Mothers construct fathers: Destabilized patriarchy in La Leche League

This paper examines changing masculine ideals from the point of view of women homemakers through a case study of La Leche League, a maternalist organization dedicated to breastfeeding and mother primacy. We suggest two reasons for studying the League: first, an emerging literature suggests that changing norms are seeping into many such seemingly conservative groups, and second, the League continues to be highly successful among white, middle-class, married women. The paper looks at two aspects of masculinity, examining changes in the League through fieldwork, interviews, and content analysis, and finds that new norms of increased father involvement and decreased rights over women's bodies have both influenced League philosophy. We conclude that while in some respects a measure of the decline of men's patriarchal privileges, the League's changes also may contribute to a “restabilization” of male dominance in a modified, partial form.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/43548/1/11133_2004_Article_BF00990071.pd

The Usefulness of the Person-Environment-Occupation Model in an Acute Physical Health Care Setting

Background:Limited evidence is available to illustrate the use of theory to underpin occupational therapy practice in acute physical health care settings in the United Kingdom.Method:A generic qualitative method investigated the views, knowledge and perceptions of seven Scottish occupational therapists about the potential usefulness of the Person-Environment-Occupation Model (PEO Model) in acute care. This convenience sample participated in two focus groups: the first to examine and understand the PEO Model and the second to explore further reflections of the strengths and limitations of its use in practice.Findings:The PEO Model has the potential to provide a meaningful framework in which to conceptualise patients in an acute physical health care setting.Conclusion:The PEO Model offers flexibility regarding the extent to which occupational performance is addressed, in a setting characterised by short hospital admission stays. Also, a range of occupation-focused models was valued to practise effectively in this setting