Social Constructs of Online Feminine Identities in Social Media: A Thematic Analysis

It has been argued that femininity is a form of control over women’s identity, and that femininity is predominantly performative. This research examines the performative nature of femininity in Instagram posts, based on the idea that social media is a means through which young women negotiate and perform their feminine identity. Self-presentation theories suggest that female social media users perform aspects of self-presentation as influenced by the audience, the situation, and implicit social constructs of gender. This study used Reflexive Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with ten women Instagram users aged between 18 – 27, who post regularly to Instagram. The focus was on exploring the participant's detailed accounts of how they manage their online identity and self-presentation of femininity on Instagram. Emerging themes emphasised the performative aspects of self-presentation, such as self-surveillance and self-monitoring and impression management in relation to online social situations. Findings highlight the significant, influential aspect the audience plays in performative femininity as well as the importance of Goffman’s (1959) dramaturgical theory of self-presentation and Walkerdine’s (1989) concept of femininity as a performance. The study raises important questions about the presentation and performative elements of femininity on Instagram and how femininity is still a form of hegemonic control over women

Where is planning to be found? Material practices and the multiple spaces of planning

A range of new spaces of English planning have emerged in recent years. One new space of clear import is the sub-region. In this paper we seek to gain a better understanding of why sub-regional spaces emerge, how they are used and how planning functions through them. Drawing upon an analysis of three English regions and interviews with actors the paper identifies four types of sub-regional planning that highlight the relationship between accountable, legally sanctioned territorial spaces on the one hand and more informal, open and strategic sub-regional spaces on the other. Sub-regional planning provides an important if not critical strategic parallel to regulatory planning though the relationship between the two is characterised by complexity, contestation, experimentation and impermanence. Among other issues raised by this contemporary reworking of planning is the emergence of an accountability gap through the uncoupling of formal democratic processes embedded within territories and the more diffuse practices of strategic plan making. This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from SAGE via http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0263774X1561417

Comprehension following silent and oral reading in grades two and three

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

Comprehension following silent and oral reading in grades two and three

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

Exploring Perceptions of Sugar Sweetened Beverages Among Early Adolescents in Worcester, MA: a Qualitative Study

Background: Among adolescents, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are the primary source of added dietary sugar and constitute 10-15% of their total caloric intake. A range of factors influence adolescent dietary behaviors and food choices. This study aimed to explore adolescents\u27 attitudes and knowledge about SSBs, how they receive messages about SSBs, and motivations for SSB consumption. Methods: We conducted 5 focus groups with youth aged 12-14 years that attend one of the eight Youth Connect programs in Worcester, MA in 2016-2017. Groups were sex-specific because of changes during adolescence and experiences with body image and health behaviors between the groups. A semi-structured guide was used to facilitate a discussion with adolescents\u27 around SSBs. The audio recorded data were transcribed and all transcripts were double coded. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Discussions included 16 boys in three focus groups and 17 girls in two groups. Participants were 12-14 years old, 27% identified as Hispanic, 24% black and 33% white. One third speaks more than one language at home and the majority consume SSBs daily. Qualitative analysis led to the identification and classification of various subdimensions under the following analytic categories: Attitudes, Motivations, Knowledge, and SSB Messaging. Common themes that emerge under each category will be reported. Analyses are in progress. Conclusions: This research will present a deeper understanding of factors that influence Worcester adolescents\u27 beverage choices from their own perspective. The information can be used in public health messaging in Worcester around obesogenic behaviors such as excess caloric intake from SSBs

Home Matters: Adolescents Drink More Sugar Sweetened Beverages When They Are Available at Home

Objective: Sugar sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption has increased by 300% in the past three decades and the largest source of both added sugar and calories in the diets of US adolescents. It has been argued that the increased intake of SSBs has contributed to the rising prevalence of obesity. The availability and accessibility of foods/drinks in multiple levels of an adolescent’s environment can influence one’s choices and impact consumption. The aim of this study is to examine the association between adolescent self-report of the availability of SSBs in their home and SSB consumption and whether neighborhood and school SSB availability modifies the association between availability of SSBs in the home and adolescent SSB consumption. Methods: The Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health and Eating (FLASHE) was used to conduct a cross sectional analysis of 1,484 parent-adolescent dyads. Each dyad completed four online surveys about dietary and activity health behaviors. Ordinal logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the association between the measures of SSB availability in the home and teen SSB consumption behaviors. The potential moderators, school SSB availability and neighborhood SSB availability, were tested separately using stratified ordinal logistic regression analyses. Results: The greater frequency of availability of SSB’s in the home had a positive association with teen SSB consumption. This association remained present despite the availability of SSB’s in other locations. There was no moderation effect present in either school SSB availability and neighborhood SSB availability. Conclusion: Understanding the impact of the availability of SSB’s in multiple environments on consumption is important for obesity prevention efforts. This study found that parents can be important factors in reducing adolescent SSB consumption by influencing the home environment. Despite the availability of SSB’s in other environments, the home remains important for impacting consumption. Also Presented at the 2018 Society of Behavioral Medicine Annual Meeting

Flight performance of actively foraging honey bees is reduced by a common pathogen

ArticleSudden and severe declines in honey bee (Apis mellifera) colony health in the US and Europe have been attributed, in part, to emergent microbial pathogens, however, the mechanisms behind the impact are unclear. Using roundabout flight mills, we measured the flight distance and duration of actively foraging, healthy-looking honey bees sampled from standard colonies, before quantifying the level of infection by Nosema ceranae and Deformed Wing Virus complex (DWV) for each bee. Neither the presence nor quantity of N. ceranae at low, natural levels of infection had any effect on flight distance or duration, but presence of DWV reduced flight distance by two thirds and duration by one half. Quantity of DWV was shown to have a significant, but weakly positive relation with flight distance and duration, however, the low amount of variation that was accounted for suggests further investigation by dose-response assays is required. We conclude that widespread, naturally occurring levels of infection by DWV weaken the flight ability of honey bees and high levels of within-colony prevalence are likely to reduce efficiency and increase the cost of resource acquisition. Predictions of implications of pathogens on colony health and function should take account of sub-lethal effects on flight performance.This work was funded by the Insect Pollinators Initiative (IPI) grants BB/I000100/1, BB/I000097/1 and BB/I000097/2, C.B. Dennis British Beekeepers' Research Trust and the High Wycombe Beekeepers’ Association. The IPI is funded jointly by the BBSRC, Defra, NERC, The Scottish Government and The Wellcome Trust, under the LWEC Partnership. Rothamsted Research is a national institute of bioscience strategically funded by the BBSRC

Entrances and exits: changing perceptions of primary teaching as a career for men

Original article can be found at: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/title~content=t713640830~db=all Copyright Informa / Taylor and Francis. DOI: 10.1080/03004430802352087The number of men in teaching has always been small, particularly in early childhood, but those that do come into teaching usually do so for the same reasons as women, namely enjoyment of working with children, of wanting to teach and wanting to make a difference to children's lives. However, in two separate studies, the authors have shown that on beginning teacher training in 1998, and at the point of leaving the profession in 2005, men and women tend to emphasise different concerns. This article will explore those differences and seek possible explanations for how men's views of teaching might be changing over time.Peer reviewe