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The definition of ideal (hegemonic) masculinity has shifted over time and across social contexts. This study explores narratives of the lives and experiences of the Akan people in Ghana through an ethnographic lens for their changing understanding of masculinity. Akan communities are matrilineal in structure but embedded with patriarchal values. Focusing on concepts and practices of masculinity across generations within this context of matrilineal patriarchy, the research examines how people perceive changes in ideal masculinity and the relation of these evolving ideals to gendered power relations within the family and to women’s empowerment. In Akan matrilineal society, traditional fatherhood and motherhood remain central to gendered identities and as institutions that sustain patriarchy. To capture multiple social dimensions that reinforce and reproduce patriarchal power, this study adopts an intersectional framework. Through an ethnographic journey, the research provides a realistic account of masculinities and everyday life in Agogo, Ghana. While some findings may appear critical of Akan men, they reflect the lived realities of matrilineal communities as another expression of patriarchal society.

Keywords: société matrilinéaire, matrilineal society, masculinité, masculinity, autonomisation des femmes, women's empowerment, intersectionality, intersectionnalité, Ghana, Ghana

American Corners in the Philippines are strategically located within select academic libraries, where they design and implement programs based on the six core pillars of American Spaces. Managing these programs requires extensive collaboration with diverse stakeholders to ensure effectiveness and reach target audiences. As American Spaces cycle through program creation, planning, implementation, and evaluation, a critical question arises: how do they sustain partnerships and expand opportunities? This research focuses on understanding how these partnerships are formed, managed, and sustained, and explores both American Spaces staff and partner perspectives on their involvement in collaborative programs and projects. This study employs a descriptive exploratory mixed-methods approach using document analysis of publicly available reports and two sets of semi-structured surveys based on the Framework for Collaboration by Saunders and Corning which are completed by American Spaces staff and their referred partners. The findings revealed that the American Spaces Philippines network usually partners with educational institutions such as public/private universities and schools, USGAA, youth organizations and local community groups. These partnerships are identified based on previous engagement or word of mouth and formalized through informal methods such as verbal and email agreements though some partners may require structured agreements. Findings also showed how the American Spaces Philippines network nurtures and supports partnerships through different strategies on relationship building, communication, and the use of various tools and resources. In terms of partnership barriers, funding emerged as a moderate barrier, mainly affecting partners than American Spaces. Whereas human resources and time-related barriers are more pronounced with American Spaces than with partners. The insights gained from this research support more effective and sustainable collaborations beyond the American Spaces network. Given that all American Corners in the Philippines are supervised by libraries, this research is also valuable for library managers, as well as other project managers and leaders within the global American Spaces network and similar organizations, as it explores the often-overlooked realities of partnerships. By shedding light on these dynamics, the study assists them in enhancing their decision-making skills and helps them develop strong and effective partnership strategies.

Keywords: American Spaces Philippines, American Spaces, partnerships, Partenariats, community engagement, Collaboration, Collaboration, Engagement communautaire

Despite the benefits of palliative and end-of-life (PEOL) care for individuals with serious and terminal illness, barriers to accessing this form of care persist among adults experiencing homelessness. Seriously ill unhoused individuals die at younger ages than stably housed individuals, are less likely to be receiving comprehensive care, and are more likely to die in unsupportive settings. Strengthening the evidence base for PEOL interventions for adults experiencing homelessness may help inform the development and implementation of future programs, ultimately improving this population’s access to PEOL care. The objective of this mixed-methods systematic review is to summarize the literature of PEOL interventions and programs for unhoused adults and identify barriers and facilitators for developing, implementing, and maintaining these interventions. Six databases and gray literature were searched to identify programs between December 2023 and February 2025. The search produced 407 articles; 30 met inclusion criteria and were assessed and synthesized using a convergent integrated approach. A total of 21 unique programs were described across the articles, including interventions focused on advanced care planning, service provider support, mobile palliative care, fixed-site services, and systemic strategies. Common barriers for program success included lack of funding or staff support, lack of buy-in from participating providers, an overall lack of resources available for unhoused individuals, and insufficient engagement with unhoused communities. Conversely, multi-agency and cross-disciplinary collaboration, community support, workforce training and support, and financial or organizational support were commonly identified as facilitators for program success. More financial and organization support are needed for the successful development and long-term success of PEOL programs for people experiencing homelessness. Future research should use implementation science to identify best practices for the development, implementation, and maintenance of evidence-based PEOL programs.

Keywords: palliative care, hospice, end-of-life, homelessness, systematic review

Between 1906 and 1954, the Franciscan order was at the helm of two important social movements in Québec: the temperance and Catholic family movements. In their journals La Tempérance (1906–1937) and La Famille (1937–1954), Franciscan writers invoked the hereditary consequences of alcoholism for future generations and the looming threat of racial degeneration. This paper examines how local religious and scientific elites contributed to the growing acceptance and dissemination of eugenics in early-twentieth century Québec. It focuses on the Franciscans’ writing about heredity, degeneration, and eugenics, and especially on Hervé Blais’s 1942 publication Les tendances eugénistes au Canada.

Keywords: Québec, Québec, Eugénisme, Eugenics, Ordre des frères mineurs, Order of Friars Minor, Temperance Movement, Mouvement de tempérance, Mouvement familial catholique, Catholic Family Movement