What's wrong is right: A response to the state of the discipline

In the June issue ofSociological Forum, several authors addressed the question, What's Wrong with Sociology. Answers included increased fragmentation of the discipline, and the lack of an identifiable cumulative core of sociological knowledge. This paper examines many of the claims made by the contributors to the June 1994Sociological Forum, reframes their arguments, and by placing debates regarding the problems in sociology in a broader perspective, identifies many of the recent advances made by the discipline. Focusing on such notable contributions to the field as feminist and postmodern scholarship, we locate the positive side of multiple perspective research.Feminist Scholars in Sociology is a collective of researchers and teachers at the University of Colorado interested in exploring and sharing feminist theory and methodology.     

Experience,perceptions and attitudes of parents who planned home birth in Spain: A qualitative study

BackgroundA woman’s home birth and postpartum experience can have a major impact on her baby’s, partner’s and family’s well being. It is a life-altering event that can help improve or worsen women’s self-esteem and self-confidence.AimThe aim of this study was to describe and understand the experiences, perceptions and attitudes of parents who planned a home birth in Spain.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted based on Gadamer’s hermeneutic phenomenology. Two main methods were used for data collection; narratives and individual in-depth interviews with 14 mothers and 8 fathers who had planned a home birth in the last year. Inductive analysis was used to find themes based on the data obtained.FindingsSix main themes emerged from the data analysis: (1) in search of a natural and personalised birth, (2) breaking with social pressures, (3) experience of home birth for the mother, (4) role of the father in home birth, (5) how does the father experience home birth?, (6) home birth is not available to all mothers and fathers.ConclusionFor the mothers and fathers in this study the home birth experience fulfilled their previous expectations of an intimate and natural moment, making it a highly satisfying experience for both. However, parents expressed experiencing negative feelings such as fear and worry about complications and labor pain. According to our research society in general and public health professionals in particular issue numerous criticisms and value judgments towards mothers and fathers who opt for a home birth in our country. In addition, the study shows the economic and cultural inequalities in access to home birth in Spain.     

A qualitative study of the impact of adverse birth experiences on fathers

BackgroundBeing present during labour and birth can, for some fathers, result in feelings of fear, uncertainty, anxiety, and helplessness. Witnessing birth complications or adverse events may cause immediate and long-term anxiety and stress. In turn, this experience can impact on men’s sense of self and identity as a man and father and can affect his relationship with his infant and partner. The aim of this study was to explore the immediate and longer-term impact of witnessing a complicated or adverse birth experiences on men in heterosexual relationships and their role as a father.MethodsAn interpretive qualitative approach informed the design of this study. A total of 17 fathers, one from New Zealand and sixteen from Australia participated through face to face, telephone and email interviews. The ages of the men were between 24 to 48 years, and the time since the adverse birth experience ranged from 4.5 months to 20.5 years.FindingsThematic analysis revealed three major themes representing men’s experiences of witnessing a complicated birth or adverse event; ‘Worst experience of my life’, ‘Negotiating my place: communicating with health professionals’ and ‘Growing stronger or falling apart’. Men were unprepared and feared for the lives of their infants and partners, they expected and wanted to be involved in the birth and the maternity care journey, instead they were pushed to the side and excluded from the labour and birth during times of emergency. Being excluded from part or all of the birth perpetuated worry and vulnerability as, at times, men were left not knowing anything about what was happening to their partners. Midwives and other health professionals’ support was important to the way fathers adjusted and processed the complications of the labour and birth event. This experience impacted on their own mental health and their relationship with their baby and partner.ConclusionFindings demonstrate that following a complicated or adverse birth experience, men questioned their role as a father, their place in the family and their role at the birth. There is a need to include and inform the expectant father that help is available if they experience negative feelings of hopelessness or despair. Maternity services and care providers need to involve fathers so that they feel part of the maternity care system and journey which may mitigate feelings of helplessness.     

Being in the shadow of the unknown — Swedish women’s lived experiences of pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic,a phenomenological study

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on the emotional well-being of expecting mothers. Sweden’s unique strategy for managing COVID-19 involved no national lockdown. Emphasis was instead placed on limiting crowding and asking citizens to practice social distancing measures.AimTo gain a deeper understanding of how women not infected by SARS-CoV-2 experienced pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden.MethodsThis was a qualitative study with a reflective lifeworld approach. Fourteen women that had not contracted COVID-19 and who were pregnant during the first and second wave of the pandemic were interviewed. Data were analysed with a phenomenological reflective lifeworld approach.FindingsThe essence of the women’s experiences of being pregnant during the COVID-19 pandemic was best described as being in the shadow of the unknown, where the COVID-19 pandemic could at times totally overshadow the experience of being pregnant, while at other times, rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds. The experience was characterised by having to deal with the uncertainties caused by the pandemic and feelings of being in an information echo. Women felt socially isolated and had to face maternal check-ups without the support of their partners. There was, however, a strong trust in maternal health-care services despite the lack of information available.ConclusionBeing in the shadow of the unknown represents the uncertainties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic on the experience of pregnancy. Sufficient information, a companion of choice and screening for emotional well-being are important factors in maternity care during pandemics.     

Clinical outcomes for women who had continuity of care experiences with midwifery students

BackgroundPre-registration midwifery students in Australia are required to engage in a minimum of ten continuity of care experiences (CoCE). Students recruit and gain consent of each woman to provide CoCE under direct supervision of a registered health professional, usually a midwife. Clinical outcomes for women who had CoCE with a midwifery student placed in a continuity of midwifery care (CMC) or fragmented models are rarely reported.Aims1. analyse clinical outcomes for women experiencing CMC with CoCE by students; 2. analyse clinical outcomes for women in a fragmented care model with CoCE by students; and 3. compare clinical outcomes according to women’s primary model of care.MethodsStudents undertaking a Bachelor of Midwifery program at one Australian university recorded clinical outcomes for women experiencing CoCE during pregnancy [n = 5972] and labour and birth [n = 3933] in an e-portfolio. A retrospective, cohort design compared student recorded maternal data with National Core Maternity Indicators and Queensland Perinatal Data.ResultsMidwifery students providing CoCE reported better or equal clinical outcomes for women compared to population data. Women receiving CoCE had reduced likelihood of tobacco smoking after 20 weeks of pregnancy, episiotomy, and third and fourth degree tears.ConclusionsClinical outcomes for women in fragmented models of care and receiving CoCE by undergraduate, pre-registration midwifery students are equal to or better than State data across 12 variables. CoCE should be offered to all women early in their pregnancy to ensure optimal benefits. Acknowledging midwifery students’ potential to make positive impacts on women’s clinical outcomes may prompt more health services to reconceptualise and foster CoCE.     

在传统与现代之间:近代天津永租契约探微

朱文通以民国时期河北高等法院档案为个例对研究范式的多元化和中国近现代史研究的新动向展开探讨。文章认为,在历史研究中,运用新资料至关重要。民国时期河北高等法院档案资料具有重要学术价值,如能得到充分发掘利用,必将有力地促进中国近代史研究向纵深发展。肖红松对民国时期河北的烟毒吸食问题进行探讨后指出,河北烟毒的吸食群体总量在三十万人左右甚至更高,文章还对烟毒吸食群体以及烟毒吸食的蔓延趋势进行了多维度解读。王小梅以民国时期河北高等法院档案中的部分破产案卷为中心,对南京国民政府《破产法》的制定、实施及其所具有的作用、意义等情况进行了深刻剖析。任吉东探讨了近代天津永租房地契其在中国内部的固有形态以及在外力冲击下所产生的变化,阐释了天津土地契约形式在近代的蜕变,以及城市近代化过程中传统与现代的碰撞与融合。裴赞芬对中国继承法律文本的近代化、司法实践中的立嗣与女子继承权问题进行探讨后认为,民国时期近代继承法理念已从法律文本逐步渗入民间生活,实现了中国传统继承制度的近代嬗变。     

近年林徽因传记写作及其研究理路

20世纪90年代以来,林徽因传记的编写成为传记写作中的一个亮点。林徽因传记的编写对我们认识 林徽因的思想历程、精神结构和学术成就而言无疑是一项有益的事业,因此,对林徽因传记的编写状况进行系统全 面的梳理和研究将是有益的和必要的。     

论以人为中心的学校管理理念

以教育管理思想的变革趋势为背景,提出了以人为中心的学校管理理念,对其内涵的主体性、整体性和变化性作了阐释与描述,分析与其他管理理念的区别,进而对此种理念的价值实现问题进行探讨。     

我国少数民族双语研究的现状分析

作者回顾了我国少数民族双语研究的历史，分析了少数民族双语研究的现状，引述了当前我国少数民族双语研究中的几个概念模糊的相关术语，分析和探讨了当前少数民族双语研究的主要方法和研究的主要内容。     

教师专业发展途径研究综述

本文以教师专业发展途径的视角,从校本研究、评价与管理、教师专业发展学校、网络与博客等四个方面来审视我国教师专业发展的研究成果,从中梳理出我国教师专业发展研究的特征与走向。