Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The widespread recognition about the importance of behavior change in stemming the tide of HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa has only recently been translated into theoretically informed campaigns. Across a variety of health domains, self-efficacy has been found to be one of the most consistent predictors of behavior change, but only a few HIV prevention interventions are focused explicitly on improving people’s efficacy beliefs. This paper is based on a formative evaluation conducted in Malawi to understand people’s barriers to enact HIV prevention behaviors. It is based on the assumption that barriers restrict people’s efficacy perceptions and that, in the absence of barriers, everyone would be perfectly efficacious. We have little theoretical guidance, however, on how to study barriers and how they can be meaningfully extracted from people. In this paper, through focus group discussions, we demonstrated the utility of a novel technique – called the Prompts for Eliciting Counterarguments (PEC) – to elicit relevant barriers to action. Barriers that emerged through the use of this technique were classified into three categories: sex as a desire and source of pleasure (at the individual level), difficulties in communicating about sex (at the interpersonal level), and larger societal issues around poverty in Malawi (at the societal level). Implications of this finding for HIV prevention efforts are also discussed in the context of a functional approach.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Although a number of studies have observed that gendered language use, as observed in face-to-face communication, also applies to various modes of CMC, none to date have examined gender-specific behavior on information and communication platforms, such as e-learning platforms in a university context. Theory is first discussed in terms of how social gender influences our “virtual” behavior and by this the use of information and communication platforms and second, in what ways and to what extend technology shapes human behavior. Gender differences are explored by a content analysis of four information and communication platforms looking at four different aspects: language use, choice of topic, participation and involvement, and access to platforms. In addition, interviewed experts were asked for their long-time experiences (and observations) on gender-specific online communication and interaction. Analyses reveal gender differences in all four categories that hinder women using the “new” social software. Based on the findings, the author has found 10 strategies (“Undoing-Gender-Actions“ ) giving guidance and advice for the implementation and use of information and communication platforms to avoid gender-specific barriers in communication and interaction.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Using data from the Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Canada Wave One, this paper compares the labor market outcomes of recently-arrived immigrant engineers by the region of their highest education obtained abroad. The data suggest that immigrants who obtained education in the countries that have agreements with Canada on the accreditation of engineering degree are more likely to work in engineering or managerial occupations, and earn higher weekly wages when other factors are not controlled. In contrast, most of the internationally-educated engineers, particularly individuals educated in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia, are in lower skill occupations and fare less well. However, once other factors such as language of instruction and presence of job arrangement are controlled, the effects of place of education on occupations become insignificant. In addition, the effects of place of education on earnings turn insignificant or barely significant once current occupations are controlled. Factors that may explain these findings include: devaluation of foreign credentials because of the language of instruction; systemic barriers that devalue education from particular regions; and limited access to highly-paid jobs.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Japan experienced a boom in two kinds of citizen litigation, information disclosure and taxpayer suits against local governments, during the 1990s. The social movement lawyers who brought these kinds of suits were more similar to their clients and more diverse in their strategies than was true for the landmark pollution and employment discrimination cases in the 1960s and 1970s. Information disclosure and taxpayer plaintiffs were much better able to understand and participate in legal processes than were many earlier plaintiff groups. The gap between professional norms and political goals for these cause lawyers was small because the goals of the movement conformed to the ideals of legal liberalism. The citizen litigation movement provided an alternative form of political participation in response to the decline of Left parties and local elected governments.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Child care affordability is a problem for low-income families. Child care subsidies are intended to reduce child care expenses and promote parental employment for poor families. Yet many families fail to utilize the child care subsidies for which they are eligible. This research investigates barriers to utilizing child care subsidies. Found barriers included parents' beliefs that they either did not need or were not eligible for subsidy. Families both with and without subsidies were confused about subsidy regulations. Knowingly eligible families avoided applying for subsidies because of perceived hassles and restrictions, real or perceived, associated with accessing the subsidy system. Policy recommendations include adopting better methods for disseminating information about subsidy availability and eligibility as well as reducing barriers associated with specific subsidy regulations.