Strong Cultural Influence Research Articles

Third birth intention of the working women with two existing children in Hainan Island, China: The impact of fertility costs and utility

This study evaluates the impact of fertility costs and utility on the third birth intentions among working women with two children in Hainan, China. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Hainan Island, China in 2021 using an offline survey. Among 1067 working women with two children, only 8.06 % of participants reported having a third-birth intention. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, higher economic cost (odds ratio = 1.89) and lower succession utility (odds ratio = 5.08) were significantly associated with the lack of intention to have a third child. The analysis further demonstrates that family values significantly modulate these economic and utility considerations, highlighting a strong cultural influence on fertility decisions. This finding underscores the necessity for policies that not only mitigate financial burdens but also promote family values supportive of higher fertility. Such measures are essential for creating a cultural and economic environment conducive to higher birth rates.

Transakcje sprzedaży chłopów w powiecie mohylowskim w pierwszej dekadzie XIX wieku

Nowadays, peasants are becoming the subject of scientific studies more and more often. The problem of selling the peasants became an important part of current historical research on rural population. This issue takes an important part within the scope of social history but also history of economics. The aim of the research was to describe phenomenon of selling the peasants in microscale of Mohylów Podolski poviat within Podillia Province of Russian Empire during the first decade of 19th century. At that time Podillia was already an integral part of Russian Empire however it was still under strong social and cultural influence of recently fallen Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. A source query in the court books of the Civil Chamber of the Land Court of the Mohylów Podolski poviat revealed 24 commercial entries regarding the sale of serfs. Transactions were expressed in both Polish zlotys and rubles. There is a great deal of variation in transaction values; from 29 to 100 rubles (from 200 to 700 zlotys) for male souls, from 13 to 30 rubles (from 90 to 210 zlotys) for a female soul and from 46.5 to 47.5 rubles (from 325.5 to 333 zlotys) for whole family. The differentiation of transaction values in individual categories could result from the age, health and qualifications of a peasant. The main reasons for the sale were: immediate financial need, repayment of previous credit obligations or compensation in the event of the marriage of the subjects and the related departure to another owner.

English additional language undergraduate students’ engagement with the academic content in their curriculum in a South African speech-language and hearing training program

BackgroundThe emergence of the Speech-Language and Hearing (SLH) professions in South Africa took place during the era of racial segregation. Consequently, the culture and language of these professions have predominantly reflected the minority White population, even in SLH training programs. English has remained the language of learning and teaching (LOLT) in most South African tertiary institutions, with a strong Western cultural influence. Given the increasing diversity in these institutions, a mismatch between the language of instruction and that of English Additional Language (EAL) students poses academic challenges for this population, prompting the need for this study.AimThis study aims to investigate the learning and social experiences of EAL undergraduate students enrolled in South African SLH training programs, with a specific focus on exploring their engagement with academic content in the curriculum.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey design was employed, and a total of 24 EAL students participated in the study. Descriptive and thematic analysis methods were utilized for data analysis.ResultsThe findings revealed that EAL students encountered academic challenges primarily related to their proficiency in the LOLT, which were most pronounced in lectures and examinations, while being relatively less pronounced in assignments. Complementary use of indigenous languages, simplification of complex terminology and self-employed strategies to cope in response to the existing academic language challenges are highlighted. These findings underscore the significance of addressing pedagogical approaches, language policies, and curriculum transformation towards a more Afrocentric perspective.ConclusionThe study highlights the academic difficulties faced by EAL students in South African SLH training programs. The implications for future interventions in this context are highlighted. The findings emphasize the need for pedagogical reforms, language policy considerations, and curriculum transformation that embraces Afrocentric perspectives. Addressing these issues is crucial to ensure equitable educational experiences and support the success of EAL students in the SLH field.

Does Confucian culture reduce firms' pollution emissions

AbstractThis paper explores the influence of Confucian culture on firms' emissions. We measure Confucian culture during the Ming and Qing dynasties using the density of jinshi in that region and test the causal relationship between Confucian culture and firms' emissions using the Annual Survey of Industrial Firms (ASIF) and China's Environmental Statistics Database (CESD) from 1998 to 2013. Our research reveals that regions with a stronger Confucian cultural influence have a significant reduction in pollution emissions from their firms. Further analysis demonstrates that the government in regions with a strong Confucian cultural influence attaches more importance to environmental protection and enforces stricter environmental regulations on firms. Besides, the people demonstrate heightened environmental awareness, incorporating it into economic development, thus reducing firms' pollution emissions. In addition, Confucian culture can reduce pollution emissions by improving the total factor productivity of firms.

Традиционное летоисчисление эвенов и коряков Магаданской области (в связи с современными этническими праздниками встречи Нового года)

The calendar systems of two indigenous peoples living in Magadan Oblast (Evens and Koryaks) have been comparatively studied. The theory of ethnic community adaptation to the natural and socio-cultural environment served as a methodological basis for the research. Traditional Even and Koryak annual cycles determined by their origins, types of economic activities, and ecological factors, are discussed. Revealed as well are differences in chronlogical practices resulted from the degree of foreign ethnic influences and borrowings. The author shows that the Evens experienced a strong Russian cultural influence and most of them joined the Russian Orthodox church; therefore, the Even culture embraces some intermittent chronological systems, i. e. the phenological and the Russian Orthodox calendars as well as the human joints calendar. Until recently, Koryaks remained votaries of their traditional religion; however, their annual calendar is complicated by the dualism of their economic and cultural structure (reindeer and coastal groups). The author concludes that Evens and Koryaks had a wide range of options for counting the beginning of a new (primarily economic) year. The article shows the traditional chronology refraction in the modern ethnic New Year holidays (Hebdenek and Tuygivin).

A Mythic France for Export: Auguste Genin, Cultural Brokers, and the Third Republic's Mission Civilisatrice in Porfirian Mexico

Abstract: Historians of Mexico after its independence from Spain in 1821, especially during the era of rapid modernization under President Porfirio Díaz (1876–1911), speak generally of the strong French cultural influence on the middling and privileged classes in the Republic who viewed France as a model of emulation for national development. This afrancesamiento (Francophilia) is often taken for granted and few have questioned what "Frenchness" meant at a time when France itself was constructing a national identity, who were its greatest promoters in Mexico, and how did the Mexican experience compare with the Third Republic's (1870–1940) civilizing mission ( mission civilizatrice ) in France's formal colonies in Southeast Asia and Africa. The goal of this article is two-fold. The first is to advance the notion of certain members of the French immigrant community in Porfirian Mexico as cultural brokers, and the second is to place the French model of modernity to which these foreign residents and Mexican elites referred to in its domestic and larger imperial context. The influential Franco-Mexican Auguste Genin and his writings offer an illustrative case study through which to introduce and assess this. Particularly revealing is how Genin imagines the process by which the indigenous population of Mexico would be transformed into modern citizens and how this project—this imaginary construct—found a source of inspiration in the simultaneous French project to construct a French identity and a model ideology for overseas empire during the Third Republic.

Exploring the Role of Social, Economic, and Cultural Factors in Community Development: A Social Work Perspective in T/A Chimwala, Mangochi

Community development, a fundamental aspect of social work practice, plays a crucial role in driving positive transformation within societies by enhancing well-being and empowerment through collaborative efforts. This study focuses on Traditional Authority (T/A) Chimwala, to illuminate the dynamics that shape community advancement, emphasizing the interplay of social, economic, and cultural factors. The Strengths-Based Perspective, aligning with social work principles, guides the study in identifying and categorizing influential factors for tailored interventions. By analyzing the impacts of these factors, the research contributes to a comprehensive understanding of community development dynamics, addressing a literature gap within the context of T/A Chimwala. The study reveals that the lack of participation significantly hampers community progress, emphasizing the need for active engagement in decision-making processes. Additionally, the scarcity of resources and corruption obstruct developmental initiatives, underscoring the importance of transparent governance. The societal structure and cultural elements, such as language and religion, also significantly impact development trajectories. Socioeconomic factors, including education, occupation, family dynamics, income, and societal structure, collectively shape community progress. Notably, religion emerges as a strong cultural influence, and family size, income, and education further contribute to developmental outcomes. These findings offer valuable insights for social work practitioners to enhance interventions and strategies for sustainable community development. In conclusion, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of the intricate dynamics influencing community development within the context of T/A Chimwala. By bridging literature gaps and harnessing the Strengths-Based Perspective, social workers can empower communities, address challenges, and promote positive change. Active community participation, transparent governance, and a holistic approach to socioeconomic and cultural factors are essential for fostering resilient and empowered societies.

Bias Patriarki Atas Interpretasi Ayat Nikah Beda Agama: Studi Historis-Linguistik Aksin Wijaya

AbstractThis article is presented with the aim of re-describing Aksin Wijaya's interpretation of the interfaith marriage verse. This research is driven by the assumption of a strong patriarchal cultural influence in the interpretation process. This is further supported by the existence of a fatwa stating that a Muslim man is allowed to marry a woman from the People of the Book, but the reverse does not apply to women. Additionally, the narrowing and expanding of meanings when interpreting the above verse are also strong reasons for prioritizing this research. The author utilizes historical linguistic analysis as the research method. In simple terms, historical analysis is used to establish the Quranic verse as a social fact, while linguistics will examine the sentence structure and diction used in the Quran. This research concludes that interfaith marriage, according to Aksin Wijaya, is a historically rooted problem, and therefore, the established rules are also dynamic, depending on the social conditions in which the verse is interpreted.

Ancient Mitochondrial Genomes Provide New Clues to the Origin of Domestic Cattle in China.

Cattle are one of the six livestock species that have occupied an important place in Chinese history. Previous ancient DNA studies have indicated that Chinese taurine cattle (Bos taurus taurus) are exotic, but the exact route and diffusion by which they were introduced to China is unknown. In this study, we extracted the mitochondrial genomes of 34 cases of ancient taurine cattle (from the late Neolithic to Qin and Han dynasties) excavated from sites in northern China and the eastern Eurasian steppe, and successfully obtained 14 mitochondrial genome sequences. The results of ancient DNA analysis reveal that with cultural exchange and trade, there was close genetic exchange between domestic taurine cattle in different regions. The haplotypes shared by domestic cattle have genetic continuity, reflecting the strong cultural influence of the large capital city sites such as Taosi, Shimao and Erlitou on the surrounding areas. This study suggests that ancient northern Chinese taurine cattle may have accompanied the westward transmission of agricultural or painted pottery culture and thus had a maternal genetic contribution to modern Tibetan cattle.

Zen buddhism in tradition, culture and society of Japan

Buddhism is Japan’s second largest religion, right behind Shinto. It includes multiple traditions and movements, but in Japan, it was domesticated as Zen Buddhism. Buddhism also exists in China, and it is called Chen there. Zen Buddhism has had an impact on Japanese tradition, culture and society as a whole. For example, through Buddhism, samurais despised the fear of death and developed courage, mercy, courtesy, truthfulness and honesty, honour, loyalty and self-control. Then, Zen Buddhism has had a major influence on sports, and this is reflected in martial arts (sports and skills). It is also visible in the rituals associated with the tea ceremony, or in poetry. The very nature of Zen is such that it reyects everything that is secondary, superfluous, imposed, and verbal. The Zen mind is a beginner’s mind, which means a mind that is ready to receive new knowledge, to acquire new skills. The Zen containing typically Japanese features summarizes elements of Buddhism from China and India, as well as Japanese ethical and cultural characteristics. The aim of this paper is to show that in addition to the European cultural influence in the world, there is another strong cultural influence that is manifested through religion, philosophy, art and science of the Far East. The subject of this paper is the main characteristics of Zen Buddhism, Zen schools and teachers, as well as the place of Zen Buddhism in the tradition and culture of Japan.

Problems of Identity and Mutual Interference of the Language Code of the Wedding Ceremony of the Pomaks and Turks of the Xanthi Region in Greece

This article examines the linguistic landscape of the Rhodopes in the Xanthi region, namely the symbiosis of Slavic, Turkish and Greek culture. The analysis of dialect narratives from Pomak and Turkish villages (Xanthi region, Greece) had the following objectives: 1) to clarify the identity of the cultural code of the wedding ceremony of the Pomaks and Turks; 2) to determine the correlation between the cultural and linguistic code features of the wedding ceremony of both communities; 3) to determine the degree of the incorporation of borrowings from contact languages into each of the idioms of the Pomaks and Turks; 4) to establish the degree of usage of L2 by both communities. The conclusion is made about the strong linguistic and cultural influence of the Turkish community on the Pomak ethno-religious group, about the tendency to improve the speech in L2 of both groups, as well as about the effectiveness of the analysis used to identificate the position of the Pomak and Turkish communities on the ethnolinguistic map of the Balkan Peninsula.

The Spreading Influence of "Tide of Calligraphy — Itinerant Exhibition for Forty Years of Henan Calligraphy in the New Period"

The 2019 annual communication and promotion project of the National Art Foundation, "Tide of Calligraphy — Itinerant exhibition for Forty Years of Henan Calligraphy in the New Period", has been completed in Zhengzhou, Changsha, Chengdu, Xi'an and other cities. At present, the COVID-19 epidemic has affected every link of the ecological chain of the exhibition industry, and the work of "Tide of Calligraphy" has also been affected. The epidemic has changed the inherent pattern of exhibition behavior and strongly promoted the development of industries such as "cloud exhibition hall", which provides the public with more aesthetic perspectives and thinking programs. As a beautiful name card of development of Henan calligraphy for 40 years, "Tide of Calligraphy" also adopts the communication method of "cloud exhibition hall" in the exhibition, which stands out from many exhibitions. All of them show their strong cultural communication and influence, which is of great reference value for us to re-examine the exhibition hall mode and the transformation of calligraphy aesthetics under the COVID-19 epidemic.

In It Together

In It Together

The myth of the universal millennial: comparing millennials’ perceptions of luxury across six countries

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to challenge the popular belief among luxury practitioners and researchers that millennials are a homogeneous and disruptive generation of consumers which is redefining luxury according to its terms.Design/methodology/approachThis study first presents comparisons of luxury perception among 1,450 actual luxury consumers between the ages of 18 and 34 years in six main luxury markets, eastern and western, mature and emerging (United States, China, Japan, Germany, France and Brazil). Within each country, millennials' perception of luxury is then compared to the perception held by previous generations (Gen X, baby boomers and seniors).FindingsThe results clearly demonstrate that millennials' definition of luxury is not internationally homogeneous; millennials do not hold a global vision that transcends frontiers. Furthermore, comparisons of luxury perceptions among nonmillennials from the same countries reveal that millennials match their national culture more than a cohesive age culture.Research limitations/implicationsThis research has two main limitations linked to the limited number of surveyed countries, along with a limited sample size of millennials per country. Nonetheless, the results give additional support to the glocalization hypothesis. Yet, as millennials represent 44% of personal luxury goods purchases, they catch attention from both luxury sellers and researchers. Evidence indicates the notion of a “millennial luxury consumer” could be still an empty label.Practical implicationsThe extensive use of the “millennial” label across countries implies generational homogeneity across borders, whereas reality is more diverse. Also despite the fact that luxury brands are highly globalized, the perception of what defines luxury – the hierarchy of its most salient attributes – does vary per country, thus needs specific attention.Originality/valueThe current findings reveal that millennials from the six surveyed countries do not share the same perceptions of luxury traits. Moreover, millennials' definition of luxury mirrors the definition held by nonmillennials from their own country, suggesting a strong cultural influence in each country.

Research on the Application of China Traditional Culture in Modern Cultural Tourism Commodity Design

With the rapid development of economy, the competition of tourism culture and tourism commodities is becoming more and more fierce, and the traditional national culture is also impacted, and its historical value is gradually hidden. Traditional cultural elements have strong cultural attributes and influence charm, so it is particularly important to apply them to the design of cultural tourism commodities. However, at present, there are relatively few studies on the application of traditional cultural elements in the design of cultural tourism commodities. Cultural tourism commodity design is the main means of product commercialization and functional expression, and traditional cultural elements play an important role in cultural tourism commodity design. Cultural commodity design is not a simple form, so it is necessary to make breakthroughs and innovations in form expression and color language through the application of various elements. This paper expounds the connotation and development status of traditional cultural elements in China, extracts cultural elements from them, and applies them to the decoration design, modeling design and implication design of cultural tourism commodities, so as to achieve the perfect integration of traditional culture and modern design.

Bhutanese Teachers' and Students' Perceptions about Environmental Issues in Bhutan

Bhutan aspires to achieve Gross National Happiness (GNH) through sustainable environmental conservation and socioeconomic development. However, the country is facing increasing environmental challenges. Education is considered to be a key component in a range of efforts to remediate current environmental threats in Bhutan. As part of this agenda, the optional school subject of Environmental Science was introduced in 2015 for Classes IX–XII with the aim of equipping young people with the knowledge and values to protect the environment and promote sustainable and equitable use of natural resources in the pursuit of GNH. This paper focuses on the qualitative aspect of a broader mixed-method research project that explored the effective implementation of Environmental Science in secondary schools in the Samtse region of Bhutan. This study answers the research question: “What are teachers’ and students’ views about environmental problems in Bhutan?” Drawing on interviews of 14 teachers and 194 students engaged in Environmental Science, the results showed that participants were aware of various environmental problems; however, they lacked knowledge and awareness about climate change issues in Bhutan. The results suggest the need for more emphasis on climate change education in Bhutan. The student participants believed in collectivism to address the environmental challenges, indicating a strong cultural influence that schools could leverage to address sustainability issues through community participation.

Assessment of Factors Associated with the Effectiveness of Premarital Screening for Hemoglobinopathies in the South of Saudi Arabia.

PurposeSouthern region of Saudi Arabia has one of the highest prevalence of sickle cell disease and thalassemia in the kingdom. This study aims to assess the factors associated with the rejection of premarital clinical counselling in the Jazan region.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional investigation conducted in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. The investigation targeted subjects who performed premarital screening and, with their screened partners, were identified as high-risk couples and proceeded with their marriage. Data were collected via a web-based self-administered questionnaire. A section of the questionnaire targeted those who attended the premarital counselling clinic in the Jazan region and assessed the factors that led to the rejection of premarital counselling advice.ResultsA total of 413 participants were recruited. The mean age of the respondents was 33 years, and the majority of the respondents were female (62.5%). The majority of the respondents were related to their partners (66.8%) and were carriers of sickle cell disease (67.8%). Among the respondents, only 192 had attended premarital counselling clinics in the Jazan region. More than half of the attendees rejected the premarital counseling advice because they believed that their marriage was their unavoidable destiny. About 30% of the attendees reported that disease complications were not well explained during the counselling. Thirty-five attendees (18.2%) proceeded with the marriage because they thought the risk of transmitting the disease to their children was small and 10 attendees (5.2%) proceeded with their marriage because they believed their children’s lives would not be affected by the disease.ConclusionThe findings explain the limited influence of the premarital counselling advice in raising the awareness of the attendees about inherited blood disorders. The findings indicate a strong cultural influence leading to the reduced effectiveness of premarital counselling in the Jazan region.

Science and conservation of Amazonian crocodilians: a historical review

Abstract Crocodilians represent one of the oldest extant vertebrate lineages. They have co‐existed with humans throughout the Amazon basin for thousands of years, often having a strong cultural and economic influence on people's lives. Shifts in the socio‐economic and political reality of the Amazon basin during the last century have led crocodilian populations to face large variations in their numbers according to different levels of exploitation and strategies for their conservation. This article reviews the scientific knowledge obtained between 1945 and 2019 on the biology, conservation and management for the four Amazonian crocodilian (caiman) species (Caiman crocodilus, Melanosuchus niger, Paleosuchus palpebrosus and Paleosuchus trigonatus). It provides a general overview on past and current population status and research efforts involving caimans in the Amazon basin and discusses perspectives for the future. The most significant studies on the ecology, genetics and management strategies are examined in more detail and this information is contextualized to provide an overview of the most relevant findings that might explain caiman population trends over the last 75 years. Systems for sustainable management in the Amazon basin have been discussed for the past 20 years, but remain rarely applicable. It is necessary to develop new ways to maintain healthy caiman populations through innovative management programmes. Sustainable harvesting of wildlife has been shown to promote conservation targets, especially those initiatives based on community co‐management. In this article, we propose some general guidelines for future management schemes, in the expectation that the information provided by the scientific community will be considered fully without political agendas determining the priorities.

Собака в погребальном обряде мужунов-сяньби

The article analyzes the evidence on the role of dogs in the funeral rite of the Murongs — one of the Xianbei tribes which inhabited Southern Manchuria in the 3rd—5th centuries AD. It has been established that despite the reports of Chinese written sources on burning the sacrificial animals during the funeral ritual, the early Xianbi also had a practice of accompanying burials of dogs (whole bodies or heads). According to the evidence from the burials of the late 3rd — early 5 th centuries, dogs continued to play an important role in the Murong funerary rituals. The most representative complex is the tomb of Feng Sufu’s wife (415) in Beipiao County in Chaoyang Municipality of Liaoning Province, which contained the accompanying burial of two dogs as well as images of dogs in wall paintings. The burial of dog’s head and paws was also discovered in tomb 74AGM154, dated to the late 3rd — mid 4th centuries AD, near Xiaomingtun village in Anyang Municipality of Henan Province. The image of a dog made in extremely similar style to the murals from the tomb of Feng Sufu’s wife, was found in the elite tomb No. 1 near Beimiao village, west of Chaoyang City in Liaoning Province. It has been shown that burials according to the traditional rite of the Murong Xianbei were also typical for the representatives of other ethnic groups, including the Northern Yan aristocrat Feng Sufu. He came from a noble Chinese (Han) clan which was under strong cultural influence of the Murong Xianbei. The funeral rite of the Murongs also underwent transformations associated with influence of the Chinese (Han) culture, which found its expression in the spread of tomb murals.

Importance of health education actions to improve quality of life of vulnerable populations

Abstract Introduction Health Education (HE), which is an integral part of Brazilian basic health care policy, reflects on the actions of a specific service or area. In regions where access to health care is precarious and poor socioeconomic conditions predominates, HE is fundamental for the comprehension of the health-illness process which aims at promoting a better quality of life. This study aims to assess through experiment the viability and adhesion of HE actions conducted in indigenous and Riverside communities in the Brazilian Amazon region. Methodology This study aims at reporting field trips during health expeditions between July and August 2019 in communities of the state of Pará, Brazil. The HE was composed by seven students and professors. Throughout patient's medical care, the team selected individuals to participate in different group dynamics at common spaces in the community area. The topics covered had been pre-screened based on epidemiological surveys conducted in previous expeditions. Visual and ludic resources were adapted to match local reality. Results 2860 medical and dental care consultations were given. The adherence to the dynamics in was significant and covered the majority of them. The topics approached by the HE team were breast-feeding, family-planning, non-transmissible chronic diseases, healthy eating habits, hygiene, and awareness for natural resources. It has been observed that culture was a determinant factor for small a number of individuals in the comprehension of actions taken by the HE team. Conclusions Despite the strong cultural influence, HE proves to be a fertile ground and it must be encouraged in indigenous and riverside communities. The actions taken by the HE team should consider the local reality in every step of the process of implementation. In spite of the context in which locals of indigenous and riverside communities are inserted, HE promotes an autonomous development of their quality of life. Key messages Health education is one of the pillars of the national policy of basic health care in Brazil and is fundamental to promote better quality of life in vulnerable populations. Encouraging interventions in vulnerable communities contributes directly to the autonomous development of quality of life.