Scientific Annals of the “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, Iaşi. New Series SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL WORK Section

PERSPECTIVES ON GENDER EQUALITY IN EDUCATION

2025-06-22T20:13:29+00:00

Gender equality in education goes beyond achieving gender parity in enrolment ratios, it also involves recognizing more subtle and complex mechanisms, such as the transmission of stereotypes, gender roles, and educational curriculum that may limit or influence the choices made by both girls and boys. The article explores the complex link between gender and education, emphasizing the importance of equal access as a fundamental human right and a central pillar of equitable societies. The article focuses on two main directions: an overview of relevant legislative frameworks and strategies addressing gender equality in education, and an analysis of key gender equality indicators in education, derived from the model developed by Subrahmanian (2005). Using a secondary data analysis based on international and national sources (official statistics, specialized reports and analyses, legislation) the study highlights disparities in enrolment, subject choice, teaching staff composition, exam performance, and employment outcomes by gender.

LIVED EXPERIENCE OF OBSTETRIC VIOLENCE IN ROMANIA: BIRTH, WOUNDED FLESH, AND THE POLITICS OF CONTROL

2025-05-22T17:22:52+00:00

This article investigates obstetric violence in Romania as a systemic form of disciplining the female body within the context of medicalised childbirth. Through a phenomenological analysis of lived experience, based on 30 semi-structured interviews with women who gave birth in public and private institutions between 2019 and 2024, the research explores how obstetric abuse is experienced, narrated, and at times rationalised. The findings reveal a complex typology of obstetric violence—from non-consensual medical interventions and verbal abuse to subtle forms of abandonment, institutional silence, and symbolic expropriation. Birth emerges as an ambivalent space where the woman’s body is both hyper-visible and stripped of agency, reduced to an object of medical expertise. Obstetric violence is not an anomaly, but a recurring expression of how the biomedical system governs femininity, pain, and bodily autonomy. The implications of these findings underscore the need for institutional reforms in maternity care, including the adoption of consent-based practices, relational forms of support, and respectful communication. Applications include improved training for medical personnel, the development of patient-centred care protocols, and the creation of accountability mechanisms that address the structural dimensions of mistreatment.

REPRODUCTIVE INEQUALITY IN ROMANIA: DISPARITIES IN INFORMATION, MEDICAL ACCESS, AND STRUCTURAL VULNERABILITY

2025-05-27T12:05:55+00:00

This study investigates the structural roots of reproductive inequality in Romania, focusing on adolescent motherhood, unequal access to healthcare, and limitations in sexual education. Despite being part of the European Union, Romania ranks among the highest in adolescent birth rates, especially among girls under 15. Using official statistics, the study identifies regional disparities in adolescent fertility, strongly correlated with poverty and marginalization. Employing a structuralist lens informed by Bourdieu and Foucault, the research challenges the notion that early motherhood results from individual choice, arguing instead that it reflects constrained agency shaped by socioeconomic deprivation, inadequate sex education, and a fragmented healthcare system. The study also reveals severe limitations in access to abortion and contraception, particularly for vulnerable groups, despite formal legal provisions. Medical practices such as high caesarean rates and stillbirths further illustrate healthcare inequalities. The findings point to a biopolitical regime where institutional inaction and normative control perpetuate reproductive injustices. The paper calls for comprehensive public policy interventions that address both structural barriers and institutional responsibilities to ensure reproductive rights and equity for all Romanian women.

PERIOD POVERTY, PIONEERS AND LAGGARDS. CASE STUDY: SCOTLAND AND NEW ZEALAND VS ROMANIA

2025-05-27T11:26:55+00:00

This article explores the topic of period poverty, a global phenomenon affecting roughly 500 million (Marshall & Norman, 2022; Michel et al., 2022; Miller et al., 2024; Parkinson et al., 2024) out of the 1.8-1.9 billion menstruating women worldwide (Dave et al., 2022; Mendonça Carneiro, 2021; Miller et al., 2024), with a negative impact on health, education, self-esteem and equality between the two sexes. The study starts from a theoretical perspective that highlights the link between limited access to menstrual products, menstrual stigmatisation and socio-economic inequalities. The objective of the research is to analyse the structural barriers that hinder the fight against period poverty and to identify effective ways to improve the accessibility of menstrual hygiene products, with a focus on their subsidization. This article employs the comparative case study method, comparing the approaches in Scotland and New Zealand, pioneer countries in implementing top-down public policies, with Romania’s situation, where bottom-up initiatives remain limited. The sources used throughout this article include the academic literature, government reports and data provided by non-governmental organisations. The main conclusions underline the success of top-down public policies in tackling period poverty, highlighting the need to subsidise menstrual products and menstrual hygiene education. The article argues that integrated approaches involving governments, organisations and communities are essential to ensure universal access to the resources needed to manage menstruation in a dignified and healthy manner.

ASSESSING THE PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF THE TECHNOSTRESS SCALE AMONG FEMALE SOCIAL WORKERS

2025-05-21T18:34:55+00:00

In an era of accelerated digitalization, equal opportunities are strongly influenced by access to and adaptability to new technologies. This study analyses the phenomenon of technostress among female social workers, examining and confirming the psychometric value of a specific assessment tool. The research employed a psychometric instrument based on the Technostress Creators Scale (Tarafdar et al., 2007) to evaluate five dimensions of technostress: techno-overload, techno-invasion, techno-complexity, techno-insecurity, and techno-uncertainty. The analysis was conducted on a sample of 200 participants, mostly female social workers in training in undergraduate social work programs, but already active in the social work field. Exploratory factor analysis confirmed a valid structure of the instrument, identifying five factors. The results highlight the gender perspective in managing technological stress and the need for organizational policies that support continuous training and digital adaptability. The conclusions emphasize the importance of developing technological and digital competencies to reduce inequalities and promote equitable inclusion in the field of social work.

WOMEN'S JOURNEY TO GENDER EQUALITY IN THE LABOUR MARKET

2025-05-21T18:18:38+00:00

Drawing from human capital theory and cultural lag theory, this article examines how the role of women in the labour market has been influenced from the earliest societies to the contemporary status quo. Using a thematic literature review, we present the long journey of women toward equality and dignity, beginning before the Neolithic Revolution and continuing through the Digital Age, incorporating current statistical data from Eurostat regarding the gender gap in employment and wages. Our findings reveal that despite significant advancements, structural inequalities persist, particularly among parents, highlighting the slower evolution of societal norms compared to the techno-economic transformations. Although differences between individuals are natural, including between women and men, the labour market tends to penalize working women, as the data show. Automation and Artificial Intelligence are anticipated to reshape the labour market, and create new opportunities for women, but ingrained gender disparities remain, reinforcing the tendency to revert to previous norms even after temporary shifts, such as those observed during the Covid-19 pandemic, regarding domestic responsibility sharing.

VULNERABILITIES AND INEQUALITIES FACED BY CHILDREN WITH IMPRISONED PARENTS: CHALLENGES, SOLUTIONS AND STRATEGIES TO ENSURE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

2025-05-21T18:31:52+00:00

A significant number of children around the world are affected by separation from one or both parents as a result of the latter's incarceration. This article, a theoretical synthesis, aims to explore the impact of parental imprisonment on children from the perspective of legal sociology. It highlights the multiple challenges and vulnerabilities faced by children throughout the different stages of the criminal justice process involving their parents, as well as the ways in which the state, society and individuals can actively contribute to reducing stigmatization, discrimination and social inequalities affecting these children. The analysis draws on international scholarly literature, institutional reports, and empirical studies, selected based on their relevance and timeliness. Breaking cycles of inequality and alleviating the negative consequences experienced by children separated from incarcerated parents requires a paradigm and perspective shift, involving specialists, individuals and society as a whole. Social, psychological and educational support, together with inter-institutional co-operation and legal reforms, are essential to harmonise opportunities for children affected by parental detention. Reducing disparities and combating discrimination and stigmatisation is not only a moral obligation, but also a fundamental condition for an inclusive society that provides every child with support, protection and equal opportunities, regardless of the legal status of the family.

SOCIAL REINTEGRATION OF PRISONERS THROUGH WORK. PRISON PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR

2025-05-24T06:43:10+00:00

This research explores how work activities carried out in Oradea Penitentiary contribute to the resocialization of inmates, highlighting the collaboration between the prison system and the private sector. Adopting a qualitative approach, the study is based on interviews with nine prison police officers and two local entrepreneurs directly involved in prisoners' labour activities. The study thus identifies mechanisms through which work serves not only as a disciplinary tool but also as a mediator between prison life and social reintegration. Partnerships with companies can generate reciprocal benefits, both financial and as a means of acquiring new professional qualifications, while employers gain access to a stable workforce. However, obstacles such as stigmatization, post-release difficulties (lack of ID documents/shelter), and rigid legal frameworks undermine the potential for post-release social reintegration. The conclusions emphasize the need for efficient inter-institutional coordination where authorities, employers, and the community ensure facilitation of the reintegration process.

INTERSECTING VULNERABILITIES: BUCHAREST HOUSING AT THE NEXUS OF SEISMIC EXPOSURE, SOCIAL PRECARITY AND CULTURAL PERCEPTION OF RISK

2025-05-21T18:21:19+00:00

The topic of earthquakes is not just about buildings; it also concerns the people who live in them. When we refer to earthquakes, we are not merely referring to buildings – we are talking about the people who live in them. Earthquakes do not affect everyone equally, even when we inhabit equally unsafe structures. In today’s urban context, seismic risk cannot be reduced to technical aspects, just as vulnerability can no longer be understood solely as exposure to natural hazards. Seismic risk involves the interaction of structural, political, social, economic, and cultural factors. This article focuses on Bucharest – the European capital with the highest seismic risk (Armaș et al., 2017; Crowley et al., 2021) – marked by a long seismic history and fragile residential infrastructure. Based on qualitative research, including 32 in-depth interviews conducted between March 2022 and September 2024 with tenants and owners of high-risk buildings in Bucharest, each lasting between 1h30m and 3h, this study highlights how structural and social vulnerabilities intersect and amplify one another. It further explores symbolic representations and myths embedded in the collective memory of past seismic events. The paper reconceptualizes housing as a space of internalized danger and addresses seismic risk not as an isolated threat, but as a socially and culturally embedded reality. It concludes by underlining the need for an interdisciplinary mapping of vulnerabilities and urban policies centred on community resilience and local perceptions of risk.

EDUCATIONAL ACCESS AND EQUITY IN THE INTEGRATION OF UKRAINIAN REFUGEES IN ROMANIA

2025-05-21T18:40:26+00:00

In the context of the humanitarian crisis caused by the armed conflict in Ukraine, this research aims to examine the complex challenges associated with the educational integration of Ukrainian refugees in Romania. The study explores language barriers, curricular discrepancies, limited access to educational resources, and the socio-cultural integration difficulties faced by refugee students. Based on an extensive analysis of the existing literature, educational policies, and empirical data, the research investigates the strategies implemented to ensure equity and access to education in this crisis context. At the same time, it highlights the ethical and institutional challenges inherent in managing this process, emphasizing the need for flexible and inclusive approaches. The study also proposes future directions for improving educational integration, focusing on the importance of cooperation between authorities, educational institutions, and civil society organizations. In this way, the research not only addresses immediate challenges but also contributes to a broader theoretical and practical framework regarding the educational integration of refugees, underscoring the role of education as a crucial factor in the process of recovery and social reconstruction in times of crisis.

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS. THE CASE OF FRAMEWORK PLANS ESTABLISHED IN ROMANIAN PRE-UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

2025-05-21T18:22:43+00:00

This article explores high school students' perspectives on the framework plans for high school education in Romania, which have recently been the subject of public debate. Consulting students on any important detail of the instructional and educational process has become a common practice in our country in recent years, initiated by the Ministry of Education. How students perceive the impact of the proposed changes on their educational path becomes an essential component of sociological studies and educational sciences. The results presented in this article refer to a representative sample of students from Hunedoara County, on which County Center for Educational Resources and Assistance (CJRAE) Hunedoara conducted an in-depth research in February 2025. We have insisted in this article on the differences in perception between students according to their gender, to identify whether there are significant statistical differences. In our analysis, we also considered that students' perspectives may be influenced by additional variables, such as year of study, class type, quality of teaching methods, and school culture, which could further accentuate gender differences. The research hypotheses focused on: (1) gender differences in students' level of awareness, understanding, and perceived usefulness of the proposed changes to the curricular framework plans and (2) differences by academic track (and gender) regarding proposals to increase study hours. The research revealed not only the gender differences between the requests for extension of the respective classes but also, surprisingly, the tendency of students to have more hours from dominant curricular areas in other study tracks.

GENDER ROLES AND STEREOTYPES ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND ITS IMPACT ON YOUNG PEOPLE

2025-05-26T05:17:28+00:00

Social media has become a significant agent of socialization in recent years and it can be seen especially in the way people conceptualize certain topics. This study explores young people’s opinions of gender roles and stereotypes as portrayed on social media, but also the ways in which these platforms can influence their expectations of themselves or those around them, through a qualitative research, being used the semi-structured interviews technique. Ten subjects participated - an equal number of women and men - aged between 20 and 27 years old, that are frequent users of social media platforms. Influencers were also included in the study to provide a better understanding into the use of social media. The research focused on several key themes, such as general use of social media platforms, representations of gender roles and stereotypes on social media, gender-based expectations and the impact of social media on young people from the perspective of gender roles and stereotypes. The main findings indicate that social media contains a large variety of gender roles and stereotypes, but the influence on the subjects varies by gender: women experience a greater social pressure to conform to certain gender roles and stereotypes, compared to men. However, the overall results highlight that, for the participants involved, these influences are not perceived as overwhelming.

KURDISH WOMEN: AGENTS OF CHANGE IN THE FIGHT FOR IDENTITY, LIBERATION, AND EQUALITY

2025-05-21T18:41:59+00:00

This study explores the transformative role of Kurdish women as both political actors and armed combatants in the struggle for gender equality, national identity, and liberation. Following the establishment of a no-fly zone over Iraqi Kurdistan in 1991, some Kurdish women's organizations began to assert political demands for gender equality alongside national autonomy, which opened space for political activism and rights advocacy. The ideological shift introduced by Abdullah Öcalan, founder of the PKK, through concepts such as jineolojî and democratic confederalism, redefined women’s roles from private to public, militarized, and politically empowered spheres. Organizations like the YPJ (Women’s Protection Units) embody this shift, blending military resistance with social revolution. The war against the Islamic State further amplified their global visibility, though Western narratives often overlook the deeply political and anti-patriarchal motivations underpinning their participation. Women’s emancipation is central – not incidental – to the Kurdish revolutionary project, challenging both liberal feminist and anti-militarist paradigms. Despite persistent cultural conservatism and systemic violence, Kurdish women continue to reshape norms by linking feminist struggle with national liberation. Their engagement questions dominant models of statehood, identity, and gender, offering a radical alternative rooted in both armed resistance and ideological transformation.