Material Circumstances Research Articles

What sustains feminized part-time work at the gender equality frontier? Evidence from a vignette experiment

Feminized part-time work has been deemed a family policy conundrum yet to be solved by any welfare regime. To identify ways forward, this article examines structural drivers of part-time work decisions through a vignette experiment fielded in the gender-egalitarian context of Norway ( N = 3500). Six theory-grounded factors are tested in this multidimensional, causal framework: partner income level, physical and cognitive household labour burdens, the presence of a part-time culture at the workplace, and consequences of part-time work for career advancement and future pensions. Results show that overall, factors that regulate individuals’ material self-interest (partner income, career and pension consequences) have the largest impact on working-time decisions. Additionally, a priming treatment is given with a split sample concerning the factor of cognitive household labour – the organizational dimension of household work. Results from sub-group analyses show that non-primed respondents prefer significantly higher working hours when their cognitive labour burden is lower. Respondents who received experimental priming, however, portray the opposite behaviour (lower working-hour preference when cognitive labour burden is low). The pattern is driven by women, whereas men are left largely unaffected by both the priming and vignette treatment of cognitive labour. Thus, robust findings imply that gender inequality in material circumstances sustains feminized part-time work patterns. Suggestive evidence further indicates that gender inequality in cognitive labour loads may also contribute to sustaining feminized part-time work.

Precarity in Portuguese cinema

ABSTRACT Although perhaps not clear for someone unfamiliar with the history and the aesthetics of Portuguese cinema, the title of this paper is polysemic and thus refers to several layers of meaning. Indeed, this research will provide a historical overview and deal with precarity in two different ways that coexist and coincide in Portuguese cinema: the intra-cinematic, i.e. the representation of precarity on screen; and the extra-cinematic, i.e. the material circumstances that have characterised the Portuguese film production milieu. On the one hand, this paper will analyse the history of Portuguese films through the lens of precarity to uncover the different approaches its representation received, from the musical comedies of the 1940s to the peripheral-city dramas of the 1990s. On the other hand, we will provide an account of the evolution of the conditions in which Portuguese cinema subsisted. As this paper will argue these two situations are not entirely dissociated; the material circumstances that have determined the lifecycle of the Portuguese film production are, to a certain degree, related to the versions of precarity addressed. The point this paper proposes by bringing the topic of precarity to the fore intends to add to the literature on Portuguese cinema studies and help frame Portuguese cinema within the subarea of precarity studies.

Revealing organisational influence: conceptual and empirical reflections on doing inequality in digital work organisations.

The impact of digitalisation at work on existing inequalities is a growing concern. Social inequality is not solely determined by material circumstances, but also by the new social practises that arise in the workplace. However, the discourse about the digitalisation of work lacks specific organisational references. From an organisational theory perspective, it is important to note that digitality always takes place in an organisation-specific manner. Therefore, digitality and organisation are in a reciprocal relationship, resulting in the development of new organisational practises that impact organisational actors as structural conditions of organisational digitality. How the changes at the organisational level affect the mechanisms of production of social inequality in the course of digitalisation has not yet been taken into account, which means that previous research on inequality in digitalised work only allows an organisation-unspecific view of the subject. In contrast, this article places the organisation at the centre of the debate and presents a methodical approach for researching social inequality in the digitalisation of work from the perspective of organisational theory.

Obstacles of Qualitative Research in The English Language Field from the Perspective of Its Faculty Members at King Abdul Aziz University (Case Study)

The current study aimed to identify the obstacles that prevent conducting qualitative research in the English Language field at university, as well as the theoretical and philosophical premises of qualitative research. The researcher used the explanatory approach, and used the interview as one of the qualitative research methods. The study found that we need to conduct qualitative research in the English language because of the predominance of quantitative research tools and methods in an explicit omission of qualitative research, despite its importance and suitability for the study of many phenomena and problems in the field of the English language. Philosophical study of the phenomenon is more in depth in the cognitive construction, in addition to its use of a number of means to collect the data of the phenomenon such as observation, interview, document analysis, and knowledge of the social, personal and material circumstances and scenes related to the phenomenon being studied. The study also found that there are many obstacles that prevent conducting qualitative research in the field of education in general and the field of English language in particular. The researcher has developed a set of proposals to overcome the obstacles of qualitative research in the English language field.

The Curious Case of Aistija: Sidelights on Latvian–Lithuanian Rapprochement During the 20th Century

The nascent Aistijan movement centred around the idea of establishing a Latvian–Lithuanian state following the Second World War. This article surveys the background of the idea, with particular attention to the public diplomacy of Lithuanian American émigrés, demonstrating its prevalence during the First World War. The activities of interwar Latvian and Lithuanian rapprochement societies are outlined, noting the prominence of the Aestii – the earliest recorded inhabitants of the eastern littoral of the Baltic Sea – in both academic and popular history, in addition to the emergence of the Aistijan movement following the Second World War. Examining the initial successes and rapid decline of the movement, the article also charts developments and material circumstances of language learning practices in connection with the idea of a Latvian–Lithuanian state.

Remitting amid autocracy: Venezuelan migrant remittances to relatives enduring widespread structural violence

Homeland conditions shape how migrants and refugees perceive the purpose and impact of their remittances (i.e. financial support). Countries of origin with low violence and stable conditions allow migrants to remit with hopes of improving their non-migrant relatives’ long-term material circumstances, while homelands with armed conflict limit remittance objectives to securing recipients’ immediate safety and basic survival. However, scholarship has under-theorized how homelands with widespread structural violence–economic devastation resulting in deprivation for most of the population–impact migrants’ remittance practices and perceptions. Drawing on in-depth interviews with forced Venezuelan migrants in Chile and Argentina–whose homeland has an emerging autocrat and economic sanctions that have resulted in widespread structural violence–we find that interviewees are highly concerned about relatives’ survival in Venezuela. They remit with resignation to secure relatives’ bare subsistence while grappling with their inability to counter the economic deterioration, infrastructural decay, and essential goods shortages that are decreasing their relatives’ lifespan. Broadly, findings indicate that widespread structural violence reshapes migrants’ transnational care; as deprivation spreads in the homeland, migrants are increasingly aware that the impact of their remittances is diminishing and seek to fulfill their relatives’ immediate basic needs.

THE PROTAGONIST IN KAVITA KANE'S NOVEL "KARNA'S WIFE: THE OUTCAST'S QUEEN" FACES SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL CHALLENGES - AN ANALYTICAL INVESTIGATION

This study analyses the socio-psychological challenges encountered by the protagonist in Kavita Kane's novel "Karna's Wife: The Outcast's Queen," exploring the factors contributing to the socio-psychological difficulties faced by marginalised individuals throughout the historical era portrayed in the book. This study aims to investigate the existing social circumstances during that period and evaluate their influence on causing psychological discomfort in the main character. The Freudian psychological perspective asserts that the source of psychological distress is located in the unconscious mind, while the Marxist perspective argues that it is grounded in the current material circumstances of social existence. The use of the Marxist literary critical approach is crucial for doing this research, as it allows for the analysis of the dialectical relationship between the human psyche and the prevailing social relations during that period. It is said that social discriminations can have negative effects on persons' socio-psychological well-being, and this was also the case for Karna.

Vote Trading and Elections in Nigeria: Democracy as an Article of Trade?

This paper is underscored by the commodification and trading of votes in Nigeria which poses a threat to credible elections, democracy, and good governance. Domestic and global studies including election observers have established that there has always been widespread exchange of votes for money in Nigeria. In this regard, this paper looks at the issue of voting commodification in the country with a view to highlighting its attendant implications for present and future elections, democracy, and governance. Using descriptive and content analysis with data gathered through secondary sources the paper sought to answer the following questions: What is behind the narrative of vote trading in Nigeria? Why do politicians buy votes? Why do people sell votes? Is vote trading conditioned by individual beliefs or social norm? What are the consequences of vote trading on governance? What are the possible solutions to the problem? The paper argues that candidates and political parties engage in material gratification and vote trading during elections and that vote trading is propelled by independent, individual decision and mainly driven by material circumstances. It further contends that the more politicians engage in vote buying and gratification the more unstable the electoral process becomes as that prevents credible candidates from running for political office as they may not have the humongous amount required to contest in election. The study concludes that material vote selling and buying, and gratification pose negative tendencies for Nigerian political system, democracy, and good governance if not properly handled. The paper recommends among others taking political financing seriously with the electoral umpire- Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) more proactive in fighting vote trading and the electorates through political education be encouraged to avoid all kinds of inducements from political parties and candidates.

Introduction: Marxifying IR, IRifying Marxism

Although the neglect of Marxism has been a pervasive characteristic of IR theory, there has been a marked revival of interest in Marxism. Marx’s materialist insights into the general historical development of societies, as well as his critique of capitalism and political economy, have served as alternative starting points for different critical approaches to IR and offers a welcome alternative to neorealism, constructivism, and poststructuralism that have dominated IR for several decades. Marxism provides a redefinition of IR by focusing on changes in material circumstances, historical conditions, and society instead of assuming unchanging and fixed structures of anarchy or the state. Marx’s analysis and insights into the dynamics of international relations have become even more important given the ongoing crisis of neoliberal capitalism, the rise of authoritarianism, right-wing nationalist populisms, and the racial and gendered subordinations accompanying them pointing to the importance of Marxifying IR and IRifying Marxism.

The Great Thoughts on Human Beings by Karl Marx

Marxist philosophy does not prioritize the question of human beings in connection to the theory of capital and surplus value, the materialist dialectic and the socio-economic formation, or the proletarian class and socialism. The primary objective of Marxism does not pertain to the inquiry into the nature of human beings. However, Marx's ideas regarding human beings, mostly introduced during his early years, remain significant enough to be included in the body of human thought as a considerable doctrine. They hold great importance in the field of human sciences and in the pursuit of human freedom. As we celebrate the 200th anniversary of Karl Marx's birth, we will examine and assess the significant ideas that Marx had about human beings that are relevant to the current era: 1) Human beings are inherently human entities; 2) The natural world represents the intangible manifestation of human beings; 3) Human beings are distinct individuals, encompassing their actions and material circumstances; 4) The fundamental nature of human beings is derived from the amalgamation of social interactions; 5) The unrestricted growth of each individual is a prerequisite for the unrestricted growth of all individuals. These concepts are actually of immense magnitude. Presently, these ideas continue to serve as the fundamental principles of numerous human disciplines. These beliefs serve as the foundational worldview and methodological principles for numerous social theories in reality. The presentation of Marx's ideas on human beings, as shown in several published works, frequently varies. In light of the aforementioned five primary components, our objective is to faithfully adhere to the canonical works of Marx, refraining from incorporating any further insights beyond his original statements. This approach aims to provide an accurate depiction of Marx's own perspective on the nature of humanity.

Life Goes on: Tupac Shakur’s Influence on Angie Thomas’ The Hate U Give and African American Sneaker Culture

When analyzing African American sneaker culture’s ascension into American popular and global culture, one must consider its place in literature. How did sneaker culture go from the basketball courts and the bustling streets of urban America to the pages of books? In brief, the material circumstances of a society that subscribes to African American sneaker culture reflects in the literature the same society produces. For example, writers documenting the African American experience within urban environments, wittingly and unwittingly documented sneaker culture’s existence and manifestation. This is evident in Angie Thomas’ The Hate U Give (2017). Is Angie Thomas the next Tupac Shakur? Heavily influenced by his work, her work too has entered academic settings. Will sneaker culture overcome the taboos surrounding it? The topics addressed in The Hate U Give (2017) are as controversial in today’s political climate as topics addressed by Shakur in the past. Furthermore, wrapping a tale of police brutality inside a text that glorifies sneaker culture is not tailored to the majority. Like “All Eyez On Me” Thomas’s text speaks to the plight of the African American.

Staden i boken

The City in the Book: Materiality and Form in Irina Liebmann’s Documentary Portrayals of Berlin This article considers the relationship between urban materiality and literary form in three documentary portrayals of Berlin by Irina Liebmann: a book of interviews with East German tenants, Berliner Mietshaus (1982), the photo-essay Stille Mitte von Berlin (2002) and the autofictional novel Die Große Hamburger Straße (2020). I use and develop Andreas Mahler’s model for analysis of the “discursive constitution” of urban literature to investigate how various linguistic and formal expressions are used in the texts to represent the material properties of two urban entities: the tenement building and the street. My analysis shows how urban materiality is discursively constituted through referential elements and “material isotopy” (frequent use of materially connotated concepts), as well as through other linguistic means that can be connected to the materiality of the portrayed places such as the structure, layout, typography and interpunctuation of the text. In two of Liebmann’s texts, a further spatio-visual dimension arises through the inclusion of her own photographs of dilapidated buildings, closed-up shops and empty lots in East Berlin in the 1980s. The findings of my investigation demonstrate how Liebmann’s documentary portrayals of Berlin contribute to making visible the fluctuations in how different material circumstances – for example standard of living – are valued in different contexts, as well as to a renegotiation of hegemonic narratives about the city’s historic materiality. Finally, a diachronic comparison between the three texts shows that specific material entities such as streets and buildings in the old center of Berlin have been charged with new meaning after 1989 due to the fundamental alterations to the material conditions of the city through a rapid gentrification process.

A decolonial feminist inquiry into women’s agency in the urban landscape in 19th-century Iran

ABSTRACT Proposing a socio-historical and decolonial analytical lens, I challenge the current dominant discourses surrounding Iranian women’s agency in emerging public spaces in the late 19th century. I scrutinise the urban landscape in late 19th-century Iran, drawing from a variety of archival data, such as first-hand memoirs, travelogues, and official reports, to situate Iranian women in a broader sociohistorical context and present a nuanced understanding of their presence in emerging public spaces. To do so, I compare texts written by the non-locals with those written by local observers with a specific focus on their characterisation of women and their presence and agency in the newly emerging public spaces during this time. Having used grounded theory methods to carry out the initial examining and coding of the data, I investigate the degree to which the images portrayed by the local and non-local texts take into account the material circumstances of women. I deconstruct the dominant knowledge about Iranian women’s portrayal and reconstruct a layered sociohistorical interpretation of the findings, thereby proposing an alternative decolonial narrative of women’s agency in public spaces in 19th-century Iran. I contend that the prevalent historical portrayal of women’s agency, particularly in public spaces, is markedly shaped by one of the narratives of the late 19th century, i.e. that of the non-local Western observers. Building on a comparative analysis, I argue that to produce alternative decolonial place-based feminist knowledge, it is imperative to re-engage with domestic texts. By revisiting these sources, feminist scholars can question and deconstruct the dominant knowledge on women’s presence in urban landscapes and reconstruct a more accurate and diversified feminist narrative that acknowledges women’s dynamic interplay with the local and global forces which in itself is a decolonial feminist practice.

Performance of Self-Sensing Cement-Stabilized Sand under Various Loading Conditions.

Numerous elements, such as the composition and characteristics of carbon nanomaterials, the composition and characteristics of the matrix material, moisture levels, temperature, and loading circumstances, influence the piezoresistive behavior of self-sensing cementitious composites. While some past research has explored the impact of some of these factors on the performance of self-sensing cementitious composites, additional investigations need to be conducted to delve into how loading conditions affect the sensitivity of self-sensing cement-stabilized composites. Therefore, this study explores the influences of various loading conditions (i.e., location of loading regarding the location of recording electrodes, and loading level) on the electromechanical performance of self-sensing cement-stabilized sand. To this end, firstly, the evaluation of the percolation threshold based on 10% cement-stabilized sand specimens containing various multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) was performed. Then, 10% cement-stabilized sand containing 4% MWCNTs/GNPs was tested under various cyclic compressive stresses. The results suggested that the distance between the loading area and the electrode location used for recording the electrical resistance significantly impacted the sensitivity of cement-stabilized sand. Optimal sensitivity was achieved when the electrodes were positioned directly beneath the loading area. Moreover, the study showed that the stress sensitivity of self-sensing cement-stabilized sand increased proportionally with the stress level. An examination through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated that the loading condition influences the bridging characteristics of carbon nanomaterials in cement-stabilized sand, leading to diverse electromechanical behaviors emerging based on the loading condition. This study underscores the importance of considering specific parameters when designing self-sensing cement-stabilized sand for application in practical field use.

The relationship between individual-level socioeconomic status and preference for medical service in primary health institutions: a cross-sectional study in Jiangsu, China.

While China's primary health care (PHC) system covers all citizens, the use of medical services supplied by primary health institutions (PHIs) is not at ideal levels. This study explored the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on residents' first choice of medical services provided by PHIs. This community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in Jiangsu Province, China, from October 2021 to March 2022. A custom-designed questionnaire was used to evaluate 4,257 adults, of whom 1,417 chose to visit a doctor when they were sick. Logistic regression was used to test the relationships among SES, other variables and the choice of medical services, and interaction effects were explored. A total of 1,417 subjects were included in this study (48.7% female; mean age 44.41 ± 17.1 years). The results showed that older age (p < 0.01), rural residence (p < 0.01), a preference for part-time medical experts in PHIs (p < 0.01), and lack of coverage by basic medical insurance (p < 0.05) were associated with the first choice to use PHIs. In the multiple logistic regression model, SES was not associated with the first choice of medical services supplied by PHIs (p > 0.05), but it interacted with three variables from the Commission on Social Determinants of Health Framework (material circumstances, behaviors and biological factors, and psychosocial factors). Vulnerable individuals who are the target visitors to PHIs are older, live in rural areas, and suffer from chronic diseases. SES, as a single factor, did not impact whether medical services at PHIs were preferred, but it mediated relationships with other factors.

Examining approaches to material hardship classification: Cross-sectional and longitudinal perspectives

Material hardship is a significant indicator of poverty, offering direct insights into the inability to afford necessities. When examining material hardship, often a decision lies in determining the boundaries that distinguish those who experience hardship from those who do not. This decision holds significance given the threshold for differentiating hardship from non-hardship populations guides poverty identification, informs assessments of the impacts of material hardship, and directs poverty reduction initiatives. While there are several material hardship classification approaches, there is limited research investigating the effects of different approaches on outputted proportions of material hardship. This study examines three common methods for classifying families based on their material circumstances to assess the consistency and variability in who is classified as living in hardship. Data from four waves of the Growing Up in New Zealand longitudinal study (n = 6575), spanning early childhood through to early adolescence, were utilised to explore the outcomes of these classification approaches across the four waves. Findings reveal differences in the prevalence rates and interpretations of material hardship over time, depending on the adopted method. This research demonstrates the influence of a researcher's choice of classification method on the understanding of material hardship within a given population. Setting thresholds is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ pursuit but a decision requiring careful consideration. Consequently, this study offers insights to equip researchers in selecting an appropriate method aligned with their specific research aims. Clear reporting of the chosen method is encouraged to ensure informative assessments.

FORMATION OF FAMILY VALUES IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN

In the article, based on the analysis of scientific literature and the results of pedagogical studies, the problem of the formation of family values in preschool children is updated. It is noted that the main goal of national preschool education is to create favorable conditions for the personal development and creative self-realization of each child, the formation of his life competence, the development of a valuable attitude towards himself, family, people, nature, culture, and the world. It is emphasized that the family, in cooperation with preschool education institutions, has significant opportunities in forming the concept of a meaningful “family image” in preschoolers, the ways of parents’ implementation of the tasks of raising family values in children are presented. It is proven that the formation of family values in preschool children can be effective only if certain pedagogical conditions are observed, which are considered as a system of existing forms, methods, situations or material circumstances that have developed or subjectively created to achieve a specific pedagogical goal.For a more detailed explanation of the problem, the authors present the results of an experimental study conducted on the basis of preschool education institution № 46 «Bzhilka» (Bee) in Poltava. Factors were determined that made it possible to objectively assess the level of formation of family values among preschoolers, to compare the results before and after educational activities, and to draw conclusions as to how successful the formation of family values was in children of the age group. The course and results of the pedagogical experiment are revealed. The effectiveness of the use of the program for the formation of family values in preschool children has been proven.

A Multimodal Analysis of the Ministry of Health in Indonesia’s Covid-19 Advertisement

This study looks into the analysis of multimodal in covid-19 advertisements. Multimodal commercials for covid-19 are being analyzed in this study to determine their ideational and linguistic content and to see how these aspects interact. The study used a qualitative approach. The data was obtained from YouTube and then screen shotted to create five pictures. Cheong's study employs Halliday theory to detect language function while identifying visual element usage (GSP). The findings revealed that there are visual and linguistic elements in the covid-19 commercial that symbolize the GSP process. Leads, Display, Primary Announcements, Secondary Announcements, Call and Visit, and Tag are the specific terms. Material Process, Actors, Circumstances, and Goals are the linguistic components of ideational function.

DISSECTING RACIAL DIFFERENCES IN THE PERCEPTION OF DOMAIN-SPECIFIC LIFE SATISFACTION

Abstract This study examines factors contributing to racial differences in domain-specific life satisfaction. Our study offers a major contribution to prior research that has tended to pay greater attention to psychological well-being outcomes such as life satisfaction which do not directly pertain to material circumstances of older adults. Those studies generally report better life satisfaction and fewer depressive symptoms among Black older adults than their White counterparts. Our study is based on 409 randomly selected older adults from Cleveland (mean age 79 and 25% African American). We considered socioeconomic status, stressors such as recent negative life events and coping resources such as religiosity to understand their impact on domain specific life- satisfaction (e.g., satisfaction with neighborhood, housing, and standard of living). Our ordinary least squares regression estimates suggest that, on average, Black older adults reported lower levels of domain-specific life satisfaction (b=-0.81, p&amp;lt; 0.01) compared to their White counterparts, despite having stronger social support and being more religious. Even though social support and religiosity did not contribute to racial differences in domain specific life satisfaction, the inclusion of education, income, and recent negative life events fully explain such differences. Findings indicate that interrelated factors such as socioeconomic disadvantage and greater life adversities such as negative life events contribute to lower domain life satisfaction among Black older adults. This finding highlights the need for further exploration of factors shaping material-related well-being outcomes for Black older adults. Our study informs future policies addressing racial well-being inequities.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Fault Lines in Ecofeminism

Women’s association with nature has been debated for long now. Some have moved beyond this debate and have started to look at the repercussions of this assemblage more than its reasons. In this paper, I use a South-Asian/postcolonial text to show that there are fault lines within women-nature assemblage. Pertaining to the study of women-nature connection in literature, there are limited representations that are studied and theorized: a) women as showing care and compassion for nature and life in general, or showing a lack thereof owing to internalized patriarchy, or their material circumstances; b) women and nature being oppressed by androcentrism; c) women in biomorphic unity with nature. In literature, when women are shown in biomorphic unity with nature, the depiction is usually that of a pleasant natural environment where women are shown to be one with nature. What is least studied and lacks theorization is that women-nature connection where neither women nor nature is in its best form. I call it bad-women-bad-nature connection.