Oral cultures and sexism: A comparative analysis of African and Punjabi folklore

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-126
Author(s):  
Lubna Akhlaq Khan ◽  
Muhammad Safeer Awan ◽  
Aadila Hussain

The present study embarked with a supposition that there are similarities (traditional, under-developed, agri-based) between the Punjabi and African cultures, so the gender ideology might have similar patterns, which can be verified through the analysis of oral genres of the respective cultures. From Africa, Nigerian (Yoruba) proverbs are selected to be studied in comparison with Punjabi proverbs, while taking insights from Feminist CDA (Lazar 2005). The study has examined how Punjabi and Yoruba proverbs mirror, produce and conserve gendered ideology and patriarchism. Punjabi proverbs are selected through purposive sampling from ‘Our Proverbs’ (Shahbaz 2005) and Yoruba examples (with English translations and interpretations) are elicited from a dictionary of Yoruba proverbs (Owomoyela 2005), as well as articles written about gender by native Yoruba researchers. The investigation has uncovered through thematic content analysis that the portrayal of women in both communities is primarily biased, face-threatening and nullifying. Both languages have presented womenfolk mainly as unreliable, insensible, loquacious, insincere, ungrateful, opportunist, materialistic and troublemaking. Men have been depicted for the most part as aggressive, rational, prevailing, and anxious to take risks. This analysis infers that in asymmetrically organised Punjabi and African (Yoruba) communities, proverbs are deliberately sustaining inequality.

Author(s):  
Innocent Chirisa ◽  
Liaison Mukarwi

This chapter compares the African and Chinese crowdfunding markets with a view to draw lessons from the two markets. China has a longer experience than Africa in the crowdfunding activities; crowdfunding processes in the country may not be directly applicable to the African states, but there are lessons that can be learnt by individual or group of African or Asian governments. These differing experiences identified can serve as a practical guide for urban development actors longing for sustainable funding for important urban development projects. In order to gather this data, the authors conducted a desktop review of literature, both grey and published being work on crowdfunding in Africa and China. Data collected were analysed using thematic content analysis. The chapter argues that the low adoption of crowdfunding by Africa can be attributed to a number of factors, including national regulatory environments that are not conducive for crowdfunding of equity and debt, and unconducive technological environments where e-commerce is not widely utilised.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 698-698
Author(s):  
Patricia Oh

Abstract Joining the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities does not make a community age-friendly; the age-friendly team must cultivate community engagement, develop collaborations with diverse stakeholders, mobilize resources, and document achievements. Little research describes the tools age-friendly rural communities use to effect change and develop sustainability. Thematic content analysis of 67 interviews conducted between December 09, 2018 and January 24, 2020 with age-friendly leaders in rural Maine communities suggested that peer-to-peer networking, privileging local knowledge, engaging local and regional partners, technical advice from a trusted source, and fun were among the tools used to move age-friendly rural work forward.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mazapuspavina Md-Ya ◽  
Ilham Ameera Ismail ◽  
Khasnur Abd Malek ◽  
Khalid Yusoff ◽  
Awang Bulgiba

Abstract Background: Addressing individuals’ motivation to lose weight among patients with morbid obesity is an essential entity in weight reduction. Failures to shift motivation into weight loss actions are common. These could be contributed by the inadequacy to identify and subsequently address the key reasons, that are of particular concern to the patient' individual needs. We aimed to understand the motivations better and identify the reasons why morbidly obese patients attending hospital-based weight management programmes (WMP) wanted to lose weight. Methods: The study used a qualitative approach to analyze part of a quantitative questionnaire of a more extensive study to understand factors influencing weight loss among morbidly obese patients. We used thematic content analysis to analyze responses from a self-administered open-ended question "What is the main factor why you want to lose your weight?”. A total of 225 new patients attending obesity clinics in two tertiary hospitals responded to the questionnaire. Results: Patients’ mean BMI was 45.6±8.05 kg/m2. Four themes emerged for the reasons why morbidly obese patients wanted to lose weight. Health was the most commonly inferred theme (84%). Patients were concerned about the impact obesity had on their health. Overcoming obesity was seen as a reward not just for physical health, but also for their psychological wellbeing. Patients regard being functional to care for themselves, their family members, as well as their religious and career needs as the next most crucial theme (25.8%). Patients raised the theme appearance (12.9%), especially with regards to wanting to look and feel beautiful. The last theme was perceived stigmatization for being morbidly obese as they were mocked and laughed at for their appearance (3.1%).Conclusion: Patients with morbid obesity in this study had expressed their main personal motivational reasons to lose weight. Concerns about the impact of morbid obesity on health, physical, social and obligatory function, appearance and perceived stigma warrant detailed exploration by the managing health professionals. Identifying and addressing these unique personal motivations in a focused approach is vital at the beginning and throughout a weight reduction program in this unique group.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 425-447
Author(s):  
Alonso Moreno ◽  
Martin Quinn

This article provides a thematic content analysis of the Chairman’s Statement of Arthur Guinness & Son Ltd over time. The analysis traces the evolution of the content over four distinct periods using a coding scheme developed from extant research. The objective is to study whether the corporate narratives change in line with the institutional factors over time. To interpret the results, we draw on an institutional theory–based lens to offer potential explanations of some of the change and also of stability. Institutions can not only constrain behaviour but also support and empower agents to bring about change. The results of the longitudinal content analysis reveal some variations over time, but in general the content is relatively stable. This may be explained by the organisation itself being an institution that is sufficiently institutionalised so that corporate reporting remained relatively stable. This suggests Guinness may be an example of a strong institution over time.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 262-268
Author(s):  
Megan Chenworth ◽  
Jeanmarie Perrone ◽  
Jennifer S. Love ◽  
Howard A. Greller ◽  
Abeed Sarker ◽  
...  

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