Mens & Maatschappij - Volume 101, Issue 1, 2026

AI in primary education: a reflection of educational opportunities. A qualitative study on the influence of teacher perceptions and school context on the use of AI in Dutch primary education

This study examines how primary school teachers in different socioeconomic school contexts perceive and implement AI technology. Semi-structured interviews with ten teachers from low, medium and high SES schools were used to examine perceptions, pedagogical beliefs and institutional conditions. The findings show that the use of AI is strongly shaped by individual teaching approaches, digital infrastructure and leadership. The study highlights the risk that AI will reinforce existing inequalities unless targeted investments are made in policy and professional preconditions.

The role of human trafficking frames in identifying forced marriages: Classic narratives versus emerging issues

This study examines how professionals in the criminal justice, social assistance, and migration sectors perceive human trafficking and exploitation, and how these perspectives impact the identification of forced marriages as trafficking. Based on interviews that integrated vignettes, findings reveal that dominant views largely align with a crime-based framework, emphasizing financial motives and victim vulnerability. Professionals were hesitant to classify forced marriage as trafficking, often citing cultural complexities. The study highlights the need for clearer guidelines and a comprehensive approach, contributing to debates on problem framing and policy development in combating trafficking and forced marriage.