Conjugal intimacy,gender and modernity in contemporary China

The new generation of modernity theorists have forecast the democratization of gender relations within intimate relationships in late‐modern times. Chinese society has undergone rapid and dramatic changes in its unique trajectory of political, social and economic reform. Using China as an example of a region which has been largely ignored in contemporary social theory, this article enters the debate to contest the extent to which conjugal relationships are democratized in line with modernity. We further test the assertion that modern marriages are characterized by increased self‐disclosure and communication between partners. Data from a national survey on Chinese families is analysed in relation to the level of self‐disclosure between husbands and wives; gender division of housework; household decision‐making; and home ownership. We highlight the impact of gender, cohort and location (urban, rural or migrant) on experiences of modernity and draw attention to the material, social and cultural factors which continue to shape conjugal relations in contemporary Chinese society. Based on our findings, we contest the argument that disclosing intimacy between intimate partners is a defining characteristic of modern relationships, and suggest that other social factors may condition degrees of self‐disclosure in marriage. Similarly, we question the extent to which heterosexual conjugal equality is attained: the cultural practices and values of patrilineal family organization, together with material circumstances, continue to influence marital relations in China.     

传播“公共性”视角下的城乡数字鸿沟

公共传播是当前传播学研究的热点,在对传播“公共性”解读的基础上,从传播“公共性”的视角分析城乡数字鸿沟发现,当前城乡居民之间的数字鸿沟正呈加深的趋势,一方面表现在公共资源分配不均、传播渠道开放性差异等“物”的因素方面,另一方面表现在城乡传播者多元性、主体性、媒介素养、传播理念等“人”的因素方面,这种数字鸿沟的存在使得农村传播资源不足、传播渠道不畅、传播意识和传播能力缺乏等问题严重。为此,要保障城乡“数字公平”,使农村居民获得与城市居民平等的传播权益,就需要从减少城乡数字鸿沟开始：在新媒体环境下,加强农村居民对传播资源的使用权、媒介的接近权、话语的表达权和利益的诉求权等;尤其要加强农村居民媒介素养,唤起农村居民的主体传播意识,促进城乡数字民主化进程,让农村居民也能在公共传播领域表达、理解、批判、质疑各类信息,逐渐建立公共、公平、民主的城乡居民传播体系。     

Pierre Bourdieu: theorizing the digital

ABSTRACT

Pierre Bourdieu is known for his research in the areas of education and cultural stratification that led to a number of theoretical contributions informing the social sciences. Bourdieu’s interrelated concepts of field, capital, and habitus have become central in many approaches to inequality and stratification across the social sciences. In addition, we argue that Bourdieu’s ideas also feature in what is increasingly known as ‘digital sociology.’ To underscore this claim, we explore the ways in which Bourdieu’s ideas continue to have a major impact on social science research both on and with digital and Internet-based technologies. To do so, we offer a review of both Bourdieusian theorizing of the digital vis-à-vis both research on the social impacts of digital communication technologies and the application of digital technologies to social science research methods. We contend that three interconnected features of Bourdieu’s sociology have allowed his approach to flourish in the digital age: (1) his theories’ inseparability from the practice of empirical research; (2) his ontological stance combining realism and social constructionism; and (3) his familiarity with concepts developed in other disciplines and participation in interdisciplinary collaborative projects. We not only reason that these three factors go some way in accounting for Bourdieu’s influence in many sociological subfields, but we also suggest that they have been especially successful in positioning Bourdieusian sociology to take advantage of opportunities associated with digital communication technologies.     

Information society and digital divide in South Africa: results of longitudinal surveys

Integration into the information society implies that information plays an increasingly important role in all sectors of society and holds distinct social and economic benefits. Discourses on the information society are, however, also associated with the digital divide and inequalities in access to and use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). Within sub-Saharan Africa, South Africa is often regarded as one of the most information-integrated societies due to widespread mobile phone ownership, among other things. However, while ICT access has been emphasized, research also points to the role of demographic, socio-economic and cultural factors such as ethnicity, income, education and gender. This article discusses the results of questionnaire surveys conducted by Afrobarometer among probability South African samples in 2008 and 2011. The results indicate that individual Internet use and mobile Internet access were lower than estimated in the literature. Furthermore, gender gaps, as well as considerable gaps between population groups and educational levels, were found in Internet and computer use, mobile ownership and access to mobile Internet and accessing news via the Internet. Conclusions regarding strategies for bridging the digital divide and integrating South Africa into the information society are discussed.     

Female Sex Trade Workers,Condoms, and the Public-Private Divide

Abstract

This qualitative study explored the ways in which social relations within the public (work) as opposed to the private (home) contexts shape variable condom use among female sex trade workers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 68 female sex workers working in various settings in an urban center in Eastern Canada. The findings suggest that work-related social relations, and the meanings associated with condoms at work, create a strong confidence in condom use. Within the private setting, such confidence was also evident but most women reported either not using condoms or only using “sometimes.” Nevertheless, many women do engage in risk management within the private setting, and take active steps to decrease their risks of Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV)/Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).     

刑法刑事责任年龄阶段划分探析——兼谈97《刑法》第17条

对中外刑事责任年龄阶段的划分进行了比较分析。国外有“四分法”、“三分法”和“二分法”的分歧 ,国内有“三分法”和“四分法”的争论。笔者否定“四分法”及“二分法”,肯定“三分法”,并对 1997年修订的《刑法》第17条的立法方式提出了建议 ,以期完善我国的刑事责任年龄制度     

安达凹陷中浅层油气成藏主控因素研究

通过对松辽盆地北部安达地区源岩条件、排烃动力条件、油源断裂、储层、圈闭等成藏要素的综合研究，明确了安达凹陷中浅层油气成藏的主控因素及成藏规律。研究表明：（1） 成熟烃源岩的发育程度是安达凹陷中浅层油气成藏的首要控制因素，控制了油气藏的范围及规模；（2） 对于泉四段而言，在成熟烃源岩内青一段的超压发育程度是其成藏的主要控制因素；（3） 对于青山口组而言，油源断裂是基础，青二+三段储层的发育程度是其成藏的主要控制因素；（4） 安达凹陷整体相对较低的成熟度（大部分地区R_o<0.9%）及相对较薄的烃源岩（大部分地区烃源岩的厚度小于80m）造成的生烃潜力不足可能制约了姚家组的成藏。     

松辽盆地大安-新肇地区天然气聚集成藏条件研究

分析了大安—新肇地区天然气分布在形式上受构造因素控制而集中在各个鼻状构造的高点或轴部,但不同的鼻状构造上探井天然气显示的不均匀性暗示着本区天然气运聚成藏的复杂性,实际上,控制本区天然气成藏的主要因素是断裂与砂体展布,鼻状构造倾没方向和断裂走向以及砂体变薄与尖灭方向三者的匹配关系决定了本区天然气运聚成藏的难易程度、规模、类型和分布,而断层倾向盘的天然气聚集效应是本区断层控制天然气运聚成藏的重要表现。     

“Whatsapping” the continuity of postpartum care in Switzerland: A socio-anthropological study

BackgroundDigital media such as Apps, Internet and social networks have become integral parts of the maternity experience for more than a decade. These media can support or undermine women’s experiences as has been shown in digital sociology research. Using Immediate Messaging Applications to provide information and support to women during the perinatal period is an emerging practice.AimThis article analyses how health and social care professionals – with a focus on community midwives – and women communicate between postpartum home visits through Immediate Message Applications in Switzerland.MethodsA socio-anthropological study that relied on qualitative methods including semi-directed interviews with midwives and health and social care professionals (n = 30) and immigrant women (n = 20).FindingsSince the introduction of Immediate Messaging Applications, women and their carer converse more regularly between post-partum home visits. Women send questions, pictures and videos to them, often allowing swift responses to their concerns. Midwives encounter difficulties answering women’s questions when they cannot be solved through quick communication (e.g. infant crying). To them, texting frequency forms a clinical clue to women’s mental health. Not all women contact their carer through digital messages; immigrant women are less likely to know and use this service.Discussion and conclusionImmediate Messaging Applications form a promising communication tool, complementary to home visits, and contribute to woman-centered care and continuity of care. As an emergent practice, it has not been framed by a guideline yet. Policy makers and practitioners should ensure that its use does not contribute to unequal access to care.