Category: Sociology 7256

For many years, scientists have been trying to create an adequate and universal model of sexual response. The difficulty in solving this problem lies in the fact that people perceive sexual interaction in entirely different ways. For this reason, the description of this processs stages is controversial even in the presence of a large number of informants. One of the widespread sexual response models is the Masters and Johnsons model, which includes four stages.

In my opinion, it is more accurate than the three-phase Kaplans model, since it is more detailed. In addition, unlike the Loulans model, which is broad and even blurry, its stages are more precise and universal. Nevertheless, the Masters and Johnsons model is quite controversial, as many people do not go through the four distinct phases of the sexual response. Thus, the development of this model requires further refinement. However, in my opinion, it is the most accurate model since it is based on large-scale research and carefully worked out. Rademacher and Hoskins (2017) assume that sexual response models can be useful tools for describing what people might experience from their bodies during sexual arousal, while understanding that everyones body function is different (p. 12). Therefore, even though researchers create such models, it is complicated to create one model that would be suitable for everyone.

Many sexual problems are indeed associated with a lack of information about sexual interaction and insufficient communication between partners. Because of this, people cannot fully trust and open up to each other and are not mindful enough during the process. Thus, to fix these problems, people must learn more details of various issues related to sexual interactions, communicate with partners on this topic, and better understand themselves.

Reference

Rademacher, L., & Hoskins, L. (2017). The principles of pleasure: Working with the good stuff as sex therapists and educators. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis.

It is clear that industrialization and civilization have turned our society into a working society where people are spending a lot of their time working leaving no or little time for other things that do matter in life such as family, relationships, leisure, and religion, we can further say that work has also stopped people from appreciating what nature has to offer. According to (Schor J,1991) Americans reported that they had only sixteen and a half hours of leisure a week, after the obligations of job and household are taken care of.

following industrialization and civilization, the standards of living and the needs for human life have gone high thus people spend much of their time making money to cater to their ever-increasing needs. However, it is unfortunate that some people do not realize early enough in life that one can acquire freedom and fulfillment in life not only by working so hard to buy luxurious goods but also by doing other things in life that brings in pleasure.

According to Wordsworth (1807) the desire for goods is sometimes antithetical to the desire for personal fulfillment and spiritual growth this is because society is spending a lot of time acquiring material things at the expense of their personal fulfillment and spiritual growth as a result of industrialization. (Thoreau D, 1817-1862) feels that civilization has brought about necessities in human life and as a result of these necessities people are employed in the name of laying up treasures which moth and rust will corrupt and thieves break through and steal. Thus he emphasized that people should not work since all the material wealth at the end is not important if they will not have accumulated enough wealth spiritually.

Schor (1998) asserts that it is clear that people do spend a lot of their time working in order to cater for their luxuries at the expense of leisure and families only to realize when it is too late that it was not worth having to work themselves to death since one can get fulfillment in life by doing other things while earning less. This is clearly depicted in her two case studies.

Wordsworth (1807) observes that &&&.little we see in nature that is ours; we have given our hearts away, a sordid boon&&. These phases confirm that people in our society are working too much that they do not have time to appreciate nature and feel anything for other people, this is clearly expressed in the two case studies presented by (Schor J,1998) where Alice describes her job as her identity, what makes her important, and thats what confirms her skills though she realized later that her lifestyle was strange and confessed that she had been halfway around the world and she did not miss anything as anybody.

Schor (1998) indicated that Jennifer had to work most of her time just to add an extra coin in her pocket in order to finance her ever-increasing expenses. Since she was an impulse buyer her expenses also went higher as her income increased leaving her in the same situation as she was before income increased. Jennifer is a representative of most of the people in our society who are working even over time and yet the money is never enough for our luxuries.

From the two case studies in (Schor J,1998) it is clear that our society is working too much just to earn cash even though we have no passion for our work, just to buy things that we dont have time to use or things we even dont require, for instance, Jennifer says that I felt like I was spending all my lifes energies doing something that I did not much care about to get a check every two weeks so that I could go out and buy books that I never had time to read and some records I never had the time to listen to.

In conclusion, though our society focuses more on spending much time on work in the name of making money to buy luxuries, the earlier the better we realize that other things in life such as family, relationship, religion, and leisure can as well give us freedom and fulfillment.

Whistleblowers play an essential role in maintaining democracy by revealing different governmental deficiencies, human rights violations, and exposing corruption on various levels. All the information that comes from them is usually classified and withheld from the public concern by authorities. In 1882 Henrik Ibsen published the play An Enemy of the People that tells the story of a scientist who decided to reveal the essential truth to the people (Hananto, p. 2). He feels a moral obligation to share his findings, despite the threats made by authorities and overall criticism. It seems that during the COVID-19 hardship, the role of insiders becomes even more important in promoting transparency to free the circulation of valuable information. The recent case of a real-life whistleblower, Li Wenliang, has many aspects in common with the case depicted by Norwegian playwright. Although insiders were previously criticized, the COVID-19 pandemic showed that now people are ready and strive to be informed on the shortcomings of institutional reporting systems.

Li Wenliang, a former ophthalmologist of Wuhan Central Hospital, became the first Chinese whistleblower who alerted the local community about the dangerous outbreak. On December 30, 2019, he decided to share his findings with fellow colleagues and posted a message to the WeChat group, where other healthcare professionals could read it. In that message, Dr. Wenliang revealed that seven SARS cases have been confirmed in Wuhan Huanan Wholesale Seafood Market and advised his co-workers to take care of their family members (Zhu, p. 1). On the same day, the healthcare authorities of Wuhan issued a regulation that prohibited the dissemination of patient care information without approval.

The screenshot of Wenliangs message, which was reposted by WeChat and other social media users, soon reached the local authorities. On January 1, he and the other eight healthcare professionals, who also tried to warn people that novel coronavirus emerged, were identified and accused by police of spreading false information (Abazi, p. 3). On January 3, the alleged rumor-monger was detained and reprimanded by the local law enforcement for spreading false information on the Internet (Zhu, p. 1). Authorities forced the doctor to put his sign on the special document to see him accepting that he disrupted the social order. On January 8, he was diagnosed with the new virus disease, which he contracted working at the hospital. Despite taking measures to cure him, the hero whistleblower passed away in early February. The news about his death prompted a public backlash against the government. Weibo and other social media users criticized authorities for the lack of transparency and called for freedom of speech and official apology to Dr. Wenliang and his family. Nevertheless, the majority of messages were censored in a speedy way.

This leakage of information from the Wuhan Central Hospital is crucial because it exposes not only this institution but the whole command and control system of China under the Communist Party governance. In the time of the health emergency, it is not appropriate to limit the spread of important warnings because openness can save more lives. Moreover, other states could receive this information earlier and prepare a better response if only China opted to share its initial findings rapidly. According to Abazi, the Chinese Constitution reserves the right to criticize and expose any state institution for law or duty violations, but their regulations also foresee special penalties for spreading rumors and disrupting social order (p. 4). There is no clear distinction between the lawful reporting and spreading rumors, so it is the police who usually decide.

Dr. Wenliang blew the whistle and drew attention to whistleblower protection all over the world. Chinese authorities legally see the insiders as essential enforcers of government regulations and as guardians of the corruption control system; thus, as somebody who works on behalf of the country (Abazi, p. 5). However, it is a narrow view and the insider who discloses information to the public, even when officials try to hide it, not fall within it. The widespread public anger that was sparked by Dr. Wenliangs death showed that people see him as a hero who wanted to warn others. The public criticized the government for silencing his voice instead of supporting him.

The Chinese government suppressed the local COVID-19 epidemic in less than three months but at a high human rights cost. Movement of people was restricted, entire cities were lockdown, and robust surveillance was deployed to track infected patients and other citizens. All these measures can be internationally approved because of its effectiveness, but withholding important information should not be excused. There is a doubt that the recent public outrage will be transformed into reforms, but now there is hope for a more serious demand for free speech from Chinese people in the near future. One can already see a positive sign from the news that Chinese authorities decided to officially discharge Dr. Wenliang following the investigation of his death (Davidson). The public outrage forced the states highest anti-corruption agency to lead investigations in Wuhan, which eventually found that Li had not spread distracting and false rumors. The statement ordered Wuhans police to withdraw the reprimand, but it did not contain the proper apology. It also caused a new wave of criticism for punishing police officers instead of eradicating the real problem.

Dr. Stockman, as the main protagonist of the play, similarly to Dr. Wenliang, feels an obligation to warn the public following his findings that dangerous bacteria contaminated the water of the Baths. He is ready to face the adverse reaction of authorities and implications for his reputation. Stockmans brother, the Mayor, similarly to the Chinese government, wants to conceal the discovery because the city will lose money, and his reputation may be ruined. However, there are significant differences between the presented real-life situation and one depicted by Ibsen. According to Hananto, An Enemy of the People primarily designed to analyze and show how society can be ruled and affected by a majority that has absorbed and concentrated power (p. 12). Their tyranny and violations remain unnoticed by the community because the government is able to turn the entire cities against insiders with the help of their influence. On the contrary, the real case highlighted that people tend to back whistleblowers, even in such highly censored environments. Dr. Stockman eventually faced the anger of people and decided to open a school in order to spread the truth to the poor, while Dr. Wenliang became the victim of Chinese dictatorship and hero in the eyes of the public.

To conclude, insiders, who opt to share information that is essential for the community and is hidden by authorities or institutions, serve as the guardians of free speech and human rights. They should be present in our lives, and people should appreciate and support their bravery. Dr. Li Wenliang revealed that some governments prioritize reputational interests over solving severe issues. Whistleblowing currently draws the attention of the world to the censorship of information, public opinion manipulation, and the importance of transparency as a tool that helps to save lives. Comparison of the real-life case with Dr. Stockmans one showed that nowadays, it is more difficult to manipulate people, and they are more ready to accept the truth.

Works Cited

Hananto, Mohamad T. Tyranny of the Majority Reflected in Henrik Ibsens An Enemy of the People Drama (1882): A Sociological Approach. 2015. PhD dissertation. Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta.

Davidson, Helen. Chinese Inquiry Exonerates Coronavirus Whistleblower Doctor. The Guardian, 2020.

Abazi, Vigjilenca. Truth Distancing? Whistleblowing as Remedy to Censorship during COVID-19. European Journal of Risk Regulation, 2020, pp. 1-9.

Zhu, Junhong. Is it Ethical to be a Whistleblower During COVID19 Pandemic? Ethical Challenges Confronted by Health Care Workers in China. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2020, pp. 1-3.

Formerly reading used to be one of the principal ways to divert oneself. Rapid technological development and the growing entertainment industry may have changed the way people approach their leisure. The decline of reading is an ongoing phenomenon that results from profound changes in how investing ones time is viewed. In the era of productivity, contemporary societies struggle with categorizing reading as a profitable activity unless it is a self-help book. However, fiction could be no less helpful with personal or professional life, although in more subtle ways. In some cases, reading can be a way to gain a better understanding of the world around as well as the internal one.

In her TEDx Talk, poet and author Beth Ann Fennelly presents several ideas defending the importance of fiction in the lives of those who are not connected to it professionally. Fennellys position seems to revolve around the connection between reading and empathy. The presenter states, what the emerging field of literary neuroscience is beginning to prove is that reading literature makes us more empathetic or sympathetic, or frustrated (Fennelly). From this standpoint, the activity forces a person, even if for a short amount of time, to perceive the world from a different perspective, undergo experiences, and be exposed to points of view that otherwise would be inaccessible. This ability to allow a person to live through a character, although not exclusive to reading, seems to be one of its primary advantages.

The alliance between literature and empathy could be used as a mirror enabling individuals, and societies, as a result, to recognize their shortcomings. The function of denouncement found in fiction can be expressed not only in satire but have an elusive presence in other genres. Shirley Jacksons short story The Lottery is a provocative text, pushing a reader to question the unconditional compliance to traditions. Furthermore, Jackson demonstrates the danger of conformity, although the villagers had forgotten the ritual and lost the original black box, they still remembered to use stones (230). The image of lapidation, in my opinion, is the one that stays with a reader, as the implied despair that Tessies family undergoes at this moment corroborates the message that The Lottery carries. Therefore, the emotional impact of a story, from my perspective, is what renders it effective.

Even though I cannot relate the short story to my circumstances, this year may seem like the one when the issue of conformity and unquestioning compliance became, to a degree, more evident. The fact that the short story was written approximately seventy years ago and its lessons remain pertinent could demonstrate their inherency and universality. The ideas expressed in Fennellys TEDx Talk inspire hope that reading fiction, particularly the stories that impact readers to the extent of The Lottery, can enhance empathy.

The decrease in the number of people reading and the perception of the activity as trivial is an issue the negative effect of which may be not apparent. Pragmatism and the extensive appreciation for more obviously lucrative fields could push literature closer to extinction. Nonetheless, the ideas presented in the TEDx Talk demonstrate that reading habits can, to a degree, shape a society, influencing a number of factors that characterize it. Compassion, the level of xenophobia, and the ability to appreciate the esthetic facet of art are potentially under the impact of reading habits. The emergence of new subfields concerning fiction indicates that fascination with it is recoverable.

Works Cited

Fennelly, Beth Ann. Whats the Use of Reading? Literature and Empathy. TED, 2020, Web.

Shirley, Jackson. The Lottery and Other Stories. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1988.

Introduction

Nowadays, the use of various psychoactive drugs and stimulants is illicit in the majority of countries. It is well known today that such synthetic and semisynthetic psychoactive substances as cocaine and heroin have multiple side effects and lead to addiction. Nevertheless, less than a century ago, they were commercialized as remedies for even the most insignificant ailments. It was possible to purchase many of those drugs over the counter and intake them almost uncontrollably. This story also applies to amphetamines, whose ubiquitous use was initially promoted by physicians and pharmacists but was consequently banned by governments across different nations. The present paper will discuss the first commercial applications of amphetamine, the reasons it became widespread, and the measures undertaken by the government in order to curb abuse of this substance.

What is Amphetamine?

Amphetamines are artificial chemicals resembling some natural substances that can be found in foods. For example, phenylethylamine is contained in cheeses, yet, unlike amphetamine, it becomes quickly disintegrated upon entering the body (Iversen 5). Conversely, amphetamine is created in a way that its degradation is slowed down and, thus, its effects on the body and the brain are much more pronounced (Iversen 5). The drug targets the nervous system, causing a release of various neurotransmitters, and the sympathetic nervous system responsible for the reflex control and the regulation of various body functions, including blood circulation, gut movements, and so forth (Iversen 11-12). Therefore, amphetamine intake invariably leads to behavioral and metabolic changes.

Commercial Use of Amphetamine

The effects of amphetamine are usually manifested as increased alertness, wakefulness, and reduced appetite (Courtwright 78). Nevertheless, in the 1930s drug was marketed as a decongestant and was comprised as the main ingredient in the over-the-counter Benzedrine inhaler, offering quick relief from cold symptoms (Courtwright 78). As mentioned by Courtwright, only when some consumers commenced reporting nervous stimulation, insomnia, and loss of appetite after the use of Benzedrine, pharmacists started to explore other potential uses of amphetamine (78). Thus, within merely a decade, the list of medical indications for amphetamine had drastically expanded.

Growing Substance Popularity

By the 1950s, amphetamine use became extremely widespread in the United States and across some other countries. According to Rasmussen, the main reasons for that were the routine commercial drug development and promotion by both manufacturers and physicians, as well as the intensified competition in the pharmaceutical market (974). As stated by Courtwright, in 1949, the volume of amphetamine production in the United States equated to 16,000 pounds while, in 1958, it reached 75,000 pounds (equivalent to 3.5 billion tablets) (79). Although medications containing amphetamine were promoted as a treatment for a great variety of conditions, starting from obesity and ending with chronic hiccups, the substance was particularly popular as an antidepressant (Courtwright 78; Rasmussen 975). Rasmussen states that psychiatric tablets, including Benzedrine and Dexedrine, brought substantial revenues to their producer, Smith, Kline, and French, which risen from the US $0.5 million in 1941 to the US $2 million in 1945 (975). Noteworthily, these numbers are a result of sales merely to the civilian population, which indicates that amphetamine became highly demanded among people from all walks of life.

It is also important to note that amphetamine tablets and inhalers were easily accessible and needed no prescription. Besides that, people quickly started to intake the drug not just for medical purposes but as a means to stimulate mental activity and productivity, dispel drowsiness, and attain a state of euphoria. For instance, as early as the 1950s college students started to intake amphetamine during all-night parties and exam blitzes (Courtwright 78). According to Arria and DuPont, regardless of the fact that the substance is illicit nowadays, many contemporary students continue to use amphetamines in order to boost their academic performance (415). However, it is observed that the positive effects of the drug on productivity are short-term, whereas the regular intake usually leads to deterioration of ones functioning, psychological decline, and even psychosis (Arria and DuPont 415; Rasmussen 975). As the number of abuse instances continued to increase over time, researchers, authorities, and the public became more aware of the risks inherent with amphetamine use.

Governmental Policies

When speaking of the situation in the United States, the policies aimed to reduce the rate of amphetamine use were first introduced as a response to the increasing rate of substance production (Courtwright 81). In addition, governmental efforts to reduce substance consumption were supported by studies that found the links between the growth rates of drug abuse and crime (Rasmussen 980). A specific measure undertaken by the federal government was the introduction of drug production quotas during the late 1960s-70s. Due to this, amphetamine and methamphetamine production in the country dropped by about 80% within a period of just a few years (Rasmussen 981). Besides that, as healthcare practitioners became more and more aware of the drug dependence problem in the United States, they started to prescribe amphetamine-containing drugs less (Rasmussen 979-981). As a result, by the end of 1970, the rate of amphetamine abuse significantly decreased.

Conclusion

The results of the conducted literature review revealed that public attitude to amphetamines has changed over time. Since the moment of its invention in 1930, amphetamines popularity had rapidly grown since the discovered effects of the drug allegedly allowed individuals to treat multiple health conditions and cope with various daily problems. The inherent attractiveness of the drug also provided pharmacists with a chance to gain immense profits. Nevertheless, as the knowledge about the health and social risks associated with the drug improved, the government imposed stricter controls on substance production and prescription, which helped to reduce amphetamine consumption rates.

Works Cited

Arria, Amelia M., and Robert L. DuPont. Nonmedical Prescription Stimulant Use Among College Students: Why We Need to Do Something and What We Need to Do. Journal of Addictive Diseases, vol. 29, no. 4, 2010, pp. 417-426.

Courtwright, David T. Drugs and the Making of the Modern World. Harvard University Press, 2001.

Iversen, Leslie. Speed, Ecstasy, Ritalin: The Science of Amphetamines. Oxford University Press, 2008.

Rasmussen, Nicolas. Americas First Amphetamine Epidemic 1929-1971: A Quantitative and Qualitative Retrospective with Implications for the Present. American Journal of Public Health, vol. 98, no. 6, 2008, pp. 974-985.

There are numerous social, ethnic, and culture-related reasons behind the poor health of the population. It is essential to understand their origins and connotations in order to eliminate their effects efficiently. The role of nurse practitioners has been shifting from providing direct medical assistance to directing the social changes that improve community health (Xue & Intrator, 2016). In this review, three scholarly articles related to the ways to identify these factors will be analyzed in order to prepare for the practicum project.

The first article to be reviewed is Addressing social determinants of health and health inequalities by Adler, Glymour, and Fielding. It concerns the topic of the social determinants of health in the United States and what measures were taken to alleviate their impact in the recent past. Adler et al. (2016) argue that the United States puts an emphasis on medical treatments for acute problems, which does not eliminate the source of the issue (p. 1642). It provides statistics related to this issue, allowing the reader to understand their magnitude. The main body of the paper includes a set of priorities for nurses, such as what groups must be prioritized and what factors contribute towards the poor outcomes. Adler et al. (2016) conclude that alleviating US health disadvantage may require rebalancing priorities to prevent or ameliorate health-damaging social conditions and behavioral choices (p. 1642). The paper ends with a set of recommendations for the government to combat the issue.

The second scholarly article in this review will be Avoiding the unintended consequences of screening for social determinants of health by Garg, Boynton-Jarrett, and Dworkin. It provides an overview of the proper ways to identify the social determinants of health. It begins with the description of vulnerable groups that must be put at a higher priority when searching for the reasons behind health conditions. The main idea of the paper is that the context of the patients unmet needs, such as housing, nutrition, and mental state, is essential for a proper diagnosis (Garg et al., 2016). The authors provide tips for an essential screening for social determinants of health. The paper explains the fact that seeking social determinants of health is a different process than the usual medical assistance, and there is a need for a change in the diagnostic approach.

The last paper I chose for this paper is Cultivating the role of nurse practitioners in providing primary care to vulnerable populations in an era of health-care reform by Xue and Intrator. It describes recent trends in healthcare-related to dealing with the adverse factors that affect vulnerable groups of people. The article explains what categories must receive greater attention, and what programs are proven to be efficient for engaging nurses and patients in a care delivery process. Vital steps in these programs include the expansion of the role of nurses in expediting the progress in community health initiatives and the implementation of the evidence-based policies (Xue & Intrator, 2016). The paper highlights the importance and nuances of nurse training for dealing with socioeconomic issues.

In conclusion, these articles give the reader an insight into the state of the healthcare system and how it deals with the most vital source of current health issues within the human population. This data gives a clear idea of the current trends in global health initiatives, as well as provides information about the role of the nurses in this process. By using this information, a nurse will learn how to identify socioeconomic issues that have an adverse effect on the population and how to decide on the right course of action to eliminate them.

References

Adler, N. E., Glymour, M. M., & Fielding, J. (2016). Addressing social determinants of health and health inequalities. JAMA, 316(16), 1641-1642.

Garg, A., Boynton-Jarrett, R., & Dworkin, P. H. (2016). Avoiding the unintended consequences of screening for social determinants of health. JAMA, 316(8), 813.

Xue, Y., & Intrator, O. (2016). Cultivating the role of nurse practitioners in providing primary care to vulnerable populations in an era of health-care reform. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 17(1), 2431.

Managing severe addiction is a long and suffering process, which requires strength and patience on both physical and emotional levels. Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) carries specific symptoms that manifest themselves after a sudden refusal from addicting substances like drugs or alcohol (Melemis, n.d.). The syndromes duration is individual and usually varies from six to eighteen months after immediate substance obstinacy, with symptoms ranging from minor to severe inconveniences.

The case study involving a recovering drug addict Maury is one example of how PAWS may provide a successful physical recovery; however, yet still, some mental grievances may remain present. A 42-year old man has triumphantly overcome his addiction and set life on the right path, proceeding to work with children, thus fighting internal struggles that have become more difficult to bear (Nixon, 2013). Maurys main concern is that he will relapse; therefore, this paper is focused on developing a relapse prevention plan to help Maury combat inner fears and anxieties.

Mental relapse threat is as dangerous as the physical one; the mind is enhancing emotional worries provoking to consider using drugs again.

Maury is an unstable person who is continually caught up in self-consciousness, brutally blaming himself and the universe for his presence, and depressed about social acceptance. Working on these problems through therapy is the most feasible way to gain inner balance, free of thoughts about drugs (Melemis, 2015). Maury must start resolving his issues with a therapist to figure out the roots of the problems and act on techniques that will aid in carrying out personal anxieties.

Maurys personal relationships with his significant other also require significant improvement. Even though he has a girlfriend, it does not seem to be a healthy, supportive relationship. A man has no other family, with a traumatic childhood background of abuse and multiple foster families (Nixon, 2013). It is vital for Maurys recovery to find a support system that will fight inner battles along his side and would not let the man feel like a burden. Having someone to talk to will inevitably fasten the treatment of PAWS symptoms.

References

Melemis, S. M. (2015). Relapse Prevention and the five rules of recovery. The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, 88(3), 325332. Web.

Melemis, S. M. (n.d.). What is post acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS)? [PDF document].

Nixon, G. (2013). Case study: Maury. [PDF document].

Analytical Introduction

The current paper is the personal reflection of thoughts and ideas expressed by Dorothy Allison in her essay about being yourself against all the public stereotypes. Consequently, the aim of this paper is to consider the most valuable ideas by Allison in order to express my own opinion and, probably, help those people who experience problems with their self-identities and resistance to social prejudice. Thus, the intended audience of this paper may include people from various social and ethnic groups, as well representatives of both sexes. The intended audience may be people from my group in the college, my friends, relatives, or any other reader who has a problem and is eager to know how to solve it.

In order to make the paper more precise and readable, I used specific examples from my life and the story by Dorothy Allison. This method adds credibility and support to the paper as far as it is based not only on my thoughts but on the experiences of other people. Another method used in this paper is quoting from a primary source. The quoted lines reflect the very essence of the topic of the essay and demonstrate where the problem lies.

Thus, to make the paper helpful and relevant to the audience and intended purposes mentioned above, I used the references to my own life and to the essay based on the experience of Dorothy Allison. I am convinced that such methods will make the paper more sufficient for those who have similar problems. I mean that it will be easier for readers to understand how to solve their problems if they are provided with examples of how the issue of self-identity was solved by an ordinary person like me and by a famous writer Dorothy Allison.

Background

The issues of personality, personal representation, and social attitudes about people are rather significant for every particular person and the whole society in general. People always pay too much attention to what others may say or think about them, and this fact makes their lives difficult and problematic (Atwan, 2005). Awareness of the public attitudes about a person makes this very person nervous and distressed, which leads, in its turn, to various problems in all spheres of life.

Another aspect of the problem is that people are very often wrongly identified based on the prejudice that exists about the representatives of certain social classes or sexes. This as well makes life nervous, and that is why people always try to resist social attitudes and stereotypes (Atwan, 2005). The current paper reflects the story of one of the people affected by social attitudes and stereotypes. In this paper, I will consider the way of the famous American feminist writer Dorothy Allison to overcome the importance of public attitudes in ones life.

Author

The author of the essay that I am to analyze in the current paper is Dorothy Allison who is known all over the world for her open and not-biased reflections of feminist values and the outlook of the world typical for a lesbian. Her works are acknowledged in many countries as masterpieces of social literature and win numerous awards and prizes. The most famous piece of Allisons work is the novel Bastard from Carolina. This work is admired by a lot of readers and was filmed several years ago attracting the attention of much more people in the world (Atwan 2005, p. 70).

The main issues touched upon in the creative work by Dorothy Allison are the issues faced by feminist women and lesbians in their lives, problems of growing up as a white child from a poor family where quarrels, fights, and incest take place and leave the strong traces in the psychology of people. However, one of the most significant points in the works by Allison, and especially in her essay What Did You Expect? is the topic of self-identity and resistance to public attitudes and stereotypes. In other words, the leitmotif of this paper is how to be what you want to be but not what people expect of you (Atwan, 2005, p. 70).

Issues

The issues that Dorothy Allison reflects in her works are familiar to every average reader. He ponders on the topic of the importance of being yourself under the constant pressure of social attitudes. The examples presented by Dorothy Allison are taken from her own life experience and thus are reliable sources of objective information on the topic. Allison describes her problems and discomfort feelings while being taken for some other person based on her appearance, clothing, and behavior, as well as on public stereotyped thinking and expectations of people of her kind (Atwan, 2005, p. 70).

As she is a writer, she has to make numerous trips to different areas and countries. In many of these areas, people fail to take her as a reputable writer based on her casual clothing style and almost complete absence of make-up on her face. These people tend to take her for some thief and check the number of towels and cups in her hotel room after she leaves it. It used to surprise the author but with the time spent she has got used to it.

Dorothy Allison explains her behavior and protests against widely accepted norms by her childhood background. Her mother was a typical woman who would never leave her room without a make-up mask on her face that gave her the impression of being ready for anything and anyone in the world.

Seeing this all, Dorothy Allison decided to do her best not to become the same when she grows up, meaning that she decided to be a revolutionary woman who will be able to break all the established rules and stereotypes of the society: I was not going to be anything like what was expected of me. (Atwan, 2005: Allison, p. 76) Her idea of being herself but not what society could expect her to be was not indeed revolutionary but her readiness to practically implement it was. She dressed not typical of a woman and of a writer who is going to deliver some lectures to students. She rarely has makeup and talks casually as if saying: Who said that a writer should do differently? I am an ordinary person and have the right to be myself. (Atwan, 2005: Allison, p. 77)

Reflection

The essay by Dorothy Allison inspired a lot of thoughts and ideas in my mind. To begin with, I would like to state that her unwillingness to be the same as all other people and her protests against ungrounded stereotypes is close to my own outlook of the world. It goes without saying that such a position in life brings a lot of trouble and discomfort. It is difficult at first to get adjusted to the surprised looks and whispers behind my back when people see me, for example, wearing some unusual piece of clothing. On the whole, the most difficult part in the protest against stereotypes is getting used to the surprised or irritated reactions of people around and to the thought of being different from others, at least in some aspects.

Furthermore, I am strongly convinced that such an attitude towards the social stereotypes and public opinion as expressed by Allison in her essay is conditioned by certain experiences that a person had to leave through in his or her childhood. It does not obligatory concern the question of whether to use make-up or not or do a new haircut or not. The idea of being different is much wider and embraces such spheres of human life as courage to express your thoughts and opinions even if they contradict the opinions of the majority of people, being able to act as you consider necessary but not as the society considers normal.

There is no one who would explain in detail who establishes these norms and criteria of what is to be considered normal or abnormal. Consequently, there is no one who is able to demand fulfillment of these or those norms of dressing or behavior just because it is typical of a certain social group or sex. By this, I mean that the fact that Dorothy Allison wears tennis shoes and loose trousers does deprive her of the status of a writer because these categories can not be compared.

They belong to different levels of human life, with clothes being a material value and the talent for writing is a divine gift and intellectual value of this person. The same is true about me  I am a student but it does not demand from me to wear formal style clothes or give up my habits and hobbies if they do not prevent me from the successful study.

Conclusion

All the above-considered information and my thoughts on the topic of self-identity against public opinion allow me to make the following logical conclusion to this paper. Ability to be yourself irrespective of what other people think or say of you is rather important for every individual. Dorothy Allison proves that it is possible not only to claim it but to be actually different from others and pay no attention to public attitudes. The example of this American writer is a good illustration of that how a person can reach his/her aim if all his/her forces are directed at it. I am strongly convinced that every person should have his self-identity and individuality so that to be a distinct member of the human society but not one of the masses of people.

References

Atwan, R. Convergences: Message, Method, Medium 2nd ed., Bedford/St. Martins 2005.

Introduction

Canadian social welfare covers a lot of political and economical issues centralized in modern society. A number of social programs are created in order to understand the real grounds of Canadian welfare. It is important to stress that some programs are merely based on the identification of the true needs of the society in order to meet their requirements and provide the general welfare of the state. Steven Hick, the author of the work devoted to social welfare in Canada, stated that the social inclusion perspective contributes to social movement beyond material recourses and income with the purpose of regarding other items affecting human development and welfare.

With the development of social safety in Canada, the number of social organizations has rapidly increased. They were aimed at distinguishing social mentality and material dependence. The centralization of income security is considered to be the background for the community well being with the purpose of building social inclusion and solidarity. The modern market never provides an adequate and stable source of income for the population.

Main body

Income security is considered to be a Canadian Social Work companion focusing on different dominating social services of the welfare system of Canada. Social income programs functioning in Canada provide the background for the social well-being of different social classes and positions. Hick managed to introduce the basic programs in his book one of which is considered to be devoted to the beneficial side of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). This program allows receiving the necessary pension from Public Pensions of Canada. People are provided with appropriate financial support; this program is provided for children and disabled people who do not have the physical abilities to work and earn money. Income security programs promote and deliver pensions through CPP and Old Age Security.

Social security agreements produced for CPP are aimed at helping people to qualify for their benefits. The conditions of the CPP program are very convenient not only for Canadians but also for representatives of other countries. It should be stated that CPP credits are usually divided by former business partners or separated couples. Pension credits are provided in order to establish eligibility for the benefits of the CPP and for the purpose of the benefits calculation. The benefits of the CPP program cover the following aspects:

• Children Monthly Benefit. It is used for children the age of 18-25, for those who are under 18 or attend the university at full-time conditions.
• Monthly Survivors Benefits. This type of CPP benefit is used for common-law partners or eligible spouses; it is used even in case of remarriage.
• Lump-Sum Death Benefit. This benefit is merely used for the contributors estate. In case of the estate or will absence, it is payable to that person who bears responsibility for the survivor or funeral costs.

People who managed to contribute to the CPP have a chance to get the particular benefits monthly. It is about 25% of the persons earnings paid regularly. The terms of the CPP are considered to be beneficial and providing welfare for society. The CPP program is considered to be the guaranteed welfare of Canadian society. People who started to get the pension of CPP are able to work or not without any further contributions to the program. The CPP qualifications take place in case a person made at least one payment or contribution which can be considered as a valid one.

The start of the payment cannot be automatically fulfilled; the terms of the CPP disclose the fact that any person is to apply for it. This program allows people who have no good physical state for working to receive financial support for living. The CPP is aimed not only on the welfare of those people who worked in Canada but is also spread among the Canadians who worked in different countries but made contributions to the CPP. People, who receive a pension from CPP:

• Have the age of 65;
• People of 60-65; in this case, all the earning requirements which are set within the legislation are to be met.

As it was showed by Hick CPP together with the programs for families and workers welfare are considered to be decisive in the modern social development of the country.

Conclusion

Steven Hick focused on the approval of the fact that social welfare can be supported by income security programs. He managed to describe the basic positions of such programs directed at the welfare of children, youth, retired people, and the physically disabled. Thus, it should be noted that almost all people of Canada get their income from CPP. This program is not the unique one. There are a lot of socially assisting programs and associations providing welfare for the Canadian population. The analysis of the income security programs showed our gradual movement to the things being beyond material values bur forming our welfare and financial stability.

References

Hick, Steven. Social welfare in Canada, Understanding Income Security. 2004.

In the mid-19th century, New York and other American cities were full of street children and orphans. In 1853, The Childrens Aid Society began a program known as The Orphan Train Movement (Gajda-Aaszewska, 2018). Orphans, mostly immigrants whose parents died, were grouped, put on trains, and transported until they were placed in foster families. At each station, the farmers could evaluate them and choose free labor. The Orphan Train is a touching story of two protagonists with the age difference of seventy-five years who lost their parents. This difference between them, which could be an obstacle to understanding, becomes insignificant. The Orphan Train is a personal story intertwined with US history, representing a dream of finding a home, family happiness, and a sense of belonging.

It may seem that seventeen-year-old orphan Molly and ninety-year-old wealthy old lady Vivian Daly have nothing in common. However, these two ladies have a similar life experience, which unites them. Friendly relations have no social framework, age restrictions, or other obstacles. Vivians life was full of sufferings and wanderings, but it eventually gave her a beloved husband and wealth. Memories and longing for the Motherland were all that she had (Kline & Almasy, 2013). Vivian let ghosts from the past that haunted her memories replace living people. When she was lonely, her memories helped her feel a sense of belonging. She survived by holding onto the best reminiscence of her parents, her sister, and her love, who made her continue her life journey.

After Molly, an Indian teenage girl with thickly painted eyes and a sad look appeared on the doorstep of Vivian Dalys home, the old ladys life had changed. Mollys job was to help Mrs. Daly disassemble old things in an abandoned upper room (Kline & Almasy, 2013). Along with the dusty, preserved attic, Vivian opened secrets that she was keeping under lock for a long time. Being a child of Irish immigrants, she was orphaned after her parents died during a fire (Kline & Almasy, 2013). She was chosen by a heartless married couple who mercilessly used her as free labor. This marked the beginning of her sufferings and exile that affected her future. Molly had a similar fate since she was also orphaned as a child and lived in foster families. Such life deprived her of confidence, so she tried to hide behind the image of a goth girl. Molly becomes a window into the future for Vivian, while Vivian is a door into the past for Molly.

Socio-economic influence played an important role in the lives of Vivian and Molly. Due to the social and economic issues, children were left neglected, which has changed their destinies. Both girls lost their fathers and had institutionalized mothers; both were sent from family to family and faced cultural and social stereotypes. They were relocated because they were from vulnerable families of immigrants. Two main characters, separated by circumstances and time, shared the same things. From early childhood, they had to adapt to new families and new identities. They learned how to survive and avoid complications by being silent about their past, and had enough courage to make significant changes to their lives. Both girls rarely felt wanted, suffered from detachment and loneliness (Kline & Almasy, 2013). Vivian lived in permanent fear of being abandoned, and even when she found a home, she kept on living in this fear. Similarly, Molly had trouble making friends among her peers, feeling herself a stranger everywhere. Unlike Vivian, Molly did not find an adoptive family; she bounced between foster families during her childhood (Kline & Almasy, 2013). Only when she met Vivian, she finally felt a sense of love, belonging, and connection. Religion had an important impact on the characters lives as well. They had different views on God since Vivian believed while Molly did not, but in the end, religion gave the orphans hope for a better future. Both girls ended up exactly where they were supposed to be. They knew that destiny operated their lives, and their fate was in Gods hands, even when it seemed like everything was going wrong.

Vivians and Mollys stories are closely intertwined with the period of the history of the United States. For a long time, the Orphan Train Movement was considered a successful charity project, a symbol of liberation and personal involvement in business activities for the poorest segments of society (Engel et al., 2018). However, in her novel The Orphan Train, Christina Baker Kline showed the unsightly side of this movement. For many participants, it turned out to be another form of slavery (Devine, 2018). Instead of love, many children faced cold calculation, self-interest, exploitation, abuse, and neglect. Orphans were displayed for sale in the slave market, so that foster families could take children for a trial period and then return them (Engel et al., 2018). The adopted children turned out to be officially registered personal slaves who worked on the farms.

The treatment of orphans has significantly changed over the past one hundred years. Until the middle of the 20^th century, most American orphans were under the care of the state and lived in orphanages (Trejos-Castillo & Trevino-Schafer, 2018). However, such a system of educational institutions was considered ineffective. Of course, children are still left without parents, may become orphans, or be abandoned and end up on the street. However, today, after the authorities confirm the fact that a particular child is left without a family, a special department decides his or her fate. The Department of Children and Family Services finds a foster family in the shortest possible time where the child is taken care of and provided with everything needed (Trejos-Castillo & Trevino-Schafer, 2018). The time of stay in a foster family is determined primarily by the desire of the child. It happens that, due to various circumstances, the family does not suit the child, and then the question of transferring him to another, more suitable family is decided.

Christina Baker Kline has revived the forgotten pages of US history in her book The Orphan Train. Two main characters, Molly and Vivian, despite the age difference, have much in common. Their lives are full of suffering, betrayed dreams, but also unexpected kindness and a sense of belonging. On the one hand, the sad story of wanderings evokes sympathy by touching the subtle strings of the soul. On the other hand, it is a sincere novel, imbued with the warmth of human relations and hope for a better future. The book is full of interesting comparisons, memories, and thoughts that everything happens for a reason.

References

Devine, J. B. (2018). Fostering on the farm: Child placement in the rural Midwest by Megan Birk. Middle West Review, 4(2), 97-99.

Engel, M. H., Phillips, N. K., & Della Cava, F. A. (2018). Forced migration and immigration programs for children: The emergence of a social movement. The International Journal of Childrens Rights, 26(3), 468-488.

Gajda-Aaszewska, M. (2018). Securing homes: Orphan trains as a way of curing ills of the late 19th century America. Kultura Popularna, 58(04), 28-38.

Kline, C. B., & Almasy, J. (2013). Orphan train. William Morrow.

Trejos-Castillo, E., & Trevino-Schafer, N. (Eds.). (2018). Handbook of foster youth. Routledge.