HARDWIRED BIOLOGY AND LIGHT-BULB MOMENTS: DIVERGENT DISCOURSES AND LIFE TRAJECTORIES OF OLDER BISEXUAL WOMEN

This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in Innovation in Aging following peer review. The version of record Jen S. (2019). HARDWIRED BIOLOGY AND LIGHT-BULB MOMENTS: DIVERGENT DISCOURSES AND LIFE TRAJECTORIES OF OLDER BISEXUAL WOMEN. Innovation in Aging, 3(Suppl 1), S826. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igz038.3044 is available online at: doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igz038.3044 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.Older bisexual women report a less positive sense of their sexual identity, less belonging in LGBTQ communities, and worse mental health outcomes compared to lesbian counterparts. These patterns are consistent with those identified among younger bisexual cohorts and appear to be connected to how bisexual identities are perceived and experienced; however, sexual identities take on unique meaning by gender and age and across historical contexts. To explore how older bisexual women construct and make meaning out of bisexual identities, this study applied a Foucauldian discursive and critical feminist conceptual framing to examine semi-structured interviews with bisexual women ages 60 and older (N=13). Findings reveal two divergent groups of women, the Early Emergers and Mature Migrators, who differ in their constructions of bisexuality and the timing of their first experienced attractions to other women. While the Early Emergers construct bisexuality as a stable, “hardwired” biological concept, the Mature Migrators challenge this narrative by emphasizing the fluidity of sexuality through discourses of migration spurred by “light bulb” moments in which they first recognized their attractions to women. This study illustrates the contributions of discourse analysis in revealing nuanced constructions of life course histories as well as the need for acknowledgment of life context in research and practice with older bisexual individuals. Scholars and practitioners must intentionally critique and contribute to discourses of bisexuality in later life

Student midwives'views of caseloading: the BUMP study

In 2007 the Nursing and Midwifery Council recommended that across the UK all pre-registration, undergraduate student midwives should, as part of their education, have the opportunity to experience continuity of care through caseloading practice. This article reports on a qualitative exploration of student midwives’ views of caseloading a known group of women, which formed part of a larger action research project through Bournemouth University’s pre-registration, undergraduate midwifery programme. Analysis of the caseloading data revealed four themes: preparation to undertake a caseload; knowing your mentor; tri-partite meetings; and relevance of caseloading to their learning in becoming midwives. Caseloading was identified by the students as being a highly valuable learning experience. Attitudes of the midwife mentor and link tutor were seen as important and impacted on student confidence in preparing for, and learning from, their caseloading experience. Findings of this study highlight the importance of developing a shared understanding and commitment to agreed support mechanisms, which sustains and enriches the experience of the student through their caseloading

Building the Blue Economy: Opportunities for Community-Based Organizations in Stormwater Management

The United States has a serious problem with combined sewer overflows. In responding to this environmental and public health menace, many regions are using innovative “green infrastructure” or “blue economy” approaches in addition to traditional “gray infrastructure” such as pipes and reservoirs. These new methods offer many environmental benefits and cost efficiencies and can be a potent source of jobs – including entry level jobs. This report outlines ways for community-based organizations to seize these opportunities, both by advocating for green infrastructure and by developing social enterprises that do stormwater management work at a neighborhood level. It is designed for non-profit groups, policy makers, and funders interested in the intersection of sustainability, neighborhood redevelopment, and job creation and the possibility of a triple win in all three areas

Context-Dependent Sexual Changes During Women's Midlife Transitions

For women, midlife represents an important stage of transition, including shifts in physiological, social, and sexual experiences. Prior research demonstrates that women’s sexuality is more dynamic and context-dependent than men’s. Most research focused on women’s sexuality in mid- to later-life emphasizes physiological changes, while largely ignoring changes stemming from social, psychological, and relational contexts. The present study examined midlife women’s diverse sexual experiences within the context of their lives. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 27 women, ages 39-57 and used interpretive phenomenological analysis to investigate perceptions and interpretations of midlife sexual experiences and changes. Themes included changes in sexual engagement, unwanted sexual experiences, body image, and sexual healthcare. Participants reported changes in frequency of sex and sexual desire within the context of their diverse social roles and identities, prior intimate relationships, and sexual health. Women contrasted perceptions of their own bodies with societal perceptions of sexiness. Frequently reported negative experiences with sexual healthcare informed a distrust of healthcare systems. The diverse and changing nature of participants’ experiences supports prior evidence of sexual fluidity and context-dependence. By questioning societal expectations around sexuality and body image, participants illustrated the potential of counternarratives to combat dominant beliefs and stereotypes about midlife women’s sexuality. To improve sexual health and education, psychoeducational interventions and improved training for healthcare professionals are needed

Gov Docs are Special Too! Primary Source Instruction using Government Information Collections

Introduction - 3 Presenters Case Studies and Lesson Plans Discussion Questions Selecting Sources Addressing Challenges Outcomes Recommended Resources Questions/Discussio

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