Issues Of Inequality Research Articles

The Sociology of Afrofuturism in the New Disney Princesses: From Pinocchio and Anastasia, to Tiana

Afro-American Music, Dance, and culture, inspired entire movement Afrofuturism, afrofabulist Nyong, Tavio, Vincent Joslin, and John Szwed “Space is the place”, support the ideas of YTasha L. Womack, that can be found in the representation of blackness, as a new model of Princess and the Frog. Pinocchio, Anastasia and Tiana, were left out on the streets, but only one of the three becomes restaurant owner. Investigation on Gender dimension of comparison in between the Anastasia, and Pinocchio characters in cartoons, was conducted in group of BA students, of Sociology, at Faculty of Political Sciences, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, at Sociology of Gender I classes. The opinions about the issues of social inequalities, homelessness, and rising to the positive role model in Disney characters. Student showed high interest, and responded, and discussed, all of the offered questions. Interest in the analysis of cartoons, especially Disney characters, or post-feministic Disney masculinities (Michael Macaluso, 2018), and femininities, was higher than in the other themes. Focus on to the theme of the gender dimensions of Youth homelessness, influenced very wider aftermath discussion. What types of the femininities are globally celebrated inside the Disney. The opinions about the issues of social inequalities, homelessness, and rising to the positive role model in Disney characters.

Advancing Sustainable Finance and Investment

The topic of advancing sustainable finance and investment encompasses a multidimensional approach towards achieving financial goals while concurrently addressing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns. In recent years, there has been a notable surge in global awareness regarding the impact of financial activities on sustainability factors, driven by growing concerns over climate change, social inequality, and corporate governance issues. This master's thesis aims to delve into the intricate landscape of sustainable finance and investment, examining both its theoretical underpinnings and practical applications. It seeks to explore the following key aspects:

Patriarchal Dominance in English Literature

Patriarchal dominance has been a prevalent theme in English literature throughout its history. Many literary works reflect and critique the societal norms and power structures that have historically favored men over women. Patriarchal norms prescribe rigid gender roles and expectations for men and women, reinforcing stereotypes and inequalities. Women are often relegated to traditional roles as caregivers, homemakers, and subordinate members of the family, while men are expected to be the primary breadwinners and decision-makers. These gender roles perpetuate unequal power dynamics and limit women's autonomy and agency. Prominent examples include Shakespeare's plays, where gender roles and power imbalances are often central to the plot, and classic novels like Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," which explores women's limited options in a patriarchal society. Over time, literature has evolved to challenge and subvert these patriarchal norms, with authors like Virginia Woolf and Charlotte Perkins Gilman addressing issues of gender inequality and women's autonomy. Feminist literature and criticism have also played a significant role in analyzing and deconstructing patriarchal themes in English literature. Patriarchal dominance, characterized by the historical and societal power imbalance that favors men over women, has been a recurring theme in English literature throughout the ages. This theme reflects and critiques the prevailing gender norms, roles, and inequalities that have persisted within different periods and cultures of English-speaking societies. From early literary works to contemporary literature, patriarchal dominance remains a complex and enduring subject of exploration.

Unequal household carbon emissions and potential determinants in China: Evidence from nationwide household surveys

Reducing carbon emissions from households can significantly contribute to achieving carbon neutrality. This study examined household carbon emissions and explored potential issues of inequality in China from 2010 to 2018. We found that the average carbon emissions of all households increased over the years, with the housing category experiencing the highest growth rate of 52.25%. Household carbon emissions are not the same across different regions and income groups. Inequality in carbon emissions is the highest in the eastern part of the country, followed by the central and western regions, and the lowest in the northeast. Carbon emissions inequality is highest among middle-income households, followed by high-income households, and the lowest among low-income households. These differences can be attributed to various factors such as population, technology, and socio-economic status. This study recommends implementing regional carbon taxes and income differential tax policies to address household carbon emissions inequalities.

Who’s the best? Investigating the NAMM Foundation’s “Best Communities of Music Education” awardees

The “Best Communities for Music Education” (BCME) award from the National Association for Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation is intended to celebrate school districts committed to supporting music education. However, despite its over twenty-year history, little is known about the awardees themselves. The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of school districts that received NAMM’s BCME award in 2021 and 2022. We utilized publicly available data from NAMM and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) to analyze demographic data of 2021 and 2022 awardees along several categories. We also gathered and analyzed BCME lists from 2005–2020 to provide an insight on the frequency of repeat awardees. Findings show that awardees primarily represent suburban communities that skew more affluent, more educated, and more white than national averages. These findings may help interrogate conceptions of quality, highlight issues of inequity among school districts, and bring insight into policy tools underpinning public music education advocacy efforts.

Whole-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference «Well-Being Measuring and Analyzing»

The article contains an overview of reports presented at the Whole-Russian scientific and practical conference «Well-being Measuring and Analyzing», held on 25–27 January 2024 at St. Petersburg State Economic University (UNECON). The program of the conference included 142 reports in face-to-face and online formats. Approximately a quarter of all the conference papers were presented by young researchers – students, undergraduates, and postgraduate students – who co-authored work with academic supervisors. Scientists from educational and research institutions from 19 constituent entities of the Russian Federation and seven foreign countries delivered their presentations.The conference participants discussed the accumulated domestic and international experience in measuring well-being, highlighting specific features and regional characteristics of this socio-economic phenomenon. Aspects of the application of statistical and econometric methods of analysis and forecasting in studying issues of welfare and social inequality were considered, including measuring the level of poverty, the impact of pension system reform, changes in consumer behavior of the population in the housing market, ways to solve social problems in certain regions, including, Arctic zone. The participants identified directions for improving the methodology for measuring well-being and measures to address social inequality at the federal and regional levels.

The Four Horsemen of Antiracist School Leadership: A Communication Guide to Bridge Racial Conflict in School Relationships

Principals are critical for disrupting systems that bar racially diverse students from learning opportunities and belonging in schools. Issues of inequity due to systemic racism have been ongoing and politically heightened in the United States as the nation navigates racial tensions within school systems. Research on antiracist school leadership has resulted in important, timely, and relevant frameworks for practice and popular strategies and programs, including courageous conversation and restorative justice programs. However, the process of how to practice antiracist leadership remains difficult and elusive in the translation of theory to praxis. Particularly, principals are rarely trained to develop healthy communication styles and effective conflict resolution skills, especially in conversations about racism. Borrowing from the field of counseling, this article details Gottman’s Four Horsemen model of conflict and their resolutions at the interpersonal level. This article frames the model within school contexts for principals to practice and empower their communication skills around race when setting antiracist and equitable school agendas. Recognizing the Four Horsemen and practicing the antidotes to conflicts are important skills for principals to effectively engage in difficult, contentious, and often emotional conversations around racism and its impacts on racially diverse students. Recommendations for principals and preparation programs are provided.

Criminalised, victimised or other? A reflexive engagement with Queer Criminology utilising a relational pedagogical approach.

Queer Criminology is a newfound area of exploration within the discipline of Criminology, which is uniquely positioned to deal with issues regarding crime and victimisation concerning those from the LGBTQIA+ community and gender diverse/minoritized groups. The field of "Queer Criminology" has become vast and expanding, having explored issues of interpersonal, structural and systematic inequality concerning those from the community and beyond. To this end, narratives of victimisation, trauma and injustice have dominated (and limited) understandings of Queer Criminology. Moreover, limited thinking has been attributed within the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SOTL), which seeks to understand LGBTQIA+ individuals and groups-beyond binarized thinking of victimhood or criminalised. In this article, we offer the perspectives of two higher education professionals teaching Queer Criminology in a "flipped" classroom environment, which positions the learner as expert within the subject matter and utilises a relational pedagogy lens to do so. We discuss the use of our reflexive practice, as both Feminist Decolonial and Queer Criminologists. The article touches upon trauma informed approaches to teaching Queer Criminology. We offer several steps in building a coalition of learning, which can unpick the potential policy, theory, and practical tensions of teaching Queer Criminological Scholarship.

Productivity or Equity? Tradeoffs in Volunteer Microtasking in Humanitarian OpenStreetMap

Microtasking, the decomposition of tasks into small units of work, is prolific in human computation and crowdsourcing. Some peer production systems are beginning to leverage this same technique in volunteer contribution-based settings. While early research suggests that focusing volunteer work in this way using microtasking may be fruitful, the effects of microtasking on contributor behavior in volunteer peer production settings, like OpenStreetMap, remain unclear. This paper takes advantage of a natural experiment facilitated by the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap's Tasking Manager, a microtasking system, and employs causal inference analysis to evaluate the effects of a microtasking intervention on contributor dynamics. Our study systematically leverages a global dataset to analyze peer production dynamics, building on prior research to address a gap in peer production literature and informing the design of the microtasking interfaces. We causally show that, indeed, microtasking can be an effective intervention in peer production settings, but it may exacerbate power-law patterns that are common in such settings. By further analyzing project design decisions and characteristics, we develop implications for platform practitioners, with a focus on addressing engagement and contribution inequity issues prevalent in settings like OpenStreetMap.

Digital Tools for Boosting the Impact of Fiscal Decentralization in Africa's Local Economies.

Fiscal decentralization offers potential for stimulating local economic development in Africa, empowering subnational governments to control revenue and spending. However, challenges such as urbanization, poverty, inequality, insufficient infrastructure, and governance issues hinder the successful implementation of the core tenets of fiscal decentralization. This paper explores the role of digital technologies in promoting greater fiscal decentralization and revenue enhancement, as a strategic response to these local economic development challenges in Africa. Through a systematic literature review, this study explores the role of fiscal decentralization in driving local economic development, with a focus on leveraging digital technologies to boost revenue generation and strengthen governance and institutional capacity at the subnational level. The research underscores the importance of investing in digital infrastructure, skill development, and regulatory frameworks, while addressing data privacy and security concerns. By emphasizing the transformative impact of digital technologies fiscal decentralization and property taxation, this paper contributes to the existing literature and highlights avenues for promoting local economic development across Africa.

Sociodemographic factors impacting the spatial distribution of private dental clinics in major cities of Peoples Republic of China

ObjectivesInvestigate the geographical distribution of private dental practices in major Chinese cities and analyze the variables influencing this distribution. MethodsThis study used Python to extract various types of Point of Interest (POI) data spanning from 2016 to 2022 from the AutoNavi map. A 1km*1km grid was constructed to establish the study sample. Additional spatial pattern data, including nighttime lighting, population, and air quality data, were integrated into this grid. Global Moran's I index was used to analyze the spatial autocorrelation. The spatial lag model was used to explore the influencing factors of private dental practice distribution. ResultsThis study reveals a specific clustering pattern for private dental practices in major Chinese cities. The primary influencing factors include nighttime lights, population density, and housing prices, suggesting that dental practices are typically concentrated in highly developed regions with dense populations and high housing costs. Additionally, we discovered that patterns vary across different metropolises, with the most pronounced clustering patterns and substantial inequalities found in the most developed areas. ConclusionsThis study establishes that factors such as regional development and population density positively correlate with private dental practice. Additionally, it reveals a strong mutual correlation in the clustering of dental practices, which does not show a substantial correlation with public resources. Finally, it suggests that the spatial heterogeneity pattern implies a rising necessity to tackle inequality issues within urban areas as economic development progresses.

Correlation between income inequality and economic growth in Russian regions: new results based on the Granger causality test

The issue of income inequality is highly relevant in scientific literature. It is caused both by the population’s pursuit of achieving an acceptable level of social justice specific to a particular society and by the property, which is often attributed to income inequality, to negatively influence economic development and growth. This article conducts an analysis of cause-and-effect relations between income inequality in the Russian regions (measured by the Gini index) and the level of gross regional product (hereinafter referred to as GRP) per capita. The primary research method employed is the Granger causality test. The research is based on data from the Federal State Statistics Service on the socio-economic development of Russian regions. Direct and reversal causality tests were performed, revealing that GRP per capita influences income inequality, but not vice versa. Moreover, the logarithm of GRP per capita exhibits a bidirectional relationship with the Gini index for Russian regions. On the basis of the obtained results, it is concluded that for effective management of the issue of regional income inequality, it is advisable to use indirect methods of financial regulation instead of the direct ones and influence income inequality through indicators of GRP per capita in Russian regions, thereby creating conditions for an increase in the standard of living and average income.

Development and validation of a Context-sensitive Positive Health Questionnaire (CPHQ): A factor analysis and multivariate regression study

BackgroundThe concept of Positive Health (PH) has gained increasing attention as a way of measuring individuals’ ability to adapt in the face of contextual challenges. However, a suitable measurement instrument for PH that encompasses contextual factors has not yet been developed. This paper responds to this need by developing a Context-specific Positive Health (CPH) measurement instrument that aligns with the Capability Approach (CA).MethodsThe measurement instrument was developed and tested among a representative sample of 1002 Dutch internet survey panel members with diverse sociodemographic backgrounds. The instrument was developed in two stages: a preparation phase consisting of focus groups and expert consultations, and a validation among a representative panel of Dutch citizens. The goal of the preparation phase, was to pilot test and refine previously proposed Positive Health questionnaires into an initial version of the CPHQ. The validation phase aimed to examine the initial CPHQ’s factorial validity using Factor Analysis, and its concurrent validity using Multivariate Regression Analysis.ResultsThe developed questionnaire demonstrated adequate factorial and concurrent validity. Furthermore, it explicitly includes an assessment of resilience, this being a key component of PH.ConclusionsThe introduced measurement tool, the CPHQ, comprises 11 dimensions that we have labeled as follows: relaxation, autonomy, fitness, perceived environmental safety, exclusion, social support, financial resources, political representation, health literacy, resilience, and enjoyment. In this article, we present four major contributions. Firstly, we embedded the measurement in a theoretical framework. Secondly, we focused the questionnaire on a key concept of Positive Health - the “ability to adapt.” Thirdly, we addressed issues of health inequality by considering contextual factors. Finally, we facilitated the development of more understandable measurement items.

PERAN UN WOMEN DALAM ISU KETIDAKSETARAAN GENDER DI PAKISTAN

In 1994, UNDP released a report on human security, which included a point on personal security. The issue of gender inequality is a threat to personal security. Pakistan is a country that continues to advocate for and work towards gender equality. Inequalities in socio-economic development and the influence of a social structure based on a feudal system led to differences in the level of gender inequality in Pakistan. The high level of gender inequality in Pakistan affects women's ability to fully enjoy their rights. Using the concepts of international organizations, human security theory, and gender equality, this research aims to examine the role of the international organization UN Women in increasing gender equality in Pakistan. Employing a qualitative method with a descriptive approach as the framework, this research found that UN Women serves as a facilitator, communicator, and motivator in advancing gender equality, promoting Sustainable Development Goal 5, and protecting women from violence and discrimination. UN Women actively plays a role in achieving gender equality in Pakistan.

The Challenger’s Triumph: Battling a Tech Titan

The primary purpose of this case is to promote discussion related to effective human resource management practices in undergraduate business courses. This business case revolves around the issues of employment discrimination, retaliation, and gender inequality. In 2020, 38-year-old employee Chelsey Glasson sued Google, alleging that she and others encountered discrimination while pregnant. After facing retaliation from the company, Glasson decided to bring the issue to light. She claimed that managers would give lower performance scores to employees who notified the company they were pregnant, stating that this step in the employee’s life would hinder their performance towards the company.

To stay or not to stay at home? The unintended consequences of public health advice for older adults in the context of Covid-19 and urban heat

Stay-at-home advice is one of the most widespread public health solutions to various health risks, including Covid-19 and heat stress. Authorities often direct this recommendation to adults above 65 years old, a group particularly vulnerable to multiple risks. While this advice aims to save lives, when prolonged it also comes with various negative unintended consequences. It increases older adults’ isolation and loneliness, which negatively affects their mental and physical health, as well as their wellbeing and quality of life.This article builds on the findings from two European projects that studied, respectively, Covid-19 responses and adaptation to urban heat. First, we analyze the data from semi-structured interviews about Covid-19 responses and their consequences conducted with local experts in Vienna, Austria, in 2021–22. Second, we analyze the data from focus groups on experiencing and adapting to urban heat conducted with older adults in Warsaw, Poland, in 2021.This article demonstrates why stay-at-home advice might be problematic for older adults who live alone and how it leads to their increased isolation and loneliness when it stops being a short-term measure and becomes a prolonged experience. We examine differences and similarities between the two cases to discuss the shortcomings in care for older and frail people. We argue that public health recommendations should consider the issues of temporality, sociality and inequality when re-implementing the stay-at-home advice in the future. We also demonstrate that measures focusing on community wellbeing, instead of thinking only in terms of individual health and responsibility, might be a way to address those issues.

Counter-discourses to social inequalities and urban modernity: Subaltern women in post-2000s Chinese science fiction

ABSTRACT The issues of resurgent class and gender inequalities, rapid urbanization, and huge regional disparity were a notable focus of many post-2000s Chinese science fiction, which vividly created images of subaltern females. This paper looks at how contemporary Chinese sci-fi authors seek social justice by representing the experiences of various subaltern women within the specific genre of science fiction. It argues that the images of socially and culturally marginalized women were used as effective tools for questioning the intersectional social inequalities in contemporary China. The works discussed in this article all problematize the nature and influences of urban modernity by revealing the intersections, tensions, and contradictions between subaltern women and the classed, gendered modernization process. The sci-fi realist portrayal of subaltern agency and gender struggle also helps to generate powerful counter-discourses to urban modernity and technological utopia.

China Special Education for Disabled Children: Problems and Countermeasures

Despite increasing awareness and political concern regarding the issue of inclusive education and educational inequality, China is still on its way to achieving education equality. The issue of special education for disabled students, problems related to preschool education, education equality within groups, and curriculum design are still matters of concern that hinder China's progression towards an egalitarian education system that guarantees equality. Although special education is specifically addressed in China's 14th Five-Year Plan, mere policy concern has not successfully translated into practical success. Through a thorough analysis of China's current situation, this article identifies three reasons that have thwarted the realization of this goal: a lack of micro-concern in policies relating to special education, misallocation of capital input due to a lack of sufficient regulations, and an insufficient supply of professional teachers. Countermeasures are proposed with the intention of improving China's special education system, with the hope of addressing the interests of students with special educational needs today.

Messing with the Master Narrative: The Challenges of Challenging Meritocracy in Undergraduate Education “Diversity” Coursework

Higher education is working to diversify the undergraduate curriculum to support critical thinking and promote racial justice—pressing work, particularly at predominantly white colleges and universities. To support students’ critical thinking, we need to better understand their awareness of systemic inequities as they enter and exit undergraduate diversity courses. To inform the development of undergraduate curricula, we use iterative comparative analysis of students’ written work to investigate patterns in their thinking regarding issues of systemic inequalities in U.S. public schools before and after an undergraduate diversity course. We examine patterns in student language as they make sense of systemic inequities using course data that centers historic and systemic inequities in U.S schools. We find that students consider these data within their already-held narratives of meritocracy and individuality, resulting in troubled text regarding the role of race and class privilege, and the responsibility/culpability of systems versus individuals in educational attainment.

We built this culture (so we can change it): Seven principles for intentional culture change.

Calls for culture change abound. Headlines regularly feature calls to change the "broken" or "toxic" cultures of institutions and organizations, and people debate which norms and practices across society are now defunct. As people blame current societal problems on culture, the proposed fix is "culture change." But what is culture change? How does it work? Can it be effective? This article presents a novel social psychological framework for intentional culture change-actively and deliberately modifying the mutually reinforcing features of a culture. Synthesizing insights from research and application, it proposes an integrated, evidence-based perspective centered around seven core principles for intentional culture change: Principle 1: People are culturally shaped shapers, so they can be culture changers; Principle 2: Identifying, mapping, and evaluating the key levels of culture helps locate where to target change; Principle 3: Culture change happens in both top-down and bottom-up ways and is more effective when the levels are in alignment; Principle 4: Culture change can be easier when it leverages existing core values and harder when it challenges deep-seated defaults and biases; Principle 5: Culture change typically involves power struggles and identity threats; Principle 6: Cultures interact with one another and change can cause backlash, resistance, and clashes; and Principle 7: Timing and readiness matter. While these principles may be broadly used, here they are applied to the issue of social inequality in the United States. Even though culture change feels particularly daunting in this problem area, it can also be empowering-especially when people leverage evidence-based insights and tools to reimagine and rebuild their cultures. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).