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Dominican roots of male dominance (2)
English
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Dominican roots of male dominance
It is evident throughout the novel ‘The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao’ that huge emphasis has been placed on the gender roles of both the males and the females. It is through these roles traced in the book that it is evident that through the extreme machismo attitude we get to know what is expected of men in the Dominican Republic. The women are degraded and are considered to be nothing more than just a piece of meat. Machismo can be defined as the strong sense of the masculine pride or the extreme exaggeration of masculinity as well as such traits that get to be associated with the males.
Machismo is derived from the Spanish word macho that has the literal meaning of masculinity or simply male. Through time the word has been used to describe the males from Latin America. Despite the story of Oscar taking place in New Jersey, the great Dominican culture tends still to be strong throughout a majority of the characters in the book, and as time progresses, the cultural expectations tend to be destructive to both male and females. The Dominican culture tends to be so strong such that it is difficult to remove the hardwired cultural aspects despite changing its location to the United States. Through understanding how the Dominican culture poses some impacts on the characters of the novel, one is allowed to fully understand the motives as well as the actions of the majority of the characters throughout the book.
Through the stereotypes in the Dominican Republic to which machismo is allowed, women are degraded by men to prove their masculinity, and as a result, a variety of abuses occur to the women without many repercussions. Among the abuse suffered by women in the face of men include emotional, verbal, as well as the sexual abuse with an example of Beli and Lola in the book. Beli was younger when she happened to sell to a man who in return poured hot oil on her back. It, therefore, becomes clear that through the machismo culture, women tend to be degraded by the overt masculinity to which the males have been encouraged and as well have been raised to cultivate throughout the book.
American Foreign Policy
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American Foreign Policy
Throughout history, American foreign policy has been drafted to dictate how the state interacts with other countries on the international level (Hook 1). Because the United States is one of the most influential states in the world, this policy sets the standards on how the sate interrelates with other states, with the biggest emphasis being placed on promoting national interest for the citizens of the states. Accordingly, American foreign policy has undergone some changes owing to the changes in the ways most nations interact with each other at the international front. This policy is largely affected by some factors such as wars, and international trade policies among other things (Hook 3). A closer examination of America’s history reveals that there is a big difference between the U.S foreign policy before the World War II and after.
As research studies illustrate, American foreign policy before the World War II was predominantly considered as being “isolationist”. This means that America rarely got involved with the affairs of other countries (Hook 7). Instead, America believed that each nation’s problems was their own, and the state had no business trying to get involved with solving these problems not unless they directly affected the US. Observably, the US stayed clear of wars that had no relation to them and only engaged in wars that were directed to them and threatened national security. However, After the World War II, American foreign policy underwent a great change and the state embraced more involvement in international relations. After the World War II the American foreign policy was designed based on the assumption that threats to peace and freedom in other countries and states directly affected the state of affairs in the US (Hook 15). Those involved with the formulation of the American foreign policy argued that America’s ignorance of foreign threats would, in one way or another, affect the state. That the problems experienced by other states would eventually find way to the American society, and for that reason, the US needed to play a large role regarding international matters and state of affairs. Accordingly, the American foreign policy became what historians deem as “internationalist”, as the state believed in exploiting their power and resources to help other countries that were unable to solve their problems (Hook 17). By doing this, the US was hopeful that they would reduce the consequences of threats such as wars, if not prevent such events in the first place.
Accordingly, there has been plenty of debate regarding the changes that occurred in the American foreign policy before and after World War II, with most people arguing on the usefulness of these changes (Holsti 1-257). While most believe that these changes have been beneficial to America, as well as, other states in relation to reducing international threats, others believe that these changes have been detrimental to the America and the rest of the world.
This paper argues that most changes that occurred in the American foreign policy from the end of World War II through the Vietnam War were primarily detrimental to America. Specifically the paper will argue out this hypothesis on three main perspectives including political, economic, and social disparagement.
Why Changes in the American Foreign Policy were Detrimental
As previously mentioned, various changes occurred in the American foreign policy after the Word War II. American presidents during this time strongly believed in the involvement of the state in almost all international affairs regardless of whether or not these affairs directly affected the state. The changes that occurred in the American foreign policy were detrimental to the state, as well as, all other involved states primarily because they encouraged more war than peace (Holsti 1-257). What was dabbed as peaceful involvement was closely transformed into the search for power and control, and the state slowly became interest in power and control instead of the need for peace. This is clearly illustrated in the US’s reaction during the My Lai Massacre when US soldiers to “get even” with the Vietnamese military, that saw the destruction of many towns even though it was clear that the War was not directed to the US. For that reason, the Vietnam War was characterized my more deaths, as compared to, peace negotiations, that were originally the foundation of the American foreign policy. Accordingly, the changes in the American foreign policy are considered as being detrimental in three mains ways. Research studies argue that these changes in the American foreign policy are causative of political disparagement, economic disparagement, and social disparagement (Holsti 1-257).
Political Disparagement
Political disparagement refers to the lack of interest in the consequences of American political involvement in international affairs. The argument regarding political disparagement as a result of the American foreign policy is based observations of American attitude towards their involvement in political affair. Because these changes encouraged more American involvement in international matters, there have been issues regarding ethics within the political structure (Holsti 1-257). For example, American political leaders and authorities during Nixon’s tenure were accused of embracing illegal and unethical approaches to international involvement. Specifically, these authorities fabricated documents and blackmailed any authorities challenging their democratic ways. This was interpreted as the need for power and control, as opposed, to catering for the needs of citizens affected by problems.
Economic Disparagement
The years before the World War II saw a considerable amount of economic growth in America. However, the years after the World War II to date have been characterized by economic deterioration, which researchers argue is a result of changes in American foreign policy. Economic disparagement arises when individuals fail to realize the effects of American involvement in foreign affairs on their economic systems and structures. The years after the war saw an increase in economic disparity between the rich and the poor (Holsti 1-257). The American government, was and still is, spending a lot of money on wars and international involvement than it is in promoting economic growth for the state. The changes in the American foreign policy saw the US spend more than it takes in and for that reason forced the state into various economic downturns such as the recession and the current debt crisis.
Social Disparagement
Social disparagement refers to the state at which citizens of a state fail to realize the effects on American involvement in international affairs on their social structure. Research studies illustrate that the changes in American foreign policy after the World War II had various effects on the social structures and systems in the US. These changes in the foreign policy also changed how Americans viewed each other and their roles in the society. There was an increase in racial and gender discrimination, and the American family structure, among other things (Holsti 1-257).
Work Cited
Holsti, Ole R. Public Opinion and American Foreign Policy. USA: University of Michigan
Press, 1996. Print.
Hook, Stevens and Spanier, John W. American Foreign Policy Since World War II. USA: CQ
Press, 2006. Print.
Factors that influenced the development of the nursing profession
NURSING TODAY
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NURSING TODAY
Nursing in the 21st century has evolved greatly. Educators and practitioners have made considerable steps and taken some very effective actions that have resulted in progressive outcomes to the profession. This paper focus on some of these pertinent issues and aspects touching on the nursing profession with the aim of exploring how they have affected the practice of nursing in today’s world. The paper looks at how nursing has developed from the past, until today in the modern world. The paper will also look at the expected roles and responsibilities of nurses, and subsequent career opportunities for nursing students and practitioners in the contemporary world.
Factors that influenced the development of the nursing profession
Nursing, as a profession, has always been present in the world since the mediaeval ages. Nursing refers to the process of looking after another individual or nurturing them. DeWitt (2009) describes the profession of nursing as having borrowed heavily from the realm of religion. This is evidenced historically in images and paintings from the era of the beginning of Christianity and Islam. These religions advocated for adequate treatment and care of the sick and poor in society.
Modern nursing is however much more advanced. DeWitt (2009) adds that it is carried out by individuals who have undergone formal training and education in the science of nursing. In the much more recent past as far as the 19th century, historians document the first case of a somewhat formal education and training in nursing. The case was documented in Europe and the nurse responsible for laying these foundations of formal training in nursing was Florence Nightingale, from England. She wrote a collection of books going by the title “Notes on Nursing”.
DeWitt (2009) continues and adds that in the early 20th century, Nursing became a regulated profession and New Zealand was the first country to come up with a regulatory “Nurses Registration Act.” The regulation of nursing as a profession was taken a step further within the early 20th Century when nursing schools were taken over by hospitals. However, this changed due to the argument that hospitals did not qualify as institutions of higher learning.
There are two different types of nurses: practical nurses and registered nurses. The two undergo different training and acquire different licenses and qualifications at the end. In today’s world, the study of nursing has advanced to levels as high as Master’s and Doctorate levels within institutions of higher learning (DeWitt 2009). Nursing has developed in the modern world and it is now a very respectable profession unlike in the past when it was considered a woman’s job. In the previous centuries, medical physicians considered women as a form of free or inexpensive workforce and they were often exploited by physicians who considered themselves superior to nurses.
Roles and responsibilities of nurses
In the medical field, nurses make up the largest number of practitioners according to Anderson, Hilaire and Flinter (2012). This fact is true in most of the countries all over the world. Therefore, this makes nurses very instrumental in the medical field when it comes to patient care. Nurses are not only confined to working in hospitals. They can be found in schools, at the work place, at community centers and even in homeless shelters. Their roles and duties are also very wide depending on the place and situation.
Anderson, Hilaire and Flinter (2012) state that Nurses have two main types of roles: independent and dependent roles. Independent roles are those where the nurse does not necessarily have to rely on directions from a doctor while dependent roles are those that are assigned by doctors. Most of these roles and duties are either physical or psychosocial according to Anderson, Hilaire and Flinter (2012). Examples of dependent roles include; administering medicine to patients admitted in the hospital or even changing the dressings on a patient’s wound. Independent roles include providing care such as bathing patients or giving assistance while feeding a patient.
However, Anderson, Hilaire and Flinter (2012) state some of the main roles and responsibilities of nurses include: making an assessment of the health as well as the social needs of individuals who they are caring for; acting as links between the different wide varieties of healthcare providers in relation to patient needs; being model figures in management of healthcare; further investigating their roles on how best to improve patient’s experience; providing patients with necessary information that will assist them to further manage and improve their healthcare conditions while they recover on their own; ensuring that they maintain and operate within the proper ethical boundaries of their profession; and act as teachers to other medical practitioner who are still undergoing training.
Advancement in nursing studies has provided avenues for nurses to take on more specialized roles in different medical fields. Anderson, Hilaire and Flinter (2012) point out that this is due to the move taken by academics making nursing a degree program, rather than a technical diploma program. These specialized fields in contemporary nursing include; medical and surgical nursing, midwifery, psychiatric care and public/community health nursing. Each of these fields provides nurses with the opportunity to specialize within these categories.
Career Opportunities for nurses
As stated earlier in the paper, progress in the field of nursing has taken nursing to new levels in the contemporary world. As a result, the nursing profession is increasingly appreciated all around the world. Persons going to study as nurses are now found in a number of different industries where they work in different capacities as nurses. Nurses no longer have to work only as primary care givers to infirmed patients in hospitals anymore. Formally trained nurses in the contemporary world have quite a number of career paths they can follow after successful training.
According to Santiago (2013), career opportunities for nurses depend on the level of certification achieved. The different levels of academic training and qualification are a determinant in the career path that a nurse may take. One of the career options a nurse may take is working with a specific section of the population. For example a nurse may decide to focus on providing health care for the elderly persons in society. This is the field of nursing referred to as geriatrics. Another population based career option is pediatrics, which is nursing involving the care of young children.
Other nursing careers according to Santiago (2013), are focused on a specific medical discipline. Nurses getting into these specialized medical fields usually focus one particular area, for example, surgical nurses who specialize in providing assistance to surgeons inside the operating room and caring for patients who have undergone surgery. Another example of a nursing career by medical specialty is an orthopedics nurse, specialized in dealing with bones, joints, ligaments and muscles or an oncology nurse who specializes in proving care to patient suffering from cancer. Medical specialty nurses focus on providing healthcare to patients afflicted with particular ailments in a specific realm of medicine.
Lastly, nurses can go into careers based on a particular medical department, facility or location. For example, some nurses may chooses to be a flight nurse, providing care to persons in flight or another example is a hospice nurse, working with terminally ill patients. Nursing careers based on medical facilities or departments includes nurse providing care to patients in the Intensive Care Unit or nurses working in the Emergency Room of a hospital.
Conclusion
I want to work as a nurse because I find the nature of working as a nurse much more fulfilling. I not only enjoy providing care to patients in different stages of disease. Helping them understand and manage themselves with the aim avoiding the same conditions next time is the reason why I want to get into the field of community nursing. I find this particularly fulfilling because it will provide me with an avenue to give back to the community and at the same time interact with a wide number of medical practitioners in the field. This kind of exposure I believe will help me in deciding a much more specific nursing aspect to major in for my further studies.
References
Anderson, D., Hilaire, D. & Flinter, M. (2012) Primary Care Nursing Role and Care Coordination: An Observational Study of Nursing Work in a Community Health Center http://nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Vol-17-2012/No2-May-2012/Primary-Care-Nursing-Role-and-Care Coordination.html
Egenes, J. K. History of Nursing. Jones and Bartlett
http://www.jblearning.com/samples/0763752258/52258_ch01_roux.pdf
DeWit, Susan (2009). Fundamental Concepts And Skills for Nursing. Missouri: Saunders Elsevier. http://books.google.co.ke/books/about/Fundamental_Concepts_and_Skills_for_Nurs.html?id=5yRfPgAACAAJ&redir_esc=y
Rodgers, B. L., & Knafl, K. A. (2000). Concept development in nursing. In Margareta Asp and Ingegerd Fagerberg (2005) Developing Concepts in Caring Science Based on a Lifeworld Perspective
http://ejournals.library.ualberta.ca/index.php/IJQM/article/download/4447/3550