Rubia R. Valente

The impact of race and social economic status on university admission at the University of São Paulo

ABSTRACT This paper explores the relationship between race, class, and access to higher education by analyzing the characteristics of students admitted to the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil from 2004 to 2008. Employing novel data, the logistic regression results indicate that those accepted at USP are more likely to be white, from affluent families, to have studied in private high schools, to have enrolled in prep courses, and to have a mother who attained higher education. The findings posit that the lack of accessibility for nonwhites and lower income status students to higher education in Brazil, as exemplified by this case study, is an impediment to social mobility. The implications of these findings for future research and policy are discussed.

Countering Inequality: Brazil's Movimento Sem-Terra

Data from a national survey of formerly landless peasants residing in federal land‐reform settlements in Brazil (Pesquisa Nacional de Educação na Reforma Agrária—) confirm that the Landless Rural Workers Movement (Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem‐Terra—) has been far more successful than other settlement movements in assuring a better quality of life for its members. This superior performance is attributed to an organizational structure that demands and assures membership involvement, and a commitment to participatory education in an environment that fosters and supports s goals and objectives. s members have higher self‐perceived social status than members of non‐ movements, have better residential environments and more material possessions, and experience an education that emphasizes the movements principles of social justice, radical democracy, and humanist and socialist values.

The vicious circle: effects of race and class on university entrance in Brazil

Abstract Brazil has high levels of socio-economic inequality and an inequitable distribution of access to higher education. How much of this inequality is associated with race or class is an important question in light of the current debate over affirmative action and the suitability of race and social targeted policies. There are those who claim that racial disparities in the educational system are a result of students’ social status and not a result of racism, while others believe race is an important factor that superposes the effect of class. This study uses national survey data from Brazil’s Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio (National Secondary Education Exam [ENEM]) to examine the relationship between race and access to higher education of high school students between 2004 and 2008. The results document a vicious circle which connects the schooling of the young with their race, socio-economic status, and university attendance.

No urban malaise for Millennials

ABSTRACT Urban malaise or unhappiness with city life is common in developed countries. City dwellers, particularly those in the largest metropolitan areas, are reported to be the least satisfied with their lives. Using the US General Social Survey (1972–2016), this paper explores the latest happiness trends. The results confirm earlier findings of urban malaise: Americans in general are happiest in smaller cities and rural areas. However, the advantage of rural living is declining – rural Americans are becoming less happy relative to urbanites. Most interestingly, the results show that the latest generation, termed ‘Millennials’ (1982–2004), as opposed to earlier generations, are the happiest in large cities (an estimated magnitude larger than earning an additional US

From Inception to Present: The Diminishing Role of Women in the Congregação Cristã no Brasil

100,000 in family income annually). The possible reasons for this trend are explored and directions for future research are discussed.

Working Hours and Life Satisfaction: A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Latin America and the United States

This article provides the first historical analysis of the role of women in the Congregacao Crista no Brasil, the oldest pentecostal church in Brazil and the largest in the state of Sao Paulo. Drawing on qualitative data, this study also explores the diverse views of church members and their attitudes in regard to the current status of women in the church. Although not long ago women were allowed to preach in the church and to hold ministerial positions such as cooperators, youth cooperators, deaconesses, musicians, music directors, and Bible school directors, in recent decades the role of women has quickly diminished. In addition to providing empirical data on this denominational group, the article engages the wider debate about the role of women in the pentecostal religious context.