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A Piece Of Cake Reflection Paper

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A Piece Of Cake Reflection Paper

Question 1

If Cupcake and Larry were close, their passage through the foster care system would have

been different. Rather than being away from each other, they would have acted as each other’s

source of stability, support, and comfort. Both would have leaned on each other when they are at

their lower moments and would have gotten someone to motivate them when adjusting to new

environments or homes was hard. Being closer could have assisted them in later life. Such a

bond and support system could have enabled them to feel more confident and safe in other

aspects of their lives. Also, this situation could have made Cupcake and Larry gain better

problem-solving skills since they would be guaranteed a trusted partner to help them traverse the

challenges of life together.

Question 2

Throughout Cupcake's journey, her capability for loving fiercely did not change.

Although she encountered many problems and participated in undesirable activities such as drugs

and drinking, the audience can stress that her capacity to love fiercely persisted (Brown, 2006).

This situation remained consistent since loving fiercely might have acted as a coping and

protective mechanism in her challenging life. For instance, in the face of uncertainty, abuse, and

neglect, such love could have offered her a sense of connection, purpose, and emotional stability.

Question 3

"A Piece of Cake" exposed the substantial effect that adult figures such as Daddy, Jr., Mr.

Burns, and Diane Dobson had on her life during this time. These people played diverse roles in

Cupcake's life, although their impact alone may not have been sufficient to change her trajectory

fully. For instance, Daddy nurtured values of respect and discipline, acting as a positive role
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model in the character’s early childhood (Brown, 2006). Sadly, his earlier demise crushed

Cupcake's life and eliminated a vital foundation of stability in her life. In contrast, Jr. emerged as

an important figure in this character’s world following Daddy's death since he provided guidance

and support during her childhood. Despite their strong contact, the complexity of Cupcake’s

challenges surpassed the scope of Jr.'s impact. Similarly, Brown (2006) showed that Mr. Burns

could not make Cupcake avoid drugs and alcohol since external circumstances she encountered

outside the school setting limited his efforts.

Question 4

Cupcake's idea that "nothing comes for free" emerged from the problems she encountered

while growing up. In this case, instability, abuse, and neglect characterized her early years,

which might have impacted her perception of the world and the belief that someone should earn

everything through some kind of exchange. Therefore, as Cupcake traversed through life, her

awareness of this concept escalated beyond food and material items. Her experiences enabled her

to know that acceptance, affection, and trust needed reciprocity frequently.

Question 5

If Cupcake had completed her first pregnancy and become a mother to her child in her

early years, it would have possibly transformed her life. The love and responsibility for her kid

may have inspired her to adopt different decisions and prioritize their impact. According to Guy

and Arthur (2020), becoming a mother can cause a change in priorities and bring a significant

sense of purpose.

Question 6
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Cupcake had various abortions after her first lost pregnancy since she wanted

independence and freedom during this stage of her life. This character might have viewed

motherhood as a possible obstacle to chasing her personal dreams, goals, and lifestyle choices.

Question 7

At some point in my life, I have faced many troubles with my perception of my worth

and self-image. This claim implies that I have struggled with feelings of unworthiness and

inadequacy. Luckily, Cupcake’s story assisted me love myself by inspiring me to focus on

nurturing self-love, self-worth, and self-acceptance (Brown, 2006).

Question 8

The cop “Preacher” had an insightful awareness of the people he came across on the

streets and their fluctuating levels of craving for change. When he directed that statement to

Cupcake, he saw some actions or qualities that exposed her willingness for change. I believe

Cupcake started to listen to him at this point since she engaged in moments of reflection and

displayed her readiness to get help.

Question 9

The similarities between Cupcake's attitude in this quote and Mr. Burns’s attitude toward

the life insurance money embeds in their desire for material resources instead of essential

discussions or connections. Cupcake did not realize these similarities since it could have driven

her into self-reflection. As a result, she would have changed her ways, as she would have known

the detrimental choices she made earlier and reassessed her priorities, making her consider

desirable ways of getting satisfaction.

Question 10
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Fly and Larry were supportive figures in Cupcake’s life. Specifically, Fly offered a sense

of belonging, companionship, and emotional encouragement while Larry provided a sense of

family linkage, guidance, and protection (Brown, 2006). Nevertheless, Fly's steady support and

continuing presence had an enduring and substantial influence on Cupcake's transformation and

path toward a productive life.

Question 11

The query presented by Venita, enquiring whether she ever mourned for her mother,

indicated the possible effect that tackling unresolved grief could bring on Cupcake's life.

Therefore, offering support through the grief phases could have emerged as essential since it

could have made Cupcake evade her addictions and problems.

Question 12

Cupcake's story has several inspirational qualities that can play a vital role in the life of

readers and in helping professional especially social workers. In this case, Cupcake's story

revealed the significance of resilience and the capability to overpower hardship (Brown, 2006).

Despite encountering addiction and trauma, Cupcake exhibited firm willpower to reestablish her

life. Also, the story changed my life by stimulating compassion and a deeper awareness of the

experiences traumatized people face within the foster care system. As a social worker, Cupcake's

story offers insights into the complicated realities encountered by people in need of help,

suggesting the significance of empathy and trauma-informed care for effective recovery.
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References

Brown, C. (2006). A piece of cake.

Guy, B., & Arthur, B. (2020). Academic motherhood during COVID‐19: Navigating our dual

roles as educators and mothers. Gender, Work & Organization, 27(5), 887-899.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/gwao.12493