In the straight story Essay Example

adults suffer from poor health due to neglecting their physical and mental well-being earlier in life, the speaker cites their neighbor as an example. The neighbor may not have had a happy old age if she had been as negligent as others. "The Straight Story" depicts how a young woman who had run away takes Alvin's advice regarding family values.

The lecture notes suggest that older individuals are perceived as disconnected from younger generations and therefore incapable of understanding them. The speaker poses the question of whether young people view older individuals as knowledgeable and heed their advice, or find it unrealistic in today's world. The friend responds by noting that the youth of today experience rapid changes in ideas, morals, and technology, which may be difficult to adapt to. Some may believe that older individuals cannot comprehend their experiences; however, they generally still value their advice even if not always following it.

According to her perspective, young people are not unresponsive to advice because they do not consider it seriously but rather due to their inclination towards temptation and curiosity for novel experiences. I concur with her viewpoint, which portrays a pessimistic stereotype of grown-ups. They are often portrayed as being disconnected from the current times owing to memory loss and an inability to learn new things. This notion is further strengthened by the belief that they are inflexible in their thinking and isolated from society. Additionally, it is widely assumed that their fashion sense, values, and ideas are obsolete. According to the lecture notes, older adults can be seen as a burden on society at times, particularly when they fall ill.

After watching "The Straight

Story," I pondered about my friend's fear of falling ill and becoming dependent on her family. Alvin in the film concealed his physical difficulties from his daughter due to apprehension over vulnerability, which led me to ask my friend if she was scared of becoming a burden on her loved ones. Her response revealed that she did indeed fear getting sick and suffering a painful death. She wanted to avoid being bedridden and relying on others while waiting for the end, as well as not wanting her family to expend their time and resources in taking care of her. Despite these worries, she strived to reject negative expectations.

The idea of death and aging can be overwhelming, but some find solace in the knowledge that many adults pass away peacefully or without much discomfort. Prayer is one way an individual copes with this fear. Although more elderly individuals are being placed in nursing homes and needing long-term care, this person remains hopeful about their own future as they have supportive family members and strong relationships that alleviate concerns of becoming a burden on others.

Question 4: In a conversation between Alvin and an adult about their negative experiences in the army, it was noted that most individuals simply want to forget such experiences. However, according to lecture notes, adults often gain wisdom from their past experiences. With this in mind, the question arises: would you rather forget your negative experiences or share them with others to learn from them? An elderly neighbor shared that as time has passed, her past negative experiences seem less severe and she believes everything happens for a reason. Consequently, she has no

problem sharing her mistakes and negative experiences if it may benefit others. Nevertheless, she tends to prefer discussing happier past memories over sad ones.

According to the lecture notes, the elderly can be interesting and sharing their experiences from their youth, whether good or bad, is one aspect that stands out. However, some adults may have had negative and painful experiences in their younger years, which may make them less willing to share their stories compared to others whose experiences were relatively less severe. The character of Alvin in the straight story does not follow medical advice or accept help when his lawn mower breaks down, indicating a sense of stubbornness and being set in his ways. This aligns with the negative stereotype of aging as noted in the lecture notes that suggests adults are perceived as resistant to change.

I am curious if it is true that there are still many things that an adult person should develop or not know. Therefore, my question is "Do you think that there are still many things that an adult person does not know or should develop in himself?" My neighbor believes that learning is a lifelong process and there are still things she wants to know and learn. She remains fascinated with life and new technology and seeks to stay updated with the world. She believes there is always room for improvement in life. I anticipate her response as she is a positive person who enjoys life.

Despite some of her peers sulking, she took steps to keep up-to-date in a minor manner. Her optimistic attitude puts her amongst the older generation who embody positive stereotypes. Some possible journal

questions to explore with Charlie, who has recently suffered a devastating loss in their family due to the 9/11 attacks, might include considering group therapy as a means of coping with the tragedy alongside other victims.

Charlie finds solace when he is in the company of other individuals who are also grieving, for this gives him an opportunity to express his emotions freely and to realize that he is not the only person who has been impacted by a tragic loss. It would be beneficial for Charlie's friend to accompany him to such gatherings in order to offer a supportive and empathic presence. Additionally, engaging in recreational or creative activities can provide temporary relief from grief, so any organizations or services that offer such opportunities would be valuable resources for Charlie. Collaborating with a friend on a diverting activity can also motivate him to continue pursuing his aspirations despite his sadness.

Attending religious gatherings could help Charlie gain a positive perspective on his experience. Improved accessibility for both the disabled and elderly is needed in school buildings or campuses. A parking space closer to the entrance should be provided for them, even if they cannot drive. Additionally, ramps should be constructed and elevators installed if the building has multiple floors.

One commonly overlooked problem is the requirement to make services, including the library, easily accessible for individuals with disabilities by placing them on the first floor. My efforts aim to increase awareness of this issue as it is astonishing how often disabled needs are ignored even in public places like schools. Furthermore, "The Straight Story" film challenges common stereotypes about aging by portraying older individuals as competent and

energetic rather than ill and confined to bed.

The film contests common stereotypes about aging and old people. It acknowledges the challenges that come with getting older, such as visual and mobility issues, but it portrays elderly individuals as generally not bedridden. Additionally, it refutes the notion that seniors primarily reside in nursing homes, featuring several who still live with their families. Finally, the film dispels the belief that older people are forgetful and reliant. Several characters, including Alvin, are shown to drive and perform various tasks without assistance.

The lecture discussed how elderly individuals residing in facilities, like Meadowlake in the story, are often viewed as burdensome due to perceived mental or physical disabilities. This belief is shared by many relatives who struggle with their loved ones' needs. As a social worker, it is my responsibility to aid families in managing this situation. Kirsten, the nurse mentioned in the story, gave Grant comprehensive information about his wife's condition, behavior, and potential solutions. This helped him prepare for changes in his wife's state of health. By providing accurate information and guidance, families can better handle the confusion and challenges that come with aging. For example, individuals such as Fiona may appear to forget their family members and cause distress for everyone involved.

To effectively understand and address the issues of old age and their related behaviors, moods, and illnesses, one must possess sufficient knowledge on the matter. One movie which successfully tackles a related issue is the thought-provoking film "Crash." The movie not only delves into the motivations behind racism, but it also highlights its individual and societal impacts. A major aspect of racism is personal frustration, as

exemplified by Officer Ryan who attributed his outburst to his father's losses in supporting black individuals.

Despite harboring animosity towards black people and blaming them for his father's troubles, the protagonist does display genuine concern for their well-being. This is evident in his selfless act of saving Christine Thayer, a black woman whom he had previously mistreated in the presence of her husband. Similarly, Jean Cabot, who held suspicion towards other races and grew irritated with her Spanish or Mexican housekeeper, later revealed that her anger was not directed towards racial groups.

Anthony believes that racial discrimination caused a delay in receiving his coffee at a restaurant, which illustrates how racism can be used as a means of blaming others for life's challenges. Additionally, prejudice can lead to baseless suspicions, as demonstrated by Daniel's suggestion to Farhad, who accused him of attempting to deceive him when he proposed changing the door rather than just the lock. In short, racism and prejudice can be used to rationalize negative experiences or justify unfounded suspicions.

Despite being an honest man, Daniel had to move to a new neighborhood to escape from dangerous people in his previous residence. Unfortunately, he was wrongly accused of copying door keys for the purpose of stealing. This is just one example of how racism can make life challenging for responsible individuals who are forced to compromise their values or face the consequences. Graham Waters experienced this firsthand when a racist white man pressured him to deceive others for the sake of his brother.

The exploration of the root of racism in the movie highlights the lack of understanding of others and ourselves as the cause

for it.