Societies

14 pages, 473 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Carceralities and Approved Gender Violence: The Case of Direct Provision in Ireland

by Arpita Chakraborty and Virve Repo

Societies 2024, 14(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14010012 - 19 Jan 2024

Viewed by 2223

In this article, we argue that Direct Provision in Ireland is a state approved form of gendered carcerality which creates and exacerbates conditions of gendered violence. Direct Provision is a system of processing asylum seekers in Ireland where they are temporarily provided accommodation [...] Read more.

In this article, we argue that Direct Provision in Ireland is a state approved form of gendered carcerality which creates and exacerbates conditions of gendered violence. Direct Provision is a system of processing asylum seekers in Ireland where they are temporarily provided accommodation while they wait for a decision on their refugee status claim. This article shows how carceral practices are layered and gendered, making some spaces and bodies more carceral than others. These carceralities increase the institutional burden which agglomerates in human bodies and makes the lives of an already precarious population unliveable. Through a review of the strategies adopted by the government in relation to migrants, undocumented workers and asylum seekers, this article shows how the gendered experiences of certain asylum seekers like mothers and sexual violence survivors become the political site where state approved carceral practices and gendered violence merge. Full article

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

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 2204 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring if Gamification Experiences Make an Impact on Pre-Service Teachers’ Perceptions of Future Gamification Use: A Case Report

by Laura Guerrero Puerta

Societies 2024, 14(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14010011 - 19 Jan 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3001

Abstract

Gamification has become an increasingly used pedagogical approach in the classroom, motivating students and enhancing their educational experience. This has led to the need for specific training for teachers, as well as a need to understand how this training can be effective and [...] Read more.

Gamification has become an increasingly used pedagogical approach in the classroom, motivating students and enhancing their educational experience. This has led to the need for specific training for teachers, as well as a need to understand how this training can be effective and how contact with gamification during teacher training can influence the attitude of pre-service teachers. Therefore, this case report has focused on examining pre-service teachers’ perceptions of gamification as a tool used in their teacher education. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data on the participants’ individual experience with gamification and their perception of future uses of this technique. The data were collected between December 2010 and February 2020 in Granada, Spain, and were analyzed using qualitative content analysis to identify general trends and findings. Pre-service teachers present a positive perception of gamification as a tool to enhance and motivate learning, highlighting the importance of prior training for its application in the right context, as well as the need to investigate other teaching approaches to improve the effectiveness of gamification. In conclusion, it should be noted that gamification is a pedagogical approach increasingly used in the classroom, so specific training is needed for the teachers responsible for carrying out this technique. This training should include research on the effectiveness of gamification, as well as the best approaches for its application, for student motivation, and for the creation of equal relationships between students. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 1950 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Building a Coaching Culture in Irish Schools; Challenges and Opportunities: A Mixed-Methods Study

by Paul Butler

Societies 2024, 14(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14010010 - 15 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2824

Abstract

Coaching is a relatively new leadership style in Irish schools, but its potential is being supported by the Department of Education and Skills since 2015. This study considers the challenges and obstacles to building a coaching culture within Irish schools, recognising that as [...] Read more.

Coaching is a relatively new leadership style in Irish schools, but its potential is being supported by the Department of Education and Skills since 2015. This study considers the challenges and obstacles to building a coaching culture within Irish schools, recognising that as a leadership style, it is relatively unknown. It considers school cultures and the challenges as well as the opportunities leaders face in building a coaching culture. A mixed methods study consisting of a quantitative survey (n = 48) followed by semi-structured interviews (n = 12) was the chosen method, using statistical analysis (SPSS) and thematic analysis (Nvivo) to analyse the data. The results indicate that leadership coaching facilitates reflective practice for leaders and those they manage, leading to a distribution of practice that facilitates distributed leadership, therein building leadership capacity and enhancing teacher/leader well-being. However, time, workload and creating a culture of coaching in schools are still challenges, as leadership coaching is still a new and unknown leadership concept. The findings suggest that it is vital that the support services endorse its value, that time is allocated to supporting coaching and that staff need both CPD and further education on what coaching entails in order to build a coaching culture in Irish schools. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Educational Leadership and Organizational Culture in Education)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 1231 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Young People’s Construction of Identity in the Context of Southern Europe: Finding Leads for Citizenship Education

by Thiago Freires, Leanete Thomas Dotta and Fátima Pereira

Societies 2024, 14(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14010009 - 12 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1906

Abstract

Identity building can be understood as a fluid process informed by sociocultural aspects and encompassing a strong dimension of othering. Relying on the notion of narrative identity, in this article, we explore the ways in which young people raise and discuss values (human [...] Read more.

Identity building can be understood as a fluid process informed by sociocultural aspects and encompassing a strong dimension of othering. Relying on the notion of narrative identity, in this article, we explore the ways in which young people raise and discuss values (human dignity, freedom, solidarity, etc.). To do this, we draw on a set of data collected through deliberative discussions with 378 young people (11 to 20 years old) from four Southern European countries: Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Cyprus. These small group discussions confronted young people about their identification with their country and with Europe. Using thematic and descriptive analysis, we investigate the relationships established by young people with values spontaneously raised by them to build on identity formation. Our results reinforce identity as being constituted in varying forms across the European regions, with relation to values being plural. Yet, there is a strong reference to process values in the four participating countries, such as solidarity and equality, which seem to inform a narrative of an “inclusive Europe”, where community ties matter. Because some level of controversy about values is observed, however, we argue that it could constitute a valuable aspect to inform activities in the field of citizenship education. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Young People’s Constructions of Identities: Global Perspectives)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 429 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Narrative, Nature-Based Participatory Action Research (PAR) among Female Turkish Migrants in Denmark: Reflections on Methodological Benefits and Challenges

by Anne Leonora Blaakilde and Karen Christensen

Societies 2024, 14(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14010008 - 11 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2046

Abstract

Migrants of non-European origin tend to suffer more from diabetes, obesity and other chronic ailments compared to the native population. A group of female Turkish migrants in ill health, living in Denmark, were invited to join a session of eleven weekly meetings in [...] Read more.

Migrants of non-European origin tend to suffer more from diabetes, obesity and other chronic ailments compared to the native population. A group of female Turkish migrants in ill health, living in Denmark, were invited to join a session of eleven weekly meetings in natural surroundings, including yoga, bonfires and gathering fruits and herbs. The women were invited to suggest activities, and every meeting included dialogues focusing on their everyday life, interests and experiences. Two PAR researchers facilitated the meetings together with an interpreter. This article presents the methods and results of this PAR research and discusses the methodological ethnographic balance between approaching the migrants’ weaknesses in terms of their illness and migratory challenges on the one hand and, on the other, their transnational resources as workers, household keepers and kin keepers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Doing and Critically Evaluating Participatory Action Research in Migration Studies)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 401 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Victims of Child Grooming: An Evaluation in University Students

by Patricia Alonso-Ruido, Iris Estévez, Bibiana Regueiro and Cristina Varela-Portela

Societies 2024, 14(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14010007 - 9 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3618

Abstract

The appearance of new ways of committing sexual violence via technological media and virtual spaces has produced countless situations where sexual abuse of minors may occur. This is the digital scenario surrounding the phenomenon of grooming. The present study focuses on analyzing grooming [...] Read more.

The appearance of new ways of committing sexual violence via technological media and virtual spaces has produced countless situations where sexual abuse of minors may occur. This is the digital scenario surrounding the phenomenon of grooming. The present study focuses on analyzing grooming experienced by Spanish university students during childhood. The sample comprised 3293 students in higher education, 68.3% of whom were female, 30.5% were male, and 1.2% identified as non-binary. The mean age was 18.83 years (SD = 2.28). The results confirmed that sexual abuse of minors has moved towards virtual environments, indicating a prevalence of 12.2% for grooming, which was more likely to have affected women and non-binary people. In addition, student victims of grooming were more often also victims of sextortion. Consumption of pornography was also shown to be particularly important, with the results indicating that students who consumed it and started consuming it before they were 16 years old were more often victims of grooming. These findings should encourage the educational community to develop preventive actions that match the reality of online child sexual abuse. In summary, the only path towards preventing and detecting grooming is to invest in high-quality digital education and sex education from a gender perspective. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 5000 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Media and Information in the Content Diet of Colombian Social Media Users

by Andrés Barrios-Rubio

Societies 2024, 14(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14010006 - 8 Jan 2024

Viewed by 2221

Abstract

The mass media are central to everyday life, a meeting point for citizens with the facts of the current social situation, and a space for the meaning, perception, interpretation, and construction of the notion of reality in the collective imagination. The impact of [...] Read more.

The mass media are central to everyday life, a meeting point for citizens with the facts of the current social situation, and a space for the meaning, perception, interpretation, and construction of the notion of reality in the collective imagination. The impact of technology and communication platforms on the social fabric has opened up access to information and atomized trust and credibility in the face of the journalistic brand, an instance of crisis on the smartphone screen in which the media are relegated to the background and influencers, opinion leaders, and the protagonists of the facts themselves, in direct contact with the followers, gain relevance. The transformation configured in the users’ content diet aims to review the industry’s behavior on social networks to interpret why it is losing its place in the citizens’ consumption agenda. This research, which relied on a mixed methodology, downloaded messages from Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok profiles of two written, five audio, and two audiovisual media in a period of 91 days, and added them to what was carried out in the same period in 2019 and 2021. The corpus of the study made it possible to prove the composition of the communication, the operational tactics, and the thematic axis. The research concluded that the Colombian mass media need to innovate to establish productive routines that bet on digital native products, corresponding to the dynamics of networked consumption by an audience that concentrates all actions on screen devices. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 788 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gender Discrimination in Prison: The Perception of Women Inmates and Prison Professionals

by Anaïs Quiroga-Carrillo, María José Ferraces Otero and Mar Lorenzo Moledo

Societies 2024, 14(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14010005 - 5 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3188

Abstract

The prejudices that have traditionally been held against female delinquency and the numerical minority of women in the prison system have led to the invisibility of their needs and characteristics as well as to many situations of inequality while they are incarcerated. This [...] Read more.

The prejudices that have traditionally been held against female delinquency and the numerical minority of women in the prison system have led to the invisibility of their needs and characteristics as well as to many situations of inequality while they are incarcerated. This study is aimed at exploring the gender discrimination perceived by women in Spanish prisons. To this end, a scale for perception of gender discrimination is applied to a sample of incarcerated women. Qualitative data from a questionnaire administered to prison professionals and field notes are also used. The results show that incarcerated women perceive the existence of several situations of discrimination related to socio-educational intervention and to the adaptation of prisons to their unique needs, especially for those housed in male prisons. Prison professionals hold similar views and express their concern about the feminization of activities. The study has implications for the prison system and policy makers, including the implementation of gender-responsive programming in women’s prisons, the development of periodic assessments of the experiences faced by incarcerated women, and the training of prison staff. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Critical Thinking, Gender, and Education)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 1039 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Inclusionary Leadership-Perspectives, Experiences and Perceptions of Principals Leading Autism Classes in Irish Primary Schools

by Linda Dennehy, Kevin Cahill and Joseph A. Moynihan

Societies 2024, 14(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14010004 - 5 Jan 2024

Viewed by 2517

Abstract

This study explores the experiences, practices and perceptions of primary school principals currently leading autism classes in Ireland. Autism classes in mainstream primary schools are becoming increasingly common in the Irish education system. The prevalence of autism classes highlights the importance of their [...] Read more.

This study explores the experiences, practices and perceptions of primary school principals currently leading autism classes in Ireland. Autism classes in mainstream primary schools are becoming increasingly common in the Irish education system. The prevalence of autism classes highlights the importance of their role in enabling autistic children to attend mainstream schools. It reflects the increasing number of autistic pupils who require these specialised placements. Primary schools serve all children. It is essential that autistic children are supported in the best way possible so they can reach their full potential. The principal has a pivotal role in all aspects of his or her school, including leading the autism classes. Given the centrality of their role, it is imperative that the principal is supported by the best practices and theory available. This study sought to give the principals time to reflect on their inclusive leadership and decipher what it meant for them in their lived experience and context. Theories of leadership through a socio-cultural lens frame the overall study. A qualitative research design was adopted using semi-structured interviews with 15 primary school principals. Analysis of the data was conducted using a reflective thematic analysis approach. Findings of the research reveal that there are particular leadership styles that align with an inclusive leadership approach. These styles are distributed leadership, transformational leadership and instructional leadership. A positive disposition towards inclusion is an important factor in the principal’s perceptions of their leadership. The idea of inclusionary leadership is borne out of the study. This term indicates that leaders striving for inclusion in their schools do not view it as a destination to be reached but rather a long-term journey they travel. This research is a pathway for further study in the field. It has implications for pupils, principals, school communities and policy makers regarding the value of the work of inclusionary leaders. All participants referred to in this paper have been given two letter pseudonyms to protect their identity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Educational Leadership and Organizational Culture in Education)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 545 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Migrant Perceptions of Their Social Inclusion, Social Networks, and Satisfaction with Life in Northern Spain

by Gorka Roman Etxebarria, Naiara Berasategi Sancho, Nahia Idoiaga-Mondragon and Idoia Legorburu Fernandez

Societies 2024, 14(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14010003 - 4 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1812

Abstract

This paper aims to analyse the individual perceptions of belonging to social networks among migrants living in northern Spain, exploring various dimensions such as perceived inclusion and life satisfaction. A quantitative analysis was employed with data collected through a survey of 373 migrants [...] Read more.

This paper aims to analyse the individual perceptions of belonging to social networks among migrants living in northern Spain, exploring various dimensions such as perceived inclusion and life satisfaction. A quantitative analysis was employed with data collected through a survey of 373 migrants from different ethnic backgrounds. The findings indicate that (1) women have higher levels of perceived satisfaction with their life and social networks; (2) young migrants have higher levels of friendship networks; (3) the highest levels of perceived inclusion were found among Central Europeans, followed by individuals from Latin America, Asia, Africa and, finally, Eastern Europe; and (4) each social network under analysis was positively correlated with perceived inclusion and satisfaction with life. In summary, the results emphasise that a greater presence of networks is associated with higher levels of perceived inclusion and life satisfaction. Full article

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

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 884 KiB

Open AccessConcept Paper

Female Leadership in Shia Islam: Women on the Way from Mujtahid to Marja’

by Akif Tahiiev

Societies 2024, 14(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14010002 - 3 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 6788

Abstract

Marja’ al-taqlid are Shia religious scholars of the highest level, something which takes decades to achieve. At present, most Shia scholars agree that women cannot be Marja’, i.e., create religious rulings for other people. But there is a space for discourse, and there [...] Read more.

Marja’ al-taqlid are Shia religious scholars of the highest level, something which takes decades to achieve. At present, most Shia scholars agree that women cannot be Marja’, i.e., create religious rulings for other people. But there is a space for discourse, and there are even a few scholars who disagree with the mainstream narrative. In this paper, I argue that, with time, the number of these scholars will increase, since Shia Islamic thought is ‘live’ and flexible, and adapts to the changing social conditions. The main obstacles that prevented women from reaching this level were the conservative views of some scholars and the lack of access to education. As the number of women with religious education constantly increases, the appearance of a female Marja’ will be a matter of time, but will still cause some resistance from some patriarchal members of society. Full article

5 pages, 138 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Editorial for the Special Issue on Migration and Multilingual Education: An Intercultural Perspective

by Nektaria Palaiologou and Achilleas Kostoulas

Societies 2024, 14(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14010001 - 20 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1697

Abstract

In the early years of the 21st century, humanity faced two unprecedented global challenges: the intensifying effects of climate change and the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Migration and Multilingual Education: An Intercultural Perspective)

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Societies, Volume 14, Issue 1 (January 2024) – 12 articles

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI