Discuss selected cultural factors that may have an impact on the health and well-being of emerging populations.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Selected Cultural Factors Impacting Health and Well-Being of Emerging Populations
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, emerging populations—often defined as groups that are newly arrived or have been historically marginalized—face unique challenges related to their health and well-being. Understanding the cultural factors that influence these populations is crucial for providing effective healthcare and promoting health equity. This essay explores selected cultural factors, including beliefs and practices, language barriers, social support systems, and health literacy, that significantly impact the health outcomes of emerging populations.
1. Beliefs and Practices
Cultural beliefs and practices shape how individuals view health, illness, and healthcare. For many emerging populations, traditional beliefs may coexist with or contradict Western medical practices. For example:
– Health Perceptions: Some cultures may attribute health issues to spiritual or supernatural causes rather than biological factors. This belief can lead individuals to seek traditional healers instead of conventional medical care, resulting in delayed treatment and poorer health outcomes.
– Preventive Practices: Cultural norms surrounding preventive healthcare, such as vaccinations or screenings, may vary. Some cultures may prioritize holistic approaches or home remedies over vaccinations, which can affect community immunity and general public health.
2. Language Barriers
Language is a critical factor influencing communication between healthcare providers and emerging populations. Language barriers can lead to misunderstandings about medical conditions, treatment plans, and medication instructions:
– Access to Services: Limited English proficiency can restrict access to healthcare services. Individuals may avoid seeking help due to fear of miscommunication or feeling embarrassed about their language skills.
– Informed Consent: Effective communication is essential for informed consent. If patients do not fully understand their diagnosis or treatment options due to language barriers, they may make uninformed decisions regarding their health.
3. Social Support Systems
The structure of social support systems in emerging populations can significantly impact mental and physical health:
– Family Dynamics: Many cultures emphasize familial ties and collective decision-making. Strong family support can enhance emotional well-being but may also impose pressure to conform to certain health practices or lifestyles that may not align with individual needs.
– Community Networks: Emerging populations often rely on community networks for support. These networks can provide resources, information about healthcare services, and assistance in navigating the healthcare system. However, a lack of integration into these networks may hinder access to necessary care.
4. Health Literacy
Health literacy is the ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information needed to make informed decisions about one’s health:
– Cultural Background: Emerging populations may have varying levels of health literacy based on their educational background and exposure to healthcare systems. Low health literacy can lead to misunderstandings about health information and poor adherence to treatment regimens.
– Navigating the Healthcare System: Understanding how to access healthcare services, insurance, and preventive care is critical. Those with low health literacy may find it difficult to navigate these systems, leading to increased reliance on emergency services rather than preventive care.
Conclusion
Cultural factors significantly influence the health and well-being of emerging populations. Beliefs and practices shape perceptions of health; language barriers complicate communication; social support systems provide both benefits and challenges; and health literacy affects individuals’ ability to make informed decisions. To improve health outcomes for these populations, it is essential for healthcare providers and policymakers to recognize these cultural factors and work toward culturally competent care that respects and integrates the values and practices of diverse communities. By doing so, we can promote health equity and ensure that all individuals have the opportunity to achieve optimal health.
