M.Phil. / The effects of an upper body resistance training (UBRT) programme on spirometry values are not well documented or researched. The sparse number of studies that have focussed on this topic have generated inconclusive data on the effects of UBRT on pulmonary function. The present investigation made use of an eight-week UBRT programme in order to evaluate whether this would yield significant changes with regards to the following spirometry values: forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), 25% of forced expiratory flow (FEF-25), 50% of forced expiratory flow (FEF-50), 75% of forced expiratory flow (FEF-75), FEV1/FVC ratio, peak expiratory flow (PEF), peak inspiratory flow (PIF), vital capacity (VC), inspiratory vital capacity (IVC), FEV1/VC ratio, expiratory reserve volume (ERV) and minute ventilation (VE). The study made use of 36 sedentary but healthy male smokers (mean age: 33 years and 6 months), who were assigned into either a non-exercising control (CG) (n = 18) or exercising experimental (EG) (n = 18) group. A seven-day smoking analysis was recorded for both the EG and CG before and after the eight-week experimental period in order to control for any changes that might have occurred with regards to their smoking behaviour in an attempt to account for any changes in pulmonary function. The EG group were assigned to exercise for eight-weeks three times weekly on non-consecutive days using an UBRT programme. Their spirometry values were assessed at the commencement of and subsequent to the eight-week period. The EG¡¦s training programme consisted of latissimus-dorsi pulls, seated chest press, seated rows, seated shoulder press, shoulder shrugs, bent knee crunches and diagonal crunches. Each exercise was performed for three sets of 15 repetitions each. These exercises were performed at 50% 1-repetition maximum (1-RM) for the first week, at 60% 1-RM for the second and third week and at 70% 1-RM for the fourth week. Once each subject¡¦s 1-RM was reevaluated after four weeks, the same intensity progression was followed for the fifth (50% 1-RM), sixth (60% 1-RM), seventh (60% 1-RM) and eighth (70% 1-RM) weeks. The CG was instructed to not take part in any structured exercise throughout the eight-week period. The present investigation made use of the dependent and independent paired t-tests. The CG¡¦s FEV1/VC ratio increased significantly (p „T 0.05) by 2.97% and VC decreased significantly by 4.46%, while the EG¡¦s PEF and PIF increased significantly by 12.6% and 13.9%, respectively. No statistically significant changes were found in FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, FEF-25, FEF-50 and FEF-75, IVC, ERV and VE for both the EG and CG. Both groups indicated no statistically significant changes in daily cigarette consumption from the pre- to post-tests. The investigation concluded that eight weeks of UBRT was insufficient to result in significantly positive changes in the majority of pulmonary function variables, except for PIF, in sedentary male smokers. / Dr. L. Lategan

Thesis advisor: Philip G. Altbach / This qualitative case study examines the importance of men's intercollegiate athletics for alumni giving at Boston College for a 10-year period, based on the perceptions of 21 Boston College administrators and alumni. This study explores how athletics at Boston College engages alumni in ways that may eventually lead to their financial support of the institution. The findings reveal that study participants perceive football and men's basketball as a major source of engagement for the University's alumni that outrank other alumni activities in terms of reconnecting graduates with the institution. Further, participants support the existence of a relationship between men's intercollegiate athletics and general alumni giving at Boston College, although at varying levels of impact. The findings from this study suggest that engagement with athletic activities and events may serve as the conduit to general alumni giving that supports a host of programs and initiatives that aid the institution in its position as a national research university. Major findings focus on five areas regarding the relationship between men's intercollegiate athletics and general alumni giving at Boston College: the importance of general alumni giving, why alumni give, the importance of men's intercollegiate athletics, what engages alumni, and the influence of men's intercollegiate athletics on general alumni giving. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2010. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Educational Leadership and Higher Education.

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This research and thesis is a response to a particular usage of the Wild Man concept, an archetype with a long history in western and many other societies. In recent times, writers of the mythopoetic/therapeutic wing of the Men's Movement have advanced gender politicised notions of the Wild Man, assigning a role for him as a key to many of the problems men face. This new role intrigued me but their depiction of the Wild Man irritated because I too had a strong belief in him but felt he was being misrepresented. The objective of this thesis is to arrive at my own considered view of the Wild Man through assessment of the relevant data. The primary focus is on recent Men's Movement writing, both those championing the wild Man such as Bly, Keen and Biddulph, and their critics, who deny his existence. Feminist views are also an important area of investigation. The scope of investigation must include historical perspective of the Wild Man and evidence from the physical sciences, anthropology, zoology, psychology, philosophy, literature and sociology. I also examine the connections with my own field, visual arts linked with the Wild Man. During the conduct of the research, the author experimented with some of the methods for 'contacting the Wild Man' such as meditation and bushwalking. The written research was part of a cycle of investigation including the production of drawings and sculptures/installation, with each area nourishing and stimulating others. My assessment discusses and makes suggestions for: the Wild Man as a way for men to refashion themselves; men's 'contact' with the Wild Man; what the Wild Man has to offer; an exploration of the nature of the Wild Man; and his relevance to art. Further work is required in bringing men of differing views together to discuss and research means for positive change in men. / Master of Arts (Hons)

This study explores the defining moments in six men’s lives. The empirical dimension of the research is built around the personal narratives these men tell of their lives across a series of four interviews. The central research theme is the notion of the defining moment as a key element in the processes of establishing how men understand and interpret the events and incidents that have shaped their lives. In the context of this study, the defining moment is seen as the moment or period in time when an individual gives definition to a specific event or experience, as a transition point with (potentially) life-altering consequences. Some of the thematic structures presented include relationships with significant adults (parents, teachers), masculinity, self-harm, schooling, mental illness, isolation, loneliness, stress and relationships with peers. In my pursuit of a methodology that could accommodate the aims of this study, I explored the process of meaning through the qualitative paradigm. Drawing on the principles of qualitative research, as applied through narrative inquiry, I deployed a semi-structured interview format to collect the lived experiences of participants. By privileging the stories that individuals tell of their experiences, the narrative method recognises that data are inexorably located in the contextual and contingent. The experiences and narratives that are presented in this thesis are built around the authentic voices of participants. The study presents a warrant for working with men’s defining moments to disrupt, alter and redefine their attitudes and behaviours in order to improve their lives. Based on the insights gleaned through this study, I argue that there are defining times/points in people’s lives where their experiences can be life altering. When these experiences involve uncertainty, anxiety, stress and other pernicious effects, their longer-term consequences can be devastating. The study confirms existing research, that men are reluctant to seek help or reveal their insecurities during such times, therefore making them particularly vulnerable to defining moments. The conclusion of this thesis establishes some broad recommendations pertaining to working effectively with men and their defining moments. I focus particular attention on the place of schooling and education in helping individuals recognise and respond to the early symptoms of what is potentially a life-altering experience. Schools and, by association, teachers need to be actively and strategically involved in this process. To this end, I argue the need for targeted interventions that are both sensitive and timely. In their engagements with young males, parents, teachers, coaches and mentors need to be particularly attuned to their silent screams for help.

Western societies are increasingly becoming aware of the many problems facing boys and men. In Australia these problems include one of the highest youth suicide rates in the world, a high divorce rate, with most divorces being instigated by women, the breakdown of the family, and conflicting messages about what it is to be 'a man'. This study examines and describes how a group of 15-17 year old young men, who attend a private single sex school in Canberra, describe their beliefs and attitudes about becoming adult men. Participants were asked to respond to questions posed in a survey designed specifically for this research. These questions looked at relationships, gender roles, family, fatherhood, work and leisure and whether impending manhood appeared confusing. The context in which participants are situated is one of cultural and social flux; it was the current discourse and debate in Australia about how to be a man, men's issues, and the perception of men in crisis, which gave this study its broad contextual frame. Contrary to the conventional wisdom about boys/young men who attend elite private schools, the participants in this study emerged as egalitarian and flexible in their attitudes with regard to relationships, gender roles, parenting and work. This study therefore in part refutes the stereotypes, which surround students at private boys' schools, including those that purport that these students will hold predominantly hegemonic, traditional views about masculinity and their role as men. This thesis presents the voices of some three hundred young men, adding to an area of research, which is contested and vigorous in its development. By exploring the beliefs and attitudes of a group of Australians who are on the brink of manhood tentative insights have been offered, and, believe, some illumination gained. The dilemmas posed for meaningful adulthood for young men in Australia are very real. We need to listen to what young men have to say.

This thesis applies the radical feminist perspective set out by MacKinnon (1993) and Dworkin (1995), to analyze the construction of female sexuality within popular Canadian men’s pornographic magazines and non-pornographic magazines. A mixed methods approach was used to analyze the images and text within the feature articles of the selected magazines. Results revealed that women continue to be constructed as sexual objects within both categories of magazines, but the earlier link identified by MacKinnon and Dworkin between violence and sexuality was on longer apparent. Instead, women were a sexual puzzle that the magazines attempted to unpack. Rather than a strict dichotomy between pornographic and non-pornographic magazines, a continuum of grey emerged whereby the level of explicitness between the two magazines increased as the continuum progressed from left to right, thereby demonstrating the pornographication of mainstream media, as per McNair (2002).

This thesis applies the radical feminist perspective set out by MacKinnon (1993) and Dworkin (1995), to analyze the construction of female sexuality within popular Canadian men’s pornographic magazines and non-pornographic magazines. A mixed methods approach was used to analyze the images and text within the feature articles of the selected magazines. Results revealed that women continue to be constructed as sexual objects within both categories of magazines, but the earlier link identified by MacKinnon and Dworkin between violence and sexuality was on longer apparent. Instead, women were a sexual puzzle that the magazines attempted to unpack. Rather than a strict dichotomy between pornographic and non-pornographic magazines, a continuum of grey emerged whereby the level of explicitness between the two magazines increased as the continuum progressed from left to right, thereby demonstrating the pornographication of mainstream media, as per McNair (2002).

It grows rapidly the global men ¡¦s skin care market in developed country. There are 1 billion market size which represent s 40% to 60 % growth in the men¡¦s skin care market in Taiwan since year of 2005 . It also motivates the Word-of -Mouth market ing when the commercial advertisement has been skipped by end consumers times and times again . There are all kinds of updated word-of-mouth marketing develop ed such as: @WOM, Viral marketing, Blog marketing. It is a case to leverage the word -of-mouth marketing in brand building for a pure Men¡¦s skin care brand . This study is to explore the key successful factors for appling the Word-Of-Mouth marketing within a new market, especialy for an independent men¡¦s skin care brand. There are interview s for brand-owner and on-line ¡Vretailer, and questionary for consumers in this project. The first finding is that men ¡¦s skin care concept is more acceptable than before . It becomes more popular to purchase the products by men¡¦s their own. Further more, men start to try the suncare and anti -oil products in the ir daily regimen. However, female is still playing the key roll in decision making for her boy friend or families. We also found, the female rarely know n the difference between men¡¦s and women¡¦s skin care regimen. Even she might be an expertise in her own skin care needs. As a result, we should provide the free sample with ¡§You must know information¡¨ to the key person, SHE, then influent her boy friend and families. It is how we differentiate the independent men¡¦s skin care brand. The second finding is most of the heavy internet users are the followers; they are not interested in the men¡¦s skin care information. Therefore, it is hardly to trigger off the tipping point if we target the male as early adaptor via @WOM. In another words, we can not exect a big boom if the @WOM didn¡¦t reach women. In summary, the word-of-mouth marketing for men¡¦s skin care brand, first thing is to create the truly words via the early users, the men who already experienced the oil-control product and/or suncare products. The secondary is to broadcast the words from early users thru @WOM, PR exposures, free samples to reach women as sneezers. The last, to roll out a new topic ensure the on going spreading for brands every 12 weeks.