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Volume 13
Issue 9
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Soc. Sci., Volume 13, Issue 9 (September 2024) – 62 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): The paper examines the recruitment process of organised criminal groups (OCGs) within Australia, using data obtained from interviews with police officers and transcripts from court proceedings. The results of this study contributes to the development of a recruitment process conceptual framework which comprises the following three key stages: motivations and pathways for recruitment, mechanisms that establish co-offending relationships, and continued engagement with or disengagement from OCGs. This study provides the first comprehensive examination of the recruitment process of OCGs within an Australian context. The conceptual framework proposed here should be viewed as an ideal process and provides the foundation for future research. View this paper
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15 pages, 578 KiB  
Article
The Invisible Struggle: Parents with FASD, the Courts and the Child Intervention System
by Peter Choate, Rima Gromykin and Jaida Northey
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 497; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090497 - 20 Sep 2024
Viewed by 975
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) encompasses a range of complex neurodevelopmental challenges that arise because of maternal alcohol use during pregnancy. Contrary to previous beliefs, FASD is a wide-ranging condition that is mostly invisible, affecting cognitive, social, and daily living skills. Furthermore, living [...] Read more.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) encompasses a range of complex neurodevelopmental challenges that arise because of maternal alcohol use during pregnancy. Contrary to previous beliefs, FASD is a wide-ranging condition that is mostly invisible, affecting cognitive, social, and daily living skills. Furthermore, living with FASD may present other challenges, such as mental health issues, substance abuse, and engagement in criminal behavior. FASD is a long-term disability that requires support across the lifespan. The main objective of this research was to determine what, if anything, has changed since a prior review in 2020 of parents with FASD appearing in child intervention courts in Canada. We found eleven relevant reported cases throughout Canada from 2020 to 2024 where parents had a confirmed diagnosis or a potential FASD to be eligible for our study. Within these cases, only one parent was able to reunite with their children because of the strong and supportive system they had. There were four cases where ongoing contact between parent and child(ren) was permitted, Additionally, we found that professionals lack education regarding the potential skills that people with FASD may demonstrate. A person with FASD is seen through the lens of their diagnosis rather than a strengths-based approach, creating stigma, fear, and power imbalance. Stigma has an impact not just on how professionals see people and make decisions but also on policymakers, funding, and support from governments or other social groups. Individuals or parents with FASD are often reluctant to report their diagnosis for fear of being judged or having their children taken from their care. Thus, parents are unable to obtain access to services, and even when they do have access, they must navigate the system on their own. Parents with FASD who are involved in child intervention may be required to participate in many programs simultaneously, potentially resulting in an overwhelming experience. Full article
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22 pages, 504 KiB  
Article
Factors Influencing Seniors’ Anxiety in Using ICT
by Mike Reid, Torgeir Aleti, Bernardo Figueiredo, Jacob Sheahan, Larissa Hjorth, Diane M. Martin and Mark Buschgens
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 496; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090496 - 19 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1021
Abstract
The ability of older adults to engage with information and communication technologies (ICT) is crucial in today’s more digital and connected world. Anxiety about and failure to adopt and engage with ICT is increasingly likely to be a barrier in daily living for [...] Read more.
The ability of older adults to engage with information and communication technologies (ICT) is crucial in today’s more digital and connected world. Anxiety about and failure to adopt and engage with ICT is increasingly likely to be a barrier in daily living for older adults, potentially reducing their freedom as consumers, quality of life, independence, and wellbeing. It may also be a significant factor in social and economic exclusion. Drawing on consumer behaviour, ICT theories and frameworks, and a quantitative survey of 706 older Australian adults, this paper examines factors influencing anxiety in engaging with ICT. Our findings show that perceived anxiety was associated with increased subjective norms or when others placed pressure on older people to engage more with ICT and when older adults perceived increased risks associated with ICT engagement. Conversely, reduced levels of perceived anxiety were correlated with a positive attitude towards ICT and when older people had the technical and cognitive resources to adopt and engage with ICT. The results highlight the importance of building, renewing, and reinforcing digital competencies in older consumers. Understanding factors associated with ICT-related anxiety means that organisations will be better placed to develop campaigns, products, programmes, and policies for older consumers that actively reduce anxiety, increase their use of ICT, and reduce the digital divide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Connecting Older Adults to the Digital World)
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12 pages, 239 KiB  
Article
Black Lives in Limbo: Liberian Refugees, Migrant Justice, and the Narration of Antiblack U.S. Border Politics
by Yatta Kiazolu
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 495; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090495 - 18 Sep 2024
Viewed by 742
Abstract
The Trump administration’s attacks on immigrant communities, especially undocumented people, produced major policy reversals on temporary humanitarian relief programs, such as the termination of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). While these policies have had wide-reaching impacts across communities of color, within the broader immigration [...] Read more.
The Trump administration’s attacks on immigrant communities, especially undocumented people, produced major policy reversals on temporary humanitarian relief programs, such as the termination of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). While these policies have had wide-reaching impacts across communities of color, within the broader immigration debate, the experiences of Black migrants have often been overlooked. This paper asks the following questions: How did extremist policies impact Black migrants under the Trump administration? What vulnerabilities did these policies produce or exacerbate? What do these efforts tell us about the “turn” toward authoritarianism in U.S. politics? Applying antiblackness as a theoretical framework, this paper conducts a content analysis of media outlets to examine the impact of extremist policies on Liberian DED beneficiaries. The ramifications of these policies intensified pre-existing antiblack dynamics of belonging and exclusion within the state by reinforcing racial hierarchies, producing social exclusion and vulnerability to state violence, and maintaining constrained access to citizenship. In assessing the many ways that antiblack racism manifests for citizens and non-citizens alike, we can extend our understanding of migrant justice, racial justice, and anti-imperialism as interdependent struggles in the face of rising authoritarianism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 54th NCOBPS Annual Conference: Democracy on the Brink: Are We Headed into an Era of Authoritarianism?)
12 pages, 223 KiB  
Article
Migrant Women in the UK’s Digital Economy: The Elimination of Labour Market Barriers in the Digital Labour Market
by Miray Erinc Oztas
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 494; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090494 - 18 Sep 2024
Viewed by 781
Abstract
This research paper delves into the complexities migrant women face within the UK labour market, with a specific focus on the digital economy’s role as both a barrier and a conduit for employment opportunities. Migrant women in the UK encounter dual barriers to [...] Read more.
This research paper delves into the complexities migrant women face within the UK labour market, with a specific focus on the digital economy’s role as both a barrier and a conduit for employment opportunities. Migrant women in the UK encounter dual barriers to labour market entry: systemic challenges rooted in migration and gender biases, and the digital divide that exacerbates access and inclusion issues within the burgeoning digital economy. Through an exploratory descriptive analysis, this study explores how digitalism—defined as the integration of digital technologies into economic and societal practices—circumvents traditional labour market entry barriers such as languages barriers. By setting out the grounds for a potential hypothesis and further research in the era of AI, this paper underlines how through the implementation of AI tools, traditional barriers such as language barriers are eliminated in the digital labour market. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Globalization and International Migration to the EU)
17 pages, 279 KiB  
Article
The Intersections between Migration and Disability: Narratives by EU Migrants to the UK, Disabled British People and Disabled EU Migrants
by Eva A. Duda-Mikulin
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 493; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090493 - 18 Sep 2024
Viewed by 852
Abstract
This article lies at the intersection of migration studies and disability studies and aims to contribute to redressing the considerable gap in knowledge regarding disabled voluntary migrants. These two areas, migration and disability, respectively, have rarely been considered together, a significant gap given [...] Read more.
This article lies at the intersection of migration studies and disability studies and aims to contribute to redressing the considerable gap in knowledge regarding disabled voluntary migrants. These two areas, migration and disability, respectively, have rarely been considered together, a significant gap given the situation faced by disabled migrants and crosscutting issues confronting disabled people and migrants. Dynamics of exclusion are viewed as a shared experience of migrants, disabled people and disabled migrants. This paper is based on qualitative semi-structured interviews with voluntary EU migrants to the UK, disabled British people and disabled EU migrants, which are supplemented by key informant interviews. All were conducted in 2019 in the north of England. The findings highlight that when migration and disability are considered concurrently, barriers multiply and result in a nuanced disadvantage and experiences of social marginalisation. Migrant and disability experience translates into social vulnerability and is a contributing cause of exclusion in relation to social expectations and mainstream services. This paper concludes that there is an urgent need to change the narrative and perception that migrant and disabled people are less worthy of attention and bring their needs to the fore. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Migration, Labour and Health: Unravelling the Links between Labour Exploitation and Health Disparities of Migrant Workers)
14 pages, 306 KiB  
Article
Beatriz Nascimento and the Erotics of the Quilombo in Times of Peril
by Katherine Cosby
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 492; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090492 - 17 Sep 2024
Viewed by 726
Abstract
In October 2018, the election of an extreme right-wing politician as president of Brazil laid bare the histories of antidemocratic practices that guided the policies and rhetoric of the newly elected government. Black, poor, Indigenous, Northeastern, and LGBTQIA+ people were positioned as threats [...] Read more.
In October 2018, the election of an extreme right-wing politician as president of Brazil laid bare the histories of antidemocratic practices that guided the policies and rhetoric of the newly elected government. Black, poor, Indigenous, Northeastern, and LGBTQIA+ people were positioned as threats to the stability of the nuclear family and public safety that the government claimed it would protect. The subsequent COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 also put into stark view the antidemocratic practices and the blatant disregard for life in Brazil, which was particularly acute for people who had been marked as a threat. “Beatriz Nascimento and the Erotics of the Quilombo in Times of Peril” revisits the work of Beatriz Nascimento, a Black Brazilian thinker and scholar who lived through the repressive and antidemocratic period of the military dictatorship (1964–1985). Nascimento’s work offers perspective to the current extreme right-wing project and underscores the significance of Black scholars’ interventions when the lives of marginalized people are at stake. Specifically, her concept of the quilombo (maroon communities) uncovers the histories, relations of power, and the possibilities of social relations for Brazilians living in precarity that antidemocratic governments have attempted to diminish and erase. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 54th NCOBPS Annual Conference: Democracy on the Brink: Are We Headed into an Era of Authoritarianism?)
15 pages, 314 KiB  
Article
“We Owe It to Those Who Shall Come After Us”: Considering the Role of Social Work Education in Disrupting Carceral Complicity
by Carly Mychl Murray, Samantha A. Martinez, Alexa Cinque, Yejin Sohn and Grace Newton
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 491; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090491 - 17 Sep 2024
Viewed by 889
Abstract
Reflecting upon Mary Richmond’s early call for formalized social work training to address the historical struggles of the field, this analysis examines how American social work education has addressed the paradoxes of help and harm present in the field for more than a [...] Read more.
Reflecting upon Mary Richmond’s early call for formalized social work training to address the historical struggles of the field, this analysis examines how American social work education has addressed the paradoxes of help and harm present in the field for more than a century. We examine how, under the guise of benevolence and care, social work has exerted social control and contributed to gendered criminalization. We use the term carceral complicity to extend the concept of carceral social work, illustrating how carceral complicity has contributed to women’s criminalization through the embedding, enacting, and invisibilizing of carceral logics in social work. In addition to describing how carceral complicity has been addressed in social work education, we illustrate the gendered nature of carceral complicity, highlighting how women have historically and contemporarily been positioned as both the proprietors and the recipients of carceral complicity. In line with recent scholarship, we suggest that through a transformative approach to social work education we may disrupt carceral complicity and support liberatory futures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Between Criminalization and Care: Reimagining Social Work's Role in the Carceral State)
10 pages, 1669 KiB  
Article
“To Change the World, We Must First Change the Way the Babies Are Being Born”: Childbirth Activism in Europe
by Dulce Morgado Neves
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 490; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090490 - 15 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1000
Abstract
(1) Background: “To change the world, we must first change the way the babies are being born”, said Michel Odent, the famous French obstetrician and pioneer of the “natural birth” movement. This quotable phrase has been widespread in activism campaigns, and it refers [...] Read more.
(1) Background: “To change the world, we must first change the way the babies are being born”, said Michel Odent, the famous French obstetrician and pioneer of the “natural birth” movement. This quotable phrase has been widespread in activism campaigns, and it refers to a project for social change that goes beyond birth. Conceiving childbirth in the broader social context, it is not surprising that this emblematic quote inspires emancipatory struggles around birth. This paper results from a study of childbirth activism in different European contexts, where the author explores the emergence and modes of action of social movements advocating for the humanization of childbirth and women’s rights in pregnancy and childbirth. (2) Methods: Starting from the analysis of the main characteristics of childbirth activism, in this paper the author briefly analyzes the cases of organizations from Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands, as well as a campaign promoted by the European Network of Childbirth Associations (ENCA). The author mobilizes empirical data resulting from a triangulation approach, essentially based on documentary analysis, complemented by conversations and participant observation in different settings. (3) Results: Preliminary results show how childbirth activism is contributing to the construction of alternative conceptions of birth, challenging established paradigms. (4) Conclusion: In its differences and similarities, childbirth activism assumes distinct features, but it also has the ability to adapt and promote changes, depending on the specificities of the contexts where it operates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Justice in Sexual and Reproductive Health: An Intersectional Approach)
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12 pages, 276 KiB  
Article
Motivations, Choices, and Constraints of Italian Transgender Travelers: A Study of Tourism Dynamics within the Rainbow
by Salvatore Monaco, Elisa Cisotto, Antón Freire Varela and Fabio Corbisiero
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 489; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090489 - 15 Sep 2024
Viewed by 788
Abstract
This study explores the motivations, choices, and constraints shaping tourism behavior among transgender individuals living in Italy. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research begins with quantitative data collection and analyses, followed by qualitative insights to uncover the multifaceted reasons that drive transgender individuals [...] Read more.
This study explores the motivations, choices, and constraints shaping tourism behavior among transgender individuals living in Italy. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research begins with quantitative data collection and analyses, followed by qualitative insights to uncover the multifaceted reasons that drive transgender individuals to engage in tourism. These motivations range from seeking personal authenticity to cultural exploration and community connection. This study also examines the intricate interplay of choice and constraint in shaping transgender travelers’ tourism experiences, highlighting the challenges they face and the strategies they use to cope with the obstacles they face within the tourism context. Given Italy’s persistent stereotypes and prejudices against gender and sexual minorities, this research provides a critical examination of the intersectionality of gender identity and tourism within a challenging cultural and legal landscape. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of transgender travelers’ tourism experiences and offer valuable implications for industry stakeholders, policymakers, and scholars. By amplifying the voices of Italian transgender travelers, this study aims to foster greater inclusivity and recognition of their diverse needs and experiences within the tourism sector. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gender Knowledges and Cultures of Equalities in Global Contexts)
19 pages, 1817 KiB  
Article
Influence of Educational Measures on Emotional Adjustment in Students with and without Specific Learning Difficulties according to Gender
by Isaías Martín-Ruiz, María-José Robles-Sánchez and Agustín Wallace
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 488; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090488 - 14 Sep 2024
Viewed by 761
Abstract
The prevalence of mental health problems in adolescence is high, and it would appear that certain conditioning factors such as having a Specific Learning Disability (SpLD), the application of educational measures (repeating a school year), or gender can have an impact on the [...] Read more.
The prevalence of mental health problems in adolescence is high, and it would appear that certain conditioning factors such as having a Specific Learning Disability (SpLD), the application of educational measures (repeating a school year), or gender can have an impact on the socioemotional development of adolescents. However, we do not yet have a clear picture of the role played by each variable or whether there are interactions between them. Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyse the effect of these independent variables on internalising problems (anxiety and depression) and on personal resources (self-esteem, social competence, and awareness of the problem). The sample is composed of 80 students, 40 with SpLD and 40 control, aged between 12 and 17 years old, matched in terms of age and gender. The results indicate that the variables Specific Learning Disabilities and educational measures have a negative impact on internalising problems and personal resources of adolescents, while there is no significant effect with respect to gender. In addition, we identified interactions between having SpLD and being held back a year. We therefore call into question the negative impact of repeating a school year according to the condition. Full article
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14 pages, 251 KiB  
Article
The Turkish Government’s Ambivalent Policy Response to the New Influx of Afghan Migrants through the Public Policy Tools
by Sevinç Bermek
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 487; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090487 - 14 Sep 2024
Viewed by 852
Abstract
Turkey has been a hub for migrants since the Syrian crisis and has been home to 3.7 million refugees. The literature on migration focusses largely on Turkey’s response to refugees from Syria, host country citizens’ attitudes towards Syrians and their integration challenges, the [...] Read more.
Turkey has been a hub for migrants since the Syrian crisis and has been home to 3.7 million refugees. The literature on migration focusses largely on Turkey’s response to refugees from Syria, host country citizens’ attitudes towards Syrians and their integration challenges, the EU–Turkey refugee deal, and its political implications for the EU and Turkey. Nonetheless, there has been a sharp rise in the number of Afghan migrants to Turkey since the complete withdrawal of US military forces from Afghanistan in 2020. Both scholarly and grey literature highlights that Turkey has recently been an attractive hub for Afghan migrants and other ethnic minorities, following Pakistan and Iran. Nonetheless, this literature has not substantially explored the Turkish government’s attitude towards the new influx of migrants. For this purpose, the article draws upon qualitative research based on secondary and grey literature (including semi-structured interviews with representatives from migration-related NGOs in Turkey). The article underpins its findings from the public policy framework of NATO (nodality, authority, treasure, organisation) by demonstrating how Turkey’s ambivalent response to the refugee inflow is shaped by limited information (nodality), weak legal mechanisms (authority), exploitation of new inflow as cheap labour (treasure), and migration system restructuring (organisation, treasure) after the withdrawal of external actors like the EU and UNHCR. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Globalization and International Migration to the EU)
12 pages, 264 KiB  
Article
Breaking Siloed Policies: Applying a Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) to Homelessness during Pregnancy in Canada
by Barbara Chyzzy, Sepali Guruge, Kaitlin Schwan, Joon Lee and Stacia Stewart
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 486; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090486 - 13 Sep 2024
Viewed by 891
Abstract
Amongst women and gender diverse (WGD) populations experiencing homelessness in Canada, one of the most vulnerable and understudied subgroups are those who are pregnant. A key barrier to accessing housing for this population are policies that lead to siloed sector work and complicated [...] Read more.
Amongst women and gender diverse (WGD) populations experiencing homelessness in Canada, one of the most vulnerable and understudied subgroups are those who are pregnant. A key barrier to accessing housing for this population are policies that lead to siloed sector work and complicated and inaccessible services. Frequent relocation and fragmented access to essential prenatal and postnatal support are the result. Experiences of homelessness for WGD people are distinct from that of cisgender men; the former tend to experience ‘hidden homelessness’ and are more likely to rely on relational, precarious, and sometimes dangerous housing options. The homelessness sector, its policies, and services tend to be cis-male-centric because of the greater visibility of homelessness in cis-men and fail to meet pregnant WGD people’s needs. This paper describes the findings from a one-day symposium that was held in Toronto, Canada, in June 2023 that aimed to address the siloed approach to housing provision for pregnant WGD people experiencing homelessness. A key focus was to understand how to incorporate a gendered and intersectional discourse into practice and policy. Adopting a gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) approach within policymaking can help illuminate and address why certain groups of WGD people are disproportionately affected by homelessness, including Indigenous Peoples, recent immigrants, racialized people, and those experiencing intimate partner violence, poverty, and substance use. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from Housing Studies Association Annual Conference 2023)
14 pages, 240 KiB  
Article
Virtuality and Solidarity: Exploring the New Frontiers of Social Love in the Sign of Collective Wellbeing
by Luisa Nardi
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 485; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090485 - 12 Sep 2024
Viewed by 886
Abstract
This paper aims to investigate the concept of love and solidarity in human relationships, especially in their manifestation within virtual communities. Solidarity, understood as the highest feeling of connection between individuals, finds new forms of expression in the digital age, where physical distances [...] Read more.
This paper aims to investigate the concept of love and solidarity in human relationships, especially in their manifestation within virtual communities. Solidarity, understood as the highest feeling of connection between individuals, finds new forms of expression in the digital age, where physical distances are overcome by the ability to communicate and share experiences in an immediate and simplified way. The aim is to analyze the renewed sociological perspective on how to explore human interactions as a practical implication of the transition from physical to digital space, which, in spite of divergences, does not seem to reduce the quality of social ties but rather offers new ways of connection and interaction. Indeed, digital technologies can positively influence social dynamics by fostering the construction of community networks that act as catalysts for collective intelligence and knowledge sharing in the pursuit of collective wellbeing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalyzing Change: Social Love, Emotions and Transformations of Social Relationships)
19 pages, 306 KiB  
Article
Returnees’ Perspectives of the Adverse Impact of Forced Displacement on Children
by Itunu O. Ilesanmi, Jasmine D. Haynes and Florence O. Ogundimu
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 484; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090484 - 12 Sep 2024
Viewed by 904
Abstract
Conflict-related forced displacement, characterized by the experiences of witnessing violent acts, bombing, torture, separation, and the execution of family members, can severely and negatively impact a child’s social determinants of health (SDOH). These experiences are both direct and indirect forms of adverse childhood [...] Read more.
Conflict-related forced displacement, characterized by the experiences of witnessing violent acts, bombing, torture, separation, and the execution of family members, can severely and negatively impact a child’s social determinants of health (SDOH). These experiences are both direct and indirect forms of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and urgent attention is needed to understand the impact of forced displacement on children, who are a vulnerable group, and to develop interventions for all systems that influence the child. This phenomenological qualitative study involved in-depth interviews based on the experiences of returnees (n = 20), who are parents of children who experienced forced displacement. This study underscores the direct and indirect impacts of forced displacement on children, with two key themes identified from the data analysis, by concluding that forced displacement: (i) disrupts the positive SDOH of children, and (ii) children’s coping mechanisms are influenced by primary and secondary exposure to trauma. The direct effects are visible through the impact of forced displacement on children’s mental health as a result of exposure to traumatic material. In contrast, the indirect effects of forced displacement on children are influenced by its subsequential effect on their parents and their community. The study also illuminates systemic inequalities, with participants recommending steps that governmental and non-governmental bodies can take to address this phenomenon. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Systemic Causes of Adverse Childhood Experiences)
16 pages, 319 KiB  
Article
Social Media Creations of Community and Gender Minority Stress in Transgender and Gender-Diverse Adults
by Zoë Aldridge, Hilary McDermott, Nat Thorne, Jon Arcelus and Gemma L. Witcomb
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 483; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090483 - 12 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1040
Abstract
Social media is used by many Transgender and Gender-Diverse (TGD) people to access queer communities and social support. However, TGD users are also at a higher risk of online harassment than their cisgender peers. There are few studies which explore the role that [...] Read more.
Social media is used by many Transgender and Gender-Diverse (TGD) people to access queer communities and social support. However, TGD users are also at a higher risk of online harassment than their cisgender peers. There are few studies which explore the role that social media plays in TGD people’s lives. In this study, a qualitative online survey examining online experiences was completed by 52 TGD participants, and the data were analysed using deductive template analysis. The results identified that online communities provided spaces within which participants could experience community-specific support, the validation of their identities, and find much-needed healthcare information. However, the use of social media also exposed participants to transphobia, and the participants described both proactive protective and reactive mitigation behaviours used to deal with these. Key findings highlight the pivotal role that online communities can have for improving wellbeing but also the potential for unintended exposure to transphobia through these communities. The importance of improving online moderation/reporting tools to combat harassment is discussed, as is the need to develop accessible information resources for healthcare professionals so that they may better provide support for TGD patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Gender Studies)
9 pages, 4915 KiB  
Article
The (Epistemological) Power of Love: From Pitirim A. Sorokin’s Integralism to a ‘Space for the Heart’ in Scientific Methods
by Licia Paglione
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 482; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090482 - 12 Sep 2024
Viewed by 777
Abstract
In the contemporary epistemological debate, it is possible to identify approaches whereby rational and sensory human faculties are not the sole essential dimensions in the knowing process. With its intuitional and empathic nature, love emerges as a specific way through which scientists may [...] Read more.
In the contemporary epistemological debate, it is possible to identify approaches whereby rational and sensory human faculties are not the sole essential dimensions in the knowing process. With its intuitional and empathic nature, love emerges as a specific way through which scientists may also know the world. In the 20th century, the Russian–American sociologist Pitirim A. Sorokin (1889–1968) was one of the scholars who highlighted the epistemological power of love. In his integral epistemology, the relevance of Altruistic Creative Love within the cognitive process is underlined. Love appears as an energy—linked to a specific intuitional human dimension called supraconscious—through which to know reality, which could integrate the empirical–sensory and rational–mindful dimensions. Following this line of thought, this article presents the thought of this scholar, outlining his general theory of knowledge and, in particular, highlighting the function of Altruistic Creative Love in the scientific method and analysing an original scientific dissemination activity embedded in the Sorokinian perspective that makes use of the arts, which can open new “eyes” and stimulate individual and social transformation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalyzing Change: Social Love, Emotions and Transformations of Social Relationships)
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23 pages, 401 KiB  
Article
Indigenous Education in Brazil—The Case of the Bare People in Nova Esperança: Transition to Work and Sustainability
by Giovanna Campani
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 481; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090481 - 11 Sep 2024
Viewed by 820
Abstract
The paper presents the institutional framework of the Indigenous Schools in Brazil it raises the issues presented by the relationship between school as institution and patterns of indigenous culture transmission, given the complex structure of the indigenous population in Brazil, divided into more [...] Read more.
The paper presents the institutional framework of the Indigenous Schools in Brazil it raises the issues presented by the relationship between school as institution and patterns of indigenous culture transmission, given the complex structure of the indigenous population in Brazil, divided into more than 306 ethnic groups, and the historical intercultural relations established with the European colonizers. The second part describes a specific Indigenous school located in the community of Nova Esperança, whose members belong predominantly to the Baré ethnic group. The village overlooks the Cuieiras River—a tributary of the Rio Negro—and is 80 kilometers (km) away from Manaus, the capital of the State of Amazonas. Nova Esperança is called “Pisasú Sarusawa” in Nheengatu, Ñe’engatu o Ñeengatu, known as the “general language” of the Amazonas. An interview with Joarlison Garrido, the school director, deals with the question of the usefulness of indigenous education in the school-to-work transition. According to Joarlison Garrido, indigenous education can promote community development, employment, and sustainability. This positive result is possible thanks to the special location of Nova Esperança within the Puranga Conquista Sustainable Development Reserve (RDS), managed by the government of the State of Amazonas. In this precise context, indigenous education represents a tool to ensure the new generations of Baré have a successful transition from school to work and an employment, namely through the projects of sustainable development that are foreseen for the area. Moreover, as Joarlison points out, sustainability is currently a global issue: consequently, the experience of Nova Esperança is at the same time local and part of a global trend. The Indigenous schools represent a great potential to develop original pedagogical practices in the field of intercultural education that can impact the transition from school to work not only in Brazil but in various contexts where Indigenous Peoples live. The case of the community of Nova Esperança is an example of this direction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Social Stratification and Inequality)
18 pages, 662 KiB  
Article
A Cognitive Map of Sexual Violence Victims’ Decision-Making: Understanding the Preference for Social Media over Formal Legal Avenues—Insights from Media Consultants
by Hila Nadav-Carmel and Azi Lev-On
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 480; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090480 - 10 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1177
Abstract
This study delves into the complex decision-making processes of sexual violence survivors regarding public disclosure of their experiences. By constructing a cognitive map from interviews with ten media consultants, this research highlights that survivors often prefer seeking justice through social media rather than [...] Read more.
This study delves into the complex decision-making processes of sexual violence survivors regarding public disclosure of their experiences. By constructing a cognitive map from interviews with ten media consultants, this research highlights that survivors often prefer seeking justice through social media rather than legal channels. This study was conducted in Israel, and it underscores the importance survivors place on the disclosure process itself, valuing voice and respect over the outcome. This research, part of a larger project that includes interviews with victims, focuses on the choice between social media and institutional channels, analyzing cognitive processes through the lens of media consultants. While the constructed cognitive map provides a clear framework for understanding the decisions made by survivors of sexual violence, it simplifies complex emotional and psychological factors. Future research may enhance this map by incorporating a deeper analysis of survivors’ internal conflicts and the interplay between emotional coping mechanisms and external pressures to disclose their experiences. From background conversations with survivors, it was understood that two main factors influence their decision: the process versus the outcome and whether to turn to social media or institutional channels. This nuanced approach provides valuable insights into the specific choices made by survivors when determining where to disclose their assaults. By designing this cognitive map, this study helps understand the needs and priorities of the survivors, such as the importance of voice, respect, and the nature of the disclosure process, and aims to aid future research and decision makers in better understanding and supporting the decision-making processes of sexual violence survivor. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Social Media on Health and Well-Being)
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19 pages, 1773 KiB  
Review
Constructing a Socio-Legal Framework Proposal for Governing Large Language Model Usage and Application in Education
by Mirela Mezak Matijevic, Barbara Pisker and Kristian Dokic
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 479; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090479 - 9 Sep 2024
Viewed by 988
Abstract
Due to the fast-changing environments caused by artificial intelligence development, the socio-technical challenge in contemporary educational systems focuses on the need for more regulative measures guiding system stakeholders’ behavior. In fulfilling the present legal gap, enacted soft law regulation has been laid out, [...] Read more.
Due to the fast-changing environments caused by artificial intelligence development, the socio-technical challenge in contemporary educational systems focuses on the need for more regulative measures guiding system stakeholders’ behavior. In fulfilling the present legal gap, enacted soft law regulation has been laid out, and a detailed systematic literature review was conducted in the paper presented. The specific methodological approach was selected to deal with two crucial research tasks: to reveal and recommend fundamental governing mechanisms regarding the use and application of generative artificial intelligence; more precisely, large language models in educational systems. Three systematically guided layers of quantitative and qualitative content analysis of central policy, legislation, and regulatory mechanisms in governing AI in education were extracted from the 142 Scopus Database and Web of Science research papers analyzed and presented. These research findings benefit policymakers, regulatory and legislative bodies, and agencies in constructing governing frames for using and applying generative artificial intelligence in education. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Social Policy and Welfare)
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17 pages, 447 KiB  
Article
Australian Non-Resident Fathers’ Relationship and Ongoing Engagement with Their Children: A Critical Focus on Power
by Dominic Violi, Peter Lewis, Cannas Kwok and Nathan J. Wilson
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 478; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090478 - 9 Sep 2024
Viewed by 813
Abstract
Non-resident fathers are rarely researched from a critical perspective. Becoming a non-resident father often results in major dislocation, presenting challenges and hindrances to a meaningful relationship with children. Dislocation is increased by the involvement of the family court, legal issues, false abuse allegations, [...] Read more.
Non-resident fathers are rarely researched from a critical perspective. Becoming a non-resident father often results in major dislocation, presenting challenges and hindrances to a meaningful relationship with children. Dislocation is increased by the involvement of the family court, legal issues, false abuse allegations, and ex-partners. Changing family configurations may marginalize non-resident fathers, with their own perspectives, voices, and lack of power remaining largely unmapped. This paper identifies what hinders non-resident fathers’ relationships with their children from a critical and Australian perspective. In-depth interviews using open-ended questions with 19 non-resident fathers were used to collect data, followed by a five-step critical thematic analysis to focus on the locus of power. Non-resident fathers’ perceptions included a lack of agency and decision-making power; the mother, legal obstacles, and agencies hindered their desired relationships with children. Hindrances were magnified by descriptions of false allegations and IPV from the ex-partner and/or her agents, resulting in a sense of marginalization, silencing, and disempowerment. Australian non-resident fathers in this study identified that desired relationships with their children were hindered by the roles of legal and welfare services, policing, and their ex-partners. The highlighting of these issues points to ways that non-resident fathers with similar experiences of a lack of agency and decision-making power might be better supported by more streamlined and balanced legal processes. Full article
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16 pages, 298 KiB  
Article
Climate in 14th-Century England: Catastrophic Change, Social Strategies and the Origins of Capitalism
by Daniel Ribera Vainfas
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 477; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090477 - 9 Sep 2024
Viewed by 956
Abstract
This work aims to explore climate change as a decisive element for the transition from feudalism toward capitalism and considers the Marxist transition debate as a framework. In order to avoid the deterministic trap, climate must be considered as a condition framing the [...] Read more.
This work aims to explore climate change as a decisive element for the transition from feudalism toward capitalism and considers the Marxist transition debate as a framework. In order to avoid the deterministic trap, climate must be considered as a condition framing the historical possibilities in a dialectical relationship with human historical agents. Thus, this paper explores the interactions between medieval English society, focusing on land use and class relation, and the conditions imposed by nature, particularly the change in rainfall and the transformation of ecological conditions around the North Sea Basin, especially on England’s east coast. Through the course of this research, we found out that the climate change that happened in the 14th century is one important condition for the rise of capitalism, as it creates certain pressures on both peasant and manorial economies that exacerbate their contradictions and sets a course for profound societal change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Disasters, Social Movements, Policy Responses and Sociocultural Evolution)
17 pages, 506 KiB  
Article
The Roma Population: Migration, Settlement, and Resilience
by A. K. M. Ahsan Ullah, Muhammad Azizuddin and Jannatul Ferdous
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 476; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090476 - 9 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1775
Abstract
The Roma population—with a unique history marked by migration, settlement issues, and ongoing resilience—has always faced significant social marginalization and has often been subjected to forced migration. Despite being one of the largest and most diverse ethnic groups in Europe, Roma continue to [...] Read more.
The Roma population—with a unique history marked by migration, settlement issues, and ongoing resilience—has always faced significant social marginalization and has often been subjected to forced migration. Despite being one of the largest and most diverse ethnic groups in Europe, Roma continue to face systemic discrimination and social exclusion, leading to poor outcomes in education, employment, health, and housing. This article analyses the migration pathways, settlement experiences, and persistent obstacles faced by Roma. We argue that removing historical and systemic barriers to create a more equitable and welcoming environment for the Roma community is their right. The resilience of the Roma community in the face of adversity is a testament to their cultural strength and adaptability. This research aims to document these aspects and thus provide a basis for policies that promote social inclusion, equality, and respect for cultural diversity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section International Migration)
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18 pages, 494 KiB  
Article
Impact of Motivation Factors for Using Generative AI Services on Continuous Use Intention: Mediating Trust and Acceptance Attitude
by Sangbum Kang, Yongjoo Choi and Boyoung Kim
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 475; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090475 - 9 Sep 2024
Viewed by 2546
Abstract
This study aims to empirically analyze the relationship between the motivational factors of generative AI users and the intention to continue using the service. Accordingly, the motives of users who use generative AI services are defined as individual, social, and technical motivation factors. [...] Read more.
This study aims to empirically analyze the relationship between the motivational factors of generative AI users and the intention to continue using the service. Accordingly, the motives of users who use generative AI services are defined as individual, social, and technical motivation factors. This research verified the effect of these factors on intention to continue using the services and tested the meditating effect of trust and acceptance attitude. We tested this through verifying trust and acceptance attitudes. An online survey was conducted on language-based generative AI service users such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google Bard, Microsoft Bing, and Meta-Lama, and a structural equation analysis was conducted through a total of 356 surveys. As a result of the analysis, individual, social, and technical motivational factors all had a positive (+) effect on trust and acceptance attitude on the attitude toward accepting generative AI services. Among them, individual motivation such as self-efficacy, innovation orientation, and playful desire were found to have the greatest influence on the formation of the acceptance attitude. In addition, social factors were identified as the factors that have the greatest influence on trust in the use of generative AI services. When it comes to using generative AI, it was confirmed that social reputation or awareness directly affects the trust in usability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technology, Digital Transformation and Society)
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13 pages, 636 KiB  
Article
Conflict in Love: An Examination of the Role of Dark Triad Traits in Romantic Relationships among Women
by Beatriz Ferrarini Furtado, Geovana Mellisa Castrezana Anacleto, Bruno Bonfá-Araujo, Julie Aitken Schermer and Peter K. Jonason
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 474; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090474 - 6 Sep 2024
Viewed by 936
Abstract
The present study examined how the personality dimensions of the Dark Triad (i.e., Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy) predict infidelity intentions and jealousy and whether these variables predict conflict tactics used in relationships. Adult women (N = 567, 18–73 years old, Mage [...] Read more.
The present study examined how the personality dimensions of the Dark Triad (i.e., Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy) predict infidelity intentions and jealousy and whether these variables predict conflict tactics used in relationships. Adult women (N = 567, 18–73 years old, Mage = 31.91; SD = 10.29) completed self-report scales assessing the Dark Triad traits, jealousy (i.e., cognitive, emotional, and behavioral), intentions towards infidelity, and conflict tactics, including negotiation, psychological aggression, physical assault, sexual coercion, and injury. Our results demonstrated that the Dark Triad traits had strong links to the intention to commit infidelity and jealousy, and at the correlational level, there were small correlations between jealousy and the intention to commit infidelity. Both jealousy and the intention to commit infidelity predicted conflict tactics. As this is possibly one of the first studies to examine these variables jointly, the present results add to our understanding of the role of personality in romantic relationships. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalyzing Change: Social Love, Emotions and Transformations of Social Relationships)
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20 pages, 389 KiB  
Article
“It’s All about Who You Know”: Investigating the Involvement Process in Regard to Organised Criminal Groups within Australia
by Adrian Leiva
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 473; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090473 - 6 Sep 2024
Viewed by 758
Abstract
Research on organised crime is as diverse and multifaceted as the criminal phenomenon itself, yet comprehensive academic insight on the process by which individuals become involved in organised criminal groups (OCGs) remains limited. Existing scholarly work has explored the involvement mechanisms into specific [...] Read more.
Research on organised crime is as diverse and multifaceted as the criminal phenomenon itself, yet comprehensive academic insight on the process by which individuals become involved in organised criminal groups (OCGs) remains limited. Existing scholarly work has explored the involvement mechanisms into specific illicit activities (e.g., drug trafficking), the role of trust within co-offending relationships, and the potential for disengagement from OCGs. With consideration for the current research landscape, the present study examined involvement regarding OCGs through the lens of a conceptual ‘process’ by developing a framework using data obtained from interviews with police officers from three Australian law enforcement agencies and an analysis of transcripts from court proceedings in Australia. The study provided the first comprehensive examination of the involvement process of OCGs within an Australian context. The results of the study contributed to the development of an involvement ‘process’ conceptual framework which comprises the following three key stages: motivations and pathways to involvement, mechanisms for establishing co-offending relationships, and continued engagement with or disengagement from OCGs. The conceptual framework proposed in the present study should be viewed as an ideal process and provide the foundation for future research, with methodological replication in other jurisdictions contributing to a cohesive and comprehensive understanding of the involvement process of OCGs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Crime and Justice)
10 pages, 256 KiB  
Article
Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the IDMUQ: A Short Measure to Assess Increased Digital Media Use in Preschool Children
by Lutz Wartberg, Hannah Schmidt, Ingo Menrath, Stefanie Witt and Silke Pawils
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 472; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090472 - 6 Sep 2024
Viewed by 592
Abstract
Background: Today, the use of digital media is already present at an early stage in the lives of children. Even preschool children can already develop increased digital media use (IDMU). Empirical findings indicate associations of IDMU with several problems in psychosocial development. Therefore, [...] Read more.
Background: Today, the use of digital media is already present at an early stage in the lives of children. Even preschool children can already develop increased digital media use (IDMU). Empirical findings indicate associations of IDMU with several problems in psychosocial development. Therefore, it seems important to identify IDMU early, but there are very few specific approaches for preschool children. The aim of the present survey was to evaluate a newly developed brief screening instrument (based on DSM-5 criteria) named the IDMUQ (an abbreviation for “Increased Digital Media Use Questionnaire”). Methods: We investigated two samples, consisting of 341 parents and of 809 parents, with the IDMUQ, the Short CIUS, and the Parenting Stress Index. Data on screen time and sociodemographic aspects were also collected. We conducted an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) as well as reliability and correlation analyses. Results: The findings of both the EFA and the CFA support a one-dimensional structure for the IDMUQ. The reliability coefficients (Cronbach’s alpha values) were 0.74 and 0.86. We observed first indications of criterion validity for the IDMUQ as well as correlations between parenting stress and IDMU. Conclusions: The results indicate that the IDMUQ, with its four items, is a promising screening tool to measure IDMU in preschool children. Full article
2 pages, 167 KiB  
Correction
Correction: Lilja et al. (2024). Civic Literacy and Disinformation in Democracies. Social Sciences 13: 405
by Jannie Lilja, Niklas Eklund and Ester Tottie
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 471; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090471 - 6 Sep 2024
Viewed by 403
Abstract
In the original publication (Lilja et al [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Disinformation and Misinformation in the New Media Landscape)
13 pages, 270 KiB  
Article
How Screen Time and Social Media Hyperconnection Have Harmed Adolescents’ Relational and Psychological Well-Being since the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Antonio Tintori, Giulia Ciancimino and Loredana Cerbara
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 470; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090470 - 5 Sep 2024
Viewed by 2985
Abstract
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the increase in screen time and hyperconnection on social media is raising significant concerns, with particular emphasis of their effects on the relational and psychological well-being of children and adolescents. The present study analyses data from two representative cross-sectional [...] Read more.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the increase in screen time and hyperconnection on social media is raising significant concerns, with particular emphasis of their effects on the relational and psychological well-being of children and adolescents. The present study analyses data from two representative cross-sectional surveys conducted among Italian adolescents in 2019 and 2022. Through bivariate analyses and binary logistic regression models, the study examines changes in screen time on social media, identifies key socio-demographic predictors of hyperconnection, and explores its effects on both the relational and psychological well-being of young people. The findings reveal the profound impact of the pandemic on daily social media use, showing a significant increase across all social groups regardless of socio-demographic characteristics, with girls consistently exhibiting higher levels of hyperconnection. Additionally, the results indicate that hyperconnected individuals are 1.4 times more likely to experience negative psychological states compared to their peers. The effects of hyperconnection vary by gender, influencing both horizontal and vertical social interactions, reducing trust in adult figures, increasing the likelihood of cyberbullying victimisation, phubbing, and body image concerns, and fostering the belief that online relationships can replace offline ones. Overall, the study highlights the urgent need for more effective prevention, awareness, and educational strategies aimed at educators, parents, and adolescents. Full article
10 pages, 243 KiB  
Article
The Emerging Trends and Response to Drug and Substance Abuse among the Youth in Zimbabwe
by Ishmael Mugari
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 469; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090469 - 5 Sep 2024
Viewed by 2976
Abstract
Drug and substance abuse is a contemporary problem among the youth and has reached crises levels in the nation of Zimbabwe. The problem has been compounded by acute socio-economic challenges that have characterised the nation for the past decade. Despite efforts to curb [...] Read more.
Drug and substance abuse is a contemporary problem among the youth and has reached crises levels in the nation of Zimbabwe. The problem has been compounded by acute socio-economic challenges that have characterised the nation for the past decade. Despite efforts to curb the problem, new forms of drug and substance abuse are emerging. This study, which is based on a documentary survey, explored the emerging trends in drug and substance abuse among youths in Zimbabwe, as well as evaluating the current measures to deal with the problem. While marijuana is viewed as the most abused drug, this study reveals some emerging trends such as the abuse of prescription drugs, use of home-made intoxicating substances, infusion of intoxicated people’s blood, ingestion of drug laced foods and drinking sodium polyacrylate from boiled diapers. Acute socio-economic challenges, ease of access and porous borders are considered the major contributory factors for drug and substance abuse. Notwithstanding the efforts by the government and law enforcement agents to deal with the scourge, this study reveals that the current measures have not been as effective as expected. Full article
17 pages, 293 KiB  
Article
Explaining Housing Policy Change through Discursive Institutionalism
by Jordan Carnaby King
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(9), 468; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090468 - 4 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1181
Abstract
Explaining how and why housing policies change is an ongoing theoretical challenge for housing scholars. A key approach is the ‘housing regimes’ framework (Kemeny 2006), drawing from Esping-Andersen’s work on the role of labour/capital struggles in shaping welfare states. However, this framework has [...] Read more.
Explaining how and why housing policies change is an ongoing theoretical challenge for housing scholars. A key approach is the ‘housing regimes’ framework (Kemeny 2006), drawing from Esping-Andersen’s work on the role of labour/capital struggles in shaping welfare states. However, this framework has been criticised (Stephens 2020; Clapham 2020) for inadequately explaining housing system changes, including neoliberal shifts and financialization. In response, scholars have turned to political science and sociology theories on policy change, such as historical institutionalism (Ruonavaara 2020) and discursive theories focusing on interactions between policy actors (Clapham 2018). This article builds on Clapham’s discursive turn in housing studies by incorporating concepts from ‘discursive institutionalism’ (DI) (Schmidt 2008). DI explains policy change by examining the interplay of ideas, interactions, and power dynamics in a given policy field. DI provides a methodological framework for understanding how policy actors develop and use ideas to shape policies, while considering the influence of the institutional context and power relations. The aim of the article is to highlight the utility of DI as a framework for examining housing policy change. As a vehicle for doing so, an analysis of social housing policy change in New Zealand employing DI is provided for empirical reference. The article builds on Clapham’s (2018) focus on discourse in housing studies, adding DI to the repertoire of conceptual frameworks available to researchers interested in the causal role of ideas and discourse in policy change processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from Housing Studies Association Annual Conference 2023)
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