This thesis project explores social constructions of aging women within Women’s Health magazine. There is limited scholarly literature on representations of aging women within popular health/fitness media, such as magazines. The limited current research which does exist suggests that aging women are subjected to negative stereotypes and gendered myths within our societal and cultural values with respect to aging (Vertinsky, 1994). Media representations are strong and pervasive reflections of societal norms and expectations and may impact the way women view themselves. I therefore undertook a Foucaultian discourse analysis of Women’s Health magazine to examine if/how gendered constructions of aging are functioning within representations of health directed to women of all ages. I found that Women’s Health reproduces aging women as useless, failures, problems to be managed, and other to normative femininity. Women’s Health reinforces that aging can and should be managed through the consumption of anti-aging products, procedures, and surgeries endorsed within the magazine. / v, 125 leaves ; 29 cm

Thesis (M.G.S.)--Miami University, Dept. of Sociology and Gerontology, 2004. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 35-37).

Thesis (M.G.S.)--Miami University, Dept. of Sociology and Gerontology, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 64-68).

published_or_final_version / abstract / Social Work and Social Administration / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

本論文的研究目的主要探討中老年再婚者之再婚經驗，希望藉由中老年再婚者的自身經驗，來理解他們再婚的動機、促成中老年再婚決定的情境與影響因素；以及再婚後的婚姻生活調適，並從財務管理及家務分工來探討夫妻權力分化之面貌。 本研究採用質性取向的研究方法，以半結構式的深度訪談進行資料蒐，共計9名有效樣本，年齡介於53-71歲，共5名居住台北市、1名居住新竹市、另外3位則各別居於台中、彰化及雲林縣。主要研究結果如下： (一) 中老年再婚動機有六個：(1)情感上的孤單；(2)習慣有伴；(3)對圓滿人生的期待；(4)結婚較有安全感；(5)對方需要人作伴；以及(6)生活上的需求，包含家務處理的協助、資源上經濟的共享與扶助，與未來照顧的考量。其中乃由於中老年所處生命階段的影響，子女離家及退休使得他們生活感到孤單，經濟與照顧的考量也指陳出中老年人面對退休及老化所產生威脅之故。 (二) 中老年人之所以與現任配偶開展兩人關係，乃源於三種情境：(1)第三者的促成，也就是共同友人的牽線；(2)地理空間上的接近，從鄰居關係、同是身為某醫院志工而認識；(3)參與社團，透過積極參與相關媒合的社團活動而認識彼此。可知中老年再婚關係的開展始於雙方的「共同生活圈」中，個人的社會網絡為造就婚姻關係之重要媒介。 (三) 影響中老年再婚決定的因素有五：(1)衡量彼此條件，包括兩人彼此的相似性、以及受到對方吸引；(2)前段美好婚姻的影響；(3)對方給予的寬容、承諾及支持；(4)重要他人的意見，包括配偶之成年子女、老年父母；(5)社會性因素，如他人輿論等影響。由研究發現結果得知中老年再婚者對於「彼此相似性」的重視、再婚決定受到成年子女的意見的影響，突顯出台灣社會代間關係財務移轉之文化特性。 (四) 中老年再婚者婚後生活呈現出平靜且自由的圖像，因退休與配偶共處的相處時間增多，且不與公婆同住的加持下，感受到較多的自由自在；尚未退休的中老年再婚者則期待與營造夫妻共處之時光；從受訪者之話語中可知中老年再婚者婚姻關係是較少衝突的，再婚後面臨的再婚調適議題有以下幾類：(1)與配偶飲食習慣不同；(2)空間使用習慣不同；(3)夫妻生活不同調；(4)不習慣先生個性；(5)人際層面，包括與配偶子女及父母的相處。 (五) 中老年再婚因應前述生活改變議題採取的調適策略為：(1)要求對方改變；(2)順應配偶；(3)相互配合。與年輕夫妻不同的是以較柔性、且理性的溝通方式，較少與配偶產生爭執。從財務管理及家務分工來看夫妻權力之分化，可發現中老年再婚者仍以男性為共同家用支出的主責者，女性仍為家務工作之負責人，顯示中老年再婚夫妻仍然延續成年早年兩性角色分工的權力模式。

While a great deal of research has been directed towards investigating the age-related decline in V02max, the effect of physical activity on the age-related decline in V02max has not been clearly established. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between physical activity and the age-related decline in maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) in apparently healthy individuals. In order to assess the effects of physical activity on the age-related decline in V02max, physiological data was obtained from 142 former participants (116 men and 26 women) (40 ± 8.0 years), in the Ball State University Adult Physical Fitness Program across an average of 12 ± 4.5 years. The subjects were divided into three physical activity group categories depending on their self-reported physical activity status at the time of the first and follow-up test. Those subjects who were sedentary at the first and last test were designated as SED-SED. Those who reported sedentary at the first test and active at the last test were designated as SEDACT and those who were physically active at the time of both tests were designated as ACT-ACT. The data from the analysis revealed that the rate of decline in V02mx expressed as change per year among adult men varied as a function of their reportedphysical activity habits. Those men designated as SED-SED and ACT-ACT experienced a statistically significant decline (p<0.05) in V02max during the follow-up period, while, those men designated as SED-ACT maintained their V°2max. The rates of the change in V02max (ml-kg- 1•min-1) for the men were -0.45, 0.03 and -0.22 ml•kg-l-min-1•yr1 for the SED-SED, SED-ACT and ACT-ACT groups respectively. The percent decline in V02max were 6%, 11% and 2% respectively. A statistical comparison of the rate of change among physical activity groups indicated a difference between the SED-SED and SED-ACT groups (p<0.05). Within the limitations of this study, these data suggested that there was no statistically significant difference in the rate of change in V02max (ml•kg-1•min-1-yr1) between the SED-SED and ACT-ACT physical activity groups. However, when presented as percent change per decade, the decline for those men who were sedentary at both time points was twice that of those men who reported an active lifestyle at both time points. Although the rates of change were not different for the SED-SED and ACT-ACT physical activity groups, those men with a physically active lifestyle maintained their aerobic power advantage as compared to sedentary men who remained sedentary. Furthermore, sedentary men who took up an active lifestyle had offset the decline in V02max (ml•kg-1•min-1) attributed to physical inactivity.The rates for the change in V02max (ml•kg-1•min-1-yr1) for the women were -0.36, 0.20 and -0.21 (ml•kg-1•min-1-yr1) for the SED-SED, SED-ACT and ACT-ACT groups respectively. While these changes were similar in direction and magnitude to those observed for the men, there were no statistically significant differences among the female groups (p>0.05). Therefore the results from the present study were inconclusive for women possibly due to the low sample size (n=26). / School of Physical Education

Title: The energetic cost of middle aged women during zumba lesson measured by indirect calorimetric method Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess energy cost of the middle aged women during zumba exercise. Methods: A group of 6 women (age range 27-37 years) volunteered to participate in this study. To assess the maximal oxygen consumption, we used the running test to individual maximum. Each subject took part in six lessons of zumba in commercial fitness gym. Each subject was measured during 60 min long lesson. Results: The oxygen consumption of the whole zumba exercise was 19,5±2,2 ml.kg-1 .min-1 that is 68,4 % of the maximal oxygen consumption 40,1±7,4 ml.kg-1 .min-1 measured during running test. That exactly means a caloric expenditure 404,8 kcal (or 1692,2 kJ) during one lesson of zumba. The intensity of whole class reported by HR was covered by 67,5 % from HRmax and by Borg's rates of perceived exertion (6-20) with rates 14±2 from 18±2 immediately after the maximal running test. The highest energetic cost (336, 3 kcal, resp. 1405,9 kJ) was during the main part of the lesson. Zumba can be classified as moderately challenging type of exercise, which is good for fat burning; this statement is based on values of the heart rate measured during lessons of zumba. Key words: zumba, energetic...

Studies on sexual behaviour in Nigeria have rather been lopsided largely focussing on adolescents while neglecting the older men. This may not be unconnected with the fact that the young people are often seen as being more sexually active than the older men. In this study, the patterns and the determinants of sexual behaviour of middle-aged men were investigated. This study is based on secondary data analysis of the 2003 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey male dataset. Data collected from a sample of 633 men whose ages fall between 40 and 59 years in Nigeria were extracted and analysed to achieve the set objectives. The variables of interest were analysed by using relevant statistical techniques with the aid of SAS enterprise guide. Sexual behaviour was measured by three variables namely: current sexual activity, extra marital partnership and condom use. Also, three hypotheses were tested. The Health Belief Model (HBM) was the theoretical model used for this study. The study shows that a high proportion of men (71.2%) aged 40-59 years in Nigeria are sexually active. The study further reveals that about 12% of Nigerian middle-aged men engage in extramarital sex and 30% are in polygynous relationships (i.e. have multiple sex partners) while condom use is very low among them. Extramarital sex is more prevalent in the rural (7.05%) than urban (4.5%) areas. The study shows that the correlates of current sexual activity among the middle-aged men in Nigeria are education and religion while engagement in extramarital sexual activity is determined by ethnicity, age at first intercourse and knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Among the sexually active ones, condom use is influenced by ethnicity, marriage type and extramarital partnership. The sexual behaviour of middle-aged men in Nigeria follows the pattern described in the HBM. That is, individual, socio-economic and HIV/AIDS factors can influence the sexual behaviour of Middle-aged men. The study concludes that in addressing the problems associated with sexual and reproductive health of Nigerian, focus should also be extended to middle-aged men, instead of the narrow focus on only adolescents and youths. Further investigation, using multiple methods of data collection is also suggested.

Esta tese investiga como ocorrem as vivências da metanoia em pessoas de meia-idade, período compreendido entre os quarenta e sessenta anos, na contemporaneidade. A metanoia caracteriza-se por um processo psicológico que pode ocorrer a partir do meio da vida, em que intensos fluxos de energia do inconsciente fluem em direção à consciência, trazendo novos conteúdos para a psique consciente e também reaproximando conteúdos reprimidos ou negligenciados no passado para que possam ser elaborados e integrados pelo ego. Esse processo mobiliza tanto crises como também desenvolvimentos emocionais. Por meio dos dados coletados em quatro encontros grupais, com seis participantes, sendo quatro mulheres e dois homens, com idade compreendida entre 46 e 59 anos, analisaram-se, a partir do referencial da psicologia analítica, as transformações psicológicas relatadas pelos colaboradores, relativas aos processos oriundos do envelhecimento, bem como dos processos de metanoia propriamente ditos. Os dados obtidos apontaram para transformações significativas nas seguintes categorias: relação com o corpo, saúde e energia; tempo, envelhecimento e finitude, sexualidade e relacionamento afetivo, relacionamento com amizades, relacionamento com pais e filhos, trabalho e aposentadoria, relação com a sociedade e a cultura, desenvolvimentos da maturidade. Foi observada no material estudado a intensificação do diálogo ego-self, já bem descrito pela literatura, bem como a intensificação do diálogo ego-persona e ego-puer-senex, sendo esses dois últimos tão importantes nos processos de adaptação, transformação e ampliação da personalidade consciente quanto o primeiro. Também se observou no material do grupo o funcionamento do eixo ego-arquétipo do herói, através de um pensamento e capacidade de ação reflexivos, o que ampliou a autonomia egoica para dialogar com ambos os polos das diversas instâncias psíquicas do inconsciente, sem se identificar com nenhum deles. A pesquisa comprovou que a idade adulta é, no mínimo, tão importante no desenvolvimento da personalidade quanto qualquer outra fase da vida. O trabalho também destacou a importância do papel do grupo, tanto como método de coleta de dados quanto em seu funcionamento como um ritual de iniciação para a maturidade. O grupo se mostrou como possibilitador de trocas significativas com pessoas da mesma faixa etária, proporcionando profundas reflexões sobre o desenvolvimento psicológico, por meio do reconhecimento e compartilhamento das necessidades de construção de novos papéis e de ressignificação de antigos papéis já consolidados na personalidade, em um mundo de rápidas e constantes transformações / This thesis investigates how the experiences of Metanoia occur in middle age, the period between forty and sixty years in contemporaneity. The Metanoia is characterized by a psychological process that can occur from the middle of life where intense fluxes of energy flow from unconscious toward consciousness bringing new content to the conscious psyche and also approaching repressed or neglected contents in the past so that they can be developed and integrated by the ego. This process mobilizes both crisis as well as emotional development. Through data collected in four group meetings with six participants, four women and two men, aged between 46 and 59 years, were analyzed, from the reference of analytical psychology, the psychological transformation reported by cooperators concerning proceedings from aging as well as the process of Metanoia themselves. The data point to significant changes in the following categories: relationship to the body, health and energy, time, aging and finitude, sexuality and emotional relationship, relationship with friendships and relationship with parents and children, work and retirement, society and culture, development of maturity. It was observed in the studied material increased dialogue ego-self, already well described in the literature as well as the intensification of the dialogue ego-persona and ego-puer-senex, being the latter two as important in the processes of adaptation, transformation and expansion of the conscious personality as the first. Also it was observed in the group\'s material the functioning of the axis ego-hero archetype through a thought and capacity of reflexive action which increased the egoism autonomy to engage with both poles of the various instances of the psychic unconscious without identifying with any of them. The research showed that adulthood is as important in the development personality as any other phase of life. The work also highlights the importance of the group both as a method of data collection as for its functioning a rite of passage into adulthood. The group showed up as an enabler for meaningful exchanges with people of the same age providing deeper insights into the psychological development by recognizing and sharing the needs of building old papers already consolidated in personality in a world of rapid and constant transformation

This thesis focuses on different impacts of an important change in Brazil's child labour legislation. In December 1998, Brazil raised the minimum employment age from 14 to 16 banning from the labour force children who turned 14 just after the law passed. Two year later, in December 2000, Brazil institutionalised an apprenticeship programme aimed at children aged 14 to 17. In chapter one of this thesis I investigate the short run effects of both laws on children's time allocation using a regression discontinuity design technique. I look at the impact of both laws on schooling and labour market outcomes for two cohorts: children just under age 14 and teenagers just under age 16. The second chapter turns attention to the long-term effects of the 1998 ban, comparing the labour market and schooling outcomes of the cohorts who turned 14 before and after the law came into effect. The analysis is conducted for white and non-white males to check how the ban affected individuals from different socioeconomic backgrounds. This is the first study that looks at the long-term effects of a child labour ban. The third chapter investigates whether the ban had spillover effects on time allocation of younger siblings and parents. This is chapter covers a broad set of outcomes, exploring family composition and potential liquidity constraints to shed light on potential underlying mechanisms. This thesis contributes to the understanding of the consequences of child labour legislation, looking at immediate impacts on children themselves, long-term effects, and spillover effects on other household members. Its main results show that such legislation may have unintended consequences, long-lasting effects, and affect time allocation of other household members in ways policy makers might not be able to foresee.