Sociology Department Colloquium: Patrick Sharkey

Date
Thu October 16th 2014, 12:30 - 1:45pm
Location
Mendenhall 101
Sociology Department Colloquium: Patrick Sharkey

The Sociology Department presents a talk by Patrick Sharkey, Associate Professor of Sociology at New York University.

"Violence, Child Development and Urban Life Before and After the Crime Decline"

Abstract:

The research I will discuss begins with the hypothesis that violent crime is a central reason why growing up in disadvantaged neighborhoods has such severe consequences for child development. To support this claim I present evidence from several studies designed to identify the causal effect of exposure to specific incidents of violence on children’s cognitive functioning and academic performance. In the second part of the talk I consider this evidence in light of the two-decade long drop in violent crime that has occurred in the United States. I provide descriptive evidence showing where violence has declined and where it has not. I conclude by describing an ongoing research agenda designed to examine whether the crime decline has reduced childhood inequality in America, and how the crime decline has changed urban life.