Definitions Of Crime: Social And Ideological Constructs

Definitions Of Crime: Social And Ideological Constructs The social construct of crime is extremely significant within the victimised actor model that purposes that criminal behaviour only manifests because those with power and authority define certain activities, typically those engaged in by the poor and powerless as criminal, while those of the powerful are ignored (Burke, 2009 p. 349). Dorling et al. (2008, p. 7) states that crime has no ontological reality; but is a myth of everyday life. This construction can be enlightened by considering what is included and excluded. Mars (1982) states that hard words such as crime, theft and offence are different from softer words such as fiddle or perk, which are often used to describe criminal activities in the workplace (cited in Burke, 2009). Furthermore, in the context of safety crimes, in Britain over one million workplace injuries are recorded every year; but due to the restriction to the term crimes approximately only one thousand are prosecuted health and safety offences (Dorling et al., 2008). Tombs (2000) claims that such differences have implications in terms of what can be done with such data conceptually, theoretically and politically (cited in Dorling et al., 2008). This is an insight towards the different crimes that are committed, yet some of these criminal activities are completely excluded from the social construct of crime (Croall, 1998; Burke, 2009). Crime as social and ideological constructs can be applied to other areas in society including gender and age. Livingstone (2001) argues that the media make a significant contribution to the social construction of crime (cited in Reiner, 2007), and crime in general is usually associated with particular groups such as young men or the unemployed, which is reflected in the media and portrays what constitutes the crime problem (Burke, 2009). Muncie (2003) argues that this stereotype against certain groups means they receive little attention as victims (cited in Walklate, 2007). As a result policies are introduced to tackle crimes such as burglary or street crime but environmental crimes such as pollution, corporate crimes and major frauds are overlooked (Burke, 2009). The vast majority of criminological research has been conducted on lower socio-economic groups and their activities (Burke, 2009). However, white collar, business or corporate crime continues to be neglected and under-resea rched by criminologists (Burke, 2009). For example the previous and third edition of The Oxford Handbook of Criminology contains no discussion that crime has no ontological reality, nor does it establish how the criminal law fails to apprehend the more damaging and extensive forms of harm (Dorling et al., 2008). Another point which can constitute the social construct of criminal behaviour is homicide. Pfohl (1985) illustrates how some types of killing are categorized as homicide while others are not (cited in Lilly, Cullen Ball, 2007). Pfohl states that what differs is not the behaviour but the reactions to that behaviour. For example killing a police officer or killing by a police officer; death by dangerous driving or dying from cancer caused by a polluting factory are just a few examples. Whilst some are labelled homicide, others are excused and justified (Lilly, Cullen Ball, 2007). According to constructionist theories, crime is in the eyes of the beholder, and the beholder is the law (Fitzgerald, 2011 p. 303). Constructionists argue that crime, criminal activity, and criminal law are dependent on time, place and culture (Fitzgerald, 2011). Friedman (1993) states that definitions of crime alter throughout time, meaning crime has no ontological reality because acts have been criminalized, decriminalized, and recriminalized (cited in Fitzgerald, 2011). From a social constructionist perspective, a given act or behavior such as abortion, domestic violence, race or ethnic bias becomes a social problem through a process of successful claims making by social movements or groups that lay forward a particular definition of a problem (Rosenfeld, 2009). Constructionist theories include labelling theory, social control theory, and critical theory (Fitzgerald, 2011). Labelling theory is concerned with what happens after an act is committed, and that deviance does not inherent in the act, but the reaction to it (Newburn, 2007). Essentially, the argument is that the criminal or deviant is an individual who has been labelled by society (Marsh Melville, 2006). According to Becker (1963) rules and criminal laws are made by people with power and dictated upon people without power (cited in Burke, 2009). The key perspective from the labelling theory is that many offenders do internalise their criminal labels and therefore a career in criminality arises as a result to societys reaction to them (Burke, 2009). However, labelling theorys central hypothesis has not been without critical analysis. Although conflict or radical criminologists agreed that crime was socially constructed and that labels were differently applied, radical theorists argued that the origins and application of criminal labels were influenced by inequities rooted in the structure of ca pitalism (Lilly, Cullen Ball, 2007). Radical theorists claim that differences in power determined that behaviours of the poor, but not those of the rich would be criminalized. Labelling theorists acknowledged that political interest and social disadvantaged influenced societal reaction, but they did not express the connection of the criminal justice system to the underlying economic order (Lilly, Cullen Ball, 2007). Labelling theory has also been criticised on the use of soft and hard deviance (Burke, 2009). Gibbs (1966) argues that hard deviance such as violent assault and burglary have always been universally condemned, and the deviant is fully aware that what they are doing is criminal but freely choose to commit such offence because it is profitable or exciting (cited in Burke, 2009). In this case it is argued that labelling is irrelevant. Social control theory, with its roots in a Marxist tradition marginalizes certain populations for social, economic and political elites to maintain order (Fitzgerald, 2011). Social control theory acknowledges that law-making is embedded in power relations, and those with access to power are likely to construct the law to suit their interests (Fitzgerald, 2011). In which offences committed by the powerful such as white-collar crime are disregarded as it is not in their interest (Fitzgerald, 2011). Reidel and Welsh (2008) claim that as long as society maintains the perception that the law is morally justified, social order is sustained and authorities hold the power (cited in Fitzgerald, 2011). Muraskin (1976) claims that the middle class were interested in the structure of criminal law (cited in Fitzgerald, 2011), in which Becker (1963) states that rules are made by the old for the young, by men for women, by whites for blacks and by the middle class for the working class (cited in Bu rke, 2009). Criminological theories have different ideas on the concept of defining crime, although it cannot be dismissed that crime is a social and ideological construct. Constructionist theories locate power in the ability to classify and label what behaviour is criminal. This has complications for policies as the definitions of crime are not self evident; but are embedded in power relations that implicate all human behaviours and all people (Fitzgerald, 2011). Word count- 1,163

We Need a Retirement Plan

With the way the economy is today, we need all the money we can get especially when we retire. The topic of my paper is â€Å"We do not need a retirement plan because social security will cover our needs when we retire. This is a topic that I strongly disagree with; Social Security alone will not be enough to cover our needs when we retire. Social Security or SSI is a program financed through general revenues; it is designed to help adults who are blind, the elderly and disabled people who have little or no income. SSI provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. Whether you can get SSI depends on your income and things you own. SSI benefits are payable to adults who have limited income and resources, meet the living requirements, and are otherwise eligible. If you don’t fall into any of these categories and you have already retired without a retirement plan, you won’t have a source of income to support yourself. The Federal benefit rate for a SSI payment is $674 dollars, as we all know $674. 0 is not nearly enough to live, and that may only be enough to pay your rent. You will still have other living expenses such as food, bills, and personal items, not to mention health care. Although there is Medicaid, and Medicare but not everyone is eligible to receive those benefits. These are a few reasons why Social Security will not be enough to cover our needs when we retire without a retirement plan. With Social Security there is no guarantee that you will qualify to receive payment. SSI is based on your income, money that you receive such as wedges, other SSI benefits, and pensions. The amount of income you can receive each month and still get SSI depends partly on where you live. Some of the resources used in the qualification process are; real estate, bank accounts, stocks and bonds, and cash. You may be able to receive SSI benefits if your resources are worth no more than $2,000. A couple may be eligible to receive SSI benefits if their resources are worth no more than $3,000. Another big issue with retirement is Health Care. Sure Medical insurance is included when you receive Social Security called Medicare and Medicaid, but again you have to qualify for that as well. You may think that Medicaid and Medicare are the same; actually they are two different programs. Medicaid is a state run program that provides hospital and medical coverage for people with low income and little or no resources. Each state has its own rules about who is eligible and what is covered under Medicaid. The program helps with the cost of health care, but it does not over all medical expenses or the cost of most long-term care. Medicare is financed by a portion of the payroll taxes paid by workers and their employers. It also is financed in part by monthly premiums deducted from Social Security checks. Some people qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare is our country’s health insurance program for people age 65 or older. Certain people younger than age 65 can qualify for Medicare, too, including those who have disa bilities and those who have permanent kidney failure or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease). In order to qualify for Medicare before the age of 65 if; you have been entitled to Social Security disability benefits for 24 months; or you receive a disability pension from the railroad retirement board and meet certain conditions; or you worked long enough in a government job where Medicare taxes were paid and you meet the requirements of the Social Security disability program; or you are the child or the widow(er) age 50, or older, including a divorced widow(er), of someone who has worked long enough in a government job where Medicare taxes were paid and you meet the requirement of the Social Security disability program. During my research I was able to interview 3 people; Thomas Burrell a retired veteran who has SSI and retirement, Kathy Burrell retired from the school system that only has retirement, and Thelma Kelly an elderly woman who is retired but only receives SSI. Mr. Burrell is retired from the military in 1991, retired from the United States Postal Service in 2001; he started to receive SSI benefits in 2001. When I interviewed Mr. Burrell, he had a lot to say about SSI and retirement. Even though he is receiving both, he knows that if he only had one benefit he would not be able to maintain his lifestyle. By Mr. Burrell receiving SSI and retirement he is able to provide for his family. As far as health care goes, Mr. Burrell has Medicare. By him receiving retirement he does not qualify for Medicaid which will cover all of your medical needs. You are not making a lot of money with either the SSI benefit or retirement, but with both combined you will be able to survive. T. Burrell (personal communication, April 6, 2011) Kathy Burrell, who has just retired in January of this year, only has a retirement plan and no SSI benefits. Mrs. Burrell retired through the Florida Retirement System (FRS) and the 401K plan, and being employed in Florida you have to wait 4 months after you retire to access your money. You will need to have some kind of income to last until you receive your full retirement. Mrs. Burrell knows that she is not able to survive on retirement alone. If she didn’t have a husband, after she retired she would have to get another form of income to make ends meet. As far as health care goes, If Mrs. Burrell did not have military insurance from her husband; she would not have or be able to afford it. K. Burrell (personal communication, April 6, 2011) Thelma Kelly a resident of Columbia, South Carolina has been retired for the past 15 years. Mrs. Kelly who is a widow has been receiving SSI benefits from her late husband, and because she is eligible. Mrs. Kelly receives $700. 00 a month, says that it is a blessing that she does not have a house payment because she would not be able to afford it. Mrs. Kelly struggles every month to make her $700. 00 a month check last for food, gas, utility bills, and other personal items. T. Kelly (personal communication, April 6, 2011) In conclusion it would be beneficial to have a retirement plan along with Social Security benefits to be able to support yourself. As mentioned earlier there are a lot of stipulations and requirements in order to qualify for Social Security. Social Security alone will not be enough to cover our needs when we retire.

Today’s Mythology

Mythology from the word itself means the study of myths. For the Greeks it was their attempt to explain the unexplainable, i.e. why the Sun rise and Sets or why man was created, for other peoples it was pretty much the same myths explained the gaps in their limited scientific knowledge. Today, we know a lot more about the working of the world and rely less on myths and more on science. However, the Gods, Heroes and Monsters of old are still relevant because the help us explain how human nature works.The website www.wgsn.com. is like Greek gods because they set the trends that designers will follow. This is after the fashion of the gods because the gods exemplified what was â€Å"good† behavior for Greeks, or at least what was acceptable in Zeus’ case. For example Ares, god of war, exemplified how warriors should be like, cruel and pitiless to foes valiant in battle. Like him   www.wgsn.com leads the way and show us what fashion for the next season will be like. There are a few brave souls who go against the trends displayed there   but there are few and rarely successful. After all, he who goes against the grain risks being ostracized by his peers.Turkish culture is also another god for me. Its rich culture inherited the cultural wealth of two great Empires. Both the Byzantines and the Ottoman Turks once called Turkey its heartland, at the height of their powers they were the center of the cultural world. I am honored to have inherited such a rich past and work to bring out my unique cultural individuality in my art.Monsters representations of excess that should be avoided. In fact, monsters in mythology are monsters precisely because they have either an excess or lack some human faculty. For example, the Minotaur is a monster because it was shaped like a man but was half bull. The Cyclops was a monster not only because it only had one eye but also because it lack human decency and compassion. Untidiness and moodiness are my monsters because t hey suppress my creative juices. If I am untidy I will not be able to properly design my creations and I might even end up ruining an otherwise brilliant design. When I become moody all creativity leaps out the window like a thief in the night. When I am moody I am not able to think objectively and I risk not finishing the work I set out to do. Like the monsters of old they can prevent me from becoming the best that I can be and I should always maintain constant vigilance against them.Heroes are a source of inspiration and pride for their people. Aeneas was mere prince of Troy in Homer’s Iliad. Virgil transformed him into the founder of Rome. His destiny was to found a new home for his exiled people. He suffered many setbacks and temptations. In spite of all the challenges Aeneas triumphed and made a new home for his people in Italy. Like Aeneas we face many challenges and trials in daily life. But if we persevere we may someday fulfill our own destiny.The same is true for my heroes Christobal Balenciaga and Coco Chanel. Both exemplify the highest levels of excellence that can be achieved in fashion. The Balenciaga and Chanel empires stand to this day as monuments to their skills in their art. Like any fashion designer I aspire to be as great as them someday. After all, which designer does not fancy that someday his or her name will live on immortalized in yearly fashion shows in Milan or Paris? Brightman, Robert A. (1988). â€Å"The Windigo in the Material World†. Ethnohistory 35Homer, Iliad II, 819-21; V, 217-575; XIII, 455-544; XX, 75-352;The Aeneid at http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/228

The Thousand Languages Of Children - 1943 Words

â€Å"The child has a hundred languages (and a hundred hundred hundred more)† Loris Malaguzzi, (Edwards, 1998) Language is everywhere, it’s in books, in our minds, in our bodies and in our communities. It’s used to express and communicate, to describe and analyse. In the poem â€Å"The Hundred Languages of Children.† Loris Malaguzzi (Edwards,1998), describes children as having, as the title dictates, a hundred languages but also a hundred hundred more. This quotes shows just how vast the concept of language is. Language in itself is hard to define as there are so many components and concepts to consider. But to narrow it down, Language can be placed under three major categories (Gee Hayes, 2011, p. 6); Language is a material object present in in†¦show more content†¦Cremin Myhill (2012) describe being able to write, and read, as being a gateway to empowerment; this is because writing is a requirement of most academic schools and tertiary institutions. For this reason it is imperative that teachers engage in language education and help their students grow as wri ters. The language of writing itself is a complex system of rules and processes that each child learns as they progress through school, using their teachers’ knowledge to slowly build on these skills. Languages of other cultures also exhibit these rules and processes that the language users must abide by, they may not be uniform across all languages however all rules would be present (Green, 2006). An excellent example of this is the syntactic structures of languages. Syntax as described by Emmitt et al (2010, p.128), is a system of rules that describes how words are related and that sentences are more then just words in a random order. Instead syntax can be seen as a process that allows certain information to be extracted by words uttered in context (Marten, 2006, p. X). However it is not just the combination of words that makes a meaning. 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