SHaG in Public:
Our Peer Reviewed Publications and Papers
Our work has been published in many papers and journals in different categories across the field of sexual health and gender research, as listed below.
Categories
Embracing a New Day: Exploring the Connections of Culture, Masculinities, Bodies, and Health for Gay Men through Photovoice
Citation
Joy, P., Numer, M., Kirk, S., Aston, M. (2021). Embracing a New Day: Exploring the Connections of Culture, Masculinities, Bodies, and Health for Gay Men through Photovoice. Journal of Bodies, Sexualities and Masculinities
Abstract
The construction of masculinities is an important component of the bodies and lives of gay men. The role of gay culture on body standards, body dissatisfaction, and the health of gay men was explored using poststructuralism and queer theory within an arts-based framework. Nine gay men were recruited within the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Participants were asked to photograph their beliefs, values, and practices relating to their bodies and food. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, using the photographs as guides. Data were analyzed by critical discourse analysis and resulted in three overarching threads of discourse including: (1) Muscles: The Bigger the Better, (2) The Silence of Hegemonic Masculinity, and (3) Embracing a New Day. Participants believed that challenging hegemonic masculinity was a way to work through body image tension.
Link: https://www.berghahnjournals.com/view/journals/jbsm/2/2/jbsm020203.xml
Picture perfect? Gazing into girls’ health, physical activity, and nutrition through photovoice.
Spencer, R., Numer, M., Rehman, L., & Kirk, S.F.L. (2021). Picture perfect? Gazing into girls’ health, physical activity, and nutrition through photovoice. International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Health and Well-being.16(1). DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2021.1874771
Citation
Spencer, R., Numer, M., Rehman, L., & Kirk, S.F.L. (2021). Picture perfect? Gazing into girls’ health, physical activity, and nutrition through photovoice. International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Health and Well-being.16(1). DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2021.1874771
Abstract
Background: Women face contradictions regarding their health: Pressure to be feminine, but also athletic; Criticism for being too sporty or muscular, but equally so for being perceived as lazy or overweight. These complexities are perpetuated through media and discourse.
Purpose: Using a feminist post-structural approach and photovoice, this study explored health, physical activity, and nutrition in adolescent girls and young women.
Methods: Photovoice enables reflection, promotes dialogue, and sparks change. The process involved conducting a workshop, collecting photos, and participatory analysis sessions, which engaged the participants (n = 7, ages 13–26) in photo selection, contextualization, and codifying.
Results: This resulted in three themes: First, (Breaking) Stereotypes, in which participants identified gender norms, conflicts, and contradictions; Second, Emotional Safety, or the contexts in which girls and young women feel confident and comfortable; Finally, Being Outside in Nature emerged as significant. Each theme is supported by quotations and photographs. This work suggests being outside in nature provides important context for girls and young women to feel emotionally safe, such that they may engage in the complex navigation of competing discourses surrounding health.