This dissertation is constituted by three distinctive chapters or essays, but the unifying theme is how a more careful consideration of female labor supply may better inform assessments of economic growth and structural change. In chapter I, I use the insights of both cooperative and noncooperative bargaining theory to develop a household model of female labor supply. Particular attention is given to how this model applies to the developing world, including how the effects of larger social shifts such as technological change and fertility decline are mediated by bargaining and inequality in the family. In chapter II, I develop a theoretical foundation for analyzing how gender roles in the household affect foreign direct investment in a developing country context. It is argued that the extent to which women and men share the costs of social reproduction at the household level is a central determinant of female labor supply and the profitability of investment. I combine a model of family structure with a structuralist macromodel to investigate the effects of various public policies on women's wages and employment. A major goal is to specify the constraints imposed by international capital mobility on the prospects for increased equality and living standards for women. In chapter III, I reevaluate economic growth in Taiwan between 1965 and 1995 by developing an alternative measure of economic production that accounts for both market and nonmarket production in the form of domestic services provided by women in the home. I find that social services, a category that includes social services provided in the market and the home, is the lead employer of Taiwanese labor between 1965 and 1995. Another key finding is that many of the factors driving growth in the market sector also shape growth in the nonmarket sector. Despite trend declines in the relative size of the nonmarket domestic sector, it has probably continued to grow throughout this period, primarily because of productivity gains in household production and the effects of demographic change.

Fecal Fermentation Profile, Nutrient Proximate Analysis and Well-being of Aerobic versus Anaerobically Trained Female Athletes Lindsey Stallworth1, Anna K Whitlock1, Sonja J Lafollette2, Laiken Lewis2, Kristy Thomas1,3, Amy E Wahlquist MS4, W. Andrew Clark PhD, RD, LDN1,3, Mary Andreae MS, RD, LDN1,3, Michael Stone PhD5 College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Science, Department of Rehabilitative Science1; College of Arts and Science, Department of Biological Science2; Quillen College of Medicine, Department of Biomedical Science3; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health; Clemmer College of Education4, Department of Sport, Exercise, Recreation, and Kinesiology5, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City Introduction: The human gut microbiome serves a role in health and disease prevention. The composition of intestinal bacteria and their metabolites (fecal fermentation profile, FFP) can influence mood, sleep, immune response, inflammation and the ability to digest and absorb nutrients. Current studies show that populations who are more physically active have a more diverse microbiome compared to sedentary groups, resulting in higher adaptability to physical exertion. There is a limited amount of research focusing on the microbiome of physically active groups with different training regimens. Therefore, we investigated if athletes under aerobic versus anaerobic based training express differences in fecal fermentation profile, nutrient proximate analysis and measures of well-being. We hypothesize that aerobically trained athletes will express a more diverse microbiome as measured by FFP. Materials and Methods: Members from the ETSU Women’s Track and Field Team were recruited to join a research study evaluating physiological differences between aerobically (n=9) and anaerobically (n=3) trained athletes. Research participants read and signed an informed consent document (ETSU IRB-0122.15s-ETSU), completed 2 surveys (anthropometric, well-being), provided fecal (stool) and salivary cortisol samples for analysis. A 1g aliquot of the stool sample was collected and stored at -80 C for future microbiome analysis (UT, Knoxville, TN). The remainder of the stool sample was frozen at -80 C, lyophilized and ground to a fine powder for FFP and nutrient proximate analysis (NPA). FFP isolated short chain volatile fatty acids from the stool were identified via gas chromatography (Shimadzu). NPA of the stool included total calories, total nitrogen, dry matter. Mental well-being in regard to training were assessed via an athlete well-being survey, sport training survey, and salivary cortisol test (taken the morning of providing fecal sample). Dietary habits were assessed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Anthropometric data including height, weight, hydration status and lean body mass (Bio impedance Analysis (BIA)). Results: No statistical differences were noted between groups for FFP, dry matter, total calories or total nitrogen of the stool sample. Anthropometric measures of percent body fat (p < 0.0058), percent skeletal muscle (p < 0.0086) and body mass index (p < 0.0106) were lower for aerobically trained versus anaerobically trained athletes. Not enough surveys were completed for measures of well-being to be statistically analyzed. Conclusion: The hypothesis is rejected since there was no difference in the diversity of short chain volatile fatty acids. The data set is skewed because of the low number of anaerobic athlete participants to fairly evaluate the hypothesis. Additional samples are being sought to balance the data and data for salivary cortisol, food frequency questionnaire and fecal microbiome will be collected later.

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This study considers the history and cultural specificity of women-owned sex stores in the United States, and the particular model of sexual retailing that has evolved alongside these businesses—what I refer to as the Good Vibrations model, a “tasteful,” educationally based, and quasi-therapeutic approach to selling sex toys designed to appeal “especially but not exclusively” to women. Drawing upon extensive participant observation research, in-depth interviews, and archival materials, I examine how discourses of sexual liberation, education, feminism, and consumer-capitalism coalesce within these retail environments, helping to establish what one proprietor describes as the “alternative sex vending movement.” I trace the emergence of public discourses about female masturbation and orgasm in the early seventies, and explore how these ideas were incorporated into sexual consciousness-raising groups, sex therapy programs and, eventually, women-run vibrator businesses. I analyze the underlying “sex positive” philosophies, representational strategies, and retail norms and practices that define the Good Vibrations model, and consider how ideas about gender, class, and sexual taste are mobilized by various storeowners and staff in an effort to cultivate “respectable” retail environments that stand in contrast to the stereotype of sex stores as inherently base and “sleazy.” I argue that for many women-owned sex toy stores in the US, including Good Vibrations and Toys in Babeland, the marketplace doubles as a platform for sex activism and education, which has enabled these businesses to carve out a distinct and profitable niche in the sexual marketplace. By way of contrast, I discuss the impact that anti-vibrator statutes have on sexual speech and retailing in Texas, one of several states in the US where it is illegal to sell sex toys. Despite the growth and commercial success of women's sex businesses over the past thirty years, my research suggests that there is nothing straightforward about practicing sexual politics through the market; indeed, it is a project fraught with challenges and contradictions as storeowners and staff attempt to negotiate the shifting terrain of identity politics on the one hand, and the tensions between feminism, consumer-capitalism, profitability, and social change on the other.

This social historiography tells the story of the origin of the Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection Act of 1996. In the 1980s when the federal government reduced allocations to states' Medicaid programs as a cost saving measure, hospitals, initiated early discharge of patients to save costs. Given four million births annually, childbirth is the most frequent reason for hospitalization in the United States. Hospitals discharged Medicaid insured mothers and newborns very early at twenty-four hours for a normal birth and seventy-two hours for a cesarean. Other insurers adopted similar managed care strategies in the early 1990s. By 1995, unionized nurses from New Jersey, bolstered by a national outcry against early maternal discharge, and individual states legislative actions, met with staff in Senator Bradley's (Democrat, NJ) Washington, DC office to request a federal law that would extend hospital length of stays for maternity patients. The result was the creation of the Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection Act of 1996 (Newborn's Act). Insurers must now reimburse hospitals a minimum length of maternity stay of forty-eight hours for a normal birth and ninety-six hours for a cesarean birth. This historical investigation found that a revival occurred in professional nursing organizations' voice in health care policy. The American Nurses Association, the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, and the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nursing, not only testified at the congressional hearing for the Newborn's bill, but also helped craft the bill that became law. One nursing specialty, Public Health Nursing, at one time a cornerstone for autonomous nursing practice, was omitted from the NMHPA policymaking. As a nursing section of the American Public Health Association, it is now considering options to become more visible in health care policy development. Second, this study suggests that the federal government may have attempted price-fixing when it recommended in 1982, and again in 1983, that other insurers also limit reimbursements to hospitals to contain costs. In one last finding, congressional lawmakers omitted costly Medicaid insured mothers from the NMHPA law, but regulations formulated in 1999 captured this vulnerable group of mothers and newborns.

As the human race approaches the 21st Century, the world's spiritual, political, social, economic, educational, and scientific philosophies appear out of balance with the emerging global consciousness brought forth by today's advancing technologies. Former President Bush's New World Order is really the same old nation state order of international anarchy. All the ancient problems seem to have reached a critical point. Now, a critical idealism in education, which is a call for spiritual action, is necessary in order to have the power to bond like-minds to cure our ancient social diseases. The scientific and social movement which scientist James Lovelock named the Gaia theory, named after the Greek Goddess of the Earth, is on the verge of creating world-wide evolutionary change. My dissertation attempts to help create a Gaian philosophy of planetary education based on love between the sexes by analyzing the function of epic poetry.

The study focuses on the perceptions of women who are managers in the Executive Branch of Massachusetts State Government. In particular, several formal and informal organizational systems that help or hinder the career advancement of women into upper level positions are explored. Three questions were addressed: (1) How do female managers gain familiarity with various aspects of the workplace such as organizational culture and access to resources? (2) What sorts of flexible work options and benefits would be particularly important or useful to career-oriented female managers? and (3) What steps do organizations take (or should organizations take) to insure the existence of and appreciation for workforce diversity and the equitable treatment of all employees? A representative sample of 500 research participants was randomly selected from the total population of women who are managers in the Executive Branch of Massachusetts State Government. A mailed questionnaire was distributed to each of the women in the sample. A return rate of 68 percent was achieved. Some of the highlights are: the research participants' view of their place of employment is regarded as cooperative, flexible, and empowering; the availability of supportive people is perceived as emanating from the workplace; and an informal source of information about their workplace is available. There was also evidence of a willingness to help, support, and mentor others, especially women, and a high degree of compliance and support of affirmative action and antiharassment policies by employees in their workplace. The data also indicated a need for: more women in top executive positions; a more systematic use of training to encourage professional growth and enhance career mobility; a more systematic use of and evaluation of flexible work options and support mechanisms; and a greater use of and refinement of male/female mentoring, role modeling, and support.

This study presents a selection of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century German women dramatists and their works. The texts were not located within what we know as literary history, but rather within the context of the contemporary German theatre and the social conditions governing the writing and publishing of plays by women. The majority of these dramatists are unknown today. Research in this area is made more difficult by the widespread anonymity of female playwrights throughout both centuries (of 242 authors, 191 used pseudonyms). This is one of the reasons why a study of their work has yet to be conducted, and the reason why there is more need for a broad and general introduction than for investigations focusing on single authors. Although most of these authors and plays have been forgotten, many can still be located. In my research, I have located approximately 1,600 plays by 242 female playwrights; half of these texts were available through the Interlibrary Loan System in the United States. I have chosen to analyze texts by selected authors in the categories of comedy, drama, tragedy, historical plays, dramas about artists, mythological and biblical plays, dramatic fairy tales and allegories, and children's theatre. The plays are presented in chronological order in each chapter and described with an emphasis on thematic development within the genre. As a point of departure, I have included a description of the conditions of theatre performance in both centuries. The appendices contain biographical information about the fifty dramatists whose works are introduced here (Appendix A) and a complete list of female dramatists, with names (including pseudonyms, stage- and maiden names), dates, dramatic works, and the location of the works (Appendix B). Where applicable, I have supplemented my investigation with related materials by the playwrights themselves or their contemporaries, retaining the emphasis on the dramatists and their plays, since my aim is to make them accessible to our thinking, and to provide future researchers with biographical and bibliographical material on them.

This dissertation presents the results of a study designed to explore women's experience of spirituality in the light of current thought on women's psychological development. While women's development and women's spirituality are both newly emerging fields of study with growing bodies of literature, little has been done to integrate them. The dissertation included a broad review of the literature of women's development and women's spirituality in which a dominant theme of relationship emerged. Qualitative research was done with eight participants. Data consisted of in-depth interviews which were condensed into profiles, and then analyzed for themes, sequences and patterns of spiritual development. From the comparison of the analyses with each other and with the theories of psychological development two central themes were chosen for elaboration in the dissertation: a theme of experiential spirituality manifested in everyday life, and a pattern of developing self-identity through expanding awareness of self-in-relation. Expanding awareness of self-in-relation was explicated through the use of a visual model. Four domains of self-in-relation were identified: Self-in relation to self, to other, to the transpersonal realm, and to the Universal. Movement through the domains was complex and interactive rather than linear, and indicated deepening awareness of self, experienced as self-in-relation. Self-in-relation to the Universal was proposed as the definitive awareness for a spiritual orientation toward life. This awareness had a profound effect on other relationship domains. The results also suggested that the theoretical models of the Stone Center, Belenky et al and Gilligan, could each be extended to include another level or aspect of development associated with spiritual awareness.