scholarly journals A Qualitative Study of Ramadan: A Month of Fasting, Family, and Faith

Religions ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Alghafli ◽  
Trevan Hatch ◽  
Andrew Rose ◽  
Mona Abo-Zena ◽  
Loren Marks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Religious Practice ◽  
The United States ◽  
Western World ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Muslim Population ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Media

Islam is a major world religion and the Muslim population is one of the fastest growing religious populations in the Western world, including in the United States. However, few research studies have examined the lived religious experience of U.S. Muslim families. Much of the attention on Islam among researchers and the media tends to be on controversial aspects of the religion. The purpose of this paper is to examine the unique religious practice of the month-long fast of Ramadan, especially its perceived role on marital and familial relationships from an insider’s perspective. Content analysis of in-depth, qualitative interviews of twenty diverse Shia and Sunni Muslim families living in the United States (N = 47 individuals) yielded several emergent themes. This study presents and explores data on the focal theme: “fasting brings us closer together.” These data suggest that Ramadan serves a sacred, unifying, and integrating purpose for many of the 47 practicing Muslim mothers, fathers, and youth in this study. Meanings and processes involved in Ramadan and family relationships are explored and explained. Implications and applications of the research findings are discussed and some potential directions for future research are outlined.

Survivor or Laborer

Affilia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 453-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa Anasti
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Human Service ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Human Service Organizations ◽  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
The United States ◽  
Service Organizations ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sex Trade ◽  
Sex Worker

Regardless of primary population served, human service organizations are likely to come into contact with individuals who have been currently or formerly involved in the sex trade. In the United States, social workers have had a fraught history with this population, either treating them like delinquents or like victims in need of rescue. Sex worker activists in the United States continue to decry the negative treatment provided by individuals in the helping professions, even as harm reduction, the practice of reducing the harm of risky behaviors, has entered the service provision lexicon as an antidote to abstinence-only services. This article uses qualitative interviews with managers of human service organizations in the city of Chicago to determine how they think about their work with sex workers and how they perceive the proposed solutions to “fixing” the sex trade: abolitionism and decriminalization. Findings show that despite the dominant discourse of abolitionism in the United States, most of managers in this project believe full decriminalization of sex work will best assist their sex worker clients. Future research needs to understand how this finding holds in different settings and how this affects current efforts to advocate for decriminalization.

scholarly journals Re-envisioning Doctoral Mentorship in the United States: A Power-Conscious Review of the Literature

10.28945/4735 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 237-252
Author(s):  
Genia M. Bettencourt ◽  
Rachel E. Friedensen ◽  
Megan L Bartlett
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Doctoral Education ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Power Dynamics ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Direct Applicability ◽  
Important Form ◽  
The U.S

Aim/Purpose: Multiple barriers exist within doctoral education in the United States that can undermine the success of students, particularly for students with marginalized identities. While mentorship can provide an important form of support, it must be done in an intentional way that is mindful of issues of equity and power. Background: By applying a power-conscious framework to current practices of doctoral mentorship in the U.S., we propose key considerations to help support doctoral students and shift power imbalances. Methodology: As a scholarly paper, this work draws upon a comprehensive review of existing research on doctoral mentorship in the U.S. Contribution: As a relatively recent development, the power-conscious framework provides an important tool to address issues of inequity that has not yet been applied to doctoral mentorship to our knowledge. Such a framework provides clear implications for mentorship relationships, institutional policies, and future research. Findings: The power-conscious framework has direct applicability to and possibility for reshaping doctoral mentorship in the U.S. as well as elsewhere. Each of the six foci of the framework can be integrated with research on doctoral students to help formal and informal mentors enhance their practice. Recommendations for Practitioners: Throughout our analysis, we pose questions for mentors to consider in order to reflect upon their practice and engage in further exploration. Recommendation for Researchers: Research on doctoral mentorship should explicitly engage with broader dynamics of power, particularly as related to understanding the experiences of marginalized student populations. Impact on Society: The demanding nature of and precarity within U.S. doctoral education leads to high rates of departure and burnout amongst students. By re-envisioning mentorship, we hope to begin a broader re-imagining of doctoral education to be more equitable and supportive of students. Future Research: To examine these claims, future research should explore doctoral student mentorship relationships and how power dynamics are contained therein both within the U.S. and in international contexts.

scholarly journals Supporting the President in a #NotMyPresident Context: Experiences of College-Aged Trump Supporters at a Southern University

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 82-102
Author(s):  
Madison Adams
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Sexual Misconduct ◽  
The United States ◽  
United States Today ◽  
Neutralization Theory ◽  
The Media ◽  
Initial Support ◽  
Stage Process ◽  
Southern University

In light of sexual misconduct allegations involving the former president of the United States, this study analyzes the reasons some university students provide for their continued support of Donald Trump. Relying on ten semi-structured qualitative interviews with college students who align with the president, this paper identifies three interrelated stages making up a model of support. First, students identify their conservative worldviews as helping to explain their initial support of Trump. Second, given the numerous accusations leveled against the president in the media, students readily use neutralization tactics to counter these narratives and rationalize their continued support. Finally, they feel vilified at their university and elsewhere for supporting Trump, and they find it necessary to conceal their opinions. Such experiences do not contribute to them questioning their beliefs. On the contrary, they lead to more entrenched and rigid support of the president. By identifying this three-stage process and applying neutralization theory to better understand it, this paper contributes to the existing sociological literature on the persistence of conservatism in the United States today.

Characteristics of Schools in Which Fatal Shootings Occur

2012 ◽  
Vol 110 (2) ◽  
pp. 363-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Flores de Apodaca ◽  
Lauren M. Brighton ◽  
Ashley N. Perkins ◽  
Kiana N. Jackson ◽  
Jessica R. Steege
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Public Funding ◽  
The United States ◽  
School Shootings ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Universities And Colleges ◽  
School Based ◽  
Key Characteristics ◽  
The Media

School-based violence, and fatal school shootings in particular, have gained increased attention in the media and psychological literature. Most reports have focused on the characteristics of perpetrators, but there is a growing awareness that school-related factors may also influence the occurrence of fatal school shootings. The current study examined several key characteristics of all schools where random (38) and targeted (96) fatal shootings occurred in the United States between 1966 and 2009. These were compared with a group (138) of schools randomly selected to represent the population of all schools in the United States. The size of a school's enrollment, urban or suburban locale, public funding, and predominantly non-white enrollment were positively associated with fatal shootings. Universities and colleges were disproportionately associated with random shootings and high schools with targeted ones. It was proposed that characteristics of schools that allow feelings of anonymity or alienation among students may help create environmental conditions associated with fatal school shootings. Implications for future research and interventions are considered.

How do Latino Immigrants Perceive the Current Sociopolitical Context? Identifying Opportunities to Improve Immigrant Health in the United States

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
JANE J. LEE ◽  
YUANJIN ZHOU
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Immigrant Health ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Determinant ◽  
Latino Immigrants ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Sociopolitical Context

AbstractMigration is an important social determinant of health for immigrants in the United States. Increased attention on Latino immigrants in recent years has sparked interest in policies that affect this population. While prior research has assessed the potential health impact of specific immigration policies, there is limited understanding of how the overall sociopolitical context shapes the health of Latino immigrants. This study examines the potential mechanisms that link the sociopolitical context and health among Latino immigrants. Specifically, we explore how perceptions of the sociopolitical context are implicated in this relationship. Qualitative interviews with community gatekeepers (n=13) and Latino immigrants (n=34) in New York City revealed general perceptions about the overall sociopolitical context, which were characterized by discrimination towards immigrants, unpredictable and mercurial circumstances, and confusion and lack of information. These perceptions influenced participants’ psycho-emotional health and health-related behaviors. Findings suggest the importance of integrating immigrants’ perceptions of the sociopolitical context into health promotion efforts. Furthermore, findings demonstrate the need for paradigm shifts in developing policy-related actions to integrate immigrants’ perspectives. We propose an integrated, multi-level framework to guide future research and practice regarding social determinants of immigrant health.

scholarly journals Deficit or Credit? A Comparative, Qualitative Study of Gender Agency and Female Gang Membership in Los Angeles and Glasgow

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (8) ◽  
pp. 1087-1114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross Deuchar ◽  
Simon Harding ◽  
Robert McLean ◽  
James A. Densley
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
The United States ◽  
Small Samples ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Deficit Model ◽  
The Social ◽  
Female Gang Members ◽  
Future Practice

To date, there has been a paucity of comparative, qualitative research exploring the nuances of women’s gang involvement beyond the United States. In this article, we seek to address this gap by drawing upon qualitative interviews with small samples of self-nominated female gang members in Los Angeles, California (United States) and Glasgow, Scotland (United Kingdom). The emerging insights indicated that two key models of entry into the “social field” of the gang emerged in the data: a deficit model entry linked to drugs and debt and a credit model of entry where women were considered to bring social skill, expertise, and agency into the gang. Implications in terms of testable hypotheses for future research as well as for future practice are outlined.

scholarly journals Experienced Practitioners’ Beliefs Utilized to Create a Successful Massage Therapist Conceptual Model: a Qualitative Investigation

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Ann B. Kennedy, LMT, BCTMB, DRPH ◽  
Niki Munk, LMT, PhD
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Massage Therapy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Attrition Rate ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Massage Therapist ◽  
Business Acumen ◽  
Analytic Induction

Background: The massage therapy profession in the United States has grown exponentially, with 35% of the profession’s practitioners in practice for three years or less. Investigating personal and social factors with regard to the massage therapy profession could help to identify constructs needed to be successful in the field.Purpose: This data-gathering exercise explores massage therapists’ perceptions on what makes a successful massage therapist that will provide guidance for future research. Success is defined as supporting oneself and practice solely through massage therapy and related, revenue-generating field activity.Participants and Setting: Ten successful massage therapy practitioners from around the United States who have a minimum of five years of experience.Research Design: Semistructured qualitative interviews were used in an analytic induction framework; index cards with preidentified concepts printed on them were utilized to enhance conversation. An iterative process of interview coding and analysis was used to determine themes and subthemes.Results: Based on the participants input, the categories in which therapists needed to be successful were organized into four main themes: effectively establish therapeutic relationships, develop massage therapy business acumen, seek valuable learning environments and opportunities, and cultivate strong social ties and networks. The four themes operate within specific contexts (e.g., regulation and licensing requirements in the therapists’ state), which may also influence the success of the massage therapist.Conclusions: The model needs to be tested to explore which constructs explain variability in success and attrition rate. Limitations and future research implications are discussed.

The Structure and Role of the Underwriting Syndicate

2018 ◽  
pp. 389-411
Author(s):  
Sébastien Dereeper ◽  
Armin Schwienbacher
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Initial Public Offering ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Comprehensive Picture ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Syndicate Structure ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Public Offering

This chapter presents research findings on the structure and role of underwriter syndicates in the initial public offering (IPO) process, thereby extending the list of participants beyond the lead underwriter. The authors rely on recent studies to offer a more comprehensive picture of syndicate structure and size in Europe and the United States. Research questions being addressed include the following: How are underpricing and reputation linked to syndicates? How many banks should be included in the syndicate? What responsibilities can be shared? Finally, the chapter concludes with a discussion of avenues for future research on IPO syndicate structure.

Pathways to Legalization: Undocumented Mexican Immigrants in the US/Mexico Borderlands, 1942–1956

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Elizabeth Rosas
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Mexican Immigrants ◽  
Extended Family ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mexican Immigrant ◽  
Agricultural Laborers ◽  
The Us ◽  
Us Government ◽  
Contract Laborers

In the 1940s, curbing undocumented Mexican immigrant entry into the United States became a US government priority because of an alleged immigration surge, which was blamed for the unemployment of an estimated 252,000 US domestic agricultural laborers. Publicly committed to asserting its control of undocumented Mexican immigrant entry, the US government used Operation Wetback, a binational INS border-enforcement operation, to strike a delicate balance between satisfying US growers’ unending demands for surplus Mexican immigrant labor and responding to the jobs lost by US domestic agricultural laborers. Yet Operation Wetback would also unintentionally and unexpectedly fuel a distinctly transnational pathway to legalization, marriage, and extended family formation for some Mexican immigrants.On July 12, 1951, US president Harry S. Truman’s signing of Public Law 78 initiated such a pathway for an estimated 125,000 undocumented Mexican immigrant laborers throughout the United States. This law was an extension the Bracero Program, a labor agreement between the Mexican and US governments that authorized the temporary contracting of braceros (male Mexican contract laborers) for labor in agricultural production and railroad maintenance. It was formative to undocumented Mexican immigrant laborers’ transnational pursuit of decisively personal goals in both Mexico and the United States.Section 501 of this law, which allowed employers to sponsor certain undocumented laborers, became a transnational pathway toward formalizing extended family relationships between braceros and Mexican American women. This article seeks to begin a discussion on how Operation Wetback unwittingly inspired a distinctly transnational approach to personal extended family relationships in Mexico and the United States among individuals of Mexican descent and varying legal statuses, a social matrix that remains relatively unexplored.

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