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Understanding India’s Political Economy: A Comprehensive Analysis

Executive summary

The essay discusses the background information about India and elaborates on her demographic information, economic status, legal systems, and political status. Furthermore, some reasons India is suitable for investing have been discussed. Furthermore, the essay has reviewed the political economy of India, which is the legal, economic and political systems, and critically discussed India’s attractiveness for foreign direct investment. Political economy has analyzed the benefits, risks, and costs of the legal, economic and political systems before giving some recommendations.

 

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Introduction

India is situated in Asia and is the seventh largest country globally by area. Moreover, India has more than 1.2 billion people, making it the second most populous country. The economy of India is ranked at eleventh largest globally by nominal GDP (Demography of India: Part 1, 1998). Furthermore, by purchasing power parity, it is the third largest. Indian society is a multi ethic, multi-lingual, and pluralist. The Indian republic is governed by federal constitution under a parliamentary system of 28 states (MacDonald, 2009). India is a good investment site because of its economy’s maximum benefits, minimal costs, and risks. Furthermore, the country balances its political, economic, and legal factors well, making it conducive for business. The essay will analyze the political economy of India by comparing the political, legal, and economic systems of India. Moreover, it will give recommendations and finally conclude with a

critical discussion of factors that make India attractive for foreign direct investment.

Political Economy Analysis

Political economy is how economic methods and theory influence political ideology. It is the interplay between politics, law, and economics and how different institutions develop in different economic and social systems, such as communism, socialism, and capitalism (Mill & Ashley, 2005). Furthermore, it analyzes how public policies are created and implemented. Walker (2008) pointed out that since different groups and individuals have different interests in how an economy or a country should be developed, political economy covers a broad spectrum of competing interests. Moreover, it involves application of game theory, since competing groups for power and finite resources must decide the course of action will produce the most beneficial outcome.

The significance of using political economy in analyzing India is to evaluate the worthiness of India as an investment destination for international businesses and investors.

2.1 Political System

Benefits

Citizens of India are often mobilized in social groups; that are religion, community or caste, during election times to give them collective electoral power (Lee-Warner, 2006). Moreover, until now, subordinate social groups have emerged to be politically relevant at the state level. This is a welcomed expansion of political democracy and equality in India.

Risks

The Indian society is heterogeneous, leading to religious action” problems. This hampers decisions and actions that need to be taken collectively. Furthermore, the proliferation of regional and small parties in the coalition government have meant catering for particularistic demands; this overrides coordination of the long-term goals in the country (Guha & Raghuraman, 2007). Additionally, vital economic issues in India do not get salience in the mobilization of the electorate, which poses a risk.

Costs

According to Vidyarthi (1997), it is difficult and costly in India to agree on a goal, coordinate, and get actions done to achieve a goal because the population is heterogeneous. Moreover, it is costly to the country when specific leaders perceived to uphold the dignity of a marginalized caste group may be reelected even if their policies negatively affect the country.

2.2 Economic System

Benefits

One benefit of India’s economic system is that business people, professionals, and salary earners constitute the heads of approximately 22% of households (McClellan, 2010). This is a significant percentage that drives the Indian economy. Furthermore, according to Ghosh (2013), the economy of India is liberated, but the government controls assets, production, and employment in most non-agricultural organized sectors.

Risks

One of India’s economic system risks is unequal wealth distribution. The regional governments are also increasingly becoming fiscal dependent on the central government (Banerjee, 2004). The increased regional competition and economic liberalization have increased the disparity between backward and economically advanced states

Costs

Poor infrastructure has hindered economic growth in India, which is costly to the Indian economy. Moreover, substantial investment in public infrastructure takes a long time to fructify (Singh et al., 1998). Another cost to the economic system of India is that some regional governments cater to different particularistic demands from different parties. This makes them to be near fiscal bankrupt (Ghosh, 2013).

2.3 Legal System

Benefits

One of the benefits of legal systems in India is the fragmentation of the states gives the central state more autonomy. The state, over the years, has accumulated great power in direct regulation and ownership of the economy. Moreover, India has been powerful in its interventionist and regulatory role (Bhansali, 1992).

Another benefit is the decentralization and federalism of the resources, which has made the government more responsive to the needs of the locals. Moreover, the 73rd and the subsequent 74th amendment of the constitution in the early 1990s gave some potency to the decentralization movement below the state level, up to the gram panchayats (Pandey, 1993)

Risks

One potential risk of the legal systems in India is the astute political leadership of the country which can play off the groups against each other and earn special privileges and powers. Moreover, there are tradeoffs between accountability and credibility in state affairs which is risky

Costs

The fragmentation of different groups in India, with each group pulling in a different legal system, is the country’s policies are buffeted around, which forms are halted and hesitated (Bhansali, 1992). This is costly to the country. Moreover, inequality and heterogeneity in India have made it difficult and costly to coordinate long-term policies.

Major Indian states are large and the governments are distant from the local people. Furthermore, few administrative functions and fewer independent finance sources have been decentralized to the local governments, making the legal systems costly.

Recommendations

  1. The state government should reorient its functions from control and ownership of business enterprises towards more on basic social services, education and health for the poor.
  2. As much as the state is the major financier of these services, it should contract private-public partnerships or the private sectors to provide some services. It should not be managed bureaucratically.
  3. Political awareness and land reforms in the states should be enhanced to prevent oligarchic local elites capture and control of the local governments.
  4. The regional governments should also be more responsible fiscally and accountable at the panchayat level. This will deepen democracy, weaken local oligarchy powers, expand education, and devolve finances.
  5. Regular auditing and making media and local NGO’s as local governments watchdogs will also eradicate corruption

Conclusion

India is attractive and is a good investment and market site. The overall attractiveness of India as a direct foreign investment is because of its three key pillars; the country’s benefits, costs, and risks. The country’s overall attractiveness as a potential investment or market size for an international business largely depends on how the country balances the benefits, risks, and costs associated with doing business in that particular country (Rajan, 2009).

Kobayashi-Hillary (2005) indicated that the long term monetary benefits of the international businesses in doing business in India make the country attractive. This is because of her large market size, her purchasing power which reflected the wealth of the consumers, and the future consumer’s wealth.

Cost-wise, several legal, economic and political factors determine the running costs of doing business in India. India is politically stable, has a vibrant and improving economy, and has infrastructures and other supporting businesses. This makes India attractive as an investment destination cost-wise. For the legal factors, India has local regulations and laws that liberalize the market. Businesses have no strict standards to protect intellectual property rights (Nagesh et al., 1998).

Risk-wise, India has stable political, legal, and economic factors that minimize business risks. According to Acharya (1998), minimal political forces can cause drastic changes in the country’s business environment and adversely affect the profits of international investors. Furthermore, India has a growing business environment that cannot hurt the goals and profits of an international business enterprise. The legal factors are also stable to protect firms from stealing intellectual property rights and breaking of contracts.

References

Acharya, S. (1998). Investing in India. Basingstoke: Macmillan Business.

Regional political parties in India. Delhi: B.R. Pub. Corp. Banerjee, K. (2004).

Bhansali, S. R. (1992). The legal system in India. Jaipur, India: University Book House.

Demography of India: Part 1. (1998). New Delhi: Library of Congress Office.

Ghosh, M. (2013). Liberalization, growth and regional disparities in India. New Delhi: Springer India.

Guha, T. P2007). Divided, we stand India in a time of coalitions. Los Banerjee, K. (2004). Angeles: SAGE Publications.

Kobayashi-Hillary, M. (2005). Outsourcing to India: The Offshore Advantage. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Lee-Warner, W. (2006). The citizen of India. London: Macmillan.

MacDonald, J. R. (2009). The government of India. New York: Huebsch.

McClellan, G. S. (2010). India. New York: Wilson.

Mill, J. S., & Ashley, W. J. (2005). Principles of political economy: With some of their applications to social philosophy. New York: A. M. Kelley, bookseller.

Nagesh, K., & Centre for International Management and Development Antwerp. (1998). Liberalization and changing patterns of foreign direct investment: Has India’s relative attractiveness as a host of FDI improved? Antwerp: CIMDA, University of Antwerp.

Pandey, J. N. (1993). Constitutional law of India: Incorporating the Panchayati Raj and Nagarpalika Constitution 73rd and 74th Amendment Acts, 1992. Allahabad: Central Law Agency.

Rajan, R. S. (2009). Monetary, investment, and trade issues in India. Delhi: Oxford University Press.

Singh, K. P., & National Institute of Management Technology. (1998). Infrastructure in India. Ghaziabad: National Institute of Management Technology in association with Excel Books, New Delhi.

Vidyarthi, L. P., & All India Seminar on Tribal and Rural Leadership in India. (1997). Leadership in India. Bombay: Asia Pub. House.

Walker, F. A. (2008). Political economy. New York: Henry Holt and Co.

5/5 - (6 votes)

Promoting Healthier Lifestyles through Cooking Classes

Introduction                                

Diabetes is one of the chronic diseases that results either when there is the production of less insulin by the pancreas or when the insulin produced cannot be effectively used by the body. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body ineffectively uses insulin. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2013), diabetes type 2 is composed of 90 %of diabetic people worldwide and is mostly a result of physical inactivity and excess body weight. The disease was only occurring in adults until recently in children (American Diabetes Association 2012). The paper will use the case study in the application of the chosen policies in the design of cooking class intervention of diabetes type 2.furthermore, it will critically discuss the Caplan and Holand (1990) – traditional and humanist perspectives model of health promotion. Lastly, the paper will discuss the intervention of the cooking class evaluation.

 

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Cooking class intervention in diabetes type 2

Why and where the intervention was taken

I chose cooking class intervention in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes. The main objectives of choosing cooking classes are to provide knowledge to the patients about healthier food choices and to develop skills about healthy cooking. Many reasons supported the decision to choose the cooking class intervention on type 2 diabetic patients. According to NICE (2009), one of the best approaches to diabetic care is nutrition therapy. Furthermore, diabetic people like Sally Pust in the case study have difficulty reaching the recommended cholesterol and HbA1c levels (Waltz & Strickland 2010). Lastly, ADA (2012) points out that weight loss is linked with good effects for diabetic people. The intervention program was done in a nearby community center.

Target Audience

The intervention program was directed exclusively to people age 40-65 years who are ailing from diabetes. The reason for choosing the audience is that almost all diabetic women aged between 45-65 years have diabetes type 2 (CDC 2001). Moreover, Williamson (2013) observed that adults over 40 years are always diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Just like Sally Pust, this age range has a high probability of developing diabetes type 2.

Model of health promotion

 

Caplan and Holand (1990) – traditional and humanist perspectives

The model of the Traditional and humanist perspective developed by Caplan and Holand (1990) has been chosen to be used in this health promotion. The model is made of two cardinals. The first one outlines the theories of knowledge and how new health theories are created and the other axis looks into the society and the different influences that may affect health. Therefore, the model of traditional and humanistic perspective is made of four quadrants called radical structuralism or humanists, traditional or humanist health-related (Caplan and Holand 1990).

According to Slon et al (2009), the model applies an educational approach with the main aim of knowledge and education provision to make people make informed decisions on their health. Furthermore, its humanist approach is relevant to the educational approach which makes people maximize their skills and knowledge and make healthy lifestyle choices (Piper 2009).

NHS (2011) observes that the model covers a comprehensive health promotion as it analyses significant issues that are related to health promotion. Also, it has ideological and epistemological assumptions that explain societal beliefs and health practice

Approaches to health promotion

Naidoo and Wills (2009) explain the behavior change approach and educational approach as intervention mechanisms for diabetic patients.

Behavior change approach to type 2 diabetic patients

This approach was chosen because of its relevance to the objective of the intervention in the development of healthy cooking skills.

1.1 Aims and assumptions of Behavior change approach

According to Hayes (2009), the main aims and assumptions of the behavior change approach include the following:

  • It encourages people to adopt behaviors which are healthy to improve health such as cooking skills
  • It perceives health as individual properties
  • Individuals choosing to change lifestyles, they can make significant improvements to their health. For instance, if sally chooses to change from taking junk foods and cook healthy food at home.
  • It is the responsibility of the people to take action and care for themselves
  • The approach involves attitude change followed by behavior change.

 

1.2 Methods

One of the methods that can be used in behavior change to the diabetic people is Campaigns aimed at persuading people to stop smoking, drinking, adopting healthy cooked food, and exercising regularly (Focus on Food 2012). It is always targeted towards individuals. Furthermore, Diabetes UK (2012) suggests that for many patients to be reached, other media forms such as mass media can be used.
According to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2009), changing of health-related behaviors of type 2 diabetic people involves:

  • Assisting them to understand the long, medium, and short term health-related behavior consequences
  • Assisting them to feel positive about the value and benefits of changing their behaviors and health-enhancing behaviors.
  • Recognizing how the relationships and social contexts of people may affect their behavior.
  • Assisting people to plan their changes in easy and sustainable steps terms over time.
  • Finding and planning for possibilities that might undermine changes they are trying to make, and organizing unique “if-then” strategies to cope and to maintain behavior changes.

 

1.3 limitations

However, the approach has its own limitations. Warwick-Booth (2012) explains some of the complex decisions to make are related to health. For instance, from the case study, Sally Pust has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes that required her to take medicine regularly, commence a low fat and carbohydrate diet in addition to some physical activities. However, deciding between her family, job, and health seems to be complex for her to make. Therefore, along the way, she gets discouraged because of her, there is no free time to eat healthy food that is recommended or even to exercise.

Another limitation of the behavior change approach is that it depends on the readiness of a person to take action (Thomas 2013). Even after being diagnosed with diabetes type 2, she still has a problem in taking an action to start exercising and eat healthy food. However, after getting the education from the diabetic support group, she changed in the long run.

Naidoo and Wills (2009) suggest that the complex relationship between environmental and social factors and behavior of the individual pose as another limitation to the approach. This comes out clearly when she has inadequate eating time and therefore during her short breaks, she takes chocolate and biscuits. Additionally, she rarely has regular lunch because of a lack of available time to prepare meals. She also eats snacks and fast foods frequently on her way to work. All these hinder her from taking healthy food. Therefore, change of behavior is hindered by the environmental conditions existing in her workplace. Besides, her job is stressful, tiring, and monotonous but cannot change because she dropped out of school early with no good qualifications.

Behavior sometimes can be a response to the living conditions of a person which may be beyond the control of the individual (Gellman & Turner 2013). Sally is a divorcee with four young children and her ex-husband does not support her. Furthermore, her mother is diabetic and obese, her father hypertensive and her grandmother who died the previous year from acute myocardial infarction had diabetes for thirty years. This shows the living conditions beyond Sally’s control and they are overwhelming her.

Educational approach

This approach was also chosen because it is related to the objective of knowledge provision on healthier food choices in the intervention.

2.1 Aims and values of educational approach

According to Amdam (2011), the aims and values of the educational approach include the following:

  • To enable people to make choices that are informed about their health behavior by providing information and knowledge and developing the necessary skills. This will give the patients the necessary skills for identifying the recommended healthy foods because they will be knowledgeable.
  • Does not try to motivate or persuade a one direction change
  • The outcome is the voluntary choice of the client which may be totally different from the one the health promoter prefers.

 

2.2 Assumptions and limitations of educational approach

The educational approach assumes that an increase in knowledge will lead to attitude change and finally change of behavior (Shumaker 2009). This comes out clearly when sally joins the diabetes support group with her community. Her knowledge increased and her attitude also changed after spending some time with the diabetic support group. This helped her very much in adapting to treatment challenges and in choosing the type of healthy food she is supposed to eat in addition to doing physical activity. For instance, she decided to alight from the bus some two bus stops before on her way back home to walk for 30 minutes daily.

On the other hand, the limitations of educational behavior are that the voluntary change of behavior may be restricted by economic and social factors. Additionally, health-related decisions are very complex (Hayes 2009).

Learning aspects in educational approach

            Cognitive aspect –information provision on health-related behaviors effects and causes of especially on type 2 diabetes. These may consist of one on one advice, leaflet and booklet provision, and the visual display. These can create additional information and help in changing the attitude of the patient. (Thomas 2013).

            Affective aspect– clients are provided with explorative opportunities and even share their attitudes and their feelings. These may take the form of group discussions, one to one counseling. This has proven helpful to Sally who is diabetic when she joined the diabetic support group (Warwick-Booth 2012).  By being counseled and attending the group discussions, her knowledge of exercising and choosing healthy foods increased.

Behavioral aspect– clients are assisted in the development of decision-making skills that are important for living a healthy lifestyle. These include circumstances of real-life exploration situations and role play. For instance how one should react or behave when offered a cigarette, drink, or drugs (Naidoo and Wills 2009).

Evaluation

Evaluation is always done on a program to test its effectiveness. This is important in the identification of areas to be improved during the execution of the program (Jackson & Furnham 2010). An evaluation of the cooking class intervention, an open and closed questionnaire with relevant questions was distributed to each participant before and after the program to fill in.
The questionnaires were used in the evaluation of the intervention because it is useful in measuring the opinions, attitudes, and motives of people with different behaviors and to measure the behaviors of the past to be used in future action predictions (Morrow 2011). Furthermore, questionnaires are the most suitable because they are cost-effective, less likely to alter the participant’s behavior, are adaptable to the surrounding, are simple to complete by the respondents with complete anonymity, and lastly reliable and valid (Jackson & Furnham 2010). However, Morrow (2011) adds that a questionnaire designed for a specific intervention must examine certain factors of duration, complexity, respondent’s intellectual capacity, age groups, the activity being surveyed, and the participant’s financial constraints.

One of the importance of closed questionnaires as observed by Jackson & Furnham (2010) is that the respondents are kept to the topic in addition to easy analysis of the responses. However, the respondents are subjected to giving simple answers. This is contrary to open questionnaires where the respondents have the freedom to express themselves in detail but greater efforts, thinking, and time are required (Morrow 2011).

The questionnaires used in the evaluations also have limitations. Some of the questions in the questionnaires have pre-coded nature that deters the respondents or makes respondents’ misinterpret the question asked (Jackson & Furnham, 2010). Moreover, it can create bias in the evaluation of the results by imposing answer structures that portray the reflection of the researcher’s reasoning and not the respondent. Morrow (2011) points out that truth in the answers cannot also be tested evasiveness and reluctance of the respondents cannot be reflected.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a cooking class can be a good intervention for diabetic people as it enhances the taking of healthy food. Furthermore, educational and behavioral change approaches steer a person to the right healthy path.

Bibliography

Shumaker, S. A., Ockene, J. K., & Riekert, K. A. (2009). The handbook of health behavior change. New York, Springer Pub. Co.
Amdam, R. (2011). Planning in health promotion work: an empowerment model. Abingdon,        Oxon, Routledge.
Gellman, M. D., & Turner, J. R. (2013). Encyclopedia of behavioral medicine. New York, NY,     Springer. Retrieved on June 8th  from
Jackson, C. J., & Furnham, A. (2010). Designing and analyzing questionnaires and surveys: a manual for health professionals and administrators. London, Whurr       Publishers.
American Diabetes Association (2012) Standards of medical care in diabetes–2012. Diabetes       care [online].  35 Suppl 1, pp. S11-S63. [Accessed 8th June 2013]. Available at:             <http://search.ebscohost.com/>.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)(2013) Diabetes and Women‘s Health Across the Life Stages: A Public Health Perspective [online]. Atlanta: CDC. [Accessed 8th June     2013]. Available at:
<http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/women/index.htm#3>.
Diabetes UK (2012) State of the Nation 2012: England [online]. London: Diabetes UK.     [Accessed 8th June 2013]. Available at:     <http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Documents/Reports/>.
Naidoo, J. and Wills, J. (2009) Foundations for Health Promotion. 3rd ed. London: Elsevier.
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2009) Type 2 diabetes: the management of type 2 diabetes [online]. London: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence     [Accessed 8th June 2013]. Available at:
Diabetes UK. (2011). Diabetes in the UK 2011/2012: Key statistics on diabetes. Available            Online: http://www.diabetes.org.uk/documents/reports/diabetes-in-the-uk-2011-12.pdf.     [Accessed 8th June 2013].
Focus on Food. (2012). Focus on Food Helps People Living with Diabetes to Connect with          Cooking [ONLINE] Available: http://www.focusonfood.org/blog/?p=719 [Accessed 8th      June 2013].
Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K., & Wilson, K. G. (2009). Acceptance and commitment therapy: An experiential approach to behavior change. New York: Guilford Press.
Williamson, J.C., Glauser, T.A., Nevins, P.H., Schneider, D., Kruger, D.F., Urquhart, B.S., &       Dubois, A.M. (2013). Current Practice Patterns and Identified Educational Needs of          Health Care Providers in Managing Patients With Type 2 Diabetes. Clinical Diabetes,            31(1), 3-9.
Warwick-Booth, L., Cross, R., &Lowcock, D. (2012). Contemporary health studies: an introduction. Cambridge, Thomas Press.
Thomas, M. (2013). Understanding type 2 diabetes: fewer highs fewer lows better health.             Wollombi, N.S.W., Exisle Publishing.
Waltz, C. F., Strickland, O., & Lenz, E. R. (2010).Measurement in nursing and health research.    New York: Springer Pub.
Slon, S., Nathan, D. M., McManus, K., Harvard Medical School.,& Harvard Medical School.       (2009). Healthy eating for type 2 diabetes. Boston, MA: Harvard Health Publications.
Piper, S. (2009). Health promotion for nurses: theory and practice. London, Routledge.
NHS. (2011). Preventing type 2 diabetes: population and community-level interventions.   [ONLINE]
Morrow, J. R. (2011).Measurement and evaluation in human performance. Champaign, IL:           Human Kinetics.
 
 

5/5 - (7 votes)

Breaking Barriers: Saudi Female Doctoral Students Shaping the Future

Abstract

There are a high number of female students in the United States due to a fully funded Saudi Government scholarship. There was a 21% increase in the number of international students from Saudi Arabia. There were approximately 54,000 Saudi students in the United States, mainly sponsored by the Saudi government scholarship program that has been running for 11 years. Saudi Arabia was ranked position 4 in the world by the number of its students studying in USA (Iie.org, 2014).

The number of international students at learning institutions and universities in the United States amplified by 8% to a record high of 886,052 students in the 2013/14 educational year, endorsing once again that the United States relics as the last stop of choice for higher education. The United States has more of the world’s 4.5 million internationally mobile college and university students than any other nation in the world, with nearly double the amount hosted by the United Kingdom, the second chief host nation.

The number of conferred doctoral degrees for females in America has increased by almost ten percent between 2009 and 2013, eclipsing male students for the first time (U.S. Department of Education, 2013). Compared to their male counterparts, female graduate students report higher levels of stress. Many of these female graduate students have added the role of student to an already existing set of care taking and other life roles

The current study look at academic, social, discipline-related challenges Saudi female students encounter at American universities and explores Saudi students’ surviving approaches to face their challenges. As the student coming from different cultural background from those existing philosophies of their higher education institutions, therefore, Saudi female students face a number of numerous challenges. The ethical challenges are one of the most frequently apparent among these problems. Enhancing on this relationship between the cultural beliefs of the high number of Saudi women students enrolled in many universities in the United States of America. The occurrence of this growing female student group in United States of America campuses has substantial consequences for student matters professionals, university professors, and school administrators.

The Progress of Saudi Female Doctoral Students in Urban Universities: Challenges and Difficulties

 

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Introduction

Growing demand for university education has strengthened and enlarged the worth of a college degree both to the individual graduate and to the overall country. In 1946 America congress came up with the law called the Fulbright Act that made studying in the United States of America easier for both local and international students. Due to the rate at which Saudi Arabia is developing the government saw the need to take some its female’s student abroad for further studies. At the end of 2013, it was specified that nearly 88,000Saudi students in several disciplines were learning in more than 52 countries globally, concentrated chiefly in Britain, Egypt, Malaysia, America, Australia, and Germany, with 53,919 of these students being in the United States of America (Iie.org, 2014). Gender distribution among primary fields of education at the master’s level is alike to the undergraduate level.The number of international students registered in U.S. higher education improved by 8% to 886,052 students in 2013/14, with 66,408 more students than last year registered in colleges and universities across the America (Iie.org, 2014).

Women exemplify the bulk of students in all areas, excluding in the shared disciplines of arithmetic, computer and information sciences (36 %); architecture, engineering and correlated skills (30 %); and in business, administration and public management (47 %). Masters’ Degrees and the implication of this amount and type of funding is clear, since it can be presumed that from these Masters’ students come the future PhD students, and as these people will have studied in English, it is in Saudi Arabia’s interests to allow them to build on that expertise and remain in overseas universities for their doctorates (Iie.org, 2014). It is, therefore, important that the Saudi Arabian government remains convinced of the value in funding students for PhDs abroad, and this is a good reason in itself for showing the planned study. As the indication is that the United States of America is a major recipient of much of this scholastic funding, it is significant for United States of America institutions to safeguard value for money (Iie.org, 2014).Saudi Arabia is the fourth leading place of origin for students coming to the United States for the 4th year in a row, and is by a wide margin the first among. Middle Eastern countries in terms of sending students to the U.S., with 6.1% of total international students.

Leading Countries of Origin for International Students at U.S. Universities

Rank and Country of Origin 2012-13 2013-14 Percent
of Total
Percent Change
World Total 819,644 886,052 100 +8.1
1. China 235,597 274,439 31 +16.5
2. India 96,754 102,673 11.6 +6.1
3. South Korea 70,627 68,047 7.7 -3.7
4. Saudi Arabia 44,566 53,919 6.1 +21
5. Canada 27,357 28,304 3.2 +3.5
6. Taiwan 21,867 21,266 2.4 -2.7

Source:Iie.org, 2014.

Undoubtedly, there is a substantial Saudi investment in the United States of America learning product, but if Saudi Arabian students meet difficulties to their current study while they are here, the result would seem to be that they are not attaining their full potential, and thus, part of the investment in their Higher Learning is being lost. Therefore, it can be seen that Saudi Arabia has a past of sending university students overseas and has, therefore, been dedicated to developing its human capital. The education and personal issues that the international scholars face while studying in the united States have been highly studied by a number of researchers but this has been done more to the foreign students from middle East(Shaw,2010). One of the several challenges for intercontinental students had to do with educational language socialization. As a discourse public, each school discipline seems to signify particular ways of talking about the subject with which members’ converse, discuss issues, and so on. It is not part of this discourse community. Another challenge is how students deal with their own culture shock in this new setting. Though culture shock is probably every period somebody changes one’s cultural atmosphere, the influence varies from individual to individual and the experience can alter one’s awareness of predicted outcomes (Shaw, 2010). The aim of this study is to discover what Saudi female students challenges are and how extensive they might be amongst the population of students coming from the Gulf region especially Saudi Arabia to study in America. Improving the quality of university education by offering more interactive and appealing learning practices is reliable with enhanced school performance, understanding acquisition and skills advancement. In brief, a high-quality education experience yields more engaged and creative students, who, upon completion, become Saudi upcoming attorneys, medics, teachers, philosophers, researchers, administrators, leaders, and innovators. There is, therefore, honest reasoning for carrying out the study. Moreover, as the researcher gives the perspective of position of a funded PhD student, and at a university where there are substantial numbers of female Saudi Arabian PhD students, an excellent study population is both accessible and willing to take part in the nature of the research is such as to deliver recommendations to develop the experience for parallel students in the future. The literature is not rich in clarifications of PhD students’ aptitude to manage PhD courses, and so, this study will make an influence, precisely in respect of female Saudi Arabian students, more commonly conceivably in relation to scholars from a comparable cultural background in Middle East, and perhaps to students from other developing countries (Shaw, 2010). Female Saudi students are suffering situations dissimilar from other international students due to typical economic, academic, emotional, social, ethnic, spiritual, and administrative factors (Miller, 2002). The study will use the qualitative methodology of data collection and analysis. The racial construct was shown to have numerous ensuing aspects comprising: transition, educational life, and social life. University care systems were studied to establish a replicable model that can be accepted to ease the ethnic modification of these students. Being a developing country, one of Saudi Arabia primary concern has been the development of human capital as a way to accomplish the government’s enlightenment program. This apprehension for the country’s human development has been apparent in its attempts to teach and train Saudi Arabia nationals in overseas institutions. Research on the progress of Saudi female students in America was prompted in 1950s when there were a high number of international students who went to pursue further studies in America (Miller, 2002).

In the 2013/14 academic year, 53,919students from Saudi Arabia were learning in the United States (up 21% from the previous year), after 9 successive years of growths. Saudi Arabia is the fourth foremost place of origin for students going to the United States for the 4th year in a row, and is by an extensive edge the leading among Middle Eastern nations in relation of sending students to the U.S., with 6.1% of overall international students (Iie.org, 2014).Many of Saudi Arabian scholars in the America study at the undergraduate level. In 2013/14, their analysis was as follows: 49.9% undergraduate; 20.6% graduate students; 28.1% other; 1.4% Elective Practical Training (Iie.org, 2014).

Saudi students coming to the United States has increased as shown by the table below;

Breaking Barriers: Saudi Female Doctoral Students Shaping the Future 1

Source: Iie.org, 2014

Justification for the Study

As the number of women who earn doctoral degrees increases, research suggests that female doctoral students struggle with their well-being, including managing role conflict due to multiple roles, developing coping skills, and maintaining social support. The goal of the study is to illuminate different aspects of women’s well-being that can add increased understandings related to student stress levels, academic achievement, and personal life fulfillment. Research has primarily paid attention to the reasons why international students pursue education in America and the challenges that these students have regulating to new life in America. Moreover, there are thwarting cultural issues that arise for the female students as they pursue their education (Miller, 2002). As previously shown, it is because Saudi Arabia is a nation that is still evolving its Higher Education system, that the administration is taking large numbers of scholars, comprising several postgraduate students, to the United States of America. In this relation, the Saudi Arabia government assigns more than 3,000 grants for education in America every year. There are scholarships worth more than $160 million to American universities and colleges in fees, given that these subsidies carry over to subsequent years, such that in 2011, there were more than 8,000 Saudi Arabian students registered in U.S.A universities (Maslen, 2011). Furthermore, in an evolving private sector economy, Saudi families are now starting to invest in schooling at all levels for their children abroad. Precisely, in respect of Ph.D. education, the Saudi government spends immensely in financing students in Ph.D. programs abroad. Regardless of the documented significant e of international students’ contribution to higher learning in the United States, insufficient studies explored the modification course of female Saudi Arabian foreign students, who land in the country with numerous imminent encounters, such as assertiveness towards religion, linguistic, study conducts, outfit code, and food, all of which necessitate modifications. For these motives, these students face many changes and problems in adapting to institutions and universities in the United States. Facilitation of students and the adjustment of the Gulf region international students to university life have become progressively significant apprehension of administrators in modern years due to the probable influence of adjustment difficulties on student attrition. Therefore, in order to link the gaps that occur in the literature works, this study pursues to comprehend the lived involvements of female Saudi Arabian international university students.

The main objective of this research are to describe the experiences of female Saudi Arabian international university students who are learning in the United States, and to study about the experiences of these students as they study at institutions of higher education in the America. In particular one purpose of this research is to help comprehend what educational and individual challenges female Saudi Arabian international college students go through and how they face these challenges while studying in the United States.

Problem statement

In the last one decade, a high number of female Saudi students have pursued further studies in America. Due to the terrorist attacks I America especially the 9/11 there was a quarter decreases in the number of Saudi Arabian international going to America (Iie.org, 2014). Despite there being advantages of pursuing your education in America students female Saudi students are faced with a lot of challenges upon arrival in urban universities. They find an entirely different culture from that in their home nation. In addition, they also experience language problems as they all speak Arabic as their initial language. This causes difficulties in steering in the education system and everyday living experiences. Presently little study has been done to look at these challenges faced by Saudi international Female students in Urban universities. Although there is a great deal of literature on women’s leadership and learning, and on the experiences of graduate students and international students at university, there is a paucity of research on graduate student leadership in student organizations and even less on the experiences of women(Iie.org, 2014).

Hypothesis

Doctoral female Saudi Arabian international students experience personal, academic, financial, health and communication problems while studying and living in the United States of America.

Research questions

I. What is the progress of Saudi Arabian International female student in urban universities in America?

II. What are the challenges and problems faced by the Saudi Arabian International female student in urban universities in America?

III. What are the coping mechanisms for the challenges faced by the female students?

Research objectives

I. To determine progress of Saudi Arabian International female student in urban universities in America.

II. To find out the challenges and problems faced by the Saudi Arabian International female student in urban universities in America.

III. To determine the coping mechanisms for the challenges faced by the female students.

Theoretical Background

In recent decades women undertaking doctoral studies have expanded, diversified, heterogeneous and more internationalized. In the new age, networking among institutions, students, scholars and diverse industries is increasing immensely. In the developed countries universities women outnumber men in PhD education, while in developing countries females are underrepresented (Tjomsland, 2009). Therefore most of the nations are sending their women abroad for higher education e.g. Saudi Arabia. Most of the challenges faced by women can be explained well by the liberal feminist theory as explained by Kolmar &Bartkowski (2010). The theory is subjugated by a set of socialization paradigm considers that the social organizations is just by nature and that all nonconformities from anticipated conditions comprising education inequality areas are a result to incorrect socialization, absence of material about the challenges and problems facing women and the absence of adequate laws to deal with them. Taking women to have the highest level of education especially PhD in international universities is one way to empower them.

Literature review

In the academia field that has been dominated by men for a longer period of time, women still face numerous problems in finding their place despite the fact that achieving equality in gender has been the main aim for several decades in academia (Valian, 2004; Rees, 2001). Despite the fact that as many women as men currently enroll in post graduate programs, the academia world is still dominated by men because the men hold positions with higher salaries, higher status, greater power (Monroe et al, 2008). For example, Monroe et al (2008)indicated that in united states although the percentage of women enrolling in graduate programs for the past two decades has been above 50%, for the PhD’s awarded, women account for only about 44%, in all higher education institutions only 38% of full-time faculty, and 14% of the tenure-track and tenured faculty in ‘’top’’ departments. generally, male form 80% of the tenured professors (Monroe et al, 2008).these figures are also similar in new Zealand, Australia and in united kingdom( white, 2004; Thanacoody et al, 2006; Ramsay, 2000; Nerad & cerny, 1998; Johnson et al, 2000;)

Many researchers have attempted explaining the reasons why females have a higher likelihood compared to men leaving the path of achieving senior academic positions (Quinn, 2011; Menges and Exum, 1983, Levinson et al, 1991; Dabney & Tai, 2013). overall, the researchers are in agreement that the positioning of females in academia are influenced by several exposures originating (1) work and academic environments, (that is the work schedule flexibility, a number of other similar women in the environment, an organizational culture that support equality and availability of top women role models in the organization) (Kinman & Jones, 2008),(2)the overall environment, that is the societal exceptions of sex roles (Menges &Exum, 1983), and lastly (3)gender-specific and individual factors(that is the family background, capacity to take risks, tolerance to stress) (Kundu and Rani, 2007). It is therefore these organizational, structural and individual factors that explains how inequality manifests after establishment in academia, yet it is not solely these factors, but also women’s experiences of these factors that might shed light on the phenomenon of inequality in academia.

The paper further argue that it is of great significance to understand female PhD students wellbeing at the point in the academic career of a female where it appears inequality is less apparent compared to the further academic hierarchy steps, to shed some light on the academic career of women development. In summary, the paper questions the direct effect of different exposures on the academic development of women, rather than concluding that it is through understanding of streaming experiences from these exposures and manifested in the gender-biased experiences that are subjective of well-being, that one can fully understand the career path of females in academia

Despite the fact that many authors and researchers have addressed the issues of PhD student’s wellbeing (Stubb, Pyhältö & Lonka, 2011; Haynes et al, 2012), most of the literatures has been concentrates on the attributes that are isolated instead of taking a perspective that is more holistic that considers numerous factors shaping well-being and simultaneously interact with each other. Therefore, the literature review of this paper provides a rationale for application of holistic perspective that is experience-based to the female PhD student’s well-being.

Challenges faced by female doctoral students

The research on the academic staff wellbeing, of which natural the PhD students are part has indicated that their wellbeing is shaped usually by self-assessment and self-perception (Flaxman et al, 2012; Beckman et al, 2010), physical and mental health (Flaxman et al, 2012; Beckman et al, 2010), and supporting structures like work, social and academic environments (Kinman &jones, 2008;Beckman et al, 2010).

Among the academic staff, doctoral students is a special category for several reasons. As a doctoral student, life is often characterised by frequent evaluations, constant peer pressure, high workload, low status, financial difficulties, paper deadlines, active participation in the environmental of scholars including the conferences, and pressure to publish(Tammy & Maysa, 2009; Kurtz-Costes et al, 2006). According to Holligan (2005), entering PhD studentship often is associated with a switch from the practical profession to the somewhat new obscure academia world. While the issues generally could be attributed to students of PhD, Doyle & Hind (1998) argued that they represent a particular occupational subcategory in which the well-being experiences might be attributed to several very specific, contextual factors that are related to PhD studies.

Motivated by the findings of the recent research which indicated that the rate of attrition for the enrolled women in PhD programmes are higher than that of men (Marschke, 2007;Mansfield et al, 2010; Castro et al, 2011),many researchers have started laying particular emphasis to understand the reasons behind the results. This paper narrowing its focus on the progress of Saudi Female Doctoral Students in Urban Universities was also influenced by the studies (Roothman et al, 2003) indicating that well-being experiences differ between the genders.

The active researchers in the gender oriented stream in their studies have found out that the female doctoral students face many difficulties in coping with their doctoral studies. This is triggered by lack of experiences or with experiences of different support systems( Hayness et al, 2012; Damrosch, 2000), difficulty navigating the culture and climate of the organization (Rhode, 2003), or difficulties balancing the roles of work and family, and financial matters in addition to other obligations(Moyer et al, 1999).furthermore, Lee (2008) pointed out that mentor-supervisor relationship that is unsatisfactory and lack of guidance are some of the additional obstacles that might lead to no completed or prolonged doctoral studies (Castro et al, 2011).part time studies instead of full time (white, 2003), late enrolment to a postgraduate study (Chesterman, 2001), feeling of marginalization (Thanacoody et al, 2006), child care responsibility (Jackson, 2008), and having a life situation that is complex (Hill & McGregor, 1998) are other some other reasons for high rates of attritions, according to the literatures among the female PhD students.

However, Doyle and Hind (1998) argued that it might be futile to look at isolated well-being attributes, since it is the attributes interrelations of female PhD student life that could give explanation to the experienced issues by women during and after their academia doctoral studies. Therefore, while the identified aspects offer an insight of what the female PhD students have to struggle with, more exploration of their progress during their studies might explain the complexity of interactions and influences of the attributes of their wellbeing studied previously in isolation to each other. This paper’s purpose, therefore, is to explore the progress of Saudi Female Doctoral Students in Urban Universities.

The challenge that international female students face

For the past three decades, Leong (1984) identified three primary challenges facing international students of which females are included and they include academic difficulties, health issues and personal concerns. Years later, Adler (1986) in his study identified culture shock as the fourth challenge to the international students.

Academic Difficulties

International female students’ educational matters have been deliberated by scholars in five principal groupings: discussing English language skill, performance in class, dwindling to meet educational mentors’ expectations, lacking admission to support amenities, and comprehending the American educational system (Shaw, 2010). The adjustment of Saudi students in the United States is considerably associated with their self-perceived language capability. Lack of English language abilities is likely to influence international students’ educational and social performances, which, in turn, may affect their emotional change to a new culture.

In addition, to female international students facing problems with English language, academic problems such as performance in curriculums and studying in English appeared as the most challenging characteristic the students encountered while learning in the United States. Saudi Arabia international students faced academic difficulties such as failing to reach academic advisors’ study expectations and experiencing English language problems. Saudi Arabia international students experienced many difficulties adjusting to university student life in the United States related to lack of access to support from United States institutions. In addition, Saudi Arabian female international graduate training assistants experienced separation from their students since they did not comprehend the graduate philosophy of an American university (Maslen, 2011).

Personal Concerns

Personal difficulties linked to such distresses as nostalgia, solitude, social upkeep networks, cultural discrimination, social relationships, living preparations, immigration guidelines, and financial matters also causes international students trauma (Liang &Fassinger, 2008). The resilient analyst of inadequate adjustment for international students was their level of nostalgia. They are less satisfied and solitary than their American colleagues. According to Wan (2001), social provision was considerably adversely correlated with acculturative trauma. Also, international female students felt that White American students were frequently hostile, sidelining, or discriminating toward them. The addition of the graduate student role to other life roles of females is the most difficult for those who are parents, while some of the participants state that the relatively relaxed pace of graduate school is a pleasant change from the demanding routine of the work world. Participants who were parents of young children found that stress of trying to be successful as both a mother and a student contributed to dissatisfaction in both roles. However, some see the diverse roles as a way to keep a balanced personal and academic life. They are able to separate their parent roles from being a researcher and, thus, provide an outlet outside of themselves in which to explore. This dichotomy illustrates the amount of diverse issues that every graduate student faces and that there is not a one-size-fits-all solution to the problems facing our graduate students (Wan, 2001).

Furthermore, another individual challenge that the Saudi female students’ experiences related to prejudgment and racism. Saudi and Arabian Gulf student experienced social-personal difficulties alike to those of other international students, except that the Saudi female students, as Arab Muslims, also go through discrimination due to contradictory look and culture that many non-Arab international scholars do not have to go through. In addition, Saudi female students encounter some type of discrimination for example, punitive remarks regarding their cultural upbringing and they experience being victimized against, mainly with respect to the scores they attain in contrast to American students (Wan, 2001).

Health Issues

Another challenge international female students experience while learning in the United States includes health concerns such as despair, headaches, sleep difficulties, illnesses, physical well-being, and emotional distress (Wang & Mallinckrodt, 2006). In an interaction with 199 international scholars from Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, who were learning in the United States, Rahman and Rollock established that advanced level of depressing indications was anticipated by higher apparent prejudice faced in the United States. Female college students studying in the United States and are less acculturated to Western habits are more likely to certify depressive signs. In addition, these international students possibly will experience headaches, pustules, sleep disorders, loss of hungriness, and gastrointestinal complications. Wang and Mallinckrodt’s findings indicated that high attachment concern and high evasion were strong forecasters for psychological suffering and sociocultural change difficulty in Saudi international students.

Culture Shock

According to Stewart (2003), culture shock is state of being censored off from the social indications and identified configurations with which one is familiar with and existing or working over an lengthy period of time in a location that is vague, taking your own values that you had beforehand reflected principles brought into query. In addition, it is frequently put into situations in that you are anticipated to function with supreme ability and speed but where the guidelines have not been conclusively clarified. On the other hand, Culture shock is the nervousness that comes from losing all our accustomed signs and codes of social interaction International students not only experience problems linked with being students, but they also meet difficulties associated with culture shock. International students face culture shock over differences in dialectal, communication style, foodstuff, and the way of life. Culture shock is evident emotionally or physiologically due to stress. Female international students need to acculturate in order to adapt and study in the America. According to Adler (1986), the acculturation process has four stages that Adler suggested international students go through namely;

I. the Honeymoon Period, where the student feels like a visitor.

II. Depression phase, where the student is overcome by personal insufficiency in the new culture.

III. Self-rule phase, where the student comprehends both good and bad facets in the host culture.

IV. Biculturalism phase, where the student is relaxed in the host culture as back home.

Studies have found that cultural adjustment is related to the degree to which the host and home nation cultures differ from each other. These studies propose that international students who come from values very dissimilar from that in the United States e.g., Saudi Arabia may have a tougher time changing to the societies, way of life, and civilizations of the United States than international students from cultures closer to the United States e.g., Canada. As the research in will indicate, scholars have recognized the challenges international students, especially girls, have faced. Since many international students maintain the mutual values from their home nations, it is imperative to place individual and academic objectives in the setting of their families and nations of origin. The cultural characteristics of Saudi Arabia that can influence people from that nation who are learning for international students in the United States will now be reflected to offer cultural background for Saudi Arabian international university students learning in the United States.

The Culture of Saudi Arabia

According to Long &Maisel (2010), over the past few decades, Saudi Arabia has undergone collision between custom and modernization to a pronounced level. Saudi Arabia has accomplished to uphold a balance between conventional Islamic ethics, ideals, cultural rules, and rapid modern improvements. The population of Saudi Arabia is nearly 27 million and is rising by about 3.7% a year. Long and Maisel termed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a nation of startling differences, a huge island and a lesser population; an unproductive desert topography located over great oil prosperity; a traditional Islamic society experiencing rapid transformation; a closed culture that is often in the news (p. 1). While an attentiveness of the Kingdom’s differences is appreciated, the roles of faith, family, linguistic, sex, finances, learning, government, and land and individuals will be debated in the next segment to offer an experience for understanding the personal and academic involvements Female Saudi Arabian international university students may face in United States bodies of higher learning. These findings may have implications for higher education professionals and may contribute to the literature on cross-cultural education and international students’ adjustment issues.

On the other hand, Graduate students utilize a variety of coping strategies to deal with the demands of their graduate programs. For female students, these strategies include healthy habits, like talking to friends, receiving therapy, and aromatherapies, and negative habits, like eating comfort foods. Additionally, older female graduate students use strategies including
exercising and reducing course loads, while parents of young children may sacrifice aspects of
their student role. In order for graduate students to manage the multiple roles they play, they may use strategies aimed at redefining their structural roles, redefining their personal roles, or enhancing their time management skills. Many universities offer resources to provide these strategies or teach students to use them, and female students are more likely to express interest in these resources than their male counterparts. Doctoral programs that emphasize a balance between social and academic lives of students ensure better departmental integration of students. Further, graduate students with a support group or network of colleagues tend to perform better academically, experience less emotional and physical distress, withdraw less often from confusing or tension-producing situations, and agonize from less severe bodily and psychiatric sickness that socially inaccessible individuals undergo. Characteristics associated with a positive graduate experience included a high level of administrative, social, and financial support provided by the student’s department, a democratic supervisory structure, mentoring, and positive experiences when utilizing counseling services. A positive advisor relationship in which the student feels comfortable and able to approach her advisor is a key component to doctoral persistence. Graduate students who develop more relationships with their faculty members as professional colleagues are more likely to be involved in their doctoral program, more likely to develop professionally, and more likely to progress through their program. Feminism/feminist adult education and research are basically about improving women’s conditions, encouraging them to think critically about oppression and domination and to see themselves as agents of change in their own lives and the society (Szekely, 2008).

Conflict between motherhood and academic roles

There is minimal research that examines post graduate student mothers specific experiences. This section will review two studies; a research by Pare (2009) which examined student mother’s experiences, and the second by Lynch (2008) which examined how graduate students in United States who are mothers combined the two identities of a student and of a mother.

The aim of the research of Pare (2009) “Lived Experiences of US student Mothers” was to understand the experiences of 24 student mothers, of which 10 were at the post graduate level. The participants included in the study were mothers aged 18-30 years, who are enrolled in a graduate or post graduate program on at least part time basis, and were the primary caretakers or either one or even more dependants below the age of 5 years.

The participants were interviewed either over the telephone, in person and through short survey. The interview which was in semi-structured asked questions about the feelings of the participants being a mother, the feelings of the family on her decision to study, why she was a mother, whether the family life interferes with the schedule of studying, whether they offer help, how she spends her time daily, the networks she has on campus, how she juggles well study and motherhood, and support questions. Other questions covered her role as a student. From the interview, Pare (2009) came to three major themes (1) how women experience and think about their role as mothers, (2) how women experience and think about their roles as students, and (3) the social support they needed or were receiving.

From the Pare’s (2009) study, the women revealed that the mother’s role in their lives was of primary importance. Pare (2009) observed that these women did not challenge the social expectations of motherhood and the mother’s role subsumed all other identities and roles of the participants. Pare revealed that the mother had embraced “New momism,” a term by Douglas and Michale (2004) which required mothers to give their whole intellectual, emotional, psychological and physical beings to the motherhood riles. All the study participants considered motherhood as their main social role, while other roles as wife, worker and student as secondary. This outcome contrasted the research by Este’s (2011) which indicated that the parent-students blended their two roles to create a new identity of parent-student. Pare (2009) found out that al the participant mothers had already made a conscious decision to give priority to motherhood, because they feared they could quickly ruin their children, whereas university in the same way could not be ruined. This was an observation which led Pare to make a conclusion that social construction of motherhood that encompassed the notion that “bad children are raised by bad mothers” and “good children are raised by good mothers” may have an influence to their decisions.

According to Pare (2009), the women experienced spill-over in their responsibilities as student and mother, which required them to make a compromise and prioritise daily. The graduate students experienced more conflict of mother-student role compared to the undergraduates, possibly because of the graduates’ programs intensity. 21 of the women participants believed that not every mother is capable of managing both roles of a student and a mother because of the intrinsic difficulties. The reason for those was that the first priority of a woman is motherhood and hence could interfere with education or paid work. The conclusion of Pare (2009) was that her study participants considered motherhood core to their identities, and that “good mothering” was interfered by studying especially on the case of the married mothers. Moreover to the unmarried mothers studying enabled them to be “good mothers” because by getting a degree it would allow them in future to provide for their children. Therefore, the role of student was only significant when it became an extension or was bolstered on good mothering.

Lynch (2008) in her study “Doctoral Student Mothers in the United States” examined post graduate student mothers in U.S.A. the study was intended to further understand about rates of attrition among this group of doctoral students, and it was based on an interview with 30 participants who are graduate student mothers at five different universities and are enrolled in doctoral programs. The participants had an average of 2 children with average age of 4 years and were interviewed. Lynch (2008) examined how private and public mind-sets concerning the meanings of “mother” and “graduate student” can jeopardise educational attainment of women and impact on their advancement in academia. The results of the interview were presented in two groups; “socio-cultural identities” and “structural environments.”

The “structural Environment” section encompassed the major mismatch areas between “mother” status and the position within academia; childcare and financial support. Among the participants, the most common complaint was insufficient financial aid about their university. It was seen that financial aid was better suited for the childless and single students, and this was specifically evident when many women changed to part-time enrolment after giving birth, and found out that they were unable to access opportunities of funding because of their changed enrolment status. Every participant in the study indicated that affordable childcare was a matter of great concern, and were in agreement that there was “no real support” offered by the American higher education system. Moreover, the participants paid for the childcare expenses and reported being told that costs of childcare were not recoverable by any fellowship or grant application.

The section of “socio-cultural identities” encompassed two inherent socio-cultural practices in re construction of the identity of “mother/student”; identity support and identity practices. Lynch’s (2008) study significantly revealed how student mothers who are graduates avoided the role conflict and ensured they are successful in both of the roles. They employed two strategies; “academic invisibility” and “maternal invisibility” depending on the situation. Maternal invisibility means the mothers hiding from the public view their maternal status, by allowing themselves to appear like ordinary students and preserving the graduate students’ cultural norm who is committed to her studies 100%. On the other hand, academic invisibility is where the women appeared to be mothers full time, thereby preserving the good mother notion was committed to her children 100%. At the university, Lynch (2008) argued that maternal role of the graduate student mothers was downplayed, and outside the university they downplayed their student role. Lynch (2008) suggested that by understanding the manner in which motherhood and graduate student in dominant American culture were conceptualised, explained their behaviour. particularly at the graduate level, good students were judged by their career path devotion and judgement on the good mothers were done on their devotion to children; hence every role demanded maximum commitment and this resulted to inherent conflict for the women who pursues both (Lynch, 2008).

Research Methodology

The aim of the proposed study is to explore the academic and socialization challenges and difficulties faced by female students from the Saudi Arabia across different U.S. universities. The study corresponds into a grouping of comparative study because of its two native and non-native populations existing in U.S. universities. Comparative research has confirmed to be a proficient approach for attaining understanding of social truths. Making comparisons among nations, cultural groups and/or time-frames allow investigators to differentiate between universal and specific occurrences (Creswell, 2013).Comparative research also makes a proof of identity of the influence of environmental issues on individual morals, feelings, and conducts. For these reasons, predictably comparative research conquers a high position on the international research program. Because of logical principles in existentialism and quantum theory, qualitative research approaches will be used since of the perfect, unbridgeable difference between quantitative and qualitative study in world interpretation and paradigm. While quantitative research has a scientific world assessment, qualitative study has a naturalistic/subjective world understanding (Creswell, 2013).

The interview is considered as a qualitative instrument, the facts from which will be inferred by the researcher according to the core themes of the learning. The gathering of both types of data within the complete empirical component of the study will permit for an element of triangulation. Triangulation’ is the arrangement of research approaches in order to explore the same research problem using diverse methods, and this permits for the rationality of the deductions reached to be reinforced. The concept can be drawn back to Campbell and Fiske in 1959 who called it as a technique that can establish how a hypothesis can last when considered from diverse approaches of testing; and later, they called it as an idea related with orienteering, whereby bearings are taken from two standards in order to trace oneself at their connection. The end intention of triangulation is, consequently, to raise confidence in the results.

Qualitative research is revelatory and informative. Qualitative research is deemed as most suitable as it tends to pay attention on exploring the depth rather than breadth of the matters at a hand. It discards the impression of measuring an occurrence by counting, and in its place uses interpretive methods to get to the core of the meaning, relatively than the regularity of societal phenomena. The important thing here is the allusion to social since this kind of research distinguishes the necessity to interpret information from the viewpoint of those who are form the study population. It is a method to the study of the public world that pursues to define and analyze the philosophy and conduct of people and their groups from the point of view of those being considered. It is argued that qualitative data offer rich understandings into real-life circumstances and are more able than quantitative statistics to make sense of conduct within its wider background (Creswell, 2013). Positivists have appraised qualitative tactics to investigation as non-scientific, and therefore, it is proposed that a number of settings should be met when steering qualitative study, these being: Understanding the framework in terms of connected theory, epistemological obligation of the study, and sociocultural setting of data gathering; precision, transparency and consistency – in terms of investigator engagement with the research, wholeness of data gathering and examination, cautious description of the research procedure and intellectual consistency of the arguments offered through the analysis; and Effect and significance – in terms of material and value of the work relative to previous theory and the particular matters being explored.

The proposed study will apply a multiple case study strategy. Case studies are survey of a bounded arrangement of a case or multiple cases over time and done with detail, in complexity information collection encompassing several sources of data rich in perspective.Primary sources are information that are openly collected and acquired for the first time by the investigator for the aim of the study problem at hand. There are various procedures that can be employed in gathering the primary information such as questionnaires, consultations and observations Brown, (2010). In this research, the collection of fundamental data is exemplified in a questionnaire study with students from Saudi Arabia in American universities already recognized as forming the survey sample, and in a small meeting exercise with some officials from the Saudi Embassy in America. The questionnaire is intended a quantitative instrument, targeting to secure evidence that can be treated statistically and from which positive, numerical results can be gained. Since the preferred research approach is a study and the key data collection technique is a questionnaire, most of essential facts of the survey will be collected from the literature review and used in organizing questions for the interview.

Interview

In general, semi-structured interviews will be used. They will allow the researcher to begin with guiding questions but follow leads and probe areas that arise during the interview (Brown, 2010). In this study, semistructured interviews will be conducted in personal offices or library study rooms on the university campus. These spaces provided quiet places to meet and were free from distractions and interruptions. It will be appropriatefor researchers to conduct the interviews: one interviewing and other one taking notes. In order to digitally record the interviews permission will be sought from the authorities and the interviews will last about 30 minutes. Also, the conducting research team member will transcribe interviews in verbatim within two week of the interview. The guiding questions will be developed based on the research purpose and the research literature in the area (Brown, 2010). Interview questions will be designed to gather the participants’ explanations, descriptions, and examples of their challenges.

Each interview will end with questioning whether there is anything else to add or whether there were any questions or comments. In addition, face-to-face interviews offer the researcher with the opportunity to use the research questions to guide the direction of the interview and to ensure participants clearly comprehend the wording and the objectives of each question. This was necessary for the reason that language and cultural barriers could have come in the way of communicating data and statistics. To avoid any language and/or cultural barriers, interpreter services will be sought to students during the interview process. This is a social research and it should never injure the people being studied. In the oncoming research the ethical issues involved protecting confidentiality and privacy of the participants and addressing potential harm that could have arisen during the process. The participants will be given the option to choose the premises where the interview will be take place. Attention will be made to ensure that respondents will be made aware of their confidentiality and privacy rights. Participants will sign a consent form to that shoes the response gathered will be used for data analysis and record my conversation during the process of the interview will be kept private. On the other hand service providers in these universities will be selected according to their roles that include Head of international student support unit, coordinator of international student services, head of university counseling service, associate director for international students, international student coordinator and psychologist. The service providers will be contacted by phone and the aims or purpose of the study communicated to them.

In respect of secondary sources of data, these include the review of academic journals’ articles, textbooks, documents, published statistics, and dissertations and theses. It is sensible to use secondary data if it exists because it’s hard to conduct a research study in isolation from what has already been done and because it may shed light on, or complete, the primary data collected. For this study, the researcher collected secondary data from different sources that she considered reliable and credible. This will involve a range of textbooks, journal articles, and some previous studies related to the problems affecting overseas students. This secondary data gave the researcher a broad understanding of the topic under investigation. It will also be used in expressing and understanding the study problem better and help the researcher in suggesting the applied research procedure.

Data Analysis

The data analysis procedure will be conducted by using Moustakas’ method as described by Creswell (2013) as shown by the following diagram;

Breaking Barriers: Saudi Female Doctoral Students Shaping the Future 2

To begin the Moustakas methodology, the researcher attempts to produce distance between one’s individual experiences with the occurrence and the experiences of the participants. The researcher will start to get important informationfrom different female participant’s experiences while studying and living in the United States. Data from the questioner will be grouped intoimportantreports and sentences that gave personal voice to the identified concept. This process is commonly known as horizontalization. Then the researcher will make a list to group more general ideas from the importantreports, sentences, or quotes of the participants (Creswell, 2013). Thereafter, the researcher will make a description in larger components of information that describes the experiences of female students studying and staying in United Stated States. The textural reportwill contain precise examples that completely demonstrate the experiences of the contributors.

It is within this stage that the researcher will explore all possible implications and differing viewpoints that eventually focused into the structural description. Using reflection and analysis, an arrangement of the textural and structural descriptions will be made to form an elementary description that spoke to the generalprinciple of how female Saudi Arabian international university students face studying and living in the United States.

Conclusion

. These experiences of female Saudi Arabian students will be shared in the present study may offer higher education authorities with understandings into some of the challenges faced by Saudi Arabian international university students studying in the United States. In addition, these findings will deliver possible guidelines for outreach informative efforts and sustenance facilities for female Saudi Arabian international students in the United States. To recognize their experiences, it is worthwhile to understand the cultural background from which Saudi Arabian students come to the United States. It is also significant to understand the range of views students experience prior to essentially studying in the United States. Gender dutiesprospects within Saudi Arabian culture are predominantlyrelevant. Additionally, the concerns and experiences prior to and while actually studying in the United States related to disputes of security, discrimination, self-confidence, English language problems, free living challenges, and missing their culture and family life (nostalgia) are important as well. These concerns may be vital to include as part of placement sessions for new Saudi Arabian students arriving in the United States for studies. Key to keep in mind, however, is the widerframework that many of the challenges participants may convey experiencing while learning in the United States, i.e., concerns about security, discrimination, homesickness, confidence, English language challenges, independent living problems, may relate to many international students from different countries around the world.

In addition, many domestic students entering higher education institutions may also experience similar challenges connected to traversing university life and education, living on their own for the first time and missing their families. The universality of certain of these experiences appearsobvious in university students’ experience of change to joining institutions of higher education(Brown, 2010). The universality of several of these experiences may also be significant for higher educational professionals to appreciate. The sources of support to be recognized by participants in this study included peer interactions, family relationships, and faith. Female Saudi Arabian students bring individual strengths in terms of their flexibility and strong inspiration to succeed. These personal strengths, in addition to the integrity and faithfulness these students give to their families, are very important to appreciate. The possible impact studying in the United States may have on the students is also necessary for higher education professionals to understand. In addition, the importance of the Saudi Arabian government and culture to Saudi students seems critical to be aware of, since they view themselves as student representatives in the United States. It is essential to have athoughtful and appreciation of the implication of cultural prospects, peer and family relationships, and the influence of parting from traditional cultural foundations of support while learning in the United States.

While all graduate students play multiple roles, it becomes more important to understand the demands and pressures of female doctoral students as women enter graduate degree programs at higher rates and continue to earn more of the conferred doctoral degrees. Some women will place a higher priority on the role of student and allow their doctoral program to become their world at that time. Other women will continue to place equal or greater priority on their other life roles and allow their doctoral program to be one aspect of their world at that time. The decision on how well-being is being operationalized in one’s life or how best to develop and maintain well-being will impact females’ experiences not only while in graduate school but also when they transition to the work force and possibly face additional stressors and threats to their well-being.

Prior to this study, the literature about international students lacked information about female Saudis. This study is one of the few that emphasis on Saudi students; thus, it seals a gap by contributing the Saudi voice to the literature. Of the literature about female Saudi students, this study is distinctive in that it surveys their problems and challenges. Previous studies paid attention on problems and barriers to success of male Saudi Arabia students. In addition, it is one of the few written by a non-Saudi researcher. This study adds significant information about what is known about Female Saudi international learners, which is an underrepresented group in the literature about international students.

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5/5 - (7 votes)

Enhancing Boxing Coaching: Teaching Skills, Professionalism & Child Protection

Introduction

Ever since I developed interest in coaching boxing, I have realized that it is one of the most enriching and rewarding experiences an individual can possess. In my decision to become a boxing coach, my commitment is to fully utilize my knowledge and skills to ensure success of boxing coaching to realize perennial affirmative impression on the lives of boxing sportspersons. As a coach, I have committed to being a teacher, mentor, leader and role model. Indeed, numerous athletes will seek my expertise and guidance their coach. Besides, many scholars admit that a coach is a role model that allows athletes to develop both social skills and sports related skills needed for success of the sport in life (Cave 2001).

 

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Boxing Coaching Experience

Teaching Skills

As a volunteer coach for boxing, I have gained robust teaching skills in the sport of boxing. Williams (2008) indicated that a great coach is the one who inspires the love for the sport and enables the athletes develop self- respect and respect for their opponents regardless of the outcome. As an aspiring legend coach, I inspire and teach the athletes inside and outside the ring and constantly learn through sharing of knowledge for the better development of boxing and other stakeholders involved in the sport. During the entire coaching experience, I gained robust knowledge in the following areas of teaching the participants.
Firstly, I experienced immense teaching skills of boxing basic techniques through a non- contact course. Under this technique, there were teaching experiences on movement of the body, balance and coordination, defense and striking skills. The core of this experience was to develop key strategies in teaching of boxing to varying ability and age of athletes.
Additionally, I gained experience in the guidelines of delivering of the boxing awards to learning institutions, boxing clubs, community sport projects and youth groups. There was also the basic principle of sports practice and planning necessary for the delivery of sessions in the context of boxing set by the National Occupation Standards. Lastly, the key area of coaching experience was procedures on how to develop and maintain a deep relationship with the local amateur community for boxing.

Professionalism in Boxing coaching

Child Protection Policy Experiences in Boxing

During the entire coaching experience, I gained experiences on coaching protection policy as required by the ABA. Safety and welfare of young athletes, particularly below 18 years, cannot be compromised in any sport coaching practices. Szabo, (2008) observed that every member of the sports committee, officials, and coach, volunteer and boxing tutor has a moral and corporate responsibility to promote and safeguard every athlete’s welfare. The experience gained incorporated athlete child protection regardless of the ability, age, religion, race and sexual orientation. To sum up, the children have the right to learn, enjoy and participate in boxing awards for free of abuse or fear from anybody.

Contents of the Gained Experience

Warm up

The warm up session consisted of;
Ice breakers– the class introduces themselves to one another swiftly and any athlete observed to be contrasting may provide a song and dance individually. They are expected to say hello and shake hands and say hello to one another.
Mobilization– it starts with joint mobilization; wrists, elbows, figures, neck, shoulder, ankles, knees, hips and toes.
First phase– slow jogging, slide step, big stride movements, high knees, kick-backs, backward jogging, change of direction punching in the air in all directions.

Upper Body stretching

The participants should be kept moving when stretching with toe to heel on the spot. The athletes should also learn the groups of the muscles. This stretching takes 8 seconds for each muscle groups. 

References

Anadian Amateur Boxing Association, & National Coaching Certification Program (Canada). (1983). Boxing coaching manual, level 1: National Coaching Certification Program. Ottawa, Ont, Canadian Amateur Boxing Association.
Cave, E. (2001). Kick boxing. Guilford, CT., Lyons Press.
Szabo, S. (2008). Mentoring literacy professionals: continuing the spirit of CRA/ALER after 50 years.
Williams, M. (2008). Boxing Clever. Coaching Edge. 32-34.

5/5 - (7 votes)

Scrupulosity and its Impact on Mental Health and Religious Beliefs

Ferguson, Thomas A. Rowatt, Wade C. (April 14, 2014). God and scrupulosity.. God comes in the end.. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, Vol (1 (1).

Scrupulosity is an ethical and religious theory on the obsessive-compulsive disorder that is not fully studied that states that God functions psychologically just like other characters. According to the author, the relationship to God is correlated with scrupulosity, for example, using a significant sample of people to measure and assess for their scrupulosity compulsive symptoms, connection to God, and related variables. Moreover, connection to God proofs incremental, precise and agreeing to prediction of scrupulosity away from variation shared with religious side effects such as obsessive dysfunctional ideas and associated uncertainties in close personal relationships.

Relationship with God has no evidence through forecasting on obsessive-compulsive characteristics. Although in some relationship, fear proofs to have a strong association with scrupulosity.

 

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Seligman, M. (2014). God comes at the end. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, Vol 1(1), 67-70. doi: 10.1037/scp0000002

Martin E.P. Seligman of the Department of Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania who delineates the art of flourishing and five building blocks that make it relevant to transforming education, medicine, the military, and the world of economics and military.

He explains the origin of God that is not mystical and there is no need to express that through an outline. Accordingly, one of his quotations on transformation stated that psychology called him but did not choose it. An exploration of the different perceptions on a character that forms and direct psychotherapies as to the functions of the therapeutic association, to personal, and informal styles in the practice of spiritual care.

The course gives a systems point of view on the relational dynamics of treatment. In its center on the therapeutic association, the understanding of human beings as important is applied to the dynamics of treatment. In an overview of the different therapies, main therapist duties, therapeutic correlation models, and styles of therapeutic communication are investigated. Psychodynamic ideas in Object Relations theory are associated with Family and Narrative Therapy approaches.

Dohrenwend, A.(2014). All but weightless. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, (1), 75-75 doi: 10.1037/scp0000005

In her journal, the author warns that the individuals’ inability to articulate just makes a prime candidate for succeeding at the methods. That is, the less it intellectualizes and evaluates the indescribable feelings, the willingness to engaged in experiencing the felt senses. In her book, “focusing on clinical practice, Anne details the stage setting process, how to assist clients in obtaining senses, recognizing felt senses, and explain the importance of focusing on managing depression, addiction, or trauma. According to her, focusing brings about the ideas of body, mind, and behavioral experiences. The idea of Focusing is not inclusive on systems, neither a separate therapeutic involvement. However, Anne says, “it assists in understanding and assisting normal actions of beings naturally — and the abilities in doing them — and when in opposition to change.” It is a difficult challenge that Anne provides passages from client meetings to reveal the characteristics of Focusing and the significance of the experience.

To efficiently utilize Focusing the researcher must listen keenly with understanding from different sessions. Through communication, the client is notable to use pausing and fumbling of words that Anne explains the concepts of felt sense. The “felt sense” should be viewed as a way of describing the process rather than as a precise or unique set of identifiable achievements according to Anne. The author uses most of the time explaining deeper meanings of “felt sense” and how a practitioner can discover and distinguish different work with the experience. Felt sensing uses indefinable characteristics that prospective theorists of Focusing should first recognize it within themselves other than incorporating the ideas in relationship to their client sessions. She further gives some attractive records of therapist-client sessions and by examining these records, the reader gains better ideas.

The book also talks about means of using Focusing to confront users, which includes resistant clients, the self-evaluators and the critics, and how to utilize it across diverse treatment models. Finally, Anne presents an outstanding design that supports analysis on the ways of using the so-called existence language, the foundation of mastering the center of attention.

Focusing on Clinical Practice is informative mainly for its rich and comprehensive client-therapist textual formatting. It is written as a guidebook on a variety of potential and focused practitioners, it is beneficial for amateurs with concern on different psychotherapeutic involvements. While studying this book as a professional or average user, the book brings about an imminent sense of helpful methods of applying them.

Aldwin, C. M., Park, C. L., Jeong, Y.-J., & Nath, R. (2013, December 23). Various Pathways Between Religiousness, Spirituality, and Health: A Self-Regulation Perspective. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1037/a0034416

According to the authors, they suggested that spirituality and religion have distinct and influence health whereby they developed a model that defines spirituality, religion, and health in distinctive ways. That is, religion assists regulate health habits and behaviors while spirituality regulates emotions. The practice and adherence to religious teachings are linked to better health patterns such as reduced consumption and drug addiction. Spirituality, players, and meditation are good at regulating emotions that might be linked to psychological effects. For example, blood pressure. Carolyn Aldwin is a Ph.D. Graduate, a gerontology professor at State Oregon State University. The goals of their research works are to better develop measures of analyzing the connections that exist between health, spirituality, and religion and better discover possible clinical involvements.

Self-regulation theories also help the understanding of the influences of religiousness and spirituality. In terms of health application, the study helps in intervening and assist individuals to increase their thoughts on spirituality. Nevertheless, minor advocate efforts to alter an individual’s levels of uprightness because of moral restrictions.  Psychology of religion and spirituality uses several models that show religious alienation and poorer health provides a promising target of interventions promoting health. Accordingly abuse of drugs relies on spiritual approaches, including focusing on religious alienation, but efforts to implement and evaluate health-related interventions targeting religious alienation have not been made.

Sanctification and spiritual disclosure in parent-child relationships: Implications for family relationship quality by Brelsford, Gina M.Journal of Family Psychology, Vol 27(4), Aug 2013, 639-649. doi: 10.1037/a0033424

Social Scientific Research on spirituality, religion, and family life, is usually influenced by global religiousness and spirituality while similar but few studies try to know the individual’s religious and spiritual providers, that is, sanctification and the spiritual disclosure, from the family point of view.  The study used a sample family relationship involving parenting college students who rated their use of spiritual disclosure and theistic and nontheistic sanctification about parent-child relationship quality. For instance, child relationship satisfaction and open communication. The results signified important positive links between a higher degree of spiritual disclosure and bigger theistic and nontheistic sanctification between parents and their children. Nevertheless, only greater nontheistic sanctification and higher degrees of spiritual disclosure were significantly related to the increased parent to kids’ connection quality.

The authors use Actor Partner Interdependence Models (APIMs) that show distinctive involvements on spiritual discovery on the parent to kids’ connection quality beyond unholy blessings for open communication in the family. However, a full representation of unholy sanctification and spiritual revelations foretell better college students’ relationship contentment with their parents. In this journal, possible results for an individual’s spirituality and religiousness influences in familial connection features, in research and practice are discussed. Social scientific researches provide a relationship between an individual’s spiritual and religious views on family relationship features.

5/5 - (5 votes)