The everyday traumas of neoliberalism in women teachers’ bodies: Lived experiences of the teacher who is never good enough

2021 ◽  
pp. 175774382110116
Author(s):  
Kali Thompson ◽  
Stephanie Jones

A teacher’s ability to feel successful – some might even say good – in today’s education system relies on a particular conception of academic success. We argue neoliberalism, as it operates in education, is a normalized trauma enfolded in the individual and collective bodies of women teachers producing overwhelming feelings of never being good enough while also not feeling entitled to do what is right – in the moment – for the children they teach. But this is not new; women have historically been positioned as others through whom educational directives should flow without question. Using the lived experience of the first author, teaching in the south-eastern United States, we describe some of the tolls neoliberalism has on the physical and emotional well-being of the woman teacher body in the search of being good enough. We argue it is time for teacher education to become a feminist project where women have access to the intellectual and analytical tools to make sense of what is being done to them and to give testimony and be a critical witness of these everyday traumas that are being inflicted upon them, their students and others collectively in schools.

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. FarihaIshrat Ullah

Sense of well-being is one of the most important goals which individuals strive for. It affects our perceptions of the external world such that we are able to view it with greater positivity and deal with day to day problems effectively. With an increasingly competitive existence, the pressures and challenges confronting the individual are extremely high, therefore it is difficult to maintain this sense of well-being at all stages of life. Adolescence and early adulthood are particularly demanding, because conflicts relating to quest for identity, concerns for academic success, career and uncertainty about the future all magnify the problems manifold. This is a phase in which several mental health disorders of adulthood appear and affect adjustment in society. Intellectual capacities increase and emotions intensify. The major tasks during this phase include establishing independence, realizing one’s identity and capabilities and preparing for adult self reliance. Psychological well-being has been defined as a dynamic state characterized by a reasonable amount of harmony between an individual’s abilities, needs and expectations, and environmental demands and opportunities (Levi, 1987). It is connotative as a harmonious satisfaction of one’s desires and goals (Chekola, 1975). Since personality is a core factor which determines our reactions and adjustments, psychological-well-being during such a stressed phase as adolescence should be studied within its perspective. It is important that researches which identify factors which contribute to psychological well-being should continue to be conducted in different contexts and with better methodologies. The present research aims to study the personality factors as determinants of psychological well-being amongst university students. Appropriate analysis will be conducted to explore the topic further.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 391-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah M. Netolicky

PurposeThis paper explores, from the perspective of an Australian pracademic, how school leaders are leading during the global COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThis essay explores the tensions navigated by school leaders leading during this time of global crisis, by looking to research as well as the author's lived experience.FindingsThe author finds that school leaders are navigating the following: accountability and autonomy; equity and excellence; the individual and the collective and well-being and workload.Originality/valueThis paper offers insights into school leadership, at all times but especially during times of crisis and during the COVID-19 pandemic.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Lindsay Richards

Individuals with progressive neuromuscular disorders (PND); specifically, Parkinson’s disease (PD), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Huntington’s Disease (HD), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) often face physical, psychological, and social challenges related to sex and intimacy. Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners are experts in activity analysis and are equipped with unique knowledge of performance skills and client factors to address deficits in occupational performance. Though there is literature presenting the effects of PND on sexual occupations, a gap exists as it relates to qualitative data from the perspective of the individual and their partners. A mixed-methods survey was conducted examining the lived experience of adults with progressive neuromuscular disorders to inform programming addressing intimate and sexual needs. Themes were identified from study results in order to inform an evidence-based program addressing sexual and intimate participation and enhance relationships. This research reaffirmed that sexual occupations should not go unaddressed as these can be beneficial not only to the individual patient's well-being, but their partnership and social domains as well. Occupational therapists can facilitate meaningful participation in sexual occupations for these individuals by addressing: their unique physical barriers through positioning and adaptations, providing stress management strategies for both internal and external stressors, and facilitating positive communication between individuals with PND and their partners. The findings from this study support an increased role for OT practitioners in the domain of sexuality.


Author(s):  
Angela Duckworth ◽  

According to Google Ngram, which tracks the popularity of words and phrases in books, well-being is having a moment. But the moment, I think, will last the millennia. Because a concern for well-being is not a passing fad—it’s a permanent transformation. Around the globe, policymakers are prioritizing well-being. Why? Because our lived experience as human beings matters as much as the bales of cotton, kilowatts of energy, and gigabytes of information that we, as a society, produce each year. And the pandemic has only added to the concern, for adults and children alike. How are the young people in your life feeling right now? Are they thriving, languishing, or somewhere in between? Do you know?


2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 272
Author(s):  
Zuleyha Sakar ◽  
Figen Akca ◽  
Aysegul Bozkurt

Emotional abuse can be defined as a large behavior pattern which the individual is exposed to and can be compiled as, the abasement, violent attitude, exclusion, continuous criticism, unfulfilled need for love and making someone feel worthless. From this point of view the effect on the well being is a key concern about the individuals exposed to emotional abuse. Accordingly the purpose of this study is determined as to analyze of the relationship between the level of emotional abuse and well being of teacher candidates perceive. For this purpose 438 teacher candidates, who study at the Faculty of Education in Uludağ University, were utilized in the study. In the research descriptive method was used and the data was obtained by “Perceived Emotional Abuse Scale” (Ersanlı, Yılmaz, & Özcan, 2013) and “Psychological Well Being Scale” (Telef, 2013). According to the findings obtained in order to determine the relationship between the psychological well being and the emotional abuse that teacher candidates perceive, correlation and simple linear regression analysis were performed and it is found that there is a significant negative relation in between (p<.01). In addition in terms of the variables of gender, developmental period they are in, department and the level of academic success they perceive, it is discovered that the levels of perceived emotional abuse predict their psychological well being between 12% and 24%.


Author(s):  
Maha Al Makhamreh ◽  
Denise Stockley

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how doctoral students experienced mentorship in their supervision context and how the mentorship they received impacted their well-being. Design/methodology/approach An interpretive phenomenological methodology was selected to frame the research design. This research approach seeks to study the individual lived experience by exploring, describing and analyzing its meaning. Findings The findings revealed three different quality levels of mentorship in this context authentic mentorship, average mentorship and below average/toxic mentorship. Doctoral students who enjoyed authentic mentorship experiences were more motivated and satisfied, students who reported average mentorships needed more attention and time from their supervisors, and students who had below average/toxic mentorships were stressed out and depleted. Research limitations/implications A limitation of this study is the lack of generalizability owing to the small sample size typical in qualitative studies. Another limitation is that this research did not include students who quit their programs because of dysfunctional supervision experiences. Practical implications Students and supervisors can use the findings to reflect on their beliefs and practices to evaluate and improve their performances. Also, authentic mentors can benefit from the findings to create a positive culture for all students to receive support. Finally, current supervisory policies can be reviewed in light of this paper’s findings. Social implications The findings show the nature of mentorship in an authoritative context, and how it can be toxic when power is misused. Originality/value This study provides new knowledge in relation to the different types of mentorship experiences that exist in doctoral supervision, and how each type can influence students’ well-being differently. Additionally, it reveals that doctoral students can graduate, even in the face of toxic mentorship, but at the expense of their well-being.


2021 ◽  
pp. 239719832199992
Author(s):  
Michael Hughes ◽  
John D Pauling ◽  
Andrew Moore ◽  
Jennifer Jones

Introduction: Outcomes related to Covid-19 in systemic sclerosis patients could be influenced by internal organ involvement and/or immunosuppressive treatment, leading to efforts to shield patients from Covid-19 transmission. We examined the impact of Covid-19 on the lived experience of systemic sclerosis with regards to other aspects of daily living including occupation and emotional well-being. Method: Individuals with systemic sclerosis or relatives/carers participated in an online survey, disseminated through international patient associations and social media pages, designed to examine the impact of Covid-19 on living with a rare disease. Results: Responses from 121 individuals (98% were patients with systemic sclerosis) from 14 countries were evaluable. Covid-19 was considered a probable/definite personal threat (93%) or threat for the individual they care for (100%). Approximately two-thirds of responders reported either cancellation or postponement/delay to appointments, diagnostic tests, medical therapies at home (e.g. infusions), surgery or transplant, psychiatry follow-up or rehabilitation services. Twenty-six percent reported at least one systemic sclerosis medicine/treatment had been unavailable, and 6% had to either stop taking usual medications or use an alternative. Most reported online consultations/telemedicine via phone (88%) and online (96%) as being ‘fairly’ or ‘very’ useful. Respondents reported tensions among family members (45%) and difficulty overcoming problems (48%). Restrictions on movement left around two-thirds feeling isolated (61%), unhappy and/or depressed (64%), although the majority (85%) reported a strengthening of the family unit. Conclusion: Covid-19 has resulted in significant impact on the clinical-care and emotional well-being of systemic sclerosis patients. Changes to clinical care delivery have been well-received by patients including telemedicine consultations.


Author(s):  
Bruna Lemos Silva ◽  
Débora Talitha Neri ◽  
Elisângela Da Silva Ferreira ◽  
Joana Angélica Azevedo de Oliveira ◽  
Luana Rocha Pereira

A pesquisa analisou a percepção das mulheres acerca da utilização dos métodos não farmacológicos para alívio da dor na fase ativa do trabalho de parto. Pesquisa descritiva, de caráter qualitativo, na qual a coleta de dados ocorreu em um Hospital Regional de Belém/PA, com 11 mulheres, durante o puerpério, por meio de questionários. Nos resultados, quatro eixos emergiram: “Caracterização das participantes da pesquisa”, “Conhecimento das mulheres sobre a existência e utilização dos métodos não farmacológicos para alivio da dor durante trabalho de parto”, “A utilização e a eficácia dos métodos não farmacológicos durante o trabalho de parto”, “O benefício dos métodos não farmacológicos e a intensidade da dor antes e após seu uso”. Evidenciou-se que a utilização destes métodos proporcionou sensação de bem-estar, transformando o momento do parto em uma experiência vivida positivamente, constatada pela redução do score da dor na Escala Analógica Visual referida pelas mulheres.Descritores: Terapias Complementares, Manejo da Dor, Trabalho de parto. Non-pharmacological methods for labor: women perceptionAbstract: The research analyzed the perception of women about the use of non-pharmacological methods for pain relief in the active phase of labor. A qualitative descriptive study, in which the data collection took place in a Regional Hospital of Belém/PA, with 11 women, during the puerperium, through questionnaires. In the results, four axes emerged: “Characterization of the participants of the research”, “Knowledge of women about the existence and use of non-pharmacological methods for pain relief during labor”, “The use and efficacy of non-pharmacological methods during labor”, “The benefit of non-pharmacological methods and the intensity of pain before and after use”. It was evidenced that the use of these methods provided a sensation of well-being, transforming the moment of delivery into a lived experience positively, evidenced by the reduction of pain score in the Visual Analogue Scale mentioned by the women.Descriptors: Complementary Therapies, Pain Management, Labor. Métodos no farmacológicos durante el parto: percepción de las mujeresResumen: Se analizó la percepción de las mujeres sobre la utilización de los métodos no farmacológicos para el alivio del dolor en el parto. Una investigación cualitativa descriptiva en la que se realizó la recolección de datos en un Hospital Regional de Belém/PA, con 11 mujeres, durante el puerperio, por medio de cuestionarios. En los resultados, cuatro ejes surgieron: “Caracterización de las participantes de la investigación”, “Conocimiento de las mujeres sobre la existencia y utilización de los métodos no farmacológicos para aliviar el dolor del parto”, “uso y eficacia de métodos no farmacológicos durante el trabajo de parto”, “El beneficio de los métodos no farmacológicos y la intensidad del dolor antes y después de su uso”. Se evidenció que la utilización de estos métodos proporcionó sensación de bienestar, resultando en una experiencia vivida positivamente, reduciendo la puntuación del dolor en la Escala Analógica Visual referida por las mujeres.Descriptores: Terapias Complementarias, Manejo del Dolor, Trabajo de Parto.


Author(s):  
Lucia Gomez Vicente

The metaphorical representation of happiness in the women’s magazine industry appears to be of particular interest at the moment. Indeed, different political, social and economic actors have made happiness become one of the main objectives of Western societies, both at the individual (self-fulfillment, satisfaction, happiness) and at the collective (workplace wellness, well-being of society) level. However, beneath these laudable ideals, and despite their altruistic, apolitical and ideology-free appearance, there lies a discourse that pursues very clear objectives of benefit only to certain interest groups [Illouz & Cabanas 2018]. The women’s press represents a privileged source in the understanding of the expectations faced by women [Blandin 2018] and, perhaps in a more general way, by individuals in a particular culture. Finally, the metaphors used enable us to analyze certain thought patterns specific to some discourses [Charteris-Black 2004]. The aim of this paper is thus to understand how happiness is represented metaphorically in Cosmopolitan magazine and to determine whether this representation corresponds to an ideological agenda. A corpus-based analysis of the metaphors of happiness used in the Cosmopolitan magazine has been conducted. The results show that most of these metaphors can be categorized according to six conceptual patterns related to the notions of ‘strength’ and ‘limit’. The metaphors of happiness found in this corpus are shown to be ideologically charged and strongly related to positive psychology and neoliberal ideology.


2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 126-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frosso Motti-Stefanidi ◽  
Ann S. Masten

Academic achievement in immigrant children and adolescents is an indicator of current and future adaptive success. Since the future of immigrant youths is inextricably linked to that of the receiving society, the success of their trajectory through school becomes a high stakes issue both for the individual and society. The present article focuses on school success in immigrant children and adolescents, and the role of school engagement in accounting for individual and group differences in academic achievement from the perspective of a multilevel integrative model of immigrant youths’ adaptation ( Motti-Stefanidi, Berry, Chryssochoou, Sam, & Phinney, 2012 ). Drawing on this conceptual framework, school success is examined in developmental and acculturative context, taking into account multiple levels of analysis. Findings suggest that for both immigrant and nonimmigrant youths the relationship between school engagement and school success is bidirectional, each influencing over time the other. Evidence regarding potential moderating and mediating roles of school engagement for the academic success of immigrant youths also is evaluated.


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