Traditional Norms Research Articles

From vulnerability to accessibility, and expansion possibilities

Abstract The importance of research in designing for the vulnerable lies in its commitment to address the inherent inequalities and injustices that pervade our socio-cultural fabric. This article presents a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis focused on the transition from vulnerability to accessibility in design for vulnerable populations, exploring the possibilities of extending this vital area to information design. Employing the PRISMA approach, the study meticulously analyses 30 selected papers to uncover insights into how design practices and methodologies are evolving to better address the needs of those often marginalized or overlooked. The findings illuminate the multifaceted nature of vulnerability, challenging information designers to think beyond traditional norms and engage in innovative practices that not only make solutions accessible but also ensure they are comprehensible. This research underscores the necessity of interdisciplinary collaboration and participatory approaches, emphasizing the importance of culturally sensitive, user-centered design solutions. The study culminates in identifying novel areas for future research, particularly emphasizing the development of information design that is tailored to the unique needs of vulnerable populations, thereby fostering inclusive growth.

Stewarding Collections in Times of Changing Perspectives

Libraries, archives, museums and other cultural heritage organizations are collections-based institutions with the mission to preserve their collections and make them accessible in various ways, whether for research, study, exhibition and educational purposes, while holding the physical collections in trust for the public. With the transitioning values for the collecting practices, the norms of collecting practices and accessibility standards are being challenged. The provenance of collections is being challenged, as well, and in some cases, objects and materials in collections have become the subject of repatriation. This is particularly true where collections include objects and materials that were acquired or taken from one global region or community and accessioned into the collection of a cultural heritage organization in another. How can access to collections be provided to patrons and the public in a way that is true and respectful of the normative traditions of traditional communities, in keeping with shifting societal values? This article presents the argument that a recognition and respect for intellectual property norms, specifically traditional knowledge (TK) and traditional cultural expressions (TCEs), facilitates quality collections stewardship and access to collections.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny: The Evolution of Masculinity in Geri-action and Its Implications for Male Hegemony

In 2023, a new adventure film called Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny premiered in theaters around the globe. In this film, Harrison Ford returns to his iconic role as Indiana Jones, showcasing a new perspective on action-packed adventures with seasoned heroes, which brings forth exciting new possibilities. Examining Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, this study delves into the development of masculinity in older action heroes, highlighting how these seasoned protagonists can challenge traditional notions of male hegemony. The study employs discourse analysis to examine the portrayal of Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones and draws comparisons to previous iterations and other characters within the genre. This analysis highlights the film's departure from conventional portrayals of masculinity, indicating a movement towards dismantling gender norms and challenging male hegemony. The analysis highlights the importance of older heroes in portraying changing perspectives on masculinity and male roles in today's society. This study presents a fresh outlook on gender studies, highlighting the importance of portraying masculinity in film in a more nuanced way. It advocates for breaking away from traditional norms and promoting diversity in storytelling and character development.

Challenging Stereotypes: A Conversation Analysis Approach to Students’ Narratives about Gender

Creating effective prevention programs is essential for reducing gender-based violence (GBV). Research underscores the importance of addressing GBV during early schooling years (Oliver, 2014), as schools, alongside families, serve as primary socialization environments for children and young people. Building on this context, this article presents a study that used prevention-based class seminars to challenge gender stereotypes and prompt reflection on GBV, gender-based discrimination, and gender stereotyping. The study involved approximately 600 minutes of classroom video recordings from five Italian middle school classes, featuring 112 12-year-old pupils during expert-conducted seminars. Using a Conversation Analysis approach, the data analysis reveals the forms of communication and gender narratives produced by the students during the workshops. While some narratives reinforced gender stereotypes and traditional norms, most narratives promoted equal gender relationships. This study contributes to research on violence prevention in schools, demonstrating how school-based programs can significantly impact students’ reflections on gender stereotypes and violence.

IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON FULƁE KINSHIP IN JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA

This study examined the impact of technology on the kinship of the Fulɓe people in Jigawa State, Nigeria. The study employs secondary data and content analysis methods to achieve its objectives. It utilizes the diffusion of innovations theory as a theoretical framework to comprehend the impact of technology on Fulɓe kinship in Jigawa state. The investigation reveals that technology facilitates improved communication among Fulɓe communities, bolsters livestock management, introduces new economic opportunities for the Fulɓe culture and economy, expands the horizons of education, offers new possibilities for Fulɓe families to conceive and have children, enhances morbidity and reduces mortality rates among Fulɓe people in Jigawa State. On the other hand, technology diminishes face-to-face interaction among them, instigates changes in economic dynamics, challenges traditional values and norms deeply embedded within the Fulɓe community, introduces new methods of influencing ideas about lineage, inheritance, and the transmission of family identity, alters family structures and caregiving dynamics within the Fulɓe kinship system in Jigawa state. The study, therefore, recommends that government and community leaders should collaborate on initiatives that integrate indigenous wisdom with innovative technologies that can improve lives while preserving the essential aspects of the Fulɓe kinship system in Jigawa State.

Unveiling Voices and Empowering Narratives: A Comprehensive Exploration of Islamic Feminism in Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis

This literature paper delves into the intricate layers of Islamic feminism within Marjane Satrapi's graphic novel Persepolis. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of post-revolutionary Iran, providing a nuanced examination of the lives of Iranian women amid political and social transformations. Through a thorough analysis of female characters, with a focus on Marjane's experiences and those of her counterparts, the paper explores instances of resistance and agency as women navigate societal expectations. The concept of Islamic Feminism is introduced and contextualized, tracing its evolution, key principles, and objectives, while highlighting its role in challenging traditional gender norms within Islamic values. The historical and cultural background of Iran during the depicted period, encompassing the Iranian Revolution and its aftermath, sets the stage for feminist discourse.Examining specific scenes and dialogues, the paper identifies and analyses elements in the narrative that reflect Islamic Feminist ideas, illustrating how Satrapi skilfully navigates the intersection of feminism and Islamic culture. Challenges and criticisms surrounding the application of the Islamic Feminism label to Persepolis are addressed, considering perspectives from both proponents and sceptics. The study concludes by discussing the potential impact of Persepolis on readers' understanding of Islamic Feminism and its broader contribution to conversations about feminism within Islamic contexts. Through a comprehensive examination, it highlights the significance of embracing diverse perspectives and employing dynamic approaches to comprehend the complexities of women's experiences within the Islamic context. By integrating ijtihad and pluralist, liberal-rationalist, and contextual approaches, it aims to unveil voices and empower narratives, ultimately fostering gender equality and justice for all. This abstract encapsulates the essence of the findings, offering insights into the multifaceted nature of Islamic feminism as pictured in Persepolis.

Exploring variations in using emojis in digital communication in the UAE

This research aims to explore how people in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) use emojis on social media and the communicative functions of emojis, including gender differences in assessing appropriateness. The study is based on in-depth interviews with fifteen participants representing different gender, cultural and age groups. The interviewees include six males and nine females, with an age range from 18 to 45 years. The findings emphasize the importance of diversity of perspectives and sensitivities when using emojis in communication, raising questions about the role of emojis in reinforcing or challenging traditional gender norms within the UAE and how individuals navigate the intricate balance between self-expression and cultural norms in their digital interactions. Moreover, ‘emotional emojis’ were favoured by participants from every generation, apart from those in their 20s, although the specific emojis that best expressed those emotions varied. The findings also indicate the use of emoji as a cultural barometer within the digital realm of the UAE. The nuances in emoji preferences, usage frequencies and interpretations across different cultural groups, particularly between Emirati and non-Emirati populations, vividly portray how emojis mirror the complex tapestry of cultural identity and interaction. These emojis, as digital symbols, emerge as profound reflections of the rich cultural dynamics that shape the UAE’s digital landscape. This study adds to the body of research on digitized communication, particularly in the Arab context, and contributes to understanding how emojis are used to create meaning online.

Social And Cultural Implications of Live-In Relationships In India

Live-in relationships, is considered taboo in traditional Indian society, have gradually emerged as a significant phenomenon with far-reaching social and cultural implications. Live-in relationships, in modern Indian society, challenge traditional norms regarding partnership and familial arrangements. This form of cohabitation, wherein unmarried couples choose to live together in a relationship akin to marriage. Several factors contribute to the increasing acceptance of live-in relationships in India. Urbanization, globalization, and exposure to Western cultures through media have influenced Indian societal norms. Younger generations are more open to exploring alternative lifestyles and relationships. With more women entering the workforce and achieving financial independence, there a shift in attitudes towards traditional gender roles and marriage. Couples often prefer to test their compatibility before committing to marriage. This paper will cover social legal aspects of live-in relationships in India. Through amendments, the law has had enough of a chance to characterize these societal changes. It can't be static; while looking at the historical backdrop of how Hindu regulation developed, it is apparent that it was never static yet sporadically different to address the troubles introduced by moving cultural examples at different moments.

Daily Time Table of Students in Gurukul: A Study of Gurukul in Devghat, Tanahun

This study aims to show the timetable applied / practiced by the students in Gurukuls , especially with reference to Mahesh Gurukul located in Devghat, Tanahun. Gurukul has got credit in the development of an innate sense of concentration of students to involve them in their study. The students will be around the environment of a teacher so that they can develop physical, mental, cognitive and spiritual goodness in them according to their regular timetable. Gurukul is an education system of receiving education under the full guidance of a guru/teacher. This system has been in practice since ancient times. In Gurukul education, Sanskrit language is considered as the first and oldest language used since the past time period. It has also got its own unique teaching style. Its value is that it reflects the culture in education system. There are around two hundred fifty Gurukuls in Nepal. The curriculum of traditional Gurukul education had been prepared by a guru/ teacher and would be completed within a fixed time. Furthermore, particular subjects would be completed by students within the given time period. In this context, the learners had to follow real time to complete the study of Bhagawat, Puranas or Vedas etc. It is to be understood that Gurukul education plays significant role for children who have not access to another type of formal education. It is generally related to teacher-centered method of learning. Gurukul education system has been established on Hindu religious and cultural practices. There are only three ways to get education in Gurukul education system: knowledge gained through Guru's service, cooperation of skill and friendly environment. Gurukul education has followed particular and certain time table to promote their traditional norms and values. So, all students and teachers should follow the time table fixed by Gurukul. The methodology of this paper is opened ended interview with head teacher and teachers and focus group discussion was held with students.

Challenging the profanity of management of higher education

Management and managerialism in higher education have become increasingly synonymous with the corruption of self-regulating institutions, with the disbandment of collegial governance, and with a general devaluation of traditional academic norms and values; they have become profane concepts. In this paper, this profanity is challenged, through an exploration of its reach into the actual practices of higher education. We conceptualise two versions of profane management: management as discursively profane and as practically profane. Using data from a Delphi study on perceptions of quality and quality management, we explore the usefulness of these concepts and discuss their value.

Nutrition knowledge of caregivers and feeding practices of children 6-59 months in rural Kajiado central, Kenya

Abstract Introduction: Childhood malnutrition remains a critical public health concern, particularly in developing countries. This study explores the nutrition knowledge of caregivers and its association with feeding practices among children aged 6-59 months in the Maasai community of Rural Kajiado Central, Kenya. Traditional practices and cultural norms significantly influence daily life in this community, emphasizing the need to understand caregivers' nutritional knowledge and its association with child-feeding practices. Objective: The study aims to determine the association between nutrition knowledge of the caregivers and feeding practices among children aged 6-59 months in rural Kajiado Central, Kenya. Methods: A cross-sectional mixed study design was employed, with data collected from caregivers (N=294) using a pre-tested questionnaire. Nutrition knowledge was assessed through a nutrition test, and feeding practices were evaluated using a 24-hour recall and dietary diversity score. Focus Group Discussions provided qualitative insights. Data were analysed using SPSS V26, Nutri-survey software, and qualitative thematic analysis. Results: Caregivers demonstrated high nutrition knowledge (60.9% high, 3.4% very high), yet feeding practices revealed challenges. Most children consumed three meals daily, but dietary diversity was limited, focusing on cereals, milk, and fats. Despite high knowledge levels, there was no significant association between nutrition knowledge and several feeding practices (p>0.05). Conclusion: Improving dietary diversity requires addressing infrastructural barriers alongside nutrition education. The study emphasizes the complex interplay between nutritional practices, socio-economic factors, and educational opportunities, highlighting the need for holistic interventions. Recommendations: Infrastructure support is crucial to improving food accessibility in rural areas. Nutrition education alone may not suffice to enhance feeding practices and nutritional status.

Why do Chinese overseas doctoral graduates return to China? The push‐pull factors and the influence of gender and gender norms

AbstractAlthough attention has been paid to return migration internationally, research studies on why Chinese overseas doctoral graduates return to China are few. A study that considers gendered motivations has yet to be found. Using a qualitative study with 31 Chinese overseas doctoral graduate returnees, this study examines factors influencing graduates' reasons for returning to China and how these relate to Chinese gender and gender role‐related cultural norms. Using the push‐pull theory and the concepts of gender (as an individual characteristic) and gender norms, the study shows that the reasons for return were gendered, with females motivated by family and emotional factors and males by economic and career benefits. The study identifies inequalities derived from traditional gender roles and cultural norms that persist in China. This has implications for state policy, higher education institutions and future research.

Incorporating Malay Communicative and Cultural Values in Discourse: An Analysis of Mahathir Mohamed’s Orations

The cultural values and beliefs of the Malaysian community play a substantial role in shaping their communication approach and strategies. This study was to investigate how Malay values and beliefs were incorporated in communication in one of the most effective speeches of Mahathir Mohamed as a prominent leader in the Southern East of Asia and how these values were employed to influence his audience. The thematic analysis was used to analyse the selected speech and identify key themes, ideas, and topics that reflected Malay communicative and cultural values including indirectness, politeness, and Islamic beliefs. The findings demonstrated a notable contrast between the way Mahathir communicates and the discourse of indirectness commonly associated with Malay discourse. They showed that Mahathir employed direct language and assertive communicative approach to convey his messages and to avoid confusing his audience. This departure from traditional norms suggests that Mahathir recognizes the importance of clarity and precision in persuasive communication, prioritizing audience comprehension over conformity to cultural expectations. While Mahathir is unlike Malays in terms of indirectness, he employed other Malay communicative values such as referring to Islam principles, rationality and emotionality. He incorporated rationality (akal budi) with emotion (hati budi) to work together to influence his audience.

American Rural–Nonrural Differences in Motherhood Wage Penalties

A rich body of literature has studied variances in motherhood wage penalties. Yet studies have not explored American rural–nonrural differences in this phenomenon. The spatial differences in women's experiences deserve exploration. Based on prior studies, rural mothers may experience greater wage penalties than nonrural mothers because of their high marriage rates, low educational levels, and the traditional gender attitudes and norms in rural communities. However, they may experience smaller penalties because rural job structures lack diversity and jobs there tend to be low‐paid. This paper uses fixed‐effects models to examine the rural–nonrural differences in motherhood wage penalties, with data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY79). The results show that although rural women reported lower education levels and higher marriage rates than nonrural women, they experienced smaller motherhood wage penalties than nonrural women partially because they were more likely to work in low‐paid occupations and industries.

Non-Traditional Factors in Debussy's Creation Take the Prelude "Voiles" as an Example

"Voiles" stands as the second piece in Debussy's "Twenty-four Piano Preludes", marking a mature stage in his musical oeuvre. Debussy, as the pioneer of Impressionism style, demonstrates remarkable innovation and personality in contrast to traditional norms. Drawing from the acoustic expressiveness evident in Impressionist piano compositions, this study begins with an exploration of the aesthetic perception of acoustic color. It intertwines this exploration with the psychological concept of "synesthesia", which links time, space and visual perception. Focusing on auditory aesthetic perception of acoustic color, this paper takes “Voiles” as the research object, and analyzes its melody, structure and acoustic characteristics from the perspective of music analysis. In this way, the sound innovation and impressionism style in Debussy's creation can be explored.

Barriers to Women’s Gaining a Role in Grassroots Government: The Case of a Questionnaire Survey of Grassroots Civil Servants in China

This dissertation investigated the barriers faced by female civil servants in grassroots government in China when it comes to work and promotion. On the basis of the existing literature, three research questions are posed in this dissertation:1) Do women face barriers when seeking access to local government? If so, what are these barriers? 2) Does gender socialisation and gender norms have an impact on women’s representation in government? 3) What are the career goals of women entering government at the primary level? To address these research questions, this dissertation used mixed methods research methodology, which employed a non-quantitative questionnaire to collect data. To ensure the accuracy of the final questionnaire, this dissertation conducted a Pilot Study to get feedback from the target people. According to findings and discussion, this dissertation found that traditional Chinese gender norms and gender-based discrimination, including internalised sexism constrain the job development of female civil servants at the primary level. It also found that the weakness of China’s elderly care facilities makes daughters-in-law the primary bearers of elderly care responsibilities, which can place additional family burdens on grassroots women and discourage their job advancement. The study further found that the patriarchal dominant ‘guanxi’ culture is unfair to the development of female civil servants at the grassroots level. This dissertation mainly reveals the restrictions and barriers imposed on women under the patriarchal culture.

Real experience of caregivers of patients with HIV/AIDS from the perspective of iceberg theory: a qualitative research

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the caregiving behaviours and supportive needs of caregivers of patients with HIV/AIDS and provide a basis for healthcare institutions to carry out caregiver interventions.DesignA purposive...

Women at War: A Feminist Study of Militarism in Gayle Tzemach Lemmon’s Daughters of Kobani

The study of women in war spans ancient to modern times, highlighting their significant contributions as combatants, nurses, spies, resistance fighters, and home front workers. Their experiences challenge traditional gender norms and have led to lasting social and political changes. This study aims to examine the profound effects of war on women, using documentary novel to enhance our understanding of the role of women in war. By exploring the real stories of Kurdish women fighters in Syria, the study illuminates the multifaceted impact of war on women and their transformative roles in conflict and peace-building. Adopting a feminist perspective, the study explores Daughters of Kobani by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon (2021), focusing on the unique suffering experienced by women in war.

‘Girls do this, guys do that’: how first-in-family students negotiate working-class gendered subjectivities during a time of social change

Despite efforts to foster a more equitable gender representation, Australia's higher education sector and workforce continue to be highly segregated. This article focusses on the gendered experiences of first-in-family (FIF) students—many who are from low-socioeconomic communities—transitioning to Australian universities. In terms of the gendered nature of widening participation, we know students who are FIF will often study disciplines which align with traditional gender norms. Drawing on the First-in-Family Project (n = 48), we present the analysis of our findings in two parts. First, we provide an overview of the cohort where we analyse the gendering of degree choice of FIF students. Second, underpinned by theoretical work focussed on student gendered and classed subjectivities, we address how FIF young people negotiated classed and gendered norms during the transition to university. Our data suggest that young people engage in ‘gender work’ and ‘class work’ which informs their identities and how they make choices about their futures. Based on our research, we argue that to achieve social justice there is a need for a renewed attention to gender within the widening participation agenda.

Lifelong Learning Opportunities for Landscape Architecture Bachelor's Programs: Assessments on Landscape Design Component

Lifelong Learning Opportunities for Landscape Architecture Bachelor's Programs: Assessments on Landscape Design Component