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Category: Arts and social sciences
The obscure history of the ‘virgin’s disease’ that could be cured with sex
Female virginity, we’re increasingly told, is a psychological rather than a physical condition. It’s not something that can be “lost” or “taken”. Not every woman has a hymen, and it’s rarely some tough barrier that keeps a woman “closed” and which has to break and bleed; instead, it’s a flexible set of folds of mucous […]
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Saudi Arabia is paying a heavy price for Iran’s global rehabilitation
As 2015 drew to a close, you could have been forgiven for cautious optimism as far as Saudi-Iranian relations were concerned. With the years-in-the-making nuclear deal finally sealed, Iran had finally been brought in from the cold in talks over the Syrian conflict. A fragile ceasefire had been agreed amongst the warring factions in Yemen. […]
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The UK housing market: a balancing act
Lecturer in Economics, Alan Shipman, explains the balancing act of the UK’s housing crisis and the dilemma of providing enough new homes for a growing population, whilst not pricing out the most needy. The proportion of British households that own their own home has fallen in the past 10 years, from a peak of 71% […]
Pass the mince pies – here’s why we eat so much at Christmas time
The turkey is prepped, you’ve bought dozens of mince pies, there’s selection boxes ready and that’s all before the cheeseboard comes out. Good food is part of our festive celebrations, but do we go too far? Professor Graham Harvey writes about why Christmas is a time of over-indulgence. According to at least one carol, Christmas […]
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What makes a good Christmas number one?
Dr Catherine Tackley from the OU’s music department examines what makes certain songs a hit at Christmas time. The official UK singles chart began in 1952, but many of the songs (as distinct from traditional Christmas carols) which remain popular at Christmas were established before that. ‘Jingle Bells’ by James Lord Pierpoint, dates back to 1857; […]
Does Santa exist? The dilemma for the caring professions
Marc Cornock is an academic lawyer and Senior Lecturer at The Open University, and he also writes regularly for the Nursing Standard. In this article, he explores the dilemma faced by those in caring professions when asked “is Santa real?” The Santa question isn’t just for parents It’s the question many parents dread in the build up […]
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The choirmaster whose carols became the sound of Christmas
At 3pm on Christmas Eve, millions of radios around the world will be tuned to the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King’s College Chapel in Cambridge in time to hear the pure voice of a single boy chorister singing one of the hardest solos of the church calendar, the first verse of “Once […]
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‘Twas millennia before Christmas
Who doesn’t love Christmas? The tree standing proud, adorned with baubles, lights, and surrounded by gifts; the radio singing festive songs, whilst the turkey slowly roasts in the oven; and the family gathered around the television with the grandparents eagerly awaiting the Queen’s Christmas Speech. Where did it all begin? Reader in British History at […]
Coping with depression and the Christmas blues
For many, this time of year isn’t always full of glad tidings and joy. Open University Psychologist, Professor Darren Langdridge talks about the Winter blues, practical ways to manage your mood, and how to deal with the expectations many have around Christmas time. Listen to Darren Langdridge’s podcast
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The free speech battle that forced Britain’s 18th-century radicals to flee
Main picture: “The Friends of the People”, Isaac Cruikshank (1764–1811), Mary Mark Ockerbloom While emigration into Britain has often been (and still is) associated with fear of oppression and escape from conflict, there is a general perception that emigration out of the country has been a rather more positive pursuit. Leaving Britain has long been associated […]
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