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Religious Practices and National Development
Johnson Olusegun Ajayi,
Bodunde David Oluwafemi
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 4, August 2014
Pages:
105-111
Received:
15 June 2014
Accepted:
30 June 2014
Published:
20 July 2014
Abstract: Nigeria is a multi-religious society. These religions can be grouped under three principal and dominant types which are Christianity, Islam and Traditional African Religion. Religion is held with utmost passion, devotion, reference and sacredness in Nigeria, so much so that it has become a veritable tool in the hands of both political and non political leaders for the psychic and emotional manipulations of adherents. No wonder Marx sees religion as mere illusion, a way of rationalizing man’s frustrations, an opium that sedates and placates the pains of exploitation and oppression by the nuveaux riché, whereas Durkheim saw it as a social institution that serves to give meaning to man's existential predicaments. Nigeria today is one of the most religious societies in the world, but these various beliefs and teachings have not changed to any appreciable extent the lives of the adherents and the nation as a whole. What is witnessed instead is one form of religious crisis or another leading to; maiming, looting, massacre and horrendous bloodshed of innocent and unprotected citizens. Every religion in Nigeria plays the blame game, to an extent that the practice of the same teachings of love, peace, unity and brotherhood each religion claims to instruct becomes a dirge and mirage. This study is therefore set to investigate religious practices in Nigeria and the effect on the development of the society using exploratory method. Though religion could be a source of social unity and cohesion in a social setting, it was discovered that over the years in Nigeria, religion has merely led to persecution, torture, wanton bloodbath and destruction of social and economic materials.
Abstract: Nigeria is a multi-religious society. These religions can be grouped under three principal and dominant types which are Christianity, Islam and Traditional African Religion. Religion is held with utmost passion, devotion, reference and sacredness in Nigeria, so much so that it has become a veritable tool in the hands of both political and non polit...
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Appreciative Inquiry, a Constant in Social Work
María Pilar Munuera Gómez,
Carmen Alemán Bracho,
Mar Hernández
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 4, August 2014
Pages:
112-120
Received:
18 June 2014
Accepted:
7 July 2014
Published:
20 July 2014
Abstract: The use of the appreciative inquiry favors the change in perception and in speech made by individuals when they face their troubles. Appreciative inquiry is conducted from a theoretical structure which is based in a process, several principles and related techniques. Such performance can be sensed through the historical development of social work, where we could find female authors who, from their theoretical contributions, have shaped a solid structure of inquiry whose goal is to foster individuals' capacities in order to achieve their empowerment. It is necessary to strengthen this design of inquiry initiated with techniques that can change clients' narratives and can reinforce social workers' professional role.
Abstract: The use of the appreciative inquiry favors the change in perception and in speech made by individuals when they face their troubles. Appreciative inquiry is conducted from a theoretical structure which is based in a process, several principles and related techniques. Such performance can be sensed through the historical development of social work, ...
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Habitus: An Attempt at a Thorough Analysis of a Controversial Concept in Pierre Bourdieu’s Theory of Practice
Anna Asimaki,
Gerasimos Koustourakis
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 4, August 2014
Pages:
121-131
Received:
28 July 2014
Accepted:
15 August 2014
Published:
20 August 2014
Abstract: This work focuses on the approach to and analysis of the concept of habitus, and on tracing its relationship to the concept of practice within the framework of Pierre Bourdieu’s ‘theory of practice’. Based on these determinants, we attempted a thorough approach to the concept of habitus. Within the context of epistemological clarification we considered it essential to draw attention to its genealogy and the course of its development. Bearing in mind too the large number of discussions the controversial concept of habitus has provoked in the field of social sciences, we attempted to make reference to the most important relevant critical approaches. In the article’s concluding observations, the concept’s indisputable contribution to and influence on the field of social sciences is demonstrated, as is the notion that Pierre Bourdieu’s constructed concept of habitus attempts to put an end to fundamental divisions in sociology such as: objectivism-subjectivism, individual-society, conscious-unconscious.
Abstract: This work focuses on the approach to and analysis of the concept of habitus, and on tracing its relationship to the concept of practice within the framework of Pierre Bourdieu’s ‘theory of practice’. Based on these determinants, we attempted a thorough approach to the concept of habitus. Within the context of epistemological clarification we consid...
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Does the Conditional Cash Transfer Program Empower Women? Evidence from Ain El-Sira, Egypt
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 4, August 2014
Pages:
132-136
Received:
18 June 2014
Accepted:
18 August 2014
Published:
30 August 2014
Abstract: Several developing economies have introduced conditional cash transfer (CCT) programs, which provide money to poor families contingent on certain behavior, usually investments in human capital, such as sending children to school or bringing them to health centers. The approach is both an alternative to more traditional social assistance programs and a demand-side complement to the supply of health and education services. Unlike most development initiatives, conditional cash transfer programs have been subject to rigorous evaluations of their effectiveness using experimental or quasi-experimental methods. Evaluation results for programs launched in Colombia, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Turkey reveal successes in addressing many of the failures in delivering social assistance, such as weak poverty targeting, disincentive effects, and limited welfare impacts. There is clear evidence of success from the first generation of programs in Colombia, Mexico, and Nicaragua in increasing enrollment rates, improving preventive health care, raising household consumption, and empowering women. Given the available data from Ain El-Sira in Egypt, this study contributes to the limited if not unavailable evidence on the impact of CCT on poor Egyptian families behavior with respect to various aspects such as female work, empowerment, violence, and family planning. This study will use the several data collection activities that were conducted in Ain El-Sira. There were a baseline survey before the implementation of the CCT program, mid-line survey (after 13 months of implementation) and monthly progress data collection for the 162 selected families.
Abstract: Several developing economies have introduced conditional cash transfer (CCT) programs, which provide money to poor families contingent on certain behavior, usually investments in human capital, such as sending children to school or bringing them to health centers. The approach is both an alternative to more traditional social assistance programs an...
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The Relationship between the Law and Public Policy: Is it a Chi-Square or Normative Shape for the Policy Makers
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 4, August 2014
Pages:
137-143
Received:
14 August 2014
Accepted:
26 August 2014
Published:
10 September 2014
Abstract: Oftentimes we consider how the law and public policy were interwoven one anothor for any fine appeal to the constituents and global public. Nonetheless, we are fairly never definite to suggest any hard picture of their relationship. It rather involves an issue of meditative process of philosophy, humanity and social justice as well as a wider of public contention from the purview of temporal and spatial evolution. The paper, in the face with this difficult conundrum, attempts to highlight some of basics despite a surfeit of work products in this field. The paper begins with the instant queries or explanation from the peer scholar practitioners, which would be some of communication with the author. Then the author elicits some of principled relationship between the two concepts.
Abstract: Oftentimes we consider how the law and public policy were interwoven one anothor for any fine appeal to the constituents and global public. Nonetheless, we are fairly never definite to suggest any hard picture of their relationship. It rather involves an issue of meditative process of philosophy, humanity and social justice as well as a wider of pu...
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