Track D Social Science, Human Rights and Political Science

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138414/1/jia218442.pd

Staring at the page: the functions of gaze in a young child’s interpretation of symbolic forms

This article argues that young children are capable of complex abstract reasoning which is rooted in their physical and emotional engagement with the world. It suggests that even apparently commonplace representative objects are not transparent, and children are faced with a major interpretative problem when becoming familiar with symbolic images and objects. It also suggests that young children are motivated by an expectation of significance about the symbolic systems they encounter, including systems of low modality like writing. Their interpretative activity is mediated through physical and bodily resources, of which gaze is of major significance to sighted children when reasoning about visual, spatial modes of symbolic representation. The article presents a micro-semiotic, multimodal analysis of a small section of video film in which a two year old child is engaged, with her father, in drawing and marking: representing and interpreting graphic signs. Three functions of gaze are identified during this activity: analytic, interpersonal and expressive. The systematic and motivated coordination of these types of gaze with other bodily modes, including language, is shown. The article concludes that the boundaries between young children’s bodily and cognitive activity can be seen to be flexible, making many of their processes of reasoning and interpretation about systems of symbolic representation accessible to description

Junior is rich: bequests as consumption

Bequests, Overlapping generations, Equity premium, Asset pricing, D1, D91, E2, G11, G12,

Crescimento da população idosa no Brasil: transformações e conseqüências na sociedade The increase of the elderly population in Brazil: transformation of and consequences for society

São discutidas as transformações sociais e econômicas que incidem sobre a vida dos idosos decorrentes do aumento da população de 60 anos ou mais, no Brasil. O processo migratório e a intensa urbanização (em 1940 a população rural era de 68,8% e em 1980 de 32,4%) afetaram particularmente a população idosa dos grandes centros, ou daqueles que envelheceram nestas cidades. Esta nova organização social acentuou os problemas de solidão e pobreza dos idosos. Além desta perda de status social que exclui sua participação na sociedade moderna, o idoso teve também reduzido o suporte emocional no interior de sua família. Entre os fatores que concorrem para tal, destacam-se a mudança do padrão do modelo familiar, de extensa para nuclear, a maior mobilidade e o aumento do número de separações e divórcios. O maior período de vida da mulher e suas conseqüências (redução de renda, aumento do número de viúvas e maior freqüência de longos períodos de doenças crônicas), como também a mudança do papel social da mulher no mundo contemporâneo, fazem parte de uma discussão específica relativa à mulher e à velhice. A questão do trabalho, da aposentadoria e do custo social (coeficiente de dependência) é outro aspecto abordado.<br>The social and economic transformation which has been occurring in the life of the elderly, and the increase of the Brazilian population aged 60 years or over is discussed. The migration process (in 1940 the rural population was 68.8% and in 1980, 32.4%) and the intense urbanisation in major Brazilian cities has been particularly evident for the elderly population, or for those growing older in these cities. This new social organization had increased the problems of loneliness and poverty among the elderly. Furthermore, as a consequence of the loss of social status which has reduced their participation in contemporary society, the elderly have been loosing the emotional suport within their own families. Traditionally, older people are viewed as an integral part of the family and enjoy high esteem and prestige. There are factors which play an important role in the family changes - these factors are the decrease in the number of children, their dispersion owing to migration and urbanisation, and the increase in the number of divorces between couples. The relatively longer life span of women has brought unique consequences such as a decrease of income, an increase in the number of widows and a longer period of chronic disease, as well as the changing role of women and their participation in the labour force which further diminish the chances of family support. This paper also discusses certain aspects related to the issues of work, retirement and social expenditure (dependency ratio)