How to prevent Teenage Pregnancy

Each year the United States is acknowledged for having the highest number of pregnant teens in the industrialized world. We have clueless teenage females of every race having children while they are in high school. Sex is on the minds of so many teenagers that they forget that they are not yet at a stage of having children. Since it is difficult for adolescent girl to resist the temptation of having sex; a while abstinence is the best form of prevention, birth control and other forms of protection are reliable ways to prevent teenage pregnancy. Abstinence is the best and safest way to preventing pregnancy at a young age.Abstinence is avoiding sex or any type of sexual activity. â€Å"If two people don’t have sex, then sperm can’t fertilize an egg and there’s no possibility of a pregnancy†(Hirsch1). â€Å"Only one-third of teen mothers will complete high school†(pike1). Many teenagers have sex before they leave high school catching STDs and becoming pregnant before graduating. Becoming abstinent is one of the best ways for preventing pregnancy because your not doing anything but avoiding peer pressure. Abstinence has a lot of peer pressure but it has a great ending in the long run.â€Å"Peer pressure and things you see on TV and in the movies can make the decision to practice abstinence more difficult†(Hirsch2). Even though it may be difficult for couples to resist having sex due to peer pressure it has its benefits in the end. They have a better chance of not receiving any type of STDs and most important not having children. â€Å"Abstinence is 100% effective in preventing pregnancy. Although many birth control methods can have high rates of success if used properly, they can fail occasionally. Practicing abstinence ensures that a girl won’t become pregnant because there’s no opportunity for sperm to fertilize an egg†(Hirsch1).Even though abstinence is 100% affective not everyone has the ability to resist the powerful peer pressure that comes with it. Birth Control is the next best thing that is accepted by teenage girls. Birth control or contractive pills are pills that are taken orally to help stop the release of an egg every month. â€Å"In simple terms, all methods of birth control are based on either preventing a man‘s sperm from reaching and entering a woman‘s egg (fertilization) or preventing the fertilizes egg from implanting in the woman‘s uterus and starting to grow†(Stoppler1).Birth Control is 99. 9% effective when it comes to preventing teenage pregnancy. However birth control doesn’t permanently stop fertilization after you are on it. The contractive pills may also fail if a teenager was to miss one day of taking the pill after her period. â€Å"If pills are skipped or forgotten, a girl is not protected against pregnancy and she will need a backup form of birth control, such as condoms. Or she will need to stop having sex for a whi le. Do not take a friend’s or relative’s pills† (Hirsch1). Condoms are the most popular way of preventing teenage pregnancy.Condoms block the sperm from fertilizing the egg inside of the female. Condoms have different brands and types for females and males. â€Å"Condoms are absolutely the best birth control for teenagers. They protect against pregnancy and diseases. They are used at the time, so there is no need to fret over whether you forgot to take our pill last Tuesday. They are relatively inexpensive, and easily available (regardless of your age). Both genders can take responsibility for procuring and using them† (Rayne1). These outstanding items work unless someone was to use them the incorrect way.Condoms are made of latex or polyurethane. The best one to choose is the condom made out of latex because they are slightly more reliable. Polyurethane condoms are mostly made out of plastic. â€Å"The most common reason that condoms â€Å"fail† i s that the couple fails to use them at a. Still, it is possible for a condom to break or slip during intercourse. Condoms can also be damaged by things like fingernails and body piercing† (Hirsch2). Condoms are a very reliable source for preventing teenage pregnancy if they would just use them.Even though it may be hard for teenage girls to resist the not having sex; becoming abstinent, using different forms of birth control and condoms are the best way for preventing a unplanned pregnancy. We can stop the United States from having the highest rate of teenage pregnancy each year if the girls will do their part. So many youths have failed to live their life due to the fact that they have had children at a very young age. Having sex can wait, but if they do decide to take the risk of becoming a parent at a very young age, there are always three things they can do to prevent it from happening.

Definition of Cloud Computing Essay

â€Å"What is your definition of cloud computing and how does it impact your business?† Cloud computing has been around for a while. It has been lurking in the ICT industry in smaller forms and companies have generally been using the service internally without realizing it. Only a few years ago, the sudden realization that cloud computing can save an organization massive operational costs came to the fore. Organizations were getting bigger and the cost of doing business was becoming expensive. Organizations that were expanding globally, i.e. beyond their country’s borders were discovering that the infrastructure costs per country varied and in some instances were none-existent as the country did not have the buying power to procure the latest infrastructure. This meant that organizations that had SOE (standard operating environments) and were mandated by policy to conform to specific standards began to find it more difficult to maintain their standards. This in turn meant that compromises would need to be made to security policies and the method in which data was delivered to international clients had to be changed to enable this to happen. So, it was only natural that when cloud computing service providers began an aggressive push for their services, the world breathed a sigh of relief. Here at last was a service that could be delivered virtually anywhere in the world and even more beneficial was the fact that the service could be delivered down to handheld devices such as smartphones and the iPad. In addition to this, cloud computing enabled an organization to maintain its policies seamlessly across multiple sites which may be located in different countries. The entire platform could be used to virtually centralize the data and the policies associated with it. So, exactly what is cloud computing? To the layman, the simplest definition is the storage of data in a virtual cloud with the Internet being used as the backbone to access and work on data. The Cloud The Cloud Data Flow Data Flow For a user who is always on the move, cloud computing makes it easier to access and work on data regardless of the location and it also allows the user to be in touch with his office because cloud computing is not restricted merely to information sharing but also allows for the bridging of the user and his colleagues by way of video conferencing, virtual boardrooms and other features that enable a user to remain connected. From a more technical perspective, the data is stored in data farms that can be made up of SANS, virtualization, security layers and connectivity mediums that allows for the quick access to data. The benefits of cloud computing are no doubt massive but what does this mean for the financial industry? What does this mean for an industry that is built up on a rigid set of information security policies, all with the one objective of protecting customer information and transaction records? For someone such as me, the financial industry is almost akin to the Russian iron curtain. Customer data is jealously guarded and information relating to the financial systems is kept securely under lock and key. Every single user is tasked to ensure that any information coming out of the system is used exactly and only for the purpose it is deemed and destroyed once it has been used. In addition to this, the ICT industry in the finance industry has a massive task on its hands. It is responsible for ensuring that intrusion attempts are detected and arrested on the spot and any data traversing out of the network is secured to the point of destination. Naturally, the ramifications of any breach can be potentially fatal. Breaches of customer data can usually result in: * Customer legal action, i.e. being sued * Non-compliance of central bank regulations can lead to fines * Loss of reputation * Loss of revenue These factors can usually be devastating for any bank. After all, customers expect their personal information to be kept secure when dealing with a bank given that no one likes their financial information splattered across the public boards for the world to see. If an example is sought here, one need only look at the Swiss banks. â€Å"†¦When people worry about their money, they rush it to Switzerland, even when domestic laws forbid it. Switzerland never seems to have any trouble which would adversely affect the value of its currency or the safety of the money entrusted to its bankers (Vicker 3, 4).† This was the general norm until recently in 2009 when the US demanded that the Swiss Bank UBS turn over details of US clients who were suspected of tax evasion, â€Å"†¦fight between U.S. authorities and the Swiss banking giant, UBS, the veil is about to be pierced. UBS agreed on Wednesday to turn over identifying information on 4,450 accounts which the IRS believes hol d undeclared assets belonging to Americans. Those accounts were believed to hold about $18 billion†¦ Accounting Web (08/20/2009 – 08:26).† Ultimately, this defined a new era for Swiss banking because another country had successfully infiltrated the closely guarded secrets of the Swiss banks and managed to demand data be handed over through legal channels. So what does this mean for organizations in the financial sector where security is paramount? Naturally, no financial institution wants to lose control of its data or being in a position where it cannot control the flow of data accurately. It is therefore critical that the decision to move to a cloud based environment be studied carefully while gauging the risks involved and the potential loss of customer information if the system were ever to fail. Therefore, it is my belief that organizations in this sector are highly unlikely to move over entirely to the cloud based system. Federal and central regulations would play a crucial role in the decision as well as the security aspects. For any financial organizations contemplating this move, it would certainly not be done by way of hiring a vendor providing the service and instead the organization would build its own private cloud where it would enforce all the necessary regulations and policies that would ensure the security of the data. It is also prudent to remember that the core applications of financial organizations are generally built around legacy based languages such as COBOL and these cannot be easily migrated to a web based system given that there are transactional processing issues such as response times, etc. that need to be factored. For financial institutions, the change would be far too massive and require an almost complete overhaul of the existing investments in the infrastructure and a change in the central policies. In addition to this, there is always the greater risk of data losses as Goo gle experienced recently which left a few thousand customers without access to their mailboxes and ultimately losing their data. In a cloud based environment, the risks of such occurrences particularly where customer data is concerned are far too great to be reckoned with – even if the ratio is small, that risk cannot be taken. Organizations in the financial sector are dictated on industry expected practices such as data retention periods, backup methodology, archiving, backup security and a whole host of other protocols that need to be followed when dealing with customer data. In an environment such a cloud based one, these methodologies cannot all be applied given that the environment is changed from a more rigid and manageable structure to a more fluid structure. In conclusion, the concept of cloud computing is indeed a fascinating one and offers massive savings for any organization that ventures into it however for industries where customer information security is the key to survival, the prospect of going to a cloud based system unless it were a privately built and controlled one would not induce any encouragement in the financial sector. Nonetheless, it is hoped that in the future, central regulations will be changed to encourage the migration to cloud and with the appropriate security policies and perhaps an improved security structure, this vision may one day be fully embraced by the financial industries around the world. * Vicker, Ray. Those Swiss Money Men. New York: Scribner, 1973. * Accounting Web. Swiss Bank UBS agrees to reveal U.S. secret accountholders, http://bit.ly/iO4bX6, August 20, 2009, 08:26

J & J Automotive Sales Essay

Replicate business and referrals from pleased clients are fundamental to success in selling. The longer you work in sales as a professional person committed to treating your customers right, the higher and higher will be the proportion of your business emanating from repeat business and customer referrals. By contrast, think about the stereotype of the person we would generally consider the antithesis of professionalism in selling, the used-car salesperson. Of course, there may be some used-car salespersons out there that are professional businesspeople, but by and large their reputation is not exemplary. The reason? We believe it has a lot top do with the fact that the person selling in the used-car lot sees the prospect as an opportunity for a one-time transaction. Seldom will a customer return to that same used-car lot for a repeat purchase, and the used-car dealer virtually never has service facilities for developing an ongoing relationship after the sale. Used-car buyers rarely refer friends and colleagues to the dealer they bought from. When they do, it’s because of the availability of a particular vehicle rather than the dealership per se. Compare that with successful new-car dealership, especially those at the high end, who want you as a long-term customer that will refer friends and colleagues to the store and its salespeople. If you’ve ever dealt with a dealership like that, you’ve enjoyed a personal relationship with your salesperson and the service department reps, which is well worth paying for. You’d certainly agree that your salesperson does not fit the stereotype of a used-car salesperson. It’s just one illustration of a business which appreciates the fact that its survival is contingent upon repeat business and customer referrals. Joe luckily has good dealing relationships with his customers which is a good start in countering this stereotype. Not only must he be aware of the features associated with a variety of models, he must also be familiar with mileage, modifications, rebuilds, and the quirks of each car on the lot. As such, he could work against the stereotype as a slick con artist looking to make a quick buck. Part of this, may be due to the larger commissions used car salespeople like Joe make on each sale, thus encouraging them to complete as many sales possible. While stereotypes abound regarding used car dealerships, it is unfair to cast a negative light on the entire used car industry. The bonded dealers behave like other principals; some are up front and cooperative; others disappear or simply refuse to cooperate. Now while you consider you have seen and heard it all, a new claim presents novel and astonishing facts. For example, you are looking for a second-hand care and Joe activates your stereotype of ‘used-car dealer’. However, the car looks quite good buy. Is he lying to you or is he offering a good deal? If additional information seems to fit your initial judgment then you have category confirmation. You are confirmed, in your view of the salesman and leave it at that. If, however, the category is not confirmed, then you engage in re-categorization, and attempt to find a category that is a better fit – maybe the Joe is re-categorized as ‘helpful assistant,’ who sold cars honestly. Since Joe has this characteristics of passion in cars and the sincere concern to his customers, having this kind of stereotype would not hinder him from obtaining good customers, because he will, of course, gain their trust and as such, would gain good relationship with them. As a customer on the other hand, having Joe as a salesperson of used cars, I would definitely come back to him and get another good deal in buying his cars. The stereotype wouldn’t definitely affect my relationship with Joe as his customer and surely would come back for another deal. AutoNation created a huge business by exploiting the public’s perception of used-car dealers. Middle-volume dealerships with less expensive cars try to increase sales volume by getting uncertain customers the larger dealers ignore. They track sales workers to make sure they follow a prescribed script with customers. Smaller suburban dealerships also concentrate on uncertain customers but some also give special services like loaner cars and pick-up and delivery service in hopes of repeat and referral business. Reference: Kimball, Bob, and Jerold Hall. Selling in the New World of Business. Binghamton, New York: Haworth Press, 2004.

Analyzing Risk Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Analyzing Risk - Assignment Example Serious fluctuations in the exchange rates may raise expenses, diminish profit and hinder smooth financial planning (Holland, 2006). Brazil is one of the emerging markets thus making its currencies to be more sensitive to the market. Brazil has had an independent floating exchange rate hence making the country’s currency volatile. Inflation, liability component and credibility have been the major sources of exchange risk in Brazil thus making the exchange rate volatility higher in the country (Country Risk Analysis Brazil, 2014). Some other challenges that Brazil faces in with their foreign exchange risk are the fact that their import tends to grow faster than the export. This mostly originates from their large hydrocarbon import compared to their exports (Holland, 2006). However, exchange rate risk may not be a major threat in Brazil because of the recent positive developments. The good news is that Brazil’s economy has shown positive growth in the recent past. The Brazilian government has ensured that domestic inflation is decelerated and that interest rates are controlled (Country Risk Analysis Brazil, 2014). These measures have, to a certain extent, led to a stable currency. Foreign exchange risk may make running the new facility expensive hence hindering its success. Brazil is one of the greatest economies in the world. It is the 6th largest economy globally, with a growing active population and resistance to external shocks. However, the country faces many risks as a country including corruption, inefficient public expenditure, high cost of production and incomplete educational system. In 2014, economic growth was not at its best because of decline in household consumption and a high cost of production that affected industrial growth (Country Risk Analysis Brazil, 2014). There is insufficient rainfall experienced in Brazil that has also

Training and development 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Training and development 1 - Essay Example Good customer service entails maintaining communications with both internal customers and attracting external customers. Good customer service will improve customer retention and loyalty to the organizational products and services. Good customer service will improve the sales revenues and profitability of the organization through repeat sales. Good customer service will ensure market share retention thus the organization will reduce the advertising and promotional costs that are incurred in attracting new customers. Good customer service will also reduce the number of customer complains thus improving the reputation and corporate image in the society. Some of the essential customer service skills that employees should be trained include building customer trust, customer courtesy, maintaining positive relationships, controlling customer conversations, calming upset customers, business etiquette, problem solving skills, customer service attitude, listening skills, managing customer exp ectations and dealing with difficult customers. Other customer service skills that need training include the customer service charter, handling customer complains and customer follow-ups in order to create future selling opportunities. Question two Competency modeling has some similarities and differences with traditional needs assessment technique. Competency modeling entails determining the specific competencies that will lead to high performance and success in an organization. Competencies include the knowledge, skills and behaviors and also some attributes that are required for successful performance of a particular job. Other competencies include the personality, traits, social roles and motives that are essential for the job. On the other hand, traditional needs assessment consists of organizational analysis, task analysis and individual analysis in order to identify the skills gap in the organization. The organizational needs analysis will consider the impacts of changes in t echnology and changes in the workforce which can impact on the attainment of organizational objectives. Traditional needs assessment will consider the current skills and knowledge of the employees. Competency modeling and traditional needs assessment have certain similarities since the two training needs assessment techniques aim at identifying the skills which are essential in attaining successful work performance. The two methods aim at meeting the staffing needs of the organization through identifying the knowledge, skills and attitudes that are needed in each job position. The two methods aim at motivating employees through new skills training and developing than improving the overall organizational performance. One of the significant differences between competency modeling and traditional needs assessment is that competency modeling extends beyond the boundaries of the job to include organizational vision, mission and strategic objectives in formulating the training needs. Comp etency modeling utilizes more organizational resources since the models must be validated and the targeted training population is usually large enough to justify the resource expenditure. Competency modeling takes in to account successful exemplars in the job position and competencies that they displayed in the job unlike training needs analysis which focuses on the skills needed to successfully perform the job. Traditional need

The movie V for Vendetta Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 13

The movie V for Vendetta - Essay Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that the movie is based on a story of the 1982 novel of the same name developed by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. The V is a political freedom fighter in an anarchist regime that tries to accomplish a number of terrorist attacks with a quest to ignite revolutionary actions against the regime. It bases on the history of the Guy Fawkes and the popular Gunpowder plot that involved a plot to have the palace of Westminster blown up during a proceeding of a parliament meeting between James I and the ministers. The meeting was aimed at developing oppression Roman Catholics. As a strong Catholic convert, Fawkes aimed at protecting the people and through this; he was enjoined in the plot with others as the military man that would provide the military experience needed to enrich their plot. Fawkes was the man for the job based on his history and relation to the Catholic development. The movie portrays an investigative ploy that ends up leading to a number of deaths with Stephen Rea the detective trying to stop V finding it difficult to handle his job well due to the tactical aspects of V that becomes difficult to handle. The movie released in 2006 was scheduled for release in 2005 due to some inevitable delays. The target was to release it on a day when the country marked the 400th Guy Fawkes Night. The night believed to be the night that he was executed opposite the buildings of parliament after the trial found him guilty of treason. The movie portrays the acts of the political class with a detailed picture of their thoughts and actions in relation to protecting their political strength. They portray the actions that the political class takes when passing a message to prevent uprisings and any revolutionary attempts on their reign. The movie displays this picture well and strengthens the political class while instilling fear in the ruled. Released on March 21, 2006, the soundtrack used in the movie was developed by Astralwerks Reco rds.

Pollution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Pollution - Essay Example Global warming has also been attributed in part to pollution. When these chemicals and toxins become a part of the environment they affect not just the environment but humans as well. If we can control our actions then we can make the world a better place to live. Air pollution occurs because of toxins that are released into the air by cars, aerosols, factories etc. what it basically does it make the air unclean and unsafe to breathe in and can cause many kinds of respiratory diseases. It has also been known to affect the wild life as it has killed many birds. Many people in china and Japan are known to wear masks to work and school because of the pollution there. The sad reality is that because of air pollution we do not just harm ourselves but harm the planet for the future generations. Water pollution refers to contaminants that find their way into the water reservoirs i.e. lakes and streams along with the ocean. Large companies have been known to dump toxins in streams that later on become a part of our drinking water. Many people use filters these days so that they can have clean water for their use but the sad reality is that the industrial world has a huge negative impact on the developing world and water pollution is making life tough not just for them but also sea life, fresh water fish life, and harming the plant life as well. Sewage water is also released into streams and the coastlines of many countries and have a very detrimental effect overall. Land and soil pollution refers to the detrimental state of affairs because of unhealthy and unsafe trash and toxicant dumping habits employed by humans. It has been mainly attributed to urbanization and industrialization, both of which destroy natural resources that are already present in order to build and become successful. The tearing down of God made things results in a lot of problems for example, in order to

Social Aspects of Down Syndrome Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Social Aspects of Down Syndrome - Research Paper Example This is a curable disease that if identified in the early stages after birth can be managed properly to later stages in life. The different aspects for children and adults, speech, relationships with groups and how certain environments influence social skills and mental capabilities are vital signs to be considered critically (Royston 2005). This includes the developments of friendships, interpersonal social skills, leisure and play skills, self-help skills and independence and socially recommended behavior. Social skills for being independent, making friends, searching work and becoming independent through social confidence and competence is vital than academic skills. The ability to understand others feelings, emotions, and their behavior lead to success in social relations. For both children and adults suffering from Down syndrome, social understanding starting in infancy is considered as strength. The none verbal cues like voice tonal variation, facial expressions, posture and gestures indicate how someone feels, that in the event when one does not understand the spoken words used, they are suppose to pick the major messages about feelings and thus behave appropriately. Children and adults with strong social skills and empathy suffering from Down syndrome tend to enjoy better social behavior and understanding than t heir counter parts with the same stage of communication delays. On the other hand, this understanding of others behavior also enables Down syndrome children to be naughty since they have knowledge of how to provoke the reactions of the others (Evans 2009). The social development of infants with Down syndrome is influenced by their experiences in the environment by factors like family, society and schools, their tempers and the treatment they receive from others. Different behaviors in children are experienced according to their immediate environments, for instance, where a child notices negative emotions

Risks and uncertainties in China Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Risks and uncertainties in China - Essay Example Chinas large companies have establishing affiliates overseas and this is having an advantage on China accounting exposure especially when the country is experiencing weaker currency that it’s trading partners. An example is in 1993 when accounting standards of business enterprises was formed after a varying season of Chinese currency. Nevertheless, formation of this does not guarantee the Chinese company an efficient exchange rate. This poses a threat to the companies that are not well established (Delloite, 2005). Chinese GDP keeps on varying as per the graph below. This poses a great threat to local and abroad companies that have started operating in this market. For a business to succeed it need to look at a steady economy as aspects such as inflation might negatively impact on the company financial status. The graph indicate a decreasing economical growth since 2011 therefore, there is need to forecast on the future trends of the economy. Chinese people like consuming local products. Chinese people are so patriotic concerning their consumption behavior. As a result, citizens are highly concerned about the products they consume. In order for the company to penetrate in Chinese market, the product needs to brand their products like those of china. Failure to do so will see the company operate at a loss as its goods will not be consumed (Delloite, 2005).

NEDM Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

NEDM - Essay Example The room – temperature experiment was carried out in Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) and the final results from this research were published in 2006.3 4 A thorough discussion of the experiment’s apparatus and flow process are included in this review. Ultra-cold neutrons are utilized in the room-temperature experiment; these are generated by the UCN turbine. To begin the process, UCNs ‘entered the apparatus from the lower right (as indicated by the red arrow in Figure 1) and flowed upwards to the polarizer foil’.8 Harris described the UCNs behaviour as similar to ‘a diffuse gas’.9 He further explained, Those of the correct spin passed through the foil and continued to rise until they reached the storage bottle at the heart of the apparatus. The bottle was located in a 10 mG (1 ÃŽ ¼T) vertical magnetic field; four layers of mu-metal were used to shield out external fields, including that of the Earth. After a filling period of about 20 seconds, the neutron door was closed, and the Ramsey sequence was applied to the trapped neutrons. The door was then opened, and the neutrons fell back down to the polarizer, which then acted as an analyser. Those in the original spin state could pass through and down to a gaseous 3He neutron detector (the curved guide tube from the source having been moved aside in favour of a vertical guide leading to the detector). Neutrons of the â€Å"wrong† spin state, which bounced off the polarizer, were counted in their turn by employing a fast-passage adiabatic spin flipper to reverse the direction of the spins of the neutrons in the guide tube just above the polarizer: this spin flipper consisted simply of a solenoid wrapped around the guide tube, situated in a region of magnetic field gradient, to which a high-frequency (20 kHz) alternating current was applied.10 The time needed to process each batch of neutrons takes about

Certain chemicals Essay Example for Free

Certain chemicals Essay If the process of plate tectonics were to completely stop then the ability of the Earth to create mountains through the collisions of two different plates would stop as well. This would mean that erosion would eventually abrade these mountains and the amount of sediment created by this activity would eventually reach the numerous oceans and seas. The end result would be a rise in sea level that would eventually swallow up the entire land mass of the Earth and sort of global ocean would be created as a result (Life in the universe 2001). This would of course mean the extinction of all the land based species on the surface of the planet. B. ) Weathering helps initiate the erosion of rocks, topsoil or other exposed surfaces of the Earth through either changes in the climate or weather conditions while erosion on the other hands deals in the transport of small rocky material after weathering has broken it down (Boardsman 2002). These two processes help to release valuable minerals in the soil which can be carried off to the sea to nourish it or to create land suitable for plant life (Boardsman 2002). Not only that but it is these two processes that help to regulate the landmass on the planet brought about by plate tectonics which creates new land masse. If erosions and weathering stopped the seas and oceans would not be able to get the valuable nutrients they need to support life and the surface of the Earth would be filled with massive mountains that would make it hard to live on. 2. Evaluate the following statements: A. We should not get worried about exposure to toxic chemicals because almost any chemical at a high dosage can cause harm. This statement is false. Certain chemicals at even low dosages can be fatal to human beings. For example if ingested even in tiny drops arsenic is fatal to most people and can cause an extremely painful death within hours (Gilbere 2008). Another example is sulfuric acid which can kill a person if splashed on the wrong area of the body. There is actually a wide variety of chemicals in the world today that dont rely on volume to kill as such a person should take caution when they handle, are near to or have been splashed by any sort of chemical (Gilbere 2008). B. We should not worry about exposure to UV light and toxic chemicals because though genetic adaptation, we can develop immunity to such chemicals/UV light. Genetic adaptation takes millions of years to accomplish as such overexposure today for a person without proper protection can lead to skin cancer, a variety of skin diseases, a bad sunburn, heat stroke or a variety of other maladies that affect a persons health (Guhl 2005). As such the present generation or even the next 10 generations would not be able to benefit from any developments in genetic adaptation due to the time evolve. Due to this people should be wary of their exposure to UV light and must take precautions in order not develop any skin related problems. C. We should not worry about exposure to toxic chemicals because we can use genetic engineering to reduce our susceptibility to the effects of toxic chemicals. Genetic engineering can only do so much when it comes to developing resistance to certain types of chemicals. Not only that since the process would take an incredibly long period of time due to the current level of technology but the present generation or even the one after that would not be able to benefit from it. Genetic engineering can only do so much to build up a natural resistance to an artificial substance for example strong acids can even melt rock imagine what it could do to flesh no matter how genetically improved it may be. Artificial substances and natural substances by their very nature are polar opposites as such there will always be an artificial substance that can harm a natural one no matter the level of improvement it has undergone (Gilbere 2008). Part 2: 1. Which is a better choice at the grocery store: paper bag? Plastic bag? Or tissue bag? Explain your answer None of the choices given are better choices. Paper, plastic or even tissue bags still represent the use of materials that will eventually fill up landfills and cause pollution. Paper bags are sources from trees as such their use and production means that trees which could have absorbed the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere or provided support for loose top soil to prevent landslides are instead used to hold groceries. Not only that but paper bags are easily destroyed through either physical force or liquid substances. As such their reusability is rather unreliable under the best of circumstances. One recurring myth is that recycled paper bags actually help the environment unfortunately this is not true as it may seem. The trucks used to transport paper to the recycling centers, the chemicals used to remove the respective dyes from the paper as well as to sanitize it combined with the process of boiling, processing and drying actually uses up more resources and leaves a larger carbon and chemical footprint than processing an average tree into paper. Plastic bags on the other hand are more durable than paper bags and are easily reused for other purposes such as trash bags, holders or covers unfortunately though in the end they are still thrown away and unlike their paper counterparts do not break down in the environment as easily and when it comes to recycling also uses up more resources to produce than the average plastic bag. Tissue bags on the other hand are just as easily destroyed as paper bags and are just as expensive to recycle. The best choice would be to bring a cloth bag. The are sold or even given away for free at most department stores, they can be used for several years at a time and not only that they are more easily broken down in the environment as compared to plastic bags. 2. Explain how fossil fuels are formed? Fossil fuels are formed when organisms such as algae zooplankton, phytoplankton as well other organisms die settle on the sea floor. Overtime when clusters of these organisms are covered by sand and silt and the conditions are just right their organic structure starts to break down after several million years the end result is a dark liquid material that is processed by refineries and turned into modern day gasoline. The reason its called fossil fuels is due to the fact that a fossil, by definition, is the remains of a dead organism and that is what fossil fuels are. 3. Is it ever possible to be completely healthy? While it is possible through a healthy diet and adequate exercise to attain a healthy body for an extended period of time there are setbacks that happen that prevent people from being completely healthy. For example a person who tried his/ her best to be healthy through dieting or exercise can never prevent his/herself from contracting a disease, virus, sickness etc. No matter who the person is they will get sick several times over the course of their life and as such can never be classified as completely healthy (Brian 2009). 4. Can we design buildings or houses that save energy? Explain your answer Yes buildings that can save energy can be designed to saved energy can be made and are actually in existence. A lot of houses these days have an insulating material installed in-between the outer and inner wall of the house. When winter comes along this insulating material helps to keep heat in and cold out thus saving on heating bills. Another example is the use of solar panels on the roofs of houses. These days the use of solar energy panels has been advertised as a means to save electricity and to even make money off of since any excess energy produced can be sent into the local power grid and the homeowners of the solar powered house can make money off of the power company while saving energy at the same time (Flin 2006). List of References Life in the Universe. (2001). Platetectonics. Retrieved on May 19, 2010 from http://www. lifeinuniverse. org/Platetectonics-05-02-01. html Gilbere, Gloria. TOTAL HEALTH MANAGEMENT Requires Conscious LivingNot Getting-by on Auto-pilot. Total Health 30. 2 (2008): 48-50 Flin, David. Hot shots [solar powered home]. Power Engineer 20. 3 (2006): 16-19. Brian, Sarah Jane. making a of difference. Scholastic Parent Child 16. 7 (2009): 38-42. Guhl, Sven, et al. Bivalent Effect of UV Light on Human Skin Mast Cells—Low-Level Mediator Release at Baseline but Potent Suppression Upon Mast Cell Triggering. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 124. 2 (2005): 453-456 Boardman, John. The need for soil conservation in Britain – revisited. Area 34. 4 (2002): 419-427.

Regulatory Effects on the Transportation Industry Essay Example for Free

Regulatory Effects on the Transportation Industry Essay Economic effects on freight and passenger services Transportation Management, to the government, is the agency oversight of the movement of people and goods. That includes oversight of the economic practices of the companies that perform these services. The economic effect of such regulation is complex. Service industries, which include the various forms of transportation of freight and passengers, are subject to a wide array of regulations. These regulations affect the economies of transportation services in differing ways. Regulations are imposed on these industries to achieve various social and economic goals. Whether they achieve these aims is a separate question. The most obvious effects of regulation are economic. Well-crafted, appropriate regulations can be an asset both to industry and the consumer. They can move resources toward socially productive uses and away from negative ones. They can also ensure public safety and foster competition. Over regulation, however, can have the opposite effect. Transportation, like any industry, is resistant to regulation. Evidence exists that shows the negative economic effects of regulation. Over regulation or regulations that are poorly written can unnecessarily stunt economic activity in situations where the free market could have regulated more effectively. It is up to policy makers to find a balance that achieved social aims yet allows business to thrive. The freight transportation industry and the passenger transportation industry have some similar concerns about regulation. There are also regulations that are distinct to each industry; therefore the economic effects will likely differ. Regulation can result in a higher cost of doing business which is passed down the line to consumers. This is true in both the freight and passenger sectors. The increased price to consumers has a ripple effect on the economy on the whole. Each sector contains complex economies, though, in which the effects of regulation may not always be clear. Oversight-The mission, in general Federal oversight of both the freight and passenger industries is managed by the General Services Administration. It is concerned with both regulatory cooperation and promoting the economic heath of the industries involved. The GSA works collaboratively with businesses to develop flexible regulatory policies and incentives.In both sectors, the GSA is working to smooth the process to electronic forms of transportation. The GSA is working to support the initiatives put forward in the President’s Management Agenda (PMA). They include: the expansion of electronic government, the integration of performance and budget, strategic management of human resources and improved financial performance. The Economic Theory of Regulation The creation of governmental bodies to oversee and regulate certain industries has prompted efforts to measure the effects of such regulation on the overall economy. In 1971, George Stigler proposed the Economic Theory of regulation, or ET, for short. This model measures regulatory effects on the supply chain, prices and costs, among other factors. Elements of this theory have been used to develop some of the more recent regulatory efforts. The model has since been revised. Critics of this model argue that it is successful for academic purposes, but is incomplete in an always changing business environment. Comparing economic effects directly between the freight and passenger transportation industries is difficult because of the differing nature of regulation. Creating regulations for these industries, or removing them, is a trial and error process. The Freight Industry Regulation in the freight industry traditionally has focused more on business structure than in the safety and price conscious passer industry. As in passenger service, the trend in freight has been toward gradual deregulation. Monopolistic practices have been a concern, particularly in the United States, since the beginnings of the modern transportation industry. The question is to whether assertive government regulation is better than the free markets alone for creating competition. The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was created after the Interstate Commerce Act was signed into law in 1887. This organization exercises broad regulatory powers over surface transportation industries. The ICC can not only review rates upon complaint, it can replace them with new rates. Many passenger and freight service companies protested, or tried to evade altogether, the reach of the ICC. Regulation introduced an unnecessary variable into the theory of consumer behavior, they felt. If prices are not solely the function of demand and cost, the outcome for the business is unpredictable. Regulation, they feared, would also make market entry more difficult. Competition could be reduced and the consumer could suffer in the end. Early actions of the ICC benefited producers of raw materials and goods. At the same time, their actions hurt manufacturer and decreased national economic efficiency. Rate manipulation by the ICC prompted factories to locate closer to final markets in order to minimize transportation costs. Railroads also challenged the ICC in court or found ways around the regulations. Even if it is not specifically quantifiable, it is obvious that regulations affected the economy. The reverse is also true. Changes in the overall economy have prompted changes in regulation. The Great Depression and its negative effect on the rail industry prompted the appointment of a Federal Transportation Coordinator and the passage of the Motor Carrier Act of 1935. A 1960 report by the United States Senate highlighted the effect of over regulation of the freight industry. It stated that the railroads and other transportation industries under direct federal regulation were at a distinct economic disadvantage to those that were not. The rail industry, in particular, was unable to set competitive rates under ICC control. Meanwhile, the less regulated motor carrier industry prospered. As that industry became more regulated, efficiency began to drop. In response, deregulation of both industries began in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. As carriers were allowed to eliminate unprofitable activities and set their prices based on demand, revenue and investment increased. In the mid-1980’s, the ICC was replaced by the Surface Transportation Board, a regulatory agency that is reduced in size and scope. Today’s oversight of the industry has changed in nature. Security and safety concerns are paramount after the events of 9/11. Freight carriers are incurring more expenses for security either directly because of regulation or on their own. These costs are passed down the line to consumers. The question has arisen as to whether economic reregulation is necessary as the number of railroad companies shrinks. It appears as if that is not likely in the short term. As long as the motor carrier industry is competitive, it will serve to hold rail rates down. Market entry, however, is more difficult for railways. Opening that market may be a goal of future regulation. Security has become a primary focus of government regulation. There is a great deal of pressure for companies to do more thorough screening of cargo and implement more stringent security practices. This will inevitably increase cost to both the industry and consumers. The shipping industry is inherently international. Many laws exist, to protect domestic carriers and to ensure safety and security. Domestically, all goods must travel on approved U.S. flag vessels. Separate restrictions apply for HAZMAT or classified materials. For all shipments, the shipper must check for any contracts or rate tenders that may apply. In selecting a provider, the shipper must demonstrate no preferential treatment toward any one provider. Insurance may also be required. Incentives may exist for selecting a provider that uses alternative fuels. In that sense, regulation indirectly benefits the alternative fuel industry. The government can mandate that certain international shipments be performed by a U.S. flag carrier. Cargo preference laws regulate the international shipment of property by water. In this situation, a U.S. flag carrier must be used whenever available. Waivers can be obtained, but they must be approved in advance. The Maritime Commission is the agency that monitors compliance to these and other laws. These laws, and similar ones by other countries, limit the amount of competition and may affect the efficiency of domestic businesses. The Passenger Industry Air travel is the most popular non-automotive mode of travel in the world. In recent years there has been a drive toward deregulating the industry. Service agreements have been liberalized, especially in the United States. Open Skies agreements loosen restrictions on market entry and airport usage between the U.S. and other countries. Price and route scheduling in the air industry are for the most part deregulated but other parts of the industry are not. Deregulation of the air industry began in 1979. Since then, there has been vast growth in the industry. Competition has also increased, allaying the fears of some that monopolies would develop. Prices, adjusted for inflation, have also fallen since the 1980’s in the United States. They have remained constant in Canada and other more regulated economies. Competition has not benefited every consumer but, on average, it has had a positive effect. Demand has increased to an all-time high, even as airlines continue to recover from the effects of 9/11. The basic structure of the airlines has changed since deregulation. Most airlines have instituted a â€Å"hub and spoke system† in which a traveler can travel efficiently through â€Å"hub† cities to their destination. This also allows airlines a more cost-efficient organization of their fleet. As airlines eliminated non-profitable destinations, other specialty carriers have moved in to meet demand in those cities. A significant amount of study has been done on the economic effect of regulation on the airline industry. It should be noted that determining exact cause and effect is not a straightforward process. Prices and industry efficiency are dependent on regulation and a multitude of other factors. Profits fluctuate wildly in passenger industries. A deregulated environment is effective for such industries because the fluctuations attract new investment and can actually facilitate market entry. The airline industry is inherently global, and regulation has global effects. In this sense, the passenger industry has to deal with economic realities that most surface freight industries do not. For example, United States regulations allow Canadian airlines to land or pick up at U.S. airports. They cannot, however, have both ends of the flight within the U.S. This reduces competition because Canadian air cannot form a complete hub and spoke system to efficiently serve passengers. This may have the end result of raising prices for consumers in certain markets, or, it may prompt other airlines to enter in order to serve that market. In this regard, the effect of regulation is somewhat uneven and unpredictable. Another source of regulation fro the passenger industry is the issue of foreign ownership. Theoretically, allowing foreign ownership of U.S. airlines could create more competition and lower prices. However, officials fear that allowing foreign ownership could create a situation where airlines are less accountable to regulatory power. An emerging focus of regulation in the passenger industry is security. Many new measures affecting airlines, airports and surface carriers are in the process of being implemented. The economic effect of these measures has not been studied and is not yet well known. Some of the expense is being absorbed by the federal government, such as in the case of the federalization of airport screeners. In the passenger ship industry, restrictions are fewer regarding international ownership and usage of U.S. ports. There is pressure on congress, however to provide greater oversight of this industry. It is unclear at this point if regulation will increase and what effect it will have on the economy of that industry. Deregulation Theory and the Critics In the passenger service industry, the seemingly successful deregulation of the airlines has prompted deregulation efforts in other sectors. The theory behind deregulation is simply that free markets work. Free markets will solve most of the problems that regulation seeks to remedy, as long as there is a competitive market. Demand, or lack of it, will control prices and force healthy competition. The Herfindahl index is a measure of industry concentration in certain markets. Proponents of deregulation in the air industry, for instance, cite that the Herfindahl has remained relatively stable since the initial shake-out of firms after the 1979 deregulation. In other words, competition is healthy and the consumer is being served at reasonable prices. Some of the effects that critics feared have apparently not come to pass. In the airline industry, research shows no significant decline in safety levels, and no decreases in service to smaller communities sine deregulation. Past experience shows that there is a negative linkage between regulation, market structure and service. There are some concentrated markets, proponents concede, but this is not necessarily bad. Some concentration allows the airlines to create bigger, more complete networks that serve more consumers. Regulation in both the freight and passenger industries now focuses away from business structure and price control. Regulations are more directed toward safety and security issues. Oversight in the freight industry still has a somewhat wider scope. Deregulation is not without its critics. Some point to the power industry as an example of deregulation gone too far. In the wake of deregulation, huge entrepreneurial companies such as Enron surfaced. Monopolistic practices were ushered in, and ultimately the needs of the consumers were not fulfilled. Deregulation proponents in the transportation industry, however, do not see this as a relevant example. The corruption at Enron was not created by deregulation, and economic factors in transportation are not the same. Conclusions The economic effects of regulation on both the freight and passenger service industries are many and varied. Difficulties exist in quantifying exact effects. Government attempts to regulate price, in particular have not always produced the intended result. The lack of knowledge on exact economic effects of regulation can be improved upon. More comprehensive studies can be undertaken in future years to clarify how these restrictions help or hurt the economy. Sophisticated technology is in development that can replicate various scenarios, a tool officials need before attempting to write policy. Regulations on transportation affect not only the transportation industry itself, but also any company that uses that industry. It is estimated that for the average company, transportation accounts for 3% to 7% of the total company costs. Therefore, regulation can have a significant effect on the economy as a whole. For the individual business, regulation can have ripple effects that influence inventory control, warehousing, accounting, customer service and a host of other area. It is not necessarily a negative effect, though. Efficient business combined with well thought out policy can provide a positive result for the economy. The way business is conducted is undergoing a rapid overhaul. New technologies are being introduced at a blinding pace. Future regulatory efforts will have to take this into account. A well-intentioned regulatory action could have the effect of slowing down a business in a climate where fastest is best. The safety and security measures that are necessary in the 21st century will inevitably have an economic effect. The money, however, is well spent. In future years, companies with good track records on security and safety will reap the financial benefits. For the freight and passenger industries, the trend has been toward deregulation in the economic sphere. The government will still take action if it perceives that there is a constraint on competition. It still holds veto power over large mergers, for example. Comparison of the economic effects of regulation between the passenger and freight industries suggests that a limited regime of regulation is necessary for safety and, to a lesser extent, for the economic health of the industries themselves. There are different regulatory focuses for each industry. What they all share is that they all produce a ripple effect that branches out to all sectors of the business, the consumer, and the larger economy. That effect can be negative, or, with well written policy, it can be positive.

G20 Meeting And The International Institutions Politics Essay

G20 Meeting And The International Institutions Politics Essay The International institutions in charge of maintaining the stability of the global economic system had failed to prevent the crisis. Now they were to fail again: they did not have the capacity to engineer the necessary coordinated response. Economic globalisation had made the world more interdependent, increasing the need to act together and work cooperatively. As yet there was no means in doing so. (Stiglitz, 2010, p210) According to Stiglitz, just after the crisis hit almost the whole world, the industrialized countries recognized that they need to cooperate with other industrialized countries and also with the developing countries to address this problem. The G-8 group was composed from representatives of the advanced industrial countries who met once a year and discussed about the problems which affected the whole world. The so-called leaders of the world thought they could solve large-scale problems like global warming and global imbalances without inviting the leaders of the o ther countries-representing almost half of global GDP and 80 per cent of the worlds population to actively participate in the discussions. (Stiglitz, 2010, p211,212). It was as if other countries views were in afterthought, something that had to be dealt with politely but not actually incorporated into any important decisions. As the economic crisis erupted, it was clear that the old club could not solve it alone. With the meeting of the G-20 in Washington including newly emerging countries like China, India, and Brazil in November 2008, it was apparent that the old institutions were dying. What the new system of global economic governance will look like may not be clear for years to come. (Stiglitz, 2010, p212). Developing countries were hit very badly from the crisis and with an exception of China most of the developing countries did not have the resources to engage in massive bailouts, which was the case in the developed countries. While in their meeting the members of the G-20 made a statement about the need to avoid protectionism, the World Bank notes that since, 17 of the 20 countries have undertaken protectionist measures.  The United States, for instance, imposed a Buy American provision in its stimulus bill that required spending on goods made in United States, but then qualified it in a way that seemed reasonable to say that it would not apply if there were international agreements preventing such discrimination. But America has such agreements on government purchases mostly with developed countries. That meant, in effect, that the stimulus money could be used to buy goods from rich countries but not from the poor countries, which were the innocent of this Made in America Crisis (Stiglitz, 2010, p213). Since the poor and developing countries did not have the money to finance their own stimulus, the G-20 in the meeting in London, early 2009, provided more money to the IMF which then could be given to the poor and developing countries as loans, the advertised sum was quite impressive, around 1 trillion dollars. But, Stglitz argues that this was not the best way to help the poor and Developing countries, to get out from this crisis. Because of the rules and conditions imposed by the IMF most of the developing countries tried all other options before turning to the IMF, and according to him this was not the best way helping these countries to get over the crisis. He argues that the best way to help the developing countries to get over this crisis would be, if the Developed countries would lend them money in form of a grant which they would not have to return, this was the case of Germany, and it was only an exception not the rule, and other countries did not follow them. Stiglitz argue s that United States and other industrialized countries should have spent 1% of their stimulus money to help the developing countries which were struggling with the lack of funds to finance their stimulus. China and America The current crisis is so deep and so disturbing that things will change, whether leaders strive to make it happen or not. The most profound changes may concern the sometimes difficult relationship between the United States and China. China has a long way to go before it surpasses the Unites States in GDP-in purchasing power parity, reflecting differences in costs of living, it is still about one-half that of the United States and even further before it approaches the U.S. income per capita it is about one-eighth. (Stiglitz, 2010, p226) But China has set some impressive records lately; in 2009 China became the worlds largest exporter. And, according to the author within the next 25 years, China will become a dominant economy in Asia, and the Asias economy has a good chance to become larger than that of the USA. Although Chinas economy is still far from that of the United States, the U.S. imports more from China that it exports, and while the U.S unemployment is going up, these trade i mbalances have caused tensions between the two states. The Americans find it hard to understand how the U.S. has lost its comparative advantage in many of the manufacturing areas, If China (or any other country) is outcompeting the Unites States, they believe it is because they are doing something unfairly: manipulating exchange rates or subsidizing their products or selling their products below costs (which is called dumping). (Stiglitz, 2010, p 227) In the other hand Stiglitz argues that America is being accused for unfair subsidies, for giving loans to large corporates at an almost zero interest rates, or for maintaining low exchange rates to get competitive advantage. There is a recognition that something needs to be done about the global imbalances, of which the U.S. China trade imbalance is the most important component. In the short run, America may find it easier to adjust than China. (Stiglitz, 2010, p228) Chinas growth model has been driven by supply: profits are reinvested, increasing production far faster than consumption, and the difference is exported. (Stiglitz, 2010, p228) But, during the crisis it was hard for China to export the whole surplus, and with this growth model it will be very hard for China to maintain its growth rate in the future. Stiglitz argues that China needs to change its growth model, and one of the ways that he suggests , is that China need to provide more support for small and medium enterprises and to create more local banks. Actually Stiglitz uses the same argument of growth also when he talks about the Unite Stated growth model. In conclusion, globalisation has made the world very interdependent and it will be impossible that crisis and in particular financial crisis which hit one country not to spread to other countries as well, and day after day there is more need for global regulations and global institutions which will have the duty to prevent these crisis or in cases that there is no possibility to prevent them to minimize as much as possible the damages that those can cause. This was made clear especially after the so called Made in America crisis, were it was no global response to the crisis, and every country had to find its own way out of it. Another thing that is clear after the latest financial crisis is that some countries have to change their growth model. This is the case especially for China, who although reached some impressive records during the 2009, still in the long term it is obvious that some policies need to change and with that the growth model of the country.

Essays --

It is important to expose children to many social situations. These different social experiences help children learn how they should behave in certain situations. As they grow and start to socialize with other children more often, they will learn how to communicate, share, and cooperate. Relationships with other children provide an opportunity for children to practice and advance their social skills and their relationship skills. These relationships also help children learn how to join groups of children already playing together, form/maintain friendships, share personal info, avoid the bully, take turns, resolve conflicts, help others. Interaction provides companionship and important life skills. A child starts interacting with others at a very young age. When the child is still an infant, they are beginning to learn the social skills that they will need throughout life. A baby knows that there are other people besides them existing, but they don’t understand that they have feelings that are not the same as theirs. Because the child is so young, they believe that everyone thinks the same way. They are not aware of socializing and it is meaningless to them at such a young age. Even when they’re not old enough to play, it’s good for infants to be with other infants. Interaction with other children begins in the early toddler years. A child between 12 and 24 months will start to realize that they are separate from others and that their feelings may be different than other people around them. At this age, their interaction limited to complementary and reciprocal play. For example, you may witness children chasing each other, playing simple games of hide and seek, and sharing toys with each other. At this point, children’s’ friendshi... ...ing into legal trouble. The lack of social skills can affect safety in schools. Children with poor social skills are likely to be aggressive or violent and are less likely to be able to control their bad behavior. Academics are also affected. These children are likely to be rejected by peers and develop self-esteem problems and depression, which makes it hard to focus their mind on their school work. Children who are not exposed to social interaction are hurt in the long run. The consequences are negative and they usually stick with the child throughout their life. However, if an isolated child is still young, there are several things you can do to help them. These include: figuring out why the child is isolated, helping to teach the child social skills, arranging for the child to be in groups with peers, and showing other children the child’s strengths and talents.

john kerry :: essays research papers

John Forbes Kerry is the candidate I would chose in the up in coming election. Some of the issues that would decide my vote are environment, the economy, homeland security, social issues, and Iraq. I would also vote for John Kerry because he has done good things for Massachusetts and I know he will do good things for this country. My last reason for voting for John Kerry is because he will bring our troops home safely. On November 2, 2004 I would vote for John Kerry.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  John Forbes Kerry was born in Colorado on December 11, 1943 at Fitzsimons Army Hospital. John Kerry graduated from Yale University. He joined the Navy and became an officer during Vietnam. He was awarded both silver and bronze stars and 3 purple hearts for his heroic efforts. John Kerry went to law school at Boston College. He was elected lieutenant governor of Massachusetts in 1982. After he was elected senator of Massachusetts in 1984 followed by three more terms. John Kerry seems to be a perfect candidate for president. John Kerry supports the war in Iraq. John Kerry believes in having our allies join in with us. John Kerry says if elected he will boost international effort to secure peace. He also sates that he wants to improve social, economic, and political conditions in the Middle East. John Kerry believes he can restore International Policy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  John Kerry also believes in social issues. He supports a women’s right to an abortion. John Kerry opposes the death penalty. John Kerry will also appoint judges committed to law in the Supreme Court. Last, John Kerry will full fund the â€Å"No Child Left Behind† law. John Kerry really knows the views of the people.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  John Kerry wants to make a better environment. John Kerry opposes oil exploration in the Artic refuge. John Kerry will push new gas requirements, hybrid cars, and the use of hydrogen fuel. John Kerry will set goals, incentives to reproduce dependence on fossil fuels. Finally, John Kerry promotes clean, renewable fuel sources. John Kerry is well concerned about the environment.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   John Kerry also believes in a better Homeland. John Kerry is against labeling U.S. citizens as â€Å"enemy combatants.† John Kerry also wants to the speed up immigration process. Last, John Kerry wants to reform domestic intelligence. John Kerry will make this country a better place.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  John Kerry says he will stop raising taxes.

Patrice Lumumba’s Struggle Against Belgian Imperialism Essay -- Politi

Patrice Lumumba’s Struggle Against Belgian Imperialism It is hard to believe that in 2002 there is still imperialism being practiced in the world, but the fact of the matter is, it is. Imperialism is the policy of extending a nation’s territory or power by establishing dominance over other nations. A modern example of imperialism is the Congo. At the 1885 Berlin Conference, where the European powers carved up most of Africa among themselves, they sanctioned the claim of Belgian King Leopold II to sole authority over the Congo, a land mass 75 times the area of Belgium. The Congo was virtually his private property. He wiped out some 10 million people, around half the population, in his determination to extract every last penny of profit.[1] The Congo, later renamed Zaire, and now called the Democratic Republic of Congo, is endowed with immense mineral wealth in. At the time of the rise of the independence movement in 1958, Congo was among the world's largest producer of copper, uranium, cobalt, industrial diamonds, and rubber.[2] In the late 1950s and early 1960s there was a mass movement of resistance against the Belgian government. At the forefront of this struggle was Patrice Lumumba. In October 1958 Lumumba, a former postal employee, helped to found the Congolese National Movement (MNC), the first nationwide Congolese political party.[3] MNC gained much mass appeal because it united the Congolese people across the divisions of language and culture in a struggle against the imperialist rulers. The Belgian government buckled under the pressure of the resistance and reluctantly agreed to declare June 30, 1960 Independence Day and to hold free elections. MNC won more seats then any other party and Lu... ... the Congolese people when he wrote, â€Å"This is a fearsome story of colonial brutality, of the way in which the United Nations serves the world's major powers, and of the primacy of profit over democracy.†[9] People from South Korea to Puerto Rico are struggling against imperialism. Lumumba’s fight has been documented in numerous books and movies. It is important that oppressed people learn from other oppressed people in the movement to end imperialism. [1] Charlie Kimber, Dark Heart of Imperialism, Issue 92 of â€Å"International Socialism Journal,† Autumn 2001, http://www.isj1text.ble.org.uk/pubs/isj92/kimber.htm [2] Brian Williams, Imperialism vs. Congolese Freedom Struggle, Issue 28/Vol 65 â€Å"The Militant,† July 23 2001, http://www.themilitant.com/2001/6528/652852.html [3] Ibid [4] Ibid [5] Ibid [6] Kimber [7] Ibid [8] Ibid [9] Ibid

Motif Essay Essay

In a narrative, such as a novel, motifs are recurring structures, contrasts, or literary devices that can help to develop and inform the pieces major theme. The Serial Garden is a short story written by Joan Aiken. The Serial Garden is about Mark Armitage, a boy who dwells in and out of magical worlds. In The Serial Garden Aiken uses various motifs to promote and instruct the books proposition. A motif is an element that appears numerous times in a literary work. The motif of reluctance is portrayed trough the fussy behavior of Aikens characters. For example, when Marks mother, Mrs. Armitage asks him if he wants cold rice and pudding for breakfast. Mark answers with rebuttal. Mark is reluctant to eat rice and pudding for breakfast since it is not from the larbor and rather chilly looking. Therefore, his mother sends him to run down to Miss Pride to get a small packet of cereal. In addition, reluctance is illustrated when Mark finds Rudi, the princess’s long lost love and the princess is reluctant to go to his house. Since she insists it is not proper etiquette. The princess concludes because she is royal it would not be an act of dignity. Look more:  irony in huck finn essay Furthermore, hesitancy is depicted when Rudi is reluctant to proceed to see the princess, until he feeds his dogs first. Rudi is reluctant since he believes the dogs may not be hungry and that they were visitors and they must be taken care of. The motif of reluctance is presented various times throughout The Serial Garden. As well as the motif of reluctance the motif of imprisonment is illustrated. For example, when Mr. Armitage locks himself in the larder. Mr Armitage’s imprisonment is a result of him trying to find out the location the mouse uses to get into the larder. Mr. Armitage shuts himself in so that no member of the family can disturb his vigil. As a result the spring attached to the door jammed therefore, locking himself in. Another example is when the princess falls in love with Rudi and decides to marry him. The princess’s father disapproves of the marriage since Rudi was a common person. Therefore, her father keeps strict guard to halt the princess from escaping. As a result, the Princess slips in-between the pages of the book to escape her father. Then, when she and  Rudy decide to marry, the princess has her maid to bring the book to him. Although, the maid fails to get the book to Rudi therefore, locking the princess in the garden for fifty years. The concept of a character being constrained is displayed several times in The Serial Garden. In addition, the motif of excitement through the anxious behavior of Aiken’s characters is depicted. For example, when mark goes to Miss Pride asking her if she were to have sections one two four and five of breakfast brikks. Miss Pride answers with dismay almost sure she does not carry them. Although, as she was looking in her tattered and cluttered cellar where she is most likely not to find it; to her excitement Miss Pride found a little cache of breakfast brikks, which turned out to be the remaining sections, six, one and two. Another example is Mark asks Mr. Johansen if he is able to identify a tune he is about to whistle. As mark comes to the end of the tune, Mark is surprised to see Mr. Johansen’s eyes fill with tears. Mr. Johansen’s lament is a result of his emotion towards the tune because of it reminding him how happy he was when he wrote it. Then, when Mr.Johansen states that he wrote the tune Mark reacts with excitement. Furthermore excitement is depicted, when mark tells he Princess, Lota belongs to Rudolf Johansen. The princess’s excitement is a result of identifying her long lost love, Rudi. The motif of emotion is portrayed numerous times in the Serial Garden. Beneath the magical surface of a fairytale lies a reservoir of timeless symbolic forms and images. Several motifs are reluctance, entrapment, and excitement. Excluding the use of literary motifs most novels would not be worth reading. Motifs are an indispensable element of literature in The Serial Garden written by Joan Aiken.

Erikson’s psychosocial development theory Essay

Introduction As a young child, he was learning everything an independent, curious, and analytical toddler would be learning. At one and a half years of age, in his second stage of child development, he was mastering his walking skills and beginning to work on control and management. By the time he turned four he was in his next stage of development, beginning to copy what he was learning from adults, and exploring new and interesting activities. He was given the opportunity of free play and improved his sense of self-esteem. This sense of imagination and creativity would help him transition to the next stage. Finally, in the fourth stage of child development, around age seven, he was beginning to question who he really was and what his purpose and role was. He was put into social situations and was given the opportunity to interact with other children. He was Erik Erikson, and little did he know may have once lived through his own stages of psychosocial development. In this paper, I will discuss Erikson’s psychosocial development theory. His credentials and research are important to support his theory, and it is interesting to know the facts about famous theorists. I will be concentrating on stages two, three, and four as they pertain to primarily early childhood students. I will also discuss what I observed in an actual classroom and compare and contrast what I found out related to the different stages. Finally, I will mention the controversy over Erik Erikson’s theory and the evidence to support and argue the facts. Erikson developed an important theory that has helped explain human development. Erik Erikson Erik Erikson was born in 1902 in Germany. He did not start his career as a psychologist; â€Å"†¦in fact, Erikson never graduated from high school† (Woolfolk, 2007, p. 67). Erikson’s heavy interest and influences for identity were developed through his own experiences during school (Van Wagner, 2007). â€Å"Erikson spent his childhood in Germany, his adolescence wandering through Italy, and his young adulthood in Austria† (Berger, 2005, p. 35). A meeting with Sigmund Freud in Vienna led Erikson to an  interest for studying psychoanalysis (Woolfolk, 2007). According to Van Wagner (2007), Erikson earned a certificate from the Vienna Psychoanalytic Society.  Along with psychologists such as Freud, Erikson believed that crises of adult life reflect unresolved conflicts of childhood. However, his stages differed â€Å"significantly from Freud’s in that they emphasized people’s relationships to their family and culture, not only to their sexual urges† (Berger, 2005, p. 36). Through his stages, Woolfolk (2007) suggests that â€Å"Erikson offered a framework for understanding the needs of young people in relation to the society in which they grow, learn and later make their contributions† (p. 67). Each of the developmental stages confronts a person with a new task or ability that must be mastered for the best possible and most successful development (Coon, 2006). Because of this mastery, Erikson firmly believed in a psychosocial dilemma that causes problems through each stage. â€Å"A psychosocial dilemma is a conflict between personal impulses and the social world† (Coon, 2006, p. 113). The process in which the individual resolves each developmental conflict will have an impact on their self-image and view of the world (Woolfolk, 2007). Erikson identified eight different stages in the life cycle for human development (Gerrig and Zimbardo, 2005). â€Å"Erikson’s psychosocial theory emphasized the emergence of self, the search for identity, the individual’s relationships with others, and the role of culture through life† (Woolfolk, 2007, p. 67). Erikson furthered his career by moving to the United States in 1933 and accepting a teaching position at t he Harvard Medical School. As well as his new teaching position, he also developed his own private practice in child psychoanalysis (Van Wagner, 2007). After arriving in the United States, according to Berger (2005), Erikson â€Å"studied Harvard students, children at play, and Native American cultures† (p. 35). All of these different experiences helped Erikson to understand the importance of cultural diversity and significant changes that occur throughout the life cycle (Berger, 2005). According to the Erik Erikson Biography, â€Å"he utilized the knowledge he gained of cultural, environmental, and social influences to further develop his psychoanalytic theory.† Through his research, Erikson gathered  all of his information and results and published numerous books on his findings, including Childhood and Society and The Life Cycle Completed. Erikson’s book, Ghandi’s Truth, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize and received a national Book Award. In addition to Erikson’s psychosocial development theory, he also added an understanding of the development of personality and how it changes throughout the l ife cycle (Van Wagner, 2007). Psychosocial Development Stages â€Å"Erikson proposed eight developmental stages covering the entire life span, each characterized by a particular challenge, or developmental crisis† (Berger, 2005, p. 36). Throughout stage one, trust versus mistrust, the main challenge of a child is the significant dependence on other people, mainly the parents. Erikson suggested that this stage was known as trust or mistrust because certain attitudes are developed at this time (Coon, 2006). After attaining the goal of stage one, the ability to trust, the child is ready to move onto stage two of development. Stage Two- Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt â€Å"Erikson’s second stage, autonomy versus shame and doubt, marks the beginning of self-control and self-confidence† (Woolfolk, 2007, p. 68). This stage occurs between the ages of eighteen months and three years. Children are either sufficient in activities including toilet training, or begin to doubt their own abilities if they are unsuccessful (Berger, 2005). The children that can complete this stage with success develop a sense of confidence and security, but those who do not succeed are left with a feeling of self-doubt (Van Wagner, 2007). â€Å"If parents do not maintain a reassuring, confident attitude and do not reinforce the child’s efforts to master basic motor and cognitive skills, children may begin to feel shame; they may learn to doubt their abilities to manage the world on their own terms† (Woolfolk, 2007, p. 68). Toddlers want to develop autonomy (also known as self-rule) over themselves and be able to control their actions. According to Erikson, the most efficient way of getting past this crisis and developing autonomy is a sense of guidance and security from parents (Berger, 2005). Overall, in stage  two, Erikson believes that if children experience too much doubt they will lack self-esteem in their abilities throughout their life. As long as the child can maintain their self-esteem and develop their sense of autonomy, they can move on to the third stage (Woolfolk, 2007). Stage Three- Initiative versus Guilt â€Å"During the third developmental stage described by Erikson, called initiative versus guilt, selfesteem emerges from the skills and competencies that demonstrate independence and initiative† (Berger, 2005, p. 237). This stage generally happens between the ages of three and six. During this stage, children move from simple activities to more complex such as developing self-control and beginning to take initiative (Coon, 2006). Woolfolk states â€Å"the challenge of this period is to maintain a zest for activity and at the same time understand that not every impulse can be acted on† (2007, p. 68). During the first years of school, children take the initiative and control their world through organizing social interactions (Van Wagner, 2007). Children want to participate in adult like activities, but are afraid of the guilt they may experience (Berger, 2005). â€Å"If children are not allowed to do things on their own, a sense of guilt may develop; they may come to bel ieve that what they want to do is always wrong† (Woolfolk, 2007, p. 68). When children play, they learn how to make plans and follow through with them. Parents should give children the freedom and opportunity to do things on their own, such as ask questions, play, and choose their own activities (Coon, 2006). Toward the end of the preschool years, children who develop that sense of trust can initiate activities both intellectual and motor, to help them learn that they can do things on their own (Gerrig and Zimbardo, 2005). According to the article entitled, Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development, â€Å"Children who are successful at this stage feel capable and able to lead others. Those who fail to acquire these skills are left with a sense of guilt, self-doubt, and lack of initiative† (Van Wagner, 2007). Many psychologists, such as Erikson, believe that guilt is a more mature and natural emotion than shame, but both shame and guilt derive from social standards. On the other hand, guilt indicates that the child has  become self-motivated (Berger, 2005). The ways that parents react to their child’s activities either encourages their sense of freedom and confidence or produces the feelings of guilt, which makes the child feel that they are doing wrong and canno t overcome this challenge to move to the next stage (Gerrig and Zimbardo, 2005). After overcoming and mastering the skill to take initiative, the child is ready to move to the fourth stage of development. Stage Four- Industry versus Inferiority The challenge for the child during their school years is what Erikson named industry versus inferiority (Woolfolk, 2007). This is the fourth stage of psychosocial development, and occurs during the early school years from approximately age five to eleven. â€Å"During the elementary school years, the child who has successfully resolved the crises of the earlier stages is ready to go beyond random exploring and testing to the systematic development of competencies† (Gerrig and Zimbardo, 2005, p. 338). During these years, children learn and develop skills that are valued by society, and their success or failure affects their feeling of competence (Coon, 2006). During this psychosocial crisis of industry versus inferiority, children work on mastering the abilities that are valued by their culture (Berger, 2005). The children can see the relationship between determination and the pleasure that comes when a job is completed (Woolfolk, 2007). Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development suggests that social interactions allow children to develop pride in their accomplishments and abilities (Van Wagner, 2007). Children learn the sense of industry if they win praise for their productive activities, and the sense of inferiority if their efforts are inadequate or unsuccessful (Coon, 2006). â€Å"Children must master new skills and work toward new goals, at the same time they are being compared to others and risking failure† (Woolfolk, 2007, p. 69). Each child judges themselves in their own way as either industrious or inferior; they look at it as either being a winner or a loser (Berger, 2005). The way that each individual child copes with their own crisis in this stage, affects the  outcomes of the rest of their school years (Woolfolk, 2007). Once again parental guidance is important. The  children that are praised by their parents develop a feeling of confidence and belief in their own abilities, but those who receive little recognition from their parents revert back to the feeling of doubt from the previous stages (Van Wagner, 2007). As children move to the adolescence stage, their cognitive processes develop more effectively and they can think theoretically and can understand the ideas of others more clearly (Woolfolk, 2007). The severity and degree to the challenges varies widely from each child, and they must learn how to cope with their challenges individually to overcome them, and move onto the next stage of development. Most of the techniques to transition to the next stage come naturally, but each child may develop them at different rates. It is important to help the child successfully overcome their challenges to help them move onto the next stage (Berger, 2005). There are four more developmental stages that help in describing the development of the psychosocial theory, and Van Wagner (2007) states that during each stage people experience a conflict or crisis that helps as a transition in the developmental process. This challenge or crisis must be met and overcome before the child can move onto the next stage. While figuring out how to conquer their own personal challenge, the child will learn skills and abilities that will help them in their development throughout the life cycle (Woolfolk, 2007). Observations When children start school, around the age of five, their cognitive abilities are developing rapidly (Woolfolk, 2007). â€Å"The elementary-school years are a child’s ‘entrance into life’† (Coon, 2006, p. 114). Children begin to process more information faster; they are moving from preoperational to concrete operational thinking. â€Å"As these internal changes progress, the children are spending hours every weekday in the new physical and social world of school† (Woolfolk, 2007, p. 69). On March 3, 2008, I visited Kasson-Mantorville Elementary School. I was in a second grade classroom and  was able to observe and analyze the children. I wanted to look for the specific actions and transitions Erik Erikson discusses in his second, third, and fourth stages of psychosocial development. Since I was in a second grade classroom I knew that I would probably see children transitioning from stage three to four, and also children already in stage four. I was first looking for the physical development of the children. By the age of six or seven most children should have the ability of grasping and controlling, which is one of the main abilities learned in stage two. I observed that most children had good control over their actions and knew what they were doing. Next, I wanted to look for the independence in each student. As Woolfolk (2007) states â€Å"the child continues to become more assertive and to take more initiative but may be too forceful, which can lead to guilty feelings† (p. 67). I looked for a student that seemed to be very talkative or participated often. I wanted to try and find patterns in their behavior. I watched one specific student for awhile, and noticed a few interesting things. First, he always wanted to participate, which signified that he w asn’t afraid to talk in front of the class. This shows that he is able to be independent and shows that he has successfully reached the goal of stage three, which is self-esteem and â€Å"self-concept, or understanding of the self† (Berger, 2005, p. 237). Lastly, I wanted to see if any student was in stage four of industry versus inferiority. Erikson suggests that social relationships and interaction become very important in this stage. Students face the challenge of learning new tasks and when accomplishing each assignment they either feel a sense of success (industry) or failure (inferiority). I noticed that if a student received a wrong answer they would cover their head in their desk or look down. On the other hand, if a student was correct, they would hold their head high and were quite proud. These observations made it easier to picture what each child goes through during each stage. Observing students in the classroom gives sufficient first-hand experience in what children act like in each stage, and being able to analyze their actions made it easier to understand. I was able to directly apply the characteristics common to each stage to specific  children, and see how each child was different from the others. It is important to remember that all children develop at different rates and some students may not be in the same stage as others. I looked for common characteristics and  behaviors to compare, and found it very helpful in my research to link the qualities with the specific stages. Controversy Erikson’s research and development of his psychosocial theory has sparked controversy over the years. There have been specific questions about his theory regarding the issues of the identity and intimacy, and how they intertwine in the development of a person. â€Å"Erikson’s work helped start the lifespan development approach, and his theories have been especially useful in understanding adolescence. But feminists have criticized this notion that identity precedes intimacy, because their research indicates that for women, identity achievement is fused with achieving intimacy† (Woolfolk, 2007, p. 72). Erikson did not believe in the intimacy part of development in young children, unlike other psychologists such as Sigmund Freud. Erikson believed that the main part of each stage was a developmental crisis, while Freud on the other hand believed in the sexual impulses each person experienced. There are different opinions and perspectives on human development, and ea ch theorist has a different approach in figuring out the best way to describe the human life cycle. There are more positive observations on Erikson’s theory than there are negative. Most of the negative responses can be outweighed by positive remarks. One of the main concerns with people that disagree with Erikson is the developmental crisis aspect. According to the article entitled Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory (2007), the challenges and conflicts in each stage are not clearly defined. This article also suggests that the challenges in each stage may overlap and that could cause confusion in determining which stage a child may be in. On the other hand, Erikson suggests that these challenges must be achieved progressively and cannot be  overcome in one day. There are disagreements with every theory and each theorist has their own way of proving its truth. Erikson believed that the crises were not determined by age, rather the achievement of the abilities that must be mastered in each stage (Chapman, 2007). Conclusion All in all, the psychosocial development theory created by psychologist Erik Erikson, has been helpful in trying to figure out the process of the human life cycle. Erikson’s background was important in that his own personal experiences influenced him, and sparked the interest of human development and identity. Being influenced by Freud, he was able to compare and contrast his own theory to Freud’s, and give reasons why he thought his stages of development were more accurate. In Erikson’s eight stages, primarily stages two, three, and four, concentrate on the years of early childhood. These stages are crucial for the development of a child while going through many changes, such as beginning school and becoming more independent. The second stage of autonomy versus shame/doubt, from the age of eighteen months to three years, is when the child develops self-esteem and confidence. After mastering these skills the child progresses to stage three, (age three to six year s) initiative versus guilt, and begins to develop a sense of independence. Finally between the age of five and eleven and in stage four, industry versus inferiority, the child is met with social interactions and learns the abilities valued by society. These three stages are important in a child during their early years of life. By observing an actual classroom setting, I was able to apply the abilities described in each stage and analyze how the children acted. I noticed common patterns and behaviors that were described in each of the three stages, and thought it was very helpful to see the children in an actual classroom setting at work. There were some differences from Erikson’s theory to the way the children acted. As with any theory, there are controversies that need to be researched. Erikson’s theory has been questioned on why there isn’t a place for intimacy in the stages, but his stages are set up to evolve the identity. There is also the question of the clearly defined transition from each crisis. Erikson concludes that  one c annot transition from one crisis to the next in one day. The change of stages must be gradual with the mastering of specific abilities. Erik Erikson believed that his stages of psychosocial development would help people understand the changes each child goes through. He labeled each phase according to the characteristics and behaviors the child exhibits around a certain age. With his theory, people can begin to understand what children go through during their first few years of development. I believe that Erikson created an efficient theory for people to analyze and observe in children to determine how they develop. I think that this theory, along with any other theory, gives an alternate view on the development of a human, and how they develop and master the abilities learned throughout life. References Berger, K. S., (2005). The developing person through the life span. New York, NY: Catherine Woods. Chapman, A. (2006-7). Erikson’s psychosocial development theory. Retrieved March 16, 2008, from http://www.businessballs.com/erik_erikson_psychosocial_theory.htm#freud’s_psychose xual_stages. Coon, D. (2006). Psychology: A journey. Mason, OH: Thomson Wadsworth. Gerrig, R. J., & Zimbardo, P. G. (2005). Psychology and life. Boston, MA: Pearson Education. Van Wagner, K. (2007). Erik Erikson biography. Retrieved February 18, 2008, from http://psychology.about.com/od/profilesofmajorthinkers/p/bio_erikson.htm. Van Wagner, K. (2007). Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development. Retrieved February 23, 2008, from http://psychology.about.com/od/theoriesofpersonality/a/psychosocial.htm. Woolfolk, A. (2007). Educational psychology. Boston, MA: Pearson Education.