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In the context of expanding public concern about the healthfulness of food, this thesis examines how health is understood and taken up in individuals’ everyday activities of eating. Sociological frameworks emphasize the complex relations shaping health practices in context; however, a greater focus on the structured nature of practice has weakened appreciation of the agent. Food scholars investigating choice and constructions of healthy food and eating categories, highlight processes involving meaning, experience, action, and identity, at work in contexts of healthy eating. To better locate the agent of health practices, and to connect a health practices approach to healthy eating scholarship, this study draws on theory and methods from the symbolic interactionist tradition in an analysis of lived experiences of healthy eating. Using ethnographic data, including qualitative interviews with 18 adopters of the Paleo Diet, and analysis techniques from grounded theory, this study aims to add nuance to current sociological understandings of health practices. Findings reveal that subjective understandings of the relationship between food and health evolve through interpretive processes involving meaning. By connecting cultural understandings of health to personal, embodied experiences, adopters achieve multilayered understandings of healthy eating that legitimate and catalyze their commitment to their diet. Facing challenges to achieving a Paleo diet, adopters, as agents, engage in material and symbolic work to create “doable” and “livable” versions of Paleo better aligned with resources, preferences, and understandings. Adopters also construct and work to maintain valued identities surrounding their practice; however, Paleo identities are spoiled identities, as adopters sought to manage conflicting expectations of what constitutes healthy eating, and impressions of who eats a Paleo diet. This thesis demonstrates how an interactionist perspective that appreciates the processual, subjective, and interactional elements of agents’ situated and contextual practices, can be usefully brought in to investigate and inform understandings of activities affecting health. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The thesis investigated the social and symbolic significance of acquiring a 'music education' through the taking of piano tuition and external public music examinations. It aimed to discover why the learning of the piano and the certification of musical attainment are so prevalent and revered among Malaysian music students. Its purpose was to unravel the socio-cultural raison d'etre of this approach to music education through the creation of a metatheoretical schema, which is premised upon the theories of symbolic interactionist, George Herbert Mead, music analyst, Heinrich Schenker and social theorist, George Ritzer. Central to the argument in this instance is the symbolic significance associated with the act of playing the piano. The investigation attempted to determine if this 'act' conveyed a symbolic meaning that is peculiar to a specific cultural vista. It further examined the degree to which this practice represented both a validation and a sense of conformity to social norms in the continuity and stability of an expanding middle class society in Malaysia. The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) is the largest of the five main external public music examination boards that operate in Malaysia. Since 1948, over one million candidates have enrolled for ABRSM examinations in Malaysia and a team of approximately thirty ABRSM examiners visit Malaysia for three months every year. The majority of the candidates are pianists. Given such large numbers of piano candidates, one might expect a healthy development of musical talent in the country with aspiring pianists eager to demonstrate their musical prowess. However, this does not seem to be the case. On the contrary, there appears to be a curious lacuna between the growing number of students who enrol for external public music examinations and the seemingly lack of interest in public music making and the honing of general musicianship skills. The thesis hence examined the symbolic meaning of this socio-rausicological phenomena.

The thesis investigated the social and symbolic significance of acquiring a 'music education' through the taking of piano tuition and external public music examinations. It aimed to discover why the learning of the piano and the certification of musical attainment are so prevalent and revered among Malaysian music students. Its purpose was to unravel the socio-cultural raison d'etre of this approach to music education through the creation of a metatheoretical schema, which is premised upon the theories of symbolic interactionist, George Herbert Mead, music analyst, Heinrich Schenker and social theorist, George Ritzer. Central to the argument in this instance is the symbolic significance associated with the act of playing the piano. The investigation attempted to determine if this 'act' conveyed a symbolic meaning that is peculiar to a specific cultural vista. It further examined the degree to which this practice represented both a validation and a sense of conformity to social norms in the continuity and stability of an expanding middle class society in Malaysia. The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) is the largest of the five main external public music examination boards that operate in Malaysia. Since 1948, over one million candidates have enrolled for ABRSM examinations in Malaysia and a team of approximately thirty ABRSM examiners visit Malaysia for three months every year. The majority of the candidates are pianists. Given such large numbers of piano candidates, one might expect a healthy development of musical talent in the country with aspiring pianists eager to demonstrate their musical prowess. However, this does not seem to be the case. On the contrary, there appears to be a curious lacuna between the growing number of students who enrol for external public music examinations and the seemingly lack of interest in public music making and the honing of general musicianship skills. The thesis hence examined the symbolic meaning of this socio-musicological phenomena.

Suicide terrorism is characterized by the willingness of physically and psychologically war-trained individuals to die while destroying or attempting to annihilate enemy targets in furtherance of certain political or social objectives. Rooted in the historical, social, and psychological dimensions of international terrorism, suicide terrorism is neither a unique nor a new phenomenon. Its recent resurgence and the extensive media coverage it has received account for the misleading uniqueness of this violent, complex, and adaptive form of terrorism. This qualitative study examines the definitional and rhetorical processes by which suicide terrorism is socially constructed. Using a social constructionist theoretical framework coupled with a symbolic interactionist approach, this multi-case study effectively moves the analysis of suicide bombings beyond essentialist debates on asymmetrical warfare or terrorism and into a more nuanced appreciation of cultural meaning and human interaction. Hence this case study emphasizes how the interpretive understanding of suicide terrorism is associated with a biased representation of events and their alleged causes that is conditioned by deliberate attempts to stigmatize ideological enemies, manipulate public perceptions, and promote certain political interests. The primary research question is: How are socio-political processes, bureaucratic imperatives, and media structures involved in the social construction of suicide terrorism? Secondary research questions focus on determining how suicide terrorism is (a) a political weapon, (b) a communication tool, and (c) a politicized issue that fits into a moral panic framework. Methods used to conduct the analysis include in-depth interviews (phenomenological and elite interviewing) and document analysis (general document review and historical review). Findings highlight the interactions between suicide bombers (as contemporary folk devils), the news and entertainment media, the public, and agents of social control (politicians, lawmakers, law enforcement, and action groups), and their respective roles in the social construction of suicide terrorism. The limitations of the study, its significant theoretical and practical implications, as well as suggestions for future research are discussed.

A presente pesquisa pretendeu investigar os significados atribuídos por mulheres profissionais ao processo de cuidar de mulheres com Hiv, considerando a vulnerabilidade no contexto da feminização do Hiv/Aids. Para isto traçou como objetivos: descrever os significados atribuídos por mulheres que cuidam de mulheres soropositivo para o Hiv, considerando a vulnerabilidade no contexto da feminização do Hiv/Aids; analisar o processo de interação de mulheres profissionais no cuidado de mulheres soropositivo para o Hiv à luz do interacionismo simbólico A metodologia empregada foi a abordagem qualitativa subsidiada pela Grounded Theory. A técnica de coleta de dados escolhida foi entrevista semi-estruturada. Em consoante com a Grounded Theory, o referencial de análise dos dados foi o Interacionismo Simbólico. A pesquisa apontou duas categorias centrais pelas quais permeiam os significados do cuidado em questão. Na primeira, a mulher-profissional fala como mulher que crê estar ao imune ao Hiv por via sexual mantendo relacionamento estável, onde se verifica forte vulnerabilidade de gênero para o Hiv; na segunda, a profissional-mulher reconhece a vulnerabilidade das mulheres que cuida, e dita regras de como viver e como se prevenir para o Hiv, como o uso do preservativo. A partir destas categorias identificou-se que os significados atribuídos por mulheres profissionais ao processo de cuidar de mulheres com Hiv, considerando a vulnerabilidade no contexto da feminização do Hiv/Aids, assumiu significados diferentes a partir das diversas situações vividas e das experiências interacionais das profissionais. Assim, os significados se agruparam em dois fenômenos: o de Saúde para a mulher e o de Morte para a mulher e riscos para si. O estudo concluiu que as profissionais ainda trazem consigo a antiga visão do Hiv/Aids, o que contribui para o fomento da discriminação e do preconceito, mesmo estes não estando presentes em seus discursos. Desta forma, cuidar de uma mulher com Hiv pode ser especial por ser uma oportunidade de esperança e recomeço para a mulher, como também um momento de julgamento e condenação e, ainda, de se colocar em risco para cuidar do outro. / This research intended to investigate the meanings attributed by professional women to the process of taking care of women with HIV, considering the vulnerability in the context of feminization of HIV/Aids. Therefore, it was established as objectives: to describe the meanings given by women that take care of HIV seropositive women, considering the vulnerability in the context of feminization of HIV/Aids; to analyze the interaction process of professional women in the care of HIV seropositive women, in relation to the symbolic interaction. The methodology used was the qualitative approach, subsided by the Grounded Theory. The data collection technique chosen was the semi-structure interview. In accordance with the Grounded Theory, the referential of analysis of the data was the Symbolic Interaction. The research has pointed out two main categories through which the meanings of the care at issue permeate. In the first, the professional woman talks as a woman who believes to the immune to sexually acquired HIV, keeping a stable relationship, where it can be verified a strong vulnerability of the genre for the HIV; in the second one, the professional woman recognizes the vulnerability of the women she takes care of, and she dictates the rules on how to live and how a woman can prevent the HIV, by using preservatives, for instance. From these categories, it was identified that the meanings attributed by professional women to the process of taking care of women with HIV, considering the vulnerability in the context of feminization of HIV/Aids has assumed different meanings as from the several situations lived and from the interaction experiences of the professionals. This way, the meanings were grouped in two phenomena, the Health one, for the woman, and the Death one, for the woman and the risks for herself. The study has concluded that the professionals still have the old vision of HIV/Aids, which contributed for the phenomenon of discrimination and of prejudice, even if they are not present in their speech. Therefore, to take care of a woman with HIV may be special, for it is an opportunity of hope and a fresh start for the woman, as well as a judgment and condemnation moment, and also, of putting herself in risk to take care of others.

A presente pesquisa pretendeu investigar os significados atribuídos por mulheres profissionais ao processo de cuidar de mulheres com Hiv, considerando a vulnerabilidade no contexto da feminização do Hiv/Aids. Para isto traçou como objetivos: descrever os significados atribuídos por mulheres que cuidam de mulheres soropositivo para o Hiv, considerando a vulnerabilidade no contexto da feminização do Hiv/Aids; analisar o processo de interação de mulheres profissionais no cuidado de mulheres soropositivo para o Hiv à luz do interacionismo simbólico A metodologia empregada foi a abordagem qualitativa subsidiada pela Grounded Theory. A técnica de coleta de dados escolhida foi entrevista semi-estruturada. Em consoante com a Grounded Theory, o referencial de análise dos dados foi o Interacionismo Simbólico. A pesquisa apontou duas categorias centrais pelas quais permeiam os significados do cuidado em questão. Na primeira, a mulher-profissional fala como mulher que crê estar ao imune ao Hiv por via sexual mantendo relacionamento estável, onde se verifica forte vulnerabilidade de gênero para o Hiv; na segunda, a profissional-mulher reconhece a vulnerabilidade das mulheres que cuida, e dita regras de como viver e como se prevenir para o Hiv, como o uso do preservativo. A partir destas categorias identificou-se que os significados atribuídos por mulheres profissionais ao processo de cuidar de mulheres com Hiv, considerando a vulnerabilidade no contexto da feminização do Hiv/Aids, assumiu significados diferentes a partir das diversas situações vividas e das experiências interacionais das profissionais. Assim, os significados se agruparam em dois fenômenos: o de Saúde para a mulher e o de Morte para a mulher e riscos para si. O estudo concluiu que as profissionais ainda trazem consigo a antiga visão do Hiv/Aids, o que contribui para o fomento da discriminação e do preconceito, mesmo estes não estando presentes em seus discursos. Desta forma, cuidar de uma mulher com Hiv pode ser especial por ser uma oportunidade de esperança e recomeço para a mulher, como também um momento de julgamento e condenação e, ainda, de se colocar em risco para cuidar do outro. / This research intended to investigate the meanings attributed by professional women to the process of taking care of women with HIV, considering the vulnerability in the context of feminization of HIV/Aids. Therefore, it was established as objectives: to describe the meanings given by women that take care of HIV seropositive women, considering the vulnerability in the context of feminization of HIV/Aids; to analyze the interaction process of professional women in the care of HIV seropositive women, in relation to the symbolic interaction. The methodology used was the qualitative approach, subsided by the Grounded Theory. The data collection technique chosen was the semi-structure interview. In accordance with the Grounded Theory, the referential of analysis of the data was the Symbolic Interaction. The research has pointed out two main categories through which the meanings of the care at issue permeate. In the first, the professional woman talks as a woman who believes to the immune to sexually acquired HIV, keeping a stable relationship, where it can be verified a strong vulnerability of the genre for the HIV; in the second one, the professional woman recognizes the vulnerability of the women she takes care of, and she dictates the rules on how to live and how a woman can prevent the HIV, by using preservatives, for instance. From these categories, it was identified that the meanings attributed by professional women to the process of taking care of women with HIV, considering the vulnerability in the context of feminization of HIV/Aids has assumed different meanings as from the several situations lived and from the interaction experiences of the professionals. This way, the meanings were grouped in two phenomena, the Health one, for the woman, and the Death one, for the woman and the risks for herself. The study has concluded that the professionals still have the old vision of HIV/Aids, which contributed for the phenomenon of discrimination and of prejudice, even if they are not present in their speech. Therefore, to take care of a woman with HIV may be special, for it is an opportunity of hope and a fresh start for the woman, as well as a judgment and condemnation moment, and also, of putting herself in risk to take care of others.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / In practice obstetric, the graduation student in Nursing faces difficulties when exercising the care to the parturient because same tends theoretical knowledge, it is sametimes inert to the direct cares that they should be rendered the woman um labor and childbirth. When accomphishing my study objective it was to understand the meaning of labor and childbirth for the student of Nursing that experiences the discipline Nursing in the Process of Taking Care III â Woman, of the Federal University of Cearà (UFC). For so much, I opted for the qualitative approach and for the theoretical perspective of symbolic Interacion. They participated in the study twenty graduation students in Nursing that they were developing the obstetric practice in the Center of Normal Childbirth of the Maternity â School Assis Chateaubriand of UFC, during the months of abril to june of 2004. The collection of data, was utilized the participant observation, the fields diaries and the interview open with the following question: Which the meaning of the labor and childbirth for you after having witnessed it?. With base in the analysis of Bardin (2000) and in the theoretical relate in Symbolic Interaction, it was possible understanding the meaning of the labor and childbird for the Nursingâs student of UFC begging with the following questions: To witness the plysical and emotional suffering lived by the parturient; To face the insecurity in attending the parturient; and Birth â the discovery of a new life. As I undestood, independent experiences the studentâs Nursing living the obstetric practice, interacting with the woman in the labor and childbirth, checking, containing and interpreting the senses and meanings of the parturition process. At the same time, with the influence of parturiation process, motivation them, to see the childbirth first, and this became sensible, to act and to take care of the woman in labor and childbirth. As Nurses, who teaching at the University, working in the hospital and other one, should put ourselves in the studentâs same condition, looking for to discover a walk didactic â pedagogic capable to make possible a favorable atmosphere to a bether care of Nursing to the woman in parturition process, valuing the knomledge, the relation of the science and the professional autonomy. / Na prÃtica obstÃtrica, o aluno de graduaÃÃo em Enfermagem enfrenta dificuldades ao exercer o cuidado à parturiente, pois mesmo tendo conhecimento teÃrico, Ãs vezes fica inerte aos cuidados diretos que devem ser prestados à mulher em trabalho de parto e parto. Ao realizar este estudo, meu objetivo foi compreender o significado do trabalho de parto e parto para o aluno de Enfermagem que experiencia a disciplina Enfermagem no Processo de Cuidar III â Mulher, da Universidade Federal do Cearà (UFC). Para tanto, optei pela abordagem qualitativa e pela perspectiva teÃrica do Interacionismo SimbÃlico. Participaram do estudo vinte alunos de graduaÃÃo em Enfermagem que estavam desenvolvendo a prÃtica obstÃtrica no Centro de Parto Normal da Maternidade-Escola Assis Chateaubriand da UFC, nos meses de abril a junho de 2004. Durante a coleta de dados, foram utilizados a observaÃÃo participante, os diÃrios de campo e a entrevista aberta com a seguinte pergunta: Qual o significado do trabalho de parto e parto para vocà apÃs tÃ-lo presenciado? Com base na anÃlise temÃtica de Bardin (2000) e no referencial teÃrico do Interacionismo SimbÃlico, foi possÃvel compreender o significado do trabalho de parto e parto para o aluno de Enfermagem da UFC a partir das seguintes temÃticas: Presenciar o sofrimento fÃsico e emocional vivenciado pela parturiente; Enfrentar a inseguranÃa em assistir a parturiente; e Nascimento â a descoberta de uma nova vida. Conforme compreendi, independente das experiÃncias do aluno de Enfermagem, ao vivenciar a prÃtica obstÃtrica, este interage com a mulher em trabalho de parto e parto, checando, agrupando e interpretando os sentidos e significados deste processo de parturiÃÃo. Ao mesmo tempo, por ele se influencia e quer ver primeiro o parto, para, entÃo, agir e cuidar da mulher em trabalho de parto e parto. Como enfermeiros, docentes e assistenciais devemos nos colocar na mesma condiÃÃo do aluno, buscando descobrir um caminhar didÃtico-pedagÃgico capaz de possibilitar um ambiente propÃcio a um melhor cuidado de Enfermagem à mulher em processo de parturiÃÃo, valorizando o saber, a interdisciplinaridade e a autonomia profissional.