Social Control Research Articles

The security impact of Nigerian fallow tourist attractions on the residents of surrounding communities

Amidst globalisation, tourism industry has emerged as a huge revenue source for different countries across the globe, most especially in the developed world. Nigeria is one of the developing countries that are yet to fully tap their tourism potentials, due to many socio-political factors. Beyond undermining the country’s quest for economic diversification, fallow tourist attractions across the country hypothetically negate internal safety and security, hence the need for empirical researches to inform policy interventions. This study specifically focused on Zuma Rock (in Niger state) to examine the relationship between the rock’s physical surrounding and criminal occurrences, analyse the feeling of safety among the residents of communities surrounding it, and establish the extent of their confidence in the formal agencies of social control. The study utilised area life cycle model to view the place of the rock in relation to other developed tourist sites, which shows it remains at the first stage of tourism development. Further, insight was drawn from defensible space theory to analyse the relationship between the rock’s physical environment and crime. A mixed-methods approach involving quantitative and qualitative data was adopted for the study. A total of 304 respondents across five communities surrounding the rock were randomly selected for questionnaire administration, and additional 80 were judgementally selected for a total of 10 FGD sessions—two in each of the five selected communities. In light of the area life cycle and defensible space framework, the study found that failure to develop a notable tourist attraction breeds crime. It is also found that the study population live in fear due to the prevalence of violent crimes in the rock’s vicinity, and their lack of confidence in formal law enforcement agents. It is therefore recommended that government should prioritise the development of the destination while making effort to strengthen the law enforcement agencies.

Multiculturalism in the Novel of Si Anak Pintar by Tere Liye

Multiculturalism is a form of appreciation and respect for other people regardles of ethnicity, tribe and culture. This research describes the element of multiculturalism in the novel of Si Anak Pintar by Tere Liye. This research uses an interpretative descriptive method by presenting interpretations in descriptive form. The data analysis technique uses reading and note-taking techniques, with four steps, namely: (1) data classification, (2) interpreting the data, (3) interpreting the findings, and (4) writing a report based on the findings. The research results show that the novel of Si Anak Pintar by Tere Liye contains elements of multiculturalism, namely: a sense of solidarity and brotherhood, gender equality, open trade, family values, respect for morals, feeling content in life, and sharing social control.

Adolescent social stress alters the role of orexin innervation in the hindbrain in male hamsters.

Juvenile male hamsters exposed to chronic social stress eat more, gain weight, and have larger fat pads. The purpose of the present study was to address possible changes in food hoarding and orexin/hypocretin innervation in response to social stress. Male hamsters in early adolescence were exposed to a resident-intruder social stress paradigm or control condition daily for 2 weeks. Metabolism-related physiological measures and behaviors were tracked, and brains were immunocytochemically labeled for orexin-A. Our data confirm our previous observations on appetite, weight gain, and obesity, and showed a strong trend toward enhanced food hoarding as in prior studies. In addition, there were no statistically significant differences in orexin innervation in any brain area analyzed. However, unique correlation patterns were observed between orexin innervation and appetite or metabolic outcome. In particular, opposite correlations were observed between groups within the dorsal raphe nucleus, lateral parabrachial nucleus, and nucleus of the solitary tract. These opposite patterns of correlations suggest chronic social stress causes site-specific alterations in synaptic activity in relation with these behaviors.

SOCIAL CONTROL OF STATE AUTHORITY BODIES OVER WOMEN OF COMMERCIAL SEX IN MYKOLAYOVSHICHINA IN IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY

The article analyses the effectiveness of the experience of organizing social control over women of commercial sex in Mykolaiv region in the 19th century. An analysis of the historical basis of the phenomenon of commercial sex was carried out, the concept, essence and content of social control over women of commercial sex were determined, the activity of state authorities in the direction of social control over women of commercial sex in the Mykolaiv region in the 19th century was analysed, and the cause-and-effect relationships of social control over the phenomenon of commercial sex in modern Ukraine. The basis of the research methodology is the principle of historicism, which made it possible to consider the phenomenon of prostitution in accordance with historical stages and events, in their interconnection and interdependence. As part of the toolkit of the proposed article, a set of methods is used, namely: theoretical - content analysis, historical-systemic and historical-typological method, as well as systematization, generalization, detection of contradictions, comparison, descriptive method; empirical - interviewing method. The authors came to the conclusion that social control can be defined as a state mechanism, the purpose of which is to maintain social order, norms of individual behaviour in society. The peculiarities of formal and informal social control over women of commercial sex in the 19th century are determined. The analysis of the activities of state authorities over women of commercial sex in the Mykolaiv region in the 19th century made it possible to investigate formal social control, for its implementation, the authorities and local managers of the Mykolaiv region established rules and laws regarding brothels, their owners, and women of commercial sex directly. Cause-and-effect relationships with social control of commercial sex in modern Ukraine were established. The analysis of the state of commercial sex in Ukraine indicated the need for social prevention, as a method of social control, over persons from the risk group.

Democracy, Free Elections, and Gender Equality as Perceived by Recent Immigrants

This study examines how democracy and its political attributes (such as free elections) and social attributes (such as gender equality) are perceived by people who come from nondemocratic countries and have lived for several months in a democratic society. The data were collected in Quebec using an original questionnaire completed by 127 adult immigrants. The results indicate that recent immigrants from nondemocratic countries primarily view democracy as a society based on the rule of law with strong social control. They consider free elections significantly more important to democracy than the possibility to vote for any political party. Contrary to expectations, recent immigrants view gender equality as essential for democracy, although this importance varies according to sphere. Immigrants’ conceptions of democracy also signify the most salient characteristics of the social and physical environment of the host society as the most important democratic features. The study illustrates the multifaceted nature of the process of forming ideas about democracy among immigrants socialized in nondemocratic societies. Not only is theoretical knowledge about democracy as a political system part of these ideas, but everything observed in a democratic society can be perceived as attributes of democracy. The results indicate that immigrants’ impressions of the social and physical environment in their host society should not be overlooked when analyzing their ideas on democracy. Consequently, the study concludes that a more welcoming society can foster more positive visions of democracy among newcomers from nondemocratic countries.

Exclusive Spaces - How Gated Communities in Bogotá Threaten Democratic Access and Security for All in the Streets Outside the Gates

ABSTRACT Gated communities house 40% of Bogotá’s population today. Streets formed when two gated communities face each other, dominated by fences and walls are a common sight. Situating our research on informal social control and critical security theories, we analyse how gated communities shape non-exclusionary access and security in the streets and public spaces outside the gates. Applying systematic observations and interviews in streets outside gated communities in Bogotá, we collect data from all public space users. We show that in these spaces, the passer-by is perceived as a threat and hence not welcomed. We find that gated communities are redistributing access and security not just inside but also outside the gates, serving the needs of some, while dismissing the collective interest of inclusive and secure public spaces for all and hence are a threat to the democratic nature of cities.

Today’s Main Issues in the Field of Anti-Corruption

In the article, today all countries in the world are facing the problem of corruption. Freedom of life, which is the main condition for building a democratic society, requires transparency in all spheres of society, especially in economic and political activity, on the one hand, and on the other hand, social and legal control organized on a legal basis. That is why nowadays it is most urgent to improve the socio-legal control system in society, which fully protects human rights and ensures the transparent and open activity of all physical and legal entities, sometimes, especially in the field of national security, with a certain degree of restriction. remains one of the problems.

“Vacunas”: Permanence of Crime in The New Dynamics of Violence and Post-Agreement in Colombia

Objective: This study aims to explore the criminal dynamics and socioeconomic implications of extortion, specifically the "vacuna" (protection payment) phenomenon, in Colombia. It seeks to understand how this practice contributes to the persistence of crime and violence, and how victims manage and cope with this form of violence. Theoretical Frmework: The literature review is based on the theory of psychological coercion, where the threat and intimidation through force are used as a means of social control, as well as the economics of crime, which proposes that criminality is a rational act aimed at maximizing benefits for offenders. Finally, the theory of the state and security explains how the absence of the state in Colombia allows criminal groups to assume roles of "protection." Method: A qualitative approach was adopted, using semi-structured and unstructured interviews with merchants and business owners in the Department of Santander, Colombia. The study focuses on a narrative approach, allowing victims to express their experiences with extortion. This method aims to capture the diversity of perspectives and coping practices in response to the crime. Results and Discussion: The results reveal that extortion persists as a common practice due to weak state presence and the transformation of criminal actors. It was observed that victims, both individually and collectively, develop diverse strategies to confront extortion. The study also identifies the perpetrators, although in many cases, victims are unable or unwilling to directly point out their aggressors due to fear of reprisals. Research Implications: The findings suggest the need to rethink public policies focused on security and wealth distribution in Colombia. Strengthening state presence in regions most affected by violence and improving protection mechanisms for extortion victims is crucial. Originality/Value: This study provides a detailed and contextualized analysis of a criminal practice that has been underrepresented in academic literature. By focusing on the voices and experiences of the victims, it offers new insights into the dynamics of power and violence in Colombia, highlighting the importance of addressing structural inequalities to mitigate crime and violence.

Sane-heteroprofessionalism and knowledge production: queering and m/Maddening preservice professional programs

ABSTRACT This article theorises the concept of sane-heteroprofessionalism as a regulatory mechanism operating at the intersections of sanism, cis-heteronormativity, and other structural oppressions within pre-service post-secondary education programmes. Building upon existing discussions of heteroprofessionalism, we examine how sane-heteroprofessionalism functions to govern m/Mad, queer, and trans knowledge and subjectivities within these programmes, positioning professionalism as a tool of social control. We advocate for future critical analyses of sane-heteroprofessionalism to explore how notions of professional competency and regulation systematically marginalise queer, m/Mad, and trans perspectives among faculty, students, and instructors in higher education.

Récits de vie d’adolescentes en conflit avec la loi à Dakar (Sénégal) : entre défis et ajustements méthodologiques, quelle réflexivité ?

This article addresses the methodological aspects of my doctoral research on the life course of adolescent girls in conflict with the law and their « delinquent » and judicial experience in the face of social control in the Senegalese context. The inherent challenges and adjustments of any ethnographically inspired qualitative research are examined in relation to the context of the study environment and the adopted posture. In accordance with the requirements of an ethnographic orientation, reflexivity during the immersion and distancing phases of the fieldwork made it possible to ensure a methodological critical feedback on these challenges and adjustments. Moreover, the analyses show that they are strongly linked to ethical considerations. To this end, recommendations are made in particular to research ethics boards.

Busy Ethic: A Validation of a Popular Concept.

The busy ethic for retirement, as proposed by Ekerdt (1986), is a prescriptive norm that esteems an occupied, active lifestyle. This research is a first attempt to measure the busy ethic in a standardized way and apply it to a population-based sample. Objectives are: to examine whether a busy ethic is affirmed by retirees; to test busy ethic endorsement by different segments of the retired population; and to examine whether endorsement is associated with selected activities. We developed a scale measuring the busy ethic for a survey among 1,143 Dutch retirees. We tested two sets of hypotheses about social factors that might explain subscription to a busy norm: a hypothesis about modernization (i.e., individual autonomy from social control) that would reduce busy ethic endorsement and a hypothesis about differential exposure to expectations. Greater consent to the busy ethic was associated with circumstances that enable active lifestyles (perceived income adequacy, self-reported health), that raise one's social value (education), and that entail more social connectedness (religious service attendance). Busy ethic agreement was positively associated with engagement in paid work, productive social activities, and group recreation. We found substantial endorsement of the importance of activity for oneself and others. The idealization of a busy retirement as a good retirement may be a seeming way for retirees to defer old age. At the same time, a prescriptive norm of activation may put strain on older adults who are less capable of conforming.

State of exception, neoliberalism, and militarization of public security in Brazil

Brazil has historically employed a militarized strategy for public security, using violence as a means of social control over subordinate groups and repressing social and labor movements. The involvement of military personnel and state police in justice administration and politics reflects a distortion within the Brazilian state, which the 1988 Federal Constitution did not alleviate. Instead, since re-democratization, militarization has shifted from being an extraordinary measure to becoming the norm, representing an expansion of the state of exception. This trend has culminated in the military’s return to the political scene and the presidency. This article examines the complex relationship between the militarization of public security and the recent trend of radicalization in far-right political positions. The analysis centers on the theoretical debate regarding the relationship between a state of exception and neoliberalism. The research hypothesis posits a convergence between the militarization of politics, a state of exception, and state violence, which collectively impose limits on the rights enshrined in the country’s legal system.

Determinants of Nyumba Kumi Community Policing Initiative on Maintenance of Law and Order in Migori County, Kenya

Purpose: The study sought to determine the key factors influencing the success or failure of the Nyumba Kumi initiative in maintaining law and order within Suna West Sub-County, Migori County, Kenya. More specifically, it set out to explore how community awareness, collaboration with law enforcers, technology in use, and information sharing influence the success of this community policing endeavor. The study further points out difficulties inhibiting the success of this initiative, such as frayed relations between the community and police force, mistrust, and issues related to personal vendettas, which have undermined the initiative's goal of reducing insecurity. Methodology: This study utilized a descriptive cross-sectional research type to investigate the extent to which selected associated factors affected the implementation of the Nyumba Kumi initiative in Suna West Sub-County. Local community members, Nyumba Kumi leaders, and local administration officials were interviewed using structured questionnaires. A total sample of 210 respondents was represented from all key stakeholder groups using a stratified random sampling technique. Statistical analyses were performed to summarize variables of interest with the help of descriptive statistics like means, and standard deviations (SD) using SPSS version 26. The study also used inferential statistics (Pearson product-moment correlation) to examine the relationships between variables. Findings were tabulated and graphically displayed for trends and comparisons between indicators. Findings: The study achieved a high response rate, highlighting strong positive relationships between the maintenance of law and order and several key factors. Significant associations were found with community awareness (r = 0.759, p < 0.001), collaboration with law enforcement (r = 0.793, p < 0.001), technology use (r = 0.450, p < 0.001), and information sharing (r = 0.673, p < 0.001), all of which contributed to enhanced security in Suna West sub-county, Migori County. These findings indicate that the Nyumba Kumi initiative thrives on increased community awareness, effective collaboration with security agencies, and the integration of technology. Despite challenges such as strained relationships between community members and law enforcement, the initiative has led to reduced crime rates, quicker emergency response times, and more peaceful conflict resolution in the area. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study reinforces key theories related to community policing. It supports Collective Efficacy Theory by demonstrating how communities contribute to law and order through informal support and social control. It also bolsters Social Cohesion Theory, emphasizing the significance of strong social bonds for effective community policing. Furthermore, it validates social cognitive theory by illustrating how observational learning and social interactions influence community behavior in security initiatives. From a practical standpoint, the study recommends enhancing community training, fostering collaboration with law enforcement, integrating technologies such as mobile applications and GIS, and improving information sharing. These strategies serve as a practical framework for strengthening grassroots security efforts and enhancing the effectiveness of community policing within the Nyumba Kumi initiatives. Additionally, the study offers valuable policy recommendations that advocate for supporting community training, encouraging collaboration with law enforcement, promoting technology use, and enhancing information sharing. Implementing these policies would significantly improve community policing outcomes by facilitating better cooperation between communities and law enforcement agencies.

Public good, mindful bodies and human rights: a narrative investigation of the health-related experiences of unhoused adults confined in the Strandfontein Camp during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Cape Town, South Africa

ABSTRACT This paper explores unhoused people’s health-related experiences and perceptions of the implementation of the City of Cape Town’s COVID-19 policy involving the movement of people to the “Strandfontein Camp”, undertaken during the South African lockdown from March to April 2020. This policy was intended to serve as a public health measure to protect people from the spread of the virus. It ultimately resulted in the forced relocation of about 1600 people experiencing homelessness in the city to a temporary camp. A qualitative exploratory study design and the theoretical framework of the “three bodies” of the anthropologists Scheper-Hughes and Lock guided the study, which explored the perceptions of those who were moved to the Camp. The participants’ narratives about their body-self, the social representations, surveillance and control of their bodies by the City were also central to navigating the complex relationship between public health interventions, human dignity and rights. The findings highlight the importance of revising the approach to shelter for people experiencing homelessness to ensure the implementation of effective and equity-focused health interventions during a global pandemic. The findings also point to the need for more consultative and nuanced public health responses in the future and for pandemic readiness.

Masculinizing plant-based diets as an appeal for dietary change among men

A significant body of research suggests that traditional masculine beliefs act as a barrier to reducing meat consumption and transitioning to a more ethical and sustainable food system. Here, we report a pre-registered experiment examining whether men who eat meat are more open to adopting plant-based diets when these diets are associated with traditional models of masculinity. A total of 1069 men who eat meat were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: a social media post with a plant-based meal featuring a male entrepreneur or a male bodybuilder (two experimental conditions), a social media post with a plant-based meal without a masculine model (social media post control condition), or a condition without any stimuli (no-information control condition). Both the entrepreneur and the bodybuilder were perceived as highly masculine, but these experimental conditions did not significantly affect participants’ perceived fit between plant-based eating and masculinity, nor did they affect tendencies to justify eating meat as necessary, attitudes toward plant-based diets, or willingness to adopt a plant-based diet. Nevertheless, the results supported previous research findings indicating that men who strongly identify as meat-eaters and those who consume more meat tend to perceive themselves as more masculine, feel more pressure from societal expectations to eat meat, justify meat-eating more strongly, view plant-based diets as less masculine, and are more negative about and less willing to adopt plant-based diets. Our findings raise questions about the “masculinization” of plant-based diets as a strategy for promoting dietary change among men.

Using social media small-group communication to promote the marketing skills of art entrepreneurs

This study examined the impact of social media-supported small-group communication on the marketing skills of art entrepreneurs. The design that was used in this study was quasi-experimental. A total of 271 art entrepreneurs were sampled for the study and grouped into three social media ( n = 90), face-to-face ( n = 90) and control group ( n = 91). A structured questionnaire was used for the collection of data for the study, while data were analysed using multiple analyses of variance. The study showed that small group communication was effective in improving the marketing skills of art entrepreneurs in the areas of social media marketing, content management, data analysis, mobile advertising, design, video marketing, project management, creativity, interpersonal skills, leadership, time management, problem-solving, critical thinking and communication skills. The study also found that small-group communication on social media can be as effective as face-to-face small-group communication. Improving marketing skills also improves business performance in areas such as sales, return on investment, and net profit. Finally, art entrepreneurs in the social media-supported group had higher scores in satisfaction, convenience and quality of communication than their counterparts in face-to-face communication. This study has shown that social media-supported small-group communication is cost-effective in promoting the acquisition of marketing skills among art entrepreneurs.

Introduction to the special issue: social work and social control

Introduction to the special issue: social work and social control

Agonizing Pancasila: Indonesia’s state ideology and post-foundational political thought

ABSTRACT This article explores the implications of Indonesia’s official state ideology, Pancasila, and its articulations in contemporary Indonesia from the perspective of ‘post-foundational’ agonistic theories of democracy. A set of five precepts created by Soekarno, the nationalist leader and founding president of Indonesia, Pancasila was integral to strategies of social control during the authoritarian ‘New Order’ regime of Soeharto and continues to function in Indonesia as a potent empty signifier, well over two decades after the fall of that regime in the Reformasi of 1998. By engaging with domestic scholarly and political discourses of Pancasila and Pancasila democracy from the agonistic perspective on democracy shaped by theorists such as Étienne Balibar, Chantal Mouffe, and Jacques Rancière, this article points to the tension between the aspiration of the advocates of Pancasila to present Pancasila as democratic and their commitment to seeing Pancasila as an embodiment of traditional culture and values that is essential to the consistency of Indonesian national identity. The relation between the two terms that constitute ‘Pancasila democracy’ is further complicated by the tendency of contemporary proponents of Pancasila to attempt to ‘immunize’ the state ideology from the possibility of interruption and contestation.

Promoters as social controls to facilitate knowledge sharing, conflict management and innovation project portfolio performance

Organizational control theory emphasizes aligning members' actions with organizational goals through formal and social controls. In innovation management, formal controls like project management or stage‐gate processes are limited to measurable and standardized areas. For situations that are complex, unpredictable and highly idiosyncratic, social controls need to be applied for alignment. Knowledge sharing and competitive conflicts are two such innovation‐related phenomena that elude formal control and instead need social controls for alignment. In this research, we propose that promoters—individuals who actively support innovation—serve as social control agents. While previous research has shown the positive effect of single promoters on individual innovation project success, we propose a comprehensive implementation of all four promoter roles, and we test their joint effect on the intermediate outcomes of knowledge sharing and competitive conflict management facilitating innovation project portfolio performance. Drawing on cross‐industry data of 125 firms collected from 986 employees, this article provides empirical evidence that comprehensive implementation of all four promoter roles enhances knowledge sharing and reduces competitive conflicts, thereby improving innovation project portfolio performance. The research reframes promoters as social control agents, emphasizing their collective necessity for managing complex organizational issues and contributing to overall project success.

The role of law in social control

The role of law in social control