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Dating And The Single Parent Book Review

Dating And The Single Parent Book Review

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Dating and the Single Parent Book Review

Introduction

Single parent dating is an exciting and at the same time a very complex topic that most single parents, at one point, face either with palpitation apprehension or devout joy (Phillips & Phillips 2006). Regardless of the circumstance surrounding single parents in their singlehood life, they tend not to spend their time lonely live. Whenever they plan to begin dating, the questions that dominates their minds is; are there rules and regulations that govern single dating? At what time do they bring the children into their lives?In an attempt to answer these questions, when individuals date other single parent like themselves, the most things that they are required to discover is the custody of their arrangement. This will enable both of them to schedule their dating time without interfering with their children, who are priority in their life. It is always advisable for partners to introduce their children to the other dating partners as friends during initial stages (Deal, 2012). One should always be focused on his children than dating, so that the children feel secured.

Summary of the Book

In the case where kids predate dating, the couple’s relationship will inherently produce competing adherence. Choosing to be with children or one’s partner automatically calls for omission of the other. In this case, the children will feel left out of the new move (Deal, 2012). In addition, children usually feel unsafe with their mother’s or father’s relationship. Wise singles will always recognize this crucial dynamic and tend not to take for granted that being couples not necessarily yield to a family. They will always serve both parties and take more time evaluating how the potential stepfather or stepmother relationships are evolving.Parents, who plan to date quickly after the end of a relationship (maybe as a result of death or separation) or those who make a quick decision to marry after a shorter dating period, more often than not find their children opposing their marriage plans. Smart single parents always take a good wider look of themselves in the mirror before initiating a date (Deal, 2012). They analyze their need for dating, awes (like their children being fatherless), solitariness, and dissonant heart (particularly after divorce)Long before dating, single parents usually initiate a series of conversation with their children especially those who usually conjecture a lot about their relationships. They think of many ‘what ifs?’ questions that surround their lives and the perception and reactions attached to their children concerning their intended date. They will always engage in the questions like, what if I get married, how would my children feel? Mature single parents will never allow their children to dictate their dating progress, but will always listen and give consideration to their children attachments. Engaging in these types of conversations with single parents throughout their dating period is welcomed as they anticipate the development in each stage of the relationship.Whenever individuals fall in love, they should never abandon their family by spending much free time with their new lovers. Even though it is very tempting, doing so instills fear in their children. This is because they lose the one they love, and this gives a wrong impression about their new dating partners. As a result, they should try never to lose balance amidst your new dating (Deal, 2012).If individuals love their relationship, they should always advise your partners to go home and have some time with their children. This act will yield so many benefits; it helps to lower the fears in children regarding your relationship, at the same time, keeps perspective in their relationships. One should always remember that the relationship is as more important to the other partner’s children as it is important theirs. To the kids, liking their parent dating partner sometimes produces a problem. They are sometimes not well equipped with skills of embracing other people and accepting their feelings without hurting them. Since most children are commonly caught in royalty of conflicts, they sometimes give a warm reception to the parent’s partner, but later may develop cold reception (Deal, 2012). One should not rush to judge the children harshly, but to relax and be comfortable with what they are giving.

Potentials for ‘Dating and the Single Parent’ Book for Christians Premarital Couples

This book is not a surface-feel-good book, after flipping through all the pages, it makes one to look at him realistically. Every page is found relevant and significant to all Christians especially the single parents who are opting for dating. The author is always up front in one’s face with real issues facing single parents who are already dating and are just about to cement their relationship. The author first of all asks his readers to seek God‘s blessings in everything they do include dating (Deal, 2012). He goes further and list discussion questions so as to prevent users from repeating the same mistakes they have made in life (Phillips & Phillips, 2006). These issues are listed at the end of each chapter some with biblical supports that hammer home information and make a reader look realistically as a Christian currently dating or planning to initiate a date.The author of the book encourages the readers always to seek for God’s wisdom needed to make the best dating decisions. The Christians single parents should always be ready to follow God’s guidance even when they seem difficult. The readers should keep in mind their perspective in relationship is limited and on the other hand God’s decision is perfect, therefore, it is always important to trust in God (Phillips & Phillips, 2006). Christians should be able to understand what motivates dating and kinds of goals they have in the dating relationship. If both dating partners can walk humbly in God guidance and share common values, and both dating partners sacrifice to love each other with full hearts, then the partners’ children will be truly blessed by God. Additionally, God’s goal for single parents dating is to form a healthy marriage and a happy family.Quick dating or marriage can sometimes harm your romantic life or family relationship. Christian should take an ample time to truly get to know the ability of their spouses and their family in details before making a final decision that will entirely change their entire life and the life others concern. It is usually good to wait for at least two years after the death or divorce of the spouse before one begin to date. This is coupled with another two years after dating before deciding on marriage. The book advises the readers to be focus on becoming spiritually and emotionally healthy as they look for the right person to date. This is what God wants a single parent to practice before he begins another relationship (Phillip & Phillips, 2006). In addition, one should heal fully from trauma of divorce or death of a spouse and always lay confidence in God alone for the future prosperity. Single parents should understand that the loss of the previous marriage has brought a permanent change in their lives and their kids. They should, therefore, remain stronger and believe in Jesus Christ.

Ideas that can be Highly Criticize in the Book are as Follows

Even though the author of the book hails more reasons as to why single parents should take more time and also gives the guidelines on single parent dating, there are some of his ideas that open weakness necessary enough for critics. Some of the ideas can be criticized as follows:It usually makes sense that some men with kids always schedule and have fixed time with them. Whether they are in full custody of the children, they will always devote little time to leisure that they would have enjoyed together with dating partner. These men will tend to avoid most outings since for them to go, they may require carrying babysitters or looking for some people to take care of their kids. Some dates may be forced to be postpone or canceled in case there are no babysitters or when there are no people to take care of the kids (Munroe & Levine, 2009). This can proof tedious and sometimes bring inconvenience in the relationships.In some cases, where the single mother is in a relationship with a man with kids, the woman should know that she is in a relationship with his children, his kids’ mother, his own mother and his relatives. She should remember that his family was there long before she came into his life. The man will always take his kids and families more seriously than the dating partner. Under normal circumstances, the woman will feel she is of less priority in that relationship (Munroe & Levine, 2009).

In conclusion, the author of the book has captured most touching issues affecting single parents who are dating. His book is found relevant to modern society full of divorce cases as it gives divorcee hope of beginning another word of love. Single dating rules that are outlined in this book are found relevant even to the modern Christians because the author had used biblical references in supporting his facts. The dating rules outlines here give the do and don’ts in dating. Even though there can be critics to the ideas conveyed by the author, the positive reactions that the book has received from readers supersedes the negative critics. The book is therefore found very relevant to dating and single parents.

References

Deal, R. (2012). Dating and the single parent: Are you ready to date?, talking with your kids, avoiding a big mistake, finding lasting love. Minneapolis, Minn.: Bethany House.

Munroe, E., & Levine, I. (2009). The everything guide to stepparenting: Practical, reassuring advice for creating healthy, long-lasting relationships. Avon, MA: Adams Media.

Phillips, R., & Phillips, S. (2006). Holding hands, holding hearts: Recovering a biblical view of Christian dating. Phillipsburg, N.J.: P & R Pub.

Dating and God a comparison

Dating and God a comparison

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Religion contributes to most of the aspects of human life and people associate religion with spiritual and social growth. God governs the society mode of behavior ensuring the society refrains from some actions and encouraging certain behavior in the society. Christianity is a combination of culture and social beliefs of the community and the global views on the given region and the community tends to follow what God wants according to the bible. God is the creator thus governs the behavior of his creation. Their different religions in the globe due to different cultural beliefs, Christianity and Muslims are a common in the globe having a wide range of believers globally. Gods intended dating to be mans way of selecting a partner and mating a way of reproduction. The secular world uses dating to socialize and understand potential mates. Mating is also used as a display of affection in the secular world apart from reproduction.

Dating and matting is an important aspect of human life. This are the fundamental processes in nature present in all animals that ensure continuity in animal life. According to the bible, God created man in his own image and after some time he noticed he was lonely and needed a companion. This lead to the creation of woman, the woman was created as a companion to man. The religious and secular nature of the religion in the society has different effects on dating and mating (Horton, 2009).

The secular world is a liberal world allowing the people in the community to diversify in their thoughts and act according to personal opinion. The secular world does not restrict the individual to some beliefs but encourages the person to experiment and learn from nature. With respect to dating, the secular world does not govern the individual or guide the person to a specific path of life but allows the person to choose what is best for him. The bible acknowledges the need for courtship and mating in the society but the restriction way. The presence of a commandment against adultery, is Gods way of preventing experiments I relationships.

The secular world experiences diversity in the society as no restriction to the belief of people. With little restrictions to dating, the secular world experiences a range of practices allowed by the community. Such communities practice same sex marriages and marriage to object with objections as the personal values are respected. The issue of mating thus becomes complicated among such couples and a danger to the community. Sex before marriage is prohibited by God according to the bible. The main purpose for dating and mating in the religious world is to ensure that the person have found a suitable partner with whom they would spend their life’s with. The traits of the partners should be compatible and with love growing in them mating is the second step where the Lord guides the couple towards population of the world (Goshen-Gottstein, 2001).

Most people go about their mate selection through evaluation of the physique. This is usually what leads to attraction leads to communication between the couple and understanding is built. The better suited the couple the better the relationship and with a prolonged relationship mating will occur. God created two genders; the Christian culture encourages understanding between the couple. The couple should understand each other for some time before courtship. The Lord encourages selection of a mate with the same religious beliefs to ensure religious growth. The bible acknowledges marriage where a man and woman unite, the bible states that God created man and woman thus for every man there is a woman, the Lord has made a match for every man in the world.

References

Goshen-Gottstein, A. (2001). God The Father In Rabbinic Judaism And Christianity: Transformed Background Or Common Ground?. Journal of Ecumenical Studies, 38(4), 470.

Horton, D. J. (2009). Discerning Spiritual Discernment: Assessing Current Approaches For Understanding God’s Will. Journal of Youth Ministry, 7(2), 7-31.

Dating Violence among Adolescents

Dating Violence among Adolescents

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Introduction

Unlike violence in adult intimate partners, violence among adolescent partners who are dating is phenomenon that is understudied. Although most teenagers do not experience violence when dating, for one out of every ten teenagers have abuse as an integral part of their dating partnerships. Youth Risk Behavior Survey in 2007 reported that 10% of teenagers countrywide reported having experience abuse or physical violence from their dating partners in the previous year (Mulford, & Giordano, 2008). This is just an indicator of how violence is taking root in our teenagers. Violence in dating adolescent may take various forms the way it occurs in relationships among adults. According to Varia (2006) these forms include emotional violence, such as jealousy behaviors and controlling behaviors; physical violence characterized by punching, slapping, hitting etc; and sexual violence characterized by rape on nonconsensual sexual activity. Violence in dating teenagers has various effects on the teenagers. These effects are usually physically, emotionally and psychologically detrimental. Heterosexual females take much of the violence compared to male. On the other hand little studies or insignificant number of studies have been conducted on gay, bisexual, lesbian and transgender youths, however, research conducted on same gender relationships among adults show identical patterns as those done on the youths of heterosexual nature. As Varia (2006) notes the health implications of the violence is also costly to those on the receiving end. They include contraction of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infection, pregnancy, mental illness, drug abuse, and suicidal thoughts. Programs that prevent violence among dating youths can be very instrumental in helping reduce the violence and the effects associate with it. It must be understood that the violence may be a sign of other deep rooted problems that may interest counselors. The counselors may also be interested in the prevalence and the effect of the violence.

Scope

This research paper looks at literature on the trends and prevalence of violence among dating youths. It also looks at literature on the causes of this violence, its effects on the teenagers and the programs that aim at reducing the violence. It also explores the outcome of the programs.

Developmental theory

Violence among adolescents in may be a product of the teenage stage of development and may also have effects on their development at this stage. According to the developmental theory postulated by Piaget and other, teenagers fall in two development stages, early teenagers are in the concrete operational stage characterized by increase in body volume and mass, increased intelligence and ability to systematically and logically manipulate symbols in relation to actual objects. They also exhibit operational thinking and reduced egocentrism. Those in mid and late teenage fall in the formal operational stage, which is characterized by exhibition of intelligence through use of symbols connected to abstract concepts. The teenager may also exhibit geocentricism.

Literature Review

This section is a review on of literature on dating violence among youths. The section will explore trends and prevalence of violence among dating youths. It also looks at literature on the causes of this violence, its effects on the teenagers and the programs that aim at reducing the violence. It also explores the outcome of the programs.

Trends and Prevalence of violence among dating youths

Youth dating violence cuts across gender, race, and socioeconomic boundaries. Both girls and boys are victims; however girls and boys abuse each other in different ways. In most instance girls are like to yell, slap, pinch, kick scratch or threaten to cause harm on themselves. On the other hand, boy cause injury on girls more frequently and severely. Some teenagers experience violence occasionally, while others may experience more often, even daily. The prevalence of intimate partner violence is high in teenagers than in adults. A comparing of the rate of intimate partner relationship violence by Silverman et Al (2001) reveled that teenagers are at a higher risk of abuse by intimate partner than adults. According to the U.S Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice statistics (2001) girls of ages between 16-24 years are more susceptible to violence from intimate partners that any other age group. Prevalence of violence to girls in this age group is triple the national average. Silverman et Al (2001) also observes that in every five girls, at least one girl has been abused by an intimate partner . These ladies have either been abused sexually or physically by their partners. The U.S. Department of Justice (2001) also noted that 94% of those victimized by their present or former boyfriend were women of the ages between 19-16. In the last decade of the 20th century most homicide against girls of the ages between 16-19 were conducted by their intimate partners. Gay, bisexual, and lesbian youths also experience violence similar to their opposite sex counterparts (Young, 2004). Also more than a half of sex offenders commit their first offense before they attaint the age of 18 years. 58% of rape victims are normally of the age between 12 and 24 years while half of date rapes occur among teenagers. Intimate partner violence in the youths is closely linked with risk of abuse of drugs, poor weight control manners, risky sexual behaviors, suicide and pregnancy.

Causes of intimate partner abuse in youths

There are various factors that contribute to intimate partner violence among young people. An examination of 1,600 juvenile sexual offenders in the state of California indicated that about 33% of the offenders perceived sex the best way to demonstrate love and care to their partners; 23.5% felt that sex is the best way of feeling powerful and exercising power and control over their partners; 9.4% use sex as the method for dissipating anger; while 8.4% used sex as a means of punishment (California Coalition Against Sexual Assault, 2002). Some victims and abusers blame the violence on the victims dating behavior such as provocation by the girls, communication problems, provocation the personality type of the victim, influence by the peers, and the girl’s desire for affection. A large percentage of teenager in high school (67% of males and 77% of females) endorse some level of sexual compulsion from intimate partners such as unwanted hugging, kissing, sexual intercourse or genital contact. Violence by male on their female partners is most fueled by peer influence especially in educational institutions. In this regard, intimate partner violence can be perceived as a product of negative societal and psychological ideologies, influence of drugs, provocation and peer influence.

Effects of intimate partner violence on youths

Intimate partner violence has numerous effects on the partners, especially the victims. Females in relationships that are abusive have a higher risk of get infect by sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS (Mulford & Giordano, 2008). They are also at risk of getting unwanted pregnancies since the power dynamics in such partnerships deny them the ability to negotiate for the use of condoms or other contraceptives. They are intimidated by the violence and are often forced to engage in unsafe sex. The depression resulting from intimate partner violence lead to a feeling of hopelessness and sadness, and victims have an increased inclination to take part in risk sexual activities due to reduced concern about self.

Disclosure

Most victims of intimate partner violence among the youth do not report the incidences or seek assistance. The longer the victim has been dating with the abuser the lesser he/she is likely to report an abuse. Victims are more likely to report abuse if it occurs within the first five dates. Many teenagers continue hanging in abusive relationships due to various reasons. These reasons include self-blame, love for their partners, fear of their partners, loyalty, religious and social stigma, embarrassment, denial, privacy and lack of understanding (Varia, 2006). In a survey among high school students, 86% of students stated that they would confide cases of abuse on their close friends while only a small percentage 7% stated that they would look for assistance from the police if confronted by violence from their partners (Silverman, 2001). A large number of youths prefer seeking help from their peers rather than get help from a counselor, teacher, a caring adult or parent. Also a large number of teenagers prefer keep the incidences to themselves. Silence and seeking ineffective avenues of help present a great dilemma to counselor and adults interested in reducing and preventing intimate partner violence among teenagers.

Prevention programs

Despite numerous cases of intimate partner violence among the youths going unreported, there are numerous efforts geared towards eliminating this kind of violence. However, such programs are few as compared to those catering for intimate partner violence among the adults. Knowledge of the efficiency of the programs targeting the youths also limited since only a few programs have undergone evaluation (Hickman, 2004). Most of the prevention programs are school-base and aim at influencing attitudes and enhancing the knowledge held by the student about intimate partner violence and its consequences. The programs hope to influence behavior through knowledge and attitude change. Limited evaluations make it almost impossible to determine the effect of the prevention programs. However, the few evaluations indicate an improvement in post program knowledge, but there varying effects on the participants’ attitudes. According to Hickman (2004) long term programs show more positive results on the participants’ attitudes than short term programs. Also, girls report more positive change in attitude than boys. Program that targeted the participant self esteem, proper communication, assistance seeking and other personal strengths also proved to be effective at shaping attitudes. Other approaches such as reducing victim acceptance of violence and male use of violence and conflict resolution approaches have not receive mush evaluation and most information about their outcome is mere speculation. Programs delivered through the community settings proved to be effective than those delivered through school settings. It is, however, difficult to determine whether both the changes realized through the programs targeting boys, girls or mixed groups, delivered in school setting or community social setting were permanent and would persist through adulthood or not.

Relevance to Adolescent Development

The information present is various pieces of literate have varied relevance to teenage development. Teenagers are at a transition stage from childhood to adulthood and any negative attitudes picked or exhibited during this stage can as well be brought along into adulthood. Such adults may tolerate abusive relationships or be abusive in their feature relationships. As stated earlier, a large percentage of people who committed sexual offenses, abused their spouses or conducted any other violent deeds had done so once or consistently during their teenage. On the other hand, the victims of such violence and abuse can carry along the desperation, helplessness and sadness that they experienced during their teenage to their adulthood consequently affecting their future relationships. This is a clear indication that what happen to the youths during this transition stage of growth is very influential to their future behaviors. In this regard, tolerating violence or accepting it should be discourage. Also perpetrators of violence should be discouraged either through counseling or through punishment. Prevention programs should be encouraged to shape the thoughts and knowledge of the teenager. The youth should be enabled to seek help from appropriate avenues whenever they experience violence from their intimate partners. Youth should be made aware of the consequence of keeping quiet when their friends are abused or abuse their partners. As brothers keepers youths should look out for each other to avoid consequences such as sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS, despair, unwanted pregnancies and even homicides.

Implications for Counselors

Counselors on the other hand must understand that they are dealing with a great problem with perpetrators, victims, and onlookers who like the perpetrators and the victims never disclose what takes place. This can pass for youth syndicate! Counselors must take into account of the statistic of the abuse activates in order to access as many victims and perpetrators as possible. It is not only victims that need counseling; perpetrators too need counseling to help them to desist from repeating their violence activities. For the victims it is important that the counselors deal with the effect of the violence while for the perpetrators the counselors must deal with the cause of the violent behaviors. As noted above, girls are the form the largest category of youths who suffer violence at the hand of their intimate partners. In most cases most of the girls accept the violence as a natural male behavior. Counselors should deal with this acceptance and other factors such as fear, royalty, and self-blame that affects the ability of the victims to stand against the violence. Counselors should seek to bolster the confidence, perception of self worth by the victims (Pipher, 2005). This way the counselors can empower the victim to stand against the violence.

In addressing the perpetrators the counselors have an even more difficult task of addressing deep rooted believes or attitudes that encourage violence. Perception of sex as the best way of expressing love to ones partner is the greatest violence encouraging attitude that counselors have to deal with. They also have to address other notions about sex such as expression of power and dominance, handling hunger, and punishment. The counselor must address communication issues among the youths whenever they get an opportunity to talk to them (Edgette, 2006). With proper communication skill and confidence, the would-be victims will be able to talk their way out of violence or seek help when it occurs and perpetrators will be able to communicate and express themselves instead of using violence to get their way. Perpetrators should also be made to appreciate the desires of their partner and not force their will on them. Counselors should also address the youths who keep quiet when they have information about their friend who are being violated and friends violating their partners. This group of youth is very instrumental in shaping the future of victims and that of perpetrators. They should have the courage to report violent incidents when they occur.

Summary

In sum, incidents of intimate partner violence in youths are becoming numerous. The incidents are a product of many factors both from the victims and the perpetrators. Perpetrator are violent their partners dues to attitudes that are based fallacies. On the other hand these ideologies, alongside fear, self-blame alongside a myriad of psychological reasons and fallacies encourage victims to tolerate the violence and even encourage it. The violence has numerous negative implications on the development on the adolescents such as psychological problem, physical injury and infection by STIs and HIV/AIDS. The available literature on findings on intimate partner violence among the youths and the available preventive program present and informational resource that is valuable to counselors. The preventive strategies have positive outcome. However, I believe that with knowledge about these strategies, counselor can combine several approaches and crate on powerful strategy to address victims, perpetrators, and witnesses.

References

California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA) (2002). 2002 Report: Research on Rape and Violence. Retrieved from http://www.uasasonoma.org/teensite/statistics.htm#Child/Teen%20Vicitmization

Edgette, J. S. (2006). Adolescent therapy that really works: Helping kids who never asked for help in the first place. New York: W.W. Norton

Hickman, L. J. (2004). Dating Violence Among Adolescents: Prevalence, Gender Distribution, And Prevention Program Effectiveness. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, Vol. 5, No. 2, 123-142

Mulford, C. & Giordano, P. C. (2008). Teen Dating Violence: A Closer Look at Adolescent Romantic Relationships. National Institute Journal of Justice No.261. Retrieved from http://www.nij.gov/journals/261/teen-dating-violence.htm

Pipher, M (2005). Reviving Ophelia: Saving the selves of adolescent girls. Ingram Book Company

Silverman, J. G. et Al, (2001). Dating Violence Against Adolescent Girls and Associated Substance Use, Unhealthy Weight Control, Sexual Risk Behavior, Pregnancy, and Suicidality.” Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 286, 572, 576-577.

U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2001). Special Report: Intimate Partner Violence and Age of Victim, 1993-99

Varia, S. (2006). Dating and Violence among dating youths. Retrieved from http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/datingviolence

Young, M. L. (2004) Prevalence of Partner Violence in Same-Sex Romantic and Sexual Relationships in a National Sample of Adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, Vol. 35, Issue 2, Pages 124-131

David Grants article Top 9 Reasons Congress is Broken

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David Grant’s article “Top 9 Reasons Congress is Broken” outlines a number of reasons why Congress is not just ineffective, passing a paltry 106 bills compared to the Congress of 1947-1948 which had passed 906 bills, but also why it is so poorly viewed by the public, achieving an approval rating of 10percent. According to the author, a gathering of scholars at the Woodrow Wilson International Center came up with a number of valid reasons for the level of dysfunction crippling the functioning of Congress. These reasons varied from insufficient presidential leadership and a lack of institutional knowledge to the Congress being back to the future by following a historical trend, all in all the author argues the current state of events cannot be allowed to play out.

According to Grant, one of the key reasons behind Congress’ failures thus far, is the lack of sufficient leadership from the presidency. Giving the example of President Clinton, the author argues that the president must know how to “work the system” in order for Congress to work effectively; for instance, the President should be able to motivate Congress to look beyond partisan interests. Secondly, Grant argues that in concurrence with the views of Thomas Mann in the Washington Post, the newcomer Republicans are at fault, as they have brought with them ideological extremes and are scornful of compromise, this has made it difficult for Congress to work in effectively. Perhaps also related to this, is the third reason: which is that members of Congress are less institutionally knowledgeable, and as a result find it difficult to be effective in deciding between policy alternatives.

Another key reason provided by Grant, is the increasing control that bmoney is having in ppolitics, as a result, members of Congress are actually forced to spend more time fundraising than is ideal, resulting in less time for Congressional functions. These changes have according to the author also spilled into the media industry, which has become significantly more vigilant, making deal cutting quite difficult, further hampering functioning of Congress. The sixth reason provided by Grant, is that of what the author refers to as the “Senate filibuster” a piece of legislation that allows a single senator to halt legislation that does not have sufficient votes (60) to overrule their disapproval. The provision has over the last two Congressional terms been abused further choking Congress’ ability to carry out its functions. Some of the other reasons provided are the electorate’s tendency to elect hardliners, the advent of strong interest groups that have usurped roles previously played by political parties and finally the advent of a partisan Congress interested in putting the interests of their parties above institutional effectiveness.

The author’s argument for Congress increasingly putting other interests above institutional effectiveness is in my opinion the most significant reason for the dysfunction currently being witnessed. This can however be intertwined with the initial reason; a lack of leadership. There is no doubt that a strong president capable of setting the agenda of Congress that cuts across partisan interests, would result in a more functional Congress, not to mention their ability to lobby a majority support for their bills, leading to greater functionality. These arguments by the author, are definitely the strongest, as they explain the shift in Congressional culture, as well as the greater Congressional functionality usually witnessed under specific presidents compared to others. I therefore agree with a majority of the reasons provided, but particularly feel that these two stand out and perhaps even encompass a number of the other reasons provided.

David Keirsey four personality types preferences

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Step one

David Keirsey’s four personality types’ preferences include: the HYPERLINK “http://www.personalitypage.com/html/four-prefs.html” l “EI” Extraversion and Introversion; the HYPERLINK “http://www.personalitypage.com/html/four-prefs.html” l “SN” Sensing and Intuition; the HYPERLINK “http://www.personalitypage.com/html/four-prefs.html” l “TF” Thinking and Feeling; and the HYPERLINK “http://www.personalitypage.com/html/four-prefs.html” l “JP” Judging and Perceiving. A personality type is included in the temperament categories which is a combination of any two personality types. From the Humanmetrics Jung Test I took, my personality type is ESFJ which reflects that I have a 1% preference of extraversion over introversion, a 1% preference of sensing over intuition, a 38% moderate preference of feelings over thinking and a 22% slight preference of judging over perceiving (Fischer, 2209).

Validity of my personality type

The ESFJ is a personality type who is described as a caregiver. According to David Keirsey, an ESJF is a warm hearted, popular and conscientious individual. They usually have a strong sense of duty and responsibility in which case they put others’ needs over their own.

E- Extraverted

An ESFJ has a primary mode of living whose focus is externally. An ESFJ personality type reacts to things in the manner he feels about them or in relation to what his/ her value system is. Apparently an ESFJ secondary mode is internal in which case he/she perceives things using the five human senses. Extraverted feelings mostly dominate their personality. They usually consider their values and morals and weigh them against the world that surrounds them. What defines their morality is the world that surrounds them rather than their internal values (Fischer, 2209). They have the ability to give a confident opinion without shying off.

S-Sensing

This aspect indicates how we acquire the information on which we base our decisions. ESFJs have an introverted sensing in which case the primary means in which they acquire information is through perceiving the underlying meaning of what people say or. They usually consider the implications of particular courses of actions before making decisions (Fischer, 2209). ESFJs are most satisfied with structured environments since they enjoy doing things that involve theoretical concepts, impersonal analysis or abstract. They also tend to enjoy creating structure and order (ESFJ personality page).

F- Feeling

People can also make decisions based on two criteria which include thinking and feeling. Thinkers make decisions based on logic and reason. On the other hand, individuals who make decisions based on their value judgment are perceived to be using their feelings in reasoning. Relying more on thinking establishes guidelines for performing tasks and having clear preferences on certain issues, decisions are also made on logic and reason. ESFJs have an extroverted feeling dominating their personality. They usually weigh their values against their morals (Fischer, 2209).

J- Judging

This preference refers to individuals’ attitude towards the external world. One is either have a judging preference or a perceiving preference. When one has a judging preference, it implies that one forms and expresses judgment on issues in life more often. ESFJs believe in rules and laws of authority in which case they expect the same from others. They also prefer doing things in established conventional ways. (ESFJ personality page) (Fischer,2209).

Relationship between E, S, F, and J

The four preferences, ESF and J which form the ESFJ temperament are distinct but interact closely with each other to give my personality type. Apparently, the proportions in terms of percentage indicate the preference relationships with each other. This is illustrated by their dominant extraverted feeling, their introverted sensing, their extraverted intuition and their introverted thinking. However, the ESFJ personality type has a number of weaknesses which manifest in such individuals. For instance, their respect for authority may make them accept rules blindly without questioning them. In addition, their lack of intuition may prevent them from seeing the bigger picture of an issue. Moreover, they usually seek approval from others and are always hurt by indifferences. Usually, they have do not understand unkindness at all cost which ends up disappointing them. It is argued that ESFJs incorporate many traits which are present in women (Fischer, 2209).

Step two

From the personality test, as an employee, I have learnt the importance of understanding the various personality types of various individuals within an organization. In addition, it is also important to appreciate the fact that the characters and behavior of various persons differ according to the extent of a particular preference in their respective temperament in which they belong. As a manager, I have also learnt how to handle different workers in their respective duties and in relation to their personality types. In understanding the personality type of a worker, one is capable to identify the organization in which he/ she fits best and in the place he/ she will acquire the most satisfaction (Fischer, 2209).

Moreover, I have learnt that in order to achieve the best worker and co-worker relationship in an organization, it is paramount to adjust some of the dominant traits which portray more of a personality weakness. Furthermore, it enables me to improve my awareness of others’ personality types thus identifying the best way to communicate to fellow workers and my manager when it comes to various issues. Finally as a manager, it enables me to find appropriate strategies of training and counseling different employees by identifying their strengths and weaknesses in relation to the task at hand (Fischer, 2209).

References

Fischer, K. (2009). “Summer Session”. BMAL 500. Lesson 1: Worldview.

PowerPoint: Lesson 1 (in Module/Week 1).

The HYPERLINK “http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp” www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp website

The HYPERLINK “http://www.personalitypage.com” www.personalitypage.com website

Type Talk at Work

David Maldonado in his article, Hispanic Christianity within Mainline Traditions

David Maldonado in his article, Hispanic Christianity within Mainline Traditions, highlights the seismic shift of Hispanic Americans from Catholicism to Protestantism in America. In the last 15 years, about one million Latinos have left the Roman Catholic and joined other Evangelical Protestant churches. The author tries to explain the reasons behind the major religious migration by comparing Catholicism, conservative and mainline Protestantism. Socioeconomic factors greatly influence the shift since human beings seek material and spiritual compensation from the church; thus, they shift to a low-tension community that will meet their needs accordingly and flexibly.

The author gives two possible causes for the shift. Firstly, Catholic churches are unresponsive in that they fail to meet the needs and expectations of the followers particularly the poor. Conversely, the sectarian groups fill in the vacuum by providing enthusiastic, community fellowship, culturally accessible and sensitive leadership to the worshipers. Secondly, the sectarian groups offer the platform for the Americanization of the Latinos who seek to be part of the mainstream society and break from their archaic traditions. However, the author considers the second explanation more credible than the first because Latino Protestants have decent jobs and lifestyles. Transfer of loyalties to Protestant religious groups has been an essential tool for Westernization and modernization, and the Latinos utilize it for assimilation and accommodation into the mainstream society, in America.

The possible discussion questions derived from this article could be as follows. Why are people drifting from Catholicism and joining Protestant groups? What are the social factors that influence this religious phenomenon? What will be the future of Catholic Latino churches in America in the next 10 years?

The article is quite convincing and detailed because it attempts to unravel the reasons behind the massive movement of Latinos from Catholicism to Protestantism. The empirical approach that the author uses to answer tentatively some of the questions related to the Hispanic shift is satisfactory. From a personal opinion, I would concur with the thoughts of the author because Protestant churches are more flexible in interacting and communicating with the followers than Catholics. Therefore, they attract Christians because they meet their spiritual and material needs, which is what a majority seeks by attending church.

Davidson’s Theory of Meaning

Davidson’s Theory of Meaning

Author

Institution

Introduction

Philosophy has been a fundamental part of the human society. It has particularly played an immense role in enhancing the capacity of individuals to think critically about certain aspects of their lives, as well as generate ideas on the manner in which these issues should be viewed. Needless to say, different philosophers have come up with different theories aimed at explaining different aspects. Such was (and still is the case) for Davidson’s theory of meaning, an empirical theory whose philosophical work revolves around describing the form taken by a theory of meaning for a language, as well as the nature of evidence that will be deemed as confirming it (Lycan, 2008). Once these issues are sorted out, Davidson opines that there will not be any more questions pertaining to what the “meaning is” or even what the “meanings are. The theory of meaning aims at stating something, the knowledge of which would be sufficient in interpreting utterances of speakers of the language to which it would be applicable. The interpretation of a speaker revolves around saying what her utterances are saying.

Davidson underlines the fact that the theory has to give the meanings pertaining to infinitely numerous sentences. However, this knowledge has to be finitely specifiable if the language is tto be learnable (Lycan, 2008). In essence, a theory of meaning would not consist in an infinite number of sentences and their meanings, rather their meanings would have to be generated recursively. In this regard, Davidson proposes that a theory of meaning should be in the form of a Tarskian truth definition pertaining to a language (Lycan, 2008). The Tarskian truth definition pertaining to a language underlines the fact that there exists no need to suppress the obvious connection or link between a definition of truth and the concept of meaning. Tarski had stated that the definition functions through appropriating the necessary, as well as sufficient conditions pertaining to the truth in every sentence (Lycan, 2008). Giving truth conditions comes as a technique for giving the meaning of a sentence. The knowledge of the semantic truth pertaining to a language would essentially be the knowledge pertaining to what it is for any sentence to be truth. This amounts to the comprehension of the language.

Of particular note is the fact that Davidson was not concerned with the construction of actual theories of meaning for actual languages, rather he was concerned with getting clearer on how such a theory should look like. For Davidson, the explanation of the shape taken by a theory of meaning should specify the forms that the theorems and axioms of the theory should take, as well as the evidence that must be used in testing the theory (Lycan, 2008). Davidson underlines the fact that a rigorous explanation of the evidence and form that is appropriate to the theory of meaning would offer as much of a philosophical elucidation of the linguistic meaning as an individual would need or even reasonably expect.

Davidson offers two constraints pertaining to the form that theories of meanings would have. First, there is the compositionality constraint, which states that the theory of meaning pertaining to a natural language L has to show the manner in which the sentences pertaining to L would be determined by the features pertaining to the simple expressions that make up the sentences coupled with the order or the appearance of the expressions (Lycan, 2008). In addition, there is the constraint called convention T (Tarski style), which states that the theorems pertaining to a theory of meaning for object language L has to take the form of “S is true iff”, in which case “S” would be replaced by an expression in the metalanguage that refers to a sentence in L, while “P” would be replaced by translation pertaining to that sentence in the metalanguage.

However, Davidsonian theory of meaning has not escaped some element of criticism. First, it is worth noting that some sentences that do not have the truth conditions may still be meaningful. For example, a sentence such as “Are you enjoying the class?” is still meaningful. In addition, sentences that have similar truth conditions may still have different meanings. For instance, a sentence such as “We married and had a child” as opposed to “We had a child and married” look like they have similar truth conditions but would have different meanings. Moreover, Davidson’s theory of meaning does not provide clarity as to the manner in which the truth conditions pertaining to some complex sentences are dependent on those pertaining to their parts (Lycan, 2008). On the same note, it would be illogical to give meaning pertaining to a sentence such as “I am the inspector” by stating that “I am the inspector” is true if and only if (iff) I am the inspector as the truth will be dependent on the individual that is saying it. To this problem, Davidson would undoubtedly call for the relativization to the times, locations and speakers, where a theory of truth would be specific as to what it is for a certain sentence to be true as said by a certain person at a time and at a location (Lycan, 2008). In addition, Davidson’s T constraint has not escaped criticism. Critics have noted that not every other T-sentence has the capacity to give meanings. For instance, since “snow is white and grass is green”, it would follow that snow is white if and only if (iff) grass is green. In this case, the “iff” would be the material biconditional”. However, thi would entail the T-sentence: “Grass is green” is true if and only if snow is white. Davidson would counter this critique by borrowing from Tarski who stated that the T-sentense would be false as “Snow is white” does not come as synonymous with “Grass is green”. Even then, however, this would essentially be circular (Lycan, 2008). A theory of truth is subject to empirical testing. Rational English speakers, who also largely believe the truth would not be correctly interpreted as meaning that snow is white when saying grass is green. This would essentially entail some empirical evidence for denying any insinuation that there is an element of truth in insinuating that grass is green if an only if snow is white. This underlines the inadequacy of davidson’s insinuation as to the treatment of sentences when trying to determine their truth and meaning. Nevertheless, this theory can only be interpreted in conjunction with other theories, while taking care of the conditions that it places or the rules it espouses in the interpretation of the meaning of sentences.

References

Lycan, W. G (2008). Philosophy of Language: A Contemporary Introduction. New York: Routledge

Day Work of a Civil Engineer

Table of Contents

TOC o “1-3” h z u HYPERLINK l “_Toc404594845” My Career of Choice PAGEREF _Toc404594845 h 1

HYPERLINK l “_Toc404594846” Day Work of a Civil Engineer PAGEREF _Toc404594846 h 1

HYPERLINK l “_Toc404594847” What interests me in the Career PAGEREF _Toc404594847 h 3

HYPERLINK l “_Toc404594848” What motivates me PAGEREF _Toc404594848 h 3

HYPERLINK l “_Toc404594849” Synopsis of the Career PAGEREF _Toc404594849 h 3

HYPERLINK l “_Toc404594850” Skills Needed PAGEREF _Toc404594850 h 3

HYPERLINK l “_Toc404594851” Job Outlook PAGEREF _Toc404594851 h 3

HYPERLINK l “_Toc404594852” References PAGEREF _Toc404594852 h 4

My Career of ChoiceCivil engineering is an expert building teach that arrangements with the outline, development, and upkeep of the physical and characteristically assembled environment, including works like streets, scaffolds, channels, dams, and structures. Civil engineering is the second-most seasoned designing teach after military designing, and it is characterized to recognize non-military building from military designing.

Day Work of a Civil Engineer

8:00 AM- I arrive at the office, greet my co-workers, and find out what the current talk of the town is. This is vital, as it may influence my anticipating future occupations. I have to realize what kind of arranging is generally done, what tasks are right now in advancement, and what general conclusion of past work is. This can provide for me direction later on. Amid this time I likewise arrange out my day, which includes checking on errands and seeing when I am obliged to be on location, which is not to a great degree successive.

9:00 AM- I start chip away at drafting a huge task to be finished later in the not so distant future. I got a call from a foreman asking for I review some electrical work that had been carried out, so I calendar that for later in the day. When I finish my arranged advancement on the drafting, I invest eventually perusing and reacting to messages that I had at one time disregarded.

10:00 AM- I go out to investigate the beforehand specified electrical work. This includes verifying that everything meets our construction standard necessities, and proposing potential changes to the current outline. As construction regulations are continually being overhauled, calls like this are among the most well-known I get, and I manage them on an about consistent schedule.

11:00 AM- I make it again to the workplace, where I have my first arrangement of the day. I meet with some nearby authorities who have proposed another park and recreational region. We examine the related expenses and issues of building the recreation center, which incorporate purchasing area, reviewing, guaranteeing any dangers are uprooted, organizing pipes and electrical lines to be run, and discovering cash for supplies and structures. With this done, we leave to review the potential site, where we do some simple arranging.

1:00 PM- I consume a late lunch with a percentage of alternate specialists in the city. We discuss new items that have gone ahead the market that can possibly spare us time and cash on future undertakings, and resolve to review some of these items in the promising new weeks. All new materials and techniques need to be examined before we favor it for open works ventures.

2:00 PM- I return to the workplace, and make an unfinished copy of the recreation center that we discussed. I investigate a few development alternatives, including a community focus, ball and tennis courts, and a baseball field for the nearby little association groups. I make a few distinctive arrangements of alternatives, and email them to the authorities I met with prior. I then get an email to audit CAD documents of an arranged subdivision.

3:30 PM- After assessing the CAD documents of the arranged subdivision, I take a look at the dirt and reviewing report and note that there may be waste issues with the property. We examine conceivable solutions for this issue, and the expenses connected with each. I retreat to the workplace.

4:00 PM- I invest eventually meeting up a few understudies who are interning at the workplace. I approach them about their exploration for the day, and address any inquiries and concerns they may have. A large portion of them are school understudies from the neighborhood college, and a significant number of them have yearnings of working in this office when they graduate, so it is paramount they comprehend the ins and outs.

What interests me in the CareerThe nature of the work done and the salary scale is what interests me in this career.

What motivates me

What motivates me to the profession is the ideal salary that the engineers’ get and the changes they make in real like such as designing bridges and building that would be used by people in the future.

Synopsis of the Career

Civil engineers need a bachelor’s degree, either in Civil engineering or structural designing engineering. They ordinarily require a graduate degree and licensure for advancement to senior positions. In spite of the fact that licensure necessities differ inside the U.S., structural designers should generally be authorized in the areas where they give benefits openly. Civil engineers for the most part work inside in business locales. On the other hand, numerous invest time outside at development destinations so they can screen operations or take care of issues on location. Most work full time. The average yearly wage for Civil engineers was $79,340 in May 2013 (Flood & Kartam, 1994).

Skills Needed

The skills needed based on mental resources is abstract thinking. The other skills needed is successful analysis of issues. And the last is excellent communication skills; this helps the engineer to communicate with others.

Job OutlookFor example, being in the UAE one gets about USD 100,000, the European Union, USD 80,000, America between USD 70, 000 and 120,000. The poorest is Africa where an engineer can be paid even USD 30,000 per year.

ReferencesFlood, I., & Kartam, N. (1994). Neural networks in civil engineering. I: Principles and understanding. Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, 8(2), 131-148.

Deadly Sins In Contemporary World

Deadly Sins In Contemporary World

In the contemporary world, material lust is the greatest sin that Dante would have found room for. Indeed, lust has generates all forms of sexual immorality besides all forms of corruption in the world. According to literature, such sins would cause destruction of the culprits, a clear indication that self-control is essential for human life. In contemporary world, death hanging would be the most suitable form of death for culprits of lust. Intense desire, in his opinion, should not be forgiven as the culprits have no reason to continue being part of the society. The appropriate guard for sinners of lust would undoubtedly be undesirable as well. The punishment, according to the Inferno would be consumption with fire as it remains one of the most effective ways on wiping out evil character from the society.

Regarding the sin of last, the prominent historical figure who would be associated with it is Asmodeus. He was considered as the demon of lust that lured people into committing this heinous act. It would be impossible to discuss lust without featuring his name. The new block cell would be located in Dante’s kitchen where culprits would have to face a multitude of zombies. The fight would undoubtedly turn vicious and catastrophic, causing all the occupants to die in the process. Essentially, it would be the easiest way to isolate the culprits by exposing them to a fight from which they would not escape.

In conclusion, lust remains a heinous act in the contemporary world. From political assassinations, to terrorism and to social immorality, lust remains a significant driving force behind the culprits. The essence of terminating the lives of the culprits stems from the fact that they have lost their sense of self-control and therefore should not live.

Neuroanatomy, Brain Lesion

Neuroanatomy, Brain Lesion

Contents

TOC o “1-3” h z u Right Hemispheric Damage PAGEREF _Toc380607432 h 1Left Hemispheric Damage PAGEREF _Toc380607433 h 2Brain Hemisphere in Children PAGEREF _Toc380607434 h 2

Brain lesion is an area where injury or damage of brain tissues has occurred. The symptom of brain lesion varies depending on the type, location and size of the lesion (Huttenlocher, 2002). Some common brain lesions include: Abscesses which is a brain lesion that occurs after an injury to the skull. Multiple Sclerosis is a brain lesion that damages the nerve linings in a brain and the spinal cord. These lesions affect the way messages are sent and received within the body. Cerebral infarction is a brain lesion which brain cells die due to lack of blood while a Tumor is a clump of cells that grow abnormally in metastatic or from the brain.

The brain is divided into right and left hemispheres brain; each hemisphere has its behaviors’ and communicates through corpus collosum. CITATION Pet02 l 1033 (Huttenlocher, 2002). The left side hemisphere (LH) controls muscles on the right side of body and the right side hemisphere (RH) controls muscles on the left side of body.

Right Hemispheric DamageThe right hemisphere brain injury is the injury to the right side of the brain. The right side hemisphere controls cognitive functioning hence, injury to this side leads to cognitive communication problems.

Adults with a right hemisphere brain damage undergo anosognosia and asprosodia. They lack concentration in their work. The (RH) damage produces a left homonymous hemianopsia thereby leading patients to neglect the left side of their bodies CITATION Pet02 l 1033 (Huttenlocher, 2002). They have impaired visual spatial skills and, partial paralysis may occur. Thus they do not see things in the left for instance: a patient reads from the center and not from the left side of a page. The right hemisphere brain damage leads to loss of memory and even disorientation of oneself. They are dominant in the perception of emotional information. They reason poorly and cannot solve common problems .when left unsupervised they can cause injury to themselves and to others.

Left Hemispheric Damage

Adults with left hemisphere brain damage cannot recognize or recall any familiar input, order of information, conceptual of actual plans and formulation of motor. Persons with left brain damage cannot remember any personal information and get frustrated easily. They are much disorganized and show problems in speech, memory, writing and cognitive processing. The reading and speech loss can be rehabilitated with a speech therapy. (LH) injury may produce a right hemianopsia whereby patients will neglect the right sides of the bodies and spaces..

Brain Hemisphere in ChildrenThe right hemisphere brain damage in children is more delicate and do not follow the adult with RH damage pattern CITATION Pet02 l 1033 (Huttenlocher, 2002). Right hemisphere brain damage is specialized early in lives of children CITATION Wil08 l 1033 (Sons, 2008). The cognitive functions like visual spatial and comprehensiveness of oneself is affected. Children with focal brain lesions experience speech delay in both right and left hemisphere. They try to express themselves and, due to Lack of an understandable language it is hard to adhere to their needs CITATION Pet02 l 1033 (Huttenlocher, 2002). After brain injury in children, there is plasticity in the developing of the right hemisphere that allows reorganization and may account for good malfunction recovery (Reynolds & Janzen, 2009).

Focal damage of brain leads to aphasia in adults and not in children, because brain focal only affects children when they are very young but at a later age in life it are reversible. Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) and cerebral palsy (CP) are types of brain lesions that occur to children. A CP is a brain lesion that happens when babies are still in the womb and affects the baby’s ability to move. While AVM brain lesions occurs during early development and may cause seizures.

With all the hemispheres brain neuroimaging should be done to research and diagnose to the needs of the patient.

REFERENCE

Huttenlocher, P. R. (2002). Neural plasticity : The Effects of Environment on the Development of the Cerebral Cortex. UK: Cambridge, MA : Harvard University Press.

Reynolds, C. R., & Janzen, E. F. (2009). Handbook of clinical child neuropsychology. TX USA: A&M University.

BIBLIOGRAPHY l 1033 Sons, W. &. (2008). Child Neuropsychology: Concepts, Theory, and Practice. UK: Blackwell publishing ltd.