International business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 3

International business - Essay Example Partly, this may be because not all those who use the term distinguish it clearly enough from the popular notion of internationalization. Some writers, in fact, use the two terms interchangeably (Ibid.). Literature shows there is no single agreed definition of globalisation, but that it may be the concept of the 1990s. According to Sklair’s (1999) research, its importance is much exaggerated, but most books suggest it is an idea whose time has come. To sort out all these ideas, globalisation as a concept makes use of Sklair’s (1999) taxonomy of perceiving globalisation in this paper towards the end. Each model is briefly discussed and analyzed from the point of view of sociology. The discussion tapers with a summary of these models, and as presented by Sklair (1999) makes note that they are dominated by European European-North American literature devoid of views from Asia. However, these are only done after discussions in light of how globalisation as a phenomenon has prevailed in the new millennium. What follows are how globalisation has visited the new millennium politically, economically, socially or otherwise. Globalisation, interpreted as global economic integration, is argued, as not being recent since there have been periods of globalisation over many centuries. (IPS, n.d.) It is only that there is now the increasing speed of movement of goods and services, people, capital and technology being experienced around the world. Specifically globalisation in the new millennium is marked by accelerated reduction in transport and communication costs, greater international specialization because of liberalization of trade, increasing trade in services due to the digital revolution, and increasing integration of major emerging markets into the world economy. (IPS, n.d.) . Politically, Macedo (n.d.) would add, the increasing alignment of cultural standards and standards of consumption; the weakening of

Alternative Forms of work Arragements Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Alternative Forms of work Arragements - Essay Example This type of job is home based so I basically I will be working from home. Working from home or having an office at home has a lot of advantages. First, I do not have to beat the morning traffic in going to the office. That would save me a lot of time, effort, gasoline money and stress. I also do not have to dress up just to work. The energy and time I saved from commuting to work can instead be channeled to a productive job making my job output better. Also, I do not have to dress up before I could work again saving me time, money and energy. Above all, I can work right at the comfort of my own home where I am at my optimum best because I am very comfortable with my surrounding. There are few disadvantages to it however. First is technical support. As a Digital Specialist, there might be issues that I would encounter from customers that I am not aware of that they need answers from me. I will not have an immediate support from peers or superior because I am away from the office. Of course I can always ask for help through online facility but the response time may take a while. Also, working from home may jack up my electric bills because I will be paying for the electricity that I will be using while

The Ever Changing Market Place Of Oman Marketing Essay

The Ever Changing Market Place Of Oman Marketing Essay Oman Retail Industry is characterized by a strong consumer demand, robust economic growth, distinct demographic factors and high end technology system that ensure the better customer service and efficient customer checks. The sultanate is one of the developing countries that has succeeded in achieving, within a short span of time, a high level of economic growth. Out of the total GDP 57.1% is from the service industry. As in any other country Retail Sector in Oman is having both the sectors organized and unorganized retail sector. The paper is focused on the organized retail sector of Oman. Even in the organized sector, there is a stiff competition amongst large number of hypermarkets, convenience stores, warehouses and gas-station chain stores. Everyday new entrants are coming in the business with their new competitive strategies and niches. Oman has good organized retail markets in GCC. Omans Per Capita retailing space is highest in GCC. Major development happenings in the area of retail space in Oman are hypermarkets and malls. Oman is witnessing an exponential growth in the space occupied by organized retailers. The paper presents a comprehensive view of the organized retail industry across Muscat. Keywords : Retail Industry, Hypermarkets, Competition, Developing Countries Introduction Oman is the second largest country in GCC after Saudi Arabia with total land area of 212,960 square kilometers and over 80% of its current population of 3 million is Omani nationals. Oman is a middle income economy in the Middle East with notable oil and gas resources, a substantial trade surplus and low inflation. Oman Economic development has seen three phases. A phase of rapid expansion then economic retrenchment and rationalization because of oil prices collapse and the last phase a period of standardized growth since 1990. Economic growth and structural change have proceeded rapidly in Oman during the rule of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Ibn Said. When HM Sultan Qabus Ibn Said assumed power in 1970s, he immediately implemented an economic development and modernization programs .Priority was given to expanding the countries nonexistent infrastructure. Economic Growth was accompanied by increase in contribution of the service sector from 18% in 1970 to 57% today. The GDP Average annual Growth exceeded the world as well as middle east growth rate by 3%( 6% in 1991- 2000 in Oman 3% in the middle east and Africa and world) Retailing consists of the sale of goods/ merchandise for personal or household consumption either from a fixed location such as a department store or away from a fixed location and related subordinated services. In commerce, a retailer buys goods or products in large quantities from manufacturers or importers, either directly or through a wholesaler, and then sells individual items or small quantities to the general public or end user customers, usually in a shop, also called store. Retailers are at the end of the supply chain. Marketers see retailing as part of their overall distribution strategy. Retailing is not just buying and selling necessities, it is now more of a lifestyle staement, one whose foundation is based on choice, convenience and brand value. Shopping is buying things, sometimes as a recreational activity.Retailing is worlds largest private industry. It is estimated to have US $ 6.6 Trillion sales annually. Retail outlets can be divided into categories according to the amount of square feet of floor space, the level of services offered and width and depth of product offering. In practice stores may have different names in different countries and definitions based on selling area may also vary. Clarence Saunders, invented Keydoozle in 1930s in which shoppers stuck keys in glass display case to choose specific products which were taken via conveyer to check out line. This perhaps was the basis for todays Supermarkets and Hypermarkets. A variety of terms are used to large stores Hypermarkets, mass merchandisers, supermarkets, superstores, shopping malls and shopping centres etc. France, Belgium, Spain Colombia are the countries in which supermarket industry is very well developed. Retailing is a two way street. There exist potential advantages and disadvantages to this retailing venture. A retailer has following things to offer consumers: 1. One price Policy : No Place for Negotiations 2. Selection of goods at a lower price 3. One Stop shopping 4. Large Assortments 5. Centalization of the nonselling functions 6. Amenities (Beauty Parlour, Free Decorations, Nursery) 7. Overall manner in which the goods are offered in store setting, including store site, parking facilitiies, instore setting and customer services. 8. More Personal Services than discounts Retailing and Oman Till late 70s and 80s the country was having unorganized retail market. Traditionally the retail business was run by small souks. The traditional Arabic market place is called the souk and these are still found in many of the towns throughout Oman. More than 90% of retailers function in less than 500 Sq ft of area. Most of the items were bought by the liking of the souk owner and pricing was done on adhoc basis or on seeing the face of the customer. Selling prices were largely controlled by manufacturer.Weekly Juma Bazaars were very popular and almost all commodities were sold there including livestock. Juma bazaars are still an important weekly bazaar in Oman but now the main attraction now is second hand goods. Bargaining was common. Retailer to customer ratio was low. Most of the buying by mass population was need oriented. Impulsive buying or consumption was restricted to food or vegetables etc. Household items as well as traditional handcrafts are on sale in the souks. In some s ouks like Nizwa and Sinaw livestock are auctioned and bartered. Beside its obvious economic purpose, the souk has long been the fulcrum of social interaction. Some of the Important Traditional Souks of Oman are Muttrah Souq Muttrah Souq is the oldest market place in the Capital Area and is located behind the Corniche of Muttrah, rumbling over a large area. Entering the Souq. A cornucopia of exotic sounds, smells and flavours assail in the senses in bewildering yet exciting chaos. The Souq of Muttrah is a maze of pathways leading in and out of each other. The important thing while shopping in a souq is bargaining. Nizwa Souq This traditional souq hosts a lively cattle market early each Friday morning where cows, goats and sheep are auctioned. The obstinate behaviour of the animals often provides great amusement for the spectators. There is an abundance of local handicrafts and produce in the new covered souq. Silversmiths can be seen hammering patterns into the hilts of Khanjars and women sell the burqa à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬a glittering, embroidered facemask worn by local ladies. Sinaw Souq It has similar ware to Nizwa souq, including a cattle market. Some of the silver shops sell the old silver Bedouin jewellery, Ibra Souq This one is unique: it is open to all, as long as you are female! It is a fairly recent innovation, opened in 1990 and is held on Wednesday mornings. It is the only souq in Oman which lends itself totally to the needs of women. Lotions, cosmetics, powders, textiles, perfumes and henna are amongst some of the items on sale. Retailing in Oman: The New Dimension Omani capitals mallspace is changing. Some of the indicators that the retailing has come out of age are fashionable store facades, daring displays an everchanging numbers of international brands, loyalty cards, cineplexes, foodcourts kids zone in malls etc. The mall and shopping centres in Oman not match Dubai in size and style but have their own character and ambience . Dubai depends upon a floating population of visitors, but Oman caters mainly citizens, residents and a small number of visitors. The Omani Capital Muscat has come a long way from the simple old souk to the ultramodern hypermarkets. The concept of the friendly neighborhood store, by all indications, appears to be on its way to becoming history. It is the malls with their better ambience, wider choice, better facilities and the convenience of having all that you need under one roof that are attracting more and more customers . Retailers, realizing the potential have been quick to set both expansion and re-branding plans in motion. For retailers in Oman, the accent has been on acceleration. We can observe it if only we take a look at the number of malls and hypermarkets in the sultanate to see how quickly growth has taken place. The capital has number of shopping malls and hypermarkets. Customers are driven toward the hypermarket due to several alliance shops and international brands. Customers nowadays want a total shopping experience under one roof. The shift to hypermarkets as a natural progression along the retail evolution path. Customer perceives that as compared to small souks, hypermarkets, offer better variety at lower prices and the quality of products is guaranteed as well. Customers in Oman become more educated aw are and demand choice . Choice, it would seem, translates into convenience. Customers are the main beneficiaries in this shift from small shops to large hypermarkets. The move from micro to macro also owes itself to the strength of the economy. With the Omani economy growing at a very rapid pace, there is tremendous interest among retail sector investors in the region. One of the reasons for the growing interest of Omani nationals is the increased income and spending power .The sultanate has seen in the past, a rapid increase in the income due to omanisation. Omanisation has created many job opportunities for the nationals who in turn have increased the spending power of the nationals which is driving them more and more towards the shopping malls. Oman is witnessing a retail sector boom in the past six years with a number of big-format hypermarkets slated to open and expand their retail chains in the country including the big names such as Carrefour, Sultan Center and Spinneys. Moreover, Muscat has total area of 190,000 sq. meters in major malls in the capital area most of which was built in the 90s. This means that the Omani per capita area for these shopping malls. Retail sector is making headway with number of hypermarkets opening up in Muscat the foreign direct investment is maximum in the commerce, wholesale and retail trade represented 20.75% services. The expansion in retail sector as such has increased the levels of self awareness in the retail sector It is forcing the hypermarkets to constantly monitor the market in which they operate. The market includes a major price sensitive customer segment also. Backward integration, to further streamline operations, is another route that certain retailers in Oman are favoring. They are launching its own private label across its outlets as a measure to counter escalating prices. The other major strategy used by these hypermarkets is of collaboration. For Example the car small within a shopping mall it is this basis, in novelty as well as practicality that promises to improve existing levels of customer convenience. Another strategy of Just Ask programme, where worldwide products are directly makes their way to the homes of consumers in Oman. The retailers understand that survival is not just about being fit. Hard work has to be combined with smart ideas that foresee the future. Considering the competition, everyone is improving their operations if they dont, they will lose their market position and share. Efficiency is not really a relative parameter. It is important that first time customers should become permanent customers and stay that way. Considering the competition, it is no surprise that all the players in the retail market are raising the stakes. Competition is healthy, and it is needed to improve the services and operations of the hypermarkets. With more competitions the hypermarkets will come out with innovative ideas to improve upon their quality and services. With this the customer is gaining and slowly the market is moving towards customers market. The markets are trying to differentiate themselves on the basis of factors like customer orientation, Number of retail outlets, low price, wide range, competent management, more space etc. The customer wants premium on good price, convenience and good customer service. Some of the major hypermarkets in Oman are as follows: Sabco Commercial Centre, Qurum Sabco Commercial Centre, Qurum, is one of the first shopping malls to open in Oman in 1985. The two-level centre has multiple retail outlets and a traditional souk. The souk has 27 walk-in shops that sell silver jewellery, handicrafts and clothes. The store targeted the wealthy market segment. As more and more oil fields were discovered in Oman, the store prospered. The store brought Godiva-a specialist gourmet and Belgian chocolate to Oman. Sultan Centre Sultan centre made several contributions to the development of the retail trade. It served not wealthy but upper income segment. A popular meeting place and great find for the latest in European and International fashion and accessories. Lulu Hypermarket The concept of hypermarket shopping has clearly caught on with shopper communities across the region. Emke Group recognized changing market trends and responded to them promptly, offering its customers bigger and better designed shopping environments by way of LULU shopping malls and hypermarkets. The group, has major interests in wholesale and retail distribution of food and non-foodstuff, manufacturing, export-import, frozen and processed food industry and IT has operation bases in all major cities of the Middle East, Asia and Africa. As part of their groups policy they have laid special emphasis on recruiting Omani nationals . They acknowledged the significance of training the local youth and have been conducting on-the job training for these national recruits. Noted authorities in retail training were hired to develop and implement employee training. The group felt the pulse and strategically designed store facilities and imported the latest state-of-the-art equipment and technology The extensive network of branch offices and sourcing centers was a big advantage in providing quality products at the most affordable prices. (Times of Oman). Khimjis Mart Supermarkets KR Groups Retailing Division manages the popular Khimjis Mart supermarkets and a chain of Welfare Markets for the Royal Oman Police. With 4 strategically located retail outlets in the Capital area and two large supermarkets in the interior, Khimjis Mart LLC is a key player in its category in Oman. Fully owned and operated by the Khimji Ramdas Group, Khimjis Mart caters to a mix of customers of diverse nationalities and varied shopping preference s by giving them unlimited options to buy the best international and regional brands in the food commodities, lifestyle and consumer non-durables segments. Khimjis Mart outlets have taken the lead in training young Omani nationals and integrating them into key positions. They are located at Ruwi High Street, Darsait, Wadi Kabir, Al Khuwair, Nizwa Sur. Markaz Al Bahja Markaz Al Bahja Shopping Mall was developed to give Oman a mall of truly International standards, so as to offer the people an alternative to Dubai as a shopping destination. The 350,000 sqft Markaz Al Bahja mall, located not very far from MCC, was opened in mid 2002. The three-level mall, easily accessible from the Capital as well as its growing suburbs, is another popular shopping destination .The mall also has a big parking facility, which can accommodate 1200 cars. Three floors of shopping and is a dream come true for most Omanis. Markaz Al Bahja has established itself as the premier shopping Mall in the Sultanate of Oman. Al Harthy complex Location : Qurm Easily recognizable by its unique design which features a star filled dome, the Al Harthy Complex has spacious floors of shopping with over 100 retail shops. From textiles, antiques, perfumes, childrens toys and games, fashion and beauty products, computer accessories, and watches to books, greeting cards and flowers, everything is available at the complex. With a video and amusement arcade, the laser game Q-zar and Sindbads play city, the complex is a hot favourite with children. For lunch or a snack one can step into Kargeen Coffee Shop, or stop by for a bite at Burger King. Muscat City Centre (MCC) Carrefour opened its first supermarket in Annecy, Haute- Savoie, France, in 1960. The opening of Majid Al Futtaim Investments (MAFI) Muscat City Centre (MCC) in 2001, ushered a new era for Omans retail sector. The MCC, covering a total GLA of 540,000 sq. ft. and 1,500 parking spaces, claims a weekly footfall of 155,000. Its main anchors include Carrefour and Magic Planet. This year, the MCC is poised for a further expansion, which is expected to add another 300,000sqft of retail space to its existing strength. MAFI is planning to open a Carrefour outlet in the Qurum area of Muscat later this year. Major Shopping Malls of Oman, Sponsors, Number of outlets and year of start With so much of competition and options available to the customers, all the hypermarkets are thinking in terms of the loyalty programs to keep customers with them. Some of the loyalty programs like privilege cards, vouchers, special discounts. But what loyalty program is to be used at a specific place is the matter of great creativity. The key ingredients for any successful retailer: brand experience, convenience, customer service, social responsibility, todays true differentiators. l Earning points toward rewards or free or discounted merchandise. Using third-party partner currencies, such as airline miles for retail purchases. Offering rebates or discounts for using a store-branded credit card. Providing information that is relevant, valuable and exclusive. Allowing members access to products, services and experience otherwise unavailable to the public. Recognizing best customers with elite status. Inviting customer involvement in opportunities such as beta testing, first access to new products, participating in an advisory board, creating and submitting advertising ideas, even inviting best customers to parties and special events. Challenges faced by the Retailers in Oman Price war: Competition can lead to the price wars l Discount is expected by the gulf customer in case of bulk purchase. l Sale is one of the important factor which pulls the customers towards the malls and only two promotions a year are allowed which are too less to sustain the customer for 12 months l More and more companies with international brands and structure are coming in the competition l Once upon a time, retailers knew all their customers personally. They knew their preferences and what was happening in their lives. With this knowledge, retailers were able to react quickly and market to each customer individually. Along the way of growing chains and building malls and promoting self-service, many retailers lost touch with their customers. l E-commerce is again coming as a new challenge to the hypermarkets. l Less size of the population is another challenge in front of the retail sector as with more competition and less number of customers the market is moving more and more towards becoming the buyers market. l Dubai again is a threat to the retail sector with its competitive prices and easy approachability. l Tourism is growing but the growth is not fast enough to catch with the tourism in UAE. Suggestions More initiative from the government in the form of more commercial activities. Connecting tourism with shopping: need to improve tourism to trap the enormous potential present in this sector, which will enhance the retail sector further. Duties on certain items should be reduced to encourage the retailers Discouraging customers to buy from Dubai by creating an awareness program those items are much cheaper here than in Duabi International Service standards should be provided by the hypermarkets Since the beginning of the 1970s, with Kilters pioneering work, the topic of atmospherics effects on consumer behavior has gained popularity Managers of retail and service outlets have understood the importance of the built environment in enhancing product evaluations, consumer satisfaction with the shopping experience and sales. There is a need for the ongoing training programs in Retail Management for the all managerial and non managerial staff members. There is a need to give more boost up the Tourism Industry in the country. Conclusions The challenge in retail sector in Oman is perpetual. It was the same in the past and it will remain the same in the future: understanding the retail consumer. In Oman consumers have higher expectations for lower prices. They are not prepared to compromise their desires and ethical values for simply more expensive products or basic low cost items. Shopping is becoming increasingly individualistic, driven by the growing diversity of the consumer marketplace, technology enablers and consumers desire for greater influence and control. The retail power structure has permanently shifted from sellers to buyers with more and more shopping malls in Oman .Retailers have to use the problem solving approach. It means understanding what the consumer is trying to accomplish by looking at his ultimate goal. The hypermarkets in Oman are constantly monitoring the feedbacks given by the customers and are very quick to respond to the problematic areas and suggestions. The hypermarkets as long as will keep their fingers on the pulse of the gulf customers will have a long way to go. The retailers need to understand that Retailers dont own customers, they own retailers. There is an increasing population switching from loyalists to non preference. Consumers need to be connected. It means getting away from a transaction mentality and focusing on customer relationships, bonds of trust that create innovative opportunities to extend the relationship further. Live rich but act poor. Wealth levels and purchasing power are increasing, people overspend and retail has never been so good but there is a great consideration to shop where prices seems to be more justified. Shopping should be not only convenient but easy, done in the consumers way and speed. Innovative process, service and design solutions that are simple, intuitive and in tune with shoppers needs. Consumers value what is scarcer and time is at the top of the first for many. They want it fast, thy want it now (immediate gratification), they want it first (latest and greatest). Innovative retailers are networking with companies in other business sectors to offer new products or services outside their skills. The global trends are set in more mature and yet still very dynamic markets, Similar trend with Oman Rapidly they spread across the globe carried by the increasing presence of worldwide known brands. The task is to understand the trends to anticipate the mood of the customers and as before and more then ever, there is a need to think global and act local.

The Necessary Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to End World War II Ess

After the defeat of Germany, the allies turned their attention on crushing Japan. On August 6, 1945, 8:16 A.M, Enola Gay completed its mission and dropped the 9000lb â€Å"little boy† on Hiroshima. 78,000 killed instantly and many more were to die within 5 years. All together, 250,000 citizens of Hiroshima were killed. Another bomb named â€Å"fat man† was dropped on Nagasaki 3 days later, killing 40,000 people. The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were the quickest way to end the war with the fewest casualties. The boom cost $2000 millions to build and it was a military weapon for war, it should be used to fulfill its purpose- to end the war. The allies may have lost the war if U.S did not use the atomic bomb, the consequences may be even worse. In spite of the lives lost during the bombing, it had taught humans a great deal about atomic bombs and it had advanced mankind. The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were justified and necessary for World War II. In Japan there were more than 2 million combat troops and 9000 aircrafts ready to fight till the very end. Japan was famous for their resistance and pride and the war may take a lot of energy and time to end. If the allies did not use the atomic bombs, peace may come with a heavy price with possibly 500,000 American causalities, as well as that many for Japanese soldiers and maybe half of that number for British. Prime Minister Churchill knew of Japanese pride and said, â€Å"I had my mind the spectacle of Okinawa Island, where many thousands of Japanese, rather than surrender, had drawn up in line and destroyed themselves by hand-grenades†¦Now that nightmare picture had vanished. In its place was the vision†¦ of the end of the whole war in one or two violent shocks.† The allies had warned t... ... learned from the Atomic bombs are now beneficial to the world today. The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were justified and necessary for World War II. The use of Atomic bombs was the quickest way to end the war with the fewest casualties. The bombs were weapons of war made by U.S; Americans efficiently used their weapons to end the war in the best way possible. The consequences are unthinkable if the Allies lost the war, the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were necessary to avoid a future that is dominated by Japan. Mankind learned very important lessons from the atomic bombs in WWII and it prevented any future attempts of another World War. The discovery was also very beneficial to mankind. The lives lost due to the bombing were worth it, they traded peace in the future, a world that is aware of the Atomic Bombs’ dangers and millions of lives were saved.

‘A taste of honey’ and ‘My mother said I never should’ Essay

The two drama texts we have studied are ‘A taste of honey’ and ‘My mother said I never should’. These two texts have similar themes and issues. They both deal with growing up, single parenthood, leaving home, friendship, family relationships including conflict between daughters, parents and the attitude toward different class behaviour. In this essay I shall be exploring the similarities and differences between the two texts. I shall start with an analysis of ‘A taste of honey’ and compare this with ‘my mother said I never should’. ‘A taste of honey’ is set in the 1960’s in a scrubby little worn-down flat. It deals with the life of a young girl called Jo and her mother called Helen. In this drama text, Jo and Geof do not get on well with Helen. They are in conflict with each other all the time. We know this because the text illustrates lots of aggressive language like â€Å"oh, go to hell†. Helen has a boyfriend called peter she leaves Jo to live with him, but when she finds out that Jo is pregnant she returns to the flat. When she returns she finds that Jo is living with a young man called Geof. He is a homosexual and peter is quite homophobic so he insults him constantly. We know this because he calls him a pansy. Jo is similar to Jackie in ‘My mother said I never should’ because they are both young single mothers that have dropped out of college however, they are slightly different too because Jackie, Margaret and her family are middle/upper class opposed to Jo’s and Helen’s family which are lower/working class. ‘A taste of honey’ we see Helen come back to look after her daughter, but she runs out on her Jo and her new baby. In ‘My mother said I never should, the daughter is required to give up her role as a mother to return to art college. Jo never has this option and this is another difference between the texts. ‘My mother said I never should’ has many themes that are the same as ‘A taste of honey’ for example both deals with young mothers. In this play, there are four different generations of women. The characters names are Jackie, Margaret, Doris and the baby is called Rosie. Attitude to sex and having children has changed through the play form generation to generation as the different characters reflect this. For instant, Jackie is a young child, Margaret is pregnant, we know this because the play goes back in time to a scene in the garden where Margaret tell Doris how she feels about her miscarriage. Margaret says, â€Å"I thought I didn’t want it, till I lost it†. Doris, Margaret’s mother tells Margaret that she shouldn’t have worked while she was pregnant. She seems to think that working was the reason that Margaret lost the baby. This shows that in the 1960’s women were supposed to stay at home in bed, resting and not working. Margaret thinks that this idea is very sexist. Later in the characters’ lives Jackie challenges her mothers attitudes to sex before marriage. We learn that Jackie is already sexually active. We know this because the text states that Jackie slept with her boyfriend at his parents house Jackie say, â€Å"It was a relief to get it over with†. Her mother is not particularly happy about it as she says, â€Å"oh you can wound me sometimes, Jackie†. She is unhappy about the fact that Jackie could possible be pregnant. Later in the play we see Jackie with little baby Rosie. They are living in a run down council flat, which shows that the area is lower class. We also learn that the father is not there to help look after Rosie so Jackie is therefore a single mother. Her mother comes to visit and we learn that Jackie’s mother is pressuring Jackie into giving up the baby and return to art college. As we learn from the text, Jackie is not happy about this as Jackie mother says, â€Å"Jackie, we can’t go over this again †¦ you know as well as I do, it would be impossible† and Jackie replies by saying † I don’t believe you†. Margaret and her husband are ashamed by single parents. We know that her father is unhappy about Jackie and Rosie because he won’t go into the house however Margaret is more relaxed about the situation that Jackie and Rosie are in. she comes to pick up Rosie and Rosie’s clothes as she will be her new mother. Jackie is reluctant in giving Rosie to Margaret. Jackie is now free to go to Art College again. This reflects that attitudes towards working mothers have changed from one generation to the next. In conclusion I think both are similar in most of their themes however they differ when it comes to how the mothers react and why they react to the situation. For example Helen wanted Jo to move in with her because she thinks she cant cope and Margaret want Jackie to give the baby to her so she can go back to art college because Margaret is from an upper class family and a young single mother is shamed upon and she also wants to have a better life.

Evangelium Vitae or the Gospel of Life Essay

Imagine yourself, man or woman, feeling as though you’re in love with somebody. You feel not only a great obligation, pressured by society, but an urge to be sexually active with this individual. You go along with this urge, and the next thing you know, you’re expected to have a child as a result of your actions. You’re young, naà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ve, scared, poor; whatever the situation may be. You don’t know what to do. You’ve never thought that you would ever put yourself in this situation and you’re extremely frightened. You have heard about some people that have had abortions before, and they turned out to be fine. You have also heard that you can get an abortion in secret and on top of that for free, while also being completely legal. On the other hand, you have been raised to be pro-life and to never even think about having an abortion. You have to make a choice. Do you have the ethics, morals, and in essence, the faith to make the right choi ce; the right choice of course being the realization that abortion, in actuality, is murder, and to go against that sin and to have the child. I reflected upon these questions and asked myself if I had the faith myself to make the right choice. I wondered if I would really, truly be able to make the right decision. I thought that I could decide on the right thing, but I still didn’t fully understand everything about why the church teaches this. After doing research about this topic I got much better insight about understanding fully why we believe this. I don’t believe this now. Just because I’m supposed to, but I now believe this because I understand the wisdom and knowledge put forth to this subject over thousands of years. I know now that, besides not even getting into the situation itself, but that I would be able to make the right choice if I, or somebody I knew, was ever involved in a situation like that. I would be able to make the right choice and back up my conscience with knowledge. â€Å"I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly† (Jn 10:10). These words are the epitome of the revealed truth of God. It reflects all that we believe about life, death, and the power of the sanctifying Spirit. This eternal life, the life in which we are all called to live and protect, is the good news of Jesus Christ. It is at the dawn of our salvation, calling us to live righteously. In the first Chapter of Evangelium Vitae, or the Gospel of Life, written by Pope John Paul II in 1995, we see the good news of Jesus Christ itself. It reflects upon the present day threats to human life. Along with it, there is a parallel with the story of Cain and Abel, which is the root of violence against life. In today’s society, there are extremely numerous amounts of threats to human life, which the Gospel of Life spells out. It is impossible to catalogue the vast array of threats to human life because there are so many different forms. These forms are, much of the time, hidden. The most obvious is the legal right itself to perform certain procedures that are immoral and against our beliefs. Violence against life does not just include abortion. Violence against life can be a number of differing subjects. Euthanasia, murder of any type, slaughter, war, genocide, etc. are major types of violence against life as well as abortion. Furthermore, there are threats in today’s society, such as children forced into poverty, malnutrition, and hunger because of unjust distributing of resources between social classes. This goes along with violence of wars, which much of the time is bloody. There is also the spreading of death caused by reckless tempering with the world’s ecological balance, by the criminal spreading of drugs, or by the promotion of certain kinds of sexual activity, which is socially unacceptable, but also the many diseases that go along with this is dangerous and a threat to one’s life. The problem with our society today is that the immoral and life-threatening acts which are acted out are no longer considered unjust â€Å"crimes† anymore. They are, in today’s society, considered â€Å"rights†. This example can be shown through the acts of being pro-life or pro-choice. A pro-choice individual may feel that they have a right to choose what is good for them. The truth is veiled and hidden from them. It is not necessarily their fault that they do not know what they’re doing is wrong and sinful, but it can be a problem that lay within our culture. Our culture hides the sin and makes the woman believe that it is her right to choose what she wants. She doesn’t realize that it is really a crime that she is committing. She doesn’t understand that it is not her right to choose what she desires; it is God’s choice to choose what is right for her. By directly disobeying the Lord, She is committing a serious sin. Our culture, through our government, is hiding this and underplaying this sin by disguising it with words that have fallacious euphemisms as â€Å"rights† instead of â€Å"crimes†. At this basis, we find the source of the predicament our society is in today. Our culture openly practices these things, causing the immorality of it to be disguised or hidden. This is an â€Å"eclipse† of sin, which is very alarming in my eyes, to our culture today. We are headed in the wrong direction, a direction where justification, acceptance, and the proliferation of wrongdoings is becoming more and more prevalent from decade to decade. Human beings today attack life as if it were nothing and this spreading can crash our culture into a spiral fall into sin and ultimately spinning out of control into hell. The fact that attacks on life are spreading greatly and are receiving great support from the general culture is a powerfully despondent thought. This is also supported by broad, widespread legal approval of the involvement of certain sectors of health-care personnel. The reality of it is, the twentieth century will have been an era of massive attacks on life, or endless series of war, and a continual tacking of innocent human life, unless we put an end to these sins and make it known the evil, depravity, and corruption of these ideals. The two most flagrant enemies of present day threats to human life are abortion and euthanasia. Abortion is well-known, and is the work of the devil himself. Many have a feeling of constraint when talking about abortion because it is such a touchy subject. The fact of the matter is abortion is killing. It is paralleled with how Cain rose up against his brother and killed him. It is the same as taking a gun and shooting your baby daughter, brother, son, sister, mother, father, anybody. It is a complete sin, attacking God himself. For the Jewish people, blood is the source of life, and life, especially human life, is in the hands of God and belongs to God alone. By this fact, when one attack’s life, he or she in some way is attacking God himself. Just as Cain tried to justify his means of killing his brother and hiding it by saying â€Å"Am I my brother’s keeper?† many justify their means of killing and hiding it by acting naà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ve toward the subject. Cain does not like to think about his brother that he killed and refuses to accept responsibility for it. This can be the same way that we, in society as a whole, refuse to accept responsibility for our brothers. Again, just as God did not leave the crime of Cain unpunished, he also punishes us, accept our price we will pay in the heavenly kingdom. Euthanasia goes along with these hidden crimes of violence. Euthanasia is murder as well, just as is abortion. Our culture tends to include the lack of solidarity towards the weakest members of society. We sometimes have a misleading thought that pain and suffering should not be associated with death. We think that just because one is able to end a life to avoid suffering that he or she should avoid it. We think that, if the life would require greater recognition or time, that love is considered useless, and is actually considered a burden. This leads to the rejection of the life. A person who, because of a certain illness, being handicapped, or just because they are existing, makes one think that it compromises the well-bring or life-style of those who are living without assistance. This is a lie from the devil and you cannot fall into his trickery. Sometimes, the Catholic Church is accused of being pro-choice, and pro-abortion, just because it is against the use of contraception. This may be that many people use contraception with a view to stop the temptation of abortion. In fact these thoughts themselves strengthen this temptation when an unwanted life in conceived because of its negative values that go along with it. The pro-abortion culture is especially strong when the Church teaches that contraception is bad. When reflecting on these two acts, the church teaches that contraception and abortion are two different and distinct evils. Contraception is a contradiction to the real truth of sexuality as an act of proper conjugal love of a married man and woman. It is opposed to the virtue of chastity in marriage and it warps the minds of individuals to make them believe that, just because they can have intercourse without being married means that they should. Abortion on the other hand destroys the life of a human being. It directly disobeys God’s commandment â€Å"You shall not kill.† Life starts at the moment of conception, not when the baby starts to grow. But, even though these two ideas are evil, they are still closely connected as â€Å"fruits of the same tree†. Contraception and abortion are practiced with the pressures of your peers, real life situations, and a society that accepts these things are â€Å"normal†. These things have to be taught from the beginning that they are wrong. Another present day crisis that is used against life is the demographic question. There are many different parts of the world with different cultures, but it is still a sin to kill, no matter where the killing is taking place. In some poorer countries over-population occurs. Programs of cultural development and distribution of anti-birth policies are being formed. Contraception, sterilization, and abortion are certainly part of the reason why in some cases there is a very steep decline in the birthrate. It is not hard for these cultures to use the methods that attack lives when there is a situation of â€Å"demographic explosion†. An example of where this is prevalent is China. China has a one-child policy of birth planning. The Chinese government puts it under the pretext of a â€Å"Family planning policy†. It officially restricts the number of children married couples can have to one. A spokesperson of the Committee on the One-Child Policy has said that about 35.9% of China’s population is currently subject to the one-child restriction. The Chinese government introduced this policy to alleviate social, economic, and environmental problems in China. Authorities claim that the policy has prevented more than 250 million births from its implementation to the year 2000.1 This goes against everything we believe. This is because of the negative economic and social consequences the policy introduces, such as forced abortions and female infanticide, which is the probably cause of China’s significant gender imbalance. This shows that the government is a huge concern for the future of our culture. The Pharaoh of the Old Testament did the same thing. He ordered that every male child born of the Hebrew women were to be killed (Ex 1:7-22), due to the increase of children in Israel. These sins are very prevalent throughout our world and for the sake of our future, need to be stopped. God asks Cain, â€Å"Where is your brother Abel?† Cain answers â€Å"I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?† (Gen 4:9). The answer to this is yes. Each of us has a moral obligation to take responsibility for watching over our brothers. This is because God instructs us to watch over our brothers. He gives us the freedom to choose to watch over our brothers. Humanity today is given great freedom, and we need to use our freedom wisely. We cannot waste our freedom by being tricked into sin. We need to watch out for the other side of freedom that we do not know about. This is the freedom that destroys ourselves and becomes the factor leading to the destruction of others. It no longer recognizes and respects its essential link with the truth. When our freedom is used to follow others, our freedom is dead. When our freedom is used to follow the Lord, our freedom is living. If we follow the will of others all the time, we tend to just look for the easy way out of things, and much of the time we look for the thing that will be more helpful to us. This is a selfish way to live, and if we always live in this way, we will not live in eternal happiness with the one who gave us this freedom to begin with. Our life was given to us by the Lord. With this life we are given a freedom to choose and make the right decisions. Sometimes our society and culture may lead us down the wrong path, and hide the truth about what is right and what is wrong. What we don’t understand is that this is really Satan trying to do his work and cause us to sin. He doesn’t want us to achieve total happiness with our Creator. He wants us to suffer with him, so he makes up lies, and covers up the truth to cause us to sin. Our society as a whole needs to realize these things. Our present culture needs to realize that life is not in our hands, but in the hands of God our Creator, and that he wants us to spread the truth about life and the truth about present day threats to human life. 1 1 Rosenberg, Matt. â€Å"China One Child Policy – Overview of the One Child Policy in China.† Geography Home Page – Geography at About.com. 14 May 2009 .

trade deficit essays

trade deficit essays The Bush administration must eliminate the United States present trade imbalance if it is to remain the world power that it is. The Bush administration, after ignoring the devastation that flawed trade policies have spread through the manufacturing sector for two-and-a-half years, is finally starting to acknowledge the situation. One focus of the administrations new attention is our imbalanced and unsustainable trade relationship with China. Since granting China permanent normal trade status in 2000, the U.S. trade deficit with China has increased by almost 25 percent, hitting a staggering $103 billion last year-making it our single largest bilateral deficit. The deficit with China is set to grow again this year, and we continue to buy more than $5 worth of goods from China for every dollar worth of goods we sell to China. As our trade deficit climbs, more workers lose their jobs. During George W. Bushs presidency, more than 2.5 million manufacturing jobs have already disappeared. If the Bush administration is serious about ensuring that there is a fair playing field when it comes to trade with China, there are a number of concrete steps they could take to combat unfair trade practices, control our ballooning trade deficit, and save American jobs. But a quick glance at the record of the Bush presidency shows that they prefer to use words rather than action when it comes to trade with China. The Bush administration has refused to hold the Chinese government to its international obligations on trade, currency manipulation and human rights, has denied American businesses import relief they are entitled to under the law, and has taken positions at the WTO that will only worsen our trade relationship with China. China became a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, and since then China has repeatedly and consistently failed to comply with WTO rules. The Bush administration, rather than take...

History 600

History 600 History 600-1850 Essay Five Pillars of Islam – core practices and beliefs of every Muslim. Found clear expression in the Quran. Undergirded Islamic practice and gave the imperial system a doctrinal and legal structure and broad appeal to diverse populations. Caliphate – political institution of the early Islamic state. Signified both the political and spiritual head of the Islamic community. Rose as the successor to Muhammad’s leadership. Muhammad – former trader. Went to Mecca where God gave him revelations. Preachings ad messages from God became central to Islamic faith. Quran – 114 chapters (suras). Word of God that flowed through Muhammad. Teachings/foundational text of Islam. Sharia – Islamic law. Crucial foundation of Islam. Covers all legal aspects of practical and spiritual life including legal principles for marriage contracts, trade regulations, prayer, pilgrimage rites, and ritual fasting. Reflects work of generations of religious scholars rather than soldiers/bureaucrats/courtiers. Shiites – â€Å"members of the party of Ali†. Dissidents of Sunni. Felt Ali should have been proper successors. Believed his descendants (imams) have religious and prophetic power and political authority. Caliph – Empress Wu – only female ruler in Chinese history. exploited the examination system to check the power of aristocratic families. Consolidated courtly authority by creating groups of loyal bureaucrats. Challenged Confucian beliefs that subordinated women. Eunuchs – castrated males who protected the royal family. Wielded much court power in Baghdad and Tang Empire. Worked alongside official bureaucracy and imperial court. Eunuch bureaucracy mediated between the emperor and provincial governments. Silla – one of the â€Å"Three Kingdoms† in Korea. Gained control over the entire peninsula and unified it. Dispatched annual embassies to the Chinese capital, regularly sent students and monks → literary Chinese became the written language of Korean elites, not vernacular. Prince Shotoku – introduced Buddhism to Japan. Promoted both Buddhism and Confucianism, which led Japan (like China) to be accommodating to numerous religions. Shinto – native religious culture of Japan. Prince Shotoku was credited for introducing the above faiths to them. Charlemagne – king of the Franks in northern Europe. Controlled much of western Europe. Ruled for 40 years. Often travelled 2,000 miles a year on campaigns of plunder and conquest. Heir to Rome. Karim – loose confederations of shippers banding together to protect conveys. Armed convoys of ships escorted commercial fleets in this system. Aided in trade and made shipping less dangerous. Genghis Khan – Mongol waunched series of conquests southward across Great Wall of China. Ultimately built a permanent empire by incorporating peoples and some of their ways. Now, Afro-Eurasia regions were connected by land and sea. Jacquerie – 1358 French revolt. Peasantry that went on killing rampage of nobles and clergy. Insisted that they should no longer be tied to the land or have to pay for the tools they used in farming. Sufism – highly mystical and communal

Analysis Of The History For Ikea Marketing Essay

Analysis Of The History For Ikea Marketing Essay IKEA was founded in 1943 by a Swedish entrepreneur Ingvar Kamprad when he was 17 years old. The name of IKEA is derived from the initial of its founder name Ingvar Kamprad, the farm Elmtaryd and home country Agunnardy where Ingvar Kamprad grew up. IKEA has developed rapidly and known as the largest home furnishing retailer (INTI). The corporate structure mainly divided into two parts which are operation and franchising. Operation covered the management of majority stores, design, purchasing, supply functions and manufacture of furniture, which manage by a private profit Dutch company, INGKA Holding. In 1982, Kamprad established Stichting Ingka Foundation, a non-profit foundation that control over INGKA Holding. Ingka Foundation chaired by Kamprad and five executive committees which included her wife. The IKEA trademark and concept is owned by separate Dutch firm, Inter IKEA Systems based in Luxembourg. Every IKEA stores pay 3% of sales to Inter IKEA as a franchise fees. IKEA consume rs are mainly distributed into four different geographic regions, Europe, America, Middle East and Asia. The vision of IKEA is to provide affordable solutions for better living and its mission statement is to offer low price furniture with stylish functional designs which everyone could afford. 2.2 Company Product and Services IKEA seized retailer chain that sells flat pack furniture, kitchen and bathroom accessories across the world. The furniture designed to be self assembled in order to reduce transportation cost. Besides, the company include traditional Swedish food restaurant in their stores, which serving Swedish meatballs, smoked salmon, lingo berry tarts and cream source. Moreover, thoughtful part of IKEA is many stores have play area for children named Smaland, where parents able to drop their children to playground while shopping and pick them up at another entrance. 2.3 Corporate and Current Business Strategies Globalization is the current trend for most of the companies nowadays. To gain market share in new entry countries especially Asia, IKEA corporate and business strategies determine its sustainability and competitive advantage among competitors in future. For example, IKEA globalization strategy in Asia country, China, comprise of joint venture, localization and pricing strategies. First of all, IKEA joint venture with local companies in China, due to one of the macro-environmental impact which was political policy of Chinese government in order to archive principal of equality and mutual benefits (INTI). Second, IKEA adapt localization strategy to suit local Chinese culture, for example, IKEA provide balcony section due to most of the Chinese population stay in apartment (INTI). Lastly, pricing strategy allow IKEA to compete against rivals, for example, IKEA cut cost for some goods like single-scat Ektorp armchair below standard price which is cheaper than it sold in United States. IKEA distinctive business and corporate level strategy have a llowed the company attains impressive growth 2.5 Current Strengths and Advantages The major strength and driving force that push IKEA expands aggressively is the value chain. Value chain is a tool used to identify value added into a business. Porter illustrates business value chain categories into two activities. The primary activities are directly related to creating and delivering products, while secondary activities are not directly involved in production process but could increase efficiency and effectiveness of business. IKEA modified the value chain to mobilize suppliers and customers assist in further add value to the system by convincing their customer perform the transport and assembly their flat pack products. ()

Speech using the Rogerian style of argumentation Essay

Speech using the Rogerian style of argumentation - Essay Example Several instances have been reported concerning the increased aggression among the victims. Others also report increased criminal or violent behavior among the victims. In other situations, corporal punishment in schools can lead to escalated antisocial behavior and moral internalization among the learners. My position differs from those who argue that corporal punishment should not be banned in schools or other learning institutions. My position is that corporal punishment in schools and other learning institutions should be banned. This does not include normal discipline mechanisms that parent use at home. It also does not include the nonviolent punitive methods employed by teachers to enhance discipline among learners. Corporal punishment in public and private schools and other learning institutions should be banned because it poses devastating effects on the learners. These include loss of good family relationship and damage to education. It leads to all forms of violation of the fundamental rights of children such as the right to education and good

Report about Communication Law Case Comparison Essay

Report about Communication Law Case Comparison - Essay Example v. Sullivan, 1964). The text in the end, appealed for funds for purposes such as the â€Å"support of the student movement, the struggle for the right-to-vote, and the legal defense of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. against a perjury indictment (New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 1964). Respondent contended that although the statements do not mention the respondent by name, the word ‘police’ referred to him as he supervised the Police Department, and hence being accused of those alleged in the advertisement (New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 1964). He further claimed that the rest of the paragraph referred to the police (New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 1964). It was found that some of the statements were not accurate descriptions of events, which happened in Montgomery (New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 1964). The jury were under instructions by the trial judge upon presentation of the case, that the statements made were â€Å"libelous per se and were not privileged,† and hence the petitioners may be held liable if found to have published the advertisement and if the â€Å"statements were made of and concerning respondent,† (New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 1964). Being libelous per se, the judge cited that â€Å"falsity and malice are presumed from the bare fact of their publication,† (New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 1964). He added that general damages are presumed, hence, â€Å"need not be alleged or proved,† and that the jury may award punitive damages even though there is no showing of the amount of actual damages (New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 1964). The decision also failed to charge to the jury that there must be malice or â€Å"actual intent to harm or gross negligence and recklessness† and did not distinguish between compensatory and punitive damages (New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 1964). These rulings and instructions were sustained by the Supreme Court of Alabama in all

Comparative essay of Shakespeare Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Comparative of Shakespeare - Essay Example However, this has not been the case, especially in Macbeth. King Duncan had sons who depicted contrasting relations with him. Some, like Donalbain, seem to love his father yet this is not for sure. Malcolm, on the other hand, keeps the relationship between him the father very formal. To him, the father is just a king. However, he does not let it show until his father dies. When King Duncan dies, his sons fail to show their bereavement. None of them shed tears before the public; not even crocodile tears. If they must shed any tear, then they would rather do it in private places. To them, it is just the death of a king. Before the people, Malcolm and Donalbain keep it formal as if to show the relationship with the father was entirely kingship. The sons show further that their relationship with the father was merely kingship by their actions after he has been murdered. The first thing they thought of was how to escape from the anonymous murderer. If they really loved the father at personal levels, they would investigate the homicide first, instead of saving their lives. By the action of escaping and neglecting the case shows that they care much. The sons of King Duncan gave the dynasty first priority. Even as they escaped, their main objective was to save the kingdom of their fallen father. This is clearly depicted when the revenge time came. Malcolm’s revenge on the murderer, Macbeth, seems less personal. He just wants to punish Macbeth for killing a king, not the father. And by revenging, his aim was to restore the throne of the long gone king; not to repay the death of his father. The brave Macduff is, by contrast, a defender of the parents. The relationship between him and the father portrays true love and protection. Even though Macbeth succeeded in wiping out the family of Macduff, he fought tirelessly before his abandoned mother for the honor of his father. In his relentless defense, he dies in the line of duty. However, his death

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CHALLENGES FACING INCLUSION OF SUSTAINABILITY IN SCHOOLS PPP PROJECTS - Coursework Example Generally, the partnerships can range from dealing with climate change, infrastructure & social projects, health, corporate social responsibility, disaster relief/humanitarian aid, and environmental protection1. Thus the common theme that emerges regarding public-private partnership (PPP) projects are government or private ventures that are primarily operated and funded through a partnership between the government and private sector companies. How can these projects incorporate the sustainability criteria’s and to look at this we need to understand the ethos and concept of sustainability in its entirety. The term â€Å"sustainability† is widely used to refer to the capacity or ability of a system/ project to sustain its operations, benefits and services in the long term without compromising the needs of future generations. However, many different definitions have been advanced by various authors and researchers. While many authors have sought to define sustainability in relation to the capacity and ability of a system/ project to sustain itself or endure its operations, benefits and services during its projected life, others have defined it in relation to policy making. For example, in their definitions of sustainability, Barton (2000) and Du Plessis (2000), particularly focuses on the interaction of the economic, environmental and social aspects to achieve sustainable systems or projects. The Brundtland Commission of the United Nations, in its 1987 report titled â€Å"Our Common Future†, defines sustainability as the ability of a system to meet the needs of the present without compromising the capacity of the future generations to meet their own needs and goals2 (United Nations, 1987). Many experts believe this definition meets most of the diverse aspects of sustainability in its applications (Adams, 2002, Dale,

Use of 3D glasses in cinemas Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Use of 3D glasses in cinemas - Research Paper Example Cinema, as we have them in modernity today, has had its share of evolution ever since film was invented. If they were once merely dark theatres with images projected on the screen, they have now become a luxurious avenue to provide utmost entertainment.Although many of these trends have arrived in the more recent years, the use of three-dimensional (3D) glasses in cinemas had been present in the 1950s. Also, such trend is only a recurring gimmick to attract movie goers, not necessarily giving viewers the â€Å"perfect† movie experience. Binocular Vision and 3D History Stereoscopy, or 3D imaging, began with Charles Wheatstone’s discovery of binocular vision or stereopsis, defined as â€Å"the ability to use the combined points of view from the two eyes or cameras to reconstruct three-dimensional solid objects and to perceive depth,† (Mataric 114) which is the backbone principle of stereoscopic cinemas.A brief history of stereoscopic cinema as presented by Ronfard is adapted in this paper. In the 1950s, movie theater audience was significantly reduced in the emergence of the television (TV), and stereoscopic cinema became an approach to bring them back. Thus, this caused the emergence of a flock of commercial stereoscopic films during the decade, but eventually died down because of the discomfort it gives the audience. 3D movies could not surpass the value of two-dimensional (2D), because the visual quality and cinematographic content of the former, brought about by lack of mastery in stereoscopic filming techniques therefore giving viewers a headache. The 1980s was again bombarded with stereoscopic films, but was not successful as well, not until technology needed to produce quality stereoscopic films, both for shooting and viewing, arrived. Animated movies in 3D then came with lower visual strain to viewers, paving a way for new experiments on the field. Thus, this period became 3D’s rebirth, giving us what we now have today (12-14). 3D Glasses There are two most commonly used types of 3D glasses: anaglyph and polarized. Anaglyph process uses colors to encode depth, thus it can be presented with a single color print and red and blue-filtered glasses (Kennel 157). These glasses would filter out red on one lens, and blue on the other lens, creating the 3D effect similar to that in binocular vision. Anaglyphic encoding is the cheapest of all 3D systems, the most largely distributed and available, and efficient in black-and-white 3D used in depth placement and correction (Mendiburu 56). Modern types of 3D glasses are polarized glasses, nowadays used in films as well as in theme parks and rides. When using these types of glasses, â€Å"two images are projected through different polarization filters onto a surface that reflects the light toward viewers, keeping the polarization of the incoming light (mostly) unmodified† (Mrak, Grgic, and Kunt 394). Polarized glasses have been adjusted according to linear or ci rcular polarization, where the latter is preferred in order to see the same image quality despite head position changes of the viewers. An advantage of this type of glasses is its ability to block the bright glare of horizontally polarized light by transmitting it to the surface and permits vertically polarized light, which are weaker, to pass (Raymer 254). 3D Films as Gimmick Audiences are important because they are the reason a film is made, and audience size and reaction often convey the success or failure of a media product (Rayner, Wall and Kruger). In viewing media as a source of entertainment, it has given us a number of innovations that would change our media experience, particularly with the invention of film and the genius of television. In this point, 3D film viewing is presented as merely a gimmick, and not as a necessity in order to create an extraordinary movie experience that surpasses 2D. As mentioned

Comparative essay of Shakespeare Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Comparative of Shakespeare - Essay Example However, this has not been the case, especially in Macbeth. King Duncan had sons who depicted contrasting relations with him. Some, like Donalbain, seem to love his father yet this is not for sure. Malcolm, on the other hand, keeps the relationship between him the father very formal. To him, the father is just a king. However, he does not let it show until his father dies. When King Duncan dies, his sons fail to show their bereavement. None of them shed tears before the public; not even crocodile tears. If they must shed any tear, then they would rather do it in private places. To them, it is just the death of a king. Before the people, Malcolm and Donalbain keep it formal as if to show the relationship with the father was entirely kingship. The sons show further that their relationship with the father was merely kingship by their actions after he has been murdered. The first thing they thought of was how to escape from the anonymous murderer. If they really loved the father at personal levels, they would investigate the homicide first, instead of saving their lives. By the action of escaping and neglecting the case shows that they care much. The sons of King Duncan gave the dynasty first priority. Even as they escaped, their main objective was to save the kingdom of their fallen father. This is clearly depicted when the revenge time came. Malcolm’s revenge on the murderer, Macbeth, seems less personal. He just wants to punish Macbeth for killing a king, not the father. And by revenging, his aim was to restore the throne of the long gone king; not to repay the death of his father. The brave Macduff is, by contrast, a defender of the parents. The relationship between him and the father portrays true love and protection. Even though Macbeth succeeded in wiping out the family of Macduff, he fought tirelessly before his abandoned mother for the honor of his father. In his relentless defense, he dies in the line of duty. However, his death

Use of 3D glasses in cinemas Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Use of 3D glasses in cinemas - Research Paper Example Cinema, as we have them in modernity today, has had its share of evolution ever since film was invented. If they were once merely dark theatres with images projected on the screen, they have now become a luxurious avenue to provide utmost entertainment.Although many of these trends have arrived in the more recent years, the use of three-dimensional (3D) glasses in cinemas had been present in the 1950s. Also, such trend is only a recurring gimmick to attract movie goers, not necessarily giving viewers the â€Å"perfect† movie experience. Binocular Vision and 3D History Stereoscopy, or 3D imaging, began with Charles Wheatstone’s discovery of binocular vision or stereopsis, defined as â€Å"the ability to use the combined points of view from the two eyes or cameras to reconstruct three-dimensional solid objects and to perceive depth,† (Mataric 114) which is the backbone principle of stereoscopic cinemas.A brief history of stereoscopic cinema as presented by Ronfard is adapted in this paper. In the 1950s, movie theater audience was significantly reduced in the emergence of the television (TV), and stereoscopic cinema became an approach to bring them back. Thus, this caused the emergence of a flock of commercial stereoscopic films during the decade, but eventually died down because of the discomfort it gives the audience. 3D movies could not surpass the value of two-dimensional (2D), because the visual quality and cinematographic content of the former, brought about by lack of mastery in stereoscopic filming techniques therefore giving viewers a headache. The 1980s was again bombarded with stereoscopic films, but was not successful as well, not until technology needed to produce quality stereoscopic films, both for shooting and viewing, arrived. Animated movies in 3D then came with lower visual strain to viewers, paving a way for new experiments on the field. Thus, this period became 3D’s rebirth, giving us what we now have today (12-14). 3D Glasses There are two most commonly used types of 3D glasses: anaglyph and polarized. Anaglyph process uses colors to encode depth, thus it can be presented with a single color print and red and blue-filtered glasses (Kennel 157). These glasses would filter out red on one lens, and blue on the other lens, creating the 3D effect similar to that in binocular vision. Anaglyphic encoding is the cheapest of all 3D systems, the most largely distributed and available, and efficient in black-and-white 3D used in depth placement and correction (Mendiburu 56). Modern types of 3D glasses are polarized glasses, nowadays used in films as well as in theme parks and rides. When using these types of glasses, â€Å"two images are projected through different polarization filters onto a surface that reflects the light toward viewers, keeping the polarization of the incoming light (mostly) unmodified† (Mrak, Grgic, and Kunt 394). Polarized glasses have been adjusted according to linear or ci rcular polarization, where the latter is preferred in order to see the same image quality despite head position changes of the viewers. An advantage of this type of glasses is its ability to block the bright glare of horizontally polarized light by transmitting it to the surface and permits vertically polarized light, which are weaker, to pass (Raymer 254). 3D Films as Gimmick Audiences are important because they are the reason a film is made, and audience size and reaction often convey the success or failure of a media product (Rayner, Wall and Kruger). In viewing media as a source of entertainment, it has given us a number of innovations that would change our media experience, particularly with the invention of film and the genius of television. In this point, 3D film viewing is presented as merely a gimmick, and not as a necessity in order to create an extraordinary movie experience that surpasses 2D. As mentioned

A Review of Abraham Verghes’ My Own Country Essay Example for Free

A Review of Abraham Verghes’ My Own Country Essay Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Nursing transcends cultures and geographical boundaries. With the emergence of a lot of medical conditions in the world, nurses and even doctors have a lot of stories to share with each other concerning the way they treat patients. Some of these stories are common while some are more peculiar than others. When those from the medical profession write about their experiences, those who read their work are bound to be immersed in their world and in their worldview.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Dr. Ambraham Verghese wrote about the emergence of AIDS in Johnson City, Tennessee during the time the HIV virus has not yet become as prevalent as it is now. Dr. Verghese chronicles his journey together with his patients and the way he struggled in balancing his medical profession and his personal life. As Dr. Verghese came in contact with the persons with AIDS, he had to confront his own stereotypes and see his patients for who they really are and not for the labels and the stigma directed against them by society. The families of the persons with AIDS also struggled in accepting their identity as homosexuals.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Verghese then spent time with these persons with AIDS, talked with them, listened to their stories, and went to their families so he can know them more deeply. By doing so, Verghese succeeded in presenting the humane side of persons with AIDS. The stories he told were filled with emotions and the experiences of people who have AIDS. He also looked at the health care system in the United States and the kind of health care service delivered to persons with AIDS. Apparently, there are incidences when patients are victimized, privacy problems are impinged on and confidentiality between doctors and patients are compromised. On top of this, a lot of people in the society still have their own prejudices, preconceptions and biases concerning AIDS. Verghese, Identity and AIDS   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   My Own Country: A Doctor’s Story is not only about the life of Verghese and his medical practice. It was a book about his awakening to the vocation of being a doctor. His book is a courageous look at a topic considered to be taboo by the rest of the society. It is revolutionary because during the 1980s, AIDS was slowly coming to the consciousness of the American society. Although he focused on Johnson City in Tennessee, his story dealt with the human condition and how love and fear can make changes in the lives of people.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The autobiographical work of Dr. Verghese talked about the importance of identity. The doctor, himself wrestled with questions about his identity and various influences. He is of Indian decent although with an Ethiopian birth. To confound things more, he was also a Christian. He speaks of being an outsider because of his ethnicity and the way he was labeled as an â€Å"outsider.† He also thought that he was only needed as a doctor and when there are no longer medical conditions he needs to treat, then the community will no longer need him.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Against the backdrop of race and his practice of profession, he managed to identify with the persons suffering with AIDS. He also explored how society gives identity to a disease and by association, such identity is imposed to the persons who are afflicted with such disease. To show this further, Dr. Verghese explained how society equated AIDS with homosexuality and sin. When morality comes in, the society looks at the labels and stereotypes instead of looking at the real identity of the individuals concerned. Because of this, Verghese managed to identify with the persons with AIDS and gathered their trust enough for him to help them reconstruct their identity and explore his own identity. Death, Illness and Narratives   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One of the lost art of medicine that Verghese rediscovered is listening and telling stories and narratives. He wrote that through stories, the dignity of an individual can be reaffirmed. Through stories, too, such dignity could also be denied to a person. Through the book he has written, he showed the way that the narratives of his patients got intertwined with his. Along the process, he becomes changed and even relates the narratives from the family members of those persons with AIDS.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The reality of death is very much present in the awareness of the persons living with AIDS. Family members are also aware with the possibility of death. Yet, at first they cannot see beyond the stigma of AIDS. With narratives and stories, however, they get to be made aware of the real personality of the individual with AIDS and recall their love and care for them as family member. Verghese, through his direct interaction with his patients and even with their families learned as much how families react to impending death.    The price of his method of treatment, or rather his going out of his way beyond mere delivery of health care is the way in which he became an â€Å"outsider† from his colleagues from the medical profession. As the persons with AIDS deal with their own lifestyles and impending death, Verghese continues learning from the way they muster courage and inspiration to live. Personal Response   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The approach of Verghese in dealing with his patients with AIDS is amazing. He went beyond the stigma of the society and the accepted way of doing things in his profession just to understand his patients and along the way, he managed to understand himself more deeply. What really touched me is the way that he spoke to persons with AIDS and listened to their stories. The benefit was not only for the patients. Verghese, himself benefited greatly from such an experience.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   If I were in his situation, I might have stuck to the tried and accepted way of dealing with AIDS patients without going the extra mile for them. The example of Dr. Verghese is worth emulating. What he did transcended culture, social norms and stereotypes and eventually empowered the persons with AIDS. He was very brave in pursuing the questions he was asking himself. More than just providing them with health care services, he connected with them as a friend would. That is one thing that I could certainly use in my own medical career. Patients should not be seen as just one disease to be treated after another. Rather, the dynamics of human relationships and narratives should be utilized to the full. Implications to Advanced Nursing Practice   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Narratives and stories are important means of connecting with a person and developing relationships with them. With the example shown by Dr. Verghese, narrative should be a part of the delivery of health care so that they will not only be treated for their medical condition but their treatment could be hastened with the sharing of stories and listening to the concerns of the patients. This may entail additional work for doctors but it is also worth pursuing because of its good effects to the patients and to the doctors and nurses.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Nurses tend to interact with patients more. As such, they need to learn how to interact effectively with their patients and share stories and narratives. It does not have to be very deliberate or contrived. Rather, it should be as natural as possible so as to encourage better interaction.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Nurses who provide care to patients in the hospital has to engage the assistance of family members too because they can greatly help in the treatment of the medical condition of the patients. Furthermore, as the family members and the patient interact more, they can be drawn closer together. Some nurses already practice this kind of meaningful interaction with patients. Yet as the need for nurses to engage in narratives and stories, they have to learn how to do this. Reference Verghese, A. (1994). My Own Country: A Doctor’s Story. New York: Simon and Schuster.

Childhood adolescence and adulthood development

Childhood adolescence and adulthood development What are the major milestones related to physical developments in early and middle childhood? Briefly describe these milestones? There are several milestones connected to physical developments in early as well as middle childhood. Physical developmental change might take place as an outcome of genetically-controlled courses known as maturation, or even as a product of varied environmental factors and learning. However, developmental change most frequently involves an interface between the two. Age-linked development periods and cases in point of defined intervals include: ages 0-1 month (newborn); ages 1 month 1 year (infant); toddler (ages 1-3 years); ages 4-6years (preschooler); ages 6-13 years (school-aged child) and (ages 13-20) adolescent (Kail, 2006). Aging which is also a physical development appears to concurrently occur in two major separate domains throughout all of the adulthood stages which include: primary aging and secondary aging. According to Stoker (2008), primary aging entails the ordinary, innate body progression from early maturity till death; but, secondary aging comprise progression linked with health habits, disease and/or environmental influences. During middle age aging begins to be considered in decline and loss in lieu of maturation and growth (Stoker, 2008). Nonetheless, Stoker states that some neurological and physiological advancement associated with it which never passes till early maturity. For example, reaction blockage in the frontal lobes as synchronized by the limbic system is never entirely developed till young adulthood, as well as (VO2 max) heart and lung power which does never get to optimal heights until the young adult years. Stoker (2008) hints that immune functioning related to B cell and T ce ll also counts young adults aging. In the middle mature age secondary aging starts to have an important effect on the functioning of body neurology and physiology. A case in point is where both behavior and lifestyle choices, like alcoholism and depression, can impact significantly on neurological structure as well as cognitive ability (Stoker, 2008). During later adulthood, it is realized that the deprivation of dendrite redundancy, do correspond to a fall in synaptic plasticity, which in turn starts to effect concrete real-world reaction times. In addition, presbyopia and presbycusis is far-off more superior during the later adult years. According to Stoker (2008) this is partly due to blood flow loss to the areas affected and collective environmental factors, like time of working in very noisy factories, etc The physical developments which come about during adolescence period are brought about through the introduction of gonadotrophic hormones. This hormone is released by the pituitary gland of the endocrine glands, particularly during the onset and the entire duration of puberty (Boyd Bee, 2006). According to Boyd and Bee (2006), the release of hormones such as testosterone in boys and estrogen in girls do cause the manifestation of both principal and secondary sex uniqueness by about the age of adolescent. Indeed during the first few years of puberty, the male and female reproductive organs matures up and are capable of respectively producing sperm in boys and ovum in girls. In the early adolescence stage, young women do begin their menarche (menstrual cycle). Moreover, the cerebral cortex does thicken for the duration of adolescence and by extension some parts of the brain is myelinated; and brings with it supplementary effectiveness in the neural pathways (Boyd Bee, 2006). Physically, there is also a notable heave in both lung and heart size and a decline in the rate of heart beat. In addition, at adolescence the bones situated in the forelimbs mature to nearly adult levels, with maturity startlingly occurring more rapidly in girls than boys. This hand bone maturity gives a timely boost in coordination. On the other hand, boys do outpace girls in development as well as thickening of the muscle during the adolescent ages, resulting into a surge in the strength of boys. What are the major milestones related to cognitive developments in early and middle childhood? How does cognitive changes from early to middle childhood? Physical development in a child attracts corresponding augment in cognitive abilities of the cerebral cortex and by extension neural pathways. It is highly believed that correlation exists between physical development and cognitive development. For instance, a French speaking Swiss psychologist, Jean Piaget did trust that the cerebral expansion spurts which occur during adolescence stage of human growth brings with a novel stage of cognitive development which he referred to as the formal operational stage. According to Piaget, during this formal operational stage an adolescent duly begins to grasp both abstract logic and reasoning (Patterson, 2008). Besides, it is during adolescence stage that the aptitude to control memory as well as cognitive activities begins to bear fruits in the areas such as memorization, text learning and even face recognition. Further still, amplifications in working memory competence give the adolescent the capacity to comprehend figurative language, proverb s and metaphors. Whats more, advances in supposed logic permits an adolescent to guess the perceived effect of some actions and even behaviors. According to Patterson (2008), these advances allow for the accomplishment of invented audiences (mainly built from an apparent peer group). In This manner the adolescent has the rare ability to theorize and memorize about other individuals perceptions and by extension impressions of themselves; while, a little child only manages to view situations, circumstances and behaviors from their personal perspective. Patterson (2008) further hints that cognitive developmental advances are also directly connected to both experience and learning. That this applies mainly to higher-level cognitive abilities like abstraction that relies to a considerable degree on formal education. What role does Piagets Cognitive Development Theory and Vygotskys Social Constructivist Approach play in understanding cognitive development in early and middle childhood? Vygotsky was a theorist who posited that children gain knowledge via hands-on experience, just as Jean Piaget promptly suggested. However, as opposed to Jean Piaget, he did argue that prompt as well as responsive involvement by the mature adults once a child is on the periphery of learning a new task might duly assist the child learn new tasks. He called this Social Constructivist Approach which deals with the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). His Social Constructivist Approach helps understand and builds upon the knowledge already children have with the new knowledge that the adults can aid the child to learn (Vygotsky, 1998). A very good example where a parent can assist a child is when the parent â€Å"helps† a child to clap or merely roll its hands till it can clap and roll its hands alone (Cultural, Communication, and Cognition: Vygotskian Perspectives, 1985). Vygotskys principal focus was on the cultural role in influencing the pattern of the development of the child. Vygotsky claimed that any single function in the cultural development child does appear twice: initially, at the social phase (between people), and later, at the personality stage (inside the child). Vygotsky also posited that cognitive development was a gradual process which saw era of predicament in child growth during which time there is a valuable transformation in the mental functioning of a child (Vygotsky, 1998). On the other hand, Swiss theorist Jean Piaget did pose reliably that a child learns aggressively via the play process. That it has to interact with the environment. He suggested on that regard that the role of mature adult in helping out the child get knowledge was merely to facilitate and if need be provide suitable learning materials to enable the child to interact with the surrounding and at the same time construct. Piaget actually applied Socratic questioning to engage the child to reflect and reproduce on what initially they were doing. He would attempt to get the child to see inconsistencies in their explanations. He further developed developmental stages. Piagets approach is applied in school curriculum sequencing and by extension in the preschool centers of pedagogy. What are the major milestones related to socioemotional development in early and middle childhood? What types of changes occur in peer relationships from early to middle childhood? According to Stoker Coy (Sunday, October 4, 2009), there exists 3 levels which bare 2 sub-stages each to give details regarding moral development all through an individuals lifetimes: 1) Conventional level-Stage i: interpersonal conformity, mutual interpersonal expectations and relationships; Stage ii: conscience and Social system (known as the Law and Order). 2) Preconventional level-Stage i: punishment and obedience orientation; Stage ii: Instrumental purpose, exchange and individualism and finally the Postconventional level-Stage i: Social contract or utility and individual rights; Stage ii: Universal ethical principles. Stoker writes that these progresses in moral reasoning do overlap, concurrently exist, and further begin and end over a lifetime. Nevertheless, he hints that certain general rules applicable are that children never reason usually over stages (i) or (ii) of level 2, and that nearly all adults reason at stages (i) and (ii) of level 1, the Conventional level. It is t he third stage, the postconventional moral reasoning stage which is in the immeasurable minority including the adult population. However, it constitutes those who believe that there exist a set of moral pronouncements that surpass all other concerns. Peer friendships turn out to be greatly important and quite central to social world of a child in the adolescent years. Stoker Coy (Sunday, October 4, 2009) writes that adolescents do highly price virtues like loyalty and faithfulness while in peer relationships and even tend to obtain friends with whom they share same beliefs on things like drug use, academic, sex, smoking, achievement, relational status, as well as echelon of social skills. Additionally, peer group conformity climaxes at about the age13 years and apparently fades when an adolescent develops enough self-esteem and consequently begins to build a concrete and substantial idea of self (Stoker Coy (Sunday, October 4, 2009). To recognize Kohlbergs justice and also Eisenbergs empathy Stoker states that the development of emotion as well as moral rationale like role-taking skills, do assist with the control of anger and the evasion of unsociable behavior. In that regard Stoker hints that if an adolescent for instance is able to be taught to see clearly a certain situations from another individuals perspective, then such a person is a lot more likely to evade delinquent behavior. How can families impact the development of young children? Monumentally, families nurture, shape and model children into who they later become. For that matter, good influence can be encouraging whereas bad influence can be motivating. Both types of influences can bare positive and/or negative impact. For instance, a child brought up in an abusive and alcoholic home might grow into a doctor focusing on victims of abuse, or they may perhaps become an abuser or alcoholic themselves. In this case, it can go either way. However, either way it is duly influenced by their family and general background. Besides, if a family have good manner then chances are high the child will emulate and practice it in the future since the child have stages of growth and they grasp ideas swiftly. Without a family, a child never actually knows what is expected of him and/or what to expect from others. Devoid of order and kind, solid discipline, the child might fail to develop self-discipline. As a result, he could become unmotivated, out of control, and crave excit ement. His life may well be another roller-coaster journey. Cadigan (April 25, 2008) writes that the attributes that children obtain directly from parents or other mature family members are fourfold. They include personality, physical and cognitive abilities, behavioral health as well as race and/or ethnicity. She suggests that family is obliged to provide both formal and informal support to the child. The child also grasps and eventually acquires physical and cognitive abilities of family members including the members behavioral health. Since child forms the basis of learning and apparently children generally learn very first, they acquire learn and get the economic status of the member of their family (Cadigan April 25, 2008). The members of a family should therefore practice desired attributes they would like to be depicted in their infants. References: Boyd, D. and Bee, H. (2006). Lifespan development. 4th Ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Allyn Bacon. Cadigan Karen. (April 25, 2008). Early Childhood Policies from Ecological and Family Impact Perspectives. Retrieved May 23, 2010. Cultural, Communication, and Cognition: Vygotskian Perspectives. (1985). Cambridge University Press. Retrieved May 23, 2010. Kail, R.E (2006). Children and Their Development. 4 Ed. Prentice Hall. Retrieved May 23, 2010. Patterson C (2008). Child Development. New York: McGraw-Hill. Stoker Coy. (Sunday, October 4, 2009). Adolescence and Adulthood Developmental Stages Vygotsky, L.S. (1998). Child psychology. The collected works of L. S. Vygotsky: Vol. 5. Problems of the theory and history of psychology. New York: Plenum.

The Virtual Home :: essays research papers

<a href="http://www.geocities.com/vaksam/">Sam Vaknin's Psychology, Philosophy, Economics and Foreign Affairs Web Sites The family is the mainspring of support of every kind. It mobilizes psychological resources and alleviates emotional burdens. It allows for the sharing of tasks, provides material goods together with cognitive training. It is the prime socialization agent and encourages the absorption of information, most of it useful and adaptive. This division of labour between parents and children is vital both to development and to proper adaptation. The child must feel, in a functional family, that he can share his experiences without being defensive and that the feedback that he is likely to receive will be open and unbiased. The only "bias" acceptable (because it is consistent with constant outside feedback) is the set of beliefs, values and goals that is internalized via imitation and unconscious identification. So, the family is the first and the most important source of identity and of emotional support. It is a greenhouse wherein a child feels loved, accepted and secure - the prerequisites for the development of personal resources. On the material level, the family should provide the basic necessities (and, preferably, beyond), physical care and protection and refuge and shelter during crises. Elsewhere, we have discussed the role of the mother (The Primary Object). The father's part is mostly neglected, even in professional literature. However, recent research demonstrates his importance to the orderly and healthy development of the child. He participates in the day to day care, is an intellectual catalyst, who encourages the child to develop his interests and to satisfy his curiosity through the manipulation of various instruments and games. He is a source of authority and discipline, a boundary setter, enforcing and encouraging positive behaviours and eliminating negative ones. He also provides emotional support and economic security, thus stabilizing the family unit. Finally, he is the prime source of masculine orientation and identification to the male child - and gives warmth and love as a male to his daughter, without exceeding the socially permissible limits. These traditional roles of the family are being eroded from both the inside and the outside. The proper functioning of the classical family was determined, to a large extent, by the geographical proximity of its members. They all huddled together in the "family unit" – an identifiable volume of physical space, distinct and different to other units. The daily friction and interaction between the members of the family moulded them, influenced their patterns of behaviour and their reactive patterns and determined how successful their adaptation to life would be.