Zamara 1

SBS 404s: Capstone

Arias
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SOCIAL & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
APA Formatting

By Amy Zamara
California State University Monterey Bay

Spring 2019
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SBS 404S

Kucharska, J. (2017). Religiosity and the concept of the god moderate the relationship between
the type of trauma, posttraumatic cognitions and mental health. Journal of Trauma &
Dissociation , 1-76. [76]

This study conducted at the California State University Fresno, examines the prevalence
of food insecurity among reentry women students and their children. The qualitative survey is
based on an ecological framework, which identifies multiple levels of intervention strategies.
They suggest appointing a health educator for women enrolled in program, who would provide
additional education and expose misconceptions. Similar to interpersonal approaches of other
studies, they identify the need for additional services such as: crisis intervention, counselors for
personal and career advice. Community and organizational outreach must include meeting the
entire families’ needs, like children’s lunches and childcare; as well as employment for parents
through community partnerships. Finally, policy reform should include partnerships with reentry
programs and government benefits to assist women in obtaining their degree and making it to
graduation. Social institutions can adopt similar programs like Fresno, which provides a space on
campus for student parents to gather, form community, share resources and support.
This is an important study for my capstone, because many of the programs we have at
CSUMB ignore the parent population. Parents are among the special populations that typically
have higher rates of food insecurity than other students on campus. Identifying there special
needs will help decrease the prevalence over all.
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McLeroy, K. R. (1988). An Ecological Perspective on Health Promotion Programs. Health

Education Quarterly , 352-376. [24]

In the Article An Ecological Perspective on Health Promotion Programs, Kenneth

McLeroy compares the use of the Social Ecological Model (SEM) in issues such as: pregnancy,
child abuse, health promotion and other public health issues. Within SEM, behavior is explained
by the influence of social and environmental factors on an individual. The five “ levels provides
a wide range of strategies currently available for health promotion programming” (p. 355). The
first level individual, deals with knowledge and individual characteristics, borrowed from
psychology. The second, interpersonal, includes influences from social relationships and social
networks. The third and fourth are organization and community, including social institutions and
community organizations. Community is an important role, and has three significant meanings:
as mediating structures, as relationship among organizations, and community as a force. The
final level, policy and the enabling environment include the forces that sometimes weaken rather
than strengthen community and organizational power.
This article will be used as one of the key exemplar theorists in my capstone project. The
SEM framework works to address public health issues in multiple levels, in order to complete a
synergistic effect.
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SOC 333
Tarvis, C. (2003). Uncivil Rites-the Cultural Rules of Anger. In M. Silberman, Violence and
Society (pp. 4-13). Prentice Hall.

In this Chapter titled “Uncivil Rites- The Cultural Rules of Anger” written by Tarvis,
exemplifies the many ways in which cultures view and control anger. Angers role in defending
and establishing moral order, through “the policing power of anger” (p.4). Beginning with the
section Judicial Emotion, in which she demonstrates the ways anger operates in small societies.
Small societies such as the! Kung hunter-gatherers of the Kalahari, who were forced to control
anger as a means of survival. Their methods for control explained anthropologist Patricia Draper,
involved “ food-dunning jokes” and other forms of verbal harassment (p.5), which serve to
remind the tribe members of their obligations. Tarvis compares the dunning to her own Yiddish
Background through “curses”, and to the current approach, dunning family members for not
calling them more often. Other examples include the drinking feasts of the Siriono People or the
mad dances of the Kapauku Papuans of West New Guinea, all of which demonstrate different
approaches to settling disputes in order to maintain the good of the tribe. Another informal
approach to control is through the act of shaming. This can be seen in the Semai of West
Malaysia, who use the feeling of “Snill”, which make both parties in the conflict feel shame.
Another examples are the way Anthropologist Jean Briggs was ostracized among the Utku
Eskimo tribe for her angry outburst. Tarvis also discusses the concept of “Brief Madness” and
differing cultural takes on legitimate acts of violence and temporary rage. Terms used such as:
“running amok”, “being a wild pig” , “temporary insanity”, and “The ghost bite” are all methods
to staying true to one's cultural values, while simultaneously acting on the angry emotions.
Theories mentioned such as the “Gordian Knot” (p.10) and Seneca’s idea that we love vices, and
wish to excuse them rather than cure them.
One of the concepts that stood out to me most came from James Averill, when he
suggested that people only apologize for the negative emotions, and not the positive ones.
Instead, they pursue credit for their good deeds. This can be seen very clearly in today's society,
and mirrors the “Anglo American” stages mentioned by Edward Hall (p11). People seek public
approval to validate their feelings of anger and injustice. Which in turn gives legitimacy to direct
confrontation. Tarvis ends this chapter with a discussion on the individualism of American Life,
where the needs of the self are first and the needs of others become annoying (p13). Reflecting
on this further, one question comes to mind: How does Capitalism give rise to anger and the
“individualism” of Americans everyday life.
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Stearns, C., & Stearns, P. (2003). A New Approach to Anger Control. In M. Silberman, Violence
and Society (pp.15-27). Prentice Hall.

The second Chapter titled “A New Approach to Anger Control” discusses the two shift in
child rearing, beginning with the turn of the 19th Century and again in the 20th century. Carol
Zisowitz Stearns and Peter Stearns break down this concept by first describing the changes in
detail, followed by a discussion of “emotionology” and the actual expressions of anger
demonstrated in those time periods (p.15). The first shift begins with the shift from Victorian
Idealism between 1860 and 1940, and stemmed from the recognition that anger is a natural
personality trait and can be put to good. The overall take on anger in this time was that anger was
still to be controlled in everyday life, but not completely removed. During this time two
significant shifts in child rearing emerged. The first was the approach of “selective concern”
through ignoring bad behavior. The second phase involved the “reproval of anger within the
home, but not necessarily in larger settings (p.16). The emotionology related to anger suggested
that children naturally became angry and therefore needed to control this anger through
discipline and channeling of anger, especially in young men. Darwinian findings about animal
like instincts supported this emotionology. Stanley Hall advocated for physical punishment ,
others such as Watson suggest non angry discipline. Race and class also play an important role in
the ways parents discipline their child.
One of the most powerful insights in this Chapter were the differing strategies for boys
and girls. This connected to my learnings in the sociology of families and marriage class, as we
learned about the shift in dating culture from the private to public sphere. Throughout this time
period women were still seen in the Domestic sphere, and therefore should control their anger in
order to maintain a peaceful household. Men and young boys on the other hand are encouraged
to show their anger and channel it through appropriate methods such as sports, business and
negotiations. This gives rise to the ideas of shame that were discussed in Chapter one. If shame is
channeled outward through anger, and excused through public justifications...how do women
then feel shame? If they channel shame inward as they do anger, what are the negative
connotations to this. Does this come out in forms of self mutilation or pressuring of daughters to
do better than their mothers?
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Scheff, T., & Retzinger, S. (2003). Hitler's Appeal: Alienation, Shame-Rage, and Revenge. In M.
Silberman, Violence and Society (pp. 28-45). Prentice Hall.

Chapter three titled “Hitler’s Appeal:Alienation, Shame-Rage, and Revenge”, outlines

Hitler’s rise to power through his use of tactics in the German environment that had been
destroyed physically and mentally in the wake of defeat in World War One. Beginning first with
a discussion of prior explanations for his rise to power, followed by Scheff & Retzinger’s
new approach focused on Hitler's charismatic personality, and the response of his followers
through the theory of pride and shame dynamics (p34). Laswell’s approach involved
understanding Hitler’s Personality and the needs of the people, followed by the linkage between
both. Others discuss the social bases, such as the loss of WW1, the great inflation, and the Great
Depression. All of which left Germany in “emotional, economic, political, and intellectual crisis
(p31). Also noteworthy was Hitler’s upbringing and early adulthood; full of shame and anger,
resulting in a lack of personal relationships between him and others. Types of shame: Overt
shame, bypass shame; bypass shame is what leads to shame-rage (p36). According to Alice
Miller, Hitler’s psychopathology began with the physical and emotional violence at home and
the mother’s complicity in the abuse (p 36). This created a constant state of shame in Hitler’s
adult life, physically (eye contact), sexually (urinating fetish), mentally (withdrawal and cold. In
attempt to mask the shame, Hitler used Pride and a sense of community to bring his followers
together.
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Lane, Roger (2003). Murder in America: 1865-1917. In M. Silberman, Violence and

Society (pp. 49-56). Prentice Hall.

In Roger Lane’s article, Murder in America 1865-1917, the evolution of homicide and
the fear from white native’s seeking to restore power and control after the end of the civil war
and Slavery. During this time, all States, North and South saw rapid industrialization, and in the
South Slavery was replaced with violent intimidations and segregation as forms of “racial
domination (p 49). Violence also sprung from the lack of local law enforcement and society's
views of a Black man’s life compared to that of a dog. Patrollers during slavery turned to
vigilante groups like the KKK. The Justice System incarcerated black men and then the focus
switched to finding a way for prisoners to pay for themselves, through the “Convict Lease
System”.

Some places created black crimes, other places ignored crimes and homicide all together
if it was against a black person. Lynching increased because of racial hatred, and allowed
otherwise ordinary men and some women to gather in mobs to watch, even selling tickets and
allowing participation for the richest folks. Psychologists argued “it was white men protecting
their own sexual fantasies onto blacks and then punished them savagely out of guilt” (p 42).

Whites becoming minorities among blacks and white immigrants used social and political tactics
to regain dominance. Politically, through exclusionary tactics, restricting primary voting through
poll taxes, literacy requirements, which eliminated blacks and poor whites. Socially, by legal
segregation by way of racial segregation. Lynching eventually decreased as “regions developed a
more diversified commercial economy and social structure and the old culture of honor and
violence slowly crumbled away” (p 54). Other changes were occurring as well, such as the need
for sobriety, strict discipline in the classroom, and the increase of accidental death and suicide.
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Currie, Elliott (2003). Understanding Crime: Inequality and Community. In M. Silberman,

Violence and Society (pp. 58-65). Prentice Hall.

Elliot Currie begins the article, Understanding Crime Inequality and Community with
two examples of cities with extremely high murder rate examples, East St. Louis Illinois and
Compton, California. Then poses the question, What distinguishes these cities from other cities?
The answer, two things: Money, with higher rates of poverty per capita two out of three families
are poor vs one in every thirty in rich neighborhoods.Secondly, population and the overwhelmly
high population of blacks to whites, 75% in Compton and 95% in St. Louis. A Presidents
Commision on Crime in the District of Columbia 7/10 felony offenders came from cities with
incomes below 3000$. The U.S as a whole, has a black population of 12% vs. 50% of the total
prison population. Economic and racial inequality play a “potent role in breeding criminal
violence seems hard to avoid” (p 58). There is a major correlation between crime and inequality,
which effects not only the extent of crime but also its seriousness and violence. Marvin
Wolfgang created SES, or the socioeconomic status, and argues that boys from low SES areas
are more likely to commit crime and recommit again. Inequality is more than just differences in
income, such as “disadvantaged positions”- paralleled by degree of social deprivation and
psychological deviance Donald west believes there needs to be anti-poverty measures added to
any policy of delinquency prevention. Critics cite three different arguments against this notion.
First, biases of social scientists and the criminal justice system are also at fault. Secondly,
personal deficiencies in offenders, such as: culture, temperament, or upbringing. Which leads to
both crime and economic disadvantage. Lastly, It's “not inequality that generates crime, but our
misguided efforts to reduce inequality”- (p 61). A few very startling statistics stood out to me in
this article as well, such as: a black infant is more likely to be murdered than a white person at
any age, or a non white woman is more likely to be murdered than a white male. Additionally,
unequal treatment was greater for less serious crime where discretion can be applied. Marshall
Clinard argues that “narrow spreads of economic inequality and very low cases of
unemployment, assures a more egalitarian distribution of the fruits of growth (p 64).
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Caputi, Jane (2003). The Sexual Politics of Murder. In M. Silberman, Violence and Society (pp.

66-76). Prentice Hall.

Jane Caputi discusses sex murders, and the lack of classification of being a “politically
driven” murder. She begins with examples of Wilder and his torchering of victims, which
amounted to his desire to torment and destroy. From the Feminist perspective “the murders are
sexually and politically rooted in male supremacy, in the same way that lynching is based in
white supremacy” and are a form of “patriarchal terrorism” (p 67). They see rape not as some act
of frustrated attraction, victim provocation, or uncontrollable biological urges, or one only
perpetrated on the “fringe”. Instead, “rape is a direct expression of sexual politics, a ritual
enactment of male domination ,a form or terror that functions to maintain the status quo” (p
67).Oppression, power, and dominance can be in the form of sexual acts, and centers around
gender inequality. Mary Daly first named this tradition gynocide “ and Caputi analyzes three
separate events to exemplify this argument.

The first, Joel Steinberg was a wife batter, child killer, but seen to the community as
a familiar family member and self proclaimed “good father”. He was charged with the death of
his illegally adopted daughter, which happened after an incident of extreme abuse. Although his
wife was not charged with her murder, the trial turned into rage against the wife, Hedda
Nussbaum. Whom once was seen as a symbol of domestic abuse, turned collaborator and
monster. Steinberg used psychological manipulation to control her, and despite feminist critics,
Nussbaum was not capable of preventing the death because of her oppression in the nuclear
family. The male rush to disassociate is characteristic of a patriarchal culture in which awareness
of institutionalized male supremacy is repressed. The culture regularly “double thinks a distance
between itself and sexual violence, denying the fundamental normalcy of the violence in a male
supremacist culture and trying to paint it as the domain of psychopaths and “monsters” only (p
70).

The second situation, Ted bundy who was a serial sex killer but was seen to society as a
good all American son. Whom even came to be known as a “a man with Vision, a man with
direction, a prophet of our time. Seen as some sort of robin hood and not a suspected mass
murderer. Once he confessed, he went from a hero to the patriarchal scapegoat for all of man's
sins. Bundy claimed pornography was the inspiration for him to act out his torture and murder
fantasies. Diana Russell distinguishes erotica from pornography: porn is seen as sexually explicit
material that represents or describes degrading or abusive sexual behavior so as to endorse and or
recommend the behavior as described, erotica, has sexual representations premised on equality.

The last situation focused on the murdering of prostitutes as a social issue. Steven Egger argues
that the majority of women share “common characteristics of what are perceived to be
prestigeless, powerless, and or lower socioeconomic groups” (p 74). Society and law
enforcement were slow to investigate prostitute murder since they weren’t “innocent girls or
family women”. A reason for this, was that police or press describe the murdered women as
prostitutes, it lulls non-prostitute women into a false feeling of safety. Elsewhere in LA,
prostitution tends to take on more sophisticated, expensive and less hazardous forms, such as
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escort services. Statistically, 30% of all women killed are murdered by their husbands and lovers.
Hate crimes need to be expanded to include gender. Vast numbers of women are now suffering
and dying from various forms of hate crime worldwide, including neglect, infanticide, genital
mutilation, battering, rape, and murder.
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Felson, R. (2003).Motives for Sexual Coercion. In M. Silberman, Violence and Society

(pp.194-206). Prentice Hall.

Felson uses a social interactionist approach to aggression to examine the possible

motives of rape and other forms of sexual coercion. The theory suggests that coercive behavior
is instrumental in completing some and deterring others, drawing on several exemplar theories
such as social learning theory and control theory.Sexual Coercion involves the use of contingent
threats or bodily force to compel a person to engage in sexual activity. Felson argues that rapists
are goal motivated for sex, and will rape in order to receive sexual gratification. Felson argues
that there are three major outcomes from the perpetrators’ sexual coercion. The first outcome
Sexual Behavior, second, Harm to the target, and third, domination of the target. In conclusion,
the use of coercive and noncoercive influence techniques may in part based on sex differences in
sexuality, females being more selective than males creates conflict between the sexes and leads
to coercion to produce compliance. Evidence also shows that men who engage in sexual coercion
engage in other forms of coercion, crime, and deviance.
As I reflect on this reading, several thoughts come to mind. First, the motives for sexual
Coercion could also be linked to Rational Choice Theory. Since many of the same assumptions
about rationality of choices and persons of both sexes are used in arguing Felson’s ideas. The
results of this study are disheartening, I am left feeling as though this article is blaming the
victim. Since women are more selective and create conflict with men, we are initiating the rape
and forced sexual coercion, why am I not surprised this article is written by a man.
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Kanin, E. (2003). Date Rapists: Differential Sexual Socialization and relative deprivation. In M.
Silberman, Violence and Society (pp.207-225). Prentice Hall.

The central theme is that deviance is an adaptation to the frustration of the “normal” sex
drive argues Eugene Kanin. In his paper, he introduces an analysis of a variant rapist population,
and makes an effort to demonstrate that intellectual parochialism arising from the study of those
who officially become labeled as rapists seems hardly appropriate. Methods included reports on
71 self-disclosed rapists, all white unmarried, college undergrads who came to the attention as
solicited volunteers during the past decade. Findings show that 93% of the rapists, and only 37%
of the controls, said that their best friends would “definitely approve” of such tactics for “certain
women”. Shockingly, this explains why so many men in universities find it appropriate to force
themselves on women at the party. If their friends deem it appropriate for certain women, maybe
the ones consuming copious amounts of alcohol or wearing revealing clothing are those certain
women. The evidence found in this study supports the position that “the sexual socialization of
these rapists was substantially influenced by a supportive hypertoric male culture” (p 213). Early
familial and other groups play an important role in shaping the minds of young men. Without the
proper education and child rearing, we will continue to raise more men that will continue to rape
women.
I can’t help but think of the story about Brock Turner, who raped an unconscious girl
behind a dumpster at Stanford University. Coming from a privileged background, we can assume
he was raised with the same approving male culture. How will he learn if he is immune to
criminal charges and recieves the approval from the judge that sentenced him with his extremely
light sentence. We teach about consent and date rape in University, but perhaps we need earlier
intervention in primary grades and in the home to really make a difference in the future.
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Martin,P., Hummer, R. (2003). Fraternities and Rape on Campus . In M. Silberman, Violence

and Society (pp.226-235). Prentice Hall.

Martin and Hummer argue that group structure and processes, rather than individual
values or characteristics, are the “impetus” for many rape episodes documented. Many rapes, far
more than come to the public's attention, occur in fraternity houses and college campuses, yet
little research has analyzed fraternities at the American colleges as “rape-prone” contexts. (p
215). Their study examined “dynamics associated with the social construction of fraternity life
with the focus on processes that foster the use of coercion, including rape” ( p 216). Martin and
Hummer developed a conceptual framework from an initial case study of all alleged gang rape at
Florida State University.Research indicated that frats are vitally concerned - more than anything
with masculinity. The focus on masculinity and the lowered status of women in member’s eyes,
creates norms and practices that view the sexual coercion of women, which is a felony crime, as
sport, a contest, or a game. Unless these norms and practices change, women will contunue to
raped on University Campuses, many of which will occur out of the spotlight and courtroom.
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Straus, M., Gelles, R., & Steinmetz, S. (2003).The Marriage License as a Hitting Licence. In M.

Silberman, Violence and Society (pp.125-135). Prentice Hall.

The first article written by Straus, Gelles, and Steinmetz analyses family violence within
the marriage. Primarily focusing on the level of Husband-Wife violence, comparing violence
rates, types of violence, and validity of the statistics produced in their study. Their initial findings
suggest that 28% of persons, or one in four persons in a marriage will experience some sort of
physical violence during the marriage. To better understand these results, the researchers began
to deepen the analysis of types of violence, such as slaps, beatings, or guns. The most interesting
findings suggest that both men and women predominantly use slaps and shoves more than any
other form of violence. Although men still use more deadly force, women are actually more
likely to throw things at their partners than their male counterparts. But over-all there is mutual
violence between both genders, with percentages very similar to one another. Straus also
discusses the political term “wife-beating”, even the term itself implies that violence is directed
at women only, which stems from the 1960’s and 70’s feminist movements. In conclusion, the
results suggest that a “”normalized amount” of violence occurs in the home, and the percentages
of abuse could be closer to double the reported amount. Although men may use more deadly
weapons such as guns and knives, both genders can cause serious harm when throwing objects is
added to this category. Once again, making the results more symmetrical for both genders.
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Straus, M., Gelles, R., & Steinmetz, S. (2003).Spare The Rod?. In M. Silberman, Violence and
Society (pp.136-160). Prentice Hall.

The second article begins to analyze family violence using the parent-child lens. Straus,
Gelles, and Steinmetz introduce the social problem that America has dealt with over the last two
decades. They argue that this problem still lacks a universal definition, and initiates a study to
create the ideology of “spare the rod”. The hypothesis “ Hitting a child is necessary, normal, and
good- it is an acceptable way to raise children” (p.138), followed by a survey to test the
hypothesis. The study found that mothers are the more frequent users of violence in the families
and sons the most common victims. In contrast fathers, were not found to have any instance
where they were more likely to hit their children than their wives, and mothers are more likely to
throw or hit their daughters than the fathers are (p 145). Another important finding is the reliable
scientific proof that violence towards children extends much further than just ordinary physical
punishment. One explanation for the reason why physical abuse is so prevalent in the home is
because children who were abused, grow up to become abusers themselves. Which disproves the
common myth that the community violence, the murders, and other issues come from the media
or things seen on tv. This study provides several examples of how the true root cause of violence
later in life is the initial exposure to violence in the home as a young child.
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Pleck, Elizabeth. (2003).Criminal Approaches to Family Violence,1640-1980. In M. Silberman,

Violence and Society (pp.161- 173). Prentice Hall.

Elizabeth Pleck examines the progression of family violence and the criminalization
levels throughout the time period 1640-1980. She argues that three time periods each had
“significant campaigns to increase the criminal penalties for domestic violence” (p 161). In each
period, reformers and supports have debated the legality and legitimacy or social and formal
control. Reformers insist that outside agencies have the right to “intervene in the family and
sometimes take action” if it is on behalf of child safety and protection from the parent. Those
who support the idea of “what happens behind closed doors is family business”, cite reasons such
as the right to discipline, sexual access to their wives, and that nagging wives and misbehaving
children often provoke the beatings, and as the “breadwinner and provider”, men should be free
from persecution for following the “traditional pattern of support” (p 162). The first era, in 17th
century puritans experience in the New World encouraged the criminalization of family violence
for religious reasons. An institution that plays a critical role in child raising should not be a
“sanctuary for cruelty and violence” (p 162). New Haven enacted the first American law which
punished incest with death by hanging, if it was voluntary, both were hanged. This extremely
punitive process stemmed from symbolic intent. Secondly, in 1672 the first law against wife-
beating and child protections against arranged marriage and severe punishment. The punishment
for these crimes consisted o a 5 pound fine or a whipping and husband beating. The Second era
from 1830 -1874, did not exhibit any additional laws against family violence until the high point
of criminalization in 1875-1890, followed by the decline of interest in criminal approaches to
family violence from 1900 to 1920. Finally from 1955 to 1980, a rediscovery of family violence.
The rediscovery was sparked by an increased interest from social workers, physicians, and other
child advocates about child welfare and the causes for delinquent acts by juveniles. Social
workers began to define these actions as “neglect” and began an intense campaign of “aggressive
casework”. The most significant and lasting effect of this era is the start of “mandated reporting”
of physicians and sometimes other professionals to report signs of abuse or neglect to police and
social agencies or face personal prosecution themselves. In sum, social organization and social
control principle highlights the pattern of increased criminalization when the traditional family
(patriarchy) is not defended and the rights and privileges are restricted and vice versa (p 161).
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Pate, A., Hamilton, E. (2003).Formal and Informal Deterrents to Domestic Violence: The Dade
County Spouse Assault Experiment. In M. Silberman, Violence and Society
(pp.174-179). Prentice Hall.

The final chapter explores the relationship between formal and informal control. The
debate surrounds the correlation between the effectiveness of formal control with the mediating
effects of informal sanctions. Sherman hypothesized that “more socially bonded people are more
detterable” and therefore employed persons would be more likely to be deterred by arrest ( p
175). Pate and Hamilton begin a study using The Rational Choice Theory and its causual
significance, which proposes that human behavior is to come degree rational, and can be
influenced by incentives. The study explored 903 cases, which only involved married couples or
who had been married. The study used randomized treatment plans and data collection was used
to record the subsequent assaults that occured in the following six months. The Analysis used
three regression models, the second model which included interactions between arrest and
employment status, which showed statistically significant results indicating the validity of
Sherman’s initial hypothesis. The results of this study “ support the use of formal sanctions such
as mandated arrests, mediated with informal sanctions in employment status” to fully combat the
domestic violence problems.
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Katz, Jack (2003).Righteous Slaughter. In M. Silberman, Violence and Society (pp. 81-95).
Prentice Hall.

Jack Katz begins his article by describing a “typical homicide” , which is a non-predatory
homicide that is comprised of three characteristics: Its lack of premeditation; the crime emerges
quickly, is fiercely impassioned; conducted with indifference to the legal consequences.
Explaining these crimes as a self righteous act that is carried out for defense of communal
values. Katz outlines three parts to his principle for “Righteously enraged slaughter” (p 85).
First, Respectabilitys Last stand, in which the killer understands the victim is attacking the
eternal human values and requires a last stand. Second, the emotional response from Humiliation
to rage, and the blind eye to eternal unity and the future. Finally, the sacrificial violence in which
the killer organizes his behavior into action; which may or may not result in the death of the
victim. All of the parts to the principles are done in defense of good and the victim deserves a
good beating, Katz defines these ideas as the two stages of Sacrificial Violence (p 93). IN
reflection, Katz can be used to explain the motives of several forms of killing: Revenge, self-
protection, relationship problems and even financial gains, mental instability and relationship
problems.
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Lundsgarde, Henry (2003).Homicide as Custom and Crime. In M. Silberman, Violence and

Society (pp. 96-109). Prentice Hall.

Henry Lundsgaarde’s article Homicide as Custom and Crime, examines the relationship
between law and the custom in the regulation of homicide. He argues that “fewer than fifty
percent of the suspects were negatively sanctioned for their acts in a state that has a record for
the highest homicide rates in the country and a city that executes more individuals than any other
nation” (p 96). To support this argument, he discusses Justifiable Homicide, and provides eleven
justifiable reasons for committing homicide in texas (pg 99); as well as four circumstances for
justify the protection of property (p 101). To assess criminal culpability of the killer, four terms
are used in the Mens rea doctrine: intentionality, knowingly, recklessly, criminally negligent ( p
97). These concepts are “graded” for the magnitude compared to the ordinary person, typically a
person who commits an act intentionally is penalized more heavily than a person who is
negligent (p 97). This grade may lead to the distinction between murder and manslaughter based
on motive and intent (p 98). Finally, Lundsgaarde argues that there is a private right and a public
official right to negatively sanction someone for disapproved behavior, in order to ensure a high
degree of social conformity. Citing Professor Schneider’s insight that “ the definition of crime
and punishment is relative to the general cultural values and traditions found among the members
of any human society (p 106).
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Walker, J. (2009). Social Disorganization Theory. In J. Miller (Ed), 21st Century Criminology:

A reference handbook. (pp 312-323). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.

J. Mitchell Miller uses this article to cover the contemporary history of the Social
Disorganization Theory. The beginning of this theory starts with plants, which is rooted in
biology. This translates well into another study which is ecology. Ecology studies how different
structures within nature interplay and how they affect each other. That is exactly what Social
Disorganization theory does but does so on a social and behavioral macro and micro level. Using
this, SDT studies how different societies, cultures and environments affect the people within it
and focuses on the disorganization part. This article covers the multiple advances in this theory,
many dating back to the 70’s. In the 1990’s there is a resurgence of SDT that is primarily
focused on neighborhoods and how they interplay among class, race, religion, and status. The
breadth of this topic is insurmountable but Miller does a good job of keeping it quaint and to the
point. Histories of the evolution of a theory can be quite valuable in terms of trying to find the
root causes for research when heading into the field. This article does a fantastic job at doing this
and should be used for further research. This theory can be used to explain the patterns of police
shootings, demonstrating the macro level effects, that society and and the culture have on the
individual and their behavior. Such as the implicit-bias that has been built into our subconscious.
These views change how the officer reacts, and who they may or may not shoot.
 Zamara 21

Langley, Marty. Sugarmann, Josh. (2018). Hispanic Victims of Lethal Firearms. (pp 1-26). The
Violence Policy Center.

This study examines the the hispanic demographic change recently in the United States,
which identifies them as the largest minority group, and the astonishing statistics of homicide
victimization. The homicide victimization rate for Hispanics in the United States is nearly twice
as high as the homicide victimization rate for whites (p 4). This makes Homicide the second
leading cause of death for Hispanics ages 15 to 24 (p 5)! In hispanic homicide, there is about a
seventy percent chance that a handgun was used to commit the murder, and a forty percent
chance that the victims was killed by a stranger. All of these statistics varies greatly from the
national average. The study also highlights the limitations of the data available, since changing
demographics and the lack of reported data about ethnic origin vs race. Arguing that full
documentation of the victimization is necessary to take steps to prevent these crimes. This
documentation should include: Individual-level ethnic information at all levels of government
(local, state, national); should be self reported and not based on a person's last name; published
on all public access reports, and finally; The FBI and The Bureau of Justice Statistics should
publish periodic or special reports on hispanic victimization. This study really highlights the
growing concern of implicit bias, and the lack of transparent reporting. I begin to question why
this is not reported and highlighted more often? Is it because the government wants us to believe
that hispanics are the criminals, and not the victims? Is it a way to push for immigration laws by
not fully and accurately reporting this information?
 Zamara 22

Black, Donald (2003).Crime As Social Control. In M. Silberman, Violence and Society (pp. 110-
120). Prentice Hall.

Donald Black in his article Crime As Social Control, examines the relationship between
law and self-help, the deterrence of crime, the processing of self-help by legal officials and the
problem of predicting and explaining self-help itself (p 110). Concluding, that “law and self-help
are unevenly distributed across social space, and each relevant to the behavior of the other” (p
118). Black outlines four patterns that demonstrate this conclusion and exemplifies these patterns
through a discussion of traditional self help, modern self-help and theoretical considerations.
Traditional self-help was based on the notion of “conflict management” such as the “Flagrante
delicto” in the philippines, where capital punishment is carried out in the private setting. Or the
Yanomamo, where wife beating is seen as social control and is justified “when her behavior
deserves it” (p 111). Modern self help is also social-control and has not skewed far from
primitive societies. Black introduces the idea of formal (external sanctions) and informal social
controls (internal norms). Self help crimes are exemplified through crimes such as Property
destruction and confiscation, vandalism, robbery, attacking of businesses, homicide, terrorist
bombings, juvenile delinquency and rape. Lastly, theoretical considerations identify the four
patterns Black summarizes at the end of this article. First, “law may be unavailable to those who
are the objects of self-help and when people of low status people who are intimate have conflicts.
Second, Law is unavailable to those with grievances in comparison to those who have offended
them. Third, those with grievances against a social inferior have law readily available but not to
those against whom they might employ self help. Finally, where law is available to both the
offended and the offenders, is seen around people with high status.
 Zamara 23

Wyatt-Brown, Bertram (2003).Honor and Violence in the Old South. In M. Silberman, Violence
and Society (pp. 121-122). Prentice Hall.

This Article by Bertram Wyatt-Brown, examines the relationship between honor and
violence with examples from the Old South. Including the “ethics of honor”, an encoded system
between not only individuals but but the community as a whole and can be seen in the form of
words, courtesies, rituals, and even deeds of personal and collective violence (p 121). All of
these systems function to create structure, hierarchy, race control and social discourse. An
example of the Whites in the antebellum south, who believed “ That fear was not death, for
dying with honor would bring glory” (p 111). Their sense of honor stemmed from the need to
protect the individual, family, group and race. The individual relationship with honor stems from
the relationship with God, and the power of shame. The final judgment, and the fear of
damnation is used to invoke a “ healthy sense of shame, and a sense of his own honor” (p 111).
Shame is seen as a lack of honor and a disgrace, Wyatt-Brown states when shame is imposed by
others, honor is stripped away. He ends by arguing that social force demonstrated one of the
most remarkable features of American cultural history.
 Zamara 24

SOC 338

Lewis, O. (1969). Death in the Sanchez Family . Chicago: (pp. 1-132). Penguin Books. [132]

“She, her husbands, and her neighbours in the Vecindad were better representatives of the
way of life which I have called the culture of poverty” (1969,p.9), states Oscar Lewis in the
introduction of the book Death in the Sanchez family. This quote resonated with me because
Lewis acknowledges that Guadalupe exemplifies the culture of Poverty better than then the
children. As I continued to read the rest of the introduction I couldn’t help but make comparisons
between her life and the lives I read about in his previous book, The Children of Sanchez. By the
end, I was in full support of his opening remarks, Guadalupe is without a doubt a much better
example of someone fully enthralled in the the Culture of Poverty (C.O.P). In order to support
this claim, my reflection will explore the way in which Guadalupe was forced to live her life in
the C.O.P through multiple intersecting points of marginalization such as gender and class.
Guadalupe was born into a life of oppression based on her gender from the moment she
entered this world. Being a female in a family of 18, she grew up in a house without toys, dolls,
and education-forced to do the cooking, marketing and household chores (p. 11). She also
experienced trauma and abuse at multiple points, and from various people. Her mother beat her
growing up, and always favored her other sister Lenore, the mother of the Sanchez children (p
12). In her early teenage years she was kidnapped at knife point and raped. When he father found
out, he also beat her and forced her to marry him. By fourteen she was already a mother, and
after her first husband died and she remarried- she was abandoned once again with an additional
child on the way (p 16). The involuntary submissive role Guadalupe was forced to fulfill
throughout her life stems from the culture of Machismo, which is more visible when the level of
poverty is higher. When reading the Children of Sanchez, I was saddened to read the stories of
Marta and Consuelo, but the abuse they received pales in comparison to what Guadalupe
suffered up until the day she died. As Lewis acknowledges, “She died the way she lived, without
medical care, in unrelieved pain, in hunger, worrying about rent…” (p. 10) . Even with the
several husbands, several close by neighbors and family-she still died alone, the reasons for this
are not only based on gender marginalization, but also class.
The Culture of Poverty begins with the built environment, which varies in materials and
luxuries based on the the level of poverty in which the ascribe to. The Casa Grande vecindad that
the children lived in, is made to seem like a luxury condo compared to Guadalupe’s shack in the
Panaderos vecindad. The shacks were built of adobe instead of cement, they cooked with clay
pots instead of aluminum, they sought treatment from herbal remedies and native healers instead
of doctors (p. 22). These differences do not come from choices, but from the lack of education,
money, and access to basic human dignity. The lack of education perpetuates the cycle of
poverty through low wages, Lewis states the average income in the Panderos ranged from $3.60
to $26.24 and Guadalupe and Gaspar only made about $5.20 (p.24). If Guadalupe was not so
terribly poor, she would not have suffered and died the way she did. She would have had enough
to eat, warmth from gas or electricity, proper medicines and healthcare, which would have saved
her life. The impacts of poverty reach every member of her family, and although all of the
children seek refuge in her home at one point or another, their own marginalization prevents
them from caring for her in the way they wish they could.
 Zamara 25

I look forward to reading the rest of the book, as the children begin to reflect on the way
each of their lives intertwined with Guadalupe. As well as the new struggles that are created
through death and the burial process.
 Zamara 26

Fleder (Director). (2001). Imposter [Motion Picture]. (1h17m) [38]

The film Imposter begins in year 2079, Earth has fell victim to war against a genetically
superior species that humans. Cites have been reduced to rubble, citizens are living under
protective domes, and the society that remains is controlled by a “global” government”. The
main character Spencer, may be viewed as both protagonist and antagonist, questioning his own
identity and environment as he is accused of being an imposter, sent as a weaponized cyborg to
kill humans. This film can be viewed by the general audience as a futuristic, blockbuster film
about humans vs. aliens. It can also be used to understand the development of Social Perception
and Cognition through a sociological lens. This review will use the latter, to critically examine
concepts found in Chapter six of Social Psychology written by John DeLamater, such as Schema
and Schema processing (2018, p.205) .
DeLamatar begins Chapter six by introducing what Social Psychologists call Schema, or
a “well organized structure of cognitions about some social entity,such as a person group, role or
event”, in order to understand and process informations and facts. Schemas can be understood
under several types, such as personal schemas, group schemas, and role schemas. Personal
schemas are used to understand personalities of others, and their corresponding behaviors (p
209). Examples of this can be seen in the way the cyborg is able to take over Spencer’s personal
schema by taking on his personality and not just his physical body. This allows him to deceive
many others in the film and even his “self-schema” as he himself believes he is still human.
Another type is Group Schema, also known as stereotypes, which indicate “ the attributes and
behaviors considered typical of members of that group or social category” (p 209). There are
several examples of stereotypes in this film, such as their views of imposters or what they refer
to as “it” and “them”. Or the portrayal of the man he meets in the underground, who may be seen
as an outlaw, but is really a hero, trying to help those that need it by stealing the necessary
medication. The third type, role schemas can be seen as characters in the film, Spencer the “bag
guy” the Government agents, the “good guys”. The final type, Event schema is the “script” of the
situation, which describe what typically happens during a certain event. Examples of this are the
ways Spencer is able to blend in to get through the hospital, taking on certain roles such as
patient and agent.
DeLamater transitions to the important role schema processing takes in understanding our
situation. Once we apply a schema to a situation, “our decision about how to interact in it
become much more straightforward” (p.210). The first example is schematic memory, which
DeLamater argues is largely reconstructive, and rarely do we remember everything. Throughout
the movie Spencer keeps having flashbacks to the night of the attack, yet it's not till the end of
the movie that he is able to remember the entire situation. The cyborgs are able to dec (Fleder,
2001)eive humans because of this ability to retain memories in their victims. This processing
allows everyone around them to question if Spencer may really be human after all. Spencer
spends the entire time trying to prove his true identity, but the cyborg inside is able to trick
everyone until the very end, the only question remains is how. The drawback of schema
processing DeLamater argues, is the tendency to be “overly accepting of information that fits
consistently with a schema. Small details such as the way he bled, felt emotion, and recalled
memories allowed those around Spencer to disregard obvious abnormalities in his behavior, this
process is defined in chapter six as “Attribution” (p.228).
 Zamara 27

This film does a great job exploring these sociological concepts in an understandable and
relatable manor. My only critique would be the missing details about Maya and what she was
doing the entire time. She too had been taken over, and was actively deceiving everyone. Why
was she not caught earlier in the film? I would have also liked more information on the
“outlaws” and how they are able to live and survive under the war waged above.
 Zamara 28

Wirkola, T. (Director). (2017). What Happened to Monday [Motion Picture]. (2h4m) [60]

“What happens to you, happens to all” instructs the sister’s father as he cuts of the a
fingertip of each daughter. The film “What Happened To Monday”, highlights several
sociological and psychological paradigms through the story of Karen. Karen is the social role
played by seven sisters, who from birth, are socialized to become one person in the outside
world. The sisters must navigate a complex society, hiding their individual identities in order to
survive; through self presentation and deception techniques. This critical movie review with
examine the two main themes, the idea of self, and individual identity and manipulation ability
known as “tactical impression management” (pg.149), through examples of the seven women’s
unique individuality and their ability to hide their true selves in public. The examples will be
supported with social psychological theory found in Social Psychology written by John
DeLamater (2018). Followed by a brief critique of the film and concluding remarks.
In a psychological framework, the focus is on the individual and the way their
socialization in childhood impacts their adulthood. This movie is a great example in the ways in
which nature and nurture can both affect an individual. Biologically, the seven women have
identical physical features and genetic characteristics. But through environmental changes such
as the shaping of the self through character traits, the impact their father had on each of them,
and their views of themselves through their role performance. Each of these sisters for example,
have individual traits which they exhibit through their physical appearance and personality.
Friday wears glasses a large hat and has an overall timid demeanor; Saturday, has short blonde
hair, likes to drink, and party; Monday, the first born keeps a perfectionist appearance, but
secretly dates a government agent; Wednesday, wears her hair short and stays physically fit;
Thursday, the black sheep, has short hair and is the ultimate rebel who becomes the hero by the
end of the film. These examples demonstrate the process of biological features and socialized
experience, also known as “The looking-glass self” (p.122). This concept is defined as “ the idea
that the origins of self are social” and significant others have the greatest influence on a child’s
self-concept (DeLamater 2018). The seven sisters were only socialized with each other and their
father in the early stages of development, he encouraged them to act as one and work together to
deceive the outside world. This deception is the most important theme found in this film in my
opinion.
The deception shown in this film, is an example of DeLamater “Tactical impression
management”, which “uses self presentation tactics calculated to manipulate the impressions
formed by him or her by others” (p.146). The Tactical activities are visible in a variety of
examples in this film. The first, is in the form of “Managing appearances” (p.150); each of these
sisters use makeup, hair styling and clothing to cover up their unique identities before they leave
the house. Allowing each sister to have their own individual identities at home, and one unified
identity outside. The second tactic, integration is the “attempt to increase a target person’s liking
for the individual” (p.152). Examples of this, are in the form of flattery and insincere agreement
that many of the women use towards their targets, like Jerry, Adrian, the Doorman, and
government agents. The final tactic, Aligning actions, is “the attempt to define their apparently
questionable conduct as actually in line with cultural norms”(p. 156), such as the way Sunday
explained her not understanding the Doorman’s reference and her drunken behavior the night
 Zamara 29

before. Non verbal cues may also be used to deceive someone, such as the way Saturday changes
her tone during sex so Adrien does not realize it is not the other sister.
My only critique of this film is the violence used in the death of each of these sisters, and
the other trivial use of murder in this film. Little time is spent by the sisters when they mourn the
loss. FOr a brief moment, the sisters demonstrate a loss of a piece of their own self, and then they
move on very quickly. The use of technology is also exaggerated in this film, healing wands,
fingerprint scanning guns, and the bracelets. How is it that these sisters have multiple bracelets,
and the ability to replace them each time a sister goes missing. If technology has evolved to
invent these items, why is overpopulation an issue, why have they not found a better solution to
the issue. There are many aspects to this discussion that are absent from the film. But over all, I
believe this film does a great job demonstrating the idea of self, the way in which individuals
represent themselves, and deceive the world.
 Zamara 30

SBS 345

Rosny (Director). (1982). Quest for Fire [Motion Picture]. (1h35m) [45]

In the movie Quest for Fire, the origin of man is exemplified through the development
and evolution of their: linguistics, physical and mental abilities, and adaptation skills. In order to
understand these terms better, a review of the movie will be split into two main themes:
linguistic and Evolutionary. Each theme will provide direct examples from the movie, as it
applies to Chapter four and five of The Cultural Anthropology textbook used in class.
The first theme, linguistics, is the study of language and the structure and can be seen in
two forms throughout this movie: Descriptive linguistics and Nonverbal Communication. The
first form descriptive linguistics, involves many structures, including: Phonemes, Morphemes,
and Syntax. The first, begins with phonemes, which is the smallest unit of sound. Followed by
Morphemes which are also the smallest unit of sound but actually carry individual meaning.
Lastly, syntax is the combination of morphemes by patterns and rules, which create phrases and
sentences (p.116). The second structure, nonverbal communication, is visible in two forms:
kinesics and paralanguage. Kinesics, as defined in the book, is the study of the relationship
between body movements and communication (p.117). The second, paralanguage, is a set of
noises and tones which convey information. The movie has many examples of these language
structures through the evolution of humans and their quest for fire. As the humans began to
evolve, so too did their linguistic capabilities. Beginning first with the paralanguage and body
movements studied through kinetics. In the opening of the film, a fight breaks out between two
different groups. Although they did not have words to convey their reason for the attack, it was
clear that those that did not have fire were initiating the fight in order to win the fire for
themselves. They did this though yelling, moaning, beating their chests, and stomping their feet.
The more aggressive they became the more animalistic their “paralanguage” became. As the
movie continues you can see the evolution of their linguistics from nonverbal to more descriptive
and structured ways. The scenes that come to mind that demonstrate this, is when the new tribe is
trying to make him understand what they wanted him to do with the female next to him. He did
not understand their dialect, but through repetitive tones, sounds, and motions they were able to
communicate. Another scene is when the female teaches the other two men about laughter and
“joking” if you will. The specific sound of her laugh mixed with her smile and body language
conveyed happiness and joy, which over time the men began to understand what humor was. A
large part of the evolution of humans was not only linguistic based, but also: physical, emotional,
environmental, and mental.
The Theory of evolution as defined in the textbook is “ The biological adaptations in
organisms which occur in response to changes in the natural environment and develop in
populations over generations (p.161). How evolutions works involves several ways: Natural
selection, Mutation, gene flow, and genetic drift (p.165-168). Natural selection is a process in
which specific features that organisms, in this case man, possess which increase their chances of
survival through adaptation. Examples of this in the movie, was their motion and gate which
strengthened their ability to run and climb to protect themselves from predators. At one point the
group needed to hide on a small island after they were attacked, those that were unable to swim
did not survive. Mutation, Gene flow, and Genetic drift are all used to understand changes in
 Zamara 31

DNA and diversification among populations. This is seen in the movie as the initial group comes
into contact with new groups along their travels. For example, the first group that attacked them
had distinct physical differences in their facial characteristics. They were also more primitive,
and where they may have won in strength, they lost in brains. They killed so many and became
so engrossed in rage they did not see the group run off the fire and they destroyed any remnants
of ambers in the area. They encountered a group of cannibals, who were physically bigger and
taller. They were eating women, which seemed to be chosen because they were smaller, thinner,
and could not physically defend themselves against the larger men. Genetic and physical
adaptations were not the only evolutionary changes. Environmental, mental and emotional
adaptations also occurred. Environmental adaptations can be seen through acclimatization, the
process in which the body adjusts to changes in the environment (p.181). Emotional and mental
changes can be understood through developmental adaptations. The final change, cultural
adaptation is understood as the “complex innovations” that allows humans to survive in the
environment. Examples of these three adaptations can be seen when the man encounters a new
group after he is saved from the quicksand. They keep their skin covered in a black soot. They
have also developmentally adapted through status, when the woman tries to come to the man's
tent she is ran off by other members of the group. Which seemed to give the appearance of some
sort of hierarchy. The group designated a specific woman to be offered up to the man, followed
by them actually teaching the man the idea of sex and not just primitive animal like mating. This
group also exhibited many cultural adaptations. They had mastered the skill of fire making, and
passed this skill on to the man. The woman also gained status when she left with the man and his
old “friend” from the previous group. She was able to make fire for them, and became an asset.
The group also had tools, housing, and other cultural adaptations as well. The example that
resonates with me the most was the evolution of sex throughout the movie. The first scene
involved almost an animalistic rape, based solely on animal instincts. The next was the public
sex scene between the man and the woman the new group offered to him. He was being taught
and pressured to complete the act, but still lacked mental or emotional capacity. The final scene
showed the change in position from facing away from one another, to face to face. This
demonstrated love and relationships in an evolutionary way.
 Zamara 32

Lewis, O. (2011). Children of Sanchez. (pp. 1-505). New York : Vintage Books. [505]

Today, many social issues are transnational, such as generational poverty. Although
characteristics and causes may vary depending on geographical location and class standing,
similar feelings of vulnerability, maginality, and helplessness shape the behaviors and values of
the poor (Guest, p 415). Anthropologist Oscar Lewis, defines this as the “culture of poverty”
arguing that the escape difficult because of “ongoing personal failings of the individual,family,
or community” (p 415). Other scholars suggest it is a structural economic problem, in my
opinion it is a combination of the two. The causes for the continuation of poverty stem from
micro level issues of the individual, family and community as Lewis suggests, as well as, macro
level, social and structural issues that are far beyond an individual’s control. When studying the
lives of the poor, several research methods are available to cultural anthropologists, such as
ethnographic fieldwork. This method of fieldwork involves a considerable amount of time and
interaction with individuals and their communities. Their published ethnographies that follow are
the culmination of observation, analysis, and storytelling, which help their readers understand the
lives of the individuals studied. This essay will critically examine the approach of one of Oscar
Lewis’s most influential books:The Children of Sanchez, an autobiographical account of the lives
of four children, born to a life of extreme poverty in Mexico City, in comparison to the approach
taken in the movie. Lewis tells the story of the children using their own words, based on years of
interviews and the development of deep relationships with each one. The movie varies
dramatically to the approach taken by Lewis, but both are successful in illustrating two recurring
themes. First,the treatment and roles of women and second, the struggles of individuals stuck in
poverty. By the end of this essay the reader will understand the similarities and differences in the
two storytelling approaches, my personal criticisms of each and finally, suggestions for future
work.
The agency of women can be observed throughout both the book and the movie, in Marta
and Consuelos’ struggle for power, freedom, and autonomy. Both women's lives were filled with
physical, mental and sexual abuse. Lewis’s book does a stronger job conveying to readers the
mental and emotional tolls being an unmarried Mexican Woman in a low class community.
Throughout many of the chapters Lewis shares direct accounts of Marta and Consuelo dealing
with domestic abuse from their brothers, father, and romantic partners. What stands out to me the
most is the inner dialogue, the same feelings of helplessness and dependency that he defines as
the culture of poverty. Each one of these women try to escape the abuse at one point or another,
and fight against cultural gender norms and values, but in the end return because they truly
believe that is all they deserve. My only criticism of Lewis, is that he paints the women to be
victims which removes much of the women's agency. The film on the other hand has many
powerful scenes that depict the women as stronger activists standing up to their men, although I
admit this may come from the power of film and the emotion it can convey with editing. Beyond
the physical and mental abuse portrayed in both mediums, the most gut wrenching to me was the
cultural norms surrounding sexuality. In this case, sexuality refers to what Marta and Consuelos
family and community deemed appropriate and not. In the Vecindad, “a man is a man, he is
always right” tells paula, Manuel’s wife in the film and they believe women were made to have
children. As an outsider, I cringe when I hear the examples of Consuelo’s abuse through part
three of the book, but in their culture, this is the way of life. Men have the power to decide who
he has sex with, when, and how they should behave in every other way. For example, the father
Jesus has several lovers, and although he provides for all of them and their children, he dictates
 Zamara 33

who stays who goes, who cleans and cares for the children, and where everyone sleeps. Clear
separations of gender roles are apparent, the men are always away from home doing as they
please while the women stay home and care for the children. Many of the brothers even feel it is
their “duty” to beat their sisters if they step out of line in order to teach them a lesson (Lewis, p
90).
The second theme that overlapped throughout both, was the class struggle, each of the
siblings in this story had their own ways of generating income. Whether it was Marta’s familial
connections, Manuel's legal immigration to the U.S. as a bracero in order to make money and
return home more successful than when he left. Everyone in lower class have next to nothing,
and gain status with the accumulation of material possessions like those who filled their one
room venciadad’s with furniture, radios and electricity. For Jesus, his ultimate dream was to have
land a home for all of his children and he was able to do so in some regards when he won the
lottery and built a home. For Consuelo her way to escape the lower class and “low culture” life
was to get an education, a better job, and create a better life for her nieces and nephews. For
Manuel and Roberto, it was about earning money and fighting against the unjust legal system
and government. Both brothers have a very good understanding of the structures that bare them
from escaping poverty, I do feel that Lewis’s book does a stronger job at this. The movie casts
the men as apathetic and ignorant, but in the book and through their dialogue it is clear that they
understand so much more.
I agree with many critics of Lewis who argue that poverty stems from more than
personal failures and more from the structural economic issues built into a highly stratified-class
system, such as the lack of employment and education. I do wish that both films spent more time
portraying the structural barriers and not just the individual short comminings of the siblings. I
do suggest to readers that they explore more about the structural components to the culture of
poverty, as these also play a significant role.
 Zamara 34

HCOM 310

Jackson, M. (Director). (2016). Denial [Motion Picture]. (1h49m) [50]

“No holes, no Holocaust”, repeats David Irving during the libel trial he brought against
Deborah Lipstadt. This statement best captures the fear Lipstadt and so many others, including
myself have of those who question and deny large scale historical events like the Holocaust. If a
these events are publicly contested, society risks setting a precedent for other genocides and
mass murders. If sensationalists like Irving are able to silence the voices of Lindstadt, we are not
only putting the Holocaust on trial, but we are putting all of history on trial. This is why I believe
Lipstast titled her book History on Trial, so her readers understand the true magnitude and
implications of challenging history. In order to support this claim, this reflection will discuss two
main points; first, The No Platform Argument” (Warburton, 2009, p.39) is used to support my
stance from a moral position. Secondly, John Stuart Mill’s “Harm Principle” (p.31), highlights
the potential of free speech to incite violence. Followed , a few concluding remarks to
summarize the reflection.
Nigel Warburton states,“Any engagement with him could be read as part of his
rehabilitation as a researcher”, in his book Free Speech, comparing the No Platform Argument
with Deborah Lipstadt’s refusal to debate David Irving (2009, p 40). This same notion can be
said for her book, if she had titled it Holocaust on Trial, she would have almost given it
credibility and a platform to debate. Instead she titles it History on Trial, using the Holocaust as
an exemplar in order to bring awareness to the global issue at hand. A debate in my opinion
should be between two credible and valid opponents. There are some subjects that are not up for
debate, not only from a factual and historical stance but from a moral one. Debates today become
sensationalized, as Deborah Tannen has coined, society has become an Argument Culture, we
wage war against our opponents and wish to not only discredit them, but embarrass them and
belittle them personally. It has no longer become as John Stuart Mills would consider, a time to
engage with those who disagree with us, refute the counter arguments, and be both teachers and
learners (Warburton, 2009). The original intent of free speech was to allow citizens access to
information and more transparency among the government and the people, it was not meant in
my mind as a licence to question and rewrite history. If the Holocaust can rewritten, what could
happen to other potential past and future genocides?
“Words and other expressions have serious consequences and not everyone uses them in
the way academics discussing a contentious point go” (p 31). argues Warburton, and in extreme
cases can incite real violence. This violence can be compared to Mill’s Harm Principle, which
rules out expressions of free speech once physical harm or a mischievous act may ensue (p. 30).
If David Irving was not discredited by Deborah Lipstadt’s book and her legal team, it may have
given rise to others who deny horrific acts of violence, such as the genocide in Rwanda, the civil
war in Syria. I admit, this statement runs the risk of becoming a slippery slope argument. But it’s
not a stretch to believe another government regime could destroy evidence or hide truths in order
to stay in power. We know that the Syrian President has chemically gassed his citizens, and yet
he remains in power and supported by many other countries like Russia. Challenging history is
ploy by the dominant, discriminative elite to use the platform of free speech as an excuse to
rewrite a story in their favor, that allows them to stay in power and retain wealth. Feeding on the
ignorant minorities who are desperate to find someone to blame for their micro level problems.
I believe Deborah Lipstadt was successful in her attempt to warn society of the
implications of giving platforms to people like David Irving, and allowing people like him a
 Zamara 35

chance to rewrite history. Morally, there are some topics that should not be publicly debated and
more importantly, may lead to actual physical harm. I agree that this story serves as a cautionary
tale, if we do not learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it.
 Zamara 36

Forman, M. (Director). (1997). The People vs. Larry Flynt [Motion Picture]. (2h9m) [70]

"If the First Amendment will protect a scumbag like me, it will protect all of you”, yells
Larry Flynt during the Supreme Court Case against Jerry Falwell. This is a very powerful
statement in my opinion, since the many trials he was apart of serve as an example of the
arguments in defense of the First amendment and the counter arguments, based on several
perspectives. This reflection will explain why I believe it is important to defend those like Larry
Flynt and his right to free speech, by connecting examples from the movie and the arguments
presented in Nigel Warburton’s book, Free Speech. By the end of the essay, the reader will
understand my personal perspective, understand key arguments, and the overall knowledge to
form their own opinion.
In the book Free Speech, Warburton introduces Wendy Mcelroy, a pro pornography
feminist who views pornography as not just a “sexual aid but a form of cognitive importance
allowing viewers to learn about themselves”, and argues that restricting pornography is
restricting women's choices, not enlarging them (2009, p.64). This argument is also seen through
the perspective of Larry Flynt’s wife, who exemplifies female sexual liberation. It is unfortunate
that she met such a dark fate, but in my opinion, it was the fight for expression that triggered the
accident leading to the drug addiction and contraction of AIDS. Although she was a proponent of
pornography and multiple partners, she still believed in marriage and the idea of family, further
proving that pornography does not lead to an immoral life, the censorship and the struggle for
freedom does. This thought leads to the next argument.
The next Free Speech argument contests the frameworks of Legal Moralists who believe
Free Speech should be regulated based on societal norms, and values traditional family over
individual freedoms (Warburton, 2009). This debate is played out in several court cases brought
against Larry Flynt, beginning in the Hamilton County Courthouse as he fought the Obscenity
and Organized Crime charge, and again in the Gwinnett County Courthouse, and finally in the
Supreme Court cause. Although each of these cases were brought against Flynt for different
reasons, they were all motivated in the pursuit of censoring “smut”. However, when arguing for
the protections of Free Speech, the question of morality is irrelevant, even if the material may be
offensive to some, it does not warrant censorship. It would be “ improper of Governments to
make judgments between competing views of the good life” (Warburton, 2009, p. 71). This is
Larry Flynt and his lawyer’s main argument in the court as well. Even if Hustler magazine is in
bad taste, and disliked by many, a challenge to his right to publish this content is a threat to
America’s right to live in a country where we can decide what we want. The dynamic between
Flynt and his lawyer proves this point. He admits openly upon meeting Flynt, that he doesn’t
really like what he does, but as a Civil Liberties Lawyer, is willing to defend his right to do it.
The last argument in support of free speech, is based on artistic value and the validity of
pornography as free expression. This argument has been debated by several perspectives. Those
in support of free speech, argue that pornography qualifies as art as much as other famous works
of art that depict women and children in naked and vunerable positions. Flynt argues this
perspective several times throughout the movie. He states that a womans vagina has as much
personality as a woman’s face, and that the real obscene pictures are those of war images and
violence, not sex. The final case in the Supreme court against Jerry Falwell, was another example
of free expression and the magazine’s right to express their opinions and ideas even if untrue.
Flynt mentions in the magazine that Falwell has sex with his mother, intended to be a joke, but
 Zamara 37

had the unintended impacts. Flynt’s lawyer argued that public figures are open to scrutiny and
jokes and have assumed a reasonable amount of emotional distress because of this, and censoring
such expression risks censoring unfavorable opinions in the future.
The three argument presented in this reflection: feminist, anti-legal moralists, and artistic
defenses, all underline the importance of defending Free Speech. As American’s we may not
agree with what someone is saying, and we may even be offended. But I believe we run a higher
risk of harm by censoring pornography than we do by allowing it. By criminalizing expressions
we push them into the underground and the shadows , away from mainstream and oversight.
Instead, we should support female owned, published, and directed pornography. Allow women to
take control of their own bodies, and create a safe work environment for other women who wish
to commoditize their sexual expressions freely. The argument for pornography is an important
part of the overarching Free Speech debate, because if we begin to censor pornography, what
will they censor next?
 Zamara 38

SOC 315

Gomberg-Munoz, R. (2017). Becoming Legal: Immigration Law and MIxed- Status Families.

(pp 1-192) Oxford University Press. [192]

In the beginning of Becoming Legal, author Ruth Gomberg-Munoz outlines two aims for
the casual reader or university student to understand. The first of which is to bring insight into
the U.S. immigration process and a firm grasp of the central questions in the immigration debate.
The second aim, is to highlight the familial ties and the impacts the process has on the individual
and their family. I believe the author demonstrates both of these aims throughout the entire book,
by providing case examples and immigration policy research. After reading this book, I
understand both of her aims clearly and this book has made a direct impact on my everyday life.
My family and I were among the privileged few who were able to immigrate legally, based on a
sponsorship from my stepfather’s job. Although we had to jump through minimal hoops, I had
no idea until now the real challenges that the majority of applicants must go through. I have even
had several debates with family members and friends that hold different viewpoints on
immigration, such as my stepfather.I have also had a strong internal dialogue, as I have realized
my own privilege and similarities with the stories shared. The sociology student in me has
analyzed this book through two lens: the impact the immigration process has had on the
individual, marriage, and family; and the structural and institutional barriers and inequalities that
go hand in hand with the immigration system.
With this in mind, this book review will identify examples and arguments that resonated
with me the most and which support the author's main arguments and aims. Second, I will
discuss my minor criticisms, because overall, I agree with her throughout the entire book. Lastly,
I will share my recommendations and suggestions for future work.
Throughout the examples of couples and families interviewed, the author demonstrates
the mental, financial and physical toles the process takes on everyone involved. Gomberg-Munoz
states that “mixed status couples must negotiate all challenges of marriage and family, all in the
context of heightened financial insecurity and fear of separation” (pg 49). More than sixteen
million people are part of a mixed-status family, and for those that move forward with the
application process begin to face immediate hardships. Like Hector and Cynthia, who were
separated after they received bad legal advice which prompted Hectors deportation and bar from
reentry. The time they spent apart drained their savings, created instability in their relationship
and distance between the couple (p 193). The most significant impact can be seen through
Pamela, Victor and their children’s story. Pamela describes memories of her daughter crawling
into bed with her because she had heard her crying and knew she was lonely (p 93). The time
apart impacts each couple on an individual as well, many suffer from separation anxiety,
depression, and guilt. Those who are south of the border find themselves disconnected and
forever changed by their time away from their families, like Victor, Alberto, and Marco all felt.
Even after gaining status, legal discrepancies and fear of deportation still exist, and as Marco
describes, he still felt like a criminal since issues with his driver's licence cost him his job and
put his status in jeopardy. The process also impact the extended family, when the application for
hardship is needed and applicants must prove their emotional, financial, or medical hardship to
 Zamara 39

get their loved ones bar removed. The reason these examples stood out to me was because of my
own personal experience with the process. My father was lucky enough to be sponsored for
immigration to the country. My brother, mother and I were all allowed to move down here with
him. Although he was the only one legally allowed to work for more than five years, it did not
create any hardships for our family. We did not have to leave the country at any point, our
extended family was not scrutinized and we were not treated as second class citizens. Much like
the experience of Gia and Rose, who were able to adjust his status without having to leave the
country, and with only three thousand dollars, a six month application process and thirty minute
interview. These differences demonstrate the author's second aim, to have the reader understand
the main questions in the immigration debate. Which in my mind, all surround the structural and
institutional barriers to legal immigration.
Gomberg-Munoz argues that the “link between U.S. Immigration and the Criminal
Justice System reproduce and mask racial and class inequalities, which make it more difficult for
some undocumented people to legalize status” (p 5). She strongly supports this argument through
the explanation of the consular processing program in comparison to program one, adjustment
within the U.S. based on family or marriage ties to U.S. citizens. Beginning with the immediate
criminalization of illegal border crossing. Those who have done this, or came with family
members who made the decision to cross, are not eligible for program one and are deported and
barred for years and sometimes indefinitely (p 12). Then there is the increase of detention
centers, deportations and jim- crow like prison labor that has come in the last two decades (p 34).
Which have undocumented families living in constant fear of traffic stops, school applications
and leave many families struggling without social and welfare benefits. Besides the strong
support for her argument, the reason these examples resonated with me was because of the strong
contrast once again to my own immigration process. I gained legal permanent residency in
highschool and began joining the workforce by my senior year in highschool. I have also been
able to receive medical and welfare assistance to support my daughter and I. I have also had
minor infractions with the legal system, which may have given other immigrants in the process a
permanente denial to citizenship. This book has truly opened my eyes to how lucky my family
and I were and still are.
There is very little to disagree and criticize in this book, my only wish would have been
for a larger section on the reform and action of activists and women in the Juarez Wives Club.
Maybe it's the utopian believer in me, but I need to end on a good note. I need to know that
something can be done, and we aren’t stuck with a system that is meant to keep folks out. That is
not the America that I want to call home. I also wish the author would have stretched the pool of
interviewees to families that did not belong to a middle class or working family and whom
already possessed social and cultural capital. Although Gomberg-Munoz admits that this study is
not a direct representation of every undocumented person’s struggle, I would recommend at least
one chapter on those who continue to live their lives in the undocumented world of American life
due to the lack of capital, there is also no connection to sociological theory. This would have
been a great time to incorporate Bourdieu's theories or Yasso’s Cultural Capital theory that takes
an alternative, non-deficit based approach. Even I must admit, would be challenging to
encompass in one ethnography. Finally, i reflect on the harsh reality that Lourdes describes in the
closing statements of this book, “I see how things are happening and I realize that we’re all just
pawns in the game” (pg 152). I refuse to believe that we can not play their game from within,
against and alongside the immigration process. But it must first begin with the education of the
 Zamara 40

general population, perhaps if they understood the real struggle they would not ask, Why don’t
they just become legal.
 Zamara 41

Desmond, M. (2017). Evicted: Poverty and profit in the American city. (pp 1-418) BDWY,

Broadway Books. [418]

In the prologue of the ethnography Evicted, Harvard sociologist Matthew Desmond

argues “We have failed to fully appreciate how deeply housing is implicated in the creation of
poverty” (p 5). To support this claim, he introduces his readers to eight families in the
Milwaukee area, all of whom are dealing with the eviction process. Desmond aims to connect
micro level examples of the eight families and the larger macro level issues, poverty and the
marginalization of people based on gender, race, and class. To begin this book review, I use
examples from the lives of the eight families to illustrate the two main themes that resonated
with me, and also support Desmond’s main argument. First, impacts of the eviction process on
individuals reach far beyond the tenant and landlord, it affects everyone involved, including
friends, family, and communities. Secondly, It is impossible to ignore the role social institutions
and norms play in the eviction process and the continuation of the culture of poverty. I will also
draw on personal experience, and the similarities I found between their lives and my own.
Followed by a brief critique of the ethnography, since it is hard to ignore the extensive and
thorough evidence highlighted in the “About the project” and epilogue sections. In my opinion
Desmond has done an impressive amount of research and is successful in conveying his
argument to his readers in an understandable and relatable way.
The first theme became clear to me as I read the stories of several families and
individuals involved. Beginning with the introduction of Sherrena, one of the landlord and her
tenants: Lamar and his sons; Doreen, Patrice and their family; Arleen and her kids; Crystal; and
Kamala. Although Desmond gives a respectable amount of examples that humanize Sherrena
and landlords as a whole, but I am still left with a strong disdain for the way they profit and take
advantage of their tenants. I could list dozens of examples that explain my feelings, the strongest,
is the story of Kamala and the reactions and fall out from the apartment fire. Kamala a mother of
three, was downstairs at a neighbours when her apartment caught fire. Heartbreakingly, only her
two eldest survived (p 202). Sherrena was more concerned with the legal and financial
ramifications of this disaster than the well being of her tenants. Sherrena delivers several
evictions to the families, with little regard for the impact it has on the individual and their family.
When Patrice is evicted, her and her children are forced to move back to her mother Doreen’s
apartment. Resulting in overcrowding, and a lack of sleep and quality of life for the entire
extended family that is living under one small roof (p 65). Arleen and her children face similar
struggles as they search for a new apartment after being evicted, which caused her boys to miss
weeks worth of school, and finally a CPS case based unsafe living conditions ending with the
removal of both her children. Eviction also impacts the individual and families mental and
physical health. Crystal’s story of a lifetime of violence and abuse, eviction and ineligibility for
SSI forces her into the Sex Work industry as she struggles to support herself on the only granted
benefit, food stamps (p 268). Lamar’s physical health continues to deteriorate as he struggles to
work off unpaid rent, and almost all persons observed by Desmond go hungry on a regular basis.
Arleen is forced to the brink of a nervous breakdown after her children are removed, as are many
others as they suffer from depression, shame, and addiction. The hardest part in reading their
stories, is the obvious role social institutions and norms play in creating barriers to safe,
affordable and consistent housing.
 Zamara 42

One in eight Milwaukee renters experience a forced move, and are left without the
support of government programs and police assistance, protections against discrimination and
illegal evictions, and even support by those privileged enough to not be evicted. What’s worse,
many of the laws in place actually protect the landlords and not the tenants. Such as the law that
bars renters from withholding rent for property repairs if they are behind on rent, which is next to
impossible when more than forty percent of the people in poor neighborhoods are living below
the poverty level. Many landlords find it more cost effective to pay the expenses of the eviction
proceedings than to maintain their properties. The Nuisance law, which inhibits renters from
calling police out of fear of retaliation from landlords, perpetuates violence, uninhabitable living
conditions, and unchecked discrimination. An absence of police presence and support allows
landlords to use discretion when deciding whether or not to evict someone, and to approve their
application for rent. Arleen dealt with over eighty rejections before finally being approved, many
times being denied based on the presence of her children. Some landlords even require a “child
deposit” and monthly increase from individuals with families. Government programs often lack
programs to help those that really need it, as the case for Larraine as a single able bodied woman.
Strict policies that ignore the realities of poverty such as: the stoppage of food stamps for missed
appointments, screening practices that deny applications based on criminal convictions and past
evictions. I could continue to list the other ways in which social norms and institutions continue
to drive the culture of poverty, but I believe the point has been made clear. Eviction impacts
everyone involved and created generational poverty and a lifetime of housing insecurity.
It is hard to critique Desmond’s work because of the extensive research he has done for
this ethnography. The only criticism is an absence of the “road less traveled”, the success stories
created through the support of government programs to create stability and healthier living
environments. He touches briefly on this solution when he describes the story of Vanetta and her
involvement with the Justice system. Instead of finding a way to help Vanetta in order to remove
her from the cycle of poverty,homelessness and crime he sentences her to time in jail and a
lengthy probation. It is clear that prevention and a non punitive approach to those involved with
crime due to their impoverished state is necessary to begin to correct this huge epidemic. But
Desmond fails to analyze this in any length.
After hearing the experiences of these families, I really began to reflect on my own
experience. I am very lucky to be in a privileged position as an Resident Advisor for the
university, and I receive free housing. Without it, I would not be able to be a full time student,
live on my own and have enough income to provide both housing and food. But I do not meet the
requirements for additional welfare beyond food stamps. I am not alone, many individuals living
in the U.S. face a similar fate, and could be one unfortunate accident away from homelessness
themselves.
 Zamara 43

SBS 300: SBS Major Pro Seminar: Theory

Giddens, A. (n.d.). Introduction. In Protestant ethic and spirit of capitalism (pp. 8-25)

Retrieved from http://www.d.umn.edu/cla/faculty/jhamlin/1095/The Protestant Ethic

and the Spirit of Capitalism.pdf . [18]

Max Weber suffered from an illness that kept him from continuing his academic work
years. Weber’s book The Protestant Ethic and the Spirt of Capitalism originally published in
1930, is the first of his work under the new area of study, but still based on the “historical school
of economics”(Giddens, 2001, p.viii). The introduction written by Anthony Giddens details three
main themes: Hermeneutic Tradition, Rational Organization, and the Calvinist idea of “The
Calling”(Giddens, 2001, xii ).
In the nineteenth century countries such as Britain had differentiating views from those in
Germany, in areas such as philosophy, political theory and economics. In Germany new ideas
sprang from Idealistic philosophy and Hermeneutic Tradition. Weber applied the Hermeneutic
way of thinking to his study of capitalism. In order to understand the rise of capitalism in the
west, you must first understand the religious background that shaped the intellectual climate of
New England. The Puritans came to America under the belief that the Church of England was
corrupt, and they would create their own more “pure” sect, two of their main religious beliefs are
important factors in the rise of capitalism.
The last two themes that are apparent throughout Weber’s book, Giddens explains are:
Rational Organization of Labor and the Calvinist idea of “The Calling” (Giddens, 2001, p.xii).
The first theme involves the separation of Capitalistic enterprise from the desire of wealth.
Traditionally, the accumulation of wealth was based on a want of luxury goods, not the
regularized investment of capital and a disciplined labor force that defined capitalistic enterprise.
The change in tradition came from the Calvinist “Doctrine of Predestination” (Giddens, 2001,
p.xi). The doctrine outlined the idea that only some are “chosen” and this is predetermined by
God. In order to prove they were one of the chosen, they had to dedicate their life to “ good
work”, this idea was “ The Calling”.
The second theme: the importance of the Calvinist “Calling” is the reason for the shift in
traditional thinking that sprung from the doctrine. The Calling claims that the most important
role for a person is their fulfillment of their worldly affairs, which brought religious behavior
into day to day life (Giddens, 2001). Wealth was only sanctioned as part of an industrious career,
not to support a luxurious lifestyle of self indulgence; puritans had no choice but to reinvest their
earnings. Weber argues that other nations such as India, China, and even England failed to
develop this form of capitalism because their religious beliefs such as Hinduism, Confucianism
and Catholicism lacked the concept of the calling.
After reading this article, one main concept stands out to me. Weber’s ideas of Rational
Organization of Labor can be compared Karl Marx’s ideas of capitalism. Karl Marx looks at the
rise of capitalism from a German perspective, and is based upon the political and economic
history of the time. Weber instead focuses on the Hermeneutic study of the Puritan religious
 Zamara 44

culture, which he argues gave way to the largest growth of capitalism anywhere in the west
because of the religious push to reinvest their earnings.
 Zamara 45

Edwards, S. (2008). The Ashley Treatment: A Step Too Far, or Not Far Enough? Journal of

Medical Ethics (pp.29- 34)(5). Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/27720080 [4]

In the journal article titled “A Step Too Far, or not Far Enough”, published in the Journal
of Medical Ethics, Steven Edwards sets out to deflate five of the main objections towards the
Ashley Treatment. However, Edwards is guilty of several rhetorical fallacies, and is unable to
justify his position. The first objection Edwards addresses is towards the “ in principle” (2008,
p.342) idea that an ethical boundary should never be crossed, and by doing so, violates Ashley’s
rights. Edward makes the comparison to an emergency medical decision, such as a leg
amputation, as the justification for Ashley’s treatment. This fallacious comparison is known as
“False Equivalence” (List of Fallacies, n.d), defined as marking two things similar and equal,
when in fact they are not. Edwards can not justify this comparison because a life threatening
decision is not the same as a quality of life, and non life threatening treatment. The next
objection Edwards addresses is towards the medical response to a social problem. Opponents to
the Ashley Treatment site medical and social programs as an alternative to the medical treatment,
providing examples of how home care aids could help the family care for Ashley as she grows.
Edwards claims the current “social and economic climate”(p.342) does not provide a viable
option that could address all these concerns, and therefore justifies the treatment. This fallacy is
termed a “False dilemma” (List of Fallacies, n.d.), claiming two options are the only two options,
when in reality there are always more than two options. Edwards can not justify the Ashley
Treatment just because there is a lack of social resources. He completely ignores other options,
such as a social media campaign to bring awareness and support to the family. The one objection
Edwards can not overcome is the idea that the “Ashley Interventions set an Objectionable
Precedent” (p.343). He compares the idea of Ashley’s growth attenuation to completing a double
leg amputation with the hopes of keeping her light. This however, is another fallacy, a “slippery
slope” or a questionable fallacy. The idea of a small first step will then make a major slide down
the wrong path, and therefore should not be done. The only similarity between Edwards journal
article and Kafer’s temporal analysis of this case is his mention of Ashley’s “future trajectory”,
supporting Kafer’s “Circular temporal Logic” (Kafer, 2013, p.52) idea of Ashley being cast out
of time, and therefore needs to be arrested in time to correct the gap between mind and body. In
conclusion, I do not believe Edwards is able to provide logical justifications as a way of
disproving critics objections.
 Zamara 46

Marx, K., Engels, F., & Moore, S. (1967). Preamble, Chapter 1 and 2. In The Communist

Manifesto (p. 7-27)(33) Retrieved from

https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1848/communist-manifesto/ [39]

After reading the following two articles: The Communist Manifesto and the squashed
version of The German Ideology, a clear purpose and overarching messages is clear. In the
following annotation I will discuss this purpose, the overarching message and the main points
that address this message. Finally I will relate these mid 19-century ideas to today's society, and
decide the relevance it still has today.
The purpose of these articles is to demonstrate the need for change in the mid nineteenth
century life. Through descriptions of life between the proletariats and bourgeois they bring to
light the history of change thus far, as well as the need for a change in the ruling class. The
Communist Manifesto in particular seeks to demystify the communist ideals that critics have
created; such as abolishing the right to personally acquire property or introducing a community
of women to society. Instead, the manifesto outlines the actual aims of communist reform, which
gives way to the overarching message of both articles the “formation of the proletariat into a
class, overthrow of the bourgeois supremacy, conquest of political power by the proletariat”
(Engels, K.M. 1848).
Communism seeks to remove the class system all together. They believe the continued
control of the proletariat class by the bourgeois will ultimately be destroyed because the wealthy
landowners and those who possess capital continue to get wealthier while the working class
struggles just to maintain their employment and wages. The class system brings about
competition on all levels. The Bourgeois competes with others for more land and capital, the
working class competes for employment and the ability to earn the wages. By removing these
classes and doing away with private property, several things can be achieved. Such as free
education for all children, abolition of children’s factory labor, and more equable distribution of
the populace over the country (Engels, K.M, 1848). These same struggles of the working class
such as the proletariats in the nineteenth century still stay true today.
Compare the struggles of the proletariats to the struggles of the lower middle class or
working class today, many of the same struggles continue. Instead of factories and the industrial
revolution we are faced with the technology and Information Age. The working class that may
not have the means to advance to the middle class gradually fall further and further behind.
While the wealthy today, those who hold high paying technology driven positions gradually
become wealthier and wealthier. The cost of living is driven up by their salaries and abilities to
buy material things, this causes the working class to be pushed out of their areas of residence.
They must work more hours, commute further distances, and sacrifice time with their families
just to earn the wages they need to survive. Many of these communist ideas can be compared to
the socialist ideas presented today by many politicians who advocate for healthcare for all, free
education, and equal pay for equal work. But these ideas come at a cost, high taxation: as
described in the manifesto as “A heavy and progressive or graduated income tax” (Engels, K.M,
1848). Just as critics to the manifesto have argued and just as today's critics of social reform
 Zamara 47

would argue; these things come at a cost of personal freedom and taxation. The ruling class
today I believe is still in the hands of the bourgeois, not the proletariats. They will continue to act
in the best interest of themselves and not the majority until the working class can truly become
the ruling class.
 Zamara 48

Haddad, Devan, "INHUMANITARIANISM: e Case of Northern Uganda" (2015). Capstones

and theses (pp.1-21) (21).

In the Theses paper Inhumanitarianism: The case of Northern Uganda, Devan Haddad
describes the case study of the Acholi population in Northern Uganda, who have been forced into
“protection villages” by the government under false pretenses of safety and protection from the
rebel group known as the Lord’s Resistance Army (Haddad,2015, p.6). Three international
development theories were used to support Haddad’s claims: The capability approach, The anti-
development theory, and the post development theory. By providing examples of the displaced
Acholi, and the latter theories, Haddad demonstrates that the “ enterprise of development,
including the institution of humanitarianism, is not only a failure, but can also be harmful to
vulnerable people”(Haddad, 2015, p.4). The purpose of this research is the change the way the
international development enterprise assesses a populations needs, towards a more culturally
appropriate method and not the traditional western theories that are currently used by most
institutions.
The first theory, The Capability Approach created by Amartya Sen is used by many
institutions such as the United Nations. The approach argues that freedoms are expanded through
development, but must be absent of negative issues such as poverty, tyranny and social
deprivation. The problem with this approach Haddad argues is the ideas of freedom and negative
issues are socially constructed to fit western ideals. Many communities across the globe would
be better off without western intervention, the lives they live based on agricultural farming and
bartering is freedom in their eyes. Next, Haddad uses James Ferguson to support The Critical
Development theory, he argues that “a fantasy of the less developed country does not actually fit
the reality, which sets development projects up for failure, and that the enterprise is a mechanism
to spread and reinforce bears ratio state power”(Haddad, 2015, pp.10-11). Finally, the Post-
development theory is another example of how a western concept such as poverty, is a foreign
concept, and did not exist in communities before the intrusion of foreign aid workers. The Acholi
people are like the communities these three theories described, before they were displaced they
were connected to their land, they grew food and raised livestock that supported their families
and continued the cultural traditions. With the help of humanitarian aid the Ugandan
Government was able to keep the Acholi imprisoned. They controlled every aspect of their lives,
including the allocation of food and supplies. By working with local governments, agencies like
the UN are “effectively declaring to the world that they are supporting the governments
counterinsurgency against the Acholi” (Haddad, 2015, p. 15 ). As I reflect on Haddad’s research
of the Acholi people, I can’t help but compare their struggle to the current Syrian Refugee Crisis.
Unlike the Acholi people who are displaced because of the forceful imprisonment by their own
government, the Syrian people are true refugees. They are fleeing their homes because of of the
war between the Syrian government and Rebels to refugee camps. The Syrian people face the
same unsafe and violent conditions that the Acholi people faced. Humanitarian groups are still
relying on the Syrian Government to allocate the aid, but fails to help the people by going against
their very own seize fires they advocated for. By aiding the government they are ignoring the
fact that the State’s military is doing more damage to the Syrian people than the rebels are. I see
in the news daily about hospitals being bombed, that are killing innocent civilians and aid
 Zamara 49

workers. Yet nothing seems to chance to the overall humanitarian aid system, so I agree with
Haddad that an overhaul of the system needs to be done.
 Zamara 50

Kafer, A. (2013). Feminist, Queer, Crip. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press (pp.1-169)
(169)

“ I have never consulted a seer or psychic… But people have been telling my future for
years” (Kafer, 2013, p.1). This quote is the best representation of the overall topic in Allison
Kafer’s book Feminist, Queer, Crip. Although Kafer draws on many of her own experiences and
personal standpoint, she speaks for those without a voice. In each chapter she challenges her
readers to look at different social frameworks such as genetic utopianism, cyborg theory, and
environmentalism through the lens of disability.
Suggesting new possibilities of a future with more acceptance and access for all. I will
now shift the focus to Kafer’s personal standpoint and the ways in which her own experiences
have intersected with disability, feminism, and homosexuality. Next I will describe her
overarching purpose and main arguments. Finally I will conclude with a summary of Chapters
two through seven, with a more in depth look into the final chapter. By the end of the essay you
will have a better understanding of Kafer’s book as well as my own personal evaluation of her
writing.
In 1995 Kafer was in an accident that left her wheelchair bound, scared from burns, and
disfigured. Not only is she being labeled disabled by others, she also identifies herself as a
personal with disabilities. In the introduction Kafer also “delineates her affiliations” (2013, p.17
), as she herself is a Feminist, Queer and Crip. She also writes from an activist and scholar
standpoint, with a background in teaching. Kafer has had to overcome many obstacles, both
physically and socially, and uses these experiences to imagine her own future and begins to raise
questions that challenge the current models of understanding such as the medical/social model.
Kafer’s overarching purpose of the book s to challenge the temporal framing that is most
commonly applied to the individual/medical model of disability, which believes a disabled future
is only possible with medical treatment and the progress towards a cure. This is evident in her
examination of the Ashely treatment in Chapter two. As a severely disabled child, Ashely has
been “cast out of time” (2013, p.48). Citing the need for a better future doctors recommended a
medical intervention that would attenuate the growth of this young girl, and allow her family to
more easily care for her. This example also illustrates another argument of Kafer’s, which uses a
political and social model to change individual disability into a social problem that should be up
to debate and redefining. Medical intervention is not necessary if society was better built to
accommodate a person with disabilities. To illustrate this argument we will refer back to the
example of Ashley X, if there were more services that would provide Ashley’s family with the
proper equipment and help, medical treatment might not have been necessary. With this
framework in mind she analyzes several other scenarios throughout chapters two through six.
I have already discussed how Kafer used the scenario of Ashley X to exemplify the
individual/medical model, but I believe its important to understand the complete history of this
story. In chapter two titled “At the Same Time, Out of Time”, Kafer describes the story of
Ashely X, a nine year old girl who is severely disabled with cognitive and physical impairments.
Along with doctors, Ashley’s parents decided to attenuate Ashley’s growth through a series or
treatments, including a hysterectomy, mastectomy and estrogen regimen. While this story
generated several ethical and medical debates, Kafer argues that Ashely’s interests are largely
ignored and overlooked, as is the case of her sterilization. This topic is never challenged because
it is believed to be self evident, and serve no purpose since Ashely will never be able to raise
 Zamara 51

children of her own. The same logic is also applied to the mastectomy, since the medical benefits
outweigh Ashley’s need for them, they are removed without hesitation. Also ignoring the fact
that she may feel “stimulation” and “pleasure (2013, p.64-54) when her breasts are accidentally
touched in various way. Kafer continues to challenge this individual/medical model in chapter
three titled “Debating Feminist Futures: Slippery Slopes, Cultural Anxiety, and the Case of the
Deaf Lesbians”.
In chapter three, Kafer uses the example of feminist utopian fiction to continue her
“exploration of cultural attitudes about disability, technology, and cure”(2013, p.21). The fiction
is found in Marge Piercy’s 1976 novel Woman on the Edge of time, which tells the story of a
utopian society that is all inclusive. They generate mixed race children, genders and sexual
identities, but those with disabilities are completely absent in this society. Since the normative
attitude in our culture is to always find a medical cure to any disability, medical intervention in
this utopian society had completely cured all disabilities. In contrast, Kafer also analyzes the
story of a deaf lesbian couple, who wanted to genetically select a child with the same disabilities.
By doing so Kafer is able to raise the questions of what is ethically right and wrong, how is this
any different than selecting a male or female, or increasing chances of having twins with IVF.
In chapter four Kafer focuses on the views of the community and how disability is
continuously seen as an individual problem, that becomes depoliticized and not a social issue.
She uses the example of a billboard campaign from the philanthropic organization Foundation
for a Better Life (FBL), that was originally intended to create character development and a
“better life”(2013, p.21) in our post 9/11 community. However, Kafer argues that this continues
the idea that disabilities are not social issues ,but individual ones that only praises disabled
people for overcoming their impairments. In the next two chapters Kafer shifts her focus to two
other theoretical frameworks: Cyborg theory and Environmentalism.
In chapter five, Kafer discusses Donna Haraway’s figure of a cyborg and its
representation in feminist theories of politics. Kafer argues that the use of the cyborg also
represents the medical and individual model. Cyborg theory solves the issue of disability with
technological advances such as prosthetics and “human/machine interfaces” (2013, p.22), these
people are then labeled a “cyborg” and not a “normal person”. Kafer raises the question of what
is normal? A cyborg could also be a person that takes antidepressants, drinks coffee, or enhances
their performance in any way. If we used the latter as the definition of a cyborg, people with
disabilities could become the new normal.
With the same dualistic view, Kafer discusses Environmentalism in chapter six titled
“Bodies of Nature: The Environmental Politics of Disability”. The wilderness and nature is
another place where disabled persons are absent. It is assumed that disabled persons can not
handle the conditions of the wilderness, and therefore does not require any social intervention to
make these environments more accessible. Kafer uses several examples to argue the need for
input from disabled persons themselves. Perhaps they would know what a disabled person could
handle better than an able-bodied person. With this input a future can be imagined, creating
access to all environments, not just ones with paved roads.
The final chapter titled “Accessible Futures, Future Coalitions” Kafer discusses coalition
politics by examining the socially constructed identities and interests that create these coalitions,
imagining a future of new coalitions that overlap groups that would have traditionally been
enemies. Kafer identifies three main coalitions: Trans/disability bathroom politics,
Environmental Justice movements and Reproductive movements. The trans/ disability bathroom
debate could create a strong coalition of supporters who could work towards a more inclusive
 Zamara 52

future. This coalition could bring together several groups of people, not just those that are
transgendered, homosexual or disabled. Environmental Justice movements could benefit from a
coalition with disability politics in regards to the cause of disease and further disability. Kafer
used the example of breast cancer, of course environmental factors and pollutions can attribute to
breast cancer, but using the disability framework can also work to create a better future than does
not focus solely on medical intervention as the “cure”. In the final coalition, Reproductive
movements, Kafer argues for additional areas of concern. Typically these movements focus on
women's rights, and the abortion/pro life debate. However, a coalition could be built that
includes disability subjects such as genetic pre screening and sterilization, which could bring
new life to this debate. These three coalitions exemplify Kafer’s belief that a more accessible
future for the Queer and Crip can be imagined through political and social activism.
I believe Kafer is successful in arguing for a more inclusive disabled future. Throughout
each chapter she is able to identify disability issues in issues that might never have been linked
together before. She provides new alternatives that can create more accessibility for the disabled,
brought on by social change and adaptation. Shifting the issue to a social problem and not an
individual one. Especially in regards to chapter two and the discussion of Ashley X, before
reading Kafer’s critique of the treatment, I would have been on the side of the medical
intervention. But once I read her perspective on Ashley’s sexuality and sterilization, I understand
that there could be better solutions that don’t require additional medical intervention.
 Zamara 53

S. Matthew Liao, Savulescu, J., & Mark Sheehan. (2007). The Ashley Treatment: Best Interests,

Convenience, and Parental Decision-Making. The Hastings Center Report (pp.36-37) (2),

(pp.16-20) (5). Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/4625724 [5]

In the journal article titled “ The Ashley Treatment: Best Interests, Convenience, and Parental
Decision making” , Matthew Liao, Julian Savulescu, and Mark Sheehan analyze the Ashely
Treatment to argue whether or not to was in Ashley’s best interest, and did they treat her with
dignity and respect? The authors in this article support their claims well by debunking several
false dilemmas that are used by critics and supporters of the treatment. An example of this, is the
argument that the treatment was carried out as a convenience for the family, and not in Ashley’s
best interest. The issue is not black and white, just because it may be more convenient for the
parents and easier, does not mean it is the only justification. They go on to site moral theory from
Judith Jarvis to suggest than no person should be “required” (2007, p.17), to make large
sacrifices in order to keep another person alive. The article also makes interesting note of her bi
lateral mastectomy and the fear of “sexualization” that is used to support the decision, as a way
of “blaming the victim” (pp.18-19), Ashley should not need to have her breasts removed in order
to abstain from abuse. Comparable to Kafer’s mention of breast stimulation and pleasure, the
authors do mention the doctors and parents oversight of the mastectomy. By doing this procedure
they take away the chance of Ashley having a gender identity . Another comparison to Kafer’s
analysis is their use of the term “ arrested development”, using the same temporal framework to
cast Ashley out of time, and out of a future.
 Zamara 54

Maclure, R., & Denov, M. (2006). “I Didn't Want to Die So I Joined Them”: Structuration

and the Process of Becoming Boy Soldiers in Sierra Leone. Terrorism and Political Violence,

119-135. doi:10.1080/09546550500384801 [16]

In the article written by Richard Maclure and Miriam Denov titled “I Didn’t Want to Die So I
Joined Them”: Structuration and the Process of Becoming Boy Soldiers in Sierra Leone, the
theoretical framework created by Anthony Giddens structuration theory is used to examine the
connections between social forces and personal agency in the creation of a boy soldier. The
theory “rejects the notions of a dichotomy between structure and agency and instead articulates
the connection between these two concepts as a basis for analyzing human behaviors in
particular time and places” (Maclure & Denov, 2006, p.121). To understand this connection it is
imperative to know the details of the study and the analytical process that was used. Then I will
identify the structural and personal agency examples that support the structuralist perspective.
The study began with the two part interviews of thirty six boys; all under the age of eighteen
years old, coerced into the RUF for a period of a few months to five years and engaged in hostile
activity. The first set of interviews were conducted in their native languages and focused on their
lives and family backgrounds that lead them to the RUF. The second set of interviews were one
on one, and focused on confirming and identifying topics covered in the first round. The
researchers then analyzed the narratives with a “phenomenological process” (Maclure, Denov,
2006, p. 122), in other words trying to find the meaning and significance in boys’ experiences
that attributed to the building of a soldier. Themes were drawn from the annotations with use of
NVivo, a qualitative analysis program that regrouped the information according to thematic
indices. Finally they examined the thematically reorganized information using an Inductive
Analytical process, that identified “broad patterns of experiences and perspectives” (Maclure &
Denov, 2006, p. 123). From this analysis, five themes were identified in the making of a soldier.
The five themes are: Conscription, Indoctrination and training, Terror and Desensitization,
Solidarity and Empowerment, and Resistance.
In Sierra Leone over fifty percent of the population is under eighteen years old, and living
in an impoverished oligarchy state, leaving limited economic, political and educational
opportunities. These structural influences lead to a rebel movement which forced more than forty
thousand boys to be soldiers in the rebel group “Revolutionary United Front” (Maclure, Denov,
2006, p.120). Once these boys were conscripted, indoctrinated, and trained examples of personal
agency are discovered from their voluntary participation in extreme violence. One boy admitted
that being good at shooting people even at a distance made him feel good, and admired by fellow
soldiers. Another admits feeling superior and powerful when they inflicted pain and fear into
their victims. A source of privilege and pride was also felt by the boys that were able to rise
through the ranks to become commanders. They were given privileges such as soldiers of their
own to command, and a selection of many wives. Research concludes that the structural forces
created the vulnerability that lead them into the RUF, but the power and superiority created by
personal agency perpetuated the cycle of boy soldiers. This leads to challenges in the
rehabilitation and reintegration of these boys in the Post-conflict Sierra Leone. The solution
proposed in the end of the article is reform in economic and social structures that “ engages the
 Zamara 55

youth directly in the deliberations and decisions that effect their social development” (Maclure &
Denov, 2006, p.132). By doing so the boys will be given a new sense of power and purpose in a
constructive way. As I reflect on these ideas, I can see similarities to Victor Rios ethnographic
study of the latino and black youth in Oakland California.
The boy soldiers in Sierra Leone can be compared to the criminalized youth in Rios’s
study. He also conducted two part interviews, to link the experiences of the boys to the broader
themes and issues affecting communities everywhere. Just as Rios experienced, the researchers
in this study had to gain the trust of the boys they were interviewing. Rios used Goffman’s
theory of dramaturgy to explain the need for trust and acceptance. Neither study would of
received the real truthful information if it wasn’t for the relationships built during the time of the
interviews. The feeling of power and purpose gained from the RUF is similar to relationships
built in gangs. A sense of family and purpose is gained through these organizations. Even the
solutions proposed by both articles are similar in calling for social reform that involves the boys
participation and perspectives.
 Zamara 56

Silver, Natalja, "From Soviet woman to global sex slave" (2008). Capstone Projects and Theses

(pp. 1-43) http://digitalcommons.csumb.edu/caps_thes/139 ) (43).

In the theses From Soviet woman to global sex slave, Natalja Silver explores “how
economic changes, migration dynamics, and gender inequality affect trafficking of Soviet
woman” (Silver, 2008, p.2). Silver argues that the supply and demand of the women would
decrease with the improvement of social conditions of women, and greater punishments for
traffickers. Drawing on her own personal experience as a Soviet woman and emigrant, she uses
primary and secondary sources in her research. Three theories create the theoretical framework
for her research, such as: The Economic Labor Migration Theory, Structural Approach, and The
Structural plus Individual Approaches. Using these theories she connects the trafficking of
Soviet woman to the current economic, social, and structural climate of the post communist
USSR.
The Economic Migration Theory suggests that “people migrate in search of better
economic opportunities and other benefits” ( Silver, 2008, p.8). After the collapse of the Soviet
Union, extreme economic hardship fell on women. The economy went from a centralized
economy to a market economy, otherwise known as communism to capitalism. This created
unemployment and greater wage gaps for working women, coupled with full time responsibility
of child and elderly care taking. Forcing the Soviet women to pursue emigration to other
countries in order to provide a better life for themselves and their families. Many social
institutions also perpetuate human trafficking. In many countries, the Government and local
police work with the traffickers by returning runaways or turning a blind eye at border crossings.
In return, they receive profits and continue to lack the motivation to enforce trafficking laws and
prosecute offenders. Structural institutions like illegal immigration and anti prostitution laws
keeps women enslaved in the sex trade out of fear of being caught.
What stands out to me after reading this theses, is what human trafficking looks like here
in the United States. Silver mentions in her research that Soviet women are being trafficked in
the US currently, with many cities being large trafficking hubs. There is also the other side of
legal propitiation, in states such as Nevada. This gives women the power to use their bodies for
profit, they are no longer indebted to a pimp. This may even allow them to send money to their
families or put themselves through school. Economically this many better these women's lives,
but I question if it would raise their social status or influence the social structures in their
communities.
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Rios, V. M. (2011). Punished: Policing the lives of Black and Latino boys. New York: New

York University Press (pp. 1-219) (219)

“He stomped my face against the ground with his thick, black, military grade rubber
boots, his shoe’s soles leaving scrapes and gashes on my upper lip and cheekbone. I was fourteen
years old” (Rios, 2011, p.x). This is an excerpt from a personal experience Victor Rios describes
in the beginning of his ethnographic book Punished: Policing the lives of Black and Latino boys.
The following essay will examine the effectiveness of Rios’s use of social theory to analyze his
research findings. I will begin by providing a brief explanation of the research he conducted and
main points he argues throughout his book. Then I will describe the methodologies used and
why. Finally, I will take a more in depth look into two theorists; Patricia Hill Collins and Tara
Yosso, whose theories were used to connect his research and the larger social issues affecting
many communities across America. By the end of this essay you will be able to understand the
purpose of Rios’s study, his research findings and understand whether or not he was effective in
using social theory to support his claims.
Victor Rios is a sociologist who knows first hand what it is like to be a marginalized
youth in Oakland. In the beginning of this essay I started with a quote that introduces his own
experience in what he calls the “Youth Control Complex” which he defines as “an ubiquitous
system of criminalization molded by the synchronized, systematic punishment meted out by
socializing and social control institutions”(Rios, 2011, pp.38-39). The purpose of his book is to
demonstrate how the current system, rather than working, is actually creating more issues than
it’s resolving. Policies such as zero-tolerance and prop 21 lead to hyper-criminalization of the
youth they are trying to control (Rios, 2011). Rios defines hyper-criminalization as the process in
which the boys are mistreated on the basis of their everyday behaviors and studies (Rios, 2011).
In order to prove his findings, he conducts a study using several methodologies to research his
ideas. Before we describe these methodologies, it's important to understand the group of boys he
was studying.
The study surrounded the lives and experiences of forty black and Latino youth in
Oakland California between the years of 2002 and 2005. Of those forty boys, thirty had already
been arrested and put on probation, the remaining ten may not have been arrested but all knew
someone closely related to them that had (Rios, 2011). Even the boys that did abstain from crime
still dealt with the constant pressure of proving their innocence and still faced criminalization on
a daily basis. He recruited the boys from two programs; The Youth leadership project and the
Eastside Youth Center, focusing on the boys who had only been with either program for a month
or less. He then had those boys and program leaders refer him to other young boys that had either
been arrested or were considered at-risk; a technique referred to as “Snowball sampling” (Rios,
2011, pp. 9-10). In order to conduct his research, Rios used three different methodologies during
his study; Critical Criminology, Urban Ethnography and Reflexivity.
Critical Criminology is the study or crime and power; and the idea crime is created and
defined by the powerful and shaped to control the oppressed (Rios, 2011). After conducting the
interviews Rios would apply this concept to understand the complex lives these boys were living,
as well as which major social institutions were continuing to create barriers to these boys
 Zamara 58

success. He interviewed all forty boys and observed their experiences throughout the day, a
method known as Urban Ethnography. His interviews were comprised of five sets of questions
that all had different themes and often took multiple days to complete. Rios describes each set as
the following in the appendix of his book:
Set 1 was open ended and centered around the life story and growing-up experience of
the youth; Set 2 was semi structured and asked about the youth’s interactions with
institutions of social control, including school, family, community centers, and the
criminal justice system; Set 3 was semi structured and inquired about the youth’s
experience with being criminalized; Set 4 was semi structured and examined the youth’s
attitudes toward crime and deviance; Set 5 was semi structured and asked the youth about
his socioeconomic status and aspirations (Rios, 2011, p 171).
The interviews allowed him to understand “when how and why the youths were criminalizing”
(Rios, 2011, p.170) The last method used was the idea of Reflexivity, as Rios describes on page
169 of the appendix, in which he reflected on his own personal experience and “analyzed [his]
own past and subjectivity and how it pertained to the lives of the boys [he] was studying” (Rios,
2011). The importance of his reflection comes from Standpoint theory, which was originally
coined by Dorothy Smith, and built upon by Patricia Hill Collins.
Patricia Hill Collins has been a very influential figure in the sociological community over
the last thirty years. Not only has she had a very impressive educational career, but many of her
theories have become key concepts in social science theory. Her most widely known ideas are
centered around intersectionality and her personal standpoint as a marginalized African
American woman. She combined these ideas to create “The matrix of domination”. Which
examines the issues of “oppression that deal with race, class, and gender, which, through
recognized as different social classifications, are all interconnected” (Elliot, Powell, Brenton,
2015). Collin’s uses African American women’s experiences to challenge Dorothy Smith’s
original theory of Standpoint Theory. Not only do African American women have to deal with
oppression in terms of gender but they also face oppression from being black (racial oppression),
poor (socioeconomic oppression), old or young (age oppression); all of these barriers keep
women dominated by the majority party. Since each person possess their own unique standpoint,
Collins believes the best knowledge and results can come from someone who has first hand
experience with the subject matter they are researching (Rios, 20). This is the first reason why
Rios has effectively used theory to support his work, because he too is an Outsider Within.
Another important theory Collins created is “ The Outsider Within” . This term originated from
an article she wrote titled Learning from the Outsider Within: The Sociological Significance of
Black Feminist Thought. Collins originally created the term Outsider Within to describe how a
social group’s placement in specific, historical context of race, gender, and class inequality might
influence their point of view of the world(Collins, P.H. 1999). Such as her own Standpoint as an
African American Women, and how her personal experiences may shape her view of the world.
If we compare this idea to Victor Rios and his study of the criminalization of Black and Latino
youth in Oakland, we can understand this better.
Rios finds himself as an Outsider Within the Academic world. Although he may be one
of many Latino men in the Sociological community, he has a unique standpoint that stems from
his personal experiences growing up in Oakland. He faced several areas of oppression being a
Latino male, and experienced many forms of criminalization himself. Rios mentions Collins’
theory in his book as a justification for his study. He acknowledges his standpoint, and how his
own personal experiences may impact his point of view in his study, but he “proceeds
 Zamara 59

cautiously” (Rios, 2011, p. 14). The boys in the study had to be constantly reminded not to share
details of the crimes they were involved in, and Rios was careful not shape his study as a means
to justify their actions. This reflection was part of his methodology reflexivity, and the second
reason why Rios was effective in using social theory to justify his process. The next important
theorist that Rios draws on to support his findings is Tara Yosso.
Tara Yosso is another influential theorist in the Sociological Community; who specializes
in Chicano studies. Much of Yosso’s theories are based on Critical Race Theory and it's
subsection LatCrit Theory and how both relate to education. Yosso defines CRT as “ a
theoretical and analytical framework that challenges the ways race and racism impact
educational structures, practices, and discourses” (Yosso, 2005, p.74). LatCrit theory is a
subsection of CRT that focuses it studies on Latino/a people and the ways in which they continue
to face racism and oppression in their everyday lives (Yosso, 2005). To better understand her
theories I will begin with one of her main ideas, based on an article she published titled Whose
Culture has Capital: A Critical Race Theory Discussion of Community Cultural Wealth, which
details six forms of cultural capital that marginalized communities posses. The six forums of
capital are; Aspirational Capital, Linguistic capital, Familial capital, Social Capital, Navigational
capital, and Resistant Capital (Yosso, 2005, pp.77-81). Rios uses several of these forms of
capital as he narrates the stories of Ronny and J.T.
In chapter five Rios begins by telling the story of a boy in his study named Ronny. Ronny
had received a job interview at a chain restaurant, and wanted Rios’s help and advice. Rios had
to help Ronny adjust what Yosso would call his “cultural capital” with an acceptable way that
would help him fit in with mainstream institutions (Rios, 2011). For the sake of this essay we
will focus on two key examples that happened in Ronny’s job interview story. At the end of the
interview Ronny gets up from his chair and leaves the restaurant without smiling or shaking the
hand of the manger interviewing him (Rios, 2011). What Rios discovers when he asks Ronny
why he didn’t shake her hand is a perfect example of Yosso’s Navigational Capital. Rios
explains that “Ronny had been socialized from a young age according to him, by his white
female teachers to overcompensate around white women and to go the extra mile to show them
he was not attempting to harm or disrespect them” (Rios, 2011, p.100). Yosso defines
Navigational capital as “skills of maneuvering through social institutions” (Yosso, 2005, p.80).
In other words, Ronny had learned to adjust his behavior and actions around white female
teachers and other white women in order to fit in and be accepted at places like the restaurant.
Unfortunately, Ronny did not get the job, and instead focused his efforts on illegal ways of
earning income.
Ronny begins to sell pirated DVDs as a way of resisting mainstream institutions. He
explains that he does this to “ avoid being racially stigmatized and punished for their well-
intended actions” (Rios, 2011, p.101). This is an example of Yosso’s Resistant capital ; which
she defines as “ knowledge and skills fostered through oppositional behavior that challenged
inequality”. (Yosso, 2005, p. 80). Ronny tried to fit into mainstream institutions, but because he
was rejected he used his social and resistant capital to create his own means of income, in what I
would describe as his street smarts skills. Ronny’s narrative is just one example of how Rios
demonstrates the boys use of cultural capital to survive. Not all of the boys in the study resisted
oppression by committing crimes. J.T. Is an example of how a non delinquent youth can resist
through other forms of capital such as Aspirational Capital.
Aspirational Capital can be defined as “The ability to maintain hopes and dreams for the
future, even in the face of real and perceived barriers” (Yosso, 2005, p.77). To explain this idea,
 Zamara 60

we will use an example from an article by Sarah O’Shea, in which she uses Yosso’s Community
Cultural Wealth (CCW) framework to discuss the experiences of “first-in-family” students. She
argues that the six categories Yosso theorizes proves that these students do not lack the “capital”
necessary to succeed in higher education, and provides examples of students who exemplify
these categories of capital, similar to the boys in Rios’s study (O'Shea, 2016). O'Shea narrate the
story of Eva, a widower with two dependent children. Eva explained how “ her motivation for
coming to university was long- held, a dream that she had worked towards for many
years”(O’Shea, 2016, n/p). Eva had many “perceived barriers” as Yosso would agree, such as
being the first to graduate high school in her family, the death of her husband and the sole
financial responsibility of two children. Eva however, looked at this as motivation to persevere
and achieve her goal despite these barriers. Critics would say Eva lacked the normal social
capital such as wealth and status, but Eva used what she had to make her dreams come true.
Eva’s story is similar to another boy in Rios’s study, J.T.
J.T. was a good student who received mostly A’s and B’s, despite being surrounded by
potential barriers of his own. He is what Rios describes as a non-delinquent, a boy who stays out
of trouble and isn’t involved in illegal activities (Rios, 2011). Unfortunately, J.T. is constantly
“Fighting for his freedom” and carries a “Courtesy Stigma” (Rios, 2011, pp.144-145). J.T. Is
forced to fight for his freedom by leaving situations he knows could lead to arrests, staying away
from those who are seen as delinquents, and over compensating around people of authority to
remove the stigma that he is one of the bad ones and should therefore be criminalized. J.T. Also
deals with his peers, who see him as a snitch and no longer accepts him as one of their own.
Despite these barriers, J.T. continued to “try and stay on top” and used his mother’s strict
parenting as motivation to aspire to be more. J.T. Is the only boy in the study to make it to
University, and succeed in mainstream America. The stories of Ronny, J.T, and Eva and their
cultural capital is the final way Rios effectively uses social theory to support his claims.
Yosso uses her research to fight for change in the educational system, changes that would
incorporate more of their cultural forms of capital and give empowerment to people of color
(Yosso, 2005). Similar to what Rios hopes to achieve as a result of his study. He describes “The
Youth- Support Complex idea and the need for it in the conclusion of his book “ My time in the
field taught me that if we provide them the right resources to catapult themselves out of
marginalization, young people will deliver” (Rios, 2011, p.161). Rios himself is an example of a
youth that was supported and given second chances. If it wasn’t for the mentors in his life he
may never of escaped the life of a criminalized youth in Oakland. Through his reflexivity,
critical criminology and urban ethnographic methods he demonstrates the need for change in the
justice system. He supports these claims with the theories created by Collins and Yosso,
effectively explaining his ideas and linking them to the larger social issues effecting
communities across America.
 Zamara 61

Tan, N., & Brassington, I. (2009). Agency, duties and the "Ashley treatment" Journal of

Medical Ethics, (pp.24-35) Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/20696671 (11).

In the journal article titled “Agency, Duties and the “Ashley Treatment”, Naomi Tan
analyzes the treatment completed on Ashely, a severely cognitively disabled six year old girl, to
identify possible violations of the doctors “self-regarding duties” (2009, p.658), as well as her
perspective for the future of non-competent persons. Tan’s ability to logically support her claims
is much stronger than other critics such as Steven Edwards. In her article not only is her logic
more sound, she references theoretical concepts from famed philosopher Kant as well. As Tan
analyzes Ashley’s agency, or lack there of, she supports her claim with a valid and logical
argument termed “Modus Tollens” (p.660), if the assumption is true that Ashley does not possess
Agency, Ashely has no importance to herself, or what Tan describes as a “non-end”, therefore it
might justify treating her differently. Tan’s reference to Kant is used to establish reasoning that
the ethical duty is not towards Ashley, but towards the doctors themselves, or as Kant describes
as duty to self. In order to have to duty to oneself is to keep their humanity. In this argument Tan
raises the question not in whether the Ashley treatment was acceptable or desirable, but what are
we doing to our personal humanity if we begin to do these extreme treatments on others. Similar
to how Kafer describes her interest in Coalitions, interested more in the how and why, and less
about the what and who, both women raise more over-arching ideas about humanity and their
views of non-competent persons. Tan makes minimal reference to Ashley’s sterilization and bi
lateral mastectomy, only to say “ We shall say little about this supposed reason to operate…”,
clearly she does not see any importance Ashly’s sexuality and womanhood. Tan’s term “non-
end” (p.660) can be compared to Kafer’s temporal framing, since Ashley will never develop
normally and complete proper stages of adulthood, such as working, she is cast out of time, and
having no future. I believe Tan and Kafer have similar viewpoints and looks use the lens of
disability in their analysis.
 Zamara 62

Wilfond & The Seattle Growth Attenuation and Ethics Working Group. (2010). Navigating

Growth Attenuation in Children with Profound Disabilities: Children's Interests, Family

Decision-Making, and Community Concerns. The Hastings Center Report (pp.27-40)

Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/40928341 (14).

In the Journal article titled “Navigating Growth Attenuation in Children with Profound
Disabilities: Children's Interests, Family Decision-Making, and Community Concerns” members
of The Seattle Growth and Attenuation and Ethics Working group, comprised of over twenty
scholars and activists came together over the course of a year to analyze how institutions and
individuals in our society value the “profoundly disabled” (2010, p.28). Similar to Kafer’s
approach to crip theory and coalitions; their objective was to move past the “polarizing rhetoric”
(p.29) that so many supporters and opponents focus on, and look for common ground. They
begin by debating the medical/individual model of disability, and its means of justification for
the procedure, countering this argument are the ideas from the disability rights movement.
Consistent with Kafer’s definition, they view this movement as a socio/political issue, noting
several obstacles Ashely has to deal with have been socially constructed. As other articles have
done, they mention the risk for “slippery slopes” (p.33), but propose the oversight committees
and safeguards that are in place should keep this from sliding down the moral hill. This article
makes no mention of the implications of sterilization or loss of stimulation and pleasure from the
completion of the bi lateral mastectomy, while extensively covering every other polarizing view
point, this topic goes unmentioned. Raising the question, does anyone care about her
womanhood? Her sexual pleasure? This is an issue that I think is largely ignored by both sides of
the debate.
.
 Zamara 63

SBS 362
Atkinson, R. (2009). The Life Story Interview. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publ. (pp.1-21,
54- 55)(23)

In Robert Atkinson’s book The Life Story Interview he offers “suggestions” and
“guidelines” to take his readers through the process of completing a Life History interview
(2009, p.1). Atkinson’s begins chapter one by defining Storytelling as an oral narrative, and a
way for a person to recount their experience with added feelings and perspectives as they
remember it. He then applies this concept to the interview process, as an “in-depth” study of a
person’s life(p.3). After conducting an interview you can then synthesize their words into themes
and data. This can then be used to give validity to the researchers main purpose. In preparation
for the interview the interviewer should create a basic outline of questions that they would like to
ask, but once the interview begins they should allow the person to go in any direction the story
takes them(p.7). He also points out that this process also allows the person being interviewed to
be reflective about their own lives and offers new revelations. Once the interview is complete a
transcript should be created from the recording of the interview. The transcript should be a
hundred percent in the interviewee’s own words, the purpose of this is to listen for the hidden for
the deeper and hidden meanings.
In my capstone I believe the Life History Interview methodology can shed a different
perspective on the subject, this first hand resource can be supported by the empirical and second
hand data that’s available through state reporting. As Atkinson supports towards the end of his
chapter as he discusses the applications of the research model. Life histories allow
“underrepresented groups” to be heard and provide a more holistic view and social
change(Atkinson, 2009, p.19). The themes that become apparent after interviewing several
participants can be coded using Nvivo, and used to triangulate my research. I think it will be
important to build a relationship and mutual trust with the participants, in order to really get the
full story. Even if some may exaggerate or omit certain facts, these can become themes of their
own if similar reoccurrences happen in other interviews.
 Zamara 64

Berg, B. L. (2017). Chapter 1. In Qualitative research methods for the social sciences (6th ed.,

pp. 1-15). Boston: Pearson. (15)

In the sixth edition of Qualitative Research Methods for the Social Sciences, Bruce Berg
outlines seven way to collect qualitative data, also known as “Action Research”(p.4). Berg also
focuses on a new audience, the novice. He links research methods with theoretical perspectives.
In Chapter one Berg begins by discussing the history of Qualitative research and its recent
revival in the social sciences. Qualitative research is often thought of as non-scientific, since it
doesn't rely sold on numbers. He is able to demystify this thought by explaining qualitative
research often involves triangulation, or the “multiple methods approach”(p. 7). Berg then
introduces the term “symbolic interaction” (p.13) which seeks to understand the meanings of
human behavior. He ends the chapter by reinforcing the importance of qualitative research, as it
fills in the missing gaps in quantitative research. Qualitative data explains the what, how, when
and where and other non quantifiable data. This would relate to my capstone project because I
think any research project would benefit from multiple methods of research, both quantitative
and qualitative.
 Zamara 65

Frankland, J., Thomas, M., Robson, K., & Bloor, M. (2000). Focus groups in social research. In Focus

Groups in Social Research. Introducing Qualitative Methods (pp. 18-36). Thousand Oaks,

London: SAGE Publications. [19]

Focus groups are usually used as research methodology used in conjunction with other
mixed methods of research. The goal of a focus group is to observe the dynamics within the
group with special attention being given to participant characteristics in lieu of the topic being
researched. For example, if a study group is meant to observe the relation between single
mothers, it may not be beneficial to add a single father to the focus group environment. It is still
important to have a sufficient level of diversity within participants in the focus group. This could
be cultural, socioeconomic, and/or racial diversity at the very least. Congruently, it is important
to make sure that there are differences in core values of each participant within the group. This
could look like right wing conservatives single mothers being in the same group as liberal or left
wing mothers to ensure the data is generalizable. It is wise to run multiple and separate group
sessions and to take note of status and power in each group. It is also good to note that these
groups can be unpredictable and the outcomes cannot necessarily be controlled outcomes.
Preexisting social groups may be another option to explore. Preexisting groups are organized
with individuals who already have somewhat of a relationship to one another outside of the
group. In this case, more practical benefits may occur in sharing of experiences in relation to one
another and will provoke a sense of obligation to attend said group session. A disadvantage of
having a preexisting group is that perhaps the members would not be as open as they would be
when sharing with a group of strangers so as to not create conflict with their acquaintances. Both
group types run the risk of over-disclosure by members of the group. To help with instances
such as these, emphasizing the voluntary nature of the groups, giving respondents opportunities
to review and revise transcriptions, and a discussion before data analysis can help with some of
these obstacles should they occur. Having a smaller sized group can help minimize anticipated
and not anticipated issues. Recruiting for said groups should involve some type of screening tool.
Some can be a questionnaire or survey. Once participants are chosen, an informed consent
should be given to each participant, signed, and then information involving incentive to stay for
entire process can be added.
This is helpful for my research purposes because focus groups can give me insight into group
dynamics involving my research topic while at the same time saving money moving forward for
other areas of the research that may be more fiscally intensive. It also helps give me guidelines as
to how to put together a focus group with an optimal chance of gaining data that will help with
the overall research effort.
 Zamara 66

Golafshani, N. (2003). Reliability and Validity in Qualitative Research. 597-607. [11]

The article written by Nahid Golafshani titled Understanding Reliability and Validity in
Qualitative Research (2003) focuses on redefining the use of Reliability and Validity with a
Naturalistic lens. The article is broken down into three sections. The first discusses the original
definitions used in quantitative research. Secondly the terms are redefined through qualitative
research methods, as a way of testing the research. Finally, triangulation through the
constructivist paradigm is used to demonstrate reliability and validity in qualitative research.
In quantitative research reliability is defined as the ability of results to be consistent,
accurate, and have the ability to be reproduced(p.598). In qualitative research, reliability is based
on the researcher’s quality of research and their ability to “generate understanding (p.601).
Validity in quantitative research focuses on the the accuracy and whether the research answered
the questions it set out to answer. Validity in qualitative research is harder to define, since there
is no right or wrong, and based on non quantifiable numbers, many researchers come up with
their own definitions. The one that made sense the most to me was the ability of the researcher to
triangulate data to create credibility in their research.
Triangulation in qualitative research can be done in several different ways. Multiple
paradigms or theories can be used like he constructivist perspective. This perspective suggests
knowledge is socially constructed (p. 603), and by engaging in research you can get deeper
understanding. In my capstone many of the interviews I will conduct will yield qualitative
results, each of their answers being constructed based on their own experiences and perceptions.
Every participant would bring a new perspective, and triangulating this with multiple theories
will give me validity. If I conduct multiple methodologies such as interviews, surveys, statistical
data collection from secondary sources, this would also bring reliability and further validity by
triangulating my research again. It even suggests allowing the participants to assist the researcher
in data collection (p.604). In my capstone a lot of the participants can help assist in my data
collection by asking others to fill out surveys or help find people to join the focus groups I may
conduct. Snow ball sampling as we learned before also reminds me of this process, since one
participant in the program may be able to refer me to other people I could interview.
 Zamara 67

Groleau, D., Pluye, P., & Nadeau, L. (2007). A mix-method approach to the cultural

understanding of distress and the non-use of mental health services. Journal of Mental

Health, 16(6), 731-741.[11]

The article found in the Journal of Mental Health titled A mix-method approach to the
cultural understanding of distress and the non use of mental health services, discusses a study
that involves both Qualitative methods as well as Quantitative methods. The goal was to
combine the strengths of both methods to better understand the needs the culturally diverse
patients. The reasoning for the mix methods approach came from a need to understand the
subjective nature of mental illness. Previous Quantitative/ Positivist approaches such as:
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), Systematic literature reviews and population statistics,
could not be applied on the local level (Groleau, 2007, pp731-2). Qualitative research on the
other hand focuses on “context-sensitive historical, interpretative and narrative relationships”
(p.732). The study focused on three groups of citizens in Montreal Canada, Vietnamese, west-
indie and filipino to understand why these ethnic groups did not use mental health services. The
Sequential Transformative Design was implemented as the methodology and was completed in
several phases.
The first phase used Quantitative telephone surveys, as well as other information
gathered through literature reviews. The result of the first phase suggested that immigrants that
were dealing with mental health issues did not sure the services available, also knows as
“external validity”, but could not explain the underlying reasons for the “local and national
phenomenon”(p.733). This lead to phase two, the Qualitative method known as McGill Illness
Narrative Interview Schedule (MINi). This method involved semi-structures, qualitative
interviews in order to make comparisons between different cultures. “Thematic analysis”
indicated the need for social and cultural understandings of each unique individual. Phase three
involved testing the previous phases results with a process evaluation, in which they had cultural
consultation services involved in the mental health process.
This would apply to my capstone because many of the incarcerated juveniles also suffer
from mental health as well as other cultural and ethnic differences.One size fits all thinking will
not work for my research. So many variables are involved that lead these kids into crime, drug
abuse, and violence. The first stage could be applied to surveys through many alternative
programs that could reach a wide range of individuals. Through this I could collect a pool of
candidates to interview for the MINI part of phase 2. The analysis from these narrative could
provide many solutions to incarceration and ways to improve alternative programs. Phase three
would involve a more in depth review that I may not be able to complete during my capstone,
but could provide a great foundation for future research.
 Zamara 68

Gubrium, J. F., & Holstein, J. A. (1997). Chapter 3 “Ethnomethodology” . In The New Language

of Qualitative Method (pp. 38-56). New York: Oxford University Press. [19]

In Chapter Three of Jabber F. Gubrium’s book The New Language of Qualitative

Method, a new form of Naturalism called Ethnomethodology is introduced. This concept differs
because ethnomethodologists focus their research on the “how” instead of the “what” and “why”
(Gubrium, 1997, pp. 38-39). Several theorists that have contributed to the evolution of
Ethnomethodology, such as Alfred Schultz and Talcott Parsons. Gubrium then defines three
analytic terms that any researcher would need to understand in order to conduct successful
ethnomethodological research: Bracketing, Heuristic Distance and Indifference.
Bracketing is the way in which a researcher sets aside their own ideas on what constitutes
their “reality” or what the find to be “real” (Gubrium, 2007, p.40). The next term Heuristic
Distance refers to the idea of maintaining a close working relationship with subjects they are
observing, while not becoming fully involved with the version of reality. The importance of this
is to separate Topic from Resource. A traditional Naturalist would use their subjects as resources
and their stories as a way of understanding their reality. Ethnomethodologists instead use their
stories as topics for further research, to continue to understand how these realities have been
constructed over time(p. 42). The last term Ethnomethodological indifference is the idea of not
being personally vested in the issue, so the researcher does not use their “standard” of what
something should be or what its “really” like(p. 44). The end of the Chapter focuses on the
example of Garfinkel’s study at the Department of Corrections half way house. In summary it
compares the Naturalist standpoint of “The Code” and how this explains why the inmates
behave the way they do. An Ethnomethodological perspective would focus on how “The Code”
was created and how this creates the inmates reality in which they live in (pp. 49-50).
What stood out to me in this Chapter was the idea that every Ethnomethodologist acts
with a “heightened self-consciousness” (Gubrium, 2007, p.39). In Victor Rios’s Ethnography he
constantly reflected on his own effect on the research. Trying to remain an observer and not a
participant in order to stay objective. Ethnomethodology can help me with my Capstone because
I will also be interviewing and observing a group of individuals. I will also be more interested in
how the lives of substance abused youth continue to be disenfranchised by the Federal
Government, and not with the actual lives of each person I may be observing. All three terms
Gubrium identifies in this Chapter will be important to this kind of successful research.
 Zamara 69

Hopwood, N. (2004). Research Design and Methods of Data Collection and Analysis:

Researching Students' Conceptions in a Multiple‐method Case Study. Journal of

Geography in Higher Education, 28(2), 347-353 (7).

In the Case Study written by Nick Hopwood in the Journal of Geography in Higher
Education, examines the “multiple methods” approach to qualitative research, also known as
triangulation(Hopwood, 2004, p.347). The research question focused on the students
understanding and knowledge of geography. Using a constructivist lens, he constructed his
research question based on the theory that the students are active participants in their learning
and meaning can be derived from their experiences (p.348). Although his research is in the field
of geography, the importance of this case study is to show the reliability and validity of
qualitative research. His case study involved sixty students from secondary schools, the methods
used were selected based on the need to demonstrate different aspects of the students abilities,
and their perceptions could only be collected and analyzed through qualitative research. This
included Poster tasks, questionnaires, and semi structured interviews. After every round of data
collection grounded theory was used to analyze, and code themes, new themes would then be
examined further in the next round of research. This system worked as a check in balance to the
more subjective qualitative approach. This gained Hopwood his validity and reliability in his
study. I believe this can be applied to my capstone because part of my research will include
interviews and questionnaires about the effectiveness of in custody treatment programs. If I use
the same coding and sampling as he did in his study I will also have more reliable and valid
work. The multiple approaches such as ethnographic data collection techniques,
phenomenological framework to analyze the data collection, and other ground theory to test and
refine his ideas. I also see the importance of addressing the “weaknesses” of the study(p.350), its
almost a way to have reflexivity. To recognize where researchers may have skewed their own
data also gains the researcher more validity in my opinion.
 Zamara 70

Rubin, H. J., & Rubin, I. S. (2016). Chapter 1, Chapter 2. In Qualitative Interviewing: The Art of

Hearing Data (pp. 1-42). Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications. (42)

In the first two chapters of Qualitative Interviewing: The Art of Hearing Data (2016),
Herbert and Irene Rubin provide an easy to understand description of the Qualitative
Interviewing process. Irene Rubin is a public administrator and Herbert Rubin is a urbanologist,
they also use contributors such as Jim Thomas a criminologist. Their main purpose is to share
their experiences in order for the reader to adapt their styles and develop their own
techniques(p.15). Beginning with the characteristics, basic definitions, and types of qualitative
interviews in order to build a foundation and understanding. Towards the end of Chapter two,
Foundations of Qualitative Interviewing they compare this approach to other research models.
Understanding the shared characteristics of of the interviews is the first noteworthy topic.
Qualitative interviews are similar to regular conversations and both the interviewer and
interviewee is actively involved in the process. Interviewers also focus on the knowledge and
meaning and of a topic not if the topic is right or wrong. Lastly, the interview “flow” and
“choice” of topics changes through the course of the interview (Rubin, 2016, pp. 8-9). The
definitions they explained were: Cultural and Topical Arenas, and different forms of information
such as narratives, stories, and accounts (pp. 22-26). The types of Interviews they described
varied based on style and scope, examples of these interviews are Topical Oral Histories, Life
Histories, Evaluation interviews, and Focus group Interviews (pp.26-31). In the end of Chapter
two they compare their model of Qualitative interviewing to other research models such as the
Positivist approach, Interpretive and feminist approaches (Rubin, 2016, p.31).
There are several important parts in this reading that really stood out to me in the way it
can relate to my capstone. When the term “thick description” referring to the “depth, detail and
richness of the interview” was discussed, it really resonated with me. As I conduct my own
interviews, the thicker the description the more I can analyze and sysynthaize that knowledge
into my own data for further research. Understanding the meaning of the words used will also be
important, especially since the interviewees will be younger, and involved in their own
subculture of juvenile offenders in alternative programs. I’m sure the program itself will even
have their own acronyms and other non-official terms. A topical Arena will also be the interview
type I would select, since I’m focusing on a social program and its effects. Within that arena are
life history interviews, when I would be interviewing participants in the program about their life
before, during, and after. I could also use Evaluation Interviews as part of my research, to see
what the overall attitudes are about the effectiveness of the program by its participants. Critical
social researchers focus their research on the underdog, and the flaws of society. Like these
researchers my capstone will focus on the flaws of the Juvenile system and the solutions to the
flaws like the Rancho Cielo Youth Program.
 Zamara 71

Stichter, J. (2004). An Analysis of Trends Regarding Provocative and Ecologically Valid

Interventions in Applied Research. Education and Treatment of Chidren,27(2), 86-104.

The article written by Janine Stichter titles “An Analysis of Trends Regarding
Provocative and Ecologically Valid Interventions in Applied Research” focuses on evaluating
the research literature surrounding intervention methods for the disabled. The review sought to
learn whether the literature reflects the recent increased interest and testing the ecological
validity. The most important take away from this reading is the way in which they applied the
research, the methodology and the measurements of reliability.
The research began by analyzing 1390 articles published in ten journals over the last 22
years, all of which were found in a database of intervention research(Stichter, 2004). The first
phase involved the work of two coders, who focused on narrowing down the articles that met the
“requirements for inclusion” (p.90). The articles were only included when both reviewers agreed,
if there were disputes a third person was used. The second stage of analysis, was completed by a
set of five graduate students who were already familiar with peer-review journal articles, and
were trained over a gout week process. The rigorous training included a 100% reliability rating,
and training continued for each student until they reached this score (p.91). As the five began to
code the articles, agreement was met and recorded for each of the categories only when 2 or
more researchers coded identical material. All of the other data based on coding was also
gathered and quantified into statistical information, displayed in several graphs (p.91). .
This article is helpful to my capstone because I think its another method to triangulate my
research. Although I may be completing a mini program review, it is still important to
understand what past research has already learned, and where present day research stands. It’s a
starting out point that will give a better understanding of the topic I’m studying, as well as more
validity to the qualitative research. Applied research methods take more of a positivist approach,
using statistical analysis and explanations.
 Zamara 72

GS 322
Wood, D. (2016). What have we done: The Moral Injury of Our Longest Wars. 1-304 [304]

In the book “What have we done: The moral injury of our longest wars”, David Wood
traces the development of moral injury throughout the new interstate wars, as well as past wars
such as Vietnam, and both world wars. Wood himself was and conscientious objector to the
Vietnam war and instead, served in the national civilian service in the 60’s. His research begins
on the frontlines, alongside the US troops in war zones and in domestic training. Participating
and observing in both conflict and training by day, and transcribing notes and sending them off
back home by night. Throughout the fifteen chapters Wood argues for more psychological
training and healing, using vivid and gut wrenching narratives of soldiers he observed and
treated through his research. Advocating for the diagnosis of PTSD and Moral Injury to be
seperated, the soldiers who come back are stigmatized as damaged and broken if they admit to
PTSD. To better identify the key concepts of Wood’s research, a brief discussion of each chapter
will now follow.
In chapter one “It's Wrong, but You have No choice”, Wood examines the development
of Moral injury, as researchers have begun to recognize that the psychological damage suffered
in war far exceeds physical injury. Also mentioned is the distinction between PTSD and moral
injury. PTSD is the involuntary recurrence of fear moral injury, includes remorse, grief, shame,
bitterness, and moral confusion. In chapters 2-4, Wood uses his stories on the frontlines to draw
the reader closer to the issue.
In chapter two, “Regardless of Cost”, Wood provides background into his own
experience with going against his own moral code. Provide the reader a way to understand the
smallest hint of what the soldiers deal with. He poses the question, Is it really worth it? And, how
do we measure the sacrifice of home? Using the example of the Meat Wagon, a truck used to
pick up rotting bodies after the US troops set up traps. Chapter three and four examine the
training process the soldiers go through before being deployed overseas. Highlighting the lack of
preparation and training for the mental wounds. Which results in high numbers of mental health
disorders among active and non active service members. Soldiers are burdened with extreme
pressure and responsibility to take care of their comrades and subordinates, many officers are
even as young as 22 or 23. The suicide rate for veterans is three times the civilian rate, prompting
Wood to ask the question, Why was this psychological wounding of troops so widespread?
Wood draws on early research from Jonathan Shay in this chapter as the basis for his own
approach to moral injury treatment. The next three chapters begin to analyze moral injury from
past and current scholarship and theory.
Chapter five, Wood examines moral injury through the lens of “Just War theory”, and the
work of Augustine's Just War Doctrine to the contemporary work of Michael Walzer. In the
world of New Wars, that are seen as unjust, how do soldiers break free of moral injury. Chapter
six introduces the work of Bill Nash, a navy psychiatrist and one of the founding scholars on
stress injuries. His work, along with others served as a replacement to the old model of treatment
which viewed soldiers as weak and predisposed to mental illness from childhood trauma.
Supporting his research was the recollection of his time in Falluja, comparing the moral trauma
 Zamara 73

to physical wounds in need of long term follow up and care. The remaining chapters focus on the
repair that is needed for the soldiers once they get home.
Chapter 8 introduces the work of Brett Litz, a Boston trauma researcher who argues that
PTSD and moral injury serve as predictor of anger, alcohol abuse, and relationship problems.
The change in scenery once they get home, is challenging for soldiers to acclimate back to
everyday life. They can't ignore the memories of the killings during war. Many pull back and are
unable to connect with their loved ones. Chapter 9 describes the story of Stacy, the
military photographer as she describes her own personal journey with moral injury and
vulnerability. Chapter 10, “Betrayed” identifies the several ways in which soldiers may feel
betrayed, ranging from the US government, the civilians back home, green-on-blue attacks, and
even sexual abuse. The betrayal in trust is the most “basic violation of our sense of right and
wrong”. Chapter 11 discusses the legal aspects of “war crimes”, and the U.S.’s approach to solve
a moral issue with the rule of law.
The most important section of this book comes from chapter 14 and 15. Michael
Castellana is described as the touchy feely touch guy, who has worked with both Nash and Litz.
Together they worked to create a new manual for treatment of what the Marine’s call “Combat
Stress”. The manual focuses on 12 sessions that focus on listening with validation. Also part of
the treatment is individual counseling, where the soldiers make a list of the percentage of
responsibility given to others, as a way of relieving the sole burden and blame. In addition, the
solutions include: petitioning the dept of veterans affairs for additional funding and research
bridging the gap between community and soldier, and behavioral therapy.
 Zamara 74

Asaf, Y. (2017). Syrian Women and the Refugee Crisis: Surviving the Conflict, Building Peace,

and Taking New Gender Roles . 1-18. [18]

In this article Syrian Women and the Refugee Crisis: Surviving the Conflict, Building
Peace, and Taking New Gender Roles, Yumna Asaf analyzes previous secondary research, data,
reports, mainstream new articles, for topics that include: housing, food, health, work, financial
security, changed roles, isolation, and gender based violence. In order to understand the patterns
that lead to gendered victimization and the possible solutions (Asaf, 2017, p. 2). Breaking past
the traditional “victims of war” mentality to a new framework that demonstrates how women
have survived the Syrian conflict in the face of several challenges. Those challenges include the
increases number of women and girls that make up the refugee population, about 48%. Which
lead to gender-based violence such as Rape, sexual violence, domestic violence, early marriage
and sex for survival. In addition to the lack of access to services or support in the legal and
healthcare fields (Asaf, 2017, p. 6)Examples of ways in which women have survived the conflict,
Asaf describes four areas in which women have gained a sense of independence and personal
autonomy (Asaf, 2017, p. 8). Most important of the four, is the new gender roles through
becoming the breadwinner and provider for an average of 5-6 family members and increased
education of women in order to provide rehabilitation for themselves and others. Asaf also
mentions the women's role in peace talks, similar to the class literature of the women's role in
peace building, discussed several weeks ago in class.
 Zamara 75

Bjorkdahl, A., & Hall, M. (2015). Cooperation and Conflict. Peace Review: A journal of Social

Justice , 475-478. [4]

Annija Bjokdahl and Martin Hall critically examines and maps the discussion of peace in
articles published in “Cooperation and Conflict”, a journal that to “promote cutting edge research
to meet the demands of the scholarly community having an interest in International studies”
(Bjorkdahl & Hall, 2015, p. 475)In an attempt to answer the questions: to what extent has peace
research developed in IR; what trends and patterns can be seen over the 50 years of journal
articles? And to what extent have authors anticipated these changes, paralleled them, or lagged
behind (Bjorkdahl & Hall, 2015)? 108 articles were identified as focusing on non-conflict and
the making of peace, and can be classified into four categories: Avoiding conflict, components of
peace, intervening for peace, and peace. A notable connection to class literature is through the
mention of “Scandinavian Conflict prevention” that involve similar components of restorative
justice and conflict transformation is discussed in Howard Zehr’s article and other class
discussions (Bjorkdahl & Hall, 2015, p. 477)
 Zamara 76

Bokova, I. (2015). Culture on the Front Line of New Wars . Brown Journal of Wold Affairs ,

290-296. [7]

This article, Culture on the Front line of New Wars discusses the idea of cultural
cleansing, which is: an attempt to erase history, universal values and feelings of belonging
through the targeting, damaging, trafficking and destruction of cultural heritage and tradition
(Bokova, 2015). Irina Bokova argues that culture is at the “front line of modern conflict, and
requires us to rethink the importance of culture in peace building”( (Bokova, 2015, p. 289). She
also identifies several multidimensional solutions that allows the global community to save
human lives and preserve cultural heritage. First, steps need to be taken to stop the trafficking of
cultural goods from conflict-ridden regions, which involves the collaboration and
communication between national police, customs, experts and architects. Secondly, the young
people living in refugee camps need accelerated learning to make up for years of lost education.
Surprisingly, over half the displaced population is under the age of 18. Third, there is a need for
better communication to “counter the narrative of violent extremism” through social media
awareness and platforms in order to “protect humanity’s common heritage” (Bokova, 2015, p.
294). Fourth, the continued efforts of emergency intervention plan with the support of UNESCO
and the EU. The connection to class readings is demonstrated through the discussion of “capacity
building” to train and implement conventions in an attempt to ratify legislation that would
criminalize cultural cleansing on an international level. Capacity building is mentioned in the
Strategic peace building flow chart, and many other class discussions.
 Zamara 77

British Coucil. (2016). INNOVATIVE PEACEBUILDING IN SYRIA . (pp1-24) [24]

In the British Council’s report on Innovative Peace building in Syria, examines the
strategic use of technology to build peace in the Syrian Context. The report combines
quantitative desk research and qualitative interviews of 20 experts in February and March 2016.
The term Peacetech is introduced and defined as “ the emerging body of peace building practice
which includes a technological component that is of strategic importance to its objectives” (p 6).
Technology serves as three key functions: data gathering and analysis, communication creating
alternative narratives, and networking and mobilization, which can lead to collective action. In
the Syrian context the main function of communication technologies is to create peaceful
narratives and share a greater diversity of voices (p 18). The Council also identifies 9 gaps and
needs in peace building in Syria that peacetech could fill (p 20).
 Zamara 78

Federici, V. (2105). The Rise of Rojava: Kurdish Autonomy in the Syrian Conflict .

81-90.[9]

In the article The rise of Rojava: Kurdish Autonomy in the Syrian Conflict, written by
Vittoria Federici argues a different perspective about Rojava and the Kurdish people than the
previous article by Yagmur Savran. Federici begins by examining the PYD’s rise to power, and
then shifts the focus to the challenges of Kurdish Autonomy and the need to broaden Kurdish
support and relations with non-Kurdish neighbors. Challenges include “deeply fragmented local
politics, tense relations with the Sunni Arab opposition, and direct hostilities with neighboring
turkey” (Federici, 2105, p. 82). Federici also criticizes the legitimacy of the PYD, although a
“key western ally with regional influence” to some, the group is also responsible for child
recruitment, arbitrary arrests, abductions, and imprisonment of non-PYD activists” (Federici,
2105, p. 86). The final concern comes from the fear of an alliance with the Assad’s regime in
order to protect borders and fight ISIS. In conclusion, Federici argues that the future of Rojava
remains highly uncertain because of its hostile surroundings.
This purpose of the article is to explore results of a study conducted on religiosity based
values compared to general values regarding responses of those who experience traumatic stress
and mental health. “religiosity affects mental health in many ways providing meaning, social
support, and it can be associated with hope (p. 3).” Studies have suggested that physiological
responses to post traumatic events are subjective based on experiences, beliefs, and core values
of the individual. The study within the article, explores the connections between religiosity,
trauma, posttraumatic cognitions and mental health for non-sexual and sexual trauma. The study
was conducted in Poland (337 female participants gathered) via quantitative surveys that scaled
the survey takers religiosity, non-religiosity, secular values, and types of trauma. The hypothesis
speculates that the “relationship between trauma and mental health is moderated by a level of
religiosity,” and that, “in the cases of sexual trauma religiosity is associated with a higher level
of posttraumatic cognitions, and therefore higher levels of PTSD.” The results of the study
showed that there were stronger associations between sexual trauma cognitions and PTSD in the
low religiosity group. However, PTSD and surrounding sexual trauma were significant in all
groups. Religiosity is an important is an important factor in processing trauma.
 Zamara 79

Savran, Y. (2016). The Rojava revolution and British solidarity . Anarchist Studies , 7-12.

In the article, The Rojava Revolution and British Solidarity, Yagmur Savran seeks to
demonstrate the need for communitarian solidarity with the Rojavans in their fight for freedom
and popular democracy. Abdullah Ocalan, the Kurdish political leader and developer of
Democratic Confederalism seeks to “challenge state power by promoting popular democracy, an
ecological society and a cooperative economy” (Savran, 2016, p. 7). In order to achieve this goal,
Oclan insist the change must come from a grass roots, popular based, trans-class movement
(Savran, 2016, p. 8). Savran identifies three political frameworks, which serve as the foundation
for Democratic Confederalism: Direct Democracy, Feminism, and Pluralism. In Direct
Democracy, the movement for a Democratic Society (TEV-DEM) has no institutional role, but
leads social coordination’s of the “three cantons” by assisting villages to creates communal form
of democracy with a bottoms up approach (Savran, 2016, p. 8). Feminism influences begin with
the emancipation of women, as one of the main focuses of the Rojava revolution. Oclan believes
“the hierarchy began with the domination of men over women, therefore it is vital to challenge
patriarchy that impede real freedom for every individual in the Middle East (Savran, 2016).
Pluralism can be seen in the ideological foundation of the Rojava revolution, one that “promotes
religious tolerance and ethnic equality” among the Kurds, Arabs, Assyrian-Syriacs, Armenians,
Circassians, and Chechens (Savran, 2016, p. 9).
 Zamara 80

SBS 400
Beyer, M. (2003). A Better Way to Spend $500,000: How the Juvenile Justice System Fails

Girls. Wisconsin Women's Law Journal , 1-18. [18]

Multiple and serious “stressors” such as poverty, relative violence, and multi-generational
patterns of incarceration play a contributing role to female delinquency argues Mary Beyer in his
article A better way to spend $500,000: How the juvenile justice system fails girls. The failure
begins with the fragmentation of the judicial process and treatment plans to program
accountability and long term “continued services” (p 7). This article sheds light on the systemic
and structural forces that create barriers to successful rehabilitation of marginalized female
offenders. Beyer presents the case study of “Jeanne” to demonstrate the ways in which her
unique needs were never met while in court custody, such as: treatment for her experience in
loss, violence, sexual abuse, and substance abuse (p 10). In order to meet the needs of females,
Beyer advocates for the Strengths/Needs-Based Approach. This approach identifies individual
strengths and needs, and then determines the services and steps to treatment. In Jeanne’s case,
her strengths included: Knowing a lot about herself, good at art and writing, speaks up about her
feelings. Her needs included: feeling in charge of her life, facing her feelings and pain from her
past, learn to like herself, learn to think before she acts, avoid relationships that hurt, and be
successful in school. Her treatment plan is then catered to her special needs: A female therapist
who is a good listener and always available, a therapeutic foster parent who is skilled at helping
with depression, a school program designed to help her catch up, and weekly girls group
meetings focused on self esteem, substance abuse, and self esteem (p 13).
 Zamara 81

Crenshaw, K. (2012). From Private Violence to Mass Incarceration: Thinking Intersectionally

about Women, Race, and Social Control. 1-39. [39]

In this article Kimberly Crenshaw recaps the symposium, and highlights the ways in
which the symposium seeks to “break the silence of the hyper presence of women of color in the
system” (p 3). Participants used intersectional analysis to frame the relationships among race,
gender and mass incarceration. Drawing on Patricia Hill Collins “Matrix of domination” to
demonstrate the ways in which institutional structures, gender relations, and discretionary
decision-making combine to marginalize female offenders like the story of Kemba Smith. (p 8).
In another story from Pricilla Ocen, describes the struggle of black female recipients of section 8
housing and their subjection to private and public policing when living in white communities.
George Lipsitz uncovers the economic marginalization of women of color in the barriers to
adequate shelter. A term “special segregation” , explains the ways in which women shoulder the
burden of primary caregiving and the responsibility of being the sole provider in the household.
These burdens lead to economic and racial barriers to housing needs (p 11).
 Zamara 82

Dalby, C. (2017). Gender Bias Toward Status Offenders: A Paternalistic Agenda Carried Out

Through the JJDPA. Law & Inequality: A Journal of Theory and Practice , 12 (2), 1-29.

[29]

This article discusses the 1980 amendment to the JJDPA (Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention Act) , the Valid court order and the effects the amendment had on
female offenders. The effects are examined through four parts. Part one, explores the history of
paternalism towards girls, women and the restrictions on their female sexuality, which has
resulted in the discriminatory treatment of female juveniles (p 17). The Second part, discusses
the forces behind the “valid court order”, and amendment that “criminalizes” behavior that the
legislature considers immoral (p.20) . The Valid Court order gives judges discretion to
incarcerate a female for sexual activity, while dismissing her male counterpart for identical
sexual behavior. The Third part identifies judicial discretion, which may result in punitive
sentencing. The final part of the article proposes changes to the present juvenile justice system,
such as: repeal of the valid court order, replaced with increases in emancipation procedures for
minors (p 23).
 Zamara 83

Goodkind, S. (2005). Gender-Specific Services in the Juvenile Justice System: A Critical

Examination. 52-70. [19]

In Sara Goodkind’s article “Gender-Specific Services in the Juvenile Justice System: A

critical examination” four critiques are discussed (2005). Using theoretical perspectives to
criticize the focus on gender alone, by looking for sites of oppression in the JJS. Goodkind draws
on Critical theories such as social constructionist, post structural, and critical race third world
feminist (p 55). The four criticisms lead to a larger epistemological critique of societies and the
judicial systems’ response to girls behaviors, which focuses on blaming the individual for the
problem and not the larger cultural and social forces (p 65). In each of the four criticisms
Goodkind identifies the intersection of gender, race, and class and the structural forces that
perpetuate the cycle of offending. Traditional treatment plans depoliticize and individualize the
problem, focusing on the empowerment of girls to be “ autonomous, practice self-control, and
confidence” (p 62). The new approach instead focuses on “the empowerment of collective action
and influence over social conditions of ones life” (p 62). In order to achieve this, four levels need
to be attended to: the individual, social network, community, and institutional.
 Zamara 84

Hoyt, S., & Scherer, D. (1998). Female Juvenile Delinquency: Misunderstood by the Juvenile

Justice System, Neglected by Social Science. 81-107. [27]

This article explores the discrepancy between studies on delinquency and youth violence of
adolescent females and males within the juvenile system. It also the different impact on males
versus females and long term implications of receiving a conduct disorder diagnosis within that
system of care. Special recognition is given within the article to the standard practices of
collecting more data about male juveniles than female’s juveniles which can negatively impact
the female population. Data fuels resources, implementation, and systemic change-which is not
being awarded to the female juvenile population. The article posits that recently, the issue of
female delinquency is forcing its way in to social awareness due to an increase of female arrests.
The article highlights the differing treatment and sexual norms placed on the female populations
within the juvenile system of care. The data gathered within the articles asserts that “females
arrested for delinquency and formally petitioned to court are less likely to be adjudicated and are
less likely to be adult’s courts then males. However, female adolescents are arrested and
involved in the juvenile justice system for less serious offenses more often than male adolescents
(p. 83). The purpose of the article is to encourage more comprehensive gender-integrative studies
with special attentions to inclusion of multivariate and longitudinal designs to lead to a gender
integrate d model of delinquency programs that will result in efficient and effective delinquency
prevention and intervention programs/techniques
 Zamara 85

Jenness, V. (2004). Explaining criminalization: from demography and status politics to

globalization and modernization. Annual Review of Sociology , 147-176. [30]

Valerie Jenness in her article “Explaining criminalization: from demography and status
politics to globalization and modernization”, provides a review and critical evaluation of the
literature that examines the factors influencing criminalization. The article begins with the
examination of three streams of inquiry and theorizing: classic work that has shaped decades of
scholarship on criminalization; contemporary work that unpacks the nature of the relationships;
and the most recent work that portrays criminalization as a social process connected to larger
processes of institutionalization, globalization, and modernization. After this examination, the
article concludes with a discussion of the literature and a proposed agenda for additional research
on criminalization topics. Several different theoretical perspectives are discussed, such as: the
medical model of treatment, which focuses on treating the individual and curing their problem;
and the more contemporary structural frameworks. Contemporary work is committed to
“identifying the social actors, social institutions, and political processes that translate structural
conditions and triggering events into claims for legal reform” (p 12).
 Zamara 86

Kilgore, J. (2014). Mass Incarceration: Examining and Moving Beyond the New Jim Crow.

Critical Sociology , 41 (2), 1-13. [13]

James Kilgore’s article “Mass Incarceration: Examining and Moving Beyond the New
Jim Crow” critiques the writings of Michelle Alexander in her book The New Jim Crow. Kilgore
outlines her main thesis, then builds on and critiques her work by interrogating her notion of
“racial caste”, updating it to include more current racial demographics of incarcerated
populations. This article addresses structural oppression with the idea of “special dimensions of
cities”. Kilgore supports this idea with research by Cardora at the Justice Mapping center, which
shows “how the prosecution of mass incarceration has typically been highly concentrated in
small working-class areas”, also known as million dollar blocks (p 4). The women that are left
behind after their men have been incarcerated are also subject to criminalization from the state.
Often referred to as Welfare queens, these women face increasing regulations and punishments
for benefit abuse. Federal laws ban anyone with drug convictions from getting food stamps, and
restricted their access to public housing. Women living with their children or husbands, who are
convicted felons, are also subject to eviction and discontinued benefits (p 6).
 Zamara 87

MacDonald, J. M., & Chesney-Lind, M. (2001). Crime & Delinquency , 47 (2), 173-195. [23]

In the study by MacDonald and Chesney-Lind, a multiyear empirical examination of

gender bias in the handling of juvenile court cases in Hawaii provides an ideal comparative to
examine issues of gender equity, especially issues pertaining to race and ethnicity (p 180). This
study uses a mixture of previous qualitative studies and quantitative data collected by the Hawaii
State Judiciary and provided to the National Juvenile Court Data Archive (p 182). The sample
consisted of 85,692 cases referred to the Hawaii Family Court. Dependent variables were used to
measure gender differences in juvenile court outcome. The variables used three binary measures,
petition, adjudication, and disposition. The independent variables included both demographic
factors as well as the seriousness of the current offence. In order to test for significance, chi
square ratio test was used. Findings include: boys and girls in urban courts are more likely to be
petitioned; both boys and girls from poverty were also more likely to be petitioned; Age and
wealth of a youth’s residence had the most significant impact for only male offenders.
 Zamara 88

Nanda, J. (2012). Blind Discretion: Girls of Color & Delinquency in the Juvenile Justice system.
1-29. [29]

Jyoti Nanda co-chaired a symposium with Crenshaw and Ocen on “Overpoliced and
Underprotected Women, Race, and Criminalization”, from which she wrote her article “Blind
Discretion: Girls of Color & Delinquency in the Juvenile Justice System”. Nanda’s article
discusses the history and modern status of the JJS and the lack of relation to girls of color. In
order to highlight the scope of this problem, Nanda draws on intersectional analysis to
demonstrate how intersectional vulnerabilities, such as: race, gender, and class, interact with
structural barriers. (p 3). To support her claims, the article is broken down into four parts. The
first provides a brief history of the juvenile court and the power of discretion (p 5). Part two
analyzes studies that reveal inequalities within the JJS, and the disproportionate population of
girls of color (p 9). Part three examines various theories scholars articulate to explain
delinquency in girls (p 11). The final Part, proposes reforms that completely overhaul the current
JJS system. Using an intersectional framework to create solutions such as: involving system girls
as activists in the advocacy work; working closely with public health officials to frame juvenile
delinquency issues as public health concerns not criminal ones; acknowledging and disclosing
the ways in which the delinquency system seems to have two tracks based on racial inequalities;
and remaking the structure of juvenile court operations (p 15).
 Zamara 89

Schaffner, L. (1998). Female Juvenile Delinquency: Sexual Solutions, Gender Bias, and Juvenile

Justice. Hastings Women's Law Journal , 1-21. [21]

In Laurie Schaffner’s essay “Female Juvenile Delinquency: Sexual Solutions, Gender

Bias, and Juvenile Justice”, original ideas from Chesney-Lind are built upon to reexamine female
delinquency by contextualizing girls experiences. This essay is separated into three parts to argue
for the replacement of “gender-specific” awareness, which broadens our understanding of
gendered sexualization and their association with female delinquency (p 4). Socioeconomic class
stereotypes and racism also play a role in female delinquency, since white upper class females
may channel their anger into law school admissions, low income girls in trouble end up
combining anger with psychosexual and antisocial diagnoses and dispositions (p 6). Girls who
have been victims of sexual abuse and trauma often turn to sexual solutions for general life
problems, making delinquency the solution not the problem (p 2). Evidence in the essay shows
how girls’ delinquency often relates to the criminalization of their survival strategies (p 5).
Schaffner concludes, the sexualizing of female adolescence is a social, economic, political, and
community wide problem; that needs to be addresses at all those levels.
 Zamara 90

Sherman, F. (2012). Justice for Girls: Are We Making Progress? UCLA Law Review .
[33]

Francine Sherman discusses the history of federal leadership on girls issues, and the
movement toward data-driven decision-making for its “potential to reduce embedded gender bias
and bias at the intersection of race and gender” (p 3). Over 70% of all girls housed in detention
centers are there for status related offences, compared to only 20% of boys. In 1992, the
reauthorization of the JJDPA Act forced states to evaluate their “gender-specific services” and
provide new provisions, yet disparities and inequalities still exist today. Sherman advocates for a
developmental approach, in understanding both the behaviors that result in the girls arrests and
the structural mechanisms that pull them into the system. Understood ecologically as reactions to
tensions in the family, community, and society. These tensions may result in PTSD and other
mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression, studies show up to 81% of girls in the
JJS suffer from one of more mental health disorders. Victims of sexual exploitation are often
criminalized and punished instead of being seen as a victim in need of therapeutic services.
Mandatory arrest policies also lead to female arrests, since police are more likely to remove the
child than the more complicated process of removing the parent. These three intersections
explains why females are being arrested at what seems like increasing rates, except it is the
system itself that creates the avenues for females to offend.
 Zamara 91

Williams, R. (2009). : Developmental issues as a component of intersectionality defining the

smart-girl program. Race, Gender & Class , 82-101.

The article explores the concepts that race, gender, and class cannot operate
independently of each other (intersectionality) must also include developmental issues be added
for consideration when discussing and dissecting issues of intersectionality. The data is derived
from a program study. The program known as the “smart-girl program,” is a developmental
activity based mentor led for any middle school girl who is offered on an after school and
weekend basis as well as advisement programs during the day. The goal of this empowerment
program is to acknowledge gender roles and the ignoring of the female experience has done the
gender a huge injustice and secondary trauma over years. The smart-girl programs aim is to bring
light to say double standards and to allow for a female-based program to break down the
marginalization of the gender population. Additionally, the program also integrates cultural and
racial responsiveness to support a child’s connection to one’s own identity through integrative
activities. The mentor led groups serves as a microcosm of the society in which the children can
foster their own racial/cultural individuality, deconstruct societal constructs such as gender
constricted roles and expectations, and continue to allow developmental stages to be an ongoing
conversation within the lens of intersectionality. The strategies employed within the program
have shown to have a positive impact on adolescent development. In closing, the gender roles
have within it, complexities that’s are compounded by intersectionality and developmental stages
normative struggles, “Negotiating the challenges of being an adolescent girl is difficult enough;
the pressures and stressed experienced by members of oppressed groups, and can even be
overwhelming without guidance (p. 96).”
 Zamara 92

HCOM 358
Crenshaw, K. (1991). Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and

Violence against Women of Color. Stanford Law Review, 43(6). p.1241-1299 [58]

This article by Kimberly Crenshaw focuses on the intersection of race, gender and
politics. In particular how the dichotomy of good/bad women, especially women of color and
poor economic backgrounds are marginalized in legal systems. Crenshaw discusses the
inequalities women of color face when involved in the court system, their treatment are
significantly different than white women. Beginning with the way laws are created, shaped only
through the lens of white women and overlooking the concerns of special populations. Instead
they are used to blame the victim, and criminalize them being a person of color, or being poor.
For the purpose of this essay, I will focus on the dichotomy referenced above. Views of
women of color are sexualized and often judged before they have the chance to prove
themselves. This will link to my case study of Jessica O, as well as providing a theoretical
framework under methodologies. Jessica O has a criminal wrap sheet as long she is tall, a perfect
example of how her experience of generational poverty, abuse, and violence predisposed her to
commit criminal acts. Time and time gain she is criminalized for actions, which are actually
symptoms of trauma and ways to cope.
 Zamara 93

Neiman, Nicole, "Gender Bias in the Juvenile Justice System" (2015). Law School Student

Scholarship. Paper 790. http://scholarship.shu.edu/student_scholarship/790 1-26 [26]

This article “ asserts that this increase involvement of girls in the Juvenile justice system
is attributable in part to the criminal justice system’s failure to meet the gender-specific needs of
girls”. She supports her claims through analysis of domestic violence, status offenses, and male
based built environments. This paper articulates each of my main findings, and will also be used
to help shape the overall framework of my essay. It is thoughtfully organized and easily
understood, this can help me simplify my writing to my target audience.
 Zamara 94

Marsha L. Levick and Francine T. Sherman, When Individual Differences Demand Equal
Treatment: An Equal Rights Approach to the Special Needs of Girls in the Juvenile
Justice System, 18 Wisconsin Women's Law Journal. 9 (2003) 1-56 [56]

This article examines the need for equal rights protection through Title IX of the
Education amendments of 1972, Equal Protection Clause, and the state Equal Rights
Amendments. The article begins by exploring the pathways they take into the juvenile justice
system, followed by a review of the overarching purpose and philosophy of the individualized
treatment approach used in the juvenile justice system. Using several examples to support their
claims, and argue for a “girl designed approach” to a “boy only system”. They identify several
inequalities, ranging from the built environment to the treatment and rehabilitation process.
Similar to other research, they highlight the absence of treatment plans that incorporate
generational predispositions stemming from sexual and physical trauma, mental health issues,
and poverty. The system is set to rehabilitate boys into men, based on aggression and violence
prevention.
I will use this article in the second portion of the findings, about the intersection of
trauma and the offenses they commit. As well as the solutions section as the article, which
continues to support the gender specific needs approach for girls in the Juvenile Justice System.