Saturday, January 18, 2020

Police and Evidence-based Policing Essay

Evidence-Based-Policing Written by Desiree Rosch Instructor Atthur Moghalu Introduction to Criminal Justice Evidence-based policing is a style of policing that uses research to create or change policies to increase effectiveness. Lawrence W Sherman, an academic criminologist, is credited with making the term Evidence-based Policing (EBP) popular. During a lecture Sherman stated, â€Å"Police practices should be based on scientific evidence about what works best. â€Å"Starting in the 1960s several organizations were formed to conduct studies on how to better prevent crime and increase the public’s confidence in law enforcement. The first of which was the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration created by Congress in 1969. There are many benefits to using an evidence-based policing stance, such as being able to see the actual results of your policies. This enables an agency to make necessary changes to the way they operate inorder to accomplish their missions more effectively, such as changing where and when units patrol certain areas. It also allows them to come up with completely new programs and procedures they may not have developed on their own. The disadvantage of using research to change the way a law enforcement agency operates is that those changes may be expensive to implement. The agency may even find that the way they approach a situation could be completely wrong according to the research. Another problem with an evidence-based policing system is that the results may be accurate for where the study took place, but may not reflect the samedata you would obtain in another area. Things like income, education levels, backgrounds, cultures, etc can influence the effectiveness of procedures based on studies in another location. The Kansas City Experiment in 1974 is the most well known example of studies done on law enforcement. The results of this study were not what researchers were expecting. The agency found that increased patrol units had no effect on either crimes committed or the public’s perception of how safe they were. These findings changed the way many agencies allot their patrol units. Another study conducted in Redlands, California was on the procedure of sending a follow up unit to make contact with a domestic violence victim after the initial call.

Friday, January 10, 2020

Underrated Concerns on 20 Persuasive Essay Topics That You Need to Think About

Underrated Concerns on 20 Persuasive Essay Topics That You Need to Think About Just make certain that you set the content writers off in the proper direction in the very first place and make them write how you would like them to write. Set your objective first, and produce a means to write it in an intriguing manner for your readers to relish. It's important to understand that essay topics are just basic ideas that leave you pondering an idea that might be a huge deal to somebody else. In an issue of speaking, picking out persuasive essay topics is similar to telling yourself what you wish to convey to the rest of earth. For instance, you can actually put up your essay instances in a web site. Anything which you can think of that will assist the content writers do their job better is always great. Another good idea is to receive some totally free essay examples of different kinds and on various subjects to find a general idea of the way in which a prosperous debatable paper looks. If you've ever taken an on-line class, you understand how different it can be from a conventional face-to-face course. 20 Persuasive Essay Topics Skilled essay writing crew and expert research raper service team can help you get well-written papers that could help you to get top grades. If you can select the problem by yourself, it's possible to think of the issue of interest! In such cases, you don't wish to go for topics that require a great deal of research and preparation. Even if your company might be just a little entrepreneurial startup, understanding how to compose a business letter is an important skill that you, or a minumum of one of your assistants, should know. You have to decide on an interest as you will probably enjoy writing and it'll be less difficult for you to have a stand on such matter and defend your point of view which you really care about. Your principal ideas should flow naturally and adhere to the topic. To choose which subject you're like ly to discuss, it's essential to see the complete collection of good persuasive speech topics from the specific area of study. When you settle on the subject and pick the position on which you will base your essay, the remainder of the job can then begin. Just select a position on the question asked, then write to convince your reader your position is the smartest choice. It may be a part of your introduction, or it can make a great title. After you have the topic, answer the question and support your answer with three or more explanations for why you believe it. With all these things to argue about and for, it may be a bit overwhelming to think of a topic all on your own. Top Choices of 20 Persuasive Essay Topics Educated people ought to be asked to volunteer as literacy tutors. Training to compose essays on various topics is going to be the ideal preparation to the exam. Knowledgeable speakers are aware that the introduction should arouse interest. The 7 Words System supplies an easy insightful routine that makes it possible for us to get a lot greater awareness of what precisely we're searching for. It is very important to figure out the advantages and disadvantages of the subject and choose which side will profit from your advocacy. The best speakers know that one of the simplest methods to relax is to learn to breathe properly. Should you need help to comprehend the many kinds of public speaking, and indeed the social significance of public speaking and why it's so very crucial in some careers to learn the essentials of public speaking, then you will definitely find much in the 7 Words System that can help you. Why it's important to learn public speaking. Our life is about words. There are varying views on if a college education is needed in order to have a prosperous life. There are instances when you're requested to deliver a persuasive speech in a short time period. When writing a The topic of animals is quite wide. Having selected a fantastic topic to argue about, at this point you need to make an argumentative essay outline. Most issues can have essays on all t he above mentioned questions. Qualities of a fantastic persuasive essay topic The topic needs to be specific. Such topics oftentimes are talked about in social media so that your essay is going to be of wonderful interest to your market. Selecting a great topic for your essay is among the most crucial and frequently tricky parts for many students. Below you'll find a list of our most popular 5 paragraph persuasive essay topics which you'll be able to order right now and find the grade you have earned. You first have to establish the reason behind your essay, before you may write persuasive content about it. What's the best essay writing service.

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Positive And Negative Impacts Of Social Psychology

Social Psychology is defined as â€Å"a subfield in psychology that focuses on social interaction between people, how people influence and are influenced by others, and the relationship between the individual’s behaviors/cognitions and that of others in a group† (Robertson, 2002-2015). Within that subfield there are many theories and concepts that explain these feelings, thoughts, and beliefs that are constructed and how psychological factors influence our interactions with others. The topics examined in social psychology include social influence, social perception, and Lawrence Kohlberg’s Ladder of Reasoning. All of these concepts have a major impact in our society and world order; both positive and negative. Social behavior addresses two key points. The first point is that individuals construct their own realities based upon attitudes, perceptions, and experiences. It also states that we are influenced by and influence others to whom we are exposed (Robertson, 2002-2015). Since birth, individuals have been exposed to these influences. In many instances the presence of other people influence our behavior and can have either positive or negative effects. For example, when a teacher assigns a group project one individual in the group may not put in as much effort because there is a â€Å"diffusion of responsibility† (Robertson, 2002-2015). Diffusion of responsibility occurs when an individual in a large group lacks a sense of responsibility and is less likely to take action. That formShow MoreRelatedNegative Effects Of Social Media1350 Words   |  6 Pagestoday’s society, social media is an important tool that many people use daily for various purposes. On social media, people share their opinions, events in their lives, and news. They also use social media as a tool for entertainment and as a way of keeping in touch with their friends. Because of its various uses, the use of social media increased very significantly over the years and it is no surprise that many scholars from different disciplines took an interest in the use of social media. These scholarsRead MoreAttitude Formation1356 Words   |  6 PagesThomas Walden University Attitude Formation The field of social psychology focuses on understanding the behavior of an individual and seeks to include the aspects of external and internal influences that impact behavior. Not only is ones behavior impacted by emotions, behavior is also impacted by how an individual perceives a situation and acceptance to engage in that situation (Fiske, 2010). Hogg and Cooper (2007) argue social psychologists note individuals view the world and its interactionsRead MoreThe History of Psychology and its Relations to Video Games Essay1350 Words   |  6 Pages Psychology is a very interesting field of science and study. It can tell interesting facts about someone and their personality. It can study a person’s behavior and the causes of the issues in their daily tasks. There have been fun tests that involve psychology. There is a lot of confusion about of psychology in media. They are normally depicted as criminal investigators and high action paced cops. While psychology is used in police activity it is not as hyped as it is in the movies or televisionRead MoreUncovering a Relationship Between Alcohol and Violence Using Correlation Research979 Words   |  4 Pagesinvolve accessible records of already convicted violent offenders that acknowledge the use of alcohol. I would choose this method because I believe this would be an abundant amount of knowledge that could properly disclose a correlation, weather positive or negative, between alcohol and violence, and present a strong or weak number that predicts the correlation thus mak ing this research method the most viable. Although this data may display a relationship between the two variables, it does not divulgeRead MoreThe Theory Of Social Work And Psychology Essay1137 Words   |  5 PagesThe disciplines that are relevant to the proposed research are social work and psychology. The theories to be utilized within each cognate are the systems theory for social work and the cognitive behavior theory for psychology. Given the heuristic nature of interdisciplinary research, the theories to be utilized within each cognate could possibly be dynamic in nature; therefore, subject to expanding to include more than just the two theories or disciplines currently included. The systems theoryRead MoreRelationship Between Attributional Style, Information Valence, Likability, And Need For Cognitive Closure1215 Words   |  5 Pagesdisclosed has a significant impact on impression formation (Collins Miller, 1994; Jones Gordon, 1972). Jones and Gordon (1972) determined that the disclosure of negative information has a negative impact on impression formation, which causes individuals to rate people who disclose negative information lower than those who disclose positive information (Runge Archer, 1981). This means when negative information is disclosed to a pessimist, they are more likely to form negative impressions, thereforeRead MoreThe Health Of Health Care983 Words   |  4 Pagesyears, or for a few months. It is understandable that some people are afraid of what they might hear from professionals of preventive care, but it is necessary for people to understand that certain preventive services are provided for their mental and social health. It is n ecessary because people’s health is what makes society function. Additionally, psychological health is essential to humans because it gives the mindset of developing a healthy lifestyle—physically and socially which develops a healthyRead MoreColor and Mood1595 Words   |  7 Pageshypothesis that different colors would elicit different moods. Thus, this study found no support for the prediction that brighter colors would elicit positive moods, whereas less bright colors would elicit negative moods. These results do not support past research findings that brighter colors tend to elicit positive moods, whereas, dark colors elicit negative moods (Hemphill, 1996; Kaya Epps, 2004). Moreover, this result was not expected given the previously discussed research by Weller and LivingstonRead MoreA Positive Note For Advertising858 Words   |  4 PagesA Positive Note for Advertising So many people are intimidated by the word marketing. They may not realize it, but marketing is a part of their daily routine and they will use it for the rest of their life. Singles use marketing theories to find love, parents to convince children to behave, and teachers to sell knowledge to the classroom. Anytime someone successfully convinces or sells another person on their idea, or product, they likely used elements of marketing without even realizing. In lightRead MoreCurrent Social Issues : Income Inequality767 Words   |  4 Pages 1) Why to study? Overview of current social issues - income inequality Unequal distribution of income has significantly impacted individuals in the global workforce. In particular, the maldistribution of wealth has lead to various issues in the US society as well, not only economically, but also psychologically. Prior research shows that lower income status is positively associated with exposure to stressors and negative life events (Lantz et. al, 2005ï ¼Å' Santiago, Wadsworth Stump, 2011) In other

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

The Effects Of Global Warming On The Environment - 1616 Words

Global Warming Global Warming is the result of too many gases, which accumulate in the atmosphere. These chemicals build up and produce what is known as greenhouse gases. This results in temperature changes and various weather patterns. The gases, which rise up into the atmosphere retain a lot of heat, which can cause higher temperatures and more moisture in the air. Many of the pollutants in the atmosphere come from everyday human activities, such as using automobiles, factory fuels, and agricultural waste. Air pollution contributes to global warming, because these harmful gases are released into the atmosphere and are trapped like a magnet holding up a full pot of water. These accumulations of water vapor combust producing severe rain, which can cause flash flooding. Temperature and weather patterns can become so unreliable and unpredictable because of the interaction of these greenhouse gases. These weather events show that climate change is an environmental threat to the planet. Alternative techniques must be developed to stop the changes in the atmosphere temperature. A few degrees will make a great difference! Global warming continues on our planet and society as a whole must be made aware of what is happening and what can be prevented to ensure the future of the Earth. Scientists have proven that the global temperature has risen about one degree since the beginning of the century. They feel that this trend will continue by about 2-7 degrees ifShow MoreRelatedGlobal Warmi ng And Its Effect On The Global Environment1144 Words   |  5 PagesGlobal warming has emerged as one of the most serious concerns for scientists and environmentalists in the 21st century. This is based on the negative impact of global warming, which is not limited to deforestation, drastic variations in climate, decline in output of global agricultural industry, degradation of ice sheets in Antarctic, decrease in ocean productivity, rise in sea levels, and increase in tornadoes, hurricanes and floods. The primary reason for global warming has been identified asRead MoreThe Effects Of Global Warming On The Environment977 Words   |  4 PagesThe Effects of Global Warming Introduction Global warming has been discussion for many years, but has, in the last decade or two been at the forefront of attention. The enormous effects and potential risks on humanity that can result from rise in global temperatures and the environment must be addressed, because the earth after all is finite. â€Å"Globalization refers to the rise of average temperature of oceans and earth’s atmosphere. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the earth’s average surfaceRead MoreThe Effects Of Global Warming On The Environment1224 Words   |  5 PagesGlobal warming continues to be a huge concern affecting the environment, people and the world. If action to stop this phenomenon is not taken immediately by the global community, the consequences will certainly be catastrophic. Already, some of the consequences of global warming are being felt globally. The frequency and intensity of tropical storms has increased as a result of global warming. Global temperatures continue to rise at rapid and unprecedented rates. According to scientific researchRead MoreGlobal Warming And Its Effect On The Environment1311 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Global warming refers to an incremental in earth’s temperature. Some believes this is occurring naturally but the prevailing view attributes climate change to the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect refers to the warming resulting from certain gases such as carbon dioxide in Earth s atmosphere trapping heat. These gases traps heat but let light in, similarly to the glass walls of a greenhouse. The general belief is that mankind are chiefly responsible for global warming becauseRead MoreThe Effects Of Global Warming On The Environment1549 Words   |  7 PagesGlobal warming is an increasing in average global temperatures across the planet. This is due to the rising temperatures on the continent. Temperatures continue to rise yearly causing global warming. The greenhouse effect is sun light radiation being driven back to the earth. When solar energy is released into the atmosphere, there is an effect of bouncing back. Solar radiation is bounced back into the atmosphere causing the temperature of the earth to remain steady. However, over time greenhouseRead MoreGlobal Warming And Its Effects On The Environment Essay1516 Words   |  7 PagesSome people say global warming is caused by human activity, others say global warming doesn’t even exist. Some people claim that the climate is changing for the worse. They believe that humans are the primary cause of these changes, especially the increase in temperature, caused by the burning of fossil fuels. They believe that the temperature changes are causing glaciers to melt. They claim that the melting of ice masses leads to a higher sea level and worsening conditions for Arctic animals, asRead MoreThe Effects Of Global Warming On The Environment1175 Words   |  5 PagesGlobal warming, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, â€Å"refers to the recent and ongoing rise in global average temperature near Earth s surface.† Effects of human influence on the environment has long been a cause of concern regarding the disturbance of the â€Å"natural order.† Although a cycle which results in the periodic increase and decrease of the average global temperature has long been known to exist, due to new data suggesting the substantial and relatively r ecentRead MoreThe Effects Of Global Warming On The Environment1453 Words   |  6 PagesHuman impact such as industrialization, livestock farming and the increase in recent population have all caused serious environmental impacts that have let to dramatic global climate change. â€Å"Scientists generally agree that the globe has warmed over the past 40 years, due largely to human activities that raise carbon-dioxide levels in the atmosphere† (Clemet). Greenhouse gasses have always existed, but not to the extent that they do in today’s world; they are causing a dramatic change in climateRead MoreGlobal Warming And Its Effects On The Environment928 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"Global Warming†-The Biggest Scam of Modern Times Global warming is the steady increase in the Earth’s average surface temperature. There are two sides of this story. Some people believe that global warming is caused by the natural components in the environment and not man-made production of carbon dioxide, while the others believe that it is caused by man-made production of carbon dioxide and not by natural components in the environment. Global warming is due to the increased level in temperatureRead MoreGlobal Warming And Its Effects On The Environment999 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"Global Warming†-TheBiggest Scam of Modern Times Global warming is the steady increase in the Earth’s average surface temperature. There are two sides of this story. Some people believe that global warming is caused by natural components in the environment and not man-made production of carbon dioxide, while the others believe that it is caused by man-made production of carbon dioxide and not by natural components in the environment. Global warming is due to the increased level in temperature of

Monday, December 16, 2019

Yemen Free Essays

Yemen is a small desert country, in Africa. It covers approximately 528,000km2 with an estimated 26 million people populating the area. The official language is Arabic and the practiced religion is Islamic. We will write a custom essay sample on Yemen or any similar topic only for you Order Now Gender relations in Yemen are shaped by diverse religious, cultural, social and political traditions across the regions, between rural and urban areas, and between different tribes and generations (CARE, 2015). The North has been traditionally more conservative than the South. The conflict in Yemen has been catastrophic for its civilian population. Thousands have been killed and over 12 million people are now targeted for humanitarian assistance. This has driven the country into a state of extreme poverty and underdevelopment. Though the conflict has taken its toll on both male and female genders, the female population are the ones left most vulnerable to gender based violence. Apart from the on-going conflicts in Yemen, another conflict that has grabbed international recognition in Yemen is that of Gender Inequality .By conflict we mean the pursuit of incompatible goals by different groups.(Ramsbotham,Woodhouse miall,2016). Pruitt and Kim define conflict as â€Å"a perceived divergence of interest, or a belief that the parties’ current aspirations cannot be achieved simultaneously†. Prior to the conflict, gender inequality was high in Yemen and the conflict just worsened the case. Ranked the least gender-equal of 142 countries for the ninth successive year, Yemen fared worse than Pakistan, Chad, Syria and Mali, according to the Global Gender Gap Report. Gender inequality in Yemen has mostly being attributed to the religious and traditional beliefs. The Penal Code, Personal Status Act, Citizenship Act and Criminal Code all contain provisions that discriminate against women. In addition, the mix of statutory law, sharia, traditional tribal practices and customary law leave women vulnerable to violence and discrimination. (JICA,2009) In accordance with Yemen’s constitution, Sharia (Islamic law) is the source of all legislation. The norms and customs of the people of Yemen classify women as weak beings, and are not regarded as equals with men both by the law and societal norms. Women in Yemen don’t have a choice of whom they marry, when they marry, where they live, how their kids would be taken care of, they are just left at the mercies of the men. There are several reasons why the existing gender inequalities in yemen should be addressed, important well-being-related dimensions such as education, health, employment, or pay are key to the development of a nation. From a well-being and equity perspective, such gender inequalities are problematic as they lower well-being and are a form of injustice in most conceptions of equity or justice. (Klasen ; Wink,2003) According to the World Bank, just over 25% of Yemeni women are economically active; the majority of women who do work are employed in the agricultural sector. With regards to gender inequality in education, research suggests that, in Yemen there is a low percentage of women and girls that are educated or are currently in school, such gender inequality reduces the average amount of human capital in a society and thus harms economic performance. A second argument relates to the externalities of female education. Promoting female education is known to reduce fertility levels, reduce child mortality levels, and promote the education of the next generation which in turn has a positive impact on economic growth. With regards to early marriage, The Personal Status law does not, however, specify a minimum legal age of marriage and early marriage is considered to be a serious issue in Yemen. According to UNICEF(2014), 12% of women were married by the age of 15, 32% before the age of 18; 17.2% of 15-19 year old women were married or in a union. This can be attributed to the fact that based on their customs, they feel their parents should pick whom they would marry because they have their best interest at heart, and these parents tend to pick partners for their daughters at very young age. Gender inequality can also be seen when it comes to family inheritance, daughters are entitled to half of whatever the sons get, and if they marry outside their tribes, they are not entitled to the inheritance. According to their custom, this is done in other to keep the property under tribal ownership. Female Genital Mutilation is not considered illegal in Yemen, though there is a mistrial decree that prohibits it from being carried out in health facilities, they are done in private clinics ,and efforts towards criminalising such acts have failed. According to UNICEF(2014), there is no legislation in Yemen that addresses domestic violence. Though this very common, as a result of lack of trust in the police and the judicial system, most cases are not reported and the testimony of a women is not equivalent to that of a man in court based on their culture. There are also no specific laws addressing sexual harassment , and sexual harassment is another major issue faced by women in Yemen, a study conducted by the National Centre for Women’s Rights and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) shows that 90 per cent of women faced sexual harassment in the streets. PAST INTERVENTIONS AIMED TOWARDS TACKLING GENDER INEQUALITY IN YEMEN. An attempt to introduce a law criminalising the practice in 2008 was rejected by the parliament. Data from 2003 shows that 40% of women aged 15-49 had undergone some form of Female Genital Mutilation.(OECD,2014). The 2011 uprising challenged the norm of women’s limited participation in society with women actively participating in the protests , Women represented more than one-quarter of participants in the National Dialogue Conference (NDC) in 2014 .Through their involvement in the NDC, women were able to achieve important agreements for the new constitution, including a 30 per cent quota for women’s political participation and a law to increase the age of marriage to 18 years. (Gressmann;Heinze,2016). However, their involvement resulted in the women delegates being publicly threatened for participating, and were even physically attacked . The government has made efforts to improve the rights of women in Yemen, including via the formation of a Women’s Development Strategy and a Women Health Development Strategy (Gressmann, ;Jarhum, 2016). However, poor enforcement of this legislation, along with many cultural and religious norms has meant Yemeni women have failed to have equal rights to men. How to cite Yemen, Papers

Sunday, December 8, 2019

My Goal Is to Become an Software Engineer free essay sample

Clearly identifying one’s goals can allow an individual to determine and coordinate the behaviors or objectives necessary to achieve those goals. Additionally, it may also be helpful to establish how you will measure whether or not your goals and/or objectives have been achieved. For this assignment you will take the time to write down your goals, objectives, and the means by which you will determine your success in attaining those goals. All of these aspects should be listed per the categories identified below and should consist of an elaboration for each, not just a quick listing. Understand that it is acceptable to have more than one goal for the categories (middle school, high school, post-high school) that you will be writing about. However, if you do have more than one goal for one of the categories, you should provide separate objectives and the means with which you will measure your success. We will write a custom essay sample on My Goal Is to Become an Software Engineer or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The final product for this assignment should be typed and single-spaced. The format for this assignment is as follows: Middle School †¢ Goal †¢ Objective(s) †¢ How it will be measured High School †¢ Goal †¢ Objective(s) †¢ How it will be measured Post-High School †¢ Goal †¢ Objective(s) †¢ How it will be measured An example for middle school has been provided for you on the reverse side of this paper. This is solely an example and you should reflect on what your goals are and not necessarily just take these. This assignment really requires you to identify what you desire in the future. Middle School – Goal One My first goal for middle school is to earn at least a â€Å"B† in science class. Science has been a class that I have struggled with in the past, but it has also been a class that I have enjoyed. Particularly, topics associated with Chemistry have really caught my interest, and I know we will be doing Chemistry this year. Middle School – Objectives for Goal One †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Be sure to ask questions and seek help when I am having a difficult time understanding the topic. Try not to procrastinate on long-term assignments. Put effort into studying far in advance for quizzes and tests. Form study groups when preparing for quizzes and tests. Middle School – How Goal One will be measured †¢ The grade I earn at the end of each quarter and at the end of the year will help determine if I successfully attained my goal. Middle School – Goal Two My second goal for middle school is to make the basketball team. Since there is no longer a sixth/seven and eighth grade team it has become much more challenging to make the team since there is a lot of competition and the number of available spots is few. I made it to â€Å"last cuts† in seventh grade and I am hoping that I can make it one step further this year. Middle School – Objectives for Goal Two †¢ Continue to play on my travel basketball team and as often as possible with my friends to help my skills improve. †¢ Try to increase my athleticism by being active daily. †¢ Read a book about the technical aspects (drills, plays, etc. ) of basketball and try them out. Middle School How Goal Two will be measured †¢ Whether I make the basketball team this year will determine if I successfully attained my goal.

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Motivation and Commitment for the Social Work Profession Essay Example

Motivation and Commitment for the Social Work Profession Essay Motivation and Commitment for the Social Work Profession As I reminisce back upon my life there are many experiences and factors that have affected and shaped who I am today. If you examine Nature vs. Nurture, Ive always concluded that human expression is not just black and white, there is a definite grey area where both nature (genetics) and nurture (environment) combine. For example, childhood experiences or family dynamics can either make or break you as a person depending on whether you allow negative experiences or less than ideal environments to detrimentally affect the way in which you view the world. You can prevail forward or stay with the natural human tendency to digress in the past but you decide how long you want that period of digression to be. My immediate family growing up was my father, stepmother, mother, and my twin brothers. My parents divorced when I was two. My mother was severely depressed; because of this I did not see her again until I was eight years old. I dont remember a lot from when I was young but I do recall my brothers and I visiting our mother under supervision in a playroom of a human services building. She explained to us that she was better and could soon keep us every other weekend. We will write a custom essay sample on Motivation and Commitment for the Social Work Profession specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Motivation and Commitment for the Social Work Profession specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Motivation and Commitment for the Social Work Profession specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer My mother was better for a while but the depression came in cycles, sometimes she was up and other times she was down. My twin brothers were born mentally challenged on the mild spectrum. As I watched my mother and brothers struggle with trials and tribulations of life, I realized how much I enjoy helping others cope with the obstacles and barriers that can come with life, with or without a disability that brings life into another realm. Which is how I came to work with several different companies serving various populations such as, mentally challenged, mentally ill, physically disabled and Traumatic Brain Injury. My interest in social work and psychology began as a teenager in my first psychology class my freshman year in high school. I was fascinated with how the brain works and what influences and shapes the human mind. I told my parents at this time my dream of becoming a therapist. As a teenager I always wanted to give support and give advice to my friends. I wanted to help others through their challenges. We all face challenges in life, we all have to face fear at one time or another, every challenge and fear is a chance to gain courage or strength you never knew you had inside you. I began pursuing my bachelors degree at the age of twenty one. I attended school, work, and at the same time held up the role of single motherhood. It was testing and exhausting at times but the feeling of accomplishment at the end was well worth it. After receiving my degree I knew eventually I would want to climb further up the education ladder when I was ready. I wanted a break to gain more work experience serving others. This year I decided was the right time to look into a masters degree program. I was fond of the multidimensional contexts mentioned in the Advanced Generalist Concentration description for the second year. It is important to learn the different levels and aspects of cultures and the influences thereof, in order to better understand and empathize with the individuals you serve as a social worker. My future career goals after I complete the program: I hope to work in a clinic or resource center for individuals with HIV and work towards further prevention and education to the public. I am going to obtain a minor in Drug and Alcohol Counseling so I can better serve this population. After gaining some work experience to broaden my perspective and knowledge, I hope to open my own therapy practice in order to help others through their challenges and succeed in life. 2) A Social Issue of Concern A social issue of concern for me is the stigmatizing of individuals with HIV in society. As the HIV/AIDS epidemic marks its thirtieth year, you can state a lot has changed since 1981 when what was thought of as the gay plague which had symptoms similar to pneumonia and Kaposis Sarcoma, such as, fever, fatigue, rash, swollen lymph nodes, and sore throat. Although many individuals experience no symptoms at all, feel, and appear healthy for several years. A few years later this would come to be known as HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). Now thirty years later society, professionals, and doctors know more about HIV transmission, treatment, and prevention. Society may know more but do they know enough to keep ignorance and stigma at bay? A recent survey performed by the Kaiser Family Foundation shows substantial shares of Americans continue to express discomfort at the idea of interacting with people living with HIV. For example 45% say theyd be uncomfortable having their food prepared by someone who is HIV-positive, 36% with having an HIV roommate, 29% having their child in a classroom with an HIV-positive teacher, and 18 percent working with someone who is HIV-positive. One statistic that does show some promise in decreasing stigma and ignorance within society is the share stating theyd be very comfortable working with someone who has HIV increased from about a third in 1997 to roughly half in 2011. (www. kff. org/kaiserpolls[-gt;0]) Unfortunately other results show the public is still ignorant about modes of transmission of HIV. The KFF survey also shows that over the past twenty years, roughly one in four Americans have continued to either believe that one can get HIV from a drinking glass, or remain unsure whether it is the case. What do these statistics tell about stigma and ignorance within the general public? It says that potentially stigmatizing and discriminating attitudes still persist. There are a few factors that I believe led to this outcome, 1) The public is not being educated enough in the schools, television, and doctors offices and hospitals are prime places where we can get the information out there. ) More doctors are suggesting HIV tests for non-elderly, 29% but so far it doesnt translate into an increase in reports of actually getting an HIV test. About one in five non-elderly adults say they have been tested for HIV in the past 12 months which is a percentage that has held steady since 1997. 3) The information about how HIV is contracted and testing routes/sites needs to get out not to ju st high-risk population but to the general population as well. Although society discriminates, HIV itself does not discriminate. (statistics obtained from: www. kff. rg/kaiserpolls) 1. Society Response When speaking of HIV in general, people get defensive and uncomfortable. This is where peer advocacy at testing sites, community education sites, and in the clinics/hospitals is vital because those living with HIV can share their stories and show others the different types of people that contract HIV. So a face can be put with the virus, show others that you cant tell who has HIV by looking at someone. Also, a belief that comes into play is that if you talk about sex, even safe sex, that people will be encouraged to have more of it. In reality the opposite rings true. The more that educators and hospital professionals talk about safe sex and STDs, the more comfortable others are talking with their sex partners on the subject. The more you know about a topic, the more confident you feel to discuss it with others. 3) Personal Strengths, Skills, Knowledge, Qualities and Limitations Ive always had an altruistic personality, compassion for others, ability to empathize with external and internal human struggles. In high school I enjoyed giving advice and being the sympathetic ear to my friends. Growing older, I enjoyed listening to and talking with mature adults at work with every day contact I gained more knowledge about their life experience. I was always fascinated when discussing the way they handled their trials and tribulations. I always had a thirst for knowledge whether it is the spoken words of others, reading books, enjoying new experiences, or researching online. Some professionals who receive vast education, or are in their chosen profession for a long time, come to believe they have learned it all. They get stuck in a rut like doctors treating numbers, not treating the patient. I dont believe I will ever get to that place in my career. At the start and at the end of the day, you need to remember your purpose for yourself and for others. Its innate for all of us to need human experience, to be loved and accepted, to feel needed, to make others happy. In summary, a thirst for human knowledge, an understanding that society and people are forever changing, the ability to empathize with others, and the human experience in general, is what makes an effective social worker. One of my limitations is that I often underestimate myself. Because of that I put limitations on myself that dont need to be there. I let fear of success get in the way of success. However, Ive come to realize this and I do my best to strive further and not give up. There are always obstacles in life whether it is emotional, physical, or environmental. One must learn to get around them, work with them, or run right through them. 4) Ethics and Values My personal values are seen in the work I have chosen to do throughout my life. Ive worked with the mentally challenged, mentally ill, and physically challenged individuals for many years. I believe no matter what the differences and limitations are, we as human beings all deserve respect, dignity, and the same opportunities that all Americans are provided. The right to vote, obtain an education, right to work, to serve in the community, have resources available, and to live and experience life to its fullest; are rights and privileges we all have. Some do not realize how in the past those that differ from the norm have had to fight and struggle for these rights, many had to experience anguish, despair, and isolation when institutionalization was standard and no rights were given to these individuals. In 1955 the institutions were slowly shutdown for the most part and deinstitutionalization became the standard. The mentally challenged, physically disabled and mentally ill were more accepted and integrated into the community, the educational system, into paid work and vocational positions, the government and state provided adaptions so they could gain access to the community and use their rights. There is always more work to do. The general public has little concept of how significant the population of disabled individuals is, more educating to the public needs to be put into place on how prevalent physical, intellectual, and mental disorders are, for example, the CDC reported 1 in 110 children in the United States have an Autism spectrum disorder, 13% of children have a developmental disability and the last count in 1993 the CDC found 1. 5 million children and adults ages 6-64 had intellectual disabilities. As a social worker one will work with people from all walks of life, characters, belief systems, religion, culture, race, and value systems. Also depending on these factors, the issues individuals deal with in their day to day lives will vary. You have to put your ego and your own beliefs that may be different from theirs aside and take your profession seriously, but dont take yourself too seriously. Put the person youre serving first and remember the service youre providing, whatever your field may be. People will come in with conflicting beliefs, religions, and backgrounds, but unless you have walked in their shoes its not for you to judge or change their mind. However, you are required to report incidents such as, abuse, homicidal and suicidal intentions (if there is a plan set out). You are there to offer help with resources and advice on the use of those resources available to the individual. 5) Meaningful Volunteer and/or Work experience For the year of 2007 I worked for Quality Living Inc. in Omaha, Nebraska, this is a rehab facility specializing in TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and Spinal Cord Injury. Never having worked with this population, it was an eye opening experience to see several people go from living an independent life, to losing the ability to walk or go to the bathroom, losing the ability to speak, process thoughts, control of their muscles, having to relearn everything and not fully gain back certain skills. Also teaching and helping struggling families gain skills to cope and work with their loved ones as well. One tough situation among many was a family with a seventeen year old daughter who was ran over by a vehicle at night; she had a TBI and was in a comma. I watched the family by her side and praying for her to wake up every day. This hit close to my heart because I have a daughter as well and I thought to myself how heartbroken I would be if that happened to her. You are reminded of how valuable life is and how important the moments are that you spend with those you love. I had never assisted people who were in such extensive need of various services. The individuals attended physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and relearning everyday living skills to gain back the skills they lost. I didnt know the need for this service was so extensive. There are few facilities like it which specialize in TBI and SCI. There are rehabilitation hospitals who offer similar therapies and resources but not to this extent and not as individualized. The creator of Quality Living was one person and a community of families with loved ones who have TBI and/or Spinal Cord Injury who werent getting the services they desperately needed. Working with the individuals and those who work for them, reminded me of the power and perseverance of the human spirit to overcome any obstacle. ) Cultural Diversity Experience a. I have some experience working with diverse cultures. I worked as a nursing assistant in various facilities, nursing homes, group homes, and hospitals, assisting with personal care and daily living. Working with the elderly you see how people come from different backgrounds and how it affects who they are today. You also see how dementia and Alzheimers affects the brain and physi cal function. As I went over before, I worked with individuals with physical and mental disabilities; I still do to this day. I gained a lot of patience and understanding from this work. You come across various behaviors that can be aggressive, violent, emotional, and this will challenge you emotionally and intellectually as well. This will also at times drain you physically and emotionally. At the end of the day you get these reminders: a friendship gained, a smile, a thank you, an apology, a new experience, being able to teach someone and help someone. You see youve made a difference despite the difficult days that come and go. b. I have not had professional experience working with many different ethnicities and/or nationalities. However, I have had personal experience with friendships and co-workers of various national origins such as, Africa, Persia, Mexico, India, Ecuador, Haiti, Columbia, France, Portugal and Britain. I myself love learning about different cultures, their views, beliefs, traditions, history, and food of course, its all very fascinating to me. c. I am most comfortable working with those my age or between 20-40 years of age because I can more easily relate and be at the same level maturity and intellect. I also am comfortable with those who have disabilities and mental illnesses, having professional and personal experience with this population I am more apt to see the person, not just their disability. d. After careful thought there is not a population I am uncomfortable working with. 7. ) Social Support and Financial Plan I plan on applying for school loans and scholarships. As well as meeting with the financial assistance and scholarship offices. Currently my husband and I are looking into starting a non-profit shelter for female veterans out of our home. We have already begun contacting individuals within The National Veterans Wellness and Healing Center which host retreats for veteran couples and also works constantly on assisting veterans with obtaining the resources that are available to them. While I am at school and doing work credit hours my husband will take care of the business, along with our business partners we will also hire extra people to assist us with running the business. I am very excited about this endeavor and feel my further education with New Mexico State would contribute a great deal to this and future endeavors. [-gt;0] http://www. kff. org/kaiserpolls