Gender Identity Disorder, Identity, And The Basis For A...

Transsexuality has been variously constructed throughout the latter part of the twentieth century as a psychiatric disorder, identity category, and the basis for a political movement. Throughout history transsexualism was discursively constituted through each of these frameworks of reference, in which different psycho-medical assertions were employed to conceptualize trans identities. Today transsexuality, also known as gender identity disorder (GID), represents a term that is medically used to categorize and diagnose individuals who show a strong and persistent cross-gender identification and discomfort with their anatomical sex. For example, an individual that believes that his and or her assigned sex at birth conflicts with their psychological gender, and is likewise preoccupied with getting rid of their sex characteristics is an individual who suffers from GID. In response to the medicalization of transsexualism, much of society’s current legal and social understanding of trans persons has become rooted in the ongoing medico-scientific discourse. Moreover, modern-day transsexualism has been historically and socio-medically constructed through the growing demand for self-expression and transformation, which correspondingly challenges the sex and gender regime of the West. The term transsexual first appeared in the scientific literature work of Magnus Hirschfled in 1923. He is considered one of the most noted men to have greatly contributed to the medical advancement ofShow MoreRelatedHeterosexualism And Heterosexism1089 Words   |  5 Pages Heterosexism, according to Warren J. Blumenfeld, is the system of advantages given to heterosexuals based on the social construct of gender roles and heterosexual norms, while marginalizing and oppressing homosexuals and others who do not fit into the heterosexual culture (373). The enforcement of this system is known as heteronormality. This is seen in the binary system, which is a social construct that divides people into different strictly bordered categories organized by â€Å"social roles, valuesRead MoreWhy Identity Politics Creates Barriers For Marginalized Groups Essay1503 Words   |  7 PagesJacqueline Campos Professor Jeffries 7 October 2016 AMST 101 Many, Out of One: Why Identity Politics Creates Barriers for Marginalized Groups Identity politics is an undeniable twenty first century paradigm among minority groups, sparking discourse across political and social spheres. According to philosopher Cressida Heyes, identity politics is the range of political activity founded in the shared experiences of injustice of members of certain social groups. Members of this group assert their distinctivenessRead MoreCollective Identity Within The Gay Community And Women s Liberation Movement Essay2212 Words   |  9 Pages Collective Identity within the Gay Community and Women’s Liberation Movement The gay community and women’s liberation movement were both formed through collective identities and political/oppositional consciousness. Moreover, both groups were discriminated against by external social structures and yet, succeeded due to internal factors. Whittier and Taylor describe collective identity as â€Å"the shared definition of a group that derives from member’s common interests, experiences, and solidarity†Read MoreHow significant is feminist art in China and what is the future of it?1932 Words   |  8 PagesFeminism was a cultural movement born in the late nineteenth century, following the booming of the Industrial Revolution and the formation of diverse social ideologies. Feminism originated in France and then was gradually introduced to other countries such a the United Kingdom and the United States. Feminism was officially introduced into China during the May Fourth Movement and Feminist Art rose up in the Chinese contemporary art scene arou nd 1990s. Chinese Feminist Art is not only different fromRead MoreThe Supreme Court Of The United States Essay1881 Words   |  8 Pageswith their gender identity,† should be given effect. After considering the facts and the precedent cases, we are first upholding Auer Deference on behalf of the respondent, and we rule that the unpublished D.O.E. letter must in fact be granted deference. Second, after considering all of the facts we have come to the conclusion that due to changing times and broadening terms, the term â€Å"sex† can no longer solely mean biological sex and must also include factors such as gender, gender identity, and sexualRead MoreFeminism : Waves Of Debates Within Feminism Essay1658 Words   |  7 PagesGender 208 Assignment 1: Waves of Debates within Feminism Feminism, in simple terms, refers to a collective desire to end the oppression of women. Because oppression takes various forms and affects those who are victim to it in a number of different, yet often connected ways; feminism should accordingly be regarded as a multifaceted set of movements working towards multiple aims and ends. Which is to say that feminism is less a single movement concerned with the oppression of women, and more aRead MoreA Womans Journey Essay1336 Words   |  6 Pagesworking towards an overall goal as a group, to achieve economic and political power. Today, this new definition no longer holds true, because many women are misrepresented and confused by many new definitions of feminism. This confusion has created womens ability to take matters into her own hands, and follow her own goals and inspirations-whatever they may be. The first wave of the womens movement started when Abigail Adams wrote her husband, John, to ask him toRead MoreThe United Nations : An Issue Of Morality And Sexual Discrimination Essay1777 Words   |  8 Pagesthe United Nations has made historically to protect the rights of all human beings, gender and sexual minorities continue to be oppressed and are often violently prosecuted for their identities in nations across the globe (UN News, 2016).The United Nations struggles to effectively enforce existing human rights legislation in order to recognize and protect against various human rights abuses which result from gender and sexual orientation, as sexuality is culturally regarded as an issue of moralityRead MoreAre Same-Sex Marriages Cool or ‘Gay?’ An Argument for Same-Sex Marriage1733 Words   |  7 Pagescouldn’t marry the love of your life simply because society doesn’t think that it is right? Can you imagine the devastation you would feel, being told that you are an inferior specimen my society? This travesty is occurring in our country on a daily basis. Same-sex marriage should be nationally legalized in the United States with a law or an amendment because it is a step closer to equality for everyone. There are many obstacles in the way of the national legalization of same-sex marriage. The mostRead MoreThe Resistance Movement of Queer People of Color Essay2865 Words   |  12 PagesThe Resistance Movement of Queer People of Color There is arguably no group that has faced more discrimination in modern society than queer people of color. Although often pushed together into a single minority category, these individuals actually embrace multiple racial and sexual identities. However, they suffer from oppression for being a part of both the ethnic minority and queer communities. As a result, members are abused, harassed, and deprived of equal civil rights in social and economic

Schizophrenia And Its Effects On Mental Illness Essay

Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a mental illness that interferes with a person’s ability to think clearly, manage emotions, decision making, and relate to others. It’s a long-term medical illness affecting 1% of Americans. The causes of schizophrenia include genetics, environment, brain chemistry, and substance abuse. Schizophrenia occurs roughly in 10%of people who have a first-degree relative with the disorder such as a parent or sibling. (NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness | What is Schizophrenia?, n.d.) â€Å"Problems with certain brain chemicals, including neurotransmitters called dopamine and glutamate, may contribute to schizophrenia†. Schizophrenia can occur at any age, the average age of onset tends to be late teens to the 20s for men, and the late 20s to early 30s for women. (NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness | What is Schizophrenia?, n.d.) It’s very rare for schizophrenia to be diagnosed in a person younger than 12 or older than 40. Comorbid factors in schizophrenia are depression, anxiety, and substance abuse these are more common than others. (Mosey, A. 1986) They are common throughout the course of the illness with a prevalence of 15% for panic attacks, 29% for posttraumatic stress disorder and 23% for obsessive compulsive disorder. Depression can cause secondary negative symptoms, panic attacks can drive paranoia and cannabis abuse can worsen positive and disorganization symptoms. Signs and symptoms of schizophrenia varies from person to person,Show MoreRelatedSchizophrenia And Its Effects On Mental Illness1538 Words   |  7 PagesSchizophrenia is a mental illness that is in a very small amount of the population, 1 in 100 people (1% of the population). Symptoms of schizophrenia include, delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech and behavior, not much emotion if any is present, as well as speech and socializations issues. Ways to treat schizophrenia are very limited to antipsychotic drugs and therapy. Although there is not one cause to this illness found, there are many factors that explain the cause or result in havingRead MoreSchizophrenia And Its Effects On Mental Illness1388 Words   |  6 PagesSchizophrenia is a â€Å"serious mental disorder characterised by severe disruptions in psychological functioning and a loss of contact with reality† (Meldrum Wilson, 2009). The main question that arises from the many studies looking at schizophrenia and violence is does schizophrenia itself make an individual violent or are there other factors from the mental illness that contribute to this? According to Fazel, Guati, Linsell, Geddes and Grahn (2009), before the 1980’s many people made no connectionRead MoreMental Illness And Mental Health Essay936 Words   |  4 PagesMental health is being successful in doing mental functions resulting in being able to form relationships with other people, getting things done and having the ability to work around problems and stress. Your mental health can affect how you think, act and feel. Over the years of your life, your mental health is shaped by the events that you have experienced such as abuse or trauma. Having a healthy mind is just as important as having a healthy body. Conversely, just like how you can get a diseaseRead MoreSarah and Angela The Many Misconceptions and Misunderstandings of Schizophrenia Misunderstood with1200 Words   |  5 PagesAngela The Many Misconceptions and Misunderstandings of Schizophrenia Misunderstood with the assistance of popular stigmas and stereotypes, schizophrenia and its severity is often degraded and overlooked by the public. Wrongly feared and shunned, individuals with schizophrenia have too commonly been judged throughout human history and even today. Many aspects of the disease are failed to be truly understood and represented, from the effects of the disease to the availability of treatment. FavoredRead MoreSymptoms And Symptoms Of Schizophrenia1077 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Schizophrenias is a serious mental illness characterized by incoherent or illogical thoughts, bizarre behavior and speech, and delusions or hallucinations, such as hearing voices (APA,2015). I choose to touch on the topic of schizophrenia because I always been interested the topic itself. The one thing I wondered is if there are different stages of schizophrenia and why it may be hard to diagnose. Schizophrenia is a mental disease that’s very hard to pinpoint in a person, whichRead MoreMental Illness: The Main Symptoms of Schizophrenia 1546 Words   |  7 Pages Mental illness is seen throughout society as a negative subject, many suffer through not only with the disorders but, also the shame that comes along. In this article we will look at one of the most severe mental disorders in hopes of achieving a better knowledge of the disorder and to debunk some of the misconceptions of having a mental disorder. Approximately fifty million Americans suffer from mental illness. Of those fifty million only about twenty-five percent seek help due to the stigmaRead MoreIs Schizophrenia A Mental Disorder? Essay1502 Words   |  7 PagesSchizophrenia is a mental disorder that affects many elements of the body and mind. This mental illness causes people to lose touch with reality Schizophrenia (2016). People with this illness suffer from hallucinations, paranoia, hearing voices, fear and persecutory delusion, which affects a person’s ability to think, feels, and behaves clearly. Most people with thinks illness are usually between the ages 16 and 30. Researchers have not found an exact cause of this disease but rather it is geneticallyRead MoreLiving with Schizophrenia1814 Words   |  7 PagesLiving with Schizophrenia What effects does a person undergo living with Schizophrenia? At some point, an individual might have a relative, or heard of someone, or even experienced itself of suffering from Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects many people throughout the world. People living with this mental disorder may depend on a family member or someone close to take care of him/her. Certain individuals have a good chance of inheriting Schizophrenia, if a familyRead MoreSchizophreni The Most Devastating Mental Illness1706 Words   |  7 PagesNov 2014 Research paper Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is often times referred to as one of the most devastating mental illness. This is because of it early onset in a patients live, and also that the symptoms can be destructive not only to the patient but also their family and friends. Schizophrenia is often discussed as a single illness, but schizophrenia can include a wide array of disorders which can present many similar behavioral symptoms. More than likely schizophrenia comprises a whole groupRead MoreEssay about The Portrayal of Schizophrenia in Me, Myself, and Irene1178 Words   |  5 Pages Most people gather what they know about mental illnesses from television and film. Unfortunately these media portrayals are inaccurate and create stigma. They depict people suffering from mental illnesses as different, dangerous and laughable. Characters are often addicted to drugs or alcohol, are violent, dangerous, or out of control. Horror film characters like Norman Bates in Psycho, Jack Torrance in the Shining, or Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs associate the typical psycho- killer

Semantic Service Provisioning Smart Objects â€Myassignmethelp.Com

Question: Discuss About The Semantic Service Provisioning Smart Objects? Answer: Introduction The following report intends to describe the prospective of IOT technology from the user end and its significance for lifestyle in relation to common IOT products that can be used in ones day to day life. Apart from that, this report will also discuss the several concerns related to IOT including data storage, security and control etc. with reflective measures for the same. IOT Home Network The Internet of Things (IoT) renovates the physical objects everywhere into a network of information that quickly modifies our way of life. From refrigerators to cars, to parking spaces and homes, the IoT is turning every object into the digital world. Our homes could soon keep track of all our daily activities (Perera 2017), from opening to closing the front door, through automatic product control when the refrigerator is empty. Whether we are ready for such a level of automation, or what we want, is a whole other matter. However, this should quickly become the norm, before a new evolution of technologies again transforms our way of life. On the other hand, there are few problems in the smart homes that should be stated. The broad technological concerns range from interface, privacy, connectivity, security and convenience. The diagram of Internet of Things infrastructure of my home can be shown as: Home Networking: My Abode The devices in my abode can be discussed as: Lock system Firms these days have established the digital auto lock systems that are hassle free, keyless and operate through mobile apps capable of connecting with majorly all smart devices. With such system, it becomes relatively easier to lock and unlock the accesses without the need of keys by just operating online. Customized keys could also be generated and coded for specific visiting hours or days for any guests. Being extremely useful and keyless Internet operates it all. But certain issues faced are: Issue Type Comments Usage Absence of commercial standards for lock system and different kinds of locks having different standards pose out usage issues. Control Data authentication is of chief concern for control. Connectivity Digital Lock arrangements may not work during low connectivity or when offline. Security If someone loses his or her mobile phone then such emergencies have lot to be handled securely (Oravec, 2017). Privacy Most smart products are connected to mobile phones and thus they are very powerful and proficient in managing almost every facet of life so is the privacy of the same. The three important resolutions are: Firewall addition: It is suggested that an additional layer of firewall should protect the lock system. Use of antivirus software. Biometric checks to be installed. It is observed that passwords are not that safe in home automation and home locking system. Therefore, it would make sense to protect the home with the means of biometrics system. It would be best if corporate standards were used for the goods (Zahra, Brewer, Cooper, 2017). By corporate standards it means that different vendors of lock system and home system automation should join hands and develop common set of standards. The common set of standards would ensure that the vulnerabilities in the system are minimized. Home Lighting systems Philips new mobile app has a lights control feature thus total regulation of household switches could be operated. Furthermore, this app can self-diagnose and maintain schedules as per individuals usage and involve its acumen to design links as per generated data. Technology making it same lighting device red, blue yellow or as per the customization. Issue Type Comments Usage Every light has specific power consumption value thus usage issues could appear. Control Data authentication is an important issue to deal with. Connectivity The lighting systems could be sluggish to respond in case of poor connectivity. Security Apps like Google store their data on clouds and thus there are several replicas at different locations (Han, Crespi, 2017). Therefore, it is very significant for the vendors to simplify such issues. Privacy Data privacy needs to be taken care of. The key measures to be taken are as follows: Protection through strong passwords. At the same time, it is recommended that users should change the password on regular time interval. Antivirus Systems to be installed with lighting systems software. At the same time, it is recommended that the antivirus system should be updated on regular time interval. Philips Light systems should integrate with all the coffee machines irrespective of the brand. Nike has launched their smart watch only on iOs and not on Android and it may result in multi levels of collaboration. Thermostat IOT enabled thermostat was primarily created by Nest however it was later acquired by Google. These thermostats can be operated online from any location using desired application before reaching home to make more comfortable prior the entry. These technically adapted thermostats do not require any temperature settings, they automatically behave as per the weather conditions and time of day with easily customizable features that too with voice over. It is self-maintaining and improvises itself every time with required substantial data. Issue Type Comments Usage Different devices have different thermostats with individual power consumption values thus it is bit complex in use. Control There is a control issue of data authentication. Connectivity Unavailability of thermostat that could be connected with smart phone or other devices like air conditioners etc. Security Data compliance needs to be secured. Privacy Data leakage could be a risk. The three key solutions are: Use of password or second layer of authentication over the mobile user interface. Use of antivirus systems. Smart TV Smart TVs are planned for gizmo homes and are attuned to more than 200 devices and can link with mutual devices like Phone, Bluetooth, Thermostat, related lights and camera (Demirer, Aydin, Celik, 2017). Issue Type Comments Usage Diverse user interface for each of the smart TV may create misperception. Control Data authentication is at stake. Connectivity Due to poor connectivity smart TV might not get connected to smart phone. Security Security concern in relation to data compliance. Privacy Privacy of data is vulnerable. The three key solutions are: Different profile should be created for all the users who watch TV Inbuilt Antivirus Program should be there in the software of smart TV The software of Smart TV should be updated as soon as there is a new version or new patch in the market Coffee machine There are smart coffee machines in the market that can be fully controlled by the mobile App. One can schedule the brews and give instruction like after how many minutes you want your coffee ready, change settings, number of different ingredients and many more. Also, whenever there is shortage of any ingredient in the machine-like water, it will also send a notification. Issue Type Comments Usage There is a usage issue of adequate support. There is a possibility that coffee machine does not support all the functions over a mobile app. Control Data authentication needs have Control Connectivity There is a connectivity concern related to setup. Security Data Compliance and its security to be taken care of. Privacy Privacy of data to be looked after. The main resolutions are: Password Protection Antivirus Installation Refrigerator Smart and Connected refrigerators are built with complex system of actuators and sensors that have predictive analysis in relation to shortage of inventory, placing orders to the closest outlets (Verhoef, et al., 2017). Though these characteristics are primarily unrealistic, but with smart approach and regular improvisations its easily getting importance in our lives. Issue Type Comments Usage Refrigerator may not upkeep all the functions over a mobile application. Control Data validation could generate control concerns. Connectivity If connectivity gets lost then data calculation could be faulty. Security Data maintenance could be loose. Privacy Data discretion might be at stake. The three key way outs are: Password protection Antivirus Protection IOT Footwear Primarily, Ducere Techologies has developed sensor induced footwear for visually impaired people. These shoes act as guide in the direction of the destination with the help of vibrations in shoes operated with Lechal app. Presently, Nike has also introduced IOT enabled shoes which are connected with Apple smart watch and iPhones. These shoes can gauge the travelled distance, running speed, calories burnt and several other characteristics by estimating an individuals pattern. Issue Type Comments Usage There is a usage issue of adequate support. Control There is a control issue of data authentication. Connectivity Infrastructure Connectivity. Security Data compliance required with any risks. Privacy Data Privacy needs to be strong. The three key measures are: Firewall Protected. Antivirus Protected. Biometric Authentication. Smart Toothbrushes Philips and Kolibree are two major companies dealing in smart toothbrushes. These products are a direct competition to the dentists providing easier and reasonable oral healthcare routines with features to analyze brushing duration, frequency and ignored oral and dental areas. They will also convey performance charts and scheduled reminders for regular activity thus promoting better dental hygiene of an individual. Issue Type Comments Usage There is a usage issue of sufficient provision. There is a likelihood all the functions might be unsupportable over a mobile app. Control Biometric authentication might be erroneous. Connectivity Connectivity arrangement could come up as an issue. Security There is a security problem of information compliance. Privacy There is a grave concern of data privacy at stake. The major solutions are: The second level of authentication like face detection of fingerprint can be used to provide access to toothbrush. The software of the toothbrush should be updated on regular time interval. Conclusion More and more objects are connected to the Internet and applications are endless, ranging from monitoring machines to massive transfer of information. All kinds of machines ranging from gigantic digitally operated aircrafts to small handheld devices are monitored in the real time. IOT industry is fairly divided as of now and there are enormous organizations, which are involved in IOT related products. Philips, Nike, Google, Apple, Schneider are all open to IOT product development, organizations such as GE, ABB, CISCO, IBM are manufacturing IOT products which can be used in various sectors like retail, automotive and education. High-tech giants like Google, Cisco, and IBM are working on IT aspects of these Internet based communication products (Olsson, Bosch, Katumba, 2016). References Abou-Zahra, S., Brewer, J., Cooper, M. (2017). Web Standards to Enable an Accessible and Inclusive Internet of Things (IoT). Demirer, V., Ayd?n, B., elik, ?. B. (2017). Exploring the Educational Potential of Internet of Things (IoT) in Seamless Learning.The Internet of Things: Breakthroughs in Research and Practice: Breakthroughs in Research and Practice, 1. Han, S. N., Crespi, N. (2017). Semantic service provisioning for smart objects: Integrating IoT applications into the web.Future Generation Computer Systems. Olsson, H. H., Bosch, J., Katumba, B. (2016). Exploring IoT User Dimensions: A Multi-case Study on User Interactions in Internet of Things Systems. InProduct-Focused Software Process Improvement: 17th International Conference, PROFES 2016, Trondheim, Norway, November 22-24, 2016, Proceedings 17(pp. 477-484). Springer International Publishing. Oravec, J. A. (2017). Kill switches, remote deletion, and intelligent agents: Framing everyday household cybersecurity in the internet of things.Technology in Society. Perera, C. (2017). Sensing as a Service (S2aaS): Buying and Selling IoT Data.arXiv preprint arXiv:1702.02380. Verhoef, P. C., Stephen, A. T., Kannan, P. K., Luo, X., Abhishek, V., Andrews, M., ... Hu, M. (2017). Consumer Connectivity in a Complex, Technology-Enabled, and Mobile-Oriented World with Smart Products.

Yolanda by Oscar Casares Essay Example

Yolanda by Oscar Casares Paper miolanda by Oscar Casares is a story narrated by a thirty-six-year-old man reflecting on his experiences during one summer in his youth. The story starts in present day before recounting the experiences of the summer he met Yolanda. She was the young wife of Frank, a controlling older husband, who moved in next door to the narrator when he was twelve years old. The narrator thinks Yolanda is beautiful and develops a huge crush on her, so he cant help but listen to Yolanda and Franks fights and make-up sessions throughout the summer since their houses are so close ogether. His feelings for Yolanda grow when she spends time looking after him when he comes down with chickenpox. Ultimately, Frank and Yolanda have a huge fght and Yolanda ends up crawling through the narrators window into his bed for comfort and protection. The narrator also learns of Yolandas imperfections after that night, although now, as an adult, he isnt fond of recalling them. Casares central idea focuses on loss of innocence, the Journey into the adulthood, and the longing to reclaim that innocence by going back to a time when life had not yet left its scars. The central character is the narrator who tells the story, but his name is never revealed. This narrator is round since the reader gets to see not only what he thinks and feels as an adult, but also what he thought and felt as a teenage boy. He is also a dynamic character, changing from a young, innocent boy, into the adult narrator he is today reflecting back on his younger self. His Journey into adulthood began when he meets Yolanda and develops his first crush. A persons first crush is usually not forgotten because it is often this crush that crashes one into the world of adulthood and sexuality. Yolanda came to the narrators bed that night for shelter, wanting to escape the troubles in her life and feel safe, much like the narrator now goes back to that night to escape his own. Yolanda is a major character in the story and is the object of the narrators obsession. She is a round character, shown through the eyes of the narrator as the perfect woman repressed by her Jealous husband, only to be revealed in the end as a deceitful woman with flaws. We will write a custom essay sample on Yolanda by Oscar Casares specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Yolanda by Oscar Casares specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Yolanda by Oscar Casares specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer In the beginning of the story she is controlled by her husband, but she begins stepping out of that subservient role as the story progresses by attaining a Job, wanting to drive nd buy a car, and eventually in the end leaving her role as a wife completely. Her characters struggle is reminiscent of a teenager fighting to gain independence from their parents, even though in this case it is gaining independence from a controlling husband. It is this transformation from being controlled to being in control that makes her character dynamic. The minor characters include Frank and the narrators mother and father. Frank is the Jealous, controlling husband next door. From him, the narrator learns people like him exist; people who will yell at and do everything they an to control the world, even those they supposedly love. Knowing him takes away a piece of the narrators innocence because before knowing him, he did not realize this kind of person existed. Then there is the narrators mother and father, whose roles seem to simply help propel the story forward by giving more information about Yolanda and Frank. The central conflict of the story is an internal one between the narrators desire to gain back his innocence and having to live with the fact that it is gone forever. He thinks about Yolanda when he cant sleep at night, implying there are numerous troubles in his life that keep him awake. He seems to want to go back in time, even if only in his mind, to before he realized the hardships of life, back to when a perfect world still seemed attainable, his innocence was still intact, and things were different. He tells the story of his loss of innocence and entry into the world of adulthood, but the conflict is ultimately left unresolved. The reader is left to assume that his internal conflict will continue and he will continue to think about Yolanda when he cant sleep at night, since the memory of that night is the last time he felt safe [enough] to fall asleep.

Strategic Organization Initiatives vs Hr Approaches Essay Example

Strategic Organization Initiatives vs Hr Approaches Essay This paper will analyze two strategic initiatives of an organization and how they match up with the HR approaches. Many organizations realize that it is their people who bring them a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Well planned HR management policies and practices are one of the common denominators of successful organizations. Let us take a look at how two strategic initiatives of an organization play a role in HR management. First initiative is diversity. Most American companies embrace and encourage diversity amongst their employees. These companies believe that diversity brings different approaches to product development and leads the way to globalization; all of which manifests in profit. Second initiative is promoting health and safety at work. Unsafe work conditions or occupational health issues can impact an organization’s bottom-line. In many organizations, one of the major goals is to reduce occupational hazards, avoid injuries, and minimize manpower loss. HR must accommodate the needs of the organization. Ivancevich amp; Konopaske (2013) said, â€Å"today, because of the recognition of the crucial importance of people, HRM in an increasing number of organizations has become a major player in developing strategic plans and facilitating changes within the organization† (p. 8). ? Strategic Initiative 1: Diversity Companies realize that employing diversity at workforce will give them a better understanding of the demographics of the marketplace they serve thus creating a competitive edge for themselves. We will write a custom essay sample on Strategic Organization Initiatives vs Hr Approaches specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Strategic Organization Initiatives vs Hr Approaches specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Strategic Organization Initiatives vs Hr Approaches specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Ivancecich amp; Konopaske (2013) asserted that an increasing number of studies illustrated that diversity-friendly strategies have a significant impact on the end results (p. 50). Companies create an image of being socially responsible while increasing their profit margin by expanding their consumer base. HR approaches are diverted into seeking diversity in their candidate pool ensuring the workforce contains diverse employees. While seeking for diversity in a candidate pool, HR must create an environment for its diverse workforce that effective and non-discriminatory. Strategic Initiative 2: Promoting Health and Safety Safety hazards are anything such as an environment, material, or equipment that can potentially cause bodily injury or death. Health hazards are dangers to health resulting from continuous exposure to environmental pollutants, such as asbestos, radiation or fumes, or cigarette smoking, chemical abuse, or continuous use of equipment that gradually causes deterioration of health such as carpal tunnel syndrome. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, â€Å"the overall rate of severe occupational injuries/illnesses remained essentially unchanged in 2011 at 117 cases per 10,000 full-time workers† (http://www. bls. gov/news. release/archives/cfoi_09202012. htm). A huge responsibility lays on HR management with the company’s strategic initiative of promoting health and safety at work. The HR approach should be to promote safety training and wellness programs. Although these are costly approaches, lack of them could be even more detrimental to company’s bottom line. HR must consider several issues as described by Ivancevichamp; Konopaske (2013): * â€Å"Are safety rules being observed? How many near misses have occurred? * Are safety guards, protective equipment, and so on being used? * Are there potentially hazards in the workplace that safety redesign could improve? * Are there potentially occupational health hazards? † (p. 539). Additionally, HR must have a preventative wellness approach to minimize any potential loss of work and protect company employees against recurring environmental culprits such as allergies and flu. Smoking cessation programs, free mammography are great HR approaches to maintain employee health. In order to minimize loss of work, large organizations maintain company medical offices where a full time nurse by stands. These offices provide flu shots or immediate intervention in providing medical care. Conclusion HR practices need to be aligned with the strategic initiatives of the organization. Employees’ safety and well-being is as important to an organization as creating a platform of diversity. While diversity provides a company greater reach in the marketplace, safe environment assures work continuation and less legal problems. Expanding market reach and safety at work both result in either dollars saved or dollars earned. When it becomes a strategic initiative for an organization to create diversity or safe workplace, HR becomes the most important function upon which to rely. Although, at times, it might be costly to maintain safety at work, provide initiatives for the well-being of employees, or create programs to integrate diversity at workplace, HR must continue to seek out opportunities that create a platform where company goals can be achieved. References Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries News Release. (2012, September 20). U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved May 4, 2013, from http://www. bls. gov/news. release/archives/cfoi_09202012. htm Ivancevich, J. M. , amp; Konopaske, R. (2013). Human Resource Management. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Irwin.

Theaputic technique essays

Theaputic technique essays As society faces and increasing number social and physical stresses, people are turning to myotherapy as an alternative for painkillers and muscle relaxers. Due to the stresses of prolonged sitting in front of computers or working on assembly lines, people are contracting sore arms, stiff necks and painful back spasm. Myotherapy is a method to alleviate the pain and place the body back into a healthy state. What is complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine (CAM)? CAM, as defined by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered part of conventional medicine (NCAM, 2002). The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine defines five therapeutic categories, which myotherapy falls into the manipulative and body-based methods category (NCAM, 2002). These systems, practice and theory have developed apart from traditional medical systems. Examples are homeopathic and naturopathic therapies. This encompasses techniques to enhance the minds ability to change bodily functions and symptoms. Examples consist of prayer, mental healing and therapies that use art, dance or music. This therapy uses natural substances, such as herbs, foods, and vitamins to build your body and mind. Any therapy that makes claims that are not supported by the popular scientific community would fit this category. An example is horny goat weed to treat male potency and libido issues. Manipulative and Body-Based Methods This therapy involves manipulation of the muscles and or joints of the body. Examples include massage, myotherapy, and osteopathic treatments. The therapy involves the use and manipulation of energy fields. There are two types of energy fields, biofield which affects energy fields that surround the human body and bioelectromagnetic-based which involves magnetic field...

Ordinary Courage Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Ordinary Courage - Essay Example The army was originally created on June 14, 1775, and most of the Continental Army was disbanded on November 3, 1783 after the treaty of Paris. A small residual force continued at West Point and some other frontier outposts, until Congress created the United States Army by their resolution of June 3, 1784. Joseph Plumb Martin truly and personally understood how difficult the soldier’s life was. After joining the militia himself in 1776 at 16 years old Joseph Plumb Martin served in the Continental Army, and in 1830 wrote a memoir which presented a truthful portrait of war, about the traversing of the mid-Atlantic colonies, from Connecticut over to Pennsylvania and down through Delaware with his compatriots, and describing what the war was like from the point of view of an ordinary person. Joseph Plumb Martin (1760-1850), it should be noted, was a mere Private in the army, and his account does not involve the usual heroes of the Revolution. Joseph Plumb Martin’s opinion of the leadership of the Continental Army is somewhat negative, in that he did not feel the leaders held very idealistic concepts concerning the war. However he tells that he respected them in that he found them to be brave and courageous, as he thought everyone who had participation in (that) war was; that it was their strength and perseverance which held the men strong. So although he did believe they were a quintessential part in the leading, fighting, and success of the war, I believe that he also somewhat felt negatively towards them. Martin felt that they were â€Å"†¦very austere†¦and kept us constantly employed day and night; there was no chance of escaping from†¦their†¦vigilance.† (p.24). Martin describes of the suffering that was experienced by himself and his fellow men, as he names ‘Fatigue, hunger, and cold’ as constant companions to these raggedy soldiers. He also recalls that whenever the leaves and

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

Reflection - Essay Example d is critical than ever in journalism to ensure speed and accuracy in recording and reporting news (University of Kent, 2011) I have a thick skin and like meeting strangers Journalism requires meeting strangers both high profile and ordinary people, sometimes asking uncomfortable questions, that require a journalist to develop a thick skin (University of Kent, 2011) Am good in creativity and have a sense of humor Presenting any news requires creativity in ensuring one attracts the attention of the audience and presenting facts in an easy straightforward, but creative way. Personal skill Reflection Some of the major requirements essential in journalism have already been applied in different platforms as portrayed above. These include the use of high end cameras to shoot long-range cameras, where the Canon D90 and D60 cameras were used in picnics. In addition, due to the strong urge of being a journalist, I managed to attend a shorthand seminar course involving some practicing journali sts where were awarded shorthand certificates, though practice is still needed to prefect these skills. My qualities of being an entertaining communicator at all levels are essential in journalism. Meeting people and covering news requires interaction with different people; a good communicator will attract the attention of many people, which will be a major success in journalism. In addition, to being an entertainer and an eloquent speaker, I have already developed a thick skin and can effectively mix with the high profile personalities and ask even the hard questions with confidence. Developing a thick skin requires development of courage and determination to get to the root of any story despite the hurdles on the way. This will amount to taking numerous disappointments on the way and soldiering on to the end. This is a quality that I already have and am ready to apply it in journalism. My ever growing thirst for knowledge particularly concerning current affairs, and researching de tails to get facts is essential in journalism. Reporting the truth will require not just covering what is on the surface, but going deep to unravel the mystery behind any facts, an undertaking which I have exercised as a hobby in my coursework. 2. Industry Skills Audit Industry skill Evidence Multimedia skills Currently, media employers expect journalists and other media personnel to work on different platforms. For example, web based publishing is currently increasing in news reporting, where media companies have to use the internet as one of the primary platforms to public their content. Web based publishing skills are thus needed in using such platforms (University of Kent, 2011) Ability to write clearly, succinctly, quickly and passionately Journalism requires expression through verbal and written language. One is required to communicate to a wide range of audience both professionals and laymen. Excellent communication skills in writing with perfected grammar skills, ability to communicate clearly, and having a high degree of passion for writing and

COMMUNICATION IN BUSINESS - case study format Essay

COMMUNICATION IN BUSINESS - case study format - Essay Example The perceptions about time, the power of analysis and integration etc can also be different in different cultures. Political, economical, social and technological parameters can affect the business management process. These parameters are different across diverse cultures. Some countries may have democratic administrations whereas some other countries may have autocratic administrations. Moreover, economic growth, religions and the development of technology etc need not be the same in different countries. Business management styles need to be adjusted or fine tuned based on these parameters in order to manage a business successfully across cultures. Terms of Reference â€Å"In global firms, the effective management of cultural diversity which was once a concept, became imperative for the firms survival now† (Adler & Gunderson, 2007, p.128). I am working as a management consultant and Microsoft has recently approached me to prepare a management report for them in doing business in India. They specifically asked me to give more emphasize to the management challenges Microsoft may face in India. Microsoft discards the idea of a joint venture in India and they preferred making an independent unit in India. They are aware of the fact that because of the above decision, they have to do everything from A to Z in order to setup a business unit in India. So, they asked me to study the probable management issues they may face in India related to culture. This paper is written as a report to Microsoft about the possible management issues Microsoft may face in their Indian operations. Overview of the situation America and India are some of the largest democratic countries in the world even though, they differ heavily in many other aspects. Even though democracy is prevailing in both of the countries, the functioning of the political systems is entirely different. Even though both the countries are secular democratic, Christians dominate the American population where as Hindus dominate the Indian population. â€Å"India is an enormously hierarchical society (arguably the most hierarchical in the world) and this, obviously, has an impact on management style† (Indian Management Style, n.d) Most of the Indian organizations consist of people from different parts of the country and the management should address the cultural diversity aspects all the time. India consists of 28 states and 6 union territories; most of them are extremely diverse as far as culture and language are concerned. Because of the influence of left parties, the influence of trade unionism in India is more than that in America. Left trade unions can create problems to Microsoft, because of their declared stands against the capitalist countries and monopolies. However, considering the huge growth potentials of India Microsoft can neglect these challenges. At the same time, Microsoft needs to spend more time on learning about the diverse Indian culture in order to manage thei r business successfully in India. â€Å"Management practices are always culturally bonded† (Guidham, 2002, p.52). Analysis based on Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner cultural model The major elements of Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner cultural model of management of international business are; Universalism vs. Particularism, Analyzing vs. Integrating, Individualism vs. Communitarianism, Inner-directed vs.

The Importance Placed On Material Possessions English Language Essay

The Importance Placed On Material Possessions English Language Essay 1) Are young people in your country more materialistic than they were in the past? If so, do you think is a good or bad thing? If not, what are they more interested in? 2) Think of a town or place in your country that you know quite well and complete the description of that place with the usage of both neutral and colorful words to make your story interesting. Introduction Materialism is the importance placed on material possessions. Someone with a high level of materialism, described as materialistic, considers material possessions to be central to their life and their identity, and focuses a good deal of their energy on acquiring possessions. Someone with a low level of materialism, described as non-materialistic, or not materialistic, does not consider acquiring possessions to be particularly important, although they vary in the extent to which they acquire material possessions in order to meet other objectives, such as social acceptance. ANSWER QUESTION 1 Nowadays have half people like past people are not materialistic, but still have half people not like in the past and they are so materialistic. In todays society, materialism takes part in every persons life, no matter what social class they are. The idea of being materialistic can be considered immoral, but there is a fine line between morality and personal interests, so now is to see the people In the past, people are not in competition with one another, because in the past people is more stable life, they feel that there is sufficient enough to eat and enough to stay are already satisfy, moreover And they will not buy a lot of items not worth things. But nowadays people but now there is growing materialistic, Like to buy items not worth a lot, become very materialistic. I think now society people become so materialistic is a bad thing. Because material impact on society is a complex issue. Materialism can be defined as a desire to pursue wealth and other real things that can prov ision, ignoring the importance of spiritual values, the dominance of material comfort. This substance is characterized by the people for money, greed, the tendency to become rich quickly, even if it involves a lot of risk. It also includes a desire to live in mansions, wearing very expensive clothes, jewelry and driving flashy cars. In short, I expect to live in luxury. Effects of Materialism on Society is materialism and greed lead to personal satisfaction with social life echoed many of the most important aspect. Mood, made because of materialism, greed, the economic problems caused by the real world. The real problem may not be so simple, but it may be one of the reasons here. Greed is not confined to money, and the acquisition of power. Where there is power, corruption is imminent. One other negative emotions, desires, selfishness, jealousy, a lot of loss of sensation of materialism, to make people forget their moral values, often do not understand the difference between the only difference between the crime is an important choice. Good quality and comfort is wrong. They believe that everything around is the environment, their beliefs are to provide the human need is based on the conclusions of science they have lost faith in God, because they refused to believe anything, we can not see or hear or touch is the worst. Therefore, they come to the crimes committed after their senses. Therefore, the materialism, the negative impact of user groups. Suggestions for Restructuring our Society is we still make our world towards a better run. Therefore, we need to find purpose in our lives. Everyone needs to make some changes to his views. We want from the material world itself. This will allow the two sides, with or without the material things we have, we want happiness. This will enable us to think, If I put a good thing, but if I did not understand I said, it does not matter. This is not so easy, we want to set a friendly spirit, but not impossible task. Gave us the economic rough stage some valuable lessons. As a result, the whole world, we can go buy a couple of days, but we are still in our power to survive difficult circumstances, the real thing. We are very pleased that we can not lose ourselves, support our families. Than the material things of life more important than others do. We must give top priority to work hard, not every fast road to success. There is truth, honesty and hard work meaning, can give us a very satisfyi ng relationship. We need to improve our reality, rather than the substance of knowledge. In our non-material aspects of life is the main reason is lack of understanding, not only individuals, but as a social collective. Spirituality can help us understand our true identity. If we lose the wealth of alternative, but if we lose ourselves, we can not be replaced. You can also refer to the creation of the theory for more information. A practical solution to these problems, whether economic or otherwise, can be obtained by introspection. We can find out what caused the problems we face, but we are today. Fixed out of the material world of their own, recognizing that true self in your sleep. This is to prevent the real growth in the community mental block. Finally they more interested is money to materialistic. Because young people feel that money can buy to meet their own, such as cars, clothes, trousers, watches, shoes, mobile phones, video games. Some younger love to buy brand-name, not the brand name with no interest, they feel that is good with good to enjoy with a brand name, giving a new generation of young people to be adversely affected. ANSWER QUESTION 2 Cameron Highland was named after and discovered in 1885 by an English man named William Cameron during a survey operation in the Titiwangsa Mountain Range. Forging a path through the dense vegetation, he finally reached a magnificent and sublime plateau shut up in the mountains. From then on, the British colonists recognized its potential for growing tea, a precious commodity then. Over time, townships began to sprout around Cameron Highlands as the tea plantations grew. After Malaysias independence, its popularity as a highland holiday retreat steadily rose (Though the idea was already implanted in 1925 by British Official Sir George Maxwell). Today, it is a popular tourist destination to visit on holiday, due to it cooling atmosphere, serene environment and picturesque scenery. The Cameron Highlands is part of Pahang state, though most entry points, via Tapah and Simpang Pulai, lie in Perak state. From Ringlet to Brinchang, the Cameron Highlands is mostly cooling throughout the yea r, enabling visitors to enjoy a holiday here anytime. In terms of culture, the Chinese make up the largest community in Cameron Highlands, running most of the businesses and plantations in the valley. Indians and Malays from the next two largest communities with similiar economic activities. There are also a large number of labourers from Bangladesh and Myanmmar, who come to work the fields of tea and vegetables. Finally, you can also find tourists from places like Europe and Asia that have decided to settle down in the Cameron Highlands and call it their home. Cameron Highlands is the only holiday destination in Malaysia where strawberries are grown and harvested commercially. The strawberry farms found here are also open for visitors, making them one of the top tourist attractions in Cameron Highlands. The farms are great places for shopping products made from strawberries, such as jams and tarts. The best season to enjoy strawberries is usually from April till June, the driest months. The Cameron Highland tea plantations are its hallmark of fame and one of the reasons why this place is so popular as a holiday destination among locals even. Tea plantations carpet the surrounding valleys in a fine layer of yellow green tea leaves, and most of them are open to tourists and visitors who can purchase their own tea bags, watch workers pluck tea as well as enjoy a simmering hot cup of tea with scones. Tea was the reason William Cameron saw potential and founded this valley, which eventually became Malaysias top highland holiday destination. The Night Market in Brinchang is an important fixture in the time table of Cameron Highlands. Also called Pasar Malam, which means night bazaar, the Brinchang Night Markets takes place of Friday and Saturday nights, during peak tourist seasons and national holidays or festivals, the night market will open throughout the week in response to the good business and flood of visitors from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and all over. The Bee Farms in Cameron Highlands allow visitors and tourists to see how honey is cultivated here from bees on a moderate scale. The delicious nectar is harvested from the combs made by bees that are housed in an elevated wooden box. One such honey bee farm is located near Ringlet, in a secluded corner reached from a narrow alley branching off the main road. If you want to shoot landscapes at Cameron Highland, I can introduction some beautiful place to shoot. Boh Tea is the largest tea producer in the Cameron Highlands. Like Bharat, it also has two estates, but most people will only visit the Sungai Palas estate in Brinchang. The other tea field lies near Ringlet in a place called Habu. The Boh Tea estate in Sungai Palas is an awesome place to visit, with fields of tea growing around hills that seem to stretch for miles. As this is the highest tea estate in the Cameron Highlands, mist creeping over the landscape is a common feature. The road will end at a T-junction; right leads to Boh Tea Center while left goes all the way up to Gunung Brinchang. Boh also has the only factory open for visitors to look and marvel at the processes and methods used in the production of tea. In the Lake House is a stunning colonial architecture of the slender ring of the boutique hotel. This is the second most expensive place to stay the night in the Camero n Highlands. Price range is matched only in the Cameron Highlands Resort Tanah Rata and Brinchang than between. Asian tourists, however, this colonial mansion living digging, because it evokes a feeling of living in Europe. In the small ring, located in the Lake House Hotel for the dam but there are some dark, dense forest looking for it in the background. In addition, there are many tourist attractions in Cameron Highlands. Finally, In the Cameron Highlands is a beautiful, cool weather and climate is a good place. As Cameron and more tourist attractions, so there are big festivals and holidays, many people will choose to Cameron over a holiday, especially to a hot summer day, people will choose to Cameron summer. Conclusion Recommendation Cameron Highlands is the smallest district in the state of Pahang which is located in the north-western corner of the state. One of the wonders of Malaysia, it is the largest and most famous hill resort in the country. This highland paradise still retains much of the charm of an English village. Being a primarily agricultural domain, you will find an abundance of vegetables and fruits farms here. Cameron Highlands is also the leading producer of flowers and tea in Malaysia. Be prepared for a lovely sight of extraordinary flowers you wont see flourishing elsewhere in Malaysia! At Cameron Highland can feel very enjoy and relax. Bibliograph Cameron Highland, online, retrieved 12 March 2011 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cameron_Highlands Cameron Highland Strawberry Farm, online, retrieved 12 March 2011 from http://www.strawberryparkresorts.com/about-the-resort.html Cameron Highland Lakehouse, online, retrieved 12 March 2011 from http://www.lakehouse-cameron.com/index.php

Teenage Abortions

Charlene Mays Professor H. English 1C 23 March 2010 Risk in Teenage Abortions Teenagers should not be allowed to have abortions. There are too many risk; abortions can cause young women infertility, meaning they will not be able to have kids. Young women young women have to deal with extreme fetal pain during an abortion process; there is also the probability that some can die right there on the table and have drastic changes in there hormones. Studies have proven that abortions can lead to an increased chance of breast cancer, Pelvic Inflammatory disease, and the contraction of Viral Hepatitis due to excessive bleeding and complications. We as teenagers also need to learn to grow up and take care of our responsibities Teen abortions is legal in almost every state, although some require parental or guardian permission. Abortion is the prevention of an innocent life, which is allowed without permission in over 20 states. I feel that teenage abortions should be banned from all stats even the ones with parent permission because sometimes a parent can force a child to have an abortion. Many women do not see a problem with abortion because according to them, a fetus is just cells. A fetus is more than just cells, it is a human being. Eighteen days after conception, doctors have detected the unborn child’s beating heart. Forty-five days after conception, brain waves have been detected. By three months, all body systems are present and functioning. All of these things occur in the first trimester and ninety-five percent of abortions are performed during the first trimester. What would you do if you accidentally got a young female pregnant, would you handle your responsibilities, or would you take the easy way out and get the abortion? Each and everyday teenagers all over the world are making the decision of taking the easy way out. Now days the way to bail out of having a child is to get an abortion. then you’ll never have to worry about diapers, and milk. When you handle your responsibilities you get the enjoyment of raising you own and being there for a younger one that will look up to you for the rest of there life. As a teenagers having an abortion can impact your life forever whether you decide to abort or give birth. Most teenagers find them selves in a hard position when a child is on its way of being born. eenagers begin to panic and think of all the things that they will miss out on in life, because of a child being born. Your friends and peers around you will either support you or start to dislike you in terms of your decision to get rid of a living fetus. Once any teenager its not like it can be undone the baby is already dead. All teenagers should take there time and really think about it before they go and get this process done. Abortions can cause young girls to have infertility in there futures. Whether you choose to keep your baby, put the baby up for adoption or have an abortion, hormones run crazy when you are pregnant. As you feel the life inside you start to grow, you become attached to it, or perhaps even angry with this new life. Sometimes teens even try to kill themselves because they don’t want to go though the abortion process. Some parents force teenagers to get abortions so that it doesn’t look bad on them and ruin their daughters lives. Responsibility is a big thing in raising a child without responsibility you find your self wanting to take the unborn life away. The issue of abortion has divided the country. However, there is an issue that we can all come to agree and that is a genuine reluctance of our society to take responsibility. The truth is that the majority of abortions do not occur because of the raping of a woman, incest, or potential loss of the mother's life. So why do they occur so often? They occur because people realize that they do not want to have a child for a number of different reasons from an inability to afford one to the potential change it causes to the female body. Nonetheless, the decision is not made because of the fear of the mother losing her life or any of the predominant explanations for the occurrence of abortions. At the root of the occurrence of so many abortions is the inability of individuals in society to take responsibility for their actions. Bearing children is the natural result of sexual intercourse under favorable conditions, it is not forced upon women by the United States government. I am forced to wonder: If a woman has a history of bad decisions which cause her an unwanted pregnancy, why should our society trust her to take the welfare of the child into account and trust her not make the abortion decision? Still, though it is clear that women have made choices that put them in the position of being pregnant, it is worthwhile to repeat a few reasons why abortion is an abhorrent murder of a baby. When a teenager gets pregnant there young bodies open up to a lot of diseases. They can contract Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, and the contraction of Viral Hepatitis due to excessive bleeding and complications. There is a possibility that teenagers can die on the table or to have drastic fetal pain. During the abortion process teenagers will feel excessive cramping as the excess blood discharges from the body. Teenagers may also contract Bacterial vaginosis which is one of the most common vaginal infections that occur in women today in the United States. Also a teenager can mess up her body by getting abortion that she can have a handicapped newborn in later on wanted pregnancies. Abortion is associated with cervical and uterine damage which may increase the risk of premature delivery, complications of labor and abnormal development of the placenta in later pregnancies. Complications are the leading causes of handicaps among newborns. Compared to women who abort teenagers who abort are two to four times more like to commit suicide. Teens are more likely to have psychological and relationship problems. Studies have shown that the major factors in pregnancy decision making among teens are the attitude of the teens parents, the baby’s father, and friends; the personality of the girl herself. A young girls mind can be messed up, this physical effect may cause her to feel an emotional emptiness she have never felt before. Less frequent side effects include possible heavy or prolong bleeding, blood clots, damage to the cervix and the uterus. Infection due to retain products of conception or infection caused by an STD or bacteria being introduced to the uterus can cause fever, pain. Abdominal tenderness and possibly scared tissue. All extreme things that you can die from. Teen abortion kills an innocent life. You exist because your mother chose to give birth to you. Personally I believe abortion is wrong and is definitely not a decision a teenager should have to make at all. Abortions should be band from society because we all need to grow up and take care of our responsibilities. Yea you might get pregnant, and you might not be ready but that doesn’t give you the right to kill an innocent life. Just think God has sent you down a soon to be beautiful baby, there are a lot of people that are unfortunate and have to adopt. Whether it is physical harm to the body or the religious point of view, there are two many risk with abortions in general.

Ergonomic Workstation

Computer Workstation Ergonomics INF 103: Computer Literacy Winter 2009 Computer Workstation Ergonomics As we spend increasing amounts of time at our computer workstation, we need to be aware of how the design and arrangement of our equipment can impact our comfort, health, and productivity. WORK AREA The work area should be large enough to accommodate you, allow the full range of motions involved in performing required tasks, and provide room for the equipment and materials that make up the workstation. †¢Use a headset for lengthy or frequent telephone work. Place the items you use most frequently directly in front of you. †¢Avoid overcrowding computer work areas. DESK/WORKSTATION Standard furniture cannot accommodate everyone’s needs. A taller person may need a one-time adjustment to have his or her work surface raised somewhat; a shorter person may need a footrest or other accessories. Adjustable furniture may be needed in situations where people share or use the s ame workstation. †¢The desktop should be organized so that frequently used objects are close to the user to avoid excessive extended reaching. The work surface should have a matte finish to minimize glare or reflections. †¢The area underneath the desk should always be tidy and clean to accommodate the user’s legs and allow for stretching. †¢If a fixed-height desk is used, add a keyboard tray that adjusts vertically to provide added adjustability. †¢A footrest should be used if, after adjusting the height of the chair, feet do not rest flat on the floor. †¢Use a headset or speaker phone to avoid neck and shoulder discomfort if you use a phone frequently throughout the day. †¢Place the phone on the side of your non-dominant hand (i. e. left side if right-handed, right side if left-handed) †¢Position your desk lamp (if you use one) so that it illuminates source documents without causing either glare on the computer screen or direct illumination to your eyes. †¢A document holder should be used if documents are referred to during keying. The document holder should: †¢Be stable and adjustable (height, position, distance, and angle of view). †¢Support your document on either side of the monitor. †¢Be at the same distance from your eyes as the display screen to avoid frequent changes of focus and you should be able you to look from one to the other without moving your neck or back. CHAIR ADJUSTMENTS Contrary to popular belief, sitting, which most people believe is relaxing, is hard on the back. Sitting for long periods of time can cause increased pressure on the intervertebral discs — the spongy discs between the vertebras. Sitting is also hard on the feet and legs. Gravity tends to pool blood in the legs and feet and create a sluggish return to the heart. The following recommendations can help increase comfort for computer users: †¢Ã¢â‚¬ Dynamic sitting†, don’t stay in one static position for extended periods of time. When performing daily tasks, alternate between sitting and standing or take small walking breaks throughout the day. †¢The chair back should have a lumbar support †¢Adjust height of backrest to support the natural inward curve of the lower back. †¢It may be useful to use a rolled towel, lumbar roll or cushion to support the low back. †¢The angle of the back rest is subjective but the trunk and upper l egs should form an angle between 90 to 115 degrees. †¢Adjust height of chair so feet rest flat on floor oSit upright in the chair with the low back against the backrest and the shoulders touching the backrest. Thighs should be parallel to the floor and knees at about the same level as the hips. oBack of knees should not come in direct contact with the edge of the seat pan. There should be 2-4 inches between the edge of the seat and the back of the knee †¢Arm rests should be removable and the distance between the arm rests should be adjustable. oAdjust height and/or width of armrests so they allow the user to rest arms at their sides and relax/drop their shoulders while keyboarding. oDon’t use armrests to slouch. Also, chair arms should not oticeably elevate your shoulders or force you to move your arms away from your body to use them. oElbows and lower arms should rest lightly on armrests so as not to cause circulatory or nerve problems. †¢Use a footrest when a ttempts to adjust your chair and the rest of the workstation fail to keep your feet on the ground. †¢Ensure that you have some space (2-3†³) between the top of your thighs and the underside of your workstation. †¢Have enough space under your work surface so that you can pull yourself all the way up to the edge of the desk with room for your legs and knees to fit comfortably. MONITOR Once the chair and work surface height are properly adjusted, the computer monitor should be placed so the top of the screen is at or just below eye level when seated in an upright position. The following suggestions can help prevent the development of eye strain, neck pain and shoulder fatigue while using your computer workstation: †¢Make sure the surface of the viewing screen is clean. †¢Adjust brightness and contrast to optimum comfort. †¢Position the monitor directly in front of the user to avoid excessive twisting of the neck. †¢User must position the monitor at a comfortable viewing distance, approximately 18-30 inches from the user. Position monitors at right angles from windows to reduce glare. Close window blinds as needed to reduce glare from sunlight. †¢Position monitors away from direct lighting which creates excessive glare or use a glare filter over the monitor to reduce glare. †¢Adjust the monitor tilt so that ceiling lights do not reflect on your screen. †¢If a document holder is used, it should be placed at approximately the same height as the monitor and at the same distance from the eyes to prevent frequent eye shifts between the monitor screen and reference materials. †¢Get regular eye check-ups. Adjust as needed for larger screens. You may need to sit farther away and increase the font size to take full advantage of the larger screen. Bifocal and trifocal wearers have to pay particular attention to the placement of their monitor. Wearers of bifocals and trifocals often unknowingly tilt their heads backwards so they can read the screen through the lower portion of their glasses. This can sometimes lead to neck, shoulder, and back discomfort. Potential solutions include either lowering the computer monitor or purchasing glasses designed specifically for working at the computer. KEYBOARD Many ergonomic problems associated with computer workstations occur in the shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand. Continuous work on the computer may expose soft tissues in these areas to repetition, awkward postures, and forceful exertions, especially if the workstation is not set up properly. The following adjustments should be made to your workstation to help prevent the development of an ergonomic problem in the upper extremities: †¢First adjust your chair as mentioned above, then with your arms resting comfortably at your side, raise your forearms to form a 90 degree angle with your upper arms. Adjust keyboard height so shoulders can relax and allow arms to rest at sides. An articulating keyboard tray is often necessary to accommodate proper height and distance. †¢Position the keyboard directly in front and be close to the user to avoid excessive extended reaching. †¢Forearms parallel to the floor (approximately 90 degree angle at elbow). †¢Mouse should b e placed adjacent to keyboard and at the same height as the keyboard. Avoid extended and elevated reaching for keyboard and mouse. The back of the wrist should be kept flat (in a neutral position). Do not rest the hand on the mouse when you are not using it. Rest hands in your lap when not entering data. †¢A padded wrist rest will help to keep your wrist in a straight and neutral position while typing and keep your arms off the sharp edges of the work surface. †¢Do not rest your wrists or hands on a palm or wrist rest when you are keying. These rests are designed to provide support only during breaks from keying. †¢The slope of the keyboard may need to be adjusted so that it is flat in order that your wrists are straight and not bent back while you are typing. †¢Press the keys gently; do not bang them or hold them down for long periods. Keep your shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers relaxed. If your work surface is too high and not adjustable, adjust your chair to bring your arms to the proper position. If you raise your chair make sure your feet are properly supported. MOUSE, TRACKBALL, OR OTHER INPUT DEVICE †¢The mouse is present in virtually every office environment. Handed versions of mousses are designed specifically to the contours of either the right or left hand. †¢Placing the mouse, trackball, or other input device too far away, too low, or too much on one side can cause shoulder, wrist, elbow, and forearm discomfort. Placing the input device directly in your immediate reach zone offers natural comfort and maximum hand-to-eye coordination. †¢Do not bend your wrist upward. Make sure you are sitting high enough for the workstation to be slightly below elbow height so that your hand rests naturally on the mouse. †¢Moussing demands a certain level of surface stability; if used on a keyboard tray, the tray should not wobble or tip. †¢A trackball has an exposed ball that you manipulate with your fingers. It requires the use of different muscle and tendon groups than does a mouse, and can add variety to your manipulation of computer information. Some trackball designs, however, may cause discomfort and possible injury to the area around your thumb, which stretches and reaches to maneuver the trackball. †¢Test different models of mouse’s, trackball or other input devices. Consider the shape and size of the devices, how comfortably it fits into your hand, ease of operation, and any special features that might make your job easier. In addition to the mouse and trackball, a variety of other input devices are available. Consider your task requirements and physical limitations. †¢Touch pads allow you to move the cursor on the computer screen by simply gliding your finger across a small pad. Unlike mousses, trackballs, and other pointing devices, touch pads have no moving parts to clog or breaks, so they never require disassembly for cleaning. †¢Touch screens allow you to point directly at an object. They require little or no training, are faster than other pointing devices, and require no extra work surface. However, the disadvantages of touch screens include arm fatigue, smudges, optical interference, and increased glare. †¢Voice input allows you to â€Å"talk† to your computer. Currently, such programs can understand and respond to natural speech delivered at rates of up to 160 words per minute. Pen-like devices use pressure, light, electromagnetic disruption, or radio frequencies to enter and manipulate information through contact with the computer screen or a horizontal pad. A pen pad requires about as much room on the work surface as does a mouse. If pen technology is used on a horizontal pad, a workstation must provide adequate non-glare lighting for both it and the computer screen. LIGHTING Lighting not suited to working with a computer is a major contributing factor in visual discomforts including eyestrain, burning or itching eyes, and blurred or double vision. The lighting in most office environments is too bright for optimal VDT screen viewing. The illumination may be reduced by removing 2 bulbs in a 4-bulb fluorescent fixture, removing the bulbs in every other fixture, or turning off overhead lights altogether. Supplemental desk lighting is better than overhead lighting for reading or printed copy. Use the following recommendations to reduce eyestrain and eye fatigue: †¢Close drapes/blinds to reduce glare. †¢Adjust lighting to avoid glare on screen (light source should come at a 90 degree angle, with low watt lights rather than high). Avoid intense or uneven lighting in your field of vision. †¢Place monitor at 90 degree angle to windows (where possible). †¢Reduce overhead lighting (where possible). †¢Use indirect or shielded lighting where possible. †¢Walls should not be painted with a reflective finish. †¢Use a glare screen or monitor shield to reduce glare from overhead lighting. WORK HABITS Repetitio us static work (working at the computer) is very fatiguing on your upper extremities as well as your eyes. It is important that breaks from working at the computer be taken every 20 to 40 minutes in order for your body to rest and recover. Taking a short break (3 to 5 minutes) does not mean you have to stop working, other activities such as talking to a co-worker, making copies, filing, etc. could be done during breaks from typing. It is also important to change positions periodically. According to the â€Å"Alexander Technique,† you should change sitting or leaning positions every 15 minutes (Bailin,  ¶ 13, http://www. netsci. org/Science/Special/feature01. html) Sitting in one position or leaning on your arms for an extended period of time can interfere with circulation. Laptop Computers NOTE: IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT LAPTOP COMPUTERS ARE NOT RECOMMENDED AS PRIMARY COMPUTERS. IN THE OFFICE OR WHILE AT HOME, A DOCKING STATION IS RECOMMENDED TO PROVIDE ADJUSTABILITY WHICH WILL ENHANCE NEUTRAL POSTURES. Computing Maintaining neutral postures will reduce stress and strain to the musculoskeletal system. †¢Incorporate mini-breaks every 20 to 30 minutes to break up repetition and static postures. †¢Maintain a comfortable viewing distance from your screen; about 18-30 inches. †¢Keep your head and neck in a neutral posture; avoid excessive neck flexion or rotation. †¢Angle the screen so that it is perpendicular to your line of sight, if lighting permits. Position the keyboard at elbow height, and keep your wrists straight while keying. Experiment with table height, chair height and keyboard angle to maintain neutral wrist postures. †¢Remember: if you raise your chair use a footrest to support your feet. When seated your hips should be slightly higher than your knees. †¢If you are seated in a side chair or couch, use a pillo w to support your arms while keying. This will help you maintain neutral arm, wrist, and hand postures. †¢Attach an external mouse instead of using the small constricted touchpad or trackball. †¢Clean the screen regularly using appropriate antistatic cleaning materials. The hands and wrists should be kept in a straight wrist posture when typing and should not be resting on a pal rest, table, or lap while typing. Wrist and palm rests are designed to provide support during breaks from typing. Transporting the Computer Keep these ideas in mind while carrying your laptop from place to place: †¢Eliminate unnecessary baggage from your briefcase; the less demand placed on the body the better. †¢Carry your laptop in a case with a padded shoulder strap and handle. Frequently shift hands or shoulders to balance the load. †¢Use a wheeled luggage cart when possible.

When Having an Agent is Not a Good Thing

When Having an Agent is Not a Good Thing In 2007, I was a new author basking in the glow of the success of my first self-published book – a collection of short stories, that had won several awards and some serious press. My head was full of ideas for my next book. After completing the manuscript of my literary novel, I started shopping it around. Imagine my delight when several agents showed interest in it. I soon landed an agent at a very reputable New York agency with a proven track record. The young agent I signed up with was enthusiastic at the prospect of selling both my collection and the new novel I was working on. His head was full of ideas, but then came a series of â€Å"but firsts.† The first few rounds of editing were easy until a bombshell dropped. A senior agent at the agency quit and the bulk of that agent’s high profile clients came to the junior agent who suddenly lost all interest in me. He was no longer as responsive as he used to be, and it would take him days to respond to simple requests. After a few months of dodging my requests to seek updates, he hired an intern to work with me on doing the rest of the revisions. In a few days, I received a marked up copy from the intern that involved cutting 30 percent of my manuscript – to the point that pivotal moments in the story no longer made any sense. I put my foot down and refused to do those edits. The intern quickly backed off and the junior agent took charge again. After a few rounds of reasonable revision requests, I was promised that my book would be shopped around, except it never was. I was told it would be presented at book shows and that too never happened. After 18 months of waiting for my agent to fulfill his side of the obligations, I decided it was time to leave. I thanked him graciously and bowed out of the relationship.   Two months after that, I sold my novel to a reputable small traditional publisher In 2014, researchers from Washington and Lee University used an excerpt of Saffron Dreams to show that reading literary fiction like my novel can actually make someone less racist. The study was published in Basic and Applied Social Psychology. Interestingly enough, the passage that was selected for the study was one that my agent’s intern had marked for deletion. I leave the moral of the story to your imagination.

The Grassland Biome Habitat

The Grassland Biome Habitat The grassland biome includes terrestrial habitats that are dominated by grasses and have relatively few large trees or shrubs. There are three main types of grasslands- temperate grasslands, tropical grasslands (also known as savannas), and steppe grasslands. Sufficient Rainfall Most grasslands experience a dry season and a rainy season. During the dry season, grasslands can be susceptible to fires which often start as a result of lightning strikes. The annual rainfall in a grassland habitat is greater than the annual rainfall that occurs in desert habitats. Grasslands receive sufficient rainfall to support the growth of grasses and other plants, but not enough to support the growth of significant numbers of trees. The soils of grasslands also limit the vegetation structure that grows in them. In general, grassland soils are too shallow and dry to support tree growth. Variety of Wildlife Grasslands support a variety of wildlife including reptiles, mammals, amphibians, birds and many types of invertebrates. The dry grasslands of Africa are among the most ecologically diverse of all grasslands and support populations of animals such as giraffes, zebras, lions, hyenas, rhinoceroses, and elephants. The grasslands of Australia provide habitat for kangaroos, mice, snakes, and a variety of birds. The grasslands of North America and Europe support wolves, wild turkeys, coyotes, Canada geese, cranes, bison, bobcats, and eagles. Some common plant species that occur in North American grasslands include buffalo grass, asters, coneflowers, clover, goldenrods, and wild indigos. Key Characteristics The following are the key characteristics of the grassland biome: Vegetation structure that is dominated by grassesSemi-arid climateRainfall and soils not sufficient to support significant tree growthMost common at mid-latitudes and near the interiors of continentsGrasslands are often exploited for agricultural use Classification The grassland biome is classified within the following habitat hierarchy: Biomes of the World Grassland Biome The grassland biome is divided into the following habitats: Temperate grasslands - Temperate grasslands are habitats that are dominated by grasses and have lack trees and large shrubs. Temperate grasslands include tall-grass prairies which are wet and humid and short-grass prairies which are dry and experience hot summers and cold winters. The soil of temperate grasslands has an upper layer that is nutrient-rich. Seasonal droughts are often accompanied by fires that prevent trees and shrubs from growing.Tropical grasslands - Tropical grasslands are grasslands that are located near the equator. They have warmer, wetter climates than temperate grasslands and experience more pronounced seasonal droughts. Tropical grasslands are dominated by grasses but also have some scattered trees. The soil of tropical grasslands are very porous and drain rapidly. Tropical grasslands occur in Africa, India, Australia, Nepal, and South America.Steppe grasslands - Steppe grasslands are dry grasslands that border on semi-arid deserts. The grasses found in steppe grasslands is much shorter than that of temperate and tropical grasslands. Steppe grasslands lack trees except along the banks of rivers and streams. Animals of the Grassland Biome Some of the animals that inhabit the grassland biome include: African elephant (Loxodonta africana) - African elephants have a large head, large ears, and a long muscular trunk. The two front incisors of African elephants grow into large tusks that curve forward.Lions (Panthera leo) - Lions are the largest of all African cats. Lions inhabit the savannas of Africa and the Gir Forest in northwest India.Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) - Spotted hyenas inhabit the grasslands, savannas, and semi-deserts of sub-Saharan Africa. Their population densities are highest in the Serengeti, a vast plains ecosystem that stretches from northern Tanzania to southwestern Kenya.American bison (Bison bison) - Millions of bison used to roam North Americas grasslands, boreal regions, and scrublands but the relentless slaughter of bison for meat, hides, and sport drove the species to the brink of extinction.

Training for new sales representatives Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Training for new sales representatives - Essay Example es should be learn how to target potential customers, contacting the potential customers through phone calls or impromptu visits at their homes or work places. Securing appointments is the main aim of prospecting sales. The second training objective should be communication skills. The sales people should have the knowledge on how to communicate well with customers, how to build a rapport, how to listen to customers, and how to connect with customers (U.S. Department of labor, 2014). Moreover, this involves establishing credibility, building trust, and understanding the customer’s needs. In addition, the sales people should be aware of the fact that how they present themselves will heavily influence the sale. The training program should also focus on closing the deal. Apparently, making sales is the ultimate objective of training new sales representative. The training should also cover how to overcome rejections from customers, maintaining confidence in selling the products and services even when turned down, doing follow ups on proposed appointments, negotiating strategies with the customers and determining alternative solutions that will lead to a sale. Upon completion of the training, the sales people should be ready to find customers, know how to communicate properly with customers, how to persuade a sale indirectly and be able to close the deal. The sales people should be aware of the fact that not everyone approached will be friendly and so confidence will be highly needed. The sales people should also know the performance expectations and targets in order to deliver quality performance (U.S. Department of labor, 2014). Quality performance is only achievable if a person has the determination and drive to work towards the targets set. The target-training group should possess certain skills, needs, and interest like excellent sales, negotiation skills, excellent communication skills, high levels of confidence, be a team player, possess good organizational,

Contemporary Human Resourse Management Research Essay

Contemporary Human Resourse Management Research - Essay Example While professionalization of the HR practice has been encouraged through certification programmes such as CIPD, the HR specialists need to add to their attributes to become worthy of the label of being a professional. A model of growth, contribution and enjoyment is what the HR specialists need to focus on. Challenges for the HR specialists Driven by numerous internal and external forces, HR management has expanded its activities from functional and administrative tasks to more strategic functions and aligning its functions and activities with the strategic goals of the organisation. A strategic partner should be able to create a positive impact on the organisation’s performance. The process view of HRM also known as HR system strength or HRS focuses on how the HR function communicates with the employees, not on what it communicates (Rebeiro, Coelho & Gomes, 2011). The HR practitioners are responsible for overall performance in two ways. They shape the skills, attitudes and be haviour of the entire workforce in the organisation which in turn impacts the organisational performance. Again, the HR practitioners can also have a direct impact on performance by creating structural and operational efficiencies which facilitates the organisation to implement strategies consistent with their goals. This approach requires a strategic fit between the HR practices and the organisational strategy for enhanced performance. HRS has a direct impact on improving behaviour. When messages are communicated to the employees in a clear, consistent and distinct way horizontal fit has been achieved. Organisational culture also impacts the outcome of HR practices. Thus, HR practices and their outcome cannot be considered in isolation because several factors contribute towards its success or failure. Realizing the challenges posed by the changed business environment, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) reframed its professional standards and introduced the concept of the â€Å"thinking performer† (Higgins & Zhang, 2009). The â€Å"thinking performer† is an ideal HR practitioner that adds value to their organisation as they are capable of and constantly willing to challenge the way things are executed. The â€Å"thinking performer† is a â€Å"strategic activist† who has the capability to challenge the status quo and demand more from what is currently being delivered by the people in the organisation. CIPD has been attempting to upgrade the personnel management towards strategic issues. This has become essential in light of the fact that most HR practitioners do not engage in strategic issues or challenge how things are being done. However, this too has to be handled in a way that other employees do not feel estranged if the entire focus is shifted towards strategic issues. This is perhaps what Pook (2001) means when he contends that HR development and organisational development are intertwined. People make a n organisation and their knowledge and capabilities are a resource that has to be used for achieving strategically defined results. Much of the business generating activity also depends upon employee loyalty and identification with the organisation. In other words people are both drivers and inhibitors of change and development. Therefore attracting and retaining the right

Personal Work Environment Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Personal Work Environment Paper - Essay Example Such studies support experts' claims that communication is indeed "the lifeblood of any organization" (p. 2). Business organizations agree that there are many ways of communicating. These are the channels of communication, or where the communication will take place. Thus, choosing the right channel and the appropriate form for business messages is a communication skill. Channel involves the issue of what should be put in writing and what should be communicated orally. Will messages be communicated by fax Telephone E-mail Face-to-face exchange When communicators agree about the channel, they can avoid misunderstandings. Such misunderstandings may seem trivial, but these can be significant in closer analysis. In the United States, according to business communication guides, efficiency, clarity, conciseness, accuracy, and accountability are the keys to making the right communication channel. For example, a telephone call may be the fastest way to get clarification, but you may need something in writing before you can act. In my opinion, face-to-face meeting is still the "best channel" to use when doing official business communications. ... Presently, business organizations could meet through videoconferencing. This method simulates live, face-to-face interaction, although people attending the "meeting" may be thousands of miles apart. Yet, videoconferencing could not provide the energy provided by participants who shares the space, and there is always the threat of technological glitches (Roebuck 2001, p. 4). In addition, memos, e-mail, networked intranet bulletin boards, printed reports, and other written documents are the most common channels of written communication within companies. Memos, in particular, play different roles in different cultures and organizations. In North American businesses, memos are the standard channel of communication from superiors to subordinates, subordinates to superiors, and employees at the same level. In addition to that, memos can also be written to file or as reminders to oneself. They can be formal or informal in tone. When informal, a memo is a convenient way of communicating information in writing-so there is a record of it-without the weight of a formal document. However, memos at this time are already commonly sent by e-mail (Varner & Beamer, 2004). As a means for sending feedback from employees to management, memos (especially e-mail) excel-at least where feedback is expected by managers. Feedback is not easy for managers to gather if subordinates are not used to giving it. Managers who don't solicit feedback will not receive as much as those who do. Memos may not be the best channel in these situations. Face-to-face exchanges, in which a wide range of nonverbal signals can be sent along with the worded message, may be a better choice. With the advancement of

Common Stereotypes in Society Essay Example for Free

Common Stereotypes in Society Essay As a society, we tend to stereotype. Whether our presumption is right or wrong, some common stereotypes are still accepted as truth no matter how much evidence there is proving another point of view. Three common stereotypes I see are those that involve abused women, Blacks and their love of fried chicken and the ability of older people learning foreign languages. Many of these stereotypes are reinforced by cultures and what is commonly seen within their culture. These stereotypes can have a long lasting effect on the people that are judged by the stereotype and a long lasting effect on the perception of those people. When most people think about an abused woman, many see the woman with a black eye not realizing that abuse is more than physical. Verbal and mental abuse are also used to control the victim. In many cases, physical abuse is the latter and verbal and mental abuse is the first type introduced. Although there are many shelters and agencies available to abused women, many believe that these women are too afraid to leave the relationship and are blamed for any further abuse they suffer because they didn’t leave or call the police. On the contrary, â€Å"more than 77 percent of them had self-reported to the police. (Barrett, B. , Nov 2011). In the cases when the women have children, many think that they stay because they do not have the means to provide for their family if they leave the home. Based on a handbook by the Santa Clara Probation department, â€Å"victims of domestic violence leave their abuser seven times on average before they are able to stay on their own† (Prophet, T. , 2006). Many of the abused women are presumed as weak and people in general, do not want to assist a weak person because they will more than likely go back to the situation they were just helped out of. There are many shelters available but the funding needed is scarce due to the previous mentioned fear. The second common stereotype is that all Black people like fried chicken. I was taught in school that any statement that expresses that â€Å"all† of anything is definitely a false statement. This stereotype was started a long time ago, and is probably associated with situations related to slavery. â€Å"The most obvious explanation derives from the historical fact that fried chicken dishes were popular in slave homes on Southern plantations. In many cases, chickens were the only livestock animals that slaves were permitted to raise on their own† (Bering, J. (2011). This just proves that the reason fried chicken is associated with African Americans is not because they enjoy the food so much but it was the only choice they had when it came to what was availbe to them. The other reason there is such a negative connotation associated with fried chicken is because the slavery era itself was not a good time for African Americans (Bering, J. 2011). As an unhealthy and inexpensive food, fried chicken invokes images of poverty, ignorance, sloth, and other racist associations† (Bering, J. 2011). Not only is the mention of fried chicken and African Americans considered negative, it has also been viewed as racist. Advertisers seem to gear their commercials towards the African American community when advertising for fried chicken. Mary J. Blige received a lot of flack for being in a Burger King commercial advertising their New Crispy Strips Tortilla Wraps. The commercial was eventually pulled from rotation due to the backlash received. Other high profile individuals have also been targeted by the chicken industry, including President Obama. Although it’s no secret that these people do enjoy fried chicken, associating these people with the food generated a negative or racial tone. There is nothing wrong with these people liking fried chicken, as there are many other racial groups that also enjoy this cuisine. The third common stereotype would be the idea that older adults will have a harder time learning foreign languages when compared to younger children. One of the reasons for this stereotype can be attributed to the older adult and the teacher, they have doubts about their ability to learn a foreign language. Although most people have accepted the generalization of learning as â€Å"the younger the better† (Schleppegrell, M. , 1987), this is not the case when it comes to learning language. There have been studies that have determined that aging does not decline a person’s learning ability. The way older adults learn a new skill is the only adjustments that need to be made. These studies also show that older adults learn at a more rapid rate than children (Krashen, Long, and Scarcella, 1979). There are two reasons why being a poor language learner is attributed to adults, and those are â€Å"a theory of the brain and how it matures, and classroom practices that discriminate against the older learner† (Schleppegrell, M. , 1987). The critical period hypothesis that was put forth in the 1960s was based on then-current theories of brain development, and argued that the brain lost cerebral plasticity after puberty, making second language acquisition more difficult as an adult than as a child (Lenneberg, 1967). Due to advances in the study of neurology, it has been determined that adults have superior language learning capabilities. These studies and facts should dispel any accepted stereotypes related to older adults and their ability to learn foreign languages. One thing that is common amongst all of these stereotypes is that the â€Å"victim† has accepted these stereotypes to be true and doesn’t challenge any of the information that would affirm or deny such claims. This could also be the first step into getting some of these stereotypes removed from our culture so that people are able to benefit positively and not have to worry about any negative impacts from doing activities that are natural.