Various studies show that experiencing abuse can be traumatic and cause physical and psychological damage. It brings about feelings of guilt and shame when the abuser convinces someone it's their fault. This results in anxiety, depression, isolation, sleep issues, confusion, and even mood swings. Wes Moore, the author, hit his sister in a part of the novel, and his mother, Joy, responded in panic because she was abused by her first husband at one point. Wes was confused as to why it meant so much to Joy, but her anxiety and psychological damage were presented because she didn't want her daughter to go through the same thing and experience the same effects.

Speed does not kill--decision making in uncertain times

• Quick decisions can affect decision quality and performance as they may sacrifice information elaboration.

• understanding the advantages and disadvantages of quick judgments and balancing speed with thoughtful consideration can improve decision-making

• The average human prefers to be directed. They dislike responsibility, is unambiguous, and desires security above everything.

• The outcome of environmental forces and resulting organizational and PMO orientations are crucial elements in the determination of individual behavior and the manner and speed in which decisions are made.

• This relates to the book because many quick health decisions were made which caused multiple characters to lose their lives. For example, Alma passed away because she decided on a kidney transplant which failed. The quick decision to get the transplant without much thought costed her life. Another example is Wes Moore's father's death. The doctors quickly decided that he was being dramatic and sent his father home. Because of that quick decision he died.

• Overcoming poverty/scarcity someone should enter an abundance mindset. "Not feeling limited by the things you don't have, but instead, focusing on the opportunities you do have in order to gain what you want in life." https://www.headspace.com/mindfulness/there-will-always-be-more-overcoming-scarcity-mindset

• Becoming less dependent on others lowers the risk of greater economic insecurity.

• Without sufficient money, people go into debt to cover basic needs

• low adult incomes require their children to work

• https://www.atd-fourthworld.org/lack-of-resources-prevents-people-from-living-with-dignity/

  
  

• In Chapter 1, Mary ends up having to drop out from her college in order to keep up on bills and tuition. Her financial aid was cut. This would place her family in a deeper hole and make the struggle more difficult without a higher degree.

Question - Can childhood trauma be

caused by cops?

- the primary way cops blow off steam and defend themselves against the terrible things they see nearly every day on the job on offensive humor.

-It’s impossible to blame a child for his or her own abuse. Or to blame a baby for having negligent or cruel parents.

-Childhood trauma can be caused by police officers, as they are often the first responders to situations that pose threats to the safety and well-being of children and families.

• This relates to the book because Wes Moore was arrested for trying to defend himself after being slapped. The cops were very aggressive with his arrest. They slammed him against the car and put him in cuffs. This could be a leading factor to why Wes Moore ended up in jail.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7559575/#:~:text=The%20results%20show%20that%20parental,likely%20to%20attend%20a%20college.

• The absence of a parent can negatively affect a child's development as they grow up.

• Parental care in early childhood is viewed as one of the most important factors that help foster the cognitive and non-cognitive abilities of children.

• Mechanism analyses show that parental absence may result in a less healthy mental status of children and reduce children’s efforts in class.

• Children’s development can be affected in health status, daily behaviors, and in-school performance

• This relates to the book because both Wes and the other Wess have to deal with the absence of a father while growing up. This can affect both of them mentally in ways like the father being absent and a deceased father.

• Where you live as a child can determine how much you're exposed to crime, gun violence and even mental health and physical health hazards

• many of the youth felt the emotional weight of stigma associated with neighborhood issues

• People without support systems have higher chances of negative outcomes making the positive ones more difficult to achieve

• moving to a neighborhood that is just a mile of two away can change children's average earnings by several thousand dollars a year

• https://projects.publicsource.org/pittsburgh-neighborhood-success/

• In chapter 2, the other Wes Moore was raised in multiple "projects" like communities. His brother fell a victim to the drugs and influence of the neighbors around him. Wes listens to what his brother teaches him and has an. outburst. Wes Moore, moved to the Bronx. The area is rough as he walks through, but still finds purpose at the courts.

waldenu.edu

• Making decisions while stressed can be difficult because your brain isn't thinking clearly.

• Stressful situations can lead to bad judgment, which can lead to impulsive choices.

• Stress can affect decision making by limiting the ability to make reasonable decisions.

• This relates to the book because the other Wes Moore was stressed out because he didn't like the fact that a kid smaller than him punched him. He was hurt physically and mentally, so he wanted revenge. Since Wes was stressed, he made a bad decision to run back to the kid with a knife and was caught by the cops.

Why the Poor Stay Poor. Understanding the Cycle of Poverty | by Connie | Medium

The lack of education in high poverty areas and the lack of solidarity leaves kids without the education and support system to break the cycle. The cycle will continue until a kid is able to get into a better area of education and an area that has a support system. The social and systemic issues in these areas need to be addressed before any student is able to break the cycle. When schools don't address the lack of support and solidarity in their community, there is no way to break the cycle.

Depression and Everyday Social Activity, Belonging, and Well-Being - PMC

-Dysfunctional social behavior has been implicated in the experience of depression.

-people with greater depressive symptoms report more frequent negative social interactions and react more strongly to them.

- People form bonds readily and organize much of their behavior around establishing and maintaining those bonds.

- This relates to the Novel because Wes Moore feels that he doesn't fit into any friend groups because he is too rich for the Bronx but too poor for Riverdale. The lack of friendships and belonging may cause Wes to feel stronger which may be why he acts out and creates fake stories to try and fit in. Maintaining bonds is very crucial to human beginnings and their behavior can change because of this.

https://www.succeedsocially.com/dontfitintoanygroup

• Feeling like you don't fit in can put you in a between zone where you don't feel good enough for a group.

• When you feel this way, it is said to try and fit yourself in various groups and find which fit is best.

• This relates to Wes more because in chapter three he states that he feels too rich for the kids in the neighborhood, and too poot for the kids at school. This caused him to be put in an in between zone because he can connect with both, but not fully to the point where he feels like he belongs. The other Wes thought to fit in with the kids around him, he could sell drugs like them. That's what he did, but his mother was also trying to teach him what is right, causing Wes to feel like he doesn't know where he belongs.

• at first the youth does not think about the long term concequences drugs can have, they are trying to establish themselves socially

• pain, stress, or social awkwardness increases a young persons decision in starting drugs

• https://www.turnbridge.com/news-events/latest-articles/why-do-young-people-turn-to-drugs/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwktO_BhBrEiwAV70jXnCfffb_-JQlgBTAfj9Qu8FlQ2y9LnPwFUUAvPmTcp3Tm5zdzY89gBoCYGYQAvD_BwE

• The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics claims the 2.08mill., 8.33%, of 12-17 year olds report using drugs in the last month(2022)

• due to the prevalence and access to substances on social media and are easily concealable

• https://health.choc.org/why-are-youths-resorting-to-substance-and-drug-use/

  
  

• In The Other Wes Moore, the other Wes Moore had an experience with drugs at a young age, he claims he learned the power of drugs and alcohol but realized why people are addicted to it as well. He claims when he was high, he forgot about all his problems and time seemed to stop. This caused him to continue to sell drugs with people he had met following his brothers footsteps.

The Power of the People Around You | by Brad Stulberg | Mission.org | Medium

Whoever your surround yourself with will have an impact on your life. You will not be able to self-improve when you surround yourself with people who limit that. A positive attitude and an environment where people are all working towards the same goal makes hard stuff a lot easier. Negativity is ultimately more powerful than positivity. Enthusiasm and motivation as well as negativity is spread to those around you. Whatever you project onto others they will soak in. Your behavior is contagious to those around you. In the novel the other Wes Moore was around Tony a lot which then he adapted to his attitudes and behaviors. Tony's bad habits rubbed off on Wes making it easier for Wes to belive that he was doing was right.

https://www.bing.com/search?pglt=163&q=What+measures+do+prisons+follow+to+prevent+recidivism%3F&cvid=b5786cce11f34743a8c5ad1b56dbfead&gs_lcrp=EgRlZGdlKgYIABBFGDkyBggAEEUYOTIICAEQ6QcY_FXSAQc5OTJqMGoxqAIAsAIA&FORM=ANNAB1&DAF0=1&PC=U531

There are 6 evidence based practices that are proved to lower recidivism. Risk and needs assessment is first, it will be predictive of who will repeat and who won't. Second, individual motivators. Assess the offender for what keeps them motivated. The information is used to self-motivate the offender. Third, target the appropriate intervention. If the prisons put a offender into a treatment program they don't need it will hurt them more than do good. An effective intervention should take up 40%- 70% of the high risk offenders time for up to 9 months. Fourth, rewire the brain. The staff has a lot to do with how the offender will think. If they are watching positive behavior and role models they will be more likely to want to act like that. Fifth, increase positive reinforcement. Encouraging positive behavior and verbally recognizing it. Sixth, ongoing support. The offenders peer-group is a leading factor in deciding whether or not a person will reoffend. Most fail to stay away from the bad influence outside of the prison. The offender needs support to keep towards their goal. This is similar to the other Wes Moore because after he got arrested for shooting Ray, he was let out of prison and committed another crime shortly after. A main reason he repeat offended was because he went back to the same group and the same influence with no change. He lacked a positive environment and there was no one to support him to make him better, therefore he repeat offended.

• Fostering motivation enhances personal growth & well-being, empowering individuals to reach their potential.

• Motivation is a driving force behind human behavior, influencing goals, outcomes & personal satisfaction.

• External sources of motivation are often understood in terms of environmental variables, like incentives or goals. Our internal sources of motivation interact with external sources to direct behavior.

This relates to the book because Wes Moore is motivated to be better while at military school so that he can get back home to his family. Although he is receiving letters from his friends and family, he still feels disconnected from them and is gaining motivation to get back home. The other Wes Moore lacks motivation. He has the chance to get better for his family by doing things like getting a safe and reliable job and also going to school. Having some motivation towards goals in life can help him grow as a good person and change his life around for the better.

• "If a kid ends up arrested and misses school, and then maybe doesn't get their high school degree, their life is over...They might not even know how to write."

• juvenile offenders share a common experience upon release: The odds are stacked against them

• Nearly 90% if juvenile offenders say they want to return to school after release, but inly one-third do

• most detention centers require juveniles to attend school during their sentence...but programs tend to be lackluster, leaving people behind in academics

• https://kidsimprisoned.news21.com/life-after-incarceration-reentry/

• young adults leaving incarceration have an immediate need for financial stability but lack of education or employment experience causing them to take low-wage jobs that do not offer opportunity for advancement

• https://www.americanprogress.org/article/how-to-improve-employment-outcomes-for-young-adults-leaving-incarceration/#:~:text=Many%20young%20adults%20leaving%20incarceration,of%20education%20or%20employment%20experience.

• In chapter 6, the Other Wes Moore was released from prison and returned to school. The school he was at was over populated and with him being 2 years older than his grade, considering he had to be held back, he lost all motivation to learn or try. He also had no one really supporting him to keep going. He also had no work experience to get a job to help his growing family. He turned to selling drugs because it was easy to do. He eventually would be caught and locked up again. The lack of solidarity from the community who is supposed to help teach and guide him is seen in this chapter.

8 Ways Nelson Mandela Changed the World - RED

From the beginning, Mandela knew that a single person could be a catalyst for change. He wasn’t afraid to be that catalyst. He refused to give up on his cause and his country. Mandela set an example of dedication, courage, and sacrifice for all. He knew that his struggle was his people’s, as his people’s struggle was his. But Mandela opened that struggle and his message of justice to the world. He set up a foundation in order to secure that his work for justice and peace could continue. Mandela delivered a groundbreaking speech for the fight against HIV/AIDS at a crucial time for South Africans. He understood that while it is important to forgive, history must never forget its troubled past. Mandela channeled his childhood lessons of Ubuntu, and gave those values to the world. Wes was inspired by this when he went to South Africa.

• full-time employment is usually considered between 30-40 hours a week, part-time employment is usually less than 30 hours a week

• part-timed salaried employee who works three days a week will make 60% of what a full-time salary is

• people who work fulll-time will likely recieve a broad range of benefits

• insurance benefits for part time employees may also be limited

• people who are part-time could have the same responsibilities as a full-time employee with less pay

• less stability

• https://www.justworks.com/blog/part-time-vs-full-time-employees-what-qualifying-hours#paying-parttime-employees

• In chapter 7, the Other Wes Moore is. trying to be employed to support his family. The part-time jobs he takes don't make him a lot of money and working multiple jobs takes away time with his family. He also still isn't making much money with all the jobs he has tried so he is barely holding his family a float.

https://www.jobcorps.gov

• Help individuals have motivation for success

• Helps low-income individuals

• Helps people gain new job opportunities and a new start

• 
  

The Job Corps program is set up to help struggling individuals. The other Wes heard about it from a friend and decided to try it himself to get better for his family and help his kids have a better future. He was able to get job opportunities and try to make some money while trying to save money for his kids and give them a better life, since their moms are still getting into trouble and not willing to change like he is. Although this program got him on a better track, he unfortunately fell back to where he started with drugs and violence.

Understanding How Poverty is the Main Barrier to Education

-Lack of access to education is a major predictor of passing poverty from one generation to the next, and receiving an education is one of the top ways to achieve financial stability.

-Increasing access to education can equalize communities, improve the overall health and help save our planet.

-If families cannot afford the costs of school, they are likely to send boys than girls.

• The Lack of education connects to the book because Chapters 7–8 is a major reason why the other Wes Moore remains trapped in a cycle of crime and poverty. The book suggests that education isn’t just about school but it’s about access, support, and the belief.

Stubborn Personality: Traits, Challenges, and Growth Strategies

-Stubbornness can be a double edged sword, cutting both ways in terms of its impact on our lives and relationships.

-It takes an enormous amount of effort to shift a stubborn person’s perspective or habits.

-One of the more challenging aspects of stubbornness is the difficulty in admitting mistakes.

-Professional settings can be particularly challenging for stubborn individuals. While their determination can be an asset, an inability to compromise or adapt can lead to conflicts with colleagues and superiors.

• Stubbornness is connected to the novel because Wes Moore the author grows in his strength and his maturity when he allows the military school to help him change. In the beginning Wes refused to do what he was told in military school and even tried to run away. However, after his phone call with his mother, Wes began to positively allow guidance in his life.