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Catch Them Young: The Game Changer in the Fight Against Religious Extremism in Nigeria
Get PDFThis study examined the "Catch Them Young" approach as a game-changer in the fight against religious extremism in Nigeria with the aim of fashioning a Virtue Ethics-based framework for tackling and erasing religious extremism from Nigeria, especially in its violent forms. The study utilized the qualitative methodology, designed with the Almajiri Islamic system of education practiced in Northern Nigeria as case study. In data collection, the study utilized archival research and secondary data collection, using existing datasets from paperback and electronic books, academic journals, other academic works, newspapers, websites, electronic magazines, and other available media sources. The method of analysis was thematic. The study explored the theoretical frameworks through which the question of religious extremism has been studied. The study probed the approaches which the Nigerian goverenment has applied in its response to violent religious extremism and terrorism in Nigeria. The key findings of the study showed that political interest, unemployment, poverty, deprivation, ignorance and inadequate education are the major factors contributing to religious extremism in Nigeria. The existing approaches of military means (hard power) in combating religious extremism have not worked, and a feasible, proactive, non-military (soft power) means is needed. Results equally showed the Almajiri system in it's present state as counterproductive. Based on the success of youth programs with nearly the same goals as the catch them young strategy in other fields and/or in other places, the success of the "Catch Them Young" approach in virtue or character education of the Nigerian child is a feasible game-changing stratey to pursue in fighting religious exteremism in Nigeria. One limitation of the study is the small sample size, the Almajiri of norther Nigeria, which may not be representative of the entire population of Nigeria. This study serves as a reference for creating virtue ethics-based frameworks in the fight against religious extremism in Nigeria. More research is needed to give traction to the formulation and utilization of virtue ethics-based frameworks in the fight against religious extremism, and in every other field of human endeavor in Nigeria. This makes available more material to researchers, professionals and policymakers.Thesis (STL) — Boston College, 2023.Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry.Discipline: Sacred Theology
Dementia-Related Euthanasia: A Catholic Contribution to Dialogue When Human Freedom is at Stake
Get PDFThesis advisor: Daniel DalyThesis advisor: James KeenanThesis (STL) — Boston College, 2023.Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry.Discipline: Sacred Theology
Shattering the glass ceiling through purpose development: An intersectional examination of the role of adversity and mentoring among adolescent girls
Get PDFThesis advisor: Belle LiangAdolescent girls have reached unprecedented levels of success in today’s society. Simultaneously, many adolescent girls face adversities and their mental health remains a concern (Schramal et al., 2010; Spencer et al., 2018;). Positive Youth Development scholars continues to explore how society can best support adolescent girls as they navigate key developmental milestones (Lerner et al., 2005; Damon, 2004). Importantly, research has solidified a number of benefits of Youth Purpose (i.e., a long-term, committed, directed aspiration, with a prosocial desire). Youth Purpose is considered a key developmental asset, and contributes to thriving. Indeed, having a sense of purpose can serve as a protective factor for individuals and help bolster their overall well-being (Liang et al., 2018; Liang et al, 2017; Damon et al., 2003). Youth purpose along with Post Traumatic Growth can positively impact individuals facing adversities (Kashdan & McKnight, 2009; Tedeschi & Lawrence, 2004). Similarly, mentoring relationships are associated with numerous positive outcomes including the development of purpose (Dubois & Rhodes, 2006; Lerner, 2004; Liang et al., 2017). While youth purpose is well documented (Damon et al., 2003; Hill et al., 2010), there is limited research on purpose development for adolescent girls from marginalized backgrounds. Given the profound benefits of purpose, additional research is warranted on how purpose is cultivated in marginalized adolescent girls. This dissertation sought to expand the literature and better understand how adversity relates to purpose development, during the adolescent years and how mentoring relationships can contribute to this development. Additional research is needed to focus on one of the most vulnerable populations, adolescent girls from marginalized backgrounds, and to discover ways to help protect their mental health and well- being as they continue to thrive in society.
This study included 13 interviews with adolescent girls from marginalized backgrounds. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data and five major themes emerged. Analyses suggested that while these participants experiences endured adverse experiences, they maintained a positive outlook on life, and their future. With the help of their mentors, and through the development of critical consciousness, participants were able to utilize adverse experiences to help inform their sense of purpose. Data was collected during the COVID-19 pandemic. This crucial time period allowed for the collection of exemplary data, which revealed how adolescent girls utilized the pandemic as a time for self-growth, and how they conceptualized their purpose with respect to the pandemic.Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2023.Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education.Discipline: Counseling, Developmental and Educational Psychology
Essays in Banking and Consumer Finance:
No full textThesis advisor: Philip E. StrahanMy dissertation consists of two chapters. In the first chapter, I show that the growing trend in financial services digitalization has introduced a new dimension along which commercial banks compete, with consequences for the local economy. Small community banks (SCBs) are slow to implement mobile technologies and lose deposits to larger, better-digitalized banks following mobile infrastructure improvements. This dynamic negatively affects their small business lending, for they have historically relied on information and liquidity synergies with deposits to maintain their competitive advantage in such markets. Larger banks and FinTech firms prove to be imperfect substitutes in this setting, and the local economy benefits less from digitalization in areas where SCBs had an important presence before its advent. The second chapter, co-authored with Prof. Rawley Heimer, focuses on the outcomes of consumers' efforts to achieve restitution for disputed financial services. We find that complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) from low-income and Black zip codes are 30% less likely to be resolved with the consumer receiving financial restitution. The gap in financial restitution was scarcely present under the Obama administration, but grew substantially under the Trump administration. We attribute the change in financial restitution under different political regimes to companies anticipating a more industry-friendly CFPB, as well as to the more industry-friendly leadership of the CFPB achieving less financial restitution for low-income and Black filers. The financial restitution gap cannot be explained by differences in product usage nor the quality of complaints, which we measure using textual analysis.Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2023.Submitted to: Boston College. Carroll School of Management.Discipline: Finance
Inflation Targeting Venezuela’s Hyperinflation
Get PDFThesis advisor: Geoffrey SanzenbacherIn recent decades, an increasing number of countries have adopted inflation targeting (IT) as a framework for monetary policy, wherein the country's central bank attempts to steer actual inflation toward a projected target rate. However, the question still remains whether or not IT can work in low-income countries experiencing hyperinflation, such as Venezuela. One of the main challenges facing such countries is the lack of credibility of their monetary institutions. Inflation targeting may help restore this credibility by committing the central bank to a transparent and accountable monetary policy. This paper delves into the theory of inflation targeting, examines the benefits and challenges associated with IT, and discusses the specific challenges that Venezuela may face when adopting IT. The paper also emphasizes the importance of accurate economic data in developing effective monetary policies and argues that forecasting can play a critical role in predicting the effectiveness of IT in Venezuela. Empirical evidence from other countries that have implemented inflation targeting will also be used to provide insights into the potential benefits and challenges of this policy for Venezuela.Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2023.Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences.Discipline: Departmental Honors.Discipline: Economics
Finding and Feeling Meaningfulness in an Invisible Occupation:
Get PDFThesis advisor: Michael G. PrattEvidence is mounting that recognition from others may play a critical role in shaping an individual’s experience of meaningful work; so how do workers find meaningfulness when their work is “invisible”? I examine this tension through a qualitative, inductive study of the occupation of linemen—the women and men who construct and repair power lines. By examining this invisible occupation, my research explains the conditions that foster the “recognition gap”—a disparity between the recognition linemen believe they deserve and the recognition they actually receive. This recognition gap ultimately produces meaningfulness insecurity—feelings of uncertainty or doubt about the meaningfulness of their work. Moreover, this research also explains how linemen overcome this meaningfulness insecurity through intuitive feelings of pride in beautiful completed work. Through a process motivated by a desire to avoid criticism for ugly work, linemen develop “expert schemas” that allow for intuitive—rapid, nonconscious, and affectively charged—reactions to the appearance of a completed job. When positive, these intuitive judgements foster experiences of meaningfulness. By explaining these processes, this dissertation re-casts meaningfulness from an individual accomplishment to one that is deeply dependent on social cues; and from a process requiring thoughtful reflection to one driven by intuitive judgements.Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2023.Submitted to: Boston College. Carroll School of Management.Discipline: Management and Organization
Multilingual Identity Development of International Students and the Culturally Engaging Nature of their Learning Environment: An Empirical and Conceptual Analysis
No full textThesis advisor: Lillie R. AlbertThose who choose to pursue international education can be viewed as cultural ambassadors, ones who can play meaningful roles in bridging the gaps that divide us if they are afforded supportive, inclusive, and identity affirming learning experiences during their formative college years. However, the cultural and linguistic knowledge and global perspectives that many of these students bring to their campuses seem to be undervalued, overlooked, or misunderstood by domestic students, instructors, and community members. Research has also indicated that many international students who study in the U.S. higher education system struggle to adjust to the academic, social, cultural, and linguistic norms upheld by their host institutions. This thematically-linked three-paper dissertation aims to address these issues by critically examining international student experiences and institutional barriers that this population faces within a specific U.S. university context from individual, classroom, and institutional levels.
The first study is a longitudinal case study focusing on the multilingual identity development of three Korean international graduate students. The second study is a multiple case study analysis of faculty and administrative leaders’ beliefs and attitudes concerning support for international students and the culturally engaging nature of their campus. The final study utilizes a survey to explore the racial, linguistic, social, and cultural dynamics of a higher education institution from international student perspectives.
The studies revealed that Korean graduate students experienced numerous instances of marginalization in academic and social settings because of social status and language characteristics. Critical views of faculty members and student affairs professionals showed that, for decades, international students in the study’s context have been othered academically and socially, and their linguistic and cultural identities are often ignored or underappreciated. The survey results indicated that self-reported language experiences are a predictor of marginalization, overall satisfaction, and satisfaction with interacting with domestic students, and that previous education is a predictor of perceptions of mainstream racial and immigration related ideologies.
These findings from this research indicate a need to internationalize closeminded curricula and pedagogical approaches, to create structured opportunities for positive intercultural exchange and understanding, and to foster a commitment among all campus stakeholders to embrace their roles in realizing a more identity-affirming culturally engaging learning environment.Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2023.Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education.Discipline: Teacher Education, Special Education, Curriculum and Instruction
Spirituality as a developmental asset: The sample case of Compassion International youth development programming in El Salvador
No full textThesis advisor: Jacqueline V. LernerPositive youth development (PYD) emerged from the relational developmental systems metatheory which focuses on the coactions between individuals and their contexts as the fundamental process of development. Within this theory, individuals and contexts (e.g., families, communities) thrive when their coactions are mutually beneficial (Overton, 2015). Within youth programs, researchers and practitioners have focused on how contextual and programmatic resources might work together with attributes of youth in mutually beneficial ways to promote thriving. When such youth attributes align with the resources of the context, PYD, and, in turn, positive contributions to self and society have been found to occur (Lerner, Lerner, et al., 2015). While still in its early stages, research on spirituality and religiosity among adolescents has grown alongside research on PYD over the past 20 years (e.g., Hardy et al., 2019). In the mid-to-late 20th century, religion and spirituality came to be distinct constructs, each contributing unique variance to individual development. That is, whereas some people were found to experience religion and spirituality as isomorphic, others identified with each to different degrees, and still others rejected one while embracing the other (e.g., “spiritual but not religious”). This dissertation seeks to contribute to the growing body of knowledge around spirituality within the context of adolescent development. Paper One presents an argument for spirituality to be recognized as a developmental asset for youth globally. Paper Two focuses on youth perceptions of safety within a faith-based youth development program in El Salvador finding that while safe spaces are integral for effective delivery of any PYD program, they are not well understood and the youth perspective is overlooked. In addition, youth in this program described a spiritual component of safety, such that their connection to God supported a sense of safety despite the unsafe community context. Paper Three, using the same data as Paper two, explores semi-structured interviews to understand how youth relate with God and how this youth God relationship functions within the broader developmental context.Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2023.Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education.Discipline: Counseling, Developmental and Educational Psychology
From International Schools in Asia to Anglophone World-Class Universities: Student Preparation, Transition, and Development
No full textThesis advisor: Hans de WitThesis advisor: Gerardo L. BlancoToday’s global knowledge economy has become complex, dynamic, and competitive. In this environment, the talented workforce is increasingly diverse, educated, and mobile. International talents tend to migrate to anglophone countries and contribute to technological innovation, scientific discoveries, and economic growth. The largest international student population in the top destination countries comes from Asia. At the same time, research has shown that Asian international students reported lower satisfaction and higher adjustment challenges due to linguistic and cultural barriers, negatively impacting their learning and living experiences. This dissertation aims to understand and explain the transnational transition process through a subset of the Asian international student population. Thirty-five current university student interviewees are purposefully selected. They are graduates of the “International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme,” a rigorous education pathway program popular in Asia for families to prepare their children for Western higher education. Asian International Baccalaureate (IB) alums, who received education in linguistically and culturally diverse settings, offered more nuanced and complex answers to what traditional literature has indicated about international student transitions and experiences. A Successful International University Transition Model is generated from the grounded theory analysis. This model illustrates the causal and intervening conditions that impact international transitions, with the central tasks of being a university student and becoming an adult. Further, the results are discussed with Bourdieu’s concepts of habitus/practice to explain the heterogeneity in the process amongst the diverse international student population. Lastly, recommendations to stakeholders suggest ways to support globally mobile young adults in their transition and development journey.Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2023.Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education.Discipline: Educational Leadership and Higher Education
Essays in Development and Labor Economics:
No full textThesis advisor: Arthur LewbelThis dissertation consists of two independent studies that seek to improve public policies in developing country context. I first study how anti-poverty programs in developing countries can improve their screening procedure so that they can better direct resources to the poor over time. Then, I investigate the impacts of trade openness on fertility decisions in countries known for son preference, thereby informing governments in those countries of the unintended consequences of such growth-focused trade policies. In the first chapter, “Bunching and Learning in Targeting Poverty: Evidence from Vietnam,” I examine how households manipulate eligibility criteria in order to appear eligible for an anti-poverty program. Despite ample evidence that households manipulate these criteria, little is known about how such behaviors evolve over time in a long-term program. Using data from Vietnam, I find that, early on in each phase of its National Anti-Poverty Program, about 1-2% of the population (or 8-18% relative to the program size) bunch at the official income cutoff in order to appear eligible. However, this fraction falls by 60-100% towards the end of the phase, only to increase yet again when a new phase starts with a new income cutoff. To explain this temporal pattern of bunching, I develop a model in which over time the program staff learn to rely on housing conditions, a less-manipulable criteria, to select households. This refined information, in turns, discourages households from manipulating their income. I find that an increase of 0.5 standard deviation in the housing quality index further reduces the chance of being accepted to the program by 25.11% after two years. Meanwhile, other criteria, including reported income and asset holdings, do not contribute any additional predictive power to the program status over the same period. Without this learning process, the program would have misallocated about 1.7%, or equivalently 32.3-36.4 million USD (PPP), of its budget to non-poor households during the first phase of the program. In the second chapter, “Why does the sex ratio at birth rise? Evidence from Vietnam,” joint with Nghiem Huynh, we investigate the causal link between a major trade agreement between the US and Vietnam and the rise in sex ratio at birth in Vietnam. We test three theories of the rise in sex ratio at birth and find evidence that the fertility mechanism explains the recent increase in Vietnam. Using the 2001 US-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement as an exogenous shock, we show that mothers exposed to larger tariff cuts are more likely to have boys, work more hours and less likely to give birth. These results hold up when we account for other competing mechanisms, including changes in fathers' exposure to the policy and daughters’ economic returns in repeated cross-sectional and panel data. This chapter highlights the trade-off between work and children for mothers, and the potential role of trade policy in heightening this trade-off, leading to lower fertility and higher sex selection. Although both studies are situated in Vietnam, their results and implications are relevant to policy discussions in many developing countries.Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2023.Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.Discipline: Economics