scholarly journals “Be the Dream Queen”: Gender Performativity, Femininity, and Transgender Sex Workers in China

Author(s):  
Eileen Y. H. Tsang

An under-researched aspect of transgender sex workers in China pertains to their desires and expressions of femininity. Male-to-Female (MTF) transgender sex workers are a high-risk population prone to depression and stress regarding body image, intimate relationships marked by violence, and social stigma, rendering them vulnerable to hate crimes and discrimination. Ethnographic data from in-depth interviews with 49 MTF transgender sex workers indicate that sex, gender and feminine desire are mutable in the construction of self and subjectivity. This study uses the conceptual framework of gender performativity, that is, gender is performative and distinct from physical bodies and binary classifications. It is not only an individual’s normative gender expressions which are based on the sex assigned at birth, but it also reinforces the normative gender performances of the gender binary. This article argues that the 49 MTF transgender sex workers are embodiments of gendered performances, displaying femininity to ameliorate hate crimes and discrimination as well as reinforce the masculinity and sexuality of their clients and intimate sex partners. Embracing their femininity constitutes a self-help program, enabling them to build self-confidence and develop a positive self-image in the face of overwhelming social disapproval.

Pragmatics ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Şükriye Ruhi

This paper analyses a corpus of compliment responses in Turkish according to the conversational maxim approach (Leech 1983, 2003) and the face-management approach (Brown and Levinson 1987) with a view to extending the conceptualisation of self-presentation in theorising on politeness. It observes that the two theories ground politeness on consideration for alter and give precedence to politeness in the sense of displaying deference and solidarity at the expense of self-politeness, described in the present study as speaker need for display of competence, self-confidence, and individuality in interaction, besides the need for non-imposition. Regarding the maxim approach, the paper argues that conversational implicatures triggered by a variety of responses ultimately tie to the Tact Maxim and more specifically to the Sympathy Maxim in the Turkish context. The analysis reveals that compliment responses may override the Politeness Principle, that self-presentational concerns are crucial motivating factors, and that face concerns need to be incorporated into the model. From the perspective of the face-management approach, the study supports the claim in O’Driscoll (1996) and Spencer-Oatey (2000) that the notions of positive and negative face as need for community and autonomy need to be disentangled from the theory’s conceptualisation of face as public self-image. With the incorporation of a number of self-politeness strategies, the face-theoretic analysis builds on this distinction and integrates it with the concept of interactional imbalance by extending an analytic framework adapted from Bayraktaroğlu (1991). The paper concludes with suggestions on how the two theories may complement each other.


Author(s):  
Katarzyna KoŚĆ-RyŻko

Abstract Maternity is an extremely important aspect of self-determination regardless of the culture of origin. In the case of refugee women (functioning without the support of close relatives, the family, and their own society with its cultural norms), it additionally plays a crucial role in the construction of self-image. Women are often taken care of their children, which largely determines their adaptation strategies focused primarily on providing offspring with safety, development conditions, and stability. No less important it is also for their self-perception and self-determination, which are to a large extent conditioned by the gender roles in their culture of origin. In the article, I discuss the most common dilemmas of mothers-refugees among whom I conduct research since 2014 (coming from former Soviet Republics: Chechnya, Dagestan, Tajikistan) and I analyse their impact on the upbringing of offspring. At the beginning of the article, I present the basic terminological issues related to socialization and enculturation. These processes are considered to be one of the most important and difficult challenges faced by refugee women living in Poland. In the following part, I analyse the relationship between the self-assessment of the parental and educational activities effectiveness made refugee mothers and their adaptation attitudes and acculturation strategies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (45) ◽  
pp. 91-96
Author(s):  
Washington José Batista das Neves ◽  
João Paulo Alves da Silva Aguiar ◽  
Jamile Menezes de Souza ◽  
Evandro Augusto Feitosa de Lima Amorim ◽  
Marlus da Silva Pedrosa ◽  
...  

Dental unit darkening is the cause of aesthetic complaint by the patient, mainly because it is easily noticed by the human eye. Tooth whitening and ceramic veneers allow aesthetic rehabilitation in a pattern of visual equality to the natural dentition, by restoring teeth color and shape symmetry, bringing to the face a harmonious impact that is reflected in the entire set that composes it. By recovering teeth healthy appearance, this association of procedures restores people’s self-confidence. This study reports a clinical case of an esthetic management for darkened tooth 21, describing the sequence of techniques association of dental whitening and ceramic veneer to achieve aesthetics balance, showing the advantages and limitations of these procedures.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-45
Author(s):  
Sayantan Ghosal ◽  
Smarajit Jana ◽  
Anandi Mani ◽  
Sandip Mitra ◽  
Sanchari Roy

This paper studies the link between self-image and behavior among those who face stigma due to poverty and social exclusion. Using a randomized field experiment with sex workers in Kolkata (India), we examine whether a psychological intervention to mitigate adverse effects of internalized stigma can induce behavior change. We find significant improvements in participants’ self-image, their savings choices and health clinic visits. Administrative data confirm that these changes in savings and preventive health behavior persist fifteen and 21 months later respectively. Our findings highlight the potential of purely psychological interventions to improve life choices and outcomes of marginalized groups.


2007 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 29-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chimaraoke O. Izugbara

Abstract:This article reports findings of a qualitative inquiry on representations of unsafe sexual conduct among female sex workers in Aba, Nigeria. Participating sex workers viewed their work as a form of business, a survival imperative in the face of poverty, and they generally considered it both risky and disgraceful. However, they frequently framed unsafe sexual behavior in terms of poorly remunerated unprotected sex with clients. Sex workers in the study were not only generally willing to grant, but also confirmed regularly granting, unprotected sex to clients offering to pay a premium for it. Receiving “good money” for unprotected sex made higher degrees of risk acceptable to these women and was considered an effective way to avoid clients assumed to be carriers of infections. In their struggle for sexual health, sex workers in Nigeria are hindered by poverty, powerlessness, and marginality. Future programs must aim, inter alia, at supporting sex workers' willingness to insist on condoms no matter what clients offer them to do otherwise.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1977 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-50
Author(s):  
William A. Primack ◽  
Ira Greifer

A hemodialysis unit was established at a rural summer camp for children. Required medical treatment was planned so as to interfere as little as possible with normal camp programs. Campers who require dialysis were mixed fully into the population of normal campers. Twenty-two children participated during the first summer of operation. Our experience indicates that children on maintenance hemodialysis can be integrated with normal peers in a recreational program and can improve their self-image and self-confidence. The program also demonstrates that chronic pediatric hemodialysis can be safely performed in a rural satellite unit.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-173
Author(s):  
Semen Yu. BOGATYREV

Subject. The article addresses a simulation in the structured query language (SQL) for the Bloomberg information base, the scientifically grounded tools for measuring emotions in markets in the face of financial and pandemic crisis and market imbalances, in addition to classic financial indicators, the creation of analytical tools based on state-of-the-art software tools that integrate the latest advances in behavioral finance and in financial and coefficient analysis, machine learning technologies, and open financial market data. Objectives. The aim is to create a usable toolkit for balanced evaluation of financial and economic situation of companies, based on the analysis of the main Russian and foreign modern means to measure emotions. Methods. The study employs methods of induction, deduction, and modeling. It demonstrates the link between methods and methodologies with new technical means of modern information systems. Results. The paper studies the effect of the heuristics of insufficient reaction and heuristics of excessive self-confidence, using the examples of market drawdown. I developed and implemented a model, using the behavioral finance tools as a factor in stabilizing financial decisions. Conclusions. New software and hardware tools enabled to identify and measure the actions of the heuristics of financial market participants. Financial analysts, when applying the new capabilities of modern information systems for programming and creating user models with required parameters and extensive database, will have new opportunities in the described models. The procedure for collecting and processing the original information required for valuation is simplified.


2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 274-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Piscitelli

This article examines the migratory processes and work experiences of Brazilian female sex workers active in Spain. It is based on ethnographic research conducted over eleven months, at different moments between November 2004 and January 2012, in Barcelona, Madrid, Bilbao and Granada. The principal argument is that the notions of prostitution and international human trafficking held by Brazilian sex workers clash with those found in the current public debate of these issues. Brazilian migrant sex workers' acts and beliefs defy political and cultural protocols on the national and international level, and fly in the face of the 'destiny' that Brazilian society laid out for these individuals.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 267
Author(s):  
Reza Yazdani

<p>Attar believes that some health standards and different hygienic methods should be taught to children. Although teaching the methods of healthcare and well-being is among the necessities of life, child’s understanding and intelligence should not be ignored. There is no doubt that religious give great importance to health issues and even emphasize that they should be taught to children. Dealing with appearance causes that their truth-seeking spirit is misled. Accordingly, Sufism recommends people to abandon appearance and deal with the interior. In the stages of growth, child’s mental images are related to sensory issues. He gradually understands lighting, heating and other things that are exposed to his senses and realizes their differences. Formation of mental images and attention to their differences are related to the growth and complexity of the child’s nerves and experience. Affection and kindness to children is desirable. But parents and educators should know that going to extremes in this case is harmful. Attar believes that loving the children excessively causes that he is brought up as a weak and powerless person and loses his self-confidence. So, he shows weakness in the face of problems. But if he is educated with moderation, he will act accordingly. Too much attention to children makes them timid. Treating the children with justice and fairness is one of the Divine attributes. According to Attar, parents should not discriminate between their children and should deal with them justly in all aspects just as you like to be treated with justice in all situations. In many educational books, it is said that the apparent treatment of parents with children may vary according to their age and gender and this is difference rather than discrimination. Attar states that we should act carefully and accurately. These differences should not make parents not act fairly in loving children, but they should justify the children that if they were in such a situation, they would receive the same treatment. Discrimination and injustice in the family, whether tangible or intangible, cause that children feel contempt and become alienated from their family and education.</p>


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