Arabic pop culture

Define cultural resistance and explain how arts and cultures are a means of resistance to the power block (political, patriarchal, religious, etc.)                                                           

                                                            Introduction

            Cultural resistance is perceived as being the use of literature, arts, as well as conventional practices to challenge oppressive or unjust systems just within the context of peaceful movements, campaigns, or actions. Since cultural resistance is regarded as being the mechanism that is used to reclaim humanity, it in return aid in celebrating the Arabian culture. Within this context, it implies that some of the cultural resistance that is being utilized by the Arabian communities is relatively powerful since they serve numerous purposes (DeLaure & Fink, 2017). They have the propensity of inspiring the nation in terms of what the community could have invested in establishing the capacity of the entire community. Such creative as well as artistic offers a fun means of encouraging people to get involved.

            Cultural resistance uses meanings and symbols to test and combat dominant powers. The practice is as old as history itself. It aims to construct a different vision of the world. The practice employs arts, literature, and traditional practices to counter oppressive and unjust power systems. It is a non-violent means of achieving community development. Arts and cultures can be a powerful form of resistance to the power blocks such as political, religious, and patriarchal (Hammond, 2007). The Arab wave of toppling oppressive and dictatorial regime as often employed the use of art and popular culture to express views and put across their message.

                                                            Analysis

The artists speak for themselves through their music becoming one of the most important expressions of contemporary art and culture. The cultural events are a way of people from other cultures to counter the perceptions of Arabs in other countries. The only other way of understanding Arab culture is through social media and accessible advertising. Before the export of the art and symbols to the outside world, the only other way of understanding the people was through the Arabian networks (Walid & Mounira, 2013). The oriental dance and Rai and shaabi dance is a new way of interacting with emerging culture from the Middle East. The result is people from outside the culture diversifying by consuming a variety of acts from the region.

            Classical music, musical trends, and pop songs such as oriental dance have revolutionized the form of productions in the region. The forms of art now have an audience outside of the traditional arts and media structures. The political, patriarchal, social, and religious situations in the regions that the arts originate mean that they are a necessary form of expression. What this implies is the fact that such an establishment has sought to suppress these arts as they view them as dissent becoming necessary to export them to become sustainable. One problem noted in the arena is the lack of understanding and recognition by those outside the Arabic culture (Khalaf & Khalaf, 2012). Such forms of art do not even dominate television in the Arab world.

            Unlike in the western world where bestseller lists are available, they are hard to come by in these regions. However, young artists are changing this narrative by embracing new avenues such as social media to express themselves. However, they have to contend with problems such as religious conservatism. Shaabi has a voice of the street that offers an authentic expression of Arabic culture combined with humor and joyfulness form that the outside world has not had the chance to view the regions (Frishkopf, 2010). Hence, art is an important form for the outside world to change their views about cultures they do not understand.

            Conversely, the culture of the Arabian community indicates that cultural resistance is used as one of the fundamental means for ensuring that each person has collaborated with a diverse population to make them understand the circumstances being protested upon. In the process of building the community, classical music, pop songs, music trends, such as Rai and Shaabi as well as other oriental dances is used to foster dialogue between participants (Barry, 2015). The power of cultural and artistic expression regarding human rights is therefore championed to warn people about the establishment of inequality. As a result of that, it, therefore, suggests that this is a conscious and inclusive activity the challenges the privilege and power that is held by the leaders. To bridge the gaps that exist between the Arabian community and artists, it is emphasized that artists dedicate their time towards communicating to the community to understand the significance of equal participation (Gazzah, 2008). In return, it becomes possible to represent the sentiments and interests of the community in the best way.

            With Arab uprising, artistic cultural resistance can take various forms in both small and large scale. Musical trends such as Rai and Shaabi is one of the mechanisms that educated people about the significance of solidarity. Within this context, it means that art and culture have the propensity of overcoming political, patriarchal, social, and religious ideologies that hinder the development of the community. The reason for that is because solidarity is one of the means that can be used to enhance creative resistance (Frishkopf, 2010).  Such campaigns are also aimed at deconstructing some of the tensions that exist between leaders and their subjects. In return, it becomes easier to prevent the disastrous impacts of violence and foster cross-cultural understanding (Gazzah, 2008). In the process of promoting visibility to violation of human rights, artistic cultural resistance is used to support and protect art and culture based on the nature of the Arabian culture.

            Promoting cultural resistance, networking, and discussions induce positive experiences amongst activists and artists. For instance, oriental dances are performed as an entertainment spectacle and a ritual to the community. Performative music, poetry recital, and storytelling are traits that still exist in Arabian history. Dabke and Belly dance are the main traditional dances that are best known. Despite that, the impact they have is that it assist the participant and the audience to identify some of the cultural differences that exist within the society (Barry, 2015). Some of the risks that are associated with the utilization of artistic tactics are regarded as being politically, socially, and religiously dangerous. Therefore, the height or presence of threats against Arabian cultural resistance relies on the relationship and the nature of cultural production. Such an understanding is also based on various identifiable norms and values of the community that dictates political and religious figures (Hammond, 2007).  For example, in case the establishment of cultural resistance has the propensity of provoking or offending such authorities, it is the responsibility of the activists to ensure that they have used their art pieces to educate the community about the dangers that it has.

             Even though participants might end up sharing creativity, the use of classical music, pop songs, music trends such as Rai and Shaabi as well as oriental dance enable the Arabian community to overcome any form of innovative cultural resistance. The use of visible, large, and beautiful props has the potential of sending certain information to the community particularly when authorities try to dismantle such an artwork (Khalaf & Khalaf, 2012). Activists in return take advantage of establishing a spectacle that aid in demonstrating the general tolerance of the community being protested. Since imaginative resistance has the likelihood of provoking opposing forces, it is paramount for activists or artists to be aware of the dangers they might face and take action quickly (Walid & Mounira, 2013). Such a strategy will take into account warning practitioners of innovative cultural resistance about the repercussions of their actions to the community.

                                                            Conclusion

            As much as Arabian culture is concerned, the use of classical music, pop songs, music trends, such as Rai and Shaabi as well as other oriental dances is the primary means for airing individual vies regarding the political powers that reside only within few institutions. Since this is one of the means the community uses to make sense to the entire world, hegemony thus becomes a cultural and political process of emancipating the Arabian community. Taking into account the oppression that exists, cultural resistance can be argued as being one of the accessible artistic expressions of voice through the use of various mediums. Therefore, it focuses on raising the awareness of the Arabian community to call for integrity. Through communication and collaboration, it means that the Arabian community always enables art to advocate the significance of their culture to promote social, political, and religious development.

References

Barry, R. (2015). The Middle East: A Guide to Politics, Economics, Society and Culture. Routledge Press

Frishkopf, M. (2010). Music and media in the Arab world. Cairo: The American University in Cairo Press.

Gazzah, M. (2008). Rhythms and rhymes of life: Music and identification processes of Dutch-Moroccan youth. Plaats van uitgave niet vastgesteld] : [Uitgever niet vastgesteld

Hammond, A. (2007). Popular culture in the Arab world: Arts, politics and the media. El Cairo: American University in Cairo Press.

In DeLaure, M., & In Fink, M. (2017). Culture jamming: Activism and the art of cultural resistance. New York : New York University Press

Khalaf, S., & Khalaf, R. S. (2012). Arab Youth: Social Mobilisation in Times of Risk. New York: Saqi.

Walid, E.H & Mounira, S. (2013). Popular Culture in the Middle East and North Africa: A Postcolonial Outlook. Volume 46 of Routledge research in postcolonial literatures.  Routledge Press

Community Resources & Preparedness

 Introduction

Community preparedness is the ability of communities to be prepared in case of any emergency or disaster that is bound to happen. It also includes the ability of communities to withstand and recover from any incidents in both short term and long term. For a community to be prepared it requires engagement and coordination with stakeholders. Community resources refer to the resources a community should have access to for them to perform a function successfully. For a community to be prepared for emergencies and disasters and be able to handle them, it should have access to enough resources.

In Orlando Florida, the community has been involved in the process of community preparedness. To make communities safer, and have more knowledge about preparedness, programs have been started to train and educate the residents about how well to be prepared in case of an emergency, get more knowledge about how to prevent and plan for a disaster. This has been made possible through volunteer programs (ILEAD 2014). The programs provide opportunities to bring together efforts with other resident volunteers in the need to make communities safer, and better prepared for all kinds of emergencies, and disasters. The programs provide education and training and volunteer services to the local community intending to involve as many residents in the program. This is done to help them prepare communities and neighborhoods to make a difference.

Every person has a role to ensure the resilience of our communities, the nation, and the way we live. It is of significance that everyone has the knowledge, skills, and resources to challenges that are bought by diseases, weather, and any other kind of disaster or emergency (FEMA 2014). It is important to have knowledge and information about the community the risks involved, and the community’s systems and plans. It is also important to make a plan and come up with a household emergency plan. One should also have supplies that they may need in case of a disaster and also get involved in community programs to ensure that they are involved in community preparedness.

The ability of a community to respond or recover from a disaster depends on how well each member of the community is prepared. The response includes the actions used to save lives, property and environment protection, stabilizing communities, and meeting the basic human needs after a disaster occurrence. The response also involves the way the emergency plans and actions are executed and how well they support the short-term recovery. When the whole community is involved in community preparedness, this means that the residents, emergency management team, organizational and community leaders, and the officials of the government are also included (FEMA 2011). This way they are all able to assess and determine the needs of their respective communities and therefore develop ways that will strengthen their interests, capabilities, and resources.

Conclusion

Community preparedness involves the ability of a community to respond to an emergency or a disaster. In Orlando Florida, programs have been established to educate and train people on the essence of community preparedness and what it entails. It is every person’s role in the community to learn and get knowledge and skills on how to respond to emergencies and disasters. This is because the ability of a community to respond to a disaster depends on how well the whole community is prepared.

References

FEMA (2011) A Whole Community Approach to Emergency Management: Principles, Themes,

and Pathways for Action. Retrieved from https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1813-25045-0649/whole_community_dec2011__2_.pdf

FEMA (2014) Preparedness in America: Research Insights to Increase Individual,

Organizational, and community Action. Retrieved from https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/-Preparedness_in_America_August_2014_Update_508.pdf

ILEAD (2014) EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR NEIGHBORHOOD

ORGANIZATIONS. Retrieved from http://www.cityoforlando.net/ocnr/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2019/02/EmergencyPlanning_2019_Print.pdf

 Social conflict theories of the family

Introduction

Social conflict theories are theories that imply and argue that people and groups that are within the society base their interaction on conflict rather than getting to an agreement. Therefore through these different types of conflicts, groups, people and families can get different types and amounts of resources thus defining the poor and the rich. Social conflict is a basic component of people’s nature. This leads to competition and a struggle for resources. Social conflict theories are based on the type of relationship, and power and help understand the reason why stability and instability occur within a family context.

The origins of social conflicts include the fact that conflict is a major component of the nature of human beings, competition towards getting resources, and the structural condition of the society. In conflict and human nature, the belief of a condition of conflict between men and women exists because the two genders reveal different self-interests. Human nature is characterized by ungratefulness, deceit fullness, and greedy for wealth. Because individuals are naturally equal in terms of body and mind, they believe that they should achieve what their peers have achieved. This is both in the material goods and in terms of power and this is normally a cause of conflict because, in the long run, this does not happen. Some of them achieve more and others achieve less. Competition over resources is when everyone competes to get enough struggles for themselves to be able to survive. Power and the way it is shared has a very big impact on human social existence and can also cause serious conflicts (Farrington & Chertok 2009. When power is given to the wrong people who want to take advantage of other people and their resources, this could lead to conflicts. Social conflict may result in ethnicity, racism, social classes, and gender inequality among other things.

Conflicts theorists view the family as a social structure that benefits the male gender more than the female gender whereby men are always given the power position. (Farrington & Chertok 2009). The male gender tends to hold more power compared to the female gender in that the responsibilities differ greatly. The male gender roles and responsibilities are more valuable compared to those of the female gender which include childbearing, housekeeping, and taking care of the family. In traditional families, men are known to take care of their families in that they are the ones that go to work to fend for their wives and children. In circumstances where the female gender has to go to work, it is still her responsibility to take care of the family and the household. The conflict theories also note that the family focuses on the extension of the societal disparity within a society by upholding and reinforcing the status quo. Education, wealth, power are transferred through the family setting. The wealthy can maintain their social class while the underprivileged families cannot afford to have those social positions or status.

The social conflict approach gives the assumption that society is a place where inequality and conflict co-exist to generate social change. Normally, there is an unequal distribution of power in society because power is shared based on social class, gender, and race. The race conflict approach mainly puts its focus on inequality among people from different racial backgrounds (Boss 2009). Mainly the majority groups have an advantage over the minority group. The social conflict theorists outline that the reason why conflicts prevail, in and out of families is because people are generally striving to act upon what they want. This includes their preferences, values, objectives, and resources that they view to be important and or more advantageous to their everyday life. Therefore, in terms of thinking, desiring, and valuing, individuals differ and are not motivated by the same things. This is a cause of social conflict in a family because a parent may want to watch television whereas a child wants the parent’s attention. One child may be interested in watching the cartoon while the other one wants to play video games. Through these examples, the cause of conflict is brought by an individual’s wants and interests which differ with those of the other person.

Another kind of conflict is one that is brought by individuals who are interested in the same thing but the supply of those things is limited. The conflict occurs because none of them will be willing to sacrifice for the other person. Such a case is the scenario of siblings or individuals who will all be fighting for attention, love, wealth, or power.  The individual motivations underlying conflict in humans is partly a result of internal forces that are part of the human species (Vargus 1999). The self- interest can also be as a result of the social status that individuals occupy and also from the cultural values that they have been exposed to during their social interaction.

Some of the family theories begin with the perspective that families are groups whereby its members struggle to control and protect resources. The perspective is from the notion that families are built on mutual love and harmony (Bengston 2004). The social conflict theories note that negative behaviors in families are as a result of differences and disagreements. Such conflicts can be functional and can also be destructive at the same time. Some of the family conflicts can be resolved whereas others continue and some of those family members avoid them. These conflicts can be managed through compromising or development of new agreements within the members. Family members engage themselves in activities where each member has something that is valued by the other members. This means that there are negotiations that take place and this results in the exchange of valued resources. These negotiations may cause conflict if every member involved is not rewarded.

Conclusion

Social conflict theories of the family originate from the basic elements of human nature and society and competition towards getting resources. The family is a societal structure that benefits men where they are accorded more power compare to the women who are given the roles of child-bearers and home keepers. Conflicts arise due to the unequal distribution of power in society which is based on social, class, the race among other characteristics. It is also a result of disagreements and misunderstandings in the family setting. We are moving past the traditional cultures and practices and this has changed the way people think and act. This is a good way to reduce family conflicts because the cultural values and practices could be reviewed and made to accommodate every person.

References

Bengston, V. L. (2004). Sourcebook of family theory and research. London: SAGE.

Boss, P. (2009). Sourcebook of family theories and methods: A contextual approach. New York:

Plenum Press.

Farrington, K., & Chertok, E. (2009). Social conflict theories of the family. In Sourcebook of

family theories and methods (pp. 357-384). Springer, Boston, MA.

Vargus, B. S. (1999). Classical social theory and family studies. In Handbook of marriage and

the family (pp. 179-204). Springer, Boston, MA.

 What are the Impacts of Cultural Diversity in Authentic Workplace Communication?

Introduction

Cultural diversity in the workplace has been on the rise over the past few years with the increased globalization in the world. It is defined as the existence of different cultures or ethnic groups in the workplace.  The impact of cultural diversity in the workplace communication is the fact that when there is the existence of people with different ethnic groups, it becomes a challenge in terms of communication. Language barriers are major issues in culturally diverse workplaces. When a workplace has employees that are from different countries, and have different native languages, communication becomes a challenge. The impact of cultural diversity in workplace communication could lead to unresolved conflicts and poor productivity which is a result of lack of cooperation and teamwork.

Interpersonal communication theory is the exchange of information verbally and non-verbally, interactions, views, and opinions between individuals (Braithwaite & Schrodt 2014). In this type of communication, people communicate how they feel, their emotions, and their ideas. It also involves the use of facial expressions and body language. Interpersonal communication is the process of exchanging information between two or more people. In the workplace, it involves people relating in different circumstances for example employees and their leaders. The interpersonal communication theory in a culturally diverse workplace helps to enhance communication skills, develop interpersonal relationships between co-workers and this reduces workplace conflicts.

Interpersonal communication is a soft skill that incorporates how well a person communicates with others. This skill is also referred to as the people’s skill which is significant for success in the workplace. Other than verbally and non-verbally, communication can also take place through digital means. It is relevant in the cultural diversity communication problem in the workplace because it involves components and elements that help to work through the communication problem. It guides on how people should interact with each other to avoid conflicts and also resolve them when they arise. Culturally diverse employees bring unique skills and knowledge to the organization and having a communication skill that enables them to interact without disagreements helps to resolve workplace challenges (Larkey 1996). Interpersonal communication will enable more understanding among the employees and this will lead to increased productivity.  Interpersonal communication is composed of the sender and the receiver of the information. Another component is the message and how it has been conveyed. The noise is another component which is any form of distortion that could cause any alteration between the message that has been sent and that which has been received and an example of this distortion is the language barrier. Feedback is the reaction the receiver poses to the sender of the message and this gives a clear indication to the sender on if it was interpreted the way it was supposed to. Context is the determiner of the interpretation of the message. The last component is the channel or medium which means how the message was sent and received through.  Interpersonal communication is very important in the workplace because effective communication determines if a team can operate effectively and attain their business objectives. It also determines the efficacy of key business functions such as management, training, and resolving conflicts in the workplace.

The relevance of interpersonal communication in the impacts of cultural diversity in the workplace communication is that it helps in solving problems and making decisions (Dwyer, J. 2012). This way, an organization can maintain professional relationships through effective decision making and problem-solving. Through this, the team members are aligned towards a common goal which leads to the success of the organization. Interpersonal skills enhance listening, in a work environment that has different cultural groups, the listening element is very important because some of the people tend to feel inferior and not being heard. When a team has strong listening skills, every voice in the group will be heard. Assertiveness is another important element of interpersonal communication. This is the ability to influence others by being mindful of their interests and needs. In a culturally diverse workplace, this is important because when a person is willing to take responsibility and bring change it helps in the growth of the team and the organization as a whole. Negotiation is a key element in interpersonal communication because it helps in resolving conflict. In a workplace with diverse cultures, it is important because it is used to find a common ground and find shared goals that help teams and business professionals work well together.

Interpersonal communication in a diverse cultural workplace can help to enhance communication through planning and research. Gathering facts and relevant information when planning for important conversations helps to ensure clarity and accuracy. Determining an audience is also important because this way you consider a coworker’s personality and mindset before engaging in a conversation with them (Hofhuis, van der Rijt, & Vlug 2016). It is also important because it helps to find the correct communication style for the situation. This way, there is no room for conflicts or misunderstanding because the person is well thought of. In a culturally diverse workplace, it is important to understand your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to communicating with other people. As a way of understanding and accepting yourself, you should embrace honest feedback from coworkers and managers. This acts as a learning opportunity for future communications and interactions. Another way to enhance communication in a culturally diverse workplace is by monitoring expectations. Since you do not know how a person will react to a conversation, it is important not to have any assumptions or expectations so as not to be disappointed.

My knowledge about interpersonal communications in the workplace will help me ensure that communication is efficient and employees understand each other. Human beings are social creatures by nature and often need someone to talk to and share their feelings and thoughts, therefore not being able to communicate effectively can be stressful in the workplace. My knowledge about interpersonal theory will enable me to solve the communication problem by advocating for interpersonal relationships in the workplace (Mitrofan & Bulborea 2013). This will make nobody feel isolated or stressed out and it will lead to employees being more productive because this will also promote teamwork. Interpersonal relationships will allow people to feel confident and feel free to consult, share their views and opinions. This will create a culture of positivity, hence the organizational growth, a conducive working environment, and increased productivity. The knowledge of interpersonal communication will help to reduce and ultimately end confusion brought about by poor communication and language barriers. This is because the right process of communication will be used to ensure that the receiver of the message gets the correct information just as it was intended by the sender.

 The culturally diverse communication problem will be resolved by the interpersonal communication theory because it will help to address the problem by ensuring that there is transparency in communication (Evans & Suklun 2017). It will help resolve the problem by improving trust and workplace communication. This will help to effectively make the employees understand the different cultures in the workplace and how to embrace each other’s cultures by comfortably interacting with each other. Interpersonal communication theory will help resolve the culturally diverse communication problem by driving more employee recognition whereby their good work will be recognized and motivated which is very important in the workplace. For managers, interpersonal communication will ensure that employee success is key because they will help their employees perform their tasks successfully.

Conclusion

Cultural diversity in the workplace has major impacts on communication due to the different ethnic groups who are from different backgrounds. It causes unresolved conflicts, poor productivity that results from poor communication, and lack of cooperation. Interpersonal communication theory is a skill that will enhance communication in a culturally diverse workplace by the use of its components and elements. It will resolve the communication problem by ensuring there is a development of interpersonal relationships which will make the co-workers share ideas and opinions, and also build trust within themselves. This will help them work better as a team ensuring increased productivity in the organization. The interpersonal theory will help to resolve the problem by creating a conducive environment where everyone including the managers feels free to interact with the other person.

References

Braithwaite, D. O., & Schrodt, P. (2014). Engaging theories in interpersonal communication:

Multiple perspectives. Thousand Oaks : SAGE Publications, Inc.

Evans, A., & Suklun, H. (2017). Workplace diversity and intercultural communication: A

phenomenological study. Cogent Business & Management, 4(1), 1408943.

Hofhuis, J., van der Rijt, P. G., & Vlug, M. (2016). Diversity climate enhances work outcomes

through trust and openness in workgroup communication. SpringerPlus, 5(1), 714. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40064-016-2499-4

Larkey, L. (1996). Toward a Theory of Communicative Interactions in Culturally Diverse

Workgroups. The Academy of Management Review, 21(2), 463-491. Retrieved July 24, 2020, from www.jstor.org/stable/258669

Mitrofan, N., & Bulborea, A. (2013). The role of organizational communication in structuring

interpersonal relationships. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 76, 511-515.

Dwyer, J. (2012). Communication for Business and the Professions. Pearson Australia Pty Ltd.

Social Workers and the LGBTQ Population and Advocacy, Internationally

The national association of social workers is concerned with protecting human rights and liberties for the LGBT people who are engaged in relationships (NASW 2018). The committee believes in the equity of the LGBT people and their ability to access and enjoy the rights and responsibilities that are legally given to heterosexual couples. It appreciates the continuing policy efforts being made to expand federal protections that are given to married couples to same-sex couples.

The role of social workers is to promote the implementation of laws, policies, and programs that uphold, support, and value the LGBT individuals and communities. They should work towards ensuring the wellness, safety, and equality for every LGBT person. Social work is responsible for implementing and maintaining a democratic state because it is concerned with embedding democratic policies and freedom into the social culture (NASW 2018). In LGBT, social work is a legit and influential public service that promotes respect for all LGBT people. The social workers are responsible for providing strong advocacy of the LGBT individuals’ rights and freedoms. The rights and freedoms should be able to meet their needs and eradicate discrimination which will improve their quality of life.

From the United Nations Address on Global LGBT Rights, it’s clear that every human being is born free despite their place of birth, where they live or who their leaders are and they all have equal rights. They are members of the community and include people from every race, age, ethnicity, and every religion in all parts of the world. This leaves no room for discrimination, prejudice, and stereotyping based on LGBT status. The LGBT people are humans as well and should be accorded the same equality and dignity just like other people. The LGBT issues is a sensitive one because LGBT people have been harassed and endured violence just because of their status. The obstacles that block the protection of their human rights are held by personal, political, cultural, and religious beliefs. To be able to curb this issue, it is important to address it and reach an international agreement that recognizes the human rights of LGBT people all over the world (Clinton 2011). Being LGTB does not make a person less human meaning that LGBT rights are human rights and vice versa. It is a violation of human rights when a person is beaten because of their sexual orientation, when the government declares being gay as illegal and when transgender women are associated with the so-called corrective rape. It is a violation of rights when a person cannot get the healthcare or justice they need because of their status. Being an LGBT is a human reality and is not associated with any particular originality or invention. Therefore protecting their rights should be done by every constitution. Another challenge for LGBT is the issue of cultural and religious values being the reason why their human rights are violated. It is everyone’s responsibility to support the human rights of others despite their status.

Sexual orientation and gender diversity are important to be addressed and acknowledged because some people live in fear because of the rules that are under the constitution across the world that criminalize these identities. Social work involves being committed to social justice and inclusion and play a significant role in addressing the diversity of sexual orientation and help to safeguard the rights of marginalized populations. It involves the recognition and protection of LGBT rights to ensure the strengthening of social integrity and unity (NASW 2018). The LGBT status does not free one from exercising their legal rights and responsibilities. Therefore if they follow the law to the core then they should not be discriminated against because of their LGBT status. This is where the social workers come in to promulgate the LGBT issues and raise awareness and concern for inequality and discrimination.

Social workers are responsible for supporting and implementing local and global rules and regulations that prohibit any type of discrimination that is grounded on sexual orientation or the LGBT community. They are responsible for striving towards eliminating inequalities through community programs and other institutions. They also play a significant role as mentors, therapists, and advocates with people from the LGBT community (NASW 2018). This is because social workers have knowledge of the issues surrounding the LGBT community and are in a good position to provide support to them, their families, and the people around them.

As an advocate, I will conduct educational interventions to acknowledge and address various aspects of LGBT and gender identities. This will help people to understand more about LGBT issues. It will also help them get more knowledge about all the practices of discrimination that are brought about by the LGBT community and the reason why they are in existence (NASW 2018). I will implement community programs to create more awareness on LGBT people, issues they face, and the strategies that could be used to ensure that they are all comfortable and feel equal.

References

Clinton, H. (2011, June 12). Hillary Clinton on gay rights abroad: Secretary of State delivers

historic LGBT speech in Geneva. Huffpost. Retrieved from

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/06/hillary-clinton-gay-rights-speech-geneva_n_1132392.html?ref=mostpopular

NASW. (2018). LGBT practice tools. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/

Question 1:  Evidence For and Against the Ideology of Visual Thinking

For Visual Thinking

 Humans are the only living beings who can coordinate all the five senses that is a smell, hear, sight, taste, and touch. The human capability to solve intricate challenges, plan daily problems is the underlying basis for thinking traits which later can manifest as visual thinking. Human nature can process information, weigh-in factors before making informed decisions, and even solving puzzles proves the existence of visual thinking.  From the examples above, humans can be conscious of their thoughts, clearly establish a specific line of thoughts while at the same time being aware of their surroundings. Also, humans can be aware of the outcomes of their actions before making them (Cognitive_Psychology_A_Student's_Handbook). Likewise, introspecting thoughts, gathering memories, and choosing which memories are accurate and applicable to a situation point to visual thinking.  The nature of generating isolate associate thoughts and then directing them into a monologue speaks to relatively immense pressure on reasoning and thinking via visual abstract representations. There are different type of thinking which demonstrate visual thinking: problem-solving, decision-making, discernment, logical thinking, influential cognition, and informal reasoning. Intellectually defining a problem requires evaluating several thoughts, procedures before coming into a conclusive statement. On the other hand, choosing a single suitable solution out of numerous alternatives is evidence enough that humans know the negative impacts of an action before it takes place. In terms of discernment or judgment, humans can formulate an abstract idea and turn it into an actual ide while calculating the risks, and possible outcomes. Additionally, analyzing the weakness or strengths of a concept by considering information at hand and experience makes visual thinking a constant factor in human thinking. Combining problem-solving and judgment facilitates purpose, regulation of processes, locating suitable information that can be used to solve the problem, and acknowledging the underlying consequences which might occur if one does not find an immediate answer. Summary, the human ability to imagine, consciously organized, problem-solving, picturing, and reminiscing are some of the evidence which proves that visual thinking exists.

 Against visual thinking

 Humans depend on self-talk and visualization. One of the arguments made against visual thinking is that it does not exist in itself. For instance, an individual cannot develop problem-solving skills with visual thinking implying through insight and experience humans play a pivotal role in restructuring a situation and then finding a problem for the problem. Thus visual thinking is not a concept that comes naturally to humans it is a concept that is facilitated through various activities one encounters daily. Moreover, visual thinking is passive and does not actively take place unless a human being has the experience and information required to solve the problem or make a decision (Cognitive_Psychology_A_Student's_Handbook). These facts extend the argument further because humans are not rational beings. Human thought logic is sometimes flawed. For instance, humans can fail to find solutions to a simple problem as demonstrated on Frederick's cognition reflective examination. People can assume crucial data when while making a judgment and this might lead to a wrong answer. Biased syllogistic reasoning also proves that visual thinking is passive and people rarely utilize it their thoughts. As a matter of emphasis, humans face problems each day, yet this encounter with challenges does not translate into sharp and effective decision making. The thoughts of an average human being are not always rational hence ineffective. The errors found within human decision-making only occur due to social situations. Accountability influences decision-making thus people will usually deviate from rational to things which they think will benefit them. Thus, visual thinking does not facilitate any decision making in this case. Also, the existence of a problem does not translate directly to the severity of the problem but it may mean the artificial generation of a problem so that one can meet his or her personal needs. For instance, concluding does not imply that the facts behind the conclusion are believable thus validity and relevance can be manipulated as one seems fit. Lastly, it is important to note that human reasoning is restricted. One cannot visualize something he or she has never seen before depending on the motive behind the reasoning.

Question 2: Indirect Perception

 The argument that indirect perception results from psychological mechanisms are fascinating and exciting. Any procedure which takes place within the conscious mind such as connection and relating ideologies is termed as indirect perception. Alternatively, any process pertaining acquisition of information whether available through mental retrieval mechanism or not is indirect. Numerous examples prove that humans do not experience the world directly. The first example is about knowing that lines are straight but people assume that they are curved due to a certain arranged or outlook. Even the human body is under the influence of indirect perception as demonstrated through the rubber band illusion. As a whole, humans create a mental context through which they experience the world hence the brain mimics or manipulates an individual as though he or she is a self-governing representative (Ben Vincent). Despite reality presenting people with the liberty to do as they please, humans have a strong sense of possessing agency which in turn forces the brain to generate a universal model. On the other hand, human think they have created a model which facilitates their way of life. The human self-model governs the body. This way, humans can organize society around certain beliefs, create a logical flow of activities, elongate their lifespan, and reproduce. The alien hand syndrome takes note of specified objectives that are not under the regulation of the conscious mind hence retaining the sense of ownership while at the sometimes minimizing the sense of urgency. On the other hand, hallucination agency, I designating the alien hand will lead to the lost agency due to retaining possession. However, experts can imagine agency over deeds when each one of them fails. Direct stimulation of the mind triggers arm motions and this generates the need to perform the motion consciously. Thus, stimulation of the brain is likened to electrical stimulation.

 The existing cognitive components or inferential instruments decide whether actions are self-initiated or not. This is important because any movement characteristic to assume exterior energies for instance picking up heavier luggage than expected without putting it down. Additionally, comparing sensory data against foretold sensory data reveals that the matches will demonstrate activities were self-induced which in turn implies a sense of agencies. Contrary, no-match means that activities were outwardly fashioned or lack a sense of agency. Subsequently, indirect perceptions claim that delusions of agencies are caused by defective calculations derived from the sensory impacts of an action. According to some psychological experts, perceptions map out the universal model. This indirect perception usually makes perception deviates from reality (Ben Vincent). Self-perception is what drives and shapes self-model. Examples, where the sense of possession and agency diverges from realism, proves how self-perception shapes universal models all over the world. Even though people assume that the physical world is the actual reality, the perception builds up unrealistic objectives with which people interact with all through their lives depend on. The ability to isolate a single coherent unfaltering, goal-oriented agent scenario where one can control various things is advisable. When humans realize that perception may even control the possession of their bodies, they might think it is mere fiction.

 According to Metzinger’s self-model claims that the human-self sometimes suspended its actions. This way, the body is said to be intermittently active. More so, the representation entity of the brain implies that the exterior world which takes into account the human body may be correct or incorrect. The third factor may be a human can move around because the body helps the mind move around like an agent. In simpler terms, indirect perception can be acquired through learning and ought to exceed the ordinary senses (Ben Vincent). The essence of recognizing the concepts surrounding or associated with direct perception is seeing perception as an instinctive interpretation. In this manner, one can seek out insightful descriptions of the organizations of activities. A vital part of indirect perception is that the underlying inferences point to a group of choices prepared for the clarification of an inducement. The outcomes of senses emerge from the conscious mind and this explains why some issues might be left to the human intelligence to comprehend.

References

Cognitive_Psychology_A_Student's_Handbook_----_ (PART_IV_Thinking_and_reasoning).pdf

Ben Vincent Cognition Week 5: Who am I?

Impacts of Social Media on Mental Health

Introduction

Social media are computer-mediated interactive technologies that enable the creation and development of information or other forms of expression. Heavy use of social media has been linked to the cause of depression, anxiety, people harming themselves, and having suicidal thoughts. Social media can reduce a person’s social circle and lead to isolation and loneliness. On the other hand, it has been connected to being a social platform that enables people to share their feelings, thoughts reducing loneliness, and isolation. Social media use can both positively and negatively affect an individual’s mental health.

Social media is the biggest and the fastest growing technology that has changed the way people relate and interact. However online social networking has been linked to psychiatric disorders which include, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. The use of social media has a very great impact on social relationships and more time spent on being on the internet is connected to decreased communication with relatives and friends (Keles, McCrae & Grealish 2020). This leads to reduced social circle which increases the feelings of depression and isolation. Social media has been seen to have negative impacts on the social development of a child. Association between the use of social media or the internet and symptoms of depression is the fact the computer-mediated communication may lead to wrong impressions from other people.

The online use of social media is blamed for increasing mental health in young people and has a big influence on depression, anxiety, and other psychological issues. Online friends may give wrong information about themselves and when the user discovers the truth, it can prompt them to have depressive symptoms especially if the user believed them. Depression and anxiety have consequences in the development of children which include poor performance in school, risk of abusing substances, suicide, and mental health problems. On the other hand, social media is also used as social support that helps to reduce loneliness by making new friends online or strengthening bonds between people, which helps to improve mental health.

In recent years, social networking has changed how people communicate and relate. Research shows that extended use of social network sites has been associated with depression. Social media is related to mental issues that include depression, self-esteem changes, and addiction to the internet. Social media could make a user perceive that others are happier, or have a better life developing the feeling that they may be incomplete. This could negatively impact their mental health resulting in depression. Research shows that the most common disorders in adolescents and children are depression and anxiety and which has increased through the years mostly due to the access of computers and the use of social media (Pantic 2014). Children have become addicted to the internet where they are being exposed to problematic behaviors. Too much time spent on the internet is a cause of mental health problems. This is in a case whereby a user has multiple platforms that could generate anxiety due to their demand.

            The internet impacts our brains and the cognitive process by multitasking and switching caused by seeking attention rather than maintaining our focus (Firth et.al 2019). It also influences our real life when we get too much in the online world, trying to fit in the social media world. Increased internet use for children is associated with decreased verbal intelligence and a slow rate at maturing. The internet has replaced the need for particular systems of human memory. The ability to access information through the internet has made them dependent on the internet. Social media has the ability to can generate severe and continued adjustments in the areas of intellect that are reflected in the alterations of the brain. It could negatively influence the cognitive development of children and adolescents by decreasing the way they engage with social and academic events. On the other hand, the online world could generate positive cognitive motivation for adults. This is through online games, novels which are easier and faster to get online which help to sustain the cognitive function in old age.

Conclusion

Increased use of social media is associated with causing depression, anxiety, suicide, and other types of self-harm. Increased internet use for children is associated with decreased verbal intelligence and a slow rate at their maturity. It negatively influences cognitive development by reducing engagement with social and academic activities. Online social networking is a form of communication and interaction but has also been linked to psychiatric disorders. This occurs when users in social platforms want to compare their lives with those of other people that they perceive to be happier or have a better life. Multitasking while a user has several sites can cause anxiety because they want to attend to all sites which make the user lose focus. On the other hand, the online world provides a source of positive cognitive stimulation for adults when they engage in online games and have easy access to books online.

References

Firth, J., Torous, J., Stubbs, B., Firth, J. A., Steiner, G. Z., Smith, L., Alvarez-Jimenez, M.,

Gleeson, J., Vancampfort, D., Armitage, C. J., & Sarris, J. (2019). The "online brain": how the Internet may be changing our cognition. World psychiatry: official journal of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), 18(2), 119–129. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20617

Keles B., McCrae N. & Grealish A. (2020) A systematic review: the influence of social media on

depression, anxiety and psychological distress in adolescents, International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 25:1, 79-93,

Pantic I. (2014). Online social networking and mental health. Cyberpsychology, behavior and

social networking, 17(10), 652–657. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2014.0070

Diversity and Inclusive Policy

 The need to constantly enact relationship-building in order to surpass mechanisms and legalistic perspectives on social work and in the process re-examine organizational culture is vital to any company. As the Senior Director at Premium Care, regulatory systems such as standardized-setting, objectives, performance-oriented goals, and auditing, having altered workforce duties from association reliant socialization among service users are some of the most common ways of affecting inclusivity in the workforce (McGuire, and Bagher, 2010,p126). A culturally inclusive work atmosphere is fostered through mutual respect, effective socialization, effective communication, clear comprehension of expectations, and vital self-awareness. Within an inclusive surrounding, individuals from all cultural alignments have the right to express their emotions, manifest their true identity, fully take part in all the company activities, and feel safe within the working environment.

Developing a Value Diversity and Respectful Relationship Policy

 The first step is coming up with tangible defining competencies. Competencies are primary characteristics essential for any individual to have before being considered or shortlisted for a specified task (Kundu, and Mor, 2017, p187). Competencies comprise knowledge, skillsets, and capabilities. For example, the company can always choose cleaning tasks based on skills and reputation rather than race. Moreover, if a certain cleaner gains credibility in a cleaning job, promotion may be necessary for motivating him or her is key to ensure that he or she feels appreciated.

 The competencies for a diversified workforce are varied and extensive. They may include in-depth knowledge of diversity, communication skills, flexibility, critical thinker, and persuasiveness. Despite allocating resources for the sake of meeting diversity requirements, this is never a guarantee that everything will work out as assumed. The only way of ensuring that the working environment is free from any racial profiling or any other kind of discrimination is by carrying out cross-cultural competency evaluation to gauge the workforce’s capability to work with other traditions (Meena, and Vanka, 2013, p46). Secondly collecting responses from known advisors and other managers. The honest feedback from trusted individuals will then help to initiate the weakness and the strength of an organization. After this, the human resource team can then define vision, mission, and strategize on the intricacies of inclusivity found within the organization.

 After all, is said and done, as the head of Human resource management at Premium Care the best policy to establish value diversity and respectful relationships is promoting and providing a high-quality workplace for people from all walks of life (Dahanayake and Rajendran, 2013, p56). Responding immediately and constructively to the social, economic, and emotional needs of the entire workforce only proves that the organization cares about all the people and race is not a factor influencing the decisions of the company. Also, ensuring that all the personnel working for the organization feel safe and free from any form of prejudice, favoritism, and harassment.

 The purpose of an inclusive and diversity policy is to promote conducive working conditions that are hospitable, safe, and free from prejudice and stigmatization for all the workers, irrespective of gender, race, and sexual orientation (Kormanik, and Chyle, 2010, p367). This way, the company can ensure that all its employees have an equal chance of expressing themselves and work under proper conditions that encourage the full use of their talents.  The scope of the policy applies to all matters which pertain to the protection and welfare of all the workers and even the consumers. It covers behavior that occurs within the organization's confines, events, operational activities, and even organizational infrastructure.  The diversity and inclusion policy can also facilitate the fostering of values that enable people to work with one another while at the same time respecting diverse values, cultures throughout all the levels of the company. Each worker needs to feel that they are understood, loved, and cared for in the organization.

 Diversity and inclusivity play a vital role in the management of talent, retaining top talent, making informed decisions, and technically motivating the entire workforce to keep up and increases innovation. Most importantly, for the sake of retaining top talent, remain afloat and compete within an ever-competitive market undergoing tremendous demographical alterations,  the organization ought to ensure that combination of inclusive policy and management practices are in line with each other (Ho, and Sackett, 2015,p154).  Due to globalization, the combination of inclusive and diversity policy together with management will assist the company caters to the consumer needs hence making the company retain a greater consumer base. Thus, the inclusion of the whole top senior-most management team in the implementation of diversity and inclusivity policy will ensure that training programs, workspaces, and question and answer meetings are taken seriously. Top managers command a following and most of the time are respected. Moreover, top managers are in a position of influence and can impact the perspectives and opinions of other people.

Adopting an Organizational Structure That Supports Diversity And Inclusivity

 Fully taking advantage of diversity and inclusivity will push administrators to take charge of intricate, culture-sensitive, and interrelated workforce. Organizations are formed around leadership. A leader should be visionary, dedicated, and experienced in handling a diversified workforce. The advantage of generating a leadership position that understands diversity depends on the organizational structure. For diversity and inclusive policy to become effective, the internal and external operations of an organization should practically support the policy. As stated earlier, the top management should support diversity and inclusive policy hence the integration of the policy and the organizational functions is critical. Leaders should isolate and then define functions that embrace or support diversity and inclusion and then work towards the implementation of certain suitable interactions. Subsequently, a conducive organizational structure functioning under a dynamic environment comprises recruitment and retention with skyward flexibility, mentorship, empathy groups, training and schooling, and other types of external programs (Coltman, Jones, and Rosen, 2019, p237). Some of the ways of embedding diversity and inclusivity into the organization are through effective internal communications. Internal communication helps in the transfer of messages which create a conducive atmosphere which in turn nurtures positive culture. Ensuring that managerial tasks consider and represent all races fosters an open culture that appeals to all people no matter their background. Furthermore, educating managers on diversity matters helps in sheltering the needs of the people from no matter their backgrounds. The image of an organization should represent the value system of all the people and treat all the people equally and respectfully without any prejudice.

How To Deal With Racial Profiling While Recruiting Staff In Ranks Involving Subordinates Obligations Such As Cleaning And Allocation Of Cleaning Tasks

Leaning toward diversity increases the need for fairness and impartiality in the manner in which the organization conducts its daily operations. The development and application of organizational systems and actions to manage the workforce so that everyone may feel included and loved to maximize the diversity and cohesion of the entire personnel (McGuire, and Bagher, 2010, p201). It is vital to note that organizations are categorized as social systems thus change should be effected from all directions and then transferred to all the departments. Individuals process components, a key organizational aspect of all organizations which is made up of practices meant to handle the possession of individual abilities and employment consequences can be examined together with other organizational mechanisms so as to ensure that all workers feel included in the company activities.

 The management of diversity enhances the company's competitive edge through recruitment talented individuals regardless of race, age, or gender to run the organization's daily activities. Due to the numerous benefits that come with an inclusive and diversified policy, increasing and bringing onboard skilled workforce by hiring women, men, minority groups, and other groups will only push the brackets higher and keep the profits margin at a constant competitive level. In fact job, descriptions are normally necessary for the management of various workforce within the organization (Kundu, and Mor 2017, p123). Job description entails recruitment so that all the candidates can have a fair fighting chance during the recruitment process. All the workers should be given a chance to perform duties relating to their job description. This helps in the management of expectations and give the best to the organization.

How to Eliminate Negative Culture in the Workplace Especially Toward Older Residential Clients

 To handle a diversified workforce, organizations must communicate effectively with their workers. Technicalities, processes, safety measures, and other vital information ought to be designed to surpass language and traditional barriers by translating content and utilizing images whenever appropriate (Meena, K. and Vanka, S., 2013, p49). The managers should avoid making assumptions on the working conditions and the background of workers. Instead, they should look at each word as a person and judge them based on their weakness and strengths rather than their ethnic background. Thus, all the workers should be treated according to merits and not ethnic background. A diversified workforce fosters friendship and creates peaceful surrounding which allows people to interact with each other, share ideas which in the end breaks notions and racial stereotypes which might exist among the workers. These social interactions pave the way for understanding and cohesive working conditions. This way, the elderly can be seen as people who are part and parcel of the organization. Moreover, the elderly should be treated with rest and care and the management should ensure that they are protected from harmful vices.

 As stated earlier, effective communication skills are one of the best ways of turning a negative organizational culture into a positive culture that respects and values the elderly.  The organization’s leaders set the tone and give people the chance and obligation required to interact with each other (Ho, and Sackett, 2015, p115). The leadership role is to shape the actions and perceptions of the rest of the workers and in the end eradicate negative culture and norms within the organization. The work of the leader is to set the pace in terms of generating equality actions that ripple down to the rest of the workforce. Also, the leader rectifies anything that might go wrong if someone encounters discrimination or unfair treatment due to race or any other challenges that might arise from work office relations.

References

Coltman, J.E., Jones, D. and Rosen, P., 2019, June. Diversity and inclusivity at AWE. In AIP Conference Proceedings (Vol. 2109, No. 1, p. 130002). AIP Publishing LLC.

Dahanayake, P. and Rajendran, D., 2013. Global Leadership in Managing Workforce Diversity. Management, Leadership and Governance, p.56.

Ho, A.K. and Sackett, J., 2015. Undergraduate Diversity Scholar Program: A Proactive Approach to Creating an Inclusive and Multicultural Workforce.

Kormanik, M.B. and Chyle Rajan, H., 2010. Implications for diversity in the HRD curriculum drawn from current organizational practices on addressing workforce diversity in management training. Advances in developing Human resources, 12(3), pp.367-384.

Kundu, S.C. and Mor, A., 2017. Workforce diversity and organizational performance: a study of IT industry in India. Employee Relations.

McGuire, D. and Bagher, M., 2010. Diversity training in organisations: an introduction. Journal of European Industrial Training.

Meena, K. and Vanka, S., 2013. Diversity Management and Human Resource Development: A Study of Indian Organizations. Pacific Business Review International, 5(7), pp.45-51.

Parents' permission for tattoos and piercing

Summary

 According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), body modifications or changing one's physical appearance is common among adolescents. For example in 2010, the Pew Research Center found that young people aged 18-29 years had tattoo and piercings, and 79% had their tattoo covered. The article states that body modification is associated with health problems and high-risk behaviors such as substance use, nonsuicidal self-injury, sexual intercourse, and more. The article states that parents should understand the rules and regulation, and risks and complications of tattoo and piercing, and guide their young children in decision making.  Although tattoos and piercing are popular, parents should help the teens understand the lifelong ramifications, weigh the potential risks, and advise them on the right decisions to make sure that body modification does not affect their employment opportunities, education, behaviors, and health. 

Argument

 Previous reports on tattoo and piercing have found that tattoos and piercing are associated with  high-risk behaviors such as alcohol and drug use, eating disorders, sexualities, suicidal thoughts, and more (Breuner &  David, Para, 3). Medical literature has also reported that individuals who get a tattoo are at a high risk of infections due to the use of contaminated tattoo needles, inflammation such as focal edema, and pruritus, neoplasms, and other illnesses such as hepatitis B, hematoma formation, pain, and more. The article states that these infections can be prevented by using disposable sterilized needles (Breuner & David, Para, 24).  Another way to avoid infection is by following the states' statutory laws, recommendations, and guidelines.  However, the laws and regulations are not effective or in other words, they do not control infections. Therefore, the current argument about tattoos and piercing is that young kids need parental consent.

Although the pediatrician should understand the laws regulating tattoos and piercing, and offer psychological support through behavioral intention to prevent the adolescents' risk behaviors, parents should talk to their kids (Breuner & David, Para, 84). It is important to note that body modifications affect one's job prospects and education.  Some employers would not hire employees with a tattoo to work in corporate offices. In general, many organizations judge employees upon their physical appearance and this indicates that individuals with tattoos are put behind other applicants. Therefore, parents need to guide their young kids about body modifications.  Note that informed adolescents will make an informed decision that will not lead to regrets (Breuner & David, Para, 84). Parents need to be aware of the risk of infections, bloodborne pathogens, and behavioral problems. They should ensure that the process of tattooing and piercing is safe to avoid the risk of complications.

Response

 I agree with the authors’ ideas that parental authority is paramount when it comes to tattooing and piercing.  First, parents and guardians should understand the laws and regulations, as well as implications of body modifications. Then, they should be involved in tattooing and piercing to provide their young children with the knowledge and ensure safe application (Breuner & David, Para, 84). Note that young children are legally incompetent and they are unable to make informed decisions. Thus, they needed to be adequately informed about high-risk behaviors such as sexual activities, drug abuse, and diseases such as hepatitis C, allergic reactions, nerve damage, among other complications (Breuner & David, Para, 24). Beyond behavioral and medical problems, parents and guardians should let their children know that tattooing and piercing can affect their future employment. They should be aware that some employers won't hire them if they have tattoos.

 Teens should understand these risks and be careful to follow the instructions. Parents should provide written consent and in the writing document, parents should indicate type and location. Note that youths are impulsive and the impulsiveness leads to poor choices. It is important to understand that teenagers do not have flawed decision-making capacity. They have developmental deficits and therefore they cannot make informed decisions. On the other hand, parents have an improved cognitive and psychosocial capacity that enables them to make informed decisions. Since teenagers believe that tattoos and piercing are a form of self-expression, parents should teach their children about complications such as school failure, sexual activities, violence, and even stigma. (Breuner & David, Para, 24). Note that since teenagers do not have the financial power to put professional tattoos, and therefore they tattoos themselves and others obtain tattoos illegally. Parents will prevent high-risk behavior and other complications by controlling their behaviors and helping them make the right decisions.

Conclusion

 Tattoos and piercing are common among teenagers. The research article suggests that tattoos are associated with medical problems and impulsivity-related behaviors such as illicit drug use, unprotected sex, alcohol consumptions, and more. The problems occur as a result of poor choices and lack of parental control. Young teenagers are involved in risk-taking decisions which leads to complications. Young kids are unable to see the short and longer-term complications and the article suggests that parents should be involved in tattooing and piercing to help the children overcome the possible implications. Parents should listen to their children's views about tattooing and they help them understand the risks and complications. They should inform them about the appearance and size, and help them make decisions that will not cause regrets. Note that teenagers put tattoo to express themselves or show the community or their peers that they belong to a certain gang or club. Others put tattoo because they see them as visually appealing. Parents should be involved in decisions making and let them the teenagers know the meaning of tattoos. They should provide factual information and help the kids make healthy decisions.

Work cited

 Breuner, Cora C., and David A. Levine. "Adolescent and young adult tattooing, piercing, and

scarification." Pediatrics140.4 (2017).

 Question 1: Describe strategies for an open discussion at a family meeting 

            One of the strategies that can be used to open equitable discussion in the family will entail ensuring that all the family members are available. Once each issue has been tabled, each person should be given time to air his or her views. Next, whether a person comes up with any negative views, it should not be disregarded. In the process of inviting Laura-as a medical consultant- to aid in advising them about the best option to take, it will be possible for them to make sound-decisions (Avers & Wong, 2020). After that, whenever each decision can be made by each family member, it will not result in conflict regarding who will take care of whom. As a result of that, both of them will have enough time to handle their family issues without any difficulties.

Question 2: What approaches could help the Thomas family learn about possible placement options? 

            To solve the issues that exist in the family, the first option that was to be taken into consideration is the declining health of the grandparents.  First and foremost, Mr. Thomas is suffering from arthritis which in return renders him to be immobile. Although their children and grandchildren reside miles away from them, they always desire their company. By transferring their elder sister to the newly proposed health care facility will not prove to be the ultimate choice without her constant (Mollaoglu, 2018). That this implies is the fact that each member and the concerned health care personnel will have to be consulted first. The reason for that is because it is the one that will enable them to come to the conclusion that will not raise any conflict. Regardless of the need to transfer Arlene to a new state-run residential facility, it is important for the family to consider the impact their regular visit will induce to her (Schulz & Eden, 2016). The reason for that is because it should not be a routine that happens during holidays and birthdays only.

            The placement option that needs to be undertaken will entail accepting Arlene to be enrolled into a new state facility while their parents to be taken care of by Jim’s family. The idea behind that is that it will provide Arlene with enough time to be taken care of by Jim’s adolescent twin daughters. Conversely, by allowing Arlene to be enrolled in the new medical facility will enable her to obtain better medical care. Despite that, another approach that they will have to take into consideration will entail ensuring that they have maintained a regular visit to their sister (Arlene) so that so doesn’t fill isolated by her family members.

             The last approach will have to take into account the importance of ensuring that their dad receives regular medical attention regarding his arthritic condition (Theris &  Kathleen, 2019). Despite that, since Mr. Thomas is receiving a monthly pension, it is also important for them to consider utilizing a certain percentage of his pension to enroll Mrs. Thomas Alzheimer's care facility of their choice. In so doing, it will be possible for them to cut down the medical expenses that could have incurred in case they had enrolled their parent to the same medical care.

Question 3:  Identify social factors that might influence the Thomas family’s decision

            One of the social factors that will influence the decision of the family will entail ensuring that they have maintained close contact with each other. What this implies is the fact that instilling good sibling ties, intergenerational, and marital status will have the profound impact of influencing the well-being of each family member. The diversity of the family and the general quality of each family member will in return play a crucial role in enhancing the health of each family member, especially that of Arlene and her parents (Avers & Wong, 2020). In spite of the kind of medical option to be proposed, it will be vital to take into account the structure of each family, unanticipated benefits of the family-relationship strains, as well as the unique intersections that exist in their social statutes. Since the quality of health care services that each will receive is the one that will greatly impact their health, it should be understood that limited access or the lack of access of the proposed health services will also make Arlene and her parents to perceive that they could have been socially alienated (Eic & Chris, 2014).

             Conversely, such physical and social determinants have equally proven to be the ultimate choice for fostering the positive health outcomes of each patient. Availing the necessary resources that will cater for their daily needs will ensure that they will continue to have enough social support from their family members. Therefore, the provision of better housing facilities, for instance, is perceived to enhance their social interactions (Schulz & Eden, 2016). Due to the social gaps that exist, it is paramount for physicians to take into account the decision to be made by the family so as to ensure that each person doesn't feel burdened in catering for the health of their family members.

References

Avers, D., & Wong, R. A. (2020). Guccione's geriatric physical therapy. St. Louis, Missouri : Elsevier

Eic, E & Chris, H. (2014). Health Inequalities and People with Intellectual Disabilities. Cambridge University Press. 

In Schulz, R., & In Eden, J. (2016). Families caring for an aging America. Washington, District of Columbia : The National Academies Press

Mollaoglu, M. (2018). Caregiving and home care. Rijeka: InTech.

Theris, A.T,&  Kathleen, F, J. (2019).  Ebersole & Hess' Toward Healthy Aging E-Book: Human Needs and Nursing Response. Elsevier Health Sciences

Deciding on placement

1. What potential conflicts can arise in this family?

The decision to move Arlene to Jim’s house could create conflict especially because the family, Jim included have had little contact with Arlene over the years. Although Jim may be inclined to help his sister, the relationship between them is not as strong and even less between Arlene and Jim’s in-laws. The wife could have a problem taking in someone she does not know and take on the responsibility of helping manage her delayed development. The family also has two daughters to take care off and taking on Arlene could be too much of a financial strain on the family.

2. What information about the family’s resources could help to offset their anxiety about Arlene’s change in housing?

            Although the change in housing may be challenging, the fact that the family has managed to pay for Arlene to stay in residential facilities means that they have the means to accommodate the change. Despite their challenges, the family is determined to maintain the well being of all its members. A change in housing to a case where Arlene lives with Jim or another member of the family will mean that there is lesser use of capital as there will be lesser cost in form of accommodation and housing.

3. Who else should be included in this plan?

            Other than Jim and Arlene’s parents, the rest of the family should be part of the plan. The management and care of Arlene’s condition combined with the deteriorating health of the parents means that all family members will be required to contribute. Involving the rest of the family will ensure that whatever plan is agreed upon is sustainable even after the parents can no longer support Arlene. Other than the family, a medical professional should be invited to advise the family about the most appropriate course of action (Withbourne, 2016). The medical professional can best explain why Arlene cannot stay with the parents, how to go about accommodating her in a new setting and also the most appropriate decision to make for the well being of the entire family and not just Arlene.

1. Identify the factors that will affect the Thomas siblings’ decisions about placement for their mother and sister

Finances will play a major decision in determining the decision made by the Thomas siblings when determining what approach to take in placement of their mother and sister. The family can no longer rely on Mr and Mrs Thomas as their medical condition is deteriorating. As such, the cost of placing the mother and sister will fall on the siblings who are already struggling as it is. Another factor that will be taken into consideration is the change in lifestyle that the family will have to make (Cohem et al, 2016). Taking care of the mother and sister will not only be financial but require input from the entire family to ensure that the family continues to function even with the added responsibilities.

2. What type of community resources could help the Thomas family, especially to help allay their anxieties about finances?

Community resources such as medical care funds could help the family cope with the strain of taking care of the mother and sister. Retirement benefits for instance could assist in sourcing funds to pay for the needs for placement. Contributions from other family relatives and personal savings will also play a major role in ensuring that there are enough resources. The family can also rely on Medicare, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Supplementary social security and other programs implemented by the government to help the elderly and those that are not as well off (Brosius & Mandoki, 2020).

3. How would you support Alice during the decision-making process

Alice, being undecided should be provided with information about placement and hosting at home as well as the advantages and downside of both options. In addition, the family should discuss the challenges that will arise from both decisions. The goal should be to weigh all options before agreeing on the proper course of action to take (HH, 2020). There is the need to create understanding on the impact that any decision will make.

1. Describe strategies for an open discussion at a family meeting.

The most appropriate strategy for an open discussion is a group dialogue. Each member of the Thomas family has a say in the matter as it affects the entire family. A group dialogue will ensure that everyone has a chance to air their opinions and be part of the decision-making process (Walsh, 2015). The group should however include medical professional and other care givers that have a better understanding of placements.

2. What approaches could help the Thomas family learn about possible placement options?

To learn about other possible placement options, the Thomas family could reach out to families that had previously placed their family members in the same home as Arlene. Since the institution is closing, keeping in touch will help identify other possible placement ideas that other families have considered as alternatives. The Thomas family should also conduct physical visits accompanied by a social worker to assess placement homes in order to identify the most appropriate plan for Arlene and the mother.

3. Identify social factors that might influence the Thomas family’s decision

Social factors could also weigh in on the decision the family has to make. In society, the responsibility of taking care of parents falls to the children. In some settings, placement is a sign of irresponsibility as it is a way of giving that responsibility to someone else. The Thomas family must however weigh the social factors against their capabilities and the overall needs of Arlene and the mother (NIA, 2020). For Arlene, home is the residential care institutions she has known for the better part of her life. Regardless of the social constructs that advocate for families to look after one another, Arlene’s family is the people she grew up with at the home. Despite the family’s desire to host her at home, they must also ensure that her needs are met, regardless of what society expects.

References

Brosius, C., & Mandoki, R. (2020). Caring for Old Age: Perspectives from South Asia.     Heidelberg University Publishing 

Cohen, M. S., Paul, E., Nuschke, J. D., Tolentino, J. C., Mendez, A. V. C., Mira, A.-E. A.,           Baxter, R. A., ... Stawicki, S. P. (2016). “Patient Frailty: Key Considerations, Definitions and Practical Implications” Zawada, Edward T.; Challenges in Elder Care;         Intech

Helping Hands, (2020) “Elderly care” retrieved from,          https://www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk/home-care-services/elderly-care/

National Institute on Ageing, (2020) “Aging in place: Growing older at home” retrieved   from, https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/aging-place-growing-older-home

Walsh, F. (2015). Normal family processes: Growing diversity and complexity. Walsh, F.             (2015). “Normal family processes: Growing diversity and complexity” New York:             The Guilford Press

Whitbourne, S. K. (2016). The Encyclopedia of adulthood and aging. Malden, Mass: Wiley         Blackwell.

 Family Concept Application Academic Paper: Lucy Mahingen Case Study

The analytical view of the health of a family in the case study scenario of Mahingen is an example of how the health impact of one family member impacts the family as a whole. Lucy Mahingen is a 75-year-old woman with a diagnosis of stress incontinence. Her condition has caused the reduction of fluid intake as prevention of her frequent falls. The family suggests homecare for Lucy. Lucy refuses and rarely leaves her home. Lucy's Dr. has referred her to a home care nurse for assessment. As the home care nurse, the concept of inquiry should be applied in the assessment process of this family as narrative inquiry holds the keys to answers unknown and will bring answers to the reason Lucy has refused the idea of relocation. The purpose of this paper is to review the case of Lucy Mahingen and her family while applying the concept of narrative inquiry. The implications for family nursing will so be included in this paper.

Concept and family analysis

The assessment of narrative inquiry is an important aspect a nurse can use as part of her assessment of the Mahingen family. According to Pedaste et al, (2015, p.48-51), there are “…five inquiry phases: engagement, exploration, exploitation, elaboration, evaluation”. Inquiry provides the ability to ask questions, plan, observe, communicate, and discuss information. Inquiring by simply asking questions about the family’s narrative context, asking questions driven by not the why, but by what, when, where, allows for the transmission of knowledge on specific health issues needed for patient-centered care (Pedaste et al., 2015 p.48). Asking questions about the family's narrative context provides both family and the nurse the bases for understanding each family's beliefs, worries, and feelings about the entire situation of Lucy's refusal of relocating.

Narrative Inquiry of Family’s Strength

 Through narrative inquiring of each member of the Mahingen family, the nurse can gain insight into specific strengths of the family’s internal and external structures. The narrative inquiry of Lucy indicates autonomy for independence, that though she is the only one in her family composition, her extended family is her source of strength (Shajani & Snell, 2019, p.63). The narrative inquiry of the family shows the external structure of support they receive comes from the medical professionals for home care referral.

Resilience

There are numerous definitions of what reliance is. According to Manzini eta al., (2016, p. 703), "resilience is the ability of how individuals learn to deal with unfavorable conditions more efficiently”.  Through narrative inquiring of each family member, the nurse can identify that the family's resilience is directly linked in the provision of Lucy's safety. The optimistic views of the health system in trusting and seeking help from medical professionals to provide suitable homecare for Lucy with the hope to prevent future falls is what display of resilience.

Narrative Inquiry of Family’s Challenges

Through narrative inquiry, the nurse can finally come to understand the exact areas of the family's challenges to find solutions towards resolution. Lucy's narrative inquiry will help the nurse understand that the reason Lucy's decision to not move is perhaps due to fears of the loss of independence. Another area of challenge the nurse can come to understand through inquiry is the reason Lucy rarely leaves the house. Could it perhaps be a sign of depression due to her realization of physical decline and the reinforcement of her decline displayed by the pressure she's receiving from family to relocate?

The nurse's narrative inquiry of the family could be at various developmental stages of life. Lucy's sister could be at the developmental stage of phase six where she is experiencing “Physiological decline” (Shajani & Snell, 2019 p.106). While Lucy’s nephew and nieces could presumably be in phase three of, “families with young children” (Shajani & Snell, 2019 p.100). A narrative inquiry of the family can allow for the nurse to assessing for signs of caregiver role strain and can allow the nurse the opportunity to "offer information/resources to help resolve…" (Kim-Godwin & Robinson, 2018 p. 174).

Implication for family nursing practice

Inquiry allows the nurse to better understand the family’s structural, developmental, and functional aspects of their life for the implementation of optimal supporting health. Through narrative inquiry, the nurse can identify the exact reason for Lucy's decline in relocation. It allows the nurse to establish and facilitate an integrative plan for teaching opportunities about what a home care facility is and what the home care facility day to day routines would look like (Goulding et al., 2018). Providing Lucy with facility information could help ease Lucy about fears she may have.

            When families have distresses or crisis, nurses take the advantages of family strength conceptual framework as the ultimate mechanism for promoting strong and healthy relationships. For the case of Lucy, affection, and appreciation, commitment, time together, sense of spiritual comfort, positive communication, and the aptitude to cope with crisis and stress are some of the qualities that are required to improve her behavioural, physiological, and psychological status (Milne, 2020). Those attributes will enable her family to reject some of the issues or factors that will contribute to future problems. According to Shajani, & Snell, (2019), "commanding a family's competence…and strength and offering them a new view of themselves,…allows families to discover their solution to problems and enhance healing” (p.150). 

             Understanding Lucy's family's theoretical framework enables nurses to improve the deficits of her family functioning. Taking into consideration Lucy's family ties enables nurses to enhance their health care by moving away from holism and culture and effectively plan for her care based on the evaluation of the strengths of her family (Milne, 2020). As a result of that, Lucy’s family can have the ability to identify areas of improvement which in return will act as the basis for enhancing positive change.  This is what assists in building their dependability, emotional and physical presence, and honesty to Lucy's condition. "The quantitative multi-modal MRI revealed a stronger association between imaging biomarkers in the hippocampus and age-related cognitive decline" (Arbisala, 2107, p. 1290). The relational inquiry is perceived to have the potential enabling nurses to understand the socio-environmental aspects of her family, her lifestyle, medical health, and socio-relational experiences for the provision of the perceived health promotion (Varcoe & Doan, 2018 p.128). Utilizing counselling and community resources is also vital in assisting Lucy and her family to minimize or prevent stressors.

            Dedicating time together is one of the most important attributes that assist in sustaining health relationships. Lucy’s family also displays the essence of maintaining physical close contact, celebrating occasions, and remembering the old special occasion (Newell, 2017). Encouraging families and individuals to convey affection and appreciation for aid during sickness is important because it assists to promote caring relationships that are based on mutual support and trust

Conclusion

            The five phases of inquiry give nurses the opportunity of identifying the conceptual strength of each family, resilience, and obstacles encountered. Nurses and patients' families are able to communicate as well as discuss important health issues that in return assist in improving the well-being of patients. These considerations are the ones that make a relational inquiry to be regarded as the main driving force for understanding the unique requirements of patients. Nurses are able to develop effective health care interventions that aid in the provision of the necessary health care resources required by patients. As a means of providing optimal health care, relational inquiry enables nurses and families to understand the patients' lifestyle, medical health, and socio-relational experiences which in return foster the provision of quality health care.

References

Aribisala, B. (2017). Hippocampal Integrity And Cognitive Ability In  An Aging Population Using Quantitative Mri Techniques.  Innovation in Aging, 1(Suppl_1),      1290.

Casper, L. & Coritz, A. (2018). Family demography: Continuity and changes  in North     American families.  J. R. Kaakinen, D. P. Coehlo, R. Steel, &  M. Robinson,      (Eds.), Family health care nursing: Theory, practice, and  research (6th ed.,         pp.53-82). Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company

Deatrick, J. A. (2017). Where is “family” in the social determinants of  health?      Implications for family nursing practice, research, education, and policy. Journal    of Family Nusing, 23(4), 423-433. https://doi.org/10.1177/1074840717735287

Lebow, J. (2O16). Editorial:Family Resilence.Family Process, 55(4), 613-615.      https://onlinelibrary-wiley-com.libproxy.uregina.ca/doi/epdf/10.1111/famp.12268

Lu, C., Yuan, L., Lin, W., Zhou, Y., & Pan, S. (2017). Depression and resilience   mediates the effect of family function on quality of life of the elderly. Archives  of            Gerontology and Geriatrics, 71, 34-42.

International Family Nursing Association (IFNA). (2015). IFNA Position Statement on    Generalist Competencies for Family Nursing Practice.  Retrieved             from: https://internationalfamilynursing.org/wordpress/wp-  content/uploads/2015/07/GC-Complete-PDF-document-in-color-with-photos-            English-language.pdf

Manzini, C., Brigola, A., Pavarini, S., & Vale, F. (2016). Factors associated with the         resilience of family caregivers of persons with dementia: A systematic review. Revista Brasileira De Geriatria E  Gerontologia, 19(4), 703-714.           https://www.scielo.br/pdf/rbgg/v19n4/1809-9823-rbgg-19-04-00703.pdf

Kaakinen, J. (2018). Family nursing assessment and intervention. In J. R. Kaakinen, D. P.            Coehlo, R. Steel, & M. Robinson, (Eds.), Family health care nursing: Theory,             practice and research (6th ed., pp.113-120 and 127-132). Philadelphia, PA: F.A.     Davis Company.

Kim, G.Y & Robinson, M. (2018). Family health promotion. In. J.R. KaaKinen,    D.P.Coehlo, R. Stee, M, Robinson, (Eds)., Family health care nursing: Theory,         practice and research (6^th ed.,pp.149-180).Philadelphia, PA:F.A.Davis       community

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intersection of family policies, health disparities and health care policies. In J. R. Kaakinen, D. P. Coehlo, R. Steel, & M. Robinson,

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Pedaste, M., Mäeots, M., Siiman, L. A., De Jong, T., Van Riesen, S. A., Kamp, E. T., ...   & Tsourlidaki, E. (2015). Phases of inquiry-based learning: Definitions and the          inquiry cycle. Educational research review, 14, 47-61. Retrieved from:

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Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario. (2015). Person-and Family-Centered Care.    Toronto, ON: Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario. (p.21-40) White book

Shajani, Z. & Snell, D. (2019). Wright & Leahey’s nurses and families: A guide to family             assessment and intervention (7th ed.). Philadelphia: FA Davis Company. 

• Chapter 1: Family assessment and intervention: An overview (pp. 6-19)
• Chapter 3: The Calgary family assessment model (pp. 51-138)

Shajani, Z. & Snell, D. (2019). Wright & Leahey’s nurses and families: A guide to family             assessment and intervention (7th ed.). Philadelphia: FA Davis Company. 

• Chapter 4: The Calgary family intervention model (pp. 139-166) 
• Chapter 9: How to do a 15-minute (or shorter) family interview (pp. 255-270)

Varcoe, C. & Doan, H. G. (2018). Relational nursing and family nursing in Canada. In J. R. Kaakinen, D. P. Coehlo, R. Steel, & M. Robinson, (Eds.), Family health care           nursing: Theory, practice and research (6^th ed., BC1-BC19). Philadelphia, PA:      F.A. Davis Company.

Wang, C. C., & Geale, S. K. (2015). The power of story: Narrative inquiry as a     methodology in nursing research. International Journal of Nursing Sciences, 2(2),    195-198. Retrieved from: https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S2352013215000496?token=ABA50D94674A99851C836C212886019B4F362274D697C2EF4BE2C567134A8F525648BE58CF32EDAF9F75A101AA1CB489

Webb, J., Ruiz,M.E. & Kinz, K.E., (2018). Families living with chronic illness      KaaKinen, D.P.Coehlo, R. Stee, M, Robinson, (Eds)., Family health care nursing:        Theory, practice and research (6^th ed.,pp.230-275).Philadelphia, PA:F.A.Davis       community

Webb, J., Ruiz,M.E. & Kinz, K.E., (2018). Families living with chronic illness.

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Newell, J. (2017). Cultivating Professional Resilience in Direct Practice: A Guide for      Human Service Professionals. New York: Columbia University Press.         doi:10.7312/newe17658

Milne, A. (2020). Mental Health in Later Life: Taking a Life Course Approach. Bristol,    UK; Chicago, IL, USA: Bristol University Press. doi:10.2307/j.ctvwrm494

Goulding, A., Davenport, B., & Newman, A. (Eds.). (2018). Resilience and ageing:          Creativity, culture and community. Bristol, UK; Chicago, IL, USA: Bristol       University Press. doi:10.2307/j.ctv8xnhxv

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Literature Search

            The database jstor.org was searched for peer-reviewed articles ranging from 2017-2020. The key terms used in the research include depression and resilience, relational inquiry, behavioural, physiological, and psychological distress, family functioning, family nursing practice, and mental health. Quantitative and qualitative research was included to collect detailed information regarding the research topic. The original database generated 180 peer-reviewed articles. The main limitation of the database research is the generation of grey literatures that do not provide detailed information regarding the research topic. With regard to the research topic, assessment of abstracts, titles, and inclusion and exclusion of unwanted literature, three articles were selected from the sample articles searched.