Abortion in America: a consumer-behavior perspective

Article Abstract:

Abortion is the most frequently performed surgical procedure in this country, yet its provision to consumers remains one of the most contentious issues within our society. The purpose of this article is to broaden our understanding of this problem by examining abortion from a consumer-behavior perspective. The phenomenological study described in this article revealed that (1) a wide gap exists betweem the language of public debate and that of private decision making, (2) the language of private decision making reflects a moral standard used frequently by women yet virtually ignored in the public debate, and (3) women who take charge of their own decisions cope better with the emotional aftermath, whether their decision is for birth or for abortion. The article closes with a discussion of policy implications that arise from the feminist look at the abortion dilemma as well as broader implications for consumer behavior. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Women, Surgery, Abortion

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Homeless women, special possessions, and the meaning of "home": an ethnographic case study

Article Abstract:

This article investigates homelessness among adult women, an important and growing subpopulation among the homeless. To examine their situation within a consumer-behavior context, an ethnographic case study of a shelter for homeless women run by an order of Roman Catholic sisters was performed. The study focused on how these women became homeless, the effects of early life experiences on their homelessness, available emotional and financial support, possessions that were lost, maintained, or became available during their homeless period(s), their perspectives on their lives at the shelter and its ability to act as a "home," and their fantasies about home life. Public policy implications and contributions of these findings to the developing literature in consumer behavior regarding the meaning of possessions are discussed. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Social aspects, Case studies, Homeless shelters, Homelessness, Homeless women

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The homeless in America: an examination of possessions and consumption behaviors

Article Abstract:

This research utilized an ethnographic approach to advance our understanding of the survival strategies employed by the homeless in our society. We examine the types of possessions consumer, how possessions are acquired through nontraditional employment and scavenging, and why some products are purchased while others are scavenged. We also look at the tools used to facilitate search, acquisition, storage, and consumption of these products. Finally, we consider the importance of community for protection of self and possessions and how community among the homeless affects consumption. Emergent themes that allow interpretation of the description are presented. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Beliefs, opinions and attitudes, Consumption (Economics), Homeless persons, Ethnology, Cultural anthropology

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