Carry out an experiment Essay Example for Free

Carry out an experiment Essay

Effect of Work Life Conflict on Social Workers vs Teachers

Effect of Work Life Conflict on Social Workers vs Teachers Family name: Mokone First name: Khotso Research Problem According to Gambles et al, (2006), work home life balance is said to be conceptualised by properly prioritising career and social lifestyles. In the United Kingdom, the term work life balance was first introduced during the late 1970s as a way of describing someones balance of lifestyles between work and home or social life. The perception of work life balance has recently become more popular on a global scale due to several of causes. Even though at times, family and work are sometimes viewed as separate domains, whereby an employees role alternates between a family;[1] and an employee, the significance of knowing how the impact of work carries over outside of employee time to ones social life outside of work is important. Tanvi and Fatima, (2012) suggest that the idea of trying to maintain a balance between work and social time is a result of this idea which is gaining global prominence especially in the current economic climatic conditions where staff turnover is low in most work places. It is in this context that employees are trying to find a balance in service delivery that yields good results whilst avoiding burnout which then leads to either ill health or neglect of familial duties. According to Cowan Hoffman, (2007) the issue of work-life balance has in recent years, become a major global area of research. Marisalo (2008 concurs by stating that it is important for employers in this current fiscal climate to get the best work out their employees hence the necessity for employees and employers alike to learn the appropriate work life balance as this will yield positive outcomes for employers in the long run (in Gronewold and Wenzel, 2009) . My aim in wishing to conduct research in this area of work home life balance emanates from my personal experiences of home life conflict experienced during eight year period as a primary school teacher and children and families social worker in conjunction with views raised my former colleagues at the time. In addition, I am married to a currently practising secondary mathematics teacher who appears to work all hours of the day during the week, weekends and holidays. I realised that whilst there is a lot of available literature from many discussions and research already carried out over the years, most of the literature is generic and there is not adequate research literature addressing issues faced mainly by social workers and teachers. In addition, most of the research has been carried out by researchers who have not been physically involved in these fields and therefore at times there is a lack of trust as to what happens to the research material, regardless of being informed and assured that there is confidentiality and data protection applies. Most workers are not really able to air their views openly as most of the research has been in the form of face to face interviews which may bring about barriers when it comes to freely sharing personal information. It is therefore my hope that due to the topic being a little sensitive in times of the current economic climate, everyone wants to hold on to their jobs and therefore will probably not say anything to jeopardise that; especially for social workers who work with very sensitive and emotionally draining societal issues. I feel that I will be able to produce beneficial findings that correspond with how professionals from these careers really feel about the impact of work on their work-social life balance. In addition, this research will give me an opportunity to reflect on the effects my husbands and my own career has impacted our home lives. The outcome of the research will also be beneficial to former colleagues and hopefully future colleagues as I hope to get reliable feedback and recommendations made accessible to interested parties of how the impact of work home life balance, if any, can be overcome. I hope that the feedback will give insights into how others deal with any impact or conflict. It is also my view that results will not only be beneficial to the employees but to employers as well which will then help find ways to further support their employees to find a work life balance that hopefully leads to a happy workforce that produces exceptional outcomes. Research Question, Aims and Objectives Best, (2012) argues that the foundation of research as a whole emanates from having a good and understandable research question that will enable a researcher to find answers. According to McNeill and Chapman, (2005), there is a necessity for a researcher to set out a clear and concisely formulated research question as this will evidently show what the researchers intent is and whether there is a viable reason why the research is being undertaken. Therefore, the proposed research seeks to investigate and establish the effect of work family life conflict on social workers in comparison to teachers, both newly qualified and experienced with at least two or more years post qualification inorder to determine whether there is a difference in the experience due to the length of time one has worked. This question will help me respond to the following: (i) Since work home life balance has become an increasingly popular term, why is it that many employees still not sure how to go about achievi ng this; (ii) What are the reasons why most employees lack confidence to approach their employees or line managers to negotiate flexible working hours or take time in lieu. (iii) The consequences (if any) of asking for flexible working; and whether there is an impact to service provision if employees work from home, take time off, or work flexible working hours. It is common knowledge nowadays that social services and education are experiencing staff shortages, hence most employees would rather struggle and get on with their work rather than lose their jobs. The impact work is having on families is changing over time. Literature Review A literature review is defined by Fink, (1998:37) as a systematic, explicit and reproducible method for identifying evaluating and interpreting the existing body of work produced by researchers (in Best, 2012:40). Therefore it is important for a researcher to review literature that is already available as this gives a theoretical basis for the research and helps show that a researcher is knowledgeable in their field of research. In addition, it makes the researcher aware what knew knowledge they are adding to the existing pool of knowledge that is already available. White, (2009:7) states that research should not take place in a vacuum and therefore it is imperative for a researcher to know how their study fits into a broader picture, in terms of previous empirical work, theoretical ideas, and recent policy and practice, as research that is conducted without considering these contexts risks being repetitive, irrelevant or of little value. Therefore, empirical work that is already ava ilable becomes a valuable source of ideas and also guides the researcher on what is already available and known about the said topic. Bernhardt et al, (2003) state that the 21st century workplace has been confronted by various economic and staff turnover challenges. Dresser Hatton, (2003) concur by further suggesting that inorder to succeed against the encountered challenges, employers will need to find solutions that will be in the best interest of both employees and the employer. Lowe, (2007) indicates that most employees are experiencing imbalanced work home life issues and therefore suffer guilt of not properly caring for their families and lack of general social life. Lowe also states that in most families, both parents now have to work so as to make ends meet leaving no time for any family social life. On the hand, employers expectance of performance has gone up whilst workloads have increased over the years. School teachers are finding themselves with larger classes, no teaching assistants to support for the less able pupils (Reference) Social workers on the other hand are also face similar issues; low staf f turnovers due to Local Authorities failing to recruit more staff, staff absences due to ill health and high caseloads which can sometimes be extremely demanding and difficult (Voydanoff, 2005). Theoretical Frameworks Issues surrounding work life balance of social workers and teachers are worsened by staff shortages in both fields. Both professions are labour intensive areas where staff work long and at times unsocial hours which has an impact mainly on home life. Therefore, the theoretical framework has to look at the research questions inorder to understand the theory behind the problem. Sampling Strategy and Rationale Sampling by definition, is a method with which a researcher comes out with a particular or certain number out of a given larger group. Sampling enables the researcher to identify a small number of respondents who are almost likely sure to likely represent the larger group. In this case, the researcher will use convenience sampling so that the sample is a group of social workers who work or live within the researchers reach. Because the sample will be responding electronically, results from this group of sample is likely to produce truthful and reliable responses as it was their own choice to respond without any coercion (McNeill and Chapman, 2005). However, the sample still stands a chance of having flaws if respondents answer the questionnaires and surveys for the sake of it. Research Methodology and Methods Inorder to begin attempting to answer the proposed research question, it is paramount for the researcher to decide on the methodological approach and methods that will support her in fully responding to the question at hand (McNeill and Chapman, 2005). In order to efficiently and effectively source and collect relevant and useful data the use of qualitative and quantitative information gathering fact sheets will be used in the form of questionnaires and surveys. This will be done both manually by dropping off questionnaires in unaddressed envelopes and online surveys according to the respondents choice. Robson, (2011) states that the base of a qualitative research is upon the interpretation of a given social situation and then making sense of it. This study will use a qualitative approach in order to gather empirical evidence that allows respondents to elaborate on their feelings about their work home life. A Qualitative Research is said to be primarily exploratory research used to g ain an in-depth understanding of the respondents underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations in the responses they give (RCA, 2017)[2]. In addition, qualitative research provides an insight into the problem being researched. According to Hiles et al. (2013), qualitative study designs allow experiences to be described in full detail. Therefore, using qualitative research will enable both social workers and teachers alike to clearly respond to what impact work home balance is having or not having in their lives; including how and what they feel their employers and policy makers ought to change or support them with so as achieve and have the best of both worlds without comprising on their obligations at work and their social lives. Additionally, qualitative research helps in providing insights the problem so that ideas for potential quantitative research. With this said, a quantitative analysis will used to obtain figures can be quantified so that percentages of how employees feel ca n be analysed and also used to compare the degree of the impact faced by both professions. Therefore, a short survey will be included within the research to gather data which will be used for the quantitative analysis. The survey questionnaires will go hand in hand with the qualitative research questions hence this will be some sort of mixed methods research. For the qualitative data, questionnaires with at least five questions will be given. Ethical Issues Best, (2012) states that a good research is valid, reliable, and gives the reader an honest account of events or issues under investigation (2012:19). Therefore, it imperative that all research practice shows an awareness of ethical issues hence the necessity to follow the code of ethics. On the hand, Lynoe et al, (1999) suggests that any badly designed research is by definition unethical. Grant and Sugarman, (2004) state there is substantial misperceptions regarding the ethical appropriateness of using incentives in research with human subjects. However they further state that previous work on determining whether incentives are unethical as they may be considered as a form of undue influence or coercive offer upon respondents. They argue that the ethical issue of undue influence is understandable however, not coercion, instead this should be considered as corruption of judgment. However, this study will be done anonymously, by using an unnamed envelope and online questionnaire there fore there will be no coercion from researcher. The reasons for the research will be clearly explained to the respondents and any clarifications required will be done through the respondents choice of communication system. Data protection and confidentiality issues will also be clearly explained to the respondents so as to avoid any mistrust between the researcher and the researcher as this is paramount for the sake of this study. On the other hand, the researcher has been both a teacher and social worker and therefore the recommendations may emanate from personal feelings rather than from the general feeling of respondents and therefore report maybe biased. The researcher is aware that to do so will be unethical therefore will endeavour to remove the self from the study so as to understand the raised issues in their entirety. In addition, the researcher has worked with some of the respondents; therefore there is a chance that the researcher may be able to identify some of the respondents from the responses. However, the researcher will ensure that all responses from the research are kept confidential as by not doing so, the researcher will be breeching the Data Protection Act 1998 and the confidentiality that is a prerequisite for any research with human subject. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS The proposed study, like many other studies, has its own limitations. Due to sampling amongst my former colleagues, both in social care and in education, some may not feel comfortable responding to the questionnaires therefore I may end up with an insufficient number or respondents. Financial limitations also may be realised due to the study being self-funded. Essex is a massive County however, the researcher will only mange to work with offices that are convenient to her location which will leave only a few offices that may be accessible to the researcher if necessary. Since respondents are mainly professionals, the researcher hopes that there will be no need for any financial incentives however, if the responding quota is enough, as a thank you, the researcher may have to buy those respondents who do not mind about their anonymity drinks for having taken their limited time from their busy schedules to respond to the surveys. The major limitation of the study is that the study will be confined with a few offices and schools in Essex due limited resources and time constraints. Since there are chances that the research sample may not be large enough, the research will not be relevant to a large part of the UK[3], however, it satisfy the overall research objective. In conclusion, the researcher hopes that there will be enough respondents as the research responses will hopefully benefit a lot of people within the two chosen professions. The study will be presented in a well organised, structured formatting and appropriate language will be used throughout the report and respondents s opinions will be respected and none of the responses will be tampered with of which to do would be extremely unethical. Findings from respondents will be clearly shown within the study however as previously mentioned, these will be anonymised for confidentiality and data protection purposes. The ethics code of social science research will be adhered to inorder to ensure the validity of the study. Responses from the surveys will be clearly tabulated and labelled for clarity for those who would like to read through the outcomes of the study. 2379 words. References Best, S. (2012) Understanding and doing successful research: Data collection and analysis for the social sciences. Harlow: Longman. Brannen, J. (2005) Mixed Methods Research: A discussion paper: [Available online at: http://eprints.ncrm.ac.uk/89/1/MethodsReviewPaperNCRMà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ 005.pdf. Accessed: 27 December 2017. Boswell, W. R.; Olson-Buchanan, J. B. (2007). The Use of Communication Technologies After Hours: The Role of Work Attitudes and Work-Life Conflict. Journal of Management. 33 (4): 592. Crompton, R, Lyonette, C. 2006. Work-Life Balance in Europe. Acta Sociologica 49(4):379-393 Edwards, J. R., Rothbard, N. P. (2005). Work and family stress and well-being: An  Integrative model of person-environment fit within and between the work and family  domains. In E. E. Kossek and S. J. Lambert (Eds.), Work and life integration:  Organizational, cultural, and individual perspectives (pp. 211-242). Mahwah, New  Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Greenhaus, J. H., Beutell, N. J. (1985). Sources and conflict between work and family roles. Academy of Management Review, 10(1), 76-88. Fredriksen-Goldsen, K. I., Scharlach, A. E. (2001). Families and work:  New directions in the twenty-first century. New York: Oxford University Press. Friedman, S. D., and Greenhaus, J. H. (2000). Work and familyallies or enemies: What  happens when business professionals confront life choices. New York: Oxford  University Press. Gambles, R., Lewis, S., Rapoport, R. (2006). The myth of work-life balance: The  challenge of our time for men, women, and societies. England: John Wiley Sons. Googins, B. K. (1991). Work/family conflicts: Private livespublic responses. New  York: Auburn House. Hein, C. (2005). Reconciling work and family responsibilities: Practical ideas from  global experience. Geneva: International Labour Office. McNeill, P., Chapman, S. and Mcneill, P. (2005) Research methods: Textbook. 3rd edn. New York, NY: Taylor Francis. Milliken, F. J., Dunn-Jensen, L. M. (2005). The changing time demands of  managerial and professional work: Implications for managing the work-life boundary.  New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Perrone, K. M., Aegisdottir, S., Webb, L. K., Blalock, R. H. (2006, March). Commitment, conflict, coping, and satisfaction. Journal of Career Development, 32(3), 286-300. Reich, R. B. (2001). The lure of hard work. In The future of success (pp. 54-63). New  York: Alfred A. Knopf. Stebbins, L. F. (2001). Work and family in america: A reference handbook. Santa  Barbara, CA: ABC CLIO. Voydanoff, P. (2005,). Work demands and work-to-family and family-to- work conflict:  Direct and indirect relationships. Journal of Family Issues, 26(6), 707-726. Wharton, A. S., Blair-Loy, M. (2006, March). Long work hours and family life: A  cross-national study of employees concerns. Journal of Family Issues, 27(3), 415-436. Walliman, N.S.R. (2010) Research methods: The basics. New York, NY: Taylor Francis. White, P. (2008) Developing research questions: A guide for students, researchers and practitioners. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan Williams, J. (2000). Unbending gender: Why family and work conflict and what to do about it. New York, NY: Oxford University Press Williams, J. Boushey, H. (2010). The three faces of work-family conflict the poor, the professionals, and the missing middle center. Center for American Progress, Hastings College of the Law. [1] Husband/Wife; Children [2] Qualitative Research Consultants Association [3] United Kingdom

The Womens Room Experience Essay -- Personal Narrative Essays

I slid down off of my barstool and picked my way across the room. Luckily, the women’s restroom wasn’t too far because it was a crowded night at the bar. I opened the large wooden door and was surprised to see that even though there appeared to be another girl waiting, one of the two stalls empty. Before I even had a chance to let my eyes adjust to the lighting change, the other girl said, in that just-a-little-too-loud drunken voice, â€Å"There’s no toilet paper in that one!† I hadn’t yet made any attempt to enter the stall and she was making sure I didn’t. She then took it upon her self to make sure that we acquired some of the precious paper as soon as humanly possible. She did this by leaning in towards the door of the other stall (which was occupied) and demanding, in the same slightly-too-loud voice, â€Å"Help us out and give us some toilet paper, will ya?† There was no answer from the other side of the stall door so she continued to make her demands. The girl on the outside of the stall gave more warnings to others that stumbled into this semi-chaotic restroom. Still no response from inside the stall. I was half tempted to launch into the Seinfeld â€Å"Spare a Square† tirade (in which Elaine gets into a fight with a woman in a neighboring stall who refuses to pass her some toilet paper), since it seemed fitting in such a situation. But I held off, doubting that either girl would understand the joke. Fortunately, I didn’t have to ponder what to do for too much longer because, just then, the door to the occupied stall swung open and a strikingly tall, slim girl stepped out, still zipping her pants. â€Å"There, have as much as you like!† she said, as a form of greeting, in the same intoxicated voice. She was... ...ng co-eds in the bathrooms of fraternity houses (technically not â€Å"ladies rooms,† they are usually populated with a female majority during large parties) and discussed everything from hairstyles to events on the nightly news with women while waiting in line use a bar bathroom. One would think that somewhere where such a â€Å"private† act takes place would not be considered so freeing. However, Good Housekeeping was right on the mark in its comment on the importance of the ladies room. The ladies room is a place where traditional social norms loose their importance and, as strange as it may seem, new honesty emerges. Now, I don’t have first hand knowledge of the typical men’s room experience, but I have been told it is far from similar to its female counterpart. It’s too bad really, imagine what sort of peace agreements could be made if they were held in the loo.

Immigrations to Turkey from Greece between 1911 and 1923 :: essays research papers

Immigrations to Turkey from Greece between 1911 and 1923 In 1911, 51% of the Ottoman Europe (Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece and Montenegro) population was Muslim but with emigrations, it downed to minorities of Muslims in some territories (McCarthy, 1995). Most of these immigrations were forced immigrations. If person immigrate, because she does not have the minimum basic needs in domicile that called forced immigration (à pek, 2000). Forced immigrations are not only the problem of present days but with twentieth century, forced immigration becomes a legal issue. Forced immigrations have an objective that to un-mix the population of the selected territories or to homogenise the territories (Barutciski, 2004). Homogenous communities are easier than mixed ones to be controlled and homogenous communities are less likely to have intercommunity conflicts. Thus forced immigrations are the reason of consolidating political power. â€Å"Bà ¼yà ¼k Mà ¼badele† or 1923 exchange of Greek and Turkish populations was not the first attempt to forma lise the population exchange but it is one of the earliest and most controversial international treaties on this subject (Barutciski, 2004) and the first internationally ratified compulsory population exchange. With the convention concerning the exchange of Greek and Turkish populations at Lausanne, after 1st May 1923 Muslims in Greek territories and Greek Orthodox in Turkish territories were compulsorily exchanged except Muslims in Western Trace and Greeks in Istanbul. 1.5 million Greek and Turk were forced to leave their homelands. There is a difference between Greek movement and Turkish movement; Greeks mostly emigrate with retreating Greek army as a result of Greek rout in 1922 and without waiting permission, but most of the Turks emigrate after the convention. More than 1 million Greek escaped from Turkey before convention of population exchange (Arà ½, 1995). According to official record of the Mixed Commission only 189.916 Greek were transferred to Greece after 1923 conventi on but 354.647 Turks transferred in this period (Hirshchot, 2004). There were not many Turks who immigrate in 1922 because, for Turkish immigrants the 1923 exchange is the only way to escape from Greek oppression in that period. The term â€Å"refugee† is not suitable for these groups as defined in international laws because they were immediately granted full citizenship. The term that is used in Turkish is â€Å"Muhacir† to refer to people who forcibly leave their homeland and enter the Ottoman Empire and Turkey and specifically the word â€Å"Mà ¼badil† is referring to the 1923 exchange (Hirshchot, 2004).

Prosperity and Violence in Developed vs Underdeveloped Countries Essay

Prosperity and Violence in Developed vs Underdeveloped Countries The best examples of the trade off between prosperity and violence are attributed in Bates to the early developers, whose' success story stands in contrast to the prospect of the late developers who's situation is fundamentally related to their historical relationship with the developed nations. In order to come to an understanding of the trade off between prosperity and violence it is therefore necessary to establish the terms of distinction between developed and underdeveloped countries. This paper will therefore establish the cause of the trade off between prosperity and violence in order to highlight its impediments. In doing so this paper will argue that the history of early developers is characterised in Bates by the interplay between prosperity and violence and their respective roles in inspiring the great transformation. It will be argued that the trade off between prosperity and violence passes through distinct stages which has implications for the prospects of late developers. From agrarian beginnings in which a fragile peace was established via the threat of privately wielded violence to the feudal period which sees monarchs engage in wars, the trade off between prosperity and violence is the outcome or solution of the exigencies of the time. There is then a stark contrast between the histories of the developed nations and the modern histories of the late developers. Following Bates, it will be argued that the trade off between prosperity and violence has not yet effectively taken place within the developing world. The impact of global economic forces coupled with the impact of the cold war has negatively impacted the late deve... .... However, there is no doubt that the late developer?s ability to undergo the ?great transformation? has been perverted by the post war political and economic environment. Insofar as the course of the late developers direction has diverted from the norm established by the early developers, the trade-off between prosperity and violence has not been accomplished. References Bates, R, (2000), "Prosperity and Violence: the political economy of development", W. W. Norton and company, New York and London] Todaro, M, (1997), ?Economic development?, Sixth Edition, London Longman Valenzuela, J.S and Valenzuela, A., (1978) "Modernisation and Dependency: alternative perspectives in the study of Latin American Underdevelopment", Comparative Politics 10 Kothari, U and Minogue, M, (2002), "Development theory and practice: critical perspectives", Palgrave Prosperity and Violence in Developed vs Underdeveloped Countries Essay Prosperity and Violence in Developed vs Underdeveloped Countries The best examples of the trade off between prosperity and violence are attributed in Bates to the early developers, whose' success story stands in contrast to the prospect of the late developers who's situation is fundamentally related to their historical relationship with the developed nations. In order to come to an understanding of the trade off between prosperity and violence it is therefore necessary to establish the terms of distinction between developed and underdeveloped countries. This paper will therefore establish the cause of the trade off between prosperity and violence in order to highlight its impediments. In doing so this paper will argue that the history of early developers is characterised in Bates by the interplay between prosperity and violence and their respective roles in inspiring the great transformation. It will be argued that the trade off between prosperity and violence passes through distinct stages which has implications for the prospects of late developers. From agrarian beginnings in which a fragile peace was established via the threat of privately wielded violence to the feudal period which sees monarchs engage in wars, the trade off between prosperity and violence is the outcome or solution of the exigencies of the time. There is then a stark contrast between the histories of the developed nations and the modern histories of the late developers. Following Bates, it will be argued that the trade off between prosperity and violence has not yet effectively taken place within the developing world. The impact of global economic forces coupled with the impact of the cold war has negatively impacted the late deve... .... However, there is no doubt that the late developer?s ability to undergo the ?great transformation? has been perverted by the post war political and economic environment. Insofar as the course of the late developers direction has diverted from the norm established by the early developers, the trade-off between prosperity and violence has not been accomplished. References Bates, R, (2000), "Prosperity and Violence: the political economy of development", W. W. Norton and company, New York and London] Todaro, M, (1997), ?Economic development?, Sixth Edition, London Longman Valenzuela, J.S and Valenzuela, A., (1978) "Modernisation and Dependency: alternative perspectives in the study of Latin American Underdevelopment", Comparative Politics 10 Kothari, U and Minogue, M, (2002), "Development theory and practice: critical perspectives", Palgrave

Juvenile Justice System in California Essay

Does the Time Fit the Crime? This is a call to action, how much do we actually know about the California Juvenile Justice system? Have we given up on today’s youth? There are more than 2,500 juvenile offender’s states wide that have been sentenced to life in prison or life without parole. They are sent to adult court in which they were convicted for their crimes. This is costing California tax payers 2. 5 million dollars a year to house each offender, and approximately 252,000 a year per youth in the CYA (Krinsky, Pierce, Woodford,p1;Kita,p1). How does this affect their psychological development? Of the different races which is most effected? Is it teaching them to be better individuals or better criminals? What effects does it have on the youth’s family? Is justice being served? As of today there are 300 youth juveniles incarcerated in the state of California that have been given life or life without parole. Does race, social, and environmental factors play a role in the sentencing phase? Does the time fit the crime? Is it appropriate for juveniles to be sentenced as adults? The Juvenile Justice Court System was designed and dedicated to the adjudication of crimes committed by juvenile youth offenders. To be over seen by the Los Angeles Superior Court Division of Juvenile Courts (Shouselaw). Their sole purpose and goal is the rehabilitation of youth offenders. In 1943 the state of California opened CYA as a reform school; but today it functions similar to the adult prisons today (Kita, p1). Youth that are prosecuted in adult court are moved out of CYA at 18 and sent to adult prison to serve the reminder of their time (Kita, p1). Fewer juvenile offenders are being committed to CYA, and more are being sent directly to adult prison. â€Å" Despite declines in juvenile confinement over the last decade, California still has the 10th highest rate of juvenile incarceration in the nation (271 per 100,000) and the fifth highest White-Black racial disparity: Black children are incarcerated at 8. 5 times the rate of White children† (Children Defense Fund). â€Å" There are many factors and statistics used in the arguments for and against juvenile sentences of life without parole (LWOP), however the statistics involving he much higher percentage, of blacks serving life sentences than whites are very rarely mentioned† (Bell,p. 2). This is further data that supports the argument that black youth has the highest ratio of incarceration. The legislature is considering bill SB399 which would allow a second chance opportunity, this shows that the state of California Juvenile System is in need of reform and structuring. Without SB399 there isn’t any way to revisit these sentences. (Krinsky, Pierce, Woodford, p. 2). What immediate changes need to take place today to reduce the number of youths, being incarceration? According to the group Reforming the Juvenile Justice System, the United States is the only country in the world that sentences young people to life in prison without the possibility of parole for crimes they committed when they were teenagers (RJJS). In California approximately 300 youth have been given this sentence – a sentence to die in prison for mistakes they made during adolescence. According to â€Å"Human Rights Watch estimates, a majority of these young people (59 percent) were first time offenders, and almost half (45 percent) were convicted of murder but were not the ones who actually committed the murder† (RJJS). What can we do as a society and community to help carve the problem within our communities to ensure our youth are being treated fairly in the juvenile system? There are several problems and issues that the juvenile justice systems face today. Allegations of mistreatment, abuse, excessive force, 23 hour confinement in their cells, locking juveniles in cages at school, not providing adequate medical and mental health services, and perpetuation of gang related violence among the youth offenders. (Shouselaw,p.? ). We as a society have to raise the question? How have these problems and issues gone unaddressed for so long? Who do we hold accountable for these allegations? Therefore, asking how this effects their psychological development and how much of it impacts their social interactions and behavior. Youth advocates have argued that juvenile youth offenders’ brains are not mature enough to fully understand the seriousness of their crimes they’ve been accused of. The organization CDFCA has stated that: â€Å"Adolescent brain development research has helped us understand the ways that youth are fundamentally different from adults. With the prefrontal lobe of the brain still developing throughout the teenage years, adolescents have more difficulty processing information, making logical in-the-moment decisions, weighing long-term consequences, and avoiding peer pressure. Given this research in adolescent brain development, policymakers and even the Supreme Court have recognized that youth are less culpable than adults for their actions and more likely to be rehabilitated. The Children’s Defense Fund – CA believes strongly that policies around incarceration and sentencing should reflect these developmental differences, and that youth should be kept out of the adult criminal justice system and given the opportunity for rehabilitation† (RJJS,p. 1). Subsequently, providing the evidence of how broken the juvenile system truly is, Richard A. Mendel wrote, â€Å"We now have overwhelming evidence showing that wholesale incarceration of juvenile offenders is a counterproductive public policy† (Mendel, p. 1) Stating that the current juvenile justice system. Which relies heavily on mass incarceration of teen offenders, is badly broken? The violence and abuse within youth facilities is bad enough, but these institutions also fail to rehabilitate the youth within them. (Mendel, p. 1) Adding reinforcement that something must be done immediately to save our youth; leaving us to wonder how these effects will ultimately shape their lives for the better or the worst. There is a sense of hopelessness and despair that illuminates over these juveniles. Are the sentences handed down in these cases justified? Has justice being served in these cases? Supports of juvenile reform has provided data and research that back their claims that black youth are being sentence to much long terms than any of other race. The Human Rights Watch organization conducted research in California and found that there is discrimination when sentencing black youth offenders: † The state’s application of the law is also unjust. Eighty-five percent of youth sentenced to life without parole are people of color, with 75 percent of all cases in California being African American or Hispanic youth. African American youth are sentenced to life without parole at a rate that is 18. 3 times the rate for whites. Hispanic youth in California are sentenced to life without parole at a rate that is five times the rate of white youth in the state California has the worst record in the country for racially disproportionate sentencing. In California, African American youth are sentenced to life without parole at rates that suggest unequal treatment before sentencing courts. This unequal treatment by sentencing courts cannot be explained only by white and African American youths’ differential involvement in crime† (HRWO,p. 1). In addition to discrimination they also found that â€Å"In California alone, more than half of the youth sentenced are first time offenders with no previous criminal record. The Human Rights Watch survey of these inmates also found that many had not actually committed the murder and that their adult codefendants actually received a lesser sentence† (HRWO,p1). Therefore, pointing out that these youth offenders did not have adequate representation. The organization Human Rights Watch wrote: â€Å"Poor legal representation often compromises a just outcome in juvenile life without parole cases. Sending Approximately 227 youth have been sentenced to die in California’s prisons. They have not been sentenced to death: the death penalty was found unconstitutional for juveniles by the United States Supreme Court in 2005. Instead, these young people have been sentenced to prison for the rest of their lives, with no opportunity for parole and no chance for release. Forty-five percent of youth reported that they were held legally responsible for a murder committed by someone else. In California, the vast majority of those 17 years old and younger sentenced to life without the possibility of parole was convicted of murder. Showing that nationally 59 percent of youth sentenced to life without paroles are first-time offenders, without single juvenile court adjudication on their records† (HRWO, p1-3. ). Furthermore, this research support their claims that race, social, and environment factors play a major role in sentencing. Providing addition evidence that black and Latino juveniles are treated unfairly and justice is not being served. In conclusion, the California Juvenile Justice System is in dire need of reform. In January of this year Govern Jerry Brown, proposed is plan to end the juvenile justice division by March 2015(sfgate. com). Thus answering the questions posed there are a great deal, of problems and issues that must be addressed immediately. Like the mass incarceration of youth juveniles and mishandling of sentencing in these cases. And the harsh unfair life sentences or life without parole, which will have long term effects on their psychological development, which will impact their social and behavior interactions. This will limit their chance of ever being release. And give them an opportunity to start over with a clean slide. Furthermore, leaven a profound impact on the lives of their families. Shedding light on a decade of unfair inappropriate actions on behave of the courts. In which justice was not served in any of the cases.

Fidm Essay Paper

Valencia MitchellFIDM Application Hi, I’m Valencia Mitchell, and I believe FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) is the right school for me. Since the age of 10-11, fashion has been one of those things that I just knew I had a passion for. From reading fashion magazines; memorizing many French, Scandinavian, Italian, and American fashion designers; keeping up with the trends and events on style. com, to catching up with fashion weeks all around the world online; I have finally found my place.I’m a very independent, social, determined, but goofy person. I love meeting new people. During my free time, I love to listen to music, draw, or watch movies. I love making people smile, and making their day better. I’m a junior in high school, but graduating early this upcoming year due to extra credits. No matter what I’m doing or where I am, I try to exceed the expectations that I have set for myself. I believe that FIDM is the perfect fit for me, be cause it mainly focuses on the occupation or industry you would like to work in.FIDM teaches you the inside and out’s of the industry, and prepares you for the future. For three years now, I have wanted to attend this school and I believe that FIDM will bring out the best of my abilities and make my future brighter. Ever since I was given a tour around the San Francisco campus, I have fallen even more in love with this school. The atmosphere, the energy, the display windows – it seemed like the school was made for me!This has made me even more excited for college and what my future will bring. The major that I’m applying for is Visual Communications. For the longest time, I wanted to be a fashion stylist. I loved how they didn’t just pick/choose and style the clothes – they tried to portray a story with props, location, and history as well. I’ve been a big fan of Grace Coddington (from Vogue), Camilla Nickerson, and Havana Lafitte. Visual Co mmunications takes all those things and puts into one.When I toured the campus in San Francisco, I noticed many display windows in which were designed by many visual communication students. Every window I came across was different in style, and the story told from what they designed. Being in a classroom is okay at times, but I like being interactive with projects, also. Since I’m a very big dreamer, I believe this major is perfect for me. Upon my graduation from FIDM, I know that I will have accomplished what I always wanted to do ever since the age of 10.I want to feel that I never gave up on my dream of being who I always wanted to be. I know I will become very proud of myself when I graduate from FIDM. I would have gain the experience that I needed to push forward and explore new opportunities. Hopefully by then, I would have made great connections with different clothing brands such as J. Crew, BCBG, or Anthropologie. I believe that with me receiving education from FIDM, it will help me reach new heights that I never knew I could reach. This is the first step to reaching those heights.