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âTrue Champions and Incredible Patriotsâ: The Transformation of the Ceremonial White House Visit under President Trump
No full textIn the United States, a championship-winning sports teamâs ceremonial visit to the White House has become a familiar tradition. Beginning nearly a century ago when Calvin Coolidge invited the Washington Senators to celebrate their second American League Pennant in 1924, the White House visit has evolved into such a common occurrence that we tend to take it for granted as a public relations ploy for the political elites and sports darlings of the moment, ultimately bearing little consequence for either. Yet the rhetorical strategies involved in these events reveal shifting understandings of sportsâ role in American culture along with interrelated anxieties about what defines the United States as a nation. Especially in the context of a turbulent and divisive social climate under President Trump, the ceremonial White House visit has become an unlikely stage for displaying overarching ideological tensions. The controversies surrounding Trumpâs invitations and disinvitations, as well as playersâ acceptances and rejections, illuminate the inherently political dimensions of sport as athletes conform to, negotiate, or in many cases subvert societal expectations. Mounting disruptions of an enduring White House ritual have initiated a dialogue about leadership, honor, and freedom, foundational tenets of the US and the office that represents it
The Effects of War On Women In Syria: A Feminist Analysis
Get PDFThe Syrian war that began in 2011 has had devastating effects on the lives of millions of people. However, its effects on womenâs lives has generally been significantly different from its effects on men. In this paper, I look at the effects that the war has had on women and also at the ways that the media has portrayed Syrian women. I use feminist sociological theories to analyse both the effects of the war and the media portrayal of it. Three commonly highlighted issues faced by women to a greater extent since the war began are violence against women, the commodification of women, and maternal health concerns. Through the lens of radical feminist theory, all three of these effects can be explained as being ultimately rooted in a social system of patriarchy. The warâs effects on the lives of women are quite diverse, however, and women have responded to the war in many different ways. Unfortunately, the Western bias that exists in the media has largely failed to capture this and often only paints women in one particular light. Postcolonial and transnational feminist theories critique the Western bias that exists in both the dominant media discourse on Syrian women and also in the framework of radical feminist theory. My own conclusions include the idea that that womenâs experiences of the Syrian war are quite diverse, and understanding these diverse experiences helps us have a more accurate view of the warâs effects on womenâs lives
The Advantages of Gay Parents: Examining the Outcomes of Children of Same and Different-Sex Parents
Get PDFIn Canada, approximately 0.8% of couples are of the same sex, and there are approximately 10,000 children living with a same-sex couple (Statistics Canada 2015). At this time, there are no Canadian studies examining outcomes of children raised by same-sex parents compared with their peers raised by different-sex parents. Given that mental health, physical health, and educational outcomes among children from Western nations are generally comparable, it follows that data from multiple American, European, and Australian studies may be expected to predict trends for outcomes in Canadian children. A remarkable number of studies on the topic have emerged in recent years in the United States, Europe, and Australia. This paper reviews international studies on various outcomes of children of same-sex parents, and seeks to apply the findings in a Canadian context. Specifically, this paper will review outcomes of children with same-sex versus different-sex parents on measures related to three broad categories: psychological well-being, physical health, and education. After adjusting for socioeconomic factors such as income and education, no significant differences are discernible in health and development between children of same-sex couples versus children of different-sex couples. Additionally, some scholars have noted that children of same-sex couples outperform their peers on matters of education and civic engagement. Perceived differences between the two groups are more likely attributable to secondary factors such as parental income, level of education, and parental engagement with their children. Reference: Statistics Canada. 2015. Same-sex couples and sexual orientation... by the numbers. Retrieved from: https://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/dai/smr08/2015/smr08_203_201
People Worthy of Respect: Healthcare Disparities in Trans Canadians
Get PDFWhen people feel stigmatized, judged or bullied in a certain setting, it follows that they will avoid that setting as much as possible. Research shows this is exactly what is happening with trans people in Canada who require medical care. Despite being entitled to equal access to healthcare, trans Canadians frequently face stigma and discrimination which leads to unmet health needs. Consequently, they are less likely to seek care, even in the event of a medical emergency. This paper explores the reasons why trans Canadians are at greater risk for poor health, and examines possible solutions to this complex social problem. There are three distinct, but related, reasons why trans people face elevated risks. First, trans people suffer greater stigma and discrimination in their daily lives than does the general public; this places them at higher risk for mental illness, addictions, and high-risk behaviours. Secondly, the medical system and medical professionals have a history of discriminating against trans patients. Finally, as a result of stigma and discrimination, trans people are less likely to seek preventative care or care for non-life-threatening ailments than are members of the general public. These factors combine to create system of inequitable health care for trans Canadians. Solutions to these problems require that the healthcare system, and healthcare practitioners, first change the way that they view and treat trans patients: as people worthy of respect
Fires in the Rough: A Close Examination of the Fire Hazards in the Rural-Urban Fringe in Kelowna, B.C.
Get PDFFire hazards in the rural-urban fringe have been a cause of concern for several decades. During the hot, dry summer months, risks for fires increase dramatically. This is due in part to the low level of maintenance in these areas when compared to their urban counterparts, as well as the issues of weather, lack of adherence to policy regarding environmental management, and the emergency response of the region. These issues have been thoroughly investigated using a deep literature review using peer reviewed articles, newspaper articles, regional data from statistics Canada, and this paper includes an examination of wildfire events in the Kelowna area, exploring the potential improvements from the perspectives of management, policy, and individual responsibility. We found that the probability of fires occurring is greater in the rural- urban fringe, the response time by regional district is slower, and there is a greater susceptibility of the landscape to hazardous weather conditions. In conclusion, the social and physical characteristics of the rural-urban fringe in Kelowna promote an environment that is particularly vulnerable to wildfires, and the city is continuing to improve land-use patterns in the area to ensure a decrease risk of fire hazards
