Life Aspirations Research Articles

Forced Organ Harvesting

Forced Organ Harvesting

The Challenges in Education System in North Macedonia

Education is a complex social system, which enables individuals in a society to acquire knowledge and skills that will help them realize their life ambitions, but also helps society as a whole to achieve a higher level of economic and social development. The education system is composed of several segments such as preschool, primary, secondary and higher education. It is very important whether each of the segments in the education system fulfills its goals, as well as whether there is synergy and logical connectedness between the segments in the education system. Hence, this article will try to present the characteristics of the different segments of the educational system in North Macedonia, the goals they need to achieve, as well as the challenges they face.

Diverse socio-economic backgrounds and international pathways: European mobility opportunities through a scholarship programme for Mexican doctoral students

AbstractMexico is the main Latin American country sending students abroad for international education. In 2020, 34,781 Mexican students were enrolled in higher education institutions (HEIs) outside their country of origin. From those, 37% studied in a European country. The National Science and Technology Council (CONACYT) has funded international student mobility (ISM) for Mexican students since 1970 for the training and consolidation of human resources. Some debates suggest these scholarships mainly benefit students with privileged backgrounds and reproduce inequalities in HE. This paper examines the socio-demographic profiles of CONACYT scholarship doctoral awardees who studied in Europe between 1997 and 2005, along with their different previous HE trajectories and decisions to study abroad. This paper is drawn from my doctoral research using transformative learning theory concepts and the capability approach, exploring the transformative nature of ISM associated with individual meanings of the mobility experiences, capabilities developed, and implications for social change. This paper presents findings from the socio-demographic data collected in 2017 and 2018, from 85 survey respondents who studied in seven European countries. Moreover, it focuses on the qualitative data gathered from in-depth semi-structured interviews with 25 participants who carried out their doctoral studies in the UK, Spain, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. The findings show significant participation of students from less privileged backgrounds and a complex mix of drivers for outward mobility linked to previous educational opportunities and future life aspirations. This paper brings insights from a human development approach, showing how these scholarships are instrumental in increasing ISM opportunities, contributing to social mobility, and facilitating career development. These findings suggest that investment in these types of scholarships contribute to the democratisation and widening participation of international mobility in the European context.

Wandering at the crossroads: gendered mobility aspirations in the study-to-work transition of Chinese graduates of Dutch universities

ABSTRACT This paper discusses the gendered mobility aspirations, decisions and experiences of fresh Chinese graduates of Dutch universities. Our analysis draws on semi-structured interviews and the “story completion” method with 25 Chinese graduates of Dutch universities, complemented with three interviews with the parents of such students in China. We use three vignettes to show the complexity of gendered mobility aspirations in the study-to-work transition, an interphase between student mobility and skilled migration that has been less studied. Our analysis reveals how gender intersects with other social factors (such as sexuality, age, and race) and processes at individual, interpersonal and institutional levels to shape these graduates’ mobilities, careers and life aspirations. Our findings also highlight how multiple gender identities and roles across different life stages have an impact on students’ post-graduation mobility trajectories.

Validity and reliability of the Italian translation of the Yale Pharyngeal Residue Severity Rating Scale.

In the dysphagic patient, pharyngeal residues (PR) are associated with aspiration and poor quality of life. The assessment of PR using validated scales during flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) is crucial for rehabilitation. This study aims to validate and test the reliability of the Italian version of the Yale Pharyngeal Residue Severity Rating Scale (IT-YPRSRS). The effects of training and experience in FEES on the scale were also determined. The original YPRSRS was translated into Italian according to standardised guidelines. Thirty FEES images were selected after consensus and proposed to 22 naive raters who were asked to assess the severity of PR in each image. Raters were divided into two subgroups by years of experience at FEES, and randomly by training. Construct validity, inter-rater, and intra-rater reliability were assessed by kappa statistics. IT-YPRSRS showed substantial to almost perfect agreement (kappa > 0.75) in validity and reliability for both the overall sample (660 ratings), and valleculae/pyriform sinus sites (330 ratings each). No significant differences emerged between groups considering years of experience, and variable differences were observed by training. The IT-YPRSRS demonstrated excellent validity and reliability in identifying location and severity of PR.

국내 사이버안보법 입법 현황과 제언사항

With the continuous development of modern society and economy, the people in the new era have greater aspirations for a better life. Tourism has become a kind of people's spiritual pursuit for a better life. At the same time, with the improvement of people's living standard and the change of consumption concept, the number of people who travel on ice and snow in winter and like ice and snow sports is increasing year by year.
 Under such an opportunity, the development and utilization of snow and ice resources has been the focus of the central and local governments for many years. The rapid development of our ice and snow industry is supported by the policies of the central and local governments. However, behind the rapid development of ice and snow industry, there are a series of problems and deficiencies that need to be solved urgently.
 The development of the snow and ice industry should be protected from several aspects--such as: the development and protection of snow and ice resources in accordance with the law, the establishment and improvement of laws and regulations for the development of the mass snow and ice industry, the clarification of the legal status of snow and ice resources, the improvement of the diversified dispute settlement mechanism, and the increase of citizen participation--so that the development and protection of snow and ice resources can achieve a win-win goal of economic and social benefits.

Gender-Based Problems in Rural Communities: A Case Study

This paper aims to discuss gender issues that still often occur in rural communities in particular, namely the habit of marrying young children by their parents. This habit often contains elements of coercion, child powerlessness, “sexual violence”, and deprives children of their freedom to receive education, channel their aspirations for life, and so on. This paper is the result of research in a number of villages in two provinces in Indonesia, namely: West Java and Banten. The reason for choosing the location is because in this area there are still frequent marriages at a young age, and even tend to be maintained. Data was collected by distributing questionnaires to parents who had married children aged 12 -17 years, supported by field observations, and interviews with parents. local formal and informal community leaders. The results of the study found that early marriage was influenced by various aspects, namely: poor family socio-economic background, low family educational aspirations, pressure from the social environment, and low role of local government. From each of these factors, indicators that provide the strongest contribution are identified, namely: indicators of low income levels, and lack of production capital on socio-economic background factors; indicators of low educational aspirations and the location of school buildings far from their places of residence; indicators of maintaining tradition and religion are not prohibited in terms of the social environment; and consistent indicators of the implementation of compulsory education programs and socialization of maternal-child health incentives. These indicators need to be considered in an effort to overcome the problem of young marriage, find out the causes, and convince the negative impact of young marriage.
 
 Received: 22 October 2022 / Accepted: 30 December 2022 / Published: 5 January 2023

Web search to access health information by adults with intellectual disability

PurposeThis study explored the current and desired use of web-search, particularly for health information, by adults with intellectual disability.Design/methodology/approachThe authors surveyed 39 participants who were in supported employment or attending day centers in Australia. The survey, delivered through structured interviews, increased participation with data in a form of the participants' narratives. The responses were analyzed through a form of thematic analysis.FindingsThis study's results present the participants' daily health information interests, approaches to finding information and expectations for self-sufficiency. Participants' interest was in information to stay healthy rather than purely clinical information. The participants were keen to use online information in, accessible as well as entertaining and engaging formats. Supporting others close to the participants was the prominent intention of participants' health information access. Participants showed aspirations for an autonomous life by wanting to learn how to search.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings of this study provide some avenues for consumer health information access to be respectful and inclusive of users with intellectual disability, both from an accessible design perspective as well as from a learning and support standpoint.Originality/valueThis study complements other human–computer interaction (HCI) studies which observe how adults with intellectual disability can be supported to engage with web search; this study offers the adults' verbalized perspectives on how adults wish to interact with web searching for health information, nuanced by adults' existing abilities and support needs.

The role of legal status and uncertainty in the reproductive aspirations of 1.5 and second generation Mexican-origin immigrant young women: An exploratory study

BackgroundThe 1.5 generation, brought to the U.S. prior to age 16, faces barriers that the second generation, U.S.-born to immigrant parents, does not, including only temporary legal protection through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program. Little is known about how legal status and uncertainty shape cisgender immigrant young women's reproductive aspirations. MethodsDrawing on the Theory of Conjunctural Action with attention to the immigrant optimism and bargain hypotheses, we conducted an exploratory qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with seven 1.5 generation DACA recipients and eleven second generation Mexican-origin women, 21-33 years old in 2018. Interviews focused on reproductive and life aspirations, migration experiences, and childhood and current economic disadvantage. We conducted a thematic analysis using a deductive and inductive approach. ResultsData resulted in a conceptual model on the pathways through which uncertainty and legal status shape reproductive aspirations. Participants aspired to complete higher education and have a fulfilling career, financial stability, a stable partnership, and parents’ support prior to considering childbearing. For the 1.5 generation, uncertainty of their legal status makes the thought of parenting feel scary, while for the second generation, the legal status of their parents makes parenting feel scary. Achieving desired stability before childbearing is more challenging and uncertain for the 1.5 generation. ConclusionsTemporary legal status constrains young women's reproductive aspirations by limiting their ability to achieve desired forms of stability prior to parenting and making the thought of parenting frightening. More research is needed to further develop this novel conceptual model.

“The Medium is the Massage”: Exploring the Influential Role of Slow Variety Shows

“The Medium is the Massage”, first proposed by Marshall McLuhan, as another theory in communication science with an extraordinary vision, provides a new perspective for understanding the impact of slow variety shows on the emotional role of audiences in research. In recent years, slow variety shows such as “Welcome Back To Sound” and “Life to Live” have spurted on and won wide attention from audiences. In this paper, we will take the second season of “Welcome Back To Sound” as an example and analyse the influence of slow variety shows on audiences’ emotions from the perspective of “The Medium is the Massage”. Specifically, it takes sound as the entrance, “massaging” the audience’s sensory system from visual presentation, discourse and aesthetic performance, thus causing emotional resonance and reawakening the audience’s aspiration and pursuit of a better life. It is worth noting that while enjoying the “media massage” of slow variety shows, we also need to be wary of the excessive consumption of audience emotions by commercial capital and new media.

Study on the Features of Balanced Economic and Social Development in Ethnic Regions of Southwest China under the Perspective of Common Prosperity

With economic and social progress, the focus of regional unbalanced development has evolved. In the new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, people’s aspirations for a better life are no longer limited to material and cultural necessities; the notion of a better life has become increasingly diversified, transcending individual or family micro-level welfare to embrace a comprehensive perspective of societal development. Focusing on the ethnic regions of Southwest China, this paper examines the fundamental characteristics of their coordinated economic and social development and offers relevant policy recommendations that provide a theoretical framework for scholars studying balanced regional economic growth. This study describes the characteristics of balanced economic and social development in Southwest China’s ethnic regions in four dimensions: sustainable economic growth, social stability, ecological civilization construction, and people-centered development ideology. Through comparative analysis, it presents a synthesis of domestic and international research, and summarizes the theoretical foundations and practical experiences essential for the future development of Southwest China’s ethnic regions. This paper examines four key elements for the development of ethnic regions in Southwest China. First, it emphasizes high-quality economic growth, which increases total factor productivity through supply-side structural reform and promotes the establishment of a modern industrial system. Second, social stability, a crucial component in realizing a better life, requires strengthening social justice and strengthening the social security system while maintaining national unity. Third, the paper stresses the importance of building an ecological civilization and advocates green technology, green industry and green consumption to achieve sustainable development. Finally, a people-centered development ideology safeguards livelihoods and focuses on education, income distribution, employment, and other areas. This paper explores the basic characteristics of coordinated economic and social progress in Southwest China’s ethnic regions, and provides a theoretical framework for scholars to explore balanced regional economic development.

The Historical Choice and Cultural Integration of Sinicization of Marxism

As China entered a new era, Marxism entered a stage of high-quality development. Focusing on the Sinicization of Marxism guided by the thought of socialism with Chinese characteristics for the new era, China needs to propose a more suitable proposition for constructing socialism with Chinese characteristics and the innovation of Marxist theory. Based on the dynamic evolution of the Sinicization of Marxism, the theoretical analysis framework of Sinicization of Marxism constructed according to the internal logic of historical choice and cultural integration can show the mechanism of Sinicization of Marxism combining the basic principles of Marxism with China's reality. Moreover, from the perspective of the historical changes and practice of Marxism in China, we explore the possibility of moving towards the high-quality development goal of Marxism. The Sinicization of Marxism aims to provide scientific guidance for the Chinese people in line with the times' requirements and continuously improve the theoretical level of Marxism and enhance people's identity. Therefore, we should strengthen the theoretical innovation based on seeking truth from facts to construct the interaction and communication mechanism between the Sinicization of Marxism and Chinese excellent traditional culture and world-advanced civilization. In addition, it is necessary to establish an evaluation system for the Sinicization of Marxism, to achieve high-quality development of Marxism, promote the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and meet the people's aspirations for a better life.

Preliminary study on constructing good medical ethics from two dimensions

Medical ethics is a quality that should be possessed by healthcare workers. There is an urgent need for the development of medical and health services, which carries the people’s aspiration for a better life. We should vigorously promote the construction of medical ethics, in which the author believes that “nourishing” is the cornerstone and “guidance” is the core. In this paper, we discuss the construction of medical ethics from the two dimensions of how medical and health institutions can make good use of “nourishing” and “guidance,” and put forward corresponding countermeasures from the current status quo of medical ethics. Our aim is to develop and strengthen the medical and health service team in terms of quality, quantity, ability, and moral integrity, thereby promoting the construction of the Healthy China Initiatives.

Research on Art Intervention Design Strategies from the Perspective of Urban Micro-Renewal in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

The integration of urban micro-renewal and art intervention has important practical significance for urban renewal, urban agglomeration, regional cultural inheritance and innovation. Specific practices in South China satisfy local aspirations for a better life and promote regional connections in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Starting from the perspective of the micro-renewal of urban public space, this article explores the design strategy of art interventions in the Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Greater Bay Area from three perspectives: cultural identity, regional connection and sustainable renewal. The article points out that the integration of micro-renewal and art intervention involves not only the renewal of physical space but also a design approach that deepens the understanding of regional culture, the recognition of identity, and the enhancement of regional connections, which is conducive to the coordinated development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

THE PHENOMENON OF LIFE PERSPECTIVE IN THE CONTEXT OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF PERSONALITY

Abstract. The article presents the concept of "life perspective" in different study approaches of this phenomenon. The main authors and theories that most fully reveal the concept of life perspective are noted. The difference in the approach to the study of life prospects in domestic and foreign psychology is determined. The main foreign theories are described, including AAC (assimilative / accommodative coping), MTLD (the motivational theory of lifespan development), SOC (selection, optimization and compensation), SST (socioemotional selectivity theory). The results of the meta-analysis of the basic researches devoted to this construct are noted. The nature of the relationship between time perspective and such phenomenon as sociometric indicators, psychological well-being, behavioral characteristics, responsibility etc. The main internal approaches are indicated. Аmong them are systemic, event and others approches. The basic parameters, functions, features, structure of a time perspective are defined. The main parameters include depth, structure, realism, consistency, duration and optimism. It consists of value-semantic, emotional-evaluative, cognitive and organizational components. The concept of self-design is indicated, the structure of it includes awareness of goals, value-semantic formations, individual-personal opportunities and social conditions. The influence of life aspirations and life plans on the further development of life prospects is indicated.

Iannis Xenakis Arche-tekton

Engineer, composer, architect, theorist, mathematician and even astronomer, in all these hypostases Iannis Xenakis seems to be an arche-tekton in the first meaning of this Greek word - the (old) one who knows the secrets of making a Construction, be it music, architectural object, structure and/or idea, living the “dream of life” in the context of the only arts that do not make mimesis, architecture and music. Without presenting in itself the projects in which he has left its mark, the paper explores “the symphony of the dream of life” as Iannis Xenakis crystallized it through the filter of architecture. The symbolic participation in this “concert” brings to light an Iannis Xenakis in a constant attempt to rewrite in modernity and avant-garde, in mathematical key, the architecture, the music and the philosophy belonging of its Greek cultural matrix, exploring the halo of meanings of the triad kosmos-polis-oikos and their re-semantizations as he understood it in his times. The “symphony of the dream of life” as crystallized by Iannis Xenakis may reveal us that the Road is an infinitely more important goal than the finality in the journeys of architecture, music, and man on the scale of history and at the scale of a human life, as is the story of any arche-tekton, semper inter mundos, constantly questioning the boundaries of the kosmos, in any of the “real” realities or virtual realities would he and it coexist.

Bezpieczeństwo społeczne Polaków na początku XXI wieku

Social security is recognised as one of the most important challenges of the XXI-th century. Social security includes social protection for the ones in need and community security for social groups. It is the safeguarding tool for combat with social threats in sense of intensification of negative phenomena and events, in effect of which existential values as well as interests of the nation and state are being disrupted; often there are negative consequences of political system change processes. Social security guarantees the protection of individuals in case of reduction of salaries, sickness, maternity, unemployment, disability, old age and death, it provides health care and assures protection to the families with children. The State as the highest form of social organization is primarily responsible for social security. This is the State, by creating the conditions for work and education, health protection and retirement guarantees, that should protect the public against the threats, assure the possibility to meet individual needs and realization of life aspirations of its citizens. The main threats of the Poles in the XXI-th century are as follows: functioning of Polish families, poverty and social exclusion, old age, globalization processes and membership in European Union.

“I Will Return Strong”: The Role of Life Aspirations in Refugees’ Return Aspirations

This article studies how return migration aspirations are formed and realized in the context of protracted displacement. Drawing on a mixed-methods study that included survey research and in-depth interviews in Turkey, Lebanon, and Syria conducted, we study whether respondents aspired to return (i) currently, with the conflict still ongoing; and (ii) in the future, if the war were to end. Our analyses reveal how broader life aspirations play a crucial role in shaping return aspirations, and how current and future return aspirations are separate concepts. Current return aspirations were strongly stratified. For economically vulnerable respondents, current return considerations were often related to survival, whereas for respondents from the educated middle class, current return aspirations were part of their broader life aspirations. Aspirations to return after the war's end were largely driven by a wish to realize broader life goals. Future return aspirations often functioned as a mental coping strategy to keep hope for change in the future — including political change — alive. Return abilities favored those with higher socioeconomic status, those who had remained neutral in the conflict and those willing to take high risks. Overall, our analyses illustrate the usefulness of the aspirations-abilities framework, and the important role of life aspirations, in understanding return-migration decisions in a context of protracted displacement.

Life Stories of the NDMU OLPHS Seminarians

This study aimed to understand the narrative of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Seminarians. Specifically, it answered the following questions: What are their thoughts about becoming a seminarian; what are their challenges encountered in the seminary; how did they cope with challenges they encountered; and what are their dreams and aspirations in life. This study was intended only for the OLPH Seminarians who are enrolled at Notre Dame of Marbel University – Senior High School. The qualitative methodological approach to this study was designed to describe the essence of the phenomenon of the seminarian’s experiences at the seminary. The study only focused on the seminarian’s life stories. An interview guide had been used as a tool to gather information. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis to determine the emergent themes from interviewees’ data. Therefore, the information gathered analyzed is subjective. In addition, the information gleaned from this study and the life stories of the individual participants is not necessarily indicative of the outcomes and conclusions for other educational settings. This study focused only in the life stories of seminarians in the Diocese of Marbel OLPH. The life stories of the participants of the study were unique to the context of each of the participant’s life stories. Based on the findings, it was found out that their views and thoughts of becoming a seminarian varies from each other; it was also stated that becoming a seminarian literally means being a good person, and it means to be a holy person in line to the respond on God’s “call”. Meanwhile, on the challenges encountered, the results provided that the most of the trials encountered by the seminarians is the misunderstanding among their fellow brother seminarians, pertaining on the different characters that varies from the background of their lives, negative thoughts among seminarians can also be considered as a challenge. Every seminarian has its own dreams and ambitions in life, portraying their true essence of symbol as a priest in the future. One of their dreams and aspirations is to become a good exemplary of what a priest is, being compassionate and considerable to the other people by giving the symbol of love and empathy. The study benefitted in terms of its contribution to students who will be pursuing to seminary leading to priesthood. In addition, the future seminarians will be guided and informed about the obstacles and adjustments they may face.

Life aspirations, school engagement, social anxiety, social media use and fear of missing out among adolescents

Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) – people’s intense concerns that they might miss pleasant moments that their peers may enjoy—has been found to relate to a variety of undesired outcomes, including poor academic functioning. Yet, little is known about why some students may exhibit more FoMO than others. In this cross-sectional study with a sample of Turkish adolescents (N1 = 506; 50.8% males; Mage = 15.8 years; SD = 0.83), we examined to what extent intrinsic and extrinsic life goals for using social media predict FoMO over and above social anxiety. We found through path analyses that extrinsic goals of attaining popularity, garnering attention, and conveying a positive image of oneself to others related to FoMO which in turn related to lower grades by means of in-class distraction and out-of-class study interference. Taken together, the present results suggest that the goals that adolescents try to attain through social media use may explain why FoMO might be more prevalent in that age group.