The purpose of this essay is to investigate what it means to be a punk in Linköping, Sweden today. This is done by interviewing four informants on a number of topics. The topics being discussed are appearance and values. The topics “values” contains a number of sub-topics, but the emphasis is put on D.I.Y-ideals and equality. D.I.Y-ideals (Do It Yourself-ideals) are important. The informants are more or less involved in the D.I.Y-networks in which record labels, bands, fanzines and other things are a part. This and other things being discussed shows an image of punks that is different from the traditional image. The informants are of the opinion that the general image of punks is wrong. / Syftet med denna uppsats är att utröna vad det innebär att vara punkare i Linköping, Sverige idag. Detta har gjorts med utgångspunkt i intervjuer med informanter om ett antal ämnen. De ämnen som behandlas är utseende och värderingar. Ämnet ”värderingar” är omfattande, men är främst inriktat på D.I.Y-ideal och tankar om jämställdhet. D.I.Y-idealen (dvs. gör det själv-idealen) är viktiga. Informanterna är mer eller mindre involverade i de nätverk i vilka skivbolag, band, publikationer i form av fanzines och annat ingår. Detta och annat som tas upp visar på en bild av punkare som inte överensstämmer med den traditionella bilden. Informanterna anser inte själva att de är och ser ut som de tror att andra anser att punkare ska vara och se ut. Den vanliga bilden av punkare är felaktig.

Temos aktualumas: Įvertinus statistinius duomenis apie Lietuvos paauglių padėtį kriminologiniu aspektu (2007 metais nuteisti 1189 nepilnamečiai, 3413 nepilnamečiai buvo įtariami padarę nusikaltimą, www.nplc.lt ) ir žinant hiphopo subkultūros išskirtinį vaidmenį šiuolaikinių paauglių gyvenime, šios subkultūros edukacinių ypatumų nagrinėjimo ir pritaikomumo neformalaus ugdymo kontekste svarba yra beveik neabejotina. Tačiau literatūroje nėra pakankamai informacijos apie tai, kaip galima būtų integruoti hiphopo subkultūrą į neformalaus ugdymo kontekstą. Darbo tikslas: Atskleisti hiphopo subkultūros edukacinius ypatumus jaunimo neformalaus ugdymo kontekste. Tyrimo problema: Neformalus jaunimo ugdymas ir hiphopo subkultūra yra gana nauji reiškiniai Lietuvoje. Hiphopo subkultūros kaip vienos iš paauglius dominančių neformalus švietimo formų ir kaip vienos iš galimų efektyvių priemonių jaunimo neformaliam ugdymui plėtra Lietuvoje galėtų atverti naujas perspektyvas jaunimo neformalaus ugdymo srityje. Todėl ir kyla probleminis klausimas, ar nebūt�� išmintinga neformalų ugdymą plėtoti pasitelkiant hiphopo subkultūrą? Darbo uždaviniai: 1. Atskleisti neformalaus ugdymo esmę, tikslus, privalumus ir trūkumus bei perspektyvas. 2. Apibūdinti hiphopo subkultūros privalumus, trūkumus ir perspektyvas. 3. Ištirti hiphopo subkultūros kaip neformalaus ugdymo priemonės ypatumus. 4. Nestruktūrizuoto interviu būdu ištirti ir įvertinti hiphopo subkultūros edukacinę reikšmę. Tyrimo metodai: naudotas... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Relevance. Having evaluated the statistic facts of the situation of Lithuanian juveniles as far as criminological aspect is concerned in 2007 - 1189 juveniles were sentenced, 3413 juveniles were suspect (www.nplc.lt ) Understanding that hip hop subculture plays an exceptional role in youth life nowadays, we have no doubt that it is important to reveal the educational peculiarity of hip hopo subculture and adaptability in nonformal education. (Despite that) In Lithuania there are not much information and no researches are made about possibilities how to integrate hip hop subculture in nonformal educational context. The aim of the survey – to reveal the educational peculiarity of hip hop subculture in the context of nonformal youth education. The problem of the survey. Non formal youth education and hip hop subculture are new phenomenon in Lithuania. The development of hip hop subculture (as an intresting form for youth of nonformal education) could open new prospects in non formal education range. So we ask a problematical question – wouldn‘t it be wise to develop nonformal education to invoke hip hop subculture? Tasks: 1. To reveal the essence, purpose, advantages, disadvantages and prospects of nonformal education. 2. To describe advantages and disadvantages and prospects of hip hop subculture. 3. To explore hip hop subculture the peculiarities of nonformal education. 4. To explore and evaluate the educational importance of hip hop subculture using non structural... [to full text]

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a complex and dangerous set of behaviours that has been gaining increased research attention in recent years. Although existing research indicates that NSSI is prevalent among both adolescent and young adult clinical and community samples, few studies have empirically examined models of factors involved in the etiology and maintenance of these behaviours, particularly the role of social factors. Further, although existing research supports the use of NSSI for emotion regulation purposes, less research attention has focused on the impact of emotion reactivity. The focus of the current project was to examine the role of emotional, interpersonal, and subcultural factors in NSSI. Utilizing a sample of 397 university students, Study 1 presents a psychometric re-evaluation of the Emotion Reactivity Scale (ERS; Nock et al., 2008), used to inform the most appropriate use of the measure in the subsequent studies. Results supported the reliability and validity of the ERS and suggested that the ERS is best utilized as a unidimensional measure of emotion reactivity. Study 2 examined an intra- and inter-personal model of NSSI among the same sample of 397 university students. Support was obtained for the Experiential Avoidance Model of NSSI (Chapman et al., 2006) as well as for the mediational influence of interpersonal relationships on NSSI via emotion regulation. Preliminary support was also provided for the influence of identification with more deviant subcultures, including Goth and Emo groups. Finally, Study 3 aimed to replicate support for the model among a sample of 178 members of self-injury internet forums. Contrary to hypotheses, little support was demonstrated for the model, and fewer significant associations were demonstrated for the influence of subcultural identification. Examination of the characteristics of the sample suggested that the online forum members represent a unique group in regard to the severity of their NSSI experiences that has been understudied in the existing literature. Alternative hypotheses to account for the observed findings are presented. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed.

Biological cell manipulation and analysis is one of the most investigated applications of microfluidics. In the last decade, researchers have developed means to handle and sort cells, isolate and study single cells, assay whole and lysed cells, and transfect and electroporate in microchannels. Much of this work was motivated by the observation that many external forces and fields scale favorably in the micro-regime; this is especially the case for the electrical field. This dissertation investigates further integration of electrical forces with microfluidic devices, both channel- and droplet-based, in order to generate new, flexible and more efficient tools for studying cell biology. The first part of the dissertation (Chapter 3) explores a new dielectrophoretic particle separation method in microchannels. Current electrodeless dielectrophoretic (DEP) separation techniques utilize insulating solid obstacles in a direct current (DC) or low-frequency alternating current (AC) field, while this novel method employs an oil droplet acting as an insulating hurdle between two electrodes. Since the size of the droplet can be dynamically changed, the electric field gradient, and hence DEP force, becomes easily controllable and adjustable to various separation parameters. Very effective separation at the low field strength suggests that this method can also be applied to a separation of biological cells that are not sensitive to low electric potential. The second, larger part of the dissertation (Chapters 4 and 5) is focused on digital microfluidics (DMF), which is used to actuate nanoliter droplets of reagents and cells on a planar array of electrodes. It was demonstrated for the first time that DMF can be used as a method for cell culture and analysis. Several cell-based applications were implemented in DMF format including long-term culture, cell passaging, assaying and transfection. The data presented here suggest advanced performance of DMF techniques relative to standard macro-scale techniques. Cell analysis using DMF was found to be advantageous because of greatly reduced reagent and cell use, increased sensitivity, and the potential for multiplexing. Also, DMF technique for cell passaging demonstrated faster and more straightforward manipulation of cells than the standard techniques. In addition, no adverse effects of actuation by DMF were observed in assays for cell viability, proliferation, and biochemistry. The new DMF platform for long-term mammalian cell culture represents the first microfluidic implementation of any kind of all of the steps required for mammalian cell culture – cell seeding, growth, detachment, and re-seeding on a fresh surface. In addition, it is the first demonstration of long-term cell culture in nanoliter droplets. Cells handled in this manner exhibited growth characteristics and morphology comparable to those cultured in standard tissue culture vessels. We anticipate that the DMF cell culture and analysis techniques presented here will be useful in myriad applications that would benefit from automated mammalian cell culture.

Biological cell manipulation and analysis is one of the most investigated applications of microfluidics. In the last decade, researchers have developed means to handle and sort cells, isolate and study single cells, assay whole and lysed cells, and transfect and electroporate in microchannels. Much of this work was motivated by the observation that many external forces and fields scale favorably in the micro-regime; this is especially the case for the electrical field. This dissertation investigates further integration of electrical forces with microfluidic devices, both channel- and droplet-based, in order to generate new, flexible and more efficient tools for studying cell biology. The first part of the dissertation (Chapter 3) explores a new dielectrophoretic particle separation method in microchannels. Current electrodeless dielectrophoretic (DEP) separation techniques utilize insulating solid obstacles in a direct current (DC) or low-frequency alternating current (AC) field, while this novel method employs an oil droplet acting as an insulating hurdle between two electrodes. Since the size of the droplet can be dynamically changed, the electric field gradient, and hence DEP force, becomes easily controllable and adjustable to various separation parameters. Very effective separation at the low field strength suggests that this method can also be applied to a separation of biological cells that are not sensitive to low electric potential. The second, larger part of the dissertation (Chapters 4 and 5) is focused on digital microfluidics (DMF), which is used to actuate nanoliter droplets of reagents and cells on a planar array of electrodes. It was demonstrated for the first time that DMF can be used as a method for cell culture and analysis. Several cell-based applications were implemented in DMF format including long-term culture, cell passaging, assaying and transfection. The data presented here suggest advanced performance of DMF techniques relative to standard macro-scale techniques. Cell analysis using DMF was found to be advantageous because of greatly reduced reagent and cell use, increased sensitivity, and the potential for multiplexing. Also, DMF technique for cell passaging demonstrated faster and more straightforward manipulation of cells than the standard techniques. In addition, no adverse effects of actuation by DMF were observed in assays for cell viability, proliferation, and biochemistry. The new DMF platform for long-term mammalian cell culture represents the first microfluidic implementation of any kind of all of the steps required for mammalian cell culture – cell seeding, growth, detachment, and re-seeding on a fresh surface. In addition, it is the first demonstration of long-term cell culture in nanoliter droplets. Cells handled in this manner exhibited growth characteristics and morphology comparable to those cultured in standard tissue culture vessels. We anticipate that the DMF cell culture and analysis techniques presented here will be useful in myriad applications that would benefit from automated mammalian cell culture.

This thesis examines the ways in which a group of male youths from Montreal interpret the world and construct their identities through the lens of hip-hop. The theoretical framework draws mainly from discussions of youth subcultural theory as articulated by the Center for Cultural Studies in Birmingham, as well as current research on hip-hop culture and youth identities. Using narrative inquiry as a methodological framework, this study highlights how the participants' perceive their neighbourhoods through gangster rap culture, and construct their identities according to these perceptions. This study also reveals how the participants' create original rap lyrics as a self-reflexive tool, and how listening to rap music shapes their linguistic expression.

During the spring of 2014, I have investigated the visual culture of Lolita as practiced in Sweden and Japan. My focus has been on the performative aspect of Lolita. By looking and participating in this colorful subculture, I have met people who are living the Lolita lifestyle on a daily basis as well as former Lolita practitioners. My main concern has been how does one use Lolita. I’ve tried to investigate if it is possible to look at Lolita as being more than just a clothing style. Can it be seen as an everyday performance? Can it be seen as a kind of subversive counterpart to the images of femininity that we are being fed everyday from media and via tradition? In my text I argue for the opportunity to consider the Lolita movement as a post-structuralist version of the female masquerade. By enhancing many of the attributes that are traditionally linked to femininity in the West, the Lolita style highlights the conflicting aspects of the female gender role. With her doll-like silhouette the Lolita crosses, breaks down and defies everyday boundaries.   I have organized Lolita workshops in Stockholm and Tokyo. At these gatherings I and other participants have discussed the topic of Lolita while dressed in Lolita clothes. The participants have answered a survey, and the whole arrangement has been concluded with a tea party performance. I have recorded these sessions on film and with photography and written down my impressions afterwards. I have also met with people who are former Lolita practitioners in Sweden and Tokyo and interviewed them.   The visual portrayal of my work is a short film where I present the making and use of Lolita as a dreamlike vision; PERFORMING LOLITA, which was exhibited at the Konstfacks Spring exhibition 2014. In the movie I change the settings from Tokyo to Stockholm and back by using slow motion clips connected by transitions. The original soundtrack is made by Linus Hansson.

Abstract: This ethnographic study compares and contrasts performative masculinities of the overwhelmingly male heavy metal (HM) and hardcore (HC) subcultures. Conclusions derived from this research indicate the following: identities associated with HM and HC conflate masculinity with working-classness, HM and HC identities (and thus masculinities) are merging at present; participation in HM and HC enclaves can serve to symbolically marginalize constituents, and this symbolic marginalization can result in repercussions in the lived world outside of subculture; the hegemonic masculinity of HM and HC subcultures is subsidiary hegemonic masculinity, meaning that it supports the male-dominated structure of mainstream culture without empowering HM and HC males in an extra-subcultural sense; and that despite these negative ramifications, HM and HC participants still find the shared identities and community interaction of these enclaves to be empowering. Keywords: heavy metal, hardcore, subculture, masculinity, performativity, gender, class, ideology, rock music, identity

Long term ocean cruisers are self defined as people who have accepted, adopted or chosen a cruising lifestyle, who live aboard their own sailing vessels, have independent means, are self sufficient and have been away from their port of departure for an extended period of time. As a group, cruisers, constitute a subculture (Macbeth, 1985). Why do people choose to adopt a cruising lifestyle? Using the principles of grounded theory analysis, this study found that cruisers were motivated by a variety of extrinsic and intrinsic motivations as well as by their social background and status in society. Cruisers were motivated by a need to escape the pressures and constraints of their home society as well as to pursue a lifestyle which offered freedom and a sense of personal control, a need to add some adventure or challenge to their lives or to fulfil a dream. They were also motivated by relationship commitments and a desire to travel and experience new cultures, people and settings. Their age, gender, family life cycle stage, education, income and former lifestyle pursuits also motivated them. In setting about and maintaining the fulfilment of their motivations, cruisers exhibited personal agency in their choice to move from a life in the centre of mainstream western societies to one in the margins. Overall, cruisers were found to be social actors who exhibit agency and self governance in decision making as to whether or not to maintain a sense of 'connectivity' with and without various social settings. Cruisers' responses to feelings of anomie and alienation in their home societies, to their feelings of under or non-actualisation at the individual level, and to their need for belonging with a partner activated these people to make choices and decisions regarding the negotiation and direction of their own social realities. Based on the cruisers who participated in this study, such agency and self governance can be described as 'empowered connectivity'. Empowered connectivity is the action of exhibiting agency in order to achieve connectivity with the space in which an individual currently finds her or himself. It can be both a holding on to and a letting go of connections. Empowered connectivity is not a 'theory' per se, but rather a generic representation of a process that accounts for 'plurality, multiplicity and difference'(Tong 1989) in the actions of both women and men as they negotiate the spaces they choose to occupy. Moreover, this study informed by the interpretive social sciences paradigm and, a 'feminist methodology’ enabled an indepth understanding of cruising women's experiences to be counterpointed against cruising men's experiences. Subsequently, cruising women became subjects in their own right rather than'other’. Further, the interpretive social sciences paradigm and 'feministmethodology' emphasised the need for tourism research, in particular, to use bothernic and etic perspectives in data collection and analysis. This ethnographic study of cruisers was conducted between 1985 and 1999 on theeastern seaboard of Australia. The study involved participant observation, semi-structured indepth interviews and self-completion questionnaires relating tosociodemographics, vessel inventories, budgets and touristic experiences.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2007 / Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Social Work. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 55-57).