California Sociology Forum ix About the Student Editors Jesse Arceo (He/Him) is in his second year of the M.A. program for Sociology program here at California State University of Los Angeles. His expected graduation date is Spring of the following academic year for 2024-2025. Jesse’s research interests are anything involving behavior, more specifically individuals’ well-being and happiness in our society. His position as part of the CSF Student Editorial Board included serving as a peer reviewer for the works and articles being submitted for publication to CSF. Taryn Bates (She/Her) is in her senior year as an undergraduate at Cal State LA and will graduate summa cum laude in May 2024 as an Honors College Thesis participant, achieving her B.A. in Sociology: Inequalities and Diversity. She is excited to gain this next level of degree through transferring from Irvine Valley College in 2022, having obtained three simultaneous A.A. degrees summa cum laude with Honors for Sociology, Emphasis in Liberal Studies, and Emphasis in Social and Behavioral Sciences. In 2023-2024, she became a member of the Abolition Study Action People’s (ASAP) Collective, holds the positions of Sociology Club President & Social Media Manager, and rose to the challenge of Publication Co-Managing Editor role for CSF. She is passionate about pursuing research on cross-cultural intersections of social partner dance. Andrea Dominguez (She/They) is currently a graduate student who is pursuing her M.A. in Sociology. Andrea is the Public Relations leader for CSF. Additionally, she works as a Student Assistant Engagement Coordinator for the Center for Student Involvement at Cal State LA, along with serving as one of the Board of Directors for the University Student Union. Her interests in academia include studying phenomena occurring in the world of Urban Sociology and different sociological pedagogies. Andrea hopes that CSF will continue encouraging students to submit their work and show their creativity to the academic world. California Sociology Forum x Katherine Eason (She/Her) is a Graduate student who’s excited about excelling in her academia journey. Being a first-generation college student and the first to receive her bachelors, she strives to go farther the anyone in her family was ever able to. Being an African American woman has driven her to the major of Sociology. Being involved within her community and fighting against oppression and obstacles that have been placed for women and people of color has fueled her academic journey and the main interest in her academic studies. As part of the CSF 2023 board, it has been her privilege to review academic work driven and created with Sociological relevance in mind. She encourages all sociology students to get involved in CSF, as it is a great way to get to know your classmates and to get to know your school. CSF is the heartbeat of the campus. Sammy Garcia III (He/Him) is a Sociology, M.A. graduate student at Cal State LA. He graduated with his B.A. in Sociology and Minor in CLS Spring 2023. He made the dean’s list for Sociology twice (Fall 2021, Spring 2022) and received a Sociology award for being part of CSF Student Journal in Spring 2023. His research interests are in music and film, and he is proud to have an op- ed on music published in the Spring ‘23 CSF Volume 5. He was part of the editorial team for Spring Semester 2023 and returned again in the Fall ‘24, he enjoyed the process of working with his fellow students and new editorial team this semester. Emely Gavini Mendez (She/Her/Ella) is a Sociology, M.A. Graduate student at Cal State LA. She attended San Bernardino Valley College and received four Associate’s degrees: Administration of Justice, Humanities and Fine Arts, Social and Behavioral Sciences and Sociology. She proudly transferred over to Cal State LA and pursued her B.A. degree in Sociology and graduated in less than two years. Emely’s final thesis project focuses on family dynamics and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected those dynamics. Emely will be graduating with her Master’s degree in Sociology May 2024 as a proud Published student on the CSF editorial Board, in hopes to continue her passion for writing. California Sociology Forum xi Jasmine Gaytan (She/Her) has an Associate’s Degree in Administration of Justice from Pasadena City College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Law and Society from California State University- Los Angeles. She is in her last semester for the Master’s Degree in Sociology here at California State University- Los Angeles. Her research interests include education, pedagogical practices, race and ethnic inequalities. She is currently in the submission process of her research on the topic “What role does Whiteness have in the opposition of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in Florida’s K-12 public education?” which she hopes will be published in an academic article. It is her intention to promote awareness of the social phenomenon of anti-CRT legislation by understanding the role “Whiteness” has in opposition to CRT. April D. Laird (She/Her) will complete a B.A. in Sociology, in Spring 2024. Her research and action interests include climate justice, labor rights, anti- racism, abolition, and sustainable urban planning, and her professional ambitions in advocacy coalesce around these topics. She is an active honors society member, has been featured on the Dean’s list 6 times, and is recognized for her contributions to the community in ecology and anti-racism, as well as for her on campus participation in CalStateLA’s Students with Dependents student organization as committee chair and president. Her experience collaborating with CSF as an editor and team leader has been a true delight, enjoying participating in the peer review process and the exciting heterogeneity of student sociological work at CalStateLA. Currently, April assists part time as a community messaging and engagement intern and student employee alongside the policy and research team at TreePeople.org, for county scale climate resilience initiatives. Anthony Jonathan Morales (He/Him) is a Sociologist student at CSULA. His area of study and expertise is in Sociology and Education. He is also set to graduate with a Bachelor’s in Sociology Spring of 2024 and is also set to pursue a Master’s degree after. He is grateful and enjoyed working on the student journals. California Sociology Forum xii Joram N. Mugerwa (He/Him) is an undergraduate transfer student at California State University, Los Angeles. He will be graduating in December 2023, receiving a B.A in Sociology with an option in Gerontology. He is part of various campus organizations dedicated to advancing people of color (BSU, EOP, The Network, etc.) and a peer mentor at the Veterans Resource Center. Joram hopes to use his gained intellect to advance the mobility of the aged population, specifically those with low-income statuses. Joram has also made it his mission to understand the structural foundations of society that promote well-being, hoping to one day apply his knowledge to his home country of Uganda. Joining CSF and working with its members has been illuminating for Joram because it has made him more aware of inequalities and perspectives. He played the role of Team Lead within CSF Public Relations and will continue to advocate for this program’s success. Rachel Natland (Her/They) is a Sociology major in her senior year at CSULA. Her area of expertise is in the application of regenerative studies to social system design with a focus on K-12 education models. She will earn her B.A. in Sociology in the Fall of 2023 and intends to pursue a Master’s Degree in Regenerative Studies through Cal Poly Pomona in Fall 2024. Luis Ortiz (He/Him) is a B.A. Sociology student at California State University Los Angeles. He is interested in intersectionality of identities on social interaction and quality of life. Luis spends much of his time on campus interacting with students in the Cross Cultural Centers (CCC) in the Student Union (U-SU), especially in the Genders and Sexualities Resource Center (GSRC). Since 2021, he organizes a social justice-oriented sports recreation community every Saturday called Rainbow Beach Ultimate in Venice, California, as a response to a growing number of nationwide anti-trans legislation. Through RBU, Luis promotes an inclusive environment that focuses on building the representation of women, BIPOC, and LGBT+ identifying players in the Ultimate Frisbee community through playing and teaching Beach Ultimate. Luis looks forward to furthering his education in Jotería Studies in a future Master’s program at CSULA. California Sociology Forum xiii Christina Mary Ramirez (She/Her) is a sociology M.A. student at Cal State University, Los Angeles and will be graduating in the spring of 2024. Her interest is in intergenerational solidarity, children’s psychological well-being, and family dynamics. She believes exploring these topics is vital for society because the family may be the first to serve as a foundational source of love, companionship, and understanding. She is in the process of completing her thesis, studying the effects parent- child conflict has on children’s depression, especially while enduring a traumatic experience like divorce. Christina is grateful for the opportunity she has been given to explore her writing in sociological areas and to be able to work alongside brilliant, goal-orientated students and faculty. Jessica Rivera (She/Her/Ella) is a first-generation graduate student at Cal State LA. Jessica will be graduating with her M.A. in Sociology in May 2024. Her research interests consist of deviant behaviors, gender, and mental health. She is currently working on her portfolio project on the topic of social media specifically Instagram affecting college students’ self-perception. She is grateful for the opportunity she has been given to explore, grow in her writing and learn from her CSF team. Jessica had the opportunity to be a part of the book/film review team. She is a proud member of the editorial board and hopes to continue her passion in writing. Marie Rivera (She/Her/Ella) is a graduate student pursuing her M.A. in Sociology. Her research interests consist of intersectionality, gender & sexuality studies, race & ethnicity, abolition, and climate justice. Marie currently holds the position of Vice President of the SOC Club. She is also a Research Assistant to several faculty members in the Department of Sociology. She is passionate about organizing with Abolition Study Action People’s (ASAP) Collective and educating students on abolition as a teaching assistant. She has a strong enthusiasm for the written word and its capacity to convey the distinctive thoughts of others. She is grateful for the opportunity to work on such an amazing, dedicated editorial team and admires the journal’s ability to display the work of students. Marie acted as Graduate Managing Editor for CSF in the Spring of 2023 and Publication Co-Managing Editor for the Fall 2023-Spring 2024. California Sociology Forum xiv Leticia Romero (She/Her/Ella) is a Sociology graduate student working on her Master’s at Cal State University, Los Angeles. She has a unique and diverse perspective on under resourced communities and people of color and believes systematic change is needed to improve the quality of life for people not born into wealth. Her research interest is on critical gang studies and why young men join gang. She is focused on the Chicano community of East Los Angeles where she is conducting qualitative interviews to exhibit the resilience of Chicano street gangs and analyzing conflict issues based on allocated resources, identity issues based on hypermasculinity. She is member of the international Sociology honor society, Alpha Kappa Delta as well as the international interdisciplinary honor society, Phi Kappa Phi and is currently a student editor for the California Sociology Forum. Esai Santana (He/Him) is an undergraduate senior at California State University, Los Angeles who transferred from East Los Angeles with an Associate in Arts Degree: Sociology for Transfer and an Associate in Arts General Studies: Social and Behavioral Sciences. With an estimated graduation in Spring 2024 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, he joined CSF as an opportunity to connect more with his peers in Sociology, step out of his comfort zone, and take an interest in publishing a journal. His main research interests when it comes to Sociology are topics that include inequalities, sexuality, and gender. He also has a passion for playing video games, enjoying the stories they tell through a player and sociological perspective. Marlonzo Smith (He/Him) is a Sociologist M.A., student at CSULA. Marlonzo’s interest is in criminology and political sociology, with a focus on deviant behavior and the effects of deviant labels. For his thesis, he hopes to study negative social factors among young men that influence their decision toward deviant behaviors. Marlonzo is a case manager at a nonprofit on SkidRow which helps homeless individuals find affordable housing units within Los Angeles. Participating as CSF’s website specialist has allowed him to present the research that his fellow students have worked so hard to research so their passions can be shown to others. California Sociology Forum xv Andrea Cesar Urbach (She/Her) is a Sociology Graduate student. She received her B.A. in sociology from California State University Los Angeles. She is writing her M.A. thesis about the Sociological Perception of Warfare. Her research focus is climate change and warfare as a social conflict based on how we understand it as a part of societal group interests. In her first year as a student, she helped start a student organization that addressed global warming and was the secretary. She likes talking and reading about sociology and joined CSF as an editor in the Fall of 2023. Academic editing allowed her to work with other authors and enhance her academic life. Kandice Vass (She/Her), a junior at Cal State LA, transitioned from Los Angeles Valley College in Fall 2023. Having proudly earned her Associates Degree in Sociology in June 2023, she is now driven to further her academic and professional journey. With a focused goal of attaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, specializing in Law and Society, Kandice is thrilled to immerse herself in learning, forge meaningful connections, and undergo personal growth during her time at Cal State LA. Serving as the Book and Film Team Lead for CSF, she looks forward to contributing to the academic community and continuing her enriching journey with CSF throughout her enrollment. Lauren Whiting (She/They) is a Sociology, M.A. student at CSULA, but attended AVC for their ADT in Sociology and CSUB-AV for their B.A. in Sociology: Human Services. Lauren’s sociological areas of interest cover topics such as US interactions with and perceptions of the justice system and the parent-child relationship when parenting with disabilities. For her thesis, she hopes to explore the influence of parental religiosity on the relationship between disabled parents and their children. Their passion for these topics offered them opportunities to tutor Sociology, present at six conferences, and receive various accolades. While working toward their Master’s, Lauren is a case manager at a reentry nonprofit in the Antelope Valley. With a passion for supporting others, participating in CSF as a peer reviewer and media team member has offered Lauren the joy of aiding fellow students in their journey of sharing their passions with others. California Sociology Forum xvi Michael Young (He/Him) is a dual major at Cal State LA who has utilized his upper education path to explore his special interest regarding students with disabilities within the education system. He expects to graduate magna cum laude in Spring 2024 with both a B.A. in Sociology and a B.A. in Psychology, while additionally being recognized for participation in the Cal State LA Honors College. His achievements include advocacy for students with disabilities within government support systems, presenting at multiple conferences, and being a co- investigator on a research study conducted as an undergraduate thesis under the Honors College which focuses on the experiences of accommodations students with disabilities receive while attending Cal State LA. About the Faculty Editors Luoman Bao is an Associate Professor in Sociology whose primary research interests include family dynamics, population aging and health, and quantitative methods. Her work has been published in various venues, including Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, and Research on Aging. Dr. Bao served as the Editor-in-Chief of CSF in Fall 2022 and Fall 2023. She loves working with students in classrooms and on projects. She is passionate about facilitating students to grow and achieve their full potential. Katie Dingeman is an Associate Professor in Sociology with research interests around migrant rights, reproductive justice, political ecology, and qualitative methods. She has published in a variety of venues, including Social Problems, Feminist Criminology, and the Journal on Migration and Human Security. She loves facilitating student-led projects and enjoys growing as a teacher, scholar, and advocate alongside her students. Dr. Dingeman was Editor-in-Chief of CSF in Spring 2023 and Spring 2024. California Sociology Forum xvii Gilbert Garcia is a lecturer in Sociology at California State University, Los Angeles and Associate Faculty at Riverside City College in Riverside, California. He is also on the board of the Social Science Research Instructional Council for the California State University System. His research and teaching interests are in race and ethnic relations with an emphasis on exploring systemic racism in the U.S. He also explores the connection of Media and Technology as Socializing Forces in the development of individuals. He serves as the IT Liaison for CSF. Roseann Giarrusso is Chair and Professor of Sociology with research interests in aging and the life-course, family and intergenerational relations, and quantitative research methods. She has over 50 publications including two co-authored books, many peer-reviewed journal articles (e.g., Journal of Marriage and Family; Journals of Gerontology: Social Science; Journal of Family Issues; and Generations), and numerous chapters in books. She enjoys helping students to realize their academic potential. Every year, Dr. Giarrusso co- authors grant proposals to solicit funds to print copies of CSF and provide stipends to student managing editors. Hyojoung Kim is a Professor of Sociology and Director of the Center for Korean American and Korean Studies in Cal State L.A. His main research and teaching areas include political sociology and race and ethnic studies with special emphasis in Korean and Korean American studies, Quantitative Research Methods and Statistics, Rational Choice, Social Network Analysis and Social Movements. His research has been published in various internationally acclaimed academic journals, including American Sociological Review, American Journal of Sociology, and European Sociological Review. Dr. Kim has edited a few books on Korean Americans and Korea. He founded California Sociology Forum—Student Online Journal of Sociology and served as Editor-in-Chief during 2007~2013. About the Student Editors