Introduction: Where Are the Women?

Author(s):  
Rachel VanSickle-Ward ◽  
Kevin Wallsten

Chapter 1 argues for the necessity of an in-depth analysis of contemporary birth control politics in the United States. First, this chapter details the ways in which contraception issues are uniquely significant for the quality of women’s lives. Among many other things, expanding access to and insurance coverage of contraception is linked to women’s economic prosperity, political empowerment, and personal well-being. Second, this chapter situates the project in existing literature on gender, framing, representation, policymaking, and political communication. Specifically, in arguing for a link between descriptive representation and policy framing, it makes the case that birth control provides a high-leverage litmus test for evaluating women’s influence in the political process. Finally, the chapter describes the contours of the book, summarizes its methodological approach, and explains why a cross-venue, over-time assessment of framing choices is the most fruitful approach for identifying gender’s role in controversies over contraception.

Author(s):  
Ran Wei

To fully understand the impact of mobile phone technology on politics, this chapter provides a state-of-the-art overview of research and identifies an emerging subfield concerning the relationship between mobile media and politics. The chapter traces the evolution of mobile media from personal communication devices to tools for political participation. The growing literature on the role of various mobile devices in civic and political life is reviewed and critiqued. The specific uses of mobile media as tools in political communication, such as informational use, mobile political news, and mobile public sphere, are explicated and synthesized. The chapter also sheds light on the question of how the attributes of mobile media influence the political process in democratic and non-democratic countries. The chapter outlines key issues concerning mobile media in civic and political communication, highlighting significant predictors and mediators. Unresolved issues and debates are highlighted, and directions for future research are suggested.


2021 ◽  
pp. 104973232110018
Author(s):  
Sarah O’Neill ◽  
Christina Pallitto

The health consequences of female genital mutilation (FGM) have been described previously; however, evidence of the social consequences is more intangible. To date, few systematic reviews have addressed the impact of the practice on psycho-social well-being, and there is limited understanding of what these consequences might consist. To complement knowledge on the known health consequences, this article systematically reviewed qualitative evidence of the psycho-social impact of FGM in countries where it is originally practiced (Africa, the Middle East, and Asia) and in countries of the diaspora. Twenty-three qualitative studies describing the psycho-social impact of FGM on women’s lives were selected after screening. This review provides a framework for understanding the less visible ways in which women and girls with FGM experience adverse effects that may affect their sense of identity, their self-esteem, and well-being as well as their participation in society.


2021 ◽  
Vol 121 (3) ◽  
pp. 322-336
Author(s):  
Wayne Usher ◽  
Brittany A. McCormack

PurposeThe Higher Degree Research (HDR) journey is known for its difficulties, complexities and challenges (Lees-Deutsch, 2020), with many students experiencing multi-faceted issues and concerns (Skopek et al., 2020). Therefore, the purpose of this research is to investigate the relationships that exist between variables, vulnerability factors and doctorial capital of candidates (n = 532) studying at Australian universities (2019).Design/methodology/approachA quantitative cross-sectional correlational research design and Bronfenbrenner's socio – ecological framework (personal, home, university, community) was utilised to collect participants' (n = 532) descriptive statistics. Bourdieu's social reproduction theory was used as a lens to examine how experiences, across the PhD candidature, are influenced by several psychosocial factors and doctoral capital.FindingsFrom such a dual methodological approach, the findings from this study suggests that (1) age, (2) gender, (3) nationality, (4) financial/work status, (5) years of PhD and (6) attending postgraduate (PG) student events, go to significantly (p < 0.001) impact (positively and negatively) on students' experiences and correspondingly, impacts on their self-confidence, motivation and mental health and well-being status.Research limitations/implicationsResearch limitations are related to the recruitment of more doctoral students across more Australian universities. Further research is required from HDR supervisors, so as to “balance” the experiences of the PhD journey in higher education.Practical implicationsIn order to succeed in academia and HDR programs, students need to identify with and develop the “right kind of capital” to successfully navigate fields of social and scholarly play. Investigating how the participants perceive their social and scholarly habitus is seen as crucial in helping students to develop positive dispositions relevant to being a doctoral student.Social implicationsThe concept of doctoral capital and well-being, amongst Australian PhD students, is under researched and requires further investigation as a precursor to developing more specific policy designs aimed at providing heightened positive learning environments/HDR programs tailored to support doctoral students.Originality/valueWhilst reforms to improve PhD experiences are well established across the international literature (Geven et al., 2018; Skopek et al., 2020), evidence for Australia is largely missing. It is envisaged, that findings from this research will further assist in the development of quality policies that would go to provide effective services and support for doctoral students within Australian universities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 699-711
Author(s):  
M.A. Volokhova ◽  

Modern conditions for the development of market relations leave a significant imprint on all main aspects of rural life. The socio-economic situation of rural households is dangerously dependent on the fluctuations of various institutions, be it the labor institution, the food market or the production system. Under these conditions, increasing attention is being paid to the development of targeted programs to improve the living standard and the socio-economic situation of the population in rural settlements. The article discusses a methodological approach to assess the living standards of rural settlements in the context of municipal districts of the Saratov region, in particular, the Samoilovsky municipality. Basing on the participatory approach, categories of the rural population are determined by income level and a direct correlation dependence of the demographic situation (birth rate, mortality, migration rate) and the level of rural household income are revealed. The parameters of the resource of patience and the boundaries of the passive expectation for the poor and impoverished layers of the rural population, as well as the prerequisites for the passivity of the able-bodied population to participate in the processes of increasing their own well-being and well-being of others are determined. The conditions and parameters of the property status compelling the activation of the use of internal material and social sources of income are revealed. Three levels of decision-making strategies for improving the financial situation of the family are distinguished: employees, employers (agricultural enterprises and K(F)X), authorities (district administration). As a result, a concept of a decision-making strategy was developed to improve the material situation of households in rural settlements of the Saratov region. The economic factor (the size of wages) has one of the decisive effects on all the demographic processes taking place in society.


2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Rosa Linde ◽  
Carlos Eduardo Siqueira

Zika virus infection during pregnancy is a cause of congenital brain abnormalities. Its consequences to pregnancies has made governments, national and international agencies issue advices and recommendations to women. There is a clear need to investigate how the Zika outbreak affects the decisions that women take concerning their lives and the life of their families, as well as how women are psychologically and emotionally dealing with the outbreak. We conducted a qualitative study to address the impact of the Zika epidemic on the family life of women living in Brazil, Puerto Rico, and the US, who were affected by it to shed light on the social repercussions of Zika. Women were recruited through the snowball sampling technique and data was collected through semi-structured interviews. We describe the effects in mental health and the coping strategies that women use to deal with the Zika epidemic. Zika is taking a heavy toll on women’s emotional well-being. They are coping with feelings of fear, helplessness, and uncertainty by taking drastic precautions to avoid infection that affect all areas of their lives. Coping strategies pose obstacles in professional life, lead to social isolation, including from family and partner, and threaten the emotional and physical well-being of women. Our findings suggest that the impacts of the Zika epidemic on women may be universal and global. Zika infection is a silent and heavy burden on women’s shoulders.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
Douglas Rolls ◽  
Kwesi Atta Sakyi ◽  
Geoffrey K. Mweshi

Even though students with eidetic or photographic memories are naturally found in universities, it is not necessary that all the students be of the same super endowment. However, in the university setting, we need students who have stability in all faculties so that the learning process is maximised through constructive and interactive instruction. Issues in education can neither be divorced from the fact-value dichotomy nor from the nature-nurture imperatives that affect and determine educational outcomes. In this regard, neither can some issues escape some element of subjectivity nor others be strictly measured and assessed by scientific strictures. The objective of this paper is to examine some of the learning disabilities among our law students at ZCAS University, and how these affect their academic performance. We settled on this topic after noting that some of our students do not perform well because of many learning disabilities which could be hidden from our view and which should have been diagnosed during the pre-admission period; and also diagnosed through pre-admission tests. Our objective was to establish some of the underlying causes of their poor performance during tests and final year examinations. In this paper, we theoretically explore learning disabilities related to mental, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the well-being of our students. The research took the form of administering questionnaires to the relevant students through purposive sampling. With regard to the methodological approach, we adopted an exploratory approach by using descriptive, quantitative and analytical qualitative methods such as content and thematic analysis. We found out that some students came to the university not because they had academic strength and aptitude in the field of law but because they could afford to pay for the programme. We also found out that some of the students admitted to the university had poor learning styles and habits such as spending too much time online with friends. Furthermore, it came to light that some lecturers did not deliver lectures to suit the learning styles and preferences of students. Our findings were not conclusive enough as similar tests have to be carried out in future in different places to validate and corroborate our findings.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (32) ◽  
pp. 286
Author(s):  
N’tchuvi Tanoh Yves-Cyrille ◽  
Aloko-N’guessan Jérôme

This study focuses on the contribution of local authorities to the development of the Agboville department. It allows the two (02) levels of communities involved in the planning and development of that department. These are the former general counsel of Agboville and the regional council of Agneby-Tiassa. The first was involved in the planning and development department said 2002 to 2012. The second takes over from 2013. The main objective of this study is to highlight the ability of these local entities to provide basic services to the population for their well-being. The methodological approach was to assess the triennial programs and administrative accounts of local authorities and conducting field surveys, to conduct interviews with local authorities and direct observation of the actions carried. The results show that investments by local authorities are poor. This deficiency is linked to the lack of financial resources, which therefore does not allow them to ensure adequate local development.


Author(s):  
James P. Ziliak

I examine trends in the material well-being of working-class households using data from the Current Population Survey in the two decades surrounding the Great Recession. In the years leading up to the Great Recession, average earnings, homeownership, and insurance coverage all fell, and absolute poverty and food insecurity accelerated. After-tax incomes were, for the most part, stagnant. The economic hemorrhaging either abated or reversed, however, in the decade after the Great Recession, especially for the least skilled and for households headed by a Hispanic person. This includes robust earnings growth, which led to declines in earnings inequality, absolute poverty, and food insecurity, coupled with increased insurance coverage and a modest rebound in after-tax incomes. As many of these recent advances likely stalled with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, I discuss various policy options.


RISORSA UOMO ◽  
2009 ◽  
pp. 273-289
Author(s):  
Alessandro Morandi ◽  
Laura Remaschi ◽  
Patrizia Meringolo

- This study explores the subjective meanings of well-being at work, psychosocial risks and interpersonal relationships in a service cooperative engaged in environmental field. Other aim was to investigate the relations between empowerment construct and work satisfaction. Focus groups have been carried out to obtain qualitative data and Psychological Empowerment in the Workplace Scale and Socio-political Empowerment Scale have been administered to 88 subjects, employees and managers. Results show that interpersonal relationships in the workplace can provide support and protection against psychosocial risks. Positive correlations emerge among empowerment, satisfaction about organizational structure and prosocial feature of work.Keywords: organizational empowerment, organizational well-being, psychosocial risks, work satisfaction.Parole chiave: empowerment organizzativo, benessere organizzativo, rischi psicosociali, soddisfazione lavorativa.


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