A Long Journey Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

A Long Journey - Essay Example Auster differs from Nathaniel in one aspect, he find himself in a state of oscillation, moves from one place to another and talks with his friends on different things about his father, recollecting those limited moments which he had spent with his father. His talking style also switches from one point to other. This may also be due to the sudden death of his father. As far as the fact is concerned Auster’s father was not a sick person, but he suspects that the reason could be the reflection of his maternal grandfather’s murder. The flash back shows some violence that had happened in his family.His search relies on finding a father from the memories of his childhood days spent with him. He goes to the house where his father lived and finds out the old photos. Auster is reminded of those days through that photo, where he stands along with his father. His search is not only to find out his father but he wants to get a clear notion of father and son relationship. In pursuit of his father he sees his inside. The following comment would help in understanding the search of Auster â€Å"A sense of deep meaning and self-determination† [1]says the review regarding The portrait of an Invisible Man. Though some critics comment as Auster has lost his continuity.†Auster seems to have lost his sense of continuity†[Review Summary]. As it is very clear that Auster cannot find his father flesh and blood and more over his sanity teaches him the reality Auster considers his father as an invisible man. When he starts recollecting he feels his father’s presence, when the death news rules over him he realizes he cannot come back. Here lies the theme that his father is an invisible man. Nathaniel’s father dies leaving alone his two families and a eleven year old son, who in none but Nathaniel himself. His search goes in terms of finding

Importance of Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Importance of Education - Essay Example Through their individual stories, Rodriguez and Rose confess how they manage to relieve themselves of discomfort in learning and struggle forward with passionate heart for studies the moment they came across instructors and academic settings which have altogether brought their mood to relish the learning experience. Both Rose and Rodriguez give account to how education has gradually shaped their immature attitude to adopt scholastic behavior upon deriving inspiration from educators who serve as their key models in the course of establishing the right habit and fascination to study. In the light of understanding â€Å"The Achievement of Desire†, Rodriguez attempts to make central the theme of invoking a comparative perception between his education at school and the degree of parental intervention that he expects to coincide with it. Rodriguez expresses that their family belongs to a working class and it is the state of his original culture and economy as being of Mexican descen t that prevents him at first to study English. However, since he becomes subjected to an interactive classroom environment facilitated by an articulate instructor, he gets accustomed to English as the medium of instruction and further loves reading to the extent that he locks himself away from all external cares at home. Apparently, the more that Rodriguez gets deeply engaged with curricular activities at school, the more that his parents get less involved in constituting his academic foundation despite the fact that he acquires a growing appreciation for the subjects. Because Rodriguez has found an ample sense of fulfillment in books and intellectual discourse in his class with an encouraging teacher, he comes to the realization that the lack of education of his hard-working parents forms a potential ground why whatever he learns at home occurs to have insignificant worth. As a consequence, he ends up with a student character who greatly looks up to the teaching figure of the forma l institution yet feels indifferent in communicating with his mother and his father, feeling embarrassed that they have not reached the same level of education that could have made his parents a non-academic community capable of enhancing his confidence over academic needs. On the other hand, one comprehends Rose in â€Å"I Just Wanna Be Average† as he acknowledges his confusion with the educational process of the vocational track and observes how other students like him are merely taking chances in passing their subjects, knowing that such status merely earns them an opportunity of landing a job with some economy of average value. Rose mentions particular names of batch-mates and faculty staff like Ted Richard, Dave Snyder, Ken Harvey, Brother Slattery, and Brother Clint with brief information in the process of his observation to determine how the system of education works and finds out that it is rather useless to study courses such as mathematics and physical science when students have very low inclination to these areas of learning especially if they cannot seem to designate connection of these subjects to the practical aspect of living. It turns out that unlike Rodriguez, Rose does not hold his parents accountable for the path he takes in education though they seem to have exhibited negligible attention on this matter for Rose admits in the story that they themselves fall short in

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Assignment

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) - Assignment Example VAWA has reauthorized funds for the prosecution processes. According to Doerner (2012), the creation of a national domestic violence hotline is also a provision of VAWA. Every victim of domestic violence has a right to use this hotline at any time. It has also allocated funds for different kinds of programs and initiatives which include shelter for the victims, education programs and programs to increase outreach to women living in rural areas (Doerner, 2012). In accordance to VAWA laws, it is a crime for a person convicted of domestic violence to transport, receive or possess firearms or ammunition. Government officials are exempt from this ban if the firearm is government issued (Nicoletti et al, 2010). The allocation of funds for initiatives and programs to support the victims of crime has tremendously improved their lives. The services offered such as healthcare and education has helped them restructure their lives and live comfortably. Reported cases of violence such as sexual assault and battery have reduced since the enactment of VAWA. This has a positive impact especially to girls and women who are the major victims (Biden, 2005). The federal civil right of action encourages women to make false allegations, and petition for child custody. This may lead to fathers being denied of the rights of being with their children. A woman seeking help from a center funded by VAWA is offered the option of leaving her husband, divorcing him and accusing him of being a criminal. VAWA makes all women victims of men (Schlafly, 2005). One of the controversial remedies has been the ban on possession of guns by anyone convicted of domestic violence. Firearms and domestic violence are a deadly combination. Abusers who have access to firearms pose a great threat not only to those they have abused but also to the larger society. Ineffective implementation of the laws by judges, as well as those in civil and criminal justice system, may bring a threat of injury or death to

The Importance of Analysis and Analytical Skills to the Manager Making Essay

The Importance of Analysis and Analytical Skills to the Manager Making Decisions in Business - Essay Example Specifically, the study evaluates the structured analytical approach to problems solving and discusses the concept of decision making. This is then followed by a critical analysis of three types of management decision making methods; project plan, financial modeling and diagrammatic representation. These methods are then discussed together in relation to management, before arriving at a conclusion on the study. Structured Analytical Approach to Problem Solving Management in the business world often presents with complex problems that call on managers to develop better approaches to problem solutions. Bonem (2011, p. 1-2) discusses the need for the structured analytical approach to solving problems, explaining that the aging and retiring of the baby boomer (or elderly) generation of workers takes away the invaluable experience needed in decision making. Thus, the author argues that the present managerial aspects of businesses need to adopt a structured analytical approach that will co unter the complexity of organisational problems and the lack of experiential knowledge. The structured analytical approach involves a cyclical multi-stage approach to decision making. Proctor (2010, p. 273) argues that the structured approach involves a number of discernible activities at each stage in the cycle; objective finding, fact finding, idea finding, problem finding, solution finding and acceptance finding. Cooke and Slack (1991) provide for a decentralised approach to executing the cyclic stages. This involves one or more individuals executing the component tasks of decision analysis which include administration, evaluation and implementation. The tow scholars present a normative cyclic approach consisting of 8 stages that involve recognition of the problem, objective setting, understanding the problem, determination of the options available, evaluation of the options established, selecting the most appropriate and effective option, implementation of the solution and monit oring. The structured analytical approach to problem solving as discussed above is a formidable approach to a business context as it addresses the root causes of the problem, identifies and assesses all possible strategic options and settles on the best. It also provides for monitoring, and the cyclic nature allows for awareness and readiness to face organisational problems and challenges which helps to avoid impetuous decision making. However, the approach is idealistic and requires being adapted to the specific context of the business environment (Cooke and Slack 1991). Thus, a manager should manipulate/customise it to suit the specificity in the environment and problem. The Concept of Managerial Decision Making Wang (2010, pp. 28-33) states that decision making is the process of choosing the best alternative to achieve goals in light of finite resources. The author argues that the concept of decision making cannot be divorced from resource allocation and the process of execution as these are dependent on sound decisions for success. Decision making is closely interrelated with problem solving, which Reza and Fahimi (2003, p. 2) define as the process of identifying and filling gaps on a desired and an actual organisational state. The authors relate decision making and structured problem solving, explaining that decision mak

Sustainability plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Sustainability plan - Essay Example Organizers of London Olympic games had put sustainability into their heart to ensure sufficient demonstration on how games can provide a chance to show case changes on how people live, perform their duties, building styles and business practice to the beneficial of a healthy life within the limit of resources available on earth. The London Olympic strategy was laid through a subdivision into groups, assigning each group with its own responsibility and managed by a committee. The committees were to execute over the raising of funds, planning infrastructural development and provision of legislation in governance to ensure that everybody from the United Kingdom at least benefited from the Olympic Games. Introduction London Olympic Games and the Paralympics games hosted in 2012were to be used beyond what is just done in sports, but to enable people around the world to develop a sense of friendship and to facilitate sharing of culture as an attempt of exposing diversity (Great Britain 200 7). The organizers based their strategies on economical, social and environmental sustainability. Other than the influence on sports, London Olympic Games organizers incorporated different authorities and assigned roles to ensure that playing of games was to create a perpetual legacy to all its citizens. A number of strategies were placed forward to ensure that games influenced all the communities residing in United Kingdom by creating job opportunities, enhancing business infrastructure and providing training in different areas to improve the life standards. However, these strategies were narrowed down to address the areas of climate change, waste disposal, biodiversity, infrastructure development and provision of health (Brebbia 2013). Biodiversity Biodiversity has become one of the major vital elements in sustenance of the environmental economy. It serves a basic duty of enhancing balance of the climate changes, ensures sustainable maintenance of the water catchment areas and emb races the available natural resources making them sufficient to support life and make it desirable (MacRury and Poynter 2009). The Olympic movement in the recent years has taken it as a priority to ensure that environment is made sustainable for all the inhabitants. The London Olympic 2012 organizers made it as a provision of maintaining the ecology by promoting the relevance of natural environment. With assistance of international sports centre and the United Kingdom, the Olympic organizers managed to improve different number of sites including the lower Lea valley. After the amendments of some laws to give way for improvements, the organizers thereafter developed most sites as a way of enhance diversity (MacRury and Poynter 2009). For instance, at Lea valley nature plant seeds were collected with a motive of sustaining indigenous plant species. Quite a number of reptiles who resided within the valley under natural circumstances were relocated to appropriate sites. The organizers a lso created artificial nests of some birds as a way of safeguarding species of birds like the kingfisher whose population were dwindling rapidly. Inclusion Inclusion involves the culture of breaking down

Instructional Design Essay Example for Free

Instructional Design Essay Task analysis is often considered the most critical component of instructional design. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not? Task analysis is a critical component in the instructional design process because it provides important information about the content and/or tasks that will form the basis for the instruction being developed. Careful consideration must be taken to ensure that there is a clear understanding of what learners are to know or are able to accomplish by participating in instruction. Coming to this understanding requires the identification of the type of content that will make up the instruction and in what sequence this content should be provided (Brown Green, 2005). I must agree that a task analysis is very critical in the instructional design process. It serves as a guide for teachers and learner of which to lead each to the end product-successful implementation and application. Support your response with examples. The mathematics teacher knows that she needs to conduct a task analysis to determine the steps her students need to take in order to master the skills taught. With following the procedural analysis approach, she analyzed the task of adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators by identifying the various steps required to successfully complete the task. In conducting the procedural analysis, the teacher went through the each step sequentially. Once they had the steps listed, the student performed the task through practice and eventually became more comfortable with the skill. The process helped the teacher identify if there were any missing steps. The result of the procedural analysis was a flowchart that identified the different sub steps that needed to take place in order for the students master the skill when different scenarios occur, such as regrouping when subtracting fractions. The flowchart was compared to the implementation of the skill the previous year. The teacher determined that the previous implementation left out important steps and that new implementation proved that needed to be developed.

Housing and Employment Barriers for Ex-Offenders

Housing and Employment Barriers for Ex-Offenders Background Inmates in America often face barriers from prison to successful reentry back into the community. They are often released with a bus ticket and a minimal amount of gate money. They reenter back into the community with no health insurance, no guidance with employment, and no financial resource for housing. In 1999, approximately 33 percent of state prison releases were drug offenders, 25 percent were violent offenders, and 31 percent were property offenders (Hughes Wilson, 2017). There are approximately 13 million people admitted to and released from jail (Solomon, 2012). In 2007, more than 725,000 inmates were released from state and federal prisons in the United States (Baillargeon, et. al, 2010). By the end of 2010, the United States federal and state prison facilities held over 1.6 million prisoners. Approximately 95 percent of all state prisoners will eventually be released from prison, and an estimated 80 percent will be released on parole supervision (Hughes Wilson, 2017). There are approximately 730,000 inmates that are released on a yearly basis (Mears Mestre, 2012). A study that looked at recidivism in over 40 states concluded that more than four out of 10 offenders will return to state prison within three years of their release (Justice Center The Council of State Governments, 2017).There were 23 percent of adults exiting parole in 2010 which: 127,918 individuals returned back to prison due to violating their terms of supervision, 9 percent of adults exited parole in 2010, and 49,334 individuals returned to prison for a new conviction (Council of State Governments, 2017) Barriers to Employment The two most common barriers that inmates in America face are securing employment and housing (Gideon Sung, 2011). Ex-offenders are having a difficult time with finding employment after being released from prison, which is a huge barrier to successfully transitioning back into the community. Ex-offenders who are able to find jobs are normally referred by their family or friends. The programs that are successful with helping ex-offenders find employment are limited in capacity and geographic reach (Gideon Sung, 2011). The jobs that are likely to hire ex-offenders are scarce due to downsizing. There are several barriers that ex-offenders face when trying to find employment. Those who have history of being convicted for a felony are legally prohibited from certain occupations: Those that work with population who are deemed vulnerable Child care Nursing Private sector jobs-barber, beautician, pharmacist, embalmer, optometrist, plumber, and real estate professional (Gideon Sung, 2011) However, this does vary from state-to-state. There are jobs that offenders are restricted from pursuing in which prisoners receive training for while imprisoned. A study conducted on employers in Los Angeles concluded that businesses that check criminal backgrounds are less likely to hire those with a criminal record. Thus, background checks hinder ex-offenders chances of securing employment. Employers are allowed to deny jobs to those with a criminal record or those who hold an arrest record. A survey concluded that more than 60 percent of employers would not hire those with a criminal record (Solomon, 2012). Pager conducted an experimental audit and found that both race and a criminal record plays a factor in finding employment. Only five percent of Blacks with a criminal record received a call back. 14 percent of Blacks without a criminal record were called back by employers. Whereas, 17 percent of Whites with a criminal record received a call back from employers. 34 percent of Whites without a criminal record were called by employers (Gideon Sung, 2011). There was a three-state sample that concluded 45% of the 65% of employed ex-offenders continued to be employed (Gideon Sung, 2011). A new study concluded that an estimated one-third of American adults were arrested by the time they were 23 years old (Solomon, 2012). Criminal records keep many people from finding a job even though they have paid their dues, are qualified for the job, and are less likely to reoffend. Regardless of the type of crime committed, a criminal record will hinder an ex-offenders chances of finding employment. Amongst 75 largest counties, there were an estimated one-third of felony arrests that did not lead to conviction. Yet, the arrest still shows on the criminal background, which affects the chances of them getting a job. Most arrests are for minor or nonviolent offenses. In 2009, only four percent of 14 million arrests consisted of violent crimes, including murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault (Solomon, 2012). Ex-offenders who are African American may experience racial discrimination when looking for employment compared to Whites. Devah Pager conducted two studies involving employment audits of men in Milwaukee and New York City. Both studies were funded by the National Institute of Justice and found that having a criminal record does reduce ones chance of getting a call back or a job offer by an estimate of 50 percent (Solomon, 2012). African Americans were penalized for having a criminal record in comparison to White applicants. More recent studies reported that Latinos also suffered from having a criminal record and had a more difficult time finding employment compared to Whites. Arrests in 2009 by Offense (Solomon, 2012) Type of Offense Crimes Property Crimes (18% of arrests) Burglary Larceny-theft Motor vehicle theft Arson Vandalism Stolen property Forgery Counterfeiting Fraud embezzlement Drug Crimes (12% of arrests) Production Distribution Use of Controlled Substances Other Crimes (56% of all arrests) Disorderly conduct Drunkenness Prostitution Vagrancy Loitering Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Weapons Violations Ban The Box The number of governmental entities and advocates increased, and they support removing the box on employment application to help ex-offenders stand a higher chance of being employed. Ban the Box is a movement that was established in 2003 (Bergen Bressler, 2016). It is also known as Fair Chance Act. Their goal is to remove the criminal history box to encourage employers to consider applicants based on their credentials and qualifications versus their conviction. It is difficult for ex-offenders who have a criminal record to secure employment because employers perceive them as being untrustworthy, lacking relevant job skills, and inclined to steal (Bergen Bressler, 2016). According to the Justice Department, approximately 60 to 75 percent of former inmates are unable to find employment within their first year out of jail (Bergen Bressler, 2016). Ban the Box law will impose restrictions on what employers can inquire based on criminal history by limiting: What can be asked prior to being hired When can inquiries be made The amount of investigation done on ones criminal history record (Bergen Bressler, 2016). Hawaii was the first state to adopt a fair-chance law, which applied to public and private employment (excluding the federal government) in 1998 (Bergen Bressler, 2016). Such statute restricts an employer from inquiring about an applicants history of conviction prior to being hired. There are other states that established statewide or local laws of Ban the Box, including: California, Oregon, New York, Texas, Washington, and Washington D.C. (Hire Image Background Screening Specialist, 2017). New York City adopted a Fair Chance Act, which makes it illegal for employers to inquire about a criminal record of potential applicants prior to making a job offer (NYC, 2016). Barriers to Housing Housing is another common barrier that ex-offenders face when released back into the community. Ex-offenders find it difficult to find temporary housing on their own and lack funds to rent a place of their own. Thus, the majority tends to live with their family members once released from prison. An Urban Institute study concluded that an estimated three quarters of those released in Chicago planned to live with family (Gideon Sung, 2011). 88 percent were living with family 4 to 8 months later (Gideon Sung, 2011). 30 percent of female releasees reported being physically or sexually abused by family members they end up staying with (Gideon Sung, 2011). 12 percent of male Chicago releasees reported being physically abused or threatened by a family member months before incarceration (Gideon Sung, 2011). Housing is a significant barrier as landlords will deny ex-offenders tenancy due to their criminal record, and are unable to afford market rent or provide a security deposit. This is the reason why approximately 10 to 50% of parolees become homeless (Gideon Sung, 2011). Although there are other housing resources that ex-offenders could resort to, they have a limited capacity. There are also limitations on ex-offenders who were convicted of sex crimes. The Megans Law requires sex offenders to register and is supported by 47 states, which makes offenders ineligible for public housing. There are 31 states that have laws similar to Jessicas Law, which limits convicted sex offenders (Gideon Sung, 2011). This includes restricting where sex offenders can live, and are required to distance themselves from schools or parks. Prison Fellowship Prison fellowship is a reentry program available to ex-offenders. It is a Christian-based program that aims at giving hope, healing, and a new purpose for life to each ex-offender because they believe that the most broken situations can be made whole again (Prison Fellowship, 2017). This program also provides advice and guidance on how to overcome barriers, including: housing, employment, and finances. It is beneficial to ex-offenders as they will be provided with advice on the necessary resources that they need to successfully transition back into the community. Other Barriers Ex-offenders who have felony drug convictions deal with legal limitations. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity and Reconciliation Act of 1996 bans those convicted for a felony drug charge for a lifetime. Meaning, these offenders are unable to receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and food stamps (Gideon Sung). This tends to be a barrier that some ex-offenders face when released because it reduces their income. Also, drug offenders who intended on going back to school are unable to take out a student loan (Gideon Sung, 2011). Cognitive-Behavioral Approaches Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) consists of various treatment interventions. CBT can help with changing peoples feelings, including their values (Gideon Sung, 2011). This type of approach helps offenders with gaining self-control and responsibility toward others and the community. There are six CBT programs that are most commonly used in correctional settings: Aggression Replacement Training (ART) Criminal Conduct and Substance Abuse Treatment Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) Reasoning and Rehabilitation (RR) Relapse Prevention Therapy (RPT) Thinking for a Change (T4C) (Gideon Sung, 2011) These programs will help rehabilitate offenders and they will stand a chance to successfully face difficult barriers that they may encounter. Such programs have been extensively experimented with among various types of offenders, including juvenile offenders, substance-abusing offenders, sex offenders, sex offenders, and violent offenders (Gideon Sung, 2011). Conclusion It is important that these barriers ex-offenders face are addressed in order for them to have a successful transition back into the community. The people of America need to be informed of these barriers so that we can help make a difference in our communities by reducing the rate of recidivism. This will allow our communities to be safeguarded from ex-offenders so long as they are able to successfully transition back into our community. Their wrongdoings and criminal activity does not only impact themselves, it also impacts their loved ones and those who are victimized. Therefore, it is important to know the statistics and studies of barriers that hinder the reintegration of ex-offenders in which we could help them successfully overcome the barriers that they may have a difficult time with. References Baillargeon, J., Hoge, S.K., Penn, J.V. 2010. Addressing the challenge of community reentry among released inmates with serious mental illness. American Journal of Community Psychology, 46, 361-375. doi: 10.1007/s10464-010-9345-6 Ban the box laws. 2017. Hire Image Background Specialists. Retrieved online from http://www.hireimage.com/ban-the-box/ Bergen, V. Bressler, M. S. 2016. Ban the box: Protecting employer rights while improving opportunities for ex-offender job seekers. Employer Relations Law Journal, 42, 26-50. Fair chance act. 2016. NYC. Retrieved online from https://www1.nyc.gov/site/cchr/media/fair-chance-act-campaign.page Gideon, L., Sung, H. 2011. Rethinking corrections rehabilitation, reentry, and reintegration. SAGE Publications: Thousand Oaks, CA. Hughes, T. Wilson D.J. 2017. Reentry tends in the United States: inmates returning to the community after serving time in prison. Bureau of Justice Statistics. Retrieved online from https://www.bjs.gov/content/reentry/reentry.cfm Mears, D. P., Mestre, J. (2012). Prisoner reentry, employment, signaling, and the better identification of Desisters. Criminology Public Policy, 11(1), 5-15. DOI:10.1111/j.1745-9133.2012.00 NRRC facts and trends. 2017. Justice Center The Council of State Governments. Retrieved online from https://csgjusticecenter.org/nrrc/facts-and-trends/ Preparing for reentry. 2017. Prison Fellowship. Retrieved online from https://www.prisonfellowship.org/resources/support-friends-family-of-prisoners/resources-for-reentry/# Scanlon, W. (2001). Ex-convicts: A workplace diversity issue. Employee Assistance Quarterly, 16, 35-51. doi:10.1300/J022v16n04_03 Solomon, A. 2012. In search of a job: Criminal records as barriers to employment. Office of Justice Programs National Institute of Justice. Retrieved online from https://www.nij.gov/journals/270/Pages/criminal-records.aspx