Social Discrimination Research Articles

Social action practices and perception by organizational stakeholders

The goal of this paper was to study the perception of social actions practiced by companies located in Nova Andradina-MS, more precisely to identify if people perceive the social actions practiced by companies. In order to achieve the goal, it was bibliographically explored about Social Responsibility, socially responsible companies and social actions practiced by socially responsible companies. Methodologically, it is a descriptive research regarding the goal and a survey regarding the technical procedures. The applied survey reached 52 respondents. The researched data aimed to understand the perception of the impacts considering the aspects of quality of life, child labor, social discrimination, working conditions and people with disabilities. The analysis showed that the social actions practiced by the companies are basically related to the practice of training, lectures, courses, internal orientations and in relation to child labor the Guardian Angel project. It ended by indicating the dissemination of its social actions and suggesting actions that can be practiced by regional organizations.

Retooling Career Systems to Fight Workplace Bias: Evidence from U.S. Corporations

Abstract The civil rights movement spurred U.S. companies and universities to implement antidiscrimination programs. Beginning in the early 1960s, employers adopted anti bias training as their first line of defense against bigotry. Even then, there was substantial evidence that this approach was unlikely to lessen bias. In this essay, we discuss social science research on the effects of antibias training, as well as research on systemic approaches to reducing institutional discrimination based on insights from contact theory. As sociologist Samuel Stouffer and psychologist Gordon Allport, the progenitors of contact theory, might have predicted by the end of World War II, we find that interventions to change career systems to maximize intergroup contact can promote workplace equity.

Inter-Religious Social Prejudice among Indonesian Muslim Students

Indonesia is a nation marked by extensive diversity encompassing a myriad of languages, ethnicities, and religious affiliations. While some studies support the positive implications associated with this diversity, others argue that it harbors the potential for social discord, particularly within distinct religious communities. This research aims to scrutinize the dynamics of mature religious sentiment and Islamic knowledge concerning Muslim-Christian relations, specifically exploring their impact on social prejudice among Muslim students, who constitute the majority and hold prejudicial views towards Christians. The investigation was conducted among Muslim students aged 18-22 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia (N = 254). Employing the structural equation model (SEM) technique for analysis, the findings reveal that mature religious sentiment exerts a direct influence on social prejudice, both independently and mediated through the agreeableness trait. Additionally, Islamic knowledge pertaining to the Muslim-Christian relationship directly influences social prejudice without the intermediary of agreeableness.

A Revelation of Life-Experiences in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's Waiting for a Visa

This article endeavours critically to analyse and evaluate the life experiences of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in his autobiography, Waiting for a Visa. A literary autobiography is truly a full and actual portrayal of the truthful incidents, pains, pleasures, actions, achievements, successes and failures of a protagonist's life. It is genuinely a life story of a great person authored by himself or herself. Ambedkar's autobiography entitled Waiting for a Visa presents justifiably a true story of the experiences, observations, sufferings and struggles of the character hero’s life and gives authentically a deep insight into the inner-outer personality and public life of Ambedkar and his contemporaries. Apart from introducing a detailed description of his life the autobiographer, Ambedkar, reveals actually an abridged account of his life- experiences and observations that are much more significant and relevant to the modern world than merely introducing dates and events of his life. Ambedkar is popularly known as the father of Indian constitution and is immensely honored as one of the most intellectual personalities ever born in Indian society. This study evaluates objectively that Ambedkar's autobiography, Waiting for a Visa contains continuously historical, cultural and intellectual significance in the moral evolution of several communities of Indian life. It reveals dispassionately the literary relevance of the major issues that the autobiographer raised fearlessly through his bitters experiences of evil practice of untouchability in Indian national life. The narrated conflict in the autobiography is wholly a literary device that stands for a struggle between the two conflicting forces. One represents moral language, conduct and dignity while the other represents immoral language, conduct and evil practice of untouchability. The conflict plays a vital role of struggle that creates crucial hardships in this life story of Ambedkar and is used to move the autobiography forward. In Waiting for a Visa Ambedkar tirelessly struggles for his education, water, food, shelter and safety. It is exceptionally appreciable and inspirational. With the help of moral and humanitarian values like meekness, kindness, courage and patience Ambedkar endeavors powerfully to overcome the immoral thinking, attitude of the Hundus who were responsible for this injustice. He fought bravely against conservative tradition, custom, false belief, superstitions, social discrimination and immoral people who made Dalit people deprived of their basic and existential rights and due dignity on the ground of the hierarchical system in Indian national life. He uses technically the first person pronoun such as I, me, my, we, us, our.

Breaking the binary: self-narratives of young people in Italy

ABSTRACT This paper explores the self-narratives of young nonbinary individuals in Italy, shedding light on the challenges they face, thereby contributing to a nuanced understanding of these phenomena and their societal implications. In pursuit of this research goal, an exploratory study was conducted between July and September 2021, involving in-depth interviews with 26 young adults aged between 18 and 30 who identify as non-binary. The qualitative data gathered was analyzed using a reflexive thematic method. The findings reveal specific forms of social unease and discrimination experienced by nonbinary individuals, with primary stressors including a lack of recognition, limited knowledge on the subject and a dearth of socio-cultural visibility. These stressors manifest in varying degrees of discomfort, shaping daily life and interpersonal relationships. At the same time, participants’ narratives underscore a strong desire for societal change and inclusivity. Some nonbinary individuals express determination to challenge and redefine societal norms related to gender identity, emphasizing the importance of education and awareness for fostering understanding and acceptance. Following the thematic analysis, the article concludes with critical reflections and potential policy recommendations to create a more inclusive environment for all sexual and gender identities in Italy.

Unpacking LGBT+ hate crimes discourse in Italy: between symbolic recognition and claims for sexual citizenship

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to provide a critical account of the hate crime (HC) paradigm by exploring its historical legal definition and the limitations in addressing the multiple and structural discriminations faced by minority groups. Specifically, the article focuses on the case of Italy, where in recent years a fierce debate over a proposed law on HC against LGBT+ and disabled people ended in its rejection due to neoconservative and Catholic opposition.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on critical socio-criminological literature on HC, the paper analyses the Italian debates and socio-legal context over the past two decades regarding discrimination against LGBT+ groups and its (lack of) criminalization. It also provides a secondary analysis of recent data on violence and discrimination against LGBT+ people, collected by the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA).FindingsThe analysis of the debate and the data collected shows that the criminal definition of HC is insufficient to capture the wider range of social and cultural violence and discrimination against LGBT+ people. Indeed, data analysis shows the effect of the low level of recognition of rights on the propensity of people to denounce and of social practitioners to recognize, discrimination and violence against LGBT+ people. It is therefore argued that the discussion on HC should move beyond the criminalization of individual violence to be entrenched in a broader reflection over the lack of recognition of sexual citizenship rights which perpetuates the vulnerability of LGBT+ people.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the international socio-criminological debate on HC. It argues for a comprehensive framework that recognizes the structural nature of discrimination and violence against vulnerable groups by framing discrimination and violence against LGBT+ people as a citizenship right rather than a criminal justice issue.

Sex-specific modulation of early life vocalization and cognition by Fmr1 gene dosage in a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome

BackgroundPup-dam ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) are essential to cognitive and socio-emotional development. In autism and Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), disruptions in pup-dam USV communication hint at a possible connection between abnormal early developmental USV communication and the later emergence of communication and social deficits.MethodsHere, we gathered USVs from PND 10 FXS pups during a short period of separation from their mothers, encompassing animals of all possible genotypes and both sexes (i.e., Fmr1-/y vs. Fmr1+/y males and Fmr1+/+, +/-, and -/- females). This allowed comparing the influence of sex and gene dosage on pups’ communication capabilities. Leveraging DeepSqueak and analyzing vocal patterns, intricate vocal behaviors such as call structure, duration, frequency modulation, and temporal patterns were examined. Furthermore, homing behavior was assessed as a sensitive indicator of early cognitive development and social discrimination. This behavior relies on the use of olfactory and thermal cues to navigate and search for the maternal or nest odor in the surrounding space.ResultsThe results show that FMRP-deficient pups of both sexes display an increased inclination to vocalize when separated from their mothers, and this behavior is accompanied by significant sex-specific changes in the main features of their USVs as well as in body weight. Analysis of the vocal repertoire and syntactic usage revealed that Fmr1 gene silencing primarily alters the USVs’ qualitative composition in males. Moreover, sex-specific effects of Fmr1 silencing on locomotor activity and homing behavior were observed. FMRP deficiency in females increased activity, reduced nest-reaching time, and extended nest time. In males, it prolonged nest-reaching time and reduced nest time without affecting locomotion.ConclusionsThese findings highlight the interplay between Fmr1 gene dosage and sex in influencing communicative and cognitive skills during infancy.

Ethical Considerations in AI: Navigating the Complexities of Bias and Accountability

Ethical considerations in artificial intelligence (AI) have become increasingly crucial as AI technologies permeate various aspects of society. This paper delves into the complexities surrounding bias and accountability in AI systems. Bias in AI algorithms can perpetuate societal inequalities and discrimination, while accountability gaps raise concerns about the responsible use of AI and potential legal liabilities. By exploring these issues, this paper aims to shed light on the ethical challenges inherent in AI development and deployment, offering insights into how stakeholders can navigate these complexities to foster more equitable and responsible AI applications.

Child sexual abuse/exploitation and LGBTQI+ children: Context, links, vulnerabilities, gaps, challenges and priorities

Child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) is a pervasive issue affecting children globally, cutting across socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural lines. While much research has historically emphasized the victimization of girls, emerging studies highlight the vulnerability of boys and underscore the neglected intersections of CSEA with LGBTQI​+ ​statuses. LGBTQI​+ ​youth are particularly susceptible to CSEA due to societal discrimination, stigmatization, and biases stemming from socio-cultural, religious, and family contexts. Notably, transgender children and youth face exacerbated risks, marked by alarming rates of stigma, violence, and discrimination, often termed transphobia. From an examination of the academic, evidence-based literature, this discussion paper sheds light on harmful cultural practices (such as the ‘dancing boys’ of South Asia who may exhibit feminine characteristics and are frequently exposed to the risk of sexual violence); myths (surrounding homosexuality); religious doctrines (which generally approach these issues within a discourse of morality and sin); and socio-ecological factors that collectively increase the risk of CSEA for LGBTQI​+ ​children - with a focus on the developing world. Furthermore, while the socio-ecological and resilience frameworks offer promising avenues for understanding and addressing these vulnerabilities, glaring data gaps persist, especially beyond developed countries. The paper concludes with identifying the compelling need for robust research and a comprehensive understanding of how CSEA impacts LGBTQI​+ ​children worldwide, which can guide targeted interventions and support.

Ambiguous Selves: Examining Psychological Repercussions of Human Cloning in Mildred Ames's Anna to the Infinite Power

Artificially created human beings are speculated to grapple with psychological struggles, including identity crisis, existential angst, societal discrimination, and complicated family dynamics resulting from their unorthodox genealogy, which is portrayed in posthuman narratives that feature genetically diversified society that integrates artificially created human beings with sexually reproduced individuals. Apart from cloning humans for procreation, the concept of cloning a historical figure who could make tremendous contributions to the world has intrigued the proponents of cloning. In a hypothetical space where cloning achieves rampant societal acceptance, addressing the moral, ethical, and legal rights of the clones becomes paramount to preserving the sanctity of human life. This article conducts a bioethical analysis of the possible psychological repercussions of human cloning that culminate into complexities in identity formation, individuation and family dynamics among human clones in Mildred Ames's Anna to the Infinite Power.

The Shaheen Bagh Strike: Muslim Women and Political Protest in Contemporary India

The Shaheen Bagh protest in New Delhi highlighted the changing dynamics of Muslim women’s participation in socio-political movements in India. This paper argues how Muslim women proved themselves to be concerned citizens while protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (2019) and other forms of social discrimination. The paper analyses the Shaheen Bagh protest from an intersectional perspective to understand how Muslim women voiced their political opinions negotiating with gender and religion-based discrimination; they had to fight the multiple forms of patriarchy of Indian society while protesting against hypermasculine Hindutva politics. The Shaheen Bagh protest can be called a feminist strike of Third World women for the rights of their religious community in a particular socio-political context.

Gender and diversity competence in sport studies programs in higher education

Introduction Inclusion and diversity have become increasingly important in the context of sport in recent years. Numerous sports organizations and sports policymakers are committed to enable more inclusive sport. Led by the idea of a sport for all, everyone should be able to participate in sport regardless of gender, sexuality, dis_ability, race, or class. Inclusive sport does not only require specific structural conditions. It also demands social actors who have the skills to deal with the challenges of social diversity in an open, appreciative, and innovative way. Coaches, officials, teachers, journalists, and economists working in the field of sport need to be familiar with the topics of gender equity, diversity, and inclusion. This is where the project “Understanding and Experiencing Diversity” (funded by the Swiss Federal Office for Sport) comes in. It aims to develop and test a concept for promoting gender and diversity competence in sport-related higher education, thus enabling social actors to shape sport in a diversity-conscious and inclusive way. Methods The project is being carried out over a period of three years and consists of four project phases. After a phase of conceptual clarification regarding the theoretical framework and terminology, current approaches to gender and diversity competence (in the sport studies context) are being critically analysed. Against this background, phases three and four of the project will focus on the development of a sport-related teaching concept for gender and diversity competence and its testing at three different universities. Results/Discussion The understanding of gender and diversity competence developed in this project is theoretically based on the “trilemma of Inclusion” by Boger (2019). It thus refers to inclusion and non-discrimination as a complex structure of normalization, deconstruction, and empowerment. This is also linked to an intersectional perspective on social differentiation and discrimination (Degele & Winker, 2011). Regarding the promotion of gender and diversity competence in higher education, the attitude of social actors towards diversity and inclusion proves to be particularly important. This aspect has not yet been systematically considered in the context of sport-related higher education in German-speaking countries. The teaching concept developed in this project therefore emphasizes the aspect of attitude (Rischke et al., 2017).

Dialectical Study of Class Division in Harper Lee’s to Kill a Mockingbird

This study employs Marxist analysis to the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, focusing on the portrayal of class divide within the story. The examination of social stratification is a prominent subject in Marxism, and Marx himself asserts in the Communist Manifesto that the progression of all societies throughout history is characterized by conflicts between different social classes (Marx & Engels, 1969). Marxism is a prominent literary criticism theory that examines issues such as injustice, exploitation, class separation, and alienation. Marxism posits that the primary purpose of literature is to foster class consciousness and incite a revolution among the working class (Beteillie, 2007). The study is characterized by its qualitative nature and employs an interpretive methodology. The story is analyzed using a dialectical approach, revealing that class separation serves as the fundamental source of injustice, social discrimination, and exploitation. The study demonstrates that American society was fragmented based on both social class and race. In America, race not only served as a means of categorization but also contributed to the split between the privileged upper class and the economically disadvantaged and marginalized class.

Physical Distancing for Gay Men from People Living with HIV During the COVID-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT The fear of COVID-19 can exacerbate social stigma and prejudice against individuals living with HIV (PLWH). This research delved into the behaviors of MSM (men who have sex with men) who practice physical-distancing from PLWH. Data from 878 respondents were collected through a web survey conducted on Korea’s largest LGBT portal site over one month in July 2022. The study examined various independent variables encompassing socioeconomic characteristics, health status, media consumption habits, and homosexual attributes of MSM. The dependent variable assessed was the extent of physical-distancing perceived by MSMs without HIV toward PLWH. The statistical analysis employed nested regression models. In Model I, it was observed that physical-distancing from PLWH decreased as the age and education level of the respondent increased. In Model II, a decrease in physical-distancing was noted among respondents with underlying health conditions. Model III indicated that increased use of traditional media corresponded to greater physical-distancing from PLWH. Lastly, Model IV revealed a reduction in physical-distancing when the respondent was themselves a person living with HIV. This study underscores the existence of physical-distancing toward PLWH within the gay community. Consequently, fostering solidarity and providing support becomes imperative to prevent the isolation of PLWH within this community.

Experimental testing of three categorization‐based interventions to reduce prejudice and discrimination against the unvaccinated in the aftermath of COVID‐19

AbstractFor many people, COVID‐19 vaccination now informs social identity, triggering prejudice and discrimination toward those with a different vaccination status. As this may jeopardize social cohesion, we investigated the effects of three brief, theory‐informed interventions for reducing ingroup bias in a preregistered experimental intervention study in Germany, assigning vaccinated participants (N = 2016) to one of four conditions: crossed categorization (emphasizing commonalities between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals), recategorization (framing vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals as members of a superordinate ingroup), counter‐stereotypic categorization (encouraging participants to think about mismatched stereotypes), or a control condition (no intervention). As compared to the control condition, crossed categorization and counter‐stereotypic categorization were found to reduce (evaluative) ingroup bias but the observed effects were weak and mostly diminished when controlling for demographic characteristics and vaccination status identification. Overall, the results indicate that none of the three interventions substantially reduced prejudice and discrimination toward the unvaccinated.

Socio-cultural Challenges Faced by People with Physical Disabilities

This qualitative study explores the challenges and the problems faced by people with physical disabilities in Nepal's cultural and social systems. In-depth interviews were conducted with eighteen participants living with physical disabilities in Kathmandu. Findings reveal significant challenges arising from exclusive social traditions, discrimination based on physical impairments, inaccessible infrastructure, and prejudiced social practices. These challenges hinder educational and employment opportunities, exacerbating vulnerability and exclusion from the mainstream socio-cultural system. The study also highlights limitations in government policies and programs, with poor implementation and cumbersome procedures leading to inadequate benefits for people with disabilities. Prejudiced social practices, discrimination, and inaccessible infrastructure further impede day-to-day activities, education, and employment, deepening vulnerability and marginalization. Institutional barriers within Nepali socio-cultural practices perpetuate the labeling of individuals with disabilities as incompetent and deficient, marginalizing their inclusion in social and cultural systems. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive interventions promoting inclusivity and accessibility.

Lived experiences of refugee women with vaginal fistula in Nakivale and Oruchinga refugee settlements, Isingiro District, Uganda

BackgroundVaginal fistula (VF) affects 2–3 million women globally, with the majority in Africa. In Uganda, it’s 2%, with western Uganda having the highest prevalence. Major predisposing factors for refugee women include health system breakdowns and sexual violence during conflict. VF has severe consequences for women, relatives, and communities. There’s limited information on lived experiences among refugee women with VF, and there’s a need for quality prevention, treatment, and social reintegration strategies. This study aimed to understand the physical, psychosocial, and economic impacts of VF on refugee women in Nakivale and Oruchinga settlements and their coping mechanisms.MethodsTen refugee women with VF were interviewed using qualitative study design, utilizing Social-Ecological and Transactional Models for data collection, analysis, and discussion.ResultsTen refugee women aged 24–50 years with or who had experienced VF participated in the study. They lived with VF for at least 2–15 years and had multiple stillbirths. Obstetric Fistula (OF) was the leading cause, followed by rape and cancer. Post-fistula, they faced social discrimination, emotional disturbances, survival difficulties, poverty, and lack of support. They struggled with stigma, social isolation, and marital sexual challenges.ConclusionRefugee women experience physical, emotional, financial, social, and sexual trauma due to VF. Discrimination and stigmatization from loved ones and society lead to isolation, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Despite successful repair, their social and emotional healing remains a burden for their lives. There is a need to provide a supportive environment for VF survivors.

Race, Caste and Christian Ethics: A Decolonial Proposal

Christian ethical imagination was always tempered by various social prejudices prevalent in local contexts. Particularly during modernity and subsequently through colonial expansion, the role of race and caste became central to the expansion of Christianity through missionary activity. A closer scrutiny of colonial missionary Christianity clearly suggests the significance of racialised worldview shaping theological and ethical paradigms. In particular contexts, such racialised imagination underpinned and gave credence to other forms of social prejudices, such as caste in South Asia. Through a post-colonial lens, I examine the role of race and caste in shaping Christian ethical frameworks and articulate the rationale for ‘decolonising’ the modern foundations of Christian ethics in pursuit of racial justice in our contemporary society.

Social class discrimination during adolescence as a mediator of socioeconomic disparities in actigraphy-assessed and self-reported sleep

Social class discrimination during adolescence as a mediator of socioeconomic disparities in actigraphy-assessed and self-reported sleep

학교부적응 다문화청소년의 심리적 지원방안

The purpose of this study is to establish a policy for psychological support measures for multicultural youth by identifying the factors of school maladjustment of adolescents from multicultural families. As children from multicultural families enter school age, they suffer from mental difficulties such as depression and anxiety due to language, cultural differences, and social discrimination, leading to school maladjustment due to low self-esteem and interpersonal avoidance. Multicultural youth's school maladjustment is a very important part of Korean society and can develop into a social problem later, and multicultural youth's psychological support can play an important role in preventing and solving school maladjustment problems for various psychological reasons, such as family conflicts due to different values and cultural discrimination, and the formation of relationships with peers. Furthermore, it is important to create an environment to promote self-esteem and grow healthy with a positive self-image of multicultural youth, and to present policies for psychological support measures to solve school maladjustment problems in cooperation with families, educational institutions, and local communities.