Career Planning in Spain: Do Fixed-term Contracts Delay Marriage and Parenthood?

The aim of this paper is to find an empirical connection between the striking increase in the use of fixed-term contracts in Spain and the observed delay in the age at marriage and maternity. Using the eight waves of individual information from the European Household Panel for Spain, we find that for men, the decision whether to get married is strongly negatively affected by holding unstable contracts or not working, relative to when an indefinite contract is held. However, for women, results suggest that holding fixed-term contracts is not a deterrent for the decision whether to get married. With respect to the decision of whether to enter into parenthood, results indicate that for all childless women, either with no partner, holding fixed-term contracts delays entry into motherhood relative to the holding of indefinite contracts. The discouragement effect is stronger for women with no partner, though.JEL classification: D1, J1     

Does Returning to Work After Childbirth Affect Breastfeeding Practices?

This study examines the effect of the timing and intensity of returning to work after childbirth on the probability of initiating breastfeeding and the number of weeks of breastfeeding. Data come from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY79). Baseline probit models and family-level fixed effects models indicate that returning to work within 3 months is associated with a reduction in the probability that the mother will initiate breastfeeding by 16–18%. Among those mothers who initiate breastfeeding, returning to work within 3 months is associated with a reduction in the length of breastfeeding of 4–5 weeks. We find less consistent evidence that working at least 35 h per week (among mothers who return to work within 3 months) detracts from breastfeeding. Future research is needed on understanding how employers can design policies and workplaces that support breastfeeding.     

The needs and experiences of women with gestational diabetes mellitus from minority ethnic backgrounds in high-income nations: A systematic integrative review

BackgroundGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) represents a growing challenge worldwide, with significant risks to both the mother and baby that extend beyond the duration of the pregnancy and immediate post-partum period. Women from ethnic minority groups who access GDM care in high-income settings face particular challenges. The aim of this systematic integrative review is to explore the experiences and needs of women with GDM from select ethnic groups in high-income healthcare settings.MethodsFor the purposes of this systematic integrative review, a comprehensive search strategy explored the electronic databases CINAHL, Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched for primary studies that explored the needs and experiences of women with gestational diabetes from select ethnic minority groups living in high-income nations. The ethnicity of the women in the study included: East, South and Southeast Asian, Indian subcontinent, Aboriginal/First Nations, Torres Strait Islander, Pacific Islander, Māori, Middle Eastern, African, or South/Latina American. Studies were assessed with the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool and findings were synthesised with thematic analysis.ResultsThis review included 15 qualitative studies, one mixed method, and one cross-sectional study. Six high-income nations were represented. The voices and experiences of 843 women who originated from at least one ethnic minority group are represented. Four major themes were constructed: psychological impact of GDM, GDM care and education, GDM and sociocultural impact, and GDM and lifestyle changes.Discussion and conclusionLimitations exist in the provision of culturally appropriate care to support the management of GDM in women from select ethnic groups in high-income healthcare settings. Women require care that is culturally appropriate, considering the individual needs and cultural practices of the woman. Engaging a woman’s partner and family ensures good support is provided. Culturally appropriate care needs to be co-designed with communities so that women are at the centre of their care, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach.     

Filling a critical gap: measuring work policies that affect families globally

Work is a central element in most people's lives, and its adequacy and value cannot be measured by simple figures showing how many people have gained or lost jobs. Current measures of decent work are more comprehensive in terms of what matters to individuals, but deficient in their coverage of work policies that matter to families. In this article, we argue the importance and feasibility of measuring policies and laws that shape work quality, and in particular those that shape how work affects families on a global basis. We make the case that this policy area is especially critical under changing social conditions, and propose a manageable and feasible set of indicators permitting an assessment of the extent to which national labor policies facilitate the ability of working adults to meet the requirements of their jobs as well as the needs of their families. Methods are described and findings mapped for all UN countries in key areas including maternal leave, paternal leave, leave to care for children's health, leave to care for adult family members, and leave to meet other family needs.     

关于我国生育保险法律制度适用范围的探讨——以实现生育保险法律制度的价值为视角

生育保险法律制度能够对生育女性及其家庭的安全提供保障，是对女性生育社会价值的肯定，有助于实现男女平等和企业之间公平竞争。生育保险适用范围关系到生育保险法律制度价值的实现。我国目前生育保险制度适用范围狭窄，很多弱势群体难以享受该待遇，因此有必要将其扩大为全体女性，才能真正实现生育保险制度的价值，实现公平，促进社会和谐发展。     

防辐射孕妇装的防护性能与市场热点成因分析

通过对电磁辐射的危害、孕妇心理、防辐射面料性能,及防辐射孕妇装的结构与性能等进行分析,得出防辐射孕妇装成为市场热点的成因,并对市场上以防辐射面料的检测结果代替防辐射服装的功效证明做了一定的讨论.     

母性?女性?——对《永远有多远》中白大省的另一种解读

铁凝在中篇小说《永远有多远》中,塑造了一个介于母性与女性之间的社会角色白大省,独特的女性心理使她在剖析女性精神世界时也直指男权文化的影响对白大省母性意识的强化与女性意识的背离。     

试论苏青笔下的母性情结

与众多现当代女作家不同,苏青的“母性情结”来源于她内心的最深切的体验,而这恰是构成其作品的基点。文章试从母性本体的失落、母性情结的回归、现代母性的期待等三个方面剖析苏青笔下的独特的母性情结,具有一定的合理性和超前性。     

母亲的缺席与母爱的在场--《简·爱》解读

“母亲的缺席”一直是困扰女作家夏洛蒂·勃朗特的永恒的母题 ,也是她小说中的男女主人公们不得不面对的人生磨难。然而 ,母亲的缺席并不就意味着母爱的缺席 ,夏洛蒂在《简·爱》里以一系列母性形象 ,包括神奇的大自然 ,满足了孤女简对母爱的诉求。但母爱本身又远不是简的终极渴望 ,通过字里行间我们能感觉到她对母亲身分的厌烦和拒绝     

“婆须蜜多”:苏曼殊的涅槃情结

苏曼殊一生追求佛性、肉欲女性与母性三者的融合,而《华严经》中所记述的婆须蜜多菩萨以肉欲度人成佛,体现出佛、肉欲和母性这三种性质的融合,故苏曼殊的这种追求可称为"婆须蜜多"情结,只不过苏曼殊独特的人格结构使这种情结扭曲变形、矛盾百结,化而为文,则使其作品充满了情与佛,欲与理的尖锐对立,并最终以情之涅槃为结,而这也是苏曼殊所追寻的此种情结的最高境界。