Journal of Comparative Research in Anthropology and Sociology
The Journal of Comparative Research in Anthropology and Sociology – Compaso (ISSN 2068 – 0317) is an online, open-access, peer-reviewed academic journal published by the Department of Sociology and the Doctoral School of Sociology at the University of Bucharest. The journal provides a platform for scientific dialogue by advancing a comparative outlook that bridges empirical research and theoretical inquiry within and across the fields of anthropology and sociology.
The Journal of Comparative Research in Anthropology and Sociology – Compaso is published by the University of Bucharest, a prestigious public research institution founded in 1864 and consistently ranked among Romania’s leading universities. Compaso operates within the Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, an institution that offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs in sociology, anthropology, social work, human resources, and related fields.
The reconfiguration of social values through migration: The motivations of Romanians settled in the United States
Romanian migration to the United States is shaped by a set of distinctive characteristics generated by socio-economic and cultural factors, which significantly influence the processes of adaptation and reconfiguration of social values within the migratory experience. This study aims to examine the social values underlying the emigration decisions of Romanians settled in American communities, drawing upon the motives identified through research and outlining the defining features of this phenomenon. The analysis is grounded in two major analytical perspectives: migration theories — represented by the push–pull model and Douglas Massey’s theory — and social value theories, as formulated by authors such as Thomas R. Rochon, Raymond Boudon, Rudolf Rezsohazy, Shalom H. Schwartz, and Ronald Inglehart. Methodologically, a thematic analysis was applied to a corpus of 18 semi-structured interviews conducted with members of Romanian communities in the American diaspora. The findings reveal four central dynamics: (1) family remains a core value, but its meaning shifts toward ensuring stability, intergenerational security, and access to opportunities unavailable in Romania; (2) work is reinterpreted through meritocracy and fairness, contrasting with corruption and nepotism in the country of origin; (3) education emerges as both a pathway to professional advancement and a mechanism for transmitting new values to younger generations; and (4) cultural identity, while preserved through language and traditions, is continuously renegotiated in interaction with American norms. A key contribution of the study is the identification of a value gap between Romanian migration to North America and to Europe: while European migration is often driven by short-term economic motives, U.S. migration is strongly associated with aspirational, identity-based goals centered on self-actualisation, dignity, and long-term integration. This research highlights migration as not merely a geographical relocation, but a profound process of value transformation and self-reconstruction, aligning individual trajectories with ideals of freedom, recognition, and social justice.
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To be or not to be old: Romanian women’s experiences with social media and anti-aging discourses
In the context of the proliferation of anti-aging discourse on social media platforms, this study investigates how Romanian women aged between 49 and 80 relate to digital content that promotes aesthetic youth as an aspirational norm. Grounded on a sociological theoretical framework integrating capital theory (Bourdieu, 1986), neoliberal aesthetic governance (Rose, 1999; Gill, 2007) and age social constructionism (Gullette, 2018; Berger & Luckmann, 1966), the research analyzes data from a questionnaire administered to a sample of 110 women. The study explores the relationship between exposure to anti-aging content, its perceived realism and attitudes towards aging, highlighting processes of internalization, reflexive complicity and aesthetic resistance. Contingency analyses show that frequency of content viewing is correlated with perceptions of realism and attitudes towards ageing, while active engagement (like, comments) is associated with increased internalization of aesthetic norms. The results suggest, based on a small sample of 110 Romanian women, that social media may function as an algorithmic visibility regime that potentially amplifies neoliberal ideals of youth, while also indicating possible spaces for identity and counter-narrative negotiation. The study contributes to the digital sociology of ageing by exploring, within the limitations of a non-representative sample, how female ageing may not only be a biological process but also a symbolic territory of contestation and social resignification, where agency appears to be mediated by technological, affective, and discursive infrastructure.
When the cards don’t add up: Vocabularies of motive, boundary-work, and rationalization in spiritual online discourse
Contemporary spiritual practices like Tarot reading exist in contested epistemic spaces, requiring users to negotiate legitimacy and meaning in skeptical cultural contexts. This study examines how Tarot users construct and maintain the credibility of their practice through online discourse. Based on our thematic content analysis of three Reddit threads totaling 250 user comments, this article identifies how users deploy vocabularies of motive, boundary-work, and collective rationalization to justify and protect Tarot engagement. These findings emerge from empirical data, rather than being solely derived from existing literature. Users frame Tarot as emotional reflection and symbolic self-work rather than supernatural prediction, distinguishing it from religion, science, and superstition through hybrid stances emphasizing therapeutic dimensions. When readings appear inaccurate, users collectively rationalize these moments through symbolic reinterpretation and peer reinforcement, preserving the practice’s value. Three theoretical contributions emerge: distributed vocabularies of motive function as shared explanatory resources that persist across digital interactions as collective interpretive repertoires; boundary-work operates as flexible epistemic positioning, creating permeable spaces through strategic code-switching between knowledge frameworks; collective rationalization prioritizes affective regulation over logical consistency. These findings demonstrate how contemporary spiritual practices sustain legitimacy through flexible, collectively maintained discursive strategies rather than dogmatic belief systems, contributing to sociological understanding of meaning-making in digital contexts.
Family as a social institution and its impact on quality of life
This article examines the traditional status of the family in the contemporary Arab Gulf, highlighting how Arab families maintain their cultural identity amid rapid modernization. The focus is on the enduring importance of family unity and family life as key dimensions of both social cohesion and individual quality of life. The analysis draws on research findings concerning the Arab family in the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states: Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, the Emirate of Dubai (UAE), and Saudi Arabia. Established in 1981, the GCC represents a regional alliance shaped by shared cultural and economic interests. This study explores how traditional family structures persist and adapt in a region undergoing major socio-economic changes. It considers the transformation of the Arab family from traditional to modern forms, reflecting on broader themes such as multiculturalism, feminism, and modernity. These shifts occur in the context of rapid development driven by the capitalization of oil and gas resources since the 1970s. This article emphasizes the deeper cultural and social foundations that continue to define Arab identity. The resilience of family structures offers insight into how modernization can coexist with tradition.
Unfulfilled aspirations and anomie in post-transition Romania: A generational perspective
This article uses a generational lens and a quantitative design to examine the relationship between unfulfilled aspirations and perceived anomie in post-socialist Romania. Drawing on Durkheim’s and Merton’s classical theories of anomie, as well as contemporary frameworks on aspirational identity (Markus & Nurius, Appadurai, Currid-Halkett), the study explores how blocked aspirations influence social disintegration. Quantitative data (CATI survey, N=1100) show that low perceived opportunity and self-assessed underachievement are significant predictors of anomie. Generation Z reports the highest levels of aspirational tension and anomie, while older cohorts express disillusionment with institutions. Regression analysis confirms that aspirational indicators (ideal-achievement gap, perceived inequality of opportunity) account for 19% of the variance in anomie. These findings suggest that aspirational identity mediates the relationship between inequality, symbolic selfhood, and social integration in transitional societies. The study contributes by integrating identity and norm breakdown theories and offering empirical evidence from Eastern Europe.
“From father to son”: The occupational inheritance of Lăutari musicians. A sociological study
This article examines the processes of professional heritage and socialization among Lăutari, traditional Roma musicians in Romania. Drawing on autoethnographic data and thematic content analysis of interviews published in Formula AS magazine, the study explores how musical skills, cultural knowledge, and professional identities are transmitted across generations. The research confirms the predominantly patrilineal nature of occupational inheritance in this community, but reveals a more complex picture of professional socialization. It highlights the crucial role of immersion in a musical environment from an early age, the importance of family and community networks in facilitating learning, and the often overlooked contributions of women in sustaining these traditions. The study also examines the tensions between traditional modes of transmission and modern educational pathways, reflecting broader social changes affecting the Lăutari community. By focusing on this specific group, the article contributes to sociological discussions on occupational inheritance, cultural capital transmission, and the negotiation of traditional identities in modernizing societies, while also shedding light on the adaptations of a marginalized ethnic minority maintaining their professional traditions in contemporary Romania.
Enforcing law through government use of social media
Globalization and technological development create challenges for the communication and dissemination of law, which is essential for modifying behavior to suit evolving societal demands. Starting from a mixed theoretical approach, this study explores law socialization via social media, focusing on the Romanian situation. It examines how legislative and governance institutions spread the law and negotiate legal meanings in the new socialization space. The results indicate a slow institutional adaptation to new communication methods and a lack of social media strategies. Institutions use social media mainly to account for transparency and acquire public sympathy rather than to accomplish functional objectives.
Romanians caught between the American dream and pragmatic transnationalism
The substantial and continuous influx of Romanian emigrants who have maintained ties with their homeland and/or engaged in a form of migratory commute contribute to the cultural exchanges evident in social values. The current study presents an analysis conducted as part of the research on the dynamics of social values in Romanian communities in the United States. A total of 18 semi-structured interviews were conducted online with stable members of Romanian communities in the American diaspora. The qualitative data from the interviews was processed using a coding software, which helped discover indicators of values as important topics for migrants. The analysis of the interviews revealed the existence of two categories of values with a significant impact at the community level and implications beyond the geographical, economical, and cultural boundaries. These were identified as materialist-economic and cultural-identity. The two lenses through which migrants view their country of origin afford a deeper understanding of the process of change at the level of mentality and values. Also, the data reveals the stages through which these changes occur, and the types of connections established between the Romanians who emigrated and those remaining in Romania. There are three key factors in the process of changing social values specific to Romanian immigrant communities in America: triggering (related to well-being, such as values related to basic needs), mediating (related to cultural values, valuing tradition and customs) and repurposing (an alternative interpretation of values in the context of solving the signaled problems). These factors facilitate the rapid change of values for migrants.
Children’s nutrition from the perspective of parents: A qualitative research
This article presents the research results of a qualitative study on children’s nutrition from the perspective of parents. The research question I started from was the following: In what way do parents contribute to the construction of their children’s food consumption behaviors? In order to answer this question, I used a qualitative survey based on 20 interviews conducted using the semi-structured interview technique (Kauffman, 2008). Therefore, in the following, I will analyze in detail the themes that constitute the symbolic universe of parents regarding children’s food consumption, as I discovered them following the research interviews. Likewise, each thematic category will be theoretically anchored with the aim of building a sociological explanation both for the way parents construct their representation of children’s food consumption, and for the existence of their food consumption practices.
The perception of Romanian college students regarding climate change
People are starting to notice the effects of climate change more and more in their daily lives. People must be aware of their behaviors and how they affect the environment as long as they are trying to reduce climate change. People don’t realize how their actions affect the environment or how they can help lessen the effects of climate change because they don't have clear and accurate understanding about the causes and solutions to the problem. The purpose of this study is to determine how young people perceive climate change in a number of ways, including their perspectives, opinions, and beliefs about its causes, effects and solutions; their level of knowledge about the tactics of international climate actors; their involvement in and opinions about the necessity of these actions; and their perceptions of the importance of environmental and climate education in schools. The results show that the majority of respondents think that economic activity and human activity are the primary causes of climate change and that it is currently a severe concern. Nearly half of respondents consider that they are not affected by climate change now, despite the fact that the majority of them think it will have an impact on their lives in the future. The respondents are in favor of tougher sanctions and penalties for environmental crimes, as well as the creation of an Environmental Court in Romania to handle such cases. The majority of respondents believe they know very little about global climate actors and initiatives. The respondents claim to have a high or very high level of knowledge about climate change mitigation, deforestation, flooding, deforestation, desertification, and extreme weather occurrences.
European public attitudes and perceptions on digitalization and artificial intelligence
This empirical study examines European public attitudes and perceptions, focusing on Romania, regarding digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI). Using data from the Eurobarometer 95.2, the study reveals that Romanian attitudes, while generally aligned with the EU28 average, exhibit slightly more pessimism in several areas. Romanians display a balanced view of AI’s potential benefits and risks, similar to the broader European attitudes, but are more apprehensive about the impact of AI on job creation and the relationship between science, technology, and human rights. Perceptions of digital technology and ICT in Romania are positive but tempered with more caution compared to the EU28 average. These findings underscore the importance of developing cohesive EU policies that address shared concerns and promote public trust in technological advancements, while also considering the specific apprehensions and perspectives of Romanian citizens.
The reverse gender gap in education. A sociological case study on secondary education in Ialomița County, Romania
This article addresses the reverse gender gap in the performance of high school students through a case study in Ialomița County. The results show that boys face an average disadvantage compared to girls, which is a phenomenon consistently observed nationally and internationally. The study examines how the Covid-19 pandemic, gender, residence, specialization and other socio-demographic predictors contribute to educational inequalities. On one hand, it discusses the over-representation of girls in domains characterized by higher Baccalaureate graduation rates (theoretical and vocational). On the other hand, it documents the over-representation of boys in domains characterized by lower Baccalaureate graduation rates (technological). Moreover, the results indicate that high school admission and high school graduation average grades are predictors of Baccalaureate success, but they differ significantly between specialization domains. The article creates a typology of high school graduates and highlights problems related to grade inflation. These problems may hide the real competences of students, especially in the technological specialization areas. The study also notes a specific disadvantage for pupils affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The deadliest disease nobody thinks about. Correlating financial incentives and adherence to treatment for Tuberculosis patients
Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, has been a persistent global health challenge for thousands of years, known historically by various names and often romanticized in 19th-century literature. Despite advancements in medical science, TB remains a significant issue, particularly in economically disadvantaged regions like Romania, which has one of the highest TB mortality rates in the European Union. The disease’s ability to remain latent and become active when the immune system is weakened contributes to its persistence and danger. Adherence to TB treatment is crucial for controlling the disease and preventing the development of drug resistance. Factors affecting adherence include socio-economic status, education, access to healthcare, and social support. Financial incentives have been shown to improve treatment adherence among vulnerable populations, suggesting that addressing economic barriers is essential for effective TB control. This study explores the socio-historical context of TB and evaluates the effectiveness of financial incentives in improving treatment adherence, especially for multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB). Moreover, a quantitative analysis was performed on MDR-TB and XDR-TB patients in order to achieve a comprehensive grasp on the interaction between financial incentives and adherence to treatment. This article highlights the importance of a patient-centered approach in TB treatment, incorporating psychological and social support to enhance adherence. More precisely, the combination of socio-historical and quantitative analyses pinpoints the fact that improving living conditions and providing financial aid are vital components in the battle against TB.
Age quartile effect in determining actual and preferred working hours: Regression discontinuity design
It is known that age-stratified quartiles are used in numerous studies, e.g. in epidemiological studies, as an important instrument in the estimation of working life changes and health issues. The aim of this study is to investigate how achieving different age thresholds (32, 42, or 52 years) affects changes in actual and preferred working hours. The data for this study are based on the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) for the period from 1991 to 2015. The data for Finland contained 5,646 respondents. We use the regression discontinuity design (RDD) method to predict a categorical outcome (actual or preferred working hours per week) paired with other predictors (age quartile). We found that, on average, the number of actual working hours is 2.46 points higher and the number of preferred working hours is 4.62 points higher for employees reaching 32 years of age. On the contrary, the average number of actual working hours is lower for employees reaching 42 years (1.16 points) and for employees reaching 52 years (3.03 points). To conclude, we found higher dynamics in increasing actual and preferred working hours when achieving the cutoff age of 32 years, while in the ages of 42 and 52 years, dynamics in changes of actual and preferred working hours are lower. We suppose that the age factor is an important instrument in the overall dynamics of working hours with regard to one’s whole working life.
Perspectives of Bucharest students on automation in contemporary society amid the rise of new artificial intelligence technologies
This study examines the perceptions and approaches of Bucharest students towards emerging Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) technologies and increasing global automation of work. As rapid technological changes affect lifestyles, socialization patterns, routines, and professional futures, industries and governments often prioritize efficiency over individual well-being. The research employs qualitative methods, including one-on-one interviews and a group interview, involving 13 students from diverse academic backgrounds such as STEM, humanities, social sciences, and arts. Data collection spanned six months. Findings reveal a general concern among participants about endangered domains, particularly the arts, due to fears of property theft and plagiarism facilitated by GenAI tools. Notably, the study uncovers a striking contrast between STEM and humanities students regarding future coexistence with these technologies. STEM students tend to perceive a prophetic mission to optimize these technologies, while humanities students focus more on the need for regulation. This research raises important questions about the social construction of reality in interaction with digital technologies and how Generation Z navigates persistent socio-technical acceleration.
The social and temporal construction of climate change. A comparative study of The Guardian and Washington Times newspapers
This study examines how media outlets with opposing political orientations construct different temporal narratives around climate change. Through a comparative content analysis of The Guardian and Washington Times’ online platforms, I analyze how these newspapers use time as a rhetorical device to shape the public understanding of climate change. The analysis reveals distinct temporal frameworks: The Guardian emphasizes urgent future threats and immediate action, while Washington Times employs past-oriented narratives to minimize climate concerns. These contrasting temporal constructions reflect broader ideological divisions and demonstrate how media outlets use time work to support their political perspectives on climate change. The findings contribute to our understanding of how temporal framing in media discourse influences public perception of environmental issues.
The ECtHR judgment on the Armenian Genocide: Freedom of expression vs. victims’ right to memory
The article analyzes the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) judgment in Perinçek v. Switzerland, addressing the conflict between freedom of expression and the victims’ right to memory, particularly in the context of the Armenian Genocide. The scope of the research is to explore how the ECtHR interprets freedom of speech in cases involving historical denialism and to assess the Court’s application of human rights principles in genocide-related matters. The primary objective is to evaluate the Court’s decision in balancing these rights and to highlight the implications of allowing the denial of the Armenian Genocide as protected speech under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The research problem lies in the Court’s inconsistent approach to historical atrocities, wherein Holocaust denial is treated as hate speech while Armenian Genocide denial is protected as free expression. The academic value of the paper lies in its interdisciplinary approach, blending legal analysis with sociological insights, to critique the ECtHR’s judgment and its broader impact on international human rights law. The paper contributes to discussions on the role of memory in transitional justice and the ethical responsibility of international courts to protect historically marginalized communities. Ultimately, the article underscores the need for a more consistent legal framework to address genocide denial, ensuring both freedom of expression and the protection of victims’ rights are appropriately balanced.
Ethnomethodology as an alternative method for the qualitative study of challenging social arenas: The Nightclub
The current paper discusses the possibility of employing an ethnomethodological research model to generate qualitative data in challenging social contexts, where conventional procedures and techniques present a number of difficulties. These are social settings where it is either difficult or unnecessary to observe or conduct interviews for a variety of reasons. Through basic immersion and documentation of the scene’s phenomena, ethnomethodology enables the gathering, selection, and analysis of valuable data by utilizing the viewpoint of the researcher-expert who has membership knowledge after being acquainted with the scene under study. The study’s question is whether and to what extent ethnomethodologically produced descriptions, categories, and relationships can be legitimately used in qualitative research aimed at generating theory or identifying more general patterns, given its emphasis on how social order is produced through interaction and its seeming refusal to acknowledge the influence of general norms. The nightclub dance floor was selected as the challenging terrain for evaluation, and one of the ethnomethodology-specific techniques was used to investigate it (ten Have, 2004). The research findings were examined to determine their suitability for traditional qualitative analysis. Beyond the inherent findings of the ethnomethodological research, which are intriguing in and of themselves, the endeavor’s conclusion is that ethnomethodology can generate, from the bottom up, data in the aforementioned challenging spaces that construct the actual forms of the background values, beliefs, and norms present in the scenes under study. These forms can then be utilized for the development or production of concepts and theory.
The order of the night and the nightclub