Title

Public-Opinion Toward Equal-Opportunity Issues - The Role Of Attitudinal And Demographic Forces Among African-Americans

Authors

Authors

T. S. Fine

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

Sociol. Perspect.

Keywords

Sociology

Abstract

This paper explores African American opinion toward equal opportunity issues using a demographic-attitudinal focus. Previous explorations have focused on black-white opinion comparisons. In this analysis, attitudinal forces, particularly core values, are identified as playing an influential role in policy support. Further, these patterns of values tend to reflect those expressed by whites on similar questions: the more individualistic and conservative one is, the less likely one is to support government intervention on African Americans behalf. In responding to questions concerning governmental responsibility, higher SES African Americans express stronger support than do their lower SES counterparts. This finding suggests that those who are experiencing ''glass ceilings'' are concerned about government guarantees of equal opportunity, despite their individualistic beliefs. This is inconsistent with previous explorations that analyze these beliefs among disadvantaged populations. The implications of social changes in the African American community and the impact of these changes on opinion dynamics are discussed.

Journal Title

Sociological Perspectives

Volume

35

Issue/Number

4

Publication Date

1-1-1992

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

705

Last Page

720

WOS Identifier

WOS:A1992KL70600007

ISSN

0731-1214

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