Matriarchal Research Articles

Supporting Breastmilk Feeding for Infants in Foster Care: A Scoping Review.

Worldwide, around 2.7 million children are not in the care of their parents, and access to breastmilk is often absent from foster care policies. We aimed to explore the evidence available on how foster families, health and social workers and mothers with infants in care can be supported in providing breastfeeding and expressed breastmilk (EBM), and to identify barriers and facilitators for breastfeeding and EMB in foster care. The JBI methodology for scoping reviews was used. Three academic databases and grey literature were searched in March 2023, and data extraction charts were used. The findings were synthesised using thematic analysis. In total, 11 papers were included, 5 peer-reviewed papers and 6 from the grey literature. Five themes were identified in the analysis: 'Is this safe?', 'Substance use: Protecting the breastfeeding rights of mothers and infants', 'Making milk accessible through breastfeeding and EBM', 'Where are the policies'? and 'Attitudes around breastfeeding'. The findings showed concern from foster parents around the safety of breastmilk and the challenges of supporting breastmilk provision when infants are in foster care. Training, positive attitudes and multi-disciplinary team involvement can support breastfeeding and the breastfeeding rights for infants in foster care. Health and social care professionals who support mothers and foster families with breastfeeding and EBM feeding lack knowledge and guidance in how to do this safely and with a rights-based approach. We found that facilitating breastfeeding is not prioritised when an infant is placed into foster care and that the breastfeeding rights of mothers and infants require urgent attention in policies and guidelines to facilitate safe and person-centred infant feeding.

Gender as Management Capital: An Experimental Exploration

This study investigates whether female superiors can be considered a form of management capital. To explore this, our research question is: Do female superiors receive higher compliance with management directives from their subordinates than male superiors? Using a survey experiment with Nepalese civil servants ( n = 858), the study finds that compliance with managerial directives is higher when the superior is female. This effect may be influenced by the differing attitudes typically associated with male and female superiors (agentic vs. communal). The research reveals gender dynamics among subordinates, showing that female subordinates are more reluctant to comply with male superiors compared to male subordinates. However, their willingness to comply increases when the request comes from a female superior. This variation may stem from female subordinates perceiving male superiors as less considerate than female superiors, particularly when assigning tasks such as carrying out inspections in remote hilly areas.

Sex Differences in Processing Emotional Speech Prosody: Preliminary Findings from a Multi-Feature Oddball Study.

Emotional prosody, the intonation and rhythm of speech that conveys emotions, is vital for speech communication as it provides essential context and nuance to the words being spoken. This study explored how listeners automatically process emotional prosody in speech, focusing on different neural responses for the prosodic categories and potential sex differences. The pilot data here involved 11 male and 11 female adult participants (age range: 18-28). A multi-feature oddball paradigm was used, in which participants were exposed to sequences of non-repeating English words with emotional (angry, happy, sad) or neutral prosody while watching a silent movie. Both mismatch negativity (MMN) and P3a components were observed, indicating automatic perceptual grouping and neural sensitivity to emotional variations in speech. Women showed stronger MMN to angry than sad prosody, while men showed stronger MMN to angry than happy prosody. Happy prosody elicited the strongest P3a, but only in men. The findings challenge the notion that all facets of emotion processing are biased toward female superiority. However, these results from 22 young adult native English speakers should be interpreted with caution, as data from a more adequate sample size are needed to test the generalizability of the findings. Combined with results from studies on children and elderly adults, these preliminary data underscore the need to explore the complexities of emotional speech processing mechanisms to account for category and sex differences across the lifespan in a longitudinal perspective.

Lasalocid-A selectively induces the degradation of MYD88 in lymphomas harboring the MYD88 L265P mutation

Lasalocid-A selectively induces the degradation of MYD88 in lymphomas harboring the MYD88 L265P mutation

Forms of the Mother Right: Marxism's Matriarchal Origins from Friedrich Engels to Lu Märten

AbstractThe nineteenth‐century discovery of the matrilineal origins of society shattered assumptions about the necessity of the bourgeois family. For Marxists, ethnographic studies of the mother right provided an aesthetic form to reevaluate the “woman question” from a scientific perspective. Although Marx and Engels had long rejected the idea of the family in favor of “family forms,” Engels's adaptation of Morgan's Ancient Society (1877) in Der Ursprung der Familie, des Privateigentums und des Staats (1884) was canonized as the authoritative Marxist text on the subject. While the ethnographic form enabled the denaturalization of the family, its racialized and gendered temporality undercut socialist critiques of social forms. This article introduces Lu Märten's queer utopian response to the mother right, Geschichte der Frau vom Mutterrecht bis zur Gegenwart (1947), which dispenses with the evolutionary structure of the ethnographic study to offer a vision of polyamorous and androgynous forms in a classless society.

EU National Systems of Child-Related Leave: A Maternalist Approach, Despite the Work-Life Balance Directive

The Work-Life Balance (WLB) Directive has created for the first time at European Union (EU) level a right to paternity leave and effective incentives for fathers to make use of the right to parental leave. The goal of this Directive is to correct the imbalance of the previous EU model on child-related leave, with the ultimate aim of achieving a more equal sharing of leave between men and women, improving the situation of women in the labour market, and eventually achieving more equality both at home and at work.This article examines twenty-seven EU national systems of child-related leave to ascertain to what extent they fit in the new EU model and are gender-balanced. National data shows that, despite the new rights and incentives created for fathers, there is a widespread maternalist approach, with lengths of maternity leave far longer than those of paternity leave and few well-paid daddy months of parental leave. Finally, it suggests some ideas on how the EU can bring closer national rights of mothers and fathers, both in terms of entitlements and actual use, and advocates an egalitarian approach under which both parents have equal real chances to spend time with their children.

Unveiling injustice: Disrupting child removal policies and upholding breastfeeding: An emancipatory framework.

Before colonization, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities had nurturing, holistic, and communitarian approaches that promoted extended and healthy lives for their children. Colonization, marked by policies of genocide and assimilation, has resulted in an alarming overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children under the care of child protection agencies, resulting in compromised health outcomes and reduced life expectancies. We are conducting a study designed to enhance positive developmental outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children by articulating and enabling the rights of mothers and children to breastfeed in the context of a child protection intervention and child removal. To understand and address this problem, it is critical to implement culturally safe, de-colonized, emancipatory research that is guided by and benefits Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This article presents an emancipatory framework that we are applying to our study using an Aboriginal participatory action research approach, that serves as a guide for non-Indigenous researchers seeking to conduct research with Indigenous communities. We emphasize the importance of incorporating an Aboriginal participatory action research framework, using community consultation and codesign; culturally secure data collection methods, and paying attention to Indigenous data sovereignty. Developing trusting respectful relationships is conducive to knowledge acquisition, exchange, and use, when research approaches deeply rooted in community involvement are applied. A call to action by the critical midwifery studies collective, urges non-Indigenous researchers to become accountable allies that demonstrates respect for community leadership while actively striving to ensure research does not perpetuate further harm, and produces effective change. This article provides an overview of ways to conduct ethical emancipatory research with Indigenous participants, that is, of benefit to midwifery practitioners and is applicable to many areas of research, policy, and practice.

Guardianship Law in India: Examining the Principle of ‘Best Interests’ of Minors and the Rights of Single Mothers as Sole Guardians

Motherhood is glorified in history, literature, mythology and the media. Yet, despite the tenets of equality promised by the Constitution of India, the guardianship law upholds the rights of fathers, not mothers, as the natural guardians of minors. However, these rights are not absolute. This essay analyses the case law over decades, wherein single mothers have used their agency to knock on the courts’ doors to claim their rights based on the principle of ‘the best interests of the minor’, and in the process have compelled the courts to interpret the law in such a way that mothers are appointed as the sole guardians of minor children while the claims of ‘unfit’ fathers are rejected. It also examines the parameters used by the courts to determine which parent is ‘fit’, the courts’ reasoning behind this and how the process has led the courts to acknowledge diverse family forms. This suggests that the state needs to recognise the rights of single mothers as equal citizens and do away with the outdated concept of heterosexual families and the binary of legitimate versus illegitimate child. The law needs to conceive reform alongside changing socio-legal and technological advancements.

The influence of the workplace environment on the behavior of health workers who breastfeed in Kupang Regency

Exclusive breastfeeding coverage in Indonesia in 2022 was recorded at only 72.04%, while in East Nusa Tenggara Province it was 78.56%. In Kupang Regency in 2022, the achievement of exclusive breastfeeding will be 77.2%, which is still less than the national target indicator. Breastfeeding mothers who return to work are less likely to provide exclusive breastfeeding. How challenges can occur in efforts to provide exclusive breastfeeding, namely the environment and from the mother herself. This study aims to determine the influence of the workplace environment on the behavior of breastfeeding mothers who work as health workers. This research is quantitative research using a cross sectional approach. The sample from this research consisted of 84 respondents. In selecting samples using inclusion criteria, namely mothers who work as health workers who have babies aged 6 - 24 months in the Kupang Regency area. The research instrument used a questionnaire from January to March 2024. Data analysis used the chi square test. The results of the univariate analysis showed that the majority of workplace environments were categorized as Fair (53.6%). According to breastfeeding behavior, the majority of breastfeeding mothers chose to partially breastfeed (61.9%). According to the results of bivariate analysis, with a p value of 0.021. An unsupportive work atmosphere can influence the behavior of mothers who breastfeed exclusively. As a result, health institutions must help mothers more by providing appropriate social and physical facilities. In addition, written policies that regulate the rights of breastfeeding mothers must have clear technical instructions. All parties must be committed to creating a friendly environment for breastfeeding mothers. There is an influence of the work environment on breastfeeding behavior for health workers who breastfeed.

Dystopian Fiction: Can it Enable us to Think Critically about Gendered Violence and Power?

This article discusses the issues of power sex, gender, and the law with regard to identifying and controlling violence against women. It discusses these concepts within dystopian works of fiction and their application, both actual and potential, to real life. The novels and films below have been selected for their perceived relevance to the author as examples of dystopian fiction, but importantly they engage with Gadamer’s concept of language and socially and historically affected consciousness. Hence, the themes, but also their reception, are products of their time and place. The central themes of the novels will be those typical for dystopian fiction, such as power, governmental control and loss of individualism. However, other themes particularly pertinent to feminist dystopian fiction are also investigated, such as imagining a matriarchal society, misogyny and misandry, sexual violence, and the limitations upon the behaviour of individuals, usually female, but not always. Feminist theory has engaged with ‘essentialism’, both arguing for an essential difference between ‘males’ and ‘females’, but also disputing essentialism for limitations upon the sexes. One criticism of such works is that they are based upon biological sex and as such promote a dichotomous essentialism. However, since this article is discussing violence against women, biological or gendered, it is not engaging with the subtlety of multi-faceted ‘gendered’ identities, except in the stereotyping of such ‘attributes’. The selected novels have enabled different interpretations over time, due to the diversity of readers, and of social norms, values, and beliefs. Whether we can distance ourselves from our socially and historically embedded understandings through these works of fiction, to critique the contemporary world is discussed. Arguably, for Attwood the critique and change potential is not guaranteed, for: “Humanity is so adaptable. Truly amazing, what people can get used to, as long as there are a few compensations.” This article argues that, crucially, with what, and with whom, we identify, are influential in our interpretations.

Development of neonatal Apgar scoring training program utilizing contactless hand tracking in immersive virtual reality

Development of neonatal Apgar scoring training program utilizing contactless hand tracking in immersive virtual reality

Neporočene matere med normami in prakso

In the Habsburg Monarchy, the civil rights of illegitimate mothers and children were primarily regulated by the Austrian Civil Code of 1811. Under this code, illegitimate children did not enjoy the same rights as legitimate ones. Nevertheless, the illegitimate father was obligated to provide for them. The extent to which this progressive principle in Austrian law was practically implemented remains uncertain. This study investigates the frequency with which illegitimate mothers pursued legal recourse when fathers refused financial responsibility for their children. Additionally, it examines how often these mothers successfully obtained paternity recognition. The paper addresses these inquiries by analysing one hundred preserved custody court files from the District Courts in Rakek, Lož, and Cerknica between 1899 and 1945, alongside other relevant civil law documents.

The Right To Motherhood Behind Bars: Evaluating The Conditions And Policies For Women Prisoners With Children In India

This research paper delves into the complex issue of motherhood behind bars in India, focusing on the evaluation of the conditions and policies affecting women prisoners with children. Given the growing concern for human rights and gender-specific needs within the penal system, this study aims to shed light on the lived experiences of incarcerated mothers and the operational realities of the policies designed to support them. Employing a mixed-methods approach, including interviews, surveys, and document analysis, the research examines the living conditions, healthcare access, nutritional standards, and child-rearing facilities within Indian women's prisons. It juxtaposes these findings against existing policies and their implementation, identifying gaps between policy and practice, and evaluating compliance with international human rights standards. The voices of incarcerated mothers are central to this analysis, providing invaluable insights into the challenges and needs faced by this vulnerable population. The study culminates in actionable recommendations for policy reforms, emphasizing the need for a humane approach that prioritizes the welfare and rights of both mothers and their children. This research contributes to the broader discourse on prison reform and women's rights, advocating for significant changes to ensure dignity and support for motherhood behind bars in India.

Breastfeeding behind bars: Experiences of incarcerated mothers in the Spanish penitentiary system.

This research aims to analyze the breastfeeding experiences of incarcerated mothers in the prisons of the Spanish penitentiary system. Additionally, it explores whether these mothers have perceived practices related to obstetric violence during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. An exploratory-descriptive study was conducted using a qualitative approach and a critical ethnographic method. Fieldwork, including participant observation and semi-structured interviews, was carried out between December 2021 and April 2022. The study involved 30 adult women from Africa, Europe, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, all serving sentences with their infants in Mother Units located in the Spanish cities of Alicante, Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville. The main findings highlight the need for penitentiary policies with a gender and feminist perspective. These policies should aim to eliminate severe inequalities and discriminations faced by incarcerated women while protecting the basic rights of both mothers and infants.

Analysis of the "Family House" Culture of The Mosuo Nationality

In recent years, the attention index of space culture in anthropology has continued to rise. As a symbol of space, "Family House" can objectively reflect the essence of culture. At the same time, the concept of "Family House" plays an important role in the Mosuo ethnic group. By studying the "Family House" society of the Mosuo people, this paper finds the surrounding cultural phenomena radiated by this as the core, and deeply explains its unique matriarchal society.

Fatherhood Lullabies: Masculinity and Aging Paternity in the Basque Country as Portrayed in Alauda Ruiz de Azúa’s Cinco lobitos

Even though Basque director Alauda Ruiz de Azua’s debut film, Cinco lobitos, revolves around motherhood and its two female characters bear the heavyweight of the narrative, set in a historically perceived matriarchal society, such as the Basque Country, the two male supporting roles—that of the young father and the old grandfather of the newborn child—are critical to articulate the film’s underlying discourse on the complex and evolving relationships amongst the members of a family unit—whether it be the result of a traditional marriage (that of the grandparents) or a modern partnership (the young couple). Despite their age difference and distinct upbringing, the two male characters mirror each other in their embodiment of an emotionally absent life partner and paternal figure who prioritizes his role as a provider rather than a caregiver. Hence, intertwined with the struggles of maternity and its acute impact on women’s life choices, the portrayal of fatherhood in this film equally reflects on the evolution of the paternal role throughout a man’s life and in Basque society, while it evokes that the traditionally assigned gender roles echo across generations.

THEORETICAL AND LEGAL DIMENSION OF THE MIGRATION PROCESS OF MATERNAL MIGRATION

This article presents the theoretical and legal dimension of the migration process of maternal migration, exploring the legal aspects and social consequences associated with the movement of mothers and their children. In recent decades, there has been an increase in migration flows caused by various factors, such as economic difficulties, social problems and conflicts. One of the key problems is the issue of legal regulation that ensures the protection of the rights of migrant mothers. The reasons for migration, such as economic opportunities, availability of educational opportunities and social security, are considered in detail. The methodological basis of the study includes an integrated approach combining quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis. In particular, the authors use comparative legal analysis, which allows identifying the features of legal regulation in different countries and assessing its impact on migration processes. Sociological research methods are also used to understand the social context of maternal migration. The literature review analyzes key works in the field of migration law and social policy devoted to maternal migration. In particular, the shortcomings of existing studies related to a narrow specialization in certain aspects of migration are noted. A comprehensive analysis of the migration process, including the stages of preparation, movement and adaptation of migrant mothers, is conducted. Both economic and social aspects are considered, as well as the influence of cultural factors on migration behavior. It analyzes how various circumstances (economic, political, social) influence the choice of migration route and living conditions in a new country. The next section focuses on the role of the state and legal institutions in ensuring the rights of mothers at all stages of the migration process. The main problems faced by migrant mothers in making legal decisions and accessing social services are highlighted. The conclusion summarizes the results of the study, focusing on the need to improve legal regulation in the field of migration in order to ensure the protection of mothers' rights. Possible areas of further research aimed at developing more effective migration policies that would take into account the specifics of maternal migration and promote the social integration of migrant mothers are assessed. Key words: Migration process, maternal migration, migration of mothers, state regulation, migration theory, protection of migrants' rights

The right to equal parental leave rights for mothers and fathers in the South African Workplace: An analysis of Van Wyk & others v Minister of Employment and Labour 2024 (1) SA 545 (GJ) Intelligence Systems in South Africa

The application of the right to equality as provided for in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, is contentious, especially in the provision of parental leave between mothers and fathers in the South African workplace. While considerable progress has been achieved in the realisation of the rights to equal pay for the performing of the same functions, and the right to equal opportunities for equal qualifications, the same cannot be said of parental leave for employed mothers and fathers. This article explores the law relating to parental leave rights in South Africa in light of the Van Wyk & others v Minister of Employment and Labour 2024 (1) SA 545 (GJ) case. The article evaluates whether the High Court provides adequate guidance in balancing parental leave rights available to employed mothers and fathers in South Africa. In this regard, the question is asked whether the legislature fully understands and correctly interprets the import of the right to equality as provided for in the Constitution. The analysis is premised on the argument that the Van Wyk case presents a fascinating interpretation and application of the right to equality on parental leave rights for mothers and fathers in South Africa. The authors argue that the High Court was correct in its approach though it could have gone further to qualify and elaborate more on the right to equal parental rights for mothers and fathers. The court missed a golden opportunity to unequivocally set out that equality in being is not the same as equality in function and that a misunderstanding of the two breeds unfair discrimination and inequality in the provision of parental leave rights. A gender stereotypical application of the right to equality defeats the letter and spirit of the Constitution which is more inclined to the achievement of equality in being rather than equality in function.

The main content and modern value of PRE-Qin Taoism life thought

The cultural origin of Taoism life thought includes: the mythological origin contained in matriarchal society, the rebirth conveyed by reproduction worship, and the wisdom of heaven and man nourished by witchcraft history culture. Taoism life thought is composed of life view, life and death view, rebirth theory and health theory. Taoism life thought has the distinct characteristics of life standard, natural concern and transcendent intention. The Taoist concept of “reverence for life” and “maintenance of life” is of enlightening significance to the settlement of life.

‘I have to pretend that I don’t care’: Stigma management among unmarried young mothers in South-Western Nigeria

ABSTRACT Young mothers often encounter stigma and discrimination, affecting their lives and that of their children. This paper explores stigma management strategies and their effectiveness for young mothers in rural Nigeria. Ten key informants and 24 young mothers were recruited from Ife-East in South-Western Nigeria. Data from semi-structured interviews showed that societal disapproval of pregnant teenagers and young mothers were common experiences. Women used a range of strategies to actively cope with stigma including: belief in predestination, avoidance, concealment, and cohabitation. These strategies could be seen as tools to mitigate negative stereotypes and discrimination. However, they also had the unintended consequences of compounding many young women’s difficult circumstances and exposing them to adverse outcomes, including gender-based violence, repeat pregnancies, poor mental health, and low uptake of services. The results show the need for policy frameworks to actively combat stigma by addressing the negative framing of early pregnancy and motherhood and promoting supportive environments for young mothers. Health professionals need to be trained to offer de-stigmatising services to encourage young mothers to seek help and reduce pre-existing inequities in access to services, and policies need to include measures that address the rights of young mothers and protect them from violence and abuse.