19th Century Rural New England Family Essay Example for Free

19th Century Rural New England Family Essay 19th Century rural New England family was a protrusion of slave-master relationship that affected all facets of American socio-cultural life. The narrative of Frederick Douglass describe that interracial relationships between a slave woman and male master were common but these relationships never got any social or religious sanctity. Douglass portrayal of his mother clearly indicates the relationship with her master provided no solace to him but rather aggravated her pathos and miseries. It further manifest that such relationships were not based on any mutual warmth but were a manifestation of ‘gratification of their (masters) wicked desires profitable as well as pleasurable†. (p. 166) The slave child, production of this relationship, was not entitled to any privileges or rights, socially or legally. So it was quite likely that â€Å"the children of slave women shall in all cases follow the conditions of their mothers† (p. 167) These slave children were also deprived of maternal affection as â€Å"it [was] a common custom, in the part of Maryland†¦, to part children from their mothers at a very early age. Frequently, before the child [had] reached its twelfth month, its mothers is taken from it, and hired out on some farm a considerable distance off†¦ (p. 165) The mother-children relations were cordial but they were not allowed to meet quite often as Douglass himself saw his mother five or six times during her lifetime. See more:  The 3 Types of Satire Essay The relationship never developed as there was very little communication between mothers and their children. These children were also kept ignorant of their birthdates and parentage. They were also shorn of basic necessities of life like clothing, lodging and nutrition. Furthermore, these slave-children were subjected to amplified hardship as compared with other slaves because they were â€Å"a constant offence to their mistress†. This also highlights that 19th century rural family of New England was not solely patriarchal but women had immense influence in the affair of household. For example, Douglass writes, â€Å"The master is frequently compelled to sell this class of his slaves, out of deference to the feeling of his white wife. †(p. 166) Similarly, relationship with other member of his parental family were used to be harsh and they were used to undergo harsh treatment and whipping by their white brothers quite frequently. There was no intimacy between slave brothers and sisters and their mutual relationship never developed due the absence of a central tie i. e. parentage. On the other hand, it is illustrated that the role of slave woman in the community were limited to heavy toil and labor at plantations, fulfillment of master’s lusts and sexual desires whenever needed. Their emotional, psychological and mental health was never taken into consideration. The relations of these slave girls and slave children to the community were totally utilitarian and totalitarian as they were used as tool to increase the agricultural production and to satisfy the savage desires and habitual formations of the masters respectively. These slaves were regarded as an entity that was included in their (master’s) property rights and were sanctioned by socio-legal system. So in the wide social perspective, slaves acted as economic instruments and this subordination was characterized not only by commercial necessities but also by psychological phenomenon i. e. to satisfy the human propensities by subjecting them harsh punishments.

Sarah, the Evil Mistress Essay -- Essays Papers

Sarah, the Evil Mistress Although Hagar flaunts her pregnancy with Abraham in the face of Sarah who is barren, Sarah is ultimately responsible for generating trouble in Abraham’s household. Through Sarah’s decision to give Hagar to Abraham, Sarah’s jealousy and anger towards Hagar’s reaction to conception, and also Sarah’s harsh treatment of Hagar, we are able to understand why Sarah is truly the one accountable for the negative circumstances throughout her relationship with Hagar. Initially, in Genesis 11:30 we feel remorse for Sarai in her barrenness. Repeatedly it is expressed that Sarai is barren. Sharon Jeansonne explains, â€Å"Indeed, Sarai’s childlessness is predominant in most of the scenes that concern her† (15). Sarai’s inadequacy is stated repetitively because at this time, a woman was considered worthless if she could not conceive children and bear her husband offspring. Knowing the importance of progeny, Sarai attempts to fulfill her dreams of having a son for Abraham. Prior to informing the reader of Sarai’s plans, it is stated that she and Abram have lived in Canaan for ten years now without her giving him a child. She is now finally doing something about the issue (19). She decides that she should have a son through her maidservant Hagar. In Genesis 16:2 it reads, â€Å"And Sarai said to Abraham, ‘Look, the Lord has kept me from bearing. Consort with my maid; perhaps I shall have a son through her.’ An d Abram heeds Sarai’s request† (Berlin and Brettler). Through this verse it becomes unmistakable that the entire plan is Sarai’s and Abram simply obeys while Hagar is given no choice (Tikva Frymer-Kensky 226). The practice of having a maid give birth in place of another woman was common, yet it seems as though Sarai di... ...this through her initiative to have Hagar as a surrogate mother, her immediate jealousy, her harsh treatment of Hagar, her selfishness, and her continual dissatisfaction until Hagar and Ishmael were removed from her household once and for all. Works Cited - Berlin, Adele, and Brettler, Marc Zvi. The Jewish Study Bible. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004. - Frymer-Kensky, Tikva. Reading the Women of the Bible. New York: Shocken Books, 2002. - Jeansonne, Sharon Pace. The Women of Genesis. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 1990. - Rulon-Miller, Nina. â€Å"Hagar: A Woman with an Attitude.† The World of Genesis: Persons, Places, Perspectives. Ed. Philip R. Davies and David J. A. Clines. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1998. - Wiesel, Elie. Wise Men and Their Tales. â€Å"Ishmael and Hagar.† New York: Random House Inc., 2003.

Experiencing Violence in the Workplace Essay

Diagnosis of â€Å"Andrea C.: Experiencing Violence in the Workplace† Being able to form a diagnosis properly for a client is a process that is wide-ranging and broad. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013) supports recommendations and standards for identifying a diagnosis for a client. The procedure of diagnosing is more than skimming for symptoms in the DSM; one must assess, interview and identify issues, as well as refer to the DSM for a diagnosis. Case Study: Andrea C Andrea C. a company manager, is forty-nine and divorced. The location of the building where she was employed was an isolated part of the town. Her job duties included opening and preparing the office each day. The location of the office and being alone in the morning give Andrea a sense of fear and uneasiness. Andrea shared her concerns about her safety with her superiors at work. Disappointingly, before the issue was addressed Andrea was brutally assaulted while opening the office one morning. Andrea was beaten unconscious, nose broken, cuts to the face and neck, stabbed multiple times, sexually assault was attempted (Butcher et al., 2013). As a result of the attack, Andrea endured â€Å"a fractured skull, fractured nose, multiple stab wounds on her body, facial injuries, dizziness, impaired balance, wrist pain, residual cognitive symptoms from being unconscious, poor memory, intense anxiety, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress† (Butcher et al., 2013, p. 117). Based on the case study, her diagnosis is as follows: 309.81 Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, With Dissociative Symptoms (F43.10) 300.82 Somatic Symptom Disorder V62.89 Victim of Crime (Z65.4) Rationale Hansell and Damour (2008) explain stress disorder trauma as an emotionally overcoming experience where either real or apparent likelihood of loss of  life or grave injury to self or a significant other. The DSM (APA, 2013) explains that a client who experiences PTSD must face one or more of the following symptoms: direct experience with a traumatic event, witness an event, learn of a traumatic event related to a close friend or family, and extreme or repeated exposure to traumatic events. Andreas experience was directly related to her own personal involvement with a traumatic event. Andrea experiences intrusion symptoms; these symptoms arrive suddenly and occur when memories of the previous traumatic event plague your life (APA, 2013). Andrea expresses that she has a solid fear of returning to work (Butcher et al. 2013). Andrea’s opposition to return to work can be considered a â€Å"persistent avoidance of stimuli† (APA, 2013, p. 271). Andrea is feeling hopeless, guilty and withdrawn (Butcher et al. 2013) showing that Andrea is having â€Å"negative alterations in cognitions† (APA, 2013, p. 271). Andrea is also exhibiting hypersensitivity towards undertakings and activities stating that they are debilitating. Andrea also speaks of memory problems. Somatoform are physical symptoms triggered through psychological factors (Hansell & Damour, 2008). Consider â€Å"somatic presentations can be viewed as expressions of personal suffering inserted in a cultural and social context† (APA, 2013, p. 310). Andrea expresses somatic symptom disorder through multiple symptoms. Andrea’s physical grievances are excessive, suggesting her need for attention. She states that she is in a tremendous amount of pain and easily agitated and hostile if others do not take her seriously (Butcher et al., 2013). It seems that Andreas lasting psychological problems are being revealed as physical symptoms. Andrea is experiencing two of the symptoms, excessive feelings and thoughts (APA, 2013) that are related to somatic disorder. Other factors and data relevant to the assessment, treatment, and diagnosis of Andrea is the fact that she was a victim of a crime. Andrea may have image issues related to the scars associated with the attack she received, causing her shame, embarrassment or uneasiness. Andrea’s incapability to return to work and her related symptoms are negatively affecting her life. These issues are results of being the victim of a crime. Conclusion Providing Andrea with a diagnosis is no simple task. Andrea exhibits several different symptoms, hence, providing comorbidity. The diagnosis I offer is  accurate from the data supported in Andrea’s case and from the assessment. With data gathered from the DSM, the MMPI, Andrea’s case study, I conclude that the diagnosis of PTSD, Somatic Symptom Disorder and Victim of a crime are applicable to Andrea. References American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).Arlington, VA: Author. Butcher, J. N., Hooley, J. M., & Mineka, S. (2013). Abnormal psychology (16th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson. Hansell, J. & Damour, L. (2008). Abnormal psychology (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

What is the Humane Slaughter Act

This article contains new information and was updated and re-written in part by Michelle A. Rivera. The Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, 7 U.S.C. 1901, was originally passed in 1958 and is one of the few legal protections for farmed animals in the United States. Commonly called the Humane Slaughter Act, the law sadly doesnt even cover most of the animals farmed for food. The Act also didnt cover downed veal calves. However, the  USDAs Food Safety and Inspection Service  announced in 2016 that facilities must provide humane euthanasia for veal calves who are sick, disabled or dying. Heretofore, the common practice was to toss the calves aside and hope they recover enough to walk to the abattoir on their own. This meant that suffering calves would languish for hours before being put out of their misery. With this new regulation, these calves must be humanely euthanized immediately and held back from production of food for humans. What is the Humane Slaughter Act? The Humane Slaughter Act is a federal law that requires that livestock is rendered unconscious before slaughter. The law also regulates the transport of equines for slaughter and regulates the handling of downed animals. Downed animals are those who are too weak, sick or injured to stand. The purpose of the law is to prevent needless suffering, improve working conditions, and improve products and economies in slaughtering operations. Like other federal laws, the Humane Slaughter Act authorizes an agency - in this case, the U.S. Department of Agriculture - to promulgate more specific regulations. While the law itself mentions a single blow or gunshot or an electrical, chemical or other means for rendering the animals unconscious, the federal regulations at 9 C.F.R 313 go into great, chilling detail on exactly how each method should be performed. The Humane Slaughter Act is enforced by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. The law addresses only slaughter; it does not regulate how animals are fed, housed, or transported. What Does It Say? The Act says that a slaughter is considered humane if in the case of cattle, calves, horses, mules, sheep, swine, and other livestock, all animals are rendered insensible to pain by a single blow or gunshot or an electrical, chemical or other means that is rapid and effective, before being shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut; or if the livestock is slaughtered in accordance with religious requirements whereby the animal suffers loss of consciousness by anemia of the brain caused by the simultaneous and instantaneous severance of the carotid arteries with a sharp instrument and handling in connection with such slaughtering. The Exclusion of Billions of Farmed Animals There is one very big problem with the coverage of the law: the exclusion of billions of farmed animals. Birds make up the majority of farmed animals slaughtered for food in the US. While the law does not explicitly exclude birds, the USDA interprets the law to exclude chickens, turkeys, and other domestic fowl. Other laws define the word livestock for other purposes, and some include birds in the definition, while others do not. For example, the Emergency Livestock Feed Assistance Act includes birds in its definition of livestock at 7 USC  § 1471; the Packers and Stockyards Act, at 7 USC  § 182, does not. Is the USDA Correct About Poultry? Poultry eaters and organizations representing poultry slaughterhouse workers sued the USDA, arguing that poultry is covered by the Humane Slaughter Act. In Levine v. Conner, 540 F. Supp. 2d 1113 (N.D. Cal. 2008) the US District Court for the Northern District of California sided with the USDA and found that the legislative intent was to exclude poultry from the definition of livestock. When plaintiffs appealed, the court in Levine v. Vilsack, 587 F.3d 986 (9th Cir. Cal. 2009) found that plaintiffs lacked standing and vacated the lower courts decision. This leaves us with no court ruling on whether the USDA correctly excludes poultry from the Humane Slaughter Act, but little chance of challenging the USDAs interpretation in court. State Laws State laws on agriculture or anti-cruelty laws may also apply to how an animal is slaughtered in the state. However, instead of providing additional protections for farmed animals, state laws are more likely to explicitly exclude livestock or routine agricultural practices. Animal Rights and Animal Welfare Perspectives From an animal welfare position that does not object to animal use as long as the animals are treated humanely, the Humane Slaughter Act leaves a lot to be desired because of the exclusion of birds. Of the ten billion land animals slaughtered each year for food in the United States, Nine billion are chickens.  Ã‚  Another 300 million are turkeys. The standard method of killing chickens in the US is the electric immobilization method, which many believe is cruel because the birds are paralyzed, but conscious, when they are slaughtered. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and The Humane Society of the US support controlled atmosphere killing as a more humane method of slaughter because the birds are unconscious before they are hung upside down and slaughtered. From an animal rights perspective, the term humane slaughter is an oxymoron. No matter how humane or painless the method of slaughter, the animals have a right to live free of human use and oppression. The solution is not humane slaughter, but veganism. Thanks to Calley Gerber of Gerber Animal Law Center for the information about Levine v. Conner.