Master thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (MSc)
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This thesis delves into the complex dynamics of gender performance within the Tokyo trans and X-gender community, examining the ways in which individuals navigate their gender identities in...Show moreThis thesis delves into the complex dynamics of gender performance within the Tokyo trans and X-gender community, examining the ways in which individuals navigate their gender identities in different social settings. By adopting Erving Goffman's concept of the "frontstage" and the "backstage", the study aims to shed light on the complex interplay between conformity and self-expression in this cultural context. Through a combination of casual conversations, semi-structured interviews, observation, use of drawings, and analysis of online discourse, this research unveils the strategies employed by community members to negotiate societal norms and expectations. After defining gender roles and expectations in Japan, the thesis focuses on looks and the ability to "pass" as a cisgender person, which not only influence trans and X-gender people's possibility to access to queer and non-queer settings, but also condition their gender performance. Afterwards, the thesis focuses on gender performance in the "frontstage" and "backstage". Whereas the "frontstage" showcases the performative aspects of gender identity, often influenced by societal pressures and traditional gender roles, the "backstage" allows for a more authentic exploration of self, often characterized by fluidity and experimentation.Show less
Master thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (MSc)
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This thesis dives into the stories and lives of female low-caste garment workers in South India, uncovering their agency and strategies within the complex web of social norms and expectations. It's...Show moreThis thesis dives into the stories and lives of female low-caste garment workers in South India, uncovering their agency and strategies within the complex web of social norms and expectations. It's all about understanding how factors like caste, gender, and labor intertwine to shape their lives in the bustling world of textile factories. The journey starts by shining a light on the influence of big international brands on the factories' conditions and how the caste systems still affects people’s lives and opportunities. We dig into how traditional gender roles shape the lives of these female workers, dealing with both unequal power dynamics and family expectations. With the guiding question, "How exactly do female low-caste garment workers in South India show their power, and how do they tackle the challenges they face in their lives and jobs?" in mind, the research takes us through six chapters. The heart of the matter reveals that these workers, despite the odds, aren't just passive players. They've got agency and plans, like prioritizing their children’s education if their financial situation allows it in order to break free from the cycle of struggle. And then there's the central role of NGOs like READ, who give them skills and a voice to demand better conditions. Wrapping it all up, the conclusion shows strength doesn't always mean pushing back hard; it's often about finding ways to stand tall and find strategies when facing difficulties. All said and done, this research paints a vivid picture of these female workers' multi-faceted strengths, highlighting how they navigate their world with grit and grace, all while shaking up the social norms that surround them.Show less
Master thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (MSc)
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Within the field of agriculture, significant global changes are underway, which have profound impact on various aspects on the local level. These global changes influence the local employment...Show moreWithin the field of agriculture, significant global changes are underway, which have profound impact on various aspects on the local level. These global changes influence the local employment structure, the landscape, nature, biodiversity and the overall perception of agriculture. More than one third of the land in Romania is dedicated to agriculture, and nearly a quarter of the population works within the agricultural sector, which makes it an ideal area to examine how these global changes take place on a local level. As farming is deeply embedded within the local culture and landscape, it becomes imperative to explore the social dimension of the challenges and transformations unfolding in the agricultural domain. This ethnographic research is specifically focused on understanding the livelihoods and households of farmers in Transylvania, Romania. To shed light on how the sociocultural aspects of the farmers livelihoods and households relate towards the decisions and pathways farmers take within their profession. By both exploring the micro-level of the thoughts and actions of the farmers and how their households react to change, it gives implications on changes within the macro-level of regional and global structural changes taking place. This is done through case studies of farmers living in rural Transylvania. Reflection on these case studies is done through implementing Van der Ploeg his theory of repeasantisation. Given the pivotal role of farmers within the local community, this research also includes the changes that have taken place and are taking place in the village community of Șoimeni, Romania.Show less
Master thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (MSc)
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This thesis is a visual and reflexive auto-ethnographic exploration of the meaning of happiness on Curaçao. Through in-depth interviews and go-alongs, the researcher investigates how personal...Show moreThis thesis is a visual and reflexive auto-ethnographic exploration of the meaning of happiness on Curaçao. Through in-depth interviews and go-alongs, the researcher investigates how personal experience, social relationships, and cultural context intersect and shape individual conceptions and experiences of happiness. Additionally, by means of an auto-ethnographic diary the researcher reflects on how she emerged herself in and reflected on her interlocutors’ approaches to finding this happiness. The thesis also includes an audiovisual component which functions as a complimentary constitute to introduce the viewer to the researcher and interlocutors. In this film, the most significant part of each interview in accordance with the research question is depicted, as well as auto-ethnographic reflections of the researcher before and after her fieldwork period. The interviews revealed a triad of concepts - setting, values and mindset - as central to the life philosophies and conceptions of happiness among the interlocutors. The main auto- ethnographic findings from the diary are that the researcher has gradually started to value more eudemonic forms of happiness during her fieldwork. However, the limited auto-ethnographic data available from the research diary hampers considerably the ability to develop more comprehensive anthropological insights. Lastly, the researcher concludes with a methodological argumentation on the significance of using auto-ethnography as a relevant method for researching happiness, and reflects on the strengths and pitfalls of her own execution in this approach.Show less
Master thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (MSc)
closed access
This thesis researches the sense of belonging among Christian Chinese first-generation female migrants living in The Hague. The study explores how these women present and produce a sense of...Show moreThis thesis researches the sense of belonging among Christian Chinese first-generation female migrants living in The Hague. The study explores how these women present and produce a sense of belonging in the intercultural context of migration and religion. I reflect on the large issues of migration and belonging, as well as employ an anthropological perspective to highlight the issues of importance in this marginalized niche. I illustrate the complexity, transcendence, and dynamics of these women’s processes of presenting and producing different dimensions of belonging. I, thereby, employ anthropologist Gammeltoft’analytical models of belonging and quantitative research methods, such as interviews and participant observation, through case studies conducted with twelve women. The novelty lies in adding a theological anthropological perspective to existing studies of migration and belonging. The addition of the theology aspect enriches and deepens our understanding and perception of the related research topic.Show less
Master thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (MSc)
closed access
This thesis delves into the socio-spatial reality of a so-called ‘’Fablab’’ – short for fabrication laboratory- in Amsterdam. The Fablab is a workplace that facilitates open-source maker practices...Show moreThis thesis delves into the socio-spatial reality of a so-called ‘’Fablab’’ – short for fabrication laboratory- in Amsterdam. The Fablab is a workplace that facilitates open-source maker practices and education in efforts to demystify digital fabrication tools and machines such as 3D printers and laser cutters. Each of the three main arguments of this research touch upon knowledge production practices at the Fablab at different levels of analysis. First, at the level of the individual, this thesis describes sense-making activities through embodied making. In the fashion of the ''gewoon doen'' [ENG: ''just doing it''] mindset, makers are induced to involve their bodies in the maker process. Second, the open-source values of the Fablab are embedded in the open-ended layout of the space. Likewise, the socio-spatial set-up of the Fablab constitutes joint-making practices, resulting in collaborative knowledge. Third, situating the Fablab in relation to the other maker spaces at Waag allows for the investigation of inter-lab exchanges of knowledge. The spatial intimacy and open attitude of the makers present at Waag result in the interdisciplinary coming together of information. Altogether, this research attempts to tackle the question of how the socio-spatial situation of the Fablab shapes the production and coming together of embodied knowledge.Show less
