Pensioners among Chinese elderly

The pension system is one type of social welfare system which provides support for elderly citizens after retirement. The system in the People's Republic of China was established in the 1950s, mainly for state employees and employees of privately owned enterprises, while peasants relied on their land to support them in their old age. Up to the 1970s, there was little change in this system. However, the system has since undergone dramatic reform. The implication of the new system for the future elderly in China will be significant. This paper discusses the current impact of the pension system on the elderly in China. According to our analysis, fewer than 25% of Chinese elderly receive a pension. The social and demographic characteristics (e.g. age, gender, residence, educational attainment, occupation) of pension recipients are partially a legacy of past policies. As new policies are implemented and the pension system improves, more elderly will be covered by the pension system. Nonetheless, we need to find ways to support those who do not receive a pension.     

Focusing on individual needs: Developing the law's mechanisms for mentally disabled and elderly people

The author examines the development in Australia of mechanisms for formal legal representation for people who are mentally incompetent: these include guardianship and property management; enduring powers of attorney; and government schemes for pensioners. Other legal protections discussed include the implementation of a statutorily required agreement between owners and residents in nursing homes. The paper lists the principles which now permeate legislation for formal legal representation — client-centred decision-making standards; limited loss of civil rights; encouragement of independence; deference to the wishes of the individual; informal and accessible determination and review processes — and sounds a warning about the influence of legal culture, particularly when there are people with legal experience on bodies determining whether substitute decision-making should be implemented. It calls for lawyers to be sensitive to the influence they are capable of exerting and also recommends steps which can be taken to rectify weaknesses in the enduring power of attorney and government pensioner schemes. Finally the paper considers the new government initiatives to improve the conditions of people in aged care accommodation and raises some of the problems which can be anticipated in implementing that programme.     

The life satisfaction of elderly Chinese widows living alone and those living with adult children

Care of China's elderly population is of concern due to its projected growth as well as to changes in elder care patterns related to shifting social and economic conditions. Increases in life expectancy and, therefore, in the duration of widowhood, particularly for women, magnifies this concern. Studies that examine the living arrangements and life satisfaction of elderly widows in China are limited. This study of 147 elderly widows, both men and women, examined differences in the life satisfaction of those who live with their adult children and those who live alone. This study also examined whether the relationship between living arrangement and life satisfaction was moderated by levels of family and community support. According to study findings, elderly widows living alone have higher life satisfaction than those living with their adult children, and this effect remains with the introduction of controls for health status, family support, community support, gender, age, income and educational level. Further, neither family nor community support moderate the relationship between living arrangement and life satisfaction, although each exerts a direct effect on life satisfaction.     

Longitudinal relations of emotion knowledge to psychosocial adjustment in European and Chinese American school-age children

The study is the first to examine the developmental trajectory of emotion knowledge as it relates to psychosocial adjustment in a cross-cultural context. European American (EA, n = 68, 28 boys) and Chinese American (CA, n = 62, 31 boys) children and their mothers participated. Children's emotion knowledge was assessed, and their psychosocial adjustment was reported by mothers at three time points when children were 6.5, 7, and 8 years of age. Although EA children had greater emotion knowledge at Time 1, CA children's emotion knowledge grew faster over the following 1.5 years. In addition, emotion knowledge predicted fewer internalizing problems in CA children but predicted fewer externalizing problems in EA children. Thus, emotion knowledge was associated with psychosocial adjustment for both cultural groups, and particularly helpful for children to cope with issues to which they are most vulnerable in their respective cultural contexts. The findings shed critical light on the developmental trajectories of emotion understanding and psychosocial adjustment in specific cultural contexts.     

伪"我要":他者欲望的欲望--拉康哲学解读

伪欲望理论是拉康哲学中极为重要的内容之一。拉康否定了弗洛伊德的生理主义的欲望概念,提出了独特的需要——需求——欲望的分层理论,拉康特别突出了一种以无为对象的不可能的欲望。同时,拉康提出的大写他者的欲望逻辑是阉割式的不可能,这却是欲望最真的内驱力。人的欲望总是他者欲望的欲望,因此,个人主体之“要”永远是伪“我要”。     

The significance of a secure base: a psychosocial model of long-term foster care

ABSTRACT Long‐term foster care has been a much neglected area of social work practice and research. Yet there are obvious challenges that need to be understood when building a family for life in foster care. Is it possible for foster families, where there are no biological or legal ties between carers and children, to provide care, concern and family membership not only through childhood but also into adult life? The study on which this paper is based set out to explore that question by investigating the experiences of 40 adults, aged 18–30, who grew up in foster families. Qualitative interviews were conducted, transcribed and analysed. Theoretical frameworks from attachment and resilience were brought together with concepts such as ‘belonging’ and ‘family membership’ to make sense of the narratives provided. An integrated and dynamic psychosocial model of long‐term foster care was developed, which emphasizes the significance of a secure base and has some important implications for practice.     

Structured observation in the investigation of information needs

Outlines the reasons for the choice of ‘structured observation’ as a research method, describes the training process and the development of the data-recording format, the use of structured observation in the field, and assesses its problems and effectiveness.     

Social needs and the roles of governments and markets: The case of retirement pensions

The present paper examines the role of the State and the market in meeting social needs, with particular emphasis on retirement pensions. The argument proposed is based primarily on an analysis of recently observed ideological developments as well as of the results of various empirical studies conducted on the topic. A review of several theories and current debates on the issue constitutes the introductory part of the analysis. This is followed by a discussion of retirement pensions and the shortcomings of governments in this domain and by a review of the evidence obtained on the interaction between retirement pensions, investment and growth. Data and calculations relating to several developed and developing countries are presented as an illustration of the State's responsibility for social needs. The conclusion presents some reflections based on empirical evidence and a synthesis of insights obtained in this study.     

The dynamics of elderly population redistribution: The California example

This article examines a relatively unexplored aspect of the geographic patterning of America's older population: the trends and processes of elderly redistribution at the state scale. A methodology was developed using readily available census and public health data to re-create the dynamics of recent elderly shifts within the state of California. Noteworthy features of the redistribution pattern include the consistent loss of elderly share size by heavily urbanized counties, the consistent gain of share size by suburban counties, and a recent shift in gains to northern counties rather than southern counties. Examination of components of change in each county indicates that both aging-in-place of near-elderly age cohorts and migration have contributed to the redistribution of elderly population within California, but with locationally discrete patterns. Overall, migration was more important numerically.     

他们改写中国奥运历史

在百年奥运的历史上,中国所走过的路荣辱相伴,挫折和成功并存。是他们,中国的奥运人物们,用拼搏的汗水和爱国的热情,在奥运史上,书写了属于中国的、意义非凡的纪录。     

AIDS,the individual,family and community: psychosocial issues

Understanding of the psychosocial factors associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) at both the individual and societal levels is essential to the design of programs aimed at treating the virus and containing its spread. In Africa, AIDS has profound implications for economic development, the general quality of life, demographic patterns, male-female relationships, child development, and family structure. Relevant psychosocial issues include fear of the unknown and the tendency to depersonalize AIDS victims, burn-out on the part of caretakers, fear of contagion, fear of being around a dying person, helplessness, and anger. Poverty undermines coping capacities and pushes many families affected by AIDS into disorganization and crisis. Moreover, the shame and guilt associated with AIDS in Africa leads many families to isolate themselves from social support. Through trends such as the loss of skilled manpower to AIDS and a need for aging parents to reassume full care of infected adult children, AIDS has disrupted Africa's social system as well. Community education is essential to reduce fears related to living amidst those who are infected, sick, and dying and minimize the erosion of societal institutions.     

The Study of Chinese History in the USSR

The path taken by Soviet scholarship for more than fifty years in the study of Chinese history can be properly evaluated only if one has a notion of the initial level upon which the first Soviet researchers had to build.     

关于中国传统文学艺术传统的再认识

中国传统文学主要指从公元前11世纪,即中国第一部诗歌总集《诗经》中最早的诗篇出现起,直至1919年“五四”新文化运动以前的中国古代(含近代)文学。中国传统文学在特殊的文化背景下形成了具有民族特色的艺术传统,主要表现为以下几个方面:一、“风”、“骚”与现实主义、浪漫主义传统;二、“诗言志”、“诗缘情”与重表现、重抒情的传统;三、文学形象创造的“形神兼备”传统;四、文学形式的多样性传统;五、文学风格的丰富性传统。认真研究和梳理传统文学的艺术传统,并加以扬弃,无疑有益于当今的文学发展和文化建设。     

Physical needs of Aboriginal foster parents

Aboriginal foster parents were surveyed about their physical needs. Each was asked ‘What do you need physically to be a good foster parent?’ A total of 39 unique responses were made. They were grouped together by participants and the grouping data were analysed using multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis. Five concepts resulted from the analysis. The concepts included physical, financial and emotional resources, supplies and equipment, community, fitness and wellness. Results were compared and contrasted with the fostering literature.     

Emotional needs of Aboriginal foster parents

Aboriginal children are overrepresented in care. Aboriginal foster parents are underrepresented. There is a need to recruit and retain Aboriginal foster parents. In the study, Aboriginal foster parents were asked: “What do you need emotionally to be a good foster parent?” The results were analyzed using multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis, leading to eight concepts, including: awareness, contentment, self‐assurance, appreciation, resolve, space, caring, and commitment to one's values. These results were compared with the existing foster parent literature. Similarities and differences were described.