Experts Matter. Find Yours.
Connect for media, speaking, professional opportunities & more.
Villanova Professor Releases Study on Gender Dynamics in the Beer-Drinking Community
Earlier this month, thousands of revelers donned dirndls and lederhosen to mark Oktoberfest, the annual celebration of Bavarian fare, oompah music and, above all else, beer. The fall festival is just one of many occasions, including happy hours, brewery tours and sporting events, where Americans enjoy the beverage. In fact, based on a recent report by the Pew Research Center, the U.S. population consumes approximately 6.6 billion gallons of beer each year, which averages out to about 26.5 gallons per adult of legal drinking age. However, while ales, lagers and stouts remain popular choices that bring people together, not everyone feels equally included. A new study by Shelly Rathee, PhD, the Diana and James Yacobucci '73 Assistant Professor of Marketing and Business Law, highlights a gender-based divide within the beer-drinking community, with female consumers often feeling overlooked and left out. "Due to the structure of the beer industry and marketplace, there is reason to believe that firms overproduce products that appeal to male audiences and overly communicate masculine aspects of beer consumption," says Dr. Rathee. "As a result, female consumers are made to feel (and may continue to feel) excluded by beer culture, on average. From a business standpoint, the beer industry may be limiting its total market potential in the process." As Dr. Rathee explains, the beer industry and marketplace are predominately populated by men, and academic literature has long indicated that male dominance in a social or business setting can alter the behaviors of women in myriad ways. In her project, "The Female Consumer Response Implications of Male Dominance in a Product’s Online Community," the professor sought to understand how this trend might manifest itself in an internet forum for beer aficionados, hobbyists and critics. By examining customer review data from the online community BeerAdvocate and conducting tests aimed at assessing gender-based differences in contributions, Dr. Rathee found that female consumers are inclined to defer to the male majority in such settings. In general, women either refrain from sharing their perspectives on products or adopt language characterized by what are commonly referred to as "masculinity themes." "Masculinity and femininity themes were drawn from the text of the online reviews and were identified using dictionaries derived from previous research on these topics," shares Dr. Rathee. "For example, if the consumer liked the taste of the beer, a more feminine way of describing this might be 'pleasant,' while a more masculine way might be 'strong.'" In these terms, the difference in expression might seem subtle. However, as Dr. Rathee contends, the prevalence of tens of thousands of reviews that lean toward a more masculine tone, with few offering a counterbalance, can have noticeable effects. A quick look at the beer aisle in your local supermarket reveals its impact, with bottles and cans featuring images of axe-wielding warriors, dinosaurs and gargoyles. "We found in our research that male dominance in a marketplace leads to lower trial intentions [plans to try or buy something] and brand attitudes among women," elaborates Dr. Rathee. "Therefore, we can argue that companies are likely to produce products, and marketing appeals, that are more targeted at male audiences." Although men are currently more than twice as likely as women to name beer as their preferred alcoholic beverage, Dr. Rathee suggests that there is potential to create opportunities that encourage more female drinkers to engage with beer culture. By fostering environments where women can express their preferences and perspectives, she believes the beer industry can become more inclusive and representative, ultimately enriching the community as a whole. "When featuring reviews on websites, an effort to balance out the presentation of ideas from male and female voices could be helpful," Dr. Rathee says. "Special categories could also be created to drive interest based on demographic characteristics that may include gender, among other factors. A more extreme measure would be to simply avoid including gender as a reviewer characteristic that is publicly viewable." Much like opening tents beside a beer hall, these steps could provide the necessary space and conditions for a more open and robust discussion of products to take place—to the benefit of both consumers and the industry. In the event they're increasingly pursued, that's something to which we can all raise a toast.
Summary: Retirement is being redefined as more retirees embrace "re-wirement"—pursuing new passions and purpose instead of settling into a passive lifestyle. This shift helps retirees maintain emotional, psychological, and physical well-being by staying engaged and mentally stimulated. Re-wiring offers practical benefits like enhanced self-esteem, social connections, and mental health. By engaging in activities like volunteering, lifelong learning, or passion projects, retirees can experience a fulfilling post-career life, redefining their sense of purpose and contribution. Retirement has long been framed as the final chapter of our professional lives—a time to rest, relax, and enjoy the fruits of years of labour. For decades, the traditional narrative has been that individuals reach a certain age, wrap up their careers, and then move into a quieter, more passive stage of life. However, this concept is being fundamentally reimagined. Today, more retirees are rejecting the conventional notion of retirement. Instead, they opt to "re-wire" their lives, discovering new passions, purposes, and contributions that continue to bring vitality and meaning to their lives. The decision to re-wire after retirement is more than just filling time or avoiding boredom. It's about finding another calling that reignites the spark of purpose and connection that so many retirees fear they will lose once they leave the workforce. This shift in perspective is crucial not only for practical reasons but also for retirees' emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. Let's explore why the notion of “re-wiring” instead of retiring is so powerful and how it can transform the post-work experience. The Emotional Challenges of Traditional Retirement For many, the decision to retire comes with mixed emotions. After decades of working, a person's career often becomes deeply intertwined with their identity, self-worth, and daily structure. When the day finally comes to step away from the workforce, it can leave some individuals grappling with a sense of loss—loss of routine, purpose, and, sometimes, relevance. The job provided a paycheck, social interaction, mental stimulation, and a sense of accomplishment. Many retirees may feel isolated or adrift without these elements, unsure how to fill their days meaningfully. Some may experience depression, anxiety, or a deep sense of emptiness after their working years conclude. The emotional toll of this transition can be overwhelming, leading to a decline in mental health and well-being, not to mention very confusing for the people around them. However, by shifting their mindset from retirement to re-wirement, individuals can bypass these emotional pitfalls and instead focus on new opportunities to grow, engage, and contribute. This rewiring process doesn’t just stave off feelings of uselessness—it can bring new levels of fulfillment, joy, and emotional stability. Redefining Work and Purpose in Retirement The traditional view of retirement often suggests that we leave behind productivity in favour of leisure. However, re-wirement challenges this notion by suggesting that retirement can be a time to transition into new, fulfilling endeavours that aren't necessarily tied to a career but still provide purpose and structure. Purpose is a fundamental human need. Research shows that a strong sense of purpose is linked to better emotional health, increased longevity, and greater happiness. For many, the purpose in life was tied to their career; their job was where they made an impact. Re-wiring is about finding new avenues for that impact, whether through volunteering, hobbies, mentorship, creative pursuits, or even part-time work in a different field. The transition from traditional work to new pursuits isn't about downgrading one's efforts; it's about reshaping how we define meaningful work. Instead of seeing retirement as a time to disengage, re-wirement allows retirees to reinvent themselves by pursuing activities that align with their passions, values, and interests. These activities don’t have to generate income or adhere to the traditional concept of a "job"—they need to add value to the retiree’s life and others, giving them the same emotional rewards that their careers once did. The goal is to acquire a sense of achievement, impact, relevance and contribution. The Emotional Benefits of Re-Wiring 1. Renewed Sense of Purpose Purpose is more than just staying busy—it’s the reason to get up in the morning. For many, a career provides a strong sense of purpose, and losing that can feel disorienting. Re-wiring allows retirees to channel their energy into new roles where they feel needed, whether volunteering in a community, starting a passion project, or mentoring others. The emotional reward of having a purpose is enormous, contributing to a more profound sense of fulfillment and overall happiness. 2. Enhanced Mental Stimulation One of the most significant emotional benefits of re-wiring is staying mentally active. Engaging in new activities and challenges stimulates the brain, keeping it sharp and agile. Whether learning a new skill, teaching, or tackling a project, staying mentally active helps stave off cognitive decline and creates a sense of accomplishment. This mental engagement can increase emotional resilience and a stronger sense of self-worth. 3. Improved Social Connections Retirement can sometimes lead to isolation as individuals lose the daily social interactions that come with their jobs. Re-wiring offers opportunities to meet new people and build new social networks. Whether volunteering, joining a club, or starting a small business, staying connected to others is essential for emotional health. Social solid ties reduce feelings of loneliness and depression and increase feelings of support and belonging. Re-wiring encourages retirees to maintain or even expand their social circles. 4. Greater Self-Esteem and Confidence Accomplishing new goals and learning new skills in retirement can foster renewed self-confidence. When retirees take on new roles or responsibilities, they prove to themselves that they still have valuable contributions to make. This boost in self-esteem can carry over into all areas of life, helping individuals approach their post-career years with a positive mindset and confidence. 5. Positive Emotional Health Re-wiring can combat the negative emotional states that sometimes come with traditional retirement. Boredom, loneliness, and a sense of purposelessness can lead to mental health issues, but by staying engaged, retirees can ward off depression and anxiety. New challenges, goals, and social interactions help balance the mind and emotions, providing a more stable and positive emotional state. Practical Ways to Re-Wire So, how can retirees flip retirement to re-wirement? There are countless avenues for re-engaging with life in meaningful ways, but it all starts with identifying passions, values, and interests. Here are some practical ideas: 1. Pursue Lifelong Learning Learning doesn’t have to stop when your career does. Many retirees find that they have more time to explore subjects that they’ve always been curious about. Expanding your knowledge can be incredibly rewarding, Whether through online courses, local college programs, or personal study. Learning new things keeps the mind sharp and opens opportunities for engagement and social interaction. 2. Volunteer Your Time Many organizations rely heavily on volunteers, and retirees are uniquely positioned to offer their time and expertise. Whether working with local schools, non-profits, or community centers, volunteering allows retirees to give back while maintaining a sense of purpose. This can be an enriching way to spend time, as it connects individuals with meaningful causes and new social networks. 3. Start a Passion Project Retirement is the perfect time to dive into a passion project that may have been on the back burner during a busy career. Whether writing a book, starting a garden, or building a small business, passion projects offer a chance to engage with something that profoundly resonates personally. The sense of accomplishment and joy that comes from pursuing a passion can fuel emotional well-being for years. 4. Mentor or Coach Others Retirees often have a wealth of knowledge and experience from which younger generations can benefit. Mentoring or coaching allows individuals to share their expertise while helping others grow. Whether through formal mentorship programs or informal relationships, guiding others can be a deeply fulfilling way to stay engaged. 5. Part-Time or Freelance Work For some, retirement doesn’t necessarily mean giving up work entirely. Many retirees find joy and satisfaction in part-time or freelance work that aligns with their interests or skills. This can be an ideal way to stay active while earning income and remaining professionally engaged. The idea of re-wiring instead of retiring is a decisive shift in mindset that recognizes retirement as a new beginning rather than an end. It offers retirees a chance to continue finding purpose, joy, and fulfillment long after their professional careers. By staying engaged, mentally active, and socially connected, retirees can enjoy a rich, emotionally rewarding life that rivals the sense of purpose and satisfaction they experienced during their working years. Re-wiring is about finding another path, a new reason to wake up with excitement and curiosity each morning. It’s a reminder that the human spirit thrives on growth, purpose, and connection—no matter your life stage. Don't Retire---Rewire! Sue
AU expert talks Hurricane Helene’s impact on the supply chain
Hurricane Helene tore a path of destruction beginning at Florida’s Big Bend region and stretching up through Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. As those affected have slowly been able to grasp the scope, a different form of trouble in the aftermath is creating a ripple effect that will be felt around the region, country and even the world. Western North Carolina is at the heart of the problem leading to sourcing, transportation and disruption issues. While still trying to understand the full scope of the impact in the most remote areas, ongoing recovery efforts continue following the storm where the death toll has risen to over 250 as of Oct. 14. According to Rick Franza, PhD, professor in the James M. Hull College of Business and an expert on operations and supply chain management, said lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge at the Port of Baltimore incident earlier this year can help with mitigation of risk and recovering during these problematic times. “The biggest thing you’re always dealing with in situations like this is uncertainty,” said Franza. “You can’t expect everything. You can’t anticipate everything, but we learned a lot from COVID and then the Baltimore bridge collapse and the supply chain disruptions those caused.” Franza said North Carolina is a case study in disruption to the supply chain at three different points: the source, manufacturing and transportation. “When we think about supply chain disruptions, people don’t typically think about it affecting the physical supply, but rather the transportation and logistics,” said Franza. “This one’s a little trickier because you have one industry affected by the supply of raw materials, another affected by the manufacturing of supplies and so many more will be affected by transportation problems.” Problems in manufacturing One industry that has been heavily impacted by the storm is the medical field, particularly the manufacturing of IV fluid bags. Baxter International, one of the largest producers of IV fluid bags in the country, has a manufacturing plant located in Marion, North Carolina. According to the American Hospital Association, the Marion plant produces 1.5 million IV bags per day, which equates to 60% of the country’s supply. “There are two big questions affecting the supply chain for those IV fluid bags,” said Franza. “If you lose a manufacturing facility, like the one in Marion, does another facility or a competitor have the ability to add capacity, even if it’s just a short term? The other piece of it is, even if they have the capacity, do they have the raw material inputs? So it’s a ripple effect.” In the wake of the storm, Baxter announced its other manufacturing facilities would increase their capacity. Thanks to its new Mount Carmel Mega Distribution Center located in Mississippi, the company feels confident it will be able to meet the needs of hospitals across the country. Baxter plans to increase allocation levels for direct customers from 40% to 60% and for distributors from 10% to 60%. They are also increasing allocations for designated children’s hospitals by 100%. Problems at the source Just outside the town of Spruce Pine, a town of less than 2,200 people located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, are two mines that produce an estimated 80% to 90% of the world’s most pure quartz. The quartz found in those mines is used in the manufacturing of semiconductors for microchips for everything from smartphones to cars to medical devices and more. The two companies that manage those two mines, Sibelco and The Quartz Corp, shut down operations on Sept. 26 ahead of the storm. As recovery efforts continue in the region, there remains more uncertainty as the full scope of the damage continues to be realized, and there is no certain timeline for when things will get started again. “The issue with natural resources like quartz is, unless you’ve come up with some method of producing an artificial version of it, you can’t really make it somewhere else,” said Franza. “Since there isn’t currently an alternative, it then becomes a question of is the mine accessible or how long until it is accessible and people can get back to regular operations?” Problems with transportation In Western North Carolina, entire roads along with buildings and other structures were wiped out as streams and rivers surged and mudslides occurred. On top of getting the mine back up and running, there is also the problem of getting the raw quartz where it needs to go. “Once you are able to access the ability of the mine to get back online, you then have the problem of whether the raw material can get where it needs to go to be processed,” said Franza. “A big problem in western North Carolina is entire roads are gone, and it’s not a simple repave. On top of that, Interstate 40 is estimated to be shut down until sometime next year, so transportation in that area is going to be extremely difficult for quite a while.” The good news is that quartz and the microchips that it is used in are not perishable items, and some chip manufacturers may have several weeks’ worth of quartz supply built up to be able to continue production. But an extended shutdown will likely mean even more chip shortages, similar to the global chip shortage that began in 2020 and lasted through 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the tightened restrictions in the countries that manufacture those chips. The loss of roads is not the only source of recent transportation problems, as immediately following the during the storm there was a three-day disruption in imports at 36 ports, including shutting 14 down stretching from Maine to Texas, as 45,000 dockworkers went on strike over pay. While that disruption could have caused serious issues, particularly for the upcoming holiday season, Franza said many companies have learned from previous disruptions, and most of the goods needed for Cyber Monday, Black Friday and preparing for the holiday season were already in the country. “I have heard that somewhere between 80% to 90% of the items for the holidays are already here, so the dock workers’ strike would not have been as much of an issue for the holidays, but there would definitely have been things you’d run out of.” Franza said the biggest problem during situations such as this is misinformation. “One of the biggest problems is most people are uninformed,” Ranza said. “Look at the toilet paper shortage at the beginning of COVID. If all of a sudden people rush to buy everything up and hoard it all, you can’t meet that demand so it causes even more problems. People need to be better informed because rumors start and then more problems are caused.” But Franza reiterated that companies have learned from past events, and that planning has made the supply chain stronger. “I think we’re better than we were four years ago because each of these crises builds our toolbox on how to plan for and deal with disruptions. It has built resiliency.”
Falling Flat: The Consumer Price Index
Following a surprising jobs report, inflation didn't ease as much as anticipated. The Consumer Price Index fell to 2.4% year over year last month. Although this was not the desired number, inflation is still declining towards the Fed's target of 2%. What do these numbers mean for the upcoming election and future of the U.S. economy? Dr. Jeff Haymond, economic expert and dean of the Robert W. Plaster School of Business at Cedarville University, has provided insight on recent U.S. economy updates in a recent interview: The consumer price index was higher than expected in September, but the recent interest rate cut and a hopeful jobs report still provide some good news for the economy. Will inflation continue to ease in the right direction? Experts, such as Haymond, acknowledge that the recent interest rate cut by the Fed was a political move. The cost of living is a crucial issue for U.S. voters as they prepare for the election and hope for eased inflation. How will this and other economic updates affect the decisions of voters as the elections draws near? If you are covering the U.S. economy and need to know more, let us help with your questions and stories. Dr. Jeff Haymond is an expert on this subject and is available to speak to media regarding the U.S. economy and what recent news means for families in the United States – simply click on his icon or email mweinstein@cedarville.edu to arrange an interview.
Repairing Boeing's relationship with the FAA
The Boeing Corporation is the recognized pioneer in aviation and aircraft manufacturing, but significant quality control concerns have mounted in light of near disasters associated with Boeing's planes, including notably the Alaska Airlines door flying off in January. David Primo, professor of political science and business administration at the University of Rochester, is available to tackle some of the regulatory, crisis management and reputational questions related to Boeing's safety and production problems, including regaining the trust of the Federal Aviation Administration: “The challenge Boeing faces is how do they rebuild safety, rebuild the relationship with the FAA, but keep the business going? And that’s a very tough balancing act. The FAA is going to give Boeing much less in the way of the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the design of planes, which could very much constrain its production system. So it’s going to mean that planes might take a little longer to get off the production line and into the hands of airlines."
Multi-sector partnership leads to first practical pilot of vehicle-to-grid power
A multi-pronged effort led by corporations, industry associations and an academic research institution has launched the first practical pilot project of “vehicle-to-grid” power (V2G) set up so that industrial participants can scale it at low cost. Invented by the University of Delaware, V2G uses batteries in parked EVs to support the electric grid or to provide backup during power failures. This pilot is the first targeted toward large scale expansion, because it follows standards (by SAE and UL), uses production EVs (with UD modifications), complies with utility requirements, and qualifies for wholesale power markets. The pilot has been implemented by Delmarva Power (an Exelon Company), working with UD. The project has set up an electric utility fleet of EVs to begin providing power to balance the electric grid, using Ford Mach-E EVs in the Delmarva Power fleet, and following new rules of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for distributed energy resources. These Delmarva Power fleet vehicles are driving for utility operations during normal work schedule and provide wholesale grid services for PJM Interconnection when parked. The cooperative effort was organized by Prof. Willett Kempton, originator of the V2G concept. Kempton said the resulting demonstration is significant because it shows a cost-effective pathway for standards based, regulatory-compliant, mass-manufactured V2G. “Our close collaboration with Ford Motor, based on our joint Memorandum of Understanding, was very productive. Ford engineers’ advice helped us fully integrate the car’s CAN communications with LIN-CP,” Kempton said. “Ford already markets a production EV with home backup power, and they have a sophisticated understanding of potential EV synergies with the electric power grid. We hope that collaborations like this will also help OEMs like Ford to see a path to incorporation of these new standards and technologies into production EVs.” The new standard for V2G signal definitions were finalized and approved just this year thanks to UD Research Professor Rodney McGee, Task Force Chair of the SAE standards development for J3400 (NACS) and J3068. (SAE was formerly called Society of Automotive Engineers.) “These standards define the signaling to standardize low-cost AC charging, with all the functionality needed for safe operation of V2G and backup power from an EV. Both these standards implement a signaling method that is new to EV charging, called LIN-CP, yet is built from easy-to-implement automotive technologies,” McGee said. UD’s MOU with Ford Motor Company allowed the two parties to cooperate on implementing sophisticated signaling for low-cost, high-functionality V2G. UD designed a retrofit package for proof of concept. The design was led by UD Postdoc Garrett Ejzak and used a bidirectional on-board charger and the new LIN-CP commands to make the Mach-E capable of sophisticated V2G. After testing at UD, the design was installed in four Delmarva Power fleet Mach-Es, to test these systems in a real-world fleet operating environment. In addition to proving these new SAE standards, this project also shows that EVs can be high-value grid services providers to the electric system under the new FERC Order 2222 regulations. This new Federal rule enables small resources to collectively participate in electric markets to make the electric grid more reliable and more capable of incorporating fluctuating renewable power sources. PJM Interconnection, which manages the electric grid over 13 states, is participating under a Pilot Project agreement with the Delmarva Power demonstration, as an early proof of PJM’s new rules to meet FERC Order 2222 compliance. “The use of virtual power plants, such as aggregations of electric vehicles, is an emerging resource type that can contribute to managing the energy transition by providing flexibility and other services needed to reliably operate the power grid,” said Scott Baker, Sr. Business Solution Analyst – Applied Innovation for PJM. “We look forward to working with Delmarva Power and the project team to test the technical capabilities of V2G electric vehicles and understand how this use case integrates with PJM’s new market construct for virtual power plants and DER Aggregators.” Delmarva Power’s parent company, Exelon Corporation, is also a partner providing support for the project. Project partner Nuvve Holding Corporation (Nuvve) updated their charging stations for full LIN-CP and V2G capabilities. Then project partner Delmarva Power installed four Nuvve charging stations at their facility in Newark, Delaware. The four individual Mach-Es are virtually combined into one V2G “power plant” by aggregation software from Nuvve Holdings. Nuvve CEO Gregory Poilasne described this: “Our Nuvve charging stations now talk LIN-CP and implement the new SAE standards. This enables our GIVe aggregator software to tap high functionality V2G EVs,” Poilasne said. “By combining EVs as a single power resource, our technology is already serving as a “Distributed Energy Resource Aggregator” as specified by FERC Order 2222.” The EVs’ performance and provision of grid services will be monitored over the next year by UD and Nuvve to provide documentation on their use both as fleet vehicles and as grid resources.
It's October ... and that means one thing in America: Major League Baseball playoffs are set to begin. It means wall to wall broadcasts of games, massive advertising buys and gate receipts that means a serious stream of revenue for all of the teams, players and owners who made it through a long season and survived to be one of the dozen teams left to play for the Commissioner's Trophy. It's going to be a wild few weeks for baseball fans and the reporters covering the games. And if you're a journalist looking to know how important the marketing and business sides are to the the playoffs - then let us help with your stories. Kirk Wakefield, Ph.D., is The Edwin W. Streetman Professor of Retail Marketing at Baylor University, where he is the Executive Director of the Curb Center for Sales Strategy in Sports and Entertainment (S3E) program in the Hankamer School of Business. Kirk is available to speak with media - simply click on his icon ow to arrange an interview today.
An innovative Baylor University study has shed light on the often-overlooked experiences of women doing “daughtering” in families, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which created immense challenges in their relationships with parents and other family members. “Daughtering” refers to the ways adult daughters contribute to flourishing family relationships, according to Allison M. Alford, Ph.D., clinical associate professor in the Department of Information Systems and Business Analytics in Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business. Alford’s latest research, Daughterwork in Times of Social Upheaval, published in Qualitative Research Reports in Communication, explores how societal changes caused by the pandemic required women to reconfigure their relationships with their parents and emphasizes the critical role adult daughters play in maintaining family connections, particularly in times of crisis. "This study highlights how social upheavals like the COVID-19 pandemic can both challenge and reinforce the essential work that daughters do in their families," Alford said. “Past research has shown that women often bear the brunt of responsibility when crises occur at home, work or in the extended family. Particularly for professional women – those who are balancing changing workplace demands alongside immediate and extended family concerns as well as societal shifts – increased care needs or the perception of such for parents can increase stress and negatively impact well-being, yet women still persist in providing upstream support for a variety of reasons.” Using in-depth, semi-structured interviews of women who identified change to their daughtering, professional and family lives, Alford discovered four themes about how a crisis can provide opportunities for flexible daughtering, meaningful connection and reflection on one’s most important relationships. Daughtering is adaptive action The pandemic forced many daughters to rapidly adjust their caregiving practices with their parents. When normal forms of communication were not an option, many daughters turned to technology to bridge the gap. This included increased use of video calls, social media, and other digital communication tools to maintain contact and promote family connection. Alford’s research found that daughters also took on new, often physically demanding tasks to ensure their parents’ well-being – delivering groceries, managing household repairs and organizing virtual family gatherings. “These actions were not only about adapting to the context of social upheaval but also about intensifying their caring efforts to meet the evolving needs of their parents,” Alford said. Daughtering is adaptive timing The study revealed that daughters had to maintain a heightened state of vigilance, constantly prepared to address unexpected crises, Alford said. Unlike the more predictable daughtering routines of the past, the pandemic introduced a level of uncertainty that required daughters to be in a near-constant state of readiness. One study participant described her experience as being in "constant problem-solving mode," which added significant stress to her daily life. “This ‘adaptive timing’ meant that daughters often found themselves juggling sudden care demands with their own professional and personal obligations,” Alford said. “This theme underscores the mental and emotional toll on daughters who had to manage the unpredictable nature of daughtering during the pandemic.” Daughtering is a priority Despite the challenges, Alford said, many daughters reported that they continued to prioritize their daughtering responsibilities, driven by a deep sense of familial duty and personal values. “For these women, daughtering was not just another task but a core part of their identity, often taking precedence over their professional responsibilities,” Alford said. “This commitment was evident in the time and resources they dedicated to maintaining their relationships with their parents, even when it meant sacrificing their own well-being or career advancement.” One participant noted, “I value family, so I still made it a priority,” reflecting a sentiment shared by many women in the study. This theme, Alford noted, highlights the internal conflict that many daughters faced, balancing their dedication to family with the competing demands of their own lives. Daughtering involves reflecting Challenges prompt many daughters to reflect deeply on their roles and relationships, and the COVID-19 pandemic was no different, Alford said. “This period of social upheaval generated a moment of introspection, leading daughters to reassess their priorities, boundaries and the nature of their relationships with their parents,” she said. “For some, this reflection led to a greater appreciation for the importance of family, while for others, it was a time to set new boundaries and redefine their roles within the family structure.” One participant observed, “COVID was a catalyst for emotional support,” while another reflected on the need to “carve out time mentally” to fulfill her roles as both a daughter and a professional. This theme illustrates how the pandemic not only challenged daughters but also provided an opportunity for personal growth and redefinition of their familial roles, Alford said. Key strategies to recognizing daughters’ “invisible” labor The research underscores the critical need for greater recognition and support for the invisible labor performed by adult daughters, suggesting that both families and society at large have a role to play in alleviating the burden on these women. “It’s crucial that we not only acknowledge the burden placed on these women, “Alford said, “but also seek ways to support them, whether through family empathy, shared responsibilities or societal recognition.” Alford emphasizes the importance of three key strategies: Awareness and acknowledgment Families should recognize the labor involved in daughtering and ensure it is acknowledged and appreciated. This can help prevent the exploitation of this labor and ensure that daughters feel valued for their contributions. Outsourcing and support Where possible, families should consider outsourcing some care tasks or providing additional support to relieve the burden on daughters. This might include hiring help for household chores or seeking external emotional support through counseling. Expressing gratitude Expressing gratitude and acknowledging the efforts of daughters can significantly enhance their sense of well-being and fulfillment. This recognition is vital in helping them feel that their contributions are meaningful and valued. National Daughter’s Day National Daughter’s Day is Sept. 25, and while this holiday has been around since 1932 to honor the daughters in our lives, it can often quietly pass us by. Alford recommends parents using this day to officially acknowledge all the ways in which daughters support their families.
How Will Rate Cuts Affect the Election?
On September 18, the Federal Reserve established the first interest rate cut since the Covid pandemic in 2020. The Fed lowered the federal funds rate by half a percentage point – a much larger change than the typical quarter percentage point cut. Dr. Jeff Haymond, dean of the Robert W. Plaster School of Business at Cedarville University, shared insight about the motivations behind this rate cut in a recent interview. Here are some key points: The United States' national debt has been described as a "ticking time bomb." What impact will this and future interest rate cuts have on the national debt? In light of this recent move, current presidential candidate Donald Trump has articulated his economic plan to put a cap on credit card interest rates. Would this bring down the cost of living in the United States, or will it lead to less options for the consumer? This slashing of the interest rate comes only a short time before the presidential election, with many claiming that this cut was, in fact, a political move. Will it affect the decisions of voters as the election draws near? If you are covering the recent interest rate cut or potential for future cuts and need to know more, let us help with your questions and stories. Dr. Jeff Haymond is an expert on this subject and is available to speak to media regarding the action of the Federal Reserve and what this means for families in the United States – simply click on his icon or email mweinstein@cedarville.edu to arrange an interview.
EU-UK Trade Deal continues to stifle trade with 27% drop in exports since 2021
New report shows persistent stifling effects of the impact of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement on UK-EU trade relations Monthly data show a 27% drop in UK exports and a 32% reduction in imports to and from the EU between 2021 and 2023 Recommendations for policy interventions include to negotiate sector-specific deals, engage with individual EU countries, and work on reducing non-tariff barriers A comprehensive analysis by researchers at the Centre for Business Prosperity at Aston University reveals that negative impacts of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) have intensified over time. The new report, Unbound: UK Trade Post Brexit, also shows a 33% reduction in the variety of goods exported, with the agricultural, textiles, clothing and materials sectors most affected. To assess the impact of the UK-EU TCA, the authors analysed monthly import and export between the UK and the EU, from January 2017 to December 2023 and separated into pre- and post-January 2021 when the agreement came into force. The monthly data shows a 27% drop in UK exports and a 32% decline in imports from the EU. Lead author, Professor Jun Du of Aston University says: “The Trade and Cooperation Agreement introduced substantial barriers and there are ongoing and marked declines in the value and variety of UK exports and imports. Without urgent policy interventions, the UK’s economic position and place in the global market will continue to weaken.” The UK-EU TCA redefined trade and investment rules and market access between the UK and the EU. Since it came into force, the UK government has negotiated several trade agreements, but the EU remains the UK’s largest trade partner. Exports for most sectors have decreased since January 2021, although the impact is varied. Agrifood, textile and clothing and material-based manufacturing have been among the hardest hit, with substantial declines in both export value and the variety of products exported. At the same time, some sectors such as tobacco, railway and aircraft manufacturing have seen modest increases in varieties of products exported. On the import side, most sectors have shrunk in both value and variety, particularly agrifood products, optical, textile and material-based manufacturing. A few sectors, for example, ships and furniture, have demonstrated noticeable increases in import product variety. The large variations across different goods categories and EU trade partners underscore the uneven effects of Brexit and the TCA on UK-EU trade dynamics, highlighting the need to understand the nuances and come up with tailored strategies that address the unique challenges of each sector within the new regulatory environment. The researchers make recommendations, outlining how sector-specific negotiations, streamlining customs procedures with digital technologies and reducing regulatory divergence could mitigate some of the impacts. Dr Oleksandr Shepotylo, the report’s co-author says: “Our findings indicate a decoupling of the UK from key EU final goods markets, accompanied by a shift in UK supply chains toward geographically closer EU trading partners for exports and smaller countries for imports. “This shift raises concerns and underscores the urgent need for a strategic reconfiguration of UK supply chains to maintain competitiveness.” Professor Du continues: “The TCA has introduced considerable barriers to UK-EU trade, particularly through increased Non-tariff measures (NTMs). “Addressing these issues through targeted improvements to the TCA is crucial to ensuring that UK businesses remain competitive in the European market. A structured, multi-faceted approach is necessary.” To find out more about these findings, click here.
