Understanding the Life Histories of Pregnant-Involved Young Aboriginal Women With Substance Use Experiences in Three Canadian Cities

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sana Z. Shahram ◽  
Joan L. Bottorff ◽  
Donna L. M. Kurtz ◽  
Nelly D. Oelke ◽  
Victoria Thomas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Alcohol And Drug Use ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Aboriginal Women ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Alcohol And Drugs ◽  
The Social

Despite attention paid to substance use during pregnancy, understandings of young Aboriginal women’s experiences based on their perspectives have been virtually absent in the published literature. This study’s objective was to understand the life experiences of pregnant-involved young Aboriginal women with alcohol and drugs. Semi-structured interviews to gather life histories were conducted with 23 young Aboriginal women who had experiences with pregnancy, and alcohol and drug use. Transcribed interviews were analyzed for themes to describe the social and historical contexts of women’s experiences and their self-representations. The findings detail women’s strategies for survival, inner strength, and capacities for love, healing, and resilience. Themes included the following: intersectional identities, life histories of trauma (abuse, violence, and neglect; intergenerational trauma; separations and connections), the ever-presence of alcohol and drugs, and the highs and lows of pregnancy and mothering. The findings have implications for guiding policy and interventions for supporting women and their families.

Muslim Women’s Experiences of Higher Education in Britain

2007 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 46-69
Author(s):  
Fauzia Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Identity Construction ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Muslim Women ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
It Impacts ◽  
The Social ◽  
University Experiences

I explore British South Asian Muslim women’s experiences of higher education and how it impacts identity construction and negotiation. Through semi-structured interviews with thirty-five undergraduate and post-graduate Muslim female university students, I reflect on their perceived and actual experiences. By stressing how representations of them influence their participation and experiences, I analyze how individual subjectivities are mediated and negotiated while reflecting common experiences. I also consider their accounts of the social and personal benefits they felt that they gained during their studies, as well as to the more disturbing and racialized aspects of their experiences. They differentiated between three overlapping forms of beneficial experience: academic, social, and personal. While instances of anti-Muslim racism were rare or subtle, certain university structures and expectations of what being a mainstream student means often contributed to a noted sense of “othering.” I conclude by highlighting how their accounts of their university experiences directly challenge those stereotypes that misrepresent educated Muslim women as “religious and cultural rebels.”

Racism and Injustice: Urban Aboriginal Women's Experiences when Patronising Licensed Premises in South Australia

2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 111
Author(s):  
Charlotte de Crespigny ◽  
Mette Groenkjaer ◽  
Wendy Casey ◽  
Helen Murray ◽  
Warren Parfoot
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Physical Violence ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Aboriginal Women ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Licensed Premises ◽  
Social Scientific

This paper presents the findings regarding urban, predominantly young, Aboriginal women's experiences of patronising licensed premises in South Australia. This research aimed to tap new information directly from the experiences of participants who lived in the southern metropolitan region of South Australia. It focused on their experiences of socialising at licensed premises such as pubs and clubs, locally, and in the city of Adelaide. A qualitative research design within the critical social Scientific paradigm was applied using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis. The recommendations developed from the findings, and the final community report, were developed collaboratively with participants and other Aboriginal women from their local community. Consistent with the experiences of other young non-Aboriginal women in South Australia, as reported by the chief investigator of this study, the findings of this research show that Aboriginal women try to enjoy socialising with friends and family in licensed premises such as pubs and clubs. However, the Aboriginal women were constrained by frequently experiencing racism and injustices when they tried to enter, or when inside, pubs and clubs. Being accused of stealing, prevented from entering or being expelled from venues, racist comments and being subjected to physical violence, conflict with bar and security staff and non-Aboriginal patrons, as well as lack of safety, were some of the issues these Aboriginal women have experienced in licensed premises in urban and suburban South Australia. This research now offers recommendations from the women that call for important changes in policy and service provision that can improve the conditions of Aboriginal women when they are visiting licensed premises.

Muslim Women’s Experiences of Higher Education in Britain

2007 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 46-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fauzia Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Identity Construction ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Muslim Women ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
It Impacts ◽  
The Social ◽  
University Experiences

I explore British South Asian Muslim women’s experiences of higher education and how it impacts identity construction and negotiation. Through semi-structured interviews with thirty-five undergraduate and post-graduate Muslim female university students, I reflect on their perceived and actual experiences. By stressing how representations of them influence their participation and experiences, I analyze how individual subjectivities are mediated and negotiated while reflecting common experiences. I also consider their accounts of the social and personal benefits they felt that they gained during their studies, as well as to the more disturbing and racialized aspects of their experiences. They differentiated between three overlapping forms of beneficial experience: academic, social, and personal. While instances of anti-Muslim racism were rare or subtle, certain university structures and expectations of what being a mainstream student means often contributed to a noted sense of “othering.” I conclude by highlighting how their accounts of their university experiences directly challenge those stereotypes that misrepresent educated Muslim women as “religious and cultural rebels.”

Living Paradox in Riverine Bangladesh: Whiteheadian Perspectives on Ganga Devi and Khwaja Khijir

1969 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naveeda Khan
Keyword(s):  
Alfred North Whitehead ◽  
Physical Entity ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Changing Climate ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Many

We begin with the words of rural and riverine women from Bangladesh recalling the events of their children's deaths by drowning. These events are cast as the work of supernatural beings, specifically Ganga Devi and Khwaja Khijir, who compel the mothers into forgetfulness and entice the children to the water. Is this a disavowal of loss and responsibility? This article considers that the women, specifically those from northern Bangladesh, assert not only their understanding of the losses that they have suffered but also their changing relationship to the river and its changing nature through their evocations of mythological figures. Alongside the many experiences of the river, the article takes note of its experience as paradoxical, with paradoxicality serving as the occasion for the coming together of the mythological, the material, and the social. The article draws upon Alfred North Whitehead to interrelate the strata of myths and their permutations, with the women's experiences of the river, and the river as a physical entity, allowing us to explore how the women's expressions portend the changing climate.

scholarly journals Women’s experiences of the OASI Care Bundle; a package of care to reduce severe perineal trauma

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Posy Bidwell ◽  
Nick Sevdalis ◽  
Louise Silverton ◽  
James Harris ◽  
Ipek Gurol-Urganci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Form ◽  
Perineal Trauma ◽  
Care Bundle ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Good Communication ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Psychosocial Disorders ◽  
Anal Sphincter Injury ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Manual Perineal Protection

Abstract Introduction and hypothesis Obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) is a severe form of perineal trauma that can occur during vaginal birth. Long-term morbidities include anal incontinence and psychosocial disorders. To reduce these injuries within England, Scotland and Wales, the OASI Care Bundle was introduced to 16 maternity units (January 2017–March 2018). The OASI Care Bundle comprises four elements: (1) antenatal information, (2) manual perineal protection, (3) medio-lateral episiotomy (when indicated) and 4) recognition and diagnosis of tears. As part of the project evaluation, a qualitative study was conducted to explore women’s experiences of the OASI Care Bundle. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with women (n = 19) who received the OASI Care Bundle as part of their maternity care. This was to explore their experience of each element. A thematic analysis of the interview data was performed. Results Three themes were identified: (1) memories of touch, whereby women reported that a ‘hands-on’ approach to perineal protection was a positive experience; (2) midwife as a supportive guide, where women reported that good communication facilitated a calm birth and post-birth diagnosis; (3) education: women need more information about perineal trauma. Conclusion This study contributes to the literature through its exploration of women’s experiences of perineal protection techniques and diagnosis of perineal trauma. Interviewed women indicated that they did not experience any of the care bundle elements as an intrusion of their physical integrity. Additionally, an urgent need was identified for more information about perineal trauma in terms of risk, prevention and recovery.

scholarly journals Consequences of Gossiping on Women Empowerment

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (15) ◽  
pp. 6-12
Author(s):  
Shumaila Umer ◽  
Zaheruddin Othman ◽  
Kalthum Bt Haji Hassan ◽  
Rahila Umer ◽  
Habib Ur Rehman
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Social Control ◽  
Human Society ◽  
Women Empowerment ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Inductive Approach ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
The Social ◽  
Depth Interviews

AbstractGossip is prevalent and is widespread in human society. Gossip has been denigrated as ‘idle talk’, mostly among women based on ‘trifling or groundless rumour’. The nature and intensity of gossiping victimise women in society. Consequently, women bear serious threat to their well standardized lives. The study aims to understand the women’s experiences with gossiping as a barrier to empowerment. This is a qualitative study with inductive approach. Men and Women are selected as a informants for this study. The data were congregated through in-depth interviews. The results indicate that gossiping or fear of being gossiped is a strong social control in the social setup of Balochistan. This prevents women from being empowered. This paper is intended to be a contribution to exploiting the ideas of women about gossiping as an essential social control or barrier for empowering women.

scholarly journals Unfounded Sexual Assault: Women’s Experiences of Not Being Believed by the Police

2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052097819
Author(s):  
Jodie Murphy-Oikonen ◽  
Karen McQueen ◽  
Ainsley Miller ◽  
Lori Chambers ◽  
Alexa Hiebert
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Sexual Assaults ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Sexual Assault Survivors ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
The Impact

One in four women will experience sexual assault in their lifetime. Although less than 5% of sexual assaults are reported to law enforcement, one in five cases reported to police are deemed baseless (by police) and therefore coded as “unfounded.” Police officers are in a unique position to act as gatekeepers for justice in sexual assault cases, given their responsibility to investigate sexual assault reports. However, high rates of unfounded sexual assaults reveal that dismissing sexual violence has become common practice amongst the police. Much of the research on unfounded sexual assault is based on police perceptions of the sexual assault, as indicated in police reports. Women’s perspectives about their experiences with police are not represented in research. This qualitative study explored women’s experiences when their sexual assault report was disbelieved by the police. Data collection included open-ended and semi-structured interviews with 23 sexual assault survivors. Interviews covered four areas including the sexual assault, the experience with the police, the experience of not being believed, and the impact on their health and well-being. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and entered into NVIVO for analysis. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s analytic method, resulting in the identification of four themes, including, (a) vulnerability, (b) drug and alcohol use during the assault, (c) police insensitivity, and (d) police process. The women in this study who experienced a sexual assault and reported the assault to police were hopeful that police would help them and justice would be served. Instead, these women were faced with insensitivity, blaming questions, lack of investigation, and lack of follow-up from the police, all of which contributed to not being believed by the institutions designed to protect them. The findings from this research demonstrate that police officers must gain a deeper understanding of trauma and sensitive communication with survivors of sexual assault.

scholarly journals ‘Do you mean I’m not whole?’: Exploring the role of support in women’s experiences of mastectomy without reconstruction

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (12) ◽  
pp. 1598-1609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Archer ◽  
Fiona G Holland ◽  
Jane Montague
Keyword(s):  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
The Self ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Younger Women ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Positive Support ◽  
Unilateral Mastectomy

This study explores the role of others in supporting younger women who opt not to reconstruct their breast post-mastectomy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six women diagnosed with breast cancer in their 30s/40s. The women lived in England, had been diagnosed a minimum of 5 years previously and had undergone unilateral mastectomy. An interpretative phenomenological analysis revealed three themes: Assuring the self: ‘I’ll love you whatever’, Challenging the self: ‘Do you mean I’m not whole?’ and Accepting the self: ‘I’ve come out the other side’. The women’s experiences of positive support and challenges to their sense of self are discussed.

Women and Genocide in Africa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Jessee
Keyword(s):  
Gender Identity ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
International Law ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Resistance Movements ◽  
Socio Economic Status ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
The Social ◽  
Written Sources

Genocide, defined in international law as killings and related mass atrocities that are committed “with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group,” has negatively impacted countless communities across Africa over the centuries. The resulting historical literature is strongest regarding those genocides that occurred in the 20th and 21st centuries due to a tendency to privilege written sources. Within this literature, African women’s experiences remain understudied compared to the experiences of men, despite widespread recognition that genocides often affect people differently according to their gender identity. However, in looking at the widely studied examples of colonial genocides in Belgian-occupied Congo (1885–1908) and German-occupied Namibia (1904–1908), and the subsequent genocides in Burundi (1972), Rwanda (1994), and Sudan (2003–2008), it becomes evident that perpetrators have targeted women in particular ways as part of their broader efforts to exterminate unwanted communities. While women are frequently killed alongside men during genocides, the literature on these case studies abounds with examples of sexual violence, particularly rape, that the perpetrators inflict upon women as part of their efforts to undermine the social vitality of their intended victims’ communities. Women’s experiences of genocide are often far more diverse than the literature’s singular focus on sexual violence suggests, however. The case of Rwanda demonstrates that women can also serve as combatants and perpetrators, while the case of Belgian-occupied Congo reveals that women can lead resistance movements in opposition to genocidal violence. Similarly, German-occupied Namibia and Rwanda demonstrate that women can serve important roles in rebuilding their communities and advocating for recognition and reparations in the post-genocide period. Scholars are beginning to pay greater attention to women’s diverse experiences of genocide, but there is a great deal of research to be undertaken, particularly regarding how different facets of women’s identities, such as class, ethnicity, and socio-economic status, among others, shape their experiences of genocide.

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