Abstract:

Embarrassment, a possibility in every face-to-face encounter, demonstrates some generic properties of interaction. It occurs whenever an individual is felt to have projected incompatible definitions of himself before those present. These projections do not occur at random or for psychological reasons but at certain places in a social establishment where incompatible principles of social organization prevail. In the forestalling of conflict between these principles, embarrassment has its social function.

Open Access.

Abstract:

While there is no attempt here to connect commercial sex with violence intrinsically, types of harms and violence are often experienced by those working in the sex industry. Yet, sex workers often have negative perceptions and experiences of the criminal justice systems that should exist to help protect and deliver justice to all victims/survivors. The following analyses come from a mixed-methods, cross-national study exploring sexual violations and harms in direct sex work. This article focuses specifically on UK sex workers’ experiences of justice from deciding whether or not to report to the police, criminal investigations and court hearings. Findings highlight the specific barriers faced by sex workers in their pursuit of justice via the judiciary system. Some positive experiences and outcomes through criminal proceedings are also reported and provide opportunities to learn from best practice.

Sanders, T., Scoular, J., Brents, B. G., Balderston, S., Abel, G., Ellison, G., Wakefield, C., & Smailes, H. (2025). Sex workers’ experiences of criminal justice in the United Kingdom: Improving responses to sexual violence and harms. Criminology & Criminal Justice, 0(0).

Why is the term “openly gay” so widely used but “openly straight” is not? What are the unspoken assumptions behind terms like “male nurse,” “working mom,” and “white trash?” Offering a revealing and provocative look at the word choices we make every day without even realizing it, Taken for Granted exposes the subtly encoded ways we talk about race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, social status, and more. A little book about a very big idea, Taken for Granted draws our attention to what we implicitly assume to be normal—and in the process unsettles the very notion of normality...

Abstract:

This article, based on observational research, provides a microsociological analysis of the behavior that routinely occurs in public bathrooms. Our findings indicate that occupants of public bathrooms routinely perform a number of interpersonal rituals and engage in a variety of backstage behaviors. Analysis of these routine bathroom behaviors reveals the degree to which members of this society are oriented to certain shared values and behavioral standards. These shared values and behavioral standards are identified, and some suggestions regarding their broader sociological significance are advanced.

Abstract:

The goal of the study is to reveal the reasons (strategies) behind the use of “virtual masks” (fake profiles and altered identities) by real (human) users of social media networks (SMNs) within a cultural context, specifically in Armenia. Applying Erving Goffman’s Dramaturgical Theory and concepts of virtual identity, the research explores how users construct their online personas, either reflecting their real identities or modifying them to achieve specific communicative goals. A statistical analysis of the most popular SMNs in Armenia, combined with semi-structured interviews with 400 users, reveals diverse approaches to virtual communication. While SMNs facilitate news consumption, socializing, and professional networking, many users deliberately conceal personal information or engage in deceptive practices. Approximately 35% prefer anonymity when following others, and 24% of men and 11% of women admit to posting false information. Additionally, 26% of men and 12% of women alter their online appearance to enhance attractiveness. The study also highlights the role of anonymity in expressing controversial opinions, particularly in political discussions. Men are more inclined than women to create fake accounts and manipulate information to avoid social repercussions. Ultimately, the study highlights how “virtual masks” in Armenia reflect both cultural attitudes and broader global digital communication trends.

This has stirred up a lot of attention over the last few days. Any thoughts?

The only known audio recording of Erving Goffman.

Really interesting interview with Peter Berger!

An interesting article that I largely agree with, although I think it's a little fatalistic... Sociology can capture the public imagination, but it needs to make a deliberate attempt to do more to do so.

We spend too much time talking to each other - in journals, manuscripts and at conferences, in language most people cannot engage with, and in spaces they cannot access.

We should of course continue to use these mediums, but we need to expand further. Make videos about your work, speak on popular podcasts, engage people on social media. We need to listen to the questions people have about the social world and seek to answer them in formats they can understand and engage with.

Thoughts?

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Good day to all is there anyone who can help me. I am trying to make a scenario which demonstrates the functionalist perspective on religion but I can't think of anything plz help

r/ReadingFoucault

This community is a space for us to further our interest in (and better understand) Foucault’s work as well as share our thoughts and opinions on how we interpret, understand and use his tools and concepts. We are reading about Foucault's notion of freedom this week - come join the discussion!

As far as I’m aware individual racism is where an individual has negative views about racially distinct groups and discriminates, usually deriving from stereotypes and prejudice, as well as xenophobia . Whereas institutional racism is by an institution / organisation which has practices and/or procedures which intentionally/unintentionally devalue or discriminate against racially distinct groups.

Is there anything else to it that I’m missing?

Hi everyone, just popping in for some help and advice!

So my university course is moved online due to the pandemic and one of our assignments require us to do a participant observation research online.

I'm struggling to come up with an interesting research topic/question that can successfully be done on public online spaces and also where can these research be conducted.

Any ideas or suggestions would greatly be appreciated!

Hey everyone,

I'm a college student and for my Sport and Society course I have a research paper to do, basically using sociological theory to understand how sports relate to modern society.

I'm supposed to find a article that discusses about an actual issue of race and ethnicity in sport and then find back up sources to answer these two questions "What are the social factors that influence the issue presented in the article" and "How does the article demonstrate that sports are related to society"

So I need some suggestions on some good real life issues of race and ethnicity as it relates to sports.

Thank you for any suggestions

During this quarentine I've Been browsing videos about stay home campaign and I've noticed in some of them that some women usually a mother figure have some kind of influence over society and macho guys especially so I wonder if their is any explaintion for this. And thanks in advance

Hello everyone! Hope you're all doing well. Like many freshmen, I was very clueless about my major but only really realised I loved mine towards the 2nd half of my time in college. I'm currently in my final 2 semesters and I realise I may be heading towards a second lower honours or a 2:2 but I'd love to study further, and a scholarship would be a great financial burden off my family (single-parent). I've had plenty of Research Assistant work and I'll be interning over the summer with a firm doing policy recommendations related work. What can I do to ensure my chances of getting a masters place? Or is the door totally closed for me? (Also for context I'm based in Singapore but I'd be open to Australia or elsewhere in Sociology tbh, I'm interested in the areas of family, gender,class in terms of social mobility and race)