conducting interviews with providers in Utica, I analyze the social support systems and sociocultural context of reproductive health care. I discussed the impact these factors have made on the reproductive healthcare-seeking behaviors among resettled migrant women in Utica. Hence, my research question remains: How does the sociocultural context of migrant women’s home country affect their reproductive healthcare-seeking behaviors in Utica? This question guides my research and helps me better understand the needs, resources, and infrastructures of the healthcare system in place to facilitate a successful integration in Utica. By interviewing healthcare providers, community educators, doulas, and family planning representatives from the Utica community, I gained valuable insights into the current beliefs, practices, policies, and perceptions on reproductive healthcare among resettled migrant women. Then, I conceptualized the findings through the theoretical frameworks of acculturation processes, intersectionality, and transnational identity. This study advocates for providers to acknowledge the intersecting identities of migrant women by practicing transnational perspectives, community collaboration, culturally competent care, and working with community-based doulas
How Father Joseph Emerged as the Leader of the Shakers: A Closer Look at the 1780s and Beyond
No full textAnyone with more than a passing interest in the Shakers knows the succession of the early leaders of the sect. The popular and widely accepted scenario is that after the death of Mother Ann, the leadership quickly passed to James Whittaker, a man whom Mother had raised. The story continues that after Whittaker’s premature death, Joseph Meacham, much beloved by Mother Ann and the rank and file, became the leader. In his great wisdom, Father Joseph then chose Lucy Wright to stand with him in the female line. This is the actual succession, but is it wholly and totally accurate? Though widely accepted as seamless, the process was hardly so, and at various points, it was far from being “a sure thing.” Accepting the well-known narrative without questioning it, moreover, implies that the Divine will was manifested to the contentment of all. Examining the facts clearly indicates that this was not the case. To better understand the dynamics of the period, it is beneficial to take a closer look at the formative years of Shaker history in America. Not only does a more complete narrative emerge, helpful insights are gained that lead to a deeper understanding of the continuous evolution of the Testimony
Loud Cheers and Quiet Whispers: The Impact of Leadership and Gossip on a Collegiate Soccer Team’s Cohesion and Motivational Climate
No full textFrom a young age, athletes are taught that there is no “I” in team. In other words, cohesion is the key to success. However, players struggle to foster a desirable team culture when the coach unfairly privileges certain players over others. On the women’s varsity soccer team at a small liberal arts college, athlete leaders counter the coach-initiated motivational climate to increase feelings of unity (task cohesion) and belonging (social cohesion) within the group. Past research indicates that subordinates use gossip as a tool to achieve power in an organizational context (Ellwardt, Wittek, and Wielers 2012; Bencsik and Juhasz 2020). This study adopts a similar framework by positing that the participation of athlete leaders in gossip with their teammates serves to cultivate a collaborative motivational climate. It also seeks to address the drawbacks of gossip and any negative impacts it may have on team cohesion. Overall, the research indicates that gossip valence in combination with the identity of gossip targets shape the development of a team’s motivational climate
The Digital Persona: The Role of Strategic Self-Presentation Among Emerging Adults on Instagram
No full textYoung adults construct their identities on Instagram through strategic self-presentation and perceived audience reactions. Through interviews with college students, this study analyzes the platform’s significance and the motivations driving user engagement. Findings reveal a complex interplay between individual identity, societal norms, and digital presentation. Participants demonstrate a desire for authenticity while managing perceptions of their online personas. However, this duality indicates a need to understand if virtual presentations of the self can yield the same identity-affirming reactions as in-person audiences. Instagram serves as a stage for idealized self-performance, with users balancing authenticity and conformity. This study highlights evolving social norms and the need for ongoing research into Instagram\u27s impact on identity formation
Trust Dynamics between the Unhoused and their Service Providers
No full textAmid rising rates of homelessness across the United States, more than ever, we must interrogate why some unhoused individuals are unable or unwilling to seek out resources within their local service landscapes. Although quantitative studies have documented a positive relationship between feelings of trust and service utilization rates among the unhoused, qualitative research on this subject matter is severely lacking. My research addresses this scholarly gap. Through ethnographic observations of a low-barrier service along with formal interviews with the site\u27s staff members and patrons, I explore how trust is established, maintained, and strengthened between these two parties. I find that trust largely derives from the service provider\u27s ability to cultivate an environment conducive to low-stakes interactions. I also find that once unhoused patrons or staff members felt trusting of their counterparts, they advanced trust by engaging with one another in interactions that transcended the transactional nature of giving or receiving care. With these findings, I put my research in conversation with trust scholarship, highlighting how conventional theoretical frameworks cannot fully capture the nuanced context of homelessness
White Water Ohio Shaker Society Burial Grounds
No full textGathered in 1824, White Water was the last of the Shaker communities established in Ohio in the nineteenth century. The known and possible locations of the community’s burial grounds are the subject of this article
Back Cover
Full text linkBack cover illustration: Judith, with Sister Marguerite Frost onstage amongst a forest of potted trees and painted backdrops. (CSV 2-PN299