Conference proceeding
Working-Class Authoritarianism in the Private and Public Realm
Eastern Sociological Society
01 Jan 1980
Abstract
Seventy-five white, male blue-collarites were asked to indicate their choice of 1 among 4 stress-reducing resolutions to 27 mini-dramas focused on family & intimate interpersonal relations. As one of the four possible resolutions was consistent with the twenty-year old ideas of S. M. Lipset aobut "working class authoritatianism" the neglect of this option by nearly all respondents raises new doubts about the relevance of Lipset's ideas to the private sphere of blue-collar life. Explanations for this striking profile, one which had the blue-collarites opt for the resolutions independently endorsed by mental health professionals, are sought in two directions: (1) critical attention is paid to the related fate of the Sennett-Cobb hypotheses about the role of retreatism & formulism in blue-collar lives & (2) attention is paid to data from a secondary analysis of NORC general social survey material (1972-1978) on the attitudes of white male blue-collarites. The research raises questions about the possible existence of a dual attitudinal orientation; one which has men authoritarian in the public arena, & conciliatory & progressive in their private lives. If further research bears this out, much of the volatility & emotionality characteristic of blue-collar life may be better understood.
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Details
- Title
- Working-Class Authoritarianism in the Private and Public Realm
- Creators
- Arthur Shostak
- Publication Details
- Eastern Sociological Society
- Resource Type
- Conference proceeding
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Sociology; Culture and Communication [Historical]
- Identifiers
- 991020705447204721