Well-researched stories from around the web that bridge the gap between news and scholarship. Brought to you each Tuesday from the editors of JSTOR Daily.

The myth of unit cohesion (Washington Post)
by Alexander B. Downes
A common argument against allowing transgender people in combat is that they hurt unit cohesion. Research suggests that, not only is this not true but even if it were, it might not matter to the military’s effectiveness.

The social media generation (The Atlantic)
by Jean M. Twenge
The generation growing up with smartphones and social media really is different. They’re doing less driving, having less sex, and drinking less. They’re also lonelier and more prone to depression.

The rise and fall and rise and fall of U.S. immigration (Los Angeles Times)
by Angelica Quintero
With rules around immigration in flux, here’s a look at the enormously varied ways the U.S. has determined who can become an American.

What can you say about personality? (Aeon)
by Carlin Flora
Psychologists, fiction writers, and all of us gossips spend a lot of time looking for ways to describe individuals’ personalities. But does it even make sense to try?

Southern food’s African roots (Smithsonian Magazine)
by Jackie Mansky
In the history of the American South, enslaved Africans are often portrayed as unskilled laborers. But their farming and food traditions helped create Southern food.

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