Social Constructionism

Social constructionism focuses on meaning and power. It maintains that, as humans, we respond to the meaning of events and objects rather than the actual objects and events themselves. This meaning is actually a construction, a product of social interaction between individuals. Our behaviour is regulated by guidelines, which make everyday life predictable and understandable. These guidelines set boundaries as to what is acceptable behaviour, and are themselves a product of social interaction. They cause us to behave in a certain way – the way that is seen as the norm. It is through social interaction that people â€Å"act and react in relation to others.†Ã‚   Through this social interaction, we learn what is acceptable and what is not. Over time these ‘rules’ become internalised within us, and eventually become a somewhat unconscious part of our lives. We end up just taking them for granted, as we begin to see that what we do is just normal (e.g. habit). Burr (1985) identifies four assumptions that the social constructionist perspective follows: The first is that, as social constructionists, we should â€Å"take a critical stance towards our taken-for-granted ways of understanding the world.†Ã‚   Whereas traditional science assumes that observation can be used to explain the nature of the world, social constructionism is wary of this opinion. It argues that just because we divide people and things in the world into categories, they may not actually be real divisions. Burr uses the example of music – there is nothing in the nature of music that denotes that it should be divided into such categories as ‘pop’ or ‘classical’. The other point Burr raises is that of ‘historical and cultural specificity’. This is the idea that the understanding we have of the world, and concepts in it, are specific to particular cultures and time periods. Burr also insists that these concepts are products of, and dependent on, the culture and the economic arrangements of the culture at that time. Consequently, all medical belief systems operate within a culture with norms, values and expectations that make sense of illness for people in that culture and set the criteria for what, locally, can count as illness. The variation in ways of understanding illness that exists across cultures and across the range of alternative medicines in our own society can also be seen historically. Foucault (1973, 1980) has persuasively argued that such ordering and classifying, with respect to human beings, has played and continues to play a key role in controlling the populace. By classifying people as normal or abnormal, mad or sane and healthy or sick, it became possible to control society by regulating work, domestic and political behaviours. For example, the certified mentally ill may not vote and may be forcibly confined, those who cannot obtain a sick note from their doctor may have no choice but to work and those whose sexuality is deemed unhealthy or abnormal may be denied access to family life. The next point Burr mentions is that people construct their own understanding of the nature of the world through social interaction. Social constructionists are especially interested in how individuals interact, particularly the idea of language. Through communication, we distinguish shared meanings. These shared meanings would be impossible without communication. The interaction that takes place between individuals never ends. Like socialisation, it exists throughout one’s life. It leads to a collective understanding of meanings. Institutions are formed, and rules and policies are put into place. This brings us on to the last of Burr’s assumptions; the idea that knowledge and social action go hand in hand. Each social construction differs, and â€Å"brings with it†¦. a different kind of action from human beings.† It is not only our behaviour that is ‘learnt’. Society affects our thoughts and emotions. Social constructionists believe that our identities in particular are shaped by society (Berger, 1963, p.140). Berger describes identity as being something that is not ‘given’, but something â€Å"bestowed in acts of social recognition.†Ã‚   Through the process of socialisation, we internalise the rules of society, and are compelled to stay loyal to these rules. Various forms of social control exist to keep us ‘in line’ and prevent us from breaking the rules. More formal types of control include law enforcement, whereas there are more subtle forms such as disapproval of deviant acts, followed by guilt and shame. Berger maintains that no society can exist without social control. (Berger, 1963, P.83) Burr argues that personalities do not necessarily exist within a person, but rather between people.   Common words used to describe people’s personalities would be somewhat meaningless if the person being described lived alone (Burr uses the example of living on a desert island). Without other people around them, how can someone be described as having a shy personality? The point Burr is trying to make is that such descriptive words often refer to our behaviour towards other people, and don’t have much meaning if you take other people away from an individual. Similarly, our personalities may change depending on whom we are with. Burr argues that although our personalities may change slightly when we are with different people, it is still ‘us’ in all of them, but each ‘you’ is affected, and socially constructed by the relationships we have with those people. The empirical study showed that managers enact a managerial role that involves portraying themselves as managers, maintaining the visual faà §ade of management, controlling themselves strictly to prevent the mask slipping, and so carrying out the symbolic role of manager. However, to be a manager also requires that there be a managerial Other, and a managerialized order requires the denigration of other participants in the organization and the arrogation of others' rights to self-determination. Managers, who are the materialized metaphysics, so to speak, of capitalist power, are in this perspective a social construction in that they belong in a social world wherein lies the possibility for thinking, and thus practising, things differently. In order to bring about change we have to understand- the mechanisms by which current pillars of power are maintained. Marxism had too simplistic an assumption about how change could be achieved and, indeed, about how the new utopia could be built. Market managerial utopianism sadly has been more successful in imposing its own vision of utopia (Parker, 2002). Postmodernism/post-structuralism, while it has not yet helped us dream the design of the utopia we desire and has, indeed, in a peculiar reverse brought pragmatism to the discussion about utopias, helps us discern and understand those mechanisms. As Laclau (1990) has pointed out, it helps us open the possibilities repressed in the taken-for-granted and seemingly ‘objective' social relations and identities. One of these mechanisms is a language of management which is now so dominant that it crowds out alternative ways of thinking of, speaking about and working in organizations. The language of management is materialized in and through managers. But it is too simple to think of the language of management as nothing more than a language of rationality, autonomy, entrepreneurship, etc. Foucault have taught to explore more deeply into any language, to discover the languages which make possible that language, and thus not to presume that the ideology spoken through the language is all that informs and sustains that power/knowledge formulation signified in writing and speech. In other words, social constructionism, as a study of how power, first, impregnates the language of management that is found in textbooks, of how readers interact with the textbook and, seduced by the language, absorb it to some extent into their identities and thus come into being as managers. Second, it is a study of how managers' identity is permeated through and through with and by the organizations in which they work. It is thus a study of how management is a social construction. All in all, the social constructionist perspective maintains that social interaction and socialisation are incredibly important, as they are the backbone for building individuals. Language is of particular importance to this perspective, and it’s argued that â€Å"language provides the basis for all our thought.†Ã‚   In this sense, it is through language that we can give our experiences meaning. In conclusion, the social constructionist perspective offers a lot of insight into the human world, especially with regards to the construction of society and individuals within it. References Berger, P, 1963, Invitation to sociology, Harmondsworth, Pelican. Burr, V, 1995, An introduction to social constructionism, London, Routledge. De Swaan, A, 2001, Human societies, Cambridge, Polity. Foucault, M., 1979, The Birth of the Clinic, London: Routledge. Foucault, M., 1980, Power/Knowledge, London: Harvester Wheatsheaf. Jenkins, R, 1996, Social identity, London, Routledge. Laclau, E., 1990, New Reflections on the Revolution of Our Time, London: Verso. Macionis, J., and Plummer, K, 2002, Sociology: a global introduction, Harlow, Prentice Hall. Oakley, A., 1985, Sex, gender and society, London, Gower. Parker, Martin, 2002, Utopia and the Organizational Imagination: Outopia. In Parker, Martin (ed.) Utopia and Organization, Oxford: Blackwell, pp. 1-8. Taylor, S., 1999, Sociology: issues and debates, Basingstoke, Palgrave. What is social constructionism? http://www.psy.dmu.ac.uk Sociology online www.sociologyonline.co.uk

Analysis of Vampire Scene in Chapter 3 Dracula Essay

Freud suggests that fear is â€Å"linked in some way to an earlier emotional response that has been repressed.† In chapter 3 Hawker experiences a great amount of fear when he is attacked by the Brides of Dracula, in a dramatic, highly sexual scene. Hawker’s submission and confusion as to whether he is experiencing pleasure of pain could, to follow Freud’s theory, be linked to a past memory in which he repressed his sexual desires. In the prudent society in which Stoker was writing, the rampant, overt eroticism of the Brides would have been shocking, and in some ways liberating. Stoker writes: â€Å"There was something about them that made me uneasy, some longing and at the same time some deadly fear. I felt in my heart a wicked, burning desire that they would kiss me with those red lips.† The Brides are wholly sexual beings, who are guided solely by their desires, and this need contrasts completely against the typical 19th century men and women- John, Lucy and Mina. This liberation from repression would and did terrify and shock society, making vampires seem more like animals, monsters. Freud wrote about the Superego, Ego and Id, the three parts of the human psyche. The Id is natural, animalistic desires, such as sex and hunger and it is the Ego’s job to ensure that these desires are controlled, in order for a human to live in an ordered society. This links well with the idea that repression leads to fear. Freud also wrote about the ‘uncanny’ which in German translates to ‘unheimlich,’ which means un-homely. The idea of uncanny is that â€Å"within the concept of the homely is the notion of concealment itself,† that where we feel safest may not be that safe at all, and that â€Å"home is a place of secrets.† In Chapter three Harker seeks comfort in a room â€Å"where, of old, ladies had sat and sung and lived sweet lives whilst their gentle breasts were sad for their menfolk away in the midst of remorseless wars.† He seeks safety and comfort in familiarity, however within the place where he appears to be safest in the castle the Brides of Dracula descend on him. Stoker writes that: â€Å"The room was the same, unchanged in any way since I came into it,† however the Brides have appeared and suddenly the atmosphere changes from that of safety and sleep to sexually charged domination. At the climax of the scene, the vampires are just about to bite Hawker’s neck, and Hawker completely and utterly submits: â€Å"I could feel the soft, shivering touch of the lips on the super sensitive skin of my throat, and the hard dents of two sharp teeth, just touching and pausing there. I closed my eyes in languorous ecstasy and waited, waited with beating heart.† It is this uninhibited pleasure that Hawker experiences that makes the scene so significant, almost as if his unconscious Id has completely taken over his Superego. The Brides do not think, they act, they are, according to Freud, the complete opposite to how normal human beings think they should behave.

The Abolition Of The Brazilian Slaves Essay - 3208 Words

The Abolition of the Brazilian Slaves Slavery in the Americas started with Christopher Columbus at the end of his first voyage, west of the Atlantic. When Columbus saw the Indians (as he called them) and he thought they would make great servants to overlords in Europe. The author writes, â€Å"he promised to bring Ferdinand and Isabella as many slaves as they required† (Nowara 10). This was a suitable proposition because the lifestyle of slavery was already embedded in the minds of the Europeans during the medieval times. The Portuguese and the Spanish were already using slaves from Africa while Columbus was discovering the Americas and the Caribbean. During sometime between 500 A.D – 1500; the Iberian Peninsula became a gateway for slavery after Spanish and Portuguese kingdoms drove out Muslim kingdoms and battled them in the North of Africa. Another place that was conquered by the Portuguese was Morocco and the city of Ceuta which was a strait in the peninsula. Giving the Portuguese control and power of t rade routes of gold and slaves. This soon brought the Portuguese west and down Africa coastline. But African slaves was already well known in parts of west and central Africa. The author writes â€Å"slavery was a well-rooted institution in the African societies with which they traded† (Nowara 12). There is proof of trade routes dating before the Atlantic slave routes, coming from the Saharan and Indian Ocean region. But the Atlantic slavery trade routes had a lot more captivesShow MoreRelatedThe Abolition of Slavery in Brazil1102 Words   |  5 PagesThe Abolition of Slavery in Brazil, 13 May 1888 Next year sees the 120th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Brazil. Some contemporary writers saw the period as an horrific maltreatment of our fellow human beings while others saw through this and viewed the patriarchal and familial advantages that society, especially slaves received. Whichever way one sees it, the period before its abolition saw a huge boost in Brazil’s economy, mainly down to its vast manpower – 37% of all African slavesRead MoreThe Treatment Of Negro Slaves Essay1417 Words   |  6 PagesAmericas was widespread and differed from each location. The use and treatment of slave in Brazil especially has been the topic of discussion among historians for decades. Brazilian slave owners used slaves in their houses, on the streets, and on plantations. Slavery in Brazil has been debated by historians since abolition. Scholars have argued over the treatment of slaves, the extensiveness of slave use, and the slave trade. The arguments made by historian s have changed throughout the 20th centuryRead MoreImmigrants During The 19th Century1267 Words   |  6 Pagesplanters reluctantly employed Afro-Brazilians. Although resentment and prejudice existed, â€Å"images of black laziness and incompetence that once served to justify planters’ and industrialists’ unwillingness to hire libertos and other Afro-Brazilians† also lost relevance because such images no longer had excluding power (Andrews 236). Although such ideologies fell from public view for most of the rest of the 20th century, it â€Å"remained alive and active in the Brazilian consciousness† which is well exploitedRead MoreAnalysis Of Katia M. De Quieros Mattoso915 Words   |  4 Pagesdifference between this book and others on Brazilian slavery is the viewpoint the author gives from the eyes of a slave, humanizing a topic that is usually referred to as an though it were business rather than an oppressed mass of human beings. Originally the book was written in French, only after to be written in Portuguese and then English (translated by Arthur Goldhammer). Mattoso spends this book exploring the ideas and concerns of the Brazilian slaves along with sympathizing their feelings andRead MoreSlavery and The Tropicalia Movement in Brazil1025 Words   |  4 PagesBrazil’s sugar plantations and mining industries. The slave trade was eradicated in 1850, and by 1871 the Brazilian legislature passed the Law of the Free Womb. This law was designed to grant freedom to slave’s newborn children and served as a precursor to the abolition of slavery in 1888. They made home for themselves in Brazil, as it had the largest amount of African diaspora. Former slaves and their descendants established an Afro Brazilian culture and the cultural traditions, notably musical,Read MoreLatin America Revolutions Essay775 Words   |  4 Pagesfrom colonial rule, but, except for Brazil, they were left with many consequences. One of the first countries to achieve independence in Latin America was Haiti. Haiti gained its independence from France in 1804. Haitis independence followed a slave revolt that was led by independence Touissant LOuverture and Jean-Jacques Dessalines in 1794. The revolution in Haiti involved the popular uprising of a repressed social group. Also, it proved to be the great exception in the Latin American driveRead MoreWhy Did Slave Trading Intensify in Nineteenth-Century East Africa?1103 Words   |  5 Pagesthe 19th century the East Africa was marked by the sadness event of slave trading in response to larger demanding markets. For a long time the exportation of slaves was made through the Red Sea and Indian Ocean to supply the Muslin world. However there was a greatly expansion of slave trades to the Atlantic ocean during 19th century. The slave trading increase during the 19th century due to the fact that the exportation of slaves was a profitable business, more than five times the export of ivoryRead MoreEuropean Exploration And Conquest Of Latin America1277 Words   |  6 Pagesslavery in Latin America through the encomienda system. Two groups of people were enslaved in Latin America, the indigenous Indians and Africans brought in by the transatlantic slave trade. The indigenous people were the first to be enslaved through the encomienda system where the Spaniards were given land and slaves to work on the land. In some areas of Latin America the encomienda was easy to enforce since the indigenous people were already used to working for someone. In other areas such asRead MoreUnited States Vs. Brazil Race1244 Words   |  5 Pageswas founded. The idea of race seem to have been founded on the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade during the seventeenth century. According to Jane Elizabeth Adams, writer of the 1925 scientific journal The Journal of Negro History, Brazil began to import African as slaves to tend the sugar plantations for very cheap labor and â€Å"easily secured labor†. At this time, Brazil was still a colony of Portugal. The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade in the United States is very similar to this in which â€Å"500,000 AfricansRead MoreIn The Year Of 1863, Two New York Democrats With The Intention1635 Words   |  7 Pagesbecause, it was crucial for blacks and whites to support their own community by avoiding cross-racial boundaries. In turn, the racial ideas and attitudes towards blacks after the Civil War intensified, especially in the American South due to the large slave population. Furthermore, as the tension grew between both races, stricter segregation laws were implemented to distance blacks and whites. Over time as a result of the hostility, laws devised as Jim Crow made inter-racial marriages illegal predominately

Lies Youve Been Told About Nonverbal Communication Essay Topics

Lies You've Been Told About Nonverbal Communication Essay Topics There are three sorts of nonverbal communication. There are several different forms of nonverbal communication. So it is not something I began to learn about until recently. In our daily lives, it is really important. Teaching nonverbal communication needs to be performed in a pure way which makes sense for each individual child. In EMDR Therapy, the therapist should become attentive to the customer's nonverbal communication in addition to their own. Much like all relationships communication is crucial. Definitions of Nonverbal Communication Essay Topics Some people today say it is better to let sleeping dogs lie, and prevent discussing potentially uncomfortable topics. Alas, lots of people send confusing or negative nonverbal signals before being aware of it. Researchers have discovered that high-status individuals have a tendency to invade different people's personal space with increased frequency and intensity than lower-status individuals. Communicating the correct thing at the perfect time 29. Many Asian cultures make an effort not to use facial expressions frequently. It's very common that when two person from other country and speak different language, they will generally communi cate nonverbally. Consider the men and women you know who are fluent in languages, but don't get along very nicely with others from various cultures. It's useful while we have to speak to people speaking a different language, or lacking the capability to speak whatsoever. While miscommunication is nevertheless in 1 sense unavoidable, as stated by the subjectivity involved with interpreting communication, a practice of clarity should nevertheless be stressed in order to steer clear of gross mischaracterizations of the first message. The revisions are completely free! Unlike words, nonverbal mechanisms are not readily translated. Be ready to identify a minumum of one case of non-verbal behavior illustrating every one of the 5 kinds of kenesic codes above. Topics might vary in accordance with your class or the material you're currently studying. Writing a Thesis on Nonverbal Communication If you're a student of psychology, linguistics, sociology or many other fields of study, you can find that you'll need to compose a research paper on the topic of nonverbal communication. Be certain you cite all sources utilised in MLA format. Nowadays it's quite difficult to locate a trustworthy essay writing service. The most frequently encountered paper writing service that the vast majority of our clients require is essay writing. Every writer we employ has written a good deal of special papers associated with your subject. When you inform us about all of the paper information, we'll begin searching for an appropriate writer for your paper. The Basic Principles of Nonverbal Communication Essay Topics That You Can Benefit From Starting Right Away In any event, placing blame isn't the matter, and nobody can alter the past. A variety of reasons lead youth from throughout the world to our site. If you've already graduated from college or university and are looking for a great job, you will need to get a persuasive resume to impress your future employer. For example if a person cries, it indicate that something has happened to them and others will have the ability to help it. First interactions with different men and women strongly impact someone's lifestyle. It's also important to keep in mind that Mexican small business people have a tendency to base proposals and company decisions on the level of private trust established with the foreign counterpart and on some occasions on gut feelings. A good deal of people will then feel as though they wish to assist you out, which will be able to help you get over any sort of communication problems. Family-owned or controlled businesses aren't uncommon and you'll often find relatives working for the identical firm. The expression of commitment can be challenging sometimes, and the solution can be as simple as recognizing one another's needs and desires. Effective use of appropriate tools to convey the appropriate messages at the suitable time can recover crises and encourage each one of us to work towards success. Today, everything goes on the grounds of new methods of communication. Many couples avoid such discussions, on account of the prospect of disastrous outcomes. You should also be careful of the signals you're sending off, so you may be positive that the messages you're sending are what you really need to communicate. When the majority of people hear the words Nonverbal Communication'' the very first image that pops in their mind is an image of an individual who's deaf or someone who can't speak and has learned to communicate through sign language or other nonverbal method of communication. Take into consideration the word no, which can be interpreted in many diverse ways based on the nonverbal communication that's being conveyed in addition to the word. Putting together a kind of communication understanding, and having the ability to enhance the reception of someone's message, can be a challenging job. Interpersonal communication skills are rather important in present time to be a nice and productive person in every area. Nonverbal research topics may cover numerous components which make up nonverbal communication. Interestingly, this sort of communication is utilized in sports and military. Nonverbal communication is the usage of the body, environment, and individual attributes so as to communicate messages either consciously or unconsciously.

Views on Teens Pregnancies Through the Years Essay

The Views on Teens Pregnancies Through the Years There are many different attributes to teenage pregnancy. The majority of teenagers do not realize the consequences of their actions. Taking that into consideration the influences of the teens are highly important during the pre teen stage all the way to adult hood. During the time of this impressionable stage many of the teens are having sex not because of love, but because it is a trend. The media is glamorizing teen pregnancy and leading to a cultural shift. Around the world teenage pregnancy has been an issue. Many of the teen mothers are between 15 and 19. There have been a variety of attempts to provide a decline in teenage pregnancy such as: abstinence groups, the Federal Government,†¦show more content†¦Not only does the media influence young women, but their home life has huge impact too. Most children learn by watching an adult around them and there is their influence. Therefore the media is not the only one to blame for teenage pregnancy. There are many people and things that can be blamed, however, there is a root to the problem. Not only is it teenage pregnancy impacting teens; but it impacts everyone around them. In the United States taxpayers pay around $11 billion on teen pregnancies a year because of someone elses mistake(Editorial: Brings Blessings). In America there are many births in a year affecting many people around the nation. Since 1996 abstinence programs have collected over $1 billion in federal funding. Many people blame the abstinence programs for higher birth rates. People believe that teens should have sex education in order to protect them from teen pregnancy(Gulli 40). There goes more money from the government toward teenage pregnancy. It is believed that abstinence programs are not the solution to preventing teen pregnancy, however, people would like too see more sex education being taught to young impressionable kids. This show that the Christian view of abstinence is not the popular solution that people choose, but b eing educated and being taught about sex is a better approach. In todays society there has been a cultural shift in beliefs and morals. Many girls are having sex simply because of the words I loveShow MoreRelatedThe Issue of Teen Pregnancy1458 Words   |  6 PagesTeen pregnancy The issue of teen pregnancy is a fact that can no longer be overlooked in terms of its magnitude in the society today. Despite the widespread sex education and peer counseling and guidance, there still is a wide prevalence of teen pregnancy, a challenge that does not only affect the teenagers but the society at large. Effects of teen pregnancy The aspect of teen pregnancy is one of the most challenging situations to be in as a young person as it could interrupt flow of schoolRead MoreThe Sociological Viewpoint Toward Social Problems Essay1077 Words   |  5 Pages(Leon-Guerrero, 2010). Teen pregnancy is a very serious social problem that has a large impact on society. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy (NCPTP) has established connections between early pregnancy and childbearing to a number of other serious social issues, for instance health, education and poverty (Unplanned pregnancy, sexual, 2012). The NCPTP reports that between the years 1990 and 2008 â€Å"The teen pregnancy rate has declined an impressive 42%† (Unplanned pregnancy, sexual, 2012)Read MoreTeen Pregnancy And Its Effects On The United States1667 Words   |  7 PagesEach year around 90,000 adolescents become pregnant in the United States. Around 51% of adolescents pregnancies end in live births, 35% end up in induced abortions, and 14% result in miscarriage or stillbirth (Frick, 2007). Historically, the highest teen pregnancy rates in the United States were during the 1950’s and 1960’s before the legalization of abortion and the development of many the current forms of contraception(Frick, 2007). Rates enlarged steadily until 1991; since then, the birth rateRead MoreTeen Pregnancy1246 Words   |  5 PagesA topic in American society that has proved to be an ongoing, and growing issue is that none other than teen pregnancy. In recent years, teen pregnancy rates have been increasing, which ultimately led to the topics increase of public and media attention. In American society teen pregnancy is often associated with negligence, as well as being irresponsible. In American society sex education for children is underdeveloped and instead society tends to use fear and shame to highlight/combat the dangersRead MoreTeen Pregnancy And Teenage Pregnancy Essay1682 Words   |  7 Pagesdiscourage teenage pregnancy, most of us will readily agree that it prevents teen pregnancy, Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of has teen pregnancy decrease over the years while airing pregnancy shows. Whereas some are convinced that te en pregnancy has declined nationale because of the program, others maintain that teen pregnancy has increased since the reality show started to air. I disagree with others views that it does promote teen pregnancy because, as recentRead MoreTeen Parent Institutions: Proposed Method for Solving the Teenage Pregnancy Problem1271 Words   |  6 Pagesto many teenagers’ lists: becoming a parent. Teen pregnancy is not a new issue; in fact, it has been a rising concern in the United States for decades. Voluntary efforts have been made by organizations such as Healthy Teen Network, The National Campaign, and Advocates for Youth to help reduce the overwhelming existence of teen pregnancy. Though health care clinics, teen parenting help programs, and alternative schools for pregnant women, pregnancy organizations have sought to relieve the problemRead MoreTaking a ook at Teen Pregnancy744 Words   |  3 PagesThe social problem I have chosen to write about is teen pregnancy. My family has experienced teen pregnancy with my cousins as well as myself. With all my cousins who became teenage mothers they all failed to either graduate from high school or once they did graduate or earn their GED’s they failed to go to college. Every single one them was also on welfare. In my particular situation I was not on welfare and did complete high school on time, although I did attend college for only one semester, IRead MoreTeen Pregnancy Issues And How It Affects Our Teens And Their Children814 Words   |  4 Pagesassessment of Teen Pregnancy Issues Tasha Arlen HUMS 390 Tracey Rollins May 1, 2015 Abstract Through this paper I will explain teen pregnancy issues and how it affects our teens and their children. I will discuss the physical/ emotional, medical and financial strain placed on teenage parents. Teen pregnancy can affect everyone in different ways. I will also so explain some programs to help with teen pregnancy. An assessment of Teen Pregnancy Issues For many years teenRead MoreArgumentative Essay1417 Words   |  6 PagesVictoria Okafor Dr. Stainbrook English 111-121 02 December 2015 Do TV Shows Like 16 and Pregnant Promote or Discourage Teenage Pregnancy? Teenage pregnancy has become a major issue in today’s society for our adolescents. This is a major problem for all who are involved. It creates hurt and a struggle for on the parents, especially for the mother (Gonchar and Schulten). Also for the parent(s) of the teenager this creates struggles for them because more often than not, they end up with the loadRead MoreTeen Pregnancy And Public Perception1498 Words   |  6 PagesThe purpose of this chapter is to provide a literature review of teen pregnancy and public perception. The chapter will begin by examining the decrease of teen pregnancy in America. It will transition to understanding the emotional effects on teen mothers and depict how a pregnant teen’s life could be altered. It will conclude by discussing how the topic of teen pregnancy has caused the President of the United States to take a closer look. This chapter will end with a summary of my research findings

Nursing Case Study- How to improve the monitoring of fluid balance

Question: Describe about the Nursing Case Study (Improving the Monitoring of Fluid Balance in Clinical Settings)? Answer: Introduction: Water is the most important part of life and maintenance of proper water balance is of utmost important in order to lead a healthy life. Imbalance in water leads to a number of health consequences. Again, in case of the critically ill patients and post-operative patients, maintaining fluid balance is very important in order to improve their health condition. One of the main roles of the nurses assigned in the ICU department of a health care organization is to monitor the fluid balance of the patients. Adverse health condition may arise if there is a fluctuation of 5-10% in the fluid balance of a patient (Glade, 2010). Various procedures are followed to monitor the fluid balance of the critically ill patients all over the world. According to a study carried out by Bontant et al. (2014), in a critical care unit, the frequency of incorrect calculation of the balance of fluid in patients is 70%. The study also showed that the nurses who work in the critical care units do not perform the monitoring of the fluid balance accurately or correctly. So, in this assignment we are going to discuss the monitoring of the fluid balance of the patients who are admitted to the ICU department of a hospital and also look for the ways by which, the monitoring techniques can be improved in order to decrease the inaccuracy that occurs while monitoring the fluid balance. Are You Daunted by the Thought of due Case Study ? Avail Our Services and Receive Case study Help from experts. Discussion: As defined by Elliot et al. (2007), the ICU is that department of the hospital in which patients suffering from life threatening diseases or illness are treated. According to the World Federation of Critical Care Nurses or WFCCN, a nurse who works in the ICU and offers services to the critically ill patients should have proper understanding of the situation of the patients, should be capable of making necessary decisions for the patients and should be able to provide advanced and quality care in order to restore the health of the patient (WFCCN, 2007). The term fluid balance is used to state the input and output balance of fluid in the body that is essential for the proper functioning of the metabolic processes of the body (Welch, 2010). In case of women, around 52% of the body weight is fluid and in case of men the percentage of body fluid is 60% of the weight and the body fluid consist mainly of water and electrolytes (Louden, 2015). In case of healthy people, the maintenance of the balance of fluid is a dynamic process that is controlled by the body with the coordination of the renal and the hormonal system (Scales and Pilsworth, 2008). An increase in the fluid in human body leads to overloading of fluid which in turn may cause pulmonary oedema. On the other hand, a decrease in the fluid volume in the body can lead to dehydration related complications including hypotension. A fluid volume deficit is termed as negative fluid balance, whereas excess fluid in the body is termed as positive fluid balance (Scales and Pilsworth, 2008) . According to Pikwer et al. (2012), the fluid balance of a patient is the indicator of the clinical status of the patient. In case of critically ill patients admitted to the ICU department, the normal fluid balance is disrupted. So, restoring the fluid balance is the major concern for the nurses caring for the patient. In these kinds of patients, optimal tissue perfusion requires proper fluid balance and a disruption in the tissue perfusion may result in the failure of multiple organs causing the death of the patients (Khwannimit, 2008). Any inaccuracy in the fluid balance measurement may result in inaccurate data regarding the fluid status of the patient which in turn lead to improper treatment of the patient (Koonrangsesomboon and Khwannimit, 2014). In the body, the maintenance of fluid balance is the function of hormones and renal system (Scales and Pilsworth, 2008). The three hormones that are associated with the function include ADH or anti- diuretic hormone, the other name of which is the vasopressin and is secreted from the pituitary gland; ANP or the atrial natriuretic peptide and aldosterone, secreted from the adrenal gland present in the kidney (Payen et al., 2008). The ADH is associated with the re-absorption of fluid from the kidney and returns it to the blood stream. This hormone is also associated with the decrease in the volume of urine and increase in the concentration of urine (Thornton, 2010). The ANP hormone causes the kidney to eliminate of the sodium and water. Aldosteron on the other hand is associated with the re- absorption of sodium in exchange of potassium ion (Queisser, 2010). The renal system maintains the electrolyte balance through filtration, secretion and re-absorption (Lumbers, Boyce and Gibson, 20 07). There are various studies that are focused on the importance of monitoring of fluid balance in critically ill patients. According to Vincent et al. (2006), the monitoring of fluid balance influences the recovery of a patient in the ICU. The basis of monitoring the fluid balance is the assessing, recording and calculating the input and output of fluid of a patient (Garrett, 2003). As per the study carried out by Chapelhow and Crouch (2007), fluid balance chart is very important to monitor the fluid balance of the patients. These charts include the recording of all measurable excreted as well as ingested fluids. According to the chart, the intake of fluid includes orally taken fluid, orally taken medications, application of intravenous fluid and any other types of fluid that are administered through any tube. On the other hand, the output fluid includes drainage, urine, vomit, secretion through nasogastric tube and measurable stools, collected in colostomy bag. According to Lobo, Macafee and Allison (2006), recognizing the excretion of fluid via respiration, perspiration, bowel activity and fever etc. is important while determining the fluid output. These types of outputs account for up to 600- 900 ml of fluid per day and these are not included in the fluid chart. Again, as per Godin, Bouchard and Mehta (2013), sometimes it is difficult to accurately measure the fluid balance in patients, such as in case of diarrhea where the amount of fluid is large and immeasurable. Again, according to Silversides et al. (2013), it is important to assess the clinical condition of the patient and the blood chemistry value along with the fluid chart in order to determine the fluid status of the patient. Accuracy in the assessment and interpretation of the fluid status of the critically ill patients are very important for effective management of the health of the patient (Hindahl and Wilson, 2011). So, it is very important to carry out continuous monitoring of the fluid balance of the critically ill patients (Culleiton and Simko, 2011). According to Foley (2008), one of the earliest indications of the disruption of the fluid balance is the urine production. As per the studies by Foley, a volume of urine that is less than 0.5 ml/ kg body weight/ hour should be considered as the indication of fluid imbalance and the nurse should respond to the condition of the patient. According to Knowles (2008), the vital signs of the patients are the important indicators of the fluid status of the patients. The vital signs include pulse rate, blood pressure, and rhythm of the heart, central venous pressure, breathing rate and body weight (Weissman and Landesberg, 2005). According to Dnser et al. (2013), a decrease in the blood pressure level may result in the decrease in the perfusion of the organs that may cause organ failure in the critically ill patients. Again according to Stevens (2007), tissue hypoperfusion may also results in the damage of organs. So, maintenance of proper tissue perfusion is very important to maintain the fluid balance of the patients. Another indicator that is used for checking the fluid balance in patient is the level and frequency of thirst of the patient (Garrett, 2003). Again, according to Armstrong et al. (2014), the laboratory report of blood cell count and the electrolyte count are able to provide additional information regarding the fluid status of the patient. According to Besen (2015), the overload of fluid in patients can be indicated by high blood pressure, increased weight of the body, swollen neck veins, trachycardia, shortness of breath, cyanosis, increased rate of breathing, increase in the pulmonary arterial pressure and peripheral oedema. In case of severe overload of fluid, pulmonary oedema can result, which is a critical condition that needs immediate addressing and ventilations service (Hindahl and Wilson, 2011). According to Scales and Pilsworth (2008), generally a patient who shows the sign of fluid overload, generally have a history of liver, cardiac or kidney diseases. On the other hand, the dehydration in critically ill patients is clinically indicated by low blood pressure, loss of body weight, increase in the pulse rate, thirst, arrhythmia, and decrease in urination, skin dryness, weakness and drowsiness (Simmons, 2010). It is duty of the nurse to monitor the fluid balance of the patients accurately. As per the opinion of Culleiton and Simko (2011), monitoring the balance of fluid in critically ill patients is a challenging but important component of the health care sector, which is described by the authors as the critical care shuffle, as the critical medical condition of the patient often complicate the status of fluid in those patients. According to the authors the nurses in charge of the critical care unit should be able to recognize as well as react quickly to the fluid balance disturbance. A study carried out by Carlsen and Perner (2011), also showed the importance of proper fluid monitoring by the nurses or proper treatment of the patients. Arguments: There are various studies that have discussed the role and the accuracy of the nurses to monitor the fluid balance of the patients. There are practice guide lines regarding the education and training of the critical care nurses, proposed by the World Federation of Critical Care Nurses. According to Williams, Schmollgruber and Alberto (2006), only registered and trained nurses should be provided with the duty of care for the critically ill persons. A study carried out by Chari et al. (2011), showed that the main reason behind the inaccuracy in the monitoring of fluid balance is the unavailability of qualified nurses. Again, Whiteley et al. (2009), emphasized on the fact that though several technologies are used for monitoring the fluid imbalance in patients such as alarms and other security features, it is still necessary that the critical care nurses are actively involved in the monitoring of fluid balance in order to provide quality services to the patients. In a study carried out by Markmann (2011) on 147 patients who were under intensive care, the authors were concerned regarding the incorrect calculation of fluid balance and found that in about 33% of the cases, there was inaccuracy in the calculation of fluid balance of critically ill patients. The authors also suggested that more accurate measures should be developed in order to monitor the fluid balance properly. again the same result was shown by Kashiouris et al. (2013), who found that the cumulative fluid balance calculated by the registered nurses were not accurate. Recommendations: There are various recommendations provided by various researchers to improve the accuracy of the monitoring of the fluid balance in the critically ill patients. In order to improve the monitoring of fluid balance, Rassam and Counsell (2005) suggested that there is a requirement of information notes that will be present on the bedside of the patients, nursing training that is focused on the fluid balance monitoring in order to increase the accuracy and there should be a balance sheet that is user friendly. The authors also suggested that, the signature of the nurse who has recorded the fluid balance data should be there in the balance sheet. According to Scales and Pilsworth (2008), as the nurses are the main persons associated with the monitoring of the fluid balance of the critically ill patients, improvement of knowledge in the nurses regarding the monitoring of fluid is very important. Again, Soutter-Green (2013) suggested that the recording charts should be simple in order to decrease the workload of the nurses and increase the accuracy of recording the data. They showed that increase in documentation in turn increases the workload on the nurses which in turn decreases the time for calculation leading to decreased accuracy in the calculation of fluid balance. Their study also showed that if there is regular auditing regarding the practice of monitoring of fluid balance, then the efficiency of the nurses increases considerably. Bennett (2015) suggested that the fluid balance chart should be designed for individual patients in the ICU separately and reviewing of the chart should be done on a regular basis in order to use the chart accurately and efficiently. According to Dewitte et al., (2015), measuring the total body water (TBW) can provide accurate data regarding the fluid balance of the critically ill patients. They suggested the use of bioimpedance techniques for measuring the TBW of the patients. They carried out their studies on 25 patients who were under mechanical ventilation. Their study showed that as a non-invasive way to measure the fluid balance of the critically ill patients, use of bioimpedance technique is reliable and provide accurate calculations, but for using the technique, the body weight of the patients should be known. There are various automated devices available in the market for the accurate calculation of fluid balance. One of such devices is the digistat, offered by United Medical. The company assures that the uses of the device for measuring the fluid balance will significantly decreases the human errors and increase the patient outcome. This device is developed to overcome the shortcomings of the fluid balance chart. Another such device is the volumetric pump. This device is used for measuring the fluid input in an hourly basis and is also attached with a warning device (Lopot, 2011). Another device that is used by the nurses in order to measure the volume of output fluid includes an urimeter. This device is used for measuring the urine volume and remains attatched with the indwelling urinary catheter (Lee et al., 2011). According to Scales and Pilsworth (2008), blood chemistry analysis is good method to determine the fluid status of the patients. Again Wolfson and Harwood-Nuss (2005) stated that in the blood chemistry analysis, the measure of blood electrolytes such as blood urea nitrogen, potassium, sodium, bicarbonate and chloride etc. provides a clear view of the fluid status of a person. According to the author, if there any change in these electrolytes compared to the normal level, then it is the indication of the change of fluid status of the patient and the data should be used in order to prescribe any intravenous fluid administration in order to restore the balance of fluid in critically ill patients. On the other hand, Vivanti, Harvey and Ash (2010) suggested that the blood chemistry analysis does not provide accurate information in case of minor dehydration in case of older people. So, the authors suggested that analysis of the physical signs will be a more effective measure in order to detect fluid imbalance. Changes nursing management and implementing them in nursing practice: With the advent of various methods for accurate detection of fluid balance of a patient, the nursing duty and responsibility for measuring the balance has changed over time. The implementation of newer methods has reduced the responsibilities to a great extent. Still, the nurses play a major role. According to the NHS, the roles and responsibilities of a nurse include- On admission, the patients are examined for their fluid balance, which includes measuring the weight, checking the vital signs, checking the thirst level etc. The baseline electrolytes and urea are also measured. The nurse should then assess the urine passed by the patient for the first time. The urine is tested using urimeter and also the color and smell of the urine are also checked. The nurse should document the results in details. The nurses should properly fulfil the fluid balance chart. The nurses should be well aware of the instruments and the procedures that are used for measuring the fluid balance. The laboratory results also play a very important role in detecting the fluid balance in recent times. Theory about fluid balance: The body fluid balance theory was proposed by the ancient Greeks. According to the theory, in order to obtain a good health, one should maintain the balance of humor. The ways to balance humor was the removal of excessive body fluids by means of sweating, bleeding, purging and with the help of specific foods and medications (Britton, 2002). This theory was called humorism. The four humors are blood, black bile, yellow bile and phlegm. As per the theory, the deficiency of each humor leads to the disturbance of health and temperament of a person. The humor is also called cambium. Developing own idea: As a nurse in the ICU department, I feel that the patients in the ICU departments demand specialized care and services. Their conditions are critical and need proper and careful attention and monitoring (Lopot, 2011). According to the NHS guidelines, the fluid management of the patients should be done frequently and by the registered nurses. The guidelines also state that it is the responsibility of the nurses to monitor and calculate the fluid balance of the patients accurately and properly. Monitoring of fluid balance is one of the major duties of the nurses working in the ICU department of a health care organization. In our ICU departments, the nurses have to maintain the fluid chart of each and every patient. Again there are emergency alarm and warning devices in order to detect any fluid disturbance of any patient. While working in the department I have felt that the fluid chart that we have to maintain for the patients should be simplified in order to ease the process of record and increase the accuracy (Soutter-Green, 2013). To my opinion, use of advanced devices is very helpful as they automated the monitoring procedure, but still the nurses should be aware of the fluid condition of the patients (Scales and Pilsworth, 2008). Through the discussion, arguments, and recommendations and also from my experience, I feel that, the nurses in the ICU department need specialized training and education regarding the proper and accurate ways of monitoring and calculating the fluid balance of the patients (Rassam and Counsell, 2005). According to the NHS guidelines, the fluid management of the patients should be done frequently and by the registered nurses. The guidelines also state that it is the responsibility of the nurses to monitor and calculate the fluid balance of the patients accurately and properly. Conclusion: Maintenance of fluid balance is of utmost important for maintain the homeostasis of the patients and avoiding any negative health consequences. In case of the ICU patients, it is much more crucial, as both over-hydration and dehydration are dangerous for the health of the critically ill patients. With the advancement of time, newer technologies are introduced in the health care sector for improving the monitoring and reducing the calculation of fluid balance in the patients. But increasing technology does not decrease the responsibility of the nurses in monitoring the fluid balance. The nurses play a key role in the monitoring process. So, proper training and education of the nurses are very important to increase the accuracy and decrease the rate of error in calculating the fluid balance in the patients. The nurses should be much more responsible regarding their duty to the patients. References Armstrong, L., Ganio, M., Klau, J., Johnson, E., Casa, D. and Maresh, C. (2014). Novel hydration assessment techniques employing thirst and a water intake challenge in healthy men.Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab., 39(2), pp.138-144. 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Roberto Clemente Essays (1230 words) - Roberto Clemente, Carolina

Roberto Clemente Roberto Clemente played in an era dominated by the likes of Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle and Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente was usually overlooked by fans discussing great baseball players. Not until late in his 18-year career did the public appreciate the talents of the 12-time All-Star of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Even though he was arguably the best baseball player at that time he was also a devote humanitarian which ultimately led to his death. Roberto Clemente Walker was born in Barrio San Anton in Carolina, Puerto Rico, August 18, 1934. Growing up he helped his father, who worked as a foreman on a sugar plantation and manager of a grocery store, load and unload trucks. The youngest of four children, Roberto excelled in track and field, winning medals in the javelin throw and short distance races. Despite his great success in the other sports his real love was baseball. He took advantage of the weather in Puerto Rico to play baseball year-round. He became consumed with the game. He squeezed a rubber ball to build up his throwing arm. While in high school, he signed a $60-a-month contract and he also received a $5,000 bonus and a new glove to play for Santurce, a professional team in the Puerto Rican league. He was 18 then and hit .356 in the winter of 1952-53. The next season, Brooklyn Dodgers scout Al Campanis held a baseball tryout clinic. He impressed Campanis enough that he offered him a $10,000 bonus. The 18 yr old had to wait until he graduated from high school before he could sign with a major league team. So he gave his word to Campanis that he would sign with the Dodgers. Later other teams were ready to offer him more money. The Milwaukee Braves were willing to give him a $30,000 bonus. But being a man of his word he stuck to his agreement and signed with The Brooklyn Dodgers. The talent-laden Dodger organization of the mid-1950s knew it would be difficult for the teenager to break into the majors with the Dodgers, therefor they tried to hide him in the minors. They were afraid that another team would draft him after the 1954 season. (There was a rule stating that any player who received a bonus of at least $4,000 had to be placed on the major league roster within a year or he could be drafted for $4,000.) Though he batted only 148 times for the Montreal Royals. There fears came true the Pittsburgh Pirates drafted him that November. Though only 20 and still learning the English language, He became a starter for the Pirates in 1955. He was rightfully Pittsburgh's pride and joy. The fans laugh at his antics, ooh- and-ah at his spectacular plays, roar in anticipation of his performance, and in general love the man. The Pirates, who were awful in his first three seasons, gradually built a strong club. In 1960 they won the National League pennant, with him hitting .314 with 16 homers and a team-high 94 RBI and making his first All-Star team. He continued his awesome play in the World Series, hitting .310 as the Pirates defeated the New York Yankees on Bill Mazeroski's famous ninth-inning homer in Game 7. But He never wore his 1960 championship ring. Feeling snubbed by the writers because he only finished eighth in MVP balloting, he wore an All-Star ring instead. His performance in 1960 was just the beginning of his All-Star, Hall of Fame career. In 1961 he was in the best shape of his life, finally getting over the chronic back problems that had bothered him since his rookie season. With his improved health, He hit .351 to win his first batting title, producing 201 hits. On November 14, 1964, he married Vera Cristina Zabala in Carolina, Puerto Rico. They had three sons. Roberto Jr., Luis Roberto and Roberto Enrique. Proud of his heritage Roberto insisted that Vera give birth to all three sons in Puerto Rico. From 1964 through 1967, He won three more batting titles. And in the year he didn't win one, he was voted the National League's MVP. He had a career best .371 batting average in 1967. The year he won the MVP, he finished fifth in batting at .317 but had career-highs with 29 homers and 119 RBI (second best in the league). The Pirates came in third, three games behind the first-place Dodgers. In 1971, Clemente (.341) led the Pirates to another pennant. Though one of the game's