scholarly journals Tracing the Global Child: Global Politics Shaping Local Childhoods

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 68
Author(s):  
Angela Bushati
Keyword(s):  
Essential Elements ◽  
Cultural Construction ◽  
Global Politics ◽  
International Treaties ◽  
Critical Whiteness Studies ◽  
Symbolic Space ◽  
Cultural Ideologies ◽  
The Social ◽  
Critical Whiteness ◽  
Social Recreation

The concept of childhood, and particularly considering the social and cultural construction of childhood, has not received enough focus in the ongoing debates on globalization and its consequences. Yet, essential elements of globalization are omnipresent in the guise of new discourses around childhood, which have become particularly resonant transnationally. A lot of international treaties or conventions, such as the United Nations Children’s Rights Convention (1989) shape national and local realities of children worldwide based on global conceptualisations of childhood, which are based mainly on western ideals of what it means to be a child. Applying such global notions of childhood in different contexts around the world often does not consider local realities and cultural ideologies of childhood, and indirectly does more harm than good. Childhood constitutes an essential and very delicate nexus in the continuously changing realities. Since childhood occupies a symbolic space where the consequences of globalization can be reflected, it cannot be left unconsidered. Not only childhood comprehends the basis of cultural connection, but it is the main mechanism of social recreation. Building on postcolonial and critical whiteness studies, the paper tries to analyse a few aspects relating the westernization and construction of the global child ideal and presenting an overview of the impacts of children global policies towards shaping local childhoods.

Radical Ambivalence

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Alaimo O'Donnell
Keyword(s):  
Civil Rights ◽  
Civil Rights Movement ◽  
Catholic Church ◽  
Flannery O'connor ◽  
Critical Whiteness Studies ◽  
Political Upheaval ◽  
Contemporary Politics ◽  
The Social ◽  
Critical Whiteness ◽  
The Subject

Radical Ambivalence: Race in Flannery O’Connor is the first book-length study of O’Connor’s attitude toward race in her fiction and correspondence and is the first study to include controversial material from unpublished letters that reveals the complex and troubling nature of her thoughts on the subject. O’Connor lived and wrote in her native Georgia during the tumultuous years of the Civil Rights movement. In one of her letters, O’Connor frankly expresses her double-mindedness regarding the social and political upheaval taking place in the U.S.: “I hope that to be of two minds about some things is not to be neutral.” This double-mindedness also manifests itself in O’Connor’s fiction. Drawing on critical whiteness studies, this study analyzes the ways in which O’Connor critiques the unjust racial practices of the South in her stories and other writings yet unconsciously upholds them; explores O’Connor’s ambivalence with regard to contemporary politics; considers the influence of theology and the Catholic Church on O’Connor’s attitudes; examines the complex role played by “Africanist” presence in the construction of white consciousness in O’Connor’s stories; and explores the theme of thwarted communion between the races in her fiction and correspondence. The study concludes that O’Connor’s race-haunted writing serves as the literary incarnation of her uncertainty about the great question of her era and of her urgent need, despite considerable reluctance, to address the fraught relationship between the races.

scholarly journals The Critique of American Racism in Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley

2021 ◽  
Vol 54 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 57-67
Author(s):  
Danica Čerče
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Value ◽  
Critical Discourse ◽  
Whiteness Studies ◽  
Critical Whiteness Studies ◽  
Non Fiction ◽  
The Social ◽  
Critical Whiteness ◽  
American Racism

Written in the light of critical discourse about the social value of literary sympathy and against the backdrop of critical whiteness studies, the article deals with John Steinbeck’s non-fiction book Travels with Charley in Search of America. Framed by an interest in how the writer responded to the racial separation in the United States, the article demonstrates that this work, which is often dismissed as a “charming portrayal of America,” is a serious intervention in all sites of discrimination and domination.  

A Case for Decentering Whiteness in Education

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 19-34
Author(s):  
Jamie Utt
Keyword(s):  
Critical Race Theory ◽  
White Students ◽  
Students Of Color ◽  
Ethnic Studies ◽  
Traditional Curriculum ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Critical Whiteness Studies ◽  
Cultural Wealth ◽  
Critical Whiteness ◽  
Social Studies Textbooks

Ethnic Studies undermines and challenges the racism inherent in dominant education systems by centering identities and epistemologies of people of Color. While much focus has been paid to the damage done to students of Color by White teachers and the White standard curriculum, this paper addresses the intellectual and material benefit White students disproportionately gain from this curriculum. Through a mixed-methods empirical study examining social studies textbooks and standards from Texas and California, the author argues that the standard White canon acts as a form of White/Western studies that directly privileges White students. Critical Race Theory, Critical Whiteness Studies, Pierre Bourdieu cultural reproduction, and Tara Yosso’s community cultural wealth provide theoretical frameworks in calling for a broader implementation of Ethnic Studies programs and pedagogies while calling for reform of traditional curriculum and standards that act as couriers of dominant capital for White students.

Negotiating Boundaries Between Gender and Social Identities in the Principality of Samos: The Case of Divorces (1902–1911)

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 90
Author(s):  
Vasilios Gialamas ◽  
Sofia Iliadou Tachou ◽  
Alexia Orfanou
Keyword(s):  
Social Context ◽  
Gender Identity ◽  
Social Roles ◽  
Cultural Construction ◽  
Social Identities ◽  
Gender Ratio ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Government ◽  
Qualitative Characteristics

This study focuses on divorces in the Principality of Samos, which existed from 1834 to 1912. The process of divorce is described according to the laws of the rincipality, and divorces are examined among those published in the Newspaper of the Government of the Principality of Samos from the last decade of the Principality from 1902 to 1911. Issues linked to divorce are investigated, like the differences between husbands and wives regarding the initiation and reasons for requesting a divorce. These differences are integrated in the specific social context of the Principality, and the qualitative characteristics are determined in regard to the gender ratio of women and men that is articulated by the invocation of divorce. The aim is to determine the boundaries of social identities of gender with focus on the prevailing perceptions of the social roles of men and women. Gender is used as a social and cultural construction. It is argued that the social gender identity is formed through a process of “performativity”, that is, through adaptation to the dominant social ideals.

Flexible Epistemologies: Gypsy/roma Thinking and Anthropology Theory

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 228-240
Author(s):  
Stefania Pontrandolfo ◽  
Marco Solimene
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Construction ◽  
The Social ◽  
The World ◽  
Specific Practice

This article reflects on the conceptual debt that anthropology has developed towards the peoples it studies, by exploring the case-study of Gypsy/Roma anthropology. We argue that ethnographically-grounded research has enabled anthropologists to access and incorporate Gypsy/Roma visions and practices of the world. The flexible Gypsy epistemologies, which Gypsies/ Roma use in the social and cultural construction of particular forms of identity and mobility, have thus translated into a specific practice of theory, which has provided more adequate tools for grasping the complexity of reality and contributed to a decolonialisation of anthropological thought.

scholarly journals El principio de no regresividad de los derechos sociales en el ordenamiento constitucional español // The principle of non-regressivity of Social rights in the Spanish Constitutional Law

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (100) ◽  
pp. 849
Author(s):  
Miguel Agudo Zamora
Keyword(s):  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Social Model ◽  
Constitutional Amendment ◽  
Social Rights ◽  
Constitutional Court ◽  
The European Union ◽  
International Treaties ◽  
Spanish Constitution ◽  
The Social ◽  
Legitimate Expectations

Resumen:Este trabajo analiza la situación en el modelo constitucional español del principio de no regresividad de los derechos sociales. Se parte del análisis sucinto del modelo social de nuestra Constitución lo que implica el reconocimiento de derechos económicos y sociales. Este reconocimiento es la plasmación constitucional de los principios de solidaridad y de cohesión social. El principio de cohesión social ha sido definido por el Consejo de Europa e incluido explícitamente en los tratados constitutivos de la Unión Europea. La necesidad de lograr la cohesión social fundamenta la inclusión en las Constituciones y en los tratados internacionales del principio de no regresividad de los derechos sociales. En la Constitución española de 1978 este principio no se incluye expresamente. La no inclusión en la Constitución de este principio supone un peligro para la cohesión social en tiempos de crisis económica. Por su parte, el Tribunal Constitucional ha sentado una doctrina ambigua sobre este asunto, que ha sido analizada en este trabajo, así como las más significativas aportaciones doctrinales sobre la materia. Para saber cuáles son los limites de la regresividad de los derechos sociales que dotan de contenido este principio se ha realizado una comparativa internacional y de los principios constitucionales. Del estudio del ordenamiento internacional y de los valores y principios constitucionales se ha obtenido una serie de límites a la regresividad del contenido, eficacia y protección de los derechos sociales. Concluye este trabajo sugiriendo una propuesta de reforma constitucional que incluya el principio de no regresividad de los derechos sociales en el texto constitucional estableciendo una serie de requisitos de aquellas medidas que puedan suponer una regresión de contenido de los mismos tales como que deberán justificarse plenamente en referencia a la totalidad de los derechos, valores y principios recogidos en la Constitución y en los tratados internacionales suscritos por el Estado español y en el contexto del aprovechamiento pleno del máximo de los recursos de que se disponga; se aplicarán tras el examen más exhaustivo de todas las alternativas posibles; tendrán en todo caso carácter temporal hasta que las circunstancias económicas permitan restablecer el ámbito material de contenido, eficacia, protección y garantía prexistente de los derechos sociales afectados; en todo caso respetarán el contenido mínimo esencial de los derechos sociales como manifestación de la dignidad humana; serán razonables y estarán suficientemente motivadas; no vulnerarán, entre otros, los principios de seguridad jurídica, confianza legítima, no discriminación e irretroactividad de disposiciones restrictivas de derechos individuales, serán proporcionadas y respetarán los principios de solidaridad, cohesión y sostenibilidad social. Summary1. State, solidarity and social cohesion. 2. Doctrinal and jurisprudential notes on the principle of non-regressivity of social rights. 3. Limits to the regressivity of social rights. a) Limits derived from international law. b) Limits derived from dignity as essential content of social rights. c) Limits derived from the prohibition of arbitrariness: the need for sufficient motivation. 4. Conclusion: constitutionalamendment and non-regressivity of social rights.Abstract:This paper analyzes the constitutional recognition of the principle of non-regressivity of social rights in Spain. It starts from the succinct analysis of the social model of our Constitution which implies the recognition of economic and social rights. This recognition is the constitutionalization of the principles of solidarity and social cohesion. The principle of social cohesion has been defined by the Council of Europe and explicitly included in the constitutive treaties of the European Union. The need to achieve social cohesion underpins the inclusion in the Constitutions and international treaties of the principle of non-regression of social rights. In the Spanish Constitution of 1978 this principle is not expressly included. The non-inclusion in the Constitution of this principle poses a danger to social cohesion in times of economic crisis. For its part, the Constitutional Court has established an ambiguous doctrine on this subject, which has been analyzed in this work, as well as the most significant doctrinal contributions on the subject. In order to know which are the limits of the regressivity of the social rights that give content of this principle an international comparison has been made as well as a study of constitutional principles. Limits to the regressivity of content, effectiveness and protection of social rights have been obtained from the study of international order and constitutional values and principles. This paper concludes by suggesting a proposal for constitutional amendment that includes the principle of non-regressivity of social rights in the Spanish Constitution establishing some requirements of those measures that imply a regression of their content such as: they shall be fully justified in relationship with all the rights, values and principles contained in the Constitution and in the international treaties signed by the Spanish State and in the context of full exploitation of the maximum resources available; Shall be applied after a more comprehensive examination of all possible alternatives; Shall in any case be of a temporary nature until the economic circumstances permit the restoration of the content, effectiveness, protection and pre-existing guarantee of the social rights affected; In any case they will respect the essential minimum content of social rights as a manifestation of human dignity; Shall be reasonable and sufficiently motivated; Shall not infringe, inter alia, the principles of legal certainty, legitimate expectations, non-discrimination and non-retroactivity of provisions restricting individual rights; Shall be proportionate and shall respect the principles of solidarity, cohesion and social sustainability.

scholarly journals Dealing with diversity and anti-racism in adult education: An institutional perspective

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 39-50
Author(s):  
Annette Sprung
Keyword(s):  
Adult Education ◽  
Applied Research ◽  
Institutional Racism ◽  
Whiteness Studies ◽  
Institutional Perspective ◽  
Critical Whiteness Studies ◽  
Managing Diversity ◽  
Strategic Approach ◽  
Critical Whiteness ◽  
Opening Up

This paper discusses organisational development in institutions of adult education aimed at enhancing diversity and preventing the discrimination of migrants. A critical analysis of three approaches, inter- cultural opening, managing diversity and fighting institutional racism, will be presented and amplified in the light of critical whiteness studies. The concepts differ in terms of their main goals, traditions, fields of practice and discourses of legitimation. The paper is based on the theoretical and empirical results of an Austrian applied research project, which explored how adult education institutions deal with migrant-related diversity. Finally, a strategic approach for opening up Austrian adult education for migrants, which was developed as part of the project, is presented.

scholarly journals Deconstructing Queer/Trans Aging: A Critical Discourse Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie Burns
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Discourse Analysis ◽  
Critical Discourse Analysis ◽  
Queer Theory ◽  
Cultural Competency ◽  
Critical Discourse ◽  
Critical Whiteness Studies ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Critical Whiteness

This Major Research Paper (MRP) examines the recent discourse around LGBTQ older adults and aging that has started to be incorporated into Toronto’s senior care ostensibly to promote inclusion and diversity. Applying postmodernism, queer theory and critical whiteness studies as the theoretical framework, this MRP conducts a critical discourse analysis of (1) a sample of articles on older adults and aging from a Toronto-based LGBTQ-focused newspaper and (2) a sample of a LGBTQ2S cultural competency manual from Toronto’s city-run long-term care homes. The analysis of the findings demonstrates a white-centered, homogenizing and depoliticized discourse. The hope is to push conversations of queer/trans aging beyond homonormative models of senior care.

scholarly journals Зоопоэтика текста в калмыцкой басне ХХ в.

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 393-408
Author(s):  
Rimma M. Khaninova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Research Methods ◽  
20Th Century ◽  
Fairy Tale ◽  
Cultural Construction ◽  
Political Orientation ◽  
Past Century ◽  
Semantic Code ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Creation

Introduction. In the genre system of Kalmyk poetry, the literary fable appeared in the 1930s. When it came to master the genre, Kalmyk poets mainly focused on the traditions of Russian fable of the 19th–20th centuries, primarily on I. A. Krylov’s works which they eagerly translated. The Kalmyk authors were the least likely to rely on traditions of Eastern literature — whether Indian, Tibetan, or Oirat Mongolian — since those sources written in Tibetan, Classical Mongolian and Clear Script (Kalm. todo bichiq) were virtually unavailable to them, and not all poets had knowledge of the scripts. National folklore, including myths, animal tales, household tales, aphoristic poetry (proverbs, sayings, riddles), to a certain extent contributed to the creation of plots and motifs, a gallery of images ― people and the animal world ― in the Kalmyk literary fable. The appeal to the fable was determined by the tasks of cultural construction in Kalmykia, the satirical possibilities of the genre designed to scourge social vices and human shortcomings, contribute to the correction of morals, facilitate education of a person in the new society. Attention to the fable in 20th-century Kalmyk poetry was not that universal and constant, by the end of the century it was no longer in demand and never revived further. The Kalmyk literary fable has been little studied so far, with the exception of several recent articles by R. M. Khaninova, which determines the relevance of this study. Goals. The article aims to study zoopoetics of text of the animalistic fable in Kalmyk poetry of the past century through examples of selected works by Khasyr Syan-Belgin, Muutl Erdniev, Garya Shalburov, Basang Dordzhiev, Timofey Bembeev, and Mikhail Khoninov. Methods. The work employs a number of research methods, such as the historical literary, comparative, and descriptive ones. Results. The animalistic fable is not the leading one in the general genre system of Kalmyk poetry of the past century, including among fables with human characters. It usually includes characters of the steppe fauna whose figurative characteristics are manifested in Kalmyk folklore. The social satire and political orientation of the fables are actualized by modern reality, actual international situation and events. The paper reveals a relationship between the animal fable and — Kalmyk folklore and the Russian fable tradition. Most of the fables have not yet been translated into Russian. Conclusions. In terms of national versification patterns, the study of the Kalmyk poetic animal fable has identified such synthetic forms as fable-fairy tale, fable-proverb, and fable-dream. The genre definition is not always specified by the authors, a moral usually concludes each quatrain-structured narrative. Genre scenes, monologues, and dialogues contribute to an in-depth reading of the context, symbolism of images, and semantic code.

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