Colonialism demystified: a semiotic reading of Puerto Rico in a social studies text

This study uses semiotics to analyze the presentation of Puerto Rico in a fourth‐grade social studies textbook. A process of distortion and omission legitimizes certain perceptions about society and its institutions and ignores or devalues others. The anlaysis reveals the successive myths which naturalize the contradiction of the United States’ colonial relationship with Puerto Rico. The theory of semiotics has implications for educators and minority communities, who might use it as a critical pedagogy.     

Does daddy know best? Exploring the relationship between paternal sexual communication and safe sex practices among African-American women

Parental sexual risk communication may influence women's sexual decision-making and safe sexual behaviours. While many studies have focused specifically on the influence of communication from mothers, some authors have argued for the importance of examining father–daughter sexual risk communication as well. However, few studies have empirically examined this relationship among African-American women. The present study sought to expand the literature by examining the relationship between various sexual risk messages received from paternal caregivers and the safe sexual practices of a sample of 171 African-American women from the Midwest USA. Results suggested that receiving messages from paternal caregivers cautioning participants about the intentions of men in romantic relationships was related to an increased likelihood of participants asking intimate partners about their sexual history. However, these messages were inversely related to safer condom practices. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed.