sociology
Mezcal and Markets: One Battle in the War Over Mexico’s Agave Spirits
In 2011 and 2012, Mexico was the site of a battle over precisely how agave-based liquors could be branded or marketed. In the end, as outlined in a new paper in the journal Gastronomica, U.S. bartenders, retailers, and consumers played a key role in the debate – which raises some interesting questions about how to best protect local food customs and producers.
Online Students Give Instructors Higher Marks If They Think Instructors Are Men
A new study shows that college students in online courses give better evaluations to instructors they think are men – even when the instructor is actually a woman.
Childhood Mentors Boost Career Success
Young people who have had mentors are more likely to find work early in their careers, putting them on a path to success.
‘Family Meal’ Ideal Is Stressful, Impossible for Many Families
New research shows that home cooking and family meals place significant stresses on many families – and are simply impossible for others.
What Sociology Can Tell Us About the G.M. Scandal
Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from Martha Crowley, an associate professor of sociology at NC State and co-author, with Ohio State’s Randy Hodson, of a recent paper on how an organization’s work practices affect employee behavior and, ultimately, […]
Trust and Towns in Transition
Near the Blue Ridge Parkway, three North Carolina towns have grown rapidly as jobs shifted from mining and timber to hospitality and tourism. In Macon County, natural resource-based jobs plummeted from 10 percent to almost zero in the last 35 […]
5 Things You Should Know About Parents, Teens, Sex Ed and ‘The Talk’
Editor’s Note: This guest post was written by Dr. Sinikka Elliott, an assistant professor of sociology at NC State and author of the new book “Not My Kid: What Parents Believe about the Sex Lives of Their Teenagers.” The Abstract […]
Food History Q&A, with Mark Kurlansky
Editor’s Note: Mark Kurlansky is the best-selling author of “Cod,” “Salt,” “The Big Oyster” and other books focused on the story (and history) of food. He is the winner of the James Beard Award for food writing and the Bon […]
The New Dating Game: When Dates Follow Hookups
Casual sex clearly carries its own risks, but the academic literature on “hooking up” may be presenting an unduly rosy picture of dating. New research doesn’t advocate no-strings hookups (i.e., casual sex between people who aren’t dating), but does highlight […]
How People Feel About Diversity And ‘Neighborhood Schools’: It’s Complicated
Editor’s Note: The Wake County Board of Education has been the subject of intense scrutiny in recent years as it debates issues related to diversity and “neighborhood schools,” and voters are preparing for board elections October 11. But researchers from […]
Rural Sociologist Wimberley Dies
Rural sociologist Ron Wimberley, a faculty member for 40 years, has died. Colleagues plan to hold a campus memorial service, which has not yet been scheduled.
Wimberley Honored for Contributions
Dr. Ron Wimberley, professor of sociology, has won national recognition for wide-ranging contributions, including his efforts to end rural poverty in the 11-state Black Belt South and create screening standards for child care workers and adoptive parents.
Trivial Pursuits: The Abstract’s 2010 Quiz
The Abstract staff will be taking off for a couple of weeks to prepare for 2011. In an attempt to amuse and entertain ourselves you, we’ve pulled together a quick quiz on some of the research we’ve written about in […]
It’s Not You: Work IS Getting Worse
If you watch sitcoms from the 1950s, you’ll note that Ward Cleaver and the rest of the gang always seemed so pleased with themselves when they came home from work. Does that mean that being at work is less fun […]
Sociologists Honored
Three faculty members in sociology have won awards from professional associations.