The Effects on Substance Abuse on Unborn Children free essay sample

The Effects of Substance Abuse on Unborn Children Substance abuse is a problem that many pregnant women in the United States struggle with. Substance abuse is defined as the overindulgence in and the dependence on an addictive substance, especially alcohol or a narcotic drug. Generally, pregnant addicts abuse multiple substances, using a combination of drugs to self medicate themselves. In addition, women are usually addicted to drugs or have issues with alcoholism before they become pregnant. Substance abusing women have also been shown to have histories of physical and sexual abuse dating back to childhood (Gale, 2003). Many of these women are in abusive relationships in which they tend to stay in throughout their addiction. In this case, the use of drugs helps to numb the addict’s pain of such abuse. Most of these women feel distrustful of people in general and therefore, have very little support from their peers. Drug dependence is a disease. We will write a custom essay sample on The Effects on Substance Abuse on Unborn Children or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Drug dependence is the habituation or addiction to the use of a drug or chemical substance, with or without physical dependence. It is extremely difficult for a woman to abstain, even if she does become pregnant. In addition, if a woman decides to seek treatment she may face many barriers. This paper will address the prenatal effects of drug dependence, barriers to treatment, social policy, and what a comprehensive treatment program provides to women who are addicted to drugs and who are also pregnant. Prenatal substance abuse is wrong because there is no question that it poses serious health risks to the fetus, but also poses problems for mother. The prenatal effects of drug addiction vary among the type of drugs that are used by the mother. These drugs include the licit drugs of alcohol and tobacco. Alcohol may produce Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS); a condition characterized by abnormal facial features, intrauterine growth retardation, and central nervous system problems (CDC, 2003). This can occur if a woman drinks during her pregnancy. Children with FAS may have physical disabilities and problems with learning, memory, attention, problem solving, and social/behavioral problems. Research has also shown that boys born to mothers who consumed alcohol during their pregnancies are more likely to develop attention deficit disorders and delinquent behavior (Rothman, 2000). Smoking also has many negative effects to the reproductive process; including impaired fertility, earlier menopause, increased risk of ectopic pregnancy, as well as placenta previa, abruption placenta, and premature rupture of the membranes (CDC, 2003). In severe cases, newborn children may die of acute intoxication. According to Dr. Mark Willenbring, the director of treatment and recovery research at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, recovering from this disease can be a long road. After a year of completing a treatment program, about a third of alcoholics are sober or can have a drink occasionally without problems. An additional forty percent show substantial improvement but still drink heavily on occasion; and twenty five percent have experienced a complete relapse (Bock). Tobacco use during pregnancy can be particularly harmful to the baby as well. Studies have shown that smoking a single pack of cigarettes during pregnancy can elevate the risks of nicotine dependency in children (Buka, Shenassa, Niaura, 2003). Research has also shown that a physiological link between maternal smoking during pregnancy and smoking among offspring is plausible because nicotine and other substances in cigarette smoke cross the placental barrier and may have direct and long-term effects on the neurological development of the fetus. The nicotine that passes from mother to fetus stimulates nicotinic receptors, which are present from the early stages of fetal development. This activity may cause permanent abnormalities in the brains dopaminergic regulation. These effects, which may occur even at low nicotine doses and in the absence of notable fetal abnormalities, may result in a greater liability to nicotine dependence than in those who have not been exposed to tobacco smoke in utero (Buka, Shenassa, Niaura, 2003). The second group of drugs, are categorized as illicit and include; heroin and crack/cocaine. Heroin is an illegal, highly addictive drug. It is both the most abused and the most rapidly acting of the opiates. Heroin, and methadone, a pharmacological replacement of heroin are both considered opiates. These drugs contribute to the development of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) occurring sixty to ninety percent of the time in opiate dependent infants (Jansson Velez, 1999). Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is a term for a group of problems a baby experiences when withdrawing from exposure to narcotics in-utero. However, since the drug is no longer available, the baby’s central nervous system becomes over-stimulated causing the symptoms of withdrawal. Although NAS symptoms and severity vary from child to child, many infants that are affected may display irritability, excessive crying, impaired sleeping and or feeding, fever, vomiting, frequent yawning, skin excoriation, hyperactivity, tremors, and seizures (Jansson Velez, 1999). NAS can be successfully managed with Phenobarbital; a non-narcotic sedative, Denatured Tincture of Opium (DTO); an effective narcotic replacement, combination therapy, and weaning therapy (Brown, 1998). Infants exposed to methadone in-utero may not have symptoms on the first day of life, and extreme symptoms may not appear until the third or fourth day of life. In addition, the higher the dose of methadone, the longer the duration before onset of symptoms, and the longer it will take to clear from the infant’s system. The effects of prenatal crack/cocaine on the fetus are not well understood. Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant that directly affects the brain. Crack, is the street name given to the freebase form of cocaine that has been processed to form to a smokeable substance. However many clinicians agree that preterm delivery, placenta abruption, low birth weight, and increased pregnancy loss are all increased in crack-using mothers and their infants. There is no true withdrawal syndrome among cocaine exposed newborns. However, they have been characterized as severely neuro-developmentally impaired, despite a lack of methodologically sound scientific evidence (Lester, 1998). Children of mothers who used cocaine during pregnancy may be more likely to experience delayed language development. Dr. Virginia Delaney-Black states that these children are 2. 4 times more likely to be in the low language ability group than those who are not exposed (Rothman, 2000). Drug dependent expecting mother often look to the community for support and treatment programs but find that many of these programs are male centered, they generally do not cater to women’s needs and may reject them due to their pregnancy (Gale, 2003). These women are left to navigate the public health system independently. Most medical training programs lack adequate education surrounding substance abuse and because of this many become punitive and judgmental towards this population. Another frequent barrier to care is the woman’s fear of criminal prosecution or the removal of her already existing children by the welfare system. Because women tend to withhold from telling medical caretakers of their addiction, this inhibits needed medical intervention in the form of substance abuse treatment or enhanced screening for medical complications associated with substance abuse nd pregnancy. Accessibility to the treatment facility poses as yet another barrier to care; transportation and childcare are vital necessities. Having to decide between the daily welfare of their children and the daily attendance at a drug treatment facility is an unfair choice to impose, and choosing one over the other will always be interpreted as a bad choice by the caretakers or society (Jansson Velez, 1999). Social policy h as recently contributed a fair solution in dealing with the issues of pregnancy and addiction. According to Berger Walfogel cases are referred to Child Protective Services (CPS) only if a child has been tested positive for drugs and there are indications that the mother or father cannot adequately take care of him or her. Children who test positive to being exposed to drugs in the womb are referred to a clinician for an assessment to determine whether or not they require a developmental intervention; such as home visiting by a nurse or social worker specializing in early intervention with substance-exposed children. In addition, the parents of these children are referred to substance abuse treatment programs for detoxification and recovery. With evidence, cases are referred to CPS only when the substance abuse treatment worker or home-health provider has concerns that warrant protective intervention. Lastly, screening is helpful to determine if an infant has been exposed prenatally to drugs. Screening also allows the physician to offer counsel and refer the mother for treatment prior to giving birth. Comprehensive treatment programs have been designed to fulfill the many needs of substance abusing women. Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in 1991 established the Center for Addiction and Pregnancy (CAP) to provide a multidisciplinary approach for the treatment of substance dependent women. CAP was the first gender specific treatment center in Maryland and it has served as a national model ever since. Their program offers easy accessibility to the center by providing transportation and childcare services. In addition, CAP offers residential and outpatient care, drug treatment and detoxification, individual and group therapy, educational classes, couples counseling, and outreach services. All infants born to CAP patients, including their older siblings, are eligible for pediatric care until the age of twenty-one regardless of their mother’s participation (Jansson Velez, 1999). CAP provides a one-stop shop to patients, with all their services located in one building. Their program accepts women that other programs do not want, such as women with behavioral problems and women who continually relapse. Only two restrictions apply to being a patient at CAP; women have to be pregnant and violence of any kind will not be tolerated. In addition, there are other treatment programs in Maryland modeled after CAP. Prince George’s County and the Eastern Shore both have programs that cater to the needs of pregnant addicts with the exception of services in one building. However, they do provide transportation to and from locations and also offer childcare services. Overall, the outcome of such women and their children vary from mother –infant dyad to another. Some children will be separated into foster care at birth, while others will be monitored while living with their mother and possibly their father in treatment programs. Some children start out in foster care and then move back home when evidence shows their mom and/or dad is sober and well into the recovery process. Other children may remain in foster care for the rest of their childhood and adolescence, possibly never knowing who their biological parents are. However, if the child is to remain with their drug dependent mother, the issue of abuse and/ or neglect can become a major problem. Characteristically, the drug dependent mother who is given responsibility for their child goes into a living situation where she is forced to assume total care. She rarely has the support of her family of origin, and if there is a man in the household, he rarely assumes responsibility for childcare. Whether the substances are licit or illicit, drug dependent women are less able to care for their infant or young child because they are simply not aware of what their needs are, as her consciousness is too frequently dulled by drugs. The dangers involved with taking drugs during a pregnancy involve health risks associated not only with the mother but also the unborn fetus and include complications that extend well into the newborn’s life. Therefore, when considering the welfare of children, the high prevalence of relapse found among drug dependent mothers needs to be taken into account. References Berger, L. M. , Walfogel, J. (2000). Prenatal Cocaine Exposure: Long-Run Effects and Policy Implications. Social Service Review, 30-47. Bock, J (December 15). Mom: Drunk, killer, victim. McClatchy Tribune Business

The Tale of Kieu

The Tale of Kieu â€Å"The Tale of Kieu† is a Vietnamese epic poem written by, Nguyá »â€¦n Du  (1766–1820). It is one of the most important pieces of Vietnamese literature. It is a moving story about a young Vietnamese girl named Kieu who attempts to undo the wrongs of her past life, by enduring hardships.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Tale of Kieu specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Through the story, we are drawn into the world of Vietnamese culture and way of life. The writer depicts injustice within the feudal system, after the dethroning of the Le Dynasty, and the status of women then. Even though the story is about 200 years old, it still holds true, as the plight of many young Vietnamese women is almost the same in today’s world. One of the main issues and controversies surrounding the story of the protagonist is morality. Many people consider this an immoral story, as it depicts the life of a prosti tute. On the contrary, this story lends a voice to millions of women across the globe that human trafficking is a horrendous crime that exists even in this sophisticated world. The Tale of Kieu† is a moral work as it depicts the hardship of a woman, who is forced into prostitution, to save her family from poverty, and betrayed by the men she loved. It exemplifies the plight of many young women who are trapped in slavery. The main protagonist Kieu is sold into prostitution and is constantly deceived by the men in her life. Despite this, she tries to maintain her dignity, and face her problems with determination. The author of the story focuses on the good as well as the bad aspects in the life of the protagonist. On many occasions in the story, we can see that Kieu is not an innocent character. But, this may be because of the fact that she has been wronged so many times in life, that she did what she thought right for her. She realized from her early day that she cannot trust a nyone in her life and that she has to look after herself for her survival. Many of her acts reveal that originally she is not a morally degraded woman. One cannot deny the moral act, when she refused Kim’s lustful designs on her, when they first met. As they were not married yet, she found it wrong to sleep with him, as maintaining chastity till marriage was the right, moral action for any woman. They were deeply in love with and initially when each other, kim professes his love for her, she replies, â€Å"ll etch your word, our troth, in stone and bronze (Du). But, at the same time, she goes back on her vows, as she bends to the circumstance of her life rather than upholding her vows. Even though she fails to keep her promise to her true love, she is dutiful to her father, and she sacrifices herself to save her family from poverty and prison. Her sacrifice to save her family from hardship and poverty is nerve wrecking. Throughout her ordeals, she is used and abused by men. Yet she remains duty found, and responsible to her family. When she is visited by a ghost who reminds her about her bad â€Å"karma† and when she foresees her doom, she says,Advertising Looking for essay on literature languages? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More â€Å"How sorrowful is woman’s lot! How sternly fate will deal with all of us!† (Du par. 2). We can see that her fall is not her doing. It is the pressure of circumstances that make her immoral. Many people could relate this to their surroundings, as there are many in the same circumstance as Kieu. Through Kieu’s story the author reveals the hard realities of life. Life has its own course as it is already scripted. Kieu represents those who are born to sacrifice everything in life, for their family. Even though, the protagonist tries to be virtuous, her circumstances in life do not allow her to be the person she wants to be. Fate ha s other things in store for her. Kieu is not an immoral woman, but just a victim of her fate. Du, Nguyen. The Tale of Kieu. Paper Masters. A Division of E World Publishing, Inc. Web.

Human Trafficking Policies in Australia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Human Trafficking Policies in Australia - Essay Example This paper stresses that the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime Convention (UNTOC) protocol and the United Nations Convention on Refugees prevents states from denying entry to people needing protection due to dangerous situations in the country of origin. However, Australia receives many asylum seekers from Asia and Europe and as a result its human trafficking policies are geared towards preventing asylum seekers from entering the country through mandatory detention, lengthy processes by use of swap deals, and a discriminatory visa regime. The paper will discuss the controversial application of these policies and make recommendations on the appropriate policies to eliminate or reduce asylum seekers. According to the paper Australia is one of the countries that ratified the United Nations Convention on Refugees in 1954. The convention prohibits countries from returning asylum seekers or refugees to a place they would be further persecuted. Asylum seekers are those fleeing from their country to avoid racial, ethnic or religious persecution, internal conflicts, mass human rights violations, and foreign aggression. The convention also prohibits states from punishing asylum seekers who enter the country illegally or through smuggling. The asylum seekers are scrutinized by the UNHCR and given refuge status and those that don’t qualify are deported. However, there are those that enter to another country for economic reasons making it difficult to differentiate those needing protection and economic migrants.  

Case analysis paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Case analysis paper - Essay Example Howard was of a humble background and little was known about him in his early years. He studied in a poor school and his life had financial challenges that at one point he was even selling blood and bartending just to make ends meet (Schultz 25). He later grew to become a great salesman and switched from his career as vice president of a Swedish kitchen equipment firm to help the Starbucks stores grow their business. He worked on expanding this business, which he successfully did until the owners sold the whole Starbucks Company to him. Howard has been a true inspiration of how hard work and determination are necessary requirements for the growth and expansion of any business (Schultz 30). He has endured threats and trying times but his company is still among the best to this day. Many critics opposed his expansion plans to cities such as Chicago and Los Angeles but his sheer determination and persistence saw him become a top brand countrywide in a few years. We see that this man was not only making a difference in his life but was also focused on improving the lives of all around him (Schultz 40). Howard Schultz has devoted much of his time to corporate responsibility and has been very keen on making sure that his employees are happy at the work place. To evaluate the performance of this highly successful company, we are going to use the SWOT analysis on Starbucks. Among its strengths is the fact that Starbucks has built its name to be a brand name in the coffee business in the United States and globally. This is due to its specialty in the coffee sector (Schultz 50). The company CEO Howard Schultz is also a barista. This is important due to the fact that this implies he has expert knowledge of the services he is providing to his customers. He is able to relate with his employees as well. Among the other strengths is the huge customer loyalty base the Starbucks has attracted. These customers are willing to

Intercultural communication Essay Example for Free

Intercultural communication Essay The only way for Africa to rise out from the ruins of its social conflicts is to drop its notions of finding a scapegoat. There will always be good days and bad days. Equality in every aspect of human life is an ideal dream. Progress varies among people. Instead of pulling people down, assistance should be given to individuals who are in need. It is a way of giving back what is due for the person. African citizens should not look at foreigners as a threat. They must look at the new individuals as helpers in the establishment of growth and development. â€Å"There has been an increasing awareness towards racism throughout the southern Africa, due to land conflicts and resource-based racial tensions, as well as the increasing number of refugees and migrants that have challenged national governments to be more incisive in their policies concerning racial relations and immigration† (Pinto, 2000). Immigrants must be considered as hard working individuals who are simply out to make their lives harmonious and comfortable. The turmoil in the African region can only be solved with a thorough understanding of the consequences brought upon by the implementation of harsh and cruel methods. Bloodshed is not necessary. Senseless killings have nothing to contribute to the society. Engaging in the hate campaign will bring agony not only to the victims but to the perpetrators as well. People who brandish their firearms and fire them recklessly have no motivation at all. Because of the ongoing racial conflict, education has fallen out of radar. There are numerous significant things to do which hatred and violence have taken out of the picture. Africa and the rest of the world can be progressive. By eliminating the ill feeling being harbored by individuals towards their fellowmen, new ways of stabilizing a society can be achieved and manifested. People must concentrate on what is good. Good things bear good fruits. Hatred has no place in the present world if peace and stability is to be attained. It takes courage and determination to eliminate the element of hate from destroying the unity and affection among people. The violence in Africa is a prime example of respect. The influx of foreigners into neighboring lands can lead to cooperation. It is true that a diversity of different cultural backgrounds can be difficult to incorporate together. But by respecting and understanding other people’s cultural heritage and traditions can bring significant results. CONCLUSION The violence in Africa is a senseless method of self preservation. It is an act that does not promote human preservation as a whole. Citizens are threatened by the numerous populations that seek refuge in a continent already suffering from various social concerns. In the past, war among clans and tribes is common. Leaders are out to grab power. Individuals want to control parts of the land. The problem with people around the world is that they are too consumed by their emotions. Hatred has found a common ground for it to build momentum. â€Å"The attitude of racism is based on prejudice, which is more emotion, feeling and bias than it is judgments† (Vorster, 2002). By entertaining the thought of inflicting harm over the other person to gain an upper hand, violence is sure to explode, just as it erupts in the streets and vast lands of Africa. BIBLIOGRAPHY Barrow, G.. South Africa’s New Racism. BBC News. (2000, August 28). Retrieved October 1, 2007 from http://news. bbc. co. uk/1/hi/world/africa/899543. stm Pinto, R.. Racism and Xenophobia Debate Gains Momentum. Southern African News Features. (2000, October 16). Retrieved October 1, 2007 from http://www. sardc. net/editorial/sanf/2000/Iss19/Nf4. html Vorster, J. M.. Racism, Xenophobia and Human Rights. The Ecumenical Review. (2002, July). Retrieved October 1, 2007 from http://findarticles. com/p/articles/mi_m2065/is_3_54/ai_92136475 UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Attacks on Somalis Expose Xenophobia. IRIN. (2007, October). Retrieved October 1, 2007 from http://www. irinnews. org/report. aspx? reportid=60776 Zabalaza Anarchist Communist Federation. Xenophobia, Solidarity and the Struggle of Zimbabwe. (2006, December 11). Retrieved October 1, 2007 from http://www. anarkismo. net/newswire. php? story_id=4424.

?Dead Poets society? :: essays research papers

â€Å"Dead Poets society† In the film â€Å"Dead Poets Society†, dir. Peter Weir, we can see vivid pictures from the life at Welton, a very old and traditional boys school. The action is taking place in 1950s. It is predominantly viewed by the eyes of Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawk), newcomer, who is very shy and timid and is under the pressure because of his elder brother, who was successful and popular student of Welton. He and his classmates Knox, Max, Neil Perry and the others, came here to get a classical education and they were expected so. But everything had changed when a new literature teacher, Mr. John Keating (Robin Williams), came. He graduated here and came to teach here. But he taught another way, his methods absolutely differed from those of other teachers and from the spirit of the school in a whole. He was trying to teach them out of the textbooks. He loved poetry very much and wanted his students to love it too and he believed that it would help them in their future life. And Todd, Neil an d the whole class loved him very much. They discover that while studying there, Mr. Keating organized the â€Å"Dead poets society† and decide to continue this â€Å"society†. In the secret from the whole school they get together in a cave at nights, smoked, read poetry and spoke About everything: poetry, girls, philosophy, about the life in a whole. But the principal doesn’t share the student’s admiration of their teacher. Especially after the fact that Neil Perry killed himself because he wanted to be an actor but his father didn’t allow him. He wanted his son to be a doctor. And the administration saw (or wanted to see) here the influence of Mr. Keating and his lessons. All the members of the â€Å"society† were punished and Mr. Keating – dismissed. But in the final scene, when he come to take his belongings, some his students stand up at the desks to show their protest and solidarity with their favorite teacher. In this film Peter Weir in a masterly way showed the conflict between hypocrisy spirit of Welton and fresh jet of Keating’s philosophy. In a broad meaning it can be considered as a conflict between romantism and realism, between the way we would like to live and the way we live, the real life and how should we do with this problem.

Gender Stereotypical Attitudes Past Essay

It has been generally observed that workplace attitudes on gender have continued to influence decisions and direct actions in organizations. These attitudes have tended to be directed more at women than men. The result has been a hindrance in the effective participation of women in decision-making at the workplace. Most men, and sadly women, have had the opinion that women lack the ability to function in management positions that require strategic decision making within the organization. They are said to lack the ability to decide on their feet, as somebody would put it. Research findings unfortunately seem to point at the existence of this sad scenario in most organizations. A research carried out by Wood (2008) provides a lot of insightful information on the effect of gender stereotyping of women at the work place. Out of a total of 30 respondents selected for this study, there were 19 men and 11 women, who happened to be in various management positions in their organizations. It is interesting to note the gender stereotyping began right from the sampling. One wonders why the researchers decided to use 19 male and 11 female managers and not 15 male and 15 female managers. A good number of the female managers in the US felt it would take over 10 years for women to achieve equal representation with men in terms of job placement. A number of male respondents from the US shared a similar view and supported his position by submitting that in the organisation where he works, there are very few women, and even then most of them take long durations in lower positions. Some female respondents were of the opinion that it would take more than a decade for women to realize 50% representation in senior management positions. A female respondent was of the opinion that 50% representation might not be realized. She however opined that this was not because women lacked the ability to perform in these high positions, but because they were not simply interested in taking up such positions. This position is tandem with the respondents who were asked if they aspired to be promoted. Whereas 68% of the men said they aspired for promotion, only 55% of the women were willing to be promoted. It is however unclear whether their lack of aspiration is due to lack of skills, knowledge and abilities. Whereas 58% of the men said that they had successfully achieved promotion, only 27% of the women shared this position. It is however debatable whether their failure to secure promotion was based on their lack of interest, lack of ability or because of their smaller number in organizations. It would appear that children hinder women from aspiring for management positions because one respondent said that women who wish to get these positions put off bearing children. Some respondents said that senior management positions are not open to everybody, but to a small clique of old boys who operate like a closed shop. Breaking into this network requires people with unique abilities, and not many women have the stamina to push through. The few who have been able constitute the small percentage. Some managers were of the view that achieving 40/60 percent representation for women and men respectively in more than 10 years could be more realistic than 50/50 percent representation. They argue that it takes time to develop somebody to management level, which not many women are willing to wait for patiently. Even when they reach the top, some of them opt out and might not be replaced by other women, but by men. It was also felt by some respondents that management positions require performers, which not many women might be. They feel that 50% representation at any time might be quite ambitious, but 10% would be realistic. Cumulatively, out of the female respondents, 1 felt that it would take 5 – 10 years to have 50% female representation, 2 said it would take more than 10 years while 4 said it would take 10 years or more. Only one female respondent said women will never achieve 50% representation. 1 said it would take another 5-10 years, while two said it would take more than 10 years from that time. 1 out of the 19 male respondents said it would take between 5-10 years to achieve 5% female representation, while 1 said it would take more than 10 years. 6 said it would take another 10 years or more. 5 male respondents said women will never achieve 50% representation, while one said it would take them more than ten years to achieve a paltry 10% representation. The results from this research could have major implications in the actual working environment as far as female aspirations for higher managerial positions are concerned. The first implication which is more theoretical in nature is that women are being negatively influenced as far as their career advancement is concerned. When the results make it abundantly clear that chances of achieving a 50% female representation on the workplace are slim, most of the female employees will get demotivated and will find no reason to aspire for high managerial positions. Such a decision is likely to keep them at the lower level of then organization hence inhibiting their career advancement. Making top management positions appear like a private members’ club which requires connections before joining could easily scare away women from venturing. Not many women are able to weave their way through male dominated networks. The few who are able are possibly the ones who share such positions with men. Some women would like to be mothers as well as career women. Making it appear as if advancing in one’s career can only take place at the expense of family life is enough deterrent to a woman’s career advancement. The practical implication of the research findings is that organizations might fail to sufficiently utilize the skills, knowledge and talents possessed by women. It is known that women have some unique abilities which could be harnessed and utilized in the organization. Scaring them away from management positions where important decision making is done denies the organization opportunity to benefit from their input. Apart from being scared by the attitude of men, fellow women also play a role. References Wood, Glence. 2008. Gender Stereotypical Attitudes Past, Present and Future Influences on Women’s Career Advancement. Equal Opportunities International, Vol. 27 No. 7, pp. 613-628