Conservation Society Research Articles

Identity development of Arab drama therapists: The role of ethnic boundary work

Previous studies have suggested that creative arts therapists who work in conservative societies must adapt their Western therapeutic ideologies to collectivist and traditional norms. Less is known about how these creative arts therapists construct and maintain their professional identity in diverse sociocultural contexts. Building on the literature that emphasizes the role of ethnic boundary work in professional identity processes, we examined how Arab drama therapists maintain, challenge, and negotiate ethnic boundaries in the process of professional identity construction.Participants were 38 Israeli-Arab drama therapists (36 female) working in Israeli-Arab schools. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews (27 participants) and playback theater groups (12 participants). Thematic analysis revealed three different forms of ethnic boundary work: "Distinguishing Arab identity from drama therapy", "Drama therapy as an act of challenging ethnic and gender boundaries", and "Negotiating ethnic boundaries within the context of drama therapy".The current study emphasizes the sociocultural context of boundary work by illustrating how Israeli-Arab drama therapists define their professional identity across ethnic, gender, and political tensions. We conclude with implications for research and practice.

Islamic views on local tourism engagement in conservative societies: an insight from Oman

ABSTRACT Understanding the diverse viewpoints within host communities is vital for achieving sustainable tourism development. While literature often addresses pro-tourism perspectives, scant attention is given to anti-tourism factions (unsupportive cohort of society) and those not directly benefiting. The current study addresses this gap, employing social exchange and social distance theories to explore opposition to Western-style tourism. Interviews with 22 respondents across five traditional villages in Oman reveal concerns about religious and cultural preservation, privacy, and lifestyle. The results showed that perceptions of social distance significantly shape community attitudes and behaviours towards tourists, particularly those perceived as cultural outsiders. Despite challenges, respondents adopt a nuanced approach, balancing cultural preservation with respect for tourists. Findings further illustrate that communities use symbolic markers to maintain cultural identity and cohesion amid external pressures and perceived risks. The study offers insights into culturally sensitive tourism strategies in religiously conservative societies.

Supporting inclusive scientific communities: Insights from the ATBC society survey

AbstractAcademic societies have a special responsibility in supporting the inclusivity of scientific communities. A survey of 224 Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation society members indicates that, while the society provides stronger support for equity and inclusion compared to workplaces, there is a need for continued promotion of diversity within the broader scientific community.Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.

Mosque Construction as Nation-Building: The case of Turkey

ABSTRACT This article analyzes the question of mosque construction and its interrelationship vis-à-vis nation-building in contemporary Turkey. The dynamics of a secular state ruling over a conservative society have always been conflictual in republican Turkey, and this ever since the modern state began initiating a number of radical secular reforms in the 1920s and the 1930s. Among those reforms, disruptive in a previously conservative society, were the dissolution of the caliphate and dismemberment of religious institutions, coupled with widespread Westernizing policies including the adoption of Western sartorial habits, emphasis on science and technology, and changing the alphabet from the traditional Arabic to the current modern (romanized) Turkish script. On the other hand, the advent of democracy and changeover of government in 1950 brought with it the emergence of a renewed religious discourse and a desire for more mosque construction in order to accentuate the Islamic facet of Turkish culture. Therefore, the religious dimension of Turkish identity has increasingly been buttressed by mosque construction by right-wing governments, reaching its zenith with the current Justice and Development Party (JDP) government (beginning in 2002). Coupled with the emergence of an illiberal democracy bolstered by Turkish populism, this article proposes to analyze the linkage between mosque construction and the building of an Islamic conservative Turkish nation contrasting the secular Turkish identity of the ancien régime.

Cross-cultural approach to biobanking of living coral cells on Woppaburra sea Country in the southern inshore Great Barrier Reef

ABSTRACT Biobanking of cryopreserved, living cells is a conservation tool being increasingly integrated into management and recovery efforts for at-risk wildlife. Together with reproductive technologies like in-vitro fertilisation, biobanking can secure biodiversity for decades and beyond to support species’ health and ability to survive and recover in a changing world. An inaugural on-Country coral biobanking project occurred in 2022 on Konomie (North Keppel Island) involving partners from Taronga Conservation Society, the Australian Institute of Marine Science and Woppaburra Traditional Custodians. Biobanking activities were undertaken with free prior and informed consent for the collection, cryopreservation and transfer of living coral material for secure and specialised storage at Taronga’s CryoDiversity Banks on Cammeraygal and Wiradjuri Countries. During this project and a subsequent Biobanking Cultural Safety event in September 2023, we discussed cultural matters related to biobanking and measures that could be taken to ensure that the enduring link to Country of these samples is maintained in perpetuity. These outcomes will form the basis of a best-practice approach to biobanking activities in other regions of the Great Barrier Reef, in partnership with the Traditional Custodians of those sea Countries.

Power and Possession: Analyzing Control in Robert Browning's 'My Last Duchess' and Its Reflections in Modern Society

Robert Browning’s My Last Duchess is among the most popular monologues of the Victorian era and a perfect case study for examining the depictions of power, possession, and control. From the face value, it is apparent from the poem that power resides with those who possess wealth and title. Additionally, those in power can become extremely controlling to the detriment of those subject to them. In this case, the duke embodies a controlling and possessive individual in a position of power. The main contrast between the poem and modern society is that it would not be possible for an individual today to commit murder with impunity regardless of wealth and power. The rationale is that in many societies, the power resides with the people, and the leaders are considered to serve the interests of the people. Even the dictators face the wrath of their subjects if they commit such acts. Additionally, even the most conservative societies today do not treat women the same way they were treated in the Victorian era. However, cases of female domination and control are still rampant. Domestic violence in modern society may reflect the need for some men to dominate and control their women with such desires that lead them to commit violence against them. However, such incidences are an oddity as opposed to the Victorian era, when they could have been common.

From Isolation to Acceptance: Improving Social Acceptance and Educational Opportunities for Transgender People in Pakistan

Transgender people usually face social isolation and discrimination. Although the situation is improving in developed countries, it is still grim in more traditional and conservative societies like Pakistan. Gathering data through semi-structured interviews from eight female students, eight female teachers, and eight mothers from two girls-only schools in Lahore; this study investigated their perceptions about the social acceptance and educational opportunities for transgender people in the country. It further explored their views about transgender-inclusive education, and how their social inclusion and educational opportunities could be improved. All the participants acknowledged the lack of social acceptance and educational opportunities for transgender people; however, when it came to transgender-inclusive education, opinions were more divided. Some of the participants especially the mothers had reservations due to the social and cultural values, safety concerns, and fears of bad influence and classroom distractions. The teachers also pointed out the fact that schools, communities, students, teachers, and even the transgender people themselves were not ready for transgender-inclusive education. Although most of them believed that transgender-inclusive education was the only viable way to provide education to transgender people in Pakistan, they suggested first preparing the society for it through awareness campaigns, seminars, workshops, training sessions, and school-community interactions.

미디어 콘텐츠 액티비즘의 명암: 자유주의인가, 공동체주의인가?

Since the 1990s, the media has become even more powerful. The fall of the totalitarian socialist states at the end of the 20th century was largely due to the media. Almost every aspect of human society is now under the influence of media. Real-world politics and economy, society and culture are all interacting with media products (which exist somewhere between the virtual and the real). This is where the term “content activism” comes into play. As you may know, content activism is the idea of “realizing social movements through content”. In some countries, where totalitarian dictatorships and human rights abuses that deprive people of their freedom are commonplace, content activism can be crucial as a way for citizens to actively mobilize in solidarity and resistance to unjust social and cultural systems. Content activism can be a new wind of change in a conservative or troubled society, and it can be a “conduit and device for social justice”. To this end, media content aimed at the majority is often utilized as a means of content activism. The problem is that media content activism is not as simply positive as this. This is because content activism can lead to difficulties and conflicts in social consensus, a side effect of dissonance. In advanced cultural content societies, where content activism can thrive, the content echos are free to burst forth with content that seeks to realize justice based on its own perspectives and ideologies, whether from the left or the right, and from different sectors of society. Based on this perspective, this article examines the two characteristics of media content, the ideological messages of content activism, and parrhesia, or “fearless speech” emphasized by M. Foucault. Finally, it considers the significance and dangers of media content activism from a socio-ethical perspective.

Child marriage on social media: investigating a conservative society behind the scene

ABSTRACT While considered relatively benign by some, child marriage is considered a profoundly problematic gender inequity issue. There are intensifying efforts to end child marriage and improve female wellbeing including campaigns that challenge the cultural boundaries of restrictive traditions. While many studies investigated child marriage and its drivers, behind the scene perceptions cannot be ignored. Given the sensitivity of the issue and to explore the public perspectives of child marriage, this study employed a qualitative content analysis by analyzing 105 comments attached to three posted Facebook reports on child marriage. These posts discussed the issue of child marriage and provided detailed reports of the significance of the issue and its effect on children and the society. A textual analysis of the comments regarding attitudes toward child marriage was conducted focusing on the latent content to elicit thematic aspects from the posted content. Four themes have emerged: conspiracy; false study/report; child marriage is acceptable; and ignorance. Outcomes recognize child marriage as an acceptable practice where such reports considered part of a greater conspiracy. Saturated with conspiracy ideation, females also had negative attitudes and supported child marriage. Given the influence of social media in the construction of public opinion, this study suggests the need to consider these views in constructing strategies to end child marriage. This study also highlighted the importance of online space as a significant source for studying public’s perspectives on culturally sensitive issues.

Acceptance of contraception in couples receiving contraceptive counselling in antenatal period.

Objective: To conduct research in order to determine the effect that antenatal counseling has on the use of contraception during the immediate postpartum period in the conservative society that exists in the rural areas surrounding Lahore, Pakistan. Study Design: Randomized Clinical Trial. Setting: Central Park Teaching Hospital in Lahore, Pakistan. Period: Jan, 2022 to April, 2022. Methods: A random selection was used to divide 400 antenatal patients who were at least 28 weeks along in their pregnancies into two groups. Patients who did not receive antenatal counseling regarding birth control options were included in Group X while patients who received antenatal counseling regarding the use of birth control were included in Group Y. A pre-designed proforma was completed following a written informed consent. Data was analyzed using SPSS 26. Results: Data was collected from 400 females (200 in each group) who visited CPTH. The mean age of the female participants was 27.26 + 4.78 years. Most of the participants lived in extended family systems. Nearly one third of the females was illiterate or has primary level of education. Approximately one-fourth of the females were graduated or above. After first pregnancy, 68% in group I and 86% in group II mentioned that they used contraceptive method, (p = 0.005, statistically significant). After second and fifth pregnancy, effect of counseling was affective and difference was statistically significant. The most common contraceptive method was barrier method followed by injection after first and second pregnancy. Conclusion: Antenatal contraceptive counseling proves to be a highly effective intervention in enhancing the acceptance and utilization of contraceptives within the conservative societies of Pakistan. Health care providers ought to undergo comprehensive training and exhibit unwavering motivation in order to effectively engage in antenatal contraceptive counseling.

Climate action to enable quality education: exploring the potential of Eco-Schools to reverse the triple education crises in Rwanda

This article presents the results of research conducted between 2021 and 2023 by the Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS) with 240 partners including teachers, learners and parents in six Rwandan schools. A relational knowledge co-creation methodology was used to gain a shared understanding of education and climate change challenges in the schools and co-create solutions using the Eco-Schools problem-based learning pedagogy. The knowledge co-creation processes revealed a negative relationship at the intersection between climate change and quality education which is interrupting successful implementation of both the Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC), and the School Feeding Programme policies of the Government of Rwanda, affecting national progress towards SDG 4 and SDG 13. However, by integrating climate action projects in the CBC, with practical skills and knowledge from parents and wider community members, education barriers caused by poor school conditions, and poor nutrition, health and comfort of learners are being removed, while the quality and relevance of teaching and learning in schools is being improved. The article therefore proposes the Eco-Schools programme as a potential means of simultaneously addressing the UN’s ‘triple crisis’ of inclusion, quality and relevance. Ultimately, by showing that it is possible to transform education in even the most challenged schools, at a relatively low cost, within a very short space of time (one school year) and without large-scale curriculum reform or infrastructure, the findings of this research promote wider, faster and more optimistic progression toward the UNESCO’s ‘Reimagining Education’ vision and the Greening Education Partnership targets.

The Self Question in Woolf and Deshpande Women: Gender Performances Through the Lens of Goffman’s Dramaturgy

Amidst the dilemma on switching gender roles in a conservative society, the experiences of women as a gender in collective has always been the ‘other’ irrespective of the socio- cultural differences. Even varying in degrees of experiencing the 'otherness', the expectation persists in accepting the otherness as gender roles and gendered responsibilities. The choosen works decodes the ties which bind women to their gender roles and dilemmas in deviating from those to commit to their individual self. The study employs a close analysis of examining the experiences of the female characters and their gender performances. The investigation extends to the application of Goffman's Dramaturgy over the characters' performances of gendered social roles. In conclusion, the article tests the idea of confining women in their gender roles for the benefit of the society by screening them from committing to their individual self as portrayed in Mrs. Dalloway and That Long Silence.

Navigating the Forbidden: “Churails” and Queer Spatiality

This study examines the portrayal of queer identities within the Pakistani web series “Churails,” set against the backdrop of the country’s socio-cultural norms. Employing Halberstam’s notion of Queer Spatiality as its analytical framework, the study delves into how “Churails” creates transient spaces that challenge heteronormative structures and narratives, offering a fresh perspective on queer resistance and identity formation. The findings reveal that the series employs these spaces to subtly critique and navigate the complexities of being queer in Pakistan. Further it highlights the significance of “Churails” in contributing to broader discourses on gender, sexuality, and media representation in Pakistan in particular and South Asia in general, highlighting its role in pushing the boundaries of what is publicly permissible and sparking dialogue around queer issues in conservative societies.

Supply and Demand: Drivers of Women Non-Combat Participation in Rebel Groups

Including women into their ranks offers non-state armed groups advantages in terms of mobilisation, intelligence gathering, and establishing ties with civilians. However, especially in conservative societies, this inclusion of could also cause backlash from group members and supporters. While several previous studies analyse why rebels choose to recruit female combatants, limited attention has been paid to women in non-combat roles. I address this gap by studying the drivers of women’s inclusion into rebel groups as non-fighting members, hence contributing to wider efforts to bring gender-sensitive approaches to research on security and violence. Specifically, I conduct a qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) of 118 groups in the period 1989–2015. The results indicate that a conjunction of supply-side factors (female unemployment, gender inequality) and demand-side factors (leftist ideology, territorial control, military strength) drive female non-combat participation in rebel groups. The causal impact of women’s marginalisation is highly context-dependent: Leftist rebels’ calls for gender equality are appealing to (particularly poor and excluded) women. Yet, rebels with high demand for skilled labour prefer to recruit non-marginalised women that received at least some job training.

Soil and Water Conservation Society Releases DEI Guidebook

Soil and Water Conservation Society Releases DEI Guidebook

Analysis of LGBTQ+ Representation in Indian Graphic Novels: A Case Study of Kari by Amruta Patil

The past decade has seen the Indian graphic novel undergo a transformation, turning from a niche market into a vibrant and diverse form of storytelling. The study aims to analyze LGBTQ+ representation in Kari and place it in the overall phenomenon of Indian graphic novels. The methodology included the major theoretical concepts used to analyze the graphic novel and a blend of them: queer theory – “which involves views on this construction by examining the normalization of sexuality”; thematic analysis – a “means of conceptually organizing and structuring the narrative data obtained through interviews. It involves stripping away the details and unique aspects of the text of its read-down meaning”; and analysis of author’s interviews and reviews. The study attempts to summarize findings into gender, sexuality, and sexuality in the Indian context. The paper is an understanding of Indian culture and the changing discourse around LGBTQ+ rights and representation. The novel gives a voice to a narrative that has long been silent – the life of a lesbian woman in a conservative society – by ending the invisibility that surrounds their lives through in a traditional poetic narrative.

ТЕХНИЧЕСКОЕ ОСНАЩЕНИЕ И ДОБЫЧА РЫБЫ В ИРКУТСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ В 1947–1960-е гг.

The fishing industry plays a vital role in the development of the national economy, so its study is one of the most pressing problems for the economy of the region as a whole. The paper analyzes and summarizes the historical experience of the fishing industry, which is necessary to assess the current situation in the fishing industry and determine the further development of the industry. The functioning of the Soviet model of fisheries was ensured by a system of state support, which made it possible to successfully develop the fishing industry and solve social problems of coastal regions. The country's leadership always paid great attention to the development of the fishing industry as the most important sector of food supply for the population. During the years of Soviet power, in a short period of time, based on the implementation of plans for the industrialization of the country, the material and technical base of the fishing industry was created. Using the example of the Republic of Buryatia, the author examines the historical experience of combating poaching and notes the role of mobilization decisions of the Soviet state in this process. The current Soviet legislation on nature protection, the history of creation, structure and main functions of fisheries protection bodies are analyzed. Based on archival data, the number of detained offenders, the number of seized fish, fishing equipment and gear are given. A special place is given to the nature conservation society and the role of public inspectors, who, along with fisheries protection authorities, fought against poaching. An assessment is made of the technical equipment of fisheries protection authorities and criminal legal measures in preventing aquatic poaching based on an analysis of the established practice of their use in the period 1917–2000 in the Republic of Buryatia.

Eco-sabotage as Defensive Activism

AbstractI argue for the conditions that eco-sabotage (sabotage involving the protection of animals or the environment) must meet to be a morally permissible form of activism in a liberal democracy. I illustrate my case with Jessica Reznicek and Ruby Montoya’s oil pipeline destruction, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s whale hunt sabotage, and the Valve Turners’ pipeline shut-off, climate necessity-defense. My primary contention is that just as it is permissible to destroy an attacker’s weapon in self- or other-defense, it is permissible to engage in some forms of eco-sabotage. Taking inspiration from just war theory, I use the conditions of just cause, reasonable chance of success, proportionality, necessity, and discrimination to both conceptualize eco-sabotage as defense and illustrate the justificatory burden the eco-saboteur must meet. Often eco-sabotage is doubly pro-tanto wrong because it is illegal and involves property destruction. Overcoming these hurdles is particularly difficult because in seemingly bypassing democratic means of dispute resolution, the eco-saboteur seemingly coerces the other members of society by forcing idiosyncratic views upon them. Non-anthropocentric eco-sabotage grounded in defense of animal rights has mixed results regarding the democratic objection just described. I argue that anthropocentric eco-sabotage, grounded in defense of human rights, has the best chance of overcoming this objection, provided a persuasive case can be made for its reasonable chance of success. Passing a reasonable chance of success also causes problems for non-anthropocentric eco-sabotage grounded in species defense, while non-anthropocentric eco-sabotage grounded in defense against animal suffering has a lighter justificatory burden.

Women’s access to school, educational attainment, and fertility: Evidence from Jordan

In socially conservative Muslim societies, the absence of a sex-appropriate school in one’s community has historically been a major constraint to girls’ schooling. We use the expansion of access to girls’ or mixed schools in Jordan to investigate the effects of access to school on women’s education and fertility. We find that having access to a sex-appropriate school in a woman’s sub-district of birth led to 3.0–3.4 additional years of schooling and 1.0–1.4 fewer births. Using access to girl-appropriate schools as an instrument for female educational attainment, we find that an additional year of schooling reduces total fertility by 0.3–0.4 births. The impact of schooling on fertility is mostly for births occurring at older ages (30+) and higher parities (6+). We also find evidence of effects on intergenerational transmission of education but we find no evidence that school access has translated into higher participation in the labor market.

ITS ABOUT TIME! PARANOIA AND SELF-HARM IN GENDER MINORITY TEEN IN INDIA: A CASE REPORT

In conservative social cultures, such as those in South Asia, societal norms often lead individuals to neglect or suppress the expression of their perceived gender identity if different from their birth assignment. Gender incongruence (GI) occurs the gender identity of a person does not align with the gender assigned at birth. If GI causes significant distress or problems in functioning lasting for at least 6 months, it is described as gender dysphoria (GD). This case study contributes to understanding how gender dysphoria may result in personality disorders such as paranoid personality disorder in a conservative society. Removing societal taboos and accepting individuals with their perceived gender can lead to timely diagnosis and management of patients, preventing severe outcomes.