Socialinė teorija, empirija, politika ir praktika
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Paid Surrogacy as a Relational Autonomy Reproductive Labour
Full text linkThis paper connects paid surrogacy to relational autonomy and reproductive labour, arguing that paid surrogacy requires a regulation that acknowledges and enhances its relational dimension, thus improving the quality of relationships established within surrogacy arrangements. In doing so, it discusses the feminist viewpoints on paid surrogacy. After shedding light on the gender-based potentialities and criticalities of the practice, the article focuses on the feminist debate on the authenticity of women’s consent to engage in paid surrogacy, arguing for the need to prioritise the relational understanding of autonomy. Relational autonomy allows for the contextualisation of the surrogate’s decision (without questioning it) in the light of the gendered, ethnic and economic asymmetries in which she is situated. Building on this perspective, the article explores relational autonomy as an interpretative framework for understanding paid surrogacy as reproductive labour. What is contended is that the stigma attached to the practice (and the resulting altruistic narratives), as well as the neoliberal and globalised dynamics underpinning surrogacy markets, are pivotally important elements to contextualise surrogates’ decisions. This implies assessing the quality of the relationships between the surrogacy agreement parties and elaborating on solutions to improve them. The final part of the paper, indeed, offers some regulatory considerations that do not aim to provide definitive legal solutions, but rather to open a discussion on key aspects that legislators should take into account. Specifically, it is pointed out that the surrogate should enjoy the right to change her mind (since pregnancy is a care relationship that may generate a maternal bond), that multi-parenthood should be implemented (not to exclude intended parents from the reproductive process they had initiated), and that the surrogacy agreement parties should live nearby (in order to facilitate these relational dynamics)
Socialinis atsparumas per žaidimų terapiją: transformuojančios socialinės praktikos link
Full text linkIn social work, play therapy is applied as a sociocultural service for organizing children’s employment, but also as a social action that transforms social reality. Play therapy is aimed at getting to know the child, identifying children’s problems, and enabling the child to develop social skills and resistance to negative social influence through participation in the construction of social reality. According to research data, children feel happier, more relaxed, and surrounded by better emotions while playing, but, at the same time, a reality is constructed that allows us to move from a ‘culture of silence’ to a ‘culture of voice’. Therefore, play therapy is applied in order to raise children’s emotional well-being, to recognize the lack of social skills, contributing to children’s better self-esteem, self-confidence and more successful critical involvement of children in the social reality around them.
After studying the context of application of the play therapy method as a sociocultural service, while recognizing the lack of social skills of clients, it became clear that play therapy helps to recognize the lack of social skills. The results of the study showed that day center visitors often lack communication and conflict resolution skills. The lack of these abilities robs individuals of the tools they can use critically to develop resilience against the dominant or surrounding social environment. The application of game therapy promotes the reflection of the participants about their social situation and promotes the reflection of social reality through the processes of participation in it.Socialiniame darbe žaidimų terapija taikoma kaip sociokultūrinė paslauga vaikų užimtumui organizuoti, tačiau ir kaip socialinę realybę transformuojantis socialinis veiksmas. Žaidimų terapija skirta vaiko pažinimui, identifikuojant vaikų problemas, įgalinant vaiką per dalyvavimą socialinės realybės konstravime, ugdytis socialinius įgūdžius bei socialinį atsparumą neigiamai socialinei įtakai. Remiantis tyrimų duomenimis, žaisdami vaikai jaučiasi laimingesni, labiau atsipalaidavę, juos supa geresnės emocijos, tačiau tuo pačiu konstruojama realybė, leidžianti pereiti nuo „tylos kultūros“ prie „balso kultūros“. Todėl žaidimų terapija yra taikoma siekiant kelti vaikų emocinę savijautą, atpažinti socialinių įgūdžių stoką, prisidedant prie vaikų geresnio savęs vertinimo, pasitikėjimo savimi bei sėkmingesnio vaikų kritinio įsitraukimo į juos supančią socialinę realybę
Navigating Intensive Motherhood: Inventiveness and Agency Among Low-Income Single Mothers
Full text linkThis article explores how the ideology of intensive motherhood is reflected in, and shapes, the experiences of low-income single mothers in Czechia. By focusing on this group, the study advances understanding of the diffusion of the intensive motherhood ideology and the intersectional aspects of social reproduction. We demonstrate that, while intensive motherhood norms influence maternal practices in Czechia, low-income single mothers respond with inventive adaptations and reframing that reflect their specific circumstances. These forms of agency of low-income single mothers are often overlooked when their mothering is viewed solely through the lens of resource deficits relative to the dominant norms. Despite precarious conditions, these mothers maintain a positive maternal identity and dignity by adapting, reframing, or, at times, challenging the prevailing norms of intensive mothering. Our findings show that, in striving to meet the dominant norms, low-income single mothers undertake a range of additional, highly emotion-, labour- and time-intensive activities on a daily basis, yet these activities remain unrecognised in traditional conceptualisations of intensive motherhood, which are largely based on white middle-class women. In the neoliberal context, however, these unacknowledged efforts contribute to their further marginalisation
Adolescents’ Attitudes toward Taxes: Case of Lithuania
Full text linkObjectives. Considering that adolescents are future tax payers, it is unfortunate that we know virtually nothing about their attitudes toward taxes. The goal of our research is to analyze the effects of sociodemographic characteristics such as age, gender, parental education and place of residence on adolescents’ attitudes toward taxes. Sample and settings. The participants were 1246 adolescents aged 11 to 18 (M = 14.30, SD = 1.98); 57 percent of the participants were female. Adolescents completed a questionnaire on attitudes toward taxes, whereas their parents provided sociodemographic information. Scale of Adolescents’ Attitudes toward Taxes, consisting of 12 items falling into one of four interrelated attitude dimensions (Perceived fairness of taxation, Perceived inevitability of tax paying, Readiness to report tax evasion, and Readiness to pay taxes) has been specifically created for the purposes of this research. Statistical analysis. Correlation analysis, Independent sample t-test, ANOVA test, Exploratory and Confirmatory factor analysis were used in the framework of this research. Results. Age emerged as the only sociodemographic characteristic related to the general attitude toward taxes in adolescence: attitudes toward taxes tend to become more negative with age. The remaining three sociodemographic characteristics (gender, parental education, and the place of residence) were related only to some of the attitude dimensions with small effect sizes. Limitations. Generalization of the results to more diverse societies is limited because of the socioeconomic history of Lithuania
Expression of Resilience of Social Service Organizations in Lithuanian Regions
Full text linkThe article examines how to strengthen the resilience of social service organizations in the regions of Lithuania when faced with extreme situations and unexpected events in the country. The research has established that, in order to overcome challenges and difficulties, social service organizations need to plan their actions in advance, quickly adapt to changes and strengthen resilience, which depends on factors that strengthen the resilience of social service organizations, such as: standardized risk management procedures, continuous strengthening of competencies, strategic planning, enabling leadership and management of business continuity processes. The research has identified measures to overcome difficulties: targeted staff involvement, inspiring organizational culture, effective risk and challenge management and the ability to adapt and maintain balance, while ensuring the continuity of activities. It has been revealed that the development of social services in the region is important for the resilience of social service organizations
Nuteistųjų resocializacija kalėjimų pusiaukelės namuose: nuteistųjų patirtisresocializacija kalėjimų pusiaukelės namuose: nuteistųjų patirtis
No full textSince 2016, part of the process of resocialization of inmates has been implemented by the half-way house institute. The article reveals the results of an exploratory study on the resocialization of convicts who continue their prison sentences in half-way houses. The issues raised in this article are related to the implementation of resocialization measures in the half-way houses, factors influencing the resocialization in the half-way houses, and the prospects for the development of quality-based resocialization in the half-way houses.
The research has revealed the possible significance of the resocialization in the half-way houses for the inmate, the importance of staff assistance, and the peculiarities of resocialization activities in the half-way house. An inmate getting transferred to a half-way house is associated with proof of the progress made along with an opportunity to start a new life. The factors revealed by the study which possibly facilitate the preparation for the return to society from the half-way house are associated with half-way house staff and open prison conditions. The research has identified the possible perspectives and developments of the practices applied in the half-way house. The list of possible developments includes the improvement of the physical conditions in the half-way house. Also, the improvement of the rules of the internal order and the introduction of new measures for the inmates in the half-way house have been distinguished as promising directions for further developments.Nuo 2016 metų dalis nuteistųjų resocializacijos proceso įgyvendinama remiantis pusiaukelės namų institutu. Straipsnyje atskleidžiami nuteistųjų, tęsiančių laisvės atėmimo bausmę pusiaukelės namuose, resocializacijos žvalgomojo tyrimo rezultatai. Keliami probleminiai klausimai siejami su pusiaukelės namuose vykdoma nuteistųjų resocializacija, veiksniais, kurie galimai daro įtaką nuteistųjų resocializacijai pusiaukelės namuose bei galimomis perspektyvomis užtikrinti sėkmingą nuteistųjų resocializaciją šioje įstaigoje.
Tyrimas leido atskleisti nuteistųjų resocializacijos pusiaukelės namuose reikšmę nuteistiesiems, darbuotojų pagalbą jiems ir įvairią resocializacijos veiklą šioje įstaigoje. Nuteistųjų persikėlimas į pusiaukelės namus sietinas su pokyčių savyje įrodymu bei galimybe pradėti naują gyvenimą. Tyrimo atskleisti galimi veiksniai, padedantys pasirengti šioje įstaigoje grįžti į visuomenę, sietini su pusiaukelės namų darbuotojais ir atviro kalinimo sąlygomis. Taip pat identifikuotos nuteistųjų laisvės atėmimo bausmės tęsimo galimos perspektyvos ir pokyčiai, sietini su sąlygų pusiaukelės namuose bei vidaus tvarkos taisyklių tobulinimu ir naujų priemonių nuteistiesiems diegimu
Navigating Wartime Realities: Adaptation and Resilience in Ukrainian Social Work Education
Full text linkThis paper explores how Ukraine’s Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in social work have demonstrated resilience amidst the ongoing armed conflict. The war has significantly impacted the educational landscape, posing challenges to institutional operations, teaching methodologies, and the preparation of future social workers. The objective of this study is to explore the key factors contributing to both organizational and academic adaptability, thus ensuring that social work education remains relevant and effective in addressing the evolving needs of a wartime society.
A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a desk review with 12 semi-structured interviews with academic staff from departments and institutes offering programs in ‘Social Work’ and ‘Social Pedagogy’. The study examines how universities have adapted their curricula, teaching strategies, and assessment methods, while also highlighting the role of international cooperation and community-based initiatives.
The results reveal that Ukrainian HEIs have demonstrated significant resilience, utilizing cognitive and behavioral strategies to adapt to the war’s challenges. This includes the shift to online and hybrid learning, the use of makeshift classrooms, and the integration of new community-focused missions. Despite these adaptive efforts, the findings also highlight concerns about the long-term sustainability of these changes, particularly in maintaining educational quality and meeting the needs of vulnerable populations. International partnerships have been crucial in supporting these efforts, although disparities between institutions in accessing such resources remain.
This study underscores the importance of resilience in educational systems during crises and offers valuable insights for other higher education institutions facing similar challenges. It calls for a holistic approach to education, one that balances immediate adaptations with long-term strategic planning so that to ensure the continued relevance and quality of social work education in times of conflict
‘They are not a very Good Social Element even in the Workhouse’: The Vice-Regal Commission on Poor Law Reform in Ireland (1906) and the Workhouse Mother
Full text linkThis article examines the representation of mothers, particularly unmarried mothers, within the Irish workhouse system during the nineteenth century as framed by the poor law reform efforts of the Vice-Regal Commission (1906). Established under the Irish Poor Law (1838), the workhouse was designed as a site of relief for the destitute, but proved ill-suited to the needs of women and children, whose presence conflicted with the law’s principles. The Commission’s report is analysed to show how the official discourse shaped societal perceptions of poverty and motherhood, despite little legislative change resulting from the report. Class and gender biases are explored through the role of women guardians within the workhouse system. The analysis of the Commission’s findings reveals the deep-rooted social stigmas that marginalised unmarried mothers faced under the Irish Poor Law at the turn of the twentieth century. Ultimately, this article highlights the disparities between those administering relief and those reliant on it, exposing the limitations of the poor law reform in addressing women’s lived experiences
Motinystė intymaus partnerio smurto kontekste vaiko gerovės tyrimuose: motinocentrinė perspektyvos link
Full text linkIntimate partner violence against women continues to be a major problem worldwide. The problem is exacerbated when women are subjected to violence as mothers, whose experiences are marginalised because of attention dedicated to their children. This article explores how the concepts of mothers and motherhood are constructed in the child welfare literature, which traditionally views mothers as solely responsible for children’s well-being, even in the case of violence against them. The first part of the paper discusses the features of child welfare research in the context of intimate partner violence against mothers, whereas the second part of the paper discusses the aspects that underpin the construction of images of mothers and motherhood in this literature, while the third part of the paper highlights the importance of the matricentic perspective in research on mothers’ experiences of violence.Intymaus partnerio smurtas prieš moteris ir toliau išlieka didele problema visame pasaulyje. Tačiau ši problema tampa dar aštresnė, kai smurtą patiria moterys kaip motinos, kurių patirtys dėl dėmesio vaikams nustumiamos į paraštes. Šiuo straipsniu tiriama, kaip motinos ir motinystė konstruojama vaiko gerovės mokslinėje literatūroje, kurioje į motinas žvelgiama tradiciškai, kaip į vieninteles atsakingas už vaikų gerovę, net ir smurto prieš jas atveju. Pirmoje straipsnio dalyje aptariami nagrinėjamų vaiko gerovės tyrimų, susijusių su motinyste intymaus partnerio smurto kontekste, bruožai, antroje – aspektai, kuriais remiantis šioje literatūroje konstruojami motinų ir motinystės vaizdiniai, trečioje – išryškinta motinocentrinės perspektyvos svarba tyrimuose, kai smurtą patiria motinos
Profesinio pasipriešinimo raiška socialiniame darbe
Full text linkProfessional resistance refers to actions taken by social workers against systemic barriers that hinder the fulfilment of their professional mission, as well as opposition to unfavourable laws or practices. The aim of the article is to examine the premises and manifestations of professional resistance among social workers in Lithuania.
The first part of the article discusses the origins and development of research on professional resistance in social work and establishes a theoretical framework for analyzing social workers’ resistance. The empirical section presents the results of a survey conducted with 181 social workers, focusing on the forms of resistance they use, the motivating factors behind their resistance, and the consequences associated with these actions. The study revealed that resistance reflects social workers’ commitment to defending the interests of service users and adhering to professional ethical standards, even when it involves confronting institutional or professional barriers.Profesinis pasipriešinimas yra socialinių darbuotojų veiksmai, nukreipti prieš sistemines kliūtis, trukdančias vykdyti profesinę misiją, opozicija nepalankiems teisės aktams ar praktikai. Straipsnio tikslas – išnagrinėti Lietuvos socialinių darbuotojų profesinio pasipriešinimo prielaidas ir apraiškas.
Pirmojoje straipsnio dalyje aptariamos profesinio pasipriešinimo socialiniame darbe tyrimų ištakos ir raida bei padedamas teorinis profesinio socialinio darbuotojo pasipriešinimo analizės pagrindas. Empirinėje dalyje pristatomi 181 socialinės darbuotojos anketinės apklausos rezultatai apie jų naudojamas pasipriešinimo formas, priešintis motyvuojančius veiksnius ir su tuo susijusias pasekmes. Tyrimas parodė, kad pasipriešinimas atspindi socialinių darbuotojų įsipareigojimą ginti paslaugų gavėjų interesus ir laikytis profesinės etikos standartų, net jei tai reiškia susidurti su instituciniais ar profesiniais barjerais