Asian Journal of Arts and Social Sciences
Welcome to the Asian Journal of Arts and Social Sciences (AJASS) The Asian Journal of Arts and Social Sciences (AJASS) is a peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary scholarly journal dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and the promotion of critical academic discourse in the fields of arts and social sciences. The journal serves as a platform for the publication of original research articles, review papers, case studies, and theoretical contributions that engage with important contemporary academic and societal concerns. AJASS accepts manuscripts in both English and Bengali, thereby promoting inclusive scholarly communication and enabling broader participation in academic exchange. Through a rigorous double-blind peer review process, the journal maintains high standards of academic excellence, integrity, and originality while encouraging interdisciplinary and cross-cultural collaboration. See More
All articles published in the Asian Journal of Arts and Social Sciences (AJASS) are open access and licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), unless otherwise stated. Authors retain copyright of their work and grant AJASS the right to publish the article as the official version of record. Readers may read, download, share, copy, distribute, and reuse articles in any format, provided proper credit is given to the author(s), article title, journal name, and original source. Any reuse, adaptation, or translation must clearly indicate if changes were made.
Education, Livelihood, and Income Inequalities among the Khumi Indigenous Community in Bangladesh
Background Despite national development progress in Bangladesh, Indigenous communities living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) continue to experience substantial socioeconomic marginalization. Among smaller Indigenous populations such as the Khumi community, limited educational access, dependence on traditional livelihoods, and economic insecurity remain major concerns. However, empirical studies examining the relationship between education, livelihood structure, and income inequality among the Khumi people remain limited. Objective This study aimed to examine demographic characteristics, literacy conditions, livelihood patterns, and income inequalities among the Khumi Indigenous community in Bangladesh and to explore how education and occupational structure influence income outcomes. Methods A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 50 respondents from the Khumi community using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, independent-samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and regression analyses were used to examine relationships between education, livelihood patterns, gender, and income. Results The findings revealed that 80% of respondents were illiterate and 88% depended on jhum cultivation as their primary livelihood. Education showed a statistically significant association with income, χ²(6, N = 50) = 14.27, p < .05. Regression analysis demonstrated that literacy significantly predicted higher income in both simple regression (B = 420, p < .01) and multiple regression models (B = 360, p < .01). Gender differences were significant in livelihood participation patterns, χ²(4, N = 50) = 6.88, p < .05. Conclusion The Khumi community experiences significant socioeconomic inequality characterized by low literacy, dependence on traditional livelihoods, and persistent low-income conditions. Expanding educational opportunities and promoting livelihood diversification may help reduce poverty and inequality among Indigenous communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Copyright (c) 2026 Rafiul Karim Rafiu, Mst. Jannatul Ferdous Jannatul, Sayed Mahmud Hossain Sayed (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Exploring the Relationship between Mobile Phone Use, Academic Performance, and Mental Health among Adolescents
Background Mobile phone use has become an important part of adolescents’ daily lives, especially for communication, education, entertainment, and social interaction. However, excessive and uncontrolled use of mobile phones may create negative consequences for young people, particularly in relation to academic performance and mental well-being. In Bangladesh, adolescents are increasingly exposed to mobile phones at an early age, making this issue an important area of social and public health concern. Objective This study examined the association between mobile phone use, academic performance, and mental health among adolescents in Bangladesh. Methods A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among 165 adolescents from Dhaka, Rangpur, and Savar to examine the relationship between mobile phone use, academic performance, and mental health. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire containing questions on socio-demographic characteristics, patterns of mobile phone use, study habits, academic outcomes, and selected mental health-related indicators. The respondents were selected from the study areas using a suitable sampling approach. After data collection, the responses were checked, coded, and entered for analysis. Descriptive statistics, including frequency and percentage distributions, were used to summarize the characteristics of the respondents. Chi-square tests were applied to examine the association between mobile phone use and key study variables, including academic performance and mental health status. A significance level of 5% was considered for statistical interpretation. Results The findings show that mobile phone use was highly common among the respondents, and 75.2% of the adolescents had their own mobile phone. Daily mobile phone use was significantly associated with academic performance (χ² = 12.45, p = .014), indicating that patterns of phone use may influence students’ educational outcomes. The study also found a significant association between daily mobile phone use and increased depression (χ² = 18.72, p = .001). In addition, many respondents reported mental pressure, social isolation, addictive behavior, sleep disturbance, and other health-related concerns linked to excessive mobile phone use. Conclusion The study concludes that excessive mobile phone use may negatively affect both academic performance and mental health among adolescents. These findings highlight the need for parental guidance, school-based awareness programs, and responsible digital habits. Promoting balanced mobile phone use may help adolescents benefit from digital technology while reducing its harmful effects on their education and psychological well-being.
Copyright (c) 2026 Tanvir Hasan Rafi Rafi, Nusrat Jahan Mim Mim, Md. Ariful Islam Ariful (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Brand Aspirations Amid Economic Precarity: Consumption Desires among Low-Income Women in Urban Bangladesh
Background Branded consumption among low-income women in urban Bangladesh is often misunderstood as luxury-seeking or materialistic behavior. However, branded products may carry deeper social meanings related to dignity, respectability, cleanliness, and social belonging. Objective This study examines branded consumption aspirations among low-income women in urban Bangladesh and explores how branded goods become socially meaningful under conditions of economic constraint. Method A mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted among 50 low-income women living in Dhaka, Savar, and Gazipur. Quantitative data were collected through structured questionnaires, while qualitative insights were gathered through case-based interviews on purchase experiences, social pressures, and coping strategies. Results Findings show that branded products are strongly linked to social evaluation, self-confidence, workplace credibility, and perceptions of modernity. Social media exposure, peer comparison, and workplace expectations influenced participants’ brand aspirations. Despite financial hardship, women maintained these aspirations through strategies such as buying sachets, replicas, second-hand branded goods, and lower-cost brands. Conclusion Branded consumption among low-income women should be understood as a socially embedded survival strategy shaped by gendered expectations, media-driven comparison, and urban vulnerability, rather than irrational spending behavior. The study recommends consumer awareness initiatives, media literacy programs, and community-based financial resilience support.
Copyright (c) 2026 Arjun, Priyanka (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Physicians’ Ethical Duties: A Philosophical and Contextual Analysis
Medical ethics extends beyond professional codes and clinical protocols; it is deeply rooted in moral philosophy and social context. This article examines the ethical duties of physicians through the frameworks of Kantian deontology and Mill’s utilitarianism, integrated with contemporary biomedical ethics. Using real-world clinical dilemmas and contextual examples from Bangladesh, the paper analyzes tensions between autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013). It also highlights the ethical responsibilities of patients and the influence of cultural and systemic constraints on medical decision-making. The article argues that philosophical reasoning is essential for ethical medical practice and the preservation of human dignity in healthcare.
Copyright (c) 2026 Md. Rakibul Hasan (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
জহির রায়হানের গল্পে রাজনৈতিক প্রতিবাদ: ভাষা আন্দোলন থেকে মুক্তিযুদ্ধ
বাংলা সাহিত্য ও চলচ্চিত্রে জহির রায়হানের অবস্থান মূলত এক রাজনৈতিক প্রতিবাদী কণ্ঠ হিসেবে চিহ্নিত। ভাষা আন্দোলন থেকে মুক্তিযুদ্ধ (১৯৫২- ১৯৭১) পর্যন্ত উপনিবেশিক ও পরাধীন রাষ্ট্রব্যবস্থার দমন–বঞ্চনা, সামরিক শাসন, মধ্যবিত্তের সংকট এবং জাতীয় মুক্তির স্বপ্ন তাঁর কথাসাহিত্যে বহুমাত্রিকভাবে প্রতিফলিত হয়েছে । ব্যক্তিজীবনে ভাষা আন্দোলনের সক্রিয় অংশগ্রহণ, গণঅভ্যুত্থানে সম্পৃক্ততা এবং মুক্তিযুদ্ধকালীন চলচ্চিত্র নির্মাণ তাঁর সাহিত্যকর্মের রাজনৈতিক চেতনার সঙ্গে ঘনিষ্ঠভাবে যুক্ত । এই প্রবন্ধে নির্বাচিত কিছু গল্প বিশেষত “একুশের গল্প”, “ম্যাসাকার”, “পোস্টার” ইত্যাদি পাঠের মধ্য দিয়ে ভাষা আন্দোলন থেকে মুক্তিযুদ্ধ পর্যন্ত রাজনৈতিক প্রতিবাদের ধারাবাহিকতা অন্বেষণ করা হয়েছে। সঙ্গে নেওয়া হয়েছে তাঁর গল্পগ্রন্থ “সূর্যগ্রহণ” , উপন্যাস ও চলচ্চিত্রিক কাজ (জীবন থেকে নেয়া, স্টপ জেনোসাইড)-এর প্রাসঙ্গিক দৃষ্টান্ত, যাতে বোঝা যায় কীভাবে মধ্যবিত্ত–নিম্ন-মধ্যবিত্ত জীবনের অভিজ্ঞতা তাঁর লেখায় রাজনৈতিক ন্যারেটিভে রূপান্তরিত হয়। প্রবন্ধটি মূলত একটি রিভিউ-ধর্মী পাঠ-বিশ্লেষণ, যা বিদ্যমান সমালোচনা ও ঐতিহাসিক প্রেক্ষাপটের আলোকে জহির রায়হানের রাজনৈতিক গল্পধারার একটি সমন্বিত মূল্যায়ন পেশ করার চেষ্টা করেছে।
Copyright (c) 2025 Asian Journal of Arts and Social Sciences https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Exploring the Socioeconomic and Emotional Effects of Divorce on Women in Savar: A Cross-Sectional Study
Background Divorce is an increasingly visible phenomenon in both urban and rural parts of Bangladesh, yet its consequences especially on women remain understudied. In a society deeply rooted in patriarchy, divorced women often face not only emotional turmoil but also significant socioeconomic setbacks. Understanding these multidimensional impacts is essential to shaping supportive policy and community frameworks. Objective This study aimed to explore the socioeconomic and emotional consequences of divorce on women in the Savar region. It specifically focused on identifying the key challenges faced by divorced women in terms of employment, living arrangements, mental health, social stigma, and childcare responsibilities. Method A cross-sectional mixed-methods design was employed, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews. Data were collected from 384 divorced women in the Savar area using structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Stratified purposive sampling was used to ensure diversity in age, education, and socioeconomic background. The data were processed using SPSS 27 and Microsoft Excel, with both descriptive and interpretive analysis applied. Results Findings revealed that a majority of respondents were young (20–29 years), had secondary-level education, and relied heavily on natal families or in-laws for post-divorce housing. Nearly half were employed, while a significant number remained housewives or engaged in low-paying jobs. Causes of divorce included family conflict, extramarital affairs, and lack of understanding. Emotional effects were profound, with over 85% reporting mental or social harassment. Children of divorced women were also significantly impacted, with reported difficulties in school performance, behavior, and legal documentation. Financial support primarily came from family (58.3%) and NGOs (16.7%). Conclusion Divorce imposes layered and long-lasting effects on women’s lives in Savar, affecting not only their financial independence but also their emotional stability and social standing. The study highlights the urgent need for integrated support systems including legal aid, mental health services, and economic empowerment initiatives targeted specifically at divorced women. Future research should further explore longitudinal outcomes and intervention strategies to mitigate post-divorce vulnerabilities.