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Trend-tracking in action

trevor.kenney — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 04:30:09 +0000

Dr. Reg Bibby knows a thing or two about today's teens.

You may not like their asymmetrical hairdos, nose piercings or ironic t-shirts, but today's teenagers aren't turning Canadian culture on its head, as per the prevailing stereotype. On many levels, today's youth are actually looking better than previous generations, says sociologist and trend-tracker Dr. Reginald Bibby.

The notion of teenagers as threats to the well-being of Canadian society is a prejudicial stereotype that unfairly generalizes all teens. "There seems to be such a pervasive mindset that teens are simply not that likable and lovable," says Bibby.

In reality, quite the opposite is true, according to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge researcher who has been monitoring the attitudes and habits of Canadian teens and adults for three decades. Today's youth are solid citizens and are adjusting well to the new Canada, Bibby reports in his latest book, The Emerging Millennials: How Canada's Newest Generation is Responding to Change and Choice.

Working on Project Teen Canada, a series of national surveys that have examined Canadian teenagers' behaviour and values since 1984, Bibby and Associate Director James Penner completed the most recent installment in 2008. The survey of 5,500 teenagers across the country shows that the millennials are doing well. They're generous and polite. They report the most positive relationships with parents in three decades. The prevalence of vices like smoking, drinking and marijuana use have declined, as have depression, suicide and bullying.

Also on the decline is young people's interest in professional sports, including the beloved National Hockey League (NHL). Only about 50 per cent of young men and 20 per cent of young women follow the NHL. According to Bibby, their lack of interest demonstrates the acceleration of choices, but for an allegedly hockey-crazed country, it's a rather startling discovery that caught the attention of media outlets ranging from the National Post through Canada AM to the New York Times.

All in all, the baby boomer generation's "social experiment" of having both parents employed outside the home has known increasing success as older boomers and post-boomers have improved on how they balance careers and family life.

To quote a famous baby boomer lyric: the kids are all right.

While the large majority has been receptive to Bibby's overall good-news findings, not everyone is convinced. Bibby has found that invariably there are those who are down on teenagers, people who "don't want to be confused by the facts."

But such responses don't phase him. Dismantling tired stereotypes is important to the researcher who has explored social trends since coming to the U of L in 1975. Bibby's areas of myth-breaking have included attributing much teen-adult conflict to adults; questioning the extent to which people are abandoning religion; the importance of not only praising but tapping into our cultural diversity; documenting the limited growth of interest in the National Football League and National Basketball Association and the ongoing interest in the Canadian Football League; and making his most recent case for the elevation of the quality of teenage life in Canada.

Bibby's research philosophy has always been that it doesn't make sense to study trends abstractly; rather, it's essential to question Canadians directly.
"In my mind, if one wants to understand what people are thinking, there's no substitute for asking them," he says. "Therefore, a survey that is carried out well is simply a good conversation with people. It results in learning what Canadians are thinking – rather than telling them."

Disseminating the research is also an important aspect of Bibby's work. Over the years, he's consciously shared and explained his findings with Canadians through his books, media coverage and public presentations across the country.

His commitment to public awareness has not gone unnoticed. This fall, Bibby will receive the 2009 Distinguished Academic Award from the Confederation of Alberta Faculty Associations (CAFA), an award that recognizes the success of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ bringing their scholarly work to the broader community.

Not surprisingly, this isn't his first accolade. Bibby holds a U of L Board of Governors Research Chair in Sociology, has an honorary doctoral degree from Laurentian ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and in 2006 was appointed an officer of the Order of Canada in recognition of his research contributions to the country.

In the aftermath of the 2008 survey, the prolific researcher plans to take a breather from his survey-research. "I want to sit on a rock in some beautiful place and write poetry," he jokes. Instead of focusing on data collection, Bibby plans to spend more time analyzing the data he has accumulated and turn his attention to a new book on religion in Canada – Beyond the Gods and Back.

And, of course, he'll continue to hold up that mirror to Canadians.

"I really have been fortunate not only to do research but also to teach and make presentations that allow me to see to what extent people recognize themselves in the findings. It has made the research come alive."

Bibby is the author of 12 best-selling books with total sales of close to 150,000 copies. His research has received extensive media coverage and has been seen as the feature story on the cover of Maclean's on several occasions.

Open Mike

trevor.kenney — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 17:47:16 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President Dr. Mike Mahon chats about what's happening in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community

Welcome to the Fall 2010 Semester and welcome to my first opportunity to address you in the Legend.

The name we came up with for this column, Open Mike, represents exactly what I want to accomplish with this space. I see this as a forum where I can open the doors to the Office of the President and speak candidly to you, the faculty, staff and students of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

It has been a whirlwind two months since I officially began my role as President of the U of L, and in that time I have learned a great deal about this exceptional institution.

I have talked previously about my initial perceptions of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, how I was comfortable in the knowledge that it was a strong academic institution with a firm commitment to undergraduate education. I soon learned much more about the innovative research activities and outstanding and emerging graduate opportunities, but there is only so much you can glean from afar.

Now that I have had the opportunity to walk the campus and to meet those who make the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ engine run, I have gained a whole new appreciation for the U of L and have begun to understand what is the essence of this place – its people.

Getting the chance to meet the people of the U of L through the Coffee with Mike sessions, as well as the formal and informal meetings I have taken part in, has been illuminating. Talking with you, listening to you and seeing you in your roles as stewards of the institution is truly inspiring.

As I've come to meet with people throughout the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, I've begun to understand the commitment that individuals have to the U of L. Whether it's professors, researchers, people working in an administrative capacity, those in physical plant, building maintenance or grounds, I am struck by how fundamentally committed everyone is to the success of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and to the experiences of our graduate and undergraduate students.

Testament to that success has come in some amazing e-mails I have received from parents who have recently brought their sons or daughters to the U of L. They speak to the supportive and personal approach they've encountered progressing through the registration process. These testimonials speak to the level of professionalism and pride that exists throughout the various departments on campus.

This is a student-centred ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and it is my commitment to maintain that focus as we move forward.

The last two months have also been busy for me in terms of getting to know the southern Alberta community. The U of L connects with its community on so many fronts and maintaining positive working relationships with the City of Lethbridge, local school divisions, media outlets, the Chamber of Commerce, health-care providers and our many other stakeholders is essential.

The vibrancy that is the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is real, and with our students now back, I look forward to an exciting semester of learning and discovery on campus.

Trend-tracking in action

trevor.kenney — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:23:03 +0000

To quote a famous baby boomer lyric: the kids are all right.

Bibby's research philosophy has always been that it doesn't make sense to study trends abstractly; rather, it's essential to question Canadians directly.

"In my mind, if one wants to understand what people are thinking, there's no substitute for asking them," he says. "Therefore, a survey that is carried out well is simply a good conversation with people. It results in learning what Canadians are thinking – rather than telling them."

And, of course, he'll continue to hold up that mirror to Canadians.

Examining the Indian Commissioners

trevor.kenney — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:24:59 +0000

Dr. Brian Titley spends a good portion of his research time delving into the past. That doesn't mean his findings are short on relevance today.

A Faculty of Education professor at the U of L since 1991, Titley just authored his fifth book, The Indian Commissioners: Agents of the State and Indian Policy in Canada's Prairie West, 1873-1932. The themes he explores, such as the implementation of policy through the Indian Act, political patronage, and the manipulation and fraud of treaty settlements still resonate today.

"If you're trying to get at the roots of present-day circumstances, whether it's poverty or unemployment or even patterns of abuse that have been learned in residential schools, I think you have to go back and start at the beginning and ask how did we get here," Titley proposes.

"These issues that are still going on, you can go back and see their roots right here."

Titley tells his story through a series of biographical portraits of the individuals who held the position of Indian Commissioner – the men in charge of operations in what are now the Prairie Provinces between 1873 and 1932, with the exception of one decade. By sketching their lives, what they did and how they implemented policy, he creates a portrait of the blueprint from which many of today's issues stem.

"I'm not sure most people understand how we got into the present situation. Why are reserves there and what is their purpose," Titley asks. "Treaties, a lot of people don't know what they are all about. Residential schools are another topic that has been in the news in recent years, but how much do people really know about them other than they were 'bad'?"

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has a unique understanding of Aboriginal issues. As Titley's book was being released, the campus was celebrating Native Awareness Week and with a vibrant and growing Native American Studies Department, there continues to be a thirst for knowledge of Aboriginal culture. He says his research greatly adds to his ability to teach.

"I think it's just a different level of understanding when you've actually done the research," Titley explains. "You just understand things so much more completely than if you simply read someone else's work."

He's able to apply this research knowledge in a variety of ways but his work is most apparent in a required Professional Semester II course he instructs, Education 3603, Social Context of Schooling. Exploring the social and cultural influences that affect learning, teaching and the process of schooling, Titley says teaching must adapt itself to students and take into account the societal influences that shape their behaviour.

"The Aboriginal population is the fastest growing young demographic group in the country," he says, noting more than half of the country's status Indians are now living off reserves.

"Our (education) students are increasingly going to encounter them in the classroom, so what does that mean? How do you relate to them; how do you relate the curriculum to them? I try to emphasize the notion that traditional schooling can work but they have to be a little bit creative, they have to find a way to understand the young people of today and find a meaningful learning experience for them so that students have a sense of success."

With a basic understanding of what has shaped a student's culture and values, a teacher is therefore better equipped to connect with that student.

GET THE FACTS

• Titley, a native of Cork, Ireland, spent 10 years teaching at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta before coming to the U of L in 1991

• He was appointed the Faculty of Education's first ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Scholar in 2008

• The Indian Commissioners is published by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta Press. Two of Titley's earlier books were published by McGill-Queen's ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Press, and two others by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of British Columbia Press

• Titley has served as a historical consultant on Aboriginal issues for a number of media outlets, including CBC's The Fifth Estate

• His latest research is on the history of Magdalene asylums in North America

UNews - media outlets

Trend-tracking in action

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Open Mike

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