Society, the body and pain : sociological factors in assessing the meaning and experience of pain in myalgic encephalomyelitis ("yuppie flu") sufferers
- Authors: Jaffray, Penny
- Date: 2013-08-14 , 2002
- Subjects: Human body -- Social aspects , Myalgic encephalomyelitis -- Case studies , Myalgic encephalomyelitis , Diseases -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3360 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008381 , Human body -- Social aspects , Myalgic encephalomyelitis -- Case studies , Myalgic encephalomyelitis , Diseases -- Psychology
- Description: This thesis explores the meaning and experience of the bodily states associated with the condition referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). It uses as a theoretical point of departure an understanding of the body as a socially constructed phenomenon and, in so dOing, offers an interpretation of illness that is seen to differ markedly from those offered by the medical and behavioural sciences. Using descriptive narrative research analysis, the thesis attempts to elicit personal trajectories of illness experience. In contrast to biomedical and social trajectories of illness, in which the interpretation and meaning given to the condition are imposed externally, personal trajectories are seen to provide unique subjective accounts of illness experience. And the value of using narrative accounts of illness is seen to lie in their ability to bring to light these individualised versions of illness experience. It is shown, in addition, that these narrative accounts of illness are also valuable in exposing the culturally shared knowledge that is employed in the process of assigning meaning to illness experiences. The aim of the thesis, then, in employing the descriptive narrative research method is to describe these shared cultural schemas. It is suggested that this approach leads to an interpretation of illness experience which sheds light on important links between the body, self and society. It is argued, more specifically, that Western capitalist society is associated with the creation of an "unnatural" environment and social context which is perceived to be inherently damaging and threatening to the well·being of those living in it; and that this assumption is pivotal to the interpretation of the illness experiences narrated and analysed for the thesis. This sociological reading of embodiment provides a basis for understanding the experience of illness, as not one simply embedded in the body or mind of the individual, but as one laden with personal meaning assimilated from, and hence revealing of, the social context in which the illness is experienced. As such, an attempt is made to provide an account of illness experience distinct from the dominant biomedical and behavioural accounts of ME.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Jaffray, Penny
- Date: 2013-08-14 , 2002
- Subjects: Human body -- Social aspects , Myalgic encephalomyelitis -- Case studies , Myalgic encephalomyelitis , Diseases -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3360 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008381 , Human body -- Social aspects , Myalgic encephalomyelitis -- Case studies , Myalgic encephalomyelitis , Diseases -- Psychology
- Description: This thesis explores the meaning and experience of the bodily states associated with the condition referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). It uses as a theoretical point of departure an understanding of the body as a socially constructed phenomenon and, in so dOing, offers an interpretation of illness that is seen to differ markedly from those offered by the medical and behavioural sciences. Using descriptive narrative research analysis, the thesis attempts to elicit personal trajectories of illness experience. In contrast to biomedical and social trajectories of illness, in which the interpretation and meaning given to the condition are imposed externally, personal trajectories are seen to provide unique subjective accounts of illness experience. And the value of using narrative accounts of illness is seen to lie in their ability to bring to light these individualised versions of illness experience. It is shown, in addition, that these narrative accounts of illness are also valuable in exposing the culturally shared knowledge that is employed in the process of assigning meaning to illness experiences. The aim of the thesis, then, in employing the descriptive narrative research method is to describe these shared cultural schemas. It is suggested that this approach leads to an interpretation of illness experience which sheds light on important links between the body, self and society. It is argued, more specifically, that Western capitalist society is associated with the creation of an "unnatural" environment and social context which is perceived to be inherently damaging and threatening to the well·being of those living in it; and that this assumption is pivotal to the interpretation of the illness experiences narrated and analysed for the thesis. This sociological reading of embodiment provides a basis for understanding the experience of illness, as not one simply embedded in the body or mind of the individual, but as one laden with personal meaning assimilated from, and hence revealing of, the social context in which the illness is experienced. As such, an attempt is made to provide an account of illness experience distinct from the dominant biomedical and behavioural accounts of ME.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
The viability of small-scale farming at the Tyhefu Irrigation Scheme, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Sishuta, Happy Babalwa
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3344 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004924 , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This investigation is conducted against the background of current attempts to rehabilitate and revive the now defunct Tyhefu irrigation scheme. The poor track record of many irrigation schemes (despite huge investments) in the former homelands has prompted the government to reconsider its active and direct role in small-scale irrigation farming. This has resulted in the closure of many irrigation schemes including Tyhefu irrigation scheme. The new policy framework in South Africa, known as the irrigation management transfer, is premised on the transfer of ownership, authority and responsibility of small-scale irrigation schemes from government to the farmers. Tyhefu irrigation scheme was a state-driven, top-down initiative. This study argues that the justifications for the Tyhefu irrigation scheme were conflated, with the result that the need for political control of the Tyhefu area far outweighed the considerations regarding the financial viability and sustainability of the proposed project. Given the repressive political climate of the time in South Africa, the planners' proposals were a mechanism for the realization of the socio-political and economic agendas of the apartheid state and Ciskei government. Although technical factors critical for project success were examined, little or no attention was paid to the socio-economic aspects. For the planners, the main requirements for success entailed centralized managerial control, no participation of the beneficiaries, capital intensive and sophisticated agricultural techniques and the production of high value crops. Therefore, it can be argued that the nature of the planning and implementation of the Tyhefu irrigation scheme was ill-conceived, short-sighted and misguided. A review of the literature on irrigation development on the African continent provided useful insights for this study. The lessons from irrigation development experience in Sub-Saharan Africa indicate that the continent is littered with examples of derelict and costly failures. What stands out in many of these irrigation projects is their over-emphasis on technical issues to the complete neglect of human and other social aspects. Working partnerships between the farmers and irrigation scheme management could, thus, not be realized. Almost without exception the case studies used here indicate that the industrious type of farmer was never developed as was envisioned in the planning documents. Neither were rural livelihoods improved in a sustainable manner. The findings of this study suggest that irrigation management transfer is a complex and delicate process. In this new set of arrangements, beneficiaries face formidable challenges in terms of capacity (human and financial) if small-scale irrigation farming is to become a viable sector. No doubt, the viability and sustainability of the Tyhefu irrigation scheme demands a comprehensive package of interventions that address various issues of markets and marketing, capital investment and access to finance, technology, education and training, support and extension services. It is evident that institutional aspects and the related issue of functional literacy require much more attention than thus far. As a result, at the moment there is no possibility for independent agricultural production. , KMBT_363
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
- Authors: Sishuta, Happy Babalwa
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3344 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004924 , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This investigation is conducted against the background of current attempts to rehabilitate and revive the now defunct Tyhefu irrigation scheme. The poor track record of many irrigation schemes (despite huge investments) in the former homelands has prompted the government to reconsider its active and direct role in small-scale irrigation farming. This has resulted in the closure of many irrigation schemes including Tyhefu irrigation scheme. The new policy framework in South Africa, known as the irrigation management transfer, is premised on the transfer of ownership, authority and responsibility of small-scale irrigation schemes from government to the farmers. Tyhefu irrigation scheme was a state-driven, top-down initiative. This study argues that the justifications for the Tyhefu irrigation scheme were conflated, with the result that the need for political control of the Tyhefu area far outweighed the considerations regarding the financial viability and sustainability of the proposed project. Given the repressive political climate of the time in South Africa, the planners' proposals were a mechanism for the realization of the socio-political and economic agendas of the apartheid state and Ciskei government. Although technical factors critical for project success were examined, little or no attention was paid to the socio-economic aspects. For the planners, the main requirements for success entailed centralized managerial control, no participation of the beneficiaries, capital intensive and sophisticated agricultural techniques and the production of high value crops. Therefore, it can be argued that the nature of the planning and implementation of the Tyhefu irrigation scheme was ill-conceived, short-sighted and misguided. A review of the literature on irrigation development on the African continent provided useful insights for this study. The lessons from irrigation development experience in Sub-Saharan Africa indicate that the continent is littered with examples of derelict and costly failures. What stands out in many of these irrigation projects is their over-emphasis on technical issues to the complete neglect of human and other social aspects. Working partnerships between the farmers and irrigation scheme management could, thus, not be realized. Almost without exception the case studies used here indicate that the industrious type of farmer was never developed as was envisioned in the planning documents. Neither were rural livelihoods improved in a sustainable manner. The findings of this study suggest that irrigation management transfer is a complex and delicate process. In this new set of arrangements, beneficiaries face formidable challenges in terms of capacity (human and financial) if small-scale irrigation farming is to become a viable sector. No doubt, the viability and sustainability of the Tyhefu irrigation scheme demands a comprehensive package of interventions that address various issues of markets and marketing, capital investment and access to finance, technology, education and training, support and extension services. It is evident that institutional aspects and the related issue of functional literacy require much more attention than thus far. As a result, at the moment there is no possibility for independent agricultural production. , KMBT_363
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
People-centred development in practice: the case of the Zikhova-Ngqinisa Sidibene Woodlot Trust Project
- Authors: Pona, Faith Zolisa
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Zikhova-Ngqinisa Sidibene Woodlot Trust Project , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Woodlots -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3356 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007610 , Zikhova-Ngqinisa Sidibene Woodlot Trust Project , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Woodlots -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study addresses the question of people-centred development as a transformative aspect of the new South African development arena. The concept is defined as the involvement and active participation of people in the decision-making, evaluation and implementation of the development processes, It is one of the forms of democratisation which involves the decentralisaton of authority to the lower tiers of government. This study provides an analysis of the efficacy, relevance, advantages and disadvantages of people-centred development in the South African context. The Zikhoya-Ngqinisa Woodlot Trust Project was chosen as a case study, The reason was that through the process of devolution of the Department of Forestry and Water Affairs (DWAF), which involved the handing over of the management and financial resources of the small woodlots to the communities for their own benefit, the two villages, Zikhova and Ngqinisa, were given the Zikhova woodlot. The devolution of DWAF is one of the various forms of decentralisation that has given more autonomy to the lower tiers of government in the sense that the communities now have to satisfy their own needs. The main focus of the study was to identify and analyse constraints on the implementation of people-centred development specific to the Zikhova-Ngqinisa Woodlot Trust Project. Other interrelated aspects of people-centred development such as sustainability, community involvement and benefits of the project were also investigated and analysed. , KMBT_363
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
- Authors: Pona, Faith Zolisa
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Zikhova-Ngqinisa Sidibene Woodlot Trust Project , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Woodlots -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3356 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007610 , Zikhova-Ngqinisa Sidibene Woodlot Trust Project , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Woodlots -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study addresses the question of people-centred development as a transformative aspect of the new South African development arena. The concept is defined as the involvement and active participation of people in the decision-making, evaluation and implementation of the development processes, It is one of the forms of democratisation which involves the decentralisaton of authority to the lower tiers of government. This study provides an analysis of the efficacy, relevance, advantages and disadvantages of people-centred development in the South African context. The Zikhoya-Ngqinisa Woodlot Trust Project was chosen as a case study, The reason was that through the process of devolution of the Department of Forestry and Water Affairs (DWAF), which involved the handing over of the management and financial resources of the small woodlots to the communities for their own benefit, the two villages, Zikhova and Ngqinisa, were given the Zikhova woodlot. The devolution of DWAF is one of the various forms of decentralisation that has given more autonomy to the lower tiers of government in the sense that the communities now have to satisfy their own needs. The main focus of the study was to identify and analyse constraints on the implementation of people-centred development specific to the Zikhova-Ngqinisa Woodlot Trust Project. Other interrelated aspects of people-centred development such as sustainability, community involvement and benefits of the project were also investigated and analysed. , KMBT_363
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
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