Going Against the Flow: Attitudes Related to Interest in Unconventional Menstrual Products

The current research examined psychological factors that contribute to interest in unconventional menstrual products, including the commonly studied menstrual cup, but also menstrual underwear, reusable pads, and the menstrual sea sponge. Because unconventional menstrual products are reusable and require cleaning, they are less convenient than conventional menstrual products, requiring more contact with one’s body and menstrual fluids during menstruation. Therefore, people who feel that menstruation is bothersome and disgusting/shameful or people who self-objectify are unlikely to be interested in these products. In contrast, people with more pro-environmental attitudes might find reusable products more appealing. Pro-environmentalism involves significant consideration for others; therefore, those who value communion could also be drawn to these products. Thus, this survey assessed whether interest in unconventional menstrual products was related to negative menstrual attitudes, increased self-objectification, communal values, and concern for the environment. Through the online platform Prolific Academic, this study recruited 269 English-speaking participants between ages 18 and 45 who experienced menstruation within the last year. Correlations revealed partial support for the hypotheses that positive menstrual attitudes and pro-environmental attitudes would be related to more interest in unconventional menstrual products. Additionally, qualitative data from open-ended responses provided supplemental information regarding rationale for (dis)interest in these products. Though experimental research is needed, these findings contribute to the limited existing literature and suggest that promoting positive menstrual attitudes and environmental awareness might be beneficial in diverting environmental harm created by the consumption of conventional menstrual products

The yellow city.

The Yellow City' takes place in the course of one day and follows the stories of several characters. The first six chapters outline each character, giving a detailed description of who they are as individuals. The main characters are comprised of Katriona, the beautiful, and promiscuous restaurant manager who has been highly sexualized by all of the men in her life. E, or Edward, a black kid from Harlem who cannot find a way to escape his socioeconomic circumstances. Scott, a quirky, selfish finance banker who is grappling with his sexual identity. A homeless man who faces the struggles of severe mental illness and also the harshness of the New York City landscape. And Sylvie, a former mid-westerner who is fiercely codependent on her lover... This specific day happens to be highly significant to each character in some way. They all find themselves in various types of trouble or unidealistic circumstances... E gets some weed he is carrying for a dangerous, neighborhood thug stolen off him, Sylvie finds out her lover is having an affair, Scott is threatened with a gun if he doesn't extort money from his bank firm. Perhaps the biggest break is with Katriona, though, as she is approached by a disturbing man on the Subway and told that her life is in jeopardy. He threatens her, and demands that she remain aboard and tell nobody of their conversation. He mentions to her that he will return, then saunters off. Near the end of the novel their stories converge. One by one, each of the characters make their way onto the same train car. The strange man makes good on his promise and re-enters the scene, threatening to kill them all if they don't play his bizarre game, a storytelling, Russian roulette, of sorts. Both alone, and together, they try to keep themselves alive

Skype: An Appropriate Method of Data Collection for Qualitative Interviews?

Qualitative research, according to Creswell, has an ever-changing definition, which is not always made clear in introductory books. He suggests that ―qualitative research begins with assumptions, a worldview, the possible use of a theoretical lens, and the study of research problems inquiring into the meaning individuals or groups ascribe to a social or human problem (Creswell, 2007, p. 37). Hesse-Biber and Leavy (2006, p. 49) suggest that qualitative research seeks ―to discover, explain, and generate ideas/theories about the phenomenon under investigation; [and] to understand and explain social patterns (the ‗How‘ questions).‖ According to Berg (2007, p. 8), qualitative researchers are ―most interested in how humans arrange themselves and their settings and how inhabitants of these settings make sense of their surroundings through symbols, rituals, social structures, social roles, and so forth.‖ Through qualitative techniques, Berg (2007, pp. 8-9) suggests, researchers are allowed to ―share in the understandings and perceptions of others and to explore how people structure and give meaning to their daily lives.‖ What all of these have in common, according to Creswell (2007, pp. 37-39), are some common characteristics including: natural setting, researcher as key instrument, multiple sources of data, inductive data analysis, participants‘ meanings, emergent design, theoretical lens, interpretive inquiry, and a holistic account. There are many ways to collect data, whether it is interviewing individuals, holding a focus group, observing as a participant or non-participant for observations, content analysis, or a combination of various methods. There are also different theoretical lens to begin with and various ways of analyzing the data once you have it

Parenting from the Margins

The idea of mothering (or parenting for the sake of being inclusive) from the margins is derived from the understanding that the experiences of women are not monolithic. Motherhood and parenting can be a source for activism and change both by challenging societal norms of who can successfully raise children, and by educating and empowering children to rethink current structures dictating family norms

Realm of Masculinity: Encoding Manhood in the Rap Music Genre

In today\u27s technological culture, songs and their accompanying music videos are accessible through online websites, streaming platforms, social media outlets and network channels. Their lyrical messages have become a constant presence in everyday life. Texts revealed that music videos create a guideline of how to acceptably act as men and women in today\u27s culture. Among the most popular music genres is rap, which widely features misogynistic content. Rap artists\u27 lyrics and videos feature women who are regularly diminished to sexually promiscuous objects, lacking any individual thoughts and/or feelings. The speed and regularity in which consumers can now access this content desensitizes listeners to sexual harassment, exploitation and violence towards women. Many old school rappers such as Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and Tupac set a standard for utilizing misogyny in musical projects which has paved the path for current artists, such as Future. With over 45 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Future is ranked among the platform\u27s top 50 artists. Although his songs and albums vary in terms of featured artists, topics and cover art, his degradation of women is constant. As one of the leading artists in this popular genre with a primarily male audience, a semiotic analysis of Future\u27s music revealed that his construction of violent acts and phrases towards and against women encodes dominance and violence against women as a normal facet to manhood

Individual Control of Risk: Seat Belt Use, Subjective Norms and the Theory of Reasoned Action

When faced with a risk for which an inexpensive solution is available, individuals often choose the risk rather than the solution. Protection from certain kinds of risks, e.g., using seat belts or condoms or insulating against radon, is largely under personal control, but individuals often choose not to comply with behaviors which would reduce the risk. The Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) has been used to predict when individuals will comply. The authors attempted to validate aspects of the TRA by the use of scenarios. Factor analysis of their data supports the theory that intention is a major determinate of behavior but fails to establish the influence of scenarios on subjects\u27 intention to wear seat belts

Community based health education to decrease pediatric obesity

Background: Pediatric obesity is a significant health problem affecting 41 million children under the age of five in the United States, with African-American and Latino children being disproportionately affected. Obesity often leads to chronic disease and has contributed to escalating healthcare expenses in the United States. Early interventions targeted at parents are a piece of the solution to this complex problem. Methods: This pilot study evaluated the impact of a community-based nutrition education program ( My Plate for My Family, developed by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) on parents\u27 (N=16) self-efficacy to make healthy choices for their families. An urban preschool in Southwest CT was used as the community partner. Results: Although there was no statistical difference in the pre and post-test scores, items specific to drinks, fruits and protein, as well as cost, demonstrated small increases in parental self-efficacy. Conclusions: With the emphasis being placed on including children in the learning process to create healthy lifestyles, implementing community-based health education programs for parents at the child\u27s school seems ideal. Future recommendations would include suggesting health care practitioners consider the advantages of working together with early childhood education centers as strategic partners in the fight against pediatric obesity

Intersectional Education

Education leads to higher future success, freedom, autonomy over one’s lifestyle, and an overall better quality of life. Unfortunately, women make up seventy percent of the world’s out-of-school youth. Additionally, minority groups are suffering from lack of access to educational resources, including native tongue instruction (Intel 2012). Not only are both groups suffering separately, but the intersection of female and minority groups are not achieving the same educational outcomes as majority or male groups. This brief explores this problem and examines how some governments are trying—or not trying—to address it

Corrigendum "Portal protein diversity and phage ecology"

Author Posting. © The Author(s), 2011. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of John Wiley & Sons for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Environmental Microbiology 13 (2011): 2832, doi:10.1111/j.1462-2920.2011.02616.x