Your final exam consists of two essay questions. Be thorough in your answers and include at least 1 literature reference for each question:
Based on your reading and research, address the following questions:
What are some current issues impacting families today which affect the care they can provide to elderly members? What factors must be considered in providing care for an elderly parent?
How has the role of the grandparent changed over time? Are the demands on grandparents more or less than in previous generations?
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
Question 1: Current Issues Impacting Families and Factors in Providing Care for Elderly Parents
In today’s society, several current issues impact families and subsequently affect the care they can provide to elderly members. These issues include changing family structures, economic challenges, and increasing demands on time and resources. When providing care for an elderly parent, several factors must be considered to ensure their well-being and meet their specific needs.
Changing Family Structures: The traditional nuclear family structure has evolved over time, impacting the care provided to elderly parents. With more dual-income households, single-parent families, and blended families, there may be limited availability of family members to provide care. This can result in increased reliance on formal caregiving options such as assisted living facilities or home healthcare services.
Economic Challenges: Financial constraints can significantly impact the care families can provide to elderly parents. Rising healthcare costs, limited access to affordable healthcare insurance, and the need for specialized care can strain family resources. Families may have to make difficult decisions regarding the level of care they can afford or seek financial assistance through government programs or community resources.
Increasing Demands on Time and Resources: Modern lifestyles often involve demanding work schedules, long commutes, and multiple responsibilities. Balancing work, caregiving, and personal life can be challenging, leaving less time and energy for providing care to elderly parents. This can lead to feelings of guilt and stress among family members trying to manage competing priorities.
Healthcare and Support Services: Access to quality healthcare services and support systems is crucial in providing care for elderly parents. Availability of healthcare professionals, proximity to medical facilities, and access to specialized geriatric care can significantly impact the care provided. Caregivers must navigate complex healthcare systems, coordinate appointments, manage medications, and advocate for their parent’s needs.
Emotional and Psychological Considerations: Caring for an elderly parent involves emotional and psychological challenges. Family members may experience feelings of guilt, grief, and burnout. They may also have to make difficult decisions regarding end-of-life care or medical interventions. Balancing the emotional well-being of both the caregiver and the elderly parent is essential.
In providing care for an elderly parent, it is crucial to consider factors such as their physical and mental health, social support systems, financial resources, and individual preferences. Open communication, involving the parent in decision-making, and seeking professional guidance can help ensure appropriate care is provided.
Reference: Kotlar, B., & Richardson, J. (2019). Factors affecting family caregiving of older adults: A synthesis of family caregiver typologies. Journal of Family Nursing, 25(1), 6-26.
Question 2: Changing Role of Grandparents and Demands on Grandparents Over Time
The role of grandparents has evolved significantly over time due to social, cultural, and economic changes. While the demands on grandparents may vary based on individual circumstances, there are notable shifts in their roles compared to previous generations.
Changing Family Dynamics: Changes in family structures and dynamics have impacted the role of grandparents. With an increase in divorced or single-parent households, grandparents often step in as primary caregivers or provide substantial support for their grandchildren’s upbringing.
Extended Life Expectancy: Increased life expectancy has resulted in longer periods of grandparenthood. Grandparents today may have more years to spend with their grandchildren compared to previous generations. This extended timeframe offers opportunities for deeper relationships and greater involvement in grandchildren’s lives.
Dual-Income Families: With more parents working outside the home, there is often a need for additional childcare support. Grandparents frequently play a crucial role in providing childcare services, serving as a reliable source of support for busy parents.
Intergenerational Bonding: In many cultures, grandparents are seen as a source of wisdom, cultural heritage, and values. They play a vital role in passing down traditions, stories, and knowledge to younger generations.
Financial Support: Economic challenges faced by younger generations have led to an increased reliance on grandparents for financial support. Whether it is contributing towards education expenses or helping with housing costs, grandparents are often called upon to provide financial assistance.
However, it is important to note that not all grandparents experience the same demands. Factors such as geographical distance from grandchildren, health status, personal circumstances, and cultural expectations can influence the level of demands placed on grandparents.
In conclusion, the role of grandparents has changed over time due to shifting family dynamics, extended life expectancy, dual-income families, intergenerational bonding, and financial support needs. While demands on grandparents may vary based on individual circumstances, they are often called upon to provide essential support in childcare, financial assistance, and imparting wisdom and cultural values to their grandchildren.
Reference: Bengtson, V.L., & Kuypers, J.A. (201
