Domestic Violence among African Americans Essay

Domestic violence is abuse that occurs within a personal relationship. It can occur between former or current spouses or significant others. Domestic violence doesn’t have a name it affects both men and women of any race, religion; gay or straight; upper class or low class; adolescents, adults, or seniors. But most of its victims are women rather men. While domestic violence is present in all races, the existence among African Americans is significantly higher in the United States. There are many elements that have been shown to stimulate a person to engage in domestic violence examples are failing relationships, lack of employment, poor school systems, violent communities, drug use and the multitude of nearby accessible liquor stores. Experiencing any these situations can lead to strong emotions that can ultimately result in domestic violence. People who experience domestic violence are deeply affected and often live in fear. This plague has broken down and destroyed many African American communities. There are serious physical and mental health risks involved in domestic Violence. Abortion, stress, unconsented sexual encounters, possible suicides, complicated pregnancies and murder are few possible physical results from domestic violence. (Bent-Goodley, 2004) Abuse, control and violence are components of domestic violence. Neither the abuser nor the person being abused are winners in these type of situations. The abuser actions shows characteristics of controlling, anger, oppressor, possessiveness, power and liar. The abusers victims are usually people that can be manipulated, scared and shielded by the abuser. Although the abuser may be an adult most often their mental capacity displays child like behavior. A child will typically throw fits and become angry when things don’t go their way or they didn’t get what they wanted. This anger that possess is shown through mental and physical abuse . Abuser are usually not very open people and they believe that are right in every situation. However, they never take the blame for their actions and tend to blame others, most often their spouse. The victims  of abuse tend to show characteristics of having low self-esteem, sadness and being unconfident about themselves. Often the victim believes that this type of physical and verbal abuse should be inflicted upon them. (Agazie, 2011) Generally, a victim or spouse show signs of previously experiencing an unstable and hostile childhood, and possibly being abused as a child. As a result, they feel like an unwanted and scared child who is weak, instead of like an adult. African Americans who survive domestic violence, child abuse and community violence consistently engage in various types substance abuse at higher rates. (Hill, et al, 2012) African American abusers who has previously used a weapon or threatened their spouse with one during arguments, will more than likely kill them by lethal violence. It is stated that 80% of African American women who have murdered their partners had a history of abuse. Violence and nonviolence have been proven behaviors that are learned. Social and cultural beliefs, outlooks on life, examples, role models influences on whether a person decides to engage in volatile or nonvolatile behavior. It is very key to know how a person elects to use violence or nonviolence. (Wimberly, 2000) Statistics have shown that African American women are more prone to leave an abusive relationship and then return to it compared to white women. (Agazie, 2011) African American women suffer mistreatment over a long period of time and have a tendencies fight back. Close to 50% of victims that attempt to leave their abusive relationship are killed by their partners. (Williams, et al, 2008) African American women are brought up as younger girls under strong religious belief and family values. They are taught at a young age that once you get married you do what it takes not to become a victim of divorce. They are told that it may not be easy but you are married for life once you have made that commitment. With this type of upbringing African American women tend to procrastinate and often hesitate leaving an unhealthy marriage due to their beliefs. Most people don’t not understand the reasoning behind women staying in this form of relationship. While the reasons for their reluctances to leave an abusive relationship are uncertain, some likely justifications would be (1) when searching for a spouse African American women have a smaller amount of choices than White women; (2) African American women’s income is normally lower than of most  White women; (3) Black women are reluctant to call the police due to the trust that African American in the justice system. Unfortunately, most battered and abused Black women find no other way out of the relationship and resort to killing their partners. Losing financial means may also contribute to the reason why African American women of lower class are reluctant to report abuse. The abusing spouse may take care of the victim financially by providing a place to stay, clothes and food and, in order to keep their current living status so they remain quiet about the abuse. Reputation may play a part in why African American women of higher class hesitate to report abuse because they don’t want to put their reputation at risk. Another reason why abused victims remain quiet is because they may not be taken serious by law enforcement. It has been confirmed that domestic violence is treated more like a private family matter rather than serious matter. Typically when law enforcement is called to a domestic violence scene, no arrest is usually made and if they are ever prosecuted the case is usually dismissed. (Hampton, et al, 2008) In many cases I have found that the African American community seems to accept, if not encourage, the domestic violence that exists within it. While it is easy to blame education or social rank for a couple’s behavior or society’s reaction to it, these factors are often not as important as one might expect. A woman with multiple degrees or at the highest level of social strata is as vulnerable to domestic violence as the woman who did not graduate form high school. It equally as likely for a man who is born to an upper middle class family and a man born to a family tha t lives in poverty to participate in an abusive relationship. The Black church has always and continues to be a pillar of strength to Black families and communities. The Black church has been a powerful force in the Black community. Domestic violence is a tough situation to endure, so many African Americans turn to prayer to cope with the difficulties in their lives. (Watlington & Murphy, 2006) The Black church has been unreliable and, at times, inadequate in reacting to domestic violence situations. (Bent- Goodley, et al, 2012) For instance on August 22, 2007, Bishop Thomas Weeks, pastor of an independent ministry that worked out of the Global Destiny Church (Haines, 2007) assaulted his wife, Juanita Bynum. This assault is significant not only for the positions held by the participant, but also for the actions taken by the African American  community itself. According to Haines (2007) the community did not speak out against the pastor after the beating. Rather, some members of the community spoke in support for the pastor. Haines quotes one individual as posting a message to Weeks’ MySpace page that read, â€Å"Bishop Weeks, don’t be discouraged, but be encouraged. Stand firm and know that the Lord is mighty in battle†. Haines reports that another community member asked her own pastor about the Weeks domestic abuse case, only to find that â€Å"he had no reaction to the abuse and only provided him with scriptures.† making her wonder what he could offer her if she were a victim of domestic abuse (Haines, 2007). While this situation may be distressing, it is not unusual. According to Jordan (2005) â€Å"When African American men act as bullies toward African American women they tend to engage in active-passive renunciation†, which leaves abused women the choice of speaking out or being ostracized. What kind of message does this send? As a young girl I watched my mother be abused countless times by my very own father. She endured this abuse for many years and it appeared as though she would never leave him. It was as if she was accepting of it or had merely gotten used to it. Then one day after 13 years she left and didn’t look back. Although she didn’t speak out about it, she removed herself from the situation. Most of my family knew about the situation but never brought it up. Years later my father eventually changed for the better. I believe that change has to come from within. You can acquire help and assistance but until you want to change no one can help you. It is difficult to create successful programs and mediation approaches that are geared towards domestic violence without fully understanding how African Americans grasp and distinguish this disease. (Bent-Goodley, 2013) Domestic abuse is not distinctive to the African American community. As it stands, whether an African American woman is rich or poor, educated or not, she is at grave risk of being abused by her partner. As it stands, that woman is also at grave risk of being rejected by her community and even her family, if she speaks up about her abuse. Domestic abuse is not limited to only woman but the percentages are outstandingly high compared to an abused make victim. This violence must come to an end. Through education from within, it might be possible to initiate change. References Williams, Oliver J.; Oliver, William; Pope, Marcus. (2008). Domestic Violence in the African American Community. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, Vol. 16 Issue 3, p229-237. 9p. Agazie, Maxine. (2011). Cultural Considerations Impacting Domestic Violence Among African American Women: Implications for Social Work. Conflict Resolution & Negotiation Journal, Issue 1, p138-141. 4p. Watlington, Christina G.; Murphy, Christopher M. (2006). The roles of religion and spirituality among African American survivors of domestic violence. Journal of Clinical Psychology, Vol. 62 Issue 7, p837-857. 21p. Bent-Goodley, TB. (2013). Domestic Violence Fatality Reviews and the African American Community. HOMICIDE STUDIES, Vol. 17, Issue 4; p375-p390. Bent-Goodley, Tricia B. (2004). Perceptions of Domestic Violence: Health & Social Work, Vol. 29 Issue 4, p307-316. 10p. Hill, Nicholle; Woodson, Kamilah; Ferguson, Angela; Parks, Carlton. (2012). Intimate Partner Abuse among African American Lesbi ans: Prevalence, Risk Factors, Theory, and Resilience. Journal of Family Violence, Vol. 27 Issue 5, p401-413. 13p. Campbell, Jacquelyn; Campbell, Doris W.; Gary, Faye; Nedd, Daphne; Price-Lea, Patricia; Sharps, Phyllis W.; Smith, Cheryl. (2008). African American Women’s Responses to Intimate Partner Violence: An Examination of Cultural Context. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, Vol. 16 Issue 3, p277-295. 19p Bent-Goodley, Tricia; St. Vil, Noelle; Hubbert, Paulette. (2012). A Spirit Unbroken: The Black Church’s Evolving Response to Domestic Violence. Social Work & Christianity. 2012, Vol. 39 Issue 1, p52-65. 14p. Wimberly, Edward P. (2000). The Civil Rights Movement as a Potential Mentoring Model for Ending Domestic Abuse. Journal of Religion & Abuse, Vol. 2 Issue 1, p33. 16p. Hampton, Robert L. LaTaillade, Jaslean J.; Dacey, Alicia; Marghi, J. R. (2008). Evaluating Domestic Violence Interventions for Black Women. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma , Vol. 16 Issue 3, p330-353. 23p. Haines, E. (2007). Charges against husband put new focus on televangelist. USA Today.com. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2007-09-01-ynum_N.htm Jordan, L. M. (2005). Domestic violence in the African American community. Retrieved from http://new.vawnet.org/Assoc_Files_VAWnet/RoleoftheBlackChurch.pdf

Lamb to the Slaughter Essay

Drama and suspense, one of the most important things an author needs in their story to keep their audience entertained. Without these two elements in a story or movie, the audience would easily get bored. In order to build drama and suspense certain literary devices are required. In the short story, â€Å"Lamb to Slaughter†, the author Roald Dahl builds up this dramatic story by using imagery, irony, and strong character interaction, thus creating suspense and a bit of humor. One of the literary devices that were used to build drama and suspense is imagery. A scene in the story that contributes to imagery was the one that involved Mary and Patrick in the beginning of the story. â€Å"†¦ She swung the big frozen leg of lamb high in the air and brought it down as hard as she could on the back of his head†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (154 Dahl). In this scene Dahl uses imagery to show Mary’s violent actions as she kills her husband. This occurred after Patrick gave Mary unpleasant news. This creates suspense and leaves the readers to question her next actions. Another device that was used to create suspense in the story was character interaction. A scene that included character interaction was between Mary and the detectives towards the end of the story. â€Å"Why don’t you eat up that lamb that’s in the oven? † (161 Dahl) The scene that this quote occurred in was when Mary was trying to convince them to eat the lamb leg that was used to kill her husband. Dahl interprets this scene into the story to illustrate Mary’s intentions which was to get rid of the evidence which creates suspense amongst the audience. Without this interaction, the scenario would change and the story would be less suspenseful. Dahl also used irony to effectively create suspense and drama. A scene that displayed irony was the last scene in the story when the detectives were conversing while eating the lamb leg. â€Å"Personally, I think its right here on the premises. † â€Å"Probably right under our noses. What you think Jack? † (162 Dahl) In this conversation the detectives are talking about the weapon, which was used to kill Patrick, being on the premises not knowing that they are eating it. These quotes were also used to hint that Mary basically has gotten away with the crime. This scene therefore, was very ironic which also made the story a bit comedic. In conclusion, the author successfully made this story very dramatic and suspenseful. He was able to effectively create suspense and drama because of his use of literary devices. This story continued to grab the reader’s attention all the way to the end which is an example of a good story. Dahl was able to interpret irony, imagery, and character interactions into his story thus making it appealing to the audience.

What Impact Has Globalisation Had On Employment Relations Essay

What Impact Has Globalisation Had On Employment Relations - Essay Example Globalisation is the process that involves the international integration between countries in terms of exchange of new products, global views and different aspects of culture and ideas. Globalization in the world economy had commenced from 1980 and eventually, had spread all across the globe. According to Ronald Robertson, globalization is â€Å"the compression of the world and the intensification of the consciousness of the world as a whole† (Cuyvers, Lombaerde and Rayp, 2011). If it is assumed in terms of single nature, then globalization is the process that comprises of different magnitudes of cultures, disciplines and communities. On the basis of the principle stated by David Ricardo, globalization allows the countries to progress in terms of their core competences (Ricardo, 1992). Employment relations are defined as the relation that exists between the management of an organization and their employees. It encompasses the various types of grievances, collective bargaining, unions and problem resolutions that exist in the labour market. This essay would explain the impact of globalization on the employment relations of the world. In the context of the essay, the researcher would focus on the actual impact of globalization on the employers, the employees and the unions. At the end, before concluding on the research analysis, the researcher would analyse the impingement of globalization on a state or nation. ... These employers found that the cost of labour resources in the developing economies were much cheaper. This is the reason for the managers of the corporate companies in the developed nations to expand business in the less developed nations like, Russia and India, by recruiting more of their individuals (Arnold, 2008). At the same time, after the emergence of globalization, the business managers in the developing nations like, China and Brazil had started to experience higher degree of competition in their domestic business environment. This was due to the increasing foreign company internationalisation in these nations. After experiencing a higher degree of competition in the domestic market, the business companies in these developing economies have turned out to be more efficient. As a result, the degree of extent of employment opportunities expanded in their companies. The rising level of national incomes in most of the countries, post-globalization, denotes the fact that the scale of operations for most of the companies in the world have increased, which implies that the income thresholds of the employers have also increased. The employers of the companies like, Ford Motors and Tesla have expanded in order to get access to the wide and cheap base of labour resource (US Census Bureau, 2000). Also, similarly, the companies from the developing countries like, Toyota and Tata have expanded their business in the developed nations. Against It should be considered that the degree of labour mobility in the global market have become high after the emergence of globalization. This is why the supply of labour market to the employers had

Unfolding the Secrets to Successful Management Assignment

Unfolding the Secrets to Successful Management - Assignment Example Big problems can result and the blame would obviously be laid on me in the end. So, I made it my responsibility almost from the starting period to create the right kind of environment at my store in order to manage a culturally diverse workforce. Creating the right kind of atmosphere means enabling the workers to understand and respect different cultures and consider all opinions in a manner free of cultural prejudices and biases. Things which might be acceptable in one culture might appear to be truly inappropriate for working coming from a different cultural background. So making the workers realize the subtle and sensitive differences between different cultures by providing them with increased means of intercommunication can help a manager immensely in handling a culturally diverse workforce. 2. What tools do you employ to handle the workplace conflicts which can be disastrous for the work environment? You might have noticed that many times conflicts originate due to every worker appearing to be involved in his/her own world, presenting ideas that antagonize ideas introduced by other workers, and refusing to genuinely collaborate with others. Therefore, for one thing, I try handling workplace conflicts by laying stress on the importance of teamwork and mutual collaboration which is all teamwork actually is about. Conflicts also arise between employers and employees when a low level of creativity is consistently maintained by employees. So I have taken it upon myself to encourage my workers to be innovative and creative in whatever job they do here. I happened to be quite authoritative in my initial days which led to a low level of creativity and less production which is why I changed my management style and became more involved to avoid conflicts. 3. What strategies do you follow to address the confusions and prejudices which result due to less communication between managers and employees? I understand that less communication between managers and employees i s a grave issue and raises serious concern for the organizations. As I mentioned before, many changes came in this store I work as a manager at during the authoritarian management days like workplace-related stress, conflicts due to cultural diversity handled in the wrong way, less communication, and myriad confusions. I could not realize these bad and harmful changes until I became involved with my workers and began to take interest in what issue they were facing and how they could be solved. When there is less communication, workers begin to feel confused about certain orders as they are not explained in a more enhanced way by the managers and certain jobs are left undone consequently.  

Tax Memos Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Tax Memos - Essay Example Under Section 1212, Anita will be entitled to carry forward this capital loss to succeeding years, provided there is a net loss including all other similar type of transactions involving capital transfer. Moreover, Anita can claim a deduction of $600 from taxable income, since it is well within the limits amounting $3000, under Section 1211 (Cornell University Law School, â€Å"Limitation on Capital Losses†). While analyzing this situation, Anita, being a taxpayer has to refer to Section 267 of US Code of taxation, if she wants to sell the stocks to her sister, Kathy (Cornell University Law School, â€Å"Losses, Expenses and Interest with respect to transactions between Related Tax Payers†). Under Section 267, Kathy would be considered as a related party in this type of transaction between the two, Anita and Kathy and hence the amount of deduction will not be available then. However, sale of the stocks to her friend, Marcia will not attract Section 267. Marcia and Dave, who are married to each other is planning for a divorce agreement. They have two children and will be in the custody of Marcia after their separation. In accordance with the divorce agreement Dave decides to keep the boat and give away the home to Marcia. Dave and Marcia will also have to decide upon whether Marcia will be receiving the stocks which were acquired at $100,000 and having a present market value of $150,000 or in the form of yearly payments to Marcia for 5 years, with an included yearly interest @ 8% p.a. On analyzing this situation, the first consideration would be the tax consequences as a result of the transfer and settlement of properties. The immediate tax implications will be nil because Under Section 1041, any transfer of property within 1 year of the divorce will not amount to any gain or loss. However, it can have an effect in future, after 1 year, when either the home or the boat is sold by any of them and it can attract capital

The Younger the Better in English learning practice Essay

The Younger the Better in English learning practice - Essay Example At the same time, parents believe that ‘the younger the better’ when learning a second language. They spend a great deal of money to send their children to English speaking countries to enhance language ability while the learners are still young. However, there have been many arguments about the appropriate language learning period. Unlike the general thoughts of many people, some researchers have suggested adults have a better advantage in language learning. In this paper, both views of language acquisition will be introduced. First, the paper will go through research cases and researchers’ suggestions supporting ‘the younger the better’. This will be followed by studies suggesting adults' second language acquisition is more advantageous than young learners. ... It is crucial for language learners to learn a language before puberty. Language acquisition which takes place after puberty is qualitatively different from the acquisition which takes place before puberty due to cerebral lateralization of function in the brain. In the 60s, there were not many studies done to prove the hypothesis. His claim was limited to the suggestion of the ‘critical period’ of first language acquisition. He left further research about second language acquisition to other researchers. Since Lenneberg’s (1967) study of the ‘critical period’, research concerning his work began to get much of the spotlight. Several researchers supported his study (Newport, 1990). One of the most notable works was from Curtiss(1977) about 13 year old girl named Genie. Genie was found by neighbour in Los Angeles when she was 13. She had been isolated from linguistic, social, environmental input until she was found at the age approximately at the end of the puberty. There existed no linguistic formal information when she was found, yet, she had the average intelligence of her age group. She started learning her first language at thirteen years of age. The research implications were incredible. Her performance was similar to that of average 13 year old child but she had a difficult time applying language to real life situations. Also, she needed more than five months to accomplish certain step of linguistic competence while other children of her linguistic age were able to complete the steps within 2 to 6 weeks. Even though she had five years of special training, Genie was able to speak on her own initiative and was able to understand certain degrees of complicated sentences, her

Mobile Computing and Social Networks Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Mobile Computing and Social Networks - Essay Example Quite a few market research studies also forecast a new internet revolution on mobile phones. Some of the new smart phones are more powerful than computers and operate in the ‘intimate’ space, accompanying people throughout the day (Arora 2012: 1). The convenience and capability to access data or do certain tasks with the help of applications from homes or any other public place using mobile devices even without a desktop computer has ensured a considerable increase of convenience and efficiency for businesses and people on the move The smart phone technology research and development wing has become very active in recent years and is improving day by day. Mobile networks are also creating phones that are increasingly better and tougher to intrude into or hack thus correspondingly increasing the capability of mobile devices and its applications. Effectiveness and Efficiency of Mobile Applications: A simple way to describe geolocation is to say that it is a technology that requires data from a computer or mobile phone to pinpoint a person's actual physical position. A better and succinct definition that could be used is as follows: â€Å"A geolocation system is an information technology solution that ascertains the location of an object in the physical (geo-spatial) or virtual (Internet) environment. Most often, the object is a person who wants to utilize a service based on location, while maintaining his/her privacy† (ISACA 2011: 5). This has caught up among today’s youth and social networking sites which they commonly use by providing us the ability to track or let friends know where we are, to identify certain or specific joints frequented by them and book tickets in cinema halls. These types of applications can also be accessed on a desktop system but will not be the same as when available on a mobile device. Most individuals have invariably used Google Maps to get directions from one place to another but again the thrill of using s uch an application from a mobile is unique. Depending on your movement from one place to another, the data sent and received will also change. This is possible due to the GPS (Global Positioning System) chip found inside the device. This chip uses two methods to track your position. In the first method, the chip uses satellite data to calculate a person's exact location but if there are any snags like interference or unavailability of service, then the chip uses data from cell phone towers to calculate location. If the person is driving through rain, cloud cover or even a canopy of trees, there could be a loss of communication but on a clear day, there should not be any problem. Here we should also note that if the software is very sophisticated, the accuracy provided will also be of high quality. Light should also be shed on some concerns regarding this type of application. Sharing of location could lead to personal risk. Anti-social elements like stalkers or even robbers who know that you are out may take advantage of situations. Although all these exist, many application developers are finding ways to counter such disadvantages by providing privacy preferences. If one chooses wisely, the benefits from such an application far outweigh the negative effects though it necessitates a small amount of privacy sacrifice from our side.

UCAS application questionnaire - additional personal statement Essay

UCAS application questionnaire - additional personal statement - Essay Example Therefore, with the increasing human population, various issues arise like environmental degradation, overpopulation, poverty, and drought as well as human conflict, which need urgent attention as a way of preserving humanity and expediting it to keep in touch with the constant changes2. I also want to empower others after my training so that they can embrace education and knowledge. This degree will equip me with the necessary knowledge that is applicable in the outside world to solve real issues at the grass root level. This empowerment will pave way for innovativeness and knowledge that is a key factor in actualising the daily solution of problems that are recurrent and threatening to the existence of mankind. As the common saying goes, â€Å"Knowledge is power†, I am optimistic that by the time of completion of my course, I will have attained general and specific knowledge3. This automatically means that my whole perception of the world will have changed and hence my decision making will be rational. Apart from the knowledge acquisition, I will also improve my interrelation with others. Through the constant interaction with my classmates, who will be from diverse origins, I will be able to understand them more and empathise with them. This interaction will also foster inner understanding of others and in the long run lead to peaceful coexistence since all education and technological inventions will not be useful without peace. Technological improvements will revolutionise the whole concept of business. In the next decade, business activities will primarily be run through the internet since it bridges the gap between the producers and consumers4. Through the introduction of online buying and selling of goods and services, the world has become a better place as all the required business transactions that were initially manual will be fully computerised. Transport and communication will be swift and broadened in that many people will

Topic related to child or adolescent development Term Paper

Topic related to child or adolescent development - Term Paper Example As such, they make poor decisions that may lead to life-threatening consequences, which include premature sexual intercourse, premature pregnancies, sexual molestation, transmission of STDs, and abortions. Peer pressure, media influence, lack of enough preparation and guidance on responsible sexual behavior, drug and substance abuse, and curiosity fosters sexual activities during adolescent sexual development. Statistics show that most adolescents in America are prone to sexual intercourse, STDs, unprotected sex, premature pregnancies, sexual molestations, and carryout abortions. Parents, educators, policy makers, and medical practitioners can help adolescents to make wise sexual decisions. The provision of accurate sex information, parental guidance, sex education, national programs, and relevant legislations can address this problem. Young people face numerous challenges from adolescent sexuality. Indeed, all adolescents are prone to sexuality issues at this stage. These challenges relate to adjusting to the new body appearance and dealing with the functionality of the sexually maturing body. Adolescents also face challenges in dealing with the emerging sexual desires, sexual attitudes, and values. Moreover, adolescent sexuality poses another challenge as adolescents develop new sexual behaviors, integrate sexual feelings, and seek to identify themselves in the new experience (Crocket et al, 2003). The challenge posed by adolescent sexual development emanates from the strange excitement of sexual arousal, the attention connected to being sexually attractive, and the new level of physical intimacy, and psychological vulnerability created by sexual encounters (Crocket et al, 2003). Notably, social and cultural background and environment determines how adolescents respond adolescent sexuality. The effects of adoles cent sexual development derive significant problems to the young people and the society. Ideally, the fact that

Library System Essay Example for Free

Library System Essay ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This dissertation would not have been possible without the guidance and the help of several individuals who in one way or another contributed and extended their valuable assistance in the preparation and completion of this study. First and foremost, my utmost gratitude to Mr. Raquel V.desello the Brgy.Chairman of Street whose sincerity and encouragement I will never forget. Mr. Dominic Sales has been my inspiration as I hurdle all the obstacles in the completion this research work. My sincere thanks also goes Mrs. De Leon for offering me the summer internship opportunities in their groups and leading me working on diverse exciting projects. I thank my fellow comp.labmates in Trent Information First and other Group: Mr. Renz Paolo Cruz, Rochelle Dones for allow me to barrow her flash drive, and, for the stimulating discussions, for the rush hour we were working together before few minutes before defense, and for all the fun we have had in the last two years. Also I thank my friends in face book that gave me at least their effort to gave few sentence in my documentation Last but not the least, I would like to thank my family: my parents Mrs. Chanda Desello and Mr. Quemadge Desello, for giving birth to me at the first place and supporting me spiritually throughout my life. Same as my partner in case study Lienard Magno ABSTRACT This report describes our groups implementation of a library Management system. We used the Entity-Relationship model to design a database that will store and organize the librarys data. We have Created the database using vb6.0 and populated it with some sample Data. The system can keep track of library cards, customers, Librarians, library locations, books, videos, and the relationships Between them. Using vb6.0 and adodb, we have Created an Internet-based graphical user interface that allows Customers and librarians to access the system remotely A simple library management system that provides following facilities login, register, add category, add / remove book, search / issue book, return book. Language used is C# and vb is been used in code. One Admin user is already there once db is installed with user name admin and password admin. Admin user has extra functionalities like add category, add/remove books. These functionalities cannot be done by simple user that registers. Password encryption decryption has been used in project. It’s very simple project where in all the event of all forms has been handled in that acts as business and data access layer. All vB interactions are in this file only. CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Now a day, in a highly technological society, human productivity is made more efficient through the development of electronic gadgets. Now, with the advent of such modernization in education, one way to globalize the process of research is to realize that technology is advancing at an incredibility fast place. Computers are not confined to being used for entertainment but its role in education is also vast. In School, reading materials are stored in libraries. Library is a place in which books and related materials are kept for use but not for sale. It is also organized for use and maintained by a public body, an institution or a private individual. In addition, it is a place in which we get information in any format and from many sources. The librarian has to keep the room neat so that it is conducive for learning. The librarian is also the person who is liable for monitoring all the books that are borrowed and returned by the borrowers. The proponents will propose the Library Books borrowing and Returning System for Taytay Elementary School located at Taytay, Rizal, he Head Librarian, Ms. De Leon stated that they are currently using the Dewey Decimal Library System. They are still utilizing a manual system. The library users and the librarian still use card catalogues in searching for reading materials and use index card for the records of borrowed and returned books. The proponent’s study was what is which encounter to the Library by the user, Librarian and how the Owner or the Administrator of the said school will provide a good service to their clients to have a good feedback. The study will focus on transaction which done inside the Library like borrowing, returning of books by students, faculties and staffs. In this area, the usage of computerized library system is needed because it is easier and obviously it saves paper compare to the manual library based. Other countries such as South America and Middle East. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS library system in doing transactions with their clienteles. Specifically this study pourpost to answer the following questions: 1. How can the system helps the librarian? 2. What are the inputs needed in the system in order for the students/staff/visitors to be able to login/logout when entering and borrowing books? 3. What are the information and data needed to put up a computerized library system of (tes) Taytay Elementary School. SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS SCOPE The system is create for the library except for easy way for librarian to make her work easy this is also for their customer to barrow books easy and to return also for data for clearly using it.. Delimitation The other way,this study is limits for the proposed enhancement computerized library system of Taytay Elementary School. System proposed to only one authorized person.

Osteoarthritis Care and Management | Case Study

Osteoarthritis Care and Management | Case Study INTRODUCTION Osteoarthritis is a case of hip, spine and forearm fractures and injuries which is predominantly found in older people, unless otherwise. There is an increase in these fractures, injuries, morbidity and mortality rates in older people. In the 1990s, these numbered around 1.7 million worldwide and with rapid increases in the years that followed, it has been estimated around 8.2 million cases by 2050 (Cooper, 2006). Yaban (2006) made the staggering conclusion that 95% of hip fractures or injuries in old age people are caused by falls. Supporting these views, Arinzon (2007) went a little further by stating that post hip fracture disability among patients that initially survived hospitalisation is between 32-80% and that those in need of long term caring by skilled Nurses is 6-60%. MeeK et al (2002) and Abudu et al (2002) noted the series of complications that usually develop in patients after hip fracture or injury due to old age and that 10-35% of such patients died within the first year after an injury and 30% do suffer another fracture within a year. Mitigating these appalling problems, surgery is usually recommended for a total hip replacement (THR), especially in primary and secondary Osteoarthritis. Following surgery, many patients encountered problems, especially in their activities of daily life (ADL) as they are no longer able to climb chairs, lie down in bed, and get on and off transportation without the help of someone. As a result of this dependency, after discharge, total hip replacement patients need a proper arrangement of their home settings. The home setting is in conjunction with their new model of living (TML), which Roper in 1976 defined as those activities of living performed by individuals and care being provided throughout their lives. As Murphy et al (2002) admonished, the model did not only emphasis on individualism but also facilitates the planning of the care as a whole and the achievement of realistic and accessible goals in care. Holistic assessment of Ms Jane. On admission to the ward, Ms Sutcliffe is given a thorough assessment that involves the collection of her data regarding age, sex, chronic medical conditions, pre-fracture functional status, her type of fracture and operation, weight, pain perception and cognitive status. The assessment takes into account her psychological, physical and social preparation as all will play a major role in her recovery after surgery. The psychological assessment/preparation allows her to understand what she will experience during the acute phase of the surgery and during the process of recovery. This gives her ample time to prepare ahead and come to terms with whatever follows. Banduru (1997) made mentioned of self-efficacy beliefs, which are making exercises in order to achieve good outcome after surgery. There is also the provision of verbal and written information by Nurses to her before the surgery. Ayers et al (2004) regards physical preparation as a major life event and affects the outcome of the operation. This process underscores the point that patients that are more depressed before the surgery to have poorer pain relief after operation. On the other hand, Holman (2005)maintained patients with positive expectations before a hip operation have better physical outcomes and that those that work hard help the multidisciplinary team in achieving such outcomes. Social assessment looks at Ms Sutcliffe’s home circumstances and her ability to manage after the hip replacement operation. Chow (2001) refers to the patient’s home environment as very crucial in the recovery process and that there is no need for Jane to struggle in getting up from a chair, a bed, visiting the kitchen, going to toilet during the period her muscles are healing. There is a need for support in the areas of shopping, cleaning, cooking, laundry as there are no relatives or friends around her on daily basis. Escobar et al (2007) purported that the whole pathway of care from patients being listed for surgery, to the time of surgery and the recovery process are very complex and involves a lot of health professionals. Normally, before a patient is referred for hip replacement, should have some understanding of what the surgery entails. This gives them the chance to consider it or not. Some GPs do ensure that patients are physically fit before making a referral to an Orthopaedic Consultant. In the event the patient’s hip pain can no longer be managed, as in the case of Ms Jane, the Consultant can now refer to an Orthopaedic Surgeon. The preparation for surgery at the preoperative assessment clinic is considered to be long and should be undertaken earlier. That is, just when a patient’s name is added to the waiting list (Krouse, 2001). Normally, the process involves giving out a comprehensive booklet to Ms Jane to read at home to enable her understand what is required along the care pathway. In some instances, videos or DVDs containing details of the surgery provided for watching at home as well. The final stage of assessment is the preoperative assessment in the ward. It is a form of educational assessment, whereby the Nurse or any professional ensure earlier conditions do not change. They will screen for MRSA to check for infection and to see whether Ms Jane can cope with the surgery (Losina, 2008). According to Rowley (2001), Nurses in the unit/ward are to make sure that Jane is safely prepared for surgery through the help of a surgical safety checklist. A Medical condition With regards to the care the patient requires for Osteoarthritis, as the case with Ms Jane, is derived from the Integrated Care Pathways (ICP), which are structured multidisciplinary care plans that describe in detail each step in the care process. Zander (1998) looked at such care plans and concluded that they usually entail treatment protocols with the aim of standardising care. Inputs are not only from Nurses, but from paramedical and administrative staff as well. Parker et al (2002) maintained that in-hospital care for right hip replacement is a team effort, though Nurses are seen to be playing an all-embracing role throughout this period. In brief, Nurses are involved in assessment, emotional support, involvement of family members, technical and physical care, co-ordination and communication and therapy integration. This therefore made Kirkevold (1997) to conclude that the need for Nurses to work effectively within the multi-professional team is becoming increasingly vital, just as their contributions towards rehabilitation leading to the patients’ independence living. Post-operative care Thomas (2002) is of the view that the human body is always susceptible to physical, traumatic and medical situations that do adversely affect the breathing process. As a result of this, airway and breathing must be managed quickly and effectively to enable the continuous flow of oxygen, thereby preventing deaths. Airway management is the physical process which ensures the airway is open and clear to allow respiration to occur. Mastering or becoming proficient in the methods and tools for airway management by health professionals enhances the patient’s (Ms Sutcliffe) chances of survival after surgery. Nurses should observe for coughs, inspiratory crackles, and shallow respirations and decreased chest expansion. In addition, observe for pale mucous membrane as they are signs of pneumonia that usually create ineffective airway clearance. Breathing involves the process of air (oxygen) entering the body and then (carbon dioxide) expelled back into the environment. The conduit for such a process is through the airway. Such complex ways of managing airways by health professionals involves the opening, cleaning and delivering of supplementary oxygen for artificial ventilation-in cases of ineffective breathing by Jane after the surgery. Post-operative observation in relation to circulation normally looks at the main signs and symptoms of bleeding as soon as Ms Jane is brought to the ward after the surgery. There are tendencies for patients to be at risk after undergoing surgery. Problems such as hypovolenic shock as a result of loss of blood and fluids. Right hip replacement surgery requires bed rest post-operatively and normally places the patient at risk in relation to developing blood clots in the legs. When this occurs, the decreased volume within the circulating system cannot provide the much needed oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and can sometime results to death if not solved. As a care, the Nurses or health professionals should administer intravenous fluids to replace the lost volume and if blood is lost, packed red blood cells and platelets must be ordered for Ms Jane immediately. Pain Management Helme and Gibson (2001) asserted that pain and its consequence, especially functional limitations that interfere with individual daily activities and leading to poorer life, afflict about 25%-88% of elder people within communities worldwide. For pain management to be effective there must be accurate pain assessment. Many held the view that self-reporting of pain is an individual’s subjective perception and this may provide enough information for its management. With the elderly, their pain is usually undetected due to severe cognitive impairment. Sheppered et al (2010) argues that effective post-operative pain management relieves suffering and leads not only to shorter hospital stay but at the same time reduces hospital costs as well as earlier patient mobilisation. One goal many believe in the management of post-operative pain is to actually reduce the dose of medications in order to lessen side effects. Opioids are seen to be the first-line treatment for severe acute post-operative pain and the same scenario should apply to Ms Jane after undergoing the surgery. They are drugs use to lessen pain and use often to titrate against pain relief and to minimise unwanted effects to the patient. Other common methods use to manage post-operative pain include the taking of Codeine, Ibuprofen, intravenous narcotics like Morphine Sulphate, Paracetamol and even Opiate Fentanyl. According to Sheppered et al (2010), some of the side effects of Opiopds include vomiting, respiratory depression, constipation and itching which are mostly common. In such situations, healthcare professionals can reduce the effects by changing the dosing schedule of the patients, in this case Ms Jane, maintain constant blood levels through checking the manner in which drugs are given out and addition of other drugs to counteract any effects. Psychological Care Davidson et al (2008) are of the view that normally when psychological care is addressed in hospitals, entails what health professionals expect the patient to need rather than from the perspective of the individual and illness experience. Such a care should focus on assessments of Ms Jane’s understanding of her illness and the effect it will have on her life. Supporting this view, one is to draw his or her attention to the assertion that assessment of the patient’s illness beliefs as a daily practice can significantly increase his or her sense of wellbeing on discharge (Lau-Walker et al, 2008). After the surgery, hip replacement patient immediately start physical therapy as part of the psychological care. This is normally a minor exercise, involving sitting in a chair, the day after the surgery. What follows is stepping, walking, and climbing, with supportive devices like crutches. In this case, Ms Jane pain is being monitored during these exercises, as most often, there is some degree of discomfort. As Van den Akker-Scheek et al (2007) pointed out, psychological needs of hip replacement patients like acute pain after surgery can be addressed during the period of psychological care. At the pre-operative stage, the patient some time has already planned about such a pain and come to terms with it at this stage. Discharge details Discharge is a process and not an isolated thing and in this regard, must be planned for at the earliest opportunity. According to the Department of Health (2003), the above view is to ensure that patients and their carers understand and feel involved in the discharge arrangements. For any discharge to be detailed, the planning must involve communication, education, patient participation and collaboration and coordination. All such detailed planning must be instituted for Ms Jane. Olsen and Wagner (2000) maintained that effective communication is needed between Ms Jane, the patient, and the healthcare professionals for any meaningful discharge to take place. This kind of communication normally involves asking questions to her or relatives and getting answers. Through this process, inconsistencies are brought to light and clarified. At this stage of discharge planning, which may be verbal or written, information like the patient’s functional status, social support and environment status, are all addressed (Neuman, 2004). Bull and Roberts (2001) viewed communication as a complete circle as it involve community team in the arrangement of outpatient appointments, the GP and connecting again with the district Nurse. Education is all part of communication but Lin et al (2005) believed that the provision of instruction leaflets to the patient or the family sums the entire process. Garratt (2009) said of such leaflets to contain specific information of the patient’s needs and at the same time how to manage their ongoing care at home. Patients’ involvement and collaboration in their discharge is very essential and according to Pearson et al (2004) includes their practical arrangements for physically getting back to their homes, management at home and health professionals making them feel they are in control of their health. Such information is vital and discussing it jointly with Ms Jane makes the discharge planning very successful. All what has been discussed above will be meaningless without proper coordination. Therefore, Atwal (2002) purported that a key aspect of successful discharge planning is coordination and that without it, the entire process cannot be effective. For Atwal, there should be inter-professional working relationship between the Nurses and the Doctors for a successful discharge planning. Watts et al (2007) are of the view that there are normally disputes as to who does, and who should, carry out the discharge planning process. But where there is coordination, normally it is the bedside Nurse or primary Nurse that is responsible for coordinating discharge planning process (Gardner (2005). The issue of discharge is to be dealt with in the right manner just as Young et al (2005) warned, shorter hospital stays can result in older people experiencing right hip replacement being discharged in a state of incomplete recovery. They went on to suggest for a proper time table for such an activity and to be agreed upon by both the hospital authorities and the patient. Immediate care of the patient in the community. Contemporary health and social care policy across Europe and in the UK in particular, is focused on the provision of care in the community for older people with chronic illnesses and eventual surgery (DH, 2001). To this end, Themessl-Hubber et al (2007) suggested that awareness, expectations and perceptions of community services are steadily increasing in older people. According to Stoltz et al (2004), research has shown more responsibility for care provision is now placed on informal caregivers-unpaid family members, friends or neighbours. This is because older people perceived this informal segment as their best option as compared to formal support-services provided by health and social care in the community. However, Mahoney et al (2008) caution this claim as they pointed out that older people living alone and infrequently visited by family members are more likely to have poor outcomes following discharge. Relating this to Ms Jane, proper arrangement should be made for community c are so as to avoid the situation of having a poor outcome. One is to take not of the fact that she lives alone and not frequently visited by her children relatives and friends. Deniz et al (2005) warned that after hip replacement surgery, patients normally encounter problems such as climbing stairs, lie down in bed, walk and so on and thereby affecting their activities of daily living. As a result of these problems and many more, Bilik (2006) asserted that continuity of care is to be provided in their homes or communities. Such a community care emphasised on individualism so that Ms Jane can acquire independence in her activities of daily living. The Model of Living, according to Roper (1976), can be used to acquire this independence. In brief, the model focuses on eating and drinking, personal cleansing and dressing, mobilising, working and playing, breathing and control of body temperature. Where this model is properly used by those caring for her in the community, will not only allow her to live independently, assist in focusing on those problems she often experienced while recovering but complications can also be prevented. The removal of the sutures depends which ones are used in Ms Jane’s operation. If buried ones are used by the Surgeon, no need to be removed as they would dissolve in the body. The dressing also depends largely on whether the Surgeon uses stitches or staples. In any case, the wound needs to be kept covered and in the case of leakage from Ms Jane’s covered wound, the community worker should inform the appropriate authorities. Conclusion Post-operative care of elderly patients with hip fracture both in hospitals and in their communities can be carried out effectively when they are identified immediately at admission as high-risk patients. With this achieved, planning for their discharge to be done early and communicated well to all those involve in the care process. This is to allow them to move back confidently to their communities. Nurses’ role in the entire process of care appears to be extensive and always in a position to influence patient care. This is why it is expected of them to make a thorough assessment of patients, including their physical, mental and social conditions as soon as possible. Such a clinical history would help Nurses to transform care from defensive status to a more advanced care. However, even though assessment is a vital part of caring for hip replacement, majority have considered it to be of less importance wherein Nurses who carry it out do not inform their superiors in the care planning process. Moving away from the hospital environment, the importance of support provided by other family members and the community during post-hospitalisation, more so in the dispensation of medication should be considered highly. Notwithstanding the above, total hip replacement is becoming increasingly common. All that is required from those undertaking it is physical, psychological and social preparation.

America: The Modern Day Athens :: essays research papers

America: The Modern Day Athens "We do not copy our Ancestors, but are an example to them. It is true we are called a Democracy, for the administration is in the hands of the many and not in the few. " This is the foundation for which democracy is ruled. Without this democracy does not exist. In this essay there will be comparisons of Athenian democracy and our modern day democracy Greece, in ancient times, was not a united land. There existed many little provinces of control, called city-states. Two examples of the more powerful and lasting city-states were Sparta and Athens. Sparta, whose people lived an austere and militaristic form of life, based its government on the needs of the army which things centered around this. Athens, another powerful city-state, developed a more balanced life for its citizens. Central to this development was the rise of democracy. Called the "cradle of democracy," Athens developed a direct democracy. Those citizens that were eligible could speak at forums and vote on issues. These people were known as the Council of 500; they were chosen annually. To be elected they had to be at least 25 years of age and a citizen. They directly had a voice. This is why Athens is an example of a direct democracy. A point should be made here that Athens, for all its noble ideas about men being able to govern themselves, excluded most of the people that lived within its cities walls. Women, for example had no say in government. They were subjected to running the homes, raising children, and tending to the needs of their husbands. Slavery, which existed in Athens, also caused a blot on the noble experiment of democracy. Slaves had no vote, no participation in government, and no recourse from a cruel master. Athenian government relied upon direct democracy to raise taxes, make laws, and gather armed forces when necessary. The American experiment in democracy differs significantly from the Athenian form of government. America utilizes a representative form of democracy. Because of the huge population, when compared to Athens, a direct democracy is impractical. Americans vote for representatives to the Legislative and Executive branches of government. It is hoped by the citizen that the representatives that are elected protect their constituents interests. There are, however, some dark spots on our form of government. Like the Athenians, America did not grant slaves the right to vote. It took a Civil War that nearly destroyed our nation before slavery was abolished and that portion of the population could have a say in our government. Additionally, women, who

John Keats techniques to evoke the readers senses Essay -- essays pape

John Keats techniques to evoke the readers senses Question: Examine various techniques a poet can use to evoke reader response to a subject in reference to two or more poems Answer: John Keats uses various techniques in his compositions to evoke a reader’s response to his theme. In Keats’s poem, â€Å"On first looking into Chapman’s Homer† depicts Keats’s emotions and feelings after being read Chapman’s Elizabethan translation of the Odyssey. To show the magnitude of his delight, Keats compares his feelings to those of many explorers, who discover the wonders of the world and universe. On first looking into Chapman’s Homer is an Italian sonnet, with 14 lines, in the classic rhyme pattern of abbaabbacdcdcd, and is written in an iambic pentametre which gives the poem a lyrical flow. The poem begins with a calm beginning, in the voice of ripe experience. â€Å"Much have I traveled in the realms of gold. And many goodly states and kingdoms seen;† The calm beginning then mounts to the excitement of the climax towards the end. â€Å"Wild surmise† which is then confirmed by the ne...

Compare and contrast the presentation of oppressionin I Am Not That Ess

Compare and contrast the presentation of oppressionin I Am Not That Woman and Still I Rise. The poems I am studying are 'I Am Not That Woman' by Kishwar Naheed and 'Still I Rise' by Maya Angelou, both in the twentieth century. Both poets have based the poems on their own experiences of suppression in their different cultures and they both continue to end with feelings of hope.The poems show the different reactions and attitudes of two very different women who in similar circumstances. In 'I Am Not That Woman', the poet has been oppressed in her culture of the Asian society. By this she has been oppressed by the traditional values of the Eastern culture but especially by her father and husband. She is also trying to overcome this suppression but is not really sure where she wants to go next with her life. In 'Still I Rise', she has been suppressed by the white people of South America but she has overcome this and thinks of herself as superior to the white racists. I will begin by discussing 'I Am Not That Woman'. The main theme to the poem is set in the Asian society, Eastern culture. Although there is a new theme introduced in every verse, they all add to the main theme of oppression. The woman is in the situation of being forced into having an arranged marriage and not having any freedom because of it. The poet seems bitter towards her father and husband. She seems strong because she has got through her problems so far and is angry and resentful about the whole situation. She seems adamant to not let it happen to her for much longer. The poem has no structure and no rhyming scheme, therefore written as free verse. Each verse of the poem is directed towards a certain person in particular - her fath... ...ks around with pride and dignity, with the reference to the oil wells as her acting as if she is rich, with the imagery of her literally having oil wells in her living room. She expresses herself effectively by the repetition of the title, 'Still I Rise' in the poem, where she means she is rising above the white racists. In conclusion I like both poems equally but think that 'Still I Rise' is the more effective poem. I think this because the poet is stronger and more confident in what she has written about. The language used in 'Still I Rise' is easier to understand at first glance than 'I Am Not That Woman' which would also make people prefer 'Still I Rise' because not as much needs explaining or working out. Although I prefer the imagery in 'I Am Not That Woman' such as the 'garden' which was used early on in the poem and then mentioned again later on.

Individual Management and Leadership Plan

Introduction This brief is aimed at investigating and reporting my own individual management and leadership plan. It covers identifying and owning my individual leadership development requirements using a range of appropriate diagnostic tools. Alongside with this is the planning of the development of these skills, supporting such plan with appropriate use of academic and leaning theories. Such plans are placed in an organisational or industry context, in which clear links to organisational strategies are created. Appropriate professional reflection at relevant intervals is incorporated. According to Gallos (2008), leadership is a complex social process that is grounded on the values, knowledge, and skills of leaders and followers. Adaptive change is always involved in the concept of leadership. Leaders are able to see new opportunities and facilitate a multifaceted interactive process that reinforces individual and collective growth. Ladkin (2010) states that understanding leadership as a lived experience requires studying it within the specific context in which it operates. It is important for leaders to relate to followers where they must work together within a specific context and work towards a clear purpose. Kezar (2009) has articulated that leadership is a property of whole systems rather than of individuals, which means that effectiveness in leadership is a result of those associations or relationships amongst parts rather than of any one part of such system (i.e. the leader). This will be illustrated in the devised plan and placing such plan in an industry context. Identifying and Owning my Individual Leadership Development Requirements This part of the paper effectively identifies my own individual leadership development requirements through the use of a range of appropriate diagnostic tools such as Belbin Test, Four Temperaments Personality Test, and Myers Briggs Assessment. These individual leadership development requirements consist of what one knows about himself, what he does not know about himself, and how to find it out. The reason why one must identify and own his/her individual leadership development requirements is because of the need to examine where his skills, behaviour, and attitudes are placed within leadership and collaborative continuum and how he/she helps in building leadership in the organisation. It is also important to link personality and character with leadership because personality and character determine how one leads a group or organisation (Adair, 2007). According to Kezar (2009), team and collaborative leadership models highlight the significance of focusing on organisational relationships, processes, and structures that foster collaboration, instead of emphasis on identifying and cultivating individual leadership skills. The Myers Briggs Assessment tends to yield accurate type results through the use of administered and scored questionnaire (Quenk, 2009). (Since this test is not available online, it is only cited here as one of the assessment tools that assesses personality/behaviour and is not utilised in actual assessment.) The Belbin Test, on the other hand, measures the behavioral contribution of an individual through Belbin team role theory, making this test a behavioural test rather than a personality test. Team role preferences are identified in Belbin reports to enable the individual to know and appreciate the extent of their strengths and the behaviour that must be developed for the benefit of the team (Riding and Rayner, 2001). From the Team Roles Test, which is part of the Belbin Test that I have taken, my strengths are identified as the ability to effectively resolve conflict with teammates and ability to plan and coordinate with teammates. The potential strengths, on the other hand, are satisfactory interpersonal skills, ability to communicate with others with relative ease, and ability to manage various tasks and other aspects of teamwork. The limitations I exhibit, which require further improvements for my team role performance, are lack of team-based problem-solving ability, setting only few goals for team projects, and preference for individual work instead of team work (Psych Tests, 2014). The Belbin Test clearly shows the strengths, potential strengths (which can turn into real strengths in the future, given one’s increased maturity), and limitations (which can also turn into strengths, given their realisation through the test) for one’s undertaking of the team roles. On the other hand, the Four Temperaments Personality Test yields for me a 75-per cent score for each of the Sanguine, Choleric, and Melancholic aspect, whilst 58 per cent for the Phlegmatic aspect. This would mean that I am a people-person who likes socialising and exhibits optimism, enthusiasm, compassion, impulsiveness, and self-indulgence. Being choleric, the results show that I am extroverted, task-oriented, and seek competition and success at all cost, with strong leadership skills and passion for work. Being melancholic, I am respectful, compassionate, and possess intuitive traits. My phlegmatic traits, which are underplayed by the three other traits -sanguine, choleric, and melancholic- are passive aggressiveness and calmness (How Much Do I, 2014). These traits play an influential stance on how I approach leadership and teamwork. My sanguine, choleric, and melancholic traits can be used in how I undertake leadership and team roles in my work towards achieving set goals. My kno wledge of both these dominant and negligible traits based on the four temperaments supports my knowledge of my skills based on the Belbin Test. Planning the Development of Mentioned Skills This part of the paper includes planning for the development of the skills mentioned above. These skills are the potential skills and limitations identified in the Belbin Test. The Four Temperaments Personality Test shows one’s personality based on temperaments, which greatly aids in my understanding of my inclination to developing the potential skills and cited limitations. The plan includes the following: Improving my interpersonal skills from satisfactory level to above-average level Increasing my ability to communicate with others with relative ease Improving team-based problem-solving ability setting several goals for team projects instead of only a few ones Increasing my preference for team work over individual work in accomplishing goals Improving my interpersonal skills from satisfactory level to above-average level The importance of increasing my interpersonal skills from satisfactory level to above-average level is seen in the fact that effective leadership necessitates not only analytical and decision-making skills but also interpersonal skills (Grant, Rothstein, and Burke, 2010). Such importance is evidenced by leader-member exchange theory, which focuses on the low-exchange and high-exchange dyadic relationships between the leader and the followers (Rainey, 2009), and transformational leadership theory, which states that leaders must inspire followers towards more accomplishment by focusing on the value of the followers and helping them align these values with those of the organisation (Givens, 2008; Nohria and Khurana). Additionally, Robinson (2011) underlines the importance of interpersonal skills by linking them to goal setting, such that the quality of goal setting is always connected to the quality of (interpersonal) relationships. Goal setting will remain empty unless leaders are a ble to motivate the people who are required to achieve them. Grant and colleagues (2010) note the dichotomy between analytical and decision-making skills on one hand, and interpersonal skills on the other. It is important to delineate what constitutes interpersonal skills in order to place the significance of this skill to the wider leadership context. According to Grant et al. (2010), interpersonal skills development for leaders and managers refer to complex abilities of conflict management and negotiation skills, rater than just plainly focusing on engaging people in quality interactions, speaking and listening effectively, and providing positive feedback. As for improving my interpersonal skills, this will be done by attending a skills training seminar focused on interpersonal skills for effective leadership (e.g. Grant et al., 2010). Increasing my ability to communicate with others with relative ease The importance of communication to leadership is that it is the process used for setting and communicating clear goals (Robinson, 2011). Improving this skill is through constant practice; meaning, talking to people more often. This is however not a difficult stance to undertake since as my score in the Four Temperaments Personality Test shows, I have dominant extrovert behaviour shown by my sanguine and choleric tendencies, which indicate an interest to communicate with people (e.g. Ricketts and Ricketts, 2011). Management theory’s human relations movement highlights the importance of people motivation (Banhegyi, 2007), which is indirectly linked to communicating with them to foster smooth relationships. Improving team-based problem-solving ability In my plan to develop my management of various tasks and other aspects of teamwork, an important point to consider is that a leader cannot rely on teamwork to develop automatically without exerting some conscious effort on his/her part. Without the leader’s influence, it is still possible for teamwork to develop to some extent, but this setting is unlikely for the work group to develop member satisfaction and maximum task performance (Butterfield, 2011). In order to develop my team-based problem solving ability, my course of action is to read books on the subject. Applying into practice what I have learned conceptually and theoretically about it will yield positive outcomes, leading to desired improvements in my management of various tasks and other aspects of teamwork. Theodore Newcomb’s Balance Theory explains why people tend to be attracted towards group formation, and this is because of the similarity in attitudes in their pursuit for a common goal. Such similarity allows them to share ideas with one another and function as a team. Lack of similar attitudes leads to loss of balance, resulting in a team not being formed (Kandula, 2006). An important thing to consider is that team-based learning is a result of good team-based decision making and problem-solving ability (Michealsen, Sweet, and Parmelee, 2008). Setting several goals for team projects instead of only a few ones Goal-setting involves identifying the goals to be established, gaining the commitment of people who are tasked to achieve them, and communicating these goals to people who have interest in their achievement (Robinson, 2011). Having this renewed realisation that setting many goals rather than just a few ones is more preferable to effective leadership and goal attainment, the plan is focused on taking a conscious effort on enumerating several goals every time goal-setting is being undertaken, and suggesting to the group a more increased identification of goals each time the group tends to identify only a few ones. The point is consciously putting into practice this knowledge. The relevance of setting several goals instead of only a few ones is apparent; a team that identifies more goals is able to achieve more goals, compared to a team that identifies only a few goals, which becomes delimited to achieving only these few goals. The Goal Setting Theory explains the importance of goals in motivating people to work, and consequently, in making them behave with a purpose (Lussier, 2012). This would mean that not only is goal-setting beneficial for the organisation but for the people working on these goals as well. Increasing my preference for team work over individual work in accomplishing goals Since leadership is about leading people, individual work is not the paramount aspect of goal achievement, but teamwork. In a team, people work together towards achieving desired goals, have full and sufficient understanding in the importance of these goals, how these goals may be achieved successfully, and what each one and the whole team may contribute to their successful achievement. If the leader and even the team members are more focused on working individually rather than as a team, the essence of teamwork is lost. (Ricketts and Ricketts (2011) indicate that working as a team is more effective than working individually; thus, the motivation to utilise teamwork and the various literature on the importance of this concept (e.g. Dyer, Dyer, and Dyer, 2007; Morgeson, Reider, and Campion, 2005; Valle and Witt, 2001). Since the results of my Four Temperaments Personality Test indicate that I have an extraverted temperament, this temperament would help in my ability to build team wor k. The result of my Four Temperaments Personality Test on the phlegmatic aspect, specifically self-indulgence, is a good point to consider in my current preference for individual work over team work. On the other hand, since my dominant sanguine and choleric propensities show that I am inclined to being extraverted, this preference is likely to be changed with ease, given such initial knowledge for its imperative change. Heneman and Greenberger (2002) state that the facilitation of team work is through the efforts of some extraverted individuals. Placing the Plan in an Organisational or Industry Context/Strategy Having accomplished the plan, the next step would be to place this in an organisational or industry context, creating clear links to organisational strategies. First of all, leadership is an important concept in the success of an organisation, which is why organisations always gear for effective leadership or management in the workplace. Leadership is different from seniority or one’s position in the hierarchy of his or her organisation. It is an influential relationship that takes place between a leader and his/her followers as they pursue certain changes or objectives that mirror shared meanings, purposes, and strategies (Mills, Mills, Forshaw, et al., 2007). The potential skills and limitations, on which the plan has been established, will eventually add up to my series of strengths identified by the Belbin Test. After implementing the plan, the expected outcomes for me would be above-average interpersonal skills, ability to communicate with others with relative ease, improved team-based problem solving ability, setting many goals for team projects, and increased preference for team work over individual work. These skills are useful in an organisational context; specifically in managing people where the leader/manager needs to unify his/her team towards successful goal attainment. By being able to work in a team and foster good communication skills, problem solving ability, and other skills thus cited as my strengths, I and my team would together work on the necessary aspects of several tasks, which we are responsible to accomplish. The retail industry is the specific industry context on which the plan is placed. This industry is characterised by several challenges in attaining competitive advantage because of the presence of new entrants, substitute products, bargaining power of customers and suppliers, and rivalry between existing competitors (Stonehouse, Campbell, Hamill, et al., 2004). These challenges serve as a factor for my pursuit for effective leadership and team roles, on which the plan is established. My ability to effectively resolve conflict with teammates and to plan and coordinate with them plays a significant role in smooth working relationships within the team. This importance is further seen in the claim that conflict and lack of team coordination serve as a barrier to attaining desired goals (e.g. Lencion, 2012; Rout and Omiko, 2007). Moreover, my improved interpersonal skills will enable me to communicate my ideas more effectively across people and departments. It has been noted that interpe rsonal skills refer to analytical and decision-making skills (Grant et al, 2010), which means that my possession of these skills will aid my team and the organisation in addressing the competition that retail companies commonly experience. These – together with my improved ability to communicate with others with relative ease, improved team-based problem-solving ability, setting many goals, and increased preference for team work over individual work – will help the company develop strategies for competitive advantage. Incorporating Appropriate Professional Reflection at Relevant Intervals This research has enabled me to identify my own strengths, limitations, and potential skills in leadership and team roles. Apparently, I had no prior ideas of these skills and limitations on a systematic basis, but the Belbin Test and the Four Temperaments Personality Test enabled me to find out approximately what these skills are. I certainly have an initial knowledge of myself, but these tests confirmed them and even added some more which I was not very aware of, such as my satisfactory level of my interpersonal skills, a need to communicate with others with relative ease, a need to improve my team-based problem-solving ability, and my inclination to set only a few goals instead of many goals for team projects. Some of the skills that I am already aware of are effective conflict resolution and ability to plan and coordinate with teammates. Moreover, the Four Temperaments Personality Test made me understand the ease that the potential skills and limitations may be improved. This is because of my dominant combination of sanguine, choleric, and melancholic temperaments, which have positive traits for leadership abilities (e.g. extraversion, being a people-person, optimism, and enthusiasm, being task-oriented, being competition-focused, and being success-specific and strong leadership skills). A further realisation that I have derived from this exercise is the importance of knowing oneself – strengths, skills, abilities, potentials, and limitations – since such knowledge serves as a prelude to being able to manage teams and the organisation as a whole. By being able to systematically identify my strengths, I have been personally assured of my abilities. By being able to also systematically identify my potentials and limitations, I have found out the areas that need improvement. These limitations and potentials allow me to better focus on what I must take an effort to improve on, whilst seeing them as a way for constructive criticism. In addition, no effective leader can function without self-realising his own strengths, skills, and limitations since only when he/she has fully realised them can they be able to function more effectively. Conclusion This paper has provided an investigation of one’s own individual management and leadership plan, using such diagnostic tools as the Belbin test and the Four Temperaments Personality Test. These tools helped identify and own my individual leadership development requirements. Through the Belbin Test, certain strengths were thus identified along with the potential skills and limitations. The Four Temperaments Personality Test also identified the dominant temperaments that helped in the assessment of one’s leadership propensities and abilities. The plan for development of the skills is centered on improving my interpersonal skills from satisfactory level to above-average level; increasing my ability to communicate with others with relative ease; improving team-based problem-solving ability; setting several goals for team projects instead of only a few ones; and increasing my preference for team work over individual work in accomplishing goals. The retail industry is the specific industry context on which the plan is placed. A professional reflection is conducted, focused on how the entire work is done. References Adair, J. (2007) Develop Your Leadership Skills. London: Kogan Page. Banhegyi, s. (2007) Fresh Perspectives: Management. Cape Town: Pearson Education South Africa (Pty) Ltd. Butterfield, J. (2011) Illustrated Course Guides: Teamwork and Team Building. Mason, OH: Course Technology Cengage Learning. Dyer, W. G., Dyer, W, G., and Dyer, J. H. (2007) Team Building: Proven Strategies for Improving Team Performance. NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Gallos, J. (2008) Business Leadership: A Jossey-Bass Reader. NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Givens, R. J. (2008) Transformational Leadership: The Impact on Organizational and Personal Outcomes. Emerging Leadership Journeys, 1 (1), 4-24. Grant, M., Rothstein, G., and Burke, R. (2010) Self-Management and Leadership Development. Glos, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing Limited. Heneman, R. L. and Greenberger, D. B. (2002) Human Resource Management in Virtual Organizations. US: Information Age Publishing Inc. How Much Do I (2014) What Is My Personality TypeFour Temperaments Personality Test. Retrieved on May 10, 2014 from http://www.howmuchdoi.com/personality/What-is-my-personality-type-Four-Temperaments-Personality-Test-70.html Kandula, S. R. (2006) Performance Management: Strategies, Interventions, Drivers. New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India Private Limited. Kezar, A. J. (2009) Rethinking Leadership in a Complex, Multicultural, and Global Environment. Sterling Virginia: Stylus Publishing. LLC. Larkin, D. (2010) Rethinking Leadership† New Look at Old Leadership Questions. Glos, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing Limited. Lencion, P. (2012) The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: Intact Teams Participant Workbook. San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer. Lussier, R. N. (2012) Management Fundamentals: Concepts, Applications, Skill Development. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning. Michealsen, L. K., Sweet, M., and Parmelee, D. X. (2008) Team-Based Learning: Small Group Learning’s Next Big Step. New York: Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mills, J. C., Mills, J. B., Forshaw, C., and Bratton, J. (2007) Organizational Behaviour in a Global Context. Plymouth, UK: NBN International. Morgeson, F. P., Reider, M. H., and Campion, M. A. (2005) Selecting Individuals in Team Settings: The Importance of Social Skills, Personality Characteristics, and Teamwork Knowledge. Personnel Psychology, 58 (3), 583-611. Nohria, N. and Khurana, R. (2010) Handbook of Leadership Theory and Practice: An HBS Centennial Colloquium. US: Harvard Business School Publishing Corporation. Psych Tests (2014) Team Roles Test. Retrieved on May 10, 2014 from http://testyourself.psychtests.com/bin/transfer Quenk, N. L. (2009) Essentials of Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Assessment. NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Rainey, H. G. (2009) Understanding and Managing Public Organizations. NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Ricketts, C. and Ricketts, J. (2011) Leadership: Personal Development and Career Success. Mason, OH: DELMAR Cengage Learning. Riding, R. J. and Rayner, S. (2001) Self Perception. Westport: Ablex Publishing. Robinson, V. (2011) Student-Centered Leadership. NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Rout, E. and Omiko, N. (2007) Corporate Conflict Management: Concepts and Skills. New Delhi: PHI Learning Private Limited. Stonehouse, G., Campbell, D., Hamill, J., and Purdie, T. (2004) Global and Transnational Business: Strategy and Management. Second Edition. NJ: John Wiley & Sons. Valle, M. and Witt, L. A. (2001) The Moderating Effect of Teamwork Perceptions on the Organizational Politics-Job Satisfaction Relationship. The Journal of Social Psychology, 141 (3), 379-388.

Nutrition and Fitness Paper

First step to a healthier new me would be to change my current fitness habit, which is not much other than teaching dance and walking to adding more activity to my week without losing sleep. After looking at what my current fitness routine is teaching two and half hours of dance a week and walking a week for two and half hours I noticed I needed to add more activity to my week. Within that first step is to set a goal of how much time is needed to be achieved a week and how much time is available to achieve that goal. Know at least thirty minutes every day is a healthy goal of activity.So adding at least one hour a week of an activity Is what I need to do. So adding WI Dance Routine twice a week for one hour will help out and give me an extra amount to achieve the goal and go above and beyond the goal. Second step is to improve the area of nutrition, I eat the three meals a day and I even snack a bit for the extra energy kick needed for the day. But nutritional habits are a lot like f itness habits, it focuses on eating right and exercising right. Habits are created to improve or even decrease who we are.So creating a healthy habit is essential to achieve the goal set in front of us. Poor nutrition can lead to obesity which can lead to medical problems in years to come. A normal family's lifestyle can result to unhealthy eating habits with stops at fast food chains. Families need that cooking time together to eat In a healthier way and create positive habits among the parents and the children. I know my eating habits still to this day are affected by my eating habits as a child. My mother worked day and night and my dad also worked long days and sometime nights.So dinner was to a none cooked meal, sometimes It was McDonald's or pizza. So now Tanat I work more than the average forty hour work week, I sometimes slip and eat that fast food because it is there and easy. Knowing that I know I need to make the changes to change my bad habits. Fitting healthy habits int o a hectic life is not easy but following a few steps to get more nutrition and fitness in a hectic life is necessary for any person who wants to make their fifth birthday. Here are a few things that can be put into play right now that can make healthy habits an easy part of the day to day routine.Areas that I have started to make improvements in my own health is in red and highlighted to show how little steps can make big steps later in life. Guarani Ph. D (n. D. ) 1. Drink water throughout the day (doing my best currently) 2. Cut back on the amount of soda and coffee drank in the day (already made some cut backs) 3. Replace high sugar foods with low sugar versions 4. Stock up on healthy, portable snacks (eating better snacks during my day) 5. Take the time to plan healthy meals for the week 6. Purchase frozen, ready to cook ingredients 7. Pack your lunch the night before 8.Cook double batches of what your cooking 9. Give yourself some slack 10. Fit in exercise as much as you can ( trying to add more fitness in during a busy work week) 11. Take a walk break during the day (getting up at work and Just walking around the office to stretch) 12. Whenever possible, walk (parking further in parking lots when I can to increase walking) 13. Get enough sleep (trying for more than six hours, tough but trying) Now going through this list I see many areas I can do to improve my health and I also see those ways can help improve my fitness levels and my stress level at the same time too.By adding some or all of these new healthy habits into my lifestyle today, it can improve the way I feel in no time at all. Making small steps for me can help promote a new look on my weight management and by doing that it will give me more energy during the day to increase my fitness plan for adding more fitness to my week. Those new habits would help diminish the old habits that have been taught or created over the years by my parent's poor habits. My mother and her mother were not small p eople and I don't want that type of life. They were not obese people but they were not healthy either, obesity is not Just being overweight.Obesity can lead to medical problems beyond weight. Obesity can lead to heart conditions, leg problems, back problems, and even mental problems. This is onto life I want and I want to make the changes now before it changes me. While reading the New York Times today, I came across this article that the government tells people how to eat better is to eat less. â€Å"The latest nutrition guidelines released Monday by the federal government reiterates of the advice from previous years: eat less salt and saturated fats, eat more fruits and vegetables and hole grains† (Martin, 2011, Para. ). With this information they tell us by eating the Dad we wall never lose ten welling Just Keep It on, unless you cut Deck Ana eat some more of the better. At the end of the article the writer states it simple â€Å"Cut back on the cheese, hamburgers, pizza, cookies and pastries† (Martin, 2011, Para. 23). So Just cutting back can change your life. Conclusion Like kids, adults need to make the right food choices to be healthy and must exercise to be healthy. Even in a busy lifestyle they need to make the correct choices f they, plan to live pas the age of fifty years old.My family created poor habits for myself and my brother and both of us noticed the problem and knew it had to change now rather than later. More adults are battling obesity today more than ever and that is because of the busy lifestyle we all lead. By making the changes now as young adults or adults in their mid thirties they can learn how to eat properly and exercise, better to make it to fifty years old healthier than they could of before the changes. Adults must exercise as much as they can, even with a busy lifestyle.

Meals

Meals on Wheels Meals on Wheels was a very good community service that taught me some good things. Meals on Wheels is a voluntary work service that deals with elderly people who are sick, from diabetes to cancer. We as voluntary workers drop food off to these sick people who are registered through the hospital. There are many different types of patients you meet. They all happen to be around the same area as well. As we stop by the meals on wheels headquarters we first sign in and then pick up cooler full of cold food and a warm lunch bag to put the hot meals in.We then drive over to SST. Jude hospital where we pick up the hot food that has the patients names labeled on them. From here we drive to each patients house or apartment complex and drop off their assigned foods, which is one cold food meal pack, one milk, and a hot meal pack. Some places are so easy as getting off and dropping it off in the ice box they have set in front of their house or apartment complex while other patie nts e have to ring the door bell and hand it to them.Some days we will talk to some of these patients. For instance, at one of the first stops an older lady would come outside as we drop the food off and explain to me as she's very sick and doesn't feel well. Then go to explain how we walk with Jesus because we are doing this for her and how we are very blessed for doing it. It goes to show me how lucky I am for being young and healthy at the age I am and not take life for granted.Another Instance loud be an elderly guy who sits outside with his dog everyday before we pull up to drop his food off. He always seems to be In a very good mood and explains to me how I should be at the beach and not here doing this service. It shows the different kinds of people that are out there and there perspective towards things. Most of the people have their kids or husbands answer the door for them to get their food. At the end of the day we have delivered the food to twelve different people and he ad back to theMeals on Wheels headquarters where we drop off the lunch bag and the cooler. That Is the typical day of the Meals on Wheels service work. Hopefully some day In the future I can do this again on my free time.

Supermax Prisons

Supermax Prisons and Their Adverse Effects Introduction Due to increasing crime rates and the extensive belief that rehabilitative programs for inmates do not work, a new and harsher method for prisons is being utilized. Instead of scattering the worst criminals, they are being consolidated into Supermax prisons. Supermax prisons are state of the art penitentiaries meant to hold only the worst of the worst criminals and inmates that cannot be trusted in regular prisons. There are strict regulations and policies to control inmates’ time for communication, recreation, visiting, religious practices, and education even more than regular prisons.More often than not, â€Å"inmates in supermax prisons spend 23 hours of every day locked in a small cell† (Hickey pg. 160). Supermax prisons work upon the premise that the most violent and disorderly inmates can be better controlled â€Å"by separation, restricted movement, and limited access to staff and other inmates† (Hick ey pg. 167). While supermax prisons are believed to reduce crime and increase safety, there are questions of whether or not this is actually the case. Compare/Contrast CritiqueSupermax prisons are considered effective because they consolidate the most violent criminals and allow for other prisons to function more safely and more normally for both staff and inmates. However the inmates cannot just be consolidated and held to the same standards as regular prisons, as was revealed at Marion in 1980 when the â€Å"operation began to show clear signs of the underlying stresses of using this quasi-normal system to deal with such aggressive offenders† (Hickey pg. 164). In response, a new and more sophisticated facility was created to cater to the high-security needs of a prison with extremely dangerous inmates.These newer facilities were created to â€Å"control the inmate’s behavior until they demonstrate that they can be moved back to a traditional open-population penitent iary† (Hickey pg. 165). While incarcerated at supermax prisons, the inmates are handcuffed around staff, eat and exercise alone, and are kept in their cells for most of the day. As prisoners behave well, they are given more and more privileges until they are deemed safe enough to return to regular prisons. Additionally, there is a much higher staff to inmate ratio than at normal prisons.All services that are required are available and â€Å"operations are consistent with constitutional requirements related to conditions and confinement† (Hickey pg. 166). After returning to regular penitentiaries from a supermax prison, 80% of former inmates behave well enough that they do not return to the supermax prison. Supermax prisons provide a level of safety and security for both staff and inmates that other prisons cannot provide. On the other hand, there is a dark side and harsh reality to supermax prisons besides the obvious high costs of maintaining the prisons that are funde d by tax payers.While supermax prisons claim to uphold the prisoner’s constitutional rights, there are many claims that state otherwise ranging from the denial of medical care to illegal censorship of mail—â€Å"prison guards have testified to shackling prisoners to their beds and spraying them with high-pressure fire hoses† (Hickey pg. 169). The placement of inmates at certain levels of security and confinement based upon behavior is arbitrary. The guards determine what is â€Å"good† and â€Å"bad† behavior, and their reasons could be as menial as â€Å"refusing to make beds or complaining about clogged and overflowing toilets† (Hickey pg. 169).Additionally, the amount of control that the inmates are placed under (near 24-hour isolation, little to no physical contact between visitors and inmates and highly limited and scheduled outdoor recreation time) creates an environment that is psychologically debilitating and harmful to personal and social identities. Rehabilitation is set aside and replaced with competition between the inmates for privileges, fostering a hostile environment. The amount of frustration, deprivation, and despair that inmates endure do not create less violent inmates, but something much more dangerous (at the least, more angry).Fighting violence with more violence is not working—supermax prisons are not reducing crime or safety. Critique of the Debate Supermax prisons are a good idea on paper. However, in practice, supermax prisons do not work. In a contrasting example, there are many soldiers returning from war. They are greeted by family, strangers buy food for them out of gratitude for their service, and there are programs and support groups that help them return to normal ways of life. Still, the transition from the life of a soldier in combat back to the civilian world is not easy. However, these issues are recognized and respected in many forms of support.On the other hand, for the in creasingly large amount of criminals who are sent to supermax prisons for breaking the law, the preparation and actual transition from prison life back to regular society is not widely recognized or respected, with little or no support. There are few credible methods or support groups that truly help previous convicts return to normal life, especially in comparison to a soldier returning from war. Additionally, individuals that are accepted members of society greet the returning convicts with trepidation and suspicion because of the belief â€Å"once a thief, always a thief. Consequently, the convict’s return to society and â€Å"normal† life is nearly impossible and recommitting criminal acts is expected. While the return of a criminal from prison should not be honored the way a soldier is honored when returning from deployment, a criminal should have similar rehabilitative and re-immersion programs and support groups. With the levels of confinement being dictated by arbitrary rules and expectations set in place by guards, inmates behave well only because they want privileges and rewards rather than to actually improve themselves.Using a reward-punishment system does not develop character or help prisoners in their eventual assimilation back into society. When inmates are released from prison, they need to return better than they were before prison or else they will just end up in prison again. In order for this to be accomplished, â€Å"a more holistic view of crime control† needs to be set in order and there needs to be more of a focus â€Å"on community and restoration and less on imprisonment† (Hickey pg. 174). The United States has been using prisons for centuries now and imprisonment rates have only increased throughout history.Perhaps the answer to reducing crime is not in the traditional idea of fear of punishment, but the United States seems to be stuck on the idea of using prisons and imprisonment to thwart crime neverth eless. In a perfect world, criminals will be sent to prison, spend their time there wisely, and return to society a changed people. However, in reality, inmates are being released from prison worse off than when they entered the prison. Not seeing or interacting with another human being creates a disconnection from humanity.For the inmate, being kept totally separated and isolated from everyone, there must inevitably be a sense of anger and resentment towards the system that should be helping them and at the very least be showing them how to act properly in society upon their release from prison. Additionally, controlling every aspect of a person’s life is not productive or educational. Learning from mistakes is a part of life, but supermax prisons have nothing to offer in terms of learning. Since the inmates have clearly made mistakes (they are in prison after all), they should be educated on how to learn and grow from their mistakes.Instead, they are just put down as failur es and expected to continue failing. However, as supermax prisons become more and more popular, rehabilitative programs and the inmate’s humanity are being set aside for safer conditions and security. The idea that you have to sacrifice either the humanity of the inmate or the safety of the staff would imply that the system is severely flawed. There has to be a better way to punish criminals, but also rehabilitate them. Conclusion The current penal system that the United States has is flawed and supermax prisons are simply not as effective as was expected.The traditional use of prisons and imprisonment as a way to deter crime is not (nor has it ever been) actually successful at reducing crime, but for some reason we keep to the same plan and modify it rather than take a whole new approach. A person who goes to prison should not want or need to commit deviance after leaving prison—they should leave a changed person. Society should strive to help the person returning fro m prison similar to the way soldiers are aided upon their return to the United States.Instead, society remains adamant in continuing to punish and then ignore those who commit crimes which in end creates a never ending cycle of deviance. The system for punishing criminals needs to change, but how society views the punishment of criminals needs to change as well. Instead of focusing on revenge and justice, the focus needs to be on rehabilitation and development. Works Cited Hickey, T. (2012). Taking sides: Clashing views in crime and criminology. (10th ed. ). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.