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Have you ever been in a situation where you were confronted by a child who has Down Syndrome and were unsure of how to act ar
Down Syndrome
Have you ever been in a situation where you were confronted by a child who has Down Syndrome and were unsure of how to act around that child? I’m sure many of us have experienced the awkwardness that accompanies such a situation. Many people feel guilt or pity for these children, I believe these reactions result from a lack of knowledge about the condition. Which is why I have chosen this topic.
Down Syndrome is a condition that cannot be physically passed on from one person to the next. It is a genetic disorder that is inherited through our parents when something goes wrong during pregnancy. As a result, they have a combination of features typical of Down Syndrome, including some degree of cognitive disability, as well as other developmental delays. One thing we should always keep in mind is that they are children and having Down Syndrome comes second.
In 1866 British doctor John Langdon Down defined and described the characteristic symptoms of Down Syndrome but was unsure of the cause. It wasn’t until 1959 that Dr. Lejeunne and his team in Paris showed that people with Down Syndrome have an additional chromosome. We normally have 23 pairs of chromosomes, each made up of genes. The cells of people with Down Syndrome include three chromosome #21 instead of two. The extra 21st chromosome causes an extra dose of proteins. These
proteins cause the typical features of Down Syndrome. While the fetus with Down Syndrome is developing, its body cells do not reproduce as fast as usual. That is the main reason why these babies are smaller than average after birth and their brain not as big as those of other newborn children.
A child who has Down Syndrome will have exclusive individual characteristics which they have inherited from their parents. The child may resemble their father, mother, grandmother, or aunt. This is true not only for their outward appearance but also for their temperament and physical and intellectual abilities. Children with Down Syndrome have different traits, for instance some can be easy-going while other are stubborn, some may like music while others show no interest. matter what, each of these children are unique and special in their own way.
Children with Down Syndrome have distinct physical characteristics. They are short in stature and have a small, round face with a high flattened forehead and fissured, dry lips and tongue. Another typical feature is a fold of skin, on either side of the bridge of the nose, between the corner of the eyes. The hands are often broad and the fingers short. The feet are compact with a gap between the first and second toe, and their hair is soft and sleek. Such persons are also subject to congenital heart defects, many of which can be corrected surgically. They are also more likely to develop leukemia than other members of the general population.
There are three common types of Down Syndrome, the most common one being trisomy 21, which is found in about 95% of people with Down Syndrome. During pregnancy the formation of the egg or sperm, from a woman’s or a man’s pair of
chromosomes normally split, so that only one chromosome is in each egg or sperm. In trisomy 21, the 21st chromosome pair does not split and a double-dose goes to the egg or sperm. The second type is known as translocation, found in about 3% to 4% of people with Down Syndrome. With this type an extra part of the 21st chromosome gets “stuck” onto another chromosome. The third type, mosaicism, is found in about 1% to 2% of people with Down Syndrome. With this type an extra 21st chromosome is found in only some of the cells. There are two tests that can be done to detect if the child you are carrying has any type of Down Syndrome, they are diagnostic and screening tests. A diagnostic test samples fetal cells and gives a definitive diagnosis. This test is usually done between 14 and 18 weeks of pregnancy. Although fairly safe, there is a small risk of miscarriage with this test. Screening tests, on the other hand, are relatively simple tests that find most of the fetuses with Down Syndrome, but they also find some without. It is because of this that screening tests must be confirmed by a diagnostic test. In addition to these tests, a maternal blood test can suggest the presence of a fetus with Down Syndrome when levels of alphafetoprotein are lower than usual.
It is said that one out of every 700 babies will be infected with Down Syndrome. However, these odds may vary depending on the age of the mother. A child born to a woman 25 years of age has approximately a 1 in 1200 chance. A child born to a woman 40 years of age and over has a 1 in 120 chance. Children who are born with this condition can neither be cured with medical treatment nor can they outgrow the condition. Their life expectancy is generally reduced by 10 to 20 years. However, some people with Down Syndrome have been known to live into their 80’s. The effects of Down Syndrome can be
modified by providing good medical care, good education, and good parental support, all of which, unlike long ago when these children were called “mongols” and institutionalized, are provided for most children today with Down Syndrome.
In conclusion to my studies I have found Down Syndrome to be a rare, yet present condition that can be found in all parts of the world. Most people might look at the individual infected and tell themselves how lucky they are , not to have to go through what most of them do. But tell me this, how many will actually take the time to better understand the situation and actually see what makes them who they are? It’s human nature to ignore or criticize the unknown, this will always be true to a certain point. Just as the truth will always remain the same, in that these people are beautiful human beings that deserve the same respect and rights as anyone else.
Bibliography:
Down Syndrome Awareness Foundation. “Facts About Down Syndrome” 27 July, 2003.
http://www.downsyndromeawarenessfoundation.com/wsnE154.html
Hudler, Rex & Jennifer. “About Down Syndrome” Team Up For Down Syndrome. 27 July, 2003. http://www.teamupfordownsyndrome.org/aboutDS.html
Van Riper, Marcia. “Living with Down Syndrome: The Family Experience.” Down Syndrome Quarterly. Volume 4, Number 1 March 1999. http://www.denison.edu/dsq/vanriper.shtml
Works, Lee. “Diagnosis Down Syndrome” 1 July, 2002. http://leeworks.net/DDS/
American Beauty Film Analysis
American Beauty Film Analysis
The film, American beauty is about a depressed suburban father, Lester Burham who in a mid life crisis, resolves to change his busy lifestyle after developing infatuation for Angela, who is an attractive friend of his daughter. According to the academic fraternity, the movie has been described as satire of the middle class in America where the concept of personal satisfaction and beauty emphasizes on the exploration of sexuality, self-liberation, paternal love, romance, redemption, materialism and beauty. The clip of the movie moves excellently with the sound track thus bringing about emotions and rhythmical flow.
General music of the film
In this film, the rhythm and mood of the music were created using percussion instruments, whose inspiration was offered by Mendes. The color over melody, favored pulse and rhythm were instrumental in achieving the minimalistic score. Thomas Newman developed repeated phrases that were small and continuous. The percussion instruments used included xylophones, cymbals, Tablas, Bongos and Marimbas. Others that are features include world music instruments, guitars and flutes.
The soundtracks in the movie feature songs by Bobby Dain, Newman, The guess, Free Eels, Bill Withers, Peggy lee, Gomez, The Folk Implosion, and Betty Carter. Other two conversions are “because” by beetles and “Don’t let it bring you down” by Neil Young.
The critical relationship between the film clip and the music
The American beauty adheres to the conventional narrative structure, with the only exception where displacement of the opening of Ricky and Jane occurs in the mid part of the film. Rhythm of the repetition forms the principle core of the movie. For instance, there are two scenes, shot from the same angle, where Burnhams sit to have the evening meal. The two images are similar with the only difference occurring in body language and object placement, which mirror the dynamic changes brought about by the new found assertiveness by Leister.
Lester infatuation and fixations on Angela is exhibited by a non-diegetic score that creates his fantasy’s narrative stasis. His fantasies are stressed on by repetitive and slow motion shots. While the rhythm and song” the Broadway” is sung, Leister is seen to be increasingly fixated on Angela, which highlight his fantasy for her. At this juncture, Leisters voyeuristic hypnosis is displayed when he starts to fantasize that the performance by Angela is meant for him alone. Latter on, the percussive and discordant music that is devoid of melody replaces “On Broadway” .This music is utilized as a visual cue where both the “score” and Leister stare at Angela. When the sequence ends,” On Broadway” is suddenly reintroduced.
The inclusion of pop music in the film is used to show the attempts by Leister to recapture his youth of 1960s.At this time ,Leister listens to rock music while smoking cannabis .As such, music makes the viewers to have a close look at the contents of the film.
At the end of movie, a disturbing temple is utilized to show the visual tensions. With the exception of the song “Don’t let it bring you down” when Leister is being seduced by Angela, a clashing tone sets immediately after the end of the seduction. The lyric that entails castle burning is brought out as a metaphor surrounding the seduction between Leister and Angela and goes further to indicate American’s fantasy for beauty and false public self.
Reflection of the music and the film clips
Music plays a key role in enhancing the image and mood of the film. This is essential in influencing the emotions of the audience and promoting comprehension of the plots. In the movie, American beauty, music has been well accompanied with the acts. For example, clashing tones have been used where there is tension in the film while romantic music has been used in instances where seduction was in the process. As such, both the movie and the music therein have been used excellently to enhance the plot and themes of the movie.
In conclusion, the movie has been described as satire of the middle class in America where the concept of personal satisfaction and beauty emphasizes on the exploration of sexuality, self-liberation, paternal love, romance, redemption, materialism and beauty. The clip of the movie moves excellently with the sound track thus rousing the audiences’ emotions and rhythmical flow.
Work Cited
Mendes, Sam, Alan Ball, Bruce Cohen, Dan Jinks, Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch,
Mena Suvari, Wes Bentley, and Chris Cooper. American Beauty. Universal City, CA:
DreamWorks Home Entertainment, 2000.
American and Chinese Cultures
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American and Chinese Cultures
In the United States of America, there are different cultures ranging from African, Latin, Asian and American culture often referred to as the western culture. Culture is what shapes our behaviour and how we perceive things. The cultures above differ in one way and also there are some practices which tend to be similar in all cultures. My partner is a first generation Chinese American thus is still attached to the Chinese culture while I am an American who observes the American culture.
Our American culture has always taught us to think individually and when it comes to appreciation it is done individually unlike the Chinese culture which is more of collectivist in nature. We see people from china placing a higher value in a group collaboration and how an individual acting modesty in the cooperation. The Chinese generations tend to rely on group so as to make decisions unlike the Americans where our decisions are independent, rely on ourselves and one is always responsible for their decisions. Similar to these when doing someone a favour in the Chinese culture, people expect nothing in exchange of it unlike in America where everything is accounted for in pursuit of perfection (Campbell, and Alasdair, Pg.33). The Chinese culture is created around Confucianism while the American is around egalitarianism. This is where there is stress on obligations of people upon one another in the Chinese culture while the Americans are used to reacting strongly towards the repressive class structure of Europe.
The Chinese culture has shaped their people to show a lot of respect to the older ones where they call them with a pronoun such as madam. Such norms are rare in America where the culture has shaped the young people to call the elders with their names especially the surname. To the Chinese this is not respect. According to my partner, China is an unstable country full of natural calamities such as Tsunami. These disasters have shaped them to be self-conscious and take less risks unlike in America where it is there is no great danger in taking risk and that if one fails it is only temporary.
It is known worldwide that first generation Americans will always want to deal with conflicts more directly compared to the other cultures. One will always confront you directly when you have wronged them unlike the Chinese people where confrontation is always through indirect communication (Campbell, and Alasdair, Pg.33). In the same line, in China, there is social media censorship and use of internet which has forced them to see that freedom of speech is not a right. This is completely the opposite where it is a right to speak what you want and where you want, there is very minimal censorship.
Despite all the differences, there are some cultural aspects that we share with the Chinese. We all value punctuality in both China and America but don’t expect this from the African culture. People are expected to be in meetings and appointments or some minutes prior to the meetings. Punctuality is much emphasised and practiced to the extent the Chinese view it as a virtue. Consensus is an important element of communication thus in both countries, decisions are made through consensus. Chines take consensus to avoid conflict more similar to Americans who take consensus or debates to make decisions.
Communication challenges that arises from the cultural differences include; first indirect and direct communication can bring problems when it comes to make an argument. To us Americans, when we nod it means we agree with the issue but to the Chinese it is just but an acknowledgement. This will make one think that an issue is clarified yet it is not. The issue of lack of fluency among the Chinese will cause communication barrier and can end up making someone feel unnoticed or unappreciated. The kind of respect that Chinese have can bring a small argument between two people (Tang, Pg.91) For example, me and my partner met an elderly person then she greats her with their norm and I do with our own, I will look disrespectful thus will cause problems. We are quick at deciding thus I can point out flaws from my partner after a short period yet she has seen bigger mistakes in me but because their culture taught them to withheld issues till they find a better wat to tell out she will feel offended. It is this cultural differences that will cause communication issues.
To adapt to the situation, since were all have different cultures where there is none that is right and wrong, it is only through taking time to understand the other party that can make me adapt. Also, to adapt, I will ask about their culture and then compare with mine thus will know where to take it slow and how to communicate to the other party (Mu, Yan, et al. pg. 15349). There are somethings in the other cultures that we tend to appreciate, thus practicing them can make one feel appreciated and communication will be enhanced. Trying to be neutral after understanding the other culture is also good and this is what will make the dialogue flow despite the differences.
Conclusively, there is no superior culture thus we should appreciate all the cultures. From the above differences, Culture differs in many ways that is, in gender roles, music, arts, religious practices, beliefs and communication among others. The similarities that may happen to be between America and majority of the other cultures is punctuality and consensus.
Works Cited
Campbell, Neil, and Alasdair Kean. American cultural studies: an introduction to American culture. Routledge, 2016.
Mu, Yan, et al. “How culture gets embrained: Cultural differences in event-related potentials of social norm violations.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences112.50 (2015): 15348-15353.
Tang, Yijie. Confucianism, Buddhism, Daoism, Christianity and Chinese Culture. Springer, 2015.