Advances in Sociology Research

The authors of this book discuss the latest advances in sociology research. Chapter One presents a review of the current literature of AIDS in the Caribbean and postulates several hypotheses to explain the unusually high rate of HIV infection and AIDS in the heterosexual population. Chapter Two examines how three sub-groups of skinheads - heterosexual men, gay men, and women - each define masculinity within a culture that espouses a traditional hegemonic definition of masculinity. Chapter Three seeks to understand the effects of international policies of civil society empowerment as promoted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the practice of power among social actors within the governance context of land-use decision-making in the counties of the South. Chapter Four investigates how social context is associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease in different geographic locations. Chapter Five traces the history of the Darfur conflict, examines the actions of primary actors and explores potential solutions. Chapter Six provides an understanding of how the Renal Patient Support Group (RPSG) raises Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) awareness; supports health professionals and researchers; and provides a reflection on the first 6-years (2009-2015). Chapter Seven analyzes and compares the arguments of important theorists about Fashion, such as Barthes, Flugel, Konig, Lipovetsky, Simmel, Eco, Sigurt, Livolsi, Alberoni, Dorfles, Lomazzi, Schwarz or Cordwell, among others. The phenomenon of Fashion is also analyzed under its diverse cultural dimensions, such as history, communication, language and expressivity.