Solid Waste Generation

Solid waste generation is an inevitable consequence of production and consumption activities in any economy (Bennagen, M. E., 2002). Dumping of solid wastes in unauthorized places such as roadside, drains, and undeveloped piece of land leads to accumulation of solid wastes in the environment.

Agricultural wastes are solid wastes that contribute to the amount of accumulated solid wastes in many parts of the world. The Philippines, which is considered as an agricultural country, contributes a large percentage of agricultural wastes in the world. The country contributes more than 10,000 tons of solid wastes per day (Bennagen, M. E., 2002). This large amount of accumulated solid wastes contributes to problems such as flooding in urban areas, uncollected garbage, and inadequate disposal sites.

The effects of accumulated solid wastes in the environment are becoming one of the major concerns of the country and worldwide.In the field of civil engineering, the effects of solid wastes on the hydration process of concrete have been investigated and the studies provided promising results (Okonkwo, 2012). Attempts have been made by various researchers to convert solid wastes to beneficial applications with high level of success in helping to reduce solid waste.

Therefore, identifying analogous material from the waste products and using for beneficial application is an idea worth embracing.Eggshell is an agricultural waste that litters the environment. It is a common waste product in fast food, restaurants, and other food-related business establishments. This waste material was found out to be mainly composed of compounds of calcium. Eggshells are composed of 93.70% calcium carbonate, 4.20% organic matter, 1.30% magnesium carbonate, and 0.80% calcium phosphate (Rabiu A. and Mtallib M., 2009).

Eggshell is primarily composed of calcium carbonate, which is the primary raw material in producing cement. This compound, which is naturally occurring and abundantly found in the Earth’s crust, can also be found in bones, marbles, stalactites, and stalagmites. On the basis of the common compositional characteristics of cement and eggshells, heating or incineration of eggshells to produce eggshell ash and adding controlled amounts would significantly affect the properties of cement in its application to concrete.

Read more

Marketing Debate

Table of contents

Is Consumer Behavior More a Function of a Person’s Age or Generation? MKT 6661 Strategic Marketing Management Troy University Introduction A heavily debated issue between marketers is what drives consumer behavior? There are two noted positions in this debate, one that believes that age differences are the deciding factors of a consumer’s wants and needs and others make the case that cohort and generation effects are better suited to uncover the consumer’s desires. Marketers have a major responsibility to identify and reach out to the marketplace and find out what influences an individual’s purchasing decisions.

Rather these decisions can be sorted based on a group of individuals shared experiences or by simply bunching these individuals into their respective generations but a system has to be in place to provide insight to what is the best way to channel into the consumer’s buying methods. So what’s all the Fuss About? The question that we are trying to answer is, is consumer behavior more a function of a person’s age or generation? There has been inclusive research on the driving forces of what drives consumer choice.

A pattern has been discovered that people who make similar purchases may also share other specific social-economical similarities. This gives way that there is some background to be learned about these purchasing groups. Cohorts, or Aged-Based Marketing, tend to share a significant number of experiences, goals, and values. (Bidwell 2009) The main principle behind a cohort is that individuals make purchasing decisions based on events that they experienced through their lives, such as their childhood, adolescents, early adulthood and so forth.

These events, called defining moments, influence attitudes, preferences, values, and buying behaviors, and these attitudes, values, and buying-behavior motivations for each cohort remain virtually the same throughout their lives. (Bidwell 2009) In contrast to cohorts, on the other side of the debate, the method of evaluating consumer behavior by placing consumers in a group of individuals born and living about the same time. This is the practice of multi-generation marketing. Each generation has unique expectations, experiences, lifestyles, values, and demographics that influence their buying behaviors.

Multi-Generational marketing has a broader platform in which individual consumers are placed. Some specifics of these two marketing segments can draw some contrast between the two. To use the cohort model most effective there must be a combination of people’s ages and information about their particular life stages. Some examples of different life stages are empty nesters, retirees, young families, and your careerist. (Bidwell 2009) Most consumers’ life stages are fairly predictable so it provides for their purchasing habits to be predictable.

There can be contrast amongst different cohorts as well, depending on the unique events that an individual shared with others in the same cohort. According to Charles D. Schewe, a professor of marketing at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and consultant to numerous companies, there are seven American cohorts. The first cohort being the Great Depression cohort, born between the years of 1912 and 1921 and represent approximately seven percent of the U. S. population, secondly is the World War II cohort born between the years of 1922-1927 and represent about five percent of the U.S. population, the third cohort is known as the post WWII cohort, this group was born between the years of 1928-1945 and represent about twenty three percent of the U. S. population, next are the Baby Boomers I and Baby Boomers II cohorts, they represent together about forty three percent of the U. S. population and were born between the years of 1946 to 1964, the sixth cohort are the Generation X’ers who were born between the years of 1966 and 1976 and make up approximately twenty two percent of the U. S. opulation, and lastly there are the N-Gens, born from 1977-1987, and make up twelve percent of the U. S. adult population. ( Bidwell 2009) Though these cohorts p over a number of years they are all linked by a series of events that follow a chronological order. Even though a cohort places consumers in segments based on lifestyles but the time in which these events occurred can have drastic effect on their purchasing choices. Looking at the metrics of generational marketing on surface can resemble age-based marketing very closely.

Looking at the table, generation analysis and Cohort effects follow a very similar chronological order and demographics but generation analysis is a much broader form of marketing intelligence. At best we have put a group of consumers at the same place at the same time using this method. By knowing the generation the consumer was born it does help the marketer pin point the most effective way to communicate with the consumer taking a macro overlook of the consumer. Based on what generation a consumer was born in gives insight of how techno savvy or financially conservative, education level the consumer received.

Conclusion:

As I really think about the original question and look for the answer it seems to me that these two methods work in tandem with each other. The bigger picture is understanding the holistic approach to getting your message across the consumer. Cohort is a much more defined process, in that it outlays the needs of the consumer at different times in their lives but knowing the generation that the consumer helps to point the marketer in the right direction when extrapolating data from individual. Undoubtedly to me both are instrumental in a effective and efficient marketing information system.

References

  1. Bidwell. 25 March 2009 Cohorts: Age-Based Marketing. http://www. bidwellid. com/resources/white_papers/Bidwell_ID_Cohorts. pdf
  2. Williams, K; Page,R 2010 Marketing to the Generations http://www. aabri. com/manuscripts/10575. pdf
  3. Kotler, P. , & Keller, K. (2012). In K. Keller, & P. Kotler 14th ed, Marketing Management

Read more

The Expansion of the NFL Generations

The National Football League (NFL) has changed over time during its existence from 1920. The National Football League’s experience is even more exciting today then in past generations. The players today are bigger, faster, and stronger then professional players. Although the same general rules still apply in today’s game, but new ones are brought up every year to protect players from injuries. Ever since the league started in 1920, the football equipment for players has improved even better over the years. Also today’s football culture is even more exciting for players and fans to enjoy.

For the players today, it is easier to promote themselves and their teams from the Internet and social media. Since the arrival of the NFL, it has improved over the years and the now fans have made it a way in their daily life. The NFL experience improves every year and it is easier for players to promote themselves because of the Internet. Currently, every player joined the NFL because of the Internet. Today, it is easier for players to promote themselves and communicate with coaches or teams because of the Internet.

Coaches and team management are always on the look out for great players. After their talent search, the NFL teams scout online using college statistics for their prospect using the college athletics websites from the players school. The NFL coaches today can even watch college player’s highlight films on YouTube, which is a great way to promote players. The older generation coaches had to use word of mouth communications to scout players. Unlike past generations, the communication for players and coaches have involved extremely because of advance technology.

The NFL generation today is better than past generations and is getting outstanding players to join the league because of the Internet. The NFL players today are paid more money because of their experience, talents, and abilities to play the game. The players who usually get paid the most are the franchise players. The franchise players (best players on their team) are treated more valuable and the teams base their game strategies because of talents of those players. While other players are part of a role in the game plan, the franchise players carry most the load to the game plan.

The NFL players today can easily be replaced by other upcoming college standouts. Unlike past generations, the competition is even more difficult to play against today because the players want to stay in the league or not be traded to other teams. The NFL continues to improve year after year because of the great competitors that join the league and the current players that do not want to be replaced. The rules and regulations of the NFL games have changed significantly and the way the game is watched on television. Most of the rules that changed were for health and injury risk issues because of the full contact sport.

For instance, the most recent rule that changed was the head-to-head contact tackle. The head-to-head contact tackle is the incorrect way to tackle, but sometimes other players just want to injury other players for their own reasons. This highlight tackle has been banned due to injuries like brain damage, neck injuries, and concussions. If players attempted to do this tackle they will be fined or suspend for an certain amount of games. Just like any other violation tackle, the head-to-head contact tackle is absorbed in the NFL very closely.

While, football equipment has improved over the years for safety issues. There are lighter safety pads that protect your bones with more comfort to your body when absorbed contact. The NFL is always improving the football equipment and trying to avoid past life-threatening injuries such as concussions. Others new rules were also created to improve how the game is played and will protect the football players even better today. The games on television have better picture and a greater experience to watch the game. Unlike in the past, there is a huge difference how the picture has improved even more.

The NFL games today have more camera angles and closer experience to watch the game. Just imaging and compared how older generations watched the games on black and white televisions? Also, the NFL games are now watched in high definition. There are also now NFL games that can be watched in 3-Dimensional. Unlike basic cable games, the 3-D games change the television experience, they make you feel like you are playing or coaching in the game. The way the game is played and watched on television in today’s generation, is extremely better than past generations.

Also the American football culture is expanding and growing over the years of existence. During the fall season, fans know Sundays are for NFL football games and church. NFL fans exist through out America; there can be New York fans that live in California or other areas. The fans are expanding everyday and the football culture is now a way of people’s life. For example, NFL fans treat Super Bowl Sunday as a holiday than a regular championship football game. Everybody watches the Super Bowl for the game, halftime show, and commercials. NFL fans have parties and invite friends over to watch the big game at their house.

Even commercials during the Super Bowl are always talked about because everybody watches the Super Bowl. Although, companies pay millions of dollars for thirty seconds for their commercials to be played during the Super Bowl because they can attract new customers. Even stores get involved to promote Super Bowl Sunday; like having sales on food and televisions. However, the Thanksgiving Thursday Night Football Game is also part of the American football culture. While enjoying time with family on a real holiday, the NFL has a game on Thanksgiving Day.

This game always promotes the Super Bowl game because they know fans and their families are watching the game. The football culture has grown bigger through every generation. Everybody knows when it’s time for Super Bowl Sunday. The NFL experience has improved over the years and players have been improving each year. My favorite player of all time in the NFL is Ray Lewis, he plays defensive linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens. Ray Lewis is a franchise player for the Baltimore Ravens and is entering his sixteenth year in the NFL because of his effort to be the best he can be.

While, I play the same position as Ray Lewis and I try to put in the same effort he does to become a great player. Although I am trying to pursue an NFL career and become a legend just like Ray Lewis it takes hard work and dedication to become the best you can be. My favorite motivation quote from Ray Lewis is “You might be bigger, faster, stronger, and better than me, but you are not going to outwork me, because I won’t let you”. Unlike other players, Ray Lewis is great role model to play the game and he continues to play the game with his heart instead of greed.

The National Football League has changed significantly in every generation. The players are more skilled, paid more money, and rules have changed due to past injuries. The players today are bigger, faster, and stronger than past players because of the improvements in the games. Even the technology of watching the game on televisions has improved significantly for fans to enjoy. Today, the NFL culture has grown on every American life including mine. The National Football League will keep changing generation after generation, but the love of the game will continue to grow.

Read more

Technology in Todays World

In today’s world technology can be considered both very beneficial to society as well as harmful. Technology can be anywhere from helpful to hurtful, from keeping one informed about the world, advancements in the medical field, and keeping in touch with friends and family to obesity, cyberbullying, and laziness. It is a part of our daily lives from the alarms we set in the morning to watching television with our families at the end of a long day. Technology can be very beneficial in the fact that our advancements in it have made things a great deal easier than they would have been many years ago.

It allows us to keep in contact with people that we do not get to see every day or that live far away. I have a close friend, in the Air Force, who is stationed in Japan for at least four years and because of technology we can keep in touch all the time, whereas we would not be able to without it. Thanks to technology we have satellite TVs and radios, which helps in keeping people informed on what is going on in the world. Just by turning on the television one can see the presidential debate, catch a movie, or see what the temperature will be like.

Because of this advancement families can now sit down and enjoy a movie together when it is convenient. Society has also advanced through medical technology, with which we can use to keep ourselves healthy and alive. Because of our advancements someone who has cancer, or any chronic pain or disease, can live longer than they might without it. [Ethos] Although technology has been great with advancing the world forward, it has some major negative effects on the world such as obesity and laziness. People no longer feel the need to go out of the house to do things.

Children of today’s generation are facing the growing problem of obesity because all they want to do is sit and play games, they do not have the desire to go out and get exercise. “According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), obesity rates in children under 12 rose from about 15 percent in 1999, to nearly 19 percent in 2004, with a projected 20 percent rate in 2010. The HHS study on childhood obesity defined it as at or above the 95th percentile, according to gender, on the Body Mass Index (BMI) scale” (Banks).

Most people would agree that technology has made us a lazy society today because of all the possibilities it offers. When it comes to the internet most would ask why read a book when you can just spark note it and get everything you need to know? Or why spend the time trying to find a reliable source? Dennis Baron stated that “for students, and increasingly for the rest of us as well, it seems that reliable sources are less important than finding information in nanoseconds” (Baron).

Society today does not care enough about making sure things are credible, they just want to get it done then and there, as fast as they possibly can. [Logos] Lastly one of the most common negative effects of technology is focus around the younger generation in a form called cyberbulling. Cyberbullying gives people a false since of security allowing them to do or say things that normally they would never consider, because of the fact that through the computer there is no facial confrontation.

For instance, several weeks ago my Facebook page was hacked into, this allowed someone to go into my account and send rude and hurtful messages to my contacts, making it seem as if I was the one sending them. This is only a minor case of cyberbullying but it has been worse for many other victims causing major depression and anxiety, sometimes even suicide. Technology has made this all possible with just the click of a button.

According to a survey done in 2007 by a cyberbullying research center, of approximately 2,000 middle school students, when asked if they had been “cyberbullied” in their entire lives, 17. 3% said “yes. ” A similar proportion (17. 6%) admitted to cyberbullying others at some point in their lifetime. Finally, 12% of the sample reported being both a victim and a bully. This is an alarming statistic that is constantly growing as time passes, and technology is only helping to further this problem. [Pathos and Logos] In theory technology has both positive and negative aspects on today’s society.

Each person has their own views on the good and bad with no one being wrong. As a society it is important to consider each aspect and try to use technology for the positive benefits it has. If we allow this then we can shape technology into something better. So in turn technology has many negative points but it is necessary for the growth of society. Works Cited Banks, K’Lee. “Child Obesity Due to the Popularity of Game Systems. ” LIVESTRONG. COM. Livestrong. com, 21 Apr. 2010. Web. 18 Oct. 2012.

Read more

First Generation

First Generation (1944-1959) Vacuum tube as a signal amplifier, it was a typical first-generation computer. Initially, vacuum tubes (vacuum-tube) are used as a component of the signal amplifier. Raw materials consist of glass, so much has disadvantages, such as easily broken, and easy to distribute the heat. This heat needs to be neutralized by other components that serve as a coolant. And with the additional component, the computer finally appeared to be a big, heavy, and expensive. In 1946, the world’s first electronic computer the ENIAC essay made. The computer contained 18,800 vacuum tubes and weighs 30 tons.

So large in size, to the point that requires a separate classroom. In the seems image ENIAC computer, this is the world’s first electronic computer that has a weight weighing 30 tons, length 30 M, and 2. 4 M high and requires 174 kilowatts of electrical power. Colossus was the first electronic computer in this era. It’s every aspect that was kept secret by the British Government. This is the world’s first electronic computer that has a weight weighing 30 tons, length 30 M, and 2. 4 M high and requires 174 kilowatts of electrical power.

In 1945, Von Neumann architecture was introduced. Eckert and Mauchly began working on EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer) but it never completed. Later Von Neumann developed his own EDVAC (IAS machine).

In 1946, the development of ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), which was started in 1943, was completed. Some other computers of this generation are UNIVAC, MARK II, MARK III, Z2, Z4, SSEC (Selective Sequence Electronic calculator), and some IBM computers series such as IBM 604, IBM 650, IBM 701, IBM 702.

In 1954, the first version of FORTRAN (Formula Translator) was published by IBM.

Read more

Bowen Family Systems

Bowen Family System Theory Introduction In doing my studies on family/systemic counselling, I found Bowen’s theory intriguing. In my work and everyday life, I witness triangulation on a daily basis, from my own experience, without the awareness from this module, I was often entwined in triangulation. As a trainee therapist I decided to write my paper on Bowenian Therapy in order to gain a better understanding and develop my awareness. Murray Bowen, M. D. (31 January 1913 – 9 October 1990) was an American psychiatrist and a professor in Psychiatry at the Georgetown University.

Bowen was among the pioneers of family therapy and founders of systemic therapy. “The family systems theory is a theory introduced by Dr. Murray Bowen that suggests that individuals cannot be understood in isolation from one another, but rather as a part of their family, as the family is an emotional unit. Families are systems of interconnected and interdependent individuals, none of whom can be understood in isolation from the system” (Genopro. com 18/11/2010) Bowen’s interest in family began as he was practicing as a psychiatrist in the 1940s. He focused on schizophrenic patient’s emotional relationships with their mothers.

Others have called it a symbiosis relationship, but for him it was only an exaggerated natural process of emotional relationship. In 1954 he started to hospitalize the entire family of the sick (schizophrenic) person. He found out that the entire family suffered with the sick person emotionally. He also studied the relationship between mother-child symbioses. This involved a certain repetitive pattern, where he observed alternating patterns of closeness and distance. They portrayed sensitive emotional tensions caused by separation anxiety and incorporation anxiety.

In 1959 he started working with families with less severe problems. Surprisingly these families displayed the same problems as the disturbed families. He concluded that there is no discontinuity between the normal and disturbed families but vary along a continuum line of emotional fusion to differentiation. Bowen was one of the first to realize that the history of our family creates a template which shapes the values, thoughts, and experiences of each generation, as well as how that generation passes down these things to the next generation.

Bowen’s theory focuses on the balance of two forces – togetherness and – individuality. Too much togetherness can prevent individuality, or developing one’s own sense of self whereas too much individuality results in a distant and estranged family. The theory looks at the family as a system and describes the complex interactions that exist in any one unit. The way members of a family are connected and the way they react to one another makes the functioning of family members interdependent. According to the theory, mental illness happens as a result of emotional fusion.

This can happen when there is an increase in the level of emotions and anxiety in the family. Bowen introduced eight interlocking concepts to explain family development and functioning. Below I will provide an overview of each concept. Differentiation of Self The first concept is Differentiation of Self, or the ability to separate feelings and thoughts. Undifferentiated people can not separate feelings and thoughts; They have difficulty thinking logically because when asked to think they are flooded with feelings, so this makes It difficult for them to base their responses on their own logical thinking.

They also have difficulty differentiating between their feelings and the feelings of others. They look to their family to define how they think about issues, feel about people, and interpret their experiences. Differentiation is the process of freeing yourself from your family’s processes to define yourself so you can have different opinions and values than your family members, but are still capable of staying emotionally connected to them. It means being able to calmly reflect on a conflicted interaction afterward, realising your wn role in it, and then choosing a different response for the future. Triangles Triangles are the basic units of systems. They balance between closeness and distance. The third person or party brings unity and creates continuity in warring situation. The triangle brings stressed person into a manageable level of operation. This involves true listening and gives a true advice for a better solution. In it virtually all relationships are shadowed by third parties.

For example when a couple have an argument, afterwards, one of the partners may call their friend to talk about the fight. The third person helps them reduce their anxiety and take action, or calm their strong emotions and reflect, and make decision. People who are more undifferentiated are likely to triangulate others and be triangulated whereas people who are differentiated cope well with life and relationship stress, and as a result are less likely to triangulate others or be triangulated. The Nuclear Family Emotional Process

These are the emotional patterns in a family that continue over generations. This involves a modeling scenario where a family member models and imitates the behaviour and even the language of his or her parents. For example, a parent who teaches his or her children to be happy when things are ok and sad when things are bad shapes the future thinking of those children. Here the parent passes on an emotional view of the world (the emotional process), which is taught throughout generation from parent to a child, in a nuclear family.

Reactions to this process can range from open conflict, to physical or emotional problems in one family member, to reactive distancing. This will bring problems with family members like substance abuse, mental illness and irresponsibility. The Multigenerational Transmission Process This process entails the way family emotional processes are transferred and maintained over generations. This captures how the whole family joins in The Family Projection Process, for example, by reinforcing the beliefs of the family.

As the family continues this pattern over generations, they also refer back to previous generations (“He’s just like his Uncle – he was always irresponsible too” or “She’s just like your cousin Mary – she was divorced four times. “). Sibling Position Bowen believed In sibling order and that each child had a place in the family hierarchy. He believed that the oldest sibling was more likely to be seen as overly responsible and mature whilst the youngest as overly irresponsible and immature. Emotional Cut-off

Emotional cut-off refers to the techniques people use to reduce anxiety from their unresolved emotional issues with parents, siblings, and other members from the family of origin. Some people seek distance either by moving away physically or emotionally using silence, diversion or avoidance of difficult and hurtful topics. To avoid sensitive issues, they may move away from their families and refuse to go home regularly. This strategy may work in the short term to reduce immediate anxiety but over time, the deeper, unresolved problems are toxic towards other relationships.

An open relationship is the opposite of emotional cut-off. It is the best way to reduce a family’s over-all anxiety. Continued low anxiety permits family members who would like to, to begin the slow steps to better differentiation. Bowen wrote, “It might be difficult for a family with severe cut-offs to begin more emotional contact with the extended family, but any effort toward reducing the cut-off with the extended family will soften the intensity of the family problem, reduce the symptoms, and make any kind of therapy far more productive. Societal Emotional Processes The concept of societal emotional process describes how the emotional system governs behaviour on a societal level, promoting both progressive and regressive periods in a society. Cultural forces are important in how a society functions but are insufficient for explaining the rise and fall in how well societies adapt to the challenges that face them. The society’s attitudes towards for example different races, classes, genders and sexual orientation, have definite effects on the family.

In many ways, this is like the Family Projection Process scaled up to the level of a society as a whole. The way a family deals with prejudice, discrimination and persecution is instinctively passed on to their children so that they can survive in their unique environment. The coping practices of the parents and extended family may lead to more or less adaptive emotional health for the family and its members. Normal Family Development According to Bowen, all families lie along a continuum.

Bowen believed that all families lie on a spectrum or continuum and that it is difficult to try to classify families into types. If circumstances change, one type of family could change and become another type of family. For this reason, Bowen is credited with being one of the first culturally sensitive family therapists. A normal, adjusted family will have tensions and anxieties but will be balanced in terms of their togetherness and differentiation. A normal family will have good emotional balance and recognise that some problems are external and others come from the individual.

There are connections between the different generations in the family and also to the extended family. The transitions for example from adolescence to adulthood are smooth and supported by the wider family. Past pains and joys are shared. Bowen says no matter how we transform and forget the past, these memories of our relationship, still stay alive in us. The danger is the way our former family attachment will shape our new family. At various times difficulties in different relationships, sometimes called dyads, are resolved without drawing in others into their difficulties.

The ability to tolerate and support family members with different views supports differentiation and is a sign of a healthy family. Awareness of external societal influences as well as the unique family influences helps a family to become well adjusted. During times of grief and loneliness for example, family members give space and allow the person opportunity to grow. A positive emotional atmosphere with a belief in the virtues of family builds normal family development. Finally, when family members depend on each ther for feedback and support rather than in co-dependent ways, the family develops healthily. Family Disorders Bowen believed that family problems result from emotional fusion, or from an increase in the level of anxiety in the family. He believed that the member with “the symptom” is the least differentiated member of the family, and is the one who has the least ability to resist the pull to become fused with another member. This person absorbs the anxiety and worries of the whole family and has the least ability to separate their own thoughts and feelings from those of their family.

Families face two kinds of problems. Vertical problems are “passed down” from one generation to the next. Thus, adults who had cold and distant relationships with their parents do not know how to have warm and close relationships with their children, and so pass down their own problems to their children. Horizontal problems are caused by environmental stressors or transition points in the family development. This may result from traumas such as a chronic illness, the loss of the family home, or the death of a family member.

However, horizontal stress may also result from Social Emotional Processes, such as when a minority family moves from a like-minority neighbourhood to a very different neighbourhood, or when a family with traditional gender roles immigrates to a culture with very different views, and must raise their children there. The worst case for the family is when vertical and horizontal problems happen at once. Goals of Therapy Bowen’s therapy was not aimed at changing people or solving problems, it was basically geared towards: • Helping families to inquire and explore their own roles in family problems Making them assume responsibility for their own problems• People learning more about themselves and their relationships • Decreasing emotional reactivity• Improving self-focus • Modifying dysfunctional patterns • Evaluating progress of the family in terms of how they function now, as well as how adaptive they can be to future changes In general, the therapist accomplishes this by giving less attention to specific problem they present with, and more attention to family patterns of emotions and relationships, as well as family structures of dyads and triangles.

Techniques that are most prominent in the practice of Bowenian family systems therapy. Genogram: Bowen used what he termed a “family diagram” to collect and organise important data concerning the multigenerational family systems. In 1972 Guerin renamed the family diagram the “genogram. ” The main function of the genogram is to organise data during the evaluation phase and to track relationship processes and key triangles over the course of therapy.

In the process of assessment, the following are noted: the history of the presenting problems, exact dates are noted, history of the nuclear family, when the parents met, their courtship, their marriage, child rearing, where the family lived especially in relation to the location of the extended family, history of both spouses birth, sibling positions, facts about childhood, past and current functioning with parents The Therapy Triangle: This technique is based on the theoretical assumption that conflictual relationship processes within the family have activated key-symptom-related triangles in an attempt to re-establish stability; and the family will automatically attempt to include the therapist in the triangling process. If they succeed, therapy will be stalemated. On the other hand, if the therapist can remain free of reactive emotional entanglements, in other words, stay detriangled ,the family system and its members will calm down to the point where they can begin to work out solutions to their dilemmas. Relationship Experiments: Relationship experiments are carried out around structural altercations in key triangles.

The goal is to help the family members become aware of systems processes and learn to recognise their role in them. Thomas F. Fogarty developed experiments for use with emotional pursuers and distancers (lartin-drake. com 28/12/2010). Pursuers are encouraged to restrain their pursuit, stop making demands, and decrease pressure for emotional connection and see what happens in themselves and in the relationship. The exercise isn’t designed to be a magic cure, as some people have hoped, but to help clarify the emotional processes involved. Distancers are encouraged to move toward the other person and communicate personal thoughts and feelings, in other words, to find an alternative to either avoiding or capitulating to the others’ demands.

Coaching: Coaching is the Bowenian alternative to the more emotionally involved role common to most other forms of therapy. By acting as a coach, the Bowenian therapist hopes to avoid taking over for patients or becoming embroiled in family triangles. The goal is increased understanding, increased self-focus, and more functional attachment to key family members. The I-Position: Taking a personal stand, saying what you feel, instead of what others are “doing”, is one of the most direct ways to break cycles of emotional reactivity. Bowenian therapists not only encourage clients to take I-Position, they also do so themselves. Another assumption in Bowenian therapy is that confrontation increases anxiety and decreases the ability to think clearly and see options.

Therefore, displacing the focus, making it less personal and less threatening, is an excellent way to increase objectivity. This forms the basis for two related techniques, multiple family therapy and displacement stories. Conclusion In conclusion I believe that Bowen developed a comprehensive theory of family therapy which inspired generations. His theory describes how the family shapes the interplay of individuality and togetherness using six interlocking concepts which are: differentiation of self, triangles, nuclear family emotional process, family projection process, multigenerational transmission process and sibling position. In 1970 Bowen added two additional concepts: emotional cut-off and societal emotional process.

Bowenian therapy is a process of active inquiry in which the therapist helps family members get past blaming and fault finding in order to face their own roles in family problems. The goals of Bowenian therapy are not to change people or to solve their problems. Instead they see therapy as an opportunity for people to learn more about themselves and their relationships so that they can assume responsibility for their own problems. Contents Introduction Differentiation of Self The Nuclear Family Emotional Process Triangles The Multigenerational Transmission Process Sibling Position Emotional Cut-off Societal Emotional Processes Normal Family Development Family Disorders Goals of Therapy Conclusion Bibliography Bibliography http://www. abacon. com/famtherapy/bowen. html (14/12/2010) http://www. anzjft. om/pages/articles/78. pdf (14/12/2010) http://www. bukisa. com/articles/293438_what-is-the-concept-of-bowen-family-therapyixzz14iOkMQpM (16/12/2010) http://www. genopro. com/genogram/family-systems-theory/ (22/10/2010) http://www. houd. info/bowenTheory. pdf (22/10/2010) http://www. lartin-drake. com/distancer. pdf (22/10/2010) Bibliography http://www. abacon. com/famtherapy/bowen. html http://www. psychpage. com/learning/library/counseling/bowen. html http://www. bukisa. com/articles/293438_what-is-the-concept-of-bowen-family-therapy http://www. thebowencenter. org/ http://homepages. wmich. edu/~macdonal/SW 6680. 05/Friedman. Bow… Contents Introduction

Read more

Meeting the Needs of the Youth

Youth in my books would be defined as Grade 8 – Grade 12. What makes this a challenging ministry, is the ever changing make-up of the youth. It seems that every 6 months or so you have an entirely “new youth group. It is not “new’ in the normal sense as most of them have been In the youth ministry for a while, It Is that they have all changed and it seems like a “new” group. They speak of the generational theory, stating that each 20 years or so we have a different generation.

I however see a new generation every 2 – 3 years. The culture we live In Is changing at a pace never before experienced. Simply looking at the advancement of technology over the last decade demonstrates for us the enormity of our current growth spurt. Although I fall in the same generation theory category as many of my youth, they are vastly different to me. A change has definitely taken place. I am not sure when It was that I moved out of the “cool” to “boring” category but It seems that it has happened. As all this change takes place one can only expect that the needs will also shift.

What I wanted as a youth is most definitely not what the youth wants today. And it is herein that the difficulty lies, assessing the needs of the day. Meeting this Need Now that the greatest need has been identified, how are we to meet this need. Let me suggest the following methodology: 1. Clear concise exposition of the Word. There Is no other way to bring a person to the point of repentance. Paul while ministering to an Idol riddled generation, did not soften the truth. No In Acts 17 we see that Paul does not shrink in declaring the whole counsel of God. Paul even goes s far as telling the hostile audience that they need to repent.

Too often today those ministering to youth do not want to teach on so called hard truths found In scripture. We are being told by the “experts” that teaching too much doctrine is not good. At a recent youth workshop we were told that teaching systematically through a book of the Bible “is Just wrong”. We were told that the youth wants fun filled stories and entertaining challenges and nothing that actually breaks down their self esteem. In saying this however, I do acknowledge that some systematic teaching can be done incorrectly, so as to bore or put anyone off.

The clear concise exposition that is needed is one that requires much preparation. The preacher needs to know his audience and has to be diligent to bring the message to bear on that audience. Just as it is no use teaching speed reading to 4 year olds, it is no use teaching Supernaturalism to your youth group. It is my opinion that it takes much more work to teach the scriptures to youth and children than adults. More illustrations are needed, more explanation is needed and bridging the gap requires more work. But at he end of the day Is that not what preaching Is all about? 2.

Diligent discipleship 1 OFF to convert the nations. The youth worker needs to work hard at discipline his youth. This takes the form of personal discipleship and the arranging of other discipleship relationships. It is not a dereliction of duties to ask some of the adults in the church to help with discipleship. One youth pastor cannot himself disciple the entire group. This is the primary reason I prefer not to have the main youth meeting on Sunday nights when the “adult” church meets next door. No, the young people need to get to now the church members and see how they live their Christian lives.

This is not a new concept, but simply the Biblical example of having the older men and women training the younger members of the church. (Titus 2:1-8) Discipleship is hard work and time consuming, but also the most rewarding part of my ministry. What a Joy it is to see a young man growing in his walk with the Lord and seeing the same young man’s discernment consistently growing. Loving admonition It is often difficult to admonish one of the people we love and enjoy. We perceive that our admonishment will create barriers in our relationship.

However “faithful are the wounds of a friend”. During my ministry I have seen that even though the initial reaction is not always what we would desire, the long term affects are rewarding. The youth sees that you are willing to admonish so that they can grow in Christ. You are not simply standing by and condoning (sometimes nonverbally) their obvious wrong behavior. This should always be done in love though. Admonishing must be done carefully and lovingly always addressing a pattern of sin and not one isolated incident. As a parent I feel the tension of loving and disciplining daily.

None of us parents or youth workers delights in admonishing, but we are commanded by God to admonish. While admonishing I always keep the following two Proverbs in mind Proverbs 13:24 “He who spares the rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly’ and Proverbs 8:9 “Do not rebuke a scoffer, lest he hates you; Rebuke a wise man and he will love you. ” 4. Purposeful ministry The adage is true, “if you aim at nothing you will be sure to hit it every time. ” In order for the youth ministry to be successful it needs to have a defined purpose.

A narrow repose, “having a large youth group” is not specific enough. Each youth ministry is going to have a different local purpose; I say local as the ultimate purpose should be to “bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord”. Some local purposes will be to establish an initial vibrant youth ministry; others will be to effectively reach the local High School, or even to establish spiritual growth in a core group. Whatever your purpose, it needs to be defined and a plan of action developed. It is important to know how you plan to achieve your purpose.

What steps are you going to take so as to assure (realizing it is God who builds His church) that your ministry meets the intended purpose? Conclusion While I agree that doing the same today as we did 10 years ago is not going to cut it, I argue that at the heart the ministry is the same. The youth of today has the same fundamental need as the youth 30 years ago – regeneration. If you are serious about meeting the needs of the youth this is where you must begin. Take the above begin to minister to the youth of today. Always keeping 1 Corinthians 10: 31 as your guide.

Read more
OUR GIFT TO YOU
15% OFF your first order
Use a coupon FIRST15 and enjoy expert help with any task at the most affordable price.
Claim my 15% OFF Order in Chat
Close

Sometimes it is hard to do all the work on your own

Let us help you get a good grade on your paper. Get professional help and free up your time for more important courses. Let us handle your;

  • Dissertations and Thesis
  • Essays
  • All Assignments

  • Research papers
  • Terms Papers
  • Online Classes
Live ChatWhatsApp