Articles written by Jane Gilgun

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About me - Jane Gilgun

I'm a professor, School of Social Work, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, USA. My research is on how persons overcome adversities, child development and adversities, and the meanings of violence to perpetrators. I also study social service programs that

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Creative Writing > Humor Humor: Embarrassing moments: 2 of 125
Brad talked about an attempted theft he committed with friends when he was in his late teens.One of the guys and I tried to steal a tire one time in the church parking lot, and we got caught. There were five of us. One of the guys just come back on leave. He was in special forces in the army, just got through boot camp. We wa... More..
Pets & Animals > Horse Training & Riding How to fall off a horse and avoid injury: 1 of 18
Falling off is part of riding. Knowing how to fall can mean the difference between an injury and a reason to joke about taking a header.Emergency DismountLearning how to do an emergency dismount is the first step in learning how to fall off a horse. If you think you are going to fall, drop the reins, learn back slightly, and ... More..
Relationships & Family > Talking with Teens & Children What to do if your child tells you he/she has been abused: 1 of 15
Emotional availability is the key phrase for adults when children tell them about being sexually abused. Adults are helpful only when they respond to the children with empathy and compassion. The focus is the children. No matter how emotionally upset adults may be, they must under-react. Afterward, adults can scream and cry a... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US News Should management of bridges and tunnels be left to private business or local government?: 2 of 29
The bridge collapse in Minneapolis, Minnesota, recently shows how important local, state and federal government cooperation is to bridge and tunnel safety. Bridge inspections over the last several years showed that the bridge was not safe. Yet, because the president of the United States and the governor of Minnesota refused t... More..
Relationships & Family > Domestic Violence & Abuse What is child sexual abuse?: 1 of 12
Child sexual abuse is an abuse of power, where older, stronger, and more powerful persons take advantage of children for their own sexual and emotional gratification. Perpetrators trick, force, or manipulate children into sexual content.Sexual Abuse as Touch Behaviors Sexual abuse that involves touch means that the abusers pe... More..
Pets & Animals > Horses (Other) How to tell if you are ready to own a horse: 2 of 20
I wanted my own horse after Glitter, the horse I was leasing, was sold. I liked the Glitter, but she was high-strung and a lot of work. As beautiful and as talented as she was, I thought I could do better. It was hard to let her go, but the person who bought her kept her on the farm where she had been since she was two. I got... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Justice System Should parents be held responsible for their minor children's criminal behavior?: 4 of 37
Accountable parents produce accountable children, although there are exceptions. If a child breaks the law, the child must be held accountable. Law enforcement, the courts, and corrections have a part in holding children accountable, but the buck stops with the parents. Parents hold their children accountable, while providing... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US News Virginia Tech shootings: The warning signs that went unheeded: 2 of 18
Violence prevention requires a community of caring persons. One person alone cannot do it. There are many ways to prevent another tragedy like the tragedy at Virginia Tech in April 2007.The following are suggestions for what we as responsible adults can do.We have to create a culture of caring. Plain and simple.Cho Seung-Hui,... More..
Relationships & Family > Gay & Lesbian Issues Marriage should be a sacred institution between only a woman and a man: 37 of 317
Marriage is a contract, a public life-long commitment, and a symbol of intimacy. As a contract, marriage bestows rights and privileges on a couple, such as the right to inheritance, the right to hospital visits, the right to make medical decisions, and the privilege of listing the partner on medical and dental insurance.As a ... More..
Creative Writing > Novel Excerpts Novel excerpts: Relationships: 12 of 95
"I don't know what I'm going to do with that boy, Jack. He went and overdosed yesterday. We rushed him to emergency just in time. They said another few minutes and he'd have been dead. They had to pump his stomach." Isabel covered her face with her hands. She looked small and drab. Jack had showed up for work at the usual tim... More..