Abstract Books of the International Conference on Social Sciences in the Modern Era
The International Conference on Social Sciences in the Modern Era (SSMECONF) presents carefully peer-reviewed research presented at the annual Social Sciences conference organized by Proud Pen. This collection captures original work across the field of Social Sciences, spanning theoretical frameworks to applied studies. Each volume serves as a reference for ongoing research and study in the discipline.
Navigating Taboos: Malaysian Undergraduates’ Lived Experiences and Decision-Making Around Premarital Sex and Abortion
The decision-making process about circumstances as sensitive as abortion and premarital sex can be complex and influenced by various factors. This research explores the factors that shape the decision-making process for these sensitive issues and the lived experiences of Malaysian undergraduates. This research specifically focuses on the influences of cultural and religious beliefs, access to information and resources, social stigma, and individual values when it comes to making sensitive decisions. In Malaysia, where premarital sex is generally considered taboo and abortion is illegal in most cases, cultural and religious beliefs play a significant role in these decision-making processes. Social stigma and pressure surrounding these topics can create challenges for individuals seeking information and support. Access to accurate information and resources is crucial in making informed decisions, yet there is a huge lack of such agencies. Additionally, the research explores the effect of peers and individual values and beliefs on today’s youth while navigating through these decisions. Findings highlight the need for improved sex education, access to accurate information, and a shift in cultural practices to create a more inclusive and informed society around these topics. By understanding the factors influencing decision-making and the challenges faced by Malaysian undergraduates, recommendations can be made for future improvements and support systems related to these sensitive topics. This research aims to shed light on the decision-making processes of Malaysian undergraduates concerning premarital sex and abortion, with the goal of contributing to a deeper understanding of their lived experiences and informing the development of effective interventions, as well as improving access to accurate information and supportive resources.
Copyright (c) 2026 Abstract Books of the International Conference on Social Sciences in the Modern Era
Swiping Feelings: Emotional Labor and Queer Intimacy on Lesbian Dating Apps in Urban China
This article examines how lesbian-identifying women in Guangzhou, China, perform emotional labor and cultivate queer intimacy through lesbian dating applications such as The L and LesPark. Drawing on post-structuralist feminist theory and affect studies, it explores how app-mediated intimacy operates within and against the forces of Chinese neoliberal modernity and patriarchal technoculture. Based on twenty semi-structured interviews and eighteen months of digital ethnography, the study reveals that app users engage in affective negotiation—investing emotional energy to maintain visibility, authenticity, and belonging in a landscape governed by algorithmic visibility and moral surveillance. The article introduces the concept of swiping feelings to describe how digital gestures such as liking, chatting, and profile curation constitute affective labor that reconfigures time, selfhood, and community for queer women. In this hybrid emotional economy, pleasure and exhaustion coexist: the same interfaces that promise intimacy also reproduce emotional inequalities and the commodification of desire. By situating Guangzhou’s lesbian app culture within global discourses on affective capitalism and queer temporality, the study contributes to feminist media scholarship on how emotional work, mediated desire, and everyday negotiation reshape intimacy in post-socialist digital societies.
Exploring Strategy Use and Autonomy for Developing Integrated Skills in the Higher Education EFL Classroom
The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between learners’ use of language learning strategies in the development of English integrated skills and the enhancement of autonomy in learning. The research uses quantitative data collected from 44 university students enrolled in the EFL course through a questionnaire-based survey, and examines the strategies they employ when engaging with reading, listening, speaking, and writing. The study analyses the extent to which the conscious use of these strategies enables autonomous learning behaviours outside the language classroom. The findings show that learners face more challenges with productive skills, particularly speaking and writing, compared to receptive skills, which suggests that productive skills require a higher degree of autonomy, as students must actively generate language rather than merely understand it. At the same time, the results reveal that students are more likely to effectively employ strategies they find enjoyable, through which their intrinsic motivation is also aroused, such as reading for pleasure, watching movies, engaging in friendly conversations, or writing creative stories. Therefore, the study highlights the role of promoting learner-centred strategies in the EFL classroom in order to foster learner autonomy and integrated language skills development. The importance of the integrated skills approach is linked to students’ communicative competence in authentic language use and aligns with the communicative demands found in academic or professional contexts.
The offender’s intent and the victim’s apparent consent in the crime of human trafficking: an analysis from the perspective of legal psychology
Human trafficking is a complex criminal phenomenon that cannot be fully understood through legal analysis alone, as it involves profound psychological dynamics affecting both offenders and victims. This article explores the subjective dimension of the offence of human trafficking by examining the offender’s intent and the victim’s apparent consent from the perspective of legal psychology. While criminal law frameworks, including international and European instruments, formally establish the irrelevance of victim consent when coercive or abusive means are employed, judicial practice continues to reveal uncertainty in interpreting situations in which victims appear to cooperate or initially consent to recruitment or exploitation. The central research question guiding this analysis concerns how the offender’s intent and the victim’s apparent consent should be understood through psychological mechanisms in order to support accurate legal qualification and effective victim protection. From a legal psychology standpoint, the offender’s intent is conceptualized as a deliberate cognitive–volitional process that involves anticipating, exploiting, and maintaining control over the victim by leveraging vulnerability, dependency, and psychological manipulation. Apparent consent, in turn, is examined as a behavioral outcome shaped by constrained choice rather than genuine autonomy, often resulting from processes such as trauma bonding, learned helplessness, emotional dependence, or survival-oriented compliance. By integrating psychological theories of coercion, decision-making under constraint, and victim behavior with legal reasoning, the article highlights the risk of misinterpretation when apparent consent is assessed without considering the underlying psychological context. The analysis emphasizes the importance of recognizing psychological coercion as a key factor in evaluating criminal intent and victim behavior. The article concludes that a legal psychology approach is essential for preventing secondary victimization, improving evidentiary assessment, and ensuring that the application of anti-trafficking laws aligns with both psychological reality and human-rights-based standards.
The Subjective Element in The Crime of Human Trafficking: Intention and The Apparent Consent of the Victim
The offence of human trafficking is structured around both objective and subjective elements, the latter playing a decisive role in the legal classification of conduct and in judicial reasoning. This article examines the subjective element of the crime of human trafficking, with a particular focus on the perpetrator’s intent (mens rea) and the legal significance of the victim’s apparent consent. While international and European legal instruments—most notably the Palermo Protocol and Directive 2011/36/EU—explicitly provide that the victim’s consent is legally irrelevant where coercive, deceptive, or abusive means are employed, national judicial practice continues to reveal interpretative tensions, especially in cases involving psychological coercion, abuse of vulnerability, or economic dependency. The central question guiding this analysis concerns the proper interpretation of intent and apparent consent within the framework of human trafficking offences, namely how these concepts should be construed in order to preserve the protective function of criminal law and ensure conformity with European human rights standards. The article argues that human trafficking is an offence of direct intent, encompassing both the acts of recruitment, transportation, or exploitation and the specific purpose of exploitation. Apparent consent, in this context, cannot negate criminal liability, as it frequently reflects a situation of constrained autonomy rather than a genuine expression of free will. Through a doctrinal analysis grounded in criminal law theory and supported by relevant European Court of Human Rights jurisprudence, the study demonstrates that a formalistic reliance on the notion of consent risks distorting the assessment of mens rea and undermining victim protection. The article concludes that a restrictive and context-sensitive interpretation of the subjective element—integrating intent, vulnerability, and power imbalance—is essential for legal certainty, consistent adjudication, and effective enforcement of anti-trafficking norms within national criminal law systems.
Digitalizing the Intangible Cultural Heritage for Sustainable Economic Growth in Developing Countries - Special Reference to Sri Lanka
Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) plays a vital role in preserving cultural identity and supporting community livelihoods in developing countries. In Sri Lanka, ICH includes traditional music and dance, ritual performances, folk theatre, craftsmanship, oral traditions, and indigenous knowledge. In 2003, UNESCO promulgated the Convention on the Protection of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which formally defined the concept of ICH and proposed various safeguarding measures, including identification, documentation, research, preservation, protection, promotion, transmission, and revitalization of heritage practices. These measures highlight the importance of keeping intangible heritage active and meaningful within communities. This paper explores how digitalization can support the safeguarding of Sri Lanka’s Intangible Cultural Heritage while contributing to sustainable economic growth. This study adopts a qualitative research design and will use a combination of an interviews. Particular attention is given to the use of multimedia tools such as audio-visual documentation, digital archives, social media platforms, and virtual cultural spaces. The findings indicate that ICH must remain a “living heritage” to survive over the long term. Continuous practice and use allow heritage to be transmitted from one generation to another. If cultural practices are not actively used, they risk gradual decline and eventual disappearance from the community. Digital technologies provide effective and accessible methods to keep ICH active by supporting documentation, public engagement, education, and wider dissemination. Moreover, digitalized ICH contributes to sustainable economic growth through cultural tourism, creative industries, and community-based enterprises. The paper argues use of digital media can strengthen both cultural sustainability and economic development in Sri Lanka. Integrating multimedia tools with heritage safeguarding strategies is essential for ensuring the long-term vitality of Intangible Cultural Heritage in developing countries.
From Red Flags to Warning Signs: Perceptions of School and Mass Shootings
Two studies examined people’s perceptions of school and mass shootings, with a particular focus on factors perceived to influence the perpetration of school and mass shootings (e.g., mental health, interpersonal rejection, disregard) as well as warning signs exhibited prior to the shootings. In Study 1, focusing on mass shootings, 395 Prolific workers completed a Qualtrics survey. Participants in Study 2, examining perceptions of school shooters, were 150 undergraduate or graduate students. Respondents in both studies perceived mental illness/psychological problems and lack of empathy as key influences on a mass/school shooter’s motivation to engage in the behavior. Additionally, posting violent content on social media was the behavior identified as the top warning sign for both school and mass shooters. Although respondents in both studies perceived the reporting of warning signs to be very important, of those who had witnessed suspicious behavior, 70.5% in Study 1 and 62.1% in Study 2 did not report it. This could stem from the lack of training in identifying warning signs reported by participants in Study 1 (82.0%) and Study 2 (38.7%).
Research on the Reconstruction of Art's Publicness in the Web3.0 Era by AI and Blockchain Technologies: An Empirical Analysis Based on MOCA Crypto Art Museum
In the Web 3.0 era, the convergence of AI and blockchain technology is fundamentally reshaping the creation, dissemination, and consumption of art. This paper aims to examine the agency of AI technology in reshaping the public nature of art. This paper examines artistic practices on the MOCA Crypto Art Museum platform and its X-platform community through the methods of walk through and discourse analysis. It argues that AI's involvement in art lowers creative barriers, enables cross-temporal dissemination, guides community participants in reshaping their identities, and offers multiple possibilities for constructing new forms of publicness. Art enthusiasts, through human-machine collaborative creation and community interaction, embody their ideal identities as "co-creators" and "pioneers" expressing their aspiration for a decentralized art world. Moreover, the integration of AI and blockchain fundamentally establishes a new foundation for the art market. Its core value lies in resolving the critical contradictions within the traditional art sector—namely, high barriers to entry and limited distribution channels—through technological means, thereby providing a practical pathway for realizing the public nature of art.
Impact of Guaranteed Income Pilots on Food Insecurity: Evidence from 16 U.S. Mayor Guaranteed Income Programs
Food insecurity affects nearly 13.5% of U.S. households and is a major public health issue. Guaranteed Income (GI) initiatives offering recurring cash transfers with no work requirements have been suggested to favorably impact household food insecurity. In this study we evaluated effects of GI interventions on food insecurity within sixteen municipal programs that took place between 2022-2023, consisting of twelve randomized controlled trials and four pre-post designs. The data was curated from reports published by the Center for Guaranteed Income Research at University of Pennsylvania. Overall, these interventions provided $3,500–$12,000 unconditional cash over 10–24 months, with monthly payments ranging from $350-$1,000. The pilot studies focused primarily on economically disadvantaged groups. Most programs enrolling adults aged 26 to 44 years, typically those living below 100-200% of the federal poverty level. Food insecurity was measured as self-reported reductions in food consumption due to lack of resources assessed using survey data at baseline, during and after the intervention. 14/16 pilots reported food insecurity outcomes. Six of the fourteen pilots (43%) demonstrated statistically significant reductions for GI recipients at one or more timepoints, with limited sustained effects. Among the three pre-post pilots, only the Saint Paul program showed a temporary decrease, which reversed after the intervention ended. In conclusion, we found modest improvements with limited sustained effects in improving food insecurity across GI pilots performed in the US. This highlights the need for future studies to evaluate whether longer intervention durations or higher payment amounts could achieve sustained food security improvements.
Reconceptualizing Mission Drift: An Affective Events Perspective
Mission drift, the derailing of practices from the mission, remains a persistent puzzle in hybrid organizations and mission-driven organizations. Existing literature, rooted in institutional theory and resource dependence, often portrays it as a strategic, macro-level response to external pressures. This conceptual article argues for a micro-foundational shift, proposing Affective Events Theory (AET) as a novel lens to explain the affective micro-processes that precipitate mission drift. We theorize how specific organizational events (e.g., funding shocks, investor interactions, leadership changes) generate discrete emotional episodes in employees. By introducing Affective Events Theory, we provide a dynamic model that explores how emotionally charged events, like resource constraints, stakeholder tensions, and governance shifts, cause emotional reactions that influence micro-decisions This approach highlights the under-explored role of affect as a critical mediator between external events and internal mission fidelity, offering a more nuanced perspective.
Gender and Literature: Deconstructing Stereotypes in the Classroom
This paper focuses on the intersection between Gender Studies and the teaching of literature in primary and secondary education, highlighting how narratives can be used as powerful tools to promote gender awareness, inclusion, and equality in the classroom. My aim is a) to demonstrate how gender is represented in children’s and adolescent literature and b) to explore the ways these gender representations shape pupils’ and students’ perceptions of social roles, power and identity. At the primary level, literature constitutes a safe and simple way to challenge and question traditional gender stereotypes — through activities such as character analysis, role reversal, or creative adaptations of familiar tales. These methods foster the development of empathy, self-expression, and appreciation for diversity among young learners. At the secondary level, students are asked to create more informed critiques of literary voices by examining how ideas and preconceptions about femininity and masculinity are constructed across time periods and genres. By using multimodal texts, projects, and through interesting discussions, learners enhance their ability to question these dominant narratives concerning gender and identity and form their own ideas and opinions. I also aim to suggest how the integration of gender perspectives into literature classes helps pupils and students think critically, be inclusive, and act responsively as future citizens. The presentation will conclude with real-world examples and classroom strategies for educators interested in incorporating gender-sensitive approaches into their literature classrooms.
The Past and The Present of Aquaculture and Fisheries: A Focus on the Economy of Rural Gopalganj
With a particular focus on the village of Purnoboti in the Kotalipara Sub District, this study explores the socioeconomic dynamics of inland fisheries among the rural residents of Gopalganj. Because fisheries and fish hatcheries play a major role in their local economy, it is essential to comprehend how economic factors interact with the pursuit of profit maximization. The study implements qualitative methodology in order to have a closer examination into experiences of local fishermen on how they see the benefits and drawbacks of these technologies to their traditional forms of fishing as well as local livelihood. The research focuses on the impact on the individual level of income and sustainability of the community aimed at casting light on the broader economic implications of such changes on rural population. This paper explores the challenges that the local fishermen and stakeholders face to adapt to a fast-changing environment considering ecological conservation and economic viability.
NATO in a Shifting Geopolitical Order: The China-Russia Axis and Regional Securitisation
This paper explores NATO’s evolving securitisation strategies concerning Russia and China in the post-pandemic world. Drawing on securitisation theory, the study employs a mixed-methods approach to analyse NATO’s discourse and strategic posture across three regions: the North Atlantic, the South Atlantic, and the Indo-Pacific. Quantitative content analysis of official NATO speeches (2020–2024) identifies recurring themes and discursive shifts, revealing how the Alliance constructs Russia and China as existential threats. The qualitative phase further contextualises these patterns through document analysis and expert interviews. The findings demonstrate that NATO intensified its securitisation of Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, reaffirming the North Atlantic as its central strategic theatre. Concurrently, the Indo-Pacific gained prominence in NATO's discourse, with China increasingly framed as a revisionist power, prompting deeper cooperation with regional partners. In contrast, the South Atlantic remains marginal in NATO’s official narrative, although securitisation occurs indirectly via member states’ activities and cooperation frameworks. The study highlights NATO’s adaptation to a multipolar security environment, revealing a strategic recalibration shaped by both regional dynamics and global rivalries. Ultimately, the research offers new insights into how NATO constructs threats and extends its strategic presence beyond the Euro-Atlantic space.
Human Rights in The Context of the State of Emergency: The Balance Between National Security and Fundamental Freedoms
The proclamation of a state of emergency, whether triggered by armed conflict, terrorist threats, natural disasters, or global pandemics, constitutes a critical test for the resilience of democratic institutions and the protection of fundamental human rights. This paper explores the complex interplay between national security imperatives and the safeguarding of civil liberties during states of exception. Building on a multidisciplinary framework that integrates international human rights law, constitutional theory, and security studies, the analysis examines both normative constraints and empirical practices associated with the temporary suspension or limitation of rights. The study focuses on the legal mechanisms and justifications invoked by states to derogate from certain obligations under international treaties, such as the European Convention on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It also addresses the principle of proportionality, the requirement of legality, and the obligation of non-discrimination in the implementation of emergency measures. Special attention is paid to the role of constitutional courts and supranational bodies in reviewing the legitimacy and necessity of such restrictions. Through a comparative analysis of recent case studies—including the COVID-19 pandemic response—this research highlights the risk of normalization of emergency powers and the erosion of democratic oversight. The paper argues for a strengthened normative framework that ensures a fair balance between protecting national security and preserving individual freedoms, emphasizing the importance of legal predictability, transparency, and accountability in emergency governance.
Copyright (c) 2025 Proceeding of the International Conference on Social Sciences in the Modern Era
Moral Emotions and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury: The Roles of Moral Emotions in Cyclical Self-Harming Behavior
This study examines the relationship between moral emotions—specifically guilt, shame, and perceived failure—and self-harming behavior, with a particular focus on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). The research sample consisted of 165 university students of psychology (both full-time and part-time) and law, who completed the Self-Harm Inventory questionnaire. This allowed for an analysis of the frequency and types of self-harm, emotional triggers (i.e., emotional causes of self-harm), and subsequent emotional states. Findings revealed a high prevalence of self-harming behavior, particularly more severe forms occurring with at least moderate frequency. The most commonly reported behaviors included self-critical thoughts, scratching, hitting, cutting, and fasting. The primary emotional triggers were feelings of failure, anger, sadness, and guilt, while the predominant post-harm emotional states were relief, guilt, and sadness. Statistical analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between various variables, including emotional triggers and specific forms of self-harm, as well as between types of self-harm and the emotional responses following the behavior. A strong association between guilt and self-harm – comparable to that of shame – challenges the conventional view of guilt as a corrective or adaptive emotion. Instead, both guilt and shame appear to reinforce a cyclical pattern of self-harm driven by the discrepancy between one’s actual and ideal self-image. The findings highlight the need for interventions targeting maladaptive self-evaluation, perfectionism, and emotional regulation.
The psychosocial perception of fundamental rights compliance in crisis contexts: between trust in authorities and the sense of personal security
The compliance with fundamental rights during crisis situations—such as pandemics, natural disasters, or states of emergency—raises essential questions regarding how individuals perceive the legitimacy and proportionality of governmental actions. This study investigates the psychosocial perception of citizens concerning the respect for fundamental rights in exceptional contexts, with a focus on the balance between public trust in authorities and the subjective feeling of personal security. Drawing on theoretical frameworks from social psychology, human rights law, and crisis communication, the research explores how factors such as institutional trust, exposure to mass media, and previous experiences with state intervention shape perceptions of rights compliance. The study uses a mixed-method approach, combining survey-based quantitative data with qualitative insights from interviews and focus groups. The central aim is to assess whether restrictive measures are perceived as protective or repressive, and how this perception varies across social categories. The findings are expected to provide valuable data for improving public policies that ensure both security and civil liberties during future crises. The research is guided by the following questions: How do individuals perceive the respect for fundamental rights during a declared state of emergency? What is the relationship between trust in public authorities and the perception of rights compliance? How does the sense of personal security influence the acceptance of restrictive governmental measures? This paper contributes to the broader understanding of how democratic values are maintained or challenged in times of crisis, with implications for both governance and civic resilience.
Clarifying School Alienation within Taiwan’s Educational Context: Relationships with Parental Attachment and Implications for School Counseling
Seeman's theory of alienation, rooted in social psychology, addresses individuals' feelings of estrangement in social contexts. Despite its relevance, research specifically addressing school alienation within Taiwan's educational system remains limited. This study aims to define and clarify the concept of school alienation to enhance school psychological well-being and formulate effective counseling and guidance strategies tailored to Taiwanese students. Employing a multifaceted methodological approach, this research encompasses an extensive literature review, the development and validation of a school alienation scale, and correlational analyses with relevant psychological constructs. Structural Equation Modeling confirmed that school alienation comprises four subconstructs—powerlessness, normlessness, social isolation, and meaninglessness—which align with Seeman's original framework yet also incorporate distinct indigenous nuances pertinent to Taiwan's educational context. Importantly, this study identifies school alienation as a mediator in the relationship between parental attachment and students' sense of well-being at school, contributing novel theoretical insights to the field of school-based psychological counseling. By integrating counseling supervision models proposed by Luke and Bernard (2006) and Wood and Rayle (2006), this research offers a culturally sensitive conceptualization of school alienation. The paper concludes with specific recommendations for counseling and guidance practices aimed at addressing and mitigating school alienation, thus advancing both theoretical understanding and practical interventions within Taiwanese schools.
Mourning and Female Resilience: A Posthumanist Reading of Lucy in Disgrace
This paper examines Lucy Lurie's response to sexual assault in J.M. Coetzee’s Disgrace, focusing on her decision to remain on her farm and her interactions with the natural environment. Employing Rosi Braidotti’s posthuman feminist theory, the study explores how Lucy's engagement with non-human entities—such as caring for animals and cultivating the land—serves as a means of processing trauma. These actions reflect a departure from traditional, anthropocentric approaches to trauma recovery, suggesting an alternative pathway that emphasizes interconnectedness with the more-than-human world. The paper argues that Lucy's silence and non-verbal practices represent a form of resistance and resilience, challenging patriarchal and colonial narratives. Through this lens, the novel grants Lucy a distinct voice—not through conventional dialogue, but through her embodied actions and choices. This narrative approach proposes an alternative framework for women to navigate trauma and sexual violence, emphasizing non-verbal, embodied forms of expression and healing. Through this lens, Disgrace offers insights into how posthumanist perspectives can inform understandings of female subjectivity and trauma in literature.
Prevention and Control of Diseases in Thailand’s Juvenile Facilities: The Pahurat’s BathTub Approach (PBA) to Balancing Justice and Health Equity
This study proposes a comprehensive framework for disease surveillance, screening, prevention, and control in Thailand’s juvenile detention facilities, emphasizing the impact of social determinants on vulnerable youth’s health. Rooted in social justice and health equity, the approach aligns with the Royal Development Projects' "Good Health, Good Heart" and employs the Pahurat’s BathTub Approach. It recognizes that factors such as overcrowding, limited healthcare access, and social support significantly influence health risks in detention settings. The model includes systematic health assessments at intake, during detention, and pre-release, categorizing youth into three health statuses: Cold Water (no health threats), Warm Water (under treatment), and Hot Water (unaware of infection). Maintaining youth in the Cold-Water status highlights the importance of addressing social determinants to ensure health protection. Those in Warm Water require ongoing care, while Hot Water cases need targeted screening and treatment to prevent disease transmission and support reintegration. The framework also considers disease spread via staff (“Towel”) and visitors (“Rainwater”), exacerbated by systemic inequalities. Respiratory diseases like influenza, measles, and chickenpox can transmit silently during incubation periods of 1–21 days, necessitating regular diagnostics and prompt interventions, especially for diseases like tuberculosis. A quarantine period of 5–7 days, coupled with vaccination efforts, is recommended to reduce health disparities. This approach is based on principles of accessible services, welfare support, inter-agency collaboration, continuous improvement, and equity, aiming to address social determinants, improve health outcomes, and promote justice within detention environments at local, community, and global levels.
Promoting African Interests: An Analysis of South Africa's Foreign Policy Implementation on the African Continent
This paper is a comprehensive analysis of South Africa's foreign policy implementation on the African continent. By examining the country's strategic foreign policy pillars, including national interests, the African agenda, South-South cooperation, and multilateralism, this study investigates how South Africa's foreign policy priorities are translated into concrete actions and outcomes in Africa. The paper employs a qualitative research approach, combining document analysis and expert interviews to provide a nuanced understanding of South Africa's foreign policy implementation on the continent. The findings highlight the complexities and challenges of promoting African interests through foreign policy and shed light on the opportunities and constraints that shape South Africa's role as a regional leader. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of South Africa's foreign policy and its implications for African regionalism and global governance. This analysis examines South Africa's national interest framework by arguing that foreign policy decision-making has become more centralized but has not led to a unified understanding of the national interest. Instead, various perspectives are included, highlighting the complexities involved in defining what the national interest entails. The study's findings have significant implications for policymakers, scholars, and practitioners seeking to promote African interests and enhance regional cooperation on the continent. By examining the intricacies of South Africa's foreign policy implementation, this research provides valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges of promoting African interests in the 21st century. This paper will be guided by theories such as realism and critical review theory. These theories will assist the researcher to unpack the analysis of South Africa’s foreign policy before and after the apartheid regime in South Africa.
Exploring Challenges of Teaching Isizulu Writing and Reading in The Foundation Phase and Intermediate Phase
The instruction of isiZulu literacy in the Foundation Phase (Grades R-3) and Intermediate Phase (Grades 4-6) presents challenges to literacy advancement. This study examines linguistic, pedagogical, social, and structural barriers, emphasizing significant problems and proposing solutions to enhance isiZulu literacy education. A qualitative study design was employed, incorporating semi-structured interviews and classroom observations. A purposeful sample of isiZulu language educators from urban and rural South African schools was selected. The data were analyzed thematically to identify recurring patterns in literacy instruction. This research is founded on Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory, which emphasizes the significance of language, social interaction, and cultural context in the learning process. It additionally employs the Reading Acquisition Framework, which fosters phonological awareness, orthographic comprehension, and print exposure. Identified challenges encompass linguistic barriers, such as the conjunctive writing system complicating word segmentation; pedagogical issues, including insufficient phonics-based instruction and a dearth of age-appropriate reading materials; socio-economic factors, notably limited parental support and inadequate home literacy resources; systemic issues, particularly the transition to English in Grade 4 affecting literacy development; and overcrowded classrooms restricting individualized attention for learners. The study recommends developing graded isiZulu reading materials, enhancing teacher training in phonics and bilingual literacy strategies, engaging parents in literacy initiatives, revising language transition policies, and employing classroom support strategies such as reduced class sizes and digital tools. Improving isiZulu literacy instruction will enhance linguistic and cognitive abilities, leading to greater academic achievement in both isiZulu and English.
Sexual Violence and Teenage Pregnancy in South Africa’s Secondary Schools
Research shows that up to one-third of adolescent girls report forced sexual initiation, with pregnancy often occurring as a consequence of their first sexual experience. In Africa, the rates of sexual violence and teenage pregnancy are rising alarmingly, posing a significant barrier to girls' educational attainment. Most incidents of sexual violence, however, remain unreported, perpetuating a culture of silence. This paper is centred on research that utilised a qualitative methodology to investigate the link between sexual violence and teenage pregnancy among girls in secondary schools. Data was gathered through focus groups and semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically. The study is anchored in nego-feminism and liberal feminist theory. Nego-feminism, emphasising an African-centered feminist approach, calls for dialogue around issues affecting girls, such as culturally embedded practices that contribute to teenage pregnancy, while encouraging male participation in these discussions. Liberal feminist theory advocates for equal power distribution between genders, thus supporting girls' rights to autonomy and education. The paper’s findings highlight a strong correlation between sexual violence and teenage pregnancy, with forced sexual initiation contributing significantly to pregnancy rates. Poverty is identified as a catalyst for teenage pregnancy within rural communities, exacerbating school dropout rates and jeopardising the academic futures of affected girls. The paper thus recommends enforcing stringent educational laws to monitor girls' school attendance, as well as revisiting policies and raising awareness of sexual violence as a form of gender-based violence. These measures are critical to supporting the educational advancement of young girls and addressing the systemic barriers imposed by sexual violence and culturally specific practices.
Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms in Relation to Self-Harming Behavior During Adolescence
Self-injurious behavior has demonstrated an increasing trend among adolescents and young adults over the last decades. Its high prevalence in both clinical and non-clinical populations poses a serious threat to the physical and mental health of adolescents. To understand the causes and mechanisms underlying this undesirable phenomenon, as well as to develop more effective treatment and intervention strategies, it is essential to obtain relevant data from multiple domains, including information on the overall mental health of self-injuring adolescents. The aim of this study is to examine the extent to which depressive and anxiety symptoms are associated with self-injurious behavior and to assess the predictive value of these symptoms in relation to self-injury. The research was conducted on a sample of 203 adolescents aged 15 to 19 years (M = 16.62 years), with a female representation of 58.6%. The presence of depressive and anxiety symptoms, assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), was found to be statistically significantly correlated (p < 0.001) with the occurrence of self-injurious behavior, as measured by a modified Self-Harm Inventory (SHI). Linear regression analysis indicated that both depressive symptoms (DS) and anxiety symptoms (AS) significantly predicted the occurrence of self-injurious behavior (p < 0.001; R²DS = 0.495; R²AS = 0.466). These findings suggest that depressive and anxiety symptoms play a crucial role in the development and manifestation of self-injurious behavior among adolescents. This has significant implications, particularly for the prevention of self-injury onset and progression. Given these results, further research into additional comorbidities commonly associated with self-injurious behavior in this population is highly recommended.
Black Consciousness Lens: Social Grants and Land Production for Sustainable Livelihoods in South Africa
In the era of inflation, where the sustainability of social grants and issues on land expropriation are debated in various platforms. The paper assesses and highlights the significance of integrating social grants and land production programmes for sustainable livelihoods in South Africa. With interpretivism as its paradigm, it argues that social grants play a crucial role in addressing poverty among the people, although insufficient to cover their basic needs. It then posits a Sustainable Social Security Model (S3M) grounded in Ubuntu that postulates material changes, including land distribution and the implementation of self-sustenance programmes steeped in community-based resources as a supplementary mechanism to social grants.
The Study on Effectiveness of Mind Simulation Therapy on Stuttering and Adjustments Problems on a Group of Iranian Patients with Moderate to Severe Stuttering
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the mind simulation technique in reducing stuttering and improving individual and social adjustment of adults with stuttering. Method: The design of the present study was quasi-experimental with a control group, pretest-posttest, and follow-up design. The statistical population was all adults with stuttering (18-40 years old, male and female) referred to Dr. Kamerzarin Psychological Services Center in 2024. A total of 26 people were selected as the study sample using the convenience sampling method. The Stuttering Severity Inventory (SSI-4) and the Bell Adjustment Questionnaire were used to collect data. The stuttering intensity and degree of adjustment of participants were measured in the pre-test (before treatment), post-test (three months after treatment), and after a one-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using the repeated measures of variance using SPSS-22 software. The main hypothesis of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the mind simulation technique in reducing stuttering and improving individual and social adjustment of people with stuttering. Results: The results showed that mind stimulation therapy effectively reduced stuttering severity and total adjustment, job adjustment, and emotional adjustment (P = 0.01).
Copyright (c) 2024 Proceeding of the International Conference on Social Sciences in the Modern Era
Language as a Tool of Faith: The Sociolinguistic Impact of Religious Discourse in Multicultural Communities
This study examines the sociolinguistic role of religious language in multicultural settings, focusing on how religious discourse shapes identity, fosters social cohesion, and sometimes, provokes divisions. By analyzing religious language’s impact on group dynamics within culturally diverse communities, the paper explores how it facilitates mutual understanding or exacerbates divisions, depending on its context and delivery. Drawing on sociolinguistic theories and case studies, this research investigates the influence of religious discourse on inclusion, belonging, and social identity. The findings suggest that while religious language has the potential to promote empathy and solidarity across diverse groups, it may also contribute to social tensions, particularly when differing beliefs and practices intersect. The study’s insights offer a nuanced understanding of religious language's role in multicultural societies, supporting initiatives for social cohesion and cultural inclusivity.
"Navigating Modern Challenges: The Struggles of Traditional Christian Families"
This article explores the contemporary challenges faced by traditional Christian Orthodox families in an increasingly secular and fast-paced world. As societal norms shift and modern values gain prominence, families rooted in Orthodox traditions encounter difficulties in maintaining their faith and practices. From the influence of technology and social media to the pressures of individualism and cultural diversity, the integrity of family life and religious upbringing is often tested. This study aims to highlight these challenges, examining their impact on family dynamics, spiritual development, and community engagement. By drawing on theological insights and real-life experiences, the article seeks to offer practical guidance for Orthodox families striving to navigate these complexities while remaining faithful to their beliefs and values.
Preserving Intangible Heritage: Saudi Arabia's Exemplary Efforts
Globalization and cultural homogenization pose significant threats to the preservation of intangible heritage. This research underscores the imperative of safeguarding and nurturing these invaluable cultural assets to foster diversity, facilitate intercultural dialogue, and enrich global intellectual and artistic landscapes. Saudi Arabia has a rich history of preserving intangible heritage, dating back fourteen centuries. Early scholars played a pivotal role in documenting oral traditions, poetry, and sermons, transitioning them from spoken to written forms. Building upon this legacy, contemporary Saudi governmental and non-governmental institutions are actively engaged in documenting intangible heritage. This paper critically examines Saudi Arabia's efforts in this regard, highlighting their significance and potential contributions to the broader field of cultural preservation.
Online Coping with Culture Shock: The Role of Motivational and Social Factors in Psychological Adjustment Among Chinese Students Abroad
The present study examines the underlying motivational and resource factors relevant to users of online communities. The participants were 72 Chinese students adjusting to a foreign culture. Specifically, we tested the motivations for social networking site (SNS) use and perceived social support—both online and offline—as predictors of SNS addiction and loneliness, which serve as outcome variables. Our findings revealed that SNS addiction and loneliness were significantly related to two out of five motivational factors for SNS use, indicating that not all motivations contribute equally to these undesirable outcomes. In addition, both online and offline social support were found to be negatively correlated with SNS addiction and loneliness, suggesting that greater access to social resources can mitigate these issues. These results highlight the importance of understanding the complex interplay between motivations for SNS use and the availability of social resources in fostering healthier adjustment experiences for students in foreign cultures.
Language as a Common, Public, and Collective Good
This paper explores the similarities and differences between language as the realization of a universal, inherently human ability and as a collective good shared by all people. As a universal human good, language is concretely manifested in various forms, functioning as a collective good for both smaller and larger social groups. This can be seen, for example, in a national language, which is realized with varying degrees of difference, such as family speech, local dialects, sociolects, or substandard idioms. Language as a public good refers to a linguistic system used as a common means of communication for a broader community, typically at the state level (the standard language). The paper discusses the characteristics, similarities, and differences between the roles and acquisition of language as a collective good (first language competence) and language as a public good (second language competence). Given the different communicative (private/public communication, spoken/written communication) and identity-related roles (belonging to a narrower/broader social group), as well as the distinct methods of acquisition (spontaneous/non-spontaneous, unconscious/conscious), it is important within a larger social community to foster a positive attitude toward the standard language as a public good and promote its acquisition within formal education systems. In doing so, it is necessary to anticipate and address the challenges that may arise in mastering the public (standard) language, such as neutral or negative attitudes toward the standard language, fear of using the standard language, and other related difficulties.