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Annotated Bibliography, Fall 2015

Claudia Enith Adeyemo

SBS 400: Senior Capstone Seminar I

CA State University, Monterey Bay

December 20th, 2015

Professor Jennifer Lucido

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SBS 300: SBS Pro Seminar: Theory

Bazelon, E. (2010). What Really Happened to Phoebe Prince? Slate. 1-18. [18 pps]

The author seeks to examine the events leading to the suicide death of Phoebe Prince, a

15-year-old girl who moved to South Hadley Massachusetts from Ireland. Six students were

charged with serious criminal offenses. Ranging from statutory rape and criminal harassment to

stalking and civil rights violation with bodily injury. The author challenges the ides that

Phoebe’s suicide can be logically blamed on the behavior of those charged. The writer takes the

position that teenagers should not be sent to prison for being mean to one another. In addition she

suggests that Phoebe not only had preexisting issues that caused her to be extremely disturbed,

but that she herself played a role in setting up the contention that led to other students turning on

her.

The author believes that the fact that the children were charged is an indication of the

strong desire to assign blame following a suicide. Phoebe’s mother Anne O Brien admits Phoebe

had experienced conflict with other girls in school on several occasions while in Ireland and had

begun self-mutilation (cutting) in 2008. This continued in 2009 and she was then started on

Prozac. On arriving at South Hadley it seemed Phoebe was initially able to put those troubles

behind her. She was described as friendly and easy to talk to, quickly becoming popular in

school. The story further developed to states because of this popularity in a new girl, a group of

predatory kids The “South Hadley Six” collectively attacked her. The author disagrees with this

stating from her interviews she discovered Phoebe got into conflicts with all the different kids.

She describes Phoebe as developing friendships with several different boys in school. First she

grew close to Sean Mulveyhill, and later with Austin Renaud. She had sex with Sean and it

seemed she desired a relationship with him. Sean however had other ideas and eventually

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decided to get back together with his previous girlfriend Kayla Narey. On the Friday after

thanksgiving Sean attempted to break up with Phoebe, and following this she overdosed on her

medication Seroquel leading to a hospitalization. Austin reportedly never had sex with Phoebe

but had a short-lived close relationship with her. This eventually led to tensions and verbal

confrontations between Flannery Sean’s girlfriend and Phoebe. Also Sharon Chanon Velasquez

another friend of Flannery’s joined in the mix and had words with Phoebe on several occasions.

The writer poses the question why almost no children stood up for Phoebe while all this was

going on. She admits that research has long shown that bystanders rarely stand up to bullies.

Over the following weeks Phoebe was subjected to several instances of verbal attacks and

she also experienced negative comments repeatedly posted about her online by the same culprits.

On January 14 she came to school with a mark on her chest. She told the nurse it was a burn

from a pot pipe but the nurse didn’t believe her. The school social worker and her mother were

called and there were plans to further dress this with her mother when she got home. Later that

day in the library she experienced further verbal abuse from Sean and Kayla and another friend

who was a known troublemaker called Ashley Longe. This was repeated by the trio again after

school and once again by Ashley as Phoebe walked home from school.

Later that day she texted with a friend indicating desperation and suicidality. A few hours

later she hung herself in the stairwell with a scarf. The author reemphasizes her belief that the

DA was being overzealous in filing the charges she did, and describes another incident in the

school in which a boy was called a faggot and had his buttock poked. The offending student was

suspended from school however the DA took things further indicted the child for assault and

battery, assault and battery with intent to intimidate and indecent assault and battery. The writer

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details this to indicate that the D.A is particularly tough on bullying cases and as a result she

feared for the outcome of the cases against the six children in the Phoebe Prince trial.

The writer also believes the inordinately massive media coverage following Phoebes

suicide and the charging of the “South Hadley Six” had to do with the fact that Phoebe was a

beautiful young white girl. A similar suicide of Carl Walker Hoover an 11y old black boy

following taunts that he was gay the previous year attracted markedly less press coverage. She

does believe that some good did come from Phoebe’s death such as the passing of anti bullying

laws passed in Massachusetts. She believes all the punishment the six kids had received even

before their trials i.e. being kicked out of school, public outrage, and living with the knowledge

of what they had done is enough.

Byers, D. (2013). “Do They See Nothing Wrong With This?”: Bullying, Bystander Complicity, and the Role of Homophobic Bias in the Tyler Clementi Case. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 94(4), 251-258. [7pps]

The author Byers argues about the little attention that has been paid to the role of the

bystander in the bullying and suicide of Rutgers University student, Tyler Clementi. Byers

explain the inconsistency between the definition and popular understanding of the role of

bystander in a bullying process.

Clementi first year undergraduate student committed suicide in the first month of college

in September 2010. His roommate Dharun secretly recorded Clementi in a sexual encounter with

another man. Along with four other friends him and his friend, Molly, saw and shared the

encounter through social network pages. This became the subject of gossip in the dormitory hall

in school. Clementi found out he has been spied on by his roommate, finding evidence on his

Facebook page and twitter account. Although majority of the students knew about the gossip, no

one express concerns or worries. Three days later Clementi posted on his face book page

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“Jumping off GW Bridge. Sorry.” Dharun sent an apology text message, but it was too late.

Dharun and Molly were both charged with invasion of privacy and multiple other felonies. Molly

accepted a plea agreement, testify against Dharun, he was sentence to thirty days imprisonment,

three years of probation, 300 hours of community service, a $10,000 fine and mandatory

counseling related to cyberbullying.

Byers state that the role of the bystander needs critical attention. We as individuals fail to

intervene in bullying; this is known as the bystander effect. It suggests that individuals in a group

are less likely to help another person than individuals who think they are alone. Byers identify

four bystander roles: assistants, reinforcers, outsiders, and defenders. In this case, Molly served

in the assistance role actively joining the bullying. Reinforcers come to watch, providing

validation to bullying by laughing and trying to attract others to watch. Outsiders these are the

bystanders that left the scene pretending not to notice what’s happening. Lastly, defenders they

attempt to stop the bullying by confronting the bully, and provide peer support to the victim. In

Clementi’s case no defenders approached him or Dharun.

In conclusion Byers states that although research has clearly demonstrated that

bystanders play an important role in bullying, it is a subject that need to be addressed. The author

advises that group facilitators provide continuous education about conceptual tools. Only then

can we begin to earnestly discuss whether or not we are all accountable and ready to help each

other in distress.

Connell, R. (2006). Northern Theory: The Political Geography of General Social Theory. Theory and Society, 35(2), 237-264. [27 pps].

Author Connell focuses on three books that explain their view on General Social Theory.

These books are from James S. Colman, Anthony Giddens, and Pierre Bourdieu. He states that

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social theory is overwhelmingly produced in the global north. He also raises about what genre

we need to question to rethink to allow social science play a larger role in the world?

The first book he talks about is the Foundations of Social Theory author by Coleman was

published in 1990. Coleman addresses in his book the sociological problems ranging from

socialization, the family to corporate management, the state, and revolution. The theory he

presents in his book offers a solution to sociology current dilemma of marginalization, orienting

the discipline consciously towards the hegemonic science.

The second book Constitution of Society author by Giddens offer a summary of the

matured structuration framework a detail exposition of some of its themes and illustrations of

how the perspective could be applied.

The third book he talks about is Logic of Practice author by Bourdieu. The Bourdieu

states the logic of practice is an attempt to develop a credible basis for social scientific

knowledge in the form of an analytical thinking strategy and conceptual language.

Holmes, S. (2013). Fresh fruit, broken bodies migrant farmworkers in the United States (pp. 1-264). Berkeley, California: University of California Press. [264 pps].

Fresh Fruit, Broken Bodies is a book that has identified the structural violence that

migrant farmworkers faced in the United States. Seth M. Holmes author of the book is a

professor assistance and medical anthropologist at the University of California, Berkeley.

Holmes joined a group of migrant travelers and migrates to the states of Washington, California,

and the state of Oaxaca Mexico trusting that he would experience the emotional, social, and

physical suffering of the farm workers. Holmes focused his story in the indigenous group called

Triqui from San Miguel, Oaxaca, Mexico. Holmes argued that the Triqui are part of the food and

migration system where race and class inequalities are established (Holmes, 2013).

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The author used “classic anthropological research method of participant observation”

(Holmes, 2013, p.3) for his study. The goal is to perform a “critical and embodied anthropology”

that will “confront the ways in which certain classes of people come to be written off or deemed

less human” (Holmes, 2013, p.40-44). The term “embodied anthropology” (Holmes, 2013, p.33)

refers to allowing our body to experience the world of the migrant workers by experiencing it

ourselves i.e. “sore knees, hips, and lower back from bending…in the strawberry fields”

(Holmes, 2013, p.34). Besides participant observation the author also conducted interviews to the

indigenous people (Triqui), clinic staff, farm executives and U.S. border patrol agents.

Holmes describes the differences formed by the system of labor, full with ethnic

inequalities. His writing tells us how Triquis are differentiated from “regular” Mexicans in the

United States and Mexico. How they are exposed to “conjugated oppression,” where “class, race,

and citizenship work together to deprive them of physical and mental health” (Holmes, 2013,

p.85). Through his interviews we can witness the though process of some farm supervisors. They

state that indigenous migrants, in this case the Triqui’s, are physically built to be pickers because

they are “closer to the ground” (Holmes, 2013, p. 171). They reject the possibility that some day

this indigenous group can move up to a better-paid position in the fields. Unfortunately this is

not only seen and experienced here in the United States, but also in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Holmes’s book also explained the way doctors are trapped in a system of competition. He

described some of the problems that medical staff encountered making them unable to improve

the working conditions. He examines the medical system and concludes that some doctors are

committed to help workers, however their hands are tided due to todays broken health system.

Due to the fund reductions many migrant clinics have limited resources and are understaffed.

Aside from that most migrant workers are undocumented and do not qualify for Medi-Cal which

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means that the clinics can’t be reimburse, making it more difficult to improve services. Holmes

also argued that poor healthcare is contributed by many factors, one been the lack of interpreters

available to the workers. The second fact is that doctors are not asking appropriate questions to

better understand the working conditions of the patient. These factors only contribute to the

workers disbelieving doctors, and not wanting to seek medical assistance when needed. Holmes

encouraged us to pay attention to the problem that patient experience, but most importantly to

demand for a better healthcare system. He states that a universal healthcare system where

everyone is able to receive equal medical care is desperately needed in the United States.

Over all Fresh Fruit, Broken Bodies does a magnificent job describing the living and

working conditions of Triqui workers. For people interested in our healthcare, food, or

immigration system, this book is a must read. Holmes’ is able to provide the connections

between these three systems and the ways in which they produce systematic suffering. It was

heartbroken to read how our own culture denigrates each other, instead of providing support

among us to better ourselves. I enjoyed reading this book because it talks about a true reality

seen among many cultures, and to see that people like Holmes are interested in solving this

issues only encourages me to continue helping others.

Jacobs, E., Chen, A., Karliner, L., Agger-Gupta, N., & Mutha, S. (2006). The Need For More Research On Language Barriers In Health Care: A Proposed Research Agenda. The Milbank Quarterly, 111-133. [22pps].

The article by the author Elizabeth Jacobs, explains that between the 1990 to 2000 censuses, the

United States saw an increase of 42.3 percent of people, 65 years and older, who do not speak

English. According to Jacobs to ensure that there is no discrimination the Civil Rights Act and

federal civil rights policy requires that health care providers who are receiving federal funds

make interpretation services available to LEP (Limit English Proficiency) patients. However,

Jacobs explains that health care providers do not provide appropriate linguistic assistance

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services; many providers rely on family members (sometimes a small child), friends, or

untrained nonclinical employees or non-fluent health care professionals to communicate with the

patient, regardless of the laws and regulations. As a result many people find that when compared

with English speakers, people whose main spoken language is not English are less likely to

receive timely eye, dental, and physical examinations. Their research has also shown that the

LEP people are at risk of receiving unnecessary diagnoses and suffer from medical errors

compared to the English speakers. Latinos who speak only Spanish have been shown to be less

satisfied with the care they receive and are more likely to report overall problems with their care

than English speakers.

Klomek, A., Sourander, A., Niemelä, S., Kumpulainen, K., Piha, J., Tamminen, T., ... Gould, M. (2009). Childhood Bullying Behaviors As A Risk For Suicide Attempts And Completed Suicides. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 48(3), 254-261. [7 pps]

Population based studies suggest that 20%-30% of schoolchildren engage in bullying

others or are bullied themselves. The authors conducted a study exploring the relationship of

childhood bullying to subsequent suicide attempts and completions among a large population-

base cohort. Although inquiries into the possibility of bullying and victimization among boys at

age 8 serving as a precursor to later outcomes in young adulthood had been done in the past, this

was the first study to examine the relationship between bullying behavior and suicide attempts

between both sexes.

The objective of the study was to examine the relationship between bullying behaviors at

age 8 and suicide attempts and completions up to age 25 in both sexes. The study was a nation

wide prospective study, and began in 1989 as part of the Epidemiological Multicenter Child

Psychiatry Study in Finland. The authors obtained information about the bullying from three

sources, directly from the children, from parents and from teachers. Information about the

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completed suicides and suicide attempts were continuously gathered from three different Finnish

registries until all the study participants reached 25 years of age. In the assessment the questions

posed to the informants included whether the children were bullied or bullied others themselves.

They were classified into those who never, those who sometimes and those who frequently

bullied or were bullied. Similar questions were posed to all three categories of informants. Only

subjects with complete information about bullying and victimization from all three informants

were included in the analysis. Confounding factors that were examined and controlled for

included conduct problems, assessed by the Rutter parent questionnaire and Depression assessed

by the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI).

The outcome variable of the study was suicidal behavior: these include suicide attempts

and completed suicides until age 25. They gathered information about suicide attempts and

completed suicides from three different registries, (a) statistics Finland’s cause of death registry,

(b) copies of death certificates from the forensic medical-legal investigations and (c) the Finland

hospital discharge registry. Suicide death was defined as any death certificate diagnosis of

suicide. The methods of suicide were classified as hanging, shooting, drowning, deliberate traffic

accident, jumping from a high place, or intoxication.

The analysis was conducted separately for female and male participants. The first

analysis done was to determine if bullying and victimization at age 8 was associated with later

suicidal behaviors. The second was done to examine the association of the co-occurrence of

being victimized and bullying others with later suicidal behaviors. It showed that boys who

frequently bullied or were bullied were more likely to be suicidal than those who were not. Only

girls who were frequently bullied were more likely to show suicidal behavior. However when

baseline conduct symptoms and depression were adjusted for the association between bullying

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and suicidal behavior was no longer significant among boys but continued to remain so in the

girls. The most significant conclusion that can be drawn from the study is that the association

between bullying behavior at age eight and later suicidal behavior varies by sexes. Bullying in

males at age 8 was not associated with later suicide attempts or completed suicides after

controlling for baseline psychopathology such as childhood conduct and depression disorders.

On the other hand, frequent victimization among females at age eight was associated with later

suicide attempts despite controlling for childhood conduct and depression conditions. The studies

findings support the idea that the long-term effects of victimization differ across sexes. Males

often experience more overt physical victimization, whereas females are more liable to indirect

relational victimization, which may have greater effects on mental conditions. Some of the

limitations of the study include the small number of suicides in the sample, particularly in girls.

This was partially attributed to suicide being a rare occurrence in itself, leading to a relatively

small number even in a large sample size. Other weaknesses include the nonspecific nature of the

questions about bullying. For example not asking about the type or duration of bullying. Another

drawback the study had was the lack of information on childhood and family environmental risk

factors. Lastly the studies findings were confined only to children who encountered bullying at

elementary school age.

The authors propose that public health implications of the study advise that suicide

prevention measures employed during the first years of school focus on those frequently

involved in bullying behavior particularly in frequently victimized girls.

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Moss, Stacey L. "Mal de Ojo, Maximon and the Social Practice of Healing Guatemala: An Ethnographic Encounter ." Social Behavioral Science (California State University of Montery Bay ), 2004: 42.(34). [12 pps].

During her stay in Guatemala, Moss conducted research on the indigenous belief systems

and healing practices with natural herbs. Specifically she talks about Mal de ojo (the evil eye),

San Maximon (St. Maximon), and Remedios Caseros (Homemade remedies).

Throughout her research Moss studies the indigenous people of Guatemala who up to this

day believe in, and utilize natural herbs as medical resources. In order to understand their belief

system in detail she explores some of the cultural practices that are passed down from generation

to generation within families. Mal de ojo (the evil eye) “can be given inadvertently to a child by

an adult with just a glance” (Moss 2004) provoking illness, or symthoms such as stomach ache,

sleep disturbance, and heavy feeling. Many older Guatemaltecos would describe this as an evil

spirit given to the person by the evil eye. The way to treat mal de ojo is by performing a limpia

(cleansing) with herbs such as rue. Alternatively a raw egg is rubbed on the skin all over the

body following which it is placed in a glass of water under the bed of the child. The next day the

egg is cracked opened and examined. If there is a red dot in the yolk this indicates that the child

had been affected by the evil eye.

Maximon also known as San Simon is a deity that many Guatemaltecos believe in. He

was a folk saint, a Mayan elder known as Francisco and was also a healer among the indigenous

people. Reportedly however when the Spanish arrived to Guatemala, Francisco was killed and

cut into pieces. His remains were buried in different parts of the city. It is said said that three

days later he appeared to an elder and spoke to him indicating that his spirit was still alive and

among them. He asked them to make a wooden puppet of him and this was to be called San

Simon. San Simon is a deity who is prayed to even to this day. The last thing that Moss

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discussed in her paper was her belief in homemade remedies, such as herbal teas and herbal

cleanses. Examples she shared of the teas that are home remedies include many herbs such as

chamomile, thyme, and laurel which are believed to help with stomach aches. Other plants such

as rue are used to cleanse oneself from negative energies, through a ritual of prayer, dancing,

incense, and candle aroma, following which you are given a limpia. In her reaserch Moss utilized

qualitative methods, open-ended interviews, participant observation, and book references. She

traveled to Guatemala for a few weeks to experience first hand these beliefs.

I was able to identify with this reading because of my Mexican heritage. Just like

Guatemaltecos we are taught about Mal de ojo, Remedios Caseros, and Limpias. I found it very

interesting to learn about these customs from the perspective of a different culture and to see the

similarities and differences from my culture.

Ogden, David, and Rose A Randall . "Using Giddens's Structuration Theory to Examine the Waning Participation of African Americans in Baseball." Journal of Black Studies (Sage Publications, Inc) 35, no. 4 (March 2005): 225-245.[19 pps].

Baseball was an important business for the African Americans 6o years ago, give many

the opportunities to be part of the “Negro leagues” (Ogden and Randall 2005). In present times

however, African Americans have adopted basketball as the new sport identify as part of the

“African American Culture” (Ogden and Randall 2005), having dimmed the participation of

African Americans in the baseball field.

The main points the author made include the following. At the beginning of the 20th

century the Negro baseball league were an important factor for the African American

community. Incorporated in their daily routines the African American community integrated the

sport as part of their identity, providing them with a “foundational source of ontological security

and comfort for community members” (Ogden and Randall 2005). However the slow transition

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from the “Negro leagues” (Ogden and Randall 2005) to the major leagues interfered with the

routines that were built to follow the sport, and soon reducing the participation of Blacks in

baseball. Ogden also reports that social structures, such as economy, media, family, friends, and

cultural identity helps to “mold the interaction practices of individuals” (Ogden and Randall

2005). Currently for the African American culture these structures currently has to do more with

basketball than baseball. It’s suggested that the African American youth are been influence by

“facilitators” (Ogden and Randall 2005) who encourages them to play basketball vs. baseball.

Facilitators, such as parents, teachers, and media can influence their view of basketball as a sport

for Blacks, creating “expectations in that sport” (Ogden and Randall 2005). Another factor that

has played a role is the accessibility to sport facilities, for many Black communities, it’s difficult

to find a well-kept baseball fields than a basketball court. Ogden also explains how now a days

African Americans associate basketball “as a means of self expression and of reproducing the

sport as a cultural form” (Ogden and Randall 2005), for the African American males associating

certain behaviors, language, and clothing is consider to be the “cool pose” (Ogden and Randall

2005).In conclusion Ogden suggest that making baseball available for the African American

community as an alternative sport to basketball may be a good approach to incorporate baseball

once again in the Black Community.

Ogden used the structuration theory developed by Giddens to examine the transition of

African Americans from the “Negro leagues” (Ogden and Randall 2005) of baseball to

basketball. Structuration theory “Focuses on the fundamental circularity (recursiveness) of social

life” (Ogden and Randall 2005). Ogden also used the race theory to explain how the African

American community associates basketball as an “African American sport” (Ogden and Randall

2005).

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On a personal note, I must say reading this article gave me a lot of insight about the

association of both sports in the Black community. It was interesting to learn that how African

American youth can be encourage to be part of a sport, for the simplicity of been part of who you

are, not stopping for a moment to ask that child if he is even interested in the sport.

Sabella, R., Patchin, J., & Hinduja, S. (2013). Cyberbullying myths and realities. Computers in Human Behavior, 29, 2703-2711. [7 pps]

Cyberbullying is defined as “willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of

computers cellphones and other electronic devices” (Sabella, Hinduja, & Patchin, 2013, p.2708).

Authors Sabella, Patchin, and Hinduja (2013) examine the available empirical research on cyber

bullying to determine the accuracy of often-perpetuated claims about this phenomenon. Their

research revealed multiple inaccuracies about the nature and extent of cyberbullying, that often

originate from and are further bolstered by the media and uncorroborated individual public

statements.

The authors identified seven myths that are commonly perpetuated within the community

related to cyberbullying. These include, (a) everyone knows what cyberbullying is,

(b) Cyberbullying is occurring at epidemic levels, (c) cyberbullying causes suicide,

(d) Cyberbullying occurs more often than traditional bullying, (e) cyberbullying is a rite of

passage that all teens’ experience, (f) cyberbullies are outcast or just mean kids, and (g) to stop

cyberbullying turn off your computer or cell phone (Sabella, Hinduja, & Patchin, 2013). By

examining currently available data the veracity of these claims can be better understood so that

those who work in this field have a clearer picture of the true nature of cyberbullying. They are

thus better equipped to aid in its effective prevention and response. The authors emphasize the

seriousness of this issue stating, “Though it occurs in cyberspace, this problem should not be

trivialized since it has been linked to real world consequences” (Sabella, Hinduja, & Patchin,

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2013, p.2709). They then go on to list a wide array negative emotions and behaviors that have

been linked to it, ranging from delinquency and interpersonal violence to low self esteem and

suicidal ideation. The authors explain that the definition of cyberbullying given above is not

necessarily universally accepted. They further expound that the offending conduct typically

exists and occurs over a range and continuum of behaviors. As a result subjectivity may come in

to play in determining what is cyberbullying and what is not. Finally the term bullying itself does

not always have an equivalent in other languages. For these reasons there remains a lot of

variability in the description and definition of cyberbullying, and consequently it is not easily

universally understood. The authors go on to give several examples of sensationalistic headlines

seen through mass media publications about cyberbullying, but assert that there is no evidence

for such claims. Rather they feel that the majority of studies indicate 70-80 %of youth have not

been cyberbullied, and have not cyberbullied others (Sabella, Hinduja, & Patchin, 2013). In

addition despite several high profile incidents in which teenagers committed suicide, in part

because of experiences with cyberbullying, research shows that the vast majority of

cyberbullying victims do not kill themselves. There is also no evidence that cyberbullying occurs

more often now than traditional bullying, and the authors caution that making cyberbullying a

priority at the expense of addressing traditional bullying is a mistake, and that both should be

addressed as different manifestations of the same underlying issue.

The authors go on to emphasize that no matter how pervasive or prevalent bullying has

been in our history it was not acceptable then and is not acceptable now. It is not a normal rite of

passage. They also determined that cyberbullies are not just outcasts or mean kids, but rather that

As the authors concluded after surveying youth who admitted to cyberbullying others:

“Cyberbullies themselves identify their own anger and desire for revenge as the major immediate

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motive for engaging in cyberbullying. A second motive is identified by students who report that

they engage in cyberbullying as a joke” (Sabella, Hinduja, & Patchin, 2013, p.2710). Finally they

contend that encouraging youth to avoid or turn off technology, as a means of avoiding

cyberbullying is an unrealistic and overall ineffective long-term strategy. The ubiquitous nature

of technology and its necessity as a social and educational tool for teens makes this impractical.

Also even if the individual is offline, harassing or malicious profiles or webpages of the target

can be created without them even knowing about it. In conclusion the authors admit the work

done on understanding the behaviors and myths about cyberbullying are certainly not exhaustive

and they support further empirical study and investigation of this topic. They caution that if this

is not done educators youth advocates and others in the field by default risk falling into the trap

of relying on conventional wisdom and media embellishment in their attempts to address

cyberbullying.

Salerno, R. (2004). Beyond the Enlightenment Lives and Thoughts of Social Theorists (pp. 1-242). Westport, Conn. Praeger. [242 pps].

The book Beyond the Enlightenment is a production of the author Roger A. Salerno. This

book is intended to provide a brief overview of the mindsets of theorists of social life. Salerno

introduces the readers to the times in which they lived and how this assists them to developed

their theories. He also clarifies that this is book is only an introduction to social theory, creating

an easier path for readers to take interest in social theory. Not every social theory is mention on

the book; the author chose the theorist presented to us based oh his belief of how important their

influence is. For each chapter Salerno opens up with a brief introduction to the time in history the

theory was developed. Salerno’s goal for this book is for it to be used as introductory guide to

the ideas and concepts of important social theorist in an academic setting or personal interest.

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As the book begins, Salerno starts by introducing the post-enlightenment period, which

dates back to the eighteen century (Salerno, 2004). During the medieval ages, people were

described to be close to nature and posses interdependent and communal attitudes (Salerno,

2004). The development of enlightenment thinkers came for a group of educated men who

“encouraged the use of science and reason to explore and control nature and to question what had

previously been accepted as true” (Salerno, 2004, p. 2). Salerno provides short biographies of the

theorist as well as important events in their time era that aided them to develop the theories.

He then proceeds to explain how the early post-enlightenment thinkers, such as Hegel, Auguste

Comte, Herbert Spencer, and Harriet Martineau, assisted with the development of more modern

views of society. Once concept that we see through out the book is from Hegel, the concept of

the dialectic. Karl Marx later revises it to dialectical materialistic. After Salerno presents theorist

Comte, he focuses on positivism and a grounded, empirical approach to social theory.

Salerno then follows to introduce classical sociology, these include theorist Karl Marx,

Emile Durkheim, and Max Weber. These theorists influence the perspectives of the rest of the

theorists covered in the book. The following chapters have less cohesion in terms of a logical

order. They explore a mixture of the thoughts of philosophers, sociologists, activists, and an

anthropologist.

Salerno’s text delivers a brief overview of the lives of key post-enlightenment thinkers

that should stimulate interest and a desire on the part of the reader to learn more about them.

Beyond the Enlightenment is a great source to have as you are being introduced to social theory.

Salerno writing is easy to read and understand, it can also be used as history text, due to the

background information provided about the theorist. I enjoyed reading the book; it introduced me

to social theory, which can be a difficult concept to understand. It also allowed me to identify my

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concepts and views of society problem with certain group of theorist. This book is a great

reference to have as students complete their sociology major.

Tolbert, C., Steuernagel, T., & Bowman, R. (2003). Direct Democracy, Race/Ethnicity and Health Care Policy. Jean Ait Belkhir, Race, Gender & Class Journal, 10(2), 147-170. [23 pps]

The article Direct Democracy, Race/Ethnicity and Health Care Policy, by author’s

Caroline Tolbert, Trudy Steuernagel, and Ridge Bowman emphasizes the growth of healthcare

disparities found in the United States. It describes how healthcare is unequally distributed

between the rich and poor. It also details the major roles that race and ethnicity play in being able

to obtain good medical care.

The article also outlines many health plan initiatives that have been proposed in the

Unites States to establish universal healthcare. Providing the ability for many uninsured to obtain

adequate and free health care, however many of these initiatives were voted out of the ballot. The

last article that I came across was Improving Access to Health Care in Latino Communities. This

article talks about the poor communication that exists between patients and providers due to the

language barriers. It emphasizes once again how healthcare practitioners rely upon children or

other interpreters creating a barrier to high quality care. It describes the risk factors that people,

who are not English speaking encounter in the healthcare.

Adeyemo 20

SBS 362: Qualitative Research

Atkinson, R. (1998). Context and Uses of Life Stories. In The life story interview (Vol. 44, pp. 1-21; 54-55). Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications. [23 pps].

The author Atkinson introduces us to the benefits obtained from listening to personal

stories told by individuals, who we wish to learn more about. Atkinson believes that talking

about our personal experiences is a natural habit of humans. Through out history, storytelling has

become a “qualitative research method for gathering information on the subjective essence of

one person’s entire life” (Atkinson, 1998, p.3). Through personal stories the researcher is able to

understand the individuals life and role within their community. The term life story is used when

an interview focuses on an individual’s entire life (Atkinson, 1998, p.8).

Atkinson states that stories have traditionally followed four different functions which

help us to be more in tune with ourselves, others, the mystery of life, and the universe that

surround us (Atkinson, 1998, p.9). First is the Psychological Function, as such through

storytelling we become competent to organize our life experiences. This contributes to viewing

our life “subjectively and objectively” (Atkinson, 1998, p.10). Second is the Social Function,

which implements the norms and morals that forms the individual according to societies

demands. It guides us to better understand the social order that surrounds us. Third is the

Mystical – Religious Function, which brings us face to face with our wonder of who we are and

where we come from. These feelings encourage us to enter in the realm of the spirit and the

sacred (Atkinson, 1998, p.10). Last is the Cosmological – Philosophical Function, which refers

to the interpretation of our surroundings based on our knowledge and wisdom.

Atkinson also explained that life story is a method used by Anthropologists, Historians,

and Sociologists. Story telling helps all three areas to have a clearer understanding of how and

why cultures and societies came to be. It is also a significant process used to familiarize us with

Adeyemo 21

traditions and beliefs that are passed on from one generation to the next. Atkinson also

emphasizes the importance of allowing the individual to tell their story in their own words. This

makes the person sharing their story become comfortable with the researcher, possibly forming a

friendship at the end. Atkinson also provided us with suggestions on how to capture the

information through note taking.

The overall reading experience was very informative. I came to realize that storytelling is

something we do on a daily basis. I agree with the author in that I think listening to personal

stories are an exceptional process that helps us to learn more about a person, their culture,

beliefs, and rituals.

Berg, B. (2006). Introduction. In Qualitative Research Methods for the Social Science (6th ed., pp. 1-16). Long Beach, California: PEARSON. [16 pps].

The author introduces us to the various ways to collect and analyze qualitative data. He

discusses the traditional and modern ways of capturing data. He also explains that quantitative

and qualitative are not different from one another, they ultimately report the findings we are

interesting in gathering. However in the Social Sciences quantitative research are often preferred

since it provides a better scientific result through numeric measurements. Thus, qualitative

research refers to the “meaning, concepts, definition, characteristics, metaphors, symbols, and

description of things” (Berg, 2006, p. 3). He argues that through qualitative data collection we

are able to describe in greater detail our observations and experiences.

The author goes on to explain that qualitative researchers primary interest is on

understanding human behavior. Understanding how humans are able to make sense of their

surroundings, through social structure, symbolism, and rituals. These answers can be found

through the application of systematic procedures (Berg, 2006, p.8). One methodology often used

among researchers is “triangulation” (Berg, 2006, p. 7), this term is utilized when three different

Adeyemo 22

types of methodologies are used when gathering and analyzing data. The author states that the

use of triangulation gives the researcher with a deeper understanding of the concepts that are

been study. Another methodology that the authors mentions is symbolic interactionism, often use

among Social Science. Human behavior is dependable on learning through symbols, such as

language and writing. Through symbolic interactionism researchers are able to capture the

process for interpreting or attaching meaning to symbols (Berg, 2006, p.10).

At the end of the introduction the author concludes that qualitative research is a

methodology that can be use in majority of settings. Although many researchers are encouraged

to use quantitative data, such methodology cannot always be implemented. He explains that the

world cannot be understood through numbers all the time. The world sometimes has to be

defined by a more qualitative methodology, such as symbolism, meaning, and understanding and

the individual’s perspective of their surrounding (Berg, 2006, p. 14). The author also provides a

brief description of each chapter that the book will present.

Bernard, H. (1988). Research Methods in Cultural Anthropology Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches (5th ed., pp. 1-665). Newbury Park, California: Sage Publications. [665 pps.]

On the book Research Methods in Cultural Anthropology author Russell Bernard pursuits

to assist future social scientist on conducting cultural research. Cultural data refers study of

human society and culture. The book introduces the reader to the introduction to the foundation

of social research. Transitioning to methods, these include the approaches of qualitative and

quantitative research. Finalizing with analysis, providing the necessary tools to analyze and

understand the data collected.

The first section of the book consists of chapters one through seven. It is here that

Bernard explains the history, norms, and importance of conducting social research. He highlights

on the ethical rules of conducting research on human subjects. Then Bernard introduces various

Adeyemo 23

tools that will help the reader to prepare for research. These tools consist on choosing the correct

social problem, developing an appropriate research question, and finding a theory. Once the

social scientist has completed those steps; Bernard introduces qualitative and quantitative

approach. He defines qualitative approach as a tool to analyze large samples of data. As for

quantitative approach is often used for small samples of data. Bernard defines concepts such as

variables, measurements, and cause and effect. Bernard also assists the readers into developing

an appropriate experiment, theory and gathering the correct sample data.

We then move to section two, which consists of chapters eight to fourteen. Bernard

provides different methods for data collection. For example interviewing, questionnaires,

participant observation, field notes, and direct or indirect observation. He explains that cultural

data collection is based on two main components, observation and hearing. Observation is when

the researcher is watching people on their own environment. During this process it is important

to keep record of their activities. This will provide you with a written illustration of rituals,

patterns, and daily activities. Hearing refers to conducting unstructured or semi-structured

interviews. An unstructured interview, which is often used by anthropologist, refers to an

interview in which questions are not prearranged. Which allows the interview to take whatever

direction the interviewee wants. A semi-structured interview, which is often used in the social

science department, is a meticulous set of questions. This approach does not allow the

interviewee to divert to any other topic. Bernard also provides tools on how to conduct effective

interviews, gain rapport, and to encourage interviewees to open up.

The final section consists on chapter fifteen to twenty-one. On this section Bernard

instructs the readers data analysis, by either using descriptive analysis or theory. Both methods

require the use of statistics to help us interpret our data collection. Statistics also provides the

Adeyemo 24

researcher with the ability to prove their hypothesis right or wrong. Statistics also provides the

researcher to identify patterns in the data, helping us understand the behavior or problem that we

are studying. Bernard also provides the necessary tools to formulate an appropriate coding

system for quantitative data. Coding is tool that transform observation data to numbers, this way

we can get a good analysis of the data collected. In order to analyze data the author suggest the

use of univariate analysis, bivariate analysis, and / or multivariate analysis. Univariate analysis

assists the researcher to define a single variable without making comparisons. Contrary, bivariate

and multivariate analysis finds variables that are testable, providing proof for the hypothesis.

Bernard’s book Research Methods in Cultural Anthropology is an excellent reference for

a beginner researcher, who is interested in doing cultural research. The book provides great

insight about how to begin to how to analyze the data. The information that Bernard provides is

easy to read and understand. He also provides the readers with different tools that would be

helpful throughout their career. I enjoyed reading the book; I do plan to use it as a reference for

my capstone project. Most of the chapters were discuss in class and compared to articles that

were assigned in class. The professor also assigned activities that gave us the first hand

experience on how to conduct, transcribe, and analyze data. Through the reading and practice, I

feel more confident when it comes to developing my own surveys and interviews for my

capstone project.

Groleau, D., Pluye, P., & Nadeau, L. (2007). A Mix-Method Approach to the Cultural Understanding of Distress and the Non-Use of Mental Health Services. Journal of Mental Health J Mental Health, 16(6), 731-741. [10 pps].

Authors Groleau, Pluye, and Nadeau discuss how using a mixed method research helped

them understand the cultural comprehension and appreciation of mental health illnesses. For

their research the authors utilized both the qualitative and quantitative approach. The benefit of

Adeyemo 25

qualitative approach is that it provides researches with an in depth descriptions of why the

targeted cultures do not seek mental health treatments (Groleau et al., 2007, p.731). Quantitative

methods on the other hand have stronger effectiveness by examining a factor-outcome

relationship in a large sample (Groleau et al. 2007, p. 731). Together with Pathway and Barriers

to Mental Health project the authors conducted a mix-method study to understand the problems

and behaviors in regards to mental health (Groleau et al., 2007, p. 731).

The survey was conducted via telephone in an urban neighborhood of Montréal. The

survey was distributed to a total of 2,400 residents. The results confirmed that majority of the

immigrants who lived in the neighborhood under-used mental health services. The quantitative

data described the external aspects of this problem. Although the results confirmed the author’s

theory they were unable to provide an explanation of why? In order to provide an answer to this

question the authors had to utilize the qualitative approach. This method was used to follow up

on those immigrants who had suffered distress or medically unexplained symptoms. Through

this approach the authors were able to understand the social and cultural influence causing them

not to utilize the services.

Overall the authors believe that utilizing both, qualitative and quantitative methods are

very useful when combined together. The quantitative approach helps to gather data on a large

scale, and helps bring data together based on demographics and ethnicities. Qualitative research

goes into more detail, understanding the behaviors and thoughts of individuals. This helped the

authors understand in more detail why certain behaviors and attitudes exist towards mental

health in certain cultures. I personally think that using these two approaches is a great

combination. Not only do you get to understand on a large scale the problem you are looking at,

but you also get to understand why and how an individual feels about it. i.e. You get to

Adeyemo 26

understand the cause and the scale and breadth of a problem thereby seeing in in multiple

dimensions.

Hopwood, N. (2004). Research design and methods of data collection and analysis: Researching students' conceptions in a multiple‐method case study. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 28(2), 347-353. [7pps].

The author Hopwood discusses methodology framework in a multiple-method case

study. Aspects of phenomenology, ethnography, and grounded theory are applied in a multi-

method case study. In addition, he gives brief details on a case study conducted to examine

students’ conceptions of geography.

Hopwood explains that the qualitative methodological framework must be accompanied by

the theoretical support, and understanding position of the individual. In this case study there were

three main aspects that helped him to develop a fitting methodology. First, revising existing

studies and borrowing previous methodologies used before. Second, students should be given

various opportunities to express their concepts. Third, digging into the conceptions of the

individual. Concepts, thoughts, and feelings are hidden phenomenon that must be interpreted by

the researcher. Therefore, epistemology was chosen for this study, since this theory views

knowledge as a social construction and individuals as active learners. Building on the theory of

epistemology, phenomenology framework was also utilized. This is the framework that helps us

view individuals as interpreters of the world and experiences, establishing their own personal

understanding. Phenomenology data collection techniques are similar to those used in

ethnographic and ground theory.

In summary, Hopwood emphasizes key elements to improve qualitative research. These

include, making sure that our theoretical and understanding bases of the research are in

agreement. Once the questionnaire has been developed we have to consider how validation of

Adeyemo 27

answers will be obtained. Data collection and analysis must be looked at as a concurrent ongoing

process. One must keep in mind the possibility of multiple-method designs to generate different

responses. Finally, it is necessary produce matrices for all techniques; this is crucial where more

than one method is used with the intention to triangulate data.

Rubin, H., & Rubin, I. (1995). Listening, Hearing, and Sharing Social Experiences. In Qualitative interviewing: The art of hearing data. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications. Pp. 1-16. [16 pps].

The authors introduce us to the qualitative method of conducting an interview. They

emphasize that interviewing an individual gives us the opportunity of hearing and learning about

their culture in depth. It gives the individual the opportunity to describe their world in their own

terms. It is also an opportunity for the interviewer to develop a relationship with the interviewee.

This qualitative method is often use by Anthropologists when trying to learn about a new culture.

However, it is not uncommon for Sociologists to utilize this method as means to understand the

social structure within a culture.

The authors also guide us through the different types of qualitative interviews. They

begin with the “unstructured format” (Rubin & Rubin, 1995, Pg. 5), in which the subject of the

interview is introduced by the interviewer who then allows the interviewee to answer in any

direction they wish to take it. Next is the “semistructured format” (Rubin & Rubin, 1995, Pg. 5),

also known as “focused” (Rubin & Rubin, 1995, Pg. 5), in which the interviewer introduces the

subject, but controls the discussion by asking specific questions. Third described are “cultural

interviews” (Rubin & Rubin, 1995, Pg. 6), in which the person is allowed to share detailed

information about the belief, rituals, and behaviors found within their culture. The interviewee

has the opportunity to share personal experiences, which provides more insight for the

interviewer. Fourth is “topical interviewing” (Rubin & Rubin, 1995, Pg. 6), which helps the

Adeyemo 28

interviewer understand more about a specific event or process. Fifth are “oral histories” (Rubin

& Rubin, 1995, Pg. 6), in which the interviewer focuses on a particular time period or historical

event. Sixth are “life histories” (Rubin & Rubin, 1995, Pg. 6), in which the interviewer is

interested in learning about major life events that the individual experiences. Last are “evaluation

interviews” (Rubin & Rubin, 1995, Pg. 6), in which the interviewer is interested in learning the

success and failures of a program, described by those individuals who were involved. The

authors also provide information about the conversational partners, how to listen and record data,

and how our emotions, bias, and interests can affect the research.

Chapter one gives us a very useful introduction to qualitative interviewing. The authors

give us great techniques we can use to decide which type of interview is better to perform, based

on what you want to obtain from the interview. I personally feel more confident in terms of

understanding the motives of an interview. I think the authors did an excellent job in describing

the information; the concepts and terms are easy to understand.

Rubin, H., & Rubin, I. (1995). Foundations of Qualitative Interviewing. In Qualitative interviewing: The art of hearing data. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications. Pp. 17-41. [24 pps.]

In chapter two the authors provide their background experience when conducting

interviews. They begin by explaining cultural interviewing; a researcher utilizes this method

when they are interested in learning about a culture. Their job is to understand how the rules of

the culture were created and how those rules have structured the behavior of individuals in that

culture. The interviewee is asked to explain learned solutions or techniques passed on from one

generation to the next. This gives the researcher a good idea about what the culture consists of.

Another suggestion given is to ask for specific information about words. One word may have a

background story, meaning, and symbolism to the culture that is completely different for the

Adeyemo 29

researcher. It is important to remember not to bring our own cultural beliefs or bias in to the

information that is being given to you.

The authors also emphasize the importance of figuring out your “research arena” (Rubin

& Rubin, 1995, Pg. 22). This term refers to whom you will be interviewing and what about. This

is an important step, since it will help us develop better forms of inquiry to help answer our

research question. The authors also encourage us to clarify concepts and ask for details. It is

through specific detail that you will be able to understand the cultures structure at a deeper level.

The authors also explained in detail the different types of interviews. The authors point out

several approaches that are used in qualitative interviews. One is the interpretive approach,

which recognizes that meaning is created through interaction and is not standardized. The

interpretive approach refers to the importance in understanding meaning in text and

conversation.

Over all the authors gives us good advice on how to perform good qualitative research.

One thing that I learned from reading the chapter is that the interviewers personality can affect

how the interviewee answers your questions. Allowing the person to feel comfortable will

facilitate the interview process. This provides the individual being interviewed a sense of trust,

and the ability to be more open about their culture and beliefs.

Chapter one gives us a very useful introduction to qualitative interviewing. The authors

give us great techniques we can use to decide which type of interview is better to perform, based

on what you want to obtain from the interview. I personally feel more confident in terms of

understanding the motives of an interview. I think the authors did an excellent job in describing

the information; the concepts and terms are easy to understand.

Tagg, John. The Learning Paradigm College . Bolton , Massachusetts: Anker Publishing Company, Inc. , 2003, 1-11. [11 pps].

Adeyemo 30

On chapter five and six from The Learning Paradigm College author by John Tagg, he

explains that students arrive to universities with expectations that are based upon their schooling.

He also explains to us how students can adopt one of two kinds of achievements goals,

performance goals or learning goals.

Nowadays we see that students are naïve to the true values of learning, statistically, Tagg

suggest many are “physically present but psychological absent” (Tagg, 2003, p. 2) and spend less

time studying. The majority of college students understand the benefits of obtaining a degree, but

loose interest in learning or having good grades in class, and we tent to blame the high school

system for the problems of obtaining a higher education. The expectation to assist students may

be participation and dedication in extracurricular activities. Students can be categorized as a

performance goals or learning goals. Performance goals involve outperforming others to

establish one’s competence in comparison with the rest of the group; it refers to validation

seeking individuals with low learning orientation and high-grade orientation. Learning goals is

increasing one’s competency, understanding and appreciation for what’s being learned, these

individuals are refer as grow seeking people with high learning orientations and low-grade

orientation. Tagg also explains how a student’s propensity to set learning goals vs. performing

goals is tied to their perceptions of themselves, “you either get it or you don’t” (Tagg, 2003, p.4)

this is known as the Entity Theory which refers to the intelligence and ability, how both are

fundamentally fixed and unchangeable in an individual. However some student’s fall in the

Incremental Theory, where it states that intelligence and ability is changeable and subject to

manipulation, meaning that if a student is faced with failure the student will try again. The

identity with either theory affects how the student will receive information, for example, entity

theorist have no interested in feedback for an assignment if it will not be grated, on the other

Adeyemo 31

hand the incremental theories looks forward for feedback to improve methods in the next

assignment.

Some of the data that Tagg utilized on his book were several studies done by

psychologist from different Universities on high school students, as well as college students. He

also had refers from books with research experiments. It was interesting to learn about the

different theories that have been developed for the college students on regards education. At the

end of the reading I was able to identify myself with several theories, in particularly the

incremental theory. I believe that intelligence is changeable and that a person has the capability

to improve their skills, I personally like to get feedback from the assignments I do to improve in

the areas that I am not doing so well.

Adeyemo 32

SBS 379: Make up, Tattoos, and Burkas

Ancient Ink Blood and Tattoos [Motion picture]. (2008). Indigo Films. [60 pps].

This documentary from the History Channel explores the history of one of the oldest

forms of human artwork. The host Craig Reynolds visits different tattoo shops owned by a

variety of tattoo artists from all around the world and examines their various traditional methods,

design, and ideas. Nowadays, the most common reasons people get tattooed are for aesthetics,

memorial of a love one and religious reasons. Being branded can also signify their membership

belonging to specific clubs or communities, such as criminal gangs but as well as law-abiding

subcultures and communities.

Reynolds begins his journey in New Zealand, meeting a famous Maori tattoo artist. The

Maori are considered to be one of the oldest tribes to have used tattoos, but due to the British

invasion in the early 1800’s the tradition almost died. However thanks to younger generations

reviving the practice this Maori tradition is coming back to life. Here we learn about a famous

facial tattoo called Ta Moko. In ancient times the design would be carved into the face with a

chisel, following which after it heals, it would be reopened, and the scar that was left behind

would be later filled with ink. These days the Ta Moko tattoo is done with modern tools, but the

design continues to follow the traditions of the tribe. In females wearing a Ta Moko is a sign of

beauty, and in males it is a sign of courage. From New Zealand we travel to the island of Hawaii

where we are introduced to the Polynesian tattoos. Polynesian tattoos were done to protect them

from bodily harm and evil spirits. They were also the rites of passage for young men. In a sense

the tattoo defined who he was and his accomplishments. In ancient times their tattoos were done

with needles fashioned from bone (nowadays replaced with metal). The act of tattooing is done

by the needle being tapped with a stick through the skin so as to get the ink into the body. This

Adeyemo 33

practice is at least 2,000 years old. From here Reynolds takes us to Japan where nowadays

tattoos are frequently considered taboo due to their association with the Yakuza gangs.

Originally back in the 1600’s tattoos were inflicted on people as a form of punishment. These

were usually small tattoos on the forehead or legs. A group of these punished people came

together to form a gang known as the Yakuza, and they began to add more tattoos on their own

until eventually they would cover their entire body. And so even though these days’ tattoos are

done for various reasons such as distinguishing ones individuality or as an expression of some

emotions, due to their associations with the gangs, tattoos in Japan are controversial. As a result

many people have them done on parts of the body that are not visible to others. The technique

used here is called hand poking, and is considered one of the most painful methods, however it is

unique because they are able to create shadings that the modern tools can’t. From Japan we

travel to a correctional facility in Arizona. Here we learn about the tattoos done in jail. Even

though tattoos are illegal in jail inmates have been able to find ways of creating this body art.

Unfortunately however it carries a high health risk due to the materials used. There are other

ways in which tattoos in jail are different from those done on the outside; Jail tattoos sometimes

define who you are as an individual. For example some tattoos are earned due to the crimes the

person has committed. The film also touched on the process of tattoo removal. The process is

done with laser treatment can take up to 6 to 8 weeks and is extremely painful.

The documentary gave great insight on the art of tattooing as well as in the history of

tattooing. It is incredible how ancient the practice is. The film shows that tattooing is much more

than just drawing on one’s skin but in various ways is a way of expressing who you are. This

film gave me great insight into the background and origins of tattoos. I also learned the different

methods of tattooing, their significance, meanings and origins. I admire the people who get

Adeyemo 34

tattoos; they are brave enough to endure through the pain so that in the end they have a

wonderful representation of themselves.

Atkinson, M. (2009). Tattooing And Civilizing Processes: Body Modification As Self-control. Canadian Review of Sociology/Revue Canadienne De Sociologie, 125-146. [18pps].

Many sociologists and academics describe tattooing as “cultural deviance” and “the

manifestation of a mind fraught disorder” (Atkinson, 2009, p. 126). They associate tattoos with

subjects that are not capable of following social norms or values. Tattooing is also associated

with immaturity, “at-risk youth,” or self-harm (Atkinson, 2009, p. 126). However many of the

studies done about tattooing have failed to illuminate the positive aspects of this practice. Rather

than focusing on the subcultural uses of tattooing among groups such as prisoners, or gangs

author Atkinson explores the “self-express meaning of Canadians’ tattooing” (Atkinson, 2009, p.

127). His study took a total of three years; it was a participant observation based study. He

interviewed a total of 92 people, 27 of who were tattoo artists and 65 were clients (Atkinson,

2009). His ethnographic data concluded that tattooing is “a rational form of identity expression

and is a conservative gesture of conformity to dominant norms of self-restraint” (Atkinson, 2009,

p. 128). Atkinson states that the basic level of tattooing reflects “I-WE” figurational relationships

(Atkinson, 2009, p. 128). The tattoos that people choose to put on their body have significance

and symbolize the accomplishment of something, or represent who they are or where they come

from. This is the “I” identity of the person, and links them to a WE group (social class, religious

groups, or fellow lifestyles participants) (Atkinson, 2009, p. 127). One example Atkinson gives

us it’s Carl’s cross. In this client the cross-represented his completion of and graduation from

college, as well as his faith. It reinforced Christianity, and for him it was a sign of masculinity. In

this example we are able too see how the individual is able to associate the tattoo to him, and

also how other groups can associate with this individual. Atkinson also suggests that tattoos can

Adeyemo 35

be seen as a way of enhancing the beauty of the body. Tattoos can be identified as sexy or

attractive depending on their location on the body. Many clients enjoy this because they like to

receive the attention others give them as a result, making them feel beautiful and attractive.

Atkinson concludes, “that tattooing projects are communicative acts of conformity to the

prevailing body idiom in Canada” (Atkinson, 2009, p. 135). For example among some women,

body markings are replete with strong feelings of sexual desire. Since women have been

encouraged to not participate in tattooing, marking the body may be a matter of sexual

independence, freedom, or self-determination. People also engage in tattooing to express feelings

of sorrow or grief. Many honor the death of a loved one by tattooing their name, or something

significant about that person to always remember them or have them by their side. Tattooing can

also represent love and happiness (Atkinson, 2009). In brief tattoos are encoded with broad range

of emotions.

Reading this article gave me great insight on the many reasons why people get tattoos. I

agree that when it comes to tattoos people tend to have an emotional feeling or attachment to it,

or a history behind the tattoo. I think that tattoos are very personal and always hold a deep

significance about them within each individual. I also agree that it portrays individuality, and

allows a person to describe who they are. Each tattoo is unique for each person.

China blue [Motion picture]. (2005). Cinema Delicatessen ;.[30pps]

The film China Blue introduces us to Jasmine a seventeen-year-old girl from a province

in China. Her parents own a farm where they harvest rice, wheat, and corn, however the revenue

is not enough to support the family. Jasmine decides to go to the city of Shaxi where she seeks

employment in a blue jean factory. Guo Xi L’am owns the jean blue factory; his factory serves

many companies throughout America and Europe. His factory offers room and board to the

Adeyemo 36

employees, while their rent and food is deducted from their pay. Jasmine shares a room with

twelve other young females, most of them under the age of 18. Majority of the girls are working

with the same purpose, which is to help their family financially. As time goes buy, Jasmine

becomes aware of the harsh conditions that employees go through. They work long hours, no

breaks are given, no overtime is paid, and they have no health benefits. Jasmine works in the

shipping department, where they get the jeans ready to be shipped. With regards to her wages she

makes half a Yuan an hour, which is equivalent to 6 cents in the U.S. On the average employees

four hours a week, and one to two hours when there are rush orders to deliver. Due to the harsh

conditions the workers are subjected to, companies are frequently visited by inspectors to make

sure employees are been fairly treated. However the factories usually get notice of this ahead of

time, giving them plenty of time to prompt their employees to lie about their working conditions.

The employee’s false testimonies give the inspector no reason to doubt that worker’s rights are

being violated. The film also shows how employees are discriminated against because of their

lack of education. They are pushed to work to their full potentials, and they are constantly

harassed with threats of getting fired if they arrive late or don’t complete an order. We also are

made aware that the main purpose of the owner is to make money at any cost, and so as not to

lose money he takes any offer given by the buyer. So that he can maintain profits he cuts costs,

mainly by reducing the pay of his employees, or delaying their payday until they have completed

the entire load of orders. Jasmine was not able to spend Christmas with her family the first year

she worked, since the factory holds the first paycheck. She has learned to work fast and steady to

make sure she makes enough money to send home.

It was very interesting watching the movie China Blue. As the movie states 70-80 % of

the products we wear and use are made in China. However, seeing the working conditions of the

Adeyemo 37

employees breaks my heart, and it gives me great respect for those young men and women. It

was sad to see Mr. Xi L’am’s lack of regard for his employees, even though he came from the

same background. You would think that if you became educated and successful, your one

priority would be to help others achieve that same thing, however his main desire was to make

money at any cost and put fear in his employees hearts so they would work harder than what they

did already. When I watch documentaries like this, it reminds me of the great opportunity I have

in America, and it encourages me to continue with my education and to someday help people

like Jasmine pursue their dreams.

Jones, G. (2008). Blonde and blue-eyed? Globalizing beauty, c.1945–c.19801. Economic History Review, 61(1), 125-154. [30 pps]

The beauty industry is one of the most financially successful in this day and age.

These days we are constantly surrounded by beauty product commercials and advertisements

telling us what is to be considered beautiful. As a result the beauty industry plays a major role in

how individuals feel about themselves on a daily basis. In this article the author Jones describes

for us the journey that led to the globalization of the beauty industry. He helps us understand

how and where the industry arose from and how it has became such a strong influence on

modern human beings appearance.

In the mid nineteenth century hygiene practices and beauty products became prominent in

the American society. It was due to this that the soap-making technology industries grew rapidly.

This gave birth to the toiletries industry the industry responsible for production of toothpaste,

shampoo, cosmetics, and fragrances. United States emerged as the largest single beauty market

industry after the Second World War. “America turned beauty products into a ‘necessity’ rather

than a ‘luxury’” (Jones, 2008, p. 127). America promoted the image of ideal beauty through

Adeyemo 38

pageants such as “Miss America Beauty Contest” (Jones, 2008, p. 128). giving the impression

that the ideal beauty consisted of white skin, blonde hair and blue eyes.

Thus arose the opportunity for production of products such as fragrances, cosmetics,

soap, shampoo, and lotions to grow at a fast rate not only in America but also all around the

globe. By the 1960s skin care products had become of high demand in countries like Japan,

where women preferred to maintain a clear skin. Max Factor provided make up for Hollywood

celebrities. Palmolive products such as soap, toothpaste, and shampoo were sold in several

countries all over the world including developing countries. As the industries expanded, they

also adapted their products to be more attractive to the locals. For example in the company

Unilever fifty per cent of its toilet soap was produced and sold in Thailand. As a result “the local

company formulated its toilet soap with no tallow, using locally produced palm oil” (Jones,

2008, p. 130).

The globalization of cosmetics presented some challenges though, due to frequently

changing fashion and technology. “It was expensive to build and sustain brands” (Jones, 2008, p.

130). Most of the revenue was invested in advertisement and in teaching the consumers how to

utilize the products. Most of the cosmetics and hair products were targeted to the rich elite

women; therefore lower income women would not buy the products due their lacking the

knowledge of how to apply the products. In the 1950s several firms began to use Hollywood

actresses and actors to advertise their products. It was here that the “American beauty” (Jones,

2008, p. 132) became an inspiration for many women, especially in developing countries.

Women all over the world began to desire the attributes of an “American beauty,” (Jones, 2008,

p. 132) such as pale skin, light hair, and colored eyes. Companies such as Clairol gave these

Adeyemo 39

women the ability to achieve such features when they introduced the new concept of hair dyeing,

which allowed women to color their hair blonde.

Although the beauty industry is “highly skewed” (Jones, 2008, p. 137) toward women,

men also went through a period of image concerns. As Gillette developed the “safety razor” and

shaving creams, there was a rising demand for the “clean shaven look” representing masculinity,

causing rapid growth of the shaving industries in the United States. Body shape was also very

important for the ideal “male beauty.” Increased height and muscular build in men provided

them a higher degree of success in their careers and finding a partner. Unfortunately the “male

beauty” did not provide as much marketing opportunities to the beauty industry. In addition it

was believed that men cared more about how women looked, than women cared about how men

looked. As a result the industry focused more on how to enhance the female beauty, helping

them look younger and more feminine. In marketing their products these industries began to

plant the idea in the minds of their audience of what should be considered beautiful in women.

However in so doing this industry introduced or facilitated rising insecurities in most women.

This article was an interesting reading. It gave a background on how the beauty industry

came to achieve its success. In addition it helped me understand why as a society we are so

wrapped in the idea of beauty. It saddens me because it appears to me that the beauty industry is

willing to and often does play with people’s emotions, particularly those of women. By

providing a false idea of how a beautiful person should look, and giving the public the

impression that their products will help them achieve such beauty, instead of promoting the

beauty within each woman this industry causes people to feel worse not better about themselves.

Miller, D. (2010). Anthropology in blue jeans. American Ethnologist, 37(3), 415-428. [13 pps].

Adeyemo 40

Daniel Miller in the paper Anthropology in blue jeans attempts to elucidate the core

belief that in anthropology societies interpret actions only relative to the accepted standard in that

community. “Such judgments imply norms into which populations are socialized” (Miller, 2010,

p. 416). In addition he determines the feasibility of alternative arguments to this belief such as

the concept of “the ordinary” (Miller, 2010, p. 416). He explains this is a notion available for

anthropological discussions as well as practical bearing and application.

Miller carried out an ethnographic study with Sophie Woodward of the wearing of blue

jeans among the population of a selected area of North London. Blue jeans are the most common

attire worn daily in many areas of the world. Although jeans can be indicators of many

sociocultural differences e.g. age, gender, wealth. The majority in this study was more generic in

nature, and seemed to allow the wearers to occupy the ordinary group of the population. Miller

delves into a brief history of normative anthropology explaining that a lot of these ideas arose

from the writings of the philosopher Immanuel Kant. Kant’s ideas on morality and norms can be

traced through founding figures of the field of anthropology including Emile Durkheim and

Franz Boas. “Kantian philosophy figured centrally in the perspectives of both Boas and

Durkheim” (Miller, 2010, p. 420). For Kant human beings’ understood their world from a

combination of their objective evaluation of it along with “a priori categories” (Miller, 2010, p.

420) i.e. what had been earlier determined to be a certain way is passed down to others. Miller

goes on to explain, “The concept of culture in anthropology starts to open up what appears to be

an irreconcilable difference between anthropology and Kantian philosophy” (Miller, 2010, p.

424). Nonetheless anthropology maintains the Kantian ideal despite its clear opposition to the

generally (but not universally accepted) belief of cultural relativism in the field. Miller explains,

“Some anthropologists also assert that we can and should distinguish between universal and

Adeyemo 41

particular moralism’s” (Miller, 2010, p. 424). Miller also emphasized as advancement in

anthropology the understanding that “cultures were not ordered in the form of a hierarchy but

rather were better seen as a collectivity on a par with its respect for both individuals and

universals” (Miller, 2010, p. 424). In essence normativity Miller believes is the other side of the

coin to cultural relativism. The commitment of anthropology then, to engage an extraordinary

diversity of practices ranging from cannibalism to menstruating men is brought about by trying

to understand the diversity of moral universes in terms of their own normativity.

Miller goes on to describe an exemplary ethnographic study by Nancy Munn The Fame

of Gawa (1986). Munns understanding of the Gawa people required her to determine what was

normative for a citizen of Gawa. The Fame of Gawa Miller says “suggests that the normative is

as much carrot as stick” (Miller, 2010, p. 426), the carrot being the fame obtained from the

elaborate trade of food and exchange through complex networks, and the stick being the

accusation of witch craft if one does not participates but simply stays at home and grows food for

themselves.

Going back to the study that Miller and Woodward they carried out, they explain that

North London has a high population of migrants from all over the world many of who struggle to

“not identify with identity” (Miller, 2010, p. 426). He exclaims once when questioning a

participant in a n earlier project about aspects of his Brazilian identity the individual responded

“if I wanted to be fucking Brazilian I would have stayed in fucking Brazil” (Miller, 2001, p.

418). Denim jeans have been one of the most helpful tools for migrants in this quest to not

identify with identity. Miller describes multiple interviews with various migrants who explain for

a variety of reasons their preference for denim jeans. He concludes that “jeans wearing as an

expression of the ordinary may help resolve the tension that has always existed between

Adeyemo 42

anthropology and Kant post Boas and Durkheim” (Miller, 2010, p. 422) as earlier discussed.

Blue jeans, as ordinary do not express that cultural relativism, but rather return us to the initial

linkage between the individual and the universal in Kant. Blue jeans dominate the world today

partly because they are simultaneously the most personal and the most global garment a person

can wear and to that extent help people feel they resolve the growing gulf between the two states.

Also they express a fundamental break from the Kantian tradition of normative i.e. not

necessarily being worn to conform or appear normal. He argues the objectification of ordinary in

jeans is a remarkable achievement; the kind which is frequently ignored precisely to the degree it

is neither marked or intended.

Miss Representation [Motion picture]. (2011). Girls Club Entertainment ; Roco Films Educational. [60 pps].

The documentary is about the misrepresentation of women in mainstream media. It talks

about how the media diminishes the image of women in movies and everyday television. The

film suggests that young girls are encouraged to grow up with the false image of oneself. The

media engenders the belief that in order to be successful, a woman must use her sexuality to

achieve her.

The documentary explores several things that are wrong with our media. The first point

centered on the description women’s roles in typical Hollywood movies. We see that in these

movies women tend to have a role that don’t portray them as independent characters but are seen

to revolve around a man, marriage, family, or pregnancy. Only 16 percent of women play the

role of a protagonist in movies today. Most of the time women are sexualized for their male

viewers. The second thing that the film touched upon was about females in newscaster positions.

It indicated that female news anchors are criticized about and judged by their physical attributes

and not primarily by the quality of their work. In addition it focused on how their personal lives

Adeyemo 43

become items of great interest and spread all over gossip magazines. On the contrary male new

anchors are described as creative thoughtful forceful etc. all adjectives that are more pertaining

to their work. In addition we rarely see male newscasters personal and private information

exposed on television magazines or news. It discusses how over time female newscasters have

become more objectified and sexualized ever than before leading and as such their attire make-

up etc. are seen to be more sexy in recent times. The film also discusses the ways in which the

media disrespects and negatively portray women in power. These descriptions it seems are

intended to create impressions of women as excessively emotional and unstable beings,

incapable of handling positions of power such as in government and huge corporations. As

women frequently see these media portrayals of themselves they are more likely to believe these

ideas over time. And as a result conforming to belief that men are the better suited for to

leadership roles in this country.

The film is a good reminder of how damaging media is for society. In particular for male

and female, opening our eyes on how media, advertisement, and technology play for their

advantage. Making us women more burnable to our self-esteem and wanting to be someone else.

P. Renne, E. (2013). Veiling in Africa (pp. 1-238). Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press. [238 pps].

Elisha P. Renne professor in the Department of Anthropology, Afroamerican, and

African Studies from the University of Michigan invites us to take a journey with her to learn

about veiling in Africa. The subject of veiling in Africa has not been studied as much as in other

countries. One main religion found throughout Africa is Islam, and with it their long traditions of

veils. Veils refer to the different cloth materials that cover the head, face, and at times the body.

Renne studies the different methods in which African women wear veils. The veil is able

to represent a person’s religion, region, and/or identity. Veils have been considered controversial,

Adeyemo 44

however Renne brings to our attention that most veiled women like to wear their veils to express

who they are, not only in terms of class and status, but also as an expression of their own

personality. Renne takes us to different regions in Africa, from Senegal to Tanzania and Zanzibar

to learn about the rich history of veiling. There are many ways one can wear a veil, and one

example given to us that I found particularly interesting is buibui. Buibui is a piece of cloth worn

as a shawl among Islamic women. The buibui covers the entire body leaving only the eyes

exposed. The term buibui is frequently equated with Muslim women, in particular Muslim

women who are suppressed by men. However, Renne teaches us that the buibui is more than

that, as it is a symbol of the woman’s modesty towards her family, and her religion (P. Renne,

2013). It's a symbol of freedom; it easily hides their identities “making it easier to do things they

didn't want others to see them do” (P. Renne, 2013). Women would also express their social

class through the fabric of the buibui. Wealthier women would most likely purchase the black

silk to make their buibui, while other women’s buibui would be crafted of imported cotton. A

very important remark that the author makes about the veils is that women are given the choice

to wear them. They are not worn to impress males, but rather to satisfy and please themselves.

It’s seen as an accessory to the everyday dress.

Reading the book was interesting, especially in giving me a different perspective of Islam

in Africa. In the western culture Islam is associated usually with the Middle East, and of course

at times it’s seen as negative due to the oppression Muslim men have over women. Veiling is

also common in my culture. In the Mexican culture veils are used to cover women’s heads when

going to church. Although in recent years this activity has decreased, many people in Mexico

still practice it.

Adeyemo 45

Shukla, P. (2008). The grace of four moons: Dress, adornment, and the art of the body in modern India (pp. 1-498). Bloomington: Indiana University Press. [498 pps]

The author Shukla invites us to take a journey with her into the rich and wonderful world

of body adornment in the city of Banaras, India, officially known as Varanasi, India. Shukla

shares with us the story of a group of middle-class Hindu women who highlight the elaborate

process of putting together the presentation of their attire. Banaras one of the biggest cities in

India is full of tradition and is the perfect place to explore the how and why “clothing is such a

serious thing” (Shukla, 2008, p.15). Women in India invest a lot of time and energy in their

clothing and accessories because as they believe their day-to-day life their clothes tell a story

about them to outsiders. They not only dress for themselves but also to share the story of their

family and their stage in life.

The book is divided into five parts as follows. The Introduction, Production and

Commerce, Personal Adornment, Body Art in the Lifecycle, and the Conclusion. Shukla

introduces us to the “Artistic Art” of getting dressed (Shukla, 2008, p.16). She exposes us to the

rich tradition behind every woman’s fabrics, jewelry, and makeup. We are also introduced to a

newly wed young woman who transitions from the single life to life as a married woman. She

introduces us to the woman’s daily routine, and the meaning of wearing a sari. The usual dress

for unmarried women is the salwar suit. Once they are married women are expected to wear a

sari. The sari’s style depicts their marital status and age. The younger you are the brighter the

colors you wear, and as you grow older your choice of color becomes more and more subtle the

elderly finally end up wearing pastel colors. Simultaneously women spend lots of care in

choosing their jewelry sets, such as their bangles. Bangles are glass bracelets of all different

colors; these also indicate that a woman is married, and the longer the woman has been married

the fewer bangles she wears. Mother in laws wear one bangle on each wrist to show that there

Adeyemo 46

husband are still alive. Shukla also introduces us to Hinduism and how the elaborated procedure

and style of dress is also customary to the people when they go there to worship their deities.

“The temples decorate and dress the gods as a loving act of devotion” (Shukla, 2008, p.27). Part

two of the book introduces us to the rich background and practices of shopping. It also takes on

the journey of how saris are weaved along with the detailed process of creating beautiful pieces

of jewelry for special occasions such as weddings. It describes that as a result there is popular

demand for objects such as bangles, bindis (colored dots for the forehead), and henna (body art).

Part three is about personal adornment. Here Shukla introduces us to three middle-aged

women (middle class) who shared stories about what kind of clothing they wore growing up.

One woman that stood out among the three was Nina Khanchadani. She exclaimed that when she

got married like most women she transitioned from salwar suits to saris. However, contrary to

tradition today she expresses a preference of wearing salwar suits because they are much more

comfortable than saris. Her choice of wearing salwar suits although unconventional is accepted

by her mother-in-law who she lives with. Khanchadani stated that she enjoys living a simple life,

without of the demands of wearing jewelry and elaborate clothing. Jewelry is worn to achieve

beauty, however Khanchadani states “Beauty lies in generosity and affection, in wit and

intelligence, in the gracious personality of a good human being” (Shukla, 2008, p.234-235). We

also meet Neelam Chaturvedi, an art teacher with a Punjabi background. Unlike Khanchadani

she wears saris, especially when she goes to school. However she also shares her enjoyment of

wearing jeans and shirt tops when she is at home or travels away from Banaras. Lastly we meet

Mukta Tripathi, a woman with a great sense of personal style. A woman who finds creativity and

enjoyment in everyday life, such as housework. Tripathi enjoys the process of getting ready for a

special occasion, and she also enjoys being different from others.

Adeyemo 47

In the last part of the book “Body Art in the Life Cycle” (Shukla, 2008, p.325), Shukla

talks about the rich tradition that marriage implies as well as the harsh tradition of a widows life.

The bride is encouraged to dress in the most beautiful silk, and to wear the most beautiful

jewelry. This will enhance her beauty during her marriage and the days that follow after that. A

woman is encouraged to look beautiful or “show off” to her husband (Shukla, 2008, p.335). This

will bring happiness to the life of the marriage. However, what happens when a woman loses a

husband? The tradition is that women will wear colorless (white) saris, no jewelry, and no bindi.

It is believed that there is no need for a widow woman to sexually attract men. Upon their

husband’s death, if a widowed woman wears a colorful sari, she exposes herself to the possibility

of others wondering whom she is dressing for or “showing off for” (Shukla, 2008, p.338). Over

all Shukla does a terrific job of describing this culture; she is able to provide personal accounts

that help us understand at a deeper level the importance of dressed adornment in India.

I enjoyed this book very much. I consider myself a big admirer of the Indian culture, and

being able to learn more about their costumes and traditions of dressing and adornment was just

amazing. This book also reminded me of a Brazilian soap opera called India, which contained a

lot about Indian behaviors and culture. Reading this book gave me a deeper understanding of that

culture and gave that show more meaning to me. I hope that someday I am able to visit Varanasi,

India and see the culture’s beauty in person.

What Darwin Never Knew [Motion picture on DVD]. (2010). United States of America: PBS. [PP. 60]

The documentary began with a brief history and background of Charles Darwin the

acclaimed author of the book The Origin of Species. Over one hundred and fifty years ago

Darwin made a remarkable proposal, suggesting that human beings evolved from chimpanzees.

Such a proposal was initially subjected to much ridicule, as during that era the predominant

Adeyemo 48

belief was that the creator of all species was God. His theory originated when during a 5-year

voyage at sea, Darwin came across the Galapagos Island, the home of unique animals that were

found only in that particular place. He collected data of all the species he encountered there for

his records. Upon arrival from his voyage he began a closer examination of the data and this led

him to the question of why such variations existed among animals. Intrigued by this question

Darwin furthered his study to the examination of embryos of these animals. This led to his

discovery that the embryos of many animals had certain features such as legs or gills that were

undeveloped or absent as adults. This revelation led to his theory that certain animals were

descendants of other animals. As a way of demonstrating his speculation he conceived of the tree

of life. The tree of life an illustration of life forms that connects all species together, including

humans. Although this was a remarkable idea, Darwin did not have a comprehensive

understanding on how it developed. 150 years later scientists today are able to explain why such

variations occur with the assistance of modern science, and better understanding of genetics.

We now know that genes and DNA are the building blocks of all living organisms, and scientists

have discovered that such variations among animals are possible through genetic mutations. In

recent years scientists have discovered certain genes that act like a switch, turning other genes on

or off at different times and for different durations. These switches play an important role during

the embryonic stage of development; they determine the animal’s body and functions.

The documentary also described one of the first animals to set foot on land, the Tiktaalik also

known as the fishapod. This creature is believed to have existed 375 million years ago, and

according to scientists every animal, including humans are its descendants and eventually

developed into the four-legged animals. The fossil of the fishapod was discovered in 2004 in

Ellesmere Island, Canada by a group of scientist from the University of Chicago.

Adeyemo 49

Over all the film was very interesting to watch, and though it is focused primarily on

biology and evolution, I believe it gives us great insight to better understand humanity as a

whole. I found the film interesting and it helped me by not only refreshing my knowledge of

evolution but also by introducing me to a lot of new scientific data.

Wet dreams and false images [Motion picture]. (2004). New Day Films.

This short film produced by Jesse Epstein introduces a group of young men from

Brooklyn to the world of photo retouch. At the beginning of the film we meet Dee-Dee a young

barber, who’s wall portrays a collage of cut outs of models in two-piece bikinis. He calls it “his

wall of beauty” and he makes it clear that those women are beautiful because of their “silky

smooth” skin i.e., they don’t have no sign of stretch marks or cellulite. He states that women

should go to the gym and “get toned” because men don’t like cellulite. As the film proceeds we

encounter other men who share their opinion about women. The men all agree that a woman

should have a “big butt” like the women in the magazines. Dee-Dee’s belief in the women on his

wall of beauty is evident and he feels confident that the photos on his wall are not retouched in

any way. As the film proceeds however Dee-Dee and the group of young men in the barbershop

are shown a film where professional photo retoucher Dominic Demasi explains the process of

photo retouch. He shows several examples of how skin in photos is smoothed out, the tone

changed, and even how the hips of a women are altered so the image of the model would look

appealing to the seller and the costumer. He explains that making such alterations has affected

the society as a whole. As Dee-Dee watches the film, his immediate reaction is a mixture of

confusion and anger, as his dreams melt away and he comes to realize that every picture on his

wall has been retouched in some way. He tells his fellow friends that such thing can’t be true,

however as they keep watching he begins to accept the reality. Dee-Dee expresses his

Adeyemo 50

disappointment in the photos of his wall. Towards the end of the film he modifies what he said

about cellulite on women, by stating “there’s nothing wrong with a little bit of cellulite.”

The main purpose of the film was to inform us about what is behind the photos we see in

the magazines, television, and billboards. Every photo out there has been manipulated in some

way, giving us this false idea of the perfect body image that we follow. The film encourages us

to see beyond the image of the magazines we read, it encourages us to not believe that women or

men don’t have imperfections. It encourages to not trust what we see out there, but to see who

we really are and accept that even with our cellulite and stretch marks we are beautiful the way

we are.

Adeyemo 51

SBS 400: Senior Capstone Seminar I

Courtenay, W. (2000). Construction of Masculinity and their Influence on Men’s Well-Being: A Theory of Gender and Health. Social Science & Medicine, 50, 1385-1401. [16 pps].

The author Will Courtenay explores some of the masculinity behaviors and beliefs that

men develop on regards to their health behaviors. According to the author men in the United

States have higher death rates and die seven years younger than women (Courtenay, 2000,

p.1386). Courtenay believes that health-related behaviors contribute to these differences.

According to the author, many studies have confirmed that health behaviors are the most

important factors that can influence health. A sociocultural factor that is conjoined wit health

behavior is gender roles. Studies have showed that women are more likely on doing annual

health screenings versus men. Women also are more likely to take care of their weight, maintain

an exercise routine, healthier meal preparation, and are more likely on taking vitamins and

mineral supplements (Courtenay, 2000). Courtenay explains that men do not engage on these

behaviors because of their masculinity image. Health - behaviors like going to annual check ups,

are consider feminine, and therefore men do not intent to do them. The author also shares with us

studies where it has been shown that men make fewer visit to the doctors than women do, these

visits do not include reproductive health care (Courtenay, 2000). Courtenay states “women and

men think and act in the way they do not because of their role identities…but because of

concepts about femininity and masculinity that they adopt in their culture (Courtenay, 2000,

p.1387). In majority of the cultures throughout the world, men are depicted as strong beings.

However, Courtenay suggest that if men health behaviors were to change, it would extend their

longevity and well - being.

Although nothing prohibit men to engage in these behaviors, it is important to emphasize

that engaging in healthier behavior, which can be beneficial in the long run. Courtenay gives

Adeyemo 52

suggestions to increase awareness about such problem within our society. He also encourages the

male community to not see these behaviors as feminine, but rather as a step to prolong their life

span. For me this concept is important to understand because it helps us to comprehend male

behavior. The lack of emphasis on their health also encourages on the unhealthy behaviors they

engage to achieve the ideal male body.

Dakanalis, A., Timko, A., Madeddu, F., Volpato, C., Clerici, M., Riva, G., & Zanetti, A. (2013). Are the Male Body Dissatisfaction and Drive for Muscularity Scales reliable and valid instruments? Journal of Health Psychology, 20(1), 48-59. [11 pps].

AuthorsAntonios Dakanalis, Alix Timko, Fabio Madeddu, Chiara Volpato, Massimo

Clerici, Giuseppe Riva, and Assunta Zanetti introduced the readers to the Drive for Muscularity

Scale (DMS) and Male Body Dissatisfaction Scale (MBDS). “These were developed for use with

men and correspond to measures of drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction in women”

(Dakanalis et al., 2013, p. 48). Existing empirical research exploring body image concerns and

consequences have primarily focused on females and their desire to control body weight and

shape creating the assumption that body and eating disorders are a woman’s concern only

(Dakanalis et al., 2013). Dakanalis et al. reinforce the notion that “men also have negative

thoughts and feelings about their body and particular body sites” (Dakanalis et al., 2013, p.48).

Dakanalis et al. conducted a study were they evaluated a sample of 655 Italian men. Both scales

demonstrated consistency and transitory stability as well as self-criticism (Dakanalis et al.,

2013).

The specific objectives of this study were first to evaluate the unexplored factor of the

DMS and MBDS scales (Dakanalis et al., 2013). Second to examine their criterion-related,

concurrent, and discriminant validity (Dakanalis et al., 2013). Dakanalis et al. expected that men

with elevated scores on the Eating Attitudes Test would have greater drive for muscularity and

Adeyemo 53

body dissatisfaction than those with lower scores. The results revealed that scores on both scales

correlated “negatively with self-esteem, positively with general and athletic internalization, as

well as positively with eating disorder symptomatology” (Dakanalis et al., 2013, p. 56). This also

provided confirmation, to the authors, of the scales ability to assess male body dissatisfaction and

the search of muscularity. “The pattern of their relationships to other well-established measures

of similar constructs supports the hypothesis that endorsement of the norms for body shape

portrayed in the media and poor self-esteem are related to male body dissatisfaction” (Dakanalis

et al., 2013, p. 56). The scales also provided a strong association with maladaptive eating

behaviors (Dakanalis et al., 2013). Dakanalis et al. “note that the pattern of these relationships is

characteristic of men living in cultures where the male body shape ideal is highly associated with

muscularity, since some ethnic groups prefer larger body sizes” (Dakanalis et al., 2013, p. 57).

Over all the results support the factor structure, internal consistency, temporal stability,

and validity of the DMS and MBDS. Dakanalis et al. emphasize that validations of these

measures are a key step in “research designed to develop and evaluate effective preventive

strategies” (Dakanalis et al., 2013, p. 58). This reading provided great statistical proof that male

body dissatisfaction exists and as such will be useful for our capstone project.

Diedrichs, P., & Lee, C. (2010). GI Joe or Average Joe? The Impact of Average-Size and Muscular Male Fashion Models on Men’s and Women’s Body Image and Advertisement Effectiveness. Body Image, 7, 218-226. [8 pps].

Images of thin women and muscular man have been associated with poor body image.

Authors Diedrichs and Lee conducted a study to better understand what effect advertising of

muscular and average size fashion models have upon men and women. Their main goal is to

provide evidence that shows that average size models have more positive advertisement

effectiveness in society.

Adeyemo 54

The authors stated that previous studies have concluded that viewing average-size model

is associated with more positive body image among young men and women (Diedrichs & Lee,

2010, p. 218). They suggest that average – size models will improve individual’s body image

perceptions and personal esteem. The study sample was of 300 men and 289 women. The

participants were show ads with no models, muscular, average slim, or average large models

(Diedrichs & Lee, 2010, p. 220). As the authors predicted, the study indicated that ads with

average size male and female models had the same effect among men and women. These finding

are consistent with previous studies conducted by other scientists. An unexpected finding was

than males rated ads featuring muscular models as less effective than no models (Diedrichs &

Lee, 2010, p. 224). Focus groups of young men have found that some men consider models’

muscularity to an over-concern with their physical appearance, which is often associated as

feminine and/or homosexual trait (Diedrichs & Lee, 2010, p. 224). The focus groups indicate that

for men the ads with no models is preferred.

In general, Diedrichs and Lee were the first to conduct a systematic investigation on the

impact of average –size male fashion models on men and women’s body image (Diedrichs &

Lee, 2010, p. 225). Their findings encourage those in the fashion industries to increase diversity

in media imagery. Such changes can improve how men and women perceive their own body

image. It is important to remember that what it’s seen on television and ads is an unrealistic body

type that has been modified by computer programs, such as Photoshop.

DiGioacchino, R., Sargent, R., & Topping, M. (2001). Body Dissatisfaction among White and African American Male and Female college students. Eating Behaviors, 2, 39-50. [11 pps].

The journal addresses the issue of body dissatisfaction, particularly in size and weight.

These factors contribute to the increase to the “disordered eating behavior” (DiGioacchino at al.,

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2001, p. 40). According to the authors previous studies have confirm that body dissatisfaction is

higher among White students. As for the African American students, studies have indicated that

body dissatisfaction is not so prevalent among them. The authors conducted a study between

White and African American students, on regards to weight and body perceptions.

The study was conducted in an urban southeastern university. The results indicate that

African American men and women BMI was in the overweight range. As for the White students,

their BMI was in the acceptable range (DiGioacchino at al., 2001). This study also concluded

that African American women perceive themselves smaller than their actual size. The authors

state that in previous studies, forty percent of heavy African American women considered

themselves normal weight. A small percentage of White female students also perceive

themselves smaller than their actual size. However, White females students express a higher

desire to look smaller, as for the African American females they were satisfy with their image

(DiGioacchino at al., 2001). This shows that African American women have more positive view

of themselves.

In regards to the male students, the authors concluded that there was not much difference

found between White and African American males. Both races expressed desired to increase

masculinity, and express discontent with their body image. The authors concluded than males are

more concern on achieving a more muscular body to attract females. Males also reported longer

hours in the gym, and more supplement intakes to build muscle.

Feldman, M., & Meyer, I. (2007). Eating disorders in diverse lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations. Int. J. Eat. Disord. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 40, 218-226. [8 pps].

Authors Matthew Feldman and Ilan Meyer conducted a study to examine the current

problem of eating disorders in lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) men and women (Feldman &

Adeyemo 56

Meyer, 2007). They also investigated the association between participation in the gay community

and eating disorder prevalence in gay and bisexual men (Feldman & Meyer, 2007). Per Feldman

and Meyer this was the first study to assess DSM-IV diagnostic categories in a community-based

sample as well as to report on variation in eating disorders among white, black, and Latino LGB

individuals (Feldman & Meyer, 2007).

The author’s hypotheses stated “gay and bisexual men have a higher prevalence of eating

disorders than heterosexual men, and lesbian and bisexual women have a lower prevalence of

eating disorders than heterosexual women” (Feldman & Meyer, 2007, p. 219). The study was

conducted on 126 white heterosexuals and 338 white, black, Latino LGB men and women. The

results concluded that gay and bisexual men had a higher estimate of eating disorders than

heterosexual men (Feldman & Meyer, 2007). The results indicated no differences in eating

disorders between lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual women.

Per Feldman and Meyer these results suggest that clinicians and public health

practitioners working with LGB clients need to be aware of the clinical manifestations of eating

disorders (Feldman & Meyer, 2007). The author’s also indicate it is necessary to avoid

commonly held conventions that lesbian and bisexual women are less vulnerable to eating

disorders than hetero- sexual women (Feldman & Meyer, 2007). They invite clinicians and

public health practitioners to be attentive to younger LGB clients who are at an increased risk for

eating disorders.

Furnham, A., & Calnan, A. (1998). Eating Disturbance, Self-Esteem, Reasons for Exercising and Body Weight Dissatisfaction in Adolencent Males. European Eating Disorders, 6(1), 58-72. [14 pps].

Furnham and Calnan state that body disatisfaction differs between males and females.

Males body dissatisfaction is associated with weight gain as well as weight loss. One study

Adeyemo 57

reported that four percent of females would like to gain weight compared to forty seven percent

of males (Furnham and Calnan, 1998, p. 59). The authors main focus was to find out the

relationship of body dissatisfaction, reasons for exersising, unhealthy eating habits, and self-

esteem (Furnham and Calnan, 1998, p. 61).

The total participants were one hundred and forty three, ninety were 12th graders in

England, the remaining students, were recruited from the “department of subject panel”

(Furnham and Calnan, 1998, p. 62). The ages of the participants were betwee 16 and 18 years

old. Sixty nine percent of males repored feeling dissatisfied with their current weight. Thirty one

percent express the desire to lose weight, and thrity eight percent wanted to gain weight

(Furnham and Calnan, 1998, p. 66). Both groups reported body dissatisfaction and preasure to

present a certain image to society. The group of males who desire to lose weight, reported cardio

exersice routines. Such routines were seen as negative by the gain weight group, since their main

desire is to gain muscle and the V-shape (Furnham and Calnan, 1998, p. 68). Such behaviors also

contriute to unhealthy eating habbits and the increase on supplements consumtion to increase

muscle.

Through their study the authors were able to provide evidence that body disatisfaction is

also present among males. It was also noted that majority of the participants associated a tone

body with female attractiveness. It is believed that females would be more attractive to

mucularity than simple thinnes.

Galioto, R., & Crowther, J. (2013). The Effects of Exposure to Slender and Muscular Images on Male Body Dissatisfaction. Body Image, 10, 566-573. [7 pps].

The authors research focus was on the effects of appearance-based comparison to

muscular and slender idealize male bodies. The authors state that body dissatisfaction has been

often associated with images of thin males models (Galioto & Crowther, 2013). They attempt to

Adeyemo 58

understand what is it about the thin male model that contributes with the body dissatisfaction.

There were a total of 114 undergraduate males participants, from a public Midwest

University. The average age among the participants was 20 years old. The results indicated than

when men are exposed to slender and muscular media images there is an increase in body

dissatisfaction (Galioto & Crowther, 2013). The author suggested this can be the result of males

viewing models attractive and they might take in consideration the status of the model. Majority

of the participants also reported internalization and comparison. They internalize the “ideal

image, muscular or slender” (Galioto & Crowther, 2013, p. 572) and compare it to their personal

body image. Such behavior increases low self-esteem and body dissatisfaction. The authors

learned that both images are seen as ideal among men. Although the muscular look is the most

popular in the media circuit, it suggests that some males continue to like the slender look. The

slender look tends to be associated with status and class (Galioto & Crowther, 2013).

Griffiths, S., Murray, S., & Touyz, S. (2013). Disordered eating and the muscular ideal. J Eat Disord Journal of Eating Disorders, 1, 15-15. [1 pps].

Authors Scott Griffiths, Stuart Murray and Stephen Touyz report that during the past

decade research has begun to reveal the problem of male body image concerns (Griffiths,

Murray, & Touyz, 2013). The authors also report that most men in Western societies desire a

body that combines low body fat with well-developed musculature. Characterized by “broad

shoulders, a narrow waist, and big biceps” (Griffiths, Murray, & Touyz, 2013, p. 15). Griffiths,

Murray, and Touyz state that researchers conceptualize muscle dissatisfaction and body fat

dissatisfaction as separate issues. However evidence has proven that they are both associated

with male body image dissatisfaction.

In contrast, the author’s report that there has been minimal research conducted to describe

various dimensions of eating disorders that pertain to the muscular ideal (Griffiths, Murray, &

Adeyemo 59

Touyz, 2013). They point out that majority of the current research conducted on eating disorders

are “synonymous with body fat, fat loss, weight loss and calorie restriction, all of which

characterize the drive for thinness, not the drive for muscularity” (Griffiths, Murray, & Touyz,

2013, p. 15). They report that the pursuit of muscularity can be associated with various “rule

driven eating behaviors” (Griffiths, Murray, & Touyz, 2013, p. 15). These behaviors can include

high levels of protein consumption, severe restriction of non- protein dietary components,

frequent eating, restriction of carbohydrates or fats, and the use of appearance enhancing drugs

such as steroids, “testosterone boosters” and other supplements (Griffiths, Murray, & Touyz,

2013, p. 15).

Griffiths, Meyer, and Touyz suggest that to improve our understanding of unhealthy

eating behaviors in men, “a reconceptualization of disordered eating may be warranted”

(Griffiths, Murray, & Touyz, 2013, p. 15). They believe that it must focus on the rules that

underlie eating disorders, not the specific direction of the eating behavior (Griffiths, Murray, &

Touyz, 2013, p. 15). Reading this article we are able to see that multiple body ideals, from very

thin to very muscular, motivate the development of an eating disorder, to achieve not only

thinness, but also muscularity.

Grossbard, J., Lee, C., Neighbors, C., & Larimer, M. (2008). Body Image Concerns and Contingent Self-Esteem in Male and Female College Students. Sex Roles, 60, 198-207. [9 pps].

Authors Joel Grossbard, Christine Lee, Clayton Neighbors, and Mary Larimer talk about

the significant developmental concerns of body image for adolescents and young adults

(Grossbard et al., 2008). The author’s explain “college students are particularly susceptible to

social pressure associated with physical appearance, as these developmental periods are critical

for the formation of one’s identity and self- worth across a number of domains, including

Adeyemo 60

physical self-evaluation” (Grossbard et al., 2008, p. 199). They conducted research that

examined gender as a mediator of the association between contingent self-esteem and body

image concerns, including weight and muscularity (Grossbard et al., 2008). Females reported

higher levels of contingent self-esteem and greater concerns about their weight (Grossbard et al.,

2008). On the other hand, males reported a greater drive for muscularity.

In this study there were a total of 359 participants (59.1% female) heavy drinking first-

year U.S. undergraduate students (Grossbard et al., 2008). The students completed a survey

assessing health-related risk behaviors. Results illustrated a stronger relationship between

contingent self-esteem and weight concerns among females. For males, it illustrated that

contingent self-esteem was strongly associated with a greater drive for muscularity. Grossbard et

al. emphasize the importance of considering “contingent self esteem when developing

interventions to prevent the internalization of thinness and muscularity norms and subsequent

body image disturbances” (Grossbard et al., 2008, p. 204). This research also concluded “males

engage in risky weight loss strategies (e.g., laxatives, diet pills)…to lose weight and increase

muscularity” (Grossbard et al., 2008, p. 204). Further exploration, research also indicates

“compared to heterosexual men, gay boys and men scored higher on scales measuring femininity

endorse greater concerns about weight and body shape” (Grossbard et al., 2008, p. 205).

Grossbard et al. also explain that males who participate in sports are more concerned with

thinner, leaner body type to enhance their athletic performance (Grossbard et al., 2008).

Hargreaves, D., & Tiggemann, M. (2004). Idealized Media Images and Adolescent Body Image: “Comparing” Boys and Girls. Body Image, 1, 351-361. [10 pps].

The authors aimed to examine the effect of exposure to television commercials

containing images of the “ideal women, and muscular men” (Hargreaves & Tiggeman, 2004, p.

Adeyemo 61

353). Majority of the studies on body image are focused on women or young girls. Hargreaves

and Tiggemann suggest that such demands for the ideal body on today’s demands affect men and

young boys too. Their main goal with the study is to see how young boys are affected by media

on regards to the “muscular men” (Hargreaves & Tiggeman, 2004, p. 353).

The study was conducted to a total of 595 adolescents, 310 girls and 285 boys. This study

was done in the “South Australian metropolitan coeducation public high schools of medium

socio-economic status” (Hargreaves & Tiggeman, 2004, p. 353). The results showed that

exposure to thin-ideal models increased females body dissatisfaction. However the main focus of

the study was to examine the effect of the ideal male attractiveness on young boys. The study

concluded, “muscular ideal television commercial had limited impact on boy’s body image”

(Hargreaves & Tiggeman, 2004, p. 357). The authors suggest that this could be that males

develop an interest to muscularity until late adolescent or early adulthood (Hargreaves &

Tiggeman, 2004). The study also provided evidence that young girls compare themselves, more

frequently than boys, with the ideal body. However, the authors do note that some boys do begin

to compare their physical appearance at young age, and such behavior can lead to low body

esteem.

Leone, J., Fetro, J., Kittleson, M., Welshimer, K., Partridge, J., & Robertson, S. (2011). Predictors of Adolescent Male Body Image Dissatisfaction: Implications for Negative Health Practices and Consequences for School Health From a Regionally Representative Sample. Journal of School Health, 81(4), 174-184. [10 pps].

In this article author’s James Leone, Joyce Fetro, Mark Kittleson, Kathleen Welshimer,

Julie Partridge and Stacia Robertson discuss the possible connection between adolescent males

body image dissatisfaction (BID) and negative health behaviors and risks. Per the authors

“adolescent males are more likely to sustain intentional and unintentional injuries, be involved in

a physical confrontation, and be successful in suicide attempts” (Leone at al., 2011, p. 174).

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The authors conducted a study to examine the strongest predictive interpersonal and

social variables of BID among adolescent males (Leone at al., 2011, p. 175). There were a total

of 330 adolescents’ males, grades 9 to 12, who participated. The study was conducted in New

England, the ages of the males ranged from 14 to 19 years. The results indicated that male

students have a strong desire for muscularity. Over sixty percent of the participants expressed not

feeling comfortable with their own body (Leone at al., 2011). The result also concluded that

intrapersonal predisposition factors, such as internalization of teasing, affected the individuals

concept of body image subsequently encouraging unhealthy behaviors, such as drug use.

Leone et al., encouraged educators and school health professionals to obtain training in

“being sensitive to the unique needs of adolescent males” (Leone at al., 2011, p. 177). They also

emphasize the importance of using ecological models and strategies to promote a healthy body

image in adolescent males (Leone at al., 2011, p. 178). This article provides good statistical

reports of middle school male students. It provides evidence that BID in young males is a current

societal problem that needs attention.

Murray, S., Rieger, E., Karlov, L., & Touyz, S. (2013). Masculinity and femininity in the divergence of male body image concerns. J Eat Disord Journal of Eating Disorders, 1, 1-8. [8 pps].

Authors Stuart Murray, Elizabeth Rieger, Lisa Karlov, and Stephen Touyz wrote an

article addressing the increase of empirical focus that has been directed towards understanding

the male experience of body image dissatisfaction. Murray et al. explained that recent empirical

data suggests that a large proportion of men in Western society experience body dissatisfaction

(Murray et al., 2013). There is increased encouragement of males to pursue an ideal body that

differs substantially from their current body (Murray et al., 2013). The author’s main purpose in

this research is to “investigate the relationship between feminine and masculine gender role

Adeyemo 63

endorsement and male presentations of anorexia nervosa and muscle dysmorphia” (Murray et al.,

2013, p. 2).

The study was conducted on a total of 75 participants. Twenty-one of those participants

were males diagnosed with muscle dysmorphia. Twenty-four of the males were diagnosed with

anorexia nervosa. The last thirty were males who attended a gym on regular bases (Murray et al.,

2013). The participants were from Australia, England, and the United States. All participants

completed “multidimensional measures of masculinity and femininity, and measures of eating

disorder and muscle dysmorphia symptomatology” (Murray et al., 2013, p. 3).

Murray et al. concluded that participants who were diagnosed with muscle dysmorphia

reported greater adherence to masculine gender roles (Murray et al., 2013). This is consistent

with the male body ideal frequently portrayed in Western media. On the other hand participants

diagnosed with anorexia nervosa reported endorsement of feminine gender roles. These findings

are consistent with the “notion that masculine and feminine gender role endorsement may be

associated with the divergence amongst body dissatisfied men towards pursuing more muscular

or thinner body ideals” (Murray et al., 2013, p. 7).

McNeil, L., & Firman, J. (2014). Ideal Body Image: A Male Perspective on Self. Autralasian Marketing Journal, 22, 136-143. [7 pps].

The authors state that there has been little research done on regards the perspective of

men body image. More recent studies have stated an increased on eating disorders among men.

The authors state that an increased in male body dissatisfaction is due to the increased focus on

appearance among men. In todays society the new role than males play is an increase concern in

their physical appearance. In previous generations men physical appearance was not consider as

important, compared to women’s. However such views have been changing throughout the last

Adeyemo 64

few decades. Media now encourages men to maintain a muscularity body type (McNeil &

Firman, 2014).

The study concluded, “friends and family are the biggest influencers on perception of

body image” (McNeil & Firman, 2014, p. 142). Younger men (18-25 years old) reported feeling

more pressure from media and friends. As for older men (33-45) reported feeling peer pressure

from their spouse, significant other, or love one (siblings). The younger group was more

interested in developing a more lean and muscular body appearance. Contrary, the older group

main concern was not in obvious attributes such as muscularity, but rather a healthier look

(McNeil & Firman, 2014). Older men tend to be more attractive to maintaining a lean healthy

look, which satisfies their family.

Sabel, A., Rosen, E., & Mehler, P. (2014). Severe Anorexia Nervosa in Males: Clinical Presentations and Medical Treatment. Eating Disorders, 22, 209-220. [11 pps].

Author’s Allison Sabel, Elissa Rosen, and Philip Mehler Sabel form part of the ACUTE

Center at Denver Health Medical Center. This is a ten-bed stabilization unit for medically

compromised eating-disordered patients (Sabel, Rosen, & Mehler, 2014). ACUTE “only accepts

patients whose weights have fallen well below 70% of ideal body weight, which the center

defines for men as 106 pounds for the first five feet” (Sabel, Rosen, & Mehler, 2014, p. 211).

The author’s reported that eating disorders are often associated with females only. Although

research as been conducted on males, it is believed that they are still understudied.

Sabel, Rosen, and Mehler examined the clinical presentation and medical complications

of severe anorexia nervosa among males, to better understand this condition (Sabel, Rosen, &

Mehler, 2014). During the study fourteen males were admitted to a medical stabilization unit.

These were males diagnosed with severe anorexia nervosa. They had a multitude of medical and

laboratory abnormalities, “which are in need of treatment via judicious, nutritional rehabilitation,

Adeyemo 65

and weight restoration to prevent additional morbidity and to facilitate transfer and admission to

traditional eating disorder programs” (Sabel, Rosen, & Mehler, 2014, p. 209).