Papers by Teresa Whitaker
Qualitative Health Research, Apr 6, 2011
Findings from 35 qualitative interviews with drug users who were engaging in or who had engaged i... more Findings from 35 qualitative interviews with drug users who were engaging in or who had engaged in sex work in Dublin, Ireland, illuminated how, because of a result of felt stigma and internalized shame, they tried to hide their drug use, thus endangering their own lives. This group carried multiple layers of stigma because of sex work, drug use (including injecting drug use), and having contracted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV). This stigma was powerfully reinforced by the language routinely used by health professionals. To improve the effectiveness of harmreduction interventions, it is recommended that service providers change their language, in particular in recognition of the human dignity of these clients, but also to help attract and retain drug users in services, and to help reduce the unacceptable mortality levels among drug users.
Irish Journal of Sociology, Jun 1, 2007
The gendered nature of property ownership, succession and inheritance has always been a concern f... more The gendered nature of property ownership, succession and inheritance has always been a concern for feminists. In Ireland, the 1965 Succession Act effectively abolished gender as an issue in property ownership when it curbed testamentary freedom and granted a spouse a legal right to a proportion of his/her spouse's estate. This article compares spousal bequeathing practices in Irish society in 195I and 2000 through a small sample of qualitatively analysed probated wills. The findings suggest that patriarchy has declined in transmissions between spouses and that there is an increasing tendency for marriage to be based on democratic principles and confluent love rather than on the prerogatives of property consolidation (Giddens 1992).
InTech eBooks, Oct 10, 2012
What I Knew was What I Learnt on the Street! Irish Drug Using Sex Workers Accounts of How They Co... more What I Knew was What I Learnt on the Street! Irish Drug Using Sex Workers Accounts of How They Contracted HIV and Hepatitis C statutory and non-statutory sectors and people living with HIV and AIDs. In 2000 it published an AIDS Strategy 2000 [8] which promoted prevention, treatment and care. In 2008 NASC [9] published a 4-year plan for HIV and AIDS Education and Prevention in Ireland with the aim of reducing infection through education, awareness raising and prevention measures. The action suggests that best practice measures targeting sex workers and those buying sex should be integrated into sexual health campaigns. It recommends that there should be appropriate and innovative approaches to HIV screening and treatment including mobile services and new technology. In 2010 a mobile health clinic entitled Safetynet Network for Homeless Health Services was established in Dublin targeting homeless people and sex workers [10]. It provides primary health care and harm reduction services.
Creating Virtual Families? The Bequeathing Practices of Childless Single and Widowed Testators in 1951 and 2000 in Ireland
Journal of Family History, Apr 1, 2007
This article is drawn from my PhD dissertation, which explores bequeathing practices in the secon... more This article is drawn from my PhD dissertation, which explores bequeathing practices in the second half of the twentieth century in Ireland. In particular, this article compares the bequeathing practices of childless single and widowed people in Irish society in 1951 and 2000 through a qualitative analysis of probated wills to answer the questions: In the absence of spouses and children, to whom did they leave their property? Did bequeathing practices change in the fifty-year period during which Ireland underwent radical social and economic change? Contrary to Durkheim's prediction, testamentary dispositions revealed the enduring importance of extended family; childless single and widowed people created virtual families by bequeathing to siblings, nieces, nephews, and cousins in 1951 and this practice continued in 2000.
Nursing & Health Sciences, Dec 1, 2001
This paper presents qualitative data from Irish children and adolescents on their experiences in ... more This paper presents qualitative data from Irish children and adolescents on their experiences in relation to alcohol consumption. A sample of 78 participants (average age 11.5) was selected. A proportion of this initial sample were interviewed at intervals over a period of three years. The participants' consumption patterns were analyzed and generated four categories: covert unsanctioned, overt unsanctioned, overt sanctioned, and peer unsanctioned. As the children got older, peer drinking became a stronger feature of the data, although it mediated other patterns of behaviour. Although children displayed agency in circumventing adult rules relating to alcohol consumption, the participants were subjected to structural constraints by
Review: Emile Durkheim on the Family
Irish Journal of Sociology, Dec 1, 2006
This paper reports on a Master's module on intercultural education. It explores current laws and ... more This paper reports on a Master's module on intercultural education. It explores current laws and policies on intercultural education. It examines the assessment of the module and presents three exemplar essays in which primary school teachers effectively implemented the intercultural guidelines in the classroom relating to ethnicity, religion and Traveller identity. The Intercultural Education Strategy recommends that teachers learn about intercultural education in order to promote a society based on values and principles so that human rights and democracy are safeguarded. The paper concludes that teachers internalised the key tenets of intercultural education, were reflective and reflexive practitioners and engaged in classroom strategies to educate young children on the importance of respecting diversity.
Policy makers make policies based on national and international best practice evidence; however, ... more Policy makers make policies based on national and international best practice evidence; however, policies may not get enacted on the ground due to the lack of knowledge of the policy by practitioners or it could reflect a lack of commitment or a lack of awareness of obligations. In this paper we examine how primary school teachers enacted the intercultural guidelines (NCCA, 2005) in the classroom. A cohort of teachers (n=25) undertaking a module on Intercultural education as part of a Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning (MATL) conducted small scale action research projects in which they sought to practice intercultural education in the classroom and school. Interculturalism argues that normality is diverse and diversity is normal; it takes an anti-bias curriculum (Derman-Sparks & ABC Task Force, 1989) approach by eschewing discrimination of any kind whether it is based on race, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, family or marital status, age and Traveller status. Policies encourage teachers to be political activists and to challenge discrimination of all kinds. The European Council emphasises the importance of intercultural competence and dialogue, exchange and education in building a common European future based on values and principles, so that human rights and democracy are safeguarded (Huber 2012). The Council of Europe further argue that there is a great need for education so that intercultural competence can be developed, learned and maintained throughout life. They go so far as to say that intercultural competence is at the heart of education. The paper will examine diversity in Irish society based on the results of the Irish census (2011) and provide a brief resume of current laws, policies and strategies on intercultural education. It gives examples of how teachers can promote an anti-bias curriculum in the classroom in relation to ethnicity, religion and Travellers.
How Prostitution and Sex Work Created Conflict in Public Discourses in Dublin
Intersectionality theory focuses on social processes and the dynamics of power and inequality, an... more Intersectionality theory focuses on social processes and the dynamics of power and inequality, and assists in illuminating conflict between two advocacy groups for sex workers, in a place, namely Ireland, thereby highlighting conflicts in communication (governmental consultations, media, newspapers, radio) in the period 2009–2015. During this period the Irish government criminalised the purchase of sexual services. Differing cultural ideologies saw two advocacy groups (comprising mainly feminists and women’s issues groups) in opposing positions: those in favour of criminalising buyers (Turn off the Red Light/TORL); and those against (Sex Workers Alliance Ireland/SWAI). An autoethnographic approach demonstrated the kinds of relationships among place, conflict and communication during the events in which Whitaker was involved as a founder member of SWAI.
Health Education Journal, Jun 1, 2000
This paper presents data from Irish children on their perceptions and experiences in relation to ... more This paper presents data from Irish children on their perceptions and experiences in relation to illicit drugs as they approached adolescence. Depth interviews were conducted with.78 participants and data were analysed using a qualitative strategy whereby data were categorized into conceptual themes. Findings suggested that most participants had a high level of exposure to a drug culture, yet had little direct experiences with actually being offered or using drugs. A small minority had used cannabis and tended to frame the substance and its use in benign terms. Most children, however, expressed anti-drug attitudes. Participants' knowledge of the outcome of drug use tended to be vague or dramatic.
Qualitative Health Research, Feb 1, 2007
Despite efforts to prevent the onset of smoking, the rate among older children remains high. In t... more Despite efforts to prevent the onset of smoking, the rate among older children remains high. In this article, the authors report on a longitudinal, qualitative study of 11-to 16-year-old children describing children's construction of what it means to be a smoker, the reasons given for children smoking, and their views of smoking behavior. Findings indicate that children adopt broad interpretations of what constitutes smoking behavior; although they strongly disapprove of children who smoke, they are less disapproving of older children or adult smokers and are increasingly tolerant of smoking behavior as they get older. Children's disapproval of smoking acts as a protective mechanism against smoking for younger participants. Participants' broad interpretation of what it means to be a cigarette smoker, their association of smoking with adulthood, and their increasing tolerance of and exposure to smoking behavior as they move into adolescence appears to increase susceptibility to becoming cigarette smokers.
Voices of educators in 21st century Ireland
Throughout the school-age years (approximately 4 to 18 years of age), young people are faced with... more Throughout the school-age years (approximately 4 to 18 years of age), young people are faced with various crises that can significantly affect development and normative task fulfilment; bereavement is one such crisis. Physical and psychosocial crises such as bereavement intensify throughout the developmental process and present complex concerns for educators. Researchers agree that young people are often seen as the ?forgotten mourners? in a family unit (Packman et al., 2006; Wender, 2012) and that support from ?one good adult? can be a significant positive factor in the mental well-being of young people (Dooley and Fitzgerald, 2012). Findings from research states that teachers play a vital role in recognising the child?s grief as well as aiding the psychosocial well-being of pupils in their care (Donnelly, 2001). While the psychological pain and processes of grief are mostly unavoidable, the behaviour of adults towards pupils who are bereaved is a major contributory factor towards ...
This paper presents data from Irish children on their perceptions and experiences in relation to ... more This paper presents data from Irish children on their perceptions and experiences in relation to illicit drugs as they approached adolescence. Depth interviews were conducted with.78 participants and data were analysed using a qualitative strategy whereby data were categorized into conceptual themes. Findings suggested that most participants had a high level of exposure to a drug culture, yet had little direct experiences with actually being offered or using drugs. A small minority had used cannabis and tended to frame the substance and its use in benign terms. Most children, however, expressed anti-drug attitudes. Participants' knowledge of the outcome of drug use tended to be vague or dramatic.
Policy makers make policies based on national and international best practice evidence; however, ... more Policy makers make policies based on national and international best practice evidence; however, policies may not get enacted on the ground due to the lack of knowledge of the policy by practitioners or it could reflect a lack of commitment or a lack of awareness of obligations. In this paper we examine how primary school teachers enacted the intercultural guidelines (NCCA, 2005) in the classroom. A cohort of teachers (n=25) undertaking a module on Intercultural education as part of a Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning (MATL) conducted small scale action research projects in which they sought to practice intercultural education in the classroom and school. Interculturalism argues that normality is diverse and diversity is normal; it takes an anti-bias curriculum (Derman-Sparks & ABC Task Force, 1989) approach by eschewing discrimination of any kind whether it is based on race, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, family or marital status, age and Traveller status. Policies encourage teachers to be political activists and to challenge discrimination of all kinds. The European Council emphasises the importance of intercultural competence and dialogue, exchange and education in building a common European future based on values and principles, so that human rights and democracy are safeguarded (Huber 2012). The Council of Europe further argue that there is a great need for education so that intercultural competence can be developed, learned and maintained throughout life. They go so far as to say that intercultural competence is at the heart of education. The paper will examine diversity in Irish society based on the results of the Irish census (2011) and provide a brief resume of current laws, policies and strategies on intercultural education. It gives examples of how teachers can promote an anti-bias curriculum in the classroom in relation to ethnicity, religion and Travellers.
Action 98 of the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 required the NACD to carry out research on dru... more Action 98 of the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 required the NACD to carry out research on drug misuse among at-risk groups, including prostitutes/sex workers. In response, the NACD undertook this study to explore female and male problematic drug-using sex workers' lived experience of risk, and how the risk environment can mediate the individual’s capacity to reduce the risk of harm. The concept of the risk environment was broadly defined as comprising risk factors that are external to the individual. Thus, the 'environment' encompasses not only the physical space within which drug-using sex workers live and work, but also the social, economic and policy environment.
In this discussion paper we examine the development and assessment of a module on intercultural e... more In this discussion paper we examine the development and assessment of a module on intercultural education which we designed, taught and assessed as one module on a master’s programme in a private Higher Education Institution. The programme was initially designed for primary school teachers as formal continuous professional development, however, teachers from other educational settings such as, early childhood, and post-primary also registered for the programme. The module was entitled Intercultural Education and the focus was on how intercultural education promotes social inclusion and eschews discrimination of any kind whether it is based on age, race, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, family or marital status, and Traveller status. Policies encourage teachers to be political activists and to challenge discrimination of all kinds. The European Council emphasises the importance of intercultural competence and dialogue, exchange and education in building a common Euro...
an active/activist approach to challenging prejudice, stereotyping, bias, and the “isms”. In a so... more an active/activist approach to challenging prejudice, stereotyping, bias, and the “isms”. In a society in which institutional structures create and maintain sexism, racism, and handicappism . It is not sufficient to be non biased (and also highly unlikely), nor is it sufficient to be an observer. It is necessary for each individual to actively intervene, to challenge and counter the personal and institutional behaviors that perpetuate oppression (p.3). Irish legislation prohibits discrimination on nine grounds and these are also the aspects of diversity that the intercultural guidelines (NCCA, 2007) focus on: gender, age, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, Traveller status, disability, ‘race’ and religion. Respect for diversity is enshrined in Irish laws and policies, but teachers in first and second level education may be unaware of the existence of these policies or their implications for informing pedagogical practices. This paper will give a brief resume of curre...
Uploads
Papers by Teresa Whitaker