Child Abuse Critique Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Child Abuse Critique - Essay Example tatistics released by the Virginia Department of Social Services Online Automated Data System (2007) physical neglect is far more prevalent in Virginia accounting for 54.5 percent of child abuse reports for 2007. Physical abuse rates second in reporting history representing 26.2 percent of child abuse reports in 2007. (Virginia Department of Social Services Online Automated Data System, 2007) The prevalence of physical abuse and physical neglect dictate that educators remain vigilant for the purpose of detecting and identifying signs of both physical neglect and physical abuse. Legal definitions of child abuse and neglect however are inadequate for the purposes of recognising and circumventing child abuse and neglect. To this end educators are more appropriately guided by what is termed â€Å"operational definitions.† (Child Abuse and Neglect: Recognizing, Reporting, and Responding for Educators) Operational definitions are utilized by reference to indicators. (Child Abuse and Neglect: Recognizing, Reporting, and Responding for Educators) For instance the legal definition of physical abuse is such that it â€Å"causes or threatens to cause non-accidental physical injury.† (Child Abuse and Neglect: Recognizing, Reporting, and Responding for Educators) The operational definition of physical abuse indicates that conduct by a parent, guardian or any type of caregiver is such that it causes â€Å"physical injury or a particular behavior.† (Child Abuse and Neglect: Recognizing, Reporting, and Responding for Educators) Put another way: Physical indicators may be manifested in a variety of ways. These indicators include â€Å"questionable bruises and welts, or other injuries†. (Child Abuse and Neglect: Recognizing, Reporting, and Responding for Educators) These types of injuries will typically appear on the child’s face, lips, mouth, torso, back, buttocks and thighs and will be in â€Å"various stages of healing† and â€Å"clustered.† (Child Abuse and Neglect:

Small Business (Entrepreneurship) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Small Business (Entrepreneurship) - Essay Example Citroen has the experience of working in a large organisation. He understands the business of cooking and recipes well. But he is still a novice in handling business operations. He may not have accosted those costs of a business that come to fore better in a small environment. The figures on which he is Citroen bases his decisions are not exhaustive and the actual running cost of the restaurant could be higher. Some of the fixed and non-fixed expenditures like overheads like electricity, water; establishment costs, telephone bills, software, internet and computer costs, insurance, dilapidation costs, maintenance costs and sales promotion are not included in his analysis. A business always needs to be in growth, expansion, improvement or development mode in order to stay in competition. A salary of $85000 and a profit margin of $ 90000 are not comparable figures. He needs to generate enough money that is over and above the amount he needs to look after himself. According to Citroen, each meal leaves him with a margin of $22. The costs for sales promotion. He needs to make forecasts of the occupancy of 40-seater restaurant especially the peak occupancy and its time period. In case it exceeds the available seating capacity of 40, for such time period that may lead to substantial business loss, he will have to provide additional seats. This needs a workload and capacity management planning. His decision to close shop on the weekend is also flawed as restaurants generate highest turnovers on the weekends. Cost should be defined as what the customer pays to obtain certain goods or services and to derive full utility from them. It is important for Citroen to realise that he will not be able to encash his rapport with clientele of La Gauloise in entirety, for as much he may have done to increase restaurant’s popularity, big businesses carry their brand loyalty that does not change with change of employees. He needs to conduct a thorough financial analysis

Aggression In Violent Offenders Psychology Essay

Aggression In Violent Offenders Psychology Essay Anger is considered to be an innate emotion within human beings that is associated with positive and negative qualities. Subjectively, anger can range from mild to severe or from mere irritation to rage (Wright, Day, Howells, 2009). Anger can positively act to mobilize psychological resources, facilitate perseverance, protect self-esteem, energize corrective behaviors, and communicate negative sentiments. However, anger also holds the negative potential to cause individuals to act out violently and harm themselves or others (Wright, Day, Howells, 2009). The concept of anger is considered to be multidimensional in that it involves behavioral, cognitive, physiological, and phenomenological variables (Wright, Day, Howells, 2009). Anger results from interactions between four dimensions such as behavioral reactions, external events, physiological arousal, and cognitive processes (Wright, Day, Howells, 2009). The association between anger and distorted perceptions can result in the inability to make appropriate assessments of behaviors, attitudes, and interactions within social contexts (Wright, Day, Howells, 2009). Anger that has significant intensity, duration, and frequency is referred to as clinical anger. This form of anger is described as being a precursor to health and social difficulties (Gardner Moore, 2008). These difficulties can occur interpersonally, occupationally, and legally as well as could impact an individuals physical and mental health (Gardner Moore, 2008). While clinical anger does not have a criterion for diagnosis, it does serve as a contributing factor to various mental disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Furthermore, anger was described as being central to many forms of violence, which makes anger relevant to treating violent offenders (Wright, Day, Howells, 2009). Concept of Aggression Aggression is defined as behaviors that are intended to harm another person or persons (Casas, 2005). Much research addressing aggression has focused on physical acts of aggression but has since begun to expand upon the definition of aggression (Casas, 2005). Purdy and Seklecki (2006) asserted aggression is typically associated with harmful and violent acts, such as assaults and homicides. According to Beaver (2009) career criminals are more likely to use serious violence and physical aggression compared to other offenders. In addition, various aggressive and violent crimes such as robbery, assault, rape, and murder are almost exclusively confined to habitual offenders (Beaver, 2009). Tew, Dixon, Harkins, and Bennett (2012) described aggression in relation to offenders in terms of verbal and physical aggression. Verbal aggression consisted of raising ones voice, shouting, swearing, being abusive, being argumentative, conveying threats, ranting, having an outburst, initiating a confro ntation, and bullying (Tew et al., 2012). Acts such as hitting, smashing up belongings, throwing belongings, slamming doors, hitting tables, or acts that resulted in restraint are considered to be physical acts of aggression (Tew et al., 2012). Similarly, Casas (2005) described various forms of aggression. Aggression can be classified as physical aggression, indirect aggression, social aggression, or relational aggression (Casas, 2005). Casas (2005) description of physical aggression was consistent with how Tew et al. (2012) described physical aggression. Indirect aggression involves covert and harmful behavior in which a victim is not directly confronted by the perpetrator. Social aggression involves harming another individuals self-esteem, social acceptance, or social status (Casas, 2005). Lastly, relational aggression is defined as harming another in terms of damaging a relationship, feelings of acceptance, or group inclusion (Casas, 2005). In general, social and biological factors contribute to aggression (Casas, 2005). Concept of Stress The concept of stress was discussed in relation to psychological symptoms as having two primary processes including emotion regulation and coping (Watson Sinha, 2008). Fifty-percent of the variance in psychological symptoms can be accounted for via stress and coping (Watson Sinha, 2008). In psychology, the stress process encompasses cognition and emotion in which stress can be assessed in relation to an individual or a group (Valdez, 2006). Therefore, forensic psychologists are interested in how individual or group stress impacts offender populations (Valdez, 2006). Valdez (2006) discussed how stress is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦a variable response or reaction that involves emotional, physiological, and behavioral coping responses to the appraised stressor (p. 446). Various coping mechanisms can be employed depending on the nature of a situation. Coping mechanisms can be emotion-focused, problem-focused, or avoidance coping (Valdez, 2006). Stress is considered to be reciprocal in that a stres sor and an individual can have an impact on each other. In this regard, coping responses are dependent upon how the stressor is perceived (Valdez, 2006). In considering the offender population, a stressor could potentially elicit a violent or aggressive response if the individual feels threatened or challenged (Valdez, 2006). Relationship among Anger, Stress, and Aggression According to Howells (2004), there is a link between anger and aggressive behavior. However, this link does not mean all anger will result in violence. In this regard, anger and aggression could potentially result in physical violence and can be useful indicators within correctional environments where the potential for violence exists (Tew et al., 2012). In relation to treatment, understanding the relationship between anger and aggression can assist practitioners reduce the risk of violence through effective protocols, treatments, and intervention strategies (Tew et al., 2012). The relationship between anger, stress, and aggression was illuminated within Komarovskaya, Loper, and Warrens (2007) discussion of impulsivity and personality disorders. The multiple diagnostic criteria of psychiatric disorders included the impulsivity construct. This construct is the inability to resist impulses and results in an individual acting in a harmful manner towards other (Komarovskaya, Loper, Warr en, 2007). Impulsivity relates back to anger and aggression in terms of their definitions incorporating the concept of harming others (Casas, 2005; Komarovskaya, Loper, Warren, 2007; Wright, Day, Howells, 2009). Impulsive aggression has various contributing factors including anger. In addition, it is considered to be a reactive or emotionally charged response precipitated by a loss of behavioral control (Komarovskaya, Loper, Warren, 2007). This relates back to stress in terms of potential stressors eliciting violent or aggressive responses (Valdez, 2006). Impulsivity, anger, hostility, and antisocial personality have been identified by various studies as predictors for institutional aggression, violence, and maladjustment (Komarovskaya, Loper, Warren, 2007). Impulsivity demonstrates how anger, aggression, and stress can be concurrently present and how the relationship between the three concepts can facilitate a violent response or reaction (Casas, 2005; Komarovskaya, Loper, Warren, 2007; W right, Day, Howells, 2009). The relationship between the three concepts can also be discussed in terms of treating violent offenders. Practitioners working in various forensic settings need to consider how violent behaviors exhibited by offenders are associated with anger, stress, and aggression (Walden University, n.d.). For instance, if an individual was convicted of an assaultive, abusive, or violent crime the clinician would employ anger and stress management treatment protocols (Walden Univeristy, n.d.). Another example would be the application of mindfulness-based interventions to help alleviate cognitive, affective, and behavioral manifestations of anger within a violent offender (Wright, Day, Howells, 2009). According to Wright, Day, and Howells (2009) study, mindfulness training can be used to reduce pain, anxiety, stress, depressive relapse, and psychosis. The use of cognitive-behavioral anger management therapy is another option available to clinicians for reducing violent behaviors resulting from a nger, aggression, and stress. In a meta-analysis of fifty outcome studies, cognitive-behavioral anger management therapy was found to reduce anger in 75% of the study participants (Beck Fernandez, 1998; Wright, Day, Howells, 2009). Knowledge of the concepts of anger, stress, and aggression in relation to violent offenders is essential for practitioners working with forensic populations (Walden University, n.d.). Application of such knowledge will assist a practitioner with selecting an appropriate treatment strategy for the offender. This relates back the differences in how anger, aggression, and stress can manifest in an individual (Beaver, 2009; Casas, 2005; Gardner Moore, 2008; Purdy Seklecki, 2006; Tew et al., 2012; Valdez, 2006; Watson Sinha, 2008; Wright, Day, Howells, 2009). The overlap and concurrency of anger, aggression, and stress, as well as how each concept manifests within an individual should be accounted for by a clinician when selecting a treatment option for an offender (Beaver, 2009; Casas, 2005; Gardner Moore, 2008; Purdy Seklecki, 2006; Tew et al., 2012; Valdez, 2006; Watson Sinha, 2008; Wright, Day, Howells, 2009). Practitioners can apply their collective knowledge about anger, agg ression, and stress in order to maintain the general safety of all involved within a forensic treatment setting. Furthermore, that knowledge can be employed to assist the practitioner with delivering effective treatment to violent offenders (Walden University, n.d.).

My Teaching Philosophy Statement :: Educational Philosophy

My Philosophy on Education As an education major at State College, I’ve decided to become a teacher for several reasons. As I progressed through elementary, middle, and high school, many of my teachers were great role models for me. This has inspired me to become a role model for someone in the near future. My love for science and math has also influenced my desire to teach and make a difference in a child’s life. I want to teach students the subjects that I love so much. I want the feeling that I helped a child accomplish or learn something they couldn’t understand. One of the main reasons I want to become an educator is because I feel education has really lost teachers who truly love teaching and those who truly love teaching and those who have the desire to make a difference. I feel I can really help make a difference in the education world and bring back the love to teach. My placement teachers and the teachers I have had throughout my life have definitely influenced my philosophy on education. Although my beliefs concerning education aren’t set in stone, I believe I have more of an Eclectic view on education. My beliefs tend to come from many of the different philosophies rather than one sole philosophy. One of the philosophical approaches I will take during my educational career is Perennialism. This is the traditional and conservative view, and its followers consider school to be an institution designed solely to develop students’ intellect. Perennialists generally follow the beliefs of Aristotle. The perennialist teacher must be a good reader and writer and encourage students to improve both of these skills. Three primary approaches to learning are stresses: didactic teaching of concepts such as, the operations and uses of mathematics; coaching of skills; and seminars in which various topics are discussed in depth t hrough the Socratic method. Along side of Perennialism, I will use Behaviorism. This will allow me to set rules and regulations to better prepare my students. This will benefit them because they will always be aware of circumstances of their behavior.

The Day That Changed My Life

The Day My Life Changed Forever I will never forget the day when my life was changed forever. I was twenty-two years old and about to give birth to my first child. I was having a girl, who I was going to name Mia Alexandria. Up until this point in my life I was able to go and come as I pleased, but that was about to all change. I knew that having a child would change my life but did not know how much. It was in December of 1996, and was a cold, dreary winter day. I was in my eighth month of pregnancy and I was crabby about having to lug around extra weight that was in my belly.I awoke early that morning and decided to run some errands. I drove a Jeep Wrangler at that time, a red one with a white hard top that consistently bounced around the road with every bump and crack that you hit. I can still feel the bitter draft that seeped through the cracks as I drove. It was a stick shift, which many of my friends did not know how to operate. Reluctantly, I hopped my pregnant body up into it barely being able to move my limbs from being bundled up in my poufy parka. My friend decided to join me that day to keep me company.Our first stop was to the unemployment agency. The unemployment agency back then was located in several buildings scattered throughout the state so you just had to find the closest 2 one to you, drive to it, fill out some paperwork, and stand in line to file your claim. Things were not done as they are now with all the fancy computer technology. As we arrived in the parking lot I was feeling a little anxious, not having applied before, and not knowing what I was going to say to the person behind the counter.I had been released from my waitressing job a few weeks before because of my pregnancy, the owner was afraid I might slip and fall while I was working and didn’t want to be responsible or even take that chance. The owner said I could come back after I had the baby but in the meantime I wasn’t able to pay December’s rent nor did I have any food in my apartment. My mom said I could come eat any time I wanted at her house and always sent a care package with me when I left, but still that did not pay the rent.Needless to say I did not have very much money for gas to drive back and forth to her house either and we lived about 15 miles apart. I wasn’t sure if I was going to qualify to receive unemployment but I knew I desperately needed to do something because of the baby I had on the way. When we walked into the building I saw a tremendously long line, a take a number sign, rows and rows of chairs with other fellow unemployed citizens, and quite a few government workers behind the counters. The place was huge.The atmosphere felt stuffy to me and the room was predominantly filled with men that displayed gloomy faces. I took a number and my friend and I took our place in line. We were standing for about twenty minutes when all of a sudden I felt this rush of wetness between my thighs. I was not sure what had just happened but I thought to myself I could not have just had an accident like a preschooler. As I mentally assessed the situation, the 3 only thing that kept me running from embarrassment was my long parka that came down past a good portion of my back side so you could not see my midsection.My bladder control was not as it was before I was pregnant; however when I realized after a minute or two that maybe the liquid that was uncontrollably releasing from my body was not urine at all, but that my water had broke, which meant I was going into labor. Being twenty-two and it being my first child I think I may have been in shock. Not knowing what else I should do, I decided to walk up to one of the few ladies I saw in the office. I wanted to ask what I should do because I had already signed in. The lady looked at me in disbelief and said â€Å"Leave, who cares that you signed in. You need to go to the hospital†.My friend and I looked at one another and then quickly scurried out to my Jeep and jumped in. My friend thought she should drive but did not know how to drive a stick-shift. I figured it was probably a much better idea if I drove and assured her I was not in any pain and I was fine to drive. I swiftly sped off not really having the next destination in mind but knowing I had towards the hospital. I was not in pain and did not want to rely on someone else to decide what to bring to the hospital for me so I decided to make a pit stop back at my apartment before heading over to the hospital.When we arrived only twenty minutes or so had passed and I thought by now something else should be happening with my body and was anticipating the worse was about to come. I changed out of my miserably wet pants and I quickly gathered up the things I thought I should bring. We jumped back in my bouncy jeep with our destination being the hospital this time and began making our journey there. We had about a thirty minute drive to Royal Oak Beaumont without traffic and even though I was not having any contractions I knew I did not 4 want to give birth in my vehicle.I had heard numerous crazy stories from people throughout my pregnancy about giving birth in weird places and just really wanted to make it to the hospital. When we arrived at Royal Oak Beaumont I entered through the emergency room. The security guard went to get me a wheel chair but I felt that I was fine and decided to walk up to the labor and delivery floor. When I got to the floor the nurses greeted me excitedly and hooked me up to a computer with all this wires that were connected to a stretchy band that fit around my belly.I didn’t know what they were for at the time, but now I know they were to measure my contractions. The nurse checked my dilation status and I was at a four and when you deliver the baby a person’s dilation status is at a ten. The nurse bundled all my belongings in a plastic bag and swiftly rushed me to appropriate room for delivery. When I was walking to my new room the nurses were astonished that I was dilated to four and walking around without feeling any pain. I didn’t have the foggiest idea what was going to happened so it really didn’t faze me.My friend must have been calling every person I knew because people started trickling in to see me. Tons of family and friends rotated in and out of my room baring gifts and helpful encouraging tips. The hospital staff allowed many more people in the room at one time then I thought was allowed. I had been at the hospital for about an hour and a half and still wasn’t feeling any contractions even though the nurse said I was having them. One of my friends had brought a deck of cards and another stopped at the store and brought me candy for my weet tooth I had so we were playing cards and I was eating candy when the doctor showed up. 5 The doctor was a middle age man, probably in his forty’s, which I had never met before. He was the doctor responsible for the patients from the office I went to for my prenatal checkups. I went to the hospital obgyn clinic were the doctors were doing their internships and other senior staff doctors oversaw that they were performing the correct way. He told us I probably would not be having the baby for a few hours, it was now about dinner time and I was starting to get hungry.My dilation status had stayed at between four and five for quite some time and he decided to order for me to have pitocin which tricks your body into starting to have contractions so your body will deliver the baby faster. This drug mimics the effects of the hormone, oxytocin that naturally is released in your body to induce labor. My dad and step-mom did not want to miss the birth of my first child but wanted to leave to go get dinner and they were going to bring me something back.They said I could not eat but they were allowing me to eat the candy which was a little strange. Eventually I knew I would want some dinner though and encouraged them to go and come back. Little did my dad or I know that what he feared was about to come true. He kissed me on the head and said â€Å"Don’t have that baby till I get back, ya hear†. I laughed and replied â€Å"Ok†. My dad left and the nurse came in to administer the pitocin. As the medicine flowed through my IV into my vein it felt not quite cold but a cool trickling rush like some little bugs were invading my body.It had only been a few minutes when I could start feeling maybe a little squeezing of my belly that they were calling a contraction. About seven or eight people were standing in my room talking to one another and asking me a bunch of questions when all of a sudden I felt the biggest kick, it felt like someone punched me in the stomach. Then next came a contraction, it was hard 6 And it hurt. I yelled to the nurse â€Å"I think I’m about to have the baby†, she said â€Å"Let me check probably not just yet†.I shou ted back â€Å"I think I need something for pain then†. Quickly I was administered some Demerol which was supposed to curve the pain. It just made me feel like I was going to vomit as it rushed through my veins and gave me the biggest high I had ever felt. Again I felt a big contraction â€Å"I want everyone out† I yelled. Everyone scurried out the nurse checked me and I was about to have the baby, she pushed the emergency button and the doctor came running. No one was ready, none of the packages were opened up for the delivery, and no one had their proper labor and delivery gear on.There was no time for any of that I had one more contraction and I was told not to push yet but there was no pushing nor any stopping that baby from coming into this world. Next thing I knew this small watermelon size thing came bounding out and it was over. No more pain, no more scary anticipation, and no more extra weight in my belly. And of course my dad had missed it. Mia Alexandria was here and weighed 5lbs 15oz, and was 19 inches long. My freedom at that moment ended forever. I would always be responsible for this other little person forever, or what would seem forever.No more just getting up and going. No more random journeys in my jeep at the spur of the moment not knowing where we might end up. Everywhere I would go from then on out I would have lots of extra things I would have to take with me for the care of the baby. Even though my life changed at that moment forever it was for the better. The birth of my daughter made me think about all my actions and the consequences that may follow. I always tried my hardest to do the right thing and be the best person I could be from that moment on because I wanted to be the best mommy ever.

Enron scandal Essay

Enron shocked the world from being â€Å"America’s most innovative company† to America’s biggest corporate bankruptcy at its time. At its peak, Enron was America’s seventh largest corporation.From the 1990’s until the fall of 2001, Enron was famous throughout the business world and was known as an innovator, technology powerhouse, and a corporation with no fear. The sudden fall of Enron in the end of 2001 shattered not just the business world but also the lives of their employees. Enron gave the illusion that it was a steady company with good revenue but that was not the case, a large part of Enron’s profits were made of paper. Their huge debts and information about hiding losses gave a big problem to the company and in the late 2001 Enron declared bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. Kenneth Lay (Founder and CEO), Jeffrey Skilling (CEO) and Andy Fastow (CFO) found that Enron wasn’t making money so what the y did is implemented along with the approval of Arthur Andersen the â€Å"future value accounting.† This type of accounting was to predict the future profit that Enron was going to make and list it as part of there future profit to the shareholders. This creative accounting lead to Fastow to create â€Å"outside companies† that were directly involved with Enron to hide the losses the companies made. These companies were named after Star Wars characters. As Enron announced big numbers to Wall Street, people began to take notice of this company and started to buy shares of the company. Enron even encouraged their employees to buy shares of Enron and the price of Enron was going up to as high as $90. Enron executives were bullies to the investment companies. When a financial adviser questioned their firms regarding Enron stock, Enron would pay the firm to get rid of the employee. As Enron got bigger, the company was collecting more losses and hiding them well. Enron hit the top when their stock hit $90 and then things were starting to fall apart. A writer at Forbes magazine cal led Enron telling them that she was going to release an article about Enron and not releasing their financial statements. Enron executives flew to New York telling her not to release the article but the next week, Forbes released the article questioning Enron’s financial.