Hamlet- Hamlets madness Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Hamlet- Hamlets madness - Research Paper Example Thesis statement: Through feigning madness to cover up for his actions, the protagonist of the play (hamlet) had really become mad in the end. First of all, Hamlet was not mad, but unexpected events in his life forced him to pretend as mad. But this pretension influenced his mind and resulted in his madness in the end. One can see that pretension, with or without reason, can influence an individual’s emotional equilibrium. Hamlet pretends to be mad because he wished to hide his deeds like communication with the ghost, revenge, motive, guilty consciousness, Oedipus complex, and to confuse his enemies. To cover up his communication: In the play, prince Hamlet is portrayed as an individual who is trying to cover up his communication with supernatural elements (say, his father’s spirit). He knows that other people will not believe him because it is difficult to prove that the ghost used to visit him. But the ghost reveals that his uncle is the mastermind behind his fatherâ €™s death. In William Shakespeare’s work, the ghost states that, â€Å"Avenge his foul and most unnatural murder† (21). From a different angle of view, one can see that he was aware of the fact that he must cover up his communication with the ghost. To be specific, the ghost is the link between the prince and his father. If the ghost did not appear, he will not know the conspiracy behind his father’s untimely death. So, Hamlet decides to cover up his communication with the ghost and pretends that he did not know the mastermind behind the conspiracy. Besides, he pretended as mad because he was aware of the fact that others will not suspect him. To cover up revenge: Prince Hamlet knew that he cannot trust anybody because he was totally confused due to the problems within his private circle. He cannot trust his mother because she co-operated with his uncle to assassinate his father. The protagonist cannot trust his uncle because he murdered his father. But he k new that his uncle is watching him because he is the one and only person who can take revenge of the king’s murder. Still, Hamlet did not give up his aim because he must take revenge of the murder. If he tries to conduct an investigation on the murder, his uncle will try to hinder him. So, Hamlet pretends that he was not aware of his uncle’s role in the conspiracy. The best possible way to prove inactive is to pretend as an insane individual. On the other side, Hamlet’s uncle did not suspect him because he considers Hamlet as an insane individual. So, one can see that pretension helped Hamlet to keep himself away from trouble and to find out the truth in the end. To cover up motive: In the play, the playwright inculcates anti-heroic elements on the protagonist (say, Hamlet) to cover up his real motive. One can see that the protagonist is different from traditional protagonists with heroic qualities. For instance, the protagonist does not try to attack his father ’s murderer. Instead, the protagonist tries to collect evidence against the murderer and traps him. This innovative method or the protagonist’s pursuit to kill the murderer is helpful for the viewer/reader to have deeper understanding of the protagonist’s motive. Marvin Rosenberg states that, â€Å"Giving such signals of pretended madness, Hamlet can still be so anguished that he is in fact on the edge of unreason, but his consciousness is

Reflection essay Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Reflection essay - Case Study Example In many instances, organizations are not able to cater to the social responsibilities because of the huge pressure in corporate sector by the shareholders (Mickels, 2009). By registering as a Benefit corporation, an organization can project them as a business which also has the aim of developing a better society, such as the Good Capital LLC mentioned in the case, where investment is also carried out to provide solutions to some of the challenging problems faced by the society. Therefore, the biggest advantage is that both the society as well as the organization benefits. It also provides encouragement to a generation of entrepreneur who can share benefits with the society, without having to fear about the lawsuits or lack of support from the shareholders (Reiser, 2012). However, there are certain disadvantages also; where by Benefit corporates can get sued by if it fails to take the steps for the benefit of the society as per the state laws (Reiser, 2012). If the status of Benefit corporations is given to organizations, it is mandated that they take solid steps towards the social cause they are committed to (Reiser, 2012). Additionally, it also has a high risk of abuse as powerful leaders may use it to mask their follies (Katz and Page, 2010). Hence, it is appropriate only for those businesses that are fully committed to both social causes as well as to their shareholders. The issue of abuse also leads to the question of ethics in Benefit corporations. As the potential of misusing is high, because the losses can be easily masked out as investment for fulfilling the social causes, it is necessary to have rigorous testing standards so that organizations cannot take undue advantage in the pretext of being a Benefit organization (Reiser, 2012). In addition, an organization should give equal priority to its organizational mission as well as the social cause undertaken, so that it can commit fully to

Preventing Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI)

Preventing Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) Introduction Clinical governance is important for providing safe care to patients and is essential to continuous improvement in patient safety.(vicgov) One of the key components in relation to this safety and quality issue in health care is preventing and controlling healthcare associated infections(HAI) which plays a significant role in poor outcomes of patients.(sahealth) To prevent transmission of HAI, Hand Hygiene should be done which is one of the most effective ways. Clinical professionals, especially nurses who have high risk of HAI transmission to patients, need to review the effects and great importance of Hand Hygiene to minimize the risk of HAI. Also, study tells that a number of infections can be prevented by adherence to established infection control practices.(sahealth) However, when accessing articles, they need to know the review methods such as a systematic review and randomized control trial, to satisfy evidence based practice with having analysing skills for quality resources. Five articles were reviewed to practice this. Critique Larson et al did research to examine the impact of the new practice Guideline on HAI and this compared the infection rates of pre- and post-Guideline implementation in a sample of US hospitals in different time. The problem is the result can be affected by time. Some components, such as how surveillance is conducted, how infections are defined and other concurrent infection prevention activities over time, might play a significant role in the result. Also, there were no control groups in this research so that the outcome of this research cannot be compared with the control group’s infection rates in the same time of post-Guideline implementation. And there was only 2 days observation which is unlikely to be an accurate reflection of practice. Monistrol et al used no control group as well. And Hand Hygiene compliance, the consumption of alcohol-based hand rub (AHR), HAIs and MRSA hospital acquisition incidence were measured. Hand Hygiene compliance was measured by direct observation of health care workers during daily work routine. Observations covered all the 8 hour shifts on weekdays, which is more acceptable than Larson et al’s only 2 days observation. However, infection control nurses undertook the observers and also part of the educator. This could explain the high Hand Hygiene compliance in all periods due to the presence of observers. Meanwhile, Allegranzi et al assessed the effectiveness of the World Health Organization hand hygiene improvement strategy in a low-income African country, evaluating hand hygiene infrastructure, compliance, healthcare workers’ knowledge and perceptions, and handrub consumption. The ideal design for these researches would be Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT), because the research outcomes can be compared by control groups for more exact data in a same time. However, those cannot be done properly with RCT and this is the reason why they did not choose RCT for the research strategy. Once the new practice Guideline is published, the control groups will be informed as well. And this might withhold best practices from patients, raising ethical concerns. The most rigorous study among those three articles was Allegranzi et al’s research. To examine the effectiveness of WHO’s hand hygiene improvement strategy, they prepared well with training the observers for a long time according to the WHO observation method. And for the baseline evaluation and follow-up evaluation WHO knowledge questionnaire was administered. Also, more scientific and specific categories such as hand hygiene infrastructure and healthcare workers’ level of knowledge were shown in this research than others. Stout et al and Melissa et al reviewed articles by using a systematic review. In regards to the search strategy, Stout et al searched only PubMed for relevant articles. While Melissa et al searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, HMIC, the Web of Science and the Cochrane Library databases. There is evidence that single electronic database searches lack sensitivity and relevant articles may be missed if only one database is searched(Akobeng 2005). Meanwhile, Stout et al evaluated and reviewed 3,463 articles published between January 1, 2000 and March 31 2013. Forty two articles were selected and grouped into 1 of 4 categories after quality assessment of articles. Also, the earliest year of 2000 was selected because alcohol-based hand rub was not widely in use in prior years. This is a quite scientific strategy. While, there was no specific reason for Melissa et al to pick the articles between May and November 2004, as well as there was no mention about quality assessment of studies. A systematic review was selected for these articles to examine primary studies on focused clinical questions so that specific answers from narrowly defined review questions were given. Findings Conclusion The result of Larson et al indicates that hand hygiene guideline was disseminated and hospitals responded by modifying procedures and policies, compliance with hand hygiene recommendations remained low. Similarly, Monistrol et al suggested that no changes in incidences of HAI were shown after the multimodal campaign. However, Allegranzi et al found that hand hygiene improvement is affordable and effective in a healthcare setting with limited resources. The difference between Summary Number Author/s, year country Aims Sample/setting Design/methods Main Findings Strength/limitations of the study 1 Stout, Ritchie Macpherson 2007 UK To improve compliance with hand hygiene guidelines, resulting in low incidence of HAI. Search strategy with combined terms of ‘handwashing’, ‘alcohol cleanser’, ‘infection’, or ‘compliance’ Date or language limitation were applied. A systematic review: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, HMIC, the Web of Science and the Cochrane Library databases between May and November 2004 2 Melissa et al 2014 US To assess the existing evidence surrounding the adoption and accuracy of automated systems or electronically enhanced direct observations and also reviews the effectiveness of such systems in health care settings. 3 Allegranzi et al 2010 US To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the World Health Organization hand hygiene improvement strategy in a low-income African country. University Hospital, Bamako, Mali Introducing a locally produced, alcohol-based handrub; monitoring hand hygiene compliance; providing performance feedback; educating staff; posting reminders in the workplace; and promoting an institutional safety climate according to the World Health Organization multimodal hand hygiene improvement strategy. Compliance increased from 8.0% at baseline to 21.8% at follow-up 4 Larson, Quiros Lin 2007 US To evaluate implementation and compliance with clinical practices recommended in the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) Hand Hygiene Guideline To compare rates of HAI before and after implementation of the guideline recommendations To examine the patterns and correlates of changes in rates of HAI Survey for 89.8% of 1359 staff members Hospitals that were members of The National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System Quantitative study during 2001 – 2004, Hand Hygiene Guideline implementation and compliance measures: the introduction of the guideline within the hospital; the presence of the recommended products on clinical units; institutional policies and procedures regarding hand hygiene, includeing the presence of a formalized plan to monitor compliance. Measure of HAI pre- and post-Guideline: collecting data regarding HAI rates in the ICUs of study hospitals for 12 months before and 12 months following publication of the Hand Hygiene Guideline. Hand hygiene compliance: ranged from 24% to 89% per ICU None of the pre to post-rates of change were associated with hospital characteristics. Assessment of hand hygiene compliance was based on just 2 days of observation 5 Monistrol et al 2011 Spain To evaluate the effectiveness of a multimodal intervention in medical wards in relation to hand hygiene compliance, alcohol-based hand rub consumption and incidence of HAI and MRSA. 825 patients and 868 patients totally in the pre and post period respectively. Conducted at three internal medical wards(113 beds) in Hospital Universitari Mutua Terrassa, Spain Quantitative: Prospective study during 2007 2009. Carried out in four phases: a baseline phase(10 weeks from February 2007), an intervention period(5 months from June 2007), a post intervention(10 weeks from November 2007) and follow-up evaluation(November 2009) Hand hygiene compliance improved from 54.3% in the pre period to 75.8% in the post period. Alcohol-based hand rub consumption increased from 10.5 to 27.2L per 1000 patient-days. The incidence density of HAI ranged from 6.93 to 6.96 per 1000 hospital days and new Healthcare Associated MRSA went down from 0.92 to 0.25 per 1000 hospital-days. Strengths: conducted in general medical wards with the long-term follow-up Limitations: no control group was used; no group session, compliance observation or surveillance of HAIs was carried out outside the studied area Vic gov http://health.vic.gov.au/clinrisk/publications/clinical_gov_policy.htm sahealth http://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/clinical+resources/safety+and+quality/preventing+and+controlling+healthcare+associated+infections

Innocence in Daisy Miller :: Henry James, Daisy Miller

The story of Daisy Miller, by Henry James, is told by a male narrator. This male figure serves to reveal the deep seated stasis in much social interaction which existed in the Nineteenth Century. Winterbourne is the protagonist and 'filters' through his impressions of the heroine Daisy Miller so that we never see Daisy except through the qualifying prose of Winterbourne himself. Thus by the end of the tale, we feel we have not met Daisy at all. We have only caught glimpses of this transient 'flower' almost in spite of the suffocating prevarications of Winterbourne's 'frozen' eye! We feel thwarted by the elusiveness of this heroine! "Poor Winterbourne was amused, perplexed, and decidedly charmed. He had never yet heard a young girl express herself in just this fashion; never, at least, save in cases where to say such things seemed a kind of demonstrative evidence of a certain laxity of deportment. And yet was he to accuse Miss Daisy Miller of actual or potential inconduite, as they said at Geneva? He felt that he had lived at Geneva so long that he had lost a good deal; he had become dishabituated to the American tone. Never, indeed, since he had grown old enough to appreciate things, had he encountered a young American girl of so pronounced a type as this. Certainly she was very charming; but how deucedly sociable! Was she simply a pretty girl from New York State- were they all like that, the pretty girls who had a good deal of gentlemen's society? Or was she also a designing, an audacious, an unscrupulous young person? Winterbourne had lost his instinct in this matter, and his reason could not help him. Miss D aisy Miller looked extremely innocent. Some people had told him that, after all, American girls were exceedingly innocent; and others had told him that, after all, they were not. He was inclined to think Miss Daisy Miller was a flirt- a pretty American flirt. He had never, as yet, had any relations with young ladies of this category. He had known, here in Europe, two or three women- persons older than Miss Daisy Miller, and provided, for respectability's sake, with husbands- who were great coquettes- dangerous, terrible women, with whom one's relations were liable to take a serious turn. But this young girl was not a coquette in that sense; she was very unsophisticated; she was only a pretty American flirt.

The Foundations Of National Reconstruction History Essay

On Nationalism, Suns purpose was to unify the Chinese people to contend for a common cause. This was important for any revolution to take topographic point as it had to affect big multitudes. This meant that the people will hold to alter their perceptual experiences to see themselves as fellow citizens instead than people from different racial and societal groups. He emphasized that under the new Chinese Republic, no race will be discriminated, specifically indicating out that the Manchus, even though they were hated for doing China ‘s death, would non be treated below the belt. He besides highlighted the importance of patriotism for China to be powerful state. Sun hoped that a united community would increase national consciousness and a united people will be powerful to guard of enemies such as the European colonialists that were still busying parts of China. On democracy, Sun explained the system of democracy and what political alterations were traveling to take topographic p oint. He challenged the legitimacy of the old monarchies of China in which he stated that the societal groups in which one individual was considered superior over the other is against the rule in which all worlds are equal. He besides explained the demand for a democratic authorities and argues for the formation of a Chinese fundamental law. Finally, Sun explained his positions of Livelihood. In the economic system, Sun explained the state of affairs of the Chinese economic system and highlighted alterations in the economic system, chiefly explicating the demand of province ownership in order to avoid income inequality. Sun besides explained on the demand for three revolutions that will finally take China to a fully fledged democracy. In this part Sun besides drafted his thought of the future cardinal authorities of the Republic of China, which will dwell of five boards to guarantee cheques and balances in the authorities and forestall any functionary from being excessively powerful which may endanger democracy in China. Sun this as a political statement on China ‘s advancement. This papers reiterates the Three Principles of the People in which he mentioned in 1905[ 2 ]. He besides highlighted the incompetency of the old system of authorities in the papers and besides his positions on the importance of a revolution. The address ‘s intended audience was the Chinese people, to inform them on how China was traveling to travel frontward to Reconstruction of its state after the blue period during the stoping old ages of Qing Dynasty. The papers was written in 1923, at the clip when Sun had made merely finished his last expatriate and had eventually became the de facto leader of the Republic of China.[ 3 ]Despite the triumph of the 1911 revolution of China when the Qing Empire was overthrown, the new democracy was a failure. Democracy was non achieved and it was mired by heavy corruptness. Sun became the probationary president of the Republic of China for a short period of four months and so po wer was handed over to Yuan Shikai. Yuan Shikai, being a power-hungry individual was more interested of consolidating his ain power than anything else, seting China into farther confusion.[ 4 ]After Yuan ‘s decease, China came to the epoch of warlordism, which factionalized China.[ 5 ]Hence in 1923, Sun had wanted to repeat China ‘s demand of advancement and growing to travel frontward re-emphasise the exalted ideals of the revolution. The papers he wrote is in a optimistic tone given that the papers written seems to portray that Sun belief that his three rules will convey about success in China ‘s Reconstruction. These rules besides show that Sun wanted the future coevals to retrieve him as a symbol of China ‘s success, which had brought Chinas out of its worst times towards a bright hereafter. Based on his papers, it can be seen that the 1920s was a clip of great adversity and a period of muss in China. At the period of warlordism, China was broken up into many different coteries. Warlords were invariably contending each other for districts. The economic status at that period was awful ; the warlords had wrecked the financial system of China and greatly hampered any patterned advance in the economic system.[ 6 ]Hence, the papers attempted to supply solutions to the assortment of jobs in China However, the article ‘s optimism seems to be slightly ill-conceived given the desperate political, economic and societal world faced by China during this period. It was ever traveling to be hard to accomplish the ends stated in the papers. An illustration was Sun ‘s hopes that different ethnicities in China would see themselves as fellow citizens and handle each other every bit.[ 7 ]This was hard because China had a really long history of factionalism, where people saw themselves as portion of a race or a societal group alternatively of a united people.[ 8 ]It would be a tall order to anticipate every racial and societal group in China to alter. Furthermore, some racial groups differ greatly in civilization and linguistic communication. An illustration of this would be the Han Chinese and the Tibetans who are still non able to screen out their differences today. In fact, when the papers was written, China was still in the Warlord epoch and hence at that place was already a immense challenge of eliminating the different military coteries before any success on patriotism is was possible. This optimism is besides undermined by the deficiency of any concrete programs Sun had to further patriotism in China. Another high spot in the papers was the thought of province ownership, which Sun felt was the manner to travel frontward instead Capitalism. Sun ‘s thought of province ownership instead than traveling towards private ownership at the beginning of the democracy, was the logical measure to take because Capitalism needs to hold a solid foundation before it can be implemented and China did non hold this in 1923. Besides, Capitalism is a Western economic system and therefore following Capitalism was likely to tie in his authorities with the powers which were looting China during this period of clip, and therefore would de-legitimize Sun ‘s government. Sun had made mentioned illustrations of Europe and America significantly in the papers. This was due to Sun ‘s esteem of its advancement and success in political and economic cabals. . This had therefore encouraged him to look to the West to retroflex their theoretical account in accomplishing a successful republican democracy that he wished China would be. Hence, Sun wanted to follow some of these Western systems to China. Even the three basicss that he had mentioned in the papers were similar to that of the Gallic slogan, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity[ 9 ]. Furthermore as Sun had studied in the West, he was really influenced by Western instructions and saw the success of the West because of its strong sense of Nationalism, effectual democracy and well-run economic system. Hence, these factors convinced him that some theoretical accounts from the West needed to be For Sun, being imperfect was the extreme importance and he felt that advancement could merely be achieved throu gh autonomy and democracy[ 10 ]and hence this influenced his policies stated in the papers that focused on these countries. Sun had desperately wanted advancement because it was a instead pressing issue in China. One of the factors was likely due to the advancement of another East Asiatic state, Japan who was already economically and politically advanced as compared to China in 1923.If China does non come on it might stay taken for granted by westerners and Japan who were already busying parts of China, merely an betterment in China ‘s state of affairs could let it to be stronger against these forces. Furthermore, China was used to be a proud and powerful state and alternatively of being occupied and shamed, it used to hold tributary provinces whose states used to be subservience to its emperor[ 11 ]. Hence, China was a proud state and Sun ‘s purpose was to reconstruct this pride of the Chinese people. Its retardation was mortifying in China. Sun therefore see the import ance of advancement to recover its strength in international dealingss This papers therefore of import as it was used as a footing of administration in the old ages to come when China was under the Kuomintang. However, in Mainland China today, it influence is limited because it was taken over by the Chinese Communist Party during the civil war, the Chinese authorities still upholds this papers as the rule of its state ‘s fundamental law.[ 12 ]

Homeless research Essay

1.0 HYPOTHESIS The aim of this research is to define whether or not drug and or alcohol abuse are contributing factors to becoming homeless. It is not easy to establish a correlation between addiction, homelessness and substance abuse; however this research aims to determine the answer through the collection of  both qualitative and quantitative data in the form of a questionnaire. 2.0 Introduction 2.1 This research intends to discover whether there is a correlation between homelessness and drugs/alcohol abuse? In England homelessness has been accepted as a social norm, although ethically this should not be the case. In 2002 legislation such as The Homelessness Act was brought in for local authorities to prevent homelessness. My interest in the topic arose after attending a programme with Tenant Support a voluntary organisation, regarding an early intervention of alcohol abuse, which aimed to prevent people becoming homeless due to addictions, the question arose, does substance abuse contribute to becoming homeless, and what can be done to help prevent this? In addition to this can becoming homeless create an addiction or alcohol/drug dependency? 3.0 Homelessness 3.1 What is homelessness? Homelessness is viewed as individuals/families finding themselves in a situation where they have no secure accommodation to live in. According to Amore et al ‘How homelessness should be defined is a fundamental and persistent problem’(2011:2). 3.2 Under the 1996 Housing Act a person or persons are defined homeless if: There is no accommodation that they are entitled to occupy They have accommodation but it is not reasonable for them to continue to occupy this accommodation They have accommodation but cannot secure entry to it; They have accommodation but it consists of a moveable structure, vehicle or vessel designed or adapted for human habitation and there is no place where they are entitled or permitted both to place it and to reside in it. Any one meeting this definition and who has successfully applied to their local authority to be classified as such is officially recognised as being homeless’. Firth, (2010, :3) 3.3 The effects of homelessness The effects of homelessness can often include or lead to; loss of  self-esteem, discrimination, vulnerability, substance abuse, criminal activities, self neglect, sexual and psychical abuse. For example, ‘some homeless women act strangely and neglect personal hygiene as a way to protect themselves from attack’. Many homeless people are discriminated against due to the fact that some people just look down at them and presume that there in that situation due to there own doing. 4.0 Substance abuse. 4.1 What is substance abuse? The term substance abuse means the use of any substance such as; drug or alcohol, to a degree that is deemed hazardous. According to Firth (2008:1) ‘Some drugs, such as morphine, have medical purposes. If they are used for other reasons, or in unnecessarily large quantities, then the term ‘drug abuse’ is applied’. 4.2 The effects of drug abuse The effects alone can be devastating so in conjunction with homelessness can result in the devastation of lives. Some of the effects of drug abuse are: loss of job, social exclusion, increased criminal activity, family breakdowns, psychical and psychological effects. One example of social exclusion is that people tent to alienate others that used drugs due to the prejudice and stigma attached to them. People often over see the underlining contributing factors that first caused the drug abuse in the first place. 4.3 Possible prevention strategies Early intervention could be brought in at the very start of substance abuse i.e. an employee turns up for work on a number of occasions under the influence of alcohol or drugs and inevitably gets fired as a direct result of turning up for work under the influence, the employee does not see the employer again as in his opinion he has fulfilled his role. It is at this point a vital chance for early intervention has been missed. If the employer had perhaps signposted the employee to the correct services for some help and support with the high risk drinking, then this issue may have been recognised and steps could have be taken to help and perhaps prevent further misuse. 5.0 key debates 5.1 Despite attempts from the Government and local authorities, Homelessness remains a significant issue. From the homeless people interviewed for the primary research (see appendix three), a large percentage of them have the view that the Government does not do enough to help them. The department for Communities and local Government suggest ‘the most effective way of preventing a large rise in the numbers of repossessions is to address the public deficit and make sure that interest rates remain low funding for debt advice services’ therefore reducing the possible numbers of potential homeless. 5.1 Many of the questionnaire participants have no Intention of stopping the re-occurring drug/alcohol abuse or even have self realisation that there is a problem. The Government should perhaps put in place educational talks seminars in schools to do with drug/alcohols and the dangers of misusing them and what to do if an individual finds them self in a position of homelessness so they have some knowledge of what to do or where to go for help, guidance or assistance. 5.2 Perhaps the Government should review the content taught in schools today, According to Chabot 2012 ‘The current structure works for lots of students, who have lots of structure and high expectations at home. But society and families are not the same as 30 years ago. The school hasn’t changed we need to adapt. On the contrary is the role of education to socially engineer children? Graph A 5.3 Results of the distributed questionnaires clearly show that the main cause of homelessness is a break down in family relationship. According to Firth (2010: 40) ‘The breakdown of family relationships has been identified as the main cause of homelessness’ Additionally, 5.4 Graph B shows the results from the question ‘since becoming homeless have you used alcohol/drugs’? Clearly the results show that from the sample of the homeless community that filled out my questionnaires, once an individual finds them self in the position of being homeless then the use of  drugs/alcohol develops. ‘Some people may view drug and alcohol use as necessary to be accepted among the homeless community’ (Didenko and Pankratz, 2007). Graph B Analysis The Evaluation of my research has proved my hypothesis wrong, homelessness is not always primarily caused by drug/alcohol related abuse, my findings show that a breakdown in the family is a major contributing factor to homelessness. Furthermore once an individual finds themselves homeless a drug/alcohol issue arises for various reason; such as; to numb the pain, to forget, boredom and because they generally enjoy the use of substances. 6.0 Methodology 6.1 Initially I read around the topic using secondary sources (see literature review) but to secure a deeper understanding and obtain my own results I undertook a primary piece of research. I created a questionnaire which had a mix of open and closed questions, which I submitted 20 throughout the homeless community that attend YMCA Project in Warrington town centre. The reason for choosing the YMCA to submit my questionnaire was the fact that the YMCA run a night shelter for the homeless in Warrington, and provided other various services that work closely with the homeless community. 6.2 After undertaking some research about the YMCA and talking to staff members it seemed the most effective way for the homeless to participate in the research was to be there in person offering a free cup of tea coffee to willing participants. The results will be analysed and put in to a table so a clear distinction of these results can be seen. I will then try to draw some comparisons to the secondary source data and information obtained from Firth (2010). 6.3 The aim of the questionnaire was to try and identify what help is already accessible for the homeless or substance misusers, what is readily available, and is it equally and easily accessible to everyone who needs it, should they want such services. . 6.4 The questionnaires created consisted of fourteen questions. The first question was to establish the age group the participant comes under. The next five questions are regarding homelessness and the details surrounding becoming homeless. There are two questions regarding the use/misuse of drugs and alcohol. The following four  questions are in relation to services regarding drug/alcohol and homelessness. Finally the last three questions ask whether the participant thinks ‘Do the Government do enough to help prevent homelessness?’, ‘What changes would you like to see for the homeless?’ and ‘any other comments’?. I chose not to administer my questionnaire directly as this would have a direct response on the answers the participant would give. I handed out the questionnaire and asked the participant to fill them in on their own thus ensuring that they could take their time and it would be more objective and the result more valid. However, because I was in the vicinity and had provided tea this may be considered as pressure and could have had an impact on the type of response they gave. After analysing all 20 completed questionnaires, I found that the main reason for the cause of homelessness was in fact due to a family breakdown. I compiled all the findings from question 3 ‘what are the reasons for becoming homeless’ and the results are shown in table A below. 6.5 The conclusion that was obtained from the questionnaire results, is that many homeless people believe the Government do not do enough to help them, but my figures show that a large percentage have been or are currently in the process of being re homed, which suggests that the Government is doing more than is perceived by the homeless community. This is not necessarily tackling the underling issues that caused the homelessness in the first place. So should the Government be contributing towards the underlining issues that primarily make that person homeless? This could include delivering a service to the homeless community, which identifies the problems and gives the knowledge to empower them to make informed decisions about substance use, in an attempt to eradicate the problem before it becomes one. 7.0 Reflective Accounts As a result of talking to the homeless participants I came to the conclusion that most of them were very uncomfortable filling out the questionnaires and only continued to do so for the free cup of tea/coffee that was provided, this could possibly make my research results subjective as they could have been giving me the answers that they thought I wanted. While this led to the statistics that was needed for the research, I over looked what the homeless community actually needed, this was for someone to get to know them  and sit down casually and listen to what they had to say and what they need and want in the form of support, while applying that the homeless need accommodation they also have individual needs too. 6.0 Bibliography Amore, K et a, 2011, The ETHOS Definition and Classification of Homelessness: An Analysis, [Online], Volume 5.2, article 1, :19, Available: http://eohw.horus.be/files/freshstart/European%20Journal%20of%20Homelessness/Volume%20Five/Volume%205.2/article-1.pdf , Access date 03/04/12 Communities and local Government, Homelessness and rough sleeping, 2011, [Online], Available: http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/homelessness/ , [Accessed: 30/03/12] Firth, L. (2008), Drugs in the UK, volume 163, Cambridge, Great Briton, independence, MWL print group Ltd. Firth, L. (2010,:3), The Homeless Population, volume 189 Cambridge, Great Briton, independence MWL print group Ltd. Johnson KD et al, 2011, Substance Abuse Disorders among Homeless and Runaway Adolescent, [Online] Available: http://ht.ly/4KWan , [Accessed: 30/03/12] Published by the National Coalition for the Homeless, Substance Abuse and Homelessness, 2009, [Online], Available: http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/addiction.pdf , [Accessed:30/03/12] The Health of the Homeless, 2012, [Online], Available: http://www.libraryindex.com/pages/2321/Health-Homeless-MENTAL-HEALTH-HOMELESS-PEOPLE.html , [Accessed: 30/03/12] Washuk B, 2012, Lewiston Auburn, More programs, new teaching methods, requested for Lewiston Middle School, [Online] 1page long, Available: http://m.sunjournal.com/news/city/2012/03/13/more-programs-new-teaching-methods-requested-lewis/1167599 , Access date 03/04/12 Age (please circle) 16 or under 21 -25 26-3030-4040+ Did you become homeless in Warrington? How long have you been homeless? What are the reasons for becoming homeless? (was the reason for becoming homeless alcohol/ drugs related?) Since becoming homeless have you used alcohol /drugs? How often do you use drugs/alcohol (please circle) Dailyweeklymonthlyoccasionallynever Do you want to be re-homed? What services do you know about in Warrington that assist people that are homeless? Do you know of any services in Warrington for alcohol/drug abuse? Do you want to access services for alcohol/drug abuse? Is there any other services/ organisation that you would like help to access for anything else? Do you think the Government do enough in Warrington to help prevent homelessness? What changes would you like to see for the homeless? Any other comments? Research proposal By Claire Smith Intended proposal This research proposal intends to discover whether drugs and or alcohol contribute to homelessness, is it homelessness that exacerbates the problem of drug and alcohol abuse? , Reason for intended proposal The reason behind this proposal is the high need for early intervention regarding drug and alcohol abuse. Currently not all professional’s advise or signpost when necessary regarding this current matter. Only 18months ago in the UK professionals began training in Alcohol Identification and Advice so that early intervention could be established to prevent medium risk individuals becoming high risk or alcohol dependants. The problem of homelessness is an important issue especially if the common cause is drug / alcohol abuse. If my research can establish whether drug/alcohol abuse is the causes leading to homelessness then professionals could aim to put in place strategies to solve substance abuse, and then latter will become less of an issue. So in tackling alcohol and substance misuse Briton could be facing a population with less homeless. Research methodology I am going to create a questionnaire which I am going to submit to the YMCA for the homeless to fill out. After doing some research about the YMCA and talking to staff members it seems the most effective way for the homeless to participate is to be their in person offering a free cup of tea coffee to willing participants. I am going to put my finding into a table and present them to NSH Warrington Health Improvement Project Public Health. The questionnaires that are being drafted will try to determine what homeless people what in the way of tools to empower them to help themselves out of their situation. The questionnaires will try to identify; what help is already assessable for the homeless or substance misusers, is it readily available, is it equally and easily accessible to everyone who need it? This research proposal is aiming to identify whether homeless people try to access services provided to help substance and alcohol abuse and if so was it successful, of if the services ar e well publicised and easily accessible for the homeless. The research also intends to find out if there are organisations that are not well publicised to professionals that would be able to sign post potential people at risk. Literature review The Homeless Population by Lisa Firth (2010, may). Reading about and around the subject of homelessness in The Homeless Population by Lisa Firth, it becomes very clear to me that homelessness is a complex subject and does in fact have many different elements to what may cause it. Lisa Firth goes into depth about the different types of homelessness and the different possible reasons without going ‘around the houses’ so to say. I was able to learn a lot in a short space of time such as; hidden homeless and reasons for becoming homeless. Within the contents of this book are the many frequently asked questions such as; ‘surely there’s no harm in giving a few pence to the homeless’ Firth (2012). These questions have both sides of the argument with facts and figures which for me personally answered everything that I wanted to know about the homeless community. The ETHOS Definition and Classification of Homelessness: An Analysis by Kate Amore, Michael Baker and Philippa Howden-Chapman (2011) Upon discovering this pdf about the homeless population, it seems that this pdf was made with the intention of discovering a global definition for homelessness. This pdf suggests that certain criteria for being homeless that is applied in one place that would determine an individual homeless, does not necessarily apply to everyone globally. The ETHOS definition of homeless tries to establish what constitutes homelessness. As it is there was a great amount of information in this particular pdf however it was not easy to follow and seemed to repeat itself. It was not clear or concise. Skimming this information seemed to be the best way to get to the point of the basis of the pdf. The Health of the Homeless (2012) The Health of the Homeless is a very clear easy to follow online document which has lots of statistics on and are homelessness. This piece of short writing starts from 1960s and comes up to current date although it wasn’t necessarily about the exact topic that the report was based on it was interesting to read. It also ties in with the point that homeless people have a voice too and they should be included in the care package provided for homeless. It was very well presented and to the point.

Everything You Need to Know About Writing an Interesting Paper Outline

Everything You Need to Know About Writing an Interesting Paper Outline After choosing a great topic and stating strong arguments, it can be hard for many people to write interesting academic papers. You may have many points or thoughts about where you prefer assignment to go, but you will fail to write a good one without your detailed plan of action. This is when an outline comes in handy. It’s a general plan of everything you will discuss in your essay. It’s an effective tool to organize the main facts, connect all ideas, and find the best order to present your major point in a concise manner. What is a Paper Outline? You can easily define it as an efficient organizational plan (about 1 page long) that will help you complete academic assignments. It’s the best way to organize or guide your ideas. An outline breaks down your paper in a hierarchical and clear manner to help you determine its final format or flow. Include such basic parts of any paper outline as body paragraphs, your strong conclusion, and introduction with a thesis statement. Why do You Need a Paper Outline? Spending your time on making a paper outline will improve your understanding of a specific subject and simplify the entire writing process. Some teachers even ask their students to submit a plan before they start completing academic assignments because it’s very helpful. Why should you create a paper outline? There are different reasons to do that, including: Showing the logical order or hierarchical links of background information; Keeping track of your search; Organizing different threads. ORDER PAPER OUTLINE 6 Basic paper outline purposes Helping you to organize a list of all thoughts; Simplifying your process of writing; Showing connections in ideas; Presenting your writing in its logical form; Determining groups or special boundaries; Constructing a brief and ordered overview of your essay. How to Plan your Paper Outline It can help you organize all ideas before you start, but you should pick a brilliant topic first. You can choose a broad subject because creating a detailed plan will help you narrow it down to come clear arguments. Your outline will help you plan the structure of any paper. What is an Introduction? In this essay paragraph, it’s necessary to clearly state your major argument, purpose of your academic assignment, and how you will approach a particular topic. Briefly explain the points that your paper outline covers, why targeted readers should feel interested in your subject, and answer a few basic questions. Why are you writing your essay? Is it a book review or a problem analysis? Body paragraphs - in body paragraphs, you present strong arguments, develop relevant discussions to support your thesis, and make readers believe that your stance is correct. Find a few supporting facts for every major point. Start with a strong argument, write separate topic sentences and transitions. What is a thesis? It declares your beliefs and what your essay will prove. A strong thesis can make a huge difference in retelling facts and your thoughtful academic assignment, so state it powerfully. It helps you focus your research because you should check many sources of information to identify key questions and choose suitable materials for your paper outline. Place your thesis at the end of your introduction. A concluding paragraph - this section should reword or restate your thesis, sum up all arguments, and explain why you make a specific conclusion. How to Write your Paper Outline Start with ordering your major subtopics in a chronological or any other suitable order and label them with Roman numerals. Choose a few points for every category. Make this choice based on the purpose of your writing and all the supporting materials that you have because they will structure the second level of your paper outline. Indent and label them in letters. Feel free to expand your ideas with sub-points if needed. If any of them are big topics that require extra details to explain, put them in the next level of your paper outline. Indent and label them in ordinary numbers. Add more layers if needed and use lowercase letters, numbers, and lowercase Roman numerals to create your logical paper outline. Most students prefer to include 3-4 layers in their paper outline. Look at your prepared outline and think about a conclusion and if it matches the goals of writing your academic paper. Add more subtopics if you don’t have enough facts to support it. GET HELP WITH AN OUTLINE FOR MY PAPER Set important paper outline goals Your essay can inform other people about a given topic, persuade them of your stance, or reflect on personal experiences. Set basic goals for your academic assignment and use these effective approaches: Present causes and effects of any significant historical event (conduct your in-depth research); Compare and contrast events, people, or books (apply your critical analysis skills); Describe how personal experiences shaped you (practice excellent communication skills). Gather supporting materials They’re useful for your paper outline and final drafts. Pay attention to subtopics with relevant ideas, stats, or quotes because they will become major parts of your detailed plan. Note down where you get any information to avoid plagiarism. Pick the best paper outline type There are two basic options to choose from: A sentence outline of your paper uses complete sentences, relies on many details, and lists separate bullet points; A topic outline of your paper uses short phrases. If you have any difficulties with your paper outline, our helping hand is only a few clicks away because our professional writers are ready to complete assignment for you at affordable rates.

How to Approach a Teacher With a Concern

How to Approach a Teacher With a Concern Even the best teachers make an occasional mistake. We are not perfect, and most of us will admit our failures. Great teachers will proactively inform  parents immediately when they realize they have made a mistake. Most parents will appreciate the candor in this approach. When a teacher realizes they have made a mistake and decides not to inform the parent, it seems dishonest and will have a negative effect on the parent-teacher relationship. When Your Child Reports an Issue What should you do if your child comes home and tells you they had an issue with a teacher? First of all, do not jump to conclusions. While you want to back your child at all times, it is necessary to realize that there are always two sides to a story. Children will occasionally stretch the truth because they are afraid they will be in trouble. There are also times that they did not accurately interpret the actions of the teacher. In any case, there is a right way and wrong way to address any concerns brought about by what your child had told you. How you confront or approach the issue may be the most crucial aspect of handling a concern with a teacher. If you take a â€Å"guns blazing† approach, the teacher and the administration are likely going to label you a â€Å"difficult parent†. This will lead to increased frustration. School officials will automatically go into defense mode and will be less likely to cooperate. It is imperative that you come in calm and level-headed.   Addressing the Issue With the Teacher How should you address a concern with a teacher? In most cases, you can start with the teacher themselves. However, it is crucial to note that if it involves the breaking of a law inform the principal and file a police report. Set up an appointment to meet with the teacher at a time that is convenient for them. This will typically be before school, after school, or during their planning period. Let them know immediately that you have some concerns and want to hear their side of the story. Provide them with the details that you have been given. Give them an opportunity to explain their side of the situation. There are times where a teacher genuinely does not realize they have made a mistake. Hopefully, this will provide the answers you are seeking. If the teacher is rude, uncooperative, or speaks in vague double talk, it may be time to advance to the next step in the process. In any case, be sure to document the details of your discussion. This will be helpful should the issue remain unresolved. Most issues can be resolved without having to take it to the principal. However, there are certainly times when this is warranted. Most principals will be willing to listen so long as you are civil. They field parent concerns quite often so they are usually adept at handling them.  Be prepared to provide them with as much information as possible. What to Expect Next Understand that they are going to investigate the complaint thoroughly and that it may take them several days before they get back with you. They should provide you with a follow-up call/meeting to discuss the situation further. It is essential to note that they will not be able to discuss the specifics if teacher discipline was warranted. However, there is an excellent chance that the teacher was placed on a plan of improvement.  They should provide details of a resolution as it pertains directly to your child. Again, it is beneficial to document the details of the initial meeting and any follow-up calls/meetings. The good news is that 99% of perceived teacher problems are handled before getting to this point. If you are not satisfied with the way the principal handled the situation, the next step would be to go through a similar process with the superintendent. Only take this step if the teacher and the principal absolutely refuse to cooperate with you in handling the problem. Give them all the details of your situation including the results of your meetings with the teacher and principal. Allow them plenty of time to resolve the issue. If you still believe the situation is unresolved, you may take the complaint to the local board of education. Be sure to follow the district policies and procedures for being placed on the board agenda. You will not be allowed to address the board if you have not. The board expects administrators and teachers to do their jobs. When you do bring a complaint before the board, it can force the superintendent and principal to take the matter more seriously than they had previously. Going before the board is the last opportunity to have your problem resolved. If you still are unsatisfied, you can decide to seek a change of placement. You can look to have your child placed in another classroom, apply for a transfer to another district, or homeschool your child.

What Is Model UN 4 Reasons to Join

What Is Model UN 4 Reasons to Join SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Are you interested in politics or international relations and looking for a club that lets you do you hands-on activities?Have you heard of Model UN but aren’t sure exactly what it is? Read this guide to learn everything you need to know about what Model UN is, what participants in it do, and how to decide if it’s the right extracurricular for you to join. What Is Model UN? Model United Nations, often referred to as Model UN or MUN, is an extracurricular most commonly for high school students, but also available to college and middle school students. Model UN is a simulation of UN organizations such as theUN General Assembly, UN Security Council, UNICEF, and others. Its participants take the roles of ambassadors from various countries anddebate current issues.Model UNwas developed in the 1950s as a way to give students hands-on learningininternational relations, diplomacy, and the United Nations.Over 400,000 students around the world participate in Model UN each year. What Do Model UN Participants Do? The core of Model UN is its simulations of UN conferences where students (known as Model UN delegates) role playas UN ambassadors and delegates. If you join Model UN, you will be doing a variety of activities, includingresearching,debating, andcoming up with solutions with members of other countries.These simulations occur at Model UN conferences, which can be regional, national, or international. Conferencescan have anywhere from 30 to over 3,000 participants. When your Model UN team joins a conference, your team will be assigned a country and an issue relevant to that country that is currently being discussed in the UN. You can request a certain country, but you are not guaranteed to get it. Forexample, you may be chosen to represent Nicaragua at the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). At the conference you attend, you will have to convince the other delegates to make decisions in your country’s favor. If you have a larger Model UN team, you may be assigned multiple countries or issues, and the team will break into smaller groups to cover each one.Conferences occur throughout the year, but you will be given at least a few weeks, and usually several months, to prepare your position before you attend the conference. Before theConference: In order to prepare for conferences, delegates must study the country and the issue they have been assignedandbecome well-informed on both.Most conferences require you to write a position paper that outlines your country’s position on the topic as well as suggestions you have for how to resolve the issue. If you’re representing Nicaragua for the ECLAC, you will need to research topics such as what sectors have the largest impact on the country’s economy, long-term and short-term economic trends in Nicaragua, if there are groups largely excluded from contributing to the economy (such as women or certain ethnic groups), who Nicaragua’s primary trade partners are, what the countryimports and exports, and multiple other topics. After discussing these issues in the position paper, you will have to come up with ways to improve Nicaragua’s economic situation. UN General AssemblyHall in New York City During theConference: Students will be organized based on the committees or councils they are part of, so all the members of the ECLAC would meet together. Each group will have a chair who will moderate the discussions. The chair is often an older student or adult. Delegates then give a speech outlining their country’s position on the issues and offering possible solutions. Most of this information will come from your position paper.After each delegate has presented their country’s position and potential solutions, there are question and answer sessions and debates (known as â€Å"caucusing†). The main goal during the conference is for your committee to develop a written resolution. After you have discussed different countries’ viewpoints, debated, and agreed on solutions, the entire group will work together to writethe resolution. The resolution will explain the issue your committee is focusing on and give a series of guidelinesin order to solve it. After the resolution is written, the committee will vote on it. If your resolution passes, that is a mark of your committee’s ability to work together and compromise well.Awards are also often given out at conferences to top delegates in each committee. These are often delegates who had well-designed position papers, debated effectively, worked well with other members, and took an active role in developing the written resolution. How CanYou Start a Model UN Group at Your School? If your school already has a Model UN group, you can probably join it the way you would join any other school club. If there is no Model UN club at your school, then you can also start your own. We have a guide that gives step-by-step instructions on how to start your own club, and we also have some specific tips for starting a Model UN club below. First, you’ll need a teacher to act as the adviserfor your Model UN club. When you apply to start a Model UN team, your school may assign a teacher, but, if not, consider asking a social studies teacher who likely has a strong background in the issues that Model UN discusses. After you have recruited members and set up meeting times, the next step is to choose which conference(s) to attend. Currently, over 400 conferences take place all over the world. You can search online for conferences, and a list of larger conferences is also available here. For new clubs, you may want to choose a conference that is close to your school in order to make traveling easier and less expensive. It’s possible for a Model UN team to sign up for multipleconferences, butif your team is just starting out, you may want to begin with only one or two conferences a year to make sure members aren't overwhelmed with work. Also, because new teams usually don't get first pick for what country they'd like to represent, if you'd like to represent a larger country like China or the US, you have a better chance of getting your first choice at a smaller conference. Be aware though that representing a larger country often requires more research and preparation. Once you have a conference selected, your team will be assigned at least one country and committee to represent.You can now divide up roles and begin researching. What Are the Benefits of Joining Model UN? Now that you know what Model UN is, what are the benefits of joining it? Model UN can be a great addition to a resume or college application, and I've discussed four of itsmost important benefits below. Benefit #1: Hands-On Experience in Politics, International Relations, and Current Events If you are planning a career in international relations, politics, or you’re simply really interested in these topics, Model UN is one of the best extracurriculars you can join because it gives you hands-on experience in these areas.Most of the time, students interested in these subjectscan only learn about them in class or by reading on their own.While this is a great way to get more information, itusually isn’t a very interactive experience. Model UN involves many of the same activities that actual UN delegates participate in, which is a great way to learn how different countries and committees work together to solve problems.Model UN conferences also focus on current issues, so you will be learning about relevant current events that are likely being discussed and debated around the world. Hands-on experience can makeunderstanding ideas and concepts easier, looks stronger on college applications because it requires more work, and is often more fun to participate in as well. Benefit #2: Improve Public Speaking and Debate Skills During a Model UN conference, you will spend a lot of yourtime giving speeches and debating with other delegates, which can really improve your skills in these areas. Public speaking and debate skills are useful for almost every career, so no matter what kind of job you want in the future, boosting your skills in these areas will likely benefit you down the line. Benefit #3: Learn Teamwork Skills Every step of Model UN requires teamwork, whether it’s dividing up research assignments, writing a position paper, orcreating a speech. At the conference, teamwork becomes even more important because you must work with the other delegates to come up with solutions that everyone is happy with and write a resolution paper together. Model UN delegates often gain experience in conflict resolution, consensus building, and negotiations, which are teamwork experiences many other clubs don’t offer. Strong teamwork skills are very important to colleges because they want to admit students who will work well with their classmates and other students on campus. Having strong teamwork experiences such as the ones you can get through Model UN can help strengthen your college applications. Benefit #4: Possibility of Travel If you participate in Model UN, there is also the possibility of traveling to new cities or even new countries.Model UN conferences are held around the world, and if your team can afford to travel to a foreign conference, you can get the added benefits of exploring a new placeand culture, as well as meeting students from other countries. If you join Model UN, you may get to travel to some exciting places for conferences. Soshould you join Model UN? If you have enough time in your schedule and are at all interested in international relations, politics, debating, or public speaking, then Model UN can be a great extracurricular to get involved in because it includes a lot of hands-on, relevant work and can be a strong addition tocollege applications. If you're still unsure, drop by a meeting at your school to get a sense of what joining the club would be like. Summary Model UN is a club for middle school, high school, or college students whose members simulate UN committees. Model UN members are assigned at least one country and committee. They research the country and the relevant issues to prepare for a conference. At the conference, students representing many countries and issues come together to debate their positions and agree on solutions. Model UN is a great extracurricular for students looking to learn more about politics, current events, or international relations and for students who want to improve their public speaking or debate skills. You can learn more about Model UN here. What's Next? Looking for other after-school activities? We have a list of over 200 extracurricular ideas, and it's sure to include something that interests you! Considering community service or volunteer work? We have a guide to the nine best places to do community service! Interested in more opportunities for travel? Read our guide on volunteer abroad programs and learn if they're really the best option for you. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Asia Pacific Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Asia Pacific Business - Essay Example Here we look at the relations with the two countries post 9/11 attacks and then we try to mention how relations affect the policy makers of Australia. Before making a SWOT and PEST analysis on the whole scenario leading to US and China relations and subsequent impact on Australia, lets give a brief introduction the present day scenario of relations between US and China. Here one thing to note is that the relations between these countries post September 11 attack on World Trade Center is significant (Christensen Thomas, 2003). It is known that the relations between these countries were not in bright terms when the Bush Jr took over the office in 2000 and from 9/11 till his re-term in 2004; situation was not that great to make an impact over the bilateral relations between the countries. Later in 2002 and 2003, we see that both USA and china work closely on various international issues like North Korean Crisis and Taiwan issue (Friedberg Aaron 2002). This shift in the whole scenario and so called honeymoon period has started from September 2002 and has continued to flow even during the re-term. There is deeper understanding of socia l, political factors which we will discuss now. One thing is that it the whole honeymoon relationship between US and China can be real benefit to Australia. ... Major relationship improvement between two countriesOne important thing, which can benefit USA from the relationship, is the renewed improvement in relations between two countries. Even though Beijing has been reticent and hesitant regarding its relationship with USA post 9/11, its cooperation with USA in matters dealing with International Terrorism has been remarkable. This can be attributed by the fact that Beijing has started giving out information to Washington regarding Islamic activities, it thus initiated intelligence sharing activities, it allowed FBI to set up an office in Beijing and allowed itself to participate in rehabilitation of Afghanistan. These actions are enough to give an idea that relations between the two countries could go in the history as an important event and that these relations could help both the countries (Christensen Thomas, 2003). 2. Chinese attempts to improve the ties between the countries One significant advantage that USA has in order to gain foothold in business relationship with China is the Chinese attempt to continue friendship with USA even though the ideologies of the two countries are vastly different. China did not like the USA invasion of Iraq but at the same it did not oppose to the situation. It was Beijing long term plan to keep the friendship between the two countries.3 North Korean crises Korean Crisis actually brings these nations on the same plane as both the nations are apprehensive of nuclear program of North Korea. China because of the regional implications and USA because of the global shift which the program can cause and hence the relations between them can improve and thus Korean crisis could prove as a major strength in the whole analysis. Weakness 1 Difference in ideologies The major

Issue of Management of Change Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Issue of Management of Change - Research Paper Example Change Management is very important for the company and should be its top priority. It is necessary to admit that the paper pays also attention to public and private sector industry because they will give the opportunity to examine change management in the very details. The purpose of the paper is to examine the current trends of various changes such as environmental and demographic changes in the public sector. The paper also takes into consideration strategies and models to be applied to change management. Finally, the paper involves the right change management. It is very important because change management is the best of the rapid development of every business either private or public. Due to globalization processes taken place in modern society change management has to be a universal requirement. The term "change management" is mostly used to define "organizational change management or the management of change triggered in organizations or industries". (Change management, 2006) Change management of Dell Company deals primarily with the human aspect because humans and their psychology are the most subjected to changes. There are two types of change management: reactive and proactive. Management is considered reactive when the change comes from an external source. Management is considered proactive when change comes from either internal change aimed at achieving organizational objectives and goals. It is necessary to admit that change management is connected with human resource management because it allows to implement new technologies and procedures and to cope with employee resistance. (Change management, 2006) Change management in an organization means distinctly specifying and implementing procedures and methods to deal with changes in the organizational environment for the overall prosperity of the business. It involves adaptation, controlling and effecting change smoothly. It is thus the systematic approach to deal with change that takes place in an organization and most crucial as only successful adaptation offers positive results. (Adaptation to change, 2006)

Comprehensive care plan Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Comprehensive care plan - Term Paper Example The medical examination conducted on the patient revealed significant degenerative changes in both hip joints, which were observed on the X-ray films. The surgeon recommended a total replacement of the right hip coupled with a total replacement of the left hip to follow in a period of 6 to 12 months. This article contains a comprehensive nursing care for a resident who has osteoarthritis and undergoes joint replacement surgery. The RN completed a nursing history and examination of Mr Powell on admission. The medical records indicate that the patient suffers from mild Parkinson’s disease. Mr Powell is currently taking carbidopa/levodopa (Sinemet 25-100) four times a day to control his symptoms. There have been no other reports of chronic medical conditions. The RN reported that the patient been essentially healthy his entire life. Moreover, Mr Powell has no known allergies to medications, has no history of smoking, and consumes small amounts of alcohol. The medical examination conducted by the RN notes that the patient is alert and oriented. Mr Powell’s medical examination reported vital signs at BP 116/64, P 68 regular, R 18, T 97.4Â °F (36.3Â °C) PO. Marginal pulses are strong and equal in the upper extremities and slightly weaker but equivalent in the lower extremities. The patient’s feet are cool to the touch but have an immediate capillary refill. Mr Powell’s shoulders, wr ists and elbows indicated full ROM. On the other hand, the ROM of both hips is significantly restricted. The pain on both sides in prompted by hip flexion beyond 90 degrees. Also, both flexion and extension of the knees are slightly limited. Mr Powell has a shuffling gait and walks with a limp, favouring his right hip. Preoperative laboratory studies and CBC were conducted on the patient. The coagulation studies and urinalysis show a serum creatinine of 1.7 mg/dL and BUN of 30 mg/dL, with no other noted abnormal values. His ECG and chest X-ray indicate

Enculturation research paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Enculturation - Research Paper Example According to the dictionary Enculturation is the process by which people learn the requirements of their surrounding culture and acquire values and behaviors appropriate or necessary in that culture. As part of this process, the influences that limit, direct, or shape the individual (whether deliberately or not) include parents, other adults, and peers. If successful, enculturation results in competence in the language, values and rituals of the culture. Discussion Respecting one’s elders was highly emphasized, the family was of utmost importance and the Children are taught that no matter how old you are, respecting your parents is mandatory. The other respondent was Ann Clawson who grew in a culture where they were taught true blue American values like hard work and education, and her parents made sure that she came up knowing how important it was to work hard for my education. Her parents had been extremely strict in terms of school: anything less than an A was unacceptable, and that was definitely the way they were with me. From the interview it is evident that the Society and family plays an important role on personality. The self does not exist on its self but has a direct and continuous relation with others. From birth onward, the social surrounding shapes and defines individuals, whether it is through family, school or peers. Through the process of socialization, the person acquires a set of behaviors, values and perceptions passed on by her d culture, yet there is still debate as to what extent nurture may outdo nature. History of interviewees Sarwat was born in 1961 in Cairo town. He had both parents where Father was a carpenter, mother was a homemaker. His life was influenced by Local history/events that influenced life choices and Muslim vs. Christian politics affected desire to leave the country, despite having comfortable financial circumstances ,he also Wanted to get away from religious discrimination and come to a western country, in order to be able to practice his faith. In 20 years, he only worked for two companies. He respects his parents’ culture which resulted in a very strict upbringing. , He first worked at Burger King for two months then a friend offered him a job in southern California, and began working as a mechanic’s assistant. , and eventually applied at Amdahl Corporation due to his passion on engineering. . He realized that if he got an education he’d be able to progress in the company and went to college, acquiring an AS in the field of Electrical Engineering. Later He wanted to become a real estate agent, but didn’t excel in it because in his mind, good work is work that is both profitable and enjoyable, whereas bad work is work that he dreads going to. To him, enjoyable work is work you’re passionate about. He also believed that an ideal family cares about each other, and accepts each member for who they are, without judgment. They stand by one another and is cent ered around Go Anna Clawson was born May 7, 1964 in Johnson City, Tennessee was born in the error of intergration.her family was set up in a way that the mother was a stay at home mom, and my father was a banker. The father bordered on being a workaholic, and she didn’

Post-Humanism and Its Impact on Gender Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Post-Humanism and Its Impact on Gender - Essay Example The concept of post humanism has influenced the social cultural perception on gender as illustrated by images and films in the media such as Avatar which portrays the male fantasy of being a post-humanistic and superior being. Additionally, many debates have surrounded the application of technology to provide superior qualities within the human form. Various theorists in the social and human sciences have given diverse opinions on the implications of post humanism on the issue of gender and culture. Additionally, forms of post-humanism such as creation of cyborgs have created issues which cause heated debates within the society. Both factual scientific information and opinions of various theorists contribute to the current attitudes on the concept of post-humanism. Theorists such as Donna Haraway, Katherine Hayles and Michel Foucault have contributed significantly to the modern developments in science and technology within the post-humanism era and their implication on the perception of the society on gender roles. This paper discusses the issues surrounding post-humanism with illustrations from various theorists on how the use of science and technology in addition to the creation of cyborgs has impacted the social cultural perception on gender. The paper also gives an analytical discussion of the characteristics of the post-human and the social ethical implications of post-humanism to social issues that are related to gender such as race and sexuality. Post-humanism and the Media Post-humanism is described as the use of technology and science to facilitate the improvement of human nature which includes enhancement of physical strength, intelligence, hearing and vision and even speed. The term post-humanism also includes the visual fantasies and illusions that are depicted in the new media through various programs and science-fiction movies (Hird 223). Media communications glorify a super human nature and this has led to the development of attitudes within the society about post-humanism. The media is portraying that the current form of human nature is not special. Moreover, the use of technology and science to improve cultures, social systems and the human form is the common image that is demonstrated by the modern media and social networking. The need for increment of the human lifespan and the improvement of the mental abilities are admirable concepts within the post-humanism concept that are examples of fantasies within the media (Rosi 212). Science-fiction has been presented via the media through illustration of cyborgs with super human abilities. Some of these cyborgs have been gendered and sexualized which has led to debates between feminists and their opponents. For example, cyborgs have been presented through media communication which illustrates superior physical and mental abilities which are linked to the male form. As a result gender issues have been raised because feminist ideas reflect that the society is still linking the female gender to the old attitudes that women are weaker than their male counterparts both in the mental and physical dimensions and thus are associated with domestic roles (Lewis 49). The connection of cybernetics to the feminist ideologies is presented in the form of the use of technology in executing tasks such as cooking which were traditionally considered to be feminine roles. Negative implications of cybernetics have also been observed especially in the violation of the integrity of human being through the bodily transformations. Cyborg is described as a hybrid figure which is a product of combining the features of an organism with that of a machine. The social reality of cyborgs and the

How did World War II change the attitudes of women and minorities Essay

How did World War II change the attitudes of women and minorities toward their status in American society - Essay Example Rise of women’s organization that fought for equality in distributing jobs became evident. Society for Women Engineers (SWE) is one of the organizations that got strengthen after the war1. The significant role that women played in the II World War portrayed them to be quite essential raising their esteem2. They dropped the self disregard and embraced a positive outlook on what potentials they have in sectors of the economy. Their social perception changed and their importance became salient. The word war II exposed and enlightened women brought them together and sensitized them on their rights. The minority groups emerged and got united having been rejuvenated by the wars in which their importance was recognized. Black movements, disability organizations rose up steadily3. Women and minority groups’ attitudes positively changed in view of themselves and a number of the representative organizations that are vibrant today rose. It was the realization of their potentials and capabilities having engaged in world war that strengthened them. The World War II has led to their positive attitude

Post-Humanism and Its Impact on Gender Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Post-Humanism and Its Impact on Gender - Essay Example The concept of post humanism has influenced the social cultural perception on gender as illustrated by images and films in the media such as Avatar which portrays the male fantasy of being a post-humanistic and superior being. Additionally, many debates have surrounded the application of technology to provide superior qualities within the human form. Various theorists in the social and human sciences have given diverse opinions on the implications of post humanism on the issue of gender and culture. Additionally, forms of post-humanism such as creation of cyborgs have created issues which cause heated debates within the society. Both factual scientific information and opinions of various theorists contribute to the current attitudes on the concept of post-humanism. Theorists such as Donna Haraway, Katherine Hayles and Michel Foucault have contributed significantly to the modern developments in science and technology within the post-humanism era and their implication on the perception of the society on gender roles. This paper discusses the issues surrounding post-humanism with illustrations from various theorists on how the use of science and technology in addition to the creation of cyborgs has impacted the social cultural perception on gender. The paper also gives an analytical discussion of the characteristics of the post-human and the social ethical implications of post-humanism to social issues that are related to gender such as race and sexuality. Post-humanism and the Media Post-humanism is described as the use of technology and science to facilitate the improvement of human nature which includes enhancement of physical strength, intelligence, hearing and vision and even speed. The term post-humanism also includes the visual fantasies and illusions that are depicted in the new media through various programs and science-fiction movies (Hird 223). Media communications glorify a super human nature and this has led to the development of attitudes within the society about post-humanism. The media is portraying that the current form of human nature is not special. Moreover, the use of technology and science to improve cultures, social systems and the human form is the common image that is demonstrated by the modern media and social networking. The need for increment of the human lifespan and the improvement of the mental abilities are admirable concepts within the post-humanism concept that are examples of fantasies within the media (Rosi 212). Science-fiction has been presented via the media through illustration of cyborgs with super human abilities. Some of these cyborgs have been gendered and sexualized which has led to debates between feminists and their opponents. For example, cyborgs have been presented through media communication which illustrates superior physical and mental abilities which are linked to the male form. As a result gender issues have been raised because feminist ideas reflect that the society is still linking the female gender to the old attitudes that women are weaker than their male counterparts both in the mental and physical dimensions and thus are associated with domestic roles (Lewis 49). The connection of cybernetics to the feminist ideologies is presented in the form of the use of technology in executing tasks such as cooking which were traditionally considered to be feminine roles. Negative implications of cybernetics have also been observed especially in the violation of the integrity of human being through the bodily transformations. Cyborg is described as a hybrid figure which is a product of combining the features of an organism with that of a machine. The social reality of cyborgs and the

Interior Design Dalisay Essay Example for Free

Interior Design Dalisay Essay My enthusiasm for interior designing has led me to decisions that could haul out and maximize my potential. I took Interior Design in college and branched out to every opportunity that I could grasp to get the best out of me. School was a lot of work as it always is but it was generally rewarding. I joined charity events and volunteered, for instance, on a fundraiser for the local children’s hospital and enjoyed every bit of the work I have imparted to make the carnival theme happen. Moreover, I have been a part-time employee as a sales representative in my early years for a number of showrooms which provided for me the basics on the knowledge of interior design as well as a significant direct association with the industry. I can attest that my mother once thought I have gone a little beyond the definition of eccentricity for a 15 year-old who single-handedly disarranges our furniture every time I feel like the couch is facing the wrong way. She once exclaimed that she feels as if she’s a nomad for coming home from work to a different-looking living room at least once a week. I initially concluded that I may have the case of the obsessive-compulsive disorder as I have seen on Oprah once because I feel edgy whenever my mom never fails to pick the wrong wallpaper for my room. It felt that it was a bit off to self-diagnose my so-called â€Å"oddness† as a teenager to be a psychological disorder because I knew years after that it is passion. Before stepping up to my senior year, I contemplated on offering my drafting services by posting an ad in the local newspaper as an avenue for me to sharpen my knowledge on CAD, and fortunately I was able to make it happen and thus gave a significant contribution to my knowledge. My portfolio also got me into an internship in an architectural firm where I had the chance to constantly improve on my drafting designs, modeling and where I had the opportunity to create a wide array of landscape designs and scale models through assisting and exposure. I was also able to put some time to taking a short on-line education with regard to the business of Interior Design where I have learned to identify and analyze client needs and goals, safety requirements, budget limitations and project schedules. I have chosen to take a graduate study in the field to be able to meet if not surpass the standards that our society needs and requires. To be able to have an opportunity for bigger challenges, I feel that I need to place what I know in a circumstance where I would be more than competent to fulfil the demands of these challenges. Getting the best possible training for the field would grant a bigger chance to explore the twist, turns, and methods of honing both my creativity and success in the business which are two of the most essential things that has to be considered. As I grow more in the field, I would much prefer to accumulate experience on Commercial Interior Design and apply my strengths on commercial spaces and businesses. I would be most willing to work on absolutely anything whether it be theme parks, hospitals, entertainment works, or banks. Through this I’d be able to showcase my passion in the field to more people. In addition to that, I would be able to serve the public in my own ways through hopefully managing to make them feel better and comfortable with the aesthetics and the meeting of their requirements through the science of interior design. I would personally like to delve deeper in merging interior design and assisted care for the benefit of the physically handicapped, the senior citizens or similar groups to be able to create a setting that would be maximally beneficial for their interest. In connection with that, I would like to learn more on how to assimilate holistic interior designing for commercial spaces more especially in hospitals or schools and come out with works that are functional, healthy, ergonomic, environment friendly and at the same time stylish and aesthetically pleasing. If I would ever be given the opportunity to venture on residential interior designing, I see it as something that would be in the same line as I would like my career to go with commercial interior design. With years of experience and recognition that I am hopefully going to accumulate through time, it would be nice to think of myself specializing into designing interiors that would be fitting for families with members having a need for special attention and care. With that in mind, I also would like to be known for carrying out projects that are simultaneously tasteful and stylish. At this moment, I would be delighted to try almost anything that the interior design world has to offer if I would fortunately be given the chance. From commercial to residential, architecture, publishing industry for shelter magazines or almost anything that has to do with this venture. The reason for this is my craving to substantiate my knowledge as much as I could so that I could establish a very well rounded and firm foundation for the discipline. Eventually, I could utilize everything that I learn and hopefully stumble into a breakthrough that could contribute greatly to the industry.

The Lilly Ledbetter Act Sociology Essay

The Lilly Ledbetter Act Sociology Essay In January 2009, President Obama signaled his commitment to improving the lives of working women with the signing of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act. By signing this act into law, President Obama signed a significant shift in the view of American polity toward the status of women in the workplace. While this change is significant in the upward mobility of women, only a small portion of women in the workforce will benefit from this new law. Introduction Many explanations have been offered by scholars for gender-wage disparity. Pay disparities have often been attributed to the segregation of women in certain female-dominated occupations, disparities in professional skills, education, and experience, and differences in family status, as well as the role of industry and wage structure. What that said, evidence still suggests that at least part of this gender pay gap is due to discrimination which may be subtle and even unconscious. While the pay disparity exists in nearly every traditional field, jobs associated with male roles continue to be better paid than jobs associated with roles that are considered traditionally female even though these jobs may often require the same skill level. Women dominate jobs in nursing, home health assistance, child care, teaching, cleaning, and food preparation; most of which replace things that women historically have performed in the home for free. While women are making strides in our white collar s ections of our economy, working-class America has not yet benefited from this economic and cultural power shift. Jobs held mainly by women are paid at rates that on average are 20% less than those equivalent jobs held mainly by men. Improvements in pay for women have been related to a greater presence of women in the labor force, rising educational attainment, and the movement into professional and managerial jobs, but there still continues to be an unexplained gender pay gap against women. Today, women with the same amount of education and experience earn 81 percent of what men do; although, this is better than the 60 percent they earned in 1980. This pay gap has persisted and remained relatively consistent for the past 2 decades. Historical Relevance Social Welfare Policies Recent research indicates women now make up almost half of the American work force and earn 60% of college degrees in America. Empowerment alone is not entirely responsible for this revolution. Politics has played a big role in the movement of women into the work force. A number of policies in the 1960s seemingly targeted gender discrimination in the labor market. Legislative efforts that have attempted to address this problem include the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and subsequent amendments, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA), and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Acts of 2009 and 2012. These changes along with the rise of the service sector and the decline in manufacturing have supported and encouraged the entrance of women into the American workforce, but progress has not been uniform as seen in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA). The Equal Pay Act On June 10, 1963, the Equal Pay Act (EPA) was passed by Congress dictating that women and men must receive equal pay for equal work on the recommendation of President John F. Kennedys Commission on the Status of Women. Under the mindset that men were the heads of households and therefore where the primary income producer in families, women had previously been paid less when employed in identical jobs. Regardless of the fact that in many homes women were considered the breadwinners for reasons ranging from death or disability of a spouse, divorce, and/or single parenthood. The EPA prohibits gender-based pay discrimination among employees within the same work place who do substantially equal work. Although gender can no longer be viewed as a drawback, demonstrable differences in seniority, merit, the quality or quantity of work, and/or other considerations might merit different pay can be used if proven. The statute of limitations for filing a suit is 2 or 3 three years, depending on w hether the discriminatory act is intentional. In order to recover under the act, a woman must prove that an employer paid higher wages to men, male and female employees conduct an equal amount of work that requires equal skill, effort, and responsibility, and men and women performed the work under similar working conditions. The act establishes four main defenses for employers. An employer may pay a male employee more than a female employee if the employer can establish that payment is based upon a seniority system, a merit system, a system whereby earnings are based upon the quantity and quality of production by the employees, or a differential based upon any other factor other than the sex of the employees. While the first three of these defenses have been the subjects of litigation, the fourth exception if often litigated more frequently. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is considered our nations benchmark legislation. Signed into law on July 2, 1964, the Civil Rights Act paved the way for future anti-discrimination legislation and President Lyndon Johnson asserted his commitment to President Kennedys legislative agenda, Passage of the Act ended the application of Jim Crow laws, which had been previously upheld by the Supreme Court in the 1896 case Plessy v. Ferguson.   Congress eventually expanded the Civil Rights Act to strengthen enforcement of these fundamental civil rights. These changes were needed to strengthen the original proposal submitted by President Kennedy in response to the racially-motivated violence across the South which occurred during tumultuous summer of 1963. Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and subsequent amendments prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sex in a broader set of categories, including hiring, promotion, and other conditions of employment. It requires filing a comp laint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission within 180 days after an intentional discriminatory act. Although the inclusion of the word sex in the original draft of this 1964 Act was considered a joke, this inclusion has become the basis for most gender-based discrimination policy in the United States. As a result of fears regarding the impact of this legislation on his predecessor, congress adopted the Bennett Amendment into bill shortly before its passage in 1964. Interested parties feared that an employee filing suit under Title IV could file a wage discrimination case without the need to prove equal pay for equal work as required under the EPA. The Bennett Amendment provides that an employer may pay his employees different wages based on gender if the provisions of the Equal Pay Act authorize such differentiation. Executive Order #11246 On September 24, 1965, President Lyndon Johnson issued Executive Order #11246. Generally considered the nations first affirmative action order, Executive Order #11246 requires companies receiving federal construction contracts to ensure equality in the hiring of minorities. The order was amended in 1967 to include gender discrimination. The Family Medical Leave Act of 1993 The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) was signed into law by President Bill Clinton on February 5, 1993. FMLA is considered a labor standard classifying requirements for eligible employers and also a major milestone in the legal support of family life. FMLA recognizes that family life events have an impact on the workplace and requires the workplace to accommodate those events to provide job protection. Entitlements for employees who meet FMLA eligibility requirements include job protection and unpaid leave for a qualified medical and family reason. Eligible employees may take up to 12 work weeks of unpaid leave during any 12 month period for the serious health condition of the employee, parent, spouse or child, or for pregnancy or care of a newborn child, or for adoption or foster care of a child. An FMLA-eligible employee is an employee who has been in the business at least 12 months and worked at least 1,250 hours over the past 12 months. Work must be done at a location where the company employs 50 or more employees within 75 miles. FMLA does not apply to workers in businesses with fewer than 50 employees, part-time workers who have worked fewer than 1,250 hours within the 12 months preceding the leave and a paid vacation, workers who need time off to care for seriously ill relatives other than parents, workers who need time off to recover from short-term or common illness like a cold, or to care for a family member with a short-term illness such as child, and workers who need time off for routine medical care, such as check-ups. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) dictates that families receiving public assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program take personal responsibility for their low-income lives and that paid work is essential to moving the family out of poverty. The PRWORA represents the change in the welfare system that no longer permitted poor families to receive assistance while staying at home with children. With the passage of PRWORA, Congress essentially ended single mothers entitlement to income support by emphasizing paid employment. The Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act In 2009, President Obama signed the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act, which allows victims of pay discrimination to file a complaint with the government against their employer within 180 days of their last paycheck, not as previously stated the first paycheck. Victims were previously allowed 180 days from the date of the first unfair paycheck. Interpretation of Such Policies The 1963 Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act combined are thought to settle the matter of equal pay in law. In 1963, when the Equal Pay Act was passed, full-time working women were paid 59 cents on average for every dollar paid to men. This means it took 49 years for the wage gap to close just 20 cents; a rate of less than half a penny a year.  [1]  In a 2007 U.S. Census Bureau report in, median pay for women is less than of men in each and every one of the 20 industries and 25 occupation groups surveyed. In fact, men working in female-dominated occupations still tend to earn more than women working in those same occupations. According to the Institute for Womens Policy Research, if equal pay for women were instituted immediately across the board, it would result in an annual $319 billion gain nationally for women and their families (in 2008 dollars).  [2]  Over her working life, a typical woman could expect to gain a total of $210,000 in additional incom e if equal pay were the norm (these numbers include part-time workers).  [3]   The Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act are important laws, but they are hard to enforce, and legal cases are extremely difficult to prove and win. Part of the problem is that many women can be underpaid without knowing it. Many companies continue to make it taboo to discuss salaries even though in some cases these policies are unfair and/or sometimes unlawful. In addition, without knowing what a job truly pays, women can devalue themselves when negotiating a new salary. Suing is also not a practical remedy for women since awards are limited under the EPA to 3 years worth of pay, which may make it difficult to find a lawyer to accept the case. In addition, the EPA does not allow participation in class action lawsuits for wage discrimination, and since discrimination is almost never in the form of a smoking gun, women still continue to suffer from the glass ceiling and old boys network. Recent court decisions and settlements reveal women earning low wages, faced with s ystemic discrimination in hiring, pay, promotions, or working conditions. In 2011, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) settled lawsuits against 3 employers in low-wage industries for systemic sex discrimination.  [4]  Although this civil action is promising, the Supreme Court has recognized the fear or retaliation leads many victims of pay discrimination to remain silent. Low-wage workers face substantial risk of retaliation by standing up to an employer to challenge discrimination and often remain silent. Unavailable resources also make options for low-wage workers difficult. Women who complain are labeled troublemakers which may follow them as they seek other employment. Employers often fight back aggressively and seek to ruin the credibility of the employee as they seek to defend the company. Women are often subjected to questioning about their sexual history as well as gynecologic medical records in efforts to intimidate them in court. Legal cases can be extremely difficult to prove and win since enforcement of the laws is complaint-driven and, unfortunately, most of the information needed to prove a complaint is held by employers. Pursuing an equal pay case under these circumstances can be devastating to the personal lives and finances of the plaintiffs. The first Executive Orders addressing discrimination in private sector grew out of the unique labor market conditions created by Americas entry into World War II. The basis for these orders was felt to fall under the Presidents authority to provide for national defense. A significant national commitment was signaled by the Johnson administration to social policy. By issuing Executive Order #11246, President Johnson signaled his belief that to truly level the playing field affirmative measures were required to undo the consequences of the historic exclusion of minorities and women from many areas of the workplace. The Presidents authority to issue this Order derived from his authority to ensure that government procurement was conducted in an economical manner. The relationship between the supply of labor and these Executive Orders is evident in that the eradication of discrimination is empirically related to economy and efficiency in government. As a byproduct, research has determined the effects of affirmative action on the gender pay gap estimating that employment of women increased somewhat faster in contractor firms as a result of the effects of affirmative action, but women have seen greater employment opportunities in the economy as a whole most particularly in the public sector. In the private sector or those contractors that are not subject to affirmative action provisions, affirmative action laws and regulations are few and far between. Under Federal law, only 2 types of private-sector employers are required to implement affirmative action plans; those that have federal contracts or subcontracts in excess of $50,000 and those that have at least 50 employees. This translates to 1 in 4 American workers holding jobs in the private sector covered by mandatory federal affirmative action programs. The role of these policy changes cannot be ruled out in both the increase in the gender pay disparity. Coverage under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 is far from universal and many low-wage, single-income workers simply cannot afford to take time-off from work without pay. Low-wage workers in particular would benefit from expanded paid leave policies as they are less likely to be covered by the federal policy since they are considered the working poor and are in greater need of pay during time-off from work for major life events. Women make up 59% of the low wage service-related work force with nearly two-thirds of those earning minimum wages. Women in low-wage positions often have significant demands on their time including, but not limited to holding down multiple jobs, raising children, pursing education, and training. Many single-mother families live paycheck-to-paycheck and may fear being easily replaced by their employers. Lack of information about better paying jobs or options available to them, lack of transportation, and the inability of low-wage female workers in si ngle income families to easily recover from job loss all factor heavily in a decision to challenge discrimination or remain silent. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 was at the time considered a reassertion of Americas work ethic. This Act single-handedly increased the poverty rate of low-wage families, most of them headed by single mothers. This legislation was passed in the middle of the strongest labor market in decades, especially for low-wage work, and was followed by sharp increases in the employment of unmarried mothers. The hope was that as former single welfare mothers entered the labor market they would eventually climb the job ladder; although, research has shown that wage profiles for less-educated workers remain stagnant even if earnings profiles slope upward. Female workers with low levels of education not only typically earn less; they are also hit hard by the wage gap. Less-educated, low-wage workers experience little wage growth while working for the same employer and only limited gain. Their experience is also less meaningful than for that of more-educat ed workers when moving to a new employer. The occupational segregation of men and women into different jobs in the service sector explains the single-largest portion of the gender pay gap, 49.3 percent. Many jobs that women have historically held by women are underpaid when compared to mens jobs that require similar levels of skill. A traditionally male job can earn more a traditionally female job. It is not that the male job has a much higher level of skills than the female job, but that our society values these jobs differently and this is a choice we make. Jobs considered traditionally female have been systemically undervalued for such a long time that we think it is natural, but in fact this is an ongoing legacy of past discrimination.  [5]   Finally, The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act provides women with a critical tool to challenge discriminatory pay practices, but it will not change pay disparity. The Act amends Title VII and restores the law that existed before the Supreme Courts 2007 decision in the Ledbetter case with regard to the timing of legal challenges. With a record number of women currently participating in the workforce, wage discrimination hurts the majority of American families by compromising their economic security today and their retirement security tomorrow. Rising employment rates have forced an unprecedented number of women into the position of primary breadwinners for their families. This alone makes pay equity even more critical. While the Ledbetter Act does not end pay disparity, it brings women one step closure to making real progress in pay disparity. Stronger incentives are needed for employers to follow the law, women need to be empowered to negotiate for equal pay, strengthen feder al outreach, and education, and enforcement efforts such as those contained in the now failed Paycheck Fairness Act are needed. Discrimination would then be deterred due to strong penalties for equal pay violations as well as retaliation against workers who ask about wage practices or disclose their own wages. Criticism/Critical Debate The consequences of the wage gap are both widespread and numerous. When women are paid less than men, the means by which they support themselves and their families is compromised. The number of single-family households has risen dramatically over the past 4 decades. The increase in the number of single-mother families can be correlated to the increase in child poverty in the United States. Unsurprisingly, single parent families headed by women are nearly twice as likely as single parent families headed by men to live below the poverty level. Although most children reared in mother-only households do well, there may be adverse consequences for others. By earning less, women will automatically experience the disadvantage of a less stable economic status and may be less likely to question their wage status due to fear of poverty. The wage gap disparity is also visible in fringe benefits, which currently make up about 30 percent of total compensation. Lower wages means lower lifetime earnings resulting in lower pension benefits upon retirement. The lack of coverage or lower benefit levels may not be a problem for some women, since they receive benefits through a spouse, but for other women, lack of adequate health or pension benefits from their job is a serious problem. As with wages, the gap in fringe benefits is thought to be related to differences between men and women in human capital and job characteristics. Some studies contribute differences in human capital to motherhood and parenting responsibilities since women are largely responsible for childrearing in our society. The correlation is that women are felt to less likely than men to gain work experience and skills, and therefore, are less likely to qualify for high-paying jobs; however, studies have demonstrated that when controlling for sex-based dif ferences in work hours, work interruptions, and part-time work, childless women earn no more than mothers and single women earned no more than married women. Thus, these wage disparities are not exclusively attributable to motherhood, and factors other than unequal sharing in childrearing duties must be at play. Supporting studies have found that in narrow sections of students graduating from the same law school with the same amount of experience, the human capital argument failed to explain the gender-based wage disparities in the American labor force. Another consideration for the wage disparity can be found in the role of industry and wage structure. This discrimination clearly starts the second women begin their first job, and follows them no matter where they go or what they do. New graduates not only make less, but continue to make less with each subsequent degree and the gap actually widens as they progress. Women make less than men no matter what industry or occupation they enter. This can be attributed to the decline in blue-collar jobs where women are under-represented. The rise of women in blue collar jobs has benefited women in that traditionally men have been more likely to be union members than women. Union representation has historically helped to increase the gender pay gap, but the share of unionized workers who are female has increased as unions have grown in certain public sector and service-related occupations that have a greater share of female workers. This in itself has played a relatively small role in the de clining gender pay gap. Public sector and service-related occupations remain crucial for women. Women have historically been overrepresented in public-sector employment. Public sector jobs generally pay more than jobs in the private sector raising the average pay for women in our contemporary economy, but recent decisions by many state and local governments to respond to diminished revenues and budget shortfalls by cutting public-sector jobs have had substantial economic effects on women. Although state and local public-sector workers have significantly higher levels of education than their private-sector peers, they are consistently underpaid relative to similar private-sector workers in similar jobs, and the disproportionate share of women and minorities working in state and local government has also translated into higher rates of job loss for both groups in these sectors. Affirmative action has played a significant role in public sector jobs, but this has mainly benefited white women, many of which are not coming from the lower-class labor market. According to the United States Labor Department, the primary beneficiaries of affirmative action are white women. The Department of Labor estimated that 6 million women workers are in higher occupational classifications today than they would have been without affirmative action policies. Conclusion The empowerment of women is considered to be one of the greatest changes in the past 50 years. This has been manifested in equal rights acts, changes in social welfare legislation, and changes in employment legislation such as the Lilly Ledbetter Act. The changes have all in one way or another corresponded with the rises in the labor market that have both supported and encouraged the entrance of women and minorities into the American workforce. Improvements in pay for women have been related to a greater presence of women in the labor force, rising education attainment, and the movement into professional and managerial jobs, but pay disparity still persists. Historically, legislation favoring the elimination of discrimination in the workforce has been used also to support economic growth. This would suggest that the driving factor behind this legislation is not discrimination or gender parity, but capitalism/the economy. Executive Order #11246 and The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 are examples of this. The impact of these Acts on low-wage female workers is evident. More low-wage single-mother households are living in poverty at this time than ever before. In fact, there has been no legislation to date to protect part-time and contingent workers at all and their numbers are growing. These workers are not eligible for time-and-a-half overtime, minimum wage protections, and they have very little job security. Most low-wage single-mothers are also not covered by the Family Medical Leave Act. The impacts of the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its subsequent amendments, as well as the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Acts of 2009 and 2012, are largely felt to be in the public sector, which is subjected to monitoring and oversight by the EEOC, and in the private sector in the form of blue collar jobs which are dominated by unions. Unions provide better benefit protection, safety protection, and job security. Lilly Ledbetter herself benefit greatly from protection in her job due to her union. Studies have shown that women who have had the benefit of being supported by union membership experience significantly less pay disparity. Low-wage workers often find it hard to unionize, especially in the private sector as this is often discouraged by employers. Workers are often bullied and intimidated to discourage talk of union membership. Strong unions in these sheltered areas would greatly benefit low-wage workers. Better enforcement of existing laws and regulations is also needed as well as stronger laws such as the Paycheck Fairness Act to address this issue. Lawsuits will not have a significant impact on pay disparity as individual wage discrimination cases are very expensive to pursue and difficult to argue. Private cases also do not have an important impact on the labor market. Class-action lawsuits are rare and are usually based on many employees and one employer or a few employers, and are generally not feasible in wage disparity cases. As previously mention, they are forbidden under the EPA. Finally, the fact that this problem is not concentrated in one area or agency makes it difficult to assess. Change is needed from outside these organizations. Federal standards should be adopted to specifically address pay inequality at all levels of government and even in the private sector. Internet Sources American Civil Liberties Union, www.aclu.com. The ACLU takes an active role in defending the freedoms granted to American citizens by our Constitution and laws of the United States in this country. The ACLU brings many discrimination cases on behalf of workers each year, testifies in front of Congress on behalf of womens issues, and works hard to lobby for womens rights in the workplace. National Committee on Pay Equity, http://www.pay-equity.org/. The National Committee on Pay Equity is a coalition of organizations working to eliminate sex-based and race-based pay discrimination to achieve pay equity. The American Association of University Women, http://www.aauw.org The American Association of University Women advances equality for women and girls through legislation, research, advocacy, and philanthropy. Its mission is a community to break through economic and education barriers so that women have a fair chance.