Cultural Complexities
Asynchronous Session
Drama Therapy as a Human Rights Based Approach to Tackling Community Mental Health : A Case Study from Lebanon View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Sara Sakhi, Lina Kreidie
The inclusion of mental health under the umbrella of the right to health has become more widely adopted in recent decades, expanding our understanding of health as an holistic condition that encompasses mental health and acknowledges its importance on both physical health and social wellbeing. However, even as human rights circles make this realization, a large gap caused by the biomedical model remains, and the slow adoption of human rights-based approaches (HRBA) in mental health spheres leaves behind millions suffering from otherwise curable and preventable disorders. HRBAs in mental health consider not only reducing human rights violations that lead to mental health issues but also the provision of human rights integrated-mental health care in a manner that aligns with the universal and inalienable model of international human rights. This means that HRBAs are usually more holistic, less focused on the medicalization of justified suffering, and able to navigate the complex web of barriers set by social stigma, high costs, and low access often found in parts of the world where mental health issues are most prevalent after the occurrence of human rights violations. The researchers argue that drama therapy, a creative art therapies approach that borrows from theater techniques to achieve psychological wellbeing, fits into the HRBAs models being advocated for. Its cultural malleability, community-based implementation, and non-clinical setting all play a role in its adherence to HRBAs. A case study of drama therapy programmes taking place in Lebanon with refugee women demonstrates the benefits of HRBA for vulnerable populations.
The Impact of Pornography on Sexual Satisfaction in Long-term Family Relationships View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Aleksandra Stehnovska-Slavska
Modern society is faced with the active popularization and availability of pornographic content distributed on media platforms, and with the development of the Internet and modern technology, the viewing of pornography has become more diverse. The topic of the impact of pornography on long-term family relationships is a controversial topic and although there are studies showing the positive impact of viewing pornographic content in the family system, there are studies indicating the ambiguity of this phenomenon. Therefore, this quantitative study aims to examine the role of pornography in the context of family relationships as a predictor of decreased sexual satisfaction. A total of 120 heterosexual men in a long-term cohabiting marital relationship of one year or more (Mage = 28.66; SD = 3.4) participated in an online survey in which they indicated personal experience with pornography use and satisfaction in sexual relationships with their partner. The study found that attachment to pornographic content significantly influenced lower levels of sexual satisfaction in relationships and therefore could act as a significant predictor. Research on the impact of pornography viewing on long-term family relationships is important for our society as it contributes to knowledge, awareness and building healthier and more stable family relationships.
Caste and Gender Difference in the South Asian Siaspora Matrimonial Site Jeevansathi View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Shilpi Gupta, Gaurav Sushant
Matrimonial sites in South Asia are online advertising platforms encouraging South Asians to look for spouses among South Asians in and outside their homeland. As per the studies, there are 1500 matrimonial sites based in India and attracting non-resident Indians. Indian based matrimonial sites, in this digital era, have jumped from 0.11 to 0.26 billion US dollars in business from 2017 to 2022. The boom of matrimonial sites has attracted a lot of research. This research looks into the matrimonial sites as a space that divides the South Asian population (including those living outside the country) based on caste and class and creates online “imagined communities” based on these factors among the South Asian diaspora. The paper delineates that within such “imagined communities,” the matrimonial sites (re)produce caste, perpetuate normative heterosexuality, and suppress upper-caste and lower-caste South Asian women globally. The case study is based on jeevansathi.com, from where the data for the study has been collected. Methodologically, this study is based on digital ethnography. Theoretically, the chapter will do a close reading from the Dalit (diaspora) feminist perspective.
Invisible Resistance in Contemporary Chinese Middle Class Life: Qualitative Insights into Evolving Socio-Political and Cultural Dynamics
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Abigail Qian Zhou
This research presents an in-depth qualitative analysis of the contemporary Chinese middle class, uncovering their subtle "invisible resistance" in daily life. Moving beyond the simplistic binary view of this group as either democratic-leaning or staunchly conservative, the study probes the intricate social, cultural, and political orientations within the changing international and domestic landscapes. Utilizing semi-structured interviews and participant observation, it explores how this key social group adeptly navigates their socio-political environment, balancing negotiation and adherence to societal norms and expectations. Particular focus is placed on their media usage and consumption habits, serving as lenses to understand their nuanced strategies of resistance and compliance. This interdisciplinary inquiry significantly enriches cultural studies by illuminating the complex interplay between individual agency and societal structures, thereby influencing the formation and transformation of cultural and political identities. The findings shed light on the middle class's potential role in shaping China's future development path, offering crucial insights for policymakers and social scientists engaged with the multifaceted nature of contemporary Chinese society. The study emphasizes the fluidity of cultural and political identities in a transitioning society, providing a deeper understanding of the subtle forms of resistance emerging within a rapidly evolving socio-political context.
