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Showing posts with label societal expectations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label societal expectations. Show all posts
Friday, January 29, 2010
This article is authored and owned entirely by my wife Jeanette Stonecipher.
Why were the Willowbrooks able to exist? I believe that the intentions of the medical professionals were to have a safe, comfortable and productive environment for places like Willowbrook, but instead "professionals" were hired to run these facilities. There lack of training and burn out was a contributing factor that social workers and caregivers experienced. Compounding this problem is that legislation was not in place to protect individuals who were placed in these institutions.
If Kennedy stated they were snake pits in the late 1960's and Geraldo went in with his hidden camera in 1972, why did it take till 1987 to close it down completely? History has shown us that when it comes to making changes within social and health situations our government is slow to react. In my state of Washington, non-profit agencies have advocated to our state legislators for several years to close our mental institutions. Western State Hospital is currently one of the largest mental institutions in the nation. According to Wikipedia (2009), "Western State Hospital is a mental hospital on the former Fort Steilacoom in Lakewood, Washington. The largest psychiatric hospital west of the Mississippi, it is administered by Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). It opened in 1871, predating statehood by almost twenty years, and is the second oldest state institution after the University of Washington. [1] For about three months in 1944 and much of 1945-1950 (except for a brief parole in 1946), actress Frances Farmer was committed there by her mother.
According to my co-worker who has an adult child that has disability issues, she used this institution for respite. My co-worker was extremely angry when she knew that Western State Hospital was in the process of closing its doors. I have heard from professionals as well as those who argue that Western State Hospital should remain. There argument is based from advocates that the sprawling grounds provide patients the opportunity to enjoy the plush greenery. If the patients were forced to live in community based housing, they would lose the beautiful Western Washington Grounds. In my opinion, this argument is a backwards way of thinking. This thinking continues to de-humanize the perception of people with intellectual disabilities. All people with disabilities should be afforded the right to choose to live in community based housing. They should have the right to choose where to live, who their friends are and have community access just as anyone else would.
What does this type of treatment of individuals tells me about what we thought of disabilities is that maybe society thought people were subhuman and didn’t have any rights. Parents felt they didn’t have any options and may not have wanted to know what was going on. Parents didn’t question authority because doctors and social workers are they experts.
For more on Disability issues see my friend Carol at Journey through the Cortex: Journey Through My GI System Continued: I get a Barium Swallow
Journey through the Cortex: Journey Through My GI System Continued: I get a Barium Swallow
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
According to Siegel, Welsh, and Senna (2007), “there are also some distinct gender differences in the effect. For males, the path runs from delinquency to problems at work and substance abuse: For females, antisocial behavior in youth leads to relationship problems, depression, tendency to commit suicide, and poor health in adulthood” (p.151). They also contend that when we discuss gender differences we must keep in mind that there is little evidence that proves “males are more impulsive than females” (p. 151).
Siegel, Welsh, and Senna (2007) also claim that there are gender differences in violent behavior. Male juveniles are more likely to use a gun in a murder of a friend or acquaintance. “In contrast, the typical female is as likely to kill a family member as an acquaintance and is more likely to use a knife” (p. 178).
Humes (1996) discussed the gender differences in sentencing for male and female criminal delinquent behavior by stating, “Of the four people involved in the failed robbery of Shorty’s house, George has fared the worst. Bambi and JoJo, whose criminal records were no better than George’s, were under sixteen; she got straight probation, he went to a probation camp in the mountains outside of LA for six months” (p. 119).
One of the earliest researches conducted in female delinquency focused on Trait Theories. Dr. Mosher stated that early views of female delinquency were that females who were involved in criminal behavior where inherently evil or physically maladapted. Dr. Mosher went on to discuss Cesare Lombroso’s theory on female delinquency. Lombroso claimed that women were lower on the evolutionary scale than men, more childlike, and less intelligent. According to Siegel, Welsh, and Senna (2007), Lombroso came up with the masculinity hypothesis “suggested that delinquent girls had excessive male characteristics” (p. 179).
Penis envy was one of the earliest claims of female delinquent behavior. According to the video tape lecture (2), Dr. Mosher said that ‘Freudian Theories claim that little girls lost their penis and therefore are vengeful. Seigel, Welsh, & Senna (2006) also interpret the Freudian Theories as followed; Sigmund Freud maintained that girls interpret their lack of a penis as a sign that they have been punished. Boys fear that they can be punished by having their penis cut off, and thus learn to fear women. From this conflict came penis envy, which often produces an inferiority complex in girls, forcing them to make an effort to compensate for their “defect”….
At mid-century, psychodynamics theorists suggested that girls are socialized to be passive, which helps explain their low crime rate. However, this condition also makes some females susceptible to being manipulated by men; hence, their participation in sex-related crimes such as prostitution. A girl’s wayward behavior, psychoanalysts suggested, was restricted to neurotic theft (Kleptomania) and overt sexual acts, which were symptoms of personality maladaption (p. 183).
Humes (1996) discusses the correlation between the losses of a parental figure at a young age to the possibility of adolescent delinquent criminal behavior. Humes (1996) stated, It was tough for Carla’s mother to get a handle on her daughter. The girl had always been closer to her father…She was his little sidekick, working on the car, mowing the lawn, walking to the hardware store to mess with the bins of bolts and nuts and tools: if Dad was doing it, Carla wanted to do it.
His death in a car accident when she was nine devastated Carla leaving her depressed and withdrawn for many months, then resentful of her brothers, sisters, and mother when they picked up the pieces of their lives and tried to move forward (p. 48).
Siegel, Welsh, and Senna (2007) also claim that there are gender differences in violent behavior. Male juveniles are more likely to use a gun in a murder of a friend or acquaintance. “In contrast, the typical female is as likely to kill a family member as an acquaintance and is more likely to use a knife” (p. 178).
Humes (1996) discussed the gender differences in sentencing for male and female criminal delinquent behavior by stating, “Of the four people involved in the failed robbery of Shorty’s house, George has fared the worst. Bambi and JoJo, whose criminal records were no better than George’s, were under sixteen; she got straight probation, he went to a probation camp in the mountains outside of LA for six months” (p. 119).
One of the earliest researches conducted in female delinquency focused on Trait Theories. Dr. Mosher stated that early views of female delinquency were that females who were involved in criminal behavior where inherently evil or physically maladapted. Dr. Mosher went on to discuss Cesare Lombroso’s theory on female delinquency. Lombroso claimed that women were lower on the evolutionary scale than men, more childlike, and less intelligent. According to Siegel, Welsh, and Senna (2007), Lombroso came up with the masculinity hypothesis “suggested that delinquent girls had excessive male characteristics” (p. 179).
Penis envy was one of the earliest claims of female delinquent behavior. According to the video tape lecture (2), Dr. Mosher said that ‘Freudian Theories claim that little girls lost their penis and therefore are vengeful. Seigel, Welsh, & Senna (2006) also interpret the Freudian Theories as followed; Sigmund Freud maintained that girls interpret their lack of a penis as a sign that they have been punished. Boys fear that they can be punished by having their penis cut off, and thus learn to fear women. From this conflict came penis envy, which often produces an inferiority complex in girls, forcing them to make an effort to compensate for their “defect”….
At mid-century, psychodynamics theorists suggested that girls are socialized to be passive, which helps explain their low crime rate. However, this condition also makes some females susceptible to being manipulated by men; hence, their participation in sex-related crimes such as prostitution. A girl’s wayward behavior, psychoanalysts suggested, was restricted to neurotic theft (Kleptomania) and overt sexual acts, which were symptoms of personality maladaption (p. 183).
Humes (1996) discusses the correlation between the losses of a parental figure at a young age to the possibility of adolescent delinquent criminal behavior. Humes (1996) stated, It was tough for Carla’s mother to get a handle on her daughter. The girl had always been closer to her father…She was his little sidekick, working on the car, mowing the lawn, walking to the hardware store to mess with the bins of bolts and nuts and tools: if Dad was doing it, Carla wanted to do it.
His death in a car accident when she was nine devastated Carla leaving her depressed and withdrawn for many months, then resentful of her brothers, sisters, and mother when they picked up the pieces of their lives and tried to move forward (p. 48).
Friday, December 11, 2009
According to Eshelman & Bulcroft (2006), “Five social transitions that have affected or continued to affect Americans are:
1. Africa to the United States
2. Slavery to emancipation
3. Rural and southern areas to urban and northern areas
4. Negative to positive social status
5. Negative to positive self image” (p. 180)
Color, cultural discontinuity and slavery are three transitional factors from Africa to the United States. Many African Americans who “look White” are often treated better in American society. The darker the skin color or tone, the more likely they will have unfair interactions in our society. This sadly is a reality when it comes to educational, economic and employment opportunities.
Many African Americans experienced cultural discontinuity. Eshelman & Bulcroft(2006) state “The system of behavior that was socially learned and shared by members of African society was not applicable to the social conditions they faced in the United States. It is perhaps difficult if not impossible find any other group who came or were brought to the United States and faced such a description of cultural pattern” (p. 180). Thus the term African American arose as many of the “African cultural patterns” were held together.
The history of slavery continues to be an issue of controversy today. Researchers Eshelman & Bulcroft (2006) note that many researchers believe that the lack of a husband and wife, two parent home and the disruption in the Black family life have a connection to the history of slavery. It is believed that more families remained intact during slavery and the mothers were and still are the authority figures due to the high mortality rates in Black men. Many of these women with children had difficulty remarrying. Too often mother and father relationships were only symbolically and loosely held together. The men typically congregated together going place to place searching for work. After the emancipation, many of the freed slaves were left without resources for survival and therefore remained tenants, sometimes unpaid to the former owners.
From Negative to Positive Social Status:
According to Eshelman & Bulcroft (2006), African Americans consistently been viewed by society and by Daniel Patrick Moynihan as a weakened society with deteriorating families in low socioeconomic level. Research shows that the Moynihan Report was incorrect as the recent gains for African American men and women in employment, income opportunities and education have increased in recent years. Research has often failed to discuss the African American middle class. The middle class African American household is typically headed by a dual parent family unit with stable marriages and white collar or educational jobs. Males typically have “a high school education or better and occupy positions in business, government, or education. These families have more similarities than differences to the overriding white family form that society has created in the United States.
For more societal issues, you may also be interested in Land Rights and Cultural Differences in Pacific Northwest History
Make reading time enjoyable with your child with Athlyn Green's The Bed Bug That
Wouldn't Bite
1. Africa to the United States
2. Slavery to emancipation
3. Rural and southern areas to urban and northern areas
4. Negative to positive social status
5. Negative to positive self image” (p. 180)
Color, cultural discontinuity and slavery are three transitional factors from Africa to the United States. Many African Americans who “look White” are often treated better in American society. The darker the skin color or tone, the more likely they will have unfair interactions in our society. This sadly is a reality when it comes to educational, economic and employment opportunities.
Many African Americans experienced cultural discontinuity. Eshelman & Bulcroft(2006) state “The system of behavior that was socially learned and shared by members of African society was not applicable to the social conditions they faced in the United States. It is perhaps difficult if not impossible find any other group who came or were brought to the United States and faced such a description of cultural pattern” (p. 180). Thus the term African American arose as many of the “African cultural patterns” were held together.
The history of slavery continues to be an issue of controversy today. Researchers Eshelman & Bulcroft (2006) note that many researchers believe that the lack of a husband and wife, two parent home and the disruption in the Black family life have a connection to the history of slavery. It is believed that more families remained intact during slavery and the mothers were and still are the authority figures due to the high mortality rates in Black men. Many of these women with children had difficulty remarrying. Too often mother and father relationships were only symbolically and loosely held together. The men typically congregated together going place to place searching for work. After the emancipation, many of the freed slaves were left without resources for survival and therefore remained tenants, sometimes unpaid to the former owners.
From Negative to Positive Social Status:
According to Eshelman & Bulcroft (2006), African Americans consistently been viewed by society and by Daniel Patrick Moynihan as a weakened society with deteriorating families in low socioeconomic level. Research shows that the Moynihan Report was incorrect as the recent gains for African American men and women in employment, income opportunities and education have increased in recent years. Research has often failed to discuss the African American middle class. The middle class African American household is typically headed by a dual parent family unit with stable marriages and white collar or educational jobs. Males typically have “a high school education or better and occupy positions in business, government, or education. These families have more similarities than differences to the overriding white family form that society has created in the United States.
For more societal issues, you may also be interested in Land Rights and Cultural Differences in Pacific Northwest History
Make reading time enjoyable with your child with Athlyn Green's The Bed Bug That
Wouldn't Bite
Monday, November 30, 2009
Nursing home facilities emphasize privacy. They normally allow just immediate family members to visit. Many times nursing home facilities focus on rehabilitation and extending life. Hospice settings allow patients to die at home, but they are there to control pain and keep them comfortable. Friends and family members are allowed to visit at any time. Care providers, friends and family are including in the plan of care process. Many family friends come and provide service to the family such as cooking, cleaning and maybe some yard work and emotional support. Prices vary on nursing homes and hospice based on the patient’s need. This was the biggest barrier to pricing. According to Autumn Journey Hospice, “Hospice affirms life and regards dying as a normal process. It neither hastens nor postpones death.” My wife’s friend passed away last summer from brain cancer. Her family had chosen hospice for last month of her life. The family claims that it was the best thing for her and the family as they were able to say their goodbyes. Although it was still a painful grieving process as expected during the passing of a loved one, they believe they have been able to adjust and move ahead in their lives. Many people do not chose hospice as they may not have the time or emotional support to care for their loved ones.
One of our most respected nursing facilities is Whidbey Island Manor. “Whidbey Island Manor is a family-owned and operated 57-bed skilled nursing facility located in Oak Harbor, Washington.” Their mission and core values incorporated skilled care, compassion and “dignity”. They are able to care for young and elderly including adults with developmental disabilities and mental illnesses. They work towards restoring independence in efforts to return the patients to their families. If that is not possible, the goal still remains to help them be as self sufficient as possible.
I never had any misconceptions of the aging families as caring for the elderly has been part of my job for the last seven years. However, I used to believe that once the elderly checked into a nursing home, there was no return and their lives soon end. I haven’t heard of many elderly people left nursing homes after rehabilitation. I would have to say that my past research did not change any preconceived views I had. The materials seems to correlate to what I have experienced working in elderly group homes and nursing homes.
You may also be interested in Funeral Planning: If I Lived to be 120 Years Old
One of our most respected nursing facilities is Whidbey Island Manor. “Whidbey Island Manor is a family-owned and operated 57-bed skilled nursing facility located in Oak Harbor, Washington.” Their mission and core values incorporated skilled care, compassion and “dignity”. They are able to care for young and elderly including adults with developmental disabilities and mental illnesses. They work towards restoring independence in efforts to return the patients to their families. If that is not possible, the goal still remains to help them be as self sufficient as possible.
I never had any misconceptions of the aging families as caring for the elderly has been part of my job for the last seven years. However, I used to believe that once the elderly checked into a nursing home, there was no return and their lives soon end. I haven’t heard of many elderly people left nursing homes after rehabilitation. I would have to say that my past research did not change any preconceived views I had. The materials seems to correlate to what I have experienced working in elderly group homes and nursing homes.
You may also be interested in Funeral Planning: If I Lived to be 120 Years Old
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
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This is my reflection of minimum moral values.
Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
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