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

    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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