Socio-cultural Factors Influencing Adolescent Girls’ Body Image

A Paper Presented at the 3rd Research Convention at SCE. 
Theme: Gender and Education
Abstract

Adolescence is associated with an increased concern for body image. Past studies have shown that body image concern is more in girls than boys which suggests that adolescent girls are more likely to be dissatisfied with their body than boys. Body image is influenced by many factors. This study aimed to explore the influence of socio-cultural factors-media, parents and peers on Samtse Higher Secondary School girls’ body image; and to determine the most influential factor among the three. The study also sought to find the level of body satisfaction of Samtse Higher Secondary School girls. A survey was conducted with 150 girls of the school. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired samples t-test and regression analysis. The results suggested that media and peers had significantly dominant influence on girls’ body image than parents. It was also found that most girls (50.6%) were dissatisfied with their body which was further confirmed by the significant difference (p-0.000) between girls’ perceived actual body image and ideal body image. The study recommended media literacy programs for both parents and adolescents to deal with the social and cultural pressures to conform to unrealistic body ideals. The study also recommended teachers and school counselor to conduct psycho-educational initiatives in the school such as body image sessions and group discussions to teach students to accept and appreciate their body as they are and to decrease their preoccupation with appearance. 

KEY WORDS: Adolescent girls, Body image, Sociocultural factors, Media, Parents,

Kamal: A Talent In My School

Kamal is like any other eleventh grade science student in my school. He is a shy and a timid young boy. Because of his silent and calm nature, he is not an easily noticeable student in the school. He is a member of the school vocational club.

Recently the school conducted 'Club Exhibition'. The school has twenty one clubs. Kamal occupied a small space in the vocational club corner. He sat quietly with some mobile repairing equipment displayed before him. The crowd concentration shifted from one club to another but not many were interested in Kamal. The few that came thought that what was before him was merely a display of disassembled mobile phone. 

All during the program Kamal remained inconspicuous to the audience. It was only towards the end of the program that Kamal came to the limelight. Actually it was my encounter with him that caught the crowd's eye.

Kamal in the vocational club corner

The guests had already left and there was a very thin audience left. I thought we had called it an exhibition and I was walking out of the hall. As I neared the exit door I saw Kamal sitting quietly with two other friends.

"What have you got here?" I asked him.

"Mobile repair sir"

"Can you repair my mobile? Its sound doesn't work" I asked .

I thought he would not dare accept to work on a teacher's mobile. But the response was a confident "Yes sir"

I handed him my mobile and others around me started to laugh taking Kamal for granted. But Kamal started getting busy on the mobile. I told him in jest 'I hope you will not return my mobile in pieces like Mr. Bean returning a solid radio in several pieces to a customer' following which there was a huge laughter from students who thronged around to watch Kamal.

The students who were watching Kamal were anxious over what Kamal was doing. They thought he was on a risky venture of handling a teacher's phone.

Just then a lady teacher walked past and asked me "What's going on here?"

"He is repairing my mobile" I said.

"He will only get your mobile spoiled" she remarked and walked away giving a fleeting glance at Kamal.

Kamal heard the comment and he blushed but his hands never ceased to be confident.

Kamal working on my mobile

At one moment I was skeptical of his ability. I wished I had not given him the mobile. By then he had dismantled the phone completely and I could only watch him.

But his hands were deft and he exuded confidence over what he was doing

Still skeptical, I asked the other two boys sitting next to him who were equally quite. "Do you think he can really repair my mobile?"

"Yes sir. He can. He is really good at it sir." That gave me some reassurance.

Kamal had identified a problem with my phone. He said "sir, there is a disconnection here" He pointed to something very tiny which I couldn't make a thing. He  worked meticulously on it and got it fixed. 

Watching among the crowd was another teacher who also had problem with his mobile phone. He stepped forward and handed Kamal his phone. He had multiple problems - the camera, screen and dial pad. Kamal got all of them fixed just in few minutes. He won the crowd's heart.

Fascinated by his capability, I asked him "Did you do any formal training on repairing mobile phones?" 

"No sir. I learnt by myself at home" he said still looking timid.

"Are all these repair kits yours?" I asked pointing at the kits.

"Yes sir"

"Do you do this at home?"

"Yes sir"

"Sir, he is well known in Daragaon, (the place where he stays)" said the other two boys near him."People give him different electrical appliances such as, rice cooker, curry cooker, water boiler, microoven, washing machine and fan to repair. Just anything sir-any electrical equipment. He fixes them all for free sir. His room looks like a electronics repair shop" 

The next day I got the following things repaired:

1. Water boiler

2. Two fans 

3. Micro oven 

4. Tubelight

5. Extension cord

6. My wife's watch

I was surprised at Kamal's unique skills. Unique because he didn't learn from any Guru but his skills are self-taught. However, Kamal admitted that he cannot repair computers and digital camera. He has plans to attend computer repair course this winter. 

When asked about his ambition, Kamal said he wants to become an electronic engineer. 

A STUDY OF FACTORS INFLUENCING STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN A HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL IN BHUTAN

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting academic performance of the students of a higher secondary school in Bhutan. The dependent variable considered for the study was students’ academic performance, which was indicated by students’ test scores and the independent variables were students’ demographic characteristics, parents’ socio-economic status, parenting style and students’ learning and study strategy. The data were collected from 241 students of the school using two questionnaires­–Learning And Study Strategy Inventory and Baumrind’s Parenting Style’s Questionnaire. Correlation analysis, independent samples t-test and descriptive analysis were used to analyze data. The findings revealed that socio-economic factors and parenting style are predictors of student’s academic performance but not students’ demographic variables like gender, age and living arrangements. The findings also revealed that students had average level learning and study skills. Recommendations are made to create awareness concerning parenting skills and to engage parents in adult education programs. Teachers, educationists and counselors are recommended to teach students learning and study strategies.

KEY WORDS: Academic Performance, Socio-economic Status, Learning and Study Strategy, Parenting Style

Dogs

I love dogs. Since time immemorial dogs have been men’s best friend. Even from religion point of view, we consider dogs to be near-to-human form of life. 

Nowadays, more and more dogs have come to live in our school campus. May be they are giving the school extra protection when everybody has gone out for winter break. This is absolutely what they have been doing for ages-sincerely guarding home and property when the owner is out. And it is fine to have dogs in the school at this time. I can hear them bark at night. I can see them bark at strangers. They are at their best in doing what they have been doing for ages.

But sadly, men grossly misunderstand dogs. We consider them to be a social menace. We condemn canine howling for disturbing our sleep. They are often beaten up or shooed away. That's exactly whats been done to the dogs in the school. And what worse! Most of them are infected with diseases. They are suffering from mange and recently an unexplained skin lesion is getting rampant. The infections are getting worse by the day. But no matter how bad their infections are, they never fail to carry out their duty for men. My heart simply aches to see them in pain. They need medical treatments.

Lesion

Lesion

Mange

Lesion

Earlier in August, I took three sick dogs to the veterinary hospital with the help of few students. Two made to normal lives while I lost one. Last Saturday I caught two more by setting up snare traps. They had lesions on their body. One had it on its butt and the other on its abdomen. Unfortunately the veterinary hospital was closed. So I tied them up to give my version of treatment. I had the leftover of the medicines I got from the veterinary earlier in august. They became anxious and skittish when I went near them. I had to maintain distance for safety. I sprayed the medicine on the infection and let them free.

But my little actions for these dogs are too insignificant. I am fighting a losing battle. The treatments I give them are not doing much good. The wounds are not healing. The infection is spreading on to more dogs. There is need for more significant intervention from responsible organization.

Dogs are by no means social menaces. They are social animals rather, and it's obvious to have them living among human population. And much like men they get sick and that's when they need our help. When they are rabid or suffer from other diseases it wouldn't be right to beat them or chase them. Their sense of friendship with men is unwavering. But men need to change their outlook on dogs. 

It is apt to bring in Carey Ford's quote-'Trained well, men can become dog's best friend'

PS: This is the last post for the year. I wish all the readers a very Happy New Year. May the new year shower you with bountiful peace, happiness, success, health and prosperity. Until next time with another post, its goodbye.

Abstract of My Paper Published in RABSEL: The CERD Educational Journal, Volume XV, Autumn 2014.

Patterns of Teacher-Student Verbal Interaction in the Tenth Grade

Biology Classes in Samtse District

Tshewang Rabgay

ABSTRACT

Grounded in the importance of classroom interaction in teaching and learning, this study examined the pattern of teacher-student verbal interaction in grade ten biology classes using Flanders Interaction Analysis System (FIAS). The sample of the study consisted of 8 teachers and 383 class 10 biology students from three higher secondary schools and a middle secondary school in Samtse district. Seventeen grade 10 biology classes were observed using a coding chart. The data obtained were analyzed using the decoding process prescribed in FIAS. The study was significant because its findings and conclusions may stimulate teachers to improve their interaction practices in order to maximize students learning.

The findings revealed that 75.71% of the time was used for ‘lecturing’ making it the most popular approach. The findings also revealed that teacher talk (85.23%) was much more than student talk time (11.38%) which indicated that classroom interaction was dominated by teachers. It was also found that teachers’ used more direct influence (77.27%) through lecturing and giving directions than indirect influence (7.96%) which include behaviors like accepting students’ feelings, praising, encouraging, accepting or using students ideas and asking questions. By and large the findings indicated that teacher dominated classroom interaction continues to be the dominant teaching trend in teaching tenth grade biology in Samtse district. The study confirmed previous studies done in Bhutan which reported similar findings.

Key words: Classroom Interaction, Flanders Interaction Analysis System (FIAS), Biology Class.
PS: Read the full paper in the 'Research and Publication' page on the left sidebar

An intruder in my house

This account was written on 26th august, the day after an intruder broke into my house but was retained from posting for some reason. But now I've decided to post it.

Sunday, 24th August 2018, in the dead of the night at around 12-1am. a stranger broke into my house and stole my laptop and some money. It all happened while my family and I were sleeping. It's shocking that someone came an inch close to me and presumably spent about five minutes yet I couldn't get a clue of his presence. Upon recalling the incident, I realise that it was a premeditated and strategically planned act. I also learnt that the stranger had spied on me for the past few weeks and waited for an ideal time to execute the plan. Scary! Isn't' it?

Sunday night was an unusual night for me. Normally I would go to bed at 9:30pm. but that night I wasn't sleepy until 11:45 pm as though God was hinting at me about the eminent theft. My wife and kids had already gone to bed after dinner. I watched the Manchester United-Sunderland football match on TV until 10:45 pm. Even after the match, I wasn't sleepy. Then I was worried about oversleeping the next morning and getting late to school. So I forced myself to sleep. I switched off the TV and checked the main door and the windows. I found them all securely closed. With a settled mind I went to bed. However, that night it was really difficult to beat my sleepless mind. I reached to my bookshelf and picked a book which eventually put me to sleep. Yet it wasn't a peaceful sleep. I could hear the sound of the spinning fan and feel the air from the fan. I could hear my little son breathing. Suddenly, there was a power outage. The room had become pitch dark. The fan stopped running and the air in the room was no longer cold. The heat and the pitch darkness finally won over my sleepless mind and put me to sleep.     

The next morning, my daughter was the first to wake up as she goes on the first shift of her school which starts at 6:30am. Suddenly she called out frantically from the living room "Apa! There is a hole in the  window!!!" I sprang out of my bed to check. I saw the plastic mesh I had put over the window a few months ago cut out to a size big enough for a man to slide into our house. The sliding window was open. The main door was also wide ajar. My wife woke up and she was terrified. We knew that a stranger had broken in. We promptly checked our things in the house. Everything was intact in the living room and alter-room. The last I checked was my bedroom because I least doubted anything to be taken from there. But to my bitter surprise, I found my laptop bag missing from under my study table. At first, I thought the intruder had taken just the laptop but later I realized that I had some money in the bag. That made my wife all the more frantic.      

The plastic net was cut out to a size big enough for a man to get through.

The cutout section of the net

I dialled 113 to inform the police. The man on the phone said that they were on their way. In the meantime, I walked out to check outside my house. I found a chair propped against the wall that had been used to reach the window. I also found the plastic nets had been cut in two more places. One in the bedroom window right above my head and the other one in the kitchen window. The intruder had used these windows to keep an eye on me. When I was in the living room watching TV, I was being looked at from the kitchen window and when I was in my bedroom reading, I was being looked at from the bedroom window. The person had been very tactical.

A chair was propped against the wall which was used for climbing 

One more cutting on my bedroom window 

Just then the police arrived and they examined the place and asked me some questions. Upon searching for further clues about the burglar, I found an amulet on the kitchen floor. I was not sure if it was left on purpose. It had an image of a Hindu God engraved on it. I speculated that the intruder could have been an Indian from the border town of Chamurchi. But the police and I couldn't be sure about it. We thought that the person might have left it intentionally to lure our minds to suspect an Indian. Friends and neighbours who came to see me that day speculated that the amulet string might have snapped when the person squeezed in through the window hence dropping the amulet.

The amulet

The incident has left my family traumatized. My kids do not sleep without me by their side. My wife says that she feels haunted. Nonetheless, my wife and I agree that we are lucky in a way. The intruder just took away the laptop without inflicting any physical harm on anyone in the family. My wife often tells me that if anyone of us noticed the intruder, we would have been hurt. Later that day, police were notified of two more incidents of theft in the college of education. That day, theft became the talk of the town making people in Samtse stay hyper-alert at home. 

X E's Hanging Garden

Earlier the school announced class ten and twelve students to work on a project within the school for SUPW grades. My class, X E, has chosen to build what they call 'The hanging garden'. Unlike the Hanging Gardens of Babylon where plants were not hung but grown on concrete structures, X E students really want to hang their garden.

Enthusiastic about their project, they started planning on the site and the paraphernalia. They decided the small area just below the parking lot in front of the school gate as its site. They agreed to collect some money to buy the materials required. I discouraged them from collecting money but they insisted that for SUPW grades they would do anything. They ordered a cuboid metal frame 15x7x10ft from the bordering town of new Chamarchi. However, owing to its big size reaching it to the school was a problem. It didn't fit even in the DCM truck I arranged for them. Therefore, they decided to carry it from checkpoint to the school.

From the border gate to school gate

Placing the metal frame at the site 

Painting it to prevent from rusting

Smudged with paint 

It's been few weeks since they started to work and thus far everything has worked out well. When everybody would go home they would stay back and work on it. While some would be engaged in scrubbing off rust from the metal frame others would be engaged in leveling the ground where the frame will be fixed. More recently they have painted the frame to prevent from rusting and they are now waiting for it to dry. In the mean while they are planning on the type of flowers to be hung.

Over the past few weeks, as they worked on it, I have observed them working with the qualities we expect of students. The project has brought them to work closely as a team. It shows how common goals can bring people together.