Plight of the American Worker Essay

Ten years from now, I don’t know how wealthy I will be. I don’t know what kind of job my husband will have, nor do I know what kind of job I will have. What I do know though is the American worker is struggling, and the struggles will most likely get worse. The United States used to pride itself on providing for its families through hard work. Today, most people lacking education beyond high school struggle to maintain a lifestyle they once dreamed of. Not only are high school graduates suffering but many college graduates are as well because so many jobs have been eliminated due to globalization and technology. Globalization of companies is most likely the main reason American workers are not satisfied with their lifestyles. Companies are starting to outsource their manual labor to third world countries. People from these countries are fighting for their lives and are willing to work for less than a dollar an hour. For an example, â€Å"in Bangladesh, a garment worker makes 22 cents an hour† (Snyder). How can companies turn down such low wages for the same quality of work they would receive from employees who must earn at least minimum wage in the United States? Factories are closing everyday in the United States as new factories are built in third world countries. These factories would provide employment for many people in the U. S. , but companies are better off when they outsource their labor. Labor costs are cut significantly, and top executives are rewarded for their stellar performance. In this case, the top executives’ salaries go up, and the employees’ salaries might change a bit. The most dramatic change occurs for those high on the corporate ladder. Technology is a cause for concern for some individuals. Many jobs are eliminated because of new advancements in technology. Robots and highly advanced machines have taken the place of once very skilled workers. If jobs do open up, so many people apply for the job. They are either looking to get a job or get a job that is a step up from their previous position. For example, â€Å"over one three day period, approximately 10,000 people showed up to apply for 90 jobs making washing machines in Kentucky for $27,000 a year†(Snyder). 27,000 might sound like a lot for a college student trying to pay for rent and a tuition bill but to support a family on this income would be absurd. * Our world is extremely overpopulated and doesn’t help American’s concern for job security. Not only do individuals need to be concerned with a decrease in jobs from outsourcing and technology, but they also are factoring in how crowded the Earth has become. â€Å"Nine percent of the United States is currently unemployed† (â€Å"Unemployment rate†). The American worker wouldn’t be as affected by this number if there weren’t so many people available to work. Finally, as jobs are eliminated, individuals don’t have the resources necessary to start a new life. So many individuals have worked in the same job for long periods of time. Once certain jobs are eliminated, workers are forced to find new jobs. â€Å"They typical worker is spending 15. 4 weeks unemployed†(Frauenheim). Most of the time, if they want to earn an income equivalent to what they were making, they might even have to go back to school. Some individuals might not have the time to go back to school, or they might have started a family and have to put their children through school first. Whatever the case, with so many jobs eliminated, the American worker struggles to successfully start over. I took the side of American workers who have been in the workforce for more than a few years. I have lived a middle class lifestyle, so this is all I really know. As I talked with my mom just the other night, she told me that she wishes she could have changed occupations to make more money but didn’t have the time or the resources. Maybe the definition of hard work has changed in today’s society. Hard work in the past consisted of manual labor and farm work. Because of how society has progressively advanced, hard work now consists of spending a few additional years in school. To some, hard work might even mean having intelligence and finding a promising place to start a career. Whatever the case, the United States needs to keep its jobs here and eliminate such excessive outsourcing. My mother is a teacher, but before I know it, her job might be cut as schools start transitioning to only online courses. I am concerned for American workers, but if such an event happened to her, I would have even stronger feelings towards protecting the American worker.

Laser corrective vision surgery

Clarity of vision depends upon how well cornea and lens permit rays to fall on to the retina on cones and rods. Light rays refract and bend on to focus on to the retina to form a clear image. There are two photoreceptors cones (which color sensitive) and rods (which is dim light sensitive). These send signals to brain though optic nerve. If the shape of the cornea is abnormal light does not fall properly or proper image is not formed on the back of cornea. (Fletcher, 2007) This is called refractive error. This can be corrected by refractive surgery. Refractive errors include myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism (an irregularly shaped cornea which causes blurring), and presbyopia (similar to hyperopia, a condition which causes the lens to harden). Refractive eye surgery helps to reduce or eliminate a person's dependency on eyeglasses or contact lenses. (NYP, 2007) There are several types of refractive surgery; proper diagnostics can only determine which is needed by whom. It can well be stated that â€Å"compared with surface ablation, LASIK results in earlier and faster improvement of uncorrected visual acuity, and has less (or almost no) postoperative discomfort, improved stability, and predictability.† (Agingeye, 2007) At the same note it can also be stated that â€Å"with LASIK, however, the risks of flap-related complications (wrinkles, debris, folds, buttonhole, and diffuse lamellar keratitis) may be associated with the creation of the lamellar flap.† (Agingeye, 2007) Precautions of laser correction surgeries are 1)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Eyes should be healthy 2)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Patient should be adult 3)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Stable vision for a year or so. 4)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   If pregnant surgery should be performed on after evaluating the shape of corneas. 5)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Should not have Degenerative or autoimmune diseases. (Allaboutvision, 2007) Some of risks in LASIK are 1)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Some patients lose vision 2)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Some patients develop debilitating visual symptoms. 3)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   irregular astigmatism, which can decrease the corrected vision 4)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   corneal haze or glare 5)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   overcorrected or undercorrected vision 6)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   inability to wear contact lenses in the future 7)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   loss of the corneal flap, requiring a corneal graft 8)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   scarring 9)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   infection (Roberts, 2007) 10) vision loss 11) develop severe dry eye syndrome 12) Irregular Astigmatism 13) Keratectasia 14) Night Vision Problems or Night Glare and Halos 15) Central Islands 16) Epithelial Ingrowth Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis (DLK) (Banerjee, 2005) Lasik has its benefits too. It is performed under a protective layer of corneal tissue. As a result, there is less surface area to heal, less risk of scarring, less risk of corneal haze, less postoperative discomfort, less postoperative need for medications, and vision returns more rapidly, often within a day or so. It can an also treat a higher range of vision errors. (Grochmaleye, 2007) One testimony to this is available from the US military. It is stated that â€Å"the U.S. military also has adopted widespread use of refractive surgery including LASIK to decrease reliance of troops on artificial lenses or eyewear as evidenced by the more than 16,000 U.S. Army personnel who underwent refractive surgery from 2000 through 2003. Studies of these outcomes showed that 86% achieved 20/20 or better uncorrected vision and 98% achieved 20/40 or better, which legally is considered good enough for driving without eyewear or contact lenses.† (Allaboutvision, 2007) Some Statistics are in this context can be stated as follows: Patient Results Three Months After Treatment Procedure 20/20 or Better 20/40 or Better LASIK for myopia 42.0% to 84.8% 76.8% to 99.4% LASIK for hyperopia 48.8% to 58.3% 93.4% to 98.3% PRK for myopia and hyperopia* 67% (approximate) 95% (approximate) (AAO, 2007) In conclusion it can be stated that the method has both positive and negative aspects. It should be remembered that the use of laser was approved by the FDA’s Medical Devices Advisory Committee in the context of the Ophthalmic Devices Panel and the effectiveness and safety was proved with the help of various clinical studies. (FDA, 2007) The FDA evaluated several case studies on the method and after analysis of 1,013 eyes LASIK performances that was carried out in thirteen centers of medicine over the period of half year it was found that â€Å"of the 1,013 eyes treated, 92 percent were corrected to 20/40 or better and 47 percent were corrected to 20/20 or better without glasses or contact lenses.† (FDA, 2007) However, in accordance to FDA it could be stated that â€Å"short-term side effects included pain (for 24 to 48 hours), corneal swelling, double vision and light sensitivity. In some patients these effects lasted for several weeks.†(FDA, 2007) Thus this could be termed as a well tested process but it needs more time and application to become a complete water-tight method. It could be stated that more work on the subject is necessary. References: American Academy of Ophthalmology; (2007); Ophthalmology Report 2007; Sydney: Allied Publications Allaboutvision; (2007); Lasik Criteria; allaboutvision.com; retrieved on 10.02.2008 from http://www.allaboutvision.com/visionsurgery/lasik-criteria.htm Allaboutvision; (2007); Lasik complication; allaboutvision.com; retrieved on 10.02.2008 from http://www.allaboutvision.com/visionsurgery/lasik_complication_1.htm Banerjee, D; (2007); Details from Medical Journals of AIIMS; New Delhi: AIIMS Fletcher, R; (2007); Medical Principals: Beliefs and Knowledge; Believing and Knowing; Dunedin: Howard ; Price Grochmaleye; (2007); Lasik benefits; grochmaleye.com; retrieved on 10.02.2008 from http://www.grochmaleye.com/lasik_benefits.html

Article Critique Essay Example for Free (#2)

Article Critique Essay The author of this article is a Canadian who has raised the alarm on the increasing number poverty stricken people hence springing up of ghettos in big cities. The author rhetorically is asking a question whether there are ghettos in Canadian cities. The author is coming up with many ghetto synonyms but yet they are of not the same meaning. The name like enclave sound more ethnical and it has been described as a grouping of people from the same ethnic group living in a low income earning or a poor neighbourhood. The article pinpoints that in the year 2001 families residing in high poverty levels doubled the year 1981. The message in the article is directed to the authorities in these cities to get warned of a looming crisis and look for ways to alter the trend. The message is not has to any group that it mentions that is the people from the enclaves and the ghettos. The article has outlined many causes of ghettos in Canadian cities. Poverty has been rated as the number one cause and this article gives figures from the research to substantiate its claim. The exact time is given when immigration policy of Canada was changed and the change swung Canada into a cultural and social crisis or socio cultural crisis. According to the authorities and the research that has been carried out immigration puts Canadian cities on spotlight of having many poor neighbourhoods. The author also makes a comparison between Canadian and American cities whereby Canadian cities are going more enclave than ghettos in America. In American cities the traditional definition of a ghetto is a residential district that concentrates racial Enclave tends to collect people of the same ethnic background together while ghettos collect poor people from various ethnic backgrounds. In both cases, people involved are affected by poverty and low income level. From one of the researches that have been done, the article reveals that an alarm was raised about the growth of neighbourhood poverty in Canada. The article pinpoints groups of people who make up the population who end up to the ghettos. Their background is partly covered by poverty and the article further expose that these are immigrants from Asia, Africa, West Indies and Latin America. The research that was conducted showed that between 1971 and 2001 is the period when the majority of the Canadian population was born in the back mentioned countries. Nevertheless, some cities like London there are no ghettos and this is due to the efforts of the councils. However, I take the article head to mention that it does not clearly outline and show the consequences of the increasing population in ghettos and mushrooming of ghettos and enclaves. In many a times these nighbourhoods have been associated with crime and drugs. Does is it mean the researches that were conducted didn’t capture these common phenomenon that is associated with ghettos? Furthermore, the article does not highlight any ways that have been adopted to combat the expanding ghettos and enclaves without necessarily disrupting the social cultural set of these people in the ghettos. Walks, A. R. Bourney, L. S. (2006). The Canadian Geographer Publication: Article Critique. (2016, Dec 14).

E-business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

E-business - Essay Example Benefits of Ebusiness to Organizations: Ebusiness expands the marketplace to not only national but also the international markets. It also decreases the cost of storing and retrieving paper-based information. This kind of business also reduces the time between the outlay of the capital and the receipt of products and services. Ebusiness also reduces the telecommunication costs as internet is relatively much cheaper than Value Added Networks. Organization to focus: The website on which we will focus in this report in Asus.com. Asus is one of the leading companies in the manufacture of notebooks, netbooks, motherboards, graphic cards, etc. Asus is regarded as the number one manufacture of mother boards in the world. They are believed to be blessed with one of the world’s best research and development team who believe in innovation of the product. Ebusiness Website: The ebusiness website of Asus is developed by one of the best people which mark the tradition of the company and pe ople can understand it through a look at that website. However, its ebusiness operations can be improved in various other ways. How to improve? There are numerous ways by which web analytic systems can be improved, and if the company knows what it is supposed to do, the web analytic systems are very useful. ... The profit margin and the overhead cannot be easily reported in most of the key analytic system, but the average sale price, conversion rate and the number of visitors who visit the website can be measured by the good key analytic systems. Improving Customer Satisfaction through ebusiness: The customer satisfaction can be improved through ebusiness using a number of factors that encourage long term relationships. Customer Relationship: Improving customer relationships is a very important factor of customer satisfaction. When dealing with customers, empathy is very important. A couple of factors by which this can be done are by addressing the customer by his name, knowing what was the product he purchased recently and offering new product according to his taste and preferences which makes him feel that the business has thought about his needs and makes him feel important. Asus.com should develop various service-quality and relationship-building initiatives which are designed specifica lly to give customers a reason to buy products from its firm and do frequent business with them. The business strategy of Customer Relationship Management should be given more attention by asus.com in order to optimize profitability. Service and Support: Different studies reveal that customers purchasing through the web usually find poor customer service and this becomes the reason they refrain from purchasing a product online. One of the main reasons of this is that when customers buy using internet, they serve themselves, but they do not really want to receive and lesser service than what they receive in the real world. The requirements of ebusiness are higher expectations for

Ethics Perspective in Applied Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Ethics Perspective in Applied Leadership - Essay Example The author of the paper states that in the Kant categorical imperative perspective, the company should do what is right. Matters considered right always have benefits to the people that require showing concern to other people. Besides, what is right for the company requires acceptance from the majority hence considering their opinions.  Communitarianism deals with considering the responsibilities in the community rather than a single individual. In the organization, this ethical perspective focuses on promoting the values that people share in addressing differences in the cultures. In the process of addressing the cultural difference and using only universal values, leaders always show concern for every individual and implement altruism in the process. Considering others rather than a single individual is an action that is in altruism. The showing of concern before and in the process of trying to promote communal values is an act of altruism. Hence, it is justifiable to state that altruism is the prerequisite of other ethical perspectives such as utilitarianism and communitarianism. The process of using these ethical perspectives requires consideration and concern to other people before taking actions.

Arts and culture of Baroque period Research Paper

Arts and culture of Baroque period - Research Paper Example Artists in this period were known for their habit and love for artwork that revealed the fantastic energy and induced emotional reactions from various individuals in the society. Thus, the onlookers and admirers of various artworks exhibited a range of emotional reactions. Equally important, Baroque art was widely known for the use of bright colors and selective illumination of figures. The artists were dynamic in their works revealing various senses of movement while drawing. Furthermore, these artists drew images that were direct and distinct to different people in the community. Although these images were obvious, creative artists made them dramatic. They did this by using dramatic colors and effects on their work. Moreover, they enhanced their artworks by ensuring continuous overlapping of element and figures in their drawings. During this period, there were numerous talented artists whose work were admirable and highly demanded. Although the artists were many, the rules required the every artist to work specifically for or under one patron at a time. The number of patrons at that time was equally large since the demand for the artwork was high. According to the article Baroque art, patrons such as the church, secular government and the courts among other were in need of artists. The rules and regulations set by the artist/patron relationship act empowered patrons giving them total control and authority over contracted artists. Although this rule worked for a very long period, it later changed.

Construction planning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Construction planning - Essay Example The SHE provisions or specifications outlined for the project seek to reduce or eliminate and mitigate incidents, injuries and environmental harm at the construction site. The project relies on expertise in environmental management, system design and innovation in evaluating and reducing the environmental impacts of all its phases; initiation, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and operationalisation. The envisaged solutions are suggested to increase the project’s market stability and guarantee sustainable benefits. The compliance of each stage of the project life cycle, starting with planning, will adhere to the set SHE standards. The on-site and off-site planning of project deliverables will have to be aligned with specific regulatory standards and requests. The standards cover dangerous substances traceability, recyclability of materials, supply-chain assessment, and obsolescence and substitution management. The planning must also consider environmental concerns and engage in long-term sustainable strategies, based on life cycle thinking (LCT). Through this approach, the planners will adopt a broader view of the project’s successful implementation, opportunities, viability and sustainability. The objectives set at the planning phase and the strategies and resources by which they will be achieved will also consider and address the SHE standards. The project will seek expert assistance in the implementation of the project and use astute management strategies to achieve sustainability, performance and reduce project risks. At the implementation phase, a checklist and design specification will be outlined and communication with all stakeholders managed properly. In addition, sustainable supply processes and implementation activities will be used. Equally important at this phase will be the integration of multisite and transnational

Criminal justice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 2

Criminal justice - Essay Example As an account to the shaking history of humanitarian catastrophes as well as undoubtedly horrifying awakening to the 20th century in the face of the events leading to World’s FIRST WORDL WAR and the events following it, this article will look into the region most recently in headlines for its problems coming undisturbed straight from the time of start of the century, the BALKANS. The rest of the article also discusses the phenomenon that has now deeply rooted itself in the labyrinths of our minds as an everlasting memory which is being refreshed time and again by the terrorists. We will also look into the impact of the fall of soviet unionand its effect on global terrorism.Balkans is the transit of civilization. It is seen as a connection between three great cultures, the Asian, European and the African culture. And when we have such a strategic and delicate place to be living in, there are bound to be some rifts and discontent among the people who don’t recognize themselves with respect to the region of their birth. Anything can happen right from local interests up to the global interests fighting for the domination over the whole area. And whenever we have wars resulting from the rift, we have political fragmentation and making more states. The initial ottoman empire that was thrown out of the power by the mutual wars that the surrounding countries exercised upon it could not stand up from there and was thrown out along with its rich and ancient culture (along with its historical domination with respect to culture, people and the heir). ... Separation , cruelty and hatred between small ethnic groups developed end of 18th and 19th century because that was the time when the European power: the balance between Russian and Turkish powers was very important and the small Balkan nation demanding its own authority was not given a thought and expectations from Europe to decide upon some conclusion was depressing. The Balkan word is of Turkish origin meaning rocky mountains and this area consists of five states namely Albania, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania. The geographical condition Criminal justice 4 of Balkans divides the east from the west Europe. The Balkans is under equipped in terms of communication it is cut off from Adriatic coast, lacks fertile land and the people of the area are separated and there is a tendency towards social isolation and further complimented by divergent temperatures. The Balkan region is primarily dependent on agriculture and the industrialization is on a very small scale, and there is a scarce rainfall and larger density of population lives on cultivable land, which is very less. There is wide variety of languages, religions and races that contribute to political divisions and social schisms and historical events have resulted in perpetual minority problems. Due to this varied pedigree of people there was tension and rivalry among them but even after the balkan wars of 1912-1913, the concluding WWI peace treaties around 6 million people were under the permanent ethnic minority groups and these were the sources of tension and rivalries. Poor economic conditions have usually led to political instability, power politics and dictatorial regimes.[1] TERRORISM IN BALKANS Terrorism and the Balkan

Marketing Strategy and Implementation Plan Essay

Marketing Strategy and Implementation Plan - Essay Example This essay describes the Absorb Rite Tissues and Towels, Inc. company, that is a successful manufacturer of dairy paper products, enjoying for many years the loyalty of its customers. Competing in the private labels industry for many years, the company is currently facing a down-ward slope in its sales and overall profits due to the shift in customer (retailers) demands. The emergence and development of grocery and super store chains have ultimately pushed prices down; a fact that has caused a lot of pressure to Absorb Rite as it merely produces ‘on the line’ of breaking even. In addition to that, a loss of some of the major clients has considerably further reduced the profits gained. The company has been focusing on manufacturing an innovative product that has a dual utility; the products have already gone through the R&D department and have been tested to sample markets with positive feedback and reviews. The overall strategy of Absorb Rite Tissues and Towels, Inc. sho uld be directed towards marketing and promoting the innovative new products that have already been designed in the R&D department and researched in test markets. To this extend, Absorb Rite needs to redirect its strategy and objectives towards promoting this new line and eventually penetrating the market while capturing largest portions of the market. This marketing plan effectively offers a complete action plan for the necessary activities that need to be implemented towards restoring the position of the firm and increasing total sales.

Information Technology Sub-sector Analysis Essay

Information Technology Sub-sector Analysis - Essay Example Porters four analysis gives two dimensions that define the strategies. One is the competitive advantage source, and two is the scope of the advantage. The first one comprises of product differentiation or low-cost approach. The second one consists of narrow or broad approach. When crossed the dimensions gives the porters four business strategies. To win competitive advantage, the IT organization should apply cost focus in a small group of the target section. A Cost Focus strategy usually emerges as a competitive move, at times to challenge a certain competitor. A smaller IT firm can as well gain entry to a market by competing on cost within a particular niche. Competition in the mobile application industry has lead to the rise in a totally new product called smartphones that have greater functionality as compared to normal mobile phones due to their capability of running mobile apps. The cost of these smartphones is not over exaggerated to discourage the customers from buying them. The IT organizations maintain lesser cost across different product offerings. An analysis of competitors cost should be carried out prior to setting products costs. For instance, by 2010, the mobile apps industry was highly flooded as new competitors got into the market saturating it with several varieties of utilitarian and lifestyle apps (Tarnacha & Maitland, 2006). In most instances, apps are designed by third-party developers like companies that wish to advertize their products, or by freelance designers who trade their apps at a profit. The major operating systems, Android and Apple, each have an equivalent dedicated marketplace due to its subsidized costs. Limiting Apple policies with regards to app development in the preliminary stage have had a verifiable effect on the iOS apps market. A larger percentage of all mobile app developers have a preference for developing apps for the Android operating system whereas a smaller percentage prefer to do so for Apple’s iOS

Marine Pollution Essay Example for Free

Marine Pollution Essay Pollution of the worlds oceans is quickly becoming a major problem on Earth. We know very little about the effect that pollution has on the oceans, but we continue to dispose off chemicals, sewage and garbage into it at an unprecedented rate. Most people likely do not even know what types of pollutants reach the oceans. There may be billions of people unconcerned about ocean pollution and hence this problem. Truly, the fish catch from the sea will tend to bio concentrate the pollutants to finally reach the humans. Toxic Ocean Pollutants Toxic pollutants in the ocean ecosystem have massive impacts on the plants and animals. Heavy metal poisoning (such as lead and mercury) from industrial effluents accumulate in the tissues of top predators such as whales and sharks (so do not hesitate to support ban of hunting whales and sharks but to the dislike of many others). Many a times such poisoning causes birth defects and damages nervous system. Dioxins from the pulp and paper bleaching process can cause genetic chromosomal problems in marine animals and may even cause cancer in humans. PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) typically cause reproduction problems in most marine organisms. PCBs usually come from older electrical equipment. Poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are another source of marine toxic pollution and typically come from oil pollution and burning wood and coal. These PAHs are responsible for causing genetic chromosomal aberrations in many marine animals. Lastly, low-level radiation poisoning is also possible in the ocean environment. Though scientists know very little about how radiation affects marine organisms, it cannot be a good thing anyway. Some marine species such as a population of Beluga whales living in the St. Lawrence River area in Eastern Canada are in serious trouble because of marine toxic pollution. These Beluga whales are the victims of ocean pollution ranging from PCBs to heavy metals as well as other pollutants. However, toxic pollution is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of total ocean pollution. The toxic pollution varies from PAHs heavy metal pollution from industrial effluent and fallout, PCB pollution and even possible low level radiation. No matter what we humans do, there is potential for serious pollution of the oceans. Marine Garbage Marine garbage disposal is another major form of ocean pollution. The worlds oceans are a virtual dumping ground for trash. Sometimes the garbage includes junked out fishing nets, plastics, general household garbage and even like bulbs. In one case, an island 300 miles from the nearest inhabited island (and 3000+ miles from the nearest continent) had 950 pieces of garbage ranging from plastics to tin cans. Garbage in the oceans is a serious issue as fish entangle themselves in fishing nets and animals sometimes eat trash products and die. There are numerous examples of dolphins, sharks and whales entangling themselves in fishing nets and dying from oxygen starvation. It is possible to clean garbage from the oceans if humanity quits using it as a garbage dump. Marine garbage can often enter into animal gut; plastic pop tab rings accidentally strangle animals and so forth. Controlling this form of pollution is important to maintain a healthy ocean ecosystem. Even simple plastic bags can have large pollutive impacts within the ocean. In one case, a deceased sperm whale was found to have a party balloon blocking its digestive system. The whale died from inability to process its food and died of starvation. Plastics can also have negative impacts to boats if they accidentally plug water intake lines. Sewage Disposal in Ocean Sewage is yet another major source of marine pollution. Typically, the problem with sewage is that it causes massive nutrient loading in the ocean ecosystem. Nutrient loading triggers algal blooms in the water leading to the loss of dissolved oxygen. After the depletion of oxygen levels, many organisms in the ocean die from being unable to breathe properly. Other problems associated with sewage include parasites/bacteria that force closure of public coastal beaches and poisoning of shellfish fisheries. For the most part, cities in the developed world have sewage treatment facilities but many of the cities in poorer areas have little to no sewage treatment. As the world population continues to increase, sewage pollution will be on the rise. What we often do not realize is that the waste water out of washing our clothes, faces, dishes and cattle, is ultimately headed to the sea. This includes everything from our homes (toilets, washing machines, bathtubs, dishwashers and so forth), industrial effluents and even chemicals such as paints and fertilizers that we dispose of down the drains. Eventually, all of this sewage pollution adds up and we land in serious problems due to lack of oxygen for organisms and poisoned water. Non-Point Pollutants The last major source of ocean pollutant is non-point. Non-point pollution can come from amazingly varying sources, viz., runoff from farmland (fertilizers, manure), industrial runoff (heavy metals, phosphorous), urban runoff (oils, salts, various chemicals) and atmospheric fallout of airborne pollution. Obviously, it is the hardest to control. Point pollution, in contrast, is pollution from a direct source like a factory outfall pipe. The enrichment of water by nutrients, especially compounds of nitrogen and phosphorus, causes an accelerated growth of algae and higher forms of plant life to produce an undesirable disturbance to the balance of organisms and the quality of the water (Eutrophication). Input of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus to the sea is a natural prerequisite for life, not an environmental problem. It becomes a problem only when the input increases to such levels that the original properties or functions of the ecosystem change. Then, it becomes too much of a good thing. When this manifests in marine waters or a lake, it is referred to as eutrophication a concept covering a series of events in the aquatic environment. Input of too large amounts of nutrients, followed by other events and effects is ominous and results in higher levels of nutrients in the water. Physical, chemical and biological changes that follow tend to reflect in the fauna and flora, oxygen conditions change and other changes in the water mass, in the sediments and on the surface of the bottoms. Pollution of coastal waters: Kerala under microscope The coastal waters of the maritime states are under the constant threat of pollution from a number of sources. The relatively long shoreline of India (6000 Km) is no exception either. More so is the case of Kerala. Compared to the rest of the union, profile of Keralas coastal waters may be better; still a lot remains to be achieved. The tropicality of the region and consequent intense rain fall in the hinterland, along with the physiography has immensely contributed to the quality of coastal waters. The agrarian nature of land use itself has become a bane to the coastal water bodies of the state in the midland as well as in the lagoons in coastal land. Fertilizer residue originating from the tea, cardamom, and rubber plantations of the highland and midland are finally headed to the coastal water of the ocean. But, the brunt is borne by the waters in the lagoons, ponds and other inland water bodies. The intracoastal water way is no exception either. Obviously, the fertilizer residue leads to the eutrophication of the coastal waters, and adds to the reservoir of the chemicals that already exists in the sea. Luckily, the amphibious plant species that characterize the fresh water bodies and lead to their eutrophication, do not survive in the marine environment. However, if not checked, we may reach a situation like in the mouth of Mississippi River, where a 60 mile wide algal belt has reportedly come to stay. The sheer size of the coastal waters is an insurance against the pollutants, like the fertilizer residues, yet could not influence the sea water chemistry to any great extent. Where do we go from here? Industrial pollution is not as bad as it used to be in the developed world as new techniques and better waste and effluent treatment are put in place. New laws and regulations make it difficult for people to dump their trash into the oceans though inevitably some dumping will always occur. One idea is to promote community beach-cleaning events where in everybody volunteers in to pick trash off the beaches. By cleaning up the trash on beaches, we lessen the potential chances of accidental animal kills and afford better and cleaner looks for beaches. Reduction of sewage is possible through the installation of better sewage treatment facilities and by adoption of volume reduction technologies for the worlds cities. Developed countries like Canada and the United States as well as Western Europe should assist the poorer countries in installing sewage treatment facilities. Reducing harmful sewage discharge would be a major start in helping to clean the oceans of pollution. Many areas of the world have reduced non-point pollution through proper recycling facilities for used oil and paint products. In the past, people simply dumped used oils and paints into the sewer system where they would do serious damage to the water. Pollution will still occur but with effort and determination it

Domestic Violence Against Women In India Sociology Essay

Domestic Violence Against Women In India Sociology Essay Domestic Violence is an act of physical, sexual or psychological abuse against a woman by someone who is intimately connected to her through marriage, family relation or acquaintanceship. It has its roots in the patriarchal set up of the society. Women have always been considered to be the weaker sex. Right from the later Vedic age to the 21st century, Indian women have never experienced the freedom that men have. They have always been subjected to inequality. The subordinate status of women combined with patriarchal ideologies is a major cause of domestic violence. According to United Nation Population Fund Report, around two-third of married Indian women are victims of Domestic Violence attacks. To protect women against Domestic Violence, the Parliament passed The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 According to this act, any woman who has been subjected to domestic violence can file a complaint to the police officer, protection officer or the magistrate in the for m of Domestic Incident Report, which is similar to an FIR. However, this act is not enough. In light of the increasing instances of domestic violence against women, the government needs to take more stringent measures to reduce the prevalence of domestic violence against women. Objectives The objectives of this project are as follows:- What is the magnitude of domestic violence against women in India? What is the prevalence of physical, sexual and psychological abuse against Indian women? What community and families are associated with domestic violence against women? Whether domestic violence is more prevalent in the higher or in the lower strata of the society. Methodology Hypothesis: The prevalence of Domestic Violence against women is an indication of patriarchal ideologies The survey was conducted in Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Ahmadabad in 2012. The survey includes forty women who represent different families culturally as well socially i.e. they belong to different stratus of the society. The study is based mainly on quantitative data. It has tried to get empirically sound and statistically reliable data regarding the physical, sexual and psychological abuse against women. Qualitative methodology has been used to interpret and analyze the data collected. Review of Literature Behind Closed Doors by Rinki Bhattacharya is one of the few books which deal with Domestic Violence against women in India. This book contains narratives by seventeen women who have been the victims of domestic violence. These women have showed immense courage in sharing their stories. These heart- wrenching narratives bring home the fact that domestic violence is still very prevalent and that no amount of privilege can protect women from abuse. A documentary film called Char Diwari was made on this book. The fact that this documentary has been telecasted only twice and that too at midnight shows that such issues are still not brought out open in the public. This book also contains essays by eminent feminists and other sociologists who have tried to analyze the phenomenon of Domestic Violence. What they really try to say is that in a country like India, where people worship the female power of Shakti in the form of goddess, why should women be subjected to domestic violence? Then there are further essays which deal with the loopholes in the domestic violence bill. The book ends with a road map to support the victims of domestic violence. This book should definitely be read by those who wish to bring about a change in d position of the women in the society. There is a case study on domestic violence against women in Nagpur. This Case Study has been conducted by International Clinical Epidemiologists Network (INCLEN). On the basis of the survey conducted, it was found out that nearly sixty- two percent of the women have been subjected to some form of domestic violence. Most of these women have been the victims of psychological abuse (60.2 % as compared to 37.9 % of the women being subjected to physical abuse ). Ten percent of these women left their husbands but most of them had to return since their natal families refused to accept them. There is still a social stigma attached to leaving your husband and the root cause of this is the patriarchal ideologies which are still widespread today. Another Case Study deals with domestic violence in Kerala. This has been conducted by Centre for Womens Studies and Development, Kerala. Around fifty five percent of the women admit being subjected to domestic violence. In Kerala most of the women have been victimized due to issues related to dowry. Like in Nagpur, psychological abuse is very high in Kerala. (54.23% as compared to 32.4% of thee women who are subjected to physical violence). In Kerala the literacy rate is almost 100 percent, yet women are victimized. What does this show? It again goes back to the patriarchal ideologies that have existed since time immemorial. Results and Interpretation of Data Table 1: Socio Demographic Profile: TOTAL 40 HIGHER STRATA OF THE SOCIETY 27 LOWER STRATA OF THE SOCIETY 13 AGE (in years) Woman Respondent Husband 32 36 33 37 31 35 EDUCATION Woman Respondent Illiterate Primary ( 1-5 ) Secondary ( 6-12 ) >12 Husband Illiterate Primary ( 1-5) Secondary ( 6-12 ) >12 4 6 7 23 0 4 8 28 0 0 5 22 0 0 2 25 4 6 2 1 0 4 6 3 EMPLOYMENT Woman Respondent Unemployed Employed Husband Unemployed Employed 27 23 6 34 17 10 0 27 4 9 6 7 This table shows that literacy rate is lower among the woman respondents as compared to their husbands. The overall employment rate is higher among the husbands. However as far as the lower strata of the society is concerned, more women are employed than men. Now we come to the prevalence of domestic violence. First the researcher will deal with the women of the higher strata of the society. 20 out of 27 women have admitted to being subjected to domestic violence by their husbands. Out of these 20 women, 12 have been physically abused, 5 psychologically and 3 sexually. As far as the women of the lower strata are concerned all the 13 of them have been subjected to domestic violence. Out of these women, 8 are physically abused, 3 psychologically and 2 sexually. Graph showing the prevalence of Domestic Violence. Table 2 will show the lifetime physical abuse and Table 3 will show the lifetime psychological abuse. Table 2: Lifetime Physical Abuse :- TOTAL (20) HIGHER STRATA OF THE SOCIETY (12) LOWER STRATA OF THE SOCIETY (8) Slap 11 8 3 Kick 8 3 5 Weapon 1 1 0 Table 3: Lifetime Psychological Abuse:- TOTAL (8) HIGHER STRATA OF THE SOCIETY (5) LOWER STRATA OF THE SOCIETY (3) Insulted 5 3 2 Demeaned 2 2 0 Unfaithful 1 0 1 Now the researcher would like to draw your attention to the reasons as to why these women are subjected to domestic violence. Table 4 shows some of the reasons identified by these women. Table 4: Reasons as to why women are subjected to domestic violence:- TOTAL 33 HIGHER STRATA OF THE SOCIETY 20 LOWER STRATA OF THE SOCIETY 13 Not Cooking Properly 18 13 5 Not Looking after the Household 5 4 1 Harassment due to Dowry 4 3 1 Talking to Other Men 6 0 6 It is evident from the survey that Domestic Violence is extremely prevalent especially in the lower strata of the society. There is an inverse relationship between socio economic status and domestic violence. Both Education and Employment is also significant for physical and psychological violence. It is seen that women with lower education but better employment than their husbands are subjected to greater domestic violence. This is the case in the lower strata of the society. As far as the higher strata is concerned, it is generally the lesser educated and the unemployed women who are subjected to the wrath of their husbands. Legal Measures for Domestic Violence against women In India In India not much has been done to protect the rights of women. Women have been the victims of domestic violence since time immemorial, but the Domestic Violence Act was passed by the parliament as late as 2005. It was passed in the furtherance of the recommendations of the United Nations committee on the CEDAW. The following abuses are covered by this act:- Physical abuse Sexual abuse Verbal and emotional abuse Economic abuse This act provides women a right to stay in her matrimonial house, even if she does not have ownership rights over the house. Basically a husband cannot throw his wife out of his house. However her rights will extend only to her husbands properties and not to the properties of her in-laws. Under this act, a woman has the right to ask for help and protection. A victim of domestic abuse has the right to seek the help and services of police officers, protection homes, service providers, shelter homes and medical establishments. She also has the right to lodge a complaint under section 498 of the Indian Penal Code for matrimonial cruelty. Under this act, a woman can get the following orders issued in her favour:- Protection Order Residence Orders Monetary Relief Custody Orders Compensation Orders Interim and Ex parte Orders If the respondent is found to be guilty, he can be imprisoned for a term which may extend to one year or can be charged a fine which may extend to Rs 20,000 or both. He may also be asked to provide monetary relief to the victim and her children. In the latter situation, he has to pay compensation damages as well. He has to abide by the arrangements made by the court regarding the custody of the victims children. Drawbacks of the Legal Measures The Act is mainly criticized on the grounds that it is not backed up properly. There is no effort by the government to implement it effectively. Important factors such as the appointment and the training of the protection officers, police officers, service providers, counselors, and judicial officers have been ignored. The authorities lack the initiative to spread awareness. Moreover there is improper budgetary allocation. Most states have still not appointed the Protection Officers. In some states, where Protection Officers have been appointed, they are not aware of their duties and the legal remedies that are available to the victims of domestic violence. Another drawback is that that the act has not been publicized properly. The helpline numbers available to the victims have not been publicized properly. As a result, sometimes domestic violence goes unreported because the victim does not know whom to turn to for help. In some cases, the violence is reported, but no case is filed i n the court. There is a big difference in the number of cases that are reported and the number of cases which are actually heard in the court. These are the drawbacks of the legal measures. Remedial Measures A crucial question in the light of the increasing instances of domestic violence is that what should be done to control and reduce it. As responsible citizens should we just sit and read articles and collect information about domestic violence or should we raise our voices against it?Today Domestic Violence is being viewed as an epidemic disease which needs to be controlled. Many Law agencies, Governmental and Non Governmental Organizations, public and private bodies are working for this cause. We need more stringent laws to curb domestic violence. At present we do not have a single law in the Indian Constitution which effectively deals with the issue of Domestic Violence. Even section 498 A of the Indian Penal Code and The Domestic Violence Act, 2005 have been misused because of the restricted definition of the abuse that women are subjected to. As a result we need more stringent laws to protect the rights of women. There are several NGOs which are actively working in issues relating to women abuse. These NGOs need to spread awareness among women regarding the legal remedies that are available to them. They should encourage more and more women to come forward and report instances of domestic violence so that necessary action can be taken against the culprit. The Police and the Protection Officers need to be sensitized. They need to take Domestic Violence as seriously as other offences. They need to be made aware of their legal duties and the remedies that are available to the victims. Moreover care has to be taken to appoint efficient men as Police and Protection Officers. Gender training should me made mandatory. Steps need to be taken to recognize Domestic Violence as a public health. Training needs to be provided so as to develop the skills of the professionals to provide the basic support to the victims of domestic violence. Documentation on the health consequences of domestic violence should me made so as to spread awareness. Lastly the patriarchal mindset of the people has to be changed. Until and unless women are given due respect in the society, no amount of laws will be helpful. The root cause of domestic violence is patriarchal ideologies and that needs to be changed. Conclusion The study underlines that the situation of Indian women is quite severe in terms of the violence they experience in the marital home. Women are subject to frequent and multiple forms of violence in their lifetime. The main cause of this is the patriarchal mindset of the people. Men have always considered themselves to be the superior sex and have always tried to overpower women. Generally women do not raise their voices against men because they have been taught to believe that they are the inferior sex. In conclusion, it can be said that the hypothesis- The prevalence of Domestic Violence against women is an indication of patriarchal ideologies has been proved and a social reformation needs to be brought about soon. Questionnaire The women were asked the following questions: Name Age Husbands Age Educational Qualification Educational qualification of the husband Employment Husbands occupation Any Physical Violence? Slapped by the husband? Kicked by the husband? Used or threatened to use a weapon? Any Sexual Violence? Any Psychological Violence? Insulted by the husband? Demeaned by the husband? Was the husband unfaithful? Reasons for the violence as identified by the woman. Not cooking properly Not looking after the household Harassment due to dowry Talking to other men The limitation of this study is that in view of the social stigma attached to domestic violence, some women have been reluctant to answer these questions and as a result have not answered them truthfully.

Roles and responsibilities of the PE teacher

Roles and responsibilities of the PE teacher QCA (2007) states that a range of activities is needed to be carried out in schools for pupils to become physically active learning new skills that will help with their personal development. It is important for students to understand skills and decision making and understanding how to improve. It is important to be educated in physical activity at a young age in order to carry on with a healthy life-style. Physical Education is not just important in the curriculum for sport it has social benefits too as working together in different roles prepares pupils for future careers. Secondary Physical Education teachers are at the heart of providing the foundations to deliver a good curriculum due to teaching in their own secondary school and also their partnered primary schools as there is a shortage of specialist PE teachers in primary schools (Green, 2008). The Every Child Matters model states that there are five elements that every child has the right to experience. stay safe, be healthy, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic well-being (The Association for Physical Education, 2008) schools throughout the country have a different intake of pupils with different needs whilst critiquing the national curriculum Green (2000) suggests that the National Curriculum does not account for what type of school and which pupils would be in your class therefore planning is highly important of every single PE lesson. Teacher have to be fully inclusive to provide for a wide range of abilities in their class, planning is of the upmost importance to provide a fully inclusive lesson (Block, 2002) Every Child Matters and this should be at the very centre of all planning and at the forefront of every Physical Education teachers minds (The Association for Physical Education, 2008). Planning is paramount and is an important responsibility of any teacher because they must gain an understanding of what will actually occur during a lesson (Macfadyen and Bailey, 2002). However, it is argued that unforeseeable situations arise during physical education lessons therefore a teacher needs to have the skills to think on the spot this is gained through experience (Green, 2008). This statement was supported by Macfadyen (2010) stating that planning in too much depth takes away an important teaching skill of improvisation. It is important to understand that planning provides an inclusive curriculum, without planning and differentiation this would simply not happen (Johnson, 2007). Teachers have to have the skill and be responsible for fully inclusive provision for a wide range of abilities in their class planning is of the upmost importance to provide this; however, it has been suggested that physical education teachers often lack the ability to adapt tasks to include SEN s tudents (Block, 2002). This may be through a lack of experience as only in recent years many pupils with disabilities have been moving into mainstream schools and it is the duty of a PE teacher to provide equal opportunities for all participants (Fitzgerald, 2006 cited Green, 2008:187). This is supported by Lieberman and Huston-Wilson, (2002) who state that 93 percent of SEN children are based in mainstream schools. As teachers of PE we have to plan SEN pupils personnel and equipment. It has become apparent that some teachers in this country are not providing a fully inclusive curriculum with regards to SEN students (Block, 2002). In relation to the increase of SEN students in mainstream schools statistics from National Centre for Educational Statistics (2005) states that in the last 30 years EAL students have increased in our schools by 161% (cited Causton-Theoharis et al., 2008: 382). Many EAL students have different cultures and attitudes toward PE that may prevent them from performing. It is therefore the responsibility of the P.E teacher to plan strategies and use communication skills to include EAL students. Another consideration for all teachers is providing for Gifted and Talented students. First the PE teacher needs the skill to identify a gifted student and then ways in which they can be kept engaged during lessons and promote them to elite sporting success (Bailey Morley, 2010). Even though it is positive that certain students with additional needs are catered for by preplanning there tends to be a negative effect on the majority of students in the class. This is because our attention as a teacher gets focused predominantly on the students with the additional needs (Causton-Theoharis, 2008). Planning and risk assessment co-inside with one another in order provide a safe place to work (Macfadyen, 2010). Physical education teachers show high skills when risk assessment becomes routine practice (Shewry, 2008 cited Whitlam, 2010:173). PE teachers must see an event such as injury and danger before it takes place, furthermore physical education teachers must have the skills to prevent a risk without impeding on the students learning (Whitlam, 2010). When pupils take part in practical Physical Education the environment should be safe to exercise and the activity should be carried out safely (Whitlam, 2010). With relation to the National Curriculum this provides students with the underlying knowledge to carry safe and effective exercise on their own away from the classroom (QCA, 2007). An expected role of all teachers is that they are required to be reflective practitioners and evaluate on their own teaching and the learning of pupils as a means of ensuring the intended outcomes are met (Causton-Theoharis, 2008). In order to develop and deliver a curriculum that allows for all pupils to be included and make progress, it is the responsibility of the teacher to examine the needs of the pupils in their class and to adapt their lessons accordingly (Armour, 2010). The teachers with the most success are those who take it as their responsibility to act upon what happened during their class by using reflective strategies. The characteristics of the pupils could not be blamed such as behaviour due to home-life part by the way in which the teacher handles the class reflecting will improve the learning experience and curriculum delivery (James et al., 2007). Furthermore without reflective practice teacher will not gain experience to get across better teaching of the national curriculum (Keay, 2006). Upon critiquing the National Curriculum, reflection is a very important responsibility of the PE teacher, as the teacher is still a learner. The National Curriculum states that evaluating and improving is a key process (QCA, 2007). All people should be able to analyse, evaluate and improve therefore teachers should demonstrate this to. Assessments are a means of obtaining information to find out what level students have achieved. PE teachers need to have analysis skills such as observation to carry this out (Green, 2008). It is an ongoing and never ending process that PE teacher need to continuously develop throughout their career (Casbon and Spackman, 2005). There are two forms of assessment; summative and formative (Green, 2008). The debate has risen in resent modern day Physical Education arguing that teachers should move away from assessment of learning (summative) to assessment for learning (formative) this is because it gives to students a chance to act to improve (Frapewell, 2010). The role of a PE teacher has no difference from any other subject on the National Curriculum with regards to assessment and of high importance to Physical Education (Green, 2008). Assessment for learning has shown that students are given better direction in knowing how to improve, however, the national curriculum within PE lessons does not cater for SEN pupils as teachers are not skilled enough to grade the pupils with SEN on the attainment target criteria (Smith and Green, 2004). This is supported by Lieberman Houston-Wilson (2002) who state that PE teachers need to get speciaist advice from an adapted PE specalist before grading pupils, this therefore demonstrates a weakness in the national curriculum. Frapwell (2010) demonstrates that one important skill needed for PE teachers is that of feedback which is communicating accurate analysis. Blankenship (2008) states this will ultimately help pupils understand what they need to achieve and how they need to act to achieve the outcome (QCA, 2007). Teachers should encourage peer assessment as the national curriculum states that pupils should be able to analyse performance and identify strengths and weaknesses (QCA, 2007). Therefore it is the role of a PE teacher to provide pupils with the skills necessary for them to peer assess. One theory that suggests positive and negative aspects of peer assessment is the competence motivational theory (Harter, 1981 cited Blankenship, 2008:153) which states that feedback from a peer significantly affects the pupils perceived competence. If the peer praises perceived competence will rise, if the pupil is criticised or ignored perceived competence will full. Due to the advance of modern day technology and its affordability, the national curriculum has introduced ICT in the past ten year (Taylor, 2009). However it is debated that ICT should be a cross-curricular subject taught within other subjects as the 21st century world is dependent on it (Becta, 2003 cited Taylor, 2009:147). The National Curriculum for PE is inclusive of ICT as a way of improving performance (QCA, 2007). The use of ICT is also beneficial for pupils finding a role that best suits them in sport besides performing as well as evaluation of performance (QCA, 2007) this can be done by using player cam. As ICT is part of the National Curriculum, it is stated that PE teachers of modern education need to be ICT literate and have the skills and knowledge to use technology within their Physical Education lessons (Taylor, 2009). It was concluded by Bailey (2001) that ICT is awkward to use in PE lesson without careful planning and therefore the planning will allow for teachers to pick up the skills which they need. As a Physical Education teacher you gain further knowledge by participating in sport yourself to improve skills and be responsible to obtain help from coaches and instructors that are more experienced especially in sports and activities the teacher is weak in and take their knowledge into your physical teaching practice. (Carle, 2010) This can help provide good teaching of the national curriculum as pupils have a chance of experiencing a range of activities giving them a greater chance to see what type of activity best suits them. If the teacher understands the sporting technique then pupils are able to refine their own (QCA, 2007). Teachers however, do not have a full understanding of the subject but must act with the best interests of their students (Armour, 2010). Bailey (2001) takes this idea one step further by stating teachers are forever developing subject knowledge, subject knowledge is not the most important skill having the ability to plan is the key to successful teaching. Whilst delivering and planning for a Physical Education lesson Grossman (1990) suggests teachers need to understand four categories before teaching. They need to have an understanding of the topic, students understanding and performing in PE, how it relates the national curriculum and finally the strategies in which they can deliver the topic. However this was criticised by Green (2008) who stated that gaining experience of the teacher is more important. One important knowledge skill of a PE teacher is health knowledge that is to be able to deliver to pupils within the school setting and applied. This knowledge must be up to date, accurate and not hyped up by the media (Armour, 2010). Schools are the first place that The Government can educate and promote Public Health and Physical Education Curriculum is seen to be an ideal place to start (Allensworth et al. 1997). This is supported by Sallis and McKenzie (1991) stating school physical education is seen as an ideal site for the promotion of regular physical activity. Moreover this is because schools already have a captive audience in the pupils Physical Education teacher have the responsibility to provide free of charge opportunities to educate children in health issues (Fox, 1992). One modern problem the nation faces and is the responsibility of PE teachers to tackle is obesity, physical education teacher can play in the treatment of obesity at school (Ward and Bar-Or, 1986) The primary role of physical education is to develop the need for lifelong physical activity (NASPE, 2004: cited Blankenship, 2008:300). This was supported by Shephard and Trudeau (2000) as they consider the most important goal of PE is the long-term health of students. Health related exercise the area of the curriculum which includes the teaching of knowledge, understanding, physical competence and behavioural skills, this is aimed for pupils to understand and create a desire to carry out a healthy life style and be confident to continue participation in physical activity (Harris, 2000). Health related teaching is now an established and statutory component of the National Curriculum for PE in England this there for states it is a legal responsibility of a PE teacher (Carle, 2000). Furthermore, if teachers have the skills to create a positive impact on their pupil during lessons then life-long participation maybe created (Carle, 2000). The Social Learning theory by Bandura (1978) states that students model the behaviour of their teachers and copy reinforced behaviours social learning theory by Bandura (1978). Role modelling as a PE teacher is seen to be an essential skill for PE teachers to attract pupils to participate in life-long physical activity, this is supported by Hopper (2005) shows that primary school teachers tend to push pupils away from Physical Education however secondary school teachers have the specialist personal qualities to deliver the curriculum. The discussion continues Green (2008) stating that showing their love and passion for sport will attract children to continue sport, this applies to a national curriculum aim. In opposition having a love of the sport is not enough teachers need to gain the respect of the students building confidence, social skills, and self-esteem by role modelling in this way students will be more willing to access the curriculum opportunities (Comer 1988). One problem PE teachers experience is communication and therefore becoming friendly with the pupils this leads to discipline issues rather than positive role modelling (Bailey, 2001). This was supported Larson (2006) stating a number of personal qualities have also been associated with it teacher such as enthusiasm, sense of humour, approachability, patience, impartiality, open-mindedness, empathy, ability to be a good communicator and organiser and also be caring towards pupils. A good way in which PE teachers create inter-personal relationships is through extra-curricular clubs (Bailey, 2001). one responsibility of the PE teacher is to provide extracurricular clubs by providing the opportunity before school at lunchtimes and after-school (Green, 2008) the national curriculum states that people should be given the opportunity to participate in and beyond school (QCA, 2007) Physical Education has a place within schools as it is a way in which social cohesion can be brought about as we see the behaviour of pupils improving within the School and social community (Armour, 2010). Furthermore the study by Green (2000) states that a role of the PE teacher it is to promote the social skills during their lessons. Green (2000) suggests this is an unwritten part of the national curriculum however open to critiquing the national curriculum in our state that social well-being is an important outcome of physical education. To conclude it has come apparent that planning is the fundamentals that underpin all the roles and responsibilities of a PE teacher. However reflection is a key responsibility so teachers are able to plan and improve their delivery of the national curriculum. It has become clear from the research highlighted that the main role of Physical education in the nation curriculum is to provide a healthy life style which pupils can use in their adult life and to promote social well being for pupils to become good citizens.

Anorexia Nervosa :: essays research papers fc

Could you imagine being so afraid of food and the possibility of gaining weight that you would actually starve yourself? Food and eating are pleasures of everyday life we take for granted. Having the life of an Anorexic person fills you with the constant fear of one thing†¦.becoming fat.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa are slowly gripping a part of the female adolescent to young adult population. Although, Anorexia Nervosa has only been public since the 1970’s, records of the disorder go back as far as 1689. Thomas Morton, an English physician, studied subjects with a disorder he called the â€Å"wasting† disease. He had two cases, which were very similar. One was an eight-teen yr. old girl and the other was a six-teen yr. old boy. Both subjects had similar symptoms. They both had a strong lack of appetite, sensitivity to coldness, and extreme sadness. The girl eventually starved herself to death; however, the boy did recover (Gordon 12-13).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Through out the centuries there have been many cases of girls â€Å"fasting†, and not due to religious purposes. In the 1870’s the disorder became a topic of more medical concern. It happened around the time two doctors, Sir William Gull and Charles Lasegue, simultaneously published papers on a number of cases dealing with self-starvation (Alexander-Mott &Lumsden 101-102). Gull actually came up with the term Anorexia Nervosa, because he believed it was a nervous disease. Both doctors note four distinctive characteristics with each case. All of the patients experienced high levels of hyperactivity. Each of the patients denied the existence of the disorder. Also, they each had peculiar attitudes toward food. Finally, each patient had pathological family interactions (Gordon 13).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Years following Gull and Lasegue’s discoveries, research continued on this peculiar disorder. Unfortunately for a long period of time Anorexia was confused with Simmond’s Disease, an endocrine disorder. So, for awhile Anorexia sufferers were being prescribed the wrong medications, such as thyroid extracts (Gordon 14). Finally, in the 1930’s the two disorders were distinguished between.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In 1973 a woman who trained in psychoanalysis, named Bruch, wrote a book on eating disorders. Bruch had previously worked for three decades with Anorexic and obese patients. She observed that Anorexics had three main characteristics. The first was a distorted body image, a misperception of fat. The second was the inability to identify needs, particularly hunger, but also the whole range of emotions. The last characteristic was a feeling of ineffectiveness, lack of self-worth (Matthews 30).

Cannibalism Essay -- Cannibals Cultural Culture Essays

Cannibalism "Cannibalism, or institutionalized anthropophagi, has been part of human culture from the earliest times. Human teeth marks in ancient human bones offer clues cannibalism was commonplace. When Christopher Columbus explored the Americas, the term cannibal was coined after the Caniba, â€Å"a ferocious group of man-eaters who lived in the Caribbean islands† (Salisbury, 2001, Brief history . . .). The idea of cannibalism in the New World evoked paranoia in Europe. Any such practice was considered demonic and sacrilegious. Cannibalism was a topic of ancient horror stories. In Greek mythology, â€Å"after Thyestes unwittingly ate the flesh of his own children, the Sun was so appalled that he turned back on his course and plunged the world into darkness† (Hodgkinson, 2001). Cannibalism has been detested throughout Western history and was declared a sin by Pope Innocent IV in the sixteenth century. Spain’s Queen Isabella â€Å"decreed that Spanish colonists could only legally enslave natives who were cannibals, giving the colonists an economic interest in making such allegations† (Salisbury). Many natives were falsely accused of cannibalism and were made inferior as a result. Although they criminalized and enslaved West Indians for cannibalism, Europeans imported mummified body parts from Egypt and consumed medicine made from them to cure various diseases. Such treatment was commonly prescribed by seventeenth century doctors (Salisbury). Cannibalism is a significant part of Western history and it has sparked much controversy. In some present cultures, cannibalism remains a way of life. The Kim Yal people in Indonesia and the Wari’ people of the Amazon both have practiced cannibalism as part of their heritage.... ...rty and starvation struck the region. One of the most remembered stories of cannibalism in recent history was the 1972 crash of a Uruguayan airliner into the snowy Chilean Andes. An amateur rugby team en route from Montevideo to Santiago met with disaster and was lost in the high wilderness. Of the thirty-two passengers who survived the impact, only sixteen endured ten weeks of subfreezing weather and avalanches before their rescue. Their story was chilling. The survivors admitted to eating the flesh of the deceased, one by one, after each teammate consented to provide their bodies for food after they died. The world was shocked. Their dramatic accounts were re-created in the 1993 movie, Alive. The deceased victims were seen as heroes because they sacrificed themselves for the lives of the others. In times of disaster, cannibalism is often the only way of survival." Cannibalism Essay -- Cannibals Cultural Culture Essays Cannibalism "Cannibalism, or institutionalized anthropophagi, has been part of human culture from the earliest times. Human teeth marks in ancient human bones offer clues cannibalism was commonplace. When Christopher Columbus explored the Americas, the term cannibal was coined after the Caniba, â€Å"a ferocious group of man-eaters who lived in the Caribbean islands† (Salisbury, 2001, Brief history . . .). The idea of cannibalism in the New World evoked paranoia in Europe. Any such practice was considered demonic and sacrilegious. Cannibalism was a topic of ancient horror stories. In Greek mythology, â€Å"after Thyestes unwittingly ate the flesh of his own children, the Sun was so appalled that he turned back on his course and plunged the world into darkness† (Hodgkinson, 2001). Cannibalism has been detested throughout Western history and was declared a sin by Pope Innocent IV in the sixteenth century. Spain’s Queen Isabella â€Å"decreed that Spanish colonists could only legally enslave natives who were cannibals, giving the colonists an economic interest in making such allegations† (Salisbury). Many natives were falsely accused of cannibalism and were made inferior as a result. Although they criminalized and enslaved West Indians for cannibalism, Europeans imported mummified body parts from Egypt and consumed medicine made from them to cure various diseases. Such treatment was commonly prescribed by seventeenth century doctors (Salisbury). Cannibalism is a significant part of Western history and it has sparked much controversy. In some present cultures, cannibalism remains a way of life. The Kim Yal people in Indonesia and the Wari’ people of the Amazon both have practiced cannibalism as part of their heritage.... ...rty and starvation struck the region. One of the most remembered stories of cannibalism in recent history was the 1972 crash of a Uruguayan airliner into the snowy Chilean Andes. An amateur rugby team en route from Montevideo to Santiago met with disaster and was lost in the high wilderness. Of the thirty-two passengers who survived the impact, only sixteen endured ten weeks of subfreezing weather and avalanches before their rescue. Their story was chilling. The survivors admitted to eating the flesh of the deceased, one by one, after each teammate consented to provide their bodies for food after they died. The world was shocked. Their dramatic accounts were re-created in the 1993 movie, Alive. The deceased victims were seen as heroes because they sacrificed themselves for the lives of the others. In times of disaster, cannibalism is often the only way of survival."

James Joyce :: essays research papers fc

JAMES JOYCE James Joyce’s “Clay'; and “Eveline'; were two stories impacted by the break with his family, church, and his country. In this paper I will give examples to show that my thesis is correct. I may also enlighten you by telling you the story of an excellent Irish writer. James Augustine Joyce lived from 1882 to 1941. He was an Irish novelist and poet, “whose psychological perceptions and innovative literary techniques make him one of the most influential writers of the twentieth century'; (Encarta, 1). “His first book, Chamber Music, consists of thirty-six highly finished love poems. In his second work, Dubliners, a collection of fifteen short stories, Joyce dealt with episodes of his childhood and adolescence and with family and public life in Dublin, Ireland'; (Encarta, 1). “Joyce employed symbols to create what he called an “epiphany';, the revelation of an emotional or personal truth'; (Encarta, 1). “Using experimental techniques to convey the essential nature of realistic Daniels 2 situations, Joyce merged in his greatest works the literary traditions of realism, naturalism, and symbolism'; (Encarta, 1). “In 1941, suffering from a perforated ulcer, Joyce dies in Zurich on January thirteenth'; (Encarta, 1). “Joyce’s story, “Clay';, starts off on Halloween, which is the Celtic New Year’s Eve and Feast of the Dead. In Irish customs, it is a night of remembrance of the dead ancestors and anticipation of the various fortune telling games'; (Masterplots, 1). The story is about Maria, a middle age spinster who works in the kitchen of a laundry established for the reform of prostitutes. She makes her way across the city of Dublin to the seasonal festivities at the home of her former father figure, Joe Donnelly. Joyce draws a character portrait, which conveys much of Maria’s past, present, and future. The story develops at three scenes: at the laundry, on the journey across the city, and at the Halloween party. At the laundry, Maria’s fussy personality is shown as she prepares tea and anticipates her reunion with Joe and Mrs. Donnelly. When she travels northward stopping at the city, she is reminded of her isolation, first by the irritation of the girl in the cake shop and again by the polite attentions of the gentleman in the train. When she reaches the Donnelly’s she is greeted with mixed emotions since she interrupts the children’s party and disrupts the festive atmosphere. The festive fun is restored all the same by fortune telling games.

“Life of Pi” Mini Essay Essay

Juxtaposing â€Å"Crude reality† with fiction â€Å"for the sake of greater truth†, Yann Martel’s ‘Life of Pi’ illustrates the influence childhood experiences can have our lives, ultimately preparing us for adulthood and the challenges which lie ahead. The lessons Pi learns in his childhood essentially play a vital role in his survival at sea with the illusive figure of Richard Parker. Whilst some skills that Pi acquires in his early childhood plainly aid his future adventure some are not as blatantly obvious, none the less they are still fundamental in his survival and adult life. Pi’s early childhood experiences provide him with the basic skills required to survive his future voyage at sea as having learnt to so swim at age seven by Francis Adirubasamy â€Å"Mamaji† essentially proves vital to survival at sea. Moreover, his vast knowledge of animals, having grown up at a zoo, helps him tame Richard Parker regardless of which story entails the ‘truth’. Furthermore, pi’s experience of watching a tiger kill a goat in his early childhood taught him the fundamental lesson ‘an animal is an animal’, enabling him to strategically and mentally survive his long and testing time at sea. However, perhaps more fundamental in influencing his future adventures and childhood are not the skills that he acquired in his youth but instead the deeper knowledge of himself and the world around him attained through his religious beliefs. Pi’s belief in pluralism and acceptance of the three religions, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam aid his future and is a crucial part of his survival at sea, his faith in knowing â€Å"so long as god is with me, I will not die† gives him the mental strength and will power to survive his ordeal. Furthermore, the three religions and the stories they impart shred a light on and explore the diverse perceptions of truth, from the â€Å"Dry, yeastless factuality† modern depiction of truth. Ultimately, allowing him to manipulate the truth in order to be at peace with the â€Å"crude reality† of his ordeal. Pi’s childhood experiences and teachings learnt in Pondicherry play a vital role in his future adventures and adult life, shaping him and giving him the skills and inner strength required to survival 227 days at sea.

Chimney Sweeper Essay

A great writer, or poet, will make their readers feel as if they are a part of their story. The reader will feel happy when the character is happy, or sad when the character is sad. This is achieved by various rhetorical strategies that writers use. Some of these strategies include imagery and word diction. Sometimes it is one sentence that really gets to the reader. Other times it is simply one word that can make the reader feel anything from warm to sad. In William Blake’s poem, â€Å"The Chimney Sweeper,† from Songs of Innocence, there is an important transition in which the reader’s sense of emotions change from negative feelings of darkness, death, and misery to positive emotions of happiness, hope, and salvation. This transition in emotions reflects the child’s innocence and oblivion to his victimization whereas in the same poem from Songs of Experience the child is aware that he is the victim and therefore only reveals feelings of bitterness and sarcasm. This contrast is important to my understanding of the Innocence poem because it reveals a softer and more innocent perspective than the poem of Experience does. In the first half of the poem Blake uses word diction that gives off negative connotations in order to illustrate the horrible conditions the young chimneysweepers live in. The chimneysweeper says, â€Å"And my father sold me while yet my tongue/Could scarcely cry † ‘weep! ‘weep! ‘weep! ‘weep! ’† (2-3). Not only does the word â€Å"weep† clearly give off a sense of sadness and depression, but the fact that it is repeated four times puts an emphasis on the sadness that the chimneysweeper feels. The quote implies that the father sold his child at a very young age. As a result, the child was still too young to weep and therefore could not refuse to be sold. Another quote says, â€Å"So your chimneys I sweep & in soot I sleep† (4). When one hears the word â€Å"sweep†, they are imagining dirt and filth being lifted off the ground. Moreover, the phrase â€Å"in soot I sleep†, if one imagines it in a literal sense, shows that the child is literally sleeping in soot, which is the black debris that the smoke from the chimney creates. As a result, this quote illustrates a dirty and filthy setting that these chimneysweepers are forced to live in. A phrase that, without a doubt, gives off a sense of death and hell is â€Å"coffins of black† (12). The chimneysweeper uses this phrase to describe where the other chimneysweepers are locked in Tom’s dream, which is still filthy and almost suffocating. While these quotes and phrases observe and reveal the terrible conditions that these children are living in, the chimneysweeper in the Experience poem reasons why he is living in those conditions by blaming his parents. This comparison makes evident the different perspectives from each poem. Hints of hope are first revealed in the Innocence poem where Blake uses the child’s sarcasm to show that in moments of darkness and unhappiness there is still space for optimism so as not to suffer so much. This is revealed when the chimneysweeper reassures Tom to â€Å"never mind it, for when your head’s bare/You know that the soot cannot spoil your white hair† (7-8). In a way this would make Tom feel hopeful because with a bare head, the soot cannot ruin his hair. But in a metaphorical sense, it implies that darkness (the soot) will not prevail over everything, which gives one hope. What follows this sense of hope is Tom’s description of his dream: And by came an Angel who had a bright key/And he open’d the coffins & set them all free/Then down a green plain leaping, laughing, they run/And wash in a river, and shine in the Sun/Then naked and white, all their bags left behind/They rise upon clouds and sport in the wind. (13-18) This stanza contains numerous amounts of words and phrases that all give a positive connotation of hope, freedom, warmth, and happiness. Words such as â€Å"Angel†, â€Å"bright key†, â€Å"laughing†, â€Å"Sun†, and â€Å"white† give off a feeling that is too good to be true, which explains why it is a dream in the first place. But that hope and happiness is so strong that when Tom awakes, he continues his work happily. This utopian perspective clearly shows the innocence of these children, while the child in the poem of Experience has no sense of hope because he is aware of the reality he is living in. While the children in the Innocence poem use religious words and phrases to give them something to look forward to, the child in the Experience poem condemns religion. Blake shows how religion is used to almost condone the treatment and conditions of these chimneysweepers when he writes, â€Å"And the Angel told Tom, if he’d be a good boy/He’d have God for his father and never want joy† (19-20). This quote implies that obedience and sticking to your duties will bring happiness in the afterlife. The same thing is implied when the chimneysweeper says, â€Å"So if all do their duty they need not fear harm† (24). In other words, as long as these chimneysweepers continue with their gruesome work while refraining from complaints, they will be happy and will be rewarded in the afterlife for their good behavior. This mentality seems to convince the children that it is acceptable live in these horrible conditions because they will be rewarded once they pass. In contrast, the child in the Experience poem does not see the afterlife or God as something or someone to look forward to because he blames God for the position he is in. He mocks God by saying, â€Å"And are gone to praise God and his Priest and King/Who make up a heaven of our misery† (11-12). The child’s parents are praying in the church and believe that they have not caused their child any injury. In this case, it is the parents that are condoning the brutal life of their child. This major difference between the two poems is important because it reveals how differently each child views the situation they are in as chimneysweepers. Blake’s use of word diction and imagery in the poem of Innocence and in the poem of Experience differentiates the two opposing perspectives of each poem. Because the Innocence poem transitions from darkness and hopelessness to freedom and hopefulness, my understanding of this poem is extremely different from the other. It is clear that the chimneysweeper in the Experience poem is aware that he is the victim; therefore, his feelings of sadness and despair block him from seeing any hope. Instead, he blames God and his parents for the life he lives. In contrast, I am given the sense that the chimneysweeper in the Innocence poem is completely oblivious to the fact that he is a victim, and therefore it is easier for him to see the light in the darkest moments; in this sense he is still innocent of any hard feelings towards his father or God.

Journal Citation for “Hate Crime”

Journal Citation List Hull, H. G. (2009). THE NOT-SO-GOLDEN YEARS: WHY HATE CRIME LEGISLATION IS FAILING A VULNERABLE AGING POPULATION. Mich. St. L. Rev. 387. Retrieved from www. lexisnexis. com/hottopics/lnacademic Wang, L. (2000). RECOGNIZING OPPORTUNISTIC BIAS CRIMES. 80 B. U. L. Rev. 1399. Retrieved from www. lexisnexis. com/hottopics/lnacademic Taslitz, A. E. (2000). HATE CRIMES, FREE SPEECH, AND THE CONTRACT OF MUTUAL INDIFFERENCE. 80 B. U. L. Rev. 1283. Retrieved from www. lexisnexis. com/hottopics/lnacademic Ginsberg, A. (2011).Hate Is Enough HOW NEW YORK'S BIAS CRIMES STATUTE HAS EXCEEDED ITS INTENDED SCOPE. 76 Brooklyn L. Rev. 1599. Retrieved from www. lexisnexis. com/hottopics/lnacademic Schafer, J. R. ; Navarro, J. (2000). HATE UNMASKED: A PRACTICAL MODEL FOR UNDERSTANDING AND DEALING WITH HATE GROUPS. 21 Chicano-Latino L. Rev. 5. Retrieved from www. lexisnexis. com/hottopics/lnacademic Martin II, S. R. (1994). ESTABLISHING THE CONSTITUTIONAL USE OF BIAS-INSPIRED BELIEFS AND EXPRESSIONS IN PENALTY ENHANCEMENT FOR HATE CRIMES: WISCONSIN v. MITCHELL. 27 Creighton L. Rev. 503. Retrieved from www. exisnexis. com/hottopics/lnacademic Jacobs, J. B. ; Potter, K. A. (1997). Hate Crimes: A Critical Perspective. 22 Crime ; Just. 1. Retrieved from www. lexisnexis. com/hottopics/lnacademic Ainsworth, K. N. (1993). TARGETING CONDUCT: A CONSTITUTIONAL METHOD OF PENALIZING HATE CRIMES. 20 Fordham Urb. L. J. 669. Retrieved from www. lexisnexis. com/hottopics/lnacademic Han, E. (2006). CONSTITUTIONAL LAW CHAPTER: B. HATE CRIMES AND HATE SPEECH. 7 Geo. J. Gender ; L. 679. Retrieved from www. lexisnexis. com/hottopics/lnacademic Kalam, M. (2000). Hate Crime Prevention. 37 Harv.J. on Legis. 593. Retrieved from www. lexisnexis. com/hottopics/lnacademic Gratett, R. ; Jenness, V. (2001). EXAMINING THE BOUNDARIES OF HATE CRIME LAW: DISABILITIES AND THE â€Å"DILEMMA OF DIFFERENCE. 91 J. Crim. L. & Criminology 653. Retrieved from www. lexisnexis. com/hottopics/lnacademic S cotting,T. A. (2001). Hate Crimes and the Need for Stronger Federal Legislation. 34 Akron L. Rev. 853. Retrieved from www. lexisnexis. com/hottopics/lnacademic MacNamara, B. S. (2003). NEW YORK'S HATE CRIMES ACT OF 2000: PROBLEMATIC AND REDUNDANT LEGISLATION AIMED AT SUBJECTIVE MOTIVATION. 6 Alb. L. Rev. 519. Retrieved from www. lexisnexis. com/hottopics/lnacademic Taslitz, A. E. (1999). Condemning the Racist Personality: Why the Critics of Hate Crimes Legislation Are Wrong. 40 B. C. L. Rev 739. Retrieved from www. lexisnexis. com/hottopics/lnacademic Sampson, M. H. (2000). Federal Hate Crimes Legislation PRO: The problem of hate crimes demands federal intervention, bringing with it increased expertise and resources. 26 San Francisco Att'y 24. Retrieved from www. lexisnexis. com/hottopics/lnacademic Wang, L. (1997).THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF â€Å"HATE†: SOCIAL COGNITION THEORY AND THE HARMS OF BIAS-RELATED CRIME. 71 S. Cal. L. Rev. 47. Retrieved from www. lexisnexis. com/hott opics/lnacademic O'Keefe, K. B. (2010). PROTECTING THE HOMELESS UNDER VULNERABLE VICTIM SENTENCING GUIDELINES: AN ALTERNATIVE TO INCLUSION IN HATE CRIME LAWS. 52 Wm. & Mary L. Rev. 301. Retrieved from www. lexisnexis. com/hottopics/lnacademic Agyemang, T. (2006). RECONCEPTUALIZING CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AS A BIAS CRIME UNDER THE PROTECT ACT. 12 Cardozo J. L. & Gender 937. Retrieved from www. lexisnexis. com/hottopics/lnacademic Lawrence, F.M. (2003). THE NEW DATA: OVER-REPRESENTATION OF MINORITIES IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ARTICLE: ENFORCING BIAS-CRIME LAWS WITHOUT BIAS: EVALUATING THE DISPROPORTIONATE-ENFORCEMENT CRITIQUE. 66 Law & Contemp. Prob. 49. Retrieved from www. lexisnexis. com/hottopics/lnacademic Grattet, R. & Jenness, V. (2005). THANKING OUR REVIEWER: ARTICLE OF GENERAL INTEREST: The Reconstitution of Law in Local Settings: Agency Discretion, Ambiguity, and a Surplus of Law in the Policing of Hate Crime. 39 Law & Soc'y Rev. 893. Retrieved from www. lexisnexis. co m/hottopics/lnacademic

Jackass: Comedy and People

Imagine you are up late one night watching television, and you come across the MTV channel and you start to watch a show where a man is slamming himself to a wall, and then you see another clip where a man is dancing around naked in the street, then you must be watching Jackass. Jackass is a show where people perform dangerous, hilarious, disgusting stunts and pranks, but simply the show is made to make people laugh. The show is really simply comedic, but since the show includes many dangerous stunts and activities, the show receives negative criticism for being the blame for certain accidents where teenagers tried to imitate the show. Even though the show has received a lot negative criticism, the show was still able to maintain its popularity because we have a dark sense of humor, we seek some sort of thrill, and it makes us feel superior to people on the show. Most of us have shown to have a dark sense of humor and we enjoy watching television shows like Jackass. The stunts and pranks performed on the show are cruel and most of the time people performing the stunts end up getting hurt, but we still laugh. Even looking at history, we can see that people have always has a dark sense of humor, like in Roman Empire era when people would fight to the death for other people’s entertainment. Then, we moved from trying to kill each other for entertainment to have animals fight for our entertainment, and now we have television and movies to help feed our craving for dark humor. In Stephen King’s essay, â€Å"Why We Crave Horror Movies†, Stephen explains that a horror movie â€Å"†¦deliberately appeals to all that is worst in us. It is morbidly unchained, our most base instincts set free, our nastiest fantasies realized†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Page 2). Just like a horror movie, shows like Jackass appeals to the worst in us and helps us to take control our dark sense of humor. Jackass is probably still one of the most disgusting and daring show on air and we find it thrilling to watch because for that reason. The shows intensity and excess makes us either want to look away or watch even more. On the show, they go as far as artificially inseminating a cow, swallowing a live fish and throwing it up later, flipping over a port-a-potty while someone is inside, diving into a pool full of elephant feces, and even more ridiculous stunts. The stunts on the show aren’t something that people do on a daily basis and people find it thrilling to watch others try something that hasn’t been done. Some of us would probably want to know what it is like to do some of the stunts seen on the show, but we are too afraid to try. The show help us to see what would have happened if we were to try a stunt seen on the show. The pranks done in the show are truly cruel and unnecessary and in some way makes us happy it isn’t us and makes us feel superior to the people on the show. On the show, someone walks around with an electric razor and randomly cuts out patches on people’s hair, also people on the show go off-roading in golf carts. Even though the show has a warning not to try anything seen on the show at home, most of us know better than to go ice skating naked and makes people laugh to know that there is someone out there stupid enough to try it. Just the watching the people on show, it makes us feel that we are better than them; somewhat feeds to our ego to know that there are others who less incompetent than us.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and Keurig Coffee Case Study - 2

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and Keurig Coffee - Case Study Example Howard Schultz is the President, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairmen of Starbucks Corporation, whereas Jeff Hansberry is the President of Starbucks Global Consumer Products Group. The current CEO of GMCR is Larry Blanford. The net sales of GMCR have been depicted as 3,859,198 US Dollars in 2012, whereas profit of the company was 1,269,399 US Dollars in the year 2012. In accordance with GMCR, in 1983, it had kept waste reduction along with responsible energy as top priority (GMCR, 2013). In the year 1989, GMCR engaged in the development of earth-friendly coffee fitters. In the year 2010, GMCR and Starbucks build up a strategic relationship for marketing and selling of K-cup portion cup. The company has engaged in K-cup portion cup business in the GMCR’s Keurig single-cup brewing system (Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, 2012). Dunkin’s K-cup portion pack can be regarded as a key strength of GMCR. Dunkin’ Donuts is primarily famous for providing quality coffee. Alliance between these two companies has strengthened the position of GMCR by increasing the customers’ preference for Keurig brewer. Another vital strength of the company is Tully’s acquisition in the year 2009 that provided it leadership dominancy in specialty coffee. One of the key weaknesses is recognized to be GMCR’s dependence upon a single manufacturer i.e. China. Moreover, the company also greatly depends upon few retailers for revenue. It’s entry within the functional drink market in the United States (US) can be considered as its major opportunity. GMCR’s product Keurig is another pertinent opportunity for its sustainability in the competitive market. Furthermore, GMCR’s ‘Hotel in-room’ brewer can also be determined as an opportunity for the company. Increase in demand fo r Arabica-coffee, which is of good quality might stand as a threat for the company (Jang et al., 2013). GMCR has faced challenges

Innovation of crowdfunding Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Innovation of crowdfunding - Essay Example Crowdfunding, as a process, has a series of unique features. For this reason, the specific process is considered to meet the requirements of innovation. However, a carefully review of the characteristics of this process reveals similarities to an existing framework/ idea: the crowdsourcing, a term denoting ‘the use of crowd to obtain ideas, feedback and solutions in regard to corporate activities’ (Danmayr, 2013, p.4). In addition, before crowdfunding creative projects were funded using ‘traditional funding methods, such as self-financing or bank-financing’ (Metzler, 2011, p.4). In this context it could be supported that crowdfunding is a process that has replaced traditional financing schemes, especially in regard to projects of the creative sector. As of the innovative character of crowdfunding reference should be made to the following fact: crowdfunding seems to meet all the criteria used for defining a process as innovative. However, problem could possibly appear when trying to categorise crowdfunding as innovation. Initially, crowdfunding could be possibly considered to be a radical innovation, as this type of innovation is explained further in the next sections. A series of studies in the literature seem to promote this view; the studies of Castaldo (2013) and Deffains-Crapsky and Sudolska (2014), as analyzed below, are examples of this approach. However, most academic studies lead to another view: crowdfunding is rather an incremental innovation, i.e. an innovation based on existing technology. This study refers to crowdfunding as an incremental innovation. Relevant literature is presented in the Literature Review section for supporting the specific approach. In crowdfunding three types of participants can be identified: ‘the creators, the funders and the online platform’ (Danmayr, 2013, p.18). Crowdfunding involves in two, key,