Institutional Racism

Institutional racism refers to a range of actions, policies, practices and procedures, which are deliberate or unintentional, and operate to subordinate an individual or a group based on skin color in an institution. These could be social, educational, economic or political regulations that promote prejudiced outcomes or give preference to some members of a group over the others. Institutional racism is brought about by the interaction of three elements: prejudice, discrimination, and oppression. Prejudice refers to idealized outlook and beliefs about a whole social group exclusive of complete knowledge concerning the particulars. Discrimination is a behavior exhibited based on prejudice, and is usually codified by existing laws and rules. Oppression is the organized exclusion, marginalization, or the deprivation of rights and dignity of a social group by another group, which has social power (capability of influencing decisions and controlling resources).
An example of institutional racism is the judiciary of 1994, where the ruling seemed to be based on racial grounds. Even though almost 67% of crack cocaine customers are of white or Hispanic descent, the largest number of persons imprisoned by the federal court in 1994 were black. The whites constituted 58%, black 27%, and Hispanic 15% of the total offenders, but the court convicted 85% of blacks, 10% whites, and 5% Hispanic for possession of the cocaine. The court ruled five year jail term for possession (for amounts greater than 500 grams) and another five years for the intent of distribution (for amounts greater than five grams). The combination of harsh and unbalanced laws regarding drug possession and the soaring rates of conviction that is racially based, paints the judicial system jurisdictions as institutionalized racism.

Surname 1

Refugees

Differences and Similarities between Refugees and Labor Migrants

Though there has existed a debate on the distinction between refugees and labor migrants, it is apparent that the distinction is not yet clear. To begin with, it is prudent to acknowledge the fact that different individuals decide to migrate to different countries for a range of reasons and under diverse circumstances; therefore, immigrants cannot be treated as a homogenous collection of people. In line with the subject of discussion in this essay, it is in order to classify immigrants in two groups. First, we have refugee immigrants: these are people running away from persecution in their country of origin. Secondly, economic immigrants: these are individuals who are looking for better jobs in addition to economic security, which is not the case in their home country. One significant feature that makes a distinction between these two immigrant groups is their ability to go back to their indigenous motherland. In most cases, refugee immigrants are not in a position or are reluctant to return to their home country for fear or the danger of prosecution, and therefore, they ought to make a life in the nation that offers them asylum. In contrast, economic immigrants are not restricted by fear or threat of prosecution and are free to return home at whatever time they so desire. According to scores of economic immigrants, their stay is motivated by the need to earn money and then return in their homeland to invest and help their family members. A second discernible distinction between these two immigrant groups is that refugee immigrants are expected to have fewer social contacts with their country of origin in the course of return visits. On the contrary, economic immigrants are allowed to make unrestricted journeys to and from their country whenever they feel like.
Given the distinction between refugees and labor migrants, it is of the essence to classify them as diasporas owing to the fact that both do not reside in their home country. It is of the essence to ask how can they face issues, such as assimilation/pluralism, among others either differently (or similarly) to economic immigrants?

Assimilation
A normally recognized theme amongst refugees and labor migrants is a move from the delusion of return to the certainty of staying on. However, they are forced to stay on. Some migrants should enthusiastically look for assimilation, and may perhaps be encouraged to go for it. Both groups of refugees should come together and create a shared culture as well as a new, distinctive society. Assimilation has been such an influential theme in the existence of harmonious and mutually dependent cultures and peoples
Pluralism
Though I support pluralism, I still think that refugees and labor migrants should not have to give up their way of life and traditions to become full participant in their new society. Immigrants should opt for a range of programs as well as ideas that champions for mutual respect for all refugee groups and for the multiple heritages that do exist in the society.

Citizenship rights
Through the nature of being human beings, both refugees and labor migrants are entitled to human rights just like any other citizen in their host country. However, security being the main concern of refugees, host countries is supposed not to return (refoule) refugees to countries where they came from. Preferably, refugees should not legally maintain their status forever. As an alternative, they should be enabled to achieve a more normal legal status. This is either achieved by becoming settled in their host country or a third country (for instance, by means of acquiring citizenship), or by willingly going back to their home country.

Surname 1

Risk management

In my place of work, we deal with a wide range of chemicals and necessary precautions and hazard controls are required to be observed when handling them. Due to their large number used in the company, the range of their use as well as the variety of types and degrees of hazards, illustrating the various precautions to be observed when using the chemicals cannot be practically accomplished easily. However, what can be illustrated in reasonable straightforward and simple terms are the principles that can be used to control chemical risks. Here are some ways that provide chemical users with knowledge and skills regarding the basic chemical risk control principles.

Engineering controls

This is the installation of tools and physical facilities as well as the arrangement of the experimental equipments. Engineering controls avoids risks by early design specifications and by applying substitution methods, isolation, ventilation or minimization. These controls are the most effective risk control methods because they eliminate the source of the risk or minimize the risk instead of lessening the damage which can result from the risk (McCauley, 2011).

Administrative controls

These controls are applied as either supplemental controls or to make sure engineering hazard controls are created, maintained and functioning properly. Administrative controls consist of the managerial efforts to minimize hazards by information and training, planning, safe work practices, environmental surveillance and written procedures and policies such as Laboratory Chemical Safety Manual.

Personal protective equipment

This constitutes of a wide range of items worn by people to isolate them from chemical risks. Such equipments include articles such as face shields, goggles, coats, aprons, gloves and others, for protecting skin, eyes as well as the respiratory tract. Personal protective equipment does not eradicate risks, but only minimizes damage from risks. This control method is sometimes uncomfortable and cumbersome to wear (Tweedy, 2010).

References

McCauley, P. (2011). Ergonomics: Foundational Principles, Applications and Technologies. United States: CRC Press.

Tweedy, J. (2010). Health Hazard Control and Safety Management (Second Edition). United States: CRC Press.

Should government invest more money in building shelter house?

Shelter is a basic need for human survival, and nobody can comfortably live without a substantial shelter. Most governmental and non-governmental institutions undertake massive operations to shield their population from the effects of being homeless (Australia, 2012, p.93). However, homelessness still remains a major challenge in most countries over the world, and engraves deep to the social set up of people. Principally, there are two types of shelters; Permanent and semi-permanent, or simply temporary shelter. The nature of shelter that a particular society has exhibits its social and economic conditions. On the other hand, social heritage dictates the type of shelter that a particular society constructs. This distinct pattern of sheltering is perceived differently from different social and ethnic backgrounds. In this regard, civilization and modernity emphasizes on a standard housing construction. Failure to meet such thresholds is regarded as backwardness. Australia is never immune from shelter shortage, especially to the Aborigines. Therefore, the question posed whether the government should invest more money in building shelter houses is a very ideal platform. Homelessness is defined here on other perspectives; for instance, lack of security, connection and safety to a given set up, culminates into homelessness. The Australian government must indeed gear its operations to curb the raging effects generated by homelessness. This statement is justified based on the following reasons.

The government should act in a quick rejoinder in order to eliminate the crisis that most people undergo in the country. Homelessness being a social crisis has exposed the people into many adversities into their lives. Indeed, the government must come quick to construct conducive houses to the many homeless Australians. The first reason attributes to financial viability of most people (Kennedy, & De Roos, 2005, p.143). Most working class has meager salaries and can hardly sustain their basic needs. Such earnings are so little to the extent that people are forced to construct temporary and makeshift houses. This is issue has led to numerous cases of homelessness being experienced in the country. Therefore, the government must come up with housing strategy that tends to subsidies on the rates of building these houses. Today, most Australian population lack comfortable shelter, and are likely to stay in this condition. Financial crisis in the country is detrimental on the people, who have to undergo severe tribulations. This is the first point that prompts the government to engage in massive shelter construction, lest its population continue living in social suburbs. Comprehensive housing plans by the government are likely to generate change on the social state of the people.

The government of Australia must enhance its housing project to end many social and historical disparities in the county. Intergenerational poverty in this country is one issue that leads to insufficient housing facilities (Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, 2010, p.74). In the history, various people professing varied ethical backgrounds have suffered the vice of social exclusion and marginalization. The end result of this practice is adverse poverty on people. For instance, people of Aboriginal origins have suffered the effects of social discrimination, which has generated immense poverty on them. This is what is termed as generational poverty, and it can only end upon adopting firm social and developmental frameworks. The only way to mitigate such incidences is by empowering the socially underprivileged persons. In addition, the Aborigines have a progressive historical background of not having secure housing and shelter facilities. The beginning of economic backwardness in this country starts with the effects of generationally inherited poverty. Therefore, the Australian government must come up with comprehensive operations to leverage such people from their social misfortunes and underpinnings. With the construction of shelters, the Aborigines, among other socially-excluded persons will get empowered and conform to modernity.

Lack of conformity between the number of houses and the population subjects the county to acute shortage of houses. This is another reason that the government must address through constructing viable houses to the people (Australia, 2003, p.88). Overcrowding leads to emergence of shanties and insecure settlements. Such settlements are destined to generate numerous challenges to the people, who normally have to undergo poor living conditions. The end to housing crisis in the country can only be done if the government engages in constructing many shelter houses. Currently, most Australian populations are homeless, or live in poor shelters. Such places do not offer comfortable living environment, and in most cases lead to the onset of crisis in the city. Problems with urbanization begin with the introduction of poor settlement. Advancements of social evil in cities are highly attached to poor living conditions. For instance, economic and social inequality is highly pronounced where there is big disparity among people. This is a serious problem that must be addressed with due consideration, lest the society risk crumbling into severe social and economic meltdown. Governmental schemes on homelessness must take actions, and ensure that no person is subjected to low life. Indeed, the social response of people towards poor conditions is very low and negative. Under normal circumstance, people who are motivated, tend to be economically active and socially exposed. This is the platform that the government must undertake to construct more houses in order to put end to the generational poverty and injustices.

Despite the efforts to have more houses constructed to the people; the process must be handled with precaution and due consideration. Like in the case of Australia, the people of Aboriginal origin are believed to be highly inclined to their tribal and cultural cocoons. These people practice nomadic lifestyle and have no places of permanent residence (Ryan, 2006, p.124). Therefore, the implications of constructing many people houses may possibly lead to enormous lose to the government. For instance, it is very costly to construct a permanent house for a nomad who has to shift every time. An absolute nomadic life is not supportive to the lifestyle of permanence. This is a counter reason that must be factored in before the government can have such investment to its people. However, this statement remains a mare myth since it has no firm proofs.

Based on the prevailing positive facts, it is deemed appropriate for the Australian government to invest more in building shelter houses. Having proper housing facilities is an end to socially engraved disparity and generational poverty. The government is under the obligation to create good living conditions to its people, and empower their social conditions. This is one way that the country can remain economically stable and viable in the wake of modernity. In addition, long time investment by workers, who apparently have little income, is best represented in the subsidized housing schemes through these shelters (Conroy, 2007, p.45). Finally, the process of investing in permanent houses must be undertaken with great caution in order to subvert any possible effect from the people. For instance, nomadic issue must be captured before the government can invest in shelter housing. With these aspects incorporated by the government, the population is likely to grow and conform to modernity.

References

Australia. (2003). Parliamentary debates, House of Representatives, weekly Hansard. Canberra, By Authority.

Australia. (2012). Australian foreign affairs record. Canberra, Australian Govt. Pub. Service].

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. (2010). The Parliamentarian; Journal of the parliaments of the Commonwealth.

Conroy, J. D. (2007). Shelter for the homeless: Asian-Pacific needs and Australian responses. Canberra, ACFOA.

Kennedy, D., De Roos, D., & De Roos, D. (2005). The insider’s guide to real estate investing loopholes. Hoboken, NJ, John Wiley. http://www.contentreserve.com/TitleInfo.asp?ID={28595963-C7D9-49BC-A223-E15F87FFE4C9}&Format=410.

Ryan, D. S. (2006). America: a guide to the experience. London, UK, Kozmik Press.

Social Problems Highlighted in the Movie The Breakfast Club (1985) by John Hughes

The Breakfast Club has highlighted a number of social problems. One of the social problems that have been highlighted in this movie is the issue of abusive parents. The parents of all the characters are abusive in their own different ways. For instance, Bender’s father is the conservative abusive father who beats his son and wife. This is an issue that as been very problematic in many societies around the world. Abusive parents have been noted to have bad implications on the psychological health of children.

The other social problem that has been highlighted is bad influence. Bad influence is highlighted in the movies insistence that all girls want to be associated with bad boys. For instance, Claire is attracted to Bender and she deliberately allows him to invoke her. Engaging in relationships with people who are immoral and criminally inclined has a negative effect on the people. This is particularly to children who are coming of age because they may be forced to pick up some antisocial behaviors and destructive behaviors like experimenting with drugs and alcohol.

The other primary social problem that has been highlighted in this movie is that of bloated ego. This has been exemplified by the character of Andy, who under the influence of his father, tries to be the big man in school. It is insinuated that his father demands that he always be at the top. This has a negative effective on the psychological aspect of children because they are forced to be people that they are not really inclined to be. This has resulted in social issues like bullying, which has been noted to be very destructive to the society.

There is also the issue of parents who are a bad influence to their children. At the beginning, Andrew’s father is mad at him for being caught and not for making the mistake. This is also a social problem that has afflicted many societies around the world. Parents have been noted for their bad influence on their children. This has a negative effect in the lives of the children because they are bent towards actions that are immoral and unethical. This is one of the reasons why many children experiment with drugs and alcohol at an early age. It is also one of the rationales behind why many children will engage in some actions with complete disregard of the consequences.

There is also the problem that is associated with crime. For instance, Allison is portrayed as having sticky fingers. This is a social problem where children start engaging in criminal behavior at an early age. This problem escalates in the future when the child is engaged in full time crime. This posses as a danger to the community because criminals have been known to physically hurt people and sometimes fatally assault members of the community.

There is also the problem that is associated with vanity. This has been exemplified by Brian’s claims that he has a girlfriend who lives in Niagara Falls, Canada. This is a social problem that develops into personality issues when children grow up. This can be attributed to the fact that the children do not seem to accept themselves for who they are. This social problem reflects on the ability of the children to conform to social norms because they may view themselves as being special than others.

Work Cited

Hughes, John. The Breakfast Club. Movie, 1985.

Poverty in Winnipeg

Introduction

Winnipeg is a city in Canada that has a total population of 730,018 people according to the 2011 population census. The city is located in North America near the Canadian Prairies and it derives its name from a prominent lake in the region, which was famously known as Lake Winnipeg, which meant sludgy and cloudy waters. Winnipeg represented the core trading area for the Canadian indigenous people before the arrival of the European colonialists (David, 2006). The economy of this region comprises of finance, industrial production, food and beverage manufacturing and tourism sectors. While this city is renowned for being a major transportation hub, it has a huge network of railway connections to major trade regions including the United States and Western part of Canada.

Poverty in Winnipeg

The issue of poverty in Winnipeg has continued to raise concern among an array of government as well as non-governmental institutions that have continually been torn between helping poor populations and letting them suffer their wrath rather than encouraging laziness and dependency among them. Although statistics has previously portrayed a drastically declining level of poverty among the Winnipeg populace, recent statistics have indicated a rapidly increasing rate of poverty in this region. A study carried out by Martin (2006) showed that Winnipeg had been ranked as the leading city with the highest level of poverty during the 1980s. The rate of poverty however started to decline at the dawn of the 1990s as the Canadian economy started to improve and the market incomes continued to increase, which led to a significant decline in the level of poverty in the city. This decline was however halted at the onset of the recession, which left the city with high rates of urban poverty. While this led to an increase in the overall rate of poverty from 10% to 11%, it further attributed to an increase in children poverty from 8% to 14%. As explained by David (2006), poverty has thus remained a constant reality among the Winnipeg populations, which has equally affected more than 20% of children in this region. Although the number of children living in poverty is said to have significantly reduced for the last twenty years, recent statistics have shown that an unacceptably huge number of children estimated at 54000 are still held by severe cases of poverty, which are mainly characterized by limited education opportunities, poor housing, insufficient income, and limited recreation. While the gap prevailing between the rich and the poor has continued to widen, the social ability to maintain a quality life among the Winnipeg’s populace has continued to weaken as communities in this region have failed to maintain quality education and health levels, improved quality of life, as well as equitable chances to access quality health services. According to Silver (2009), disparities in income level is among the major factors that have maintained poverty at an acceptably high level, which has as well affected the middle class population as the distribution of natural as well as wealth resources have continued to be skewed among certain populations and not others. Studies equally indicate that most children in Winnipeg are living under severe cases of poverty, which explains why most families cannot be able to rise out of poverty. According to Martin (2006), the number of people relying on Manitoba’s food bank has continued to increase, which is an important indicator of the severe level of poverty that has affected the Aboriginal people. Although most people in this region have jobs, their level of income does not allow them to sufficiently provide for their basic needs. While this explains the level of severity that cases of poverty have continued to expose people in this region, it equally explains the dire need to undertake an array of interventions in order to solve this challenge. Studies indicate that a wide range of solutions have been proposed in Winnipeg in the attempt to address this challenge. According to Silver (2009), establishment of the “All Aboard poverty reduction program” is among the leading solutions that have been proposed to reduce cases of poverty while helping most Winnipeggers to prosper. This program will include the establishment of an adequate economic condition that can help all people to flourish through significantly reducing the primary causes of poverty. The program will thus focus on providing quality education, technical skills, child development, and quality health care. Proponents of this solution believe that it will render reliable solution to the problem at hand since it will be targeting the entire Winnipeg’s population including those living in the rural and urban areas. They equally believe in this solution since it does not only prove to be a strong poverty reduction approach but it equally proves to be a strong economic development strategy. This solution is beneficial since it will seek to establish a future where all individuals will be socially included as well as linked to their respective communities where they can sufficiently participate in the economy thereby contributing to the wellbeing of the Manitoba province (David, 2006). The strategy will equally create a favorable condition that can allow individuals to fully participate in the society as valued and respected members. Another major benefit for this program is that it will perpetuate establishment of sufficient as well as affordable housing, which will enable individuals to move from poverty prone areas to regions where they can make significant contributions to the economy. Tactical investment in quality housing can contribute to quality improvement to the larger economy through enhancing significant community as well as economic development, social wellbeing, and quality improvement of infrastructure. The program is equally beneficial as it is going to enhance creation of well paying jobs as well as preparing individuals to undertake crucial roles in these jobs through offering them quality education and training. According to Martin (2006), the proposed budget for this program has mainly been increased in order to ensure that it significantly contributes to the development of skilled workforce through the provision of quality education, skills and training. Rebound, which is a new program that has been integrated into this solution, adds to the benefits of the All Board program as it helps workers that may have been displaced by the severe economic downturn to secure well paying jobs. The program has certain weaknesses as it only concentrates its concern to certain members of the community including those who are capable of accessing learning facilities. This explains that individuals that cannot access learning facilities cannot sufficiently benefit from this program even though they dwell in high poverty areas. The program equally relies on the contribution of the federal government among institutions, which must be willing to participate (David, 2006).

Conclusion

There is enough prove that poverty is an increasingly important issue that has continued to severely affect a huge number of individuals in the Winnipeg city. Although the rate of poverty had indicated a significant level of decline during the 1990s, the dawn of the recession era brought this development into a halt, which paved way for the growing level of poverty cases. The All Board poverty reduction approach is among the major solutions that have been proposed to ensure that individuals are helped to get out of poverty. The program is beneficial since it targets to improve quality of life for all individuals through improving quality of housing, health, social wellbeing and education. The program is however weak as it concentrates on highly educated individuals while its success depends of the willingness of other stakeholders’ participation.

References

David, C. (2006). New Poverty: Families in Postmodern Society, New York, Praeger Publishers.

Martin, T. (2006). Banking in Winnipeg’s Aboriginal and Impoverished Neighborhood, The Canadian Journal of native Studies, 26(2): 29-40.

Silver, J. (2009). Combating Poverty in Winnipeg’s Inner City: Thirty Years of Hard-Earned Lessons, Canadian Journal of Urban Research, 18(1): 45-60.

Prejudices

Prejudice refers to negative stereotyping based on an individual’s cultural, racial, religious, or ethnic background. The bearers of these acts see the corrected persons as potential threats to their space, and as a result, develop a sense of distrust towards them. They practice discrimination, infringement on personal and civil rights, and segregation. This plays a significant role in hampering the provision of social services, encouraging stigmatization, discouraging assimilation back to the society, and negating any social and economic chances of the individuals under the correction system. The result of these prejudices is the resultant sense of alienation from the community, loss of self-worth, economic stigmatization, and social disempowerment (Parhizgar 176). One of the major aims of the correction system is to correct deviant and unlawful behavior and realign the individual back to the acceptable code of behavior. In case the individual encounters prejudice while undergoing the correction, or even after undergoing correction, they come to realize that they are no longer accepted in the society. This negates the gains made in assimilating them back to society as they are likely to develop a sense of anger, disappointment, and even contemplate resorting back to the very activities they are being corrected (Parhizgar 174). It is imperative note that prejudice is not limited to the individual undergoing the correction. The correction counselors also face prejudice. As Jones and Bartlett point out, “African American correctional officers are sometimes subjected to racial slurs and white-supremacist activity” (18). This is usually by the very people they are meant to guide through the correction process. The consequence of such prejudice is the lasting impression created in the mind of the victim. Isolationist tendencies begin to show, and consequently, the correction process might not be effective in instilling the right behavior and helping the individual realign him or herself back to the society.

Works Cited

Jones and Bartlett. “Correctional counselors: Roles, Work environments, conflicts, and challenges.” JBlearning. Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2013. Web. 16 Dec. 2013. <http://www.jblearning.com/samples/0763741140/Correctional_Counseling_Chapter_1.pdf>.

Parhizgar, Kamal Dean. Multicultural behavior and global business environments. New York, N.Y.: International Business Press, 2002. Print.

Social Work and Human Services

Development of a career is process that takes a long time. A child’s career is nurtured at home, in school and can be seen in the adult career choices that people make in life. For one to get a satisfying and meaningful career there is need for early preparations to build on the experiences and learning. Career education should join ones academics to the world of work.

Teaching is one of the careers that is chosen by few but is greatly needed in any society. Teaching is a fulfilling career because it helps one to contribute and give back to the society through helping others succeed in life. It feels fulfilling to see a child you have taught grow into an adult and become a responsible professional.

For one to become a teacher, they need proficiency and interests in the profession. Apart from preparing students to lead successful lives, teachers need to make quick decisions on issues, deal with people from different backgrounds, master and communicate important and mostly complex information and advocate for the children and quality education. For one to be a good teacher and pursue teaching as a career, they need to be people who can handle all the above issues with ease.

To become a teacher one has to love teaching and dealing with children or teenagers. There are some important skills needed to add on the education that on gets to qualify for the job. Teaching as a career requires patience, children, and teenagers are cheeky and eager to try out many things. To succeed in giving them information patience is essential; a teacher needs this to stay calm as they spend most of their time with the children. A teacher has to be a good speaker and listener. Teaching is all about communication, the way one speaks will enable the listeners to understand or miss the point. The teacher should also be able to listen to the learners and explain the things that they find difficult. Teaching needs one to be passionate about the career. Knowing the subject, enjoying it give the learners the enthusiasm to understand the subject more and this helps them to succeed.

Leadership is a very important requirement in the teaching career, students look up to the teachers as their mentors. Being a role model, a teacher should act with care and behave well to ensure that the children watch and learn the right things from them.

Students trust their teachers more than they trust their parents. The career requires one to be a problem solver and supportive because children will need to trust them with some issues that are not academic. Teaching also involves dealing with many other teachers and parents and therefore one need to be very tolerant to listen and solve issues amicably and professionally with fellow teachers, students, and parents.

If a person is completely interested in teaching, they need to attend teacher education programs so that they can acquire skills to back up their interests in the career. There are colleges and university programs for teacher education that teachers need to meet the standards of different states. In the teacher programs, the teachers are taught the course work depending on the grades they intend to teach, courses on administration of teaching and student teaching methods. Teaching is a professional career, for professionals.

Works cited

American Federation of Teachers . Becoming a Teacher. Washington DC .(2008) Web.

http://www.aft.org/pdfs/tools4teachers/becomingateacher0608.pdf

Directorate for education, Education and Training Policy Division. Making Teaching an Attractive Career Choice Pointers for policy development.(2005)Web.

http://www.oecd.org/edu/school/45399482.pdf

Introduction

Gay marriage happens to be an issue of hot button that faces the American politics. The subject raises both critical and passionate arguments among both the opposition and the supportive sides. In almost all the broadcasting stations across United States and in other countries across the world, there has been a heated debate over the past one week because of President Barrack Obama’s declaration of his position in relation to homosexuality. Even though throughout his term in office he never presented a solid opposition or support of same-sex marriage, the president made it clear this week that it is within the rights of Americans to enjoy relationships with people they deemed right for them, whether of the different sex or not.

People in favor of legalization of same-sex marriage perceive such a realization as according all Americans their deserved civil rights, thus encourage such a move to give people the freedom to choose what they deem fitting for them. On the other hand, individuals in the opposition side perceive such as move as desecration of the marriage institution for personal or religious reasons. In the past several decades, a number of steps have been assumed in the endeavor to expand the boundaries of marriage to be inclusive of homosexuals. The debates over the subject of same-sex marriage encompass both the social and legal arguments, against and in support.

Support of Same-Sex Marriage

In the traditional society, seldom were individuals involved in homosexuality coming out to make public confessions. For many years, such individuals were not only condemned as being morally decadent but were also segregated by the rest of societal members. It was not until in the recent past during the advocacy of same-sex marriage that these individuals started declaring in broad daylight that they were homosexuals. The support of same-sex marriage has been established on the concept of essence of equality among the American population. The nation of United States was established upon the principle, “all men are created equal,” thus it is believed that it would be deceitful to deny the freedom to Americans who feel they only want to relate or marry individuals of same-sex as theirs.

The legal arguments for gay marriage seems to get greater attention owing to the fact that it is an issue of basic civil as well as equal rights. The argument presented is that even if such marriages were harmful, the dignity and the equality of gay couples ought to be respected. They base their argument on the fact that no concrete evidence has been presented with a conviction that gay marriage would be harmful (Cline para. 1).

It has been argued that gay marriages are better than heterosexual marriages in that the gays involved would be better off. Repeated studies have demonstrated that individuals who marry people of same sex as theirs tend to be better off psychologically, financially, medically or even emotionally. Marriage is not collectively an improvement (for example, women could actually become worse off in various ways), but generally it is. Because of such, the reasoning that the legalization of same sex marriage stands to benefit the gay individuals more seems to be more valid compared to the otherwise. The gay families, their communities, as well as their individual rights are improved upon legalization of such marriages (Cline para. 2).

One of the major arguments that has presented by the individuals within the Christian circle and even in the courtrooms against acceptance of same-sex marriage relates to children. The argument against gay marriage posits that one of the reasons as to why people marry is to get children and bring them up within the family context. Same sex individuals cannot have their own children thus; this means that they have to adopt children born of relationships between men and women but not through same-sex marriage. However, those in support of same-sex marriage posit that such an argument does not hold water: children are still being born, a significant number who are illegitimate and others who are orphans and in need of ‘parents’ to take care of them within the family context. Having children brought-up within a family context is of greater benefit to them that growing up in streets of orphanages, where they receive little of love and sometimes shortage of their necessities (Cline para. 4). The world is already having a greater population than it is able to feed: Having couples who will not bear more children but will help in feeding, educating, and providing other basic needs should be perceived as an advantage to the society.

Acceptance of same sex marriage would also play a significant role of making the adoption process easier. In the contemporary constitution, gay marriage is not legalized thus such couples cannot adopt a child. In United States, about 100,000 children await adoption every year. According to a longitudinal study that was published by the Pediatrics in June 2010, children of lesbians are rated higher compared to heterosexuals’ children in the academic and social competence. Such children were also detected to have experienced fewer social problems compared with the children from heterosexual marriages (Parke & Clarke-Stewart 238).

Denial of same sex individuals to marry amounts to stigmatization of the lesbians and gay families as inferior thus tends to send the message thus such kind of a marriage is unacceptable and thus discriminative. The Supreme Court of Massachusetts wrote to the Senate of the state an opinion on 3 February 2004 that offering of civil unions could not be considered as an acceptable alternative while dealing with the issue of gay marriage. The reasoning that was presented by the Supreme Court was that, “…it is a considered choice of language that reflects a demonstrable assigning of same-sex, largely homosexual, couples to second-class status” (Lee 45).

Gay marriage could play a very significant role in bringing about economic gain to both the local and state governments. The revenues that are drawn from gay marriages emanate from the licensing of such marriages, the higher income take which emanate from the marriage penalties and would decrease the costs for the state benefit programs. According to the Comptroller of the New York City, legalization of gay marriages could bring about $142 million to this City’s economy and about $184 million to the country’s economy in a period of three years (Hull 120).

Against of Same-Sex Marriage

Dr. James Dobson has advised that the kinds of arguments presented over the radio, television, internet, and on public forums, in favor of homosexuality and same-sex marriages are invalid and thus one must always be prepared to table a counter position. Dobson observed that there exist some very common questions and arguments that surround the support of same-sex marriage, among them including, “Why all the fuss about gay marriage anyway? Why should it matter to you if a gay couple marries and moves into your neighborhood? Why should not our definition of family be broadened and modernized? After all, what harm could possibly be done by yielding to the demands of those who say traditional notions of family are outmoded and irrelevant” (1).

Destruction of Tradition Family

The Scandinavian countries have provided enough evidence that countries with de-facto same-sex marriages destroy the original structure of marriage and family. Sanctioning of same-sex marriage is a way of blessing such marriages, thus encouraging more people to indulge in such. Such leads to the confusion of the younger generation in relation to sexual identity, which leads to a quick loss of understanding of emotional bonding, life-long commitments, sexual purity, as well the role of children within the family context. From the spiritual perspective, the marriage sanctity is destroyed by permissiveness of same-sex marriage, in that in most religions, marriage is only acceptable for individuals of different gender, with Christianity citing the case of creation (God created one man and one woman for companionship) (Dobson 1).

Children Suffering

Same-sex marriage has profound effect on the children within this marriage institution. “Because homosexuals are rarely monogamous, often having as many as three hundred or more partners in a lifetime — some studies say it is typically more than one thousand — children in those polyamorous situations are caught in a perpetual coming and going. It is devastating to kids, who by their nature are enormously conservative creatures” (Dobson 2). Numerous studies have proven that children perform better when brought-up within families characterized by caring and loving fathers and mothers. When a child lacks one figure (either father or mother), they tend to experience some psychological or emotional challenges, most of which, if not handled with care at the tender age, might affect them later in life.

Conclusion

In the contemporary society, issues of rights are so prevalent; they dominate almost every single courtroom. Most people who sue others are because they feel their rights were violated. This extends even to the marriage context. In an endeavor to extend the equality rights to all people in the society, various nations across the globe have held forums that have led to the subsequent legalization of same-sex marriages.

Some of the reasons that have been tabled in support of same-sex marriage include giving all the members of the society access to what they desire and what is within their legal rights, same sex marriage tend to have better emotional, medical, financial and psychological effects. Some other reasons presented in favor of same-sex marriage include increase and ease the rates of children adoption from the society, reduction of stigmatization in the society and increase of income in the local and the state level. However, the opposition side is not without profound defense of their position against such kind of marriages.

Among the major reasons presented, include the effect of same-sex marriage on the traditional structure of marriage and family and the implication of such marriages to the children. Irrespective of the side of argument that one may be inclined to, there is a continued increase of acceptance of same-sex marriage across the world with President Obama being the latest high-ranking person to table his argument on the subject matter.

Work Cited

Cline, Austin. Arguments for Gay Marriage: Moral and Social Arguments for Gay Marriage. Retrieved on 12 November, 2012 from http://atheism.about.com/od/gaymarriage/p/ProGayMarriage.htm

Dobson, James. Eleven Arguments against Same-Sex Marriage. Retrieved on 12 November, 2012 from http://www.mfi-online.org/resource/collection/2B578157-ACC9-4933-881C-2C9A16AF6218/Eleven_Arguments_Against_Same_Sex_Marriage-James_Dobson.pdf

Hull, Kathleen. Same-Sex Marriage: The Cultural Politics of Love and Law. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006.

Lee Karen. Equality, Dignity, and Same-Sex Marriage: A Rights Disagreement in Democratic Society. New York, NY: BRILL, 2010.

Parke, Ross and Clarke-Stewart. Social Development. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons, 2010.

Social Work Major: Agency Field Summary that I worked for as a Social Work Student

1.0: Central Baptist village

This is one of the nonprofit making communities that have dedicated it time into careering for the elderly. It has been around for more than a century and has continued to serve its purpose in the community around it in residential Norridge in Illinois. It provides the elderly from within and far wide to be able to get the health and social attention that they so much desire. It sits on about ten landscaped acres thus enabling residents to access their progressive health needs being provided pin the care-centered accommodations. It has continued to be a pillar for the elderly in the community during their transitional stage of aging.

1.1: Its History

The central Baptist village has a very rich history. Pit began with the dream that its founder Reverend Jacob Meier. He had an idea of coming up with a home that would care for the aged and the helpless in the society especially those in the German Baptists in the western states. It came into reality in 1896 when the western German Baptist old people’s home society got incorporated and made into a home to 12 residents.

After this, there were more efforts that were made in order to make sure that the community expanded and catered for more residents. These efforts seemed to have paid of since by the year 1907, there were almost 80 residents in the facility. Its founder Jacob Meier However passed on in 1921 but by then, his dream had already flourished. In 1952, the facility changed its name to central Baptist Home for the Aged. This restructured and reinforced the facility’s mission to cater for the Christian elderly in the community. In 1956, the facility changed its location and made Norridge Illinois as its base. This is where it acquired ten acres to build its facilities in the northwest suburb of Chicago where it come up with a big facility that could hold a capacity of up to 90 residents.

One of the most notable amenities included an attractive lobby, a state of the art kitchen, a parlor with a fireplace, a specious room for dining and a modern doctor’s office. Due to the changing healthcare needs of the patients therefore, there was a need for an expansion of the facility from time to time. By 1978, a 102 bed nursing unit was added. The concerned department also saw the need to include a sheltered care unit. This was meant to cater for those residents who needed a non-nursing environment.

Another major transformation was witnessed in the facility as the 21st century approached. It was able to change its name central Baptist villager after a thoughtful planning that took almost six years. This was as a result of a transformation project that was being done at the time. It has continued to transform over time and now boasts of major success in the field of serving the elderly in terms of their spiritual, health and emotional needs (Central Baptist Village website).

1.2: Its mission

The central Baptist village has dedicated its time to cater for the needs of the elderly in the society without any bias. The facility is seeking to impact a reasonable change in the society by making sure that the elderly get the best health care, comfort, safety and security that they so much need at this phase in their lives. It is therefore important to make sure that the facility brings pa balance between catering for the needs of the elderly as well as meeting the demands of the community around it. This is in regard to the fact that there has to be a growth in spiritual wholeness and a clear understanding of the meaning of life, aging and death.

The facility is in the race to make sure that they stimulate healthy lifestyles that will promote the quality of life. This is done through the interest in personal development, taking into consideration the personal limitations and independence. The building of mutual values in individuals is the main focus of this facility since they have a strong believe in compassionate, professional and spiritually focused holistic care for those individuals in their sunset years. The most important accomplishment would be to motivate those they serve to self acceptance, understanding and self awareness thus giving them pan inspiration for a higher level of fulfillment and attach a new meaning to life (Central Baptist Village website).

1.3: The residents

The agency has dedicated its time to serve the mid class elderly who are above 80 years. The agency recognizes the fact that old age can be one of the worst stages of life if no care is given to those going through it. This is the phase whereby all manners of health complications arise. The agency thus recognizes the fact that the residents have their own unique way as they go through the journey. The agency has therefore dedicated its efforts to make sure that the elderly as well as their families through this aging transition. Some of the residents are diagnosed with various diseases like Alzheimer’s which is the most notable one and also the focus of the agency when providing the care for the residents(Central Baptist Village website).

1.4: Funding base

Since this is a nonprofit making organization, pit will be relying on external funding in order to conduct its business effectively. The funding comes in various ways to the agency. The first way through which the agency gets its funds is through the money paid privately by the residents. This is a case where a resident pays a certain amount of money that would cater for the basic upkeep as long as he/she is in the agency. These funds are contributed by the family of the resident in order to make the care more convenient and effective.

Another way through which the company can get funds is through sponsorships. This is a case where big companies sees the need to get associated with the company by sponsoring the agency in terms of buying drugs, clothing and other personal effect for the residents. They government also plays a role in providing funds to make sure that the agency has a smooth running. The government can chip in by buying drugs for the company.

2.0: My field of practice

Since I am a social worker, I have endeared to work in the social services department in order to get the hands on experience that I need as a student. While at the agency I have done a lot in regard to the psychological, emotional and therapeutic needs for the residents. I have also been able to attend social services meetings that will see getting the required expertise to deal with the social life of the elderly in the agency (Beaulieu, 2002, p. 11).

2.1: Relevant social policies

2.11: Alzheimerz care policy

This is a state policy in regard to those living with Alzheimer’s disease. As stated earlier the elderly being catered for in this agency comprise of residents with Alzheimer’s disease. This policy in meant to cushion those living with the disease in order to give them a humble time. This policy thus affects other people in terms of security and patient visit access (Quinn, 2009, p. 28).

2.12: Health and social care policy for the elderly

The government in its bid to make sure that the elderly are given the best care has come up with a policy that will see les privatization of the elderly heath care. This ensures that this concept is not turned into a business. The government fully supports the nonprofit organizations in their bid to cater for the needs of the elderly in the society.

These policies have helped me as a social worker to make more impact in my service at the facility since I get enough support from all the concerned parties. The policies also have made sure that more elderly people are turned in for the best care during this trying phase in their lives.

3.0: Diversity and the cultural competence

Central Baptist village is an equal opportunity employer, in this regard thus, it has been able to employ staff from diverse cultural backgrounds. This has been a blessing to the company since the agency’s clients also come from diverse cultures. This therefore ensures that the various diversities in the staff composition would be able to understand how best to cater for the elderly who comes from their own ethnic background. This has helped much in regard to the effectiveness of the company.

3.1: Ethical implications

While working with the elderly, many issues would tend to arise ranging from difference in opinion, accusations from the residents and so on (Mcguire,1995, p275). However, in the course of my field placement, I experienced a dilemma whereby some section of the residents I was put under could not accept to be served food by an attendant of a different race and religion. Since I came from a different race from them, it became a source of contention in the agency and it greatly affected my performance. However, the intervention of the relevant department ensured that the residents loosened their stand and my work became better.

4.0: Conclusion

Social work is an area that needs special attention at this age. As seen from this paper, it is necessary that we get more concerned with the welfare of those around us for the better understanding of each other. As I social worker, I have learnt the importance of tolerance, patience and kindness toward people of a different age, religion and race.

In regard to the elderly in the society, it is important that special attention be given in order to make sure that they get the best out of their sunset years. This special attention should start with the family before it goes to the elderly care homes.

References

Beaulieu, E. (2002). A guide for nursing home social workers. London: UK. Springer Publishing Company

Central Baptist Village website: retrieved March 12, 2012, from: http://www.cbvillage.org/

McGuire, D. B. (1995). Cancer pain management. Boston, MA: Jones and Bartlett.

Quinn, P. (2009). Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Related Dementia State Plan. State of Illinois, Department of Public Health.