title: Child poverty and media advocacy in aotearoa

authors: Barnett, Alison Reremoana

subjects: child poverty

abstract: New Zealand has one of the worst rates of child poverty in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Research has shown that modern mass media provide a mediated cultural forum through which policy responses to child poverty are socially negotiated and from which public support for children in need is either cultivated or undermined. This thesis focuses on the role of media advocacy by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) who attempt to widen public debate and legitimate options for addressing child poverty. I investigate the case of the Government's Working for Families package and the controversy surrounding the media release of CPAG's negative evaluation of the package in the form of a research report Cut Price Kids. Attention is given to competing ideological frames underlying the Government's package, in the form of neo-liberal emphases on distinctions between  God's  and the  Devil's  poor. Attention is also given to CPAG's response, in the form of communitarian notions of collective responsibility for all families in need. Specifically, I analyse the role of the mass media in framing child poverty as a social issue across three levels of mass communication - production, representation, and reception. At the production level interviews were held with six journalists involved with reporting on Cut Price Kids and two members of CPAG. Fifteen Government and 5 CPAG press releases were also explored to document media production processes and restraints on public deliberations. In addition, the ideological stances influencing the framing of coverage were investigated. At the media representation level 21 press, seven radio, and five television items were analysed to establish the scope of public debate, whose perspectives were included, and the ways in which differing perspectives are combined. At the reception level four focus group discussions with lower socio-economic status (SES) parent groups, as well as follow-up photo-based interviews with eight participants were explored in order to document the role of media coverage in the lives of families with children living in poverty. Across levels, findings suggest that journalists are restrained by professional practices which maintain the importance of balance and detached objectivity, rather than interpretations of appropriate responses to child poverty. Tensions between the Government's emphasis on restricting support to families with parents in paid employment and CPAG's emphasis on the need to not discriminate against the children of out of work families framed coverage. The lower SES parents participating at the reception level challenged the restrained nature of coverage, which excluded people such as themselves, and openly questioned media characterisations of them as  bludgers  who are irresponsible parents. Overall, findings support the view that media are a key component of ongoing social dialogues through which public understandings of, and policy responses to, child poverty are constructed. Specifically, psychologists need to engage more with processes of symbolic power which shape the public construction of child poverty in a conservative manner that can lead to victim blaming, and restrains opportunities for addressing this pressing social concern.

text: Child poverty and media advocacy in aotearoa New Zealand has one of the worst rates of child poverty in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Research has shown that modern mass media provide a mediated cultural forum through which policy responses to child poverty are socially negotiated and from which public support for children in need is either cultivated or undermined. This thesis focuses on the role of media advocacy by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) who attempt to widen public debate and legitimate options for addressing child poverty. I investigate the case of the Government's Working for Families package and the controversy surrounding the media release of CPAG's negative evaluation of the package in the form of a research report Cut Price Kids. Attention is given to competing ideological frames underlying the Government's package, in the form of neo-liberal emphases on distinctions between  God's  and the  Devil's  poor. Attention is also given to CPAG's response, in the form of communitarian notions of collective responsibility for all families in need. Specifically, I analyse the role of the mass media in framing child poverty as a social issue across three levels of mass communication - production, representation, and reception. At the production level interviews were held with six journalists involved with reporting on Cut Price Kids and two members of CPAG. Fifteen Government and 5 CPAG press releases were also explored to document media production processes and restraints on public deliberations. In addition, the ideological stances influencing the framing of coverage were investigated. At the media representation level 21 press, seven radio, and five television items were analysed to establish the scope of public debate, whose perspectives were included, and the ways in which differing perspectives are combined. At the reception level four focus group discussions with lower socio-economic status (SES) parent groups, as well as follow-up photo-based interviews with eight participants were explored in order to document the role of media coverage in the lives of families with children living in poverty. Across levels, findings suggest that journalists are restrained by professional practices which maintain the importance of balance and detached objectivity, rather than interpretations of appropriate responses to child poverty. Tensions between the Government's emphasis on restricting support to families with parents in paid employment and CPAG's emphasis on the need to not discriminate against the children of out of work families framed coverage. The lower SES parents participating at the reception level challenged the restrained nature of coverage, which excluded people such as themselves, and openly questioned media characterisations of them as  bludgers  who are irresponsible parents. Overall, findings support the view that media are a key component of ongoing social dialogues through which public understandings of, and policy responses to, child poverty are constructed. Specifically, psychologists need to engage more with processes of symbolic power which shape the public construction of child poverty in a conservative manner that can lead to victim blaming, and restrains opportunities for addressing this pressing social concern.

year: 2006

title: Understanding outdoor education in South Korea: The perspectives of current leaders

authors: Hwang, Cho Rok

subjects: Outdoor education

abstract: Outdoor education includes the provision of outdoor learning experiences to assist youth’s holistic development in relation to the outdoor environment. The formalised educational practice of outdoor education internationally derived mainly from the Western part of the world, with famous Western scholars and philosophers providing the root of the ideas and theories (Wurdinger, 1997). The practice is now widespread in different parts of the world, including South Korea. However, outdoor education in South Korea has not yet gone through systematic development (Lee, 2018). In-depth exploration to understand outdoor education through the eyes of current outdoor education leaders in South Korea and the key influences and social and cultural context that impacted the delivery of outdoor education is, therefore, timely. This study aims to understand outdoor education in South Korea, focussing on why and how outdoor education in South Korea has shaped as it is today.

This interpretive qualitative study was framed by critical realism and contextualism and used culturally responsive approaches to explore and highlight the perspectives and experiences of current outdoor leaders in Korea. One-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted online with six current outdoor education leaders in South Korea from different backgrounds. Through thematic analysis, four main themes were identified. The first theme focused on learning outdoor education in South Korea, highlighting the challenges leaders face in learning and developing themselves as an OE leader. The second theme explored policies and regulation that impacts the operation and delivery of outdoor education. The third theme explored the perception of outdoor education from different parts of society, including parents, teachers, schools and organisations. Lastly, the final theme explored these current leaders' ideas and perceptions of the future of OE in South Korea. Given the interconnection of each challenge identified through the analysis of four themes, for OE to flourish in South Korea, there was the need for clarification of outdoor education, investment in the development of Korean-style outdoor education and changes in perception. The research concludes with areas for further study, limitations and a summary of the entire research.

text: Understanding outdoor education in South Korea: The perspectives of current leaders Outdoor education includes the provision of outdoor learning experiences to assist youth’s holistic development in relation to the outdoor environment. The formalised educational practice of outdoor education internationally derived mainly from the Western part of the world, with famous Western scholars and philosophers providing the root of the ideas and theories (Wurdinger, 1997). The practice is now widespread in different parts of the world, including South Korea. However, outdoor education in South Korea has not yet gone through systematic development (Lee, 2018). In-depth exploration to understand outdoor education through the eyes of current outdoor education leaders in South Korea and the key influences and social and cultural context that impacted the delivery of outdoor education is, therefore, timely. This study aims to understand outdoor education in South Korea, focussing on why and how outdoor education in South Korea has shaped as it is today.

This interpretive qualitative study was framed by critical realism and contextualism and used culturally responsive approaches to explore and highlight the perspectives and experiences of current outdoor leaders in Korea. One-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted online with six current outdoor education leaders in South Korea from different backgrounds. Through thematic analysis, four main themes were identified. The first theme focused on learning outdoor education in South Korea, highlighting the challenges leaders face in learning and developing themselves as an OE leader. The second theme explored policies and regulation that impacts the operation and delivery of outdoor education. The third theme explored the perception of outdoor education from different parts of society, including parents, teachers, schools and organisations. Lastly, the final theme explored these current leaders' ideas and perceptions of the future of OE in South Korea. Given the interconnection of each challenge identified through the analysis of four themes, for OE to flourish in South Korea, there was the need for clarification of outdoor education, investment in the development of Korean-style outdoor education and changes in perception. The research concludes with areas for further study, limitations and a summary of the entire research.

year: 2023

title: Mai ngā pouwhirinaki - The experiences of whānau caring for Māori tangata whaiora with traumatic brain injury in the Waikato

authors: Silveira, Maia

subjects: Traumatic brain injury

abstract: In Aotearoa today, Māori have a disproportionate experience of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in the community and in prisons compared to non-Māori. Furthermore, Māori have higher mortality rates following TBI, and are more likely to have a prolonged stay in hospital then be discharged without community support services compared with non-Māori. Currently, many of the post-acute rehabilitation services are located in the Auckland region which causes undue pressure of whānau needs, finances, and work commitments for many whānau and individuals with TBI from the Waikato region. My research focuses on the experiences of whānau navigators experience of caring for Māori tangata whaiora with TBI in the Waikato region. Whānau navigators for this thesis refers to members of the whānau who have familial obligations of care. Within this thesis I consult and engage with whānau about post-acute rehabilitation services. This is a qualitative based research project, which draws upon narrative inquiry, and a Kaupapa Māori research paradigm. Documenting these experiences will provide empirical evidence to highlight the invaluable role whānau have within recovery and the value of whānau support. This research can be used to identify the dynamic needs of whānau and encourage the healthcare system to provide a service that is consistent with Kaupapa Māori health frameworks and practices which at present is non- existent. As a result, the project will help inform the development of a service model within TBI that can better reflect and support the needs of whānau and Māori communities, that is a locally derived practice and more applicable and appropriate for Māori. Mauri ora!

text: Mai ngā pouwhirinaki - The experiences of whānau caring for Māori tangata whaiora with traumatic brain injury in the Waikato In Aotearoa today, Māori have a disproportionate experience of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in the community and in prisons compared to non-Māori. Furthermore, Māori have higher mortality rates following TBI, and are more likely to have a prolonged stay in hospital then be discharged without community support services compared with non-Māori. Currently, many of the post-acute rehabilitation services are located in the Auckland region which causes undue pressure of whānau needs, finances, and work commitments for many whānau and individuals with TBI from the Waikato region. My research focuses on the experiences of whānau navigators experience of caring for Māori tangata whaiora with TBI in the Waikato region. Whānau navigators for this thesis refers to members of the whānau who have familial obligations of care. Within this thesis I consult and engage with whānau about post-acute rehabilitation services. This is a qualitative based research project, which draws upon narrative inquiry, and a Kaupapa Māori research paradigm. Documenting these experiences will provide empirical evidence to highlight the invaluable role whānau have within recovery and the value of whānau support. This research can be used to identify the dynamic needs of whānau and encourage the healthcare system to provide a service that is consistent with Kaupapa Māori health frameworks and practices which at present is non- existent. As a result, the project will help inform the development of a service model within TBI that can better reflect and support the needs of whānau and Māori communities, that is a locally derived practice and more applicable and appropriate for Māori. Mauri ora!

year: 2022