...Running head: WOMEN IN PRISON Women in Prison James Graziadei TESST College – Towson Criminal Justice CJ242 11/17/2014 Felicea R. Thomas, M.S. Abstract Discussing who is responsible for a child when the main caregiver is the sole guardian and incarcerated. The generational gap that can cause issues in the development of a child. Who and how money can be an issue and cause problems. Is it okay to have a pregnant woman be put behind bars for the crime she committed? And is it okay for mothers to keep their babies imprisoned with them, while serving time. Women in Prison Approximately 7 in 10 women under correctional sanction have minor children, more than 1,300.000 children (Leonard A. Sipes, 2012). Imprisonment rate are skyrocketing for females in today’s world. There has been nearly a 600% increase in female offenders in the past 30 years. Black females had an imprisonment rate nearly three times that of white females (Leonard A, 2012).With this in thought many women obtain sub-standard care while pregnant in prison. According to a 2006 report by the Department of Justice, only 44% percent of pregnant women received a medical examination upon arrival and, of those women, only 35% received any type of pregnancy care including child care, prenatal exercise instructions, special diets, medications or special testing. Many women are also forced to give birth while wearing shackles, due to them being a flight risk. With women being the primary caretaker of their...
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...I Population Defined This paper will cover briefly a multidimensional analysis of pregnant women and cocaine use. This paper will explore how women, particularly pregnant women can be challenged by cocaine use. There will be A review of the literature and policies that impact this population. In history, women have been making strides against oppression and discrimination in health, social welfare, policy and many other areas of life (Eisenberg,1998). For purposes of this paper, inner urban cities will be discussed as it impacts pregnant women. To date, gender and issues of equality remain at the forefront. Advocacy organizations like Planned Parenthood, advocate for reproductive health care for women. Certain cultural practices, prohibit...
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...Thesis Statement: Drug addicted pregnant women are being treated as criminals instead of women who suffers from a disease of addiction. The underlying issues of drug addicted pregnant women have been overlooked by society for many years. Society believes that these women should be thrown in jail and treated as criminals. Despite the fact that drug addiction has now been declared as an official disease by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Numerous studies have been made in regards to the dilemma that surrounds drug addicted pregnant women. The dilemma argues the point; do these women show any concern for their unborn child, or if their intent is to harm the child. Drug addiction by definition is a condition characterized by an overwhelming desire to continue taking a drug to which one has become habituated through repeated consumption because it produces a particular effect, usually an alteration of mental status. Addiction is usually accompanied by a compulsion to obtain the drug, a tendency to increase the dose, a psychological or physical dependence, and detrimental consequences for the individual and society (Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 2001). The underlying issues of drug addicted pregnant women have been examined by a number of authors who attempted to expose the truth behind why these women are reluctant to seek prenatal care. According to Carolyn S. Carter (2002), in her article she explored societal responses to prenatal drug abuse, including stigmatic...
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...part-time as the driver of a delivery truck for UPS when she became pregnant in 2006. Ms Young’s midwife, frowning on the requirement in her job description that she haul 70lb boxes, wrote a note to UPS recommending that “she not lift more than 20 pounds." On this basis, Ms Young requested a few months of a lightened load. Other UPS employees were eligible for such an accommodation, she reasoned, so she wasn’t asking for anything out of the ordinary. Workers who were injured on the job, who were disabled under the terms of the Americans With Disabilities Act, or who lost their driving credentials were all eligible (under the collective-bargaining agreement) for “light duty” assignments. But Carolyn Martin, the company’s occupational health manager, rejected Ms Young’s request. Since pregnancy did not fall into any of the three categories of workers eligible for alternate assignments, UPS would not switch her to a less physically onerous job. Ms Martin "empathise[d] with [Ms Young's] situation and would have loved to help her," but sent her packing on an unpaid leave. The case concentrates on whether the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA), a law passed in 1978 that fortified employment protections for pregnant women under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, requires companies to accommodate women like Ms Young. The PDA prohibits employers from discriminating “because of” pregnancy and holds that pregnant women must not be treated...
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...When a woman first finds out that she is pregnant, it is typically one of the happiest moments of her life. She can only imagine all the crazy mood swings, physical, and psychological changes that are going to happen in the next 9 months. Pregnancy is characterized by an increase in the levels of circulating female sex steroids, in particular, estradiol and progesterone (Brunton, P., & Russell, J., 2010). The female sex steroids, estrogens and progesterone, are produced in large amounts in pregnancy, increasing as she comes closer to delivery. As estrogen and progesterone increase, many other hormonal changes occur as well that effect physiological structures within the brain. These hormones have important roles in the peripheral actions to...
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...Pregnant Women Should Be Prosecuted For Doing Drugs Birth Defects that occur because of street drugs being used during pregnancy is increasing every year. The most common drugs used by pregnant women are cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, which are easy bought and sold around the world. Some cases infants have even passed away or had birth defects such as growth defects, bad lungs, feeding problems, and may have an addiction problem. Tennessee is the only state to have a law prosecuting women who do drugs while pregnant, but noone has really tried to resolve this problem or for the numbers to decrease. Women are abusing infants before they are even born, abuse is a crime , and women should be charged ( Drug use and Pregnancy). During pregnancy at least 1 in every 20 pregnant women does street drugs during their pregnancy. Cocaine can increase the risk of miscarriage or cause placental abruptions, preterm birth and fetal death can occur , or the baby could be born with a smaller head and have growth restrictions. Injecting heroin can cause the baby to have an addiction to heroin, low blood sugar, internal bleeding, and death. Smoking marijuana could make the levels of carbon monoxide ride and increase the chance of low birth weight ( American...
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...Research Project The number of women who are suffering from alcohol or drug addiction while they are pregnant or once they have given birth, is growing more and more every day. Addiction during pregnancy can have a negative impact on the health of the mother and her unborn child. The baby could suffer from different types of abnormalities and defects. The mother, on the other hand, may suffer from high blood pressure, sexually transmitted diseases, premature labor, and skin infection along with many other problems. Addiction during pregnancy is a serious problem, and these women who are suffering from drug or alcohol addiction should seek help immediately. According to Social Work Today, an individualized program and flexibility are among the top recommendations for treating pregnant or postpartum women addicted to alcohol or other drugs. Different facilities offer different programs and a different length of treatment depending on the woman’s needs. Education and life skills are taught in all of the programs for pregnant or postpartum women with addictions. For example, they learn to cook, clean, and how to manage their household. At Gratitude House facility, they teach parenting classes and instruct patients on how to care for their baby. Individual therapy is required once a week as well as group therapy sessions and other group activities. Peer support is essential to women with addictions while pregnant or after giving birth. Some women may experience guilt, remorse, shame...
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...HIV Mandatory Testing for Pregnant Women HIV is an important issue among the world, and it has attracted a lot of people’s attention. Besides, it also bring a lot of problems to the society. Nowadays, many people debate that should pregnant women take HIV mandatory testing. It means whether or not every female should take HIV mandatory testing when they are pregnant, and it is forced for them. Many people support that because they think taking HIV mandatory testing can reduce the rate of HIV infection for newborn, and many people disagree that because they think that would be disrespectful behavior for female’s privacy. In the book “HIV Testing and Counselling in Prisons and Other Closed Settings: Technical Paper”, the author stated “WHO [] estimates that only about 10 percent of persons living with HIV in low- and middle-income countries know their HIV status (WHO/UNAIDS, 2007). In many of these countries, access to HIV testing remains limited. Many high-income countries also estimate that a significant number of people living with HIV are not aware of their HIV status (OSI, 2007)”. It means that fewer people know their HIV condition, and they have low recognition to care about HIV. In addition, most people do not pay much attention to HIV problems in the society, and it would be a large risk for newborn HIV transmission. Faced with this condition, people would like to take some actions to release this terrible condition, and they want to find some methods to solve this problem...
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...“Stretch marks (striae) are pink, red or purple indented streaks that often appear on the abdomen, breasts, upper arms, buttocks and thighs and eventually fade to white or gray. Stretch marks are particularly common in pregnant women, especially during the latter half of pregnancy. Treatment can make stretch marks fade, but it won't completely remove them” (- Mayo Clinic.) Stretch marks sometimes cover large areas of the body. When a person grows or gains weight rapidly they can receive stretch marks. It is common for pre- teens to get stretch marks because their bodies are hitting puberty. They don’t all look same. It just depends on how long someone has had them. They marks start out as bright red, pink, or purple streaks, then fade to a...
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...Teenage Pregnancy: Acceptance as Pop Culture Our society comprises of many gender niches and roles. Women are sisters, daughters, and most importantly mothers. Motherhood is one of the most cherished roles that a woman can take on. In the past, women were meant to be seen and not heard as their value depended on their ability to bear children and raise them thoughtfully. Even though that has changed and women are expected to gain an education and lead a career, motherhood can still be a main part of their life. However, motherhood does spring upon on some by surprise. Teenage pregnancy in the last few years have been on the rise and has become a problem for some to live up to that expectation of an education and career (Peck). In the past, teenage pregnancy was a taboo. However its discussion has become more widely accepted. Through analyzing the Candie’s Foundation ad in the October 2011 issue of Teen Vogue, it can be seen as an example of the shift in perception of teenage pregnancy in the United States. The Candie’s Foundation is a philanthropic branch from the clothing line Candie’s. The clothes from the Candie’s brand are meant to appeal to teenage girls who dress girly and traditionally feminine. Focusing on the same demographic, the foundation was founded with the goal to raise awareness about teenage pregnancy in 2001, according to their website. The print ads from their current campaign mainly feature female celebrities such as Fergie, Hilary Duff, Ciara, Hayden...
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...| Argumentative Analysis | Teenage Pregnancy | | Alisha Hunter | Core 201 | | In 2009, the first season of 16 and pregnant aired (a show to prevent teen pregnancy) and right after, it leads to a follow up of several spin-off shows of Teen Mom (after life of the girls on 16 and pregnant and where they are with their kids). After the first episodes of 16 and Pregnant and Teen mom many more seasons began to come out; four episodes of 16 and pregnant in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 and then leading to three seasons of Teen Mom (Teen Mom 2 and Teen Mom 3). Shortly after the shows aired it was said that girls were getting pregnant on purpose just to be on the new television show. The newly show for pregnant girls isn’t helping girls prevent pregnancy. But more of leading girls on to become pregnant just to be a star get their 15 minutes of fame. Is the show really coming off as educational and realistic or are the shows making the girls make bad decisions. It all started with Maci, Farrah, Amber and Catelynn on the first season of 16 and Pregnant. The show was made to be educational and prevent teen pregnancies, to show young girls and boys about the real struggles of being a teen parent, showing the real struggles of parenting. It went into great and deep detail of the everyday lives of the girls. The show started off as a good educational show but then lead into more drama than just teen pregnancy. Catelynn had more than just issues with dealing with her adoption...
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...State Responses to Substance Abuse Among Pregnant Women Developmental Psychology For decades, American citizens and lawmakers alike have been arguing over the controversial issue of women's prenatal substance abuse. Considering that the public opinion for this matter varies across the nation, each state has their own set of laws on how to deal with the issue. Some states have made drug treatment more readily available for pregnant women with a history of drug abuse, while others have attempted to criminalize prenatal drug-use or use it as grounds to end custodial rights. “For many lawmakers, the issue comes downs to the difficult task of balancing a woman’s right to bodily integrity with society’s interest in ensuring healthy pregnancies, and the question of whether punitive approaches will foster - or hinder - health outcomes for women and children.” This report covers both the negative and positive approaches of state intervention to alleviating prenatal substance abuse and the alarming statistics regarding the relationship between prenatal drug-use and race. For advocates of women’s reproductive rights, they ask the question: “Can the state ever be justified in regulating a pregnant woman’s behavior in the interest of protecting her fetus and whether such policies potentially undermine the legality of abortion?” To date, no state has yet enacted a law that criminalizes drug-use during pregnancy. Nevertheless, hundreds of women have been arrested and charged with various...
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...getting pregnant in hopes of having a boy. I was in disbelief to see the facial reaction she had as she told her story, without guilt or regret, just no emotion at all. She believes women have the power to give life and the power to take it away. I disagree with that statement because each and every person has a right to live life and existence no matter what gender they are. Sadly, many baby girls are either aborted before birth, killed right after birth, or abandoned. If they live past puberty they become victims of neglect and abuse. I believe this is so unjust, especially me being a mother to a healthy beautiful little girl. I could never neglect or abuse her just because she is a girl, nor would I ever allow anyone else to. But in India, it's very different, the men are in control of the woman, considered property, and forced to have a male child. If a woman did not produce boys or dowry then they would be considered useless and either abused or killed. I understand that men from India have power over their women in this way, but without women or girls how will more boys be produced? In India they believe boys bring strength, blessing, and wealth, while girls bring dowry and burden. They believe families with sons gain wealth and daughters, while families with daughters lose wealth and daughters. About 100,000 women are murdered because they fail to produce sons for their husband's and in-laws were not satisfied with the dowry given to them. I agree with the many women who...
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...Andrew Herrick ENGL1304 Rolater Fall 2014 The Beauty Within “How to Love” is a song and music video by Lil Wayne. The video depicts the life choices of one woman, the causes and effects of these choices, and ultimately, how they impact her life. “How to Love” centers around the issue of low self-esteem that many young women face, due to sexism and a lack of love for their personalities versus their bodies. This video serves as a message of awareness, to both men and women, about how deeply harmful sexist abuse can be. “How to Love” begins in a hospital operating room, where a young woman is waiting to undergo an abortion. The opening scene sets the serious tone for the video and serves as foreshadowing for later on, during her daughter’s portrayal of life. The young woman has a swift change of heart and flees the hospital in tears. This is the first example of a choice being made that greatly impacts one’s life. Her daughter is now an infant and sits crying in a baby carrier while watching her mother and father entangled in a physically and verbally abusive ordeal; which clearly shows sexism in the form of domestic violence. The video progresses and the infant is now a young girl who is visiting her father at a prison; which clearly shows the audience that he is not a good man. Fast-forward again, and the audience is presented with the young girl as a pre-teen, being molested by one of her mother’s lovers. This scene and the lyrics, “you can’t have a man look at you...
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...further from what it seems. Henrik Ibsen, the writer of Hedda Gabler, seems to not be telling us the personal story of the woman Hedda Tesman, but showing us the faults of society for that time period in terms of the roles of women. “The Trapped Woman”, is a term I will use to describe the role of “The Woman” in the late 19th Century. Henrik Ibsen appears to be showing us through Hedda’s life that no matter the apparent strength or background of a woman during the 19th century, they are still trapped in a way which forbids them to be who they truly are. Hedda Tesman, as described early on in the play, due to her background and personality, should in no way be anything but in complete control over her life. As stated by Aunt Julle, “General Gabler’s daughter. What a life she had in the general’s day!” (Ibsen). This statement in the beginning of the play almost immediately foreshadows her unhappy life in her current state. Due to the roles of women for that time period, she is just the representation of all women in her situation at the time. Women in the 19th century had very minimal rights. When a woman becomes married, the rights of woman are immediately given to their spouse, which in Hedda’s case is Jürgen Tesman. One can make the assumption that for women in the 19th century, marriage is actually closely related so slavery, in that the woman is owned by the man, in every way possibly (Buckner). Hedda’s character shows us of a woman seemingly aware of these truths, and...
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