Smoke Signals: Adolescent Smoking and School Continuation

This paper presents an exploratory analysis using NLSY97 data of the relationship between the likelihood of school continuation and the choices of whether to smoke or drink. We demonstrate that in the United States as of the late 1990s, smoking in 11th grade was a uniquely powerful predictor of whether the student finished high school, and if so whether the student matriculated in a four-year college. For economists the likely explanation for this empirical link would be based on interpersonal differences in time preference, but that account is called in question by our second finding -- that drinking does not predict school continuation. We speculate that the demand for tobacco by high school students is influenced by the signal conveyed by smoking (of being off track in school), one that is especially powerful for high-aptitude students. To further develop this view, we present estimates of the likelihood of smoking as a function of school commitment and other, more traditional variables. There are no direct implications from this analysis for whether smoking is in some sense a cause of school dropout. We offer some speculations on this matter in the conclusion.

International Human Rights Law Concerning Women: Case Notes and Comments

This Essay addresses the application of international human rights law to women. Most of the cases addressed in this Essay involve alleged discrimination based on sex or marital status. Professor Cook notes that international, regional, and national courts have applied human rights principles to ensure that women\u27s human rights are upheld, although not always to the full extent originally envisioned under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To illustrate this point, Professor Cook reviews cases arising under international, regional, and specialized treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the extent to which such discrimination interferes with the right to enjoy private or family life, attain resident status, receive social security, and receive equal protection of the law. Professor Cook further analyzes cases involving unmarried women and spousal rights arising under the European Convention on Human Rights, alleging violations of the right of respect for family and private life, or the right to nondiscrimination. Professor Cook then briefly reviews other legal instruments that may provide opportunities to apply human rights principles to the advances of women, including the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man, the American Convention on Human Rights, the European Economic Community Treaty, and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Professor Cook concludes that, despite progress in this area, courts have not yet fully recognized women\u27s human rights. This is due in part to the entrenched perceptions of women\u27s role in society that may cause courts to view discrimination merely as differential treatment based on objective and reasonable criteria. Professor Cook urges the expanded use of such international, regional, or national fora to ensure that women\u27s actual human rights are consistent with the conception of those rights as expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Modern Day Inquisitions

Like the Inquisitions in the 1600s, the modern day inquisitions are attempts to secure the supremacy of religious hierarchies in matters of gender, sexuality, and reproduction. The modern day inquisitions jeopardize academic freedoms, particularly of scholars who focus on reproductive health law and ethics, and use hostile stereotypes and social condemnation, among other mechanisms, to control sexuality and reproduction, and to privilege male dominance. In this sense, the overarching barriers to achieving gender justice in this hemisphere are the modern day inquisitions. This article based on a keynote speech of the Conference on Gender Justice in the Americas, graciously hosted by the University of Miami School of Law, February 23-25, 2011, attempts: to take stock of some of the past achievements in applying human rights and constitutional provisions to protect the dignity of different sexualities, reduce violence, and promote reproductive and sexual health, to explore some of the lessons learned in applying human rights and constitutional provisions to these issues, and finally, to think about how best to face challenges ahead and to strengthen networks to create better synergies in our research, teaching, and advocacy to improve gender justice in the Americas