Judaism, Islam, and Christianity Essay - 1687 Words

Judaism, Islam, and Christianity are some of the religions that most individuals can relate to, being the three largest religions in the world. Like many religions they share many differences and also some similarities. One difference that these religions hold is their view of Jesus Christ. Similarities are surprisingly common to find among some religions because of the basis they put on one another. Some similarities between these religions include: belief of monotheism and the influence of Zoroastrianism had on each religion. Also another similarity carried out by these three religions would be the significance of Abraham. Some other differences include: religious texts and also how they approach God in prayer. One similarity that has†¦show more content†¦Cit. p. 29. (Ritz). Through Zoroastrianism these religions set up the basis for many of their ideals like heaven and hell, judgment, everlasting life, etc. without Zoroastrianism as there basis they would never share the commonality or universal theme throughout them all which is the afterlife. Although they may not agree on where they go, they do agree that there is life after death which never would have been a commonality between the three without the influence of Zoroastrianism. Jesus Christ is seen in each one of these religions, but how he is seen and portrayed varies greatly from one religion to the next. Christians believe that Jesus came to earth and died on the cross for our sins. This then led to the creation of the New Testament, which was written by many of his disciples. This is where Judaism and Christianity started to have controversy because those of the Jewish faith did not believe that Jesus was the messiah. The adding of the New Testament is where Christians and Jews are set to never agree. Those of the Islamic faith, like Christians, believe Jesus was born from the Virgin Mary. Rather than God they believe that Allah sent Jesus to teach scriptures, but also believe that humans have scoured the word over the years. Also the Islam faith believes that he was alive when God called him to heaven. This is not true in theShow MoreRelatedJudaism, Christianity, And Islam992 Words   |  4 PagesJudaism, Christianity and Islam are three of the most r ecognized monotheistic religions worldwide. These religions are often referred to as the Abrahamic religions because of their history to the founding father, Abraham. Judaism, Christianity and Islam are closely related with varying differences. Christianity was born from within the Jewish tradition, and Islam developed from both Christianity and Judaism. We take a look at some of the major similarities and major differences of these widely practicedRead MoreJudaism, Christianity, and Islam1538 Words   |  6 PagesJudaism, Christianity and Islam Christianity and Islam are the most influential religions in the world. Judaism has only fourteen million followers across the continents which makes Judaism the 12th largest religion. Although Judaism is not as large as Christianity and Islam, It still has an impact on the world. Prophet Abraham is the called in Islam the father of all prophets and because of that, sometimes Christianity, Islam and Judaism are called Abrahamic Religions. There are many known differencesRead MoreJudaism, Christianity, And Islam1052 Words   |  5 PagesAubrey Fletcher 3/9/15 Humanities Professor Michaud 417868 Judaism, Christianity, and Islam There are roughly 4,200 different religions in the world today, among them the largest are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. These three religions are more similar then one would think. Christianity is the largest religion in the world with 2 billion followers and are called Christians. Islam is the second largest religion in the world with 1.3 billion followers. They are called Muslims, which means â€Å"oneRead MoreJudaism, Christianity, And Islam875 Words   |  4 Pageshave believed in a higher power or powers. Christianity, Islam and Judaism, the three most dominant religions are no different. They are all Monotheistic meaning they believe in one sole higher power or God. Though they share this common idea and many other similarity, they have many distinct features of their own that make them different as a whole. Many past religions have believed in the idea of multiple gods, Polytheism. Judaism, Christianity and Islam believe in one Supreme creator, MonotheismRead MoreChristianity, Islam, And Judaism1636 Words   |  7 PagesChristianity, Islam, and Judaism All three religions believe and worship the same God but they do it in different ways. Judaism happens to be the oldest religion today but they don’t have an official creed. They aim to teach you about God, the Messiah, human beings, and the universe which makes Jewish beliefs very important to them. But it is important to understand that being Jewish is more of a race and culture than it is a religion. Some Jewish people may have no interest in Judaism. Judaism hasRead MoreJudaism, Christianity, And Islam1679 Words   |  7 Pages Completely Different but Surprisingly Similar Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are all three different religions that many may not think can even be compared. At a glance, the religions are derived from different locations, the members of the religions look and act different, and some of the widely known practices are what make the religions so distinct. However, they are more similar than most people think. In the core of the three religions, many of their beliefs and practices show to be extremelyRead MoreChristianity, Islam, And Judaism Essay1967 Words   |  8 PagesChristianity, Islam, and Judaism represent the three most influential religions in the world throughout history. Judaism is, however, not as widespread as both Islam and Christianity, but it still has a profound impact in the world. Judaism, Islam, and Christianity are also known as the Abrahamic religions because their history is traced to the ancient individual, Abraham who is first referred to in the Hebrew Bible. There are many similarities as well as some differences between these religionsRead MoreJudaism, Christianity, And Islam902 Words   |  4 Pagesmost famous three religions -People of the book- are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Judaism is the oldest organized religion in the world; however, it only has 14 million followers around the world most of them centered in North America and Israel. Christianity, came after Judaism and have two billion believers around the world, and that’s about one third of the world population. Finally, Islam came after Judaism and Christianity. Even though Islam came afterwards, it spread quickly around the worldRead MoreJudaism, Christianity, And Islam1016 Words   |  5 Pagesthat keeps many people going in life but at the same time, the same reason our world has so many problems and has been torn apart. Through studying the main tenets in call, Judaism, Christianity and Islam were analyzed for weeks. Christianity and Islam take the cake for the two biggest religions in today’ s population however, Judaism plays the smallest role. These three religions, although different, are easily able to be compared and contrasted because of all of the history and information we have attainedRead MoreJudaism, Christianity, And Islam1087 Words   |  5 PagesJudaism, Christianity, and Islam are among the best known and most widely practiced religions today, and have had enormous cultural, ideological, and historical impact on the peoples of every continent. Arguably more so than any other ideological systems, Abrahamic religion has been among the most influential forces in human history. The shared elements of their traditions have allowed them to develop in part through a multi-faceted dialogue with each other. These faiths, despite sharing a common

Capitalism, Liberalism And Marxism Leninism - 1486 Words

Since the dawning of man and the discovery of wealth there has been one large question to concept of wealth; how do I get more? In the world of economics there are several theories and approaches but the three main powerhouses that have either stood the test of time or paved the way for economic revolutions are Mercantilism, Liberalism and Marxism-Leninism. Each of these economic theories have great strengths in their own rights but are of course not without great limitations. While there is no such thing as an inherently perfect economic and political system it is quite obvious that some come closer to the mark than others. Mercantilism has been nicknamed the economics of absolution. Mercantilism is the theory that a countries power depends mainly on its wealth, the power to build large and formidable navies and lastly the control and purchase of vital trade goods and routes. The two main ways to increase a countries wealth is to obtain as much gold and silver as possible and to est ablish a favorable balance of trade that sells more goods than it has to buy. In Mercantilism buying more than you are selling will lead to an unfavorable balance which will lead to a national dept. Europe in early history utilized mercantilism which lead to the creation of colonies. The soul purpose of a colony is to support and benefit the mother country. A good example of this is North America, North America had untapped raw resources such as minerals, metals and trees; it is worth notingShow MoreRelatedPopular political Ideologies in the 20th Century: A brief Study of popular 20th Century political trends.1367 Words   |  6 Pagesproclaim to be superior next to all others; the fact is that all worldviews have failings and merits and specific purposes. I will discuss the following Political Ideologies; Marxist/Communist, Leninist/Stalinist, Progressive/Socialist, Classic Liberalism/Capitalism, and Neo-conservative. All of the above mentioned P.I has come to the forefront of thi s discussion because they have been the dominant forces since the second industrial revolution or what we have come to understand as â€Å"modern times†. TheseRead MoreDoes Neo-Liberalism or Neo-Marxism Provide the Most Credible Account of International Politics? (the Answer Should Discuss with the Reference to the Films â€Å"Independence Day â€Å"and the New Rulers of the World.2635 Words   |  11 PagesDoes Neo-Liberalism Or Neo-Marxism Provide The Most Credible Account Of International Politics? (The Answer Should Discuss With the Reference to the Films â€Å"Independence Day â€Å"And the New Rulers of the World. Name: Course: Instructor: Date: The significance of neo-Marxism and Marxism, as theories shaping world development, has been subjected to a great deal of debates, particularly after the end of the Cold War. HoweverRead MoreGlobalization and the International Political Economy Essay3605 Words   |  15 PagesRealism, Liberalism, Marxism and the Phenomenon of Global Integration Introduction Various theories and perspectives have been proposed by theorists and international relations observers in explaining International Political Economy (IPE). The most salient among these perspectives are Realism, Liberalism, and Marxism. These paradigms or ways of looking at IPE enables international relations students to study the forces at work in the international realm and analyze how these factorsRead MoreThe Cold War : American Liberalism Vs. Soviet Communism1627 Words   |  7 PagesThe Cold War - was at its root a battle of ideas: American liberalism vs. Soviet Communism. The two ideologies clashed at their very nature, which led to deep mistrust and fear of the unknown about the unpredictability of the other. The two world powers simply could not exist without conflict. As a result, The United States of America took measures to prevent the worst: war. The steps the U.S.A took to quench the possibility of war separated the world even more, as they gave aid to some count riesRead MoreEssay on The Dictators1735 Words   |  7 Pagesrepresents ultra-liberalism. Because these two were so ideologically extreme on the right and left ends of the political spectrum respectively, in fact, the wrapped all the way around, so to speak, so that they were not actually that far from each other ideologically after all. So, the question is: if the ideology of the two regimes was so different, why then were there so many similarities? What really tied them together was the rejection of the same prevalent doctrine: liberalism (Overy 639). Read MoreWho is Fidel Castro?2567 Words   |  10 Pagesforces. Fidel Castro escaped the mass arrest. Though the mission turned out to be a failure, it did, strengthen Castro’s popularity as he went on to openly protest against the government wrongdoings. By the end of the 1940s Fidel Castro was exposed to Marxism, which he would admit in saying has been one of his greatest influences politically and socially. Fidel Cas tro came to a conclusion that corrupt politicians and the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie was Cuba’s problem. Castro began his legal practiceRead MoreThe Rise and Fall of Ideologies in Fukuyama ´s The End of History2534 Words   |  11 Pagesman’s quest has been a subconscious search for all of his needs to be satisfied and conflicts resolved. All of human’s behaviors in the material world are therefore a result of their consciousness. In Weber’s The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, the economic theory that suggested that man is a rational profit-maximize is disproven. It was believed that high wages meant increased labor productivity, but in reality, a peasant would value leisure more than income, and therefore work lessRead MoreTheories of International Politics2076 Words   |  8 PagesRealism, Liberalism, and Marxism-Leninism (Radicalism). What are the major differences between these perspectives? How do these three theories differ in their analysis of globalization (what explains it, who benefits from it, etc.)? Realism, Liberalism, and Radicalism offer three very different ideas to International Political Economy. They differ for many reasons, such as the winners and loser, poor vs. richer country gain, free market ideas, and the effects of globalization due to capitalism. TheRead MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 Pagesand the more general rise of passport and systematic immigration laws after World War I.19 Restrictions on international migration in the 1920s heralded the retrenchment of economic liberalism into greater isolation and autarky that characterized the next two decades. And the later revival of global liberalism (after 1950 and more worldwide after 1990) did not stop the multiplication of migration controls, the proliferation of identity documents, and ever more complex laws to sift and select

Catcher in the Rye Deconstruction free essay sample

Some consider Caulfield a symbol innocence, and its loss as an inevitable step towards the transition to adulthood. So a question arises; is Holden really worthy of all this hype? Is he a protector of innocence and a shining beacon of hope for teen misfits in a cold, dark world? To put it simply, no. His innocence, and protection thereof, is not entirely sound. Holden is hardly the epitome of virtue, nor is he an exemplary example of the passage to adulthood. As a character, he is hypocritically cynical and whiningly lonesome. Holden Caulfield is about as inspiring as a pinkie toe. Main character aside, the idea of all children being innocent until unavoidably corrupted by the adult world is false. Holden lacks innocence and success in life, and his entire purpose in life is a lie, meaning he must conform or he will suffer the pitiful remainder of his life in dissatisfaction. Throughout the course of The Catcher in the Rye, it becomes obvious that Holden Caulfield is uncomfortable with the notion of sex. He talks about it constantly, to the point it becomes vexatious, but sex clearly scares him. When discussing girls he really likes, Holden shows that he cant have intimate or sexual relationships with them: You never wanted to kid Jane too much. I think I really like it best when the opportunity arises, but its a funny thing. The girls I like best are the one I never feel much like kidding (p 79). One might argue that Holdens viewpoint is refreshing and a great display of righteous morals. Caulfields mindset shows that he views sex as objectifying and demeaning, and is virtuous enough that he would never treat a nice girl in such a manner. However, the fact that Holden would need to objectify a woman in order to have sex is atrocious, not commendable. From the mind of a child, sex might be gross or a weird adult thing, but never demeaning. The fact that Holden would lead a girl on while he hates her, is extremely inconsiderate: Then just to show you how crazy I am, when we were coming out of this big clinch, I told her I loved her and all. It was a lie, of course, but the thing is, I meant it when I said it. Im crazy. I swear to God I am (p 125). Some might argue that Holden genuinely cares for Sally, but he described his feelings for her quite clearly in an earlier chapter: She gave me a pain in the ass, but she was good looking (p 106). Holden Caulfield is not so respectful to women that he can not stand to take advantage of them, on the contrary, he is so degrading towards women that he needs to view them as objects to derive pleasure from them. Altogether, Caulfield is not an example of virtuous morals or childlike behaviour. Holden Caulfields greatest desire is to defend innocents from the evil corruption of immoral adults. He compares this task to a catcher in the rye: What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff I mean if theyre running and they dont look where theyre going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. Thats all Id do all day. Id just be the catcher in the rye and all (p 173). Holdens aspiration, while quite noble, is delusional. He is extremely biased in his view of children, regarding them with an unhealthy admiration. Conversely, an adult can do nothing wrong, and still unleash Holdens hatred. For instance, he sees a woman crying at an sentimental movie, and instantly labels her as a phony. He believes she could not possibly be genuinely emotional, as she fails to take her child to the bathroom: The part that got me was, there was a lady sitting next to me that cried all through the goddam picture. The phonier it got, the more she cried. Youd have thought she did it because she was kindhearted as hell, but I was sitting right next to her, and she wasnt. She had this little kid with her that was bored as hell and had to go to the bathroom, but she wouldnt take him. She kept telling him to sit and behave himself. She was about as kindhearted as a goddam wolf (p 139). Holden never considered that the child might have been mischievous or apathetic, or that an adult could legitimately feel sadness. His outlook on life blinds him from reality. Later on, when Holden went to his sisters school and found fuck you written on the wall. In his mind, children are completely incapable of committing immoral acts, and the only probable vandal had to be an evil adult that snuck in: Somebodyd written Fuck you on the wall. It drove me damn near crazy. I thought how Phoebe and all the other little kids would see it, and how theyd wonder what it meant, and then finally some dirty kid would tell them all cockeyed, naturally, what it meant, and how theyd all think about it and maybe even worry about it for a couple of days. I kept wanting to kill whoeverd written it. I figured it was some perverty bum thatd sneaked in the school late at night to take a leak or something and then wrote it on the wall (p 201). In all likelihood, a child from the school, not a perverty bum, was the culprit that defaced the walls. Additionally, Holden Caulfield is unable to find any good adults who are clearly worthy of admiration. Anyone talented at a certain skill is marked as phony: If you do something too good, then, after a while, if you dont watch it, you start showing off. And then youre not as good anymore (p 126). In the end, neither adults nor children are innocent, yet both are far from being evil. Salingers famous novel receives praise for its illustration of a difficult transition into adulthood. However, no proof exists of Holdens maturity, nor of any childlike innocence. He is depicted smoking, swearing, lying, propositioning prostitutes, delivering hypocritical judgement, and constantly fantasizing about sex, among many others. At the end of the novel, however, Holden appears to be writing from a mental hospital trying to reshape his life. Yet there is no indication that Holden has learned to conform, or set aside his delusions about the world. If The Catcher in the Rye does not indicate that adulthood is the cause of corruption, nor does it demonstrate hope for troubled teens, what is it trying to tell us? Well, in the end, the novel protests delusions and nonconformity. Holden Caulfields lack of willingness to leave behind his ideal of innocence causes his depression and failure. Why would he want to find a place in an adult world of corruption and malice? On the other hand, Holden does not belong in an innocent and virtuous world of children. Therein lies the heart of his troubles. Until Holden Caulfield can set aside his delusions, and accept the world as it is, he is doomed.

What Are The Advantages and Disadvantages of Brand Stretching Essay Example

What Are The Advantages and Disadvantages of Brand Stretching Paper In addressing the above question it is first important to establish what a brand is and the implications this gives to both existing products and products that may be laundered using existing titles. This essay will examine articles written concerning the stretching of brands and identify which brands have been successful and unsuccessful in this pursuit and why. It will also examine the financial motives for companies to penetrate existing markets using already established new products or services has lead to prosperity or disaster. The American Marketing Association refer to branding as the use of a name, a term, a symbol or a design to identify the goods or services of one seller and to distinguish them from those of the competition (WK4 Lecture). This use of branding is said to create an identity of the product that quickly allows consumers to identify a desired item and also gives a guarantee of quality of the product. Branding is also seen as being mutually beneficial to Manufacturers as protection is offered from competition, it allows maintenance of a premium price, promotion is made more efficient because the brand helps to evoke an image, and it also helps in the introduction of new products with the same brand name (WK4 Lectures). We will write a custom essay sample on What Are The Advantages and Disadvantages of Brand Stretching specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on What Are The Advantages and Disadvantages of Brand Stretching specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on What Are The Advantages and Disadvantages of Brand Stretching specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer King (1971 p.3/4) writes of the rise of power of manufacturers by branding their products, thus taking control of the market from the wholesalers, by allowing retailers and consumers to more easily identify products they wanted. This process was moved further forward by manufacturers creating direct links with the buying public through the use of advertising. King states that the basic motive for this was to stabilise demand, thus allowing regular large-scale production, free from the whims of the wholesaler. Partly because of this the advertising tended to be based on the idea of reliability and guaranteed quality. (1971 p.3). It was due to such strategies (according to King) that the manufacturers dominated the market from about 1900 to 1960. However since the 1960s the market has turned a full cycle, returning control to the retailers (although maybe not so much to the wholesalers). This is illustrated by Caulkin (1987) who states that over the last two or three decades there has been a massive shift in the balance of power form manufacturing towards the retail end of the economy (p.46). This Caulkin states, is particularly notable in food and fast moving consumers goods. Large supermarkets such as Tescos, Asda and Sainsbury started to implement own-label goods which over time sharply reduced the manufacturers share of the market within only a few exceptions (such as baked beans and pet food) (Caulkin 1987). In an attempt to combat what is discussed above many manufacturers are returning to what was described in an article in the Economist 10/90 as an old standby of marketing; brand-stretching (p.105). This based on the principle of using an existing established brand name to help the launch of new products into the market. However, the potential for this sort of practice is said not to be unlimited. Peter Philips of CPC International commented in the Economist article If you get brand-stretching right , you can travel further for less money. If your get it wrong, you risk weakening the core values of the original product (10/90 p.105). Although it is important to note that stretched brands have a better chance of survival than new brands, OC and C found that, of products launched by the same multinational six years ago, only about 30% of new brands exist today while over 50% of stretched ones do (10/90 p.105). With statistics such as these, one can see that it indeed may be advantageous to a company to exploit its name in the promotion of new products and when expanding into new markets. The Economist article stresses the popularity of brand-stretching in the areas of food and drink. Advantages may also be sought when one considers the point made above that the cost of promoting new products with already established brand names, which is said to be considerably cheaper. The Economist article (10/90) points out that promotional costs for stretched brands are in fact 36% cheaper when compared to completely new products. This is presumable due to the public already having an awareness of the brand name, so the only real cost incurred is raising awareness of the existence of the product itself. The use of a brand name also implies assurance of quality (King 1971). It may further be considered that the use of a brand name on its own may persuade people to try new products, such as the Mars Ice Cream Bar. This may be considered in particular when one looks at the larger supermarket chains such as Sainsburys. Over the last two decades Sainsburys have produced own brands to compete with nearly every product that they stock. Due to the image conveyed by Sainsburys that implies (or in fact, guarantees) quality, it has been possible for them to penetrate nearly all areas of the food market successfully. This success may be attributed to the analysis of what a product is as defined by Nickels (1978). Nickels sees a product as an intangible sense of value that a consumer perceives when he or she weighs the benefits and drawbacks of making an exchange. It may therefore be viewed that the success of Sainsburys is mainly due to the consumer seeing little difference in quality between branded goods and Sainsburys own label goods, with Sainsburys holding th e advantage when price is considered. This point is reiterated by Caulkin (1987), who states that growing public perception that the best own-brands are no longer cheap alternatives to the real thing, but comparable in quality as well as price with the main manufacturers lines. The phenomenon of brand-stretching has not been unique to the manufacturing and retail sectors, but has in fact been used by those in the sector of public service. Nickels cites areas, such public libraries that have sought the advantages of brand-stretching. He refers to increased success of libraries that reconsidered what to offer by viewing the service they provide from the perspective of the public. This has resulted in a marked change of service in some American libraries which now provide services such as the loaning of domestics pets, childrens toys and the provision of music rooms and access to such things as a printing press, (1978 p.195). Nickels continues to state that the product of a library today may be anything that will satisfy the needs of selected market segments Libraries are much more successful today because they have designed their products to fit the needs of people (1978 p.196). It can therefore be seen that brand-stretching can be of great advantage when a n eed or area of market penetration is correctly recognised. However, when a company seeks the advantages of brand stretching, they must take great care to ensure that they get it right. The Economist article (10/90) points out that brands are not endlessly elastic. Stretching can also undermine the credibility of the original product. Consumers may not believe that the new product shares any of the cachet or characteristics of the old, or they may simply forget what was attractive about the original item, (10/90 p.105). However, when one considers this comment, it may well be true to say that not all stretched brands will be successful, but that does not seem to generally render original brands obsolete. If one is to consider the failure of David Hunter, (a stretch by Levis), it does not seem to of had an adverse effect on Levis. The problem seems to have aroused simply due to the manner that the stretched brand was marketed, i.e. those who bought classic tailored clothes would not buy them form Levis and not vice versa. It seems more simply, that it was inappropriate for Levis to have used their name to penetrate this particular market. This story seems to be reiterated by Van Den Burghs and Jargons low calorie salad dressing that failed using the name of flora. This, however does not seem to have harmed flora margarine in its place of market leader. It should be noted though that it is felt by many in the field of marketing that a failed product could cause disastrous effects for established products. Prof. Birger Wernerfelt of the MIT Sloan School of Management stated in the Economist article that Umbrella branding means putting up the reputation of the old product as a bond for the quality of the new one (10/90 p. 105). However in the field of well established brands, stretching by own-brand manufacturers has not been so successful. Items such as baked beans are said to have made little headway and that Heinz still hold half the share of the market. The same is said to also apply to pet foods, with Mars Pedigree Pet Foods not having been toppled form their No 1 spot (1987 p.47). A further point that has been made concerning brand stretching as a disadvantageous pursuit was made by Messrs Al Ries and Jack Trout (Citied in the Economist 10/90 p.106). In their book Bottom Up Marketing they argue that by companies widening their products, (even those who have been successful) they have hurt their brand equity. This they attribute to the nature of communication in Western Society being so large that they feel that, you are lucky if your brand can mean one thing. Almost never can it mean two or three things, (10/90 p.106). Thus confusing consumers of an established image of original brands. From the above discussion it can be seen that brand-stretching can be a good way of penetrating new markets. by good use of an established brand name considerable savings can be made in the field of promotion, as there is already an existence of brand awareness so promotion can more easily be centred around the product itself, with the added bonus that consumers may feel more inclined to give an initial trail of products displaying brand names they already know, ( such as the Mars Ice Cream Bar). This too is now the case with established own-brand labels, such as Sainsburys which offer marginally cheaper prices of products now perceived to be of equal quality to that of established brands. However inappropriate stretches, or those which do not offer good quality products have a danger of undermining the credibility of already established brands. Although from the research this sort of practice on the whole seems to lead to failure of the stretched brand, generally leaving the origina l in tact.

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Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods Market Discuss the trends in retailing of organic foods and the impact of these trends on Whole Foods Market The retailing business of organic food in the United States of America is on the rise; this has been facilitated by enlighten of the American on the health advantages brought about by organic food consumption as well as a realization of danger likely to be brought about by eating non-organic foods.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Whole Foods Market specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In 2005, there were14000 small and medium scale outlets of organic and natural foods; the estimated sales of the 14,000 units totaled to $18Billion; the market offered a variety of products that shoppers could choose from, the establishments were mostly small scale, however giant stalls were established to tap the growing market. Some of the giant malls that were introduced between 2005 and 2008 are Wal-Mart and Whole Food Company. The rais ed demand for organic food in the American food industry forced Whole Food Company to change its business approach and target to tap the growing market; generally the trend in a market has an effect on the kind of products that a company stocks and the area that the company will concentrate on. Whole Food Company had to focus on the new market demands and started to stock products like wild oats, fresh produce and millet. Evaluate the competitive environment of the firm: Apply Porter’s model and analyze each factor relative to the company Since 2000, before the wave to organic foods, many companies in the food industry were experiencing a reduced business and they recorded losses; an example of a company that recorded a loss was Whole Food Company: the competitive environment of the company looks as follows (using porter’s five forces): Buyer’s Bargaining Power The market is driven by the demands made by the customers, it is the customers who decided they needed organic and fresh foods, the supermarkets and small scales stores had no option that supply the commodities. In the market, the buyer’s power is more evident and strong.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Suppliers bargaining power Suppliers of organic foods have increased with the demand of the foods; however, the production of the foods is dependent with the climatic conditions, which may sometimes not be favorable. However, the markets benefit a great deal from the growth of international market, which has continued to supply organic foods to the supermarkets and small outlet chains. Threats of substitute Although consumers have access to cheaper non-organic foods, they have strongly opted to use organic foods for the benefits it has on their health. Threats to substitute are manageable if the company has a constant supply of organic foods. Threat of New En trants In every business, there is a threat to entry of new businesses, however Whole Food Company is a giant in the industry thus it has an upper hand to be able to maneuver in the market despite entry of new players. Competitive Rivalry in the Industry Since the industry is consumers driven, the success of a company is dependent on how well it can meet consumer’s needs. A strong business like Whole Food Company has no worries to have since it has the financial base, the reputation and the will to succeed (Hughes Beatty, 2005). Discuss which environmental factor poses the most significant threat to Whole Food and what the company can do to combat it The environmental factor that offers Whole Food Company the greatest challenge is Suppliers bargaining power; the reason for the above is because suppliers in the market are growing but their effect and the rate they are producing is also affected by climatic conditions in the country. The world is facing threats from global war ming and seasons are not precisely predictable, the suppliers have the likelihood of not being able to produce the quantity wanted by the market. The effect on climate is not limited to the United States however; it cuts across other organic foods producing countries. The dependency that the company can have on international trade is limited to international relations affecting the world; if the relations do not support production, then the effect is negative and the country will miss the much-needed suppliers. The rising demand has led to a rising needs for the produces; there are a number of companies with different packages evading the market; they are likely to lead to a hiked prices of the produce.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Whole Foods Market specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Whole Food should develop a good business relationship with its suppliers, as this will assist in making sure that there is reliabil ity in the supply of materials. Suppliers in the company fall in the category of contractors and those companies in the business of supplying raw materials and semi finished goods. This will ensure that the company manufacturing is kept with the right materials always. On the other hand, it is easy to get goods at a better price and market data from suppliers whom the company has established good business relations. Complete a SWOT analysis and identify significant opportunities and threats facing the organization Strengths The company has a strong financial base and enjoys a wide range of customers; it can use this advantage to buy products from suppliers at a slightly higher price that the one offered by competitions. The management is futuristic and makes effective and strategic decisions when called upon to. Weakness The company seems to depend on suppliers who cannot be fully dependent on; it would have been better if the company had a farm of its own where it is producing the commodities for its stores. Opportunity The main opportunity facing the firm is an increased demand for organic foods and massive campaigns by third parties on the goodies of eating organic food Threats The company is threatened by unreliable international relations; this threatens the companies continued supply of organic goods. Discuss how Whole Foods can use it strengths and opportunities to achieve a sustained competitive advantage in the marketplace The company has a strong brand name and a reliable financial base; it should use these strengths to enlarge its business via stocking of a variety of products in its shopping malls. With increased sales, the company can be able to buy from suppliers at a fair price and enjoy the benefits of economies of scale.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The growing demand for organic products is offering the company an increased demand of its products; thus, the company can diversify its operation in the niche of the market and enjoy increased sales. Globalization and growth in international market offers the company an increased market base and increases the material sources (Adam, Jochim Cutting, 2008). References Adam, L., Jochim, D., Cutting, T. (2008). The art of strategic leadership: A proven approach to optimizing your organization. New York: Beck. Hughes, R., Beatty, K. (2005). Becoming a strategic leader: Your role in your organization’s enduring success. San Francisco: John Wiley Sons.

Dream School Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Dream School - Term Paper Example Therefore, activities and materials used in the school will be design to provide the preschool children with a wide range of experiences in all developmental stages. Consequently, these can facilitate their growth and give them numerous opportunities from which they can choose from to carry out preferred tasks. As such, these materials and methods in the school will reflect the philosophy of Piaget and incorporate the most appropriate materials of other educators in order to assist the learning process of children. Similarly important would be the children’s teacher, hence the presence of well qualified teaching staff members to positively contribute to the personal development and fulfillment of preschoolers as well as instill the values of care and love. The following sections will then look into the educational philosophy, curriculum, physical building and facilities, and the choice of teachers in the ideal school that aims to emphasize the developmental learning of prescho olers. Educational Philosophy The educational philosophy of the school would place an emphasis on interactions between adults and children as well as relationships in school and at home. The school will also incorporate developmentally appropriate practices that have been established by professional organizations that support early childhood education, such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children. As developmentally appropriate practice entails, teachers must be knowledgeable regarding the different stages of a child’s development as well as their implications. Such knowledge consequently becomes the principle from which they share information, construct the content of the curriculum, evaluate what has to be implemented, evaluate what the children have learned, as well as determine how their curriculum will be adapted to meet the individual needs, interests, and strengths of children in preschool age (Bredekamp and Rosegrant, 1992). In addition, teache rs should know the children they are teaching as well as their families to increase their awareness of the latter’s cultural and social settings. The school’s principles are centered on the recognition and responsiveness towards preschool children who are in the preoperational phase of development, as noted by Piaget. They recognize that objects do exist without touching them and can develop their own set of symbols, such as words and images, as representations of the real world. The school also recognizes that lessons will take place through assimilation, adaptation and accommodation. When children are introduced to new occurrences, they will try to understand these by associating them with the things that they have already known. Once they have obtained experience with such new phenomenon, their thoughts, feelings, and approaches may change to accommodate the attributes of this new phenomenon. Implications then point towards the need for children to be exposed to new experiences which can be associated with previous ones but, to some extent, should also bring about challenges for their way of thinking. Therefore, in order for this ideal school to maintain practices that are appropriate for children’s development, they must establish a secure, stimulating, and nurturing environment as well as develop a flexible curriculum, reflecting the themes and activities of teachers and children. These young

Parenting Styles and the Chinese Tiger Mother. Why Chinese Mothers Are Essay

Parenting Styles and the Chinese Tiger Mother. Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior - Essay Example The authoritarian style is characterized by parents who may be depicted as being absolutely in control mode in dealing with their children. Orders are to be carried out unquestioningly, and no explanations are given. The child has no freedom to make any choices. The parents set the bar for performance exceptionally high, and insist that the child meets those standards. Any failure in rising to these expectations is met with harsh criticism. In the case of authoritative, or democratic, parents, control is tempered with affection. The emphasis is on firm guidance and not on punishment. The child is encouraged to share the responsibility for the decisions taken, and is given reasons and explanations for any behavioral expectations. On the other hand, permissive parents grant the child unlimited freedom of choice. This involves a very hands-off approach, in which the parents set no rules, have no expectations, and make no effort to discipline the child. This style is based on uncondition al acceptance. Amy Chua’s parenting style, as evidenced by her article Why Chinese Mothers are Superior, is obviously based on authoritarianism. Chua is in absolute control of her daughters lives.

Karl Marx and Capitalism Essay Example for Free

Karl Marx and Capitalism Essay In this paper I will examine how Karl Marx views capitalism and, more specifically, the criticisms he has regarding capitalism. In the first part of the paper I will reconstruct and explain the philosopher’s argument. In the second part of the paper I will offer my critical evaluation where I will demonstrate how these critiques are still appropriate in today’s society by providing examples of how capitalism is affecting the lives of American workers even today. However, I will first explain the definition and structure of capitalism. Capitalism is an economic system that is most common in the United States and much of Western Europe today. It is represented by privatization of companies for production of goods or services for a profit, competitive markets, and wage labor (â€Å"Capitalism†). These individual skills were initially developed from skills that grew out of the economic time period known as feudalism and has evolved into individuals who possess certain skills that can demand payment. Although this may seem like it would be an ideal situation for workers and provide a platform to provide a service in return for payment of some sort, it soon became evident that there were people who would use this new system of economics to their advantage. Instead of doing the work themselves, they would find skilled workers to provide the service or product under the umbrella of their organization to which they would market and sell the goods for profit. The business owner would make a profit and, in turn, pay the worker a portion for his services provided. Unfortunately, there were others who were unable to make the system work for them in such an advantageous manner. Karl Marx had two basic criticisms of capitalism – especially in his lifetime of the beginning of the industrial revolution and the formation of factories. His first was the thought that the worker suffered from alienation on several different levels. As a capitalistic society succeeds by gaining profit for the companies and business owners, the overall cost of goods needed to live also increases. If the wages earned by workers went up consistently with the profits of society and, thus, the increase in the cost of living, all would be good and balanced. However, that is not the case in most circumstances, in fact, as Marx points out, â€Å"the worker becomes an ever cheaper commodity the more goods he creates† (Johnson 261). In other words, as the production increases the cost to produce is lowered. The business owner sees those profits in the gross profit obtained by the sale of goods; however, the worker is generally not compensated in a fair and equitable manner. This turns a skill which may or may not have been a passion at one time into something that the worker is forced to do whether they desire to do so or not. Even if a worker enjoyed his occupation, chances are, he or she is being forced to comply with guidelines or standards set by someone else. As a worker you are still not truly free to produce your work according to your standards so you are, in essence, alienating yourself from the product of your work. According to Marx, capitalism has also produced an alienation from nature. He states that the capitalistic society conceals this alienation because it does not examine the direct relationship between the worker and production (Johnson 263). Essentially, the labor of the worker may produce wonderful and beautiful things for the wealthy individuals but oftentimes the working class population may never get to experience the beauty for themselves. Furthermore, the workers identity is often lost within their job and they do not have the means to express their individuality. This is identified by Marx as being alienated from yourself and from your labor. Most people do not proclaim their uniqueness in ways that focus around their occupation. Even in a highly sought after job you may, for a time, feel as if that encompasses who you truly are, but it is only a small part of your being – your essence. This also ties in to another alienation theme of Marx which is the alienation from your species as a human being. According to Marx, â€Å"the worker feels himself to be freely active only in his animal function – eating, drinking, and procreating, or at most also in his dwelling and in personal adornment – while in his human functions he is reduced to animal† (Johnson 264). In other words, as workers we are often free only when we are allowed to do what we want to do instead of what is demanded and required of us at our jobs. When this happens, we are often reduced to a more animalistic approach to fulfilling our needs. Finally, Marx contends that in a apitalistic society, the worker is alienated from others. Because there is so much competition in capitalism – which is the driving force for production and profits – it causes a hostile environment among workers. Many are competing for the same position or the same customer or account. This competition causes a friction within the frame of society that pits individual against individual which is what leads us into the next matter of contention with Marx in his views of capitalism which is exploitation. He claims that â€Å"private property has made us so stupid and partial that an object is only ours when we have it, when it exists for us as capital or when it is directly eaten, drunk, worn, inhabited, etc. , in short, utilized in some way; although private property itself only conceives these various forms of possession as means of life, and the life for which they serve as means is the life of private property – labor and creation of capital† (Johnson 266). People have become so materialistic in our capitalistic society that they are driven to all means by which to obtain their measures of status. Because of this, the workers are driven to give into demands made by their employers in order to make the wages necessary to maintain their standard of living. Since the workers are plentiful, the products are also plentiful, which discussed earlier creates a larger bottom line for the profit of the company or business owner. However, even though the profits are increased for the business owners of the capitalistic society, the wages are often not as high as the profit. Thus, the value of the product is high while keeping the value of the worker low. This is a classic example of exploitation. I think that the criticisms offered by Marx are still applicable in today’s society in the United States. I think that the worker is indeed alienated from his true identity as an individual. Before the onset of industrialized production there was a certain pride associated with one’s occupation; whether that was as a craftsman in wood, as a blacksmith, tailor, or bricklayer. No matter your profession, you were able to express your individuality and impart your character into the product of your work. Sadly, this is not the case with the workers of today. They are often subject to limitations and expectations that hinder their creative ability and they are forced to produce that are a poor representation of their ability or personality. Most people are forced into positions they don’t even want to be in professionally because they need to make a certain amount of money to pay for their wants and needs. This creates a frustration and dissatisfaction that reaches far beyond the walls of the factory or office. It is no wonder that most workers today dread Monday mornings and count the days until five o’clock Friday afternoon. Again and again, the energy level increases as the weekend approaches. There is a common sentiment that states everybody is simply working for the weekend. This is because workers are dissatisfied with their jobs and feel undervalued and taken advantage of in many circumstances. Once the workday ends, the freedom begins for the worker. This is often why the bars have a â€Å"happy hour† as this is where the worker can forget the troubles of the day and throw back a drink or two and finally relax. The economic conditions of living in an industrialized society has turned the ordinary worker into a materialistic consumer that generally far outreaches his or her ability to afford to keep up with the Jones’. Because many feel the pressure of this forced societal expectations to possess certain items, live in a certain neighborhood, d rive the right car all while wearing the right clothes and accessories we as workers in the United States have been put in the unfortunate and unbalanced position of much more want than means by which to provide it. As long as that continues, we are stuck in a cycle of never ending wants that never truly satisfy because they are not meeting what is truly needed in our lives. Marx claims that â€Å"the human being had to be reduced to this absolute poverty in order to be able to give birth to all his inner wealth† (Johnson 268). In a capitalistic society it is encouraged, and even necessary, to consume what is being produced in order for capitalism to continue to grow. Today’s worker can do this in moderation, without putting themselves or their families in such a position to further add to the frustration of meeting expectations and demands at a workplace that is unfulfilling to their existence. Furthermore, I think that labor unions were formed in the early 1900’s in order to protect workers from exploitation of greedy business owners. At the turn of the century, many workers were expected to work long hours almost every day of the week. There were unsafe working environments s well as high quotas being placed on workers from employers with minimal compensation to the workers. All of this was so the profits could rise as production was increased. There seemed no reason to pay more in wages by adding workers or in higher salaries for the existing employees when the business owners could simply demand more from their current workforce. Also, working conditions were often unsafe while trying to maximize workspace with the maximum number of workers without actually increasing the area being used. Because of labor unions working conditions have improved greatly for the worker in America; there are 40 hour work weeks with compensation for additional hours worked; guidelines have been implemented to make for safer working conditions; and there is more room for negotiation for fair wages without fear of retaliation by employers. Although labor unions are still in existence today, they have much less impact than they had in the past. Politicians are close bedfellows with the corporate executives across our nation and policies are ever changing to benefit the corporation and business owners while causing the worker to suffer the consequences. Even though there have been great improvements in regard to the criticisms of alienation and exploitation that Marx had against capitalism, I believe they still exist. Marx may have not been of this century but I feel his observations are still valid in today’s world.

Epidemiology in relation to health promotion

Epidemiology in relation to health promotion This assignment will define epidemiology, list and describe some of its main aspects and assess the significance of those aspects for their effect on health promotion. The example of lung cancer will be used throughout. Definition Epidemiology is the study of how diseases are distributed among populations and the factors that affect this distribution. Epidemiologists try to predict risk factors that may lead to a particular disease and identify strategies that could be used to prevent its occurrence. (Naidoo Wills 2008: 4) The following questions drive epidemiology: Who becomes sick or is most likely to be affected? Why do particular people become sick? When are people most likely to be affected? Where has the disease occurred or is most likely to occur? How effective are available treatments and preventative strategies? (Crichton Mulhall in Naidoo Wills 2008:74) Epidemiology has the following main aims: To describe patterns of disease in the population, or the disease distribution, across age, gender and geography. To indentify the aetiology, or determinant, of the disease: risk factors or prior events associated with the appearance of the disease or condition. To analyse frequency, or how many cases occur, over a given period. To provide the data needed for the planning of preventative measures and treatment. Epidemiology is concerned with rates: the focus is on groups rather than individuals and aims to highlight trends. (Naidoo Wills: 2008:74) Epidemiology has two main approaches: Descriptive Epidemiology is concerned with the patterns of distribution of disease according to people, place and time and uses mortality and morbidity statistics as well as population data. Analytical epidemiology explores cause and risk factors and asks why did it happen? Successful prevention rests on identifying risk factors which can be reduced or eliminated. (Hubley Copeman, 2008:40) History In the past epidemiology has helped to explain the transmission of diseases, such as cholera and measles, by discovering factors shared by individuals who became sick. Modern epidemiologists have contributed to an understanding of factors that influence the risk of heart disease and cancer, which account for most deaths in developed countries today. Epidemiology has established the causal association of cigarette smoking with heart disease and lung cancer; shown that AIDS is associated with certain sexual practices and demonstrated the value of mammography in reducing breast cancer mortality. (Sci Tech, 2009) Aspects of Epidemiology An aspect is a part or facet of a particular subject area. Aspects of epidemiology which will be assessed are as follows: mortality and morbidity rates, statistical analysis, cohort studies, correlation, causation and questionnaire/survey. Mortality and morbidity rates. Mortality rate is a measure of the number of deaths (in general, or due to a specific cause) in a population. Data is collected from the compulsory registration of death and its cause. Cause is the disease or injury which initiated the train of events leading to death. Information can be divided according to age, gender and cause. Morbidity rates are either the number of new cases of a disease (incidence) or all cases at a point in time (prevalence). Data is collected from hospitals and GPs and includes: cancer registrations, notification of infectious disease, sexually transmitted disease, HIV/AIDS and congenital anomalies. (Tones Green: 2008:45). A central tool of epidemiology is rate comparison: population data collected by census is used for this purpose. Lung cancer: figures confirm that lung cancer has an enormous impact on national mortality and currently accounts for 7% of all deaths and 22% of all deaths from cancer in the UK Incidence rates: Lung cancer UK Males Females Persons Number of new cases (UK 2006) 22,381 16,646 39,027 Rate per 100,000 population* 60.8 37.1 47.4 Number of deaths (UK 2007) 19,637 14,872 34,509 Rate per 100,000 population* 51.5 31.3 40.1 One-year survival rate (for patients diagnosed 2004-2006**, England) 27% 30% Five-year survival rate (for patients diagnosed 2001-2006**, England) 7% 9% (Cancer Research UK) Cohort studies A sample of people is followed overtime and their lifestyle and exposure to hazards and the incidence of disease is monitored. A cohort of people has a characteristic in common e.g. the same disease or the same employer. Causation The investigation of a relationship between one event and another by weighing up a body of evidence. A number of methods are used to investigate causation including cohort studies. Relative risk is the ratio of the rate of a disease to the number of those exposed to a risk factor. It indicates how likely it is that an individual exposed to a particular environmental or lifestyle factor will go on to develop a particular disease. Lung cancer The most famous example of a cohort study was the British Doctors cohort study. Dr Richard Doll enlisted forty thousand male Doctors and followed them for fifty years. The results published in the 1950s showed that many more Doctors who smoked went on to develop lung cancer than those who did not.. The study provided clear evidence for a causal link between smoking and lung cancer. (Hubley Copeman: 2008) . Correlation Correlation is a statistical measurement of the relationship between two variables. Lung cancer research has shown a correlation between smoking and social class with people of less affluent groups smoking more. Correlation has also been demonstrated between the smoking habits of close family members: young people are more likely to take up the habit if their parents smoke.(Ewles:2005) Questionnaire and survey A set of questions addressed to a statistically significant number of subjects as a way of gathering information. Lung Cancer: The 2005 general household survey indicated that manual workers start to smoke at an earlier age, with 48% of men and 40% of women in manual occupations regularly smoking by 16, compared with 33% of men and 28% of women in managerial and professional occupations. (Cancer Research UK) Statistical analysis Used to determine likelihoods or probabilities. Lung Cancer Statistical Analysis provides a wealth of data and information. Available smoking statistics include incidence of cancer linked to number of cigarettes smoked per day and history of smoking. Also smoking statistics by age, socio-economic group, ethnic group, geographical variations and children are published. As an example, this graph illustrates the prevalence of smoking by age over three decades and shows the decline following the linking of smoking with cancer and the subsequent health promotion programme. Today, tobacco consumption is recognised as the UKs single greatest cause of preventable illness and early death with more than 114,000 people dying each year from smoking-related diseases including cancers. Â   (Cancer research UK, 2009) Before the dangers of cigarette smoking were widely known, smoking prevalence varied little by socio-economic group. Today there are clear differences due to the differential decline in smoking by social class that occurred in the 1970s and 1980s. By 2007, 25% of adults in manual occupations smoked compared to 16% of those in non-manual occupations. (Cancer research UK) The influence of these aspects of epidemiology on health promotion using lung cancer and smoking as an example. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health promotion as the process of enabling people to increase control over and to improve their health. The mortality rates for cancer in general, and in particular lung cancer, highlight this as a health issue of significant importance and worthy of focus and resources. The Doll cohort study demonstrated the correlation between smoking and lung cancer. Naidoo Wills in Key Topics in Public Health say, The single most critical area for action to reduce cancer is smoking. It is estimated that 1 in 2 smokers will die of a smoking related illness. If current smokers can be encouraged to quit mortality will be reduced: discouraging young people from starting to smoke will reduce smoking-related deaths during the second half of the twenty-first century. (Cancer Research UK) Health promotion to reduce the levels of lung cancer has therefore focussed on smoking cessation. Health promotion strategies have three components: education, service improvement and advocacy. Using lung cancer and its correlation with smoking as the example again: Education involves increasing awareness of the risks, the benefits of quitting and practical ways of stopping. Service improvement involves actions of primary care such as clinics and availability of nicotine patches. Advocacy involves enforcement of controls such as laws preventing sale of cigarettes to under 18s and the ban on smoking in public places. (Hebley Copeman, 2008) Statistics show which groups are more likely to smoke and the greater degree of risk they face. The correlation between smoking and social class, indicated by the Household survey, highlighted that smoking rates are highest amongst manual workers. The need to target this group is recognised in the Government white paper Choosing Health: Making Healthier Choices Easier which sets a target for reduction of smoking prevalence in this group. Smoking is a key contributory factor to health inequalities between socio-economic groups in the UK and accounts for a major part of the differences in life expectancy between manual and non-manual groups and is a key focus of the current government. (Department of Health, 2009) Other current priorities are; the very young who are at risk of uptake and the problem of passive smoking. Evidence suggests a correlation between young people smoking and the smoking habits of their parents. People who start to smoke in their teens do so because they adopt the social pattern of their family. The habit quickly becomes an addiction, which is very difficult to break. It is easier to stop a young person from starting to smoke than getting someone to quit. Specific measures are in place to focus on the very young including the banning of sales to under 18s. This group is also highly influenced by advertising and as a result TV advertising has been outlawed. The effects of passive smoking on children, in particular, have been highlighted in a graphic T.V. campaign which demonstrates to parents the harm they are causing their children. Examples of other, current, health promotion initiatives aimed at smoking cessation include: * Point of sale promotion has been severely restricted. * In July 200, the advertising of cigarettes at sporting events, including Formula 1, was banned. * On July 1st 2007, it became illegal to smoke in a public place or workplace including pubs. * All cigarette packets must carry a health warning covering a specific percentage of the front and back of the packet. * Media campaigns have been graphic and disturbing. The fish hook advert highlighted the controlling nature of tobacco. Primary Care Trusts run cessation programmes, one to one support, group sessions, quit smoking helpline, education events in schools and provide free nicotine patches. The government levies ever increasing taxation on cigarettes to increase prices and give a financial incentive to individuals to quit. (Ewles, 2005:63) October 2009, MPs agreed a ban on cigarette vending machines. (BBC News, 2009) Annual no-smoking day. (Nosmokingday,2009) Epidemiological research also confirms the success, or otherwise, of health promotion strategies. Between 1970-2000, British men experienced the most rapid decrease in death rates from lung cancer in the world as a result of the success of the health promotion measures and smokers quitting the habit. (Ewles: 2005) Â  In the early 1900s, lung cancer was a rare disease causing fewer than 10 male deaths annually in every 100,000 men. By the 1950s, the lung cancer death rate had risen six-fold, prompting the first epidemiological study that linked tobacco smoking and lung cancer in Britain. By the 1980s, the death rate for lung cancer was over 100 per 100,000 men. From the early 1980s onwards, following extensive focus of efforts on smoking cessation, the male lung cancer mortality rates have fallen continuously. The striking mortality trends by age over the past fifty years for men in England and Wales are shown below: (Cancer Research UK) Conclusion By identifying factors that increase the risk of disease, epidemiologists provide crucial input into the formulation of public health policy. (Sci Tech, 2009) Measuring health is important for health promotion as it establishes priorities, assists in planning, enables prioritization of actions with high-risk groups, justifies use of resources and demonstrates the efficiency (or otherwise ) of health promotion initiatives. (Naidoo Wills, 2009). In many studies a categorical answer is never produced as there is never 100% proof of the outcomes, only evidence to suggest. For example, not everyone who smokes will contract lung cancer and some non-smokers do contract the disease. (Naidoo Wills, 2005) The epidemiological research which proved the link between smoking and lung cancer, and the subsequent health promotion strategies, have reduced the prevalence of smoking and consequently the incidence of lung cancer significantly over the last thirty years. Health promotion priorities and strategies are continually reviewed as new evidence to suggest is produced from ongoing epidemiological research.

Cultural competence and its promotion in the education system Essay

The demise of racial segregation in the 1960s saw the emergence of cultural diversity with colored and non colored students now being taught under the same roof. From then on, schools have seen an increasingly diverse mix of students, matters having been complicated further by globalization, which has resulted in more diverse cultures making the United States their country of choice. Diversity is good and must be appreciated; the only problem is that if not handled well it may have the potential of creating apathy between the different cultures making up the cultural mix so that instead of a system becoming a cultural melting pot, it becomes the crystallization chamber. The aim of this paper is to examine the role of culture in molding competent students. Cultural competence More often than not, competence is construed in its narrowest definition, which is mostly in reference to acquisition of the necessary skills for the performance of a job. For this paper however, competence will be in reference to both culture and knowledge. Ahlawat and Ahlawat (2006) found the influence of globalization to be so enormous to the extent that multicultural diversity is now amongst the key ingredients for students aspiring for a global career. An equally important finding is by Thomas (2006), who emphasized the importance of cultural intelligence in the business environment. The role of culture within the organizations is captured by Berrell and Gloet (1999), who did a study on influence of culture in organizational culture and found it significant. The study implies that for one to blend seamlessly in to an organization there must be a level of cultural competence because there seems to be a thin line between the culture within and without the organization. For instance, according to the study, an organization within Malaysia will most likely have a culture similar to that of Malaysian people. If one has problems adapting to the Malaysian culture then the person’s work output may be greatly limited. The role of the education system in such a scenario will be to create a culturally competent global citizen. It cannot of course be expected that students will be trained to adapt to certain cultures only, instead, skills to adapt to diverse cultures will be imparted. Such a skill is given by Arizaga, Waldo and Castellanos (2005), who found that teachers who participated in multicultural enhancement program showed increase cultural competence in the form of listening and expressive skills. Evidently, these are adaptive skills that once acquired may be applied in any cultural setting. Educator’s role in promoting cultural competence The design of the education system should ensure that it produces tolerant people capable of adapting to any cultures. One of the ways given by Arizaga et al (2005) is by having multicultural enhancement programs to promote listening and expressive skills. Pope and Mueller (2005) also emphasize the need to integrate diversity issues in designing education programs. This can perhaps be described as the cornerstone of achieving cultural competence because if its importance can be taken in to account in the training of educators then eventually the educators that will end up in the field preparing the students will know what it entails to be culturally competent, and will thereafter pass on the skill. Pope, Mueller and Reynolds (2009) appear to agree with the importance of having culturally competent educators when it pays tribute to student affairs professionals for the increased number of multicultural scholarships in the last three decades. The emphasis should therefore be on getting culturally competent educators on board the educational system if substantial results are to be expected. . Further to that, the authors are also urging the educators not to simply embrace diversity; they should actually seek it proactively. In addition to promoting cultural competence in as far as interacting with people from other ethnic, racial and national cultures, the education system should promote tolerance to homosexuals. This is according to Liang and Alimo (2005), who suggested that the education system could promote a more positive attitude of heterosexual students towards homosexual students by encouraging interaction between the two groups, something the study found to increase tolerance between the two groups. An equally important aspect of attitude development in the education system is the acquisition of positive views of self worth and meaningfulness Coll and Zalaquet (2007). Its importance in promoting cultural competence may not be obvious, but it is not hard to imagine how a person with a feeling of high self worth and meaning will find it rational to respect other people’s rights. A challenge to achieving cultural diversity is presented by Salazar (2005) who cites challenges faced by counsellors of color. Counselors of color according to the research are faced with prejudices in their interactions with white middle class students. Sadly, this may be an in built mentality, which may take some time to get rid of but fortunately, cultural competence presents one of the remedies to this inappropriate attitude. Implications of the findings Most people spend over two decades in school, meaning that the education system plays a big role in shaping the national psyche. Among other functions, Gay (2009) says that education plays an important role bringing up constructive students. The element of constructiveness goes beyond cultural competence and ropes in other areas such as raw knowledge and social skills. In fact, according to the article the education system may play role in promoting democracy. The upshot of all this is that an educator must realize that the challenges and objectives of the education system are dynamic and for one to remain relevant, it is important to continuously adapt to the changes. For instance, a few years ago it would have been unthinkable that the education system would want to promote tolerance towards homosexuals; these were outcasts for whom there was little concern. However, the reality of the output focused employment present today has ensured increased tolerance to such people and thus the need for a change in approach. An educator will be differentiated from any other knowledgeable person from their ability to produce all rounded graduates. Some of the important traits to be considered include cultural competence and tolerance. For example, if the task is to teach students mathematics without considerations to the other aspects then that can even be done by anybody with the basic knowledge needed to teach the particular subject. The professional educator must be easy to differentiate from other people possessing the same level of knowledge, and one of the hallmarks of this is the ability to produce culturally competent students among other things. Conclusion From the study, cultural competence has proven to be a very important subject area for one’s development. Most people spend over two decades in school, meaning that they will acquire some of their lifelong traits there. Global occupational mobility is on the rise and one of the key ingredients to it is cultural competence. People with less of it will have a very hard time adapting to the different work environments that will be made available by the increased mobility. One’s work output is not a function of skills competence only; it must also include the person’s ability to work with people, which means adopting the narrow minded definition of education will produce half baked students. References Ahlawat, S. , & Ahlawat, S. (2006, ). Competing in the Global Knowledge Economy: Implications for Business Education.. Journal of American Academy of Business, 8(1), 101-105. Arizaga, M. B. , Waldo, M. , & Castellanos, L. (2005). Multicultural Sensitivity and Interpersonal Skills Training for Preservice Teachers. Journal of Humanistic Counseling, Education and Development, 44(2), 198-202. Berrell, M. , & Gloet, M. (1999). Reflections on the cultural dimensions of educational administration. EAF Journal, 13(2), 10. Coll, J. , & Zalaquet, C. (2007). The Relationship of Worldviewsof Advisors and Students and satisfaction with advising: A Case of Homogenous. Journal of College Student Retention, 9(3), 273-281. Gay, G. (2009). Similar Concerns, Different Perspectives of Social Studies and Multicultural Education. Social Studies Review, 48(1), 25-27. Liang, C. , & Alimo, C. (2005). The Impact of White Heterosexual Students’ Interactions on Attitudes Toward Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual People: A Longitudinal Study. Journal of College Student Development, 46(3), 237-250. Pope, R. , & Mueller, J. (2005). Faculty and Curriculum: Examing Multicultural Competence and Inclusion. Journal of College Student Development, 46(6), 679-688. Pope, R. , Mueller, J. , & Reynolds, A. (2009). Looking Back and Moving Forward: Future Directions for Diversity Research in Student Affairs. Journal of College Student Development, 50(6), 640-659 Salazar, C. (2005). Outsiders in a White, Middle-Class System: Counselor Educators of Color on Academe. Jounral of Humanistic Counseling, Education and Development, 44(2), 240-252. Thomas, D. (2006). Domain and Development of Cultural Intelligence: The Importance of Mindfulness. Group & Organization Management, 31(1), 78-99.

Reflective essay -Counselling session Essay

In this reflective essay I will provide an analysis of the counselling session I conducted and recorded. This will include a summary of the session. I will also describe the micro and advanced counselling skills utalised, as well as a critical evaluation of their effectiveness. A discussion of my application of these skills, as well as areas of possible improvement will supported by reference to relevant literature. Summary of the session. Leesa is a 37-year-old woman who I have seen around four months previously. At the previous session Leesa spoke of her frustrations at work and of her hopes of securing a promotion. Leesa’s presentation was one of lethargy consistent with someone who was suffering feelings of depression. I began the session by welcoming the client and reminding her of the confidentiality agreement. Leesa had previously worked in the hospitality industry but explained that had decided to terminate her employment after being overlooked for a promotion. She also explained that she had felt a lack of fairness and respect from her employer and fellow employees. Since leaving her position in hospitality Leesa had sought employment through an agency that provides office work opportunities. Leesa explained that she had had four different jobs in the past three months and that she was experiencing a similar feeling of being disrespected. Leesa spoke of experiencing a lack of self-confidence at the moment and a feeling of being stuck as well as frustration and uncertainty around her future direction. However the client was able to identify that she would like to be more financially secure, feel respected at work and to achieve a greater sense of confidence. Leesa spoke of a time when she enjoyed her work and private life more, and was able to relate some of the key differences that contributed to her feeling more respected and confident in general. The client identified that she would like to seek alternative employment that allowed her to take on grater responsibility and that involved less travel. Leesa believed that her employment agency may be able to assist her, but admitted that she had not been discerning about the kinds of roles that she took recently due to her  financial situation. She also disclosed that she had been isolating due to her current state of mind. Accepting a homework challenge Leesa agreed to approach some friends to see if she could catch up with them at the next weekend. She also agreed to compile a list of the sorts of jobs that she felt she was qualified for and believed that she could achieve a greater feeling of responsibility and respect. Leesa said that she would approach her employment agency to see if they could help, and that she would bring her list to the next counseling session. Counselling skills application. Reflecting upon the counseling session it is clear that I utalised a range of conversational micro skills. Attending Behaivour Hackney & Cormier (2009) & McLeod (2007), explain that a counsellor leads by following the client, which is done by encouraging the client to tell their story using verbal and non-verbal encouragers. Another way to explain what attending is that it allows the client to continue talking with minimal interruption (Armstrong, 2006). When watching the recorded session I could observe numerous occasions where examples of attending behaivour are present. For example my posture was relaxed and I leant forward. My tone of voice was moderate and consistent, and I maintained eye contact. I constantly nodded my head and aid â€Å"mm hmm or, oh really†. This combination of skills conveyed that I was interested and empathetic to what the client was saying. Similarly Egan (2010) describes an effective guideline for turning into clients as represented by an acronym: SOLER, which is important in the beginning of any counselling session. This means; S – face the client squarely O – maintain open posture L – lean towards the other E – good eye contact R – relaxed and natural in these behaviours Minimal responses. Throughout the session I used a range of minimal responses that let the client know that I was interested and engaged in what she had to say. It also conveyed that I was empathetic towards her situation. Geldard and Geldard (2009) explain that minimal responses not only convey that the counselor is listening, they can also be used to convey a message, such as surprise, agreement or even to challenge what has been said. The meaning of these minimal responses is also influenced greatly upon the delivery of them. Tone of voice, facial expression, posture and eye movement all help to determine the way in which these messages are received. An example of a minimal response I made that conveyed empathy would have been; when the client was describing her feelings of not being respected in her workplace and I responded by saying: â€Å"sounds horrible†. This short response did not interrupt the flow of conversation, and encouraged the client to continue. My tone of voice and facial exp ressions were also congruent with someone who empathized and was interested in what was being said. Reflective Listening. Summarising, paraphrasing and reflection of feelings are all examples of counselling micro-skills that let the client know that the counselor is listening and understanding them correctly. Although it is important to try to respond accurately it is not essential as an incorrect response can encourage the client to re-think what they have said and then clarify it, possibly resulting in a better understanding for both parties. Geldard and Geldard (2009) explain that these reflections also serve as deepening the therapeutic relationship. And that the most important to be: â€Å" genuinely yourself and aim to create a real, trusting, caring empathetic relationship with the person seeking help.† Examples of when I utalised reflective listening techniques would include: When the client had explained the reasons why she had left her previous employment, I reflected back by saying: â€Å" So you’ve left there you weren’t happy with that job, you felt like you were unfai rly treated, is that..?† Another example would have been after the client had explained that she had experienced a number of negative employment situations within a short period of time. I reflected back: â€Å" Would I be right to suggest that perhaps you are feeling a bit stuck, you’re not really sure what you are doing? †. Questioning Techniques and Advanced Counselling Skills. During the session I used a range of open and closed questions. I opened the session by referring back to the subject of her difficulties at work covered in the previous session and then asked: â€Å" How has that been going?† Later I asked the client: â€Å"Can you tell me a little more about the situation, what was going on for you?† Overall I was happy with the mix of open and closed questions. It felt like I was getting the information I needed, without interrupting the client. The counseling modality I used was solution focused. I tried to structure the session with Egan’s ‘Three Stage Model’ in mind. Egan (2010) provides a structured and solution focused approach that can be broken into 3 major sections. The initial part of the session saw me ask a range of questions designed to ascertain ‘what was going on?’ For the next section: ‘What do I want instead?’ I used a range of questioning techniques. For example: ‘s caling questions’. At a point in the session it had been identified that the client had become stuck and was unsure of what direction to take due to a series of negative experiences at work. The client had agreed that a pattern had emerged she felt disrespected at work. At this point I also felt a little stuck. It felt as if I should explore this as a theme and try to help the client to identify her blind spots. However I also felt like it might be counterproductive to challenge the client at that stage, as she appeared to have a low self-image. At the time, although uncertain it felt a little dangerous to examine her role in the situation. In order to firstly establish that the clients self esteem was low, and to then help her to identify what would have to change for her to feel better I asked her to rate her level of self-esteem, or confidence on a scale of one-to-ten. Her response was a three. This strategy was useful in establishing that the client was unhappy and felt stuck in her situation, and therefore provided a platform to work with. However it was not successful in helping the client to identify ‘what she wants instead’ (Egan 2010). I was unsure at this point as to weather the client was genuinely uncertain of what she would like to change or if she was reluctant to say. It was this feeling that led me to self-disclose. This gave me the opportunity to express empathy indirectly and to help the client feel like the relationship was equal. Geldard and Geldard (2009). It was also useful  in clarifying that she felt frustration and not the anxiety that was present in my disclosure. In an effort to move to Egan’s second stage I chose to ask a variation of the ‘miracle question’. De Jong and Berg (2008), propose that the miracle question allows the client an opportunity to step out of their current situation for a moment and consider the possibility of something better (as cited in Corey 2013). Although the client’s response was not immediate she could identify that she wanted â€Å"to be more financially stable, to have more confidence, and to be respected.† I then asked the client â€Å" Has there ever been a time in your working like, that you can remember where you felt respected and happy at work?† This question had an almost immediate positive reaction, as evidenced by the clients change in posture and facial expression. This coincided with what might have ordinarily been the negative situation of a refrigerator making a loud noise. However this situation added a useful element of humor that would probably not been possible. â€Å"Both clients and counselors can enrich a relationship through humor† (Corey 2013 p.31). Having identified that there was a time when things were different, coupled with the comfortableness achieved through humor, it felt like I had permission to ask what was different in her personal life at that time. The responses gave me the information I needed to begin to help the client look at Egan’s (2010) third stage of ‘how do I get to what I want?’ This also gave me the opportun ity to work with the immediacy that was evident in the change of mood when the client reflected upon a time when her life was going well. This person-centered approach added a real sense of genuiness to the relationship and allowed the client to identify emotionally connect with the difference in her life at that time (Corey 2013). During a summary of what was different, when the client’s life was going well new information was disclosed that the client had not been discerning about the jobs that she took due to her financial situation. I made the comment that; â€Å"that was understandable, we all have to pay our bills†, thus normalizing the clients experience, Normalising a clients experience can help them to look at their situation more positively Geldard and Geldard (2009). This was useful as the session moved into the third stage of the framework provided by Egan (2010). During this stage we brainstormed ways in which the client could access alternative employment, and also how to achieve greater life balance through recreational activities. The client agreed to continue to develop this list and to approach some employment agencies. She also agreed to contact some friends socially the following weekend as a homework tasks. Tompkins (2006) suggests that there are clear advantages to the counselor and client working in a collaborative manor in negotiating mutually agreeable homework tasks. (as cited in Corey 2013). I felt that overall the session went well. At times I think I could have injected more energy into my responses. It is strange, as I felt more enthusiastic inside than what was conveyed. I was happy that I could work to a framework and I found that I enjoy the positivity of the solution-focused modality. It did seem a little too perfect at times, which is difficult to avoid in a role-play situation. References. Armstrong, P. (2006). The practice of counselling. Melbourne: Thomson Higher Education Corey, G (2012). Theory and Practice of Counselling and Psychotherapy. 9th.Ed. Melbourne. Canage Learning. Egan, G. (2010). The Skilled Helper 9th Ed. Belmont, USA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. Geldard, G & Geldard, K (2012) 7th Ed. Basic Personal Counselling: A Training manual for counsellors. N.S.W Australia. Pearson.

How to Write an Outline in APA Format

How to Write an Outline in APA Format How to Write an Outline in APA Format American Psychological Association or APA has published specific requirements and guidelines for writing assignments and papers in social sciences. Apart from guidelines for citations, references and initial pages, there are of course some guidelines for the outlines of papers and assignments. Basic principles and guidelines in American Psychological Association (APA) The basic rules and guidelines in the American Psychological Association (APA) are the following: 12-point Sheriff, Times New Roman or Courier font for all text and a minimum of 8-point font for tables and figures. The text must be double spaced including the quotes and reference list. The page numbers must be located in the upper right corner of the paper. The margins should be set to 1† on each side of the paper. The title of the thesis must be stated on the cover page and after that it should be placed only in the left upper corner of the pages. The American Psychological Association (APA) does not use underlined text. Bolded text can be used only on figures and tables when specific data must be stressed and highlighted. Capitalization is also rarely used. Job titles can be capitalized only if the person’s name follows (for example, it will be the president of the company but in case the last name is given then it will be President Williams). Also, names of models, theories, diseases and conditions are not capitalized. When you list something in APA and if it is within a paragraph, then you must use (a), (b), (c), etc. in that order. If, however, you do not want to use a specific order then you have to use bullet points. Vertical lists are used when you need to express information but in certain order. There is one specific rule when writing numbers in APA style; numbers 10 and higher are written in numbers but numbers from 10 and below are written out. Exception is made for age, time, distance, percentage and various ratios, they are always stated as numerals, unless if they are not located at the beginning of the sentence. Latin abbreviations are also not used; for example: etc., i.e., e.g. and others. The language that is used in American Psychological Association (APA) must be bias-free and respectful. There are also some specific guidelines in American Psychological Association (APA) that show how to write an outline in APA format. How to write an outline in APA format Writing an outline in APA format is all about structuring. Roman numeral letters are used in the main headings of the outline and capital letters are used below for sub-headings. If you have to continue in the sub headings then you will use lower case letters and Arab numbers below in parenthesis. Here is an example of how an outline in APA format would look like: I. Choose a right thesis for your essay A. Reflect on your thesis B. Start researching your thesis 1. Look for facts and examples that prove your thesis in the best possible way 2. Outline and draft your results and thesis before starting to write II. Start to write your essay A. Form a strong introduction paragraph B. Start writing the outline of your essay 1. Organize the paragraphs in the outline a. The strongest example that supports your thesis should be the first paragraph (1) The next ones are organized and structured by priority and strength (2) Use at least three arguments to support your thesis b. Use a counter argument (1) Be sure the counter argument can be debated c. Use a personal story to prove your thesis d. Revise your outline III. Finish your essay with a conclusion paragraph A. The final paragraph should restate your thesis 1. Make the conclusion strong and convincing a. Do not restate the examples but summarize the most important and influential part of them b. Use simple but strong sentences IV. Always proofread your essays at least once and make sure they are grammatically correct and well written. You can use full sentences or just phrases in the outline. There is one more form for outlining an essay in APA format and it is called the decimal one. It is used rarely and if it has to, the professor will strictly inform you about it. In it you will use Arabic numbers only. Here is a short example: 1.0. Choose the right thesis for your essay 1.1. Reflect on your thesis 1.2. Start researching your thesis 1.2.1. Look for facts and examples that prove your thesis in the best possible way 1.2.2. Outline and draft your thesis and results before starting to write It is very important for an outline to be well structured and written because it forms an overall impression of your essay and convinces the audience to accept it and believe in it.

To Kill Amocking Bird_theme Comparison Essays - Free Essays

To Kill Amocking Bird_theme Comparison Essays - Free Essays To Kill Amocking Bird_theme Comparison In my opinion theme with the most impact in 'To Kill a Mockingbird is Hypocrisy as shown in three main incidents . These are the teachings of Ms Gates about the atrocities of Adolf Hitler whilst she hated blacks ; the missionary circle trying to show how Christian they are while believing that to be a brother of Christ you must be white and finally the hypocrisy of the American court system in the 30's by saying they stand for justice. In Ms Gates' classroom we read about her teaching her class that the Jews are being persecuted against by the Nazi's. According to Ms. Gates this is un Christian and she finds these actions despicable. The hypocrisy of this teaching is shown as soon as she mentions the word 'persecution'.This is due to the fact that she herself is persecuting the black people of Maycomb by not raising an eyebrow to the killing of an innocent black man. This lady shows her blindness to the racial problems of the Deep South ( where she lives ) but feels a lot of empathy for the Jews who are being mistreated and slaughtered in Germany ( many thousands of miles away ) . The missionary circles in the 1930's working in the south of America show the two faced nature of white citizens several times in each meeting . One strong example that springs to mind is Mrs Mariweathers positive comments about a Christian explorer in Africa helping the evil savages see the light of Jesus Christ whilst on the other hand she condemns Attacus for helping an innocent Negro . These so called Christian women safely say well done to a man helping African black people ( who were happy with their lives in the first place ) but if anyone should help out a black person anywhere near them it then becomes 'Nigger loving' and should be condemned by all within the community. It creates a double standard by showing that as long as racial problems do not involve them directly they can be tolerant. The American Courts of the 1930's were also hypocritical.Truth and Justice were held as the most basic right for Americans. Truth in the Tom Robinson case was never a factor. The white jury knew that Bob Ewell had beaten and raped his daughter Mayaella Ewell and that Tom was innocent .But because a human being had more colour pigment in their skin it was assumed they would be guilty without question ,so truth was never a factor .Justice also the pride of the American legal system in the past ,and now but once again in the Tom Robinson trial ,no matter how much evidence was presented in favour of Tom to prove his innocence, justice wasn't done because Tom had more pigment in his skin than the jurors thereby he was assumed to be guilty. In my opinion members of the Maycomb community are trying to fool themselves into believing that they are model citizens and good Christians, even though a small number amongst them know that they are wrong to persecute and hate due to colour . Hypocrisy and racism were as much a part of Maycomb society as church and community spirit.