How Literature Displays Positive Character Trait Through Characters Essay Example for Free

How Literature Displays Positive Character Trait Through Characters Essay Traits Through Its Characters It is known that a piece of writing can do more than tell a story, but can also portray indirect ideas to the reader. A narrative piece is able to show positive traits, presented through its characters. Literature can display a variety of positive attributes, through different characters, and situations. This is demonstrated in the story, â€Å"The Blue Bead,† through Sibia’s acts of selflessness, and again in the text â€Å"Long, Long, After School,† through Miss Tretheway’s acts of kind-heartedness. In the story â€Å"The Blue Bead,† an example of how literature shows positive raits through its characters, is composed by Sibia’s displays of selflessness when saving a woman from an attacking crocodile. In the text, the narrator states, â€Å"Sometimes it had seemed difficult to cross these stones, especially with the big gap†¦ But now she came on wings†¦ and in a moment, she was beside the shrieking woman (pg. 61). † This shows selflessness because Sibia, usually hesitant on the slippery stones, flies across them making rapid footing decisions, throwing herself towards to woman being attacked, aware of the fact that if she falls, she could harm herself severely. Another piece of evidence is shown when the narrator states, â€Å"Its eyes rolled on to Sibia. One slap of the tail could kill her. (pg. 61). † This shows selflessness because the young girl willingly put her life at risk, to save one that was not her own. Through the young girl’s displays of selflessness, one can see how the text, â€Å"The Blue Bead† portrays a positive trait through Sibia. Throughout the text, â€Å"Long, Long After School,† Miss Tretheway shows kind- heartedness through acts presented in the story. An illustration of this is when a flashback occurs, back to when Miss Tretheway states, â€Å"Why, Marilyn, Wes’s hands re much cleaner than yours. Maybe Wes doesn’t like to get his hands dirty†¦ (pg. 114). † This shows kind-heartedness because though Miss Tretheway is Wes’ teacher, she stood up for him when his classmate insulted him in front of his peers. Another illustration of how Miss Tretheway shows ki nd-heartedness is when a character states, â€Å"She gave me a whole quart, just as soon as she found out that hers would match. † This shows kind-heartedness because one was willing to give up blood, an element that signifies life, almost immediately to save someone who with the woman shared a student-teacher relationship. Through the acts of kind- heartedness displayed through the story, â€Å"Long, Long, After School† shows that literature shows positive attributes through its characters. A piece of writing can portray positive traits through its developed characters. Sibia shows selflessness through her acts of saving the woman being attacked by the crocodile, putting one’s own life at risk. Miss Tretheway displays kind-heartedness by standing up for a student, and giving the aforementioned student a much needed blood transfusion. These examples show that positive traits can be demonstrated through characters presented in literature.

An Ecological Viewpoint On Pollution Environmental Sciences Essay

An Ecological Viewpoint On Pollution Environmental Sciences Essay Pollution is the effect of undesirable changes in our surroundings that have harmful effects on plants, animals and human beings. This occurs when only short term ecological gains are made at the cost of long term ecological benefits for humanity. During the last few decades we have polluted our air, water and land on which life itself depends with a variety of waste products. From an ecological point of view, pollutants can be classified as degradable or non-persistent pollutants which can be rapidly broken down by natural process.eg: domestic sewage, discarded vegetables etc., Slowly-degradable or persistent pollutants are pollutants that remain in the environment for many years in an unchanged condition and take decades or longer to degrade.eg:DDT(pesticides) and most plastics. Non-degradable pollutants cannot be degraded by natural processes. Once they are released into the environment they are difficult to eradicate and continue to accumulate.eg: toxic elements like lead or mercury and nuclear wastes. Pollution is a very wide topic. This thesis focuses on two major pollutions- air and water, and explains in detail the causes, effects and control measures. Air pollution occurs due to the presence of undesirable solid or gaseous particles in the air in quantities that are harmful to human health and the environment. The air may become polluted by natural causes such as volcanoes, which release ash, dust, sulphur and other gases, or by forest fires that are occasionally caused by lightening. However, unlike pollutants from human activity, naturally-occuring pollutants tend to remain in the atmosphere for a short time and do not lead to permanent atmospheric change. Air pollution began to increase in the beginning of the twentieth century with the development of transportation systems and large-scale use of petrol and diesel. These severe air quality problems due to the formation of petrochemical smog from the combustion residues of diesel and petrol engines were felt for the first time in Los Angeles. Pollution due to auto- exhaust remains a serious environmental issue in many developed and developing countries, including, India. The air pollution control act in India was passed in 1981 and the motor vehicle act for controlling air pollution was passed very recently. These laws are intended to prevent the air from becoming over polluted. The greatest industrial disaster leading to serious air pollution took place in Bhopal, where the extremely poisonous methyl isocyanides gas was accidently released from the Union Carbides pesticide manufacturing plant, on the night of December 2, 1984. The effects of this disaster on human health and the soil are felt even today. Lead is a major air pollutant that remains largely unmonitored and is emitted by vehicles. High lead levels have been reported in the ambient air in metropolitan cities. Leaded petrol is the primary source of air-borne lead emissions in Indian cities. The use of unleaded petrol is one way of reducing this pollutant. Pollutants are also found indoors from the infiltration of polluted outside air and from various chemicals used or produced inside buildings. The effects of air pollution on living organisms are adverse. Cigarette smoking is responsible for the greatest exposure to carbon monoxide. Exposure to air containing even 0.001% of carbon monoxide for several hours can cause coma and even death. Sulphur dioxide irritates the respiratory tissues; chronic exposure to it causes a condition similar to bronchitis. The acids can become attached to particles which, when inhaled, are very corrosive to the lungs. The widely talked changes in the ozone layer have serious implications for mankind. The effects on human health due to increased UV radiation are sunburn, cataract, aging of the skin and skin cancer. It weakens the immune system by suppressing the bodys resistance to certain infections like measles, chickenpox and other viral diseases that elicit rash and parasitic diseases like malaria introduced through the skin. UV rays also affect the ability of plants to capture light energy during the process of photosynthesis. This reduces the nutrient content and the growth of plants. This is seen especially in the case of legumes and cabbage. Air pollution can be controlled by two fundamental approaches: preventive techniques and effluent control. One of the effective means of controlling air pollution is to have proper equipment in place. This includes devices for removal of pollutants from the flue gases through scrubbers, closed-collection recovery systems, and the use of dry and wet collectors, filters, electrostatic precipitators and so on. Building higher smoke-stacks facilitates the discharge of pollutants as far away from the ground as possible. Industries should be carefully located so as to minimize the effects of pollution after considering the topography and the wind directions. The substitution of raw materials that cause more pollution with those that cause less pollution will also help. Water pollution is when the quality or composition of water changes directly or indirectly as a result of mans activities such that it becomes unfit for any purpose it is said to be polluted. Point sources of pollution are when a source of pollution can be readily identified because it has a definite source and place where it enters the water it is said to come from a point source. E.g.: municipal and industrial discharge pipes. Non-point sources of pollution are when a source of pollution cannot be readily identified, such as agricultural runoff, acid rain etc., There are several classes of common water pollutants. These are disease causing agents which include bacteria, viruses, protozoa and parasitic worms that enter water from domestic sewage and untreated human and animal wastes. Large amounts of human waste in water increases the number of these bacteria, which cause gastrointestinal diseases. Other potentially harmful bacteria from human wastes may also be present in smaller numbers. Thus, the greater the amount of wastes in the water, the greater is the chance of contracting diseases. The third class of pollutants is inorganic plant nutrients. These are water -soluble nitrates and phosphates that cause the excessive growth of algae and other aquatic plants. The quantity of fertilizers applied in a field is often many times more than actually required by plants. The chemicals in fertilizers and pesticides pollute both soil and water. A fourth class of water pollutants is water- soluble inorganic chemicals, which are acids, salts and compounds of toxic metals such as mercury and lead. High levels of these chemicals can make the water unfit to drink, harm fish and other aquatic life, reduce crop yields and accelerate the corrosion of equipment that is in contact with this water. Another cause of water pollution is a variety of organic chemicals, which includes oil, gasoline, plastics, pesticides, cleaning solvents, detergents and many other chemicals. These are harmful to aquatic and human health. They enter the water directly from industrial activity, either from improper handling of chemicals in industries and usually from the improper and illegal disposal of chemical wastes. The foremost necessity of controlling water pollution is prevention. On the other hand, setting up effluent treatment plants to treat wastes can reduce the pollution load in the recipient water. The treated effluent can be reused for either gardening or cooling purposes, wherever possible. A few years ago a new technology, called the Root Zone Process has been developed by Thermax. This system involves running contaminated water through root zones of specially-designed reed beds. To conclude, the responsibility to prevent pollution lies in the hands of every individual. Some concepts that help individuals contribute towards a better quality of our environment and human life are: Try to plant trees wherever you can and more importantly take care of them. They reduce air pollution. From the mail you receive reuse as many envelopes as you can. Use pesticides in your home only when absolutely necessary and use them in small amounts. Some insect species help to keep a check on the populations of pest species. Reduce the use of fossil fuels by either walking short distances or using a car pool, sharing a bike or using public transport. This reduces air pollution. Shut off the lights and fans when not needed. Do not use aerosol spray products and commercial air-fresheners. They damage the ozone layer. Do not pour pesticides, paints, solvents, oil or other products containing harmful chemicals down the drain or onto the ground. Buy consumer goods in refillable glass containers instead of cans or throwaway bottles. Try to avoid asking for plastic carry bags when you buy groceries or vegetables or any other items. Use your own cloth bag instead. Set up a compost bit in your garden to produce manure and reduce use of fertilizers.

Analysing The Role Of Women In Social Care Social Work Essay

Analysing The Role Of Women In Social Care Social Work Essay It could be argued, that work within the social care profession is predominantly women-centred due to the fact it is mainly a female profession. However, research shows that this may not be the case. Although the majority of staff is indeed women, men, however, make up the majority of senior management roles (Dominelli, 2004). This inevitability produces a situation whereby, the decisions regarding policy are made mainly by men for women. The focus of this study is to critically examine the fact that although women overwhelmingly undertake the majority of the caring roles within the social care profession, these organisations remain firmly under patriarchal power. This essay will consider the role of women as professionals, carers and managers within social care organisations. It will examine traditional theories of management, the challenges faced by women who become professionals and managers and strategies appropriate for the effective delivery of care. To conclude it will consider whether there is indeed a role for female managers within an environment dominated by men. Social work can be seen as originating from industrialisation in the nineteenth century and the Charity Organisation Societies of Great Britain and America (Payne, 2005). Dominelli (2004) argues these organisations promoted friendly visiting and prevented disorganised charitable giving. This organised way of working was the first step to establishing social work as a discrete area of activity and as a profession (Adams, 2003). Professional relationships inside hospitals reflected the Victorian patriarchal family ideal, where female nurses were perceived as mothers and carers and male doctors as fathers (Deacon, 2002). These stereotyped ideas eventually characterised the power relations within other bureaucratic structures (Payne, 2000). Professionalism was viewed as a practice based on a long training period, a degree of autonomy, with membership to a group. This particular degree of social distance characterised professions as enjoying high status and autonomy (Payne, 2005). Nurses and social workers were consigned to the category of semi-professional, on account of their perceived limitations of their training, knowledge base and autonomy (Nazarko, 2004). The claim that nursing and social work lacked the basis of technical or abstract knowledge, that domestic skills and interpersonal skills were more suited, could be argued, reinforced the discourses of semi-professionalism (Banks, 2001). In addition, work based in state welfare bureaucratises, such as those of social work and nursing, did no commenstrate with the traditional idea of professionalism (Payne, 2005). Thompson (2002) supports this argument stating social workers and remedial therapy occupations were often viewed as semi-professionals as they did not fulfil all the attributes within the trait approach (Thompson, 2002). Sharkey (2000) takes this further, critical of implications of the associations of women with the caring role, stating that it represents a social construction and is division of power exerted over women by men. In the same way sexism is constructed, it must be viewed that other marginalised groups, such as black, disabled groups are subject to the same issues of power imbalance (Dominelli, 2004). To counter this imbalance and provide professionalism with a career structure and job security, most professionals in health and social care work in large formal organisation (Moonie, 2004). Traditional concepts of professionalism has changed as professionals are employed in either a clinical or an expert role to perform certain, clearly defined, tasks or be involved in service management (Bradshaw, 2004) Miller (2004) argues that professionals attempt to seek to reclaim professionalism by seeking power over territory by defining an area of expertise which is theirs alone. Thompson (2002) believes by the seeking of power through a claim of expertise, may actually disadvantage the very people whom professionals aim to help. In attempt to counter imbalance of power, professionals possess specific codes of conduct and ethics (Banks, 2001). Scott (2001) argues this is necessary, that professionalism implies not just expertise, but moral responsibility. For the social worker, their moral philosophy is embedded within a specific professional Code of Practice (Adams, 2003). Rather than self regulating groups with claims of moral conduct, it may be that professionals are operating obstructive practices (Banks, 2001). With the emergence of consumerism and the subsequent contract culture, there has been an increase in the administrative approach and the growth of procedures and one could argue, will undermine their pledge for moral responsibility (Adams, 2002). Dominelli (2002) suggests social workers are increasingly having to meet the demands of government performance strategies, the cloak of specialist knowledge could be interpreted merely as a disguise to win resource battles, or to exercise group power politics (Adams et al, 2009). It could be argued that this is inevitably a result of a globalising world economy, a New Right philosophy of value for money and a demand that people look after themselves (Means et al, 2003). Furthermore, within the current political climate, professionals have to be committed to providing seamless, client led services, with a greater demand for accountability for the public resources expended in service provision (Brechin et al, 2000). According to Butcher (2006) many professionals may find problems arise within the agency context. They may find there is dichotomy of interest with their role as a professional and the role and responsibility within the organisation (Butcher, 2006). In the first instance, the interest of their client may be paramount, however, acting as gatekeepers they manage the planning and distribution of services (Bauld et al, 20004). The NHS and Community Care Act 1990 implies professionals share power, however, acting as gatekeeper may only mean power and control will still remain with the state (Sharkey, 2000). To counter oppressive practices alongside organisational constraints, professionals can work in a number of anti-oppressive ways (Tibbs, 2001). Social workers can look at particular ways of thinking that will counter the oppressive elements of a professional status. For example, social workers working from an anti-sexist or anti-racist way. Professionals can utilise legislation and agency policy and use them as tools to effectively bring about change and combat oppression (Killick, 2001). . The government policy of caring in the community could be said to further reinforce oppression, whereby, informal care is reliant on the goodwill of women to undertake the free caring role of a relative or to undertake low paid work within social care (Bradshaw, 2004). By contrast, following the natural assumption that men should be in paid work, if men do undertake the caring of a relative or friend, they often considered incapable of undertaking domestic work so are usually offered more help and support than a woman in a similar situation (Scott, 2001). To counter this imbalance and provide professionalism with a career structure and job security, most professionals in health and social services work in large formal organisation (Alcock, 2000) The majority of roles advertised by social services usually refer to caring such as social care, community care and residential care. However, such language could be said to be a concept associated with women and adapted from natural role they adopt during childbirth and afterwards (Cree, 2003). Women are brought up to believe that caring for others is a fundamental part of their existence (Powell Hewitt, 2002). This argument suggests that there are fundamental differences between men and women. Women are said to be emotional and caring so are more associated with the humanistic types of work such as undertaking the physical care of a person (Sharkey, 2000). Whereas, men are considered to be less emotional, hold authority and power, whereby management is seen as a natural course within their career (Jones, 2003). It has been further suggested that assumptions of being a successful manger, or similar status jobs, is based largely on male behaviour (Malin, 2000). However, a study of research undertaken on leadership styles by Malin (2000) found that women were similar to men in terms of leadership styles and therefore just as suitable to be managers. Any differences found were said to be qualities such as feelings and emotions, that organisations may need more of this in the future (Means et al, 2003). However, despite there being similarities in leadership style, for women who seek a management post, their feelings and emotions represent a block. Women are expected to undertake the more emotional caring tasks, whereas men are perceived to be more suitable to the macho task of management (Yeates, 2001). Advertisements for management posts reflect this attitude, with a notable absence of references to caring. Designed to reflect the status of the post, usually include language such as target. analytical, objectivity, determination, placing importance on salary, related packages, expectations to work outside normal hours and high status (Zinn, 2008). It could be argued, management positions that are advertised using language that is bureaucratic and masculine in their approach are designed specifically to attract able bodied white men (Jones-Devitt Smith, 2007). It could be argued, the very nature of the job specification only serves to exclude and further marginalise women. This is synonymous with the glass ceiling phenomenon, whereby women face obstacles when moving into management such as dominant male attitudes and culture, discrimination and womens own expectations (Carney, 2006). Subsequently, this presents several fundamental problems for women. The policies and procedures of organisations are being managed by men to benefit men, important decisions are undertaken by men and women suffer discrimination, womens skills and abilities are not being utilised (Clarke, 2004). It is important to understand, however that for many women workers within social care they are already victims of abuse of power, at work and home, as carers of the system and by individuals. For example studies of gender abuse, have found abusers are overwhelmingly men (Moonie, 2004). It could be argued that the abuse of power is part of the fabric of womens lives (Glasby Littlewood 2009). According to Moonie (2004) men are the very group who perpetrate most of the abuse which result in individuals requiring social services intervention, are themselves in positions of power, such as managers, within organisation. For example in 1991 a number of men who held positions of responsibility within care homes were found guilty of physical and sexual abuse of children in their care (Zinn, 2008). It could be argued; therefore it is not possible for a group of people to make sound decisions regarding victims of abuse, if they themselves abuse their power. Therefore, if women are to challenge this abuse of power, they need to be given equal access to management; therefore human resource policies should facilitate this. Women are brought up to believe a fundamental part of their role is to care; they have the advantage of trying to juggle home life with work life (Yeates, 2001). Work/life balance policies, flexible working, part time working and crà ¨che facilities are some responses to enabling women to participate as men do. According to Zin (2008) these responses are a solution invented by men aimed specifically for women under the guise of equal opportunities. This only serves to reinforce male and female stereotypes (Miller, 2004). Furthermore, management posts are not always included in such equal opportunity policies and therefore, likely to exclude a higher proportion of women from management. Although arguably, a change in retention and recruitment policies to enable women to become managers is important to facilitate this, it could be further argued, a change in attitude and culture regarding gender roles is more fundamental (Powell Hewitt, 2002). Women it seems are acceptable management material if they are the same as men and unsuitable if they differ. A workforce study undertaken by the National Institute for Social Work found workplace attitudes to be reflective of society a third of staff surveyed reported incidents of racism from colleagues and managers, with 45% reporting such behaviour from service users and their relatives (Jones-Devitt Smith, 2007). Feminists argue that a focus on structural change and a challenge of dominant male assumptions is the way forward if attitudes are to change (Jones, 2003). Furthermore, it could be argued the structure of social services only serves to reinforce the attitude of women as carers. For example residential workers, home care assistants, care worker, roles usually undertaken by women (Adams et al, 2009). Therefore, a removal from dominant patriarchal attitudes appears to be a long way off. Theories of how organisations structures functions are broadly male dominated and further serve to reinforce the ideology of management (Cochrane, 2001). As a result the structures and processes of social work within social services are also basically masculine. The hierarchical principles and management of social services departments are associated with pyramidal structure of authority and control (Cochrane, 2001). It could be argued, this supports the view that patriarchal values remain embedded within organisations but interestingly, conflict with the caring role of social welfare organisation. An organisation with a flatter structure where there is no hierarchy, but each person takes on a specific role for the benefit of the organisation and the client, is more synonymous with the caring aspect of social work. Also that of a feminist theory, whereby organisations take a collective approach (Scott, 2004). This type of organisational structure can be seen within smaller voluntary organisations (Clarke, 2004). Organisations such as social services are structured within a more bureaucratic, hierarchical style. Clarke (2004) believed that where there were high numbers of employed staff, it was necessary to initiate rules and procedures within a clear line of command. As a result of this masculine model of organisational structure, policies, consciously or subconsciously, reinforce the idea that gender differences are a product of nature rather than social construction (Yeates, 2001). Once a person becomes a manager, their effectiveness is dependent on several factors including style. Yeates (2001) introduced the scientific management approach. It required workers to undertake tasks in a specific way in an attempt to make organisations rational, studying how management methods could effectively control the workers in other words, how to find the most efficient ways of doing a job (Scott, 2001). This appears to fit with bureaucratic mechanisms within a large social welfare organisation. In contrast Deacon (2002) considered the importance people make within organisations and identified a humanistic approach to management. He believed the behaviour of people produced an informal structure which influenced how an organisation functioned, which in turn influenced which management methods should be adopted (Deacon, 2002). Clarke (2004) argues that managers can adopt interpersonal approaches and be open and honest showing their real feelings rather than adopting an authoritarian approach by checking up on staff. This method seems compatible to work within social care, rather than the masculine traits traditionally associated with management styles (Bauld et al, 2000). It could be argued, however that management is a balance of the two, a combination of problem solving, such as case management, organising the department, resources etc, and affective interpersonal skills. Within male dominated environments, this balance can be difficult to achieve (Powell Hewitt, 2002). For women managers, to show a caring side could be perceived as weak. If a woman adopts a male approach she is considered aggressive. She is seen as different and not compatible with what is the perceived norm (Brechin et al, 2000). In some cases, adopting the male style of management and fitting the culture of masculinism can produce a negative and unproductive style of management for example women mangers not approving of mothers who have children pursuing a career (Bradshaw, 2004). For some this may not pose a problem, having wanted and being able to gain a senior management position. For others, they have felt in order to survive it has been necessary to adopt the male style of management but do not to notice it any more.(Dominelli, 2004) This means women are pressured to join prevailing norms, if they want to avoid being different (Deacon, 2002). Statutory provision within social care could be said to support this argument. child protection work is considered a controlling aspect of social work, which fits with the controlling aspects of management (Payne, 2005). Interestingly enough, this is synonymous with the community care framework and the concepts of care mangers. Tibbs (2001) argues this is another strand in the masculinsation of management within social services. However, the values that are fundamental to the caring role for the client within social services is not necessarily transferred into the values of management of care as management becomes increasingly bureaucratic and procedural (Nazarko, 2004). Furthermore, tasks that consider the care of the customers and staff are essential within an environment that requires a supporting management team (Jones-Devitt Smith, 2007). Womens contribution should be widely recognised if such a service is implemented. Work undertaken by Bradshaw (2004) found organisations that are managed by people who believe in the potential of workers and customers, produces excellent organisations. This language appears to be intrinsic within the modern social services department, whereby best value, quality protect and performance indicators underpins governments strategy for improving services and working environments (Glasby Littlechild, 2009). This philosophy on caring is further emphasised by awarding star ratings for local authorities for providing high quality services. Within this philosophy of caring environment, it is likely that more women would be attracted to management posts and take part in the organisations quest for excellence (Killick Allan, 2001). Moonie (2004) indicates women managers have much to offer the organisation since the emergence of customer care and total quality management. Although Miller (2004) suggests this simply is a political move, under the guise of community care legislation, a way of meeting resource demands and residualing services. As a result of the market of care, consumerism and competition, there is pressure for local authorities to become more business like (Deacon, 2002). Senior managers are now recruited from the commercial arena where it appears, they know nothing about social care. With the emergence of business management posts and the values and models that underpin those of a commercial organisation, such as marketing strategies and performance indicators, bureaucratic procedures and control increases (Jones, 2003). Nevertheless in an organisations quest for excellence women managers could prove invaluable. Tibbs (2001) argues that women managers will have a tendency to put issues of staff care, such as support and supervision above administration. Leadership or management within a group is central to the function of facilitating organisation or group effectiveness and performance (Payne, 2000). Therefore a manager who is humanistic in their approach, it seems is able to meet current government policy with regards to welfare provision (Miller, 2004). Looking for the impact of effective leadership in more detail it is necessary to consider the concept of leadership and also the role of the manager in supervision (Carney, 2006). Leadership can be performed at an informal level within the team or at an organisational level (Butcher, 2006). Research into leadership by Carney (2006) established that satisfaction and group effectiveness can be affected by the type of leadership within the group (Carney, 2006). Although, Cochrane (2006) proposes that leadership roles vary according to the managed level within the organisation. According to Cree (2003) the most important element is influence and that leadership suggests a process of group support, goal achievement and group contentment. To understand leadership, it is necessary to understand the distinctions between managed and leadership, Deacon (2002) argues to be an effective manager it is necessary to exercise the role of leadership. Considering this, leadership is not necessarily just a function of a formal manager but acts of leadership by a person who has specific leadership qualities (Bradshaw, 2004). For example a manager is said to have continually co-ordinate and balance in order to compromise conflicting values (Powell Hewitt, 2002). Whereas leaders, may work in but can be said not to belong to an organisation. They are able to consider what events and actions mean and express empathy with other people. (Jones-Devitt Smith, 2007). It could be argued womens attributes are compatible with the philosophy of empathy and consideration for others (Glasby Littlechild, 2009). Cree (2003) suggests that leadership styles are more effective and more consistent with the type of humanistic management that social w ork requires. Supervision is an also an arena where women, it could be said function better than men (Moonie, 2004). Women maybe more able to empathise and discuss an individuals issues and concerns. However it could be argued this may be too simplistic. According to Miller (2004) not all women may be able to undertake effective supervision, whereas there may be male managers that are equally as capable of adopting a humanistic style of supervision. Payne (2000) suggests that regardless of what attributes that can be brought to supervision there are areas of supervision which may hinder team work and professional development. Supervision may be unavailable due to time restrictions, the abuse of power such as withholding information or asserting negative control, a lack of feeling supported particularly as managers are not in touch with service users lives (Tibbs, 2001). Certain leadership styles may determine how effective supervision is for team members and supports Adams (2003) view of discrepancies in supervision. Social services departments have a history of retention and recruitment and this reflects in inconsistent management (Thompson, 2002). For example, regardless of gender differences, some managers work in a democratic way, consistent with the humanistic approach (Sharkey, 2000). However others may adopt a more authoritative supervision process. This can have the effect of controlling or obstructing team members as a result of asserting authority or power over decision making (Carney, 2006). Subsequently, this can leave managers with high levels of dissonance within the team, which in turn, affects the effectiveness of the team (Jones-Devitt Smith, 2007). Butcher (2006) indicates the supervision process can become a management tool of accountability but suggests it can be also be used as a tool to improve personal and professional development and practice. If supervision is to encourage personal satisfaction and encourage group cohesiveness and effectiveness, it should go below the surface in the analysis of problems and situation (Adams et al, 2009). It could be argued a feeling of being listened to and heard can only serve to increase team moral and performance. In turn effective supervision can be used as a tool for negotiation, problem-solving and more importantly learning (Adams et al, 2009). Women managers could use supervision to make their own individual mark on the workforce without the need of masculine formal systems and practices (Butcher, 2006). By paying attention to things that matter to people which are often neglected such as enquiring about the progress of a problem or a staff member needs to leave work on time to meet childcare commitments (Bradshaw, 2004). As mentioned, this method of working can develop team moral and performance, such as effective team and collaborative working. Facilitating teams to work collectively together to identify areas of organisational improvements and service delivery, it could be argued is considered a necessary requirement of professional workers within social services (Brechin et al, 2000). The caring strand of management means women are at an advantage when it comes to utilising these skills in management, in particular women are brought up to think about other peoples needs to empathise and listen (Zinn, 2008). Indeed it is not to be said that the caring tasks should be done by women alone only to validate the skills women bring to the role of manager, through their perceived roles as carers (Scott, 2001). In terms of operational planning, women managers are able to influence the situation and bring along new understanding of management for both men and women, rather than the traditional methods (Bauld et al, 2000). Instead of an aggressive style, an assertive style will allow individuals to stand up for themselves. People can manage in a supportive way in order to empower and obtain consensus rather than conflict (Thompson, 2002). Patriarchal norms and mens way of behaving does not have to be considered the norm. It could be said, women should be taken seriously without having to act like men (Alcock, 2000). Both men and women can validate the caring side of managing within social services, recognising both work and personal commitments. This is increasingly evident for social workers within social services; managers appear to be more responsive to the holistic needs of staff (Banks, 2001). Moonie (2004) suggests it is difficult to determine whether there has been a genuine commitment of the organisation towards recognising workers needs or the fact that the majority of middle managers consist of mainly women who are generally more sympathetic in their approach. Payne, (2000) outlines it could also be political, due to the nature of the work within statutory social services, has inevitably led to recruitment and retention crisis, whereby this needs to be effectively managed if standards are to be maintained. Power can be used in an ethical and caring way to empower both clients and workers. Paying more attention to the abuse of power, workers must limit their use of controlling power (Glasby Littlechild, 2009). Women can learn to understand power and be less afraid and use it more directly. Managers can use power in positive ways, such as implementing equal opportunity policies (Carney, 2006). Caring itself should be challenged as a concept. No longer synonymous with womens work, it should be constructed as a role that all people can undertake, a skill to be learnt by both men and women (DoH, 1999). Women can stop automatically undertaking the caring jobs. This in turn will serve to change the attitudes and perceptions society has of specific gender roles. Finally government legislation should be strengthened and include enhanced equal opportunity laws and substantial improvements to maternity benefit and leave. Carney (2006) argues that underpinning all policy are principles that men should also be responsible for childcare and that childcare should be publicly funded and community based and most importantly there should be a balance between family life and paid work and leisure activities. Social work is a changing profession dominated by men, who make policies for an essentially controlling activity (Dominelli, 2004). However social services have a culture of caring whereby the majority, which are women, are committed to this ethos. It could be argued that women endeavour to support this caring ethic and are challenging a patriarchal structure by using good human relationship skills and attention to quality of service.

Social Psychology Essay -- Psychology

Social psychology is a science that study social thinking (how we perceive ourselves and others, judgement we make and our attitudes); social influence (such as pressure to conform, group of people) and social relations such as aggression and helping (David G. Myers, 2008). Social psychological research methods vary by location: in the laboratory or in the field. Also, it varies by method: correlational or experimental (David G. Myers, 2008). A field research method is everyday situations, for example, Piliavin et al. (1969) Good Samaritanism. Laboratory research method is a controlled situation; for example, Zimbardo (1973) Stanford Prison Experiment. A correlational method measure relationship between two or more variables: independent variable(s) and dependent variable. The independent variables are the experimental factors that the researcher can manipulate, while dependent variables are the things that the experimenter no control over, that include the outcome of the experiment (Class notes). The experimental method explores cause and effect of the study (David G. Myers, 2008). In a decent city of New York, Kitty Genovese on her home was brutally murdered. Within half hour, on two separate occasions, she was sexually molested and stabbed to death by a man (Malim and Birch, 1998). The fact that she was crying for help must have conveyed to the 38 people who heard her screams that no-one else had gone to help her. The event spurred Lantene and Darley (1970) to conduct a Laboratory experiment, investigating two important concepts: diffusion of responsibility and pluralistic ignorance. Diffusion of responsibility is the idea that people are less likely to help when there are others; no one helps because everyone is thinkin... ...08). Social psychology. 9th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies,Inc.,. 3-29, 187-269,427. Kendra Cherry (2012). About.com. (A part of The New York Times Company) What Is Social Psychology? Available: http://psychology.about.com/od/socialpsychology/f/socialpsych.htm. Last accessed 14/02/2012 Mark Holah. (2008). Piliavin, Irving., Rodin, Judith., & Piliavin, Jane. (1969). Available: http://www.holah.karoo.net/piliavinstudy.htm. Last accessed 7th March 2012. MalimTony and Birch Ann (1998). Introduction to psychology. London and New York : Palgrave Macmillan. 102-105, 640-642,826, 830. Richard Gross . (February 2012). Bystander intervention in the New York subway. Psychology Review. 17 (3), 11-13. Www. Phillipallan.co.uk/magazines. Saul Mcleod. (2007). Simply Psychology. Available: http://www.simplypsychology.org/research-methods.html. Last accessed 14/02/2012.

Niemann: Picks Disease Essay -- Medicine Medical Genetics Papers

Niemann: Pick's Disease Niemann Pick disease consists of a group of genetic disorders in which the common feature is a varying degree of sphingomyelin storage in certain tissues of the body. According to the current classification based on the enzymatic defect underlying these disorders, two main groups are distinguished. The first group, which comprises type A, which is characterized by a severe deficiency in acid sphingomyelinase activity, includes infantile neuronopathic form; and type B, an adult chronic form without neurologic symptoms. In the second heterogeneous group called type C, neuro-visceral involvement is massive and lipid metabolism is affected. The sphingomyelin that accumulates in the lysosomes of the Niemann-Pick disease cells is thought to arise from the degradation of cells and their organelles since it is a major component of all mammalian cell membranes, the myelin sheath and the erythrocyte stroma. In Niemann-Pick type C, the main lipid accumulated in patients cells is not sphingomyelin but cholesterol, however, there is a close relationship between sphingomyelin metabolism and cholesterol metabolism. Sphingomyelinase is an acidic lysosomal hydrolase that catalyses the cleavage of sphingomyelin to phosphoryl choline and ceramide. In patients with Pick’s disease its activity is deficient in all lysosome containing tissues. Patients with type A, the infantile form have 0.7% of the normal sphingomyelinase activity with median values in the range of 0-1% , while in patients with adult onset neuronopathic or non-neuronopathic disease the activity range is 0-19% of the normal, with median values in several tissues from 2-8% . This enzyme defect explains the massive deposition of sphingomyelin in tiss... ...sh Medical Journal: 295(6610):1375-1376. 4. Levade, Salvayre, Maret and Blazy. Endogenous and Exogenous Sources of Sphingomyelinin Pick’s Disease A & B. (1988) Inher. Metab. Dis.: 11, 151-157. 5. Maziere, M. Lageron, Polonovski. Alterations in Cholesterol Metabolism in Cultured Fibroblast From Patients with N-P type C. (1987) Inher. Metab. Dis.: 10, 339-346. 6.Liscum and Faust. Low Density Lipoprotein Mediated Suppression of Cholesterol Synthesis: and LDL Uptake is Defective in N-P Type C Fibroblasts. J. Biol. Chem.: 262 (17002-17007). 7. Blanchette, Sokol et. al. Type C Niemann- Pick disease. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. :263, 3411-3415. 8. Levade and Gatt. Uptake and Intracellular Degradation of Flourescent Sphingomyelin by Fibroblasts From Normal Individuals and a Patient With Niemann- Pick Disease. (1987)Biochimica et Biophysica Acta: 918, 250-257. Niemann: Pick's Disease Essay -- Medicine Medical Genetics Papers Niemann: Pick's Disease Niemann Pick disease consists of a group of genetic disorders in which the common feature is a varying degree of sphingomyelin storage in certain tissues of the body. According to the current classification based on the enzymatic defect underlying these disorders, two main groups are distinguished. The first group, which comprises type A, which is characterized by a severe deficiency in acid sphingomyelinase activity, includes infantile neuronopathic form; and type B, an adult chronic form without neurologic symptoms. In the second heterogeneous group called type C, neuro-visceral involvement is massive and lipid metabolism is affected. The sphingomyelin that accumulates in the lysosomes of the Niemann-Pick disease cells is thought to arise from the degradation of cells and their organelles since it is a major component of all mammalian cell membranes, the myelin sheath and the erythrocyte stroma. In Niemann-Pick type C, the main lipid accumulated in patients cells is not sphingomyelin but cholesterol, however, there is a close relationship between sphingomyelin metabolism and cholesterol metabolism. Sphingomyelinase is an acidic lysosomal hydrolase that catalyses the cleavage of sphingomyelin to phosphoryl choline and ceramide. In patients with Pick’s disease its activity is deficient in all lysosome containing tissues. Patients with type A, the infantile form have 0.7% of the normal sphingomyelinase activity with median values in the range of 0-1% , while in patients with adult onset neuronopathic or non-neuronopathic disease the activity range is 0-19% of the normal, with median values in several tissues from 2-8% . This enzyme defect explains the massive deposition of sphingomyelin in tiss... ...sh Medical Journal: 295(6610):1375-1376. 4. Levade, Salvayre, Maret and Blazy. Endogenous and Exogenous Sources of Sphingomyelinin Pick’s Disease A & B. (1988) Inher. Metab. Dis.: 11, 151-157. 5. Maziere, M. Lageron, Polonovski. Alterations in Cholesterol Metabolism in Cultured Fibroblast From Patients with N-P type C. (1987) Inher. Metab. Dis.: 10, 339-346. 6.Liscum and Faust. Low Density Lipoprotein Mediated Suppression of Cholesterol Synthesis: and LDL Uptake is Defective in N-P Type C Fibroblasts. J. Biol. Chem.: 262 (17002-17007). 7. Blanchette, Sokol et. al. Type C Niemann- Pick disease. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. :263, 3411-3415. 8. Levade and Gatt. Uptake and Intracellular Degradation of Flourescent Sphingomyelin by Fibroblasts From Normal Individuals and a Patient With Niemann- Pick Disease. (1987)Biochimica et Biophysica Acta: 918, 250-257.

Childhood Essay -- Literary Analysis, Blake and Wordsworth

At its fundamental level, adulthood is simply the end of childhood, and the two stages are, by all accounts, drastically different. In the major works of poetry by William Blake and William Wordsworth, the dynamic between these two phases of life is analyzed and articulated. In both Blake’s Songs of Innocence and of Experience and many of Wordsworth’s works, childhood is portrayed as a superior state of mental capacity and freedom. The two poets echo one another in asserting that the individual’s progression into adulthood diminishes this childhood voice. In essence, both poets demonstrate an adoration for the vision possessed by a child, and an aversion to the mental state of adulthood. Although both Blake and Wordsworth show childhood as a state of greater innocence and spiritual vision, their view of its relationship with adulthood differs - Blake believes that childhood is crushed by adulthood, whereas Wordsworth sees childhood living on within the adult. In the William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and of Experience, the vision of children and adults are placed in opposition of one another. Blake portrays childhood as a time of optimism and positivity, of heightened connection with the natural world, and where joy is the overpowering emotion. This joyful nature is shown in Infant Joy, where the speaker, a newborn baby, states â€Å"’I happy am,/ Joy is my name.’† (Line 4-5) The speaker in this poem is portrayed as being immediately joyful, which represents Blake’s larger view of childhood as a state of joy that is untouched by humanity, and is untarnished by the experience of the real world. In contrast, Blake’s portrayal of adulthood is one of negativity and pessimism. Blake’s child saw the most cheerful aspects of the natural wo... ...lake and Wordsworth see the relationship between childhood and adulthood as one of difference in vision and state of mind. The two poets mirror each other in this assertion, but differ elsewhere. While Blake sees this dichotomy as one of conflict, Wordsworth feels that the two mindsets are able to coexist within the individual. The relationship between children and adults is one that is by no means new to human life. The two epochs of human existence are drastically different in their mindsets and their views of the world. In the poetry of William Blake and William Wordsworth, this difference between children and adults and their respective states of mind is articulated and developed. As a person ages, they move undeniably from childhood to adulthood, and their mentality moves with them. On the backs of Blake and Wordsworth, the reader is taken along this journey.

Poetry Analysis Essay

Poetry is a beautiful form of art a writer uses to express ones emotions and thoughts. One of the hardest tasks is analyzing and understanding a poem. One line in a poem can be interpreted in so many ways, but when poetic devices are included in a poem, it makes it much easier to understand the theme and emotions the author is trying to portray. The two poems by John Donne that use poetic devices cleverly are â€Å"The Flea† and â€Å"Batter my heart†. The themes of the two poems are all referring to the speaker’s desire. In each poem, the speaker is expressing his or her wants and needs. At least two poetic devices per poem help contribute to each poem’s meaning because a lot of poems are hard to understand and make the reader think and analyze the poem. John Donne seeks the theme of desires towards God and sexual intimacy through his use of poetic devices of metaphor, internal rhyme, and rhythm in â€Å"The Flea† and â€Å"Batter my heart, three-personed God, for you†. John Donne services the devices of rhythm and metaphor to describe the characters’ desires. In â€Å"Batter my heart, three-personed God, for You†, John Donne uses the poetic devices of tone and rhythm to emphasize the desire and passion the speaker has for growing closer to God. The poem uses a desperate tone: â€Å"Take me to You, imprison me. † By using the word â€Å"imprison†, it allows the reader to focus in on the speakers’ desire. The speaker is so desperate to be drawn closer to God. Donne presents this character as a lost soul seeking the love of God. Donne uses the rhythm of the poem to portray the level of desire the speaker wants â€Å"Divorce me, unite or break that knot again. † There are a lot of pauses and emphasis after deep meaningful words. First person is also used a lot to show a closer connection to the speakers’ feelings. The rhythm is moving at a more slower, dramatic pace. This is allowing the reader to view the speakers desire as deep and meaningful. â€Å"The Flea† uses a metaphor to imply that the flea is more than just a bug. Proving that the recurring theme in this poem is that the man is justifying his desire for intimacy with this woman. The speaker of the poem proclaims, â€Å"Thou know’st that this cannot be said a sin, nor shame, nor loss of maidenhead. † The sense of doubt and hesitation from the woman causes the speaker to become defensive. He sees nothing wrong with them getting intimate and uses the excuse: â€Å"Wherein could this flea guilty be,† trying to heighten the woman’s desire to sexually intimacyThe line â€Å"This flea is you and I† implies the connection that the flea has with the two of them. Making them one, as if they are married. The speaker uses this line as a viewpoint through which the reader is able to see the speaker’s passion. The flea serves as a symbol of intimacy that the speaker wants to have with the woman and as the flea mixes both of their bloods, it was as if they already had sex. He is justifying his desire by using the flea as the excuse. John Donne explores the lengths humans would go to get what they desire within each poem. Although, each poem illustrates different desires, it is able to be captured within the poems. â€Å"The Flea† represents the lust through the metaphor of the flea. There is a lot of attention being given to the flea and the bite it made on the two of them. The speaker keeps referring to the flea and puts emphasis on the connection it has made between him and her by mixing their blood. The speaker’s goal was to fulfill his desire of intimacy without having the woman feel any guilt or self-doubt. â€Å"Batter my heart, three-personed God, for You† dials in on the passion to be a new person who is closer in God: â€Å"Your force to break, blow, burn, and make me new. † This poem examines the speaker’s want and need to be near to God. It gives a lens for the readers to see the depths this person will go and the sacrifices they will make to have the comfort of God. The use of internal rhyme is being used in â€Å"The Flea†- making it easier to understand the theme and speaker’s feelings. The first few lines of the poem consist of internal rhyme, as well as the rest of the poem:â€Å"Mark but this flea, and mark in this How little that which thou deny’st me is. † John Donne is able to capture the speaker’s theme and flow while still sticking to the consistency of internal rhyme. The poem has a consistency of using internal rhyme throughout the entire poem â€Å"’Tis true, then learn how false, fears be; Just so much honor, when thou yield’st to me. † Internal rhyme helps the reader understand the theme because the choice of words the speaker chooses to use all rhyme but are meaningful in the sense that they are adjectives for the speaker’s feelings. John Donne uses the poetic devices of tone and rhythm in â€Å"Batter my heart, three-personed God, for You† to emphasize the desire and passion the speaker has for growing closer to God. The things humans are willing to do to fulfill their desires is being examined by John Donne. In order to help better understand the theme in â€Å"The Flea†, John Donne makes great use of internal rhyme. The use of a metaphor in â€Å"The Flea† helps prove that the recurring theme in this poem is that the man is justifying his desire for intimacy with this woman. In â€Å"The Flea† and â€Å"Batter my heart, three-personed God for you†, John Donne made great use of poetic devices to bring attention to the speaker’s desires for God and sexual intimacy.