title: How young people talk about their variations in sex characteristics: making the topic of intersex talkable via sex education

authors: Lundberg, Tove

abstract: Classrooms are important spaces for young people with variations in sex characteristics and their classmates. Sex education can promote agency and well-being by helping young people make sense of their embodiment and form rewarding social relationships and by changing societal understandings about variations in sex characteristics. Realising this potential however may hinge on how sex education makes intersex (un)talkable. We draw on interviews with 22 young people on how and why they try to make their variation in sex characteristics talkable with others. By focusing on how they talk to others and why they do not talk to others, this research highlights how participants ?fear rejection? but need to talk to others about their variation in the process of ?dealing with it?. Participants also struggle with ?secrecy versus privacy? and how to ?communicate strategically.? Findings acknowledge the emotional work required of people with variations in sex characteristics when making intersex talkable. The analysis points to the role of both talking and silence. We conclude by envisaging a norm-critical sex education that engages with the responsibilities of both talking and listening, shifting the burden away from individual young people with variations in sex characteristics and working towards more mutual social relationships.

text: How young people talk about their variations in sex characteristics: making the topic of intersex talkable via sex education Classrooms are important spaces for young people with variations in sex characteristics and their classmates. Sex education can promote agency and well-being by helping young people make sense of their embodiment and form rewarding social relationships and by changing societal understandings about variations in sex characteristics. Realising this potential however may hinge on how sex education makes intersex (un)talkable. We draw on interviews with 22 young people on how and why they try to make their variation in sex characteristics talkable with others. By focusing on how they talk to others and why they do not talk to others, this research highlights how participants ?fear rejection? but need to talk to others about their variation in the process of ?dealing with it?. Participants also struggle with ?secrecy versus privacy? and how to ?communicate strategically.? Findings acknowledge the emotional work required of people with variations in sex characteristics when making intersex talkable. The analysis points to the role of both talking and silence. We conclude by envisaging a norm-critical sex education that engages with the responsibilities of both talking and listening, shifting the burden away from individual young people with variations in sex characteristics and working towards more mutual social relationships.

year: 2021

title: The use of firearms in intimate murder-suicide in Australia and New Zealand

authors: Barnes, Jo

subjects: murder-suicide

abstract: Although murder-suicide is relatively rare, the number of events per year is fairly constant and often occurs in the context of intimate or family relations. These intimate or familial murder-suicides are, in most cases, perpetrated by males who kill their female partners and/or children and are often preceded by incidents of domestic violence. This paper proposes that murder-suicide can be positioned at the extreme end of a continuum of violence. Using data from Australia and New Zealand for a period of twenty years from 1973¬1992, the article explores the use of firearms to show how domestic violence can culminate in tragic death.

text: The use of firearms in intimate murder-suicide in Australia and New Zealand Although murder-suicide is relatively rare, the number of events per year is fairly constant and often occurs in the context of intimate or family relations. These intimate or familial murder-suicides are, in most cases, perpetrated by males who kill their female partners and/or children and are often preceded by incidents of domestic violence. This paper proposes that murder-suicide can be positioned at the extreme end of a continuum of violence. Using data from Australia and New Zealand for a period of twenty years from 1973¬1992, the article explores the use of firearms to show how domestic violence can culminate in tragic death.

year: 2001

title: Experiences of New Zealand Māori mothers’ Engagement with health and social services post-COVID-19 2020 lockdown

authors: Barrett, Nikki Maree

subjects: Childbirth

abstract: Background: 
Despite universal provision of maternity care, Māori (Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa/New Zealand) experience significant maternal and infant health disparities compared to their dominant Pākehā (non-Māori) counterparts. This paper examined the lived realities of postnatal Māori māmā (mothers) engaging with health and social services. Enablers and barriers were identified to better understand what is required to strengthen health services’ responsiveness to Māori māmā health needs and aspirations. 

Methods: 
Underpinned by Kaupapa Māori research principles, which are grounded in Māori cultural values, emphasising self-determination, and Māori aspirations, a small cohort of 17 expectant Māori māmā were recruited from a Māori childbirth education programme to participate in a three-phase study. Phase three, the focus of this paper, involved seven semi-structured, open-ended telephone interviews with Māori māmā. A thematic analysis, underpinned by a mana wahine (authority inherent in Māori women) theoretical perspective amplified these experiences. 

Results: 
Five themes were identified that encapsulated participants’ engagement and interactions with health and social services. These themes were as follows: (1) right to enact tino rangatiratanga (autonomy) and self-achievement; (2) responsiveness of services; (3) service and system issues; (4) need for greater choice and opportunity; and (5) impact of COVID-19. 

Conclusions: 
This study privileged the voices of Māori wāhine, highlighting their experiences with a complex and often unresponsive health system. Participants valued services that enabled them to exercise tino rangatiratanga. Echoing the experiences of other Indigenous Peoples, incorporating culturally relevant practices into perinatal health services is crucial for achieving health equity and addressing disparities.

text: Experiences of New Zealand Māori mothers’ Engagement with health and social services post-COVID-19 2020 lockdown Background: 
Despite universal provision of maternity care, Māori (Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa/New Zealand) experience significant maternal and infant health disparities compared to their dominant Pākehā (non-Māori) counterparts. This paper examined the lived realities of postnatal Māori māmā (mothers) engaging with health and social services. Enablers and barriers were identified to better understand what is required to strengthen health services’ responsiveness to Māori māmā health needs and aspirations. 

Methods: 
Underpinned by Kaupapa Māori research principles, which are grounded in Māori cultural values, emphasising self-determination, and Māori aspirations, a small cohort of 17 expectant Māori māmā were recruited from a Māori childbirth education programme to participate in a three-phase study. Phase three, the focus of this paper, involved seven semi-structured, open-ended telephone interviews with Māori māmā. A thematic analysis, underpinned by a mana wahine (authority inherent in Māori women) theoretical perspective amplified these experiences. 

Results: 
Five themes were identified that encapsulated participants’ engagement and interactions with health and social services. These themes were as follows: (1) right to enact tino rangatiratanga (autonomy) and self-achievement; (2) responsiveness of services; (3) service and system issues; (4) need for greater choice and opportunity; and (5) impact of COVID-19. 

Conclusions: 
This study privileged the voices of Māori wāhine, highlighting their experiences with a complex and often unresponsive health system. Participants valued services that enabled them to exercise tino rangatiratanga. Echoing the experiences of other Indigenous Peoples, incorporating culturally relevant practices into perinatal health services is crucial for achieving health equity and addressing disparities.

year: 2025