Flemish Youth Research Articles

The Impact of In-group/Out-group Stereotypes: The Image of Foreign Cultures in Flemish Youth Literature in the Nineteenth Century

Which image of other cultures did Flemish youth literature in the nineteenth century disseminate? Which linguistic features supported and communicated this image in the texts? And what was the relationship between this image and the (social) context? To answer these questions, a text corpus is screened for linguistic expressions influencing the image of foreign cultures. The theoretical framework is inspired by recent insights from imagology and post-colonial studies. The linguistic analysis is based on models taken from critical linguistics and discourse analysis. In order to interpret the results of the analysis, I explore how the image of other cultures in youth literature materialized in close interaction with the colonial and pedagogical discourse. A major finding is that the image transferred Western bourgeois norms and values as part of education. Furthermore, this image is characterized by input-output stereotypes, whose effect is to indirectly glorify one's own culture by rejecting foreign mores. The bourgeois values that resulted in these stereotypes were aspects of the Western conception of civilization, which was constantly set off against the uncivilized ways of ‘savage’ peoples. This ethnocentric stance, which was never questioned, served as primary justification for colonization and exploitation of foreign peoples.

Physical Profile Of Flemish Youth And Olympic-class Sailors

PURPOSE: In this study, the physical characteristics of 53 Flemish youth and Olympic-class sailors was related to their class of vessel and their ranking of sailing performance (based on national rankings). METHODS: The anthropometric profile (height, weight, BMI and fat %) of 53 Flemish sailors, including 11 male optimist and 10 male Laser Radial sailors, was determined. They also performed an isokinetic test (Iso) and incremental exercise protocol (IEP). The Iso consisted of 3 exercise protocols: (1) Three alternating 5 s maximal unilateral (Max Un) isometric knee extensions and flexions were performed for both legs, with 90 s recuperation time between each contraction. All contractions were performed at 60° knee flexion and 120° hip angle. (2) Five Max Un concentric knee extension-flexions were performed for both legs at angular velocity (ω) 30°·s-1, over range of motion (ROM) 20° - 70° knee flexion. Hip angle measured 120°. (3) Five Max Un eccentric knee extension-flexions were performed for both legs at ω 30°·s-1, over ROM 20° - 70° knee flexion. Hip angle was again kept at 120°. Two IEP's were used. Athletes < 16 yr performed a ramp IEP and athletes ≥ 16 yr performed a step IEP. Spearman's rho correlation coefficient (CC) and multiple regression were conducted for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The results show for both male optimist and male Laser Radial group a significant correlation between ranking and maximal isometric Quadriceps peak force of the right leg (Isom Q R). CC were respectively -0,664 (p = 0,026) and -0,691 (p = 0,019). Also, for both groups resp. 41,9 % and 56,4 % of the variation in ranking scores was accounted by Isom Q R (equations were resp. Y = 23,918 - 0,105 X and Y = 16,569 - 0,041 X). In addition, mean conventional isometric H/Q-ratio (benchmark = 60 %) and functional H/Q-ratio (benchmark = 100 %) for all sailors were resp. 42,7 ± 7,8 % and 79,0 ± 16,8 %. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the importance of maximal isometric Quadriceps force concerning sailing performance. However, the Hamstring muscles show a limited capacity for knee joint stabilization, which suggests sailors need to strengthen their Hamstring muscles to prevent the incidence of knee injuries. Supported by the Flemish Government, Ministry of Culture, Youth, Sport and Media. Project title: Olympic Dinghy Sailing 2009-2012

Social exclusion and youth work – from the surface to the depths of an educational practice

The current dominant discourse on social exclusion and youth work depicts inclusion in youth work as an instrument for inclusion in other more pivotal institutions of society. Recent studies have shown, however, that the participation of socially vulnerable young people does not necessarily yield the anticipated inclusions. Suggestions are subsequently been put forward to bring more structure into youth work initiatives. In this article, we assert that this technical reasoning fails to acknowledge the complexity of social reality. By means of a social pedagogical case study of the coming into being of a Flemish youth work field, we show how youth work actors in Flanders have come to reinforce the social exclusions they were so eager to solve. Our findings raise questions about individualistic fallacies and cultural biases in youth work practices and policies that have relevance well beyond the Flemish context.

The Quest for Credibility and Other Motives for News Consumption Among Ethnically Diverse Youths in Flanders

This study investigated online and offline news consumption among Turkish (N = 539), Moroccan (N = 482) and Flemish (N = 753) youngsters between the ages of 12 and 19 as well as the motivations behind their news use. The potentially explanatory role of culture-specific and socio-demographic antecedents was examined. The results showed that news plays a more prominent role in Moroccan and Turkish youngsters' lives than in that of native Flemish youth. A striking finding was that Dutch television news is primarily looked at, particularly by the Moroccans, for its perceived credibility and for its function as a guide through the world. Flemish youngsters' most prevalent motives for news consumption on television are its intriguing content as well as the information it provides to talk about with peers and family members.

Digital Literacy of Flemish Youth: How do they handle online content risks?

The internet offers adolescents a huge window of opportunities, but these opportunities are not always exempt from risks. Indeed, many young people are nowadays confronted with spam, gruesome or violent images and content including pornography, drugs, racism, and even suicide. We surveyed 815 Flemish 15- to 19-year-olds about the online risks they (may) have been confronted with and on how they cope with these risks. We controlled for digital literacy levels, socio-demographics and personality traits. Interestingly, our research shows that not only adolescents with a high level of internet literacy but also those with lower internet literacy levels, such as youths enrolled in vocational education, tend to be more frequently exposed to online risks. Also worthwhile noting is the fact that a high level of self-confidence positively correlates with exposure to risky online content. In general, adolescents do not consult anybody when it comes to coping with risks and negative experiences online. However, a good parent-child relationship pays off as kids with a good parental relationship encounter aggressive, sexual or value-based content less frequently.

Jeugdzorg in de ban van schuldig hulpverzuim

Referring to the death of some children due to neglect, abuse and malnutrition some social workers of the units within the Flemish youth protection system were recently prosecuted. Similar problems and situations occur in the Netherlands, for example in the Savanna-case. The focus in this article is concerned with the legal figure of criminal liability, in particular the offence of ‘guilty negligence’. The author took a closer look at what the essential elements of the criminal offence are and what can be the possible consequences of the recent legal prosecutions on the behavior of the social workers within the sector of Youth Care.

Higher educated workers: better jobs but less satisfied?

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to clarify the mixed empirical results concerning the association between educational level and job satisfaction. It seeks to test whether the positive relationship between educational level and job satisfaction is caused by indicators of job quality.Design/methodology/approach – Three models are estimated. In the first model, the impact of the educational level on job satisfaction is examined using an ordinal regression analysis. The second model estimates the impact of the educational level on indicators of job quality, using the appropriate technique (OLS or binary logit). The third model reveals the “true” impact of the educational level on job satisfaction, when the job quality indicators are added as independent variables. Survey data on Flemish youth in their first job are used.Findings – The results show that higher educated workers are more satisfied than their lower educated counterparts, because they have a job of better quality. When one controls for all j...

Physical fitness and physical activity in obese and nonobese Flemish youth.

To assess different aspects of physical fitness and physical activity in obese and nonobese Flemish youth. A random sample of 3214 Flemish schoolchildren was selected and divided into an "obese" and "nonobese" group based on body mass index and sum of skinfolds. Physical fitness was assessed by the European physical fitness test battery. Physical activity was estimated by a modified version of the Baecke Questionnaire. Obese subjects had inferior performances on all tests requiring propulsion or lifting of the body mass (standing-broad jump, sit-ups, bent-arm hang, speed shuttle run, and endurance shuttle run) compared with their nonobese counterparts (p < 0.001). In contrast, the obese subjects showed greater strength on handgrip (p < 0.001). Both groups had similar levels of leisure-time physical activity; however, nonobese boys had a higher sport index than their obese counterparts (p < 0.05). Results of this study show that obese subjects had poorer performances on weight-bearing tasks, but did not have lower scores on all fitness components. To encourage adherence to physical activity in obese youth, it is important that activities are tailored to their capabilities. Results suggest that weight-bearing activities should be limited at the start of an intervention with obese participants and alternative activities that rely more on static strength used.

Delivering the Young Audience to Advertisers: Music Television and Flemish Youth

Consciously based on a new concept of television and the viewer, MTV, The Music Television Channel, is now a significant factor on the European media scene. MTV claims to be able to deliver the young audience to advertisers on a global basis. However, since comparatively little research has so far been done into MTV's European audience, it is difficult to adjudicate this claim. Results from a survey of 789 Flemish adolescents are reported which indicate that MTV-Europe has indeed become established with, and is popular among, young viewers. Some consequences of this development and implications for future television research are discussed

Een vaderland om te beminnen ?: Het nationale bewustzijn van Vlaamse laatstejaarsscholieren

The political socialization of a sense of national belonging is problematic in a socio-political environment where children are confronted with multiple national identities. A survey was administered to a diversified sample of 1000 Flemish secondary school pupils, aged 17-18. The data show that most Flemish preadults,when asked, hesitate between the Flemish and the Belgian identity, which they moreover hardly consider as contradictory. This lack of a single evident fatherland somehow results in an absence of genuine patriotism. Significant in this respect is the fact that identification with the local community takes preference over allegiance to the nation. In addition, Flemish youth adopt a low-profile attitude towards both Flanders and Belgium. The political socialization process apparently does not effect an emotional attachment to either the Flemish or the Belgian political system . Obviously, respondents who vote fora Flemish-nationalistic party,or whose parents do so, tend to prefer the Flemish identity.