Abstract This study examines the relationship between educational and reproductive choices and aims to establish whether they compete in the lives of young Russian women born in the 1990s. The authors use longitudinal data of the ‘Trajectories in Education and Careers’ survey (2011–2021; panel sample N = 992) and successively apply sequence analysis, cluster analysis, and regression analysis. The latter shows that young women who initially have no plans for a long course of study choose early motherhood. Giving birth while studying lengthens the educational trajectory rather than interrupts it. However, the most preferred strategy of young Russian females is a long course of study and delayed childbearing. The predictors of this choice include, inter alia, a high socio-economic status of the parental family, residence in large urban centers, good grades at high school, individual plans to get tertiary education, and higher educational expectations of parents. These factors affect both educational and reproductive choices.
Abstract This article seeks a synthesis of causal and teleological explanations of social behaviour. Causal explanations assume that social phenomena are determined by factors of the past. Teleological explanations are based on the assumption that social phenomena are the result of the intentions and goals of individual or collective actors. This article proposes to distinguish between behavioural constraints that define a decision space and the utilisation of this space by social actors. The behavioural constraints can easily be explained by causal factors whereas the utilization of the resulting decision space typically depends on the intentions of the concerned actors. Thus, there is a complementarity between teleological and causal explanations. In order to illustrate this double-headed explanatory approach, the author analyses the possibilities of authoritarian governments to restrict the political and social freedom of their citizens. The governmental decision space is limited by the power and the expectations of the national civil societies and of the community of the EU governments.
Abstract This case study examines the role of merit hierarchies in the classification of historic monuments. It draws upon the classification of the sepulture of the archaeologist D. Lazarides, situated in the First cemetery of Athens. Based on archival documents and semi-directive interviews, the case study discusses the vocabularies used to defend the element’s monumental character. This reading elucidates how the funerary stele’s formal characteristics and history are put into perspective with the occupational and social status of its first concessionary. It defends a heterarchical understanding of monumentalisation, arguing that multiple hierarchies of merit are at stake during heritage selection processes.
Abstract This study analyses the justification for men’s preferential right to access paid employment over women in situations of labour scarcity. From an intersectional and cross-categorical perspective, the authors examine how various social boundaries interact to shape inequalities in the labour market. Utilising the amalgamated dataset from the World Values Survey ( WVS 7) and the European Values Study ( EVS 5), a valid sample of 139,301 participants from 88 countries was analysed. The authors employed binary logistic regression, classification trees ( CRT and CHAID ) and cluster analysis to assess the influence of gender, age, educational attainment, income and country of residence. The findings demonstrate that male-centred work priority is endorsed by 52.4 percent of the sample. The most significant predictive factors were determined to be gender and educational level. Men with low educational attainment and income were found to be the most likely to endorse this view. Wide variations were observed between countries; the highest rates of male preference were recorded in North Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, in contrast to marked rejection in Northern Europe. The conclusion is that the social boundaries associated with labour rights are fluid, being dependent upon sociodemographic stratification and the national context.
Abstract This study examines how social media redefines career boundaries for young Indian women aged 21–30 in Belagavi City, Karnataka State (India), challenging traditional patriarchal constraints through digital exposure to diverse professional opportunities. Drawing on 19 survey respondents and in-depth interviews with five participants, the research reveals social media’s dual role as both emancipatory tool and potential source of unrealistic expectations. Through ‘postcolonial feminist’, ‘uses and gratifications’, and ‘social cognitive career theory’ ( SCCT ) lenses, the authors show how platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn enable boundary-crossing – from domestic confinement to entrepreneurial aspirations – while navigating familial expectations and local socio-cultural norms. The ‘Redefining Boundaries’ perspective critically analyzes how digital networks facilitate occupational diversification, geographic mobility aspirations, and identity reconstruction, fundamentally reshaping career decision-making processes among Belagavi’s young women. Sociological analysis underscores social media’s transformative potential tempered by structural limitations.
Existing studies on public goods provision often treat state-centered (supply-side) and society-centered (demand-side) explanations in isolation. This review argues that the interaction between state and society is a critical determinant of public service outcomes. It develops an analytical framework that integrates state capacity and social fragmentation, identifying four distinct types of state-society equilibrium. By linking theoretical insights with empirical patterns, the framework provides a conceptual tool for understanding why similar states or societies can produce divergent public goods outcomes. It also offers a roadmap for future research, encouraging systematic examination of how different configurations of state-society relations shape the provision, equity, and effectiveness of public goods across political and social contexts.
This article analyzes the Portuguese child protection system from a comparative perspective with the protection systems of other European Union countries (Finland, France, Netherlands and Ireland), based on dimensions such as the global orientation, system organization and workforce. The article systematizes the main trends in the theoretical and practical evolution of child protection systems, namely the focus on prevention, early intervention and family support. The conclusion is that the four countries evolved towards integrating child protection in welfare policies, specializing statutory protection structures and opting for a highly specialized workforce, while Portugal persists in a forensic vision that subordinates prevention to protection and in a semi-professional organization model, where there is no control over the characteristics of the workforce.
Abstract This article addresses a significant research gap in digital sociology by proposing a neo-Bourdieusian theoretical framework for understanding digital capital as a new form of social stratification. Drawing upon Bourdieu’s theory of capital accumulation and contemporary digital divide research, this study conceptualizes digital citizenship not merely as access to technology, but as a multidimensional form of capital that reproduces and transforms existing social hierarchies. Through an extensive analysis of recent empirical studies and theoretical developments, this article identifies three interconnected dimensions of digital capital: technological capital (access to and proficiency with digital tools), informational capital (ability to critically evaluate and utilize digital information), and participatory capital (capacity for meaningful civic engagement through digital platforms). The article demonstrates how these forms of capital interact with traditional forms of social capital to create new patterns of inclusion and exclusion in contemporary society. This theoretical innovation provides a framework for understanding how digital technologies simultaneously democratize access to information and resources while creating new forms of social stratification based on digital competencies and resources.
Abstract The British National (Overseas) visa route, introduced in 2021 amid political change in Hong Kong, has been read as either humanitarian protection or skilled-migration strategy. This article instead analyzes the route as selective expansion within a restrictive migration regime. Using policy documents, official statistics, and survey and community evidence, it traces adoption, implementation, and revision. The analysis shows how an expanded path to settlement for a historically connected population coexists with control through high costs, staged rights, and the condition of ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’. The 2022 eligibility extension to adult dependent children is interpreted as policy feedback and legitimacy repair that broadened access while preserving core conditionality.
Abstract This study explores academic attitudes toward innovation in Polish and Lithuanian universities, two postcommunist countries with evolving higher education systems. Using qualitative analysis of 46 interviews, the article examines how academics define an innovative university, assess innovation within their institutions, and experience organizational culture. Findings reveal key differences: Polish academics often describe their institutions as non-innovative, hindered by hierarchy, nepotism, and lack of transparency. In contrast, Lithuanian academics – especially in Kaunas – view their universities more positively, citing competitiveness, technology transfer, and international collaboration. These divergent views reflect distinct historical, cultural, and policy contexts. The study highlights the importance of local conditions in shaping academic innovation and argues against one-size-fits-all strategies. The research contributes to understanding how institutional culture and national legacy influence innovation and offers guidance for policymakers and university leaders aiming to foster change in postcommunist countries.
Abstract Genetic variation plays a significant role in shaping socioeconomic status. Conventional census racial categories (Black, White, Asian, Hispanic) obscure substantial variation among ancestry groups. Surnames reflect ancestral lineage and genetic heritage, enabling finer measurement. The authors combined 23andMe genetic ancestry data on surnames with surnames yielded from government financial records, criminal databases, Wikipedia entries, and physician licensure records. They found that genetic ancestry strongly predicted surname-level outcomes across all metrics, with substantial differences in social standing among ethnic groups. Ashkenazi Jews and Indians ranked highest; British/Irish and Iberian ranked lowest among Europeans; highly selected immigrant groups such as Arabs and Iranians scored above Europeans.
Abstract Generalized trust plays a crucial role in economic development and social governance. Using six waves of the World Values Survey from 1989 to 2022, this study employs hierarchical age-period-cohort cross-classified random effects models to examine long-term trends in generalized trust in China, with the US as a comparative reference. The results show that generalized trust increases with age in both societies, though more slowly in China. Period effects indicate an initial decline followed by a subsequent rise in both societies, with China exhibiting lower trust than the US before 2005–2009, but higher levels thereafter. Cohort effects are statistically significant in the US but not in China. Specifically, in the US, generalized trust is significantly higher among cohorts born 1926–1940, and significantly lower among those born 1966–1975. These findings highlight distinct institutional and historical dynamics shaping trust trajectories across societies.
Physical inactivity is a global health concern, contributing to various diseases and health inequities. While research has shown physical activity's impact on health and well-being, participation rates remain low, emphasizing the need to consider cultural, social, emotional, and environmental factors. This narrative review explores how Hofstede's Individualism-Collectivism dimension and Schwartz's theory of values shape physical activity behaviors. A comprehensive search identified relevant studies published between 2010 and 2024, focusing on the influence of cultural and personal values on physical activity behaviors. Findings reveal the intersection of both frameworks and how they shape physical activity, with collectivistic societies preferring group-oriented activities motivated by benevolence, while individualistic societies emphasize autonomy and personal achievement. This highlights the importance of creating interventions that align with societal and individual-level motivations. In conclusion, both frameworks provide valuable insights into physical activity behavior across cultures and allow for creating customized interventions that promote physical activity participation.
The British National (Overseas) visa route, introduced in 2021 amid political change in Hong Kong, has been read as either humanitarian protection or skilled-migration strategy. This article instead analyzes the route as selective expansion within a restrictive migration regime. Using policy documents, official statistics, and survey and community evidence, it traces adoption, implementation, and revision. The analysis shows how an expanded path to settlement for a historically connected population coexists with control through high costs, staged rights, and the condition of no recourse to public funds. The 2022 eligibility extension to adult dependent children is interpreted as policy feedback and legitimacy repair that broadened access while preserving core conditionality.
Genetic variation plays a significant role in shaping socioeconomic status. Conventional census racial categories (Black, White, Asian, Hispanic) obscure substantial variation among ancestry groups. Surnames reflect ancestral lineage and genetic heritage, enabling finer measurement. The authors combined 23andMe genetic ancestry data on surnames with surnames yielded from government financial records, criminal databases, Wikipedia entries, and physician licensure records. They found that genetic ancestry strongly predicted surname-level outcomes across all metrics, with substantial differences in social standing among ethnic groups. Ashkenazi Jews and Indians ranked highest; British/Irish and Iberian ranked lowest among Europeans; highly selected immigrant groups such as Arabs and Iranians scored above Europeans.
This article addresses a significant research gap in digital sociology by proposing a neo-Bourdieusian theoretical framework for understanding digital capital as a new form of social stratification. Drawing upon Bourdieu's theory of capital accumulation and contemporary digital divide research, this study conceptualizes digital citizenship not merely as access to technology, but as a multidimensional form of capital that reproduces and transforms existing social hierarchies. Through an extensive analysis of recent empirical studies and theoretical developments, this article identifies three interconnected dimensions of digital capital: technological capital (access to and proficiency with digital tools), informational capital (ability to critically evaluate and utilize digital information), and participatory capital (capacity for meaningful civic engagement through digital platforms). The article demonstrates how these forms of capital interact with traditional forms of social capital to create new patterns of inclusion and exclusion in contemporary society. This theoretical innovation provides a framework for understanding how digital technologies simultaneously democratize access to information and resources while creating new forms of social stratification based on digital competencies and resources.
This study explores the implementation of innovative social work practices across various European nations, focusing on the adaptation of services to meet the specific needs of vulnerable groups. Using a comparative analysis, the research highlights the effectiveness of new approaches, including digital technologies, mobile services, and integrated programs, in enhancing service accessibility and quality. The study identifies key vulnerable groups, such as individuals with disabilities, refugees, orphans, and the elderly, and examines how innovative practices tailored to their unique needs can improve social integration and support. The findings emphasize the importance of individualized assistance and suggest that fostering public-private partnerships is crucial for furthering social service innovations. Based on the analysis, the article proposes recommendations for enhancing social protection systems through adaptive and forward-thinking practices.
This article explores the impact of employment structure on emancipative values across countries with varying levels of development and cultural sensitivity, particularly focusing on Asian societies. Building upon modernization theory, which traditionally emphasizes economic growth as the primary driver of value change, we introduce and test an alternative hypothesis - that the sectoral composition of employment (agricultural, industrial, and post-industrial) significantly mediates shifts from materialistic to emancipative values. Using data from the World Values Survey spanning 1981-2022, we apply panel regression models and regression discontinuity designs to investigate these dynamics. Our results show a nuanced relationship: the transition from agricultural to service-oriented employment does indeed promote emancipative values, but only once a certain threshold of economic development is reached. In poorer economies, the mere expansion of the service sector, often involving low-skilled jobs, does not trigger significant value liberalization. In wealthier contexts, growth in service employment enhances autonomy, tolerance, and inclusiveness. Post-industrial employment has a significant impact at both the individual and country levels, but there is no joint effect.
