Conservative Attitudes Research Articles

Examining distrust of science and scientists: A study on ideology and scientific literacy in the European Union

There is considerable evidence that, in the United States, public distrust in science is amplified by a conservative ideology and by lower levels of scientific literacy. By emphasizing the discussion on reflexive modernity and (de)politicization of science and politics, we use the Eurobarometer 95.2 to explore these relationships in present-day European Union. We document a significant relationship between conservatively oriented opinions and lower scores on the scientific literacy scale and EU respondents’ levels of distrust in science. We notice that conservative attitudes – measured by dummy statements such as focus on morality instead of innovation, and national isolation due to fear of international crime instead of international co-operation – cause higher distrust in science and scientists. Unlike several studies carried out in the United States, we observe that in the European Union countries, trust in private companies to tackle with scientific issues such as climate change does not predict much when it comes to trust in science and scientists. The obtained results highlight the conceptual confluence between politicization of EU politics and expertization when it comes to policymaking at the EU level, emphasizing the debate regarding the ideological tension that fuels the distrust in science and scientists.

Local attitudes toward conservation and tourism around Xuan Son national park

It is increasingly viewed that the support of local communities is an essential element of biodiversity conservation, and benefits from protected areas are one of the reasons for their support. It is common to make a prediction that protected areas provide benefits, and the development of tourism is a common means that supplies such benefits. Although some studies exploring the link between the benefits of tourism and support for conservation have been done recently, their results still need to be argued more. This study, therefore, aimed to examine the ecotourism perception of local communities and the influence of ecotourism benefits on local people’s support for the conservation of Xuan Son National Park, Phu Tho Province, Vietnam. Xuan Son National Park is also a tourism destination, that is not far from Hanoi capital, where eco-tourism is increasingly popular and local attitudes toward conservation and protected area tourism have not been researched. This research was based on a primary survey and secondary data collection. There were two methods that were applied for primary-data collection, and they were household surveys and observations. The results revealed positive attitudes toward tourism and conservation (67.8%), and it is also recognized that the park is essential for local tourism (91%). There was a significant difference between those dependent upon tourism and those not, and those dependent upon tourism were likely to have positive attitudes (t19.348 = -2.425, p<0.05). Overall, this study revealed that benefits from eco-tourism have positive impacts on conservation attitudes.

Marriage and Family in Putin’s Russia: State Ideology and the Discourse of the Russian Orthodox Church

The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) presents itself as a defender of traditional Christian values. Among these values, representatives of the ROC mention concern for marriage and family. To what extent is the position of the ROC an expression of commitment to the traditional Christian concept of marriage and family? In this article, we analyse the contemporary Orthodox discourse in Russia since Kirill Gundyayev became the Patriarch of Moscow in 2009. From a political science and security studies perspective, we highlight the main ideological elements of this discourse. We contrast these elements with similar content in Russian official documents and Vladimir Putin’s statements. An analysis of what the ROC says about the problems and protection of marriage and family in Russia, against the background of Putin’s statements and the actions of the state authorities, shows that the ROC’s discourse on marriage and family echoes the main themes of the political discourse controlled by the state authorities. In its understanding of marriage and in its efforts on behalf of the family, the ROC represents a conservative doctrinal position. Although, in doctrinal terms, it essentially expresses the traditional Christian teaching on marriage, the strong ideologisation and securitisation of demographic issues in Russia are also reflected in church discourse.

Who holds [educational] authority? Framing the authoritarian turn in the conservative “gag orders” in the United States

ABSTRACT Amid the democratic backsliding of the United States and other nations, this paper problematises how authoritarian policy trends complicate who holds educational authority over teacher pedagogy, the contested public education arena, and schools as knowledge production sites within a democratic society. This paper situates the entrenched war on the educated in the United States within a broader political context that has unearthed nationwide educational policies premised on anti-democratic tenets of authoritarian populism. Drawing upon language from enacted educational ‘gag orders’ in multiple states, this paper highlights how conservative policy language positions teachers as passive policy subjects and illustrates the aims of these educational orders to curtail academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and redefine what is true and worth knowing within the contested public education domain. Finally, this paper calls to attention the risks posed to democratic institutions and stakeholders in the wake of authoritarian turns occurring both nationally and globally.

Rosa Arciniega and the Transformations of Avant-Garde Fiction

Abstract The objective of this article is to provide a reevaluation of Rosa Arciniega’s (1903–1999) literary work in Spain throughout the 1930s. While her work is currently labelled as ‘social literature’, the present study will argue that this label is reductive and does not take into account the complexities, contradictions and transformations of her work. As this article will show, Arciniega sought to represent and express modernity in its most varied facets by focusing on three different areas: social denunciation, renewal of literary expression, and an appeal to romantic sentimentality. This study seeks to shed light on Arciniega’s immersion in time and the consequent grim diagnosis of modernity which led her from left-wing radicalism to more conservative positions. Formal experimentation will be seen as a key part of her literary trajectory.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of coral reef conservation among Terengganu community of Malaysia

Background: Malaysia’s coral reefs, primarily threatened by overfishing, pollution, and climate change, face significant challenges despite conservation efforts. Researchers from Management and Science University have taken a holistic approach towards coral reef conservation. This multi-stakeholder strategy, which involves local communities, government agencies, and private sectors, underscores the importance of collective action. A notable initiative within this approach is the coral transplantation program on Geluk Island, aiming to restore and bolster these crucial marine ecosystems.Objective: This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the Terengganu community towards coral reef conservation and identify sociodemographic variables associated with community member practices.Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from July to October 2022 in Setiu, Terengganu and recruited 338 adult local villagers. Data on participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of coral reefs, awareness and attitude towards the MYCoral 5.0 MSU Eco-Marine Project, and practice of coral reef conservation were collected via validated interviewer-rated questionnaires. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with good coral reef conservation practices, using SPSS version 2.Results: Out of the 338 participants, 55.3% had acceptable knowledge on coral reefs, 29.0% had good practice of coral reef conservation. Additionally, 44.7% had good knowledge of the MyCoral 5.0 project, and 68.9% were willing to volunteer for coral reef conservation. Knowledge of coral reefs (AOR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.15–2.52), knowledge of MyCoral project (AOR = 2.64, 95% CI: 1.47–4.74), and willingness to volunteer for conservation (AOR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.36–3.64) were significantly associated with good practice of coral reef conservation.Conclusion: The study results highlight a need for education and awareness programs to improve the knowledge and practices of coral reef conservation. Moreover, consideration of socio-demographic dynamics of the local communities in designing targeted conservation strategies could also be vital.

A Joke Off-hand: Who Says Jordanians Keep a Straight Face?

Based on a sample of 75 Jokes extracted from YouTube clips which belong to a comic program called ‘A Joke Off-hand’, different Jordanian male age-groups are shown to highly welcome, appreciate, and interact with joke telling in public. The topics of jokes are varied, mainly involving hash-addict (26.66%), marriage (16%), body defects (6.66%), and school (6.66%) jokes. The total absence of political jokes and the very few sexual and religious jokes (two instances each) may be ascribed to Jordanians’ relatively conservative attitude towards exposing such sensitive themes publically in addition to being aware of censorship as reported by the program’s presenter in a TV interview. Jordanian jokes are shown to be influenced by the jokester’s age, which is clearly reflected in the structure and sophistication of the joke. In terms of linguistic resources, the bulk of the jokes (85.33%) follows human logical reasoning based on conversational implicature, which can readily travel into English through translation. The remainder of the sample consist of linguistic jokes which defy translation and must be largely annotated if they were to make sense. Word ambiguity and onomastics seem to be a prevalent feature of Jordanian linguistic jokes.

Incommensurability Explained in the Terms of Presuppositions. A Comment to Kuhn’s Thesis on Radical Meaning Variance

Kuhn’s radical meaning variance thesis implies that scientists, who work in different paradigms cannot understand each other. This, however, seems incredible. The air of paradox can be dispersed once the role of presuppositions in constituting a paradigm is acknowledged. Presuppositions function in the way of the Wittgensteinian ungrounded hinges and often are only implicitly assumed. In the face of recalcitrant puzzles some presuppositions can be made explicit and revised. The mechanism of possible revisions of presuppositions can be accounted for in terms of Hintikka’s interrogative model of scientific inquiry with some amendments. The model includes three possible reactions to an anomaly: (i) a conservative offer of an auxiliary hypothesis within the current paradigm, (ii) a reinterpretation of puzzling experimental results and non-revolutionary enrichment of the current paradigm with a novel hypothesis, and (iii) a revision of presuppositions that amounts to a full-fledged scientific revolution. The choice depends on the success or failure of more conservative alternatives and the scope of application of the theory under investigation. In the proposed approach, incommensurability does not hinder communication between the proponents of different paradigms. In addition, some other controversial points in Kuhn’s views are explained, like Kuhn’s losses, reproaching conservative attitudes towards anomalies, or the admissibility or inadmissibility of the coexistence of rival paradigms. Last but not least, a link between a paradigm shift and the strive for truth is established.

Unheard voices: a cross-sectional study on the perception of Sri Lankan female factory workers towards the Abortion Law

Introduction: Induced abortion is restricted in Sri Lanka and is only permitted to save the life of the mother. However, many women undergo abortion through unsafe ways, putting themselves at risk of complications and incomplete abortion. Among the most vulnerable to unintended pregnancies and induced abortions are female factory workers (FFWs).Objectives: To explore the knowledge and perception of FFWs towards Sri Lanka’s abortion lawsMethods: A structured questionnaire was administered by a team of trained interviewers among randomly selected 608 FFWs of reproductive age using a multi-stage cluster sampling approach after receiving written informed consent.Results: The study revealed that the FFWs had limited knowledge and conservative attitudes towards the abortion law. Surprisingly, a small proportion (10.9%) of the respondents were aware of the legal circumstances under which abortions are permitted. Majority of the respondents (64.8%) did not have comprehensive knowledge and they believed that providing treatment to a woman who had complications due to unsafe abortion is a violation of the law. Around half of the respondents supported legalizing abortion in cases of rape (49.6%), incest (45.6%) and lethal foetal abnormalities (75.2%). However, only a small proportion of the respondents urged in favour of legalizing induced abortion for other reasons such as contraceptive failure (13.7%) and economic hardship (9.1%). Furthermore, a mere 5.3% of the respondents agreed to legalize abortion on request.Conclusions & Recommendations: FFWs possess limited awareness and conservative attitudes towards the abortion law. More focused information, communication and education interventions are needed to handle the issue.

OVERARCHING OVERTONES: ORACLES ON CAREER CHRONICLES OF WOMEN IN INDIAN HOTEL INDUSTRY

The hospitality sector has been witnessing tremendous changes of late in terms of gender diversity with the increased participatory role of women at all levels of the workforce. The global food and beverage, and lodging industries have been proactively getting women on board down the years, recognising their important role in enhancing visitor satisfaction translating into repeat visits. This trend is however more widespread and popular in developed countries. India’s unique cultural values, social traditions, conventional customs, gender stereotyping, conservative attitudes and religious beliefs have all been challenging age-old obstacles that have largely hindered the greater employment and integration of women in the hospitality sector’s labour market. It is only from the 1960s that the women workforce in the Indian precincts saw limited presence and then slowly grew in numbers. This analytical research paper actively seeks to explore and highlight the trajectory of women employees in the hotel industry. Accurate and objective data for this investigative analysis is obtained from several leading five-star hotels in Chennai. Insights into the hospitality sector are obtained through interaction with a number of women holding managerial positions. The gathered data is decoded, and variables that help it are extracted. This research study on the work trends, changing industry dynamics and administrative challenges encountered by women in the hospitality sector can help establish gender parity by promoting a greater number of women to join the ranks and raise the profile of women in the hotel industry.

Labour-Use Efficiency of Rice Farmers in Nigeria’s North-Central Region

A cross-sectional data collected through structured questionnaire coupled with an interview schedule from 360 rice farmers selected via a multi-stage sampling technique was used to determine the labour efficiency of rice farmers in Nigeria’s North-Central region. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the 2020 cropping season data. The empirical evidences showed a farming population that is gender biased due to gender stereotype, thus affected women’s access to and control over productive resources. Besides, economic-productive people that explored pecuniary advantages to achieve economies of scale engaged in cultivation of thinly uneconomic holding. The poor economic status of the farm families made most of the farmers to rely on family labour for farm operations, thus keeping most of their children and young ones out of school. Furthermore, most of the farmers were fairly efficient in the use of labour with little technical support required to enable them to achieve optimum labour efficiency level (frontier point). However, the empirical evidences showed competition for labour demand between farm and off-farm activities, and, conservative and complacency attitudes due to longevity in the enterprise to be the factors that affected labour efficiency. Therefore, the study calls for gender mainstreaming in the agricultural budget to overcome women’s challenge on productive resources; incentivized the enterprise viz. credit provision; and, adoption of a bottom-to-top approach in research and practical demonstration approach in the transfer of innovative rice technologies.

Insights from analyzing local ecological knowledge and stand structure for guiding conservation actions for the endangered tropical tree Pterocarpus erinaceus. Poir

Sustainable management and conservation of multipurpose tree species in their natural habitats is crucial, given their vulnerability to climate change and increasing human activities. This can be achieved by harnessing insights from local ecological knowledge (LEK) and classical ecological approaches to support biodiversity conservation efforts. Using forest inventory data from 126 plots and information from a semi-structured survey of 234 households, we investigated LEK (perception on population trend, causes, and conservation attitudes toward the species) and population ecology (tree density, size class distribution – SCD, structural diversity, and stability) of the endangered rosewood Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir. along a climate gradient in Benin (Sudanian (SZ), Sudano-Guinean (SGZ) and Guinean (GZ)). The results indicated that local communities were aware of the decline of P. erinaceus populations, although variations were observed with respect to ethnicity and age. The protection of the species regeneration by the communities in the GZ (63 %) probably led to the high regeneration rate (90 %) of P. erinaceus in this zone. Tree density declined from the SZ to GZ (2 and 1.23 times lower in SGZ and GZ compared to SZ), but variation in the mean diameter at breast height showed the opposite pattern (1.98 and 1.90 times lower in SGZ and SZ than in GZ). The SCD in the SGZ exhibited a bell-shaped pattern, while the populations in the SZ and GZ showed an inverted J-shaped distribution. Pruning intensity was 6.60 to 35.25 times higher in the SZ than in the SGZ and GZ, respectively, where regeneration rates were low, reflecting the potential negative effects of pruning on regeneration. Furthermore, P. erinaceus demonstrated tolerance for mixed-species stands (mingling of 40 % to 75 %), indicating an opportunity to integrate it into agroforestry systems with other species. This research highlights the impacts of human activity and climate conditions on P. erinaceus populations and informs on potential management actions needed for the conservation of the species.

Time Use and Life Satisfaction within Couples: A Gender Analysis for Belgium

This article looks at the time allocation of individuals with a focus on paid and unpaid work, its division within households, and its link with life satisfaction. The study uses the cross-sectional MEqIN database for Belgium in 2016 and corrects for heterogeneity by using measures of the personality traits. The division of time appears to be quite gendered. Women are found to be more satisfied when working part time. This could be because a majority of working women still undertake most of the unpaid work so that they end up operating a double shift. Looking at the link of time allocation of both partners on the individuals’ life satisfaction, men’s behavior appears to be in accordance with a conservative gender attitude, and even a breadwinner version, while women’s behavior is closer to an egalitarian gender attitude. The study further observes that those behaviors are softened by the presence of children. HIGHLIGHTS In Belgium, women spend more time on unpaid work, even conditional on being employed. Without considering interdependencies, women are more satisfied when working part time. Accounting for interdependencies, women favor an equal sharing of paid and unpaid work. Men appear to be more satisfied when they undertake more paid work than their partner. Policy implications should involve changing men’s behavior and traditional gender norms.

Moderating Role of Sexual Attitudes in the Association between Online Sexual Activity and Problematic Pornography Use: Evidence from the Chinese Community and Help-Seeking Men

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the moderating role of sexual attitudes in the association between online sexual activity (OSA) and problematic pornography use (PPU) in the Chinese context. Specifically, we examined whether incongruence stemming from attitudes (i.e., disapproval of nonmarital and casual sex but engaging in OSA) amplifies the perception of PPU. Methods We recruited two samples of Chinese men, one from the community (N 1 = 525) and the other comprising help-seeking individuals (N 2 = 578). Results Sexual attitudes moderate the relationship between OSA and PPU in both samples, with the predictive influence of OSA on PPU weakening among individuals with a relatively permissive attitude (scored one SD above the mean of sexual attitudes), and strengthened among individuals with a relatively conservative attitude (scored one SD below the mean of sexual attitudes). Conclusions In the conservative sexual cultural context of China, a relatively conservative sexual attitude might strengthen the association between OSA and PPU.

Central venous catheter (CVC) salvage in case of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI): A monocentric prospective study in patients on long-term home parenteral nutrition (HPN)

CLABSI is a major complication in HPN and frequently leads to central venous catheter (CVC) removal. We developed a salvaging attitude in long term HPN patients due to the necessity of venous preservation. The main objective of this study is to determine the prognosis of CLABSI. We followed-up for three months, in an approved HPN centre, a cohort of 250 adult patients receiving HPN with CLABSI from 2018 to 2020. CLABSI was defined by a blood culture growth differential [peripheral blood] - [CVC blood]≥2h. A therapeutic approach to conserve CVC was established according to the department's protocol. The primary endpoint was conservation of CVC with negative CVC and peripheral blood cultures at 3 months without complications. Data from 30 CLABSIs were collected for 22 HPN patients. The incidence rate of CLABSIs was 0.28 infections/1000 catheter days. Sixteen CVCs were removed immediately, with causes due to the type of germ (staphylococcus aureus: n=6, candida parapsilosis: n=4, klebsiella: n=2), chronic colonization (n=4) or initial complications (n=4). Among the 14 non-removed CVC, 11 were maintained at 3 months with blood cultures on CVC and peripheral negative for 9 (80%) of them. 3 CVC were removed during the 3 months follow-up (non-CVC-related sepsis n=2, and resistant pseudomonas aeruginosa n=1). The incidence rate of CLABSIs in an expert HPN centre remains low. In case of CLABSIs, according to specific protocol, approximately 50% of CVC were removed immediately (essentially due to bacteriological characteristics). In case of CLABSIs and without initial complication, 80% of CVCs can be maintained at 3 months. These results justify a conservative attitude according to standardized protocol.

Analysis of the Condition of the Development of Cryptocurrency in China

This article discusses the reasons behind the Chinese government's conservative attitude toward cryptocurrencies, despite the rapid growth of the cryptocurrency market in China. Cryptocurrencies have become popular in finance because of their advantages in privacy, permanence, and scalability. However, they also pose challenges, such as regulatory un-certainties and security risks. China has banned financial institutions from facilitating bitcoin transactions and imposed restrictions on cryptocurrencies. The article suggests that China's attitude towards cryptocurrencies may be due to their defects. Clear regulations and laws are needed to normalize transactions and issuance and mitigate policy risks. The article also provides some possible solutions based on the defects of cryptocurrencies.

Debated issues in the Church of England: The Roles of Theology and Psychology

Abstract This paper tests whether or not psychological type preferences predicted the extent of liberal versus conservative attitudes towards a range of controversial moral issues among 3,515 clergy and laity from the Church of England who took part in the 2013 Church Times survey. Summated rating scales were produced from Likert items related to four different issues: same-sex relationships, the ordination of women, divorce and remarriage, and cohabitation. After allowing for general theological stance, psychological type preferences for sensing over intuition and thinking over feeling were significantly associated with more conservative attitudes. For theological liberals, sensing types had slightly more conservative moral attitudes, on average, than did intuitive types, but there was no difference among theological conservatives. For theological conservatives, thinking types had slightly more conservative moral attitudes, on average, than did feeling types, but there was no difference among theological liberals.

The Significance and Strategies for Environmental Conservation in the Light of Islamic Teachings

Environmental protection is considered a fundamental aspect of Islamic faith. Islam views any assistance in cleaning and preserving the environment as ongoing charity (sadaqah jariyah) and an act of civic responsibility. Quranic verses, Hadiths (sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad), religious guidelines, and jurisprudential rulings all emphasize the necessity, significance, position, and benefits of environmental conservation. This topic has gained prominence in contemporary political and healthcare discussions globally, with its protection being an international priority. Measures taken to safeguard it are aimed at ensuring a healthy environment where humans reside, free from harm. It appears that Islam regards the environment as a divine gift and has provided numerous rules, regulations, and religious guidelines for its preservation. Has Islam considered rules, regulations, and guidelines for the conservation of the environment and living organisms? This article aims to answer this question and others alike by examining the sacred texts of the Quran and the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad.
 This article attempts to analyze Islamic texts to determine the level of attention Islam, as a universal religion, has given to issues essential to human society, including environmental conservation. It discusses the excessively high regard Islam has for the environment and outlines useful Sharia solutions for maintaining a clean environment, which is one of the fundamental needs of a pure, healthy, and ideal society. The article employs an analytical approach and utilizes translations of Quranic verses from the Tafsir Noor by Mostafa Khormadell and translations of Hadiths primarily from the book Al-Lu'lu' wal-Marjan by Abu Bakr Hasan Zadeh.

ICE-BEES Conference 2023: Re-thinking the Dynamization between Environmental Issues and Adaptive Technology for Inclusive Growth

The ICE-BEES Conference 2023 is one of the conferences held by Universitas Negeri Semarang. The conference aims to promote the green aspect and environmental sustainability in the multidisciplinary perspectives. The conference is also to support the Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), as the Conservation-based Research University which in line with UNNES development. The development of UNNES as a Conservation-minded University has three objectives. First, support the government’s efforts in managing living, non-living and ecosystem natural resources. Second, protecting, preserving, and utilizing natural resources in a sustainable manner through education, research, and community service activities. Third, foster a mental attitude, behavior, which is responsible and motivates the academic community and other UNNES citizens to implement the conservation of values and character, art and culture, as well as natural resources and the environment. UNNES has been active in giving its contribution to the beloved country of Indonesia and the world so that the earth it inhabits is more comfortable. Conservation insights become a shared reference and are used by the academic community as an academic community. Conservation insight occupies a central position, especially as a system that directs and guides conservation attitudes and behavior.

HIV prevention and public morality in Pakistan: the secular normativity of development

Religious leaders, development experts and state officials in Pakistan were brought together on shared platforms to negotiate a morally–appropriate but scientifically informed response to HIV. Instead of dialogue and negotiation in line with the secular ideal of development, the moral authority of the religious figure compelled others to forefront the conservative in them, thereby undermining the goal of HIV prevention in the country. The everyday practices of state officials and health experts were already infused with Islamic public morality but the inclusion of religious leaders resulted in acceptance of their conservative position on HIV, gender and sexuality. Through the case study of an Inter-Religious Council on HIV, I argue that intervention strategies which specifically involve religious leaders end up enabling systematic marginalization of those who are already at a greater risk of HIV.