The Role of Culture in Socio-Emotional Development Essays

The Role of Culture in Socio-Emotional Development Culture passes down the expectations for social and emotional conduct from one generation to the next. Be liefs about what is healthy and dysfunctional in socio-emotional development differs among societies and across groups over time (Woodhead, 1996) . In order to uphold children's right to develop based on what is normal for their context, a perspective is demanded that is inclusive of a variety of developmental paths that promote the well-being of the chil d (Woodhead, 1996). Bronfenbrenner and Morris' (1998) transactional-ecological model posits there is a "bidirectional-influence" involved in shaping interactions between children and their context, meaning the child's behavioral interactions mold and become molded by these spheres of influence. With young children, the majority of their culture is derived from the home, religion, and community. Accordingly, educators can be mindful of how their own cultural values impact their beliefs, bi ases, behaviors, and teaching methods. This can unlock different ways of responding to bias and including culture in the classroom in ways that promote positive socio-emotional development. Family A part of natural social development is the desire to belong to a cultural group and be accepted by its members. The family is the long-term cultural group, and instead of working to promote acculturation of the dominant beliefs about how children should develop socially, there should be efforts to integrate aspects of family culture into classroom interactions in ways that support students. At home, behavioral expectations and rules come from consistent or inconsistent parenting, sibling interaction, and interaction with the family. However, discipline may be enacted by grandparents, aunts and uncles, older cousins, and close friends of the family Consequently, teachers should inquire about the important players in the child's life that help shape and model behaviors. These players can be used as potential cheerleaders and referenced for input on behavior modification with consent from primary caregivers. In many cultures, children as young as 3 or 4 have responsibilities or chores that are vital to the function of the home. Including the ways that children may be integrated into the home and community can show appreciation for the values of a culture. Children benefit from being "active contributors" to their classroom and can benefit from becoming connected with and depended upon by others (Punch, 2001 p. 818; Weisner, 1989). This responsibility can promote competence, self-efficacy, and skill development. Incorporating more responsibility for students in the classroom sends the message that the teacher believes they are competent and can be responsible for helping the classroom community function. This can include having each child and family be responsible for an integral part of the curriculum each week or as simple as having a child feed the classroom pet as their weekly job. Religion Learning about various belief systems and promoting an understanding of how they are beneficial to each person's way of being should begin in early childhood. Understanding the values of other cultures can help teachers promote observation of rituals in school in ways that do not interfere with the curriculum. Teachers can also help the child and family develop language for talking about what they are doing when and if they are questioned by peers. A positive regard for a child's active participation in family cultural activities is one way teachers can validate a student's socio-emotional development. Teachers should be willing to support families and students in finding the words to express their activities with peers to further interest and build connections to other student family customs. Community Community impact varies based on location and resources. Some communities have more funding than others to provide services that help promote youth engagement in productive activities, such as arts, sciences, sports, and nature. Teachers can develop a list of likes, dislikes, and interests that may lead to connections between students and possibilities for additional activities. At all times, educators should be mindful of the cost of recommended programs as many families may not have the means to finance additional activities, and presenting the idea to the child before speaking with a parent may result in disappointment. However, this does not mean that the only programs suggested to low-income families should be free because this underestimates the ability of

Person vs. Persona

Person vs. Persona Person vs. Persona Person vs. Persona By Maeve Maddox A reader asks for â€Å"some analysis between person and persona.† Both words derive from an ancient Latin word that originally referred to the theatrical mask worn by an actor. In time, the word came to refer to the character played by the actor wearing the mask. The characters in a play are still referred to as â€Å"dramatis personae,† (â€Å"persons of a drama†). From the context of the theater, persona spread to the law courts to describe an individual who possessed certain rights under the law. Historically, both persona and person have functioned with the same or similar meanings that have included: any human being an important person a person of the Trinity grammatical person juridical person character in a play In 19th century usage, the word person was sometimes used to refer to people of low social class. Servants announcing callers in novels of the time distinguish between gentlemen, ladies, and persons. Even today, speakers often use person as a distancing expression: â€Å"that person who calls herself my friend.† Generally, person is used to refer to a hypothetical individual or to one who is not known personally. Here are some typical uses: Cigarette smoking Brazilian man may be world’s oldest person at 126 years old How does multiple sclerosis change a persons life? [To prepare for emergency] identify an out-of-area contact person that your family can call and get in touch with one another. In general usage, persona is used to refer to the personality that an individual projects in public. In a literary context, a persona is an assumed role adopted by a writer or by a performer. In the psychology of Carl Jung, the persona is the outer or assumed aspect of character, the set of attitudes adopted by an individual to fit a perceived social role; the opposite is the true inner personality, what Jung called the anima. Here are examples of modern uses of the word persona: My therapist has changed her persona. Ariana Grande’s fans had their worlds rocked this week when Ariana revealed that she was changing her persona for her next album. Tom Hanks traces his charming, guy-next-door persona all the way back to high school.   Brand personas are your personality attributes-and if you’re an entrepreneurand have created a business, then they’re the qualities that can define your corporate brand as well. T.S. Eliot creates a persona to mask his emotional immaturity [in] â€Å"Hysteria.† [Ezra Pound] sometimes appears to share the sentiments of the poem’s persona, making for an interesting ambiguity.   The  persona, for Swiss psychologist  Carl Jung, was the social face the individual presented to the world- â€Å"a kind of  mask, designed on the one hand to make a definite impression upon others, and on the other to conceal the true nature of the individual.† Note: In the expression â€Å"persona non grata†, persona does mean person: a â€Å"persona non grata† is an unwelcome or unwanted person: Israel to declare Robert Serry persona non grata Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:The Meaning of "To a T"One Fell SwoopHow Verbs Become Adjectives

Character analysis on the character Mrs. Mallard in the story of an Essay

Character analysis on the character Mrs. Mallard in the story of an hour by kate chopin - Essay Example It suggests that Mrs. Mallard was feeling restricted and limited by the demands of marriage and that the death of her husband was giving her hope of regaining her independence and individuality. This could be the reason why the narrator describes that Mrs. Mallard has â€Å"slender hands†, â€Å"dull eyes† and eminent â€Å"physical exhaustion†. In fact, the narrator’s account of Mrs. Mallard’s physical exhaustion is analogous of a ghost haunting her body and soul. This shows that the bounds of marriage have been taking a toll on Mrs. Mallard (Chopin 11). Mrs. Mallard is integrated into her society’s tradition. It is clear that the people in her society mourn the departure of their loved one. Richard, Mallard’s friend â€Å"leaves the office† and joins Josephine, Mrs. Mallard’s sister, in consoling and comforting Mrs. Mallard. Her sorrow is manifest and when she feels overcome by a feeling of elation, she locks herself upstairs. This is probably because she is ashamed of such a feeling and the fear to be construed as one who rejoices in the pain of others. However, locking herself upstairs was also meant to give Mrs. Mallard space to indulge the feeling of freedom away from the eyes of others (Chopin 13). There is symbolism in the excerpt where Mrs. Mallard locks herself upstairs. The narrator paints Mrs. Mallard as a goddess of victory that could be an allusion to the mythical goddess of Athena. If at all this was the narrator’s intended allusion, there is an irony in it. This is because goddess Athena was believed to be the defender of her family but Mrs. Mallard is instead experiencing freedom after her husband’s death. As a goddess though, she gets the authority and the power to order people especially when she authoritatively tells Josephine, â€Å"go away†, when she knocked at her door. The room she locks herself in comes out as her court of majesty wherein she

Tsotsi Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Tsotsi - Movie Review Example With its plot having been set to develop in South Africa, particularly in Johannesburg’s Alexandra slum, the film presents Tsotsi, a youthful street urchin as the protagonist. Having often times resorted to stealing as a means to earning a living, Tsotsi one day steals a car, not knowing that a baby is in its backseat. The Theme of the Film There are several themes in this film. First and foremost, there is the theme of redemption which begins to play out immediately Tsotsi is stranded with the baby he had inadvertently stolen. The theme of poverty and criminality and the interrelationship between these two is also revisited in the movie, since Tsotsi is pushed into a life of crime because of poverty. The same poverty constrains Tsotsi from being a law abiding citizen, and makes him a brutal criminal instead, though he knows that robbery in itself is wrong. Likewise, Tsotsi’s friends- Butcher, Aap and Boston have been compelled to live in the streets and to dabble with crime by poverty. The existence of street gangs is also spurred on by poverty. At an instance, Butcher and Aap are almost shifting their loyalty from Tsotsi’s gang to a richer rival. ... Particularly, at a given point, Tsotsi attempts to raise money for Boston’s exams, albeit this is done through robbery. Conversely, the same concept of fatherhood plays out subtly in the film’s climax, and thereby shaping its conclusion. As Tsotsi hands over the child to Pumla’s husband John, John plays a fatherly role to Tsotsi by attempting to dissuade the police from shooting Tsotsi. Whether the Film Conveys Any Messages That Will Make A Difference In Americans’ Ordinary Life The film conveys messages that can change American lifestyles for the better. This is because the movie addresses themes such as fatherhood, poverty, criminality and redemption. By considering fatherhood in light of this film, American parents must take stock of their roles towards their children. Likewise, by considering poverty and criminality, America has a chance to address the disproportionate distribution of economic values among racial and class lines, and racial profiling. The theme of redemption on the other hand reminds every American citizen of his personal responsibility towards the law and the state. The outlaw is reminded in his conscience that no matter how far he thinks he may have sunk in crime, he can still change for the better. Nevertheless, the problem with America is that instead of taking the film’s themes into its life system, it is likely to pass Tsotsi as just another literary piece that lacks the clearest quality of originality. This is because, in Tsotsi, Americans are likely to see a sequel of Tony Montana of Al Pacino. America has also watched similar movies such as Raoul Walsh’s Regeneration, where an orphan becomes a leader of a gang, but is eventually succored by a woman of noble intent and

Amin Maaloufs Idea Essay Example for Free

Amin Maaloufs Idea Essay My understanding of Amin Maalouf’s concept on identity is that human identity is based on an individual’s environment. He defines identity into two categories. One that is inherited through our elders and cultural beliefs â€Å"vertical†, and another that exist according to our generational influence, â€Å"horizontal†. The two categories create our identity as a human and is the source of our behavior. My experience with the vertical heritage is my belief in Christianity. My ancestors and the community I was raised in have traditionally taught me to celebrate religious holidays like Christmas and Easter. I also grew up in a small neighborhood with Christian peers. They have influenced the way I behave and interact by helping to shape my morals. My experience with the â€Å"horizontal† is the communities I have been introduced to, such as, the public and private school environments. They have broadened my personality with their social aspects. One example of what Maalouf is saying is my switch from public to private school. My personality was much different in public school than it was in private. In my public school the social standard for academic progress was average. The fact that there was no assigned dress code distracted me because I would attempt to impress others with my appearance. This influenced my train of thought, behavior and ultimately my identity, until I was placed into a different setting. When I made the switch to private school the distraction of looking different was taken away, and expectations were higher. My surrounding influenced me again and I became more focused on things that mattered and more questionable of my beliefs. What I gained from both these settings was my horizontal inheritance. For example, the music that I listen to and the hobbies I enjoy. Maalouf’s point is that no matter your vertical, your horizontal has a bigger affect on your identity, and since the horizontal is based on contemporaries, you are based on the subjects around you. He points out that there is a gap between what we think we are and what we actually are in reality. We may know we are different but what we don’t realize is in reality we are only becoming identical through arguing are differences. I believe this is a magnificent insight on identity. Mankind changes the world around us and if we all do the same, we end up in each other’s world. We are becoming more and more identical to each other through compromise from arguing our differences because we learn to live with each other. When we accept differences they soon become norms, and once they are norms, they become a standard. I agree with Amin Maaloufs concept on identity.

The Importance of the Missile Defense Program :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

The Importance of the Missile Defense Program The government still didn't think of missile defense as a serious subject until October 4, 1957, when the Soviets launched their first satellite (Sputnik) into space on the top of a multi-stage missile. This was a big deal because the Soviets showed they had the technology to launch large objects into space. So what would have stopped them from launching a rocket at the United States? A few weeks after the Sputnik launch the U.S. attempted their very own satellite launch with the Vanguard rocket, which ended in disaster blowing up on the launch pad. In January 1958 the Pentagon lifted the ban on Army missile launches, which helped the U.S. send Explorer I satellite into space. Within a few weeks long-range missile development became both a threat and a weapon. Missile defense systems really started to come about during World War II. When the Nazi's developed long-range rockets and ballistic missiles. The Nazi's long-range rockets were called V-1's and could be launched from 180 miles away. The Nazi's ballistic missile was called the A-4, later renamed the V-2. The Allied forces were able to stop the V-1 because of its noisy engine and slow speed. The Allied forces were at a loss when it came to defending the V-2 because this type of missile was never before studied and we had no idea how to stop something that fast. The Nazi's could have had a huge advantage over the U.S. because they were able to launch a missile from over 180 miles away. Leaving our troops unprotected and having no way to protect themselves. As the war was starting to come to an end, the enemy started building bigger and faster ballistic missiles. They were focusing all their time and resources on developing a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBMs) that would be capable of carrying nuclear warheads. They felt if the U.S. ever decided to stick our nose in anyone else's business they would teach us a lesson by launching missiles at us. In other words they were trying to build a weapon of mass destruction that could crush the U.S. if we didn't obey what they wanted. Instead we decided to put a treaty on building ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads and come up with a defensive missile system. We needed a way to protect ourselves and keep our citizens safe.

Modern Technology Essay

Information technology is playing an increasingly important role in the work and personal lives of citizens. Computers, communications, digital information, software – the constituents of the information age – are everywhere. There is though, a considerable number of people that are really concerned about the changes that modern technology implies, stating that it embodies potential risks to social values, freedoms, and relationships and this is what Sherri Turkle also states in her Forbes magazine article ‘Can You Hear Me Now? . I must agree with Turkle’s point of view that technology, along with all the positive aspects it brought into people’s lives, it also brought loneliness and sameness of lifestyle because of this abusive way people got to use technology nowadays. But as opposed to Turkle’s and millions of other people’s fearful thinking that mankind is developing too intimate relationships with machinery; I would say that this can be absolutely controllable. While it is true that the future of technology is only limited by our imagination, people have to learn that no matter how developed technology might get, the basics of a better life are self-esteem, respect for the others and willingness to self-educate and build up a strong character. According to Dictionnary. com,’ technology is the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and the environment, drawing upon such subjects as industrial arts, engineering, applied science, and pure science’. Commonly, technology can be defined as the science applied to practical purposes. It can be argued that modern technology makes life easier and more dignified for most of people. The first and the major advantage is that medical science is very progressive and vastly available. Without the needed technology a lot of people would struggle with their health. In addition it saves many innocent lives. The point is to spread it and reach with medicine help to the poor nations of the Third World. Secondly, the advanced technology improves industry by making it more effective and, what is vital today, safer for environment. Moreover when we look at TV, personal computer, mobile phone or internet for instance, it is quite obvious that all these inventions have been made in the last 20 years. Thus the speed of improvement is huge and unpredictable. We can get the fastest ways of communication through modern technology which ties humanity together like a nervous system ties the parts of an organism together. Today we are connected with every other human being on the planet in a way people never have been before this leading to globalization through diversity, a very powerful current which is really to consider nowadays. On the minus side there is weaponry which is the inseparable issue of the new technologies. Hence the main problem is the proper use of this knowledge. Nevertheless, weapon engineering propels and provides a huge advance. Also, the industry despite highly developed machinery pollutes the globe. On the other hand while many people live in horrible conditions and famine governments spend a lot of money on developing weapon industry. Is it the right way? Modern technology should prevent social disproportions and not add up even more. Technology entered our lives over a relatively brief period of time with little warning and essentially no preparation. Many who currently use information technology have only a limited understanding of the tools they use and a probably correct belief that they are underutilizing them. This is why most of the people pay more attention first to their interlocutors coming through the modern gadgetry considered a more elevated audience; the ‘real’ ones have come to fill just a second position. This is where Turkle’s fair point comes when she describes these people’s feelings – ‘Being put on pause’ this is the impression we get when the one we are engaged with in a conversation answers his cell phone or replies to an e-mail or a text message. Another example of the modern technology taking over the unprepared people is the virtual lives they build and end up becoming addicted on that up to a certain point where it can even become dangerous for themselves and the ones close to them. Millions become someone else every day, lying about their age, gender, occupation or appearance. If you can be anything, you might as well be who you wish you were rather than what limits you in the real life. So if someone decides they like their online persona better, and decides to spend as much time in that persona as possible, living virtually – are they crazy? These games are addictive by design, and a lot of people get sucked into a virtual world existence, at the expense of their real life happiness. And surely a large part of the attraction is this ability to live an alternate, and in many ways, happier existence. But this can get really dangerous when it comes to children and adolescents as they may discover ‘world in the Second Life’ as Turkle puts it in might be much easier and funnier and they can develop serious issues n forming their character and personalities. And the negative effects technology can have on children are numerous: less physical movement, lack of attraction towards reading, no sense of responsibility. With parents buying their children cell phones and expecting them to call as often as possible showing them actually how little they trust them, this only adds up to children’s developing a lack of responsibility and a sense of dependence, as Turkle puts in and I agree. The time of self-reflection at adolescence is taken over by ‘quickly communicating a state over the cell phone or through an instant message and emoticons’ (Turkle) leading to a new dependence in their early emotional lives. Another point that Turkle makes is that technology leaves less or no time at all to sit and reflect of ourselves uninterrupted and I agree with that. Unless we are really strong as to put away or turn off all the technology around us we cannot get a moment with ourselves as all this machinery can be very distracting. Nowadays, when the rapidness of development and research is so impressive, it is easy to think about the advantages of modern technology. It is obvious that we are close on an era where technology is limited only by our imagination. Therefore the most frequently asked question is: Does technology go the right way and will it save or ruin our civilization? I believe that we can just let ourselves carried along with it or we could impose on ourselves in being more aware of the disadvantages also and try to control it.