International Journal of Social Science Research and Review

Marxist Perspectives on Educational Inequality in Zimbabwean Primary and Secondary Schools

Isaac Mutelo, Yvonne Sanyanga — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 21:21:10 +0000

This paper applies Marxist theory to analyse educational inequality in Zimbabwean primary and secondary schools. Drawing on the foundational work of Karl Marx and later theorists such as Althusser, Bowles and Gintis, the study argues that Zimbabwe’s education system systematically reproduces class-based disparities rooted in broader socio-economic structures. Using a conceptual methodology and illustrative case studies such as elite urban institutions and under-resourced rural schools, the paper highlights how curriculum design, ideological messaging and unequal access to resources disproportionately benefit learners from privileged backgrounds. The analysis shows that while Zimbabwe's post-independence reforms expanded access to education, they failed to address deep-rooted structural inequalities. The education system continues to serve as an ideological and material instrument for class reproduction, aligning with capitalist labour demands and sustaining elite dominance. Although Marxist theory has limitations, particularly in accounting for other forms of identity-based exclusion such as gender and ethnicity, it remains a powerful framework for interrogating educational injustice in postcolonial societies. The paper concludes with recommendations for curriculum reform, equitable resource distribution, and the promotion of critical pedagogy to foster a more inclusive and socially just education system.

Bumping Road to Waste Management in Serang City Based on Swat Analysis

Rahmawati Rahmawati, Anisa Farhaeni — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 21:39:41 +0000

The increasing population and community activities have contributed to an increase in the volume of waste. Waste management is a systematic, comprehensive, and continuous activity. This study aims to analyze the challenges of waste management in Serang City, the capital of Banten Province, where the amount of waste continues to increase daily, contrary to the capacity of the final waste disposal site in Cilowong. This study uses the IFAS and EFAS methods to assess the waste management strategies of the Serang City Environmental Agency. The method used is quantitative descriptive. The study involved 26 respondents from government agencies, the community, and waste bank managers. The results indicate that, based on the IFAS and EFAS matrix calculations, strengths and opportunities outweigh weaknesses and threats, with a total internal factor score of 0.45 and a total external factor score of 0.43. Therefore, this strategy adopts an aggressive (growth) approach in waste management. The recommended waste management strategy for Serang City is a collaborative one, which aims to maximize government support and strengthen the involvement of environmental activists and the community, leverage support by establishing strong partnerships with external parties and utilizing technology for waste processing, optimize and strengthen supporting facilities for waste reduction in the community to enhance waste innovation, and educate the community through community-based waste management.

A Comparative Analysis of Cybersquatting Policies in India, the US, and Canada

Aadi Chakraborty — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Cybersquatting—a cybercrime involving the registration of internet domain names in bad faith—has become an increasingly complex legal challenge worldwide with the rise of internet usage. However, lacking dedicated legislation or standardized bad faith criteria, Indian courts struggle to deliver consistent rulings and rely on existing trademark policies and doctrines—most notably the principle of passing off. This creates uncertainty for brand owners and enables domain name abuse, particularly in cases involving non-registered marks or cross-border disputes. To examine and propose solutions to this issue, this paper addresses the research question: “How do countries approach cybersquatting, and what lessons can India draw from foreign legislation?” It argues that India must draw on structured foreign anti-cybersquatting frameworks, such as those of the United States and Canada, to develop clear statutory definitions of key principles—namely bad faith—and monetary and non-monetary remedies. While legal scholars broadly agree on the need to modernize cybersquatting frameworks globally, detailed, country-specific reforms for India remain scarce. This paper offers a comparative legal analysis between the U.S., Canada, and India, focusing on three key points: understandings of bad faith, provision of remedies, and assessment of parody cybersquatting cases. Following this analysis, the paper identifies five key gaps and corresponding reforms in India’s legal approach to cybersquatting: enacting a specific anti-cybersquatting statute to reduce inconsistencies in rulings and address cases involving non-registered marks where trademark law is inadequate; introducing statutory damages to ensure compensation even when losses are hard to quantify; allowing in rem actions against domain names where registrants are unidentifiable or beyond the court’s reach; providing a clear definition of bad faith with flexible assessment criteria to guide consistent rulings; and adopting a model law approach to promote international uniformity and offer a long-term solution to cross-border cybersquatting disputes.

An Introduction to the Library of Rudolf Steiner, Martina Maria Sam, Chadwick Library Press, 2025, 106 pp., US$25, ISBN 7981737194767

John Paull — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 19:55:20 +0000

The physical library of New Age philosopher Dr Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) has survived somewhat intact at Dornach, Switzerland. The library as it appears today is a post-mortem assemblage of nearly ten thousand items, mostly books. The first catalogue was made during WWII by Werner Teichert who used a bespoke categorisation scheme. Martina Maria Sam has created an updated catalogue of Rudolf Steiner’s library. She has generally followed the categorisation scheme of her predecessor, and expanded the categories from 19 to 25. Sam produced a catalogue, in 2024, comprising three published volumes. The introduction to that 3-volume work has now been published as a 106 page book, ‘An Introduction to the Library of Rudolf Steiner’, and is now reviewed. The ‘Introduction’ is recommended as a worthy acquisition for all Rudolf Steiner scholars and libraries.

Menarche, Marriage, and Conception: Their Influence on Maternal Health Services Utilization in the Juang Tribe of Odisha

Sasmita Sahoo, Soumya Ranjan Nayak, Priyanka Khurana — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 20:26:27 +0000

Background:
Puberty is a natural biological process, yet it can have adverse effects, particularly on rural and tribal girls in India. Early menarche makes them vulnerable to adolescent marriage and early conception, leading to a cascade of negative social and health outcomes.

Objectives:
This study examines the influence of three key life-course events- age at menarche, marriage, and first conception, on maternal health service utilisation, specifically antenatal care (ANC) and institutional deliveries, among Juang tribal women in Odisha.

Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 158 Juang mothers aged 15-49 (youngest child under five) from eight villages in Banspal block, Keonjhar, Odisha. Data were collected using a pretested interview schedule. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate socio-demographic, reproductive, and maternal health indicators.

Results:
The mean age at menarche among Juang women was 12.38 years. Early marriage (67.5%; mean: 16.35 ± 4.12 years) correlated with early conception (mean: 18.47 ± 2.35 years). ANC registration was high (95.6%), the highest rate reported in Odisha and eastern India. However, 50% of the participants reported home delivery, despite 98.1% of women receiving financial benefits. Despite willingness, 77% of participants denied using contraceptives. Caesarean births were rare (8.2%), and no cases of breastfeeding deprivation were reported. Child immunisation coverage was moderate (57.5%).

Conclusion:
Juang women show reproductive patterns aligning more with eastern India than with northern or southern regions. Despite high ANC uptake, gaps in institutional delivery and contraception persist. Culturally sensitive, community-based interventions are essential for improving maternal and child health outcomes.

The Power of Social Media in the Digital Era in Keeping Cultural Traditions Alive

Md Mahabub Alam, Masudur Rahman, Md Minhajul Islam Arif, Md JAMAL Jamal Hossan — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 21:25:26 +0000

The study explores the ways in which the use of social media facilitates maintenance and advancement of cultural traditions in the digital age, particularly, among the generation Z. The primary aims were to determine how well such platforms as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube supported cultural identity maintenance, to gauge the engagement into cultural contents and to look at the generational applications. Data was collected on 115 respondents all over the world using a quantitative method in the form of structured multiple-choice surveys that were handed out through Google Forms. The results indicate that the majority of the respondents are regularly exposed to culturally related materials on the internet, in particular, food, clothes, and festivals. The best sites of cultural exposure were TikTok and Instagram. Nevertheless, although the consumption of cultural content is an everyday experience, it does not necessarily result in sharing or higher involvement. The paper has come to a conclusion that social media has tremendous potential in the preservation of culture. However, to have significant influence requires proactive and active engagement.

The Decline of Extended Family Culture in Bangladesh: Historical, Social, Economic, and Islamic Insights

MD SALAH UDDIN — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 21:40:11 +0000

The extended family system has long been a cornerstone of Bangladeshi society, deeply intertwined with historical traditions, socioeconomic dynamics, and Islamic teachings. Traditionally, this system provided a robust framework for social support, economic management, and familial responsibility. However, recent decades have seen a significant shift towards nuclear families, driven by various factors. This study explores the multifaceted causes behind this transformation, including the historical evolution of family structures, changing social norms, financial pressures, urban migration trends, and modern family planning practices. Additionally, the research examines the Islamic perspective on family roles and responsibilities, particularly concerning dowry practices, rising divorce rates, and the challenges of elder care. Utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data, the study provides an in-depth analysis of how these elements have collectively contributed to the decline of the extended family system. The findings offer insights and recommendations for preserving family cohesion and upholding traditional values within the context of contemporary socio-economic changes.

Country-of-Origin Effect and Consumer Purchase Intentions in the Indian Automobile Market: The Roles of Reflexiveness, Habituation, and Cognition

Aanya Kapoor — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 20:40:31 +0000

The country-of-origin (COO) effect plays a significant role in shaping consumer perceptions across industries, yet its influence on the rapidly evolving Indian automobile sector remains underexplored. This study investigates the impact of reflexiveness, habituation, and cognition on consumer purchase intentions toward domestic and foreign automobiles in India. Using a standardized scale by Siamagka and Balabanis (2015), survey data were collected from 271 respondents, primarily from urban India. Regression analysis revealed that reflexiveness and habituation positively and significantly influenced purchase intention, while cognition exerted a small but significant negative effect, suggesting that strong foreign brand associations may reduce preference for Indian cars. Employment status emerged as a differentiating factor, with self-employed individuals showing a greater inclination toward foreign automobiles, whereas age and gender had no significant impact. The findings also highlighted limited adoption of electric vehicles (6.1% of cars owned), pointing to infrastructural and informational barriers. This study contributes to COO literature in the Indian context and provides actionable insights for automobile marketers and policymakers to strengthen consumer confidence in domestic brands.

Breaking the Funding Glass Ceiling: Investigating Financial Exclusion of Female Entrepreneurs in India

Arshia Gupta — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 20:54:11 +0000

This research examines the persistent financial exclusion of female entrepreneurs in India, identifying the structural, institutional, and sociocultural barriers that constrain their access to formal sources of capital. Although the number of women-led enterprises has grown significantly across diverse sectors- including technology, agriculture, healthcare, and education- systemic inequities in funding access continue to undermine their potential for expansion and sustainability. The study finds that key determinants such as age, level of education, stage of enterprise development, and geographical location profoundly influence the likelihood of securing formal finance. Entrepreneurs who are younger, less formally educated, at early venture stages, or operating in rural regions experience the highest levels of exclusion. These challenges are compounded by restrictive collateral requirements, inconsistent documentation practices, and gendered biases embedded in lending protocols. Consequently, a substantial proportion of women entrepreneurs remain reliant on informal financing networks, driven by accessibility, distrust of formal institutions, and previous experiences of rejection. While some government schemes have yielded positive outcomes, gaps in awareness, inconsistent outreach, and perceived inefficiencies limit their impact. Gender-specific constraints- such as intrusive personal questioning and implicit bias during credit evaluation- further reinforce the “funding glass ceiling” that characterizes women’s entrepreneurial journeys in India. The study underscores the necessity of integrated interventions, including gender-responsive lending frameworks, targeted financial literacy programs, and enhanced policy communication strategies. Addressing these barriers comprehensively is essential for cultivating an inclusive financial ecosystem, advancing women’s economic empowerment, and contributing to India’s broader agenda of sustainable and equitable growth.

Sustainability of Post-Project Market Gardening Production Systems in the North of Côte d’Ivoire

Ségbé Guy Romaric SEGBE GUY BALLE — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 20:59:33 +0000

ABSTRACT

Description of the subject: Evaluating the sustainability of agricultural production systems is a major issue for sustainable development, especially in market gardening sectors supported by development projects.

Objective: This study aims to analyze the sustainability of market gardening production systems following the implementation of the PROPACOM, PARFACI and PRO2M projects in the department of Korhogo.

Methodology: A combined approach of quantitative and qualitative methods was used. Thirteen beneficiary groups were surveyed through individual questionnaires and focus groups. Data were analyzed using the IDPM method (Indicators of Sustainability in Market Gardening), which evaluates agroecological, socio-territorial, and economic dimensions. In total, 260 producers mainly women were surveyed using a semi-structured questionnaire and through three (3) focus group discussions.

Results: The results show that most producers are women aged between 36 and 60, with low literacy levels. The production systems are characterized by intensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Sustainability scores reveal that the PARFACI and PRO2M perimeters are more sustainable than those of PROPACOM in agroecological and socio-territorial dimensions. However, none of the assessed farms achieved satisfactory economic sustainability. Specifically, the transferability and viability components for the whole projects were revealed as extremely low to provide sustainability to the output of the actions leaded.

Conclusion: Post-project farming systems face structural constraints, mainly due to limited technical and economic support, which undermines their long-term sustainability. As recommendations, it is imperative to focus on literacy among producers in order to reduce the illiteracy rate and facilitate the mastery of some necessary tools. It is also profitable to encourage the use of organic manure instead of chemical fertilizers, which are too expensive and often dangerous for health.

Criminalization of Freedom of Expression and Opinion for Environmental Activists from a Criminal and Positive Law Perspective

Muhammad Abiyyu Arhab, RB Sularto — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 21:19:41 +0000

Freedom of expression and explanation is a right for the public to convey their criticism and aspirations to the state. However, over time, cases of criminalization have emerged for environmental activists, where they received criminal penalties while fighting for environmental rights in Indonesia. This study aims to explain and analyze the form of regulation of freedom of expression and opinion in Indonesia from a criminal and positive legal perspective regarding the criminalization experienced by environmental activists while fighting for the community's right to a good and healthy environment. The research method used is a normative juridical method with data collection techniques through literature studies, and further explained using qualitative descriptive methods. The results of the study indicate that the freedom of expression and opinion is the responsibility and right of the Indonesian state. However, the implementation of freedom of expression and opinion is not applied comprehensively to the community, especially for activists. Activists are subject to specific penalties in Law Number 11 of 2008 concerning Information and Electronic Transactions. This will impact freedom of expression for the community in the future, so an in-depth analysis is needed regarding the criminalization of freedom of expression and opinion.