scholarly journals A Menstruating Taboo is Structuring and Shaping the Human Behavior in the Harvesting of Medicinal Plants in a Semiarid Landscape in Brazil

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Izaquiel Alves de Siqueira ◽  
Jorge Izaquiel Alves de Siqueira ◽  
Luci de Senna-Valle ◽  
Edna Maria Ferreira Chaves ◽  
Jesus Rodrigues Lemos
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Rural Community ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Great Influence ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Traditional Practice ◽  
Research Participants ◽  
Home Remedies ◽  
The Social

Abstract BackgroundThis article presents, from a biocultural perspective, a menstruating taboo related to the touching, harvesting and preparation of home remedies based on the use of medicinal plants in a rural community located in a semiarid landscape of Cocal municipality, Piauí state, Northeastern Brazil. MethodsMethods used include participant observation and semi-structured interviews performed with 27 local people (21 female and six male) that recognized a taboo regarding the menstruating cycle and the harvesting of medicinal plants in Franco rural community, Cocal, Piauí, Northeastern Brazil. Semi-structured interviews were used to document data regarding the profile of research participants, their perceptions about the taboo documented, as well as the social and biocultural implications of the execution of this traditional practice of prohibition. Participant observation was conducted in order to grasp a better understanding of the social and biocultural implications of the taboo. Additionally, a photographic record was kept during this stage.ResultsIt was verified in Franco rural community that female adolescents and/or women in their menstruating period were prohibited from touching, harvesting and/or preparing home remedies based on the use of medicinal plants. Research participants believed that this can cause the death of medicinal plants, or that they lose their medicinal properties. This taboo has serious social and biocultural implications locally, and can be structured firstly as maladaptive of cultural information at the individual level, as it inhibits the ability of menstruating women to take care of themselves and the health of their families, and secondly as an adaptative strategy at the group level among its users (promotes the transmission of knowledge and cooperation among its users). This traditional practice has serious positive implications for maintaining local bioculturality, sustainability of local medical systems and women's health.ConclusionThis taboo documented within the Franco community is an important informal institution with great influence on human biocultural behavior. The inclusion of these perspectives on taboos in biocultural studies offers opportunities for a greater understanding of biocultural attitudes related to interactions between the human species/biota and the environment in a complex knowledge system.

Mapping the Field of “AR”: Adventure Racing and Bourdieu’s Concept of Field

2002 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Kay ◽  
Suzanne Laberge
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Power Structure ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Dynamic ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Adventure Racing

Drawing on Pierre Bourdieu’s concept of field, this paper explores the particular stakes and struggles that animate both the relationships among adventure racing (AR) participants and the competition among race organizers in order to highlight the social dynamic and power structure of this new “lifestyle” sport. Our investigation relies on a diversity of qualitative data, namely semi-structured interviews with 37 AR participants. Adventure Racing Association Listserve discussion, and participant observation of Eco-Challenge Argentina 1999. Our analysis demonstrates that what is at stake in the AR field is both the definition of the sport practice’s legitimate form as well as its orientation with respect to two dominant delineating forces: “authenticity” and “spectacularization” of the adventure. These two forces currently constitute the specific forms of capital (sources of prestige) that define the AR field.

Being old, being healthy: the dimension of health in the social representations of old age

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 132
Author(s):  
Gabriela Silveira de Paula ◽  
Patrícia Do Socorro Magalhães Franco Espírito-Santo
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Social Representations ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Key Words Aging ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Social

ABSTRACT Objective: to understand the social representations of the elderly on aging and experiences related to health involved in this process. Methodology: the qualitative methodology was applied; data collection was carried out through participant observation, semi-structured interviews and field journal. The interviews were recorded, and a signed a free and clear consent form was obtained, with seven elderly volunteers in Franca – São Paulo, Brazil. The study was approved by Uni-FACEF´s Research Ethics Committee (035/2009). Results: from the analyses of the interviews, three social representations were found among which health constituted the center of discussion: (1) Life silencing: a stigmatized old age where health is determined by declining physical and mental capacities; (2) New identity: an active old age where health is what provides freedom and independence; (3) A natural process: old age is an expected stage and health is spiritual well-being. Conclusions: these results show that social representations of old age are associated to the current redefinition of health; to a positive concept of health; and to the individual’s responsibility for health, that is associated with the aging reprivatization. Key words: Aging; health; social representations; contemporaneity. RESUMO Objetivo: compreender as representações sociais do idoso acerca do envelhecer e das vivências relativas à saúde implicadas neste processo. Metodologia: utilizou-se a metodologia qualitativa, a coleta de dados foi realizada por meio da observação participante, entrevistas semi-estruturadas, e diário de campo. Após a assinatura dos termos de consentimento livre e esclarecido, as entrevistas foram gravadas com sete idosos voluntários na cidade de Franca – SP. Para preservar a identidade dos participantes, todos os nomes utilizados neste artigo são fictícios. O projeto de pesquisa foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do Centro Universitário de Franca (protocolo 035/2009). Resultados: a partir das análises das entrevistas, emergiram três RS acerca da velhice, nas quais a saúde constituiu-se em eixo de discussão: (1) A vida silenciando: uma velhice estigmatizada, em que a saúde é marcada por declínios nas capacidades físicas e mentais; (2) A Nova identidade: uma velhice ativa em que a saúde é aquilo que dá liberdade e independência; (3) Um Processo natural: a velhice é uma etapa esperada, e a saúde é o bem-estar espiritual. Conclusões: tais resultados demonstram que as RS da velhice estão associadas à atual ressignificação da saúde; a um conceito positivo de saúde; e à responsabilização individual pela saúde, a qual se associa à reprivatização do envelhecimento. Descritores: envelhecimento; saúde; representações sociais; contemporaneidade. RESUMEN Objetivo: comprender las representaciones sociales de las personas mayores sobre el envejecimiento y las experiencias relacionadas con la salud implicada en este proceso. Metodología: se utilizó una metodología cualitativa, la recolección de datos fue realizada por medio de la observación participante, entrevistas semi-estructuradas y diario de campo. Las entrevistas fueron grabadas, firmados los términos del consentimiento libre e informado, con siete voluntarios de la ciudad de Franca – São Paulo, Brasil. El estudio fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética en Investigación de la Uni-FACEF. Resultados: a partir del análisis de las entrevistas, reveló tres representaciones sociales sobre la vejez, donde la salud se constituyó en un eje de discusión: (1) La vida silenciando: una vejez estigmatizada, donde la salud se caracteriza por la disminución de la capacidad física y mental, (2) La nueva identidad: una vejez activa, donde la salud es lo que concede libertad e independencia, (3) Un proceso natural: el envejecimiento es un paso esperado y la salud es el bienestar espiritual.  Conclusiones: Estos resultados demuestran que las representaciones sociales de la edad están asociadas con la actual resignificación de la salud; con un concepto positivo de la salud, que se asocia con la reprivatización del envejecimiento. Descriptores: Envejecimiento; salud; representaciones sociales; contemporaneidad.

scholarly journals Gamble on the Uncertain. Negotiating Medical Decision-Making

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 44-59
Author(s):  
Helena Serra
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Strategic Alliances ◽  
Medical Decision Making ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Medical Decision ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Complex Processes ◽  
Transplant Program ◽  
The Social ◽  
Constructivist Approaches

The aim of this paper is to analyze the medical decision-making process in the admission of patients into a Liver Transplant Program in a hospital in Lisbon, Portugal. The relationships and main strategies established among the medical specializations involved in this process will be investigated. The theoretical basis was drawn from medical sociology, in particular, from the social constructivist approaches, which highlight the relation between medical power and knowledge in the construction of medical decision-making. I attempt to elucidate the processes of negotiation through which a medical decision is constructed. The research methodology included non-participant observation and semi-structured interviews with participants from the two medical specializations of interest: liver surgeons and hepatologists. The management of risk and uncertainty in relation to patients’ access to liver transplantation is discussed and the strategic alliances that are formed during medical decision-making in search of consensus are investigated. The research findings show that medical practices and knowledge do not converge linearly to produce a coherent network of actions with a view to decision-making. Instead, medical decision-making is constructed through complex processes of negotiation. The different natures and levels of uncertainty and indetermination that are inherent in the social world of medicine have a fundamental influence on medical decision-making.

scholarly journals Perception of Brazilian Companies on the Potential and Concrete Benefits Resulting from the FSC Certification

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1622
Author(s):  
Camila Fagundes ◽  
Dusan Schreiber ◽  
Moema Pereira Nunes ◽  
Maria Eduarda Fernandes
Keyword(s):  
Participant Observation ◽  
Multiple Case Study ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Forest Stewardship Council ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Forest Reserves ◽  
The Social ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Forest Stewardship

Concern with the adequate use of natural resources has increased the relevance of products certifications in the wood supply chain, especially in companies established in Brazil, the cradle of one of the largest forest reserves. This study investigates the perception of companies on the potential and concrete benefits resulting from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. To achieve this, a multiple case study was carried out with data triangulation through semi-structured interviews, documentary research and non-participant observation. Four FSC certified industries established in Brazil were analyzed. The results showed that of the four companies participating in the study, only one did not achieve the desired economic benefits, whereas all organizations accomplished the advantages of the other areas of sustainability, both the social and environmental.

Visualizing the Reality of Educational Research Participants Using an Amalgamation of Grounded and Positioning Theories

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark McCrohon ◽  
Ly Thi Tran
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Educational Research ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Visual Representation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Stepwise Approach ◽  
Research Participants ◽  
Ideal Candidate ◽  
The Social ◽  
Ontological Reality

This article discussed the development of a framework that visualizes the ontological reality of educational research participants that is incumbent on existing grounded and positioning theories. The proposed framework constructs the ontological reality of participants from qualitative data collected in semi-structured interviews. This framework results in a visual representation of the educational participant’s reality. The article discussed how the use of versioning improves the auditability and replicability of the framework. The stepwise approach of this framework makes it an ideal candidate for automation, desirable to an emerging generation of qualitative researchers from the social sciences, including education and nursing.

scholarly journals Medicinal plants used by "Passo da Ilha" rural community in the city of Pato Branco, southern Brazil

2009 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 691-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
José A. Marchese ◽  
Lin C. Ming ◽  
Lucia de Franceschi ◽  
Rubia C. Camochena ◽  
Greice D.R. Gomes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Traditional Knowledge ◽  
Rural Community ◽  
Field Research ◽  
State University ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cultural Erosion ◽  
The City ◽  
Made In

The scope of this work was to rescue and document the traditional knowledge regarding the medicinal plants used by Passo da Ilha rural community, in Pato Branco, Paraná State, Southern Brazil (26° 11' S, 52°36' W and 760 m high). Structured interviews were made in field research with 16 informants who had the traditional knowledge about medicinal plants. The research was carried out from October to December 2000. The plants were collected in the field, identified and their vouchers were housed at the Herbarium "Irina Delanova De Gemtchjnicov" (BOTU) of São Paulo State University, in Botucatu. A total of 47 botanical families and 114 species of medicinal plants were identified. These plants ere suitable for ore than 30 different edicinal uses. The residents are mainly of European descent, which justify the presence of many exotic plants. The knowledge on how to use medicinal plants properly is held mainly by the females, and decreases in the newer generations, denoting "cultural erosion" in progress.

WOMEN IN BLOCKCHAIN: DISCOURSE & PRACTICE IN THE CO-CONSTRUCTION OF GENDER AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie A. Frizzo-Barker
Keyword(s):  
Social Construction ◽  
Technological Change ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Emerging Technology ◽  
Peer To Peer ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Value Transfer ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Shaping ◽  
Discourse Practice

Blockchain is an emerging technology characterized by peer-to-peer value transfer, decentralization, and democratic ideals of consensus. It also has a stark gender problem, with women representing just 14% of those participating in the space. This paper is based on 30 semi-structured interviews with women who work in blockchain, and participant observation at 17 blockchain meetups and conferences. The gendered discourses and practices surrounding blockchain events provide a productive site for examining the social construction of technologies, and more specifically the gendered social shaping of technologies. I use the theoretical lens of technofeminism, which strikes a balance between technophilia and technophobia, to explore the complex ways in which women’s everyday lives and technological change interrelate in the age of digitization. This co-construction approach challenges the prevailing discourses of technologies like blockchain as neutral and value-free. The goal of my study is not to ask or answer questions such as, “why aren’t there more women in blockchain?” or “how can we attract more women into blockchain?” Rather, I examine the gendered sociotechnical relations surrounding blockchain, as exemplified by discourses and practices at meetups and conferences. For instance, ‘by women, for women’ blockchain meetups serve as important spaces of resistance and support, whereas ‘women in blockchain’ panels at blockchain conferences ring hollow as ‘inclusive’ gestures, instead highlighting the exclusive culture at play. My findings explore how women’s identities and experiences are both enabled and constrained, often simultaneously, through participation in the blockchain space.

Transgender inclusion and the changing face of lesbian softball leagues

2010 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 488-507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Travers ◽  
Jillian Deri
Keyword(s):  
Participant Observation ◽  
Transgender Women ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Lesbian Identity ◽  
Research Participants ◽  
Socially Constructed ◽  
Cultural Processes ◽  
Positive Experiences ◽  
Cultural Affinity ◽  
Previous Scholarship

This article examines the re-negotiation of sex-based boundaries within the context of transgender/transsexual inclusion in North American lesbian softball leagues. Semi-structured interviews with transgender participants combined with participant observation have been undertaken. We focus on the ‘climate’ ( Hall and Sandler, 1982 ) for transgender participation in lesbian softball leagues that have adopted radical (non sex-binary-based) transinclusive policies. The majority of our research participants report positive experiences of inclusion and our own observations inform us that trans participation has already changed the faces of these leagues to the extent that lesbian identity is being queered: it is shifting away, at least to some degree, from assumed biological commonality to cultural affinity. Positive experiences, however, were more uniformly reported by transgender women than by transmen. A number of transmen, while reporting experiences of inclusion, expressed both personal ambivalence about participating in lesbian sporting and non-sporting spaces and a desire for fuller inclusion in the form of sensitivity and awareness concerning the use of gendered pronouns and categorical invocations. Our study documents cultural processes of sex boundary re-negotiation. As such it builds on previous scholarship ( Travers, 2006 ) that suggests that lesbian softball leagues with non-sex-binary based transinclusive policies may offer a model for queering mainstream sporting spaces away from the socially constructed categories of the two sex system.

scholarly journals From social interaction to autonomy: playful aquatic experiences for children with autistic spectrum disorder

1989 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamila Gomes ◽  
◽  
Wihanna Franzoni ◽  
Alcyane Marinho ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Autistic Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Systematic Observation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Autistic Spectrum ◽  
Governmental Organization ◽  
The Social

This study analyze playful aquatic experiences in the facilitated by a non-governmental organization in Florianópolis (SC) for the social interaction of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This study is qualitative approach, in which three field research instruments were used: systematic observation, participant observation and semi-structured interviews. Among the participants are five children with ASD, seven professionals and four family members. Among the results, the aspects intrinsic to the formatting of musical experiences acted as facilitators of moments of social interaction between children with TEA and OS, and three of these children demonstrate motivation to get involved and create games and interest in social interaction. In conclusion, the playful experiences made it possible for children to cultivate verbal or gestural communication skills and create bonds of trust with volunteers and other children.

scholarly journals Between Tales, Myths And Mysteries: Beliefs and Superstitions of A Quilombola Community From The Countryside of Northeastern Brazil

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
ERMÍNIA MEDEIROS MACÊDO ◽  
Roseli Farias de Melo Barros ◽  
Luciano Silva Figueiredo ◽  
Márcio Luciano Pereira Batista
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cultural Elements ◽  
Ethnographic Approach ◽  
The Social ◽  
Identity Constitution ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Traditional Communities

Abstract Background: Tales, myths, beliefs and superstitions are part of the daily life of traditional communities, which strongly believe in the interference of both natural forces and activities, as well as supernatural ones in their social manifestations. Whether in the imaginary facts or real situations experienced by residents, this set of relationships and symbolisms underlie the cosmology of that social group, through which it is possible to identify traces of the cultural and identity constitution of a people. In quilombola communities, the recurrence of these cultural elements is a common practice. In this perspective, the objective was to recognize the tales, myths, beliefs and superstitions of the Quilombola Custaneira/Tronco community in the state of Piauí, as instruments for reaffirmation and strengthening of traditional knowledge and local culture. Method: The methodological path was based on the ethnographic approach and the life history through semi-structured interviews with 23 residents, being older or living longer in the locality. Results: By entering the cosmological universe of the Custaneira/Tronco community and accessing the accounts involving their tales, myths, beliefs and superstitions, we can identify, as in other quilombola communities, the presence of three worlds: the dead, the living and the enchanted.Conclusions: The conclusive aspects point out that the tales, myths, beliefs and superstitions, like the “Father of the Forest”, the visions and the “Mother of Water”, greatly influence the social and cultural practices of the community, especially in hunting rituals, in the relationship with animals and with local natural resources. The cosmological arrangement performs functions that organize its social structure and maintain the connection with its ancestors and its traditionality.

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