Cultural Forces Research Articles

Entangled Sainthood: Imperial Canonisations and the Invention of Saints in Colonial Latin America

This article examines the impact of canonisation trials on the promotion of new saints across the Spanish Empire. Focusing on New Spain and Peru, it demonstrates that the physical arrival of copies and summaries of a canonisation trial or hagiographies of a saintly candidate supported by the Spanish crown in Colonial America served as a catalyst for revitalising pre-existing devotions and even inspiring the creation of new ones. By examining the start of the canonisations of Fray Sebastián de Aparicio in Puebla (Mexico) and Toribio of Mogrovejo in Lima (Peru), the work provides an introduction to an often neglected phenomenon: the entanglement between religious, political and cultural forces in the formation of Latin American sainthood, mainly in four ways: causality, opposition, dialecticism and affiliation. *

Ellen Churchill Semple: Navigating a Patriarchal Discipline

Ellen Churchill Semple is a notorious figure in the geographical realm whose complicated legacy renders her place within a historiography of geography uncertain. While Semple is hailed as the first female geographer, it is also widely acknowledged that her work is tainted with racism. Contemporary scholars wish to erase her contributions, declaring that they would “prefer to forget” her infamous text Influences of Geographic Environment in which she claimed that physical geography determined human behaviour. Mona Domosh complicates this desire to erase Semple from memory by advocating for a feminist historiography of geography. Through foregrounding the contributions that women have made to the development of geographic knowledge, Domosh challenges the exclusion of women from accounts of the discipline’s past. This paper therefore addresses the question: Should Semple be included in a feminist historiography of geography? Furthermore, was Semple a feminist? To interrogate this, I reimagine Pearson’s take on violent women. Just as Atwood describes a woman’s disbelief at her ability to cause harm in the opening quote, Pearson centres the misperception that women are simply compassionate caregivers and victims of their circumstances – the ‘myth of female innocence’. This is useful for exploring Semple’s role in epistemological violence where her data interpretations brought negative consequences for certain groups. An intersectional lens is crucial for examining the connections between race, class, and gender which shaped the experiences of Semple and those she deemed ‘inferior’. The structure-agency debate emerges, asking whether individuals are entirely socialised by structures or can act autonomously. I take a relational approach to acknowledge the interrelatedness of social processes and argue that Semple both actively challenged and perpetuated patriarchy. Firstly, this paper outlines Semple’s theoretical contributions and other key insights provided by contemporary female geographers which are useful for assessing Semple’s impact today. Secondly, Semple’s infiltration of male-dominated space is examined to demonstrate her resistance to traditional gender expectations. Thirdly, her imperial entanglements are traced to illustrate her perpetuation of the patriarchal state. Finally, a contemporary manifestation of the Semple dilemma is considered. I conclude that by today’s standards of intersectional feminism Semple is not a feminist role model, however she can be considered an early feminist for her active reconfiguration of an all-male discipline. Ultimately, I advocate for the critical inclusion of Semple’s work in a feminist historiography of geography. This project of decoding knowledge to understand the influence of cultural forces offers a step towards decolonising the academy.

Innovations through crop switching happen on the diverse margins of US agriculture

Crop switching, in which farmers grow a crop that is novel to a given field, can help agricultural systems adapt to changing environmental, cultural, and market forces. Yet while regional crop production trends receive significant attention, relatively little is known about the local-scale crop switching that underlies these macrotrends. We characterized local crop-switching patterns across the United States using the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Cropland Data Layer, an annual time series of high resolution (30 m pixel size) remote-sensed cropland data from 2008 to 2022. We found that at multiple spatial scales, crop switching was most common in sparsely cultivated landscapes and in landscapes with high crop diversity, whereas it was low in homogeneous, highly agricultural areas such as the Midwestern corn belt, suggesting a number of potential social and economic mechanisms influencing farmers' crop choices. Crop-switching rates were high overall, occurring on more than 6% of all US cropland in the average year. Applying a framework that classified crop switches based on their temporal novelty (crop introduction versus discontinuation), spatial novelty (locally divergent versus convergent switching), and categorical novelty (transformative versus incremental switching), we found distinct spatial patterns for these three novelty dimensions, indicating a dynamic and multifaceted set of cropping changes across US farms. Collectively, these results suggest that innovation through crop switching is playing out very differently in various parts of the country, with potentially significant implications for the resilience of agricultural systems to changes in climate and other systemic trends.

ABBAS SƏHHƏT – UŞAQ ƏDƏBİYYATININ ƏVƏZSİZ SİMASI

Abbas Sahhat – the Independent Face of Children's Literature Summary The mobility that began in the first decades of the 19th century gained serious content in the literary and cultural environment with enrichments throughout the century, with the arrival of new creative forces in science, culture, and literature. It explains what is standing in the general flow of coming to the twentieth century and also the specifics of the directions. A.Sahhat with all its activity, exuberant and rich talent becomes an example of this awakening, of demonstrating high cultural intelligence as a concept of national self-awareness. School, textbook, science, education, upbringing of the young generation, etc. multifaceted activities carried out in the directions clarify the irreversibility of the peripheral content and the specificity of the strengthening trends to the national aspect. "Farmer", "Ziya", "Kashkul", "Eastern Rus", etc. the problems raised on the pages of such press organizations, as well as the correspondence of large groups of intellectuals and the piling up of ongoing difficulties brought the solution to the forefront at different levels, and also focused attention on it. A.Sahhat's rich literary heritage, the content covered by him at the level of children's poetry aims to explain them with complete clarity. Rooted in the romantic spirit, this river specifies mobility over the riches of the people as a rock. Analyzing them in a broad context necessitates synchronic and diachronic approaches. Key words: A.Sahhat, children's poems, story, fable, play, article

Commercialization of Hip-Hop Culture and the Evolution of Youth Consumption Patterns from Symbols of Rebellion to Fashion Trends

This paper explores the commercialization of hip-hop culture and its profound influence on fashion and youth consumption patterns. Originally a symbol of rebellion and a voice for marginalized communities, hip-hop has evolved into a mainstream cultural force, reshaping global fashion trends. The transition from underground streetwear to luxury fashion is analyzed through key moments in hip-hop’s history, including collaborations with major brands like Adidas, Nike, and Gucci. The rise of streetwear brands such as Supreme, Off-White, and Yeezy exemplifies how hip-hop’s commercial success has transformed it into a powerful influence on youth identity and social status. However, this commercialization presents a double-edged sword, raising concerns about the loss of authenticity and cultural roots. The paper examines how social media and digital platforms have amplified hip-hop’s reach and discusses the ongoing tension between its original rebellious spirit and its role as a commercial enterprise. The study also highlights the global impact of hip-hop on consumption behaviors, focusing on the rise of exclusive product drops and the commodification of streetwear.

Ольга и Борис Морозовы через Монголию в Китай (из семейного архива)

The publication is dedicated to the archival collection of Olga Alexandrovna (nee Kolosova, 1877–1968, Los Angeles) and Boris Ivanovich / Ioanovich (1902–1960, Lakewood, USA), who from Russia came to Mongolia,then emigrated to China (Tianjin and Shanghai), where they published their literary (autobiographical novel "Fate", "Irreversible" and "Nora") and scientific and educational works. In recent years they lived in the USA. An excerpt from the book by B.I. Morozov is published. "Mongolia: from a traveler’s notebook" (Tianjin: Knowledge, 1935). The last unpublished works of O.A. are noted. Morozova: "Notes about Tubabao" and "Cultural forces of Russian emigration." Materials for publication were identified from the personal collection of O.A. Morozova (3 boxes and an album of photographs. Inventory compiled by A. Shmelev), stored in the Museum of Russian Culture (MRC) in San Francisco and the Russian collection of the University of Hawaii. Illustrations from the author's personal collection were used.

Social, cultural and institutional forces in corporate and patrimonial states and their relations with corporate governance: a North–South contrast

Social, cultural and institutional forces in corporate and patrimonial states and their relations with corporate governance: a North–South contrast

Empowering Female Voices: The Impact of Produce 101 on Self-Worth and Gender Equality

Reality television has become a dominant cultural force, influencing views and ideals. Produce 101, a Chinese talent competition show, goes beyond entertainment to empower its female competitors and promote gender equality. This qualitative study dives into the show's mechanics, examining its impact on female participants' self-esteem and its role in shaping viewer attitudes. Based on 10 in-depth interviews with senior talent show fans, the study investigates audience involvement, candidate development, and societal standards. The findings highlight the show's significant impact on empowering women and promoting gender equality narratives. providing valuable insights for individuals considering reality TV participation, emphasizing the importance of self-confidence, resilience, and determination. It showcases how contestants on Produce 101 leveraged their experiences to advance their careers and advocate for gender equality, inspiring others to pursue their passions and embrace empowerment. By highlighting the transformative potential of reality television, this study underscores its role in shaping a more inclusive and equitable society, demonstrating that reality TV can be a powerful platform for social change.

Towards precarity? The occupational situation of physical education teachers in Poland

Many studies indicate that the teaching profession is influenced by social, cultural, economic, and political forces. In this article, we used Standing's theory of precarity to explore economic, social, and political challenges experienced by Polish physical education (PE) teachers. The purpose of this research was to explore the working conditions and perceptions of the profession among Polish upper-secondary school PE teachers. Data were collected using in-depth interviews with 37 participants and analyzed using a blended approach (i.e. inductive–deductive). The findings showed that PE teachers experienced difficulties associated with the marginalization of their work and manifestations of precarity typical for all teachers in Poland, namely poor working arrangements. PE teachers declared feelings of anomie and alienation as a result of uncertainty and, at times, anger, mainly due to the political factors affecting their work. Thus, this research also presented the direct entanglement of PE teachers in national-level politics. Participants expressed feeling powerless, out of control, and not prepared for the ongoing changes resulting from the political context in which they found themselves. The utilization of Standing's theory highlighted how neoliberal practices concerning the labour market reinforced the challenges faced by PE teachers, diminished the prestige of the teaching profession as a whole, and impacted the attitudes of PE teachers towards their work. Further, this research confirmed that the experience of precarity can be highly heterogeneous, underscoring the importance of examining local contexts to understand the complexity of the precarization process in education.

The emotional labour of peer work: encountering stigma in mental healthcare spaces

ABSTRACT This article focuses on the workplace experiences of peer workers with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD) in mental healthcare settings in Australia. Our article is located at the intersection of political, social, cultural, and legislative forces that have fostered the development of peer work as a paid profession. We draw on the concept of stigma to analyse findings from qualitative interviews with peer workers conducted in [state], Australia. By examining peer work in the broader context of lifeworlds of BPD, we address the interplay of work and professional identity, and the experience of a profoundly stigmatised diagnosis at this intersection. Our findings demonstrate the physical and emotional effects of stigma and how it produces boundaries and inequalities between peer workers and other health practitioners. These boundaries are reinforced by invisible markers that delineate what is expected, ‘normal’ and deemed professional in the workplace. Moreover, these same medico-socio-political relations help shape peer workers’ identities and experiences. The development of peer workforces in mental healthcare service delivery is a prominent area of reform in Australia and internationally. Our research highlights the urgency of efforts to transform current socio-cultural-political relations that inhibit peer workers in their roles and impact workplace experiences.

Ageing, consumption and middle-classness: implications for intergenerational relations in India

In this piece, I use consumption as a lens to argue how urban, middle-class Indians in their middle and later ages are emerging as a distinctive consumer society while rewriting the scripts of growing old in India. This cultural shift is happening at a time when novel modes of ageing are imagined against the backdrop of transnational family arrangements, market-based care and a quest for vitality and autonomy among older Indians, altering the cultural continuities of intergenerational relationships. I show how consumption as a cultural force both expands the expressive capabilities of older persons but, at the same time, imposes disciplinary discourses around the family and social relationships. Overall, I critically reflect on what the ‘downward blurring’ of the ageing self does to the contemporary frameworks of intergenerational relationships in India. I conclude by discussing both the possibility and the (cultural) limit of theories developed in the industrialised West to capture the shifting realities of transitional societies.

Saving behavior among immigrant and native youth

This study investigates the role of migration background in the saving behavior of youth, with a focus on immigrant generation, national origin, and the influence of cultural and socioeconomic factors. Drawing on a nationally representative dataset of over 28,000 secondary school students in the Netherlands, we employ binary logit models to analyze two dimensions of saving behavior: the likelihood of saving money and the propensity to use bank accounts for savings. Our findings reveal significant disparities in saving behavior among immigrant and non-immigrant youth. Migrant youth are less likely to save overall, and when they do, they exhibit a reduced inclination to use bank accounts for their savings. Furthermore, the study uncovers nuanced patterns within the immigrant youth population. First-generation immigrant youth display lower levels of saving and bank account usage compared to their second-generation counterparts, particularly to those with one foreign-born parent. Distinct national origin effects are observed, as Turkish and Moroccan youth exhibit reduced likelihoods of saving, particularly through bank accounts, compared to Surinamese and Dutch Antillean youth. The results also indicate that the disparities in saving behavior across migration background, immigrant generation, and national origin are partly explained by socioeconomic and cultural forces. Socio-economic status and parental education emerge as key determinants, with higher parental socio-economic resources and education levels positively associated with youth saving behavior and bank account usage. Additionally, religious affiliation, particularly among Muslim youth, contributes to variations in saving behavior due to the prohibition of interest-bearing transactions.

Keeping the academy queer: Lessons from the queer community for the future of public affairs education

ABSTRACT Academics are becoming more thoughtful on where they want to live as the culture war on queerness has entered higher education. Universities, in order to recruit the best and the brightest, need to consider how to create an environment that retains and attracts diverse talent. In this article, we examine how to recruit and support LGBTQIA+ faculty, acknowledging that universities are part of wider cultural and political forces. We use heteronormativities, creative class, and queer geographies to better understand the current state of the LGBTQIA+ community. We start by exploring the heteronormative and cisnormative assumptions about the community. We link university and creative class cultures and their impact on town-gown queer realities. Finally, we conclude with a look at the different steps a university can take to make their organization a more welcoming and inclusive place for LGBTQIA+ faculty and their families.

EATING LIKE THE ELITE AT NEO‐PALATIAL KNOSSOS

SummaryDiachronic research of social status differences in diet reveals a dynamic interplay of cultural, economic, and technological forces that have shaped the food choices of individuals across the past centuries. In this paper we focus on food and related practices at Palatial Knossos on Crete in the mid‐second millennium BC and review palaeodietary stable carbon and nitrogen isotope (δ13C and δ15N) data from two cemeteries to explore evidence for embodied social variation during the site’s uncontested heyday in the Neo‐palatial Period (c.1700 to 1500 BC). We show that analysis by sex and tomb suggests no significant social differentiation in access to food resources. Instead, temporal trends reveal increased availability of animal protein during the Neo‐palatial period, aligning with Knossos' political and economic supremacy. We argue that the equitable living circumstances at Knossos during the Neo‐palatial period may have contributed to the absence of factional competition and social unrest, potentially explaining the site's continuity into Post‐palatial times despite widespread destructions elsewhere on Crete. Overall, the findings shed light on the complex interplay between diet, social structure, and historical context at Neo‐palatial Knossos.

Serat gumuyu: Sumber pengaruh untuk membentuk persepsi kebahagiaan dan kesehatan mental masyarakat

The manuscript is one of the cultural relics of the past which is a source of cultural institutions of the community. The manuscript is also used as a reflection of local wisdom and a foundation for oral traditions, art, and Javanese values, as is the case with the Serat Gumuyu script. This study uses a qualitative descriptive approach to obtain complete information about laughter can shape the perception of each individual to manage a more positive mindset so as to form happiness and improve people's mental health from Serat Gumuyu. The theory used is Seligman's mental health theory, which focuses on the psychological aspects of mental health and which focuses on positive psychological theories, especially happiness. This research data is in the form of quotes derived from Serat Gumuyu. The source of this research data is Serat Gumuyu, serial number NB 1567 code obtained from manuscripts in the collection of the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia. The data collection method uses content analysis techniques to describe the manuscript, editing and transliteration. The text is hermeniutic analyzed by Ricoeur to explore the axis of the roots of cultural forces socially and mental health in Javanese society. This research presents how laughter in Serat Gumuyu contains the benefits and factors that make someone laugh. This serat invites us that the positive influence of laughter can provide many benefits and is not visible physically but in human mental health also becomes better and optimal. Keywords: Serat Gumuyu, laugh, mental health

Addressing Child Maltreatment by Infusing Multicultural, Feminist Tenets to Standard Clinical Approaches: The Cases of “Bashiir” and “Jaquann”

Multicultural psychology emphasizes the role of social, cultural, and gender forces in creating an individual’s identity; the social and cultural world in which they live; and the psychological strengths that different cultures have to offer. In a complementary way, feminist psychology highlights the importance of collectivist alternatives to mainstream, individualistic thinking in the U.S.; and the identification and dismantling of patriarchal power structures that oppress women. Combining these two in a multicultural, feminist approach to psychotherapy highlights the importance of relating to clients with an understanding of, sensitivity to, respect for, and responsiveness to their cultural identities and life situations. This also involves the therapist building on strengths that come from some cultures bringing a collectivist rather than an individualist orientation to life’s challenges, such as combating child maltreatment. To illustrate the potential of a multicultural, feminist approach to psychotherapy in cases of child maltreatment among minority individuals, the present article offers two highly successful case studies. The first involves “Bashiir,” a 16-year-old African, first-generation immigrant young man from Somalia; and the second involves “Jaquaan,” a 15-year-old African American young man. Both clients were referred to therapy because of poor school attendance and academic difficulties, and associated symptoms consistent with a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) diagnosis. These symptoms derived from the clients having lived in poor, dangerous, high crime communities. A crucial component in both cases was the process by which the therapist employed the multicultural feminist approach to cross age, racial, gender, and socioeconomic-class lines to establish a very strong, trusting relationship between the therapist and the client; and between the therapist and the clients’ families.

Second-home Tourism in Tropical China: residents’ perception of socio-economic impacts

ABSTRACT Despite the significant growth of second-home tourism research, its geographical focus remains limited to a few countries. China has become a global economic powerhouse, with a rapidly growing middle class with disposable income. A combination of the latter with a range of favourable socialist housing policies and unique cultural forces have encouraged, and in some cases demanded, multiple-home ownership among Chinese families. At the forefront of this phenomenon are vast numbers of senior snowbirds who have chosen the tropical island of Hainan as the location of their second home. While there has been some investigation around this topic in select locations in China, the academic understanding of this phenomenon remains in its infancy. This paper investigates residents’ perceptions of Haikou, the capital of Hainan Province, regarding the socio-economic impact of second-home ownership on their lives, communities and the city. The results of this study will inform policy recommendations for local government while shedding new light on global narratives on second-home tourism phenomena.

«Кристаллизация» культурной идентичности как основной механизм формирования современного поликультурного мира

The modern global landscape is characterized by a complex interplay of cultural forces, necessitating a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the formation and negotiation of cultural identities. This article explores the concept of “crystallization” as a fundamental mechanism for shaping cultural identity in the context of the modern polycultural world. Drawing on insights from social philosophy and cultural studies, the article examines the dynamics of cultural interactions and the emergence of non-complementarity in modern society. The notion of “eternal return” is introduced as a main tool through which cultural identities are perpetuated and reinforced over time. The crisis of polyculturalism is analyzed in light of increasing national conflicts and challenges to the principle of cultural equivalence. This crisis underscores the need for new approaches to fostering dialogic relations and mitigating the proliferation of conflict and non-complementarity. Convergent technologies are identified as pivotal in the “crystallization” of cultural identities, transcending traditional boundaries and facilitating the convergence of diverse cultural expressions. This phenomenon has profound implications for the negotiation of identity in modern society. The study highlights the importance of understanding the mechanisms of cultural identity formation in addressing the challenges of the modern polycultural world. By elucidating the concept of “crystallization” and its implications for social philosophy, the article contributes to ongoing discussions on polyculturalism and identity politics.

Intimate partner violence and Bowen family systems theory: promoting safety and expanding capacity of families

AbstractFamily violence is becoming increasingly visible in Australia, with many state and federal governments taking on more responsibility to address family violence and its impacts on those affected. Current efforts are focused on practice frameworks, identifying and responding to risk factors, and social justice frameworks including legislating against family violence in a range of jurisdictions and addressing more broadly the structural and cultural forces that perpetuate violence and further oppress those victimised. Family violence is not unique to Australia, with prevalence rates internationally suggesting family violence occurs irrespective of country, race, age, culture, effectiveness of social policies or socioeconomic status. This paper explores relevant foundational concepts of Bowen family systems theory (BFST) as it relates to family violence and explores opportunities to evolve practice in this area. BFST offers a unique contribution towards addressing family violence, particularly in relation to the public health challenge of addressing family polyvictimisation. The paper also explores how BFST conceptualises family violence and the role of the professional in working with the family as a single emotional unit. The unique focus of BFST on observing and defining self within the emotional family unit through observation of the underlying multigenerational emotional patterns of functioning provides unique opportunities to evolve and develop both the capacity of clinicians and responses to families who are navigating the serious and challenging impacts of family violence.

Fibres on the Field: Jean Shrimpton, Christine Borge and the Promotion of Orlon and Wool at the 1965 Melbourne Cup

For the 1965 Melbourne Cup Carnival, chemical giant DuPont de Nemours Inc. brought English model Jean Shrimpton to Australia to model youth fashion in Orlon, a synthetic fibre marketed as a wool substitute. By contrast, fibre rival, the Australian Wool Board, sponsored French model Christine Borge’s appearance in traditional racewear in wool. Utilising a ‘new materialist’ lens, this article revisits the well-known story of Shrimpton’s Melbourne appearances while highlighting a lesser-known aspect – the performative clash between the models and the fibres that serves as a case study into marketing fibres and styles in 1960s Australia. I argue that cultural and economic forces powerfully melded through novel cross-promotions and sponsorship arrangements between Victoria Racing Club and fibre producers in the service of capitalism. This article also examines marketing’s co-optation of youth culture to promote synthetic fibres and new fashion and to encourage the pursuit of individuality in dress and comportment.