Pursuit Of Social Justice Research Articles

THE ACEH BESAR DISTRICT GOVERNMENT'S POLICY ON THE FULFILLMENT OF DISABILITY RIGHTS IN THE ACEH BESAR DISTRICT SOCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT

The pursuit of social justice and equity is a fundamental aspect of governance, especially when addressing the needs of marginalized groups. In Aceh Besar Regency, the government has been tasked with ensuring that the rights and needs of persons with disabilities are met through various policies and programs. This research focuses on the fulfillment of social rights for persons with disabilities in Aceh Besar Regency, highlighting the role of the Social Service in supporting the welfare of this group. Geographically, Aceh Besar Regency covers an area of 290,350.73 hectares with a population of 383,477 as of 2020. The economy of this regency is dominated by the tertiary sector, followed by the primary and secondary sectors. The Aceh Besar Social Service is responsible for carrying out government affairs in the social sector, including rehabilitation, protection, and social empowerment. This study identifies several programs implemented by the Social Service, such as culinary skills training, handicrafts, and creativity festivals for persons with disabilities. However, the findings indicate that the existing programs have not fully met the needs of persons with disabilities, particularly in terms of improving welfare and economic sustainability. Budget constraints are identified as the main obstacle to the effective implementation of programs, including the provision of medical aids. This research underscores the need for increased funding allocation and the development of more inclusive and sustainable programs to ensure the fulfillment of the social rights of persons with disabilities in Aceh Besar.

Identity in Action: Micro-Level Dynamics in Community Foundations’ Pursuit of Social Justice

Identity in Action: Micro-Level Dynamics in Community Foundations’ Pursuit of Social Justice

Strengthening Social Work Research Education in Pursuit of Social Justice

Research education in social work is becoming increasingly influenced by anti-scientific ideologies. Social work researchers and students now exist in an environment that is moving away from scientific and pedagogical touchstones. These touchstones include the expectation to (a) select research questions, (b) rely upon relevant and applicable methods that are tailored to answer those questions, and (c) engage in a free and open discourse about the selection of methods, even if they are in stark contrast to those that are preferred by personal values or pre-determined ideology. We state our concern that social work research is narrowing, leaving researchers pressured to diverge from general qualitative and quantitative scientific approaches, and risking the stifling of open discourse needed to inform efficacious interventions and/or policies. In addition to the challenges identified by Feldman, this paper suggests an additional challenge—that SW research education may be failing to prepare scholars to follow the scientific standards needed to advance the evidence-based useful to those we serve. We propose alternative approaches.

Protecting the Deli: Jewish Nostalgia and Social Justice in E. Lockhart's Whistle: A New Gotham City Hero

ABSTRACT: In this article, I analyze E. Lockhart's comic Whistle: A New Gotham City Hero (Burbank, CA: DC Comics, 2021) as a distinctively American Jewish text. I argue that Whistle draws upon nostalgia for an imagined Jewish past by creating an alternative present infused with the material culture of American Jewishness. In so doing, I show how the comic develops features of mainstream American Jewishness—such as eating at Jewish delis, holding a nostalgic attachment to American Jewish history, and working for social justice—in the construction of a superhero narrative. I explore how Whistle's visual depiction of Jewish food and space construct an authentically Jewish environment. Lastly, I suggest that, as a superhero comic book written for teenage readers, Whistle promotes nostalgia and the pursuit of social justice as components of American Jewishness.

Reflections on Psychological Critical Race Theory (PCRT) as a framework for disrupting racism in pursuit of social justice

AbstractPsychological Critical Race Theory (PCRT) was introduced in 1998. PCRT illustrates the integral connection of psychological research and theory to the legal framework of Critical Race Theory (CRT). Five tenets of PCRT were described: (1) Spontaneous and persistent influence of race; (2) Fairness is derived from divergent racial experiences; (3) Asymmetrical consequences of racial policies; (4) Paradoxes of racial diversity; and (5) Racial identity requires a multidimensional approach. These tenets are reviewed and updated. A new set of seven PCRT principles are proposed that provide a broad framework within which to examine the PCRT concept and its role in reframing critical approaches to racial justice. Principle 1: Race and culture make each other up; Principle 2: Meaning Matters; Principle 3: Multilevel analysis is critical to unraveling Systemic Racism; Principle 4: Activism is a lever for social change; Principle 5: Power drives racial inequality; Principle 6: Storytelling disrupts status quo narratives; Principle 7: Diversity does not ameliorate systemic racism. PCRT is a 100‐year enterprise of psychological science, offering a complex and comprehensive framework for understanding and ameliorating persistent racial inequality. The comprehensive network of ideas, methods, goals, and strategies can engage and guide this work for years to come.

Role of Social Worker in Social Empowerment

The pursuit of social justice and equitable development in India heavily relies on the efforts of social workers, who play a crucial role in uplifting various marginalized groups. This study examines the multifaceted contributions of social workers in empowering communities, particularly in rural and remote areas where government services often fall short. Social workers facilitate access to essential services, promote self-reliance, and drive social change by addressing inequalities and fostering sustainable development. Their work is vital in enhancing the socio-economic, political, and educational capacities of disadvantaged groups, including women, the elderly, scheduled castes, tribes, disabled individuals, and the LGBTQ+ community. Through case studies and an analysis of notable social workers and NGOs, this study underscores the indispensable role of social workers in achieving social empowerment and sustainable development. The findings highlight the need to recognize and support social workers` contributions to build a more just and inclusive society.

SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION BEHAVIOR - SLOW FASHION IN BRAZIL

The interest in social justice and sustainability issues in the fashion industry has grown exponentially in recent years, given the concern for the worldwide preservation of the natural goods that remain on the earth and the valorization of professionals in the production chain. Slow fashion emerges as a relevant movement in this context. It seeks to slow down the mass industrial production of the fashion area that is currently known by overriding the valuing of quality and people who work throughout the production chain to the detriment of quantity and exploitation of natural resources. This paper aims to verify whether the five dimensions of the Consumer Orientation to Slow Fashion (COSF) scale fit satisfactorily to Brazil and then draw profiles of slow fashion product consumption in this exact scenario. Thus, we planned and applied a virtual questionnaire using the COSF scale with 414 volunteers from Brazil. We treated the collected data by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, k-means, structural equation modeling, and analysis of variance. As a result, we observed that the COSF scale did not thoroughly adjust to the Brazilian context. Thus, we identified three orientation profiles for slow fashion consumption: averse to exclusivity, highly, and low orientation.

In the pursuit of social justice during political transitions: the practices of CSOs in post-Arab Spring Tunisia

In the pursuit of social justice during political transitions: the practices of CSOs in post-Arab Spring Tunisia

Mazamisa’s Dialectica-Reconciliae and Mosala’s Materialistic Reading of the Text: An Experimental Exploration of Luke 12:13-21

This article explores the interpretive dimensions of Luke 12:13-21 within the landscape of the first-century world and how it relates to the democratic South African context. The question that drives this reading is two-fold: (1) How would this parable be understood by the early Jesus movement in the first-century Mediterranean context? In the light of socio-economic, religious, and political context of the day? What did they hear from what Jesus said through this parable? (2) similarly, what are we hearing from this same parable in today’s society, in the light of our own socio-economic, religious and political landscape? I suggest analysing this parable through Mazamisa’s dialectica reconciliae and Mosala’s historical-materialistic lenses, which might reveal profound insights into the nation’s post-1994 journey of reconstruction and development of South Africa and the liberation of the black child, in a government led by another black child. The passage’s warnings against materialism and its call to be ‘rich towards God’ resonate with South Africa’s pursuit of social justice and equitable wealth distribution. It mirrors concerns over land reform and responsible inheritance, aligning with the principles of Ubuntu that emphasize collective well-being. The text’s emphasis on spiritual values contributes to discussions on fostering a cohesive national identity amid religious diversity. It underscores the importance of transparent governance and accountability, addressing wealth disparities, and confronting poverty. This exploration offers a compelling synthesis, suggesting how Luke 12:13-21 can guide South Africa in forging a just, inclusive, and spiritually grounded democratic society.Contribution: This study explores the interpretive dimensions of Luke 12:13-21 within the context of the first-century world and its relevance to South Africa, offering profound insights into post-1994 reconstruction and development, social justice, equitable wealth distribution, collective well-being, national identity, wealth disparities, and poverty, ultimately guiding South Africa towards a just, inclusive, and spiritually grounded democratic society.

교직관 및 인성교육역량 신장을 위한 예비교사 대상 프로그램의 사례연구

Despite the development of science & technology and changes in the educational system, ‘high morality’, ‘social and emotional intelligence’, ‘pursuit of social justice’, and ‘passion for the teaching profession’ will be treated as important things in the future teacher paradigm. Based on this awareness of the problem, this study intends to develop and operate a program to improve pre-service teachers’ teaching profession and character education competency, and verify the effectiveness. During the 2021 Spring semester, 148 pre-service teachers, in a college of education located in Chungbuk Province, were participated in this research. The curriculum included several areas of teaching profession, character education, multi-cultural education, and civic education. In order to verify the effectiveness of this program, pre- and post-survey were conducted and analyzed with t-tests. In the statistics, pre-service teachers’ teaching profession and character education efficacy were significantly improved. Based on these results, this paper adds further suggestions for pre-service teacher education.

Research on the risk governance of fraudulent reimbursement of patient consultation fees.

The fundamental medical insurance fund, often referred to as the public's "life-saving fund," plays a crucial role in both individual well-being and the pursuit of social justice. Medicare fraudulent claims reduce "life-saving money" to "Tang's monk meat", undermining social justice and affecting social stability. We utilized crawler technology to gather textual data from 215 cases involving fraudulent health insurance claims. Simultaneously, statistical data spanning 2018 to 2021 was collected from the official websites of the China Medical Insurance Bureau and Anhui Medical Insurance Bureau. The collected data underwent comprehensive analysis through Excel, SPSS 26.0 and R4.2.1. Differential Auto-Regressive Moving Average Model (ARIMA (p, d, q)) was used to fit the fund safety forecast model, and test the predictive validity of the forecast model on the fund security data from July 2021 to October 2023 (the fund security data of Anhui Province from September 2021 to October 2023). The outcomes revealed that fraudulent claims by health insurance stakeholders adversely impact the equity of health insurance funds. Furthermore, the risk management practices of Medicare fund administrators influence the publication of fraudulent claims cases. Notably, differences among Medicare stakeholders were observed in the prevalence of fraudulent claims. Additionally, effective governance of fraudulent claims risks was found to have a positive impact on the overall health of healthcare funds. Moreover, the predictive validity of the forecast model on the national and Anhui province's fund security data was 92.86% and 100% respectively. We propose four recommendations for the governance of health insurance fraudulent claims risk behaviors. These recommendations include strategies such as "combatting health insurance fraudulent claims to preserve the fairness of health insurance funds", "introducing initiatives for fraud risk governance and strengthening awareness of the rule of law", "focusing on designated medical institutions and establishing a robust long-term regulatory system", and "adapting to contemporary needs while maintaining a focus on long-term regulation".

Manywheres: In Pursuit of Social Justice in Developmental Science

In this article, we articulate an innovative framework, manywheres, and argue that it can advance the work of fostering youth-led change and progressive world-making. We first root psychological and development science in an applied framework of developing more just, harmonious, and tolerant social worlds. Then, we introduce manywheres, a guiding framework of propositions of attending to the complexity and nuance of meaning-making across individuals without becoming lost in nihilism, relativism, or ethnocentric views of social justice. This leads to the construction of a more holistic developmental lens considering the age-related, contextual, and internal factors that shape meaning-making individual trajectories and societal outcomes. Manywheres can thus structure thinking and research with an end goal of understanding the diversity of young people’s engagement, activism, and disconnection. We end with mapping a research agenda applying these ideals, incorporating the methodological approaches that can be taken, concrete examples, and implications that can be applied to salient social issues.

In pursuit of social justice in South African higher education: Exploring the relationship between epistemological access and the development of students' academic literacies

In pursuit of social justice in South African higher education: Exploring the relationship between epistemological access and the development of students' academic literacies

Techno-Rationalism and Higher Educational Law: Examining Legal Frameworks in Southern African Universities from a Freirean Critical Pedagogy Perspective

This conceptual article explores the profound impact of techno-rationalism on educational law in Southern African universities. It also examines the influence of techno-rationalism on equity, social justice and academic freedom within higher education in the digital era. The article critically analyses the reshaping of educational law in Southern Africa by considering technological advancements, economic forces, affective factors and socio-cultural dynamics. It aims to investigate whether the implementation of techno-rationalist discourses hinders social justice aspirations in universities. Additionally, the article explores how pervasive neoliberalism and market-driven logic are at universities, questioning whether these practices overshadow the institution’s core objectives and commitment to social justice. The article envisions possibilities for reconceptualising the university in the era of techno-rationalism through the critical pedagogy theory. This theory is relevant to this work because it promotes an emancipatory theoretical framework that challenges learning environments, especially higher education institutions, where people might be politically, socially and economically disempowered. It also calls for a holistic approach to knowledge, curriculum and pedagogy that recognises the university’s embeddedness in a broader ecological and socio-cultural context. Through this exploration, the article contributes to the scholarly discourse on the decolonisation of universities and seeks to inspire new lines of enquiry addressing inequality and the pursuit of social justice in Southern African higher education institutions.

Social Justice Activism as Interpretation in a Loewaldian World.

At a time when many questions are arising about the nexus between psychoanalysis and social justice, the writings of Hans Loewald open an avenue for broadened conceptualizations of psychoanalytic activity and the role of interpretation within it. The pursuit of social justice, it is argued, is integral to psychoanalytic ethics, and the relation between activists and society can be formulated in Loewaldian terms. Using Loewald, and considering case examples from social justice informed advocacy, direct action, and protest speech in AIDS activism, social justice activism can be understood as a spontaneously emergent psychoanalytic interpretation delivered by activists to their social surround, effectively accomplishing multiple forms of therapeutic action. The therapeutic action includes a working through in two phases of the negative social transference, a concept proposed here to elaborate a mechanism for the transformation, through the interpretive aspects of activism, of psychic material directed toward marginalized subjects and those expressing marginalized subjective positions. Resistance to social justice activism is examined using the forms of resistance identified by Freud.

Disability, Stigma, and the Pursuit of Social Justice: Future Research Directions

Disability, stigma, and the pursuit of social justice are interrelated problems that have an impact on how people with disabilities live their lives. Disability is a condition that affects a person’s capacity to do activities or tasks due to their physical, cognitive, or mental limitations. The individual with a disability is frequently the target of stigma, which is a negative social judgment or form of discrimination. The efforts made to guarantee that people with disability have the same rights and opportunities as people without disabilities are referred to as the pursuit of social justice. Barriers to social inclusion and equality for people with disability may be significantly exacerbated by the interaction between stigma and disability. Physical impediments such as inaccessible structures as well as psychological impediments such as prejudices against people with disabilities both exist. These obstacles often make it difficult for people with disability to participate fully in society. To achieve social justice for people with disabilities, advocacy and continued research must be made for the removal of these obstacles, as well as efforts to ensure inclusion and acceptance in all facets of society. This may entail initiatives to improve accessibility, fight prejudice, and stereotypes, and promote the needs and rights of people with disabilities. This conceptual article will analyze the importance of social justice for people with disabilities to build a more inclusive society in which everyone can participate fully and achieve success; it will conclude with recommended directions for future research.

‘I am not data’: A GAN simulation in tandem with Second Nature

‘I am not data’ has been produced in collaboration with a creative coder from the Netherlands. Over a period of six months around 4600 images were chosen from approximately 20,000 images of LatinX femmes. The images were then fed into a generative adversarial network (GAN) simulation that produced this film. The resulting work seeks to elucidate a process of lumping together foreign bodies as a method of amalgamation that works to create ‘new’ information. It exists in tandem with ‘Second Nature’, a body of work on Mexican femme bodies and algorithmic web searches, from which some images are included in this article. The process behind the GAN used for this film becomes a mere reference to a human shape. Its processes of synthesis work as a metaphor for systems of human classification in which the bodies of foreigners become fuel for monstrous stereotypes. There is a sense of history repeating itself through the ways that these technological tools are used in artificial intelligence (AI) which launches questions regarding equality and progress in pursuit of social justice.

Familial critical consciousness socialization: How key family theories can expand racial‐ethnic socialization research among Asian American families

AbstractAs systems of oppression (e.g., racism) become more evident in public consciousness, Asian American families are grappling with critical discussions about social justice and oppression. To define and explore these increasingly common conversations, we propose critical consciousness socialization as an important construct for socialization research among Asian American families. Critical consciousness socialization is the transmission of knowledge about, skills for, and behavioral orientations toward analyzing and challenging systems of oppression in the interest of social justice. This article applies theories in the developmental and family sciences (Phenomenological Variant of Ecological Systems Theory and Family Systems Theory) to demonstrate future research directions for critical consciousness socialization among Asian American families. Given research suggesting that families are purveyors of information about social justice and power, research on critical consciousness socialization is important to explore the role of the family system in advancing—and actively participating in—movements towards social justice.

Researching for justice: using meta-ethnographic synthesis to develop knowledge for research for social transformation

ABSTRACT In a special issue article on ethnographic synthesis from 2017, Karen Borgnakke addressed some of the challenging methodological questions and dilemmas associated with meta-ethnography by ethnographic researchers. The article compared meta-ethnography with evidence-based models for measuring learning effects in education, but highlighted that the founders of meta-ethnography, Noblit and Hare, described the methodology and its aims quite differently to this. Rather than the aggregation of findings, the aim was to, in the interests of social justice and social transformation, generalise findings from individual research based on critical interpretations of several ethnographic products. Using a qualitative synthesis of meta-ethnographic research from ethnographies on Sweden’s school system, the present article examines this aim further. It tries to generate and communicate knowledge about how ethnographers of education can engage in research to fulfil commitments connected to social justice and transformation. In short, it attempts to describe what this research can look like.

School admissions and educational justice: Parents' moral dilemmas facing the new Chilean school admission system

In the context of the increased interest in social justice within education policy debates, this article addresses the new justice-oriented school admission system implemented in Chile. Considering the critical role of parents in education policy, we explore families’ negotiations about the new school admission system, focusing on the moral dilemmas they experience when confronted with changes in the rules that organize the distribution of school seats and the notions of educational justice they adhere to. We draw on interviews with 80 families from different social classes and belonging to five regions of Chile who were choosing a school under the new school admission system. Our findings underline that—while families tend to agree with the principle of equal formal opportunities in the school admission field—the reform brings in a set of moral dilemmas and competing notions of justice that encompass its different components. Based on these findings, we shed light on the distance between policy intention and interpretation, and between abstract conceptualizations of justice in educational policies and what counts as just policies in families’ views. In addition, we outline a set of implications for justice-oriented reforms worldwide.