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Uses a modified version of the labor-utilization framework to measure the types and extents of underemployment for 2,107 black males and females, a sample from the National Survey of Black Americans (1980). Results reveal a larger percentage of females unemployed, underemployed by low hours or low income, and discouraged. (SLD)

Investigates changes between 1973 and 1990 in degree to which African-American and white women have participated in labor force out of economic necessity versus preference for working outside the home. Found that women's motivations for participating in labor market began to converge toward those of men. Most reported working for other than economic reasons alone. (Author/NB)

The nature and structure of the African American family continues to be a topic of importance in sociology. Since the much-maligned Moynihan report of the 1960s, sociologists have linked Black family structure to persisting disadvantage. However, the overwhelming majority of past studies have focused on the urban Black family. Accordingly, this article employs data from the 1990 Public Use Microdata Samples to compare the rural African American family to its urban counterpart. Results from the logistic regression analysis reveal that for rural Blacks, family structure is less important than community type and race relative to poverty status. These findings suggest a need for a refinement of the underclass debate.

Labor utilization framework, used on 2107 black Americans to analyze their level of underemployment and skills mismatching, revealed that underemployment was high among blacks and was greater in black women then men. This increased the level of poverty among women, which can be remedied only if qualitative and quantitative changes are made in the availability of jobs. Mismatching was high among blacks, with those having higher educational qualifications being employed in jobs below their level.

This article focuses on competing explanations of change in the nature and sources of racial differences in political alienation. It summarizes three views which can be termed (1) political culture and socialization theories, (2) spirit of the times theories, and (3) political structure and interest group theories. The findings provide support for political structure and interest group theories, as changes in political alienation were found to be race-differentiated and reflective of issues and events that were diverse and salient.

Examines the effects of opportunity-structure variables on the rate of labor market participation among 4,688 subjects from early adolescence to young adulthood. Discusses the effect of the following: (1) attitudes; (2) education; (3) drug use; (4) sex and race; and (5) early sanctions and failures. (FMW)