Social Institutions Research Articles

Legal Study on the Rejection of Land Deed Officials Against Deeds of Sale and Purchase of Land Rights for the Community in Jayapura Regency

The rejection of Land Deed Officials against deeds of sale and purchase of land rights for the community in Jayapura Regency still often occurs today. This study aims to determine the application of Article 39 paragraph (1) of Government Regulation Number 24 of 1997 and determine the factors that cause Land Deed Officials to refuse to make deeds of sale and purchase for the community in Jayapura Regency. The method used in this study is normative and empirical juridical, which refers to laws, literature, written regulations, or other secondary legal materials and identifies and conceptualizes law as a fundamental social institution in a real-life system. The results of this study reveal that the implementation of Article 39 paragraph (1) of Government Regulation Number 24 of 1997 concerning Land Registration has been carried out adequately based on applicable laws and regulations, not all candidates who want to make a deed of sale and purchase are accepted by the Land Deed Making Officer because the PPAT checks the truth first, both physically and legally, whether or not the files brought by the parties are correct so as not to violate applicable laws and regulations and prevent disputes from occurring in the future. Meanwhile, the factors that cause PPATs to refuse to make deeds of sale and purchase for the community in Jayapura Regency are still based on the applicable laws and regulations, especially in Article 39 paragraph (1) of Government Regulation Number 24 of 1997 concerning Land Registration, namely, among other things, the parties who wish to carry out a sale and purchase transaction before the PPAT do not submit the original Certificate of land rights or sometimes the Certificate submitted does not match the lists at the Land Office, regarding land plots that have not been registered, they are not given proof of rights as referred to in Article 24 paragraph (1) of PP 24/1997 or a statement from the Village/Sub-district Head stating that the person concerned controls the land plot.

Transgender History, Part I: An Anthropology of Gender-Nonconformity Across Ages and Cultures.

Transgender experiences have been attested since the dawn of civilization. Long before gender was reinterpreted as socially constructed and non-binary by 20th-century Western scholarship, concepts such as not belonging to the gender assigned at birth, transitioning, and being "neither a man nor a woman" integrated the belief systems and practices of various societies worldwide. This review examines anthropological and historical records of trans, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming behavior spanning six continents and five millennia. Moreover, we investigate how trans experiences interact with local traditions, family structures, laws, religions, and other social institutions. Finally, we explore trans-inclusive historiographical trends and discuss the relevance of transgender history awareness for professional and academic endeavors beyond the social sciences.

Murle Youth and the Iconography of Modernity Inscribed on the Body in South Sudan

ABSTRACT This article offers a novel perspective into how Murle agro-pastoralist youth in South Sudan draw on permanent body marks (also known as scarifications or body inscriptions) to communicate their individual and collective stories and future aspirations; negotiate identities and generational relations; and reimagine social norms and political subjectivities. Based on long-term ethnographic research and through a visual analysis of body marks, the article explores the meanings behind young people’s body mark iconography, including assault rifles and army ranks, to mobile phones, syringes and United Nations acronyms. Body marks are a powerful embodied knowledge practice and unique lens to understand people as well as how social institutions like the age-sets are transforming. In particular, this article explores the insights that body mark iconography reveal about how Murle rural youth interpret and imagine “modernity”, as read through young people’s bodies, as a culturally situated phenomenon. It reveals how young people’s interpretations of modernity are tied to an urban and military culture that, in their eyes, is synonymous with power. While youth may be aware of the global connotations of their body marks, these are localised practices and claims for validation and pathways to social personhood within their own social world.

Empowering visually impaired individuals: The transformative roles of education, technology, and social connections in fostering resilience and well-being

People with visual impairments often navigate a complex landscape of societal barriers and marginalization, impacting their well-being and participation in various life domains. This qualitative study, employing semi-structured interviews with 16 visually impaired people, explored the multifaceted factors that contribute to their resilience and ability to lead fulfilling lives. The findings highlight the interplay of three key elements, namely, education, technology, and social connections. Participants identified education as a transformative tool for overcoming challenges and pursuing personal and professional goals and technology as a crucial enabler of independence, access to information, and communication. Strong social connections, particularly with family and friends, provide vital emotional support, motivation, and a sense of belonging, fostering resilience and promoting mental well-being. The study also underscores the importance of accessibility, inclusivity, and acceptance in maximizing the impact of these factors. Participants emphasized the need for accessible educational resources, inclusive environments, and affordable and accessible technological solutions. In addition, fostering sensitivity and understanding within social institutions and communities has emerged as crucial for promoting genuine acceptance and dismantling discriminatory practices. This research contributes to the understanding of resilience and well-being among individuals with visual impairments by highlighting the interconnectedness of individual agency, supportive environments, and societal attitudes. By advocating for inclusive education, accessible technology, and a culture of acceptance, they can be empowered to build meaningful lives and contribute fully to society.

Принципы построения системы органов государственной власти с учетом политических рисков

The aim of this article is to examine the principles of building a system of state authorities taking into account political risks. Currently, there is a discernible interconnection between domestic and foreign policy, as well as an understanding of the overall picture of the world in the public consciousness of the country’s citizens. The author notes that, for state bodies, the category of risks can generate security threats. Ensuring state and public security requires the formation and effective functioning of special mechanisms of strategic management. It is observed that the effectiveness of state authorities in managing political risks is determined by a multitude of factors and varies depending on the structure and condition of the socio-political system. A contradiction is identified between the established political system and the economic form of state organization, as well as the influence of social institutions on the formation of political risks during the implementation of decisions made by state authorities. The laws of development in the dialectical paradigm of the world order and as part of the theory of confrontation are determined by the goals, economic potentials, technological development in the realization of plans, as well as the attitude of the world community. The author concludes that the principles of political decision-making should be grounded in the laws of dialectics – laws of development that do not con-tradict the natural course of global processes and promote the advancement of state power institutions.

Influence of Fluid Intake on Biophysical Properties of the Stratum Corneum in Elderly Individuals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: Water plays a crucial role in human health. Inadequate water intake can lead to various health issues, particularly dehydration in the elderly. The skin, constituting approximately 30.0% of the body’s surface area, is essential in preventing dehydration, and water contributes significantly to its resilience, elasticity, and durability. This study aimed to establish a definitive relationship between fluid intake and various biophysical properties of the stratum corneum in elderly Individuals. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on individuals aged 65–80 years at the Elderly Social Institution Tresna Budi Mulia 3 in Jakarta, between April and August 2023. Correlation analysis (Pearson and Spearman tests) was used to evaluate relationships between variables, and non-parametric tests (Mann–Whitney and Friedman tests) were used to assess differences. Fluid intake was assessed over 7 days. On the 8th day, the hydration status of the stratum corneum was evaluated by examining their urine concentration, skin dryness through subjective symptoms, skin water loss based on the rate of water evaporation from the skin, and skin capacitance (SCap) according to the skin’s ability to retain moisture. Results: The study involved 67 subjects with a median age of 70 years. Multiple regression analysis showed that fluid intake significantly predicted the specified symptom sum score (SRRC) (coefficient = −9.15 × 10⁻5, P = 0.001), urine specific gravity (coefficient = −0.01, P = 0.016), and SCap (coefficient = 0.005, P = 0.022). Additionally, a statistically significant weak negative correlation was found between fluid intake and hydration status (P < 0.0001) and between fluid intake and SRRC (P < 0.0001). However, no significant correlation was observed between fluid intake and transepidermal water loss (P = 0.613) or SCap (P = 0.060). Conclusion: This study highlights the potential role of fluid intake in influencing hydration status among elderly individuals. While fluid intake is significantly associated with certain biophysical properties of the skin, it does not show a consistent correlation with all measures of skin hydration and moisture retention.

Physical violence: crime or cultural protégé?

South Africa has a dark history with regards to the violation of human rights. Sloth-Nielsen "Child Justice" in Boezaart (ed) Child Law in South Africa (2017) 682 states that racialised justice was at the order of the day. Almost 30 years since the dawn of democracy, not enough has changed and the country is currently plagued by a scourge of gender-based violence. The devastating impact of sexual violence on victims is well documented. In Maila v The State [2023] ZASCA 3 the court stated that "sexual violence victims often experience a profound sense of shame, stigma and violation". As recent as 5 April 2022, the Constitutional Court condemned "the horrific reality that this country has for far too long been, and continues to be, plagued by a scourge of gender-based violence to a degree that few countries in the world can compare" (AK v Minister of Police 2022 (11) BCLR 1307 (CC) 1312. See also Maila v The State 11 and Khambule v S [2023] ZAKZPHC 35.) In Petersen v The State [2023] ZASCA 26, a 9-year-old child was violently and brutally raped. After raping her, the appellant had cut the child's throat with a piece of glass. She had, however, already died as result of asphyxiation due to strangulation by the appellant. The second and third counts of rape and murder were committed while he was out on bail for the first offence. In Tshabalala v S; Ntuli v S 2020 (5) SA 1 (CC) 17 the same Court held that "[h]ardly a day passes without any incident of gender-based violence being reported. This scourge has reached alarming proportions. It is sad and a bad reflection of our society that 25 years into our constitutional democracy, underpinned by a Bill of Rights, which places a premium on the right to equality and the right to human dignity, we are still grappling with what is a scourge in our nation". Mkhize and Vilakazi "Rethinking gender and conduits of control: A feminist review" 2021 SAJHR 1 state that "the war on women, their bodies and their right to self-determination persists, irrespective of the Constitution" and that many of South Africa's contemporary social institutions, including culture, normalise forms of gendered violence and the exploitation of women's lives and bodies through cultural practices like ukuthwala. For far too long has physical violence, and gender- based violence in particular, escaped the full might of the penal machinery under the cloak of culture.

Agama Sebagai Institusi Sosial (Tinjauan Literatur Sosiologi Agama)

This study aims to explore the role of religion as a social institution in the context of the study of religious sociology literature. The research methodology applied in this study is qualitative, with an approach based on literature review. The findings of the study indicate that religion functions as a social phenomenon that is inseparable from people's lives, regardless of any level of culture. Religion will continue to maintain its existence in society, because of its fundamental function. Religion can be considered a social institution, considering its existence in society, where religion is an entity that is recognized, understood, obeyed, and respected by the community. The conflicts or tensions that arise due to religion are not caused by religion itself, but by the excessive fanaticism of its adherents or by the extreme changes that occur in their communities.

Neighbourhood Effects Across Generations and the Reproduction of Inequality.

This paper analyses the enduring impact of neighbourhood deprivation on youth development, exploring multigenerational aspects often overlooked in existing research. I investigate how neighbourhood environments experienced across two generations impact youth outcomes, focussing on cognitive skills and socio-emotional behaviour. Using data from the 1958 National Child Development Study in the UK, this study employs a Regression with Residuals (RWR) design to comprehensively assess any long-lasting effects. The results point to an enduring impact of neighbourhood deprivation on both outcomes, revealing that sustained exposure to disadvantage drives persistently different developmental trajectories. I find evidence for a transmission mechanism, indicating that exposure to neighbourhood deprivation during parental own formative years affects their offspring's outcomes, directly and indirectly. While parental formative neighbourhood environments significantly shape cognitive development through mechanisms related to education and income, socio-emotional outcomes are also influenced by the legacy of neighbourhood context across generations. While conventional approaches focus on a single point in time, this study contributes to neighbourhood effects literature by taking a lengthier perspective and acknowledging the protracted and influential role that neighbourhoods as social institutions may play in shaping individual opportunities and inequality dynamics over time.

On the strategy of actions for the implementation of family and demographic policy, support for large families in the Russian Federation until 2036

The year 2024 was declared by the head of state, President of Russia Vladimir Putin, the Year of the Family. The presidential Decree noted that the decision was made with the aim of popularizing state policy in the field of family protection and traditional values. Such significant attention on the part of the country’s leadership to the institution of the family and family values, demographic issues in general, is due to the fact that Russia as a state and Russian society are faced with a number of social problems that threaten many established foundations, values, and the future of the country. As never before in the modern history of Russia, issues of social security are coming to the fore. Real threats loomed over the most important social institution — the family. In our state, the family is protected at the highest constitutional level. Article 38 of the basic law of our country establishes a direct norm — the protection of the family, motherhood and childhood by the State. At the government level, a whole system of indicators has been developed that are subject to constant monitoring in order to ensure the relevance of state policy in the social sphere and its continuous improvement. Much is being done by modern statesmen and politicians in support of the family, motherhood, fatherhood and childhood. This article, which is mainly of a compilation nature, presents the most significant speeches by prominent government and political figures of Russia on family and demographic policy in 2024, and also shows modern directions for the development and further implementation of an Action Strategy for the implementation of family and demographic policy, support for large families in the Russian Federation until 2036.

Ketahanan Ekonomi dalam Kesultanan Utsmaniyah: Pelajaran bagi Krisis Ekonomi Modern

Islamic economic thought during the Ottoman Empire reflects the application of Islamic principles in the management of the state’s economy, with a focus on social welfare, equitable wealth distribution, and the regulation of natural resources. During this period, the economic system applied not only covered financial aspects but also societal welfare through practices such as waqf and zakat. Waqf was used to finance various social institutions such as schools, hospitals, and mosques, while zakat played a role in reducing economic disparities. The Ottoman state also regulated markets and trade to maintain economic stability and prevent exploitation that could harm the public. Islamic economic thought in this era emphasized the state’s role in achieving general welfare through fair and sustainable policies in accordance with Sharia principles. Overall, Islamic economic thought during the Ottoman period serves as a concrete example of an economy based on Islamic values aimed at achieving justice and collective well-being.

Audience Listening as a Path for Public Service Media: The Case of “La Gran Consulta” in Spain

ABSTRACT In an era marked by disinformation and eroding trust in social institutions, public service media (PSM) face significant challenges in audience engagement and redefining their role within the digital media ecosystem. “La Gran Consulta” (LGC) [The Great Consultation] emerges as a groundbreaking initiative by Radio Televisión Española (RTVE) aimed at involving the public in shaping the future of national broadcasting and its digital transformation. This study critically examines LGC as a paradigm of effective audience listening, employing the theoretical framework of the architecture of listening. Through primary data from project outcomes and interviews with key personnel, this paper analyzes the implementation and impact of LGC, offering insights and strategies for similar initiatives across Europe. The findings provide a foundation for a renewed framework and mandate for public television, emphasizing the role of audience participation in fostering trust and enhancing public service media’s relevance in contemporary society.

Putting Yourself on the Line: The Harms of Competition

Competition is a key element in the design of social institutions in contemporary liberal democracies. Competitive procedures for jobs, grants and university admissions can be considered ‘substantially engulfing’ since they provide access to important goods that everyone has reasons to want, such as financial security, the social bases of self-respect and education. While competition can have beneficial outcomes and can be a fair way of selecting meritorious candidates, this paper aims to identify the distinctive moral problems it raises by developing what we call a ‘Harm Account’ of competition. We argue that substantially engulfing competitions predictably lead to three types of harm: (1) substantial psychological and emotional costs; (2) substantial opportunity costs; and (3) estrangement. These harms provide strong pro tanto reasons against organizing substantially engulfing competitions for important goods. The weight of these reasons depends on the stakes and scope of the competition at hand.

Speaking Out: Factors Influencing Black Americans' Engagement in COVID-19 Testing and Research.

Black communities in the United States (U.S.) have faced stark inequalities in COVID-19 outcomes. The underrepresentation of Black participants in COVID-19 testing research is detrimental to the understanding of the burden of the disease as well as the impact of risk factors for disease acquisition among Black Americans. Prior scholarship notes that the reluctance to engage in medical research among Black people is, in part, due to the exploitation and abuse this community has seen from the medical field and other social institutions. To better understand the barriers and motivations for COVID-19 testing among Black Americans, this study utilized intersectionality as methodological and theoretical frameworks to examine and investigate the barriers and motivations influencing participation in COVID-19 serosurveys (blood test and interview) among the metro-Atlanta Black communities. From May to October 2021, we took a community-based participatory research approach and conducted 52 semi-structured interviews to uncover different Black communities' feelings and opinions towards COVID-19 testing. Key reasons participants agreed to the blood test include (1) curiosity; (2) health upkeep; (3) family/community/social responsibility; and (4) importance of research. Participants' reasons for rejecting the blood test were (1) unnecessary/no benefit; (2) fear (of the known and unknown); (3) fear of needles and/or blood; and (4) discomfort with test setting/procedure. Our findings show that perspectives on willingness to engagement in testing or to not participate varied across gender and age for Black individuals.

Scientific Literacy to Address Sustainability: A Study on Deep-Sea Mining Education with Adolescents from a Social Care Institution

Pursuing sustainable development is increasingly urgent due to resource depletion and environmental degradation, compounded by the need for a green energy transition requiring significant mineral resources. Traditional mining practices result in several environmental impacts, prompting the exploration of alternatives, like mining the ocean floor. This method offers a potentially less invasive way to obtain critical minerals. Notwithstanding, our understanding of the ocean ecosystem, which is crucial to Earth’s life support system, is still too limited. This study aimed to assess an educational intervention on sea mining for polymetallic nodules while improving scientific literacy and system thinking and supporting Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4, 13, and 14. A pre-/post-intervention design was implemented with 17 adolescents (aged 12–16 years) from an underprivileged non-formal context. The mixed-methods approach involved role-playing and modelling activities focused on the question: “Do you agree with mining polymetallic nodules in deep-sea waters”? The Wilcoxon test revealed that the intervention changed participants’ opinions about the theme, showing a statistically significant difference in student responses before and after the intervention (Z = −2.165; p = 0.030). A content analysis showed enhanced argumentation, understanding of Earth’s subsystems, and decision-making abilities. These findings suggest that the educational resource positively impacted students’ scientific literacy on the topic. This approach can be extended to other contexts and inform future investigations.

Mengulas Peran Imajinasi dalam Pencarian Kebenaran dan Keyakinan Perspektif Immanuel Kant dan Cornelius Castoriadis

This research aims to examine the extent to which imagination plays a role in the search for truth and the formation of human beliefs, with a focus on the perspective of Immanuel Kant and Cornelius Castoriadis. Kant, within the framework of his critical philosophy, underscores the central role of imagination in shaping our aesthetic, moral and knowledge experiences. Imagination, for him, is the power of synthesis that connects empirical data with pure concepts of reason. Meanwhile, Castoriadis sees imagination as a creative force that underlies the formation of society and individual identity. Imagination, in Castoriadis's perspective, is the source of all social institutions, values and norms. This study will carry out an in-depth comparison between Kant's and Castoriadis' views regarding the role of imagination. It is hoped that this comparative analysis will reveal the points of contact and differences between the two philosophers, as well as provide a more nuanced understanding of the dynamics of imagination in human life. This research uses a conceptual analysis approach to analyze and compare the ideas of the two philosophers. In this way, it is hoped that it can contribute to philosophical studies regarding epistemology, especially regarding the formation of knowledge and reality. Apart from that, this study is also relevant to the study of social philosophy, because imagination has a central role in the formation of society and collective identity.

From artifacts to human lives: Investigating the domain-generality of judgments about purposes.

People attribute purposes in both mundane and profound ways-such as when thinking about the purpose of a knife and the purpose of a life. In three studies (total N = 13,720 observations from N = 3,430 participants), we tested whether these seemingly very different forms of purpose attributions might actually involve the same cognitive processes. We examined the impacts of four factors on purpose attributions in six domains (artifacts, social institutions, animals, body parts, sacred objects, and human lives). Study 1 manipulated what items in each domain were originally created for (original design) and how people currently use them (present practice). Study 2 manipulated whether items are good at achieving a goal (effectiveness) and whether the goal itself is good (morality). We found effects of each factor in every domain. However, whereas morality and effectiveness had remarkably similar effects across domains, the effects of original design and present practice differed substantially. Finally, Study 3 revealed that, within domains, the effects of original design and present practice depend on which entities design and use items. These results reveal striking similarities in purpose attributions across domains and suggest that certain entities are treated as authorities over the purposes of particular items. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Correlates of Couple Flourishing Among Married Individuals in India

Marriages, as a social institution, have long been a research focus. Due to numerous factors and a lack of studies on non-Western collectivistic groups, this study aims to explore the correlates of couple flourishing among married individuals in India. A purposive sampling technique was used, and 98 participants were administered the love language scale, intimate bonds measure, conflict resolution styles inventory and couple identity items. Data analysis using Pearson's correlation coefficient indicates that flourishing shares significant correlations with couple identity, quality time as a love language, intimate bonds of care and control and various conflict resolution styles. While the increase in positive problem-solving increases flourishing, conflict engagement, withdrawal, and compliance have a varying negative association. The study contributes valuable insights for individuals, couples, and practitioners within the Indian context and urges a look into the role of quality time, care, and constructive conflict resolution in the flourishing of couples.

Fiscal Decentralization and Education Index: Evidence from Punjab, Pakistan

The study examines how fiscal decentralization affects the education index at the district level in Pakistan's Punjab province, which has five components. Disparities in the distribution of public services have existed throughout Pakistan's history, and current research on regional development emphasizes the importance of evaluating human development phenomena using spatial models like density, locality, and distance. According to the study's findings, the distance between districts and the capital city determines the significant positive effects of fiscal decentralization on the district-level education index; the more "distance from the city" that districts are from the city, the greater the positive effects of fiscal decentralization. Since geography affects the delivery of public services, differences between districts should be addressed by enhancing social and economic institutions and infrastructure in the nation's underdeveloped areas.

Access to HIV prevention, testing and care among people with a migration background in Euregio Meuse-Rhine: a needs and assets assessment

ABSTRACT This study addresses disparities among people with a migration background (PMB) and those in less-urban regions, across the HIV prevention and care continuum (HIVPCC). We conducted a needs assessment and assets assessment to identify gaps between existing initiatives and persisting barriers. The research was conducted in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine (EMR), encompassing bordering regions in Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands, and involved in-depth interviews with fifteen first-generation PMB, including nine with HIV. Six factors influencing PMB access to the HIVPCC were identified: past experiences with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or HIV; HIV stigma and social dynamics; confidence and communication with healthcare providers and social workers; healthcare system navigation; precarity; and knowledge and beliefs about HIV/STIs. Existing assets mostly target individual or interpersonal levels, are often inaccessible due to language barriers, inadequately match PMB’s living conditions and culture, and are irregular and hyperlocal. Recommendations include enhancing cultural sensitivity, adopting participatory approaches, tailoring outreach activities to legal situations and cultural context, and fostering cooperation between healthcare and social work institutions. This study underscores the importance of considering societal and institutional dynamics in bridging gaps in the HIVPCC for PMB, advocating for targeted interventions that promote inclusivity and equity.