Future Aspirations Research Articles

"We Are Not Different than Others": A Qualitative Study of the Lived Experience of Hispanic Adolescents and Young Adults Living with Perinatally Acquired HIV.

Though Hispanic youth with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV) comprise 14% of those living with PHIV, little research has documented their lived experiences. Eighteen Hispanic adolescents and young adults (AYA) with PHIV were recruited from two pediatric infectious disease clinics in California (mean age = 20.8 years, 12 females and 6 males). Interview transcripts were analyzed for emergent themes regarding relationships, childbearing intentions, and future career aspirations. Participants acknowledged HIV as cause for rejection and fear of transmission from partners. Most desired children in the future. Those with children (n = 7) expressed a strong desire to continue their education for the benefit of their children. Many did not view HIV as a barrier to their career aspirations. HIV influenced their daily lives. However, the challenges of poverty, loss, and trauma also significantly shaped their well-being. Health care providers offered emotional and instrumental support which helped AYA make progress towards their goals.

Using the three horizons approach to explore pathways towards positive futures for agricultural landscapes with rich biodiversity

In light of the global challenges of the Anthropocene, including biodiversity loss, there are increasing calls for positive, inspirational futures to motivate action and help steer away from current, largely unsustainable trajectories. The three horizons framework is an approach in future studies that engages with normative futures and helps develop pathways towards them. However, this approach has not been applied to explore opportunities for biodiversity conservation with farming communities. We developed a template to apply the three horizons framework in combination with storytelling to explore positive futures for agricultural landscapes with rich biodiversity. We then applied this method over two workshops with a rural community in a farming landscape of south-eastern Australia facing typical contemporary challenges of an ageing population, climate change, biodiversity loss and global market uncertainty. In the workshops, six pathways for change were developed. We unpack these narratives of change to contrast problem framings, future aspirations and mechanisms of change and discuss implications for conservation. We discuss our approach to integrating diverse perspectives and values, creating actionable knowledge and highlight the role of governance and policy to support individual and collective agency. We conclude that the three horizons approach has the potential to create actionable knowledge through locally meaningful narratives of change, and thus influence priorities and empower local action. For lasting on-ground change, leadership and effective cross-scale governance is required.

Adolescent gender identity and sexual orientation: a school-based correlational study

Adolescents are increasingly encouraged to freely express their sexuality. The purpose of this study was to compare non-cisgender adolescents with cisgender/heterosexual adolescents and those who have an undefined gender identity and/or sexual orientation, on their future prospects, emotional state, sexuality, risk behaviors, and their perception of health care and its accessibility. Adolescents who identify as non-cisgender/heterosexual seem to have higher future aspirations, however, they have a more unstable emotional state, higher risky behaviors, and fear being prejudiced by health care professionals. The undefined group appears to be undefined about their sexuality and future aspirations, while reporting less risky behaviors.

Latina mothers’ perspectives on adverse experiences and protection of Latinx youth in an agricultural community

BackgroundAdverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are a measure of childhood toxic stress that have a dose-dependent relationship with many adult health outcomes. While ACEs have been validated across diverse populations to measure neglect, abuse, and family dysfunction, they do not specifically assess trauma related to racism/xenophobia and immigration. 54% of Latinx youth in the United States are immigrants or children of immigrants and a large group with potentially unmeasured trauma. This study looks beyond ACEs to identify adverse and protective factors for healthy development among Latinx youth in an agricultural community through the perspectives of their mothers.MethodsTwenty mothers of adolescent participants in A Crecer: the Salinas Teen Health Study (a prospective cohort study of 599 adolescents) completed semi-structured interviews in Spanish. Interviews focused on mothers’ perspectives on community resources, parenting strategies, parenting support systems, and their future aspirations for their children. Four coders completed iterative rounds of thematic coding drawing from published ACEs frameworks (original ACEs, community ACEs) and immigrant specific adverse events arising from the data.ResultsMothers in this study reported adverse experiences captured within community-level ACEs but also distinct experiences related to intergenerational trauma and immigrant-related adversities. The most cited community-level ACEs were housing instability and community violence. Immigrant related adversities included experiences of systemic racism with loss of resources, political instability limiting structural resources, and language-limited accessibility. These were exacerbated by the loss of family supports due to immigration related family-child separation including deportations and staggered parent–child migration. Having experienced intergenerational trauma and systemic oppression, mothers discussed their strategies for building family unity, instilling resilience in their children, and improving socioeconomic opportunities for their family.ConclusionsLatina mothers shared the impacts of immigrant-related experiences on systemic inequities in the United States which are currently missing from the ACEs framework. Immigrant specific adverse events include language-limited accessibility, or family-child separations, and policies impacting structural resources for immigrant families. Mothers highlighted their capacity to build resilience in their children and buffer impacts of systemic racism. Community-tailored interventions can build on this foundation to reduce health disparities and promote health equity in this population.

Desire and subjectivity in S. T. Coleridge’s “Frost at midnight”

The present article is an attempt to offer a fresh critical reading of Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem "Frost at Midnight" based on the theoretical ideas of Jacques Lacan on desire and subjectivity. Coleridge's desire for a unified subjectivity lulls him into the dream of a bright future for his son, while the only ethical thing for him to do, from the psychoanalytical point of view, is to accept the split and, having traversed the fantasy and subjectified the cause of this split, to take responsibility for his unconscious mind. It is no wonder, then, that the poem begins and ends with the description of “frost’s secret ministry”; after all, the endless pursuit of desire qua the Other in search of a lost object which would complete the puzzle of one’s life is no pursuit at all; the act of moving in a circle of course means there is no actual movement or change in location.

Gendered effects of migration on social organization and smallholder production in Oubritenga Province, Burkina Faso

Shifting and intensifying migration flows are causing profound changes in household structures, livelihood portfolios, and rural landscapes worldwide. Yet, migration trends, including who migrates within the household, whether migration is permanent or temporary, and the relationship the migrant maintains (or not) with the household, have strong geographic particularities. In certain regions of sub-Saharan African, outmigration dominated by able-bodied men from their rural homesteads is causing a redistribution and redefinition of responsibilities, with women, children, and elders who remain on the farm negotiating ways to adjust to changing household demographics. In our study, we aim to understand migration trends and their impacts on the organization of farming households and their production systems in Oubritenga Province, in the Central Plateau of Burkina Faso. To do so, we draw on case study data acquired using mixed-methods in 12 villages in Oubritenga Province. We analyze how rural outmigration affects gendered knowledge and decision-making, labour organization and availability, investments in agricultural production systems, and future aspirations for household members who remain on the farm. We find that, in our study site, migration is highly economically-motivated, and underpinned by environmental and socio-cultural push factors. A shift toward temporary migration is shaping seasonal labour availability on the family farm, and although outmigration is overwhelmingly undertaken by young men, we do not find that a ‘feminization of agriculture’ is occurring. Instead, migrating and non-migrating men maintain most influence in decision-making, and temporary migrants contribute labour to household agriculture when they return to their farms during the wet season. We argue that the high rates of male outmigration in this context do not imply a fracture from agriculture nor a ‘feminization of agriculture’. Instead, outmigration offers potential for complementarity with and indeed new investments in the family farm, while deeply entrenched gender norms and cultural expectations raise questions about the sociocultural and intra-household outcomes of diversifying livelihoods through migration.

Imagining a future from the pit: Future aspirations of young artisanal-small scale miners in rural northern Ghana

Artisanal Small-Scale Mining (ASM) in rural northern Ghana provides significant income earning opportunities for young men and women. However, little is known about the role of ASM in the imagined futures of these young people. This paper draws ghhon a qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions held with 35 rural youth to fill this information gap. Data were analysed using the thematic analysis approach. The findings show that rural young miners imagine a future in which ASM would not be their mainstay of employment. Instead, ASM is viewed as a means to accumulate money to either restart or further their education, secure professional employment, or to establish their own business. Finance together with unforeseen life events and hazards such as accidents, death, illness, and injuries are cited by all respondents as key challenges that might make it impossible for them to realise their imagined futures. These findings have important implications for policies seeking to promote youth employment in rural Africa

Iconic buildings in the making of city identity: The role of aspirational identity artefacts.

Iconic buildings are important meaning generators in cities. This study explores the role that iconic buildings in-the-making have in the discursive construction of city identity in public debate. Through the examination of the Locarno PalaCinema case (Switzerland), our study proposes that iconic buildings - during their planning - can serve as aspirational identity artefacts: objects that are mobilised in discourse to inform productive idealisations of city identity by powerful urban actors. Findings identify the mechanisms through which the aspirational artefact and city identity interact in discourse, showing that iconic building projects orient city identity claims, while at the same time city identity meanings taken from collective memory, present understandings and future aspirations are used by actors to infuse the evolving project with meaning. This study aims to contribute to debates in urban planning and city identity by discussing the identity anticipation role of the planning of iconic buildings and how they can be a productive ground to reflect, re-orient and re-claim the unique features of a city's identity while aspiring to achieve a different future.

Ethnic identity in school context: The case of Yi ethnic minority adolescents in rural China

AbstractUsing Yi adolescents in rural China (n = 163) as an example, this qualitative study explored how school ethnic socialization shaped the ethnic identity development and the future self of indigenous youths in mainstream Han‐dominant school settings. Focus groups and thematic analysis were used. Six themes emerged, describing the participants' experiences of mainstream socialization, cultural socialization and multiculturalism within their school and how these practices shape their ethnic identity. Mainstream socialization also shaped their future aspirations by motivating them to utilize their education to contribute to the Yi community and to improve the status of Yi women. While mainstream socialization was seen as undesirable in current literature, our findings suggested that it facilitates ethnic identity development in indigenous adolescents by broadening their horizons to Han cultures if rural schools in China also practice cultural socialization concurrently.

Exploring young people’s aspirations through community drama

ABSTRACT This paper explores young people’s aspirations and the influence of community drama in shaping these arts-focussed aspirations. Research was undertaken using creative drama methods with young people who attend a youth drama group. The young people identified career and personal aspirations, recognising the hard work and support that it can take to achieve their goals. Youth drama was discussed as supporting the development of these young people’s aspirations to enter careers in the arts industry, but also in other areas, as well as helping to develop transferable skills that could support the young people in their future and current aspirations.

Future aspirations and planning of dairy farmers in India: Horizon 2020

Indian milk production has shown remarkable performance during last four decades. Although the demand for milk is increasing at faster pace in consonance with increasing per capita income, changing dietary pattern, rapid urbanization and burgeoning population, some milk producers do not find milk production as sufficiently remunerative. Keeping these facts in view, a study was conducted to document the present status and future aspirations of dairy farmers in India by 2020. Haryana, Maharashtra and Odisha states were purposively selected from highly, moderately and least dairy progressive states by stratified random sampling, respectively. The total sample size was 900 containing 300 dairy farmers from each state. Study revealed that there is a likelihood of increase in average herd size in all the three states, although number of dairy farmers are likely to decrease. In Haryana, buffalo based system will remain dominating, large scale crossbred and pure indigenous farms will arise. In Maharashtra, farmers showed more inclination towards the crossbred cattle as 44.52% wanted to increase crossbred and 30.14% wanted to carry forward the same. Indigenous cattle will be reared only in extensive system of management. Buffalo based farms will come up in the future. In Odisha, though farmers are interested in crossbred, the dairy farming is highly constrained by lack of skill, input availability especially fodder. Managerial practices in Haryana showed more inclination towards input intensive, in Maharashtra farmers are moving towards intensive system and adoption of improved housing, feeding, finance are likely to appear in Maharashtra. To achieve the future demand, efforts are required to improve the skills of farmers in low progressive states, proper breeding strategies for increasing milk potential of animals, use of local available resources and competitiveness among the farmers.

Experience and Expectation - Digital health implementation in Portugal as present-making via futures imaginations

Traditionally, anthropological analysis has placed emphasis on traditions, customs, and cultural heritage, often overlooking the connection between present actions and future aspirations. Acknowledging the reciprocal influence of present actions in shaping the future and the impact of future visions on shaping present actions, this article aims to redress the neglect of future implications on present social practices within anthropological studies. Through an investigation of the implementation of digital health in Portugal, utilizing discourse analysis, qualitative examination, and critical reflection, this study delves into the impact of digitization on sociotechnical systems within healthcare. It also introduces concepts pertinent to the anthropology of the future and methodological propositions for studying the future within the present context. This inquiry explores the sociotechnical imaginaries stemming from the conceptualization of digital health ideals and their realization in present contexts. Aligned with Koselleck's philosophy of historical time, this examination reveals an essential interplay between present actions and future consequences, advocating for an anticipatory approach in anthropology. This method seamlessly integrates future considerations into present realities, augmenting our understanding of social dynamics and fostering a forward-thinking perspective. This perspective is particularly valuable for scrutinizing the intricate political economies of techno-scientific promises fostered within innovation-oriented endeavours. The analysis, conducted across three dimensions—the utilization, reconfiguration, and evolution of the healthcare system through digitalization—highlights the intricate relationship between current healthcare practices, future aspirations, and the transformative impact of digitalization.

Challenge for Unified Interpretation of Solidification Cracking Phenomena and Future Aspirations

Challenge for Unified Interpretation of Solidification Cracking Phenomena and Future Aspirations

THE CHINESE ECONOMY: BETWEEN ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AND US OPPOSITION

Over the past four decades, China was Able to Carry out Comprehensive Reforms in the Political, Economic and Cultural Fields that were Characterized by Gradualness and Adaptation to the Circumstances and Capabilities of the Country and its Own needs. It was Able to Build a Hybrid Economic Model Between the Planning Principles Emanating from its Communist Beliefs and the Market Principles Emanating from its Future Aspirations. This was its First Step in the Process of Economic Reform, which Reflected its Position on the Map of Global Political and Economic Relations, and a Number of Developing Countries Expressed their Hope that China Would Transfer its Economic Experience to their Societies, Especially Since China is Interested in Promoting its Goods and Services Regardless of the Regime and its Affiliations. This Made it a More Attractive Option for Many Developing Countries and Authoritarian Regimes that do not want to Interfere in their Internal Affairs and at the Same Time favor obtaining the highest foreign investments. On the other hand, this success posed a threat to the economic interests of many capitalist countries, especially the United States The United States, which caused tension and turmoil in international trade relations, so the regime change that My neighbor, imposed by the rise of China while achieving its benefits, has created regional and international conflicts

The Long-Term Impact of Training on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Practices: Teacher Candidates’ Knowledge Retention and Future Aspirations

The Long-Term Impact of Training on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Practices: Teacher Candidates’ Knowledge Retention and Future Aspirations

A Two-Decade Odyssey: My Journey with the Bombay Orthopaedic Society

Introduction: In the fall of 1993, I arrived at King Circle station, a young orthopaedic graduate from the strife-ridden town of Jammu. Bombay, as it was known then, offered me the opportunity to work in one of the finest trauma centers in the country, a dream come true for someone displaced by the violent turmoil in Kashmir. Early Years and Professional Marvel (1993-2001): Working alongside esteemed colleagues such as NS Laud, VT Ingalhalikar, Joy Patankar, Ajay Puri, Ram Chaddha, and Arvind Goregaonkar felt like wielding a magic wand that turned everything to gold. Joining Sion Hospital, a professional marvel, was a significant leap for me. It was during this time that my friend, Ajay Puri, introduced me to the Bombay Orthopaedic Society (BOS), marking the beginning of a profound association. Executive Committee Member (2001-2003): Becoming an executive committee member in 2001 opened doors within BOS’s inner circles. The society, free from bias and politics, focused on nurturing the orthopaedic fraternity. Its unique selling point was enhancing orthopaedic surgery and promoting holistic development. Organising WIROC2003: The pinnacle of my involvement came when I organized WIROC2003, despite the personal adversity of losing my father. This flagship conference became a milestone, setting new standards in organization and academic excellence. From revolutionary conference organizing paradigms to creating academic events, BOS provided the freedom to unleash unrestrained creativity. Secretaryship and Refining Programs (2016-2018): Elected as Secretary in 2016, my role was to refine existing programs and introduce fresh academic activities, maintaining BOS’s academic dominance. Initiatives such as PG classes, the launch of the Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics, and more showcased a burning desire to contribute to the society. Presidency and Innovations (2023)): Now, as the President, I’ve introduced new programs like “Rising Star” and “Student of the Year” to recognize and inspire young talents. Tying it all together is WIROC 2023, with the theme “Brevis Longus Magnus,” aiming to solidify its status as the apex of orthopaedic education. Future Aspirations and Legacy: After relinquishing my office, I envision BOS exploring areas like orthopaedic advocacy, motivating the younger generation, and fostering empathy for patients. BOS, with its unbiased education and commitment to excellence, stands as a beacon for orthopaedic education and treatment. Conclusion: This two-decade journey from a reluctant newcomer to the President’s seat reflects the unique ethos of BOS. With a legacy of unwavering guidance from figures like LN Vora and Anand Thakur NS Laud, D D Tanna and many more who always stood up for BOS and it’s ethos. I shall leave with the confidence that BOS will continue to flourish, and maintain its place in exploring new frontiers in orthopaedic education and advocacy.

Dance with spins: site-directed spin labeling coupled to electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy directly inside cells.

Depicting how biomolecules move and interact within their physiological environment is one of the hottest topics of structural biology. This Feature Article gives an overview of the most recent advances in Site-directed Spin Labeling coupled to Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectroscopy (SDSL-EPR) to study biomolecules in living cells. The high sensitivity, the virtual absence of background, and the versatility of spin-labeling strategies make this approach one of the most promising techniques for the study of biomolecules in physiologically relevant environments. After presenting the milestones achieved in this field, we present a summary of the future goals and ambitions of this community.

Phasing out coal for 2 °C target requires worldwide replication of most ambitious national plans despite security and fairness concerns

Ending the use of unabated coal power is a key climate change mitigation measure. However, we do not know how fast it is feasible to phase-out coal on the global scale. Historical experience of individual countries indicates feasible coal phase-out rates, but can these be upscaled to the global level and accelerated by deliberate action? To answer this question, we analyse 72 national coal power phase-out pledges and show that these pledges have diffused to more challenging socio-economic contexts and now cover 17% of the global coal power fleet, but their impact on emissions (up to 4.8 Gt CO2 avoided by 2050) remains small compared to what is needed for achieving Paris climate targets. We also show that the ambition of pledges is similar across countries and broadly in line with historical precedents of coal power decline. While some pledges strengthen over time, up to 10% have been weakened by the energy crisis caused by the Russo-Ukrainian war. We construct scenarios of coal power decline based on empirically-grounded assumptions about future diffusion and ambition of coal phase-out policies. We show that under these assumptions unabated coal power generation in 2022–2050 would be between the median generation in 2 °C-consistent IPCC AR6 pathways and the third quartile in 2.5 °C-consistent pathways. More ambitious coal phase-out scenarios require much stronger effort in Asia than in OECD countries, which raises fairness and equity concerns. The majority of the 1.5 °C- and 2 °C-consistent IPCC pathways envision even more unequal distribution of effort and faster coal power decline in India and China than has ever been historically observed in individual countries or pledged by climate leaders.

Predictive Value of Preresidency Academic Metrics on Resident Publication Potential.

Otolaryngology residency is highly competitive, and applicant academic metrics are scrutinized. The predictive value of preresidency academic metrics on applicants' future research productivity and career aspirations remains largely undefined. Retrospective cohort study. Academic otolaryngology department, 2014 to 2015. Applicant demographics, publication history, and United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores were downloaded from Electronic Residency Application Service archives. Publications during residency were tallied from all PubMed articles indexed between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2020. Postresidency career paths were examined by 2 investigators (D.J.C. and L.X.Y.) using Google searches with an emphasis on program websites, Doximity, and LinkedIn profiles. Associations with publication potential and postresidency positions were evaluated with Spearman rank correlation coefficients and Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon rank sum, and χ 2 tests. Of 321 applicants, 226 (70%) matched, and 205 (64%) completed residency by June 2020. Matched residents published a median of 4 (range: 0-41) manuscripts during residency. USMLE scores, Alpha Omega Alpha status, and the number of preresidency publications did not significantly correlate with publication potential during residency. The number of research experiences had a significant positive correlation with publications during residency (p < 0.001). Asian race (p = 0.002) and geographical region of residency (p < 0.001) also had significant associations with publication potential. Of the 205 graduates, 118 (58%) enrolled in fellowship. Age and female sex (74% vs 48%; p = 0.002) were the only factors significantly associated with pursuing a fellowship. In otolaryngology, not all preresidency academic metrics are associated with publication potential during residency or propensity for fellowship training. Programs should not use academic metrics alone to predict an applicant's future research productivity or career trajectory.

Future career aspiration and specialty choices among undergraduate medical students of a medical college in Jammu and Kashmir, India – A cross-sectional study

Background: Medical education requires an undergraduate medical student to study a wide range of medical specialties. The number of postgraduation specialties as well as carrier options after graduation has increased in recent years. Hence, we sought to identify the postgraduation specialty choices, factors influencing these choices, and future carrier aspirations.Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study. Pretested self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS IBM software version 20.Results: Majority were in the age group of above 20. Nearly 16.6% of the students' fathers and 5.9% of the students' mothers were having professional education. About 47.6% prefer medicine or its allied specialty subjects. About 43.4% wanted a job in the public sector and 30.8% wanted to adopt the private sector.Conclusion: Postgraduate specialty choices are still traditional with the majority preferring clinical subjects and wanted to settle in an urban area with a public sector job.