Essays and Research Papers on Human Services

A 6 page look at how mental illness was perceived and treated during colonial times. During this period, the mentally ill were regarded as individual -- and not social problems. Western culture often assumed that retarded citizens were bewitched or bedeviled in some way. The concept of colonial institutionalization is looked at as are laws ...

A 6 page paper examining issues surrounding joint custody. The paper provides a history of laws leading to maternal-bias custody and how that was changed by "the men's movement," issues mothers face, issues fathers face, issues children face, and statistics which prove that sole-custody is not as good an idea as joint custody. ...

An 8 page research paper exploring the deaf community. The writer argues the Deaf and Hard of Hearing should be considered a cultural minority group and offers evidence to support the premise. Different aspects of life for the Deaf are explored. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

6 pages in length. The prevalence of abuse throughout the United States is not restricted to any age group, gender or ethnicity; that abuse crosses all lines of demarcation speaks to an equal opportunity offense where verbal or physical harm often goes undetected when the victim is either unable or unwilling to report the ...

A 5 page discussion of the concept of family. Provides sociological definitions and views of the concept of family. Cautions that the traditional concept of family, while it may have been accurate for particular cultures at a particular time period, is one which was never applicable across all cultures and time periods. ...

A 5 page paper which discusses some of the conditions surrounding the migration of various Latino groups into the United States as is illustrated in 'Gendered Transitions' by Pierrette Hondagneu-Sotelo, 'City on the Edge: the transformation of Miami' by Alejandro Portes and Alex Stepick, and 'Immigrant America' by Alejandro Portes and Ruben G. Rumbaut. No ...

In this 5 page report, the writer makes an excellent argument for monogamy-- describing it in an historical context as actually outdating polygamy. The evolution of hunting societies and the imbalance of sexes in society are two of the many causal factors attributed to the unfortunate rise of polygamy. In great detail, the writer also ...

This 10 page paper examines the practices of monogamy and polygamy and concludes that monogamy is the best choice. The conclusion comes after an examination of a variety of cultures that have allowed for multiple spouses. Bibliography lists 9 sources.

A 6 page paper on the Cuban and Haitian boat people. The writer focuses on the plight of the Marielitos -- Cuban refugees who braved the treacherous waters of the Gulf in an attempt to reach America, where, they hope, they will be able to seek asylum from the oppression of their native land. Detailing ...

A 4 page paper discussing the means used by various ethnic leaders to adapt to American society and culture. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 15 page research paper that examines how having a sibling who has a disability affects the psychological and emotional development of normally developing siblings. The writer particularly focuses on how having a hearing impaired brother or sister impacts a family, and this includes a brief summary of the controversy over how best to educate ...

2 pages in length. The writer offers a brief overview of Oliver Sacks' book about how the deaf community has overcome inherent obstacles to finally be accepted as part of society. No additional sources cited.

5 page essay exploring the role of the extended family in Black families. Anecdotes as well as formal research studies are reported. The importance of the extended family which includes blood-related and nonblood-related persons cannot be overestimated for the African-American family particularly in helping the youth deal with prejudice. Bibliography lists 5 references.

This 11 page report examines many aspects of Italian immigration. Health, occupation and other issues are explored, including a look at Italian neighborhoods in the New York area. Bibliography lists 11 sources.

A 10 page paper focusing on this topic. The writer looks at the impact on the US of Puerto Rican migration, and examines how this ethnic group has assimilated into the culture. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

A thorough 9 page discussion of the social, political, and economic implications of gay marriages in today's society. The writer concludes that NO viable argument exists to justify the denial of marriage rights to homosexuals. Bibliography lists 10+ sources.

15 pages in length. Morality is a grand issue upon which lives are built and destroyed. Veering off course into immoral territory is just where marriages are headed when the wedded couple is of the same sex. Religion is opposed of such acceptance; the general public, for the most part, believes it to be ...

A 6 page paper concerning the controversial issue of same sex couples and adoption. The issues discussed are the "morality" of being a gay parent, stands taken for and against the issue, etc-- the writer is in favor of adoption rights for gay couples. Counter-arguments are presented and then attacked--asserting that just because homosexuals are ...

A 10 page research paper exploring the question: should gays be allowed to adopt children? Both sides of the 'gay adoption' controversy are presented with an analysis of the arguments offered. Finally, the writer takes and defends a position in favor of gay adpotion rights. Bibliography includes 11 references.

This 5 page essay argues that teen marriages do last. Despite statistics to the contrary, and a social structure that discourages these unions, there are compelling reasons for people to marry early. It is further shown that there is a lack of adequate data to support the notion that adolescent marriages fail. Bibliography lists 4 ...

An 8 page research paper analytically detailing the importance of the child's benefit in adoption. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

A 7 page paper that considers the idea of marriage based in friendship as presented by both Aristotle and Barbara Whitehead. The writer demonstrates Aristotle's belief in the necessity of virtue and argues this in terms of the risks presented by Whitehead. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 12 page paper that considers the arguments of Aquinas, Singer, Wallerstein and Blaseslee and Whitehead in regards to what makes an ideal marriage. This paper presents supported considerations about what makes and ideal marriage and then demonstrates some issues relative to this premise. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

5 pages in length. A social work-related discussion in which the writer presents a specific case study of a young adolescent in an inner-city help center who struggles with counselors to avoid maintaining a life of crime and drugs. The writer fulfilled internship requirements at a 'Youth Advocate Center' where this particular case examination takes ...

A 20 page research study that considers the issues of gender bias as they relate to the male role in social work. This paper incorporates the current literature with a study of social work students. Bibliography lists 13 sources.