Healthy Communities
Differential Risk of Mental Health Outcomes, Sexual Risks, and Relational/Sexual Violence among Youth Based on Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation: Evidence for the Importance of an Intersectional Analytic Approach
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Nelson Eugene Walls, Shanna K. Kattari, Rohini Gupta, Joshua Rusow
Research has consistently shown that lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer (LGBQ) and transgender/non-binary (trans/NB) adolescents are at increased risk for a number of mental health concerns, sexual risks, and relational violence. However much of the existing literature either conflates sexual orientation and gender identity by combining the two groups into one analytic category or silos sexual orientation and gender identity treating them as separate and unrelated constructs. Using an intersectional analytic approach whereby we create categories of sexual orientation by gender identity (e.g., transgender heterosexual, cisgender LGBQ), we use a representative sample of high school aged youth to examine a number of behavioral health outcomes, sexual experiences, sexual risks, and relational violence to provide a more nuanced pattern of risks so that youth service providers are better prepared to effectively engage LGBQ and trans/NB young people. Across all categories of risk and experiences examined (e.g., depressive symptoms, suicidality, non-suicidal self-injury, age of sexual debut, condom usage, forced sex), we find a wide range of differences in likelihood rates underscoring the importance of using an intersectional approach to understanding the levels of risk facing LGBQ and trans/NB adolescents.
Closing the Gap Between the Supply and Demand Sides of Disability Employment in Australia
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Katherine Moore
There is a global problem of labour market exclusion of people with disability, resulting in widespread dependence on social security systems and high rates of poverty and social exclusion. Australia currently ranks 21st out of 29 OECD countries in employment participation rates for those with a disability. Australian Government policy has tended to focus on the supply-side of disability employment, through providing additional funding for disability employment services, training for people with disability, and welfare reforms to encourage job search activities for those with disability deemed capable of working. The consistent gap between the supply and demand sides of disability employment has emerged as a social phenomenon that requires greater theoretical and empirical attention to inform the dynamics between government policy, organisational practices and societal expectations for the future of employment opportunities for people with disability. This paper presents the findings of research that explores the demand-side of disability employment by exploring the organisational mechanisms underlying the proactive employment of people with disability in Australia. The research addresses the current gaps in the knowledge field of disability employment by exploring how organisations legitimise disability employment practices within an Australian retail organisation that currently employs people with disability. The findings of the research represent the practices and mechanisms underlying the ways in which organisational actors legitimise disability employment practices, within their internal and external operating environments. Tensions experienced by organisational actors when legitimising disability employment practices within organisational contexts with high levels of efficiency and productivity demands are also revealed.
Sanctity of Life: Value of Innate Dignity
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Indira Junghare
In the context of globalization, the dominating worldview, guided by a divisive philosophy of “I vs. you” and “man vs. nature,” and influenced by fierce competition, has created conflicts and violence. Disturbances occur at all levels—biological, social, and spiritual. Life itself has lost inner sanctity and innate value. Although the Western analytical approach to understanding life and attaining knowledge has helped mankind in making advances in sciences and technology, it has proven to be insufficient in solving humanity’s diverse problems. A perfect understanding of individual parts does not automatically convey a perfect understanding of the whole system. In today’s world, the “otherness” of immigrants and foreigners and the “strangeness” of strangers have been exaggerated. Other philosophical approaches are needed for understanding life and obtaining just and peaceful coexistence. This research inquiry explores the nature of life in India’s socio-cultural system which evolved from ancient philosophical traditions and which is synthetic and considers all lives to be holy or innately worthy of respect. These traditions see life as all-inclusive, marked by interdependence and interconnectedness and focus on the value and utility of each and every system that contributes to “all-inclusive” living. The paper also discusses cosmopolitanism and ethics of dignity, recognition, and respect as they relate to human existence and life’s sanctity.
Devised Theatre Events for Audiences with Complex Needs
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Margot Marie Wood
Audiences with complex neurological, physical and cognitive challenges are often marginalized in general society but, when such a society is under pressure, the marginalization of individuals with complex needs can become extreme. Theatre for audiences with complex needs is a form of applied theatre in that it falls `outside mainstream theatre performance and/or with marginalized communities` (Thompson & Jackson 2006:92). It is based on the belief that marginalized audiences should have access to quality arts experiences specifically devised for their needs. Arts experiences can help participants to become more flexible in their thinking about themselves, their limitations and possibilities. Much of the daily life of the disabled person is taken up by frustration and limitation. Arts experiences allow them to break through these barriers. The Arts have the potential to break through the barriers and limitations which participants with neurological, physical and cognitive challenges have to contend with in that it can offer support and assist in the expression of feelings and ideas. Audiences and participants with complex needs often experience a sense of isolation due in part to difficulties with communication. This isolation is aggravated when the society at large faces social, natural, political, economic challenges. To overcome this, arts education and experiences can offer alternate means of communication and self-expression. In so doing, a sense of sharing and community can be fostered through participation in group arts projects. This study documents a series of devised performances and the responses of audiences and carers.
