Filosofija. Sociologija

Title

Lietuvos mokslų akademija — 2024-12-13

‘I Thought I Left for Two Weeks’: War Related Crises and Coping Strategies in the Narratives of Female Forced Migrants from Ukraine in Lithuania

Kristina Šliavaitė — 2024-12-13

The paper examines the data of qualitative interviews with female forced migrants from Ukraine, who came to Lithuania after the full-scale Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The paper analyses the narratives of war and migration to identify the main crises encountered by research participants, the ways in which the research participants construct themselves and coping strategies in the face of war-related crises. The crises that emerged during the interviews could be grouped into those experienced at the individual (emotional, psychological), family (separated families) and community (fragmented communities in the occupied territories, the longing for Ukraine while being in displacement) levels. The research participants constructed themselves as active agents capable of making decisions and taking actions necessary to minimise or control those crises.

Differences of Personal Agency Between the Cohorts in Lithuania: Relating Gender, Period and Attitudes Towards the Breaking of Public Norms

Vylius Leonavičius — 2024-12-13

The article is aimed at showing how the perception of personal agency is interlinked with the attitudes towards keeping up or breaking the public norms among different age groups in Lithuania. The article proposes the general thesis that this link may be determined by the different experience and socialisation of generations. The article employs the quantitative representative data (collected in 2020) from the survey of the Lithuanian population aged 18–52, which is analysed using bivariate and multivariate methods by comparing two distinctive generations. The data analysis reveals the pattern – the middle-aged cohort has a weaker sense of agency and is more likely to justify breaking of certain public norms than younger adults. Additionally, the age cohort factor or generational categories are an important factor in explaining how the disapproval of breaking of certain public norms is correlated with higher levels of personal agency. The latter finding supports the conceptual thesis that socialisation in the Soviet system may be an important factor in determining differences in personal agency and the attitudes of public norm breaking in Lithuania.

Fertility Intentions of Millennials Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

Vytenis Juozas Deimantas — 2024-12-13

We aim at investigating the connection between the negative change in fertility intentions and change in socio-economic resources (financial, mental, physical, life satisfaction) caused by COVID-19 containment measures for millennials in Lithuania. We use data from the Families and Inequalities Survey carried out in Lithuania in 2021. It is a representative dataset covering the cohort born between 1985 and 1989 (n = 1000). Analytically, we employ the multinomial logistic regression with robust standard errors. We find a positive association between a likelihood of postponing fertility intentions and having a partner. Worsening life satisfaction is positively associated to downgrading fertility intentions.

The Impact of Family Risk Factors on Husband Violence Against Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Montenegro

Tatjana Vujović — 2024-12-13

This paper presents the results of the first phase of a longitudinal study initiated during the ‘first wave’ of the COVID-19 pandemic in Montenegro. The research aimed to examine the influence of selected risk factors on the occurrence of physical violence against women by their husbands during the pandemic. Four risk factors were assessed: the husband’s job loss, the frequency of alcohol consumption by the husband, the history of family violence, and the distribution of family responsibilities. The study was conducted on a sample of 500 adult female participants, age range 20 to 49 years. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that the husband’s job loss during the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of physical violence against women. Frequent alcohol consumption by husbands, as a negative coping mechanism for stress, was found to be the strongest predictor of physical violence against women. Furthermore, a prior occurrence of domestic violence was associated with an increased likelihood of physical violence perpetrated by the husband. Findings also indicated that more equitable distribution of household responsibilities between partners correlated with a lower likelihood of physical violence against women. These results underscore the need for targeted strategies in preventing this issue.

Personal Social Services in the Context of External Threats: Analytical Framework for Social System Resilience

Laimutė Žalimienė — 2024-12-13

Existential threats, such as pandemics, wars and illegal migration, are classified as high-impact threats because they destabilise welfare systems, endanger national security and threaten societal cohesion. The effects of these threats are first felt by socially vulnerable individuals, necessitating the transformation of social support systems to meet the needs of these groups. This article delves into the concept of system resilience by focusing on the characteristics of personal social services systems, based on a literature review. Using J. S. Coleman’s insights on social systems, the general concept of resilience derived from ecological systems, and the interaction between the micro, meso and macro levels of social systems, the article constructs an evaluation concept for the resilience of personal social services systems in the face of threats. The developed analytical framework for assessing the resilience of personal social services to threats enables the identification of different configurations of the system’s ability to adapt and the factors that determine these configurations.

The Youth Not in Education, Employment, or Training in Romania: A Structural Analysis

Horia Mihai — 2024-12-13

This article examines the NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) youth in Romania, employing the secondary analysis of quantitative data and focusing on the socio-economic, cultural and systemic factors contributing to this phenomenon. The analysis highlights how economic instability, poverty and limited access to education exacerbate the challenges faced by this demographic group. Gender disparities, driven by traditional roles and labour market discrimination, further limit opportunities for young women. Additionally, structural deficiencies in the labour market, such as job shortages and mismatches between skills and demand, hinder employment prospects. Cultural expectations and societal norms also play a significant role in influencing youth participation in education and employment. Young citizens of Romania, particularly women and members of the Roma community, face significant barriers to employment, with low wages, poor working conditions and inadequate investment in education and vocational training contributing to high NEET youth rates. Patriarchal norms, especially within the Roma community, further exacerbate cycles of poverty and marginalisation by limiting educational and economic opportunities.

Artificial Intelligence in Sociology: A Critical Review and Future Directions

Chunfa Zhou — 2024-12-13

This study presents a critical review of the emerging field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Sociology, examining the social implications and ethical considerations of AI technologies. Through a qualitative methodology incorporating a systematic literature review and thematic analysis, this research explores the intersection of AI and sociology, aiming to bridge the gap between technological advancement and societal impact. The study investigates key theoretical frameworks, including critical theory and actor-network theory, to analyse power relations, social stratification, and the dynamic interplay between AI and society. The findings reveal the multifaceted influence of AI on social structures, ethical challenges, and the need for interdisciplinary approaches to address the societal implications of AI.