Thursday, January 30, 2020

Her Kind by Anne Sexton Analysis Essay Example for Free

Her Kind by Anne Sexton Analysis Essay After reading the poem Her Kind by Anne Sexton a lot of thought and emotion arises. It leaves a lot to be questioned and can be interpreted in many different ways depending on the reader. I perceive it as the author symbolically describing her experience with manic episodes that she endured, but she describes it all in the second person perspective. She writes of a witch who is dark spirited, twelve fingered, mentally abnormal, and isolated from her community. I translate her description of the witch as a oman simply experiencing her darkest hour. She is angry, hurt, conflicted, depressed and prefers to shy away from others. She feels unaccepted, misunderstood, and monstrous. She is experiencing enraged behavior due to the lack of comfort within herself; A crazy woman consumed by her own thoughts. The Author describes the witch finding Shelter in the woods. Im unsure if shes referring to an actual physical place, but I believe it is symbolic for a state of mind she goes into. The woods is her mental safe house so to speak. Fixed the suppers for the worms and elves I interpreted as her calming her own thoughts of mischievous interference (as per elves), and when she speaks of worms shes referring to the slow consumption of her mental health which she is trying to fight. Whining, rearranging and disaligned is referencing the witches thought pattern and process. She has constant unorganized, racing and droneful cognition. I translate the conclusion of the poem as the description of the Authors, Anne Sextons, reluctant, yet necessary hospitalization. Symbolically, she is being transported to the hospital and as she waved her nude arms at the villages going by theoretically it is her putting up a fight during her transport. Learning her last bright routes, survivor I decipher as the advisement of the treatment options available to her at the hospital. Where your flames still bite my thigh and my ribs crack as your wheels wind I depict as her receiving a shot to induce sedation and her fighting while being restrained and that the closer she gets to the hospital the ore she feels a sense of regret and shame. She is embarrassed that her mental deficiency has come to this point and she wasnt strong enough to gain control of herself. A woman like that is not ashamed to die to me says she is so distressed, meek, humiliated, and fatigued by her mental instability, that death to her would not be a negative occurrence, if anything, she welcomes it and sees it as a way out. Her Kind is a very strong poem and is a very insightful look into a womans head ho is unbalanced and a bit unhinged. I feel sympathetic for Anne Sexton, who I have affirmatively believe the poem is regarding. It appears that she struggled with her illness and had to go through a lot to try to get some sort of mental stability. It seems aggravating, painful, and burdensome to have uncontrollable thoughts of anger, sorrow, rage, and shame. The poem suggests that Anne Sexton fought an intricate battle which sadly came to an end by her own hand. Her Kind by Anne Sexton Analysis By katal

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

College Writing in the 21st century :: Education Writers Essays

College Writing in the 21st century How should it be thought and taught? With the diverse world we live in, I can only see one thing we all possess. The one thing that everyone has in one form or another is his or her individuality. A lot of people have different cultures that make them more of an individualistic group in a modern society. America would scare me out my mind if I came from a society not like Americas, from Japan or areas of the Middle East. I would have to go into a whole different frame of mind to try to survive in this society and be successful. For children or young adults this would be a tough time for them to adapt themselves to our school system. When it comes to college writing, I think teachers in the most part understand they have a cross-cultural influenced student body. With the Students point of view, it's hard to accept people who seem different or blocked from normal social events or interactions. When I was in High school, we had 14 different nationalities within it. It was interesting to have a class with such a wide range of people, beliefs, and learning styles. I would feel bad for the teachers and other students mostly because the new kids that didn't speak nglish very well struggled to communicate with everyone. This caused problems with the teachers trying to teach them and keep them equal in the classroom. This caused some teachers to give up a little bit and not treat them like normal students. When I read Amy Tans essay " Mother Tongue", I noticed that she said that she spoke very good nglish but her mother did not. This caused many problems for her mother like the kids in my school, because people wouldn't take her seriously. This caused a lot of embarrassing moments for Mrs. Tan. She pointed out that when she was a child that her teachers would try to point her in the math and science direction because she showed that she was stronger in those areas which most Japa nese or Chinese are stronger in. Amy expressed that she didn't want to go into math or science she wanted to write. Her teachers tried to sway her decision but she stood strong. People should be able to come into a class and feel not only welcome but also secure with the people around them.

Monday, January 13, 2020

My first time traveling alone Essay

BC – 12 Narrative/descriptive essay My most unforgettable flight experience I have been exposed to traveling ever since I learned how to speak, whether by boat, bus, or plane. Living in Kuwait, a country in the Middle East, my whole family and I did our best to visit our family and friends back home in the Philippines. I learned the basics of traveling from my father and through observation. As a child I had always been excited before boarding a plane and as someone who lives far from a home country, learning to travel is a must. My father told me, that when you grow up you should learn how to travel alone. I figured that moment would be very soon. From all my experience of 11-hour flights, one stands among them all. My first time traveling alone. April 7, 2014 I had just finished second year when my parents told me the news of my transfer to Philippines. They said â€Å"since you are about to go to college two years from now, you should learn what it’s like to live in the Philippines†. At first I was shocked because my life was in Kuwait, he friends and family that I cared for, I would all leave behind once I board the plane. But since my father’s decision was final, I had no choice but to accept the change that was going to happen. My dad was the head of the family so I had to follow everything he says, he’s not very strict but when it comes to obedience, he must be followed. Put all of that aside, my father also told me, â€Å"You should travel alone since we want you to become responsible.† All my years of experience would be put to the test. I already knew what to do, the ticket was ready but my mind was not. The thought of being alone with complete strangers and the thought of disaster prompted me to think otherwise. The thing that excited me the most was also the thing that scared me. April 12, 2014 finally the day of my flight came; I was all packed and ready to go. My family went with me to the airport to see me off and when we arrived the airport was bustling with people going to and in from other countries, it was a cycle that kept repeating 24/7. I thought to myself â€Å" it really is easy to get lost in a flood of passengers coming from different parts of the world, each having a different story to tell.† After passing through the checkup point, the employees took over my guidance; there was no  more daddy or mommy to help me. My first destination was a 1-hour flight to Abu Dhabi then a 10-hour flight to manila and from then on a 30 minute flight to Dumaguete. I had no problem checking in my baggage and boarding the plane because the employees were very hospitable, they assisted through almost everything including the paying of fines and finding the seat number. I was so scared at the time but the thought of a safe flight and the kind aura of the employees eased me a bit. During my one-hour flight to Abu Dhabi, it was 8:00 and I was just watching TV and ate the sandwich that the stewardess gave me nothing much happened after that and I just awaited my next flight to manila. The 10 hour flight seemed short because the plane had mini screen TV’s attached to the back of every seat where we could play games and watch movies, three hours into the flight most of the passengers were already asleep, it was very quiet but I was caught up by the games that I forgot I was even alone. It was 7:00am when we were about to land, I opened a window and the sun shone so bright and seeing the clouds, it looked like heaven. I looked down and saw the islands, the boats and the water trail left by them made the view. I still can’t explain the feeling I felt looking through the airplane window. A moment after that, the flight attendant made an announcement that we were about to land. Almost all of the passengers were awake and I was thinking of the possible dangers that could happen, but before I knew it we had already landed. Knowing that my trip is coming to a close I bought a souvenir which is a small plane attached to a keychain but for some reason I lost it three months later. Outside the airport my older cousin was waiting outside, she was studying nursing in Manila; she guided me to the next terminal where I would await my next and final flight, which is bound for Dumaguete. I boarded the plane and landed in Dumaguete 30 minutes later where my other relatives were waiting. That night I was reflecting upon the flight I had, I did not know I would miss it so much. Although the trip was over I wasn’t fully recovered from the experience and can’t wait to tell my parents about it.

Saturday, December 28, 2019

Management Plan For Patients With Cancer - 853 Words

. I was requested, by many staff, to return again. †¢ Commended for efficiently arranging patient disposition, thus minimising disruption to flow. †¢ First on-call for consultation of a variety of ED referrals, which required prioritisation, patient assessment, investigation requests, patient flow awareness and instituting management plans. †¢ Co-ordinated transfers via RFDS to tertiary hospitals for complex patients while managing up to 23 patients with my supervisor. †¢ Commended by rural GPs whom I phoned prior to patient discharge to enable an effective handover. †¢ Recognised for completing quality discharge letters, leaving pending summaries to a record low. †¢ Worked efficiently for preparation of, and during, fortnightly multidisciplinary meetings that discussed management for patients with cancer. My performance was commended by my Professors. ïÆ'Ëœ To complete the Medical Service Improvement Program at Rockingham General Hospital in 2016. ïÆ'Ëœ Involved in DVT prophylaxis and APACHE audit in ICU SJOG Murdoch in 2015. ïÆ'Ëœ Involved in the National Stroke Foundation Audit 2015 at Fiona Stanley Hospital with Dr Ghia and Gill Edmonds (CNS) which aims to evaluate the process in stroke management. ïÆ'Ëœ AHC antimicrobial stewardship program 2014: this audit examined the use of intraoperative antibiotics used by anaesthetists. I was involved in creating local guidelines for intraoperative antibiotics. I presented this information to the regional anaesthetists with Chief Pharmacist MsShow MoreRelatedCancer Pain Management And The Role Of Social Work855 Words   |  4 Pagesthis article â€Å"Cancer pain management and the role of social work: Barriers and interventions,† will increase social workers’ awareness of the pervasiveness of cancer-related pain. (Scott Reeves, 2010) It is vital for a social worker to identify the barriers and develop a plan of intervention that include; communication, assessment, problem solving, and psychological support. The quality of life has become more and more significant in the management of cancer. Patients with cancer are survivingRead MoreA Study On Lung Cancer1329 Words   |  6 Pageswhich recently has been diagnosed with Metastatic Lung Cancer. Lung cancer itself accounts for killing an estimated 1.5 million people annually worldwide (Keshamouni, et.al, 2009). Lung cancer is divided into two major types: Non-small-cell cancer which includes these types of cancers; adenocarcinoma, squamous cell and large-cell, these all account to 80% of cases. The second major type is the Small-cell lung cancer which includes these cancers; oat cell, intermediate and combined, all of which onlyRead MoreEffects Of The Diagnosis Of Bowel Cancer915 Words   |  4 PagesGoldwasser (2009) accepted that being diagnosed with cancer comes as a terrible shock for most people and those affected may look back on the experience and remember it as all being a bit of a dream. Often they are given information that they are only able to take in part of what they are told. As the news sinks in and they are ready to talk about what is going to happen, the most important thing to remember is that it is their body they are discussing. People must be allowed to make decisionsRead MoreDisease Case Study730 Words   |  3 Pages insomnia, hirsutism, thinning hair, and digestion problems. Labs need to be drawn to evaluate LH, prolactin, and TSH level. Her TSH being elevated may very well be the reason for this patient’s abnormal bleeding. Lab work will help diagnose the patient with a hormone issue. This diagnosis cannot be ruled out at this time. 2. Fibroids: Fibroids are benign growths that are hormone dependent. They are seen in 25% of women in reproductive years. If diagnosed with this condition, it usually will improveRead MoreNursing Care Plan: Terminal Illness and End-of-Life1639 Words   |  7 PagesNursing Care Plan: Terminal Illness and End-of-Life Lisa White Western Governors University Community and Population Health SZT 2 September 07, 2013 Nursing Care Plan: Terminal Illness and End-of-Life Personal Perceptions Quality of life is an individual concept that is different for each person. Personal perception of quality of life may differ from the reality of one’s life. My perception of quality of life and health promotion include a close relationship with spouse and familyRead MoreInteractive Health Communication Applications ( Ichas )1486 Words   |  6 Pagesare internet-based patient centered support systems designed to enhance patient-clinician partnerships. Variable differences between the presentations of symptoms can impact a patient’s subjective experience of illness. Frequent questions and concerns about symptom management and self-care increase the demand for health care services. The rising demand for interactive healthcare calls for advanced tools to provide reliable advice, education, and social support that can help patients actively participateRead MorePain Management in the Oncology Patient1605 Words   |  6 PagesPain Management in the Oncology Patient â€Æ' Title of research article Gropelli, T., Sharer, J. (2013). Nurses Perceptions of Pain Management in Older Adults. MEDSURG Nursing, 22(6), 375-382. Type of research study Qualitative Purpose of study The purpose of this study was to focus on nurses’ perceptions about chronic and acute pain in long-term care. Limited research exists regarding the attitudes of pain management and there is a need indicated to focus on nurses’ perceptions about chronicRead MoreContinuity Of Care For Different Multi Disciplinary Teams Essay1667 Words   |  7 Pagesfrom the point of view of patients and providers. It is mainly related to the satisfaction of patients with both facets of interpersonal and coordination of care. Traditionally, continuity of health care is perceived as the endless relationship between the patients and identified health care providers. However, continuity of care cannot be evaluated mainly through the experiences and testimonials of patients because it is entangled to other aspects such as case management and multidisciplinary teamRead MoreCare And The Cancer Patient1577 Words   |  7 PagesAND THE CANCER PATIENT Approach to Care and the Cancer Patient Jennifer Swartz Grand Canyon University NRS 410 October 28, 2012 Approach to Care and the Cancer Patient â€Å"When it comes to cancer care, studies suggest that survival rates improve for patients when they are cared for by a multidisciplinary team† (Approach to Care, 2012, p. 1). This quote from the Wilmot Cancer Center’s article on how to approach care with cancer patients sums up two key pieces in approaching cancer care. FirstRead MoreEssay on Mens Health 1674 Words   |  7 Pagesis defined as the holistic management of health conditions and risks that are most common or specific to men in order to promote optimal physical, emotional and social health’. Male sexual health is important, however, men’s health goes beyond sexual and reproductive health (The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners 2007). Skills are developed by nurses allowing them to treat patients in all of the different levels of disease prevention. By conducting a patient health assessment a nurse

Friday, December 20, 2019

We Must Reform Our Criminal Justice System Essay - 2372 Words

Hillary Clinton said, We can do better. We can not ignore the inequalities that persist in our justice system that undermine our most deeply held values of fairness and equality. She was correct in her statement, we need to reform our criminal justice system because it is highly lacking in fairness and equality. 2.38 million Americans are in prison, with another five million on probation or parole. 1 in 31 adults in the United States are in jail, prison, or on probation or parole. (Ferner) The populations of our prison are increasing, while trust in law enforcers is declining, and if we want to solve the inequalities we must reform parts of our criminal justice system. We should reform our criminal justice system to fix the inequalities of mandatory sentences, bail, and we should create reentry programs to help released inmates stay crime free. In the past years we have seen many riots and debates over the racism and inequalities in our criminal justice system. We have heard story after story, and watched video after video of police brutality and racism in America. We saw the unfair outcome of the Zimmerman and Treyvon Martin case. When George Zimmerman followed Treyvon Martin, a seventeen year old African American boy who was walking around the neighborhood, just because he looked suspicious to him. Even after notifying the police, Zimmerman followed Martin and ended up shooting him, after Zimmerman had hung up with the dispatcher who told him they did not need himShow MoreRelatedWe Must Reform Our Criminal Justice System Essay1903 Words   |  8 Pagessaid, We can do better. We cannot ignore the inequalities that persist in our justice system that undermine our most deeply held values of fairness and equality. She was correct in her statement, we need to reform our criminal justice system due to it highly lacking in fair ness and equality. 2.38 million Americans are in prison, with another five million on probation or parole. 1 in 31 adults in the United States are in jail, prison, or on probation or parole. (Ferner) The populations of our prisonRead MoreNational Prescription Drug Take Back Day1477 Words   |  6 PagesSaturday September 26, 2015 or so called National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a small part of the up and coming criminal ­justice reform that the nation has been raving about. From the war on drugs, to the prison system; the president along with congressmen and woman have been discussing this so called â€Å"reform†. Take Back Day plays a small part in the want to dispose properly of leftover drugs which can be hazardous to the environment and not allowing unused medications to be distributedRead MoreThe Myth Of Police Reform1518 Words   |  7 Pagespolice reform, many agree that our country is long overdue for it, however, the questions are how exactly do we, as a nation, go about changing one of the most powerful structures to exist in the country. While some believe that reform must come from within the individually flawed police departments, others argue that the entire criminal justice system needs an overhaul. In this Response essay about Ta-Nehisti Coastes’ essay â€Å"The Myth of Police Reform,† Coates is saying, that the criminal-justice systemRead MoreDiversion Programmes And Access Of Mental Health Facilities1106 Words   |  5 Pagescorrect this situation, diversion programmes must be able to transfer mentally ill prisoners to mental health care facilities. These techniques allow individuals to be placed in an appropriate environment where treatment can be much more effective. (18) Although such techniques exist within Australian jurisdictions, they are only useful when there are practical alternatives offered. (18) Due to the limited facilities available, diversion techniques must be extremely effective at treating mental disordersRead MoreAnalysis Of The Cycle Of Juvenile Justice1342 Words   |  6 PagesRunning head: CYCLE JUVENILE JUSTICE​ ​1 Analysis of the Cycle of Juvenile Justice Theory Name School ​​ Professor Class Date Analysis of the Cycle of Juvenile Justice Theory ​In the text, Thomas Bernard examines the cyclical nature of the juvenile justice system (Weisheit Culbertson, 2000, p. 13-31). The author posits that the implementation of juvenile justice is constantly swinging from one extreme to the other based, largely, on the public’s perceptionRead MoreEssay on The Mission of the Correctional System 1218 Words   |  5 PagesThe correctional system has three main goals: punish, protect the community and rehabilitate the offender. However, it is unclear how well the modern U.S correctional system achieves these goals and whether the money invested in the correctional system might be better spent. These are some of the points I will cover regarding what I think about the correctional system. Department of Corrections is an agency of the state that is responsible for the supervision and management of convicted felonsRead More2.3 Conclusion:. The Aim Of Criminal Law Is To Protect1463 Words   |  6 Pages2.3 Conclusion: The aim of criminal law is to protect the rights of the individuals and to safeguard the weak against the strong, law abiding against lawless and peaceful against violent. The state has prescribed certain rules of conduct, sanctions for their violations and machinery to enforce sanctions and procedure to protect that machinery. If men were angels no government would be necessary. Read More U.S. Criminal Justice System Essay1006 Words   |  5 Pages U.S. Criminal Justice System In order to keep a safe society, it is important to establish a nation with good education to teach people judging from right or wrong , excellent police force to keep our street safe, and most of all, a good criminal justice system to carry out the justice. United States is a place with little crimes, a nation with nice houses, beautiful beaches, and expensive shops without property just like what I seen in the American movies in my opinion before I arrivedRead MoreCrime in the United States1052 Words   |  5 Pagesthe entire world by far. For most of my life I have always believed that the American justice system worked. When people do wrong they need to be punished and pay for their crimes. That is what our justice system is here for so how could is possibly go wrong? Unfortunetly it is not as simple as it sounds and all it takes is a little research to discover why. Before researching the U.S. criminal justice system, I would never have considered the fact that the U.S. has the worst prison populationRead MoreA Report On The United States s Nationwide Prison Population748 Words   |  3 Pagesharsher punishments for non-violent crimes, resulting in more than  1.57 million  inmates being imprisoned in federal, state, and local prisons and jails at any given time. In addition, an estimated 12 million Americans cycle through the U.S judicial system for se ntences less than one year in length, raising the estimated overall imprisonment rate, at any given date, to 2.4 million. These inmates, in addition to those barred from voting due to past felony convictions, make up approximately 2.5 percent

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Social interaction free essay sample

Essay Question – Which is more important in shaping individual identity: social structure or social interaction? In the past the idea of identity was easily defined, people knew who they were as defined by their traditions and religion. Identities were shared and people existed as part of a community where identity was established and integrated in a natural order. However, as capitalism developed and modern societies rapidly changed, so did people’s view of themselves. Today people change their identities in a chameleon like way in search of their ‘true selves’ moulding into the situations they find themselves (Macionis Plummer 2012, pp.228-229). The question therefore remains, how does a person’s individual identity develop? This essay examines whether individual identity is shaped by our social interactions within our immediate environment or by the structures that make up our broader social context by examining past sociological theoretical perspectives. The argument will surmise that an individual’s identity is neither a result of social interaction or social structure independently, rather, that our identity is formed by both, dependently in different situations and times in our lives. Identity is about belonging, it is about what you have in common but also about what differentiates you from others in combination with your social relationships (Weeks, cited in Macionis Plummer 2012, p.228). There has often been a distinction made between individual and collective identity as distinct from one another, the former being unique to oneself and how one differs, the latter being shared by the greater collectively and how one is similar. Both have typically been accepted as uniquely independent (Jenkins 2008, pp.37-38). Recent views suggest that both emerge out of similarity and difference to make up our individual identity. From a macro sociological perspective identity is shaped by the outer, the greater systems and structures to which we are immersed in. From a micro sociological perspective identity is shaped by the inner, how we feel about and relate to ourselves and others. According to Back et al. (2012, p.97) we are not born with an existing conscious perception of ourselves, rather we learn this through our bodily experience and social interaction. This is socialisation  and it takes on a very important role. It is through these interactions, signs and symbols that identities are formed. Charles Horton Cooley and George Herbert Mead were two of the first symbolic interactionists. Symbolic interationalists study how people use symbols to make sense of their world and communicate with others. They posit that people evaluate themselves by comparing themselves to others (Henslin, Possamai, Possamai- Inesedy 2011, pp.26-27). Cooley believed that the self was socially created through interaction. The term he phrased the ‘looking-glass self’ encompasses three elements, firstly; imagining how we appear to the people around us, then interpreting their reactions, and finally developing our self-concept as a result. This can either be a positive or negative self-concept depending on the interpretation and even if this interpretation is inaccurate it still forms the basis of how we see ourselves (Henslin, Possamai, Possamai- Inesedy 2011, p.55). Similarly, Mead states that there cannot be a core self as distinct from the self that emerges through social experience. Mead’s argument is that social interaction is essential to gaining a sense of oneself and he believed that human behaviour was learnt as a result of social interaction (Germov Poole 2011, p.40). Mead’s concept of self is that self is inseparable from society, and this social interaction involves looking at ourselves as others would see us (Macionis Plummer 2012, p.214). Accordingly, the self has two components; the ‘I’ and ‘me’. The ‘I’ is the self as subject, the active part of self that responds to others, whereas the ‘me’ is the self as object, the part that is interactive with others (Henslin, Possamai, Possamai- Inesedy 2011, p.56). Irving Goffman (1959) also surmised that we act differently in different situations and this is what forms the basis of his dramaturgical analysis. He believed that socialisation consists of learning to perform on a stage and likened everyday life to acting out roles in a play. Goffman states that we have front and back stages, meaning we have a self-image and an image we portray to the public and the efforts we employ to manage these images is what he called impression management. At any point in time we may have a number of roles whether this is mother, student or employee, and how we perceive ourselves and what we present to others differs at any given time depending on the role we take on (Henslin, Possamai, Possamai- Inesedy 2011, p.90). This social interaction is what he suggests is a form of maintaining one’s  face or a particular mask we put on to present ourselves in a socially desirable way. This is what is termed the interaction order (Germov Poole 2011, p.41). The view that social interaction is important to identity can be supported by evidence contextualised in the nature; nurture debate. This has been shown through the discovery of feral children who later become assimilated into regular life. Feral children who have been left with little or no human contact are often unable to function as social beings (Henslin, Possamai, Possamai- Inesedy 2011, p.53; Macionis Plummer 2012, pp.209-211). This supports the notion that social interaction is central to individual identity in that the self develops as we gain a sense of others. However, to suggest that social interaction is the only input to developing identity has been criticised as missing the broader macro level influence. Alternate theories presented by Emile Durkheim, Talcott Parsons and Herbert Spencer address this. From the perspective of Durkheim and Parsons the identity emerges not from social interaction, but from social structure. While Cooley, Mead and Goffman focus on the up close face to face study of social life, Durkheim and Parsons explore the larger scale social structures such as state and economy. This perspective suggests that we are influenced by the social structure in which we find ourselves. Social structure refers to the framework in which societies exist and the way in which society is organised with typical group patterns which shape behaviour (Henslin, Possamai, Possamai- Inesedy 2011, p.77). Social structures include social institutions, culture, social class and status as well as the groups to which we belong and these can differ by society. Durkheim believed that patterns of behaviour form structures and that society is rooted in collective life. His functionalist approach suggests that social order is maintained through the sum of all the functioning parts and individuals are moulded by the broader social structures and systems in which they exist. We as individuals when faced with temptations are reeled in by the constraints of society as it regulates us through moral discipline (Macionis Plummer 2012, p.125). Parsons theory of structural functionalism was based on the works of Durkheim and Weber. Parsons believed that society is an organism made up of interrelated parts where social structures are dependent on each other and in order for society to function smoothly these parts must work together. He purported that any social system has four functional  prerequisites and these are the problems that society must solve to survive (Parsons 1996, p.23). Similarly, Spencer saw the social as a functioning structure. He argues that societies have functioning structures just as bodies do and these structures evolve over time much like the body grows and adapts to the environment (Plummer 2010, pp.32-33). However, debate continues over whether structure in itself can solely be responsible for how one defines their identity. Criticism of the functionalist approach is that we are not merely puppets or prisoners of the societies in which we find ourselves whose behaviour is bound by the forces at hand. More recent theories suggest that both structure and interaction merge to form identity whether this is individual or collective as how we define ourselves within a group. In Giddens theory of structuration which he defines as the structuring of social relations across time and space, in virtue of the duality of structure (Giddens 1984, p. 376), he suggests that human agency and social structure are in a relationship with each other; that structures can only exist in and through social action. This duality of structure refers to the fact that structures are both produced by, as well as the medium of human action (Craib 2011, pp.29-34). This means that whilst a social structure exists with its institutions, social classes and established ways of doing things; these can also be produced, reproduced or transformed. However, as individuals we are also not limitless in our actions. Giddens draws an anology to ‘language as a structure’; whilst there are rules of syntax which govern the reproduction of speech, they also generate the totality of speech-acts, being language (Giddens, cited in Craib 2011, p.29). Those that break the rules face consequences and this is the same as social life. We are governed by unconscious rules of social order to which we adhere to or face rejection. In conclusion, whilst there has been much debate over whether social structure or social interaction is more important in shaping individual identity, both are equally important. When looking at society as it is today, we cannot solely look to one theorist’s viewpoint to explain the complexity of identity. Each viewpoint unto itself cannot explain individual identity in its entirety. Whilst Cooley, Mead, and Goffman’s perspectives offer clear reasons for interaction being significant in forming identity particularly when looking at socialisation processes, we cannot dismiss the structural perspectives of  Durkheim and Parsons as central to the formation of identity. Giddens dichotomy seems to point us in the right direction. We must consider that human agency and social structure are in relationship to one another and as such are central to the formation of individual identity. Humans are not passively accepting of structure, or solitary beings, we all engage in social interaction with others which shifts and guides the structures in which we find ourselves and helps us to form our individual identities.