A poststructural discourse analysis of the attitudes, beliefs, and values of undergraduate Canadian university students regarding sexual orientation

Citation

Joy, P., Crawford, Z., Sinno, J., Walters, J., & Numer, M. (2021). A poststructural discourse analysis of the attitudes, beliefs, and values of undergraduate Canadian university students regarding sexual orientation. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality.  

Abstract

The socio-politico-cultural context of sexual orientation often influences the attitudes, beliefs, and values produced in a given society. This study employed a qualitative methodology to explore the current attitudes, beliefs, and values of Canadian undergraduate students about sexual orientation. Students in a large human sexuality course at a Canadian university completed open-ended questions on the educational platform Top Hat. The data were analyzed using discourse analysis and four threads of discourse emerged: 1) The Nature of Sexual Orientation, 2) Gender Norms and Bisexuality, 3) Shared Connections, and 4) Foundations of Friendships. These findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge relating to changing attitudes, beliefs, and values about sexual orientation of Canadian university students.

Link: https://www.utpjournals.press/eprint/YJIH3M8IAHRARPX9U96P/full

Wired Sex Assemblages among Men who have Sex with Men: Sexualized Drug Use, Hook-Up Apps, and HIV Service Provision

Citation

Holmes, D., Numer, M., Hammond, C., Joy, P., Sinno, J., Patten, S., & LeBlanc, M. (2021) Wired Sex Assemblages among Men who have Sex with Men: Sexualized Drug Use, Hook-Up Apps, and HIV Service Provision. Journal of Homosexuality. 

Abstract

Sexualized drug use is a form of sexual practice that resists risk-based discourses (otherwise referred to as “radical sex practices”) and is reportedly common among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). With the growth of online technologies, the use of hookup apps has also increased. We refer to men’s use of drugs, apps, and sex form as “wired sex” that forms what post-structuralist theorists Deleuze and Guattari described as an assemblage. Perspectives of the health and social service providers who work directly with GBMSM has not been explored. This research project involved a critical discourse analysis of 13 semi-structured interviews with service providers in Canada to understand their perspectives and interactions with wired sex assemblages. We identified several themes reflecting the social and political effects of wired sex assemblages and discuss the implications of these effects on services provision with GBMSM.

Optional or Obligatory? Exploring Undergraduate University Students’ Attitudes, Opinions, and Beliefs of Verbal Sexual Consent

Citation

Matchett, B., Numer, M. (2021). Optional or Obligatory? Exploring Undergraduate University Students’ Attitudes, Opinions, and Beliefs of Verbal Sexual Consent. Healthy Populations Journal. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15273/hpj.v1i2.10658.

Abstract:

Introduction: For the last 20 years, sexual assault on university campuses has occurred at epidemic levels. This may be caused by undergraduate students primarily using non-verbal cues to communicate sexual consent, despite high levels of miscommunication and misinterpretation. Explicit, verbalized consent is known to lead to fewer misinterpretations of consent; however, less is known about students’ beliefs around verbal consent. Objectives: To explore Canadianundergraduate students’ attitudes, opinions, and beliefs around verbal consent, and to investigate whether students believe verbal consent is always required during sexual encounters.

Methods: This study used a qualitative descriptive approach. Data was collected from 31 Canadian undergraduate students in a Human Sexuality course through an open-ended question embedded in an interactive course textbook. Students’ responses were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results: Many complexities exist in undergraduate students’ attitudes, opinions, and beliefs around verbal consent. Four major themes emerged from the data centring on familiarity, socio-cultural norms, reliance on non-verbal cues, and acknowledgement of the importance of verbal consent.

Conclusion: The majority of participants believed that verbal consent was not required in all sexual encounters. Partner familiarity was a significant factor in using verbal consent. Social norms such as verbal consent being viewed as awkward or embarrassing were key barriers to students’ use. Verbal consent was viewed as an ideal, while non-verbal consent was viewed as realistic

Link: https://ojs.library.dal.ca/hpj/article/view/10658/10005

Compassionate Bodies, Compassionate Practice: Navigating Body Image Tensions among Gay Men

Citation

Joy, P., Goldberg, L., Numer, M., Kirk, S., Aston, M., & Rehman, L. (2021). Compassionate Bodies, Compassionate Practice: Navigating Body Image Tensions among Gay Men. Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research. 

Abstract

Our purpose in writing this Perspective in Practice is to create awareness about the role of compassion within dietetic practice, particularly the role of compassion for body image tensions. Nine self-identifying gay men were recruited to a photovoice research study that explored their beliefs, values, and practices relating to food and their bodies. Compassion was found as one way to navigate body images tensions. It is not the intent of this article to review all aspects of this research study but to use it as an example to illustrate compassion in dietetics. We suggest that our findings reveal the strength of using compassionate practice within the dietetic profession. In doing so, we call upon dietitians to incorporate compassion into their clinical and client care practices to foster health and healing for all communities, especially among those who struggle with body image tensions.

Link: https://dcjournal.ca/doi/abs/10.3148/cjdpr-2021-012

Dancing in a culture of disordered eating: A feminist poststructural analysis of body image among young girls in the world of dance

Citation

Doria, N., & Numer, M. (Accepted). Dancing in a culture of disordered eating: A feminist poststructural analysis of body image among young girls in the world of dance. PLOS ONE.