Bosnian Refugee Life in America Essay

Thousands of refugees from Bosnia-Herzegovina have fled to the United States to seek protection from the ethnoreligious conflicts of the region. To best assist these families, service providers must understand their wartime and migration experiences and their culture. The purpose of this article is to review the literature relevant to working with Bosnian Muslim refugees as well as to understand the uruque issues facing this population. The authors’ interest in Bosnian Muslim refugees is a personal one. Between 1992 and 2001, nearly 3,500 Bosnian refugees escaping ethnic cleansing and war migrated to Bowling Green, a small city of 50,000 in rural southcentral Kentucky. The Bowling Green International Center has been a part of the local community since 1979 and actively works with the United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI). For more than 25 years, the center has assisted thousands of refugees of many nationalities in their migration to the United States and the local community. According to the center’s director, Marty Deputy, Bosnians make up the largest percentage of refugees that have relocated to Bowling Green (personal communication, February 3, 2005). Deputy also indicated that while Bosnian refugees have adapted well to the local community, they still face many challenges because of their experiences in Bosnia in addition to their integration into a new culture. One of the issues that continue to haunt many Bosnian refugees is post-traumatic stress—a result of war and genocide. Post-traumatic stress is particularly an issue for the adult women, who experienced the trauma of rape and sexual assault as well as witnessing the murder of their children and spouses. According to Deputy (personal communication, February 3, 2005), social workers should approach Bosnian families and children with cultural competence. If visiting a Bosnian home, for example, removing one’s shoes when entering is a display of respect and sensitivity. A willingness to drink a strong cup of Bosnian coffee is also appreciated. Social workers also must be sensitive about body language and speech tone. It is also important not to assume that all Bosnians are alike. As with all cultures, there is tremendous variation in the Bosnian culture, along with individual differences in personality and environmental experiences. Bosnian Muslim Experiences in the War The 1991 census for Bosnia-Herzegovina shows that Muslims made up 43. 7% of the total population of 4. 3 million people. Serbs accounted for 31. 3% and Croats 17. 3% (Bringa, 1995). Serbs identified the Muslims’ majority population base in Bosnia-Herzegovina as its strategic strength (Cigar, 1995). In 1992, therefore, the Serbs declared war and began a campaign of ethnic cleansing to eradicate non-Serbs. The term â€Å"ethnic cleansing† stands for the policy of ridding an area of an undesirable national group to create a homogenous region; it represents a type of genocide that is designed to spread terror (Friedman, 1996; Weine & Laub, 1995). Serbia’s initial rationale for its policy was promulgated by the belief that the newly formed state of Bosnia-Herzegovina would create national minorities of the Serb population and eventually destroy the Serb populace as a discrete and unique nation (Friedman, 1996). The prospect of acquiring material goods from the Muslims—land, livestock, houses, cars, and cash—apparently was an additional powerful incentive for many Serbs (Cigar, 1995; Sells, 1998). The indigenous Bosnian Serb population was drawn into a terror campaign of killing and mayhem so the non-Serbian populations would never return. This persecution ultimately led to more than one million Balkan refugees migrating to the United States and other countries. The types of experiences they endured in their homeland before emigrating dramatically influenced their initial adaptation to these new environments. Resettlement and Adaptation Issues As difficult as the war-related experiences were, migration to resettlement countries signaled a transition to new types of struggles for Bosnian refugees. Unlike immigrants who leave their homes for a variety of reasons, refugees leave in order to survive, and they face a new realm of stressors as they attempt to rebuild their lives in exile (Keyes, 2000; Worthington, 2001). Such stressors include difficult transit experiences; culture shock; adjustment problems related to language and occupational change; and disruption in their sense of self, family, and community (Lipson, 1993; Worthington, 2001). Additionally, refugees leaving Bosnia-Herzegovina often have suffered multiple losses, such as severance from family and friends who have been left behind or killed, displacement from their homes and communities, social isolation, and the premature death of their children. Such an accumulation of loss can leave a sense of unresolved grief that can significantly impact mental health and future functioning capacity (Akhtar, 1992; Fullilove, 1996; Sundquist & Johansson, 1996; Worthington, 2001). When refugees cross national boundaries seeking asylum, they typically find themselves in an alien social environment with norms that challenge their traditional patterns of family interaction (Mayadas & Segal, 2000). Most Bosnian refugees have a hierarchical familial power structure and clear role definitions; in the homeland, authority was typically gender-based, with males maintaining instrumental roles and females fulfilling nurturing responsibilities. A traditional Bosnian woman’s commitment to her family includes observing strict codes of privacy and public silence on any issue that might bring shame on the family, such as family discord. For many women, this privacy mandate deters them from divulging details about marital strife or child maltreatment by spouses to outsiders such as work colleagues, community members, and mental health professionals. Consequently, Bosnian female refugees continue to be caught between traditional role models prevalent throughout the former Yugoslavia’s patriarchal society in the 20th Century and the expectations of their new culture. The Bosnian family’s patriarchal patterns of behavior tend to be challenged on arrival in the United States, particularly around work-related issues. Women are more likely than men to find jobs in the low-wage labor market, and in becoming the breadwinners exposed to the outside world, they risk upsetting a family equilibrium based on male authority (Mayadas & Segal, 2000). For Bosnian men, key ethnic and social boundary markers of their lives had evaporated; because of their grief over this, many seemed paralyzed in their attempt to move forward in their new life. Bosnian refugee children also face immense acculturation pressures (Mayadas & Segal, 2000). They often are torn between the beliefs, customs, and values learned in their native culture and the often unrealistic expectations of the new one. The pressure to assimilate the cultural norms of their new country can be intense and extremely stressful. Their parents often lack the material resources and support systems to adequately assist them in navigating the complex terrain of foreign school systems, pervasive racism, and intolerance (Mayadas & Segal, 2000). Consequently, many feel as if they are alone in a foreign, sometimes unforgiving new cultural milieu. To further complicate the situation, family roles often reverse as children typically become more fluent in English faster and adapt more quickly to the customs of the new country (Potocky, 1996). Because children are thrust into the role of serving as the interpreters and negotiators of cultural norms for their parents, respect for the authority of elders is often undermined (Carlin, 1990; Drachman; 1992). Even though most teenagers in the United States feel a certain amount of intergenerational tension, the adolescents of refugees often experience the pull of two vastly different worlds: those of their American peers and their parents (Mayadas & Segal, 2000). They also feel subjected to the xenophobia of their American peers, who often ridicule others who they label as â€Å"different. † Immigration to the United States has provided Bosnian Muslim refugee families with many challenges as they struggle to adapt to their new lives. At first glance, their experiences may be similar to that of other immigrants, raising the familiar questions about how to perpetuate the faith of their forebears among their offspring or how to best preserve cherished cultural practices (Yazbeck- Haddad & Esposito, 2000). But there are some real differences. With the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, DC, the potential for a xenophobic reception of Muslim immigrants and refugees by Americans has intensified. For example, disputes over the building of mosques represent a key source of friction for most Westerners (Pipes & Duran, 1993). While Bosnian Muslim families may encounter the same issues earlier generations of immigrants faced, they also are burdened with the question of whether their children will be accepted in the United States, and whether Islam can ever be recognized as a positive force that contributes to a pluralistic, multicultural nation (Yazbeck-Haddad & Esposito, 2000). Culturally Competent Practice with Bosnian Muslims When working with Bosnian Muslim refugees, service providers need to learn as much as possible about their culture, particularly given the pivotal role that ethnoreligious identity has played in their war-related experiences (Witmer & Culver, 2001). Bosnian men and women tend to adhere to traditional gender roles; connected with this issue is the intense stigma attached to the sexual violation of women. This stigma frequently led women to refrain from disclosing war rapes to their families (Witmer & Culver, 2001). Bosnian Muslims typically act in ways that preserve the positive image of the family’s identity, especially males, who see openly revealing vulnerability or suffering as a sign of great personal weakness (Weine et al. , 1997). Family is the most important social structure across the urban and rural regions of Bosnia (Mojica-Castillo, 2001). Up until the 1970s, adult children commonly lived with their parents and multiple generations lived in the same house. But today, twoparent families predominate in this region with extended family members often living nearby. A cluster of shoes can typically be found outside a Bosnian home (Mojica-Castillo, 2001). This is because it is customary to remove street shoes and leave them at the door. Bosnians maintain a strong social tradition of neighborliness. The drinking of strong coffee or the sharing of food, accompanied by the essential element of lively conversation, is an important aspect of social life. Traditional music and folk dances are an important part of cultural celebrations. A basic principle of generalist social work is that practitioners need to be able to intervene on behalf of various systems, including individuals, families, orgaruzations, and communities. Additionally, the generalist social worker operates within an ecological framework that attempts to improve coping patterns for a better match between the client system’s needs and the characteristics of his or her environment. An empowerment approach to generalist practice assumes that clients can draw from existing competencies and reservoirs of strength. Empowerment indicates the intent and the processes of assisting client systems to discover and expand the tools and resources around them (Furuto, 2004). Swift and Levin (1987) referred to empowerment as an evolution from dependence to independence and interdependence. Gutierrez (1990) described empowerment as â€Å"the process of increasing personal, interpersonal, or political power so that individuals can take action to improve their life situations† (p. 140). The strengths perspective enhances the concept of empowerment with its focus on promoting healing. Healing implies both wholeness and the inborn ability of the mind and body to resist and regenerate when faced with disruption, disorder, or disease (Furuto, 2004). Ethnic and religious identity may lead to discrimination when the refugee is seeking a job that requires intervention on a more personal level. Long-term difficulty in finding a job that provides the family with adequate income may cause low self-esteem and family tension culminating in violence (Furuto & Murase, 1992). Various system levels often must be addressed simultaneously (Mayadas & Segal, 2000). Western thinking on designing comprehensive mental health services is mostly based on the individual as the primary system targeted for intervention; hence, existing services tend to be designed for a North American population (Mooren & Kleber, 1999). Furthermore, treatment of mental health disorders typically follows a medical model using talk therapy and drugs. Western theories also emphasize intrapersonal processes in isolation from the cultural context. The prevailing view that the responses to trauma are individual centered is in keeping with this tradition. Service providers must use the refugees’ own, indigenous cultural definitions of health and illness when making mental health assessments (Boothby, 1996; Wing Sue, Ivey, & Pedersen, 1996). For example, a Bosnian client who had the Western diag nosis of major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder â€Å"refused medication saying that there was nothing wrong with him that medications could fix, and insisted that the clinician understand that his current condition was a result of the wrongs that had been done to him, and not because of anything that was wrong with him† (Weine & Laub, 1995, p. 255). To address the issue of respecting the client’s definition of the issue, Yuen (1999) promoted a more holistic biopsychosocial model of intervention when working with Bosnian children and their families; hence, the importance of using an ethnically sensitive ecological framework becomes a second principle of culturally competent practice. A third principle is to respect the indigenous strengths and resources within Bosnians that empower them to cope with their own experiences. Chow & Yuen (2000) noted the necessity for an empowerment and capacity building model where refugees become partners in the design and elivery of services within their community. Efforts to design and deliver human service programs should include using indigenous Bosnian religious and cultural organizations, as well as self-help groups (Chow & Yuen, 2000). Conclusion After Bosnians flee their homeland, they need protection in the asylum country. This necessitates supportive policies and macrolevel intervention competence. The main policy that guides refugee resettlement in the United States is Public Law 96-212, the Refugee Act of 1980 (Mayadas & Segal, 2000). Based on the goal of helping refugees achieve economic self-sufficiency as quickly as possible, the act defines self-sufficiency as not receiving welfare benefits (Potocky, 1996). As such, this policy may be ineffective in helping refugees to settle in an optimal manner. To become truly self-sufficient, service providers need to redefine success in more progressive ways, such as helping refugees to effectively deal with resettlement issues relating to acculturation, psychological trauma, and intergenerational conflict—all of which can impede long-term economic self-sufficiency. This new goal requires adequate fiscal resources to develop programs and engage in active community outreach (Mayadas & Segal, 2000). Social services must aspire to restore the psychological health and dignity of these families and children, who have seen the worst side of human nature. Helping them establish a positive self-image is critical to their success. While the genocide of family members and violent acts can never be forgotten, surrounding Bosnian Muslim refugees with a network of positive, supportive services can help them establish a solid foothold in the United States.

Describe the effects of the Blitz in Everyday life in Britain

By 1940, Britain had seen the face of war through the Blitz. Devouring everything, Hitler's Luftwaffe were relentless as they launched raids after merciless raids. Loved ones died, friends suffered, rationing ravaged the lands and there was the constant fear of death at every turn at every corner. No one was safe, not even The Royal family when they moved to Coventry. The reminder of war and a reality that they could not escape haunted the people as some died of severe fatigue. Morale was low, with death possible by a number of means and the quality of life alien to what people were used to, the Blitz was the most effective weapon against the Britons. The era of 1940-41 saw the focus of attacks on London as well as some other cities. Parts of these places were described as being razed. With thousands of homeless strangers wandering for shelter, and with virtually no finance, these houses stayed as rubble. Even people with homes could not stop to wander what they would do when they were without. Homelessness was just one of the problems, death being the other major factor. There could be many possible means of dying. Shrapnel wounds, extreme exhaustion, being buried alive under the rubble the list is endless. Even in their subterranean cellars, people could die of flooding. Throughout the war there wasn't even a bomb shelter designed to take full impact from a bomb. The few places which provided full shelter from the bombing, the underground railways for example, proved too costly for the Brits. The Blitz's ruthless aggression took all and any victims, women and children took large percentages of the death toll. Schools, entertainment facilities and even churches were targeted. The population's moral was low, women feared for their husbands and sons abroad and dreaded for their children on the home front. Children were targeted by the bombing of schools and education, in theory this would prove an excellent tactic for the Germans as the children were the future of Britain, thus with a lack of education the British army would weaken. Furthermore, with entertainment facilities being bombed, morale would dip to its lowest for it was one of the only things which could relieve the Britons minds. Not even churches were safe, the people had no one to turn to. With scarcity of faith and society in an anarchy they did want to be in, one wonders how the people coped with the devastation the Blitz brought. The first attack on Britain by Hitler's Luftwaffe brought the start of a fifty seven day consecutive bombing. Around three hundred German bombers set out to destroy London. The Royal Air Force had a demanding task set against them as they were heavily outnumbered and could not replace the amount of planes falling from the skies. Women on the home front were expected to work overtime without extra pay. The arduous labour they had undergone brought them severe fatigue and when they finished work and went home, if it was still standing, the air raid sirens and blackout would not help them to get any rest. The life of a commoner during the Blitz was no easy one. With friends and family dying abroad as well as on the home front life would have been torment. Huge amounts of stress and pressure would be exerted on those working in factories, urged to work overtime and for little pay. Death could be met at any and every corner, a bomb blast could lead to a number of painful deaths. Rationing was enforced due to the bombing of major ports such as in Portsmouth. As well as the fact that entertainment was also targeted, life was made worse for the Brits as they had nowhere to turn to in order to relieve their pain and sorrow. Life during the Blitz was strenuous due to all these factors, yet probably the worst devastation the Blitz had brought was how the inhabitants could not talk about their problems as it may have revealed positions to spies. One must applaud those who survived the Blitz and all they went through for it is hard to live when there is nothing to live for.

Minimizing risks in Shipping Lines Research Proposal

Minimizing risks in Shipping Lines - Research Proposal Example Identify and formulate new strategies, techniques or methods to identify and address risks due to the various factors like operational costs, oil prices, interest and exchange rates, political and environmental changes, etc. which are either highly exorbitant, volatile, or detrimental to affect the smooth and safe functioning of the shipping industry. Plan to use both primary and secondary data for the purpose of research. Primary sources off data like interviews and questionnaire will be used. Secondary sources like books, journal publications, articles, official websites, newsrooms, etc. would be used along with the primary sources of information. The primary sources of data that would be taken into consideration would represent a small section of people and their views and feedback based on their experience and varied roles in the industry which would then be generalized for the whole industry which may pose problems when taken for formulating high impact strategies by the governmental or policy making bodies. This use of limited primary data can be compensated by using secondary data from books, articles, journals, websites, newsrooms and other reliable sources. As the interviews would be conducted at shipping d... Plan to use both primary and secondary data for the purpose of research. Primary sources off data like interviews and questionnaire will be used. Secondary sources like books, journal publications, articles, official websites, newsrooms, etc. would be used along with the primary sources of information. Your signature Date Name(s) of proposed Supervisor(s) for this Dissertation: Confirmation of approval of proposal and its ethics by the Programme Leader/External Examiner: Signed Date RESEARCH ETHICS CHECK FOR MA DISSERTATIONS INVOLVING HUMAN PARTICIPANTS This form should be submitted at the same time as the Dissertation Proposal Form Your Name: Your Degree Programme: Your Dissertation Supervisor's name: SECTION 1: DETAILS OF YOUR PROJECT 1. What is the title of your dissertation Minimizing risks in Shipping 2. What do you consider to be the main ethical issues or problems that may arise with the proposed study and what steps will be taken to address them The primary sources of data that would be taken into consideration would represent a small section of people and their views and feedback based on their experience and varied roles in the industry which would then be generalized for the whole industry which may pose problems when taken for formulating high impact strategies by the governmental or policy making bodies. This use of limited primary data can be compensated by using secondary data from books, articles, journals, websites, newsrooms and other reliable sources. 3. Where exactly will the interaction with participants be As the interviews would be conducted at shipping dock yards maritime control offices, etc. interaction would be with

Do you think it is advantageous for both the union and management to Essay

Do you think it is advantageous for both the union and management to remain flexible during collective bargaining negotiations - Essay Example Whenever there is a collective bargaining negotiation, the employees’ representatives usually take a broad step and approach the employer or the management in an effort to negotiate a deal on behalf of the employees in which both sides (employer and employees) have a take and can come to an agreement. Some of the common employees-employer issues include wages and salaries, the general working conditions, the rules and regulations that govern their activities and practices, the benefits accrued to them among other issues (Wise geek 2010). This piece of work looks into the relationships between the workers unions and the management or employer with much emphasis being given to the flexibility and rigidity of both the union and the management during collective bargaining negotiations and the benefits and problems accrued to either the flexibility or rigidity of either party. Various organizational examples will be used to justify some of the arguments related to collective bargai ning. Rise of Collective Bargaining Howell (1992) asserts that Collective bargaining is a concept that can be traced towards the end of the nineteenth century when most workers were now aware of their rights and hence they had the urge to demand for more rights related to their positions in the work places. They were able to recognize that they were involved in the success of the organizations and therefore they had to be treated well. It is then that most skilled personnel could use their skills and knowledge as the basis of bargaining in an effort to make the employers fulfil their workplace needs. Before, people were aware of the collective bargaining negotiations, they would engage in aspects like demonstrations, strikes and sheer numbers to air their issues and problems to the management until some labour pioneers came up and established a system that facilitated collective bargaining such that the negotiations between the employees and the employers could now run smoothly in a n organized manner and better solutions would be attained. Collective bargaining acts as a means of improving the terms and conditions of trade unions and also restores the unequal bargaining position that may exist between employer and employees. It is however important to note that although the collective bargaining negotiations usually result in a conclusion they do not always lead to a collective agreement. The process of collective bargaining entails various steps for example preparation which entails composition of a negotiation team from both sides, discussion of the rules and regulations to govern the negotiations, proposal which entails bringing forth of various views and embracing aspects of brainstorming, the bargaining process and finally the settlement where the parties come to a conclusion (Industrial Relations 2007). The above chart shows clearly the general aspects that are contained in the process of collective bargaining (MetaPress 1997). Reasons and consequences o f rigidity in collective bargaining negotiations According to Franz and Feiffer (2006), there are various reasons and consequences that are associated with rigidity in the collective bargaining negotiations irrespective of the party that is rigid. The employment condition that is of focus here is the wage rigidity which seems to affect most employees as they feel that they are being oppressed

Foucaults Discipline and Punishment Theory Essay

Foucaults Discipline and Punishment Theory - Essay Example Relative to calls for equal protection of laws has idealized the non-usurpation of pain infliction that questioned forms of punishment in stark contrast to ethical beliefs that crime can be prevented at its root cause. An alternative approach to reform and behavioral modification has given rise to the discussion of multi-disciplinary approach and theories to that prevent the incidence of criminal deviation. This approach has gained wider acceptance as a preventive means in stark contrast to the allowance a certain crime to happen before society takes action and incur varying degrees of physical punishment to the individual. Several believed that a variety of factors is believed to enhance the incidence of the violence in mankind that tends specifically recruit others to form a stronger criminal group. Recognizing the increasing scope, intensity and sophistication of crimes brought about by globalization as a mattress for drug operations, trafficking of arms and humans and laundering, countries have acknowledged the true nature of crime prevention. Efficient criminal justice systems have set standards and protocols that require cooperation to counter international syndicates. Certain preventive theories have equated crime prevention in the individual capacity to control and restrain urges; Foucault as an anthropologist has decried this philosophy with an apparent affront to discipline and punishment. He has equated prisons as a form of discipline that utilizes technological power. His argument against public spectacle of torture is equated with forms to entertain and satisfy the perverse need of the society to play God. Playing revenge against the convict or a felon has given law the authority to act as an extension of the sovereign's body who is allowed to inflict harm as payment for a felonious and criminal act. Hence Foucault provides the unintended consequences that the convict's body is used either to gain sympathy or admiration that fulfills a crowd's curiosity. Totally radical against public executions, Foucault notes that such theatrics often leads to riots in support of the prisoner. Its political cost was often high and is interpreted as the an tithesis to modern society. Stance against Violence Violence, is seen in Foucault's theory of power (1975) in a two-fold dimension. First, it recognizes that violence cannot be seen simply as a destructive force existing alone, since the damaging effects are considered as consequences of an attempt to analyze and understand the meaning and origins of people's identities and their attributes whether in groups and societies which are continuously invented and transformed. Secondly, it sees the trans-humanist forces widen the boundaries of knowledge to create a non-progressive series of historically distinct patterns of human and social response. In relation to violence, it is then possible that policy options in the present will always be restricted to the confines of the prevailing repertoire of violence, and therefore that any system of response is in fact a reflection not so much of the will of the people who set it in place. In place here was remotely discussed in mort of Foucault's discourses as the unpredictable play of power. Fo ucault's theoretical perspective offers a useful

Managing People Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Managing People - Essay Example If the geographical scope, financial strength, and wide customer base fail to persuade someone about the prominence of Starbucks as an icon of the corporate world, one can come up with a long list of laurels and awards that the company holds under its name, highlighting its success and reputation (Clark, 2007, p. 427; Michelli, 2006, p. 387). Zagat’s Survey of National Chain Restaurants for the year 2010 identified Starbucks as â€Å"No. 1 Best Coffee† and â€Å"No.1 Most Popular Quick Refreshment Chain†. For the past decade, it has appeared on the Fortune’s list of â€Å"Most Admired companies in America† and â€Å"The 100 Best Companies to Work for† (Mangold, 2010, p. 82). Quite understandably, a significant portion of this impeccable success enjoyed by Starbucks comes from its ability to manage, effectively and efficiently, its human resource. As a service oriented business, employees determine the customer service quality of the company, represent the company and their productivity determines the overall productivity of the organisation (Hellriegel & Slocum, 2007, p. 97). This paper is an attempt to discuss the leadership, organisational culture, organisational structure, organisational learning and employee motivation techniques employed by Starbucks. The paper argues that the prime leadership for Starbucks comes from Howard Schultz, for most parts, has appeared as a transformational leader. In fact, fitting the profile of a transformational leader, has allowed Schultz to inspire and create many more leaders in the company who have assisted in driving the growth by providing a wonderful customer service experience (Behar, 2007, p. 489). The culture of the company can be classified as collaborative work culture, one where much importance is placed on employee empowerment, employee engagement and worker welfare. More importantly, it is the decentralised, flat and matrix structure is the prime entity, which supports s uch as a work culture through promoting open and efficient communication amongst employees (Gilbert, 2008, p. 111). Moreover, the employee motivation at Starbucks can be understood through the application of Expectancy theory and Equity theory of Motivation. Besides, the above mentioned points, the paper will also outline a change management processes for the company and would provide recommendations based on the findings and analysis. Findings and Analysis Leadership There is evidence to believe that, Howard Schultz has been a transformational leader for Starbucks. The prime reason for it is rooted in the fact that Schultz, right from the very beginning had a vision in mind. It was in the early 1980s Howard Schultz, the current CEO, Chairman and President of the company, joined Starbucks as head of marketing. Schultz, after a trip from Italy, realised that to those people, coffee meant much more than just a drink. It was an experience, glue holding together people and their convers ations and bringing them closer (Schultz & Yang, 1999, p. 27). Schultz landed upon the idea of creating coffee houses where coffee becomes an enchanting and relaxing experience rather than a mere product. Jerry Baldwin had left the

What are the Causes of Mortgage Fraud Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

What are the Causes of Mortgage Fraud - Essay Example Failure to apply the necessary underwriting guidelines comes in the form of deliberately refusing to apply the required mortgage control procedures, which in turn lead to the misrepresentation of facts regarding the ability of the borrower to repay the mortgage. Therefore, inadequate appraisal of the borrower has highly contributed to mortgage fraud, since if it is not done accurately at the initial stages of evaluation, the risks associated may not be identified, until it is too late, and the borrower has already started defaulting on the mortgage repayment (USRMR, 10). Thus, the major problem underlying mortgage fraud is not the provision of inaccurate records by the borrower. Instead, the major contributors to mortgage fraud are inadequate quality control application, poor underwriting practices and poor valuation of borrower’s assets (USRMR, 4). The regulators and specialists applied lenient measures in the mortgage underwriting standards in the name of innovation, seeking to make the process of acquiring mortgage loans easier and convenient for low income households (Liebowitz, 7). However, these innovations declined the mortgage underwriting standards and weakened the control policies. This served the purpose of making mortgage underwriting allow-income all income earners, increasing home ownership and raising the prices of houses (Liebowitz, 15). Therefore, speculators purchased and sold houses under minimal underwriting control, increasing their profits by a greater margin and then running away from the market when the crisis became eminent. This left the mortgage business with large debts owed by home owners who could not manage to repay the loans, thus causing the acceleration of the mortgage crisis (Liebowitz, 24).