About

Constance L. Shehan is a Professor of Sociology and Gender, Sexualities, and Women’s Studies Research at the University of Florida. Her academic background includes a Ph.D. in Sociology from Pennsylvania State University. Her research focuses on issues related to gender, sexuality, and women's studies, contributing to the understanding of these areas within the broader field of sociology. Shehan's work involves interdisciplinary research, and she is involved in various academic and research initiatives at the university, emphasizing her expertise in gender and sexuality studies.

Research topics

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Social psychology
• Developmental psychology
• Gender studies

Selected publications

• Roe v. Wade gave American women a choice about having children – here’s how that changed their lives

  2021-05-19

  preprint1st authorCorresponding
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• African American Families: Historical and Contemporary Forces Shaping Family Life and Studies

  Handbooks of sociology and social research · 2018-01-01 · 8 citations

  book-chapter
  PublisherDOI

• How Roe v. Wade changed the lives of American women

  2018-07-05

  preprint1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Inequalities in Marriage

  The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology · 2017-09-14 · 2 citations

  otherSenior author

  Abstract In heterosexual marriages, spouses often experience gender‐based differences in rights and responsibilities, particularly in the areas of power and decision‐making; access to and control over household resources; allocation of time to paid employment, household labor, and childcare; and likelihood of experiencing severe violence at the hands of their partner. A major source of these differences lies in the patriarchal authority that is culturally bestowed on men. Cultural and socioeconomic changes in the United States and other western nations are likely contributing to a decline in the role of patriarchy in shaping marital roles and responsibilities in heterosexual marriages. In same‐sex marriages, which are receiving increasing social support and legal recognition, inequalities that exist are typically attributable to other traits or behaviors of spouses. These social changes may result in an increase in marriages in which rights and responsibilities are distributed more equally.

  PublisherDOI

• <scp>U</scp> nited <scp>S</scp> tates, Families in

  Encyclopedia of Family Studies · 2016-03-22

  other1st authorCorresponding

  Abstract The definition of “family” in the United States has been the subject of debate since early in the twentieth century. Long‐term demographic trends in age at first marriage, fertility, nonmarital cohabitation, divorce and remarriage, and life expectancy have changed the composition of – and the relationship between – families and households and challenged the traditional definition of family in the United States. Laws of each state regulate matters related to sexuality, marriage, and parent–child relationships (such as paternity and adoption). Throughout the twentieth century and into the twenty‐first, the Supreme Court of the United States has addressed family issues in a number of landmark cases regarding marriage, contraception, and abortion. These, along with key demographic changes in families, are discussed in this entry.

  PublisherDOI

• Journal of Family Issues

  Encyclopedia of Family Studies · 2016-03-21

  other1st authorCorresponding

  Abstract The Journal of Family Issues is an interdisciplinary social science journal that publishes empirically based papers pertaining to families, households, and intimate relationships.It was first published in 1980. It publishes research based on qualitative as well as quantitative methods of data collection and analysis. It has a long history of publishing feminist research about families and intimate relationships. It also features international research and scholarship. It is published 16 times each year by SAGE.

  PublisherDOI

• The Wiley Blackwell encyclopedia of family studies

  Wiley-Blackwell eBooks · 2016-01-01 · 53 citations

  book1st authorCorresponding

  Volume I Editors vii Contributors xi Lexicon lxxxiii Timeline xci Introduction xcv Acknowledgments xcix Family Studies A Volume II Family Studies Volume III Family Studies Volume IV Family Studies Index

  Publisher

• Maternal Employment

  Encyclopedia of Family Studies · 2016-03-21 · 1 citations

  other1st authorCorresponding

  Abstract Women's participation in the paid labor force depends on many factors, including marriage, reproductive rights, and the belief that women should be the primary providers of care for children. The structure of a nation's economy, specifically whether it is agricultural, goods producing, or service producing, is also a primary determinant of the demand for women's employment and shapes the types of jobs they hold. Maternal employment, particularly among those who have young children, is of concern in most societies. Yet, in the United States, little formal support is available to them in the form of paid maternity leave, guaranteed job protection upon return to work after the birth of a baby, and/or provisions that enable new mothers to continue to breastfeed their babies while employed. Moreover, employed mothers experience a wage penalty relative to employed women who are not mothers.

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• A Note of Appreciation

  Journal of Family Issues · 2016-11-03

  article1st authorCorresponding
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• The inconsistent mediating effects of psychosocial work characteristics on the education–health relationship

  Social Science & Medicine · 2012-07-03 · 22 citations

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Félix M. Berardo

  University of Florida

  7 shared

• Regina M. Bures

  Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

  6 shared

• Hanyao Qiu

  5 shared

• Constance R. Uphold

  North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System

  5 shared

• Cynthia Rexroat

  University of Memphis

  4 shared

• Marsha Wiggins Frame

  University of Colorado Denver

  4 shared

• Kimberly J. Reid

  University of Melbourne

  3 shared

• Donna H. Berardo

  2 shared

Awards & honors

• UF Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
• College of Liberal Arts Teacher of the Year Award
• Ernest Groves Award for Excellence in Teaching about Familie…
• International Award for Excellence in Teaching with Technolo…
• UF Graduate School’s Award for Doctoral Dissertation Mentori…