Sociology Commons^™

The Pursuit Of Fulfillment: A Phenomenological Study Of Street Sweepers In The Philippines, Joseph Seclot, Danilo Fajardo

Social Sciences and Development Review

Street sweepers are one of the most vulnerable groups of workers nowadays due to their working conditions, tenure of employment, health issues, and socio-economic status. Nevertheless, they are the driving force behind the maintenance of solid waste management and the cleanliness of cities. Using the Self-Determination Theory as the framework of this study, this paper aims to explore the sense of fulfillment experienced by street sweepers in Tangub City, Misamis Occidental. Using phenomenological research design, eight (8) street sweepers were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide questionnaire. The gathered data were transcribed, validated, and analyzed using the Braun and Clarke …

Analyzing Focus Groups Through Poetic Dialogues: Enhancing Participant Engagement And Representation In Program Evaluation, Catherine E. Sanders, Alexa J. Lamm, Jori N. Hall, Abigail Borron, Maria Navarro, James C. Anderson Ii

The Qualitative Report

Evaluating programs in rural communities can present challenges when large, observable successes, such as infrastructure additions, are limited due to resource challenges. These successes are often quantifiable and easily identified by external stakeholders. However, there are often intangible and social impacts that should be captured as successes of rural community-focused programs that may not fit the more quantitative methodology. Arts-based methodologies, like poetic analysis, can help capture the diverse impacts of a program, while also centering the voices of program participants in the evaluation itself. This study examined the use of poetic dialogues, an application of poetic transcriptions for focus …

Babaeng Frontliner At Covid-19 Sa Pilipinas: Batayan Para Sa Isang Epektibong Tugon Sa Pandemya Na Nakatuon Sa Gender, Arianne Nicole N. Fernando

Social Sciences and Development Review

While the mortality rates for men are higher, the socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic hit women differently. This qualitative study examines the experiences of eight Filipina frontliners who continued to work during the General Community Quarantine in Metro Manila. Respondents were selected through purposive sampling. The primary data collection method was in depth interview. Phenomenological study was utilized for data analysis. The research resulted in three major themes which emerged out of the experiences shared by the female frontliners (1) there exists a problem in safety and transportation among female frontliners; (2) stress develops from a high-risk work task; …

Para Lang Po Sa Tabi: Maka-Pilipinong Katangian Ng Lalabintaunin Sa Pagbubuo Ng Kápwa Sa Kapwa Pasahero Ng Dyip, Eldrin Jan D. Cabilin, Aurora S. Buquir

Social Sciences and Development Review

The jeepney is hailed as the "king of the road." This monarch of the streets is often adorned with vibrant colors, intricate decorations, and an extravagant design. Though an unseen part of our daily lives yet, it carries profound cultural significance symbolizing our Filipino identity. Within the jeepney the Filipino value of pakikipagkapwa is strongly manifested as the heart or most important among our Filipino values according to Virgilio Enriquez from the perspective of Sikolohiyang Pilipino. This study sought to explore how the concept of kapwa is formed among passengers who interact daily within this shared space. Employing the indigenous …

Experiences Of Ba Sociology Students From A Philippine State University: Recruitment, Retention, And Future Aspirations, Mark Anthony M. Quintos, Minami O. Iwayama

Social Sciences and Development Review

Sociology as an undergraduate program in the Philippines has expanded significantly. A total of 49 higher educational institutions offer an undergraduate degree in Sociology; 20 of which are in Luzon and 8 are in Metro Manila. Despite this growth, Sociology departments face challenges in recruiting and retaining students amidst a competitive academic landscape. This study was conducted with students from a Philippine state university, exploring their motivations for enrolling, reasons for staying, perceived strengths and weaknesses of the program, and their post-graduation plans. The insights gained from this research could guide future improvements to Sociology programs to better meet the …

Ritual And Sacred Space: The Role Of Ritual In Shaping The El Shaddai Community, Joven B. Makiling

Social Sciences and Development Review

This study aims to examine the role of ritual in shaping sacred space and community within the El Shaddai fellowship. Using an ethnographic approach, observations were conducted over five consecutive Saturdays at Amvel City, Parañaque City, to identify and describe the rituals performed during the group’s weekly gatherings. The research found seven primary rituals, referred to as “spiritual activities,” which serve as essential components of the members’ spiritual lives. Additionally, the study highlights the role of the stage as a “sacred space” that functions as the focal point of ritual performance. The analysis reveals that ritual is not only a …

Vulnerabilidad Socioambiental A Inundaciones En Dos Humedales De San Cristóbal De Las Casas, Chiapas, México, Ender Fabian Toledo Alcázar, Salvador Adame Martínez, Marcelino García Benítez

Journal of Maya Heritage

Abstract

This study encompasses the following urban wetlands: "La Kisst," situated in the city center, and "María Eugenia," located in the southern part of the city of San Cristóbal de las Casas. There are four wetlands within the municipality, all of which have been protected as natural areas by a Ramsar decree since 2008. The research aims to assess the socio-environmental vulnerability of the two wetlands using indicators in the environmental, social, and legal dimensions, thereby establishing the degree of vulnerability of the urban population exposed to flooding. The methodological process is defined by the proposal of CENAPRED, which establishes …

L2) The Bountiful: Mormon Tourism On Islamic Land? Examining Lds Church Members Intentions Toward Arabia, Kristel A. Kessler

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

The Sultanate of Oman has gathered interest from scholars due to its potential connections to the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (often referred to as the LDS Church or Mormon Church). Discussions have centred around the narrative of prophet Lehi, who constructed a ship to reach the promised land, as described in the Book of Mormon. This account details his journey to a land referred to as "Bountiful" during his exodus from Jerusalem. Recent explorations suggest that Khor Kharfot in the Dhofar region may be the most plausible location of Bountiful and could even contain …

L1) Modern Day Saints And The Production Of Contemporary Pilgrimage Sites: Analysis Of Padre Pio Of San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy And Sai Baba Of Shirdi, India, Kiran A. Shinde

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

Places valorised by saints have attracted pilgrimage for a very long time as devotion to saints is a way to achieve both material wellbeing and spiritual growth. Yet, the cult following of modern-day saints in contemporary societies has become a topic for exploration only in recent years (Di Giovine, 2010; Srinivas, 2008). A few excellent hagiographies discuss the material and non-material world created around charismatic modern-day saints (Shepherd, 1986). Adding to this scholarship, this paper aims to explore the creation of contemporary pilgrimage landscape of modern-day saints using a cross-culture comparative analysis. The saints are Padre Pio of San Giovanni …

K2) A Pilgrimage Site As A Votive Offering: The Cases Of The Giant Statues Of Mar Charbel In Faraya And Hammana (Lebanon), Nour Farra Haddad

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

Lebanon is located at the extreme east of the Mediterranean Sea and sandwiched between Syria and Israel/Palestine. What make this small country different from the others in the region are the close distances between the mountains, the sea and the green landscapes in the middle of deserted plains as well as its religious diversity with eighteen different communities.

The constant evolution of sacred geography in Lebanon testifies to the importance of Christian and Muslim religious markers in the landscape. The different communities have never stopped developing and building churches, monasteries, mosques, maqams and oratories. We have also seen that in …

K1) Understanding The Role Of Constraints In A Religious Destination - A Text-Mining Approach, Ariadna Gassiot Melian, Silvia Aulet Serrallonga

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

Precedents of inclusive tourism research are linked to analyzing the lack of participation of individual in different activities. Consequently, the exclusion of individuals in different experiences because of different reasons was described and addressed. Thus, one of the most important elements in accessible tourism research is tourism constraints. These can be defined as inhibitors and determinants of travel behavior.

It is widely known that individuals with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by constraints (Smith, 1987). These constraints can affect their behavior in multiple ways, such as preventing them from engaging in certain activities (Crawford, Jackson, & Godbey, 1991), influencing their preferences …

K4) Family Pilgrimage To Rome For The Jubilee Year, Kevin A. Griffin, Patrick Donnelly

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

This paper brings together two connected, yet seemingly unrelated strands of research. The first portion of the paper considers the Catholic Jubilee Year, 2025, its significance and related pilgrimage activities that are facilitated in Rome at this important time. The paper briefly outlines the theological and biblical significance of this special year of reconciliation and forgiveness which occurs every 25 years and draws millions of international pilgrims to Rome.

While seemingly entirely different, the second theme to be explored in the paper is the concept of Family Pilgrimage. According to Jenkins and Roszack (2023), the vast majority of pilgrim literature …

K3) Religious Tourism In A Key Textual Perspective: Spiritual Authenticity And Cultural Heritage, Ninfa Pagano, Walter Spezzano Aulet Serrallonga

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

Over the last few decades religious tourism has emerged as a growing, relevant sector in international tourism industry. It is estimated that approximately 300 million visitors per year go on pilgrimages and the global number continually increases (Syngh & Bhuyan, 2024).

The purpose of the present study is twofold: first, as major pilgrimage destinations strategically employ tourism discourse (Dann, 1996; Maci, 2020), this paper critically examines English tourism discourse as used on the official website Jubilee 2025. Second, it investigates how religious tourism itineraries, promoted on the website, are discursively framed to engage international visitors (Wodak & Meyer, 2015). Indeed, …

L4) Sacred Or Sold? Balancing Spirituality And Commercialisation In Pilgrimage And Faith-Based Tourism, Tadeja A. Jere Jakulin, Dane Spezzano Munro

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

This study adopts an interpretivist paradigm, framed by systems thinking and grounded in ethnographic methodology, to examine the role of Marian pilgrimage souvenirs in the intersection of faith, commerce, and material culture at the pilgrims’ sites of Malta, Lourdes (France) and Brezje (Slovenia). The choice of these approaches is dictated by the nature of the subject itself: sacred souvenirs are not merely objects but elements within a larger network of belief, ritual, economic structures, and pilgrimage dynamics. An interpretivist approach is necessary to account for the subjective and constructed meanings assigned to these souvenirs by pilgrims, shopkeepers, and religious institutions. …

L3) Do Religious Travels Transform Visitors And Affect Their Psychological Well-Being? A Study On Turkish Pilgrims Visiting Mecca, Nuray A. Turker, Sibel Spezzano Ayyildiz

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

Transformational tourism is a concept that emphasizes the personal and spiritual growth that travelers can experience through their journeys, particularly in the context of religious or spiritual trips. Religious journeys can significantly influence travelers, affecting their perspectives, beliefs, and overall life trajectory. These experiences foster reflection, encourage deep immersion, and create a sense of connection to the divine, which can lead to meaningful lifestyle changes. The transformative potential of such trips highlights the importance of understanding tourism not just as leisure activity but as a path to personal and communal development. This research aims to explore the transformative impact of …

Relationship Between Level Of Education, Adventist Education, And Commitment To Personal Devotional Life, Safary Wa-Mbaleka, Petr Cincala

Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association

Adventist education prepares students for service in this world and in the world to come, focusing on the mental, physical, social, and spiritual dimensions. This study based on the Global Church Member Survey (2023) investigated the relationship between obtaining an Adventist education, financial support to Adventist education, educational attainment, and personal devotional life of the Seventh-day Adventists.

From Awareness To Action: A Guide To Uphold Human Rights, Erica Jensen, Emma Indart, Emilyn Watkins

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Human Rights Violation - Full Issue June 2025, Angie Holzer

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

J4) Regenerating Responsible Tourism - Conceptual Framework In Context Of Religious And Spiritual Destinations, Tomasz Duda, Anna Gardzinska

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

In the times of global challenges related to excessive tourist activity, environmental degradation, and the commercialization of sites of particular cultural and religious significance, the need for a regenerative approach to tourism is still growing. Responsible tourism, based on the principles of sustainable development and respect for local values, is an important element of this transformation. The aim of this presentation is to develop a conceptual framework for regenerating responsible tourism in the context of religious and spiritual destinations.

The study includes a literature review on responsible tourism, sustainable development, and regenerative management strategies for sacred sites. Based on qualitative …

I1) Territorial Development And Religious Tourism: A Bibliometric Analysis, Salvatore F. Iannolino

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

The connection between religious tourism and territorial development is rooted in the enhancement of places of worship, spiritual itineraries, and local traditions, which serve as catalysts for the socioeconomic and cultural regeneration of regions (Cerutti & Piva, 2015; González-González & Fernández-Álvarez, 2022). This type of tourism is characterized by a strong sense of identity and the ability to activate often-overlooked endogenous resources such as abbeys, sanctuaries, hermitages, and devotional routes (Azevedo, 2021). Promoting this form of tourism within a territory stimulates the local economy through the development of a tailored hospitality system, craftsmanship that caters to the needs of pilgrims, …

I2) Managing And Promoting A Religious Route: A Pilot Project Experience In Sicily (Italy) - The Itinerarium Rosaliae, Susanna F. Gristina

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

Religious tourism is a rapidly growing sector with significant economic and cultural impacts worldwide, with 330 million people undertaking religious journeys each year. In Europe, Italy leads in this field, with religious routes playing an essential and expanding role in boosting tourism and local economies, driven by increased interest in spiritual and cultural pathways. Recognising the important contribution of religious paths to economic growth in the areas - often rural - that they pass through, the Italian Ministry of Tourism has allocated funds and created a national catalogue of religious routes to support their maintenance, management, and promotion. This is …

J2) Impact Of Tourism On Corsican’S Religion, Pierre-François Marchiani

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

In the 60s Corsica underwent a transformation with the rise of tourism and a new influx of population. Since then, the importance of tourism on the island has only increased to reach in 2023, 3 millions visitors, for only 350.000 inhabitants, and 39% of the Corsica’s GDP . The sheer volume of visitors is having a real impact on the Corsican way of life, not only economically but also culturally and perhaps religiously. At least that’s what we’re going to question in this communication.

9 out of 10 Corsicans claiming to be Catholic, quite quickly the Church of Corsica took …

J1) Virtual Reality And Multifaith Pilgrimage: Assessing The Impact Of Vr Technology On Religious Tourism Across Different Traditions, Md. Javed Kawsar, Rashed Khan

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

Religious tourism has traditionally been a deeply immersive, physical experience, drawing in millions of pilgrims to sacred sites across different faiths. However, with advancements in Virtual Reality (VR) technology, religious tourism is evolving to offer virtual experiences of these sacred spaces. VR's potential to make sacred journeys more accessible, especially for individuals facing physical, financial, or geopolitical barriers. While VR enhances interfaith understanding and can complement traditional pilgrimages through immersive and educational experiences, it raises critical questions about spiritual authenticity, theological legitimacy, and ethical use. However, VR is not a full replacement for physical pilgrimage due to its limitations in …

I3) Monastic Botanical Gardens: Medicinal Plants, Cultural Heritage, And Tourist Routes, Dimitrios Mylonopoulos, Polyxeni Moira

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

From the dawn of humanity, man have sought remedies for various illnesses and health issues in the natural environment. Herbal medicine has been at the forefront of humanity's therapeutic pursuits since the beginning of time. The natural environment, of which humans are a part, constitutes the first laboratory for the production of medicines. Medicinal botany can be traced back to ancient Greece, continues in ancient Rome, is closely linked to Islamic tradition, and persists through the rise of Christianity in monasteries, enduring to the present day.

Today, the use of herbs in monasteries remains alive and well preserved. Monastic botanical …

J3) The Use Of Ai-Based Eye Trackers In Catholic Sanctuaries: A Possible Contribution To The Study Of Pilgrimage Experiences, Marco Papasidero

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

The advent of AI has opened new avenues of research, one of which is the recent study of human gaze in Catholic churches and shrines (Ruozzi, Papasidero 2024). As part of the activities carried out within the PNRR ITSERR project (www.itserr.it), this paper aims to present the results of research conducted thus far in four sanctuaries in northern Italy: the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Bismantova in the Diocese of Reggio Emilia; the Sanctuary of Sts Pellegrino e Bianco in Alpe in the Diocese of Lucca; the Sanctuary of St Maria della Vita; and the Church of Sts Vitale and …

I4) A New Era Of Empowerment: Muslim Women’S Solo Religious Travel To Saudi Arabia After Vision 2030’S Groundbreaking Reforms, Ola Naim Omar Ismail Hajjaj

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

Since the declaration of Saudi Vision 2030 in 2016, the country has undergone significant and transformative changes, including reforms aimed at promoting gender equality and empowering women across various sectors including religious tourism, represented by Hajj (pilgrimage) and Umrah. One of the most historical and impactful changes is the elimination of the requirement for women to have a male guardian/companion (mahram) when visiting Saudi Arabia (SA) to perform religious tourism, enabling them to travel independently. This policy shift, implemented gradually between 2019 and 2022, not only empowers women but also supports Saudi Arabia’s broader goals of increasing tourism, modernizing its …

Keynote 3: The Future Of Religious Tourism And Pilgrimage: At The Intersection Of Sustainability, Silva Goretti

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

Religious tourism, encompassing pilgrimages and spiritual journeys across diverse faith traditions, has emerged as a significant contributor to global tourism. Although exact numbers may vary according to different sources, recognition of its contribution to local development is widely acknowledged, as well as its resilience, even during economic downturns. The Bethlehem Declaration (2015) acknowledges these potentials, encouraging policies that develop religious tourism in ways that ensure community participation, socioeconomic benefits, and balanced visitor experiences. However, while presenting unique opportunities, religious tourism also poses significant challenges to sustainability due to the ecological footprint of mass gatherings, physical degradation of sacred sites, waste …

"The Number One Culprit Is Apathy": How Adventist Church Leaders In The Nad View Success And Failure In Evangelism, René Drumm, Petr Cincala, Tara Hargrove, Linda Crumley

Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association

This presentation highlights findings from a qualitative study on evangelism in the NAD from the perspective of conference and union officers. Participants identified successful evangelism as involving careful preparation, cultural adaptability, and the creation of a church culture where evangelism becomes a way of life. Failure occurs when church members lack commitment and involvement.

“Dark” Narratives Of Venezuelan Migrants In Trinidad And Tobago: Voices Of Gratitude And Resilience In A Foreign Land, Susan Chand

Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association

This study explored narratives of Venezuelan migrants in Trinidad during and post COVID-19 lockdown. Key themes of “gratitude” and “resilience” emerged despite exploitation and discrimination migrants faced in a foreign land. “Dark Ethnography” concept is applied to understand migrants’ lived experiences and the church’s role in integrating to new environment.

Transforming Care: An Academic And Community Symposium On Transgender Care And Experience, Alison Sutton-Ryan, Kimberly Van Vulpen

Transforming Communities

Background: Transgender experience is often excluded from education and training. An emphasis has been often placed on sexual identities instead of gender differences rendering transgender care invisible in the healthcare system (Gahagan & Colpitts 2017). Lack of education and training has created significant barriers to accessible gender-affirming care, contributing to disproportionately high levels of discrimination for transgender individuals seeking medical services (Redcay et al., 2021). Purpose: The Interprofessional Education Symposium on Transgender Care and Experience was an innovative initiative developed by the newly formed Transgender Interprofessional Care Team (TICT) at a medium-sized suburban university. This collaborative team, comprising key …