In this article, the authors use the metaphor of the rhizome of the French philosophers Deleuze and Guattari as an experimental methodological concept to study the narrative construction of the self. By considering the self as a rhizomatic story, the authors create a story structure that not only offers a useful view on the way in which people narratively construct their selfhood but also stimulates an experiment with alternative, nontraditional presentation forms. The researcher is no longer listening from a distance to the stories of the participant and subsequently represents these stories. She or he becomes a part of the rhizome. The authors illustrate this rhizomatic approach and its research possibilities by presenting story fragments from their research.Researcher: As I already mentioned by e-mail and phone, I'm interested in the way people who have received a medical-psychiatric diagnosis tell about themselves. So the idea is that you tell me more about yourself and your life today. I don't have any prepared questions, so it's really the idea that you tell about what's important to you. Every once in a while I'll ask a question if I haven't understood something.
This article utilizes ethnographic research methods to evaluate the impact of mediation on the transition outcomes of persons with mild mental retardation. The involvement of parents and the focal persons was disproportionate to that of school and agency personnel. School and agency efforts most often resulted in sheltered employment, while personal or parent mediation resulted more often in self-employment and continuing education outcomes. Strategies used by focal persons, their parents, and agencies or schools are discussed in relation to: (a) empowerment and self-determination, (b) the social dimensions of transition planning and “balanced mediation,” and (c) the Individualized Education Program meeting as a planning tool for developing balanced mediation and identification of mentor relationships.
This study explored the experiences and perceptions of sexuality and HIV/ AIDS among 15-24 year-old young people with physical disabilities in a South African Township characterised by high unemployment rates and lack of social services. Ten young people and ten parents participated in multiple individual interviews as well as in focus group discussions. The analysis of audio taped and transcribed responses identified common experiences and perceptions among participants. The results indicate that disabled young people have limited factual knowledge about sexuality and HIV/AIDS. The decisions and choices they make about sexual behaviour are not informed by what they know; rather, they are part of the whole life situation in Nyanga. Their need to be loved and accepted, need for job security and family life, were more important than practicing 'safe sex'. Therefore, there is need for HIV/AIDS programme developers to take into account the experiences and perceptions of the target population.
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