In a study that examines why professors tend to be liberal, two sociologists say the answer is because of typecasting. They gave the example of nursing: Less than 6% of nurses are men. Discrimination against male candidates may be a factor, but the primary reason is that most people consider nursing to be a woman's career -- which means less men aspire to be nurses. The researchers of the study said that nursing is "gender typed", whereas professors are "politically typed". They say the academic profession "has acquired such a strong reputation for liberalism and secularism that over the last 35 years few politically or religiously conservative students, but many liberal and secular ones, have formed the aspiration to become professors." They said that along with professors, those in the fields of journalism, art, fashion, social work, and therapy are dominated by liberals; while law enforcement, farming, dentistry, medicine, and the military attract more conservatives.
To understand how a field gets typecast, one has to look at its history. In the early 1950s, William F. Buckley Jr. and other leaders of the modern conservative moment complained about academia's liberal bias. They were building a conservative identity that was in opposition to New Deal liberals who occupied academia. Buckley even said, "I'd rather entrust the government of the United States to the first 400 people listed in the Boston telephone directory than to the faculty of Harvard University." Then in the 1960s college campuses, filled with the baby-boomer generation, became a staging ground for leftist social and political movements, further moving academia away from conservatism.
The researchers also said that typecasting is not the only cause. "The characteristics that define one's political orientation are also at the fore of certain jobs, the sociologists reported. Nearly half of the political lopsidedness in academia can be traced to four characteristics that liberals in general, and professors in particular, share: advanced degrees, a nonconservative religious theology (which includes liberal Protestants and Jews, and the nonreligious); an expressed tolerance for controversial ideas; and a disparity between education and income."
The researchers also found that intentional discrimination, a charge often made by conservatives, did not play a significant role. In fact, one of the researchers said, "The irony is that the more conservatives complain about academia's liberalism, the more likely it's going to remain a bastion of liberalism." (Full Story)
Interesting and funny article on family disputes over "green" living. Therapists say that they are starting to see a rise in bickering between couples and family members over "green" or environmental decisions. Disputes seem to be increasing as awareness of environmental concerns has grown -- though no research has documented how frequent these conflicts occur. A clinical psychologist, who has a practice that focuses on environmental issues (in Portland, Oregon -- of course), said, "As the focus on climate increases in the public's mind, it can't help but be a part of people's planning about the future. It touches every part of how they live: what they eat, whether they want to fly, what kind of vacation they want." A family and marriage therapist explains, "The danger arises when one partner undergoes an environmental 'waking up' process way before the other, leaving a new values gap between them."
The article provided stories of couples dealing with this conflict. One guy tries to be environmentally-conscious -- bikes to work, recycles, brings reusable bags to the grocery store -- but his girlfriend feels he hasn't gone far enough. She says he leaves the water running when shaving, takes too long of showers, and isn't as dedicated as she is in leading a less materialistic life (she finds it "depressing" that he continues to purchase a lot of stuff online). The boyfriend said he started dating her "before her high-priestess phase." He also said he refuses to go out to eat sushi with his girlfriend anymore because he cannot stand to hear her quiz the waiters. He said, "None of it is sustainable or local, and I am not eating cod or rockfish."
Another woman said she has some tense moments when she visits her mother. If she prepares a vegan meal for the family, her mother prepares hot dogs to go alongside. When the mother serves food on Styrofoam plates, the daughter grabs a plate that can be washed and reused. Her mother says that she prefers the way the food tastes when it's served on Styrofoam (!) and argues that washing dishes has environmental costs as well.
The family and marriage therapist suggested that couples can deal with these differences if they treat each other gently. She advises those with a newfound passion for the issue to change only a few things at a time and provide a lot of explanation. (Full Story)
No comments:
Post a Comment