Case Conceptualization of Janet Using DSM IV

Diagnostic Formulation According to the Multiaxial Diagnostic System of the DSM-IV-TR, the key study, which is Janet’s case, meets the diagnostic formulation of dependent personality disorder, which falls under axis II. However, Janet could also be suffering from other medical issues as will be determined in the clinical diagnosis criteria.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Case Conceptualization of Janet Using DSM IV-TR and Sperry’s Concepts specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Criteria in Clinical Diagnosis The clinical formulation in this case describes speculations about Janet’s core dynamic and primary need for psychotherapy. Janet’s behavior and conduct, as described in the case study, are a clear indication that she suffers from a psychological disorder called dependent personality disorder. According to the DSM-IV-TR, patients who suffer from dependent personality disorder norma lly display a sense of excessive need to be taken care of by other people. This sense leads such patients to become submissive and can never oppose other people’s decisions even if such decisions are not pleasant to them (Ankrom, 2009). This is the case with Janet as exhibited in the way she makes her decisions; her choices are always intended to please other people at the expense of her own happiness. There are several features that people such as Janet who suffer from dependent personality disorder portray. Firstly, such individuals find it difficult to make independent decisions unless they are provided advice and encouragement by other people (Ankrom, 2009). Janet admits that she wants her relationship with Larry to work out, but she holds back most of the things that worry her. She is unable to express her feelings to Larry for fear that things might not work in favor of their relationship. Secondly, patients with dependent personality disorder find it difficult to expre ss disagreement with other individuals and opposition to others peoples’ ideas or decisions, even if they involve and affect them (Sperry, 2005). Such individuals feel that they may lose the support, love or approval of the people who are valuable to them if they opposed their decisions (Ankrom, 2009).Advertising Looking for case study on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In the case study, Janet cannot express her feelings to her mother regarding the issue in which she invited some of her relatives to live with her without her daughter’s consent. Janet even proceeds to tell the uncle and the aunt that she was comfortable with their visits and she was happy to have them stay with her for a period of time. There are also other occasions in which Janet gives in to anything that is proposed by her partners in her past relationships without putting across her ideas and feelings. The victims of the psy chological disorder are also known to seek new relationships as fast as they can when the ones they are currently involved in come to an end. They jump into the new relationships with the intention of obtaining care and support from their new partners (Ankrom, 2009). This is evident in Janet’s case given that she has been involved in several relationships since she divorced her ex-husband, with all of them hardly lasting for more than 7 months. It is clear that Janet had been seeking care, comfort, and support from the relationships as she believes that she can never face life on her own. It is the same reasons that are making her cling so much to her new relationship with Larry. People who suffer from dependent personality disorder in most cases wish for other individuals to assume responsibility in all the major areas in their lives. These patients are always unable to initiate projects on their own for lack of self-confidence. This is why their relatives and other people c lose to the patients feel that it is their responsibility to make decisions for them (Ankrom, 2009). In the case study, Janet’s mother makes most decisions for her. Janet also follows the decisions made by her friends, such as that of joining them for a drink after work. Lastly, the patients who suffer from the personality disorder may go an extra mile by accepting to do things that are not pleasing to them in order to obtain nurturance from other people (Ankrom, 2009).Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Case Conceptualization of Janet Using DSM IV-TR and Sperry’s Concepts specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Janet in the case study admits that she has always found it difficult to say no to someone’s suggestions. She had never opposed suggestions of the partners that she has a relationship with. She also cannot say no to the friends’ demands and suggestions. Other Possible Medical Issue s in the Case Study Apart from the axis II, which has been used to determine the proposition that Janet is suffering from dependent personality disorder, there are other levels of the DSM-IV-TR that can be used to diagnosis her condition. Axis I, which normally involves developmental and learning disorders and a few cases of clinical disorders, does not appear to relate to Janet’s condition in any way (Ankrom, 2009). Therefore, axis I is not applicable to Janet’s case. Like axis I, axis III is also not related to Janet’s condition. The latter level generally involves medical and physical disorders. The most common disorders include mitral value prolapsed and hyperthyroidism, which do not apply to Janet’s case (Ankrom, 2009). However, Axis IV has factors that apply to Janet’s case. Level IV contains factors that contribute to the patient’s current psychiatric disorder. The factors also affect the outcomes of the treatment. Some of the factors include social problems, inadequate support, work issues, problems with education, legal issues, and financial problems (Ankrom, 2009). Axis IV is applicable to Janet’s situation since she has problems at her place of work, especially with the new attorney. Axis V, which is used for global assessment functioning, is a 100-point scale that assists practitioners to describe a patient’s performance in relation to his/her occupational, social, and academic activities (Ankrom, 2009). Janet is likely to score below 50 because her psychological disorder is severe.Advertising Looking for case study on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Summary of the Diagnosis using DSM-IV-TR DSM-Level Diagnosis Axis I Not Applicable Axis II Dependent Personality Disorder Axis III Not Applicable Axis IV Problems with Work Axis V Below 50 Recommended Treatment Approach According to the preliminary diagnosis described above, the following treatment approaches can be recommended for Janet. The main treatment that can help cure Janet’s psychological disorder is psychotherapy (Sperry, 2005). Even though this treatment can be given to people suffering from dependent personality disorder, it works best for the disorder in which the patients greatly depend on other individuals to make the major decisions affecting their lives (Dattilio, 2010). The treatment will work best in Janet’s case as she is extremely submissive to the people around her, who include her mother and boyfriends. The first psychotherapy procedure that can assist Janet overcome the disorder is cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavior al therapy involves mainly self-talk and direct teachings in which patients are trained on how to recognize their thoughts and actions to help them realize the effect their actions and thoughts have on each other. This therapy also involves teaching and encouraging the patients to learn how to make their own decisions and targets and how to respect and stand by their decisions (Dattilio, 2010). Cognitive behavioral therapy is suitable for Janet’s condition as it will assist her to be aware of her thoughts and what she really wants to do in life. It will also help her to be aware of her actions and the way they relate to her thoughts (Sperry, 2005). This in turn will make her become independent and live without having to follow her mother’s or friends’ decisions. The fact that during this therapy Janet will be taught how to set her own objectives and targets makes it even more suitable for her case. Janet has never been able to set a target for herself and that i s why she is never sure of what she really wants in life. It is likely that if she begins setting her own targets, she will avoid involving herself in multiple relationships. However, it is advisable that the therapist who will be handling Janet’s case ensures that she remains self-limiting during the therapy sessions. Cognitive behavioral therapy is known to promote dependence of the patient on the therapist if not checked properly (Dattilio, 2010). It could be easy for Janet to transfer the dependence she has always put in her boyfriends, friends and the mother to the therapist. This is the main reason the therapist needs to be cautious by allowing her to act and think independently. In order for the cognitive behavioral therapy sessions to be more effective, the therapist will need to incorporate family therapy into the treatment approach. Family therapy involves all the members of the patient’s family. It is mostly important in cases where the family members have d ifficulties getting along with the patient or vice versa. In such cases, the problem of getting along is presumed to be one of the factors that worsen the patient’s condition. For instance, the patients may feel that some of the family members are interfering with their lives and fear to reveal the issue to the people concerned (Dattilio, 2010). Janet in the case study has problems with her mother, friends and partners. The mother seems to be making decisions for Janet, but Janet cannot tell her even in cases where the decisions adversely affect her. Janet does not object to her friends’ decisions and instead she ends up following their decisions all through. The partners that she has had in past relationships have also been controlling her. The family therapy treatment method will make Janet’s mother and friends realize that she needs to be encouraged to make her own decisions and set her own targets. Conclusion Janet’s behavior as described in the case study is a typical case of dependent personality disorder. Janet has difficulties in making her own decisions or setting her own targets. She is unable to object to other people’s decisions, which include those of her mother and friends. The most effective treatments that could assist Janet to get out of this disorder include: cognitive behavioral therapy and family therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy will assist Janet to make independent decisions and set her own goals. On the other hand, family therapy will ensure that Janet’s mother and her friends learn to respect her decisions. References Ankrom, S. (2009, June 29). Multiaxial diagnostic system of the DSM-IV-TR. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-multi-axial-diagnosis-425180 Dattilio, F. M. (2010). Cognitive-behavioral therapy with couples and families: A comprehensive guide for clinicians. New York, NY: Guilford Press. Sperry, L. (2005). Case conceptualization: A strategy for incorporating indi vidual, couple and family dynamics in the treatment process. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 33(5), 353-364. 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Travel Scholarship Essay Sample

Travel Scholarship Essay SampleIf you are writing your own travel scholarship essay then you will probably want to try out a travel scholarship essay sample that will help to show you what you can write about. Even if you are going to handwrite your own travel essay, you will still benefit from having access to a sample that is easier to follow and which also provides good examples.What you want to do is to pick one example that will help you get your travel essay started, then you need to start writing as if you were writing your own travel essay. You need to keep the topic relevant to travel and you should go ahead and include some travel facts in your essay.By using a travel essay sample you will find it easier to get your ideas on paper and you will have a much better chance of hitting the target. You will find that there are several things that you can do with this type of essay sample. You can use it to write up a sample travel essay for a professor or adviser, or you can use i t to write up an essay for your family and friends.The advantage of using this travel essay sample is that it can be tailored to suit your needs and there are many different topics that you can choose from. You may decide that you would like to write about your trip to Cuba, you may want to use the travel essay sample to write up a travel essay for a famous person that you know, or you may decide that you would like to write about a certain type of accommodation. You can certainly choose a topic that you like and that has some relevance to what you are trying to write about.The sample travel essay can also help you make sure that you do not miss any important points in your travel essay, as you will know that you do not have to write anything you do not really understand. You may even find that you do not have to write about anything at all and simply pick a topic that you like and go ahead and get stuck intoit.When you are using a travel essay sample you will find that it can also give you an idea of what you need to do to make your travel essay interesting. If you find that you are finding the essay too long or boring, you will know that you can make changes to cut down on the length or cut the essay down a little more.In this way you will also get some ideas about how to structure your travel essay so that it is easier to write, as well as get an idea of what your thesis statement should be. Using a travel essay sample also makes it easier to proofread your essay and make sure that it is exactly the way you wanted it to be.

Free Essays on Leighton - Voctiorian

Frederic, Lord Leighton was - and still is - an important and influential Victorian artist. During the Nineteenth century, Leighton reigned as one of the most fashionable and significant painters of his time. Indeed, he was so well regarded as a painter that he was made President of the Royal Academy in 1878. And the reason that Lord Leighton was so successful during his lifetime is simple - his paintings brilliantly captured the Victorian nostalgia and longing for the glorious "Golden Age" of ancient Greece and Rome. In classically inspired works such as Clytie, Idyll, and Greek Girls Picking up Pebbles by the Sea, Leighton depicted an idealized vision of the past that perfectly appealed to the sensibilities of the time. Combining a flawless painting technique with a keen sense for color and composition, the artist created some of the most beautiful - and memorable - images made during the Nineteenth century. See for yourself, and learn more about this remarkable painter by selecting one of the links to his works above.... Free Essays on Leighton - Voctiorian Free Essays on Leighton - Voctiorian Frederic, Lord Leighton was - and still is - an important and influential Victorian artist. During the Nineteenth century, Leighton reigned as one of the most fashionable and significant painters of his time. Indeed, he was so well regarded as a painter that he was made President of the Royal Academy in 1878. And the reason that Lord Leighton was so successful during his lifetime is simple - his paintings brilliantly captured the Victorian nostalgia and longing for the glorious "Golden Age" of ancient Greece and Rome. In classically inspired works such as Clytie, Idyll, and Greek Girls Picking up Pebbles by the Sea, Leighton depicted an idealized vision of the past that perfectly appealed to the sensibilities of the time. Combining a flawless painting technique with a keen sense for color and composition, the artist created some of the most beautiful - and memorable - images made during the Nineteenth century. See for yourself, and learn more about this remarkable painter by selecting one of the links to his works above....

Summery Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 5

Summery - Essay Example Compared with the private sector, the public service will value intrinsic rewards such as service delivery to the people, public interest and the importance of work (Houston, 2000). In terms of accomplishment and fulfillment in work, public employees rated higher than their private sector counterparts (Houston, 2000). The motivation rewards will vary depending on social, cultural and ethical environments. Employee attitude is another determining factor in the accomplishment of a successful motivation reward. The reward may be in terms of income; however, it may be dependent on other social and economic structures like education background, experience, service delivery and efficiency. The managerial structures and the bureaucratic stem of governance play a big part in the effectiveness of employee motivation. Streamlining of processes and making the work environment adaptable is a more convenient way of motivating the employees. Better working conditions also play a major role in ensuring that the employees feel valued and appreciated (Houston, 2000). Rules are there to be followed. Sometimes they can be effective or ineffective depending on how they are managed, applied or regulated. In the public management system, certain standards are always required for efficient service delivery. Red tape is an excessive regulation applied in most public corporations and governments that is usually considered to be rigid or bureaucratic as it affects the flow of action, service delivery and decision making. With the aim of reversing the negative effects of this kind of system, public management scholars have come up with a reliable, effective and productive theory known as Green Tape Theory (DeHart-Davis, 2009). Transition is a very delicate topic especially in the public management system. In most cases, the fear of change stops us from taking action. Anxiety in the public system has limited the effectiveness of the Green Tape Theory because of

Macroeconomic analysis of France Research Paper

Macroeconomic analysis of France - Research Paper Example This has been accredited to the global financial crisis that has affected Finance as well; although it is difficult to identify the exact nature and extent of impact that the financial crisis had had on GDP (Banque De France, 2008). There are other factors that influence gross domestic product of a country. These include trade balance (exports and imports), public debt, consumption, expenditure and savings in the economy. The above figures show that there has been continuous growth in imports for the country but it is not matched with growth in exports. As a result, the trade deficit has been increasing over the years. Imports for 2008 were almost 33% of GDP; whereas exports were 30.36% of GDP. This has also affected the reducing growth in the GDP. As per the latest report published by INSEE, the consumer price index (CPI) for all households, which is the measure generally used to determine inflation, was 1% in March 2009, as opposed to 0.8% last year which shows an increase of 0.2% (INSEE, 2009). The increase in the consumer price index from 2008 was mainly due to the fact that prices for clothing and footwear increased due to the winter season. Although their effect was somewhat compensated due to the decrease in prices of communication services, energy and transport services (INSEE, 2009). As a general rule, the greater the consumption by government, the higher will be the economic activity in the country; thus leading to higher GDP. Government consumption for France over last three years is shown in the following table (OECD, 2009): The above table shows that government consumption has been growing at a constant rate for the last three years. However, considering the financial crisis, the government consumption growth rate is expected to decline in 2009 by 0.8% (absolute amount of government consumption in 2009 is expected to be 429.2 billion Euros). Moreover, government consumption in 2010 is expected to increase by 0.7% of 2009 (OECD,

Waste Management Strategies Essay Example for Free

Waste Management Strategies Essay Waste Management is the process of disposing, managing and monitoring of our waste materials. These important steps help us to reduce or eliminate the effects it has on our health and the environment. By practicing waste management we are observing our consumption of resources and working to reduce the hazardous waste used. These practices can provide enormous change in our lives and give hope to future generations. We need to promote and implement resourceful recovery practices. These are recycling, composting, energy initiatives and recovery, waste prevention and many more. The key component is to encourage improvements in our environmental efficiencies which will eliminate waste. Managing waste is an important undertaking that will bring back the necessary balance in our environment. Most of our waste materials have actually been caused by our daily human activity. Some example would be the disposal of our waste in landfills or when we burn waste in incinerators. These options, we have found, created further environmental problems. These results would be the wind scattering the trash which then landed in our waterways and ecosystems. Even toxic liquids would leak through the landfill absorbing the additional harmful substances and polluting the environment. Ultimately, all the waste materials create serious hazardous effects on our environment which we have had to implement better ways. Well, we do have options, capabilities and yes, some limitation with the various types of wastes management available. We seriously must take better care to protect our health, lives, and the environment. Steps to promote recycling and reusing have been a popular method to manage our waste. Other disposable options have been on the rise in usage. High on the list are composting, open burning, well monitored incineration, rendering, and   other treatment and disposals methods. Reusing and recycling still remains the most popular waste management practice. It certainly helps in the protection of the environment and the added value is the saving of our resources and promoting a cleaner world. Read more: Proper Waste Management in the Philippines Prior to World War II, we lived in a world where we used and reused our materials. In the past, we placed much emphasis and value on our resources, tools and materials. It was the norm to return, reuse and recycle materials. It was the norm, necessary and only way to live. But, with the rebuilding of our world came new ideas and new ways to provide resources to our businesses, households and communities. Many found that the quicker and more convenient way to consume products, materials and substances became increasingly popular and available to all. So, the start of using cans and replacing glass bottles had been implemented because of less costs and convenience. Regrettably, along with the returnable deposits declined came the waste problems. Even though companies found the easiness of using cans helped boost their sales in the beverage industry they could not ignore the negative effects of waste. By 1960, approximately half the beers were distributed and sold in cans but soft drinks were still sold in refillable glass bottles. Gradually the shift from refillable soft drink in a bottle was the way of the past. The use of cans now caught on with the beverage industry. Sadly, this resulted in can being littered throughout the communities and lead to the serious waste problem. Yes, businesses profited from the change. The success was far too good even when the environmentalists with proposing a bottle bills law could not reverse the new trend. This law stated a mandatory refundable deposit on beer and soft drink containers to encourage returns. This bottle bill law required a minimum refundable deposit to insure more recycling or reuse of materials to protect our recourses. The system was known as the deposit refund system which remains today. The beverage industry did support this bill but wanted a guarantee of the return of their glass bottles to be washed, refilled, and resold for reproduction. This would help to reduce beverage containers being litter and ultimately conserve our precious natural resources. It would help to reduce the amount of solid  waste going into landfills and promote recycling. But, quite frankly, it really hasn’t affected overall change because many other industries have created so much waste and have not followed in the footsteps to recycle. We do have more work ahead to remodel the habits and behavior of our world. The deposit laws for container have been a tremendous success. These initiatives which New York has implemented have created a cleaner and healthier environment. The Environmental Protection Agency funding was estimated to increase to approximately just under $20 million. This will guarantee proceeds to strengthen their ability to enforce the requirements to sell only containers with deposits paid on them. The returnable container act will reduce roadside litter, recycle billions of containers at no cost to government, save over 50 billion barrels in oil, and eliminate hundreds of millions in greenhouse gases a year. By recycling our beverage cans and bottles we can save energy and protect our environment. It has been noted that recycling aluminum cans saves nearly all of the energy required to make them. Also, recycling beverage containers will greatly reduce the litter and lessens the burden on landfills. We have learned to reduce energy and raw materials consumption means the reduction in pollution. We know that pollution has been the cause of acid rain, smog, mercury-poisoning in lakes, rivers and stream, and ultimately global warming world-wide. So, to protect our environment we need to implement and encourage ways of healthy more effective, harmonious, product living styles. Some do find that those measure are unnecessary and in effective. We do know that recycling containers with a deposit amount can increase the rates from 75% to 95% but these containers only account for 5% of our waste stream. The value placed on incentives for containers encourages recycling but the deposit system cost more than the drop off curb side program. The individual finds collecting and depositing containers easier then businesses who find it problematic and burdensome on their storage and transportation expenses. Those who support the container laws find that it does reduce litter but those who disagree believe that a comprehensive litter control  program would be more efficient and effective. The opposition confirms that only 8.5% of general litter is actually beverage containers. Since the bottle bill has been an overwhelming success then to include other non-carbonated drinks would be a good idea. It certainly shows that it takes the same amount of time, money and energy to include other drinks. We have seen additional litter from these non-carbonated drink containers. We have the statistics showing the increased recycling due to the beverage container laws. Yes, the responsibility to provide these programs sits with these non-carbonated drinks. Forcing these laws would be touchy politically but encouraging them would be worth it. Even though some would agree that the price of the non-carbonated drinks would increase due to the added responsibility dealing with these recycling programs. But those who were opposed to the law would agree with alternative legislation that supports all. In Massachusetts, they are celebrating their 30th anniversary of the bottle bill. From inception, it has been estimated that 35 billion carbonated drink containers have been exchanged through the program. Even the Massachusetts Coalition gave praises on the updates and changed to the bill over the years. It is most definitely agreed that it has contributed to a healthier environment, cleaner and safer communities, and a stronger economy. These programs are an excellent example of corporate responsibility for the beverage companies. They have managed the problems of littering, environmental pollution intern paid to help clean it up. Much research is being done in developing plastic that is degradable. This exciting possibility could be the key to lowering the environmental impact. Plastic is nearly indestructible and is difficult to recycle and hard to breakdown. Bio-plastic is derived from biomass sources that are mixed with oil base materials. The Oxo-bio has great advantages as it has it can degrade completely without living residue but oxygen is required for the process to occur. This can occur on land and in the water and the oxo-bio will not harm other plastics in the recycling system. Oxo-bio does not have a future in the plastic container industry which will bring great value to the fight against environmental pollution. Certainly, addressing the solid waste, overall inclusive deposit container law, recycling and litter issues with a comprehensive approach that will emphasize solutions that are effective and efficient will be much better as a whole. Some key areas to address and promote are education and awareness, efficient and effective solutions, curbside recycling program, balance and equitable treatment in all areas for the waste producers, and finally the administration, implementation and enforcement of these waste management laws. References Australia. Queensland Government. Community Health. Waste Management Why Management Is Important. N.p., 22 Jan. 2008. Web. 19 June 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.health.qld.gov.au/ehworm/waste_management/why_management.asp Nahnson, Jerry A. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 19 June 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/553362/solid-waste-management Bottle Bill Resource Guide. Bottle Bill Resource Guide. Container Recycling Institute, n.d. Web. 19 June 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.bottlebill.org/ Daily, Steven, ed. Container Deposit Laws (Bottle Bills). Container Deposit Laws (Bottle Bills) (n.d.): n. pag. Container Deposit Laws (Bottle Bills). Web. 19 June 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.lawserver.com/law/articles/container-deposit-laws-bottle-bills History of Deposit / Return Systems or â€Å"Bottle Bills†. State Environmental Resource Center. Wisconsin Office of Defenders of Wi ldlife, n.d. Web. 19 June 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.serconline.org/bottlebill/background.html Hamou, Jamal. Definition of Waste Management. Waste Management. EcoLife A Guide to Green Living, n.d. Web. 19 June 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.ecolife.com/define/waste-management.html United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Waste Management for Homeland Security Incidents. EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, 15 Nov. 2012. Web. 19 June 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.epa.gov/osw/homeland/consid.htm Recycling and Composting. NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 June 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/294.html Expand the Bottle Bill Neighborhood Network. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 June 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.longislandnn.org/stewardship/deposit.htm Bottle Bill, The Sequel. The Valley Advocate: News -. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 June 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.valleyadvocate.com/article.cfm?aid=16283 The Future of Plastics Is There a Solutin to This Huge Waste Management Problem? Globe-Net.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 June 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.globe-net.com/articles/2013/june/11/the-future-of-plastics-is-there-a-solution-to-this-huge-waste-management-problem/

Family Ethnicity :: essays research papers

Name:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Title:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The impact of ethnicity on my family Subject:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Due Date:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Growing up, my family consisted of my mother, father, and my three brothers. My father was of German decent and my mother was of Irish. There was a stigma attached to being a German American back in the late 1940’s and as a result, my father would have nothing to do with this German heritage. He changed his name from Willie to William and as a great disappointment to my grandparents, refused to learn the German language. Even with his attempts to keep his ethnicity out of his life, my father retained many of the German traits of his parents. He is extremely hardworking and thrifty. The thought of going into dept makes him physically sick to his stomach. He would never own a credit card. To make a major purchase such as a car or appliance, he would take a 2nd and sometimes a 3rd job so he could pay cash for the items. I like to think that I inherited my father’s work ethics. But I know for a fact that I don’t have an ounce of his thrifty ways, nor do my daughter. I miss the German foods that my Grandmother used to make. Now that she is gone, I wish I had some of her recipes. The only German foods I can make are potato pancakes and German Potato salad, which my daughters love, or at least they say they do so they don’t hurt my feelings.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I hardly knew my mothers parents. They both died before I started kindergarten. My grandfather loved beer and died of cirrhosis. I suppose that this could go along with his Irish ethnicity. My mother is a strong catholic and had plans to become a nun before she met my father. As long as I can remember, my mother would give up a pleasure in her life and spend time praying for something to happen or not happen to one of her sons. Examples are:  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  She gave up wine and prayed that I wouldn’t be drafted during the Viet Nam war. I received a medical exemption for a back problem.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  She gave up between meal snacks and prayed that my brother, Kevin would marry his live-in girlfriend. Kevin is in his mid 40s now and is still living with Patty. Mom doesn’t pray for this anymore since Kevin is the only of her 4 sons that hasn’t been divorced yet.