Social Sciences

19 pages, 660 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Socioeconomic Factors of Female Child Trafficking and Prostitution: An Empirical Study in the Capital City of Bangladesh

by Khandaker Mursheda Farhana and Kazi Abdul Mannan

Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(8), 395; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13080395 - 26 Jul 2024

Abstract

Although Bangladesh is a constitutionally Islamic country, some brothels are regulated by state law. But these brothels are located in the suburbs, and there were legal brothels around the capital, which no longer exist. Thus, prostitution is observed in a variety of ways, [...] Read more.

Although Bangladesh is a constitutionally Islamic country, some brothels are regulated by state law. But these brothels are located in the suburbs, and there were legal brothels around the capital, which no longer exist. Thus, prostitution is observed in a variety of ways, including in residential hotels, resorts, homes, and open spaces. As prostitution and trafficking are inseparable, this paper adopts a quantitative approach to measure the socioeconomic variables associated with prostitution and trafficking in children in the capital city of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The data for this study were collected from 385 respondents, and the questionnaire format was open-ended. The proposed conceptual model is presented in a way that includes sociocultural and economic factors influencing prostitution. To examine the model, a three-level research design was applied. The sociodemographic data of the respondents were collected and analyzed in this study. This study finds that the significant economic factors are poverty and lack of employment opportunities. Moreover, sociocultural variables are closely associated with rape, harassment, divorce, insufficient support from household members, living in vulnerable conditions, social instability, lifestyle, and gender violence. These findings emphasize the need to implement existing anti-trafficking laws and raise awareness of children in Bangladesh to stop child trafficking for sex work. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Trends and Dimensions of Child Trafficking)

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23 pages, 421 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of the Pandemic on the Affective States of School Principals and Teachers: A Comparative Study between South Africa and Latvia

by Leentjie van Jaarsveld, Lasma Latsone, Charl Wolhuter and Branwen Challens

Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(8), 394; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13080394 - 26 Jul 2024

Abstract

This study explores the extensive influence of COVID-19 on the affective states of school principals and teachers. A comparative, qualitative study was conducted on Latvian and South African participants’ experiences during the pandemic, with a focus on leadership, change, extra workload, ICT, and [...] Read more.

This study explores the extensive influence of COVID-19 on the affective states of school principals and teachers. A comparative, qualitative study was conducted on Latvian and South African participants’ experiences during the pandemic, with a focus on leadership, change, extra workload, ICT, and uncertainty. A total of 59 participants from rural, urban, and private schools in both countries took part in this study. Data were collected by conducting interviews with open-ended questions after which themes were identified and grouped. The results demonstrated that the states of mind of Latvian school principals and teachers were more affected than those of South Africans for whom vaccination was not compulsory. Furthermore, it was found that technological adaptation was easier for Latvian than for South African educators. The role of the Department of Education has evoked mixed feelings. Leadership, and the lack of it, also influenced the affective states of school principals and teachers. Emotional support from society, family, and colleagues was experienced differently in Latvia than in South Africa. The results of this study revealed that a pandemic can be experienced differently by principals and teachers but also that there are similarities in these experiences, as no one is ever completely prepared for the effects of a pandemic. Full article

20 pages, 2889 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Subversive Recipes for Communication for Development and Social Change in Times of Digital Capitalism

by Jessica Noske-Turner, Niranjana Sivaram, Aparna Kalley and Shreyas Hiremath

Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(8), 393; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13080393 - 25 Jul 2024

Abstract

The era of digital capitalism poses conundrums for communication for development and social change scholarship and practice. On one hand, mainstream social media platforms are an increasingly ubiquitous element of the everyday media practices of growing portions of the global population. On the [...] Read more.

The era of digital capitalism poses conundrums for communication for development and social change scholarship and practice. On one hand, mainstream social media platforms are an increasingly ubiquitous element of the everyday media practices of growing portions of the global population. On the other, the profit-driven architectures can make these hostile spaces for progressive social change dialogues. While a burgeoning literature exists on the uses of social media as part of hashtag-activism and social movements, much less critical consideration has been given to NGOs’ and civil society organizations’ uses of capitalist-driven social media platforms in their development and social change efforts, and the challenges and compromises they navigate in this, consciously or not. This paper argues that meaningful uses of social media platforms for social change requires cultivating a hacker mindset in order to find tactics to subvert, resist, and appropriate platform logics, combined with an ecological sensibility to understanding media and communication. This paper analyzes how metaphors, specifically of a recipe, can offer a productive, praxis-oriented framework for fostering these sensibilities. The paper draws on insights from workshops with IT for Change, a civil society organization in India, which is both a leader in critiquing the political and economic power of Big Tech especially in the Global South, and beginning to use Instagram for its work on adolescent empowerment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reconceptualising Communication for Development: A Critical Appraisal of the Field)

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13 pages, 1026 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Scale of Perceptions of Future Primary School Teachers on Unaccompanied Foreign Minors: Exploratory and Confirmatory Analysis

by Jennifer Serrano-García, Fátima Zahra Rakdani-Arif Billah, Eva María Olmedo-Moreno and Jorge Expósito-López

Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(8), 392; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13080392 - 25 Jul 2024

Abstract

Unaccompanied foreign minors (UFMs) face stigmatisation and social exclusion in Spanish territory. Given their growing presence in schools, it is crucial that trainee teachers have valid and real information about these students in order to provide equitable, personalised, and quality education to all [...] Read more.

Unaccompanied foreign minors (UFMs) face stigmatisation and social exclusion in Spanish territory. Given their growing presence in schools, it is crucial that trainee teachers have valid and real information about these students in order to provide equitable, personalised, and quality education to all their students in the near future and to mitigate any uninformed prejudices and stigma developed before they enter the classroom. This study seeks to validate a scale designed to assess the perceptions of pre-service teachers about UFMs (n = 169). The objective of this study was to validate a scale designed to assess the perceptions of pre-service teachers about UFMs (n = 169). All participants were studying primary education at the University of Granada (Spain) [♂ = 131 (77.5%); ♀ = 37 (21.9%)]. Methodology: A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional, ex post facto, and quantitative study was conducted. The data were analyzed with IBM SPSS^® 28.0 and IBM Amos Graphics^® 23.0 programs. Results: A multidimensional scale was developed with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.858 and McDonald’s omega of 0.859, consisting of a total of 26 indicators divided into three factors: socio-educational characteristic (n = 13), social threat (n = 7), and physical and emotional well-being (n = 6). The general scale showed high reliability and acceptable fit (p < 0.001; KMO = 0.880; GFI = 0.832; IFI = 0.925; NFI = 0.816; CFI = 0.924; SMSR = 0.058). CFA reports that the items with the highest factor loadings are related to determining whether these minors respect cultural differences, are involved in drug trafficking, and arrive in Spanish territory with significant malnutrition. However, the items with the lowest factor loadings are linked to understanding the type of academic education these minors have, whether they consume alcohol, or if they require teachers with intercultural competencies to help them integrate socially. Conclusions: A reliable and robust scale was developed to assess the perceptions of pre-service primary school teachers about unaccompanied foreign minors. This instrument can be used to identify the knowledge of teachers in training, which allows training actions to be implemented in the context of higher education to raise awareness, detect biases, and make this vulnerable group visible. Full article

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

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19 pages, 2267 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Great Amplifier? Climate Change, Irregular Migration, and the Missing Links in EU Responses

by Iole Fontana

Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(8), 391; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13080391 - 25 Jul 2024

Abstract

This article examines the complex relationship between climate change and migration in Africa, with a specific focus on Senegal—a West African nation increasingly vulnerable to climate threats such as drought, rising sea levels, floods, and salinisation. As a significant origin country for irregular [...] Read more.

This article examines the complex relationship between climate change and migration in Africa, with a specific focus on Senegal—a West African nation increasingly vulnerable to climate threats such as drought, rising sea levels, floods, and salinisation. As a significant origin country for irregular migration to the European Union (EU), Senegal presents a compelling case study to explore how extreme climatic conditions interact with other migration drivers. This article does not aim to quantify or measure the extent to which climatic factors and variability contributed to migration decisions. Instead, building on original empirical material, it seeks to map and explore how climate variability interacts with other migration drivers, either by amplifying them or acting in synergy with them, thereby offering a fresh perspective of the complex dynamics at play. Additionally, this article investigates the extent to which the EU addresses and integrates climate considerations into its policy responses to address migratory flows and people’s vulnerability in countries of origin. This analysis reveals that the integration of climate factors as an amplifier and a synergist is a ‘missing link’ in the EU approach in the case of Senegal, with significant implications in terms of the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of EU action. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Globalization and International Migration to the EU)

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26 pages, 405 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Co-Constructing Knowledge and Space with Refugee Communities: Lessons from the Western New York Refugee Health Summit

by Alexandra Judelsohn, Melinda Lemke, Ngo Hna, Samina Raja, Jessica Scates and Kafuli Agbemenu

Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(8), 390; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13080390 - 25 Jul 2024

Abstract

Displaced peoples are often excluded from institutional, community, and public processes in the United States, including in knowledge production spaces where researchers and educators may discuss problems and devise solutions. In this article, we explore the benefits and challenges inherent in the co-construction [...] Read more.

Displaced peoples are often excluded from institutional, community, and public processes in the United States, including in knowledge production spaces where researchers and educators may discuss problems and devise solutions. In this article, we explore the benefits and challenges inherent in the co-construction of knowledge spaces designed with the intent of serving refugee communities. To do so, we examined the Western New York Refugee Health Summit, an event held for eight years where actors convened from three spaces, i.e., institutional, community, and public. Findings are derived from the situated knowledge of the authors (actors embedded in the conception and execution of the Summit) and a qualitative descriptive analysis of eight Summit reports and event evaluation data. Findings illuminate how collaboration across these spaces is co-constructed, as well as challenges inherent in co-construction from an institutional perspective—including our attempts to contest institutional power dynamics. We conclude with a discussion of research and practice-based lessons for co-constructing spaces with and including the voices of refugee community partners. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Teaching and Learning in Refugee/(Im)Migrant Communities Around the World)

11 pages, 253 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mind Over Matter: Effects of Digital Devices and Internet Dependence Perceptions and Behavior on Life Satisfaction in Singapore

by Yi Jie Wong, Nursyahida Ahmad, Loo Seng Neo, Jia Wen Lee, Kenneth Loong, Rebecca Low and James Lim

Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(8), 389; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13080389 - 25 Jul 2024

Abstract

The ubiquity of digital devices and the Internet, along with continuing technological innovation, makes it difficult not to rely on them in some capacity, whether for work or play, in our daily lives. This dependence on their usage could impact life satisfaction. Furthermore, [...] Read more.

The ubiquity of digital devices and the Internet, along with continuing technological innovation, makes it difficult not to rely on them in some capacity, whether for work or play, in our daily lives. This dependence on their usage could impact life satisfaction. Furthermore, the recognition and perception of this dependence could have implications for life satisfaction as well, whether positive or negative. We thus sought to explore how perceptions of dependence and dependent behaviour on digital devices and the Internet affected life satisfaction. We also examined whether one had a greater effect than the other. We conducted three online nationally representative surveys with 7991, 7703, and 8356 Singaporeans, and performed a hierarchical linear regression analysis on the data. The results show significant but weak positive relationships between dependence on digital devices, the importance of the Internet, and life satisfaction. A greater consistent effect on life satisfaction was also observed from the perceptions of dependence compared with dependent behavior. The implications are discussed, with implications for governmental policy strategy for reducing the potential harms of dependence on digital devices and the Internet. Full article

11 pages, 1118 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Moderation Effects of Autonomy and Personal Growth on the Association of Sociotropy and Different Types of Loneliness

by Olga Strizhitskaya and Inna Murtazina

Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(8), 388; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13080388 - 25 Jul 2024

Abstract

Loneliness is one of the most widespread conditions that affect one’s physical and mental health. Loneliness is found in all populations despite age, gender, ethnicity, religion, or socio-economic status. It is related to the quality and availability of social interactions and can be [...] Read more.

Loneliness is one of the most widespread conditions that affect one’s physical and mental health. Loneliness is found in all populations despite age, gender, ethnicity, religion, or socio-economic status. It is related to the quality and availability of social interactions and can be expressed in different social domains. While the negative effects of loneliness are well-established, mechanisms and moderators of loneliness still need more examination. In the present study, we approached loneliness from a multidimensional perspective. We focused on associations between sociotropy and different types of loneliness—family and non-family. Participants were 157 adults aged 35–55, 55% females. Methods were the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale (SELSA-S), “Sociotropy—Self-Sufficiency” Questionnaire, and Psychological well-being scale (scales of Autonomy and Personal growth). To test moderation effects, we applied Hayes Process v.4 (models 1–3). Results confirmed that sociotropy predicted loneliness, both family and non-family, and autonomy and personal growth moderated this effect. We found two different moderation mechanisms for family and non-family loneliness: parallel negative moderation affected sociotropy—family loneliness association, and negative moderated moderation affected sociotropy—non-family loneliness association. Results suggested that the higher were scores on personal growth and autonomy, the less they affected the association of sociotropy and loneliness. Gender differences in moderation were found only for non-family loneliness. Full article

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15 pages, 298 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Politics of Problem Definition: Abortion Policy in Republican-Controlled Louisiana

by Clare Daniel, Anna Mahoney and Grace Riley

Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(8), 387; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13080387 - 25 Jul 2024

Abstract

Following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, Republican-controlled legislatures across the U.S. initiated draconian abortion restrictions. In order to appeal to anti-abortion policymakers, advocates across the country have strategically separated “maternal and child health” (MCH) issues, such as increased insurance coverage [...] Read more.

Following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, Republican-controlled legislatures across the U.S. initiated draconian abortion restrictions. In order to appeal to anti-abortion policymakers, advocates across the country have strategically separated “maternal and child health” (MCH) issues, such as increased insurance coverage for midwifery and doula care, from issues often labeled as “reproductive rights,” such as access to sex education, birth control, and abortion. Advocates point out this strategic separation has likely contributed overall to the downfall of abortion rights. In this paper, we analyze legislative discourse to understand the legislative challenges advocates face, the strategic separations and allyships they employ, and the implications for other states and reproductive health more broadly. We find that legislators legitimate the same scientific evidence in some contexts while not in others in order to hold onto rhetorical purity within the abortion debate. In their attempts to parse the ideal abortion seeker, conservative legislators create legal ambiguities with serious consequences for healthcare. 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?)

11 pages, 255 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Insights from Portuguese LGBTQ+ Associations on Trans Population’s Professional Integration

by José Baptista and Dália Costa

Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(8), 386; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13080386 - 24 Jul 2024

Abstract

The need to understand the integration processes of trans individuals in the labor market is confirmed by the literature review in this paper, which supports the scarce existence of studies focused on their life experiences outside of pathological contexts or from perspectives of [...] Read more.

The need to understand the integration processes of trans individuals in the labor market is confirmed by the literature review in this paper, which supports the scarce existence of studies focused on their life experiences outside of pathological contexts or from perspectives of invisibility/violence (including in the professional dimension). This study aims to comprehend the professional experiences of the trans population and understand how mechanisms of discrimination operate in the labor market. Semi-structured interviews with representatives from Portuguese LGBTQ+ associations (n = 6) were conducted between 10 March and 26 April 2021 and analyzed with MAXQDA 2022. The results underscored the importance of the topic and the complex hurdles trans individuals encounter at work, emphasizing the vital support of LGBTQ+ associations in tackling these issues and stressing the urgency of comprehending the vulnerability and discrimination trans people face in employment. The implications of the study underscore the urgent need for concerted efforts from policymakers, employers, civil society organizations, and the broader community to address the systemic barriers faced by trans individuals in the workplace. Future research and advocacy efforts should continue to address the systemic barriers to workplace integration and strive toward creating more inclusive and supportive environments for the trans population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Activism for LGBTQI+ Rights and Equalities)

20 pages, 345 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Uncertain Knowledge: The Medicalisation of Intersex People and the Production of Ignorance

by Michal Raz

Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(8), 385; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13080385 - 24 Jul 2024

Abstract

Ignorance is produced through mechanisms related to power relations and socio-cultural context. This article examines whether the theoretical conceptualisation of agnotology may be useful when exploring intersex and the way it has been erased socially and physically. Specifically, based on the work of [...] Read more.

Ignorance is produced through mechanisms related to power relations and socio-cultural context. This article examines whether the theoretical conceptualisation of agnotology may be useful when exploring intersex and the way it has been erased socially and physically. Specifically, based on the work of a PhD in Sociology and History of Science, it proposes categorising three types of mechanisms of ignorance production—cultural, epistemological and physical—with the aim of providing a greater understanding of how medicine, science and technology participate in a continuous process of erasing intersex bodies and lived experiences. Using medical literature, interviews and observations, the article focuses on a specific area of biomedical knowledge and intervention: the prenatal ‘treatment’ of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) with dexamethasone or ‘prenatal DEX’. It shows how this procedure was pioneered by French doctors and how it continues to be practised in France despite numerous uncertainties and controversies inside and outside of the medical sphere. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from Centring Intersex: Global and Local Dimensions—International Conference)

12 pages, 239 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Afterword: Play, Personhood and Digital Mortality

by Douglas Davies

Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(8), 384; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13080384 - 23 Jul 2024

Abstract

This Afterword echoes our editors’ framing of this Special Issue as seeking to both sketch the ‘state of the art’ and indicate some ‘future avenues’ for research in digital death [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue DIDE–Digital Death: Transforming History, Rituals and Afterlife)

16 pages, 264 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Contested Terrain of Sporting Consumption: Navigating Meaning, Identity, and Late Capitalist Marketing through Sneaker Customization

by Brandon T. Wallace and David L. Andrews

Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(8), 383; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13080383 - 23 Jul 2024

Abstract

This discussion critically examines and questions assumptions about the meanings and motivations of sporting consumption. We argue that the practice of sneaker customization demonstrates the contested terrain of sporting consumption, wherein contemporary consumerism is characterized by a dynamic interplay between top–down structural determination [...] Read more.

This discussion critically examines and questions assumptions about the meanings and motivations of sporting consumption. We argue that the practice of sneaker customization demonstrates the contested terrain of sporting consumption, wherein contemporary consumerism is characterized by a dynamic interplay between top–down structural determination (by mass commercial forces) and bottom–up creative agency (by everyday consumers). Based on in-depth interviews with 15 sneaker consumers, we narrate the complexities of late capitalist consumer culture through three overlapping “tensions” between the commercial sneaker industry and everyday sneaker consumers: (1) Sneakers as a vehicle to express individuality versus to demonstrate conformity; (2) Sneaker customization as a means of artistic expression versus being a commodity rationalized to maximize profit; (3) An affective versus instrumental attachment to sneakers. Overall, the analysis illuminates how the cultural and affective meanings that consumers attach to sneaker consumption operate; sometimes in conjunction with, more often in opposition to, but always in tension with the meanings that the sneaker industry attempts to embed through its ever-expansive means of marketing and advertising. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Contested Terrain of Sport: Sociological, Political and Policy Perspectives)

18 pages, 267 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“Our House Was a Small Islamic Republic”: Social Policing and Resilient Resistance in Contemporary Iran

by Alireza Delpazir and Fatemeh Sadeghi

Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(8), 382; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13080382 - 23 Jul 2024

Abstract

In this article, we address a question that has been frequently asked: Why is the Iranian government unable to defeat the struggle by women against the compulsory hijab? What distinguishes women’s resistance from other forms of freedom and justice movements? We address these [...] Read more.

In this article, we address a question that has been frequently asked: Why is the Iranian government unable to defeat the struggle by women against the compulsory hijab? What distinguishes women’s resistance from other forms of freedom and justice movements? We address these questions by highlighting women’s “resilient resistance” within the family domain as both flexible and sustainable. The article examines how the domestication of politics and the politicization of family have interconnected dynamics in Iran, as illustrated by the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement. It shows how women have shifted the Iranian family from a collaborator of oppressive patriarchal power to a more egalitarian structure to accommodate their protests against the compulsory hijab. As the catalysts for this change, they succeeded in discrediting the Islamic Republic’s moral discourse based on the compulsory hijab as a manifestation of modesty for women. They also validated their own morality based on personal choice. Using ethnographic fieldwork, including participatory observation and in-depth interviews with movement participants, this paper shows how women’s invisible yet significant resistance within the family has transformed this institution and profoundly affected the broader political landscape of Iran. It examines a unique case where social transformation drives larger political change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feminist Solidarity, Resistance, and Social Justice)

15 pages, 714 KiB

Open AccessReview

Ethical Considerations in Artificial Intelligence Interventions for Mental Health and Well-Being: Ensuring Responsible Implementation and Impact

by Hamid Reza Saeidnia, Seyed Ghasem Hashemi Fotami, Brady Lund and Nasrin Ghiasi

Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(7), 381; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13070381 - 22 Jul 2024

Abstract

AI has the potential to revolutionize mental health services by providing personalized support and improving accessibility. However, it is crucial to address ethical concerns to ensure responsible and beneficial outcomes for individuals. This systematic review examines the ethical considerations surrounding the implementation and [...] Read more.

AI has the potential to revolutionize mental health services by providing personalized support and improving accessibility. However, it is crucial to address ethical concerns to ensure responsible and beneficial outcomes for individuals. This systematic review examines the ethical considerations surrounding the implementation and impact of artificial intelligence (AI) interventions in the field of mental health and well-being. To ensure a comprehensive analysis, we employed a structured search strategy across top academic databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus. The search scope encompassed articles published from 2014 to 2024, resulting in a review of 51 relevant articles. The review identifies 18 key ethical considerations, including 6 ethical considerations associated with using AI interventions in mental health and wellbeing (privacy and confidentiality, informed consent, bias and fairness, transparency and accountability, autonomy and human agency, and safety and efficacy); 5 ethical principles associated with the development and implementation of AI technologies in mental health settings to ensure responsible practice and positive outcomes (ethical framework, stakeholder engagement, ethical review, bias mitigation, and continuous evaluation and improvement); and 7 practices, guidelines, and recommendations for promoting the ethical use of AI in mental health interventions (adhere to ethical guidelines, ensure transparency, prioritize data privacy and security, mitigate bias and ensure fairness, involve stakeholders, conduct regular ethical reviews, and monitor and evaluate outcomes). This systematic review highlights the importance of ethical considerations in the responsible implementation and impact of AI interventions for mental health and well-being. By addressing privacy, bias, consent, transparency, human oversight, and continuous evaluation, we can ensure that AI interventions like chatbots and AI-enabled medical devices are developed and deployed in an ethically sound manner, respecting individual rights, promoting fairness, and maximizing benefits while minimizing potential harm. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technological and Digital Interventions for Mental Health and Wellbeing: Useful, Usable, and Safe?)

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44 pages, 4103 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“When Is a School Not a School?” Dr. Carrie Weaver Smith, Child Prisons, and the Limits of Reform in Progressive Era Texas

by Sam Harrell

Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(7), 380; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13070380 - 22 Jul 2024

Abstract

This archival study explores the life and work of Dr. Carrie Weaver Smith (1885–1942), a Progressive Era social worker and prison warden. Specifically, I explore the first phase of her career as a House Physician at the Virginia K. Johnson Home in Dallas, [...] Read more.

This archival study explores the life and work of Dr. Carrie Weaver Smith (1885–1942), a Progressive Era social worker and prison warden. Specifically, I explore the first phase of her career as a House Physician at the Virginia K. Johnson Home in Dallas, Texas (1911–1915) and as the first Superintendent of the Texas State Training School for Girls in Gainesville, Texas (1916–1925). Using archival research, I detail three conflicts that defined Dr. Smith’s superintendency: her fight to reclassify a youth prison as a school, her challenges to a Ku Klux Klan-dominated legislature, and her refusal to cede authority to a State Board of Control. Together, these conflicts led the Board to terminate Dr. Smith’s position, an outcome that would replay twice more before she retired from prisonwork. I argue that when most reformers made significant concessions, compromising their visions to maintain state funding and political allyship, Dr. Smith stood out for her record of refusal. And yet, like other reformers, she left Texas with the capacity to imprison more women and girls than ever before. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Between Criminalization and Care: Reimagining Social Work's Role in the Carceral State)

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16 pages, 262 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reconceptualizing ICTD: Prioritizing Place-Based Learning Experiences, Socio-Economic Realities, and Individual Aspirations of Young Students in India

by Manisha Pathak-Shelat and Kiran Vinod Bhatia

Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(7), 379; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13070379 - 22 Jul 2024

Abstract

This paper critically examines the neo-liberal conceptualization of Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICTD), which imposes the linear and simplistic notions of empowerment and development on the users from the global South. Using the rapidly growing EdTech segment in India as a [...] Read more.

This paper critically examines the neo-liberal conceptualization of Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICTD), which imposes the linear and simplistic notions of empowerment and development on the users from the global South. Using the rapidly growing EdTech segment in India as a case, this paper observes that EdTech has been touted as a magic multiplier and a savior for countries like India that aspire to educate their large populations. This has prompted EdTech companies to pursue platformization and templatization to accomplish scalability and standardization in EdTech use. Based on immersive ethnographic research with youth from low-income families in three Indian cities—Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Vadodara—we argue that the practices of young people concerning EdTech resist standardization. Our analysis reveals that three major factors—challenges of access and autonomy, continued relevance of place-based learning and in-person interactions, and uneven quality and rigor—influence low-income students and families to not completely buy the promise of access, equity, and quality that EdTech companies and governments advance. We explore the significance of the socio-economic and cultural contexts of young learners in the global South context and argue that they aspire for personalization, place-based experiences, guidance/mentorship, high grades, and in-person interactions instead of standardization. They do not fully benefit by the experimentation, DIY practices, and tech-lead learning opportunities and resources offered by EdTech platforms in their current state. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reconceptualising Communication for Development: A Critical Appraisal of the Field)

14 pages, 425 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dementia Care Decisions, Caregiving Situations, and Formal Service Use in Korean Immigrant Families: A Qualitative Application of a Sociocultural Model

by Yuri Jang, Hans Oh, Juyoung Park, Min-Kyoung Rhee, Nan Sook Park, Soondool Chung and Miyong T. Kim

Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(7), 378; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13070378 - 22 Jul 2024

Abstract

Given the significant role of culture and place in dementia caregiving, we conducted a qualitative study with Korean American family caregivers of persons with dementia. Guided by the sociocultural model of dementia caregivers’ service use, we explored the categories of care decisions, caregiving [...] Read more.

Given the significant role of culture and place in dementia caregiving, we conducted a qualitative study with Korean American family caregivers of persons with dementia. Guided by the sociocultural model of dementia caregivers’ service use, we explored the categories of care decisions, caregiving situations, and formal service use within the context of culture and place. Data from in-depth interviews with 16 Korean American dementia caregivers living in the greater Los Angeles area were analyzed using the constant comparison method. Across the three conceptual categories, we derived eight themes: (1) personal motivation; (2) family context; (3) attitude toward formal care; (4) strains; (5) rewards; (6) language and geographic region; (7) knowledge and awareness; and (8) social support and cultural stigma. Our findings demonstrate not only varied experiences in care decisions, caregiving situations, and formal service use but also their interconnectedness. Supporting the influential role of culture and place in dementia caregiving, the findings include positive and negative elements within each domain and provide implications for programs and services to respond to identified needs and barriers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Family Studies)

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16 pages, 314 KiB

Open AccessArticle

May I Come In? EU Policies to Control Migration: The EUTF

by Ana Beatriz da Costa Mangueira

Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(7), 377; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13070377 - 22 Jul 2024

Abstract

What types of policies has the European Union (EU) implemented to control migration flows in recent decades, and what are their strategies? This paper aims to explore the measures developed by the EU to manage migration flows and identify how they operate. While [...] Read more.

What types of policies has the European Union (EU) implemented to control migration flows in recent decades, and what are their strategies? This paper aims to explore the measures developed by the EU to manage migration flows and identify how they operate. While a securitisation approach, such as activities of border control, has been widely discussed by scholars in this field, it is worth exploring and understanding other kinds of instruments aimed at curbing irregular flows through executing programs such as the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF), developed in the aftermath of the Arab uprisings to address the “root causes” of the displacement. In light of this, this research conducts a case study and qualitative content and descriptive analysis of documents on the EUTF. Preliminary findings indicate patterns in what motivated the EU to undertake these actions and present the main strategies of the Fund in the North Africa region. However, some factors may have led to disappointing outcomes for the EUTF, such as the increase, in 2019, of nationals leaving the North Africa region towards Europe, as reported by UNDESA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Globalization and International Migration to the EU)

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