What changes should be made in the helping system to better serve children in the future? Thinking further, what societal changes are necessary to protect children in the twenty-first century?
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
Enhancing the Helping System for Children: A Path to a Safer Future
In the landscape of child welfare and protection, it is essential to continually evaluate and evolve the helping system to better serve children in the future. By identifying key changes within the system and recognizing broader societal shifts necessary to safeguard children in the twenty-first century, we can pave the way for a brighter and more secure future for the next generation.
Improving the Helping System for Children
1. Early Intervention Programs:
Implementing early intervention programs that focus on identifying and addressing issues affecting children at an early age can significantly impact their well-being. By providing timely support and resources to families, schools, and communities, we can prevent challenges from escalating and promote healthy development.
2. Integrated Services Approach:
Enhancing coordination and collaboration among various sectors involved in child welfare, such as social services, healthcare, education, and law enforcement, can streamline support systems for children. An integrated services approach ensures that children receive comprehensive care that addresses their physical, emotional, and social needs holistically.
3. Trauma-Informed Care:
Adopting trauma-informed care practices across all facets of the helping system is crucial for understanding and responding to the impact of trauma on children. By training professionals to recognize and address trauma sensitively, we can create safe and supportive environments that facilitate healing and resilience.
4. Empowering Children’s Voices:
Promoting children’s participation in decisions that affect their lives is paramount in empowering them and ensuring their rights are upheld. By listening to children, valuing their perspectives, and involving them in shaping policies and services, we can create a more child-centered helping system that prioritizes their well-being.
Societal Changes for Child Protection in the Twenty-First Century
1. Strengthening Legal Protections:
Enacting and enforcing robust legal protections for children, including laws against child abuse, exploitation, neglect, and trafficking, is fundamental to safeguarding their rights. By holding perpetrators accountable and providing avenues for justice, we create a safer environment for children to thrive.
2. Fostering Prevention Culture:
Shifting societal norms towards a culture of prevention that prioritizes child safety and well-being can help mitigate risks and vulnerabilities. By promoting education, awareness, and community engagement on child protection issues, we foster a collective responsibility to create a safer world for children.
3. Addressing Systemic Inequities:
Addressing systemic inequities such as poverty, discrimination, and lack of access to resources is essential for ensuring all children have equal opportunities to thrive. By advocating for policies that promote equity and social justice, we create a more inclusive society where every child has the support they need to succeed.
4. Cultivating Empathy and Compassion:
Encouraging empathy, compassion, and understanding towards children in all aspects of society fosters a culture of care and respect. By promoting empathy as a core value and nurturing compassion in interpersonal relationships, we cultivate a supportive environment where children feel valued, heard, and protected.
In conclusion, enhancing the helping system for children and fostering societal changes that prioritize child protection are crucial steps towards creating a safer and more nurturing future for all children. By investing in early intervention, integrated services, trauma-informed care, legal protections, prevention culture, equity, empathy, and compassion, we can build a world where every child is valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
