Anthropology - Butler University

Kayla Moore, Jade Tarr, Brittany Webber & Paul Taylor, Faculty Sponsor: Katti Sneed, Indiana
Wesleyan University, Marion
This research study explores different family structures in Marion Indiana, especially that of the
skipped-generation family. These family structures are compared in terms of recidivism rates via
statistics provided by the Grant County Probation Department. While surrounding literature may
lead to the belief that recidivism rates are higher among family structures that have grandparents
as their primary caregiver, the research is inconclusive. Recent studies are showing that any
family structure without two parents is going to suffer (Benda, Corwyn & Nancy, 2001) and in
Marion, this has held true as only 8% of our juvenile delinquents had both parents at home. This
study is dedicated to discovering if the family structure not only suffers from missing parents,
but from having grandparents who have problems of age, money, physical weakness, and in
some cases abuse from the juveniles in their care. This study will assist courts and judges in
determining the least detrimental action when placing children outside of their biological parents
by studying the effectiveness of skipped-generation families, in comparison with other family
structures as they affect recidivism.
Recidivism Rate of Probation
Larisha Reed, Faculty Sponsor: Krista Cline, Butler University
Criminals who are not considered a threat to society and who have been sentenced to probation
have lower recidivism rates due to community treatment and the ability to reestablish themselves
in society during treatment. The current study analyzes data from the United States Department
of Justice and Bureau of Justice Statics to answer the question: does probation work to reduce
recidivism rates? A survey was given to male and female inmates in local jails before the spring
of 2002 with a sample size of 6,982. Participants had to be currently under-arrest or already in
jail to complete the survey and the research did not have previous knowledge of the participants’
criminal history so the population was not bias. Participants were inmates held in institutions
during the 1999 census of jails plus the jail census after the ‘99 census but not before spring
2002. Two-part process was taken to select the population; the first stage selection focused on
chosen jails and the second selection focused on inmates to participate in the survey.
Commonality in the Perquisition of Casual Sex Partners
Cody Sanders, Faculty Sponsor: Curtis Bergstrand, Bellarmine University
The phrases, "hooking up" and "one night stand" are becoming a part of ordinary language as the
act they describe- casual sex- becomes more popular and seemingly more accepted. Casual
sexual encounters are becoming a more common event, especially with college aged adults
where 7 out of 10 claim to have had such an encounter in the past year. There are factors that
have inevitably lead to the acceptance of engaging in sexual intercourse with an acquaintance or
even a complete stranger, which can be uncovered through content analysis. In addition, trends
are noticable in the way partner selection is carried out when seeking a casual sex partner.
Research and analysis will demonstrate as "casual" and seemingly random as hooking up is
depicted and in many cases understood, there's actually a commonality in the people who
actively seek casual sexual encounters.