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Publication Mid-American Review of Sociology, Volume 12, Number 2 (WINTER, 1987): Back Matter(Department of Sociology, University of Kansas, 1987-01-01)Publication Is Sociological Theory Useful in Nonacademic Employment? The Views of Sociologists, Employers, and Former Students(Department of Sociology, University of Kansas, 1987-01-01) Wright, Richard A.This paper summarizes and critiques previous studies of the opinions of three groups (sociologists, nonacademic employers, and former sociology students) regarding the usefulness of sociological theory in nonacademic work. Existing studies show that: (1) most sociologists agree that sociological theory has much relevance to nonacademic employment; (2) nonacademic employers are somewhat skeptical and suspicious of the relevance of theoretical skills on the job; and (3) former sociology students have ambivalent opinions regarding the usefulness of theory to their careers. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of the origins of employer suspicions concerning sociology and a call for "truth in advertising" when sociologists discuss the marketability of sociology degrees with students.Publication Some Considerations in Interviewing the Old, Old(Department of Sociology, University of Kansas, 1987-01-01) Wingrove, C. RayDrawing upon personal experiences, the author makes a number of suggestions to follow when interviewing those in their late seventies and above. He deals with such topics as pitfalls in obtaining interviews, dress, rapport, length of interview, allaying respondents' fears, and coping with communication problems caused by interviewees' visual and hearing losses.Publication Mid-American Review of Sociology, Volume 12, Number 2 (WINTER, 1987): Book Review(Department of Sociology, University of Kansas, 1987-01-01) Katerndahl, DeanPublication Sector Models of the Welfare State: A Cross-National Analysis(Department of Sociology, University of Kansas, 1987-01-01) DeViney, StanleyPublication Close Personal Relationships at Work and With Kin: Testing an Urban Subculture Theory Model(Department of Sociology, University of Kansas, 1987-01-01) Hill, Gretchen J.Urban subculture theory asserts that living in urban areas provides opportunities for the establishment of social worlds based more on personal interest than on either kinship or traditional affiliations, resulting in urbanites' reduced involvement with kin through selective integration of family into social networks. Based on this theory, and findings supporting it, a model predicting strength of kinship ties was constructed to test its usefulness in predicting the inclusion of kin among individuals' closest personal relationships. At the same time, the model was used to look at the relationship between kinship ties and ties to co-workers, and to test whether there is a work friendship - kinship tie trade-off. Attention was given to differences between age-groups, and to whether kinship ties and co-worker friendships, including any trade-off between the two types of relationships, vary by age, as an indicator of life cycle stage. Regional differences in the application of the model were also considered. Results using a nation-wide sample of workers in the United States suggested that, contrary to urban subculture theory, closeness to kin tends to increase as residence becomes more urban. However, in separate regional and age-group analyses the model did appear to have some application as a predtctor of close kinship ties and ties with co-workers, and the workplace did appear to serve as a source of friendships which offset the importance of kinship ties for some age-groups cross-regionally, and across age-groups in some regions of the country. Overall, results suggested that the factors predicting close ties with kin differ for different age-groups, and vary across different regions of the country.Publication Environmentalism and the Politics of Equity: Emergent Trends in the Black Community(Department of Sociology, University of Kansas, 1987-01-01) Bullard, Robert; Wright, Beverly HendrixPublication Mid-American Review of Sociology, Volume 12, Number 2 (WINTER, 1987): Front Matter(Department of Sociology, University of Kansas, 1987-01-01)