Imagining the Future(s) of Writing Studies through the Prism of Undergraduate Research

This article explores the future(s) of undergraduate research in writing studies through representative words of the undergraduates themselves. It reveals their social justice motives, as well as their desire to undertake research that can have real impact. It also questions whether inclusion in our disciplinary community supports—or blunts—those motives, highlighting the need to treat their work as an embodied act that may not be fully activated within traditional definitions of “contributions to knowledge.”

PSEUDO EMPOWERMENT: TRACKING THE LEVEL OF COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT IN THE ECOTOURISM AREAS DEVELOPMENT IN BANGKA ISLAND, INDONESIA

The development of an ecotourism area needs local residents' involvement for the proper management integrating with the conditions of local wisdom, and also empowers the community. Bangka Island, located in South Sumatra, Indonesia, is used as an alternative post-mining area for the tourism sector and acts as an interesting locus to assess the level of community empowerment. This study aims to trace the working process of the empowerment dimension in the development of ecotourism in Bangka Island. The quantitative descriptive method was used to collect data from 260 respondents spread across various districts/cities in Bangka Island. The result showed that the level of empowerment in Bangka Island is still very limited, tends to be elitist, and lacks economic benefits. However, interestingly, the community supports future development despite not being certain of their involvement in the process. This study also reveals that empowerment is still pseudo in this community, which means that it has not touched all aspects of the essence of empowerment due to a sense of pride in their region's popularity.

Cultivating Positive Youth Development through Latin American Street Soccer Programming

Youth disconnected from their families and communities lack critical community supports, placing them at higher risk of establishing unhealthy behaviors that can lead to poor outcomes, including involvement in juvenile justice systems. They need assistance to develop essential life skills and family and community connections. Engaging youth and families, otherwise marginalized by society, in innovative, affordable and effective ways is a global challenge. This paper summarizes the history of the Latin American launched global street soccer movement to promote inclusion and positive development of youth living in vulnerable situations. It explores the power and potential of street soccer’s holistic and inclusive programming approach as a vehicle for individual transformation and community engagement. And it examines the evolving integration of the Latin American street soccer methodology in working with youth and families with complex needs, particularly as experienced by the nonprofit service organization Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. (YAP).

Correlates of Social Isolation Among Minority Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background Over the past year, engagement with older adults has been severely curtailed given the high rates of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in this population. This study examined the correlates of social isolation among African American and LatinX older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Working with community-based organizations and senior living centers, we administered a survey to older adults 55+, in the Houston metroplex, between 11/2020 and 01/2021 (n=575). The survey assessed COVID-19 prevention behaviors and health-related social needs. Responses to “How often do you feel lonely or isolated from those around you?” were used to create a dichotomous social isolation dependent variable. The main independent variable, family/community support, was based on responses to the validated question "If for any reason you need help with day-to-day activities such as bathing, preparing meals, shopping, managing finances, etc., do you get the help you need?" Multivariate logistic regression adjusting for socioeconomic status, medical conditions, positive COVID test (for self or family), COVID-19 prevention behaviors, and emergency preparedness levels was used. Results Limited family/community support was strongly associated with social isolation (OR=6.2; p<0.01), as was having any chronic condition (OR=2.9, p=0.02). Females and seniors who reported daily social distancing were more likely to report being socially isolated (OR=2.4, p=0.04; OR=1.09; p=0.09, respectively). Of all chronic conditions examined, diabetes was the single strongest predictor of social isolation (OR=2.49, p=0.02). Conclusion Being female, having diabetes and limited family/community supports are associated with COVID-19-induced social isolation in African American and Latinx communities.

A Scoping Review of Associations Between Ethno-Cultural Context and Mental Health in Canada

It is unclear how ethno-cultural concentration of residential areas relates to the mental health of immigrant, refugee, ethno-cultural, and racialized (IRER) groups. Communities of higher ethno-cultural density are theorized to support IRER groups’ mental health via community supports, access to culturally/linguistically appropriate healthcare, and lower discrimination/stigma. This article reviewed quantitative studies that examined relationships between communities’ ethno-cultural density and mental health among IRER groups in Canada. Eleven of the sixteen reviewed studies (almost 70%) observed protective associations between ethno-cultural density and mental health; patterns were more mixed for studies with child populations, suggesting associations may differ based on developmental phases. Findings suggested there was more support in protective associations of higher areal ethno-cultural density with regard to community mental health of IRER groups in Canada.

Impacts of COVID-19 on refugees and immigrants in the United States: A call for action

The COVID-19 crisis has increasingly exerted a disproportionate impact on the lives of migrant populations. A group of interdisciplinary migration experts convened a round table in June 2020, to discuss the numerous challenges faced by immigrants, refugees, and migrants in the United States. The discussion revealed many social inequities, including insufficient financial and social resources, non-existent or minimal health supports, lack of or inadequate access to community supports, and social and racial discrimination, among other difficulties. To promote social justice and encourage research, the ensuing essay is a call for action to stimulate and build knowledge about social work and public health issues as they relate to the needs of immigrants, refugees, and migrant populations in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Public Perception of the Use of Brokerage Services at the Kolaka Ferry Port: Experience, Selective, and Contextual Based

The existence of brokers in administrative services raises various perceptions among the public. Some people think that the presence of brokers as one of the negative image bearers of the organization, and some people perceive it as a positive thing. Therefore, this article is here to explain the public perception toward the use of brokers with the research located at Kolaka Ferry port. This research uses quantitative methods with data sources derived from the results of questionnaires and supported by secondary data related to the use of brokerage services and ticketing services at ports. The research data were then analyzed descriptively by percentage, starting with calculating the respondent's value for each aspect, recapitulating the value, calculating the average value, and calculating the presentation. The results showed that the people in Kolaka Regency felt happy and were helped by the presence of brokers. Unofficial ticket services are the reason people prefer to use brokerage services when buying tickets. Brokers who provide services will not be held responsible when people are caught using their services. In addition, the community supports the provision of punishment when a port manager is involved in the practice of brokering.

Coparenting autistic children during COVID-19: Emerging insights from practice

Globally, parents and caregivers of children with autism have been particularly impacted by the recent changes due to COVID-19. Reduced access to schools, community supports, and therapeutic services makes parenting more challenging during the pandemic, and especially for parents with children with autism and who are experiencing family breakdown. There remains little guidance to assist coparenting autistic children during COVID-19 after separation and divorce. This brief paper summarizes emerging issues arising in clinical practice to offer recommendations for social work practice.

Revivalistics is Not Documentary Linguistics

Summary This article introduces a new field of enquiry called revivalistics, and explores its trans-disciplinarity and various ethical, aesthetic and utilitarian benefits. Revivalistics is an emerging global, trans-disciplinary field of enquiry studying comparatively and systematically the universal constraints and global mechanisms on the one hand (Zuckermann, 2003; 2009; 2020), and particularistic peculiarities and cultural relativist idiosyncrasies on the other, apparent in linguistic reclamation, revitalization and reinvigoration across various sociological backgrounds, all over the globe (Zuckermann, 2020; Zuckermann & Walsh, 2011; 2014). The article focuses on the crucial differences between revivalistics and documentary linguistics. It provides examples from the field that demonstrate the complexity of the revivalist’s work and how the revivalist’s work is distinct from that of the documentary linguist. Too many documentary linguists mislead themselves to believe that they can easily be revivalists too. But there are two crucial differences between revivalistics and documentary linguistics, which are at war between themselves: (1) Whereas documentary linguists put the language at the centre, revivalists put the language custodians at the centre. (2) Whereas in documentary linguistics the Indigenous/minority people have the knowledge of the language, in revivalistics the revivalist is the one with that knowledge. Given that the Aboriginal/minority people are the language custodians, and given that the language custodians are at the centre of the revivalistic enterprise, the revivalist must be extremely sensitive. A revivalist is not only a linguist but also a psychologist, social worker, teacher, driver, schlepper, financial manager, cook, waiter, babysitter, donor etc. A revivalist must have a heart of gold, “balls” of steel and the patience of a saint. Language revival is similar to co-parenting. But the revivalist is only a step-father. The important biological mother is the Indigenous/minority community. If you are the step-father and your spouse, who is the biological mother, makes what you perceive to be a mediocre decision with regard to your children, you cannot just disapprove of it. After all, the children are your spouse’s more than they are yours. You must work together for the best possible outcome. Similarly, if the community supports a decision that is not linguistically viable, the revivalist can try to inspire the community members, but must accept their own verdict. That would be difficult for a documentary linguist with poor social skills.