Teaching Sociology within the Speech and Language Therapy Curriculum

In the United Kingdom, the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists suggests that sociology should be included within the speech and language therapy curriculum. However, in spite of this, sociology is seldom given priority. Although the role of sociology with the curricula of other professions has been discussed, the role of sociology within speech and language therapy has not. Given the contemporary climate of competence-based training, the position of subjects such as sociology is being compromised. This paper sets out three reasons in support of including sociology within speech and language therapy by drawing on the distinction between a ""personal education"" and a ""semantic conjunction"" model of the relationship between theory and professional practice. First, it is argued that sociology makes a valid contribution to an holistic approach to care–which is rapidly becoming the cornerstone of speech and language therapy practice. Second, this paper suggests that the inherent reflexivity within the discipline provides health professionals with an invaluable tool with which to engage in reflexive practice. Finally, it is argued that given the global emphasis on evidence-based practice, the study of sociology and sociological research methods equips therapists to interpret and conduct empirical research. This paper concludes by arguing that sociology should be viewed as an essential component of the speech and language therapy curriculum

Is breast best?: breastfeeding, motherhood and identity

Is Breast Best?: breastfeeding, motherhood and identity is concerned with how breastfeeding is both a personal and a political issue. Earle begins with a cross-cultural analysis of the prevalence of breastfeeding, considering differences between and within countries and cultures and highlighting the presumed physical and psychological advantages for mothers and their babies. The remainder of the chapter is devoted to data derived from a qualitative study concerned with the body in pregnancy, childbirth and early motherhood. Earle argues that there are competing discourses which serve to structure women's experiences and perceptions of breastfeeding. Furthermore, she argues that gendered expectations and conflict in relation to women's sexual and maternal identities can cause tension, as can the competing pressure to breastfeed versus the importance of including the father in childcare. In conclusion, Earle leaves us with a question, namely: is the breastfeeding women empowering herself by doing what comes naturally or is the mother who uses formula milk making positive choices about her life and the care of her children

Disability and stigma: an unequal life

Disabled people are half as likely to go to university, half as likely to get qualifications, and half as likely to get a job. The Disability Rights Commission campaign asks - is a disabled person only half a person? This article suggests that a 'cure and care' approach can inadvertently contribute to the process of disablement, and explores ways in which barriers of inequality can be broken down while at the same time playing an important role in treatment and rehabilitation. Definitions of disability and social models of disability are discussed as well as the concept of disability as a form of social oppression and stigma. The implications for speech and language therapists are discussed

Ethnicity and Reproduction

No abstract available

Sexuality and Reproduction

No abstract available

Disability and Reproduction

No abstract available

Reproduction and Social Class

No abstract available

Intimacy, pleasure and the men who pay for sex

About the repository: This book brings together chapters by academics, researchers and practitioners to analyse how crimes such as sex work, domestic violence and rape and sexual assault have risen up the Government agenda in recent years. For example, the 'Paying the Price' consultation exercise on sex work in 2004, and recent legislation around sex crimes, including the Sex Offences Act (2003). This is a multi-disciplinary, social scientific, pro-feminist collection, which draws upon practice, empirical research, documentary analysis and overviews of research in the areas of sex work and sexual violence. Within Sex as Crime there are two distinct sub-sections: 'Sex for Sale' and 'Sex as Violence', but the broader and overriding link of sex as crime remains a paramount theme that spans the collection. Chapters include discussions of the impact of new regulations on street sex workers, and of street sex work on community residents, the use of the internet by men who pay for sex and men who sell it, sexual violence and identity, sex crimes against children and protecting children online and working with sex offenders. Other chapters explore reasons for such offending behaviour

Sex on the net: online relations between the men who pay for sex

[About the Book] How do people have relationships when they are apart, or develop them when they've never even met? From MySpace and weblogs to romance and sexuality, this book draws together a range of studies on remote relationships, investigating the intricate, intimate ways that people forge connections online. The term 'remote' refers to the technologies that facilitate forms of communication, and also underlines the lack of physicality involved in these relationships, developed at a distance. Using empirical data, these collected essays explore a wide variety of relationships, examining the methodological and ethical issues that researchers face. Remote Relationships in a Small World, part of a new generation of online studies, responds to the need for research that focuses on social relationships

Becoming a mother: a study exploring occupational change in first-time motherhood

Having a first baby is considered a major life event, due to significant role change impacting on the ordinary and familiar activities the new mother performs every day. The aim of this study was to explore changes in the occupational lives of first time mothers. A concurrent nested strategy of enquiry was used. Quantitative data via the Modified Interest Checklist and the Role Checklist was nested within the predominantly qualitative data collection in the form of semi-structured interviews. Six first time mothers, who were two and a half years post motherhood and aged between 28 and 42 years, participated in this study. The findings indicate that 'new mothers' engaging in a balanced lifestyle pre-motherhood in the areas of self-care, leisure, productivity and rest experience a period of occupational disruption and occupational imbalance before adapting into motherhood through activities, tasks and finally occupations. These mothers' occupational lives are productivity dominant with most of their time being spent in paid employment and/or performing homecare/family care activities. Their occupational lives are also obligatory dominant, for example, they are performing activities they need to do to enable them to fulfil their role as mother, as opposed to activities they choose to do. Also evident is a daily process of change as individuals adapt into motherhood