Roles and Responsibilities in the Hospitality Industry

Introduction

The hospitality business contributes to the economic health of any country. It is regarded as one of the global economic sectors with the quickest growth rates when compared to other industries (Abdou et al., 2022). However, it has to be recognized that any hospitality business provides jobs that demand a variety of talents and entails many roles and responsibilities that allow the management to maintain the financial well-being of the organization. In this sense, while important roles within the hospitality industry help build customer loyalty and brand awareness, the responsibilities imply creating the foundation for the proper implementation of such favorable services provided by employees.

Discussion

Firstly, when speaking about the hospitality industry, it is noteworthy that employees play the most important role. By interacting with consumers, staff learns more about their preferences, interests, and other details (Ariza-Montes et al., 2017). This insight might be leveraged to create novel products and services. At this stage, it is indeed important to concentrate on the conditions that would guarantee employees favorable interactions with customers and encourage them in this route (Bhardwaj & Kalia, 2021).

Additionally, workers may influence how consumers perceive quality through the services they provide. Aside from improving client satisfaction and consumer loyalty, the employee role can lead to brand recognition (Samatovich, 2021). As the level of services and their quality increases and new services and goods are introduced, the company within the industry can gain more popularity (Su et al., 2017). Therefore, service delivery employees in hospitality businesses contribute significantly to competitive advantage.

Nevertheless, in order to ensure that these roles are executed with efficiency and high quality, there must be responsibility held by management. Any organizations performance relies on the productive execution of its staff, which is achieved through efficient human resource management procedures (Khdour, 2021). Human resource managers main objective is to ensure that the brand is successfully represented to its customers to achieve good results.

According to numerous sources, almost everywhere in the globe, businesses in the hospitality industry complain about a high attrition rate and a shortage of skilled workers. A significant turnover rate causes poor motivation, a decline in service quality, and increased expenditures for recruiting and onboarding new staff (Naderiadib Alpler et al., 2021). Additionally, this condition has a detrimental impact on the profitability of the company (Baum, 2019). If the employees who have left the company are qualified workers, it will cost the company more than usual (Bratton & Watson, 2018). Moreover, because the working procedures in major hotels are more intricate and challenging to manage, the negative effects of employee turnover are more obvious in these establishments (Bohle et al., 2017). As a result, responsibilities ensure the proper functioning of the firm.

Conclusion

Hence, while key areas in the hospitality sector contribute to the development of brand recognition and consumer loyalty, the responsibilities ultimately entail laying the groundwork for the effective execution of the positive services offered by workers. First of all, it is necessary to highlight that workers are the most crucial part of the hospitality sector. In addition to increasing customer happiness and brand loyalty, an employee position may boost brand awareness.

As a result, service delivery staff play a big part in competitive advantage in the hotel industry. However, management must bear the majority of the responsibility to ensure that these roles are performed effectively and to a high standard. Companies in the hospitality sector usually experience a high attrition rate and a lack of qualified people. However, an appropriate level of responsibility and proactiveness can change the situation and allow management to control the functioning of the business.

References

Abdou, A. H., Khalil, A. A. F., Mahmoud, H. M. E., Elsaied, M. A., & Elsaed, A. A. (2022). The impact of hospitality work environment on employees turnover intentions during COVID-19 pandemic: The mediating role of work-family conflict. Frontiers in Psychology, 2283, 1-16. Web.

Ariza-Montes, A., Arjona-Fuentes, J. M., Han, H., & Law, R. (2017). Employee responsibility and basic human values in the hospitality sector. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 62, 78-87. Web.

Baum, T. (2019). Does the hospitality industry need or deserve talent?. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 31(10), pp. 3823-3837. Web.

Bhardwaj, B. & Kalia, N. (2021). Contextual and task performance: Role of employee engagement and organizational culture in hospitality industry. XIMB Journal of Management, 18(2), pp.187-201. Web.

Bohle, P., Knox, A., Noone, J., Mc Namara, M., Rafalski, J. and Quinlan, M. (2017). Work organisation, bullying and intention to leave in the hospitality industry. Employee Relations, 39(4), pp.446-458. Web.

Bratton, J. & Watson, S. (2018). Talent management, emotional labour and the role of line managers in the Scottish hospitality industry: A roundtable discussion. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 10(1), pp.57-68. Web.

Khdour, N. (2021). The role of human resource managers in the promotion of hotel sector as a brand in Jordanian hotel industry-a cross-sectional study. Cogent Business & Management, 8(1), 1-19. Web.

Naderiadib Alpler, N., Arasli, H., & Doh, W. L. (2021). The moderating role of employability in the hospitality industry: Undesired job outcomes. SAGE Open, 11(1), 1-14. Web.

Samatovich, R. S. (2021). Importance of Marketing in Tourism and Hotel Industry. International Journal of Business, Technology and Organizational Behavior (IJBTOB), 1(2), 79-84. Web.

Su, L., Pan, Y., & Chen, X. (2017). Corporate social responsibility: Findings from the Chinese hospitality industry. Journal of retailing and consumer services, 34, 240-247. Web.

Spending Plan: Saving and Spending during Uncertain Times

Monthly spending tracking is vital as it helps people stay involved in their finances. Paying attention to spending ensures that one stays within his budget and spends wisely. People with financial discipline are capable of conforming to their spending and banking to the set plans to attain fiscal goals.

Actual spending plan: For November 1, 2022, to December 1, 2022

Actual spending Amount in dollars
Clothing 150
Investments 2000
Entertainment 350
Food 2550
Rent 1000
Saving 1000
Transport 50
Utilities 80
Total 6830

Projected spending within the above period:

Projected spending Amount in dollars
Clothing 200
Investment 2000
Entertainment 100
Food 2000
Rent 1000
Savings 1000
transport 30
Utilities 50
Total 6380

Comparison between actual spending and projected spending table:

Actual spending Amount in dollars Projected spending: Amount in dollars Difference in Amount
Clothing 150 200 50
Investment 2000 2000 0
Entertainment 350 100 150
Food 2550 2000 550
Rent 1000 1000 0
Savings 1000 1000 0
Transport 50 30 20
Utilities 80 50 30
Total 6830 6380 450

The above information concerning my spending between November and December makes it easy to determine between needs and wants. Needs are the things that human beings cannot survive without, while wants are the things that humans can do without. The two tables above signify the basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter, characterized by rent. Conversely, human wants are embodied by entertainment, utilities, transport, savings, and investment.

After tabulating my information on the actual spending plan and projected spending, I am surprised by the more money I spend on entertainment. In my projected plan, I had planned to spend less than a hundred dollars; however, the amount escalated to over three hundred and fifty in the actual spending. I am also surprised by how much money I use for basic needs. Food, shelter, and clothing take three-quarters of the spending plan, while wants just a quarter. Equally, I am astonished by the huge amount of money I devote on actual spending compared to the projected plan. I am also amazed by the huge amount of cash I expend compared to what I am saving and investing. Saving and investing 3000 dollars and below is dangerous because our future depends on our current investments and savings.

The pattern for basic needs is constant compared to those for human wants. Food, shelter (rent), and clothing remain continual on both tables and consume the larger part of the budget. In both tables, savings and rent form a constant pattern of two thousand and one thousand dollars. Spending on entertainment and clothing is above my plan as I spend much cash unnecessarily. Watching basketball and buying new outfits every month are my entrenched spending habits. The habits are deeply rooted in me, and changing them is a real struggle.

I can earn more money through various means that require sacrifices. Firstly, I must reduce my time watching NBA matches and look for a part-time job. The strategy will ensure that I save extra dollars for future use. Another way I can earn money is by working more hours in the company I am employed in. Since many American jobs pay per hour, asking for more work time will lead to more earnings. Likewise, investments lead to high earnings. I will use most of my earned money into investments hence gaining interest. The interest is extra cash that adds up to my total earnings. Paying my debts is a necessary course. The only remedy for debts is paying; thus, there is no way I can save while operating in debt. Therefore, I will use all my savings to offset the debts and start saving afresh. I prefer the peace of mind that comes with being free of debt.

The changes I can make in my spending habits include using more cash into savings and investments while cutting down my spending on food, entertainment, clothing, and transport. The changes will ensure that I have enough money to use but none to overspend at all. By doing so, my financial future is secured.

Saving is important for every person as setting aside cash is fundamental for creating financial momentum and having a solid monetary future (Kim et al., 2018). Saving provides a person with an exit from the vulnerabilities of life and gives him a valuable chance to partake in a quality life. Saving a certain amount of cash orderly can assist one with directing out of many obstacles and deterrents throughout everyday life. It can uphold an individual in an hour of need and guarantee that his family has something to return to if there should be an occurrence of awful occasion (Kim et al., 2018). Therefore, I can easily reduce my spending on food, clothing, and entertainment to grow my savings.

There are many things that I can do with my savings. I will increase my emergency fund to a contenting sum with my savings. Emergency funds are vital in cushioning uncertainties, including abrupt loss of jobs and health issues (Schuman, 2020). Thus, having a good amount of cash ensures one is free from financial stress during emergencies. As mentioned, I might use my savings to clear my debts, thus living a peaceful life free from areas. Debts, especially those with high interest, are frustrating, especially when it finds a person with no savings. Thus, clearing such debts is a fundamental step to freedom. I might also invest my savings in my retirement account and safeguard my future days off from employment. Retirement savings plays a critical role as it ensures that a person lives a comfortable life in retirement hence avoiding financial strains (Kim et al., 2018). Saving for a retirement plan is significant in ensuring that a person will not become a burden to relatives and family in old age. Therefore, using my savings to grow my retirement account is quite an amazing thing to smile about.

Concerning my spending, there many plans that I am putting in place to ensure that I grow financially and spend the money in a manner that will allow me to save and invest more. Growing financially, in the first place, depends on what a person earns. Thus, to increase my earnings, I must elevate my education level to go for high-paying jobs. Looking at my spending table, there is a dire need to minimize meaningless spending hence achieving the mindset of leaving beneath your means. Spending over two hundred dollars per month to acquire new trends and fashions is a waste of money. I plan to avoid buying fashion and buy clothes in second-hand stores. Likewise, I will not be shopping for clothes every month because I have enough already. Another plan is to reduce the amount of cash I spend on food and drinks. Taking beer every weekend is unnecessary, and I can comfortably leave without it. Another way of reducing spending on food is by buying and cooking in my house instead of purchasing already-cooked food in hotels and restaurants. Likewise, I will be watching NBAs in my room than buying tickets, thus reducing the spending on entertainment tremendously. Finally, instead of fueling my car every day, I will use public transport such as the train, which is cheaper than everyday purchasing of fuel. With all these plans in place, my total spending will immensely reduce, thus achieving leaving beneath your means. Mindset and skills.

Goals & Action Plan

Three months

Goal -Open a savings account:

  • Pay a visit to the current bank
  • Have a conversation with the bank about opening a savings account
  • Start saving with as little as 30 dollars monthly
  • Continue growing the saving account by increasing the amount of savings each month.

Six months

Goal  Open debit card:

  • Explore debit cards at NerdWallet.com
  • Run a conversation with the current bank
  • Make an application for the debit card
  • Continue making deposits to the savings account anytime and anywhere
  • Track your savings score.

Twelve months

Goal  Meet with a monetary guide to talking about educational loan reimbursement choices:

  • Explore various plans of student loan repayment at Studentaid.gov
  • Choose the best student loan repayment option
  • Meet with financial aid to discuss the best option chosen
  • Start making the payment with your saving
  • Continue making the repayments until it is done

References

Kim, K. T., Pak, T.-Y., Shin, S. H., & Hanna, S. D. (2018). The relationship between financial planner uses and holding a retirement saving goal: A propensity score matching analysis. Financial Planning Review, 1(1-2), e1008. Web.

Schuman, P. (2020). Saving and spending during uncertain times: Tips from the Office of Financial Wellness and Education. News.iu.edu. Web.

Diary of an Enslaved Woman: Personal Experiences

The diary excerpt is from the perspective of one enslaved woman who was forced onto a boat. It will help a reader better understand the slave trade, the daily lives of enslaved people, and the events that led to emancipation. The story is based on personal experience and may not represent all enslaved people during this period. The story takes place in the southern United States, but slavery existed in every state at one time or another. It is a heart-wrenching reality for an enslaved woman. Forced onto boats with little more than the clothes on her back, the woman had to face an uncertain future. The purpose of this diary is to provide a first-hand account of what slavery in America was like during the 17th century.

Monday, Fear and Mourning

On Monday morning, I woke up to the sound of someone pounding on the door. I was unsure why there was so much noise because it was still early. I got out of bed and headed to the door, only to find several people armed with rifles. One of them stepped forward and told me that I would be taken away. I did not know what was happening, but I was terrified. I cried as I was led away from my home, family, and everything I knew (Jacobs, 1861).

I spent the day in shock, not understanding what was happening to me or why. I kept asking myself if that was a dream, but I knew it was not. I was on a boat, crossing unknown waters as the sun beat mercilessly, and there was little shelter from the heat. Strangers surrounded me, and I did not know what would happen to me, but I was dumbfounded and confused. I tried to keep my mind off things, but it was hard.

Tuesday, Hope in Fading Light

The captain had promised liberty for some time, and I could not help but feel hopeful that I would finally be free. The only problem was that I was not sure of whom to trust. The captain had lied before, and I could not help but worry that I might be sold into slavery once we reached the land (Berlin, 2004). I kept telling myself that it would not happen, but it was hard to remain positive when things were uncertain. I was slowly starting to accept the new reality when I heard the constant drone of the boat, carrying me further and further away from my home. I thought of my parents, brothers, and all the people I might never see again in my village. My heart felt heavy and empty at the same time. All I could think about was my family and how I would see them again.

It was strange how my life had been changed in just a few days by forces outside my control. Nothing was familiar to me anymore, not even the sounds I heard, the language spoken, or the people around me (Berlin, 2004). We had been at sea for days, and I needed to figure out where the boat was heading or what would happen once we reached our destination. I was determined to survive no matter what, but despair had become a close companion on the journey.

Wednesday, Bidding Farewell to Home

I got on the boat on the third day, knowing it was a one-way ticket to my future. I wanted to scream out for my family but could not find them in the crowd. With a heart filled with despair and anguish, I said goodbye to home, not knowing if I would ever see it again. I was being packed like sardines on the old ships deck, and I was barely given enough space to move (Berlin, 2004). The air was thick with fear and hopelessness as I looked at the horizon before them, dreading what lay ahead. As I waved farewell to my homeland and sailed into the unknown, all I could think of was how much pain my family must have felt parting from me.

The waves were getting more robust, and the boat was shaking so much that it felt like it could break apart at any moment. I could feel the fear in the air, which was hard to breathe. I was looking out at the horizon but did not know what I was seeking. All I knew was that I was alone, with an expanse of sea and sky around me (Berlin, 2004). It was terrifying to think of being forced further away from home. The only thing that gave me solace was knowing that God would never abandon me in such a troubled time of uncertainty. My faith guided me and gave me strength when all failed. No matter what happened, I kept holding hope for a long time.

Friday, Life on the Plantation

Unfortunately, I found myself in a large field of the plantation, but I did not understand what had transpired. I lived on a plantation, which seemed like paradise compared to the cities conditions, but it was still nothing close to freedom. My days were regimented, starting with the sun rising and ending with the long hours of darkness (Jacobs, 1861). There was little time for rest and even less for pleasure. I worked in the fields from dawn until dusk, often under the blistering sun or through the pounding rain. I could carry buckets of water and hoe yards until my hands were bloody and blistered. My skin became dark from the sun, and my hair was nappy from neglect. I had never seen a mirror, but I knew I was not what those who owned me considered beautiful. I was like a property, something to be used and abused as the white masters saw fit. I was treated less than human, a thing to be pitied but not loved.

My days were full of heartache and hardship because my master controlled much of my life, but I was determined to find small ways to resist. Despite the threats and punishments, I found joy in nature and music. I saw the beauty of the sunrises and sunsets, even though I had to work from dawn to dusk. I sang spiritual hymns, knowing it was a way to remember and honour my African heritage.

Though it was dangerous for enslaved people to do so, we gathered together at night for storytelling or dancing. In addition to providing emotional relief, these gatherings were a form of passive resistance by uniting against our oppressors in secret. Though it seemed impossible at times, freedom eventually came in with the passing of the thirteenth amendment (Jacobs, 1861). However, achieving absolute freedom would still be a long time coming. Tangible rights like voting, education, or owning property were seen until years later.

The time had come to fight for my freedom, but the fight was more difficult than I had imagined. The Abolition movement sought to end slavery, and the Emancipation Proclamation declared that all enslaved persons were free, but my freedom was not as clear-cut as that. There were various court battles on issues, including whether the Proclamation applied to particular regions and the struggle for abolished state privileges throughout the years preceding and following the Proclamation. I felt the implications of this long struggle for freedom with each passing day (Jacobs, 1861). There were moments of joy when I saw progress and moments of despair when rights were taken away or not fully granted. I learned that I could not always trust what people said and instead had to rely on myself to ensure safety and freedom were won and fully upheld.

In conclusion, the diary of an enslaved woman is a heart-wrenching account of the trials and tribulations that one woman faced during her lifetime. It is a story of strength and resilience, of a woman who fought against all odds to survive. It is a story of hope, of a woman who dreamed of a better future for herself and her family. It is impossible to fully comprehend the horror and the heartbreak that this woman went through, and it is a reminder of how important it is to fight for justice and equality. It is essential to pass this kind of stories from generation to generation so that the lessons learned from struggles can bring about lasting changes in society.

References

Berlin, I. (2004). Generations of captivity: A history of African-American slaves. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.

Jacobs, H. A. (1861). Incidents in the life of a slave girl: Jacobs, Mrs Harriet (Brent). Published for the author.

C. Entry Mode: Thanksgiving Travel Ticks

Considering the challenges of geographical distance, a significant part of customers luxury experience at Badrutts Palace Hotel is high-quality service. The expansion to the American market will require additional time for training new employees and forming the administrative staff. In this aspect, cultural differences may present a barrier to implementing European service quality standards and require additional changes to local cultural patterns. For example, the simple language barrier between the training instructors and new employees may adversely affect the service quality.

Furthermore, meal plans present a significant difference between European American hospitality standards. The traditional American plan includes three meals in a day, while the European plans are generally limited to the cost of accommodation. Thus, in order to provide quality food services to all visitors, the hotel management will need to create an efficient transportation system to ensure the availability of the required amount of products.

Furthermore, it was mentioned earlier that the hotels operation at the ski resort implies the seasonal character of work for employees. This means that the hotel administration will need to create a system for employees transportation to the resort before the start of the peak season and after its end. While the location at Vail Resorts can extend the seasonal operating window, the hotel administration should also consider the cultural factor of the holiday season in America. Europeans generally do not celebrate Thanksgiving; however, in America Thanksgiving holiday marks the beginning of the skiing season. Moreover, the population tends to travel to more distant locations during the Thanksgiving holidays (Diaz, 2022). Therefore, the hotel management should reconsider the views on hotel occupancy during the Thanksgiving holiday period in order to adapt to different sociocultural conditions.

Reference

Diaz, A. (2022). Thanksgiving travel ticks up, just shy of pre-pandemic levels. NewsRoom. Web.

Fatherhood in the Modern World

The general topic of the study considered the concept of fatherhood in the modern world. The articles authors stress that the understanding of the fathers role in the contemporary world has changed significantly compared to how it was previously understood. According to Duckworth and Buzzanell (2009), Recently, the very definition of fatherhood and the nature of fathers roles in and out of the home have been questioned (p. 560). The study focuses on the influence of cultural, political, economic, and other factors on the perception of fatherhood. In their research, it is essential to emphasize that the articles authors identify the main problem it as the importance and difficulty for fathers to reconcile the duty to work, career, and important role in their family. In this regard, Duckworth and Buzzanell stress that fathers, in most cases, have considerable difficulty in trying to pay enough attention to the family and have a promising career.

To conduct the study, communication was made with the representatives of fatherhood. A total of 18 fathers were interviewed. The interviews were examined, and the answers were compared. Based on them, conclusions were made regarding the interview research. It was done in order to identify certain features of fathers adaptation to the possibility of joining family and work. As Duckworth and Buzzanell (2009), it was made to locate how they constructed work-family balance and their fatherhood roles within their particular life contexts (p. 561). In addition, a constant comparative method was used. It made it possible to assess fathers responses to their paternity behavior and compare and draw conclusions from those responses. It is important to emphasize that these data have also been evaluated from the point of view of social constructionism, and their research has been divided into several stages. According to Duckworth and Buzzanell (2009), we first situate interdisciplinary fatherhood and work-family research within social constructionism tenets, then we focus on communication research in these areas (p. 562). Consequently, the study was carried out in stages using different methods.

One of the studys preliminary results, described in the article, is an assessment of the degree of difficulty for fathers in the relationship between family and work. It is important to note that in the course of the research interviews with 18 fathers, it was determined that the current trend of fatherhood implies the priority of family and then work. As Duckworth and Buzzanell (2009) state, we found that these men framed and enlarged work-family balance both work and life elevated family as first by linking family to their meanings of work (p. 562). The study, therefore, identified the priorities of modern fathers. They are to live for the family and work to provide money for it.

These results have an essential role in the topic. Since the research was based on actual interviews with fathers, it has practical application and basis. This approach is vital for understanding contemporary paternity trends in the context of sociocultural communications and factors such as economic, political, cultural, and others. The importance of the study lies in defining the modern perception of the role of fathers both from society and themselves. Therefore, based on the research described in the article, it is possible to deepen the study of social functions.

Reference

Duckworth J. D., & Buzzanell P. M. (2009). Constructing work-life balance and fatherhood: Mens framing of the meanings of both work and family. Routledge, 60(5), pp. 558573.

Why People Should Play Basketball

Basketball belongs to games that most significantly affect the comprehensive development of a person, improving ones physiological indicators. Basketball is based on natural movements  running, jumping, throwing, and passing, which is why it has a positive impact on a persons musculoskeletal, respiratory, digestive, and nervous systems. Moreover, systematic basketball classes serve to strengthen health and cultivate will, perseverance, and courage.

Almost all types of muscles work very actively in this game, as people jump, run, walk, bend and straighten up. This often changes the intensity of work and accelerates or decelerates movement. Some of the exercises of modern basketball have been included in physical therapy. For example, throwing a ball into a basket develops the hand and leg muscles, which can prevent the onset of joint disease (Malm et al.). Regular training also helps to increase the vital capacity of the lungs. Basketball classes lead to an increase in the frequency of respiratory movements. This has a beneficial effect on human health, making people less receptive to infections.

Due to prolonged motor activity and intensive breathing, not only the lungs are well trained, but also the organs of the digestive system. Energy costs for one productive basketball game amount to approximately 900-1200 kilocalories. As a result, working muscles use a significant amount of fat deposits, and a person gets rid of extra pounds (Rinaldo et al.). Nowadays, this fact motivates many men and women suffering from excess weight to start health-improving basketball training to get a beautiful figure in the process of an exciting game. Basketball also has a beneficial influence on the nervous system.

While playing basketball, the nervous system constantly monitors and coordinates the movements of all organs. The need to switch from one level of activity to another determines the special nature of nervous processes. When muscles contract, a stream of nerve impulses enters the cerebral cortex (Herzog). The motor analyzer is considered by modern science as a mechanism of sensorimotor integration along with the frontal lobes.

Apart from having a positive impact on physical and mental development, basketball classes serve to develop a strong will and self-control. Team play helps to improve the communication skills and initiative of the individual. Systematic training leads to the formation of independence, perseverance and purposefulness. Basketball classes contribute to the development of positive qualities and character traits, such as the ability to subordinate personal interests to the interests of the team, mutual assistance, respect for partners and rivals in the game and a sense of responsibility.

Playing basketball is a great activity that fosters the physical and psychological development of children and adults alike. Apart from its positive impact on body systems, it gives players unforgettable emotions of victories and failures, joys and sorrows, which ones life is made of. Enroll in a basketball section and see how it changes your life, making you a healthier and more self-confident individual than you used to be before you started playing this amazing game.

Works Cited

Rinaldo, Natascia, et al. Effects of anthropometric growth and basketball experience on physical performance in pre-adolescent male players. International journal of environmental research and public health vol. 17, no. 7, 2020. Web.

Herzog, Walter. Do recreational team sports provide fitness and health benefits?. Journal of sport and health science vol. 7, no. 2, 2018. Web.

Malm, C., Jakobsson, J., & Isaksson, A. (2019). Physical activity and sportsreal health benefits: a review with insight into the public health of Sweden. Sports, vol. 7, no. 5. Web.

Nuclear Family Health Assessment in Nursing

Family Composition

The assessment of a family is important in identifying family health care needs for appropriate nursing interventions. This family health assessment will focus on a nuclear family that comprises Jim Smith, his wife of 15 years, Kelly, and their three children. The couples children include Jake, aged thirteen, Stan, aged nine, and Sharon, aged six.

Roles of Each Family Member

The father is the head of the household and the caregiver. The primary provider is the mother who is a Registered Nurse at a local health care facility. Kelly is the sole breadwinner, as the father is currently unemployed. Jim and Kelly share daily household chores and the responsibility of caring for the children.

Existing Physical or Psychological Conditions

The mother suffers from thalassemia, a hereditary blood condition she acquired from her father. The condition is manifested in fatigue and physical exhaustion. The nine-year-old son also has this condition, which was diagnosed when he was aged one. The father is generally healthy, except for occasional episodes of GERD for which he takes protonix. Stan and Jake have no existing physical condition. With regard to psychological conditions, the father suffers from an anxiety disorder indicated by chronic insomnia and verbalized stress. The mothers work demands and role as the breadwinner may be a source of stress.

Home and External Environment

The Smith family lives in a rented house in Greenville Manor, Miami County. They do not own the house, but it provides safe and clean living conditions for the family. They emphasize on healthier lifestyles and physical activity. Kelly is a nurse and her husband is unemployed, but he occasionally does odd jobs. Their combined monthly income is about $7500. This income is barely enough for them due to school fees obligations for their children.

Age-appropriate Developmental Tasks

The parents ability to accept and perform their responsibilities determines the extent to which family members accomplish age-appropriate developmental (Persson & Benzein, 2014, p. 79). In the Smith family, physical maintenance is affected by financial constraints due to low household income. Further, the family is at risk of elevated stress due to the chronic condition affecting Kelly and Sharon and Jims occupational status. Jake and Stan do home management tasks. However, the two display ineffective coping behavior manifested in conflicts between them due to the changing roles.

Developmental States

The developmental states of individual family members create stress in the family. Sharons blood disorder means that the family has to make adjustments in terms of diet and household chores. Further, the mother (41 years old) complains of chronic back pain after her shifts. This has led to adjustments in family member roles. She also reports that she experienced excessive bleeding after each birth. Further, Jakes deviant behavior causes filial crises and stress in the family.

Developmental Stage of the Family

The family is in the developmental stage 4. The couples children are of the school-going age, i.e., 6-13 years (Umberson, Crosnoe, & Reczek, 2012). The children help with home management tasks according to gender role expectations. Jake and Stan help with landscaping the yard while Sharon mostly does household chores. All the family members have achieved the developmental level expected at this family stage with no signs of delayed growth.

Genetic Predisposition to Disease

There is a maternal family history of thalassemia minor. The mother inherited the blood disorder, which is characterized by a low hemoglobin count, from her father. Her daughter has also been diagnosed with this condition. The paternal grandfather died from heart disease. Therefore, there is a genetic predisposition to thalassemia minor and heart disease in the Smith family.

Immunization Status

The couple and their children are up-to-date in their immunizations. Thus, the family is protected against preventable diseases, including whooping cough and polio. The couple maintains an up-to-date immunization record for each member to keep track of the vaccines received.

Child or Adolescent Experiencing Problems

Jake displays a difficult temperament that includes episodes of rage and yelling. On the other hand, Stan and Sharon exhibit tantrums and extended crying when provoked. Sharon is a finicky eater and does not show a defined eating schedule. In contrast, Jake tends to feast on junk food. As a result, he is overweight.

Hospital Admission

The family would be devastated by a hospital admission of a family member. The financial stress of caring for a sick family member would weigh down on Kelly given that her husband has no stable job. The other family members would also be affected emotionally.

Family Communication

The family members communicate openly with each other at home. The open communication policy is highly effective, as it allows family members to express their views freely and share their feelings with each other for emotional support. However, sometimes Kelly feels out of touch with Jims experiences given the demanding nature of her work. Moreover, the parents often scream at their children when they display overt deviance. Stan often throws temper tantrums when he feels angry or ignored. Sharon usually cries when she wants her parents attention or affection.

Decision-making

Decision-making in the family follows a hierarchical pattern. In a family, each member has a certain level of power and influence on collective decisions (Arestedt, Benzein, & Persson, 2015). Sharon and Stan have limited power or influence on family decisions. Jake assigns household tasks when the parents are away. Jim holds the greatest influence on decisions, as he is the head of the family. However, decision-making power tends to be fairly distributed between him and his wife.

Violence and Discipline

Kelly reports that there is no violence in the family. The main discipline mode the parents employ is punishment in the form of timeouts and scolding. Unacceptable behavior or conduct from any child leads to punishment. The punishment may involve denying the offender gaming or entertainment privileges. However, the disciplining is often left to Jim.

Dealing with Crisis

The family members employ diverse strategies when dealing with family crises or problems. In times of a crisis, Kelly normally dives into religion and prayer while Jim often turns to heavy drinking. While religious orientation can enable Kelly cope with the crisis, alcohol use is ineffective because it denies Jim the benefits of social support. Kelly confides her fears in her mother who she considers a neutral and supportive party. For the children, playing video games or watching TV helps them deal with family crises.

Cultural and Religious Factors

The family believes in leading healthier lifestyles through balanced diet and physical activity. However, due to Kellys work demands, the family rarely takes home-prepared meals. The family believes in the conventional treatments for common illnesses such as fever and chronic conditions. Jim takes protonix for his GERD, while Kelly and Sharon take medication for thalassemia minor. Kelly obtains comfort from her strong religious orientation, meditation, and prayer.

Family Goals

Families shape the members perspectives by imparting certain goals and values (Eggenberger & Nelms, 2012). For the Smith family, the primary goal is the academic excellence of the children. The family also focuses on socializing the children along traditional gender roles and behavior. The other goal is to bring up the children in a godly way that is grounded in Roman Catholic teachings.

External or Internal Sources of Support

The nuclear family obtains external social support from close friends and relatives living nearby. Kellys mother lives three miles away and occasionally visits the family. She is her closest confidante and supports her financially. Jims brother also comes to visit during the holidays. The children have friends in the neighborhood and in their school. The family enjoys strong associational bonds. Jim and Kelly give each other emotional support during times of crises.

Role Conflict or Overload

Kelly has experienced role conflict/overload related to her breadwinner status since the time Jim became unemployed. Further, caring for the children coupled with work-related demands is a source of strain for her. On the other hand, Jims occupational status means that he no longer plays the provider role. This change in family structure has resulted in inter-role strain and conflict in the family.

Emergency Plan

The familys emergency plan for dealing with family crisis involves an open communication policy. The family members freely share their fears and feelings at the dinner table to resolve crises or problems. Disaster planning involves fire and first aid drills and equipment.

Nursing Diagnoses

A nursing diagnosis reflects the need for interventions to promote family health (Ghanbaripanah, Mustaffa, & Ahmad, 2013). The key indicators of the nursing diagnoses include unstable employment, alcohol abuse by the father, work overload, and unhealthy eating practices. The three diagnoses that can be made based on the health assessment of the Smith family include:

  1. Increased potential for poor physical health due to the consumption of unhealthier foods and the lack of physical activity
  2. Anxiety related to the fathers occupation status manifested through insomnia and verbalized stress
  3. Possible strain in family processes due to work-family role overload manifested through the mothers back pains and stress

Nursing Plan of Care

According to Proulx and Snyder (2011), nursing interventions aim at promoting family health through primary, secondary, and tertiary preventions (p. 501). Various interventions can be used to manage the three diagnoses. The fathers unemployed status is the main cause of stress in the family. As a result, the father has assumed the caregiver role, leaving the breadwinner role to his wife. His anxiety can be alleviated by connecting him to recruitment agencies that would link him to a potential employer. Moreover, the nurse could work with Jim to identify a business opportunity that would keep him occupied and productive.

The problem of unhealthy eating could be addressed through health education. Education regarding healthier alternatives to processed food could alleviate unhealthy food from the diet. Further, encouraging the family to stock the fridge with affordable, nutritious food can help address the problem. Emphasis on physical activity and workout routines would also help the family lead healthier lives.

Kelly needs sufficient rest to recover from the fatigue related to her work demands and family roles. Jake and Stan could help with household tasks to reduce her household workload. With regard to her work, Kelly could request for weekend offs to rest and sleep. In this way, her exhaustion levels would decline. She would also find sufficient time to spend with her family and give emotional support to her husband. In addition, she would find time to visit friends and relatives for social support and bonding.

References

Arestedt, L., Benzein, E., & Persson, C. (2015). Families living with chronic illness: Beliefs about illness, family, and health care. Journal of Family Nursing, 21(2), 206231.

Eggenberger, K., & Nelms, T. (2012). Being family: The family experience when an adult member is hospitalized with a critical illness. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 16(9), 16181628.

Ghanbaripanah, A., Mustaffa, M., & Ahmad, R. (2013). Structural analysis of family dynamics across family life cycle in Iran. Procedia  Social and Behavioral Sciences, 84(9), 486-490.

Persson, C., & Benzein, E. (2014). Family health conversations: How do they support health?, Nursing Research and Practice, 6(2), 75-83.

Proulx, M., & Snyder, A. (2011). Families and health: An empirical resource guide for researchers and practitioners. Family Relations, 58(4), 489-504.

Umberson, D., Crosnoe, R., & Reczek, C. (2012). Social relationships and health behavior across life course. Annual review of sociology, 36, 139-145.

Prenatal Development & Birth Stages Analysis

Introduction

Since I have no memory of my prenatal development and birth, I can strictly rely on the information I have learned about these processes. Prenatal development takes place in three primary stages. The first two weeks following conception are known as the germinal stage, followed by the embryonic period from the third to the eighth week, and the fetal period lasts from the ninth week until delivery.

Biological

Metabolic programming brought on by fetal growth restriction increases the chance of developing metabolic syndrome and, as a result, adult cardiovascular morbidity (Crispi & Gratacós, 2018). Furthermore, fetal cardiac and arterial remodeling and a subclinical state of cardiovascular disease are closely linked to fetal growth limitation. The psychological functioning of pregnant women alters during pregnancy. It is frequently accompanied by ambivalence and mood swings, ranging from exhilaration to depressive reactions to anxiety, lethargy, and exhaustion.

Psychology

Increased maternal distress during pregnancy raises the likelihood that the unborn child will develop mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, and schizophrenia.

Sociocultural

Early sociocultural development is linked to a childs developing capacity to feel, regulate, and express those feelings, establish deep and secure interpersonal relationships, explore their surroundings, and learn while considering expectations from their family, society, and culture (Malik & Marwaha, 2018).

Infancy & Toddlerhood

Reflecting on my personal experience, I can recall progress from crawling to walking and running during this time, being able to explore with more significant curiosity because of their increased mobility.

Biological

Genetic predispositions, brain chemistry, hormone levels, nutrition, and gender are biological factors that impact the motor development of children, according to Luisa & Losada (2020).

Psychology

According to Salvadori et al., infants as young as three months old already exhibit behavioral responses that suggest emotions like surprise, discomfort, calm, and excitement (2021). By the end of the first year, new emotional states, including fear, sadness, and anger, all develop.

Sociocultural

Infants and toddlers pick up on the world through reassuring and trustworthy relationships.

Early Childhood

As a child, I remember having a healthy family situation that positively impacted my brain development, laying the groundwork for all future learning, behavior, and health.

Biological

The following three natural elements have an impact on growth and development:

  1. Genetic Inheritance
  2. Gender
  3. Hormones.

Psychology

Individual and contextual factors may influence childrens emotional and behavioral challenges, such as the familys socioeconomic situation, parent stress, and other environmental exposures. The family environment significantly predicts childrens behavior issues, according to Grazuleviciene et al. (2017).

Sociocultural

Language, law, aesthetics, appearance, religion, values, attitudes, social organization, family, community, and a persons role or status are a few examples of socio-cultural elements involved in childrens growth.

Middle & Late Childhood

Reflecting from a personal side, I can remark on learning various gross and fine motor abilities as I began having greater control over how my body moves.

Biological

According to Larsen & Luna, there are two significant periods of brain growth in middle and late childhood (2018). Between ages 6 and 8, there are noticeable increases in eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills. The frontal lobes mature between 10 and 12, when logic, planning, and memory skills improve.

Psychology

Their psychosocial development influences childrens ability to comprehend emotions. Children of school age can describe emotion by referring to feelings rather than physical occurrences.

Sociocultural

The distinct cultural influences children experience, such as those related to food, language, art, and religion, impact how they develop emotionally, socially, physically, and linguistically.

Adolescence

I can enlist the five main features of adolescence biological growth and development: an ambiguous position, increased decision-making, increasing demands, and the quest for identity.

Biological

Between childhood and adulthood, puberty is a time of rapid growth, the emergence of secondary sexual traits, the attainment of fertility, and significant psychological changes (Laube et al., 2020).

Psychology

The birth of abstract thought, the increasing capacity to absorb the perspectives or viewpoints of others, the formation of personal and sexual identity, and the onset of puberty are the most significant psychological and psychosocial changes.

Sociocultural

Cultural norms and social structures may influence adolescent development individually through the mediating impacts of close social surroundings like family and friends.

Emerging & Early Adulthood

Experiences that were included for me personally were:

  1. Becoming autonomous, working to become a self-sufficient individual with a unique existence.
  2. Identifying myself entailed establishing preferences, philosophies, likes, and dislikes.
  3. To gain emotional stability, which is regarded as a sign of maturation.

Biological

By this stage, adults have grown to their full height, weight, and physical peak (Tieland et al., 2018). Stamina and strength progressively deteriorate as the adult approaches the conclusion of this life period.

Psychology

Early in life, a person is preoccupied with learning to share intimacy, building relationships, and looking for intimate love. Long-term partnerships develop, and marriage and procreation frequently follow. The young adult must also make decisions about their career.

Sociocultural

Emerging adulthood is characterized by significant issues with identity, instability, self-focus, feeling in-between, and new opportunities. Peoples cultural backgrounds help them define who they are.

Middle Adulthood

Not having experienced this stage of life, I can rely on the learned information: at this period, attitudes and behaviors vary significantly because each person has a unique existence. The emotional state of the middle-aged brain is more stable, less neurotic, better able to control emotions, and more adept at navigating social situations.

Biological

Midlife brings about a few significant hormonal and physical changes. Vision and hearing abnormalities increase joint discomfort, and weight gain occurs.

Psychology

Adulthood brings about stability and personality transformation. For instance, whereas neuroticism and an openness to new experiences tend to decrease with age, self-assurance, kindness, self-control, and emotional stability tend to rise.

Sociocultural

The essential tension of maturity is between generativity and stagnation, which is the social responsibility of middle age. Finding ones lifes purpose and making a difference in the lives of others through volunteering, mentorship, and child-rearing are examples of generosity.

Late Adulthood

Not having experienced this stage of life, I can rely on the learned information. In this stage, elderly persons remain independent and socially active rather than allowing themselves to become isolated. More healthy aging persons play active social roles and uphold family responsibilities.

Biological

Many changes may occur in later adulthood, including some degree of brain atrophy and slowing neurological functions.

Psychology

Older adults may develop distrust, experience increased guilt over their diminished abilities, feel less competent compared to others, and lose their sense of self as they become more reliant on others.

Sociocultural

Anger and distress are less common, peripheral social relationships are cut off, and meaningful social partners are kept. Positive emotion is still very steady, showing a slight decline in some studies among the eldest old.

Conclusion & Insights

There are several reasons why it is crucial to comprehend human growth. One of the benefits is that it aids in self-understanding. One can better learn who they are today by being aware of the influences that shaped them as children. One can understand their children more fully by becoming knowledgeable about human growth. Knowing the psychology behind a childs development can be very helpful for anyone who is or plans to become a parent. One would learn more effective ways to communicate with kids. After studying human development, they will better understand how they have changed throughout their lives. Last but not least, one can distinguish between what is typical and what is not.

References

Crispi, F., Miranda, J., & Gratacós, E. (2018). Long-term cardiovascular consequences of fetal growth restriction: biology, clinical implications, and opportunities for prevention of adult disease. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 218(2), S869-S879. Web.

Grazuleviciene, R., Andrusaityte, S., Petraviciene, I., & Balseviciene, B. (2017). Impact of Psychosocial Environment on Young Childrens Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(10). Web.

Larsen, B., & Luna, B. (2018). Adolescence as a neurobiological critical period for the development of higher-order cognition. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 94, 179-195. Web.

Laube, C., Van den Bos, W., & Fandakova, Y. (2020). The relationship between pubertal hormones and brain plasticity: Implications for cognitive training in adolescence. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 42, 100753. Web.

Luisa, M., & Losada, J. L. (2020). Association Between Preschoolers Specific Fine (But Not Gross) Motor Skills and Later Academic Competencies: Educational Implications. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. Web.

Malik, F., & Marwaha, R. (2018). Developmental stages of social-emotional development in children.

Salvadori, E. A., Colonnesi, C., Vonk, H. S., Oort, F. J., & Aktar, E. (2021). Infant Emotional Mimicry of Strangers: Associations with Parent Emotional Mimicry, Parent-Infant Mutual Attention, and Parent Dispositional Affective Empathy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(2). Web.

Tieland, M., Trouwborst, I., & Clark, B. C. (2018). Skeletal muscle performance and aging. Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, 9(1), 3-19. Web.

Childrens Skills for the Basketball Sport

Introduction

Basketball is considered one of the most fantastic fundamental sports on the planet, to get the ball through the net rim more frequently than the other team. However, the mechanism through which an individual or group accomplishes this activity is significantly more complicated than it seems initially. Some of the essential basketball skills are shooting, dribbling, guarding, recovering the ball, and passing.

Discussion

Apart from these, basketball-specific abilities, agility, athletic aptitude, pace, and stamina are all vital game qualities that anyone participating in the activity should possess. The game requires perfect coordination, from ball handling to passes which need ones vision to be at the best level. For example, without the ability to leap, one cannot be exceptional at recovering the ball or guarding, similar to how a player who is not the quickest will likely be less effective at defense than someone who is. Players can enhance each basketball feature, and the tactics for doing so outnumber the games basic skills by a proportion of a hundred. Exercises and methods are used at all action phases to instruct the game and build stronger players effectively.

With extracurricular activities being a significant subject matter in junior school, they serve immense purposes to students. Co-curricular programs help to spark ones education by sparking innovative abilities, boosting social and organizational qualities, fostering hobbies and talents, and providing an opportunity to unwind and engage in something they like. In Brians case, his potential to harbor diverse skills is something to note. Through close observation of the young lad, there is much to like and learn from him. He tends to concentrate and participate a lot in class, especially in studies related to calculations. He enjoys coordinating with his peers, which requires group participation, and always takes the lead.

Outside class, Brians athleticism does not go unrecognized as he enjoys running and mostly prefers the dashes as he is swift. As his gym instructor, he lets me keep on challenging him when it comes to sprinting, and he ends up breaking his record after working hard for it. One can quickly identify his agility and stamina in the young lad as he can swim for no less than 30 minutes without taking any breaks. Brian can implement all these diverse skills in the basketball activity as he already possesses all the games essential qualities.

And since nobody was born knowing everything, hard work in any particular activity makes people great. Relating to Brians qualities and those required for basketball, it is without a doubt that he can excel in the activity. With his ability to improve in what he engages in, he can learn to dribble the ball skillfully, as all it needs is to coordinate the palm with the balls movement. Being able to work in a group with ease signifies that he can work well with his teammates in the realization of winning.

Conclusion

With his love of equations and calculations, he can implement that on the court primarily by passing the ball to his teammates, and because of his fast pace, he can get past his opponents quickly. Most importantly, Brians basketball participation will make him a problem solver. The reason for stating this is because basketball can be related to what people go through in life; hence finding ones way through opponents and working with teams is how life ought to be lived precisely.

Demystifying the Dynamics of Coaching

Summary

The career I am interested in that is significant to the sports industry is coaching. Sports coaches train fanatics to familiarize themselves with a game and participate in professional-level matches. The word coaching was first used in connection with a trainer or instructor in the mid-19th century in England after a tutor at Oxford University guided a learner through exams (Miller & Gaffney, 2022). Since then, coaching has been used in the sports context to support athletes to succeed in their fields. Job opportunities for coaches are expected to grow by 20% from now to 2030. Over 40,000 job opportunities are expected to emerge every year (Miller & Gaffney, 2022). Coaching opportunities are available at every level and age, including college teams, private clubs, school sports, national leagues, and youth sports.

Management and Leadership: Strategies

A key management strategy of prolific coaches is embracing good talent. Coaches want to harness the best talent to ensure their teams maintain a competitive advantage over their rivals (Miller & Gaffney, 2022). Another management strategy is providing recognition where it is required. Like employees, players work to seek satisfaction and emotional contentment (Valletta, 2019). Good coaches appreciate individualism in employee performance and productivity and offer constructive appreciation and feedback where it is due. Lastly, cultivating self-leadership in players is a crucial management strategy coaches should use. Good coaches ignore mistakes and focus on cultivating accountability and self-leadership in teams so that the underperforming players can get a chance to grow.

The leadership strategies related to coaching include autocratic leadership style, democratic leadership style, and laissez-faire leadership style. Coaches who exercise autocratic leadership make sole decisions without consulting the decisions and views of players (Gomes et al., 2021). Most professional coaches, like Alex Ferguson, have demonstrated the success of this strategy. Coaches that exercise democratic leadership make decisions and seek the players opinions before enforcing them (Gomes et al., 2021). Democracy increases motivation among employees as they feel valued. Coaches who use a laissez-faire leadership strategy do not take active leadership approaches (Gomes et al., 2021). The coach can decide what will be done but prefers to get advice from the athletes and give them the autonomy to make the decision.

Management and Leadership: Situation

Pushing experienced players to be the best at the peak of their careers is a situation that requires a leadership strategy over management. Experienced athletes are more concerned with unlocking their full potential. Thus, the strategy is appropriate for the situation as the experienced players want to be leaders in their fields (Gomes et al., 2021). The strategy will ensure that the athletes possess leadership qualities like emotional intelligence, competitiveness, confidence, responsibility, dominance, and resilience compared to other players.

Management and Leadership: Differences

There are several differences between management and leadership in coaching. Leaders in this career are more involved in the sport and motivating (DiGirolamo & Tkash, 2019). Although managers are less involved than leaders, they are more thoughtful about their methods. For example, managers tell the athletes what to do while the leaders encourage them. Another difference is that becoming a leader requires different characteristics and qualities from becoming a manager (DiGirolamo & Tkash, 2019). Leaders must be passionate, emotional, outgoing, and vocal, while managers must be observant of the players strengths, weaknesses, and drive to gain success.

Finally, coaching is a promising career in the sports industry as it is projected to proliferate in the coming years. Coaches are responsible for assessing the current skills level of players, their growth potential, and their fit within a team. Coaches are expected to embrace leadership and management qualities to ensure their teams have a competitive advantage over their rivals. Practical management qualities enable the coach to give instructions, while leadership qualities encourage players to follow them.

References

DiGirolamo, J. A., & Tkach, J. T. (2019). An exploration of managers and leaders using coaching skills. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 71(3).

Gomes, A. R., Gonçalves, A., Morais, C., Simães, C., & Resende, R. (2021). Leadership efficacy in youth Football: Athletes and coaches perspectives. International Sport Coaching Journal, 9(2), 170-178.

Miller, D., & Gaffney, T. (2022). The 5 most promising careers in sports (With tips for success). Web.

Valletta, C. (2019). 3 management techniques used by coaches in sports. Web.