The management of medical emergencies Essay Example for Free

The management of medical emergencies Essay The management of medical emergencies at initial stages has many impacts in the development of the medical situation. By being proficient enough in managing medical emergencies in primary care setting, one has comprehensive and first-hand information. This information is very helpful to help the medical practitioners implement the most relevant measures to the situation. In the case of sexual assault, proper medication will be prescribed to the victim of the assault immediately before the situation grows very critical and complex to handle. Taking for instance, sexual assault where the victim risked contracting sexually transmitted infection. In this scenario, the most appropriate post exposure measures will be prescribe to the person to prevent the enhancement of the disease. Proper management of emergencies is the main determiner of the future progress in the situation. In emergency cases at primary care setting, it is possible that professional trainees will not have the opportunity to contemporaneously experience an emergency in which they learn and practice skills during the General Practitioners part of their training; therefore not fulfilling a major part of the every medical college curriculum. Some may feel that the Specialist Trainees will get sufficient experience in managing acute emergencies during the secondary care part of their training, but there are several reasons why is felt that specific training for primary care setting is essential. With the expansion of training in General Practitioners from 12 to 18 months at the expense of secondary training, specialist trainees will be exposed to fewer opportunities to experience acute emergencies due to the lower prevalence in primary as opposed to secondary care. Moreover, with the move to create, secondary care posts located predominantly in outpatient departments or future polyclinic facilities, the opportunity for emergency care experience will decrease even more over the full scope of General Practitioner training (Amorosi Thorn, 2012, p. 77). In contrast, in primary care, though the materials are usually available and maintained in case an emergency situation should arise, these skills are rarely used. Moreover, the supportive practitioners (nurses, receptionist and fellow clinicians), though receiving yearly training; may wait years before they get to practise their skills on a real case. Furthermore, the specialist trainee, being transplant from the relatively standardized and familiar context of the hospital or outpatient department to a new and much more variable care setting, will be disoriented and relatively isolated if he or she is confront with a patient having a life-threatening event. Finally, many Specialist trainees while having participated in the provision of emergency care will never have taken the responsibility for directing the care, to lead the clinician during the emergency (Goldfrank, 2010, p. 86). Evidence based plan of care is very beneficial in an emergency. The evidence in the emergency provides medical practitioners with information about the cause of the emergency. This data not only ensures proper medication to the affected, but also gives nurses and clinicians confidence in approaching the emergency. Confidence in the clinician motivates in their effort to assist the affected person. The victims of the emergency stand a better chance to acquire quality and proper medication. Proper medications that come with the evidence to the emergency facilitate the chances of survival to emergency victim. In most situations, emergency victims are very critical and, therefore, they deserve a high attention to safe (Queenan, 2012, p. 112). By provision of evidence about the cause of their ailment, their chances of survival are increase by proper administration of medication. Evidence based plan of care is cost effective in an emergency. A lot is a waste through trying to minimise a situation that lacks evidence of its rise. Through provision of the causes that result to an emergency, many resources that could be used in search for evidence are saved. In evidence base plan of care, there is both subjective and objective information that is available. Subjective information comprises of all material facts about causes of the ailment. These may information of the real causes of the ailment that led to ailment.in the case of an accident, the subjective information is that the emergency result from sudden impact of the accident. Objective information, on the other hand, entails all those details about an emergence that would guide medical practitioners in treating the victim of an emergency. Such information includes information such as the time when the emergency occurred and how the victim was affect by the situation. It helps the medical practitioners to judge the victim biologically and try to help him as from the information acquired. For instance, in a situation where the victim was involve in a road accident the interest about the evidence that a medical practitioner may wish to know, are details like how long it has taken the victim since the occurrence of the accident. The levels of blood loss, if any and the intensity of the result of an accident to the victims body are amongst the important facts for a medical practitioner. These goal Facts would guide the medical practitioner in describing the most appropriate medication to the victim. Proper medication would mean high chances of recovery to the victim. Evidence based plan of care is the most reliable for effective medication. References Amorosi,  E., Thorn,  G. (2012). Managing Medical Emergencies. New York: The Author. Goldfrank,  L. (2010). Goldfranks Toxicologic Emergencies. Norwalk, Conn: Appleton Lange. Queenan,  J. (2012). Managing Ob/gyn Emergencies. Oradell, N.J: Medical Economics Books. Source document

Education For Media Literacy Media Essay

Education For Media Literacy Media Essay Media literacy is an approach to education which provides a framework to analyze, evaluate and access messages in various forms and thereby building an understanding of the role of media in the society as well as self-expressions required for citizens of a democracy. Media literacy is the ability to know and understand how the mass media works. This includes how they are organized, how they produce their meanings and how they use them wisely. A person who is media literate can clearly describe the role of media in their lives. He or she understands the basics of various media and enjoys using them deliberately in a conscious way. He or she has full recognition that protects them from being unnecessarily frightened and therefore has a full control of his or her media experiences. Often, the media is lumped together as a single entity but in reality it is actually many forms of communication like the newspapers, billboards, television, radio, magazines, video games, computer games and videocassettes. Education for media literacy uses the inquiry-based pedagogic, model which encourages the people to ask questions in relation to what they read, hear and watch. Media literacy provides tools which help people analyze messages and offer them opportunities to broaden their experience of media. It assists them develop creative skills in coming up with their own media messages. Critical analysis includes identifying the author, his purpose and point of view, examining the construction techniques and genres, patterns of media presentation and detecting any bias, censorship and propaganda available in the news and public programming. Media literacy explores how structural features like the media ownership and funding model affects the information presented. Media literate people are skillful in creating and producing media messages to facilitate understanding of specific qualities of each medium and at the same time create independent media and participate as active citizens. Media literacy has contributed to an expanded conceptualization of literacy which treats mass media, popular culture and digital media as types of texts that require critical evaluation and analysis. Due to the transformation process of media consumption into an active and a critical process, people have gained a bigger awareness of the potential for manipulation and misrepresentation through public relations techniques and get to know the role of mass media in constructing the views of reality. Sometimes, media literacy is viewed as a channel to address the negative side of mass media, digital media and popular culture which includes gender, media violence and racial stereotypes, concerns about loss of privacy, internet predators, the sexualization of children and cyber bullying. Media literacy provides a type of protection for children and helps them make good decisions in their consumption habits and the patterns of their use. Learning abilities linked to media literacy can be used to create learning and teaching methods for example through mobile phones, internet based learning and interactive whitboard. Media interprets the past and shows us what has made us into being the way we are. Like geography, it defines for us our place in the world. Media literacy also helps us understand the workings of our immediate world and also our places individually in it. The media is also a major source of modern culture and entertainment and also requires us to learn and use the critical thinking skills. Media literacy helps us define how we communicate with others and also helps us to adopt the edge of modern technological innovations. Media literacy also helps us determine much of the cultural diet and weave part of the fabric part of our lives. Media literacy also helps us to understand ourselves as well as misunderstand ourselves and others. It helps us interpret our world, its ideas to us and its values. Media literacy helps us understand how things work, because it has carefully planned constructed and designed products. By helping kids and teens to become media literate, we can help them protecting them against pressures from advertising and several others media forms to drink, use drugs, eat unhealthy foods and have sex. We also help them build good communication skills , put portrayals of others as well as themselves, encourage them to look into multiple interpretations of media messages and also improve their media usage habits like changing the ritualistic viewing behaviors. The goal of media literacy is not bashing or to ridicule the media because it is a dominant force in our culture and therefore should be evaluated fairly and not denigrated. Media literacy is also not a magic wand or a silver bullet to solve all our problems but rather our best defense to resist manipulation and to keep a perspective of the images and messages that are a part of the youth culture and the media. Media literacy is therefore about helping students to become competent and critical in the various media forms so that they are well equipped to control the interpretation of what they observe and hear instead of letting the interpretation to control them. To be media literate is not about memorizing or taking statistics about the media but rather learning to raise the appropriate questions about what is seen, heard or read, in other words it is the ability to think for oneself. Without this ability, an individual cannot have the full dignity to exercise citizenship in a society which is democratic.

Biomedical Model of Health

Biomedical Model of Health Name: Erica Rogers-Compton Per the World Health Organisation 1948 constitution, Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing with not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. In the middle of the nineteenth century, biomedicine was considered to be an essential model, it was used by the healthcare practitioners, in order to identify disease (Lupton, 2012). The biomedical model of health focused on how the human body works and how infection can be controlled, or cured by means of medical intervention. It provided the support on which the establishment of healthcare system is founded within societies; there have however been numerous uncertainties related to its impact on the common health pattern, as most of the health determinants are more environmental and social. The World Health Organisation (WHO), term biomedical model of health emphasises completely on biological determinants and eliminates all environmental, psychological and social influences. Moreover, Deacon (2013) has claime d that, since the last two centuries, biomedical model of health is viewed as a reductionist approach in the Western countries. In this method, illness is supposed to be caused by infections or injury and there is neglect to the socio-economic, psychological and environmental influences. In the course of the most recent two centuries the biomedical model has been enormously tested by researchers in the medicinal and sociological field. This feedback was realised by the intense increment in the therapeutic costs. Mettler (2016) conducted in which he discussed that the viability of the medicinal model has been over accentuated. He additionally contended that the lessening in the demise rate, which occurred a few years back inside the created world was impacted by great dietary pattern and appropriate cleanliness than it was with inoculation (vaccinations), and other social insurance intercession. This view was supported through the re-evaluation of the spending operating cost and money on medicinal services framework, which prompted only wastage. Moreover, Darlow, et al. (2012), has also mentioned that rather than medication giving a healing help to the masses, it added more to their issue by presenting what is called Iatrogenesis which signifies Specialist created ill ness, for illustration, the result impact of utilising medication and some destructive impact of surgery. It is faulted the medicinal services suppliers and the pharmaceutical organizations of creating the social Iatrogenesis. This brought into spotlight utilization of human services item which was brought on by increment wellbeing need. He likewise affirmed that the arrangement of medicalisation additionally achieved what we call social iatrogenesis, which implies that the healthcare organization has taken individuals off the capacity to adapt the illness and pain. Additionally, Rotheram-Borus, et al. (2012), has claimed that person ought to attempt to maintain a strategic distance from the control of medication over their lives. He guaranteed that the restraining infrastructure of solution over cure ought to be halted, so individuals can settle on choice on their lifestyle. Critically; The biomedical model of illness received by society can have vital outcomes. In the primary world war, for instance, officers griping of side effects in the wake of encountering serious issues were once in a while shot as malingerers (pretending to be sick), however today they are considered casualties and qualified for money related settlements or Social acknowledgment that a conducted or reported manifestation constitutes a sickness offers benefits on an individual and formal obligations on society. Presently, most models of illness accept a causal connection amongst illness and disease, the apparent state of weakness felt by a person. Social wellbeing convictions and models of sickness decide the apparent significance of side effects and the ensuing utilisation of therapeutic resources. The thought that a particular disease underlies overall illness has prompted medicalisation of regularly experienced atypical sensations and frequently doubt of patients who represent with illness without any verifiable process of disease. In spite of their significance, biomedical models of health are once in a while expressly discussed about or characterised. The regularly disapproval however incidentally overwhelming twentieth century biomedical models begin from Virchows decision that all ailment comes about because of abnormalities of cells of a human body. The biomedical model distinctly significant for some infection based diseases, has instinctive advances, and is supported by an abundance of underneath natural and scientific findings. By grasping reductionism, in any case, biomedical models of ailment consolidate a few firmly related arrangements of principles. These can be outlined as: All sickness, indications and signs emerge from a basic irregularity inside the body (generally in the working or structure of particular organs), alluded to as an infection or disease, all infections offer ascent to indications, finally if not primarily, and even though different elements may impact the outcomes of the illness , they are not identified with its manifestations or developments, wellbeing is the nonappearance of illness or disease, mental experience, for example, emotional delusions and depression, are separate from and associated to the other types of disturbances of functions within the human body, the patient is a casualty of situation with practically no liability regarding the nearness or reason for the illness, and the patient is an inactive receiver of treatment, in spite of the fact that collaboration with treatment is normal. A wide range of models of disease exist, starting in professions, specialties, and elsewhere. The social model essentially concentrates on the causation of incapacity by society instead of the entire range of illness. The bio-psychosocial model is maybe the most popular. Over 400 Medline titles incorporate the word, and it is progressively utilised as a part of numerous zones of medicine. As compare to the biomedical model, it perceives that mental and social components impact a patients discernments and activities and thusly the experience of what it feels like to be ill.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹ In Britain, Carrier (2015) reported that, it was evaluated that around 10% of individuals hospitalised experience some sort of iatrogenisis, which is equal to about 850.000 event for each year. Wellbeing is said to be exceedingly medicalised in this model which prompted a general perspective of individuals (Carrier, 2015). Ogden (2012), reported this reality about restorative locale by referring to a case of labor. This was detracted from ladies by the establishment of drug by guaranteeing that by the 1970s all youngster conveyance occurred in the healing facility. This activity made pregnant ladies to be taken care of like a wiped out individual. In this regard an ordinary educational affair was transformed into a restorative issue, which requires the help of the medicinal group (Ogden, 2012). The model concentrates for the most part on the mending procedure which is off guard to anticipation and wellbeing advancement mind nearer to the people. Travis, (2014) expressed that biomedicine has declined to recognise the way that the human body is connected with the social environment. Besides, it also has emphasised that the biomedical model ignored the nearness of the social disparities in wellbeing. He likewise contended that for successful treatment, the general population experience about illness and health must be recognised. As indicated by the viewpoint of biomedical health of model it has been contended that doctors support the rate of production of the general public by clarifying wellbeing as the possibility to work, he additionally dispersed that working is superior to joblessness (Travis 2014) It was underlined that the healthcare professionals are faulted of medicalisation in the event that they consider the societal impact of patient and on the off chance that they disregard, the claim still holds. The bias of gender inside the biomedical space was unmistakably underlined from the contention viewpoint. It was referred to by Nettleton from the womens activist perspective that sexist belief systems of the therapeutic calling present ladies as a peon (unskilled), contrasted with the men folks. For case, it was connected that the continuous female visits to the healing facility and centres contrasted with their male partner is a result of the way their body is intended for childbearing, furthermore for the nurture other relatives. Gabrielsen (2014) expressed that there are numerous routes in which the womens activist censure how the therapeutic professionals cooperate with patient. She emphasized that a large portion of the female issues from the restorative perspective should be addressed. She bolstered are proof by referring to a case of menstrual torment among ladies. She said that some female overstretches the seriousness of the torment, while most overlooks it. She additionally specified that the therapeutic specialists considers male as top of the line resident in the ways they interface with them contrasted with their female people. Gendered nature of force in biomedical research and clinical practice was connected in the US Public Health Service Task Force (Miller, et al., 2013). This was composed in 1985 on issue of health of females. It was expressed in it that there was disregard in the way females wellbeing was being taken care of. They contended that the biomedical research laid more accentuation on illnesses that can bring about high danger of mortality in men contrasted with the ladies regardless of that the sicknesses were not sex-particular example breast Cancer. Similarly, it has been supported to this reality by tolerating that male sexual orientation still stands as a measure to assess the status of wellbeing of both genders, notwithstanding the commotion to expand individuals learning about ladies wellbeing. Gabrielsen (2014), reported that a social arrangement was proclaimed by the Federal Food and Drug Administration in 1993.This was achieved to put a stop to the unending utilization of ladies as research creatures and to diminish the issue that could happen if hatchling is presented to look into. Females wellbeing was imperilled through premature birth realised by the biomedical model. This view was supported through relating that the healthcare professionals help the male by urging the female to experience tuba ligation which is a type of family arranging that make females permanently sterile. This activity supports the male, yet negative to the female always due to powerlessness to get pregnant. This demonstrates the men has truly overwhelmed the world and couldnt care less about the females prosperity. The radical womens activist referred to acknowledged that the western pharmaceutical has given men an excessive amount of chance contrasted with the ladies. This has permitted men to assume control over the ladies bodies. It was proposed that this procedure can be controlled by guaranteeing that ladies specialists treat the wiped out ladies inside the general public that is antiracist, hostile to exist, and against heterosexist. This thought was likewise contended from anoth er perspective by the reformist that the wellbeing framework should be changed from inside. This is to guarantee that female specialists are additionally utilized in more noteworthy number furthermore implementing responsibility by the restorative experts. It has been concluded that the biomedical model of health offers a method for adjusting clinical strategies in biomedical practice to culturally diverse care and study. Every progression of the critical thinking process has parallel exercises in customary and family frameworks of care. At every progression, discrepant desires, rehearses, family capacity, and correspondence style highlight territories of potential worry in clinical critical thinking. Critical thinking crosswise over social limit regularly includes looking for assistance from individuals from the group, from the sociologic, humanities, and from anthropologists. Whats more, patients turn into an important wellspring of data and, when wiped out, regularly uncover issues that may somehow or another never be revealed. Bibliography Haralambos, M. and Holborn, M. (2013) Haralambos Holborn sociology: Themes and perspectives. 8th edn. London, United Kingdom: Collins Educational. al, et, Moore, S. and etc, et al (2001) Sociology for AS level. London: Collins Educational. Giddens, A. and Griffiths, S. (2006) Sociology. 5th edn. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press. References Carrier, J. (2015). Managing long-term conditions and chronic illness in primary care: A guide to good practice. . Routledge. Darlow, B., Fullen, B. M., Dean, S., Hurley, D. A., Baxter, G. D., Dowell, A. (2012). The association between health care professional attitudes and beliefs and the attitudes and beliefs, clinical management, and outcomes of patients with low back pain:. European Journal of Pain, 16(1) , 3-17. Deacon, B. J. (2013). The biomedical model of mental disorder: A critical analysis of its validity, utility, and effects on psychotherapy research. Clinical Psychology Review, 33(7) , 846-861. Gabrielsen, L. (2014). Bias at the Gate? The Pharmaceutical Industrys Influence on the Federally Approved Drug Compendia. American journal of law medicine, 40(1), 141-163. Lupton, D. (2012). Medicine as culture: Illness, disease and the body. . Sage. Mettler, T. (2016). Anticipating mismatches of HIT investments: Developing a viability-fit model for e-health services. International journal of medical informatics, 85(1) , 104-115. Miller, V. M., Rice, M., Schiebinger, L., Jenkins, M. R., Werbinski, J., Nà ºÃƒ ±ez, A., et al. (2013). Embedding concepts of sex and gender health differences into medical curricula. . Journal of Womens Health, 22(3) , 194-202. Biomedical model of health Biomedical model of health THE SOCIOLOGICAL CRITIQUE OF THE BIOMEDICAL MODEL OF HEALTH AND HOW IT AFFECTS WOMENS HEALTH Biomedicine has been around since the middle of the nineteenth century as the major model used by health practitioners to detect diseases (Nettleton, 1995).This biomedical model of health have centred on how the human body functions and how diseases can be stopped, or healed through medical intervention(Taylor and field 2003). This model continues to be the bedrock in which foundation of health care system is based in the western societies, but there has being a lot of queries concerning its influence on the general pattern of health, since majority of health determinant are social and environmental. Arkinson (1988 p.180)claimed that the biomedical model, which as taken over the formal health care system in the West since the last two centuries view health along the reductionist approach. In this approach illness is said to be caused by injury or infections and there is neglect to the psychological, socio-economic and environmental influences (Taylor and field 2003). Over the last two centuries the biomedical model has being greatly challenged by scholars in the medical (Engel, 1981) and sociological field. This criticism was brought about by the drastic increase in the medical expenses. Engel (1981) stated that the effectiveness of the medical model has been over emphasized. Mc Keown (1976) also argued that the reduction in the death rate which happened some years back within the developed world was influenced by good eating habit and proper hygiene than it was with immunisation, and other health care intervention. This view was supported by Powles (1973) by re-emphasizing that spending money on health care system had led to nothing but wastage. Illich (1990) also argued that instead of medicine providing a curative assistance to the populace, it added more to their problem by introducing what is called iatrogenesis which means Doctor-caused illness,for example, the aftermath effect of using drug and some harmful effect of surgery. Illich(1990) blamed the health care providers and the pharmaceutical companies of inventing the social iatrogenesis .This brought into limelight consumption of health care product which was caused by increase health need. He also testified that the system of medicalisation also brought about what we call cultural iatrogenesis, which means that the medical industry has robbed people off the ability to cope with pains and illness .Illich (1990) argued that human being should try to avoid the control of medicine over their lives. He claimed that the monopoly of medicine over cure should be stopped, so that people can make decision on their way of life. Stryer and Clancy (2005) reported that in Britain it was estimated that around 10% of people hospitalised undergo some kind of iatrogenisis, which is equivalent to roughly 850.000 occurrence per year. Health is said to be highly medicalised in this model which led to a general view of human beings (Illich, 1976).Oakley, 1976 and Donnison, 1977 reported this fact about medical jurisdiction by citing an example of childbirth. This was taken away from women by the institute of medicine by ensuring that by the 1970s all child delivery took place in the hospital (Tew, i990).This action made pregnant women to be handled like a sick person. In this respect a normal life experience was turned into a medical problem, which requires the assistance of the medical team (Martin, 1989). The model focuses mainly on the healing process which is at a disadvantage to prevention and health promotion care closer to the populace (Taylor and field 2003). Engel (1981) stated that biomedicine has refused to acknowledge the fact that the human body is linked with the social environment. Nettleton (1995) reiterated that the biomedical model neglected the presence of the social inequalities in health. He also argued that for effective treatment, the lay people experience about health and illness must be acknowledged. According to the perspective of Marxists, he argued that doctors encourage the production rate of the society by explaining health as the potential to work, he also disseminated that working is better than idleness(Waitzkin, 1989).It was emphasized that the health professionals are blamed of medicalisation if they consider the societal influence of patient and if they ignore, the accusation still holds (Nettleton, 1995). The gender bias within the biomedical domain was clearly emphasized from the conflict perspective (Nettleton,1995).It was cited by Nettleton from the feminist point of view that sexist ideologies of the medical profession present women as a second class citizen, compared to the men folks(Scully and Bart,1978;Martin,1989).For example, it was related by (Nettleton,1995)that the frequent female visit to the hospital and clinics compared to their male counterpart is because of the way their body is designed for childbearing and also for the care they provide for other family members. Foster (1989) stated that there are many ways in which the feminist criticize how the medical practitioners interact with patient. She reiterated that most of the female problems from the medical point of view need to be questioned. She supported are evidence by citing an example of menstrual pain among women. She said that some female overstretch the severity of the pain, while most ignores it(Foster,1989 p.339).She also mentioned that the medical practitioners considers male as first class citizen in the ways they interact with them compared to their female folks. Gendered nature of power in biomedical research and clinical practice was related in the US Public Health Service Task Force (Patricia and Chiloe 1999).This was written in 1985 on womens health issue. It was stated in it that there was neglect in the way womens health was being handled .They argued that the biomedical research laid more emphasis on diseases that can cause high risk of mortality in men compared to the women despite that the diseases were not sex-specific like breast cancer. Robert (1990, 1992) also supported this fact by accepting that male gender still stands as a measure to evaluate the status of health of both sexes, despite the clamour to broaden peoples knowledge about womens health. Patricia and Chiloe (1999) reported that a social policy was promulgated by the Federal Food and Drug Administration in 1993.This was brought about to put a stop to the incessant use of women as research animals and to decrease the problem that could occur if foetus is exposed to res earch. Womens health was endangered through abortion brought about by the biomedical model. This view was supported by Foster (1989)by relating that the doctors assist the male by encouraging the female to undergo tuba ligation which is a form of family planning that make women sterile forever. This action favours the male, but detrimental to the female forever because of inability to get pregnant. This shows that the men has really dominated the world and do not care about the well being of women. The radical feminist cited by Nettleton (1995) accepted that the western medicine have given men too much opportunity compared to the women. This has allowed men to take over the womens bodies. It was suggested that this process can be controlled by ensuring that women doctors treat the sick women within the society that is antiracist, anti-sexist, and anti-heterosexist (Williams,1989;Abbott and Wallance,1990).This idea was also argued from another point of view by the reformist that the health s ystem need to be changed from within .This is to ensure that female doctors are also employed in greater number and also enforcing accountability by the medical practitioners.

Television Violence Essay -- Papers TV Media Violent Essays

Television Violence Does the violence you see on TV effect how you operate during the day? Does violence seen on TV effect the brain and behavior of our nation?s youth? That is the question on hand for this essay. The study of TV violence is important to our communities and nation not only because it is influential to the way our children think and perceive the world, but also because it needs to come to a stop. What is extremely interesting is how long this has been an issue in our communities. Not only that, but there are statistics, stories of mom?s about their children and their influences, a TV Ratings System, Web-Sites, editorials, and more circulating the Internet and literature worlds with information about TV Violence. It is time for you to join the circulation. According to the American Psychological Association, ?the average American has seen 8,000 televised murders and 100,000 acts of violence by the end of elementary school and has watched about 22,000 hours of TV and approximately 18,000 murders in the media by the end of high school?(Sherrow, 7). It is stated that ?25 million households in the United States experience a violent crime or theft in a given year. And As of 1993, there were about 24,500 murders each year (on average, 470 a week) in America? (Sherrow, 10). And from the same book are the following upsetting facts: ?Thirteen children, on average, die each day in a murder, suicide, or accident involving guns... School violence has risen with more than 100,000 cases of students assaulting teachers and more than 3 million assaults, rapes, and thefts each year. Damage to school property totals about $600 million annually? (Sherrow 10). The question is, are television programs behin... ...ces.? . Manson, Marilyn. Columbine: Whose Fault Is It?. Gurl-Pages.com. First published Rollingstone Magazine, Issue 815, June 24th, 1999. . Levine, Madeline. Viewing Violence: How Media Violence Affects Your Child?s and Adolescent?s Development. New York: Double Day. 1996. Michigan State University (MSU). Interactive Guide for Parent?s on Television Content Ratings. . Rarey, Matthew A. Find Articles.com. ?V-Chip Investment.? . Saunders, Kevin. ?Television Violence Causes Societal Violence.? Mass Media: Opposing Viewpoints. Ed. Byron L. Stay. San Diego: Greenhaven Press. 1999. Sherrow, Victoria. Violence and the Media: The Question of Cause and Effect. Brookfield: The Millbrook Press. 1996. University of Indiana School of Journalism. Good Guys, Bad Guys and TV News: How Television and Other Media Promote Police Violence.

Slavery and Reparations Essay examples -- Slavery Essays

â€Å"Slavery, colonialism and neo-colonialism have caused inestimable damage to billions of people throughout the world. They have also formed the basis for the accumulation of immense wealth in the hands of a small elite†¦ The slave trade involved the brutal relocation of tens of millions of people in which families, communities and societies were destroyed and in which millions lost their lives in the most inhumane conditions. At the same time, slavery was a fundamental element of the strengthening of mercantile trade and the rapid accumulation of capital that formed the basis for the emergence of the capitalist system as we know it today. Colonial conquest entailed the further oppression of the people of the colonies in the form of dispossessing people of their land and their livelihoods, destroying their cultures and social and political structures and subjecting them to the rule of the colonial powers. Colonialism, in both its early expansionary phase and the imperialist phase in which the colonial powers carved up the world amongst themselves, created the conditions for the further accumulation of capital as well as the concentration and centralization of this wealth into fewer and fewer hands. Neo-colonialism continues and intensifies this oppression, leading to levels of poverty and destitution†¦ never witnessed before. The big transnational corporations, the governments of the North and the international institutions, including the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and World Trade Organization, are working with new elites in the South to perpetuate the process whereby the rich get richer at the expense of the poor getting poorer.† (JubileeSouth â€Å"Reparations Towards Another World†) An institution that lasted f... ... African Americans, then supporters, activists, lawyers, and the Black community all could stand behind one unified proposal. A proposal that is similar to Japanese-American redress that would seek to compensate individuals, the Black community through education and trust funds that would appreciate over time, and finally be recognized for the atrocities that slavery had on the African American existence in America. There is no question that slavery was both morally and ethically wrong, but somehow our country has become very comfortable with ignoring the impact that slavery had on the Black community. Even though slavery ended over 200 years ago the disadvantages of being Black in America still exist, and until the U.S. government begins to rectify their actions, blacks will continue to lose opportunities and will be no better off than their emancipated ancestors.

Important People of History Essay

Ancient Greece was known for many things, including great thinkers and philosophers. Many names come to mind from this period, including that of Socrates. Certainly, none are so colorful. He wrote nothing, but his impact was unmatched by others. His ideas were revolutionary, and caused enough controversy that he was finally put on trial in Athens, guaranteeing that his mark on history would be indelible. Socrates was born in 469 B. C. E. to Sophroniscus and Phaenarete. Little is known about him beyond what others wrote, since he resisted any urges to put words on paper. What is known about him comes from Aristophanes, Xenophon, and Plato, all of whom wrote about him. However, their narratives differ in some crucial ways, and so there are some things that will never be known about the enigmatic philosopher. Socrates was a firm believer in the power of the intellect. He insisted that â€Å"a man must order his life by the guidance of his own intellect,† believing that it was this above all that must be cultivated. He never hesitated in saying what he believed, and this tendency made him unpopular in many circles. However, he did not allow this to deter him from expressing these beliefs. Knowledge and truth were paramount to him, and he would not sacrifice these virtues for anything. When he was eighteen, Socrates was required to do the duty of every citizen, and this included training in the Athenian militia. He served the years that were expected of him, engaging in battle in 432 as a foot soldier to help put down a revolt. On the way home from the siege that followed, Socrates saved the life of Alcibiades during a subsequent battle near Spartolus, losing the battle. They returned to Athens in 429, where he was accused of helping the playwright Euripides to write his tragedies. Important People of History Page 2 of 5 Socrates next saw battle at Delium in 424. The Athenians saw defeat yet again, although Socrates distinguished himself once more. In another year, he was yet again immersed in battle, this time at Amphipolis. This ended in another defeat, and was also the last battle that Socrates fought. Peace was made between Athens and Sparta, and this is when Socrates could begin to concentrate in earnest on debates and discussions to pass on his ideas and beliefs. Education, democracy, and Mystery religion were key themes in this. During this time, Socrates married Xanthippe, and they would have two sons. Socrates perhaps became best known for the Socratic Method. This method was meant to help intellectuals come to correct conclusions, and it made definition the most essential point of this. In a desire to find the truth, Socrates believed that one must â€Å"require a standard of truth and an explanation of the causes of error. † The comparison of two ideas is necessary in making a judgment, and those ideas must be clear and not vague. This method lasted throughout the centuries, and is still practiced today. Socrates is also known as the founder of utilitarianism. Ethics and the process of applying his methods to them was a key interest of his, and this study led to utilitarian ideas. With this, he came to the conclusion that good is useful and â€Å"virtue is happiness. † This formed the core of his paradox, which is that men do not willingly commit wrongs, and that this is done only through ignorance. While Socrates wrote nothing, he spent a great deal of his life conversing with others. This was a major part of his Socratic method. He never attempted to teach, for he believed that he had no knowledge. He professed that he was only exceptional in the fact Important People of History Page 3 of 5 that he knew that he knew nothing. It was a goal of his to prove that popular ideas were inconsistent, and he wished to convince all to whom he spoke that their convictions could not stand up under examination. Socrates was well known for frequenting places such as marketplaces, where he would engage people in conversation. He enjoyed doing this with people of all ranks and stations, often putting off important people and gaining their animosity. His manner and lack of deference gained him many enemies; many resenting what they felt were his ridicule. There was nothing that Socrates felt was too sacred to question and criticize, and this included both religion and government. He was perhaps more agnostic than anything, and he had no compunctions about questioning and criticizing the gods. This added to feelings of animosity against him, as did the fact that he was also quite vocal against the ruling powers. It was this that was to lead to his arrest and subsequent trial, which is perhaps the pinnacle of his career. Socrates was arrested when he was seventy on charges that â€Å"he does not believe in the gods recognized by the city, but introduces strange supernatural beings; he is also guilty, because he corrupts the youth. † The political reasons were kept quiet, instead focusing on impiety, and the sentence proposed was that of death, although those who accused him had no real desire to put him to death, only to force him to leave and no longer be a thorn in their sides. However, Socrates refused to leave, instead remaining behind to face the charges against him. A life away from his interactions with the Athenians would not have suited him, and so he remained. Important People of History Page 4 of 5 Socrates faced a jury of 501 men. This jury, as all Athenian juries, would vote twice. Their first vote was on guilt or innocence, and their second vote was for the sentence. While Socrates expected that he would be convicted, he expressed surprise at â€Å"how closely the jury was split on the first and basic question. † It was a difference of six percent that would have turned the tide, acquitting him. Socrates had the chance to avoid a sentence of death once the verdict came in. It was a practice of the Athenian law system to allow the defendant to put forth another punishment, and the jury would choose between the two. However, the punishment that Socrates suggested was merely a small fine, which was so minuscule a punishment that the jury had little choice but to condemn him to death. It was not for thirty days after his trial that Socrates would meet his end. During that time, his friend Crito appealed to him to escape, but Socrates believed that the harm that would come from that would be a greater harm to the city than to allow himself to follow through with the sentence, and that it would have â€Å"brought shame on his family and friends. † Socrates did not seem to fear his death. In fact, on the day upon which he was scheduled to die, he seemed quite happy and pleasant. Death was perhaps another opportunity for him to learn and experience. He was also not alone when the end came, as his wife and younger son, as well as friends, were present. He spent his last day doing what he loved best, discussing philosophy and once more passing on his wisdom. Xanthippe was taken home before his actual death took place, leaving him with his Important People of History Page 5 of 5 friends and advising them to agree if they believed what he said was truth, and to oppose it if they did not, refusing to restrain themselves. To the end, he was determined to hold onto his ideals and beliefs, and insisted on others doing so as well. After bathing and then meeting with his family once more, he met with his executioners. He was given a glass of hemlock after having its effects explained to him. After this formality, he â€Å"cheerfully took the cup and drank. † Thus ended the life of one of the most profound leaders of philosophy. Socrates, through all of his life, lived up to the ideals and beliefs that he taught. He never compromised these, even up to the day that he died. To him, the importance of remaining true to himself and his teachings was paramount, and to do otherwise would be an injustice. He did not simply talk and hope that others learned from him; he lived by example and died by the same. His legacy proved to be quite enduring, and is still a cornerstone of philosophy to this day. His students, such as Plato, helped to preserve this and pass it on. Without Plato and others, little would be known today of Socrates. The impression he made was a lasting one, and a good example even today, encouraging people not to be afraid to question and discuss, because without these things, learning cannot be successful. Works Cited Bury, J. B. and Russell Meiggs. A History of Greece. London: Macmillan Education LTD, 1975. Nails, Debra. â€Å"Socrates. † Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 16 Sept. 2005. . Stone, I. F. The Trial of Socrates. New York: Doubleday, 1989.

John Locke”S Social Contract Theory Essay

This paper analyzes the social contract theory of John Locke and how his values are consistent with the criminal justice system and private security settings of today. It will further discuss whether or not Locke’s’ values and principles apply to both criminal justice and private security venues. I will also summarize the major differences of the social contract theories; identify the key principles associated with Locke’s social contract theory; identify how these principles are inculcated in the U. S. Bill of Rights; identify how these principles play out in the criminal justice system and security settings of today and finally describe freedom in relationship to personal rights and ethical standards and obligations. To begin with, Locke’s theory is one in which he felt that man should have individual freedom and rights, which for all intense purposes equates to what democracy is in modern times. He believed in the concept of individual freedoms and government, also known as liberalism. He had a great respect for man’s moral judgment and thought that men were all â€Å"pleasant chaps†. Locke’s’ ideals were that of a capitalist mentality, and exercised perfect freedom in relation to fulfilling financial interests. He believed in an orderly society in which we should leave the state of affairs in every man’s hands within that orderly society. And last but certainly not least, he believed in separation of powers and in the system of checks and balances. How is liberalism in the criminal justice system today? We are very fortunate to live in a time where we can exercise our own individual thoughts. As I Iook at the criminal justice system of today, I believe that our right to have freedom of speech goes a long way in helping to make decisions based on who we should follow and what we feel is right and wrong. In order to see the major differences of the social contract theories, we must take a look at the major theories as a whole. Well to begin with, Hobbes believed in the absolute power of kings. He also believed in the â€Å"state of nature† which said that all individuals were naturally equal. He thought that they should do whatever they needed to do to survive. As a result, everyone suffered from continued fear and danger of violent death; and the life of man was solidary; poor; nasty; poor; brutish, and short. He believed that the government was a leviathan that would swallow up the people. His government was headed by the king and that king was better than a group. He warned against the church meddling in the king’s affairs and felt that the king was more powerful than God. He felt that the people should obey the king or choose to die. The other schools of thought came from what are called the enlightenment group which is comprised of Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu. They wanted to improve human conditions on earth. They generally valued natural rights as well as reason, religious tolerance, and science. We’ll begin with Locke. Locke agreed with Hobbs about the state of brutality and the natural law, but disagreed with other points. First, he felt that man by nature was a social animal. He believed that the natural right of an individual could never be taken away or even voluntarily given away. In the state of nature, men mostly kept their promises and honored their obligations, and though insecure, they were mostly peaceful, good, and pleasant. According to Locke, the natural rights of individuals limited the power of the king thus he did not have absolute power as Hobbes said, but acted only to enforce and protect the natural rights of the people. Although Locke spoke out for freedom of thought, speech and religion, he believed property to be the most important natural right. Rousseau felt that man was essentially good – â€Å"a noble savage† in the state of nature. This goes back to when there were mainly animals roaming around and the condition of man was uncivilized. Once societal standards came along, he felt that man became unhappy because society was artificial and corrupt. He felt that furthering society would be the cause of more unhappiness. He believed that the advancement of the arts and sciences did not benefit mankind. On the other hand, progress of knowledge made government more powerful and crushed individual liberty. He felt that the material progress had actually undermined the possibility of sincere friendship, replacing it with jealousy, fear and suspicion. He felt that we could secure freedom regardless of the will of the majority. In some respects he agreed with Locke, but he also felt that the community should be in charge. He was an idealistic thinker who derived the â€Å"We the People† in the constitution. He felt that religion divided and weakened the state. Montesquieu believed that all things were made up of rules and laws that never changed. He believed that there were three types of government: monarchy, ruled by a king, a republic, ruled by an elected leader and a despotism, ruled by a dictator. Of these, he believed that a government elected by the people was the best form of government. Along this line, he believed that the success of a democracy (a government in which the people have the power) depended upon maintaining the right balance of power. He further believed that all people were not equal and he approved of slavery. He felt that women were the weaker sex and should obey their husbands but also felt that women had the ability to function in government feeling that they had a calm gentleness that were helpful qualities in the decision making processes in government. Thomas Hobbes (1651), John Locke (1689), and Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1762) are the most famous social contract thinkers. Each drew quite different conclusions about the nature of political authority. Hobbes advocated absolute monarchy, Locke advocated natural rights, and Rousseau advocated collective sovereignty in the name of the general will. The Lockean concept of the social contract was invoked in the United States Declaration of Independence, which clearly states, â€Å"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, – That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the Governed†¦. â€Å",. The key principles associated with Locke’s theory are that in their natural state humans are drawn to doing good over evil; that they naturally know right from wrong, and that naturally humans prefer peace over chaos. His views are justly stated as (1) that all men are created equal; (2) that our rights are given divinely by our creator; (3) that government exists to secure and protect those rights, and (4) government exists by the consent of the governed, namely you and I. These principles play out with relation to the criminal justice system and private security setting of today by attempting to maintain peace and justice over chaos, and by helping society to live in its natural state. It is also within our realm to be fair and just with our response to crimes. One such specification is that we should be swift, balanced and just in our reaction to crimes and criminal behavior. Along these lines, it is essentially important that, for example, we decide on an appropriate punishment for the exercise of a capital punishment such as murder and rape. Locke set forth the view that the state exists to preserve the natural rights of its citizens. When governments fail in that task, citizens have the right and sometimes the duty to withdraw their support and even to rebel. Locke’s social contract theory inculcated in The U. S. Bill of Rights by his argument that governments, by virtue of the ‘social contract,’ are responsible for protecting the natural rights (life, liberty, and ownership of property) of citizens and he was in favor of participation of the people in government affairs, and their input is clearly embedded in the Declaration of Independence of 1776. We know that the Bill of Rights stipulated freedom of speech and prohibited cruel and unusual punishment. And finally freedom in relationship to personal rights and ethical standards and obligations has to do with our long list of personal freedoms and the ability to carry them out. We have the right to speak, to go where and when we want; we can go to work; go to church, we have the right to worship a God of our choosing; and we have the right to pursue happiness as stated in the U. S. Constitution. References Wikipedia: Thomas Hobbs Wikipedia: John Locke Wikipedia: Charles Montesquieu Wikipedia: Jean-Jacques Rousseau www. billofrightsinstitute. org www. lampstandfoundation,org/criminaljusticeprinciples www. rjgeib. com/thoughts/montesqui.