2024-03-29T11:11:34Zhttps://thescholarship.ecu.edu/oai/requestoai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/39082021-03-03T20:54:18Zcom_10342_122com_10342_55com_10342_1col_10342_124col_10342_71
2014-05-31T12:06:21Z
urn:hdl:10342/3908
Tourism, Pilgrimage, and Development in Bodhgaya, Bihar, India
Searcy, Sarah
Jacobs, A. J.
Sociology
Sociology
Religious history
Bodhgaya
Buddhism
Development
India
Pilgrimage
Tourism
In 2002, the Mahabodhi Temple, located in Bodhgaya, Bihar, India, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a designation that reflects both the site's religious and cultural significance. While Bodhgaya is considered the birthplace of Buddhism and is a revered axis mundi for all Buddhist denominations, the town is also located in one of the poorest and least developed states in India. It is a place where spiritual wealth and material indigence uneasily coexist. The pilgrimage and tourist activities that have accompanied the town's status as religiously and culturally significant have resulted in growing tensions between stakeholder groups over the site's development as a place for devotional practice or a place for recreation and leisure. National, state, and local governments, international visitors, and local village populations are bound up in a web of interrelated interests and intentions and no group is exempt from the struggle to develop the site. This struggle has altered Bodhgaya's physical and social landscape and has posed important questions concerning the equitable and sustainable development of the town.   This thesis investigates the motivations and expectations of international visitors and how international visitors frame their experiences in Bodhgaya. It also seeks to reveal other stakeholders driving Bodhgaya's development and how the motivations and interests of international visitors and other stakeholders have combined, conflicted, and ultimately shaped Bodhgaya's development into a major hub for Buddhist pilgrimage and tourism in Eastern India. The use of a qualitative approach, which utilizes in-depth interviews and field observation, strengthens this study because it helps uncover the underlying nuances surrounding international pilgrim-tourists views of Bodhgaya and its communities.   The review of literature and the analysis of international pilgrim-tourist interviews presented in this thesis show that pilgrimage and tourism are major drivers of development in Bodhgaya and important contributors to the town's economy, and that a conflict exists between international pilgrim-tourists' views of Bodhgaya as a devotional space and the Government of India, the State of Bihar, and the Bodhgaya Panchayat's views of Bodhgaya as a recreational tourist space. It also examines a subset of international pilgrim-tourists, termed egopilgrims, who visit Bodhgaya to acquire various capitals (the most important being spiritual capital) and desire the town to remain underdeveloped in order to experience the suffering necessary for heightening their practices. This thesis concludes that infrastructural considerations are paramount to the sustainable and equitable development of Bodhgaya, no matter the use of the site as devotional or recreational, and that NGOs and non-profits are taking the lead in Bodhgaya's equitable and sustainable development in the absence of foresight and action by governmental bodies. Â
2012-05-20T15:27:12Z
2014-05-31T12:06:21Z
2012
Master's Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/3908
East Carolina University
oai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/37552022-12-12T15:09:28Zcom_10342_122com_10342_55com_10342_1col_10342_124col_10342_71
2012-07-31T13:08:19Z
urn:hdl:10342/3755
International Students in US Colleges and Universities : Eating Habits, Cultural Identity, and Dietary Acculturation
Noyongoyo, Boniface
Corra, Mamadi
Sociology
Sociology
African studies
International relations
Acculturation
African students
Dietary acculturation
Eating habits
International students
Sub-Saharan Africa
The aim of this study is to assess international students' dietary acculturation issues with a focus on students of African origins in the United States. Responses of 142 participants from a survey that was sent out in spring 2011 are analyzed, supplemented with data from in-depth interviews conducted at that same time period. Participants aged 18-48 completed the self-administered questionnaire that asked about eating habits before and after moving to the U.S. We found that students from sub-Saharan Africa (16% of the sample) face more challenges in the U.S. than students from other origins. Results of the analysis suggest that food choices of international students, especially those from Africa, are guided by the availability of students' native foods in local stores, as well as the time spent in the United States. Newcomers in the country tend to look for foods they know. However, those who have lived in the U.S. more than 25 months find ways to adapt by either cooking or relying on friends they find in the area. There is an increase, especially among sub-Saharan African students, of items that are typical to American diet such as TV (frozen) dinners, packaged cakes, tea/coffee and a decrease in foods from their country of origin. Hence, dietary acculturation is a consequence of length of time, friendship ties, and availability of imported native foods. Â
2012-01-18T20:15:34Z
2012-07-31T13:08:19Z
2011
Master's Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/3755
East Carolina University
oai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/85812021-03-03T22:08:21Zcom_10342_122com_10342_55com_10342_1col_10342_124col_10342_71
2020-06-24T01:16:57Z
urn:hdl:10342/8581
THE IMPACT OF FORMAL AND INFORMAL CONTROLS ON RECIDIVISM IN NORWAY AND THE UNITED STATES: THE CASE OF NORTH DAKOTA PRISON EXPERIMENT
Hilliard, Taylor E
Juska, Arunus
The goal of this research is to investigate to what degree the differences in recidivism rates can be accounted by differences in the dynamics of interaction between informal and formal aspects of prison organizations and their cultures in the United States and Norway. Effectiveness of prison policies as impacted by interactions of informal and formal groups within and outside the correctional systems is analyzed by using U.S. and Scandinavian Census data, official reports, and secondary literature review. Data on the North Dakota Prison Experiment was collected on a visit to two of North Dakota's correctional facilities. A counselor from the Organization for Families and Friends of Prisoners based out of Oslo, Norway was also interviewed. Scandinavian policy implications for strategies to reduce recidivism in the United States are discussed.
2020-06-24T01:16:57Z
2020-06-24T01:16:57Z
5/1/2020
Master's Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/8581
East Carolina University
oai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/40182021-03-03T20:57:46Zcom_10342_122com_10342_55com_10342_1col_10342_124col_10342_71
2014-10-01T14:45:54Z
urn:hdl:10342/4018
Adolescent Stress Induced by Family Structures and its Effect on Adult Health : A Longitudinal Assessment
McDonald, Maria Trull
Van Willigen, Marieke
Sociology
Social research
Social structure
Adolescents
Family structure
Health
Long-term health
Stress
This study strives to explain the decrease in health among children and young adults in the United States in recent decades, by examining the relationship between adolescent family environments and health measures of the individuals as adults. The study utilizes the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) dataset Waves I and IV to analyze health measures commonly used to rate the wear and tear on the body, such as high blood pressure, BMI (Body Mass Index), diabetes, high cholesterol, and poor purported health. Findings suggest that family structure during adolescence is an important predictor of adult health outcomes. Yet, it also underscores that family structure is complicated and cannot be simplified into a traditional versus nontraditional family dichotomy.   Results from Logistic Regression models indicate when disaggregating the many different forms of "alternative family forms" that the two biological parent home is not necessarily less stressful than all alternative family forms. Siblings also play a very integral part in the relationship between family structure and health as an adult. Multivariate models suggest that siblings have a positive effect in the family. In particular, being an only child is associated with higher levels of obesity and high blood pressure. Finding presented here underscore the importance of siblings to long term health. Yet, they also provide some preliminary support for the perspective that different types of siblings may have different impacts. Indeed it appears that variations in sibling structure may explain some of the association between guardian structure and long term health. This study confirms the conclusions of other researchers that health among young people in this country is on the decline. Â
2012-09-04T18:14:33Z
2014-10-01T14:45:54Z
2012
Master's Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/4018
East Carolina University
oai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/106592023-11-21T19:53:42Zcom_10342_122com_10342_55com_10342_1col_10342_124col_10342_71
2022-06-09T19:12:40Z
urn:hdl:10342/10659
PROTESTING THE POLICE: HOW SITUATIONAL THREATS ELICIT POLICE REPRESSION AT PROTEST EVENTS TARGETING THE POLICE.
Horne, Gabrielle Maria
Edwards, Bob, 1958-
Sociology
Protest Policing
Threat
Protests targeting the police
Protests challenging the police pose a significant reputational threat to law enforcement. The threat hypothesis states that police repression is motivated by the desire to maintain social control, and when threats arise, police will act to incapacitate them. Reputational threat literature has established that police are more likely to be present and intervene at protests with goals challenging them. However, an investigation of police action at only protests that target the police has yet to be conducted. Using the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), all protest events from the month of June 2020 with goals targeting the police (n=5,900) - in support of BLM, anti-police brutality, against the death of George Floyd or other minority individuals killed by police, and other goals seeking to remove the social control of police - were analyzed to investigate how police intervene (arrest, use force/violence, or both arrest and use force/violence) at these events when situational threats are present. The results of this study illustrate police are more likely to intervene at protests targeting them when situational threats were present. Furthermore, the forms of situational threats present elicited different forms of policing interventions.
2022-06-09T19:12:40Z
2022-06-09T19:12:40Z
2022-05
2022-05-13
May 2022
2022-06-07T16:42:59Z
Master's Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/10659
en
East Carolina University
oai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/124422023-03-28T17:24:56Zcom_10342_55com_10342_1col_10342_71
2023-03-28T17:24:56Z
urn:hdl:10342/12442
Community Lost? Changes and Stratification in Perceived Neighborhood Social Cohesion among Families with Children
Campbell, Colin
et al
neighborhood social cohesion
social capital
community
2023-03-28T17:24:56Z
2023-03-28T17:24:56Z
2022
Article
2378-0231
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/12442
10.1177/23780231221079997
en_US
oai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/40162021-03-03T20:55:35Zcom_10342_122com_10342_2com_10342_1com_10342_55col_10342_124col_10342_8858col_10342_71
2012-09-04T18:14:32Z
urn:hdl:10342/4016
Characteristics of Police Departments in the State of North Carolina Which Predict the Attrition of Sexual Assault Cases
Jones, Lenna Raye
Mooney, Linda A.
Sociology
Sociology
Criminology
Women's studies
Case attrition
Differential association
Police culture
Policing
Rape myth acceptance
Rape
Sexual assault
The high rate of attrition in sexual assault cases may be a result of members of the criminal justice systems preconceived notions about the crime of rape and rape victims, a phenomenon known as rape myth acceptance (RMA). Because one of the largest rates of attrition for sex crimes occurs in the police investigative stage, researchers have suggested that police officers in general have extremely high levels of RMA. Nevertheless, studies have shown that a college education is an important moderator of RMA. I propose that across police departments, those with a higher percentage of officers with at least a four year degree will have a smaller justice gap for sex crimes. Using Sutherland's theory of differential association, I hypothesize that when the characteristics of officers in a department which are unfavorable to RMA increase, that the social learning process amongst the officers can diffuse anti-RMA attitudes throughout the department and increase the likelihood of case clearance department wide. Using pre-existing data and a survey instrument sent to a purposive sample of 258 law enforcement agencies in North Carolina which reported to the UCR in both 2009 and 2010, I perform quantitative analyses to determine which aggregate characteristics of officers predict a smaller justice gap. The results of my analyses support my hypothesis that across police agencies, the increased percentages of four year degrees is one of the most important predictors of a smaller justice gap for reported sex crimes. Â
2012-09-04T18:14:32Z
2012-09-04T18:14:32Z
2012
Master's Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/4016
East Carolina University
oai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/61532021-03-03T21:14:00Zcom_10342_122com_10342_55com_10342_1col_10342_124col_10342_71
2017-05-31T14:15:46Z
urn:hdl:10342/6153
American Born Imams: Negotiating Clerical Responsibilities and Expectations
Askar, Anas
Maril, Robert Lee
Sociology
Muslims
Board
This inductive, exploratory study seeks to understand in detail the personal perspectives and career paths that American born Imams experience as they become religious leaders. In doing so, this study will examine their objectives and goals for the religious communities in which they reside and are integrally related. More specifically, this study analyzes the responsibilities and expectations with which imams must contend on a daily basis. Symbolic interactionism frames these issues and, at the same time, is the driving force behind an understanding of the imams' experiences as well as those of other important actors in Muslim communities. Employing structured and in-depth interviews, this convenience sample of American born imams addresses key questions which inductively give rise to three major themes: imams currently receive inadequate training for their positions as religious leaders in their communities; the relationship between the mosque board and an imam can directly reinforce or mitigate against problems within the religious community; and certain fundamental advantages along with disadvantages emerge for imams who are American born.
2017-05-31T14:15:46Z
2017-05-31T14:15:46Z
2017-05
2017-05-03
May 2017
2017-05-30T17:08:24Z
Master's Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/6153
en
East Carolina University
oai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/37562021-03-03T20:55:28Zcom_10342_122com_10342_55com_10342_1col_10342_124col_10342_71
2012-01-18T20:15:34Z
urn:hdl:10342/3756
The Role of Cultural Capital and Parental Involvement in Educational Achievement and Implications for Public Policy
Underwood, Justin J.
Maril, Robert Lee
Sociology
Sociology
Education policy
Cultural capital
Culture
Parental involvement
Sociology
Using the theory of social and cultural reproduction originally posited by Pierre Bourdieu, I test the idea that social status and individual culture affect academic achievement. The data used for this analysis was from the first panel of the Education Longitudinal Study (ELS), a survey sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education and based on a nationally representative sample of 16,719 tenth-grade respondents in 2002. As one would expect, the measure of student's ability was the only variable that remained significant throughout for both classes and racial groups throughout all statistical models. The difference in the importance of upper class students and lower class is dependent on race. These findings are bolstered by other studies that show parental involvement has been shown to mediate the effects of race and socioeconomic resources in achievement gaps it could also be used as a possible strategy for reducing the achievement gap even in the presence of cultural capital. Â
2012-01-18T20:15:34Z
2012-01-18T20:15:34Z
2011
Master's Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/3756
East Carolina University
oai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/45662021-03-03T20:56:19Zcom_10342_122com_10342_55com_10342_1col_10342_124col_10342_71
2017-02-07T22:22:34Z
urn:hdl:10342/4566
How Does it Feel to be a Problem? : Race, Sexuality and the Black College
Lang, Marissa Nichole
Pearce, Susan C.
Sociology
Social research
African American studies
Higher education
Historically black colleges
Sexuality
This project examines the climate of the Historically Black College as it pertains to acceptance of sexual minorities. Many studies have tested for attitudes towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) groups at Predominantly White Universities (PWUs), but have failed to inlcude Black higher education in the discussion. This study fills the scholarly gap addressing students' attitudes towards lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) persons at the site of the Historically Black College. The objective of this project is to examine why attitudes towards LGB groups might be different on the campus of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in comparison to Predominantly White Universities. In addition, this study aims to open an academic segue to include Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the greater scholarly dialogue regarding sexual minorities and higher education. Â
2014-08-28T15:05:45Z
2017-02-07T22:22:34Z
2014
Master's Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/4566
East Carolina University
oai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/69342022-12-12T15:09:12Zcom_10342_122com_10342_55com_10342_1col_10342_124col_10342_71
2020-01-23T09:01:55Z
urn:hdl:10342/6934
College Spillover Effects; Reassessing Whites' Racial Beliefs and Policy Attitudes
Johnson, Jerry, Jr
Corra, Mamadi
Sociology
College Spillover effects
Educational effects
College educated people hold distinct racial beliefs and policy attitudes from people who did not attend college. The current study examines "College Spillover Effects." Specifically, does the effect of a college education on racial beliefs and policy attitudes also impact those dispositions in people who did not go to college but hold close social ties with a college graduate? While existing research on racial attitudes does not address college spillover effects, college educated Whites have been associated with decreased odds of holding racist beliefs, and with no such association to support for policies that would address racial inequality. Using cumulative data from the General Social Survey, I compare two groups of White high school graduates; (1) those married to White high school graduates, and (2) those married to White College graduates. Logistic and Ordered Logistic regression models reveal that there are college spillover effects in White couples with differing levels of education, net of relevant control variables. In general, White high school graduates married to college graduates exhibit decreased odds of holding racist beliefs and decreased odds of strongly opposing race-targeting policies than those married to other high school graduates. College spillover effects were not found in support for Affirmative action, though females exhibit decreased odds of strongly opposing these programs. Additionally, as age and income increases, so do the odds for strongly opposing preferential hiring of blacks. The idea of When and Why the effects that college has on racial beliefs and policy attitudes would spillover in social groups is discussed, and suggestions for future research are noted.
2018-08-14T14:06:41Z
2020-01-23T09:01:55Z
2018-08
2018-07-23
August 2018
2018-08-09T19:59:39Z
Master's Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/6934
en
East Carolina University
oai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/123472023-02-21T08:16:20Zcom_10342_55com_10342_1col_10342_71
2023-02-20T14:29:50Z
urn:hdl:10342/12347
Timing and Persistence of Material Hardship Among Children in the United States
Campbell, Colin
O’Brien, Grant
Tumin, Dmitry
Social determinants of health
Material hardship
Children
2023-02-20T14:29:50Z
2023-02-20T14:29:50Z
2022-05-14
Article
1092-7875
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/12347
10.1007/s10995-022-03448-9
en_US
oai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/86432021-03-03T22:08:38Zcom_10342_122com_10342_55com_10342_1col_10342_124col_10342_71
2020-06-30T08:01:55Z
urn:hdl:10342/8643
A Sociological Analysis of the Relationship Status of Mothers Following a Nonmarital Birth
Fox, Keely Maelynn
Campbell, Colin
The purpose of this work was to understand relationship transitions that unmarried parents experience after a nonmarital birth. This thesis uses data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a longitudinal survey of approximately 5,000 families from 20 cities with more than 200,000 residents across the United States. This thesis examines the extent to which factors such as health, financial resources, and relationship commitment are associated with relationship status five years after a non-marital birth among mothers. The findings show that health is not associated with relationship status, but relationship commitment and financial resources are both associated with the likelihood of marriage or cohabitation five years after experiencing a nonmarital birth.
2020-06-30T04:23:22Z
2020-06-30T08:01:55Z
5/1/2020
2020-06-22
Master's Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/8643
East Carolina University
oai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/40172022-12-13T18:16:48Zcom_10342_122com_10342_2com_10342_1com_10342_55com_10342_6421col_10342_124col_10342_8858col_10342_71col_10342_6422
2013-10-31T12:06:13Z
urn:hdl:10342/4017
RESOURCE MOBILIZATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL MORTALITY IN THE NORTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT, 2003-2009
Kim, Hyun Woo
Edwards, Bob, 1958-
Sociology
Sociology
Organizational theory
Environmental movement
Organizational disbanding
Social movements
Social movement organizations
Professionalization is pointed out as one of the most salient trends that contemporary advocacy groups have experienced. The previous literature has focused largely on descriptive characteristics of professionalization of social movement organizations (SMOs) or major impacts of professionalization on movement operations. Little systematic attention has been paid to the implications of contemporary trends of professionalization on organizational mortality. In this research, I take two approaches in order to elaborate the relations of professionalization and mortality. First, my analysis integrates both the selective and adaptive mechanisms from perspectives of organizational ecology and resource mobilization perspectives, and hypothesize that both offer important explanations on organizational mortality. Second, I maintain that diverse types of resources and structural attributes generate asymmetrical effects on the persistence or mortality of SMOs, and these impacts are to be explained differently depending on whether it is grassroots or professionalized SMOs. This research utilizes a unique empirical data set of local environmental advocacy organizations in North Carolina. Original organizational survey conducted in 2003 and follow-up survey confirming the organizational existence in 2010 offer rich and rigorous measurements of population- and organizational-level characteristics of the North Carolina environmental SMOs. I use logistic regression models to analyze statistical predictors in explaining organizational mortality. Based on the split-data approach that reveals the differential impacts of organizational demography, bureaucracy and membership structures, human and material resources, movement tactics on organizational mortality depending on whether the SMO is grassroots or professionalized, I find the mortality predictors are strikingly different depending on it is professionalized or grassroots SMOs, concluding that both organizational ecology and resource mobilization perspectives provide complimentary explanations on nuanced effects of professionalization of environmental SMOs on the local profile of environmental movement organizations.
2012-09-04T18:14:32Z
2013-10-31T12:06:13Z
2012
Master's Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/4017
East Carolina University
oai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/76442021-03-03T21:26:07Zcom_10342_122com_10342_55com_10342_1col_10342_124col_10342_71
2020-02-04T15:23:24Z
urn:hdl:10342/7644
THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF CHILDHOOD IN AMERICAN FILMS (1927-2018)
Lucas, Sherrie
Jacobs, Andrew James, 1963-
Sociology
childism
childhood
This study explored the social construction of childhood in American films from 1927-2018. A content analysis of 30 films was conducted. The sample consisted of films that were near the top of the list of the highest grossing films of the year and that featured a child in a lead or supporting role. Data were obtained to examine children's character and role types; children's activities, locations, coactors, behaviors, and characteristics; and the attitudes and behaviors of adults towards children. Children were overwhelmingly portrayed negatively, stereotypically, and in need of socialization to become fully evolved adults. In relation to adults, children were oppressed and controlled while being socialized, enculturated, and used in adult plans to achieve selfish ends. However, positive portrayals included children being helpful and caring, intelligent, deserving of empathy and protection, and competent in interpreting and acting on their social world. These themes were explained within the context of significant sociohistorical factors occurring between 1927 and 2018. Finally, childhood as a social construct was positioned and explained within a larger system of hegemonic power.
2020-02-04T15:23:24Z
2020-02-04T15:23:24Z
2019-12
2019-12-10
December 2019
2020-01-29T14:30:24Z
Master's Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/7644
en
East Carolina University
oai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/37932021-03-03T20:58:01Zcom_10342_55com_10342_1col_10342_71
2012-04-05T18:15:06Z
urn:hdl:10342/3793
Mosaics of Change: The First Decade of Life in the New Eastern Europe
Pearce, Susan C.
Sojka, Eugenia
Poland
Eastern Europe
Lithuania
Latvia
Russia
Roma (people)
Romania
Bulgaria
Hungary
Croatia
Post-Communist transition
These papers consitute the Conference Proceedings from Cultural Transformations and Civil Society: Reflecting on a Decade of Change, May 13-16, 1999 at Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. True to the conference organizational design, the essays in this book are grouped thematically rather than by discipline. Thus, the reader finds varying perspectives on a number of cultural processes that are observable in the region: tradition revived and contested, inventions and innovations, new publics, and
the politics of culture. We use this approach to encourage crossdisciplinary and cross-national dialogue.
2012-04-05T18:15:06Z
2012-04-05T18:15:06Z
2000
Book
Pearce, Susan C. and Sojka, Eugenia, eds. Mosaics of Change: The First Decade of Life in the New Eastern Europe. Conference Proceedings from Cultural Transformations and Civil Society: Reflecting on a Decade of Change. Gdansk, Poland: Civic Education Project, 2000.
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/3793
en
Gdansk, Poland: Civic Education Project
oai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/48812022-12-12T15:09:04Zcom_10342_122com_10342_55com_10342_1col_10342_124col_10342_71
2016-06-14T19:26:14Z
urn:hdl:10342/4881
Predictors of Perceptions toward the Confederate Flag : The Impacts of Social Class and Sub-Regional Differences
Talbert, Ryan
Corra, Mamadi
Sociology
Sociology
Social research
American history
Social classes
Confederate flags
Cultural symbols
Deep South
Racial attitudes
Southern identity
Individuals typically fall within one of two categories when perceiving the Confederate flag: one, that it reflects Southern culture and regional pride, or two, that it represents racism and hatred. This work makes a case for the addition of social class and sub-regional residence to the understanding of perceptions toward the Confederate flag. I utilize two separate datasets, one that allows control for racial attitudes, and the other a control for Southern identity. In the former, I test the effects of social class and sub-regional residence in predicting whether a person supports the removal of the Confederate flag from the South Carolina Capitol, and in the latter, I test whether a respondent has a negative reaction to the Confederate flag. These analyses show that in both national samples, social class has an independent effect on perceptions to the flag. Respondents of the upper class are more likely to reject the public display of the flag and to have a negative reaction when presented with the symbol relative to members of the lower class. This thesis also shows that not only does being from the Non-South and Border States predict a stronger likelihood of wanting the Confederate flag removed relative to the Deep South respondents, but that different factors matter within the four sub-regions in predicting perception toward flag. For example, being from a rural area statistically predicts perception toward the flag only within the Deep South. In line with previous research, racial attitudes, Southern identity, and race, among other variables, predict flag perceptions. Further split model analyses show that key independent variables contrast among Black and White respondents, and lower, middle, and upper class respondents. Results are consistent with both symbolic politics theory and racial threat theory. Â
2015-06-04T19:53:15Z
2016-06-14T19:26:14Z
2015
Master's Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/4881
East Carolina University
oai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/18262021-03-03T20:56:01Zcom_10342_122com_10342_55com_10342_1col_10342_124col_10342_71
2013-06-06T12:22:39Z
urn:hdl:10342/1826
Human-Animal Bond : Attachment vs. Objectification
Walton, Magdalen J.
Reiser, Christa, 1947-
Sociology
Sociology
Factory farms
Farm animals
Human-animal bond
Pets
The bond between human beings and their pets is multi-faceted. Some doting "parents" view their companion animals as members of their families, while others maintain the more traditional expectation of service or commodification. Similar to the diversity evident in pet ownership, the relationship between humans and farm animals also varies broadly. Livestock on family farms are treated as sentient beings where they are properly socialized and treated respectfully. In dramatic contrast, factory raised farm animals are treated inhumanely. Research has shown that human-pet relationships can influence our level of concern and knowledge for other animals. However, little if any research has been done to examine if relationships with companion animals influence concern for animals raised in factory farms. In order to evaluate this relationship, a quantitative telephone survey of pet owners in Pitt County, North Carolina was conducted. Respondents were asked a series of questions about their relationships with their pets which allowed them to be placed in one of three categories of human-pet bond: humanist, protectionist, or dominionist as described by David Blouin (2009). Respondents were also asked a series of questions about their concern for and knowledge of industrialized raised farm animals. The purpose of this study was to examine whether pet owners' type of emotional attachment to their own animal or animals influenced their level of knowledge and concern for factory-raised farm animals. This study displayed that pet owners could loosely be placed into one of Blouin's three orientations of human-pet bond using a simple qualitative sample. However, the typology needs revision. The type of human-pet bond was not found to influence level of knowledge of factory-raised farm animals, but was related to level of concern for the animals. Â
2013-06-06T12:22:39Z
2013-06-06T12:22:39Z
2013
Master's Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/1826
East Carolina University
oai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/128572023-06-05T13:55:21Zcom_10342_122com_10342_55com_10342_1col_10342_124col_10342_71
2023-06-05T13:55:21Z
urn:hdl:10342/12857
Muslim Americans and Symbolic Boundaries: A Trend Study
Ziglar, Hamza
Sociology
Muslim, Symbolic Boundaries
The Muslim American community is a unique social group that has had some research conducted on it, but not much has been done to assist this group with combatting discrimination and Islamophobia. The Pew Research Center has conducted Muslim American surveys from 2007-2017 in which they have shown a steady increase in the number of Muslims in America. These numbers show that the Muslim American population has increased from 2.35 million in 2007 to 2.75 million in 2011 to 3.45 million in 2017. In this study, I seek to create a linear profile of the members of the Muslim American community by applying the theory of symbolic boundaries as well as identifying and explaining three main themes. First, I examine religious attitudinal values: religious identity vs national identity, importance of religion, views on wearing the hijab, and belief in a meritocracy in the United States. Second, I examine religious adherence values; mosque attendance and daily prayer. Third, I examine core social attitudinal values; interpretation of the teaching of Islam, perception of the role of immigrants in American society, and potential conflicts between Islam and modern society. Furthermore, I seek to identify if Muslim Americans possess a higher religious identity than national identity, whether or not Muslim Americans will abandon the rituals and beliefs of their religion in order to fit into American society, and if national identity will waver depending on the national / political climate during each survey year.
2023-06-05T13:55:21Z
2023-06-05T13:55:21Z
2023-05
2023-05-04
May 2023
2023-06-02T15:41:05Z
Master's Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/12857
en
East Carolina University
oai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/106622023-12-18T19:42:26Zcom_10342_122com_10342_55com_10342_1col_10342_124col_10342_71
2022-06-09T19:14:56Z
urn:hdl:10342/10662
The Black community and bodily autonomy : where do we go from here?
King, Nykaysia
Pearce, Susan C
Sociology
Agency
Black Queer People
Through this thesis I sought to add to the literature regarding the influence of pervasive police brutality on young Black people. In it I explore the relationship between police brutality and influence on Black people's bodily autonomy by gender, gender identity, and sexuality. Through the lenses of Afro-Pessimism and Intersectionality, I find that the pervasive culture of police violence influences the bodily autonomy of young Black people. This influence varies by gender, gender identity, and sexuality, mirroring the policing of Black people's bodies throughout history. As such, I advocate for structural change in policing such that young Black people can self-autonomize and self-actualize as full human beings whose lives matter and have independent meaning.
2022-06-09T19:14:56Z
2022-06-09T19:14:56Z
2022-05
2022-05-12
May 2022
2022-06-07T16:43:10Z
Master's Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/10662
en
East Carolina University
oai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/50342022-12-13T18:16:40Zcom_10342_122com_10342_2com_10342_1com_10342_55com_10342_6421col_10342_124col_10342_8858col_10342_71col_10342_6422
2017-08-24T14:50:55Z
urn:hdl:10342/5034
Which Resources Matter? : Resources And The Impact Of North Carolina Environmental Organizations
Saville, Anne
Edwards, Bob, 1958-
Sociology
Sociology
This paper focuses on the role that resources have in predicting the impact of an environmental organizations. This study contributes to an emerging stream of research literature on social movements that explicitly uses these recent refinements in resource mobilization theory (RMT) to examine the importance of resources for understanding social movements and social movement organizations (SMOs). Two broad questions will be answered in this study. 1) To what extent do SMOs with access to greater amounts of varied resource types have greater impact on policy and gain increased recognition and support? 2) Are some resource types more strongly associated with impacts than others? SMOs are able to survive and create outcomes through the mobilization of resources. However, relatively little attention has been given to the study of the relationship between movement organization impacts and the variations in resources mobilized, organizational form, social change strategies, and activities. In keeping consistent with RMT, I expect that access to social capital, organizational form, material resources, human resources, cultural resources, and moral resources are important factors for explaining organizational outcomes. I hypothesize that social capital, organizational form, material resources, human resources, cultural resources, and moral resources are positively related to perceived organizational impact. Additionally, I expect to find that some resources play a bigger role in organizational impact than others. North Carolina environmental organizations are used as the sample since North Carolina is an average state when it comes to environmental standards. This thesis will analyze the relationship between resources and the impact of environmental organizations by using OLS regression models. Resources have been proven to be necessary in SMO emergence and other aspects; however, this study has reiterated the importance of resources in organizational impact. Resources are vital for organizations to meet their goals. Without a combination of social capital, organizational form resources, material resources, human resources, cultural resources, and moral resources, organizations are less likely to have an impact on policy and recognition and awareness. In other words, obtaining only one category of resources is not enough for achieve organizational impact.
2015-08-24T19:39:26Z
2017-08-24T14:50:55Z
2015
Master's Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/5034
East Carolina University
oai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/48802021-03-03T20:56:39Zcom_10342_122com_10342_55com_10342_1col_10342_124col_10342_71
2015-06-04T19:53:15Z
urn:hdl:10342/4880
Generational Differences and Predictors of Variance in Marital Attitudes among Men
Lampert, Chloe
Van Willigen, Marieke, 1966-
Sociology
Social research
Marital attitudes
Marriage
Masculinity
Men
The rise of cohabitation, premarital sex, childbearing outside of marriage, and a higher average age for first marriage allude to changes in the institution of marriage, and perhaps a changing society. According to a 2010 Pew Research Center report, 22% of Millennials are married, while a third of Generation X’s and over 40% of the Baby Boomers were married when they were the same age. Much of the literature groups men homogenously, so this study chose to focus on men and the potential differences between them, specifically regarding marital attitudes. Literature suggests that marital attitudes may have changed due to a transformation in gender ideology, and that there are differences between generations regarding marital attitudes. The most talked about difference in the literature is that of between the newest generation of adults, the Millennials, and all previous generations that are still living. The main purpose of this study was to see if there are differences in marital attitudes between the Millennial men, men of Generation X, the Baby Boomer men, and men of the Silent Generation. Using data from the 2010 Changing American Family Survey, statistical analyses were conducted to determine if a real difference exists between men of Millennial generation and men of all previous generations, and to see how marital attitudes may vary between different social groups of men. Bivariate analyses found that the Millennials are evenly divided on how they feel about the institution of marriage, while multivariate analyses found that the Millennials aren’t significantly different from the Generation X’s. The significant difference is between Generation X and the combined Silent/Boomer generation. This difference is maintained across all regression models. While gender ideology does predict attitudes about marriage, it does not explain the generational differences in attitudes among men suggesting that other factors are at play. Â
2015-06-04T19:53:15Z
2015-06-04T19:53:15Z
2015
Master's Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/4880
East Carolina University
oai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/91072022-12-01T09:02:00Zcom_10342_122com_10342_55com_10342_1col_10342_124col_10342_71
2022-12-01T09:02:00Z
urn:hdl:10342/9107
Cross-National Variation in Aggregate Levels of Life Satisfaction of Gay Men
Morris, Hannah
Kane, Melinda D
Sociology
Life Satisfaction
Gay Happiness
This project examined the cross-national variation in aggregate levels of life satisfaction of gay men. Using data from the Gay Happiness Index, the World Values Survey, the European Values Study, the International Lesbian, Gay, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGA), and other secondary sources, I analyzed the determinants of life satisfaction for gay men in 76 countries. Aggregate levels of life satisfaction for gay men were expected to be influenced by the same determinants of life satisfaction for the general population, which included cultural factors such as a country's dominant religion, level of religiosity, and gender equality and socio-political factors such as a country's level of democracy and economic development, as supported by existing literature. Factors unique to the population, however, could also influence aggregate levels of life satisfaction of gay men. Specifically, I expected aggregate levels of public opinion toward gay men and country-level legislation dealing with the criminalization, recognition, and protection of sexual minority populations to significantly influence national-levels of life satisfaction among gay men. Several ordinary least squares (OLS) regression models were used to analyze the data. Aggregate levels of life satisfaction for the general population, as ascertained by the World Values Survey and the European Values Study, were used to better understand what factors may be unique determinants of the life satisfaction of gay men. This study took something traditionally viewed with a microsociological lens and brought it to the macrosociological stage by analyzing cross-national variation in aggregate levels of life satisfaction within the cultural and socio-political context. The results of this study helped to identify the factors that influence life satisfaction for sexual minority groups, and they should prove useful for policy makers who aim to increase country level life satisfaction and increase the life quality of sexual minority populations.
2021-06-14T02:44:01Z
2022-12-01T09:02:00Z
2020-12
2021-01-07
December 2020
2021-06-02T16:00:55Z
Master's Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/9107
en
East Carolina University
oai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/104472022-03-29T07:23:21Zcom_10342_122com_10342_55com_10342_1col_10342_124col_10342_71
2022-03-28T14:12:47Z
urn:hdl:10342/10447
Paradigms as exemplars
Norris, Jay J.
Rhea, Buford
EDUC
2022-03-28T14:12:47Z
2022-03-28T14:12:47Z
1976
Thesis
o06407982
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/10447
en
East Carolina University
oai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/48792021-03-03T20:56:50Zcom_10342_122com_10342_55com_10342_1col_10342_124col_10342_71
2016-06-14T19:26:14Z
urn:hdl:10342/4879
A Critical Look at Campus Climate After Institutional Changes
Ayers, Marianne
Kane, Melinda D.
Sociology
Sociology
Gender studies
GLBT studies
This study examines the impact of institutional changes on campus climate. Conditions continue to be problematic for LGBTQ students, faculty and staff on college and university campuses, so many institutions are taking active steps to improve climate. There is a void in the literature exploring the impact of change to the perception of campus climate through institutional programming, and this study contributes to that research. Through this study, I examine how recent policy and program changes impact the LGBT campus climate at a large public institution located within a relatively hostile geographic environment. To evaluate potential shifts in campus climate, I conducted in depth interviews of 15 LGBT identified faculty, staff and students who were present before and after institutional changes were implemented. Respondents noted positive changes in campus climate over the last four years, but also stressed that homophobia and homophobic incidences continue to occur despite the improvements in climate. Respondents mentioned several institutional changes as evidence of the university's commitment to support the LGBT community such as the establishment of the LGBT Resource Office, Queer Counseling group, and supportive leadership. I hope to contribute to the literature on LGBT issues in higher education by addressing the degree to which changes in institutional procedures and programs made by administrators can actually influence perceptions of campus climate. Â
2015-06-04T19:53:14Z
2016-06-14T19:26:14Z
2015
Master's Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/4879
East Carolina University
oai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/36572021-03-03T20:57:53Zcom_10342_122com_10342_55com_10342_1col_10342_124col_10342_71
2011-08-22T15:14:58Z
urn:hdl:10342/3657
Policy Reforms Targeting Care for Older Adults in Lithuania
Ciciurkaite, Gabriele
Juska, Arunas
Sociology
Sociology
Aging
Elderly care
Lithuania
Social policy
This thesis project investigates policy reforms surrounding the care of older people in post-socialist Lithuania. It is argued that institutional arrangements inherited from the socialist era were shaped by indigenous practices of pre-industrialized Lithuania, as well as polices of the Communist regime. The moral economy of aging-in-place in pre-WWII Lithuania centered on multi-generational rural homesteads where care of the aged was assumed to be the responsibility of children and the closest kin. With rapid urbanization and industrialization of Lithuania during Soviet times, the rural population began to rapidly decline. When children living in the cities were becoming caretakers of aging parents, new patterns of rural-urban migration of older adults were established, which, reproduced multi-generational households--but this time in urban areas. Well-established patterns of urban-rural migration of older adults characterized a post-independence period in Lithuania due to long-term demographic factors as well as radical socio-economic reform and cultural changes. The severe economic recession of the early 1990s significantly reduced the state's expenditures on social services, while large-scale emigration to European Union countries destabilized informal family networks of support. Thus, a growing number of older people - especially in rural areas - found themselves pauperized, which occurred simultaneously with a decline in social services. By the mid 1990s, growing elder-care needs had generated three societal responses, which will be analyzed in detail in this thesis: (a) reforms and expansion of state care provisions for older adults; (b) rise of religious charities devoted to the care of older adults; and (c) initiatives to develop community- based social services. This thesis will discuss the implications of the evolving plural social care model for addressing growing elderly care needs in Lithuania. Â
2011-08-22T15:14:58Z
2011-08-22T15:14:58Z
2011
Master's Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/3657
East Carolina University
oai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/37542021-03-03T20:55:16Zcom_10342_122com_10342_55com_10342_1col_10342_124col_10342_71
2013-01-31T12:32:53Z
urn:hdl:10342/3754
MARITAL NAME CHANGE : A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF WHY WOMEN CHOOSE A TRADITIONAL NAMING PRACTICE
Keels, Megan M.
Powers, Rebecca S.
Sociology
Sociology
Gender studies
Social research
Marital name changing
Marital names
Mixed methods approach
Reasons for name changing
Social norm creation
Traditional practices
This thesis investigates reasons for the traditional practice of marital name changing among women. Research shows that the majority of American women will follow a traditional naming practice upon marriage which is reflective of the compliant behavior among women in a patriarchal society. Using a mixed methods approach, the focus of this research is to gain a better understanding of the reasons for the traditional practice of marital name changing among women in two samples of data. Results from the two samples used in this study show that the decision about marital name changing is closely tied to social norms, and specifically traditional practices, which is consistent with current literature. However, the qualitative data from my sample contributes extraordinary depth to this study by adding rich description from the respondents that was not available from the survey respondents. This in-depth information reveals that the women not only choose traditional naming practices because of social norms and tradition, but may also have conflicting feelings about their decision. The respondents' reasons and experiences with marital name changing reveal the ways that social norms shape people's personal decisions regarding significant life changing events while also showing how the decisions made by people in turn shape society. The issue of martial name changing illustrates the complexity of social life. Â
2012-01-18T20:15:33Z
2013-01-31T12:32:53Z
2011
Master's Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/3754
East Carolina University
oai:TheScholarship.intra.ecu.edu:10342/88262022-12-01T09:02:00Zcom_10342_122com_10342_55com_10342_1col_10342_124col_10342_71
2022-12-01T09:02:00Z
urn:hdl:10342/8826
Multiple Partner Fertility and Access to Social Support
Walker, Jasmine
Campbell, Colin
Sociology
Multiple partner fertility
Social support helps individuals manage problems and make ends meet. However, access to social support varies across groups and by sociodemographic characteristics. Past studies have found that multiple partner fertility is associated with decreased access to social support. Using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, I expand on these studies by (1) examining both received instrumental support and perceived expressive support, (2) by separately examining social support from maternal kin and paternal kin, and (3) by examining social support available both to mothers and to their children. I find that multiple partner fertility is negatively associated with both instrumental and expressive support from paternal family, but is not associated with support from maternal family. Expanding on previous studies that find decreased access to social support due to multiple partner fertility, my research shows that this finding is driven by decreases in support from paternal kin.
2021-01-04T17:13:27Z
2022-12-01T09:02:00Z
2020-12
2020-11-18
December 2020
2020-12-18T14:31:27Z
Master's Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/8826
en
East Carolina University