Social indicators and social structure

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Abstract
The findings from seven factor analytic studies of social indicators at the subnational level constitute the starting point for this review of the relationship of social indicators, defined as measures of individual and family welfare, and social structure. This definition acknowledges the normative element in social indicators, but it does not specify the direction that they must move in order to be considered “good” or “bad.” Three approaches to explaining social indicators are then reviewed: an indicator-specific model as exemplified by Anderson's analysis of infant mortality; an institution-specific model illustrated by Bidwell and Kasarda's study of the effectiveness of Colorado school districts; and a systemic-structural model, embodied in R. Young's studies of the social organization of the 48 states in relationship to social indicators. Although all three approaches have problems, the last is claimed to be the most heuristic.

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