Demography, Population, and Ecology Commons^™

Absentee Voting & Expanding Electoral Participation, Alyse Marie Frederick

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

If liberalization of absentee voting has the ability to increase voter turnout, then it is significant to distinguish what demographics an absentee voter is most likely to be a part of. In the United States an individuals’ right to vote absentee is regulated by the state. Therefore, not every state in the United States grants their residents the choice to vote absentee. Initially, absentee voting was established as a means to allow soldiers displaced by war to participate in voting. Over time disabled citizens were granted the right to apply to vote absentee. Eventually, many states began to liberalize eligibility …

Why Youth Voters Have Lower Participation, Christine Lathrop, Shaia Araghi

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

The turnout rate for young adults in elections succeeding 1964 has significantly diminished. This derives as a result of the methods that the candidates use to reach out to young voters, the agenda being debated or the political climate at the time accompanied by the feeling of political efficacy. This research project delves into the major reasons behind why there has been a low voter turnout rate, that being under fifty percent of those in this age category, for young adults, those being 18 – 24, in presidential elections. This particularly investigates the reasoning for the 2012 election being such …

Who Do You Trust?: An Analysis Of Public Perception Towards Government, Pilar Fabregas

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

This paper will discuss how the American people’s trust in their government can vary depending on different sociopolitical factors, and how the government could take advantage of this information. Through extensive research of literature reviews on previous findings as well as analysis of 2012 ANES data, I discover that the American public responds negatively to their government with an increased perception of corruption and overall disregard to the needs of the people. I will also add to the common literature by utilizing other scholarly works that demonstrate how these explanations behind distrust in government can be used to potentially improve …

Post Obama: Discrimination Toward African Americans Remains A Major Problem In America, Mackenzie Carl

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

This paper explores the issue of racial views within the United States, particularly after the election and reelection of Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012. The goal of this project is to determine if racial tension and resentment has either increased or decreased due to the election of a black President as well as determining if party identification is a predictor of racial resentment. By delving into the scholarly literature as well as looking into the public’s opinion, it is revealed that racial tension and resentment has actually increased within America, especially within the white population. Different forms of racism …

The Dream Of The Theatre Is Alive In Portland: The Potential Of A New Company To Succeed, Amaya Santamaria

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

According to the 2013 census there are approximately 609,456 people living in Portland, Oregon. There is no demographic data tabulated for 2013, however a look at the 2010 statistics can help paint a picture of Portland and its racial and educational make up. That year, 76.1% of people identified as “white alone.” The African American population constituted 6.3% and the Hispanic 9.4%. While it is true that, typically, Caucasian audiences make up the majority of theatre attendees, perhaps more telling are the statistics regarding education. In Portland, 43.1% of people hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to the 29.2% …

Hong Kong Happiness Index Survey 2014, Lok Sang Ho

Hong Kong Happiness Index 香港快樂指數調查

According to the results of the Hong Kong Happiness Index Survey conducted by Lingnan University’s Centre for Public Policy Studies, the Happiness Index for Hong Kong people in 2014 stands at 70.5 (on a scale of 0 to 100), which is the same as last year. The survey outcome is an unexpected one taking into account the current social and political controversies in Hong Kong.

Respondents' degree of satisfaction with quality of public policy rose to 4.34 (on a scale of 0 to 10) from last year’s 4.14. Satisfaction with living environment rose to 5.95 from last year’s 5.75, while …

Modeling Scenarios Of Sea-Level Rise And Human Migration: Rita Village, The Republic Of The Marshall Islands, Donna Davis

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the relationship between sea-level rise and human migration from Rita Village in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). As one of only four low-lying atoll countries at the forefront of risks associated with climate change, examining the extent to which sea level will rise and displace residents in the Marshall Islands is of timely importance. The approach to this research is a scenario-based, case study and it examines loss of home, human displacement and subsequent migration in Rita Village as a result of varying levels of sea level rise. The scenario-based approach is based on the …

Hispanic Entrepreneurship In Nebraska: Trends And Economic Profile, Lissette Aliaga-Linares

Latino/Latin American Studies Policy Briefs

The growth of the Hispanic population in Nebraska was accompanied by a significant increase in Hispanic entrepreneurship at the beginning of the 2000s. From 2002 to 2007, the 3,065 Hispanic-owned businesses constituted a small but dynamic and resilient segment of business growth in the state. Did participation in self-employment decrease for Hispanics after the economic crisis of 2008? What are the characteristics of Hispanic-owned businesses and Hispanics business-owners in Nebraska? Do some of these characteristics reveal social or economic barriers that could prevent these businesses from succeeding?

Layers Of Home: Dharamsala And The Changing Home Of Tibetans, Lydia Talen

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

McLeod Ganj, a major suburb of Dharamsala, has been the home of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile for the past 54 years. The arrival of His Holiness caused a surge of development in McLeod Ganj. My independent study project studies the resulting changes in the physical infrastructure, the way people use space in McLeod Ganj and whether Tibetans perceive McLeod Ganj as their home. I hope to further understand the complexity and fluidity of the idea of home, specifically for Tibetan refugees, through the examination of physical changes in McLeod Ganj.

The Significance Of Comunidade Sabiaguaba Within The Developing City Of Fortaleza, Ce, Katherine Davis

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The city of Fortaleza, Ceará has experienced rapid population growth and development over the last century, especially concentrated in the last fifty years. Today, this growth results in the creation of a beautiful tourist destination that many wish to visit, but also a dangerous and unequal city in which many have to live. Many state planners view this growth in infrastructure and tourism as the solution for the economic hardships of Fortaleza. However, many residents are unsatisfied with this development plan, and feel that there is a disconnect between the needs of the people and the plans of the state. …

Sexual And Reproductive Health And Rights Of Aymara Women In The Intercultural Health System In Chile / Salud Y Derechos Sexuales Y Reproductivos De Las Mujeres Aymara En El Sistema De Salud Intercultural De Chile, Ariela Schnyer

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This investigation seeks to understand how Aymara women navigate their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in Chile’s intercultural health care model. Indigenous communities have their own practices that complicate the provision of sexual and reproductive health by requiring health care providers to be aware of two different worldviews and how they may conflict, as well as what is necessary to provide respectful care. However, an ethnically and culturally pertinent framework is vital to actually assuring successful SRHR provision, whose tenants include autonomous choice and care free of discrimination, coercion or violence. These interactions were investigated through semi-structured interviews …

¿Cómo Amigos Comparten La Salud? Las Redes Sociales Y Factores De Riesgo. / How Do Friends Share Health? Social Networks And Risk Factors., Joanna Emerson

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Research question: How are health risk factors shared between people by means of their social networks? Objectives: The main objective of the study is to determine the correlation between a person's social network and which health risk factors are most prevalent in network members. The first specific objective is to evaluate the rates of the most common risk factors in social networks and how these disperse throughout the network. The second is to analyze whether people with similar health risk factors have similar social tendencies. The final objective is to identify the risk factors most transmittable through social networks. Background: …

Premature Births And Maternal Health: An Analysis Of Risk Factors That Affect The Rate Of Prematurity / Los Nacimientos Prematuros Y La Salud Materna: Un Análisis De Los Factores De Riesgo Que Afecta La Tasa De Prematuridad, Alexandria Mickler

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Research Question: What are the major socio-demographic risk factors influencing the rate of preterm birth in Valparaiso, Chile? Objectives: The objective of this study is to identify risk factors that influence the rate of preterm birth in an urban population of women living in Valparaiso, Chile. This study aims to understand whether a relationship exists between socio-demographic characteristics, such as economic level, education, lifestyle, access to medical attention and resources and the risk of prematurity. The outcomes of this study seek to determine the major biological, cultural, and social relationships and identify at-risk social groups. Additionally, this study considers the …

Dialogues - About "U"

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

No abstract provided.

Columnist - Implementing Mediation To Solve Parental Maintenance Conflicts, King Yung, Anna Tang

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

The world has changed. As industrialisation and urbanisation supersede agricultural society and technological innovation is valued more than experience accumulation, and as universal values including freedom, democracy, and human rights flourish, the concept of intergenerational equality has replaced traditional mentality. The function of family has been gradually undermined, rendering the traditional practice of "bringing up children to provide against old age" obsolete. Hong Kong has recently seen the number of elderly neglect, abandonment, violence and abuse incidents skyrocket. It is pitiful that affection amongst family members has become so fragile, and whether our elderly can live a honourable late life …

Asia - Pacific Panaroma - Development Of Pension In China From A Historical Perspective, Ting Cao

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

Traditionally in Chinese society, raising children to get support in old age had been the social norm and ethical value which people complied. Family took the main responsibility for taking care of older parents, and it was only when family could not afford to do so would society provide help. In a society where agriculture was the basis of economy, individuals would continue to work in the field as long as they could so as to earn a living, which is to say, in most cases, people would not stop working because of reaching a certain age, not to mention …

Training - Hong Kong Elderly Care Service Industry : Human Resources Training And Qualifications Framework Development, Chun Yin Fok

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

In order to facilitate life-long learning, the Hong Kong SAR Government officially launched the Qualifications Framework (QF) in 2008. The aim of QF is to "set clear goals and directions for continuous learning to obtain quality-assured qualifications. In the long run, it will help enhance the overall quality and competitiveness of the local workforce.

The QF used in Hong Kong is a qualification classification system with 7 Generic Levels, covering different interfaces such as academic, vocational and continuing education. Its objective is to provide employees with a clear pathway to further education and development, which allows individuals to draw up …

Highlights

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

No abstract provided.

Trend - Retirement Planning For Quality Retirement Life, Pak Hang Tang

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

The Wong couple is in their 50s now and has a son in secondary school. Earning around HK$30,000 per month, they don't find it too difficult to afford their $10,000 monthly rent and other living expenditures. However, they can't help but give a frown upon their future: After their retirement in 10 years, their living expenses will solely depend on their son whose income is yet unpredictable, yet their personal saving and Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) may not last for long.

Many Hong Kong citizens are facing similar situations. With the extending longevity, many have more than 20 years of …

Research - Shall We Talk About Filial Piety?, Man Yin Chan

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

Several cases of "parents murdering" have been reported in Hong Kong recently, which raised the alarm that whether teenagers nowadays have no sense of "Filial Piety". So how important is filial piety to the younger generation? To find out, Commission on Youth has commissioned Asis-Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies through Home Affairs Bureau to conduct a research entitled " Views on Filial Piety among Youth in Hong Kong".

Research - Exploring Joint Tcm And Western Treatment In Curing Gynaecological Disease, Man Yin Chan, Chun Kiu, Tony Lai

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

Gynaecological diseases can only be found in women, although the state of illness is generally not severe, it is not easy to be "rooted-out". Yet, symptoms as brought by Gynaecological diseases will result in prolonged disturbance to patients' normal livelihood. For example, patients suffering from Anemia often feel dizzy, and women with gynaecological inflammation feel painful from time to time, etc. These illnesses adversely affect patients' quality of life.

People - 40 Years Of Social Work, Life-Long Service To The Community : Mr. Chi-Tong Lai, Bbs, Mh, Chun Kiu, Tony Lai, Man Yin Chan

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

Mr. Chi-tong Lai is veteran social worker who worked in the field for over 40 years before retirement. Having been Head of AKA (formerly Aberdeen Kai-fong Welfare Association) for over 3 decades and overseen over 20 service units, involving youth and elderly services, community development and social enterprises, he is particularly expert in organizing regional and territory-wide functions. For nearly half a century, Mr. Lai has not stopped his contribution to the society via voluntary work, that he continued to take up responsibilities of consultancy and other public services, including Honorary Financial Secretary of CIFA as well as Member of …

Feature - From Pupil To Teacher : Macau Overtakes Hong Kong As The Regional Role Model In Ageing Policy, Chun Kiu, Tony Lai

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

Back in the colonial era, the Portuguese Macau Government handled city management less comprehensively in comparison to its British Hong Kong counterpart, such that Macau has mostly looked to Hong Kong for inspiration in policy making, as both cities share a similar culture. Such a trend has basically remained unchanged even after the return of sovereignties of both cities. However, while elderly policy development has stagnated in Hong Kong, Macau has already caught up or even pulled away. What is the next step for Hong Kong? And how has Macau's foresight shown the way forward for Hong Kong's ageing policy?

Recent Development

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

No abstract provided.

留聲區 - 我眼中的「你」

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

No abstract provided.

智者專欄 - 引入調解制度 處理贍養父母糾紛的實踐, King Yung, Anna Tang

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

時代轉變，工業化、城市化取代農耕社會，科技創新遠勝經驗累積；自由、民主、人權等普世價值的興起，兩代平等的概念，逐漸取代了傳統思想。家庭功能漸被削弱|傳統觀念「養兒防老」再也不是天經地義之事。近年香港，疏忽照顧、棄養、爭產、家暴及虐老數字不斷飈升，親情為何變得如此脆弱淡薄令人嘆惜|長者如何能得以善養終老備受關切。

有許多國家、地區，透過賁施稅務、房屋、發展長者產業服務等優惠政策，鼓勵子女與父母同住，但家庭結構、分工、個人價值觀的轉變，兩代取向的差異，出現「同住難」的問題。也有些國家透過立法規範子女必須贍養父母，誠然，立法可以立竿見影，但傳統華人社會一向有「厭訟」、「懼訟」的觀念，有「生不入官府•死不進地獄」的說法。所謂「家醜不可外揚」，做父母的認為到法院向子女追討米飯錢是件丟臉的事，因此要達到令有需要的父母得到有能力的子女給予供養的目的，單靠「高壓」的立法手段，深恐傷害家庭成員的感情。引入調解制度處理贍養父母糾紛可補救對抗制訴訟對家庭成員造成感情的傷害•也可以緩和「同住難」的氛圍。

放眼亞太 - 從歷史發展看中國的退休保障制度, Ting Cao

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

在傳統中國社會，養兒防老一直是人們所遵從的社會道德規範和倫理價值。贍養父母主要職責在於家庭，只有當家庭由於各種原因而無力承擔養老責任時，社會才會加以援手。而在農業佔主要地位的經濟基礎上，個人只要是能力許可，都會繼續勞動以維持生計，在大多數情況下並不會因到了某一年紀而停止勞作，更未有退休之。

培訓 - 香港安老服務業 : 人力資源培訓與資歷架構的發展, Chun Yin Fok

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

香港特區政府為促進終身學習，早在2008年正式推行資歷架構，目的是協助市民確立進修的目標和方向，獲取有質素保證的資歷。長遠而言，資歷架構可提升整體工作人口的質素及競爭力。

香港的資歷架構是一個七級的資歷級別制度，涵蓋學術、職業、持績教育及培訓等不同界別，旨在為市民提供清晰的進修及發展途徑，方便他們制定個人進修計劃，以取得有質素保證且認可的資歷。除對個人發展有重大影響外，全面推行資歷架構能在各種行業內培養終身學習的風氣，藉此鼓勵培訓機構開辦更多具質素及符合界別需要的培訓課程，全面推動各行業人力資源的可持續發展。

活動剪影

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

No abstract provided.

趨勢 - 退休準備須及早 優質老年定可期, Pak Hang Tang

Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Newsletter 亞太老年學研究通訊

現時五十歲，月入共三萬多元的黃生與黃太，有一名正唸高中的兒子。一家三口扣除每月近萬元的租金及各項開支，生活暫雖無憂，但每當想到十年後他們便會退休，那時兒子收入是否足以支持兩老的生活，為數不多的儲蓄和強積金也不知何時用完，都不禁眉頭一皺。

以上的處境相信是不少香港人的寫照。隨著人均壽命增長，很多香港人在退休後還有廿年以上的退休生活要過。以往中國人奉行的「養兒防老」，不論子女是否孝順，現時已難以實現，以大學畢業生起薪平均只有約一萬元，扣除個人開支後要再供養父母便頗見吃力，且別兒女之後還要成家立室！