Equal Rights Research Articles

An Analytical Model of the Effect of Sibling Relationships on Children's Socio-Emotional Competence: Based on the OECD Six-Dimensional Framework

To explore the complex relationship between the four dimensions of sibling relationships and the six-dimensional framework of socioemotional competence, including its subdimensions, a comprehensive and meticulous study was carried out. Socioemotional competence is one of the fundamental core literacies for young people in the new era and a driving factor in shaping life achievements. With the steady implementation of the three-child policy, the family structure is undergoing profound changes, and the number of multichild families is increasing daily. Against this backdrop, the significance of sibling relationships has become increasingly prominent. During the study, a wealth of existing information and data was sifted through and deeply analysed within the context of the OECD multidimensional framework. Ultimately, the study constructed a detailed analytical model of the effects of the subdimensions of sibling relationships on the subdimensions of socioemotional competence and arrived at specific and feasible parenting strategies to address sibling relationships: 1) sibling warmth should be promoted; 2) sibling conflict should be correctly navigated; 3) benign sibling rivalry should be facilitated; and 4) reciprocal interactions of equal rights of siblings should be fostered. This study not only has significant practical implications for promoting the holistic development of individuals, optimizing family parenting arrangements, and fostering harmonious social progress but also enriches the theoretical framework of socioemotional competence, offering new perspectives and a foundation for future research on multichild families.

Head or heart? Unpacking the subjective dimension of citizenship acquisition: insights from migrants’ narratives in Spain

ABSTRACT This article explores the subjective dimension of citizenship acquisition by analyzing how migrants in Spain feel about becoming citizens. Our research shows that the subjective dimension of citizenship is embedded in a complex constellation of strategic choices and affective motivations that cannot be analyzed in dichotomic terms. While migrants seek legal security, equal rights and better jobs, becoming citizens makes them feel more secure and increases their well-being. Moreover, citizenship acquisition has a performative effect that goes beyond just being accepted as members of the polity, and includes a sense of recognition and a sense of duty. Migrants’ narratives also show that expectations of social integration are countered by a persistent sense of otherness, especially in the case of racialized migrants. This article contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the subjective dimension of citizenship by unpacking the motivations, expectations, and affects of citizenship acquisition.

Unequal German Democracy and the Rise of the ‘Lifestyle-Left’? How Left Parties in Germany Conceive of (In)Equality, 1970–2021

ABSTRACT Debates about the alleged pivot of left parties away from their traditional core concern with economic equality towards concerns with equal rights are rampant in Germany – both in political and academic circles. Often, they are inspired by developments in other countries, where centre-left parties have turned to progressive neoliberalism (i.e. equal rights concerns are more salient than redistribution) or a more communitarian profile (i.e. redistribution over equal rights). Based on new data on left parties’ equality concepts we assess claims about the rise of the so-called lifestyle-left – a term used in the German debate instead of progressive neoliberalism. Comparing and tracking the three German left parties between 1970 and 2021, we find three egalitarian trajectories that question and qualify this controversial, but so far untestable, claim. Die Linke is still prioritising economic and regional equality. The SPD has indeed de-emphasised economic equality but started to reemphasise it in 2017. While the Greens indeed prioritise equal rights over economic equality, they have done so consistently since the party’s founding (with very few exceptions, e.g. in 2013) – so this is not a new trend either. In sum, we caution against sweeping claims about changes of German left parties towards a lifestyle-left.

Sexual Prejudice Predicts Opposition to Marriage Equality for Men and Women

ABSTRACT Despite the need to identify crucial barriers to equal rights for the LGBTQIA+ community, it remains unclear if prejudiced attitudes—namely, sexual prejudice and ambivalent sexism—precede declines in support for marriage equality or if one’s policy position impacts prejudices. We examine these two possibilities by utilizing four annual waves (2014–2017) of longitudinal panel data to assess the temporal ordering of sexual prejudice, ambivalent sexism and support for marriage equality across heterosexual men (n = 9,036) and women (n = 15,185). Results reveal that sexual prejudice predicts within-person declines in support for marriage equality for both women and men. This association is, however, bi-directional for men. We replicate these associations across (a) ethnic majority and minority men and women and (b) non-religious and religious men and women, albeit with a few notable exceptions: Hostile sexism precedes sexual prejudice for ethnic minority men, and benevolent sexism precedes support for marriage equality among ethnic majority group men and non-religious men. Collectively, our results demonstrate that conservative gender ideologies precede hostile attitudes toward the LGB+ community over time.

Feminism: “WAR” and “JOURNEY” Metaphors in Ms. and Bust Magazines

As an important medium to spread feminist ideas, magazines have attracted attention in their presentation of feminism. Metaphor analysis helps to understand the public’s cognition and attitude towards social issues, and reveals the role of metaphor in influencing thinking and decision-making. Based on conceptual metaphor theory and using corpus analysis, this paper focuses on feminism-related metaphors in the American magazines Ms. and Bust. Metaphor analysis was conducted for 1,098 articles with 1,664,733 words published from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. Quantitative and qualitative analyses reveal that the “WAR” metaphor and “JOURNEY” metaphor were the top two metaphors related to feminism, yet they encode distinct ideological priorities. The “WAR” metaphor emphasized the plight and struggle women face in opposing gender discrimination and fighting for equal pay and other equal rights, lexicalized through terms like “campaign,” “fight,” and “attacks.” The metaphor of “JOURNEY” highlighted the continuity and development of the feminist movement in the pursuit of political participation and educational equality, lexicalized through terms like “progress,” “ways,” and “course.” This study contributes to existing literature by uncovering the metaphorical patterns of feminism in the American women’s magazines and providing novel perspectives on the understanding of American feminist movement, as well as a useful reference for related research and gender equality practice.

Pembelajaran Berdiferensiasi Perspektif Al-Qur'an Surah Al-Hujurat Ayat 13

This research is qualitative in approach with a research method in the form of a literature study or library research that examines literature reviews related to differentiated learning and Q.S. Al-Hujurat verse 13. The data collected is based on the Qur'an as well as journals and related books as supporting data. The result of this research is the relationship between Q.S. Al-Hujurat verse 13 and differentiated learning is the similarity of views on the value of tolerance and justice. Differentiated learning tries to make differences in students' learning styles and interests as a unifying tool so as to achieve learning goals that prioritize student learning needs. Differentiated learning and Q.S. Al-Hujurat verse 13 both uphold equal rights to the diversity created by Allah Swt. All students must have their learning needs met fairly and equally so that they can achieve maximum.

A Legal Analysis of India's Reservation Policies and Their Constitutional Ramifications

The reservation system in India that operates under the name of affirmative action serves as an essential mechanism to confront historical community disparities it targets Scheduled Castes (SC’s) Scheduled Tribes (ST’s) and Other Backward Classes (OBC’s). Under the provisions of the Constitution reservation policy established specific opportunities for these communities across educational pathways and job roles and governmental political positions. The execution of these reservation programs has triggered persistent legal fights throughout many years of implementation. The main difficulties emerging from reservation policies centre on social justice against equality principles together with debates about public administration efficiency and merit-based selection systems. This research analyses the constitutional struggles India experiences with affirmative action policies through detailed assessment of how the judiciary has applied Articles 14, 15, 16, and 46 to preserve equal rights while ensuring inclusion of disadvantaged groups. The paper delves into landmark cases such as “State of Madras v. Smt. Champakam Dorairajan” (1951), “Indra Sawhney v. Union of India” (1992), and “M. Nagaraj v. Union of India” (2006) fundamentally altered the legal system of reservations. This review analyses key affirmative action court decisions that address problems across caste reservation rules and maximum reservation limits as well as so-called creamy layer restrictions. Additionally, the paper engages with the social along with political implications of reservations while analysing their effects on meritocratic principles and political party strategies while tracking changes in reservation requirements. The 103rd Constitutional Amendment (2019) established 10% Economic Weaker Section (EWS) reservations while continuing an ongoing discussion about the legitimacy of allocating special percentages for different groups.

Controversial issues of ensuring the rights and freedoms of LGBT people in Ukraine

The article analyzes the controversial issues of ensuring the rights and freedoms of LGBT persons in Ukraine. It is emphasized that in the difficult conditions of martial law, considerable attention is paid to the protection of the rights of vulnerable categories of citizens, but the situation with the rights and freedoms of LGBT persons in Ukraine looks ambiguous. On the one hand, Ukraine has taken certain steps to overcome discrimination against such persons. On the other hand, there are significant discrepancies between the declared rights and the actual mechanisms for their enforcement. It is noted that as of the end of 2024, sexual orientation and gender identity have not been enshrined as protected characteristics in the Constitution of Ukraine. Similarly, the right to change (correct) gender identity has not found proper legal regulation. It is determined that Ukraine belongs to the majority of countries that have not yet included provisions on non-discrimination and equality of rights and freedoms of LGBT persons in their constitutional laws. At the same time, attention is drawn to the gradual increase in the number of countries that guarantee the rights and freedoms of LGBT persons at the legislative level. The importance of Ukraine’s accession to the best democratic practices to ensure equal and impartial treatment of all categories of citizens is emphasized. It is emphasized that in the post-war period, it may be appropriate to consider amending Article 24 of the Constitution of Ukraine to expand the list of grounds on which a person is protected from discrimination by highlighting sexual orientation and gender identity. It also points to the possibility of optimizing the procedure for changing (correcting) gender identity for Ukrainian citizens, in accordance with the recommendations set out in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11) and the relevant amendments and additions to Article 51 of the Fundamentals of Ukrainian Healthcare Legislation. It is noted that the expediency of establishing a specialized institution to ensure the rights and freedoms of LGBT persons in Ukraine requires careful consideration by politicians, human rights defenders and representatives of LGBT organizations. In general, it is concluded that the protection of the rights and freedoms of LGBT persons in Ukraine remains insufficiently effective.

Fostering Healthy Relationships in Special Olympic Athletes: Supporting the Intersection of Intellectual Disability and Sexual Health.

People with intellectual disabilities have equal rights to explore their sexuality and access sexual and reproductive healthcare, yet little is known about their needs and wants when accessing health education. The current study sought to learn about the sexual health interests, attitudes, and educational needs of Special Olympics (SO) athletes. Thirteen participants completed a questionnaire and a 45-min interview, including SO athletes, coaches and caregivers of SO athletes. Survey responses indicated the importance of access to sexual health education, but significant barriers were noted. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts highlighted the importance of healthy relationships, inequalities in learning, and need for information to promote safety. Findings add to existing evidence that people with intellectual disabilities value healthy relationships and want to learn more about sexual health. Several recommendations are offered to increase the effectiveness of sexual health education.

Comparative analysis of the legal regulation of social protection for service members in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Ukraine

The article is devoted to the study of legal regulation concerning the social protection of service members in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Ukraine. A comprehensive comparative analysis of key aspects of service members’ support has been conducted, focusing on financial provision, pension schemes, healthcare, rehabilitation, psychological assistance, and social benefits. Particular attention is paid to the British model of social protection, which demonstrates a systematic approach to supporting service members. Legislative mechanisms, such as the Armed Forces Covenant, ensure equal rights to social benefits for service members. The study also examines unique medical and pension programs that consider the specifics of military service, as well as compensation payments for injuries or loss of work capacity. A significant role in this system is played by mental health support, which includes uninterrupted access to counseling, rehabilitation programs, and assistance for service members’ families. The analysis of Ukraine’s system of social protection revealed notable achievements, such as the introduction of additional payments and support for service members during the state of war. At the same time, several issues were identified, including underdeveloped psychological assistance, delays in rehabilitation, and challenges in accessing many benefits due to bureaucratic obstacles. Special attention is given to the need for reforming healthcare mechanisms, which do not always meet the needs of service members. Based on the analysis, a range of measures has been proposed to improve Ukraine’s system of social protection. Key recommendations include introducing a «Service Member’s Social Card» to simplify access to benefits and services, creating a national psychological support system, improving access to quality medical care, and developing programs for the reintegration of service members into civilian life. The results of the study may serve as a basis for developing a modern model of social protection for service members in Ukraine, considering international experience and national specifics. The proposed changes aim to enhance social justice, elevate the prestige of military service, and ensure decent conditions for service members and their families.

Pendekatan Holistik untuk Meningkatkan Kualitas Pendidikan Siswa Inklusi di Sekolah Dasar

Inclusive education in elementary schools is an important effort to ensure that every student, including those with special needs, gets equal educational rights. This article examines a holistic approach in improving the quality of education for inclusive students, with an emphasis on collaboration between educators, parents and the community. A holistic approach includes various aspects, such as curriculum adaptation, development of inclusion-friendly teaching methods, teacher training, and creating a learning environment that supports diversity. This research uses qualitative methods with literature analysis and case studies in several inclusive elementary schools. The study results show that a holistic approach can improve learning motivation, student engagement, and their academic outcomes. Thus, implementing this approach is recommended as an effective strategy to support sustainable and quality inclusive education at the elementary school level.

Role for Parliament in Independent Judicial Appointments: Insights from the Comptroller and Auditor General

In the UK, there is a debate as to whether Parliament should have a role in judicial appointments similar to the that of the US Senate. The minority in favour of this position argues that it would enhance the democratic legitimacy of the judiciary – who are currently selected by various independent commissions – and refers to the proposed reform’s coherence with the general practice of pre-appointment hearings in the UK (such as for the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission) and other parliamentary systems. However, the majority against this position argues that meaningful input into judicial appointments, by parliamentarians, would necessarily undermine the impartiality of the judiciary and outweigh the benefits of judicial democratisation. This paper seeks to add to the debate by establishing a detailed proposal for a parliamentary confirmation model for nominations to the UKSC and arguing that it would be both consistent with and enhancing to judicial independence. The research compares the constitutional foundations and historical origins of the Comptroller and Auditor General – an independent office co-nominated by the Government and Opposition, but confirmed by Parliament – and the UKSC, plus the American and Canadian Supreme Courts. This paper fundamentally argues three points: that there is a democratic deficit in the UKSC judicial appointment model; that the Comptroller and Auditor General is sufficiently equivalent to the UKSC so that its appointment model could be translated onto judicial appointments; and that said translation would remedy said democratic deficit, without compromising the non-partisanship of the UKSC.

Stigma Toward Severe Mental Illness Among Healthcare Students: A Qualitative Study

Background: Individuals diagnosed with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) often perceive negative attitudes from health professionals, acting as a barrier to effective treatment. The present study explores healthcare students’ attitudes toward SMI to identify potential areas of stigma. Methods: A descriptive analytical qualitative approach was employed. Twenty-seven students from six different healthcare programs at the University of Malaga participated in semi-structured interviews, which were subsequently analyzed using thematic content analysis with the assistance of NVivo 12 software. Results: Three main themes emerged from the data: ideals, experiences with SMI, and views on hospitalization and coercive measures. Students acknowledge the importance of empathy but often feel unprepared due to limited knowledge, leading to avoidance and negative interactions. Although stigmatizing beliefs regarding dangerousness and inabilities persist, students generally reject segregation and advocate for equal rights. Positive contact experiences with mental illness can modify negative attitudes and enhance empathy, particularly among individuals with their own personal experiences. Participants generally oppose coercive measures, except for safety concerns and lack of illness awareness, advocating for alternatives to preserve autonomy. Conclusions: The study highlights that insecurity and feeling unprepared could be linked to stigmatizing and negative experiences with individuals with SMI. Therefore, we underline the need for the anti-stigma education of healthcare students focusing on contact experiences and promoting confidence in their knowledge and skills.

The Constitutional Principle of Equality as a Complex Concept: Problems of the Addressee and the Degree of Implementation

The Constitution of the Russian Federation uses concepts that are different from the legal point of view, namely: «equality before the law» and «equality of rights» The first term means equal treatment by the law, but not equal rights and obligations. And only in this case, the word «all» used in Art. 19 may have a valid meaning: a citizen, a legal entity, a constituent entity of the Russian Federation, and the State itself are equal since they are equal regarding legal norms applied to them, which, of course, will contain various prescriptions in relation to these subjects. Today, the issue of recognizing and protecting so-called group rights is very relevant. The rights of the second generation — socio-economic rights — are largely related to the actual conditions for their implementation: if personal rights are based on the idea of formal equality, then for this group of rights equality presupposes «affirmative actions» of the State aimed at equalizing the actual conditions of legal use. In this regard, the problem of opposition to formal and actual equality arises: actual equality is usually considered as opposition to formal equality. Meanwhile, if we switch to the language of strict terminology, then actual equality does not mean at all equality of the result or socio-economic equality, but only formal equality that means ensuring it by mechanisms of its «factual» implementation.

How Being Outvoted by AI Teammates Impacts Human-AI Collaboration

Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) enable AI agents to go beyond simply supporting human activities and, instead, take more control in team decision-making. While significant literature has studied human-AI collaboration through the lens of AI as a “second opinion system,” this type of interaction is not fully representative of many human-human team collaboration scenarios, such as scenarios where each decision maker is granted equal voting rights for the team decision. In this research, we explore how imparting AI agents with equal voting rights to the human impacts human-AI decision-making and team performance. Using a human subjects experiment in which participants collaborate with two AI teammates for truss structure (aka, bridge) design, we manipulate a series of voting scenarios (e.g., AI agents outvoting the human vs. AI agents agreeing with the human) and AI performance levels (high vs. low performing). The results indicate that changes in human self-confidence are not consistent with whether the quality of the final team-voted design action is advantageous or disadvantageous relative to their own actions. The results also show that when humans are outvoted by their AI teammates, they do not show strong negative emotional reactions if the team-voted decision has an advantageous outcome. Additionally, AI performance significantly influences the human-AI team decision-making process and even one low-performing AI (i.e., an AI that is frequently incorrect) on the team can significantly deteriorate team performance. Taken together, this research provides empirical evidence on the effects of AI voting with equal decision authority on human-AI collaboration, as well as valuable insights supporting real-world applications of human-AI collaboration via voting.

Potret Diskriminasi Agama di Indonesia : Studi Kasus Implementasi Nilai Keadilan Sosial bagi Kelompok Minoritas

The Indonesian state has made Pancasila the state ideology so that every person from any religious background has the same and equal rights to embrace a particular religious belief without any element of coercion. However, in reality, it is still found that there are acts of discrimination carried out by members of society from the majority religious group against members of minority religions. The aim of this study is to analyze the implementation of social justice values ​​for minority groups who experience religious discrimination in Indonesia. The research method used is literature study sourced from books, articles, journals, and theories relevant to the study topic. The data was analyzed descriptively by explaining the results that the discrimination experienced by religious minorities in Indonesia by the majority is a multidimensional challenge that shows the existence of unequal rights behavior experienced by minority groups such as difficulties in freedom of worship, weak legal protection, and limited access to resources or public services. Every society needs to uphold the spirit of tolerance and strengthen anti-religious discrimination attitudes. This effort requires synergy between government, civil society, religious leaders and educational institutions to build a culture that respects plurality. The application of social justice values ​​in the context of religious discrimination in Indonesia is not only important for creating social harmony but is also a fundamental step in maintaining the integrity of the nation.

The Recast Single Permit Directive: an assessment of its changes for the rights of third-country nationals

Abstract Originally adopted in 2011, the Single Permit Directive provides for a procedure with one single permit for both work and residence for third-country nationals in EU Member States. The Single Permit Directive also grants a uniform set of rights for single permit holders. In 2022, the European Commission proposed to recast it in order to make the procedure more attractive and efficient; to clarify the scope; to strengthen the equal treatment rights; and to better protect single permit holders against exploitation. This contribution will evaluate whether the Recast Single Permit Directive adopted in 2024 meets those expectations.

Philosophy of Islamic Education: Reflections on Conservative Values, Liberalism, and Democracy

This article explores three main perspectives in Islamic educational philosophy: conservative, liberal, and democratic, by revealing how each of these views interprets the values ​​and goals of education. The conservative approach to Islamic education, represented by the essentialist and perennialist schools of thought, emphasizes the preservation and protection of existing traditions and customs. The concept of conservative education is more static and less open to new views or ideas. In contrast, liberal education, influenced by classical and modern liberalism, places more importance on the individual and freedom of thought, and seeks to adapt to global economic and social changes by prioritizing rational approaches and open discussion in the teaching and learning process. This model has undergone significant evolution along with historical and ideological dynamics. Meanwhile, democratic education, in the context of Islam, focuses on providing fair and humanizing educational services to each individual, by paying special attention to the development of each child's potential according to their abilities. This concept also supports academic freedom and prioritizes equal rights in obtaining education without discrimination. This study uses a literature review method to analyze these conceptions based on sources such as books, articles, and the thoughts of Islamic educational figures, both classical and modern.

Constitutional Guarantees for Linguistic Minorities in India

Linguistic and religious minorities in India represent distinct groups whose rights and identities are often shaped by dominant cultural and societal norms. Linguistic minorities face challenges related to language usage, educational access, and social integration, while religious minorities experience issues such as discrimination, violence, and underrepresentation in political and administrative spheres. Despite constitutional guarantees, both groups often struggle to assert and protect their rights in practice. This paper critically examines the legal frameworks protecting linguistic and religious minorities in India, focusing on key case laws that highlight the constitutional provisions designed to safeguard their rights. It explores the implications of these legal protections and assesses the effectiveness of judicial interventions in ensuring equal rights for minorities. The study delves into the broader social and political challenges faced by minorities, examining how discrimination, communal tensions, and inadequate representation impact their access to justice and equal opportunities. Finally, the paper offers recommendations for improving the protection of minority rights in India, suggesting reforms to enhance the inclusivity and fairness of the legal and political system for linguistic and religious minorities.

Ideology on Trial. Attitudes toward Sexual Politics among Latin American Legislators

This paper examines Latin American legislators' attitudes toward sexuality politics. Utilizing comprehensive PELA-USAL survey data collected from 17 countries, the analysis focuses on three critical dimensions: gender equality, reproductive rights, and LGBT+ issues. The findings reveal that left-right ideological divisions remain the primary drivers of support for gender equality and reproductive rights policies, with state-market preferences playing a secondary but noteworthy role. Religion proves to be a significant factor, as Evangelicals consistently oppose such measures, while Catholic legislators exhibit a broader and more varied ideological range. Female legislators emerge as key and prominent advocates for these causes, and younger cohorts show stronger support for LGBT+ rights, clearly reflecting generational shifts in perspectives. By analyzing the interplay of cultural, economic, and ideological influences, this study sheds valuable light on the hybrid nature of sexuality politics, which transcends traditional ideological boundaries and redefines political discourse in Latin America.