This study investigates the dialectic of emancipation and control in the relationship between staff and clients at shelters for battered women. The dialectic of emancipation and control represents the tension shelter workers feel in trying to empower their clients while, at the same time, maintaining control over the programs and domestic order of the shelter. Past research has introduced this dialectic, but no studies exist which view it in the context of the staff/client relationship. Additionally, very little communication research exists exploring the interaction that takes place in shelters for battered women.Four employees of four different shelters were interviewed by this researcher. Their accounts were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using the constant comparative review method consistent with grounded theory. The workers' accounts indicated that the nature of their profession requires them to be dominant over their clients in five areas. Additionally, the workers discussed four contradictory aspects of their work which reflect the existence of the dialectic of emancipation and control in their interaction with clients. / Department of Speech Communication

Research has shown that both males and females agree that child-support payments should be consistent. However, census bureau data has indicated that nonpayment of child support is a significant problem in the United States. This study investigated the ways in which females make sense of the phenomenon of child support nonpayment via the construction of personal narratives.Ten adult females were interviewed to obtain stories of child-support nonpayment. The interviews were recorded and transcribed and discrete narratives were isolated for analysis. The constant comparative method was used to compare and contrast the data in order to discover the themes inherent to the process of sense-making through the construction of personal narratives.The analysis revealed three categories of narratives of child-support nonpayment: Action, Coping, and Prescriptive. The findings suggested that each of the categories revealed salient dimensions (i.e., themes) inherent to those categories. Furthermore, these themes were utilized to assign meaning to, and hence make sense of, the experience of child-support nonpayment. / Department of Speech Communication

The core of the thesis investigates the role of education in the engendering of cultural change and leadership among a select group of a powerful 'first generation' of Arab women; specifically, the role of dual educational/cultural experiences, both Arab and Western. The broader aim of the study is to analyze the merging of cultural traditionalism and modernity and how dual education has enhanced the ability of women, especially Arab women, to become leaders in their professional careers, and within their respective communities, whilst still maintaining strong ties to their culture, religion and traditions, albeit to varying degrees. The writer has chosen to investigate the association between cultural identity and educational experience of elite educated Arab women, through a small sample, who have had exposure to both Western and Arab educational systems at different points in their lives. The researcher's heritage has led to a fundamental ideological interest in the coexistence of traditionalism and modernisation and whether the two can complement one another. There are now a significant number of Arab women who have had the privilege of education and exposure to the two types of systems. Yet, gender constraints and predefined gender roles still very much dictate the socio-cultural contexts in which such women have to operate. The patriarchal 'system' is omnipresent in the West as well as in the Arab world. The challenges the writer has faced even as a 'Western' Arab to reconcile tradition and intellectual and educational exposure has served as a greater impetus for this investigation. The investigation and the intent of this thesis as described above, is to test the preliminary hypothesis that, in the context of elite Arab women, their exposure to both West and Arab educational cultures is germane to their potential for influencing female professional development. How their educational experiences have influenced their own identities and their ability to adhere to the gender roles prescribed is of significant interest. What influence has such education had on these women's prospects for instituting and pioneering change in their respective societies and professions? Is the synergy of certain aspects of modernity and tradition possible? The general conclusion is that it is.

The aim of this thesis is to show that Laclos' novel, Les Liaisons dangereuses, is not as some critics have claimed a handbook of sexual licentiousness and a bible of debauchery. It is rather a complex and subtle description of the condition of women in 18th-Century France. While the structural importance of the male characters is by no means ignored, it is the female characters who have been the object of our particular study. We have isolated and identified the various social and symbolic representations of women to be found in Laclos' novel: the rebel, the victim, the prostitute, the mother, the young girl and the dowager. In doing so, we have come to see this work as an essentially feminist novel in which women occupy a dominant position. Furthermore, we have shown that Laclos' three essays, Des Femmes et de leur education, are not only a natural and a logical continuation of the novel but also its theoretical counterpart. Finally, in relation to the condition of women and their education, the three essays and the novel allow us to confirm that Laclos does not only criticize the society he lives in but also anticipates the changes that will occur during the Revolution and later.

This ethnographic study explored the social and cultural context of Maldivian women???s emotional, social and psychological well-being and the subjective meanings they assign to their distress. The central question for the study was: How is suffering and distress in Maldivian women explained, experienced, expressed and dealt with? In this study participant observation was enhanced by lengthy encounters with women and with both biomedical and traditional healers. The findings showed that the suffering and distress of women is embedded in the social and economic circumstances in which they live, the nature of gender relations and how culture shapes these relations, the cultural notions related to being a good woman; and how culture defines and structures women???s place within the family and society. Explanations for distress included mystical, magical and animistic causes as well as social, psychological and biological causes. Women???s experiences of distress were mainly expressed through body metaphors and somatization. The pathway to dealing with their distress was explained by women???s tendency to normalize their distress and what they perceived to be the causes of their distress. This study provides an empirical understanding of Maldivian women???s mental well-being. Based on the findings of this study, a multi dimensional model entitled the Mandala for Suffering and Distress is proposed. The data contributes a proposed foundation upon which mental health policy and mental health interventions, and curricula for training of health care providers in the Maldives may be built. The data also adds to the existing global body of evidence on social determinants of mental health and enhances current knowledge and developments in the area of cultural competency for health care. The model and the lessons learnt from this study have major implications for informing clinicians on culturally congruent ways of diagnosing and managing mental health problems and developing patient-centred mental health services.

Orientador: Cristina Maria Garcia de Lima Parada / Banca: Ana teresa de Abreu Ramos Cerqueira / Banca: Jamile Claro de Castro Bussadori / Resumo: Objetivou-se identificar fatores sociodemográficos, características e intercorrências gestacionais associadas à realização de cesárea eletiva e avaliar os efeitos dos tipos de parto sobre recém-nascidos cujos partos foram realizados no primeiro semestre de 2012, no município de Botucatu/SP. Estudo de abordagem epidemiológica, observacional e analítico, do qual participaram puérperas e seus recém-nascidos internados nas duas maternidades existentes no município. Os dados foram coletados nos prontuários dos binômios nas unidades de internação, nas anotações de sala de parto e cartão de pré-natal e por entrevista com as puérperas. Buscou-se identificar associação entre as variáveis independentes (idade, escolaridade, trabalho, vive com companheiro, gestação planejada, uso de drogas na gestação, pré-natal no SUS, parto no SUS, número de consultas pré-natal, hemorragia, síndrome hipertensiva, diabetes, infecção na gestação, anemia e problema emocional) e tipo de parto. A análise univariada foi realizada pelo Teste Exato de Fisher ou Qui-quadrado. Variáveis com p< 0,20 foram agrupadas em três níveis e, mediante modelo de regressão logística múltiplo, hierarquizado, identificaram-se fatores associados à cesárea eletiva, considerando-se p < 0,05. A relação entre o tipo de parto e os desfechos perinatais (necessidade de reanimação, índice de Apgar de quinto minuto inferior a sete pontos, tempo de internação e peso ao nascer) foi analisada por Modelo de Regressão Logística Múltipla ou por Regressão com Resposta Gama. Os resultados indicam que das 1.289 mulheres que participaram do estudo, 18,0% foram submetidas à cesárea eletiva, 34,5% tiveram parto vaginal e 47,5% cesárea com indicação. No modelo final hierarquizado houve associação entre cesárea eletiva e o fato da puérpera ter trabalho remunerado e ter realizado pré-natal e parto fora do Sistema Único de Saúde, indicando melhores... / Abstract: The objective was to identify sociodemographic factors, characteristics and pregnancy complications associated with elective cesarean section and evaluate the effects of mode of delivery on newborns whose birth were performed in the first half of 2012 in Botucatu/SP. Study epidemiological, observational and analytical approach, attended pregnant women and their newborn infants in the only two county hospitals. Data were collected from medical records of binomials in inpatient units, delivery room notes, prenatal card and interview with the mothers. We tried to identify associations between the independent variables (age, education, work, living with partner, planned pregnancy, drug use during pregnancy, prenatal care in the SUS, SUS delivery, number of prenatal visits, hemorrhage, hypertensive syndrome, diabetes, infection during pregnancy, anemia and emotional problem) and type of delivery. Univariate analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test or chi-square. Variables with p <0.20 were grouped into three levels and by the multiple logistic regression model, hierarchical, were identified factors associated with elective cesarean section, considering p <0.05. The relationship between mode of delivery and perinatal outcomes (need for resuscitation, Apgar score at five minutes less than seven points, length of stay and birth weight) was analyzed by multiple logistic regression model or regression with Answer Range. The results indicate that of the 1,289 women who participated in the study, 18.0% were submitted to elective cesarean section, 34.5% had vaginal delivery and 47.5% cesarean section with details. In the final model hierarchical was no association between elective caesarean section and the fact that postpartum women have paid work and have received prenatal care and childbirth outside the Health System, indicating the best conditions. The chance of resuscitation was lower among newborns whose mothers underwent previously ... / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2015-12-10T14:23:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2015-02-23. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-12-10T14:29:19Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000848608.pdf: 1183884 bytes, checksum: e3b0afce67478565441233adb4ec5a37 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Objetivou-se identificar fatores sociodemográficos, características e intercorrências gestacionais associadas à realização de cesárea eletiva e avaliar os efeitos dos tipos de parto sobre recém-nascidos cujos partos foram realizados no primeiro semestre de 2012, no município de Botucatu/SP. Estudo de abordagem epidemiológica, observacional e analítico, do qual participaram puérperas e seus recém-nascidos internados nas duas maternidades existentes no município. Os dados foram coletados nos prontuários dos binômios nas unidades de internação, nas anotações de sala de parto e cartão de pré-natal e por entrevista com as puérperas. Buscou-se identificar associação entre as variáveis independentes (idade, escolaridade, trabalho, vive com companheiro, gestação planejada, uso de drogas na gestação, pré-natal no SUS, parto no SUS, número de consultas pré-natal, hemorragia, síndrome hipertensiva, diabetes, infecção na gestação, anemia e problema emocional) e tipo de parto. A análise univariada foi realizada pelo Teste Exato de Fisher ou Qui-quadrado. Variáveis com p< 0,20 foram agrupadas em três níveis e, mediante modelo de regressão logística múltiplo, hierarquizado, identificaram-se fatores associados à cesárea eletiva, considerando-se p < 0,05. A relação entre o tipo de parto e os desfechos perinatais (necessidade de reanimação, índice de Apgar de quinto minuto inferior a sete pontos, tempo de internação e peso ao nascer) foi analisada por Modelo de Regressão Logística Múltipla ou por Regressão com Resposta Gama. Os resultados indicam que das 1.289 mulheres que participaram do estudo, 18,0% foram submetidas à cesárea eletiva, 34,5% tiveram parto vaginal e 47,5% cesárea com indicação. No modelo final hierarquizado houve associação entre cesárea eletiva e o fato da puérpera ter trabalho remunerado e ter realizado pré-natal e parto fora do Sistema Único de Saúde, indicando melhores... / The objective was to identify sociodemographic factors, characteristics and pregnancy complications associated with elective cesarean section and evaluate the effects of mode of delivery on newborns whose birth were performed in the first half of 2012 in Botucatu/SP. Study epidemiological, observational and analytical approach, attended pregnant women and their newborn infants in the only two county hospitals. Data were collected from medical records of binomials in inpatient units, delivery room notes, prenatal card and interview with the mothers. We tried to identify associations between the independent variables (age, education, work, living with partner, planned pregnancy, drug use during pregnancy, prenatal care in the SUS, SUS delivery, number of prenatal visits, hemorrhage, hypertensive syndrome, diabetes, infection during pregnancy, anemia and emotional problem) and type of delivery. Univariate analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test or chi-square. Variables with p <0.20 were grouped into three levels and by the multiple logistic regression model, hierarchical, were identified factors associated with elective cesarean section, considering p <0.05. The relationship between mode of delivery and perinatal outcomes (need for resuscitation, Apgar score at five minutes less than seven points, length of stay and birth weight) was analyzed by multiple logistic regression model or regression with Answer Range. The results indicate that of the 1,289 women who participated in the study, 18.0% were submitted to elective cesarean section, 34.5% had vaginal delivery and 47.5% cesarean section with details. In the final model hierarchical was no association between elective caesarean section and the fact that postpartum women have paid work and have received prenatal care and childbirth outside the Health System, indicating the best conditions. The chance of resuscitation was lower among newborns whose mothers underwent previously ... / FAPESP: 2013/02747-6

ZULEIKHA, who was trained as a pianist in her hometown of Lahore, Pakistan, arrives in Irving, Texas after her arranged marriage to ISKANDER, but finds it difficult to get accustomed to the appurtenances, encumbrances, and perquisites of the middle-class housewife lifestyle. Despite giving birth to a son, WASIM, she quickly falls out of love with her dutiful but straight-laced husband. She begins giving private lessons, and commences an affair with PATRICK, a transplanted Canadian who is trapped in his own loveless marriage. When she gets pregnant, Zuleikha is convinced the child belongs to her husband. She ends her affair with Patrick, but Iskander finds out about it anyway. The ensuing confrontation between Zuleikha and Iskander turns into a physical altercation, during which Zuleikha, having fallen to the floor, is unable to see if Iskander stomps on her belly, or falls on her by accident as he will later claim. The trauma results in a miscarriage. The unusual set of circumstances surrounding this violent episode serves as the backdrop for the rest of the story, by catapulting this otherwise nondescript couple into the glare of the public eye. Iskander is arrested and charged with feticide, and he faces a long prison sentence under Texas law. A court order prohibits him from contacting Zuleikha and Wasim, who are taken to a shelter for Muslim women and children. There, the other domestic abuse victims view Zuleikha as someone who "had it coming" because of her infidelity, and are therefore openly hostile to her. The shelter's director, a woman named REZA, is beholden to wealthy Muslim donors, and therefore arranges for Zuleikha to meet with members of a highly controversial Islamic tribunal. Zuleikha is pressured to forgive her husband and testify in his favor, so as not draw further negative attention to the Muslim community. JANE, the District Attorney, on the other hand, initially plays nice with Zuleikha and informs her that she will devote any and all available resources in the prosecution of Iskander. When Zuleikha can't get her story straight and hesitates about testifying against her husband, however, Jane, too, turns against her. Zuleikha discovers that the DA has been caught hiding her own secrets and now faces a public confidence crisis of her own. Zuleikha comes to realize that Jane's reasons for being so gung-ho about winning Iskander's conviction have as much to do with re-endearing herself to her electorate as with justice. Zuleikha thus finds herself at the epicenter of a political firestorm fueled by winds of anti-Muslim hysteria, with different people trying to use her situation to their own advantage. When Wasim gets in a scuffle at the shelter and has to be taken to a clinic, she panics and contacts Iskander against her better judgment. Husband and wife finally confront each other while Wasim is being treated. Iskander claims to still love Zuleikha and begs her to take him back so that they and their son can resume their prior family life. But Zuleikha realizes that even if Iskander is sincere and not merely seeking reconciliation in order to avoid a harsh prison sentence, she will never be able to forgive him, let alone love him and live with him again. She comes to accept the fact that she has no control over Iskander's fate in court, and can only move forward by testifying truthfully and trying to do what is best for her and her son. While waiting for the trial to begin, she gains admission in a summer training program for piano instructors and begins the next phase of her life.

In the 1990s, Susan Faludi’s Backlash: The Undeclared War Against Women (1992) was arguably of signal importance in the thematization of the limits imposed by the media on the negotiation of gender identity. However, the utilization of Faludi’s various analyses, in the interest of rendering social critique, has become progressively more problematic during the first decade of the 21st century. This is because her analyses engage neither with the development of media technologies subsequent to the early 1990s, nor with the way in which such technological developments now engage audiences on a greater multiplicity of levels than before, in a manner that consequently stands to inform their subjectivity to a degree hitherto unimagined. (A good example of the latter would, of course, be the proliferation of interactive exchanges on the World Wide Web). As such, in the light of such technological developments, this treatise is orientated around an investigation of the continued relevance of Faludi’s Backlash (1992) for the negotiation of gender identity in the contemporary era. In particular, its focus falls on West’s film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), which is considered against the backdrop of the Lara Croft: Tomb Raider phenomenon, which encompasses sequels to the film, online interactive sites, graphic novels, figurines, and video games, among other products. This investigation draws on the reception theory of, on the one hand, Adorno and Horkheimer, and, on the other hand, Stuart Hall.

During my years in Christian education, I became fascinated by the fact that few women participated in levels of visible leadership especially in light of the women's movement in the broader society. Women had always been active in church life, perhaps, more so than men. If societal barriers were falling for women, why were women not in visible leadership positions in the church? This study uses a series of in-depth interviews based on a phenomenological approach to determine what specific factors in the lives of women who serve as Christian leaders either helped or hindered them in their pilgrimage. Eight women were interviewed to discover their life experiences and three men to discern their perspectives. As the eleven interviews were reviewed and analyzed, I read secular and Christian literature to find supportive or corroborative information related to the emerging themes. The thesis is presented in two parts: first, an academic preface articulating the process of research and analysis; and second, a study guide developed for women and men in my field of practice, Christian education. Because I am committed to Christian education, I have chosen to develop a study guide to be used for individual or group study. The method, the discoveries, and the presentation share a common theme: the importance of dialogue. Key observations in the study indicate that the factors that helped some women are the same factors that hindered others and that each individual woman's ability to lead is influenced by a complexity of factors. As the study guide develops, each of the factors is discussed as one which helped or hindered the participants. Following the presentations of themes are suggestions for changes, or transformation, with recommendations for further study and possible action by individuals or local churches. Among the participants, the Bible is considered the authoritative word of God and each looked to the Bible for principles and guidelines regarding women in leadership. Based on their respective interpretations of the Bible, some were led by hermeneutic processes to believe that women are to lead alongside men as equal partners; others, however, hold the view that women are not to assume the highest leadership positions. The cultural settings of the participants influenced their leadership. Two factors, patriarchy and feminism, are examined to identify aspects of each which help women in leadership in some cases and hinder in others. Pivotal in the discussion is that each woman's sense of personhood affects her own ability to assume leadership. A woman's identity is seen in view of her relationships to her family, herself, and her God. For many women, pain emerged as a theme growing out of frustrated efforts to pursue leadership faced with institutional opposition. Women are encouraged to lead in many venues of the church, including education and missions. For some women, leadership has been helped by existing policies; for other women, leadership opportunities have been restricted and hindered. / Education, Faculty of / Educational Studies (EDST), Department of / Graduate