Social Class Research Articles

Perceptions of Gender Equality Among Saudi Children Attending Early Years Education

ABSTRACT Children tend to acquire the concept of equality by age 3. This study examined the differences between age and gender concerning the perception of equality among preschool children, including those in their first and second years of schooling. The sample included 2,783 Saudi Arabian children from five regions, whose families belonged to the middle socioeconomic group. A self-designed questionnaire captured perceptions of gender differences, including issues of appearance, career choices, and receiving rewards, in children age 5 to 7. The data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, analysis of variance, t-test, and chi-square test. The results indicated significant differences between the age groups; 6-year-old children showed a greater understanding of equality. Additionally, girls showed a greater understanding of equality than boys regarding perceptions of gender differences concerning appearance, career choice, and receiving rewards. The implications of these findings are explored in this study.

Socioeconomic Status and Stroke: A Review of the Latest Evidence on Inequalities and Their Drivers.

The latest research on socioeconomic status (SES) and stroke continues to demonstrate that individuals with low SES are at a higher risk of stroke, receive lower-quality care, and experience poorer outcomes. Despite growing evidence on the impact of SES on stroke, gaps remain in understanding the underlying mechanisms and the influence of SES in different contexts, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This narrative review builds upon our previous reviews from 2006 to 2015, focusing on studies published since 2015 to update on the influence of SES on stroke. Reports from nationwide or population-based observational studies in the past decade have confirmed that these inequalities persist globally and have provided new evidence on their mechanisms. In high-income countries, inadequate control of cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidemia) among lower socioeconomic groups has been found to explain much of the inequality in stroke risk. Exposure to particulate air pollution (both environmental and indoor from solid fuel cooking) synergizes with cardiovascular risk factors, especially hypertension, as major causes in low- and middle-income countries. Lower SES is persistently associated with disparities in care and increased poststroke disability and mortality. Lower SES also exacerbates other causes of health inequality among women, ethnic minorities, and migrants. Addressing stroke inequalities requires an interdisciplinary approach. Targeting cardiovascular risk factors, providing equitable quality of acute and rehabilitative stroke care, enacting legislative measures, and implementing societal changes remain leading global priorities.

Social Classes Inequality In The English-Translated Version By Bett And Boyd Of Kawakami’s Japanese Novel Entitled “Heaven”

Heaven is a Japanese novel authored by Mieko Kawakami in 2009, translated by Bett and Boyd in 2020. Kawakami identifies bullying in schools, particularly through the character Iijima, as the central theme of this story. Moreover, the phenomenon of bullying stems from the fundamental issue of social class inequality. This research aims to: 1) identify social class through the frameworks of Marx and Levy, Jr.; 2) elucidate Kawakami's perspective and the concept of transindividuality; and 3) assess the significance of social class inequality in translation practices. This research method employs a descriptive qualitative approach, which focuses on social analysis. However, it persuades social classes to comprehend analysis and utilize sociology literature and literary translation from the perspective of an English learner. This research identifies the highest class as Ninomiya, who is a facilitator of bullying, while the lowest class is represented by Eyes and Kojima, who suffer from bullying. Kawakami created those characters as a manifestation of her social and humanity philosophy, taking into account her own past experiences. Therefore, Bett and Boyd, as the translators of Heaven, uphold the values of social class inequality

UPAYA MENINGKATKAN MINAT BACA SISWA KELAS VII MELALUI KEGIATAN GERAKAN LITERASI DI SMP TARBIYATUl MUHIBBIN

The purpose of this writing is to determine the factors that influence reading interest and interest in class VII students of Tarbiyatul Muhibbin Middle School for the 2023/2024 academic year. This type of research is qualitative research with a descriptive approach. VII SMP students are the subjects. The influencing factors are internal and external factors. Internal factors include intelligence, interest and attention, motivation, perseverance, attitude, reading habits, as well as physical fitness and health. Students will not be interested in reading if they do not have the desire, health, physical fitness, intelligence and motivation. Bad libraries, outdated reading materials, some even unused, little encouragement from teachers, no encouragement from parents, parents who do not give encouragement due to lack of funds, no parental attention to children's reading. Most parents focus more on learning outcomes, reading habits that students have not acquired since childhood. The influence of the reading environment and playmates indirectly influences students' interest in reading. The uncontrolled influence of technology. For example, the influence of misuse of smartphones or gadgets, the influence of television programs on students who forget their student responsibilities

The Shift in Political Ideology and Variations in Welfare Perceptions Across Generations: A Comparative Analysis of Recent Korean Administrations

ABSTRACT This study examines generational differences in welfare perceptions in Korean society amid social change. Using Korean Welfare Panel Study (KOWEPS) data from the Moon Jae-in and Yoon Suk-yeol administrations, we analyse how political ideology influences welfare views across generations. Results indicate that generational cohorts and political ideologies significantly shape perspectives on social class, equality and welfare policies. The administrative transition notably affected welfare perceptions, emphasising the need to consider both generational and ideological factors in policy development. These findings highlight the importance of addressing generational economic concerns while balancing diverse ideological welfare preferences.

Socio-economic inequalities in oral health among Portuguese older adults: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundAlthough the oral health status has improved in developed countries in recent years, oral diseases are still unequally distributed across socio-economic groups. Research on the impact of socio-economic factors on oral health care among older adults in Europe, including Portugal, remains limited. The main aim of this study was to investigate the association between socio-economic factors and oral health indicators in Portuguese older adults.MethodsThis retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed data from 915 participants (aged 65 years and older) from the third wave (2015–2016) of the Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases Cohort Study (EpiDoC), a population-based study. Socio-economic and demographic information, general health-related characteristics and oral health data (prosthetic need, oral hygiene frequency, and last dental procedure) were collected by questionnaire. Multivariate logistic and multinomial regression models analyzed the associations between socio-economic factors and oral health indicators.ResultsParticipants with lower education level, perceived lower income and a fewer number of private sector appointments were more likely to have poor oral health (need for prosthetic treatment, less frequent oral hygiene, and tooth extraction as last dental procedure). Other factors found to be associated with oral health were sex, age, geographical area, smoking habits, and body mass index.ConclusionsSocio-economic factors were associated with oral health in Portuguese older adults. These findings may contribute to future national public health strategies by expanding oral health services to ensure better access and coverage for at-risk groups.

Distribution of Polyphosphate Kinase 2 Genes in Bacteria Underscores a Dynamic Evolutionary History.

Polyphosphate kinase 2 (PPK2) enzymes catalyze phosphoryl transfer from polyphosphate to nucleotides and are divided into three classes, each presumed to have different catalytic preferences. With relevance to biotechnology, medicine, and primitive biology, there is significant interest in understanding the evolutionary history of PPK2 enzymes and predicting their functional properties. We reasoned that the distribution and pairing preferences of PPK2 gene classes across the prokaryote tree of life may shed light on these questions. PPK2 was found to be a dynamic gene family, often present in only a subset of species within a clade, even when considering a single genus. Although all possible PPK2 pairs were observed, a ~2-fold enrichment for Class I enzymes in species with multiple PPK2 genes strongly shapes pairing preferences. PPK2 class preference in the absence of PPK1, which synthesizes rather than utilizes polyphosphate, indicates the potential for functional adaptation and/or promiscuity with respect to reaction directionality for all classes, a feature that has previously been associated only with Class I. Patterns of adjacent PPK2 genes revealed signatures of gene duplication, as adjacent genes overwhelmingly belonged to the same class, as well as the potential for an added layer of PPK2 dynamics: hetero-oligomerization of single-domain Class II enzymes to recapitulate the structure of two-domain Class II enzymes. Finally, an updated PPK2 tree constructed from domains instead of genes calls into question established narratives of PPK2 evolution, putting new limits on the extent to which nucleobase promiscuity can be invoked in the early evolution of this family.

Society in the Classroom: Introduction to the Special Issue

ABSTRACTIn introducing the special issue, Society in the Classroom: Multilevel Perspectives on Socioeconomic Inequalities in Education, we begin by challenging the assumption that educational institutions are neutral sites merely reflecting socioeconomic inequalities that originate beyond them. Instead, we consider how socioeconomic disparities and biases pervade educational settings and may be perpetuated by the very function of privileging particular standards and practices, a function that is central to institutions serving the dominant societal classes. Compiled 20 years after the last time the Journal of Social Issues focused on the psychology of social class in the context of education, this issue takes stock of research on this topic with a focus on approaches that go beyond the individual level of analysis. Although research reported in the issue is predominantly conducted with majority ethnic samples in the United States and Western Europe, it engages with intersectional concerns by attending to power and interlocking processes of oppression.

Diasporic Cosmopolitanism and Digital (Dis)Connectivity Among Turkish Women in Rome

This study advances the field of disconnection studies by examining how digital (dis)connective practices intersect with diasporic identity construction and the articulation of belonging, focusing on the experiences of Turkish migrant women in Rome. Based on in-depth interviews and participant observation with 10 Turkish women, the research highlights the central role of social class in the emergence of a “diasporic cosmopolitan” identity that is culturally and socially detached from, or even opposed to, their national identity. It further shows how this “cosmopolitan” identity intersects with the performance of specific digital (dis)connective practices and explores the cultural, political, and social dimensions of these dynamics. Particular attention is given to the influence of contemporary Turkish politics on online and offline diasporic sociality, which fosters tensions and segmented solidarities. Through this lens, the study identifies emergent forms of digital (dis)connective practices among Turkish women in Rome, which shape transnational and local social alliances and disruptions.

Consumer Preferences of Chia Products: A Conjoint Analysis

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) is a nutrient-rich crop native to Mexico and Guatemala, valued for its high content of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. While historically significant for the Aztecs and Mayans, chia has become a globally cultivated crop due to its health benefits. Introduced to India by CFTRI Mysore in 2015, it has gained substantial traction, particularly in Karnataka, where it has emerged as a key crop. This study investigates chia seed consumption among 80 urban consumers in Bangalore using purposive sampling and structured questionnaires. Conjoint analysis evaluates consumer preferences, while Garrett's ranking technique identifies critical factors influencing consumption patterns. The findings reveal that chia seeds are widely integrated into daily diets, with their whole form being universally consumed. Products such as chia pudding, beverages, and snacks are favored weekly. Key preferences are shaped by health benefits, dietary trends, and accessibility, with moderate to high socio-economic status consumers showing greater engagement. Awareness about chia seeds is primarily driven by social media and direct interactions at food festivals, whereas organized retail outlets and online platforms are the dominant purchase channels. The study emphasizes the growing relevance of chia seeds in urban diets, aligning with global health trends and sustainable agriculture practices. However, limitations include a focus on a specific geographic area and consumer segment, which may not capture the diversity of broader consumer behavior. Future research could explore rural consumption patterns and strategies for expanding chia’s accessibility to diverse socio-economic groups, thereby enhancing its market potential and sustainability impact.

‘At the heart of the community’ – a Somali woman’s experience of ‘alignment’ of support to escape social isolation in pregnancy and early motherhood

ABSTRACT Purpose Stresses in pregnancy and early motherhood can affect women’s health and wellbeing, and babies’ development. Migrant women face compounding stressors from the intersection of gender, race, social class, migration, and language. We explored one Somali woman’s experience of pregnancy and the transition to motherhood, following migration to an urban environment in the Global North, aiming to understand resilience in this specific socio-cultural context. Methods This case study used interpretative phenomenological analysis of a single two-hour semi-structured interview with a Somali woman in the UK to explore how this experience may have relevance for communities and practitioners in the Global North. Results We identified two overarching themes in this woman’s experience: “vicious” and “virtuous” circles, attempting to make sense of her experience of isolation and lack of wellbeing, and subsequent confidence, engagement, and community-building. Conclusions An experience of “alignment” in social relationships appeared to make possible the shift from “vicious” to “virtuous” circle, which enabled escape from social isolation. This account of transformation—from social isolation to community contribution—underlines the role of community organizations facilitating positive social networks and peer support during pregnancy and early motherhood.

Care service attendant training based on culturally responsive pedagogy and design thinking for immigrant women in Taiwan

A significant cohort of Southeast Asian women in Taiwan, having married locals, constitutes a disadvantaged group entangled in the issues of gender, marriage migration, and social class. The lack of human capital, social discrimination and urgent personal economic demands have caused immigrant women in Taiwan to become a source of inexpensive labor in the labor market, they usually prioritize vocational training for employment. Furthermore, the rapidly growing elderly population has resulted in a severe shortage of quality care services in Taiwan. Despite Taiwanese government training for immigrant women, diverse sociocultural factors hinder them from pursuing caregiving professions. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of care service attendant (CSA) training based on culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP) and design thinking (DT) for immigrant women in Taiwan. Nine Vietnamese and Indonesian immigrant women in Taiwan attended and completed the training. The CSA training comprised core academic modules and practicum modules and was conducted in groups for 170 h over 5 weeks. This study employed a qualitative research approach, gathering data through interviews, observation, and document analysis. The results revealed that CSA training based on CRP and DT was effective in improving immigrant women’s satisfaction with training and their rate of employment as CSAs. Specifically, in addition to basic care service professionalism, the female immigrant trainees developed proactive attitudes toward problem-solving. Moreover, the integration of Taiwanese culture and frequent communication in the training facilitated the self-confidence of these trainees. In the workplace, these female immigrant CSAs’ commitment to meeting clients’ needs and innovating their service boosted the clients’ appreciation and their own cultural competency and empowerment. Overall, this study suggests that the application of CRP and DT in CSA training is a promising way of enhancing the workforce capacity of female immigrant CSAs and has value for low-skilled adult trainees. However, structuring the learning processes clearly and involving instructors with multicultural education and DT education competency are critical to implementing such vocational training.

Temporal overlap in use of shared latrines by brown hyena and spotted hyena

AbstractScent marking at latrines is used by a variety of mammals for communicating an individual's reproductive status, social rank, or territory. Both brown hyenas (Parahyaena brunnea) and spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) make use of latrines. Previous research showed that the presence of the more dominant spotted hyena negatively affects the presence of brown hyena. As both species rarely occur in the same area, little is known about the temporal patterns of using shared latrine sites. Central Tuli, Botswana, is home to one of the highest densities of both spotted and brown hyena in southern Africa. We conducted a camera trap study and monthly scat counts for monitoring the visitation and defecation rates of brown and spotted hyenas at shared latrines to examine the temporal patterns of latrine use. Our results showed seasonal differences in latrine use, with lower visitation and defecation rates for both species during the wet season. We found high temporal overlap in latrine use for the two species. However, the time interval between consecutive spotted – brown hyena visits was larger than for consecutive brown hyena–spotted hyena and consecutive conspecific visits during the dry season, suggesting that brown hyena seem to show fine‐scale temporal avoidance of spotted hyenas at shared latrine sites. The presence of spotted hyenas, or other large carnivores, could possibly inhibit intraspecific communication for brown hyena at shared latrine sites.

The Image of Money In 19th-Century France: An Economic and Monetary Philosophy Perspective on PÈRe Goriot

This paper analyzes Balzac’s classic novel Le Père Goriot, exploring how money alienates human nature and its effects on individuals and society within the context of capitalist systems. It begins by examining the rise of capitalism in 19th-century France, highlighting how the capitalist system fostered social division and widened the gap between rich and poor. Then, it delves into the character of Père Goriot, portraying him as both a ruthless businessman and an overly indulgent father, revealing how money distorts his love to his daughters, creating a conflict between feudalism and capitalism. Finally, the study discusses how the rise of materialism and the worship of money led to the erosion of spiritual values and the loss of a messianic (savior) consciousness. It concludes that in a society lacking shared ideals and faith, money becomes deified, resulting in the degradation of human nature and the tragic collapse of familial bonds.

Fostering Diversity and Moderation Through Multicultural Education: Insights from Pesantren Ulul Albab Yogyakarta

This article looks at multicultural education at Ulul Albab Balirejo Umbulharjo Student Boarding School, Yogyakarta. Multicultural education is about understanding and accepting differences in religion, culture, gender, social class, race, ability and age. Multicultural education is the best way to deal with diversity in Islamic boarding schools. Multicultural education helps students deal with globalisation by teaching them about different cultures. Successful multicultural education produces students with high tolerance. With multicultural education, students will understand and appreciate diversity. Multicultural education in boarding schools helps students learn from each other and teaches them to be moderate and to respect other cultures. The research method is qualitative and descriptive. The data was collected through interviews, observation and documents. This study shows that multicultural education training is about not discriminating based on ethnicity, class and gender. Pondok Pesantren Ulul Albab Balirejo Umbulharjo Yogyakarta also teaches Arabic and English. Pesantren Ulul Albab Balirejo Umbulharjo Yogyakarta is an example of Islam as a religion of peace. It promotes pluralism and multicultural education. It also works to reduce institutional egoism and promote diversity. To strengthen its role, it needs to reform its curriculum to integrate multicultural values into character education.

Blood on the Plaza

Exploration of the pivotal events surrounding the Tlatelolco Massacre of October 2, 1968, and its profound impact on Mexican society, politics, and international relations. The research delved into the complex dynamics leading up to and following the tragic event, examining the role of student activists, and the actions of the Mexican government under President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz, and the broader implications for issues of social justice and governmental control of social classes, not only in Mexico but globally.

Aesthetic and moral objections to hand-painted films in the Scottish Highlands

ABSTRACT During the earliest years of cinema in Scotland, films of the serpentine dance (and its various iterations) were exceptional for their intricately hand-painted colours, imitating the lights of their theatrical antecedents. The popularity of the original stage routine transcended social classes, and was widely lauded as a poetic expression of modernity. Yet, such connotations were not ubiquitously upheld, especially in Inverness, where the routine was controversially executed in a den of lions. Public outcry deemed it a defamation of the female form, and as the town’s only local filmmaker and exhibitor, John Mackenzie omitted any associated hand-painted films from his screenings. The perceived moral case for this omission was compounded by Mackenzie’s aesthetic principles as a photographer. Late-nineteenth-century photographic journals reveal an aversion to hand-painted photographs; dyes corrupted the purity of light on emulsion, whilst the quest for a photographic colour process remained an elusive yet noble pursuit. As founder and president of the Highland Photographic Society, Mackenzie was sensitive to such discourses and beliefs. In addition to cementing John Mackenzie’s place in the historical record, this paper uncovers overlooked yet significant discourses in press and trade journal materials, which are crucial to our understanding of early colour cinema in Scotland.

Fatores associados à depressão pós-parto: uma análise de agregação

Introduction: Postpartum depression (PPD), according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), is a multifactorial disease, which occurs during pregnancy until the fourth week postpartum. Objective: To assess whether family support, depression and/or anxiety before or during pregnancy, alcohol consumption and/or smoking during pregnancy, and age (<20 or >35 years), together or separately, in puerperal women influence the occurrence of PPD. Methods: A longitudinal and multicenter study, called “Projeto Viver”, with 3435 women who gave birth in three maternity hospitals in Espírito Santo. At the last follow-up, at the end of the neonatal period, 1818 puerperae were interviewed by telephone (52.9%). Poisson analysis with robust variance adjustment was performed for one, two, three and even four grouped factors, and adjusted for covariates. Results: The prevalence of PPD was 7.3% (95% CI 6.1% - 8.5%) in the first month after delivery. Most puerperae with PPD were between 20 and 34 years old (71.2%; 95%CI 62.8% - 78.3%), more than 12 years of education (60.7%; 95%CI 51.5% - 69.2%), non-white skin color (77.3%; 95%CI 69.2% - 83.8%) and social class C (51.5%; 95%CI 42.9% - 60.0%). The most prevalent risk factor in puerperae with PPD was the lack of family support (34.1%; 95%CI 26.4% - 42.6%) and the least was depression and/or anxiety before or during pregnancy (3.8%; 95%CI 1.6% - 8.8%). Women without family support, who smoked and/or drank during pregnancy had 98% and 60% risk for PPD, respectively. The presence of two and three risk factors doubled and tripled the risk for PPD among puerperae, respectively. In puerperae with two concurrent factors, such as lack of family support and smoking/ethylism, as well as those with depression and/or anxiety before or during pregnancy and age extremes, the risk for PPD was 2.1 (95% CI 1.2 - 3.9) and 3.7 (95% CI 1.2 - 11.7), respectively. Conclusion: The result of this study allowed the knowledge of the risk of aggregate factors, and can contribute to public health actions that minimize them in pregnant women, in order to reduce the occurrence of depression after childbirth.

The Cost of Looking Up: Social Comparison as a Partial Mediator Between Social Anxiety and Vindictive Behavior in a Non-anonymous Ultimatum Game.

Self-appraisals in relation to internalized standards are fundamental constructs in clinical and evolutionary models of Social Anxiety (SA). Empirical evidence has consistently shown that socially anxious individuals tend to engage in upward social comparisons and aim to adjust their social standing accordingly. However, the consequences of perceiving oneself as inferior to others within social contexts remain under-explored. To this end, a sample of N = 166 college students participated as respondents in an iterated, non-anonymous online Ultimatum Game (UG) against two familiar classmates: a fair allocator and a highly unfair allocator. Participants were informed that their identities would be disclosed to their assigned co-players. In reality, however, all participants played against a computer-simulated opponent. Our findings both replicate and extend previous research by showing that individuals with elevated social anxiety tend to exhibit vindictive behavior in response to unfair monetary UG splits (i.e., costly punishment) compared to their less anxious peers, even without the safeguarding of anonymity. Overall, our data lend empirical support to Social Rank theories of social anxiety and underscore the role of (upward) social comparison as a partial mediator explaining behavioral outcomes (i.e., vindictive behavior) in SA. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.

The effect of flipped classroom audiovisual content on students’ talking time and speaking skills in an adult EFL class

This action research report explores the effect of a flipped learning strategy on adult EFL students’ speaking skills. Flipped learning, or inverted learning, reverses the traditional educational model where students learn in class and practice out of it; flipped learning promotes the students’ learning of concepts and theories out of the classroom that is later practiced and applied in class under the teacher’s guidance. The primary hypothesis was that by flipping grammar explanations, students would be more prepared and have more time to interact in English and use the structures in class. This research revealed that flipped learning helped to increase student talking time in class and accuracy in grammar use. Furthermore, it shows evidence that using flipped audiovisual materials poses advantages and challenges that can potentially boost learning inside and outside the classroom.