The social characteristics of folklore dancers and their family members in some manifest stratification variables: gender differences

Abstract

In the present paper, using social identity and self-categorization theories as theoretical frameworks, we explore the role that social identity plays in affecting individual well-being of Folk-dancers, both Male (M) and Female (F) in Nis (Serbia). The status of manifest stratification variables were established on the Total sample of respondents (N=70), members of the Academic Cultural Artistic Ensemble AKUD “ORO”, in Nis (M=33; F=37). For the determination of social characteristics, the Questionnaire SSMIN-Reduced (after model according to Saksida, Petrović & Momirović, 1972) was applied. The Questionnaire includes five 5 scales (15 items) with possibility of choosing provided statements. The first (1) scale explore the statements of Folk-Dancers on their own and close family members formal educational level; the second scale (2) is relating to the basic residential status; the third scale (3) evaluate the professional status, the fourth scale (4) gives the information on sports status and activity of examined subjects, and the fifth scale (5) gives the information on the knowledge of foreign languages. In line with predictions, social identification was significantly related to, and mediated the relationship between family group factors and individual well-being. The special issues as whole points to the capacity for a social identity approach to enrich academic understanding in these areas and provide a bridge between social psychological concepts and some demographical and educational domains. On the base of social status manifest variables analysis results it is possible to collect very important information for further studies with similar issues in the social domain.