Andrew L. Spivak

Reconsidering Race, Class, and Residential Segregation in American Cities

Scholars have often discounted social class as a substantial contributor to residential segregation by race, in part as a result of using the dissimilarity index, which is likely to show high levels of uneven group distribution regardless of socioeconomic status (SES), and in part as a result of using limited categories of SES. This study expands on prior research by examining residential segregation between black-alone and white-alone households in 36 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) with 2000 decennial census data, using both spatial unevenness (dissimilarity) and two types of experiential indicators (exposure indices), measuring SES across income levels and accounting for the presence of other races. Findings show that black households with higher incomes live in neighborhoods with greater exposure and lower isolation than do black households with lower incomes. Additionally, while the dissimilarity of black households decreases with income, unevenness is not as strongly connected to income as are the experiential measures. While race remains a primary determinant of residential segregation, results indicate substantial class differences.

Deterrence theory and the role of shame in projected offending of college students against a ban on alcohol.

In the present study we advance previous research in deterrence theory by examining the perceived deterrent effects of a newly instituted dry policy on a college campus. A survey of 500 full-time undergraduate students between the ages of 18 and 26 was conducted 3 months following the ban on alcohol. Hypotheses are derived from deterrence theory and focus on both formal and informal sanctions as they predict projected offending. Findings indicate that perceived severity of the sanction does not predict deterrence against future policy violations. However, the informal deterrent of shame does lower projected offending. While these results suggest that a formal dry policy is not likely to deter future problem drinking behaviors among these college students, reductions may be achieved with the use of informal sanctions and the incorporation of principles from reintegrative shaming theory.

Gender and Status Offending: Judicial Paternalism in Juvenile Justice Processing

This study examines the relationship between gender and juvenile justice processing outcomes for status offenders. The feminist criminological concept of judicial paternalism suggests that official justice systems, as gendered institutions with traditional patriarchal norms, will treat delinquent girls differently than delinquent boys. This paternalistic effect should be especially prevalent for status offenses, which are used to enforce institutional (parental, school, civic, parochial) authority. Using 1999-2001 juvenile processing data for 3,329 status offense referrals to the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs (N = 3,329) and controlling for age, race, prior history, type of status offense, and measures of social class and urban environment, our results indicate that (a) girls outnumber boys among status offenders, (b) girls are more likely than boys to have their petitions filed for review, (c) girls are less likely than boys to be adjudicated guilty, and (d) girls are just as likely as boys to receive an incarcerated custody sentence as opposed to probation. We argue that these results illustrate the manifestation of the juvenile justice system as a gendered institution in which the adjudication of status offenders reflects judicial paternalism.

Behind the Smokescreen: Native American Tobacco Use in Oklahoma

The rate of Native American adult cigarette use in Oklahoma is 33.6%, exceeding the average state adult smoking rate of 24.7%. The present study examines differences in attitudes toward cigarette use and perceptions of tobacco-related health dangers held by Native Americans in Oklahoma. We analyze cross-sectional data from the 2004 and 2008 Oklahoma Adult Tobacco Surveys (n = 4,530) in order to evaluate whether Native American Oklahomans held differing perspectives of the risks of cigarette use and secondhand smoke. Oklahoma Native Americans were less likely than Oklahoma whites to believe that cigarettes are addictive, maternal smoking is harmful, and secondhand smoke is harmful. There was no significant difference between Oklahoma whites and Native Americans in the belief that certain diseases could be attributed to cigarettes and secondhand smoke. We conclude that for those identifying as Native Americans, Oklahoma agencies can bolster knowledge in the areas of cigarette addiction, maternal tobacco use, and the dangers of secondhand smoke with more effective messages.

Bureaucratic Advocacy and Ethics A State-Level Case of Public Agency Rulemaking and Tobacco Control Policy

Before 2001, the Oklahoma Department of Health achieved little to protect the public from the dangers of secondhand tobacco smoke. In an ongoing effort between 2000 and 2003, the department joined with health groups to lobby for stronger requirements, resulting in a new Oklahoma administrative rule in 2002 and legislation in 2003 regulating secondhand tobacco smoke. This action was congruent with the American Society of Public Administrations Code of Ethics for interactive democratic policymaking, in which administrators are required to serve the public interest with compassion, benevolence, fairness, and optimism.