Transformaciones familiares y política social en el México contemporáneo

The document develops an analysis of the family situation faced during the last decades in Mexico, particularly in the social transformation and their connection with the heterogeneity of the family groups, based on a series of analytical categories focused on family strategies that point out their daily life, taking up the proposal of Mallardi (2018) around: a) strategies aimed at obtaining subsistence resources, b) strategies linked to the specialized care, c) room strategies linked to the conditions life, d) strategies associated with health-disease processes and e) strategies for socialization, learning and use of free time. These strategies are approached as categories of analysis, for which their operationalization is carried out based on the review and reflection regarding some of the main changes observed during the last decades in Mexico; as well as the way in which these transformations are traversed by a series of social determinants, particularly those of gender and class, as well as their relationship with social policies directed at family groups. The analysis presented, without being exhaustive, shows the way in which the indicated elements and their linkage come to impact the daily life of families during the last decades. In this way, the daily life of family groups shows a series of tensions, ambivalences and contradictions derived to a large extent from the present relationship between the pressures exerted, on the one hand, from the social policy itself implemented and with it the demands and mandates generated from their socio-historical, economic and political context. On the other hand, the growing material and subjective needs of its members, which demand immediate responses that provide the minimum possibilities for the survival of the family group. El documento desarrolla un análisis de la situación familiar enfrentada durante las últimas décadas en México, en particular de las transformaciones sociales y su vínculo con la heterogeneidad de los grupos familiares, a partir de una serie de categorías analíticas centradas en las estrategias familiares que dan cuenta de la vida cotidiana, retomando para ello la propuesta de Mallardi (2018) en torno a: a) estrategias destinadas a la obtención de los recursos de subsistencia, b) estrategias vinculadas a la organización del cuidado, c) estrategias habitacionales vinculadas a las condiciones de vida, d) estrategias asociadas a los procesos de salud-enfermedad y e) estrategias de socialización, aprendizaje y uso del tiempo libre. Dichas estrategias son abordadas como categorías de análisis, por lo cual su operacionalización es realizada partiendo de la revisión y reflexión respecto a algunos de los principales cambios observados durante las últimas décadas en México; asimismo, se analiza la manera en que esas transformaciones se encuentran atravesadas por una serie de determinantes sociales, particularmente las de género y clase. Otro aspecto que se analiza es la relación de las transformaciones familiares observadas con las políticas sociales dirigidas a los grupos familiares. El análisis presentado, sin ser exhaustivo, muestra la manera en que los elementos señalados y su vinculación llegan a impactar la vida cotidiana de las familias durante las últimas décadas. De esa manera, la vida cotidiana de los grupos familiares muestra una serie de tensiones, ambivalencias y contradicciones derivadas en gran parte de la relación presente entre las presiones ejercidas, por un lado, desde la propia política social implementada y con ello las demandas y mandatos generados desde su contexto sociohistórico, económico y político. Así como, por otro lado, las crecientes necesidades materiales y subjetivas de sus miembros, las cuales exigen respuestas inmediatas que brinden las posibilidades mínimas para la sobrevivencia del grupo familiar.

The geography of intergenerational social mobility in Britain

Empirical analysis of social mobility is typically framed by outcomes recorded for only a single, recent generation, ignoring intergenerational preconditions and historical conferment of opportunity. We use the detailed geography of relative deprivation (hardship) to demonstrate that different family groups today experience different intergenerational outcomes and that there is a distinct Great Britain-wide geography to these inequalities. We trace the evolution of these inequalities back in time by coupling family group level data for the entire Victorian population with a present day population-wide consumer register. Further geographical linkage to neighbourhood deprivation data allows us to chart the different social mobility outcomes experienced by every one of the 13,378 long-established family groups. We identify clear and enduring regional divides in England and Scotland. In substantive terms, use of family names and new historical digital census resources are central to recognising that geography is pivotal to understanding intergenerational inequalities.

A mixed methods exploration of the role of multi-family groups in community treatment of patients with depression and anxiety in Pakistan

Background An open, non-controlled trial was conducted to explore the feasibility, experiences and outcomes of multi-family groups in community mental health care of patients with depression and anxiety. Methods The study was conducted in community settings within the catchment area of a free of cost primary care center in Karachi, Pakistan. 30 patients with symptoms of depression and anxiety, their caregivers and 3 lay counsellors were recruited enrolled in the study between May–September 2019. Patients were enrolled for monthly multi-family group meetings conducted over 6 months in groups of 5–6 patients and 1–2 nominated caregivers each. Meetings were facilitated by the non-specialist trained counsellors. The primary outcome was quality of life (assessed using Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life) and secondary outcomes were symptoms of depression and anxiety (assessed on Aga Khan University Depression and Anxiety Scale), social outcomes (Social Outcome Index), and caregiver burden (Burden Assessment Scale). Change in all measures was assessed pre and 6-month post intervention using t-test. In-depth interviews were conducted with 7 patients, 7 caregivers and the 3 lay counsellors. Results A total of 36 family intervention meetings were conducted with six groups with a total of 30 patients, 34 caregivers and 3 counsellors. Between baseline and the end of the intervention, subjective quality of life increased significantly from 3.34 to 4.58 (p < 0.001, 95% CI 0.93–1.54). Self-reported depression and anxiety scores reduced from 34.7 to 19.5 (p < 0.001, 95% CI 10.8–19.8) and the Social Outcome Index improved from 3.63 to 4.52 (p < 0.001, 95% CI 0.39–1.39). There was no change in family burden. Participants reported that the group meetings were seen as a safe space for shared learning, and that the experience helped improve self-regulation of emotions and behaviors and instilled a sense of belonging. Conclusion Multi-family groups in community treatment of common mental health disorders facilitated by non-specialist mental health service providers is feasible, experienced positively and has the potential for large and positive effects on subjective quality of life, self-reported depression and anxiety, and objective social outcomes. Trial Registration: ISRCTN, ISRCTN12299326. Registered 05 June 2019. Retrospectively registered, https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN12299326.

Ecology and social behaviour of the Mongolian gerbil: a generalised review

The present review provides a compilation of the published data on the ecology and social behaviour of Mongolian gerbils. Behavioural observations in the wild show that the Mongolian gerbil is a diurnal social rodent living in extended family groups. Seasonal breeding is typical of Mongolian gerbils in their natural habitat. Social monogamy seems to be characteristic of the Mongolian gerbil reproductive strategy, which however does not exclude facultative polygyny and promiscuity. A typical feature of the space use system in this species is territoriality. Social relationships in family groups may be defined as a subordination hierarchy. The hierarchy order is primarily determined by the age of the animals and maintained chiefly by the subordinates’ behaviour patterns. The complex social organisation in the Mongolian gerbil is characterised by cooperation in different activities. Cooperation appears to enhance the survival of family groups of this species under the extreme climatic conditions of Central Asia.

The Adaptation of a Youth Diabetes Prevention Program for Aboriginal Children in Central Australia: Community Perspectives

This study reports on integrating community perspectives to adapt a family-focused, culturally appropriate behavioural intervention program to prevent diabetes among Aboriginal children (6–11 years) in Central Australia. A participatory action research approach was used to engage a range of service providers, cultural advisors, and family groups. Appropriateness, acceptability, content, and delivery of a prevention program within the Central Australian context were discussed through a series of workshops with twenty-five service providers and seven family groups separately. The data obtained were deductively coded for thematic analysis. Main findings included: (i) the strong need for a diabetes prevention program that is community owned, (ii) a flexible and culturally appropriate program delivered by upskilling community members as program facilitators, and (iii) consideration of social and environmental factors when implementing the program. It is recommended that a trial of the adapted prevention program for effectiveness and implementation is led by an Aboriginal community-controlled health service.

Illegitimacy and its Effects on Marriage Prospects in Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Rural England

All births, marriages and deaths that occurred in two rural parishes in south-west England in the period 1754–1914 were examined, using a wide array of source material. Records of individuals were linked together into large multi-generational family groups. There were 4,940 births, of which 319 were illegitimate. For the illegitimate cases, the rates of subsequent marriage of mothers and fathers were determined and compared with those for other people in the same parishes. Being the father of an illegitimate child did not impact the chances of subsequent marriage. Being the mother of an illegitimate child decreased the chances of subsequent marriage but only if the mother was co-resident with her children. Where the mother did not live with the illegitimate child(ren), her chances of marriage were similar to that of other women. Mothers of illegitimate children were more likely to marry their cousins and were less geographically mobile than other mothers.