by Richard Dickens (Department of Economics, University of Sussex) published in National Institute Economic Review Volume 218 Number 1 (October 2011)
Abstract
The previous Labour government pledged to abolish child poverty and introduced a range of welfare reforms that emphasised the role of work as the primary route out of poverty. This culminated in the Child Poverty Act (2010) which commits all future governments to the abolition of child poverty.
This paper examines New Labour's record on child poverty and examines the factors responsible for its change. While the welfare reforms of the late 1990s did increase work among families with children, this didn’t translate into large falls in child poverty. Those entering work still relied on substantial increases in government benefits to lift them over the poverty line. The current coalition government has reaffirmed its commitment to the Child Poverty Act and is also emphasising the role of work.
The lessons of the past decade cast severe doubt on whether the current coalition government strategy of promoting work will be any more successful in reducing child poverty. With planned benefit cuts in the pipeline we could well experience some substantial increases in child poverty over the coming years.
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Heavy metal leaching potential of discarded mobile phone wastes: a laborator...
an article by Devika Bajpai, Poonam Ahluwalia and Arvind K. Nema published in International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management Volume 14 Number 5/6 (2011)
Abstract
Mobile phones have experienced tremendous growth in India since their introduction in 1995. Hence, it becomes essential to estimate the toxicity of mobile phones for implementation of legislation that regulates sound management practices. In the present study, toxicity of disposed mobile phones in Delhi (India) has been estimated in terms of concentrations of leached heavy metals. Effort has been made to simulate acid-bath recovery process used by informal recovery units in Delhi. The sample mobile phones chosen for the study constituted models from leading mobile phone companies which have become obsolete now. The present study can serve as baseline information regarding the hazards posed by rudimentary end-of-life management options prevalent for waste mobile phones.
Hazel’s comment:
Not the sort of abstract I normally pick up but this sort of “jumped out at me”.
Abstract
Mobile phones have experienced tremendous growth in India since their introduction in 1995. Hence, it becomes essential to estimate the toxicity of mobile phones for implementation of legislation that regulates sound management practices. In the present study, toxicity of disposed mobile phones in Delhi (India) has been estimated in terms of concentrations of leached heavy metals. Effort has been made to simulate acid-bath recovery process used by informal recovery units in Delhi. The sample mobile phones chosen for the study constituted models from leading mobile phone companies which have become obsolete now. The present study can serve as baseline information regarding the hazards posed by rudimentary end-of-life management options prevalent for waste mobile phones.
Hazel’s comment:
Not the sort of abstract I normally pick up but this sort of “jumped out at me”.
Classing early intervention: Social class, occupational moralities and criminalization
an article by Daniel J. Mccarthy (University of Surrey) published in Critical Social Policy Volume 31 Number 4 (November 2011)
Abstract
This article interrogates the nature of judgements used by social control professionals to identify signs of anti-social behaviour amongst young people and families referred to early intervention programmes. The emphasis of professionals working within such networks is mostly benevolent in seeking to support and direct specific services at particular individuals.
This article traces the effects of these processes of social control in action, specifically the ways through which professionals’ judgements formed around the normative social class status of clients become prime reasons for intervening. The article reflects on the ways occupational moralities translate social class judgements into control responses, arguing that one of the principal outcomes of early intervention is class correction rather than crime control.
Abstract
This article interrogates the nature of judgements used by social control professionals to identify signs of anti-social behaviour amongst young people and families referred to early intervention programmes. The emphasis of professionals working within such networks is mostly benevolent in seeking to support and direct specific services at particular individuals.
This article traces the effects of these processes of social control in action, specifically the ways through which professionals’ judgements formed around the normative social class status of clients become prime reasons for intervening. The article reflects on the ways occupational moralities translate social class judgements into control responses, arguing that one of the principal outcomes of early intervention is class correction rather than crime control.
Parental Mediation Theory for the Digital Age
an article by Lynn Schofield Clark (University of Denver, Colorado) published in Communication Theory Volume 21 Issue 4 (November 2011)
Abstract
This article describes the theory of parental mediation, which has evolved to consider how parents utilise interpersonal communication to mitigate the negative effects that they believe communication media have on their children.
I discuss the strengths and weaknesses of this theory as employed in the sociopsychologically rooted media effects literature as well as sociocultural ethnographic research on family media uses. To account for the emotional work that digital media have introduced into contemporary family life, I review interpersonal communication scholarship based on sociologist A. R. Hochschild's (1977, 1989) work on emotions, and suggest L. Vygotsky's (1978) social development theory as a means of rethinking the role of children's agency in the interactions between parents and children that new media affords.
The article concludes by suggesting that in addition to the strategies of active, restrictive, and co-viewing as parental mediation strategies, future research needs to consider the emergent strategy of participatory learning that involves parents and children interacting together with and through digital media.
Abstract
This article describes the theory of parental mediation, which has evolved to consider how parents utilise interpersonal communication to mitigate the negative effects that they believe communication media have on their children.
I discuss the strengths and weaknesses of this theory as employed in the sociopsychologically rooted media effects literature as well as sociocultural ethnographic research on family media uses. To account for the emotional work that digital media have introduced into contemporary family life, I review interpersonal communication scholarship based on sociologist A. R. Hochschild's (1977, 1989) work on emotions, and suggest L. Vygotsky's (1978) social development theory as a means of rethinking the role of children's agency in the interactions between parents and children that new media affords.
The article concludes by suggesting that in addition to the strategies of active, restrictive, and co-viewing as parental mediation strategies, future research needs to consider the emergent strategy of participatory learning that involves parents and children interacting together with and through digital media.
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
Time to end the bias towards inclusive education?
by Katherine Runswick-Cole (Manchester Metropolitan University) published in British Journal of Special Education Volume 38 Issue 3 (September 2011)
Abstract
The UK coalition Government's call to end the ‘bias’ towards inclusion represents a shift in ‘policy speak’ as the new administration attempts to re-narrate special education by putting forward a ‘reasonable and sensible’ solution to the ‘problem of inclusion’.
However, implicit in the call is the assumption that there has, in fact, been a ‘bias towards inclusion’ in education policy and practice; here, that assumption is challenged. Using a critical disability studies perspective, Katherine Runswick-Cole, who is a research fellow in Disability Studies and Psychology in the Research Institute of Health and Social Change at Manchester Metropolitan University, draws on the concept of ableism and critiques of neo-liberal market systems in education to reveal and explore the persistent barriers to inclusive education embedded within the education system. It is argued that although there may have been an inclusive education policy rhetoric, this rhetoric is rooted in conceptual incongruities which, rather than promoting inclusion, undermine an inclusive approach to education.
Full article (HTML) here
Abstract
The UK coalition Government's call to end the ‘bias’ towards inclusion represents a shift in ‘policy speak’ as the new administration attempts to re-narrate special education by putting forward a ‘reasonable and sensible’ solution to the ‘problem of inclusion’.
However, implicit in the call is the assumption that there has, in fact, been a ‘bias towards inclusion’ in education policy and practice; here, that assumption is challenged. Using a critical disability studies perspective, Katherine Runswick-Cole, who is a research fellow in Disability Studies and Psychology in the Research Institute of Health and Social Change at Manchester Metropolitan University, draws on the concept of ableism and critiques of neo-liberal market systems in education to reveal and explore the persistent barriers to inclusive education embedded within the education system. It is argued that although there may have been an inclusive education policy rhetoric, this rhetoric is rooted in conceptual incongruities which, rather than promoting inclusion, undermine an inclusive approach to education.
Full article (HTML) here
Don't turn back time on women’s rights
via Fawcett News
New report details “targeted, achievable policies” to defend women’s rights.
The Fawcett Society, backed by a coalition of more than 20 charities, unions and academics, has today unveiled a new report entitled A Life Raft for Women’s Equality.
Detailing a series of key policy recommendations for government, the Life Raft for Women’s Equality comes amid growing evidence that the government’s approach to reducing the deficit is ‘turning back time’ on women’s equality – and is published on the same day the Minister for Women and Equalities is expected to give a speech outlining the government’s approach to women and the economy.
Press release here and the full report (PDF 4pp) here
New report details “targeted, achievable policies” to defend women’s rights.
The Fawcett Society, backed by a coalition of more than 20 charities, unions and academics, has today unveiled a new report entitled A Life Raft for Women’s Equality.
Detailing a series of key policy recommendations for government, the Life Raft for Women’s Equality comes amid growing evidence that the government’s approach to reducing the deficit is ‘turning back time’ on women’s equality – and is published on the same day the Minister for Women and Equalities is expected to give a speech outlining the government’s approach to women and the economy.
Press release here and the full report (PDF 4pp) here
Why we hate performance management – And why we should love it
an article by Herman Aguinis, Harry Joo and Ryan K. Gottfredson (Kelley School of Business, Indiana University) published in Business Horizons Volume 54 Issue 6 (November-December 2011)
Abstract
Individual performance is a building block of organisational success. Not surprisingly, virtually all organisations have in place some type of performance management system. Yet, managers and employees are equally sceptical that performance management adds value; usually, it is seen as a waste of time and resources.
We argue that the potential benefits of performance management are not realised because most systems focus exclusively on narrow and evaluative aspects such as performance appraisal. Herein, we offer a broader view of performance management, including discussion of how it differs from performance appraisal. We highlight specific and important benefits of performance management for employees, managers, and organisations.
We also describe research-based conclusions regarding how performance management systems should be designed and implemented to realise these benefits.
We hope our article will demonstrate that well-constructed performance management systems should not be hated, but rather embraced.
Abstract
Individual performance is a building block of organisational success. Not surprisingly, virtually all organisations have in place some type of performance management system. Yet, managers and employees are equally sceptical that performance management adds value; usually, it is seen as a waste of time and resources.
We argue that the potential benefits of performance management are not realised because most systems focus exclusively on narrow and evaluative aspects such as performance appraisal. Herein, we offer a broader view of performance management, including discussion of how it differs from performance appraisal. We highlight specific and important benefits of performance management for employees, managers, and organisations.
We also describe research-based conclusions regarding how performance management systems should be designed and implemented to realise these benefits.
We hope our article will demonstrate that well-constructed performance management systems should not be hated, but rather embraced.
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