Animal Euthanasia Essays

Animal Euthanasia Essays Animal Euthanasia Paper Animal Euthanasia Paper Death of any type is always a controversial issue whenever debated. This natural process attracts our human-being’s curiousness and raises millions of unanswered questions, such as what do we actually feel before we die or is there any possibility to avoid it? In general, we can roughly come up with an conclusion that no one prefer â€Å"dying† to â€Å"living†, or like Eleanor Roosevelt stated: â€Å"One must never, for whatever reason, turn one’s back on life†. However, that leads to a new recent modern matter : Euthanasia – the mercy killing. It may be considered as a fair action because the victim still has the right to decide whether to accept it or not. But let’s ponder for a second. Euthanasia it’s not that narrow and specific, it’s not on only human. What if it is applied for animals? Unlike us, those animals- normally are pets or members of the zoos don’t have the right to keep their lives or die in an unexpected way. Many animal right activists opposed this what they called an inhuman action, but the others have plenty of contrary ideas. They argue that is necessary for terminally ill patients, or a good way to control the population. To begin with, let’s explore more about this â€Å"animal euthanasia†. This is the act of humanely putting an animal to death or allowing it to die as by withholding extreme medical measures. Most of its methods are designed to cause minimal pain and distress. There are many kinds of this activities namely â€Å"free bullet†- when such big animals like horses received a direct bullet to their forehead, which result in instant deaths or â€Å"captive bolt† that is common used for cattle. But according to The 2012 DVM Newsmagazine State of the Profession survey(), more euthanasias were performed despite increase in stop treatment point recently with tables 1 and 2 : Generally, there are many different explanations for this upward trend. First of all, Jenifer Bove – an article writer who had a survey all over the United State ‘s zoos came up with her own conclusion :† Euthanasia is a controversial means of population control used by zoos. † And this is the reason : â€Å"Zoos that favor euthanasia over contraception generally allow animals to mate naturally and permit mothers to raise their young until an age at which the family groups would instinctively separate in the wild. At that point , zoo officials employ lethal injection to kill young animals that exceed the zoo’s carrying capacity, don’t fit into breeding plans, and are unwanted by other zoos In the spring of 2012, the Copenhagen Zoo euthanized a pair of leopard cubs who were approaching two years of age as part of their breeding management plan. â€Å" This is the very significant mission of the zoos- to manage population. Therefore animal euthanasia could be morally right and justified till it is used for correct reasons. In addition, euthanasia is also the only way to spare the agony of watching our loved pets have to suffer and reduce the spread of diseases, based on the article â€Å" do you agree or disagree with euthanasia or mercy killing† :† if a terminal patient faces a long, slow , painful death, surely it is much kinder to spare them this kind of suffering and allow them to end their life comfortably. This idea is also suggested by the Central Zoo Authority of India who said :†euthanasia of zoo animals may be carried out only in the specific circumstances when any animals is in such an agony or pain that it is cruel to keep him alive. Though it’s the fact that we cannot communicate with animals, thus they can’t tell us how they fell at a specific time, but with modern technology, we can predict that. On the other hand, according to K. Sri Dhammananda – a Buddhists believer â€Å" some people try to justify mercy killing with the misconception that if the motive or reason is good, then the act itself is good. Actually it is not that they have mercy toward those animals, but they kill them for their own precaution and to get rid of an awful sights It is evident that if an animal, a pet have a kind of affected disease, we human have to have a fear in mind of being affected. Moreover, the writer also mentions about a moral issue : â€Å" If mercy killing is the correct method to be practiced on pets and other animals, then why people are so reluctant to do the same to the beloved ones? † Some could also claim that animal euthanasia is murder and immoral because they has the right to live longer . Based on†¦,†patients that are in comas and have not indicated that they wish to die have the right to continue their lives until the natural end. Who are we to say that they should die when it’s convenient to us? That should be left unto God decide. † Life cannot be created so life should not be taken away. Not to mention that animals are incapable of deciding for themselves. Deciding death or life is God’s work and we ought not to interfere it. Similarly, according to†¦ â€Å" 2 Samuel 1:4-10 says,†And David said unto him , How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me†¦.. my lord Here was an incident that could be classified as euthanasia. How did David respond to this action? Did he consider it as a mercy killing? No, David treated it as murder. † Personally speaking, i am against animal euthanasia since it violate seriously moral aspects as well as the right to â€Å"survive†. Thomas Jefferson stated :† all men are created equal† . However, I deeply believe this statement has a larger meaning. Not all men, but all species ,all creations that the Almighty God has created are equal. Therefore, it is not a mercy death for a pet or an animal at all if we kill will them without their permission, even for their goods. In terms of science, it’s clear that there’s a basic difference between two scientific terms â€Å"merciful killing† and â€Å"merciful death† : the victim’s approval. Speaking of animals, they ‘re more likely to suffer from mercy- killing than mercy-death. And that method is basically another form of murder and should be banned. Just imagine, when a human patient in the hospital know he’s going to be put to death, he cried and beg the doctor not to let him die, not kill him. Could we can still go ahead and act like â€Å"heroes† ,trying to save him from pain? I believe the same thing would occur if animals knew how to talk, to express their feelings. In conclusion†¦.

SAT Prep Tips for Last Minute Studying and Cramming

SAT Prep Tips for Last Minute Studying and Cramming SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips CRAMMING FOR THE SAT - WEEKS, DAYS, OR HOURS LEFT TO STUDY. WHAT TO DO? So the SAT's coming up, and you need to cram for the test. You might have a few weeks, or even a few days left. You might be able to spend just 10 or fewer hours studying. If you're wondering how to best make use of your time before the test, this article's for you. First of all,consider delaying the test.If you've spent fewer than 40 hours studying for the SAT up to this point, it's very unlikely that you'll get the highest score possible on your upcoming SAT test. Instead, consider delaying your SAT to a later date and committing to studying early for the SAT in the meantime. This is especially true if you're a junior in high school or below - you'll have many more chances to take the SAT, and you want to put in a serious effort before your SAT so you can get the highest score possible. This isn't so that you minimize the tests that you take (schools don't really care how many times you took the SAT), but rather so that you don't waste time waiting for your score to arrive, hoping it'll be good enough. Instead you should put that time toward serious preparation. Note that this doesn't apply if this is the last time you can take the SAT - you might be a senior with this test as your last chance, or you might need it in time for a scholarship. If you're still committed to taking the test, here are ourtop two tips for doing as well as you can: #1: Take a Practice Test It's vital that you get comfortable with the format of the SAT, the way it asks questions, and its length. This is especially true if you've never taken a full-length SAT, or if your last test was over two months ago. The College Board has a free SAT practice test with answer explanations. Here's how to make the most of this practice test: Print out the testso you can practice writing on paper. Follow the timingstrictly.You need to get used to two things - the 4-hour length of the test, and the time given for each section. The SAT will cut you off when the section ends, with no allowances. Grade your test and calculate your SAT score. If you followed the test conditions strictly, your score on the real test is going to be pretty close to this score. Again, use this to help decide whether you want to delay your test. Review each section in detail and figure out why you missed each question. This is the most important part of taking this practice test. The SAT practice test (link again) contains answer explanations for each question. Your goal is to figure out why you missed the question, and how you won't miss it again in the future. All of the above should take at least 6 hours - around 3 hours to take the practice test, and 3 hours to review the test. #2: Guess Strategically If you're scoring below 600 on a section, here's a simple strategy that can potentially earn you a lot of points:skip the most difficult questions. To score a 500, you should skip 1/3 of all questions. To score a 600, you should skip 1/5 of all questions. This might seem crazy. Aren't you leaving points on the table if you don't try to answer all of the questions?Since there's no penalty for wrong answers on the SAT, you shouldput something down for every question, but that doesn't mean you need to spend time thinking about the answer. If you're scoring around a 600 when trying every question, it's unlikely that you'll be getting the most difficult questions correct. These questions also take the most amount of time since you'll spend minutes trying to make sense of what the question is asking. By skipping the hardest questions, you'll be able to spend more time on the easier questions that you're more likely to get right. As a rule of thumb, if you're spending more than 30 seconds on a question while making zero progress, make a guess and move on to the next one. You should take one to two hours to learn this strategy and make sure you're comfortable applying it. What Now? If you follow the two steps above, within 10 hours you'll be far ahead of where you started out. You probably won't get the best score you possibly can, but you might do well enough. What if you want to take the test again?Here at PrepScholarwe recommend that you put inat least 40 hours of dedicated SAT prep. You also need tostudy in the right wayso that you don't waste your time. PrepScholar is an online test prep program that creates a customized study program that's unique to you. It learns your personal strengths and weaknesses and creates a complete, comprehensive study plan that will give you exactly what you need to study to earn the most points. Behind the program is our team of dedicated education professionals who are committed to helping you solve your problems, whether it has to do with not knowing what to study, not being motivated to study, or having problems fitting prep into your schedule. Learn more about PrepScholar. Like this article? Get our free Ebook Guide to the SAT!

Closing case #1 wireless bikes Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Closing #1 wireless bikes - Case Study Example Therefore, technology is able to get right resources to the right place and at the right time (Baltzan, 2014). Hence, the company can comfortably operate in a free environment without being tied to physical location. Providing immediate data Access provides value when mobility permits activities to be conducted at where required. Wireless networks are capable of supporting a broad variety of immediate data access alternatives, from collecting usage data through RFID technologies when driving near a water meter to including complete internet access on mobile device or laptop. The company is able to get a status report as well as other important information on the transaction of the bike. Increasing monitoring and location capability helps in minimizing losses from damage and theft, gathers information from difficulty-to-reach or remote locations, enhances safety as well as makes probable a new wave of customized services. The RFID tags allow the tracking of the bikes from booking to using and returning the bike. LBS devices send storm information from the bike and help in locating it when there is a problem. Improving workflows involves using wireless technology, provides the opportunity for redesigning as well as simplifying those processes for being cheaper, faster, and more responsive. This also helps in eradicating redundant activities, redistribute tasks, and integrate activities and services. The company gets original data as the transactions with bike users go on. Both the user and the company interact freely as well as faster. Providing mobile business opportunities involves offering an advantage of making a purchase through the internet from anywhere, and anytime. In addition, wireless system offers consumers with the capacity to get information as well as order commodities and services faster and with ease employing a mobile device. Providing alternative to wiring occurs as

Avoiding Taxes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Avoiding Taxes - Essay Example The US tax returns process requires the US citizens to pay tax on the incomes they earn all over the world. The US citizens are required to pay income taxes on their world-wide income irrespective of the fact whether they visited the US land in recent times or in the recent decades. This led to the renouncing of US citizenship by the US people which has increased from 231 in 2008 to 1781 in 2011. By giving up US citizenship, the people of US or people residing abroad are able to reduce their tax liability as they are not required to follow the lengthy process of US tax returns (Yoshov, 2007). The tax liability is also reduced as the taxes on worldwide income are reduced as an effect of renouncing the US citizenship. Thus the overall tax liability is reduced as a result of renouncing of US citizenship by people especially in US and also by people holding US citizenship and residing abroad. Tax liability: Effects of dual citizenship Many people having US citizenship have migrated to other countries where they also hold a citizenship of that country. England and Wales constitutes the highest number of US citizens all over the world. These people have dual citizenship in both the US as well as in another country like England. The effect of dual citizenship is, however, complicated as the people are required to pay taxes to both the US government as well to the Inland Revenue System of the country of residence. Thus the effect of dual citizenship does not help the people in reducing their tax liability. Because of the US citizenship, the people are required to pay taxes for the worldwide income. Apart from this, the US citizens are also required to pay taxes to the host country where they have migrated and are earning their income (Patterson, 2006). Apart from this, the dual citizenship would also enforce the US citizens to pay capital gains tax to the US government if they sell their properties in another country which is their main residence. Thus dual citizenship would make the tax liability more complicated. Comparison: Effects of renouncing US citizenship to establishing dual citizenship The effect on tax liability of the income earned by the people having US citizenship could be compared to the people having dual citizenship. The act of renouncing the US citizenship is a much more acceptable option as the people would not be required to pay taxes for more than once for only one income. By giving up the US citizenship, the people would not be required to pay taxes on their worldwide income. They would only be required to pay taxes to the host government for the income that they have earned on their land. The renouncing of US citizenship, however, involves a one time cost as the US citizens should complete a US tax return for five years. There are also legal costs involved for the process of immigration. On the other hand, dual citizenship would make the tax liability much more complicate d (CCH Incorporated, 2007). The citizen would have to pay income taxes to the US government irrespective of where they have earned their income. The sale of properties in the country of residence would require the citizens to pay capital gains tax to the US government. Apart from this, the citizen would also require to pay taxes to the host government for the income earned in the host country which is their actual residence. Thus from the perspective of reduction of tax liability, dual citizenship would be more complicated as compared to renouncing of US citizenship. Decision on renouncing citizenship versus dual citizenship From an individual perspective, renouncing US citizenship would be much easier as compared to taking up dual citizenship. From the view point of reduction of t

Personnel management-Part I Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Personnel management-Part I - Essay Example accordance with the changes that are continuously occurring in the business environment in order to maintain their competitiveness and ability to lead the market. The aim of this essay is to help the reader understand how to conduct training and development in an effective way. In order to yield the maximum out of the training and development program and making it effective and impactful, there are many roles a supervisor or trainer can play. These roles help the supervisor in encouraging the employees and inducing confidence and interest in them. (Reece et al, 2010). The most important role of a supervisor is that of a coach. A good coach identifies the trainee’s strengths and weaknesses in such a way that he would neither get over-confident (due to his strengths) nor too overwhelmed (due to his weaknesses). He helps the employee pin-point his skills and interests and improve accordingly. He would also suggest ways through which the employee could transform his weaknesses into his strengths, increase his productivity and prosper in his career at a faster pace creating a win-win situation for himself as well as the organization. A good trainer is also a good advisor. He keeps an eye on the employee’s shortcomings and advices accordingly without putting him down. He helps his subordinates in setting up realistic career goals that would help him as well as the organization in the long run. He would provide the employee with all the necessary information and instructions that are necessary for him to know, in order to perform his tasks more efficiently. A good supervisor evaluates his subordinates in an open and transparent manner. He is apt at giving frequent feedback but of constructive nature that is intended to boost the employee’s morale and help him develop. He restrains from useless criticism that might bring the employee’s morale down and imparts objectivity. He also plays the role of a motivator and boosts the workers’ self-confidence by

Therapeutic Intervention And Women Experiencing Domestic Violence Social Work Essay

Therapeutic Intervention And Women Experiencing Domestic Violence Social Work Essay There have been on-going public and professional concerns about the issue of domestic violence in the world. This interest has resulted in a growing body of research evidence which examine the prevalence and correlates of this type of violence (Archer, 2002; Fagan Browne, 1994; Johnson Ferraro, 2000). The most common form of violence against women is domestic violence, or the violence against women in families. Research consistently demonstrates that a woman is more likely to be injured, raped or killed by a current or former partner than by any other persons. Men may kick, bite, slap, punch or try to strangle their wives or partners; they may burn them or throw acid on their faces; they may beat or rape them, with either their body parts or sharp objects and they may use deadly weapons to stab or shoot them. At times, women are seriously injured, and in some cases they are killed or die, as a result of their injuries (United Nations Economic and Social Council, 1996). The assaults are intended to injure womens psychological health and bodies, which usually include humiliation and physical violence. Just like torture, the assaults are unpredictable and bear little relation to womens own behaviour. Moreover, the assaults may continue for weeks, and even years. Some women may believe that they deserve the beatings because of some wrong actions on their parts, while others refrain from speaking about the abuse because they fear that their partner will further harm them in reprisal for revealing the family secrets or they may simply be ashamed of their situation (United Nations Economic and Social Council, Report of the Special Reporters on violence against women, E/CN.4/1996/53, February 1996). Physical and sexual violence against women is an enormous problem throughout the world. The perpetrators are typically males close to women, such as their intimate partners and family members. Violence puts women at risk for both short- and long-term sequel which involves their physical, psychological, and social well-being. The prevalence of violence involving women is alarming and it constitutes a serious health problem. No woman is safe from domestic violence, no matter what country or culture she lives in. According to the latest UN report, one in three women is raped, beaten, or abused during her lifetime. The occasion of todays world Eliminate Violence against Womens Day focuses on Iran, where abuse largely goes unreported and officially at least unrecognized. Some researchers have argued that violence is equally a problem for both sexes (Gelles, 1974; Straus, Gelles and Steinmetz, 1980; both cited in Dwyer, 1996). However, as Bograd (1988) points out, this argument ignores the disproportionate rate of male violence against women and that most documented female violence is committed in self-defence. Moreover, it also ignores the structural supports for male violence against women. There is abundant evidence which suggests that violence, against women by their husbands or partners, is a historical and current norm (i.e. Dobash and Dobash, 1988; Geller, 1992; Gordon, 1998). Some of the criticisms of cognitive behavioural therapies are that they tend to ignore social and political factors which affect clients (Enns, 1997). People who are homeless, battered, or poor may not have the financial resources or social support to use some cognitive and behavioural methods. Cognitive-behaviour therapy views that behaviour is primarily determined by what that person thinks. Cognitive-behaviour therapy works on the premise that thoughts of low self-worth are incorrect and due to faulty learning. In addition, the aim of therapy is to get rid of the faulty concepts which influence negative thinking. Furthermore, cognitive behavioural therapies may not attend to clients cultural assumptions about rationality which are rather implicit in such therapies. To make cognitive and behavioural therapies more compatible with the feminist therapy, Worell and Remer (2003) suggested changing labels that stress the pathology of people, focusing on feeling, and integrating ideas about gender-role socialization, rather than using negative or pathological labels such as distortion, irrationality, or faulty thinking. Worell and Remer (2003) suggest that clients explore ideas, based on the gender-role generalizations which appear to be distorted or irrational. For example, rather than labelling the thought that womens place is in the home as irrational, the therapist should explore the actual rewards and punishments for living out this stereotyped belief. By focusing on anger, particularly angry ones which arise as a result of gender-role limitations or discrimination, women can be helped to feel independent and gain control over their lives. Therefore, helping women with their social-role issues, gender-role and power analysis can be helpful in exp loring ways of dealing with societal pressures which interfere with womens development. This is supported by Wyche (2001) who believes that cognitive and behaviour therapies are particularly relevant for women of colour because they focus on the present, providing clients with methods to use in handling the current problems. 1.2 Statement of the Problem Violence by intimate partners has been recognized throughout the world as a significant health problem. For instance, the World Health Organization (WHO) focuses on violence against women as a priority health issue. Violence by intimate partners refers to any behaviour within an intimate partnership which causes physical, psychological, or sexual harm to those in the relationship. Violence against women is a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women (Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, 1993). According to this Declaration fear is the biggest outcome of violence against women. Fear from violence is a big obstacle of womens independence and results in women to continue seeking the mens support, and in many instances this support results in the vulnerability and dependency of women, and is the main obstacle in the empowerment of womens potentials, which can bring about the development of their capacities and to use their energy in the improvement of society. Violence and abuse across the world are a common phenomenon and are not specific to a particular society, culture or mentality. Women in any given country and society are in one way or another subjected to violence in the private (home) environment or public (social) environment. In view of the irreversible consequences of violence for both the human, social and family structure of society, and for women themselves. This issue must become extra sensitive in the world. In fact, gender-based violence against women is the violation of their human rights and fundamental freedoms, the denial of their spiritual and physical integrity and an insult to their dignity. Violence against women is an obstacle of access to equal objectives, development and peace. The term violence against women is associated to any violent act that is gender-based that results in physical, mental and sexual hurt and suffering. The main reason for the separation of men and women is mental abuse. Mental abuse is an abusive behaviour which hurts and damages the womans honour, dignity and self-confidence. This type of abuse results the loss of perception, loss of self-confidence, various types of depression, womans failure in managing the family, greed at the work environment, the reconstruction of violent behaviour in children, womans dysfunction in the family, turning to sedatives, alcohol, drugs, fortune-telling (Mehrangiz Kar 2000). Violence against women in Iran takes place in a number of ways: 1 Honour killing; 2 Self-immolation; 3 Domestic violence; 4 Prostitution; 5 Human trafficking, women and children in particular. Violence reduces the self-confidence of women in the family. Women, who are abused, usually become depressed, secluded, and withdrawn people. Depression is also one of the most fundamental psychological problems in women who are in domestic violence. (Enayat, Halimeh,2006). Standards for counselling practice was developed in response to reports from women who were dissatisfied with the counselling they received after experiencing domestic violence, and concerns raised by workers in womens domestic violence services (Inner South Domestic Violence Service in Melbourne). According to the Welfare Organization of Iran (2006), the rate of mental illness among women victimized by domestic violence is significantly higher than among other women having hospital contact. It was noted that while an established network existed for domestic violence crisis and support services were designed specifically to meet the needs of women, counselling services tended to be generalized, with only a few practitioners specializing in the area. Furthermore, there has been no study to show counsellors which treatment for the mental health treatment of women who experienced domestic violence is better than the others (WBO, 2006). Family laws in Iran, create inequality between men and women, and these laws do not have the capacity to protect women who live with violent men, and violence has turned into a power tool for men. As the country progresses into an industrial nation, more academically qualified professionals are in great demand in Iran. Women who have experienced domestic violence are subjected to considerable amount of problems concerning mental health related to domestic violence. In a study by A. A. Noorbala, conducted at the Tehran University of Medical Sciences, the prevalence of mental disorders was shown to be 21.3% in the rural areas, and this was 20.9% in the urban areas. According to an old Iranian saying, Women should sacrifice themselves and tolerate. This shows that many women, if not most women, are involved in domestic violence. It happens in private life and a legal complaint can destroy the life of a woman. In other words, parts of the population have the perception that abuse is done in order to keep with the traditions of the society and out of love. Women, who are victims of domestic violence, perceived that their husbands jealous reactions which turn into violence are a sign of their love and attention to them. In a very traditional and religious setting in which many [in Iran] live, their understanding of religion and the interpretation given to them throughout the centuries is that a man can beat his wife. They believe that it is a religious command and the commentators, who have portrayed Islam in this light as a violent religion, have also contributed to the growth of this kind of culture. The police and judicial system are of little help. If a battered woman calls the police, it is unlikely that they will intervene. Ironically, the traditional attitude towards marital conflict in Iran inclines people to mediate between the couple. In many cases, the woman is usually sent back to her violent home. In the Iranian judicial system, there has been no law established to prevent domestic violence. On the contrary, there are many indicators which encourage violence against women in families in the Iranian Islamic penal code. Some authors estimate that the number of intimate relationships with violent husbands is about 20 to 30 percent (Stark Flitcraft, 1988; Straus Gelles, 1986). Broken bones, miscarriages, broken families, death, and some mental health disorders are some of the consequences of battering in intimate relationships. Each year, over one million women seek medical care due to battering (Nadelson Sauzier, 1989). Victims also experience nightmares and somatic consequences, while children who witness abuse may be symptomatic, displaying a high number of somatic, psychological and behavioural problems (Nadelson Sauzier, 1989). In addition to psychological scarring for victims, children, and batterers, there are broader societal repercussions of domestic violence. Williams-White (1989) state that the structural, cultural, and social characteristics of our society continue to perpetuate the victimization of women at all levels. In a way, violence within familial relationships reflects and helps maintain violence and oppression it widely in culture. Jennings (1 987:195) explains this by stating that violent husbands not only contribute to maintaining the level of violence in society, they also reflect a direct manifestation of socially learned sex-role behaviours. Moreover, the prevalence of battering has crossed race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status (Hotaling Sugarman, 1986). Maltreatment of violence can lead to more violence (Walker, 1984). In systems which do not change, future generations may continue to resort to violence to solve problems. In addition, in many of those systems, violence may become more severe with time. For this reason, it is therefore necessary to work on treating the consequences of violence. However, to date, funding for mental health interventions is still limited, and it often only supports short-term treatment which will not adequately address the long-term symptoms. In view of the special treatment for the mental health of women, counseling centres and support houses for women can reduce the mental health problem of abused women and also reduce the domestic violence statistics. At the Welfare Organizations Counselling Centres in Iran, women who are victimized by domestic violence are treated by social workers and counsellors utilizing the cognitive behaviour therapy. Based on the above discussion, this study also analyzed the comparison of the treatments given to women who have experienced domestic violence, using four different therapies, namely combination therapy (cognitive behaviour therapy and feminist therapy) with cognitive behaviour therapy, feminist therapy and social work skills. Violence can shatter a womans life in many ways. Being a victim of violence is widely recognized as a cause for mental health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. Being abused also plays a major role in developing or worsening substance abuse problems. For many women who are affected by violence, their first abuse usually occurred in their childhood or adolescence. Victimized women as childrens mothers frequently end up losing custody of their own children due to allegations of abuse or neglect, and over 50% of child abuse and neglect cases involve parental alcohol and drug abuse. In addition to institutionalized violence against women in Iran, the majority of the women and young girls are facing domestic violence at home at the time when they are still living with their parents. In most cases, it is the father and the other elder male members in the family are among those who first commit the aggression against the women and young girls. According to the latest statistics, two out of every three Iranian women have experienced discrimination and domestic violence from the father or the other male members of their family. For the vast majority of the Iranian women, married life marks the beginning of horror, pain, and humiliation, i.e. being the victim of their husbands and sometimes the other family members. Moreover, eighty one out of 100 married women have experienced domestic violence in the first year of their marriage (Mehrangiz Kar 2000). Even women with outstanding jobs and prestigious social standings are subject to this violation. In most of the cases , this abuse leaves permanent physical and psychological damages for the rest of their lives. Ironically, without saying even a word and with much pain and yet no support, crimes against women have gone unnoticed. Ninety out of 100 women suffer from a severe case of depression, from which they ultimately commit suicide and 71% of those women experience nervous breakdowns. (Mehrangiz Kar 2000). Their methods of suicide include setting themselves ablaze. For them, this is the only way of escaping from segregation and humiliation. For instance in Ilam (a city in Iran), 15 girls set themselves ablaze each month, fighting against oppression or depression (Welfare Organization of Iran, 2005). Looking at how serious this problem has become, it is therefore the responsibility of everyone to fight the oppression against women. Female victims need to believe that they should not be blamed on whatever happens to them. An active participation in the Welfare Organization of Iran to defend the wo mens rights and opposition to the Iranian Islamic fundamentalism is the least one can do to help end the pain and suffering of the victims of violence in both private and public spheres. Violence against women, in human and brutal punishments, such as stoning and complete elimination of the women from the political and social arenas represent some aspects of the modus operandi of fundamentalists leading to institutionalized violence. This also means that the struggle for equality, safety and security cannot be separated from the fight against fundamentalism in Iran. This study made use of the theoretical framework, combining the cognitive-behaviour theory and feminist theory for the mental health of the women who have been victimized by domestic violence. The present study could provide knowledge on the different types of mental health treatments adopted by counsellors at various counselling centres throughout the country. This research also examined the quality of the treatment by combining two therapies (cognitive-behaviour therapy and feminist therapy). Armed with this knowledge, the leaders of the Welfare Organizations, the society, families and counsellors can benefit from the consequences of change in the womens mental health. The suggested theoretical framework would provide a better understanding of the womens mental health and their performance in the society. In summery, battered and abused women need a wide range of responses, flexible services, and supportive policies to enhance their safety and self-sufficiency and to restore their self-esteem and welfare. These might include mental and physical health evaluation and referral; relocation services; confidential advocacy, shelter, and other domestic violence support services; educational and vocational training; legal representation concerning divorce, custody and protective orders; evaluation of immigration status and ethnic or cultural issues; and the effective enforcement of criminal laws and court orders to help free them from their partners control and to keep them and their children safe. We know that women who have suffered abuse are more likely to suffer posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and somatization than those who have never experienced abuse; the more extensive the abuse, the greater the risk of mental health disorder. Womens mental health treatment is an important area to consider for research because (1) girls and women as a group are exposed to more traumatic stressors than boys and men; (2) the mental health of women may be severely affected, resulting not only in immediate psychological symptoms, but also lifetime risk for self-destructive or suicidal behaviour, anxiety and panic attacks, eating disorders, substance abuse, somatization disorder, and sexual adjustment disorders; and (3) psychologists are not regularly trained to work specifically with trauma survivors, which can reduce the effectiveness of the treatment survivors receive. Currently there are 22 crisis intervention centres (womens crisis intervention centre) across the country (Iran), and women can stay in these centres between 6 to 8 months. As violence causes psychological pressures and uncontrolled stresses on and ultimately depression in women generally, this study was intended to find a better and useful treatment in the attempt to improve the treatment for the mental health of the women who have become the victims of domestic violence. The present study would also provide further knowledge and understanding on the three different types of the treatments used, namely the Cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT), Feminist therapy and the combination of the two treatments. The results of this study would therefore contribute the theoretical development and practice in counselling. 1.6 Operational Definition of Terms 1.6.1 Domestic violence Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive behaviour, which includes physical, sexual, economic, emotional and/or psychological abuse, exerted by an intimate partner over another with the goal of establishing and maintaining power and control. 1.6.2 Mental health a state of mind characterized by emotional well-being, relative freedom from anxiety and disabling symptoms, and a capacity to establish constructive relationships and cope with the ordinary demands and stresses of life. Mental Health is the balance between all aspects of life social, physical, spiritual and emotional. It impacts on how we manage our surroundings and make choices in our lives clearly it is an integral part of our overall health. In this study, mental health refers to the score which the client gets from the SCL-90-R test. 1.6.3 Cognitive behaviour Therapy (CBT) A set of principles and procedures that assume that cognitive processes affect behaviour and conversely that behaviour affects cognitive processes. It emphasizes a here-and-now process without emphasizing causation. (D.Meichenbaum) .A treatment approach that helps clients examines and changes the relationship consequences, thoughts, feelings, behaviours and resultant consequences. It incorporates a number of diverse intervention (for example, cognitive restructuring procedures, problem solving, coping skills interventions, stress inoculation training, and self instructional training. 1.6.4 Feminist Therapy A philosophical and practical approach with certain assumptions; for example, strategies are needed, and therapists must be aware of personal, gender-biased value system in relation to appropriate behaviour. Feminist therapists promote se4lf-awareness, self-affirmation, and personal integration, outcomes that may conflict with the societal norms that were the original source of dysfunctional behaviour patterns of women.

On Trying To Understand The Universe and Life :: Biology Essays Research Papers

On Trying To Understand The Universe and Life I sat there in awe. I was in awe at the man's genius. I was in awe of his life. It could be described by no less than miraculous. I was especially shocked at the way the narrator of the movie, A Brief History of Time, related the discovery of his illness. He explained, "The doctors told him that he had about two and a half years to live and only his heart, his lungs, and his brain would eventually remain functional while everything else in his body would turn into a cabbage"(1) The words echoed through my mind, "Only his heart, his lungs, and his brain...". It seemed a terrifying condition to befall a youth in his early twenties. But amazingly, as the story went on, I soon found out that for him, the beginning of his illness marked a turning point from which his life truly begun. And I was at awe at God. Simply at awe. His name is Stephen Hawking. He is considered to be one of the greatest minds of Science. He was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, ALS, in 1962. He is still alive. He describes his philosophy in life prior to his diagnose in these terms, "My attitude was that nothing was worth an effort"(2) In the movie about his book, A Brief History of Time, it is explained how this philosophy was evident in his scholastic work where, in spite of his genius, he merely maintained an average standing as a student. Besides his diagnosed condition, the movie also points to another factor which reshaped his philosophy and outlook on life. He found love in the heart of a woman, Jane Wilde, who testified, "Without my faith in God, I wouldn't have been able to live in this situation(her husband's condition); I would not have been able to marry Stephen in the first place because I wouldn't have had the optimism to carry me through and I wouldn't have been able to carry on with it"(3) With these two events, things for stephen began to matter and he began to find meaning in putting forth the effort. His accomplishments, exemplified in a Brief History of Time, certainly testify to that. As the story unravels, he not only lived past two and a half years, he lived. He wrote, he studied, he taught, he questioned as his condition progressed; and still he lives.