Social Sciences

20 pages, 1362 KiB

Open AccessReview

Hungarian Higher Education Beyond Hungary’s Borders as a Geostrategic Instrument

by Alexandra Jávorffy-Lázok

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(8), 459; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14080459 - 24 Jul 2025

This study examines the geostrategic role of Hungarian-language higher education institutions beyond Hungary’s border. These institutions not only fulfil an educational function but also play a role in preserving identity and geopolitics in the national policy of the Hungarian state. This research is [...] Read more.

This study examines the geostrategic role of Hungarian-language higher education institutions beyond Hungary’s border. These institutions not only fulfil an educational function but also play a role in preserving identity and geopolitics in the national policy of the Hungarian state. This research is based on a narrative review of the literature, which analyses the demographic situation of Hungarians living beyond the borders and the tools used to support higher education by synthesising domestic and international literature, statistical data, and forecasts. The results highlight that Hungarian-language higher education plays a key role in preserving ethnocultural identity and increasing the chances of success in the homeland, but also faces constraints such as labour market disadvantages resulting from a lack of state language skills. This study concludes that, in order to ensure the sustainability of Hungarian higher education beyond the border, it is necessary to strike a balance between identity preservation and integration, thereby promoting geopolitical stability and cultural cohesion with the majority society. Full article

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17 pages, 1359 KiB

Open AccessArticle

More Care, More Workers? Gauging the Impact of Child Care Access on Labor Force Participation

by John Reaves, Hope O. Akaeze, Holli A. Schlukebir, Steven R. Miller, Henry O. Akaeze and Jamie Heng-Chieh Wu

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(8), 458; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14080458 - 24 Jul 2025

Abstract

This study investigates the critical link between child care accessibility and local labor force participation, addressing a gap in current research that often lacks local spatial granularity. While over half of the U.S. population resides in child care deserts, disproportionately affecting rural, low-income, [...] Read more.

This study investigates the critical link between child care accessibility and local labor force participation, addressing a gap in current research that often lacks local spatial granularity. While over half of the U.S. population resides in child care deserts, disproportionately affecting rural, low-income, and minority communities, the economic implications for local labor markets remain underexplored. Leveraging Michigan child care license data and Census tract-level demographic and employment characteristics, this research employs a spatial econometric approach to estimate the impact of geographic distance to child care facilities on labor supply using descriptive data. Our findings consistently demonstrate that increased distance to child care is significantly associated with reduced labor force participation. While female labor force participation is lower in areas with constrained access to child care, we also found that households with two parents are also less likely to have full labor force participation when access to child care is constrained. The cost-effective framework used here can be replicated to identify specific communities most impacted by child care-related employment disruptions. The analytical findings can be instrumental in targeting and prioritizing child care policy interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Childhood and Youth Studies)

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15 pages, 259 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gender Disparities in Grant Submissions and Allocations: Examining Patterns Across STEM and Non-STEM Fields

by Aliza Forman-Rabinovici

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(8), 457; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14080457 - 24 Jul 2025

Abstract

Gender inequality remains a persistent challenge in academia, shaping career trajectories and access to critical resources. Research funding plays a central role in academic advancement, yet studies of gender disparities often overlook how patterns vary across disciplines and stages of the grant process. [...] Read more.

Gender inequality remains a persistent challenge in academia, shaping career trajectories and access to critical resources. Research funding plays a central role in academic advancement, yet studies of gender disparities often overlook how patterns vary across disciplines and stages of the grant process. This study analyzes gender differences in both the submission and allocation phases using administrative data from four national Israeli funding agencies, covering nearly 5000 applications submitted over two years (2017–2018). It examines two key dimensions within both stages—PI gender and grant amount—and disaggregates results across 12 academic fields. The findings indicate isolated, rather than systematic, gender inequalities, with disparities appearing more frequently in STEM fields but remaining limited overall. The results underscore the importance of field-specific analysis for understanding gender inequality and suggest that targeted interventions, rather than uniform policies, are needed to promote gender equity in research funding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gender-Inclusive Education and Teaching in STEM: Strategies, Challenges, and Contradictions)

24 pages, 931 KiB

Open AccessArticle

ELEVATE-US-UP: Designing and Implementing a Transformative Teaching Model for Underrepresented and Underserved Communities in New Mexico and Beyond

by Reynold E. Silber, Richard A. Secco and Elizabeth A. Silber

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(8), 456; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14080456 - 24 Jul 2025

Abstract

This paper presents the development, implementation, and outcomes of the ELEVATE-US-UP (Engaging Learners through Exploration of Visionary Academic Thought and Empowerment in UnderServed and UnderPrivileged communities) teaching methodology, an equity-centered, culturally responsive pedagogical framework designed to enhance student engagement, academic performance, and science [...] Read more.

This paper presents the development, implementation, and outcomes of the ELEVATE-US-UP (Engaging Learners through Exploration of Visionary Academic Thought and Empowerment in UnderServed and UnderPrivileged communities) teaching methodology, an equity-centered, culturally responsive pedagogical framework designed to enhance student engagement, academic performance, and science identity among underrepresented learners. This framework was piloted at Northern New Mexico College (NNMC), a Hispanic- and minority-serving rural institution. ELEVATE-US-UP reimagines science education as a dynamic, inquiry-driven, and contextually grounded process that embeds visionary scientific themes, community relevance, trauma-informed mentoring, and authentic assessment into everyday instruction. Drawing from culturally sustaining pedagogy, experiential learning, and action teaching, the methodology positions students not as passive recipients of content but as knowledge-holders and civic actors. Implemented across upper-level environmental science courses, the method produced measurable gains: class attendance rose from 67% to 93%, average final grades improved significantly, and over two-thirds of students reported a stronger science identity and a newfound confidence in their academic potential. Qualitative feedback highlighted increased perceptions of classroom inclusivity, community relevance, and instructor support. By centering on cultural context, student voice, and place-based application, the ELEVATE-US-UP framework offers a replicable and scalable model for educational transformation in underserved regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Belonging and Engagement of Students in Higher Education)

14 pages, 244 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring and Navigating Power Dynamics: A Case Study of Systemic Barriers to Inclusion and Equity for Black Women in Social Work Education

by Arlene P. Weekes

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(8), 455; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14080455 - 24 Jul 2025

Abstract

This paper explores the complex power dynamics of UK social work higher education through an autoethnographic account of a Black woman course leader’s experiences over a period of two years, focusing on issues related to race, internalized oppression, and class. Drawing on Critical [...] Read more.

This paper explores the complex power dynamics of UK social work higher education through an autoethnographic account of a Black woman course leader’s experiences over a period of two years, focusing on issues related to race, internalized oppression, and class. Drawing on Critical Race Theory (CRT), narrative analysis, and lived experience, it examines how systemic inequities manifest through three interlinked themes: (a) academic contrapower harassment (ACPH), (b) internalized oppression and toxic team dynamics, and (c) the interplay of harassment, institutional failure, managerial inaction, and the marginalization of social work as a discipline. This study illustrates how the intersectionality of multiple identities—namely, race, gender, and professional identity—impacts career progression, well-being, and institutional inclusion. This study examines the tensions between social work’s ethical foundations and performance-driven academic environments, advocating for systemic and policy interventions to stimulate institutional reform and cultivate a more equitable culture that enhances educational outcomes and, ultimately, improves social work practice. Full article

34 pages, 1007 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Fake News in Tourism: A Systematic Literature Review

by Fanni Kaszás, Soňa Chovanová Supeková and Richard Keklak

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(8), 454; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14080454 - 24 Jul 2025

Abstract

In recent years, the number of fake news stories has significantly increased in the world of media, especially with the widespread use of social media. It has impacted several industries, including tourism. From a tourism point of view, the spread of fake news [...] Read more.

In recent years, the number of fake news stories has significantly increased in the world of media, especially with the widespread use of social media. It has impacted several industries, including tourism. From a tourism point of view, the spread of fake news can contribute to the reduction of the popularity of a destination. It may influence travel decisions by discouraging tourists from visiting certain places and thus damage the reputation of the destination, contributing to economic loss. After a literature review on the communication aspect of fake news and a general introduction of fake news in the tourism and hospitality industry, we conducted a systematic literature review (SLR), a research methodology to collect, identify, and analyse available research studies through a systematic procedure. The current SLR is based on the Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases of existing literature on the topic of fake news in the tourism and hospitality industry. The study identifies, lists, and examines existing papers and conference proceedings from a vast array of disciplines, in order to give a well-rounded view on the issue of fake news in the tourism and hospitality industry. After selecting a total of 54 previous studies from more than 20 thousand results for the keywords ‘fake news’ and ‘tourism,’ we have analysed 39 papers in total. The SLR aimed to highlight existing gaps in the literature and areas that may require further exploration in future primary research. We have found that there is relatively limited academic literature available on the subject of fake news affecting tourism destinations, compared to studies focused on hospitality services. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Creating Resilient Societies in a Changing World)

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18 pages, 291 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Maps and Fabulations: On Transnationalism, Transformative Pedagogies, and Knowledge Production in Higher Education

by Ninutsa Nadirashvili and Katherine Wimpenny

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(8), 453; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14080453 - 24 Jul 2025

Abstract

Higher education has long been subject to feminist critique, contesting traditional practices, with calls for transformative pedagogies that empower marginalised students, address social injustices and promote gender equality. Despite this, most classrooms in Western European universities remain largely unchanged, with educators facing the [...] Read more.

Higher education has long been subject to feminist critique, contesting traditional practices, with calls for transformative pedagogies that empower marginalised students, address social injustices and promote gender equality. Despite this, most classrooms in Western European universities remain largely unchanged, with educators facing the difficulty of imagining and/or enacting decolonial futures within their curricula. However, some progress has been made, particularly the inclusion of transnational scholarship in syllabi and a turn to transformative pedagogies, which allow for alternative ways of interdisciplinary knowing to enter academia. In this paper, we examine this coming together of approaches which promote dialogue and personal reflection to restructure discussions on equality, gender and knowledge production in the ‘classroom’. Using a creative critical account of feminist ethnography conducted at a Western European university, we present and discuss two illustrative vignettes about cultural mapping and critical fabulation, considering how dissonant voices have challenged Western concepts, exemplifying transformative pedagogy working in tandem with transnational thought. Key insights from the study identify approaches for facilitation of more open and richer discussions to reshape staff and student perspectives of gender, equality and knowledge production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gender Knowledges and Cultures of Equalities in Global Contexts)

15 pages, 277 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Whose Decision Is It Anyway? Men’s Perceptions of Women’s Decision-Making Autonomy in Maternal and Child Health in Western Kenya

by Robsan Tura and Nema C. M. Aluku

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(8), 452; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14080452 - 23 Jul 2025

Abstract

Women’s decision-making autonomy is widely recognized as a critical determinant of maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH). However, prevailing measures often conflate genuine autonomy with decisions made within traditional gender roles, risking an overstatement of women’s empowerment. This study examines the extent to [...] Read more.

Women’s decision-making autonomy is widely recognized as a critical determinant of maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH). However, prevailing measures often conflate genuine autonomy with decisions made within traditional gender roles, risking an overstatement of women’s empowerment. This study examines the extent to which reported female decision-making autonomy reflects authentic agency versus role-based compliance in a patriarchal context. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 280 male household heads in Kakamega County, Kenya, whose partners were pregnant or recently postpartum. Using multi-stage cluster sampling and structured interviews, men reported on household and MNCH decision-making and their rationales, categorized as gender-role conformity, belief in gender equality, or other reasons. Although 40.4% reported that their partners made decisions independently, only 11.4% attributed it to a belief in women’s equality; 28% framed it within traditional gender roles. Men were over four times more likely to perceive women’s decisions as role-based than autonomous (AOR = 4.40; 95% CI: 2.48–5.78). Younger men (18–34) were more likely to report female decision-making (AOR = 5.54; 95% CI: 5.08–7.27), without necessarily endorsing egalitarian norms. Findings highlight the urgent need for gender-transformative MNCH interventions that move beyond surface-level autonomy to address deeper structural inequities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Gender Studies)

23 pages, 818 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Polite Racism and Cultural Capital: Afro-Caribbean Negotiations of Blackness in Canada

by Karine Coen-Sanchez

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(8), 451; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14080451 - 23 Jul 2025

Abstract

Blackness, both as a racial identity and a marker of cultural difference, disrupts the hegemonic norms embedded in dominant forms of cultural capital. This article examines how first- and second-generation Haitian and Jamaican communities in Ontario and Quebec negotiate Blackness within a Canadian [...] Read more.

Blackness, both as a racial identity and a marker of cultural difference, disrupts the hegemonic norms embedded in dominant forms of cultural capital. This article examines how first- and second-generation Haitian and Jamaican communities in Ontario and Quebec negotiate Blackness within a Canadian context. Drawing from international literature, it introduces distinctly Canadian concepts—such as polite racism, racial ignominy, and duplicity of consciousness—to illuminate local racial dynamics. Using Yosso’s (2005) framework of community cultural wealth, the study analyzes six forms of cultural capital—linguistic, aspirational, social, navigational, resistant, and familial—as employed by Afro-Caribbeans to navigate systemic exclusion. The article expands the limited Canadian discourse on Black identity and offers theoretical tools for understanding how cultural capital is shaped and constrained by race in multicultural democracies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Social Stratification and Inequality)

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12 pages, 1132 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Best Version of Yourself? TikToxic Effects of That-Girl Videos on Mood, Body Satisfaction, Dieting Intentions, and Self Discipline

by Silvana Weber, Michelle Sadler and Christoph Mengelkamp

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(8), 450; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14080450 - 23 Jul 2025

Abstract

The “That Girl” self-optimization trend on TikTok, promoting beauty and productivity, had over 17.4 billion views by August 2024. “That Girl” video clips showcase perfectly organized daily routines, fitness activities, and healthy eating—allegedly to inspire other users to aspire to similar flawlessness. Based [...] Read more.

The “That Girl” self-optimization trend on TikTok, promoting beauty and productivity, had over 17.4 billion views by August 2024. “That Girl” video clips showcase perfectly organized daily routines, fitness activities, and healthy eating—allegedly to inspire other users to aspire to similar flawlessness. Based on social comparison theory, the “That Girl” archetype serves as an upward comparison target. We expected detrimental effects of viewing “That Girl” content on young women in terms of positive and negative affect and body satisfaction. Expanding other research in this area, possible effects on self-discipline and dieting intentions were explored. Focusing on immediate intraindividual changes, a preregistered two-group online experiment using a pre–post measurement design was conducted. Female participants (N = 76) watched four minutes of either 16 video clips showing “That Girl” content or nature videos (control condition). Mixed ANOVAs provided evidence of a significant adverse influence of watching “That Girl” videos on female recipients regarding all dependent variables with medium or large effect sizes. Post-hoc analyses revealed that these effects were driven by participants who reported upward comparisons to “That Girls”. Based on these results, the positive impact on self-improvement—as proclaimed by contributors of the “That Girl” trend—is critically questioned. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digitally Connected: Youth, Digital Media and Social Inclusion)

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14 pages, 271 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Children Involved in Child Protection: Hostile Attitudes as a Form of Agency

by Silvia Fargion and Diletta Mauri

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(8), 449; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14080449 - 23 Jul 2025

Abstract

Introduction: It is widely acknowledged that good quality relationships between social workers and children are essential to children’s non-formal inclusion in child protection processes. However, research exploring the perspective of children has shown this relationship to be highly complex, particularly when children are [...] Read more.

Introduction: It is widely acknowledged that good quality relationships between social workers and children are essential to children’s non-formal inclusion in child protection processes. However, research exploring the perspective of children has shown this relationship to be highly complex, particularly when children are taken into care. Methods: This paper combines insights from two qualitative participatory studies conducted in Italy, both developed out of a collaboration between university, professional social work associations, and the Italian association of care leavers. The two projects explored, respectively, the perspectives of social workers on the one hand and of children in care and care leavers on the other regarding their relationship. Outcomes: The data reveal the complexity of the relationship between children and social workers, showing how both share a mirrored perception of it. Social workers recognise children’s negative feelings toward them and see them as inevitable, especially in cases of tense family dynamics. A relationship marked by hostile attitudes, anger, and distrust not only fuels social workers’ emotional struggles but also makes it harder to engage children effectively. While hostile attitudes and mistrust are often seen as obstacles to positive engagement, we advocate for recognising them not as barriers to be overcome but as realities to be acknowledged and addressed openly. This approach can create space for both children and practitioners to explore alternative forms of agency, fostering more meaningful participation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Childhood and Youth Studies)

19 pages, 2452 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Women’s Right to the City: The Case of Quito, Ecuador

by Maria Carolina Baca Calderón, Gloria Quattrone, Eufemia Sánchez Borja and Daniele Rocchio

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(8), 448; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14080448 - 23 Jul 2025

Abstract

Henri Lefebvre’s “right to the city” has rarely been examined through an intersectional feminist lens, leaving unnoticed the uneven burdens that urban design and policy place on women. This article bridges that gap by combining constitutional analysis, survey data (n = 736), [...] Read more.

Henri Lefebvre’s “right to the city” has rarely been examined through an intersectional feminist lens, leaving unnoticed the uneven burdens that urban design and policy place on women. This article bridges that gap by combining constitutional analysis, survey data (n = 736), in-depth interviews, and participatory observation to assess how Quito’s public spaces affect women’s safety and mobility. Quantitative results show that 81% of respondents endured sexual or offensive remarks, 69.8% endured obscene gestures, and 38% endured severe harassment in the month before the survey; 43% of these incidents occurred only days or weeks beforehand, underscoring their routine nature. Qualitative narratives reveal behavioral adaptations—altered routes, self-policing dress codes, and distrust of authorities—and identify poorly lit corridors and weak institutional presence as spatial amplifiers of violence. Analysis of Quito’s “Safe City” program exposes a gulf between its ambitious rhetoric and its narrow, transport-centered implementation. We conclude that constitutional guarantees of participation, appropriation, and urban life will remain aspirational until urban planning mainstreams gender-sensitive design, secures intersectoral resources, and embeds women’s substantive participation throughout policy cycles. A feminist reimagining of Quito’s public realm is therefore indispensable to transform the right to the city from legal principle into lived reality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Gender Studies)

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28 pages, 2012 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Convergence of Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling in West Africa: Migration Pressure Factors and Criminal Actors

by Concepción Anguita-Olmedo

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(8), 447; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14080447 - 22 Jul 2025

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Abstract

In West Africa, there is a very close link between the phenomenon of trafficking and migrant smuggling. This article will analyze the pressure elements and the causes that drive sub-Saharan people to migrate, placing themselves in the hands of criminal networks that end [...] Read more.

In West Africa, there is a very close link between the phenomenon of trafficking and migrant smuggling. This article will analyze the pressure elements and the causes that drive sub-Saharan people to migrate, placing themselves in the hands of criminal networks that end up exploiting them—women and minors sexually, and men through forced labor. The main corridors departing from West Africa and the characteristics of the criminal groups exercising criminal governance will also be addressed. This research has used both primary and secondary sources, as well as empirical fieldwork consisting of interviews with security force officials, international humanitarian aid organizations, and academic experts on migration issues related to trafficking and smuggling. Our research reveals that the origin of migration is multifactorial. The violence experienced in West Africa, but also the misgovernance, the lack of opportunities for a very young population with limited prospects, and the human insecurity affecting the entire region, are the main reasons that compel people to migrate. In these migration processes, the safety of migrants is compromised as they are forced to start their journey through clandestine means, which exposes them to trafficking networks and thus to violence and exploitation. It is along the migration routes where trafficking and migrant smuggling converge. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Tackling Organized Crime and Human Trafficking)

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Soc. Sci., Volume 14, Issue 8 (August 2025) – 13 articles

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