Economics is an integral aspect to every successful society, yet basic financial practices have gone unchanged for decades. Analyzing unconventional finance methods can provide new ways to ensure personal financial futures on an individual level, as well as boosting international economies. Alternative Decision-Making Models for Financial Portfolio Management: Emerging Research and Opportunities is an essential reference source that discusses methods and techniques that make financial administration more efficient for professionals in economic fields. Featuring relevant topics such as mean-variance portfolio theory, decision tree analysis, risk protection strategies, and asset-liability management, this publication is ideal for academicians, students, economists, and researchers that would like to stay current on new and innovative methods to transform the financial realm.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a tremendous effect on the mental health of people globally. It is critical to examine how people adapted to this new normal to understand the effects on society and its citizens. Community Mental Health and Well-Being in the New Normal discusses the mental health concerns of individuals during the pandemic, the new normal, and the transition stage. The book also examines the coping mechanisms utilized to overcome mental health concerns during turbulent times. Covering key topics such as social distancing, student mental health, and pandemics, this premier reference source is ideal for medical professionals, nurses, sociologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, policymakers, researchers, scholars, academicians, practitioners, instructors, and students.

Evaluating Indigenous African Tradition for Cultural Reconstruction and Mind Decolonization is edited by Oluwole O Durodolu, and is an insightful book that challenges the derogatory portrayal of African Traditional Religion (ATR) and highlights the need for cultural reconstruction and mind decolonization. The book explores the derogatory descriptions that have been used to describe ATR and argues that subjecting religion to logical inquiry diminishes the essence of worship and promotes disbelief. The book examines the relevance of indigenous African tradition to cultural reconstruction and evaluates the place of African culture in the global context. The author argues that upholding the general principle of African Traditional belief, which upholds communalism and morality, can address problems such as corruption, poverty, and unemployment in the African continent. This book is an essential resource for academics, students, researchers, and anyone interested in understanding the relevance of African Traditional Religion in contemporary times and the need for cultural reconstruction and mind decolonization for the betterment of the African continent and the world at large.

Mass shootings continue to occur today and affect the public's sense of safety and security. Examining the nature of shooters and law enforcement responses when shootings occur offers further understanding in effective crisis response management and development. Assessing and Averting the Prevalence of Mass Violence provides advanced insights into the social implications and the cultural and political natures of violent events. The content within this publication explores gun violence, crisis management, and public policy. It is a vital reference source for law enforcement professionals, criminal justice students, sociology researchers, policymakers, and government researchers seeking coverage on topics centered on mass violence prevention, assessment, and intervention.

One of the most significant dimensions of gender studies is that it is political. It raises questions about power in society and how and why power is differentially distributed between different genders. It asks questions about who has power over whom, in which situations, how power is exercised, and how it is, and can be, challenged. Different theories and perspectives within gender studies have different approaches to these questions and look for answers in different social processes. Many debates are on-going, as new data is revealed and new theories are put forth. Understanding Gender in the African Context is a scholarly reference that explores the complexities of the ideologies and social patterns that contribute to the field of gender studies. Featuring a range of topics such as human rights, feminism, and social media, this book is ideal for policymakers, sociologists, social scientists, civil society organizations, government officials, academicians, researchers, and students.

As our dependence on technology increases, technology has imbibed itself even in our everyday routines, from checking our heart rate to keeping tabs on our diets. We are dependent on this technology, but when it comes to gaming, it is always considered to be something that one must avoid so that one can utilize that time for something productive. However, when one adds gamification logic to the health sector, it adds value by helping improve the health of the user. Exergaming Intervention for Children, Adolescents, and Elderly People tackles social problems via technology intervention using gamification as a medium. This book includes various theoretical and experimental breakthroughs on new methodologies and technologies. Covering topics such as digital aids, learning tools, and serious games, this premier reference source is an excellent resource for game developers, medical professionals, hospital administrators, administrators and educators of both K-12 and higher education, pre-service teachers, students of higher education, teacher educators, librarians, researchers, and academicians.

Despite the empowering pride culture that has evolved globally in the past half-century, the LGBTQAI+ community continues to face widespread discrimination. They are often subjected to cruelty and discrimination and are the bearers of a heavy psychological burden and frustration that stems from not coming out and expressing their concerns freely. Today, the invisibility of this community and its concerns have become enormous challenges for the world as their interests often go unrepresented and unaddressed by governments due to various barriers. Global LGBTQ+ Concerns in a Contemporary World: Politics, Prejudice, and Community considers the harsh realities of the LGBTQAI+ community and draws attention to key issues such as violation of their rights and disparities in access to basic amenities such as healthcare, employment, and security. Covering key topics such as inclusion, mental health, queer communities, and human rights, this reference work is ideal for activists, advocates, politicians, sociologists, gender studies specialists, policymakers, government officials, industry professionals, researchers, scholars, academicians, practitioners, instructors, and students.

African Americans migrated from southern regions of the United States, the Caribbean, and Africa during the early 20th century, settling in large urban communities in the Midwestern, Northern, and Western regions of the United States. During the early 21st century, African Americans continued their post-industrialized transition from their initial urban locations to suburban and exurban locations, with class, income, and education being the predominant factors in determining locations of choice. However, the result of this 21st century exodus gave rise to an increased sense of isolation, loss of identify, and the gradual erosion of political power unique to urban communities in the late 20th century. African American Suburbanization and the Consequential Loss of Identity is a critical scholarly resource that examines the experiences of African Americans and the development of African American identities. It represents an important opportunity for an examination of the implications of this 21st century exodus, giving voice to all aspects of African American-lived experiences in suburban communities. Featuring a wide range of topics such as higher education, criminal justice, and social media, this book is ideal for professionals, educators, social scientists, political leaders, law enforcement, students, and researchers.

When immigrants leave their home country to live in a host country that has a different culture, the acculturation process begins. There is subtle cultural, social, and political pressure on immigrants to adopt the cultural values of the host nation. The acculturation process occurs over time. Exposure to a new culture is often stressful, as one is exposed to new values, beliefs, and behaviors that may be different from their home culture. Strategies for Cultural Assimilation of Immigrants and Their Children: Social, Economic, and Political Considerations increases awareness of the cultural assimilation process among parents, children, employers, and educators. This book discusses internal conflicts and promotes harmony and understanding. Covering topics such as civic literacy, mental health, and identity formations, this premier reference source is an excellent resource for sociologists, psychologists, government officials, educators and administrators of both K-12 and higher education, students of higher education, librarians, researchers, and academicians.

In at least seventy-one countries in the world, there are national laws that criminalize same-sex relationships between consenting adults. In at least nine countries around the globe, national laws target and criminalize transgender and gender non-conforming persons. In some jurisdictions, the penalty for identifying as a part of the LGBT community is death. The debate in jurisdictions where being an LGBT person is a crime is typically that same-sex sexual relationships are “unnatural.” In jurisdictions where anti-gay laws persist, the rights of LGBT persons are not considered as human rights, and the rationale for criminalizing same-sex sexual activity is that it is “immoral” and “sinful.” Global Perspectives on the LGBT Community and Non-Discrimination offers perspectives on the rights of sexual minorities and discrimination. In several countries, consensual sexual activity in private amongst adults of the same gender is still criminalized. This book seeks to examine the social, cultural, religious, and political issues that influence anti-gay laws in juxtaposition with the need to protect the rights of the LGBT community. Covering topics such as LGBT child adoption rights, minority stress, and freedom from discrimination, this premier reference source is a dynamic resource for sociologists, anthropologists, government officials, policymakers, lawmakers, human rights advocates, non-profit organizations, libraries, students and faculty of higher education, researchers, and academicians.