scholarly journals Songs of A Caged Bird: A Glimpse into the Being of Youth Inside the Prison System

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 173-180
Author(s):  
John Emmanuel Mendoza ◽  
Edward Daniel Mortalla ◽  
Laurence Lascuna Garcia

Understanding young inmates’ experiences are essential since their lives have been shaped by the impact of social exclusion. This study aimed to explore the meaning of the lived experiences of young adults inside the prison system. The phenomenological inquiry was utilized, which is grounded in Martin Heidegger’s philosophy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 to 29-year-old inmates incarcerated for at least one year. Through interpretative phenomenological analysis, four themes emerged: An Unfamiliar Melody (with two subthemes: Humming with Frustrations and Tunes of Solitude); The Eyes Outside the Cage; Turning Over a New Feather; and If My Wings Unclipped. The “songs” of the caged bird tell about the “meanings” of restricted freedom--from being able to dip its wings in the orange sun rays down to being tied in chains. Being held inside a prison limits a person from experiencing life as they should. Opportunities to soar high were taken away. The consequences caused them the fragility of emotions: frustration, loneliness, and humiliation; yet, they still have a speck of hope. AbstrakNyanyian Burung dalam Sangkar: Sebuah Pandangan terhadap Kehidupan Remaja dalam Sistem Penjara. Memahami pengalaman narapidana berusia muda sangat penting karena kehidupan mereka yang terdampak oleh pengucilan sosial. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengeksplorasi makna dari pengalaman hidup orang berusia dewasa muda di dalam sistem penjara. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan fenomenologis yang didasarkan pada filosofi Martin Heidegger. Pengumpulan data menggunakan metode wawancara semi-berstruktur dengan narapidana berusia 18 hingga 29 tahun yang sudah dipenjara setidaknya selama satu tahun. Berdasarkan analisis fenomenologi interpretatif, muncul empat tema, yaitu: An Unfamiliar Melody (dengan dua subtema: Humming with Frustrations dan Tunes of Solitude); The Eyes Outside the Cage; Turning Over a New Feather; dan If My Wings Unclipped. “Nyanyian” burung dalam sangkar yang menceritakan tentang “makna” kebebasan yang terbatas—mulai dari mencelupkan sayapnya di bawah sinar matahari jingga hingga diikat dengan rantai. Kondisi dipenjara membatasi seseorang untuk menjalankan kehidupan sebagaimana mestinya. Peluang mereka untuk terbang melambung tinggi dirampas. Hal ini menyebabkan emosi mereka rapuh: frustrasi, kesepian, dan penghinaan; tetapi, mereka masih memiliki setitik harapan. Kata Kunci: fenomenologi, frustasi, narapidana dewasa muda, sistem penjara

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 121
Author(s):  
Reidun Ims ◽  
Lennart Lorås ◽  
Ottar Ness ◽  
Linda Finlay

(1) Background: The challenge of immigrants and their integration into adopted countries is a key topic for the global field of social work. However, there is a paucity of research on immigrants’ lived experiences in gaining access to the labour market. Thus, this study examines how immigrants in Norway experience integration while in the process of gaining access to the labour market. The prevalent notion of integration achieved through gainful employment narrows the concept of integration and disguises the underlying marginalization and inequalities that are derived from majority- minority dividing lines. (2) Methods: Data were collected via nine qualitative semi-structured interviews with ten immigrants (one interview was with a couple) living in Norway. Data was analysed by using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. (3) Results: The results showed that the participants experienced social exclusion but accepted this as an inevitable part of being an immigrant. The participants regarded the learning of Norwegian language as the key aspect to understanding social customs and forming informal relationships with native Norwegians and important for achieving integration. Freedom and equality were also regarded as issues of great importance. (4) Conclusions: The results provide the field of social work with important insights towards informing social work practices and challenging current paradigms.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 11-35
Author(s):  
Eva De Clercq

This study provides insight into the experiences of young adults born with variations of sex characteristics to identify aspects of care and social support that need improvement. Semi-structured interviews with intersex youths in Switzerland were analyzed using interpretative, phenomenological analysis. Young adults desire timely, patient-centered information about their diagnoses. Peer support is key to delivering high-quality care but rarely systematically implemented. Intersex youth often face misrepresentation, stigma, and discrimination in medical settings and in society. Increased visibility alone cannot tackle these issues, but a feminist curiosity of care will enable health providers and society to overcome preconceptions of body normativity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vusi Mthimkhulu ◽  
Hugo D. Van der Walt

Orientation: Workplace testing is seen as a viable method in monitoring alcohol intoxication in the workplace. This article explored lived experiences of random and scheduled alcohol breathalyser testing to gain insights into meaning and understanding of the phenomenon under study.Research purpose: Random and scheduled testing are preferred techniques of assessing intoxication in the workplace. This article set to gain insights into whether behaviour can have an influence on the effectiveness of random and scheduled testing. The information can contribute to the ongoing debate on the efficacy of workplace testing and lays groundwork for future studies.Motivation for the study: Emergent data seem to suggest that the success of workplace testing in preventing alcohol and substance use in the workplace is indecisive.Research approach/design and method: A qualitative method was employed to collect data from eight alcohol-consuming individuals who performed jobs considered safety-sensitive through semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed through the application of an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA).Main findings: Findings revealed incidents of alcohol intoxication within the workplace in spite of random and scheduled testing in place. There seems to be a disregard for rules that prohibit intoxication in the workplace. Money bribes seem to enable cheating on testing in the workplace. Behaviour undercuts the goal of an alcohol-free workplace.Practical implications: Behaviour stemming from on-site intoxication and cheating on alcohol tests hinders on the goal of attaining an alcohol-free workplace.Contribution/value-add: The analysis of behaviour could contribute to the ongoing debate regarding the efficacy of workplace testing.


2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (9) ◽  
pp. 1223-1233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonie Lalayiannis ◽  
Nicky Asbury ◽  
Graham Dyson ◽  
Amanda Walshe

This study investigated how women with secondary breast cancer experience telling their adolescent children. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with women who had been diagnosed with secondary breast cancer at least 1 year prior to the interview. Seven women, who had at least one child between 12 and 19 years old living at home at the time of diagnosis, were interviewed. The interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis for an in-depth understanding of women’s experiences. Women found that it was easier to tell their children of their secondary breast cancer diagnosis compared to their primary cancer. However, they talked about the impact the diagnosis had on their family.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynn M. Cuthbertson

AbstractIntroduction:This paper is a methodological reflection on the use of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) utilised in the context of a qualitative research project that explored perceptions and experiences of the journey to radiographer advanced practice.Methods and materials:A two-phase qualitative research explored the perceptions and experiences. Phase 1 reviewed reflective diaries (n = 12) kept during the educational phase of the practitioner journeys. Phase 2 included one-to-one, semi-structured interviews (n = 6) which were recorded, transcribed verbatim and reviewed using the IPA six-stage thematic analysis for practitioners embedded in the advanced practice role.Findings:Key themes arising from reflective diary analysis informed the interview content; and following interview transcription, data immersion and IPA, 12 emergent sub-themes generated 3 superordinate themes.Discussion:Theoretical perspectives and application of the methodology are discussed. The phenomenological and interpretative qualities of IPA have the potential to provide unique and valuable insights into lived experiences of individuals. It is hoped that this researchers’ reflections are transferrable for those interested in employing a qualitative methodology for radiotherapy and oncology research.Conclusion:Therapeutic radiographers work within rapidly changing environments from technological, treatment and care perspectives. With continued development and change, the impact of research utilising an IPA methodology may allow exploration of perceptions and experiences from a range of key stakeholders with the potential to increase the research base.


Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132110378
Author(s):  
Stella Mo ◽  
Nina Viljoen ◽  
Shivani Sharma

It is well recognised that culture plays an important role in how people experience the world. However, there is limited knowledge on the impact of socio-cultural norms and values on the lives of autistic women. This qualitative study used individual semi-structured interviews to explore how eight cis-gendered autistic women, without co-occurring intellectual disabilities, describe dominant socio-cultural beliefs, values and norms and their influence on their own sense of self. Findings elucidated three interdependent themes related to the ‘pervasive influence of cultural values’, ‘individualisation as an autistic woman’ and ‘social connectivity’. Autistic women described how they experienced their environments and made choices about their place within the dominant culture and the impact of these decisions on their identities and experience. The findings of this study have implications for the continued need to shift societal and clinical attitudes towards understanding and appreciating diversity among autistic women. Lay abstract Autistic women with average or above intellectual abilities are often overlooked clinically or identified at older ages compared to autistic males. Their experiences can provide insight into the socio-cultural factors that impact on how they develop and are seen by others. This study asked autistic women to describe the culture around them and explore how this has influenced their lived experiences. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight autistic women without a co-occurring diagnosis of intellectual disabilities. These were used for interpretative phenomenological analysis. Overall, we found three closely connected themes on the pervasive influence of cultural values on autistic women, how autistic women define themselves and the importance of connecting with society. These findings suggest that dominant cultural beliefs, values and norms effect how autistic women are recognised by others and develop their sense of self. Broadening how people think about autistic women in society and clinically may benefit how we identify and support autistic women.


2020 ◽  
pp. 135910452096451
Author(s):  
Jessica Amy Staniford ◽  
Matthew Lister

The way professionals conceptualise CD likely impacts the identity of children given the diagnosis, yet how psychiatrists conceptualise CD, and experience making the diagnosis, is under-researched. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis explored how psychiatrists conceptualise CD and experience making the diagnosis. Semi-structured interviews captured participants’ lived experiences and associated meanings. Four superordinate themes emerged: ‘Parents and professionals are overwhelmed by their struggles with CD’; ‘What is CD? Uncertainty regarding the cause, but clarity that it is a severe problem’; ‘CD as a controversial construct’; and ‘Whose issue is it anyway? Battles with blame and responsibility’. The emerging problem-saturated narrative is discussed. Clinical implications include increased training, reflective practice and using a formulation-based approach.


2021 ◽  
pp. 027243162110367
Author(s):  
Siobhan B. Mitchell ◽  
Anne M. Haase ◽  
Sean P. Cumming

This study employed semi-structured interviews and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to explore experiences of on-time maturation in nine adolescent ballet dancers from across three vocational ballet schools in the United Kingdom. Two themes were identified as central to their experiences: ‘A right and a wrong way to grow’, and fitting in and moving forward. Instead of perceiving themselves as ‘average’ and experiencing a relatively easy pubertal transition, on-time dancers described unique challenges associated with a fluctuation between fitting in and not fitting in within their social context. The implications of on-time maturation in this context are complex and do not appear to follow the same trajectory as early maturing ballet dancers nor on-time non-dancers.


2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Judd ◽  
Helen Guy ◽  
Ruth A. Howard

Objective: Caring for someone close who is dying, such as a spouse, is an emotive experience; however, there is little research examining the phenomenon of caregiving for a spouse at the end of life and of men’s experiences specifically. Existing literature suggests that men who are providing care are less likely to seek help than women, especially psychological and emotional support for themselves. The aim of the current study was to explore the lived experiences of men caring for a dying spouse or partner and their help-seeking for themselves during this time. Methods: Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with men caring for their partner, who was receiving palliative care. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: Three superordinate themes emerged from the data, “Illness Questions Everything,” “Constructing the Caring Role,” and “Help-Seeking at the Limit.” The arrival of a terminal illness into a partnership is traumatic, and while it can deepen relationships, it can also create distance. The carer role has conflicting demands and carers need to make sense of their experience in order for the carer role to be constructed as a source of purpose or meaning. Finally, the idea of seeking help for oneself as a carer during this time is seen as “incompatible,” unmanageable, and can only be considered if constructed as a “last resort.” Significance of Results: Men care too; however, they can feel confused by this role and unsure as to how this fits with their identity as a man. They make sense of this by identifying as a partner whose “duty” or “responsibility” is to provide care. Although this is an understandable stance, it puts them at risk of further emotional, psychological, and physiological difficulties if their own needs are not met. Men need to be supported during this time and their caring qualities need to be destigmatized and demystified so that they can feel more able to identify with the role and look after themselves while caring for their dying partner.


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