Edudorm Facebook

 

Should Children be Allowed to Have Cellphones?

Introduction

Think of cellphones, they have made communication easy, but should we buy them for our kids? In the contemporary world, many kids are walking around with cell phones. The reason for possession is convenience, safety, bonding through text, affordability, and responsibility. For this reason, some parents opt to buy their kids at a tender age, while others decide not to.  Although phones have many advantages in some settings, they might not be essential to use with children in their teen ages. Primarily, cellphones and tablets on children have been helpful in gaming and studying. However, there has been a shift in the scope as the same phones distract kids, link them to behave, and unhealthy internet content. Lately, there has been a lot of debate on whether cellphones are suitable for kids or not, with supporters and opposition giving their reasons for and against, respectively. Based on the negative effects of giving a kid cellphone, it is essential to hold off the practice, especially when the children are at their tween ages.

Cell phones can be a distraction to kids. The conscience in children is easily moved by minimal events or things that happen within their environments. There are cases of increased cases of accidents associated with children. As stated earlier, there is a lot of debate on the appropriate age for kids to have phones. According to Iannelli, parents need to hold off giving their children phones at their tween years (Hess; www.cnbc.com/2019/01/18/). Generally, phones are known to be distractors among children. They cause an enormous distraction for kids crossing the streets on foot, resulting in accidents and injuries. Additionally, phones are known to distract school work, making students fail in class. A variety of schools are opting to ban phones in schools as they have been a major cause of distraction for students in school. This is following various research that revealed that students without phones performed better than those without phones. In order to minimize distractions, decrease accidents and injuries and increase academic performance among tween kids, it is essential to ban the use of cell phones.

Children with cell phones can be linked to behavior problems. The cellphone is not selective of age; everyone can access information of all types. It has been reported that children get into trouble by sending, posting, or even sometimes receiving inappropriate photos (Divan et al. 525; Iannelli www.verywellfamily.com/kids-and-cell-phones). This content is known to affect children's well-being; additionally, kids and tweens sometimes make prank calls, or their friends at school use these phones to make inappropriate calls. Commonly, exposure to phones at early ages is associated with ruined behavior; out of curiosity, they even extend their parents' trouble.

The internet has a lot more bad than good, especially for a child's young mind. Access to the internet is not restricted to the viewer's age, so long as an individual has the gadget that can access it. This platform makes all content available regardless of the viewer who is searching. Also, many digital advertisements popping on the internet attract the attention of young minds, affecting them significantly. Various scholars have debated against the possession of phones, especially smartphones. Heather Wilhelm describes it clearly that kids should not have a smartphone, nor should they neither have internet in their pockets (Wilhelm; www.nationalreview.com/2019/12/parents-your-kid-should-not-have-a-smartphone). The reason against access to explicit, violent, and degrading social content in the palm of their hands at all times. More point of concern is on the girls; Wilhelm presents a girl, eleven years old, and exposed to sexual predators via Instagram. Conversely, parents claim to have control over their children's phones, but they are clever and much far ahead of their parents when it comes to technology. The issue of phones with children is therefore out of hand and tough to address; therefore, the only sure way is to ensure that kids at tween ages do not possess a phone. Based on Iannelli, phones have negative effects on children, the fact that it gives them an opportunity communicate with the outside world, without supervision exposes the kids to risks. The worse of all is when the kids encounter sex offenders over social media getting groomed, negatively impacting tweens' minds with sexual content. With all the above evidence, there is enough reason to oppose anyone who targets buying cell phones for their kids.

Conclusion

In general, it is always tough to determine whether the kid is ready for a cell phone or not. The reason for concern is to ensure that the kid can manage the phone and evade all the adverse effects associated with it. Parents need to be sure before giving out a cellphone to kids, they can handle the responsibility and that key limits are put in place. If the parent is not sure of these aspects, it is important to hold off giving the phone. Definitely, it would not be a good thing if the parent becomes the blame for their kids, accidents, failure in schools, and ruined behavior.

 


 

Works Cited

Divan, Hozefa A., et al. "Cell phone use and behavioural problems in young children." J Epidemiol Community Health 66.6 (2012): 524-529.

Hess, A. (2019). Research continually shows how distracting cell phones are—so some schools want to ban them, www.cnbc.com/2019/01/18/research-shows-that-cell-phones-distract-students--so-france-banned-them-in-school--.html

Vincent Iannelli, MD. “Is Your Child Ready to Have a Cell Phone of Their Own?” Verywell Family, 14 Dec. 2020, www.verywellfamily.com/kids-and-cell-phones-2633996#:~:text=While%20security%2C%20safety%2C%20and%20convenience,isn't%20really%20a%20positive).

Wilhelm, Heather. “Your Kid Should Not Have a Smartphone.” National Review, National Review, 18 Dec. 2019, www.nationalreview.com/2019/12/parents-your-kid-should-not-have-a-smartphone/.

 

936 Words  3 Pages

  Impact of celebrity scandals

Society has grown accustomed to viewing celebrities as role models. The advancement in technology has increased the ease in which people can access different celebrities and this has led to the need for such individuals to lead ethical lives that live up to the moral codes set up by society. Other members of the community rely on the reputation that celebrities build throughout their professional and personal lives to assess their character and determine whether they are ideal role models. A celebrity’s image, therefore, hinges on their ability to live per the ethical standards or risk losing the reputation and benefits that are associated with their celebrity status. Despite this, however, there are occurrences where celebrities are involved in scandals that not only threaten their reputation but could also destroy their careers. Take the case of Ellen DeGeneres as an example. Despite building the reputation of being a friendly, generous, and respectable talk show host, reports that employees were forced to work in a toxic working environment have negatively affected the friendly image that her viewers associated with the show.

In 2020, accusations were made against Ellen DeGeneres show with claims that employees were forced to work in toxic conditions that made it difficult for them to perform their duties (Parker 1). Ellen was also accused of engaging in unethical misconduct like bullying and underpayment. Although the allegations made involved employees working for Ellen, the consequences of the scandal extended to the viewers and stakeholders invested in the talk show. Ellen faced a lot of scrutiny for the allegations made especially because people had tied her image and reputation to the show. Although activities from different departments contributed to the claims that employees were forced to work in a toxic environment, Ellen is a celebrity and the audience expected the show to maintain the same ethical standards upheld by Ellen (Parker 1). Her presence in society’s limelight made her the show’s moral compass and any reputation, whether positive or negative, was attributed to Ellen.

The scandal brought to light issues related to sexual misconduct, racism, and exploitation of employees in the workplace. As a celebrity, it was Ellen’s responsibility to ensure that her employees worked in an ideal environment free from any form of discrimination (Whitla & Zhou 3). Her position in society required her to uphold the morals and ethics that governed the community and society in general. The revelation that employees were mistreated and not fairly compensated for their work revealed that Ellen was not as committed to the well-being of her employees as she made it seem on her shows. The reports of a toxic working environment led people to question Ellen’s moral values as she was associated with the mistreatment claims made by the employees.

It also raised the issue of how people use unethical means to rise to fame and continue to maintain a false public image. While the toxic environment was a result of working in the show and not directly for Ellen, she was the only figure associated with the show and people attributed the mistreatment to her negligence (Chang 2). Also, the issue of racism was revealed by the scandal through claims made concerning racial discrimination and sexual harassment. An internal investigation was launched and this led to the ousting of Ed Galvin, Jonathan Norman, and Kevin Leman (Parker 1). Although some misconduct was perpetrated by other employees, the blame was shifted to Ellen as she was the image that people associated with the show.

Before the scandal, Ellen was regarded as a symbol of triumph in the fight for equality in the workplace. She was considered one of the successful businesswomen, a role model, and an effective leader. Her show had captured the hearts of its viewers through her easygoing nature (Newman 1). After the scandal, however, people started to question her work ethics with some even attributing her success to the exploitation of employees. Her tendency to give gifts and other benefits to her viewers and those attending her show made the exploitation of employees appear even worse as people had grown accustomed to her generosity when giving.

After the scandal, Ellen still represents successful women in business and is still seen, by some, as a role model. This is greatly attributed to the fact that the toxic working environment and mistreatment of employees involved others in the top management and the show in general. Although some of the misconduct was directly attributed to how Ellen treated her employees, her position as a celebrity made it easier for people to take a lenient view on the issue (Newman 1). Despite this, however, the scandal created a different image where Ellen is associated with other celebrities whose rise to fame involved exploiting other employees. Issues relating to racism for example have been common among influential celebrities. The scandal tainted Ellen’s reputation as some of her viewers still blame her for the toxic work environment that employees had to work in to make the show possible.

The scandal disrupted the ideology that women make better leaders than men and are more likely to create a better working environment. Over the years, women have fought to establish equality in the workplace. This led to the development of the ideology that women are more likely to create better working environments as they understand the challenges of working in a male-dominated industry. Concerning Ellen, a significant number of her shows focused on vices in society such as racism and discrimination in the workplace (Parker 1). People looked up to her as an example of the ideal leaders and successful women in her field. After the scandal, however, a significant number of viewers started to regard Ellen as one of the exploitative women in business that maintain a positive public image but are part of the reason why equality in the workplace is hard to achieve.

The scandal stood out for me because it revealed the impact that celebrities have on the values and perceptions that people hold in society. The platform that Ellen served required her to uphold good morals not only in her show but also outside the limelight. The affection and respect that people had for Ellen were not just as a result of the success she made as a public figure and career woman but also through the values she upheld. It also revealed the high standards that celebrities have to uphold to maintain their social status. Despite various attempts to convince the audience that the issues resulting in the toxic working environment had been resolved, the show failed to do well after the scandal (Parker 1). The show’s ratings dropped significantly and viewers had a hard time disassociating Ellen’s success to the issues raised by the scandal.

Celebrities play an important role in society as they serve as a point of reference for the general public. Their position in society makes it easier to address issues that exist in society as well as serving as examples. Despite this, however, attaching an ideology to a celebrity runs the risk that any success made can be undone if the celebrity goes against the ideals the ideology sought to uphold. It is therefore important to differentiate ideologies from their advocates to ensure that any progress made can be sustained regardless of any scandals that the celebrity may be involved in.

 

 

 

 

 

References

Chang, Joseph, “The impacts of moral character in celebrity endorsement” Journal of       Hotel and Business Management, 2017, retrieved from,   https://www.longdom.org/open-access/the-impacts-of-moral-character-in-        celebrity-endorsement-2169-0286-1000163.pdf

Newman, Caroline “Q&A: How celebrity activists are changing morality in America”      UVA Today, 2019, retrieved from, https://news.virginia.edu/content/qa-how-     celebrity-activists-are-changing-morality-america

Parker, Joy. “The year that was: The biggest celebrity scandals and upsets of 2020”           Grazia, retrieevd from, https://graziamagazine.com/us/articles/celebrity-         scandals-upsets-2020/

Whitla, Paul and Zhou, Lianxi, “How negative celebrity publicity influences         consumer attitudes: The mediating role of moral reputation” Journal of          Business Research, 2011, DOI:10.1016/j.jbusres.2011.12.025

 

 

 

1324 Words  4 Pages

Child observation project post

 A four year old girl was closely observed. At a tender age of 4, the toddler as active and talkative. During the afternoon hours she was calm and collected and she was not engaging hence in the afternoon it was the best time to create a conducive environment for her to sleep. COVID-19 restrictions and regulations do not allow socialization. Thus, the mother has the sole responsibility of taking care of her daughter. More so, due to the long curfew hours, the baby is allowed to play with house items such as rags and contains. Typically of a toddler, the girl realizes that she is an individual separate from the rest of her family members. Therefore, this desire to discover herself makes her to communicate her wants and needs. At the same time she is developing speaking skills to express these wants and needs to the people close to her.

Child Obesity Post and determining ADHD in children post

 A busy lifestyle and the increasing use of computer technology are some of the primary causes of a sedentary lifestyle. Sedentary lifestyle is one of the risk factors responsible for causing obesity among children. For instance, busy people do not have the time to fit a healthy meal into their schedule. Video games and the advent arrival social media has left no room for exercising and eating healthy. The most affected population group are children. Children have exchanged actual playing fields with video games and cheap junk food. Unlike the past where the children could only have one soda, in the contemporary society, a children can drink more than on soda each day. Based on confirmed statistics, 15% of children are overweight but this figure jumps to 30% when overweight children are considered among the poor. This is because poor people cannot access fresh healthy food on a daily basis. Also watching too much television is linked to the consumption of a poor diet because the television advertises junk food. Child obesity is measured by body mass index, BMI. BMI combines a child’ weight relative to height and age. BMI picks in 6 grade.

On the other hand, obesity-related illnesses such as heart disease and stroke are some of the underlying causes of untimely death. Data retrieved from behavioral risk assessment facilities unveil the relationship between smoking and childhood obesity. For instance, data shows that women who habitually smoked while pregnant were more likely to conceive babies who would easily become obese. Experts claim that smoking was associated with a sedentary lifestyle such as watching television

 Before coming up with conclusion, a parent has to carry out a behavioral analysis, formulate a time frame or period where the child exhibits these symptoms and then visit a pediatrician. Normally children have a short concentration span, however children with ADHD cannot listen and is constantly and most of the time misplace items (Howcast, 2010). These children often make mistakes and cannot retain concentration. Secondly, their energy levels are immensely higher than that of a normal child. For example, the children always fidget, interrupt conversations constantly. Thirdly, the time frame of the behavior is considered before ADHD is diagnosed. If these characteristics have been going on for more than a month, then the chances that the child is suffering from ADHD is high. Fourthly, the parent should take note of the surrounding where the mannerisms take place. If take place in school or at home, it is another condition. Fifth, gauging the seriousness of the matter because ADHD inhibits the relationship between children and other. Lastly visiting a pediatrician will help to rule out other conditions.

 

 

References

Howcast. (2010). How to recognize ADHD in children https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GIx-JYdLZs

Picdotv. (2009). Childhood obesity in America: The causes (Part 1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24oVaeHeBAk

 

631 Words  2 Pages

Child Observation Projects

Introduction

  The act of observing a child in a domestic situation seems to be moderately straightforward. In this exercise, more than five observations were made. The child's parents were informed of the observation project and they willingly complied with every detail made available. The child chosen for this project is a 4-year-old girl (my nephew). She is the only girl in a family of four siblings. The girl spends most of the time with her mother, who works from home due to the covid-19 pandemic. The current covid-19 situation did not impact the child's wellbeing because she behaves normally. Her father is a medic who caters to the needs of the covid-19 patients hence they rarely meet with the child. The child is energetic, friendly, and talkative. Most of the time, she gets along with strangers and her peers love her. Before the covid-19 pandemic struck, the child had already attended six months of nursery school. As stated earlier, the child adjusted to the home setting, and many hours at home did not impact her mood and joyous playfulness. However, her mother turned her room into a playing ground where the child could indulge in co-curricular activities. This particular child was chosen because of her age group and the easy-going attitude that she has towards other people. Thus, it is easier to make observations and come to a conclusive discussion if the child used for each discussion is active. Also, the child is accessible and within reach.

General Impression

 During the morning hours, the child is active and talkative. She wakes up and engages her mother in screaming and running sessions. She tends to disobey everything her mother tells her to do. For instance, she wants to play instead of taking breakfast. Her mother had to forcefully feed her breakfast. It is fascinating to observe how she engages her mother and even runs away whenever her mother approaches her. At the very start, the child tends to try out everything in the morning hours and this explains the underlying reason behind her uncooperativeness.  One of the underlying reasons which makes a child exhibit stubborn behavior is the need for independence. A child is a human being, and even though some of her traits are not fully developed, the need to explore the world comes first. Exploration is synonymous with finding meaning and ensuring that there is certainty around her surroundings. Each morning the child would wake up to a new beginning and a zeal for life. Children normally do not know how to express themselves fully hence the need to show adults that they are capable of doing everything on their own (Santrock, 2015). Also, the child exhibited normal toddler behavior such as throwing tantrums, kicking her mother, and other aggressive behaviors which can be associated with toddler mannerisms. Such aggressive behavior might be a way of indicating the child would like to have her away with whatever she is doing. In the long run, aggressive behavior normally ensures that the child has her way or found an alternative way. Most of the time, aggression is said to be normal among most toddlers. In this particular toddler, aggression was a way of expressing her thoughts and wants. Whenever the baby became aggressive, her mother ensured that she gave her daughter a reason to settle down and engage in another activity. For example, the child was not supposed to enter the kitchen area while her mother was cooking because of the fire.

  In the afternoon, the child seats at the art and craft section. She takes black crayons and utters some words before proceeding to draw some images on blank paper. She then picks up an orange crayon and puts it back in the crayon box. After some time, her mother assists her in coloring and drawing. After time elapses, she looks at her drawing paper and then draws two small circles on her face. The child seems interested in arranging everything around her and she ends up putting the crayons back into the box and cleaning the table on which she was working. This was due to the lack of concentration in one activity. Whenever the child lost interest in one activity, she immediately switched to the next one. Sometimes, her mother had to ensure that her daughter remained seated until the entire exercise was done or halfway done. The concentration of the child was fickle. One minute she was coloring a drawing and in the next, she was running around the house. Sometimes her routine was depended on her sleeping patterns. It is vital to note that the child could not retain one activity for more than one minute. She jumped up and down whenever her mother was feeding her and sometimes walked away from her mother and played with her doll.

Specific Behavior

Description of the Behavior

Whenever the child did not get her way, she became temperamental. Temperament is a manner in which the child reacted to the people around him. The child was temperamental whenever she did not have her way. Temperament was away the child handled her emotions and related behavior. For the sake of coming up with more ways of engaging the child, the parent had to come up with more than to engage the child's interests (Santrock, 2015). For instance, the child was allowed to run in and out of the house. All the rooms were accessible for her amusement. Also, her parents did not encourage her to interact with technology thus, most of the time, her actions revolved around eating, sleeping, going to the toilet, laughing, and even crying. A home setting is designated to contain the child from the outside world due to the pandemic. Some of her emotions went high whenever she felt like sleeping and other people around her could not tell exactly the things she wanted. She could then cry and later fell asleep. It is vital to note that her mother taught her how to go to the toilet and also wash her hands due to the impending covid-19 pandemic. As a child gets used to a certain pattern she is most likely to come to terms with her social life and settle in. for instance, the child knew lunchtime from breakfast and ensured that all her needs were met with little to no supervision.

Concept Illustrated In Class

 From the observation one of the concepts that stands out is socioemotional development in the toddler’s life.  This is because she knew her way around the house, her actions were predictable most of the time and she later learned to tailor her behavior based on observations. Besides, at four years old, the child's cognitive brain is still rapidly developing (Santrock, 2015). Therefore, a child’s experiences will dictate how she manages her emotions. For instance, whenever her mother denied her a chance to eat dirt she would cry her heart out and then walk away if she is not given an alternative thing to engage in. Also, the child develops close relations with her siblings even though she rarely interacts with them due to social distancing enforced in the home.

 Due to the limited space, the child tried to come up with ways of learning about her immediate surrounding. Her social and emotional progression was impacted by biological and initial experiences. Coupled with genetics and other childhood experiences which influenced her perception of the home setting and experiences. I simpler terms, the child's experiences shaped the way she adapted to the home setting.

 In most cases, toddlers rely on their parents or guardians for their social and emotional development. Due to the controlled and restricted home setting, the child had to develop a strong relationship with her family members. For instance, she allowed her siblings to feed her and then engage them in playing fights (Leckey et al., 2020). The fact that the toddler became more social and interacted with more people, is an indication that she was leaning to develop her skills based on her current needs. For example with no other toddlers around and with the limited movement, she had to make do with whatever she got. As a child grow up, her perception tends to change because of her experiences. It is in this developmental stage that the child gets to form a personality and shape the reality around her.

Underlying Reasons for the Toddler Behavior

 Socioemotional development emerges from the home setting context which facilitated the observations. For instance, as stated earlier, the toddler made the most use of her morning. In the morning, she was active and tried to do as much as possible. She could even try to take breakfast while playing with her toys. Her mother had to force her to calm down and focus on eating first before she could engage in other activities such as playing cards and drawing. This is an indication of experiences and cognitive development brought about by socioemotional developments changes (Shrestha et al., 2020). Whenever socioemotional development is explained, it is easier, to think that it relates to reading and singing alphabetical songs in a certain order. However, in this particular context, the child's social experiences shaped how she did her things. Also, the child was no bound by official rules and regulations hence her emotions and interactions never involved official exercises such as drawing painting, and coloring certain surfaces. Even though these official activities were never ruled out, the child engaged in activities such as washing the house, singing to toddler songs on YouTube bay channels, and other things. In the meantime, one can make use of other nonverbal cues such as jumping up and down to draw out a conclusion from the on-looking adults. Toddlers tend to come up with creative ways of engaging with adults and it up to the adults to be able to keenly and accurately interpret the toddler language.

The Reason the Behavior Demonstrated the Concept

  The toddler was jumpy and active. At times, she was temperamental and this was underpinned by her socioemotional development.  More so, an active child uses her behavior to respond to the people around her. Therefore, this is an indication of the combination of social and emotional development. Also, the child is trying to get used to the home setting which she tried to make use of and understanding. It is vital to note that her world revolved around the home setting, she did not get a chance to interact with the outside world due to the pandemic (Decker, 2020). Also, the child came up with creative ways of keeping her stay-at-home lively. For example, she was allowed to play with baskets, clothes, and other objects that other people would not term as toys and enjoyable. All these activities are connected to the child's wellbeing can be said to have been derived from her experiences. Her playfulness and active nature are tied to exercises she did in the past and the closeness she experienced with her close siblings and parents. In simpler terms, the child's behavior stems from her experiences with her parents and siblings. Her actions are oriented towards her immediate social context.

 In summary, the toddler is a happy child who wakes up and immediately finds something to at the moment. Socioemotional development is developed from her parent's interaction with the child in the past and the general interactions helped to shape the child's moment and observations. It is interesting to communicate with the child while at the same time retain her concentration because she is used to engaging in more than one action. Aided by her mother the child relied on her parents and sibling for emotional support and even entertainment. This helped to shape her mood and also defined her outward behavior. Due to the covid-19 pandemic, most of the observations took place within the house.

 

 

References

Decker, C. A. (2020). Child development: Early stages through age 12. Goodheart-Willcox Company, Incorporated.

Leckey, S., Selmeczy, D., Kazemi, A., Johnson, E. G., Hembacher, E., & Ghetti, S. (2020). Response latencies and eye gaze provide insight into how toddlers gather evidence under uncertainty. Nature Human Behaviour, 4(9), 928-936.

Santrock, J. (2015). Essentials of life-span development. McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Shrestha, M., Schwinger, C., Hysing, M., Chandyo, R. K., Ulak, M., Ranjitkar, S., ... & Strand, T. A. (2020). Agreement Between Mothers and Fieldworkers While Assessing Child Development Using Ages and Stages Questionnaires, in Nepal. Frontiers in Psychology, 11.

2075 Words  7 Pages

 

What are the perceptions of food among adult African Americans in the primary care setting?

Abstract

 

The information concerning food perception in Africa- American individual lacks good views for a long time. The lack of knowledge is due to the issue not been exploited as it caused feeling development for the party involved. The study examines the views on food perception concerning health care and individual wellbeing about food without provoking them. The study offers satisfactory data as it affects the different perceptions of individuals in the U.S concerning the food they are having, thus providing different views for ab= better understanding of varying food perception. This will be obtained from other peoples; therefore, it will help develop recommendations for distributing a healthy diet regarding individual taste and food perception preference. The study involved qualitative and quantitative analysis, where the data was collected through questionnaires distributed throughout the field randomly. The data collected was recorded on a spreadsheet and later analysed using SPSS for easy presentation of the data through graphs for easy understanding of the data to enable easy drawing of the conclusion. From the research analysis of the collected data, it was discovered that the assessment framework had a p-value of approximately 0.01, indicating a massive counterpoint between racial variation and food perception. This helps to draw the understanding that the concept of food perception is different to different individuals. This led to the conclusion that to reduce food perception differences; we need to embrace useful food perception due to the wide range of food perception differences in African American people. To minimize the risks that may emerge from the difference in food perception, the recommendation that it is crucial to develop a healthy diet for African Americans was made.

Chapter I:

 

Introduction

The perception of food habits among adult African Americans constitutes a significant theoretical and practical interest. On the one hand, it indicates the mutual and interdependent impact of various factors on the target members' dominant food habits. On the other hand, it informs the main direction of interventions that should be implemented to promote the responsible and healthy lifestyle among African Americans. The most important aspect is that it will allow implementing culturally competent measures for reaching the maximum possible outcomes in the future. The project relies on Larrabee’s (2009) model of evidence-based practice change. It includes several consecutive steps that may be effectively integrated with one another. The proper utilization of the selected model will lead to clinically significant outcomes with the maximum possible benefits for the target population.

Statement of the Problem

There is extensive evidence indicating the sub-optimal health practices and habits demonstrated by African Americans. It leads to several health problems including obesity, various diseases, and complications. Moreover, many African Americans are very critical towards the mainstream culture and values advocated by its proponents. Therefore, it is necessary to specify their underlying beliefs and priorities. In this way, culturally competent interventions may be developed. In any case, it is highly important to develop culturally competent interventions that are consistent with the expectations of the target population. The present report elaborates on the optimal practices that may be used for specifying food perception among adult African Americans. The relevant recommendations and methods will be specified.

Background

Many studies have elaborated on the possible reasons that prevent African Americans from making healthier food choices. In addition to the lack of awareness among some individuals, such factors as cost considerations, the lack of discipline and time, and low motivation are often mentioned as being relevant in this context (Johnson and Nies, 2005). It is also necessary to consider the objective restraints that exist in any practical intervention as accessibility to healthier food options may be limited. The researcher cannot remove all socioeconomic inequities and should focus on those spheres where their contribution can lead to significantly positive outcomes. It is crucial to formulate such hypotheses and intervention plans with minimal societal changes to achieve positive outcomes.

Moreover, there are various analytical and assessment tools used to evaluate current levels of knowledge among research participants. For instance, Papkonstantinou et al. (2002) suggest that the Perception Analyzer is highly effective for specifying those spheres where the population’s nutrition knowledge is insufficient. It serves as an additional indicator of the main interventions which may allow evaluating all changes in the population’s nutrition knowledge over time while preventing many unsupported decisions. Food perception mostly refers to the trigger that motivates a person to make certain food choices that have positive longterm health implications. Although the existing studies and research have outlined some helpful issues, it is important to elaborate on the problem with the application of the relevant evidence-based practice model.

Significance

The significance of the project is critical for both African Americans and the entire society. The widespread food habits that lead to unhealthy diets and further health complications constitute a serious issue. In particular, the spreading of such diseases as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and even some cancers indicate the direct impact of nutrition patterns on the population’s health standards. Moreover, the higher awareness and responsibility that may be promoted by various campaigns can encourage a large fraction of target members to adjust their nutrition preferences and behavior. In the event the project is successfully implemented, it will also be positive for other ethnic and racial groups as the framework may also be adjusted to their needs and health concerns.

Project Objectives

Several project objectives should be met.

1) It is necessary to identify the current scope and structure of the problem related to African Americans' food habits. It is evident that the African American population is not homogenous, and some differences among them exist.

2) It is critical to specify the underlying cultural factors that affect African Americans' ultimate choices and behavior patterns. In this way, the ultimate interventions may become more culturally sensitive.

3) It is necessary to collect preliminary information on nutrition patterns adhered to by African Americans. Any successful intervention presupposes a close analysis of the target population. It cannot be exclusively based on secondary data as African Americans’ food habits are subject to change. Therefore, the independent data collection procedure through questionnaires or interviews should be organized.

4) It is crucial to develop specific intervention measures to encourage African Americans' target population to adjust their food habits in the desired direction. It should be achieved by impacting those spheres and aspects that are identified at earlier stages.

5) The objective evaluation of the obtained outcomes should be provided according to the actual changes in food consumption and related behavior among African Americans. On this basis, it is possible to formulate specific recommendations about the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of the interventions made.

Research Question

The formulated research question is as follows.

What are the perceptions of food among adult African Americans in the primary care setting?

Evidence-Based Practice Model

To address the above research question and objectives, the applicable evidence-based model should be used. The selected one is that developed by Larrabee (2009). It includes six interrelated steps that may be repeated several times for reaching the desired outcomes and achieving the goal. The first one refers to assessing the need for change in practice (Larrabee, 2009). It implies collecting the data and identifying the problem. In the current case, the problem of severe health issues in African Americans caused by improper food habits is evident. The secondary data confirm the problem's presence and the urgent need for taking measures to affect the situation.

The second step refers to locating the best evidence in this field. It presupposes conducting research and generating reliable evidence that may be used at later stages.  The best evidence cannot be obtained without the primary collection procedures that should be appropriately designed and consistently implemented. Only when the questionnaire or interviews are appropriately conducted the enough reliable information can be collected.

The third step refers to critically analyzing the obtained evidence (Larrabee, 2009). It means that the obtained data should be systematized and later used for formulating the general direction of practical interventions. Feasibility, benefits, and risks should also be assessed at this stage. Although it is impossible to predict the outcome with absolute certainty, the preliminary evaluation should reduce the general level of risks to the minimum level. Moreover, it should allow making the well-supported assumption about the possibility of affecting African Americans' behavior in the desired manner that will improve their health standards.

The fourth step is designing practice change (Larrabee, 2009). It implies shifting from the general theoretical analysis to concrete, practical measures to design the implementation plan. One of the essential aspects is attracting the required resources for implementing all interventions within the available time frame. For example, if the questionnaire is used, it is necessary to find reliable personnel able to meet the target members and collect primary data from them. Besides, some financial and organizational resources may be needed for performing the proper data analysis. Only when all aspects of the problem are appropriately analyzed can the implementation plan be used for ultimate interventions.

The fifth step is implementing and evaluating the change in practice. All actions made should be consistent with the above implementation plan (Larrabee, 2009). The health needs and cultural preferences of African Americans should be addressed. The outcomes and costs should be evaluated. It is necessary to specify whether the actual food consumption changes among African Americans are considerable and statistically significant. Their comparison to the costs incurred will inform on expanding the project to the target population and recommending such practices at a higher level. It will create the basis for objectively evaluating all evidence and concluding on the project's success.

The sixth step is integrating and maintaining the change in practice (Larrabee, 2009). The recommended change should be communicated to stakeholders. However, close monitoring of the ultimate outcomes is still necessary. It implies the regular reassessment of actual outcomes as they may be subject to change over time. Thus, the regular health reassessment of African Americans' target group should be provided to identify the positive or negative secondary outcomes. In this way, a complete understanding of the situation may be obtained. Ultimately, the whole cycle may be repeated several times until the problem is entirely resolved.

The provided presentation of the evidence-based practice model confirms its applicability to the analyzed topic of food perception among African Americans and the possibility of affecting it in the desired manner. In particular, the preliminary evaluation of secondary sources has enabled clarifying the problem's essence and scope. Moreover, there are the required resources to implement other relevant steps and reach the ultimate outcomes of finding reliable methods for making food consumption by African Americans more responsible and consistent with their long-term health needs.

Philosophical Assumptions

The developed project includes some broader philosophical assumptions that contribute to the general idea of addressing the topic and maximizing the likelihood of favorable health outcomes for the target population.

The first assumption is the holistic view of the interdependence of all aspects of a person’s lifestyle (Reed, 2017). It presupposes that there is a cause-and-effect relationship between food habits and disease occurrence. It is a necessary assumption because if such cause and effect relations do not exist, no practical interventions can lead to statistically meaningful outcomes for the target population. Moreover, it is realistic and adequately reflects the existing literature on the topic. Thus, it may be used in the subsequent stages of elaborating on the topic.

The second assumption is that it is possible to identify the population’s needs and gaps in knowledge through direct or indirect interactions (Nash & Ward, 2017). The project's successful implementation presupposes that it is possible to specify the needs and concerns of concrete people and make the relevant interventions. It means that when responding to questions, people will orient to their preferences and underlying cultural beliefs that are central for making culturally sensitive recommendations. This philosophical assumption allows determining the specific focus on a concrete group of people's needs and concerns. This assumption is also realistic, and it informs on the most appropriate data collection method to be used.

The third assumption is that the changes in people’s awareness, beliefs, and values will lead to proportional behavioral adjustments. It is assumed that in selecting the optimal mode of behavior, people consult their beliefs and values and find the option that adequately corresponds to their short- and long-term needs. Therefore, the optimal strategy is influencing the central values that affect the food consumption of African Americans. On the one hand, it presupposes providing additional information on the health risks associated with current food consumption patterns supported by many African Americans. On the other hand, it refers to addressing those cultural misconceptions about some products or lifestyles that may be culturally biased. Some modes of behavior are rejected not because they are unattainable but because African Americans assume that they represent another culture. Thus, this assumption allows effectively communicating with the target audience about values, beliefs, and behavior changes.

The fourth assumption is that applying a reliable, evidence-based model is optimal for the analyzed problem (Hupp, 2017). As the investigated issue refers to food intake and conscious choices made by individuals, it is assumed that evidence-based practice models that coherently integrate various steps are the most suitable for such problems. The reason is that they include various steps that demonstrate the collection and applicability of empirical data. If the primary data are correctly collected and adequately evaluated, the conclusions made on this basis will also be reliable. Therefore, this assumption suggests that in those aspects where the ultimate interventions cannot be determined theoretically, evidence-based practice models can determine the optimal course of actions. This assumption allows extending the application of knowledge to those spheres where additional empirical support is needed.

Thus, the above philosophical assumptions are enough for examining the research problem and are complementary about one another. They allow determining the optimal methods to be used and priorities to be established. Although they do not guarantee the positive outcomes of the entire project (as some uncertainty always exists), they enable performing the overall research process most consistently and effectively. Both theoretical models and empirical findings will be correctly integrated to promote reaching the formulated research question.

 

 

Chapter II: Review of Literature

Introduction

This chapter reviews the literature on the best practices for identifying perceptions regarding food habits among the adult African American in the primary care setting because it constitutes the basis for the subsequent analysis. The databases used for finding the appropriate sources were licensed by the vendor, EBSCO, through Regis College library namely, CINAHL, Medline, and PsycInfo, which have reliable and relevant articles that meet the selected criteria. Journal articles, which are peer-reviewed constitute the main interest. The search words used included “health perception African Americans” and “nutrition knowledge African Americans.” The journal dates selected for the project are from 2004 to the present, with the most recent sources receiving priority. The search was conducted in Fall 2018. They are reviewing the literature assists in identifying areas for improvement in the perception of nutrition.

Empirical Literature

The sources analyzed have indicated that African Americans' food habits depend on numerous external and internal factors. African Americans appear not to make nutritional decisions arbitrarily but do consider the corresponding cultural implications. In particular, the interactions between the mainstream and their local cultures. They may believe that the mainstream culture tries to impose its views on African Americans, neglecting their specific needs. For this reason, some products and lifestyle patterns are explicitly rejected by African Americans; as a result, their adopted behavior may harm their health conditions in the long term. For a similar reason, they remain highly conservative in their lifestyle and food consumption priorities. Correspondingly, it is necessary to develop a culturally competent approach to demonstrate that they should mostly orient to their health rather than the dominant social stereotypes in this field. In most cases, the required products should be effectively integrated into the desired menu.

The authors have also confirmed the reasonability of relying on evidence-based practice for making well-supported conclusions on the optimal interventions to be made. It is necessary to identify the current structure of preferences and optimal information or patterns to be provided to the target members to encourage their behavior transformation. The optimal combination of relevant theories and empirical data is ideal under the existing conditions. As it is possible to collect the required amount of data within the minimum time frame, well-supported implications can be made. The empirical significance of models should be verified.

Overall, the empirical literature has indicated the possibility of selecting the appropriate sample for testing various hypotheses. The researchers have used various samples of African Americans to determine the factors impacting their food choices. Besides, the ability of various models for both identifying and adjusting their behavior has been assessed. Both quantitative and qualitative research has been initiated. Moreover, all findings are compatible with one another. The key findings refer to the possibility of adequately affecting food awareness and African Americans' corresponding choices. The long-term health implications of such interventions have been formulated.

According to Johnson, R. L., & Nies, M. A. (2005), it is evident that most African Americans have adopted a unique pattern of food consumption, possibly due to barriers encountered access and cost-effective, healthy food. Currently, there are many health problems associated with their reluctance to orient to a healthier lifestyle. Many potentially beneficial suggestions are rejected due to cultural considerations. However, the authors indicate that recognizing the issue and culturally competent interventions may lead to statistically significant positive health effects for all such sub-groups.

Supporting/Nonempirical Literature

Supporting literature is also highly important for comprehending the broader picture of research and research goals. Such sources focus on the general principles of nursing philosophy and its potential utilization in various contexts. It is stated that all interventions and principles should be adequately integrated, and the primary orientation should be on advocating the most urgent health needs of the target population. Such sources help ensure the consistent utilization of empirical studies about African Americans’ food perceptions. It is necessary to avoid any potential logical contradictions while applying various models and systems.

Supporting literature also allows integrating the obtained findings into the broader system of nursing knowledge. It indicates that any results do not merely apply to the target population under study but have some relevance to other sub-fields. On the one hand, it is possible to utilize the consistent generalization approach to derive the sample's relevant implications to the broader audience. For example, any study works only with a specific sample while the ultimate research interest identifies the main patterns of the broader population. Supporting literature indicates how these generalizations should be made to avoid any unsupported statements or conclusions. Nonempirical literature is significant for utilizing the relevant philosophical ideas and assumptions while making the correct strategic choices regarding the relevant framework.

Theoretical or Conceptual Framework

Several theories are used in the project. They provide general guidance on the optimal methods to achieve the consistent analysis of the problem with the relevant implications for target members. The first theory used for the analysis is Orem’s self-care theory. It offers an innovative approach to care as it stresses the role of patients being self-reliant and responsible in their behavior. The theorist recognizes all individuals as being distinct beings who evaluate all available information and make the choices that appear to be relevant for them from their current knowledge. Nursing presupposes the proper interactions between practitioners and patients. Providing the relevant information and resources to patients is possible to maximize the ultimate health effects. It is necessary to inform patients of future health problems that may emerge due to the prevailing conditions (mostly associated with their lifestyle and behavior). Finally, the relevant socio-cultural context should be utilized for promoting the effective implementation of such plans.

Orem’s theory is highly applicable to the analyzed research problem because any intervention can be effective only if African Americans agree to adjust their behavior according to the suggestions made. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the factors that may promote their responsibility and positive attitudes to potential changes. Wazni and Gifford (2017) demonstrate that Orem’s theory may be successfully applied to the needs of patients with schizophrenia. Identifying the main social barriers and developing the corresponding interventions are possible. Under such conditions, the expected effectiveness of care delivery may increase dramatically. It indicates that personal orientation should be combined with the adequate recognition of social aspects.

It is possible to apply Orem’s theory to specify the factors that prevent African Americans from adopting more responsible food consumption patterns. If the problem refers to their low awareness, then additional information should be provided. It should outline the future health risks associated with over-consumption of some products and offer decent alternatives. Suppose the problem refers to the conscious neglect of the best options available. In that case, persuasive arguments should be made comparing the ultimate health outcomes associated with responsible and irresponsible health practices. Based on target members’ feedback, additional facts and information should be provided. In general, Orem’s theory enables establishing effective communication between patients and practitioners with the primary orientation to adjusting their behavior and conscious choices. The practical implementation of this theory does not even require performing the close monitoring of individuals’ adherence at the later stages.

The second theory applicable to the analyzed situation refers to Newman’s systems one. It elaborates on the unique characteristics of every patient that can be integrated into a comprehensive system. Every individual system develops a line of unique responses to external challenges. In this way, every person tries to maintain his/her health balance. Newman has offered a new concept of wellness, defining it as a continuum of energy that supports the system’s stability. It means that it is critical to ensure the stable flow of energy for maintaining individuals' adequate health conditions. The theory focuses interventions on addressing the early symptoms as they may lead to further complications. Correspondingly, the effective organization of interventions’ priorities may reach higher outcomes in the long term. As psychological and physical health aspects are interrelated, it is necessary to minimize the impact of stressors on people’s lives and behavior. Nurses should demonstrate high competence in normalizing psychological health conditions. It is also essential to regularly reevaluate the dynamics of patients’ health and make minor adjustments consistent with their needs.

Rosa (2016) demonstrates that Newman’s model may be applied to the treatment of chronic illnesses. The researcher indicates that Newman’s belief that health is directly associated with people’s expanded consciousness may be applied to the problem of chronic illness. Seven dimensions-health enable performing the consistent and well-integrated interventions needed to expand consciousness praxis and achieve the positive dynamics of patients’ health about chronic illness. The outlined dimensions should determine the intervention patterns used by healthcare professionals. The empirical data confirm the high effectiveness of Newman’s model in treating chronic diseases. It allows considering both factors specific for each concrete patient and the general environmental influences. The flow of energy optimization is also needed for demonstrating consistent health improvements.

            Newman’s model assigns equal priority to both physical and psychological factors, and it may be applied to affecting the food choices made by African Americans. On the one hand, the existing stressors should be considered about African Americans' food stereotypes and misperceptions. It is necessary to make consistent efforts to achieve substantial improvements in their willingness to consider a wider variety of products for consumption. The new perspectives on perceiving the same products and lifestyle patterns should be offered to them. In this way, a gradual transformation may be achieved.

On the other hand, the physical aspects (i.e., the objective health indicators) should be closely considered to determine the actual effects of various factors on African Americans’ health status. The existing theoretical models and estimates may have only the general representation of the conditions experienced by every patient in the future. Therefore, nurses and healthcare professionals should make individually oriented recommendations based on patients’ feedback and health conditions’ dynamics. Moreover, it is necessary to ensure that psychological and physical aspects are effectively harmonized by constantly reinforcing both psychological and physiological aspects throughout each interaction stage with patients to promote continuous healthy nutrition choices.

Summary

Thus, these two theories may be used as the basis for selecting the optimal methods of interventions. They are also consistent with the philosophical assumptions outlined above. Each model recognizes the holistic human nature that implies the close interactions between various individual elements (including physical and psychological elements). Moreover, they have specific recommendations for generating the expected transformation. The population’s needs and knowledge levels can be effectively identified with the help of such models. Their consistent implementation is not contradictory to one another, and it may lead to the desired effects in the long term. It is also possible to consider applying additional models or frameworks, but when dealing with concrete patients, additional adjustments are needed. The consistent assessment of this population is necessary for determining an optimal program of such interventions.

 

Chapter III: Methodology

Introduction

The present chapter examines the methodological aspects of the study that will be used for evaluating the empirical data regarding the perceptions of food habits among adult African Americans. The elaboration on methodological issues is essential for preventing the potential bias and selecting the methods that will correspond to the formulated research problem. It will also ensure the full statistical significance of findings and their corresponding practical implications.

Project Methods

It is reasonable to combine several project methods for this study. On the one hand, focused groups and questionnaires may be used to collect empirical data from participants. A set of questions can be prepared and distributed among the target members. On the other hand, qualitative methods will be used for verifying the statistical validity and reliability of obtained results as well as the possibility of their meaningful aggregation should be made (Hupp, 2017). The combination of such project methods will allow reaching the intended research outcomes.

Research Design

             The qualitative research design will be applied in the study. It will include focused groups used for primary data collection. It will also indicate the influence of local and mainstream cultures on the actual behavior of African Americans. It will also be applicable to specify the cause-and-effect relationships between food perception and African Americans' actual behavior. A qualitative study method is optimal in this situation as it is flexible in terms of the content of the data gathered. This allows the researcher to adjust to newly collected information, often resulting in data collection styles (Polit & Beck, 2017). The data collection method will be consistent with the study design and the project’s objectives, which reduces potential bias and improper interpretations of participant responses, thereby promoting reliable findings.

To measure the impact of food consumption autonomously within the sample group, structured interviewing will be the primary data collection source. The selected questions will cover all significant aspects of the participants’ decision-making to gain a complete representation of their values and beliefs on food and nutrition. Open-ended and closed-ended questions will be created to fulfill this objective, allowing for a variation in response structure and application to the general population. The latter is needed for comprehending the positions of respondents and justifications they offer in such cases (Connelly, 2016). It is significant for qualitative studies to be globally beneficial at the point of results’ clarification and recommendations’.

According to Ottrey, Jong, & Porter (2018), qualitative methodologies are being recognized in nutrition and food research studies.  Ethnography is regularly applied to assess cultural reference to food and nutritional choices (Cordner, Klein, & Baiocchi, 2012). Using the qualitative approach of ethnography is invaluable when the observed sample group is a specific ethnic group.       

Research Questions

What are the perceptions of food and nutrition among the adult African American in the Primary Care Setting?

Sample

            Recruitment.

The participants' recruitment will be randomly conducted at a primary care setting in Columbia, South Carolina, among those individuals who meet inclusion criteria. The process is voluntary, and members can decline participation at any stage in the process.

Inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Inclusive Criteria:

Males and females from 21 – 65 years old.

African Americans

Exclusion Criteria:

Under and overage

Non-African Americans

People with mental illnesses

Setting

Primary care doctors’ offices are frequently used to conduct studies involving the psychological and socio-economical influences on patient health and preventative treatment outcomes, and behavior modification. Psychosocial improvement of patient compliance can be transformed by incorporating primary care behavioral health (De Paul, and Caver, 2020).

Physician’s office and primary care settings will be used to implement primary data collection (Reed, 2017). The interviews and surveys will be in a primary care setting consisting of only full-time staff with two medical directors, one physician assistant and two nurse practitioners, one registered nurse, one licensed practical nurse, two medical assistants, and three auxiliary staff. Participants will be offered to provide their responses to all questions from the questionnaire.

Informed Consent

Informed consent presupposes obtaining permission before initiating intervention or utilizing participants’ persona information for research objectives. All participants will be informed about the research objectives and methods (Hupp, 2017). The confidentiality of their private data will be guaranteed (the findings will be presented only in the aggregated form). Every individual will be able to suspend his/her participation in the study at any stage. The informed consent procedures ensure that all participants comprehend the research's nature, which also avoids any potential misunderstandings and legal issues. Participants' privacy will be ensured by not revealing any participants’ personal information. A Certificate of Confidentiality was not obtained, but it was not required in that case. Vulnerable groups are excluded from this study, which focuses on the nutrition patterns of adult African Americans. See Appendix A.

Measurement

            Research variables.

The main research variables that will be used in the study are reflected in Table 1 below.

Table 1.         

Description of Research Variables Used

Variable

Conceptual Definition

Operational Definition

 

Level of Measurement

Statistical Analysis

Thought process before serving food.

Values related to serving size expressed.

The questionnaire’s outcome indicated by participant responses

Data analysis from focus group interviews

Colaizzi’s

method

The motivation for food choices

Values related to food selection expressed.

The questionnaire’s outcome indicated by participant responses

Data analysis from focus group interviews

Colaizzi’s

method

Food behavior patterns

Reasons for food choices made by the target population

The questionnaire’s outcome is indicated by participant responses.

Data analysis from focus group interviews

Colaizzi’s

method

The motivation for food preparation methods.

Values related to food preparation

The questionnaire’s outcome indicated by participant responses

Data analysis from focus group interviews

Colaizzi’s

method

 

Demographic variables.

It is also reasonable to examine the main demographic variables (they are presented in Table 2).

Table 2

Demographic Variables.

Variable

Conceptual Definition

Operational Definition

 

Level of Measurement

Statistical Analysis

Income level

The annual income of a specific individual

Questionnaire’s score indicated by participants

Qualitative

t-test and p-values

Gender

Male or female

Questionnaire’s response indicated by participants

Qualitative

t-test and p-values

Educational level

The last academic degree obtained

Questionnaire’s score indicated by participants

Qualitative

t-test and p-values

Family size

Number of people in a family

Questionnaire’s score indicated by participants

Qualitative

t-test and p-values

 

Questionnaire. The qualitative questionnaire will be used to enable the statistical interpretation of key findings. The demographic questionnaire will be used with questions designed by the researcher to assess food and nutrition perceptions among the target population. The questionnaire will be evaluated with the help of standard statistical methods. The percentages of respondents selected for a specific answer will be specified. On this basis, the assumptions about the potential relationships between factors and effects will be formulated (Lincoln & Guba, 1985). It will also be possible to utilize the relevant statistical tests for determining the significance of the observed patterns and the possibility of their generalizations. The consistent application of statistical tests will ensure the maximum degree of reliability and validity (Polit & Beck, 2017). Only conclusions confirmed to be statistically significant will be used in the subsequent analysis (Reed, 2017). See Appendix B.

They are establishing trustworthiness. Audiotapes will be used to record interviews, code names starting at 001, 002, etc., will be used to label each tape to ensure patient confidentiality. Audiotapes and all transcriptions will be stored behind two locked doors, namely locked in a filing cabinet behind a locked door in an upstairs office in my home. I am the only person that enters that room, and it is the only upstairs bonus room. An outside auditor will be used to assure the credibility and trustworthiness of the findings. This will provide opportunities for the research process and findings to be challenged whenever necessary to ensure optimal research findings based on objectivity and non-bias, allowing the researcher an opportunity to summarize preliminary findings and assess the adequacy of data and preliminary results (Connelly, 2016).

Focus group variables. It is the qualitative aspect of the study that includes the following elements.

Site selection. One primary care clinic from two different socio-economic areas within Columbia, South Carolina, to get a diverse perspective. 

Focus group questionnaire. The focus group questionnaire will include several precise questions related to the dominant food habits and their views on their local community or the mainstream society.

Focus group notes. It is also necessary to provide additional notes and specifications regarding participants' responses and their feedback. It will allow assessing the possibility of extrapolating the obtained findings to the broader audience.

I am demonstrating trustworthiness. Lincoln and Guba (1985) suggest four serious measures to establish the trustworthiness of a qualitative study: credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability. A computer software program for content and thematic analysis such as IntellectusStatistics may assist with data analysis and help organize multiple interview data and analyze open-ended replies. This computer software also makes sense of findings in chart and graph form, which will demonstrate research findings in a systematic format and ensure validity. T-test and p-values will be uses to validate research findings.

Plans and Procedures

            The Rosswurm and Larrabee Model for Evidence-Based Practice Change will be used to direct the application of this academic project (Larrabee, 2009), which uses a plan with six steps to direct the execution of the EBP project.

Plan and Procedures

The selected evidence-based change model is the Rosswurm and Larrabee Model for Evidence-Based Practice Change. It includes several interrelated steps that allow achieving the maximum practical impact on the target audience (Larrabee, 2009).

Step 1: Assessing the need for change in practice, including the positions of all stakeholders. It is necessary to arrive at a consensus regarding the need to find new interventions regarding African Americans’ food habits.

Step 2: Locating the best evidence and identifying the source of evidence. It is reasonable to utilize empirical data for evaluating the available evidence.

Step 3: Critically analyzing evidence and specifying their corresponding weight. It is necessary to combine both qualitative and statistical methods for making the ultimate conclusions.

Step 4: Designing practice change and identifying the required resources. Based on the performed analysis, concrete suggestions about the adjustments in practice will be formulated.

Step 5: Implementing and evaluating the ultimate change in practice. The suggestions should be applied to adjusting the food intake patterns of many African American adults (although their voluntary agreement should necessarily be obtained).

Step 6: Integrating and maintaining change in practice, including the close monitoring of the entire process. The change in practice can be promoted by the well-integrated interventions and the relevant adjustments made to different individuals' reactions and responses.

It is also necessary to adequately measure the ultimate achievements and outcomes. It is possible to utilize t-tests, and p-values for confirming the statistical significance of potential improvements to be achieved after the suggested adjustments in nutrition patterns are introduced (Polit & Beck, 2017). It is also possible to combine both the objective indicators of respondents’ health and their subjective responses about their health conditions and satisfaction. In this way, well-supported conclusions can be made.

Data will be gathered using the questionnaire with a set of questions about the cultural influences of African Americans’ food consumption choices and their openness to adjust their current nutrition patterns if enough evidence and support are provided. The structured interviews will be provided throughout the country to generate an adequate sample for making a well-supported conclusion about the structure of African American adults’ food consumption priorities. Maximum confidentiality should be ensured for all participants. They should also be able to suspend their participation in the data collection procedure at any moment. The high-qualified assistants should respond to any questions regarding the ultimate research objectives or clarify any questions if needed. After all, data are collected, they will be systematized in a way to enable the subsequent aggregated analysis while at the same time maintaining the maximum degree of privacy and confidentiality (Hupp, 2017).

People responsible for data collection will not participate in the analysis to avoid any biases or unsupported assumptions. All participants will have 30 minutes to complete the questionnaire (although they will complete it earlier). The multiple-choice questions will be obligatory for all respondents. At the same time, they will be able to decide whether to respond to open-ended questions or not. This information will be necessary to understand further the reasons for people’s food choices and potential interventions to be selected. Overall, the selected methods appear to be relevant for analyzing the examined research question.

Data analysis

            This research project will utilize qualitative data analysis to present findings.

Statistical data analysis. It will be performed based on applying the relevant statistical tests to the target population. Also, a questionnaire will be designed to enable further assessments.

            Qualitative data analysis. The Colaizzi method will analyze data obtained during focus group discussions (Polit & Beck, 2017). The seven steps in the Colaizzi method are:

  1. Read all protocols to acquire a feeling for them.
  2. Review each protocol and extract a significant statement.
  3. Spell out the meaning of each significant statement (i.e., formulate meanings).
  4. Organize the formulated meanings into clusters of themes. a) Refer these clusters back to the original protocols to validate them. b) Note discrepancies among or between the various clusters, avoiding the temptation of ignoring data or themes that do not fit.
  5. Integrate results into a detailed description of the phenomenon under study.
  6. Formulate a detailed description of the phenomenon under study in as unequivocal a statement as possible.
  7. Ask participants about the findings thus far as a final validating step.

All the above steps will be consistently applied to the target population of African Americans.

Timetable      

The timetable for the scholarly proposal is provided in Table 3.

Table 3

Timetable for Scholarly Proposal

Month/Year

Step

Nov.2019 – Jan. 2020

Review planning, including specification of resources needed (recorder, survey, interview, PPE, etc.).

Mar. – Jul. 2020

Organizing the training for personnel involved in data collection and analysis; developing and revising questionnaire if needed

Sep. – Nov. 2020

Conducting the primary data collection

Dec. – Feb. 2021

Analyzing the obtained data

Mar. – Apr. 2021

Making conclusions and implications

 

 

Limitations

The study's main limitation refers to the limited sample and statistical risks associated with utilizing the obtained findings. The study is also primarily based on adult African Americans' subjective perceptions regarding their food habits, and it may not be very objective to some degree. The number of analysis units you use in your study is dictated by the type of research problem you are investigating.

Sample size:  the number of participants and the individual data collected in this study has been dictated by the qualitative research question being investigated, bearing in mind that they generally require smaller sample sizes.

Self-reported data. The study's main limitation refers to the limited sample and statistical risks associated with utilizing the obtained findings. The study is also primarily based on the subjective perceptions of adult African Americans regarding their food habits, and it may not be very objective to some degree. The application of self-reported data may be limiting as it can seldom be independently verified. Participants' responses during interviews or on questionnaires must be taken at face value opening the possibility to several potential sources of bias, which may be noted if responses are different from data collected from sources of the same topic.

Generalizability

The study can be generalized to African Americans' broader population based on the obtained findings and statistical analysis results. For example, with the likelihood of 95%, some food-related implications can be made. Also, the recommendations about how to affect nutrition patterns can be generalized but with statistical reliability.

 

Chapter IV: Results

Introduction

            The section mainly depicts the analysis that had been made in the paper. It is argued that the data was collected through a questionnaire, which was distributed to various individuals who had been selected randomly. After collecting the data, it was represented in the form of a table in an excel sheet. It was then passed through the SPSS, where the results were presented in the form of a table. This was essential to bring about a better and comfortable interpretation of the data that had been collected. The SPSS makes it easy for the researchers to develop an effective conclusion for the full results.

Demographic Results

The result collected through a questionnaire in the African American community indicated that the average age affected by food perception was 50.8, with age distributed from 54 to 69. The questionnaires were distributed to people of various education levels, from the lower high school level to the doctorate level. To get the food perception, we offered questionnaires to the married and the single to determine the food perception in all cases. In this context, we also considered the case where the womwn and male perception of food is especially womwn as they are mostly involved in cooking.

 

 

 

The results indicate that the number of females affected by food perception ideas is 48 while the male's number is reduced to 17. The data was collected from sixty-five people randomly, indicating that females are more affected by food perception than their counterparts. The age group involved is distributed worldwide, suggesting that food perception affects people of all ages, but the age group is more than twenty-one to sixty-eight. A single and unmarried individual is twenty individuals; thus, more are affected by food perception while the number of married people is more affected than thirty-one.

The case for divorced and widows have the least number of individuals affected by food perception where the numbers are six and seven respectively. The level of education affects the case of food perception. The data collected indicates that college individuals and high school individuals recorded many individuals involved with food perception having twenty-three and twenty-six, respectively. The doctoral individual suggests a small number of individuals affected with food perception. With three individuals with a lower high school having two people, individuals with bachelor degrees and master degrees recorded a small number of people involved with six and five.

Food choices and perception are responsible for diseases such as diabetes; thus, it causes disorder to people where the number of diseases recorded is a hundred and thirteen. The conditions associated with food perception are diabetes mellitus, cholesterol levels, obesity, coronary disease, and cancer. The illness with the highest value includes high cholesterol levels in individuals, with thirty-four cases reported from the total a hundred thirteen individuals involved in the research. The patient's cholesterol level is more frequent in the individual around the age bracket of twenty-nine to sixty-two years, where most high cholesterol cases are recorded. Obesity among people registered thirty-six patients having increased the number of people suffering from the condition due to food that an individual takes.

Cases of coronary artery disease recorded twenty-seven individuals being affected by the condition due to food consumption. Diseases like coronary artery disease are associated with a high level of cholesterol, increasing the number of people affected by the disease with the cholesterol level. The cancer cases against individuals involved were recorded to be one of the totals a hundred and thirteen cases having the disease in the individuals low compared to the other condition. The disease affects an individual under the age of sixty-five years. The disease was recorded to affect the individual at the age of sixty-five, indicating the disease is associated with age as far as food perception is concerned.

The individuals who understand the importance of fruits regarding food perception was recorded to be twenty-six where the number that understands the importance of vegetable was forty-nine. The causes and significance of water in food and individual were recorded to have thirty-six individuals who understand the importance.  Individuals whose food choice is affected by taste and individual preference were thirteen among the research individuals. Understanding the effect of age on food perception was recorded to have three individuals who believe in age as an aspect of food choice. The cost of food affects thirteen individuals among the total individual involved in the research, where the cost of food is related to individual taste and preference.

Food choice is believed to be healthy by eighteen individuals, while twenty-eight individuals among the total individual do not consider food choice as a healthy choice. Food choice is driven by individual taste and preference, where individuals take food according to their daily needs of sustainability. Among individuals, sixty-five individuals are recorded to understand the importance of nutrition to everyday living to sustain life. An individual's health is usually dependent on the food an individual takes, where fifteen people believe that food is the key to individual health. The effect of culture on food perception was recorded to affect people of all ages in the range of twenty-one years to sixty-nine years, where the outcome is recorded to have a cultural impact all over.

The impact of seafood on individuals' health of individual was recorded to apply to all ages where all individuals believed that seafood affects personal health. Due to the belief, individual willingness to adjust to food perception patterns was recorded to be sixty-five of the total number of individuals involved in the research. This brings the percentage of individuals who understand seafood's impact and those willing to adjust to the pattern to a hundred percent as all individuals are involved.

Graphical Representation of the Results

            The results obtained in the research were presented in the form of the histogram, whereby the analysis was mainly done through the use of correlations. The products that were introduced in the collection of data were as follows:

 

Meanwhile, about the participants, the data that had been obtained could be represented in the graph below:

 

 

With the responses of the participants, the graph below was also received. The graph shows out all the variables that were involved in the study. The graph was as follows

 

In terms of percentage, the following was also formed of the histogram was attained

 

Quantitative Analysis of the Results

From the quantitative analysis, it has been found that the mean age for the participants was approximately 50.8 years. With the percentage of the responds and participants, their rates are usually provided in the table above. This showed that the analysis of the data was exclusive enough. Besides such, there was also a quantitative form of data that was obtained in the research and was as follows:

Codes:                                                                           40.0   75.4     49.2

W        Wife                        10            15.4         Age           3            4.6       %

P          Participant               55            84.6         Easy = F.Food        10        15.4     %

VI        V. Import.              0.0                            Cost 13        20.0     %

MC      Med. Condition     0.0                             Taste            14        21.5     %

I           Important             0.0                              MC  10        15.4     %

S          Sometimes            18   27.7                     Health         15        23.1     %

Y         Yes                      19    29.2                                        

N         No                      28     43.1                             65        100%              

Other quantitative form of data that had been drawn from the study was also presented in the table below:

            DD      Doctoral          Degree 3          4.6       %

Code:  SC       Some college            23           35.4     %

            HS       High School             26           40.0     %

            LH       < High School            2           3.1       %

            BD      Bachelor's Degree       6          9.2       %

            MD      Master's Degree          5          7.7       %

                                                           65         100.0   %

The average score for the gender participants also was as follows:

Average           F =       48        73.8     %

Age                 M =     17        26.2     %

                                    65                   

From the above form of data, the discussion for the results ends up being easy for one to easily come up with the conclusion for the entire study. The discussion and conclusion for the study is presented in the section below.

Chapter V: Discussion and Conclusion

Introduction

            Smart dieting is significant for more established grown-ups to keep up great wellbeing and free-living and forestall and treat stoutness and other ongoing sicknesses. The determinants of and racial contrasts in eating practices among more established grown-ups remain ineffectively comprehended. Our fundamental investigation, however, restricted by test size, discovered eminent Black to White racial differences in various large scale and micronutrient results, food buying practices, and inclinations in food store decision among more established ladies living in thickly populated metropolitan neighborhoods in the Washington DC metro zone (Cohen et al., 2017). The striking racial contrasts couldn't be completed due to the varieties in geographic admittance to very much supplied food stores. The investigation was done in thickly populated metropolitan areas where blacks' and whites' knowledge varies widely. (Showell et al., 2017). The distinctions showed up bound to be identified with financial and social contrasts among Black and White more seasoned ladies and the people's age. Our information proposes that racial, economic, and social disparities, just as neighborhood assets, should be deliberately viewed when planning network-based projects to advance smart dieting among metropolitan, more seasoned ladies.

            Even though entrance and openness to solid nourishments are likely perhaps the most compelling ecological elements influencing good dieting, the determinants and outcomes of variations in access stay to be clarified. Because of decreased actual capacity, restricted portability, and pay, more established grown-ups are mostly defenseless against unfavorable neighborhood conditions. Distance from and absence of public transportation to sufficiently supplied food stores seems to restrict food buying recurrence and measure food buying (Milliron et al., 2017). Our examination found that Blacks who went more prominent distances to food stores shopped less habitually, which clarifies a portion of our noticed dietary contrasts, including lower arrived at the midpoint of admission of fiber, new vegetables, and organic products. The movement time to stores found the median value of inside 30 minutes travel every route among Black and White ladies living in DC areas (Cohen et al., 2017). The black community's hazardous nature is one of the causes of failed food perception and distances from the stores, causing the movement to be minimal.

Notwithstanding, even somewhat longer travel times (around 4 minutes longer) were related to less incessant food shopping among Blacks (Mbui et al., 2017).  Further examination is expected to investigate how such unpretentious contrasts in time impact shopping recurrence among more established ladies. It is also vital to research why the Black ladies voyaged farther: they needed to (fewer stores in their areas). On the grounds, they favored stores father away with a more impressive assortment and accessibility of food things and other explicit store qualities.

            Blacks may incompletely disclose less good dieting and less incessant food shopping to White contrasts in pay and training level. Restricted pay frequently contrarily influences the acquisition of solid nourishments (Milliron et al., 2017). Following past studies, individuals' examinations also demonstrated that less sound nourishing admission in these metropolitan, more established ladies was related to lower pay and less instruction indicating the effect of food perception on foods' price. Past investigations have indicated that social confinement and living alone adversely influence good dieting and shopping recurrence. Nonetheless, our research found that more established White ladies were twice as prone to live independently as Black ladies (64% versus 32%) yet ate more grounded than their Black partners, affecting the divorced and unmarried individual in the society.

            Even though by far most of the ladies of the two races concurred that item quality and the accessibility of new products of the soil was in their decision of food store, it fascinating to notice the insignificance given to other store attributes by more seasoned Black and White ladies (Showell et al., 2017). Blacks, by and large, positioned undeniably more store factors as incredibly or significant than Whites. Contrasted with Whites, more seasoned Black ladies were more worried about the accessibility of public transportation, security, and an open to shopping climate (Mbui et al., 2017).  Age-accommodating highlights, including the modest store size, simplicity of coming to and discovering things inefficient passageways, were of more major worry. Blacks were more worried about the accessibility of value impetuses, which might be intelligent of lower pay levels (Milliron et al., 2017). Even though Blacks would, in general, eat less sound weight control plans, it is fascinating that they expressed more worry than White ladies about a good stockpile of solid nourishments in stores (Mbui et al., 2017). They were especially keen on getting lean/decreased fat meats, fish, frozen vegetables, and nourishments required for well-being (e.g., sans gluten). General wellbeing activities are expected to research why more seasoned Black ladies need not buy these better nourishments contrasted and their White partners.

            Another significant finding is that there was no racial contrast in the ladies' suppositions about the actual availabilities of the accompanying things in their standard food store: new, frozen or canned vegetables or natural products, low-fat dairy, low-sodium nourishments, and lean meats. Even though Black ladies had a lower mean training level and revealed a less reliable eating routine than White ladies, they are more associated with taking more nourishing foods.  Black ladies announced being more mindful of nourishing rating frameworks (e.g., Nuval, Guiding Star) at their stores (36% versus 62% reacting "Don't have a clue" of such appraising frameworks, p=0.01). It is indistinct whether such huge racial contrasts are because of racial disparities in social allure revealing inclination (explaining to satisfy the spectator) or advantageous in the stores the Black ladies frequented. Further examinations need to address this issue deliberately.

            The examination has a few qualities. First, individuals added to tending to the hole to understand food buying conduct in more established grown-ups by creating and regulating new instruments to estimate related exercises of shopping propensities, store inclinations, and venture out mode distance to stores. The new tools supplement existing instruments for evaluating best eating practices (Mbui et al., 2017). These new devices were utilized related to GPS information, and information can be approved for dependability and address revealing inclination. Necessary components of the information remembered data for a place (geographic area, indoor versus open air, and so forth), recurrence, and transportation mode (e.g., strolling, transport administration, driving). For more established ladies' food buying practices (e.g., market shopping), eating outside the home (eatery food utilization), and actual exercise (both practical and proactive recreation tasks). With this new methodology, members' local climate openings can be all the more correctly figured, and natural impacts on the view of neighborhoods, food buying, and diet can be all the more viably surveyed. Second, utilization of numerous enlistment passageways guaranteed the members' geographic, financial and racial representativeness (Showell et al., 2017). Individuals intentionally enlisted members living in an assortment of metropolitan areas topographically spread over the DC metropolitan region. This zone-based enrollment system guaranteed diversity and representativeness of the members (Milliron et al., 2017). Third, we deliberately restricted the examination to more seasoned ladies with an equivalent distribution of test sizes to Blacks and Whites. Even with the generally small example size, the investigation could distinguish various unassuming to enormous contrasts that point out moderately strong racial discrepancies among more seasoned ladies. This cannot be cultivated without a cautious examining plan.

The people's food perception is greatly affected by an individual's age concerning their understanding of the food. The young people's perception of food was unlimited as most of them consider food to their taste and preference, thus useful in considering food choice. The aspect is associated with the loss of sensitivity in taste and the oral structures and gland. The reduced chewing usually affects the food perception of the elderly in preference to the young (Padulo, et al., 2017). In this context, the young will choose the foods they take, directed by the taste and preference. The change in the sensory structure was the limiting factor to the food perception to the elder as the young people's senses are strong; thus, they can easily make food choices.

            Education has a significant determinant on perception, especially on healthy eating according to the level of individual education. Most of the individuals at lower high school and primary education had the notion that sweets are not healthy food, but they believe that we can take a small quantity of everything to constitute a diet (Bartkiene, et al., 2019).  They believe that traditional food is essential to a healthy diet where the key is to take precautions not to take fat foods. About the people with high education, people with lower education are easily affected by food perception due to their insufficient knowledge on food perception and dieting. In this context, the number of people with high education perception is not affected by food perception, thus reducing people.

            Food perception in terms of food choices is relative to some diseases associated with dieting and food choice. A diet with a high level of fat and cholesterol is associated with increased cases of diabetes to the individual feeding habit, thus increased diabetes (Al-Mountashiri, et al. 2017). Among the cases, diabetes is high as it is associated with feeding habits as some of the types of diabetes are associated with high sugar in the body. Food dieting requires a diet with high fiber content, low fat, cholesterol, salt content, and sugars to reduce diseases. In fighting diabetes, one needs to take food with low calories, low cholesterol foods that include leafy vegetables.

Limitation

            Nonetheless, our examination was restricted in its small size, single geographic area and single-sex, cross-sectional nature, and absence of noticed food storage conditions. Aside from the GPS and accelerometer information, the investigation depended intensely on self-report details, liable to review, and socially attractive quality inclination. The examination was likewise restricted by utilizing three 24-hour reviews of dietary admission inside seven days to inexact an individual's regular access (Mbui et al., 2017). To catch a more practical cross-sectional perspective on and longitudinal changes in food buying and dietary patterns, a more significant number of rehashed 24-hour reviews during the year and over numerous years are essential (Cohen et al., 2017). Our future examinations will cautiously address every one of these methodological constraints by consolidating a longitudinal plan and considering more seasoned men, different races/identities, and other more established grown-ups living in rural and provincial neighborhoods in assorted geographic areas.

            The discoveries from this investigation have significant ramifications to maturing and general wellbeing research. Studies have indicated that helpless dietary quality, portrayed by lower admissions of fiber, natural products, vegetables, entire grains, lean protein, and a higher entry of undesirable fats, are related to greater danger for diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, specific kinds of cancer, decrease in physical and intellectual functions, fall injuries, hip fractures and prior loss of independent living. Racial contrasts in eating routine quality may add to wellbeing differences in more established age (Shalowitz et al., 2017). Effective advancement of good dieting among more seasoned Blacks may help lessen variations in sustenance-related wellbeing results. To achieve this, more thorough investigations on racial and social contrasts in food inclination, food buying propensities, and eating practices are expected to help racially and socially fair projects to advance good dieting.

Results Implication

            From the results, it is drawn that individuals should try to practice a healthy diet as a vital way of guiding their health. Individuals should understand that the perception of food by the American-Africa people is not one of the essential aspects that should not be allowed or borrowed by any individual (Saxe-Custack et al., 2018). The mentioned individual’s perception is not one of the best perceptions’ individuals should hold in their minds. Therefore, their perception is wrong and needs to be changed for a better life for the individuals. Under this concept, the cases of individuals who were willing to change in African Americans were reported to have the interest to change their perception.

Dissemination of Findings

            The accompanying examination is critical to research food utilization, buying practices, and inclinations of store highlights contrasted generously between more established Black and White ladies. Such racial contrasts should be additionally analyzed to comprehend their causes and systems to advance good dieting in a more established populace. Despite the need for the black American willingness to adjust to food perception change, the contrast between their taste is evident.

            It has likewise been noticed that the examination found that African-American ladies battle with certain acceptable dieting practices. In this examination, ladies didn't sufficiently follow the suggested eating rules as a plot by the US DHHS (Saxe-Custack et al., 2018). Our discoveries are predictable, with a previous audit revealing that African-Americans are less inclined to burn-through suggested everyday servings of soil products. Likewise, most of our examination members didn't burn-through ≥five servings of foods grown from the ground consistently, which is similar to a statewide investigation of AA ladies in Florida where we led our examination. On the other hand, AA ladies in our review revealed having breakfast routinely, which is fundamental since having breakfast has been appeared to have various advantages (Shalowitz et al., 2017). In any case, the number of AA ladies who detailed eating or adding salt to nourishments is disturbing. A lot of sodium is now present in prepared nourishments that are well-known AA ladies' decisions—adding more salt postures great dangers. Even though this investigation didn't measure sodium consumption, sodium is straightforwardly connected to hypertension, predominant in AA ladies (Saxe-Custack et al., 2018). There are a few rules and proposals from state and public wellbeing offices about decreasing sodium in nourishments (e.g., US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Notwithstanding, it shows up from our examination that AA ladies are not after suggestions (Shalowitz et al., 2017). Clinicians and general wellbeing experts should additionally advocate for and instruct high-hazard populaces (e.g., African-American ladies) about the current proposals and rules for diminished everyday sodium utilization and damages of additional sodium in food.  The damage is demonstrated through the increased rate of diseases and high cholesterol levels among ladies and men.

            Specialists additionally need to look at the connection between SOC and dietary patterns. The discoveries show that paying little heed to geographic limits or sociodemographic qualities, AA ladies appear to be, to some degree, spurred to change dietary patterns (Saxe-Custack et al., 2018). Notwithstanding, there could be elements (for example, pay) that block better dietary propensities in AA ladies as the cost of food perception is affected by the cost where the foods cots make them fails to achieve the right diet.  The most elevated extents of ladies rehearsing good dieting propensities are accounted for being in the support SOC. Conceivably, these ladies faceless obstructions to eating well and may have higher information levels about good dieting.

            Strangely, researchers noticed irregularities across SOC classifications. For instance, the recent ladies having breakfast were higher among ladies named contemplators and preparers contrasted with ladies in SOC activity. This intellectual cacophony can be deciphered as certain ladies in the activity SOC may imagine eating healthy, yet the truth is told, they are not (Milliron et al., 2017). Likewise, it could be deciphered that ladies in the activity SOC are ignorant of suggested dietary patterns even though information on current eating proposals was not estimated in the recent examination. Equivalent examinations propose that information is significant (Saxe-Custack et al., 2018). A subjective investigation of African-Americans living in North Carolina's territory uncovered low consciousness of day-by-day proposals for foods grown from the ground. Besides, a new Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics report affirmed that while most people knew what they ought not to eat, few knew what they ought to eat. The discoveries are steady and demonstrate that paying little mind to SOC, AA ladies were bound to add salt to food and more averse to eat organic products, vegetables, and entire grains.

Recommendation

            As referenced before, analyzing SOC is unpredictable in its connection to dietary change and dietary patterns for people. For instance, a solitary individual can be found to keep a specific healthy way (i.e., eating the suggested measure of leafy foods every day), except considering an adjustment in another dietary pattern or conduct (i.e., decreasing salt utilization or undesirable nibble utilization). As these practices will converge in various manners inside various people in any example, zeroing in on solitary conduct resulting from mediation arranging may have restricted worth (Garfinkel et al., 2017). Future examination around there is justified, and experts ought to think about such irregularities inside a populace across different eating practices.

            The examination discoveries should be considered in light of a few impediments. The fleeting connection between SOC and simple dietary patterns is indistinct (Trapl et al., 2018). This inquiry requires extra examination utilizing future or intercession study plans (Saxe-Custack et al., 2018). Another restriction is that members in this investigation might be more mindful and anxious to change. The wellbeing practices gave their ability to set aside the effort to finish the 15-min review; subsequently, this example may not be an agent of AA ladies all through the USA; this was an accommodation test.

Notwithstanding, our discoveries are reliable with those of different scientists. Self-revealed information additionally has a few inalienable inclinations. Members tend to underreport dietary admission, weight, and stature or give socially attractive reactions, regularly bringing about possible overestimation of good dieting rehearses (Garfinkel et al., 2017). Finally, this was a cross-sectional observational examination, and the discoveries could experience the ill effects of the natural imperfections of cross-sectional investigation plans.

            This examination increases the value of the current information about SOC and current dietary patterns of AA ladies. The investigation's strength is the special consideration of instructed, wedded, and a sensible number of working-class African-American ladies, a gathering customarily understudied (Trapl et al., 2018). Additionally, the purpose behind estimating SOC is that it hypothetically speaks to a primary mental cycle of genuine change; each stage is an appearance of a more profound perspective that has just occurred about one's need to eat better (Garfinkel et al., 2017). It is consistently hard to contemplate mental changes even though SOC has been demonstrated to be a reasonable sign proportion of mental cycles. Like age-fitting messages, SOC proper messages may serve to more readily persuade African-American ladies to improve eating rehearses.

Moreover, more exploration is expected to comprehend whether AA ladies need information on these proposals. If they know about them, they need information on the most proficient method to apply these suggestions to their ordinary eating rehearses (Garfinkel et al., 2017). Subsequent examinations could incorporate a bigger example size, top to bottom evaluation of solid dietary practices, nitty-gritty requests about dietary approach, and longitudinal investigation of social, social, and relational effects on a dietary system.

Conclusions

            In conclusion, researchers found in their investigation that AA ladies don't enough follow the suggested eating rules for a sound eating routine (e.g., devouring ≥five servings of products of the soil consistently). Likewise, more than one of every five ladies adds salt to most or the entirety of their dinners. Finally, we found a relationship between current dietary practice and goal to change because of the SOC model. African-American ladies need to eat well and are anxious to that are robust and feasible.

            An initial step is to distinguish ladies in various phases of progress effectively and design techniques to move AA ladies from the consideration and arrange SOC to activity and support SOC. Moving AA ladies starting with one phase then onto the next would require planning stage-explicit systems. SOC discloses explicit cycles needed to get people across stages. Those could apply to AA ladies, for example, those in our examination populace. For instance, cycles, for example, awareness bringing, could be appropriate in instructing and making AA ladies consider a solid eating routine on the off chance that they have not been pondering the equivalent (pre-contemplators). Likewise, for ladies who are contemplating eating well or intending to eat healthily, the mediations could zero in developing self-viability, expanding inspiration, diminishing hindrances, and expanding apparent advantages to practicing good eating habits. These mediations could be actualized at various levels (relational, social, authoritative, or network-based).

            Growing clear messages about the thing are considered "smart dieting" and suggested eating rehearses, paying little mind to current SOC, is fundamental to help African-American ladies improve their present dietary patterns. Nutritionists and wellbeing intercession specialists should consider giving custom-made mediations representing one's SOC to improve African American ladies' nutritional patterns. As African American ladies learn useful approaches to eat healthily, they can get engaged to change.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Bartkiene, E., Steibliene, V., Adomaitiene, V., Juodeikiene, G., Cernauskas, D., Lele, V., ... & Guiné, R. P. (2019). Factors affecting consumer food preferences: Food taste and depression-based evoked emotional expressions with the use of face reading technology. BioMed research international2019.

Allen, J. O., Griffith, D. M., & Gaines, H. C. (2013). “She looks out for the meals, period”:

African American men’s perceptions of how their wives influence their eating behavior and dietary health. Health Psychology, 32(4), 447–455. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0028361

Al-Mountashiri, N. A., Al-Zhrani, A. M., Ibrahim, S. F. H., & Mirghani, H. O. (2017). Dietary habits, physical activity and diabetes perception among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Tabuk City, Saudi Arabia. Electronic physician9(9), 5179.

Baruth, M., Becofsky, K., Wilcox, S., & Goodrich, K. (2014). Health characteristics and health

behaviors of African American adults according to self-rated health status. Ethnicity & Disease, 24(1), 97–103. Retrieved from https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mdc&AN=24620455&site=eds-live

Bonner, T., Harvey, I. S., & Sherman, L. (2017). A Qualitative Inquiry of Lower Extremity

Disease Knowledge Among African Americans Living With Type 2 Diabetes. Health Promotion Practice, 18(6), 806–813. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524839916688867

Cohen, A. J., Richardson, C. R., Heisler, M., Sen, A., Murphy, E. C., Hesterman, O. B., ... &

Zick, S. M. (2017). Increasing use of a healthy food incentive: A waiting room intervention among low-income patients. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 52(2), 154-162.

Connelly, L. M. (2016). Understanding Research. Trustworthiness in Qualitative Research.

MEDSURG Nursing, 25(6), 435–436. Retrieved from https://login.regiscollege.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=120221607&site=eds-live

Cordner, A., Klein, P. T., & Baiocchi, G. (2012). Co-Designing and Co-Teaching Graduate

Qualitative Methods: An Innovative Ethnographic Workshop Model. Teaching Sociology, 40(3), 215–226. Retrieved from https://login.regiscollege.idm.oclc.org/login? url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

Cheryl Der Ananian, Donna M. Winham, Sharon V. Thompson, & Megan E. Tisue. (2018).

Perceptions of Heart-Healthy Behaviors among African American Adults: A Mixed Methods Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, (11), 2433. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15112433

De Paul, N. F., & Caver, K. A. (2020). A pilot study of a brief group adaptation of the Unified

Protocol in integrated primary care. Psychological Services. https://doi.org/10.1037/ser0000406

Fraser, S. E., Leveritt, M. D., & Ball, L. E. (2013). Patients’ perceptions of their general

practitioner’s health and weight influences their perceptions of nutrition and exercise advice received. Journal of Primary Health Care, 5(4), 301–307. Retrieved from https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=104169286&site=eds-live

Garfinkel, D. B., Alexander, K. A., McDonald-Mosley, R., Willie, T. C., & Decker, M. R.

(2017). Predictors of HIV-related risk perception and PrEP acceptability among young adult female family planning patients. AIDS care, 29(6), 751-758.

Hupp, J. R. (2017). Evidence-based practice: Research opportunities. Journal of Oral and

Maxillofacial Surgery, 75(5), 881-882. doi: 10.1016/j.joms.2017.03.001

Johnson, R. L., & Nies, M. A. (2005). A qualitative perspective of barriers to health-promoting

behaviors of African Americans. The ABNF Journal, 3, 39-41.

Kong, A., Schiffer, L., Antonic, M., Braunschweig, C., Odoms-Young, A., & Fitzgibbon, M.

(2018). The relationship between home- and individual-level diet quality among African American and Hispanic/Latino households with young children. The International Journal Of Behavioral Nutrition And Physical Activity, 15(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-018-0645-9

Larrabee, J. H. (2009). Nurse to nurse: Evidence-based practice. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Lee, L., Willig, A., Agne, A., Locher, J., & Cherrington, A. (2016). Challenges to healthy eating

practices: A qualitative study of non-Hispanic black men living with diabetes. The Diabetes Educator Journal, 42(3), 325-335. doi: 10.1177/0145721716640904

Lincoln, S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. SAGE Publications.

Mbui, J. M., Oluka, M. N., Guantai, E. M., Sinei, K. A., Achieng, L., Baker, A., ... & Godman,

  1. (2017). Prescription patterns and adequacy of blood pressure control among adult hypertensive patients in Kenya; findings and implications. Expert review of clinical pharmacology, 10(11), 1263-1271.

Milliron, B. J., Vitolins, M. Z., Gamble, E., Jones, R., Chenault, M. C., & Tooze, J. A. (2017).     Process evaluation of a community garden at an urban outpatient clinic. Journal of       community health, 42(4), 639-648.

Nash, L. A., & Ward, W. E. (2017). Tea and bone health: Findings from human studies, potential

mechanisms, and identification of knowledge gaps. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 57(8), 1603-1617. doi:10.1080/10408398.2014.1001019

Ottrey, E., Jong, J., & Porter, J. (2018). Ethnography in Nutrition and Dietetics Research: A

Systematic Review. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. https://doi-org.regiscollege.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.jand.2018.06.002

Papakonstantinou, E. et al. (2002). Assessment of perceptions of nutrition knowledge and disease

using a group interactive system: The Perception Analyzer. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 102(11), 1663-1668.

Paul S. Mead, Laurence Slutsker, Vance Dietz, Linda F. McCaig, Joseph S. Bresee, Craig

Shapiro, … Robert V. Tauxe. (2000). Food-Related Illness and Death in the United States. Journal of Environmental Health, 62(7), 9. Retrieved from https://login.regiscollege.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsjsr&AN=edsjsr.44528731&site=eds-live

Peres, L. C., Hebert, J. R., Qin, B., Guertin, K. A., Bandera, E. V., Shivappa, N., … Schildkraut,

  1. M. (2019). Prediagnostic Proinflammatory Dietary Potential Is Associated with All-Cause Mortality among African-American Women with High-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma. Journal of Nutrition, 149(9), 1606–1616. Retrieved from https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=s3h&AN=138485875&site=eds-live

Polit, D.F., & Beck, C.T. (2017). Nursing research generating and assessing evidence for

nursing practice. 10th Edition. Wolters Kluwer.

Rachel L. J. Thornton, Tracy J. Yang, Patti L. Ephraim, L. Ebony Boulware, & Lisa A. Cooper.

(2019). Understanding Family-Level Effects of Adult Chronic Disease Management Programs: Perceived Influences of Behavior Change on Adolescent Family Members’ Health Behaviors Among Low-Income African Americans With Uncontrolled Hypertensions. Frontiers in Pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2018.00386

Reed, P. G. (2017). Translating nursing philosophy for practice and healthcare policy. Nursing

Science Quarterly, 30(3), 260-261. doi:10.1177/0894318417711763

Richards Adams, I. K., Figueroa, W., Hatsu, I., Odei, J. B., Sotos-Prieto, M., Leson, S., …

Joseph, J. J. (2019). An Examination of Demographic and Psychosocial Factors, Barriers to Healthy Eating, and Diet Quality Among African American Adults. Nutrients, 11(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11030519

Rosa, K. C. (2016). Integrative review on the use of newman praxis relationship in chronic

illness. Nursing Science Quarterly, 29(3), 211-218. doi:10.1177/0894318416647776

Saxe-Custack, A., Lofton, H. C., Hanna-Attisha, M., Victor, C., Reyes, G., Ceja, T., &

LaChance, (2018). Caregiver perceptions of a fruit and vegetable prescription programme

for low-income paediatric patients. Public health nutrition, 21(13), 2497-2506.

Shalowitz, M. U., Eng, J. S., McKinney, C. O., Krohn, J., Lapin, B., Wang, C. H., & Nodine, E. (2017). Food security is related to adult type 2 diabetes control over time in a United

States   safety net primary care clinic population. Nutrition & diabetes, 7(5), e277-e277.

Showell, N. N., Cole, K. W., Johnson, K., DeCamp, L. R., Bair-Merritt, M., & Thornton, R. L.    (2017). Neighborhood and parental influences on diet and physical activity behaviors in    young low-income pediatric patients. Clinical pediatrics, 56(13), 1235-1243.

Thornton, R. L. J., Yang, T. J., Ephraim, P. L., Boulware, L. E., & Cooper, L. A. (2019).

Understanding Family-Level Effects of Adult Chronic Disease Management Programs: Perceived Influences of Behavior Change on Adolescent Family Members’ Health Behaviors Among Low-Income African Americans With Uncontrolled Hypertensions. Frontiers In Pediatrics, 6, 386. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2018.00386

Trapl, E. S., Smith, S., Joshi, K., Osborne, A., Benko, M., Matos, A. T., & Bolen, S. (2018).

Peer Reviewed: Dietary Impact of Produce Prescriptions for Patients With Hypertension.

Preventing chronic disease, 15.

Wazni, L., & Gifford, W. (2017). Addressing physical health needs of individuals with

schizophrenia using Orem's theory. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 35(3), 271. doi:10.1177/0898010116658366

Wirth, M., Shivappa, N., Davis, L., Hurley, T., Ortaglia, A., Drayton, R., … Hébert, J. (2017).

Construct validation of the Dietary Inflammatory Index among African Americans. Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, 21(5), 487–491. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-016-0775-1

Wrobleski, M. M., Parker, E. A., Hager, E., Hurley, K. M., Oberlander, S., Merry, B. C., &

Black, M. M. (2018). Friends and Family: How African-American Adolescents’ Perceptions of Dietary Beliefs and Behaviors of Others Relate to Diet Quality. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 118(12), 2302–2310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2018.07.021

Yu, D., Sonderman, J., Buchowski, M. S., McLaughlin, J. K., Shu, X.-O., Steinwandel, M., …

Zheng, W. (2015). Healthy Eating and Risks of Total and Cause-Specific Death among Low-Income Populations of African-Americans and Other Adults in the Southeastern United States: A Prospective Cohort Study. PLoS Medicine, 12(5), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001830

Padulo, C., Carlucci, L., Manippa, V., Marzoli, D., Saggino, A., Tommasi, L., ... & Brancucci, A. (2017). Valence, familiarity and arousal of different foods in relation to age, sex and weight. Food Quality and Preference57, 104-113.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendixes

Appendix C Timeframe/Gantt Chart Data

   

 

 

 

Appendix E Larrabee EBP Model Illustration

Colaizzi’s descriptive phenomenological method used.

Steps in Colaizzi’s descriptive phenomenological method Step Description

  1. Familiarization: The researcher familiarizes him or herself with the data, by reading through all the participant accounts several times
  2. Identifying significant statements: The researcher identifies all statements in the accounts that are of direct relevance to the phenomenon under investigation
  3. Formulating meanings: The researcher identifies meanings relevant to the phenomenon that arise from a careful consideration of the significant statements. The researcher must reflexively “bracket” his or her pre-suppositions to stick closely to the phenomenon as experienced (though Colaizzi recognizes that complete bracketing is never possible).
  4. 4. Clustering themes: The researcher clusters the identified meanings into themes that are common across all accounts. Linking () of pre-suppositions is crucial, especially to avoid any potential influence of existing theory.
  5. Developing an exhaustive description: The researcher writes a full and inclusive description of the phenomenon, incorporating all the themes produced at step 4.
  6. Producing the fundamental structure: The researcher condenses the exhaustive description down to a short, dense statement that captures just those aspects deemed to be essential to the structure of the phenomenon.
  7. Seeking verification of the fundamental structure: The researcher returns the fundamental structure statement to all participants (or sometimes a subsample in larger studies) to ask whether it captures their experience. He or she may go back and modify earlier steps in the analysis in the light of this feedback.

 

 

13220 Words  48 Pages

 

How freedom and lack of freedom is represented in ‘Sold’

 

 

Introduction

General Idea

 The fastest, ever-expanding item is not a cash crop or even innovative technology, it is children. Child trafficking has grown into an international trade due to large sums of money collected from the commerce. Child sex trafficking refers to the enslavement of young women for sex. This vice deprives girls of their innocence and childhood.

Background information

 Patricia McCormick's Sold’ narrates the story of a girl who was sold into sexual bondage in India. The book consists of a sequel of brief chapters which contain the personal perspective of the main character.  Irregular disturbing accounts of sexual slavery are told with precise detailed language which then builds up imagery at the back of the mind of the reader. Against the horrifying background of sex slavery, the main character in the book can find strength amidst her painful experiences. At the onset of the book, the girl is brought up in a rural region, and later on, she is tricked into human trafficking by one of her close neighbors. She later ends up in a foreign country where she is exploited sexually. Later on, she escapes the horrible ordeal and thus, Lakshmi’s story is told.

 Thesis

 Through the use of imagery, symbolism, and metaphors, the author demonstrates a lack of freedom for Lakshmi in ‘Sold’

Body Paragraph

 Claim

McCormack employs imagery to emphasize the severe restrictions imparted on characters in their work lives. It assists the reader in comprehending the book's message and facilitates the progression of the story throughout the book. For instance, imagery has been used to describe the aesthetic beauty of the countryside, scarcity, prejudice, and the girl's situation at Happiness House.

 Context

  Countryside life is challenging and only the strong can overcome each day. One morning Lakshmi's parent, 'bends down to stir the kitchen fire and to plait my hair before I go school’. She trudges up and down the mountain, a heavy basket braced on her back and held fast by a rope around her brow, she is bent under the weight of her burden daily’.  The nightlife does not get any easier as Lakshmi's mother either, ‘she serves my stepfather his dinner, and she kneels at his feet.’ (58)

 Comment

  This imagery is used to illustrate the hardships women endured as they toiled for the sake of their families and children all the while serving the needs of controlling men; their backs are bent due to the enormous workload they carry daily. The imagery gives the reader a deeper understanding of Lakshmi's background consequently, enabling the reader to capture the society in which the main character lived before slavery.

 Connection

 All through the book, the author uses imagery to draw out mental pictures consequently, helping readers in relating to the entire story (Alobeytha et al., 2018).

 Conclusion

 In short, imagery illustrates how Lakshmi's laborious life, even before she was sold into prostitution, confined her to hardship

Claim 2

Apart from imagery, the writer uses symbolism to show how the poor are confined by their wealth or lack thereof (Alobeytha et al., 2018).

Context

To Lakshmi, roofs represent, a family’s prosperity. Tin roofs in particular symbolize affluence and imply that 'the family has a father who doesn’t gamble away the landlord’s money playing cards in the tea shop,’ or that ‘the family has a son working at the brick kiln in the city’ (80). Most importantly, a tin roof means that, ‘when the rain comes, the fire stays lit and the baby stays healthy’. Lakshmi’s poverty-stricken family can only afford a thatched roof which exhibit qualities contrary to tin roofs.

Conclusion

Thus, in ‘Sold’, symbolism is used draw stark contrasts between the financial constraints of the rich and the poor. Impoverished families like Lakshmis’ have an inability to meet basic let alone live luxurious lives due to lack of monetary freedom

Claim 3

  Metaphor uses exaggerated terms to describe the main character’s lack of freedom and options. Metaphors give grounds for comparing lack of freedom and freedom.

 

Context

Lakshmi comes from a poor background which deters her freedom. For instance, Lakshmi’s mother is extremely devoted and hardworking woman who is hindered of living a freedom- filled life due to her duty to her family. In the long run her body gives in to the pressures of life, ‘her slender back,’ ‘which bears our troubles’ (65). T

 Comment

The author uses Lakshmi mother’s bent posture to demonstrate lack of freedom from her domestic duties (Gale, 2016). She lives a desolate life filled with sadness and anguish. As a result of the burdens she bears, her back arches.

 Connection

 Metaphors helps the reader to picture the actual struggles of the main character. India has some of the poorest people in the world (Gale, 2016). Therefore, metaphors descriptions help the reader to picture the main character’s struggles.

 Conclusion

 In summary, metaphors enhance the author’s implied comparison of freedom and lack of it. The reader can easily compare the gender difference found in Lakshmi’s community. For instance, Lakshmi’s step father is metaphorically compared to Lakshmi’s hardworking mother.

 Summary

 ‘Sold' illustrates the story of a girl who is sold into slavery. It is told in a first-person perspective. Lakshmi has to fight off her oppressors and run back to her home. Metaphors give the reader a vivid description of the book’s narrative and assists in the illustration of lack of freedom. Set in Nepal Mountains where the women serve their husbands devotedly and tend to the farmlands, imagery is used to illustrate the hardships women go through. Symbolism is used to depict how women are burdened and looked down upon by the entire society.

 

 

References

Gale, C. L. (2016). A Study Guide for Patricia McCormick's" Sold". Gale, Cengage Learning.

Alobeytha, F. L., Mohamed, A. H., & Ab Rahman, F. (2018). The Identity of The Trafficked Child In Young Adult Literature: Patricia Mccormick’sold. International Journal of Education, 3(9), 01-09.

 McCormick, P. 2016. Sold

 

 

 

997 Words  3 Pages

Deviant Social Problems

Crime is an action that goes against criminal regulations and is penalized by fines, incarceration, or other forms of punishment. Crime is made up of two aspects- the action and the underlying intention. Hence, crime can be categorized as a minor and major crime. Acts comprising force or potential coercion of force against other people are termed as criminal and dangerous to the public. There are different kinds of crimes such as sexual assault, homicide, and gang violence. Sexual assault is an act of violence where the assailant makes use of a weapon against an unarmed victim. Examples of sexual assault include date rape and even touching.

Social problems of deviance

Psychopathy and sociopathy are some of the most notable deviant variants in modern-day society. Both psychopaths and sociopaths are personality conditions that entail anti-social mannerisms, decreased empathy, and absence of reservations. In terms of medical examination, these diagnostic groupings ought to be notable from the psychosis point of view. Most deviant personalities can manage themselves hence mistaken to be average citizens even though their manipulation capacity and brutality normally have extensive consequences on the immediate communities around them (Macionis, 2015). Based on functionalist concepts, some of the underlying reasons driving these deviant behaviors can be derived from society. For instance, the strain theory states that if one has average ambitions with no means of attaining them, then, the possibility of developing a deviant behavior is higher.

 Most of the sociological concepts state that there is an inverse causal association between societal categories and deviant mannerisms. Hence social class can coexist with deviant mannerisms. Most of the sociologists who examined deviant mannerisms confirmed that their deviant behavior varied across different social classes. This is because social class influences the generation of deviant identity. Individuals who have deviant personalities comprehend or distinguish themselves hence take part in things that conform to deviant behavior. Most of the functionalist, concepts think that deviant stems from structural functionalities. This perspective asserts that deviant mannerisms have an active role in the community because it eventually assists in the coherence of various populations in a certain community. Deviance seems to assist in the definition of right or wrong (Belmi et al., 2015). While it is good for people to come to terms with regularities and the law, the perfect way of drawing lines and boundaries is through the definition of right and wrong. The role of deviance is important because it assists in the affirmation of traditional values and societal norms. Additionally, the moral definitions within the community via deviance can enhance social unity through the generation of societal groups.

Role of Social Institutions in Combating Social Challenges of Deviance

 Social institutions provide a framework that enables the education of community members in masses. Most of the members of the community are forced into institutions where they can learn acceptable and unacceptable terms. More so, social institutions address the challenges that arise from deviant behavior hence addressing the underlying reasons why people need to stay away from antisocial behavior (Belmi et al., 2015). Additionally, institutions come up with rules and regulations which hinder people engaging in deviant mannerisms, this way, social institutions create a conducting surrounding for practicing norm behavior. Social institutions tend to contain systems that encourage people to behave in a certain manner hence people who do not conform are termed as deviant all over the society due to the strength training one gets through social institutions (Nicholls, & Rice, 2017). Also, social institutions provide a good ground for the dissemination of information throughout the entire community hence enabling people to find the right amount of information on deviant behavior and interventions that need to be carried out or implemented so that one cannot engage in deviant behavior (Ch. 8). In terms of education, social institution plays an active role in the transmission of information, relevant skill set, updating details on the certain subject matter and teaching on cultural values in the formal curriculum. Based on functionalist concepts, people are supposed to initiate functions such as socialization and culture conveyance.

Hope for Assistance

 Yes, there is hope for assistance in ridding the society of deviant challenges. One of the ways of attaining this is by changing the subculture of violence. If a subculture can be changed to mean good than harm, then youths will follow through and give people the chance not to engage in or even develop deviant behavior. In the long term majority of the members of the society tend to be more open with developing more than one opening through the lifestyle-routine perspective. Lifestyle-routine reveals that criminal behavior might occur whenever one gets an opportunity to carry out that heinous act (Nicholls, & Rice, 2017). Also, the family structure can be used to regulate deviant behavior. Even though due to the changing times, most people are geared toward establishing careers, parents should keenly focus on raising their children so that they can grow up to be more responsive adults who can take care of themselves. Hence, the family structure is supposed to be placed under keen supervision by the government and other public agencies.

 In summary, social challenges emerge from deviance mannerisms. Deviance mannerism are against social norms hence cause a discord in the social order. According to the most deviance theories, deviance is a concept that is contrary to social institutions. Social institutions are put in place to prevent community members from developing deviant mechanisms. People have right to indigeneity, deviance normally constructs itself on indigeneity components. Members of the society do not have the right to as they please. Society is organized around social goals which enable majority of its members to enjoy life and build a daily routine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 References

Belmi, P., Barragan, R. C., Neale, M. A., & Cohen, G. L. (2015). Threats to social identity can trigger social deviance. Personality and social psychology bulletin, 41(4), 467-484.

Macionis, J. J. (2015). Social Problems, Books a la Carte Edition Plus.

Nicholls, S. B., & Rice, R. E. (2017). A dual-identity model of responses to deviance in online groups: Integrating social identity theory and expectancy violations theory. Communication Theory, 27(3), 243-268.

1024 Words  3 Pages

Human Intervention

An example of humanitarian intervention is the prevention of child labor. This humanitarian intervention aims to stop businesses or even organizations from hiring children. Whenever the media uses the images of children to invoke an emotional response from the world, an inaccurate perception is generated around the world. Children are normally portrayed as victims of misfortunes hence creating an uneven perception of child labor. Attempts to standardize the perception around child labor has often created a cultural and economic stiffness between third world and developed nations. Subsequently, this has prevented policymakers from coming up with sound policies on the issues concerning child labor. International media's opinion on child labor prevalence in Pakistan is used to demonstrate the difference between child labor in the developed world and the developing world. The variance in culture makes it hard to fight off child labor in an effective way (Khan, 2010). The divergent perceptions surrounding child labor stems from a mutual reality and accepted view on the issue. Based on UNICEF, child labor policies should be formulated from various experiences all over the world. That is defining the needs of the children should be dependent upon factual information and not emotional images depicted through the media.

 The development of certain attitudes toward child labor issues a certain way of ensuring that people unveil the root of the problem. This argument remains unchecked due to various aptitudes and inabilities perceived to be connected to childhood in various communities around the world (Khan, 2010). Most of the time, child labor policies depend on the ability to comply with regulations and the timely actions taken by the government to come to terms with the present issues faced by children. Childhood experiences are reliable because they are similar and do not fluctuate from one country to another.

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

Khan, A. (2010). Discourses on childhood: Policy‐making with regard to child labour in the context of competing cultural and economic preceptions. History and Anthropology, 21(2), 101-119.

328 Words  1 Pages

 

Gluten Intolerance Compared To Tolerance for Alcohol

In most households, various grains such as wheat and barley are commonly consumed daily in various forms. One of the major meals that contain these substances is the bread that people tend to take either as a meal morning or during the day. However, this increased appetitive could lead to increased dangers or prevalence to various health issues as people consume consuming without considering how the tolerance could trigger various issues. The common substance in these serials is gluten, which is known to cause some health discomforts such as bloating, and pain after consumption (Brazier, 2020). With time, the affected people may develop gluten intolerance that can be noted through symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and fatigue among others.

On the other hand, various psychoactive drugs tend to alter the consciousness, mood, and thoughts of the consumers. People suffering from depression and anxiety are likely to use psychoactive drugs to overcome the problem led by the continued consumption of products with gluten contents. Psychoactive drugs can be legal, whereas some are illicit in some states and countries. Examples of the legal psychoactive drugs that depressed people are likely to use include tobacco, and alcohol (Shen, Yuan, & Ou, 2020). On the other hand, these people are exposed to illicit drugs that include marijuana, cocaine, and heroin. In this study, the focus will be on how gluten intolerance can be compared to tolerance for psychoactive drugs.

Most people undergoing gluten intolerance may not be aware of the happenings but some various signs and symptoms can be detected before it gets worse. These people are susceptible to a wheat allergy that affect some people as they continue using products made from wheat such as bread. The symptoms and conditions resemble the celiac disease that relates to the autoimmune system. In some cases, gluten intolerance is also referred to as nonceliac gluten sensitivity (Gažarová, Lenártová, Kopčeková, Mrázová, Holovičová, Chlebová & Wyka, 2018). The symptoms become clear among the consumers whenever they reintroduce gluten into their system after the recovery. Therefore, the affected people may not be well versed in what they are undergoing when they are not consuming products with wheat contents. As a result, there could be a correlation between the increased tolerances for psychoactive drugs to overcome the effects of gluten.

In the wider perspective, bread making process starts when the dough is kneaded, which leads to activation of the gluten substance that creates the elastic network. The elasticity in the dough opens possibilities of trapping gases in the fermentation stage due to yeast. As a result, the rise and expansion in the baking stage. Notably, wheat is preferred over barley and rye despite being similar. Wheat is preferred because it light, porous, and the consumer can chew easily. Therefore, the increased appetite to buy bread exposes them to gluten intolerance. The same gluten can be found in cakes, pizza, and beer (Foschia, Horstmann, Arendt & Zannini, 2016). This link could explain how consumption of alcohol could be witnessed among people who love it.

However, over the years it has become clear that heavy use of products made of wheat keeps the consumers from using alcohol. The consumption of both gluten in food and consumption of alcohol leads to health issues such as bloating, and abdominal pain. This can now be confirmed to have developed from the gluten in both the bread and cake when interacting with gluten in the alcohol (Shen et al., 2020). Barley is a major ingredient in alcohol, which makes the gluten elasticity to be harder compared to the gluten in bread. In such a case, an increase in tolerance for psychoactive drugs will lead to a decrease in the consumption of foods with gluten (Bressan & Kramer, 2016). The consumer has to choose between taking foods with gluten or take psychoactive drugs that would be mostly used to overcome depression and anxiety.

It can be concluded that an increase in tolerance for psychoactive drugs compared to consumption of foods with gluten could have been led to the current lifestyles. People are undergoing frustrations, marriage issues, and work issues that lead to an increase in tolerance for psychoactive drugs. As a result, it causes possible health issues when the gluten affects their systems when various forms meet in their belly. Therefore, it is not advisable to consume food that contains gluten and later take alcohol that has a different form of gluten. This explains why some people bloat or report abdominal issues when they mix the two substances.

 

 

 

References

Brazier, Y. (2020, December 10). Food intolerance: Causes, types, symptoms, and diagnosis.       Retrieved January 28, 2021, from           https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/263965#symptoms

Bressan, P., & Kramer, P. (2016). Bread and Other Edible Agents of Mental Disease. Frontiers   in human neuroscience10, 130. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2016.00130

Gažarová, M., Lenártová, P., Kopčeková, J., Mrázová, J., Holovičová, M., Chlebová, Z., &          Wyka, J. (2018). Consumption of different types of bakery products and its effect on            visceral fat area in healthy population. Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny69(4),            353–362. https://doi.org/10.32394/rpzh.2018.0040

Foschia, M., Horstmann, S., Arendt, E. K., & Zannini, E. (2016). Nutritional therapy - Facing the            gap between coeliac disease and gluten-free food. International journal of food            microbiology239, 113–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2016.06.014

Shen, C., Yuan, J., & Ou, X. (2020). Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) genes family in wheat          (Triticum aestivum): Genome-wide identification, characterization, phylogenetic       relationship and expression patterns. 10.21203/rs.3.rs-60428/v1.

914 Words  3 Pages

 

Articles on Positive behavior relationship policy comparison

 

Learning institutions are governed by policies and strategies. The latter policies control the behavior of all the stakeholders within the learning environment. Thus to maintain these policies there is a need for each organization to deploy management bodies that purposely control the entire organization or institution. It has been noted that each organization has its policies, although some of them might be similar especially for the learning institution as the type of people governed have shared behavior. More so, the objective of having these policies is to achieve positive behavior management. Primarily, behaviour in learning starts from the early years of learning to the primary level, proceeding to secondary and further education institutions of learning (Ozga, 2009, p.150). This essay presents a discussion on the characteristics and the impacts of behaviours within the latter learning institutions environments while examining the similarities and differences in the policies related to the management of behaviours in the learning environments, and how to achieve effective and appropriate behaviours and communication as well as the development of personal and organizational practice.

LO 1: Characteristics and Impacts of Behaviour with the Learning Environments

This essay consists of two sections. The first section aims at comparing and contrasting behaviours management policies between Options Higford and Chasetown Community School (CCS). The second section focuses on finding reflection based on the first section to identify personal and institutional developments, thus fostering behaviour. Beginning with the first section we will present the characteristics and effects of behaviour as presented in the two institutions using the theories of behaviour management. Each learning institution is defined by its characteristic policies that might be similar or different from that of other organizations. For instance, starting with the Options Higford institution we can pinpoint some of the characteristics that govern the behaviour of the institution. This learning institution aims at providing the learners, especially the young people with complex needs to those with Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) and Severe-Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD/SLD) (Luxford et al., 2017, p.3897; Cai et al., 2018, p.2). Basically, these efforts help students who have an attachment, thinking, social communication, sensory issues, social understanding, and flexibility of thinking difficulties.

Once the young students' complex needs are addressed, positive behaviour is promoted, which ensures their safety and welfare promotion. Also, the policy ensures that respect is shown to the challenges that young people face by creating positive environments where children can flourish. According to the Office of Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (OFSTED), children and young people need to be regulated and monitored in order to achieve excellence. More so, childcare and social care should be enhanced across all learning institutions and all ages. It is the obligation of the Ofsted to ensure that all the security services are ensured in the learning institutions (Ofsted, 2014). Thus ensuring positive learning environments would, therefore, build good relationships of trust and understanding, which would trigger or find solutions to situations that were distracting the young people.

At Options Higford, positive behaviour is governed by well-formulated key principles. A few of these principles state that behaviour cannot be considered in isolation, teaching, promoting, and supporting appropriate behaviour should include all the stakeholders in the school, challenging behaviour is an indicator of poor physical and emotional well-being (Domitrovich et al., 2017, p.408). Other principles include consistency, and staff working closely with parents, thus agree on appropriate approaches that would promote positive behaviour. Upon keen follow up of the set principles, it is the expectation of the organization that all children with have a positive behaviour and a support plan. At the end of it, all the institution expects those young people would behave well, and demonstrate an improvement in their behaviour, which will enable them to learn new skills and thus meet their needs.

On the other hand, the Chasetown Community School, have some set policies that impact behaviour within the learning environment. In this institution, the staff has an obligation of ensuring that young people develop self-regulating skills, to avoid affecting their future goals as well as those of others. Additionally, in this school staff work as both teachers and enablers to help the young people to portray positive behaviour, and thus minimize challenging or difficult behaviour. The latter behaviors are said to have greater impacts on the young people sometimes challenging to the professionals, at times, making the young ones at high risks of mental illness and sometimes school failure. Thus, there is a need to develop principles based on therapeutic approaches that address behaviour and inclusion (Cole et al., 2019, p.374).  The purpose of these school policies is to ensure that day to day practices focus on the provision of positive experiences for the young people, which would result in sustained positive feelings. The latter feelings are attributed to the development of positive social behaviour.

The CCS learning institution has set the principles that all young people have a right to learn. The learning environment should be safe, caring, nurturing, and supportive. Also, the staff needs to follow the policies responsibly. Additionally, the CCS curriculum ensures that the staff ranging from the curriculum, teachers, and others work towards ensuring a therapeutically healthy environment. A healthy environment is that follows therapeutically healthy actions, which are analysis of individual’s behaviour and plan carefully and that which provides consequences on inappropriate educational and protective social behaviour. Besides, the school provides positive experiences to drive positive feelings that would result in internal motivation. Following the provision of these policies, the end result will be appropriate support to all students and thus develop positive social behaviours and self-regulation. Some examples of positive social behaviour achieved through this policy include active listening, self-discipline, tolerance, respect for the environment, risk management, willingness to follow appropriate instructions, and so on.

            Furthermore, CCS policies address the issues of positive relationships between the staff and the young people. The expected characteristics in a learning environment should be self-regulated, managed emotions, and consistency in response. This type of relationship is essential in supporting young people to develop positive social behavior, build trust, get encouraged, and thus become confident, develop self-esteem, and thus willingness to attempt new ways of living (O’Brien, 2018). Working towards a good relationship between the staff and the young people it is important that the institution gets to understand the views and the willingness of young people, take their interests, speak respectfully, smile and greet all young people, avoid colliding with them, use corrective communication as opposed to threatening language, among others. At the end of the process, the institution will create a positive ethos within the school environment and positive treatment of young people.

LO 2: Comparison between Organizational Policies in Managing Behaviours in the Learning Environments

Some differences in policies are portrayed between the two learning institutions. The major difference is portrayed in the objective of the policies set for the two institutions, while the Options Higford aims at promoting positive behaviour and ensuring that young people are sate and their welfare is promoted, as well as giving respect to the challenges they might face, the Chasetown Community School, focuses on making plans that would help the young people demonstrate positive behaviour and develop their self-regulation so that their SEND does not adversely interfere with their future goals as well as those surrounding them (DfE, 2015). At Options Higford the young people are provided with a structured environment that helps them know what is expected of them, while the CCS staff work as both teachers and enablers to ensure that the young demonstrate positive behavior and minimize the difficulty in behaviour.

Additionally, Options Higford, has a primary focus on OFSTED, concurring with the guide concerned with creating a positive environment. OFSTED has revealed much concern on the level of disruption in the school environment. The body set some policies that guide the inspectors, tightening and putting emphasis on routine inspection issues. At the end of the survey, the results revealed that teachers, parents, and carers, were much concerned with the frequent loss in learning time that was as a result of low-level disruptive behaviour, across primary and secondary schools in England (Ofsted, 2014). Thus a need to seek strategies that will ensure that the learning institutions would revive back to high standards of pupil’s behaviour. On the other hand, the CCS focused on therapeutic approaches of behaviour and inclusion, based on ensuring therapeutically healthy actions. The latter actions target in providing support to students and thus develop positive social behaviour and self-regulation. Further, this policy included an aspect of inclusion, which was set to be achieved through building positive relationships.

At Options Higford, all young people have a positive behaviour support plan. It is through this plan that the young people are informed on how to manage the environment, behave appropriately, how to use rewards and strategies for managing inappropriate behaviours. In this institution young people have difficulties with thinking flexibilities, relating with others, thus a need to focus on how to reinforce them. While in CCS, the institution has therapeutic plans targeting all the young kids. These plans are subject to be read by all the staff to ensure consistency around the management of every individual child. The plans are written by the teachers upon consultation with the parents and young children themselves. The plan aims at using educational and protective consequences to recognize inappropriate behaviour in a child and then proceed to its improvement.

LO 3: Personal Practice in Managing Behaviour and Communicating Appropriately and Effectively

Evaluation of one’s practice on behaviour management and examining appropriateness and effectiveness on behaviour, reflective practice is essential. Primarily, reflection is a mind's state on an ongoing constituent of practice that enables practitioners to learn. The learning process is from personal experiences, about their work, the way they relate to while at home or work, understanding the significance of others and the wider society as well as culture. It is through reflection that we develop strategies or policies that bring things out in the open, making them appropriate and thus searching questions that have never been asked before. It is through this reflection that people can communicate effectively as people are assured of safety and confidentiality (Appleyard & Appleyard, 2010). Similarly, reflection poses a challenge to assumptions, inequalities, and more importantly questioning personal behaviour. This section is an evaluation of personal practice that aims at managing behaviours, as well as justification of personal and organizational practice to achieve appropriate and effective communication.

Management especially in school institutions is not an easy task, there is a need to develop competitive strategies or policies that can promise effectiveness in work. In personal practice in learning and teaching, it is important to ensure that the parents' and other stakeholders’ expectations are met (Kintu et al., 2017, pp.1-20). The expectations are that all operations are effective and that all individuals’’ needs are addressed to satisfaction. In the learning environment, it is very essential to ensure that the learners are provided with stimulating, creative and learning engagement. This effort will make them feel secure, and thus a possibility to relate with each other, getting emotional support from the staff, which in turn promotes positive behavior in the classroom. In order to achieve the stated positive behaviour in the learning environment, there must be a keen follow up of the policies that have been put in place to address behaviour and discipline in the schools.

Policies governing school institutions are developed by the education department. The policies are primarily directed to provide advice to headteachers, school staff, on how they should develop school behaviour policies and explaining the power of each member when disciplining students. When developing behaviour policies it is important that they are clear and well understood by the staff, parents, and the learners themselves, to ensure consistency in application (Minocha, 2017, p.235). Headteachers should be so vigilant to check some key aspects in school practice to determine when effective, the policies can be used to improve the quality of behaviour among the learners. The strategies that headteachers should consider include a consistent approach to behaviour management and strong school leadership. Additionally, the headteacher should consider the class management, rewards, behaviour strategies, staff development, and support (Bagley and Hillyard, 2019, p.273). It is also important to consider pupil support systems, liaison with parents, managing people transition, and organization of facilities. Apart from the development of the aspects of school practice, the policy on behaviour should be inclusive of disciplinary actions against learners who act maliciously against the set behaviour policies. Additionally, the school should acknowledge its legal duties, follow them and thus show respect to learners with special educational needs.

Further, in managing behaviour, it is essential to creating philosophies and train staff. The latter philosophies and training focus on increasing staff confidence and competence in responding to challenging behaviours and thus promote and protect the positive relationship between the learners and teachers (Machin et al., 2020). It is through positive relationships that we can achieve positive behaviour and ensure appropriateness and effectiveness and communication. Thus for organizations to manage positive behaviour it is essential that much effort is directed towards the improvement of the relationship. Positive relationships are vital in developing positive social behaviour because there is the assurance of trust-building, confidence, self-esteem, and positive modeling between the young people and the staff. The processing of developing relationship involves interaction between the involved people to get their views and preferences, interests, and thus avoid collisions. It is through interaction that the young feel included and as part of the institution, where they feel good working together.

More so, in the management of behaviour, it is essential to create a link between the parents and children. This link is essential in promoting behaviour, as the children can communicate freely, sharing progress, and in case of any problem, it is solved immediately. It is through this communication that the behaviour of an individual can be monitored. Besides, the staff should not be left behind when creating these links, similarly, they need to develop their behaviour and communication that focus on supporting positive behaviour (Appleyard & Appleyard, 2010). Their role should revolve around developing a positive and mutually respectful relationship with the young people and make expectations of the children clear, by ensuring a scheduled and systems they set up, make clear visual supports deployed, and ensuing a careful plan in the use of non-verbal and verbal communication, which should give the same message. These strategies ensure that the communication process is effective and appropriate and all information is portrayed in a manner that every individual can understand, especially when addressing positive behaviour policies.

Development Justifications to Own and Organizational Practice

The purpose of this review was to ensure that learning institutions meet the needs of all learners. More precisely, aiming at addressing Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND), which has been made possible through the development of policies governing individual persons and organizations at large. In order to achieve these developments, it is important to build a personal and organizational practice, for a common good (Robinson, 2017). There are various pieces of evidence from the two policies that can be used to justify how people can develop own and organizational practice. Based on individual capacity the development of own practice revolves around the creation and enforcement of positive personal behaviour, and how to deal with anxiety levels, thus solving the challenges associated with the interaction with others. It is through personal practice that individuals decide to suspend or fully refrain from some leisure activities, making young people rectify damage, and contribute towards the replacement of damaged items.

            More so, the development of own practice, is what makes learners develop positive social behaviours and self-regulation. The young people get to recognize the inappropriate behaviours and thus work towards correcting those using individualistic and specific approaches. It is through this development that institutions appreciate that each child is different and thus each of them requires a unique approach in helping them learn positive behaviours (DfE, 2015). The staff, therefore, has an obligation of identifying each young people’s need to know, practice, and keep memorizing them when planning their operations directed towards achieving educational consequences. The latter can be achieved through ensuring behaviour and discipline in schools, this can be achieved by ensuring a good relationship between the school staff and the pupils (DfE, 2015). Good behaviour comes out when the institution sets clear policies governing the school behaviour policy and clearly stated discipline in school, and conduct outside the school environment.

Similarly, the organization's practices have been subject to developments. These organizations, concerned with learning embrace development that focuses on creating an environment that supports the wellbeing of young people. The main focus of the organizations or the school institutions is to ensure that the learners get true security, confidence, and self-regulation. Additionally, organizational practice has been paramount in the creation and development of positive behaviour policies, which can solve problems associated with the students (Toseeb, 2020). Most importantly, the institution's practice has shifted towards creating a healthy environment where healthy actions are put in place, and promotion of positive social behaviour is key. Also, institutions' practice is geared towards getting a positive relationship with young people, leading to self-esteem and confidence. Young people are no longer mistreated but instead, encouraged and praised based on their achievements (Wibrowski, et al., 2017, p.317). The organizations have taken the initiative of informing the parents of their children's good work via phone calls, some awarded with certificates of achievements, praised in front of other students and staff.

However, in instances where young people experience difficulties, it is always advisable that the challenges are addressed at individual levels. The reason for this is because it has been identified that each need is not similar to that of others. there is much need that organizations follow the OFSTED guidelines, to ensure full regulation and inspection of children's services thus achieve excellence in all learning environments (Ofsted, 2014). Additionally, the institution practice needs to work towards recovering the time lost through classroom disruptions, thus eliminate the frustration with teachers, and therefore, ensure high standards of learners’ behaviour. It is the obligation of the school institutions to ensure that the set policies promote positive behaviour, respect, and prevent bullying and harassment, ensure that learners complete the assigned duties, and by all means keep the expected code of conduct. Good conduct should be maintained by students at all places, whether inside or outside the school, and anyone who breaks the set policies is subject to proportionate punishment. Both, personal and organizational practices have a core focus on achieving positive behaviour.

 

 

 

Bibliography

Appleyard N. & Appleyard K. (2010) Communicating with Learners in the Lifelong Learning Sector UK: Learning Matters.

Bagley, C. and Hillyard, S., 2019. In the field with two rural primary school head teachers in England. Journal of Educational Administration and History51(3), pp.273-289.

Cai, R.Y., Richdale, A.L., Foley, K.R., Trollor, J. and Uljarević, M., 2018. Brief report: Cross-sectional interactions between expressive suppression and cognitive reappraisal and its relationship with depressive symptoms in autism spectrum disorder. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders45, pp.1-8.

Cole, T., McCluskey, G., Daniels, H., Thompson, I. and Tawell, A., 2019. Factors associated with high and low levels of school exclusions: Comparing the English and wider UK experience. Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties24(4), pp.374-390.

DfE (2015) Behaviour and Discipline in Schools.  Available from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/behaviour-and-discipline-in-schools

DfE (2015) School and College Behaviour and Attendance. [Online]

Domitrovich, C.E., Durlak, J.A., Staley, K.C. and Weissberg, R.P., 2017. Social‐emotional competence: An essential factor for promoting positive adjustment and reducing risk in school children. Child development88(2), pp.408-416.

Kintu, M.J., Zhu, C. and Kagambe, E., 2017. Blended learning effectiveness: the relationship between student characteristics, design features and outcomes. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education14(1), pp.1-20.

Luxford, S., Hadwin, J.A. and Kovshoff, H., 2017. Evaluating the effectiveness of a school-based cognitive behavioural therapy intervention for anxiety in adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders47(12), pp.3896-3908.

Machin, L., Hindmarch, D., Murray, S. and Richardson, T., 2020. A complete guide to the level 5 diploma in education and training. Critical Publishing.

Minocha, S., Hristov, D. and Reynolds, M., 2017. From graduate employability to employment: policy and practice in UK higher education. International Journal of Training and Development21(3), pp.235-248.

O’Brien, J. (2018) Better Behaviour: A guide for teachers. London: Sage.

Ofsted, 2014. Below the radar: low‐level disruption in the country's classrooms.

Ozga, J., 2009. Governing education through data in England: From regulation to self‐evaluation. Journal of education policy24(2), pp.149-162.

Robinson, D., 2017. Effective inclusive teacher education for special educational needs and disabilities: Some more thoughts on the way forward. Teaching and Teacher Education61, pp.164-178.

Toseeb, U., Asbury, K., Code, A., Fox, L. and Deniz, E., 2020. Supporting families with children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities during COVID-19.

Wibrowski, C.R., Matthews, W.K. and Kitsantas, A., 2017. The role of a skills learning support program on first-generation college students’ self-regulation, motivation, and academic achievement: A longitudinal study. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice19(3), pp.317-332.

 

 

 

3559 Words  12 Pages

Hero’s memoir

Personal growth has always been my life’s journey.  I believe that I was born for a specific reason and this gives me the drive I need to push through any challenge that I come across. Life is full of valleys and mountains which requires one to have more than one quality to overcome each situation. For instance, the principles I applied in my childhood years are not the same ones I use to operate as a youth. Personal growth is not always channeled towards overcoming problems but as a landmark of humanity and a showcase of one’s life. No matter how wealthy one is, the impact left on others will live on. Thus, I strive to make a mark in everyone’s lives. One of the most ways of achieving success and long-lasting humanity in one's life is done through one's personal growth. Personally, the essence of growth is rooted in survival. Life is meaningless if one was to stay in one place. In my daily life, personal growth is manifested through my behaviorism, outlook on life, and how I treat everyone that I interact with. Any human being that one comes across, will openly confess that they do not want to stay in the same place for too long. Everyone wants to progress, fulfill their dreams, celebrate small wins and feel like humans. One day, I was told to give up my money for a greater cause. One of my friends had lost her mother and I was to take charge of the situation and help her during the mourning period. Rather than forego the luxuries that I am accustomed to, I decided to hold my friend’s hand as she underwent one of the most painful days of her life. During this period, I learned to make sound decisions in an open-minded way that would not come across as rude or selfish. The chance to help my friend was not only noble but forced me out of my comfort zone.  Such situations forced me to make open my mind to other situations in life as I dealt with a mourning friend.

My life is based on decisions I make, I take full responsibility for any decision made in the past and the ones that will make in the future. The chance to come up with more than one way of solving problems emerges from the ability to be responsible and hold oneself responsible for every action taken. Sometimes, actions and words define reality as the perception surrounding the actions is closely tied to personal growth. The extent to which one grows is dependent on owning one’s actions especially failed actions. Thus, personal growth materializes through actions and even the decision-making process. The mistakes made in my younger years have always opened up new opportunities to solve present. Therefore, I can always map out my growth process through the actions I have taken throughout the years. This is evident that my personal growth is an indication of where I am in life and how I deal with more of the situations I find myself in. In the long run, I take responsibility that I have ever done in the past and even in the future. As time goes by and I gradually mature into the person I want to be, my mind is broadened and I appreciate the people around me, and given a chance to impact their lives, I gladly do it. Time is only a factor that I consider due to human mortality. Man can come up with ways of improving his situation without interfering or impacting the lives of others. Hence, positively impacting the lives of other people around me seems to be the best mark to prove progression and ability to grow out of the ashes. The reasons I highlight positively impacting the lives of others as a mark of personal growth is due to the human sense of belonging and human ability to replicate it through the actions of other people.

 One of the most impactful people in my life is my parents. They did not only give me life but taught me how to live peacefully with other people. In my younger years, they ensured that I  would regularly live with other people and even gave me the chance to choose people that would mentor me and discipline me whenever they were not there. After I knew that they were opening up to the world, I accepted and obeyed their will. Few years down the line, I learned how to accommodate people who had different opinions. For instance, whenever I acknowledged that I would be answerable to more than one adult. Unlike my peers who were only answerable to their guardian or parent. This forced me to develop a sense of responsibility for elders. Anytime I would be a call to answer to any mistake or mischief, I would gladly accept the consequences that would come with my actions hence in the long run I became more responsible.

 

 

835 Words  3 Pages

Social Evolution of a Transgender Culture

Introduction

 The present transgender studies center on gender deviance and difference. However, with time, society made extensive adjustments to accommodate transgender individuals. For instance, in 2014, social media sites reorganized gender choices to allow users to designate their gender. Previously, users were restricted to male or female. Nevertheless, social media brands such as Facebook approved the cultural patterns existing outside the prevailing traditional standards and gave individuals the capability of defining themselves predominantly, within societal contexts. Conventional standards of predominant culture permitted only two sexes- men and women as authentic sex groups. Transgender issues have received a ton of attention from media platforms and an overall change in public perspective over the years, as well as more individuals, are being given a chance to openly embrace the gender they identify with.

History of Transgender in the USA

Transgender is a present-day term hence most sociologists frame it as gender nonconformity. In the initial period, some people tried to violate recognized gender systems and efforts to avert and manage such violations were met with normalcy or fierce rejection. For instance, in 1620 a Virginian servant claimed to be both female and male and even sometimes played the role of both a woman and a man. This prompted the people near him to carry out certain physical examinations to ascertain his mental health status (Karami et al., 2018, 215). The case became known as bi-gender and the court was given the mandate to conclusively decide on the case. At the end of each court session, the court ruled that the man could men’s breaches and women’s clothing. This outstanding ruling was marked a remarkable step for transgender persons. With time gender beliefs have remained the same henceforth making it hard to make space for transgender individuals within the society. This goes to prove that history is rife with instances of transgender people.

 The 14th amendment of 1868 would have safeguarded transgender people’s rights as well as other defined categories. Even though the Supreme Court did not completely adopt the amendment, the changes formed part of future rulings. In 1923 a German medic coined the term transsexual to be used in a medical journal (Scandurra et al., 2017, 563). Despite using the term transsexual in medical settings, some people considered it offensive thus forcing people to come up with the term transgender. It is vital to note that transgender and transsexual are not interchangeable. Transgender is a general word used to refer to individuals who do not recognize the sex designated at birth. Although medical experts generated medical recommendations, however, these commendations are regarded as personal perspectives. With time, medics were forced to come up with data and results connected to these outcomes.

 In 1949, San Francisco medical expert Harry Benjamin pioneered the usage of hormonal treatment in the medication of Trans patients. Benjamin’s focus was anti-aging and sexual individuality. In the same way, he believed that people have the right to change their sex if they felt that the gender allocated to them at birth was incorrect (Chong et al., 2019, 186). Benjamin instructed one of his Trans patients to undergo surgery. At first, he was susceptible because psychotherapy was ineffective among trans patients. Thus, the only solution for these patients was surgery. Through surgery, Trans patients could change their gender.  In 1959, Christine Jorgensen, a trans- female was denied a marriage permit due to her gender. Her partner, Howard was fired when the issue became public. Jorgensen took advantage of the publicity to launch an activism platform for transgender individuals. Additionally, the stonewall riots of 1969 highlighted the plight of transgender communities. The stonewall uprisings triggered the present-day gay rights activities. Marsha Johnson was the initiator of the riots with law enforcers. This movement championed gay rights.

 One of the most memorable transgender cases was MT V JT in 1976. In this case, the New Jersey magistrate concluded that Trans people can marry based on their gender identity, irrespective of the gender allocated to them at birth. This milestone case established that the accuser, MT had a right to acquire spousal support after her husband abandoned her (Pang et al., 2020, 215). The court ruled that JT's matrimony was legitimate hence a solid ground for seeking spousal support, partly due to her transgender surgery. In 1989, Anna Hopkins was denied a promotion because her employers claimed that she was not feminine. She sued her employer and the court ruled that gender discrimination was part of sex discrimination. Thus, the court ruled that the employer was discriminated against Anna Hopkins. In the end, the employer had to prove that Anna was not feminine enough.

Transgender Social Status Evolution

 The transgender issue began as a gender crisis because trans people could not identify themselves as either male or female. Therefore, discrimination has often be tied to the plight of transgender communities. Most transgender individuals are rejected and cast out of their communities due to their gender identity and mannerisms. This rejection often leads to social marginalization. Transgender is a general term that assists in the description of people who want to change the sex assigned to them at birth. Therefore, this issue assists in the expression of gender identity and also gender deviance. More so, transgender shelters routines and standards that might seem unacceptable to the rest of the world. For instance, a woman changing her mannerism to align with manhood. Transgender communities are minute in number with an estimation of .3% in the USA alone (de Jong et al., 2017, 71). This number translates into 2million transgender adults in the USA alone. Most transgender individuals are rejected by close relatives and friends which in turn leads to social marginalization. In the long term, transgender individuals become displaced and jobless consequently leading to a life of crime as a way of earning an income. Some of the studies prove that 67% of the transgender individuals have a criminal record and the remaining were imprisoned at one point in their lives. Hence, there is a high prevalence of transgender arrests in the USA alone.

 Transgender communities are made of diverse ethnicities and USA statistics show that the USA transgender population is made up of 2million people.  Therefore transgender communities consist of parents, workers, and even children. In other words, transgender communities are entitled to equal rights just like any other person in the community. Diversity represents different races and ethnicities and even cultures. Over the years the legal systems have not been sufficient enough in the protection of transgender rights (Morris et al., 2020, 915). Transgender individuals encounter numerous legal issues because the government is not doing enough to protect them from discrimination. Despite the USA Supreme court declaring that transgender people are protected against discrimination, failure to put in place conclusive federal regulations that would see to it that transgender individuals' rights are not violated.  In terms of privileges, the government has enabled transgender communities to coexist with the rest of the societies. Transgenderism advocated for the rights of transgender individuals and encouraged them to live among other people without feeling inferior to them. For the sake of coming up with more than one way of protecting transgender individuals, the government has ensured that transgender individuals are accepted and live among other people because they are part and parcel of the community.

Present Social Status of Transgender Individuals

Ten years ago, only a few people supported transgender rights in the USA. However, in recent years the support for transgender individuals has tremendously increased. For instance, in 2019, 62% of Americans supported transgender rights. Despite the obvious progress, transgender communities experience stigma from time to time as most people label them as socially deviant people. While some people have developed intolerance towards transgender individuals, some ensured that most of their rights are preserved and enacted into the community (Billard, 2019, 165). Communal work and professional standards sometimes protect transgender from discrimination and stereotyping of transgender individuals within the communities. In simpler terms, the social status of transgender individuals is not yet cemented in society due to a lack of legislation that fails to protect them from oppression and discriminative people.

Studies on transgender social lives documented that the increasing rates of transgender discrimination are both physical and expressed through words or even mannerisms that would translate into abusive language. In the current age of the internet, numerous transgender people are speaking out against stereotyping. For instance, pop culture tried to change the perception people have of transgender. Recently, more transgender individuals are being considered for major film roles in the entertainment industry (Cannon, 2017, 68). This progressive nature connected to transgender individuals sometimes is mistaken for acceptance. However, transgender individuals encounter numerous medical disparities within the communities. For instance, higher rates of HIV infection are found in communities that do not have primary medical facilities and this explains the underlying reasons for the high rates of medical disparities among transgender individuals. In terms of economics, transgender individuals tolerate the economic impact of discrimination such as the ever-increasing poverty levels, joblessness, discrimination in the academic sector, and even homelessness. Additionally, transgender persons from minority groups experience violence and isolation from the rest of the members of the communities. Also, transgender individuals taking part in prostitution and other related fields tend to be violated and isolated from the rest of the society.  The future of transgender individuals

 The concept that transgender individuals are not normal, is a false misconception that has misled communities all over the world. Just like any other group in the community, transgender has to access equal rights. Transgender individuals have the same goals as other people. With time people will learn to accept them as normal members of society. For the sake of coming up with an accepted norm, society can learn to define gender as male or female but also the inclusion of other gender possibilities. This will help to iron out most of the negative perceptions associated with transgender communities and their people. Americans' attitude towards transgender individuals is rapidly changing and most transgender individuals are aware of these changes (Goldberg, 2018, 176). These change in public perception implies that transgender individuals will be welcomed in most public spaces. More so, the universal acceptance has enabled a sense of belonging to the transgender individuals due to the optimism received from most people. According to transgender studies, out of five people, only one accepts transgender individuals, the rest are not ready to make accept them into the community. A significant number of transgender individuals feel that the people in society are not ready to accept them into the community hence they are normally treated unfairly. Thus, most transgender individuals believe that society has accepted them but it is not enough. A transgender person does not need to undergo surgery to fall under the category of transgender. Some transgender individuals have been allowed to make a self-declaration on their preferred gender. Therefore, after a self-declaration, they can comfortably live as either male, female, or any other preferable gender (de Jong et al., 2017, 71). The public panic is not directed at transgender people but at gender recognition regulations that fail to recognize transgender people as normal people.

  In summary, transgender revolves around gender identities that differ from the sex allocated at birth. Transgender individuals express gender identity in various ways such as dressing, mannerisms, and even character. People can become transgender through self-declaration, consuming hormones and surgical procedures to change the physical anatomy of their bodies. Some individuals refused the conventional comprehension of gender identity and forced the government to include more genders to give transgender individuals preference.  Society's attempt at accepting transgender has made it possible to protect their rights in the community. Transgender individuals experience discrimination and isolation due to their choices. The isolation often lead to engagement in crime and other vices.

 

 

References

Billard, Thomas J. "Setting the transgender agenda: Intermedia agenda-setting in the digital news environment." Politics, Groups, and Identities 7, no. 1 (2019): 165-176.

Cannon, Yuliya, Stacy Speedlin, Joe Avera, Derek Robertson, Mercedes Ingram, and Ashely Prado. "Transition, connection, disconnection, and social media: Examining the digital lived experiences of transgender individuals." Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling 11, no. 2 (2017): 68-87.

Chong, Eddie SK, V. Paul Poteat, Hirokazu Yoshikawa, and Jerel P. Calzo. "Fostering youth self-efficacy to address transgender and racial diversity issues: The role of gay–straight alliances." School Psychology 34, no. 1 (2019): 54.

de Jong, D. "Christian social work education and transgender issues: A faculty survey." Social Work & Christianity 44, no. 1/2 (2017): 53-71.

Goldberg, Abbie E. "Transgender students in higher education." (2018).

Karami, Amir, Frank Webb, and Vanessa L. Kitzie. "Characterizing transgender health issues in Twitter." Proceedings of the Association for Information Science and Technology 55, no. 1 (2018): 207-215.

Morris, Ezra R., Louis Lindley, and M. Paz Galupo. "“Better issues to focus on”: Transgender Microaggressions as Ethical Violations in Therapy." The Counseling Psychologist 48, no. 6 (2020): 883-915.

Pang, Ken C., Nastasja M. de Graaf, Denise Chew, Monsurul Hoq, David R. Keith, Polly Carmichael, and Thomas D. Steensma. "Association of media coverage of transgender and gender diverse issues with rates of referral of transgender children and adolescents to specialist gender clinics in the UK and Australia." JAMA Network Open 3, no. 7 (2020): e2011161-e2011161.

Scandurra, Cristiano, Anna Lisa Amodeo, Paolo Valerio, Vincenzo Bochicchio, and David M. Frost. "Minority stress, resilience, and mental health: A study of Italian transgender people." Journal of Social Issues 73, no. 3 (2017): 563-585.

2262 Words  8 Pages

Families in Society

Introduction

 Willmott and Young opted to take an alternate functionalist perspective on families. Their concept was known as progressive because it explored how communities grow and improve gradually. Willmott and Young confirmed that the family undergoes four phases of growth. The four phases are tied to industrialization mechanisms. Phase one entails pre-industrial families. In this phase, the family functions as a single component of economic construction. Work and home are inseparable. In the second phase, the ancient industrial family moves into urbanized zones hence home and work is isolated from each other. Stages three deals with symmetrical families and the last stage describe the underlying reasons for asymmetrical families. On the other hand, Berger and Berger stated that explore the underlying roots of nuclear families and other family structure changes.

Wilmott and Young

Wilmott and Young came up with their family concepts after reading and researching on functionalist ideals from sociologists such as Talcott. Their investigations were based on London families. The authors developed a family ideology after examining concepts that had been developed before their own. In 1973, they claimed that families were symmetrical- both wife and husband had similar obligations to the family unit.  Instead of adapting customary nuclear family roles, where the husband had distinct roles from his wife, Wilmott and Young observed that contemporary family units did not have distinct gender roles. Hence, men and women worked together to meet a common goal (Young, & Willmott, 1974). Despite them playing the same role in the family, men and women had different occupations. Thus, the family became a shared obligation hence men and women were equal. The primary reason which made families more symmetrical was that husbands, wives, and children spent more time together unlike in the past where the men would spend more time at the nightclub and then later he would go to his wife.

 Apart from symmetrical families, Wilmott and Young proposed stratified diffusion. This concept allowed them to contend that alterations in traditions and morals usually commence in wealthy communities and later trickle down to other parts of society (Young, & Willmott, 1974). Hence, a certain action diffuses from wealthy societies and into other parts of society.  Even though the concept of stratified diffusion was highly contentious, especially among feminists, some claimed that the concept was somehow true as evidenced by the symmetrical families. Through this the concept of stratified diffusion, Wilmott and Young became influential gained traction in sociologist circles.

 According to Wilmott and Young, the asymmetrical family developed under four stages. The first stage is known as the pre-industrial family where the family is a production component made up of members who are working together towards a common goal (Young, & Willmott, 1974).  Wilmott and Young both concluded that the first phase exists due to the industrial revolution.

 The second phase consists of the initial industrial family. The initial industrial family resulted from the industrial revolution and it gradually grew through the 19th and 20th centuries. As members of families sought out employment in factories, the notion that the family was a production unit vanished. Families faced numerous hardships because daily wages were minimal. Also, unemployment decreased (Powell et al., 2016). The chance of coming up with more than one way of earning an income was hinged on employment and another industrial opening. According to Wilmott and Young families were forced to form insurance. Thus, families joined hands with other relatives to form one network that went beyond nuclear families.  During this time frame, gender roles were distinct due to the separation of men and women's household roles. Separating matrimonial roles implied that husbands could not perform domestic errands such as raising children. As time went by, this family network dwindled at the onset of the 20th century. However, most low-income homes built employed class zones.

 The third phase is the symmetrical family. During this stage, each family member participates in the wellbeing of the family. Hence, the gender roles are not distinct from each other thus, husbands and wives jointly make decisions but some roles are set and cannot be reversed (Lindsey, 2020).  Also, the fourth stage entailed the formation of the stratified diffusion concept. Wealthier people act as a mirror to society. Whatever wealthy societies do are replicated by other people in other societies.

Berger and Berger Concept

 In the 13th century, was the most predominant family structure in England. However, in the middle of the 20th century, this phenomenon began disappearing. First extended family started fading. Demographic records reveal that the nuclear family began making its mark in the 13th century. Rather than marry and start a family in their parents' house, young couples were forced to move out and form their own homes. Hence, this implied that men would get married later in life (Goldscheider, Bernhardt, & Lappegård, 2015). Thus, a man would move away from his extended family and begin his own. Therefore, the number of nuclear families increased. Berger demonstrated that nuclear families were able to sustain themselves and adapt to the current economic and political systems that existed at the time. More so, family structure was the commonest among English people. There is a connection between nuclear families and the industrial revolution. This is because the nuclear family was flexible and portable as it was could look for opportunities in different locations. Also, the nuclear family was forced to work harder to meet their needs and create a habitable place where they could thrive. For instance, nuclear families saved for the future. Nuclear family habits enable to generate independence and sustain economies through hard times.

Criticism of Both of the Concepts

 Wilmott and Young were heavily criticized due to their theory. Feminist sociologists argued that the symmetrical family ideology contains numerous errors. Also, the feminist claimed that the data also contained numerous mistakes (Blau, 2016).  For instance, men still did not perform household chores. More so, women did most of the house chores despite being career women.

 Marxist claimed that the nuclear family did not come out of Berger and Berger's concept. Instead, he claimed that the industrial revolution resulted from the technological advancement that was common at that particular point in time (Blau, 2016). Also, Marxists claimed that the nuclear family is designed to fit into capitalism concepts, for example, the family unit acts as a consuming unit and permits acceptance of hierarchy. Likewise, the nuclear family facilitates the passage of wealth from one generation to another.

 In summary, a family is a unit that has changed throughout time. The changes have been facilitated by the resources available and the number of family members. The family has moved from a producing unit to a consuming unit. Over the years families have changed and grew from asymmetrical to symmetrical as the goals and needs of the family became more shared between the women and man. The man and woman work towards the same goal and even in decision making. Besides, the father spends time with his children and ensures that all their needs are met. A nuclear family is more flexible and can easily meets its need.

 

 

References

Blau, F. D. (2016). Gender, inequality, and wages. OUP Catalogue.

Goldscheider, F., Bernhardt, E., & Lappegård, T. (2015). The gender revolution: A framework for understanding changing family and demographic behavior. Population and Development Review, 41(2), 207-239.

Lindsey, L. L. (2020). Gender: Sociological Perspectives. Routledge.

Powell, B., Hamilton, L., Manago, B., & Cheng, S. (2016). Implications of changing family forms for children. Annual Review of Sociology, 42, 301-322.

Young, M. D., & Willmott, P. (1974). The symmetrical family. Pantheon.

 

 

 

 

1265 Words  4 Pages
Get in Touch

If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to inform us and we will gladly take care of it.

Email us at support@edudorm.com Discounts

LOGIN
Busy loading action
  Working. Please Wait...