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Rachel Whaley

Rachel Whaley, Associate Professor, Coordinator of Graduate Studies

Dr. Whaley's research and teaching interests are in the sociology of gender and criminology and the intersection of the two subfields. Past research has examined the macro-level correlates of rape and female homicide victimization using data on US cities and micro-level correlates of adolescent substance use. Of particular focus is the role of gender as a social structure on both macro-level and micro-level phenomenon. Dr. Whaley is trained in quantitative research methods and statistical analyses. Current works in progress relate to men’s coping with obesity and how it relates to ideas about masculinity, subjective feelings about gender identity and belief in cultural gender stereotypes, criminal victimization and fear among people opting for life on the road, college students’ views about social inequalities, and explaining trends in traditional gendered expectations. Dr. Whaley also has experience working in applied research centers and is working on developing related courses.

Her teaching experience includes introduction to sociology, research methods, statistics, criminology, and various courses on gender, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Dr. Whaley welcomes the opportunity to work with students interested in criminology, gender, inequality/stratification, and applied or public sociology, or any combination of these interests. She welcomes the opportunity to conduct research with graduate students and has numerous publications with students or former students.

Rachel Whaley

Faner 3434
618-453-7631
rwhaley@siu.edu
Curriculum Vitae (pdf)

Current Research

Criminal victimization and fear among “Nomads” (people opting for a life on the road).

Liberal arts courses, empathy, and college students’ views about social problems.

Times series analysis of gender role attitudes.

Choice of statistical technique: Implications for understanding sex differences in adolescent substance use.

Subjective gender feelings and adherence to traditional ideas about men and women.

Coping with obesity: Men, masculinity, and sizeism.

Collective Identity in the Canadian Women's Movement: The Importance of Music and Song.

Areas of Specialization and Interest

  • Sex and Gender
  • Social Inequalities
  • Criminology/Delinquency
  • Quantitative Methodology
  • Applied Sociology

Selection of Courses Taught

  • Soc 108: Introduction to Sociology
  • Soc 308: Statistics for the Social Sciences
  • Soc 572: Seminar in Criminology
  • Soc 547: Gender and social change
  • Soc 512: Sociological research methods and design
  • Soc 526b: Statistical Data Analysis in Sociology II

Recent Publications

Wienke, Chris, Rachel B. Whaley, and Rick Bratz. 2021. “Assessing How Areas with High Densities of Same-sex Couples Impact the Mental Health of Sexual Minority and Majority Young Adults” in Alex Bitterman and Daniel Hess(eds), The Life and Afterlife of Gay Neighborhoods: Resurgence and Renaissance. New York: Springer.

Silva, Tony J. and Rachel B. Whaley. (2018). Bud-Sex, Dude-Sex, and Heteroflexible Men: Predicting Straight Identification among Men with Same-Sex Sexuality Using a Nationally Representative Sample. Sociological Perspectives, 61 (3): 426-443.

Wienke, Chris and Rachel J. Whaley. (2017). “(How) Does the Proportion of Same-sex Couples in Neighborhoods Impact the Mental Health of Sexual Minority Young Adults?” in Sexual Orientation: Perceptions, Discrimination, and Acceptance. Nova Science Publishers.

Whaley, R. B., Hayes, R. & Smith, J. (2016). Differential reactions to school bonds, peers, and victimization in the case of adolescent substance use: The moderating effect of sex. Crime & Delinquency, Accepted June 2011. Pre-published online (2014).

Wienke, C., and Whaley, R.B. (2015). Same-Gender Sexual Partnering: A Re-Analysis of Trend Data. Journal of Sex Research, 52(2): 162-173. Pre-published on-line (2013).

Whaley, R. B., Hayes-Smith, J. & Hayes-Smith, R. (2013). Gendered pathways? Gender, mediating factors, and the gap in boys’ and girls’ substance use. Crime & Delinquency, 59(5): 651 - 669. Pre-published online (2010).

Whaley, R. B., S. Messner & B. Vesey. (2013). The relationship between gender equality and rates of lethal violence of males against females: An exploration of functional form. Justice Quarterly, 30(4): 732-754. Pre-published on-line (2011).