Social Science Forum: Issue 110
Abortion access in the USA: Class differentiation before and after the Supreme Court’s overruling of Roe
Lilijana Burcar
Abstract:The article demonstrates that the 2022 US Supreme Court decision on Dobbs deepens class differentiation among women in the USA in their access to abortion. Relying on the historical materialist approach, we show that the USA have continuously limited access to abortion since its decriminalization on the federal level in 1973 by systematically targeting low-income women and violating their right to reproductive autonomy. The bans on abortion implemented in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision on Dobbs will further exacerbate the already existing inequalities in abortion access and reproductive autonomy between the poor and the rich women, with the latter being affected least as they will be able to afford interstate travel or travelling abroad in order to secure access to legal and safe abortions.
Key words: USA, abortion, class differentiation, Hyde Amendment, Roe, Dobbs
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(Intra)gender variation in work-family conflict of employed parents in Croatia
Marija Šarić, Blanka Čop, Željka Zdravković
Abstract: This article explores variations in work–family conflict (WFC) among employed parents of minor children in Croatia (N=2414). It examines how sociodemographic characteristics, household organisation, and working conditions influence WFC, specifically looking at differences within each gender group. Women report higher WFC than men, particularly those aged 30–39 who often manage young children, and women with a university education, which is consistent with the high-status strain hypothesis. Men’s WFC is relatively unaffected by age and education, indicating differing gendered impacts of sociocultural factors. Working conditions strongly predict WFC for both genders, although more significantly for men. Unexpectedly, additional help with children in the household increases men’s WFC, suggesting complexities in gender role expectations. Recognising these intersecting influences can inform inclusive workplace policies tailored to diverse parental needs.
Key words:work–family conflict, working conditions, household organisation, parents, Croatia
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Introduction to the thematic block: Communicating the Climate Crisis
Dejan Jontes and Anja Skapin Subanović (guest editors)
Media framing of the biodiversity crisis: a study of a Croatian daily newspaper
Dunja Majstorović, Dina Vozab, Karla Martinić
Abstract: The paper analyses media coverage in the period 1959–2022 of the biodiversity crisis in Večernji list, the longest-running daily newspaper in Croatia. A sample of 367 articles in both printed and online editions of the newspaper was constructed via a multiple keywords search. Quantitative content analysis was carried out to determine the interest in biodiversity loss issues over time, and the framing of the biodiversity issue. The results show that, although overall interest in biodiversity loss is inconsistent, there is a quantitative rise in news about biodiversity over time. The prevailing thematic focus is endangered or extinct species and endangered ecosystems. Most of the articles frame biodiversity as a local issue, as a science-related issue, while many link the biodiversity crisis to climate change. Using inductive coding, specific frames related to biodiversity were developed that could be used to advance this or future research.
Key words: biodiversity crisis, biodiversity loss, climate change, media coverage, framing, Croatia
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Data journalism, deep features, and the geography of climate crisis in a multiracial city: a case study of the Local's "Toronto's Climate Right Now" issue
Shirley Roburn
Abstract: The paper reports on the case of Toronto’s ”Climate Right Now” issue of The Local, a digital news magazine start-up with a health justice focus on urban Toronto. Through a close reading of the issue, which builds on a previous multimodal study of The Local, it is concluded that The Local’s structural commitments to race and equity, which resulted in reporting by and for underserved racialised communities, contributed to a qualitative different kind of climate journalism. This approach centred solutions journalism and visual storytelling featuring community members, and took an inclusive, holistic perspective on newsworthiness of what constituted Toronto’s climate. The study contributes to research on climate change journalism by new journalism start-ups as little of such research focuses on climate justice in an urban context in the global north.
Key words:climate change; journalism start-ups; digital journalism; community journalism; health equity; hyperlocal journalism; climate journalism; climate justice
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From observation to understanding: embedding artistic practice for more effective climare research
Mark Kasumovic
Abstract: The article explores the potential held by artistic practice – especially visual arts and photography – as an embedded element of climate change research. Drawing on historical and contemporary examples, it argues that art should not merely serve as a vehicle for science communication, but as an epistemic partner in the production of climate knowledge. The paper critiques current collaboration models such as artist residencies and calls for the deeper, earlier integration of artists into research design, knowledge framing, and public engagement. Through case studies, pilot projects, and evaluation frameworks, it proposes the development of interdisciplinary networks and co-creative methodologies that support the cultural and emotional dimensions of climate understanding towards inspiring more meaningful public action.
Key words: climate change, art and science, interdisciplinary collaboration, visual communication, artistic practice
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Book Reviews
Tibor Rutar Marko Hočevar: Growth models, industrial relations institutions and labour market policies in Ireland, Portugal and Slovenia: Explaining capitalist convergence and divergence. Ljubljana: Faculty of Social Sciences, 2024
Damir Josipovič Ksenija Perković: Med prostorom in družbo: Regionalna in multikulturna identiteta Vojvodine. Koper/Capodistria: Založba Annales ZRS, 2023.
Barbara Gornik Vlasta Jalušič, Mojca Pajnik in Majda Hrženjak (ur.): (Ne)enakost v času krize in vzpona avtoritarizmov. Ljubljana: Mirovni inštitut, 2024.
Andreja Živoder Mirjana Nastran Ule in Eva Strmljan Kreslin (ur.): Na ulice! Odraščanje v današnjem času. Ljubljana: Fakulteta za družbene vede, 2024.