John Fitzgerald Kennedy Argumentative Essay Example For Students

John Fitzgerald Kennedy Argumentative Essay John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born in Brookline, Massachusetts on May 29, 1917, the second oldest in a family of nine children. His great grandparents had come the United States from Ireland in the mid-1800, s after a famine caused severe poverty in that Country. Although their families had not come to the United States with much money, Both of John Kennedys grandfathers became political leaders in Boston. One of them John Fitzgerald, (for whom he was named), was elected mayor in 1905. John Kennedys Father, Joseph Patrick became a very wealthy businessman, he was and adviser to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the United States Ambassador to Great Britain from 1938 to 1940. John Kennedy (his family called him Jack,) moved to New York when He was ten years old. Since the family spent summer months at their home in Hyannis, Cape Cod, Jack still lived a good part of his life in Massachusetts. As a boy and a young man, he traveled to other parts of the United States and to other countries. After graduating from the Choate School in Connecticut in 1935, he went on to Harvard College and graduated in 1940. That same year he wrote a best selling book, alled, Why England Slept, it was about some of the decisions, which led to World War In 1941, John Kennedy joined the Navy. He became the commander of a small PT boat, assigned to the battle in the Pacific against the Japanese. One night while on patrol, a large enemy ship rammed Kennedys boat. Two men in the crew of thirteen were killed, and the rest led by Lt. Kennedy swam to a nearby deserted island. There they managed to survive mostly by eating coconuts, until they were rescued a week later. After World War II, John n Kenney had to choose the kind of work he wanted to o. He considered becoming a teacher or a writer but soon he decided to run for political office. In 1946 he was elected to the U. S. Congress, representing a district in greater Boston, Kennedy a democrat served three terms (six years), in the House of Representatives, and in 1952 he was elected to the U. S. Senate. In 1953, he married Jacqueline Lee Bouvier. The following year he had a serious operation on his back. While recovering from surgery, he wrote a book about several U. S. enators, which had risked their careers to fight for the things in which they believed. The book, called Profiles in Courage, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Biography in 1957. That same year the Kennedys first child Caroline, was born. Kennedy had narrowly missed being picked as the Democratic Partys candidate for Vice President in 1956. Soon after, he began a long campaign to become President in 1960. At the convention on July 13, 1960, the Democrats chose Kennedy as their Presidential candidate. Kennedy asked Lyndon B. Johnson, a senator from Texas, to run with him for Vice President. In the general election on November 8, 1960, Kennedy defeated Vice President Richard M. Nixon in a very close race, the popular vote was 34,226,731 for Kennedy and 34,108,157 for Nixon. The electoral vote was 303 for the Kennedy campaign and 219 for Nixon. Kennedy was the youngest man elected President and also the first Catholic. John F. Kennedy was sworn in as the 35th President on January 20, 1961. In his Inaugural Address, he spoke of the need for all Americans to be active citizens. Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country, he said. He also asked the nations of the world to join together to fight what he called the ommon enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself. Soon after the election Kennedys second child was born John Jr. One of President Kennedys first important actions was creating the Peace Corps. Americans who join the Peace Corps go as volunteers to countries requesting assistance. They served as teachers and provided help in areas such as farming, health care and Kennedy also wanted Americas to travel to more distant destinations. Fedex Corp. vs United Parcel Service, Inc Case Study EssayIn most southern states, schools, buses, restaurants, and other public places were racially segregated. there were separate schools, separate seats on bused and separate areas in restaurants for whites and blacks. State and local laws also prevented black Americans from voting . Since the 1950s many people Black and white had been working to change these laws. During the 1960 presidential campaign Martin Luther King Jr. ,one of the most famous leaders of the civil rights movement had been jailed for leading a protest in Georgia. Kennedy called his wife Coretta Scott King and offered his Many African Americans the decided to vote for Kennedy Civil rights leaders however were disappointed with the slow and careful pace of President Kennedys efforts to ensure equality for all Americans. Kennedy believed in hallenging unfair laws in the courts rather than holding public demonstrations. He believed that demonstrations would anger many white southern members of congress whose help he needed to pass new laws and approve treaties. events however forced Kennedy to change his views. In May 1961 a group of white and black people ignored segregation laws and traveled together by bus through the south. In several cities crowds of angry white people beat these freedom riders and burned their buses. Attorney General Robert Kennedy JFKs brother had to sent U. S. marshals to protect the freedom riders. heir actions eventually led to the desegregation of all buses and waiting rooms used for travel between states. In September 1962, the nation faced the threat of violence in the State of Mississippi. James Meredith, an African America and an Air Force veteran, applied and was admitted to the University of Mississippi. However, when he arrived on campus, university officials would not let him go to class because he was black. Both John and Robert Kennedy had long talks over the telephone with the Mississippi governor, Ross Barnett. However, they failed to convince Barnett to allow James Meredith to attend lasses. In order to enforce the Constitution and to protect Meredith, Kennedy ordered the National Guard and federal marshals to the University. After a riot in which two people died and dozens were injured, Meredith registered for classes and segregation ended at Segregation had not ended everywhere, however. Almost a year later, Alabama governor, George Wallace, who had promised to support segregation today, tomorrow and forever, would not allow African American students to attend the University of Alabama. After President Kennedy was forced once again to send soldiers to protect tudents who wanted nothing more than an education, he decided to speak to the nation on television about civil rights, He said Americans had a legal and a moral responsibility to provide equal access to education and guarantee voting rights for all citizens. In addition to all the problems and challenges of being President, John Kennedy also had to fulfill the role of our nations head of state. He and his wife Jacqueline hosted dinners and parties in Washington for the leaders of other nations. They also traveled to Latin America and Europe, because Mrs. Kennedy believed that the nations capital should be he center for the arts and culture as well as the center of government and law, she invited many musicians, writers, and dancers to the White House to perform. On November 21, 1963 President Kennedy flew to Texas to give several political speeches. The next day as his car drove slowly past cheering crowds in Dallas shots rang out, Kennedy was seriously wounded and died a short time later. Within two hours of the shooting, police arrested Lee Harvey Oswald, and charged him with the murder. On November 24, 1963, a Dallas man, Jack Ruby, shot and killed Lee Harvey Oswald, before there was a chance to put him on trial.

A Sample Essay Pitch

A Sample Essay PitchA sample essay pitch is a short document that you can use to help inspire your prospective employer with samples of past work and to prepare you for interview situations. It's also a good way to get them thinking about your qualifications. The first question your employer might ask is, 'What is the difference between a sample essay and an essay?' In this article I will explain what a sample essay is and how it differs from a standard resume.Sample essays generally are written in the first person, so it could be described as personal and persuasive. A sample essay is also considered less formal than a standard resume. It is essentially a summary of your qualifications. On top of this, it outlines your accomplishments. Since it is more personal and informal, you should also make sure that it is creative and interesting.Standard resumes present a broad and unsystematic view of your qualifications. With a sample essay you need to consider all the points outlined on th e main page.Sample essays have more flexibility because they allow you to highlight skills that are unique to you rather than having to fit in a few common skills. This allows you to explain in detail your academic and professional accomplishments, your preferences and hobbies, and the other skills that you bring to the table.Sample essays also have more content, and can focus on your academic accomplishments more than a standard resume. The more general and engaging the information, the better.The other advantage of writing a sample essay is that the essay makes you seem more experienced and therefore more qualified than a standard resume. Your prospective employer will see you as someone who has experience in your chosen field.Finally, the fact that a sample essay is very short and easy to follow means that you can get it written while you are at work or on vacation. You can always revise it later if you are not getting the job. Make sure you keep it simple and to the point.

How the character of Shylock is portrayed in The Merchant of Venice Essay Example

How the character of Shylock is portrayed in The Merchant of Venice Paper The Merchant of Venice is a play written by William Shakespeare in the late 16th century. There are many subplots as well as the main storyline, which adds depth to the story and helps to show different sides to the characters. The subplots also make the play appeal to a wider audience. Shylock, a wealthy Jew is one of the main characters. During the play his merciless and uncompassionate nature is revealed. The main storyline is about Bassanios journey to get to his lover Portia, he has to borrow money to travel from the moneylender Shylock and this makes his friend Antonio in trouble. There are many themes that run through the play, such as love, trust, hate, loyalty, family and anti-Semitism. Throughout the play Shakespeare uses language for figurative, poetic and dramatic effect, using soliloquies and other language devices. As the title suggest I will be looking at the moral and philosophical content and how Shylock could be viewed as a victim, villain and a comic character by an Elizabethan audience and how this is today. Shakespeare based Shylock on a Jew called Barubas in Christopher Marlowes play The Jew of Malta. He was a 2D stock villain who had no redeeming features. We will write a custom essay sample on How the character of Shylock is portrayed in The Merchant of Venice specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on How the character of Shylock is portrayed in The Merchant of Venice specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on How the character of Shylock is portrayed in The Merchant of Venice specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer He went round poisoning Christians drinking water, this is what Elizabethans would be expecting Shylock to be like. This confirms what Elizabethans thought about Jews, that they are villains. However Shylock is a more rounded character he is a victim as well as a villain. As Shylock is a complex character the audience doesnt know how to feel, sympathy or hate. Shakespeare raises the moral question of how to treat Jews in society. In act 1 we see Shylock meeting with Bassanio to discuss a loan. Act 1 Scene 3 line 103-104 You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine. The audience is shown of Antonios hatred and insults towards Shylock. To an Elizabethan audience it would be humorous to insult Jews. Christians blamed Jews for the death of Jesus. Pontious Pilot (a King) gave the crowd of Jews the choice to crucify Jesus of a thief. The Jewish crowd saved the thief and killed Jesus so Christians feel they are in league with the devil. Christians feel they mus t punish the Jews for it and Christians feel that they must try and convert them to Christianity to save them. However this also portrays Shylock as a victim as it shows the prejudices against him. A modern audience would find this racist, anti-Semitism unacceptable. Shakespeare uses a simile here for figurative effect and to add layers of meaning and show Jews as an inferior species. Antonio also has other reasons to hate Shylock. As Antonio reveals in Act1 Scene 3 Line 86. Was this inserted to make interest good? Antonio is suspicious of Shylock and his religion. Elizabethans at the time thought of Jews as suspicious. Shylock lends money (usury) and charge interest, which Antonio hates. Elizabethans thought it was sinful to charge interest on loans. The bible says Its easier to pass a camel through a needle, than a rich man to go to heaven. This meant Christians were prejudice to moneylenders who charge interest like Shylock. Antonio has friends whose lives have been ruined by Shylocks interest. This also adds to the stereotypical image of Jews, as misers who are renowned for money lending. However this prejudice is not one sided. Act 1 Scene 3 Line 34. I hate him for he is Christian. Shylocks deep grudge is shown in his soliloquy. An Elizabethan Christian audience would think he was a villain wanting revenge. However a modern audience would feel more sympathetic towards Shylock as he has suffered years of torment. A modern audience would more likely side with Shylock unlike an Elizabethan audience. As Shylock finishes talking about Antonio he turns up, this is for dramatic effect. Shylock continues to show how much he hates the Christian religion. Act 2 Scene 5 Lines 14-15. But yet Ill go in hate, to feed upon The prodigal Christian. This shows how Shylocks hatred against Christians has been brewing up through out the play. Shylock is waiting for his chance to get revenge against Antonio and the Christian faith. When Bassanio wants a loan Shylock is given the perfect opportunity for revenge. Act1 scene 3 Line Be nominated for an equal pound, Of your fair flesh, to be cut off Shylock challenges Antonio to have such a forfeit so he could get revenge. Antonio is confident that his ships will come back on time. This further heightens the feeling that Shylock is a villain. Shylock in his soliloquy expresses his feelings about Antonio. Act1 Scene3 Line 38-39. If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him. Shylock wants revenge for the prejudice that has been against him because of his religion and Job. He has been unfairly treated and wants revenge on Antonio and the Christian religion. Shylock wanting to hurt Antonio and Christians portrays him as a bloodthirsty villain. Shylocks conversation with Tubal reveals his intentions to get his revenge on Antonio. Act 3 scene 1 Line 91-92. I am very glad of it. Ill plague him, Ill torture him. Shylock is being Devious as he is planning to take the pound of flesh from Antonio slowly causing as much pain and suffering as possible. It shows how Shylocks revenge and anger has been building up. Shylocks lust for Christian blood further adds to the mood that he is a villain. When Antonio seals to the bond Shylock says. Act1 Scene 3 Line 153-154 O father Abram, what these Christians are, Whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect Shylock is celebrating his chance to get revenge. He believes that this is from the Jewish god to get back at Antonio and the Christian religion. An Elizabethan audience would find this comical. Shylock obeys law and order and lives by the law. Act 1 Scene 3 Lines 137-138 Go with me to a notary seal me there Your single bond, Shylock wants to make everything official and legally binding. Shylock does this to try and make sure Antonio cant get out of the deal and the forfeit. However later on in the play Antonio gets out of the forfeit so it could be seen as irony to an Elizabethan audience. Shakespeare continues to show Shylock as obsessed with the law. Act 4 Scene 1 line 202-203. I crave the law, The penalty and forfeit of my bond. Shylock is obsessed with the law and lives by it. Shylock believes the law is sacred and that everyone should respect the laws. As he is obsessed with the law it distances the audience from Shylock. However later on the laws hard do him, this creates the feeling that he is a victim. Shylocks daughter Jessica hates him, this adds to the audience idea that he is a villain. Act 3 scene 1 Line 69-70 I would my daughter were dead at my foot, and the jewels in her ear. Shylock wishes his daughter dead, which is a horrible thing for any father to say which adds to the feeling that Shylock is a villain. Shylock treats Jessica badly so she eloped and takes dowry money. Shylock would not allow Jessica to stay out late but after she eloped she stays out late spending money. Shylock is furious to hear of her spending and this adds to the fact that Shylock is a miser. Shylock wants his jewellery back he gave to her, this adds to the stereotypical image that he is a tight fisted miser. Stopping Jessica going out and having fun shows him as a killjoy. In Elizabethan times there were people trying to close down theatres, this is a link to Elizabethan society. The people watching the play would hate those who were trying to close down the theatres, so they would hate killjoys like Shylock. Shylock has no loving family as they have left him; this further serves to distance the audience from him. Shakespeare continues the theme that Shylock is a miser and tight fisted. Act 2 Scene 5 Line 18. I dream of money bags tonight. Shylock is obsessed by money, he dreams about it and his life revolves around money. On the other hand Shylock refuses the offer of money. Act 4 Scene 1 Line 223 Portia Shylock, theres thrice thy money offered Shylock rejects the offer of more money from Portia, as he is blood thirsty for revenge. Shylock justifies his actions by taki ng the forfeit of his bond. Shylock isnt interested in money he just wants revenge. The Merchant of Venice is like other Shakespeare plays in structure, in that it has five acts and has varied plots which is one of the reasons its such a popular play. The play is set in two cities, Venice and Belmont. Belmont is a fictitious city created by Shakespeare to create a contrast to the hard life in Venice. Its a feminine world where Portia and females are in charge and everyone is peaceful and helpful. Where as Venice is a more masculine city where there are Dukes and Lords who control the laws and there is also lots of violence and hate, this creates a contrast to Belmont. When Portia goes to Venice she has to dress up to be clever and beat Shylock at his own game. This adds to the feeling that Shylock is a villain and highlights the violence of Venice. Shakespeare uses prose and poetic language through the play. Prose is used for the characters of lesser importance whereas important characters, such as lords speak in poetic language. Shylock speaks in a mixture of prose and poetic language this is for poetic effect. When Shylock is a victim he speaks in poetic language. However when he is a villain he speaks in prose. This helps to create a different side to the character and creates dramatic effect in the scene. Shakespeare writes in Iambic pentamiter his play looks like a poem in structure, which is why it is difficult to understand.

Understanding Essay Titles

Understanding Essay Titles Understanding Essay Titles Today, it is rare that you would be given ready made essay titles. Usually what you get is an essay question or a prompt. The main ingredient in a successful essay is understanding what you need to write about. Most essay questions contain four components: aspect, focus, instruction and subject. This formula works both ways, either you get a question which already contains these elements, or you get a paragraph of instructions and you have to come up with an essay title, based on them. Besides your topic, the title should convey the angle of your argument, context and what you need to do. In this post, you will find out about the types of essay titles and what you should do with them. Based on the instructional verb, we can identify 9 types of titles. Analyze You have to process related materials to find key evidence and important factors which influence the outcome. This means that you have to examine each piece of information you find and give the audience facts, instead of assumptions. Example: The Importance of Higher Education Compare and Contrast These two often come in couple, because it is obvious that you will compare two points or elements to find both their similarities and differences. You can also explain the significance of the matching or opposing features you have found. Example: Batman VS Superman: Do Only Gods Have Superpowers? Describe This one is probably the easiest to understand, as you only need to point out the state of things. No opinions or explanations are required. Your essay will be based on one of the five senses: what I see, what I smell, what I hear, what I taste, what I feel Example: A Day In the Life of a Blind Person Discuss If you get a discussion type of essay title, be prepared to choose a side. Identify the points of view on the subject, take one and argue for or against it using facts, examples and opposing views. Example: Photo Realism: Is It Necessary? Evaluate Put on the teachers’ shoes for a day. If you are asked to evaluate something, you will have to analyze the subject matter and identify its usefulness or insignificance. Example: The Issue of Using Electronic Device on the Road Examine Here, you will have to take the subject under a microscope and look into the smallest details. It may be applied to people, events, different phenomena, and other elements. Example: Examine the Methods of Preventing Water Pollution Explain This type of essay title usually begins with a how or a why. It means that the essay will either give instructions or expose an issue and make it clear why something is happening the way it does. Example: Obesity in the USA Justify These topics are usually controversial in the course of a global discussion. You will have to find clear evidence to support the argument, explain why the phenomenon that you are defending has a place to be. Example: Legalizing Abortions for Rape Victims All in all, our service is always available online to provide students with custom essay writing help at a reasonable cost.

Business integration Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Business integration - Research Paper Example Additionally, they support the integration of the processes and rules that allow the web service and systems interoperability and smoothen the capability metrics that are operational to the Department of Defense Management plan. The IT and business integration main aim is providing standard framework of the end to end processes to all the necessary stakeholders that include the military department, the defense business council, the principal staff assistants, functional process owners and including non-military departments. The development of a common framework is in order to improve processes of business that are supported by IT. The other goal pertains to describing and classifying end to end business processes and investigating how they can decompose to provide support for unique operational activities. The end to end framework is used to assist in filling the gap between the enterprise solutions and the enterprise resource planning, recording the systems’ primary contributions and aiding with boosting business integration defense, business systems and business processes. The end to end framework also provides a framework that helps with updating and organizing the content in the DoD while also acting as a mechanism for evaluating the alignment of business systems for evaluation. The framework provides a methodology for management that aids the DoD to align its individual defense business systems in a strategic manner in order to correct redundancies in the system and obtain standardization in the department. Additionally, the framework is useful in simplifying business rules in the entire department and streamlining the business processes in order to meet the needs of the business and support the capabilities of the business. The military departments and the DoD agencies arrange their standard capabilities in the manner described above in accordance with the end to end capabilities of a business for the

Life Transitions of Women in Their 50s-60's Research Paper

Life Transitions of Women in Their 50s-60's - Research Paper Example The physiological change, as well as the psychological effect brought about by menopause together with post parental experience, retirement and changing roles of women, can be better understood if taken together with the women’s context, family and social relations, career, society, gender, traditions, norms and the subjective individual attitude, personality and self-perception. As a counselor, the issue challenges me to take an extra care in not boxing women within the frame of theoretical assumptions but in understanding their paradigm within in their unique experience and context. Women’s lives are often understood neither from a distance nor from the pedestal, rather via the narratives of their experiences and their lived lives. In this way, women’s lives are made more concrete and no longer relegated in the periphery of the human story. However, as one looks into the title of this research, one immediately gets the gargantuan tasks ahead. This claim is based on the supposition that the research intends to delve into the combination of three important notions, namely, middle life, life transition, women and life. Individually considered, these notions are deemed as complex (Elder, 1994; Levinson, 1986; Lachman, 2004; Young, 1980). Complex since lifespan in adult development is considered as still in its neophyte stage. Since if compared with early lifespan, less attention, and studies have been conducted regarding this subject matter (Levinson, 1986; Elder, 1994). While, on the middle life on the hand, is perceived as a fluid concept that is not just defined by biological age which is normally set â€Å"between 40 – 64† (Levinson, 1986, p 5) but is influenced and affected by various factors such as tradition, culture, ethnicity, gender, society, norms and individual subjective personality, attitude and self –perception. All of these combines contribute in setting the parameters of what may be considered as middle life (Lachman, 2004).

Values and ethics

Values and ethics Values and Ethics The Value base of Social Work and the Development of my own Values This essay will firstly discuss what values are and the value base of Social Work. It will then proceed to analyse the origin and evolution of my own values. Followed by reflection on them and how they relate to the value base of social work. I will summarise by identifying areas of my personal values that I think require further development. It makes sense to start off by exploring what is meant by the word ‘value. It is a somewhat vague term, most people would claim to have values but struggle to elaborate when asked what their values are. Banks makes a good analysis, ‘ ‘values is often used to refer to one or all of religious, moral, political or ideological principles, beliefs or attitudes. (cited in Thompson 2005, p108) Values can vary greatly from one culture to another, from family to family and differ between each individual. Values and what they mean to each person in my opinion are unique for everyone. As Thompson suggests ‘†¦.a value is something we hold dear, something we see as important and worthy of safeguarding. (2005, p109) The British Association of Social Workers, (BASW), promote a Code of Ethics, that they expect each and every social worker to adhere to. The key principles of these are human dignity and worth, social justice, service to humanity, integrity and competence (1999). Each of these principles contains core values that are imperative for good social work practice. Examples of such values are ‘Respect for human dignity and for individual and cultural diversity, ‘Value for every human being, their beliefs, goals, preferences and needs, also ‘Respect for human rights and self-determination. When I first read the code of ethics, at the very beginning of studying social work, it appeared very simple. I asked myself â€Å"Surely it cant be complicated to follow these basic values?†. Nevertheless, through the teaching Ive had so far and the questions it has raised, I realise that social workers must keep a constant check on themselves, reflecting regularly so as their ser vice users receive a consistent quality of service. Biestek (1961 cited in Dominelli 2004) put together seven points that he felt formed the traditional social work values. These are, Individualisation of the client, treating each service user as an individual. Purposeful expression of feelings, allowing service users to talk about and express the feeling they have. Controlled emotional environment, obtaining the right balance of emotions. Unconditional acceptance, accepting that person for who they are. Non-judgemental attitude, not judging a person on the way they choose to live their life or the decisions they have made. Client self-determination, similar to empowerment, playing a part in helping a service user realise their goals. Lastly, Confidentiality, respecting that everything discussed with a client is personal to them and they may not want others to know their private business. Although Biestek defined these values as important nearly fifty years ago, they still remain significant and can be applied to social work today. With this is in mind a common traditional value to explore would be respect. This is a value held by many different cultures and religions, mostly seen as respect towards elders and also towards people in authority. In the General Social Care Councils Codes of practice, respect is referred to throughout, one instance being ‘Respecting and maintaining the dignity and privacy of service users (2002). This value although stemming from good intentions is open to exploitation, for instance when the older individual or person in authority abuses the power that respect gives them. It is widely agreed that one should have unquestionable respect for anyone older than them or toward a person in a position of authority, whether that respect is deserved is often not open for discussion. So how do values apply to social work? Values are something people make use of in their lives everyday, probably without even realising so. However values also form a significant part of social work practice, as Trevithick points out, ‘Social work is not unique in its values perspective, but other professions may not have given this issue the same importance†¦ (2005, p4). For instance, if a social worker cannot empathise with a service user it is going to be very difficult to understand how best to assist that person. As Thompson suggests ‘(empathy)†¦is a very skilful activity, as it involves having a degree of control over our own feelings while remaining open and sensitive to the other persons feelings. (2005, p119). This is an area of my values I can detect require improvement. I will need to ensure I achieve the appropriate balance of caring without becoming so emotionally involved that I find myself in a position where I am unable to support the individual. My own values stem from my upbringing. We hold very strong family values, encouraging each other completely in whatever we are undertaking. If a member of the family has a decision to make, we will share our views and opinions, but ultimately always support and respect the final choice made. I benefited from this support immensely when I became a mother at just eighteen years old, I received an incredible amount of assistance and encouragement from my family. I am in no doubt this made a huge difference to how confident I was as a mother. However, I was unable understand my partners family values. Within their family they lead much more separate, independent lives. At eighteen I couldnt fathom this way of thinking, I thought, naively, that all families shared my familys values. My Mother-in-law expressed her disappointment that her son was becoming a young father. I perceived this as a rejection. I deliberated for a long time as to why we didnt share the same outlook, identifying it as a disapproval of her sons choice of partner. After many years, and several heated confrontations, I came to realise that it wasnt a personal attack against me. It is simply that my in-laws hold different family values to myself and I can now appreciate and understand this. It was growing more mature that enabled me to distinguish that other peoples values are different to my own. It was not my place to judge my mother-in-law and I can now recognise my over-sensitivity. I believe this was all part of a process that inspired me to form a non-judgemental attitude. I accept others for who they are and do not judge them on how they choose to live their life and the decisions they make. This is a quality that, I hope, will contribute positively towards my social work career. Another value I was raised with is respect; I mentioned this nearer the beginning of my essay and feel that it is an area of my values that has developed. As a child I was expected to show total courtesy to all adults, it was inconceivable that I could question an adult. Although secure that I was completely loved, I was a child and couldnt possibly argue with an elder. An adult would certainly not say sorry to a child, fundamentally this was not a reciprocal value. One occasion I can recall is my mother thinking I had stolen a cake from the kitchen cupboard, my brother had in fact taken it. Even though she was made aware of the truth, I was never apologised to. The concept was that adults, and more so parents, were never wrong. I like to think that now, as an adult myself, I still strongly hold this value of respect and encourage my children to show regard and consideration toward others. Although, for me personally, the value has evolved. I foster the belief that respect should be shown toward all persons, young and old. I aim to show equal respect to children and adults alike and I feel with my own children that, if I have made a mistake in any way, I should always apologise to them. It is vital when interacting with a service user I am aware of the values I hold, as Dominelli points out, ‘†¦. the social and knowledge contexts within which values are embedded impact upon their use,†¦. (2004, p65). For example, I am against abortion once the pregnancy has gone past the twelve week stage, but I am fully aware that if a service user was in this situation, it would be totally unprofessional for me to allow the client become aware of my personal opinion. It is certainly not my position to impact upon any decision the service user may make. I am also attentive to the fact that there are other areas of my personal values that require further development. One aspect that I am conscious I will need to work on is showing respect to persons that have committed certain offences, for example, a paedophile that has molested or murdered children. Having young children myself I find this sensitive issue quite upsetting. Still, I am aware that even though an individual has chosen to carry out this act it doesnt mean that they are not entitled to services. It would be my job to offer that person the services they hold a right to receive and, as before with my views on abortion, I must exercise the non-judgemental area of my values to effectively provide this. To conclude this essay I believe that I am able to recognise the values that I possess and I aspire to remain attentive to these and the areas that require further strengthening. I also feel the values I hold relate to social work practice and I hope they will contribute toward my career, in a positive manner, for many years to come.