Category: Family

Despite global efforts aimed at economic growth and peoples well-being, financial issues remain topical in developed nations. Miami, Florida, retains an image of an affluent city, and it may be difficult to imagine that some of its population experiences severe financial issues. Nevertheless, the areas median income remains below the United States average level, and many families do not have access to regular meals. Malnourishment poses a range of serious threats for ones health, and the issue is particularly topical for young people as their organisms continue their development. The purpose of this research is to examine the degree to which this issue affects Miami families, and propose viable intervention techniques.

Problem Statement

While Miami has a reputation as an affluent area, it demonstrates similar issues to the rest of South Florida in terms of average income compared to the cost of living. As of 2018, Miamis average household income amounted to $64,540, placing it below the overall average level of the United States (Miami, Florida population 2018, 2018). Simultaneously, the areas poverty rate exceeds twenty-four percent, which is an alarming number (Miami, Florida population 2018, 2018). Accordingly, this situation entails higher food insecurity risks, and research shows that nearly nine percent of Miamis population does not have access to regular meals (Feeding South Florida, 2017). Malnourishment has been associated with a range of conditions in terms of peoples physical and mental health. Raskind et al. (2019) evaluated the performance of over two thousand students, almost one-third of whom reported food insecurity, and concluded their academic results were negatively affected by the described issue. Arenas et al. (2019) associate food insecurity with such disorders as depression and anxiety, as well. Therefore, the lack of access to regular nutrition is alarming, posing considerable threats to public health.

Questions

The proposed project will focus on the key questions surrounding the described issue. First of all, it is important to assess the psychological and physical well-being of participants and determine the degree to which they are affected by food insecurity. The second question to be discussed consists of an evaluation of the intervention techniques effectiveness. The correlation between the findings will allow for an accurate outcome assessment.

Methodology

The study will start with the pre-intervention data collection, which is possible through self-evaluation interviews with the selected participants. Secondly, clinical screenings will be conducted in order to compare the results with the initial assessments. The study will focus on three young students from low-income families who experience moderate food insecurity. Once the project starts, they will be provided with regular lunches in the course of ten weeks. The objective is to obtain evidence, which would confirm that proper nourishment would directly affect their psychological well-being, thus indirectly affecting the academic performance levels. After the first five weeks of the intervention, preliminary results will be analyzed via self-evaluation. Once the project is over, each participant will undergo a screening identical to the one which was conducted prior to launching the intervention. All three datasets will be compared in order to draw valid conclusions, either confirming and disproving the effectiveness of the intervention technique.

Timetable

The overall duration of the project will be ten weeks, not comprising the preparation and post-intervention analysis. It is going to start by the end of November 2020 and last until February 2021. During the preparation stage, each selected participants family will sign a written consent form, confirming their informed participation in the project. Self-evaluation forms will be distributed and collected, as well. The main stage will begin with clinical assessments and comprise the intervention itself. During the post-intervention phase, the participants will have another professional evaluation, and the results will be provided in the form of a capstone project. Progress reports will be collected at the halfway point of the second stage and delivered to the supervisors and the participants families.

References

Feeding South Florida. (2017). Map the meal gap 2017. Web.

Miami, Florida population 2018. (2018).

Raskind, I. G., Haardofer, R., & Berg, C. J. (2019). Food insecurity, psychosocial health, and academic performance among college and university students in Georgia, USA. Public Health Nutrition, 22(3), 476485.

Abstract

Family violence includes child abuse, intimate partner violence (IPV) and elder abuse. Child abuse is caused by stepchildren, unplanned/prematurely born/handicapped children, young age/inferior socioeconomic position of parents. IPV is caused by urge to control, hereditary experience, economic problems or misconceived machismo. Elder abuse is caused by financial hardship, alcohol/drug addiction or isolation from society. Females are victimized more than males especially in IPV due to societal definition of women, optimism, fear of societal rejection, fear of retribution from abusers and financial reliance. Family violence takes place in a cycle that has three inter-connected stages: tension, violence and the honeymoon. The danger of family violence is recognized by the U.S public and government who are both taking steps to combat it.

Definition

Family violence is an increasing malady that spares no family irrespective of economic status or background, and targets family members irrespective of age. Family violence includes 3 types of maltreatment including actions that result in endangering or threatening the health and welfare of family members.

• Child abuse that may be physical, sexual or psychological in nature.
• Intimate partner violence {IPV} involving domestic violence against adults that may be physical, sexual or psychological in nature.
• Elder abuse that may be physical, sexual or psychological in nature against people 65 years old or more. It also includes withholding of proper care of elders.

Causes

The primary cause of child abuse is stepchildren; such children do not generate the same amount of love and affection in the step-parent that his or her own child would do. The second cause is handicapped children due to their continual ill-fitting status in society. The third is inferior socioeconomic position of the parents who are ill-equipped to bring up their children property. The fourth is unplanned birth of children; such children are resented because they were not required yet managed to force themselves into the family. The fifth is prematurely born children who are generally weak and require more initial care and attention {and expenses} as compared to children who are born normally. The last is the young age of parents who are not mature enough to have and look after children.

The first cause of IPV is the urge of one of the partners to establish more power and control over the other. The second cause is hereditary wherein the abusive partner has grown up in a family characterized by a lot of IPV. The third cause is a misconceived sense of machismo where the man thinks IPV is a stereotypically masculine trait. The fourth cause is alcohol or drug addiction which drains the financial resources and causes discontentment. The last cause is economic problems {such as poverty, unemployment, underemployment and lack of housing} that cause despair and hopelessness.

The first cause of elder abuse is financial hardship; the parents may be facing difficulty managing household and child-rearing expenses with little or no money to spare in providing sustenance and health care to elders in the family. The second cause is alcohol or drug abuse by one or both parents which greatly restricts family funds. The last cause is if the family is cut off from the broader society whereby the parents feel no fear of societal disapproval.

Issues of Gender

There is no doubt that females are the victims of family violence in much greater number and proportion as compared to males. In general, females in the U.S are abused 6 times more often by intimates as compared to male victims. As a result, females of all races suffer more abuse from persons known to them rather than from strangers. This discrimination is hardly seen in case of elders {among the 33,026 cases of elder abuse in the U.S as recorded by the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System [NEISS] in 2001, but is more apparent in case of child abuse and literally overwhelming in case of women in IPV. In case of child abuse in the U.S, 45% of girls of average age 12 years are abused by people known to them. This percentage assumes large proportions when one considers the large number of child abuse victims {there were 906,000 child abuse cases registered by child protective service agencies in 2002 in the U.S. In case of IPV, 26% of rapes and sexual violence against women in the U.S are perpetrated by intimates like husbands, ex-husbands, boyfriends and former boyfriends. 30% of murders of women are committed by husbands, ex-husbands and boyfriends {in contrast, only 3% of men were murdered by wives, ex-wives or girlfriends. The U.S Department of Justice statistics in 2000 recorded a huge 5.3 million cases of IPV against women aged 18 or more as compared to only 3.2 million cases of IPV against men aged 18 or more.

There are several reasons for the over-victimization of women as compared to men in cases of family violence. The first reason is societal definition of women. Many women have been brought up to believe that they are responsible to make their marriages work and keep their families together; if they cannot do this, it means they have failed as women. The second reason is optimism. Women are generally tender-hearted, and are easily persuaded by love to continue in abusive relationships. They tend to blame factors like stress, alcohol addiction and work related problems for provoking the abusive behavior in their men and optimistically hope that things will return to normal soon. The third reason is financial reliance. Women who have at least 1 dependent child are financially reliant on their abusive husbands; they are hesitant to break away as they fear poverty for them and their children. The fourth reason is fear of being ejected from familiar society. Women who have grown up in certain communities face devastation if they decide to break away; in addition, their children face problems of missing school and losing friends. The last reason is fear of retribution. Women who leave abusive relationships are constantly afraid that their abusive husbands would track them down in which case they fear of being subjected to violence again.

Cycle of Violence

Family violence does not happen constantly as abusers do not perpetrate violence against their victims regularly. It occurs in a cycle that has 3 stages that are inter-connected. Stage 1 {tension} leads to Stage 2 {violence} that leads to Stage 3 {the honeymoon} that leads back to Stage 1.

In Stage 1 {tension}, the victim is unable to know what the abuser needs. This stage is steeped in emotional abuse and threat of violence which is as bad as actual perpetration of violence. In Stage 2 {violence}, the abuser resorts to physical, sexual or psychological abuse which is considered a crime. In Stage 3 {the honeymoon}, the abusers tries to woo the victims into a false sense of security by displaying different reactions to the violence perpetrated by them ranging from total denial of it, to lightly blaming the victims for causing it, or by expressing regret and remorse. This stage is called the honeymoon because the abusers act romantically {sending flowers/presents, getting counseling or being extra-helpful in household chores}. The aim of this stage is to arouse pity for the abusers in the victims and draw them back into the relationship.

Stage 3 however, is a sham  it is never a real honeymoon and soon completes the last lap of the Cycle of Violence by leading back to Stage 1 {tension}. The Cycle of Violence has 2 characteristics. The more times a revolution is finished, the less time it needs to finish, and, the more times the cycle is repeated, the more frequent and severe is the violence perpetrated by the abuser against the victim.

Conclusion

Family violence in the U.S has been recognized as a serious problem that needs to be combated strongly at all levels. Today, the public {neighbors, teachers, medical professionals and clergymen} are doing their best to safeguard their fellow-citizens from acts of domestic violence. It is also heartening to note the positive steps taken by the U.S government to combat this menace; it was President Bill Clinton who began the government fight back when he first passed the Violence Against Women Act in 1994 and later declared a countrywide, 24/7 toll free domestic violence telephone hotline {1-800-799-SAFE} on February 21, 1996 that ensures professional assistance is immediately rushed to needy callers.

References

The Cycle of Violence: Why do Women Stay in Violent Relationships? (2009). Coalition Against Violence Web.

Domestic Violence Awareness Handbook. (N.d). 2009. U. S. Department of Agriculture Web.

Family Violence. (2007). American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. 2009. Web.

Violence against Women. (2009). Childbirth Solutions, Inc. Web.

Alcohol and substance abuse is an endemic problem in modern society that affects both the addict and their immediate family and friends. Apart from arresting the addicts physiological and emotional growth, chemical dependency on illicit drugs is an expensive behavior that is hard to kick. Thereby, the patient and his/her family are severely compromised and embarrassed in the larger society since regular support and sustainable maintenance programs have to be provided (Edberg, 2007). Children with a family history of chemical dependency are more exposed to illicit drug addiction as compared to those that do not. According to Tharp& Watson, (2010) homes with greater vulnerability to substance abuse expose their children to the risks of picking up the habit later in life since the family provides the legitimacy to overindulgence in such excesses of life.

Such factors include a family history of substance abuse, sexual exploitation, psychological trauma, peer pressure and emotional abuse (Edberg, 2007). Children whose parents abuse alcohol and other illicit drugs are more vulnerable to suffer from chemical dependency and addiction-related issues than those who received a morally-upright upbringing. As such, at an early age, children need coaching and supportive training directed towards overcoming the temptations of emulating parental addiction behavior. According to top medical research conducted on the issue of substance abuse, genetic factors are primarily the main causes of addiction and chemical dependency. That notwithstanding, findings of similar research reveal that environmental factors are known to trigger the expression of specific genes for phenotypes associated with chemical dependency and drug addiction. Those risk factors within ones social setting that promote substance abuse should therefore be suppressed at an early stage of child growth to eliminate developmental challenges which could predispose them to chemical dependence.

Resilience is an important quality that empowers young people to overcome any form of stress during their physiological and emotional development (Tharp& Watson, 2010). A resilient person can withstand significant stress without necessarily compromising on their dignity or otherwise experimenting on life issues. Prevention professionals recognize that the innate potential of a child to accommodate and recover from stress is a consequence of supplementary support manifested through emotional support, validation, skill-building and guidance (Edberg, 2007). It is worth noting that the growth and development of children is a holistic exercise that demands close evaluation and monitoring of changes as they unfold. Optimal growth is associated with other support factors which include, self identity, acquisition of problem-solving skills, acceptable peer interactions and ethics, strong social bonds among family members characterized by love, warmth and empathy, community and school vigilance through designed societal and institutional code of conduct (Tharp& Watson, 2010).

Parents are therefore instrumental in providing a working environment for the proper upbringing of children right at their homes. Intervention is also needed from other stakeholders in the society concerned with the wellbeing of children particularly in fighting the problem of substance abuse in general. Consequently, healthy living devoid of deviant behavior is a social responsibility that is initiated and sustained by parents who are tasked to monitor their childrens cognitive development. Parents bear the sacred role of guiding their children on healthy lifestyles, how to choose friends as well as in solving daily problems in life. When a childs beliefs and attitudes are shaped at an early stage in life on substances that are either good or bad for their health, they are developed into a solid character that is resilient enough to resist simple temptations in the future regarding delinquency and dependency (Tharp& Watson, 2010). Edberg, (2007) further states that parents play a big role in instilling the concept of wellness in their children.

Edberg, (2007) also highlights the three most important dimensions of learning are used which include; affective (feeling), behavioral (doing) and cognitive (thinking). The affective learning approach ensures that children are empowered to know and understand themselves beyond reproach. In addition, they are cultured to know safe people whom they can interact with since children are playful and could meet dangerous people beyond the reach of their parents/ guardians. Behavioral skills include the ability to make wise decisions alone and through consultations with responsible adults. Childrens cognitive development is sharpened through the provision of relevant information on the negative effects of substance abuse to them early thereby making them assertive enough to resist cheap alternatives in life. The concept of wellness is therefore integrated during childhood on what is suitable for good health through proper nutrition, enough rest, participating in regular exercise, hygiene, and personal grooming apart from avoiding harmful substances.

In this regard, it is worth noting that there are children who are get exposed to alcohol and other illicit drugs at an early stage in life due to poor modeling of an addicted parent, older siblings, and even close peers. The strong social bond that exists between parents and their children acts as the justification for indulgence in substance abuse for young people whose mental and physical health is greatly determined by the nature of relationships they are involved in. Supportive measures are needed at the onset of such inappropriate indulgence and behavior connotations for the purpose of alleviating a greater associated with chemical dependency and addiction (Tharp& Watson, 2010).

Behavior change project for quitting Alcoholism

Behavior change identification

Alcoholism is a thorn in my flesh. I have been a drunkard since my teenage years. My friends in high school hooked me up in the habit of drinking alcohol as a social drink when hanging out. It was cool than to drink or smoke among peers whom one identified with. I have used beer, wine and spirits gradually transforming my life from being an occasional drinker in social gatherings to a desperate alcoholic who cannot do without drinking. I feel helpless and worthless as a slave of alcohol since it has caused much suffering financially and health-wise (Edberg, 2007). I have to drink five to ten bottles a day before I can sleep. Subsequently, I have developed alcohol addiction coupled with an eating impairment. I have lost appetite for food and can only eat a little after drinking. The situation is embarrassing and disappointing to my family and me. Alcohol addiction is a behavioral problem, which is hazardous to the health of the victim in many ways. Alcohol abuse interferes with the physiological, biochemical, and neurological functioning of the addicts body leading to mental, physical, and emotional impairment.

Project goals

Because of the negative consequences of alcohol abuse on my life, I have purposed to dissociate myself from the habit progressively over a period of one year. I believe that if I refrain from the company of drunkards and alcoholic friends, their influence and persuasion to partake the social drink would wane successfully (Tharp& Watson, 2010). I also acknowledge that I need medical assistance and counseling therapy for professional guidance on how to avoid a relapse as well as treatment for prolonged alcohol abuse.

Sub-goals

I will engage myself in activities that positively transform my life from reckless habitual drinking of alcohol such as reading books on healthy living, participation in community projects and eating more vegetables, fruits and water. I also purpose to adhere to an exercise regime, which would ensure that I am physically fit and mentally sound.

Self-reflection and evaluation from baseline data

My preliminary self-assessment on how self indulgence escalated to alcohol addiction reveals that I had very little control on the type of decisions I made regarding drinking during my teenage years. I reasoned with the group of friends we went to school together since they mattered most in my life more than parents or teachers. I come from a single parent family living with my mother alone. There was no strong social bond between my maternal parent and myself since she was always out of home at work. The breakdown of social bonds formed the platform for anti-social behavior characterized by sexual immorality and alcohol abuse (Edberg, 2007). I felt high after drinking beer as this also identified me with peers.

According to the differential association theory, individuals motives and attitudes in life transform in social groups. Individuals with low self-control are vulnerable to bad influence and unethical behavior. The social learning process among peers provides the justifications for pursuing short-lived pleasures at the expense of future life accomplishments (Tharp& Watson, 2010). Having come from a humble background, this forced me to engage in theft and shop lifting in order to obtain the financial resources for purchasing the illicit drink. Due to inadequate socialization with my single parent who was equally overwhelmed with the financial obligations of raising the family alone, this forced me to adopt weird lifestyles characterized with alcohol abuse.

Behavior change strategies

Antecedents

Having noted that I graduated from occasional social drinking to the reckless habitual alcoholism, I acknowledge the role of bad behavior influence from peers and a weak personality in life. Low self-control predisposed me to the habit of experimenting on alcohol and other cheap pleasures of life in the company of my peers (Edberg, 2007).

• Automatic antecedent-since I take more alcohol in the company of other drunkards, I have resolved to abstain from visiting pubs and restaurants where beer, wine and spirits are abundant. I will ensure that I adhere to the prescription drugs from my physician for alleviating the pain of withdrawal symptoms as well as cleansing the circulatory system from alcohol molecules.
• Conditioned Antecedent-since the smell of alcohol makes thirst for the drink, I will ensure that I do not hang out with drunkards nor visit restaurants where there is alcohol. I would prefer to socialize with new friends who do not drink in a coffee house. I will also spend most of my leisure time with family members who inspire me to change from alcohol abuse.

Relapse prevention

Since dropping the habit of alcoholism is such a big challenge due physiological modifications and the influence of social friends is hard to kick, I would purpose to associate with new friends who reinforce my desired behavior change (Tharp& Watson, 2010). I will purpose to follow the instructions of my counselor and my physician. My family members and new friends shall serve as an accountability group which would help monitor achievement of my behavior change goals.

Plans for maintenance

I believe that my target of totally quitting alcoholism is achievable. My focus on restoring my health and financial status within a year is rational (Tharp& Watson, 2010). I have made up my mind to lead a stable lifestyle in which I am accountable to my actions, thoughts and word for a prosperous future.

Reference list

Edberg, M.C. (2007). Essentials of Health Behavior: Social and Behavioral Theory in Public Health. London: Jones and Bartlett,

Tharp, R. G. & Watson, D. L. (2010). Self-directed Behavior: Self-modification for Personal Adjustment. Michigan: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.

Introduction

An appraisal is the opinion of an expert to estimate the value of a residence. This will definitely vary from domicile to domicile with regard to the material and subject of construction and mainly not into a great deal the beautification as compared to the fabric of the structure. What the appraiser will work on will be giving a detailed report in regards to the size, state of the house on its quality and the purpose of the house. The comprehensive particulars produced by the appraiser will be in use to the comparisons, with the price of the other similar like houses in the market, of the same area. Comparison can be made in terms of the square footage, the exterior manifestation, the services of the facilities and the general condition (Ringhof 261). The market value at some point can be of lower regard when it comes to the comparison of the selling price of some properties owned to homes, in the neighborhood. This causes an adjustment to the value of the home when this comparison is put into consideration. It becomes logical to say that a house of three bedrooms will carry a higher value, than that of two bedrooms that have its condition pettily higher. The same will go apply when we try selling a house that has its exterior recently refurbished, will sell higher, as to that one that has not been modernized keeping all other conditions of the house similar.

Home buying and selling require that those involved take part in the inspection and appraisals of their property being sold, with real estate structural inspection forms and papers that will help in the estimation of the propertys market value as well as determining which price the property is to be sold at. According to the National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers, most of the lenders of property possession appraisals will necessitate the seller to procure and obtain a loan against the real estate property in order to ensure and get indemnity so that the property is sold at its real market worth (Ringhof 261). The difference between a home inspection and a home appraisal is that a home inspection involves the inspector checking the conditions of the major parts of the house being sold, such as the roof, chimney, and other structural features, while real estate appraisal involves the valuation of both the land and the property itself, requiring the appraiser to develop an opinion of the value of the estate through the use of the current market value estimates. According to an interview with a home appraiser:

Field Research and Interview

1. Interviewer: What made you get into this type of work?
   Interviewee: I wanted to start a part-time business that I could work at my own pace and make extra money in the hopes of someday doing this after I retire.
2. Interviewer: What is the most difficult to appraise?
   Interviewee: The most difficult to appraise would be if the house/subject has unique features that cannot be found in many other homes and also if a house is in a rural setting and there arent many sales to compare it to.
3. Interviewer: What is the easiest to appraise?
   Interviewee: The easiest to appraise would be a Cookie Cutter House to where it is similar to a lot of other houses in the neighborhood and that there are many recent sales to use as comparables.
4. Interviewer: How long does it take to do an appraisal?
   Interviewee: This varies depending on the complexity of the house. Multi-families take longer than single families. Usually takes anywhere from 6 to 15 hours of work to finish an appraisal.
5. Interviewer: What determines the fee you charge?
   Interviewee: The fees are somewhat standardized for each area but you make adjustments for the distance you would have to travel for the appraisal. A typical single-family home would be around $350 and a multi-family could be around $450 to $600.
6. Interviewer: Who are your clients?
   Interviewee: My clients include primarily Financial Institutions, Attorneys, Municipalities, and Homeowners just wanting to know the value of their home.
7. Interviewer: Do you like it?
   Interviewee: Yes.

There are three parties with a stockholder, whose interests it two things in common, the home and the value. After visiting a home of interest the last question will always be how much? The same goes for the owner who is trying to sell it. They want to get the highest bid possible and the question goes back as to how much should we get for the house? Finally, we have the real estate broker, who at the end of the day he/she is there because of the broking commission, meaning his main interest is the value of the home. All the three parties are doing their best so as on each end of everyone they finally get a good deal, may it be in terms of money or a good house worth of the money spent on it.

This is where the appraiser is introduced in the cycle of the value. A property appraiser is licensed professional personnel with the capability of carrying out property evaluation. They assess the state of the house, the upgrades made to the house and will compare the value arrived at to the market value of the other house in the area (Quinn 47). The appraiser will be an imperative figure in the process of buying and selling homes. His work will also be significantly needed when it comes to getting a home equity loan. He is the person that ensures that there is a relatively fair deal in terms of money and value to the buyer and seller respectively. This process is mainly requested by the banks so as to get a comprehensive report, so as to know the value of the security so that they can compare the value intended to be borrowed and the standby security. There is also another kind of appraiser that is intended to merely get the primarily commercial value of the property and compare it with the neighboring houses and also to know the value of replacing another one.

Single Family House Appraisal

A single-family or detached home is a free-standing residential building that houses only one single nuclear family and is built on a lot that is only slightly larger than the building itself (in order to add a small area around the house). Garages are a common feature for these single-family houses, which are typically detached and stand separately from the main building. According to the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), the construction industry is characterized by these kinds of small-scale houses, which are geographically dispersed all over the establishments, with only the largest players competing nationally. The appraiser at this point goes down to the basement to inspect the foundation of the subject also noting the type of heat supply and hot water tank. After all that is done, that completes the physical part of the appraisal process for a multi-family house. Since this house was a 2 story house 2 interior sketches for each floor layout are required.

Advantages of these kinds of houses include the fact that the entire space surrounding the house is private to the owner of the building and his or her family together with the fact that, in most cases, the building allows the owner to add on to the existing infrastructure in case more rooms are needed. Additionally, there are in general no property management or organization fees that are required with these types of houses in direct comparison with the other multi-family houses such as the condominiums and posh townhouses. Disadvantages of these types of houses include the fact that all the costs of maintenance and repairing are at the expense of the single owner (Racine 421). The houses also lack the provision of such amenities as swimming pools and playgrounds since most of them are built on relatively small plots of land. Additionally, landscape setting and neighborhood upkeep are down to the owners cost, making them more expensive to maintain and market.

1. Subject data
   The first step towards the appraisal of a single-family house is to understand the subject data-the house being appraised. This is done through visiting the house in order to quantify and attain the correct square footage as well as the sketch of the property, through taking photos (of the front, the back and the street). Additionally, the interior details of the house can also be incorporated. This involves visually inspecting the inside of the house as well as any upgrades that might be required before the property can be ready for sale. When the term inspection is used in this case, it implies the visualization of the inside and outside of the house as well as its immediate area (Smith 87).
2. Sales Comparable Approach
   After gathering the essential information on the subject matter (the house), the appraisal turns to find the right comparable to allow the house to be sold. This involves finding homes that have recently been sold within the same region (generally not more than 1 mile away), so as to correctly justify the asking price (Quinn 65). In some cases, comparables can be listings of other houses that have been put into the market for sale but have not been bought yet. The comparables need to be in the same neighborhood as the house being sold as well as be in the same condition in terms of building materials, square footage, their respective designs as well as the facilities therein.
3. Cost Approach
   This involves considerations that have to be put on the price of the land, its depreciation as well as any costs of advancements that have to be made before any new home construction is sold. As he begins to observe the entire exterior conditions the roof, siding, gutters, windows, noting the materials and condition they are in. Then he takes a photo of the front-rear and both sides of the subject. Now its time to enter the subject and create a sketch of the interior room layout showing walls, hallways and fireplaces and noting the condition of them also taking photos of all rooms. This is closely needed since the interiors and the condition will directly affect the cost approach despite the prices of the other cities.
4. Income Approach
   These are considerations that have to be made when the property being appraised is a leasing property and is used to provide income for the owner (Racine 421). Accordingly, the income and operating charges are put into consideration when calculating the gross and net cost of the sale of the property. After the comparables are made about the sale price of other houses, the appraiser forms an opinion of the market value of the current property.

Interview Statements with a Single-Family House Appraiser

Single Family House
Start Time: 9:43 am on 11/13/10
End Time: 10:38 am on 11/13/10

I observed the appraiser take a photo of the street in both directions while in the subjects driveway then began to measure the exterior dimensions going around the house from front to back creating a sketch of the perimeter. Then he began to observe all the exterior conditions the roof, siding, gutters, windows, noting the materials and conditions they are in. Then he takes a photo of the front-rear and both sides of the subject. Now its time to enter the subject and create a sketch of the interior room layout showing walls, hallways and fireplaces and noting the condition of them also taking photos of all rooms. Since this house was a 2 story house 2 interior sketches for each floor layout are required. Then the appraiser went down to the basement to inspect the foundation and flooring of the subject also noting the type of heat supply and hot water tank. After all that is done, that completes the physical part of the appraisal process for a single-family house.

Multi-Family House Appraisal

A multi-family home is tentatively defined as a house containing a number of housing units that normally houses several families who live thereby paying rent or leasing. The sale of these multifamily houses to external investors is significantly different from the sale of single-family houses, especially with regards to the size of the establishment as well as its ownership (Kessler 41). Most of the multi-family houses comprise two or more families living side by side on apartments that are situated one on top of the other. Close to the same time, I observed the appraiser take a photo of the street in both directions while in the subjects driveway then began to measure the exterior dimensions going around the house from front to back creating a sketch of the perimeter. Then he began to observe all the exterior conditions the roof, siding, gutters, windows, noting the materials and conditions they are in. The owners of the homes are now generally from different families, that reside on the duplexes, with some of the families leasing the apartments for a given amount of time. They can now take the advice

1. Contacting a Lawyer, Lender and Realtor
   The first step towards selling a multi-family establishment is arranging consultations with a licensed lawyer or realtor in order to advise the homeowner of their intent on selling the property (Carnevale 58). Consultations with the financial institution holding the current mortgage as well as the realtor/lawyer are necessary at this point. Regular contacts with the realtor and lawyer are necessary in order to be abreast of the financial and legal proceedings of the sale.
2. Apartment for New Owner
   Because of the fact that most of the multi-family homeowners reside on the property being sold, then it is compulsory to set aside the residence for its new owners. This is done in order to give the new owners a chance to view the property, giving them a chance to purchase it in the event that it becomes vacant. This also gives the probable customers of the apartment an opportunity to see how it looks like when it is empty. The potential home to be sold has to be tidied up, starting with the top of the house and getting rid of any extra structural components that might reduce its market value. It is thus important to gather and bag all the clutter and litter that might be within the house and its exteriors, as well as cutting all the grass and adding more environmentally friendly components to increase the appeal of the establishment.
3. Multifamily Home Financial Receipts
   It is also very essential to prepare a computerized monetary filing system of any of the rent receipts of the tenants therein as well as any obligatory maintenance and preservations that have to be carried out and attended to. The receipts for electrical repairs and installations as well as gas and water fixtures have to be maintained as well as be correctly calculated for an appraisal (Kessler 56).
4. Best time to sell
   Choosing the right time to sell the multifamily house is paramount to increasing the chances for a fast sale. According to the FAH, the best time to sell houses in both Europe and the United States is in late spring and early summer. It is also important to investigate the presence of new big businesses, such as hospitals and/or schools, which might be taking residence in the area before conducting a sale. This is because most of these establishments will require accommodation for their workers, potentially increasing the sale price of the property.

Interview Statements with a Multi-Family House Appraiser

Multi-Family House
Start Time: 12:07 pm on 11/13/10
End Time: 1:17 pm on 11/13/10

I observed the appraiser take a photo of the street in both directions while in the subjects driveway then began to measure the exterior dimensions going around the house from front to back creating a sketch of the perimeter. Then he began to observe all the exterior conditions the roof, siding, gutters, windows, noting the materials and conditions they are in. Then he takes a photo of the front-rear and both sides of the subject. Now its time to enter the subject and create a sketch of the interior room layout showing walls, hallways, fireplaces and flooring noting the condition of them also taking photos of all rooms. Since this house was a 3 family house 3 interior sketches for each floor layout are required. Then the appraiser went down to the basement to inspect the foundation of the subject also noting the type of heat supply and hot water tank. After all that is done, that completes the physical part of the appraisal process for a multi-family house.

Conclusion

Even though an appraisal is an extra cost that has to be incurred by the homeowner, it is evidently money well spent. By putting in a couple of additional hundred dollars into the supposed sale of the property, a consumer or broker of a building establishment is kept from paying more than the building establishment is worth, while at the same time the seller ends up earning a maximum profit, with regards to the market charge value of the property. Though most of the single-family homeowners ignore the services of property appraisal, they have proved to be very beneficial, taking note of all the health and security concerns and deficiencies that might be present in the house and preparing them for remedying before the next family moves in. appraisals for multi-family houses are much more tasking, as most of them are purchased as financial investments. This might involve the hiring of extra-legal and civil professionals to assist in the purchase, further increasing the move-in condition and market selling value.

Works cited

Carnevale, Rob. The sale of houses. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin Publishing Company, 1992.

Kessler, George. The case for teaching house appraisal and establishment examination. New Jersey, NJ: Wizard Books, 2005. Print.

Quinn, Walter. The Home Appraisal Process: Purchases 101. Oxford: Weidmann-Greven-Verlag, 2006.

Racine, Simon. Analysis of Internet sale of single- and multi-family houses. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin Publishing Co., 1999. Print.

Ringhof, Alfred. United States District Court District of New Jersey. New York, NY: Kent Gallery, 2001.

Smith, Jeremy. Sparknotes 101 literature. New York, NY: Penguin Classics, 1998.

The size of the family has been reducing gradually. The reduction in the number of children has increased the proportion of elderly people in the population. Some places are experiencing a reduction in the size of the population. America is experiencing a reduction in birth rates.

This has increased the proportion of elderly people in the population. However, America has not yet experienced a reduction in the size of the population. Various historical factors contributed to the current situation. This trend started in the late eighteenth century.

In the seventeenth and nineteenth century, more than 90% of the population lived in rural areas. During this period, most households were self-sufficient. Artisans produced items that families could not produce. Artisans made hats, iron implements, mens clothing, and shoes. Families produced most of the other items that they needed.

Families made their furniture, dipped their candles, tanned their leather, spun their wool, and manufactured their clothes.¹ This reduced the need to work outside the home. Members of the family had distinctive roles within the home. Fathers and sons worked in the fields to produce food for the family.

On the other hand, mothers and daughters did house chores. These chores included knitting, weaving, cleaning the home, and taking care of dairy and poultry. Families sold the excess produce in the market. Therefore, the family was a cooperative economic enterprise. The expansion of the market-oriented economy in the eighteenth century necessitated members of the family to engage in commercial activities.

Members of the family engaged in various economic activities that helped in improving the familys economy. Wives and their older children supplemented the familys budget by spinning yarn, sewing dresses, or setting up a tavern within their home. Therefore, children helped in improving the economy of the family. A large number of children provided a great workforce for household economic activities. Therefore, most families had many children.

During the middle of the nineteenth century, the domestic division of labor started occurring. The society expected middle-class husbands to act as breadwinners of the family. On the other hand, middle-class wives devoted their time to fulfilling housekeeping duties and raising children. This separated the daily lives of men and women. This led to the separation of work and family life.

The displacement of the economic partnership of the family led to various demographic changes. One of the changes was a significant reduction in birth rates. Before the nineteenth century, marriage led to a repeated cycle of pregnancy. Women had their first children a few months after marriage. They continued bearing children in two-year intervals until they reached menopause.

During this period, women gave birth to seven or eight children. Therefore, a woman devoted most of her married life to bearing and raising children. However, this pattern changed gradually in the nineteenth century.

By the middle of the nineteenth century, women had reduced the number of children they were having. Also, there was a significant increase in the interval between pregnancies. Therefore, child rearing became the most time-consuming activity of a womans married life.

Due to the changes that occurred in the nineteenth century, there was a significant alteration in families attitude. Hence, kids stopped to be treated as economic assets.

This happened because children were no longer productive in household industries. However, children required significant investments in education to prepare them for a respectable career or marriage life. Therefore, families had fewer children. Having a few children ensured that the family had acceptable living standards.

On the other hand, having many children increased the familys economic burden. Also, significant changes in the relationship between husbands and wives led to a drop in fertility rates. Since husbands worked outside the home, they delegated most of the child-rearing duties to their wives.

Therefore, society viewed wives as vital in the development of children. This increased the enlightenment of women. In its turn, the increased enlightenment led to the drop in fertility rates.

By the middle of the nineteenth century, there was a significant reduction in the scope of the authority of husbands. Also, women started having more rights. Women could own property, earn incomes, enter into legal contracts, or bring lawsuits. In the early nineteenth century, unmarried women who were between the age of 14 and 27 started having unprecedented income-earning opportunities outside their home.

Women started working as schoolteachers or mill girls. Women achieved leadership positions organizing religious revivals, engaging in missionary work, establishing orphanages, and editing religious publications.² These opportunities increased womens expectations for self-fulfillment. On the other hand, the daily life of wives revolved around domestic duties. This made women change their perception of marriage.

It reduced the number of women who were willing to get married. Also, it increased the expectation that women had on marriage. The increased expectations led to a gradual increase in the rates of divorce. These factors reduced the fertility rate of the population.

Changes in the family setting are the major factors that contributed to the significant decrease in the size of the family. Also, women empowerment and changes in the roles of husbands and wives contributed to the reduction in the size of the family. Women empowerment enabled society to change their perception of women.

Bibliography

Mintz, Steven and Susan Kellogg. A new economy and a new family. Edited by George Brown Tindall and David Emory Shi. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2009.

Footnotes

¹ Steven Mintz and Susan Kellogg, A new economy and a new family, ed. George Brown Tindall and David Emory Shi (New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2009), 12.

² Ibid., 127.

Introduction

The institution of marriage has continued to attract increased interest from sociologists, psychologists, and other stakeholders owing to its influence on peoples life and wellbeing (Stutzer & Fray, 2005). Available statistics demonstrate that between 85% and 90% of individuals in the United States of America will ultimately marry, and that approximately 2.2 million marriages are conducted in the country each year (Karasu, 2007). However, a substantial proportion of these marriages fail, hence the need to look into how couples can maintain a happy and mutually fulfilling marriage.

Happy Marriage: Definition and Qualities

Although there is no universally agreed definition of a happy marriage, available literature demonstrates that marriage itself denotes a dyadic structure whereby people engage in a long-term relationship with a strong commitment to a mutually rewarding exchange (Stutzer & Fray, 2005, p. 3). Following this description, a happy marriage is defined here as a long-term relationship between two people which is predicated upon a strong commitment to harmonious living and guided by mutually rewarding attributes of trust, respect, communication, love, and understanding (Fatima & Ajmal, 2012). Of course there are many other attributes to consider in defining a happy marriage; however, the mentioned are of immense importance in enhancing the mutual fulfillment which dominates a happy marriage institution.

In contemporary times, it is evident that several qualities need to be present for marriage to be considered successful. As indicated in the literature, some of the qualities include love, sincerity, respect, age difference, communication, satisfaction, trust, understanding, family structure, spouse temperament, and positive in-laws relations (Fatima & Ajmal, 2012). Other important qualities, according to these authors, include strength through children, compromise, education and status, similarities of religious sect, forgiveness, care, and sharing. It is impossible for the marriage institution to be successful if partners to the marriage are unable to communicate effectively, trust each other, or respect their decisions. Indeed, it is evident that many marriages in the United States fail as partners are incapable of not only maintaining effective communication when solving problems, but also respecting their marriage due to unfaithfulness (Karasu, 2007).

To be successful in marriage, couples also need to spend time before entering into the relationship to ensure that minimal discrepancies exist in terms of mutual interests, expectations, and life-long goals (Fatima & Ajmal, 2012; Stutzer & Fray, 2005). Couples with similar interests in life are likely to develop stable and successful marriages than couples with dissimilar interests. For example, couples with similar child bearing or career development plans are more likely to understand each other and solve their problems without expending much effort than couples with dissimilar plans. Similarly, couples with similar religious orientations are likely to use their beliefs as a source of strength in solving their issues and maintaining the marriage institution in the correct pathway. Consequently, the courting process is instrumental in deciding the stability and success of marriage relationships, as it is only through courting that couples get to learn about each other.

Why Marriages End in Divorce

It is important to underscore the factors that are instrumental in making marriages end in divorce, as knowledge of these factors will assist couples to maintain successful marriages. Drawing from Noble (n.d.), it is evident that most marriages end in divorce because couples refuse to ask for assistance from professional marriage counselors, and also because they are not ready to share their problems or address their part of the problem. People often refuse to seek assistance from significant others (e.g., counselors, church, parents) due to the misguided perception that they will be judged as weak and unable to take care of their marital problems. This is a wrong approach which works to the disadvantage of the marriage institution and is partly responsible for the rising number of divorces in the United States and abroad. Additionally, couples refuse to change or learn from their own mistakes and hence act to fuel the dissolution of their respective marriages. However, such couples need to know that marriage is an institution where change and continuous learning must be present for success to be achieved.

Conclusion

Overall, it is important for couples to ensure they embrace the attributes and qualities discussed in this paper for their marriages to succeed, and also to deal with the mentioned challenges to avoid divorce. Couples need to understand that a marriage institution is a work in progress, and hence should be ready to learn from the presenting problems and come up with strategies to change the challenges into opportunities for successful marital relationships.

References

Fatima, M., & Ajmal, M.A. (2012). Happy marriage: A qualitative study. Pakistan Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 10(1), 37-42.

Karasu, S.R. (2007). The institution of marriage: Terminable or interminable? American Journal of Psychotherapy, 61(1), 1-16.

Noble, P. (n.d.) 4 reasons marriages are failing, part one. Web.

Stutzer, A., & Fray, B.S. (2005). Does marriage make people happy, or do happy people get married?  

The Family Centered Services (FCS) program offers effective support and care to at-risk children. The agency also supports the needs of the targeted families. The agency takes care of every abandoned, neglected, or abused child. FCS supports a powerful child-welfare system. This system fulfills the needs of different children who have encountered various challenges such as domestic violence. The agency uses powerful tools such as living skills and behavioral practices in order to support the targeted children. The organization also offers desirable resources to the affected families. For example, FCS provides financial support, food, and medical care to the targeted families. Basically, FCS supports the wider population using its services. It also monitors the needs of different children and families even after discharge.

Community-Assessment Anticipated Services

Sometimes the targeted children might not get the best benefits from this agency. Some children might continue facing similar challenges upon discharge from the facility. This situation explains why some community-assessment anticipated services will support the targeted populating during services and after discharge. The first approach is the use of proper training programs. Such programs will educate more guardians about the importance of positive parenting skills. Such training programs will equip more individuals with the best competencies. The community will also acquire new skills in order to support every victimized child. A proper training program will encourage more parents to empower their children.

The role of religion cannot be ignored whenever providing the best care to victims of abuse. FCS and other agencies should embrace the best spiritual values in order to achieve the best results. Social workers should encourage different families and communities to promote the best religious values. This approach will make more parents responsible. Every citizen will be ready to support different homeless children. Such interventions will address the needs of the targeted population. The government should also institute new legal frameworks. Such laws will safeguard the needs of these children. Such legal frameworks will discourage more parents from abusing their children. The approach will support the rights of different children. Every minority population will also benefit from such legal frameworks. This practice will make more children successful.

The community can also embrace new culturally-competent strategies. These practices will support the changing needs and values of different children. This practice is relevant because many populations tend to have unique beliefs and values. A culturally-competent practice will ensure every population supports the needs of its children. FCS can also use various empowerment programs to support different families. Studies have examined the relationship between poverty and child abuse. This approach will ensure more parents support the needs of their children.

Some anti-violence campaigns will ensure more families support every discharged child. Such campaigns will produce the best outcomes in the targeted community. Some cognitive therapies will address the challenges affecting every abused child. Such therapies will re-pattern the experiences of the targeted. This practice will eventually make it possible for the targeted population to achieve most of its goals. These evidence-based practices will address every challenge that might affect the targeted children. Caregivers, social workers, and parents should read more articles in order to understand the challenges affecting their children. This knowledge will produce new concepts and practices that can support the functions of FCS. These community-assessment anticipated services will ensure more children achieve their potentials.

Introduction

There are various reasons why families can break up, for example, disagreements of parents, the unwillingness of one of the parents to have a family, pregnancy in the early stages of the relationship, when young future parents did not want to create a family. Black families are no less prone to disintegration than white families. This can also be dictated by various reasons, one of which is slavery, which led to an unstable situation in black families. Modern realities are such that the preservation of a family is a difficult matter and requires joint efforts of both men and women. The purpose of this article is to consider the disintegration of African-American families from the side of the Thomas theorem.

Theorem Formulation

From the perspective of sociology, Thomas theorem expresses the idea that people look at situations differently, and their interpretation will determine the reaction. Even if the perception of the case is wrong, the consequences are as accurate as if they were correctly interpreted. Thomas theorem is formulated as follows: If people define situations as real, these situations become real in their consequences. (Parillo, 2019). In this case, the reality is that black people are forced to believe that their marriages are likely to break up. And as a result, there is a situation in which marriages break up, sometimes for invented reasons. In this case, Thomas theorem is reflected clearly.

The Problem of Disintegration of African-American Families

In the issue of the disintegration of African-American families, the problem is not that they are prone to disintegration but that people destroy their families with their own hands. This is because the idea was once formed that slavery affected families, destroyed them, and this opinion has remained to this day. Although there is no slavery at present, marriages are still breaking up. It was probably once the cause of unstable relationships in families, and then this opinion was passed on from generation to generation. It turns out that modern people have accepted this, and today it is true for them no matter what.

Other realities undoubtedly exist because still, some people understand that significant factors influenced the collapse of their family. Nevertheless, this imposed reality can be dominant since it is the most common cause of family breakdown. It can be said that some people get married and are already a priori ready for divorce. However, when creating a family, it is essential to think about this familys well-being, development and that people will be together for life.

People have determined that their reality is that sooner or later, the family will break up. And the consequence of this is the disintegration of the family. Because of this, they may suffer, feel bad and be afraid to remarry. The biggest problem is that children born in a marriage that will break up in the future suffer because of the consequences. It is likely that if people were aware of modern reality, there would be much fewer divorces, fewer single parents, and unhappy children.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are different reasons for divorce, both for African-American families and for others. For all people, there is also a reality that inclines them to specific actions. Anyway, the theorem formulated by Thomas has the right to exist, and it applies to many people. For all peoples efforts to be justified, it is necessary to realize what applies to todays reality and think about whether truth is imposed.

Reference

Parillo, V. (2019). Strangers to These Shores. Pearson.

Abstract

African American families experience numerous obstacles that emanate from social, economic, and cultural issues. Drug abuse, unemployment, poverty, incarceration, single parenthood, cultural norms, and limited access to a good education are some of the main obstacles that African American families face in the United States. In the obstacle of drug abuse, families are grappling with challenges associated with drug addiction, school dropout, and juvenile delinquency. Unemployment and poverty create poor and unstable families, which are susceptible to break up. The disproportionate incarceration of African American men contributes to single parenthood, which is also an obstacle, and thus affects the stability of families. Cultural norms support the patriarchal order of the family, which demeans women, and thus, makes them subjects in families. Moreover, limited access to education marginalizes African American families and plunge them into poverty, where they grapple with issues of unemployment and drug abuse.

To address social, economic, and cultural obstacles, the state needs to educate individuals about the effects of drugs on health and families. Furthermore, the state ought to enact regulations, which govern the use of drugs. Empowerment is also another solution that can help to increase employment opportunities for African American families. An increment in employment opportunities implies that African American families have the ability to meet their financial requirements and reduce their poverty levels. Infrastructural development enhances accessibility to better education and increases competencies and expertise among the African Americans who attend these schools. Sensitization of the African Americans and the empowerment of women are some of the solutions that eliminate gender discrimination. The criminal justice system requires affirmative action to alleviate the disproportionate incarceration of African Americans. Value acquisition institutions are very instrumental in the stabilization of families and reducing incidences of single parenthood.

Introduction

Families across the world continue to experience challenges that mainly emanate from social, economic, and cultural factors. African American families experience many obstacles, which threaten the survival of families as important social units in society. Hattery and Smith (2007) identify drug abuse, unemployment, poverty, incarceration, single parenthood, limited access to education, and cultural norms as the major challenges facing African Americans families. The prevalence of these challenges indicates that African American families have many obstacles, which affect their survival in modern society. In this view, there is a need to address the social, economic, and cultural issues to promote the survival and stability of African American families. Therefore, the research paper examines the obstacles that African American families face and provides respective solutions.

Drug Abuse

Drug Abuse has become a major obstacle, mainly among young people, who are vulnerable to social influences. Several youths engage in drug and substance abuse due to the pressure from society. Presently, drug and substance abuse is among the major challenge in various African American families that live in the United States. Some of the major drugs and substances abused include cocaine, heroin, and bang (Hattery & Smith, 2007). Additionally, the youth and adults in the United States are vulnerable to the challenge of drug abuse since it is a national menace. Evidently, the lifestyles and cultural practices of individuals living in the United States are diverse and liberal. Education and empowerment of individuals concerning the effects of drug abuse and regulation from the state are some of the important solutions that can effectively reduce drug abuse.

Unemployment

Unemployment is another obstacle that African American families face as they undertake their daily activities. Due to gender and racial discrimination exercised by some Whites Americans, African Americans find it difficult and challenging to get employment (Simmons, 2009). Several employers in the country are reluctant to hire an African American, but they easily recruit White Americans regardless of their level of competence and education. Underemployment of African American transpires when employers underpay them after service delivery. Although gender and racial discriminations have been reduced to minimal levels, the people, who still practice them, should face the necessary disciplinary measures. Regulation from the state and enlightenment of individuals on the effects of gender and racial discrimination are some of the solutions that are useful in curbing the obstacle.

Poverty

Poverty and low cost of living is an obstacle that is prevalent in several African American families in the United States. The obstacle relates to challenges such as unemployment, poor wages, and salaries, as well as racial segregation. Furthermore, the outdated and substandard infrastructural facilities in school that African American children attend make them incompetent or unqualified as opposed to the White counterparts, who attend good schools and learning institutions. Several African American families are average and low-income earners, and thus, the support and care that they render to their families drain them and result in a vicious cycle of poverty (Hattery & Smith, 2007). Improvement of infrastructure, empowerment of African Americans through increased access to the privileges enjoyed by the Whites, and employment are the solutions that can resolve the obstacle of poverty.

Incarceration

The disproportionate incarceration of African American men is an obstacle that affects the stability of African American marriages. The predisposition to drug abuse, criminal activities, and racism contributes to the high rates of incarceration among African American men. According to Hattery and Smith (2007), 25% to 30% of African American men are under incarceration, and thus, they are unable to maintain stable, healthy, and intimate relationships in their families. Consequently, the marriage rates among African Americans have declined in the past 30 years, owing to incarceration. The solution to the issue of incarceration is that the government should empower the African men to engage in meaningful economic activities and undertake affirmative reforms in the criminal justice system to aid the rehabilitation and correction process.

Single Parenthood

African American marriages are quite unstable, owing to the social, economic, and cultural obstacles that they experience. The issue of gender inequality is at the center of single parenthood as when men fail their responsibilities and women become empowered, competition emerges in the families. Hattery and Smith (2007) argue that when women earn more than their men do, marriages are likely to dissolve for women would no longer agree to accept secondary roles in the family. In essence, the empowerment of women results in divorce and single parenthood. Simmons (2009) asserts that controlling matriarchy diminishes patriarchy and destabilizes families in modern society. To prevent the occurrence of single parenthood, the society should strengthen value acquisition institutions such as schools, places of worship, and community so that they can instill values and virtues of marriage.

Limited Access to Education

African Americans encounter the obstacle related to the inaccessibility of education as they strive to pursue their careers. The obstacle to the inaccessibility of education transpires because several children in African American communities attend schools that have limited resources. As a result, individuals in African American families fail to match up to the expectations of several employers, especially on matters relating to competencies and expertise. Hattery and Smith (2007) point out that the schools that several children from African American families attend have facilities that do not meet the required standards. The best possible solution for the obstacle relates to the integration and encouragement of both the African Americans and White Americans to school in the same institutions of learning. Additionally, the state should execute infrastructural development, which upgrades the facilities found in public schools located in African American regions.

Cultural Norms

The culture of African Americans promotes gender inequality, for it perceives women are lesser humans than men are. Such a perception influences gender roles and consequently becomes an obstacle to the civilization of African American families. Hattery and Smith (2007) state that the power and position that men hold in the family as breadwinners make women less powerful, for they are mere homemakers. Cultural norms that recognize patriarchy degrade women and make them subjects of families instead of partners (Simmons, 2009). In this view, cultural norms encourage the occurrence of issues that relate to gender inequality and discrimination of women in African American families. To address the issue of cultural norms, promotion of gender equality through the sensitization of African Americans and the empowerment of women are appropriate solutions that could alleviate obstacles of gender inequality.

Conclusion

African American families experience many obstacles that relate to social, economic, and cultural factors. Specifically, drug abuse, unemployment, poverty, incarceration, single parenthood, limited access to education, and cultural norms are some of the obstacles that threaten the existence of African American families. In this view, interventions aimed at addressing these obstacles are essential.

References

Hattery, A., & Smith, E. (2007). African American Families. Los Angeles: Sage Publications. Web.

Simmons, C. (2009). Making Marriage Modern: Womens Sexuality from the Progressive Era to World War II. Oxford University Press. Web.

Obstacles to Accessing Services

When people want to access any services across agencies, they may often encounter a range of different impediments. The main obstacles, when turning to agencies, are the inevitable bureaucracy and formalism, long processing times, and general scarcity of information on the services furnished by the agencies (Braham, 2013). These obstacles prevent people from getting critical and timely services; therefore, it is crucial to remove these barriers to raising the quality of the services provided (Brown, Marquez, Perkins & Kennedy, 2015). The accessibility of information is the leading issue that should be improved across all agencies.

In this era of information communication technologies, information technology (IT) solutions encourage a drastically different perspective on spreading information and present new possibilities for eliminating issues involved in service provision. However, apart from IT-based means, there are other ways of enhancing the current bureaucratic capacity as well as the organizational structure of community-based agencies.

Facilitating Client Care and Access to Services

Consultancy Agency

One of the ways to augment the accessibility of services is to establish a consultancy agency, which will alleviate the process of accessing services across different organizations (Hull, 2012). By creating individualized programs for clients, the agency would enable their customers to receive the services they need, rapidly and in a convenient way. However, this solution can be costly, and if poorly planned will lead to an even higher level of bureaucracy.

Client Supervision

Client supervision is an excellent way of solving the current problem involving client care. Social workers can collect their clients information and consult them accordingly about supporting steps to follow. At this point, the workers interaction with agencies is essential, so that he or she would be able to facilitate the customers access to the corresponding service. The social worker will need to communicate with different agencies in order to provide accurate and timely information to clients and assist them in arranging appointment times and addressing other current tasks.

Informational Support

Many agencies furnish joint community services; for that reason, every organization should provide relevant information on the contiguous services offered by other agencies in the area, so that clients can get detailed information on the spot. Introducing information desks will facilitate easier access to the requested information (Taylor, 2013). Apart from that, agencies can provide internet connection as well as space for clients with laptops, allowing a customer to be self-sufficient while gaining instant access to the necessary information.

Documentation Package

Intake time can be reduced, by the procedure of collecting all relevant information and documentation at the primary meeting. Collecting necessary documentation during follow-up meetings frequently prolongs the whole procedure drastically (Braham, 2013). By informing the client in advance about the entire document package, agencies can decrease the amount of time needed for handling the case and speed up the intake procedure.

Presently, clients meet barriers during the whole intake process. The intake offices are often situated in geographically separated, different places, far from each other, such that the process of document delivery can last for quite a while. By eliminating this logistical obstacle through streamlining, applicants will be more likely to get their results faster, and the amount of unhelpful, repetitive work would be reduced.

Uniformity in Regulations

Agencies should develop uniform rules to ease customer access to multiple agencies, thus promoting their comprehension of the rules and policies. Practically, the development of common rules and standards will regularize the inherent bureaucracy, and adjust the services and operations as per a single format (Taylor, 2013). Consequently, customers will have to follow a common path when turning to services across different agencies (Braham, 2013). In fact, by coordinating the policies of the service providers in the area, the problem of improper community service accessibility will be streamlined through an efficient approach to delivering greater access to the services.

IT Solution

The introduction of a single integrated information repository will provide a new perspective on delivering services. The repository will serve as an informational and analytical platform for the services in the area (Anthony, Appari & Johnson, 2014). The system will provide data from government statistics and various departmental resources, and will interface with other databases. The electronic exchange will be implemented according to the HIPAAs rules regarding information exchange and administration. The application of HIPAA standards will create credibility for the systems, in terms of protection and confidentiality of the information.

The system will allow multi-criteria searches based on set parameters, as well as carry out flexible customization of the displayed information. It will also provide detailed background information on the requisite indicators and will be promptly updated. After refining their search procedure and obtaining the necessary information, people will be able to apply for specific services, set appointments, and more. The suggested system would facilitate client care between many different types of agencies (for instance, food banks, mental health agency, welfare to work, and so on), and promote flexibility and ease of access. It will also define eligibility for programs, reduce the load of paperwork on the part of clients and staff, and decrease the intake time, as well.

The Effectiveness of the Proposed Solutions

The leading idea of the current plan is not to abolish the existing bureaucracy, but to improve upon the current system and refine its guiding policies and principles. The plan can be considered as effective, due to the fact that it will follow the main guidelines of the bureaucratic system (Hull, 2012). This implies that the competence of each of the bureaucratic levels will be clearly regulated, as the hierarchical organization of the bureaucratic structure will be based on the established principles of the subordination; all the formal corporate activities (for instance, dissemination of information, decision-making, preparation of documents) will be implemented in the form of standardized documents subject to subsequent storage.

The staff members will assist people in following the rules, regulations, and procedures of the agencies with regard to the requested services. The proposed plan will allow improved client care across agencies.

It will enable shortening the time required to gain necessary information and avoid unneeded, time-consuming follow-up steps. The assistance of the social workers, who will provide relevant information as well as guidance, will ensure that people who are less skilled in IT technologies will gain similar access to all the services they need. In addition, the customers will get faster access to detailed information about any service they need, through information desks in local agencies. In summary, eliminating the time wasted on searching for needed information will enhance the efficiency of the institutions, while customers will have greater access to the services they need.

References

Anthony, D. L., Appari, A., & Johnson, M. E. (2014). Institutionalizing HIPAA compliance: Organizations and competing logics in U.S. health care. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 55, 108-124.

Braham, P. (2013). Key concepts in sociology. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Brown, T.M., Marquez, M., Perkins, G., & Kennedy, D. (2015). The value of a social work degree: Public social service agency directors views. Journal of Sociology and Social Work, 3(2), 16.

Hull, M. S. (2012). Documents and bureaucracy. Annual Review of Anthropology, 41, 25167.

Taylor, T. (2013). Paperwork first, not work first: How caseworkers use paperwork to feel effective. Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare, 40(1), 9-27.