Fertility Differences between the Majority and Minority Nationality Groups in China

There is an extensive sociological and demographic literature about why racial and ethnic minority groups in the U.S. have different levels of fertility, usually higher, than the majority white group. The four major hypotheses are the subcultural hypothesis, the social characteristics hypothesis, the minority group status hypothesis, and the economic hypothesis. In this paper we focus on fertility patterns of the majority Han and the larger minority groups in China and examine the degree to which the above hypotheses may be useful in articulating the reasons why the fertility of the Han majority differs from that of the minorities. We first present a brief historical review of the genesis and development of the majority and minority nationalities in China. We next present short vignettes of each of the eight minority nationalities we will be examining. We then review the Western literature on fertility differentials between majority and minority nationalities, and summarize the theoretical expectations behind the four prominent hypotheses to be tested. Finally, we present the results of the analysis, and draw out the implications of our work.     

Life Satisfaction,Self-Esteem,and Loneliness Among LGB Adults and Heterosexual Adults in China

ABSTRACT

Low levels of life satisfaction have been linked to low self-esteem and loneliness, but this association has never been tested directly in LGB (lesbian/gay/bisexual) populations. We compared 275 Chinese LGB adults to 275 demographic-matched Chinese heterosexual controls on life satisfaction, self-esteem, and loneliness. LGB adults reported lower levels of self-esteem and higher levels of loneliness than heterosexuals, but similar levels of overall life satisfaction. Self-esteem partially mediated (but did not moderate) the relationship between loneliness and life satisfaction in both groups. Hierarchical regressions indicated that demographic variables, loneliness, and self-esteem can predict life satisfaction in both LGB and heterosexual adults, but explained more variance of life satisfaction in the LGB group. Thus self-esteem and loneliness play a more important role in life satisfaction for LGB rather than heterosexual Chinese adults.     

Gender Differences in the Association Between Stress Trajectories and Depressive Symptoms Among Middle Aged and Older Adults in Taiwan

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of gender differences on the association of chronic stress and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adults in Taiwan. Methods: The population base was of adults aged 50 and older in Taiwan. This study included 2,889 participants and examined the gender differences on the impacts of life stress that exhibited depressive symptoms. Results: Females were more susceptible to depressive symptoms when they felt constant stress from finances, increasing stress from jobs, and fluctuating stress from family relationships. Discussion: Gender differences were evident when assuming social roles, as were psychological susceptibilities.     

Women's Sexual Identity Patterns: Differences Among Lesbians,Bisexuals, and Unlabeled Women

To better understand women with same-sex attractions who do not identify as lesbian or bisexual (i.e., unlabeled women), we examined differences and similarities among self-designated lesbian, bisexual, and unlabeled women. Two hundred eight non-heterosexual women ranging in age from 18 to 69 years (85% identified as White) completed an online survey examining indicators of sexual orientation and beliefs and self-perceptions associated with sexual identity. Compared to lesbians, unlabeled women reported the weakest collective sexual identities and, along with bisexuals, they were less likely to view sexual orientation as fixed, being more focused on the “person, not the gender.” Unlabeled women reported the greatest likelihood that their sexual identity would change in the future. These findings highlight the complexity of women's sexual identities and question the adequacy of categorical approaches.     

中国人口理论研究文化涵义的阐析与生育文明本质的透视

论文从"社会发展史一定程度上是人与生物圈关系史"和"文化是人实现人同自然之间双向适应关系的方式"的认识出发,论证了中国人口理论研究是高层次的文化活动;继而,以追求人与生物圈关系和谐的理论为工具,透视生育文明从古到今的发展.生育文明的本质,就是人通过在婚育方面的文化创造,既增进人自己生命素质又促进人与生物圈关系的和谐,而这也属于中国人口理论的文化内涵.     

Stressors,Coping Resources,Functioning, and Role Limitations Among Older Korean Immigrants: Gender Differences

This study explored the differential impacts of stressors and coping resources on the functioning and roles of 246 older Korean immigrant men and women. Older Korean immigrant women were significantly more likely than men to have acculturation and socioeconomic stressors, physical/social functioning problems, and role limitations. English-language barriers and lack of transportation were significantly related to lower functioning and higher role limitations of older Korean women compared to those of older men. Providing social and health care services with bilingual and transportation services to older Korean immigrant women is recommended to increase their physical/social functioning and role performance.     

Gender Differences in Activity of Daily Living of the Elderly in Rural China: Evidence from Chaohu

ABSTRACT

Using data from a sample survey, “Well-being of the elderly in Anhui province, China,” this paper studies the effects of health, economic and family factors on the activities of daily living (ADLs) as measures of disability for elderly men and women. The objective is to explore reasons for gender differences in ADLs in rural China. Our results suggest that higher incidence rates of chronic diseases, lower cognitive ability, as well as heavier household and daily care burdens of females, are the main factors leading to a higher prevalence of ADL disability for the female elderly.     

Heterosexism,Depression, and Campus Engagement Among LGBTQ College Students: Intersectional Differences and Opportunities for Healing

LGBTQ people experience health disparities related to multilevel processes of sexual and gender marginalization, and intersections with racism can compound these challenges for LGBTQ people of color. Although community engagement may be protective for mental health broadly and for LGBTQ communities in buffering against heterosexism, little research has been conducted on the racialized dynamics of these processes among LGBTQ communities. This study analyzes cross-sectional survey data collected among a diverse sample of LGBTQ college students (n = 460), which was split by racial status. Linear regression models were used to test main effects of interpersonal heterosexism and engagement with campus organizations on depression, as well as moderating effects of campus engagement. For White LGBTQ students, engaging in student leadership appears to weaken the heterosexism–depression link—specifically, the experience of interpersonal microaggressions. For LGBTQ students of color, engaging in LGBTQ-specific spaces can strengthen the association between sexual orientation victimization and depression.     

Family planning in Taiwan, Republic of China: Progress and prospects

Abstract The family planning programme in Taiwan is considered to have been most successful and has been systematically evaluated. In the light of some expressed scepticism, however, its impact on fertility will have to be carefully reviewed. The present article discusses six specific problems : How many women have accepted the Lippes loops or pills offered in the programme ? How long will the loop stay in utero ? What proportion of married women is currently wearing the loops ? What changes have occurred in the knowledge-attitude-practice (KAP) of family planning among the target population ? How many births have been prevented by the IUD programme ? And finally, How much has fertility declined ? The fertility decline in Taiwan has been accelerating since the programme started in 1964. Approximately 40% of the decline in the birth rate, from 36.3 in 1963 to 27.7 in 1969, or 8.5 points per 1,000 in six years, however, was due to changes in age structure and delayed marriage. An increasing proportion of girls of marriageable age and a possible increase in the fecundability of the population will work against the programme's objective. Concerted efforts and heavier investment are essential for the final success of the programme.     

我国台湾就业保障体系与失业保险制度的演进

我国台湾就业保障体系在20世纪50—90年代偏重于就业服务、职业培训,以此提高民众的就业能力。随着岛内经济转轨不成功,失业率大幅攀升,才被迫于1999年正式实施失业保险制度。面对新形势台湾地区就业保障体系与失业保险制度将面临更严峻的挑战。     

台湾-大陆人口老龄化比较研究

本文评述了台湾-大陆人口老龄化的历史发展过程及人口老龄化的特征;运用台湾-大陆的统计资料建立计量模型,从而运用定量的方式分析对比了两岸的人口老龄化成因;最终提出了关于缓解两岸人口老龄化冲击的措施。本研究不仅有助于增进两岸的了解,也为两岸互相汲取经验、互惠互利提供了帮助。     

Patterns of Active Life Among Older Women: Differences Within and Between Groups

SUMMARY

This study examines the distribution of total, unimpaired, and impaired life for several groups of older women defined by race, education, and marital history. Using data from the 1984–1990 Longitudinal Study of Aging, we model transitions among functional statuses using discrete-time Markov chains, and use microsimulation to produce summary indices of active life. Remaining years of life and the proportion of remaining years with disability vary substantially, both within each group of women studied and between pairs of groups. Of all groups studied, never-married, more-educated white women live the longest, healthiest lives. Ever-married nonwhite women with low education have the shortest life expectancy, and experience the most disability. Our findings show that life expectancy is an incomplete indicator of the time women, in particular sub-groups, can expect to live with and without impairment. These findings highlight the heterogeneity of disability processes and life expectancy for older women.     

消费文化，面子竞争与农村的孝道衰落—以打工经济中的顾村为例

随着打工经济在中国农村的深化,大规模流动的农民也在消费文化的生活环境中逐渐习得城市市民的生活理念。而在村庄社区的生活意义系统被消费文化型塑之后,这种价值取向被灌注到村庄日常生活的方方面面,使得村民在以物质财富为基础的面子竞争中不断找寻近期目标。并以在竞争中不断获取“尊严感”和“自我实现感”作为生活的动力。收入有限的村民在浓厚的消费竞争氛围中变得精于算计,并在持续进行的、强调物质利益的角避中舍弃了对于老人的责任和义务。     

中国台湾地区人口老龄化及面临的挑战

我国台湾地区65岁以上老年人口占总人口比例早在1992-1993年便从6.8%上升至7.09%,进入老龄社会,台湾地区完成人口转型进入老龄社会的速度之快令人吃惊。伴随着台湾地区人口快速老龄化,未来几十年台湾地区将在劳动力结构、养老方式、社会保障体系、教育体系以及人口政策调整等方面面临各种严峻挑战。     

中国台湾地区人口老龄化与老年人社会保障

中国台湾地区人口老龄化过程时间短、速度快,地区间发展不平衡。在较短时间内完成人口年龄结构向老龄社会转型后,台湾地区面临人口政策的调整和老年人社会保障的巨大压力。现有的老年人社会保障制度难以适应社会发展的需要,台湾当局正在尝试新一轮的改革和调整。台湾地区人口老龄化较祖国大陆要早,其人口老龄化进程呈现出与祖国大陆较多的相似之处,加之相似的文化传统和价值观念使得研究台湾地区人口老龄化和老年人社会保障制度更具有借鉴意义。     

中国大陆全民医保与台湾地区全民健保福利性之比较

中国大陆的全民医疗保险与台湾地区的全民健康保险在制度覆盖对象、基金给付范围和给付程度、基金实现效率及效果等体现制度福利强度的方面都有明显的差别,这与两地的经济实力、健保观念、健保管理经验和政治环境差异有关。借鉴台湾地区健保经验,大陆欲增强全民医保的福利效果,应把医疗保险发展成统一的全民健康保险,实行门诊和大病统筹保障;加快培育私营医疗服务机构,增加定点医疗机构并让民众自由就诊;建立以病人为中心的医院品质评价机制,引导医院改进服务设施,提高人本服务水平;加快基金按服务质量和病种付费的步伐,加速推行总额预算制;减少对公立医院的非建设性投入,加大对民众医保的投入。     

Using Changes in Life Satisfaction and Health to Predict the Survival Status Among Older Men and Women in Taiwan

Despite policies aimed at decreasing old-age income inequality, such as Social Security and Supplemental Security Income, research consistently finds that later-life poverty is highly concentrated among women. While the early-life economic disadvantages of motherhood are well established, little work has examined whether these disadvantages persist into later life. Life course research consistently demonstrates the relationship between early-life choices and later-life inequality, but few studies have examined whether the reproductive phase of a woman's life is associated with her later-life income. Using data from the 2003 wave of the National Longitudinal Survey of Mature Women cohort, this research examines whether women's age at first birth and parity are associated with her later-life income within the context of marriage. From a set of multivariate analyses, I find that despite a marginal statistically significant effect, substantively for the women in this cohort the effects of childbearing are not particularly consequential for later-life income. The results suggest that as women age the economic penalties associated with motherhood are less important to financial well-being than are other factors.     

Racial and Gender Differences in Pressure Ulcer Development Among Nursing Home Residents in the Southeastern United States

Objective: To determine whether there is a difference in the incidence of pressure ulcers (PU) between African American (AA) and White nursing home (NH) residents in the Southeastern United States. Methods: Data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Minimum Data Set were examined for 113,869 residents who were free of PU at NH admission during 1999–2002. Facility and neighborhood characteristics were abstracted from the Online Survey Certification and Reporting database and the 2000 U.S. Census respectively. Results: The incidence of PU in NH among AAs and Whites was 4.7% (95% CI: 4.4–5.0) and 3.4 % (95% CI: 3.3–3.5) respectively. The association between race and PU development varied between males and females. Differences were noted between AA and White males who were dependent in mobility and between AA and White females who were bedfast and resided in facilities with less than 200 beds. Unlike for females, facility and neighborhood characteristics were not significant confounders in risk for PU incidence among males. Conclusion: PU occurred more frequently in AAs than in Whites. Results suggest that racial differences are marked among males and females with specific characteristics. Interventions for reducing this disparity should target these at-risk groups.     

A stochastic approach to the estimation of the prevalence of IUD: Example of Taiwan,Republic of China

Assuming three patterns of changes in number of new IUD insertions, three stochastic models have been developed for the estimation of the “prevalence” of IUD in situ at a given point of time. The advantages of these models, compared with the conventional ways of estimating IUD prevalence, rest with their ease of use and simplicity of method for calculating variances of the estimates. The models are also useful for family planning administrators to set program targets. A correction factor to estimate the number of IUDs which, although “currently in situ,” are worn by women who have “passed over” the upper age limit of their reproductive spans has also been developed. This is particularly useful in estimating the “effective retention” of IUD.