Category: Family

Abstract

Families comprise different people who influence one another in unpredictable ways. This interrelationship makes family therapies difficult. The structural family therapy offers a theoretical and practical model that guarantees order to build and maintain a long-lasting and positive relationship.

In theory, the appreciation of the existence of a family structure is founded on the view that members of a family show some consistency in terms of their behaviors. From this theoretical paradigm, this paper confirms that families comprise living systems, which grow and undergo some changes with time.

Failure to adapt to the changes threatens their viability and the coexistence of the individual family members. From the basis of a case study, which involves Mr. and Mrs. Browns family, this paper identifies the structural family therapy as a therapeutic approach that recognizes that families have different strengths where each member plays a role to boost or bring down the family bonds.

Introduction

Families encounter a myriad of problems, which may lead to psychological challenges among couples and their children. Families, which look for help from therapists or chancellors, are usually concerned about a specific problem. The problems may range from misbehaving children to couples who fail to get along with one another.

When therapists face such situations, they look beyond the provided specifics of the problems that affect a family by evaluating the efforts of the family unit to deal with the challenges. This strategy determines family interaction dynamics. For example, misbehaving children may be brought up by parents who repeatedly engage in scolding behaviors without rewarding any change of conduct.

In such situations, scolding, which is an attempt to resolve the childs behavioral problem, contributes to further destruction of parent-child relationships. Some parents may differ in opinions and/or cannot engage in an open debate without using destructive arguments. In such a situation, destructive arguments increase the couples conflicts, although the underlying problem is a variation of opinions.

This observation suggests that through the deployment of the structural family therapy, therapists intervene to resolve family problems both in an organized and systematic way. Indeed, the structural family therapy borrows its basic theoretical tenets from the systems theory.

This paper discusses the structural family therapy together with its theoretical tenets that help to resolve familial problems. It first establishes a case study that forms the basis of discussion for this paper. The applicability of the structural family therapy to the case is based on the assertion that a family comprises a system, which is a part of a social grouping.

Since family members regulate each other, a change of an individual leads to a corresponding change in the family dynamics. Hence, in the process of administering family therapy, problems that arise from an individual can be solved. The model influences the behavior of other members by building long lasting positive family relationships.

Case Study Description

Several cases have been registered in schools where teens turned violent to the level of killing their fellow students and teachers. For instance, in 1999, on 20 April, Dylan Klebold and his friend Eric Harris staged an assault in a school that is based at Colorado. In the assault, 13 people were killed while 23 others were critically injured.

They later turned bullets against themselves. It is perhaps impossible to establish what caused this attack or even other recently established children-executed crimes. However, in the case of Dylan Klebold and his friend Eric Harris, a possible cause of the violent attacks was a video game that had brutal themes and characters (Ward, 2011).

Childrens abusive behaviors towards their peers are commonplace in schools and in various other social settings. As it is revealed in the case of Mr. and Mrs. Browns family, abusive behaviors among children may be tracked from the familial structural problems. Mr. Browns family consists of his wife (Mrs. Brown) and their two children, James and Anthony.

However, the couple has divorced. Their separation is now turning two years. The divorce occurred because Mr. Brown engaged in repeated abusive behaviors towards his wife. The children witnessed all the abusive sessions before Mr. Brown shifted to a different state when the divorce decision was finally granted in a family court in New Jersey.

The children, Anthony (seven years old) and James (four years old), meet their father thrice annually. Mrs. Brown has a full-time job while Anthony attends school as his brother goes for the daycare. On 27 January 2015, Anthonys principal called referring Mrs. Brown to a therapist who was based in the school.

Anthonys behavior while in school underlined the reason the therapist requested Mrs. Browns family to undergo a counseling session. For more than two months, Anthonys class teacher reported that he had been attacking his peers without being provoked.

Anthony also withdrew from social skills forums and any activities that could bring together all children to build their cognitive skills and/or foster social development. This conduct only occurred in the school settings. Mrs. Brown indicated that Anthony did not show the behavioral problem in the home settings. His brother, James, neither showed such behaviors while at home nor school.

The investigation by the therapist into Mrs. Browns family structure indicated that when the divorce occurred, Mrs. Brown had seized a sizable amount of power of family control. She had also been attempting to adapt to numerous changes that her family had experienced.

The therapist identified that her family had been incredibly flexible and organized in such a way that Mrs. Brown would adapt to changes following her divorce. Due to many cases that the school therapist handled, the chancellor felt it was wise to refer Mrs. Browns family to an external family therapist in the attempt to resolve Anthonys unwelcome behavior.

In February 2015, Mrs. Brown and her two sons visited a New Jersey-based family therapist. In a preliminary assessment, the therapist noted Mrs. Browns possession of the power to control her family as evidenced by her two sons high degree of respect towards her authority.

For instance, when she requested them to do some task, they obeyed diligently without hesitation. She noted that she insisted on her children to maintain high standards of discipline while at the same time advocating any disciplinary action in any situation that involved deviance from authority. However, in school settings, this discipline was never witnessed.

Anthony did not respect authority. He could bully and beat weak targets and his peers. An emerging question is whether structural family therapy can successfully help to deal with this deviant behavior challenge.

The Historical Context of the Structural Family Model and its Founders

Salvador Minuchin founded the structural family therapy. Since its establishment, it has constituted a central model for family therapy. The model addresses problems of family functionality. This goal is accomplished through its attempt to gain access to a family system with the objective of identifying rules that regulate the functioning of a family.

For example, in the context of the case study about Mrs. Browns family, the chief rule that regulates the conducts of the children is strict obedience to her. Under the structural family therapy model, therapists map the relationships between family members or between subsets of the family, and ultimately disrupt dysfunctional relationships within the family, causing it to stabilize into healthier patterns (Vetere, 2008, p.138).

Indeed, Minuchin asserts that pathology only rests within a family system, but not within an individual. Writers such as Charles Fishman support the propositions of the structural family therapy by claiming that family structures have restrictions, which can be inflexible, apparent, and defined by tasks and connections (Vetere, 2008).

Other concepts of the model are that the family comprises hierarchies, substructures, cross-generational partnerships, and nurtured kids. The historical development of the model relates to its main concepts since the model views a family as a system that bears other subsystems that need to interact positively to ensure collective change to the system.

To this extent, one of the primary tenets of the structural family therapy is that therapists get into a family in the capacity of a catalyst that serves the purposes of inducing positive changes. This claim suggests that changes occur when a therapist builds a positive relationship with the family. He or she becomes integrated into the family boundaries such that any incepted changes can influence all components (individuals) that make up the family.

The theory regards families as structures that are organized as subsystems that have bendable or strict limits. The boundaries can permit or discourage contacts between different family members. An equally valuable concept in the historical development of the structural family therapy is the enactment technique.

Under the technique, family members are encouraged to deal directly with each other in sessions that permit therapists to observe and modify their interactions (Vetere, 2008, p.134). Therefore, every persons influence in the behavior of a given family is inseparable from the other family members.

This situation has introduced the significance of the complementary concept in administering therapy interventions within families. Could the behavior of Mr. Brown (abusing a weak target, Mrs. Brown, in the presence of Anthony) have influenced Anthonys bullying behavior that was directed towards his peers in school settings? Based on the ideas of the structural family therapy, this case is most probable.

The Role of the Therapist or Counselor in the Structural Family Therapy Model

The primary goal of therapists entails heralding repetition of sequences. This goal is accomplished through interruptions of familial hierarchical structures. This process involves power shifting through the alteration of interaction styles.

However, in the case of structural family therapy, the therapist plays the role of changing dysfunctional structures of a family by facilitating growth of various individuals with the objective of inducing positive transformation of the whole (family) as the strategy for developing new ways of interaction.

Through the structural family therapy, therapists also play the role facilitating system restructuring. They also act as choreographers and directors of the desired change. For example, in case of Anthony, a therapist has the role of building the cognition that Mrs. Brown is not the only source of power in the family.

Secondly, the therapist needs to demonstrate to Anthony that targeting weak peers with his violent behaviors is an unacceptable norm. Therefore, he can realize that his father was wrong when he was abusing his mother and that such behaviors have bad consequences on both, including divorce or suspension from school.

The structural family therapy closely relates to the theory of change. It advocates the alteration of family relationships to build different schemes that then influence all components of the family system. The manner in which a parents past shapes the social development of a child is widely not predictable.

Thus, parenting can be viewed as a longitudinal trajectoryaccumulative, sequential pathway in which continuities and/or changes occur across time (Gutman & Feinstein, 2010, p.535). Therefore, parents should alter their parenting styles as their children progress age wise for them (children) to develop fully to meet the anticipated social developments at various specific ages.

The structural family therapy encompasses a model that helps therapists to join in influencing change in a family such that parents contribute positively to the process of child development. In situations such as the one that involves Anthony, change from the schemas that he has already copied due to his exposure to violence against weak targets is necessary. If structural family therapy can help to alter Anthonys behavior in a school setting, the model relates to the theory of change.

An emerging question is, what is the health or pathology view that applies to the case based on the structural family therapy? In the case of Anthony, a pathological condition that regulates his behavior is codependency. This concept refers to the psychological condition in which a person who experiences a pathological situation such as uncalled-for hostility depends on another person for control to encourage and uphold constructive behaviors (Mogford, 2011).

From this context, a healthy pathological view that is applicable to the case based on the structural family therapy model is that poor families experiences spread to influence all members because of their interdependency and inability to separate individual behaviors from the family behavior.

This observation may reveal why Anthony violently attacks weak targets just like his father without being provoked. This situation may comprise attempts to secure a high power of control just like his mother or father.

Analysis and Application of the Underlying Rationale of the Structural Family Therapy to Diagnosis and Assessment

From the discussion of the case study, the diagnosis of the family relationship problem is that domestic violence ends up affecting Anthony negatively to the extent that he justifies bullying his peers in school settings. The issue of concern here is whether this situation is unique to Anthony. School-based bullying is common in most nations, including the US.

In a study by Nansel et al. (2011), roughly 17% of the US learners complain being bullied in school. This prevalence level is lower compared to other places in the world. For example, Nansel et al. (2011) assert that some countries record up to 70% learners who claim to have experienced harassment. Schools across the globe have reported a high prevalence of frequent maltreatment.

For example, research on a Malta sample indicated 19% occurrence level while a sample on Irish school bullying reported roughly 2% frequency levels (Forero, McLellan, Rissel, & Bauman, 2009). Can one trace Anthonys bullying behavior from domestic violence experiences in his life?

A meta-analytical research conducted by Wolfe, Crooks, Lee, Smith, and Jaffe (2003) concluded that domestic violence is harmful to children. It compromises developmental outcomes for children such as cognitive, behavioral, societal, and their wellbeing functioning. Nevertheless, the effects of domestic violence on children relatively vary depending on the context.

Experiences of the actual child violence increase behavioral and emotional damages relative to exposure (Wolfe et al., 2003). Therefore, it is most likely that Anthonys exposure to domestic violence may have contributed to his normalization of violent behavior towards a weak target.

His watching of a shift of power control of the family from the father to the mother may also have created the necessity of authority towards weak targets. Before the divorce, the power of family control was vested in their father were the mother was a weak target. After the divorce, the power shifted to the mother.

Now, in the school setting, with cognition of power and authority, his peers become the weak targets such that he can exercise his learned power by harassing them. This situation suggests that Anthonys behavioral problems can be attributed to his family structure. Hence, the structural family therapy becomes an effective therapeutic intervention.

From the above expositions, domestic violence denies children their overall good in the society. This good entails the right to grow in a socially conducive environment to foster their behavioral, cognitive, social, and emotional development in equal thresholds to those who grow in an environment where such experiences do not prevail.

In particular, in the case of Anthony, witnessing violence has been detrimental in his social development. Cases such as his missing in social skills development forums and the fact that he does not develop good social relationships with his peers since he bullies them evidence this claim. The parenting boundary is rigid enough to permit any misbehavior at home.

However, the boundary between Anthony and the external environment (school setting) is flexible to permit his childhood experiences to influence his conduct. Therefore, the intervention that is required to solve the problem should focus on restructuring Anthony-peers subsystem and his boundaries in the school setting.

Interventions and the Underlying Assumptions of the Structural Family Therapy Model

Structural family therapy assumes that even though family structures do not primarily cause complications, problems can be located within a family structure. Therefore, alteration of a family structure produces changes in the individual experiences. The model also assumes that to achieve long-term results, a therapist should not move directly from problems to solution development (Vetere, 2008).

Rather, excellent results are obtained by moving gradually. An important assumption of the theory, which is highly applicable in situations that involve Anthony, is that problems that children experience relate mostly to boundaries between them and parents. This case involves parental subsystem or the marital subsystem.

Consistent with the above assumptions, various interventions can be adopted. Structural therapy deploys family mapping to accommodate and/or join family settings. Areas of intervention include the family structure, rules, and family patterns. Minuchin identified six central areas of consideration when altering a family structure.

These areas are transactional patterns, flexibility, resonance, context, the family development stage, and maintaining family interactions (Vetere, 2008, p.132). To this extent, the necessary interventions involve modifying interactions, challenging any fruitless suppositions, and increasing the passion to permit system change.

The above interventions can be accomplished by joining Mrs. Brown with the children. Firstly, a therapist or counselor needs to communicate to Mrs. Brown that he or she (therapist) is joining the family to help in the situation, but not to blame the members for Anthonys deviant behavior in school.

The second intervention entails restructuring Mrs. Browns perception that she only possesses the power to control and influence her children only in the home setting. Making her realize she also has the power to influence Anthonys behavior in school settings is effective in restructuring the interactions between the home subsystem and school-setting substructure.

This strategy underlines the necessity for her to meet Anthonys educators and jointly develop and exercise power on him. This move facilitates the restructuring of hierarchical power between the school system and the family structure. In case of Anthony, it is imperative to intervene while not regarding him as a bad child.

The intervention should involve making Anthony realize that he does not operate in the right way in school. This strategy leaves room for him not to accept blames in case things do not move well in school. It also permits him not to take up the blame for his exposure to domestic violence by developing antisocial behavior in school.

Rather, it allows Mrs. Brown and Anthony to understand the cause of the negative behavior. It also prepares them to embrace positive skills to cope with the problem.

Transcription

Conclusion

Families have hierarchical structures that determine the role, responsibility, and behavior of each person. However, within the family system, during interaction processes, problems may emerge to the level of influencing the behavior of each family member in different ways.

This finding is perhaps the case for Anthony and his siblings, James, who have witnessed their father abusing their mother. Although James does not show behavioral problems in school, Anthony bullies his peers even when he is not provoked. The difference between the siblings may be explained by the fact that James had not acquired the cognition of using the power to abuse a weak target.

He was too young by the time Mr. Brown and Mrs. Brown divorced. Considering that Anthonys behavior is highly unacceptable, it is appropriate to engage Mrs. Browns family in therapy. The paper has proposed and discussed the structural family therapy as an effective therapeutic intervention to correct Anthonys behavior by restructuring the hierarchy of power at home and school subsystems.

References

Forero, R., McLellan, L., Rissel, C., & Bauman, A. (2009). Bullying behavior and psychosocial health among school students in New South Wales, Australia: cross sectional survey. BMJ, 319(7), 344348.

Gutman, M., & Feinstein, L. (2010). Parenting behaviors and childrens development from infancy to early childhood: changes, continuities, and contributions. Early Child Development and Care, 180(4), 535556.

Mogford, E. (2011). When Status Hurts: Dimensions of Womens Status and Domestic Abuse in Rural Northern India. Violence against Women, 17(7), 835-857.

Nansel, T., Overpeck, M., Pila, R., Ruan, R., Morton, B., & Scheidt, P. (2011). Bullying behaviors among US youth: prevalence and association with psychological adjustment. JAMA, 285(16), 2094-2100.

Vetere, A. (2008). Structural Family Therapy. Child Psychology and Psychiatry Review, 6(3), 133139.

Ward, M. (2011). Video games and crime. Contemporary Economic Policy, 29(2), 261-275.

Wolfe, D., Crooks, C., Lee, V., Smith, A., & Jaffe, P. (2003). The Effects of Childrens Exposure to Domestic Violence: A Meta-Analysis and Critique. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 6(3), 171-187.

An extended family can be defined as a group of more than two generations of relatives who live together or very lose to one another. Extended families can include grandparents, spouses of children, cousins, aunts, and uncles. It also includes step children and their kin in cases when there has been second or more marriages.

American families are associated with this diversity. The traditional family has undergone various changes with factors such as divorce, remarriage, early pregnancy and changes in social values that have led to these changes. The American families of an extended nature comprises of the traditional nuclear family with husband, wife and children; joint-custody families of divorced parents sharing child custody; cohabiting families where unmarried men and women may or may not be sharing responsibility of raising children. Others include: single-parent families, homo-sexual families headed by gays or lesbians, and grandparents parenting grandchildren, due to the illness, death or non-involvement of the parent.

The American family can be looked into different perspectives as: black or white, large or small, wealthy or poor, or somewhere in between, a mother-headed, father-headed, or childless family, first or second time around, happy or miserable. The first thing to remember about the American family is that it doesnt exist but families do exist in all kinds of economic and marital situations, as all of us can see and witness. Often, families, may be formed in various ways but, it remains essential to recall that most families achieve same tasks like child up bring, provision, socializing members, and assigning duties amongst the members.

The extended family gives many adults with a strong family base providing an intimacy and love. Extended family offers maximum chances for the growth of a person through its relations amid various groups.

Membership in a family can be decided only by each member of that family. It is the role of early teachers to be aware of who constitutes a childs family and not to define the childs family for them. Hence teachers should not try to alter a familys view about its member in that family. Some factors that make families different from one another include: Ethnicity, race, culture, economy and geographical origin. It is important that these differences are considered in order to increase understanding on the part of teachers.

Ethnicity refers to a concept of a group of people based on a combination of religion, race, and cultural history. It describes a similarity transmitted by the family over generations. It is more than race, religion or national geographic origin. Ethnicity entails unconscious and conscious processes that accomplish a psychological need for historical continuity and identity. Ethnicity is sustained through unique family customs, proverbs and stories, norms and taboos, celebrations, foods and religious ceremonies. Differences have been noted between the notions of self-concept and ethnic identity. Families frequently find it hard to instill ethnic pride in their children mostly amongst the pluralistic society.

Culture refers to the unique aspects of life and history of various ethnic groups. Cultural differences often indicate differences in views on the family and the community, differences in expectations of children, differences in child up brings and differences in the values placed on education. Teachers should note that culture is learned not biological as they cannot identify a familys culture by how the family members look but each individual learns his cultures rules through daily living. For instance, table manners, interpersonal interactions and ways of demonstrating respect. An individuals characteristics are both cultural and individual while the unique personality traits are not culturally based. Cultural behaviors are based in groups thus culture is characteristic of groups. Individuals are entitled to different degrees within a culture. Some families and individuals place more emphasis on cultural traditions than do others. Therefore, some cultures may place greater emphasis on individuality or conformity than others.

Members of a family may be associated in certain cultural behavior but not capable of describing the rules. This is because young children begin to learn their culture in their own home environments thus, behaviors seem natural to them. Not only can they not tell you why they engage in these behaviors, but also likely they are not conscious of all of the behaviors they have learned from their culture. Teachers would find it convenient to consider not only race, but also ethnicity and culture. There are higher chances that knowledge of Socio-cultural factors can give greater comprehension to teachers than gen concerning physical differences. Thus, including understanding of racial differences is most useful in the context of cultural and ethnic differences as well. Sometimes teachers unintentionally emphasize differences among groups of people and the effect is an insult rather than respectful toward diversity.

In the contemporary United States, families have vastly different experiences related to income and other resources. The Childrens Defense Fund has reported that in 1998, 22.7 percent of children under age six in the United States lived in poverty. For various ethnic groups, this proportion is even higher. There is no mystery about how to help families off welfare and out of poverty. States must provide the education, training, and work experience that parents need to compete for jobs with decent wages. In most cases teacher understanding of diversity does not include differences by family income or the traditional term, social class. Yet, financial resources have a tremendous impact on families, their practices, and their values. Families with low income have to learn the meaning of meeting their childrens basic requirements. States also need to remove the obstacles that often prevent parents from leaving welfare for work, lack of health care, transportation and child care.

Teachers or schools to positively respond to the familys diversity, their main goal for understanding is to provide an inclusive environment. In that each child and family can feel a sense of belonging, no matter what similarities or differences they have with others in the group. This is a goal difficult to achieve because of many societal factors. As teachers plan for their groups of children and as they set their classroom rules and policies, checking for inclusiveness must be part of the process. The important act is what teachers will do when they realize that their classrooms are not inclusive.

In conclusion, families are different in many ways. It is important that teachers and schools work to increase their understanding of differences in families and interact with these differences sensitively. Teachers should accept the differences in families in which each child comes from and create a feeling of belonging for the celebration of diversity in families. Family members who view themselves as very different from teachers and other school personnel are less likely to be involved in their childrens education. Teachers should create an environment that encourages various types of family involvement so that children benefits from home and school participation.

Family tree

The XYZ is a nuclear family consisting of four members. The family comprises of a husband, a wife, and three children. Two out of the three children are males. The head of the family is called Mr. W and he is 55 years old. He is the main provider for the family. His wife is called Mrs. W and she is 50 years old.

The eldest son is called Mr. J and he is 27 years old followed by Mr. K who is 24 years old. The last born in the family is daughter called L and she is 22 years old. Mr. W and Mrs. W are of Hispanic descent and currently reside within the region of Saddle Lake. This family consists of two generations; aged adults in their fifties and young adults in their twenties. Mr. W, who doubles as the head of the family, is a local merchant and has a relatively small food kiosk within the Saddle Lake town.

The hypertension and cancer state of Mr. W and Mrs. W is causing a lot o stress to their daughter who has the sole responsibility of ensuring that the parents get the best home-based therapy, despite suffering from cancer herself. Besides, the drunkard nature of the two sons is very stressful to the parents who are struggling with ailments related to old age. The parents are worried of what will become of their sons if the addiction persists for long. Using the Bowen Family therapy model, the following genogram was generated.

(Source: Self generated)

Social, economic, and environmental variables in the family

The family lives in a small rural house within the Saddle neighborhood. The house is not a modern shelter indicating that the family is not financially stable. As revealed by Mr. W, his annual income is $12,000, while that of his children is around $3,000 on average.

Since all members of the family are adults, each is allocated an age-appropriate role and has been successful in accomplishing these tasks. For instance, Mr. W and Mrs. W have managed to buy a house and train their children to highs school level of education. The children have currently taken up jobs at kiosk as part of serving interests of the XYZ family.

Stress management and health concerns

The family is in adulthood development stage since all the children are now adults. The parents are united in marriage and have raised another generation of adults, who are almost transitioning to their own marriages. The family has been successful in introducing Mrs. W as member of the family through marriage in the previous stage. From the union of Mr. W and Mrs. W, it has led to formation of three more members.

From the assessment, Mrs. W confessed that her father also had cancer condition when he was aged. This condition was also present in her grandfather who died of the ailment at the age of 50 years. Therefore, it is apparent that there is a family history of genetic predisposition to cancer disease from the family chain of Mrs. W. The condition has been there for the last three generations. Currently, it is a serious health concern in the life of Mrs. W, Mr. W, and their daughter.

Besides, the hypertension and cancer state of Mr. W and Mrs. W is causing a lot o stress to their daughter who has the sole responsibility of ensuring that the parents get the best home-based therapy, despite suffering from cancer herself. The drunkard nature of the two sons is very stressful to the parents who are struggling with ailments related to old age. The parents are worried of what will become of their sons if the addiction persists for long.

Theoretical model, intervention, and diagnosis

Theoretical model

In analyzing health concerns of this family, the intervention and diagnosis was done through the DSM-5 model. This model allows clinicians and organizations more flexibility in how to organize diagnostic information (Akin et al. 2012, p. 34). This means that clinicians are in a position to present the diagnostic information in an organized and presentable manner. This health promotion model is critical in facilitating achievement of high and desirable levels of well-being.

In relation to interventional plan for reducing cancer, the health promotion model has elements which directly encourage positive resource provision among the health care personnel. The underlying goals are assisting the patients change behavior as part for fighting colorectal cancer and offering alternatives, which patients may exploit to pursue ideal health.

This model operates on the assumptions that patients are proactive in controlling their own behavior and working to effectively improve the wellness and general environment. The DSM-5 has the diagnostic reliability scale for measuring the degree of accuracy in the tests and symptoms when carrying out diagnosis for a disease.

Besides, the intraclass kappa component is basically the scale for measuring the reliability of different raters for measurements to determine the consistency and absolute agreement with the predetermined scale (Jones-Smith, 2011).

In relation to the XYZ familys health concerns on cancer and hypertension, the diagnosis involved classifying the type of illness a patient is suffering from through use of the predetermined diagnostic information that had a range of effect, that is, from mild to acute. The diagnosis was followed by tests that were measured against predetermined results for each state of the disease to ensure that it had good reliability as indicated in the DSM-5 model.

The clinical benefit of having a very good reliability was to guarantee accurate diagnosis and prober recording of the diagnosis information (Akin et al. 2012). The DSM-5 model dwelt on three main building blocks. These building blocks are preventive care, home based care, and treatment based care.

Through these elements, the intervention nurse was given an opportunity to implement the triangular intervention mechanism. The elements of counseling home based care and integrated community based support played a key role in success measurement. Output of the program was measured by the level of positive response as indicted in the diagram below (Akin et al. 2012).

(Source: Rigazio-DiGilio, 2005)

As indicated in the Watsons theory of human caring, the XYZ family community has both normative and comparative needs. For instance, each individual in the community assessment group has unique medical and psychological needs which are not accommodated by the health and social support centers within the community.

In fact, direct nursing intervention as proposed by the change theory will ensure that the normative and comparative needs are addressed in a sustainable manner within the acceptable ethics of nursing (Lewis, 2011).

Diagnosis

From the assessment, it is apparent that the XYZ family is in dire need for counseling support, medical support, and social support in order to cope up with hypertension, cancer, and alcohol addiction. The two parents are suffering from cancer and hypertension while the sons are alcohol addicts.

The only daughter is also having cancer and it is taking a toll on the family. Since the XYZ family consists of members from two age groups, family structure and roles affect the familys health in that the children have to cope with pressure of taking care of their ailing parents, despite having own health concerns. The children cannot afford health care for their parents and must take the role of nurses in the home-base care.

Framework for handling the therapy needs

Flow chart: Accreditation guideline

(Source: Rigazio-DiGilio, 2005)

Questions to ask

1. What are your beliefs on complete wellness?
2. Are there any ailments you are suffering from?
3. What is the economic position of the family?
4. Do you need any therapy support and are you willing to enroll in a therapy program?
5. What would you recommend to help you manage the current health concerns?

Intervention

Medical support: Apparently, the members of the assessment community lack medical support despite existence of several health care centers within the assessment region. The health care centers do not have programs to support those without health care insurance. The senior members of the XYZ family community have to survive without proper medical attention.

The children of the family community also do not have medical insurance or guarantee from the local medical centers. There is need to establish a social trust for providing medical services to the poor at subsidized costs within the average income of households in the community (Akin, Mendi, Ozturk, Cinper, & Durna, 2012).

Counseling support: From the above community assessment, it is apparent that the social and youth service centers do not have the capacity to offer counseling services to the family community. The lack of capacity has made the health care accessibility a challenge within the assessment community.

The center should introduce stronger programs and structures within the youth, aged, and social centers to offer counseling services to the community in the form of emotional, and psychological counseling. This will go a long way in emotional needs for those suffering from different medical concerns (Akin et al. 2012).

Social support: The current structures within the local community health structures of the assessment family community do not have support services for emotional and physical assistance. The community does not have a strong community volunteers program to facilitate the needs of the XYZ family community. Therefore, there is need to establish a volunteer program to offer emotional and physical support to the LJH family community (Akin et al. 2012).

Objectives for implementing the intervention strategies

The objectives of this approach are sensitization of the XYZ family members towards preventive care, provision of free check up on a quarterly basis, and fast tracking the results of treatment through a voluntary follow up for treating patients as part of the cognitive therapy.

Expected outcome timeline

Within the 12 months period, the intervention nurse will cover the preventive and treatment for the XYZ family as shown in the catalogue below.

Outcome evaluation

Evaluation of the outcome will encompass process evaluation, impact evaluation, and outcome evaluation of the preventive health care strategy for addressing the three health concerns within the XYZ family. Process evaluation will examine actual implementation and development within a specific program. In this case, success of evaluation will depend on response rate to the strategies adopted to address the three ailments.

Specifically, the success will rely on the number of persons embracing the preventive community based health care strategy after the 12^th month mark. Reflectively, it will review quantifiable fulfillment of targets of the program. Though done at the end of this program, it will evaluate all aspects from commencement to completion.

On the other hand, impact evaluation will examine long term changes that will surface as part of the success or failure of the intervention. It will examine the long term effectiveness of policy based programs after implementation. Outcome evaluation will examine the degree of change that has been witnessed due to successful implementation of the intervention (Akin et al. 2012).

Reflection

As a therapist, I need to be aware of my own ethic, gender, and cultural heritage in order to successfully execute the proposed therapy. As the community becomes increasingly diverse in the sense that it has become broader, the word culture is used because it implies the integrated pattern of human behavior that includes language, beliefs and values. Understanding the values and beliefs of individuals are important for therapists.

I need to be aware of my negative and positive reaction to the values and tradition of the clients. Indeed, this attitude will be a great contribution to the counseling session since the XYZ family fall in the category of the high vulnerability (Casey & Wallis, 2011).

My beliefs that religion and meditation give people a framework within which to deal with the limitations in life will also be a contribution and something I will think about using in therapy in the XYZ family, especially in promoting holistic management of hypertension through minimizing stressful environment and healthy lifestyle.

I will be able to evaluate my values and goals as influenced by the family XYZ family genogram. For instance, the need to think about others and support each other will improve my sense of self awareness, when promoting inclusivity as part of the therapy.

As a family therapist, I should be aware of my cultural and ethnic heritage to ensure that the beliefs and values of every individual in the family are accommodated. Besides, I should be aware of my positive and negative perceptions toward heritage and values of clients as represented by diversity within the XYZ family genogram.

Besides, my understanding of religion and other stress relief strategies by relating to the XYZ family tree is necessary towards facilitating crisis management with the clients. Since the ultimate success of family therapy is dependent on how different counseling techniques are applied, I will recognize different views and perspectives to improve on the understanding of clients, their behave, and view of different aspects of life, which are the basic tenets of best practices in clinical therapy work (Ivey, DAndrea, & Bradford, 2011).

Conclusion

From the above assessment, it is apparent that the XYZ family members are suffering from different ailments such as alcoholism, hypertension, and cancer. Through proactive home-based holistic therapy, it is predicted that intervention strategy will be successful in managing the current ailments. Streamlining the intervention program will facilitate ecological and community based health assessment, which is ideal in providing complete therapy to the XYZ family.

References

Akin, S., Mendi, B., Ozturk, B., Cinper, C., & Durna, Z. (2012). Assessment of relationship between self-care and fatigue and loneliness in haemodialysis patients. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 23(5-6), 856864.

Casey, A., & Wallis, A. (2011). Effective communication: principle of nursing practice. Nursing Standard, 25(32), 35-37.

Ivey, A., DAndrea, M., & Bradford, M. (2011). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: A multicultural perspective: A multicultural perspective. New York, NY: SAGE Publications.

Jones-Smith, E. (2011). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: An integrative approach: an integrative approach. New York, NY: SAGE Publications.

Lewis L. M. (2011). Medication adherence and spiritual perspectives among African American older women with hypertension. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 37(6), 34-41.

Rigazio-DiGilio, S. (2005). Community Genograms: Using individual, family, and cultural narratives with clients. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

Introduction

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a program put in place by the federal government of the United States of America. The program is meant to help poor families sustain themselves. States are allocated block grants by the government in order to plan and run programs that accomplish one of the purposes set forth in TANF. The initiative was developed in 1996. It came into effect after the passing of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act. The legislation was passed during the reign of President Bill Clinton (Brown 35). The program was implemented officially on July 1, 1997.

As a temporary form of assistance, the initiative focuses on helping people get off aid through employment. According to the initial rules, the benefits are required to last for a maximum period of 60 months. However, some states have changed the regulations and are offering assistance for shorter durations. Such jurisdictions include California, Washington, and New Mexico. The alteration is influenced by laws that provide the state governments with freedom to come up with plans on how to offer the aid. In addition, states have the right to revoke entitlements. According to the newly passed law, people registered for TANF programs are required to secure employment within 24 months (Danielson and Klerman 720).

In this paper, the author will analyze how the TANF system works in the U.S. To this end, the author will evaluate how the program functions in California. The changes made to the program will also be discussed. Other aspects to be highlighted include caseloads and the amount of cash assistance given to the needy families. In addition, work requirements and time limit rules will be evaluated.

How TANF System Works

An Overview of the Program

TANF focuses on the provision of both financial aid and work opportunities. The program is run by the Office of Family Assistance. The agency is part of the Administration for Children and Families body. To avail the services and reach out to the needy from different places in the country, each state has a local TANF administrative center (Gene 13). However, the title of the assistance programs offered differs from one state to the other. The program has four primary purposes. They include reducing reliance on aid among deprived parents through provision of job opportunities. Other functions include job training and marriage (Fisher 34).

In addition, the program encourages the establishment of two-parent families in the U.S. It also offers help to needy families with the aim of ensuring that children are cared for in their own homes. In addition, the program strives to enlighten women on the negative impacts of out-of-wedlock pregnancies. The four key goals of TANF tend to be general in nature (Danielson and Klerman 715). As a result, state governments have the freedom of utilizing funds in a broader manner to offer more services to their citizens.

In order to operate TANF programs, states are allocated funds by the federal government. However, for the funds to be provided, state authorities are required to spend some of their resources on programs aimed at helping the needy (Fisher 65). Failure to use their finances results in hefty penalties from the federal government. The state expenditure prerequisite is referred to as Maintenance of Effort (MOE).

Since signing of the Act in 1996, the federal government has been offering block grants of $16.5 billion per annum (Brown 54). The figure has remained constant for a long time. As a result of this stagnation, the value of the allocations has depreciated by 30% over the years. The decrease is brought about by, among others, a rise in inflation rates and cost of living. Each state that is offering the program is required to spend 80 percent of the payments made in 1994 to support AFDC related assistance plans (Gene 17). However, the amount can be reduced to 75%.

Federal Governments Eligibility Rules for Assistance

Not all individuals within a given state qualify for TANF cash transfer. State governments are mandated to legislate on eligibility in relation to the services and gains offered by the program (Fisher 71). As a result of this, states can set different eligibility requirements for all the needy programs provided. In addition, they can develop their own policies regarding the criteria employed to determine who can awarded the benefits.

For a family to be eligible for TANF, it must have a minor child who needs help. The rules and regulations governing the program provide a working definition of a minor. The term is used to refer to a person below the age of 18. It can also be an individual who is aged 18 but who is still attending school. Such an individual is considered to be dependent on their family and the state. Families without children or couples are not entitled to receive TANF benefits (Danielson and Klerman 717). However, the services can be offered to a household with a pregnant woman. In addition, for individuals to be eligible, they must be needy. Again, the act that brought the program into effect defines what needy is. According to the legislation, a needy person is an individual living on an income below the states specified level.

The federal laws prohibit state governments from offering TANF benefits to a number of persons and families. For example, households with an adult cannot benefit from the program for more than 60 months (Brown 45). The reason behind this is because 5 years is the general limit set by the legislation. Unmarried teen parents are also not eligible. For them to enjoy the benefits, they must be residing within locales that are under the supervision of an adult (Brown 45).

In addition, teens that have not completed high school cannot be offered TANF funds. Assistance can only be provided when such individuals are found to be making an effort to advance in life and achieve education. Other groups that are not eligible for aid include fugitive felons, drug convicts, and individuals who have violated parole rules. In addition, the federal law prohibits assistance for individuals who are not citizens of the U.S and who arrived in the country before August 22, 1996 (Gene 18). However, the restriction lasts for a period of five years after arrival.

In spite of the strict regulations governing the program, states can offer aid to the proscribed groups of persons using MOE funds. Utilization of TANF funds is considered to be a breach of federal laws. Consequently, states found to have violated the rule are slapped with hefty fines. The penalty entails, among others, a reduction in the amount of block grant (Fisher 52).

Functioning of the TANF Program in California

Since 1996 when TANF program was implemented, states have been given the freedom to determine how to operate the system. Over the years, some states have reduced TANF benefits by significant margins. The cuts are made without taking into consideration unemployment and other unprecedented developments. The largest deductions since 1996 were made in 2011. The move affected 700,000 low income families that depended on the program (Danielson and Klerman 725). One of the states that made a cut on TANF benefits was California.

California changed its assistance programs by shortening the maximum time limit for receiving TANF benefits. Through this, the state cut off aid to thousands of needy families and children. The state government reduced the figure by 8%. As a result, benefits for a family of three dropped from $694 per month to $638 (Gene 8). In July 1, 2011, California reduced the maximum assistance time limit from 60 to 48 months. The change resulted in a reduction of TANF benefits by $122 each month. In addition, the state cut the amount of discounted earnings by half. The sum was reduced to $112 plus 50% from $225 plus 50 percent (Gene 10).

Changes in Caseloads over Time

TANF caseloads have reduced by a big margin since the program was first implemented in 1996. For example, between 1997 and 2011, the caseload declined by 50%. Within the states, the level decreased by 25% to settle at 80%. In 2010, California accounted for the largest number of TANF cases (Brown 44). The level stood at 30%. Differences in caseloads are attributed to a wide range of factors. They include assistance policies set by the state and economic power. Due to the programs flexibility, states can alter aid policies as they wish. The changes result in a decline or an increase in participation rates. In some states, families are leaving the TANF programs (Fisher 63). In addition, few households now enroll for the services.

TANFs caseloads are grouped into three parts. They include one parent, two parents, and no parent cases. In 2011, more than half of the parties receiving aid were children (Gene 15). The group is the only one that has registered an increase in caseloads. In 1997, two-parent families were 7% of the total beneficiaries. In 2011, the number declined to 5%. On the other hand, single parent assistance rate dropped from 72% in 1997 to 47% in 2011 (Brown 71).

Amount of Cash Assistance Received by Families

The amount of cash benefits offered to the needy is determined by the state (Fisher 59). The reason is because there are no federal laws dictating the sum to be awarded. In addition, there are no rules stipulating that a state must use TANF finances to offer help. However, all states use the programs resources to help the needy. The amount of cash offered to families is determined by various factors. They include family size, housing costs, and states geographical configuration. In most cases, the maximum pay per month is awarded to families that survive on other income apart from TANF (Gene 21). Table 1 shows the maximum amount of TANF cash assistance paid to a family of three in different states.

Table 1: Allocation of TANF.

TANFs Work Requirements and Time Limit Rules

Work Requirements

For an individual or family to be eligible for TANF benefits, they must meet all the set work requirements. To begin with, it is mandatory for persons to work once they are ready. In addition, they are required to find employment within two years after enrollment to the program. Single parents are required to work for at least 30 hours each week to qualify (Danielson and Klerman 718). On the other hand, two parent families must work for 35 to 55 hours per week. Failure to fulfill the work requirement rules results in a decrease or cancelation of cash allocated. To ensure the rules are followed, state governments make regular assessments. A state should evaluate the parents skills, employability, and work experience.

Time Limit Rules

States are not required to continue supporting needy families after a period of 60 months. However, the time limit does not apply to families headed by children. In addition, states are free to change the set time. In California, the current duration is 48 months (Gene 19). In spite of the fact that 5 years is the maximum limit, the government allows for finances to be used beyond the period in cases of hardships. However, assistance can only be offered to 20 percent of the caseloads.

Conclusion

Implementation of TANF program has been beneficial to a number of needy families in the United States. The rules and regulations governing the plan have undergone numerous changes. The alterations have affected participation rates across states. To this end, some state governments have increased the amount of cash assistance, while others have reduced the sum. In areas where the benefits have been reduced, families below the poverty line continue to suffer as they try to make ends meet in life.

Works Cited

Brown, Kay. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families: More States Counting Third Party Maintenance of Effort Spending, Washington, DC: U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2012. Print.

Danielson, Caroline, and Jacob Klerman. Did Welfare Reform Cause the Caseload Decline?. Social Service Review 82.4 (2008): 703-730. Print.

Fisher, Ronald. State and Local Public Finance. 3 rd ed. 2007. Mason, OH, USA: Thomson South-Western. Print.

Gene, Falk. The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: A Primer on TANF Financing and Federal Requirements. Congressional Research Service (2013): 1-24. Print.

Introduction

America is a developed country but there still exists a group of people called the working poor. Although these people are working, they still languish in poverty. They live between a state of poverty and well being. Their efforts to move from poverty bracket to well being bracket are diminished due to negligence by the government. This book focuses on American working poor and what the government is doing to help the situation.

Summary

The author writes about the group of individuals struggling to survive in the US. His focus is on the people who are working but struggling to live and meet their daily needs. He terms them as people who have been left behind. Existence of such groups of people at a time when the US is celebrating its prosperity is considered a disgrace. The author carries out several interviews with people who are struggling to meet their basic needs like medical care.

He finds out that most of these people are working and some are even engaged in full time jobs. He is not pleased with the kind of life these people are leading despite their hard work. He believes that the government is not doing much to address the issue of the working poor. He adds that the government is not implementing laws that can help the working poor improve their living standards.

Although there are laws set up to protect the working poor, the process of implementing them is very poor and this leads to their failure. The kind of leadership in place can not come up with strategies to ensure that the laws are enforced. Therefore, it is very difficult to change the situation.

This book also reveals many other facts about the life of the working poor. All these facts give an indication of failure of leadership at state as well as national level. This means that the economic prosperity can not be sustained. The author suggests various ways by which the working poor can be helped. He insists that the government and the private sector should work hand in hand with other agents to come up with collective strategies that will improve the living standards of the working poor.

In order to help the working poor, the author proposes wage reform strategy that will regulate employers on how they pay their workers. He also says that the wage reform should apply at the bottom as well as the top. It should be able to set the minimum as well as the maximum pay standards for the workers for equality purposes. The issue of excess wealth to some Americans should be considered. Some Americans are paid very high salaries leading to various imbalances and creating a huge gap between the poor and the rich.

The book ends by the author appealing for ideological debate. He says that unless the ideological debate is encouraged and incorporated in public policies, the situation of the working poor is likely to remain the same. He says that it is time to table the facts about the working poor so that proper steps can be taken to correct the situation. Silence means prolonging the problem but not solving the problem.^[1]

The central theme

The main theme featured in this book is poverty. The author examines a group of Americans who are completely left behind despite their hard work. He refers to them as the working poor. Although these groups of people are working, their living standards are still low. Despite their effort and willingness to work hard, it is almost impossible for them to attain their American dream.

In case of a financial obstacle, the working poor may not be able survive and this may lead to an irreversible financial downfall. They live up to their means with no funds left for emergency cases. In this book, the author holds various conversations with the working poor. He finds out that the working poor are held in dead end jobs where chances for advancement and improvement are very slim. There are no benefits and opportunities for further development.

These are the factors that make the working poor languish in poverty. The author also blames the government systems that are set up to help the working poor. He says that most of these systems are only provided but not implemented. Their effects are not visible at all. Some of the working poor are also resistant to help from the systems. Others are completely unaware that there are such systems in place to help them.^[2]

The quantitative role played by the US

The United States as a cultural entity is not very aware of the factors that contribute to poverty. This means that the US is not so sure of the solutions that might fully correct this situation. However, there are many ways in which US play a role concerning the invisible working poor. Politically, the government has come up with laws that enforce minimum wage.

The only problem is that these laws are not implemented according to the government specifications leading to their failure. In fact the working poor are being charged high bills when it comes to health care and other public services. This raises their expenditures with no increase in income leading to poverty.

Although there are many upcoming ways to help the working poor, the author insists that no single way can succeed in correcting this situation. He proposes that the government should work hand in hand with the private sector to ensure that the laws are well implemented. Among the strategies proposed include changing of the present wage structure, fair distribution of public resources and coming up with programs that are more vocational.

The perception of the US in the book

I think the perception of the US in this book is negative. Although US is considered as a land of opportunities, there still exists a group of people who are working but still live in poverty. These people have been neglected and their welfare is not a priority anymore to America.

This is because the laws that have been put in place to help these people are not enforced into actions. The government is not committed to evaluate its law system to make sure that the laws are being obeyed. This shows how the US is less concerned with the working poor. We are told that the working poor are handled like slaves despite the existence of laws that enforce humane working conditions and minimum wage.

As much as we expect the working poor people to be treated at low medical costs in hospitals, they are being charged much more money than they can afford. Any emergency treatments, transport and other medical costs are even worsening the situation of the working poor.^[3]

Lessons that the book holds for US citizens

There are very many lessons that this book holds for the US citizens. First, the US citizens need to be very careful when choosing leaders in future. They need to elect leaders who will implement the set laws and make sure that the laws are obeyed. This will reduce poverty among the working poor.

The US citizens need to learn that despite being a developed country, there are still groups of people who are languishing in poverty. With this in mind, they can be able to strategize on the factors contributing to this situation and come up with viable solutions that can help correct the situation.^[4]

How to change the problems addressed in the book

From a personal perspective, I would encourage formation of movements and unions that will protect and fight for the rights of the working poor. These unions and movements will be able to push for reforms and law implementations that will see the working poor improve.

From a perspective of US policy, the government needs to make sure that those laws concerning minimum wage and humane working conditions are enforced and implemented. This is through setting up of law structures and arms that will monitor the implementation process and ensure that everybody is obeying the laws.^[5]

Conclusion

Poverty is an urgent issue in the American society especially among the working poor. These issue need to be addressed by the government in collaboration with other agents for improvement of the living standards of the working poor.

Reference List

Both, Deborah and Barbara. Zang. 2009. The working poor in America. Washington, DC: National academy press.

Shipler, David. 2004. The working poor: Invisible in America. New York: Knopf publishers.

Footnotes

1. David Shipler, The working poor: Invisible in America (New York: Knopf publishers 2004), 21.
2. Ibid, 23.
3. Ibid, 23.
4. Ibid, 23.
5. Deborah Both and Barbara Zang,The working poor in America (Washington, DC: National academy press 2009), 54.

Both stories under consideration  Chocolat by Joanne Harris and The Edible Woman by Margaret Atwood  disclose the primary importance of food as measurement of characters thoughts, emotions, and feelings. Hence, food is the main amplifier and triggering point in family relations, specifically in relations between a man and a woman.

In both novels, food serves as means for breaking conventional norms in society and for distorting the main underpinnings of stereotypical thinking. However, there are some substantial discrepancies in perceiving the role food and its relation to human relations and society.

Particularly, the novel Chocolat by Joanne Harris presents food as a symbol of temptation and desire which brings a splash of color and luxury to the town. Food serves to provoke feelings and helps villagers to evade from routine. In contrast, Atwood presents food as the purpose for analyzing humans negative qualities and emphasizes consumerist tendencies in the novel. The main heroine, hence, is more absorbed with existential problems when identifying herself with edible commodity.

Both novels present food as an indicator of gender roles and sexuality. However, these considerations are presented in various connotations. Hence, in Chocolat, confectionary symbolizes the revival of sexuality and gender considerations.

The main heroine, Vianne Rocher, a chocolate maker, is presented in apposition to Francis Reynaud, a priest who is trying to suppress human fleshly desires and who impels the villagers to keep Lent (Harris 10). However, Viannes mysterious appearance in the village revives the celebration of taste and imbues people with sense of life. In this regard, food is associated as a gift of love and understanding. It helps people re-evaluate their positions in society.

In Atwoods novel The Edible Woman, food serves to reject gender roles. In particular, Marian refuses to eat because she is afraid of the responsibilities of being a woman. Marians perceives everything through the prism of consumption. So, when she describes Peters apartment she assimilates all details of the rooms through food and related notions such as assimilation and digestion (Atwood 36).

In the same way, she refers to society that similarly processes women and converts them into more digestible forms. In this regard, Marians refusal is viewed as a protest to be assimilated and digested by domesticity. Nevertheless, despite the discrepancies presented in both works, they still present gender and identity crisis.

In both novels, food personified characters thoughts, judgments, and needs, but differently. Hence, Harriss protagonists, Vianne Rocher perceives life as being full of colors, bright impressions where chocolate is one of means for imbuing mere existence with unforgettable moments (Harris 78).

For the heroine, food allows to fill the life with taste, smell, and sense and revive desire to live and love. In this regard, symbolizes temptation, desire, and love. It is not surprising that the writer describes the events during the Lent when people should reconcile their human desires. Unlike Chocolat, Atwood introduces food to emphasize that everything in out world is subjected to reason and people look at each other as a perfect or irrelevant match (Atwood 39).

Therefore, the cake woman baked in the end of the novel discloses rationalist and consumerist tendencies in relations within a community and between people. In the same way, Marians associates her body with food and divides society into predators and preys. Through rejecting her social and gender roles, Marian refuses to become a member of the society because the fear of being eaten and assimilated. She, thus, alienates from her female nature and places herself apart form the process of maturation and becoming a woman.

Chocolat and The Edible Woman present various philosophical interpretations of food. In particular, Joanne Harris puts forward a solely idealistic view on food that serve as means of inspirations and enrichment of social life. Being a good example of magic realism, the novel provides unconventional approaches to describing the role of food in society.

The food, thus, is a symbol of revived spirituality that provides motivation to resolve conflicts and establish new relationships. In this regard, the shop opened by Vianne is associated with something idealistic and even mysterious. In this shop, the villagers can find the right chocolate for healing their broken hearts and for solving their spiritual and amorous affairs.

The shop opens in a such small village: there is a strict code of behavior governing such situations, and people are reserved (Harris 18). In contrast to Harriss vision of food, Atwoods novel presents food in negative connotation. In particular, food personifies reason, pragmatics, and consumerism. In this regard, Marians is obsessed with her materialistic view on human relations. She denounces the established norms of relations between a man and a woman that are originally dictated by nature and morale.

In conclusion, it should be emphasized, that both literary works provide completely opposed views on the role of food in society and in family relations. The role of food can be explicitly viewed through the authors description of gender roles in society, characters needs, goals, and outlooks on life, and philosophical concepts introduced.

Hence, Chocolat is a novel, which belongs to the stream of magical realism, describes how Viannes confections change lives of the villagers and improve family relations. The Edible Woman, however, is fully opposed to Harriss ideas because food is presented a means for describing and emphasizing Marians consumerist outlook on human relations and society in general.

Works Cited

Atwood, Margaret. The Edible Woman. US: McClelland & Stewart, 1999. Print.

Harris, Joanne. Chocolat. UK: Doubleday, 1999. Print.

Many significant political concerns revolve around the subject of the family. Platonism presents a unique threat to Christianity because it obscures the individual in the abstract universal and makes the historical event irrelevant. Christianity promotes the value of marriage and the significance of the complimentary distinctions between men and women. Christianity is a faith that bases its understanding of the Incarnation as a historically significant occurrence. Aristotle recognizes the value of the family as the foundation of society, but he does not sufficiently address the persons role and the inherent goodness of marriage and family.

The political regimes dominance and superiority cast a shadow on the family. Despite significant advancements over Plato, Aristotles philosophy reflects a rationalist and monistic metaphysics that unjustly imposes itself on Christian theology (Trott, 2019). The restoration via the new Adam, the acceptance of the genuine religion, and a metaphysics of esse, or the gift, are all necessary to develop authentic humanism (Trott, 2019). Through his work on the phenomenology of love, Gaudium et Spes, and the theology of the body and family that he developed during his pontificate, Blessed John Paul II made some significant contributions to this deepening of integral humanism.

Political science examines and investigates how legislators, politicians, and other decision-makers craft and uphold enduring laws and conventions that further serve the interests of all citizens. Aristotle claims that the city-state arises for the sake of life, but it exists for the good of peoples lives (In Our Time  Aristotles Politics, n.d.). His metaphysics specifies four causes, including the final cause. The proper telos of the city-state is the idea of a pleasant life or happiness (Trott, 2019). Teleology is the foundation of Aristotles thought; in other words, a things nature and telos are related. Therefore, according to Aristotle, an acorns inherent telos is to grow into a completely mature oak tree.

Two types of happiness exist: hedonic happiness, a fleeting sensation of pleasure brought on by material possessions, and eudemonic happiness, which tries to maximize ones intellectual, moral, and artistic potential. Therefore, eudemonic happiness and a good life are the ultimate goals of human existence; however, a good life is not filled with enjoyment, fame, fortune, pleasure, or honor, nor is it a mental state (Trott, 2019). Instead, it is a state of self-realization and character development, a state of flourishing that is possible with some wealth, education, time, and effort, as well as the practice of intellectual, aesthetic, and moral abilities for humans (Trott, 2019). Every type of organization has a goal or purpose; the polis goal is to accomplish the maximum good possible, which is the eudemonic existence of its members.

Males and females are connected to reproduce to prolong the human race since they cannot coexist separately. Enslaver and enslaved person are together for self-preservation because the master uses his mind to rule, and the enslaved person uses his body to labor (Trott, 2019). Humans are political creatures, and since communication is a natural human ability that allows us to express moral ideas, maintaining social relationships is not only necessary for our survival but also for the fulfillment of our pleasure. According to Aristotle, the devil or god might be the only person who can survive independently.

Economics and accumulating riches are secondary to and essential to the more significant aim or means to the higher goalhappiness. The primary goal of human life is happiness, not money. Making money is okay until there is a set limit. Aristotle emphasizes the King Midas tale as evidence that excess is inherently undesirable and can spoil enjoyment (Trott, 2019). When King Midas prayed for a golden touch, he had no idea that everything he touched would change to gold. When his wish came true, he touched his breakfast, which turned to gold, and as soon as he hugged his beloved daughter, she too turned to gold, which did not make him happy. The happiness of oneself, family, friends, and the entire human race is the actual pile of gold, not money.

Interestingly, the concept of economics and oikonomia share the same ancestor, yet there are significant differences between the two types of economics in the modern world. The majority of firms nowadays are motivated by chrematistic goals. Businesses founded on oikonomia attempt to improve society as a whole, whereas those founded on chrematistic goals concentrate on a single objective to meet the needs of a specific community group (Trott, 2019).

Furthermore, most firms telos is profit maximization, but those helping society should adopt a teleological perspective on ethics by making moral decisions and embracing their Corporate Social Responsibility (Trott, 2019). Different businesses and multinational organizations should redefine themselves as global households, behave as social institutions since they are a part of society, and pass the responsibilities that households have to corporations. Before putting profit-maximizing strategies in place, corporations should consider their social obligation to their stakeholders.

He is pro-business because it fosters self-realization and some wealth is necessary for a flourishing existence. However, there is no room in Aristotles philosophy for altruism regarding business practices. He also believes that excess is terrible in and of itself and that there should be a balance between what one acquires and needs. His morals are excellent, and as someone who values himself, he can contribute to creating a more livable society. Due to a shortage of hand sanitizers and disinfectants, the current global outbreak brought on by the coronavirus has made people more anxious and stressed. As doctors have advised, washing hands often is the most effective strategy to avoid COVID-19.

References

In Our Time  Aristotles Politics  BBC Sounds. (n.d.). Bbc. Web.

Trott, A. M. (2019). Aristotle, Politics: A New Translation, translated by CDC Reeve. Polis: The Journal for Ancient Greek and Roman Political Thought, 36(1), 170176.

Introduction

The Latino forms a large group of the minority groups in the United States. They are immigrant and most of them originated from Spanish. They come from different origins hence they differ in some areas and are also similar in some ways. The article explains the circumstances that the Latinos have in language and literacy.

The review focuses on the socialization involved in the acquisition of the two languages. The article also introduces the Anthropolitical perspective in relation to the Latino language and education (Pousada Para 2). Below is a review of language and literacy in Latino families and communities.

Language and Literacy in Latino Families and Communities

This article vividly illustrates the situation of the Latinos living in America. It reveals that the bilingual students can learn both languages and have a normal development (Zentella 1). The education system favors the English language which is most often spoken language in the United States.

Those with the Spanish accent are ridiculed and often lose confidence because of the stereotypes about the Spanish. Students therefore prefer to speak and learn in English. On the other hand their parents encourage their children to learn and adopt the Latin culture especially those who are unable to cope up with school dropout. As a result, parents are blamed for the large number of school dropouts.

The population of the Latino is constantly increasing. They live in the south west of the country. Majority of the Latinos lived in New Mexico, others can be found in New England, Texas and California. Latino is a heterogeneous group; teachers claim that they meet different Latinos every year in the education sector.

This is so because most are immigrants or born of immigrants of Mexican origin. Despite holding on to their own beliefs, they have become increasingly diverse in their community (Salazar Para 2). According to Farr (1), the immigrants came to America because of the economic opportunities and not because of the American culture.

The Latino varies in the way they socialized into adulthood. The variation of the socialization agents causes them to be different. The church, the school, the community institutions as well as home play a big role in both adults and children. However, the socialization does not make them have differences, they have areas of similarities.

Zentella (3) states that parents make decision concerning their childs education. A group of Latino parents emphasize that their children must learn to use both English and Spanish in school, while others emphasize that their children learn in Spanish as well as the Spanish culture. Zentella support the view that parents are at all times concerned with their childrens education.

Farr (3) argues that the students who uphold their Spanish background and choose to be bilingual become accomplished. They manage to learn and secure competent jobs in the United States. On the other hand, their parents are willing to support their children.

Farr (3) reveals that the parents agree to training so that they help them as individuals and also help them assist their children with their educational needs. However, being a speaker of the first language, English does not guarantee a future with a good job. Students must work hard to complete their education.

It is possible to be bilingual and have a normal development as those learning in a single language. Learning two languages simultaneously does not cause delay in learning either of the languages.

Although there are advantages and disadvantages of using the first language in the initial development, Zentella (9) mentions that children can have a normal development and experience the advantages of using the first and the second language in learning. The notion of the first language at times can be used in learning the second language.

A language study involves learning the social context. One cannot avoid learning the culture when acquiring another language. The focus is laid on the ability to communicate effectively rather than the grammatical competence. The child understands and ability to use the language is what matters in the development (Zentella 6).

The childs development of speech and language is largely dependent on the immediate environment. For instance, children learn new words and their usage from people surrounding them. The language leant reflect beliefs and traditions of the people they reside with. For instance, every culture has specific names which refer to father and mother and a clear defined way of how children must respond to elders. Furthermore, traditions define what is suitable for certain gender and different age groups.

Acosta (2) notes that there is cultural diversity among the Latinos. It has been affected by the Jews, Muslims, and Spanish and largely by the Catholic faith. The Latinos also have different ethnic groups. Each group adapts to different slang depending on the influence of the place of origin. This is emphasizes what Zentella (8) states, that the students can be identified by their accent and where they originate from.

There is a significant difference between the way a student uses language and the way it is used in their culture. Regardless of whether the language is the first or second language and the usage is equally different at home and in the classroom. Educators who consider use of words with cultural meaning in class assist the student to understand and increase knowledge.

Children are socialized using language. They learn their language while being socialized in the community. The result of this socialization is that students learn the language, the culture and become members of the community by using the language.

The child is therefore addressed as a member of the community rather than as an individual. In his study Farr (3) argues that children learn from other children when they are in peer groups more than when taught by the teacher. The peer groups are necessary for the students to learn the second language.

There are similarities and differences within the Latino communities. Academic institutions which have bilingual student concentrate on one language and focus on its background. The traditions of the Latino in relation to bringing up the children play a role in socializing the children. The students fail to give verbal contributions in class. This is because the parents use different approaches in socializing the child from the approach the education institute use (Zentella 8).

The bilingual students are caught in imperfect speech patterns. They are often misinterpreted and most often feel unrecognized. The Latino uses the Spanish and English dialects in their speech. Students with speech problems can become devastated by the ridicule and stereotypes spoken against Spanish speakers. The media use the Spanish accent to make jokes. Students with a Spanish origin often feel uncomfortable even though most of them were born in the United States.

The Anthropolitical perspective as stated by Zentella (9) points out the ideological, structural and political hindrance to achieve equality. It differs with the scientific approach that the government uses. The scientific approach advocates for the use of a dominant language. This is the use of English. The Anthropolitical approach emphasizes the existence of different people with different cultures, speaking different languages and having diverse worldviews.

The Latinos behavior in the way they socialize their children is as a result of the information and the attitudes towards the English speakers of Spanish origin. The Latinos have a big task to counter the stereotypes that have been created by the English who advocate for a single language in education. The parents task is to make use of opportunities to correct the ill ideologies.

Racism has been transferred from color to languages. Those who speak Spanish language are considered a minority. Anthroplitical perspective views language as a channel that will help in learning difficult social processes (Zentella 9). According to Pousada (1) the educators and the Latino caregivers should enter into some form of agreement.

The agreement should lay emphasis on ways of eradicating false notions and negative attitude towards a language. Cultural diversity should be appreciated and people learn to respect one another. Prevailing groups can avoid speaking ill of the minority and stop seeing their way of bringing up their children as inferior.

Conclusion

The article focuses at the socialization of the Latinos. Their culture affects their development of learning the second language. Parents are actively involved in the development of language and education. Parents also advice and make decisions for the students. They are blamed for poor performance and the literacy levels of their children.

It is possible for the students to be bilingual. The students learn best when they are with their peers. They can learn their culture in addition to their own culture of origin. The differences in belief and origin could be appreciated if the dominant language does not form stereotypes about the minority groups.

Works Cited

Acosta, Jorge. Sharing our Latino Culture, 2011. Web.

Farr, Marcia. Latino Language and Literacy in Ethnolinguistic Chicago: The reading Matrix, Vol.6. (2). Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. 2006. Web.

Pousada, Alicia. Building on Strength: Perspective on Language and Literacy in Latino Families and Communities. Teachers College, Columbia University Working Papers in TESOL & Aplied Linguistics, 2006. Vol. 6. No. 1 Web.

Salazar, Malena. Building on Strength: Language and Literacy in Latino Families and Communities. Latino Studies, vol. 5, 270-272, 2007. New York: Teachers College Press. Web.

Zentella, Ann. Celia. Building on Strength: Perspective on Language and Literacy in Latino Families and Communities, Chapter 1. New York: Teachers College Press, 2005.

Trauma can be understood as an excess anxiety that overwhelms an individuals feeling of safety or integrity. The impact of such experience triggers brain through muscle receptors and voluntary reaction system. The brain, as a result, will biologically work through the negative feedback mechanisms to restore the body to its normal functioning process.

Several hormones are released in response, such as adrenaline, which leads to changes in heartbeats, breathing rates and other involuntary actions causing anger or numbness. Stress is the most identifiable sign of trauma among traumatic individuals. Impact of trauma varies with individuals age, personal copying mechanism and vulnerability. Trauma is generally divided into psychological and physical (Levine and Kline 6).

Children are the main victims of traumatic cases in the society. This is because children constitute a vulnerable group that only relies on their parents assistance. Additionally, they do not have a well-developed copying mechanisms when encountered by traumatizing situations.

They face physical trauma from falls during plays and climbing explorations. Sporting injuries are the main source of trauma caused by bicycles and skating boards accidents. Scenarios, such as drowning and auto cars accidents, are also experiences that result in traumatic moments (Levine and Kline 23).

According to Levine and Kline, children who were exposed to surgical and medical conditions at birth show more symptoms of traumatization as compared to those who were born outside hospital facilities. This is because of painful experiences which medicated children undergo at the hospitals (Levine and Kline 25).

Violent activities in the society are sources of psychological traumas that last for a long and take a lot of time before people forget it, especially young children. These can be caused by materials from the media or real life situation.

At times, children face both psychological and physical traumas at the same time. A bitter example of this may be taken from the film Udaan when analyzing the main protagonist Rohan. The seventeen year old boy finds himself in a psychological torture after his expulsion from school. He meets his egoistic father Roy on his return to Jamshedpur.

He is as well shocked to realize he has a step brother Arjun. Life becomes very confusing to Rohan; he finds it hard to cope with his new younger brother and brutalities of his father Roy. The father insists that Rohan should join engineering class to help him manage his factory despite Rohans passion in the writing field (Udaan).

In seeking solace, Rohan opts to stealing his fathers car to meet friends in a bar and drink. In the process, Rohans trauma turns him wild that he engages his father in a physical fight and exchange of insults. He reflects his life through a poem, Udaan, which opens with A few, scattered memories, and continues with Bare-foot I walk upon them. This is an interpretation of shattered dreams resulting from his family stresses due to the brutal father. He fulfills this dream when he leaves with Arjunn,

Truly, I have forgotten,
Where I had removed my shoes,
But, it seems,
That I do not need them now (Udaan).

Rohan underwent parental abuse that caused him a lot of suffering. According to Levine and Kline, spousal and child abuse accounts for the majority of physical and emotional violence suffered by youngsters (28). While hoping to regain his normal life, he experienced more frustration that he considered escape as the only option to end his suffering. Consequently, Rohan chose drinking as a part of his healing process. Consequently, he asked his uncle for advice on what to do before making his final choice to escape.

Works Cited

Levine, Peter A., and Maggie Kline. Trauma Through a Childs Eyes: Awakening the Ordinary Miracle of Healing Children, Parenting and the Family Series, Berkley, CA: North Atlantic Books, 2006. Print.

Udaan. Ex. Prod. Sanjay Singh. India: Mahendra J. Shetty. 2010. DVD.

The modern day and age offers rights and freedoms that people have not experienced some time before and the majority of official rulings have acknowledged that people have a right to marry whomever they want, as it is their personal and private choice.

While both authors address the issue of Proposition 8 and challenges that LGBTI face due to its criteria, author of 8 Is Not Hate: The Meaning of a Proposition focuses more on the reasons why people support the proposition, while author of Prop 8 Hurt My FamilyAsk Me How; Marriage Equality USA is more concerned with the fact that either way proposition 8 is immoral and discriminatory towards LGBTI.

The laws and government must unite society and differences between people and not divide. The two articles have valid points but the end result is clearit is not up to the government to decide whom a person wants to marry but at the same time, educational and other public institutions should take extreme care in voicing opinions and changing policies according to personal views of people, keeping a lawful and moral balance.

Jennifer Roback Morse has written an article to explain and clarify the proposition and true reasons for it. The article focuses on the facts of why people support the proposition. It does not explain how people are affected, their feelings and outcomes they face. It illustrates why it is morally correct to choose laws and regulations that divide people through court orders, instead of finding ways to look for common ground and reach a mutually beneficial solution.

She gives specific points and views of people who are not agreeing with the courts passing laws that would make same sex marriages official and thus, give people same rights and freedoms as everyone else. She also argues that it is not particularly fair for children to be educated about same sex marriages and unions, as children are too young to understand the true reasons and circumstances of such marriages.

Jennifer Morse explains that people who are against these rulings are not against people who are homosexual but that they oppose the courts decisions because courts are taking their authority too far. Her points are made very clear but there are some issues that can be raised.

Marriage is a union of two people and it is not up to other individuals to decide who these people are and what qualities they have. A union is defined by feelings that are mutual and if two people want to be together, they should not be denied that right. The majority of society has the right to form a bond and has the privileges under law to receive benefits and protection that such union entitles them to.

So, it would be unfair to deny others this right because someone is unable to understand the reasons people are together, even though they can understand themselves. The fact that people are anti-laws that give LGBTI people same rights and freedoms extends towards people themselves and the explanation that the courts are given too much power to grant people these rights is also a movement against people receiving these rights.

The point that parents should be the ones deciding the type of education their children should be receiving is valid but, to a certain degree. Children should not be denied the truth but the matter of private relationships between people should not be a part of educational curriculum, no matter if it is heterosexual or homosexual. Education should be impartial and neutral, leaving emotions and love for everyone to decide on their own. But the fact that such unions do exist, should not be denied, as it is the undoubted reality of the world.

If young and older children can take a family class, which they choose under their own want and if they are educated about heterosexual marriages, they should also be educated about other types of marriages. But education should in no way be forced onto anyone. Even though Morse in not against LGBTI people, she does show some fear of what will happen to people if they are suscepted to laws and freedoms that are changed in LGBTI favor.

This comes from a long standing argument that people choose to be gay or not and it might make someone LGBTI. This has been proven to be untrue. But even if it is assumed that it is true and a person can choose, it is still no ones business because a person wants and needs that on their own accord. LGBTI people are not asking for extra privileges and freedoms, they want to have same rights and protection under law as everyone else and it is only fair.

Prop 8 Hurt My FamilyAsk Me How; Marriage Equality USA reinforces the view that due to changes in laws and governments giving people an opportunity to decide laws for someone else is morally wrong. The fact that anti-LGBTI discrimination exists cannot be denied. People do truly face violence, stereotypical behavior and threats towards them if they are LGBTI or support policies that are in favor.

The article shows how the proposition is having a hard emotional or psychological influence on people. It is very depressing, especially for children who face discrimination in schools and neighborhoods they live in. People are afraid that their marriages will be no longer valid and those who support LGBTI are also concerned that their views and beliefs will be jeopardized by the proposition.

There are a number of examples of how the stereotypical behavior manifests itself, affecting families, friends and everyone involved in the matter. Anxiety and depression are the result of differential treatment and people are always in the state of fear that they will be the target of violence and other threatening verbal or physical behavior.

The general atmosphere in the society is now at a peak point where everyone has a very negative attitude and this has a significant effect on peoples lives. The actions of the government and society are taking a wrong direction.

They are finding ways to separate people even further when the focus should be the unity and finding of common ground. The laws being made must forbid further discrimination and stereotypical treatment, which will in turn lead to equal rights and freedoms.

The authors of two articles have shown different perspectives on the way society and government view people with different sexual preferences. The laws of the country dictate order in society but peoples private life is personal business.

Even though the majority of population respects others there are still people with hurtful and prejudiced opinions. In the end, it is everyones duty to respect others and provide hate free environment to live and enjoy justice.