James H. Banning

A Feminist Analysis of Popular Music: Power Over, Objectification of, and Violence Against Women

Abstract A qualitative content analysis was conducted on lyrics to identify predominant themes in popular music. The songs for analysis were determined by “The Hot 100” list generated by Billboard Chart Research Services. Feminist and cognitive social learning theories provided a foundation to identify themes. Power over, objectification of, and violence against women was the overall framework that emerged from the lyrics. Within this framework, six themes were identified: men and power, sex as top priority for males, objectification of women, sexual violence, women defined by having a man, and women as not valuing themselves. These themes send gender and relationship messages to music listeners, who are predominantly adolescents. As marriage and family therapists, we can utilize these deconstructed lyrical messages to teach clients about power socialization and its negative effects on relationships.

AFRICAN AMERICAN ADMINISTRATORS' EXPERIENCES IN PREDOMINANTLY WHITE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

The purpose of this study was to better understand the experiences of African American administrators in predominantly white colleges and universities. In depth interviews were conducted with eight...

Community Colleges' Use of the Web to Communicate Their Mission: Slights of Commission and Omission.

This basic interpretive qualitative study identified, described, and interpreted community college mission statement messages as they appeared in print and on the web site. The study analyzed each institutions similar, different, unique, and unintended messages. The within-case inductive analysis found emergent mission statement messages in the print materials and on the web site. A deductive analysis then was conducted using Newsom and Hayes (1990) mission statement component framework. Inductive and deductive cross-case analyses were completed to compare and contrast institutional messages resulting in the 3 themes discussed in this article: access, diversity, and service area. The authors recommend that community colleges use an inductive and deductive checklist to examine their print materials and web site for message consistency between the two mediums and their mission statement.

The Journey to Understanding Privilege: A Meta-Narrative Approach

Challenging incidents associated with privilege and oppression occur daily. Within the fields of adult education and higher education, researchers and practitioners have examined and critiqued the exploration and understanding of privilege (e.g., White privilege). Studies have explored how adult educators, who acknowledged their own White privilege and the norms of whiteness, are working to change systems of privilege and oppression. This work furthers the current literature. The authors employ a meta-narrative approach analyzing narratives from faculty and professionals in the helping fields. The meta-narrative designation of a ‘‘collective story,’’ utilizing professional voices is a unique contribution in addressing privilege. The narrative tradition offers participant stories to systematically explore the interaction of dominant and nondominant privilege statuses. The findings relate to transformational learning and verify the need to consistently employ self-reflection and discourse toward examining and refining one’s understanding of and interactions with privilege and oppression.

Psychological messages from the physical environment : the drug and alcohol treatment center environment

The physical environment of drug and alcohol treatment centers provides a rich source for both subtle and obvious messages to clients. Photographs were taken in a sample of typical treatment centers, showing how different elements of the environment communicate messages to clients. Many of the messages from the physical environment prove to be inappropriate, confusing, or inconsistent with espoused treatment philosophy.

Relationship Advice in Top-Selling Men's Magazines: A Qualitative Document Analysis

The bulk of mens magazines contain advice columns which counsel readers on relationships. The viewers heed the information provided to them and apply it to their own lives and relationships. As a result, it is imperative to study the relationship advice men are seeking in these magazines. The purpose of this study was to analyze the intimate relational content and advice contained in five top-selling mens interest magazines. Findings indicate the magazines contain messages consistent with stereotypic gender socialization which reinforce male masculinity. Sex was depicted as a top priority in relationships, and the sexual lives of men were portrayed as idealistic. Most advice was contrary to research on the formation of deep friendship and intimate relationships.

Using Photographs to Assess Equity Climate: A Taxonomy

Many of us have experienced walking into an environment and immediately feeling a “sense of belonging” and a “sense of comfort.” Conversely, many of us have also experienced walking into an environment and immediately feeling “uninvited” or “unwelcome.” Physical artifacts, the human-made objects of our culture, that are found in our educational settings communicate important messages about the educational climate (Banning, 1997), including important messages about equity issues. The following vignette illustrates this relationship:

An Analysis of Wedding Books for Grooms: A Feminist Perspective

ABSTRACT Messages about engagements and weddings are pervasive in our society and media. The purpose of this study was to understand one aspect of these messages by conducting an ethnographic content analysis of 12 wedding books for grooms published from 1995 to 2006. A feminist theoretical perspective guided this study and an in-depth review of the literature is provided in order to understand weddings as a ritual in society. Five overarching themes emerged suggesting that during the engagement the groom should act as a manager, define masculinity through oppression, preserve masculinity, maintain traditional gender roles, and act as a social coordinator. A discussion of the meanings and implications of these results is presented.

Family Members' Narratives of Divorce and Interparental Conflict: Implications for Parental Alienation

This study focused on the internal dynamics of family members who experience divorce and interparental conflict. Interparental conflict and triangulating children increase the likelihood of alienating children from a parent. Narrative interviews with members of three families were used to explore meaning structures. Results showed how parents and children thought, felt, and created meaning about their experiences; how family members responded to conflict and behaviors associated with parental alienation; and how they viewed family relationships. Metalevel findings suggested each family member held dichotomous views and used cognitive and behavioral control response strategies. Thus, parental alienation stems from a relational dynamic and needs to be addressed from a family systems perspective.

An Analysis of Dr. Phil's Advice About Relationships

As marriage and family therapists, it is important to be familiar with the advice America is receiving from televisions most popular therapist, Dr. Phil. Using feminist family therapy theory as the guiding lens, 28 episodes of Dr. Phil were analyzed. Findings from this study indicate that advice on the Dr. Phil show is conflicting; he encourages equal partnerships while simultaneously promoting stereotypical gender roles, a barrier to equality. Further results suggest that Dr. Phil maintains a detrimental neutral stance with couples reporting violence in their relationships. Implications for therapists are discussed.