Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Youngstown State University, 1999, Department of Criminal Justice

An analysis of existing U.S. Census, Uniform Crime Report and Vital Statistics data was undertaken to determine whether a relationship exists between environmental factors, specifically sex ratios, and population behavior. Nine U.S. states were examined for their ratios of men to women, and then compared to existing data concerning marriage rates, birth rates, rates of births to un-wed mothers, and violent crime rates. The theoretical framework for this research was based on the r/K continuum, a biological theory focused on reproductive strategy and resource allocation of individuals within a population.

Committee: Tammy King (Advisor) Subjects: Sociology, Public and Social Welfare

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2006, Social Work

This multi-method research study had three goals that were quantified into the six research questions. The first goal of this study was to identify the concrete, work-related needs of social workers in Ohio and if those work-related needs are being met. Level of met-need was examined to determine its relationship to job satisfaction and worker burnout. The second goal of this research was to learn what factors are associated with a social worker joining and remaining a member of the professional association, N.A.S.W. The final goal of this research was to investigate if membership in N.A.S.W. is associated with having a higher level of work-related needs met or moderates job satisfaction and/or anticipated tenure in the profession. This survey quantified the work-related needs of Ohio social workers into the motivational categories classified by Knoke (1988) and most recently tested by Chen (2004) and then rated the specific needs by importance to the worker. The highest category of work-related needs cited were in the informative category followed by solidary needs. Findings indicate that social workers value informative and solidary work- related items and having those needs met increases job satisfaction. Having material needs met does not increase job satisfaction. Having an adequate salary is important but not as important as these other items. Factors positively associated to projected long-term tenure in the social work field revolve around the issues of being valued, feeling safe and being treated fairly. Working more hours than being paid for was negatively associated with projected long-term tenure. Feeling taken advantage of is correlated with a lower level of job satisfaction but is not correlated with intention to leave the social work field. Having opportunities for leadership was associated with longer projected tenure in the field. Being a member of N.A.S.W. was not correlated with having higher met-need.

Committee: Keith Warren (Advisor) Subjects: Sociology, Public and Social Welfare

Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, 2005, Sociology (Arts and Sciences)

This research is an adaptation of Sharon Hays' study of the real lives of low income single mothers. While Hays' study took place in an urban area, the current study was completed in a rural locale. Hays' research demonstrates that we need to look past stereotypes and cultural misconceptions, about the poor in America, if we are to learn how to effectively help single mothers overcome poverty, make ends meet, and provide a better life for their children and themselves. The goal of this study was to build upon Hays' research by gaining a broader and more complete understanding of the real lives of all single mothers through the examining of the life experiences of rural Appalachian single mothers, an often invisible group of single mothers. This research suggest that (1) stereotypes of Appalachian single mothers are hindering the development of effective and appropriate poverty policy, (2) Appalachian single mothers face regional specific obstacles to making ends meet, and (3) there are differences in the single mother population that spatial inequality cannot account for which needs to be addressed in poverty policy.

Committee: Debra Henderson (Advisor) Subjects: Sociology, Public and Social Welfare

Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, 2003, International Studies - African Studies

In Botswana orphan hood has recently become a major social issue with greater repercussions. Among the Batswana, caring for orphans has always been a natural and expected practice, which is rooted in society's beliefs and culture. The practice of caring for orphaned children depends on ties among families and the extended family form. However, with the advent of forces such as modernization and epidemics like AIDS, this system faces dire challenges. The government of Botswana, the family and community at large are grappling with ways in which to best provide care for orphans and other vulnerable children,such as those abused and abandoned. This study examines orphan hood in the context of Batswana traditions and culture. It is based on documents and published articles on orphans in Botswana, and published anthropological and sociological works on the Batswana. The study discusses cultural values and practices that have always guided and ensured care for orphans, how these practices have changed over time, and why they have changed. Issues surrounding difficulties in identifying the best methods of care for orphans are also discussed. This study shows that perceptions towards the care of orphans are deeply rooted in the cultural beliefs of the Batswana. Any effort to establish alternative forms of care not solely through family ties should be aware of cultural perceptions and should attempt to gain society's support. The main theme of the study borrows from the Ghanaian concept of Sankofa – which is “if you cannot find the answer to the problem in the present, return to tradition”. This study can be used to provide a reference for those engaged in policy development for the care of orphans and those working to develop guidelines for methods of care. Hopefully, it will provide insights into methods that are culturally understood and relevant to Botswana's social and political life.

Committee: Diane Ciekawy (Advisor) Subjects: Sociology, Public and Social Welfare

Master of Gerontological Studies, Miami University, 2007, Gerontology

In 1980 the proportion of the population in Korea aged 65 and over was only 3.0%. By 2000, that proportion had jumped to 7.2% and is expected to be 24.0% in the year 2030 (Korea National Statistical Office, 2002). The challenges of this demographic shift include the ability of the government to provide an adequate long-term care program for its disabled elders. This study explores the Korean long-term care program that will start in 2008. In order to better understand the Korean long-term care program, this study examines how three other nations (Germany, Japan and the United States) deliver long-term care services and compares the underlying policy models for all four nations. This study also critically analyzes the program theory and implications of the Korean long-term care program.

Committee: Robert Applebaum (Advisor) Subjects: Sociology, Public and Social Welfare

Master of Gerontological Studies, Miami University, 2006, Gerontology

The purpose of this critical inquiry is to explore the cultural norms, socio-political history and legislative actions that helped to shape American and Ohio nursing homes as they are now. Culturally, how was it that we arrived at the harsh conditions existing in the almshouses of the 19th and early 20th centuries – the ancestors of our nursing homes - and how is it that some of those problems have carried over to nursing facilities today? Politically, what have been the forces that have shaped nursing home policy over the past eight centuries as well as during the past eight decades or so? How have Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare and other government programs for the poor, elderly and disabled affected the nursing home industry and its funding and regulations? Our ongoing general acceptance of what many consider to be minimal standards for the care of our elders will be viewed here through the major legislative events in the history of public welfare and nursing homes as they evolved in England, America and in Ohio.

Committee: Robert Applebaum (Advisor) Subjects: Sociology, Public and Social Welfare

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 1991, Social Welfare

A study was designed to explore parents' reactions to the authority of public child welfare caseworkers. Thirteen “involuntary clients” involved with a large public child welfare agency in Ohio served as subjects. Semi-structured interviews with each of the subjects focussed on parental perceptions of “interventions” by caseworkers and the “meaning” of the experience for each subject as he or she became involved with, or had children in the custody of, a public agency. Interviews were audio tape-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed through phenomenological hermeneutics. Formal reports to the agency and the circumstances of each of the subjects, as contained in the case record, were also documented and interpreted. The findings indicated (a) that parents did not know and understand the nature and extent of the legal authority that was vested in the agency, nor their own legal rights. Parents perceived (b) that the agency had the “power” to intervene in their families at any time and to “take” their children away, (c) that the nature and scope of the exercise of that “power” varied, depending on the assigned caseworker, and (d) that some caseworkers “violated” their “rights.” Parents perceived that being involved with, or having children in the custody of, the agency resulted in some kind of “loss” for them and their family. Parents perceived that they were constrained by the “power” of the agency, but believed they were “free” to make choices and to take responsibility for “getting their children back” or for “getting the agency out of their lives.” Most significantly, parents perceived that the only way they could regain custody of their children or “free” themselves from involvement with the agency was to “cooperate”: an adaptive response that served to conceal a parent's anguish, and dissent, but intended to influence, sway, or persuade the caseworker to act in accord with the parent's wishes and interests, i.e. getting the agency to “return” children to parental c (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Howard Goldstein (Advisor) Subjects: Sociology, Public and Social Welfare