Cultural Lifestyle Research Articles

‘Mentally, we’re rather country people’ – planssplaining the quest for urbanity in Helsinki, Finland

ABSTRACT This paper explores the concept of urbanity in a specific context, namely Helsinki, Finland. In a European context, Finland urbanized late. This lies at the heart of the common interpretation that Finland lacks an urban culture and urban lifestyles. Today, however, with the new comprehensive Urban Plan, city planners in Helsinki emphasize a paradigm shift towards urbanity. This paper seeks to understand this changing emphasis in planning by exploring how planners frame and understand urbanity. The paper concludes that within the Nordic welfare context more emphasis is needed to rethink whom urbanity serves and how it resonates with the prevention of segregation that the city also aims at.

Inheriting or re-structuring habitus/capital? Chinese migrant children in the urban field of cultural reproduction

Highlighting the fluid nature of habitus/capital, this paper critiques a ‘rucksack approach’ (Erel, 2010) in the Bourdieusian studies of Chinese migrants’ cultural reproduction and social inclusion, which takes a determinism and fatalism standpoint and neglects the re-structuring of the migrant habitus and cultural capital over generations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Beijing and Shanghai with 62 teachers, rural migrants and local parents and students. This paper conceptualises an urban field of cultural reproduction, which is marked by the reproduction and validation of urban-specific cultural configurations, including knowledge, skill, language, aesthetic/taste, value and lifestyle. In this field, migrant children have experienced re-structuring of habitus and accumulation of new forms of cultural capital. This is illustrated by their manner of speaking, ways of behaving, self-presentation, and their appreciation of extra-curricular hobbies. A well-integrated relationship between migrant and local children can be identified, which contributes to the production of a generation of ‘new urban citizens’, yet in the meantime reproduces the migrant families’ class status as low-skilled labourers.

Status determinants, social incongruity and economic transition: Gender, relative material wealth and heterogeneity in the cultural lifestyle of forager-horticulturalists.

For small-scale societies, transitions from self-sufficiency to cash-based labor in market economies have been associated with the exacerbation of existing, and the emergence of new, social incongruities. Social incongruity occurs when two or more of a person’s status determinants (e.g. age, gender, wealth) conflict, resulting in reduced social status. A central focus of theory and research on social incongruity is the relationship between the cultural prototype of what is needed to live a good life–or lifestyle–and status determinants. Assessment of status determinants is challenging because of their relative nature at multiple levels of analysis. This study uses theory and methods from cognitive anthropology to investigate whether and how individual knowledge of a cultural lifestyle prototype conflicts with status determinants at two levels of economic transition among 101 adults from a small-scale society of forager-horticulturalists in Bolivian Amazonia, the Tsimane’. Results support cultural consensus in a 38-item model labeled market lifestyle (explaining 72.7% of sample variance). While the model includes both overlapping traditional (e.g. weaving) and market-related (e.g. education) items and behaviors, most market alternatives were rated higher. When market lifestyle was tested for social incongruity against other status determinants, only gender predicted variation. Thematically, when lifestyle was stratified by gender, men rated several items of relational wealth higher than women did. Analysis of model residual agreement revealed heterogeneity in the form of a syncretic lifestyle model (explaining 18.2% of additional variance). Participants whose knowledge better matched syncretic lifestyle rated traditional items and market alternatives closer to parity. Agreement with the syncretic model correlated with lower material wealth and less market integration. In sum, the findings document a modern, market-oriented form of Tsimane’ lifestyle that varies ontologically from past modelling and ethnographic accounts in preferred forms of livelihood and wealth.

Corruption in Sub-Saharan Africa - An Impediment to Economic Growth

Sub-Saharan Africa is faced with many challenges. It is a region bulging with resources but cursed with incredible political and economic greed. With a vast ethnic diversity and an often misconstrued cultural lifestyle, which puts the region on the marginalization line. From a historical context, the impact of colonialism has haplessly set the environment for low leadership standards. The background setting for Sub-Saharan Africa’s economic underdevelopment is uninhibited corruption that exists within Sub-Saharan African societies. This institutional corruption takes a triangular cause - cultural, economic and political; each, together with so many other factors threaten Sub-Saharan Africa’s socio-economic development.

Urgensi Pendidikan Islam dalam Interaksi Sosial Masyarakat Soppeng: Upaya Mewujudkan Masyarakat Madani

This research discusses the importance of Islamic education in social interactions in order to realize the civil society in Soppeng Regency. The type of research used is a qualitative descriptive method. The research approach uses theological normative, social, and pedagogical approaches. The informants from this research were the community of the Soppeng Regency, by prioritizing community figures, religious figures, and educational figures. The results of the research found that the relation of social interaction of the people in Soppeng Regency was divided into two, namely: 1) contractual relations in urban communities whose lifestyles began to be influenced by modern lifestyle patterns, and 2) emotional relations based on cultural in rural communities who maintained cultural and traditional lifestyle patterns. The roles of Islamic community figures in the social interaction of the people in Soppeng Regency are founder and manager of Islamic education institutions; as a government partner; providing information on Islamic teaching; give decisions and solutions to community problems. The position of Islamic education in social interaction is very important in order to realize the civil society in Soppeng Regency. This can be seen in the growth of community tolerance, democratic governance that makes events and ceremonies of traditional and religious a work program, even raising the awareness of citizens to resolve their conflicts peacefully on the principle of deliberation based on Islamic teachings fairly without looking at one's social background or stratification.

Augmented Reality Book for Preserving Malay Traditional Dances: A Case Study

Malaysia is known throughout the world for its multiculturalism. As a multiple ethnic country, many countries are looking on Malaysia as a great example of peaceful co-existence races and belief where all the ethnic groups in Malaysia live together in harmony and enrich the country's cultural lifestyle. Within that, Malaysia also consists of a collective blend of food, traditions, clothing and customs. Towards that, traditional dance is the treasure of art and culture. Therefore, with modern era and technology nowadays, it has led the younger generation care less about traditional dance. Beside, a printed media such as bunting, banners and pamphlets are less effective in promoting the traditional dance. By concerning this, this research study aims to preserving the traditional dance among young generation towards new media technology. In explaining the issues, a case study through quantitative approaches of questionnaires survey and interviews was used in studied the uniqueness of traditional Malay dance and further proposes a new approach for preserving the traditional Malay dance awareness among the young generation. The research significantly impacts the publics particularly on the new generation towards uniqueness of traditional dance in Malaysia. It is also contributes to the National Heritage Department and the National Arts and Culture Department where the documentation could be used as a collection of cultural and heritage books in the form of new media technology for young generation.

Factors Contributing to Leprosy Stigma among Madurese People

Leprosy is a disease that still has a stigma in society. Leprosy patients are considered have a curse from God, so they must be shunned, are incurable and are disinherited. This study aimed to identify the factors contributing to the leprosy stigma among the Madurese people in Indonesia. This was a descriptive analytical study with a cross-sectional approach that involved 107 adult people living around leprosy patients obtained through simple random sampling with other certain criteria. The variables measured were education, economic status, regulations and policies, cultural values and lifestyle, the family and social factor, the religious and philosophical factor, technology and leprosy stigma. The data was collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using the Spearman Rho test (α=0.05). The study revealed that education, economic level, regulations and policies, cultural values and lifestyle, the family and social factor, the religious and philosophical factor and also technology had a significant correlation with leprosy stigma (p=0.011; p=0.02; p=0.008; p=0.011; p=0.015; p=0.000; p=0.0037). It is expected for the government and health workers to conduct socialization and counseling focused on leprosy, therefore allowing people to be able to understand the disease, thus lowering the leprosy stigma.

Identifying and overcoming barriers to healthier lives

Understanding the key determinants of health from a community perspective is essential to address and improve the health and wellbeing of its members. This qualitative study aimed to explore and better understand New Zealand-based Pasifika communities’ sociocultural experiences and knowledge of health and wellbeing. Fifty-seven participants were involved in six separate focus groups. Community coordinators co-facilitated and transcribed the discussions and conducted thematic analysis. The findings suggested two overarching themes: (1) ‘Pasifika experiences on poor health and well-being’: were based on sub-themes: (i) ‘recognisable issues’ (e.g., poor diet and lifestyle behaviours); (ii) ‘systemic issues’ that support the perpetual health issues (e.g., lack of knowledge and education) and; (iii) ‘profound issues’ that are often unspoken of and create long-term barriers (e.g., cultural lifestyle and responsibilities). (2) ‘Hopes and dreams’ to improve health and well-being requires: (i) a family-centric approach to health; (ii) tackling systemic barriers; and (iii) addressing community social justice issues. This study provides deepened insights on Pasifika communities’ understanding healthier living in the context of their cultural environment and family responsibilities. If we are to develop effective, sustainable programmes that prioritises health and well-being based on the needs of Pasifika communities, the findings from this study highlight their needs as step forward in overcoming barriers to healthier lives.

Sport as culture: Social class, styles of cultural consumption and sports participation in Canada

Cultural consumption writ large has had a prominent place in the sociological discipline since Pierre Bourdieu. While Bourdieu often considered sport in analyses of culture, there have since been relatively few studies that are focused on considering sport within the broader landscape of cultural consumption. This paper seeks to assess the place of sports participation within the cultural lifestyles of Canadians. To this end, this paper employs multiple latent class analyses of various cultural and sporting variables from a large-scale Canadian government survey. It also employs regression analyses of those latent class groups. The results show three primary groups of consumers, pointing strongly to confirming the omnivore thesis in Canada. The results of the core of the analysis show, however, strong delineations in which sports these different groups consume. Ultimately then, the cultural domain of sports may be an area where omnivores practise more distinctive consumption, eschewing the sports of other consumer groups.

Cultural Factors Influencing Osteoarthritis Care in Asian Communities: A Review of the Evidence.

With the prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) increasing internationally, there is a need to study the impact of this disease on culturally diverse populations. Individuals of Asian descent make up more than 60% of the world population, yet comprehensive information on the cultural factors that impact OA care is not available. Scoping review methodology using directed content analysis was employed to identify and analyze existing research on OA care for Asians. A categorization matrix was developed using the six care areas from the OA clinical practice guidelines along with an additional three non-clinical areas (cross-cultural adaptation of clinical tools; psychological well-being; family systems and informal care) identified in an initial scan resulting in a total of nine OA care areas to guide initial coding. A full scoping review was conducted across five databases resulting in 656 abstracts screened. All text was coded using the categorization matrix and resulting subthemes were identified. A total of 74 articles were analyzed with 23 subthemes identified across the nine categories. Four new perspectives emerged to support OA care for Asian populations: (1) the importance of family and peer assistance, (2) the importance of culturally specific activities, (3) distrust in western medicine, and (4) impact of positive coping mechanisms on health appraisals. While Asians are more susceptible to knee and hand OA because of their cultural lifestyle factors (e.g. squatting for chores, hygiene and religious activities), and traditional beliefs on OA management (e.g. traditional diet, topical oils, physical therapy), many do not present themselves for conventional treatments (e.g. surgery) until all traditional treatments are exhausted. The results suggest that cultural factors influence the uptake of OA management practices among Asians. Greater awareness of these cultural factors may improve diagnosis, treatment, and management of OA among Asian patients.

The Impact of a Cultural Lifestyle Intervention on Metabolic Parameters After Gestational Diabetes Mellitus A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Israel is increasing in all ethnic groups but most markedly in the Bedouin population. We aimed to assess the effects of a lifestyle change intervention on risk markers for type 2 diabetes after gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). One hundred eighty Jewish and Bedouin post-GDM women were randomly assigned to a lifestyle intervention group (IG) or a control group (CG) starting 3-4months after delivery. The IG participated in healthy lifestyle sessions led by a dietician and a sports instructor for 24months after delivery. The IG participants had three individual 45-min counseling sessions and four 90-min group meetings (10 women each). The dietary and exercise recommendations were culturally adapted. The primary outcome of the study was HOMA-IR. We monitored clinical and chemical biomarkers 1 and 2years after delivery. After 1 and 2years of intervention, the metabolic measures improved substantially. The intervention reduced the insulin, glucose and HOMA-IR levels in the IG compared with those in the CG (p < 0.001). This novel culturally tailored lifestyle intervention program significantly improved the metabolic and morphometric indices measured 1 and 2years after delivery. These results highlight and underscore the importance of effective lifestyle change education following GDM.

Risk indicators and effects of hypertension on HIV/AIDS disease progression among patients seen at Kenyatta hospital HIV care center

ABSTRACTThere is paucity of data on prevalence of hypertension and its effects on HIV/AIDS progression among patients at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Kenya. This was a cross sectional study conducted between January and May 2015 at the KNH HIV Care Centre. Ethical approval was obtained from institutional ethics review board. HIV positive adult patients were recruited sequentially, and written informed consent obtained from each participant. Systematic sampling was used to select participants who were screened for blood pressure, body mass index (BMI) and lifestyle characteristics. Data on clinical parameters were extracted from patient records. A total of 297 participants (89 males and 208 females) were enrolled in the study. The participants were socially diverse in cultural beliefs, religious practices and lifestyles. Their ages ranged from 30 to 57 years, and the average age of males (M = 44.56, SD = 6.05) was higher than females (M = 42.29, SD = 6.16), p < .01. The prevalence of hypertension was found to be 23.2%. The relation between CD4 counts and creatinine was statistically significant, p < .01, as was the association between CD4 counts and BMI, p < .01. Hypertension is a highly prevalent co-morbidity in HIV patients. The risk factors include prolonged use of ART as well as increased body mass index. The effects of hypertension on HIV progression include low CD4+ T cell counts which complicate the underlying immunosuppression.

IMPACT OF COPPER MINES ON TRIBAL LAND USE PATTERN AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES AT MUSABONI AND SURROUNDING AREA.

The process of population growth in the urban area along with the article deals with the study of changes of land use pattern Socio-economic activities of tribes as a result of rapid urbanization. It encompasses an extensive survey of the tribes’ dwelling places in urban, fringe and the rural settlements. The salient features include exploration of the physical and cultural background in the case study area. Composition of tribe families in 1931, Tribal population growth rate during 1931 to 2011, Urban to Rural Tribal population ratio, the proportion of Tribal people affected by urbanization and rapid populating in the study area i.e. change of their tradition and culture after the urbanization etc. Major findings include: &#x0D; Perceptible changes occurred in Socio cultural system of tribes like birth, funeral, religion etc. Land use pattern, Majhi- Pargana system, tendency to change surnames, erosion of mother tongue, advent of dowry system, hunting system in forests, vanishing forefather’s name. Use of modern costume, musical instruments, dances in place of their traditional ones, etc. &#x0D; Pull factors i.e. Urbanization and urban development is started in the East Singhbhum the commercial, industrial and transport preferment has favored the recent urban development throughout the areas. These have been accelerated with the overwhelming growth of population in urban areas through migration at acceleration and natural growth. These have given rise to systems of central places, problems of slums and squatter settlements besides enhancing the linkages of industrial centers thereby increasing the entropy of urban places. All these have forced the Governments to think about change in the urban policies, population policies and planning prospects. &#x0D; In the East Singhbhum District process of rapid population growth started from the establishment of Tata Iron and Steel Company in 1907 as well as copper mines at Mosaboni and Ghatshila in 1927. This development changed the socio cultural life style of tribes. Though their Living standard, Educational and Economic condition had changed, they stand developed in all aspects but as a trade-off lost their socio-cultural composition a great deal. They must continue their positive traditional cultures and social traits and may do away with the negative sides like excessive drinking habits of the traditional brew etc. to avoid the extinction in the long run from the memory of the future generations. It is possible only by the awareness to them. Aboriginal culture has many important things, which need to be preserved and have to continue as Indian culture in the context of sustaining beautiful diversity of Indian culture landscape.

“МОНГОЛЫН НУУЦ ТОВЧООН” ДАХЬ “ШАРГА АГТ ТАН” ХЭМЭЭХ ХЭЛЛЭГИЙН УТГА УЧИР

Horses are loved by Mongolians in their culture and nomadic lifestyle. Mongolian horses made a great contribution to Mongolian history.The art work of ‘The Eight Steed of Genghis’ is well known by us. While Chinese artist Xu Beihong (1895-1953) great work ‘Eight Chun map’ has its root in West Zhou Dynasty’s (B.C. 1046-B.C. 661) art work which was drawn by fifth king Zhou Muwang (B.C. 1054-B.C. 949). Similarly there maybe a connection between the ‘Lucky Eight Horses’ in art works even sculptures with the Mongolian art called ‘The Eight Steed of Genghis’.This article aims to explain the meaning of the word ‘Sharga agt tan’ as used in “The Secret History of Mongolia” which was written in the 13th century, is considered to have no outside influences and believed to be an accurate account of Mongolian history. It especially aims to explain the meaning of the suffix tan that is used in the phrase ‘Sharga agt tan’ in “The Secret History of Mongolia”. The suffix tan was used in the middle aged Mongolian language and in our study you can see the comparison of the suffix tan and its similar meaning in contemporary Mongolian language. This article also aims to determine the actual number of horses in the phrase such as ‘Sharga agt tan 9 morid’ (meaning of nine yellowish/ light bay horses), ‘Sharga agt tan 8 morid’ (meaning of eight yellowish/ light bay horses), as well it attempts to explain that in the mongolian language the word sharga means yellowish/light bay colour in cognitive linguistic understanding. This study also explores the meaning of the expression ‘The Eight Sharga Steed of Genghis’.

FARKLI KÜLTÜREL KİMLİKLERLE BİRLİKTE YAŞAMANIN KOŞULLARI: ORTAK BİR SOSYAL HAYAT MÜMKÜN MÜ?

The diversity of cultural life styles is increasing day by day. Lifestyles can differ on an economic, ethnic, cultural or religious basis. How we perceive different lifestyles and cultural identities can make it easier or harder for us to live together. We are in contact with many people who have different cultures and identities in everyday life. Today, individuals with different cultures, identities or lifestyles encounter each other more and more. This brings about economic, social, cultural and political changes or problems. Therefore, living together without conflict is a matter of concern to all of us. In this study, the issue of how to avoid conflicts between individuals or groups with different languages, beliefs, cultures and habits is discussed on a theoretical and conceptual basis. It also focuses on how it is possible to establish a practice of coexistence or living together on a healthy ground for the resolution of problems arising from value differentiation. In this framework, the stereotypes, prejudices and discriminatory thoughts or behaviors of individuals with different social values are in fact important factors that make living together difficult. The factors such as the perception of different views as a threat, the presence of prejudice and stereotypes, and the fact that differences are not seen as a natural thing are the obstacles to live together. In addition, the concept of tolerance which is seen as a prerequisite in the multicultural paradigm, appears to be inadequate as the key to living together. At this point, Levinas (1995) suggests an approach that both preserves diversity or differences and cares about the relationship. Therefore, we should not allow our fears and doubts about the other to lead us. Moreover, it is necessary not to fall into the trap of excessive glorification and blessing of differences as with many postmodern approaches. In this context, it is necessary to realize the mutual understanding-recognition perspective and dialogue process in order to live together.

Cultural Diffusion and Trends in Facebook Photographs

Online social media is a social vehicle in which people share various moments of their lives with their friends, such as playing sports, cooking dinner or just taking a selfie for fun, via visual means, that is, photographs. Our study takes a closer look at the popular visual concepts illustrating various cultural lifestyles from aggregated, de-identified photographs. We perform analysis both at macroscopic and microscopic levels, to gain novel insights about global and local visual trends as well as the dynamics of interpersonal cultural exchange and diffusion among Facebook friends. We processed images by automatically classifying the visual content by a convolutional neural network (CNN). Through various statistical tests, we find that socially tied individuals more likely post images showing similar cultural lifestyles. To further identify the main cause of the observed social correlation, we use the Shuffle test and the Preference-based Matched Estimation (PME) test to distinguish the effects of influence and homophily. The results indicate that the visual content of each user's photographs are temporally, although not necessarily causally, correlated with the photographs of their friends, which may suggest the effect of influence. Our paper demonstrates that Facebook photographs exhibit diverse cultural lifestyles and preferences and that the social interaction mediated through the visual channel in social media can be an effective mechanism for cultural diffusion.

Social Forecasting: Evolving a Model for Indian Business Process Outsourcing Industry

Social Forecasting: Evolving a Model for Indian Business Process Outsourcing Industry

“I love foreigners’ attitudes towards life”: Reproducing lifestyles in an Iranian English language teaching context

An important aspect of learning a foreign language is encountering the sociocultural orientations associated with it. The present qualitative study focuses on an Iranian setting of English language teaching (ELT) to explore the potential reflection and reproduction of certain cultural attitudes and lifestyles in this context. A total of 200 hours of 10 ELT classes with 62 students were observed and/or recorded in 4 months, and 20 teachers and students were interviewed. Based on a grounded theory approach, the bodies of data were explored through coding procedures and the emerging thematic structure was used to illustrate aspects of the possible reproduction of lifestyles. The context of concern appeared to provide a potential arena of naturalising aspects of imported lifestyles associated with the foreign language. Although students show various extents of adherence to their own culture, prolonged involvement in ELT discursive practices may contribute to the subtle alteration of their lifestyle orientations.

Urine diversion dry toilets in eThekwini Municipality, South Africa: acceptance, use and maintenance through users' eyes

This study was part of the VUNA project aimed to develop an affordable sanitation system that produces a valuable fertiliser, reduces pollution of water resources and promotes health. Urine diversion dry toilets (UDDTs) simplify the on-site hygienisation of faeces and allow for nutrient recovery from urine. Social acceptance is vital for the implementation of the UDDT, because sanitation is only effective if the system not only provides a well-designed toilet and effective waste management, but also offers users a facility that caters to their needs and is sensitive to their cultural lifestyle. This study used qualitative and quantitative methods to investigate acceptance, use and maintenance of UDDTs. Key findings indicate lower levels of acceptance of UDDTs among the elderly, who are accustomed to traditional pit toilets. The users aspire to own a flush toilet, perceived to be indicative of household wealth. A dominant concern was emptying the pit and the quality of the building material. Community interventions are required that will promote acceptance, understanding and encourage proper use and maintenance of the UDDT, and may need some technology modification. There is an urgent need for increased community participation to address users’ perceptions, attitudes and behaviour concerning the UDDT.

ЯЗЫКОВАЯ ЛИЧНОСТЬ МАХМУДА КАШГАРИ В ДИАЛОГЕ КУЛЬТУР СРЕДНЕВЕКОВЬЯ

Kashgari, as first Turkic philologist, by writing the work, called “DiwanLughatаt-Turk”, was the only source of information about the linguistic, cultural and ethnical lifestyle of the Turks. In addition, he gives a lot of information about their ethnography and culture, folk literature. A comparative study of Turkic languages and their dialects made by Kashgari as a scholar and conclusions which did not lose their importance till today shows that the Kashgari is the founder of comparative method in linguistics. In this paper we’ve tried to find out his psychological peculiarity, philosophical-ideological and interethnic values, social characteristics and historical and cultural sources. The prerequisite for the formation of Mahmud Kashgari as an individual is a historic context.