Young-IL Kim, PhD

Young-IL Kim joined George Fox in 2017 as an assistant professor of sociology, and he was promoted to associate professor in 2023. In the six years prior to his arrival at the university, he worked as a postdoctoral scholar and research assistant professor in the Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor University.  His research focuses on the ways in which the family and voluntary associations promote (or inhibit) generosity and social solidarity.

His work has been published in Social Science Research, Social Science Quarterly, Sociological Perspectives, Sociological Focus, Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, and  Review of Religious Research. His research has also been covered by media outlets, such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times, and The Psychology Today.

His most recent research was funded by the Fatherhood Research and Practice Network/the Department of Health and Human Services and focused on evaluating the effectiveness of an Ohio-based fatherhood program. In addition to research, he is passionate about teaching and  investing in college students’ lives.

Academic Background

PhD, sociology, University of Virginia (2010)
MA, sociology, Yonsei University, South Korea (2001)
BA, sociology and Business Administration, Yonsei University, South Korea (1999)

Peer-Reviewed Publications

*denotes student coauthor

Jang, Sung Joon, Matt Bradshaw, Charlotte V. O. Witvliet, Young-Il Kim, Byron R. Johnson, and Joseph Leman. 2023. “Transcendent Accountability and Pro-Community Attitudes: Assessing the Link Between Religion and Community Engagement.” Review of Religious Research 65(1):91–120.

Kim, Young-Il, and Sung Joon Jang. 2023. “A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effectiveness of the TYRO Dads Program.” Family Relations 72(1):271–93.

Kim, Young-Il, and Isaak Swan*. 2019. “Religious Heterogamy, Marital Quality, and Paternal Engagement.” Religions 10(2), 102; doi:10.3390/rel10020102

Kim, Young-Il, and Sung Joon Jang. 2019. “Explaining Gender Differences in Changes in Volunteering after Divorce.” The Sociological Quarterly 60(1):138–167.

Kim, Young-Il, and Sung Joon Jang. 2017. “Religious Service Attendance and Volunteering: A Growth Curve Analysis.” Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly 46(2):395–418.

Kim, Young-Il, Sung Joon Jang, and Byron R. Johnson. 2016. “Tying Knots with Communities: Youth Involvement in Scouting and Civic Engagement in Adulthood.” Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly 45(6):1113–29.

Kim, Young-Il, and Jeffrey Dew. 2016. “Marital Investments and Community Involvement: A Test of Coser’s Greedy Marriage Thesis.” Sociological Perspectives 59(4):743–59.

Kim, Young-Il. 2016. “Bridging Alone: Religious Conservatism, Marital Homogamy, and Voluntary Association Membership.” Review of Religious Research 58(1):47–73.

Kim, Young-Il, and W. Bradford Wilcox. 2014. “Religious Identity, Religious Attendance, and Parental Control.” Review of Religious Research 56(4):555–80.

Jang, Sung Joon, Byron R. Johnson, Young-Il Kim, Edward C. Polson, and Buster G. Smith. 2014. “Structured Voluntary Youth Activities and Positive Outcomes in Adulthood: An Exploratory Study of Involvement in Scouting and Subjective Well-being.” Sociological Focus 47(4):238–67.

Polson, Edward C., Young-Il Kim, Sung Joon Jang, Byron R. Johnson, and Buster G. Smith. 2013. “Being Prepared and Staying Connected: Scouting’s Influence on Social Capital and Community Involvement.” Social Science Quarterly 94(3):758–76.

Kim, Young-Il, and W. Bradford Wilcox. 2013. “Bonding Alone: Familism, Religion, and Secular Civic Participation.” Social Science Research 42(1):31–45.