This dissertation explores the life experiences of a particular group of young people in the Philippines known as the “istambay”, a Filipino term derived from the English phrase “on standby”. The study examines the concept of istambay and the dynamics of inactivity in the lives of selected Filipino youth. It illustrates the habitus, life contexts, and the web of crises that these youth negotiate within the protective realms of family and religion, and the dismal labour conditions in the country. Methodologically, the study utilizes a mixed methods approach that includes both qualitative and quantitative aspects. Primary qualitative data are derived from case studies, songs, field notes, and ethnographic observations. Secondary quantitative analyses are conducted using the Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS) 2002 and a perceptual survey. The study is theoretically oriented around Mills’ sociological imagination and Bourdieu’s theory of practice. It illustrates that the istambay phenomenon is more than a personal trouble (problematic istambay). It is a public issue (istambay problematique). The study also shows the varying levels of vulnerability experienced by different types of istambay. Research findings reveal the istambay phenomenon is a manifestation of the interrelated problems in the educational system and the labour market of the Philippines. The consequence of inactivity among these istambays is found to be mitigated by the culture of care provided by Filipino families combined with solace derived from the church. However, istambays are also found to express disconnection from the state because of the government’s inability to provide employment for them, resulting in their quest for employment “abroad” (overseas) as an alternative. Youth inactivity, although moderated by a familial-faith dynamic, highlights how complex forms of inequalities in the Philippines marginalize the istambays from gaining legitimate active status in Philippine society.

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A successful transition into kindergarten is of the utmost importance, as it marks the beginning of formal education and paves the way for future academic and social outcomes. The transition into school is considered to be a challenging and anxiety-ridden time for most children and their parents; it is expected therefore, to be particularly difficult for children with an intellectual disability (ID). These children have deficits in cognitive and adaptive functioning that affect their academic and social skills. Despite the apparent difficulty for children with ID and the importance of this time in their lives, the transition into school has been a relatively under-researched topic. Nineteen parents of children with ID participated in three one-hour phone interviews throughout the transition into school. The aims of the study were 1) to describe this group of children with ID and their families as the children entered school, 2) to investigate changes in characteristics of the child, resources, and perceptions of the parent during the transition, and 3) to examine relationships between these variables and the child’s quality of life and school readiness. Although the results are based on a small sample, they do provide some preliminary information about the experiences of children with ID and their families throughout the transition into school. Only adaptive behaviour scores and the number of services accessed changed significantly during the time of transition. Furthermore, it was found that adaptive behaviour was correlated with school readiness skills, as were physiotherapy and speech-language therapy use. The only variable that correlated with the child’s quality of life was parental involvement in parent support groups. Implications and directions for future research are discussed. / Thesis (Master, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2007-08-28 15:35:10.833

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The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of parents of children with autism during the transition from preschool to school within an Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI) program. Qualitative interviews within grounded theory framework were conducted to gain a better understanding about parents’ perceptions of the social supports they received during the transition period. Data collection involved semi-structural interviews with six families whose children completed EIBI program at St.Amant and were enrolled in school. Due to the small sample size, a metasynthesis of five qualitative studies about the transition experiences of families with children with autism was added. This metasynthesis provided additional information to the data collected from interviews in order to strengthen the trustworthiness of the current study. All data collected from the interviews were coded, categorized and analysed using a constant comparative method. Findings from both data collection components emphasize the importance of parents’ involvement in the transition process and suggest that an effective partnership between the home, the EIBI program and the school is a significant factor to a successful transition. The findings also highlight the need for strategic planning of the transition process that is family-focused and involves an active role of a facilitator, who can offer practical guidance and support to children and their families. Practical implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.

The intention with the research was to investigate the role of civil society in the Kenyan democratization process. The research intends thus to analyze (1) the role of civil society in Kenya's transition to democracy (1990- 2002), and (2) the role of civil society in the further democratization process (2002- 2013). The results of the research demonstrates that the role of civil society played a crucial role in Kenya’s transition to democracy given that civil society provided with a multiparty- system in 1991. In addition, civil society endowed with education for citizens in order to attain constitutional reforms. As a result, Kenya accomplished a transition to democracy in 2002. The role of civil society in the further democratization process struggled to maintain democracy since corruption emerged instantaneously where elections resulted in electoral frauds. Civil society played a vital role once again, but this time with the help of media.