Nyorican Dream

NyThe Nuyorican Dream is a documentary about the construction of identity and how family, race, class, and sexuality can collapse on top of you. It follows the daily struggles of a migrant lower-class Puerto Rican family living in New York. The Nuyorican Dream is an ambitious and often heartbreaking case. Nuyorican are of second generation who are born and live in New York City. The difference between Nuyorican and Puerto Ricans is the country they are born in and that Nuyorican barely speak Spanish.This film follows three generations of mother Marta Torres’s, forty-six, family. In the year 1940’s – 60s Puerto Ricans suffered of a lot of poverty. You could barely find jobs and if you did the payments could not provide enough money to support your family. Millions migrated to New York City in search for a better life, mainly economically. Marta Torre’s decides to come to Brooklyn, New York around the 1960’s with her family. She comes to aim for a bet ter life,but it doesn’t result how she wished it could of.She is a mother of five kids who only her eldest son Roberto graduated from college and has job as a teacher and administrator in a public school. Her other kids can be considered to be less successful. Eldest sister Tati is addicted to heroin and crack but tries to quit and leave it back so she moves to Florida with her husband but still remains hooked to this addiction. Didn’t finish her education and now is hard for her to find jobs. Has a daughter who is five years old.She struggles through for money and ends up losing her apartment so she moves back to Brooklyn. After years of trying she becomes drug free. Then we have Betty who is 26 years old and is also addicted to heroin and crack. She didn’t finish her education either and got pregnant of 3 kids whom she lost custody for. Marta gets the custody of these three innocent kids. You probably asking yourself why she kept having children after the firs t one if she couldn’t afford to and wasn’t responsible. Well Betty says,† It just happens and I don’t believe in abortion†.Millie the young of the Torres family, thirteen years old, attends school and hopes to get out of the life she is in. Danny, twenty-three younger brother, spend most of his time behind bars due to robbery and drugs. When he thinks he is finish with a life of crime he find himself back in jail till he is thirty. This family was from all corners facing problems and was not what Marta had expected for her kids. Marta brought her kids here mostly to give them a better education and opportunities because Puerto Rico in her time was phasing poverty and political issues.The status of Puerto Ricans based on this film wasn’t as good as what you would imagine. All these migrants came for the American Dreams but in order to have success in it they have to go through many obstacles. Puerto Ricans use both Spanish and English put toget her for is known to us Spanglish. Puerto Ricans are not the only group of Latinos which phase these problems. We have for example Mexicans, Dominicans and Colombians who come to New York City in search of a better life for their kids but they have struggles as well.Many kids don’t take advantage of the opportunities and get peer pressure or hang out with the wrong crew and get to drugs and cutting school. This film taught me that we should always take advantage of the opportunities we get in life and in having a good education. In order to be successful in the United States you will always need education. We should be satisfied and grateful with what we have, because there are others who don’t have half of what we have. We should always be proud of our background because although it has poverty it has beautiful natural resources.

Literary Analysis Essay

To write a good story, not only ideas take place. You need to use literary devices in order to provide a good story. The best mentor to look up is Sue Monk Kidd. She used a lot of literary devices in her story which is called The Secret Life of Bees. The three main literary devices which she used throughout her story are: epigraphs, character development and allusions. â€Å"Heat would make a person do strange things.†(112).Specially we see this when is described Lily’s hard life without the main person of her, without her mother. Since her mother died she is an orphan and her father doesn’t care for her even though she has her nanny that loves her. Not only she needs her mother to care for her or love her, but also she needs her in daily life to help her going through her childhood and teenage problems that every single person goes through. The most common literary device which you will see, while you read the book are epigraphs. This is shown in the beginning of every chapter, giving the readers many hints and some sort of warning of what might be happening in the story. This is an optional device which you choose to use. But it put epigraphs to give you clues on what she will talk next. This is one example: â€Å"A worker [bee] is just over a centimeter long and weighs only about sixty milligrams; nevertheless, she can fly with a load heavier than herself.† –The Honey Bee (257) The Secret Life of Bees. This foreshadows you that the main character who is Lily, a 14-year-old girl, is carried too much responsibility on her shoulders, about what she’s going through. Other device that develops ones story, being the most important device in my opinion, is the character development. It pictures the things that the character goes through and how they change throughout the story, most of the characters change a lot during the whole book .Character development explains every detail, until the final touch that that character goes through. We see the main character Lily develops so much through this story. In the beginning we see her as an innocent girl, which she does everything to find out more about her mother. Last but not least†¦allusions. Why is it important to put them in your story? Allusions as you know, is the reference of something that has happened in history,that everybody knows about. If you put them in your story, you make  your story real. You make the readers feel it, actually live it. Sue Monk Kidd uses allusions to help you understand what is going on in more details. That’s what you should do. Some of the allusions which are very important to be named is where the author put in THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT. This automatically touches your brain by telling you that this was in the 60’s and that the colored people where fighting to win their rights. Also adding, it brings you that feeling that you think you’re living in the story, being able to relate in anyone’s everyday life. Another allusion is the WAILING WALL which May writes on it every time somebody dies. In conclusion to this, Allusions help the story by allowing the audience to relate and apply these reasoning’s in their lives. Briefly explained, the three literary devices which would be good to include in stories are: epigraphs, character development and allusions. This brings your story to a point that the reader believes they are actually living the story, feeling every single detail of it. So, all in all, literary devices increase more use of detailed writing and allows people to understand what is going on.

Study of the Effect of Lead (Heavy Metal)

A major environmental concern due to dispersal of industrial and urban wastes generated by human activities is the contamination of soil. Controlled and uncontrolled disposal of waste, accidental and process spillage, mining and smelting of metalliferous ores, sewage sludge application to agricultural soils are responsible for the migration of contaminants into non-contaminated sites as dust or leachate and contribute towards contamination of our ecosystem. The present study was undertaken to study the effect of heavy metals on the growth of Brasicca juncea and thereby its utilization for phytoremediation. The minimum amount of lead (0 mg/gm) was found in plant treated in 0 % concentration of lead acetate and maximum amount of lead (0. 0011 mg/gm) was found in plant treated in (0. 6%) concentration of lead acetate. The percentage germination for control, 0. 2, 0. 4, 0. 6 percent lead acetate treated seedling was 89%, 88%, 86. 66% and 83% respectively. The length of shoot was found much less in plant treated in 0. 6% concentration of lead acetate (10 cm), as compared to the length of shoot in plant treated with 0% concentration of lead acetate (8 cm). Length of roots was found maximum in 0. 6% concentration of lead acetate (2 cm), as compared to the length of shoot in plant treated with 0% concentration of lead acetate (0. 5 cm). It was found that Brasica juncea tolerated highest concentration of heavy metals and can accumulate lead. Key Words: leachate, heavy metals, lead, phytoremediation, Brasicca juncea. Introduction Heavy metal contamination of soil, water and air has caused serious environmental hazard in the biosphere due to rapid industrialization and urbanization. Lead is probably one of the most frequently encountered heavy metals in polluted environment. The primary sources of this metal include mining and smelting of metalliferous ores, burning of leaded gasoline, disposal of municipal sewage and industrial wastes enriched in lead as well as using of lead-based paint (Kabata-Pendias and Pendias 1984; Seaward and Richard-son 1990). Relatively high levels of lead concentrations were recorded as high as 7,000 Â µg/ gm in roadside soil (Kabata-Pendias and Pendias 1984) and 13,380 Â µg/gm in mining district soil (Wick land 1990). In recent years it has been reported that some plant species known as hyper accumulator derived from heavy metal-contaminated areas have the ability to accumulate unusually high content of heavy metals without dramatically being impacted in their growth and development. (Reeves, Brooks and Malaises 1985; Baker and Brooks 1989). This raises the suggestion that these hyper accumulators may provide the basis for phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated sites (Baker et al. 1991). Phytoremediation potential of a few such species for heavy metal-contaminated soil and water has recently been detected (Brown et al. 994; Kumar et al. 1995; Dushenkov et al. 1995; Huang et al. 1997; Blaylock et al. 1997). Lead as a Heavy metal: Lead (Pb) exists naturally in many forms throughout the world & has a soil retention time of 150-5000 yrs. Lead is among those heavy metals which have no known biological function. Never the less, numerous investigations show that plants can accumulate lead via root and shoot, and that the lead concentrations in plant tissues are significantly related to the lead levels in environment (Kabata-Pendias and Pendias 1984; Nwosu et al. 995; Sawidis et al 1995; Xiong 1998). Excessive lead accumulated in plant tissue can be toxic to most plants, leading to decrease in seed germination, root elongation and biomass, inhibition of chlorophyll biosynthesis, as well as cell disturbance and chromosome lesion (Balsberg Pahlsson 1989; Kumar et al. 1991; Fargasova 1994; Xiong 1997c). In lead and other heavy metal-contaminated sites, the vegetation structure and biodiversity are usually reduced barren patches of soil occurring, and trees are sparse or absent (Wickland 1990). Material and Method Brasicca juncea seeds obtained from nursery were treated with lead acetate solution of concentrations ranging from 0. 0%, 0. 2%, 0. 4% & 0. 6% for control the seed were soaked in distilled water. After 24 hrs the seeds were transferred on wet filter paper (wet by the solutions of respective conc. ) in plastic trays. Seedlings were harvested after twenty days, the germination rate and the length of root and shoot was recorded. The amount of lead accumulated in the seedlings was also calculated. Stock solution of 0. 2%, o. 4% and 0. % was prepared in the following way: 20 mg of lead acetate in 1000 ml distilled water in volumetric flask gave 0. 2% of lead acetate solution. In the same way 40 mg & 60 mg lead acetate salt were dissolved to prepare 0. 4% & 0. 6%. stock solutions respectively. The DNA in control and the treated seedlings was estimated by Diphenylamine reaction. Optical density was read at 595 nm on a photoelectric colorimeter. Standard graph of O. D. on Y-axis and concentration of standard DNA on X-axis was plotted. DNA from sample was estimated with the help of standard graph. The Folin Lowry’s method of protein assay was used for protein estimation in control and treated seedlings. Optical density was read at 625 nm on photoelectric colorimeter. For the estimation of lead from the treated seedlings, 10 gm of the plant material was crushed in mortar and pestle in 40 ml distilled water and the solution was filtered. Another series was made by taking 10 ml sample solution from filtrate of all concentrations from 0. 2%, 0. 4%, 0. 6% and control. 25 ml of freshly prepared Ammonium solution and 0. 5 ml of Sodium sulfide solution was added to all the above test tubes. Similarly for standard graph, varying concentration (0. 25 – 1. 5ml) of working lead solution was prepared. To this 25 ml of freshly prepared Ammonium solution to make it alkaline was added; also 0. 5 ml of Sodium Sulfide was added. The volume of all solutions was equalized with distilled water. A blank was also prepared in the same manner without adding lead solution. Optical density was read at 430 nm on photoelectric colorimeter. The concentration of lead was calculated in terms of mg/litre from standard graph. Result & Discussion The minimum amount of DNA (4. 50 mg/gm) was found in seedlings treated in (0%) concentration of lead acetate after 20 days of treatment, and maximum minimum amount of DNA (4. 675 mg/gm) found in plant treated in (0. 6%) concentration of lead acetate after 20 days of treatment. The graph shows that the amount of DNA increases as the concentration of lead acetate goes on increasing. The minimum amount of Protein (86 mg/gm) was found in plant treated in (0%) concentration of lead acetate after 20 days of treatment, and maximum amount Protein (93. 5 mg/gm) found in plant treated in (0. 6%) concentration of lead acetate after 20 days of treatment 89. mg and 91. 5mg of protein was estimated in the seedlings treated with 0. 4% and 0. 6% lead acetate. From the graph it can be concluded that the amount of protein increased with the increase in the concentration of lead. The graphical representation was done for calculating the concentration of lead in the treated seedlings. The optical density was read at 430 nm for control, 0. 2%, 0. 4% and 0. 6% lead acetate treated seedlings was 0, 0. 013, 0. 016 and 0. 019 respectively. The graph plotted resulted into a straight line, indicating the increased accumulation of lead in the seedlings. The concentration of lead was calculated using graph. In 1gm of control, 0. 2, 0. 4 and 0. 6 percent lead acetate treated seedling sample had 0 mg, 0. 00078 mg, 0. 00094 mg and 0. 0011 mg of lead respectively. The minimum amount of lead (0 mg/gm) was found in plant treated in (0%) concentration of lead acetate and maximum amount of lead (0. 0011 mg/gm) was found in plant treated in (0. 6%) concentration of lead acetate. This suggests that Brasicca juncea could accumulate comparatively high doses lead. The percentage germination for 1 gm each of control, 0. 2, 0. 4, 0. percent lead acetate treated seedling was 89%, 88%, 86. 66% and 83% respectively. The germination with increase in concentration of lead acetate did not show any inhibitory effect on the germination of seeds but a steady decrease in the percentage of germination was observed. Maximum percentage of germination was found in control seeds. Out of 300 seeds soaked in 0. 2%, 0. 4% and 0. 6% solution of lead acetate showed 264, 260 and 249 seeds germinating respectively. When compared to the control the germination percentage of the treated seeds did not differ much. This indicated the capability of Brasicca juncea in tolerating the presence of heavy metals like lead. The shoot length for 1 gm each of control, 0. 2, 0. 4 and 0. 6 percent lead acetate treated seedling was 8 cm, 8. 5 cm, 8. 3cm, and 10 cm respectively; also the root length for 1 gm each of control, 0. 2, 0. 4 and 0. 6 percent lead acetate treated seedling was 0. 5 cm, 0. 8 cm, 1. 0 cm and 2. 0 cm respectively. The length of shoot was found maximum in plant treated in 0. 6% concentration of lead acetate (10 cm), as compared to the length of shoot in plant treated with 0% concentration of lead acetate (8 cm). Length of roots was found maximum in 0. 6% concentration of lead acetate (2 cm), as compared to the length of shoot in plant treated with 0% concentration of lead acetate (0. 5 cm). This indicates that Brasicca juncea was able to utilize the increased amount of lead to its advantage, suggesting the use of Brasicca juncea as a natural alternative for phytoremediation. Conclusion The present study indicates that plant species like Brasicca juncea can tolerate wide range of heavy metals concentration, it utilizes the heavy concentration for its all round growth . It can be used in removal of lead; and hence its use in phytoremediation in future. Phytoremediation is a fast developing field, since last ten years lot of field application were initiated all over the world, it includes Phytoremediation of Organic, Inorganic and Radio nuclides. This sustainable and inexpensive process is fast emerging as a viable alternative to conventional remediation methods and will be most suitable for a developing country like India. Most of the studies have been done in developed countries and knowledge of suitable plants is particularly limited in India. In India commercial application of Phytoremediation of Soil heavy metal or Organic compounds is in its earliest phase. Fast growing plants with high biomass and good metal uptake ability are needed. In most of the contaminated sites hardy, tolerant, weed species exist and phytoremediation through these and other non-edible species can restrict the contaminant from being introduced into the food web. Further studies need to be performed in order to establish the maximum amount of lead that the plants may tolerate, and the ability of Brasicca juncea to germinate and grow in media containing mixtures of heavy metals.

Inner-City English Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Inner-City English - Essay Example According to William Labov, the â€Å"English† being spoken in American inner cities is â€Å"not simply slang but a well-formed set of rules of pronunciation and grammar† that is capable of conveying complicated logic and rationalization – that is with sense and thoughtful meaning – and thus is not really rooted from or based on Standard American English but is a Black vernacular English (Labov 15). As aforementioned, the argument that Inner-City English lacks form and is therefore â€Å"sloppy† is merely an implication of a longstanding political issue. Blacks have always been the subject of discrimination and subordination for so many years. The Black Americans have been placed under a framework of pervasive and extreme violence, which carried on until today, and which has extended to the determination of the standards of American English. In the recent years, attention has been bent on the sociolinguistic aspect of the Inner-City English. Much c oncentration has been poured into the patterns of speech that is common among Black Americans in inner cities. As a matter of fact, in 1997, Labov testified before the Senate that most Black Americans in the inner employs an unusual pairing of spelling and sound or pronunciation – and this has become more difficult for speakers of other dialects (Labov 245). And this must have been the basis of the criticism that Inner City English lacks form and is sloppy. First of all, there is no general consensus as to how English should be pronounced or even as to the form or pattern of the English language and how to properly use it. Inner City English cropped up as a result of the cultural practices of the Blacks in the inner city, which are ritualistic in nature. The idea that Standard American English is much more systematic as compared to the Inner City English is misleading – the pattern and form of the Inner City English may be a tacit among the members of the Black communi ty, especially in the inner cities. But because

The identification of pathological liars in the criminal justice Essay

The identification of pathological liars in the criminal justice system - Essay Example It is very important for the courts to determine whether a witness is telling the truth because he may make the courts sentence an innocent man. Therefore, detection of liars is of paramount significance in order to serve justice. It cannot be said with certainty whether pathological lying is really a disorder. There have been opposing views in this regard. This debate has some serious implications on the criminal law because if pathological lying is not a disorder and is deliberate, it should be punishable by law as far as witnesses are concerned. There is no reliable definition of pathological lying as yet but there is agreement in respect of certain core elements that constitute it. This concept was first described by a German physician, Anton Delbruck, who observed that some of his patients could not help themselves from telling such outrageous lies that he had to put them in a special category. These lies were later described by him as "pseu- dologia phantastica." (Dike, 2008) T he first step to determine whether a person is a pathological liar is to take a look at his history. The history of a pathological liar is full of lies that are told without any purpose. Normally, a lie is told in order to obtain a certain benefit or advantage. For pathological liars, telling lies is a disease and they tell them even if they provide no benefit to them. What makes this behaviour even more questionable is the fact that some lies play a role in incriminating their teller. This means that yet another feature of pathological lying is that lies are told without any regard to what their consequences might be. There are many real-life stories in which people have lost their jobs because of their pathological lying. Probably the biggest problem with a lie is that it needs many other subsequent lies for support. The people who have this problem do not only include the unfortunate; many successful people have also succumbed to this problem. Judge Patrick Couwenberg of Californ ia, for instance, was removed from his office because he lied both in his official capacity and while being under oath to speak the truth during the investigation of his behavior. He was later diagnosed with pseudologia phantastica (Dike, 2008). Being a judge is one of the most prestigious of statuses in the society. One who has achieved this status would never do anything to sabotage it in normal circumstances. Therefore, it was a curious situation that Judge Couwenberg deliberately compromised his position and, all things aside, damaged his reputation. His case makes a strong argument in favor of pathological lying being a mental disorder. Pathological liars are also known as compulsive liars or mythomaniacs. While detecting a pathological liar, there is a great danger of making a wrong diagnosis. However, there are a few very common symptoms of a pathological liar. Firstly, a pathological liar uses a lot of detail in his lie. He fears all the time that he might not be believed by others. This is why he uses a lot of extra information to supplement his lie. Secondly, pathological liars usually want to make their lives look better than they actually are. They feel that they are not being given the right amount of respect by others. Hence, they tell such lies that help them look important and more respectful. Thirdly, pathological liars are in a desperate need of attention. While some of them lie about how great their life is, others lie to make their liv

STRATEGIC MARKETING MANAGEMENT Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

STRATEGIC MARKETING MANAGEMENT - Assignment Example In consideration to the importance of technology in our daily lives, the industry, I have selected for Marketing Research and Planning is ‘Education IT products’. The company that has been selected is Lenovo. Lenovo is a manufacturer of PCs, laptops, desktops and other computer accessories. The history of Lenovo dates back to 1980s (Lenovo Website). Lenovo is operating in UK as well and it is considered as one of the top manufacturers of notebooks in the UK market (Schofield, 2010). The annual report 2009/2010 of Lenovo has revealed that shares of company in the mature markets including UK have declined as compared to its shares in China. Therefore, in this report strategic management analysis of Lenovo has been done and a new product plan has been proposed based on chosen future growth strategy. 2.0 CORPORATE OBJECTIVES The mission statement of Lenovo has been given below: â€Å"Lenovo strives to be a new world company that makes award-winning PCs for our customers. We operate as a company uninhibited by walls or organizational structures using world-sourcing to harness the power of innovation across our global team. We design innovative and exciting products and services to meet our customers’ needs.†(Lenovo Website) As mentioned in the annual report 2009 of Lenovo, the future corporate objectives of Lenovo are given below (Lenovo Website, 2010): Focus on maintaining its growth momentum in its core PC business whereas, exploring new opportunities. Reducing costs and increasing operational efficiency is another corporate objective and to achieve this objective, company has announced a global resource restructuring plan. To expand leadership position in China and to improve profitability in China To return to profitability and maintain and grow shares in the mature markets like UK, US etc To ensure faster end-to-end management in the mature and emerging markets To simplify the business model for global commercial accounts To explore n ew opportunities in mobile interest by coming up new products and through Lenovo Mobile unit 3.0 MARKET OVERVIEW 3.1 Products The current products of Lenovo have been classified into three categories including Professional Grade products, Lifestyle products and Accessories. Professional Grade Lifestyle Accessories ThinkPad Laptops IdeaPad Laptops Monitors ThinkCentre Desktops IdeaCentre Desktops Batteries & Power ThinkStation Workstations Essential Laptop/Desktop Storage ThinkServer Systems All Accessories Source: Lenovo Website The following figure shows sales of Lenovo’s products in 2009 and 2010. Figure shows that notebook computers contribute to the major chunk of the sales with 58 percent and 63 percent in 2009 and 2010 respectively. Figure 1: Sales Analysis by Product, 2009 Source: Lenovo Annual Report 2009/2010 3.2 Target Markets The company has categorised its markets into three groups including China, Mature Markets and Emerging Markets. The Executive Headquarter of Lenovo is in Morrisville, USA whereas, the Principal Operations are in Morrisville (targeting mature markets), Beijing (targeting China) and

Migration in the US Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Migration in the US - Essay Example This section further states that to consciously employ, hire or continue employing an illegal immigrant will be a great violation of Federal procedures that have been stipulated in 8 U.S 1324a(b)(1)-(3 ) that require the verification of employee. An illegal immigrant is defined in this section to as a person who is not a citizen of or a national of U.S and who has no authority to work in America as stated in the federal law. SECTION 3(1),(16) defines a business entity to as any group of individuals or an individual that operates any activity, profession or engages in an occupation for any gain, benefit, advantage or livelihood either for profit on non profit motive. SECTION 3(2) states that business includes traditional entities, self employed individuals. An employer under Section 3(5) is defined to as any person or business that employees another person within the Alabama states. Section 15 (b): E-VERIFY. This section makes it a requirement that businesses and employers enroll in E -verify system and use the system to verify the eligibility of a person for employment. The E-verify is a federal electronic employment verification system that was established in 1996 by the illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act and is used by the U.S department of Homeland security. Section 3(7) provides that the Alabama Department for Homeland for security has an obligation to create an E-verifier, an employment agency to be used by business or employer with 25 employees or less. Section 25 put it clear that any business or employ that uses the E-verify system will not have violated Section 15.It further puts that the use of E-verifier to verify the status of any employee will be doing it in good faith and shall be in conformity with all Federal laws applicable. SECTION 15(c)-(f): PENALTIES. If a business or employer violates section 15(a), the court of law shall do the following. The unauthorized employed immigrant tenure of work will be terminated .The bus iness that violate this section will be placed on probation for three years and provide quarterly reports about progress of the business regarding the hiring of new employees. The business will be required to provide a sworn affidavit that it has terminated the employment of illegal immigrants and that it shall not hire any other such employee knowingly. The work permit of the business shall be suspended for ten day. The business that may not be using the E-verify will have their business suspended and only after they have introduced the system in their business will their licenses be reinstated. Any subsequent violations by businesses and employer will result into permanent suspension of their entity. According to mondaq.com (2011), states that the new law affects the healthcare providers in their capacity as employer of such services and also affects the provision of health cares. Under this Act, state agencies are required to verify the status of any person applying for public be nefits. This verification will target state universities, health care that are directly operated by state and

Business law and ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Business law and ethics - Essay Example Within such a framework, it is the understanding of the law that these stakeholders may have a less biased and more realistic interpretation for the means whereby a given firm or business can seek to maximize their own profits. Comparatively, within the United States, the manager or management of the firm has a high degree of latitude with regards to the actions and decisions that he/she can take to protect against a potential hostile takeover of his/her firm. As a means of explaining these key differentials to a greater and more complete degree, the following analysis will attempt to compare and contrast the means whereby managers within the United Kingdom and the United States are constrained by the rule of law to exhibit only certain levels of behavior in the event of a potential hostile takeover of their firm or business entity. Within the US system, the managers of the respective firm are allowed and encouraged to actively engage with regards to seeking to delineate the key bene fits and drawbacks that a potential takeover may have upon the viability of the company. By comparison, UK law specifically refuses the right of the manager to engage in such decision making strategy; rather, it places the onus of such a choice squarely upon the shoulders of the shareholders. Yet, this should not be understood to mean that takeovers in the United States are somehow shareholder â€Å"unfriendly†. ... option allows for a manager to engage in an active defense of the company’s stock if a potential takeover is denoted by the acquisition of 10-15% of a company’s stock by a hostile firm/individual. By comparison, managers within the United Kingdom are not allowed to take any â€Å"frustrating action†. This is due to the fact that the United Kingdom delineates a much more powerful focus upon the needs and rights of the respective shareholders as opposed to the United States approach which places most of the power and decision making ability upon the manager. As such, any â€Å"poison pill† option is implicitly forbidden under UK law. In short, â€Å"frustrating options†, defined as a means by which a manager of a firm can seek to disrupt the rate and extent to which a potential takeover might take place. However, what should be understood is that the strict laws that govern the level to which a firm in the United Kingdom can respond to a takeover only apply once the potential takeover is the horizon. As such, it is well within the law for the firm or entity to seek to entrench itself in a rather unassailable position prior to any of this taking place; thereby making its position much stronger and less likely to result in a predatory takeover of any sort whatsoever. Q2) Although ethics is broadly understood, the fact of the matter is that there are five traditional approaches to this topic which must be engaged with and understood in order for the student or the analyst to approach the topic with a firm level of understanding. As such, the following brief analysis will discuss each of these five traditional theories of ethics and define why each of these is important to understand and appreciate from the business perspective. Due to the fact that different points of

Brand Equity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Brand Equity - Essay Example In my opinion, Starbucks Coffee is a brand that has developed a high level of brand equity. The question arises that what creates brand equity and how can it be managed. For most people, a brand is simply a name given to a particular product or service that is manufactured or offered by a particular company. Thus the brand name in time becomes associated with the company and reflects its quality of products or services. If successful, the company can also increase the number of items in its product line depending on the good reputation and name of its original product or service. Customers are likely to buy and try the new products or services if they have a need for them. This is also because of the positive image they have of the company and its earlier offerings. Another way of seeing brand equity is that it is the value of your product or service to the customer- it is the reason why he prefers your offering compared to others in the marketplace. This can be because of ambience, value for money, variety of offerings or any other reason. Here are some ways in which I th ink Starbucks has created its brand equity or value for the customer: Starbucks Coffee is known for the quality of its product offerings. Be it the rich brewed coffees and espresso-based hot and cold drinks, hot or cold sandwiches- everything spells quality. The customer can rely on this every time they walk into the store. What’s more, this principal value is followed all across Starbucks stores worldwide (Assistant, 2009). Most customers would equate Starbucks to a good live experience. If you are a regular customer, the hostess would not only remember your name, but also what you generally prefer and the quantity of sugar you like in your brew. The point that the coffee is made in front of you, where you can watch the process if you like, also helps Starbucks quality resonate in the mind of the customers. It is not surprising to find groups of friends or office colleagues coming

Should Service-Learning be a Requirement for College Graduation Essay

Should Service-Learning be a Requirement for College Graduation - Essay Example Service learning should be a requirement and part for college graduation due to a number of reasons as below: One reason is that a service-learning program enhances learning abilities to students. This program not only improves students’ decision-making abilities and critical thinking but also set up them in the future, furthermore this programs helps student to apply their knowledge and skills in order to solve the real life problems of which the student will encounter in their professional lives. Additionally, service learning prepares students for their future responsibility and professional roles- such programs introduce students to workplace environment, which helps them adjust in any workplace environment in a very short span of time. Another service learning importance is that it enhances personality development of students and improves their workplace skills and abilities. Another merit of service-learning programs is that it allows students to translate their theory learning into practice, which is a very positive aspect of service learning. Service learning not only provides opportunities to the students to get experience of real work but also help them enrich learning and renew communities. Colleges and universities should maintain such resources, which they can use to provide learning opportunities to the students. Service learning has become a necessity for the success of students in professional life(. Service learning eliminates prepares students mentally for work. One more thing, for which service learning seems essential at college level, is that it enables students identify the roles, which they will need to play in society in future. When students engage in community activities, they become aware of their social roles and responsibilities in a very young stage of life. It is a fact that a society can

Twenty-first Centry Images of Nurses and Nursing Essay

Twenty-first Centry Images of Nurses and Nursing - Essay Example Effective leaders in the nursing professional also ensure that the nursing education and practices are quality and safe. Effective nursing leadership advocates for an innovative, collaborative, and evidence-based working environment, which assists the nurses in the profession to have value and respect in their position. The nursing profession has evolved over the years, from the initial description of altering the environment to ensure that the patient is in the best condition possible for nature to act upon them. This was the initial description of nursing by Florence Nightingale in the mid 1800s. However, the world has had broad and milestone advances in technology and scientific facts over the past decades, thus the roles of nurses have evolved to those of promoting health, assisting patients to cope with their illnesses, and preventing diseases. The roles of a nurse including meeting some of the needs of a patient that cannot be met by any other member of the society (Summers and Jacobs, 2009). Currently, the nursing career is a helping profession, providing assistance services to the well being and health care of patients. Nonetheless, the nursing profession is expected to evolve even more as we venture into the second decade of the twenty-first century. The nursing stereotypes has also changed with the development of the nursing profession, evolving from a domestic art, a religious calling, a skilled discipline, a pool of expert managers, a pool of expert clinicians to today. The media representation of the nursing professional influences the societal view of nurses and nursing in general, portraying them as toxic to innocuous. Among the representations include the ministering angels taking care of wounded soldiers, the dumb nurses happy to be on the receiving end of patients’ coughs, the saucy nurses wearing their usual abbreviated skirts, pneumatic breasts and frilly hats, and the battleaxe, the queen of patient torture in ward routines. However, experienced and qualified nurses have come forth to present the real images of nursing and the profession, arguing that the media portrays the professionals as background fillers rather than highly skilled, university educated, and autonomous health care specialists responsible for the life and death of patients. These nurses oppose the commonly held notion that technology can replace nursing, presenting facts that back their stand. According to them, a device hooked up to a patient cannot detect some of the subtle changes that may be life threatening to the patient like demeanor, color, state of mind, or their speech (Summers and Jacobs, 2009). The image of nurses and nursing is improving over time, with more regards and appreciation over the importance of the profession. The education and practicing standards of nurses have improved immensely in the twenty-first century, with the curriculum incorporating high-level skills and techniques on health care. In today’s society, nursing is considered as an autonomous and professional, complete with its own theories and methodology. 2. Describe three historical views that influence or have influenced the definition of contemporary nursing as a science, an art, and a practice? Many nurse researchers consider the contemporary nursing profession as a basic science. This is a result of the various nursing theories put forth. Contemporary nursing principles organize the nursing theories in a hierarchical order,

Economic Commentary Essay Example for Free

Economic Commentary Essay This article talks about a recent increase in the rate of unemployment in the Euro-zone countries due to the fall of the rate of inflation, which was caused by a decrease in the oil and commodity prices. In this commentary, I will analyze the relationship between these two economic problems, discuss their effects and evaluate the possible solutions. Europe’s inflation dropped from 1.6% to 1.1% in the last two months. According to economic theory, such a fall in the general price level (PL) is not ideal because it limits economic growth. In this case, the decrease of inflation rate is caused by a raise in the short run aggregate supply (SRAS) due to the fall of the oil and commodity prices. This also reduces the consumer’s price expectations, therefore decreasing aggregate demand (AD). [See graphs] The effects of this situation are double-sided. The fall in the European inflation rate will hurt people with variable incomes, and benefit people with fixed incomes. Due to the increase in the purchasing power of money, it will hurt borrowers and benefit lenders. As the value of money rises, savings will become more productive; however, it will cause a fall in expectations that reduces investment in the stock market. Finally, it will discourage the creation of new ventures; although, it will prevent future capital flight. In addition to these effects, inflation provokes unemployment. The European Central Bank (ECB) has reported that its unemployment rate rose from 7.9% to 8% in December, as inflation decreased. In the European Union, anyone 15 years of age or older who is not working but available for work and actively looking for one is considered unemployed. This type of unemployment is classified as cyclical because it varies with the business cycle. In order to understand better how unemployment relates to inflation, the economist A.W. Phillips did several studies showing that there is a trade-off between them. As inflation increases, people have more money in their hands. This will encourage the government to increase its spending, hence creating new jobs. Phillips designed a curve (PC) that portrayed the relationship between these contradictory macroeconomic goals. Increasing unemployment has the following economic and social costs: According to Arthur Okun, for every 1% increase in unemployment, there is a 2.5% decrease in the real GDP which will increase government borrowing and budget deficit, leading to a raise in the indebtedness of the countries. More unemployment implies more people insured by the social security programs; hence, the government welfare costs will increase. In addition, less people in conditions to pay income taxes will reduce government tax revenues. Unemployment causes an increase in homelessness and, therefore, in street violence and crime. Similarly, it incites alcoholism and drug consumption, as well as immigration and suicides. From the PC, it can be concluded that a higher inflation will decrease the rate of unemployment in the EU. This, according to the article, will be attempted by the ECB through the implementation of discretionary expansionary monetary policy, which consists in a raise in money supply and a decrease in interest rate, to increase AD and lower SRAS. This is a policy taken from the Neo-Keynesian macro-model that believes in interventionism and short run measures to prevent deflation. [See graph] One of the strengths of monetary policy is the short recognition, decision and execution lags. According to economists Mendel Gordon and Milton Freedman, they vary from 5-10 months and 6-24 months, respectively. One of its weaknesses, identified by Neo-Keynesian fiscal activists, is the weak links between banks and borrowers. This means that, regardless the interest rate changes, expectations remain unchanged. Fiscal activists also believe that monetary policy works indirectly and, thus, more slowly; however, monetary activists claim that it is not slower than fiscal policy. Finally, monetary policy would succeed in increasing the rate of inflation, although it is limited by cash leakages and volt cash. Moreover, Milton Freedman affirms that it may destabilize the economy because of insufficient information. Consequently, it is better to follow the K% rule which consists in the establishment of a constant money growth rate determined by the Central Bank.

Benefits of CPOE With CDS for Hospital Organizations

Benefits of CPOE With CDS for Hospital Organizations Can a computer physician order entry and computer decision support provide benefit by improving patient safety, reducing medication and other errors, improving quality, and aiding in compliance for hospital organizations? Studies and research show that the usage of these systems provides many advantages over the present paper based order entry system and provide healthcare organizations with multiple benefits. Medication errors are a big problem in healthcare and top the list of harm that is placed upon patients in the United States everyday. These errors are preventable. Computer Physician Order Entry (CPOE) is a network technology that when coupled with a Clinical Decision Support (CDS) system can be a valuable tool in reducing the incidence of medication errors. (Dixon, Zafar, 2009, para 6) CPOE is most effective when used in conjunction with a healthcare organizations Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system. (Felkey, 169) CPOE coupled with CDS are network technologies that can benefit healthcare organizations in many ways. The Joint Commission (JCAHO), Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program, (HFAP), and the National Quality Forum (NQF) all place patient safety high on their list of goals and best practice suggestions. One of JCAHOs core measures is the patient safety related standard which dictates the prevention of accidental harm through the analysis and redesign of vulnerable pa tient systems (e.g. the ordering, preparation and dispensing of medications. (JCAHO, 2010) HFAP and NQF have several Safe Practices demonstrated in their online crosswalk that demand healthcare organizations address the issues of patient safety directly; following is a list: performance improvements that reduce harm to patients, identifying and mitigating safety risks and hazards to drive down preventable patient harm, healthcare organization must develop, reconcile, and communicate an accurate patient medication list throughout the continuum of care, and the safe adoption of CPOE. (HFAP NQF 2009) JCAHO, HFAP, and HQF all work closely with the Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services (CMS) to set patient safety and quality compliance standards for US healthcare  organizations. Many providers follow guidelines imposed by the CMS for coding and payment. According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) at least 44,000 people, and perhaps as many as 98,000 people, die in hospitals as a result of medical errors that could have been prevented. (IOM, 1999) The FDA stated in their 2005 report that medication errors result in at least one death per day and 1.3 million injuries per year in the United States. (as cited in Figge, 2009, para 1) Walker states that of all the steps in the medication use process, the areas most associated with errors are prescribing and administration. (2008, para 2) CPOE is a mobile capable network technology that allows a physician to enter orders electronically for medication, laboratory services, imaging, procedures and admissions from almost anywhere at anytime. (Dixon, Zafar, 2009, para 4) This mobile functionality can improve a physicians efficiency allowing them to use their precious little down time to get more things done in less time. The wireless capability of CPOE can allow it to communicate with Personal Digital Assistants (PDA). A Harris Interactive Poll reported that 18 percent of the nations physicians reporting using a PDA as an integral part of their professional duties. (as cited in Ying, 2003, pg 59) This functionality gives physicians who employ the PDA technology the capability to input orders on the go and between other tasks in their busy daily work schedules; allowing more flexibility and efficiency in the physicians workflow. When fully integrated with an EMR, the CPOE/CDS system can generate alerts by looking for drug interactions, medication contraindications, dosing and frequency suggestions based on current information contained in the patients EMR, the pharmacy formulary and the CDS system clinical support databases. (Dixon, Zafar, 2009, para 5) Some information that could be compared and evaluated includes the medications that the patient is presently being prescribed against the patients diagnosis, co-morbidities, and vital statistics. The CPOE/CDS system uses evidence based medical information and would be customized by the hospital organization using selected guidelines, protocols, and algorithms. (Walker, 2008, para 18) The CDS can be programmed to look for errors based on the data sets the healthcare organization has selected. The system can then alert for errors and offer suggestions for medication dosing, medication administration, and treatment plans tailored to the individual patient. Remml inger, documented potential benefits of CPOE including eliminating lost orders and illegible handwriting, improving the consistency of documentation, reducing variances in care, improving consideration of the patients clinical data, and improving coded data for outcomes analysis. (as cited in Gray Felkey, 2004, pg 192, Figure 1) Eliminating most handwritten clinical data in healthcare organizations is a priority that the IOM and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices has suggested for healthcare; CPOE and CDS systems are two initiatives that can facilitate this objective. (Walker, 2008) The IOM has also suggested that healthcare organizations implement process improvements when implementing healthcare technology. (AHRQ 2009) Since the CPOE is an electronic order system, illegible handwriting is no longer entered into the  system because paper orders have been eliminated and all order entry is done electronically. The present ordering system allows for verbal orders to be given over the telephone, written and submitted in person or faxed. The numerous possible avenues an order can follow to get into the hospital order entry system invite a multitude of opportunities for things to go wrong. Paper orders can be virtually impossible to read at times due to illegible handwriting, over-handling, and image c opying issues. Remmlinger notes that one of the quality improvements seen with CPOE is eliminating lost. (as cited in Gray Felkey, 2004, pg 192, Figure 1) Data is entered directly into the CPOE system; eliminating the need for a patient to carry the order. Paper orders also require a scanning process to enter the order into the electronic environment adding another step in the process where errors can occur; pages can be missing, scan badly, or get indexed incorrectly. This step in the workflow process also contributes to a lag in the time between when the order is received by the healthcare organization and when it actually enters the patients medical record. The elimination of handwritten orders used in the order entry system cuts out the risks associated with the handwritten and/or paper order; providing safety for the patient and improved quality. By removing illegible handwriting from the system this ensures that every order is readable and available in real-time. (as cited in Gray Felkey, 2004, pg 192, Figure 1) The extra work generated by a paper order is eliminated as well, making for an efficient and complete ordering process and on time documentation. This saves everyone time, improves processes which in turn saves money for the patient and the healthcare organization. Process improvements like this contribute to complete, timely, and accurate documentation making for a safer and more accurate real-time picture of the patients status at any given time from virtually any location, while implementing best practices as recommended by JCAHO, HFAP, and the NQF. Dosing for drugs becomes more standardized when using the CPOE/CDS system; by assessing the individual patients vital statistics included in their EMR.T. (as cited in Gray Felkey, 2004, pg 192, Figure 1) The CDS can calculate dosing by using patient information such as current age, weight, height which is included in their EMR and then comparing that information with the recommended dosage given in the pharmacy formulary. The CPOE/CDS also uses evidence based decision support and can give outcomes analysis based on the current plan of care or give suggestions based on an alternate plan of care. The CDS can predict possible outcomes based on historic data when coupled with alternate plans of therapy. CPOE also promotes efficiency gains by checking the EMR for duplicate orders for clinical tests and other therapeutic events that have already been performed. (as cited in Gray Felkey, 2004, pg 192, Figure 1) Duplicated orders will cause an alert to be generated, resulting in the avoidance of unnecessary testing or other clinical events. This is much safer for the patient considering some clinical tests such as contrast Cat Scans are performed with inherent risk involved. The CPOE/ CDS system checks for duplicate orders therefore improving patient safety, saving time, money and providing better coordination of care while allowing for best resource utilization. A 2005 CPOE study presented an improvement report that showed a 50% reduction in medication errors with CPOE, eliminated illegibility and transcription errors after implementing a commercial CPOE system. (Grandville, Kupetsky, Molinari, Campbell, 2005) Another 2005 study found a 7.6% error rate resulting in 143 errors out of 1879 prescriptions. (Gandhi, Weingart, Seger, Borus, Burdick, Poon, Leape, Bates, 2005) Analysis of the findings: basic CPOE sites had a similar rate of incidence; while employing advanced dosing and frequency checks could have prevented 95% of potential Adverse drug Effects. (ADE). (Gandhi et al, 2005) This finding supports the recommendation given by the IOM suggesting CPOE and CDS should be implemented together to provide the best possible technology to improve patient safety and quality of care. CPOE CDS systems benefit a healthcare organization by improving patient safety through goals and best practices that help reduce medication prescribing and administration errors and offer process improvements that increase efficiency by reducing duplication of services, improve quality while saving money and time for both patients and the healthcare organization. Improvements in processes along with the careful implementation of technologies assist healthcare organizations to be compliant with increasing requirements imposed by various agencies and providers.

Relationship Between Communication and Human Sciences

Relationship Between Communication and Human Sciences The aim of this paper is to critically analyse communication and its development of human societies. It will scrutinise whether any form of symbolic behaviour was a form of communication. This essay will question some of the findings of the past through the examination of communicative works such as cave-art. Discussion of urbanism and religion as a means of communication with divine or supernatural powers will then follow. Writing as posited as one of Childe’s ten criteria as a cause of urbanism will be critically evaluated. To conclude, I will offer my perspective on the development of human societies having evaluated the evidence and expert views. So what is communication? Communication is derived from the Latin word communis (Peters, 1999), meaning â€Å"to share†. Thus, communication is the activity of conveying information through the exchange of messages, information, and thoughts, as by signals, visuals, writing or behaviour. The history of communication dates b ack to ancient times, speech which revolutionized the human communication was developed some 200,000 years ago; symbols were developed about 30,000 years ago while writing about 7,000. Throughout the millennia, human societies underwent major changes in their social order where people lived 10,000 years ago in small, mobile groups which depended on wild plants and animals. Examples of those groups include but is not limited to those of the Yangzi river valley in East Asia and the Americas which underwent changes from hunter-gatherers to an organised society. It is these early examples of groups which domesticated local plant and animal species to forge a farming community and with the development of agriculture and sedentism, population growth soon followed. These farming societies transformed themselves into larger, more complex social systems characterised by cities, political states and class inequalities. As with civilisations such as those of Egyptian and Roman empires, rulers and dynasties rose and fell, and the potsherds and stone tools of archaeology made way for written documents. Without communication, the lives of human beings would be very different as it is critical for growing and maintaining everything around us. The relationship between communication and human society is ever-growing having achieved a huge growth in its partnership. Humans simply could not have achieve this kind of development and growth without the existence of communication. Within society, all relationships and social connections rely on communication and appreciate and understand its importance and with varying communication methods and processes, it gave a great boost to the development of human society. Communication as it is today is a continuing process as people strive to develop new and innovative communication methods and processes. To fully appreciate the growth of communication, we need to look back to the beginning to  the stone age when communication was in its initial developmental stages. There were no languages, resultantly little communication processes were followed by humans. The swift development of human abilities made way for the development of communication and human society. Humans began to use signs and non-verbal communication to communicate with fellow humans such as runners, birds, arrows, smokes. As humans became more and more organized, different kinds of languages and communication methods were developed. Major developments during the Stone Age were: Cave paintings Petro glyphs Pictograms Ideograms Later, during the Bronze Age, human beings invented writing which revolutionized the communication methods and processes, there began a new period of communication. Accepted examples of such writings are Egyptian hieroglyphs and the Indus Valley script (Tharoor 2009). By 2700 BC Egyptian writing had a set of some 22 hieroglyphs to represent syllables (Crabben 2011). Some of the prominent developments of these times are: Writing Alphabet Paper With the introduction of various form of communication, is the question whether symbolic behaviour is a form of communication? Communication and symbolic links seem to go hand in hand with features seen as symbolic objects such as daggers, warriors– some carrying weapons, axes, wheeled vehicles, houses, farm buildings and livestock. Other evidence presented is the rock-art of Valcamonica (Italy) and Southern Africa in which a number of symbolic representations were discovered. Southern-Africa in particular has cave-art of varying degrees of what I would consider a form of symbolism such examples include dancing women an various geometric forms. I believe that symbolic behaviour could be considered as a form of visual communication because a message is being conveyed irrespective of the media and form of communication. Not restricted to cave-art, symbolic behaviour is also seen through the construction of objects such as the sky-disk and sun chariot. The Nebra sky-disk depicts the sun, moon, 32 stars and two arcs, originally three. Its significance alludes any understanding of its significance, however, it does not detract from the fact that it is symbolic in nature and may have been used as an astronomical calculation tool to determine times of harvest (Haughton, 2011). Whatever the significance of the disk, it is still one of symbolism. The final piece of symbolism lies with the Sun Chariot, similar in its astronomical representation of the sun and moon which again illustrates a form of symbolism in the form of a bronze-wheeled-model of a horse pulling a large disk. Not isolated to mere models of bronze, the discovery of burial practices and metallurgy to display prestige and cultural practices can also be considered as a form of symbolism. Unfortunately, no depiction of the latter practices are represented in the rock-art, suggesting that the presence of cave-art does not fully represent the full range of activities, but does not exclude the very fact that once again symbolism is represented through prestige. Symbolism was prominent on a global basis and in Southern Africa, rock-art had symbolic meanings to those who created them. The representation of these paintings were linked between the material and spirit world which in turn depicted shamans and the spirit world. I believe that any consideration into the varying forms of symbolic behaviour should be seen as a form of communication. In summary with regards to symbolism and communication, I am inclined to support the idea that symbolism is a form of communication which is reinforced by Childes criteria for urbanism and the rise of civilisation coupled with the development of symbolic art (Perkins, 2013). Cave or rock-art is known as the oldest form of communication and is the precious remnant of an ancient way of life which provides some of the oldest clues of cultures from long ago. Rock-art and art form or drawing style provides a recorded history of human thought patterns and behaviour. Insights into their socio-religious aspects as well as their ancient culture and myths can be gained and prove valuable into gaining an insight into their lives. Between 30,000 and 5,000 years ago, no written records existed except for cave-art and rock etchings. It was not until post 5,000 years that other types of written records came into existence. Rock-art is in my opinion considered a form of communication and message, whether simple or complex, is special but yet to be fully understood. It provides a small glimpse into the socio-religious aspects of these ancient neolithic cultures. A number of theoretical views and opinions have purported to explain rock-art, but in my view, I am inclined t o suggest that rock-art simply portrays simple daily life. Another possible theory could be that of conveying a complex message about the shamans journey and their altered state of consciousness, suggesting a true appreciation and understanding of ancient tribal life. An air of caution must be placed in assuming that the paintings produced in a specific tribal social and religious context within cave-art has any resemblance to the belief systems of modern Western society and therefore should not be gauged to such. Any form of ritualistic, mythological or supernatural representations art is open to debate as to whether it is art or religion. The area surrounding art and its link to religion would be a difficult assumption to make as to view the work within a set context is to view the art in the same way as those who were around during that time period. As with any religious content, the interpretations are hypothetical and subjective based on the interpreters ideals. However, the presence of animals may have been more of a symbolic vision of the world around them. This art could also be a way of communicating possible ritual practices (Zorich, 2011) that may have taken place within the cave systems. There is a possible assumption that ritual practices taking place within the caves were a means of communication with divine or supernatural powers. The imagery of animals may have been viewed as sacred due to their physical strength indicating power. Throughout time there have been links with sham anism and rock art within the context of spiritualism. One such example is that of the Valcamonica figure which depicts a running man (Naquane, 2014), often identified as a shaman. The key controversy is that the art is a representation of the real world and with that consideration it questions its true purpose and functions. As with everything else in life, changes occur, additions are made to existing structures and art work; likewise with cave art by engraving over already existing work in addition to leaving existing engravings alone, signifies a meaning for those adding to the already present art. It is fair to surmise that maybe these images may have had a symbolic or religious function which in turn can be accepted as a form of communicating rituals and the idea of theology. To further support the theory, Scandinavian rock art is suggestive of ritual or mythological as well as associations with the supernatural. I truly believe that such interpretations are acceptable and sho uld be viewed as a way of looking beyond an established civilisation to that of conducting oneself to a higher power, a deity perhaps? Further evidence has recently come to light of the possible religious or spiritual practices from the discovery of rock-art in the highlands (McKenzie, 2014). The discovery included a boulder decorated with ancient cup and ring marks which archaeologists believe may have been made for a number of reasons. Some of these reasons include ritualistic, astronomical or simply doodling. If we were to assume that it was ritualistic, it implies that there may have been a link with divine or supernatural powers. It is a safe assumption that with cave-art, a link between communication and the belief of divine and supernatural powers exists. It is without a doubt that human communication is underpinned by a social survival imperative. In the words of Blakemore, Winston and Frith (2004) Humans crave the company of others and suffer profoundly if temporarily isolated from society. The above statement is indicative of the need to communicate hence with the spread of hunter-gatherers across various regions, communication took on differing forms. These ranged from non-verbal communication which consisted of possible facial expressions, tone of voice, body movement and stance which eventually emerged in conjunction with verbal communication within the hunter-gathers period. It is through the use of language as a symbolic form of communication to convey messages to one another but is not limited to just the verbal aspect of communicating. As previously mentioned, writing, drawing, painting and sculptures was and still is a form of communication, a graphical and yet symbolic method of communication. One asserts that the hunter-gathers of the time used various methods to communicate from non-verbal to verbal as well as art to project and record their beliefs and lifestyles. The earliest form of urbanism appeared in the Near East (3rd Millennium BC), Warka, known from texts as the Sumerian city of Uruk (Mathews, 2013). Life in the City of Warka was marked by the appearance of well known cultural innovations such as the architecture of monumental portions, commemorative art and the use of a cylinder seal. Another innovation which involves one of Childes ten criteria is that of writing which appeared during the late Uruk period and was considered the earliest form of writing. It can be implied that the presence of writing was not coincidental but one of relevance towards the formation of social organisation. I believe that writing is essential in maintaining any form of governance within a state organisation. My argument is that writing as it stands provides a method of record keeping which is essential for not only the organisation but also the administrative and social control of people living within an urban setting. If proven that the writing found at Uruk was indeed an integral part in urban life then it will be a safe assumption that the presence of writing was in effect consistent with governmental administration. However, I dispute this perspective since other societies have existed without the need for writing to maintain a society. One such society was that of the Incas. Not having a recognised writing system like the rest of the world, no carved stone, no papyrus or art, the Incas established and maintained a working empire proving that urbanism does not require a writing system to flourish. Having said that, the Incas did have a method of recording accounts, astronomical calculations and possibly their stories, this method involved the use of cords and knots (K.K. Hurst, 2002), a complicated system but yet a record, nevertheless. Having considered the Incas and the use of the cord system as a possible means of conveying messages is in my opinion open to debate as to whether the use of knots in cords is a form of communica tion. Critical analysis of the communication adopted by the Incas does not provide a convincing argument therefore in my opinion that it is highly improbable the Incas possessed a system of writing. When taking into account that for urbanism to exist and thrive, a system of communication is required, be it writing or otherwise, the Inca civilisation as far as I am concerned refutes that theory. Would the Incas have adopted writing from the people of Warka? Due to the strong beliefs of the Incas and the significance of the cord system, I would assume the Incas would have refrained from doing so. In concluding this paper, the true significance of these vast array of cave paintings discovered and possibly some yet to be discovered is and will remain elusive for now. I can conclude that the cave-art, some brilliant in comparison to the art work that we find today, reflects the development of symbolic life, and an important turning point in human evolution. This sudden burst is reminiscent of the big bang theory but in this case it is the big bang theory of the human mind. It is through the study of the cave-art that has drawn a possible link to a symbolic life and with further field study and analysis will push the theory and reveal a symbolic life from the past. I also believe that communication and its impact on past civilisations may not have had a major role to play just simply a system which was adopted for growth and control. Today, communication is a requirement for any country to succeed and flourish in the way of trade and finance as well as the setting down of laws. A s we have come to know, the effect of communication is one of globalization, take communication away now and we are left with ignorance and loss of what we have to know as part of everyday life. (2532 words) References Blakemore, Winston and Frith (2004) Social cognitive neuroscience: where are we heading? Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15120680 (Accessed 4 March 2014) Haughton, B. (2011) Ancient History Encyclopaedia The Nebra Sky Disc Ancient Map of the Stars Available at: http://www.ancient.eu.com/article/235/ (Accessed: 3 March 2014) Hurst, K.K. (2002) About.Com Archaeology Knotty Problems The Ancient Writing System of the Inca Available at: http://archaeology.about.com/od/americanancientwriting/a/quipu.htm (Accessed 4 March 2014) Mathews, R (2013) Peoples and complex societies of Ancient south-west Asia Edited by Scarre, C The Human Past: World Prehistory and the Development of Human Societies 3rd Edition London: Thames and Hudson, pp. 440, 443 McKenzie, S BBC (2014) Rare Neolithic or Bronze Age rock art in Ross-shire [online], Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-26366644 (Accessed 27 February 2014) Perkins, P (2013) A251 World Archaeology Study Guide 4th Edition Milton Keynes: The Open University, p. 34 Peters, JD (1999) Latin roots of Communication Available at: http://www.colorado.edu/communication/meta-discourses/Theory/latin.htm (Accessed 4 March 2014) Scarre, C (2013) Later prehistoric societies in Central and Western Europe Edited by Scarre, C The Human Past: World Prehistory and the Development of Human Societies 3rd Edition London: Thames and Hudson, pp. 420, 424 Tharoor, I. (2009) Time World Decoding the ancient script of the Indus valley Available at: http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1919795,00.html (Accessed 6 March 2014) Naquane (2014) The Open University, Rock art gallery Valcamonica running man Available at: https://learn2.open.ac.uk/mod/subpage/view.php?id=342575 (Accessed 3 March 2014) Van Der Crabben, J. (2011) Ancient History Encyclopaedia Alphabet, Definition Available at: http://www.ancient.eu.com/alphabet/ (Accessed: 6 March 2014) World Heritage Convention Rock Drawings in Valcamonica Available at: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/94 (Accessed: 3 March 2014) Zorich Z. (2011) A Chauvet Primer Available at: http://archive.archaeology.org/1103/features/werner_herzog_chauvet_cave_primer.html (Accessed 3 March 2014)

Employee Violence Essay -- Work Job Essays

Employee Violence INTRODUCTION: When we hear the word violence, many of us think about crime in the streets. This paper will focus on workplace violence committed by employees. Today more than 1,000 Americans are murdered on the job every year, 32% more than annual average in the 80’s (Toufexis 36). It is very hard for people to imagine that their job site can be a potential target for violence. To some people their job is like their second home. Employees who suffer stress, are terminated from work, under paid, or who have problems with management/co-workers are the ones more likely to engage in workplace violence. Over the past twenty years, many employers especially public organizations have been victims of workplace violence. The most recent incident occurred in Newington, Connecticut. A thirty-five year old accountant opened fire at the headquarters of the Connecticut State Lottery, killing three top officials before chasing down and slaying the lottery’s president in a parking lot (Goldman 13). Incidents like the one at the State Connecticut Lottery are driving public managers to develop effective guidelines and solutions on how to address workplace violence within their organizations. BACKGROUND: Workplace violence occurs all over the nation, it does not discriminate organizations in the public or private sector. Any type of organization can be a victim of workplace violence. However, the recent focus has been on public employees engaging in violence. According to Joseph Kinney, executive director of the nonprofit National Safe Workplace Institute in Charlotte, N.C., a public employee is almost 50% more likely to be murdered than someone in the private sector (Wagner 20). The motives for aggressive behavior a... ...ohn J. "Accountant Kills Four at his Connecticut Lottery Office." Los Angeles Times 7 March 1998: (www.latimes.com/cgi-bin/archsearch-cgi). Maynard, Roberta. "Avoiding Worker Violence Over Terminations." Nation’s Business May 1994: 13. Newsradio 88 Staff. "Shot Fired at Connecticut State Lottery Office, Five Dead" 6 March 1998 (www.yahoo.com/external/wcbs_radio/stories/8891998980.html). Rigdon, Joan E. "Companies See More Workplace Violence." Wall Street Journal 12 April 1993: B1+ . Roan, Shari. "A Refuge no More." Los Angeles Times 30 Aug. 1994: E1+. Romano, Catherine. "Workplace Violence takes Deadly Turn." Management Review July 1994: 5. Toufexis, Anastasia. "Workers who Fight Firing with fire." Time 1433 (25 April1 994): 35-37. Wagner, Michael G. "Public Employees Seen in Greatest Danger at Workplace." Los Angeles Times 19 Dec. 1997: A 20.

Brazilian Educational System Essay -- Education, Faith Schools

Whereas, there are few researches related to the impact of non-Christian students in Christian institutions, this study was designed to present the perceptions of insiders to the Brazilian educational system instead of the usual outside perspective. Therefore, were chosen as subject Adventist schools in the North of Brazil due to their expressive number of non-Adventist students enrolled there. The aim of this basic qualitative study is to investigate the characteristics of these schools in particular from denominational and educational leaders’ perceptions about the elevated number of non-believer there. Naturally, methods of data collection used in this study were semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews, and statistical documents from the funding institution. The research questions arising from the above objective were as follows: 1. What are the reasons for enrollment of the non-Adventist students in Adventist schools? 2. What dangers and/or advantages for Adventist schools with high number of students who do not profess the same values and beliefs? 3. What kind of actions can be taken to solve or soften this trend? REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE The expansion on the number of enrollees from other religious denominations or beliefs is a phenomenon perceived by faith schools. Although the debate between the evangelistic and protective social function of the crest schools yet persist in some academic circles, in many places around the world economic, legal, and cultural factors have impact. Tevni, Grajales, & Leon (2010) conducted a study in SDA schools with students and parents from diverse religious beliefs in Chile. They found out that both SDA and Evangelical parents contribute on ratings of emphasis on educati... ...o make distinction in the admission of students based upon race, gender, nationality, religion, or ethnic origin, students from different backgrounds have been enrolled in Adventist schools. Based on statistic report of Education Department of North Brazilian Union, the Low Amazon Conference's schools have presented an increase in number of students in all decades except in 1990s to 2000s where were lost of 1953 students in elementary-level. It happened due to economic crisis from 1996 to 2003 that led to the closure of several small schools (Azevedo, 2005). In 2010, were enrolled 6.715 students from pre-school to high school in eight elementary and two secondary schools where 77% of students belonging to other faiths and ideologies. For this study was included the secondary classes of the recent inaugurated Adventist Amazon College, located in Benevides, Parà ¡.

Genetic Engineering ethics

Genes are what code particular traits and characteristics and are the influence to health and disease. Ongoing advances are now making It available for parents to genetically modify Implanted embryos aiding In the creation of ‘designer babies'. In my essay I am going to discuss the case of a Bristles couple that will have Britain's first designer baby. I will cover the ethical Issues regarding the topic of genetic engineering and also theories of Kantian Ethics and utilitarianism to Justify If genetic engineering is morally right.A British couple has bypassed strict laws in Britain for genetic screening by traveling o America and undergoing treatment which costs 80,000 in order to conceive their desired child, in the hope to save their sick 4-year-old son who is recovering from Leukemia. Experts at the Reproductive Genetics Institute based in Chicago did IVY Treatment on the mother and then screened embryos to find a good bone marrow match for the British couple's son, should h e relapse and need a transplant.Doctors will collect blood from the umbilical cord, which Is rich In stem cells that have the ability to repopulate bone marrow. This has been a controversial case where It Is questionable If science has pushed the boundaries too much The key ethical issues explored in this case include, whether it is fair for parents to manipulate the genes of their children for particular traits when the child themselves cannot give consent, does selecting for certain traits pose health risks that would have not been apparent otherwise and will new forms of inequality arise due to genetic aristocracy.The key ethical issue I am looking at is whether it is morally right for parents to be allowed to create designer babies, is it a step towards scientific success or the pushing of scientific boundaries? Kantian ethics was a theory developed by Emmanuel Kant (1724-1804), he believed In the respect for persons, that no one should be treated as a means to an end only. As R eaches and Reaches (2010) state, the only way human beings can have a moral goodness is to act from a good will as if it is a sense of duty.Can (2002) supports this by saying that Kant considered it a duty to treat people with respect because of their freedom and to encourage the pursuit of individual's ends because it has been their free choice. Therefore treating them as an end and never only as a means, as hat is considered as manipulating and using people to get to your desires. Another important part of Kantian Ethics was the idea of an action being applied universally.Christians, Fickler, McKee, Crusher and Woods (2009) state â€Å"what is right for one is right for all† (p. 15). According to Kant he believed that before you acted you would have to question whether you would apply this action universally and allow everyone to do It as well, If so the act would be accepted and If not the act would be disallowed. Reaches and Reaches (2010) support this by saying, † being a moral agent, hen, means gulden ones conduct by universal laws – moral rules that hold without exception in all circumstances† (p. 29). Undergoing genetic engineering, it is known that Kant believed that if an action was to be Justified it should be able to be applied universally. Applying this British couples action universally would mean that it would be Justified for every family having children to genetically modify their babies genes by using embryo screening technology. In this case it would be a good outcome as it allows security for both the parents and especially the 4-year-old son who could possibly have a relapse.However Kant would not agree to apply it universally as it would allow all couples to under go embryo screening where not only you can screen for genetic disease but also determine what gender, hair type, eye color type and height levels your child would be, there would be families who would abuse this scientific technology to create the most genetically superior child. Another reason why Kant would not support the actions of this British family is because he believed that you should never treat someone as a means to an end.Kant thought it was a duty to treat people with respect because of their freedom. However in the case the designer child has given no consent in the matter in being the savior child for the older son, incase he is in need of a transplant. Instead of the parents promoting the idea of letting their newborn child have a life where the respect of its own rights are more important, it now has to live a life knowing that its own internal body parts and organs will be used incase of a relapse for the sick sibling. Consequentially this child is therefore used as a means to an end.Although the designer child is promoting its siblings welfare and putting its own needs before its own, this child has had no freedom of hooch and the parents are solely thinking about the consequences and the positive outcomes this designer child will create. Kant would conclude that the parents of the designer baby are morally wrong and their actions weren't Justified. Utilitarianism takes a very different approach to Kantian ethics as it is essentially determined by what will produce the best consequences and increase overall happiness and the least amount of evil in the world.There are two main types of Utilitarianism, one is Classical Utilitarianism and the other is Rule Utilitarianism. The preferences between the two are that Act Utilitarian's Judge an action based on the consequences of it, whereas Rule Utilitarian's Judge the action as a rule and what would happen if everyone lived by it. However both forms can be summarized into three propositions. The first proposition is all actions can be Judged right or wrong, dependent on their consequences.Reaches and Reaches (2010) state that to determine whether an action is right or wrong you should look at the results and consequences of that action, if it ha s produced the most happiness for the greatest amount of people then therefore it is right and nothing else matters. Christians, Fickler, McKee, Crusher and Woods (2009) discuss the second proposition for utilitarianism as a calculation for the consequences of each option available and then question whether there is a greater amount of harm or greater amount of good in the lives that would be affected.Once actions have been Judged we then are morally obliged to choose the option with has the greatest amount of happiness and least amount of unhappiness. The third proposition urges that everybody happiness is stating â€Å"right actions are those that produce the greatest balance of happiness over unhappiness, with each person's happiness counted as equally important† (109). Looking at this case from a Utilitarian view, its shows to have very different perspectives than Kantian Ethics.The Utilitarianism approach supports the act of the British couple with creating a genetically modified child in the aid of their 4-year-old son, as they believe that actions should be Judged on their consequences. The act of which the British couple chose to make was to genetically screen and then choose an embryo with the perfect bone marrow gene to help save their son recovering from Leukemia should he need a transplant.The consequences of which this act has are to help save the life of the young 4-year-old child and create security for the family, knowing they would have two healthy children. Another reason why Utilitarian's will support the actions of this couple is because it has created the greatest amount of happiness. In this case the people who would be truly happy are the parents, as a sense of security has been created from the designer child and also the sick four- year-old son would be very happy as well as he gets to live a healthier life knowing he as the transplants available should he need them.However the only person who would be unhappy could be the desig ner child as it is being used without giving consent but that would not matter as Utilitarian's also believe that everyone's happiness is equal, so therefore no ones happiness is more important than the others. Utilitarian's are more concerned about the consequences of an action than the motives and intentions therefore the action of the parents creating a designer child would be considered morally right as the consequences of this action leads to a greater amount of happiness than unhappiness.From a Utilitarian perspective Parents would be considered morally right in allowing to create designer babies as it can be used to eradicate life threatening diseases that are identified in an embryo and also create a more powerful race where everyone can do what they set their mind which would lead to a greater amount of good in the lives of people. In conclusion, I have explored the ethical issues surrounding this case and whether it is morally right for parents to be allowed to create desi gner babies.Through the theories of Kantian Ethics and Utilitarianism I have come to form my own opinion that signer babies are unnecessary, although they may save lives it is impossible to justify who needs the designer baby and who doesn't. Kantian Ethics would oppose the creation of designer babies because it effectively neglects an individuals freedom and is something that can't be deemed as a universal rule and Utilitarianism supports it as the consequences create the greatest amount of happiness and least amount of unhappiness for the family.

Heuristics and Biased Essay

Daniel Kahneman along side of Amos Tversky revolutionized research on human judgment. They conceptualized the idea of the â€Å"heuristics and biases† program – that judgment under uncertainty Often rests on a limited number of simplifying heuristics rather than extensive algorithmic processing. Gigerenzer criticized Kehneman and Tverskys research stating that humans are capable of processing more complex algorithms than what Kehneman and Tversky were giving homage to. Thus a debate of what the cognitive capacity is and the deviations between normative models and actual human reasoning has been called into question by casting doubt on the appropriateness of the normative models used to evaluate performance, a form of the â€Å"reject-the-norm† strategy. It has been noted the Panglossians, exclusively used the reject the-norm-application strategy to eliminate gaps between descriptive models of performance and normative models. When this type of critique is employed, the normative model that is suggested as a substitute for the one traditionally used in the heuristics and biases literature is one that coincides perfectly with the descriptive model of the subjects’ performance, thus preserving a view of human reasoning and rationale as ideal. Gigerenzer urged that the cognitively capacity is in fact more than this. Gigerenzer urged that there is sufficient evidence for the existence of two types of processing in Human reasoning, decision making, and social cognition. One type fast, automatic, effortless, and non-conscious, the other slow, controlled, effortful, and conscious, which may deliver different and sometimes conflicting results. More recently, some cognitive psychologists have proposed ambitious theories of cognitive architecture, according to which humans possess two distinct reasoning systems, almost two Minds, known as System 1 and System 2. A composite characterization of the two systems runs as follows. System 1thinking, one relies heavily on a number of heuristics (cognitive maneuvers), key situational characteristics, readily associated ideas, and vivid memories to arrive quickly and confidently at a judgment. System 1: thinking is particularly helpful in familiar situations when time is short and immediate action is required. System 2 is more recent, and its processes are slow, controlled, effortful, conscious, serial, shaped by culture and formal tuition, demanding of working Memory and related to general intelligence. It is reasoning based on what we have learned through careful analysis, evaluation, explanation, and elf-correction. This is the system which values intellectual honesty, analytically anticipating what happens next, maturity of judgment, fair-mindedness, elimination of biases, and truth-seeking In addition, it is often claimed that the two systems employ different procedures and serve different goals, with System 1 being highly contextualized, associative, heuristic, and directed to goals that serve the reproductive interests of our genes, and System 2 being decontextualized, rule-governed, analytic, and serving our goals as individuals. This is a very strong hypothesis, and theorists are already recognizing that it requires substantial qualification and complication. Gigerenzer is not denying that normatives appropriate for simple case judgments exist, but rather expostulates that the existence and the nature of such normative have been imperiously assumed by the heuristics and biases literature. Gigerenzer argues that some of the biases identified by Kahneman and Tversky are unstable, in the sense that for example in some cases their magnitude can be considerably reduced by asking questions in terms of frequencies rather than in terms of probabilities. Second, on a methodological level, Gigerenzer argues that, because Kahneman and Tversky’s heuristics are formulated by means of vague, theoretical terms like representativeness, the appeal to these heuristics as generators of biases has limited explanatory power; Gigerenzer advocates instead an increasing emphasis on investigating the cognitive processes that underlie judgment under uncertainty. Third, on a normative level, Gigerenzer argues that it may be inappropriate to characterize some of the biases identified by Kahneman and Tversky as â€Å"errors† or â€Å"fallacies†. Gigerenzer’s reason for objecting to the use of the term â€Å"bias† Gigerenzer argues that Kahneman and Tversky may be comparing the performance of the participants in their experiments with incorrect normatives. Many critics have insisted that in fact it is Kahneman & Tversky, not their subjects, who have failed to grasp the logic of the problem. Or that if a â€Å"fallacy† is involved; it is probably more attributable to the researchers than to the subjects. When ordinary people reject the answers given by normative theories, they may do so out of ignorance and lack of expertise, or they may be signaling the fact that the normative theory is inadequate.

Personal Strengths and Weaknesses Essay

This paper concerns the personal strengths and weakness of my own life. The details I will be presenting are what I consider my best and worst strengths and weaknesses. The purpose of this paper is to clearly define each of these and figure out a way to learn how to solve my weaknesses and make my strengths even stronger. Identifying personal strengths and weaknesses are essential part of the overall learning processes. Just as we understand which methods and techniques help us to learn at an optimal level, understanding our strengths and weaknesses help us to become more self conscious and well-rounded individuals. I believe that life is our personal experiences and everyone has certain attributes with their personal strengths and weaknesses. . Being aware of what are my best strengths can help me overcome my worst weaknesses. In the past, I have had a hard time recognizing my weakness but as you get older, you become more aware of your weaknesses. I feel that recognizing your strengths and weaknesses is what makes you a successful person in any aspects of your life. I feel that one of my greatest strengths is that I love to learn. Life to me  is a never-ending learning experience. As we go through our life it is vital that we learn who we are and have the ability to grow from our own strengths and weaknesses. I feel by overcoming my weaknesses and reinforcing my strengths that I will become more successful in both my personal and professional life. My strengths, which include good analytical skills, and good computer skills, are offset by my weaknesses, which is procrastination and dreadful writing and grammar skills. I believe one of my greatest strengths is my analytical skills. I love working with numbers and figuring out complicated problems. This is why I chose Accounting for my profession. I love working with numbers and figuring things out. Very few people love working in accounting. Another of my strengths is my computer skill. I am a very fast learner when it comes to figuring out new computer software or hardware. This stems from my husband who I have learned a lot from over the past eight years. His profession is in the computer software business. Often the people I work with will turn to me for help with configuring their computers or formatting a Word document. I had a difficult time narrowing this list to just one or two faults that I would mention here. My one of my most weaknesses is that I am a major procrastinator. Over the past few years, I have tried to work on this fault by reading books and lectures. I feel the only way to stop procrastinating is through determination, commitment, and a desire to change. I believe I possess the determination and desire, and I commit today to apply myself to making this change in my personality. I feel that this next weakness can either be considered a fault or a strength and that is organization. I am a compulsive organizer and sometimes that tends to slow me down on projects. It also takes time away from my children because I am such a perfectionist and organizer. I do not think anyone is perfect but I do think we all strive to be our best. The first step is to improve our weaknesses by learning from them everyday. I think that by using are strengths to improve our weaknesses would be a very efficient process we all could learn. I think that taking this class will definitely improve my weaknesses and help me learn more about my strengths Both my personal and professional life.

Gay Marriage Essay

Persons acquire special duties on account of their moral and legal relationship to another. One such relationship is established in marriage. Marriage is a moral and legal contact between a man and woman. It is a moral contract because it is entered into by both parties, giving free and voluntary consent. It is a legal contract because it is solemnized in accordance with the law. Marriage is an important institutional element of the family. It is the cultural mechanism that ensures its continuity. Marriage is an institution consisting of a cluster or mores and folkways, of attitudes, ideas, and ideals, of social definitions and legal restrictions (see Brennan, Robert Edward: Thomistic Psychology, New York Macmillan Co. , 1999). People marry for a combination of reasons: love, economic and emotional security, the parents’ wishes, escape from loneliness or an unhappy home situation, money, companionship, protection, adventure, or common interests (see Buckley, Joseph: Man’s last End, London, Herder Book Co. , 1999). Sex or sexual attraction is the least consideration, but marriage makes sexual intercourse legitimate. It sanctions parenthood and provides a stable background for rearing of children. Marriage is the foundation of the family, an inviolable social institution. Its purpose may not necessarily be for procreation or to have children but for companionship, as in the case of couples past the age of procreation. This paper intends to discuss the pros and cons of gay marriage or same-sex marriage. II. Discussion A. Pros †¢ Society should allow same Gay Marriage: In the article, fighting the same sex marriage should be allowed. Ralph Wedgwood firmly believes that same- sex couple has every right to marry. For him, marriage is not just a mere ceremony but through it the people in the community may know that both of the parties are very serious of their relationship and that it is not just a game. For them, it is a commitment and a thing to be really cherished even if the society throws issues on them. Having a same sex relationship that eventually, if permitted could lead to marriage is about a domestic and long lasting relationship. The article by Wedgwood, who is an assistant professor of Philosophy at the Massachusetts Institute of technology at Cambridge. The purpose of marriage is mutual support and companionship. Marriage is a state where spouses compliment each other. Love and concern for each other is the foundation of a happy marriage. Without such love and appreciation for each other, no man and woman or a couple with the same sex can be together permanently. Thus, such love which draws spouses in marriage must be more than physical attachment, sexual attraction, or infatuation. It is the deep commitment of matured persons for each other. Married spouses have every rights and duties to perform like in the financial aspect, in division of possession, insurance and other things that should be shared by the couple. Many same sex couples now are being given privilege if they are not yet married or are committed legally with each other Marriage is not just about rights and benefits they will get from the society and with their partners. It is a deeper union of the souls loving each other. Some people tags marriage of low- respect, they see marriage as a means of satisfying ones’ self of sexual desires, well in fact it is more than that. Procreation and sex are not the only reason why people want to get married. Some couples after getting married and found out that it won’t click, and then decides to get a divorce. A person does not have any right to choose and disapprove a decided marriage, the decision is up to the ones involve in the relationship. The laws determine the ones who are those that are married and those who are not being recognized. Society’s expectations on marriage depend on the rights and obligations of both parties, thus these duties and obligations should be done by both parties. The spouse should support his/ her partner, and if divorce will result they should equally divide all their properties. Marriage is a serious thing to decide. The parties should be that committed and they should really love and care for each other. Marriage is not just a joke; it is a long term domestic partnership with the one you adore. Same sex couples want to get married for the reasons that a normal boy- girl relationship also has. They are not just after of the benefits and privilege that they could get in the society and with their spouses but they also want to be recognized by the society. Their relationship is not just purely based on lust or sexual desires but also for them to have a serious commitment, like sharing of responsibilities. Many homosexuals, lesbians and gays aspires that what the society expects of marriage is also the kind of marriage that they are dreaming to achieve or to have. Many questions are being raised on having a domestic partnership. People may ask, if having a domestic partnership is renewable? Do they really have to support each other in all aspects? Or they just stick with each other because of sex and fun? For the society, it is less recognized than having the ceremony of marriage. They wanted to be recognized by the society that even if they are of the same sex, they still know what real love is and they are ready for a lifetime commitment. For them it is the greatest benefit of marriage, to be recognized by the society and that is why the State disapproves of this. Many critics say that if same- sex marriage is approved it would then deviate to the real purpose of marriage, such as its real meaning like procreation or the process of bearing children. But as we see now, some of the married couples are not able to perform this duty. The disapproval of same sex marriage still needs to be reviewed. The State is concerned on the moral values of the church, and Christianity. Some believes that heterosexual partnerships are above homosexual relationships. Many criticized same sex marriage and many are against it because it if is approved it will just be equal with the heterosexuals and it will just lower the view of the society about relationships. They should be allowed because they are not hideous criminals to do such an act; it is just being with someone you love. The murderers and even convicted criminals are allowed to marry but still the State still does not allow this kind of relationship. Same sex marriage would not force anybody to allow this gay or lesbian relationship if it is just totally against them and their beliefs. But all they wanted to happen is for the society to understand their feelings and relationships with the same sex and they are really serious with it. B. Cons †¢ Society should not allow same- Sex marriage: According to Burman Skrable, when same- sex marriage will be legalized it would be a great detriment to the society. It totally deviates from the real purpose of marriage which is to â€Å"procreate†. These children will be the future of the society and the environment. Approving it would somehow destroy the essence of marriage and the family which is the basic unit of the society by legalizing a relationship that is non procreative. Some Christians fight to disapprove it. For it totally disobeys God’s doctrines and Commandments. But all of them are aware that these days, there are great query about the laws that God has put up because of the rising taboo that has been happening in the society now. Great changes are being called out by the believers but the challenge of this is fast arising. We should stand firm and follow or obey the instructions that God has written in His Word. We should not involve ourselves in such promiscuous acts that we ourselves know is unacceptable towards God. The couple should give a stable future to their children and family that may be in the aspects of financial, emotional and spiritual. They should bring their children to school and educate them and let them become a friend to all. But how would these become successful if a child is being brought up in such an abnormal way, where in his/ her mother and father are of same sexes. The traditional family is composed of the husband, wife and natural children. These units of the society are all normal variables. This is the one that gives a bright future for the society they are in and also by forming a natural family. The family is the most basic unit of the society where the children are being taught values and morals that greatly affect on how they interact with other individuals in the society. Yes, raising a family is sometimes hard especially in raising finances for their education, but the hardship is worth fighting for because of the love you feel for them. The society expects that these children would make their family and their parents as a model as they will grow and build a family of their own. The society needs a family that is stable and the one that they can really recognize. What they expect is a male and female marriage and not of the same sex. The greatly arising sexual revolution brought a big impact on how individuals and the society see and do things, that sometimes they think is not bad were in fact it has already crossed God‘s boundaries. Time has erased the moral values that we should follow, like now marriage is already not seen as a form of procreation, for raising children; that there should be faithfulness and that sex should only be done with in the bounds of it. For Karen Murray it has become a public declaration of love and pledge of fidelity with the partner. The rise of the same revolutionary forces encourages this interest for having a homosexual marriage. The belief that sex is not just about procreating drives the toleration of the society of this same- sex marriage. But the homosexuals does not get affected by this instead they are proud that they have found a relationship where in they will cherish and have commitment forever. Gay marriage or same sex-marriage is totally erasing the real definition of marriage. It removes the reality that it is only the man and the women are to be bind, that both partners should procreate to raise their children who are the hope of the society’ improvement. Approving or making same- sex marriage legal would dissolve the uniqueness of the sacrament that God has given to us. If same sex marriage would be approve, it could jeopardize the health of the society. Diseases like HIV, AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases are much great when one is involved in this same- sex marriage. III. Conclusion The foundation of the family is marriage, which provides the cultural mechanism to insure its continuity. This marriage is the one God wanted for us. The family performs varied functions, among them the sex and parental function, socialization and social control, biological maintenance, status placement, and economic, religious, educational, recreational, and political functions. Therefore, Marriage is such a holy and sanctified Eucharist and is bound to be respected by people.