Private Sphere Research Articles

Technological Citizenship in Times of Digitization: An Integrative Framework

This article introduces an integrative framework for technological citizenship, examining the impact of digitization and the active roles of citizens in shaping this impact across the private, social, and public sphere. It outlines the dual nature of digitization, offering opportunities for enhanced connectivity and efficiency while posing challenges to privacy, security, and democratic integrity. Technological citizenship is explored through the lenses of liberal, communitarian, and republican theories, highlighting the active roles of citizens in navigating the opportunities and risks presented by digital technologies across all life spheres. By operationalizing technological citizenship, the article aims to address the gap in existing literature on the active roles of citizens in the governance of digitization. The framework emphasizes empowerment and resilience as crucial capacities for citizens to actively engage with and govern digital technologies. It illuminates citizens’ active participation in shaping the digital landscape, advocating for policies that support their engagement in safeguarding private, social, and public values in the digital age. The study calls for further research into technological citizenship, emphasizing its significance in fostering a more inclusive and equitable digital society.

Improving ethical assurance for non-university researchers in crisis settings: an early vision based on democratic norms

This article aims to open a discussion on better ethical assurance for non-university research actors drawing on democratic norms. It derives from the author’s experience of a gap in ethical assurance for social science and humanities (SSH) research that takes place outside academia, for example within international organisations, public bodies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and by private entities. Many of these actors commission, conduct or sub-contract research activities involving human participants on a regular basis, an activity that often increases during times of crisis where researchers in both the public and private sphere scramble to generate the new knowledge necessary to respond and prevent further harms. The ethical assurance frameworks for such research, while growing, remain limited. Discussion of research conducted by actors outside of university settings and their ethical assurance frameworks are both subjects under-interrogated within the literature. This paper seeks to open that discussion by presenting this broad non-university research context through the frame of research in crisis settings, where the ethical requirements of ‘do no harm’ and the ‘dual imperative’ possess an even heavier significance in research ethics. Furthermore, the global and diverse nature of crisis settings often gives rise to conversations concerning the positioning of the research actor and the need to empower the research participant. This paper presents an early vision of the non-university research actor and ethical assurance process based on the democratic norms of equality and inclusivity.

The nexus between the best interests of the child and detention of children in conflict with the law

The principle of the best interests of the child is a universally recognised norm of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). While there is no consensus on the definition of this principle, various soft law documents, academic literature, and judgments demonstrate its centrality in both private and public spheres. The Children Act of 2022 provides a detailed articulation of this principle, facilitating its application in the Kenyan context. This paper examines the Kenyan and international legal and normative framework on the detention of children in the child justice system. It explores the nexus between the detention of children in conflict with the law and the principle of the best interests of the child. The authors contend that the detention of children in conflict with the law should be guided by the principle of the best interests of the child, as enshrined in Article 53(2) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 and international law. It reaffirms the position, adopted by courts of law, that there should be a limit to the institutionalisation of children in Kenya. The authors further advocate diversionary measures to judicial proceedings, such as family group conferencing, as suitable options.

Design and Implementation on Industrial Automation with the help of Renewable Energy Sources

Abstract: In the quest for a sustainable future, we’ve identified that traditional street lighting consumes more electricity than necessary. To address this, we’ve conceptualized an energy-efficient street lighting system. Our prototype leverages a Light Detecting Resistor (LDR) to optimize power usage, paving the way for an eco-friendly world. Fire alarms are crucial for timely fire detection, safeguarding lives and property. Our simplified circuit design enhances reliability, forming an integral part of a comprehensive security system that relies on sensor technology for prompt fire detection. The demand for automation is surging in both industrial and domestic spheres. This paper aims to minimize manual intervention by introducing self-operating systems powered by renewable energy sources. We’re integrating solar technology and piezoelectric sensors to harness electricity. This approach not only fuels industrial automation but also contributes to the global shift from finite conventional energy to renewable sources. By employing sensors, we ensure safety and efficiency in industrial zones while generating clean energy.

‘Our Backs Are Against the Wall’: The Story of a Bangladeshi Woman Garment Worker in the COVID-19 ‘New Normal’

This article introduces Rayat, a woman garment worker in Bangladesh. It traces how the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated precariousness in the garment value chain and deepened the fragility of Rayat and other garment workers on the frontline. In the article, Rayat explains how her work, household and livelihood changed in response to COVID-19. Her story highlights the importance of contextual influences, distinct industry dynamics and temporal factors, within both workplace and domestic spheres. In complex ways, these dynamics shaped how workers were positioned in the value chain, exploited in the labour process and constrained in their agency.

Gynecological health and uptake of gynecological care after domestic or sexual violence: a qualitative study in an emergency shelter

BackgroundDomestic and sexual violence have been linked to adverse gynecological and obstetric outcomes. Survivors often find it difficult to verbalize such violence due to feelings of shame and guilt. Vulnerable or socially excluded women are frequently excluded from research, particularly qualitative studies on violence. This study aimed to characterize the perceived impact of domestic or sexual violence on the gynecological health and follow-up among women with complex social situations.MethodsWe analyzed the data following inductive thematic analysis methods.ResultsBetween April 2022 and January 2023, we conducted 25 semi-structured interviews, lasting on average 90 min (range: 45–180), with women aged between 19 and 52, recruited in an emergency shelter in the Paris area. The women described physical and psychological violence mainly in the domestic sphere, their altered gynecological and mental health and their perception of gynecological care. The levels of uptake of gynecological care were related to the characteristics of the violence and their consequences. The description of gynecological examination was close to the description of coerced marital sexuality which was not considered to be sexual violence. Gynecological examination, likely to trigger embarrassment and discomfort, was always perceived to be necessary and justified, and consent was implied.ConclusionThis study can help question the appropriateness of professional practices related to the prevention of violence against women and gynecological examination practices. Any gynecological examination should be carried out within the framework of an equal relationship between caregiver and patient, for the general population and for women with a history of violence. It participates in preventing violence in the context of care, and more widely, in preventing violence against women.

Empowering Women in Labor Market: a Comprehensive Analysis of Recent Legal Developments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract This survey examines the legal developments in Saudi Arabia following the announcement of the Vision 2030 reform plan in 2016. While the primary goal of Vision 2030 is to reduce the country’s dependence on oil and diversify the economy, it has also had a significant impact on women’s rights and empowerment. Legislative changes have been enacted to promote women’s participation in both public and private life, aligning with the core principles of Vision 2030. This Survey analyzes the specific legal reforms aimed at empowering women, including measures to facilitate access to the job market. Additionally, it explores developments related to women’s driving rights, gender segregation, anti-harassment laws, and the new Personal Status Law. These reforms indirectly contribute to women’s empowerment across private and public spheres.

КОМПЛЕКСНІ ОНТОЛОГІЧНІ ТА НЕЙРОМЕРЕЖЕВІ МОДЕЛІ ФОТОГРАФІЧНИХ ОБРАЗІВ

This article explores an innovative approach to developing computer vision systems, based on the deep integration of complex ontological and neural network models for effective analysis of photographic images. This work proposes a novel hybrid method in the context of contemporary challenges associated with image recognition, such as a high diversity of classes and problems with the occlusion of objects in low-quality photos. This method provides computer vision models with a deeper understanding of the context and semantics of images, utilizing ontological structures to represent visual content. The analytical process includes the identification of key objects in the image and the determination of their ontological context, allowing neural networks to effectively perform a gradient transformation of the input data for more accurate recognition and classification. The proposed model demonstrates the potential for gaining an advantage over traditional methods in computer vision tasks, opening new possibilities for expanding computer vision applications in scientific, industrial, and domestic spheres.

Homemaker or breadwinner: labour force participation of Pakistani women

ABSTRACT In recent years, Pakistan has seen an increase in policy efforts to encourage women's participation in the workforce. However, existing research suggests that these policies have not resulted in a proportional increase in women’s labour force participation. This study employs an ecological systems approach to investigate the factors that impact the engagement of tertiary-educated Pakistani women in the labour market and their experiences of employment. Beyond elucidating the barriers to women's employment, the analysis also delves into factors that empower women to navigate the obstacles encountered in their employment journey. Drawing upon a series of comprehensive interviews conducted with 35 Pakistani women and employing a thematic analysis approach, this research dissects the way in which societal norms and values, including notions of honour, the prioritisation of marriage, and the enduring presence of gender inequality within the domestic sphere, constrain women's participation in the labour market. Our findings show that the support extended by father’s and husband’s in facilitating women's pursuit of employment, as well as the personal strategies adopted by women to overcome gender-based discrimination in workplace settings, are pivotal elements that facilitate women’s participation in the labour market.

Chinese Constitutonal Performance Unveiled: Text Mining Insights in Civil Litigations

Abstract This article presents a comprehensive examination of the role of constitutions in private disputes, with a specific focus on the Chinese Constitution. Utilizing an extensive dataset of digitized court adjudications, this study delves into a relatively unexplored area, yielding crucial factual and legal insights. The research reveals that the Chinese Constitution significantly influences civil adjudications, both implicitly and explicitly. Furthermore, court judgments emerge as pivotal forces shaping public awareness of constitutional principles. These findings hold profound implications for comprehending the role of constitutions in contexts beyond democratic frameworks, particularly within the private sphere. The study underscores how the capitalist market in China empowers individuals to assert and safeguard private rights, consequently affording the Constitution a protective role in this realm. Concurrently, the existing regime has systematically eroded the Constitution’s influence in public affairs, maintaining its symbolic and rhetorical role. Notably, the concept of judicial independence remains a sensitive subject in China, leading many civil courts to eschew constitutional provisions in favor of political expediency. This paradox underscores the necessity of establishing a reasonably independent judiciary as an integral facet of constitutionalism in such settings. In sum, this research challenges prevailing assumptions about constitutionalism’s contours. It transcends the conventional focus on political authority, illustrating how empirical investigations into constitutional performance within civil litigation can illuminate the emergence of constitutionalism in the shadows of non-democratic systems. These findings offer valuable insights into the role of constitutions in private disputes and pave the way for further exploration within this evolving scholarly domain. Ultimately, this study advances our comprehension of constitutional realities and their far-reaching impacts on the legal landscape and society within contemporary China.

‘Besolte Instrumentisten der Königlichen Stadt Breslaw’: The Hess Brothers’ Anthology (1555) and Its European Context*

Abstract The paper focuses on a comprehensive dance collection compiled by two Wrocław/Breslau town musicians (Stadtpfeifer), the brothers Bartholomäus and Paul Hess. The anthology, partly preserved at Wrocław University Library, was published in 1555 at the Wrocław printing house of Crispin Scharffenberg and documents the transition of dance repertoire from the courtly realm to the private and public spheres, which was typical of the mid-sixteenth century. The Wrocław collection, scored for wind ensemble, contains 477 four- and five-part dances of German, Polish, French, and Italian provenance. The paper offers some new views on the repertoire from the collection. Particular attention has been given to the so-called Polish dances.

The Complexity of Female Empowerment in India

On a global scale, India ranks very poorly in terms of gender equality. This overall indicator masks important heterogeneities across the separate measures of female empowerment. India scores very highly with regards to equality of civil liberties and the political participation of women. But the country falls well below the global average with respect to equal access to economic resources and protection from gender-based violence. These poorer empowerment indicators have persisted not only in the wake of strong economic progress, but also in the context of an impressive set of government led reforms and policies targeting women. These different initiatives have successfully augmented women’s agency in both the private and public spheres of life, but women and girls still face extreme discrimination and violence. The salience of restrictive local customs appears to be a core hindrance towards transformative change. This paper reviews the economics literature which examines this complexity across the different dimensions of female empowerment in India. It highlights the newly emerging research focused on ameliorating gender biased norms and discusses potential steps forward. JEL Classifications: J12, J16

Changing the Division of Household Work in Conservative and Minority Context: The Case of Arab-Druze Women in Israel

This article seeks to understand how Druze women’s employment in nontraditional fields (such as engineering, medicine, and law) shapes gender role division in their nuclear family. Data from 24 interviews with educated Druze women employed in high-quality professions suggests that Druze women who work in these fields succeed in bringing about a change in perceptions and practices regarding gender role division in their households. The interviews revealed three gender patterns: (a) ten women in the current study indicated egalitarian gender role division; (b) six women indicted reversal of gender roles in their home, and (c) eight women described a traditional role division, which required them to sacrifice their career in favor of the family. The choice of Druze women to study nontraditional professions is increasingly recognized and valued in Druze society and its clergy, driving a paradigm shift concerning women’s employment and gender role division in the private sphere.

Politics of Food in the Foreign and Domestic Spheres

Politics of Food in the Foreign and Domestic Spheres

СУСПІЛЬНА НЕБЕЗПЕЧНІСТЬ НАРКОМАНІЇ ЯК КРИМІНОЛОГІЧНИЙ ФАКТОР НЕДОЦІЛЬНОСТІ ДЕКРИМІНАЛІЗАЦІЇ СТ. 309 КРИМІНАЛЬНОГО КОДЕКСУ УКРАЇНИ

The article provides the author’s justification of the decriminalization inexpediency of Art. 309 of the Criminal Code (CC) of Ukraine through a criminological analysis of the public danger of drug addiction as a background phenomenon for crime. The article also analyzed the Draft law No. 9028 on amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine and the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses regarding the improvement of liability for illegal production, manufacture, acquisition, storage, transportation or forwarding of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues without the purpose of sale. Considering the fact, the Draft law proposes to exclude Art. 309 from the CC of Ukraine, replacing criminal liability to administrative liability for committing of certain illegal actions, it is emphasized that a number of problematic issues have arisen today regarding the implementation of such a draft law, since both society and state bodies are not ready for such changes. The conducted analysis showed that the decriminalization of Art. 309 of the CC of Ukraine has different points of view. Some scientists believe that decriminalization can help reduce drug addiction and drug-related crime, as instead of being prosecuted, people will be able to get medical help and support for responsible drug use, and reduce pressure on the justice system. In its turn, a lack of continence in the form of sufficient punishment threat will reproduce committing of a number of new, more serious criminal offenses. That is why the authors of the article believe that the decriminalization of drug use can confirm the negative social consequences of drug addiction and can send the wrong message to young people on drug use. Concerns have also been expressed that such decriminalization may lead to an increase in drug use and an increase in the risk of harmful effects on people’s health, and even more so will lead to committing of other, more serious criminal offenses. Key words: criminal offense, crime, criminal misdeed, criminal responsibility, administrative offense, administrative responsibility, decriminalization, background phenomena for crime, marginal environment, narcotic drugs, drug addiction, juvenile delinquency, involvement of juveniles to narcotic drugs use, criminogenic factors, determinants, self-serving violent crime, violent criminal offenses, criminal groups, criminal offenses in the domestic (family) sphere, prevention, police officers, evidence.

What We Didn’t Know a Recipe Could Be: Political Commentary, Machine Learning Models, and the Fluidity of Form in Nineteenth-Century Newspaper Recipes

In this article, I use document embedding models and a training set of nineteenth-century American recipes to build a pipeline classifier for identifying recipes in the broader nineteenth-century newspaper press. The model reveals a much more expansive understanding of the recipe form, which primarily centers around measurement words and prescriptive language rather than a heavily reliance upon the culinary. This fluidity of form allows nineteenth-century writers to harness the recipe form as a tool for political commentary all while no appearing to disrupt the careful divides between the public and domestic spheres. These recipe-adjacent texts, which are both recipe and not, offer a broader picture of short-form political commentary in the nineteenth century which can include genres and forms once thought unable to gestured beyond the confines of the kitchen.

Quranic Analysis: A Critical Examination of Gender in Islamic and Western Paradigms

The modern era epitomizes a period of profound transformation across diverse spheres including science, technology, politics, and warfare, characterized by discovery, innovation, and globalization. European powers and their colonies spearheaded a comprehensive colonization endeavor encompassing politics, economics, and culture, shaping what we recognize today as the modern world. This era heralded the ascendance of capitalism, liberalism, materialism, and globalization, predominantly led by Western hegemony, notably post-Cold War American capital, extending its influence globally. Modernity, with its core tenets of moral autonomy, human rights, civil equality, consumerism, market freedom, and secularism, presents a formidable challenge to traditional religious frameworks, particularly within the Abrahamic Faiths. The secularization of society, relegating religion to the private sphere, prompts shifts within religious communities, including Islam, regarding values, ethics, and gender roles. Muslims navigate a complex landscape, torn between adherence to Islamic principles and the pervasive secular worldview propagated by the modern West. Despite maintaining Islamic beliefs and practices, individuals are inevitably influenced by the dominant secular paradigm, shaped by Western education systems and cultural norms. This convergence engenders a tension wherein Islamic principles are often interpreted through a liberal and secular lens, leading to internal conflicts, doubts, and confusion. This article endeavors to establish a framework for understanding gender within Islam, rooted in the foundational texts of the Quran and Sunnah. While acknowledging the potential contributions of sociology, anthropology, and gender studies to the discourse, the focus remains on traditional Islamic scholarship, drawing insights from Islamic jurisprudence and theology to elucidate gender roles and relations. By grounding the discussion in Islamic principles, the aim is to reconcile contemporary understandings of gender with the enduring teachings of Islam, offering clarity amidst the complexities of modernity. The research methodology for this article is primarily rooted in Islamic Hermeneutics or Islamic Textual Analysis that involves a systematic examination and understanding of scripture to derive meaning and guidance. The complexity of the topic also demands a nuanced exploration of the intersections between religion, culture, and modernity, with a specific focus on the evolving understanding of gender within the Muslim community. The research explored two questions: How does scripture define, discuss, and describe gender, and what implications does the Islamic paradigm of gender hold for contemporary societal attitudes and practices? As a result, the text highlights how society, media, literature, and culture heavily influence how we perceive ideas and process information, including our understanding and application of Islam. This can lead to conflict within ourselves, especially when we interpret Islamic texts and guidance through the prism of modern liberal thought or other ideologies. As Muslims, we need to remain grounded in our teachings and understanding that are rooted in the words of God and the example of His Prophet ﷺ. Our morals, values, ethics, and principles should not be shaped by the changing standards of society around us.

The flexibility paradox and spatial‐temporal dimensions of COVID‐19 remote work adaptation among dual‐earner mothers and fathers

AbstractThere is an increased blurring of work and home life in contemporary society due to access to technology and the mass expansion of remote work during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Flexible working arrangements like remote work can lead to men self‐exploiting themselves in the workplace and women self‐exploiting themselves in the domestic sphere in the context of a work‐centric society that is reliant upon passion at work and traditional gender norms. This study extends Chung's ideas on gendered patterns in the flexibility paradox by examining spatial‐temporal dimensions of COVID‐19 remote work adaptation among an extreme sample: dual‐earner parents with young children. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted on Zoom with 20 mothers and 17 fathers working from home in the U.S. with children ages 5 and under between the summer of 2020 and the spring of 2021. Findings indicate that fathers' work is prioritized in spatio‐temporal terms whereas mothers' work is fragmented and dispersed. Gendered patterns in the flexibility paradox and labor shouldered by mothers as primary caregivers are considered as potential theoretical explanations for the privileging of fathers' workspace and work time.

Creating “Safe Places” in Social Media: Japanese Youth’s Tactics of Self-Presentation During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This article explores the self-presentation strategies of young Japanese people (aged 19–21) on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a specific focus on their creative resistance to social constraints. Drawing from ethnographic investigations conducted with Japanese college students, we delve into the creative practices undertaken by these individuals to carve out “safe places” within the digital sphere amid the prevailing peer pressure in Japanese culture to rigidly adhere to quarantine rules. Our findings illuminate the diverse strategies employed by Japanese youth to not only project a “socially responsible” self-presentation during the pandemic but also strategically navigate the boundaries between public and private spheres while challenging dominant structures on media platforms and societal norms to assert their agency and autonomy through creativity. These tactics ranged from the management of self-expression on social media to overt acts of defiance against societal expectations. By examining individual cases of Japanese youth, we shed light on the nuanced ways in which individuals leverage hyperconnectivity across various social media platforms to manage their identities and challenge societal norms, thus shaping their experiences of the pandemic. This article also contributes to understanding the dynamic interplay between culture, virtual social networks, and individual agency in times of crisis.

Article: Statutory Arbitration Clauses and the Supplemental Swiss Rules for Corporate Law Disputes in Switzerland

On 1 January 2023, revisions to the corporate law came into force which, among other things, allow Swiss companies to include a statutory arbitration clause in their articles of association (AoA) in respect of corporate disputes. Unless drafted otherwise, such arbitration clauses will bind the general meeting, the board of directors, the auditors and the shareholders. In such cases, corporate disputes will be conducted solely in the private sphere. In this regard, the Swiss Arbitration Centre published a Model Statutory Arbitration Clause and supplemental rules for corporate law disputes in Autumn 2022. This article analyses the new possibility for statutory arbitration clauses in Switzerland and evaluates the importance of the supplemental rules in practice. Corporate Law Disputes, Statutory Arbitration Clauses, Swiss Rules, Supplemental Swiss Rules for Corporate Disputes, Arbitration, Switzerland, Lex Arbitri, Comparative Analysis, Participation of Third Parties, Confidentiality