Societies

15 pages, 1089 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analysis of Stakeholder Integration in Education Policy Making: Case Studies of Singapore and Finland

by Ghalia Al-Thani

Societies 2024, 14(7), 104; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14070104 - 28 Jun 2024

This paper analyzes stakeholder engagement in educational policymaking in Singapore and Finland, two countries renowned for successful education systems. While both countries achieve high academic standards, they employ distinct approaches to engage stakeholders in shaping educational policies. Singapore adopts a centralized model where [...] Read more.

This paper analyzes stakeholder engagement in educational policymaking in Singapore and Finland, two countries renowned for successful education systems. While both countries achieve high academic standards, they employ distinct approaches to engage stakeholders in shaping educational policies. Singapore adopts a centralized model where policymaking is primarily directed by the Ministry of Education (MOE), with limited participation from external stakeholders. In contrast, Finland adopts a decentralized approach, empowering local authorities and schools with significant autonomy and actively involving stakeholders in policymaking. Key stakeholders, including teachers, parents, students and the private sector, play different roles in each country’s education governance. In Singapore, stakeholders are consulted through formal channels but have limited influence on decision-making, whereas, in Finland, stakeholders actively steer fundamental policy directions through extensive participation and consensus-building. The paper highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each approach and their impacts on education outcomes. Despite differences in governance models, both countries prioritize inclusive education, social cohesion, and holistic development. The analysis underscores the importance of meaningful stakeholder engagement in crafting effective education policies that align with national values and visions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Social Research in Economics, Environment, Education, and Philosophy)

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23 pages, 963 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hate and Perceived Threats on the Resettlement of Afghan Refugees in Portugal

by João Prata Veiga and Luciana Oliveira

Societies 2024, 14(7), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14070103 - 27 Jun 2024

Abstract

The withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in August 2021 precipitated a humanitarian crisis, prompting the displacement of Afghan refugees seeking sanctuary, including in Portugal. This study aims to rigorously assess public perceptions of Afghan refugee resettlement in Portugal by analyzing national news [...] Read more.

The withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in August 2021 precipitated a humanitarian crisis, prompting the displacement of Afghan refugees seeking sanctuary, including in Portugal. This study aims to rigorously assess public perceptions of Afghan refugee resettlement in Portugal by analyzing national news and subsequent Facebook reactions, seeking to discern sentiment, approval/disapproval, perceived realistic and symbolic threats, and potential hate speech toward migrant resettlement. Employing a mixed-methods approach with a qualitative emphasis, this cross-sectional study involved a volumetric analysis of 40 Facebook posts from mainstream news outlets, followed by a qualitative content analysis of 1000 comments from 10 selected posts based on popularity and controversy. Findings reveal a predominance of negative sentiments and low levels of approval for migrant resettlement. Emotional complexity suggests controversy and polarization, with negativity surpassing positivity. Concerns regarding economic impact ranked highest, followed by security, cultural, and religious considerations. Instances of hate speech, predominantly political in nature, with lesser occurrences of religious and nationality-based content, were evident. This research contributes to the scientific understanding of public perceptions concerning Afghan refugee integration in Portugal, providing valuable insights into societal attitudes towards humanitarian crises and refugee resettlement efforts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Society and Immigration: Reducing Inequalities)

29 pages, 1423 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Holistic and Multidimensional Methodology Proposal for a Persona with Total Visual Impairment Archetype on the Web

by Esther Marin-Alvarez, Sonia Carcelen-Garcia and María Galmes-Cerezo

Societies 2024, 14(7), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14070102 - 27 Jun 2024

Abstract

The web was conceived in 1997 with the goal of universal accessibility. However, it still presents obstacles for users with diverse abilities. Although interactions in digital environments have improved the quality of life for many people, they remain a source of limitations and [...] Read more.

The web was conceived in 1997 with the goal of universal accessibility. However, it still presents obstacles for users with diverse abilities. Although interactions in digital environments have improved the quality of life for many people, they remain a source of limitations and frustrations, up to twice as much for users with total visual impairment, which is commonly known as blindness. This article emphasizes the need to provide designers and developers with methodologies and tools that consider users with different abilities in all stages and from the beginning of the design, redesign, and development of digital products and services on the web, collecting their needs and goals and delving into their reactions and emotions. While an approach based on persona archetypes can optimally represent each group of users with disabilities throughout website design processes, serving as a communication and empathy tool for development teams and stakeholders, it is essential that this tool considers all dimensions involved in the experiences of people with disabilities. This conceptual paper develops a methodology that provides designers with a persona tool that effectively captures the goals and emotions of these users in their interaction with the web. This methodology proposal is multidimensional and holistic. It addresses conscious and subconscious dimensions, combines traditional user experience and neuroscientific techniques, focuses on total visual impairment, the most challenging in digital environments, and makes it adaptable to other disabilities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Intersectional Effect of Social Networks and Citizenship Empowerment in the Digital Societies)

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16 pages, 845 KiB

Open AccessArticle

WASTA in Arab Societies: Optimizing or Worsening Quality of Life? The Role of Religiosity

by Ibrahim A. Elsaher

Societies 2024, 14(7), 101; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14070101 - 27 Jun 2024

Abstract

WASTA, a word widely used in Arab society, implies using people’s connections to generate mutual advantages. WASTA is rooted deeply in the culture of Arab societies and has a double effect that stimulates a continuous argument. On one hand, WASTA is considered a [...] Read more.

WASTA, a word widely used in Arab society, implies using people’s connections to generate mutual advantages. WASTA is rooted deeply in the culture of Arab societies and has a double effect that stimulates a continuous argument. On one hand, WASTA is considered a valuable social practice that optimizes social bonds and dual support to improve the overall quality of life (QoL) for all parties. In contrast, WASTA is regularly criticized for extending inequality and corruption in the community, which might worsen QoL, taking into consideration the mediating impacts of religiosity. This paper investigated the dual effects of WASTA on QoL and the mediating role of religiosity in Arab societies. Three hundred and ninety small- and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs’) owners in Saudi Arabia participated in a self-structured questionnaire that was analyzed using PLS-SEM. The results showed that the appearance of some dimensions of WASTA in Arab societies can optimize QoL. At the same time, other elements can worsen the QoL of the participating parties, but the adverse effect can be mitigated when religiosity is a mediator. These results suggest that WASTA can act as a positive connection method in Arab societies when accompanied by religiosity but can accelerate corruption in its absence; several practical and theoretical implications were discussed and elaborated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Lifestyle: The Relevance of Health Promotion for Society)

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13 pages, 266 KiB

Open AccessConcept Paper

Understanding the Emotional Toll of Racial Violence on Black Individuals’ Health

by Julien Quesne

Societies 2024, 14(7), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14070100 - 27 Jun 2024

Abstract

This paper discusses the pivotal role emotions can play in the higher prevalence of disease and mortality in Black populations in North America. There is a large body of research on the potentially harmful effect of negative emotions upon physical well-being. However, many [...] Read more.

This paper discusses the pivotal role emotions can play in the higher prevalence of disease and mortality in Black populations in North America. There is a large body of research on the potentially harmful effect of negative emotions upon physical well-being. However, many scholars continue to interpret this link via a biological and reactive lens of emotion. By largely disentangling the embodiment of emotions from the traditional biological framework to which they are typically tied, we seek to analyze the nexus of race, emotion, and health through political, historical, and even ontological lenses. This analysis leverages Barrett’s theory of constructed emotion to elucidate the tangible impact of emotion on physical well-being and, in conjunction with Afropessimist metatheory on race, the potential contribution to understanding premature mortality among Black populations in North America. Barrett’s theory offers insight into how the persistent experience of negative emotions related to race can disrupt the delicate balance of an individual’s body-budget. The detrimental impact of White supremacy’s affective classifications and associated emotion concepts on Black populations is a stark reality, contributing significantly to daily health challenges faced by these communities in North America. Full article

14 pages, 987 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Migration Intention of Rural Farmers to Urban Areas in Bangladesh and Its Determinants: A Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling Approach

by A. K. M. Kanak Pervez, Akira Ishida, Md Shahriar Kabir and Lixia Tang

Societies 2024, 14(7), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14070099 - 27 Jun 2024

Abstract

Internal rural-urban migration is becoming a priority in social research. However, no one has systematically studied the intentions of farmers to migrate internally to Bangladesh to seek permanent urban residence via paid employment yet. This paper develops a TPB (theory of planned behaviour) [...] Read more.

Internal rural-urban migration is becoming a priority in social research. However, no one has systematically studied the intentions of farmers to migrate internally to Bangladesh to seek permanent urban residence via paid employment yet. This paper develops a TPB (theory of planned behaviour) model to explain farmers’ intentions to migrate or not migrate to cities for paid employment; then, this paper tests the model against the data collected. A total 372 individuals (migrated farmers) were randomly chosen from 11,200 families who had left a rural area in Bangladesh to collect quantitative data about the issues raised in the model; the data were collected by a telephone interview. The socioeconomic profile of the respondents fits that of internal migrants identified in the literature, and the Cronbach’s alpha as well as composite reliability statistics suggest that the data are representative of the population. According to the structural equation modelling (SEM) data, attitudes towards migration (ATTs) and subjective norms (SNs) have an impact on migration intention (MI), while perceived behavioural control (PBC) show no significant effect. This study used a primary dataset from interviews with rural migrants working in different sectors in different cities in Bangladesh. This suggests that the planned behaviour model may help explain farmers’ decisions to migrate internally in Bangladesh and that policies based on the model may successfully reduce such migration. Full article

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11 pages, 726 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prevalence and Impact of Hate Speech among Politicians in Switzerland

by Joëlle Ninon Albrecht, Jérôme Endrass, Michal Sonja Dreifuss, Nina Schnyder and Astrid Rossegger

Societies 2024, 14(7), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14070098 - 27 Jun 2024

Abstract

Politicians may be particularly vulnerable to hate speech because of their public visibility and exposure to deviating opinions. They play a critical role in the functioning of a democratic system, and therefore, hate speech poses a potential threat because it can impede politicians’ [...] Read more.

Politicians may be particularly vulnerable to hate speech because of their public visibility and exposure to deviating opinions. They play a critical role in the functioning of a democratic system, and therefore, hate speech poses a potential threat because it can impede politicians’ freedom of expression or even lead politicians to resign from office. However, little is known about the prevalence and impact of hate speech targeting politicians. We therefore surveyed the politicians in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland, 667 of whom participated (39.8% response rate). The prevalence of hate speech experiences was 29.7% in their total time as politicians and 20.6% in the past 12 months. Participants who had held a political office for longer and were affiliated with a political party on the poles of the political spectrum were more susceptible. Crucially, 29.4% of the affected politicians had contemplated resigning from politics due to hate speech. Thus, our study underlines a need for action. As the participants indicated they wanted to deal with hate speech as little as possible but still desired some form of intervention, political measures should strive for intervention options that require minimal contributions from the victims. Full article

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12 pages, 2936 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Collective Memory, Visual Communication, and Symbolic Interactions with Statues: The Case of the Charging Bull of Wall Street

by Annosha Mubasher and Tim F. Liao

Societies 2024, 14(7), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14070097 - 22 Jun 2024

Abstract

This research is concerned with individuals’ symbolic interactions with the Charging Bull statue. We chose this statue because it is an extremely popular tourist attraction and the most visited nonhuman statue in New York City. However, there is no research devoted to understanding [...] Read more.

This research is concerned with individuals’ symbolic interactions with the Charging Bull statue. We chose this statue because it is an extremely popular tourist attraction and the most visited nonhuman statue in New York City. However, there is no research devoted to understanding how visitors interact with the statue. To fill this gap in the literature, we examine people’s interactions as a unique way of communicating with the Charging Bull statue in New York City through a photo analysis approach. Using the general framework of symbolic interactionism, the paper investigates poses, gestures, and more generally interactions of individuals near or with the statue to gain insights into the impact of the Charging Bull beyond a mere visual representation. The findings reveal various forms of interaction, including souvenir photography, active participation, unexpected interactions, and public-made symbolism. This study of these interactions contributes to the literature on collective memory and the study of statues. Additionally, this research highlights the inventiveness of the dynamic relationship between individuals and statues as symbols in the urban environment. Full article

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25 pages, 7593 KiB

Open AccessConcept Paper

The Perception of Eros and the Cinema Audience Experience in Cádiz (Spain)

by Inmaculada Rodríguez-Cunill, Juan José Domínguez-López and Sonia Carlos-García

Societies 2024, 14(7), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14070096 - 21 Jun 2024

Abstract

The perception of the concept of Eros has evolved through shared cinematic experiences, to the point of shaping collective imagery in Cadiz, Spain. This city is known for its creativity and an extraordinary amount of performances during the period of carnival, and is [...] Read more.

The perception of the concept of Eros has evolved through shared cinematic experiences, to the point of shaping collective imagery in Cadiz, Spain. This city is known for its creativity and an extraordinary amount of performances during the period of carnival, and is represented annually by anonymous citizens. The research method employed consisted of an exhaustive analysis of bibliographic, press, and archival references on audience behavior from the introduction of the cinematograph to the present day. The authors have designed a table that organizes the emergence of movie theaters in the city and completed the background information, delving into the historical, geographical, and idiosyncratic factors that have contributed to collective creativity in the city. From there, we analyzed the evolution of the concept of Eros through the perspectives of Byung Chul Han and Georges Bataille. As a result, we recovered the value of projection interruptions in the analog environment as an opportunity for collective interaction, confronting them with the demands of technological perfection. We demonstrated the resilience of the analog through new experiences that show the evolution of the need for collective contact. Future studies will focus on other contexts, such as supermarkets and terraces, to contribute to a broader understanding of urban spaces, social cohesion, and perceptions of Eros. Full article

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22 pages, 374 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Potential for Frugal Innovation in a Brazilian Regional System: A Study Based on a Multicriteria Approach

by Gabriel Gomes Moreira, Robério José Rogério dos Santos, Victor Diogho Heuer de Carvalho, Francisco José Peixoto Rosário and Agnaldo José dos Santos

Societies 2024, 14(6), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14060095 - 20 Jun 2024

Abstract

Regional innovation systems (RISs) can stimulate knowledge sharing and collaboration, attracting investments and promoting economic and social progress. This is often linked to what is known as frugal innovation, involving small businesses developing and selling sustainable, low-cost products that meet local needs. This [...] Read more.

Regional innovation systems (RISs) can stimulate knowledge sharing and collaboration, attracting investments and promoting economic and social progress. This is often linked to what is known as frugal innovation, involving small businesses developing and selling sustainable, low-cost products that meet local needs. This study aims to present and apply a model to measure regional innovation potential, using a multicriteria approach based on the principles of frugal innovation (FI). The analytical hierarchical process (AHP) was used to generate factor weights, enabling score calculation to provide insights into FI potential on a literature-based five-point scale. Data were collected in two stages: (i) from twelve main participants—working in a rural RIS—who responded to a questionnaire, and (ii) from cities through official government channels to collect information about their innovation development initiatives. The results reveal that the RIS analyzed still lacks assistance in the development of public policies to support the development of an innovative culture, indicating the need for appropriate mechanisms to boost innovation actions. The outputs of this study can help cities and regions to analyze their innovation potential, assist public managers in decision-making, support the creation of innovation-stimulating mechanisms, help RISs to address deficiencies, and promote local development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Innovation in Urban and Rural Areas: Empowerment, (Disruptive) Transformative Processes and Impact on Community Development)

14 pages, 537 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Digitisation of Italian Schools and the Pandemic Trigger: Actors and Policies in an Evolving Organisational Field

by Domenico Carbone and Cristina Calvi

Societies 2024, 14(6), 94; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14060094 - 20 Jun 2024

Abstract

This article analyses the ongoing processes in the organisational field of Italian schools in light of the innovations induced by digital education policies. Specifically, it focuses on the relationship between actors and digital policies concerning the experience of distance learning (DL) that characterised [...] Read more.

This article analyses the ongoing processes in the organisational field of Italian schools in light of the innovations induced by digital education policies. Specifically, it focuses on the relationship between actors and digital policies concerning the experience of distance learning (DL) that characterised the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper reflects on DL outcomes regarding the three expectations that have often characterised the rhetoric associated with the promotion of digital educational policies, namely: the raising of learning levels, the development of digital competences and the increase in school inclusion. Through an analysis of a series of empirical studies exploring the point of view of the paper, this paper highlights what progress has been made in the digital schooling in Italy and what are still its main limitations. The results of the study show both the limits of the effectiveness of educational policies constructed with a top-down approach and highlight the potential for policy recalibration offered by a reorganisation of the decision-making process through the active involvement of all the actors in the educational system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction of a Knowledge Society: Developments in Information Technology and Educational Management)

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14 pages, 910 KiB

Open AccessConcept Paper

Keeping It Real: Insights from a Sport-Based Living Lab

by Louis Moustakas, Marieke Breed, Nynke Burgers, Sarah Carney, Ties Greven, Patricia Grove, Lisa Kalina, Perry Ogden, Karen Petry, Simona Šafaříková, Ben Sanders, Arnost Svoboda, Julie Wittmannová, Pim van Limbeek and Fenna van Marle

Societies 2024, 14(6), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14060093 - 19 Jun 2024

Abstract

Sport for development (SFD) initiatives have faced numerous criticisms around the focus on individual-level (micro) outcomes and lack of integration at the community (meso) and structural (macro) levels. As a result, there is growing recognition that programmes need to find ways to work [...] Read more.

Sport for development (SFD) initiatives have faced numerous criticisms around the focus on individual-level (micro) outcomes and lack of integration at the community (meso) and structural (macro) levels. As a result, there is growing recognition that programmes need to find ways to work with and engage a wide range of community members and stakeholders through more inclusive, participatory approaches. One such approach is known as Living Labs. In the following conceptual article, we present the Sport and Social Cohesion Lab (SSCL) project, which implemented a Living Lab approach in various sport-based programmes from four different European countries. The main components of the Living Lab framework are presented, and practical insights are derived from the project. In addition, the unique and sometimes critical role of sport is reflected upon in relation to the Living Lab context. Through this, this article provides practitioners and academics with potential building blocks to implement Living Labs and/or embed participatory approaches in sport and physical activity contexts and social settings more generally. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Sport and Society)

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15 pages, 272 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Violent Implications of Opposition to the Istanbul Convention

by Conny Roggeband and Andrea Krizsán

Societies 2024, 14(6), 92; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14060092 - 17 Jun 2024

Abstract

This paper focuses on campaigns against the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention). These campaigns not only obstructed ratification processes in a number of countries, but also that the openly hostile and highly [...] Read more.

This paper focuses on campaigns against the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention). These campaigns not only obstructed ratification processes in a number of countries, but also that the openly hostile and highly gendered attacks had a direct impact on women’s rights activists and their work, seriously hindering their work, but also affecting their well-being and safety. In this paper we explore the violent implications of the campaigns against the Istanbul Convention which are part of wider anti-gender campaigns. We argue that the violence of the campaigns and the violent implications should be considered gendered political violence, which effectively marginalizes women and other targeted groups and obstructs their participation in society and politics and as such is central to current autocratization tendencies and undermining of democracy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gender, Sexuality, and State Violence: International Perspectives on Institutional and Intersectional Justice)

29 pages, 1060 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Immobilized Lifestyle of Institutionalized Older Persons: An Empirical Study

by Claudiu Coman, Carmen Bărbat, Cosmin Goian, Maria Cristina Bularca, Felicia Andrioni, Lavinia Popp, Adrian Netedu, Mihai Burlacu, Dănuț Bălăuță, Nicolae Talpă and Bogdan Popa

Societies 2024, 14(6), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14060091 - 17 Jun 2024

Abstract

Our study aimed to examine how care centers for older persons acted and adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic period by considering the opinions of the beneficiaries, employees, and managers of such centers. The research was conducted between February and June 2022, and we [...] Read more.

Our study aimed to examine how care centers for older persons acted and adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic period by considering the opinions of the beneficiaries, employees, and managers of such centers. The research was conducted between February and June 2022, and we used a mixed-methods approach. For the quantitative research, we applied a questionnaire to 430 institutionalized older persons from Timis County, Romania. For the qualitative analysis, we conducted interviews with 31 institutionalized older persons, 7 employees, and 4 managers. Most institutionalized older persons were mainly satisfied with their lives in the care centers. The main difficulties they faced were the impossibility of being close to loved ones and the difficulty of adapting to the living conditions within the center. Additionally, the older persons were satisfied with their interactions with the staff of the care centers. The conducted research provides a view of the lifestyle of older persons in care centers during the pandemic. It highlights their struggles and can be used as a reference point for further improvement of the lifestyle of older persons within care centers. Full article

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16 pages, 923 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gender and Age in the Travel Choice by Spanish Travel Agency Consumers

by Ángel Rodríguez-Pallas, Myriam Yolanda Sarabia-Molina, María Dolores Sánchez-Fernández and José Ramón-Cardona

Societies 2024, 14(6), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14060090 - 15 Jun 2024

Abstract

The tourist intermediary industry has faced multiple challenges to adapt their offers to the heterogeneity of tourists, and understanding consumer interests from a gender and age perspective is considered crucial in the design and marketing of tourist products. The aim of this article [...] Read more.

The tourist intermediary industry has faced multiple challenges to adapt their offers to the heterogeneity of tourists, and understanding consumer interests from a gender and age perspective is considered crucial in the design and marketing of tourist products. The aim of this article is to examine the differences generated by the gender and age variables of consumers of Spanish travel agencies when choosing travel and tourist destinations, focusing on different types of travel, the choice between national and international destinations, and specific destination types. An explanatory quantitative methodology was employed with a hypothetical-deductive approach. A questionnaire was administered to individuals who booked through Spanish travel agencies and a sample of 879 was obtained. The data were analyzed using SPSS 26 software and the main statistical tool was the Pearson Chi-Square (χ²) test. The findings show that gender implies significant differences in travel preferences, with women favoring the exploration of new destinations and men preferring relaxation travel. Age groups impact the choice between national and international travel, but have a lesser effect on specific destination preferences. This research underscores the importance of considering gender and age in understanding consumer behavior within the travel sector, with the aim of developing more effective marketing strategies and catering to diverse customer needs. Within the implications, the growing importance of the older traveler segment should be highlighted, which requires future research and comparisons with the younger traveler segment. Full article

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14 pages, 379 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Artificial Intelligence’s Opportunities and Challenges in Engineering Curricular Design: A Combined Review and Focus Group Study

by Ibrahim Mosly

Societies 2024, 14(6), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14060089 - 13 Jun 2024

Abstract

This study explores the opportunities and challenges of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into engineering education. Through a review of the literature and a qualitative focus group study, an assessment was made for the role of AI in personalizing learning, enhancing simulation engagement, providing [...] Read more.

This study explores the opportunities and challenges of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into engineering education. Through a review of the literature and a qualitative focus group study, an assessment was made for the role of AI in personalizing learning, enhancing simulation engagement, providing real-time feedback, and preparing students for AI-integrated workplaces. The study emphasizes how AI may significantly improve educational experiences by making them more dynamic, interactive, and successful. It also draws attention to important issues, such as moral questions, algorithmic biases in AI, infrastructure constraints, the need for AI literacy training for educators, and a range of student perspectives on AI engineering education. The results support a systematic approach to AI integration, highlighting the necessity of cooperative efforts by educators, legislators, curriculum designers, and technologists in order to overcome these obstacles. The study makes the case that AI can transform engineering education by negotiating these challenges and providing students with the information and skills needed for the digital future, all the while assuring fair and moral access to technology-enhanced learning. Full article

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18 pages, 5949 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Building the Prison to Legal Drug Dealing Pipeline: A Comparative Analysis of Social Equity Policies in Recreational Cannabis Licensing

by Kelly L. Patterson, Robert Mark Silverman, Ambreen Rehman-Veal, Li Yin and Suiyuan Wang

Societies 2024, 14(6), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14060088 - 13 Jun 2024

Abstract

Since 2012, twenty-four states have legalized adult-use recreational cannabis. To varying degrees, state laws allow for the production, distribution, retail sale, and on-site consumption of cannabis in licensed businesses. Accompanying cannabis, some legalization has acknowledged that black and brown communities were disproportionately impacted [...] Read more.

Since 2012, twenty-four states have legalized adult-use recreational cannabis. To varying degrees, state laws allow for the production, distribution, retail sale, and on-site consumption of cannabis in licensed businesses. Accompanying cannabis, some legalization has acknowledged that black and brown communities were disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs. To address this, social equity provisions have been a component of their public policies related to cannabis legalization. These provisions include measures to expunge cannabis-related criminal records and create social equity set-asides for cannabis business licenses. This paper’s research question asks if, under its current structure and implementation, recreational cannabis laws achieve social equity goals. The methods for the analysis apply content analysis to public policy documents and quantify recreational cannabis licensing outcomes. These methods were applied to a comparative analysis of social equity provisions in state and local cannabis laws applicable to large U.S. cities (2020 population > 600,000). This analysis focuses on the characteristics of set-asides for social equity licenses to sell recreational cannabis. The analysis examines the scope of social equity policies, their administration and implementation, and the characteristics of licensees. The findings from the analysis are used to identify a model policy framework and generate recommendations to strengthen social equity outcomes in recreational cannabis licensing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Cannabis Legalization in the United States: Public Policy, Social Welfare, and Public Health Implications)

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15 pages, 821 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Children’s Fears: Impact of Cognitive Level

by Aurélie Simoës-Perlant

Societies 2024, 14(6), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14060087 - 12 Jun 2024

Abstract

The aim of this study is to contribute to the debate concerning the intensity of fears in high-IQ children. Many authors have pointed out that this population presents a particular psycho-affective profile that can lead to greater anxieties and fears. One hundred and [...] Read more.

The aim of this study is to contribute to the debate concerning the intensity of fears in high-IQ children. Many authors have pointed out that this population presents a particular psycho-affective profile that can lead to greater anxieties and fears. One hundred and one children (normal-IQ vs. high-IQ) were subjected to an adaptation of the Fear Inventory (FSSC-R; Inventaire des peurs de l’enfant, IPE-R). The results show that fear of danger and death is significantly more intense than all other fears in children aged 5 to 12. However, the pattern of results obtained did not differ according to the cognitive abilities of the children questioned. These results are important because they challenge the preconceived ideas conveyed in the media and by many practitioners who have made giftedness their stock-in-trade. If there is indeed a difference, it may be linked not to the children’s perception of their own emotional state but rather to its behavioral manifestations, which may be more intense in high-IQ children. These results are discussed in relation to the literature, and research perspectives are proposed. Full article

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28 pages, 336 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Voices from the Shadows: Intergenerational Conflict Memory and Second-Generation Northern Irish Identity in England

by Liam Harte, Jack Crangle, Graham Dawson, Barry Hazley and Fearghus Roulston

Societies 2024, 14(6), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14060086 - 12 Jun 2024

Abstract

Recent scholarship has highlighted the heterogeneity of second-generation Irish identities in Great Britain, yet the varieties of self-identification espoused by the English-raised children of Northern Irish parents remain almost wholly unexplored. This article redresses this neglect by examining the relationship between parentally transmitted [...] Read more.

Recent scholarship has highlighted the heterogeneity of second-generation Irish identities in Great Britain, yet the varieties of self-identification espoused by the English-raised children of Northern Irish parents remain almost wholly unexplored. This article redresses this neglect by examining the relationship between parentally transmitted memories of the Northern Ireland Troubles (c.1969–1998) and the forms of identity and self-understanding that such children develop during their lives in England. Drawing on original oral history testimony and using the concepts of narrative inheritance and postmemory as interpretive tools, it demonstrates the complex correlation that exists between parents’ diverse approaches to memory-sharing and their children’s negotiation of inherited conflict memory as they position themselves discursively within contemporary English society. Based on a close reading of five oral history interviews, the analysis reveals a spectrum of creative postmemory practices and identity enactments, whereby narrators agentively define themselves in relation to the meanings they attribute to inherited memories, or the dearth thereof, as they navigate their tangled transnational affinities and allegiances. The article also explores how these practices and enactments are subtly responsive to narrators’ changing relationships to their narrative inheritances as their experience and awareness of their own and their parents’ lives deepen over the life course. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Unfolding of Life Courses Amongst Migrants and Their Descendants in Europe)

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