Conference paper
Socio-cultural dimensions of Active Future: Importance of studying migrants’ perspectives of wellness
Edited Proceedings of the 26th ACHPER International Conference, pp.333-344
Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) International Conference, 26th (Brisbane, Australia, 07-Jul-2009 - 10-Jul-2009)
Queensland University of Technology, School of Human Movement Studies
2009
Abstract
In this paper we provide a migrant perspective on how women and men from a different culture perceive wellness while settling down in a new country. We are discussing the texts of research interviews with Indian migrant women and men that illuminate their perception of lifestyle enhancement in their adopted country Australia. Our purpose is to show how sociocultural factors influence the migrants‟ perspective of lifestyle enhancement, and to what extent they direct their wellness. Personal development, both in theory and practice, is a huge concept in Australia. Concerted efforts are made towards increasing public awareness about health literacy leading to a better understanding and practice of wellness. However, as research studies have pointed out, lifestyle enhancement leading to holistic wellness is not void of socio-cultural factors. The number of women and men migrating to Australia from India has increased greatly in the present decade. As migrants their participation in developing Australian society is significant. So what is their socio-cultural perception of wellness including nutrition and physical exercises as active citizens? How do young Indian migrants participate in lifestyle enhancement programmes? As parents what are their sociocultural beliefs, attitudes, practices and values, and how do they influence their children‟s participation in personal development and PE progammes? To what extent gender differences exist in such participation levels? What is the space available in State school curriculum to learn from the migrants‟ cultures towards enhancing lifestyles including nutrition and personal development?The findings may sensitise Australian researchers, academics, school teachers and practitioners of wellness therapies. Long term research studies may inform the governments and HPE practitioners of the changes occurring in such values, beliefs and practices as they incorporate nutrition and lifestyles of Australian society.
Details
- Title
- Socio-cultural dimensions of Active Future: Importance of studying migrants’ perspectives of wellness
- Authors
- Vinathe Sharma-Brymer (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyEric Brymer (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
- Publication details
- Edited Proceedings of the 26th ACHPER International Conference, pp.333-344
- Conference details
- Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) International Conference, 26th (Brisbane, Australia, 07-Jul-2009 - 10-Jul-2009)
- Publisher
- Queensland University of Technology, School of Human Movement Studies
- Organisation Unit
- School of Law and Society
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991000097802621
- Output Type
- Conference paper
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