Common Sense Gun Laws: A Social Issue

By Megan Langmyer In today’s society we have adapted to various social issues surrounding the modification of todays’ society. We agreed that women deserved more rights than were given to them during the suffragette movement, that separate does not mean equal during the civil rights movement and teenagers led rallies to protest the social issues of…

The Illusion of the American Dream: How the American Dream Fails to Acknowledge Inequality

By Amber Zinno The America Dream is an ideology of sorts that is deeply rooted in American history yet still a relevant concept of today. The American Dream is a social issue because it over-emphasizes the role of the individual in their pursuit towards success without acknowledging social constraints; such as socioeconomic, racial or gender…

Why are There So Many Older Children in Foster Care?: Barriers to Adoption of Older Kids

by Madelyne Grim Department of Sociology, Indiana University of Pennsylvania When you think of a growing family, what comes to mind? A new a baby? Possibly other children, as well? Stereotypes about what a family “should” look like in our society impacts how people think about and proceed with adoptions. Prospective adoptive parents commonly believe…

IUP Hiring Student Peer Educators

IUP is hiring new Peer Educators for the upcoming academic year and our current staff identified sociology students as fantastic candidates for the position. I am asking you to pass on this information to your students in the hopes that they are interested in a paid leadership experience next year. Peer Educators aim to encourage students…

Racial Inequality in America

By Kameryn Gill The issue of inequality in America has plagued American society since as early as United States history can date back. Many American citizens have strived for equal opportunity of all races for quite some time. America is supposed to be the “land of free”, but is this statement actually truthful? Are we…

The Sociological World of Installation Art

By Tia Harne In today’s contemporary society, the concept of art and the world in which it belongs is difficult to define. What constitutes art? What is an art world? According to Howard Becker, an American sociologist revered for his studies of occupations, education and art, that which is considered art and its respective art…