Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Personal Statement Example I was a volunteer for the Memorial Sloan Kettering hospital, where my mother was getting treatment for cancer. Observing the hospital scenarios and the activities of doctors and health care professionals ignited a passion in me to be a doctor. Also, my mother had a dream of me going to a renowned university to continue studies. And, as she wished, I received a partial scholarship in the University of Maryland, where I was also given a chance to run the track and field for Maryland. I felt this was a golden moment in my life and left my mother with grandparents for further treatment. However, I used to commute back and forth from Maryland to New York to check the condition of my mother’s health. She passed away in 2009. When I was studying in the University of Maryland, I was engaging myself in community work. My admiration for community work developed due to the medical condition of my parents. Every time I visited a hospital, I could find people in distress and discomfort due to illnesses and diseases. At that moment, I had a strong urge to take a position of doctor to help the poor and the diseased. Studying at the University of Maryland, I was involved in 40 community service that was mandatory as a part of the CIVICUS program; in addition, I have joined a fraternity of brothers to give me support in my community service work. Apart from this, basketball and baseball were my passion, and I practiced them at inner city communities of Prince George’s county of Maryland and nearby Washington, DC. My participation in mentoring to manhood program allowed two boys struggling to pass from middle school to high school to achieve their goal. Even my connection with hospital was strong, as I raised funds for the underprivileged people at a suburban hospital. I was lucky enough to get an opportunity to shadow some doctors who were practicing at Emergency Medicine Department. My other experience of shadowing a doctor was when I encountered Dr. Julie Stark during my summer vacation at Los Angeles, C.A. Another highlight during the studies is my participation in research work at Walker Research Group in physical chemistry for 1.5 years. My research was on Isomer Partitioning across Water/Alkane Interfaces, which I value the most. I graduated from the University of Maryland on December 2010 and immediately was given a job at the United States Department of Treasury in the IT department. I was forced to take this job due to my financial situation; however, my goal was still to join a medical school. Later, in the fall of 2011, I decided to get admission to Caribbean Medical School, as my transcripts were not apt for a state school. Finally, I completed two semesters at IAU College of medicine where I also had the opportunity to have better experience of the third world conditions. While I was there, I had a chance to launch new programs like â€Å"Clothing Drive†, when children left the island for home. After I passed NBME exams i n anatomy and histology, I planned to move on to an American medical school for better qualifications. Even while working on my studies, I never left the community service and gave my partial attention to it. I can understand my urge to become a doctor, as the community in which I lived scarcely had access to medical treatment. As a doctor, I want to serve the people. Once I become doctor, I can live a life of comfort and luxury,

Case study exam Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Case study exam - Assignment Example The father is normal. Greg’s sister is carrier. Greg’s aunt has DM and is married to an unaffected man. Greg’s mother is both a DM carrier as well as a hemophiliac carrier. There are third chances that Greg may be a carrier for DM (Love, 391). You must provide names for each member if they are known. I don’t know who you are referring to in the paragraph above. Please label each circle and square represented with name of the individuals that are described in the family history Greg and Olga. Olga’s maternal grandmother is a carrier while her sister was hemophiliac. Olga’s mother is a hemophiliac carrier whereas the uncle is hemophiliac. The hemophiliac gene was carried from the mother to Olga. Olga is therefore a hemophiliac carrier with Frank being a hemophiliac and the other brother being normal. The genetic disease DM and one causing blood clotting factor VII have the pattern of inheritance identified in question 2. Hemophilia disease associated with deficiency in blood clotting factor VII is sex linked and therefore carried by the sex genes whereas DM is an autosomal dominant gene and not sex linked.  I disagree. First, not all of these people carry the gene for DM. Second what does it mean that DM is an autosomal dominant disease? If you look at the description, Angie is not affected by DM and only one of the uncles (Ernie, or Al) is affected by DM. Go back and review the idea of autosomal dominant diseases and revise these genotypes accordinglhy. Both Kyle and Sean were unable to suffer from the disease since the hemophiliac receive gene is often carried in the X chromosome. The two boys inherited their X chromosome from their mother who was normal and their Y chromosome from their father who was hemophiliac. Hemophiliac recessive gene is never carried in the Y chromosome. I agree Frank inherited his X chromosome from the mother and a Y chromosome from

Feminist Critique of Classical Criminology

Feminist Critique of Classical Criminology The feminist critique of classical criminology has focused first on the marginalization of women in its studies and secondly on the contention that when women are studied, it is in a particularly limited and distorting fashion. Attempts to construct a distinctly feminist criminology have been made with use of methodologies including empiricism and standpoint theory. However, these theories have received criticism for their essentialist assumptions and universal claims. The feminist criminological theories detailed in this opinion have resulted from these criticisms and focus on postmodern ideas which consider more carefully how categories of identity are constituted and how power relates to knowledge. Particular attention will be given to the impact of Foucauldian notions of normalisation and disciplining power on the explanations of female conformity and deviance. Discourses on hegemonic masculinity which have grown from feminist epistemologies and methodologies will also be address ed. For every one hundred males convicted of serious offences there are only 18 females so convicted. Age and sex remain the best predictors for crime and delinquency better than class, race or employment status.(heidensohn, 1995, p143)  [1]. The discipline of criminology has been increasingly criticised by feminists and pro-feminist writers for its lack of gender analysis. As Ngaire Naffine has asserted, the costs to criminology of its failure to deal with feminist scholarship are perhaps more severe than they would be in any other discipline.(Naffine, p6)  [2]  The reason being that the most consistent and prominent fact about crime is the sex of the offender. As a rule, crime is something that men do, not women, so the denial of the gender question and the dismissal of feminists who wish to tease it out seems particularly perverse.(Naffine. 1996, p6)  [3]   The field of literature on criminology would suggest that it is a discipline of academic men studying criminal men and, at best, it would appear that women represent only a specialism, not the standard fare. .(Naffine. 1996, p1)  [4]  Similarly feminism as a substantial body of social, political and philosophical thought, does not feature prominently in conventional criminological writing. Feminism in its more ambitious and influential mode is not employed in the study of men, which is the central business of criminology. The message to the reader is thus that feminism is about women, while criminology is about men. (Naffine. 1996, p2)  [5]  Naffine has stated, the neglect of women in much mainstream criminology has, therefore, skewed criminological thinking in a quite particular way. It has stopped criminologists seeing the sex of their subjects, precisely because men have occupied and colonised all of the terrain. (Naffine. 1996, p8)  [6]   Traditional criminology which has sought to explain female criminality has been almost summarily rejected by feminists. The feminist critique of classical criminology was inaugurated by Carol Smart who rejected the biological positivist account of criminality propounded by Lombroso and Ferrero. Smart contended that the common stance, which unites classical theorists, is based upon a particular misconception of the innate character and nature of women, which is in turn founded upon a biological determinist position.(Smart. 1977, p27)  [7]  The emphasis on the determined nature of human behaviour, asserted Smart, is not peculiar to the discipline of criminology, or to the study of women, but is particularly pertinent to the study of female criminality because of the widely-held and popular belief in the non-cognitive, physiological basis of criminal actions by women.  [8]   Feminist criminologists sought to rectify the inadequacies of traditional criminology through new methodologies and research. Two of the earliest and most prominent schools of thought were feminist empiricism and standpoint feminism. Much of the early writing of feminists in criminology assumed the methods and assumptions of empiricist criminology. The concern of these early feminists was that women had been left out of the research of scientists and the result was a necessarily skewed and distorted science.  [9]  It accounted for men and explained their behaviour in a rigorous and scientific way, but it did not account for women, though it purported to do so. Feminist criminologists pointed out the blatant sexism of this double standard and argued that women and men should receive the same scientific treatment. Harding labels this method of thought feminist empiricism.  [10]  To feminist empiricists, scientific claims are thought to be realisable, but have not yet been realised in relation to women. Feminist empiricists alleged that classical criminologists had not considered the effects of their own biases and preconceptions on their work: on what they chose to do, how they did it, and what they made of it.  [11]  Thus feminist empiricists endeavour to develop a scientific understanding of women as the missing subjects of criminology, to document their lives both as offenders and as victims. They raise objections to the empirical claims made about women, when those claims are based on meagre evidence, with a good sprinkling of prejudice.  [12]   Naffine has suggested that the principle shortcoming of feminist empiricism is its tendency to leave the rest of the discipline in place, unanalysed and unchallenged.  [13]  The underlying assumption is that criminology is somehow competent and impartial when it is not dealing with women and so the gendered nature of criminal law and the criminal justice system remains unexamined. The empirical methods and the epistemological assumptions of traditional criminology are generally allowed to stand, as are its understandings of men. Feminist empiricism, therefore, fails to ask about the significance of institutions which have been organised around men.  [14]   Another feminist criminology which was constructed from the critique of classical theory was standpoint feminism. Standpoint feminism contended that criminologys continuing preoccupation with the viewpoint of men was a function of power. For standpoint feminists, the solution to criminologys ignorance of womens experiences was to turn to women themselves and seek their own accounts of the criminal experience. As Carol Smart has observed: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦the epistemological basis of this form of feminist knowledge is experienceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦feminist experience is achieved through a struggle against oppression; it is, therefore, argued to be more complete and less distorted than the perspective of the ruling group of men. A feminist standpoint then is not just the experience of women, but of women reflexively engaged in struggle. In this process it is argued that a more accurate or fuller version of reality is achieved. This stance does not divide knowledge from values and politics but sees knowledge arising from engagement.  [15]   Thus the adoption of the standpoint of women is fundamentally a moral and political act of commitment to understanding the world from the perspective of the socially subjugated. It assumes that the identity of the subject matters; the epistemological site of the woman from below provides better insights into her condition. Thus, standpoint theorists attempt to close the gap between the knower and the known.  [16]   Pat Carlen has made use of standpoint theory in her research seeking to invest the female offender with the sort of rationality and purpose which had previously only been found in the male offender.  [17]  Carlen took an unusual step by literally making the criminal women who formed the subject of her study the authors of their own stories.  [18]  One of Carlens stated purposes was to make us realise that the criminality of women is serious and intentional.  [19]  Other standpoint theorists have suggested that the viewpoint of women provides a more secure grasp of certain aspects of reality, particularly the realities of disadvantages and political oppression than the standpoint of men. Standpoint theory can also be used effectively to highlight the injuries done to women as victims of crime. Standpoint feminism is by its nature democratic, its subversive potential does not depend on the academic credentials of the author.  [20]   Despite the contribution of standpoint theory to feminist criminology critics of this methodology have not failed to highlight its manifest inadequacies. These inadequacies include a lack of constituency and the tendency of standpoint feminism to universalise the category woman. These are the questions which standpoint feminism has no clear answer to. The notion of a womans standpoint, the suggestion that women as a category possess a particular and superior view of the world, is necessarily to select just one of the many viewing points from which women look on the world, and then to impose that one view on all.  [21]  These criticisms and others have been highlighted most eloquently by black and Third World feminists. Marcia Rice has taken issue with mainstream feminist criminology accusing it of being blind to its own essentialising tendencies. Given the history and theoretical objectives of feminist criminology, one might have assumed that the monolithic, unidimensional perspectives employed by traditional theorists would have been abandoned for a more dynamic approach.  [22]   However, Rice contends, almost without exception, feminist criminological research from 1960 to the present has focused on white female offenders. Sexist images of women have been challenged, but racist stereotypes have largely been ignored.  [23]  While there has been some acknowledgement that black women are not dealt with in the same way as white women, no research has been carried out which compares the sentences of black and white women.  [24]  This is an important point as a failure to consider the potentially different experiences of black women may invalidate the research findings. Race may be as important as gender, if not more so.  [25]   Rice has also criticised the perceived assumption in much feminist criminological writing that all women are equally disadvantaged. For example ODwyer, Wilson and Carlen write: Women in prison suffer all the same deprivation, indignities and degradations as male prisoners. Additionally they suffer other problems that are specific to them as imprisoned women.  [26]  Rice contends that this statement is inadequate as it stands. It fails to acknowledge the added problems of the isolation of and discrimination against black women. Bryan et al, for example, point to the fact that a higher percentage of black than white women in prison are on prescribed psychotropic drugs.  [27]  This requires explanation. Furthermore, many black women serving long sentences are not indigenous but are from West Africa and are serving sentences for drug offences. These groups of female prisoners in Britain are often awaiting deportation and have special needs; for example, contact is usually severed with their families and there are problems of communication.  [28]   Thus, asserts Rice, feminist criminologists have developed a theoretical approach which emphasises the significance of patriarchal oppression and sexist ideological practices. The main problem with this is that, in assuming a universal dimension of mens power, this approach has ignored the fact that race significantly affects black womens experiences in the home, in the labour market, and of the criminal justice system.  [29]   Criminologists have responded in many ways to the concerns of standpoint theorists. The responses focused on in this essay are those which pursue the intellectual problems generated by standpoint theory, and so consider more carefully how categories of identity are constituted and how power relates to knowledge. An examination of female criminality and unofficial deviance suggests that we need to move away from studying infractions and look at conformity instead, because the most striking thing about female criminal behaviour on the basis of all the evidence is how notably conformist to social mores women are.  [30]   Increasingly feminist criminologists have turned to postmodern (and poststructuralist) explanations of the way power and knowledge intersect to interrogate normalisation techniques and womens social and legal conformity. Many of these theories and methodologies have been based on the work of influential French philosopher Michel Foucault. Foucault has argued that disciplinary power acts on the individual body in order to render it more powerful, productive, useful and docile. Foucaults genealogies seek to give an account of how our ways of thinking and doing dominate and control us.  [31]  In modern society disciplinary power has spread through the production of certain forms of knowledge, such as the positivistic human sciences, and through the emergence of disciplinary techniques of surveillance, and examination which facilitates the process of obtaining knowledge about individuals. Disciplinary practices create the divisions healthy/ill, sane/mad which by virtue of their autho ritative statuses can be used as effective means of normalisation.  [32]  Disciplinary power secures its hold by created desires, attaching individuals and their behaviour to specific identities, and establishing norms against which individuals and their behaviours and bodies are judged and against which they police themselves.  [33]  Prevailing notions of identity and subjectivity are maintained and created not through violence or active coercion but by individual self-surveillance. Thus, There is no need for arms, physical violence, material constraints. Just a gaze. An inspecting gaze, a gaze which each individual under its weight will end up by interiorising to the point that he is his own overseer, each individual this exercising their surveillance over, and against himself  [34]   Forms of knowledge such as criminology, psychiatry and philanthropy are directly related to the exercise of power, while power itself creates new objects of knowledge and accumulates new bodies of information. Foucaults interpretation of disciplinary power has allowed feminist criminologists to exact a resounding critique on feminisms which have utilised structural accounts of patriarchal power. It has also prompted these criminologists to interrogate the diverse relationships that women occupy in relation to the social field consisting of multiple sites of power and resistance. Feminists have used Foucaults analytics of power to show how the various strategies of oppression around the female body from ideological representations of femininity to concrete procedures of confinement and bodily control are central to the maintenance of hierarchical social relations.  [35]  A pertinent example of feminist criminological research which has uncovered the use of panoptic techniques on women has been done by Pat Carlen who interviewed 15 Scottish sheriffs on their handling of women who were charged and imprisoned for criminal offences.  [36]  Carlen observed the considerable degree of embarrassment in the sheriffs feelings when a woman appeared in court as accused. They seemed to feel uneasy first because they knew that the women were being dealt with in a highly inappropriate penal tariff system to which they could not respond and second because of the womens role as mothers. The conflict was resolved by the sheriffs differentiating between good and bad m others. The sheriffs then redefine the prison to which the women are sent with all the appropriate paraphernalia of security and restraint, as a comfortable place, suitable for a spot of kindly paternal discipline (emphasis added).  [37]  Thus disciplinary power works to examine, diagnose and reform criminal women whilst the sheriff fulfills the role of normalising judge. Colin Sumner has provided an insightful exposition of Foucauldian normalisation in his work on gender and the censure of deviance.  [38]  Normalising power works through the norm, which is a mixture of legality and nature, prescription and constitution,  [39]  to produce a physics of a relational and multiple power, which has its maximum intensity not in the person of the King, but in the bodies that can be individualised by these relations.  [40]  It does not replace law, rather law is subsumed: the law operates more and more as a norm, the judicial institution is increasingly incorporated into a continuum or apparatuses whose functions are for the most part regulatory.  [41]  Discipline supports law, by its system of micro power and neutralises counter-power or resistance with the principle of mildness-production-profit rather than the levy of violence. Normalisation involves, then, a combination and generalisation of panoptic techniques subsuming other forms of pow er.  [42]  Examples of the practical implications for women who transgress the norms of sex-role expectations can be found in research which details the excessive harshness of the courts when dealing with women offenders.  [43]  Women defendants seem strange and less comprehensible than men: they offend both against societys behavioural rules about property, drinking, or violence and also against the more fundamental norms which govern sex-role behaviour. The differentiation between the sexes is scaled to protect girls from themselves, but it allows boys to be boys.  [44]   Thus through techniques of normalisation, a complex composition of hegemonic, and therefore social, censures emerged and, eventually, became the foundation of positivist and administrative forms of criminology.  [45]  Normalisation is presented as a strategy which produces a disciplined individual who is normally so unaware of the place of individualisation in the general strategies of domination that s/he operates within the illusion of a rationalistic voluntarism, while performing the economic, political, sexual and ideological roles required by sustained capital accumulation and bourgeois hegemony.  [46]   Despite its appeal to and appropriation by many feminists, Sumner has criticised Foucaults concept of normalisation for glossing over the role of the censure of women and femininity in the hegemonic ideologies constituting the political and economic role of the state.  [47]  Indeed, Sumner contends, the formation of the modern subject is a profoundly gendered process, as indeed is the formation of the modern state. Modern social censures and forms of social regulation are fundamentally gendered.  [48]  As Catherine MacKinnon has said: The state is male in a feminist senseà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦The liberal state coercively and authoritively constitutes the social order in the interests of men as a gender, through its legitimising norms, relation to society, and substantive policies.  [49]   Sumner criticises the lack of analysis of mens domination, patriarchy and hegemonic masculinist ideologies in Foucaults understanding of the concepts of right, justice, contract and agency.  [50]  The state form itself is profoundly masculine in that its fundamental organising concepts, institutions, procedures and strategies are historically imbued with, and are themselves descriptive of, an ideological notion of masculinity that is hegemonic; and that this hegemonic masculinity which contributes to the very form of state power, is not so much an effect of mens economic power as an overdetermined historical condensation of the economic, political and ideological power of ruling-class men.  [51]  Thus, it must be observed that the normalisation process concomitant with capitalist development contains with it the censure of the feminine and of deviant masculinities. This censure is part of the dominant ideological knowledge that the powerful try to invest in the practices and thus the bodies of subjects.  [52]   This notion of hegemonic masculinity which Sumner highlights in his critique of Foucault is a growing area of criminological research which draws on feminist theory and postmodern critique and it seeks to interrogate the gender question behind the criminality of men. The study of masculinities in a criminological context was inaugurated by Australian criminologist Bob Connell.  [53]   one very important new topic is already on the agenda: masculinityà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦..If emphasis on gender is a key aspect of feminist work, then the further study of masculinity must be vital. Without it there will be no progress.  [54]   Criminologists seeking to realign the gender question within criminology have sought an understanding of the crimes of men through reference to a rather different conceptualisation of masculinity; not just that the crimes of individual men might be explained through reference to their masculinity, but rather the idea that society itself is presently experiencing what has been termed a crisis of masculinity, a crisis made manifest in both the changing nature and extent of mens criminality.  [55]  Criminology for so long the target of feminist critique as the apotheosis of a masculinist discipline in terms of its epistemological assumptions, methodology and institutional practices, might at last appear to be addressing its very own sex question by seeking to engage with the sexed specificity of its object of study the fact that crime is, overwhelming, an activity engaged in by men.  [56]  The target of feminist critiques of the discipline which have emerged during the past 20 years has been with the nature of this recognition, the way in which the sex-specificity of crime has been conceptualised. How is it possible to recognise the diversity of mens lives whilst also recognising the existence of a culturally exalted form of masculinity? For Bob Connell the answer lies in the concept of hegemonic masculinity, which is always constructed in relation to various subordinated masculinities as well as in relation to women.  [57]  Central to hegemonic masculinity is the idea that a variety of masculinities can be ordered hierarchically. Gender relations, Connell argues, are constituted through three interrelated structures: labour, power and cathexis. What orderliness exists between them is not that of a system but, rather, a unity or historical composition. What is produced is a gender order, a historically constructed pattern of power relation between men and women and definitions of femininity and masculinity.  [58]  The politics of masculinity cannot be confined to the level of the personal. They are also embedded in the gender regime, part of the organisational sexualit y of institutions and society generally.  [59]  The construction of hegemonic masculinity as a unifying and all-encompassing ideology of the masculine envisages an image of mens beliefs and interests which is then seen as somehow intruding into the sacred realm of theoretical or institutional practices.  [60]   Criminology largely remains bifurcated around a man/woman axis in which general universal theories of crime causation have been taken to apply to men whilst the crimes of women are assessed from, or in relation to, the male norm.  [61]  Women have been seen as an aberration to this norm, to be as other, somehow less than fully male. However, crucially, one result of this simultaneous focus on a) the individual offender and b) the constitution of men as the norm has been that the sex-class of men have themselves been separated out into two groups: the offending criminal man and the non-offending man. It has been feminist work, especially in the area of mens violences, which has challenged the subsequent pathologising of the crimes of men that results from such a division, by seeking to explore instead what men may share, as opposed to the attributes of the individual criminal man.  [62]  Within mainstream criminology men considered to be deviant or pathological have been contr asted with the normal and the law-abiding. Whilst some criminologists may have sought to blur this distinction, it is a bifurcation between different types or categories of men which nonetheless remains the norm of criminological discourse. It has been in seeking to understand this issue of what men may share that, in the work of the second phase criminologists writing from feminist and pro-feminist perspectives, the concept of masculinity has been seen to have had a particular, and rather different, heuristic purchase.  [63]   Despite the potential of the theory of a hegemonic masculinity to be an explanatory variable of crimes by men, there are conceptual limits to its appeal. Collier asserts that the concept of hegemonic masculinity is of limited use in seeking to engage with such a complex male subject.  [64]  What we are dealing with is really a description or a list of masculine traits, each conjuring up powerful images about men and crime. In theory, each of the characteristics associated with hegemonic masculinity could apply equally to women as to men. Not all crime is to be explained by reference to hegemonic masculinity.  [65]  The concept of hegemonic masculinity has been used both as a primary and underlying cause of particular social effects and, simultaneously, as something which is seen as resulting from or which is accomplished through, recourse to crime.  [66]  Not only does this reflect a failure to resolve fully the tendency towards universalism, it can also be read as tautol ogical.  [67]  Thus, it is alleged, what is actually being discussed in accounts of hegemonic masculinity and crime is, in effect, a range of popular ideologies of what constitute ideal or actual characteristics of being a man. Hegemonic masculinity does not afford a handle on the conflicts generated between material and ideological networks of power. Nor, importantly, does it address the complexity and multi-layered nature of the social subject.  [68]   Thus it would appear that despite the breakthroughs promised by research into masculinities they have been seen to face some of the same problems associated with early feminism: totalising discourse and essentialist claims. An adequate theory of masculinity which does not resort to totalising discourse and essentialist claims would be a welcome addition to criminological discussions of gender. Feminist criminologists have long sought to highlight the manifest inadequacies of classical criminologys ignorance and distortion of women and crime. Smart has contended that the biological determinist position propounded by Lombroso and Ferrero has promulgated a misconception of the innate character and nature of women.  [69]  Attempts to rectify this distortion were made through the use of feminist empiricism and standpoint feminism which endeavoured to garner womens perspectives by turning to women themselves and seeking their own accounts of the criminal experience. However, these theories could not escape accusations of universalism and lack of constituency leveled by black feminists and postmodernists alike. Michel Foucaults theory of disciplinary power has been used by feminist criminologists to explain both the social conformity of women and the constitution of deviant womens identities in a social field consisting of multiple sites of power and knowledge. Feminist crimi nologists have used Foucaults analytics of power to show how the various strategies of oppression around the female body from ideological representations of femininity in classical criminology to concrete procedures of confinement and bodily control are central to the maintenance of hierarchical social relations. A relatively new development in criminological theory which concerns the issues of gender has been the idea of hegemonic masculinity. Connell has characterised hegemonic masculinity as a gender regime of sorts which is part of the organisational sexuality of institutions and society generally.  [70]  Hegemonic masculinity captures the ideology of masculinity pervading theoretical and established practices. The critique of hegemonic masculinity has focused on its tautological implications, and the contention that it is merely descriptive of masculine traits and cannot be used to engage with a complex male subject. Despite these criticisms, discourse on masculinity is a step forward for feminists who have long lobbied for adequate analysis of the role of gender in the criminological discipline.

The Common Problem of Absenteeism in the Field of Education Essay

The Common Problem of Absenteeism in the Field of Education Absenteeism is a common problem encountered by teachers and others who work in the field of education. There are many reasons why some children fall into a pattern of repeated absence from school. In a number of cases, willful absence can be traced to an alienation from schooling due to poor achievement, family circumstances or behavioral causes. In some cases, parents or children simply defy the requirement to participate. This area is one in which the need for partnership between school and family is greatest. While many schools provide successful alternative programs or absenteeism intervention strategies, there will be cases where, despite the best efforts of schools and parents, the children stay away. It is clear that any unauthorized absence is of concern because of the valuable educational time which is lost and because the absence of some children is associated with inappropriate behavior in the community. Different types of absenteeism will be discussed during this essay bu t the main focus will be directed at truancy in which the causes and remedies will be evaluated. The different types of absenteeism is truancy, exclusion, school closure, school phobia or other absences due to illness or bad behavior (teachers sending pupils out of class due to poor behavior). Although children who are sent outside the class are not entirely absent from the school, this can be identified as absence as they are not participating in class. It seems that none of the various Education Acts defines truancy and nor is this lack supplied the case laws. Nor indeed have the various researchers agreed a definition. Must every child who is absent from school for whatever be cla... ...that all of them are valid. Remedies that involve the parents seem to be extremely effective as the parent?s awareness can surely play a big part in combating the problem as usually a lot of parents are unaware of their children?s school life. It is also obvious that if the school improves the atmosphere and teaching methods than the pupils are more likely to want to go to school. A good teacher ? pupil relationship is also important and can ensure better school attendance Truancy is the first sign of trouble and the first indicator that a young person is giving up and losing his or her way. When pupils start skipping school than they are telling their parent?s, school officials and the community at large that they are in trouble and need help if they are to move forward in life. Bibliography: Tyerman, Maurice J. Truancy. U of Chicago Press, 1984.

Education Is the Key to Changing Life Styles Essay

Narration essay by Marie Price 3 February 2009 for Engliish 1AMarie Price06 February 2009 I was once a young mother in an abusive marriage, uneducated, sacred, and wondering Is this life has in store me? I learned the hard way that no matter what mistakes I make in my life, with support of family and friends, I was able to choose a better life style through higher education and dedication. At the age of sixteen I got married and had a child. I heard the saying over, and again Just babies having babies. You could not convince me of that back then. As I look back now it was not one of my better choices. I had married a man who was a lot older than me, so therefore I just knew I was all grown up. My mother was not happy to say the least and a shouting match lasted for a few days. I told her if she did not sign the papers I would run away, do it anyway and she would never see me again. So against her better judgment she signed the papers. The first couple of years were good, but then it got abusive verbally as well as physical. Physical abuse is obvious black eyes, and bruises hidden behind sun glasses, and makeup. When there is verbal abuse you are told nobody will ever want you, and that you are to dumb to ever do any thing on your own, or you will never amount to anything. The funny thing about that is after a while for some reason you begin to believe it. After ten years of this, I finally divorced. I was scared and thought I was not going to be able to make it on my own. With a young daughter to support, I took my first step in many to come in my lifes journey, working two jobs to keep a roof over our heads, and it was not easy to make ends meet. I never went to high school; so I believed it was my destiny to struggle for the rest of my life. As a single young parent trying to be the best mother I could be, always at work I missed a lot of time with my daughter, time I wish now I had to do over again. It is 1998 I decided to take my GED test telling myself You will not be to pass this test you never went to school. Well I gathered all my will and took the test anyway; I remember waiting for t he results it was sheer touchier. Then came one of the best days of my life I passed the test. That was the first step in many to happiness that I am still working on to this day. In 1999 while at work at the warehouse I was employed at I met a man named Carlos, who to this day is a big part of my life. He is an educated man who is very well spoken, with lots of great advice. He and I became friends, and talked a lot about peoples choices in life. Carlos is a very wise man with a heart of gold. Trough our many talks I learned a person could do what ever they first, set there minds to and second, have the drive to want to better themselves. He seen something in me that I did not see in myself, the ability to go further in life, I ended up leaving that job for employment in Orange County as a credit processor. Thinking that was the job I would retire from. It did not work out that way; you hear the story over and over on the news, the company goes out of business and the employees are left out in the cold looking for work that is not there. This was at the end of 2007 like so many others could not find work. Bills going unpaid I lost my car first then my house shortly after, and became homeless, so for the first time since I moved out of my moms house so many years ago I felt that I had no where to turn and my ex was correct about not being able to make it on my own, with the feeling of complete despair I phoned my mom telling her my dilemma just wanting some one to talk to, I felt so hopeless, and alone not knowing what to do. Well my mom and brother talked, and then asked me if I wanted I could stay with them until I got back on my feet. I started some classes via mail and very well, one more step toward higher education. So I announced to my family I am going to go to college full time. It is now fall semester 2008 at Chaffey College; I have to my first semester was a challenge and the first couple of weeks I found myself calling my thirty two year old daughter Amy, a couple of times saying I do not think this was such a great idea, I dont know what made me think I could do this. Amy said to meMom dont give up I am so proud of you, and I know you can do this. With a lot of time spent at the writing center as well as the success centers I was able to shock myself once again. I received two (As) and one (B) last semester. Not bad for someone who never went to high school? I still have my struggles, this semester it is math but I am putting in the extra effort coming to campus on Fridays so I can spend all the time I need in the PS 12 math labs, because failing is not an option I have come too far, and I refuse to give up. I believe that without my familys support this wouldnt be possible to achieve my dream of making something of myself. I will be starting a new tradition in my family. I am proud to say I will be the first college graduate in my family. I have two granddaughters Anisa who is sixteen, and Angel who is thirteen. I constantly tell them how important their education is. I am adamant about the fact they will go to college as well, expressing to them how they need to be independent young women and seek higher education. I let them know what a struggle it was for me as a young mother, and how they deserve more in life. Could there be a better life for someone who quits school too young and becomes pregnant? With confidence in ones self and the ability to take it one step at a time all things are possible. When all seems lost friends and family will see in you the things we seem to over look in ourselves. It is not easy to return to school after being out for over twenty years, but I am here to say that no matter what mistakes we make in our lives, through hard work and dedication to higher education, all things are possible.

Gender Discriminiation

Gender Discrimination through Japanese Language Gender discrimination can be observed through many factors within a specific culture. These factors include, a person's position within the family, social class, use of language, and religious beliefs. I am going to focus on language and its cultural significance within Japanese society. By studying language, you can see the gender expectations Japanese women experience everyday. However, language can be used to identify the transformation of women throughout the changing structure of words.The language used to communicate within a culture helps us to understand why Japanese culture functions the way that it does, and how language determines the roles of a man and a woman. There exists a stereotype that Japanese women are submissive and subject to the patriarchal system. However, this was not the experience that I found. I found it interesting that many women in articles and interviews I had found featuring Japanese women had defied my initial expectations of the â€Å"typical† woman. This modern woman never liked to cook for anyone other than herself, loved to travel, and hoped to move on to graduate school.In my opinion, independence defies weak and submissive heartsickness, including a life dedicated to gender role expectations; I. E a woman serving a man. Along with the stereotype of remaining ‘submissive and subject' to the patriarchal system, I understood that to mean that Japanese women rarely put a word in matters such as higher education and the workforce. Now however, there are Japanese women who live alone, cook for themselves, and study in higher education. These are all characteristics that support strong and independent women of 21st century Japan that have a life outside of the family.And since the Law for Equal Employment Opportunity of Men and Women in 1986, the social standing of women greatly improved. Despite this, gender discrimination still exists in Japan. It is important to und erstand why, and how the cultural significance of Japanese language contributes to this discrimination. First you have to ask; do all cultures have the same element of gender discrimination through language? Not quite. If you compare the attitudes of both Chinese and Japanese speakers, you could start to sense and feel a difference between the two languages.The Japanese-Jose equivalent to Chinese could most likely be considered ‘lady talk,' as mentioned above. Although there are similarities within each language, there is no equivalent built-in-structure of Jose and danseuse to Chinese language, instead it is more the context of word choice and intonation. This leads us to believe that Japanese does in fact carry gender discrimination throughout language alone. Japanese Women's Language, JOWL, is a style of speech is connected with tradition and culture and is seen as ‘uniquely Japanese,' showing the beauty and femininity of the Japanese woman.JOWL has been a part of Jap anese culture and tradition long enough to where this style of speech remains in Japanese society today. A likely source of JOWL is from Japan's period of modernization. With modernization came the glorification of the traditional ideal women, arroyos combo shush (good wife, good mother). Interestingly enough, after World War II, this concept was pushed even further. JOWL was used to serve as a tool in integrating women into the national culture, making them more likely to submit.The goal here was to reinforce gender roles by regulating language in order to unify the people during the war. In this case, history has largely contributed to gender discrimination. The overpayment powers of Japan did this by creating a nationalistic pathway to freedom' by taking away the freedom of language. The government plays a major role in defining language restrictions/rules also. Although history shapes the platform on which language and gender roles are built, there are a variety of changes and f actors that can be seen through modern society.Solo character's are usually younger and use young people's language more often. This lack of feminine language rejects old gender roles. Even with these two possibilities, women are trying to convey a message. That they are changing, or have a desire to change, from traditional gender roles to an age of freedom. Education is key in making this change possible. Before World War II, education was centered around the â€Å"good wife, good mother,† mentality while instructing the youth towards nationalism.Educated men and women are sprouting from these changing educational institutions, and with them, new gender expectations of the 21st century. Whether these women know it or not, they are promoting the modern woman by Just adopting a new style of language. There still remain many deep-seated issues within gender discrimination and language that will be difficult to escape. However, by recognizing that it is an issue, society is one step closer to breaking it down.

Ghost of Christmas present Essay Example

Ghost of Christmas present Essay Example Ghost of Christmas present Paper Ghost of Christmas present Paper Essay Topic: A Christmas Carol We have four ghosts in A Christmas carol. There is Jacob Marley. He is a ghost who has come back to warn scrooge that three ghosts are coming to see him. The chain he drew was clasped about his middle. He is also warning him that he will, like Jacob, be made to wear the chain that he forged in life. The chain is described as vividly in the text, and it all linked because of Scrooges job. It was made of cash-boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds and heavy purses wrought in steel. Jacob is described with a pigtail, usual waistcoat, tights, and boots; the tassels on the latter bristling, like his pigtail, and his coat-skirts, and the hair upon his head. The second of the ghosts is the Ghost of Christmas Past. This too is described vividly, but in a different way to Jacob Marley. It was a strange figure- like a child; yet not so like a child as like an old man, viewed through some supernatural medium, which gave him the appearance of having receded from the view, and being diminished to a childs proportions. Its hair, which hung about its neck and down its back, was white as if with age; and yet the face had not a wrinkle in it, and the tenderness bloom was on the skin. The arms were very long and muscular; the hands the same, as if its hold were of uncommon strength. Its legs and feet, most delicately formed, were, like those upper members, bear. It wore a tunic of the purest white; and round its waist was bound a lustrous belt, the sheen of which was beautiful. It held a branch of fresh green holly in its hand; and, in singular contradiction of that wintry emblem, had its dress trimmed with summer flowers. : But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprang a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm. The light and the cap that springs from the head can be interpreted as different things. Its job is to show Scrooge some upsetting memories from past Christmass. He is a reminder ghost, who is making him feel guilty. The third ghost is the Ghost of Christmas present. This one is a different kind of description. It was clothed in one simple deep green robe, or mantle, bordered with white fur. This garment hung so loosely on the figure that its capacious breast was bare, as if disdaining to be warded or concealed by any artifice. Its feet, observable beneath the ample folds of the garment, were also bare; and on its head it wore no other covering than a holly wreath, set here and there with shining icicles. Its dark-brown curls were long and free; free as its genial face, its sparkling eye, its open hand, its cheery voice, its unconstrained demeanour, and its joyful air. Girded round its middle was an antique scabbard; but no sword was in it. And the ancient sheath was eaten up with rust. This is once again a warning ghost. A ghost who is there to warn scrooge what his actions are doing to other people. The last of the ghosts is the Ghost of Christmas yet to come. Like all the other spirits this is described in tremendous detail, but in a slightly different way to the others. The others were definitely impressive, but the last one is shrouded in mystery and the classic tension and atmosphere starts to build-up. This is how it is described. It was shrouded in a deep black garment, which concealed its head, its face, its form, and left nothing of it visible, save one outstretched hand. But for this, it would have been difficult to detach its finger from the night, and separate it from the darkness by which it was surrounded. We now get into the more eerie feel. If we look at the characters which are not ghost but highly needed in the story we have the victims. There are two of these in A Christmas Carol. They are Bob Cratchit and, of course, none other then Ebenezer Scrooge. Although Bob isnt a victim of the hauntings.

How to Write a History Essay on Egyptian Revolution 2011

How to Write a History Essay on Egyptian Revolution 2011 When you write a history essay on the Egyptian Revolution of 2011 it is important that you present proper evidence. You also want to make sure that the evidence you present supports your argument. When you make a certain point, you need evidence in order to support your argument. Evidence can be found in the form of books written by experts in your topic or field. It can also be found in magazines, produced by non-profit organizations, published in journals. Both primary and secondary sources are important because they help you go deeper into your topic or expound upon the argument you are making.  With this evidence prepared, you can move on to writing the conclusion and introduction. Introduction The introduction for your history essay on the Egyptian Revolution of 2011 that you create should be done as one of the final steps in writing your history paper. The reason for this is that you must provide some form of summary of the arguments you are going to provide later on in the body and you cannot do until the body content is written. The function of the introduction is to going to act as a bridge which gives your reader a big picture. You should open with something that grabs the attention of your reader. This can be an intriguing example, a provocative question, some sort of scenario which is very puzzling to the reader or even a thought provoking question related to the Egyptian Revolution of 2011. You should decide how broad you want the opening to be. Even if you paint a big picture for your introduction you need to relate it to your topic. You want to make sure that your introductory sentences, even if they are at the global level, can place your idea into the proper context. You should start out by considering the question you want to answer with your history essay on the Egyptian Revolution of 2011. This form of writing functions as a response to a question and your introduction serves as the first step toward that response. Conclusion When writing the conclusion for your history essay on the Egyptian Revolution of 2011 there are a few aspects you should consider as well as those you have to avoid. You should: Consider including a provocative quotation from the research you found. Offer a call to action, or questions for further study. This type of ending can redirect to the readers thoughts and help them apply your information to their own life. Return to some of the repeating points you presented in your introduction. Present to the reader with conclusive points. In your history essay on the Egyptian Revolution of 2011 You should avoid the following: You want to avoid inventing some new perspective on the issue. Don’t use unnecessary repetitive remarks applied in introduction. You want to avoid making an emotional appeal that diminishes the analytical aspects of your paper. Don’t include evidence which belongs to the body of your paper. This guide should give the proper instructions for writing an essay paper on Egyptian Revolution. You can also check our 20 topics and 1 sample essay on the subject as well as 10 facts for your paper by following the links.

Bullying

The â€Å"peanut gallery† may not directly bully the victim, but by standing on the sidelines giving their attention to the actions they encourage they bully. Even though I am not a bully, I have been part of the â€Å"peanut gallery† that makes bullying an even worse situation. The â€Å"peanut gallery† are students that can make a positive change to stop bullying. As students, we can take action to stop bullying in our schools and I have some ideas to make this happen. I and a group of students would dedicate one week at the beginning of the school year to hold an anti-bullying campaign called â€Å"Bully Beatdown. The â€Å"Bully Beatdown† campaign would raise awareness to the issues of bullying. For the campaign kick-off, I would hold a rally for students to share their personal stories and experience with bullying. I would invite a counselor or a psychologist specializing in anti-social behavior to speak at the rally about the effects of bullying. The person could train students on anti-bullying tactics. During the â€Å"Bully Beatdown† campaign, I would have students perform skits acting out different bullying scenarios and ways they can stop bullying such as befriending a victim of bullying. To promote my campaign, I would pass out information flyers and pamphlets, buttons, and signs to post throughout the school in bathrooms, gyms, lunchrooms, and hallways. Another feature of the campaign will have students sign a social contract agreeing to not participate in bullying of any kind, to stand up for the victims of bullying, to not be a bystander to bullying, and to report bullying to teachers or a responsible adult. I would create an organization called â€Å"Bully Guardians† which is a community of students who act as a support network for students targeted by bullies. The students who were spectators to bullying can become a â€Å"Bully Guardian. † Many students are afraid to report bullying incidents they observe because they might become targets themselves. I would create an â€Å"Anonymous Email System† for those students who don’t want to report an incident in-person to a teacher or the principal. The student could send an email explaining the bullying incident they saw or encountered. After the campaign kick-off, I propose that each month schools devote a day to bully awareness and to report on the progress they’ve made to stop bullying. I believe my plan of action is practical and easy to implement in schools.

The UK Business Tax System for Small Business Research Paper

The UK Business Tax System for Small Business - Research Paper Example No-return systems are clearly feasible: thirty-six countries--including Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and several other industrialized nations--use some form f no-return system for at least some f their taxpayers (U.S. General Accounting Office [GAO], 1996). Moving to a no-return system, however, has implications for both the administrative and structural features f the tax system. Our goal in this paper is to identify and provide information on some f the major trade-offs involved. In exact withholding systems, the tax agency makes every effort to withhold the exact amount f taxes so that no end-of-year filing, payment, or refund is needed. Thirty-four countries operate exact withholding systems. These systems require taxpayers to report some minimal, nonfinancial information to either employers or the tax authorities. (In the United States, this would likely consist f items such as name, address, social security number, filing status, name, and social security number f spouse and dependents.) The proportion f taxpayers who have to file varies by country. About 90 percent f taxpayers eligible for final withholding in the United Kingdom did not have to file in 1991. In Germany in 1986 and in Japan in 1988-90, the corresponding figures were 46 and 63 percent, respectively. Moreover, even among wage earners, exact withholding can be difficult to apply accurately to everyone. Withholding errors can occur when earnings come from more than one source or when the taxpayer changes jobs, retires, marries, divorces, or has a child. These issues indicate the important interaction between tax structure and tax administration. If these tax systems had been set up to tax only wages, and to tax at a flat rate with no allowances, deductions, exemptions, or credits, exact withholding would work accurately for virtually everyone. Tax Agency Reconciliation Taxpayers may be relieved f the burden f filing even in systems that do not generate exact withholding. In tax agency reconciliation (TAR) systems, taxpayers can elect to have the tax agency prepare their return. Under a TAR system, tax filing occurs in four steps. Interested taxpayers provide basic information to the tax authority. Because withholding does not have to be exact, TAR systems may not place as great a burden on employers and other payers as exact withholding systems. Moreover, it may be easier in a TAR system to apply a progressive tax rate structure to a combination f income derived from different sources.  Ã‚  

UK Buss Market - The Competitive Environment Essay

UK Buss Market - The Competitive Environment - Essay Example Competition plays a very important role in the growth of a market and economy. Increasing competition is the most effective way of enhancing the welfare of the consumers. Competition breeds entrepreneurship, creativity, innovation and increases the efficiencies of the firms. It also results in low prices along with better services and products for the consumers. But perfect competition is very difficult to achieve as firms in a market continuously try to beat the competition and increase barriers to entry. Firms at time even come up with strategies and partner with rivals to keep new firms from entering the market. UK Bus Market – Background It has been 25 years since the UK Bus market was deregulated but still only a handful of firms account for the majority of the market. The competition in the market has stagnated and the existing big firms know that they have very little to worry with respect to new firms entering the market or existing firms challenging their market dominance. As a result of this there is no drive among the firms to innovate or improve the services. Pricing is also on the higher end negatively affecting the consumers. Also it has been found that the existing firms have avoided competing with each other with the intention to protect their territories. Firms have used short-term measures to ensure rival markets quit the market (BBC, 2011). There are around 1,245 bus companies in UK but 70% the market is accounted by Stagecoach, Go-Ahead, FirstGroup, Arriva and National Express. Competition Commission has proposed numerous measures to increase the competition in the market (BBC, 2011).... duct-Performance (S-C-P) model is an effective tool developed by economists to understand the relationship between relationship between the market performance, conduct and structure (Faulkner & Campbell, 2006). Even though the casual view is that the structure of a market determines conduct of the firms in the market and in turn the performance of the both the firms and the markets it is not always reliable. It is possible that conduct of firms in a market can affect the market structure, for example collusive prising agreements affects the structure of the market. It is also true that the performance of firms can affect the structure of the market, for example best performing firms in a non-homogenous market exert great market domination. Therefore, in the current context, the structure, conduct and performance will be analysed individually and then summarised collectively in the next section. Structure of UK Bus Market The most important characteristic of market structure is the nu mber of firms in the market. Even though there are around 1,245 firms in the market, the market is dominated by five firms whose collective market share is about 70% (BBC, 2011). The UK bus market is an oligopoly as it is controlled by a 5 major firms (Banister, 2002). The five-firm concentration ratio of the UK bus market is 66.7 Entry costs into the market are high as it demands huge capital investments to set up the service and have it running. Also the sunk costs of the market are high which has made it less contestable. The service offered here is non-homogenous and the firms have the opportunity to differentiate themselves from the competitors through different marketing and branding strategies. Economies of scale is absent in the market. The Bus market is greatly vertically

The Research Proposal Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Research Proposal - Dissertation Example The presence of such significant number of industries in the region also invariably affect the environment of the region specifically and UK generally. London is also considered as the third command city in the world after New York and Tokyo because of the fact that it is the leading financial hub of the world. The overall population of London is however, mostly employed by the Services sector with less than a million population working in the manufacturing sector. Region’s only substantial manufacturing facility is Ford Dagenham which is also the largest diesel engine manufacturing facility in the world. Though the overall concentration of industry is low in the region however, it can still pose a threat to the environment. This proposed research study therefore aims to assess and explore the impact of industry in greater London on the environment of UK generally and Southern England specifically. Aims and Objectives of the Research The major aim of this research study is to understand and explore as to how the industry of great London impact on the environment of UK and especially the Southern England. ... How industries in great London have an impact on environment? 2. Are there any particular types of industries which are affecting the environment most? 3. Whether regulatory requirements for environment are being met by the industry? A general assessment of the regulatory requirements and the implementation will be undertaken to understand as to whether regulations have any influence on reducing the impact. 4. Does industry is taking efforts to lessen such impact? 5. If yes, what measures have been taken so far in order to contain the damage? These broader aims and objectives will therefore set the overall tone and direction of the research. These research objectives will also allow the researcher to set the overall research questions and hypothesis for this research. Research questions and Hypothesis Following research questions and hypothesis will be constructed for the purpose of this research: 1. Industry has significant impact on the environment. Industry does not have any impac t on the environment? 2. Businesses have put in place appropriate security and risk measures to reduce the impact on environment. There are no significant efforts taken by the industry to reduce the impact on environment. 3. Regulations have been successful in compelling businesses to reduce the harmful impact on environment. Regulations have failed to compel businesses to reduce the harmful impact on environment. Literature Review Greater London region has important significance in the economy of UK and contributed towards the economy to a great extent. It is also however, important to note that the economy of London went through a structural change where the focus was shifted from the manufacturing to services sector. Greater London therefore is still dominated by the firms

Professional Work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Professional Work - Essay Example In this respect, attachment to the ideal of a rationally governed society is no exception. The acceptance of the basic norms of the model carry implications for the ideologies that shape the way we see our world and for the conceptions that govern our individual modes of political activity (Spragens, 1990). In ideological terms, the ideal of a rational society has distinctive but not entirely determinate implications. It clearly disqualifies some ideological conceptions. It tends to crosscut certain other conventional ideological cleavages. And it leaves some ideological space open as an area in which reasonable people may differ. Some ideologies seem clearly unable to qualify by the norms of rational practice. In these cases, it is either/or: one either must renounce the intrinsic norms of rationality or forfeit the ideological orientation. The overt antirationalism of fascist ideologies, for example, would seem to disqualify them immediately. One cannot deprecate the power or validity of rational discourse; argue for forms of political authority grounded in purely emotional appeal and manipulation rather than rational consent, and convert natural differences of race or ability into political hierarchies without decisively abandoning key standards of rational practice (Spragens, 1990). The ideal of a rational society crosscuts liberalism, conservatism, and democratic socialism -- each of these being a part of the larger tradition of Western liberalism in the broadest sense. It incorporates some of the leading values and goals of each of them. The liberal, for instance, would consider the rational society's insistence upon individual rights and civil liberties the most important part of the model. The socialist would emphasize the elements of equality and community. And the conservative would find the role of the human good and the norms of civility quite consistent with his or her dominant political concerns. The bearing of the conception of a rational society on these ideologies, then, is not so much to single one of them out as superior to the others. Instead, it would suggest that each represents a somewhat narrow and parochial conception of the good society -- one in which some aspects of the good society are given undue ascendancy while others are unnecessaril y subordinated or forgotten. In sum, acceptance of the rational process conception of liberal democracy exercises a broad influence over political practice by constraining ideological affiliations and shaping political self-images. Many possible orientations to the world of politics are precluded, obligations are mandated, rights and privileges validated -- all in ways that exert a pervasive control over what can be seen as acceptable political behavior. As we turn now to examine some more specific institutional patterns and policies suggested by the norms of rational practice, it is worth remembering that these more subliminal influences on our actions may be the most important of them all (Spragens, 1990). The heart of a rational society is democratic discourse about the common good. A society committed to the norms of rational process will therefore give continual and careful attention to measures that can sustain and strengthen this central social institution. A democratic society

Oil and Business Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Oil and Business - Term Paper Example International trade slowed, but still rose because of emerging economies, particularly China and India. However, trade has been affected by the recent hike in oil prices. Furthermore, the publication states that fuel products (oil) saw a relatively lower growth than in previous years, which was due to the high prices of oil in the world market. However, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has increased oil demand growth for 2010 (Brock). Oil is a major commodity in international trade and is one of the most influential commodity to impact business, trade and hence, economies. Today, we will analyze the economics of oil, which would include a detailed analysis into oil prices, and its effects on business and international trade. In the international market, price for every good is determined by market forces. The capitalistic system gives freedom to the market forces, and prices are determined by demand and supply. Demand is the willingness of the consumer to buy at a particular price, whereas supply is the willingness of the producer to produce at a given price. For instance, an increase in demand for oil would increase prices, and an increase in supply of oil would contain or reduce prices. Significant growth in countries like China and Brazil has increased recovery prospects, and hence increased demand. Thus, oil prices have been rising. Oil prices have declined since July of 2008 because of a slump in demand due to a severe global recession. This was also one of the reasons why developed economies consumed less fuel than usual. b) Relationship between Oil and the U.S. Dollar Although the price of oil in the international market is determined by market forces, it is also affected by the U.S. dollar. Oil and the greenback share a negative relationship. Traditionally, an increase in dollar value causes a decrease in crude price, and vice versa. People might wonder as to why oil affects the dollar and the other way round, but how come other currencies and oil price are not related. Commodities such as Oil and Gold are traded in the international market in U.S. dollars, and this has been agreed upon by the Organization of Oil-Exporting Countries (OPEC). Before 1971, the U.S. dollar was backed by gold, and changes in price of oil didn't have an effect on producer profits, as gold had intrinsic value. The U.S. Dollar could be liquidated into gold almost immediately. However, after 1971, dollar was made a fiat currency, and was printed without gold backing. This made it easy for the American government to print money, and hence increase supply. In the last 35-40 years, dollar value has declined significantly amid ever-increasing money supply in the U.S. economy. Therefore, when dollar falls (real value decreases), producers ask for more money to compensate the loss in their real value assets, which are based on U.S. dollars. Thus, a decrease in the dollar has pushed oil prices up in the past decade or so. c) The role of the OPEC Besides these factors, the OPEC, which holds two-thirds of the world's fuel reserves, plays a vital role. Refining is done on a large scale in these countries, and they contribute a lot to the world's oil

The culture of Burberry in Brazil Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

The culture of Burberry in Brazil - Essay Example The company has established a brand vision by which all employees and managers are expected to adopt, which is to inspire, protect and explore in a creative and somewhat decentralised organisational model. Burberry follows the dimensions associated with transformational leadership, which involves building a shared vision, opening effective lines of communications between different power players and subordinates, and role modelling the most desired behaviours (Fairholm 2009). Burberry needs to stay focused and dedicated to its wealthy traditionalism in British fashion retail in order to build consistency in brand values, therefore executives, mid-level managers and lower-level service employees must work cooperatively to achieve mission and support a rich British brand. Britain is Burberry and the corporate culture must reflect these values to effectively service its target consumers that value this element of high fashion and national pride. Burberry has been able to support a consis tent brand by building systems and practices in human resources that provide employees with the set of cohesive business values necessary to achieve market share against competition. Burberry also attempts to make relationship connections with the digital generation which is evident in the presence of interactive electronic mirrors in the sales environment that illustrate a historical depiction of Burberry’s past as an iconic British brand. Internally, in order to effectively service the more modernised customer, the organisation must break down age-old autocratic leadership and engage more effectively with a generation of service workers that carry the same values of the... This paper dwell upon national and business culture in Brazil. The Brazilian culture is quite different from British culture which could cause problems with developing a cohesive internal culture that shares the same brand values of Burberry. In the United Kingdom, which is highly individualistic, it is commonplace for managers and executives to work cooperatively throughout the business model. In fact, in the individualist culture, it is an expectation, therefore the corporate culture at Burberry fits interpersonal needs of employees and managers. The Brazilian culture is very collectivist, which involves personal characteristics that favour group membership and building personal identity that comes from group opinion and values. Brazilian society is born into a social hierarchy that believes in the integrity of family members where loyalty to the familial group is demanded. Brazilian culture is also very tolerant of separation between authority figures in the organisation and lower -level employees. Known as power distance, this characteristic of the Brazilian culture tolerates and expects inequality between executives and service employees.

Oil and Business Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Oil and Business - Term Paper Example International trade slowed, but still rose because of emerging economies, particularly China and India. However, trade has been affected by the recent hike in oil prices. Furthermore, the publication states that fuel products (oil) saw a relatively lower growth than in previous years, which was due to the high prices of oil in the world market. However, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has increased oil demand growth for 2010 (Brock). Oil is a major commodity in international trade and is one of the most influential commodity to impact business, trade and hence, economies. Today, we will analyze the economics of oil, which would include a detailed analysis into oil prices, and its effects on business and international trade. In the international market, price for every good is determined by market forces. The capitalistic system gives freedom to the market forces, and prices are determined by demand and supply. Demand is the willingness of the consumer to buy at a particular price, whereas supply is the willingness of the producer to produce at a given price. For instance, an increase in demand for oil would increase prices, and an increase in supply of oil would contain or reduce prices. Significant growth in countries like China and Brazil has increased recovery prospects, and hence increased demand. Thus, oil prices have been rising. Oil prices have declined since July of 2008 because of a slump in demand due to a severe global recession. This was also one of the reasons why developed economies consumed less fuel than usual. b) Relationship between Oil and the U.S. Dollar Although the price of oil in the international market is determined by market forces, it is also affected by the U.S. dollar. Oil and the greenback share a negative relationship. Traditionally, an increase in dollar value causes a decrease in crude price, and vice versa. People might wonder as to why oil affects the dollar and the other way round, but how come other currencies and oil price are not related. Commodities such as Oil and Gold are traded in the international market in U.S. dollars, and this has been agreed upon by the Organization of Oil-Exporting Countries (OPEC). Before 1971, the U.S. dollar was backed by gold, and changes in price of oil didn't have an effect on producer profits, as gold had intrinsic value. The U.S. Dollar could be liquidated into gold almost immediately. However, after 1971, dollar was made a fiat currency, and was printed without gold backing. This made it easy for the American government to print money, and hence increase supply. In the last 35-40 years, dollar value has declined significantly amid ever-increasing money supply in the U.S. economy. Therefore, when dollar falls (real value decreases), producers ask for more money to compensate the loss in their real value assets, which are based on U.S. dollars. Thus, a decrease in the dollar has pushed oil prices up in the past decade or so. c) The role of the OPEC Besides these factors, the OPEC, which holds two-thirds of the world's fuel reserves, plays a vital role. Refining is done on a large scale in these countries, and they contribute a lot to the world's oil

Well-Being In The UK Essay Example for Free

Well-Being In The UK Essay Racism is a socially constructed phenomenon, evident within mainstream societys individual and institutional value systems. The corrosive effects of racism seriously impinge upon the life chances and life expectancy of ethnic minorities, living within the United Kingdom. Within this essay I will attempt to highlight the social implications of racism, illustrating the relationship between racism, poverty and social exclusion. I will also consider recent government legislation and the contribution required from Social Services to combat the perpetuating effects of racism. Within todays society racial classification creates a dominant framework of superior and inferior beings, some still believe superiority of one race over another is a result of biological indifferences. According to De Gobineaue the white race possesses intelligence, morality and will power superior to those of the others [other races] (Giddens 1993:264). Alternatively, black races are considered to be, in educable, deviant and inferior to their white counterparts. These stereotypical viewpoints embody the essence of racism; Giddens (1993) defines racism as falsely attributing inherited characteristics of personality or behaviour to individuals of a particular appearance. The negative affects of racism profoundly impact upon institutions such as education, housing, employment and health to name but a few. Institutional racism is an accepted concept existing within both the public and private sectors. The Macpherson Report defines institutional racism as: . the collective failure of an organisation to provide an appropriate service to people because of their colour, culture or ethnic origin (Macpherson Report, 1999) The reality of such a damning statement confirms the disadvantage ethnic minorities encounter in their every day lives; furthermore the negative effects of racism correlate with statistics illustrating, ethnic minorities experiences with poor standards of housing and lower levels of income. Within the United Kingdom, ethnic minorities represent approximately 5. 5 per cent of the population (Commission for Racial Equality 1999); most minority ethnic groups live in socially and economically deprived areas, experiencing limited access to quality services. Poverty is a fundamental disadvantage afflicting many ethnic minority groups; amongst the diverse population contained within the label ethnic minority groups Bangladeshi and Pakistani families are by far the poorest groups, research carried out by (Foundations 2000) reveals that 60 per cent of Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities live in poor conditions. The effects of poverty significantly contribute towards lower social status, poorer life chances and a feeling of powerlessness; the consequences of poverty not only deprive individuals of material necessities but when combined with racism, exacerbate social inequalities that further compound the disadvantage that already exists. Residing within socially and economically deprived areas, places limitations on the quality and standard of education ethnic minorities receive (Giddens 1993). Many inner city schools fail to recognise, the intrinsic needs of children from different races. Furthermore, under-representation of ethnic minority teachers and a curriculum that emphasises white dominance contribute towards accusations that the educational system is institutionally racist. Maxie Hayles, chair of the Birmingham Racial Attacks Monitoring Unit quotes;- Black children are often labelled by teachers as disruptive and less intelligent than white pupils; creating a self fulfilling prophecy. Black youths need something: they feel debased; they need something to identify with. (Hinsliff and Bright 2000)

Information Systems Management Pepsico Inc

Information Systems Management Pepsico Inc There are hardly a few people in the world who are unfamiliar with the word Pepsi. Words such as cola or soda have almost become synonymous with it. Pepsi is arguably the most famous soft-drink consumed by billions all over the world. And the company responsible behind this success is one of the world market giants; PEPSICO, Inc. According to Andreas Penzkofer (2007), the company came into existence in 1965, when the Pepsi-cola company acquired the snack food company called Frito-Lay. The company has started to expand itself overseas since the nineties. Pepsico Incorporated is a Fortune 500 American multinational corporation. Its headquarters are based in Purchase, New York. It is a company which has marketing and manufacturing interests in a wide variety of products ranging from carbonated and non-carbonated beverages, salty, sweet and cereal based snacks, juices etcetera. Some of the major brands owned by the company are   Quaker Oats,  Gatorade,  Frito-Lay,  Tropicana,  Copella,  Mountain Dew, and  7 Up. According to Lawrence Dietz (1973), the perspective of the company is to increase the value of the share-holders investment. The company plans to do this by achieving growth in sales, controlling the costs and intelligent investment of resources. The company believes that their commercial success is dependent upon offering good quality and value to their consumers and customers, making available products that are safe, wholesome, and economically efficient while providing fair returns on investments to their investors by maintaining high levels of integrity. ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE AND CULTURE Pepsico operates in all the six major continents of the world namely Asia, Africa, Australia, North America, South America and Europe. Their operations are further broken down amongst countries in these continents. The inter-organisation structure of the company has many sub-divisions. Their products are produced and bottled at the manufacturing plant, delivered to the suppliers by the distributors, the suppliers sell it to the retailers and finally to the consumers. These supply-chains in different countries are controlled by one main headquarter. According to Andreas Penzkofer (2007), the aim of the company is to manage supply ingredients and maintain purified water supply to ensure quality and availability to produce the products. Ensure availability of the best technology and quick storage and inventory processes to maintain freshness and quality. Determine the demand by past sales and future marketing. Also ensure proper packaging, maintain quick local distribution and meet any new demands or competition with products and consumer needs. Andreas Penzkofer (2007), also states that the companys mission is to become the worlds best consumer products company. Its aim is to improve on the financial returns to the investors as it provides opportunities of growth and development to its employees. It is also concerned about preserving the environment and has designed a separate set of goals especially in its favour. This can be observed from the replacement of can holders with plastic ring connectors which snap when the cans are removed; thereby reducing the risk of entanglement for wildlife. Pepsico also aims at diversifying its workforce so as to have a better understanding of different cultures. This has led the company to win many awards as well as being ranked at the 9th position by the fortune magazine as being the best company for minorities. MARKET SHARE According to Lawrence Dietz (1973), Pepsico, Inc. is one of the leading consumer product companies in the world having many of the worlds most important and valuable trademarks. It is the second largest soft-drink business having a 21 percent share of the carbonated soft-drink market in the world and 29 percent in the United States. Three of its major soft-drink brands Pepsi-cola, Mountain Dew and Diet Pepsi are amongst the top-ten soft-drinks in the U.S. market. The company has also spread itself substantially in the world snacks market by introducing a company division known as Frito-Lay. It has a 40 percent world market share in salty snacks and 56 percent in the United States. It is nine times the size of its closest competitor in the U.S. and sells nine of the top-ten snack chip brands in the supermarket channel some of which include lays, Doritos, ruffles and Chee-tos. Frito-Lay is responsible for generating more than 60 percent of Pepsicos net-sales and more than two-thirds of the parent companys operating profits. The company also has a third division called Tropicana Products, Inc., which is the world leader in juice sales and occupies a strong 41 percent of the U.S. chilled orange juice market. On a global scale, Pepsico owns 16 brands that generate more than 500 million dollars in sales each year, ten of which are responsible for generating more than 1 billion dollars annually. Pepsico acquires around 35 percent of its retail sales outside the United States, with Pepsi-cola brands marketed in about 160 countries, Frito-Lay brands marketed in more than 40 and Tropicana brands in around 50 countries. BUSINESS MODEL According to Richard Goodman (2009), Pepsico has managed to device a successful business model which stresses importance on three key factors. Structural and operational advantages, successfully pilot the company through uncertain times and making strategic investments for future growth. Pepsico aims at meeting challenges and investing for the future by providing value to customers and consumers, having an excellent market strategy, investing in research and development and innovation. By achieving these factors, the company will be able to retain customers. The company also aims at effectively managing price gaps, bringing in global advances in beverage pack sizes, activating the consumer by holding contests, working out capital benefits for the customers as well as the consumers, control prices of products around the world market, appealing to local tastes, adapting to local customs thereby achieving healthy and consistent performance. GLOBAL VISIBILITY The global visibility of Pepsico can be observed from the sheer number of countries its products are consumed in. From the market share section above, it can be seen that Pepsi-cola brands are marketed in 160 countries, Frito-Lay brands marketed in more than 40 and Tropicana brands in around 50 countries. Although Pepsico is an American Multinational corporation, India and Europe are of two of its biggest markets outside of the United States. BUSINESS ALLIANCES Pepsico has formed partnerships with many products it does not own but in order to distribute and market them with its own products. Some of these products include, Starbucks iced coffee, Lipton original iced tea, Ben and Jerrys milkshake etcetera. Also some of Pepsicos business alliances include Pepsico Quaker Chewy teaming up with Afterschool Alliance and Miranda Cosgrove to Call Attention to the Importance of Afterschool Programs, Pepsi-Cola North America Beverages and Ocean Spray Strategic Alliance to Include Additional Juice and Juice Drinks, Oxford Health  Alliance  and PepsiCo Foundation implemented Community Interventions etcetera. (Source: www.pepsico.com, date taken: 08/08/2010) COMPETITIOR ANALYSIS DIRECT COMPETITIORS The Coca-Cola Company As we all know, Coca-cola or Coke as it is popularly known, and Pepsi have been competing with each other since the longest possible times. Even as kids, we used to have advertisements on television showing us to choose one over the other. As the years pass by and as the companies seem to expand themselves more and more, their rivalry to attain market dominance seems to grow further more. According to Pat Watters (1978), the Coca-Cola Company is basically a non-alcoholic beverage producing company. It is also responsible for manufacturing, marketing and distributing concentrates and syrups which are used to produce these beverages. The Coca-Cola Company has their beverages sold in more than 200 countries worldwide. Their headquarters is in Atlanta, Georgia. The company owns more than 500 brands of non-alcoholic beverages which primarily include sparkling beverages. But they also manufacture still beverages like enhanced waters, juices and juice drinks, ready-to-drink teas and coffees, and energy and sports drinks. Royal Crown Company, Inc The Royal-Crown Company, Inc is a 50 billion dollar company which manufactures and sells concentrates that are used in the production of soft-drinks. These soft-drinks are then sold locally and internationally to independent licensed bottlers. RC cola is the companys leading brand and is ranked as the third largest cola brands after Pepsi and Coke. Some of the other brands which the company owns are Diet RC Cola, Diet Rite Cola, Lockjaw, Upper 10 and kick. (Source: www.rccola.com, Date accessed: 09/08/2010) COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS GRID SWOT Analysis for PepsiCo: SWOT Analysis signifies the evaluation of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats possessed and faced by a particular company, organization or institution. According to Pahl, Richter (2009), SWOT Analysis is beneficial and a crucial tool for decision-making and figuring dependencies between a company and its environment since subjective opinions are replaced by proactive and constructive thinking. The SWOT Analysis for PepsiCo is as follows: 3.1. Strengths: PepsiCo has a strong brand reputation in the global market due to its presence of over 120 years. It has had a significantly increasing market share over the years due to the launch of new products like Pepsi Max and other ideas. (Bachmeier, 2009) Its place has been determined and positioned strongly with regard to profits, sales and customer loyalty due to its creativity and effectiveness. PepsiCo boasts of a strong product line with a variety and diverse range of products. It faces no cash deficit and hence has huge advertising budgets to strengthen its market position. 3.2. Weaknesses: PepsiCo depends largely on the US market for its revenues. According to Plunkett (2009), around 29% of PepsiCos total net revenue is derived only from PepsiCo Beverages North America and its total market revenue dependent on US alone exceeds 50%. This may prove to be detrimental in the constantly changing economic conditions. Some of the PepsiCo products lack uniformity in their brand names. Experts have cited health hazards in the consumption of PepsiCo products due to high fat and sugar contents. The image of PepsiCo has been at stake due to incidents like the exploding of Pepsi cans in 2007 followed by salmonella contamination in Pepsicos product Aunt Jemima pancake and waffle mix. (Clark, 2008) 3.3. Opportunities: PepsiCo has been working to broaden its product base substantially. In 2005, it bought General Mills stake of the largest European snack food firm Snack Ventures Europe. In addition, PepsiCo acquired the German juice maker Punica Getraenke. (Penzkofer, 2007) PepsiCo operates through its four subsidiaries PepsiCo Beverages North America (PBNA), PepsiCo International (PI), Quaker Foods North America (QFNA) and Frito-Lay North America (FLNA) in almost 200 countries. (Penzkofer, 2007) With 153,000 employees, the company had total net revenue of $ 29,261 million in 2005 and was ranked at place 62 of the Fortune 500 Ranking of the largest companies in the United States. (Norton, Porter, 2010) PepsiCo has gradually been developing noncarbonated drinks and healthy products, attracting more customers. 3.4. Threats: PepsiCo faces considerable threats due to strong competitors like The Coca-Cola Company, Nestle, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group etcetera. Incidents like those of contaminations and pesticide residues found in PepsiCo products have caused substantial brand damage to the company, especially in large emerging markets like India. PepsiCo has been in a vulnerable position in the recent past due to labour problems. To illustrate, there was a month long strike at Frito-Lay India, a part of PepsiCo India Holdings Limited, beginning in August 2008 due to a dispute between the workers union and the company management. (Source: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/strike-at-pepsis-channo-plant-ends/363190/ , Date accessed: 12.08.2010) Stagnancy acts as a threat for the company since the food and beverages industry has reached its maturity and there are hardly any avenues that remain unexplored. PROPOSED BUSINESS, INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STRATEGIES FOR THE FUTURE Business Strategy For future growth opportunities and profits, PepsiCo should try to carry out their business by introducing healthier products in the market. The company can achieve this by Reducing the calories in the food products so that the consumption can be a healthy one. The company can manipulate the market to control what people are eating and drinking. Healthy options should be made available to all The company should undergo a change from inside and transform their reputation as a manufacturer of healthy products which essentially gives nutritional value. In the years to come, the company should engage its business in providing fruits, vegetables and grains. The company as a whole should respond to the changing consumer needs. Using the latest science and encouraging positive nutrition is the need of the hour as the masses become health conscious day by day. The company needs to be reformulating itself and become innovative by making use of the next generation technology. The company can further merge itself with healthier brands of products. (Source: www.Pepsico.com, Date accessed: 10/08/2010) Information Systems and Information Technology Strategy Buckingham et al. (1987), defines an information system to be a system that can assemble, store, process and deliver information relevant to an organisation. This is done in a way that the information is available and useful to anyone who wants to use it, including managers, staff, clients and citizens. An information system is a human activity system which may or may not involve the use of computer systems. A good information system strategy according to Guy Fitzgerald (2002), for a huge consumer food products and beverages company like PepsiCo to carry out its business for future growth and profits would be: To precisely document the requirements necessary for a good information system: Here, the users should be able to specify their system requirements or the system developers should be able to investigate and analyse user requirements so that the information system will meet the needs of the users. Efficiently monitor the progress by providing an orderly method of development: For a huge company like PepsiCo, controlling its large-scale projects is not easy. If the projects fail to meet the deadline, they can have serious cost and other repercussions for the company. Providing check-points and specific stages should make sure that the project planning procedures are applied effectively. Provision for the companys information system should have a suitable time limit and an acceptable cost. The documentation of the system should be properly preserved and also the system should be easy to maintain: This is extremely important as in a company like Pepsico, modifications to the information systems is inevitable due to the amount of changes taking place in the company and its environment. The system should be able to make the best use of the techniques and tools that are already available. The system should be liked by the people who are affected with the system such as the company stakeholders. The stake holders of the company may include clients, managers, auditors and users. If the system is liked by them, it is most likely to be used and bring success to the company. A successful information system should also make effective use of information technology by using the available tools and techniques. An effective use of information technology would involve: All staff having standard desktop tools. They should have access to email, Internet and Intranet. IT infrastructure should be continuously upgraded as allowed by the companys resources and budget. Systems and networks at the companys head-quarters and in the field should be standardised and centrally managed. A centralised team should provide IT assistance to staff and a wide range of IT training. The company should make use ERP systems at the head-quarters. For information and knowledge management, the company should implement document management system. Making use of such business, information system and information technology strategies would help the company stay competitive in the market in the future. CONCLUSION