[ Informação AIS Genere ]
Italian Sociological Association – Gender Studies Research Network? mid-term Conference on “Gender, differences and social change: Education, training and communication in a digital society” (University of Turin, 17–18 March 2023)
Critical reflection on gender and the discrimination still persisting in society with regard to identities and memberships ascribable to them is today assuming an unprecedented centrality in the public sphere, so much so that its political and civil relevance is gradually increasing. The recent debate on the approval of the Draft Law proposed by MP Alessandro Zan (known as DDL Zan) andd the controversies it has aroused have been an obvious example of this.
Similarly, the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened gender inequalities. In domestic contexts, as a result of the necessary measures adopted by governments, there has been (at least in Italy but also in other countries) a reinforcement of the already existing imbalances between men and women (due to the closure of crèches and schools, distance learning, compulsory smart working, etc.).
To contextualise a reflection on gender in contemporary society, it is necessary to recognise that the construction of gender roles is becoming an increasingly complex, articulated and not-taken-for-granted process that follows non-linear trajectories whose outcomes require the support of society and a growing degree of awareness on the part of social actors.
Socialisation and gender education, through which individuals acquire and negotiate their senses of belonging and identity, are involving an increasingly wider range of educational and training agencies. In addition to the more traditional institutions, such as family and school, the peer group and the media (from traditional to digital) are also increasingly contributing to the delineation of identity construction paths within which gender roles take shape. These models have also always been systematically conveyed through children’s literature, games and toys.
However, this process of continuous construction and re-elaboration takes place within a social framework in which patriarchal forms persist. Furthermore, these forms continue to perpetuate themselves through a gender uniformity that is only theoretical but is struggling to become substantial. For example, this is demonstrated by the almost assumed dominance of the ‘masculine’, especially in language, and all the social practices that, more generally, spread and reinforce this dominance. The products of this symbolic and cultural order, in addition to manifesting itself in the strength and resistance of gender stereotypes to dismantling, have some serious consequences at the structural level, as the educational segregation of women, which is particularly evident in our education system, and it often results in forms of inequality in the labour market that do not foster the achievement of gender equality. Furthermore, these inequalities fuel further manifestations of them, such as vertical segregation, perpetuating the existence of the so-called ‘glass ceiling’. Data from the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report (2021) showed that men still hold the most prestigious, privileged and powerful positions in many areas of the professional world and in politics. All of this contributes to exclusive social and cultural processes. Therefore, it is necessary to promote long-term educational strategies that work effectively to dismantle stereotypes and discrimination.
In addition to the indications from the Istanbul Convention and the Council of Europe, the topic of gender respect in education has been included in the contents of the ‘Buona Scuola’ law (107/2015). This law deals with gender equality, the prevention of gender-based violence and all forms of discrimination. However, it has not ensured the implementation of a structured and recognisable model of gender and sexuality education, which in Italy still does not seem to be at the centre of school policies. Discussing gender issues starting with the level of education, especially from a perspective that also considers all gender and sexual identities, including the universe of LGBTQ+ subjectivities, still seems to be a distant goal that is particularly difficult to achieve.
The challenge is also to build a gender education project that considers the growing importance of the informal sphere. Social media and digital platforms have become real identity-building environments that also foster an anticipatory socialisation of certain topics or issues. Furthermore, the role of influencers is becoming increasingly strategic in providing models of identity, behaviour and ways to relate to one’s peers, while the impact of TV series on the imagination can also be important for the construction of gender identity or for reflection on it.
The recent emergency for the persistence of sexist and homophobic bullying, cyberbullying, hate speech and extreme forms of feminicide has put the spotlight back on the need to work systematically on education and training (also from the perspective of digital literacy) to create the conditions for a change in culture and mentality. These changes need to be based on respect for women, and more generally, for all subjectivities according to gender and sexual orientation.
Given these reasons, it is crucial today to build and consolidate a culture of gender differences based on respect. Only then will institutions be capable of combating and weakening the various forms of discrimination in favour of an equal and inclusive society based on exchange and reciprocity rather than violent relationality.
In light of these considerations, this conference aims to reflect on the issues of gender education and communication in the face of the profound transformations that are taking place, raising a number of questions in particular:
– How have the processes of gender socialisation changed and are they changing?
– How are the new agencies contributing to the education and communication of gender differences characterised?
– What are the current theoretical and methodological studies and research perspectives on the subject at the national and international levels?
– Which specific topics have been researched in relation to LGBTQ+ cultures?
– What does masculinity mean in the 21st century?
– What is the role of media and expressive languages in the construction of gender differences and the expression of gender models?
– What strategies can foster the realisation of a sustainable society because it is inclusive of different genders and sexual identities?
– What are the major obstacles to a sustainable society’s realisation?
DEADLINES
Deadline for submission of proposals: 15 October 2022
Notification of proposal acceptance: 30 October 2022
Submission of report: 1 March 2023
The proposal, in Italian or English, should contain approximately 400 words and no more than 5 keywords, as well as the full name, affiliations and email address of the proposer.
The abstract should be sent in .pdf format to the Gender Studies Section email address: genere@ais-sociologia.it
[ Informação Gjilan Conference ]
International Interdisciplinary Conference “The role of Technology in the Shaping of Society”
17th Annual Int. Conference of AIS-ALBSA and Int. Partners
2nd Annual Conference of School Leadership: “Leadership and management in Education” (CSL – AADF)
University Kadri Zeka of Gjilan, KOSOVO
11-12 November 2022
We look forward for your paper before 30 September 2022
For registration and questions, please contact the Conference Secretary by e-mail gjilan.conf.2022@gmail.com; conference@sociology.al or by phone +355692044722 (viber/whatsapp) or link to: https://www.sociology.al/en/conferences/call-papers
[ Informação International Sociological Association ]
ISA World Congress of Sociology Abstracts Deadline: September 30
There are 3 weeks left to submit your abstracts to sessions organized by the Research Committees, Working and Thematic Groups.
Don’t leave it for the last moment! Abstract submission closes on September 30, 2022 24:00 GMT
+info: https://www.isa-sociology.org/en/conferences/world-congress/melbourne-2023/deadlines-2023
[ Informação SOCIUS ]
Chamada de Trabalhos > Colóquio “Covid-19, Vírus das Desigualdades Sociais”
A chamada de trabalhos para o Colóquio “Covid-19, Vírus das Desigualdades Sociais” encontra-se aberta até ao próximo dia 30 de setembro.
Este Colóquio, organizado pelo SOCIUS/CSG do ISEG Lisbon Shool of Economics & Management – Universidade de Lisboa, decorre online, nos dias 8, 9 e 10 de novembro de 2022,
Toda a informação detalhada no link https://ulisboa.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=63aef0e102a735a2e9554e9e6&id=ba9ac84a3f&e=656dd8b624
Qualquer dúvida, estamos ao dispor através do e-mail: sociuseventos@iseg.ulisboa.pt
[ Informação Karl van Meter ]
Call – RC33 Sessions at ISA World Congress (25 Jun-1 Jul, Melbourne AU)
I want to invite you to an abstract proposal to the RC33 within the XX ISA World Congress, the hybrid event that will be held in Melbourne, Australia from Jun 25th – July 1st 2023. Participants must submit abstracts on-line to one of the 12 selected sessions by the following link: https://isaconf.confex.com/isaconf/wc2023/webprogrampreliminary/Symposium756.html
Deadline: September 30th, 2022, 24:00 GMT
Please read before submitting your abstract:
• One cannot submit more than two abstracts.
• One cannot submit the same abstract to two different sessions.
• The abstract text cannot contain more than 300 words and must be submitted in English.
• It is the author’s responsibility to submit a correct abstract; any errors in spelling, grammar, or scientific fact will be reproduced as typed by the author.
• All changes/updates should be done via on-line system by September 30, 2022 24:00 GMT.
• Once abstracts have been accepted, no changes in authorship and text can be made.
• Author must specify a preferred format of presentation: on-site or virtual.
• Each abstract received on-line will be assigned an identification number.
• Only abstracts submitted on-line will be considered in the selection process.
December 2nd, 2022 Notification letters will be sent to authors
January 31st, 2023 Applications for Registration Grants. ISA members in good standing, active participants in the program, are eligible to apply for a registration grant.
Looking forward to your participation,