The Effect of Salt Concentration on Grass Growth Essay Example for Free

The Effect of Salt Concentration on Grass Growth Essay Our aim was to test the effect of different salinities on the growth of plants which what we did was measured different amounts of salt dissolved into 2 litres of water, watered the plant once with the salt water then for 9 days with pure ware. I found with my investigation that the less the salt, the more the growth of the plant. My aim was achieved by measuring the 5 fastest geminating (out of 20) and to measure the differences in growth of the plant. I also had a few difficulties in the duration of this experiment which were the sunlight on the plants direct which made the plants to begin to die and also the highest salinity plant was not growing. Introduction High salinity in the root zone effects the growth of many plant species (stunted growth), low salinity in the root zone affects the growth of this type of plant (higher growth) and/or no effect on both. Total growth and leaf area are affected. Different plant species may have different tolerances to salinity; in this case we are geminating mung beans, Still the high amounts of salt concentration that are present can cause the Mung beans germination rate to grow poorly and cause it to die at a faster rate. Having salt water in the roots can have an effect of less water being absorbed in which causes the plant to dry out. (1) Mung bean plants grow up to 18 to 36 inches this investigation will show if different amounts of salt (Nacl) will affect the growth of the average Mung Bean. 2)The average mung bean growth without any salt concentrations is 2 to 3 feet long. (3) This Experiment was carried out to see if Saltwater had affects to Mung beans and their growth. The Main aim of this experimental Investigation is to test the theory that Mung Bean growth is affected if there are High amounts of Salt in the water present in the plant. The 5 different parts to this experiment will be to set up 5 Groups of Mung Beans and in each one a different Salt concentration. (No salt, 1. 25g, 2. 5g, 5g, 7. g) Over a period of time they will be measured and referred back to the hypothesis to compare its relevance. It was Hypothesized that if the Salt Concentration in the water is increased then the Growth of The Mung bean will be effected and decrease from its normal growth rate. Materials and Method Five circular sheets of cotton wool was cut and put into styrafoam cups. 20 mung bean seeds were added to each cup then marked with a permanent marker â€Å"group 1-5† with amount of salt watered with. Place in a safe/dry place where sun is not directly pointing on. Next you are to make up salt solutions and measure each plant with correct salt solutions of 40ml each. For group (1) will have no salt in the water, group (2) will be watered with water that has 1. 25g salt dissolved in 2L (0. 06% NaCI w/v), group (3) will be watered with water that has 2. 5 g salt dissolved in 2L water (0. 123% NaCI w/v), group (4) will be watered with water that has 5 g salt dissolved in 2L water (0. 25% NaCI) and group (5) will be watered with water that has 7. 5 g salt dissolved in 2L water(0. 375% NaCI w/v) all of which of the same temperature. Be sure to keep a sample of the water in case your plant dies and you need to begin the experiment again. Ensure all conditions (same position with same sunlight kept on for the whole ten days, the correct level of salt is measured and correct amount of water is measured for the salt to dissolve, keep the temperature of the water the same every time you water, use the same amount of water to each which hydrates the plants, use same size containers for each group, ensure you use the same measuring equipment and measure at the same time of the day, every day). I observed the germinating seeds twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. I used a ruler to measure the height at 7:30pm for the whole ten days, recorded my results in a results table (a table to record the dater you collect in the experiment). Results Over the 10 days of this experiment, notes were made on the observations. For the first few days, the measurements and physical appearance remained average/ almost the same. Afterwards for the following measurements and remaining days, the plants started to show discoloration and group’s number, 1, 4 and 5 showed browning in the leaves and stem. For the remaining groups everything stayed the same and the measurements increased by a fair amount each day. As the last days approached, the last two groups were showing wrinkling and shrinking in the stem and leaves. The roots had died out and the plant started to bend down and eventually was laying on the bed of cotton wool in a brown color. (Measurements shown in figure 1) Discussion The final results of the experiment on the 10th day were, group 1 (0g of salt) 100mm, group 2 (1. 25g of salt) 108. 5mm, group 3 (2. g of salt) 100. 5mm, group 4 (5g of salt) 51mm and group 5 (7. 5g of salt) 46mm. The average results showing that by having more salt in the water have a chance of the plants to dry out faster is high. Having salt in the soil doesn’t always make the plants die, this is shown in the results above that the high salinity helps the growth of the plants but only by a small amount. (2) The last two groups had the least growth, showing that having high amounts of salt affects the plants ability to absorb water into the roots. 1) It has also supported that high amounts of salt can cause the plants to shrink in a small amount of time, which in the experiment the last two groups show that. Problems with the placing of the plants might have had too much sunlight coming through to maybe improve the growth of the beans, the plants didn’t have enough time to grow properly and have more further and specific results. Other days in the process it would rain but others it would be really sunny which didn’t make it very accurate because some days the plants didn’t even get to grow at all or they would die out because of the sun. The experiment could go for longer, to improve the results as they would have been different with just 10 ten days of growth, even less. The placing of the mung beans could have been chosen better, a place where there is less sunlight and less interference. The surface could have been better than just cotton wool, we could of used soil rather than wool which the beans may have grown better; or the groups could have had half soil and half cotton wool on the plate to compare which is the better choice.

Religion In Pompeii And Herculaneum Religion Essay

Religion In Pompeii And Herculaneum Religion Essay Archaeologists in the past and today have recovered and excavated sources to reveal aspects and facts of past societies. The two main cities of Vesuvius, Pompeii and Herculaneum have undergone such excavations, enabling historians of today to reveal facts, in particularly, about religion in the cities. Religion was an important part of an individuals life in both Pompeii and Herculaneum. The religion of the time was polytheistic, meaning that the civilisation believed and worshipped spirits of the Gods. Religion was an active part of everyday life and the worship of offerings was performed in order to keep the Gods satisfied, to ensure the prosperity and safety of all aspects of ones life, and ones family. A number of sources both written and archaeological have provided todays society with facts and evidence of the household Gods and foreign cults of that civilisation. The sources and what they reveal about religion, household Gods and foreign cults, will be explained below. Most sacred, the most hallowed place on earth is the home of each and every citizen. There are his sacred heart and his household Gods, there the very centre of his worship, religion and domestic ritual Cicero. This written source clearly identifies and reveals that the citizens of Pompeii and Herculaneum were intertwined both mentally and emotionally with their religion and spirituality. Cicero describes the religion to be most sacred, revealing that religion played an important, central and significant role in the daily lives and households of an individual and their family. Not only does this source emphasise the importance of religion, but it shows its importance and passion of worship and action within the home. This is revealed through the use of the words, most hallowed place on earth. The worship and rituals of the Household Gods were central and essential within the household and home of an individual. Hence the household Gods were a major and significant aspect of religion in Pompeii and Herculaneum. Many religious practices were celebrated by citizens in their home and household shrine known as the Lararium. Larariums have been found and excavated all over Pompeii and Herculaneum, by modern archaeologists such as Guiseppe Fiorelli. Household Gods sought to save the family from any misfortune or negativity that may enter the door; a spiritual place of the home that needed to be protected by the guardian spirits (Lares) of the households, from incoming evils that may try and enter the home. A lararium excavated in the House of the Vetti, containing a wall painting of the lares (household Gods), a genius (the god of the male line of decent), the Mercury God of commerce and the Dionysus God of wine, depicts and reveals aspects and facts of such household Gods and their importance to an individual and their family. The lararium was found in the atrium, at the entrance of the house. This source is structured and built depicting the front of a temple with columns. This observation revealed to archaeologists that the source has a religious meaning. A wall painting within the infrastructure depicting a temple is an image of the spirit family of genius, Lares, household Gods and other deities. The figure on the furthest left of the image is the genius. The genius wears a toga, in purple symbolising its high ranking and importance, as its the line of male decent to the paterfamilias of the household; prospering fertility for the families continuation. On either side, the Lares o f the household are holding a drinking horn in one hand and a wine bucket in the other. The drinking horns and wine buckets symbolise the offerings of worship and praise towards the Mercury God of commerce (right) and the Dionysus God of Wine (centre).The depiction of drinking horns and wine buckets also symbolise the household prayers and worship that were led by and was a responsibility of the paterfamilias and the offerings of fruit, incense and special cakes were made at the shrine. The snakes below the Lares, which move towards a small altar, have been interpreted as a protective spirit of the Lares and the offerings made to them. The snakes were protectors of prosperity. Pompeii and Herculaneum contained a society that was tolerant and accepting of the worship and rituals brought about by foreign Gods and imported cults. Pompeii and Herculaneum were bombarded with influences from Egypt and Eastern Mediterranean, which affected the structure, traditions and rituals of their religion. Two cults that had a significant affect and presence in Pompeii were the Egyptians cult of Isis and the cult of Bacchus. The cult if Isis, was the goddess of life, fertility and rebirth;A temple of Isis was excavated in Pompeii, revealing that such a cult was worshipped among many in the civilisation as the temples structure proved to be complex and extravagant compared to other temples eg. Surrounded by high walls, initiation hall and an underground chamber storing a basin of holy water retrieved from the Nile River. The worshippers of the cult performed daily rituals and ceremonies carried out by priests at dawn and in the afternoon. Source four, a fresco found in Herculaneum depicts and reveals the ceremonies that took place for the cult of Isis. The fresco shows the high priest standing at the entrance of the temple, looking down on the ceremony beneath. One priest tends to the sacred fire and another priest leads the followers of worship in two rows. In the foreground of the source there are two ibises, sacred to Isis. This source also reveals that women in Pompeii were drawn to this cult, as most worshippers in the fresco appear to be women. It reveals that this cult was widespread, worshipped daily and extremely influential. It also reveals that foreign cults in Pompeii and Herculaneum were accepted and prominent within the civilisation. There is also evidence suggesting the presence of other foreign cults in the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Through the excavation of archaeological sources, cult objects found in Pompeii and the cult of Sabazius has been suggested. There is also various evidence of the existence of Judaism including graffito of Judaic names, frescos and the presence of Jews nearby. Till today, there is much speculation as to whether or not Christianity was present in the cities, as evidence of the crucifixion was found. Religion in Pompeii and Herculaneum was an important and significant part of each individuals homes and daily lives. From the archaeological sources excavated and the written sources produced, it is revealed that the household Gods of each home were the central aspect of living and worship. Each individual lived to favour and fulfil the Gods wants and needs. The sources also reveals facts about the foreign Gods that were brought about to Pompeii and Herculaneum through external influences, like Egypt (cult of Isis), and the significance of such worship for the civilisation. The sources that have been excavated and brought about to todays society reveals facts and helps modern archaeologists gain insight to the unknown of the past. With reference and study of the sources provided in this explanation, the religion of Pompeii and Herculaneum has been revealed. The lares themselves were painted in the lararium. In the lararium painting from the house of the Vetti shown below, the genius is depicted wearing the toga praetexta , bordered in purple, the garment of high-ranking Roman magistrates. The Thermopolium of the Lares in Pompeii shows a typical painting including the snakes associated with protection of food from vermin below the group. The group contains the two lares, the genius of the house, and two further figures Mercury god of commerce and Dionysus god of wine. The paterfamilias was responsible for leading the household prayers at the lararium, and offerings of significance such as first fruits of crops and special cakes, were made at the shrine. The shrine was also garlanded with flowers so there are hooks nearby for this purpose. Of particular importance were family occasions such as birth, marriage and the coming of age of a young man.

Effects of Stigma on Drug Users

Effects of Stigma on Drug Users In this essay I will demonstrate my understanding of stigma and labelling. There are certain people who are stigmatised and substance users often have a negative stereotype. This negativity will often not allow the substance user to seek the help and medical treatment that they need due to the stigma and labelling. I will be discussing the research around the impacts of stigma and labelling that will affect not only their treatment but in housing and employment. The term stigma originates from the ancient Greek word and signifies that he or she could be a slave, criminal or traitor and was used as a sign of disgrace and shame. It is now used to describe people who are stereotyped because of their social identity (Pierson Thomas, 2010). According to Goffman, when a person is not able to meet expectations because their behaviour or attributes are undesirable or unacceptable, then stigma disqualifies a person from social acceptance. Goffman suggests that stigma is, an undesirable attribute that is incongruous with our stereotype of what a given individual should be Goffmam (1963:3). Stigma is a use of negative labels and is about disrespect. It is not just a matter of using the wrong word but labels that person who has the substance use disorder. Stigma results in discrimination and abuse and is damaging to the lives of many people. The fear of stigma discourages families and many individuals from getting the support and treatment that they ma y need to lead normal healthy lifestyles. Stigma deprives people their full participation into society which then reinforces negative stereotypes (Goffman, 1968). The way of coping with stigma is to conceal behaviours and internalize these negative views and as a result will be subject to discrimination and exclusion within many areas. Drug problems will remain entrenched if substance users are seen as junkies. Landlords will be reluctant to let out their properties and employers will be wary of giving them jobs. Employment and housing are important to substance users as it can be vital in establishing themselves back into society (UKDPC, 2008). Research studies show that 80% of drug users are unemployed. Being employed is shown to be an important component into the reintegration into society. Once in work, it will help in building their self-esteem and back into normal life (UKDPC, 2008). Family members feel shame and stop trusting them and in some cases, disown him/her. Communitys will finger point, try to avoid contact and will gossip about them. Many would argue that societys disapproval of drug use; especially cannabis and heroin will say stigma is necessary to demonstrate disapproval (UKDPC, 2010). Stigma can also make the substance user stigmatize themselves, make them feel alone, rejected and destroy their self-esteem. Seeking help is very difficult for the substance user and will prevent them from doing so. They will often feel that quitting would be no use and returning to normal life would be impossible because people in society will no longer trust them and so will join in with other drug users, start criminal activities to pay for their use and accepting the blame of society (UKDPC, 2010). Stigma discourages families and individuals from getting the support and treatment they require. Families suffer the impact when another family member has a drug use (UKDPC, 2009) and it alters all their social invitations and friends that they once had. Other family members will often withdraw and children will often be targeted by bullies. Stigma deprives people of their full interaction into society. The UK Drug Policy Commission (UKDPC) suggests that 1.5 Million people in the UK are affected by a relatives drug use. Supportive relationships are key to a successful recovery. Carers UK commissioned a study which estimated that carers in the UK made a contribution of  £87 billion in total economic value in one year. This may have excluded many who have not come forward with coping with a relative who has a drug problem but this gives us some indication of the social contribution likely to be made by the supporting families (DrugScope/Adfam, 2009). The drug user must have determina tion and faith in reaching their goals and there will probably be setbacks and barriers but with the support and contribution of social workers, support groups, family and friends, this will help towards the recovery process (HM Government, 2010). Families and relationships are key issues for recovery and drug users improve when their family is behind them. They are more than likely to complete treatment and maintain their new lifestyles (Best Laudet, 2010). DrugScope published research in 2009 by interviewing a random sample of over 1000 people aged 18 plus. The research published showed that one in five adults had a personal experience of drug use, either direct or indirect. The findings where: 19 % have personal experience of drug addiction either directly or among family or friends; 1 in 10 adults have a friend who has experience of drug addiction; 1 in 20 have experienced drug addiction in their family; 1 in 50 has personal experience of drug addiction. 77 % agree investment in drug treatment is sensible use of government money. The poll found that 19% either had direct or indirect personal experience of a family member or knowing someone within their circle of friends. 11% were likely to have a friend who has experienced drug addiction. 6% had family members who were drug dependant, yet 2% experienced the drug dependency themselves. These figures do suggest that drug misuse and the dependency do affect many peoples lives and is a social problem (DrugScope, 2009). Stigma to substance users will possibly make addiction recovery and treatment more difficult. Substance users often manage in secret and would rather not seek out the treatment and live in denial. The University of Nevada studied 197 drug users on the affects of stigmatization. This research identified that because of the use of stigma they would become more dependent on their drug use due to the perceived negativity that the society had on drug users. 60% of drug users in this study felt that they were treated differently after people knew that they were a drug user. 46% felt that others became afraid of them once they found out and 45% felt that their families gave up on them and wanted nothing more to do with them. 38% of their friends had rejected them and finally, 14% of employers paid a lower wage (Addiction, 2010). Users have no good reason to stop using when you look at this research study. This research identifies that stigma is conceptuality unique. Drug users also had a mo re difficult time in treatment at succeeding when there were higher levels of stigma. The study also showed that drug users often cope in secret due to their inability to openly discuss their addiction; this caused poor mental health and decreased their chances of recovery. By reducing shame the society could help in driving forward in helping the treatment of drug users who are not coming forward due to stigma (Addiction, 2010). Stigmatising is not only found amongst the public but also by the professionals who may be working directly with them. Professionals, such as doctors and nurses, who work directly with drug users, will have a greater insight into the problems that drug users face on a day to day basis. Miller et al (2001) mentioned in UKDPC (2010:30) summarised research from the USA which showed an increase in negativity towards drug users. Two studies of the treatment of problems with drug users and drinkers both in the inpatient care and safety net emergency department showed that negative views during training, continued when they became qualified and working within their practice (UKDPC, 2010). Stigma between health professionals and the drug user will prevent them from seeking help and may be one of the reasons as to why the drug user will not seek out the help or medical treatment that they require (Kelly Westerhoff, 2010). Everyone knows that it is wrong to discriminate, whether it is because of their race, culture or religion. Substance use is very common and is widely misunderstood. It is essential that we learn about the person and treat with dignity and respect. This will then help in emphasizing their abilities (Mental Health and Recovery Board, 2009). Public attitudes to drug addiction were explored in the UK in 2002 (Luty Grewal, 2002). Results showed that 28% regarded drug users as having a mental health problem. 38% assumed that drug users were criminals and 78% to be deceitful and unreliable. 30% said that they deserved the misfortune that fell upon them. 62% thought that the law were too soft on drug users and 40% believed that their children should be taken into care. It was concluded by Luty and Grewal, 2002, the results clearly indicate a negative view of drug addicts (Luty Grewal, 2002:94). Yet, DrugScope in 2009 wanted to find out the attitudes of the public towards drug users and drug treatment. They commissioned a poll and the findings suggest that the public to be very sympathetic than sometimes often assumed. 80% of the people surveyed agreed that people can become addicted to drugs because of other problems within their life. 35% agreed that it was the individuals fault for drug use and that there is no excuse. A large amount of respondents 88% agreed that for the drug user to get back on track, they needed help and support and 77% agreeing that the investment of government money towards drug treatment is sensible. This research showed a sympathetic response of the majority of the people surveyed. Drug users are the most marginalised people in society where discrimination and stigma are key into the barriers of receiving recovery. Two thirds in a recent poll showed that employers would not employ anyone with history of drug use, even though they were suitable for the job. Stigma and discrimination still remains a barrier to recovery and will clearly impact of them finding work. It will also affect being housed appropriately and accessing the healthcare that they need (DrugScope, 2009) The things that we can do as practitioners in helping to overcome the stigmatisation is to have a better understanding of how difficult it is for people to change who may have low self-efficacy. First impressions count and for a substance user, coming through the door is hard enough. The substance user will have come because they are in a crisis and has realised it is time for change (Lecture Notes, 2012). As social workers we have to realise that engaging with the substance user will help in the first steps to recovery and help in building relationships. Building respect and trust will prevent misunderstandings that may lead to conflict. Having good communication skills is effective and at the heart of social work. It is only through our communication skills that we are able to understand the knowledge of others and work effectively (Trevithick, 2009). It is important to communicate as it helps in exchanging our thoughts and feelings and in forming the foundation of a good relations hip. Communication allows you to help the substance user to be more receptive to the new ideas by creating an environment that they can trust and help in developing resolutions. To have an open and honest relationship, trust is important in succeeding this. An agreement ideally should be met with the substance user about confidentiality. They have a right to know who will be able to access any information about them (Koprowska, 2010). Motivational Interviewing is a well known model developed by William Miller in 1982. It is a model used with people to evoke change, especially people who have problematic substance misuse. Motivational interviewing is a client-centred counselling style and helps the service user to reach their decisions about potential behaviour change (Nelson, 2012). This model helps in identifying and understanding the substance users motivation to change and highlight to the client their perceived negatives and benefits of change. The principles of motivational interviewing are to express empathy, develop discrepancy by helping the client in increasing their awareness of the consequences of their behaviour. Avoiding argumentation as it is them who are the expert. Roll with resistance by encouraging the client to develop their own arguments. Resistance is normal if you are uncomfortable about something and lastly self efficacy by highlighting the skills and the changes they have already made (Lect ure Notes, 2012). Assessing motivation with the substance user and finding out at which stages they may be will help in me identifying where the substance user is in their dependency. A well known model called the cycle of change developed by DiClemente and Prochaska (1982) represents the point at which the substance user passes during their change in behaviour. The different stages are: Pre-Contemplation, this is where the service user has no desire to change. Contemplation, this is where the service user may be considering their situation and is more aware of it. Preparation is where the service user makes a decision to change their substance misuse. Action and this is where the service user takes steps in bringing about change. Maintenance is where they have stopped using the drugs and moved to a more controlled and less harmful way of using and is maintaining that change. Relapse is where the service user will go back to their old behaviour and will have to start the Cycle of Change again (Teater, 2011:122). The substance user may slip back or relapse in to their old behaviour because permanent behaviour is very difficult to change, particularly with people who want to make change in substance misuse. This is very difficult and may take several attempts (Nelson, 2012). Motivational interviewing will help the substance user move through the stages of change. Having good active listening skill is important and will help in making the substance user feel that he/she is being helped. Many people will feel encouraged when they have been truly listened to without interruption and will often become encouraged and empowered (New Jersey Self-Help Group Clearinghouse). A good listener allows the person to get their own stories and opinions across, which active listening will allow them to do so. If you interrupt, the person will feel that they may not have been listened to. They will not feel respected and may hold information through being cautious. It is important to allow them to know that you were listening and will help in encouraging them to continue talking. Leaning forward, maintaining eye contact will also show them you are interested in what they have to say (MindTools, 2012). You have to remember to not let environmental factors distract you as this could make you lose focus. Giving the substance user your undivided attention and ackno wledge what they are saying. Using body language either by nodding occasionally, smiling and encouraging the speaker to continue by saying verbal comments, such as yes and go on will encourage the speaker to continue by knowing you are listening. Giving positive feedback by paraphrasing e.g. What I am hearing is and It sounds like you are saying, are good ways of reflecting back and help in clarifying certain points that the substance user may have said and helps towards getting more background information. Paraphrasing also helps in allowing yourself to really understand what has been said and helps the substance user know that they have been heard und understood correctly (Koprowska, 2010). Having the three core conditions of counselling of empathy, respect and congruence will help to enhance the substance users motivation to change. Empathy allows putting you in another persons shoes and having a better understanding of their feelings and emotions. You must ignore your own percep tion of the situation and accept their feelings and thoughts. By doing this does not mean that you accept the behaviour they are doing but means that you understand them. Congruence allows you to be yourself and that you are only human and a real person. This will help in reducing the stress the substance user may have. Having respect is accepting the person for who they are regardless of what the person says or does. When others have possibly made that person feel negative, it is very hard for them to feel positive. Showing the substance user respect will show willingness that you want to work with them, which will allow them to grow confidence (Trevithick, 2009). Change is difficult, so it is normal for the substance user to feel ambivalent. Using the Decisional Balance will help in identifying the positives and negatives of their behaviour. If you are going to change, you need a reason to and people change when the positives outweigh the negatives. We always have to be aware of the short term or long term risk factors including their level of usage and what type of drugs they are using (Miller Rollnick, 2002). Motivational interviewing helps the substance user in identifying the importance of their behaviour change and also helps the practitioner help in doing so by enhancing their motivation. This model works well alongside the cycle of change as it is useful to assess where the substance user may be in their cycle of change and help in identifying the strategies you may use (Nelson, 2012). In conclusion, if a person does not conform to social stereotypes, they are more than likely to be marginalised and bear stigma. People with substance misuse are of all types and come from different backgrounds (Pycroft, 2010). Working with individuals who are experiencing substance use, it is important to remain focussed. Providing constant feedback and offering support will help in engaging the drug user towards solving the crisis the substance user may have. Having a non-judgemental attitude underpins social work along with empathy and advocacy (Trevithick, 2009). People with substance misuse are often viewed as less worthy and deserving. Stigmatisation can cause prejudice, marginalisation, discrimination and oppression and is often reinforced by the media and even our own families (Theory and practice, 2011). People who substance use are often stigmatised and feel shameful of it and can happen if the substance user has had several attempts. When you are ashamed of something and y ou disclose it, it is very hard especially if youre unsure as to how the other person is going to respond. It is important for myself to reflect upon my own value base and prejudices that I may have. Referances All about Addiction (2010) Addiction Stigma: making addiction recovery, and addiction treatment entry, even harder. www.allaboutaddiction.com/addiction/addiction-stigma-making-addiction-recovery-harder (accessed 16 November 2012) Best, D,. Laudet, A. B. (2010) The potential of recovery capital, Royal Society of Arts. DrugScope/Adfam (2009) Recovery and drug dependency: a new deal for families. http://www.adfam.org.uk/docs/recovery_dependency.pdf (accessed 26 November 2012) DrugScope, (2009) Closer to home than you think: one in five adults knows someone with experience of drug addiction. London :DrugScope http://www.drugscope.org.uk/Media/Press+office/pressreleases/ICM_poll_results (accessed 18 November 2012) Goffman, E. (1963) Stigma: notes on a spoiled identity. Prentice-Hall. New York. Goffman, E. (1968) Stigma: notes on the management of spoiled identity. Harmondsworth: Penguin. HM Government, (2010). Drug Strategy 2010: reducing demand, restricting supply, building recovery: supporting people to live a drug free life. http://mhfe.org.uk/sites/default/files/shared/drug-strategy-2010.pdf (accessed 26 November 2012) Kelly, J.F. and Westerhoff, C.M. (2010). Does it matter how we refer to individuals withsubstance-related conditions? A randomized study of two commonly used terms. International Journal of Drug Policy, 21 (3), 202-7. Koprowska, J. (2010). Communication and Interpersonal Skills in Social Work. Exeter: Learning Matters Ltd. Lecture Notes (2012) Social Work with Substance Users: Assessment and Initial Intervention. Hull University. Luty, J. and Grewal, P. (2002). A survey of the British publics attitudes towards drug Dependence. Journal of Substance Use, 7, 93-5. Mental Health and Recovery Board (2009) http://www.mhrbeo.org/stigma.html (accessed 20 November 2012) Mind Tools (2012). Active Listening. http://www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/ActiveListening.htm (accessed 26 November 2012) Miller, W,. Rollnick, S. (2002) Motivational Interviewing: preparing people for change. New York: Guildford Press. Nelson, Anna (2012) Social Work with Substance Users, London: Sage Publications Ltd. New Jersey Self-Help Group Clearinghouse. Improving your listening Skills. http://www.mededfund.org/NJgroups/Listening_Skills.pdf (accessed26 November 2012). Pierson, J., Thomas, M. (2010) Dictionary of Social Work. England: Open University Press. Pycroft, A. (2010) Understanding and Working with Substance Misusers. London: Sage Prochaska, J., DiClemente, C. 1982) Transheoretical therapy: Towards a more integrative model of change, Theory, Research and Practice, 19:276-88. Maclean, S,. Harrison, R. (2011). Theory and Practice: A straightforward Guide for Social Work Students. Great Britain: Kirwin Maclean Associates Ltd. Trevithick, p. (2009) Social Work Skills: a practice handbook. England: Open University Press UKDPC (2008) Working Towards Recovery. London: UK Drug Policy Commission. http://ukdpc.org.uk/publications.shtml#employment_report (accessed 15 November 2012). UK Drug Policy Commission (2009). Adult Family Members and Carers of Dependant Drug Users: Prevalence, social cost, resource savings and treatment responses. http://www.ukdpc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Evidence%20review%20-%20Adult%20family%20members%20and%20carers%20of%20dependent%20drug%20users_%20prevalence,%20social%20cost,%20resource%20savings%20and%20treatment%20responses.pdf (accessed 26 November 2012) UKDPC (2010) Getting serious about Stigma: the problem with stigmatising drug users. London: UK Drug Policy Commission. http://www.ukdpc.org.uk/publication/getting-serious-about-stigma-problem-stigmatising (accessed 15 November 2012). UKDPC (2010) Sinning and Sinned Against: The Stigmatisation of Problem Drug Users. London: UKDPC http://www.ukdpc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Policy%20report%20-%20Sinning%20and%20sinned%20against_%20the%20stigmatisation%20of%20problem%20drug%20users.pdf (accessed 18 November 2012) Trevithick, P. (2009) Social Work Skills: a practice handbook. England: Open University Press. Teater, B. (2011) Applying Social Work Theories and Methods, England: Open University Press.

Biomes as Units of the Biosphere :: essays research papers

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines biosphere as â€Å"the part of the world in which life can exist.† There are 2.1 million catalogued species known to exist and some scientist estimate as much as 100 million might exist. Each of these species has adapted to life in a particular part of the biosphere. These particular parts are called ecosystems. Since there is a large jump between the biosphere and ecosystems scientists have divided the biosphere into biomes. In doing research about biomes, it seems that different scientists have different ideas about biomes. They vary in their number just as they vary in their names. Biomes could be called units of the biosphere and each biome is made up of many ecosystems. There are obviously many types of biomes in this world because of the diversity of climates around the world. The fewer number of biomes you choose to say make up our ecosystem, the more general they become. Some scientists obviously believed that more types of biomes are needed to describe the variety of climates in our world. Some name as few as six biomes to describe the different areas of our biosphere but others name as many as twelve or more. I believe that six is sufficient but there are what you might call sub-biomes of each biome that some would like to differentiate from the others like them. The taiga biome is the largest of the biomes. It is located in Canada, Europe and Asia. The average temperature of the taiga is below freezing about 6 months out of the year with about 12 to 33 inches of precipitation per year. There is little diversity in plant life. A few broad leaf tree species live in the taiga but mostly evergreen trees are the only ones that have adapted to really thrive in this environment. There are some animals that have adapted to live in the cold and snowy environment. A predator called the ermine has a thick coat of dark fur that turns white in the winter. The snowshoe rabbit also has a fur that turns white in the winter. The wolverine is able to mate during ideal conditions by delayed implantation in which they suspend dormant fertilized eggs until the conditions are ideal for bearing their young. Rainforests are the most diverse having more than 15 million species living in the biome. The rainforest biome is sometimes separated into two different biomes.

Assimilation “Housing Indigenous Australians in the 1970s” Essay

Since the 1970s the Australian Government started focusing on establishment of houses for Indigenous people in reserve, remote and very remote areas Indigenous housing programs as. Numbers of housing commission "HC" has been built under what has called the Housing for Aboriginal people â€Å"HFA† (1) Consequently, Aboriginal people started moving from overcrowded private rental homes and government houses to public housing tenants in suburban estates. For many Indigenous Australians, this experience negatively affected their obligations to family and community and their conventional pattern of life, because it was based as much on class relations and colonialism view. For this reason, white settlers was justifying the Indigenous people inadequacy participate in social life and / or to assimilate to racist terms, as demonstrating their genetic / biological unsuitability for â€Å"sophisticated life" (2). By another word, white people were represented the problem as social adva ncement rather than determinants of better social and health circumstances. In all of these forms of policies and acts, the expectations by white settlers was that Aboriginal people did not have adequate culture to be able to participate in normal social life. The standard of the education, childrearing nuclear family life, neighbourly interaction, hygiene and clean housing were the fundamental elements around these housing programs. On the other hand, Aboriginal people were needed to absorb these to be able to leave the poor conditions and to acquire citizenship rights (4). This essay will explore the cultural and social and negative impacts of New South Wales Housing Commission (HC) during 1970s, at the end of what is called as the Assimilation Era and impacts of ... ...ious Aborigines people in New South Wales found out some important connections between prevalence of those psychiatric disorders and the circumstances in the housing commission. These findings recommend that some conditions involved adaptation to the normal life circumstances within the whole society and/or accumulative new behaviour increases the vulnerability of illicit drug use and depression. (8) Furthermore, higher levels of at-risk behaviors have been noted among Aboriginal adolescents during the assimilation era. These behaviours include poor physical health, risk factor for disability, face a self-assessed health disadvantage, aggressiveness and emotional distress. However, this may bias by the disproportion of socioeconomic factors. By another word, lower socioeconomic level increase the risk of such health outcomes.

Reach Out and Touch †Maxine Tynes Essay

1. Each woman on the bus reacts to the child’s actions differently. The  narrator reacts by smiling at the children because she knows that this is neither the first nor the last time this will happen, while the mother of the children reacts by slapping their hands to make them stop touching the woman. 2. A theme statement expressing my interpretation of the main idea in this  poem would be: Children are those who don’t understand the differences between people and in order to accept them, they not only have to see, but also â€Å"to reach out and touch†. An example supporting my statement is â€Å"and touch the curly electric of my hair your fingers dipped in the brown skin magic of my neck to see if it comes off†. Look more: first poem for you  essay 3. The tone and mood of the poem are mysterious at the beginning when it is not clear what is really going on, but kind of uncomfortable at the end when the reader identifies what the children had done and how they have made their mother feel embarrassed from their actions. Maxine Tynes uses imagery, comparison and connotation (â€Å"dipped in the brown skin magic†) to convey this mood and tone. 4. Irony surrounds the â€Å"motherlove† in this poem because a mother’s love means to caress her children with love and affection instead of teaching them morals especially in public places. However, in the poem the mother slaps her kids when she sees them touching the black woman.

Family life in To Kill A Mockingbird Essay

In order to appreciate To Kill A Mockingbird fully, we should be familiar with some of the background of its setting. The South in the colonial times grew into an area with large cotton plantations and small cities. Because of the necessity for cheap labour to pick and seed the cotton, Negro slavery took a strong hold there. At the outbreak of the American Revolution, there were over 500,000 slaves in this country, with by far the greatest number in the South. As time passed, plantation owners formed a landed aristocracy. The Negroes, though slaves, gained a measure of economic security. On the perimeter of this were the poorer white farmers who either owned small pieces of land or worked as sharecroppers. To Kill a Mockingbird is set against this background of 1930 Southern life. The Finches are a family who once had a large, successful plantation. Their ancestors had been aristocratic ladies and gentlemen of the South. Now they have been reduced to gentile poverty. They are better off by far than the Cunningham’s, for example, who have nothing but their land. Atticus Finch is highly respected throughout the community mainly due to his law career. There are many different kinds of family life in â€Å"To Kill A Mockingbird†. There are white families who are higher and lower class and then black families. I think that Harper Lee exaggerates the family hierarchy, i.e. the lower class families are shown as being very poor while the higher-class families are shown to be almost ideal. This makes it clearer to us how different the families are. The Finch family would be an example of an ideal family, which is ironic considering that there is no mother. They are a poor family although better off than most and stand near the top of Maycomb’s social hierarchy. There is a lot of love, trust and security within the family. Atticus is a very good father and has brought Scout and Jem up to be very mature and respectful. He devotes himself to his children despite criticism from family and neighbors who think his children lack discipline and proper guidance. Atticus is a wise man, committed to justice and equality, and his parenting style is based on fostering these virtues in his children – he even encourages Jem and Scout to call him ‘Atticus’ so that they can interact on terms as equal as possible. Throughout the novel, Atticus works to develop Scout and Jem’s respective consciences. He tells Scout to put herself in a person’s shoes  before she judges them. Calpernia acts as a mother figure and is treated as one of the family. She is also their ‘bridge’ between the white world and her own black community. Calpernia’s own family may be black, but they are respectful and clean, good Christian people, who are better than some of the white families. Again, Tom Robinson and his family are black but he is honest and respectable. However they are still inferior to the extremely lower class white folk. The Ewell family is known as ‘white trash’. They would be at the very bottom of the hierarchy. They represent the dark side of the South: ignorance, poverty, filth, and hate-filled racial prejudice. In contrast with the Finch family they show poor parental care. Bob Ewell is a father of eight who is a drunken, permanently unemployed member of Maycomb’s poorest family. The attitude and actions of the father influence the children’s behavior and attitude. i.e., they are renound for attending only the first day of school. Like the Ewells, the Cunningham family is very poor. They are uneducated country farmers but are honest and hardworking. They take nothing unless they can pay it back in their own way, for example leaving Atticus stove wood, hickory nuts and holly to pay for his services. The Radley family is a very good example of parental failure. Their son Boo is an intelligent child emotionally damaged by his cruel father. The parent’s mistreatment of Boo has resulted in his life being totally ruined. They are also the centre of Maycomb’s gossip and from this, we get the impression that Boo is a violent and nasty man, when actually he is kind and befriends and protects Jem and Scout. We don’t hear very much about Dill’s family, but from what we do hear, we can see that he has a very difficult situation where he comes from a broken family. Dill spins grand tales about his father but runs away from home later in the book because he feels his mother and stepfather don’t care about him. Harper Lee makes it very clear to us that parents influence children so much so that we can see the enormous difference between the Finches and The Ewells. We are introduced to a good black family that is  destroyed by a drunken bum who is unfortunately white. This complicates us to show the intricacy of the moral values that were unjust at the time.