...Maternal Substance Abuse During Pregnancy The choice to use drugs is just that—a choice. Pregnant women who make the conscientious decision to abuse substances shall realize that when they chose to use drugs, they assumed responsibility for the natural consequences and shall be held accountable for their own actions by law. It is fair to assume that the mother also made a choice to be sexually active, allowing the opportunity to become pregnant; and, regardless of whether or not she planned the pregnancy, she allowed the pregnancy to come to term. “Children, like all people, have the right to be free from having drugs introduced into their systems by others,” (Merrick, 1993). For the reason of choice and this reason, the rights to freedom, there shall be criminal penalties for mothers who give birth to substance-exposed infants. Janna Merrick (1993) accurately stated that, “pregnancy is unlike any other medical condition in that care must be provided simultaneously for both the woman and the fetus.” Because a fetus is unable to protect or fend for itself prior to birth, it becomes the mother's obligation to do so for their unborn child. Mother’s that are unable to properly care for their child in utero are clearly unfit mothers from the very start; and, adding any form of substance abuse to that mix only puts the child at greater risk for medical complications and suffering post delivery. If, as a society, we work to reduce the incidence of maternal substance abuse by prosecution...
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...PARENTING STYLES Developmental psychologists have long been interested in how parents impact child development. However, finding actual cause-and-effect links between specific actions of parents and later behavior of children is very difficult. Some children raised in dramatically different environments can later grow up to have remarkably similar personalities. Conversely, children who share a home and are raised in the same environment can grow up to have astonishingly different personalities than one another. Despite these challenges, researchers have uncovered convincing links between parenting styles and the effects these styles have on children. During the early 1960s, psychologist Diana Baumrind conducted a study on more than 100 preschool-age children (Baumrind, 1967). Using naturalistic observation, parental interviews and other research methods, she identified four important dimensions of parenting: * Disciplinary strategies * Warmth and nurturance * Communication styles * Expectations of maturity and control Based on these dimensions, Baumrind suggested that the majority of parents display one of three different parenting styles. Further research by also suggested the addition of a fourth parenting style (Maccoby & Martin, 1983). The Four Parenting Styles 1. Authoritarian Parenting In this style of parenting, children are expected to follow the strict rules established by the parents. Failure to follow such rules usually results in punishment...
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...Syndrome The lifestyle pregnant women live at time affect the life of unborn infant. Most women think that pregnancy is all about bringing life into the world. They forget that it take a lot to keep the unborn child safe by taking precaution in the dietary habits to prevent the destruction or inhibition of life. Some pregnant women continue on their drinking and drug abuse binge right throughout their pregnancy. They do not think ahead to the inexplicable damage that it could do to their fetus. What they do not know is that when women drinks, while pregnant it could cause damage, and pose problems not only to herself, but also to the fetus that she is carrying. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome has been the leading cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities in the United States today. In knowing how Fetal Alcohol Syndrome can be prevented, what the symptoms are, and who and what make up the risk factors fetal alcohol syndrome can be better understood. Dr. Osaseri (Family doctor), (Gardena Medical Center) stated that “Fetal alcohol syndrome is refers to a newborn who manifests signs, either physically or behaviorally, that are indicative of significant exposure to alcohol during the course of the pregnancy”. A birth defect occurs as a result abuse of alcohol. Some mother don’t consider the health of their unborn child when consumption alcohol during pregnancy; they forget that whatsoever they eat that the unborn child eats the same thing as well. The National Organization on Fetal...
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...Pregnant Mothers Who Use Drugs During Pregnancy: Should They Be Prosecuted? English Composition I June 3, 2012 What are the long-term effects on children who were drug exposed in utero? Are criminal charges for child abuse the best solution for pregnant mothers who use illicit drugs during pregnancy? This is a question that has become a hot topic and cause for controversy among the medical community, legal community, and society in general over the last 20 years. For example, South Carolina has defended their actions in the criminal convictions of women charged with child abuse for using drugs, such as crack cocaine, during pregnancy, while states like Wisconsin and South Dakota have taken less drastic measures. Almost all states agree that some sort of action needs to be taken to protect unborn children, but what those actions should be are widely varied and debated. Although personal feelings and emotions often lead us to immediately draw one conclusion; thorough research and doing what is best for women, children and their families are a strong argument for looking at other alternatives to this problem. South Carolina has long been at the forefront of the movement to criminalize prenatal substance abuse, using a broad range of laws to enforce a policy that began at one or two hospitals in the state and, over time, has expanded to a statewide initiative [Contemporary Women’s Issues] 1998. However, states such as Wisconsin are wrestling with when the criminal...
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...fats level, merged with reduced exercises, have led to corpulence rates that have increased three-times or more since 1980 in North America, Eastern Europe, the UK, the Pacific Islands, the Middle East, Australasia and China, as said by the UN-backed World Health Organization (WHO). A recent research reveals that Obesity in pregnancy causes a tremendous danger to the wellbeing of the unborn infant. Infants of overweight mothers are born as pre-diabetics or with severe birth imperfections that can cause kidney or heart disease, besides other troubles. These issues much strengthens in the age group 1year to 10 years. Overeating in pregnancy can have significant and numerous precarious health impacts on an unborn infant.[1] In this research paper, I have analyzed several factors of obesity in pregnant mothers that lead to health issues for their unborn infants and it will affect them through their lives. I have conducted a comprehensive interview with Executive Director of “The Consumer Wellness Center”, Mike Adams, who in detail describes the dangers associated with obesity in mothers and its effects on their children. Further a latest about the issue has been analyzed with a recommendation to mothers on how they can avoid this increasingly spread health concern followed by a comprehensive conclusion. Summary of Observations The most prominent finding of our analysis is the devastating consequence that mother’s pre-expectancy weight standing has on a minor’s risk of being...
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...University Homosexuality, Nature vs. Nurture Nature versus nurture is one of the most enduring debates in the psychology world today. These debates have been studied and reviewed for many years, with only hypotheses formed, no clear conclusions have been met. In the middle of the debates is human behavior, whether they are learned or inherited remains unanswered. Intelligence, ability, or even personality remains under scrutiny whether these traits are learned or predetermined by specific genes. Physical characteristics can be contributed to hereditary, i.e. eye color or hair color. When referring to nature, it is assumed that what and who we are, as humans, comes in a natural state or inherited. In other words, we are going to be who we are without the influence on how we were raised and matured in our environment. On the other hand, nurture is viewed as what or who we are as a result of our influences and our environment or surroundings. Homosexuality is one of the hottest topics today. One of the reasons for the popularity is the current debate on same sex marriage, along with homosexual human rights campaigns going on in today’s public arena. More so either this “behavior” is by choice or predetermined by genes. The Studies One of the best research in this area is on identical twins. Howard Gruber, the director of the Institute for Cognitive Studies at Rutgers University in Newark, reviewed and quoted two books written by Susan L. Farber, “Identical Twins Reared...
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...How can a small mental illness such as stress, depression, and anxiety affect your unborn child? Stress depression and anxiety during pregnancy can greatly affect how the child develops cognitively and can increase their chances of mental illnesses later on in life. The average women in 2015 reported a stress level of 5.3 out of 10.(apa 2015)18.1% of adults 18 and older in the United States are suffering from anxiety. 8.2% of adults in the US are suffering from either major depressive disorder or persistent depressive disorder.(adaa facts and stats) If a mother is in the top 15% in the population for depression and anxiety symptoms, the risk of the child having behavioral and emotional problems doubles.(Glover 2015). It is becoming apparent that research is showing patterns between the infant in the womb/after birth and stress, anxiety, and depression....
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...different responses illustrates the failure to establish a uniform policy for the management of this problem. The issue of substance abuse is one that has negatively plagued society. The complexities surrounding addiction are not easily overcome. These complexities are even more defined in cases of substance abuse by pregnant women, including legal addictive substances such as nicotine and alcohol. This issue has been pushed to the forefront of the public consciousness over the course of the past 30 years. Murphy and Rosenbaum 1999, describe maternal prenatal substance abuse as “chronic use of alcohol and/or other drugs by pregnant women”. It is my belief that the use of tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs during pregnancy is still child endangerment .All these tetatogen’s can kill your baby or cause serious problems for them with the development of cognitive, physical, social, and emotional abilities. It is unfair to the child to have no control over what has caused them problems with development as a result of their mother’s teratogen use; therefore there should be consequences as a result of their harmful decisions. It is understood that a women has the right to do with her body what she wants and that some that are pregnant: drink, smoke, or use illegal drugs with no signs of birth defects apparent in the born fetus. In addition, I do have compassion for those addicted to drugs that may require...
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...whereas most developing countries do not encourage and permit abortion. This brings about the differences in safe and unsafe abortions. Abortion accounts for over 70,000 maternal deaths worldwide. Abortion has a long history. In the past, it was done using crude tools such as sharpened tools, physical trauma and other traditional methods. With advancement in the field of medicine, contemporary methods are now used and involve the use of medication and surgical procedures (Nada 1998 page 61). Each country in the world has different legality, cultural and religious statuses and prevalence of abortion. The ethical principles towards abortion and removal of pregnancies also vary. Countries such as the United States of America and Britain have heated politics surrounding the issue of abortion in pro-life and pro-choice campaigns (Ted 1995 page 66). These are based on the argument that for one group, it should be legalized and for the other, abortion should not. Most governments in the developed countries have legalized abortion. Many developing and underdeveloped countries have not legalized abortion and have no control over what is done by the medical personnel. Abortion and childbirth complications have been the leading causes of maternal deaths the world over. With the advent of the 21st century, maternal deaths have declined. This has been attributed to education on family planning as well...
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...and remains today a broad and multifaceted label referring, in essence, to the inability of a child to flourish and grow due to a wide range of either external or internal factors. Failure to thrive (FTT) can be a somewhat ambiguous and difficult to define term used to address young children with abnormal or insufficient growth patterns. One standardized guideline used in defining FTT is a weight that falls below the 5th percentile (Steward, 2001), although multiple factors must be considered in labelling a child as FTT. Historically, the label of FTT has been divided into two categories: organic failure to thrive, and nonorganic failure to thrive (NFTT). The differentiation refers to the suspected...
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...The Arc was founded in 1950 by a small group of concerned parents and community members in Minneapolis, MN. They had decided to come together and act as voices for those with intellectual disabilities. At that time there was very limited information known about intellectual disabilities, or mental retardation as they used to say, and the causes of it. Because of this, there were practically no programs or activities for these kids in order to help with the development, care, and support for families. At that time, it was extremely common for a physician to tell a parent their child would be better suited at an institution. This is when The Arc’s founders decided to fight because they wanted more for their children and wanted them to lead a fulfilling life. The Arc works passionately to ensure that every individual with a mental disability and their parents have access to information, advocacy, and skills they need in order to participate as an active citizen and member of their community. This organization is committed to altering the perceptions of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In addition they also secure services for these individuals who have been denied an education, day care and preschool, and the right to work (The Arc, n.d.). This organization has adapted accordingly due to the sensitive terminology that has had an impact on these individuals. The term ‘mental retardation’ was used vastly as the appropriate terminology in the medical...
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...Topic: complexities and realities of Global Health Implementing effective global health programs is a difficult task as there are complex issues involved. These issues arise from the distinctive barriers that exist in poor communities as well as from the fundamental complexity of the health care field. Despite efforts made to improve the global health, there are some barriers faced majorly in developing countries which can be grouped into two broad categories: infrastructural barriers and patients behavior. According to Dr. Manchanda’s book titled “the upstream doctors”, effective care for most illness requires understanding the social conditions of one’s patients, and this is true because patients are faced with various limitations that deter them from accessing good medical services. Fear, finance, cultural belief, distance to Health Centre or Hospitals, lack of awareness about treatment availability and benefits, and poor health outcome after treatment, are some of the major contributory factors that deter patients from accessing good medical services, thus, causing a decline in health status globally. Poverty is also a contributory factor especially in developing countries. This can be explained in patient’s inability to purchase drugs or hesitancy to seek proper medical attention due to lack of funds. These barriers can be tackled using the holistic response that includes both social and cultural approach. The means to achieve success is to involve local health care professionals...
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...and the right to choose and make decisions for themselves in accordance with their religious convictions, ethics, cultural beliefs, and the demands of responsible parenthood. Pursuant to the declaration of State policies under Section 12, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, it is the duty of the State to protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution and equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of women especially mothers in particular and of the people in general and instill health consciousness among them. The family is the natural and fundamental unit of society. The State shall likewise protect and advance the right of families in particular and the people in general to a balanced and healthful environment in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. The State also recognizes and guarantees the promotion and equal protection of the welfare and rights of children, the youth, and the unborn. Moreover, the State recognizes and guarantees the promotion of gender equality, gender equity, women empowerment and dignity as a health and human rights concern and as a social...
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...CATHOLICS CAN SUPPORT THE RH BILL IN GOOD CONSCIENCE (Position paper on the Reproductive Health Bill by individual faculty* of the Ateneo de Manila University) (Note: The opinions expressed in this paper are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of other faculty. Neither do they represent the official position of the Ateneo de Manila University nor the Society of Jesus.) We, individual faculty of the Ateneo de Manila University, call for the immediate passage of House Bill 5043 on “Reproductive Health and Population Development” (hereafter RH Bill) in Congress. After examining it in the light of Philippine social realities, and informed by our Christian faith, we have reached the conclusion that our country urgently needs a comprehensive and integrated policy on reproductive health and population development, as provided by the RH Bill. We also believe that the provisions of the bill adhere to core principles of Catholic social teaching: the sanctity of human life, the dignity of the human person, the preferential option for the poor and vulnerable, integral human development, human rights, and the primacy of conscience. Catholic social theology since Vatican II has evolved, on the one hand, from the emphasis on order, social cohesiveness, the acceptance of some inequality, and obedience to authorityto the recognition, on the other, of the centrality of the human person, and the concomitant need for human freedom, equality, and participation (Pacem...
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...numerous police officers’, investigators’, and forensic laboratory analysists’ exceeding the limits of caseloads possible for any given criminal justice professional responsible for solving criminal cases. Each giving everything they have to catch the guilty and thus, providing justice to the victims who suffered because of someone’s criminal behaviors and actions. Each with the same or similar inquiries; why do people commit the crimes they commit? Why do they behave this way? What is their purpose? Were the born this way? What, if anything, happen to them to make them behave in such a heinous manner? Are they a victim of their own environment and/or social status? Of course, these inquiries cover only a minute number of possible indications as to answering the “Why?” people commit these criminal behaviors and actions. Criminology identifies ascertains three amalgamations of theories, each of which attempt to justify inquiries by working exuberantly to establish a high level of credibility and reliability; the following will address how these biological, sociological, and psychological theories of crime causation affect human behavior and/or actions. Biological Theory of Crime Causation Biological theories of crime causation claim that one’s physical traits influence an individual in to criminal activities. The idea indicates that the physical nature of the body, through inherited genes, evolutionary dynamics, brain development/structures, and/or the levels of hormones...
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