Social inequality: Challenges, consequences, and action; introduction to the issue.

In the current paper, we introduce the third edition in a series on Social Inequalities, and highlight the impact of social inequalities and provide evidence-based research to support effective programs for change. One of the primary foci of the current issue is on the reduction of inequalities through targeted interventions and community involvement. The collection of articles spans diverse communities and varying placements within the evaluation of interventions, from pointing to potential areas of intervention to the formative or summative evaluation of multiyear programs. The current issue highlights the intersection of community involvement and social inequalities.

The influence of Western body ideals on Kenyan, Kenyan American, and African Americans' body image.

Studies have shown that there exists a relationship between exposure to idealized media images and increased self-ratings of body dissatisfaction - defined as a person's negative feelings and ratings of their own body weight and shape (e.g. Galioto & Crowther, 2013; Grabe, Ward, & Hyde, 2008). Using two experimental studies, we examined the impact of exposure to Western media-ideal images on Kenyan, Kenyan Americans, and African Americans' self-perception and body satisfaction. Across the two studies, it was hypothesized that individuals who were exposed to the thin body ideal media images would report more body dissatisfaction than those exposed to overweight images. Findings support these hypotheses and suggest that exposure to Western media body ideal images is significantly related to increased body dissatisfaction. Implications regarding the need to educate people to become critical consumers of media and consequences on social justice are discussed.

From leave it to beaver to modern family: The influence of family structure on adoption attitudes.

How do social and religious views influence attitudes of the capability and appropriateness of a prospective adoptive parent? The present experiment presents an investigation into the sources of attitudes and biases towards gay and lesbian couples and single parents in an adoption scenario. The author discusses existing theories of discrimination against LGBT populations and outgroups in general, including Social Dominance Orientation and Religious Fundamentalism, all highly predictive of LGBT bias. Current forms of adoption discrimination against nontraditional adopters from public policy makers and adoption agencies alike is explored and an empirical test of these discriminatory trends was created. Proposed adoption scenarios were presented and participant sentiments about the appropriateness of the adoption and prospective parent(s) were assessed. The direct and interactive effects of overt social and religious views were measured and these factors were clearly demonstrated to influence adoption attitudes. The present research aimed to uncover modern sources of prejudice towards gay and lesbian and single adoptive parents and offer new avenues of exploration into the foundation of such discrimination.

Gender and sex inequalities: Implications and resistance.

Despite gains in some regions and countries for justice and equality, people around the world are still constrained by patriarchal hetero orthodoxy and resultant inequality, discrimination, oppression, and violence. For women in the U.S., progress towards equality has been often met with backlash, stalling and/or rolling back any advances. The same is true for the LGBTQ community. In this introduction to the second of three issues focused on social inequalities, we discuss some of the recent trends and research detailing the status of women and LGBTQ, thus providing the context within which the articles contained in this issue are situated. Research presented in the current issue examines many of the inequalities that disrupt or hinder women and LGBTQ in society, and describes potential solutions involving community interventions, policy change, and political advocacy.

Introduction to the JPIC Issue: Social Inequality: Impact on School, Youth, and Families.

In the current paper, we introduce a special issue on Social Inequalities, and the papers which contribute to our understanding of social inequalities and the role of communities in further addressing or preventing said inequalities. The papers in the issue show that to effectively address and prevent inequalities, it is important to understand the complex community factors, such as economic, access to resources, and the nature of disadvantaged groups, particularly within the context of youth, families, and education.