POLSKA TRANSFORMACJA SEKSUALNA

Author(s): / Language(s): Polish

Polskę ominęła. Dopiero po 1989 roku zaczęły postępować zmiany norm obyczajowych, seks zaczął oznaczać coś więcej niż tylko prokreację, pojawiły się takie tematy, jak homo-, bi- i płynna seksualność, a prawa mniejszości, seks nastolatków, gwałty bądź edukacja seksualna stały się przedmiotem debaty publicznej. Zarazem pojawiły się głosy, że są to problemy niepolskie, a nawet antypolskie, niemające nic wspólnego z zainteresowaniami prawdziwych Polaków. Analizy zawarte w tej książce dowodzą, że jest zgoła odwrotnie.

City Dwellers and Institutions: What lies at the Back of the Stray-Dogs Debate in Bulgaria

Author(s): Yavor Lilov / Language(s): English

The homeless dogs debate presents an interesting phenomenon. The heated exchanges, the arguments, the examples used often shift the attention away from animals to humans, social groups, models for structuring society.

Българските общности в Украйна в началото на новото хилядолетие – променящите се погледи

Author(s): Petko Hristov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 4/2016

I Love It, But It Is Too Complicated. Aging Adults’ Perspective on Mobile Technology Acceptance

Author(s): Ioana Iancu,Bogdan Iancu / Language(s): English Issue: 26 (2)/2020

In the context of constant population aging, digital technologies are required especially for communication and geriatric care. However, before a large-scale deployment could be implemented, the general technological acceptance level should be assessed. The paper aims to descriptively analyze the perception of aging adults on mobile technology. Based on Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the variables considered are emotional attachment on technology, actual use, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and behavioral intentions. Methodologically, a set of semi-structured interviews have been conducted. The results show that although individuals love their mobile devices and although they perceive them as being useful, the devices are not easy to be used and there are numerous concerns regarding technology. Paradoxically, while they claim the like owning smart devices, they consider them too complex and intrusive.

Aging in Online Communities: A Systematic Literature Review of Design Recommendations

Author(s): Ana Isabel Veloso,Sónia Ferreira,Liliana Vale Costa,Óscar Mealha,Carlos Santos / Language(s): English Issue: 26 (2)/2020

The increase of computer-mediated communication use and the aging population has led to a renewed interest in online communities and social networks for active aging and social support in daily living. However, a systematic understanding of the design recommendations in Senior Online Communities is still lacking in scientific documentation. The aim of this paper is to identify the design recommendations used in online communities that support active aging. In addition, this paper highlights some of the benefits of using online communities by older adults. Twenty-three papers published between January 2015 and May 2020 in English-language, peer-reviewed publications, met inclusion criteria. The review presents a set of recommendations for designing online communities to enhance older adults’ social interactions. A process that aims for “engagement” is suggested to strategically guide the design of Senior Online Communities: Interacting – Sense of Belonging (Role-playing, Storytelling, and Legacy) – Engaging.

Recommendations on Age-friendly and Gender-balanced Media Content Delivery of Products for Seniors: Findings from a Case Study

Author(s): Paula Alexandra Silva,Maria João Antunes / Language(s): English Issue: 26 (2)/2020

ociety is ageing at an unprecedented pace. In tandem, the number of technology-enabled solutions targeted at older adults continues to rise. It is therefore important to understand how to best communicate these solutions to seniors and facilitate use and adoption. To develop an understanding of what could be an improved strategy of communication and media content delivery for companies that provide older adults with technology-based solutions is the goal of this research. Aware of the potential stereotypes that may emerge towards the ageing population, this paper takes a special interest on ageism and gender to determine imbalances. With this in mind, this paper conducts an in-depth case study of the online presence of a company that developed a digital product for seniors that has been nominated for a Prize on Best Practice on Active and Healthy Ageing. Findings concerning the communication strategy of the company are extracted based on the analysis of their website and their five social media profiles. In total 120 posts were inspected, containing 120 text excerpts, 352 pictures, and 21 videos. Results show that the organisation sustains a continuous engagement with both seniors and the seniors’ organisations that use their product, privileging a relationship of close proximity. The representation of older adults is one that shows exceptionally happy and active seniors, who are surrounded by an aura of admiration. There seem to be no considerable differences with regards to gender.

Engaging Older Adults in Participatory and Intergenerational Design Teams and Processes: a Systematic Review of the Current Investigation

Author(s): Ana Carla Amaro,Rui Rodrigues,Lídia Oliveira / Language(s): English Issue: 26 (2)/2020

This paper presents the results of a systematic review of the literature (SRL) in the field of Participatory Design (PD), undertaken under the scope of LOCUS – Playful Connected Rural Territories. The project employs an ethnographically, participatory and agile approach to the process of co-designing, developing and evaluating an IoT system to support playful intergenerational engagement in exploring cultural heritage of Portuguese rural territories, by engaging inhabitants, stakeholders and visitors. The SRL aimed to understand how older adults have been integrated and engaged into technology PD teams and processes. This paper focus on the most used methodological approaches and participation methods, along with the challenges in integrating older adults and the strategies to overcome them, which are discussed in the light of project aims.

Digital Media Usage and the Engagement of Older People from Rural Areas in Technological Projects: Co-design Sessions

Author(s): Ana Merlo,Lídia Oliveira,Ana Carla Amaro / Language(s): English Issue: 26 (2)/2020

The question posed in the call “How the widespread of new technologies are changing the norms and practices of the later life?” was transformed in the main motivation to write the paper. LOCUS scientific research project addresses the subjects of Internet of Things, its impact in maintenaince and sustainability of Cultural Heritage and the important role of older generations to these operations. What the research team noticed is that sometimes it is the dissemination of technologies (and accompanying infrastructures) that promote their use and the creation of the need. And when the technologies do not exist, the infrastructures are compromised and/or nonexistent. It is considered that there is a before and an after period in the way in which the implementation of technological projects influences rural areas and older people. This also means that there is a high relevance in the second question of the call “How social actors, groups, institutions and mainstream media provide, spread or constrain ways of growing older via digital devices?” But also, a high importance of the project developed for the scientific knowledge advancement in the study areas (Communication, Technology, Sociology, Demography, Geography, etc.). The main conclusions of the paper are that digital technologies contributes to those Cultural Heritage maintenaince and sustainability, however, this is only possible with the mediation of oler people. Consequently, those people need to know or learn how to manage digital media and technology in order to contribute for the projects and technology development. Older people aim to participate in these projects and that also influences on their proficiency on technologies (on a win-win basis).

Perception of Media and Information Literacy among Representatives of Mid–Age and Older Generations: the Case of Latvia

Author(s): Anda Rožukalne / Language(s): English Issue: 26 (2)/2020

Academic interests on the impact of media on individuals’ lives often highlight differences in knowledge across generations. The spread of disinformation and its potential impact on societies has added a new dimension to this process - the need to continuously improve media and information literacy (MIL). Thus, the older generations face greater challenges, as they need to acquire new skills more rapidly and on a larger scale. This article analyses interrelations between encouragement measures (implemented by media policy makers) and media literacy perception of middle-aged and older population in Latvia (aged 55 to 75). The research employs data of two national representative surveys (May 2019, 1017 respondents; August 2019, 1005 respondents) that include data on respondents’ perception of MIL and test their media literacy skills. The theoretical background of this paper is supported by literature that discusses age and generations in context of media and technology use (Aroldo, 2014), and the Ideological model of literacy (Street, 1984; 1994). Data shows that a higher proportion of middle-aged and older respondents, compared to other age groups, are not interested in MIL issues and evaluate their MIL competences as rather low, but in the everyday practice their ability to recognize and evaluate information is equivalent to that of other age groups.

Национална научна кръгла маса „Динамика на социалното пространство“

Author(s): Irina Argirova,Mirella Kafkova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2021

Scientific life, conference report

Валентина Ганева-Райчева, Ирена Бокова, Николай Ненов (съст.). Местни общности, културни наследства и музеи. София: ИЕФЕМ – БАН, 2021

Author(s): Oksana Minaeva / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 4/2021

Book review

Градска празничност в епидемична обстановка

Author(s): Iskren Velikov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2022

The holiday is an essential element in the ideological regulation of public life; it plays an important role in shaping and stabilizing the group celebrating it, in all cases by actualizing the most important unifying values, and very often – by distinguishing examples of exemplary behaviour. The spread of the COVID-19 epidemic at the very beginning of 2020 leads to a number of radical changes in social life. The speed with which processes develop, as well as the search for new forms to continue established practices, leads to experimentation with the possibilities of new technologies, as well as of new conditions – education in an online environment, online shopping, outsourced commercial cash registers for outdoor service, limiting the capacity for public access, reducing programs, etc. Limiting physical access to official celebrations provoked an attempt to compensate for it by broadcasting the festive ceremonies live. However, the transfer of an event to an online environment places local communities in the passive role of spectators of a performance, without the opportunity of participation, and the social function of the celebration is reduced to the possibilities of the social network to communicate through texts and chat with other representatives of the community who observe the broadcast. These restrictions seem to compromise the very idea of a celebration and make visible the fact that its fundamental feature is the possibility of physical presence and participation of citizens.

European Aspirations and Human Development of the Republic of Moldova: National Human Development Report 2012

Author(s): Valeriu Prohniţchi / Language(s): English

The European integration aspirations of the country cannot be seen outside the current development context. The report examines the main obstacles and opportunities, placing them in a wider context of the political, economic and social transformations the country is going through. Like any social process, European integration cannot have a linear trajectory and is not a one-way street. Th e process must be seen as a multidimensional one. It does not bring benefi ts and advantages alone. In addition to the eff orts of politicians or technocrats, it requires eff orts from the entire society - shifts in mindsets and attitudes by every Moldovan, and obviously an unparalleled communication within and cohesion of the society. I believe this should be the recipe for success.

Разказите за пророчески сънища: към изследването на фолклорната култура на сънуване

Author(s): Smiljana Đorđević Belić / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2022

After a theoretical review of the studies of dreams in anthropologically oriented research, the author especially considers folkloristic studies of the dreams symbolism, as well as the dream stories as a genre. The second part of the paper is dedicated to the analysis of field narratives – the stories of prophetic dreams. The focus is on the problems of the interpretation logic, the way of fitting into the autobiographical experience, and the relationship between the individual conceptions of dreams symbolism and the traditional matrices.

„Да се памти, че е женска работа“: Социокултурни параметри на менструацията в българската традиционна култура и фолклора

Author(s): Mila Bankova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 3/2022

This article aims to outline the main sociocultural aspects of menstruation in Bulgarian traditional culture and folklore. Menarche rituals and etiological legends about the womb’s creation and the menstruation are explored and analyzed in order to define folklore motifs and beliefs. The woman and her cyclicity is related to fertility in the human world. Both in legends and in menarche rituals, the womb and the menstruation are essential for arranging and preserving the dimension between order and chaos, for building a connection between heaven and earth. The magical power of woman's blood and body is included in the cultural system of the human world, but it also aims to achieve prosperity on other levels. This sacred and mysterious physiological process gives woman a special place, makes her wiser and more responsible for the common good.

Призоваване на демонични фигури: Дама Пика и Блъди Мери. Ритуал и първообраз

Author(s): Rosina Kokudeva / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 3/2022

The subject of this text is the study of the ritual practice associated with summoning of demonic beings – Queen of Spades and Bloody Mary. The purpose of the text is to characterize the specific process of summoning ghosts, as well as to look for the prototypes of the considered female figures. The different conditions under which the sessions take place, their socio-historical context and the characters anchoring in popular culture, being its product, are compared. Attention is also paid to the social function of such practices, with an emphasis on their psychological interpretation. Queen of Spades and Bloody Mary are perceived as manifestations of fear, but at the same time, they are its antipodes, and the roots of this statement are sought in the initiation practices among adolescents associated with the transition to adulthood.

Традиция и иновация (Как фолклорната култура на Чехия и България намира нов живот в медийната среда през време и след пандемията от 2020 година)

Author(s): Nevena Dimitrova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2023

Diverse influences of folklore tradition in contemporary media are presented in this article. The pandemic “closure” and encapsulation of the normal rhythm of life in 2020 unleashed a wave of creative TV, radio, social media manifestations, focused not only on covering the unusual situation, but also on the particular “return” to traditional practices and ways of adapting to the daily life routine. Self-introspection became a journey towards primordial rituals where tragic and comic coexist in the resistance and affirmation of life. The observed and analysed examples are from the Czech and Bulgarian media environment.

20 години от приемането на Конвенцията на ЮНЕСКО за опазване на нематериалното културно наследство от 2003 г.

Author(s): Tim Curtis / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Issue: 2/2023

Editorial

Batutą i skalpelem. Ciało w zawodach wysokospecjalistycznych

Author(s): Dominika Byczkowska-Owczarek / Language(s): Polish

The monograph "With baton and Scalpel. The Body in the Highly Specialized Professions" presents the results of a sociological qualitative study conducted among the professions of neurosurgeon and orchestral conductor. In the research there was applied grounded theory methodology and qualitative data collection techniques. The book is divided into six chapters. In the Introduction, the author presents the purpose and circumstances of the monograph, as well as the main theoretical assumptions. Chapter 2 Working in the Neurosurgical Profession presents the history of the profession, the institutional, cultural and group contexts of its practice, as well as the process of working through the body, the main characteristic of which is adjusting. Chapter 3 Working in the profession of an orchestral conductor presents the history of the profession, the conditions for playing this social role, and the characteristics of working through the body in this profession, the main characteristic of which is externalization. Chapter 4 Characteristics of working through the body in the studied professions includes an analysis of the training process, the realization of the leadership aspects of the role, and the relationship between the specifics of the task and the way of working through the body. In the Conclusions, the author proposes a concept of the social construction of corporeality in the field of professional roles, as well as a number of empirically grounded concepts that make up this concept. The monograph closes with Chapter 6, Methodology and Natural History of the Study, which describes the methodological issues of the research including a description of applied data gathering techniques, problems that appeared during the study, ethical issues and the researcher’s role.

„Третият път“ – Националната земеделска партия в Унгария и българските градинари в периода между двете световни войни

Author(s): Ferenc Bódi / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2024

The article is dedicated to a hitherto unexplored element of the Bulgarian–Hungarian relationship from the period between the two world wars – the Hungarian popular movement (March Front), whose ideas found inspiration from the Bulgarian gardeners in Hungary. The movement that later the National Peasant Party put the “Garden Hungary” program on its banner in which the agrarian reforms and the wider civil participation of peasants in Hungarian society held a special place. Many of the elements in this program drew examples from the Bulgarian gardeners in Hungary with their specific organization of labour, collectivist spirit, and a sustainable economic model linking the land work and the new market relations at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. In his study “Towards Garden Hungary” Imre Somogyi described in detail the techniques that Bulgarian market gardeners used in vegetable growing. In the social philosophy of László Németh, “Garden Hungary” had the meanings of a socio-economic model that could eliminate rural poverty.