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The Tar Baby Myth

Morrison published her novel the Tar Baby in 1981. The novel is a deceptively unadorned piece of work that examines the complexities of the conflicts related to neo- colonialism, colonialism, post- colonialism, assimilation, nationalism, identity, global economics and essentialism. Deriving its ideas from the TAR BABY metaphor, the book probes about critical questions such as class, race, migration and relationships. The interactions the key characters, Son and Jadine, have provided the foundation for working out such complexities and conflicts. Jadine is a perfect representation of the colonized individual who longs for authenticity and is marred with self- doubt and insecurity about her worth and character. On the other hand, Son represents the other extreme. He is some kind of a modern Caliban, a man who is naturally ensnared in folk wisdom and culture. The main question of the novel, therefore, becomes whether these two can coexist and have a relationship without impeding or limiting each other’s ability to progress and grow or without destroying each other.

The two characters and their story form the basis upon which the other themes in the novel are build. The novel, therefore, is a narrative that examines and discusses the sacred and as a figurative representation of the experience of the black people. The stories and narratives used in the novel grapple with issues of human fallibility. The themes and narratives Morrison uses are concerned with history, active forgetting of society, tragic and the cultural origin and power of myths. The novel, therefore, provides for a positive valuation of the ancient characteristics of black women (the ability to put and hold things together through generations). In Tar Baby, the author envisions the origins of the Br’er Rabbit southern folk. She examines the wealth of the creative and spiritual heritage if black women, according to the author, the tar baby of the folklore from the south originates from an ancient African myth.

This article proposes that the folklore of the tar baby holds a mythological meaning for black women, and that individuals must uncover the original meanings of the myths to consider probable meanings for the current world. This paper, therefore, will explore a number of meanings of the myth that Morrison postulates to gather what they can mean for the world today.

The author sees herself as dusting of some of these myths. She sorts and puts aside myths to uncover what they mean and to consider their sufficiency for creating African America community and culture. She tries hard to come up with the way stories were narrates in the small town where she grew up. The author explains that in leaving the towns where we were born, a sense of a forgotten family develops. Furthermore, myths start being misunderstood or forgotten ‘… because we are not talking to each other the way I was spoken to when I was growing up in a very small town…’ (Morrison 98- 104). In Tar Baby, Morrison explores what westernized plantation narratives passive of the tar baby, and what meanings it might hold for the tar baby in the ancient, original myth. Morrison suggests another element regarding the sacred qualities of tar. The myth of the tar baby shows the moral wisdom and spiritual power of the black women and their ability to hold things together.

In this case, the myth of the tar baby functions as a metaphor for the womanhood of the black women. The power of the tar to preserve and hold together, that which is sacred like family, life and community is exemplified in black women. Tar that has been made use of by euro- Americans to degrade African American women is envisioned and seen positively in this work. Although white culture has distorted and belittled the meaning of the myth of the tar baby, it has been redefined by Morrison and the meaning she builds for black women. Tar is, therefore, not depicted as negative, but as natural and appropriate in the novel. It preserves life, communities, culture and sacred structures.

In the novel Tar Baby, the leading female character, Jadine, is shown to not fully embody the qualities of tar. The author explains that in the westernized tar baby story, the tar baby myth is created by a white person and in a way Jadine has been constructed almost entirely by western cultures and myths. The author indicates that no black woman should be apologetic for possessing western elements like education or anything else. However, as Morrison points out, there is a danger in ignoring or paying little attention to ancient characteristics that by tradition and nature are possessed by black women. By ancient characteristics, one can guess that the author means such elements as ancient spiritual, sacred qualities that are associated with African American women. In the view of the author, black women like the main character Jadine who neglect or ignore any remembrance or thought of the ancient characteristics of black women is incapable of being connected to the past and is incapable of holding together that which would crumble.

Tar has some fascinating characteristics. It is black, thick, shiny, sticky and powerful in its capability to hold or stick things together. In the novel the Tar Baby, it is used to symbolize the cohesive power of black women. Tar also has an exceedingly earthy characteristic about it. It is ancient, it comes from the earth and it has body. Tar has an elementary characteristic. In the work of Morrison, we find an Afrocentric symbol or metaphor used to refer to a similar view or understanding of the coalescing, collective strength of black women. The author suggests that black women have a quality that makes it possible to hold things like families and cultures together. For the author, looking at the myth of the tar baby reveals culture and history. It finds out and shows the cohesive power or black women in relation to community and family history. One might even postulate that the myth of the tar baby has a metaphorical or a symbolic meaning. It points further than itself to some truth about how black culture and life is scared, and of the power of black women to preserve culture and life. As Morrison employs myth in her novel, it is seen to have the ability to preserve essential events in history and cultural values in a prophetic manner. Like metaphors or symbols, myths have a quality that is transcendent. They take part in the sacred and culture to which they envision or point. The author explains that story and tale is the best way to learn numerous subjects.

Morrison employs myth to show the sacred power and ability of tar in history and show and tell of the importance of Afrocentric explanations and understandings of community sacredness for the present. In the novel, Son wants and expects Jadine to live in the Eloe town, which only consists of black people, where women hang sheets and clothes on the line to dry. On the other hand, Jadine wants and expects Son to seek economic and educational success. Son remembers society responsibility but is not willing to apply the traditional propertied of black culture and traditions to his present situation. Neither Jadine nor Son realizes it is possible to both have economic and educational success and a responsible daughter or son who remembers his or her ancient characteristics.

Morrison remythologizes and demythologizes the myth of the tar baby in this novel. Tar Baby, as seen and reviewed in the myth points out that a tar baby shaped and created by Eurocentric values does not have the ability to bear true culture for the African American people. Just the same, it uncovers a truth that is more profound regarding the sacred properties of tar in relation to the ancestral heritage of black women. To image and see oneself through the westernized myths of black women is to submit and to agree to a fake and false, fragmented self- image. To be a true bearer of culture and builder of community, a black woman must remember and hold fast her ancestors’ moral wisdom. One such unforgettable ancestor is the mythical tar woman. The rymythologization by the author of the tar baby shows the cohesive power and moral wisdom of black women.

The powers to hold things together and to nurture things are sacred characteristics of black women not just mothers, however, in the novel, Jadine is seen resisting the expectations of her aunt that she parent and take care of her elders. She does not comprehend her night visions and dreams of black women, contemporary and ancestral, who show their breasts as a symbol of the ancient characteristics to bear and nurture culture. Ondine, Jadine’s aunt, Son, and nature challenge her to remember her ancient characteristics. When she falls into a pit full of tar and clings to a tree nearby to get herself out of the tar, the ‘swamp women’ watching her above her in the trees, who also represent the mythical ancestors, realize that she does not want to identify with ‘their sacred properties’ and the power to hold things together’ (Morrison 182- 83).

The tar baby myth holds numerous meanings to the black women. One of the most essential meanings is that black women and men, as well, can use this myth to transform theory present existence by remembering actively and practicing the sacred, ancient wisdom of the ancestors.

Work cited

Morrison, Toni. Tar Baby. New York: NAL, 1981. Print.

Evidence Based Practice

Literature Review

On the previous assignment; part one of the course project, different research questions were formulated that would be of enormous help to the researcher when he/she is analyzing the research for literature review (Formulating a researchable question, 2013). A good research must have a well-defined literature review that examines the study aspects such as the design of the study, theoretical framework, and methods of data sampling. The main aim of formulating the questions was to help the state in understanding the problems affecting nursing career and the general population. When carrying out literature review of the query formulated, different data collection methods on the other hand, have been used for the analysis of data. Data collection was significant when carrying out the research study, however; inaccurate data collection sometimes tends to impact the results of the study design. All the problems to the questions were thoroughly researched for efficient nursing purposes not only to some specific individual, but also to the whole society. This paper will therefore analyze both the summary as well as the explanation of the complete and current state of knowledge on questions formulated found in different journal articles.

A synthesis of what the studies reveal about the current state of knowledge

The research was carried through data sampling method using the formulated questions which helped in revealing what is taking place at the current state of knowledge. Data sampling method was efficient for research in that it gave chances of collecting data which are of high quality. The inconsistencies and contradictions in this literature is that, the issue of nursing practices offered across the world has increasingly been considered the essential component of the healthcare treatment plan; A possible explanations for inconsistencies has been put in place and the nursing practices practitioners have been encouraged so as to acquire an evidence-based orientation that is encouraged in all areas of healthcare. The study carried out shown that, not all nurses get adequate practical knowledge on nursing when undertaking their courses. This has been the most challenge to the states given that a number of patients get treated with nurses who are not fully trained in their career. The conceptual analysis and empirical study of concern in most cases helps nurses in developing the clarity as well as the consensus concerning the patients’ good care (Melnyk & Overholt, 2005).

Preliminary conclusions

Conversely, the evidence tends not to provide strong support for a change in practice and more researches are highly required to help in addressing the research questions identified. It is noted that evidences and researches carried out does not fully provide a stronger support for changes in practice, and it is therefore, a requisite for the state to find better ways of solving the stated research problems to address the publics’ inquiry (Davies, 2011). Further research on the other hand will help in sampling various information from different locations on how to manage problems given that further researches tend to limit the risks of collecting information that are inaccurate. Data should be collected from different areas to increase chances of collecting good data. Further knowledge is needed about the effects of inadequate practical skills in nursing as well as how those problems may tend to affect the society (James, 2012). Lastly, the states should therefore make sure nurses get adequate practical knowledge on nursing courses.

Literature review summary table

Literature Review

A synthesis of what the studies reveal about the current state of knowledge(literature review)

Preliminary conclusions

References

Davies (2011), Formulating the Evidence Based Practice Question: A Review of the Frameworks. Evidence Based Library and Information

Formulating a researchable question: A critical step for facilitating good clinical research. (2012). National Center for Biotechnology Information.

James, R. (2012), Evidence-based nursing. Retrieved January 02, 2013, from http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/tutorials/ebpt.html

Melnyk, B. M., & Overholt, E. (2005). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: a guide to best practice. London: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Evidence-Based Tools: Review Matix

Author Title Level and type of Evidence Recommendations

Boyle DK, Kochinda, C. (2004).

Enhancing collaborative communication of nurse and physician leadership in two intensive care units C

This study intended to study an intervention to increase collaborative communication in physician leaders and nurses. A pretest- posttest repeated measures design was used for collection of baseline data, for the implementation of the study’s intervention for over eight months, immediate, and post collection of data after 6 months. The study provided supporting evidence that collaborative between nurses and physicians could be improved. Collaboration between physicians and nurses was found to be essential. As a result, the study recommends that these collaborations should be increased in hospitals to increase efficiency and productivity.

Bronstein LR. (2003).

A model for interdisciplinary collaboration F

The author utilizes multidisciplinary theoretical pieces of literature and research and conceptual pieces from literature on social work to support the development of this kind of model. The author first notes the relevant current trends to the interdisciplinary practice for the purposes of pointing out its essentiality. The article describes a model that is made up of two parts. The first part of the model has five categories that form interdisciplinary collaborative relations between social workers and other professionals. These include flexibility, professional activities that have been newly created, ownership of goals that is collective, interdependence and process reflection. The second part recommends the use of such influences on collaboration as structural characteristics, professional role, history of collaboration, and personal characteristics.

Brown, B. Crawford, P. and Carter, R. 2006 Evidence-based health communication B

The book provides the readers with a critical and a comprehensive review of the health communication field and the different types of evidence that have been collected concerning communication that is effective. In addition to this, the book sets out what has been researched about the micro- structure of encounters in health care and interactions. The book offers the concerned professionals essential new agendas for research practice and training in health care, based on lessons acquired from linguistics, using a broad range of evidence to identify patterns that can lead to improved practices in healthcare. The book recommends brief, effective and ordinary activity in communication in addition to consultations that are formal.

Hughes, R.B.2008

Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses A

The effects of errors in health care have essential implications. The article utilizes peer- reviewed reviews and discussions of a broad range of literature and issues regarding quality of health care and safety of patients. The article provides some insight in to the many aspects that determine the safety and quality of health care as well as outcomes of systems, patients and nurses. The book does this by presenting an examination of the evidence and scientific research behind safety and quality concepts and issues. One of the most prevalent recommendations of the book is that hospitals and other health institutions should not only utilize evidence and research to alter practices but also to be actively involved in developing the base of scientific evidence to address crucial gaps in knowledge. Patient quality and safety care is inherently dependent on nurses, and to attain safety and quality goals nurses must assume the roles of leaders.

International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care

2004

I. Principles and Practice of

Palliative Care. The IAHPC Manual of Palliative Care B

This article utilizes a number of sources to comprehensively define palliative care. Further, the same literature is utilized to indicate the essentiality, need, goals and principles of palliative care. Many health care professionals believe that this model of care is the soft option many physicians adopt after therapy has stopped. However, the article argues that palliative care should be taken as active care or therapy as it addresses all the psychological and physical needs of a patient.

Manojlovich, M., Antonakos, C.L., Ronis, D.L.

2009 Intensive Care Units, Communication

Between Nurses and Physicians, and Patients’ Outcomes. D

This study sought to examine the relations or associations that exist between physicians and nurse, and especially during communication, in addition to examining the practice environment of the intensive care unit and some of the associated adverse outcomes. Though some associations between adverse events and communication were documented, it was found that this relationship was not consistent, and that the perception of nurses of the environment of practice was not clearly related to the adverse outcomes.

McCaffrey, R.G., Hayes, R., Stuart, W., Cassel, A., Farrell, C., Miller-Reyes, S and Donaldson,

A.2011

An Educational Program to Promote Positive Communication and

Collaboration Between Nurses and Medical Staff D

The results of this study were based on an educational program that was designed and implemented for medical residents and nurses to improve collaboration and communication. It was found that collaboration and communication between members of the health care system improved patient and treatment outcomes as well as satisfaction in jobs.

Oliver, D.P., Wittenberg-Lyles, E.M. and Day, M. 2007 Measuring Interdisciplinary

Perceptions of Collaboration on Hospice Teams. American Journal of Hospice &

Palliative Medicine F

This was a project that was based on the modification of the interdisciplinary collaboration index to develop a tool that could be used to measure perceptions of collaboration by the hospice team members. The study utilized the 42- item instrument questions. The MIIC, or the new Modified Index for Interdisciplinary Collaboration showed a strong reliability for the subscales of the original instrument and the for the total instrument. The study also recommended that further testing and use for the instrument be carried out.

Riesenberg, L.E., Leitzsch, J., Massucci, J.L., Jaeger, J., Rosenfeld, J.C., Patow, C. et al 2009 Residents’ and Attending Physicians’ Handoffs: A Systematic Review of the Literature D

The researchers carried out a systematic and thorough review of articles in English language, most of which were indexed in the PubMed database published between 2008 and 1987. These articles were those that focused on the handoffs of physicians in the US. The search results provided the authors with 2590 articles, after which 401 were taken for further review by abstractors who were more skilled. The authors recommended that there is a great need for handoff outcomes research and studies that are of high quality, and those focused on human performance, system factors, and effectiveness of interventions and protocols that are structured.

Thompson, J.E., Collett, L.W., Langbart, M.J., Purcell, N.J., Boyd, S.M., Yuminaga, Y. et al.2011 Using the ISBAR Handover Tool in Junior Medical Officer Handover: A Study in an Australian Tertiary Hospital D

The authors recruited JMOs who participated in handover of after hours during a clinical term that ran for 11 weeks from June to august in 2009. The authors then audiotaped the handover after- hours and the JMOs finished a study to examine the current practice and perception of handover. The JMOs then took part in education sessions that took 1 hour each on use of ISBAR and handover, and were motivated to handover utilizing the ISBAR method. Following this session, they were surveyed to measure changes in handover using the ISBAR, and then the authors audiotaped the handover again to examine the differences in transfer of information and duration. The study indicated that the JMO perception of communication in handover could be improved by the utilization of the ISBAR tool. The author, however, recommended that considerations should be given to the introduction of the ISBAR method in all the handover settings of JMOs.

Tschannen, D., Keenan, G., Aebersold, M.,Kocan, M.J., Lundy, F., Averhart, V. 2011 Implications of Nurse-physician Relations: Report of a Successful Intervention D

This article sought to examine the effects of intervention that was collaborative on improving patterns of communication between physicians and nurses on two units of study. The intervention was composed of two physicians and two nurses per unit meeting for eight hours to develop, collaboratively, a solution to issues in communication on their units. It was recommended that strategies must be pointed out to break down the barriers brought about by culture and that limit the development of a culture that is team- centered supporting relations that are collaborative among professionals in health care.

Gazmararian, J., et.al.

1999 Health Literacy Among Medicare Enrollees in Managed Care Organizations A

The study utilized 3260 new enrollees in Medicare aged 65 and above as interviewees between December 1997 and June 1997.304 spoke Spanish while 2956 spoke English as their native language. The elderly enrollees managed in health care may not possess the literacy skills needed to function properly in a medical environment. It was shown that low literacy in health might affect negatively the understanding of the elderly patients of messages of health and limit their capacity to care for their medical challenges.

Gulmans, J., et.al.

2007 Evaluating Quality of patient care communication in integrated care settings C

The approach used in this case followed a mixed design that had three steps in which the outcomes of each step were utilized to mark out the focus of the following step. The first step questionnaire aimed to identify quality gaps most patients experience comparing their experiences and expectancies in relation to the communication between patients and professionals and between professionals. It was recommended that further research is needed to find out the feasibility of the approach in practice.

McCaffrey, R., et.al.

2011 An Educational Program to promote Positive Communication and Collaboration Between Nurses and Medical Staff The study utilized a pre test, post test method in quasi- experiment. The Jefferson Scale of Attitudes towards the collaboration a d communication between nurses and physician was also used in addition to Critical Thinking for Quality Patient Outcomes Survey tool. It was recommended that continuing education for medical resident, nurses and other medical professionals may help in creating positive communication methods and teamwork.

Melnyk, B., et.al.

2009 Evidence based Practice: Step-by-Step Igniting a Spirit of Inquiry. A

This article utilized the evidence- based approach, which is the kind of approach that integrates the best evidence from surveys and data on patient care with patience values and preferences and clinical expertise. This is recommended to give nurse and other health professionals the skills and knowledge needed to implement EBP.

Nadzan, D. and Westergaard, F.

2008 Pediatric Safety in the Emergency Department C

This utilized the kind of evidence found in published reviews and articles. It was recommended that further research is needed in the area.

References

Boyle, D. K. & Kochinda, C. (2004). Enhancing Collaborative Communication of Nurse and Physician Leadership in Two Intensive Care Units. Journal of Nursing Administration, 34 (2), 60-70.

Bronstein, L. R. (2003). A model for interdisciplinary collaboration. Soc Work, 48 (3), 297- 306.

Brown, B., Crawford, P. & Carter, R. (2006). Evidence- based health communication. New York: McGraw.

Gazmararian, J. et al. (1999). Health literacy among Medicare enrollees in a managed care organization. JAMA, 281 (6), 545- 51.

Gulmans, J. et al. (2007). Evaluating quality of patient care communication in integrated care settings: a mixed method approach. Int J Qual Health Care, 19 (5), 281- 88.

Hughes, R. G. (2008). Patient safety and quality: an evidence based handbook for nurses. AHRQ Publication. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care. (2004). Principles and practice of Palliative care. The IAHPC Manual of Palliative Care.

Manojlovich, M., Antonakos, C. L. & Ronis, D. L. (2009). Intensive care units, communication between nurse and physicians, and patient’s outcomes. Am J Crit Care, 18, 21- 30.

McCaffrey, R. G. et al. (2011a). An educational program to promote positive communication and collaboration between nurses and medical staff. J Nurses Staff Dev. 27 93) 121- 7.

McCaffrey, R., et al. (2011b). The effect of an educational program on attitudes of nurses and medical residents towards the benefits of positive communication and collaboration. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 1365-2648.

Melnyk, B. M. et al. (2009). Evidence- based practice: step by step: igniting a spirit of inquiry. AJN, 109 (11), 49- 52.

Nadzam, D. & Westergaard, F. (2008). Pediatric safety in the emergency department: identifying risks and preparing to care for child and family. J Nurs Care Qual, 23 (3), 189- 94.

Oliver, D. P., Wittenberg- Lyles, E.M. & Day, M. (2007). Measuring interdisciplinary perceptions of collaboration on hospice teams. Am J Hosp Palliat Care, 24 (1), 49- 53.

Riesenberg, L.A. et al. 92009). Residents’ and attending physicians’ handoffs: a systematic review of the literature. Acad Med., 84 (12), 1775- 87.

Thompson, J. E. et al. (2011). Using the ISBAR handover tool in junior medical officer handover: a study in an Australian tertiary hospital. Postgrad Med J. 87 (1027), 340-4.

Tschannen, D. et al. (2011). Implications of nurse- physician relations: report of a successful intervention. Nurs Econ. 29 (30), 127- 35.

32645358851265450000

11525253867150All classes will be mixed gendered classes (male and female together).

Wafa Al Saeedi

H00057012

0All classes will be mixed gendered classes (male and female together).

Wafa Al Saeedi

H00057012

0-3175Introduction: Put on the blue hat and answer the following:

What is the proposal?

All classes will be mixed gendered classes (male and female together).

What is the current situation regarding this policy? Give a reason why this policy change or new policy is needed.

There are few mix classes in that has both gender in the same class. It is ideal that the mixture between male and female at various universities in the UAE has been encouraged for more than a decade now. The higher the number of male and female mix at the universities is what adds to the quality of education in the UAE. In addition, the universities have also implemented policies that are able to accommodate this changes in education.

Analysis: 6 Thinking Hats

Facts, Information, Survey results Currently, gender orientation run normally works so long stretches of overwhelmingly male talk are trailed by short blasts of all-female talk, which is described by a generally high extent of covering remarks. Throughout the span of a class hour the inclination of men to talk finally (and the lesser probability that they will be intruded on) leads, on account of male-dominant part classes with male educators, to a male-commanded hour – a wonder that is strengthened by the propensity of women to talk less every now and again, all the more quickly, and to cover each other’s remarks

Survey results: based on the survey male student’s incline to more prominent chattiness than female students headed us to question whether male teachers may be more garrulous than female educators. Both genders discuss the same measure of time: that is, educators possessed 42% of the class hour as a rule, talking around 4500 words. Modes of verbal conduct that are professedly sex based, for example, subordination toward oneself (evidently a female characteristic) or aggressiveness (apparently a male quality) depend less on an educator’s sex than on specific identities and the quantity of years that educators have taught. In opposition to well-known thoughts, no discourse trademark we analyzed uncovered itself to be run of the mill of either sexual orientation

Feelings, emotions, intuition Positives: Gender balance in class will lead to development and growth towards academic excellence. It I ideal students are for the case that both gender education in the same class is ideal for academic welfare. In addition, the other stakeholders such as the government is also in support of the proposal.

Negatives: The state is not ready to push on laws that favor the growth and development of equality in mixed classroom where both men and women study. Contrary most parents in the UAE are not in favor of the case that both gender should be allowed be in the same place and share the same academic resources.

Cautions, risks, dangers, problems Based on the students’ perspective, there is no risk to study on board with both sex in the same class. It is clear that mixed education is more favorable to the both the gender hence an added advantage and also a merit to the students as they can also be able to have academic gains.

To the parents, they consider that mixed education is a risky affair, they consider that the mix can cause various negative issues such as early pregnancies and education failures.

The universities and colleges are also on the eve of ensuring that caution is adhered to the quality of education. This is attributed or supported with changes in education policies are procedures to support mixed education and the dangers of such education.

Positives, value, benefits To the students, they are various benefits that come with mixed education between male and female. The ability to share this information is credible in a classroom setting hence able to persuade quality in education.

The other benefit that come with such as issue is the idea that sharing of classroom amid male and female students is that they can be able to share the difference in education hence able to highlight they academic potentials are as well as weaknesses.

On the other hand, other parents view that the mixed education between male and female is a step towards social cohesion and integration.

Creativity, possibilities, alternatives, new ideas There are various creative ideas that this systems of education can be attributed to. Advanced use of technologies one of the ways that will help mixed system of education to take the next level. This is an added advantage to all the stakeholders.

0-3175Recommendations: Put on the blue hat and make recommendations.

Highlight your recommendation below.

Accept the Proposal

Accept the Proposal with some changes

Reject the Proposal

Explain your answer in detail (refer back to the six thinking hats).

I consider that this proposal is one of the best proposals because it helps in education changes. The old tradition of education whereby male and female studied differently is the thing of the past hence the new system is able to add value to education and academic achievements. I consider that the facts supported is in accordance to the facts at hand. The survey will help in future analysis as well as result. The feelings of all stakeholders are in support of the view that mixed education should be supported. The risk or the dangers of this type of education are less hence the systems in applicable. I consider that this systems has various values if implemented. I also consider that they are various creativities are in place to support the systems.

References

Dixson, B. J., Dixson, A. F., Bishop, P. J., & Parish, A. (2010). Human physique and sexual attractiveness in men and women: A New Zealand–US comparative study. Archives of sexual behavior, 39(3), 798-806.

Niederle, M., & Vesterlund, L. (2010). Explaining the gender gap in math test scores: The role of competition. The Journal of Economic Perspectives, 129-144.

Paxton, S. J., Eisenberg, M. E., & Neumark-Sztainer, D. (2006). Prospective predictors of body dissatisfaction in adolescent girls and boys: a five-year longitudinal study. Developmental psychology, 42(5), 888.

Alternatives to Healing Practices

Name

Institution

Alternatives to Healing Practices

Alternative healing refers to all healing methods that are different from conventional Western Medicine practices. Majority of the accepted healing techniques that are effective in other nations are yet to be adopted in the Western nations. For instance, Acupuncture is commonly practiced in China, but it is not yet accepted fully as a Western Medicine. Medical services along with how people their sickness is changing rapidly. Majority of western doctors have realized that some patients heal faster and even more efficiently when they take alternative traditional medicine. Doctors have frequently objected to alternative healing. However, at the moment, Western doctors tolerate the use of alternative healing by their patients. A number of people are now learning the available various healing methods so that they can combine them for effective results.

My take on “authoritative knowledge” is that people should stop believing that authoritative knowledge is distributed hierarchically but realize that it is distributed horizontally. This would imply that equally parallel and legitimate systems of knowledge are present and individuals go through and use it in a parallel or sequential manner for a specific reason. Justification of one way of knowing as authoritative dismisses and devalues the other means of knowing. Those people that take up alternative systems of knowledge are considered as ignorant, backward or immature trouble makers. The devaluation of non authoritative systems of knowledge will be a mechanism of through which hierarchical societal structures will be produced, sustained and displayed.

My take on “cultural authority” in relation to healing practices is that I am privileged, as a Chinese to talk about the body and culture. Personally, I come from a culture that detaches the body from the mind. I am now in a culture with an extensive history of uniting all features of human experience. This will give me an opportunity to learn more from you people when I am still here. The world has become a globalized and connected making it essential for different people to understand one another and work closely together to lessen the suffering of all human beings. Human communication has increasingly become more remote, this has invalidated use of face to face and use of words of the mouth leaving only use of satellites. This means that we need to collaborate in order to preserve the physical connectedness of our universe (Frohock, 1995). Many cultures that were previously isolated now can engage with one another. Our rising demand to get connected necessitates for more cooperation. And that teamwork has to start by understanding one another from a bodily perspective. It is my conviction that by mindfully understanding, studying and valuing the bodily life of human beings, we can achieve the goals of humanity.

In summary, the study has shown that alternative Medicine defines all forms of medicine that does not include mainstream of western medicine that is practiced by many doctors in our day. This term is slackly used to refer to all forms of medicine with the exception of allopathy. Existence of all alternative medicine comes in all cultures like traditional medicine, and indigenous medicine that was used to illustrate such practices. Such type of medicines take us a thousands of years based on the culture and country concerned. Acupuncture of Chinese is a perfect example. Acupuncture involves injection of fine needles at specific points to disperse, stimulate, and control the flow of vital energy and restore the balance of healthy energy.

References

Frohock, F. (1995). Healing Powers: Alternative Medicine, Spiritual Communities, and … New York: University of Chicago Press.

Name

Instructor

Course/ Subject

Date

All schools should implement bullying awareness programs

Bullying in schools occurs so much to the extent of one thinking that it is a norm. Bullying is an activity that occurs within and outside the confinements of schools, but a majority of the cases happens in the absence of elders. Bullying is an act of torturing others physically or psychologically. In schools, it occurs by students inflicting physical pain on others, abusing or mocking them. In addition, the activity can also be carried out emotionally, where students isolate themselves from other students. In turn, the stigmatized students end up being victims of bullying. Bullying has detrimental effects to both the culprit exercising the act and the victim of the same. Subsequently, it is of considerable concern that schools formulate bullying awareness programs to harness the ever-growing bullying habit that eats into schools and endangers the future of many students.

Research shows that children who take advantage of others and bully them have high chances of turning to criminal activities when they grow up. Moreover, the research also informs readers that the bullying effect may be transferred to spouses when one grows up. It is also shocking to learn that bullies may end up becoming child abusers in future. In this case, it calls for action to prevent bullying from prevailing in schools as the effects impact many people in the society (Kobus, web). Bullying awareness programs measure up to be an ideal channel through which many schools and authorities can stop bullying in schools. These programs employ various strategies to spread bullying awareness and educate people on means of preventing bullying occurrences.

On that note, the following are means through which these programs work. One of the means is by providing online help through websites. The programs can be accessed through the internet where the websites feed a lot of information to the readers. In such websites, the programs provide educative information in regards to the bullying topic. The information tends to provide information on how one may notice a bullying victim or a bully. This information is helpful to both parents and the authoritative figures in schools. In addition, the programs also offer the most appropriate approach for the victims and the executors as a precaution to avoid the situation from becoming worse. The online help is also accessible to students, mainly the victims of bullying. They acquire information on the course of action to undertake when being bullied from the websites (Kobus, web). Furthermore, through the websites, they also have a chance of handling the problem in a discreet way as they can access the material at their own time.

Moreover, bullying awareness programs can also be implemented in schools and the communities other than just on the internet. This can be executed by making physical visits to schools, presenting talks on the subject, and providing different solutions to undertake in order to curb the problem. This way many students are provided with a chance to learn the effects bullying can have on an individual, whether one is the bully or the victim. On that note, schools can easily implement bullying awareness programs in their systems (Langevin, web). In addition, the programs also offer psychiatric services to take care of the already affected students. This way, students, especially the victims, are offered a proper way of dealing with trauma and other negative effects obtained from bullying. Counseling is also a part of the program and students receive psychological help as they deal with their situations. The pieces of advice indeed help the students face their fears appropriately and prevent harmful retaliations from the victims towards the bullies.

The bullying awareness programs should offer a way of shielding the weak students from facing bullies. This is quite beneficial for students since it would avoid them from experiencing effects such as mental breakdown, poor performances in schools and skipping school. Students’ concentration in class tends to be heightened by various factors such as peace of mind. Having a program offering such protection, many students will be comfortable thus increasing their concentration (Langevin, web).

Including teachers in the programs is a significant step to take within schools and towards the students. Teachers are the authoritative figures in schools and thus fear and respect to them from students comes naturally. In turn, including teachers in the bullying awareness programs is a tremendous step as this is bound to make the system effective. This is because teachers are aware of the students’ behavior and it is the best way to implement the programs. In addition, the teachers are in a position to employ the systems effectively because they are always present at school.

Additionally, schools have to make sure that they implement their bullying programs within the boundaries of the state and federal laws. Different states have varying laws that concern the bullying issue and it is the schools’ responsibilities to acquaint with them as they forge their bullying awareness programs forward (Langevin, web). Moreover, the schools’ programs can involve accessing free federal and non-federal resources that aid in eradicating bullying. These resources are inclusive of training materials, tool kits and tips on how to deal with bullying. This offer extra materials to utilize while implementing the bullying awareness programs. Moreover, the program ensures to address the most appropriate means of dealing with bullying. In this case, the procedure one needs to follow, after experiencing a case of bullying and the consequences of bullying other students. In addition, it is necessary to accord all cases of bullying the same amount of seriousness as with time, many carry it out in different ways and for different reasons. For example, some students bully others based on the victim’s way of dressing, their looks, skin color or gender. Consequently, bullies end up enacting different ways of torturing other students. It is also crucial for the program to accommodate bullies and find ways of assisting them. The process may involve finding out the reasons that fuel their acts (Kobus, web). For example, one may be a bully because of a prior experience as the victim of the horrendous act. In turn, because of anger developed from such acts, they feel the urge to apply the same to other students. Others are bullies because of harsh treatments at their homes. This may be from their parents, siblings or relatives. Hence, this fuels the students to act the same on other students.

Once the source of bullying has been established, a solution can be easily formulated, and this may include different approaches. One of the approaches is to notify the source of bullying, for example, calling the parents and addressing the main issue that is affecting their child. In addition, it may also include offering solutions to parents and guidelines that assist parents in guiding their children. The programs should have a means of including parents and guardians in their quest to eradicate bullying in schools. This way the programs become a routine carried out not only in school but also at home. Subsequently, this ensures that the programs are concretely instilled in students, and it becomes their way of life.

Programs that enlighten people on bullying act as a way of eradicating the torturous acts in schools. Nonetheless, their spreading is the core idea that propels the programs. This is because the key is to ensure many people become aware of the program. Consequently, this spreads knowledge on the means of dealing with bullying in schools. Thus, the programs can also include the use of pamphlets and flyers to spread the news and their contents among different people. Moreover, the programs can also include the use of seminars that help spread the word of their existence and act as means of dealing with bullying. Punishment is not the only solution to deal with bullying and such bullying awareness programs offer a lenient and effective measure to undertake. The program is not an assurance that it will offer the most promising results, but it is bound to reduce bullying incidences. However, it is an easy means to implement as it is effectively rolled out in schools, which are the main institutions that house bullies. On the other hand, such programs speak of means to deal with bullying whilst using available tools in schools, for example, use of counseling as a tool to deal with bullying.

Works cited

Kobus Kevin. “Bullying awareness and prevention.” Toronto Catholic school board. (2006) : n. pag. Web. 3 December 2012.

Langevin Marilyn. “A stuttering education and bullying awareness and prevention.” Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools Vol.43 344-358 July 2012. Web. 3 December 2012. 

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Child Development

Although there is a characteristic genetical inheritance from parents to their children, certain characteristics of children are acquired through external environment. In the development of an individual’s characters, external environment other than genetical environment plays a greater role. The nurture theory promotes the role of non-genetics in personality development. Harris (1998) argues that the nurture theory assumes that among those factors influencing children development, apart from gene, is the way they are brought up by their parents.

A fair comparison of character growth in terms of parental guidance and other external (peer) influences is the different characters of identical twins. In as much as they share a lot in common, even phonotypical resemblances, they social interaction with different children ultimately determines what character they end up having. In the same way, those who grow up in a harsh environment normally end up being harsh and the reverse is also very true. Generally, it is true that parents have big influences on their children, but the ultimate character of a child is majorly determined by his or her peer group. This group consist of those that the child interact with most of the time, at school, church, play grounds and other social places.

Human being is a social animal and normally follows up to the characters of fellows. This aspect of humanity throws its weight behind some claims that people are defined by their peers. Throughout childhood and the progression of adolescence, peer interactions, according to Harris (1998), is very important as well as essential for language, social, and cognitive development. In most cases, children are found to acquire most language components when interacting with others. In this way, they learn how to argue and negotiate as well as resolving conflicts, apologizing, and supporting each other. According to…..peer interaction serves as the foundation for many important aspects of emotional development such as the development of self-concept, self-esteem and identity. In addition to that, it also essential to realize that children learn more about themselves during such interactions with each other and use this information to form a sense of their own selves.

In a recent study, it was found out that children of Chinese ethnicity perform better than others; especially science-related subjects e.g. calculus. This fact may be true when supported with statistical data. According to ….statistics show those children of Chinese ethnicity at GSCE. In line with that statistics, Chinese kids, who are eligible for free school meals (FSM) perform better than the national average for all pupils, rich and poor. All in all, according to ….., the gap between the children from poor homes and the rest is very narrow among the Chinese communities. With the Chinese educational policy, children from all walks are allowed to mingle freely with each other. This policy place upon children high expectation from parents as well as from, most importantly, high support from peers. According to …, a child performs better when there is high expectation and support accorded to that child. This is the Chinese policy hence higher performance in scientific related subjects which require high intellectual capacities.

The experience of teaching children from different social and economic backgrounds is one of the experiences that many teachers live to recount. In her observational research, Lareau (2003) wanted to examine and understand how social class differences affect children lives. In her book, Unequal Childhoods: Class, Race, and Family Life, she analyzes the parental differences that every child receives from twelve families that corresponded with specific class distinction. In her findings, Lareau states that whereas the parents of the middle class groups practice a concerted cultivation, the working class and the poor class parents practice the accomplishment of natural growth (Lareau,3).

According to Lareau (p 4), children belonging to the working class and the poor class normally lead a more childlike lives compared to the children from the working class parents because they derive the control of leisure time from their parents autonomously. On the other hand, children of the middle class parenting style experience long and stretched leisure time, child initiated plays, a huge gap between the children themselves and their parents, as well as daily interactions with their parents and relatives (Lareau, p4). Notably, there is an obvious distinction between the two groups of children due to the unequal childhood effects.

The middle class children have a marked advantage when it comes to educational institutions because their experiences allow them to acquire skills which are deemed valuable in the processes of growth and development (Lareau, p 4). Such skills help them and make them be depended upon in places f work, education, and even in sports. In addition, being a child from a middle class parent, there are many lessons that are learnt because from Lareau (p4) findings, they are freely communicate than the children from the working class and the poor families, making them to have a large volume of vocabularies and develop more comfort when conversing with those of higher positions.

In the same way, it is true from her findings that these children from the middle class families have decency of learning the art of shaking hands with adults, even looking them in their eyes (Lareau, p5). Children from the poor class and those from the wrolking class on the other hand they do not look adults in the eye and are not comfortable when conversing with people of higher authority.

According to Lareau (p 5), there is a marked distinction in the cultural set among the two groups of children, especially in America. The middle class parents normally go by the standards ways of converted cultivation. The working class and the poor families raise their children based on the current demands and provide the basic necessities as they are available like shelter, food, and comfort in line with the economic challenges and demands o the child rearing (Lareau, p5). According to them, generally, sustaining a child’s growth naturally is an accomplishment and in the end these different orientations derive different outcomes on children.

According to Harris (p 12), child peer interaction is not an optional situation during childhood and adolescence, but it will come naturally. The social skills that they acquire as they grow are very important for their life long success. In their development amidst others, they develop self-concepts, happiness, and learning. Emotional, physical, survival, and intellectual development that a child undergoes are very critical of whether they would turn out positively or negatively depending on their peers.

Work cited

Evidence Based Table

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Evidence based table:

Citation Purpose/Design/Method Level of Evidence* Sample/Setting Major Variables Studied & their Definitions (IV & DV) Measurement Data Analyses Findings Appraisal: Worth to Practice

O’Haire, M., McKenzie, S., Beck, A., & Slaughter, V. (2013). Social Behavior Increase in Children with Autism in the Presence of Animals Compared to Toys.

The main reason for carrying out the research is to study the relations of young people with autism spectrum disease (ASD) with a grown up person. The study also examines children’s typically-developing peer in the existence of animals contrasted with toys. Moreover, two guinea pigs were used in the comparison. This is a quantitative research since it uses various available data that provides useable statistics in establishing how and why social characters in young people suffering from Autism improve when they have animals and not toys. During the study, a total of 99 students from 15 classrooms in four learning institutions were chosen to take part in three groups. Each group had a single child with autism spectrum disease and two naturally- developing peers. The three groups were separately video-recorded for duration of ten minutes each. The children were given ten minutes to play with the toys and another ten minutes to play with the two guinea pigs in this context. Two blinded viewers recorded the characters of those children with ASD and their colleagues. To give an explanation for the nested study design, collected data were evaluated using hierarchical generalized linear modeling. The level of rating is 98 percent since there is enough evidence to verify the claim that children with autism improve their social characters when they play with animals and not toys. The evidence provided could show that children with ASD had extra social approach characters like talking, having a glance at people’s faces, and making physical contact. They also obtained social approaches from their colleagues in the attendance of animal compared to toys. They also show characters like smiling and laughing in the presence of animal contracted with toys. There was no power analysis in this research. The number of children who participated in the study is 114. Every group had a single target participant with ASD and two typically-developing peers. During data evaluation, five groups were not included. This is because one student left school. The other reason is that one of the peers did not want to his behaviors to be recorded in the video. Other children did not meet the ASD screening principles. The dependent variable in this research is the number of children and peers. This is because it is not constant and keeps changing. On the other hand, the dependent variable is the number of pigs. For instance, the number of pigs remained to be two regardless of the number of students or peers participating in the study. Outcome variable were measured using behavior coding systems. It comprises of various codes for social and emotional characters. Video-recording was also used during the study. Reliability and validity was also addressed for each instrument. For instance, video-recording was considered to be reliable since it is not easy to distort the information obtained. To answer the clinical question and analyze obtained data, several statistics were used. For instance, demographic variable such as age and gender were used in the study. In addition, t-tests were also carried out for continuous variables. For instance, SCQ Lifetime and SSRS Academic Competence. The statistics used were considered to be appropriate for level of measurement of variable.

Children taking part in ASD screening instruments showed that there were some dissimilarity between children with ASD and their TD peers. Children with ASD obtained high scores hence this indicated that there were abnormal characters on the autistic spectrum. Studies on SSRS indicated that ASD children had less socials skilled characters than their TD peers. This is after their scores were low in the SSRS problem behaviors.

One of the strengths of this study is that the instruments used were able to provide accurate information. Additionally, it also showed the relationship between ASD children and animals. The main limitation of the study is that there was little information concerning the IQ of the participants. The above factors should be incorporated in the next research because they are important in determining communicative outcome.

Instructions: Using the defined columns- students should input the data from the chosen reference using this pre-formatted table. Complete for all 10 references vetted for your project. The points per category are found with the category prompts per column. Your total score will be an average across the selected literature. Be sure to double check and peer review this work before submitting it. Individual scores will include the overall evidence table score and results from peer evaluations. Include a cover sheet for this submission.

Burrows, K. (2014). Sentinels of Safety: Service Dogs Enhance Safety and Enhance Freedom and Well-Being of Families With Autistic Children. Retrieved from HYPERLINK “http://www.sagepublications.com”http://www.sagepublications.com

The main objective of carrying out this research is to establish the effect of service dogs on the safety and well-being of families of those children suffering from Autism. The other objective was to establish and illustrate vital patterns of character in the connection between service dogs, parents, and autistic children. This is a qualitative research because it provides viable reasons and opinions on how security dogs can be used to provide a strong multisensory stimulus that can fight reduced sensory and efficient arousal levels of those children suffering from autism. During the study, service dogs and ten families were used. Among the participants, there were 7 boys and three young girls suffering from autism. Interview information was obtained from the parents since the children were not able to communicate. The evidence rating of this study is 70 percent considering that the information obtained from parents could not be real. This is different from the first study discussed because it also involved the use of video-recording which is not easy to distort. The research did not have power analysis since it did not have any further findings apart from the already known ideas. Sampling design uses is the collection of different families, an autistic child from each of the families and security dogs. This is where the dogs and the families were trained together. There were also five home visits after a given period of time. Semi-structured interviews were also carried out within a particular time span. The dependent variable studied is the number of family members and the independent variable was the years of those students. Their ages ranged from 4.5 to 14 years. Inductive qualitative approach was used to show the behaviors and magnitudes of interest. Field notes from participating parents formed part of the coding system. The reliability and validity of the instruments were not addressed. For instance, possible disadvantages and advantages have not been discussed. After the introduction of dogs, parents were no longer worried about taking care of their autistic children. The dogs were taken as additional care givers since they offered another set of eyes. The other statistics used it that parent slept for longer hours because they were certain that the dogs could wake them up in case their child wanted to move out at night. One of the statistical findings is that the incorporation of the services dogs into the homes under study diverted the attention of the families. For instance, there were special needs to dogs that offer important services. Walking next to the dog made the children under study to control their pace hence the walking process was more effective and relaxing. The dogs made the children to be quiet and focused during medical visits. The limitation is that there were few security dogs and this led to the use of a small sample size. Moreover, the development of the relationship between human beings and animals is always believed to be a slow process.

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Evil in the World

There is no doubting the assertion that evil exists in the world, with a number of writers exploring this old phenomenon. Coetzee in the form of a narration explores previous evils and atrocities that have been committed against humanity. She explores the endeavors of a young woman who in a way encounters and fights evil in her own way. One is therefore forced to ask what it is that brings about the existence of such evil in the world, is it that humans are born evil? Or is it their experiences and interactions that make them evil?

Hannah Arendt in her article “The Banality of Evil: Failing to Think”, presents the dimension that perhaps evil comes about as a result of a failure to think critically before acting. She proceeds to claim that perhaps it is the lack of a conscience in the doers that allow such atrocities to be committed, as an essentially good person would definitely be bothered by a bad conscience. Arendt argues that the moral fabric of the society has become corrupt, even citing Nietzsche who equated this to the death of God. Machiavelli in his work “A Prince’s Virtue: Timely Ruthlessness”, explores a different perspective to the good versus evil argument, claiming that in a way, some degree of evil is necessary in the real world.

Voltaire in a way delves deeper into the perspective provided by Arendt, as he is his article “Conscience and Original Sin”, explores further the issue of having a good or bad conscience. Voltaire brings in the aspect of people being born without opinions or principles, but gaining them as they grow up in the world. This therefore means that as people grow up and interact they develop principles and attitudes of what is considered by society to be morally right or wrong. They therefore chose to do right or wrong, essentially meaning therefore that it is not really they who make the choice on what is wrong, but rather the society, as it defines the boundaries of acceptable behavior, thus helping create a conscience in the individual. If the principles that the society instill in the individual are wrong and not really morally upright, then the individual may decide to engage in an immoral act simply because according to his principles it is the right thing to do. Society is therefore in a sense its own worst enemy when it comes to creating and shaping evil, as it shapes individuals through the various morals in place as well as its boundaries of what can or cannot be accepted.

This therefore makes Machiavelli’s assertion which is in a way backed up by Roberto Bolano in his book By Night in Chile, as he encourages people to confront issues that exist in the society. Similarly Machiavelli argues that evil exists in society, and whereas many people may engage in escapism and wishful thinking, it is necessary and here to stay. Exploring the phenomenon of why it is that people commit evil acts, be it as a result of a lack of conscience or due to the absence of thinking is therefore an issue that is still up for debate, more so if one explores already existing literature on the subject.

Outline for Research paper

1. Introduction

2. Body

Evil as a social construct

Evil due to a lack of thinking

Evil due to a lack of conscience

Evil due to the decay of the moral fabric in society

3. Conclusion

Evidence Damage and Disclosure

Crucial evidence damage in a legal proceeding could occur through various events causing destruction or significant alteration of the information on the object relied for such purposes. Investigations may be compromised to the extent of the damage depending on the nature of destruction sustained, which may lead to determination of reliance of the remains if any for the object in question. One example of evidence damage is when a fire breakout occurs, burning evidence such that it would be difficult to obtain the intended information. The level of damage sustained may determine the applicability of the evidence remains, but the reliance of the evidence is upon the court to decide against other assessment outcomes.

According to the court’s determination of the level of damage of the evidence object destroyed in such a fire, the remains may pass courts approval for some level of reliance (Coomer 2003). However, the court may find it useful for the proceedings to dismiss the remains to avoid compromising its decision, depending on such grounds it may deem irreparably damaged to rely on the remains in its decision. It therefore implies that the damaged piece of evidence loses its quality for reliance by the court and possible such reliance, if any, must be approved by the court. This underscores the importance of handling evidence during analysis and at any other point during legal proceedings.

In the event of such damage, the court is expected to act in four ways to provide remedies to the other party in the proceedings. It is important for the defense team to take caution against such court actions in the four different ways in order to ensure that the case is not entirely lost through such actions. Firstly, discovery sanctions may be imposed by the court in circumstances that enable the court to attempt to use its inherent powers discovery of evidence. Secondly, evidentially inferences may be allowed by the court in order to ensure that the proceedings use what limited information that the remains may enable. Thirdly, the court may institute tort actions if satisfied that the damage contained elements of intentional act or was as a result of negligence. Finally, the court may also enforce prosecution of such damage as guided by criminal law against actions deemed to constitute obstruction of justice, in this case through such destruction of evidence (Burnette 2012).

In case of uncovering of new damaging evidence in the middle of legal proceedings, the most appropriate action to take is to approach the court in order to ensure that the evidence is properly before court. The initial response in the discovery should be negotiations with the defense team and making it clear that withholding such information would be severely damaging to the outcomes of the case if it emerges at any stage of the proceedings. During the case preparatory stages, disclosure of information is deemed as a central focus on which to build the defense as opposed to avoiding the reality of such information coming out. Discussions and deliberations during case preparedness should therefore leave nothing to chance unless the evidence is deemed immaterial and inconsequential.

In view of the most appropriate thing to do, making full disclosure must come after deliberating on the defense moves to take against such evidence. Court’s requirement of the prosecution and defense teams to make full disclosures takes care of the misunderstandings that the two teams can find themselves in during the proceedings (Buisman, Khan and Gosnel 2010, p353). Despite the court’s directive, it would be difficult to make all disclosures since for practical reasons and the parties may drop certain pieces of evidence for various reasons. Among the reasons, why evidence may be dropped is the impact it may have on the pace of the case.

Alternatively, it would be not an option to consider leaving out such evidence in the disclosure in anticipation that the prosecution was aware of its impact but deemed it unnecessary and superfluous to needs of its evidence. In all cases, however, such an alternative will require sufficient preparation to counter its impact, in case the prosecution relies on it to build its evidence. In opting to leave out such evidence with the hope that the defense would find it inconsequential, the prosecution must be brought to the attention of the evidence and such inconsequential nature negotiated. Under the circumstances that the outcomes of the negotiations on the evidence could bear damaging impact on the defense, the prior preparation on countering such evidence comes in handy. It therefore underscores the importance of a thorough preparation by the defense and the importance of leaving nothing to chance (McGourlay, 2012, p153).

References

Buisman, C., Khan, K. A., Gosnell, C., (2010) Principles of evidence in International Criminal Justice, New York, NY: Oxford University Press

Burnette, G. E. (2012) Spoliation of evidence: A fire scene dilemma, [Online] Available from <http://www.interfire.org/res_file/spoliatn.asp> [Accessed 12 September 2012].

Coomer, S. J. (2003) The impact of spoliation of evidence: A survey of Texas Law, [Online] Available from http://www.texaslawyers.com/coomer/Paperspo.htm> [Accessed 12 September 2012].

McGourlay, C. (2012) Evidence statutes 2012-2013, New York NY: Routledge