Calitatea Vieții

Viețile sociologului. Academicianul Mihai M. Cernea în dialog cu Zoltán Rostás, Editura Corint, București

Filip Alexandrescu — 2024-12-24

Nu e cazul (recenzie de carte)

A Didactic Research Project: Service Learning and Extended Reason Methodologies Using a Story Reading

Susana Miró López — 2024-12-24

This didactic research project aims to demonstrate the positive effects on the training of young people from diverse backgrounds, by using different learning methodologies and conducting joint training sessions. This research analyzes the effects of developing a symbiosis of two didactic methodologies: service learning and extended reason. The sample corresponds to two groups of students: some, second-year university students of the degree in social education from an urban environment, and others, students of a basic vocational training cycle in a rural environment. A methodology was developed consisting of hybrid sessions and a physical meeting with the students, in which a story by Flannery O'Connor was read from a multidisciplinary approach: Literature, Anthropology and Social Responsibility. As first conclusions, it was observed: the application of service learning and extended reason methodologies together offer better results than applied individually. The holistic analysis of the story allows us to delve deeper into topics such as human dignity, the meaning of suffering, love and forgiveness. Stemming from the methodological symbiosis, the young person becomes more interested in their learning, comprehensive training is facilitated and a purpose in education is projected beyond the classroom, pointing to their vocation of social service. Education should encourage the social service of future professionals and help us to recognise the dignity of others.

Consumer Decision Drivers in the Republic of Moldova: Choosing Recycled Clothing for a Sustainable Future

Victoria Iordachi — 2024-12-24

This study evaluates consumer behaviour in the Republic of Moldova regarding the purchase of recycled clothing, aiming to identify key factors influencing these decisions. The textile sector in the EU, a major contributor to environmental impacts, highlights the urgent need for improved recycling practices and sustainable fashion. With only 1% of textiles being recycled into new garments, significant advancements in recycling technology and consumer engagement are necessary. This research utilizes a survey to assess consumer attitudes towards recycled clothing. The study examines factors such as environmental awareness, accessibility, price ‒ quality balance, and the perceived social and ecological benefits of recycled garments. Preliminary findings suggest that while awareness of environmental issues is increasing, challenges remain in terms of affordability and availability of recycled clothing. The study concludes that enhancing consumer education, improving access to recycled garments, and fostering greater participation from both businesses and consumers are essential to scaling recycling practices in Moldova. These insights aim to support the development of effective strategies to boost recycled clothing consumption and to contribute to sustainable waste management in the textile industry.

A Qualitative Analysis of Remote Employees' Work-Life Harmonization Practices and Their Gendered Discourses

Maria Simionescu (Vlăsceanu) — 2024-12-24

This study explores the gender dynamics of work ‒ life harmonization among remote workers in Romania, with a focus on gender as a social structure. The paper’s goal is to discover the personal activities performed by employees during remote workdays and the associated gendered discourses. The study employed a qualitative approach, utilizing semi-structured interviews to explore the subject. Data was collected through video call interviews with 22 parents working full-time remotely or in hybrid arrangements. The sample was selected using quota and snowball sampling techniques. The research identifies a significant time bind conflict for women, who often juggle household chores and childcare, alongside professional duties during remote workdays, experiencing stress and guilt as a result. In contrast, men typically prioritize leisure, and delegate childcare responsibilities, underscoring a disparity in how domestic tasks are shared. The study reveals that the time bind conflict forces women to adjust and develop practices, such as carrying out professional and domestic work activities simultaneously, or doing housework and childcare during work breaks in the remote working days. Our study highlights that such practices can significantly heighten women's stress suggesting that future research should focus specifically on stress levels among remote workers. The paper reveals that, while remote work offers many potential benefits, it can disadvantage women. To ensure that remote work truly supports the harmonization of work ‒ personal life for both men and women, inclusive work structures are needed to address these gender-specific challenges.

"Yes or No? What do Lithuanian Unemployed Young People Think about Employment in Elderly Care Sector?"

Laima Okunevičiūtė Neverauskienė — 2024-12-24

The aim of the research is to investigate unemployed young people’s opinions about work and the workplace in the elderly care sector in Lithuania. The key theoretical concepts of the study are public service motivation (PSM), work meaningfulness and gendered approaches. Quantitative research methodology was chosen to gather the empirical data. The respondents of the survey, which was carried out in 2022, were young unemployed people (aged 18–29) registered in the Lithuanian Employment Service database. The rationale for this analysis is growing demand for labour force in the elderly care services, and fairly significant proportion of NEET youth in Lithuania and other EU countries. Various initiatives globally and particularly in the countries of Europe reveal that if to find ways how to attract this underutilised workforce to the elderly care sector, this could be one of the employment alternatives for young unemployed people. Therefore, the attitudes of the young unemployed people towards workplace in elderly care can be utilised searching how to improve effectiveness of employment services. Our study revealed that young unemployed people in Lithuania agree that work in elderly care sector is valuable and meaningful work to the society, however they see work in elderly care as physically and emotionally demanding, unqualified and low-paid. If youth would have to work temporarily in elderly care, they would prefer working for more independent elderly people.