Final Research Project

City College

Jake Bermejo

Class: English Composition 21003

12/6/16

      Supportive parents vs. Constructive Parents

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explain the different effects a supportive and constructive parental style can have on a child’s development. A supportive role is a style used to promote positive morals and values that leave children more empathic and kinder to peers. A constructive parental role promotes negative reinforcements and strict teachings. It leaves a child feeling obedient and submissive to parental control. In order to find the more effective choice between the two I plan to discuss what child development is. As well as use different experiments conducted by the Society of Research in Child Development and Stanford Center for Youth development. These experiments will measure and prove the different effects each parental style can have on a child’s development.I will even use statistical data from a national survey taken by the National Center for Health Statistics, to explain the different types of variables that can affect a child’s development.Which will ultimately, provide me with enough information to prove that a supportive role by definition, is a way more effective parental style than a constructive role.

Being a parent is something anyone can do, acting like a parent should is the real task. Parenting is a very wide and controversially spoken topic that revolves around a child’s developmental stages.These stages are known as the Piaget stages of development, created by Jean Piaget.(Schroff,Amita“WebMD.com”) There are four different stages that go from infancy to adulthood.The four stages in order are the sensorimotor stage,preoperational stage,concrete operational, and formal operational stage..The sensorimotor stage focuses on a baby’s first 24 months of birth where all they can see and understand is what is right in front of them.( Schroff,Amita“WebMD.com”).The next is the preoperational stage that varies from toddlerhood to early childhood. In this stage, children are able to think about things more symbolically like referring to the color red as blood or a cartoon character. They use their intuition rather than logic to create their own sense of imagination and creativity.The next stage is the concrete operational stage that focuses on ages 7-11, where they begin to comprehend logical and concrete reasoning (Schroff,Amita“WebMD.com”).They begin to see the difference between fact and opinion. The final stage is the formal operational stage that goes from age 11 all the way to adulthood. In this stage we are able to comprehend complex variables and abstract concepts like algebra and science.(Schroff,Amita“WebMD.com”). We are also able to think about things more clearly and logically to a point where we see the world for what it truly is.

Although all important in a child’s growth, the two stages that can best highlight the direct correlation between parenting quality and a child’s development would be the infancy stages.In an experiment conducted by the Society of Research in Child Development, researchers focused on the first three years of children to see the “beneficial effects parenting quality can have on children's language development,literacy,cognition, and school readiness” (Belsky Jay, et.al “Child Development”, vol. 76, pgs 384-396). Other circumstances like a family's annual income were also taken into account.The experiment consisted of 2089 families and children that were well below the poverty line. It was a “randomized controlled experiment” that had a majority of mothers around the age of 22. (Belsky Jay, et.al “Child Development”, vol. 76, pgs 384-396). Researchers even predicted that “maternal characteristics would greatly influence the quality of parenting styles and child development outcomes” during the child’s first three years (Belsky Jay, et.al “Child Development”, vol. 76, pgs 384-396) .

Within the span of 14 to 36 months researchers conducted a set of three trials to evaluate the child’s cognitive stimulation. At 14 months, researchers would have the mother’s choose from 3 different bags all containing different items like books,toys, or learning blocks that would be used to asses mother and child play. After this task was completed, at 24 months researchers would use a teaching task like learning cards to further evaluate the mother and child’s relationship.Then at 36 months, researchers would use a puzzles task to see if the child was able to complete difficult tasks with the comfort of his mother there.Her supportive presence was then measured by her “emotional availability” and “affective” presence during the tasks (Belsky Jay, et.al “Child Development”, vol. 76, pgs 384-396). After evaluating the data from each family, researchers found that the “parenting quality was assured to directly affect children’s outcome at each age”. Not only proving the positive effects parenting quality can have on a child’s outcome but also showing one of two commonly used styles of parenting known as supportive parenting.

Supportive parenting is commonly associated with promoting positive values, morals, family communication, and family relationships that can lead to a child’s successful upbringing. A supportive parent focuses on “proactive teaching”,positive reinforcements,and the provision of appropriate play experiences when “dealing with a child’s contact with peers” (Pettit,Gregory S et al. Child Development vol.68,pgs 908-923). When dealing with proactive teaching, parents often focus on setting good morals and values that allow children to thrive socially and academically. Such teachings also involved the use of positive reinforcements to encourage children to set early standards in life for what they want to accomplish and what they need to achieve.Such a style is presented in a letter written by Kate Chia, a 2015 graduate of NYU (Chia, Kate. "My Asian Pussycat Parents.") . In this letter, Kate discusses the role her parents had in her life when she was growing up. She discusses how her dad offered to buy her a gift in the third grade if she got a “C or lower” on her exam (Chia, Kate. "My Asian Pussycat Parents.").  He then proclaims to say that if she scored “higher” than that he wouldn’t buy her anything (Chia, Kate. "My Asian Pussycat Parents.").This one event showed her that he gave her two gifts instead of just one, that day. He gave her the gift to “cultivate her own desire for excellence” as well as a 

              (Figure 1)

"healthy psyche to pursue it” (Chia, Kate. "My Asian Pussycat Parents.").She even states that when she stayed up for 22 hours studying for an exam in inorganic chemistry, her parents asked her to pursue another career. Rather than “break[ing] her neck to make a living (Chia, Kate. "My Asian Pussycat Parents.").Her parents just wanted her to be “healthy and happy”(Chia, Kate. "My Asian Pussycat Parents."). In the figure above, we see a picture used to detail Kate’s reaction towards her parents supportive and permissive parental style (Chia, Kate. "My Asian Pussycat Parents."). The little girl above looks worried and confused as if she does not know what the man’s hands will do. In kate’s situation, she is confused as to why her parents do not want her to excel academically at whatever cost. Instead, all they wished for is her happiness. This left Kate very confused but in the end made her appreciate her parents even more. To a point where her relationship with her parents became even stronger. Today, she continues to promote her family's positive values by continuing to strive for her goals with a strong sense of motivation and excellent work ethic.

 Over time, children may forget about how their parents raised them but the effects they are left with do not.In a seven year study done by the Society for Research in Child development, researchers wanted to examine the prolonging effects “early supportive parenting can have on a child’s adjustment to school” (Pettit, Gregory S et. al “Child Development” Vol.68 pgs 908-923).

They measured the levels of interest and disciplinary encounters parents had with their children. Such encounters were mainly just calm discussions and small disciplinary actions like decreasing their allowance by a dollar. The outcome showed high levels of academic progress over the years and very little issues with peers.(Pettit, Gregory S et. al “Child Development” Vol.68 pgs 908-923).Showing that although time may pass, the effect parents have on children will always continue to follow them as they grow.  Behavioral control is also another positive aspect most supportive parents have. It is the idea of rule enforcement and monitoring a child’s whereabouts (Hillaker,Barbara D. et al. “Family Relations vol 57 pgs, 591-601) This provides a sense of security for the child and promotes positive “youth psychosocial development” (Hillaker,Barbara D. et al. “Family Relations vol 57 pgs, 591-601). A positive effect of this can be children becoming more prone to maintaining curfews rather than breaking them. Keeping them away from negative influences and promoting a positive family relationship. Supportive parenting however, is just one style of parenting. Some parents have found that constructive parenting can present a strong foundation for raising children in a manner that is strict yet appropriate.

Constructive parenting is mostly associated with negative reinforcements, strict teachings, and a set of absolute morals and values that must be followed. Constructive parents usually try to “shape, control, and evaluate” the behavior and attitude their children have by using their own set of absolute standards (Dornbusch, Sanford M. et al. “Child Development” vol. 58 pgs 1244-1257). A good example of this can be seen in a child’s academic performance. Where the parents respond to poor grades by getting upset and promoting negative reinforcements. Such reinforcements can consist of being “grounded”, losing allowance, or in worst case scenarios physical punishment (Dornbusch, Sanford M. et al. “Child Development” vol. 58 pgs 1244-1257).  However, even if the child were to improve parents would still react the same and tell the child “to do better” and that “other grades should be as good as this one” (Dornbusch, Sanford M. et al. “Child Development” vol. 58 pgs 1244-1257). In constructive parenting, there is also a strong emphasis on “obedience” and “respect for authority” (Dornbusch, Sanford M. et al. “Child Development” vol. 58 pgs 1244-1257). There is no room for parent to child relationships. The only relationship is that of an authority figure that gives orders and a subordinate that just follows them. It is this preservation of order that gives the parent control over the child’s growth and overall performance in life.

Most parents today also tend to use “similar parenting strategies or practices that they themselves have received in childhood” (Chen,Zeng-yin. And Howard B. Kaplan “Journal of Marriage and Family vol.63 pgs 17-31).Meaning that under the wrong circumstances, a child exposed to a harsh and negative parental style could end up raising their own child in the same manner.This is also a long term effect constructive parenting can have. During adolescence, children can become more prone to delinquent behaviors if not treated properly. In a study done by the Society of Research Child development, researchers wanted to understand the correlation between an adolescent's delinquent behavior and a parent’s parental role in the child’s life. They found that the “lack of involvement, parental rejection, and low levels of monitoring” did not only greatly predict delinquency issues (Feldman S. Shirley, and Daniel A Weinberger. “Child Development” vol 65, pgs 195-211). But also decreased a child’s “social skills, lack of goals,and self regulatory capacities” that would later lead them into following criminal behavior (Feldman S. Shirley, and Daniel A Weinberger. “Child Development” vol 65, pgs 195-211). It is the parent’s responsibility to regulate the child’s behavior in a way that “promotes self regulation and reduces the need for external controls” (Feldman S. Shirley, and Daniel A Weinberger. “Child Development” vol 65, pgs 195-211).

In the right environment, constructive behavior can do exactly this. In a study done by the Stanford Center for Youth development, researchers found that a majority of child’s academic performance was directly related to the type of parental style the child received. In a large and diverse sample in “San Francisco Bay high school”, children with parents who followed a constructive style mainly scored lower grades than those with supportive parents (Dornbusch,Sanford M.et al. “Child Development” vol. 58 pgs 1244-1257).The findings however, also proved to show that children in asian ethnic families under the same constructive style actually managed to have a positive correlation in their grades.The family however, had both types of parental style where one parent was supportive and another was constructive.Although, this type of finding did prove to be very significant because of the way it showed how important a variable like ethnicity can be when promoting an effective style of parenting.It is this diverse variable that allows both parental styles to flourish in some areas where one style seems to be a more appropriate form of parenting than the other. Constructive parenting however for the most part, is mostly seen as a “harsh, power assertive and inconsistent” parental style that has been regularly found to have a negative impact on a child’s developmental stages (Feldman S. Shirley, and Daniel A Weinberger. “Child Development vol.65 pgs 195-211).

When raising a child, choosing the right parental style is always an important thing to do. Effective parenting however, is constituted of “multiple elements that are melded together to form distinct styles” (Pettit, Gregory S et. al vol.68 pgs 908-923).One must take into consideration different elements like a family's economic status, educational background,employment, and marital status. Raising a child by oneself is one of the hardest things a person can do especially if they are well below the poverty line themselves. Having different expenses like diapers, clothes, formula, and other miscellaneous items makes raising a baby really expensive.

(Figure 2)

In a national survey taken by the National Center for Health Statistics, over 77% of teen pregnancies are unplanned, they are either “unwanted or occurred too soon” as shown in figure 2 ("The Office of Adolescent Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.").In figure 2, we can also see that in each section of unintended, mistimed, and unwanted births a huge percentage involves teenage girls around the ages of 15-19 (Mosher W.D  etc al. “National Center for Health Statistics”).We see that 58% of them had mistimed births and 19% of them also had unwanted births (Mosher W.D  etc al. “National Center for Health Statistics”).All scoring a huge majority in each section.  Proving that most births occur during a young age. This can be a very scary thing to do especially if you're alone. That's why having a supportive spouse in a family can help promote a supportive parental style. While parents who have no form of support or stable economic status, would most likely turn to adoption. Other parents who just end up raising the child  themselves would end up doing so in a harsh and ill manner that would later have a negative impact on the child’s growth..

Since the beginning parenting has always played an important role in child development. Whether it is as a overprotective father or nurturing mother, parents have always been left with the task of raising their child in the best way they see fit. It can be as a supportive parent who constantly tries to maintain a positive relationship with their child. Using different positive reinforcements like complimenting them or encouraging them to succeed in a way that leaves them feeling happy instead of stressed like Kate.Or parents can also take a constructive approach, providing a firm and strict way of teaching that leaves children with a clear sets of rules and standards to abide by. Each parent can have their own unique style of parenting, the most effective however as seen in each experiment has been proven to be supportive parenting. In each experiment the variable that promoted a child’s development the most  both physically and mentally was a supportive role. Whether it was providing a child with a supportive maternal role or promoting levels of academic progress. Supporting a child has proven itself to be the best way to raise a child.

                                                              Works Cited
-Belsky, Jay et al. “Intergenerational Transmission of Warm-Sensitive-Stimulating Parenting: A Prospective Study of Mothers and Fathers of 3-Year-Olds.” Child Development, vol. 76, no. 2, 2005, pp. 384–396. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3696510.
-Chen, Zeng-yin, and Howard B. Kaplan. “Intergenerational Transmission of Constructive  Parenting.” Journal of Marriage and Family, vol. 63, no. 1, 2001, pp. 17–31. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3599956.
-Chia, Kate. "My Asian Pussycat Parents." The New York Times. The New York Times, 17 Oct. 2016. Web. 31 Oct. 2016.(Figure 1)
-Dornbusch, Sanford M. et al. “The Relation of Parenting Style to Adolescent School Performance.” Child Development, vol. 58, no. 5, 1987, pp. 1244–1257. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1130618.
-Feldman, S. Shirley, and Daniel A. Weinberger. “Self-Restraint as a Mediator of Family Influences on Boys' Delinquent Behavior: A Longitudinal Study.” Child Development, vol. 65, no. 1, 1994, pp. 195–211. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1131375.
-Floyd, Frank J., and Derek E. Zmich. “Marriage and the Parenting Partnership: Perceptions and Interactions of Parents with Mentally Retarded and Typically Developing Children.” Child Development, vol. 62, no. 6, 1991, pp. 1434–1448. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1130817.
-Hillaker, Barbara D. et al. “The Contributions of Parenting to Social    Competencies and Positive Values in Middle School Youth: Positive Family Communication, Maintaining
Standards, and Supportive Family Relationships.” Family Relations, vol. 57, no. 5, 2008, pp. 591–601. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20456825.
-Lugo-Gil, Julieta, and Catherine S. Tamis-LeMonda. “Family Resources and Parenting Quality: Links to Children's Cognitive Development across the First 3 Years.” Child Development, vol. 79, no. 4, 2008, pp. 1065–1085. http://www.jstor.org/stable/27563538.
-.Mosher W.D., Jones J., Abma J.C. (2012). Intended and unintended births in the United States: 1982-2010. National health statistics reports; no 55. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health
Statistics.http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr055.pdf-(Figure 2)
-Pettit, Gregory S. et al. “Supportive Parenting, Ecological Context, and Children's Adjustment: A Seven-Year Longitudinal Study.” Child Development, vol. 68, no. 5, 1997, pp. 908–923. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1132041
-Schroff, Amita. "Piaget Cognitive Stages of Development." WebMD. WebMD, 07 July 2015. Web. 08 Dec. 2016.
-"The Office of Adolescent Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services." Office of Adolescent Health. U.S Department of Health and Human Services, n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2016.

Research Presentation

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Argumentative Essay

City College

Jake Bermejo

Class: English Composition 21003

10/25/16

Untold truth behind Schizophrenia and Dementia

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the similarities and differences between schizophrenia and dementia. Although both categorized as neurological disorders, dementia in my opinion has proven itself to be far more severe and diverse with its long term effects. It’s a disorder that comes in many forms mostly around the age of 60 and over. Schizophrenia is an early onset disorder and appears mostly around the time of teenagers. To prove such a claim I used several sources starting from the American Psychiatric Association ranging to the American College of Physicians of Family Physicians on Dementia. I even used statistical data from the Alzheimer's Association and Schizophrenia International Association to portray a comprehensive and thorough evaluation of both disorders. Ultimately providing me with an outcome that although categorized both similarly, dementia is a disorder that has effects that have far surpassed schizophrenia in the long run.

Schizophrenia and dementia are both neurological disorders that change thousands of people's lives everyday. Although they share similar problematical symptoms, dementia has had numerous accounts of people being left with non reversible effects. Such effects include loss in memory, delusions, violent behavior, as well as the inability to perform basic daily activities like eating and showering. This does not only put a lot of strain on a persons thoughts, emotions, and behavior.It can also leave a person relying on a caretaker for the rest of their lives.Schizophrenia also affects a person's life in the same manner but only for a certain period of time since it is highly treatable.  Although, schizophrenia and dementia are categorized together as similar illnesses, dementia is far more diverse and severe than schizophrenia.

             Over the years, the treatment for dementia has acquired so much money and patients for “dementia care” that at one point it was actually considered enough to to be able to start a new country (Alzheimer’s Disease International, “Dementia Statistics”).In a poll  taken within the last century for demographic aging, the percentage of  elderly people in the world's population actually managed to increase due to health care improvements. This not only made dementia a crucial factor in the economical development for “dementia care” but also added more awareness of dementia throughout the world (Alzheimer’s Disease International, “Dementia Statistics”).

In 2002, the treatment for schizophrenia was over 62.7 billion dollars and the total amount of patients were about 2.6 million (Hawkes Eric,Marvin Ross. “Schizophrenia Facts and Statistics”).

This was nothing but a small fraction of what “dementia care” had at the time. According to the figure above, every year there is about 9.9 million new cases of dementia (Alzheimer’s Disease International, “Dementia Statistics”). There is literally ongoing revenue happening within every 3 seconds that a new case appears. The total cost worldwide in the U.S in 2015 was 18 billion dollars. By 2030, it will rise to two trillion dollars in medicare. Almost 46.8 million people worldwide have dementia. In the Americas about 9.4 million people have it, in africa 4 million, Europe 10.5 million, and Asia has 22.9 million people with dementia. And these numbers will only continue to double every 20 years.It will come to rise by 68% in 2050 in low and middle income countries that can’t afford dementia care (Alzheimer’s Disease International, “Dementia Statistics”). If global dementia care were a country it would be the 18th largest economy in the world right next to apple and google. That could possibly leave the U.S in a high deficit for dementia care that people would no longer be able to afford it. Schizophrenia on the other hand shows a lot of promise for being treated and handled with minimal costs.

Schizophrenia is a disease that begins in a person's young adulthood. Schizophrenia has had several medical breakthroughs that involve 15 new type of medications like "psycho-social therapy and cognitive therapy"(Hawkes Eric,Marvin Ross. “Schizophrenia Facts and Statistics”). In schizophrenia, genes like dysbindin,neuregulin, and G72 genes all relate to different neuron cells found within the brain just like in alzheimer's. The only difference is that schizophrenia also incorporates environmental factors that can ultimately "trigger" the disorder (Hawkes Eric,Marvin Ross. “Schizophrenia Facts and Statistics”). so the environmental factors for both would be severely different. A teenager with schizophrenia would still live as a dependent in the family and still be able to take care of themselves by taking certain medications for the illness.While a person over 60 with Alzheimer's, would most likely be left under the care of a caretaker. This is mainly because "when dementia does occur, it usually only gets worse" as time goes on (Borson Soo, etc al. “The Journal of Alzheimers Association”).This would be the only upside to being diagnosed with schizophrenia instead of dementia since it is highly treatable. Although treatment for dementia involves psychotherapy, certain antipsychotic drugs, and mostly staying in a hospital for a short period of time it can only deviate the process to an extent where a person can just barely cope with it. Schizophrenia on  the other hand gives people hope and the ability to look at a better tomorrow. This cannot be said about dementia since is no real treatment for dementia. There are only different ways to deal with it until you die. That is the difference between the reality of dementia and schizophrenia. Dementia’s impact in society leaves it as not just another illness you can take medication for like in schizophrenia. This mainly due to its different forms. One main prevalent main form of dementia is Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's is a disease that is mostly found in the elderly.This disease kills the neuron cells found within a person’s brain that involves their memory, language, and perception. It can be inherited through a relative's genes just like in schizophrenia.When one family member is diagnosed with schizophrenia there is a 7 to 9 percent risk that it can also be carried onto the next member. Although this doesn’t seem like much, most people who do not even consider the slightest risks are usually the ones receiving treatment when it's already too late.  After that most teenagers that are diagnosed with schizophrenia mostly look at suicide as the only way out. Suicide is the number one cause of premature death in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. This is mainly because of the “extreme depression” and “psychoses” that occur in schizophrenia that amplify the average thoughts of suicide in teenagers to being around 50 times greater (Hawkes Eric,Marvin Ross. “Schizophrenia Facts and Statistics”). Suicidal thoughts in patients are also symptoms of dementia but are more controlled because of the difference in age groups. Most elderly groups have already lived out their lives and see no harm in dying. Teenagers however, are more emotional about living their lives to its fullest extent and often see illnesses like schizophrenia as blockages in their lives that can only be overcome by death.

    

As seen above the relative prevalence of schizophrenia is 2x greater than alzheimer's.This type of difference not only leaves schizophrenia with a bad image since so many kids are being diagnosed with such a malicious disease but also adds on another reason as to why the illness is so treatable. Since suicidal thoughts mainly results from a patient's  depression and low self esteem. The easiest way to cure them is to have them talk it out in therapy where they can readdress their actions and thoughts by finally getting the help they need. However, dementia cannot be solved this easily since it's not just another part of normal aging. It's a disorder that can come from having “multiple sclerosis, brain injuries, and even “progressive supranuclear palsy” (Qaseem A, American College of Physicians of Family Physicians Panel on  Dementia)

Which according to figure 2, also shows that schizophrenia has a 5 times greater prevalence rate than multiple sclerosis. These type of symptoms can leave a person unable to control their sense of  judgement and direction. This can result in “poor judgment” and “the loss of the ability to recognize danger”. Proving that dementia is very diverse and can be a result of many conditions within the brain. It is not just limited to being caused by a person’s genetics or environmental background like  in schizophrenia.

Today some people that have dementia, deal with the disease by turning to their families or loved ones to take care of them. Other people rely on caretakers but the one thing they don’t do is act independently.There always has to be someone there to help them do their basic daily activities like eating, showering, drinking, and dressing themselves. After being diagnosed with dementia, most people find it hard to believe that nothing will ever be under their control again. Schizophrenia also belongs to the same category of neurological disorders since it does alter a person’s brain function. It can even revolutionize a person’s lifestyle to a point where they’ll have to take different medications on a daily basis. But it will never have the same non reversible effects dementia has. Neither will it be as diverse and  well known as dementia.It will only just be another neurological disorder that has similiar symptoms but not the same diversity or severity that dementia has.  

Works Cited Page

-American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 5th ed. Arlington, Va: American Psychiatric Publishing. 2013.

-Borson, Soo, Lori Frank, Peter J. Bayley, Malaz Boustani, Marge Dean, Pei-Jung Lin, J. Riley McCarten, John C. Morris, David P. Salmon, Frederick A. Schmitt, Richard G. Stefanacci, Marta S. Mendiondo, Susan Peschin, Eric J. Hall, Howard Fillit, and J. Wesson Ashford. "Improving Dementia Care: The Role of Screening and Detection of Cognitive Impairment." Alzheimer's & Dementia : The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association. U.S. National Library of Medicine, Mar. 2013. Web. 26 Oct. 2016.

-Qaseem A, et al., American College of Physicians/American Academy of Family Physicians Panel on Dementia. Current pharmacologic treatment of dementia: a clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2008;148:370-378.

-Association, Alzheimer's. "2013 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2016.

-Hawkes,Eric, and Marvin Ross. "Schizophrenia Facts and Statistics."Schizophrenia Facts and Statistics. Brian Chiko, 1995. Web. 26 Oct. 2016.

-"Dementia Statistics." Alzheimer's Disease International. Alzheimer's Disease International, 1984. Web. 26 Oct. 2016.

Informative Report

City College

Jake Bermejo

Instructor:Ms. Nargiza Matyakubova

Class:English composition 20012

10/12/16

                                       Effectiveness of the Study of Epigenetics

        Have you ever felt a certain way that you just couldn't put into words? As though you were just somehow unable to comprehend your own emotions. Well a lot of people everywhere suffer through things like this. But it's not their fault or yours. In a study of epigenetics, scientists have found that it is actually possible for someone to inherit depression through a type of epigenetic process called “transgenerational epigenetic inheritance” (Whitelaw E,Youngson N.A, vol 9:233-57). Where people can actually inherit their parents past experience and emotions leading them to forcibly inherit their parent’s depressive state of mind as well.Although, this type of theory seems quite unconventional, the study of epigenetics has opened up a new template of research for scientists that could possibly revolutionize the scientific field.

          Epigenetics is the study of a series of alterations in gene activity found within certain parts of the genome. Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance is just one of many different epigenetic processes that occurs during reproduction. When the two reproductive cells meet and divide to form  new cells within the fertilized egg, they must first erase the epigenetic tags from the newly developed cells. These tags can mostly consist of genetic information found within both parents.The process in which these tags are erased is called "reprogramming"(Heard Edith and Martienssen A. Robert). There have been many experiments done on mouse and plants that involve reprogramming the epigenetic information.Where epigenetic tags are marked for normal distribution of genetic information so that the cells can revert to a blank slate. A blank state simply refers to a state where there are no abnormalities found within our gene expression.Almost as if it were to reset back to normal. But some epigenetic tags avoid being erased and are eventually passed down to the next generation. There is even the possibility of epigenetic changes happening due to the change in the environment. If this happens the epigenetic fragments passed on  will just continue to change through generations as the environment changes. Causing disruptions in a person’s genetic structure that could possibly lead them to inheriting signs like depression, any type of cognitive diseases, and even human cancer.

  Cancer has been affiliated with a whole bunch of different things involving our health, the environment, stress levels and many more things. However, the most common reason found within epigenetics has been “DNA methylation” (Grady M. William, Melissa Conerly). This is a type of epigenetic process occurs when there is an “addition or removal of a methyl group” found within our DNA (Grady M. William, Melissa Conerly). This is refers to an abnormality found within our dna structure. DNA methylation plays a huge role in the developmental stages where it focuses on “gene regulation” (Grady M. William, Melissa Conerly). Gene regulation is the process during fertilization where gene expression levels are altered to a point where no type of abnormalities can occur. However, it's the “abnormal DNA methylation patterns” caused by certain epigenetic information that can lead to signs of finding cancer cells within our DNA (Grady M. William, Melissa Conerly).Such findings were “first confirmed in 1983”, when DNA methylation was first found in cancer (Grady M. William, Melissa Conerly).Since then scientists have continued to research our DNA structure, gene expression levels, and its involvement with epigenetics. A project was even proposed to further research on such a complicated matter. This project was known as “The Human Epigenome Project” which was officially launched in 2003 (Grady M. William, Melissa Conerly).

                                        

The picture above shows an abbreviation of what the project is. The picture of the DNA molecule simply refers to the fact that the project mainly focuses on the ongoing research in the involvement of epigenetics in DNA methylation. Mostly found in chromosomes 6,13,20, and 22 (Grady M. William, Melissa Conerly) that are related to cancer.This would eventually lead to other organizations joining them and expanding the study to chromosome 21 also known as trisomy 21.Which is mostly related to down syndrome.   

When dealing with disorders like down syndrome or diseases like cancer, scientists and doctors have constantly looked for an effective treatment. Although taking medication and going to rehabilitation centers can be effective in their own way. A more costly and uncommon approach to solving the root of our problems is gene therapy. This type of epigenetic treatment involves the use of genetic engineering. Genetic engineering involves the process of creating and altering new genes. This is mostly done by  different types of "molecular genetic technology" that can be used to analyze the genetic composure of a gene that seems to have stridden  from its original encoding (Strachan Tom, and Read, P Andrew, Ch 22.1.1). In Down syndrome, there can either be a deregulated amount of genes or an overproduction of a gene known as trisomy 21. This type of genetic abnormality can be solved through two main classes of gene therapy which are "non classical gene therapy" and "classical gene” therapy (Strachan Tom, and Read, P Andrew, Ch 22.1.1).The main difference between the two is that classical gene therapy focuses on delivering the modified genes to their designed location through "ex vivo" gene therapy (Strachan Tom, and Read, P Andrew, Ch 22.1.1). This form of therapy involves transplanting the cells back into the patient. This usually refers to a procedure like a heart transplant only instead of a huge organ only a couple of isolated cells that return in the end.  

In "in vivo" gene therapy,  genes are "transferred directly into the cells" of a patient (Strachan Tom, and Read, P Andrew, Ch 22.1.1). This refers to a procedure where cells are taken outside of the body only and placed under certain lab conditions.Which in my opinion would have to do with something being artificial. But by integrating these types of genes into the chromosomes, there is a high chance that the gene expression could stabilize itself enough to actually cure the disorder. This type of stabilization however, can only occur if the expression were to find the newly augmented gene "suitable" (Strachan Tom, and Read, P Andrew, Ch 22.1.1).The non classical approach on the other hand, presents a form of repairing the gene expression back to its normal sequence by using a different aspect of "in vivo" gene therapy called "blocking"(Strachan Tom, and Read, P Andrew, Ch 22.1.1). This type of regulation can only be done through either the DNA level, the RNA level, or the protein level found within the expression. By blocking the level the chromosome is found in, the chromosome can no longer have the ability to add a mutation to the entire gene expression. Allowing the entire genome to regulate genetic encryption normally without dealing with any defects in the system. Although this also remains to be very speculative, it does present hope for the future that their is a possibility of "normalizing the expression levels of up or down-regulated genes" completely (Strachan Tom, and Read, P Andrew, Ch 22.1.1). Meaning that people with three copies of the same chromosome or any type of deformity for that matter, will finally be able to have a normalized gene expression like everyone else.

Overall, the study of epigenetics has given scientists the ability to further understand our genetic structure to a point where we can in a way fix ourselves. We have expanded our horizons in a such a way that instead of questioning ourselves about who we are and why we were born like this. We can finally look for answers pertaining to our DNA.Whether it be reprogramming or the deregulation of our gene expression scientists now have the ability to finally fix the root of our problems. And hopefully in the future, find the cure we have all been waiting for.

References

-Youngson NA, and Whitelaw, E. (2008). Transgenerational epigenetic effects. Annual Reviews       

in Genomics and Human Genetics 9: 233-57 (subscription required).

-Weinhold, Bob. "Epigenetics: The Science of Change." Environmental Health Perspectives.

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Mar. 2006. Web. 12 Sept. 2016.

-Heard, Edith, and Robert A. Martienssen. "Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance: Myths and Mechanisms." Cell. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 27 Mar. 2014. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.

-Vialou, Vincent, Jian Feng, Alfred J. Robison, and Eric J. Nestler. "Epigenetic Mechanisms of Depression and Antidepressants Action." Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2013. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.

-StrachanTom, and Read, P Andrew. Human Molecular Genetics. 2nd edition. 4 editions. New

York: Garland Science,1999. Print

-Conerly Melissa, and William M. Grady. "Insights into the Role of DNA Methylation in Disease through the Use of Mouse Models." Disease Models & Mechanisms. The Company of Biologists Limited, 2010. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.

-"Human Epigenome Consortium." Human Epigenome Consortium. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2016. (picture)

Professsional Memorandum

                                        Memorandum             

To:Cory Matthews, Terminal Director of OTG Management

From:Jake Bermejo, Crew Member of OTG management

To:September 6, 2016

Subject:Request to reform employee schedules

Over the past year, the amount of complaints filed by employees towards overlapping work schedules has doubled. Several employees at OTG management do not have set schedules and are constantly updated with a new schedule every week.In order to stop such discrepancies from continuing to happen, managers should create fixed schedules to create a more tolerable work environment. The problem with having a non consistent schedule has led to several cases of  human rights violations where crew members are constantly working back to back shifts. This has left employees with very little rest and even worse attitudes towards working. This is especially difficult for crew members that are constantly interacting with customers. In a brief survey taken by customers shopping in terminal d. Many of them have found their experiences to be quite rude and intolerable. Although, employees try their best to deal with their lack of rest most are just tired and annoyed by the constantly changing schedules.

By implementing a fixed scheduled system, employees will know when and just how much time they have before their next shift starts.Employees will also have enough time to call out or switch shifts with other crew members in case any emergency arises. Vacation time and overtime pay will also improve due to the fact that each employee will already have a scheduled shift assigned to them.

This will over time help alleviate stress among employees and keep them well motivated to improving the OTG experience.Thank you for current efforts and cooperation.Should you need any assistance or more information regarding this matter, please feel free to contact me at www.jakewbermejo@otgmanagement.com

Formal Letter of Introduction

Jake Bermejo

119-23 114 Ave

South Richmond hill

Queens, 11419

(123) 456-7890

JakeBermejo@gmail..com

4, September 2016

Ms. Nargiza Matyakubova

Teacher, The City College of New York

Bldg. Nac, Room 6/246

Dear Ms. Nargiza,

Throughout time, we have constantly modified our way of thinking and perceiving things. This is due to the fact that it is only human nature for us to question everything we do not fully understand. Ever since I was kid I used to love watching movies and reading books on adventure and fantasy. To me nothing really seemed impossible. Reality never struck me until the day my father left. I had so many questions yet so little answers. But one thing seemed really clear to me was that this was the reality of things. That not everything was supposed to have a happy ending and even though I could've pretended to have the power of time nothing was going to bring him back.This is where my growth started and where my interest in psychology hit its peak. For at that time all I wanted to know was the reason behind his logic.

I wanted to understand not only him but others that were just like him. I wanted to understand why it is almost imperative for people like my father to take action first before even thinking about how to carefully handle the situation first. It was that part of the mind where emotion takes over leaving behind reasoning. The phrase "actions can speak louder than our own words" is so clear. Yet no one really bothers to look at the repercussions left behind. It's the type of scenario that only leaves behind even more questions than answers. Which is left me thinking what better way of finding the answers than to study the human mind myself.

It all started on a brim yet cloudy day. The clouds did a pretty good job of protecting the sun which made it seem like a typical day to have a barbecue. But the only type of meat getting burned that day turned out to be us. To me, my dad's final words sounded like complete rubbish. It was almost as though he was saying "this was fun guys, see ya". As though we were nothing more than a ride on a broken down amusement park that was having its final day open.

It was at that time that I had begun to question every little detail behind his actions.Why that day, at that time, and that place. It was unplanned, spontaneous, and just pretty much unethical in my opinion. But to my family it was as if another plague had just manifested itself. To them grieving was the only answer but to me the only answer was to question and understand. To understand him and the reason behind his thinking. Was it to get us to become stronger or was it just plain spitefulness, I wanted to know the answer. It was not only after that I had realized what had actually happened that I had begun to analyze the situation. Which led me to believe there was always some type of reason behind everything we do. That he and everyone else just like him have a reason for what they do. Of course simply asking him would of got me the answer but I wanted to do more than that. I wanted to understand him so that in the future I could help out anyone faced with the same dilemma or any dilemma  involving the mind. It was my chance to help people out before they did something they would regret for the rest of their lives, something I'm sure everyone has done at least once in their lives.

             Although, I can't turn back time and stop events like this from ever happening. I can at least try to help people strive for a better tomorrow. A tomorrow that isn't filled with any more problems than just the main one. Today my interest in psychology still continues to grow on a daily basis  because of the way it can help tie everything together. I still read the online journals  here and there and have even begun to offer my friends free therapy sessions. It's the simple actions that we  do every day . That can lead us to taking the train a minute late to work or pushing off doing your homework until the very last day it's due. Whatever the situation,we should already have a reasonable answer made up in our minds before we can even act on it. It's whether or not we choose to make that decision that affects the outcome of the situation. We have the reasonable answer in front of us yet we choose to ignore it based on other thoughts that seem rather unreasonable. That's what leads us to question our actions everyday  more and more but never really gets us the answer.

Sincerely,

Jake Bermejo