The Elderly People in our Society

Posted on Nov. 29, 2010

Do you think elderly people are valued in your society or culture? 

Posted by : Jorge S.
    In a modern society we call it ageism or age discrimination this is an attitudes where people believe that older adults can be treated in demeaning ways. Many people note that as they grow older and as they reach certain age milestones., (age 65 being one of them), others begin to treat them differently. Their attitudes change . In many cases , being treat diffirently means being treated as "less"-less valued, less capable. We do not fully  our older people .Elderly people have many skills and much experience to offer us, if we choose to listen to what they have to say. Older people in our society are sometimes viewed as nuisance and not valued fo the wonderful people they are. The medical community can be very harsh on the elderly by using the justification that they have already lived their lives. They tend to ignore conditions that would never be ignored on a younger person. In comparison with other cultures.Some older people have lived through two world wars and have learnt to survive with very little. When whether you live or die hangs in the balance, as it did for people living in the war; you realise what is important in life. Whereas, today people live in a very materialistic society, the things many older people value cannot be brought. It begs the question, who is living in the real world.

Posted by : Eduardo C.

Elderly people are valued in our society or culture; they are mostly the reason for our existence. Elderly people have spent a lot of time in the world and have seen things and know things that the younger people of the world have not witnessed or do not understand such as the World Wars. Elderly people teach us; respect, manners and appreciation of things, whether or not they use the War as an example. I see every Elderly person I meet as a story teller, I love it when they tell stories whether it be about the War, first love, their siblings and the adventures they used to take growing up . Modern Society has different views on Elderly people, some people are with me; joint in their awe of them and some people see them as expensive and as a nuisance as they are living longer. We all see the negative feed on the news that Elderly People are living longer and are costing the tax payer, which then in turn gives Elderly People a bad name and people begin to see them in a negative light. Elderly people do not tend to get the respect they deserve from Modern society. Another example of this is mobility scooters which in Britain is a very controversial subject and issue. Younger people find them an irritation and a nuisance whilst the Elderly see them as a means of travel and their Social life. But in modern society I think that the good of a lot of people far outweighs the bad opinions, as there are so many charities to support the elderly and events for all the community to take part in so that the Elderly can be around younger people and families.

Posted by : Elvie C. 
   The elderly people have valued in our society or culture because of their opinions are acceptable. Their own opinions and  we see younger generations as a bad thing and as ungrateful for what they have, they also have their own views on Politics and the world and events that are taking place. Most people would agree, that materialism is transient and does not last. However, few people live their lives in this way. The acquisition of material goods is not bad but the importance we attach to them is not good or healthy. Like in China, the elderly are an active part of the family and often, the entire family live together. Our own culture has developed in such a way so this is no longer the norm but rather the exception. Older people are able to offer us years of experience in all manner of subjects. We can in fact save ourselves a lot of time and wasted effort by listening to the advice they would give, if asked. Yes, society moves on and things change but some things are universal. One of these things are children, they will always want to be loved, as we all do. They will always learn by the example we set them. The elderly can support us in numerous ways with regard to child rearing. Some people resent looking after their elderly relatives.. However, if your mother or father needs a little assistance with appointments, shopping, paying bills is that such a big sacrifice after all they have done for you.

Issues :

" With the arrival of progress, the women began to work; now the family is small, the money is not sufficient , people live longer ; and the older people have become the "excess weight" for this modern family. In the family, nobody has time to stay with the older people. If they are along, they need to pay a care worker and this person, a stranger, becomes company, and is responsible for this older and abandoned person."

by : Jorge S. 
Every society has values that are important to it and that sets it apart from others. Canadian or american society is no different from other societies in this respect. There are values that are important to them that may not be fully shared by other societies.Values include freedom, respect for cultural differences and a commitment to social justice and because of that freedom our decisions that we believe are not the best, I feel that the statement mostly happen in rich and wealthy western countries I was raise in asian tradional way of the filipino and chinese ,both have different culture and values but with the same attitude towards Elders. Having the family as the center and priority in life, I've seen several times, where even the youngest are taught to "Bless-(mano po in filipino)" their elders.

by : Eduardo C.
    This statement emphasize that when taking a look at the present generation of young people, one can instantly realize the great gap that now exists between the present generation and the past generations. Many changes have occurred affecting the behavior of young people found in our society. In the past, parent were so strict concerning the education of their children, In that these children were forced to wear long skirts for girls, because it was being considered correct by these religious parents and more especially by the community as a sin , not to  say a sacrilege , but when taking a close look at the way these youths now dress up, one cannot deny the fact that a great change has occurred. Girls are dressed up the way they like because parents have realized that there is no point being rude to their children, because of the consequences that resulted from these behaviors of parents. Hence to lay more emphasis on these consequences, it was realized that most of these youth ran away from their homes and got engaged in several activities such as prostitution for girls, drugs selling by boys. That’s my opinion  

by : Elvie C. 

After and before the Industrial Revolution young people of the present generation are more determined concerning certain issues as compared to their parents, like for example they are free to choose the person they want to spend the rest of their live with, as compared to the past whereby young children were forced to marry people who were either older than they were, or someone they did not love. Hence there has been great difference between the past and present generation who are more informed with the coming of televisions, in which sense civilize campaign are broad casted daily to reduced the death rate of the population, pregnancies and also the rate of abortions. If our mature citizens wish to contribute to society why should society/government prevent them from doing so. Older people are quite often more reliable than their younger counterparts and take less sickness leave. They are also more likely to take the part-time jobs they we cannot afford to take, as we need to work full time. These are some of many differences between after and before the Industrial Revolution.

Culture and Diversity "Residential Schools : A lost heritage"

Posted on Nov. 22, 2010 

Posted by : Jorge S. 

Why were residential schools developed ?

   The Canadian government developed in 1867 a policy called "aggressive assimilation" to be taught at church-run, government-funded industrial schools, which is now  called residential schools. The Canadian government was responsible for educating and caring for the country's aboriginal people. It thought their  chance for success was to learn English and adopt Christianity and Canadian customs. and they would pass their adopted lifestyle on to their children, and native traditions would be completely abolished in a few generations. The Canadian government developed a policy called "aggressive assimilation" to be taught at church-run, government-funded industrial schools, which is now  called residential schools. The government felt children were easier to mould than adults, and the concept of a boarding school was the best way to prepare them for life in  society. Residential schools were federally run, under the Department of Indian Affairs. Attendance was mandatory. Agents were employed by the government to ensure all native children attended.
    1948 - There were 72 residential schools with 9,368 student
    1980 - Students began disclosing sexual and other forms of abuse
    1996 - The last residential school, the Gordon Residential , closes in Saskatchewan  
In Manitoba you can find these schools in the following locations :

Assiniboia (Winnipeg)	Winnipeg
Birtle	Birtle
Brandon	Brandon
Churchill Vocational Centre	Churchill
Cross Lake (St. Joseph's, Jack River Annex – predecessor to Notre Dame Hostel)	Cross Lake
Dauphin (McKay)	The Pas/Dauphin
Elkhorn (Washakada)	Elkhorn
Fort Alexander (Pine Falls)	Fort Alexander
Guy (Guy Hill, Clearwater, The Pas, formerly Sturgeon Landing, SK)	The Pas
McKay (The Pas, replaced by Dauphin)	The Pas
Norway House United Church	Norway House
Notre Dame Hostel (Norway House Roman Catholic, Jack River Hostel, replaced Jack River Annex at Cross Lake)	Norway House
Pine Creek (Camperville)	Camperville
Portage la Prairie	Portage la Prairie
Sandy Bay	Marius

Posted by : Eduardo C.

What was the culture like in these schools and how were aboriginal children placed or chosen to attend these schools?

    The late 1950s, native residential schools operated on a half-day system, in which students spent half the day in the classroom and the other at work. The theory behind this was that students would learn skills that would allow them to earn a living as adults, but the reality was that work had more to do with running the school inexpensively than with providing students with vocational training. Funding was a dominant factor in the residential school system.

    From the 1890s until the 1950s, the government tried constantly to shift the burden of the schools onto the churches, whose members made donations, and onto the students, whose labour was a financial contribution. Only with the affluence of the later 1950s was funding increased, and the half-day system eliminated.

    School days began early  with a bell that call students to dress and attend chapel. Breakfast,   consumed hurriedly  and followed by 3 hours of classes or a period of work. The late afternoon might see a short play period before supper. Evening recreation was limited, and bedtime was early. Weekends  by eliminating classes, but Sunday usually more time spent on religious observances.

    The 1950s, holidays for many of the students included periods of work and play at the school. Only in latter years did the schools routinely send children home for holidays.Although some students left with happy memories and would look back with a mixture of pleasure and pain, the experiences of residential school students were more negative than positive. The food was low in quantity and poor in quality; preparation did nothing to enhance its limited appeal. Clothing was universally detested: ill-fitting, shabby and, in the case of winter clothing, not adequate protection for the season. The pedagogical program, both academic and vocational, was deficient. Students had to cope with teachers who were usually ill-prepared and curricula and materials derived from and reflected an alien culture. In the workplace, the overseers were often harsh and the supposed training purpose of the work was limited or absent. In contrast, missionary staff lavished time and attention on religious observances, often  denigrating aboriginal spiritual traditions.

Posted by : Elvie C.

How did these schools impact aboriginal people with their parenting?
    The testimonies of hundreds of former students, whose list of abuses suffered includes

kidnapping, sexual abuse, beatings, needles pushed through tongues as punishment for speaking Aboriginal languages, forced wearing of soiled underwear on the head or wet bedsheets on the body, faces rubbed in human excrement, forced eating of rotten and/or maggot infested food, being stripped naked and ridiculed in front of other students, forced to stand upright for several hours – on two feet and sometimes one – until collapsing, immersion in ice water, hair ripped from heads, use of students in eugenics and medical experiments, bondage and confinement in closets without food or water, application of electric shocks, forced to sleep outside – or to walk barefoot – in winter, forced labour, and on and on. Former students concluded in a 1965 Government consultation that the experiences of the residential school were “really detrimental to the development of the human being.”     This system of forced assimilation has had consequences which are with Aboriginal people today. Many of those who went through the schools were denied an opportunity to develop parenting skills. They struggled with the destruction of their identities as Aboriginal people, and with the destruction of their cultures and languages. Generations of Aboriginal people today recall memories of trauma, neglect, shame, and poverty. Thousands of former students have come forward to reveal that physical, emotional and sexual abuse were rampant in the system and that little was done to stop it, to punish the abusers, or to improve conditions. The residential school system is not alone responsible for the current conditions of Aboriginal lives, but it did play a role. The Indian residential school, the systemic policy known as “aggressive civilization” has continued in other forms.
    Many of the abuses of the residential school system were,  exercised in deliberate promotion of a “final solution of the Indian Problem,” in the words of Deputy Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Duncan Campbell Scott. If development of the healthy Aboriginal human being meant respect of Aboriginal cultures, then indeed the regimented culture of the schools was designed  to be harmful.  the residential school “is where the alienation began” – alienation of Aboriginal children from family, community, and from themselves. Or to put the matter another way, the purpose of the schools was, like all forced assimilationist schemes, to kill the Indian in the Indian – an effort many survivors today describe as cultural genocide.

Posted by : Juliet

" I brought them up in a pretty horrible way-did'nt know how to parent, did'nt know how to show love".. peguis First Nation Elder Josie Bear . What is the significant of that statement ?
Elder Josie Bear (EJB) got her childhood taken away while growing up in residential school. EJB thought her parents were not their for her childhood teenage life and did not care about her. EJB though her parents allowed the residential school people to parent her. The people in residential school's did not show love or comfort or a safe environment , EJB brought up in a pretty horrible way and  experienced a horrible lifestyle while growing up in residential school. The memories stayed with her even still when she had children of her own, EJB maybe did not have any counselling than then  led to alcoholism the led to bad parenting skills. EJB was probably treating and discipline her children with the same attitude she was facing in residential school. Elder Josie Bear had no support , Today there is a lot of support to let her know it was not her fault and her children should respect her, show her love , forgiveness and be a family together.

Isolated Case in HSC

Posted : Nov. 09, 2010
by: Group of 4

B. Sinclair

  Brian Sinclair, a 45 years old homeless aboriginal man with chronic medical problems, died during a 34-hour stay in the emergency waiting room of Winnipeg's Health Sciences Centre in September 2008. A catheter change and antibiotics would have saved his life. While the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority is conducting an inquiry into how the hospital failed Sinclair so dramatically, it is becoming clear that dysfunction runs equally deep in the political system which nominally oversees the WRHA.

The Issues :
" Being in an ER waiting room for more than a day is not unusual and necessarily a big problem. patients are often in a room for placement in another ward. Or they are there long enough to be sobered up, fed, counselled and sent on their way. Many homeless come to the ER because there is nowhere else to go and We don't understand how he did not get the treatment required. Punitive damages to the hospital and financial awards to the family would not help in any way. It is not like the family will be destitute.

Do you feel this is an accurate portrayal of our Canadian Health Care System? Why?
Eduardo Says :
     No, I feel its not an accurate portrayal of our Canadian Health Care System , Because all medical personnel and Health care workers of our Candian Health Care System are doing their best when it comes to provide their respective task and duties carefully and with dignity.
Jorge Says :
     Just an opinion , The doctor and health care professional shortage is a major problem with our health-care system. Unfortunately, it’s just one of many. Most patients wait too long for basic care. The system is plagued by too much bureaucracy. And despite a huge budget there's no government official willing to admit: Canadian health care falls short of what we deserve.
Elvie Says :
     NO, I feel its not an accurate portrayal of our Canadian Health Care System because ,I know that Canadians especially the Medical and Health workers are doing their job properly and carefully.
Juliet Says :
     I don't feel that this is an accurate portrayal of the Canadian Health Care System because :
1. The Federal Public Health Agency of Canada acts as a focal point for disease prevention and control for emergency response to infectious disease for every person.
2. Canadian's have quality health care available to all citizens, regardless of their ability to pay.
3. The Canadian Health Care System listed Public Administration : The Public Organization must be accountable to the citizen.
4. The Canadian Health Care System lists that comprehensiveness on a hospital, all drugs, supplies and diagnostic test are covered so he should have got his test results examined asap.
5. A nurse should have been checking on the guy every couple minutes while he was in the ER waiting room to see if he was okay.

Do you feel this is a "race" issue? why?

" No, its not a race issue, Brian Sinclair is only a victim of tragedy and miscommunication. The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority has acknowledge that mistakes were made and that Mr. Sinclair's death was a tragedy that could have been prevented. As I have been experience as a Police investigator in my country before, that everybody regarding of race, are all equal in humanitarian services and in the rules of law".......Eduardo C.

"I think that this was race issue because .the ER working staff thought :1. He was an aboriginal man and the people at the ER probably that he was a alcoholic (drunk).2. The ER staff probably thought that he was homeless and just needed a place to sleep.3. The ER staff probably thought there was not really anything wrong with him.4. The ER staff probably thought that he just wanted a presciption for drugs or pain killers so they made him wait there for hours.5. The ER staff maybe thought that there's another person maybe has no place to sleep so the ER staff does'nt bother to check up on the guy once he sees his eyes closed "......Juliet C.

" NO, Its not a race issue speaking of Brian Sinclair's case only some commentator and media/press people are sensationalized the case that there is a "race issue". The Canadian Health Care system usually provided all equal treatment to anyone and who you are. It's just a matter of miscommunication on every angle truth. It's me  .......Elvie C.

" Lets forget the race issue here, Brian is not the only aboriginal homeless disabled person in Winnipeg maybe it just an isolated case in HSC. The obvious issue at hand is that this was human being that appears to have been subject to gross negligence in an environment that does have any margin for negligence "......Jorge S.

What is your opinion about the issues?
Eduardo Says :
     My opinion about this comment? I don't think so if why these incident happened, maybe its GOD's will or wait the final decision of the court about the case who committed mistakes and opportunities missed. No one person was individually responsible. The death made sensational and raised concerns about the quality of Emergency Room service, as well as about the treatment of aboriginal people in the health-care system.

Jorge Says :
    Its been two years since the incident happened , many things change dramatically in health care system although waiting list is still being followed maybe a little correction need to be done. Hopefully HSC staff and management will learn a lesson from all this and begin to strive for excellence rather than just putting in time, going through the motions.
Elvie Says :     
     My Opinion about this issues, I think there's a miscommunication that's why the incident happened. If theres anyone responsible for that its her/his fault. The fault of one is not the fault of all.
Juliet Says :     
     My comment about this is that regardless of who the patient maybe or of their background , the ER should question and survey the client on what their problem is, why there are arriving at the ER. I think that when the question gets answered from the patient that arrives at the ER. I think that the patient should get the right treatment required. I dont think that financial awards to the family would not help because why would they need the money and they should have been there to support him in the beginning.