Development Through the Life Stages Essay

Vocational Context Task 1 & 2. (P2 & P3) Imagine you have been writing about the life of you chosen celebrity for a magazine. The editor of the magazine has now asked you to describe the effect that five life factors have had on two life stages your chosen person has experienced. You will already have found out about some of the experiences your celebrity has had during two stages of their life. Your two stages are most likely to be chosen from childhood, adolescence or adulthood. You now have to imagine how the following factors may have influenced the individual: †¢ the person’s genetic background and early biological experiences †¢ the person’s general environment during these stages †¢ the social and economic circumstances of the individual’s family or carers †¢ the person’s lifestyle or the lifestyle of their family †¢ the impact of major life events. Task 3 (P4, P5, M2, M3, D2) In your role as a reporter for a magazine, you now need to write about the life of your chosen celebrity as they grow older. You must imagine some of the physical and psychological changes that could affect the person in the future. You will also need to explain two theories of ageing such as disengagement and activity theory. The Brief Task 1 (P2) – Written report ( use scenario given) Explain the potential effects of five different life factors, on the development of an individual. Life factors: genetic, eg predisposition to particular conditions, cystic fibrosis, coeliac disease, asthma, brittle bone disease, rheumatic disease; biological, eg foetal alcohol syndrome, maternal infections, effects of diet in pregnancy; environmental, eg exposure to pollution, damp/overcrowded housing, access to recreational facilities, access to health and social care services, bullying, family dysfunction, effects of culture, religion and beliefs, effects of discrimination; socioeconomic, eg income, expenditure, education, values and attitudes, peer groups, employment status; lifestyle, eg nutrition and dietary choices, alcohol intake, use and misuse of substances Task 2 (P3) – Written report Explain the influences of two predictable and two unpredictable major life events on the development of an individual. Major life events: differences in effect of predictable and unpredictable events; eg the birth of a sibling, leaving home, leaving care, leaving prison, serious injury, illness, starting school/nursery, beginning and changing employment, redundancy, bereavement, marriage, parenthood, divorce; the interrelationship between factors Task 3 (P4, P5, M2, M3, D2) (use scenario given in vocational context) Explain two theories of ageing (use scenario given in vocational context) (P4) Discuss two major theories of ageing in relation to the development of the individual (M2) Evaluate the influence of two major theories of ageing on health and social care provision.(D2) Explain the physical and psychological changes which may be associated with ageing.(P5) Discuss the effects on self-esteem and self- confidence of the physical changes associated with ageing. (M3) Physical changes: hormones; menopause; cardiovascular system, eg atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease; respiratory system, eg emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; nervous system, eg motor neurone disease, degeneration of the sense organs, degeneration of the nervous tissue, cognitive changes; muscular-skeletal, eg rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, effects of degenerative disease, muscle wasting due to poor absorption of nutrients; skin, eg loss of elasticity, effects of exposure to ultra violet rays, effects of smoking; the effects of illnesses that are more common in ageing Psychological changes: effects on confidence; effects on self-esteem; effects of ageism; effects of, eg role changes, loss of a partner, retirement, increased leisure time, financial concerns, culture, religion, beliefs; theories of ageing, eg social disengagement, activity theory; application to current health and social care provision Grading Criteria. Evidence What you have to do P2 Explain the potential effects of five different life factors on the development of an individual Written report Written report Written report You are unlikely to have any genetic or biological information about your celebrity. Even the person you are writing about is unlikely to know much about their own biological background. However you can collect information on general issues associated with genetics and biological influences. For example you could discuss the fact that genetic influences interact with the environment to create people with different body shapes, sizes and personalities. Your research may have given you some information on the person’s past environment, their socioeconomic background, lifestyle and perhaps some of the major life events that happened to them. You can use this information to help assemble a fact file that will explain how these different life factors could have influenced the development of this individual. You may be able to explain how predictable and unpredictable events have influenced this person using the persons own story. If not, then you should try to imagine how events such as starting school or work, and setbacks such as illness or career difficulties, may have influenced the celebrity you are writing about. To achieve P4 you could choose to explain disengagement and activity theory or you could research alternative theories such as continuity theory. P3  Explain the influences of two predictable and two unpredictable major life events on the development of an individual P4 Explain two theories of ageing M2 Discuss two major theories of ageing in relation to the development of the individual Written report To achieve M2 you need to discuss the degree to which your celebrity might disengage or stay actively involved with social activities as they become older. You might like to consider the role of continuity (how important it will be for your celebrity to keep their interests) when you discuss disengagement and activity theory. Evaluate the influence of two major theories of ageing on health and social care provision. Written report To achieve D2 you should evaluate how theories of ageing influence health and social care provision. If your celebrity was being supported at home or in care would they be supported to maintain continuity with their past? Would they be expected to withdraw, or would they be encouraged to remain active in order to prevent excessive disengagement P5 Explain the physical and psychological changes which may be associated with ageing. Written report To achieve P5 it will be important to use creative thinking and consider different possibilities. Some older people may no longer want to appear in public or be photographed. Other people will continue to develop their celebrity status. Some people are celebrities because they have overcome serious difficulties in their lives. These people might cope effectively with the challenges of later life. You can discuss the different possibilities that the future may hold within your fact file M3 Discuss the effects on self-esteem and self- confidence of the physical changes associated with ageing. Written report To achieve M3 you will need to discuss how these changes could affect your celebrity’s self esteem and self confidence