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Monday, September 30, 2019

My Dream Job

Since childhood, it is my dream to be a teacher. It is the noblest job in the world where teacher molds the characters of different personalities not just in academics but as well as the individual. There will be no doctors and any other professions if there are no teachers thus , the future of our nation lies on the teacher ‘s hands. This principle is inculcated in my mind and it motivates me to pursue this dream of mine.As an aspirant, I want to be competitive and equipped in the  profession I have chosen which is to be a good teacher someday because I want to give my future students the best of me and not the least. This dream motivates me to further my studies in education where I can be a competitive teacher and a role model to my students. I believe that the graduate study would be able to help me achieve this dream.This program, graduate study, would help me become more develop and equip on the things that I want to learn that I can be able to use in my teaching career in the future. I believe that it is not sufficient to be a graduate of a normal school or college, or to stand high in the profession of teaching. Like the students, the teacher must grow, and this growth must be long lines both professional and general. The teacher must have knowledge of educational movements and a familiarity with the progress in educational thought and research.Hence, with the progress in education literature and new education textbooks, and adopt the new ideas that are  sound that I can learn from the graduate school The zeal with which the teacher takes up and tests them in is one of the most helpful features of education work. The graduate school would help me become an earnest searcher and investigator in my own professional field. Thus, this program would develop my ability to create effective learning situation.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Ethnic Notions Essay

Ethnic Notions is a documentary directed by Marlon Riggs. The title itself explains what the movie is about-impressions of race. Throughout the documentary, Riggs presents the history of stereotypes and shows how they still exist. In today’s society we have become so accustomed with stereotypes that they are considered normal. The movie Ethnic Notations introduces the problem of stereotypes by explaining their origin and history, giving examples, and showing how they still exist today, so that we are no longer fooled and unaware of stereotyping and racism. During the early and mid 1900’s black people were depicted on television and media as ignorant, ugly, violent and inferior to white people. These negative, degrading and horrible images of black people over time shaped people’s views and thoughts about black people and this was how stereotypes were created. Media used caricatures which are exaggerated representations of people to get racist views across to whit e and black American people. One example of a caricature is The Sambo. The Sambo was a caricature created to depict the black male as being lazy, child like ignorant and care-free making the black male seem more like a child than a male. Another example of a racist caricature is pickaninnies which are black children. Pickaninnies were depicted as ugly kids with rough wooly hair, big eyes, dark black skin, big mouths and bright red lips. Pickaninnies often resembled animals in children cartoons and were viewed as savage by white people. One of the most popular caricatures of the 1900’s is the mammie caricature. The Mammie was an older black woman who took care of the white man’s family. Mammies were shoed as loving mother figures who were fat black and unattractive. Mammies were created to show that some blacks were happy as slaves and loved black people. These stereotypes were disturbing, degrading and in most cases poor representations of black people. It saddens me how whites could think so low of black people or any other human being at all. Sadly stereotypes still exist today in television, media and society. One stereotype I feel definitely still exist today ids the Sambo stereotype although there are great black actors that play dramatic roles most black men in the media are still shown as being careless and immature. However not all stereotypes today are exactly the same as the caricatures from the 20th century but a new modern version. For example instead of black women being depicted as unattractive mammies on television, they are now ghetto loud and un-lady like. Sometimes I even find myself acting out a stereotype, like being loud or cursing in public. After watching Ethnic Notions I feel like stereotypes are too deeply rooted in Americas culture to ever be completely gone. Although this conclusion is unfortunate I do believe that we could make people believe in stereotypes less and less through media, by depicting blacks in a more positive light.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Annotated Bibliography on Tacrine

Annotated Bibliography on Tacrine Sathyan G et al (1995) studied the effect of solvents such as water, propylene glycol and ethanol and their mixtures for transdermal drug delivery on in vitro permeation of tacrine through rat and human skin. Largest flux and permeability were observed from ethanol-propylene glycol and water-ethanol binary mixtures, respectively. Excellent correlation between the rat and human skin data was observed. The formulations were found to be devoid of skin irritancy property. Ethanol-propylene glycol (1:1) mixture with a flux of 98 Â µg/cm 2 through rat skin was found to be a promising solvent system for the transdermal delivery of Tacrine. Yanq Q et al (2001) formulated microparticles of tacrine using poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) by solvent evaporation technique. Effect of formulation variables on Encapsulation efficiency and release was studied. Results showed an increase in encapsulation efficiency by 10 times and decrease in rate of release when molecular weight of polymer was changed from 8,000to 59,000 and 155,000 The study indicated that tacrine microparticles have a strong potential for long term treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Kankkunen T et al (2002) investigated the iontophoretic delivery of Tacrine on 10 healthy adult volunteers by comparing a commercial LOGEL electrode with an ion exchange fibre formulation. Clinically significant plasma concentrations 21.3 + 5.9 ng/ml was achieved by commercial system whereas 14.9 + 2.6 ng/ml was achieved through ion exchange fibre system. The study showed that iontophoretic delivery of Tacrine is safe .Serum alanine transferase levels

Friday, September 27, 2019

Cause and effect Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Cause and effect - Essay Example Racial separatism can be seen on campus-black theme dorms, black student unions, black yearbooks etc. The dorms for the white people will be arranged separately and the white students were allowed to form separate unions for their activities because of the racial discrimination policies adopted by the authorities. Most of the members of the authorities are actually against such discriminations. But only a minority still insists separate activities for the black students. Liberal attitude is more prominent in America at present which has been reflected in the recently concluded president elections. Black students have always the lowest Grade Point Average (GPA) as per the norms formulated by most of the university authorities. But the authorities will never take any conscious actions to increase the GPA of the black students. They feel that, it is not necessary to raise the grades of the black as that will be harmful to the interests of the white. Black students were always blamed for whatever the unhappy incidents happening in the American universities. It is difficult for a black student to prove his innocence in front of the authorities if the person on the other side happens to be a white. The efforts for finding out solutions for the current discrimination in American universities should start from the grass root level. The authorities should never allow any discrimination in their campus as far as racial differences are concerned. The blacks and the whites should be encouraged to mingle freely in the campus and all the campus activities must be conducted with the equal participation of both black and whites. The behaviours of the authorities should never inject a false feeling of â€Å"being privileged† in the minds of the white. The campus violation of the rules by both the black and white must be treated and punished equally. The below

Thursday, September 26, 2019

ISSUE DEVELOPMENT(Cutting Academic Programs in Higher Education) Research Paper

ISSUE DEVELOPMENT(Cutting Academic Programs in Higher Education) - Research Paper Example Therefore, professionals have an array of viable remedies such as decreasing the expenses of the institutions while promoting performance accountability, raising tuition and the most adequate one (in terms of fund management) cutting academic programs (Goldstein, 2005). Cutting academic programs focuses on fronts such as reducing the amount spent on paying faculty and other personal (Keppler, 2010). Another area is merging or total annihilation of departments (Keppler, 2010). According to Ohio Board of Regents (2010), cutting academic programs is necessary especially when one considers the performance of a given program against their financial viability. Various states have seen the effects of cutting of academic programs due to budget cuts. With the projection that Missouri by the fiscal year 2012 would suffer a budget deficiency of up to $500 million, cutting education programs was no longer an option. Given statistics on student enrollment, number of graduates and the value of rel ated research, over 70 programs were in the line up for possible cuts (Chapman et al, 2010). The scenario was more somber in states such as Louisiana where whole colleges were at the risk of extinction. Chapman et al report that in New York and Illinois, administrations were more specific to the point of exuding some form of bias (2010). In the University of Illinois, it was the institution of aviation. The director of this institution cites unfairness given that the institution is small and remote. Meanwhile, in New York State University, the department of Language, Literature and Cultures took the hardest blow with an estimated four programs targeted for budget cuts (Chapman et al, 2010). There are a number of factors that cause states and institutions of higher learning to favor cutting of academic programs even with the public outcries. Currently, increase in cost of living makes it difficult for parents to afford hiked tuition fees hence parents may support cutting academic pro grams to increasing tuition fee (Goldstein, 2005). On the other hand, the institutions’ administration would rather loose a few programs than loose graduate enrollments because of insufficient funds to run the entire institution (Gold, 1995). After all, students can always move away from a cut program and limit themselves to those available. Finally, there is a great shift in educational stratification in view of changing world economics (Jung & Milton, 2007). The current employment market favors professions in fields such as business (Jung & Milton, 2007) while other programs such as history and arts take a back seat. As such, students prefer engineering and scientific courses at the expense of arts making these programs more susceptible to budget cuts (Jung & Milton, 2007). All these factors contribute to the popularity of cutting academic programs in higher education. Current and Future Prospects: The first issue that comes to mind is the redundancy of some of the academic programs not because of reduced enrollment in their respective departments but because of budget cuts (Chapman et al, 2010). For instance, in New York, foreign languages, classics and theatre are at the verge of â€Å"death† according to the article by Chapman et al (2010). It seems the state administrations current shift in budget allocation will become permanent. Most states now favor performance based funding (Harnisch, 2011). The outcome of this is that institutions

Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Movie Review Example I thought the story line to be very interesting because most Indian families are like how Jess’ family was shown. I watched the film by myself but later discussed it with my sister who had the same views as me. Jess was not given chances to be herself and her family was unable to accept that she was different. Her friend Jules mother also thought that Jess and Jules were in a lesbian relationship with each other because they never spent time with boys or doing other stereotypical things that girls are supposed to do. This tells us a lot about how society views a woman in not just the Indian culture but also developed western cultures. This movie is similar to a film called ‘She’s the Man’ set in America where again, a young girl is not given her break to play football and has to fight for her rights and prove to everyone that she is as good as anyone else. This film helps to understand that gender is a social construct and women are not made only for cookin g and cleaning the house; they can have other varied interests too which they should be given a chance to inculcate into their lifestyles and nurture. 39 minutes – Jess’s sister breaks up and Jess is trying to console her while practicing and then the coach comes to her house to talk to her parents 1.12 minutes – Jule’s family takes an interest in football and they’re having a breakfast conversation as her mom tries to learn the game; Jess’ mother prays that her results are good Persepolis, written and directed by Marjane Satrapi is a beautiful account of the life of a young girl as she grows up against the backdrop of the Iran war. As a young girl, she had a number of questions on her mind regarding the war and the consequences it would have on her family. Her parents and her grandmother always protected her so that she would not feel the atrocious effects of the war and later, in order for her to complete her education, they sent her to Fr ance. There, as she grows up into a young lady, she discovers many facets of life by herself with no one to answer her questions. She discovers love and sexuality and also experiments with different kinds of lifestyles, then realizing that she should not give up on her identity, no matter what. Frustrated with herself at times, she finds herself talking to her grandmother in her dreams who helps her get on the right path again. She goes back to Teheran and stays with her parents because she believes that is what will cure her depression. Marjane finds love in her family and soon even gets married. The marriage however ends up in a divorce and she feels that she has more time to study and educate herself and free women around her from the terrible clutches of the patriarchal society that persists in the country. The film ends on a happy note, with Marjane still figuring life out for herself and answering questions regarding why her Uncle gave up his life for the family during the rei gn of the Shah. I loved the manner in which the film was made and even though it was animated it was extremely realistic; Marjane as a woman goes through the journey of life as a vulnerable creature and is wounded many times, however she always gets back on her feet and manages to find answers. The movie was very inspiring and I am sure to suggest it as a must watch to others. 39 minutes – Marjane is sent to France, backdrop of the Teheran war is shown through her

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Homework assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Homework - Assignment Example This kind of reaction causes a friction that helps in the transformation of the existing rocks to form the amorphous rock (Press, F., R. Siever, J. Grotzinger & T. H. Jordan, 2003). However, a series of researches have also reported that the amorphous rocks can result from other processes like magma, very hot sediment that may come as a result of earth movements like volcanic eruptions. After their sedimentation and subsequent cooling, the amorphous rock is formed. Actually, for this rock to be used in construction process, it must be specially prepared through a series of processes. First, an appropriate mining method is used before it is taken to the industry to be given a series of chemical treatment where it will be given color, shape, texture and be put in the right shape to be used in construction. For instance, being that it can be used in making the bathroom tiles means that it should be accorded a kind of finishinthat will make it be so smooth and shiny. The type of igneous rock used in the construction of houses is the granite. It is just because it posses the right qualities necessary for the building and construction of various parts of a building structure (Press, F., R. Siever, J. Grotzinger & T. H. Jordan, 2003). According to the geological researches, the igneous rock is formed through a process of cooling and solidification of lava or magma. The magma undergoes a crystallization process either intrusively or extrinsively. In this case, the intrinsic crystallization occurs when the process occurs underneath the surface of the earth. On the other hand, extrinsic crystallization occurs on the surface of the earth mainly from volcanic eruptions. In order to process the materials from this rock, an appropriate mining method is used before it is taken to the industry to be given a series of chemical treatment where it will be given color, shape, texture and be put in the right shape to be used in

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Social Impact Assessment Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Social Impact Assessment Report - Essay Example This report declares that the department of higher education has made the ratification processes easier and further reduced approval time frameworks for the social impacts assessment reports. The streamlined social impact assessment procedures emphases on high risks impacts and use results oriented procedures to manage the impacts of the project. These guidelines help the advocates to socially assess their projects, embrace a risk- based methodology to social impact assessment and focus on the results to welcome constructive solutions and take advantage of the social opportunities and reduce hazardous impacts that may emerge from the project. The emphasis is on building a relationship between advocates, stakeholders and groups of interest directly affected by the project. The relevant stakeholders thus informed of their expected roles in the development and implementation of the SIA. This paper stresses that the social scope studytackles issues related to the construction of the Middle East institutional studies. The population of this town majorly earns their living selling Carmel skin, milk and subsistence farming although yields are poor due to the harsh conditions. When Sheikh came along to issue a grant, the government welcomed the idea. It pledged to supply, offer maintenance services, and welcomed the public to take a participative role in decision-making processes. The public although worry of being displaced, the ministry of land promised to come up with an appropriate settlement procedure.

Monday, September 23, 2019

Risk factors for depression Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Risk factors for depression - Research Paper Example The best treatment options are said to be the combination of both medications and psychotherapy, but electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is also an option when others do not work. Depression: Evidences of Risk Factors, Signs and Symptoms, and Treatment Methods Introduction The human experience of sadness and gloom is normal among individuals, but it may be different once it becomes chronic and interferes with activities of daily living. Depression is one of the common causes in seeking professional psychologic help, and timely interventions could greatly help the depressed individual. Although depression may appear to be merely preoccupations of negative emotions, it can lead to dreadful effects, including suicide, once neglected. The diagnosis of depression may also be co-existing with other illnesses as well. It comes in different types with several signs and symptoms, and may be caused by a variety of elements, of which the present text will explore the risk factors associated with th e condition using recent studies as evidences. Risk factors Numerous researches have been published to study risk factors of depression. In a 7-year longitudinal population study, Lorant et al. (2007) determined if longitudinal change in socio-economic factors affect change of depression level. Low socio-economic status, especially in the context of material standards of living, has constantly been associated with increased incidence of depression. Results gathered show that a decline in socio-economic status is consequent to increased risks of depression, looking also into ceasing cohabitation with a partner and unemployment. Ceasing cohabitation with a partner increased risk levels of depression particularly among women; and unemployment did not influence the level or risk of depression, in contrast to other cited studies, but with considerations of the research design and methods (p. 296). It is also seen that generally, the negative effects of worsening socio-economic conditions were greater than the positive effects when these conditions improved (p. 296). This study presents that socio-economic factors, including income, poverty, unemployment, education, and social relationships, are linked to prevalence of depression, where both have an inversely proportional relationship. Netterstrom et al. (2008) focus on work-related psychosocial stressors in relation to the development of depression. Using several models, the authors review previous researches to assess such relationship, basing on either psychiatric scales, scales with with diagnostic classifications, or antidepressant prescription, or depression measured with a questionnaire (p. 121). According to the review, occupational psychosocial factors were associated with the development of depression, especially in instances where there are high psychological demands and low degree of social support (p. 126). Demands would, however, vary according to the job and the work setting. This review, in accordanc e to the studies looked into, implies that an individual’s work, especially job satisfaction and social support in such occupation, is linked to depression. When an individual feels satisfied and fulfilled with his or her job and receives positive reinforcement, there are lesser chances for depression, and vice versa.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Seatbelts Laws Are Beneficial- Disagree Essay Example for Free

Seatbelts Laws Are Beneficial- Disagree Essay The article that is being critique is called â€Å"Primary Seat belt Enforcement Laws Are Beneficial.† The author of this article is Kathyrn O’Leary Higgins. She explains on the reasoning behind why seatbelt laws are very beneficial to wear. Her main reasoning of this article is to explain and commend you for considering this measure that will so easily save many motor vehicle occupants from crash-related deaths and injuries. She strongly believes that people who do not wear there seatbelt are more likely to get in to car accidents. She did a great job putting this article together with all the good information and great points to each idea. The author Kathyrn does give good credibility throughout her article. Her vocabulary was good aimed toward college students. She did not however look in the direction on how seatbelt laws can be unbeneficial. Although her topic is very debatable many do not agree with the idea that seatbelt enforcement laws are beneficial. â€Å"Seatbelt laws may be the number one defense against motor vehicle injuries and fatalities†. The author also mentions that,† These drivers, who choose not to buckle up, tend to exhibit multiple high risk behaviors and are more frequently involved in crashes.† Yet, that idea can be very debatable. Many people would highly disagree, just because you aren’t wearing your seatbelt doesn’t many you are more likely to drive crazy. In addition, Many people believe that it should be your own decision if you want to wear a seatbelt or not. Yes there may be many cases where a seatbelt has saved individuals lives. But there are also many accidents where a seatbelt has killed a person’s life or seriously injured the individual. For an example on how a seatbelt killed an individual, there was one accident wear the car caught on fire and the individual could not get the seatbelt unattached which kept him trapped in the car and died from the fire. Also many people get injured from seatbelts. They get bad chest and shoulder injuries. There was one paper that mentioned on how the mother left her daughter in the car while she was having a conversation with a friend. She had a bad feeling and deceided to stop and check on her daughter. She knew something was not right when seen that her daughter wasn’t moving around. She opened the door to see her daughter with two seatbelts wrapped around her neck. She was strangling there and as they tried to un wrap the seatbelts they got tighter, until they finally got something to cut the seatbelts and get her loose. That’s another great example on how seatbelts aren’t always there for just safety. Some people even believe that they can drive faster if wearing their seatbelt, they believe if they crash they are safe due to the seatbelt, which is ridiculous. †If this just sounds absolutely absurd, ask yourself: would you drive with greater care if – one fine day- you woke and discovered that someone cut away your seatbelt? If the answer is yes, then it means you aren’t driving as safely as you can, right now with your seatbelt on† (Kumar, Navin. 1). Yes in many cases seatbelts reduce the amount of accidents that happen, and they decrease the number of deaths. But they cause people to drive faster and more recklessly, causing more accidents and increasing the number of people who die. Seatbelt laws are also hypocritical. The author mentions, â€Å"Although opponents to primary enforcement seat belt laws claim that nonuse is a personal choice and affects only the individual, the fact is that motor vehicle injuries and fatalities have a significant societal cost.† Why is it that a person in a vehicle has to wear a seatbelt yet a motorcyclist doesn’t have to wear a helmet? The beneficial law is a violation of a person’s freedom. Seatbelts are there if a person chooses to wear one, and those who want to can wear their seatbelt, but those who don’t want to shouldn’t be forced to wear one. If some people think others are risking their life because they aren’t wearing their seatbelt then that’s their opinion. Our belief is that it’s up to you to make your own decisions. The government shouldn’t be forcing anyone to do anything for their own good. In a free society, if someone is injured or killed because they freely choose to use or not use their seatbelt, that is a person’s tragedy, as it is with other freely chosen risks in life. It’s not at all reasonable. Citations Higgins, Kathyrn OLeary. Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Laws Are Beneficial. Cars in America. Ed. Andrea C. Nakaya. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2006. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from Testimony of Honorable Kathryn OLeary Higgins, Board Member, National Transportation Safety Board. 2009. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 4 Feb. 2013. http://ic.galegroup.com.gary.libproxy.ivytech.edu.allstate.libproxy.ivytech.edu/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?failOverType=query=prodId=OVICwindowstate=normalcontentModules=mode=viewdisplayGroupName=Viewpointslimiter=currPage=disableHighlighting=truedisplayGroups=sortBy=source=search_within_results=action=ecatId=activityType=scanId=documentId=GALE%7CEJ3010429245 Kumar, Navin. â€Å"Can safety regulations kill you? How safe are seatbelts and seatbelt laws? Digital Bits Skeptic. Copyright. 2012. Web 4 Feb 2013. http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/06/21/can-safety-regulations-kill-you-how-safe-are-seabelts-and-seatbelt-laws/ http://www.sallycphotography.com/archives/2005

Friday, September 20, 2019

Masculine And Feminine Roles In Relationships

Masculine And Feminine Roles In Relationships The transformation of masculine and feminine roles overtime is due to society, genetics, and families. Gender roles stand for the attitudes, behaviours, values, that cultures define as proper for males and females. A change in masculine and feminine roles has altered the perception of relationships in the 21st century. Masculinity and femininity determine the quality of relationships. According to Thornton, Axinn, and Xie the change of perception in gender roles in relationships is due factors such as the level of education, lifetime earnings, religious beliefs, and family history. Thornton, Axinn, and Xie observe that there are emerging cases where couples prefer cohabitation to legalised marriages based on their personal experiences, circumstances attitudes and family history (Thornton, Axinn, and Xie 36). Masculinity and femininity are socially determined components of gender. They define behaviours and characteristics observable in either male or female beings. Many times masculi nity is associated with maleness while femininity is associated with femaleness Masculinity and femininity being a component of gender is a complex issue. According to Lippa, the concepts surrounding the subject of masculinity and femininity transform over time. Some of the factors responsible for these changes include family influences, biological influences, social influences, cultural influences, peer influences and individual feelings and influences. There is proving that parental socialization of boys and girls in interaction with biological predispositions defines how boys and girls interact with their peers. These interactions determine the femininity or masculinity characteristics that children adopt during their development (Lippa 187). There has been a transformation in the social perceptions of what it means to be feminine. Traditionally femininity entails being nice, submissive, unengaged and reliance. Masculinity and femininity determine the interaction among peers. Masculinity and femininity has also been associated with personal interest. Accordin g to psychologists individuals who exhibit masculine characteristics tend to show interest in mechanical and scientific subjects whereas individuals exhibiting feminine characteristics enjoy cultural and art related subjects (Lippa 44). Lippa argued that there are arguments that femininity is considered good for men and masculinity is considered good for women. This concept stands to explain the evolving nature of masculinity and femininity into instrumental traits and expressive traits. Instrumental traits include independence, dominance, assertiveness, and leadership abilities whereas expressive traits include sympathy, warmth, sensitivity and compassion. The instrumental traits define masculinity whereas the expressive traits define femininity. The instrumental traits explain why there are women who take up huge roles like taking care of the family, pursuing competitive such as managerial positions and politics. Individuals with expressive traits are considered feminine (Lippa 45). Men who possess expressive traits tend conform to feminine roles. Men who possess expressive traits taking up careers that are considered feminine such as nursing, teaching, and art related careers. Men with expressive traits have no p roblem raising taking care of the family while their women work to provide for the family. Roughgarden states that culture and society are responsible for imposing on individuals the appropriate way of expressing their sexual identity. According to Roughgarden masculinity and femininity defines appearance, and behaviour humans. Roughgarden states that masculinity and femininity determines how an organism carious out a sexual role. Biologically masculinity and femininity differentiates the the characteristics possessed by males and females. However, Roughgarden points out the cross gender manifestation and behaviour is acceptable (Roughgarden 28). Roughgarden states that masculinity defines the physical appearance of male species as well as their behaviours. Roughgardens idea of cross gender manifestation suggests that if a female possesses male characteristics it is acceptable to refer to her as a masculine female. On the other hand, if a male possesses feminine characteristics it is acceptable to refer to him as a feminine male. The idea of cross-gender challenges the bio logical definition of gender based on male and female gametes (29). Bennetts looks at feminism in the traditional marriages where the role of a woman in the relationship was child rearing and taking care of household duties. The man on the other hand provided for the financial needs in the family. According to Bennetts, giving up ones career ambitions for motherhood is a feminine mistake. Bennetts explains that economic dependency is bound to hurt or destroy the relationship (Bennetts132). Bennetts explains that relationships suffer immeasurably in the event of a divorce, a spouses retrenchment, illness, or widowhood especially when one party was dependent on another. It is evident that there is an evolving social phenomenon of masculine and feminine roles in relationships. The transformation disregards the traditional concepts of gender roles and adopts an egalitarian structure to explain masculine and feminine roles in modern relationships. Roughgarden considers the responsibility of masculinity and femininity in facilitating gender sex roles. Roughgarden mention that social selection theory explains the success of sexual interaction among and between sexes. Roughgarden states that an effective social interaction depends on sexual play among or between sexes. According to Roughgarden behaviours such as promiscuity, cheating, competition, are all part of social selection. It is evident that cases of separation, divorce form part of social selection. Lippa explains that parents serve as role models to their children. According to Thornton, Axinn, and Xie children tend to marry early if their parents married early. It is evident that children cohabit if their parents at some point did cohabit (Thornton, Axinn and Xie 55). These observations point out the transformation of the western marriage. The rise in divorce cases, acceptance sexual minority group all point to the transformation in the society that explain the change in masculine and feminine roles in relationships. For example, the divorce cases result in a rise of single parent family structures where we have a single mother who takes up the feminine as well as the masculine role in the family. The woman becomes a caregiver, decision maker and financial provider in the family. On the other hand, if we have the father taking up the full custody of the children the father assumes a feminine role of being the caregiver, nurturer and at the same time, he retains his masculine r ole. Cultural models in the 21st century are transforming and homosexuality has gained acceptance in different societies. The gay, Lesbian, bisexual and transgender groups have societal support as well as federal protection that protects them from any form of harm. Desjardins considers same-sex marriage in the United States. According to Desjardins, the acceptance of same-sex marriage in the United States is evident from the wide support the issue has received from the public and politic figures. Desjardin states that there are states, for example, Maine where sex marriage is constitutionally accepted (Desjardins Snowe supports same-sex marriage). Lippa explains that the traditionally the feminine role in relationships involves the nurturing activities. Lippa considers masculine and feminine roles in homosexual relationships. According to Lippa, research shows that gay men exhibit feminine characteristics than heterosexual men. On the other hand, it is evident that lesbian women show masc uline characteristics when compared to heterosexual women (Lippa 41). According to Lippa, parents and the society are responsible for teaching children on gender roles and behaviours. Goldberg, Smith and Maureen state that same-sex marriages tend to shift the perception of masculine and feminine roles in relationships. According to Roughgarden, the existence of same sex relationships deviates from cultural conformation of gender relationships. However, Roughgarden mentions over 300 cases homosexual behaviours existent among animals. Roughgarden explains that competition in the animal kingdom explains the rise in cases of homosexual characteristics. It is due o such finding that we note that society has widened its definition of sexual orientation. According to Roughgarden the western society, acknowledge bisexualism, homosexuality and transgendering as normal sexual orientation. The acknowledgement of other forms of sexual orientation has led to the redefinition of masculine and feminine role in relationships. In some cases, men take up feminine roles and women take up masculine roles. In same sex marriages, adopting children to raise a family is a way of experien cing a normal life (Goldberg, Smith and Maureen 814). Research studies indicate that gay, lesbian; transgender, and bisexual parents adopt children to experience normal relationships like heterosexual families. Studies also show the same sex parents, for example, gay fathers exhibit better nurturing qualities than heterosexual fathers do. The same sex marriages provide good example of egalitarian family structures. Goldberg, Smith, and Maureen explains that same sex parents value equality and both parents work together, share responsibilities for the benefit of the family (Goldberg, Smith and Maureen 815). Lippa explains that there are women who take up masculine roles in modern relationships, for example, the case of single mothers, widowed women, lesbian and transgender relationships. In other cases, involving heterosexuals, lesbians, gay, transgender, and bisexuals egalitarianism plays a significant role in the definition of the masculine and feminine roles in the relationship. In such an arrangement, there is an equitable division of roles involving house chores, child rearing and income generation. Children learn marriage, social, and education values from their parents. Thornton, Axinn and Xie explain that studies confirm children learn and adopt values from the family, school and society (Thornton, Axinn, and Xie105). Children who grow up in a family where parents adopt egalitarianism as a means of raising their families will end up raising their families in the same structure. Bennetts explains that children who have both their parents working benefit from having a secured future in terms of finance and career (Bennetts 98). Bennetts criticises the decision of professional women to give up their careers for their traditional roles as nurturers, home keepers. According to Bennetts, women who give up their careers for the family end up suffering. On the other hand making a career come back is a greater challenge they face later in their lives (Bennetts 102). Traditional marriage set-ups required women to submit to their husbands wishes. However, this has changed with the empowerment of women society now produces women who have a better education, women who compete with men for top paying positions, and women participating in influential activities such as politics. Feminine roles change when women decide to pursue their career. Studies show that women who pursue careers have less time for relationships and families. Those who manage to raise families struggl e to balance their careers and being there for the family (Bennetts 125). Although the family benefits from financial security, the mother faces health complications resulting from stress especially if her husband is unsupportive in the provision of primary care giving. Research shows that women who take up masculine roles like providing for their families influence their family structures. Women who dedicate their time to build on their careers influence the size of their families. Bennet states that it is impossible for a woman to take care of a large family and at the same time pursue a successful career. According to Bennetts, women opt to sacrifice their careers to raise a family (Bennet 32). On the other hand, the role of fathers in the modern families has changed. The masculine role of aggressiveness has evolved to a compassionate and nurturing role. This is evident especially in same sex marriages involving gay adopting parents. In modern families, fathers desire to spend more time with their families. There is the evidence where fathers alter their work schedules to make them flexible in order to create time for their families. Another example of a change in masculine role is depicted in the media where we get examples of male resistance to job relocations this is to avoid separation of fathers from their families. It is common to families where the mother is the breadwinner and the father takes up the role of taking care of the home and rearing the children. Roughgarden offers a different perspective on the matter of family size form an evolutionary standpoint. According to Roughgarden, the female determines the family size depending on the parental investment she expects to provide. In this case, the female does not consider the male investment. This view deviates for the traditional view where a controlling male determined the family size. Roughgarden explains that a cooperative solution provides a reasonable means of determining family size (Roughgarden 119). A cooperative solution seeks to establish mutual trust among individuals in relations rather that display the masculine qualities of the controlling male. Modern families determine family sizes depending on a mutual understanding between the persons in the relationship. The mutual understanding evident in determination of family size proves the change in masculine and feminine roles in relationships. When women take up their positions in the work force, their children suffer. The masculine and feminine role of imparting social qualities upon their children is interrupted. It is important for women to perform their role of providing continuous affection and nurturing children at their early stage of development (Lippa 124). However, the womens fight for equality has rather reversed this role. Children in modern families tend to be left in the care of baby sitters. Lippa explains that parental rearing is important for children to understand socialisation and the differences regarding masculinity and femininity (Lippa 124). The absence of parents during the initial stages of socialisation the children can suffer from mental distress. Since 2010, there has been a rise of mens right movements in regions around Europe and the United States. These movements seek to advocate for the rights of fathers, and support the changing masculine roles in relationships. According to research studies, the women have outnumbered men in high paying jobs; it is evident that in the modern family set ups a large number of men are taking up the feminine roles. Women in modern relationships have become assertive and a significant number of men exhibit feminine characteristics. Goldberg, Smith, and Maureen mention cases of transgender who struggle to express their identity. Transgender male or female who get into marital relationships without confirming their identity suffer from the stress of struggling to lead a normal life in their secretive life. Disclosing ones identity enables once to take up the roles that conform to their identity (820). It is impossible to ignore the societal transformations that play a big role in transforming relationships. The concept that same sexuality destroys a couples role in breeding it is evident that same sex sexual orientation promotes friendship. Although sociologist consider homosexuality as a complex social behaviour they view that homosexuality, heterosexuality, transgendering and bisexuality represent diverse forms of human interaction. The modern family set ups provides a perfect example of the changing masculine and feminine roles. However, it is important to note that the masculine and feminine roles both play a significant role in the growth and development of children. Therefore, even with the changing roles it is important for families to maintain their roles as role models for their children. This prevents cases of mental instability that may arise when parents priorities their careers instead of their childrens needs. Goldberg, Smith and Maureen mention some positive parenti ng qualities that GLTB exhibit society can embrace this and learn on how to merge their masculine and feminine roles to benefit the family.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Ireland Starves and Lives to Tell: The Effects of the Great Potato Fami

Ireland Starves and Lives to Tell: The Effects of the Great Potato Famine â€Å"It must be understood that we cannot feed the people† (Kinealy Calamity 75). The mid 1800s in Ireland were characterized by extreme poverty, death, and emigration. The Great Potato Famine, also known as â€Å"The Great Hunger,† first hit in 1845; however, its effects lasted into the 1850s and can still be seen today. Prior to the famine, Irish manufacture and trade was controlled and suppressed by British government, which made Ireland an extremely poor country. Farmers in Ireland were forced to export crops such as corn, wheat, and oats to Britain, which left the potato as the main dietary staple for the people, especially the poor. Therefore, when the fungus Phytophthora infestans caused some, and eventually all, of the crop to rot over the next couple of years, the reliance on the one crop made the people of Ireland extremely susceptible to the famine. The effects were devastating, and poverty spread across the nation causing a huge increase i n homelessness, the death-rate, emigration, and a change in the Irish people and country overall. One direct effect of poverty during the Great Famine was homelessness. â€Å"The total number of people who had to leave their property was around a half million† (Kinealy Calamity 218). Those who could not afford to pay rent to their landlords were evicted and had their homes destroyed (Kinealy Calamity 190). These people often resorted to â€Å"begging in the streets, wandering from house to house, or burrowing in bogs or behind ditches, till broken down by privation and exposure to the elements [such as cold and disease], they seek the workhouse, or die by the roadside† (Litton 98). Public ass... ...on: The Long View.† The American Economic Review 84.2: 303-308. JSTOR. 6 February 2004. . Kinealy, Christine. â€Å"How Politics Fed the Famine.† Natural History 105.1: 33-35. Academic Search Premier EBSCO. Roesch Library, Dayton. 30 January 2004. . Kinealy, Christine. This Great Calamity: The Irish Famine 1845-52. Boulder: Roberts Reinhart Publishers, 1995. Litton, Helen. The Irish Famine; An Illustrated History. Dublin: Wolfhound Press Ltd., 1994. (98). Scally, Robert J. The End of Hidden Ireland: Rebellion, Famine, and Emigration. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995, (212-215). Woodham-Smith, Cecil. The Great Hunger: Ireland 1845-1849. London: Penguin Books, 1991, (226).

History of Psychology :: Historical Social Sciences Psychology Essays

History of Psychology In this essay I am looking at where Psychology as a discipline has come from and what affects these early ideas have had on psychology today, Psychology as a whole has stemmed from a number of different areas of study from Physics to Biology, But the first Psychological foundations are rooted in philosophy, which to this day propels psychological inquiry in areas such as language acquisition, consciousness, and even vision among many others. While the great philosophical distinction between mind and body in western thought can be traced to the Greeks, it is to the influential work of Renà © Descartes, French mathematician, philosopher, and physiologist, that we owe the first systematic account of the mind/body relationship. As the 19th century progressed, the problem of the relationship of mind to brain became ever more pressing. The word Psychology comes from two Greek words: Psyche and Logos. The term ?psychology? used early on described the study of the spirit. It was in the 18th century when psychology gained its literal meaning: The study of behaviour. In studies today psychology is defined as the scientific and systematic study of human and animal behaviour. The term psychology has a long history but the psychology as an independent discipline is fairly new. Psychology started, and had a long history, as a topic within the fields of philosophy and physiology. It then became an independent field of its own through the work of the German Wilhelm Wundt, the founder of experimental psychology and structuralism. Wundt stressed the use of scientific methods in psychology, particularly through the use of introspection. In 1875, a room was set-aside for Wundt for demonstrations in what we now call sensation and perception. This is the same year that William James set up a similar lab at Harvard. Wilhelm Wundt and William James are usually thought of as the fathers of psychology, as well as the founders of psychology?s first two great ?schools? Structuralism and Functionalism. Psychologist Edward B Titchner said; ?to study the brain and the unconscious we should break it into its structural elements, after that we can construct it into a whole and understand what it does.? (psicafe.com) Functionalism, an early school of psychology, focuses on the acts and functions of the mind rather than its internal contents. Its most prominent American advocate is William James. William James is the author of ?The Principles of Psychology? a book that is considered to be one of the most important texts in modern psychology.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

What is Nuclear Power? Essay -- essays research papers fc

The process used was to gather information from books, the Internet, and interviewing my father who works at a nuclear power plant.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are many forms of energy. Coal, gas, oil, and nuclear power are the most common forms of energy used in the United States. Three of these energies are limited: coal, gas, and oil. Nuclear power is unlike the other three because it uses the fission process instead of combustion. This form of power is unlimited. It produces heat energy like the others, but does not produce Carbon Dioxide and other particulate emissions.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Nuclear Power is made by Nuclear Fission. To create fission you must split a nucleus (usually Uranium) with a neutron. This starts a chain reaction that continues endlessly. In the reaction the splitting creates energy, as the energy bonds that tie the sub-atomic particles (protons, neutrons and electrons) together are broken. Only a small amount of energy is released by each fission, but billions of fissions are occurring, adding up to a lot of heat energy. This is a very powerful energy that makes up 20% of electricity generation in the US. Fission Process   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A byproduct of Nuclear Power is Radiation. There are three types of radiation. One is called Gamma Rays. It is very dangerous to your skin and organs. Gamma Rays can be stopped by several feet of concrete and a few inches of lead. To reduce the harm exposure to Gamma radiation can ...

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Making Choices Guide Essay

As we age our bodies and lives take on many different changes. Some of these changes are for the better and then there are changes that are not so much in our favor. Our health status is the one thing that can vary from time-to-time as we age, and for this we have to prepare ourselves for the many possibilities of needing long term care (LTC). Once the need for LTC is evident, there are many decisions to be made, and a long list of things to take into consideration. Finances, costs, demographics, and independence, are just a few variables to consider when choosing where you or a loved one will be spending the next chapter in life. Finances are the most important variable to take into consideration, mainly because plain and simple; the care is going to cost. Whether a LTC facility or a person’s home is going to be the place where the care is delivered, there will be some expenses accrued. Personal income, annuities, long term care insurance, savings, government programs (Medi care & Medicaid), Veteran’s Benefits, and reverse mortgages are just a few payment options available for LTC. There are more payment options becoming available through new financial products as our populace ages. When it comes to the costs of delivering the care, and where it is to be delivered, a lot of things come into play. Residing in a LTC facility brings about a multitude of expenditures compared to staying at home or aging in place. In 2010, semi-private rooms averaged about $200 a day in a nursing home, and about $230 for a private room, and a one bedroom apartment in an assisted living facility averaged about $3,300 a month. Those costs are not all inclusive. There is usually a cost for added services such as private laundry, additional activities or programs. According to LongTermCare.gov (n.d.), it is wise to think now about how your  current residence and community will support your needs as you age and require long term care services. Staying at home or aging in place has its expenses too. A home owner’s expenses are a little less costly if they had their home built to their satisfaction to begin with. This eliminates having major work done on the home to accommodate the need for LTC. The adding of handrails and ramps, throughout the home is much cheaper than living in a LTC facility for a month. Another advantage of aging in place is the caregiver could be free of charge if it is a friend or relative. On the other hand, the cost of home health aides and homemakers range from $19 to $22 per hour. There are also programs to assist those who choose to age in place. One program is The Older Americans Act. According to LongTermCare.gov (n.d.),The Older Americans Act is a Federal program designed to organize, coordinate, and provide home- and community-based services to older adults and their families. These services and programs assist the elderly and older adults in remaining independently in their communities. Local transportation services, in-home personal care, meals delivered for the homebound (and available in the community), and homemaker services are just a few of the programs and services available through the Older American Act. These services are also extended to Native Americans. Having the feeling of belonging where you are is a comfortable feeling. When making the decision on where you plan to live your next chapter of life, it is important to keep in mind to find somewhere comfortable and familiar to you. Nothing is more familiar to a person than where they are – home. . Here is where the demographics can come into play. Most individuals are familiar with their communities and the people within them, so it is a little easier to locate services and programs in the area. Community-based programs are mostly targeted to help the elderly, disabled, and older adults to reestablish and preserve their optimal level of self-care, while preventing and prolonging unsuitable and unwanted institutionalization. According to Gibson, (1995 – 2014), these programs stress partnership with the participant, family, caregiver, primary care physician, and the community in working toward maintaining personal independence. An outstanding and reliable social support system can be a valuable asset, regardless of where your next chapter in life may take place. Having family, friends, and the support of others (staff if in a  facility) can have a positive impact and influence on the individual receiving the LTC. Regular visits and communication can also influence positive motivation. According to AHRQ (2006), social support and interaction within the facility also relate to quality of life satisfaction and reduced isolation and depressive symptoms, which is important for independent individuals. Other variables that can affect a couple’s or individual’s choice on a LTC facility includes whether or not the facility is Alzheimer’s friendly. If the individual who is needing the care has Alzheimer’s, you would want to make sure the staff are properly trained to care for them. Other things to consider is whether or not there is a wing or ward for individuals with Alzheimer’s., or if the facility is safeguarded for these individuals to roam around indoors and out. .It is important to know the staff to resident ratio. There need to be enough staff to service the residents at all times. Visiting is a variable to be considered also. Not only having family and friends visit, but if the individual’s mobility is at a doable level, are they able to do an outing with a family member or friend?  When the time comes to make the choice of where your next chapter in life is going to be spent, be sure to thoroughly research your options. Make sure that the services and programs you choose are not only available now, but also available for the future. There is an endless list of variables to consider. You would want to make sure the facility and staff are licensed and certified to provide the care needed. It is also important to know if the facility has full access to the medical care needed. A very important variable is behavior management. Knowing how the facility deals with various types of behaviors is significant to another resident’s safety. Question the facility as to whether they use chemical or physical restraints, or if the individual is shut off from the main area. These are just some of the variables and questions to consider. Keep asking questions until you are fully satisfied and happy with the answers. When older adults and the elderly are devoted and participating personally in their care, they tend to be more satisfied with where they are and the decisions they have made to get to that point.  References AHRQ, (December, 2006), Factors Important to Consumers When Choosing Residential Care, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (DHH), Retrieved from http://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/systems/long-term- care/resources/facilities/ltcscan/ltc5.html Gibson, H., (1995 – 2014), Choosing Well: Long-Term Care Facilities, Today’s Caregiver, Retrieved from http://caregiver.com/channels/ltc/ articles/choosing_well_ltc_facilities.htm LiveStrong Foundation, (n.d.), Assisted Living and Nursing Home Facilities, Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.org/we-can-help/managing-your-life-during-treatment/assisted-living-and-nursing-home-facilities/ LongTermCare.gov, (n.d.), Costs & how to pay, Retrieved from http://longtermcare.gov/costs-how-to-pay/

Monday, September 16, 2019

Black Boy

Midterm Paper The Many Hungers in Black Boy We often find ourselves thinking â€Å"Man I am so hungry! † after going without eating for Just a few hours. If you really think about it we only go without eating for small periods of time. Have we ever really experienced hunger? Real hunger for that matter, hunger like Richard faces in Black Boy. The kind of hunger he experiences are not evident in a society in which we live. Hunger for us is skipping a meal or not finding anything that will please our appetite. This is not even comparable to the days that Richard endures without eating any food.There is not only physical hunger present in the novel Black Boy, Richard suffers from educational and emotional hunger. Richard longs for conversation and love from others and books to read or some sort of education. Most people often take these for granted but it is the only thing that Richard desires. The hunger in the novel Black Boy by Richard Wright serves as a magnet that pulls us t hrough the story of Richard's emotional, physical, and intellectual hunger. Richard is faced at a very early age and for most of his life with experiences of hysical hunger, starvation. Hunger stole upon me slowly that at first I was not aware of what hunger really meant. Hunger had always been more or less at my elbow when I played, but now I began to wake up at night to find hunger standing at my bedside, staring at me gauntly† (16). Richard seemed to starve quite often but after his father left he seemed to have constant starvation. Starvation seems to happen a good deal throughout Richard's life. The type of hunger Richard describes seems to be very painful, a kind of pain that one can't even imagine. Once again I new hunger, biting hunger, hunger that made my body aimlessly restless, hunger that kept me on edge, that made my temper flare, that made my temper flare, hunger that made hate leap out of my heart like the dart of a serpent's tongue, hunger that created in me od d cravings† (119). Since hunger is always present in Richard's lifestyle it seems as if he cannot imagine eating a simple meal every day. To us a simple meal may not seem like such a big deal, but to Richard, and many who suffered like Richard during this time, a simple meal is a miracle.The weakening and ainful piercing hungers are evidence that where the poverty happened in the Jim Crow South. Richard does not only suffer from physical hunger, he also suffers through emotional hunger throughout the text. He desires attention from people, attention from his family. Richard does not receive much attention at home so that impacts his relationship with others. He does not know how to associate with others. This causes a problem for Richard, when he finally leaves home he does not know how to associate with others. He cannot understand the friendly gestures of those around him.Nevertheless, I was so starved for association with people that I allowed myself to be seduced by it all , and for a few months I lived the life of an optimist† (178). Richard grew up in a very hostile nome environment which made him not only yearn for food but for love and affection. Another issue that helped contribute to Richard's emotional hunger is the issue of blacks and whites. Richard does not seem to understand the relationship between the two groups of people. â€Å"l wanted to understand these two sets of people who lived side by side and never touched, it seemed, except in violence† (54).Richard viewed the treatment toward him and the others as wrong, but he dare not go against it. He seemed to have accepted the segregation, but he never let the white people go far in how they treated him. Richard wanted to be able to speak his mind, but he was always told to hush up and he did not want to be treated poorly by the whites. The idea of this was hard for Richard to overcome so he ended up moving to the North. The emotional hunger that Richard faces often led him t o loneliness or grief. The biggest hunger the Richard had to suffer through would be his hunger for ducation.Richard longed for an education. He is a bright boy yet there is no encouragement for him to succeed and learn. There was no encouragement to learn because Negro children of the south did not grow up to be successful. Many of the blacks during that time seemed to settle, settle for ignorance and illiteracy. Richard however, decided to take advantage of the little opportunities that presented themselves. He longed for an education even more after meeting Ella, the school teacher. He stated â€Å"†¦ as much afraid of her as he was attracted to her† (38).The attraction allows him to overcome his fear and ask her about her books, which further awakens the hunger of knowledge. Richard tried to learn and read. â€Å"l hungered for the sharp, frightening, breathtaking, almost painful excitement that the story had given me, and I vowed that as soon as I was old enough I would buy all the novels there were and read them to feed that thirst for violence that was in me, for intrigue, for plotting, for secrecy, for bloody murders† (46). Richard loves to read and write. He is very curious and wants to learn as much as he can.He learns a lot through his experiences rather than a school setting. He gets very excited when he learns new things. â€Å"†¦ l had learned to count to a hundred and I was overjoyed†¦. I would read the newspapers with my mother guiding me and spelling out the words. I soon became a nuisance by asking far too many questions of everybody† (26). The quest for Richard's learning never seemed to be conquered. Richard suffered through many hungers that we may never experience, we are privileged. His emotional, physical, and educational hunger seem to impact him ignificantly.Even with all odds stacked against him, Richard prevails and succeeds against all odds. As an adult living in the North, he conquered the obsta cles and is stronger than most living around him. Richard survives through these hungers with his great endurance. â€Å"Whenever my environment had failed to support or nourish me, I had clutched at books†¦ † It seemed as if Richard would use his hungers against each other in turn making him a stronger person. Richard endures a lot in the text, much that people in our society today could not survive.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

The atmosphere in which the modern business organization

The atmosphere in which the modern business organization operates is something which can change in no time at all.   In comparing Fortune Magazine’s â€Å"Most Admired Companies† from 2007, and in retrospect, 1987, some interesting facts emerge.   First, the two lists are compared as follows: 2007  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   1987 1. General Electric  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   General Motors 2. Starbucks  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Exxon 3. Toyota Motor  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ford 4. Berkshire Hathaway  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   IBM 5. Southwest Airlines  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mobil 6. FedEx  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  General Electric 7. Apple  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   ATT 8. Google  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Texaco 9. Johnson & Johnson  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Dupont 10 . Proctor & Gamble  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Chevron These two lists are characterized by a few common elements; first, the issue of profitability is something that is universal in the lists, even thought they are separated by a decade of time.   The companies that are in the lists, upon further research, are all companies which, while not constant, have been profitable overall.   In fact, some of these companies, such as Ford and Exxon, have fallen upon hard times occasionally, and their positive position in the mind of the public has allowed them to recover from some major catastrophes, such as Ford’s plant closings and Exxon’s Valdez disaster, which almost destroyed the company.   Interestingly, in the 2007 list, a new type of company, Starbuck’s appears.   It can be said that the company is different because much of what they sell is image, and not the tangibles offered by automotive manufacturers as a quick example. How much of the evaluation is dominated by the profitability of the company? In the present day evaluations, profitability of the company, of course is a key element as it has always been; however, the companies of today are evaluated more so on net income after taxes as a percentage of sales for a few key reasons.   First, some of the companies that are rated as top companies are those which offer non-durable products such as Starbuck’s, for which a measure such as return on assets is not the best evaluative tool. How many of these companies currently on the ‘Most Admired' list also appear on Fortune’s current list of â€Å"The 100 Best Companies to Work For†? As a matter of fact, three of the companies currently on the ‘Most Admired’ list also appear on Fortune’s current list of ‘The 100 Best Companies to Work For’; specifically, the companies are Google, Johnson & Johnson and Starbucks.   Based on this finding, there are several possible theories for the relationship between companies being ranked on both lists simultaneously.   Obviously, companies that are among the best to work for will generate a level of admiration.   Moreover, it is also likely that companies that are so admired will attract the kinds of talented and qualified people as employees who would be likely to speak well of companies.   Conversely, companies that are not good to work for are unlikely to be admired. Conclusion In conclusion, what can be seen in comparing popular companies from present and past is that some firms have great longevity, some do not, but all achieve greatness at one time or another.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Reality and Crash Essay

I would like to start by saying that, I really enjoyed watching the movie CRASH, some of the things shown in the movie are very realistic and much of it can’t even be put into words. Two of the behaviors that I noticed most, are prejudice and stereotyping. It was the cause of where all the events eradicated from. These behaviors are viewed as thoughts and feelings that almost everyone has felt more than once. This movie shows us the different point of view of people in our society; it gives us an insight of the stereotypes that have built within our society and within the world. It invites us to see and understand how such a small stereotype and negative attitude can go a long way and affect people differently. In the movie Crash it is apparent that emotions run high with racial and ethnic inequality such as frustration, aggression, and authoritative personalities. According to Diana Kendall in Social Problems In a Diverse Society, the frustration-aggression hypothesis is â€Å"Individuals who are frustrated in their efforts to achieve a highly desired goal tend to develop a pattern of aggression toward others (51). † In other words, when people feel as though they are being prevented from achieving a goal, their frustration will usually turn into aggression. In the movie Crash, Farhad, the Iranian/Persian storeowner tried to live his best to pursue the American dream by running his own store. He hired a Latino locksmith named Daniel to have the lock at his store changed but conflict emerged between the Sas 2 two and in the end, Daniel didn’t change the lock. Later, the store gets robbed and trashed. Farhad was already a frustrated middle aged man who struggled to make ends meet, and now having his store robbed has him act out aggressively without anyone to blame. So, he decides to lash out his anger towards Daniel, hoping it would help him feel better. Expectations of Arabs to be violent terrorists, Farhad is not even Arab. Technically, he is Persian, but what the shop owner expects from him, he eventually gets when Farhad â€Å"shoots† the little Hispanic girl. Farhad believes the Hispanic man is ripping him off so when his shop is looted, the Hispanic man is blamed although he had nothing to do with the destruction. Crash is full of many other sociological concepts, examining issues of race, social class, and gender, as well as many others. In this movie, we can see the theories of Durkheim and Marx for sure as well as many other concepts. Crash is one of those movies that make us rethink even what we think we know about the world we live in. Another sociological concept that Crash demonstrates is the Thomas Theorem. Basically, this theorem tells us that if we believe situations to be real, they become real to us. Our own subjective reality becomes our objective reality. It follows then that if we believe certain things about an individual, he/she begins acting in exactly that way. It also follows that certain crimes or problems do not have an objective realities. Using drugs would be one example of that sort of victimless crime. The best example of this in the movie might be when Jean Cabot grips her purse when passing by Anthony (Luda cris) and Peter on the street. She believes black people to be a threat. Her subjective reality becomes real in the next minute when the two young Sas 3 black men carjack them. What the characters believe about others has become real in these instances. Another sociological term demonstrated in Crash is the theory of micro-aggression. Microaggressions would be defined as â€Å"Microaggressions are subtle insults (verbal, nonverbal, and/or visual) directed toward people of color, often automatically or unconsciously. † While the individual effects of these particular instances may be small, the cumulative effects can be devastating. In Crash, I believe the character that most exemplifies this is the film director. Examples of these subtle insults would be things such as people telling him that he just isn’t really black to them or the comments about language on the set of the movie. He advises him to tell the black character to make his language â€Å"more black. † These are subtle but insults nonetheless. These kinds of comments, combined with the powerlessness he feels when his wife is sexually assaulted lead to the blow-up where he almost gets himself killed. He has endured these subtle forms of racism his whole life, and he reaches a breaking point where he just isn’t going to take it The last concept that is displayed in Crash is the sociological concept of ethnocentrism. This means that we judge other cultures by the standards of our own. Not only that, but we also believe that our own culture is superior to everyone else’s. Graham and his Latina girlfriend fight and he pokes fun at her culture by calling her Mexican even though she isn’t. Asian Americans speech patterns are made fun of, like the term â€Å"blaking† for braking. These characters don’t celebrate or even accept the characteristics of other cultures. They only mock them, assuming the superiority of their own culture. They fail to try to understand one another through Sas 4 ethnocentrism. Officer Ryan makes fun of the name Shaniqua, a more common name of African American culture. All in all, Crash is a movie full of sociological concepts. Many more could be analyzed in cry, sometimes at almost the same time. When we laugh, however, we must question the underlying sociological assumptions or concepts that make us laugh. Are we laughing at some of the racist jokes because of our own ethnocentrism. Are we failing to see the microaggressions directed at members of minority groups all the time. Are we as guilty as Jean Cabot at making our own realities our truths? Do we have beliefs about certain groups of people and essentially make them come true for ourselves? Crash asks us to question all of these things.

Friday, September 13, 2019

Cultural Analysis Paper Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Cultural Analysis Paper - Assignment Example Mumbai in India. These movies are produced essentially in Hindi, the national Language of India. Movies are essentially a form of media that along with entertaining the audience are also cultural representation of a country. Cinema and national identity are always interlinked. A film reflects the social, cultural and economic aspects on national level. Techniques of filmmaking are based on the targeted audience based on their nationality and culture. Today Asian movies including the Indian cinema is making prominent place in the European and American markets. Bollywood is considered as the largest film production in the world. India is a diverse country rich with different religions, cultures and social class. Indian movies explore in explicit but benign manner the class divisions in the society. A popular 2001 film Lagaan which is based on a game of cricket played by some local villagers, oppressed by high taxes, against the British regime has also depicted class prejudice as a sub theme. When the central character, Bhuvan began to prepare the villagers for the match, he invit ed the untouchable Kachra to join much to the wrath of the other players. India being a culturally diverse country, cinema audience has always been segmented. While making movies, producers keep in mind the varied interests of different sections of the society and therefore Bollywood movies are known for their culturally rich themes. One most prominent division found in Bollywood movies is art and commercial (mainstream) cinema. However, in recent years the boundaries between the two have been blurred to a large extent. The common observation is that Bollywood movies with different genre of culture appeals to different sections of the society. While action based movies have more popularity among the lower classes, movies based on social class divisions appeal more to the upper classes. Likewise, movies with Islamic themes, for instance the 1992 hit

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Why America isn't the greatest country in the world anymore Essay

Why America isn't the greatest country in the world anymore - Essay Example The level of literacy in America has been declining remarkably. Statistics indicate that the education system in the United States is failing. Estimates indicate, â€Å"ninety-three million American adults or about forty-five percent have limited math and writing skills† (Literacy Texas.). The statistics are startling since the low literacy skills can have negative effects on the global image of the United States. In 2003, an assessment pointed out that one adult in a group of three Americans is unable to display reading skills (Literacy Texas). Similarly, a section of the American population has low health literacy. The low health literacy has been pointed as a top predictor and contributor to mortality. In Texas, the literacy programs serve a small number of Americans in need of writing and reading skills. In effect, the declining levels of literacy displace America from the perceived top position on the globe. Thus, it is important to remedy the problem by boosting the lite racy levels. The statistics of infant mortality and life expectancy in the US are startling. The video clip indicates that the US is forty-ninth in infant mortality and hundred and seventy-eighth in infant mortality (Taube). A health report pointed out that Americans have a low life expectancy as compared to other wealthy nations. The short life expectancy is attributable to violence, especially from the people who possess guns. According to the estimates, â€Å"approximately six violent deaths occur in every hundred thousand residents† (Castillo).

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Discussion Questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Discussion Questions - Essay Example I prefer change, I enjoy delegating tasks to others, and I want to be noticed for my achievements. I am also the type of person who likes to be in charge. I tend to look forward to confronting conflict instead of shying away from it. I consider myself to be a proactive person, with a proactive personality. â€Å"Proactives [with proactive personalities] identify opportunities, show initiative, take action, and persevere until meaningful change occurs. Proactives are more likely to be seen as leaders and to be change agents. They†¦[definitely can] achieve career success, but it’s important for them to be in the right situations to fit their personality.†1 As a proactive person, I seek to be the first to engage in an issue and take it head-on. Instead of waiting to figure out what is going to happen, I make sure that I make things happen. I change and influence what happens around me by being involved. In all situations, I try to stay proactive and interested as a pa rticipant in my surroundings. It’s evocative of a dominant person’s personality traits; I am no different. 2) How do ethics influence human behavior in organizations? (250 words) Ethics influence human behavior because humans’ actions are inevitable affected by dogma and rules. If there were no rules or ethical standards, people would do whatever they wanted. However, ethics give order to the chaos.

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Innovation and Change Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Innovation and Change - Assignment Example According to Dehoff (2005, 1-2) the internal factors that influence an organization’s ability to innovate and change is the decision making process within the organization, the amount and nature of information available, motivators within an organization and the structure of an organization. Furthermore, Dehoff (2005, 1) stated that organizations focus their innovation efforts on development cost, quality of services and products, and the time it takes for products and services to reach the market. This present assignment will provide answers to questions regarding innovation and change, drawing on readings and research that were previously provided. The hallmark of strategic innovation Philips et al. (2006, 175-196) conducted a research on the innovation process as well as the effective management of innovation and the findings overwhelmingly indicated that there is are set of good practices or the hallmarks for innovation that denote an effectively managed innovation process . However, these good practices are only applicable in times when there is stability in the market as well as on the products and hence, the innovations are only required to make the market and the product better. Philips et al. (2006, 183) stated that in case there is a realignment in political force, market force, and technological force an organization will be required to implement discontinuous innovation that has its own distinct set of good practices. Philips et al. (2005, 176) listed the hallmarks of strategic innovation and they include close monitoring and evaluation at each stage of innovation, active involvement of users in the innovation process, the early identification of problems with the innovation, simultaneous engineering to assist in the speedy development whilst retaining cross-functional involvement. Other hallmarks of strategic innovation are incorporation of teamwork into the process and utilization of tools such as rapid prototyping or CAD to increase speed a nd quality of the innovation process. In case of discontinuous innovation, Philips et al. (2005, 183) listed some of the good practices and they include exploring alternative future scenarios and then identifying different possibilities and building the capacity for exploring different innovation strategies at the same time. Importance of organizational features in encouraging innovation Kontoghiorghes et al. (2005, 185-2005) conducted a research study that aimed at exploring the relationship between some characteristics of learning organization and adaption of change, innovation, and the financial performance of an organization. From this study, it is possible to extract the importance of some organizational features in encouraging innovation within an organization. For example, in their study Kontoghiorghes et al. (2005, 197) stated that open communication and information sharing within an organization are the leading organization feature that have an influence on change adaptatio n, innovation, and improvement of a company’s profitability. These features encourage innovation in the sense that different stakeholders within an

Monday, September 9, 2019

Addressing International Legal and Ethical Issues Simulation Summary Essay

Addressing International Legal and Ethical Issues Simulation Summary - Essay Example While taking legal action against a foreign business partner based in another country, there often exists certain practical considerations that need to be taken into account. Contextually, the laws prevailing in the host country may not be the same as in the domestic environment and may vary drastically. Moreover, the culture of the host nation as well as the ethical values possessed by foreign business partner may not place the same degree of importance to the aspects such as trust and belief (Aliment, 2009). Consequently, it is necessary for the guest business partner to consider and get acquainted with local values, norms and ethics for seeking legal action against a foreign business partner. With respect to CadMex Pharma company, its partnering company i.e. Gentura is located in Candor country. There are certain factors that may work against CadMex’s decisions to grant sublicensing agreements. It should be noted that a company having a number of sublicensing agreements is vulnerable to face lawsuits, if the third parties such as workers are involved in any kind of property damages or related activities. In other words, CadMex will be liable for any damages occurring due to any third party negligence. When, the local customs and laws conflict with the customs and laws of an organization operating abroad, essentially the local customs and laws of the particular country in which the company is located prevails. A company operating abroad has to abide by the laws, value the ethics and respect the culture of the host nation, failure to do so may render the company to attract legal actions against for not abiding by the rules and the regulations of the host country. Such legal actions may hurt the business relationship immensely and create misunderstanding against each other. I believe that local laws, ethics and cultural aspects are closely related with each other. If the

Challenges in Education of Gifted Children in Australia Essay

Challenges in Education of Gifted Children in Australia - Essay Example But such rigid systems have been found to be counterproductive as far as gifted children are concerned, placing them on a different level as compared to the average child, which results in isolation and/or social problems that affect their grades and produce underachievers. On the other hand, the creation of specialized education for a select few poses the threat of elitism and the eschewing of the social function of schools in favor of competitive education.[1]. While some educators contend that special education is â€Å"a healthy psychological experience† that nurtures talent, others feel that children run the risk of â€Å"narrowing their focus† too soon[1]. In fact, the very concepts of what exactly constitutes â€Å"talent†, â€Å"creativity† and â€Å"giftedness† itself are at issue among educators, adding fuel to the hothouse debate about educational policies and the role of teachers in the classroom, in ensuring that children’s educa tional needs are met in the best possible way. Bragett(1997) proposes that giftedness is the innate ability that remains unchanging over time; but the maturation and development of the innate gifted nature are influenced by the development concept model, which moots that giftedness will be conditioned by the environment. The factors affecting the development process are child-rearing techniques, nature of peers and other influences, the kind of school and teachers, profession and job training and inherent motivation and self-esteem. Tassel (2001) characterizes giftedness as above-average intellect in terms of inherent aptitude, while talent is the demonstration of that giftedness in the form of above average achievement in performance. While giftedness is inherent and requires catalysts such as (a) inner strengths of the individual, i.e, motivation and (b) environmental factors such as parental  involvement in order to develop the ability, talent is developed through the process of learning, training, and practice.

Sunday, September 8, 2019

Human Resource Management Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Human Resource Management - Case Study Example Part One, an overview of Tesco, provides a rationale for selecting the organisation, identifies specific features of the context within which it operates and key features of its business strategy, shows how it responds to the wider business environment, and explains the implications of the business strategy adopted for the management of people. Part Three diagnoses and critically evaluates the key elements of Tesco's HR strategy and the nature and scope of HR practice, with particular attention to the degree by which HR practice supports the organisation's business strategy and the extent to which different aspects of HR strategy are horizontally integrated. As a company that depends for its success on the quality of direct employee contact with customers through a unique and special shopping experience, Tesco like other similar companies claim that its people are its most important asset. Guided by a key core value of looking after its people so they can look after their customers, Tesco provides market-leading working conditions for its staff. However, it doesn't stop there. It also encourages suppliers to do the same: offer attractive benefits and wages, flexible work hours and leave, profit-sharing, subsidised meals, childcare vouchers, and an award-winning pension scheme, amongst other benchmarks. Achieving its business objectives would have been difficult without trust and dependence on the skills and commitment of employees who are encouraged at all levels to make their fullest possible contribution to business success. Guided by the slogan "Every little helps", Tesco delivers a unique shopping experience for customers, an objective that demands ongoing training to ensure that employees understand the right customer service objectives and strive to achieve them. Tesco was chosen for this paper because the quality of its people is recognised as a key factor for its profitability and stellar business performance, despite the bad press it gets from time to time due to the fact that despite their best efforts, it could never satisfy every

Saturday, September 7, 2019

Crossdressing and Tranvestism Essay Example for Free

Crossdressing and Tranvestism Essay This critique is based on the video â€Å"Hide and Seek† by Group 29. It is about cross dressing. Cross-dressing represents the act of wearing clothing commonly associated with the opposite sex, including various forms: (1) underwear only, (2) clothes but no makeup or wig, (3) clothes, makeup and wigs, and (4) trying to â€Å"pass† as a woman. There are different terms to address the people who cross-dress, such as cross dresser (CD), transvestite (TV), Drag Queens (normally gay and exaggerated) and female impersonators (actors who play women). However, it is important to note that cross dressing is not identical or relevant to transgender, gender identity and willingness to become the opposite sex. The transvestites only want to dress like the other gender for some time. Statistics have revealed that about 3% to 5% of the populations are transvestites, while the majority of them are heterosexual. According to medical research, the underlying factors of becoming a transvestite are due to family background, the surrounding environment and social learning. Most of the cross-dressers face difficulties such as fears to be discovered by family, friends and partners. However, this is because the society is generally against cross dressers and often described them as insane or having mental problems. For example, in Hong Kong, the society is unfriendly towards cross dressing and the general public does discriminate against the transvestites. Analysis The content of this video is analyzed in four aspects as follows:- Title Titled as â€Å"Hide and Seek†, the video portrays the fear of a male cross dresser to be discovered by his girlfriend. The authors would like â€Å"to show the cross dressers are hiding themselves away but at the same time seeking the identification. † From the video, the message that the cross dressers hope to hide their habit is clearly shown. When the Katherine returns home and opens the door, Joe is very frightened that his cross dressing behaviour is revealed by Katherine. However, the second statement â€Å"at the same time seeking the identification† cannot be directly or passively interpreted from the video, since Joe only exclaims his love towards Katherine when his cross dressing is about to reveal from the sub-title â€Å"There is another girl. But he still loves you. † This statement does not prove that he is seeking for identification, approval or tolerance from Katherine. There is also a lack of any scene to show that Joe, being a transvestite, is searching for identification and recognition from other people. Moreover, if the tile â€Å"Hide and Seek† was not stated and explained by the authors, the audience would not identify the specified meaning of the title. It otherwise gives the impression to audience that the title relates to the hide and seeks between Joe and Katherine when Joe is cross dressing and Katherine is returning home. Plot In the video, the first part shows the actions of a man, Joe and his girlfriend, Katherine at the same time. Joe is dressing on as a woman in the washroom. First, he puts on make-up: Applying mascara and putting on red lip gross. Second, he wears on a shocking pink flower dress, black leggings and bra. Then he caresses his breast in front of the mirror. At the same time, Katherine is going back home, entering the entrance, getting into the lift and opening the doors with keys. When Joe realizes Katherine is coming back with the sounds of keys, he quickly washes his face to remove the make-up, takes off his bra and leggings, and finally uses a cotton pad with make-up remover to remove his eye shadow, eye line and mascara. At the same instant, Katherine is searching for him. Then, Joe walks to Katherine. Katherine is suspicious that â€Å"Why there is smell of fragrance? † and â€Å"Was there another girl? † Joe’s eyes are enlarged to show his fear and speechlessness. â€Å"There is another girl. † â€Å"But he still loves you. † Here, it would like to bring out that Joe does not have any extramarital relations. The â€Å"another girl† means Joe himself. Even though he has the cross dressing behaviour, he still loves Katherine. Character There are two characters in this video: Joe and Katherine. First of all, Joe is a transvestite. I think that his acting is realistic to justify the role of his character. He has acquired mastery of wearing on all the female attire and make-up. After dressing up as a female, his smile and stroke of hands on the breast in front of the mirror can effectively bring the message that he really feels satisfied with it and enjoys transvestism. Moreover, when Katherine is puzzled with the fragrance form Joe, the facial expressions from Joe is vivid to show his fear to reveal he is actually having transvestism at home. Regrettably, there is one shot which looks rather strange. After wearing on the black stockings, he twists his legs and moves his toes. Though the authors describe that scene as â€Å"cross dresser looked at his leg† and they describe it as using the cross dresser’s point of view, and â€Å"it can make the audience understand the mindset of the cross dresser: happy and pleased with his feminine look†, that shot gives an impression to me that Joe was having leg fatigue at that moment so that he moves his legs and toes to relieve the pain. Also, the shot is not basically taken in the cross dresser’s point of view. It is a shot from vertical direction. So, that show does not make me understand the mindset of Joe. To better improve the above scene, the video camera should be put at the angle from Joe’s eyes. And his facial expressions when he is happy and pleased with the feminine look should be filmed. Furthermore, the facial expression of Katherine is not quite realistic and cannot make the audience to understand what she feels. In the shot Katherine has got back home, she searches for Joe elsewhere. Finally when she finds out Joe, she should be feeling suspicious and puzzled why there is a scent of fragrance, according to the wordings â€Å"Why there is smell of fragrance? † However, the facial expression of Katherine gives an impression to me that she is drowsy or just wakes up. Her countenance makes the audience confused about what is going on in the video. With the following wordings â€Å"Was there another girl? † the audience can eventually get the message that Katherine is suspicious with Joe to have another partner. Props In the video clip, plenty of female props are employed to show the symbols of cross dressing. For example, mascara, red lip gross, face powder, cosmetic brushes, black stockings, bra are used. These are the representative symbols of a female. Generally male would not use these things. And the myriads of cosmetic kits in the washroom are adequate to show that Joe wants to dress up to be an attractive and pretty woman. In fact, I feel that the props used in the video are strongly relevant to the theme. They are constructive to bring out the message that Joe is cross dressing and the elements of cross dressing are clearly identified. After watching this video, one can understand what transvestism is and how the transvestite dress in the opposite. In my opinion, to further elaborate the image of a transvestite, except the clothing and make-up, Joe can also wear wigs and high heels to make him more feminine. Music Concerning the music part, there is merits and demerits in the video clip. To begin with, when Joe is putting on mascara and lip gross, the music is quite relaxing and cheerful. However, the music becomes wary and suspicious when he is putting on other cosmetics in the washroom. It is a bit inconsistent that the background music for similar instance of make up is so contrasting. In my opinion, the wary music should start when the camera shot moves to the lobby of the building, which implies that Katherine is coming back. In this way, it can let the audience knows that some dangerous instance is about to begin. On the other hand, the speed of the music in the later part is effective to show that sequence of the video. The music becomes increasingly faster when the climax is reached. The speed is useful to show that Joe is so fear to be discovered by his partner of cross dressing because to many people, cross dressing is something abnormal and should be corrected. Interpretation According to the description from the authors, the aims of video are to let â€Å"people who are too busy and have no time to figure out what cross-dressing is could immediately understand the feeling of cross-dresser and understand they are not monster or insane. Their acts are only pleasure-seeking. † And they believe that the video is â€Å"the most effective way to bring a sense of reality to the readers: how the cross -dresser feel when he is cross-dressing; his deep fear of being discovered and the confrontation faced by the couple. † I think that the video clip is effective to bring out the aforementioned aim of the presentation. In particular, the background music and the facial expression from Joe are realistic and let the audience understand the feelings of the cross dressers. However, normal audience without knowledge to transvestism could not understand the nature of it and disregard the transvestites as insane, since there is only one statement â€Å"But he still loves you. † to show that transvestites would not change their love towards lovers. Meanwhile, there lacks any information or implication to prove that the transvestites are indeed normal as ordinary people. So, this video is not useful to educate to eradicate biases towards the transvestites once communicated to the public. It only broadens the knowledge of acts by cross dressers and their inner feelings to audience. In my view, the video should include information to educate the public to accept the transvestites and feel comfortable and easy to live with them. For instance, we can portray a scene that a cross dressers is having cross dressing and his wife lives with him happily and does not mind it. I think that there should be other scenes to portray the daily life of transvestites, and thus the audience can get an implication that the cross dressers are normal as well. Transvestism is only their habit and it would not harm other parties. This is because I feel that the society is full of discrimination towards the transvestites. They are usually related to abnormal or insane behaviour, mental problems or crimes like rape, indecorum. There should be strong and forceful publications to assure the general public that the transvestites are not insane as they may prescribe. In a nutshell, the message from the video can be partially communicated, and it can only be communicated to audience who already has basic knowledge of transvestism. Otherwise, the audience may still think the cross dressers are insane after getting known to their act. The choice of taking videos to show the implied message of the authors is quite suitable. The way and steps of cross dressing can be clearly identified and shown to audience. It makes the audience understand what the meaning of cross dressing is. Also, audience can understand the feelings of cross dresser after reading this video that they usually perform it secretly and do not want their family, partner and friends to know it. With the help of the additional wordings, the audience can further consolidate the idea of this video. So I think that the aims of authors to use video: â€Å"A good video could be eye-catching and effectively delivered a thought-provoking idea in the readers’ mind. † is justified. A man cross dressing to act as a female is quite an innovative idea and the wordings shown at the end of the video can help the audience to understand the transvestites still love their partners even though they have this habit. Conclusion The video produced by Group 29 â€Å"Hide and Seek† can effectively communicate to the audience how the transvestites do in cross dressing and their fear to be revealed by partners. However, this video is not sufficient to educate the readers to accept transvestism such that transvestites are ordinary people like everyone. Reference Chow, L. S. Hide and Seek by Lai Shan Chow. Retrieved December 13th, 2008, from CITE Mahara: http://mahara-broadening. cite. hku. hk/view/view. php? id=76