An investigation into the discursive contructions of childhood masculinity and femininity in BEN 10

This thesis investigates the representation of gendered childhood in popular children’s television series Ben 10. The series focuses on ten year old Ben who is granted alien powers, deciding to use them to protect innocent people from danger. Alongside Ben is his ten year old female cousin, Gwen, presented as his foil and guide throughout the series. As the characters develop the series presents particular gendered ways of performing childhood and adolescence and responses to the challenges of growing up. Before charting the trajectories of masculinity and femininity of the series I provide a theoretical framework drawing on the work of Foucault for his conceptualisation of discourse, discursive regimes and discursive subjects. The discursive approach is further explored by outlining particular concepts posited by Connell and Butler who argue for the discursive construction and performativity of gender. Similarly, I employ a social constructionist approach to childhood, arguing for children as active meaning makers – albeit constrained by broader discourses. They are constantly learning behaviours which shape their social practice, indicating the significance of studies on children’s media. Consistent with a constructivist approach, this study employs a qualitative methodology to undertake a Critical Discourse Analysis of select episodes, also informed by narrative theories. These ideas underpin the textual analysis of each purposively sampled episode of the three series to present the progression of masculinity and femininity from childhood through early and later adolescence through the characters Ben and Gwen. The analysis serves to demonstrate that Rousseau’s gendered notions of childhood still have considerable purchase in the twenty-first century, particularly in relation to the female character. This study’s findings propose a shift in children’s televisual representations to espousing more liberal views of masculinity, wherein boys are permitted space to feel fear and anxiety. Unsurprisingly, the series continues to uphold traditional ideals of heteronormativity and a hegemonic masculinity which uses physicality to demonstrate dominance. Furthermore, despite the modern conception of self-actualising females the series expects its female characters to work doubly hard without fundamentally challenging patriarchal ideals. That conventional, patriarchal gender roles are rehearsed and privileged in this popular series has implications in terms of persistent gender inequalities

Regional structure of the Central Kalahari sub-basin and the geometry and effect of the dolerite sills in the area

>Magister Scientiae - MScThe potential for Coal Bed Methane (CBM) has been assessed in the Karoo-aged coal seams in Eastern Botswana. This region is underlain by the Central Kalahari sub-basin of the Karoo Sequence and hosts a major thermal coal producer in the Morupule Mine. Coal bearing strata at depth in the sub-basin that are thought to be a source of CBM, occurs over an area bounded by the Okavango Dyke Swarm to the north, the Zoetfontein Fault to the south and the Kalahari Line to the west. The basin terminates to the east as a pinch out, with Karoo strata outcropping at the surface and the coal seams removed by erosion. Coal occurs in the Serowe and Morupule Formations of the lower Ecca Group and is concentrated in four principle seams, namely the UMH, Z3, Z2 and Z1 seams. The sub-surface distribution of these seams has been investigated with the use of geophysical techniques, including aeromagnetics and wireline logging of exploration boreholes. Magmatic activity dated ~180 Ma heralded the breakup of Gondwanaland and caused the Karoo basins to be intruded by dolerite sills, which had a profound effect on the coals therein. The first major effect was devolatilisation or burning of the coal as the dolerite intruded. The second major effect involved an increase in coal rank from sub-bituminous to bituminous or anthracite, as the temperature and perhaps pressure increased, due to the intrusion. Both these changes occurred on a relatively small scale, mainly affecting coal close to the intrusions. The third and last effect due to sill emplacement was metasomatism, which was caused by the elevated temperatures promoting fluid flows in the country rock on a much larger scale, as the fluids were able to migrate beyond the zone of conductive heat transfer. An important component of the metasomatic activity was the introduction of minerals such as calcite that precipitated in fractures and cleat systems in the coal, as the fluids moved through them. These minerals act as cement, thereby further reducing the permeability in an already tight reservoir. Overall, the effects of the dolerite sills that have intruded in the area have been a negative one, affecting the coals adversely. The coals have become devolatilized, heat affected, or metasomatised, and their permeability reduced. These factors decrease the quality of the reservoir, and impact negatively on the possibility of a Coalbed Methane (CBM) project in zones containing igneous intrusions. It was noted that the distribution of dolerite intrusions at depth could only be partly determined from magnetics, because of the masking effect of the overlying volcanics, and it was necessary to make use of wireline logs and coal properties to assess the CBM potential

Perceptions of vaginal microbicides as an HIV prevention method among health care providers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The promise of microbicides as an HIV prevention method will not be realized if not supported by health care providers. They are the primary source of sexual health information for potential users, in both the public and private health sectors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine perceptions of vaginal microbicides as a potential HIV prevention method among health care providers in Durban and Hlabisa, South Africa, using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>During 2004, semi structured interviews with 149 health care providers were conducted. Fifty seven percent of hospital managers, 40% of pharmacists and 35% of nurses possessed some basic knowledge of microbicides, such as the product being used intra-vaginally before sex to prevent HIV infection. The majority of them were positive about microbicides and were willing to counsel users regarding potential use. Providers from both public and private sectors felt that an effective microbicide should be available to all people, regardless of HIV status. Providers felt that the product should be accessed over-the-counter in pharmacies and in retail stores. They also felt a need for potential microbicides to be available free of charge, and packaged with clear instructions. The media was seen by health care providers as being an effective strategy for promoting microbicides.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Overall, health care providers were very positive about the possible introduction of an effective microbicide for HIV prevention. The findings generated by this study illustrated the need for training health care providers prior to making the product accessible, as well as the importance of addressing the potential barriers to use of the product by women. These are important concerns in the health care community, and this study also served to educate them for the day when research becomes reality.</p

Tuberculosis case finding: evaluation of a paper slip method to trace contacts.

SETTING: South Africa has the third highest tuberculosis (TB) burden in the world. Intensified case finding, recommended by WHO, is one way to control TB. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of a paper slip method for TB contact tracing. METHOD: TB patients were offered paper slips to give to their contacts, inviting them for TB screening. The number of contacts screened and the proportion diagnosed with TB was calculated. Contacts that returned to the clinic after receiving the slips were interviewed. A focus group discussion (FGD) with TB patients was held to determine their acceptability. RESULTS: From 718 paper slips issued, a 26% TB contact tracing rate was found, with a 12% case detection rate. The majority (68%) of contacts were screened within 2 weeks of receiving the slip. Age and gender were not significantly associated with time to screening. 16% of the contacts screened did not reside with the TB patients. 98% of the contacts said the method was acceptable. FGD findings show that this method is acceptable and may prevent stigma associated with TB/HIV. CONCLUSION: This simple, inexpensive method yields high contact tracing and case detection rates and potentially would yield additional benefits outside households

The paper slip with the message to invite contacts for TB screening.

<p>The paper slip with the message to invite contacts for TB screening.</p

Time from receiving paper slip to TB screening.

<div><p>0 = less than 1 week.</p> <p>1 = 1 to 2 weeks.</p> <p>2 = 2 to 4 weeks.</p> <p>3 = more than 4 weeks.</p></div