Children with absent and unknown fathers (also referred to as undisclosed paternal identity) have distinctly been identified as an interest group due to their increased risk to adverse psychological effects specifically associated with not knowing one’s biological father. It is taken for granted that these children have the freedom of asking their mothers and female caregivers who their fathers are, not taking into account that often there is a tacit rule within these homes whereby the biological father is never discussed. The aim of this exploratory study was to use narratives of mothers and guardians who have children under their care who do not know their true fathers’ identities, in order to explore the range of probable reasons that contribute to maternal caregivers not disclosing the identity of biological fathers. Eight face-to-face, individual interviews were conducted with female participants from varying cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds within the Johannesburg area. The women aged between 33 and 60 years were recruited with the assistance of a non-governmental organisation and from online forums. Interviews were conducted in English or a language that the participants understood and lasted on average an hour. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the transcribed text. The study was undertaken using an interpretive approach that explored the phenomenon of the participants' lived experience of not disclosing. A gendered analysis provided a distanciated framework to review the findings against current societal arrangements. Findings indicated that mothers not disclosing could be linked to the fathers’ behaviour such as inconsistent commitment to the paternal role, denial of paternity and at times, whereabouts were not known limiting what could be conveyed to the children. For this particular study, the nature of the relationship, which is often characterised by the instability of the parents’ relationship at the time of the birth, and subsequent separation, seemed to be a risk factor that a child may not be told who their true father is. Gender-based violence was also found to be contributing to the separation between parents and this in turn created an opportunity for the uninvolved fathers to be absent and unknown to the children. The cultural script that silences women’s experiences of gender-based violence means that father absence that resulted from the violence was difficult to talk about in the homes. The data also gave insight into the differential experiences among the women when dealing with absent, unknown whereabouts and absconded fathers. Although this study was conducted on an exploratory basis, it is suggested that continuous engagement with this topic through research and public discourse would best define how to address the issue. The findings suggest a need to provide mothers who may be considering disclosure with strategies on how to disclose. There is also a broader need to address structural issues that may be contributing towards the phenomenon such as men's violence towards their families.

This PhD thesis investigates power relationships within a corporate Finance Department employing a Foucauldian approach to explaining corporate hierarchies and resistance and the implications.Research was conducted in the form of a case study and observation of a corporate finance department, referred to as the 'Finance Department', at the 'Company', referred to as such for confidentiality purposes. The Company is a large Dutch based mail and logistics entity that operates internationally across over 200 countries and has its corporate head office just outside of Amsterdam. The Company's Finance Department was in the throws of change, particularly around hierarchies as a result of the reengineering process with the purpose of creating efficiencies. The aim of the research was to evaluate the power relationships that existed within the hierarchies between management and workers who worked either for the Finance Department or closely with it, and to analyse the outcomes of these power relationships in terms of resistance.The case study is a Foucauldian insight into the different individuals who worked either within the Finance Department or closely with it, with an evaluation of their roles and how their differing power structures impacted upon the workflow within the Finance Department.The outcome of this research is an evaluation of those individuals and their relationships at a particular point in time, which was impacted by so many different factors. The research could give readers an understanding of power relationships and framework for contextual Foucauldian evaluation.The significance of the contribution arising from this particular piece of research is that it involves the combination of a case study method with a Foucauldian perspective. The combination of these two elements allows the research to be done both from the top down and also from the bottom up. Increasing in use as a research tool (Hamel, 1992), the case study contributes uniquely to our body of knowledge of individual, organisational, social and political phenomena (Yin, 1994). The Foucauldian perspective plays an important part in terms of an understanding of power, despite the fact that it is often difficult to fully comprehend the meanings behind Foucault's work (McHoul & Grace, 1993).

This PhD thesis investigates power relationships within a corporate Finance Department employing a Foucauldian approach to explaining corporate hierarchies and resistance and the implications.Research was conducted in the form of a case study and observation of a corporate finance department, referred to as the 'Finance Department', at the 'Company', referred to as such for confidentiality purposes. The Company is a large Dutch based mail and logistics entity that operates internationally across over 200 countries and has its corporate head office just outside of Amsterdam. The Company's Finance Department was in the throws of change, particularly around hierarchies as a result of the reengineering process with the purpose of creating efficiencies. The aim of the research was to evaluate the power relationships that existed within the hierarchies between management and workers who worked either for the Finance Department or closely with it, and to analyse the outcomes of these power relationships in terms of resistance.The case study is a Foucauldian insight into the different individuals who worked either within the Finance Department or closely with it, with an evaluation of their roles and how their differing power structures impacted upon the workflow within the Finance Department.The outcome of this research is an evaluation of those individuals and their relationships at a particular point in time, which was impacted by so many different factors. The research could give readers an understanding of power relationships and framework for contextual Foucauldian evaluation.The significance of the contribution arising from this particular piece of research is that it involves the combination of a case study method with a Foucauldian perspective. The combination of these two elements allows the research to be done both from the top down and also from the bottom up. Increasing in use as a research tool (Hamel, 1992), the case study contributes uniquely to our body of knowledge of individual, organisational, social and political phenomena (Yin, 1994). The Foucauldian perspective plays an important part in terms of an understanding of power, despite the fact that it is often difficult to fully comprehend the meanings behind Foucault's work (McHoul & Grace, 1993).

政策執行研究自肇始至今均以實證研究途徑為主，實證途徑的學術目的在建構執行的中程理論，然目前執行研究仍處於多元主義的狀態，建立中程理論的基礎必須從概念著手，實證途徑的基本假定忽略了執行研究中的主要變數「人」的影響力，執行研究的領域自限在具體的領域中，執行研究總是一種直線式的行政過程，明顯的忽略執行過程中人心的影響力，筆者以為執行研究應採納詮釋途徑的認識邏輯，以人為主的研究途徑，從基本假定（人性論、認識論、方法論、本體論）上從新預設，將執行實體納入人類心靈活動的領域，改變執行研究的思惟策略，對執行的概念提出更周延的定位。詮釋途徑所建立的執行觀，相對的也有一套完整的研究過程與研究方法，本文中有簡單的介紹，對執行研究而言，研究方法的選擇固然必須慎重，但掌握執行研究的對象才是研究的開始，筆者引用美國學者Dr. Yanow的符號理論，將符號視為執行研究的對象，從符號所代表的意義來查探人類集體行動的本質、執行組織的變動，引用三個個案來說明符號作為執行研究對象所得的執行觀點以印證詮釋途徑的執行觀。

The aim of the study is to investigate various aspects of representation in textbooks for teaching religion in Swedish primary school. Three different textbooks in their digital form published after the newest curriculum that was put to use in 2022 have been analyzed. The study aims to establish how the textbooks in question present the five biggest world religions and to what extent the textbooks offer the reader room for interpretation. The method used for this study is a combined qualitative and quantitative content analysis. The theory used in the study is based on Robert Jackson´s interpretive approach. The research questions for which this study departs are; ´To what extent are the five world religions made visible in the teaching materials and their sacred texts?´, ´To what extent do the teaching materials make diversity within the religions visible and in what way?´ and ´What religious content within the five world religions is conveyed in the teaching materials and in what way?´ The result of the study shows that the teaching materials are showing diversity and variation to a point but are otherwise quite generalizing towards world religions and include normative content, which can angle the readers opinions towards certain religions and not be that inclusive. The study shows that the responsibility to teach a diverse religious education land on the teacher and not the teaching materials. An effect of this could be that the religious education can vary depending on the teacher, the teacher's knowledge and interest in the subject.

No description available.

The aim of this qualitative study is to examine how teachers comprehend and interpret the subject of Religious Studies in Sweden; and how these interpretations manifest themselves practically in their teachings. The theoretical framework of the subject Religious Studies can be perceived and interpreted in different ways. This interpretation, as well as its practical implementation, is a process that is largely determined by a teacher’s knowledge of: pedagogical content knowledge, subject matter knowledge and curricular knowledge. The examination is based on eight semi-struc-tured interviews with Religious Studies teachers. Perceptions and methods were explored with each of them, the output of which has been analysed and themed. The result of the study clearly demonstrated that the main purpose of Religious Studies teaching was to increase the acceptance and tolerance of its students. It also revealed that due to the breadth and complexity of subject matter, the practical implementation of their teaching approaches varied significantly. Furthermore, its effectiveness is not only influence by the teaching approach itself, but also by individual’s own personal development.

<p>This dissertation used a qualitative and interpretive lens to explore visitor and staff perceptions of the mission and purpose of Glacier National Park and the National Park Service as well as the interpreted environmental state of this park. Through the use of online survey data and participant observations, this study provides a deeper understanding of how individuals inside of Glacier National Park view the potential for this park to succeed or fail with its mission as well as how environmental concerns are communicated to those within the park during the summer of 2019. Strategic environmental communication strategies are provided at the conclusion of this study in order to aid Glacier and the National Park Service in more efficiently educating their publics about their core goals and environmental management efforts.</p>

According to the literature, youth experiencing with either homelessness or disabilities face severe barriers throughout their life-time which would negatively impact their physical development, psychological development, and mental health, but also contribute to a vicious circle of homeless and poverty. However, the intersection between homeless youth with learning, developmental and/or intellectual disabilities (LD/DD/ID) in the school system has rarely been explored. This population is invisible to the school system which indicates an urgency in identifying and understanding their experience at school. This research, as a part of the Partnering for Change initiative, aimed to provide some insight into the socially constructed problems which cause barriers for this invisible population. In this study, an interpretive lens and a critical approach were adopted as a guide to data analysis and as a means to identify constructed barriers based on the interviews with homeless youth with LD/DD/ID in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The data on homeless youth with LD/DD/ID was analysed for impacts on relationships, academic performance, and the effects of invisibility on multiple levels of their school life. The data also revealed the way schools respond to disabilities and homelessness. In the discussion I investigate the way policy, funding structure and implementation of support are significantly affected by the neoliberal context with its emphasis on market-driven pedagogy and individuals conceptualized as agents of self- capitalization. This thesis argues for a better alternative, as referenced from Finland. The Finnish approach emphasizes human rights, equality, and inclusion, and aims to demonstrate how changes in fundamental beliefs and values can construct a barrier-free and supportive education system for everyone. / Thesis / Master of Social Work (MSW)

L'introduction des formats de distribution alimentaire modernes dans le paysage commercial des pays émergents suscite des interrogations sur l'impact que cela produit sur les comportements de consommation et de magasinage des acheteurs locaux. La persistance du commerce traditionnel, ancré dans la culture locale, couplée à l'implantation d'enseignes de distribution modernes, renvoyant à l'image « idéalisée » de l'Occident, exerce une tension sur les goûts et les habitudes de consommation autochtones. Cette recherche doctorale explore les significations culturelles données aux pratiques de consommation et de magasinage dans ces pays en s'appuyant sur une importante étude qualitative de type ethnographique réalisée au Maroc. Les résultats montrent que l'introduction des formats modernes de vente sur ce marché émergent qui porte des valeurs socio-culturelles différentes de celles des pays d'importation est à l'origine de l'apparition de comportements hybrides ou de pratiques d'adoption sélective à travers lesquels les consommateurs cherchent à articuler des codes et des dimensions symboliques contrastés en vue de donner sens à leur consommation. En outre, la dualité du système de distribution accentue la logique du jeu des classes en amplifiant les tendances au marquage social du statut via la mise en scène (au sens de Goffman) de la consommation et de l'appropriation des espaces de vente. Par ailleurs, si l'introduction des nouveaux formats de vente constitue une vraie menace pour le commerce traditionnel, elle favorise par la même occasion la réorganisation du secteur, la diversification de l'activité de ses acteurs et l'amélioration de leurs pratiques de gestion. / The introduction of modern food retail formats in the emerging countries' commercial landscape raises questions on the impact it causes on the local buyers' consumption and shopping behavior. Anchored in the local culture, the persistence of traditional business coupled with the implementation of modern retail chains that put forth an ‘idealistic' image of the Western societies causes tensions on consumers' native tastes and habits. This doctoral research explores the cultural meanings given by consumers to shopping and consumption practices in these countries based on a large ethnographic qualitative study performed in Morocco. Results show that the introduction of modern sales formats in emerging markets where socio-cultural values differ from those of the importing countries causes hybrid behaviors or selective adoption practices to emerge through which consumers try to articulate contrasted codes and symbolic dimensions in an effort to give meaning to their consumption. In addition, the dual distribution system accentuates the social class game amplifying trends in social status tagging through the staging of consumption (as per Goffman) and the appropriation of the retail spaces. Furthermore, if the introduction of new retail formats is a real threat to traditional retailers, it favors by the same token the reorganization of this sector, the diversification of the activities by its actors as well as the enhancement of their management practices.