Sociology Department Theses and Dissertations
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The IUPUI Department of Sociology offers a Master of Arts degree specifically designed to prepare its students for careers conducting applied and policy-oriented research, and to equip those already in the workforce with the critical skills necessary for assessing and applying sociological knowledge in their everyday responsibilities.
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Browsing Sociology Department Theses and Dissertations by Author "Aponte, Robert"
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Item Acceptance or denial : interracial couples’ experiences in public spaces(2015-11-22) Bell, Lisa Jo; Aponte, Robert; Foote, Carrie Elizabeth; White-Mills, Kim D.Item Comparing and contrasting lifestyle and professional dominatrices: a division by tribute(2017-09-28) Farrington, Elizabeth Marie; Aponte, RobertIn the realm of BDSM there are a few different roles. There is a dominant, which is a person who controls a BDSM scene. There is a submissive, which is a person who gives up control to the dominant during a scene. In a BDSM scene, there must always be a person who is playing the role of a dominant and a person who is in the role of the submissive. This study looks at two different identities associated with the dominate role, lifestyle and professional. This study aims to compare and contrast the two identities on their backgrounds, how they identify themselves, and their views on tribute. Tribute is receiving either gifts or money in exchange for BDSM services. Two theories, social constructionism and exchange theory, were used to create the interview questions for this survey. For this study I interviewed four lifestyle dominatrices and three professional dominatrices. Data from six blogs, three lifestyle dominatrices’ blogs and three professional dominatrices’ blogs, were used as well. My findings suggest that in discovery of, and in BDSM play, the dominatrices are similar and that the defining difference between lifestyles and professionals is the acceptance of money. My findings also conflict a little with Viviana Zelizer’s theory that the receiver of a gift is necessarily submissive to the giver.Item "Motherhood is Our Common Denominator": A Phenomenological Analysis of the Experiences of HIV-Positive Mothers(2011-03-09) Reichert, Erica S.; Foote, Carrie E.; Aponte, Robert; Fife, Betsy LouiseThis study explored the experiences of raising children in the context of living with HIV/AIDS. In the fall of 2007, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 17 HIV-positive mothers (8 African American and 9 white) living in Indiana. Spillover theory was used to describe the interacting effects of the experience of living with HIV/AIDS and the experience of motherhood on one another. Findings indicate that maternal ideologies critically affected how the women experienced both their HIV-positive status and their mothering experiences. Findings also show that the mothers developed strategies to help them reconcile their valued identity as mothers with a stigmatized identity as HIV-positive women. Recommendations are made regarding directions for future research, social policy, and social service provision.Item A qualitative evaluation of use, access and concerns with the first legal syringe exchange program in Indiana: perspectives and experiences of people who inject drugs in a rural community(2017-09) McAlister, Cameron A.; Foote, Carrie E.; Aponte, Robert; Duwve, JoanItem Single Mothers’ Experiences As College Students: Exploring Role Conflict Among Single Mothers In College(2019-04) Vowels, Ashley L.; Seybold, Peter; Latham-Mintus, Kenzie; Aponte, RobertThis research examines the experiences of single mothers as college students, especially as they pertain to the dual role of mother and student. With the rising number of single parent households and increasing numbers of nontraditional students enrolled in college, it is important to understand how the experience of single motherhood impacts the college experience. Using role theory and mothering ideologies, this research describes the challenges that single mothers who attend college face as well as the resources and strategies utilized by single mothers to help them succeed in college. The study consisted of 6 semi-structured, qualitative interviews with single mothers who attend a Midwestern, urban university campus. After transcription, interviews were coded by the author. Coding consisted of identifying key concepts that related to challenges of dual role status and strategies to overcome these challenges. Mothers were asked to describe their experiences relating to their dual role as parent and college student and to elaborate on the resources and strategies they use to overcome these challenges. Results suggest that there are many challenges single mothers encounter include: time management, role conflict (for instance, feelings of guilt from losing time with their child), feelings of stress and anxiety, and a lack of self-care. Several useful resources aiding in college success were identified, such as strong social support from family and friends, and campus resources such as health services. Research also found that single mothers experience financial strain while attending college and rely heavily on financial aid for assistance. The research presented here provides valuable insight to university administrators in their efforts to assist their single mother students.Item Taiwanese accounts of the meaning of their national identity : a qualitative study(2014-01-03) Liu, Zhao; Foote, Carrie E.; Aponte, Robert; Haas, Ain E.The national identity of Taiwanese people has been a topic under public debate and academic inspection since Taiwan’s democratization in the 1980s and the 1990s. In this study, I interviewed fifteen Taiwanese students studying in the United States and talked with them about their national identity. Interviews with the fifteen students reveal that an independent Taiwanese identity has taken shape, while a Chinese cultural identity still remains part of the Taiwanese identity. It was also discovered that although a Taiwanese national identity has formed, a Taiwanese ethnicity has not yet taken a complete form. Discussions with the Taiwanese students also indicate that studying in the multi-cultural United States renders them more aware of their Taiwanese national identity, as well as their Chinese cultural identity.Item Women's Descent into Crime(2018-10) Pierce, Allison Bianca; Aponte, Robert; Foote, Carrie E.; Bell, Linda G.The rate of criminal involvement of women has historically been lower than that of men; however, that is changing. Changes in societal norms and progress toward gender equality have broadened the scope of female behaviors, and modified traditional female responsibilities and roles in the home potentially influencing their participation in the crime market. However, the bulk of research on criminal activity is based on the male experience. Thus, less is known about female criminals and their motivations. A closer look at women’s trajectories into crime therefore will likely yield important insights. This study investigates the descent into drugs and crime from the perspective of women who have previously been charged with crimes beyond simple possession of illegal substances. The key interest lies in shedding light on the experiences that set these women on the path to criminal activity. Specifically, this project aims to explore what the women themselves perceive as precursors to their criminal experience. Our findings suggest that female descent into crime may run contrary to many widely held beliefs, such as: that criminal careers begin in adolescence; that women become participants in crime through the influence of significant others; and that criminals come from lower class households.