Sheela Kennedy, Ph.D.
@sheelakennedy.bsky.social
Family demographer at UMich SPH studying living arrangements over the life course. Posts about families, data, and pitbulls. She/her.
Reposted by Sheela Kennedy, Ph.D.
The whole "it's not pedophilia if the girl is 15" is a strong argument against parents' absolute control over children's lives. We can't be trusting the lives of children to people who think adult men deserve sexual access to adolescents.
November 13, 2025 at 7:16 PM
The whole "it's not pedophilia if the girl is 15" is a strong argument against parents' absolute control over children's lives. We can't be trusting the lives of children to people who think adult men deserve sexual access to adolescents.
Reposted by Sheela Kennedy, Ph.D.
turns out the emails we should have been reading in 2016 were from the NYT
November 12, 2025 at 10:34 PM
turns out the emails we should have been reading in 2016 were from the NYT
Reposted by Sheela Kennedy, Ph.D.
Black American soldiers literally dug these WWII graves. Traumatic. To acknowledge that fact at a cemetery they helped construct is something the Heritage Foundation cannot accept. As Veterans Day approaches, never forget that this country both compels and disrespects Black military service. Always.
1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️
November 9, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Black American soldiers literally dug these WWII graves. Traumatic. To acknowledge that fact at a cemetery they helped construct is something the Heritage Foundation cannot accept. As Veterans Day approaches, never forget that this country both compels and disrespects Black military service. Always.
Reposted by Sheela Kennedy, Ph.D.
“52% of all autocratization episodes become U-Turns, which increases to 73% when focusing on the last 30 years. The vast majority of U-Turns (90%) lead to restored or even improved levels of democracy”
V-Dem data
V-Dem data
When autocratization is reversed: episodes of U-Turns since 1900
The world is in a “wave of autocratization.” Yet, recent events in Brazil, the Maldives, and Zambia demonstrate that autocratization can be halted and reversed. This article introduces “U-Turn” as ...
www.tandfonline.com
September 20, 2025 at 4:05 PM
“52% of all autocratization episodes become U-Turns, which increases to 73% when focusing on the last 30 years. The vast majority of U-Turns (90%) lead to restored or even improved levels of democracy”
V-Dem data
V-Dem data
Reposted by Sheela Kennedy, Ph.D.
"Bill Kristol is more expansive and full-throated in his defense of transgender rights than most elected Democratic officials" is another sentence.
"Bill Kristol quotes George Washington's condemnation of 18th century antisemitism to defend transgender people from scapegoating following the assassination of Charlie Kirk" is an actual sentence
September 15, 2025 at 5:46 PM
"Bill Kristol is more expansive and full-throated in his defense of transgender rights than most elected Democratic officials" is another sentence.
Reposted by Sheela Kennedy, Ph.D.
Wrote about "corn sweat" again. Find out what the heck it is and how it makes heat worse. 🧪
(Was my temporary headline "Corn Sweat Part 2: The Corn Sweatening"? Maybe.)
(Was my temporary headline "Corn Sweat Part 2: The Corn Sweatening"? Maybe.)
‘Corn Sweat’ Is Real—And It’s Making This Heat Wave Miserable
Humid heat is blanketing the eastern U.S. this week, exacerbated by “corn sweat” in the Midwest
www.scientificamerican.com
July 21, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Wrote about "corn sweat" again. Find out what the heck it is and how it makes heat worse. 🧪
(Was my temporary headline "Corn Sweat Part 2: The Corn Sweatening"? Maybe.)
(Was my temporary headline "Corn Sweat Part 2: The Corn Sweatening"? Maybe.)
Reposted by Sheela Kennedy, Ph.D.
Great news! The Wisconsin Supreme Court finally struck down an 1849 law that stripped women's rights through a near-total abortion ban.
This move protects women's access to medical care and their right to control what happens to their own bodies.
This move protects women's access to medical care and their right to control what happens to their own bodies.
July 2, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Great news! The Wisconsin Supreme Court finally struck down an 1849 law that stripped women's rights through a near-total abortion ban.
This move protects women's access to medical care and their right to control what happens to their own bodies.
This move protects women's access to medical care and their right to control what happens to their own bodies.
Reposted by Sheela Kennedy, Ph.D.
STAGGERING: This new study of 133 countries is the first to estimate the impact of all USAID’s work. In 2 decades, it has saved *92M* lives. Current cuts, if not reversed, are forecast to cost up to *14M* lives thru 2030. www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
July 1, 2025 at 2:23 PM
STAGGERING: This new study of 133 countries is the first to estimate the impact of all USAID’s work. In 2 decades, it has saved *92M* lives. Current cuts, if not reversed, are forecast to cost up to *14M* lives thru 2030. www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Reposted by Sheela Kennedy, Ph.D.
Check out profiles of marriages to same-sex couples. In 2023 there were newly 73,000 marriages to same-sex couples, representing about 4% of all marriages that year.
www.bgsu.edu/ncfmr/resour...
www.bgsu.edu/ncfmr/resour...
LGBTQ+ Population
Resources for Research on Same-Gender Couples and Families
Family Profiles
FP-25-21
Marriages to Same-sex and Different-sex Couples: 2019, 2021, & 2023
FP-25-20
Geographic
www.bgsu.edu
June 19, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Check out profiles of marriages to same-sex couples. In 2023 there were newly 73,000 marriages to same-sex couples, representing about 4% of all marriages that year.
www.bgsu.edu/ncfmr/resour...
www.bgsu.edu/ncfmr/resour...
Reposted by Sheela Kennedy, Ph.D.
When Tim Walz became Kamala Harris's running mate, progressives highlighted policies passed. It could not have been possible without Melissa Hortman.
-Free school breakfast and lunch
-Restoring voting rights for felons
-Paid leave
Great piece by @gracepanetta.bsky.social
19thnews.org/2025/06/rep-...
-Free school breakfast and lunch
-Restoring voting rights for felons
-Paid leave
Great piece by @gracepanetta.bsky.social
19thnews.org/2025/06/rep-...
Rep. Melissa Hortman, killed in targeted attack, was a champion for Minnesotan families
Hortman worked closely with Gov. Tim Walz to enact policies that prioritized children and expanded protections for abortion and gender-affirming care
19thnews.org
June 14, 2025 at 8:01 PM
When Tim Walz became Kamala Harris's running mate, progressives highlighted policies passed. It could not have been possible without Melissa Hortman.
-Free school breakfast and lunch
-Restoring voting rights for felons
-Paid leave
Great piece by @gracepanetta.bsky.social
19thnews.org/2025/06/rep-...
-Free school breakfast and lunch
-Restoring voting rights for felons
-Paid leave
Great piece by @gracepanetta.bsky.social
19thnews.org/2025/06/rep-...
Reposted by Sheela Kennedy, Ph.D.
It should not be lost on anyone that Minnesota Rep Melissa Hortman, who was shot to death in her home last night by an assassin, was a gun safety advocate who worked tirelessly to protect her constituents from gun violence.
June 14, 2025 at 4:18 PM
It should not be lost on anyone that Minnesota Rep Melissa Hortman, who was shot to death in her home last night by an assassin, was a gun safety advocate who worked tirelessly to protect her constituents from gun violence.
Reposted by Sheela Kennedy, Ph.D.
Melissa Hortman, who was assassinated last night, was the Speaker of the Minnesota House in the 2023-2024 session, when Democrats ran the state government.
That means she had a leading role in shepherding the many landmark reforms that Dems adopted in that period—an important legacy. Brief 🧵.
That means she had a leading role in shepherding the many landmark reforms that Dems adopted in that period—an important legacy. Brief 🧵.
June 14, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Melissa Hortman, who was assassinated last night, was the Speaker of the Minnesota House in the 2023-2024 session, when Democrats ran the state government.
That means she had a leading role in shepherding the many landmark reforms that Dems adopted in that period—an important legacy. Brief 🧵.
That means she had a leading role in shepherding the many landmark reforms that Dems adopted in that period—an important legacy. Brief 🧵.
Reposted by Sheela Kennedy, Ph.D.
CPC Director Karen Benjamin Guzzo joins the Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams podcast to discuss the pronatalism movement in America. "It's about controlling women," Guzzo says.
crooked.com/podcast/who-...
crooked.com/podcast/who-...
Who Should Reproduce? The Politics of Family Planning in the Trump Era | Crooked Media
crooked.com
June 11, 2025 at 5:39 PM
CPC Director Karen Benjamin Guzzo joins the Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams podcast to discuss the pronatalism movement in America. "It's about controlling women," Guzzo says.
crooked.com/podcast/who-...
crooked.com/podcast/who-...
Reposted by Sheela Kennedy, Ph.D.
Study: More Single Millennials Settling For Parrot Who Can Dial 911
Study: More Single Millennials Settling For Parrot Who Can Dial 911
NEW YORK—Shedding light on the demographic shifts that have transformed the generation’s relationships, a Hunter College study published Monday revealed that more single millennials were settling for ...
theonion.com
June 12, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Study: More Single Millennials Settling For Parrot Who Can Dial 911
Reposted by Sheela Kennedy, Ph.D.
Cost estimate of the House-passed "Big Beautiful Bill" is out
It'd be the largest cut to Medicaid+CHIP and SNAP in history while still increasing deficits by $2.4 trillion due to $3.8 trillion in tax cuts
This'd be the largest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich in a single law in history
It'd be the largest cut to Medicaid+CHIP and SNAP in history while still increasing deficits by $2.4 trillion due to $3.8 trillion in tax cuts
This'd be the largest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich in a single law in history
June 4, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Cost estimate of the House-passed "Big Beautiful Bill" is out
It'd be the largest cut to Medicaid+CHIP and SNAP in history while still increasing deficits by $2.4 trillion due to $3.8 trillion in tax cuts
This'd be the largest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich in a single law in history
It'd be the largest cut to Medicaid+CHIP and SNAP in history while still increasing deficits by $2.4 trillion due to $3.8 trillion in tax cuts
This'd be the largest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich in a single law in history
Reposted by Sheela Kennedy, Ph.D.
U.K. TARIFFS IN DOUBT
TRUMP ONCE MORE CHICKENS OUT
TRUMP ONCE MORE CHICKENS OUT
June 4, 2025 at 12:15 AM
U.K. TARIFFS IN DOUBT
TRUMP ONCE MORE CHICKENS OUT
TRUMP ONCE MORE CHICKENS OUT
Reposted by Sheela Kennedy, Ph.D.
For 40 years, Americans have lived shorter lives than people in other rich countries.
For 10 years, that's been rapidly getting worse.
New research: in 2022-2023, there were 1.5 million "missing Americans," who died--but wouldn't have, if America didn't have such uniquely high death rates.
For 10 years, that's been rapidly getting worse.
New research: in 2022-2023, there were 1.5 million "missing Americans," who died--but wouldn't have, if America didn't have such uniquely high death rates.
Excess US Deaths Before, During, and After the COVID-19 Pandemic
This cohort study examines trends in excess deaths in the US before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
jamanetwork.com
May 29, 2025 at 7:58 PM
For 40 years, Americans have lived shorter lives than people in other rich countries.
For 10 years, that's been rapidly getting worse.
New research: in 2022-2023, there were 1.5 million "missing Americans," who died--but wouldn't have, if America didn't have such uniquely high death rates.
For 10 years, that's been rapidly getting worse.
New research: in 2022-2023, there were 1.5 million "missing Americans," who died--but wouldn't have, if America didn't have such uniquely high death rates.
Reposted by Sheela Kennedy, Ph.D.
This is absolutely terrible news.
With the shifting regulatory climate (i.e., antivax ratfuckery), Moderna has withdrawn their application for their eagerly anticipated COVID-flu combo vaccine. This vaccine offered better protection than getting each shot separately.
h/t @merz.bsky.social
With the shifting regulatory climate (i.e., antivax ratfuckery), Moderna has withdrawn their application for their eagerly anticipated COVID-flu combo vaccine. This vaccine offered better protection than getting each shot separately.
h/t @merz.bsky.social
Moderna withdraws application for COVID-flu combination vaccine
Moderna said on Wednesday it has withdrawn an application seeking approval for its flu and COVID combination vaccine candidate after discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
www.reuters.com
May 22, 2025 at 6:46 AM
This is absolutely terrible news.
With the shifting regulatory climate (i.e., antivax ratfuckery), Moderna has withdrawn their application for their eagerly anticipated COVID-flu combo vaccine. This vaccine offered better protection than getting each shot separately.
h/t @merz.bsky.social
With the shifting regulatory climate (i.e., antivax ratfuckery), Moderna has withdrawn their application for their eagerly anticipated COVID-flu combo vaccine. This vaccine offered better protection than getting each shot separately.
h/t @merz.bsky.social
Reposted by Sheela Kennedy, Ph.D.
~1 in 4 children under age 5 who have gotten measles in the current outbreak have been hospitalized. Only 11 states have vaccination rates for kids by age 5 that ensures herd immunity. www.cdc.gov/measles/data...
May 21, 2025 at 2:31 PM
~1 in 4 children under age 5 who have gotten measles in the current outbreak have been hospitalized. Only 11 states have vaccination rates for kids by age 5 that ensures herd immunity. www.cdc.gov/measles/data...
Reposted by Sheela Kennedy, Ph.D.
Fuck cancer
BREAKING:
President Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer "with metastasis to the bone."
"[T]he cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management. The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians."
President Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer "with metastasis to the bone."
"[T]he cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management. The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians."
May 18, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Fuck cancer
Reposted by Sheela Kennedy, Ph.D.
Look, I'm all for giving new parents money. But they shouldn't have to use that money to individually address problems that are structural in nature.
Instead of promoting a baby bonus as a way to help new parents afford to take time off from work or settle a hospital bill (see excerpt from a recent blog post), we could actually, you know, have a paid parental leave program and universal health care. 1/
May 15, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Look, I'm all for giving new parents money. But they shouldn't have to use that money to individually address problems that are structural in nature.
Reposted by Sheela Kennedy, Ph.D.
I want to talk population panic & understanding demography.
New estimates from @ncfmr-bgsu.bsky.social on completed fertility in the US show that, among women 45-50 in 2024, about 15% were childless. Two-thirds of women had 2 or more children. 1/ doi.org/10.25035/ncf...
New estimates from @ncfmr-bgsu.bsky.social on completed fertility in the US show that, among women 45-50 in 2024, about 15% were childless. Two-thirds of women had 2 or more children. 1/ doi.org/10.25035/ncf...
May 9, 2025 at 7:04 PM
I want to talk population panic & understanding demography.
New estimates from @ncfmr-bgsu.bsky.social on completed fertility in the US show that, among women 45-50 in 2024, about 15% were childless. Two-thirds of women had 2 or more children. 1/ doi.org/10.25035/ncf...
New estimates from @ncfmr-bgsu.bsky.social on completed fertility in the US show that, among women 45-50 in 2024, about 15% were childless. Two-thirds of women had 2 or more children. 1/ doi.org/10.25035/ncf...
Reposted by Sheela Kennedy, Ph.D.
"Women" were on the forbidden word list. The Women's Health Initiative helped us understand Hormone Replacement Therapy. We had this study because NIH had frequently *left women out* of their studies.
Well the NIH has cancelled the Women's Health Initiative, the largest study of women in history
It has been running continuously since 1991 and has provided massive key knowledge about diseases in women
Unreal
www.science.org/content/arti...
It has been running continuously since 1991 and has provided massive key knowledge about diseases in women
Unreal
www.science.org/content/arti...
NIH cancels its first and largest study centered on women
The Women’s Health Initiative has produced numerous influential findings
www.science.org
April 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM
"Women" were on the forbidden word list. The Women's Health Initiative helped us understand Hormone Replacement Therapy. We had this study because NIH had frequently *left women out* of their studies.
Reposted by Sheela Kennedy, Ph.D.
NEW: In a landmark ruling, Michigan's supreme court has struck down mandatory life without parole sentences for youth up to age 21.
What this means: Nearly 600 Michiganders who expected to die in prison will now get a shot at a different outcome.
I took a few days to write about what's next:
What this means: Nearly 600 Michiganders who expected to die in prison will now get a shot at a different outcome.
I took a few days to write about what's next:
Another State Restricts Life Sentences for Young Adults - Bolts
Michigan’s supreme court created new protections against life sentences for people up to 20, pushing the line for who gets second chances beyond age 18.
boltsmag.org
April 18, 2025 at 3:05 PM
NEW: In a landmark ruling, Michigan's supreme court has struck down mandatory life without parole sentences for youth up to age 21.
What this means: Nearly 600 Michiganders who expected to die in prison will now get a shot at a different outcome.
I took a few days to write about what's next:
What this means: Nearly 600 Michiganders who expected to die in prison will now get a shot at a different outcome.
I took a few days to write about what's next:
Reposted by Sheela Kennedy, Ph.D.
NYTimes obituary of Andy Beveridge—
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/16/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/16/u...
April 17, 2025 at 6:12 PM
NYTimes obituary of Andy Beveridge—
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/16/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/16/u...