Monday, September 30, 2019

Shouldice Hospital Case Study

Shouldice Hospital Case Study Calvin Barron Liberty University March 2, 2010 Respectfully submitted to Prof. Scott McLaughlin Overview The Shouldice Hospital serves as a glaring example of extraordinary service and care for the impaired and needy. From carpeting and soft lighting to doting personal care from the staff, the Shouldice experience sets a standard of excellence for the industry. Dr. Earl Shouldice displayed an early desire for medical understanding with an age 12 exploratory of a farm animal. Medical training at the University of Toronto led to a private practice after World War One. An appendectomy of an obstinate young child led to questioning of his medical training concerning surgical recovery. The child’s refusal to remain still and bedfast after surgery led to the present â€Å"Shouldice method†. The consideration of immediate ambulation promoting quicker recoveries was proven by the observation and inspection of numerous cases following the stubborn child who refused to sit still. Dr. Shouldice used the following years to study and improve on these observations. The Shouldice Hospital was founded to use these observations to promote and capitalize on his proven method of hernia repair. In something of an assembly line method, Dr. Shouldice designed and developed his current factory type facility. Textual Concepts Competitive Service Strategies from pages 38-41 of the text offers strategies to further the expansion of the Shouldice hospital service methodology. Service and Design Elements from pages 68-69 highlight Shouldice Hospital in the text specifically. Deming’s Plan-Do-Check-Act system of continuous improvement on page 146 of the text seems the basis of Shouldice’s methodology. Deming’s 14 Point program from page 154 of the text offers some important steps which could be used to softly promote progress within the Shouldice program. Franchising from page 343 of the text offers an answer to immediate inexpensive expansion to the current model. Strengths The Shouldice Hospital has an easily identifiable surgical procedure, recovery practice and service known by the Name of Shouldice worldwide. The hospital experiences a backload of patients for the better part of the year due to simply word-of-mouth advertisement. The hospital has an â€Å"Alumni† of 140,000 clients assumed to be satisfied with the procedures. Out of the 140,000 just . 8% is reported as be reoccurring hernias. Compared to the United States alone, noted as having the best health care in the world, the report indicates a 10% U. S. reoccurrence problem. The relatively low cost of services provided including the operation and travel is small to say the least and serves only to increase demand for the experience. The increase in patient applications prompted an expansion in productivity which only served to increase the demand the more. Shouldice is as supportive to their staff as they are to their patients. Above average pay, benefits, and profit sharing serve to entice a dedicated performance out of the staff. Doctors are said to find the Hospital desirous due to the light workload and the ability to live a full home life with their families. Weaknesses Only external hernias are repaired by the program. The inclusion of internal hernias has been discouraged due to the increased amount of time needed to deal with the more extensive procedures in such a fast paced environment. The chances of extenuating circumstances create an unpredictable outcome as well as increased recovery time. The only site offering these unique services is located in Canada. Cases such as that of the author of this report are found to be excluded from such a procedure due to the need for international travel, governmental barriers, and monetary relations with foreign entities. Dr. Obney has resisted changes based on his inability to be on hand in case of an emergency or on his personal preferences. The ability to add another surgical day or an additional floor to the Hospital and take on more patients is as well off-set by the age and availability of Dr. Obney to be there at an increased rate. Only healthy average weight individuals are accepted as patients. The hernias are chosen as quick and easy repairs to maximize the ability for a greater quantity of patients and a quicker turnaround time. Doctors are taught and expected to adhere to the Shouldice method barring any deviation from the routine. Any deviation from the norm is required to demand a conference with other surgeons before continuance. Free thinking is frowned upon and the motto of â€Å"Excellence is the enemy of Good† is taught and adhered to there. Suggestions From page 39 of the text, Standardizing_ a Custom Service_ offers an ideal prospect for the Shouldice Hospitals’ expansion of services. â€Å"†¦family health care centers are attractive means of delivering routine professional services at low cost. (Fitzsimmons and Fitzsimmons, 2008, p. 39) Considering the profile listed in the text concerning Shouldice Hospital and the service design element of the Facility being highlighted as the discussion topic from pages 68-69 any further discussion of the facilities design would be counterproductive. The ability to reproduce the factory type facility in Canada should be simple enough due to the strict discipline followed and the highly controlled and co-productive nature of the clientele, the operation techniques and procedures, and the strict recovery process. The relocation to different countries would be the obvious next step since patients worldwide seem to flock to their present location. The garden acres typesetting would indicate a rural setting for additional locations which would allow the lesser expense of non commercial and non prime real estate for typical settings. The feasibility of offering franchises with the demand to strictly duplicate the Canadian model would allow a swifter expansion to a global market. The franchiser retains the right to dictate conditions. Standard operating must be followed. Materials must be purchased from either the franchiser or an approved supplier. No deviation from the product line is permitted, training sessions must be attended, and continuing royalty fees must be paid. (Fitzsimmons and Fitzsimmons, 2008, p. 343) The Harvard business case of Shouldice Hospital includes a reproduction of a Boca Raton Florida advertisement for a knock-off Shouldice experience; â€Å"The Canadian Hernia Clinic† featuring â€Å"no overnight stay†Ã¢â‚¬ . (Heskett, 2003, pg. 8) This could be avoided with simple advertisement and a franchise offering to the popular and lucrative Canadian model. The Plan-Do-Check-Act prospect introduced by Deming in the text appears to be the process indicated in the case study that Dr Shouldice employed in the facilities development, or at least some variation thereof. To use W. Edwards Deming’s 14-point program as a model for the implementation of progressing the service model implemented by Dr. Shouldice would only be appropriate. On point Ten with the â€Å"Excellence is the Enemy of Good† Shouldice employs serves to allow and promote mediocrity as opposed the Deming’s point of striving toward excellence. From Deming we find statements such as; Create constancy of purpose toward improvement of product and service, with the aim to become competitive and to stay in business, and to provide jobs†¦Improve constantly and forever the system of production and service, to improve quality and productivity, and thus constantly decrease costs†¦Institute leadership. The aim of supervision should be to help people and machines and gadgets to do a better job. Supervision of management is in need of an overhaul, as well as supervision of production workers†¦Eliminate slogans†¦Remove barriers that rob the hourly paid worker of his right to pride in workmanship. (Fitzsimmons and Fitzsimmons, 2008, p. 154) The leadership and allow worker pride in their workmanship all seem to go against the Shouldice model. Followers and automated pre programmed automatons are seemingly encouraged at The Shouldice Hospital. The situation seems to discourage the exact kind of innovation which was responsible for the Hospital and the method and the experience developed by Dr. Shouldice through innovation and improvement on the status quo of his day. Deming said â€Å"Innovation in all business of should be expected† (Fitzsimmons and Fitzsimmons, 2008, p. 154) this is not the practice of Shouldice. Instead they repeat a proven function and disallow any deviation or improvement. It is suggested that Dr. Obney step aside and allow the Facility to be globalized as well as the process. Expanding upon the process as well as the facility should open up new avenues of improvement and innovation such as that which Dr. Shouldice noticed, explored, developed, and expanded upon so many years ago. The Shouldice Hospital serves as a glaring example of extraordinary service and innovation and should be reproduced and made available to the rest of the world. References Fitzsimmons, J. A. & Fitzsimmons, M. J. (2008). _Service Management: Operations, Strategy, and Information Technology_ (6th ed. ). New York: McGraw-Hill Irwin. Heskett, James (2003) MBS-Harvard Business Case, Shouldice Hospital Ltd. , Harvard Business Cases MBS Direct, Harvard Business School Publishing, Boston, MA 02163

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Analyze Individual And Societal Influences

Analyze individual and societal influences that lead to deviance from dominant group norms. People who become part of a group or are members of that group share similar characteristics of the same nature. â€Å"When there is proof of the uniqueness of a team, such person is believed to have an effect of black sheep, as he refused guidelines of the group and left the group. Individuals who are member of the group experience have more trouble with party members rather than out-group members.† (Fiske, 2010)Differences happen when an individual of a group understands and sees the implications of having a reward for his or her behavior. Difference happens when individuals understand and see the cost implications to reward their behavior. This behavior, deviance, is considered distracting and bad influence. It is considered negative when associated with criminals and addicts. People who deviate, are able to develop a sense of self-identity and truly are aware of the decision they ar e making.â€Å"Anomaly occurs because people develop an identity sense or self-understanding, which becomes their personal life standard,† however many of these people from the group become â€Å"anomaly learned contra conventional ways or objectives and attitudes of support in their early socialization. â€Å" An individual is prepared for deviance with this type of learning and social behavior that prepares for elimination of conservative norms and legitimacy from the group.The process of deviance happens with normal learning processes and with different theories of association, attitude learning, motivation values and knowledge to a degree that all of these becomes part of his identity and makes him or her strong enough for commitment. The learning process and the socialization help the individual change a very straight forward experience eliminating all conservative standards to neutral place, eliminating the guilt, underlying important personal characteristics.Also, de viation of a group is possible for having individuals who have inspirational behavior but no chance of becoming a leader in the group. There are standards that are required as key element to eliminate tendency of the group going for deviance. The most important factor of preventing deviance within the group is communication of feelings. â€Å"If members of a group are participants who are active, who know they have a potential in the group, who are well known of their skills or position in the group, which is less likely to deviate from the group.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Business Research Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Business Research Report - Essay Example The amount of profit earned will be determined by the amount of money paid by customers for baked goods subtracted from the amount of money spent on buying the products. The profit depends on what is baked and how much is charged for baked goods. Several obstacles come along the establishment of such business as bakery. One of them is the lack of funds to purchase the required equipments for this work. This is because some products require special equipments, for example, baking of wedding cakes. Baking of breads also requires slicing machines that are expensive hence a lack of enough funds is a major obstacle to the business. The other obstacle to a successful bakery business is that there has been a problem in the number of qualified personnel, in bakeries. These are the trained bakery technologists. This has lead to slowed development in the bakery industry. This has been a major obstacle because there is no growth in the food and beverage industry since no new products are introduced in the market. There have been several business partners in the bakery businesses. This is some of those who have careers in foods. Some of those who had successful businesses include the following: AB Mauri Bakery AMOUN PITA NATURAL BAKERS ARCHWAY COOKIES Achatz Handmade Pie Company Al Dente Pasta, Inc. Aladdin Bakers Albuquerque Tortilla Alessi Bakeries Alpha Baking Co. Alpine Valley Bread Alvarado Street Bakery American Italian Pasta Co. Amorosos Baking Co. Annie Pies Gourmet Bakery Artuso Pastry Foods Corp. Athens Pastries, Inc. Atticus LLC dba Chabaso Bakery Aunt Millies Bakeries Blackhawk Bakery Bloomfield Bakers Bl ue Bonnet Bakery BoDeans Baking Co. Cereal Food Processors Inc. Cereal Ingredients IncChattanooga Bakery Inc/Moon Pie Cheksea Milling Group Cheryl & Co. Gourmet Cookies Claxton Bakery Inc. Clydes Delicious Donuts Collin Street Bakery Consolidated Biscuit Co. Deerfields Delice European Bakery Delicias

Friday, September 27, 2019

2000 word research paper on potential career paths Essay

2000 word research paper on potential career paths - Essay Example The network of IT services provided by Bremmar Consulting is not restricted to Western Australia alone but extends across Australia as well as other countries of the world. Bremmar Consulting offers advanced technological services which equip the customers with the right firepower to compete in the cutthroat world of business. Bremmar Consulting is committed to help its customers accomplish their business goals by providing the best IT support and IT management. The firm takes care of every minute detail leaving the customer totally focus on his business. Bremmar Consulting is a small organization with fifteen staff members in its Perth office. The firm hires only the best engineers for its project management who are qualified Microsoft Certified Professional with a working experience of at least five years in the IT industry. The qualified team of engineers is capable of completing the project on time, within the budget allocated and to the satisfaction of the customers. It specializes in consulting, network administration, installation and repair and technical assistance. Although a small firm, Bremmar has a list of satisfied clients. It provides custom-made IT management and IT support to its customers. Bremmar appoints a three member team which efficiently monitors the client’s entire IT environment round the clock. The three members’ team provides phone, remote and on-site IT support. Incase of an emergency, the team appointed is quick to respond as per the response time agreed in the service contract. This close surveillance enables the dedicated Bremmar staff to identify any problem even before it becomes noticeable; the spot-on problem identification ensures flawless and uninterruptible operation of the working environment of the customer. The team also provides detailed report including the causes of trouble, steps taken to resolve the issue and who requested the work. Bremmar Consulting also provides the customers with

Thursday, September 26, 2019

E_Week4DQ Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

E_Week4DQ - Essay Example The money transfer is done without exposing the account details of the sender to the buyer. On purchase, the money is transferred directly from the buyers account to the sellers account. The transaction can be monitored by the buyer through logging into the Micropay account. In the event of any loss, Micropay refunds the cost of the purchased item and the cost of the initial postage value. This mode of payment offers Privacy, integrity, and non-repudiation and the authorizing entity, in this case Micropay issues the users against any losses. Micropay facilitated payment of large values as well as small values. The cash value accumulated in the Micropay account is transferable to banks and internationally. The system is easy to use and allows users to login and transact business from different locations and computers. One has to register with both EBay and Micropay to be able to utilize Micropay services (Hsiao-Cheng, Kuo-Hua, & Pei-Jen, 2002). How Micropay works Micropay does not pro vide a different way of banking but is just a middleman in the transactional processes. Credit and debit cards transactions travel on different networks. When a merchant a transaction to be made through Micropay, they will do so by paying a small fee which is normally 2 percent of the transaction. There is also an interchangeable fee that is charged for all the companies that take part in the transactions. The fee is universal and is charged for any company that is involved in the process. The part that Micropay comes in is in that both the buyer and the seller deal with Micropay after they have provided their banking details. Micropay then handles all the transactions that will take place between all the banks that will be included and will pay the interchange fee. They will recover the money that they pay for the interchange from the fee they charge for receiving the money. They also get it from the interest they get from the money they left in their accounts (Han Zhang & Haizheng , 2006). I am sure that Micropay will assist us in our e-commerce project in the fact that it will help us to get payments done to various clients. It will also help us secure our money and trust. Their security is trustworthy and we are able to bank on it getting payments and making payments. References Han Zhang & Haizheng, L 2006, Factors affecting payment choices in online auctions: A study of e-Bay traders, Springer, New York. Hsiao-Cheng, Y, Kuo-Hua H, & Pei-Jen K 2002, Electronic payment systems: An analysis and comparison of types, Chiao-Tung University, 1001 Ta-Hseuh Road, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan IBM Taiwan, Taipei 100, Taiwan Technology in Society. In a 3 to 4 paragraph essay with support from the text theory discuss the following:Â   As a customer, what is your biggest security nightmare and how to you expect the site to protect you? My biggest security nightmare is having our online account hacked and all the funds transferred to other accounts. This will mean that all ou r money for undertaking the e-commerce shall have been lost. Micropay will be of great help in the sense that the online transactions will be secured. Due to the nature of Micropay in the sense that it has all the personal information of many users on the Internet, it has an extra layer of security for the purpose of securing the data it handles on the Internet. The details that it handles include bank account numbers, addresses and credit card numbers. With other online transaction

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Advantages and Disadvantages of Making and Buying Assignment

Advantages and Disadvantages of Making and Buying - Assignment Example Advantages of using internal resources (making approach)Advantages of using internal resources (making approach)i) Complete controlThe use of internal resource in developing the new system gives the organization total control of the system. They are able to carry out internal factor analysis by surveying, classifying, exploring and appraising without external interference (Limaye, 2009).ii) Ownership of the software codeThe organization has full ownership of the software code and can be able to smoothly identify and carry out major updates while doing inner testing without written permission from an external entity (Doyle, 2008).iii) Tailored to unique needs of the businessThe organization can make a system that is unique to their business needs because in house production enables them to make core features thus ensuring longevity as well as running of the software (Limaye, 2009).  iv) In house production ensures easy identification of problems associated with the system and timely solutions.  Disadvantages of using internal resources (making approach)i) Development timeInternal development of software requires a lot of time from human resources of the organization. It is time consuming to develop complex solutions for multiple users (Doyle, 2008).ii) Training and supportIt requires that internal software developers be given specialized training services as well as support for them to be able to effectively work with the new system. The organization may not have resources and time to offer such training and support.

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

An Overview of Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

An Overview of Chapter 7 Bankruptcy - Essay Example As a result, Congress recently passed the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act 2005. This Act makes a number of significant changes to the Chapter 7 Bankruptcy framework (The New Bankruptcy Law: np). One major change is the need for all debtors considering bankruptcy under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 to undergo credit counseling. This counseling is designed to aid debtors in determining whether bankruptcy is truly necessary and how a repayment plan might be worked out. Significantly, debtors must select an approved credit counselor. In addition, an income test is now applied to determine whether filers are eligible for the more popular Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing. To this end, a "means test" is employed to evaluate disposable income and to classify debts as secured, unsecured, and the degree of priorities. Another requirement imposes higher ethical duties on bankruptcy lawyers so that the attorneys must personally vouch for the accuracy of all information provided by the debtor. The expected effect is to make it somewhat more difficult and more expensive to retain a bankruptcy lawyer.

Monday, September 23, 2019

How should U.S. define its security interests and implement a plan for Essay

How should U.S. define its security interests and implement a plan for advancing them in the Middle East, Whats the Army's role in U.S. Strategy - Essay Example It is important to note that the model for fighting terrorism in the modern times involves the use of the influence that the US has on other nations as well as the national power. This means that the US employs military power, financial intelligence, diplomatic power and law enforcement operations to protect their home country and promote their defenses, deprive the terror groups off the resources that are required for their activities and end their terror activities. Their strategy should focus on getting a better understanding of the enemy. From the start, the US had acknowledged the fact that the war against terror involves understanding the nature of the terrorist factions in the Middle East region, where they get their strength and resources from (Serena 48). This will contribute positively to their strategy in bringing terror activities to an end as well as fighting the deep-rooted ideologies that result in the establishment of such groups. It has been observed that the US has made significant steps in fighting terrorism in the region by capturing some of the masterminds behind such groups. It should not relent in its efforts to establish effective democratic organizations in the region and work towards establishing human liberty in the region. The foreign aid approach should be employed towards promoting the US interests in the Middle East (Keegan 57). This is because the war torn nations require funds to establish democratic institutions as well as settle its citizens in safe environments. In this way, the US can find a lasting solution for the Middle East. The army is at an important point. This is due to the fact that in the past years it has channeled its processes and resources in two major wars which evolved into stability and counterinsurgency operations. This led to the adoption of the Army Force Generation framework, refocused

Sunday, September 22, 2019

CUSTOMER & CROSS-CULTURAL EXPERIENCES Case Study

CUSTOMER & CROSS-CULTURAL EXPERIENCES - Case Study Example The laser treatment costs may be less as opposed to the physician model indicating that customers or patients have alternatives to choose from depending on their financial capability. The annual cosmetic surgery procedures are possible to be estimated. For example, in 2001 over 8.5million cosmetic surgical cases were undertaken. Moreover, doctors made more than 125,000 skin operations of non-ablative state. The strategy to effectively market the company is to prioritize on all product cycles but more so innovation and design factors in cosmetic surgery operations. Additionally, the company will be forced to consider legal, political and economic performance of the country (Baumann, Elliott & Hamin 2011). They also need to focus on present market size, market share, activities of competitors. Besides, they should assess the influence of substitute products including LED gadgets and reflect on the negotiating potential of current and prospective clients (Jobber 2012). They should also go on to bid the design and manufacture from the Light Sciences Company of Virginia Beach regarding newer forms of gentle waves. In the long run, it will take advantage of economies of scale and improved bargaining ability than actually creating a manufacturing line. With the position of a CEO, I would invest in research and development of surgical skin treatment, improve client service and take advantage of new design to negotiate with suppliers. I will also motivate the existing skilled personnel to cope with increasing numbers of clients and demands of a good enterprise. Problem 2 Part A: The film shows the significance of combining talents to create a business empire through computer technology. Three guys had exceptional talents of computer software, hardware and security. The strategy used in this film evaluation of innovation and design factors which are specific to the information industry. Exceptional skills are needed in development of a prototype to support current comput er (Jobber 2012). From the student perspective, developing and integrated piece will satisfy user expectation in computer technology. Consequently, free enterprise starts from innovation and design procedures to oversee continuous streams of future income (Baumann, Elliott & Hamin 2011). The team will benefit from patents and copyrights laws that safeguard and uphold their growth in design; inspiration and originality so will the few competitors. There are available substitutes, though not expected to pose a huge threat since invention is unique. In addition, buyers will undoubtedly purchase the product because it satisfies their expectations and desires. There are few suppliers in this industry owing to the cost intensive nature of the operations. Competitive are also few though posing a huge threat to the market share. Continuous investment in technology will humble the effect of competitors. Rivalry between competitors is expected to reduce since entry will be constricted (Bauman n, Elliott & Hamin 2011). Part B: The first stage is the forming stage comprising of an individual’s yearning to bring together colleagues with common interest. They then focus on forming a team, assigning roles and convening meetings. This stage has a lot of learning, autonomy and knowledge exchange. Storming stage consists of combinations of

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Crime Rates Essay Example for Free

Crime Rates Essay What we usually have in mind when we talk about the crime rates is a well known fact that crime rates are increasing. So,people who are related to this issue should try to find a solution so as to solve the problem .Up to now many countries have tried to decrease crime rates. However,many of them have failed .Everybody has a significant roles so as to decrease the crime rates such as parents and governments. First of all, it is worth bearing in mind that parents should train their children so children will not change the crime rates . Thus,crime rates will not increase . Parents should raise awareness their children because according to research conducted children who are conscious about crime do not commit a crime besides parents should not leave unattended their children because generally rambling children have amount of influence on the crime rates.Also parents should be interested in their children .Experts said that slummy person involve in a crime easily .Therefore parents take care of their children. Read more:Â  Increasing Crime Rate in Todays Society in India It is last but not least governments should make provision as fight with crimes because researchers believe that only if governments attach importance to crime rates , can they decrease the crime rates .Governments should provide equipments so as to overcome to crimes.Thanks to more equipments , governments can reduce the crime rates .Governments should be in contact with other governments because increasing of the crime rates are not seem just one government.So, they can help each other about this situation. To sum up Ä ±t should be noted that parents have a considerable amount of effect as decrease the crime rates .Nowadays every segment of society is looking for a way to solve as decrease the crime rates.

Friday, September 20, 2019

Culturally Competent Assessments Of Children In Need

Culturally Competent Assessments Of Children In Need This article critically analyses cultural competence as a theoretical construct and explores the need for a framework that will assist social workers to carry out culturally competent assessments of children in need and their families. It is argued that the necessary components of a framework for practice in this area are a holistic definition of culture, an ethical approach to difference, self-awareness, an awareness of power relations, the adoption of a position of complete openness in working with difference and a sceptical approach to a commodified conception of cultural knowledge. The approach must avoid the totalisation of the other for personal or institutional purposes. It is argued that the Furness/Gilligan Framework (2010) reflects these concerns and could be easily adapted to assist with assessments in this area. Key words: assessment; children in need; children and families; culture; cultural competence Introduction The purpose of this paper is to critically analyse cultural competence as a theoretical construct and to explore the need for a framework that will assist social workers to identify when aspects of culture are significant in the lives and children in need and their families. The 1989 Children Act places a legal requirement to give due consideration to a childs religious persuasion, racial origin, and cultural and linguistic background in their care and in the provision of services (Section 22(5)). This provision established the principle that understanding a childs cultural background must underscore all work with children. However, there has been a longstanding concern that services to children are failing to be culturally sensitive. Concern over the disproportionate number of children in need from ethnic minorities led to their specific mention in The Governments Objective for Childrens Social Services, which states that the needs of black and ethnic minority children and families must be identified and met through services which are culturally sensitive (Department of Health, 1999a: para 16). Government policy documents increasingly recognise the multicultural reality of Britain. Yet, government assessment guidance provides practitioners with little assistance in terms of establishing ways in which cultural beliefs and practices influence family life. Social work has acknowledged the need to respond respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, ethnic backgrounds, religions, social classes and other diversity factors in a manner that values the worth of individuals, families and communities and protects and preserves the dignity of each (BASW, 2009). There are many indications that culture is significant in determining the ways in which some people interpret events, resolve dilemmas, make decisions and view themselves, their own and others actions and how they respond to these (Gilligan, 2009; Hunt, 2005). Practitioners may not, therefore, be able to engage with service users or to facilitate appropriate interventions if they take too little account of these aspects of peoples lives or consider them on the basis of inaccurate, ill-informed or stereotyped knowledge (Gilligan, 2009; Hodge et al., 2006). Culturally competent practice is so fundamental to assessments of children in need that one might expect a well developed literature on the subject. This would act as a robust knowledge base to underpin excellence in service delivery. Thompson (2006, p. 82) admits, there is a danger that assessment will be based on dominant white norms without adequate attention being paid to cultural differences. Failure to take such differences into account will not only distort, and thereby invalidate, the basis of the assessment but will serve to alienate clients by devaluing their culture. However, the literature in this area is surprisingly sparse. Almost two decades ago it was described as a void of published information (Lynch and Hanson, 1992, p. xvii) and Welbourne (2002) argues that progress is still slow. Boushel (2000) argues that despite the governments stated concern to know more about the impact of race and ethnicity on child welfare, the limited extent to which research reflects the experience and needs of culturally diverse children fails to support a true evidence base for policy or practice. There is evidence that aspects of culture can all too easily be underestimated, overlooked or ignored, sometimes with extremely serious consequences (Laming, 2003; Gilligan, 2008; OHagan, 2001). Many mainstream childcare and child protection texts make little reference to culture (OHagan, 2001). Not one of the twenty pieces of research into differing aspects of child protection work considered in Messages From Research (Dartington, 1995) explore the cultural aspects of any of the cases dealt with. There is now a growing body of literature written for health and social care professionals about the importance of developing and incorporating cultural sensitivity and awareness in their work with others (Campinha-Bacote, 1994; CHYPERLINK http://bjsw.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/bcp159v2?maxtoshow=hits=10RESULTFORMAT=fulltext=social+work+religion+and+beliefsearchid=1FIRSTINDEX=0resourcetype=HWCIT#BCP159C4andHYPERLINK http://bjsw.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/bcp159v2?maxtoshow=hits=10RESULTFORMAT=fulltext=social+work+religion+and+beliefsearchid=1FIRSTINDEX=0resourcetype=HWCIT#BCP159C4a HYPERLINK http://bjsw.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/bcp159v2?maxtoshow=hits=10RESULTFORMAT=fulltext=social+work+religion+and+beliefsearchid=1FIRSTINDEX=0resourcetype=HWCIT#BCP159C4andHYPERLINK http://bjsw.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/bcp159v2?maxtoshow=hits=10RESULTFORMAT=fulltext=social+work+religion+and+beliefsearchid=1FIRSTINDEX=0resourcetype=HWCIT#BCP159C4 Furman, 1999; H odge, 2001, 2005; Moss, 2005; Gilligan and Furness, 2006; Sue, 2006; Laird, 2008). However, despite the apparent emergence of a more general recognition and acknowledgement of these issues amongst many professionals, relevant day-to-day practice remains largely dependent on individual views and attitudes (Gilligan, 2009). A Department of Health (2002) study of 40 deaths and serious injuries to children found that, information on the ethnic background of children and carers was vague and unsophisticated in that it failed to consider features of the childs culture, religion and race, as specified in the Children Act 1989 (Department of Health, 2002, p. 26). The failure to conceptualize accurately the cultural and social context within which minority ethnic parents are operating impacts on interventions offered, which served to reflect and reproduce existing powerlessness. . . (Bernard, 2001, p. 3). If, as this suggests, there is a deficit in social workers ability to conceptualize mi nority ethnic service users social and cultural context in assessments of children, partly accounted for by a paucity of literature in this area, the implications for practice are potentially a failure to carry out culturally competent practice for many vulnerable children. In The Victoria Climbie Inquiry Report 2003, Lord Lamming commented that, The legislative framework is sound, the gap is in the implementation (2003, p. 13). Report after report has expressed concern over the limited skills of social services staff when undertaking assessments and designing interventions with ethnic minority children (Batty, 2002). While many professionals acknowledge that there is a need to work in culturally sensitive ways, there is evidence that many professionals working with children and families do not always feel equipped to do so (Gilligan, 2003). Gilligan (2009) found that whilst professionals may recognise that service users beliefs are very important, there is little consistency in how such recognition impacts on practice. Even within his small sample, there was considerable variation in attitudes and much to suggest that actions and decisions are the product of individual choice rather than professional judgement or agency policies (Gilligan, 2009). Pract itioners are able to continue with culture-blind approaches without these being significantly challenged by agency policies or by professional cultures (Gilligan, 2009). There is a clear need to look again at what we mean by cultural competence and to develop a framework that will assist social workers to identify when aspects of culture are significant in the lives and children in need and their families. Defining culture There is a clear recognition that aspects of culture are significant in the lives of children and their families and that this needs to be considered in assessment practice. In order to address the lack of understanding and ineffective practice among practitioners in this area it is necessary to provide clear definitions of culture and cultural competence. Assessing children in need and their families is a complex task. There is evidence of considerable variation between social workers definitions of the essential components of good enough parenting, reflecting the variation between professionals in definition of need (Daniel, 2000). When reviewing cases of serious injury or death, the Department of Health concluded that: . . .areas suggested by this research as ripe for development [include] reaching common definitions of being in need or at risk of significant harm (Department of Health, 2002). It is in this context of ambiguity that culture must be defined. The 1989 Children Act uses the wording culture as a statutory requirement in addressing the needs of black children, but does not offer guidance about its definition. Culture is a highly discursive term and the object of an intensive theoretical and political dispute (Benhabib, 1999, 2002). The construction of culture as a theoretical concept has always been affected by entangled perspectives, particularly in social work (Boggs, 2004). Harrison and Turner (2010) found that participants in their study spent considerable time discussing the complex nature of culture and the difficulties in defining it. This means that when looking at the practice of cultural competence as part of assessing need and risk the scope for conceptual ambiguity is vast (Welbourne, 2002). Eagleton (2000, p. 1) states that, culture is said to be one of the two or three most complex words in the English language. OHagan (2001) argues that culture is a complex concept, with virtually limitless parameters, which cannot be defined or explained in the two or three sentences usually allocated to them in much health and social care literature. For example, Payne (1997, p. 244) provides a rather ambiguous definition of culture: a difficult concept. It implies a relatively unchanging, dominating collection of social values, and assumes that members of an identified group will always accept these. It is possible to examine definitions of culture that stem from anthropology, sociology, psychology and cultural geography (OHagan, 2001). The anthropologist Edward Tylor (1871) formulated the most enduring definition of culture: culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, art, morals, law, custom and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society. The sociologist Giddens (1993: 31) says that culture refers to the ways of life of the members of a society, or of groups, or within a society. It includes how they dress, their marriage customs and family life, their patterns of work, religious ceremonies and leisure pursuits. OHagan (2001) defines culture as the distinct way of life of the group, race, class, community or nation to which the individual belongs. It is the first and most important frame of reference from which ones sense of identity evolves. OHagans definition draws on anthropology and is wide enough to challenge essentialist notions of culture, yet defined enough to be meaningful. It also balances the community and individual aspects of culture. When we consider this definition of culture it can be seen that all assessment of children in need occurs within a cultural context. In fact it is perhaps better understood as taking place within a number of interacting cultural contexts, with the culture of the c hild at the heart of the process. The use of the concept of culture in developing cultural competence and not race has been a deliberate shift in terminology from anti-racist theorising. Anti-racist theory, with its emphasis on race, has been criticised for dichotomising blackness and whiteness which does not permit any differentiation in the experience of racism between different ethnic groups (Laird, 2008). The idea of racial homogeneity has been enduring but this idea must be challenged. White people and black people are not homogeneous groups (Laird, 2008). Culture is a broader term than race or ethnicity and can include aspects of age, gender, social status, religion, language, sexual orientation and disability (Connolly, Crichton-Hill and Ward, 2005). Using the term culture allows for difference of attitude and experience between individuals who are part of the same ethnic or racial grouping. If one considers that culture is learned from generation to generation, it is inevitably person specific and shaped by o nes personal and societal context. The Challenge of Cultural Competence There are a variety of paradigms in the study of race, ethnicity and culture which are located in particular socio-historical and political contexts. Cultural competence is just one of these and has not escaped criticism in the professional literature. Writers in social work have argued that cultural competence depoliticises race relations and promotes othering (Pon, 2009), assumes workers themselves are from a dominant culture (Sakamoto, 2007) and is based on the flawed assumption that acquiring cultural knowledge will result in competent practice (Dean, 2001; Ben-Ari and Strier, 2010). Despite its wide acceptance, the concept remains subject to multiple, often conflicting, views. There is a need to critically analyse cultural competence as a theoretical construct in order to make it meaningful to practitioners and to provide a basis for best practice. Concern with racism emerged in the social work profession in the 1970s and during the 1980s major texts appeared to guide practice (Payne, 2005). The concept of anti-racist practice emerged built on the principles that race is a social construct that has been used to justify oppression and that it is necessary to critically examine the dynamics of power relationships that produce oppression. Anti-racist theorists have criticised advocates of cultural competence for creating an exotic understanding of people from ethnic minorities and for not recognising practice issues of social inequality or racial discrimination (OHagan, 2001). Cultural competence has been presented as apolitical and has been criticised for failing to address the power struggles of history (Barn, 2007). Key issues of power are absent from much of the analytical thinking around the paradigm of cultural competence (Barn, 2007). Given that the political, cultural and professional perspectives on race and ethnicity hav e important consequences for minority ethnic children and families, social workers need to incorporate an understanding of power relations as a key tool for subverting racism. A more sophisticated and nuanced approach is necessary, which will involve a paradigm shift from essentialist notions of race which view culture in rigid and inflexible ways to one in which cultural sensitivity is understood within the context of power relations (Barn, 2007). It is important to widen the debate beyond black and white, to recognise that racial, ethnic and cultural groups are not homogenous, but to not abandon the challenging of racism and other forms of oppression. Culturally competent practice needs to take account of the tensions between different cultural norms and values within the UK, not only between ethnically and culturally distinct groups of people. Social work norms and values may not be those of the majority of Europeans, or even of the mainstream white UK population, as the case of A v UK demonstrates. Writers such as Olsen (1981), Korbin (1981, 1991) and Thorpe (1994) have problematised the notion of a universal standard of childcare, pointing to significant cross-cultural variability. The essence of this challenge is that standardized definitions of child abuse must be contested as they necessarily relate to culturally defined norms. Korbin HYPERLINK http://bjsw.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/35/6/901?maxtoshow=hits=10RESULTFORMAT=fulltext=how+and+when+does+athnicity+mattersearchid=1FIRSTINDEX=0resourcetype=HWCIT#KORBIN-1991(1991), in what is now a classic essay, warns against the dangers of both Eurocentric practice and over ly culturally relativist practice. On the one hand, Eurocentric practice serves only to impose one set of cultural beliefs and practices as preferable and therefore reproduce patterns of domination and oppression. In the British literature, concern has been expressed that minority families are too frequently pathologised and stereotyped, with workers over-relying on cultural explanations for their problems and utilizing a model of cultural deficit (Williams and Soyden, 2005; Chand, 2000; Ahmed, 1994). It is argued that they receive more and speedier punitive services than preventative/care services (Williams and Soyden, 2005). Lees (2002) argues from her research that there is a tendency to pathologise behaviour that is not culturally normative, an example being negatively evaluating the act of running away from an abusive home among young black women rather than adopting passive coping strategies. At the other extreme, Korbin notes extreme cultural relativism, in which all judgements of humane treatment of children are suspended in the name of cultural rights, may be used to justify a lesser standard of care for some children (1991, p. 68). It has been suggested that cultural relativism freezes the status quo by making standard-setting according to universal norms impossible (Laird, 2008). Barn et al (1997) found that adoption of a position of cultural relativity through fear of being labelled as racist affected statutory provision to children and families. They found that some social workers were reluctant to intervene to protect children because they believed that abusive behaviour was sanctioned by their culture (Barn et al, 1997). The child abuse inquiry reports of Jasmine Beckford (Blom-Cooper, 1985) and Tyra Henry (Lambeth, 1987) concluded that culture had impinged upon events leading to the deaths of these children. It was suggested that workers were too optimistic in their assessments of carers and that abusive behaviours were interpreted as aspects of culture. Whilst these concerns turn on the recognition of aspects of cultural difference as significant in the process of assessment, it has long been noted in the social work literature that practitioners fail at the first hurdle, in as much as they do not recognise at all the importance of culture: a culture-blind approach (Dominelli, 1998; Boushol, 2000; Graham, 2002). The culture-blind approach eschews difference in its search for a universal formula. It suggests that a standard of good practice can be established which fits all. For example, Payne (1997) rejects the argument that western social work theory may be incompatible with some of the core components of other cultures and ignores the fact that it was used extensively in the processes of annihilation of various indigenous cultures (OHagan, 2001). Despite being consistently criticised as naive and oppressive, this approach represents a powerful paradigm within social work (Williams and Soyden, 2005; Dominelli, 1998). Finding the balance between these concerns poses considerable difficulties for those charged with assessments of children in need (Dominelli,HYPERLINK http://bjsw.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/35/6/901?maxtoshow=hits=10RESULTFORMAT=fulltext=how+and+when+does+athnicity+mattersearchid=1FIRSTINDEX=0resourcetype=HWCIT#DOMINELLI-1998A HYPERLINK http://bjsw.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/35/6/901?maxtoshow=hits=10RESULTFORMAT=fulltext=how+and+when+does+athnicity+mattersearchid=1FIRSTINDEX=0resourcetype=HWCIT#DOMINELLI-1998A1998). What is needed is an approach to practice that can challenge normative stereotypes of appropriate behaviour by parents or children while promoting the rights of children to safety and good enough parenting. Brophy (2003, p. 674) states Balancing a respect for differing styles of parenting and guarding against inappropriate inroads into lifestyles and belief systems, while also protecting children from ill-treatment, remains an exacting task. Professiona ls can be castigated for intervening too quickly or too slowly. Social workers must operate with cultural sensitivity within the assessment process but at the same time recognize that at the heart of anti-oppressive practice is a commitment to the non-relative core value of human equality. A Knowledge Based Competency? Cultural competence as a practice response to these issues has been conceptualised in several ways. There are not one, but multiple definitions of cultural competence and it appears to be a changeable, evolving concept (Harrison and Turner, 2010). The frameworks available to assist practitioners in assessing aspects of culture are predominantly of two types: assessment models that try to aid in the collection of information and the understanding of specific service users strengths, needs and circumstances (Carballeira, 1996; Hodge, 2001, 2005; Hogan-Garcia, 2003; Sue, 2006) and reflective models that aim to help the practitioner to develop relevant skills and awareness in general terms (Green, 1999; Connolly, Crichton-Hill and Ward, 2005; Papadopoulos, 2006). Assessment models of cultural competence frequently refer to the integration and transformation of knowledge about individuals and groups of people into specific standards, practices and attitudes used in appropriate cultural settings to increase the quality of services, thereby producing better outcomes (Davis and Donald, 1997). To work effectively with diversity, practitioners are expected to gain knowledge of different cultural practices and worldviews, to have a positive attitude towards cultural differences and develop cross-cultural skills (Ben-Ari, 2010). Examples of assessment models include the LIVE and LEARN Model developed by Carballeira (1996) which identifies a series of activities which practitioners need to engage in to be culturally competent: Like; Inquire; Visit; Experience; Listen; Evaluate; Acknowledge; Recommend and Negotiate. Another example is Campinha-Bacotes (2002, pp. 182-3) ASKED model which identifies five dimensions of cultural competence: cultural Awaren ess; cultural Skill; cultural Knowledge; cultural Encounter; and cultural Desire. In line with this approach Sue (2006) argues that culturally competent social work practice is defined as the service providers acquisition of awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to function effectively in a pluralistic democratic society (2006: 29). However, there is disparity in the literature as to the knowledge that is necessary for effective culturally responsive practice. The above models adopt a cultural literacy approach in which culture specific information and practice is categorised under broad ethnic group categories (Connolly, Crichton-Hill and Ward, 2005). For example, Lairds (2008) book Anti-Oppressive Social Work contains chapters entitled communities with roots in India, communities with roots in the Caribbean and communities with roots in China. Similarly, OHagan (2001) includes chapters about Islam, American Indians and Australian Aborigines in his book about cultural competence. Laird (2008, p. 156) states It is only by gaining cultural knowledge, that is, learning to appreciate the variety of ways in which people with different heritages organise their lives, that practitioners from the white-majority community can gain cultural awareness. This is because cultural knowledge offers practitioners a comparative analytical tool with which to examine cultural influences upon their own lives. From this approach knowledge is seen as central to the development of cultural competence skills, which are fundamentally knowledge-based learned capacities (Ben-Ari and Strier, 2010). It is widely believed that cultural knowledge is the key to interpreting the code of cultural diversity (Ben-Ari and Strier, 2010). It is argued that without knowledge, one cannot be aware of the presence of biases in professional practices and practice could remain ethnocentric (Adams et al., 2001). There is a tendency to think that if a worker learns about a culture, what Spradley (1994) calls explicit cultural knowledge, then they will have a framework for working with that culture. Widely existing conceptions of cultural competence assume that the other is knowable and that this knowledge is a prerequisite for being culturally competent (Ben-Ari and Strier, 2010). A radically different stance has been suggested by Ben-Ari and Strier (2010) who examine cultural competence through the lens of Levinas (1969) theory of other. Levinas (1969) proposes that ethics precedes knowledge. He argues that our humanity is realised through the wisdom of love and not through the love of wisdom (the literal Greek meaning of the word philosophy). In other words, ethics precedes any objective searching after truth (Beals, 2007). Levinas thesis ethics as first philosophy means that the pursuit of knowledge is but a secondary feature of a more basic ethical duty to the other. Within this framework, the main question becomes what relation to the other is necessary in order for knowledge to be possible? He argues that the other is not knowable and cannot be made into an object of the self, as is done by traditional philosophy. By emphasising the primacy of ethics to knowledge, Levinas creates a new framework for working across differences. This raises fundamental questions with regard to the nature of social knowledge. Laird (2008) argues that the most critical requirement of culturally sensitive social work is to keep open the dialogue between people from different ethnic backgrounds and to ensure that each individual emerges as a unique composite of values, beliefs and aspirations. It is necessary to consider how accumulated knowledge about other cultures has the potential to limit our openness in our encounters with people who are other to us. Knowledge about other cultures can lead to the experience of totality: something is nothing more than what I make out of it (Ben-Ari and Strier, 2010). When we totalise the other we reduce our understanding of it. Levinas (1987) proposes that we should aim for the experience of infinity, that is, the recognition that something is more than what we could make of it. Berlin (2002, p. 144) notes the danger of totalising people from other cultures, stating classifying people on th e basis of group membership only gives us the illusions that we are being culturally sensitive, when, in fact, we are failing to look beyond easy characterisations for the particular and specific ways this person is understanding, feeling and acting. A knowledge based approach to cultural competency has a tendency to create overgeneralisations of cultural groups and can lead to the worker perceiving themselves as an expert despite the likelihood of them being in a position of cultural naivety (Connolly, Crichton-Hill and Ward, 2005). The implication of this is that culturally competent assessments must come from an ethical standpoint of openness on the part of the practitioner. OHagan (2001) states, The workers need not be highly knowledgeable about the cultures of the people they serve, but they must approach culturally different people with openness and respect. It must be recognised that thoughts, feelings and actions are influenced by external and internal variables that are cultural in origin and, as a consequence, that each individual who enters the child welfare system is unique (Connolly, Crichton-Hill and Ward, 2005). A consequence of this is that perceptions of the child welfare problem will be unique to each client or family. Understanding how the family perceives the problem enables child protection workers to work in a more culturally responsive way in developing solutions. Cooper (2001, p. 732) states the meanings in context of a childs injury are not revealed through objective facts or through expe rt objective assessment or diagnosis. An agreed meaning, understanding and potential for change can only be co-constructed, with the service user and their social relationships and networks, within a situated organisation and multi-agency context. Aligning solutions with the cultural identity of the family provides the potential for family-centred responses. Cultural competence must move away from an emphasis on cultural knowledge if it is to provide an ethical framework for working with difference. A Matter of Reflection? The second main type of cultural competence model is a reflective model. Reflection has been part of practice discourse for a number of decades (Schon, 1983; 1987). More recently the concept of critical reflection has taken hold (Fook, 2002). A critically reflective response challenges the values and attitudes associated with professional conduct (Connolly, Crichton-Hill and Ward, 2005). An example of a reflective model of cultural competence is the cultural-reflective model developed by Connolly, Crichton-Hill and Ward (2005). This model includes the processes of cultural thinking; critical reflection and reflective practice outcomes. A strength of the model is that is recognises the interaction between the self and the other within interactions between people of different cultures. Ben-Ari and Strier (2010) argue that the development of the concept of cultural competence could benefit from considering the significance of self and other interdependence in contemporary debates on cultural diversity. They analyse relations between self and other using Levinas theory of other and explore the ways in which these relations play a pivotal role in working with differences. A persons definition of the other is part of what defines the self (Levinas, 1969). The idea that the self requires the other to define itself has been expressed by many writers (Brown, 1995; Riggins, 1997; Gillespie, 2007). It has been recognised that the concept of otherness is integral to the understanding of identities as people construct roles for themselves in relation to an other. The implication of this is that that all cross-cultural encounters between social workers and service users bring into play not only the heritage of the service user, but also that of the practitioner (Laird, 2008). Connolly, Crichton-Hill and Ward (2005, p. 59) note that assessments of the social world are likely to say more about the perceiver than the persons under study. Social workers need to discover and reflect upon their own value system and traditions in order to be culturally competent. Reflective models, such as Connolly, Crichton-Hill and Wards (2005), recognise that our cultural thinking responses are often automatic and outside of our control. It is necessary to ask where our responses and language come from (Connolly, Crichton-Hill and Wards, 2005). The reflective process encourages an examination of values and beliefs underpinning reactions. It involves challenging our assumptions, recognising stereotypes and recognising power and its effects. Without this it is easy to think that it is our way of being is the norm and other people who are ethnic, idiosyncratic, culturally pe

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Political Correctness Essay -- essays research papers

Political Correctness Political correctness is a political ideology, nothing more. I believe political correctness is a political ideology and it cannot be correct unless it is linked to genuine transformation. First, I will examine the origins of political correctness to try to get a clear understanding of what this movement is. Second, I will show you that political correctness is political and how it became a political ideology. Lastly, I shall discuss why this ideology does not work. Political correctness is cultural Marxism. Marx, as cited in Introduction to Social Science course guide, believed that if people were left to work on their own they would be more efficient. He had an ideological belief that laborers could actually want to work hard without being forced to. Political correctness as noted by Lind (www.university.org) is just Marxism converted from economic into cultural terms. This is how far back one has to look in order to understand how political correctness came about. Political correctness goes back further than just twenty years ago as Cameron (1995) stated. I believe it started even before the nineteen sixties. As Lind noted it probably can be traced back to World War one. Lind noted the Marxist theory that when the First World War came the working class would over throw the bourgeoisie government. However, this did not happen. In 1923 as Lind further notes, a â€Å"think-tank† was established in Germany and took on the role of translating Marxism from economic into cultural terms, which created political correctness, as we know it today. An institute for Marxism was formed however the people who started this institute decided it was better not to openly identify it as a Marxist institute. The last thing political correctness wants is for people to figure out it is a form of Marxism. As Cameron stated, † The people who are characterized as adherents of the ‘political correctness movement’ strenuously deny that any such movement exist†. So instead, they decided to name it The Institute for Social Research. And so the question of â€Å"Critical theory â€Å"began. This theory is simply about criticizing. As Lind states, it calls for â€Å"the most destructive criticism possible, in every possible way, designed to bring current order down†. How does this â€Å"critical theory† get to the rest of the world? Well, in 1933, the Nazis come into power and not surp... ...e that? That is how political correctness is. It does not work unless people’s ideas change. In conclusion, it is clear that Political correctness dates back to World War one and was formed by ideological beliefs. Political Correctness’s true meaning has been forgotten. It has become a political movement, which limits thoughts. Ideologies are political beliefs and Political correctness is exactly that. An ideology, which cannot be correct unless attitudes change. Political correctness is therefore political and genuine transformation needs to take place before it can ever be correct. References:  · Cameron D. (1995)’Civility and its discontents: language and political correctness†Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ in Verbal Hygiene London, Routledge, 116-211  · Clark I (1997)†Writing about Diversity†, 369-404  · Freud B, Hughes H, Moore D,†Introduction to Social Science Course Guide 2†, University of Natal, 1-48  · Mackenzie I (1994)†Introduction’ on Eccleshall R et al Political Ideologies: an introduction London Routledge  · Molyneux J. (1993)†The ‘politically correct’ controversy† in International Socialism, Socialist Workers Party, 45-71  · Orwell G, (1948) â€Å"The Principles of Newspeak† An appendix to 1984

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Do not go gentle into that good night :: Analysis, Dylan Thomas

Dylan Thomas' poem "Do not go gentle into that good night" is about a son’s bereavement and the acceptance of his father dying. Thomas knows death is inevitable, therefore, he uses persuasion to get his father to "rage, rage against the dying of the light† (Line 3). Villanelle poems require two repeating rhyme schemes. Thomas helps the reader visualize dark and light. : â€Å"Wise men†¦ know dark is right† (4). â€Å"Wild men†¦ sang the sun in flight/do not go gentle into that good night† (10,12). â€Å"Eyes†¦blaze like meteors† (14). Thomas uses examples of different characters, and how they, too, find ways to keep fighting the oncoming of death. Anger and frustration sets the tone of Thomas, for he wants his father to live and not give up on life. Additionally, Thomas is fearful on how he is dealing with his father’s inescapable demise. While men of differences men may learn too late, and lament their lack of foresight, even they â€Å"do not go gently into the night,† instead they â€Å"rage, rage against the dying of the light† (18, 19). Through, Thomas’ use of building blocks like form and symbol he creates an observation of one man’s last resort to begging his father to not give into death. True, Thomas is angry, but no child wants to lose a parent. Emotion is not an easy task for men, in general. More over, crying is a sign of weakness. Thomas’ father is dying and naturally, Thomas is having a tough time accepting his father’s death. Thomas wants his father to understand that even his â€Å"old age should burn and rage at close of day† (2). Meaning, he should not give up without a fight. During the first stanza, Thomas is speaking directly to his father. While, Thomas’ tone is tender toward his father, but in reality, it is a plea that he â€Å"not go gentle into that good night† (1). Next, Thomas creates the picture using of scenarios using men of different characters to show his father he, too, can find a reason not to give up. Thomas’ two interchangeable rhyming sentences, necessary for this villanelle poem, ending with night and light show the reader â€Å"Wise men†¦ know dark is right† (4). Yet, as death approaches â€Å"their words had forked no lightning† (5). Therefore, just as they know death is a part of life and they accept this, when it is their turn they choose to put up a fight.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

A Gap of Sky by Anna Hope Essay

A Gap of Sky is a short story by Anna Hope which deals with the pressure from society and the consequences of it. In our modern society many young people feel the pressure to be perfect like a heavy weight on their shoulders. You need a long, good education. You need to be attractive, be social and have lots of friends. Sometimes the pressure can become too much and you forget what is important in life and gets on the wrong track. In A Gap of Sky we meet Ellie a nineteen year old girl clearly struggling with the pressure from society and her own dreams. She seems in conflict with herself about what she really wants. She studies at a university in London but is close to getting expelled due to her lack of activity and finished assignments and when she wakes up after a long night of partying, she remembers that she has an assignment about Virginia Woolf and if she does not hand it in, she will very likely be expelled. The short story is written chronological and by an omniscient third person narrator but A GAP of Sky also uses the stream of consciousness. We are inside the head of Ellie and are constantly hearing her inner thoughts. For example on page 2 line, 36 â€Å"Should she do the essay first, print it in the morning? No. No time. Needs to be handed in at nine.† We are inside the head of Ellie and hearing her steam of thought. It easily feels like Ellie are the narrator also because of the language used. There is a lot of swearing â€Å"How the fuck did she manages to sleep for so long† (page 1, line 16), â€Å"coffee plunged, poured, slurped; hot, fuck that’s hot† (page 1, line 35). The narrator is not just telling what is happening but how Ellie perceives it. Ellie are having troubles in her life. She is doing drugs, having a hard time performing well in school, and that she does not have a profound social relationship. And it seems she has a difficult relationship with her parents. I will later discuss her relationship with her parents further. In text 4 â€Å"Consequences of youth substance abuse† It mentions that people who frequently use addictive substances often experience problems such as academic difficulties, health problems and low social life. This is all things that Ellie are affected by.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Surfing Practice Expository Essay

Practice Essay – Academic Writing Many people say surfing isn’t a sport, it’s a lifestyle – but, it’s more than that. From the moment you first step in the ocean to the day you die it is a part of you. It becomes the way you think and what plays across your mind when you are in that subconscious state between awake and asleep. It has an affair with your emotions and embeds itself in the depths of your heart. You cannot get rid of the ocean once it’s made its mark on you. It is unlike any other addiction on the planet. They say too much of anything can kill you, but, when it comes to surfing – you can never get enough.Surfing began in the islands of Hawaii, the first ever report written by Lieutenant James King of Captain James Cook’s ship Discovery. In this report he described the art of surfing over two pages in the narrative portion of Captain Cook’s journals. Surfing was an extremely spiritual and important part of Haw aiian life, so much so, that places were named after particular surfing incedents. When the Calvinistic Christian Missionaries arrived in Hawaii the number of surfers in the water declined rapidly as the missionaries claimed the sport, amongst others, was â€Å"Against the laws of God†.For years it was rare to see a surfer in the water, the surfing culture had almost died out. However, in 1907 Jack London a famous author took a vacation in Hawaii – staying in Waikiki – and was introduced to surfing by Alexander Hume Ford and George Freeth. Being an author, it was no surprise when Jack wrote of his surfing experience in his book entitled A Royal Sport: Surfing in Waikiki. This new publicity breathed life into the dying sport – and not long after – George Freeth was asked to put on a wave riding demonstration in California, bringing surfing to America.Now days, surfing is a huge sport. There are approximately 23 million surfers worldwide, a stark con trast to the late 1800’s in Hawaii. Surf companies are popping up all over the place – their main aim to provide surf equipment and apparel to the surf community and those who fancy the style. Surfing has grown, not only as a leisure sport, but also in competition. Currently, there are 34 men and 17 women competing on the WCT (World Championship Tour), and millions more taking to the water in small town events and larger professional or amateur competitions.Surfing is also making its way into the film industry, with surf photography and documentaries becoming increasingly popular. With all the hype and inflation of surfing, it will still remain a magical and adrenaline pumping experience. There are many surfers who surf for the pure joy of being out in the ocean, at one with rising and falling swells, no matter how far it is extracted from its humble, spiritual beginnings in Hawaii. These surfers are known as soul surfers – and it is these people that will conti nue to keep surfing alive for generations to come.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Health Sanitation Practices Essay

* a protected well or a developed spring with an outlet but without a distribution system * indicated for rural areas * serves 15-25 households; its outreach is not more than 250 m from the farthest user * yields 40-140 L/ min Level II (Communal Faucet or Stand Posts) * With a source, reservoir, piped distribution network and communal faucets * Located at not more than 25 m from the farthest house * Delivers 40-80 L of water per capital per day to an average of 100 households * Fit for rural areas where houses are densely clustered Level III (Individual House Connections or Waterworks System) * With a source, reservoir, piped distributor network and household taps * Fit for densely populated urban communities * Requires minimum treatment or disinfection Proper Excreta and Sewage Disposal Program EHS sets policies on approved types of toilet facilities: Level I * Non-water carriage toilet facility – no water necessary to wash the waste into receiving space e.g. pit latrines, reed odorless earth closet. * Toilet facilities requiring small amount of water to wash the waste into the receiving space e.g. pour flush toilet & aqua privies Level II * On site toilet facilities of the water carriage type with water-sealed and flush type with septic vault/tank disposal. Level III * Water carriage types of toilet facilities connected to septic tanks and/or to sewerage system to treatment plant. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine sanitation practices and preferences in sitio ganha-an.By examining differences between current practices and preferences, the study assesses if the communities are satisfied with their current sanitation options and if there is a demand for increased sanitation coverage and better facilities. Water Supply. The major problem for poor people in most countries is access to safe water in adequate quantity, with reasonable convenience, and at an affordable cost. Solutions include local grants to install household gutters and rainwater capture tanks; local wells designed to resist pollution; and small networks of water points served by a local well, borehole, or spring. The supply problems of major cities require integrated approaches that combine demand management, leak repair, backflow prevention, wastewater reuse, and the efficient, sustainable exploitation of sources. Solid Waste Disposal. The interdependence of sanitation aspects is illustrated by the need for adequate solid waste removal to prevent the blockage of rainwater drains. Collection of refuse in hot climates must be frequent since piles attract flies and rats, and it should rely more on local labor-intensive methods rather than on expensive trucks. For the operation to be successful requires close cooperation between the users and providers of the service, and financing must come either from municipal recurrent funds and/or user fees. Excreta Disposal. Large sewerage infrastructure projects tend to be too expensive for the vast majority of urban and rural people in developing countries, and it may be impossible to build a sewage network infrastructure in congested, narrow streets. On-site options include latrines, pourflush toilets, and septic tanks. There should be evaluated at each location according to needs and priorities. As water use grows in villages and towns, wastewater from washing and bathing (sullage) can be cost-effectively handled by a separate drainage system coupled to on-site excreta disposal. Garbage is a never ending cycle. Every day each household produces a significant amount of trash. The more we consume the more garbage we incur. Garbage disposal has been a monumental problem ever since. ( Yapchiongco, 2012) For a lack of historic time series of reliable nationally representative drinking water quality data, the JMP cannot report on the actual water safety aspect of the MDG drinking water target. The proxy indicator used in the global survey methodology – â€Å"use of improved drinking water sources† – does not guarantee that the quality of drinking water consumed by people meets the standards for safe drinking water as proposed in the WHO Guidelines for Drinking water Quality (WHO, 2011). Pollution from domestic and industrial sources, geogenic contamination, and poor sanitation and hygiene all threaten the safety of drinking water sources. In recognition of these threats, many drinking water supply operators and regulators are adopting an integrated risk assessment and management approach that takes risk spots and events into account along the chain of events from source to tap. Strategies include quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA), sanitary inspections, the application of health-based targets and water safety plans (WSPs). The practice of household water treatment and safe storage (HWTS) can help improve water quality at the point of consumption, especially when drinking water sources are distant, unreliable or unsafe. However, HWTS is a stopgap measure only and does not replace the obligation of a service provider to provide access to safe drinking water. It is intended for people who have no access to improved drinking water sources at all, for people with access to improved sources outside of their home or premises (i.e. when contamination can occur during transport and storage), for people with unreliable piped supplies who have to store water to bridge the gaps between deliveries, and for people in emergency situations. People relying on unimproved drinking water sources who apply an appropriate household water treatment method are still not considered to have sustainable access to safe drinking water. Doing so would absolve the providers of their responsibility to provide safe drinking water and in effect transfer this responsibility to consumers. http://www.wssinfo.org/fileadmin/user_upload/resources/report_wash_low.pdf

Saturday, September 14, 2019

The Impact the Economy Has on Zoos in the Us

The Impact the Economy has on Zoos in the US Throughout the course of this semester, I have learned much about macroeconomics. I came into this class knowing and understanding very little about this topic and found it very hard to grasp at first. As the weeks passed, I found myself starting to understand it a little better than previously once I started to apply it to a topic that interested me. Being able to choose a topic to write this paper on was a very good way to get students, like myself, to actually look into real life scenarios and apply what we have learned.This is what I will be doing throughout the course of this paper. The topic I chose to apply the concepts I have learned throughout class is the effect the economy has on zoos in the United States. Zoos have been affected dramatically since our economy has started to decline. This decline has affected many, many companies, businesses, and people. Because of all this the zoos have suffered greatly over the past few years. Many different examples of zoos and how they were affected will be given throughout this paper to show the enormity of the situation they are currently in.All of the terms I use throughout this paper have been learned from my Macroeconomics book by the authors McConnell, Brue, and Flynn as cited at the end of this paper. Having said this, I am ready to talk about two struggling zoos and what cutbacks they were forced to make. The first zoo I would like to talk about is the Bronx Zoo in New York. This zoo is the largest urban zoo in the country and it has been hit hard by the dropping economy. With New York being such a large city, the state and city budgets have been cut drastically.This makes the zoo have to cut things out of their budget as well like people, exhibits, and even the animals themselves. The labor force at the zoo has been cut by 15%, this was 186 people who are not out of a job like so many others across the country. Just some more names to add to the unemployment l ist I guess. The zoo also had to close three of its exhibits. The animals from the exhibits were sent all over the country to others zoos that could afford to take them in (Luhby). Not only do these cuts affect the zoo itself, but it also affects the economy as a whole in New York.It is estimated that four million visitors come through the gates of the Bronx and the New York Aquarium each year. In the Fiscal year of 2008, the zoo hired 800 seasonal employees and they are the largest youth employers in the Bronx (Wildlife Conservation Society). This provides a very positive impact on the area and now that they had their nominal income lessened, these jobs are no longer available for these people to have. These are just some of the problems the Bronx Zoo is facing, but what about some other zoos? The Lincoln Park Zoo in Illinois has also been suffering with budget shortfalls like Bronx Zoo.Not only did they face cuts in their labor force and more than a million dollars cut from their budget, but they had to find other ways to make cuts as well (Mullen). They have been using substitute goods for feeding their animals. Blueberries are very expensive so they have not been buying them for their gorillas. They use these blueberries as treats, but since there is a lack of funds they have had to find other treats for them to eat. Choosing less expensive fruit is a small, but effective way to cut costs (Fountain). This is just another way another zoo was affected by the economies current state.Now that I gave you a few examples of how certain zoos are struggling, I would like to discuss just how they are impacted as a whole. There is an organization called the Association of Zoos and Aquariums or known as AZA. This organization sees over zoos all across the world. AZA hired a very recognized economist, Dr. Stephen Fuller to conduct a state-by-state economic analysis. This 21-page analysis has been used in many articles I have examined he seems to have a very strong gras p on just how the economy has affected these AZA accredited zoos.Examples of his findings from two different states will be discussed below. An example state was use to show just how much the economy was impacted by the zoos itself. Indiana brought in $84. 3 million for the national Gross Domestic Product alone. This created 947 jobs and allowed personal earnings to reach $30 million (Zoo Impact: Tens of Millions of Dollars, Hundreds of Jobs). Another example was the impact the Houston Zoo had on its’ surrounding area. Fuller said that in 2010, more than 2 million visitors were recorded to enter the gates. The operating budget at this time was around $28. million. I know that sounds like a lot to run a zoo, but in return they created an economic impact of $70. 7 million. Also in 2010, a capital budget of $24. 5 million generated an impact of $65. 9 million. This all totaled to a whopping $135. 97 million (Your Houston News). All this money is just on a state scale. Across the United States, 224 zoos were surveyed and in total they contributed $16 billion dollars to the Gross Domestic Product. That’s right, it is in the billions! It created around 142,000 jobs and their personal earnings were right around $4. billion (Zoo Impact: Tens of Millions of Dollars, Hundreds of Jobs). All of these numbers could increase if they simply had the funds. The economic crisis that we are in right now has caused their budgets to dwindle down and it does not just affect the zoo itself like I have shown. It affects the people whose jobs get cut because there isn’t enough money, animals lose their homes and get shipped away, and it causes zoos to make cutbacks on the food and care the animals are receiving. In whole, all of this affects the surrounding areas of the zoo and all who live there.This impact then affects the whole United States, impacting the Gross Domestic Product. People just think we can take away money from these zoos to help ourselves out, bu t in reality it is still hurting us. I’m not only concerned about how it affects us, but the animals are suffering as well. These animals were not asked to be given less food or smaller space to roam, but have to suffer the consequences of us humans not being able to care for them because of the economy. We do not always see how we affect the environment and things around us because we are too worried about ourselves.So not only did I take away knowing and understanding terms like GDP, Nominal income, and operating costs, but also on how each individual plays an important role in the economy. All of this has allowed me to understand just how we affect zoos because we are the economy. The economy is determined by our spending of money on goods and services and if we didn’t it would collapse completely like we are starting to witness with other countries today. ? Works Cited â€Å"Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium and Other City Cultural Organizations Have Whale-Sized, Posit ive Impact on New York City Economy – Wildlife Conservation Society. WCS. org – Wildlife Conservation Society. 28 May 2009. Web. 08 Dec. 2011. . Fountain, Henry. â€Å"In Zoo Cuts, It’s Man vs. Beast. † Nytimes. com. 17 Mar. 2009. Web. 30 Nov. 2011. . Fuller, Steven S. â€Å"The Economic Impact of Spending for Operations and Construction by AZA-Accredited Zoos and Aquariums. † Aza. com. Mar. 2011. Web. 30 Nov. 2011. . â€Å"Houston Zoo’s Economic Impact Extends beyond Region, Study Says – Your Houston News: West University. † Your Houston News: Local Matters. 12 Aug. 2011. Web. 08 Dec. 2011. . Livingston, Guy. â€Å"The Economic Impact of The ZOO on the Northwest Florida Regional Economy. Uwf. edu. 15 Mar. 2004. Web. 30 Nov. 2011. . Luhby, Tami. â€Å"Zoo Animals Face Budget Knife. † CNNMoney – Business, Financial and Personal Finance News. 19 May 2011. Web. 30 Nov. 2011. . McConnell, Campbell R. , Stanley L. Bru e, and Sean Masaki. Flynn. Macroeconomics: Principles, Problems, and Policies. Boston: McGraw-Hill Irwin, 2009. Print. Mullen, William. â€Å"Lincoln Park Zoo Plans Cuts. † Chicago Breaking News. 14 Jan. 2009. Web. 08 Dec. 2011. . â€Å"Zoo Impact: Tens of Millions of Dollars, Hundreds of Jobs – Newsroom. † Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick. 28 June 2011. Web. 08 Dec. 2011. .

Discuss imagery of Dulce est Doreum

Wilfred Owen's Dolce et Decorum Est uses effective imagery to uncover the hidden realities of the World War. The appalling cruelties soldiers were left to face were captivated to the reader through his dramatic use of expressive imagery. The compelling images drawn in this poem are so graphic, that it carries the ability for the reader to perfectly compose the authors intended scenery in their minds. Bent, double, like old beggars under sacks†(line 1) â€Å"knock kneed, coughing like hags†(line 2). This gives the reader a more realistic view on the appearances of the soldiers as they are normally portrayed to be strong bulky figures. The comparison of the men to â€Å"beggars† or â€Å"hags† show the effect the war has had on them, causing premature ageing and exhaustion within them from the war life for which they cannot even maintain a straight posture and is why they look so beggar like.The exhaustion is further conveyed in the lines â€Å"and towards o ur distance rest began to trudge† (line 4). The use of â€Å"trudge† expresses the slow and crucifying progress of the army. â€Å"Flound'ring like a man in 12). â€Å"He plunges at me guttering,choking,drowning† (line 16) indicates that men drowned helplessly in the toxic gasses, tragically in front of the eyes of fellow soldiers. Despite being so disturbingly graphic, it shows the reader the extent of pain soldiers are to bear.Orwell brilliantly showcases the fatality of the soldiers deaths in the lines â€Å"†It you could near, at every Jolt, odl Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs/ Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud,†(line 21-23) Another powerful use of imagery Mle, incurable sores on innocent tongues†(line 24) suggests the pain and misery of the soldiers were unforgettable and scars left on them both externally and internally were permanent. These graphic images play a very effective role to draw the reader to the poem, and to generate a way to show the gruesome, heartless, and horrifying effects of war.

Friday, September 13, 2019

Managing the risks of organizational accidents by James T. Reason Essay

Managing the risks of organizational accidents by James T. Reason - Essay Example As the above diagrams elucidate there are layers of defenses placed at every step of operation. When a latent error happens due to at one stage the next operating layer has defenses so that the mistake is not passed on in the chain of procedures. Only when all the layers of operation fall in line to allow for the lapse to carry on does the entire system come crashing down. The first chapter on "Hazards, Defenses and Losses" brings to light the type of errors (human or organizational) that may occur, the precautions or defenses a person or an organization may take in order to prevent them. Also talked of are the tangible and intangible losses that have to be borne. "The Human Contribution" is a chapter devoted to the prospect of human error. Though the book in its entirety does not hold individuals responsible for a systemic failure, the many times human errors led to large scale mishaps are explored here. Important examples include the Apollo 13 slip-up, Glenborough disaster, Three Mile Island nuclear reactor accident etc. "Maintenance cans Seriously Damage your System" is a misnomer as the author presents sets of bad maintenance leading towards the damage of the entire structure. It is a continuation from the previous chapter of the human factor responsible for great errors. "Navigating the Safety Space" is a chapter wherein the author forays into the amount of leeway allowable to a system before it crashes. The next four chapters are useful instruction guides to policy makers; design engineers etc. to make for defect minimizing systems. In "A Practical Guide to Error Management" the author writes on the hands down approach to managing errors. The chapter "The Regulator's Unhappy Lot" explains the measures and methods of restructuring an organization to steer clear of catastrophes. Chapter 9, "Engineering a Safety Culture" suggests a whole lot of relevant arguments for creating a safety culture within an establishment. "Reconciling the Different Approaches to Safety Management", the final chapter calls upon managers, engineers and the maintenance people to adapt to appropriate safety techniques in order to avoid the risks of ending up with a disaster financially, materially or otherwise. Critique: The book is a compulsory read for all personnel working in risky atmosphere, hazardous industries etc. The author has used all his expertise in dealing with the issue of accident negation or at least reduction. Strengths: The strength of the book lies in its simplicity. The easy to understand language and lucid style make it a universal reference guide for managers and workers alike. Weaknesses: Apparently there appear no

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Critical Analysis of a curriculum model Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Critical Analysis of a curriculum model - Essay Example Thesis Statement: The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the Singapore Kindergarten Curriculum. The cultural, political and/ or theoretical constructs that underpin the curriculum, and the issues and debates therein will be investigated. All registered kindergartens in Singapore come under the purview of the Ministry of Education. Kindergartens cater to the needs of children aged between three and six years, with children aged three in nursery classes, and children four to six years of age in kindergarten (K1 and K2) classes. Class size may range from twenty to forty children (Lim, 1998). Preschool and kindergarten prepare the young child for admission to school at the age of seven years. In Singapore, the term ‘preschool’ includes both child care centres and kindergartens, available in both the private and public sectors. Preschool programmes are provided by numerous large organisations such as The People’s Action Party Community Foundation which organises up to 70% of the kindergarten classes for preschoolers, the People’s Association and the National Trade Union Congress (Lim, 1998). The range of settings include religious-based preschools such as those managed by churches, workplace child care centres, private kindergartens such as Montessori kindergarten, government-subsidised kindergartens, commercial organisation- or private-run facilities (Ling-Yin, 2006). Early years’ provision for education and care has been extremely diverse in Singapore until the formulation and implementation of the Ministry of Education’s Nurturing Early Learners: A Framework for a Kindergarten Curriculum in Singapore in 2003. Before introducing the new curriculum, in spite of the centralised management of the various forms of preschool settings by the Ministry of Education, the provision for early childhood remained extremely varied, differing according to the social strata, cultural group, family and parental needs. Because of the

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

A short literature review of the level of awareness amongst general Research Paper

A short literature review of the level of awareness amongst general dental practitioners regarding implant maintenance - Research Paper Example They carried out a survey among 100 (64 males & 34 females) general dental practitioners through a questionnaire, which was aimed to get the feedback and opinions from both general practitioners (GPs) and dental specialists with regard to periodontal care. Multivariate Logistic Regression was used to find out the key variable impacting the survey responses. They quoted that â€Å"In a study of a similar pattern, Zemanovich et al, have evaluated the demographic variables affecting patient referrals from general dental clinic to a periodontist. They concluded that various factors such as gender of the dentist and the proximity to a periodontist affected the number of referrals by a general dentist.† The results showed that 98% of the GPs conducted the initial surgical therapy by self without having any recommendation to do so and performed scaling whilst advising certain mouth washes and brushing techniques. However, the results revealed that over 67% of the dentists never performed splinting. The survey further revealed that the role of a periodontist was found limited to a surgical therapy and most of the dentists did not carry out a Root planning. Another key finding indicated that the dentists have a greater level of awareness with regard to methods demonstrating maintenance of oral hygiene. Despite having a sign of periodontal disease, we found that only 33% of the dentists referred patients to a periodontist. Further, many GPs do not believe that implant is a core of curing periodontal disease thus there is a difference in opinion among general dentists with regard to reliability of periodontal treatment. â€Å"Such studies should be performed in future to get an overall perception of the general dentists toward periodontal treatment in India. Such studies performed at different intervals of time in the same cities can also provide an idea about the changing trends

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Kottak presents the concept of the feminization of poverty Essay

Kottak presents the concept of the feminization of poverty - Essay Example These include (1) the growth and emergence of female/women-headed households, (2) inequalities between households and discrimination against girls and women and, and (3) economic policies that lean heavily towards neo-liberalism, including structural changes and transitions in post-socialist markets (Kottak 82). Kottak argues that increasing visibility of poverty among women is deeply rooted in political economies, cultural trends and demographic patterns. He states that there are huge regional variations in the financial and economic status of women-headed households, and this is primarily influenced by women’s access to property and employment, political regimes and social policies. Kottak also states that inequalities between households have been found to worsen the state of women’s rights in terms of their vulnerability (105). This manifests in form of inequalities in resource allocation to households and a lack of decision-making in important spheres like legal codes, public policy and development. Inadequate access to property rights (in land), employment, illiteracy, poor wages, childbearing, early marriages have also proved detrimental to the empowerment of women and the realization of their rights. The expansion of female/women-headed households has been found to be influential in the exacerbation of women’s poverty, and although this has not been proved in most parts of the world, the United States offers a stark example of what may eventually be the situation in a majority of countries. In the US, feminization of poverty is closely linked to the growth of female-headed households especially among low-income females in terms of insufficien t social support (Kottak 74) It has been established that neoliberal economic policies have a tendency and potential to induce poverty and hence have adverse effects on girls and women.

Monday, September 9, 2019

Cyber Management Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Cyber Management Ethics - Essay Example They have abused it through downloading movies, downloading pornographic materials and/or pirated software. (Fox, M., Phillips, L. & Vaidyanathan, G., 2003) E-mail Accessed for Personal Benefit A statistic data from a pornographic industry consultant have noted that almost seventy percent of all visits to their website occur during the office hours or to be specific between 9 o’clock in the morning to 5 o’clock in the afternoon. According to the results received by Nielson or NetRatings, the online stock trading gets at least a ninety-two percent hits during the office hours and at least forty-six percent of the shopping done online during the holidays usually take place between nine o’clock in the morning to five o’clock in the afternoon. Another study made by Fox in 2002 showed that almost twenty five percent of employees in companies are suffering from addiction with the usage of the Internet. Another study conducted by Fox in 2002 was the activities th at were most addictive to individuals today. It revealed that gambling online has sky rocketed to the top five most addictive activities to individuals and translating it to a specific proportion would show that about eight percent of the respondents have become addicted to online gambling. (Fox, M., Phillips, L. & Vaidyanathan, G., 2003) Information Week also presented a study that predicted the amount of e-mail messages business organizations would receive that is based on their sizes. For example, the large business organization that has revenue of more than a billion dollars would roughly receive about two million and four hundred thousand e-mail messages a day and send around one... Cyber Management Ethics The paper analyzed the steps should be taken into account in order to change toward the new approach of stakeholder relationship to fit in the era of digital society. Furthermore, the method of literature review was applied as a basis of theoretical construction on stakeholder relationship approach that should be engaged in avoiding of the crisis. The sudden discovery of the World Wide Web or Internet and its usefulness to the business organizations has greatly affected the productivity of the employees within the business organization. It cannot be disputed that the impact of the internet would have both positive and negative influence and it is up to the business organization to determine if its positive the effect outweigth its negative effect. And, if the freedom of transactions presented by the internet is abused by the employees, it is the prerogative of the business organization to implement measures to curb or arrest any misfeasance or malfeasance. According to the statement made by Anandarajan, Simmers and Igbaria in 2000, these are some positive effects that business organizations could expect from the Internet to enhance the productivity of the organization where it has utilized the internet or the world wide web as their primary tool in completing and performing tasks. Examples of these tasks would be the analyzing, researching of data, the business organization would also have the shorter cycle times, products that would be marketed the costs that are related to the business organization would be reduced.