Mainstream Culture Research Articles

Doubling the Graduation Rate for Black Men: The Fortified Classroom

Increasing the collegiate success rates of men of color is an important goal, as it provides for the economic empowerment of this population and supports social justice and equity. While some interventions have been found to be impactful for men of color, the current study was designed to assess the bicultural education model and an innovative program called the fortified classroom. The bicultural education model suggests that students of color simultaneously commit to both Black and mainstream cultures and step in and out of the repertoires of both. The fortified classroom is an immersive first-year experience that includes academic support that is built into the classrooms. Results suggest that supporting students through this program has a significant positive impact on course completion, term-to-term retention, and graduation rates.

Intersectional racial and gender bias in family court

AbstractCustody cases characterized by conflict may involve allegations of abuse or parental alienation, necessitating a thorough examination of the situation for the child’s wellbeing. This case series describes stereotypes and biases faced by three racialized fathers, resulting in problems in the processes and outcomes of the family court system. Occurring at the intersection of race, culture, religion, and gender, social myths about these fathers of South Asian and MENA (Middle Eastern, North African, Arab) descent led to inequities in parental rights and harm to their children. Biases experienced by fathers included racism, sexism, Islamophobia, and xenophobia, which manifested as presumptions that such fathers espoused outdated gender roles, exerted excessive authority in the home, and were unwilling to adapt to mainstream culture—which can bias the decision-making of custody evaluators, child advocates, lawyers, and judges. This paper presents the relevant facts of each case, critical errors made by the court—such as ignoring the voices of the fathers, delayed verdict delivery, inadequate assessment of abuse, and failure to prioritize the children's welfare. This article discusses stigma, abuse, interracial dynamic, and the mental health toll of this process on fathers, despite having respected professions and financial resources. Also addressed is the challenge of differentiating parental alienation from estrangement due to child abuse when children reject a parent. It is hoped that by recognizing and addressing these biases outcomes in parental disputes can be greatly improved.

Need for belonging: Exploring subcultural identity in the Chinese Lolita online community

This study explores the evolution of the Chinese Lolita fashion online communities. The inception of Lolita fashion in China began in the early 2000s and Lolita dressing culture has gained popularity with the development of digital media. We draw on 53 qualitative interviews, alongside ethnographic research, to understand Lolita participants’ perception of Lolita dressing culture and their experience with the Lolita online communities. We critique existing studies that classify Lolita dressing practice as a fashion or popular culture, and we argue that Chinese Lolita participants identify Lolita fashion participation as a subculture, with evidence of community building and identity construction involving rebellion against mainstream culture. This inquiry into the dynamics of digitally mediated communities formed by dedicated Lolita participants uncovers the evolution of Lolita online communities which exhibit a three-type typology: cohesive community, loose community and deconstructed community. We further critique the existing definitions and understanding of online communities. We argue that components such as a sense of belonging, alongside clear boundaries and rules, should still be integral to the definition of online communities. Lolita participants persistently desire a cohesive online community to attain a sense of belonging and to exhibit their subcultural identity.

The Evolution and Mainstreaming of Subcultures:Challenges and the Pursuit of Harmonious Coexistence

With the rise of consumer culture, the diversification of personal identity needs, and the strong influence of social media, niche subcultures are gradually developing towards mass popularization. This article delineates the definitions of subculture articulated by scholars across different eras, exploring subculture’s true essence and its gradual evolution into a “cultural mosaic” and penetration into mainstream culture. Combined with the statistics on the number of views of subculture content on social media, this paper reveals the widespread popularity of contemporary subculture. However, further investigation reveals various challenges and issues subcultures face, both internal and external, in mainstreaming, including social stereotypes, legal restrictions, conflicts with mainstream ideologies, and the inherent exclusivity of subcultures. Moreover, mainstreaming subcultures has introduced a series of negative effects, such as cultural alienation, the loss of original spirit and values due to commercialization, and the dilution and erosion of cultural essence. These phenomena pose a potential threat to the uniqueness of subcultures.

Integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) into Indigenous Education for Sustainability: The Development and Implementation of a Curriculum Based on Disaster Prevention for Young Children

There are differences between Western mainstream culture and traditional Indigenous culture in the way they address sustainable development. The spirit of sustainability has been emphasized and practiced by Indigenous cultures for hundreds or even thousands of years, but it is increasingly disappearing over time due to the threat of natural disasters. It is necessary to recover this practice of sustainable development from its roots in traditional Indigenous knowledge. This study considers the possibility and utility of incorporating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) into Indigenous education for sustainability, a topic that has not been addressed by other studies. Based on a literature review, the proposed framework and content for this study focus on Indigenous disaster prevention. The specific topic was chosen to be most relevant to young Indigenous children. STEM indicators from the US next-generation science standards (NGSS) were referenced to create the proposed STEM teaching objectives, which were designed to be specifically appropriate for Indigenous curricula and teaching activities. Additionally, the cultural curriculum model was adopted to reform the Indigenous curriculum and teaching model by utilizing the transformation and social action approaches. Finally, the five-stage learning cycle was used as the framework to implement the curriculum, intertwined with the principles of the spiral curriculum, to co-construct an instructional example of Indigenous education for sustainability for future reference.

The realistic appearance, cause analysis and diagnosis and treatment path of undergraduate students lying flat from the perspective of subculture

With the deep structural changes in society, a social lying culture characterized by reduced desires has gradually invaded the campus and eroded the spiritual world of undergraduates. Based on the subcultural perspective, it is found that there are three kinds of flatness patterns among undergraduates: those who identify with “long live flatness”, those who shout “flatness is justice” and those who practice “flatness culture”. On this basis, it is found that multiple feelings and multiple objects are important factors leading to undergraduates' lying down. Accordingly, the issue of undergraduate lying flat is addressed at three levels: macro (multi-party collaborative co-education), micro (two-way internal and external growth) and virtual (strengthening media literacy education), with a view to promoting the healthy development of mainstream culture.

Israel's Zangwill; or, The Return of the King of Schnorrers

Abstract This article explores Israel Zangwill's posthumous presence in Israeli culture, as reflected in various media and discursive arenas: press coverage of his death and Yahrzeits; trends in the translation, publication and staging of his works; the inauguration of streets bearing his name; and references to his views and legacy in various political debates. Demonstrating how the tensions and contradictions so typical of Zangwill's persona were interpreted by cultural commentators or appropriated by opposing political camps, the first part of the article traces and contextualises Zangwill's gradual disappearance from the Israeli cultural mainstream. The second part then moves on to consider Zangwill's unexpected comeback in 2021, when a musical production of The King of Schnorrers, adapted by Nati Brooks, was staged in Tel Aviv. While the renewed interest in Zangwill's work is rooted specifically in the playwright's Anglo-Jewish background, the production employs Zangwill's 1790s Jewish London to consider ethnic tensions in present-day Israel.

Adoption and Integration: A Dialectical Relationship between Mainstream Culture and Subculture from "The New Generation of Rap

Adoption and Integration: A Dialectical Relationship between Mainstream Culture and Subculture from "The New Generation of Rap

The Association of Acculturation and Well-Being: Second-Generation Immigrants in Switzerland

In recent decades, there has been a rapid increase in immigration rates throughout Europe, and many immigrants remained permanently. As a result, a substantial part of society are second-generation immigrants. Despite an increase in research related to this population, predominantly from the US, it remains unknown, whether growing up and living in two cultures fosters immigrants’ subjective well-being. The present study investigated the association between acculturation (here heritage and mainstream culture orientation) and subjective well-being of second-generation immigrants in Switzerland. We further ran a multigroup analyses for women and men separately. Data of N = 492 adult children of immigrants (66% women; Mage = 32.39, SDage = 10.46) were analyzed. Structural equation modelling showed that both orientation toward heritage and toward mainstream culture were positively related to subjective well-being, and that this was moderated by gender. Furthermore, the interaction between both kinds of orientation had a significant effect on subjective well-being. The study addresses several gaps in the existing research literature in three key ways: (1) it adds a European perspective; (2) it focuses on understudied second-generation immigrants; (3) it measures acculturation bilinear and multidimensional, as is required theoretically. Moreover, the findings may contribute to a more nuanced public discourse, where the significance of both mainstream orientation and heritage culture is occasionally called into question.

다문화주의의 관점에서 본 SF 게임 속 포스트휴먼

Kara, Connor, and Marcus, the central characters of <Detroit: Become Human>, gain ontological status by breaking away from the typical. What is important to note here is how they acquire ontological status. They do not try to 'humanize' themselves in order to attain the same status as 'humans'. For example, while Bicentennial Man(1999) ends with the “humanization of the inhuman,” Detroit establishes its identity through the “inhumanity of the inhuman,” i.e., the “dehumanization of the defective.” For androids, the “defective” is the “inhumanity” of the defective. For the androids, the 'defective' is rather 'human' and therefore acts as a threat to the 'human', which presupposes an ontological difference. Therefore, the moment a human 'defect' takes on 'human-being', the android becomes a substitute for a human being, and the confrontation becomes even worse. However, it does not become 'non-human' as a result of human alienation, but when it becomes 'non-human', it acquires an ontological status as good as 'human' and can only become a 'free being'. The origins of the recognition of the posthuman problem in <Detroit> are rooted in the problem of racial or ethnic discrimination. The 'androids', which are placed as objects of discrimination and hatred, show a pattern of intensifying confrontation as they get closer to 'humans', which is similar to the position of marginalized minorities in mainstream culture. In other words, when a marginalized minority perfectly fulfills the tasks assigned to them by the mainstream culture, they become an intruder that threatens the mainstream culture. <Detroit> offers a response to this situation. While showing the aspects of 'submission' in Kara, 'subordination' in Connor, and 'antagonism' in Marcus, it can be seen that their narratives acquire an ontological status equal to that of 'humans' when they establish their identity as 'defective goods', that is, when they realize 'becoming non-human'. <Detroit> provides a glimpse into how the marginalized are viewed in mainstream culture.

Preserving and Inheriting the Traditional Culture of Xibe in the Digital Age

Xibe culture has a rich historical background and unique cultural elements, including socio-cultural practices such as language, religion, and sports. Xibe culture is being jeopardized by the rapid development of modern technology and widespread mainstream culture through onlin platforms, and thus is facing the risk of being assimilated or even disappeared by the mainstream culture. However, digital media should not be viewed as a threat to national cultural heritage, but rather a tool in the process of cultural protection and inheritance. The article introduces some of the unique aspects of Xibe culture, and explores the possible role of social media and other digital platforms in protecting Xibe culture, and refers to successful cases of culture preservation involving digital technology. In addition, this paper suggests that various strategies should be adopted. This includes collaborative efforts between the government and the community to support appropriate cultural revitalization projects; at the same time, innovative conservation methods are highlighted, such as the use of virtual reality technology to recreate traditional environments and experiences, and the development of cultural and creative products with elements of Xibe culture. In this way, we can ensure that the unique cultural characteristics of the Xibe people will not be marginalized or forgotten due to the changes of the times.

The impact of cultural identity on cultural and language bridging skills of first and second generation highly qualified migrants

This inductive study explores on the basis of 134 semi-structured interviews for the case of Germany, the impact of cultural identity on highly qualified migrants’ cultural and language bridging skills. A particular focus is put on the differentiation between first and second generation migrants. We find that cultural identity impacts migrants’ cultural and language bridging skills, prompting differences not only between generations but also within them. On this basis, we establish two sub-groups of first generation migrants: those with a separated identity (heritage culture is dominant) and those with an ambiguous identity (often unclear which culture dominates); similarly, we find two sub-groups of second generation migrants: those with an integrated identity (well-balanced combination of heritage and mainstream culture) and those with an assimilated identity (mainstream culture is dominant). We further ascertain that migrants with an integrated identity possess the highest degree of cultural and language bridging skills and, thus, constitute the best bridging agents in comparison to the other sub-groups. Our study provides a more nuanced understanding of migrants’ cultural identity formation and their impact on skilled migrants’ cultural and language bridging skills. In addition, it demonstrates the need to consider inter- but also intragenerational differences, when studying the impact of highly qualified migrants in organizational contexts.

“It’s different here” Afghan refugee maternal health experiences in the United States

BackgroundThe number of Afghan families in the US has grown over the past two decades, yet there is a paucity of research focused on their maternal healthcare experiences. Afghan families have one of the highest fertility rates in the world and typically have large families. As the US faces rising maternal mortality rates, it is crucial to understand factors that affect health outcomes for culturally distinct groups. We aimed to better understand Afghan women’s maternal health experiences in South Texas as a step toward designing culturally sensitive care.MethodsUsing a qualitative descriptive design, twenty Afghan women who gave birth in the US within the past 2 years participated in audio-recorded interviews. The first and second authors conducted each interview using a semi-structured interview guide. The authors used an in vivo coding method and qualitative content analysis of the transcribed narrative data.ResultsWe identified three broad categories with corresponding sub-categories: 1) Maternal Healthcare Experiences: pregnancy, birthing, and postpartum, 2) Communication: language barrier, relationship with husband, and health information seeking, 3) Access to Care: transportation and financing healthcare. The participants expressed perspectives of gratefulness and positive experiences, yet some described stories of poor birth outcomes that led to attitudes of mistrust and disappointment. Distinct cultural preferences were shared, providing invaluable insights for healthcare providers.ConclusionsThe fact that the Afghan culture is strikingly different than the US mainstream culture can lead to stereotypical assumptions, poor communication, and poor health outcomes.The voices of Afghan women should guide healthcare providers in delivering patient-centered, culturally sensitive maternity care that promotes healthy families and communities.

Impact of the propensity to cross-cultural adaptation on online viewers' attitudes toward ethnic minority group cultural streaming: An extension of the theory of planned behaviour

Although more and more ethnic minority group (EMG) users are willing to present cultural content on live streaming platforms and advertise cultural products, the influence of their cultural content is still weak compared to mainstream culture. To narrow the research gap, it is essential for the current study to analyse online viewers' intention to watch EMGs' cultural content. This paper extends the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) model based on the cross-cultural adaptation theory. It adds the propensity to cross-cultural adaptation factor and cross-cultural adaptation factor, aiming to clearly explain online viewers' psychological changes. The data analysis based on the partial least squares path modelling and variance-based structural equation modelling (PLS- SEM) supports that the propensity to cross-cultural adaptation positively affects online viewers' cross-cultural adaptation. Meanwhile, the cross-cultural adaptation will positively influence online viewers' attitudes towards EMG cultural streaming, motivate their watching intention, and drive their final behavioural responses. More findings are uncovered via the importance-performance map analysis (IPMA), and the cross-cultural adaptation factor has significantly high performance and importance for online viewers’ watching intention.

Media, identity and threat: the portrayal of foreign fighters in Kosovar press

ABSTRACT In the context of the heightened sensationalism in international press coverage of Kosovar foreign fighters (FFs), this study took a unique approach and it explored how domestic Kosovar media outlets distance FFs from mainstream culture in an attempt to uphold its positive societal image. Drawing upon a theoretical framework that integrates framing theory, social identity theory and integrated threat theory, this study investigates how Kosovar press coverage creates a distinction between the ‘in-group’ (Kosovar society) and the ‘out-group’ (FFs). Methodologically, the study employs content analysis and qualitative content analysis to systematically examine how Kosovo’s five major media outlets frame the language, themes and narrative strategies surrounding the portrayal of FFs. The findings illustrate that, through specific framing techniques, the media not only categorizes FFs as external to Kosovo’s cultural and ethical boundaries but also emphasises their portrayal as threats to the nation’s security and values. The present study highlights the media’s critical role in navigating the complexities of national identity, social representations and identity processes posed by the return of FFs, offering new insights into the relationship between media framing and societal perceptions within the context of global extremism.

A longitudinal test of Mexican-origin teen mothers' cultural characteristics and children's Spanish vocabulary via mothers' Spanish language use.

The present study examined whether teen mothers' adaptive cultural characteristics (i.e., familism values, language competency pressures, and involvement in Mexican culture and U.S. mainstream culture) when children were 3 years old (i.e., Wave 4; W4) informed mothers' Spanish language use with their children when children were 4 years old (W5) and, in turn, children's subsequent Spanish receptive vocabulary when children were 5 years old (W6). The present study included 204 Mexican-origin children (58% male) and their mothers who entered parenthood during adolescence (M = 16.24, SD = .99 at W1). Five mediational processes were significant, such that mothers' higher familism values (i.e., emphasizing family support and obligations), Spanish competency pressure (i.e., stress associated with Spanish language competency), and involvement in U.S. mainstream culture at W4 were associated with mothers' lower Spanish language use with children at W5 and, in turn, children's lower levels of Spanish receptive vocabulary at W6. Mothers' greater involvement in Mexican culture and English competency pressure (i.e., stress associated with English language competency) at W4 were associated with mothers' greater Spanish language use with children at W5 and, in turn, children's greater Spanish receptive vocabulary at W6. Additionally, mothers' greater involvement in U.S. mainstream culture at W4 was directly associated with children's lower Spanish language abilities at W6. Findings highlight the importance of the family context in Mexican-origin children's Spanish language skills over time. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The Interplay Between Ethnic and National Identity of Immigrants in Samira Ahmed’s Internment

The post-9/11 has inspired a great deal of scholarship in the discipline of ethnic and cultural studies, and young adult fiction is no exception to this. Exploring the problems of identity, this article seeks to explain the interplay between an old ethnic and the newly acquired national identity in Internment, a political fiction by Indian American writer Samira Ahmed. Combining Homi K. Bhabha’s model of national identity with Stuart Hall’s model of cultural identity, this article argues that national identity is also shaped and affected by one’s ethnic identity, but prominent nation-states like the limitations of the US to nationality are germane to its racist policies, which in turn cause identity conflicts, especially in second-generation migrants who take themselves as both US nationals and Indian Muslims. In this way, the paper discusses the thematization of oppression of an ethnic minority by national politics questioning their social and political efficacy and their rejection into the mainstream culture. The nuanced understanding of the novel about identities allows us to conclude that the failure to integrate minor ethnicities into the mainstream is also expressed in real-world political decisions and has become a pertinent issue in Young Adult fiction.

Ethical Games: Toward Evidence-Based Guidance for Safeguarding Players and Developers

As video games have moved to the mainstream of entertainment and popular culture, they also have given rise to new media fears. These span concerns for player welfare such as gaming addiction, negative effects of ‘screen time,’ gambling-like mechanics, dark patterns and questionable business practices, online toxicity, and extremism. Questions of game worker welfare are similarly making headlines, such as harassment, discrimination, or precarious and unhealthy working conditions. To sort warranted concerns from unwarranted moral panics, the first Ethical Games Conference, held in 2024, gathered the state-of-the-art of research on ethical issues in games to inform evidence-based guidelines for industry and regulators. The selected full papers and opinion pieces of the conference, collected in this special issue, showcase a wide range of issues and barriers, and aspirations to move from avoiding harm to using games for positive social impact.

Century-Old Hong Kong Films and the Chinese Cultural Tradition

Abstract Over the last century, despite the orientation toward superficial entertainment, Hong Kong films have, at different dimensions, been deeply connected with the mainstream Chinese culture. In terms of value orientation, and since the very beginning of their formation, Hong Kong films have upheld Confucian culture and Lingnan culture as their spiritual core, seeking the cultural pursuit of “guiding people to be good and to seek an upward-oriented ethics” while focusing on the presentation of daily civilian life. Some representative Hong Kong filmmakers, deeply influenced by traditional Chinese culture, have pursued classical images that, for overseas Chinese audiences, stimulate nostalgic thoughts for their motherland. The creative use of traditional Chinese opera elements and folk music also highlights another link between Hong Kong films and Chinese culture. These valuable experiences, inherited from traditional Chinese culture, constitute a unique aesthetic paradigm in Hong Kong films.

Sensate focus: addressing potential preconceived notions of black sexuality

As researchers of African Americans, we realized there are few studies on Black sexuality and pleasure. Most do not focus on how stigmas and stereotypes regarding Black sexuality have influenced self and relational narratives associated with sex. Yet as seen in modern day Black American and mainstream culture, sex is often highlighted in the Black community, sending performative messages and unrealistic expectations on physical anatomy that limits expansion of mutual sexual pleasure. Using phenomenology and the Feedback Informed Treatment (FIT) Outcome assessment, we interviewed 10 African American participants, 7 female, 2 male, and 1 male-identifying. The focus was on participants understanding of good and meaningful sex to determine if any internalized stereotypical narratives of Black sexuality was present and the influence of a culturally sensitive workshop exploring the sensate focus approach. Through thematic analysis, five themes were found: (a) healthy communication, (b) mindfulness, (c) education and unlearning, (d) emotional connection, (e) mutual pleasure. Although identifying a limited amount of internalized racial and sexual stereotypes among the participants, researchers were able to determine a significant influence in participants understanding of what good and meaningful sex is following their experience attending a sensate focus workshop. Implications and future discussions to further understand internalized assumptions of Black sexuality is recommended for both clinical and research perspectives.