Cassandra Cotton
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Mail code: 7203Campus: Tempe
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Cassandra Cotton is a family demographer and sociologist whose work primarily investigates kinship and family dynamics in sub-Saharan Africa. Her research broadly explores motherhood, changes in kinship roles and networks, and child fostering in sub-Saharan Africa.
Her current projects examine women’s decisions about childrearing in the context of internal migration into informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya, the impact of mothers' migration patterns on child residence and child well-being across sub-Saharan Africa, and strategies to raise children in urban informal settlements. Her work has been published in Population and Development Review, Journal of Marriage and Family, Studies in Family Planning, Health & Place, and Demographic Research.
Cotton is currently collecting data on Romance and Dating in Later Life, which you can read more about at our ASU website for the project.
Cotton is also interested in romantic relationships, dating experiences, child well-being, and child adoption, particularly international and transcultural adoption. Prospective students for the Sociology PhD program interested in family sociology should reach out for more information.
PhD Sociology, McGill University, 2017
BA International Relations, Mount Allison University, 2008
Family Demography, Kinship, Child Fostering, Motherhood & Childrearing, Dating & Romance, Marriage & Unions, Population Dynamics, Migration, Global Health, sub-Saharan Africa, Qualitative Methods, Mixed Methods
Cotton, C., S. Clark & S. Madhavan. 2022. “One hand does not bring up a child:” Child fostering among single mothers in Nairobi’s slums. Demographic Research Vol. 46, Article 30: 865-904. https://dx.doi.org/10.4054/DemRes.2022.46.30
Cotton, C. 2021. “An Enduring institution? Child fostering in sub-Saharan Africa.” Population & Development Review 47(4): 1179-1206. https://doi.org/10.1111/padr.12439
Cotton, C. & D. Beguy. 2021. “Long-distance mothering in urban Kenya.” Journal of Marriage and Family 83(2): 482-497. https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12719
Clark, S. C. Cotton, R. Margolis & H-P Kohler. 2020. "The psychological benefits of marriage and children in rural Malawi." Studies in Family Planning 51(3): 251-272.. https://doi.org/10.1111/sifp.12133
Cotton, C. 2019. "Migration and young women's access to maternal healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa." Health & Place 55: 136-144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2018.12.006
Clark, S., S. Madhavan, C. Cotton, D. Beguy & C. Kabiru. 2017. “Who helps single mothers in Nairobi?: The role of kin support.” Journal of Marriage and Family 79(4): 1186-1204. https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12404
Clark, S., C. Cotton & L. Marteleto. 2015. “Family ties and young fathers' engagement in Cape Town, South Africa.” Journal of Marriage and Family 77(2): 575-589. https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12179
Clark, S. & C. Cotton. 2013. “Transitions to adulthood in urban Kenya: A focus on adolescent migrants.” Demographic Research, Vol. 28, Article 37: 1053-1092. https://doi.org/10.4054/DemRes.2013.28.37
Courses
2025 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SOC 490 | Adv Sociological Rsch Methods |
2024 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SOC 591 | Seminar |
| SOC 490 | Adv Sociological Rsch Methods |
2024 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SOC 590 | Reading and Conference |
2023 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| FAS 361 | Applied Research Methods |
| SOC 391 | Applied Research Methods |
| SOC 515 | Studies of the Family |
| SOC 493 | Honors Thesis |
2023 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SOC 493 | Honors Thesis |
| SOC 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| SOC 499 | Individualized Instruction |
2022 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SOC 391 | Applied Research Methods |
| SOC 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| SOC 399 | Supervised Research Experience |
2022 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SOC 391 | Research Methods |
| SOC 493 | Honors Thesis |
2021 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SOC 391 | Research Methods |
| SOC 333 | Population |
2020 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SOC 333 | Population |
2020 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SOC 333 | Population |
Population Association of America
Unions for African Population Studies
International Union for the Scientific Study of Population
American Sociological Association