Category: Sociology

“Soft Socializing” Is the Gen Z Trend That’s Making Low-Pressure Hangouts the New Normal

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Vivian Chung at Real Simple about an emerging cultural shift among Gen Z: what’s being called “soft socializing.” The idea is straightforward but sociologically interesting, young adults are moving away from high-pressure, performance-oriented social environments (bars, parties, constant engagement) and toward low-stakes, activity-based interactions where connection happens... Continue Reading →

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Newsom’s handling of the California homelessness crisis emerges as ‘stress test’ of Obama legacy

When sociological analysis enters public conversations about policy, governance, and lived experience, it helps move debate beyond slogans toward less biased understanding. #PublicSociology I was recently cited in a national political analysis published by Washington Examiner examining how Gavin Newsom’s response to homelessness may shape broader debates connected to the governing legacy of President Barack... Continue Reading →

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The Cultural Shift Connecting Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z

Every generation grows up believing the next one is making the world worse — but the real story is far more revealing. Boomers, Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z are all shaped by the cultural, economic, and technological shocks of their youth, creating shared patterns that repeat across history. Despite the noise of “generational wars,” the underlying forces shaping our identities are remarkably similar. Understanding these patterns doesn’t just explain why tensions flare up — it shows how social change actually happens.

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The Gospel According to Mammon: Why a Trillionaire Is a Moral Absurdity

Extreme wealth at the scale of a trillion dollars is a moral and social crisis. Such wealth concentrate power and influence while billions remain in precarity. Drawing on Marx, Smith, and Christian ethics, this essay argues that unbounded accumulation undermines justice, civic equality, and human flourishing, revealing the moral absurdity of extreme inequality.

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Explainer: What is Antifa and is the Trump administration causing ‘moral panic’?

The Mirror US News recently asked me how the Trump administration’s portrayal of Antifa reflects a broader sociological pattern of moral panic and political framing.For my contribution, I explained how labeling Antifa as a “shadowy and violent enemy” serves as a strategic political tool undermining left-wing critics, discouraging protest, and legitimizing aggressive law enforcement tactics.... Continue Reading →

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“No Kings” Protests Set to Sweep US Even as Trump Increases Attacks on Activists

Earlier this week, I was quoted in a Truthout (a not-for-profit news organization) for article examining the upcoming “No Kings” protests and the political framing around so-called antifa activity. You can read it here: https://truthout.org/articles/no-kings-protests-set-to-sweep-us-even-as-trump-increases-attacks-on-activists/ In my comments, I tried to draw attention to how political actors use labels to shape the public imagination long... Continue Reading →

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Map Reveals States Where Youth Are Most At Risk

In contributing to Map Reveals States Where Youth Are Most At Risk, I explained how youth risk factors, poverty, education inequality, crime, and limited healthcare access are rooted in structural inequalities, emphasizing the urgent need for policies supporting vulnerable children and communities nationwide.

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States with the Most At-Risk Youth (2025)

I'm always grateful when people outside of academia reach out for sociological insights on today’s pressing social issues. Recently, I was asked to weigh in on a question that continues to gain urgency: Why do so many rural young people in the United States feel profoundly disconnected from society? Too often, public conversations default to... Continue Reading →

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“Are Young People Lazy, or Are They Just Hopeless?”

This week, I had a unique opportunity to blend teaching with #publicsociology. About 30 minutes before my morning Research Methods class, I received a media query from Newsweek asking why Gen Z experiences a greater sense of hopelessness compared to past generations. https://www.newsweek.com/are-young-people-lazy-hopeless-2037840 Rather than answering alone, I decided to turn my class (22 students,... Continue Reading →

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Colorizing Sociology: How Calvinism Shaped the Spirit of Capitalism, Insights from Max Weber

Max Weber's landmark work, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (1905), offers profound insights into the interplay between religious belief systems and economic behavior. Central to Weber's argument is the connection between Calvinism, a form of Protestantism, and the rise of capitalism. But how did religious ideals influence economic practices? Let’s delve into... Continue Reading →

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Sociology in a Pint Glass

This past summer as I noted in an earlier post, I had the privilege of leading a study abroad program with Maryville University of Saint Louis and Maryville University Online Our location was Oxford, England where we explored the rich sociological surroundings of local pubs. Our time in Oxford was insightful, as we visited nearly... Continue Reading →

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Colorizing Sociology: Emile Durkheim – Anomie

Emile Durkheim

Emile Durkheim introduced the concept of Anomie in “The Division of Labor in Society" published in 1893. He added to it further with his later publication in 1897 “Suicide.” Generally, anomie refers to a societal state of normlessness or lack of social cohesion. This normlessness occurs when there is a breakdown in the general social... Continue Reading →

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Social Media Has An Answer For Everything – Unfortunately Many Are Conspiracy Theories You Shouldn’t Believe

"The interesting dynamic of social media's contribution to conspiracy theories is not only its amplification of existing or emergent theories, but also how it has exponentially added to their commodification," said Bausman. — Read on http://www.forbes.com/sites/petersuciu/2023/02/04/social-media-has-an-answer-for-everything--unfortunately-most-are-conspiracy-theories-you-shouldnt-believe/

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In a Democracy

We (you) are the state. We are the arbitrators of collective affairs. Without us there is anarchy and no possibility of enduring happiness. The state is our collective voice, our contribution to the definition of a life of liberty in this shared world. Our individual pursuits of happiness and their resulting successes and failure are... Continue Reading →

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Social Media Has Provided A Skewed Account Of The War In Ukraine – Forbes

Bausman continued. "Social media and its variety of platforms has yet to establish some type of equivalent set of filters. Without these de-facto gatekeepers of information, bad actors now have platforms to disseminate misinformation and shape the narrative of events on the ground." https://www.forbes.com/sites/petersuciu/2022/03/31/social-media-has-provided-a-skewed-account-of-the-war-in-ukraine/?sh=e93fb9d7826e

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Cultural Touchstones and The Squid Game

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2021/10/14/tv-violence-squid-game-watch/ I was recently interviewed by a reporter from the Washington Post. We talked about the social phenomenon that is Netflix popular series “The Squid Game.” I shared with her my sociological thoughts on the cultural importance of artifacts within society to bond around.  When earlier generations were glued around the radio, only to be... Continue Reading →

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