Exploring Characters and Themes in A Good Man Is Hard to...

Exploring Characters in A Good Man is Hard to Find Flannery OConnor once said of her writing, All my stories are about the action of grace on a character that is not very willing to support it, but most people think of these stories as hard, hopeless and brutal. This statement is especially true when matched with OConnors A Good Man is Hard to Find, in which character plays such an essential role within the story. Through her characters, particularly the Grandmother and the Misfit, OConner manages to inject many elements; the characters embody symbols and themes such as OBriens message of Christianity. The primary character in this story is the Grandmother whose epiphany at the end of the story gives the†¦show more content†¦In many ways, Bailey becomes more of a tangible character later when he is led off and shot; in his absence, we are shown that the Grandmother does indeed love him as she desperately calls out Bailey Boy. She is condescending to her grandchildren as well, but in a more direct matter. There is humor to be found in their interactions, because she often reprimands them, but they have feelings of superiority to her. Her granddaughter, June Star, mirrors her Grandmother in certain manners--she too is rude and annoying but not it the same passive manner. June Stars brother John Wesley is depicted as relatively ordinary; his main function in the story is his eagerness to see the house that leads to the familys death, but like his sister he also provides quite a bit of humor. The Grandmothers superiority reaches far beyond her family. She reveals a racist and ignorant nature when she calls a poor Black child a pickaninny. At the barbecue restaurant the family stops at, she has a conversation with the owner, Red Sammy Butts about the problems the world is facing and they reminisce about better times. Red Sammys statement a good man is hard to find, is in reference for the nostalgia they feel for better times and better people. When discussing men who robbed him, he says that it was a beat up car, but it was a good one and these boys looked al right toShow MoreRelatedEssay on A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery OConnor1564 Words   |  7 PagesA Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery OConnor A Good Man is Hard to Find is an extremely powerful commentary that elucidates Flannery OConnors opinions about religion and society. Like the majority of her other works, A Good Man is Hard to Find has attracted many interpretations based on Christian dogma (Bandy 1). These Christian explications are justified because Miss OConnor is notorious for expressing Catholic doctrines through her fiction. Once she even remarked I see fromRead MoreFlannery O Connor s Writing Style1680 Words   |  7 PagesFlannery O’connor is one of the most shinning stars in American literature. Her distinct writing style makes her work recognizable and outstanding from other literature works. Many critics have commented on Flannery O’connor’s narrative voice. Louise Blackwell discovers Miss O’Connor often wrote according to southern tradition by using symbols in people’s daily life to convey the theme in a more profound way. From the perspective of the O’con nor’s writing technique, Shirley Foster speaks highly ofRead MoreEssay On The Misfit And The Grandmother1359 Words   |  6 Pagesargues that the Misfit and the Grandmother of Flannery O’Connor’s â€Å"A Good Man is Hard To Find† are ultimately the same character. Specifically, that the Misfit is the more evolved version of the Grandmother. Additionally, the article focuses on weakening of the Grandmother’s character on both the part of the reader, and of Flannery O’Connor herself; noting that it is purposeless to view the Grandmothers character superficially, as her true character lies beneath the mask of southern charm. The articleRead MoreCosmology and Southern Gothic2051 Words   |  9 Pagesone knows for sure how the universe works or how we got here, but many Southern Gothic authors, such as Flannery O’Connor and Edgar Allan Poe, use their literature as a way of expressing their beliefs about the clockwork of the universe. Th ese authors use their dark and grotesque fictional stories to make sense of where we, as humans, stand in the universe. In The Violent Bear it Away, O’Connor uses Francis Tarwater, a miracle who was saved by God, to answer the question, â€Å"How did we get here?†Read MoreAnalysis Of Grandmother In A Good Man Is Hard To Find.1517 Words   |  7 Pages Analysis of Grandmother in A Good Man is Hard to Find Introduction The character grandmother in O’Connor’s story has grounds the reality of the events and drives the family into tragedy. She is a central character in O’Connor’s story and is depicted to be a dynamic character stuck in the old ways. Through her actions and the idea of being stuck in the old ways of thinking, she leads her family into tragedy. Being the main character in the story, Grandmother significantly adds to the developmentRead MoreReview Of Maus s The Rise Of The Graphic 1435 Words   |  6 Pagesto work in concentration camps before executing them in the gas chambers. Further, the illustrations show some characters are not mice but are only wearing mice masks. This visual interpretation seems to relay the feelings that these specific Jews do not feel like full Jews because they did not have to endure the hardships of the concentration camps or death camps. A reoccurring theme in many pieces of contemporary literature is the dramatization of a historical event. Many pieces from this eraRead MoreANALIZ TEXT INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS28843 Words   |  116 Pagesor a short story. Events of any kind, of course, inevitably involve people, and for this reason it is virtually impossible to discuss plot in isolation from character. Character and plot are, in fact, intimately and reciprocally related, especially in modern fiction. A major function of plot can be said to be the representation of characters in action, though as we will see the action involved can be internal and psychological as well as external and physical. In order for a plot to begin, some

Rational Choice, Deterrence, Incapacitation and Just...

Rational Choice, Deterrence, Incapacitation and Just Desert In seeking to answer the question, Why do people engage in deviant and/or criminal acts?, many researchers, as well as the general public, have begun to focus on the element of personal choice. An understanding of personal choice is commonly based in a conception of rationality or rational choice. These conceptions are rooted in the analysis of human behavior developed by the early classical theorists, Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham. The central points of this theory are: (1) The human being is a rational actor, (2) Rationality involves an end/means calculation, (3) People (freely) choose all behavior, both conforming and deviant,†¦show more content†¦Rational Choice Theory emerged. According to this view, law-violating behavior should be viewed as an event that occurs when an offender decides to risk violating the law after considering his or her own personal situation (need for money, personal values, learning experiences) and situational factors (how well a target is protected, how affluent the neighborhood is, how efficient the local police happen to be). Before choosing to commit a crime, the reasoning criminal evaluates the risk of apprehension, the seriousness of the expected punishment, the value of the criminal enterprise, and his or her immediate need for criminal gain. (Siegel, p.131, 1992) This perspective shifts attention to the act of engaging in criminal or deviant activity. The issue becomes, what can be done to make the act of crime or deviance less attractive to the individual? How can crime or deviant behavior be prevented? ...crime prevention or at least crime reduction, may be achieved through policies that convince criminals to desist from criminal activities, delay their actions, or avoid a particular target. (Siegel, p.133, 1992). Strategies that are relevant to this perspective include the following: targetShow MoreRelatedShould Punishment Be Punished For The Crime?1866 Words   |  8 Pagesgeneral), rehabilitation or reform, and incapacitation. Deterrence is the use of punishment as a threat to deter people from offending. ‘The punishment suffered by the offender presents to everyone an example of what he himself will have to suffer, if he is guilty of the same offence’ (cited in Hudson, 2003b: 19). The utilarian idea that deterrence prevents future crimes however has been hugely ctriticised. There is little scientific research to show that deterrence is an effective method to preventRead MoreThe Classical School Of Criminology935 Words   |  4 Pages What are the three major principles of the Classical School of Criminology? The major principles in the Classical School of Criminology are that humans are rational and that our behavior comes from free will, and our human behavior is derived from pain and pleasure. To deter criminal’s punishment is necessary, which may set an example for others. As well as crime prevention should be implemented with quick regulated punishment for violations of the law. What were some forerunners of classicalRead MoreShould Offenders Be Socially Integrated?996 Words   |  4 Pageshas dated back historically to the Hammurabi code one of the earliest writings in history. The concept is better understood as just deserts or an eye for an eye attitude . Although this concept has vanished from most parts of the world the idea is one noting. If a criminal acts in a manner against the law they must return something . Linked with this is the rational choice theory the psychologies behind criminal behaviour. It is the deliberate behaviour of an offender to calculate actions by weighingRead MoreJeremy Bentham Criminal Justice Essay1609 Words   |  7 Pagesthe transportation of convicts to other continents (Bentham, 1789). He had strong ideals relating to criminals and the best way for them to be punished. Forming the criminological theory of Utilitarianism, Bentham argued that incapacitation, rehabilitation and deterrence were the three pillars essentia l to fighting crime (Hopkins Burke, 2011). In the course of this essay, Bentham’s philosophy on punishment and the reasons why he opposed transportation will be discussed. Furthermore, an examinationRead MoreEssay Correctional Theory2516 Words   |  11 Pageswas his infamous â€Å"What Works?† paper, in which he posits that empirical evidence does not support rehabilitation (p. 23). By the mid-1970s, correctional policy shifted from one emphasizing rehabilitation to one emphasizing just desserts/retribution, deterrence and incapacitation (Cullen, Jonson, 2012, p. 22). The result of these â€Å"get-tough† policies, which sought to control crime through strict laws and lengthy sentences, was unprecedented growth in our custodial population, which we can no longerRead MoreCriminal Sentencing3718 Words   |  15 Pagesauthority† (Seiter, 2008, p. 40) When examining criminal sentencing, one must first understand the basic theories associated with the puni shments given to criminals. There are five main goals/theories behind criminal sentencing; punishment, deterrence, incapacitation, rehabilitation, and restitution. Historically, punishment has been the most dominant goal in criminal sentencing. Punishment, as Herbert Packer described, emphasizes the infliction of pain or suffering. In the United States, we believeRead MoreThe Limits Of The Criminal Sanction Written By The Criminologist Scholar Herbert Packer Essay1619 Words   |  7 Pagesauthority† (Seiter, 2008, p. 40) When examining criminal sentencing, people must understand the important theories associated with the punishments given to criminals. The five main goals theories behind criminal sentencing are: punishment, deterrence, incapacitation, rehabilitation, and restitution. Historically, punishment has been the most dominant goal in criminal sentencing. Herbert Packer described and emphasizes punishment as the infliction of pain or suffering. In the United States, we believeRead MoreReturn to Society from Prison2887 Words   |  12 Pages3 Sentencing in the United States represents a decision of what to do about crime and the criminal offender. The choice of sentencing is punishment, which serves copious social control functions, while imposing consequences for one’s criminal actions (Latessa Holsinger, 2011, p. 47). Punishment is generally justified by the philosophies of retribution, incapacitation, deterrence, rehabilitation, and restoration; and sentencing strategies vary among the different philosophies. Retribution (LetRead MoreTorts study notes Essay17110 Words   |  69 Pages1801 Texas Law Review June, 1997 W. Page Keeton Symposium on Tort Law MIXED THEORIES OF TORT LAW: AFFIRMING BOTH DETERRENCE AND CORRECTIVE JUSTICE Gary T. Schwartza Copyright (c) 1997 Texas Law Review Association; Gary T. Schwartz Introduction Currently there are two major camps of tort scholars. One understands tort liability as an instrument aimed largely at the goal of deterrence, commonly explained within the framework of economics. The other looks at tort law as a way of achieving corrective

The use of advertising strategy on men Free Essays

string(90) " that she has all what is needed in a practical world which is actually totally opposite\." Since the time communication process came into being, role of both electronic and print media has increased where they communicate all sorts of information to people across the globe. In the nineteenth and the twentieth century media has gone to unattainable heights and now in our times it is accessible to almost all parts of the globe. It introduces new trends, brings changes in the present culture of a society and tells about happenings around the world and this is how it also shapes opinions of people. We will write a custom essay sample on The use of advertising strategy on men or any similar topic only for you Order Now Thus we can say that media plays a vital role in our lives and keeps us informed. But sometimes media takes a negative turn and shows such stuff which has a negative effect in different parts of societies. In ads, they portray women as thin, beautiful, sophisticated human beings and men as wealthy robots which have led to a reduction in self-acceptance of people. Beautiful bodies shown in those ads have increased the desire of common women to go on severe diet plans, go for the latest whitening products and to go to such extremes which has also led to such disorders as anorexia, bulimia along with emotional disorders. Think of a beautiful woman and think about the definition of a beautiful woman for a second or two; we will realize that the only words that come to our mind, even if we are females, are big eyes, good height, perfect physique, beautiful hair etc instead of a good friend or colleague, perfect mother and a perfect wife etc. Even unconsciously we refer to women by the former words instead of the latter ones. Women are always appreciated by how they appear instead of who they really are, and the society has accepted it. Many factors are responsible for this wrong image projection which includes media as well as the gender discrimination. There are some aspects as to why females are facing such problems and are always cast in those roles that undermine their status and affect the entire female population negatively. One of books written on this subject is â€Å"Beauty Myth† by Naomi Wolf. This book was published in 1991. It focuses on female beauty, how it is used to project the wrong side of a â€Å"real woman† and how this beauty is creating problems for the modern women who want to be perfect by having cosmetic surgeries, or want to be size zero and are developing eating disorders and how this beauty contest is responsible for their jobs etc. Naomi wolf, in her book basically emphasizes that women in their culture are mostly projected as beauty symbols; the more lovely and delicate a woman more appreciation she gets from the members of society. In 1990s many women rose to prestigious positions, they expanded themselves in terms of education, careers along with managing their families but they also became self-conscious and their youthfulness and focused more on ways of retaining it. Our communication and print media has spread a lot in the past two decades and this has lead to an increase in the advertisements. The women of modern times; are constantly bombarded with the images of a perfect girl; who is flawless, she is not a day over 25 years, elegant and smart. Women now judge themselves according to these standards set by the people who undermine women and who are responsible for low self-esteem and low self-confidence in women. They have started to spend more money on surgeries, on diet food and medicines that they think can give them a good body. In the past women were not allowed to educate themselves, they were thought not suitable partners if they read too much. Most of the female population doesn’t need to face this problem now instead they are faced with a more gruesome problem of being pretty and perfect as portrayed in many advertisements that are shown on media. There are many advertisements that portray this beautiful and perfect woman image while undermining rest of the female population. One of the ads is of a skin whitening cream â€Å"Fair and Lovely† which has caused severe racial problems in South Asia especially in India. Over there majority of the population has a dark complexion and they are always trying to lighten it by going for the latest whitening products launched in their markets or for bleaching their skins. The ad of this beauty product that is on air nowadays in South Asian countries is of a young girl wanting to be an anchor on television. The ad is not in English but one can understand the meaning instantly by watching it. The auditions are in one month and her only hurdle is her dark skin. The ad not only claims skin lightening in one month but also mentions that the girl’s dreams are fulfilled as she secures the job once she uses the product. A similar kind of ad was on air in India some time ago. In this ad they were showing that a girl wanted to be an air-hostess and the same theme was repeated that she became one by using those specific products. All these products project the same thing; fair complexion can help you to do anything and that with fair skin all the dreams are going to be fulfilled. Now if we look into these advertisements closely what they are actually trying to portray is that women are nothing without a fair complexion. They can’t achieve their goals and think high. Beauty is what is needed in today’s world; most of all a light complexion is what is really needed to take a female to higher positions and get her employed in her desired area. In South Asian regions such ads are very common and are watched by thousands. So they are continually affecting the mentality of girls and women. A white complexioned girl thinks that she has all what is needed in a practical world which is actually totally opposite. You read "The use of advertising strategy on men" in category "Papers" Then such ads are also constantly making these women self-conscious in a wrong way. These are crushing the confidence of girls. They think that to succeed in life they need to have a fair complexion and have to be the image of a â€Å"perfect woman†. The other advertisement that I will take up are the advertisements that show women smokers. These ads are mostly Western but the trend of smoking is also coming to other regions causing a negative image. These ads basically try to show that women who smoke are more powerful, affluent and are considered a threat to men. They also mention that if you want to finish this hushed discrimination and become equivalent to men you have to smoke. That is how they are going to add you up in their circle. The other negative affect of such ads is that if a prominent and popular person of a group smokes maybe her peers will follow suit. They find it fashionable and think that they are desired to do this to be accepted by that person. Such ads can also become favorites of teenagers and they are more likely to start using such just by being impressed by these ads. Naomi Wolf ; the writer of the book; â€Å"Beauty Myth† has not only mentioned the negative effects of beauty and how it is used to undermine women and the role of media in it but she has also written about how media plays a role in making men conscious of the things they lack. Media can’t portray men as beautiful because men who are mostly successful can be short or of dark complexion. So they give the image of a very successful man, living in a luxurious apartment, surrounded by the most expensive items and mostly beautiful women as well; meaning that all his desires are fulfilled. So in a way men have gotten away rather easily than women. They don’t have to have a beautiful bone structure or a pretty face or a good height. The only thing that they really need is bank balance to be attractive, a house in an elite area, most prestigious golf club membership and there you have the most eligible and perfect man. There are also many ads which have a negative image on men. Men are mostly faced with the big problem of baldness. No doubt that this is a serious problem faced by men of both the West and the East but not to an extent to cause depression for the male population. Hair loss is one of the main worries of male population after aging and memory loss. Those who are suffering from hair loss are more likely to feel unattractive and aged as hair loss is directly related to aging. For some men hair is given more priority. They also think that they become less noticeable and are made fun of. Hair loss is a worry for men of all ages but it causes serious concern in young men. Media takes advantage of the above mentioned problem of men and creates a negative effect on them. Nowadays it has become customary of the electronic as well as the print media to show ads of men losing their hair and then getting hair transplants. Advertisement may start off with a before and an after scene. Before: bald man goes somewhere and women don’t give him any attention. After: he goes to that place again after having a hair transplant and he is accepted as a young person. These ad’s cause a very depressing and negative image for the men since not all are born with great hairs. These ads are somewhat similar to the whitening cream ads made for women. As they tell us the same thing that men are not eligible, successful and liked by the females and their own colleagues if they are bald, now how many of us think that there is some truth in this sentence because life isn’t about looking great all the time. Hair transplants may be necessary for men working in electronic media and have to be attractive to get more roles and to have a younger look but common people don’t need to have hair transplants. The other category of advertisement which effect men negatively are the ads of energy drinks. They usually say that a person will become super active and will perform all the tasks that he had not been able to do in the past. Some of the other ads are of steroids; which tell men that they can become more competent by using them. Most athletes/sports men tend to use steroids against the law for winning the specific game and to make world records. The thing that they don’t know is that the steroids also have many side effects which can be mild or severe. Men who use steroids have hormonal imbalances. If they are more aggressive than their growth is also affected. There were some of the ads which affect both men and women negatively making both of these genders extra conscious of their outlook. These advertisements have awakened the human primitive instincts of being likened and cherished by everyone. Now instead of being happy in their lives, success and fortune, both the genders are focusing on how to improve themselves in order to look like the TV models. And if they fail to accomplish this goal, they become depressed and feel that they aren’t worth anything. Other such advertisement includes the ads of new technologies and the new fashions in clothing, accessories etc. are being introduced which is increasing extravagance among people. Looking good is everyone’s right as it also leads to a boost in self-confidence. Maintaining oneself comes in the same category and using products which aid that maintenance program is appreciated and is good. But we should remember to use them within the tolerable limits and not overuse them. Unless and until something is done to stop such kind of advertisements both the genders along with many other parts of society are going to suffer. Men and women may find it easier to relate to ads that show normal people with their normal problems. God has made people beautiful because He also likes beauty which we can see in this world and have a proof. But to use beauty to portray negative images is wrongly done by media. I totally agree with the way ‘Naomi Wolf† has described the way women are used in ads to undermine their personalities. As long as advertisements of such products continue to appear on print and electronic media we will constantly watch pretty faces making our lives miserable and increasing our personal suffering. Bibliography Etcoff, N. L. (1999) Survival of the Prettiest: The Science of Beauty. Doubleday Weiss, S. I. (2002) Coping with the Beauty Myth: A Guide for Real Girls. The Rosen Publishing Group Lakoff, R. T. , Scherr, R. L. (1984) Face Value, the Politics of Beauty: The Politics of Beauty. Routledge Bell, E. , Haas, L. , Sells. (n. d. ) From Mouse to Mermaid: The Politics of Film, Gender, and Culture. Indiana University Press Freedman, R. J. (1986) Beauty Bound. Lexington Books How to cite The use of advertising strategy on men, Papers

Vygotskian Approaches To Human Development â€Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss About The Vygotskian Approaches To Human Development? Answer: Introducation The multifarious psychological process instigates like a societal activity and progressively changes into the internal psychological activity which children are able to utilize autonomously. It is one of the key ideas developed by Lev Vygotsky in his social development theory.Unlike other Psychologists such as Jean Piaget he felt that in a child development and learning process, social interactions play a primary role. He states that "Every function in the child development appears twice, first, on the social level and later on the individual level." The two parts are known as inter-psychological and intra-psychological respectively (Crawford, 2006). According to Lev, language as an essential social interaction function takes a key role in the growth and development of a child. It involves external experiences being transformed to internal through the sense of hearing and speech. For example, when a child consistently hears specific aspects of the speech he or she will internalize them and repeatedly will master them. Another aspect is the way of dressing which the child will learn from the social interactions and will eventually take them as part of him, and even while independent, he will dress accordingly. A child also learns simple activities such washing hands, cooking and performing other errands depending on what the society has exposed him to (Vyogtsky, 2012). It is thus very true that the growth of a child majorly depends on the social activities observed which becomes part of the complex mental process. References Crawford, K. (2006). Vygotskian approaches to human development. New York: Megan Press. Vygotsky, L. (2012). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard: Harvard University Press.

Death Essays (2484 words) - English-language Films,

Death Of Salesman By Miller "Willy as a hero or a villain?" A large controversy that revolves around the play "Death of a Salesman" is whether or not Willy Loman was actually a hero or a villain in the story. It certainly cannot be said that he is really one or the other because of the evidence that is given throughout. At some times he seems the pitiful victim of other people's actions but at others he seems to have only himself to blame. Most don't know whether to feel sorry for him or to hate him. Although there seems to be evidence to support both ideas, there seems to be more pointing in the direction of the latter. Willy's first fault concentrates around the affair that he had. Maybe when it first started he had only intended it to be a business relationship, but it didn't end up that way. Somewhere along the line he let it go further and then didn't break it off. Many things came of that one affair, that only he caused. First, is the fact that his son, Biff, caught him doing it, and was basically scarred for life from it. It was Willy's fault that Biff didn't attend summer school and, as a result, didn't graduate from high school. Second, is the fact that he was cheating on his wife, therefore being dishonest with her. Along with that, was how he treated her all the time at home, almost like she was incredibly inferior to him. Part of it had to do with the fact that he was having an affair, which made him ashamed, the other part was sheer ignorance. He felt that he couldn't face her because of what he was doing behind her back. The affair that he created was a large part of why Willy could not possibly be thought of as a hero. The second reason why Willy Loman cannot be considered a hero was that he basically encouraged lying. He set the example by doing it himself and also by coming right out and telling his boys that sometimes it was okay to. Willy lied to his wife about the affair, never actually saying that he wasn't having one, but never telling her that he was. He also lied to his whole family about his business. He bragged constantly about all of the people he knew and the contacts that he had made throughout the years, as a salesman. When actually, he wasn't a great salesman and had no contacts anywhere. Willy's habitual lying to his family was another one of his major faults. Any man who lies to his family and cheats on his wife can certainly not be considered a hero. Villain may be a strong word but, it fits Willy Loman much better that hero. He seemed like he want to do right by his family but he never seemed to do it, always falling short somehow, mostly through no one's fault but his own. Essay #3 "flashbacks explain Willy's motivation" Arthur Miller seems to emphasize the use of frequent flashbacks in "Death of a Salesman" to explain what motivates Willy during his lifetime. Most of Willy's history was revealed through the flashbacks that he had throughout the story. Without them, Miller would have had to find another way to tell the readers about Willy's history. Many of them tell the reader why his sons were the way they were and why he treated them the way he did. They also showed the reasons why Willy was as pathetic as he was. One of the main reasons Miller includes so many flashbacks in the story is to help the reader understand Willy's feelings towards his sons. The very first flashback is of Willy talking to Biff and Happy during Biff's senior year. Biff is telling him about the touchdown that he's going to score for his father and how proud he's going to be of him. The reader also sees Happy trying to tell his father about how he's losing some weight, but Willy doesn't pay any attention to him, showing the beginning of Happy's slight resentment because of Willy's favoritism towards Biff. During that same flashback, the reader also sees Willy telling his sons about the people he knows and how they should try to make a lot of contacts also. This is the first time it is evident to the reader that he says these things, but it probably wasn't the first time he actually said it.

The History and Development of Inline Skating

The History and Development of Inline Skating There are historic ice skating relics that date back as far as 3000 B.C. But,  inline roller skates probably originated much later in Scandinavia or Northern Europe where ice skating was an easy way to travel short distances. By the early 17th century,  these early Dutch  called themselves skeelers  and skated on frozen canals in the winter. They eventually used a primitive form of roller skate, made by attaching wooden spools to a platform to allow similar travel in warmer weather. The first officially documented inline skate actually appeared in London in 1760. The progression from transportation to a substitute for on stage ice skating, to recreational skating, to fitness skating and eventually to inline competitive sports has been closely linked to the development of inline skate technology. Lets follow the developments and technological improvements that have been made to the original inline skates that lead to the comfortable and sometimes highly specialized equipment used by inline skaters today. The  National Museum of Roller Skating  was the source for many  of the historical facts in this article. 1743 The first documented reference to inline or roller skating was left by a London stage performer. The inventor of these skates, which were probably an inline design, is unknown and is lost in history. 1760 The first known inventor of an inline roller skate was John Joseph Merlin. Merlin was born on September 17, 1735, in Huys, Belgium. He grew up to become a musical instrument maker and accomplished mechanical inventor. One of his inventions was a pair of skates with a single line of small metal wheels. He wore the skates as a publicity stunt to promote his museum, and from the beginning, stopping was a problem. It is believed that one of his ballroom stunts ended in a dramatic crash into a mirrored wall because of this defect. For the next century, roller skate wheels followed the inline design alignment. 1789 The inline skate idea made its way to France in 1789 with Lodewijik Maximilian Van Lede and his skate that he called the patin a terre which translates from French to â€Å"land skates† or earth skates. Van Ledes skates consisted of an iron plate with wooden wheels attached. He was a sculptor at the Academy Bruges in Paris and was considered as very eccentric. In 1819 the first inline skate was patented and inlines remained until 1863 when skates with two  axles  were developed. These quad skates allowed more control and their popularity spread quickly in North America and Europe. The four-wheeled quad skate quickly dominated the skate manufacturing industry. Some companies continued to design skates using wheels in a line, but they were not taken seriously. 1818 In Berlin, Germany, inline roller skates were used in a ballet for ice skating moves when it was impossible have ice on a stage. The ballet called Der Maler oder die Wintervergn Ugungen: â€Å"The Artist or Winter Pleasures†. Ice skating was one of the winter pleasures simulated by roller skaters. No one knows what kind of skates were used. 1819 The Petitbled, the first roller skate patented, was an inline. This patent was issued in Paris, France, in 1819. M. Petitbleds invention had three inline wheels which were either wood, metal or ivory. He thought his inline skate would allow a skater to simulate ice skating moves, but the wheel construction did not allow it, and the wheels kept slipping on hard surfaces. 1823 Robert John Tyers, a London ice skater, patented a skate called the Rolito with five wheels in a single row on the bottom of a boot. The center wheels were larger than the wheels on either end of the frame to allow a skater to maneuver by shifting his weight, but the Rolito could not follow a curved path like inline skates today. 1828 Another roller skate patent was issued in Austria in 1828 to August Lohner, a Viennese clockmaker. Until then, all designs had been for inline skates, but this version was like a tricycle, with two wheels in back and one in front. He also added a ratchet to prevent the skate from rolling backward. In France, Jean Garcin got a patent for the Cingar. The name was created by reversing the syllables of his last name. The Cingar was an inline skate with three wheels. Garcin opened a skating rink, taught skating and even wrote a book called  Le Vrai Patineur  (The True Skater). Garcin had to close his rink because of the number of  skating injuries  to patrons. 1840 Monsieur and Madame Dumas, professional dancers, led a performance of fancy roller skating at Paris’s Port Saint Martin Theatre in 1840. The Corse Halle Tavern, near Berlin, featured barmaids who served the patrons on roller skates. This was needed due to the large size of beer halls in Germany at this time. 1849 The first successful use of a skate with wheels in a line was recorded in 1849 by Louis Legrange, who built them to simulate ice skating in the French Opera, Le Prophete.  These skates had major  problems because the skaters who used them could not maneuver  or stop.   1852 English J. Gidman applied for a patent for roller skates equipped with ball bearings. He had to wait 30 years to see them in use on skates. 1857 Public roller skating rinks opened in the Floral Hall and in the Strand of London. 1859 The Woodward skate was invented in London in 1859 with four vulcanized rubber wheels on each frame for better traction than iron wheels on a wooden floor. Like the Rolito, these skates had middle wheels that were bigger than the end wheels to make it easier to turn, but this did not fix maneuvering problems. This skate was used by Jackson Haines, the founder of modern figure skating, for exhibitions. 1860 Reuben Shaler, an inventor from Madison, Connecticut, developed a skate designed to solve the maneuverability problem. Shaler patented a Parlor Skate, the first roller skate patent issued by the U.S. Patent Office. This skate had four wheels attached by pins to a hanger which resembled todays inline frames. They offered a rubber or leather ring on the wheels to allow them to grip the skating surface. These inline skates never caught on. 1863 James Plimpton initiated  quad roller skate history. When he invented quad skates, they provided greater control than the inline models and were much easier to use. Plimpton put one pair of wheels in front and another in back. He put the wheels on pivots, so they could turn independently of the frame and inserted rubber cushions, so skaters could lean in the direction of their turns. 1866 The first Plimpton skates clamped on to the shoe, but improved designs used straps with buckles instead. Plimpton installed a skating floor in his furniture business in New York, leased skates to customers, founded the New York’s Roller Skating Association, introduced skating proficiency tests, operated roller rinks in the Northeast, and traveled to give lessons. Four years later, the proficiency test medals were being given out in 20 countries where Plimpton skates were used. 1867 Jean Garcin’s Cingar skate had a brief revival at the 1867 Exposition Universelle in Paris. But, eventually all inline roller skates became obsolete after Plimpton’s â€Å"quad† skate became popular. 1876 William Bown patented a design for roller skates wheels in Birmingham, England. Bown’s design made an effort to keep the two bearing surfaces of an axle, fixed and moving, apart. A toe stop design that helped skaters stop rolling by tipping the skate down at the toe  was patented. Toe stops are still used today on inline figure skates and on most quad skates. 1877 Bown worked closely with Joseph Henry Hughes, who patented the elements of an adjustable ball or roller bearing system similar to the system used in today’s skate and skateboard wheels. 1884 Levant M. Richardson secured a patent to use steel ball bearings in skate wheels to reduce friction, and allow skaters to increase the speed with minimum effort. The invention of pin ball-bearing wheels allowed skates to roll with ease and made skating shoes weigh less. 1892 Walter Nielson of New York got the patent for a â€Å"Combined Ice and Roller Skate.† His 14-wheel skates had a patent inscription that suggested that â€Å"a pad of rubber, leather, or like material should be placed ... so that when the skater desires to stop, it is only necessary to press the pad ... against the floor or ground.† This suggestion for stopping pads was ahead of its time. 1884 Levant M. Richardson  gets a patent  for steel  ball bearings  in skate wheels. These bearings reduce friction, so skaters can go faster with less effort. 1898 In 1898, Levant Richardson started the Richardson Ball Bearing and Skate Company, which provided skates to most professional skate racers of the time. The end of the nineteenth century and the early years of the twentieth century marked the appearance of cycles-skates with structures similar to modern skates online. They were invented in response to a need to skate on all types of surfaces and were the first step in the development of all-terrain skates using rubber wheels or tires. Later in the century, modern inlines emerged. 1900 The Peck Snyder Company patents an inline skate with two wheels in 1900. 1902 Over 7,000 people attended opening night at the Coliseum public skating rink in Chicago. 1905 John Jay Young of New York City creates and patents an adjustable length, clamp-on inline skate. 1910 The Roller Hockey Skate Company designs a three-wheeled inline skate with a leather shoe and the rear wheel raised to allow the skater to pivot on the center wheel. This inline was made for roller hockey by the Roller Hockey Skate Company of New York City in 1910 with boots from the Brooks Athletic Shoe Company. 1930s The Best-Ever Built Skate Company manufactures an inline skate with three wheels positioned close to the ground. The original patents for Jet inline skates for ice cross-training were filed in the 1930s. An advertisement for them was published in a 1948 issue of Popular Mechanics. 1938 Christian Siffert, of Deerfield, Illinois, patents a design for an inexpensive inline skate, which could not only be used on sidewalks but also convert to sharp-edged wheels, on ice. The Jet Skate, the ad claims, is the only skate with brakes to stop quick. This claim was probably false since at that time several brakes had been invented and patented for roller skates. The Jet Skate brake looked a lot like todays heel brakes and was designed to be used the same way. Brakes have always been a design problem for skate manufacturers. 1941 Modern inline skates begin to appear in the Netherlands. 1953 The first U.S. patent for modern inline skates, created to behave like ice runners with individually sprung and cushioned wheels, was granted under patent number US 2644692 in July 1953 to Ernest Kahlert of Santa Ana, CA.  They appeared in the April 1950 issue of Popular Mechanics and in the April 1954 issue of Popular Science. An inline skate with 2 round, artificial rubber wheels, and no brake was developed by Rocker Skate Company in Burbank, California. It was advertised in â€Å"Popular Science† in the November 1953 issue and in â€Å"Popular Mechanics† in the February 1954 issue. The ads described them as quiet, fast and good for stops and turning. 1960 The Chicago Skate Company tries to market an inline skate similar to todays equipment, but it was shaky, uncomfortable and the brakes were not dependable. A USSR inline skate was made in 1960 with 4 wheels and a toe stop. It appeared to have solid construction and is similar to some of the current inline figure skates with wheel-shaped, front-mounted toe stops. 1962 A heavy-looking inline skate called the Euba-Swingo was manufactured by the Euba company in Germany. This skate was available permanently mounted to a boot or as a clamp-on skate. Euba-Swingo skates were rockered, had a front-mounted toe-stop and were used for dry-land figure skating training. Inline skates also made an appearance in the Russian movie КÐ ¾Ã'€Ð ¾Ã »Ã µÃ ²Ã ° Ð ±Ã µÃ ½Ã ·Ã ¾Ã ºÃ ¾Ã »Ã ¾Ã ½Ã ºÃ ¸ (1962) at about 9m23s into the film.   1964 An advertisement in a magazine shows BiSkates, another inline skate intended as an alternative for ice training. 1966 The Chicago Roller Skate Company manufactures their inline skate with a boot. The inline skate which influenced Scott Olson was a 1966 Chicago Roller Skate Company skate. These skates featured four wheels in a line with the front and back wheel extending beyond the boot like an ice skate blade, and they played an important part in the development of inline skating.In Germany, Friedrich Mayer obtained a patent for his inline skate. No one was interested at the time, because of the popularity of quad roller skates, featuring two wheels per axle, a canvas shoe and a stopper in the front.In England, the Tri-Skate developed, a skate with three wheels, high leather shoes and a stopper in front, and according to Dutch articles on this topic, as many as 100,000 pairs of inline skates (not necessarily all Tri-Skates) were sold in Holland and neighboring countries. This happened before the development of  RollerBlade  and should be considered a great success. The details of Tri-Skate origi ns are uncertain. The design is either American or Dutch, the frames were made in England by Yaxon (a toy producer) and the figure boots were made in Italy. This means that the skates were sold in those countries, too. 1972 In 1972,  Mountain Dew attempted to sell  Mettoys  Skeeler in Canada. This  three-wheeled inline skate  was developed for Russian hockey players and speed skaters. The Skeelers, another name for skating or skater,  were early versions of today’s inline skates and were produced in adult and childrens  sizes. Celebrities who tried them as publicity stunts included  dancer Lionel Blair and runner Derek Ibbotson, who had set a world record for the mile in 1957. 1978 Speedys, a product of SKF, were an inline skate that featured soft boots, a frame, and four wheels. Unfortunately, the late 70s market was not ready for inline sports and the production was discontinued. 1979 Scott and Brennan Olson, brothers and hockey players from Minneapolis, Minnesota, find a pair of Chicago inline roller skates and begin redesigning them using modern materials. They add polyurethane wheels, attach the frames to ice hockey boots, and add a rubber toe-brake to the new design. The modifications were intended for ice hockey training when ice is not available. After over 200 years of trial and error, inline skating is ready to emerge. 1980 Scott and Brennan Olson established Oles Innovative Sports which became  Rollerblade, Inc.  after selling inline skates with no brake at all to the hockey players who were the early adopters. The Olson brothers introduced a new skating phenomenon that has never been equaled in roller sports history. The proper term to use when describing this skating is inline roller skating or inline skating, but Rollerblade made such an impact that the name has become synonymous with the sport in spite of the fact that Rollerblade is an inline skate manufacturer. The modern style of inline speed skates was developed as an ice skate substitute and used by a Russian athlete training on dry land for his Olympic long track speed skating events. A photo of American skater Eric Heiden using Olsons skates to train for the 1980 Olympics on a road in Wisconsin was published in  Life magazine. The Olson brothers adopted and adapted the Chicago inline design over the years, and caused a public attraction to roller skating that has been hard to match in the sport’s history. The name Rollerblade has become inline skating to most people, overshadowing many other inline skate manufacturers and leaving out a lot of the previous history of roller and inline roller skating. 1982 In 1982, Scott Olson adds the toe stop to his inline skate but found that it didnt work well. 1984 In 1984, Scott Olson adds a heel brake to help beginners get over the fear of being unable to stop. Minneapolis businessman Bob Naegele, Jr. purchased Olsons company, and it eventually became Rollerblade, Inc. This was not the first company to manufacture inline skates, but Rollerblade expanded inline skating to include more than just hockey players by offering comfortable skates with dependable, easy-to-use brakes. This introduced millions to inline skating sports. 1986 Rollerblade, Inc., begins to market skates as fitness and recreational equipment. 1989 Rollerblade, Inc. produced the Macro and Aeroblades models, the first skates fastened with three buckles instead of long laces that needed threading. 1990 Rollerblade, Inc. switched to a glass-reinforced thermoplastic resin (durethan polyamide) for their skates, replacing the polyurethane compounds that were previously used. This decreased the average weight of skates by nearly fifty percent. In 1990, inline skate developers once again turned to efforts to find designs and materials that would allow skaters to simulate more of the ice and quad roller figure and dance skating maneuvers. Roller skaters discovered the competitive advantages of inline skates, especially increased speed. Skate designers also began to explore wheel sizes and frame alignment. However, the majority of the development during this decade was intended for ice hockey and ice speed cross-training for skaters 1993 Rollerblade, Inc. developed the  ABT  or  Active Brake Technology. A fiberglass post was attached at one end to the top of the boot and at the other end to a rubber-brake and hinged to the chassis at the back wheel. The skater had to straighten one leg to stop, driving the post into the brake, which then hit the ground. Skaters had already been tilting their foot back to make contact with the ground, before ABT, so this new brake design improved safety. Pat McHale secures the United States and European patents for  a multi-purpose inline skate in 1993. This skate design features offset inline wheels that create an inside-outside edge with lateral stability for control of edges that are similar to ice blades. In 1993, two other inventors, Bert Lovitt, and Warren Winslow work together to invent an all-terrain skate that uses 2 angled wheels. 1995 The Italian firm Risport introduced the 3-wheeled â€Å"Galaxie† figure frame and an entry-level cheap 3-wheels inline figure skate all-plastic: â€Å"Kiria† in white and â€Å"Aries† in black. Another model with a metal frame and plastic boot was called â€Å"Vega†. All of these inline skates were designed with toe stops. Risport also discovered that a flat 3-wheeled frame can behave as a rockered frame just by using a much harder wheel in the center, thus splitting unevenly the skater’s weight among them. Sporting goods company K2, Inc. comes up with a soft boot design which in most aspects of the sport (except Aggressive Skating) has become the most common design. This company also heavily promotes the soft boot design for fitness. By 2000, most skate manufacturers followed suit, although the hard boot is still preferred by aggressive skaters. Diederik Hol sees a bulletin board announcement that Dutch manufacturer offers a six-month research training into designing a clap skate. He saw an opportunity to develop something with the potential of setting new world records, and he used the project as a springboard for his career in design engineering. He graduated having worked on the Rotrax skate, a multiple-hinge frame that ensures a more powerful push-off and thus higher speed. John Petell, President of Harmony Sports Inc., contacts Nick Perna, a PSA master rated coach, to test a retrofit product they called the PIC. The PIC ® device attached to conventional inline skates to enable figure skaters to perform figure skating moves requiring a toe pick that was not otherwise possible on conventional inline skates. A French inventor named Jean-Yves Blondeau gets a patent for his 31-wheeled Rollerman suit (also known as the Wheel Suit or Buggy Rollin) in 1995. This suit is designed with wheels that are very similar to inline skate wheels carefully placed on most of the major joints of the body, on the torso and even on the back. 1997 Inline skates and skating accessories become a billion-dollar international industry, with nearly 26 million Americans participating. Lovitt Winslow file their first Patent Application for their all-terrain skate invention with 2 angled wheels. 1998 The collaboration between Nick Perna and John Petell results in the development of a  rockered  inline figure skate frame.  The final patent for the PIC skate was published on April 14, 1998. A total of  23 claims were granted by the patent examiner, but the key element to the PICand other similar skates is the toe pic angle which closely mirrors the pick angle on ice skates.  The jagged metal toe picks on ice skates are used to spike jumps  and assist footwork, and this inline skate has the same capabilities via the patented PIC.   The Rollerblade Coyote  skate was introduced in 1997 as the first true off-road skate in the industry. The air-filled tires were designed for shock absorption, traction, and terrain versatility. 1999 Lovitt Winslow incorporate the new LandRoller company to manufacture and market their new skates with angled wheels. Sportsline International offers Diederik Hol a chance to design a whole new product line of skates. After less than a year of dedicated thinking and drawing concepts, he designed what is now known as the Mogema Dual Box. 2000 Inline figure skating develops as an off-ice training tool for ice skaters and emerges as a competitive event in roller sports. Some manufacturers, like Triax/Snyder, respond by providing equipment options needed for figure skating. 2002 In November of 2002, after the first World Inline Figure Skating Championships in Germany, the coach of Chien-Hao Wang visits Arthur Lee to discuss damage to Wangs inline skates and request the development of a better inline figure skating frame. Three years after he made his first sketch, Diederik Hol convinces the Rollerblade World Team and others to use Mogemas at the World Inline Championships in France. 45 skaters won their gold, silver, and bronze medals on Mogemas. 2003 The prototype for Arthur Lees Snow White  Inline is complete. 2004 Snow White sponsors two Taiwanese skaters, Chia-Hsiang Yang and Chia-Ling Hsin, for the 2004 World inline Championships in Fresno, CA. Kadu, coach of  Gustavo Casado Melo  and Adrian Baturin, and Ms. Yasaman Hejazi, coach of the Iran Inline Figure Skating Federation, are among the first coaches to use Snow White frames. 2005 LandRollers  Angled Wheel Technology  breaks away from traditional inline designs with two large, side-mounted, out-of-line angled wheels that roll astride the centerline of the boot and maintain a low center of gravity. 2006 Wheel Anti-Reversing Technology was developed by Bruce Honaker to help new inline skaters by allowing them to keep both skates on the ground, and parallel to each other. This creates comfort and stability as momentum is gained. Fear of rolling backward on inclines is also eliminated. The device may be removed after skating skills develop. 2013 Brian Green and the  Cardiff Skate Company  offer an adjustable skate with a unique three-wheel configuration and braking system that is promoted as being more stable and more convenient than any other skate on the market. Flex Brake,  Ben Wilsons lightweight braking system  designed to fit most inline speed skates or fitness skates, Alex Bellehumeurs  DXS  Inline Skating Disk Brake  system  and  Gravity Master  calf activated  brakes from  Craig Ellis revive interest  in inline skate stopping technology.

COMS 445 Portfolio Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

COMS 445 Portfolio Paper - Essay Example The theme song and opening sequence set the sequel of the show. Why was the show viewed negatively? In this paper I will recommend that The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the African American sitcom broadcast in the 1990s, might be recognized a vehicle through which the accepted representation of dark characters in the last part of the twentieth century has been undermined, addressing the old stereotypes about African Americans, consistent with which a character must be poor, ghettoized or a criminal. One of the points of this paper is to highlight and to analyze why the show was seen contrarily in connection to the everlasting social crash between blacks and whites and, most importantly, as Brooks and Marsh uphold, "the troubles confronted by blacks in a white social order" (Brooks & Mash, p368). Moreover, having investigated the first season of the arrangement, I will offer a few perceptions identified with the part of the primary character, featured by the performer Will Smith, and his connection with alternate parts of the family, highlighting that the hero's assignment to think about his relatives' societal position and conduct as absence of Blackness is a methodology that permits the other dark characters to subvert the universal picture of African Americans offered by American broad communications everywhere throughout the planet. The point of this approach could be recognized an approach to decipher the new dark socio-social environment of the most recent decades of the previous century in the USA, permitting viewers of the nations where the sitcom was publicized to meet and comprehend key parts of the American dark group of that period (Brooks & Mash, p367). Judging by a confounding African American circumstance parody by Means Coleman for its unique approach to delineate additionally undermine conventional pictures of dark stereotypes, The Fresh sovereign of Bel-Air is frequently looked into (Coleman, p144). It is conceivable to look after that all around t he entire first season, that incorporates 24 scenes, two propensities are unmistakable: the first is undoubtedly the representation of the everlasting crash between the primary character of the story and his relatives, addressing the accepted part of dark characters in the handling on TV in the twentieth century, and the second one is identified with the challenges of living in a white rich neighborhood being part of the Black group. These two focal issues are addressed and confronted through two coordinating techniques. The clearer of the two is portrayed by the incessant verbal battles between the principle characters, and the other one uses amusing and evidently say-nothing circumstances to highlight the issues this rich dark family needs to face as a result of a white-focused social order (Coleman, p168). How does Zook re-interpret the show? How does Zook re-translate the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air? According to zook, when Fox's urban system was started in 1986, the system tight th rew or focused on a particular back viewership and counter-customizing against different shows to suite that group of onlookers' taste (Zook, p90). As per Zook, a normal for dark Tv is socially particular feel. While rap music and graffiti-like representation were regular on white shows of this period also, Afrocentric Clothing, haircuts, and antiquities performed particular capacities in dark shows, for example the new ruler of bel-air with continuous references to Malcom X,

Exploring University Students' Perception of Healthy Eating and Food Essay

Exploring University Students' Perception of Healthy Eating and Food Consumption - Essay Example It is widely known that about 8% of students in the university ate at least five meals of either fruits or vegetables daily (Roosen et al., 2011). This trend is even worse among the third and fourth year students at the university. There is a strong correlation between demographic and psychographic physiognomies with food consumption behaviour among university students. The dietary habits developed in the first two years at the university are carried on to later years in the university (Dunn, 2013). Student’s residences have also been found to affect their dietary habits. For instance, off-campus students were reported to take healthier foods than those living within the campus (Brown, 2014). A healthy eating habit is vital to good health throughout a person’s lifespan (Tseng, 1981). Despite the knowledge imparted in populations on the benefits of healthy eating, unwarranted consumption of food is prevalent especially among the adult population (Lindgreen & Hingley, 200 9). Previous works indicate that female students have a tendency towards fatty foods as compared to their male counterparts. However, fruit and consumption levels across both gender is the same (Shield, Mullen & Association, 2002). According to a study conducted by Tseng (1981) on the eating habits of students in California public schools, female students tend to avoid some food types especially junk owing to worries associated with body weight, beliefs and fitness. On the contrary, male students reported insignificant concern about weight and had no problem consuming junk food (Scaffa & Reitz, 2013). Therefore, it was evident that the choice of food type for male and female students was dictated by a number of... This report approves that to achieve such efforts there is need to develop projects aimed at imparting positive eating habits and creating awareness and attitudes towards appropriate diets. Such projects should aim at nurturing health eating habits among university students. Further, stakeholders owe to develop mechanisms that would ensure availability of adequate resources and healthy food types within the reach of college students in an effort to eliminate barriers of cost and availability impeding healthy eating habits. Lastly, there is need for a comprehensive partnership between the university’s catering departments with suppliers to ensure that shortage of specific food commodities is eliminated. There is also a need to create awareness regarding healthy choices of food through food exhibitions and demonstrations among the university students. This essay makes a conclusion that the findings of this research are based on the personal views of participating individuals within the focus groups. The views sampled from these groups may not reflect the views of the entire university populations. Each individual has his/her own identity and perception of food choice. In addition, identification of themes and cohesions was a big challenge in conducting this research. This was because the research was based on a relatively low sample considered. Time constraint was another challenge that faced the research process.

Reflection using Gibbs model Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Reflection using Gibbs model - Essay Example Moreover, with the assistance of reflection practice, healthcare workers will be facilitated with the opportunity of enhancing care quality and developing professional and the personal traits (DHB, 2013; White & et. al., 2012). The Gibbs model is a recognised as a ‘model of reflection’ used by healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals with the assistance of Gibbs model are able to have a clear and concise understanding about their experiences and practices. The Gibbs model comprises six stages which include description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion and action plan. On the basis of Gibbs model, healthcare professionals are able to identify their optimistic and the pessimistic aspects and develop problem-solving capabilities. Additionally, the model will assist in building their confidence and thought process, so that healthcare professionals are able to execute care and treatment activities ethically incorporating the current practices. It is usually a process on the basis of which healthcare professionals are able to ascertain their experiences with the aim of obtaining insights in relation to their practices and current practices (Finlay, 2008). The paper will emphasize on the model of reflection initiated by Graham Gibbs with the intention of assisting healthcare professionals in having better assessment of their activities so that healthcare professionals can enhance their competencies in offering care and treatment in an ethical as well as professional manner. The study will be a reflection of the activities, which have led me to a trouble being a registered nurse. Gibbs Model The reflective cycle of the Gibbs model is an important approach towards reflection. The six stages of the model assist in developing self-refection questions with the objective of identifying the loopholes by assessing personal experiences and practices (Queen Margaret University, 2013). Gibbs Model of Reflection Source: (Queen Margaret University, 2013) Stage 1: Description I was working in a healthcare facility in the community as a registered staff nurse. I work in a competent and effective manner with the objective of providing adequate care and treatment to patients appropriately. Additionally, I used to seek that I am able to offer care on the basis of the needs of the patients. I provide care and treatment in accordance with current practices and standards as recognised by the medical facility and council. I was assigned with the task of visiting a patient for wound dressing. In this context, on visiting the patient, I gave the patient my phone number to contact m e personally in future for any problem in relation to her wound. This incident is considered as an unethical practice in my professional boundary. Moreover, there is another incident where I was on a sick leave but I planned to work for another medical agency during my leave period as I was under financial pressure for my family. This incident was determined as a dishonest practice on the ground of my profession. On the basis of these two incidents ‘Nursing and Midwifery Council’ (NMC) has suspended me and I was offered with training services in relation to professional boundary in nursing. The NMC has developed set of practices and standards on the basis of, which education standards, the register, the code and fitness to practice are to be adhered. These

Examining Stress And Burnout For Law Enforcement Criminology Essay

Examining Stress And Burnout For Law Enforcement Criminology Essay This paper explores stress and burnout for law enforcement officers and correctional staff, the various causes of it, the effects, and possible solutions. Both law enforcement officers and correctional staff are possibly the most stressful occupations, and stress is a constant factor and part of each of these jobs. There are numerous causes of stress that include shift work, excessive overtime, organizational structure, and family problems. The effects of stress can be tremendous on both law enforcement and correctional officers. It can affect their overall mental and physical health, as well as their quality of life. It can eventually even lead to burnout. Stress and burnout not only affect the individual, but also family and friends, co-workers, and the organization. Over the past years, numerous research studies have been conducted on stress in both the law enforcement field and corrections that report similar findings for the causes of stress and its effects. While not all stress factors for law enforcement officers and correctional staff can be eliminated, there are possible solutions for mitigating the effects of stress that can improve their lives, mental and physical health, lower their changes of suicide, decrease divorce, and decrease burnout. Stress and Burnout for Law Enforcement and Corrections: A look at the Causes, Effects and Possible Solutions Stress and burnout occur in all different types of jobs and careers. However, some vocations are more prone to job stress and burnout than others are. Both police officers and correctional officers are exposed to work environments that are characterized by high levels of stress. Stress and burnout for both police officers and correction workers can greatly affect the field of criminal justice. According to Karen Hess (2009), stress can be both positive and negative, and this stress or excitement is why many police officers enter the law enforcement field (p. 464). Any given day, a police officer may have to shoot someone, be shot at, chase down a robber, deal with child abuse, and see death. Additionally, a correctional officer may also have to encounter a violent prison conflict or riot, encounter dangerous offenders and numerous other potentially dangerous situations. With the increasing prison population and never end sprees of crime, the stress for correctional officers and polic e officers is also increasing. Both law enforcement and the correctional field are widely considered some of the most stressful occupations, and both are associated with high divorce rates, alcoholism, suicide and other emotion and health problems. According to O. Ramos (2010), stress in the law enforcement field is unique because it is a constant factor with only changes in the degree and duration of the stress. Over the years, numerous research studies and projects have been performed to investigate how stress affects police officers and correctional workers physical and mental health by agencies such as the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and the National Institute of Justice. Through this research and studies, researchers have been able to indentify stress factors that are unique and more pronounced in these career fields, as well as their effects on the lives, jobs and the field of criminal justice. Stress can have numerous causes and can differ from individual to individual. According to Lambert, Hogan, Hiang, and Jenkins (2009, July), stressors are conditions that place excessive demands on an individual and can lead to discomfort, strain and conflict for the individual. While both the police officers and correctional officers are frequently faced with high levels of stress, the causes of the stress differ between the two groups with the job differences they face. Causes of Stress for Police Officers Stress factors for police officers can vary from pressures of the job, attitude of the public towards police officers, the operation of the criminal justice system, the law enforcement organization itself and the officers personal life. According to Burke and Mikkelsen (2005), police stressors fall into two major categories. The first category stems from the nature of the job, and the second category involves the organizational aspect of law enforcement. The stress of the job involves the physical aspects of the job and includes threats, use of force, exposure to violence and danger, dealing with uncertainty, shift rotations, inadequate or broken supplies, low pay, excessive overtime, and constant fear of injury or death. On the other hand, the organizational aspect of law enforcement that contributes to job stress involve the poor management, inflexible hierarchical structures, roles, inadequate communication, and organizational structure (Burke et al. 2005). In fact, Burke et al. ( 2005) discusses how the bureaucratic nature of the law enforcement organization obstructs police officers from feeling as if they have input in changing the policies sand procedures. There is also conflicting policies, poor supervision, and endless rules that create a tense and stressful work environment. McCarty, Zhao and Garland (2007) also discuss how job stress can differ between male and female police officers. For instance, female officers may be subject to gender discrimination from male officers and supervisors, which could increase their job related stress. Female officers also feel additional pressure that they have to prove themselves more on the job, as well as feel their male partners provide inadequate backup and question their abilities more frequently (McCarty et al., 2007) Additionally, individual stress factors can play a factor in a police officers stress levels due to their personal life. Some individual stress factors include family problems, financial problems, health problems, and taking on a second job for extra income. In fact, many officers are willing to put their health at risk for overtime or another job for the additional income (National Institute of Justice). Causes of Stress for Correctional Officers Correctional officers face some of the same and similar job stressors as police officers as well. Correctional officers have to deal with the never-ending demands of inmates. Correctional officers are also responsible for large array of responsibilities and duties to ensure the correctional facility is properly maintained in an organized manner. Aside from police officers, the workplace nonfatal violent incidents are higher per 1,000 employees for correctional officers than any other profession (Finn, 2000, p. 2). Additionally, according to Childress, Tallucci, and Wood (1999), while a correctional officer operates in a high stress work environment much like a police officer, there have been minimal examinations of the correctional environment in comparison to the voluminous research conducted on the causes and consequences of stress for law enforcement officers. However, it has been determined that some of the job related stresses include inmate demands, low pay, excessive overtime, poor public image, shift rotations, threat of violence, understaffing, amount of contact with inmates, role ambiguity, role conflict, and role overload. The major forms of stress in the work environment can be categorized into organizational structure and job characteristics (Lambert, Hogan Allen, 2006). According to Lambert et al (2006), organizational structure deals with how an organization or agency is arranged, managed and operated, and it normally throughout the entire work environment and therefore influences all employees that work there. Lambert et al (2006) cite a study by Stohr, Lovrich and Wilson that the lack of participation in decision-making caused increased stress for correctional officers. Additionally, the lack of control over the work environment due to the centralization of decision-making can increase the levels of stress. In fact, Lambert et al (2006) performed a study at a Midwestern correctional facility that showed workers who perceived a lack of input into decision- making or a lack of job autonomy had increased levels of stress. Furthermore, lack of information or being kept in the dark is another stress factor for correctional staff caused by the organization structure. Inadequate communication about their jobs is major stress factor. Correctional staffs need clear communication about their tasks, jobs, and issues in order to complete their job and be an effective member of the organization (Lambert et al, 2006). Additional organization-related conditions that can cause increased stress for correctional officers are understaffing, mandatory overtime, understanding, and unreasonable demands. Finn (2000) describes how understaffing can create different types of stress such as lack of time to complete tasks, overload of work, apprehension, and inability to get time off (p. 12). Understaffing also causes the need for extensive overtime from the correctional staff. On the other hand, there are job characteristics that cause stress. Job characteristics are specific to certain jobs; therefore, they are not always found throughout the entire field. Job related stressors included the threat of inmate violence, inmate demands, and problems with coworkers. Lambert et al. (2006) identify some job characteristics as job variety, skill variety, role conflict, role ambiguity, task significance, task identity, and supervision. The roles that correctional officers have to assume can create considerable stress for the officer. According to Lambert et al (2006), role strain is liked to increased stress and role conflict occurs when behaviors for a given job or position are inconsistent with another. Correctional officers also face stress from outside sources other than the prison or jail that they work at. One cause of outside stress is their public image. A lot of the time correctional officers or prisons and jails in general are portrayed in a negative light. This negatively comes from the fact that many people do not know or understand the role and jobs of correctional officers. Sometimes this negatively even forces correctional officers to discuss or talk less about their jobs with others. Another outside source of stress is their pay. Correctional officers do tough work for little pay. Effects of Stress Stress, whether caused from job characteristics, organization factors, shift changes, or family problems, it affects everyone differently. A persons stress tolerance depends on the frequency, severity, types of stress, personal aspects, past experiences, personal values and attitude, sense of control, personality, residual stress level and state of health (Schmalleger Smykla, 2011, p. 321). Stress has great implications for anyone, and police officers as well as correctional staff are not immune to the effects of stress. According to R. Nauert (2008), pressures of the badge put officers at risk for high blood pressure, insomnia, increased levels of destructive stress hormones, heart problems, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicide. Additional effects of stress can be high suicide rates, mental and physical health issues and relationship problems. The National Institute of Justice (2009) states that enduring stress for long periods can lead to anxiety, depression or posttraumatic stress disorder in police officers. Posttraumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, is a type of anxiety disorder that can occur after someone has seen or experienced trauma. In fact, it is estimated that one-third of law enforcement in the United States suffer from PTSD. (Hess, 2009, p. 465) Symptoms of PTSD include diminished responsiveness to their environment, apathy, disinterest, pessimism, and diminished sex drive. (Hess, 2009, p. 465) Other mental health issues that stress can induce include increased mood swings, impaired judgment, decreasing an officers adaptability to certain situations, heightening an officers sense of threat, and increasing anxiety or depression (National Institute of Justice). Some of these feelings and mental issues could lead to even suicide or thoughts of suicide. According to Childress et al. (1999), the clinical supervisor of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections Stress Unit stated that correctional officers are three times more likely to commit suicide than they are to be killed on the job. Increased suicidal thoughts are also another implication of stress in police officers. In his article, R. Nauert (2008) discusses the research conducted by John M. Violanti, Ph.D., a research associate professor at the University of Buffalo. Violanti conducted a clinical examination of the affects of stress and indicated that the data showed that 23 percent of male and 25 percent of female officers reported more suicidal thoughts than the general population (13.5 percent). (Nauert, 2008) Furthermore, Nauert (2008) indicated that Violantis previous study that he performed showed that suicide rates were three times higher in police than in other municipal worke r. This higher rate of suicide in law enforcement officers and correctional staff is alarming and shocking. In fact, according to Karen Hess (2009), police officers are eight times more likely to kill themselves than be a victim of homicide (p. 468). However, suicide and mental health problems are not the only adverse outcomes that stress from police work can induce. Physical health issues can arise from the constant stress that police officers experience. Some physical health issues that may develop from increased stress include weight gain, inability to relax, insomnia, gastrointestinal problems, and damage to the cardiovascular system (National Institute of Justice). In fact, a study conducted by the University of Buffalo showed that officers over the age of 40 were at a higher 10-year risk for having a coronary event than the national average and 72 percent of female officers and 43 percent of male officers have a higher than recommended cholesterol level (Page, D. 2010). Additionally, Page (2010) states that police officers as a group showed higher than normal pulse rates and diastolic blood pressure. According to Lambert et al. (2006), correctional officers have higher risks of hypertension, heart attacks, and other stress- related illnesses. In fact, Check and Woodruff reported, correctional officers die far sooner than expected as compared to the national life expectancy, and stress is the leading reason for the shortened life expectancy. (as cited in Lambert et al., 2006) Emotional problems may also surface from the constant high levels of stress. Emotional problems could possible include increased irritability, feelings of tension, depression, and mood swings. Additionally, addictive behaviors such as gambling, overeating, or substance abuse may also emerge as a result of stress. Stress and the effects of stress can also lead to family problems for both law enforcement officers and correctional staff. Both of these professions sometimes feel distant from their family, are not open about their jobs, and stress with their families. Families themselves can also feel the effects of the stress with the long work hours, excessive mandatory overtime, and shift rotations, as well as also having the constant fear that something may happen to their loved one. Stress could also be a potential cause of the high divorce rates. The divorce rate for police officers is double the national average (Hess, 2009, p. 468). Correctional staff also have a higher than average divorce rate as well. In an interview with Officer Josh Taylor of the Escambia County Sheriffs Office, he discussed how the dissolution of his previous marriage was partly attributed to his occupation as a police officer. Police officers sometimes feel distant from their family and do not want to share all aspects of their jobs and stress with their family. The stress and effects of stress can exacerbate an already strenuous marital relationship to its breaking point. Burnout Job stress and burnout may be used interchangeably. However, they are two distinct and different terms. Lambert et al. (2010) define job burnout as the withdrawing emotionally, psychologically, and socially from the job, and generally results after prolonged exposure to stressors, including ob stress, and/or the removal of valued resources. According to Schmalleger and Smykla (2011), when stress reaches an unbearable level, burnout can occur. (p. 320) It is a physical and mental state that is caused by the severe strain and stress placed on the body (Burke, 2009). All with the effects of stress, the symptoms of burnout are gradual and differ from person to person. However, some symptoms of burnout may include lack of enthusiasms and interest, decreased job performance, short tempers, and loss of motivation (Hess, 2009, p. 466). Burnout can contribute to decline in work performance, withdrawal from others, and diminished work life. With the high levels of stress faced on a daily basis and the nature of their jobs, both law enforcement officers and correctional staff are susceptible to burnout. Burke et al. (2005) discusses the six areas of organizational life that is connected to burnout: workload, job control, rewards and recognition system, responsiveness to staff needs, respect and fairness, and fit of the individual and organizational values at work. Lambert et al. (2009, July) discusses Cherniss view on the three stages of burnout. The first stage involves an unfair distribution of work forces, demands and resources, resulting in an emotional and psychological strain on the worker. As a consequence of the strain for the worker, the next stage is where the strained worker treats co-workers and clients in an detached, impartial or insensitive manner. The final stage involves the strained worker feeling inadequate in dealing with others, retreating from others, and ultimately becoming detached, cynical and disengaged. Additionally, Maslach and Jackson (1981) argued that the three dimensions of burnout included emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced sense of personal accomplishment and theorized that work related stressors and organizational factors were primary care for job burnout (as cited in Lambert, et al., 2009). In recent years there has been a small number of studies and research done on burnout n the criminal justice field. Lambert et al. (2009) discusses how research has examined whether personal characteristics were related to burnout, such as sex, age, position, tenure, education level, and race. According to Lambert et al. (2009), work environment factors, not personal characteristics, are more likely to contribute to burnout. In law enforcement officers, burnout can affect the quality of service provided by a police officer and his inter-personal relationships. Burke et al. (2005) reviewed a small number of studies that considered the impact of burnout on the job behaviors of police and other service providers. It was found that burned out police officers were more likely to demonstrate a more negative mood, react to civilians more negatively, have reduced problem-solving skills, and increased likelihood of using force (Burke et al, 2005). According to Jerry Carlton (2009, March), burnout is something that most in the law enforcement professional will experience at some point in their career. The dangers of burnout in police officers can be very real and dangerous for the individual with it affecting their job performance. For correctional staff, researchers have found that some of the same job stressors, such as perceived dangerousness of job, increased contact with inmates, role overload, role conflict and role ambiguity have all been linked to burnout of correctional staff (Lambert et al., 2009). Burnout is a huge problem in the corrections field. In fact, Lambert et al. (July 2009), report that correctional employees have higher levels of burnout than the levels found in the general population, even higher than police officers. A study by Lindquist and Whitehead (1986) showed that approximately 33% of Alabama correctional officers in their study were suffering from burnout ( as cited by Lambert et al., 2010). Additionally, a study by Hurst and Hurst (1997) demonstrated half of Kentucky correctional officers in their study were suffering from emotional exhaustion, a form of burnout (as cited by Lambert et al. 2010). Burnout is not only harmful for the correctional officer, but also the correctional agency or organization. Lambert et al. (July 2009) report that burnout can cause decreased work performance, withdrawal or reduced interaction with other employees, increased absenteeism, substance abuse and greater turnover. Lambert et al. (2009, July) performed a study on the burnout rates at a private Midwestern maximum-security facility to examine the associations between burnout and contact with inmates, role conflict, role ambiguity, role overload, and perceived dangerousness. In this survey, out of the 160 surveys that were completed, 18 percent responded that they felt burned out from their job, 26 percent responded they were emotionally drained to some degree at the end of the day from their job, 23 percent felt they had become insensitive to coworkers, 33 percent indicated they were less sympathetic, 13 percent felt they were not valued, and 12 percent felt they did not have positive influence (Lambert et al., 2009, July). According to this survey, tenure was the only one among the control variables that had a statistically significant relationship, and role ambiguity and overload also have a significant positive association with burnout for correctional staff (Lambert, et al. 2009, July). Lambe rt et al. (2009, July) suggests that the results show that correctional staff wants clearly defined roles and guidance and not to be overloaded in their assigned job tasks. Also, surprisingly perceived dangerousness of the job was not connected to burnout. According to Lambert et al. (2009, July), dangerousness may be expected ad perhaps may give some employees a sense of duty and even excitement rather than being stressed over it. Contact with inmates was also not found to have a noticeably connection to the study; however, Lambert et al. (2009, July) note that it could be the type of contact and the need for additional research to determined if it is associated with burnout. Furthermore, work-family conflict can lead or contribute to burnout. According to Lambert et al. (2010), work-family conflict involves the family/home life interfering with work and work life interfering with home life. Family on work conflicts involve conflicts that the family causes that impact work life, such as having a sick child to take care of or a conflict with a spouse. On the other hand, Lambert et al. (2010) describe work on family conflicts as having three different forms: time-based conflicts, strained-based conflicts, and behavior-based conflicts. Time-based conflicts occur when time demands for work interfere with home life and an individuals personal time. For instance, both correctional institutions and law enforcement require staffing 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, including holidays. They may also be required to work mandatory overtime. Strained-based conflicts occur when demands and tensions of work negatively affect the quality of the individ uals home life. When work behavior interferes with home life and is incompatible, behavior-based conflict occurs. For example, both law enforcement officers and correctional staff work roles require them to be suspicious of others and this may not be acceptable with family members and friends and can lead to conflict(Lambert et al., 2010). Lambert et al. (2010) notes that only a handful of studies have been conducted o examine the work-family conflict in correctional staff. Burnout not only negatively affects the individual, but also impacts co-works and the organizations themselves. It can cause decrease work performance, withdrawal or reduced interaction with co-workers, increased absenteeism, substance abuse, and frequent turnover (Lambert et al., 2009, July). In the end, burnout ends up costing the organizations additional funds. Burnout is not something that happens overnight, and in can be avoided with proper maintenance and care. Possible Solutions to Job Stress and Burnout Ideally, to address all the job stress and burnout for law enforcement officers and correctional staff would be to institute changes that would stop it from occurring or minimize it from happening. However, this is not always necessarily possible in their work environments and in the criminal justice field. With all of the implications and effects stress and burnout can have on law enforcement officers and correctional staff, there are several initiatives or solutions that have been pursued to help reduce or mitigate stress and burnout. Hess (2009) discusses some strategies for reducing stress and avoiding burnout that could be useful for both law enforcement officers and police officers (p. 466). Physical exercise, proper nutrition, adequate sleep, social outlets, relaxation techniques and time management are all ways to reduce stress and avoid burnout in these fields (Hess, 2009, p. 466). Many organizations are also starting to recognize the hazards of stress for both the individuals and the organizations. Stress-management programs are starting to be implemented; however, the individual must want to take charge of their own stress management to be successful. Additionally, both professions have taken different, but similar measures to address the issues of stress and burnout. Law Enforcement Officers Often law enforcement officers are not open or speak about their stress and how it may be affecting their lives. The National Institute of Justice notes an unspoken code of silence exists for police officers about the stress that comes with the job. With the nature of the work environment, it is sometimes hard to mediate and spot stress before it is too late. One of the keys to finding a potential solution for stress is looking for the warning signs. Ramos (2010) discusses how training for law enforcement personnel and their families is critical in addressing the problem of police suicide with teaching others how to look for the warning signs and risk factors. Law enforcement personnel and families should also be trained to identify the signs and factors of basic stress to combat that before it leads to issues that are more serious. Additionally, Ramos (2010) notes that agencies need to encourage officers to seek assistance from personal physicians, employee assistance programs, peer support and crisis intervention counselors. According to Burke (2009), a knowledge manager is the best prevent for burnout. Police managers should be trained to detect the subtle personality changes that could indicated a problem. Early detection could help to avoid the most serious affects of burnout and from burnout consuming the officer. Burke (2009) points out that it near impossible for every police manager to know every officer under his or her supervision to be able to detect all signs; however, a team concept would allow the police manager to educate team members about the signs and symptoms of burnout so that team members known how to properly respond when the signs are detected. It also helps provide an open field of discussion among the team members. Additionally, an article in Call and Post discusses how polices are using military techniques to combat on the job stress (Anonymous, 2008, October). It involves an innovative program to train police leadership to recognize and address stress through a unique collaboration between military combat stress experts and local police forces. Clevelands D ivision of Police, Case Western Reserve University, the Partnership for a Sager Cleveland the U.S. Department of Defense have partnered together to try to combat on the job stress (Anonymous, 2008, October). Supervisors and patrol officers are provided tri-fold laminated cards that have the warning signs of stress to help identify operational stress early on. Awards were adapted from the United States Military to acknowledge the officers as well. Medals shaped like dog tags, as well as bronze medals, are also used to reinforce the training and honor those that have participated in the program (Anonymous, 2008, October). Having available mental health and stress management programs to police officers can also be beneficial. According to Macmillan (2009), these programs need to be utilized more often, and the law enforcement field relies on three types of these programs: external, internal and hybrid. The external program involves an officer receiving treatment from an outside source. This allows the officer to keep anonymity. Internal programs are those that are ran from within the department or agency, and hybrid programs are a mixture of external and internal. In fact, Macmillan (2009) notes that departments and agencies can work around having limited funding for these programs with sharing the programs with other local government departments and agencies, such as with the fire department or paramedics. Macmillan (2009) also discusses the advantages of having peer counseling as an effective way to manage stress. Peer counseling programs allow officers with similar experiences and tensions to offer assistance and aid to follow officers who may be suffering from stress. Additionally, it is sometimes easier for officers to talk and share with fellow officers than a psychologist or therapist (Macmillan, 2009). Departments can also often obtain assistance with wellness through local health departments or through their insurance carriers at little to no costs (Anonymous, 2009). Sometimes police stress programs are not able to address the needs of a police officer or his or her family. Non-profit organizations such as the Central Florida Police Stress Unit, which have not affiliation with any police department or agency, can also be beneficial in dealing with stress. Organizations, such as the Central Florida Police Stress Unit, are established to help both law enforcement and their families deal with stress that is directly or indirectly associated with the law enforcement profession. This type of organization is great tool for officers and their families that want to maintain confidentiality and are fearful of speaking out or others learning of their problems. Central Florida Police Unit provides a range of services, and has licensed mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers and consulting police psychologist to help police officers and their families deal with a wide range of issues from marriage counseling to finan ce and retirement problems. Correctional Staff As with law enforcement officers, correctional staff are often not open about their stress and how it may be affecting their lives. In fact, correctional officers often deny that they are under stress in fear that it might be looked at unfavorably or make them seem weak (Schmalleger Smykla, 2011, p. 319). With the nature of the work environment, it is sometimes hard to notice and mediate stress before it is too late. One of the keys to finding a potential solution for stress is looking for the warning signs. Correctional personnel, their families, and co-works should be trained to identify the signs and factors of stress to combat it before it leads to issues that are more serious. According to an article written in Corrections Today, correctional agencies are losing money, losing good employees, and jeopardizing officer and public safety due to work-related stress. (Anonymous, 2007) Correctional officers should also be encouraged to seek outside assistance from p