Journal of Advanced Research in Social Sciences

The Role of Law in Migrant Marginalization in the EU: A Comparative Analysis of Legal Frameworks, Social Exclusion, Mental Anguish

Shameer Kasim — 2025-12-30

Migration remains a critical issue within the European Union (EU), where legal systems struggle to balance security, integration, and human rights. This study examines inconsistencies in theories, national laws, treaties, and accords that both protect and marginalize migrants. The Dublin Regulation and restrictive asylum policies disproportionately disadvantage refugees despite the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) promoting equality. While the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) prohibits inhumane treatment, agreements like the EU-Turkey Deal prioritize border control over fundamental rights. The non-refoulement principle, enshrined in the 1951 Refugee Convention and ECHR, is frequently breached. Italy’s 2018 Decreto Sicurezza eliminated humanitarian protection, facilitated deportations, and criminalized NGO rescue efforts, leading to illegal pushbacks. Additionally, the Return Directive (2008/115/EC) criminalizes irregular migration, exacerbating social marginalization and restricting access to legal remedies, healthcare, and basic rights The study incorporates empirical data, such as trends in asylum applications and legal case outcomes, to support its analysis the rise of far-right governments in Italy, France, Hungary, and Poland has intensified anti-immigrant policies, border militarization, and the criminalization of humanitarian aid. Laws such as France’s Immigration Bill, Hungary’s “Stop Soros” bill, and Italy’s Decreto Sicurezza reinforce exclusionary practices and xenophobia. Migrants face employment restrictions, legal barriers, and increased mental health struggles. This paper argues that the EU must address contradictions in its legal framework, uphold migrant rights, and counter far-right policies through stronger legal protections, social integration measures, and governmental accountability to ensure a more inclusive migration system.

Lived Experiences of the Beneficiaries and Stakeholders on School-based Feeding Program in Selected Public Elementary Schools: Basis for the Development of an Action Plan

Edward C Paglinawan — 2025-12-30

This study dwells on the lived experiences of parents, teachers, school leaders, and program implementers of the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) in selected public elementary schools in Los Baños, Laguna. Using a phenomenographic approach, it looked into insights that shaped a practical and community-driven action plan. Four key themes emerged: (1) Stakeholder roles- teachers, administrators, and parents worked together to implement and monitor the program; (2) Enabling factors- collaboration, volunteerism, nutrition and hygiene education improved program delivery; (3) Challenges- budget delays, logistics issues, limited engagement, and misaligned schedules affected sustainability; and (4) Lived Experience and Recommendations- routine health checks, stronger partnerships, improved infrastructure, and policy support were suggested. Guided by the WFP-UNICEF Theory of Change, the study reveals that school feeding programs thrive not only through policy but also through people, when communities are empowered, voices are heard. Support systems work together to achieve better nutrition and learning for all children.

Unlocking Potential: An Analysis of the Key Predictors of Labour Force Participation Among African Immigrant Women in Canada

Goodnews Israel Oshiogbele — 2025-12-30

This study investigates the key predictors of labour force participation among African immigrant women in Canada. It addresses a gap in the current literature that often generalizes the experiences of all Black immigrant women, including those from highly developed economies. Using data from the 2021 Census Public Use Microdata File (PUMF) on individuals, this research explores the socio-demographic factors influencing employment outcomes, specifically educational attainment, language proficiency, and marital status. The findings reveal that higher educational qualifications and proficiency in both official Canadian languages significantly enhance the likelihood of labour force participation for African immigrant women. In contrast, marital status presents a complex relationship, with never-married women showing greater participation rates than their married counterparts. This research contributes to our understanding of the unique experiences of African immigrant women. It expands knowledge on the broader discourse on immigration, diversity, and economic integration in Canada.

Ramakrishna Paramhansa’s Idea of Religious Harmony in Promoting Religious Tolerance in Contemporary World

Amit Saha — 2026-01-06

Religious diversities have played a crucial role in shaping the human civilization. Harmony between different religions is integral for the attainment of global peace and social cohesion. This paper seeks to explore the relevance of religious harmony as conceptualized by Ramakrishna Paramhansa, as a pathway for peaceful coexistence in a pluralistic world. A 19th-century mystic of Bengal, Ramakrishna Paramhansa professed that all religions are different paths leading to the same truth. His idea of the harmony of religions was shaped by his personal spiritual experiences, practised through different paths of different religions, leading to the same divine truth. One of his famous preachings, “Joto Math, Tato Path” (as many faiths, so many paths), underscores the diversity of religious practices prevailing in society. He rather emphasized ones efforts to spiritual practices. This pluralistic vision of religions foster mutual respect and acceptance, in today’s globalized and multicultural world. The paper highlights Ramakrishna’s concept of ‘spiritual harmony,’ which contributes to social integrity and cohesion. His teachings and ideas were propagated by Swami Vivekananda to the world through the Ramakrishna Movement which is being carried forward by The Ramakrishna Mission which continues to promote interfaith dialogue and social service advancing the harmony and peace in the society. While translating Ramakrishna’s philosophy into practical solutions is challenging, his message of spiritual harmony holds immense potential in healing and uniting communities. In conclusion, Ramakrishna’s vision of religious harmony, based on recognizing differences while pursuing a common truth, offers a timeless path to a more inclusive and peaceful world where all faiths coexist harmoniously.

Awareness and Attitudes of College Students Toward Plastic Pollution in Bangladesh: A Social Science Perspective on Environmental Education

Muhammad Saiful Islam — 2025-12-30

Plastic pollution poses a critical environmental challenge globally, particularly in developing countries like Bangladesh where rapid urbanization and inadequate waste management systems have intensified the problem. Despite growing global awareness, limited empirical research exists on how young people, especially students, perceive and understand plastic pollution. This study investigates the awareness levels of Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) students in a Bangladeshi government college. Using a quantitative survey approach, 300 students from Humanities, Business, and Science disciplines were assessed to determine their knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions concerning plastic pollution. The study also explores variations in awareness based on academic discipline, gender, and parental education. Results reveal significant differences across disciplines, with Science students showing higher awareness levels than their Humanities and Business counterparts. Gender and parental education also influenced students’ knowledge and attitudes. The findings underscore the urgent need for a more integrated and inclusive environmental education framework across secondary education curricula. This research provides evidence-based insights for policymakers, curriculum developers, and educators aiming to strengthen environmental literacy and foster sustainable behavior among youth.

Towards a Pancasila-Driven Literary Criticism: Mapping Support, Violation, and Critique in Indonesian Novels

Tengku Hamid Darmawan — 2025-12-30

This paper proposes a novel framework for literary criticism grounded explicitly in the five foundational principles of Pancasila—Ketuhanan Yang Maha Esa (Belief in One God), Kemanusiaan yang Adil dan Beradab (Just and Civilized Humanity), Persatuan Indonesia (Unity of Indonesia), Kerakyatan yang Dipimpin oleh Hikmat Kebijaksanaan dalam Permusyawaratan/Perwakilan (Democracy through Deliberation), and Keadilan Sosial bagi Seluruh Rakyat Indonesia (Social Justice for All)—to examine thematic tensions and affirmations across fifteen representative novels (three per sila) in modern Indonesian literature. By examining how each text supports, violates, or critically interrogates one core sila, this study offers a multifaceted understanding of religious, humanistic, nationalist, democratic, and social justice values in fiction. Drawing on methodology from Pancasila Studies and established interpretive paradigms (cultural materialism; ideological criticism), the framework foregrounds Pancasila as both an ideological lens and a critical yardstick. The analysis demonstrates that novels such as Laskar Pelangi, Saman, and Perempuan Berkalung Sorban vividly illustrate tensions in Sila 1; Sitti Nurbaya, Cantik Itu Luka, and Laut Bercerita interrogate Sila 2; Negeri 5 Menara, Amba, and Bumi Manusia explore Sila 3; Orang-Orang Proyek, Tenggelamnya Kapal van der Wijck, and Belenggu probe Sila 4; and Ronggeng Dukuh Paruk, Entrok, and Gadis Pantai engage Sila 5. Findings reveal that while some narratives reinforce Pancasila values, others deliberately challenge or subvert them, reflecting the dynamic interplay between literature and national ideology. This study contributes to both Pancasila Studies and literary criticism by formalizing “Pancasila Driven Literary Criticism” as a versatile tool for future comparative and contextual studies.

The Influence of Real-Life Proximity and Parasocial Interactions on Attitudes towards the LGBTQIA+ Community in Mauritius

Vrajishni Dumur — 2025-12-30

Although Mauritius has made constitutional advancements, including the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling that decriminalized gay sex by amending Section 250 of the Criminal Code Act, societal acceptance of queer individuals remains inconsistent and a matter of debate due its fragile social fabric distinguished by its poly-ethnic and poly-religious composition. This study investigated the influence of having direct contact with the LGBTQIA+ community (real-life proximity), and parasocial interactions through media representation of LGBTQIA+ fictional characters on the attitudes towards sexual and gender-diverse minorities in the country. 118 adults took part in an online survey circulated on social media platforms. Data were collected using the Modern Homonegativity Scale, a modified version of the Bogardus Social Distance Scale, and the Parasocial Interaction (PSI)-Process Scale. Results demonstrated that both real-life proximity and parasocial interactions were strongly associated with positive attitudes, and both significantly predicted attitudes towards the LGBTQIA+ community. Interestingly, it was also observed that parasocial interactions had a relatively stronger influence compared to real-life proximity. Since both real-life proximity and parasocial interactions exert an influence on heterosexist attitudes in Mauritius, media representation can be a strong alternative for reducing stigma and sexual prejudice without risking the backlash that direct interventions may provoke. This adds to our understanding of the effects of representation and visibility in developing positive attitudes towards the LGBTQIA+ population and may guide future interventions, advocacy strategies and policies to build a more inclusive Mauritian society.

Comparative Financial Analysis of Greek Hospitals Before and During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Evaggelia Drakopoulou — 2025-12-30

During the Covid-19 pandemic, hospitals faced financial and social challenges due to the growing demand for healthcare and the costly measures required to combat the virus. Expenses increased and the hospitals were forced to acquire additional equipment and staff to cope with the crisis. Within this framework, this paper compares and analyses, through certain ratios, the financial data of 6 Greek hospitals before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. The purpose of the study is to determine if: i) the increased expenses worsened the financial condition of the hospitals, and ii) the pandemic created a financial crisis for hospitals. Findings indicate that the pandemic did not create a financial crisis for the hospitals. This, however, does not mean that, on a practical level, managers and policymakers should be complacent regarding the financial self-sufficiency of hospitals.

Writing the Empire, Wearing the Veil: Gender, Power, and the Politics of Travel writing in Eliza Fay’s India

Dipshikha Chhetri — 2025-12-30

This article examines the late eighteenth century travel letters of Eliza Fay, a British woman in colonial India, to unravel the intersection of gender, empire, and knowledge production. Using postcolonial and feminist theories, this paper interrogates how women played a discursive role in the knowledge production. Positioning Eliza’s travelogue within the “third space” of colonial encounter, the article analyses her simultaneous complicity and challenges in imperial and gender discourse, revealing how women navigated and contributed to the dynamics of Orientalism and knowledge-making in colonial India. This article asserts that travel writing by women is an essential source for reconstructing histories marginalised in official archives, exposing both the prejudices and anxieties that shaped colonial attitudes toward natives and the roles women played in sustaining and questioning imperial projects. Ultimately, this article represents an attempt to situate travel writing as gendered knowledge production within the frameworks of postcolonial feminism and Foucauldian theories of discourse and power.

Poverty Reduction in Informal Settlements of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe: Role of Personal Conversion Factors

Tobias Ndlovu — 2025-12-30

The impact of personal and household characteristics, referred to as personal conversion factors, on poverty in informal settlements in Bulawayo (Zimbabwe) was determined. The achievement of capabilities for poverty reduction and the access to resources were investigated using the explanatory potential of the capability approach, critical realist research methodology and multi-case study design. Interviews and discussions were held with 243 conveniently sampled households, four focus groups comprising informal settlement leaders, and four key informants from government and non-governmental organisation representatives to acquire data. Methods of critical realism analysis, including retrodiction, abduction, and retroduction, were employed for data analysis. The study found that most personal factors were perceived as having no individual effects. However, complex interactions of several personal, social and environmental factors influenced access to resources and achievement of capabilities. This study contends that poverty reduction strategies and policies in poor informal settlements should view conversion factors as contexts and structures.