Social Sciences

21 pages, 591 KB

Open AccessArticle

Modular Citizenship in Contemporary World Society

by Aneesh Aneesh

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(9), 517; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14090517 (registering DOI) - 27 Aug 2025

Recent theories of citizenship call into question the dominance of ancestry (jus sanguinis) and territory (jus soli) as the primary criteria for membership in a polity. Debates around postnationalism, cosmopolitanism, and transnationalism increasingly locate the legitimacy of citizenship in [...] Read more.

Recent theories of citizenship call into question the dominance of ancestry (jus sanguinis) and territory (jus soli) as the primary criteria for membership in a polity. Debates around postnationalism, cosmopolitanism, and transnationalism increasingly locate the legitimacy of citizenship in world-level models of rights that extend beyond the state. Yet national citizenship remains remarkably persistent, posing three interrelated puzzles for the sociology of citizenship: (1) How can rights-based and birth-based legitimations of citizenship be reconciled? (2) How can citizenship be conceptualized in non-national terms without eroding the state’s central role? (3) How can we account for the rise of multinational citizenship rights? Drawing on recent global shifts in nationality laws, this article offers a unified analytical framework to address these puzzles through the concept of modular citizenship, which inverts the conventional understanding: it is not the juridical category of citizenship that determines the scope of rights, but the enforceable rights themselves that determine the quantum of citizenship. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Community and Urban Sociology)

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22 pages, 736 KB

Open AccessArticle

Female Public Sculptures: Visibly Invisible

by Miguel Ángel Posso-Yépez, Gandhy Leonardo Godoy-Guevara, Ángela Mikaela Posso-Astudillo and Carlos Israel Almeida-Vargas

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(9), 516; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14090516 (registering DOI) - 27 Aug 2025

Abstract

Monuments and public sculptures embody collective memory, values, and identity. This study analyses the representation of women in public sculptures in Ibarra, Ecuador, and evaluates citizens’ recognition of the historical figures depicted. A mixed-method, cross-sectional design was employed. An urban inventory was conducted [...] Read more.

Monuments and public sculptures embody collective memory, values, and identity. This study analyses the representation of women in public sculptures in Ibarra, Ecuador, and evaluates citizens’ recognition of the historical figures depicted. A mixed-method, cross-sectional design was employed. An urban inventory was conducted (N = 124 sculptures), and questionnaires were administered in situ to 1200 adult residents using non-probability intercept sampling (100 surveys at each of the 12 female monuments). The results reveal a marked disparity: 55.6% of the sculptures represent men, compared with only 9.7% representing women. Recognition is minimal: 98.6% of respondents did not identify the person represented, and 95.1% reported no knowledge of her history. These findings suggest that the underrepresentation of women in public art reflects enduring structural and cultural gender inequalities. The limited presence of female monuments contributes to the erasure of women’s legacy from collective memory and perpetuates the perception of public space as historically male-dominated. Framed within the literature on gender and monuments as devices of social memory, the study advocates for inclusive commemorative policies and interpretive strategies. Limitations include the non-random sampling and single-city scope; future research should expand comparisons across cities and assess potential interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gender Knowledges and Cultures of Equalities in Global Contexts)

16 pages, 260 KB

Open AccessArticle

Identifying Central Aspects of Well-Being Among Individuals in Situations of Forced Migration in Finland

by Areen Nassar

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(9), 515; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14090515 - 26 Aug 2025

Abstract

This study identifies the aspects of well-being among individuals in situations of forced migration in Finland. Theoretically informed by Amartya Sen’s Capability Approach, this study explores the functionings valuable for well-being achievement among forced migrants within Finnish society. Qualitative data were collected from [...] Read more.

This study identifies the aspects of well-being among individuals in situations of forced migration in Finland. Theoretically informed by Amartya Sen’s Capability Approach, this study explores the functionings valuable for well-being achievement among forced migrants within Finnish society. Qualitative data were collected from 43 forced migrants participating in eight group discussions. Findings highlight legal security, work, and social relatedness as central aspects of well-being in the Finnish context. Acknowledging the contextual nuances and temporal dynamics inherent in forced migration experiences, these findings offer insights to inform policies and services tailored to the diverse needs of this population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue International Social Work Practices with Immigrants and Refugees)

18 pages, 299 KB

Open AccessArticle

On Fact-Checking Service: Artificial Intelligence’s Uses in Ibero-American Fact-Checkers

by João Canavilhas and Liliane Ito

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(9), 514; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14090514 - 26 Aug 2025

Abstract

To fight disinformation, fact-checking initiatives have used artificial intelligence tools as part of the investigation process, whether to monitor false narratives, to assist in the construction of content, or to allocate verifications more effectively. In this theoretical and empirical study, in-depth interviews were [...] Read more.

To fight disinformation, fact-checking initiatives have used artificial intelligence tools as part of the investigation process, whether to monitor false narratives, to assist in the construction of content, or to allocate verifications more effectively. In this theoretical and empirical study, in-depth interviews were conducted with representatives of four fact-checking organizations: Polígrafo (Portugal), Chequeado (Argentina), Maldita (Spain), and Aletheia (Brazil). Our aim was to find out how they use AI in the fact-checking process, and it was concluded that each organization uses these technologies to respond to specific needs. This is why different levels of use were identified, from tooling (simple) to disruptive (advanced), which are related to their human structure and economic situation. The most developed Ibero-American organizations are on a par with their global counterparts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Disinformation in the Age of Artificial Intelligence)

13 pages, 292 KB

Open AccessArticle

Academic Achievement in a Digital Age: Intersections of Support and Systems

by Wil Martens and Diu Thi Huong Pham

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(9), 513; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14090513 - 26 Aug 2025

Abstract

Unanticipated interplay among digital access, institutional prestige, and support systems shapes academic outcomes in higher education. Survey responses from 387 undergraduates in Taiwan and Vietnam—two markets that experienced 80–130 percent growth in mobile broadband penetration between 2015 and 2023—reveal that greater university resource [...] Read more.

Unanticipated interplay among digital access, institutional prestige, and support systems shapes academic outcomes in higher education. Survey responses from 387 undergraduates in Taiwan and Vietnam—two markets that experienced 80–130 percent growth in mobile broadband penetration between 2015 and 2023—reveal that greater university resource intensity is associated with higher course grades, whereas Reputation Capital and National Context factors unexpectedly correlate with lower performance. Moreover, while individual motivation robustly predicts achievement, a strong future orientation (long-term mindset) is linked to modest declines in grades, perhaps reflecting difficulties in balancing forward-looking goals with the demands of fast-paced, digitally mediated coursework. These counter-intuitive findings underscore the intricate dynamics of student success in technology-saturated learning environments and suggest that effective use of institutional resources and digital platforms requires targeted interventions—such as training in digital self-regulation and curricular designs that mitigate the downsides of prestige and pervasive connectivity—to optimize academic performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Educational Technology for a Multimodal Society)

11 pages, 227 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Association Between the Dark Triad and Political Trust: The Mediating Role of Conspiracy Beliefs

by Marco Giancola, Giulia D’Aurizio, Matteo Perazzini, Danilo Bontempo and Massimiliano Palmiero

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(9), 512; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14090512 - 26 Aug 2025

Abstract

This study investigates the mediating role of conspiracy beliefs in the association between the Dark Triad (Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy) and political trust. A sample of 212 participants (mean_age = 31.83 years; SD_age = 13.85 years; 106 females) completed self-report measures [...] Read more.

This study investigates the mediating role of conspiracy beliefs in the association between the Dark Triad (Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy) and political trust. A sample of 212 participants (mean_age = 31.83 years; SD_age = 13.85 years; 106 females) completed self-report measures assessing the Dark Triad, conspiracy beliefs across five domains (government malfeasance, malevolent global conspiracies, extraterrestrial cover-up, personal well-being, and control of information), and political trust. Mediation analyses revealed that government malfeasance, malevolent global conspiracies, and control of information significantly mediated the association between the Dark Triad and political trust. These findings clarify the psychological mechanisms linking malevolent and antagonistic personality traits to institutional distrust, underscoring the pivotal role of specific conspiracy beliefs in shaping political attitudes. Beyond advancing theoretical understanding, the results suggest that interventions aimed at reducing susceptibility to conspiracy beliefs may help counteract personality-driven erosion of political trust. Limitations and avenues for future research are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section International Politics and Relations)

16 pages, 287 KB

Open AccessArticle

Oman’s Niche Diplomacy: Middle Power Strategies in a Shifting Middle East

by Mordechai Chaziza and Carmela Lutmar

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(9), 511; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14090511 - 25 Aug 2025

Abstract

Despite being located in one of the world’s most unstable regions—characterized by persistent tensions, turmoil, and conflict—the Sultanate of Oman has successfully maintained a policy of neutrality and adeptly assumed the complex role of mediator, both within the Arabian Peninsula and more broadly [...] Read more.

Despite being located in one of the world’s most unstable regions—characterized by persistent tensions, turmoil, and conflict—the Sultanate of Oman has successfully maintained a policy of neutrality and adeptly assumed the complex role of mediator, both within the Arabian Peninsula and more broadly across the Middle East. This study examines Oman’s mediation efforts in the Middle East during the 21st century through the lens of niche diplomacy, providing a fresh and timely perspective. Middle-power diplomacy is typically associated with foreign policy activism, particularly in a constrained international environment. Given their limited resources, middle powers often adopt niche diplomacy by concentrating on specific issue areas. The key contribution of this study lies in its novel application of niche diplomacy theory to examine and interpret Oman’s mediation strategy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section International Politics and Relations)

14 pages, 248 KB

Open AccessArticle

“Even the Small Work That I Do, It Has Impact, It Has Meaning”: Collective Meaning-Making in Youth Climate Groups

by Julia L. Ginsburg and Natasha Blanchet-Cohen

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(9), 510; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14090510 - 25 Aug 2025

Abstract

This article focuses on participation in youth-led climate-oriented groups and the role of this form of civic engagement for young people. Thirty interviews were conducted with 13- to 18-year-olds belonging to four groups: Extinction Rebellion Youth, Sustainabiliteens, Sunrise Movement, or school-affiliated clubs. The [...] Read more.

This article focuses on participation in youth-led climate-oriented groups and the role of this form of civic engagement for young people. Thirty interviews were conducted with 13- to 18-year-olds belonging to four groups: Extinction Rebellion Youth, Sustainabiliteens, Sunrise Movement, or school-affiliated clubs. The participants had been part of their group for an average of 1.5 years, coming from either the United States (n = 26) or Canada (n = 4). They were predominantly female (n = 22), with a few male (n = 5) and a small number identifying as non-binary (n = 3). Significant in the thematic analysis was the critical role of increased meaning-making, which involved relationship-building, processing emotions, and taking action. The peer-led group settings served to create community, work through the range of emotions the climate crisis evoked, and generate actions that felt purposeful at both the individual and collective levels. In these spaces, young people seek meaning together, and they propose and demand action from governmental bodies and corporations on climate change. Through everyday activism, young people express an ecocitizenship that is constructive, hopeful, and generative. In a world characterized by the climate crisis, joining and contributing to youth-led climate groups is becoming part of young people’s identity development, a way of enacting citizenship and expressing political agency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Childhood and Youth Studies)

16 pages, 2958 KB

Open AccessArticle

Political Ecology as an Analytical Tool in the Mezquital Valley, Mexico: A Permanent Struggle

by Jesús Guerrero Morales, Brisa Violeta Carrasco Gallegos, Raquel Hinojosa Reyes, Juan Campos Alanis and Edel Cadena Vargas

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(9), 509; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14090509 - 24 Aug 2025

Abstract

Solid waste for incineration and wastewater from the country’s largest city, Mexico City (CDMX), is transported to the southern region of Valle del Mezquital (MV). This area also hosts an oil refinery, a thermoelectric plant (PEMEX-CFE), cement factories, industrial corridors, and mining operations, [...] Read more.

Solid waste for incineration and wastewater from the country’s largest city, Mexico City (CDMX), is transported to the southern region of Valle del Mezquital (MV). This area also hosts an oil refinery, a thermoelectric plant (PEMEX-CFE), cement factories, industrial corridors, and mining operations, all of which harm environmental and public health. From a Political Ecology (PE) perspective, we examine the mechanisms of accumulation, emphasizing the allocation of property titles and the extraction of rent as an environmental reservoir. We also explore the power of socio-environmental movements to provide a comprehensive understanding of environmental conflict. Based on economic power structures, we identify a geopolitical configuration that deepens the spatial divisions between labor in the MV and consumption in CDMX, exacerbating health disparities. We conclude that an unequal geography has been built that has produced capitalist and rentier landowners who are exempt from the externalities that have produced a sacrifice zone. The Mexican State is a key stakeholder, collaborating with the industrial elite in both legal and illegal spheres. Within this sacrifice zone, the inhabitants of the MV have resisted pollution and industrial accidents for over 50 years. Despite publicizing their struggle internationally and collaborating with academics, members of the movement have been assassinated. Full article

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16 pages, 545 KB

Open AccessArticle

Continuity and Change in Neighborhood Racial/Ethnic Transitions: 1980–2020

by Wenquan Zhang and John R. Logan

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(9), 508; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14090508 - 24 Aug 2025

Abstract

Since the 1980s, several studies have reported a decline in all-White neighborhoods and a rising number of racially mixed neighborhoods, including what have been called multiethnic “global” neighborhoods. Previous research has shown that these changes between 1980 and 2010 partly reflected the rapidly [...] Read more.

Since the 1980s, several studies have reported a decline in all-White neighborhoods and a rising number of racially mixed neighborhoods, including what have been called multiethnic “global” neighborhoods. Previous research has shown that these changes between 1980 and 2010 partly reflected the rapidly rising shares of Hispanics and Asians in urban areas. However, they also showed that there had been a substantial change in the pattern of settlement, resulting in many transitions to greater diversity than could have been expected from this demographic shift. We update their analysis to 2020, comparing transitions in the 1980–2000 period to those in 2000–2020, to test whether the earlier observed trends have continued, intensified, or weakened. We also quantify the impact of residential changes on the numbers of persons in each racial/ethnic group who live in each type of neighborhood. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Community and Urban Sociology)

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15 pages, 344 KB

Open AccessArticle

Social Support and Perceived Danger in Intimate Relationships: Gender Differences and the Role of Asymmetrical Support in Couples Experiencing High Conflict and in the General Population

by Wafaa Sowan and Arlette Saba

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(9), 507; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14090507 - 22 Aug 2025

Abstract

Background: Formal and informal social support networks are crucial for mental well-being, providing a sense of personal security and safety, especially during times of crisis. Aims: The aim of this study is to examine women’s perceptions of their own experiences alongside their perceptions [...] Read more.

Background: Formal and informal social support networks are crucial for mental well-being, providing a sense of personal security and safety, especially during times of crisis. Aims: The aim of this study is to examine women’s perceptions of their own experiences alongside their perceptions of their partners’ experiences in the relationship between social support and the sense of danger within intimate relationships, based solely on women’s self-reports. It compares couples experiencing high-intensity conflict (particularly related to separation) with couples from the general population, and explores how the distribution of social support, whether received by the woman, the man, both, or neither is associated with feelings of danger. Methods: The sample comprised 165 women from two subsamples: 70 women from the general population and 95 women engaged in high-intensity intimate conflict, who were undergoing separation proceedings. Data were collected via self-report questionnaires, which included the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and a custom questionnaire for Sense of Danger from the Partner. No direct data were collected from male partners; women provided both their own reports and their perceptions of their partner’s experiences. Repeated measures analysis was performed to examine the sense of danger as perceived for both themselves and their partners. Results: The analysis shows that the higher the level of social support, the weaker the sense of danger reported by women for themselves and for their partners. It also reveals that the sense of danger (both self-reported and attributed to the partner) is stronger among couples engaged in high-intensity conflict than among those in the general population, and that women report a stronger sense of danger for themselves than they attribute to their men. Importantly, when social support is provided to only one partner, it is associated with a higher sense of danger in the other partner. Conclusions: Social support has been associated with lower reported feelings of danger in intimate relationships. However, when support is given to only one partner, it may increase the other partner’s sense of danger. These findings highlight the need for balanced support for both partners in order to reduce tension and promote a greater sense of safety during times of conflict. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contemporary Work in Understanding and Reducing Domestic Violence)

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23 pages, 578 KB

Open AccessArticle

Mind the Net: Parental Awareness and State Responsibilities in the Age of Grooming

by Enikő Kovács-Szépvölgyi and Zsófia Cs. Kiss

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(9), 506; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14090506 - 22 Aug 2025

Abstract

In the digital environment, grooming—classified as a communication-based risk—has shown a steadily increasing frequency in recent years. In Hungary, increasing attention has been directed to the protection of children’s rights in the digital space in alignment with ensuring their online safety, with both [...] Read more.

In the digital environment, grooming—classified as a communication-based risk—has shown a steadily increasing frequency in recent years. In Hungary, increasing attention has been directed to the protection of children’s rights in the digital space in alignment with ensuring their online safety, with both parents and the state playing crucial roles in ensuring a safe digital presence. Within this context, the state bears a particular responsibility to educate not only children but also parents. This study explores how public policies and institutional programs in Hungary address the prevention of grooming and the reactive management of this harm through parental awareness. It examines existing measures aimed at expanding knowledge related to prevention and response, based on a qualitative analysis of the normative foundations of the state’s educational obligations and the relevant academic literature. The study relies on questionnaire data collected from parents of children aged 7 to 18 to examine the effectiveness of state measures and parents’ perceptions of them. The findings of the empirical research may support the development of state-led parental education programs and identify current gaps. As such, it can play a guiding role in shaping the direction of a future, large-scale investigation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Online Safety among Children and Adolescents: Aiming towards More Tailored Delivery and Support)

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17 pages, 866 KB

Open AccessArticle

The European Union’s Response to Bullying and Cyberbullying: An Educational Policy Analysis

by Adrián Neubauer and Abel Gonzalez-Garcia

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(8), 505; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14080505 - 21 Aug 2025

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to analyze the European Union’s response to school bullying and cyberbullying through its educational policies. For this purpose, a search of European policies was carried out in EUR-Lex, including all dates, to get a complete picture of [...] Read more.

The objective of this paper is to analyze the European Union’s response to school bullying and cyberbullying through its educational policies. For this purpose, a search of European policies was carried out in EUR-Lex, including all dates, to get a complete picture of this phenomenon. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 16 policies were selected. These were analyzed, according to Content and Documentary Analysis, using MAXQDA Analytics Pro 2024 through a codebook composed of two dimensions: one legal and one specific to bullying and cyberbullying. The results showed that most of these policies are soft policies, especially recommendations, issued by the Council of the European Union. At the same time, there is an interest on the part of the European Union to prevent bullying by addressing the contextual and cultural risk factors and improving teacher training and emotional education. In conclusion, European policies have a largely technological, preventive, and contextual and cultural approach. Finally, this paper also offers some policy recommendations to prevent school bullying and cyberbullying in political terms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Revisiting School Violence: Safety for Children in Schools)

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16 pages, 308 KB

Open AccessArticle

Social Representational Analysis as an Alternative Approach to Exploring Cultural Values

by Lucian Mocrei Rebrean and Nicu Gavriluță

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(8), 504; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14080504 - 21 Aug 2025

Abstract

Values remain notoriously difficult to “capture” because they cannot be directly observed. Attitudes and opinions are the only known indicators of their presence. The relationship between values and attitudes or opinions is that between latent and manifest, so that values can be justifiably [...] Read more.

Values remain notoriously difficult to “capture” because they cannot be directly observed. Attitudes and opinions are the only known indicators of their presence. The relationship between values and attitudes or opinions is that between latent and manifest, so that values can be justifiably inferred from observed attitudes and expressed opinions. Nevertheless, this is an epistemological limitation to reckon with. So, the alternative we propose is to explore cultural values as an integral part of social representations. We want to show that social representation theory can help with identifying values in an accurate and reliable manner. It is only due to the fact that we already have a common representation of social reality that we can develop attitudes that can then be manifested by expressing opinions. If values directly intervene in the formation of attitudes, they will surely be part of the representations that triggered that formation in the first place. Using a mixed-method approach, professionals’ representations of their professional role were explored in order to identify the values associated with it. As cognitively processed cultural constructs, values can be identified as elements of the central node of professionals’ representation of their profession. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Social, Cultural, and Psychological Dimensions of Lived Experiences)

15 pages, 521 KB

Open AccessArticle

Mining Extractivism, Climate Stress, and Water Injustice: A Case Study of the Proposed Jindal Iron-Ore Mine in Melmoth, KwaZulu-Natal and Hydrosocial Justice

by Llewellyn Leonard

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(8), 503; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14080503 - 21 Aug 2025

Abstract

In water-stressed regions of South Africa, the expansion of extractive industries is compounding the effects of climate change and poor governance, threatening local water security and socio-ecological resilience for hydrosocial justice. This chapter examines the proposed Jindal iron-ore mine in Melmoth, KwaZulu-Natal and [...] Read more.

In water-stressed regions of South Africa, the expansion of extractive industries is compounding the effects of climate change and poor governance, threatening local water security and socio-ecological resilience for hydrosocial justice. This chapter examines the proposed Jindal iron-ore mine in Melmoth, KwaZulu-Natal and its anticipated impact on water availability, quality, and governance. Drawing on in-depth interviews with farmers, residents, and environmental stakeholders, the findings reveal a region already suffering from recurrent droughts, El Niño-related climate variability, and over-allocated water resources. Findings reveal concern that the mine would further strain surface and groundwater systems, especially given the industrial demands already placed on the Goedertrouw dam. Other concerns about potential water contamination from tailings, dust, and runoff echo experiences from neighbouring mining areas, where degraded water quality has affected both domestic use and cultural practices. The study also uncovers governance gaps, including weak regulatory oversight, non-compliance with environmental safeguards, and flawed consultation processes that overlook downstream impacts. By situating Melmoth within wider debates on extractivism, climate stress, and environmental justice, the paper calls for an urgent reconsideration of extractive approvals in ecologically vulnerable regions that threaten water security, livelihoods, cultural practices, and sense of place. Ignoring interconnected dimensions risks reinforcing existing vulnerabilities, undermining resilience, and entrenching long-term injustices. Full article

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25 pages, 1852 KB

Open AccessArticle

Child Development Accounts in Jordan: Towards Innovative Social Policies for Economic Development

by Rasha Istaiteyeh

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(8), 502; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14080502 - 20 Aug 2025

Abstract

This paper examines a prospect scenario of adopting Child Development Accounts (CDAs) as a social welfare innovation in Jordan. CDAs are considered as an asset-building policy aimed at enhancing financial inclusion and socio-economic well-being. This paper discovers the feasibility of CDAs that have [...] Read more.

This paper examines a prospect scenario of adopting Child Development Accounts (CDAs) as a social welfare innovation in Jordan. CDAs are considered as an asset-building policy aimed at enhancing financial inclusion and socio-economic well-being. This paper discovers the feasibility of CDAs that have proven successful in several countries, as their potential in Middle Eastern countries, particularly in Jordan, remains unexplored. The application of CDAs in the social welfare system aims to support sustainable asset accumulation and improve the living standards of diverse segments in Jordan by integrating CDAs within the efforts made by Jordan to achieve financial inclusion, alleviate poverty, and supplement household income through asset development. There are opportunities to implement the program in Jordan, including expanding the scope of microfinance, public–private partnerships, and targeted programs for women, youth, and refugees. However, several challenges may hinder its application, including limited financial literacy, high unemployment rates, income inequality, regulatory obstacles, and difficulties in implementing social reforms. The paper contributes to the debate on social welfare policies adopted in developing countries by providing solutions based on global practices in CDA execution and has implications and recommendations for decision makers to achieve economic development. Future research in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries should target pilot projects and comparative studies to refine CDA strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Social Policy and Welfare)

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19 pages, 308 KB

Open AccessArticle

Heritage in the Social Media Age: Online Genealogy Communities and Their Managers as Knowledge Hubs in the Genealogical Ecosystem

by Dorith Yosef and Azi Lev-On

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(8), 501; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14080501 - 20 Aug 2025

Abstract

Genealogy is the study of family history and ancestral lineage, tracing relationships across generations through records and narratives. The digital revolution has shifted genealogical research from traditional archives to online platforms. Grounded in knowledge co-creation theory, this study examined the role of social [...] Read more.

Genealogy is the study of family history and ancestral lineage, tracing relationships across generations through records and narratives. The digital revolution has shifted genealogical research from traditional archives to online platforms. Grounded in knowledge co-creation theory, this study examined the role of social media communities and their managers as knowledge hubs within the genealogical ecosystem. Its central innovation lies in identifying two emerging actors in modern genealogical knowledge ecology: the online community as a hub of expertise and the community manager as a key figure in knowledge creation. Drawing on interviews with fifteen Facebook managers of genealogical communities from diverse Jewish backgrounds worldwide, the study explored their perceptions of online genealogical spaces and their roles as facilitators of knowledge. Participants demonstrated a high level of professionalism and thoughtful engagement with sources; however, verifying the accuracy of genealogical claims was not within the scope of this study. Interviews were conducted in English and Hebrew based on participant preference. Thematic analysis revealed five key areas: two focused on the community’s role as a knowledge hub for both members and outsiders, and three on the manager’s role through self-perception, member engagement, and strategic initiatives. As part of a broader dissertation, this chapter deepens understanding of collaborative, community-driven genealogical knowledge in the age of social media. Full article

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2 pages, 131 KB

Open AccessCorrection

Correction: noor (2025). Bi⁵: An Autoethnographic Analysis of a Lived Experience Suicide Attempt Survivor Through Grief Concepts and ‘Participant’ Positionality in Community Research. Social Sciences 14: 405

by amelia elias noor

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(8), 500; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14080500 - 20 Aug 2025

Abstract

Van Orden, Kimberly A [...] Full article

26 pages, 660 KB

Open AccessPerspective

Integrating Open Science Principles into Quasi-Experimental Social Science Research

by Blake H. Heller and Carly D. Robinson

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(8), 499; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14080499 - 19 Aug 2025

Abstract

Quasi-experimental methods are a cornerstone of applied social science, answering causal questions to inform policy and practice. Although open science principles have influenced experimental research norms across the social sciences, related practices are rarely implemented in quasi-experimental scholarship. In this perspective article, we [...] Read more.

Quasi-experimental methods are a cornerstone of applied social science, answering causal questions to inform policy and practice. Although open science principles have influenced experimental research norms across the social sciences, related practices are rarely implemented in quasi-experimental scholarship. In this perspective article, we describe open science research practices and discuss practical strategies for quasi-experimental researchers to implement or adapt these practices. We also emphasize the shared responsibility of external stakeholders, including data providers, journals, and funders, to create the circumstances and incentives for open science practices to proliferate. While individual quasi-experimental studies may be incompatible with some or most practices, we argue that all quasi-experimental work can benefit from an open science mentality and that shifting research norms toward open science principles will ultimately enhance the transparency, accessibility, replicability, unbiasedness, and credibility of quasi-experimental social science research. Full article

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