Migration challenges among Zimbabwean refugees

Migration challenges among Zimbabwean refugees

1. Idemudia, E. S., Williams, J. K., & Wyatt, G. E. (2013). Migration challenges among Zimbabwean refugees before, during, and post-arrival in South Africa. Journal of injury & violence research, 5(1), 17–27. https://doi.org/10.5249/jivr.v5i1.185

The paper focuses on the issue of Zimbabweans migrating to South Africa, the problems they encountered along the way, and those that they grapple with after arriving. It focuses on a study conducted among Zimbabwean immigrants in South Africa who discussed their pre-migration, mid migration, and post-migration challenges. The research quotes difficult economic times and civil unrest as major causes of migration from Zimbabwe to South Africa. It goes further to elaborate trauma, tough environmental conditions, xenophobia, sexual and economic exploitation, and lack of employment as reasons that could lead to mental health problems among the immigrants. The research is focused on the research that produced these results, elaborating on the steps and the results.

The source stands out for its explanatory prowess based on firsthand accounts from witnesses. It reports an exhaustive research process that tackles the problems from their roots in Zimbabwe to their ultimate climax in South Africa. It further presents the ultimate results of these challenges faced by Zimbabweans abroad. Under this, it elaborates on how mental health problems result from the string of problems faced by immigrants in South Africa. It concludes by running a list of recommendations that should be put in place to handle the problem.

Despite the elaborative focus on the problem at hand, the research certainly leaves out some important areas of concern. It dies not to define properly the measures put in place by the host government for such cases. It would be important to find out if things could change for these migrants in the future. Furthermore, it does not explain the opinion of the Zimbabwean government concerning this matter.  It is equally important to know if the government of Zimbabwe has any plans that could stop this exodus. (289 words)

2. Oaklander, M. (2016). How your smartphone is ruining your relationship.  http://time. com/4311202/smartphone-relationship-cell-phone.

This article focuses on the effects of mobile phone use on romantic relationships. It rounds up the benefits that someone can draw from a mobile phone into their relationship. It then explains research conducted among 170 college students who were in romantic relationships. It afterward reports on these findings stating, amongst other things, that most participants felt jealous of their partner’s mobile phone. The report also notes that partners who were much dependent on their mobile phones did not know the ultimate ending of the relationships. This illustrates how much mobile phones are ruining social relationships.

One of the strengths of this article is its ability to attack the question directly and draw out an illustrative example of these societal problems. It elaborates specific research that shows the direct response and impact of mobile phones on social relationships. It also has specific data (167) students that can help the audience determine the credibility and impact of reach of the research. It also gives a leeway of further research into the area of impact of phones on human relationships

One of the biggest weaknesses of this research is the shallow depth of coverage. Initially, it targets a small number of people in a certain social divide i.e., students in college. It would be more credible and exhaustive if they conducted research across the social divide. The research should have touched married couple in early marriage, working couple, stay at home partners, etc. It does not provide an exhaustive analysis of the data obtained and opts for a generalized assumption of the finding.

3. Burger, J. M., & Cosby, M. (1999). Do women prefer dominant men? The case of the missing control condition. Journal of Research in Personality, 33(3), 358-368.

In ‘evolutionary personality theory and mate selection,’ Jerry Burger summarizes the behavioral patterns of human beings in mate selection. His work is based on research by American psychologist David Buss. Burger spells out the results of research on how men choose women as mating partners. He elaborates on the statistics that spell out how women choose their male partners. In this chapter of his work, jerry Burger defines the dominant characteristics that women look for in men. He also describes the traits men look for in women and tie them down to evolutionary modifications. He concludes by spelling out the limitations of this research.

One of the finest qualities of this work is the ability of the author to back up his claims with statistical records illustrated in tables. This exhaustive visual representation of data has the ability to convince the audience, giving them a chance to do their own analysis of the data provided. Burger also furnishes the readers with his own analysis of the data, tying it with the theory of evolution as the catalyst for these patterns of behavior. He also quotes other academicians who have done extensive research on the topic, juxtaposing their work with his own findings.

Despite the illustrative and exhaustive approach of this research, it has some grey areas that need to be addressed. Firstly, the author does not give a background study of these patterns in human beings. This background should be compared with the same behavior in other mammals. This way, it can draw more credibility in the eyes of a non- believer in the evolution theory. Secondly, his work is finely tuned for proponents of the evolution theory. It does not explore other angles of this aspect of social relations.

Amy Maureen, in this article, explains the different types of parenting and their effect on the overall development of the kids. She classifies the parenting types into four, authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, and uninvolved. She then explains the parenting types to make the reader understand how they operate. She then tells the effect of each type on the physical and mental faculties of children who pass through each of them. She then concludes by suggesting the best style of parenting for parents. She also reassures parents who might discover that their style is not the best telling them they can adjust accordingly for the good of their children.

In her article, Amy makes it easily navigable by dividing her work into a subsection for each parenting style. This way, it is easier to refer to any style and draw out as much information without mixing things up. She concentrates on each type and concludes its effects on the children before moving on to the next. She also adopts a collaborative and guiding approach by directing parents on what she thinks is best for them. therefore, her article is not a just read document but a read and apply piece of work. She finishes by taking then pressure off parents who might despair when they realize they have been raising their children the wrong way.

However, one of the biggest gaps in this piece is empirical evidence to support her claims and conclusions. Amy does not provide data from research or otherwise to back up her work. This way, it could be difficult to determine the credibility of her assertions. Her document can thus be referred as shallow and lacking in academic rigor and depth. Finally, she does not explore the impact of a child’s character on the parenting style. This is how a parent might decide to adjust their style of parenting in reaction to a child’s character.

How tribalism stunts African democracy by Calistous Juma is an in-depth analysis of the problem of ethnic tension in Africa. Calistous gives the background of tribalism and the transition into the current social setting of these countries. He narrows down to Kenya that has a composition of over forty ethnic groups. He analyzes the results of a past election, how it was determined by tribal numbers and the ethnic conflicts that arose after the elections. He also bemoans the lack of ideological parties that can be formed without traces of ethnic ideals in them. He takes note of how the leaders failed to unite and defeat a 24-year rule of President Daniel Moi due to tribal interests.

The author does a thorough analysis of the topic giving empirical evidence for hos claims. He also gives visual aids such as analyzed demographical maps to support his claims. The writer goes further to develop his thesis from the beginning providing background information and historical evidence. He juxtaposes the situation in the whole of the continent with his individual observation of the situation in Kenya. Generally, it is a deeply researched article that gives clear insight into the tribal situation in African countries and its impact on the journey to full democracy.

However, there are certain points that should be adjusted in this article. First of all, Juma’s articles should have taken a comparative approach that gives us another picture. His background information on tribalism in Africa should have been backed by examples of problems in other countries accompanied by evidence like in the case of Kenya. His approach is also biased to0wards the problems leaving little room for an optimist’s opinion. By posing that the tribal leaders are too smart, he kills the option of initiating recovery mechanisms for these countries.