Arab Discussion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Arab Discussion - Essay Example The passive approach is necessary because of the role of culture as an integral factor to people’s quality of life and as well a barrier to nursing care. Even though some cultural practices undermine provision of care, members of the society are informed of benefits of culture to their well-being and a contrary approach may be a threat to their perspective to health care. A tolerant approach with understanding and persuasion will therefore offer Mrs. Nasser, who has a cultural reason against the physical examination, an opportunity to consider alternative approaches to testing the patient towards efficient treatment. Persuasion can also help in establishing the need for examination towards effective treatment (Andrews and Boyle, 2008; Kulwicki, 2013). Culturally congruent strategies that may be effective in addressing Mrs. Nasser’s needs Strategies towards cultural competence identify congruency towards meeting Mrs. Nasser’s needs to preserve her cultural orienta tion and to cure her ill daughter. Cultural awareness is one of the culturally congruent strategies that that may be effective in resolving the issues towards the needs and being informed of the sensitivity to young girls’ virginity in the Arab culture is an example that could help the nurse in handling the situation by informing the nurse of potential obstacle to care. It involves being informed of a society’s cultural constructs for a suitable approach to providing care to culturally sensitive clients. Cultural awareness would inform the nurse of the negative opinion towards physical examination of young girls’ genitals and ensure a less controversial approach. The nurse could similarly be informed of the society’s sensitivity towards young girls’ virginity and explain the fact that examination by a female nurse would not threaten the cultural perspective. Establishing a set of strategies towards cultural cohesion is another culturally congruent strategy that may be effective in addressing the client’s needs. This strategy equips a nurse with alternative approaches to integrate the client’s culture with necessary nursing practices towards meeting the needs (Andrews and Boyle, 2008; Dreachslin, Gilbert and Malone, 2012). This strategy can be developed from a nurse’s experience with Nasser’s culture and through constructs of cultural competence approach such as â€Å"cultural knowledge, cultural skill, cultural encounters, and cultural desire† (Votroubek and Tobacco, 2010, p. 579). Cultural sensitivity and intelligence, from the competencies, would also help the nurse in selecting available strategies towards managing Mrs. Nasser’s cultural fears and agreeing on a suitable approach to testing the girl. In applying cultural sensitivity, for example, the nurse should understand the Arab culture’s sensitivity to young girls’ virginity and the extent to which the society can sacrifice to protect the cultural observation apply incorporate this in building Nasser’s confidence that her daughter’s virginity would not be compromised (Votroubek and Tobacco, 2010). Ensuring that Mrs. Nasser’s concerns are addressed and Samia receive appropriate care The nurse can ensure that Nasser’s concerns are addressed and Samia receive appropriate care by understanding the involved cultural barrier to the proposed care approach, identifying

Case study analysis and continuous professional development Essay

Case study analysis and continuous professional development - Essay Example Organizational contextual factors Sonoco Products Company is a global packaging company that was developed in 1899 in Hartsville, South Carolina. Major James Coker established the company and his main target was to make paper cone used to hold yarn in the textile industry. The company kept on making paper cones till it became a leading paper cone industry, experiencing competition from other cone producing companies. This led to its expansion and it started manufacturing packages till it became the largest packing industry in the world (Thomas, Groysberg, and Reavis, 2008). The company proposed a new organizational restructuring that would suit the function cost by at least 20%, this is for the reason that, the company had been highly taxed due to the high cost it was experiencing, so the company managed to increase the sales by 14% by reducing expenses with the increase in shareholders. The organization established a new organizational model; this was to improve the top growth in im proving the company’s sales to compete with companies around the world. The consumer packaging department was to check the packaging style to meet the demands of the customers around the world. This strategy was a rethinking strategy of certain company structures like the human resources. Under the HR every manager managed talents within each of her or his division (Kotelnikov, 2006). The managing director developed policies for performance, management, compensation, development and successful management. These polices advocated for the HR to increase general manager accountability for talent management, to distribute HR talent management and to distribute more, to optimize HR talent ability to give customized ability to the customers. These strategies are only effective if implemented by serious working staff members within the organization (Fort and Salin, 2001). The Sonoco Company established in 1889 in California was a textual industry and gradually developed into a consu mer packaging consumer industry. This growth occurred manly through acquisition in 1990 where the company made 60% acquisition around the world. The company occupied two segments the packaging segments and the consumer packaging. The industrial segment which served as the textile industry paper industry and film industry employed around 11000 employees and made 55% revenue to the company. The consumer packaging had a range of 6000 employees and made high revenue to the company with its products. Some of the company’s products are Gillette, Krafts, Nestle and Procter as well as Gamble. The cultural background of the company is friendly, collaborative, and ethical and team oriented. Most of these employees have been in the organization for over twenty years and enjoyed working with the members of the community. During the late 1990s there was a fall in the stock and change was a required in the structure of the organization to solve the problem (Mission statement - Sonoco, 2009 ). In the early 1990, the packaging companies generated around 40 billion and the consumer industry represented about 70% countrywide distribution. Paper industry accounted for 30% and film industry accounte

Social Work Intervention | Race and Poverty

Social Work Intervention | Race and Poverty CHAPTER FOUR Evidence suggests that contemporary social work practice is faced with the dilemma of how to direct its efforts primarily to the poor and needy in the UK and at the same time to engage in social welfare policy to help promote social change. According to Okitikpi and Aymers (2003) social work professionals working with African refugees are often frustrated and poorly resourced to manage families who suffer from difficult lifestyle experiences due to poverty and social exclusions. Also Okitikpi and Aymer (2003) are of the view that problems of poverty and working in partnership with African families alleged of child abuse or maltreatment would be better and easier managed should social workers engage in open direct interventions. Bernard Gupta (2008) highlights the difficulties social workers face when assessing and making interventions regarding African children and their families whose cultures differ from the majority white population in the UK. Therefore the argument that the miss ion of social work is to promote social change and alleviate poverty in society by engaging with social welfare policy rather than interventions at family levels is currently the pivot of strong debate. The term social work intervention as defined by IFSW: Usually describes work undertaken with individuals, families, groups and communities. In this context the term is to cover the use of social work knowledge and skills when using it within a social care organisation to facilitate the provision of services and practice consistent with the Codes of Practice and with standards of service and practice, and to promote social inclusion and life opportunities of people using the services IFSW (2000). Types of Social Work Intervention According to Elde-Woodward (2002), there are three fundamental methods or stages of intervention. The first method of intervention, Elde-Woodward describes as macro social work intervention which involves directing social work practice to society or communities as a whole. This type of social work practice includes policy forming and advocacy on a national or international scale. The second method of intervention is mezzo social work practice, which involves working with agencies, small organizations, and other small groups directly or indirectly related to social work practice to make policies or developing programs for a particular community. The third method of intervention is the Micro social work practice which involves offering direct service to individuals and families. Hartnett et al (2005) research on the role perceptions of social workers and social work students shows that only very few actually engage in policy-practice that focus on social policy formulation and advocacy . There are a wide variety of activities that falls under the category of social work practice and social work professionals works in many different settings of employment. Basically social workers engage in clinical practice, find themselves working with individuals or families. However, social workers who serve in community practice are engage with the mezzo or macro stages of social work. Spratt et al (2004) findings shows that social work intervention with individuals or families is the most popular and effective method of intervention that bring about social change in individual lives. Social work intervention aims to help children or families to identify, and to establish appropriate relationships with social workers that will enhance their livelihood. The purpose of the intervention is diverse and ranges from increasing life skills or changing behaviour to increase life options and to cope with changing life situations and transitions (Smale, Tuson and Statham, 2000). Identifying and acknowledging child abuse Many schools of thought argue that social workers could assist families living in poverty to identify issues of child abuse by showing empathy, establishing working relationships and engaging in appropriate interventions. In any of the situations there are a number of factors making African families living in poverty to be alleged of maltreating or abusing their children. Some of these factors are poor parenting practices, lack of knowledge about the laws pertaining in the country of residence and ethno-centric discrimination and racism (Elder-Woodward, 2002). Child abuse cases referred by other agencies for the attention of local authority social services may result in interventions that usually draw children into child protection system. Such interventions do not always consider the financial and social situations such parents find themselves, but used by social work professionals in manner to comply with government legislation and the responsibility of protecting or safeguarding c hildren. For instance, parents living on meagre income hardly could sustain the family financial commitments, or such parents may not consider the legal implications of living children alone in the house for work, as often such children are seen wandering the streets or become school dropouts due to poor parental care and support. Social workers distinctive contribution for families living in extreme poverty and experiencing social exclusion is o employ empathy, communication and relationship skills to help identify and to acknowledge issues of child abuse (Spratt et al 2004). Intervention within the social work process is not a static, snapshot or a holistic process whereby social workers arrives at definitive answer to protect vulnerable children from further harm. However, the fundamental interpersonal skills require of social workers is the key to identifying the possible causes of child abuse or maltreatment in a family setting, through the building of appropriate relationship with the families and collaborating with other interested agencies (Lloyd and Taylor, 1990). Most often than not social workers take ethnocentric and prejudice approach at the initial contact with African families accused of child abuse and consequently arrive at a judgemental decision. With the right relationship with African families involve in child abuse cases social work professionals are positive to understand the needs of such families and what type of intervention is appropriate to help address their problems. Intervention skills used by social workers fits most easily i nto the traditional frameworks in which social work is usually taught to qualifying students, but less easily recognized as intervention by most social workers once in practice. Arguably, the core skills of intervention have not been grasped in its entity practising social workers and hence are not consciously transferred across situations where is most needed. Intervening child abuse Social work involves intervening children and familys situation and problems through appraisal of what information is available and what information is gathered from the family after initially assessing the familys financial and social status, with collaboration with other organisations and professionals working with the family. Many authors argue that social worker should lead families alleged of child abuse through the intervention process, highlighting and explaining the importance of working together to agree on the most appropriate intervention needed to bring social change. Furthermore, social workers use a range of knowledge, models and frameworks to decide what method of intervention is needed to achieve the desired result. To ensure that collated information from all quarters leads to informed intervention, social workers need to establish working relationships of trust with African families and other professionals. They must be able to understand the socio-economic status a nd parenting practices of African families, through their own knowledge and skill, or by drawing on that of others. Social workers recognition and understanding of parents behavioural patterns, complicated with poverty, understanding of diverse cultures and building of good working relationships are vital to successful interventions. There is evidence in the literature to suggest that social workers and other related professionals have difficulty fostering good working relationship with black African families alleged of child abuse cases as such families have no trust in the child protection system. Therefore social workers need to develop the requisite skills and behaviours to understand the problems of African families living under the poverty line, and who may have little or no knowledge of the child protection system in the UK. In recognition of the difficulties inherent in deploying effective interventions the Department of Health introduced the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families ( DH 2000). Macdonald (2002) notes the pitfalls that arise when conducting assessments leading to social work intervention. It is not just simple to follow a framework setting out the areas to be investigated, as social workers need to exercise professional judgement and be alert to unconscious bias which may creep into the work, distorting assessments and the degree of interventions. Social Work Intervention and environmental influences Bernard Gupta (2008) literature review on black African children and child protection system emphasize the adverse effects of poverty and social exclusion on parenting capacity and childrens development, which have been identified as a major factor in most families involved in care proceedings (Brophy et al, 2003). African families are proportionally more likely to live in poverty than majority whites in Britain as many undertake low-income paid jobs (Kyambi, 2005), have their rights to support services withdrawn under section 17 of the 1989 Children Act, (Kholi, 2006) and income, employment opportunities and access to support services are determined by their immigration and asylum status (Bernard Gupta, 2008). The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, recognises the need to protect children who experience a deprived childhood due to families living in poverty, and requires governments to ensure all children have an adequate standard of living as a basic right. The UN recognizes that deprivation during childhood undermines the fundamental rights which children, as well as adults, should enjoy, including access to key services such as health, education and social services (Monteith McLaughlin, 2005). Available evidence shows that poverty and social deprivation during childhood has adverse effects on children developments and limits their capacity to reach full potential and will perpetuate social inequalities across generations within populations. The Labour government pledge to reducing poverty in the country was a step forward to achieve social change among families, but did not explicitly define the target groups that are mainly living in extreme poverty. The Labour governments anti poverty strategy involves policies to increase the incomes of poor families by improving child-related benefits and tax credits and the introduction of a national minimum wage. The governments Sure Start initiative and the National Childcare Strategy in the UK provide affordable childcare provision for working parents. Moreover, the publication of the document Every Child Matters set outs the government approach to the wellbeing of children and young people (McLaughlin Monteith 2005). The sure start initiative provides a lot of support to parents struggling to care for their children, but the limited number of branches across the country only seems to assist the majority white families. Bradshaw (2001) and Stewart Hill (2005) argue that the go vernments child poverty reduction strategies may be easier to achieve in short-term basis but not achieving much in long term. The main official working document for many British child protection social workers is the Department of Health (DoH), 1988 document, Protecting Children: A Guide for Social Workers undertaking a Comprehensive Assessment, but has its limitations when working with black African families (Chands, 1999). It is arguable to say that taking children into public care because their parents are not capable of providing adequate care may be due to the withdrawal of all support services in accordance with section 9 of the 2004 Asylum an Immigration Act (Kelly Meldgaard, 2005). Evidence shows that basic physical care that families are expected to provide for children becomes limited by inadequate housing, unemployment, poverty, and social exclusion particularly with black African families living in poverty. It is argued that any assessment process that reflects the inadequate provision of care as the failure of black people and as indicator of child abuse rather than the effects of racial inequality is in itself racist. Furthermore, as black African families are disadvantaged in many circumstances, it is arguable that they will face higher levels of risk from the harmful effects of inappropriate social work intervention and misjudgement (Chands, 1999). Social Work Intervention and parental behaviours The history of over-representation of black children in the child protection system, according to Chand (1999) dates back to the 1960s. Research shows that black children are quick to enter into the child protection system than their white counterparts, for reasons such as parenting behaviours, culture and social and economic problems. Many research work relating to the differences in child-rearing and poverty in the UK show that black African families are often at risk of being stereotyped as not capable of parenting children in the most appropriate way. Therefore, social workers have a responsibility to understand issues framing the experiences of African children at risk of significant harm, ad not to create the general impression that all African families are not capable. According to Chand (1999) despite the very obviousness of the diversity of childhoods, we live and work in a society which tends to assume that there is just one kind of childhood that is normal and ordinary (Rogers, 1989, p. 97). The issues of punishment, parental behaviour and discipline, complicated with poverty are controversial concepts among black African families living in the UK, which often draw them into the arena of child protection system. According to Bernard Gupta (2008), the literature that exists focuses on the African families where their parenting is deemed to be below the threshold of what is considered proper. This dysfunction within African families can risk reproducing stereotypes of this group as deficient, thus fostering a pathological viewpoint of African family relationship. It is widely accepted that black African family relationships with white social workers working with them, is always strained with mistrust and non-acceptance. Available research shows that (Chands, 1999), different child-rearing practices, as a result of socio-economic status permeates different cultures and social workers working with families of different cultural values and beliefs may experience difficulty i n understanding what parental behaviours are acceptable and not acceptable. Thus, to distinguish whether a particular child-rearing practice is deviant to societal norm, social workers will always have to dwell on the knowledge acquired from both formal and informal training, experiences and their moral judgements, to employ the most appropriate intervention process applicable to the family. Bernard Gupta (2008) claims that African family relationships, like those of many minority ethnic groups, are often constructed differently from the conventional nuclear family model that exist in the majority culture in contemporary Britain. Cultural values and more importantly poverty influence the lives of many black African children and their families involved in the child protection system (Thorburn et al, 2005). In order for social workers to establish a good working relationship when working with black African families and children living in poverty, Chands (1999) argues that it is param ount for social workers to have a sound knowledge and understanding of what is acceptable and unacceptable parental behaviours within the cultural background of the families. If not, social workers may intervene in alleged child abuse cases inappropriately. There are a few data on the impact of poverty and cultural values in influencing expectations, motivations, roles and approaches to parenting and perceiving what constitutes harmful behaviours (Barn et al., 2006). It is debatable to define in specific terms how children should be discipline from the view points of parents and professionals and what type and degree of punishments are deem appropriate for a misbehaving child. Barn et al (2006) findings show that African families do not punish their children any different from the majority white families and that there is no evidence of using more severe physical punishment (Thorburn et al., 2005). However, research shows that working-class white families presumably employ more smacking, which is a form of physical punishment, in an attempt to manage children behaviours and corporal punishment is still practise in schools outside the state sector, which are mainly occupied by middle-class children. Yet in general, as the vast majority o f African parents use physical punishment as a form of discipline to manage their children behaviours, they are inevitably alleged of abusing their children (Chands, 1999). These are related to their cultural background, their socio-economic status, and their own personalities (Phillips Dutt 2000). For example, Ellis (2006) maintained that in African culture there is little fondling and kissing of infants and any kind of caressing stops when the child is toddling. Black Africans express their affection and love in a different way, through good physical attention, such as bathing, skin-care and hair-care (Chands, 1999). This illustrates the necessity to understand different cultures in order to guard against misinterpretations of parenting behaviour, and to ask why a black African parent may not be showing any obvious signs of affection towards their child. Moreover, the unrealistic expectation by white social workers should be understandably measured in the light of the parents anx iety about their childrens future considering the poverty levels of many black African children living the United Kingdom (Beranard Gupta 2006). With regard to responsibility and independence, many research shows that most white social workers seem to adopt euro-centric approach when working with black African children and their families (Chands, 1999). In effect black African children are either not protected because they are seen to be able to cope with situations not deemed appropriate for white children, or where black African children are not taking on similar responsibilities to their white counterparts they are deemed to be at risk of abuse or deprivation (Chands, 1999). For instance, the issue of older siblings caring for younger ones in the case with many black African families may be decisive in the workers assessment of risk of significant harm to the child. According to Chands (1999) there is the need to question why this should be when a high level of both responsibility and independence by the older sibling can be clearly demonstrated. It must be emphasized therefore that although child abuse occurs in all races and cultures, workers must guard against viewing suspected abuse through the norms and values of their own background. A further point is that black African families unwillingness or resistance to the assessment and intervention process employ by social workers working on alleged child abuse cases should not be seen as evidence of guilt, as the system may be new to them or a good working relationship is not there. Finally, Chands (1999) explains that in order to make the intervention process fairer for all black African families, it is necessary for majority white workers and institutions to understand that most black African parents may be less aware of child protection procedures, may be living in poverty, and their experience in the UK make them more susceptible to the child protection system. Some researchers have identified the importance of understanding how poverty complicate different cultural values, which in many cases explains the motivation behind parental actions when managing unacceptable behaviours of their children (Barn et al, 2006) and in their research on normative parenting there is no significant differences between ethnic groups with regard to physical punishment of children (Bernard Gupta, 2008). CHAPTER FIVE IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE There is some evidence in the literature to suggest that social workers and other professionals struggle to manage the complex needs and social circumstances of many African families (Bernard Gupta, 2008). According to Hayes Spratt (2008), social workers are more engage with child protection work, but not in way that is readily understood by those who legislate, set policy and measure performance. Social workers may lack the necessary tools to adequately differentiate borderline cases from high-risk cases, couple with poor collaboration with other professionals, classifying certain parenting practices as politically and ethically unacceptable and their own personal cultural values, they turn to route all borderline child abuse cases through the child protection processes. It might seem paradoxical that in recent years social workers, who are seen as the force for conformity, are frequently criticized for acting more in the interests of society than in the interests of service users . However, when social workers relate more with families than just aiming to achieve governments target, they build good working relationships with those they serve and help liberate them from oppression, poverty and social deprivation. Thus, social workers engaging more with methods of intervention which liberate children and their families from poverty, deprivation and social exclusion are really working to the principles and ethics of social work practice as defined by IFSW in contemporary Britain. Social work professionals almost always draw exclusively on sociology and political science knowledge base, believing that individuals can be wholly human only within the context of a benign environment and a just social order. Evidence shows that changing the social system of African families who suffer oppression through poverty and social exclusion by empowering them, not only means liberating them from social injustice, but also promoting family dignity and happiness. According to Bernard Gupta (2008) the poverty and social circumstances experience by many African families pose challenges for parents and children, as well as social work professionals working to safeguard and promote children welfare. Therefore, it is the requirement of the social workers to consider African families poverty and social circumstances before deciding on what intervention process will most help change their life. Recent governments efforts to change the objective social work from perhaps overemphasi zes on child protection agenda to a more preventative approach in alleged child abuse cases, have not entirely favoured African families living in poverty who are accuse of being deficient in their child-rearing behaviours. Social workers invariably experience the dilemma of choosing between directing efforts to child welfare process or child protection process and not see children suffer further abuse under the context of poverty. The broader development of the new theoretical perspectives based on systems theory will assist social work professionals working with children and African families to consider a more specific view of their roles and to help develop effective relationships with African families with the view of understanding their individual, emotional as well as social needs. A lack of good relationship with African families will adversely impact on social workers ability to understand their parenting behaviours so as to employ the appropriate method of intervention (Bernard Gupta, 2008). There are four main reasons for the need for a new perspective. Policy changes resulting in a change in method of intervention The policy environment to which social work practice relates continues to change to bring about the necessary social change. According to Platt (2006) persistent demands on social workers from the government and including inadequate staff, the bureaucracy and central government targets, and policies on refugees and asylum seekers, creates difficulty for social work to offer a wide range of family support services. Research shows that many African families may benefit more when they are routed away from child protection system towards child welfare services (Hayes Spratt, 2008). However, the governments response to Lord Lamings Report in Every Child Matters following the death of Victoria Climbie, has strengthen child protection and increase the number of cases routed through child welfare processes. Therefore it is important for social workers to subject parenting practices influenced by poverty to thorough scrutiny during assessment process to help achieve better outcomes for Afric an children. Poverty can create forms of disempowerment for children when it is used to justify parental behaviours and practices that violate their right (Bernard Gupta, 2008). Further to this point, social workers sometimes face resistance when assessing parenting problems, and more importantly their judgements about what should be consider as significant harm, when parents use poverty as a yardstick for their behaviours. Chand (1999) argue that due to the large number of cases of child abuse and child protection issues among black African children and families, social workers should take the initiative and be proactive by liaising with the families they serve, informing them about where they draw their boundaries. Changes in the knowledge and skill base As with any profession there are both new approaches and new understandings about the effectiveness of specific interventions. Investment in research and the dissemination of knowledge and skills in health remains vast greater than in social care. But the strengthening of these resources in social work and social care should result in more knowledge based practice and management in the medium and long term. The case for recognising different sources of knowledge has been made and the multiplicity of information collected in various departments need to include that produced through the experience and expertise of people using the services and front line workers as well as from research. According to Chand (1999) training either formally or informally, is important for social workers working with black African families with child-rearing issues since it can raise the issue of how black African families meet their children needs differently. The training should be integrated into the so cial work training syllabus in higher education and this would broaden the understanding of students which may dispel some of the myths around black African families and their child-rearing practices and alleviate the potential of pathologizing them in child care practices (Chand, 1999). Technological and structural changes Recent technological changes, identification of gaps in knowledge and skills new areas of working are emerging which is resulting in the provision of services falling behind service demands. For instance global movements have necessitated the need for social workers to work with African children and families migrating to the UK with existing poor backgrounds, to work with asylum seekers or refugees escaping from own countries in political turmoil or at war (Newburn, 1993). New technologies and the growing familiarity of the public in using social welfare services opens up new forms of interventions particularly to assist African families living poverty in the UK. In areas where there is rapid development or new issues with social work practice there is the necessity in advance of theory. Strategies in these circumstances may include transferring existing knowledge and skills to the new area, drawing on any international experience and expertise, networking to share and learn from exp erience and research on needs and effective responses. Initially these may need to be done separately to structure a different perspective before it is possible to bring experience and learning together in new ways. Multi organisational or Partnership Intervention For intervention to meet the required target, it all depends on proper initial assessment, but many of the assessment tools that are employ such as DoH (2000) Framework for the Assessment of children in need and their families may disadvantage black African families due to the eurocentric approach of social workers. Research shows that partnership is needed to embrace both good working relationships and appropriate intervention process (Chand, 1999). Against this background, children in need may be given preventative supports and will prevent vulnerable children from abuse or maltreatment. Therefore greater attention should be given to support professional social work practice, and safeguarding the value base, the relationship and the process of good practice, expertise of social workers and related professions. Implications and issues for considerations Recent studies on African families and the child protection system show that these families are disproportionately represented at different levels in the child care system. The existing intervention tools for social work practice are grounded within ethnocentric epistemologies and, as the foundation for social work theory and practice, are not well equipped for the task of nurturing and developing African families and their children. This is evident, for example, in the sustained over-representation of black children in the care system and in the lack of supportive social work services designed to meet their needs. It is therefore important for the development of new theoretical perspectives based on systems theory to help social workers who work with African children and families. This will enable social workers to take a broader view of their role and to develop a vivid perception of parenting behaviours and practices of these families which are complicated with poverty so that a m ore appropriate method of intervention are employed in their judgement. The extreme poverty experience by many African families pose challenges for social workers working to safeguard and promote childrens welfare (Bernard and Gupta, 2008). The Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families (Department of Health, 2000) based on the ecological approach places a requirement on social workers to also consider the low income status of parents when intervening cases of child abuse. These approaches provide an essential framework for work with African children and families, both in terms of the context of their lives and the process of the work being undertaken. In order to safeguard and promote the welfare of West African children, a starting point must be an acknowledgement of sources of maltreatment of children in the context of poverty (Bernard and Gupta, 2006). The dissertation highlights the importance of social workers considering the poverty situations of many African families who have immigrated to the United Kingdom, particularly those who have recently arrived into the country. Most of the African families may be asylum seekers or refugees with insecure social status and may have very limited understanding of the child protection or welfare state system in the UK (Bernard Gupta, 2008). Therefore only throug

The Problems of SOL Testing :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

The Problems of SOL Testing Education is one of the most important tools that society possesses. The right implementation of this tool is one of the greatest ways of assuring the quality of life within a society. The ability to better ourselves, is one of the strongest inherit abilities of the human race. At its most basic definition, education is nothing more than the teaching of ideas. The early stages of schooling instill more attitude and social skills than knowledge. The younger stages of a person's life are usually the most definable years of their lives. As the age and skill level of the student increases, more education is based upon the interest of the student. For society to progress and excel, every generation must learn just a little more. Education is important and the ways that it is tested should show the most accurate measure of achievement. SOL's (Standards of Learning) is the testing I am going to explain, and why it should not be required in high school as a form of measurement of a s tudents achievement. First of all, what is SOL testing? SOL (Standards of Learning) Tests are prescribed tests in the state of Virginia that must be taken in order for students to attain credits required to graduate. SOL's are the minimum curriculum requirements for student achievement, so they say. This test is designed to test knowledge in subjects such as history, math, science, english and computer science. SOL's are required tests in the state of Virginia in order for a student to graduate. According to the Virginia Board of Education, SOL test scores are the single best measure of students' and schools performance and should be the primary criteria for graduation and accreditation. But is this really true? According to fairtest.org, no standardized test can accurately measure a student's achievement. Multiple choice tests cannot truly assess critical thinking, problem solving, and application skills. The only real tests of knowledge are through essay questions and performance tests. I don't believe any single test should be used to make big decisions concerning students futures. The Virginia Board of Education, according to fairtest.org, also believes that SOL's set reasonable targets for essential knowledge and skills all teachers must teach and students must learn.

Twelth Night by Shakespeare

* Characters; I have a recommended choice from either, 1. Olivia, The countess of the countess's household. 2. Viola, A visitor of the Island Illyria, which will later be called Cesario. 3. Malvolio, The countess's steward. I am going to choose Viola. Because I believe that there is more information to write up on this character because of two sides's to write about one person. (So therefore, more to write about and less research!) How would you present your character in a film/theatre production? I would present my Twelfth Night play as a film, due to sound, lighting, and computer effects, and also because you can change the scenery in a matter of second's in a film where as you can only use 1 set in a theatre. Example; In act1 scene2 where the play mentions that the â€Å"Captain† and â€Å"Viola† are on the sea coast of Illyria with pieces of shipwreck all over the beach. After having a good old chat about where they are, it cuts short to act1 scene3 in Orsinos palace. In a theatre that would be hard to do (maybe impossible!) But in a film it would be easy. The only reason that I would go for a theatre approach is if I wanted it to be traditional. (Which I don't!) I would also base the costumes in Elizabethan times, because then the dialect would go with the clothing. My play would be based on a Mediterranean Island that all the people that live on the island talk a hint of Italian, but not the clown (feste) and visitors. Viola is on a ship with her brother (Sebastian) and crew on their way to a unknown destination, until, a large storm hits the vessel causing all members on board to abandon ship. Most of the crew survive but are unknown in the play; the Captain and Viola escape on the same life raft and get washed up on the shores of Illyria. This island is where the whole of the play takes place and where the countess and duke both live. The play begins; The play starts off at Orsio's palace (act1 scene1), with Orsino saying â€Å"if music be the food of love play on† (words follow) and goes to act 1 scene 2, which shows viola and the captain in a life boat all tired and disorientated, Viola â€Å"what country is this dear sir?† Captain â€Å"this place be Illyria, me lady† Viola â€Å"and what should I do in Illyria? My brother he is in Elysium. Perchance he is not drowned; what think you sir? Captain â€Å"It is perchance that you were saved, me lady† Viola â€Å"O my poor brother, he did not live to see the light of day†¦ And so perchance he maybe.† And so on so forth, they keep talking about how she has to become male to be a servant of the duke, so, the captain and her promise to not tell anyone that she's not a man. But the bit that I find funny is that she pretends to be a male by saying that she was castrated as a young lad and that her/his voice hadn't broke. (That was hard to explain!) Act 2 scene 1 Act 2 scene 1 tells you that Sebastian (viola's brother) is alive and well! But not only that but he's on the coast of Illyria as well. Act 2 scene 3 Act 2 scene 3 introduces you to feste the fool! (Clown) I find feste the most interesting character because not only is he more clever than most people on the island Example; Act1 scene5 line 53 Olivia â€Å"well, sir, for want to other idol ness, I'll bide your proof† Feste â€Å"Good Madonna, why morn'st thou?† Olivia â€Å"good fool, for my brothers death† Feste â€Å"I think his soul is in hell, Madonna† Olivia â€Å"I know his soul is in heaven, fool† Feste â€Å"the more fool you Madonna, to mourn your brothers soul being in heaven. Take away the fool gentlemen.† but he uses technical words to humiliate other people. Feste belongs to the duke to humiliate people and to please him e.g. jokes, dance, and sing songs. Example; O mistress mine, where are you coming? O stays and hears, for your true loves coming, That can sing for both high and low. Trip no further, pretty sweeting; Journeys end in lovers meeting Every wise man son doth know.

Spc2608 Exam Two Study Guide

Chapter 24: Persuasive Speaking Goal: reach desired ends through an honest means I. Persuasion ‘the art’ –faculty of observing in a given case the available means of persuasion. Persuasion is symbolic, non-coercive (not forced) influence 3 factors: Context—social, cultural, political climate Agent—persuader Receiver—audience **Equal opp. To persuade, Complete revelation of agendas—let audience know complete list of goals and how you intend to get audience there, Critical receivers—have to understand what’s being said Responsible agent—takes communication seriouslyTake responsibility for what is said and deal with consequencesFosters informed choice—gives all sidesAppeals to the best in people—not the worstConsider receiverAware of attempts to influence—be aware of motivesInformed about important topicsKnow their own biases—know what predisposes us—careful not to engage in defensive listeningAware of methods of persuasionInfluence the beliefs, attitude, and acts of others Focus on motivation: What motivates listeners? Make your message personally relevant Demonstrate the benefit of change Set modest goalsTarget issues the audience feels strongly about Establish credibilityII. Speeches built upon argument, 3 forms of appeals: Logos, Ethos, PathosLogos—appeal to reason or logic, *Aristotle wished that all appealing done through LOGOS *Our ability to articulate rationality, appealing to logic and using reasoning to persuadeEthos—credibility, moral character. To establish speaker credibility: * Present topics honestly, establish identification, commonality, and goodwill, use personal knowledgePathos—emotional states of audience.Pride, love, anger etc. rive our actions–Done through vivid imagery **Aristotle said: Two main sources of immediate emotion= LOVE AND FEAR Syllogism— Major premise obvious statement Minor premiseextension of major premises logic Conclusionderived from above two MAIN ONE: All humans are mortal Socr ates is human Socrates is mortal RHETORICAL SYLLOGISM=Enthymeme * Created by Aristotle * He claims that this communicates without saying EVERYTHING—audience can fill in blanks * Idea is that we can fill in the blank ourselves—that process is powerful—us persuading ourselves 3 cornerstones of ethical fitness:Credibility-confidence, character, ETHOS (as speaker)—worthy of trust *Makes people want to listen to us, tend to it with care Integrity—a state of incorruptibility—should signal that we are willing to avoid compromising the truth for the sake of personal expediency Stability—respect for others, cooperation, self-sacrifice Being audience centered—to whom and for whom, worthy, honored, and respected as individualsIII. Target listener needsMaslow’s hierarchy of needs—each of us has a basic set of needs that range from crucial to self-improving. Ex. To convince one to use seatbelts, appeal to ones need for safety. basic needs: Physiological, Safety, Social, Self-esteem, and Self-actualizationIV. Mental EngagementCentral processing: seriously consider your message, more likely to act Peripheral processing: Lack motivation to judge argument based on merits—most likely won’t experience meaningful change **For Central processing Link argument to practical concerns, present message at appropriate level of understanding, demonstrate common bond, stress credibilityV. Sound arguments—offer conclusion, evidence, link to reasoningClaim: states conclusion w/ evidence. A line of reasoning is called a warrant. Fact: Focus on truth/lie, what will/won’t happen—address issue with 2+ sides Value: Address judgment issues, right VS wrong Policy: recommend specific course of action—propose specific outcome Deductive reasoning: begin with general principle, use specifics, lead to conclusion Inductive: from specific to generalizations supported—evidence pointing to conclusionVI. Logical fallacy: false statement leading to invalid reasoningBegging the question—argument stated so that it cannot help but be true, even without evidenceBandwagoning—uses unsubstantiated opinion as false evidenceEither-or—gives only two alternatives Ad hominem argument—targets a person and not the argumentRed herring—relies on irrelevant premise for conclusionHasty generalization—argument where, in an isolated incidence, it proves true and is used to make an unwarranted general conclusionNon sequitur—â€Å"does not follow† conclusion doesn’t = reasoningSlippery slope—fault assumption that one case will lead to events or actionsAppeal to tradition—Suggest audience should agree b/c its â€Å"the way its always been†Addressing core values: Cultural norms, cultural premises, emotions **BE SENSITIVEVII. Monroe’sMotivated sequence: 5 step process, arouse listener attention + end wit h call of action—effective when you want audience to do somethingStep 1 attention, addresses core concerns, relevance, credibility, etc.Step 2 Need, describes issue at hand, shows importance of needStep 3 Satisfaction, identify solution—proposalStep 4 Visualization, vision of anticipated outcomeStep 5 Action, ask audience to act in accordance to acceptance of message 4 pillars of character:Trustworthiness—being honest, revealing the true purpose. Honest and dependableRespect–recognize audience members are unique—NO PERSONAL ATTACKS, allow audience power of rational choiceResponsibility—accountability for what we say and do—offering appropriate appealsFairness—acknowledge all sides of issue—giving the audience enough information to make a decision**In addition—Caring and Citizenship Caring—being kind and compassionate Citizenship—doing our part as citizens Chapter 16: Using LanguageI. Style * Simplici ty—translate jargon into common terms * Be concise—use fewer words, use repetition * Personal pronouns—Draw audience in, encourage involvement Concrete language VS Abstract Concrete: conveys specific and tangible meanings * Abstract: general, leaves meaning to interpretation Imagery—concrete language that paints pictures * Figures of speech: metaphors, similes, and analogies where words are used in nonliteral fashion to achieve rhetorical effect Code switching: selective use of dialect that can give your speech friendliness, humor, earthiness, nostalgia, etc. AVOID: * Malapropisms—incorrect uses of word where it sounds like it fits * Biased language * Unnecessary JargonII. Voice—active, indicates subject relation to action Use culturally sensitive and gender-neutral language, shows respect for beliefs, norms, and traditions Repetition to create rhythm—repeating key words or phrases to create distinctive rhythm and enforce idea into mi nds of listeners * Anaphora: Repeated phrase at beginning of successive phrases/clauses/sent. Ex. I Have A Dream-MLK Alliteration for poetic quality—Repetition of same sounds in 2+ neighboring words * Ex. â€Å"Down with dope, up with hope†-Jesse Jackson Parallelism—arrangement of words/phrases in similar form Helps to emphasize important ideas of the speech, creates rhythm* Ex. Orally numbering points Device of antithesis (One small step for man, one giant leap for man kind) * Repeating a key word in intro, body, and conclusion Chapter 25: Speaking on special occasions Speech that is prepared for a purpose dictated by the occasion, can be informative or persuasive **Commemorative speech—pays tribute with fundamental purpose to inspire audience Employ imagery—stylistic devices, varied rhythm * Antithesis, alliteration, assonance * Hyperbole—deliberately overstating in a fanciful way * Analogy Use fresh language—avoid overused phrases, select words that capture the thought * Avoid monotony, vary rhythm, use humorWhen using humor: * Familiarize self with devices of humor—exaggeration, iron, anti-statement, joke telling * Analyze our own talents when delivering humorous speeches—focus on what other people think is funny about you, not what YOU think is funny * Avoid humor pitfalls—steer clear of anything offensive * Use humorous everyday experiences—relatable Consider audience—To whom/for whom we speak * Address audience in ways that will resonate with them * Use mood to craft an appropriate message ** Meaning is created in the nexus between speaker and audienceI.Special Occasion Speech function To entertain, celebrate, commemorate, inspire or set social agenda * Entertain—listeners expect light-hearted, amusing speech. Speaker offers degree of insight on topic * Celebrate—Speaker praises subject of celebration—a degree of ceremony in accordance with norms of the occasion * Commemorate—offer tribute and memories * Inspire—ex. Inaugural address, key note speech, commencement—motivate by examples of achievement * Set social agenda—articulation of goal/group’s values, ex. Fundraisers, banquets, cause oriented gatheringsII.Speech of Introduction: Warms up the audience for main speaker, heighten interest, and build credibility FOUR ELEMENTS background, subject of message, occasion, audience * Speaker background—achievements and facts showing why speaker is relevant * Subject, Preview topic—sense of why subject is of interest, does NOT evaluate speech or comment on it * Ask for audience welcome * Be brief—2 minute max.III. Speech of Acceptance—response to an award. Purpose: express gratitude for honor * Prepared in advance * Express what the award means to you, convey its value * Show gratitude, thank people by nameIV. Speech of Presentation— (1) communicate meaning of the a ward and (2) Explain why recipient is receiving it Convey award’s meaning: what it is for and represents, mention sponsors and their link to the award Explain why recipient is receiving it: Highlight achievements, qualifying attributes, and why he deserves it Plan physical presentation: Consider logistics beforehandV. Roast/Toast, roast—humorous tribute that pokes fun, toast—short celebrating speech focused on achievement * Prepare: draft, rehearse, etc. but appear impromptu * Highlight traits: Limit to 1-2 best attributes that convey qualities hat make the person a focus of celebration * Be positive: have a positive tone as it pays tribute to honoree * Be briefVI. Eulogy/other, Eulogy derived from Greek words â€Å"to praise† Usually done by a close friend or family member of deceased Celebrates a person’s life, commemorating while consoling those left behind * Balance delivery and emotion—Audience is seeking guidance dealing with the loss, give them closure. * Refer to family of deceased—Show respect and mention names, as the funeral is primarily to benefit them * Be positive, but realistic: Emphasize deceased’s positive qualities, but avoid excess praiseVII. After Dinner Speech—light hearted and entertaining; listeners are to gain insight into topic. Usually given at some time during a civil, business, or professional meeting as it is to follow a formal dinner * Recognize occasion—speech should be on topic to avoid appearing canned or used over and over in diff. settings. Keep remarks low key to be considerate to those eatingVIII. Inspiration Speech—motivate listener to positively consider, reflect on, or act according to speaker’s words. Use emotional force; urge us towards purer motives reminding us of a common good. Appeal to emotions—(1) vivid description and (2) emotionally charged words * Use real stories—Examples of REAL people accomplishing goals and tr iumphing adversities * Be dynamic—inspire through delivery * Have clear goals * Distinctive organization device—help audience remember message Ex. Acronyms * Dramatic ending—inspires audience to feel or act Persuasion Aristotle, called persuasion â€Å"rhetoric† or â€Å"the art. †Defined as: â€Å"the faculty of observing in a given case the available means of persuasion. † Kenneth Burke: persuasionâ€Å"artful use of the resources of ambiguity. †¦Stay away from specifics; find ways to have the audience identify with the action or side that we want—much like advertising! **Think of â€Å"persuasion as enlightenment—as an opportunity to view a different perspective. †Ã¢â‚¬â€œA chance to create something from nothing by establishing new relationships by sharing experiences, and creating understanding in contentious issues. Ethical Persuasion: Ethical communication and persuasion are an ideal—our communication improves exponentially the closer we get to this ideal. The goal is to reach the desired ends through an honest means. **Persuasion is symbolic, non-coercive influence.Symbolic communication – language is our symbolic representation of reality–Non coercive=not forced, we have a choice. In order for persuasion to occur ethically the target of the persuasive message must have the perception of choice, they must understand that they have a choice whether or not to accept the persuasive appeal. In order for this perception of choice to be a reality, several conditions must be met, if these conditions are not met, then the communicative act is coercion not persuasion. Checklist for responsible persuasion–should do before we engage—ethically, we should aim to ensure certain characteristics/qualities exist.The three factors:I. Context – where, the climate—cultural, politicalII. Agent – the persuaderIII. Receiver – audienceI. Context (three conditions that must be met for ethical persuasion) 1. Both/All sides should have equal opportunity to persuade (if we only hear one side we have no choice! ) and ALL sides should have equal access to communication media (but in most cases one needs money for this).2. There should be complete revelation of agendas—each side must notify the audience of its true aims and goals and say how it intends to go about achieving them. This means that you must tell the audience where you want to take them eventually, not just steps along the way—they should know your ultimate aim, so you should divulge aim.3. The third condition, and most important, is that there must be critical receivers, receivers who test the assertions and evidence available. To be ethical communication there must be people who can evaluate what is being said—an informed public with tools to analyze, or the speaker/agent should provide them tools. It is both the speaker and audiences fault beca use no one wants to take the time to learn, work, critically evaluate, etc.II. Agent 1. The responsible agent takes communication seriously and is prepared to take responsibility for what is said and to deal with the consequences.2. Responsible communication fosters informed choice. We should aim to give the audience both sides of the issues we are advocating—to give them all the information that is available and then inform them why our side is better.3.The responsible agent appeals to the best in people, not the worst. We must be careful not to take advantage of an audience’s fears, ignorance, or biases—if people are coerced they’ll jump ship later.III. Receiver (four things to consider)1. Responsible receivers are aware of attempts to influence. We must be alert, critical, and constantly aware of the motives of the messages around us and attempts to persuade.2. Responsible receivers stay informed about important topics. Issues affecting us must be inve stigated so that we are ready when persuasive messages hit us.  We are the engines of democracy; we must be critical and involved3. Responsible receivers know their own biases. We must avoid defending against messages simply because a message is unpleasant and or challenges what we believe. We must know what predisposes us to look at things in a certain way, and be careful not to engage in selective listening, etc. This helps us to keep from immediately discounting information.4. Responsible receivers are aware of methods of persuasion—so we should study and learn methods of persuasion (which you are doing now! ).