Argument Summary

Taking a Blue Book Exam is a Social Practice According to Literacy Practices by David Barton and Mary Hamilton, literacy is a social practice. To explain this, Barton and Hamilton point out literacy Is how people discuss and interpret written text. Literacy practices are described to us by Barton and Hamilton as â€Å"in the simplest sense literacy practices are what people do with literacy† (8). Literacy practices eventually lead to literacy events which are defined as observable episodes which arise from practices and are shaped by them.The notion of events stresses the situated nature of literacy and that it always exists in a social context† (8). Text Is crucial In molding our Institutions Into what they are and literacy is deeply rooted in our everyday lives in unexpected ways. In their essay, Barton and Hamilton present to us six propositions to further prove the nature of literacy as a social practice. Next, I will share a literacy event that adheres to two of tho se propositions. My first semester of college had started and I was feeling confident and determined to do well.Although I was fresh out of high school. I didn't doubt my abilities. In all honesty, I underestimated the difficulty of college due to the college courses and advanced placement courses I'd taken throughout my high school career. It was a simple and short-lived time. Then, I was Introduced with a bluebook test. You see, multiple choice, fill in the blank, matching, and true or false worked just fine for me. But when my history professor told us to buy a bluebook, I had no Idea what to expect. When I went hunting for this said bluebook, most people didn't even now what it was!I went to Walter, office supply stores, book stores, and no one knew what I was talking about Finally. I found one In the campus store and when I opened it, blank pages stared back at me. Even though we went over what was to be expected on the test in class, I was still concerned. How am I supposed to succeed at something so foreign to me? Well. I spent a lot of my time just studying the best I could. And then I had an idea. I took my extra bluebook (which I'd bought for my second exam in the course) and I took a list of topics and began writing.The best way to see how to fill these pages with information is to do so without material in front of me as if I were taking the exam in my own home. Secondly, I went through my notes and asked myself the series of who, what. Where, when and why for each event. After discovering some new study tactics, I realized that not much had actually changed. The only deference between this dreaded bluebook test and a high school test Is that I have to communicate to my professor that know the material without a written medium such as a structured question.Instead, I simply had to write down everything I know about the topic and hopefully point out the aspects and details There are two of the six propositions from Barton and Hamiltonians Literacy P ractices that apply to this literacy event. The first is, â€Å"literacy practices are purposeful and embedded in broader social goals and cultural practices† (8). My goal is, of course, to get the best grade possible on this test. However, there is a broader goal that applies here as well. I want to do well in college and gain knowledge that could potentially be useful to me later in life.The second proposition from Barton and Hamilton that applies to my literacy event is, â€Å"literacy practices change and new ones are acquired through process of informal learning and sense making† (8). By leaving high school and entering college, I am acquiring a new literacy. At first, I was mistaken by thinking college would be the same level of difficulty as high school and I later realized I needed to change and adapt in order to be successful in my new environment. A bluebook test is not the only aspect of college that was new to me. In fact, there are continuously new things for me to learn here.Like the bus system, the campus alert system, being aware of traffic so I can predict my commute time, balancing a school schedule I'm not used to with my work schedule, trying to make friends with classmates, and even simply discovering the direction I really want to go in my life. Barton and Hamilton were right; I had acquired new literates and I had broader goals beyond that bluebook test. There are literacy practices, literacy events and those propositions prove true to me. Literacy is a social practice and I understand that now, thank you to Barton and Hamilton.

Amnesty for Illegal Immigrants Essay

The United States of America was founded and built by hardworking and innovative immigrants. Immigrants, whether legal or illegal, perform most of the dirty and arduous jobs that many native-born Americans are unwilling to perform. They are hardworking and taxpaying individuals that positively impact our economy and our communities. Many immigrants, especially illegal immigrants (those who enter the United States illegally or without proper documentation) work long hours and for little pay. There are over 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States who deserve a chance to have a good job, earn citizenship and become a legal member of American society. According to the Organization for U.S. Immigration Support, amnesty can be defined as â€Å"the government’s pardon for violating policies relating to immigration or politics† (Amnesty for Illegal Immigration 1). The federal government forgives these individuals for using false documentations to more easily get employment in the United States and be able to remain in the country. Amnesties allow illegal immigrants or undocumented workers to gain permanent residency in the United States. In 1986, the United States granted its first amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants, allowing them to receive a Green Card which could lead to the attainment of United States citizenship. Granting amnesty to illegal immigrants is beneficial to the United States because it will bolster the U.S. economy, increase tax revenues, and allow millions of people to attain the American dream of homeownership and education, thus benefiting American society. For these reasons, all illegal immigrants should be granted amnesty. Illegal immigrants are beneficial to the United States economy. They perform the necessary high labor and menial jobs that many native-born Americans are unwilling to do. According to the March 6th 2007 issue of Conservative Politics: U.S. , President George W. Bush was quoted as saying, â€Å"There are people doing jobs Americans will not do. Many people who have come into our country are helping our economy grow. That is just a fact of life† (Illegal Aliens: Helpful or Harmful to America? 1). Increasingly fewer educated, native-born American workers are unwilling or unable to perform the strenuous jobs that don’t even require a high school diploma†¦but immigrants are. According to an immigration policy brief written by Rob Paral of the American Immigration Law Foundation, it is evident that immigrants come here  to fill available jobs by the â€Å"fact that, as of 2005, 94% of adult male undocumented immigrants and 86% of adult male legal immigrants were in th e labor force. Immigrants are already an integral part of U.S. society and an indispensable part of the U.S. labor force† (Paral 1). Illegal immigrants also contribute to the United States economy by purchasing American goods and services. They purchase houses, automobiles, as well as, patronize the local supermarkets and Mom and Pop stores. Francine Lipman of the Chapman University, School of Law strongly believes that â€Å"undocumented immigrants contribute to the U.S. economy through their investments and consumption of goods and services; filling of millions of essential worker positions resulting in subsidiary job creation, increased productivity and lower costs of goods and services† (Lipman 1). Lower consumer prices are one of the many contributions that immigrants make to our economy. Annually, illegal immigrants contribute at least 300 billion dollars to the U.S. gross national product (Immigrant Workers: Making Valuable Contributions to Our Communities and Our Economy 1). Even though there are critics who are adamantly against granting amnesty to illegal immigrants, a survey conducted by the Social Science Research Network concluded that 85% of prominent economists felt that illegal immigrants have had a positive impact on the United States economy (Lipman 1). Granting amnesty to illegal immigrants will increase United States tax revenues. Amnesty will provide illegal immigrants with a tax identification number or a social security number. Thus allowing over 12 million non-U.S. citizens who are living and working illegally in the United States to file taxes and prove their economic contribution, as well as, document their residence. Amnesty allows illegal immigrants to file their taxes without fear of being deported, in turn more people will file their taxes, thus increasing tax revenues. The Center for Immigration Studies estimates show â€Å"that amnesty would significantly increase tax revenues. Because both their income and tax compliance would rise, we estimate that under the most likely scenario the average illegal alien household would pay 77% ($3,200.00) more a year in federal taxes once legalized; therefore, amnesty would significantly increase both the average income and tax payments of illegal immigrants† (The High Cost o f Cheap Labor 1). Everyone who works in the  United States is required to pay taxes. On average illegal immigrants pay about $4,200.00 in federal taxes. Almost half of this tax revenue goes directly to Social Security and Medicare (Illegal Aliens: Helpful or Harmful to America? 1). Despite America’s strong history of opposing taxation without representation, undocumented immigrants are required to pay taxes, but do not have a voice in American society. They don’t have the right to vote at any level, be it local, state or federal. Nonetheless, every year illegal immigrants contribute billions of dollars in property, sales, excise, income and payroll taxes to federal, state and local funds. According to a paper written by Francine Lipman entitled, â€Å"Taxing Undocumented Immigrants: Separate, Unequal and Without Representation†, she states that â€Å"undocumented [workers] actually contribute more to public coffers in taxes than they cost in social services. They also make unrequited contributions to Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment insurance programs† (Lipman 1). Hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants file federal and state income tax returns each year even though they are barred from receiving all government benefits including Food Stamps, Medicaid, Federal Housing, Unemployment Insurance, Social Security and the Earned Income Tax Credit. This is a clear example of taxation without representation. Granting amnesty to illegal immigrants would fix this social injustice in America, as well as, bolster the United States tax revenues because once legalized, illegal immigrants will be paying more money annually in federal taxes. If illegal immigrants are granted amnesty then millions of hardworking people would finally be able to attain the American dream, thus benefiting themselves and American society. Amnesty will allow illegal immigrants to purchase property and homes. As a result, communities will be revitalized. Illegal immigrants would be able to set down their roots and integrate into American society. According to an article written by Sue Kirchhoff, entitled, â€Å"Immigrants Chase American Dream†, an estimated â€Å"8 million to 10 million foreign born people are in the United States illegally, lacking documents to get a mortgage† (Kirchhoff 3). Granting amnesty to illegal immigrants would alleviate this problem because they would be able to purchase homes which would keep the American housing market strong, which in  turn leads to a healthy economy. Illegal immigrants are an increasingly important factor in the American housing market because by the purchasing of homes they are revitalizing inner cities, changing the appearance of suburbs and prompting subtle changes in home design, therefore, many economists believe that the United States housing market will remain strong as a result of the elevated rates of both legal and illegal immigration in the country (Kirchhoff 1). Amnesty will allow illegal immigrants to seek and attain higher education which will ultimately have a favorable impact on the United States. According to a study by Keith Maskus, an economist at the University of Colorado, and Aaditya Mattoo, a lead economist at the World Bank’s Development Economics Group, â€Å"foreign students, skilled immigrants and doctorates in science and engineering play a major role in driving scientific innovation in the United States. Their research found that for every 100 international students who receive science or engineering PhD’s from American universities, the nation gains 62 future patent applications† (Anderson 3). Education plays a crucial role in producing successful and productive citizens. There is evidence that suggests that through education immigrants improve their lives and that of their children and have very little negative impact on the nation. According to an article entitled, â€Å"Immigration Issues in the United States† in the March 1st 2004 edition of Eriposte â€Å"as immigrants leave school and become productive workers, they repay most or all of the cost of those services that they have received in the form of taxes† (Immigration Issues in the United States 3). Providing illegal immigrants with the opportunity to seek higher education is also a solution for ending poverty and foreign aid. In a June 19th 2006 open letter on immigration written by David J. Theroux and addressed to President George W. Bush, the author states that â€Å"immigration is the greatest anti-poverty program ever devised. The American dream is a reality for many immigrants who not only increase their own living standards, but who also send billions of dollars of their money back to their families in their home countries-a form of truly effective foreign aid† (Theroux 1). Immigrants, both legal and illegal, add diversity and a fresh perspective to the American business market, therefore, by granting amnesty to illegal immigrants we are  encouraging them to improve their education and skills in order to provide the United States with a more competitive labor force. In the end, amnesty favors both the nation and the illegal immigrants. The United States would positively benefit from granting amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants because of the increased economic, tax and societal benefits amnesty would bring. Immigrants, both legal and illegal, contribute their skills, innovation, capital, and culture to the American economy. They have become an indispensable asset to America, both culturally and economically. The aspiration of attaining the American dream is what inspires illegal immigrants to come to America; therefore, it is unfair to hinder or deny them in their pursuit of happiness and prosperity. After all, our country was founded and built by the sweat and hard work of immigrants, both legal and illegal. Ultimately, granting amnesty to illegal immigrants benefits both America, its people and society. Bibliography â€Å"Amnesty for Illegal Immigration.† U.S Immigration Support. 4 Mar. 2007. 7 Mar. 2007http://www.usimmigrationsupport.org/amnesty.html. â€Å"Illegal Aliens: Helpful or Harmful to America?† Conservative Politics: U.S. 6 Mar. 2007http://usconservatives.about.com/od/theeconomy/a/illegalaliens.htm. â€Å"Immigrant Workers: Making Valuable Contributions to Our Communities and Our Economy.† Service Employees International Union. 5 Mar. 2007 http://www.seiu.org/issues/immigration/immigration_facts.cfm. â€Å"Immigration Issues in the United States.† Eriposte. 1 Mar. 2004. 6 Mar. 2007http://www.eriposte.com/civil_rights/non-citizens/illegalimmigration.htm. â€Å"The High Cost of Cheap Labor – Illegal Immigration and the Federal Budget .† Center for Immigration Studies. 2004. 5 Mar. 2007 http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscalexec.html. Allport, Allan. Immigration Policy. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers, 2005. Anderson, Stuart. â€Å"The Debate Over Immigration’s Impact on U.S. Workers and the Economy .† National Foundation for American Policy. June 2006. 6 Mar. 2007http://www.meragefoundations.com. Dudley, William. Illegal Immigration: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego: Green HavenPress, 2002. Kirchhoff, Sue. â€Å"Immigrants Chase American Dream.† USA Today 5 Aug. 2004. 5 Mar. 2007 http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2004-08-05-immigrant-housing_x.htm. Lipman, Francine J. â€Å"Taxing Undocumented Immigrants: Separate, Unequal and Without Representation.† Social Science Research Network. 15 Feb. 2006. Chapman University – School of Law. 5 Mar. 2007 http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract. Paral, Rob. â€Å"The growth and Reach of Immigration – New Census Bureau Data Underscore Importance of Immigrants in the U.S. Labor Force.† AILF. 162006. 12 Mar. 2007 http://www.ailf.org/ipc/policybrief/policybrief_2006_81606.shtml. Stern, Andrew L., Anna Burger, and Eliseo Medina. â€Å"SEIU Announces Agenda for Comprehensive Immigration Reform- Letter to Senator Kennedy.† Service Employees International Union. 17 Jan.2007. 5 Mar. 2007 http://www.seiu.org/media/pressreleases.cfm. Stevens, Christel. â€Å"The Overlooked Value of Immigrants.† Editorial. TheWashington Post 3 Feb. 2008: 6Theroux, David J. â€Å"Open letter on Immigration.† Letter to George W. Bush. 19 June 2006. 6 Mar. 2007http://www.independent.org/newsroom/article.asp?id=1727#1. Toness, Bianca Vazquez. â€Å"U.S. Tax Program for Illegal Immigrants Under Fire.† All Things Considered. National Public Radio. NPR. 5 Mar. 2007. Transcript. 10 Mar. 2007 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId. Vargas, Theresa. â€Å"Pro-Limited immigration Group Links Gangs to IllegalResidents.† The Washington Post 25 Jan. 2008: B5.

The Primary Framework for Literacy and Mathematics Essay

The Primary Framework for Literacy and Mathematics - Essay Example These variations are built upon evaluation and research carried out since the late 1990s. The changes include: 1. Extending it to the beginning of funded education, to create greater coherence and continuity within and between stages of care and education 2. Creating a clearer set of learning objectives to support teachers and practitioners in planning for progression in literacy and mathematics, to help raise the attainment of all children, personalise learning and secure intervention for those children who need it 3. Bringing an increased sense of drive and momentum to literacy and mathematics through the primary phase, involving some scaling up of expectations and a greater focus upon planning for progression through a teaching sequence over an extended unit of work covering two or three weeks 4. Supporting schools and settings in implementing the recommendations of the Rose report through the provision of high-quality teaching of phonics and early reading 5. Supporting improved l eadership and management of literacy and mathematics to stimulate and improve standards further 6. Reducing workload and foster professional dialogue on how to use the Framework flexibly to meet the needs of the children. 7. Introducing a new, electronic format which allows for customised planning, teaching and assessment, with the ability to link quickly to a wide range of teaching and learning resources available through the Primary National Strategy. (DfES, 2006) The Primary Framework for literacy and mathematics differs from the 1998 Framework in that it involves an electronic version with simplified learning objectives. The electronic Framework provides a resource that will be added to and expanded, as well as providing additional materials and support and as the Framework project develops. This may include any necessary revisions to the Early Years elements, and the simplified learning objectives that give a broader overview of the literacy curriculum in the primary phase. The learning objectives of the framework are aligned to 12 strands that demonstrate progression in each of the strands. The 12 strands also create a direct link to the Early Learning Goals and aspects of English inside the National Curriculum. If the learning objectives are covered, this will enable the pupils to reach the desired Communication, Language and Literacy goals, and ensure that the appropriate National Curriculum levels are accomplished for the Key Stages. The strands of this framework include Speak and listening for a wide range of purposes in different contexts, Reading and writing for a range of purposes on paper and on screen Word recognition, Understanding and interpreting texts, creating and shaping texts, organisation and structuring of text, Engaging and responding to text, Sentence structure and punctuation, Word Structure, spelling and Presentation. (DfES, 2006) This framework also involves the Literacy Hour within which Pupils have daily literacy lessons where th ey are taught the knowledge, skills and understanding set out in the National Curriculum for English. The guidance in the renewed Framework still places emphasis on properly directed, carefully planned, purposeful learning and teaching. Initially, the context of the literacy framework required adequate attention to be given to how the lessons are organised and structured. The real challenge

Modernist Trends toward Abstraction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Modernist Trends toward Abstraction - Essay Example The main feature that characterizes the modern thought is an escapable tendency towards abstraction. The artists’ thoughts today are mainly focused on the modern trends towards abstraction that analyses the resultant universal idea and acts as a key facet to human thoughts. Therefore, the modern view and thoughts are mainly dominated by abstraction. The need of creating a new kind of art by artists was mainly to encompass the fundamental transformations that were taking place in technology, philosophy and science. At that period, most individual artists drew their theoretical arguments from more diverse sources that reflected the intellectual and social preoccupations in all aspects of the western culture. Some artists including Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Paul Cezanne practiced most of the modernized art trends such as Fauvism, western painting, Cubism and Post Impressionism that had a very great impact on the art in the twentieth century that led to the advent of the c entury’s abstraction. The heritage of these artists was essential to develop the modern art, the trend towards abstraction. The main reason why artists develop new trends in art is to ensure that the viewers have deep site and hope to reveal the truth concerning the abstract, artist’s approaches to reality that may be valid in the other areas as well. Artists mainly develop the work of art in order to present an article that reveals or portrays some message to the viewer. Paul Cezanne’s early works on art were mainly pictures, of violent and melodramatic subjects mainly made with thick but dark paints. He is exposed to the work of impressionist, lacked a good structure in the impressionist’s paintings, and therefore developed some ways of using color in order to render his image as a composition of planes. The efforts he made established a basis of the modernist trend towards abstraction making him to be regarded as the father of modern art. The example o f an article that Paul Cezanne decorated was a self-portrait in a Beret. This article was made between the year 1898 and 1900. It was made of oil on canvas in the Museum of fine arts in Boston. The movements or styles used in the article were impressionism and post expressionism. Paul Cezanne used thick paintings and shapes and presented the article with a course texture. The work can be classified as expressionism or post expressionist. The work can be seen as good and cool. Therefore, due to its good nature, it impresses various viewers and acts as a source of inspiration. In addition, the work emphasizes on the natural colors that look out to the natural world and reveals a profound feeling to the viewers. Paul Cezanne’s main goal or aim in his work was to produce something solid that can last for several years out of impressionism. He was aiming at producing a better work that reveals the natural world as it really is. The paintings are aimed at revealing the message or s ign that the artist was trying to disclose to the viewers. At first, the viewers of the first work of art under expressionism rejected the impressionist art due to its apparent relationship with the world. The abstract due to its scale and nonrepresentational imagery enables the viewers to have an easy interpretation and its social and intellectual origin had some important insight on the viewers. Â  Another artist that showed great efforts toward abstraction was

Week-3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Week-3 - Essay Example The reason as to why I enjoy doing this is to analyze how the court interprets the law, therefore gaining an understanding on how the criminal justice system in United States of America operates. One of the jobs that I don’t enjoy doing is collecting fines, fees and forfeitures from convicted individuals. On this note, while carrying out my duties, I always work on the interesting things first. This is for the purposes of motivating me, and improving my morale so as I may work effectively on the uninteresting job that lies ahead. These interesting jobs are easy for me to handle, this is because I enjoy doing them. On this note, the first tasks accomplished during my work rounds are the easier tasks. However, during the process of my duties, there are always urgent matters and important matters (Carroll, 18). For instance, a magistrate might request for a filed case law for purposes of relying on it to make a decision. This falls under the category of an important matter. An example of an urgent situation is when there remains some few minutes to the closing of government offices, and yet a suspect wants to pay fine in order to gain his or her freedom. Failure to pay at the moment, might result to him or her spending some another day in prison. This is an urgent matter, and as an intern clerk, I would work on the urgent matter first and the concentrate on the important matter because there is sufficient time to handle the issue. Regarding on an important matter, there is no need of waiting for the deadline to approach before working on the issue (Carroll, 13). For instance, as soon as a magistrate requires a file on a previous judgment, it is my duty to look for the file and give it out as soon as possible. This will save my time, and allow me to engage on other duties. On this note, the best way to manage my time is to start by working on the interesting tasks, and thereafter move to

History of Corporate Governance or applicable topic Research Paper

History of Corporate Governance or applicable topic - Research Paper Example With time, corporate governance issues do not seem to tire of introducing certain new legislative rules ad duties that aim at governing the relationship between the stakeholders of various companies as well as their management (Morck, 2005). Furthermore, the beginning of the twentieth century saw to the formulation of sufficient codes among other best practice catalogues that are concerned with corporate governance especially in business communities with the sole aim of satisfying a variety of stakeholders. According to Steger and Amann (2008), despite the fact that the term corporate governance being as old as the various managed entities themselves, it cuts across ownership and management thereby bringing forth a principal-agent problem. The term itself gained its use in the 1980s even though the need for shareholder and owner protection against any managerial issue, existed mush earlier. In the 1970s, probably among the most important functions of the corporate instrument were est ablished to be; establishment of basic objectives, corporate strategies as well as the policies of the board (Stege & Amann, 2008). Also, it was charged with the ultimate responsibility asking various discerning questions and above all, the selection of president. Another feature of corporate governance within this time period was the pyramidal business group. In this system, the shareholders are at the apex who commands a great control over a given single company. Consequently, this company held control blocks in other listed companies. In the 1980s, the extent to which the term corporate governance spread provided an indication of the growing awareness of issues as pertaining to corporate governance. The increased attention was somewhat due to several high profile initial public offerings alongside the privatization of state parastatals. This had an impact of various industrial sectors such as telecommunication, mining and electricity in the U.K which reported a rise in the total earnings (Steger & Amann p.8). In the subsequent years, other countries that employed the same tactic such as Germany which privatized its telecom industry, also realized great profits. The increased shift of attention on issues regarding corporate governance within this period can also be associated with a number of corporate failures and scandals. As a result, corporate governance attempted to influence the stock markets which a lot of people depended much on. The stock markets remarkably increased as corporate governance provided a sense security (Morck, 2005). In the 1990s, there was a rise in awareness of corporate governance in all the central countries. There were a lot of reports, guiding principles as well as the remarkably nice practice codes that called for transparency, conformance and compliance that were issued at board level to the countries in question. These reports clearly outlined the directors’ service contracts, the effectiveness and perceived objectivity of auditing as well as the role of institutional investors. As such, this made a breakthrough corporate governance more so owing to the fact its reports became requisite for companies that were listed in the U.S by the year 1995. Corporate governance has brought with it a distinction between the executive and the supervising members of the board and the division between the chairman of the board and the chief executive officers (C.E.O). For instance, by the year 1998,

The Case of Sacco and Vanzetti Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Case of Sacco and Vanzetti - Essay Example The case of Sacco and Vanzetti is one of the incidences that have had several debates for several decades. However, even though they may have been actually guilty of the allegations as was decided by the judiciary, the kind of trial that they were given was totally unfair. This is because they were just anarchists, but with criminal connections. It was just a belief that anarchists were criminals, but in a real sense, some anarchists were just political activists, but not criminals. It is important to understand that one may be alleged to have criminal ties just in order to taint the image of the same individual, and this is exactly what happened in the case of Sacco and Vanzetti (Tejada, 2012). Therefore, it is of critical significance to note that the decision made by the juries confirmed that the anarchists were strongly discriminated upon by the government. In light of the above, it can be argued that the government was mainly opposed to the elements of anarchy, but not on the individuals who were behind the anarchy. This is why the juries had to make the decision that favored the sta nd of the government over the concern for her people, but not against the anarchists. Relevant to the above, it is of crucial significance to acknowledge the fact that if Sacco and Vanzetti could not have gotten involved in the radical activism and anarchy as was alleged, then the situation could not have been as it was, and the attention to the case could have been very dismal (Pernicone, 2015).

Contemporary Issues in Judaism Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Contemporary Issues in Judaism - Research Paper Example The first practice among Jews that often invites criticism is circumcision. According to Jewish tradition, circumcision is the mark of a covenant between man and God. Circumcision is conducted on the eighth day of a baby, and is preformed by a mohel. Usually, the mohel visits the baby one or two days before the ceremony and verifies that the child is fit for circumcision. Through the circumcision, the foreskin of the penis is removed so that the entire glans and corona are exposed. While the traditionalists believe that there is no issue in continuing with the practice of circumcision, there are people like Dr. Peter Ball (n. d.) who believe that the practice is both unwanted and barbaric. There are umpteen numbers of reasons put forward by scholars to show that circumcision has its own disadvantages. Firstly, it leads to increased intolerance to clothing as the glans, when unprotected, is highly sensitive. In addition, too much rubbing against clothing results in the glans’ l osing sensation. As a result, it leads to less sexual satisfaction. Moreover, studies have proved that circumcision can make people feel mutilated, incomplete, and hence depressed. Despite all the points, the advocates of circumcision point towards the fact that many peoples in the world including many Africans, Christians and Muslims practice circumcision. In addition, they claim that circumcision is a happy occasion as it is the time of making a new covenant with God. Yet another issue that deserves attention is the relation between feminism and Judaism. It is generally claimed that Judaism promotes feminism. This is so because the feminist movements often have a large number of activists from Jews. According to one feminist (Thalia, 24 May 2011) who is a Jew, the holy text Torah teaches people to accord the same respect to all people. An example provided is the building of the Tabernale. In Exodus 35:1, it is read: â€Å"Moses assembled the entire assembly of the Children of Isr ael†, and evidently, there was no differentiation between males and females. Though the traditionalists do not allow women to serve as actual rabbi in orthodox synagogues, there are women who claim to be the leaders of Jews, and recently, Sara Hurwitz was ordained as ‘rabba’- the feminine gender of ‘rabbi’. Admittedly, a look into the Jew principles proves that Jewish ideology promotes the wholeness of a human being and not a role change. In fact, according to Scholars, Judaism believes in being a part of the society while remaining unique, in being a part of a community while maintaining ones own individuality, and in being a part of the world while also being a woman. This understanding of wholeness in ones personality is the reason why many people claim that Jewish women are feminists. However, what happens in today’s world in the name of feminism is actually ‘careerism’. In other words, it is the struggle to give up womenâ€⠄¢s traditional roles and the effort to appropriate men’s roles. Thus, as Heller (2008) points out, the wholeness of personality as taught by Torah is different from the feminism as seen in today’s world. Another issue, abortion, is a matter serious dispute within the Jewish community even now. In order to see if Judaism allows abortion, one should see how Judaism treats a fetus. According to Eisenberg (2004), ‘chalacha’ (Jewish law) considers a fetus as a full-fledged human being. So, one can conclude that destroying a fetus amounts to murder. In addition is the proof that Torah suggests punishment for purposefully causing a woman to miscarry. However, there are people who argue

Critical Analysis of the Documentary My Kid Could Paint That Research Paper

Critical Analysis of the Documentary My Kid Could Paint That - Research Paper Example The media questioned whether she is the real artist behind the artwork or if she is just being used and exploited in order to sell up the â€Å"masterpieces.† Moreover, this argument is found to be important in this analysis because it has a relation with the focal question whether or not Marla Olmstead can be considered as â€Å"an artist.† There definitely are young people that are called child prodigies. But considering that art is construed as the mode of expression and the manifestation of emotion or pleasure, a four-year-old child is questionably capable of expressing herself or explain the reasons behind her artworks to be categorized as an artist. Thus, this paper would seek to determine the various criteria and theories of arts in order to consider someone to be an artist. For the purpose of providing reliable answer for this issue, the researcher would support the argument based on various theories of arts such as mimetic, expressive, aesthetic and institution al art as well as the three basic criteria in order to consider something as an art. Discussion Art, whether generally accepted or not is a representation of the artist’s knowledge and skills. ... tist’s intention so that a work is considered art if it is done by someone as a representation, for the purpose of attracting an aesthetic response from the audience. Hence, in creating art, the artist does not only want to provoke or please audience but also want to communicate something and the artwork would not only be perceived by the senses (Hermanson, pp. 2-3). The criteria also include the quality of the work, which means that it should be closely associated with the idea of skill wherein there is technical competence as well as traditionally associated with the idea of beauty. It is about form or the way the elements of the work is put together, or content which usually answers what it depicts or describe (p 5). A work is considered as an art if there is response from the audience (p 6). These criteria are also included in various theories of arts. The art theories include the mimetic, expressive, aesthetic and institutional art. Mimetic art theory is considered as the most basic theoretical principle because it is simply the imitation, mimicry or representation of nature. Coined from the Greek word â€Å"mime† which means â€Å"imitation† or to copy reality (Mr Hermanson, p 14; Spiegel, P1), this theory of art was established by Plato and Aristotle suggesting that all artistic creation is a form of imitation and the artist is the â€Å"imitator.† In the case of painting, subject should exist in reality and should be a type created by God in order to perceive the representation of the ideal type. Hence, a painting is supposed to look just like the real thing or recognizable, whatever it is portraying or resemblance of the model (Berleant, p.167). Aristotle further detailed that art is the imitation of an action of life. Hence, he theorized that art is the

Brief Memorandum to the Justice with Regard to the Case of Perry v Term Paper

Brief Memorandum to the Justice with Regard to the Case of Perry v. Schwarzenegger - Term Paper Example A decision will be made as to how Justice Robert’s will rule in this case. The answer given will be based on the knowledge we have concerning the work experience and beliefs of Justice Robert’s background. The experience and legal work of Justice Robert will also be reviewed in the process in bid to affirm why we believe that he will vote in a certain way as pertains to the case of discussion. In bid to garner an in depth understanding of Justice Roberts rulings and the bearing his experience will have on the case in question, prior Supreme Cases that he has ruled as pertains to equal protection will also be reviewed. Statement of Case Facts The facts of the case involve Arnold Schwarzenegger who is the official County Governor of California and Perry who represents a lesbian couple that has been denied marriage licenses on the basis of Proposition 8. The plaintiffs have adopted four children and they would like to get married so the children can be accorded benefits ac corded to other children of heterosexual couples. The plaintiffs challenge Proposition 8 which was voter enacted on November 2008 hence amending the California Constitution. Proposition 8 asserts that California will only recognize marriage between a man and a woman. The plaintiffs litigation is based on the notion that proposition 8 denied them due process and equal protection which is divergent to the Fourteenth Amendment hence the defendants violate2. With this genesis, this paper will be aimed at writing a memorandum as to how Justice Roberts should rule in the case of Perry v. Schwarzenegger. The propositions in this paper will be anchored on reviewing Justice Roberts’ work experience, beliefs and previous rulings on equal protection to aid in giving an opinion of how he will rule in this case. Consequently, decision making theories of the judicial system will also be reviewed in the process and reference made to the case and how we expect Justice Robert to rule on this particular case. Argument Background information on Justice Roberts: work experience and beliefs Justice John G. Roberts was born in 1955 in Buffalo New York and in a religious conservative family. Just like his family, Justice John Roberts was and is still a strong Catholic who lives in belief of the Catholic ordinances. Justice John Roberts is a very outspoken icon in the American Justice system considering his repeated appointment into higher offices of the American Law. Justice John Roberts is remembered as a very close legal intimate of George W Bush after having received Presidential nomination to the US Supreme Court and in the position of Chief Justice in 2005. Justice John Roberts is also known for his attempts to reverse the proposals and Supreme Court’s approval of separation of the church from the state. I8in addition, Justice Roberts is demonstrated as one of the American legal practitioners who respect the American Constitution and would always live to protect a nd uphold it alongside any Federal approved jurisdictions. President George W. Bush had no support for homosexual marriage holding that heterosexuality was God’s wish for human being and had to be codified full in one way or the other (WND). Considering the relationship between Justice John Roberts and the former US President, one can predict the likely stand and ruling of Justice John Roberts on issues concerning homosexuality. For Justice Roberts to qualify for the office nomination by President Bush, it meant that they had a lot in common and that Bush had great obsession on Robert’s interpretation of the law. It can also be argued that Chief Justice of nay state acts as one of the eminent personalities who can advice the president on the

Developmental Analysis Essay Example for Free

Developmental Analysis Essay Abstract The field of study that examines patterns of growth, change, and stability in behavior that occur throughout the entire lifespan is called lifespan development. Lifespan development takes a scientific approach in its study of growth, change, and stability. This development emphases on human development. Developmentalists study the course of development in nonhuman species, the most popular examine growth and change in people. In contrast I will focus on the ways people and myself change and grow during our lives, with the consideration of stability in our live span. Together, these findings suggest that we will go through different developments and stages from Infancy, through childhood and adolescence, and to marriage and parenthood. 11% of infants are born earlier than normal. Infants who are born prior to 38 weeks after conception is called preterm infants. When coming into this world I was born as a premature infant, I was born at 6 months due to my mother suffering from an illness called pneumonia. I was hospitalized for 4 months with tubes and monitors hooked up to me to help me eat, breathe and regain enough strength to go home to be with my family. Rupert (2006) discusses the prevention of premature birth, what you can do to prevent from having a premature baby. It is said that tension and stress can play a part and having a premature baby the less stress and tension on the body will prevent having a premature baby. Seeing a doctor regularly, taking prenatal pills, vitamins, eating healthy and making sure you have a good amount of rest can prevent premature birth as well. Being pregnant is a wonderful time for any women but it also require for you to be healthy as possible being pregnant can cause for you to go through a lot changing carrying a baby for nine months. Also, depending on your body you can go through more than other  women when becoming pregnant, if you didn’t go through anything with your first child sometimes you can have some minor problems with your second child that’s why it is important for you to take care of yourself when being pregnant. In my case I was my mother’s third child and coming down with an illness serious enough as pneumonia can be caused by stress and or from not taking care of yourself enough to remain healthy when pregnant. There are many factors on why prematurity will occur in women, rates of preterm births differ between racial groups, not because of race per se, but because members of racial minorities have disproportionately lower incomes and higher stress as a result Feldman (2014, p.95). Growing into the life cycles of infancy I stayed with my grandmother something I didn’t not find out until I was an adult. My mother expressed to me that she wasn’t able to care for me at the time because I was too small for her to feel comfortable caring for me at the time. When hearing this it did take me by surprise and hurt me a little only because I felt like she could have said something sooner than when it came out to me. I felt like there was a little detachment there because my mother wasn’t caring for me the first couple months I was born and/or when I was released from the hospital. Hotelling (2004) states not all parenting styles are alike. What individuals do as parents depends somewhat on how they were raised as a child, what they observed in other families, and what they have been taught. Two very different styles have emerged: Attachment Parenting and Baby wise. Parenting Ones own developed style of parenting will probably fall somewhere between the two. Attachment Parenting is a highly respected approach that promotes securely attached children. The problems with Baby wise Parenting, however, have been known to include detachment, behavioral disorders, dehydration, failure to thrive, irritability, infant anorexia, and even infant death (Hotelling, 2004).Parenting is never easy. Perspective parents are encouraged to seek out resources for support and information, starting now, to help ease the way. One thing is for sure: No recipe for parenting will guarantee a good nights sleep every night or perfect children (Hotelling, 2004). As stated in the article Bowlby (1982) defined attachment as a child being â€Å"strongly disposed to seek proximity to and contact with a specific figure and to do so in certain situation, notably when he is frightened, tired or ill†. Typically, preferred attachment emerges clearly in the latter  part of the 1st year of life, as evidenced by the appearance of separation protest and stranger wariness. Under usual conditions, preferred attachment unfolds gradually over the 1st year of life (Zeanah and Fox, 2004). Preferred attachments to caregivers may develop at any time after infants reach a cognitive age of 7 to 9 months, provided that the new caregivers have sufficient involvement with the child. Thus, young children adop ted out of foster care or institutions readily form attachments to their new caregivers (Zeanah and Fox, 2004). Zeanah and Fox (2004) states there are four patterns of attachment, secure, avoidant, resistant, and disorganized have described individual differences in the organization of an infant’s attachment behaviors with respect to an attachment figure in this procedure. RAD was first introduced into the diagnostic nosologies just over 20 years ago, with the publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed. [DSM-III], American Psychiatric Association, 1980).The criteria were substantially revised in DSM-I. The disorder is defined by aberrant social behavior that appears in early childhood and is evident cross-contextually. Two patterns have been described, an emotionally withdrawn –inhibited pattern and an indiscriminately social –disinhibited pattern, each of which have been observed in children raised in institutions and in maltreated children (Zeanah and Fox, 2004). Growing into an adult after finding out that I wasn’t raised by my mother the first few months I felt some emotional distress, I felt from looking back on my childhood that there were some favoritism between me and my other brother and sisters. Feldman (2014) states developmentalists believe a true emotion has three components: a biological arousal component (such as increased breathing rate or heartbroken), a cognitive component (awareness of feeling anger or fear), and a behavioral component (displaying that one feels unhappy by crying, for example). Growing up my father was in my life after I came home from my grandmothers, but only for short amount of time. My father was abusive to my mother which caused for him to break up and get a divorce. After the divorce we didn’t really see our father that because of how abusive he could be and once he moved out he moved back to his hometown of New York, NY. We spoke occasionally on the phone and he even visited from time to time but as time went on the calling and the visiting stopped. It was very difficult to adjust to him not being there and not hearing from him the older me and my  brother and sisters got. Meyer (2010) discuss the influence of children on women’s decisions to seek help when experiencing intimate partner violence. Intimate partner violence (IPV) has a detrimental effect on the wellbeing of victims and their children. Meyer (2010) states the role (unborn) children has been examined together with other demographic and situational factors to reveal their influence on victims’ help-seeking decision. The two items were used to measure the role of children, including victims’ pregnancy at the time of the abuse and children residing with the victim and witnessing the abuse. While the presence of unborn children (i.e., pregnancy) had no effect on victims’ help-seeking decisions, children witnessing the abuse emerged as the strongest predictor of general and more formalized help – seeking decisions. In conclusion, whil e the involvement of unborn children had no effect on victims help-seeking decisions, children who resided with the victim and directly witnessed the abuse had the largest effect on all examined help-seeking decisions. Seeing my mother abused at a child does take a piece of you and the reality if you will be yourself in the same situation when you get older to experience being an relationship yourself, also the fact of dealing with the fact that your father has been in and out of your life does cause emotional and physical damage. You can grow up with bitterness in your heart not willing to love or open yourself to feelings and emotions that will help you bond with others or make it hard for you to fall in love. As a child you learn how too really love from your parents but how to love another of the opposite sex you feel that emotion from your father as far relationships with other men. Wilcox (2012) argues is parent abuse a form of domestic violence, in this situation I would say there are many similarities between domestic violence and parent abuse since both entail a constellation of abusive behaviors embedded in the family relationship. In both cases, the majority of victims/survivors are fema les /mothers. Both involve a continuing process of social harm requiring day to day management. As with domestic violence, parent abuse involves everyday stresses which shape a parent’s ability to ‘parent effectively ‘. There are similarities but I would go as far to say same it’s a form of domestic violence because on the other hand had stated in the article, the parent has an ongoing responsibility to parent, versus making the option of ending or leaving the relationship inappropriate. If you have ever experienced love  from your father how do you know how to love another man if your own father didn’t show you how a man is to love you? The role of the father in child development; parents don’t think having the father around while pregnant can affect the unborn child. As stated in this article studies investigating the role of the father in child development have focused on a range of different aspects of fathers and the father – child relationship, such as paternal emotional well- being, father – child attachment, and the quality of father – child interactive. The study have shown that fathers’ active and regular engagement with their children has a positive effect on children’s social, behavioral, psychological, and cognitive development later in life. In conclusion this study was meant as an exploratory and preliminary investigation of fathers; experience during pregnancy Vreeswijk,M.J.M.,C., Maas,B.M.A.,J., Rijk,H.A.M.,C., Bakel ,V.J.A. H., (2013). Over the years as growing into an adult it has really been a struggle for me to maintain a healthy relationship with the opposite sex, because I am always questioning is this person who they say they are? Will they give up and leave and be abusive as my father was? Will I ever feel real love that I am wanting so badly to experience? As a young adult it was difficult to maintain a healthy longevity relationship or friendship, I would put more into the relationships and friendships and they would still end with my feeling being hurt because I was being so nice to gain and keep friends not knowing that it goes both ways it cannot be no one way street, when being in a relationship or friendship. I think this took me until I was almost 30 years of age to know that not everyone will treat you how you treat them. I was so naà ¯ve to think that everyone will treat you the way you treat them but a lot of people didn’t grow up that way. Every house hold is different and everyone is bor n into different lifestyles and parenting styles which causes them to react or act on what they seen as children growing up. Being an adult it is very challenging you see how your parents held the family together and what surfaces one has to take in order to take care of an family there are so many ups and downs you will go through when coming into adult hood. For me I was so excited being able to do things on my own without my parents but then reality really hit when I couldn’t lean on my parents anymore for things because they too was adjusting to being on their own again without caring for their children anymore. Today, at 32 it is  still a struggle as I am still growing into the women I was set out to be no one is perfect and it takes years for one to become fully mature and I know I will reach my potential success with growth, time, patience and having a healthy relationship with God. Some of the beliefs and I developed while growing up were in the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church is the Church that Jesus Christ established. Thus the Church subsists in the Catholic Church. However, member s of other Christian churches and denominations are also in communion with the Catholic Church by virtue of their sacraments. The accepted Churches possess fully valid sacraments, and are true particular Churches, whereas Christians are in communion with the Catholic Church on account of their baptism; still, this communion is impaired. The Church in one, because it is unified in Christ across regions. The Church is Holy on account of the grace of Christ given to it and the holy sacraments it provides. The Catholic Church contains the fullness of the Deposit of Faith, thus is it truly according to the whole and universal? Finally, the Church is Apostolic because its Teachings and power come from the Apostles themselves. Some of the beliefs I developed in the terms of right and wrong behavior were divorce, pre-marital sex, and same-sex relationships having a relationship with Christ always putting Christ and family first. The new Christian is capable of being a doer of the Word, enabled by the Spirit; then change in the problem areas can occur. I gather information to understand the problem and the underlying issues. We build a Christ-centered relationship of care and trust. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) states encouragement from God’s Word, outlining the certainty of being able to be equipped and strengthened to change with God’s help. â€Å"Spiritual development is likely a wellspring for the best of human life (e.g., generosity, unit, sacrifice, altruism, social justice) as well as for our darkest side (e.g., genocide, terrorism, slavery). Using social science to examine this potent force in society and individual lives of young people has been neglected for too long† (p. 210). The Handbook of Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence seeks to ensure that this oversight does not persist. Spiritual development may be at a â€Å"tipping point† for becoming a major theme in child and adolescent development. A growing number of scholars in various disciplines have invested themselves in this field. The public imagination appears to be ready in numerous cultures, traditions,  and contexts, all of which are struggling with social changes that threaten to undermine the spiritual lives of young people. Benson, P. L., Roehlkepartain, E. C., King, P.E., Wagener, L.M (2005). References Meyer, S., (2010) Seeking Help to protect the Children? : The Influence of Children on Women’s Decisions to Seek Help When Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence. J Fam Viol 25:713-725, Springer Science +Business Media, LLC. Michelle, R.A., (2013) The effects of maternal nutrition on fetal psychological development. International Journal of Childbirth Education.28.3:p90. Effects on Children’s Health and Development. Psychological Medicine, Cambridge University, 40,335-334. Rupert, L. (2006) How women can carry their unborn babies to term – The Prevention of Premature Birth Through Psychosomatic Methods. Journal of Prenatal Psychology Health; 20, 4; ProQuest Central pg.293. Hotelling, A. B. (2004). Styles of Parenting, J Perinat Educ. 2004 Winter; 13(1): 42–44. Feldman, R. (2011). Development across the life span (6th ed.) Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Zeanah, H., C, Fox, A., N (2004). Temperament and Attachment Disorders. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Vol.33, No.1, 32-41. Bowlby, J. (1982). Attachment and loss; Vol. Attachment. New York: Basic Book. Benson, P. L., Roehlkepartain, E. C., King, P.E., Wagener, L.M (2005). Spiritual development in childhood and adolescence: Moving the Scientific Mainstream. Benson, P. L., Roehlkepartain, E. C., King, P.E., Wagener, L.M (2005). The Handbook of Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescences. Vreeswijk,M.J.M.,C., Maas,B.M.A.,J., Rijk,H.A.M.,C., Bakel ,V.J.A. H., (2013) Fathers’ Experiences During Pregnancy: Paternal Prenatal Attachment and Representations of the Fetus. Psychology of Men Masculinity.

Curbing Child Labour In African Countries Young People Essay

Curbing Child Labour In African Countries Young People Essay 1.0 Definition of Child Labour The International Labor Organization (ILO, 2004) defined child labour as work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development. It refers to work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to their physical and mental development. Also, child labour refers to any working activity that is physically, mentally, socially or morally harmful and dangerous to children, with interference in their education by depriving them of the chance to attend school, prematurely obliging them to leave school, or requiring them to combine schooling with extremely long and heavy work. 2.0 The Negative Effect of Child Labour on Human Capital Accumulation and Economic Development One of the most significant problems in developing countries especially in Africa is the unpleasant incident of child labour. Children do labour to earn money by sacrificing their health, their education, and their normal development to maturity. The child labour exists prevalently in most countries in Africa. It has been a deep-rooted evil phenomenon, which delay the development of human capital accumulation and economic growth. Most African countries are lying on a stagnation situation or downward spiral in which poor performance in human development has been liable to poor economic growth and poverty, which consecutively discouraged human development achievements. Nowadays, while most of developed countries are enjoying wealth and prosperity, some of developing nations and most third world countries in Africa are struggling themselves to combat the problem of child labour. The prevalence of child labour causes the children to occupy their lifetime with working, leaving school and education behind. The main aim for these children to work would be the wages gain from working in order to support household income. However, because of the time in a day is limited to 24 hours, there will be high probability for a working child to forgo schooling if they want to concentrate working to help their parents income. As working children become an adult without a sound education, their future generation soon is likely to do the same duty as they were child ago. As a result, there will be a lack of human capital improvement in one country even after generations, and thus in long-term will bring about stagnant economic development. 3.0 Child Labour in African Countries The ILO is an international organisation charged to count with child labor. The ILO reported in 2004 that 218 million children engaged in economic activity globally, excluding child domestic labour (UNICEF, 2006). Within this number, 126 million or one in every six children aged 5-17 years were trapped in hazardous work. The ILO estimated that children represent 40-50 percent of all victims of forced labour, or 5.7 million children were caught in bonded and forced labour. Available data suggested that more boys than girls were economically active, but girls who are engaged in household chores and sibling childcare not be accounted for in these statistics (ILO, 2002). Children who were working in household of a third party or employer are particularly at risk to abuse and exploitation. The ILO estimates that more girls below age 16 were in domestic (household) service than in any other category child labour. African continent has the highest percentage of economically active children. The ILO study showed that 41 percent of children in Africa continent are devoting to labour work (ILO, 2003). The sectors where child labour is most employed are agriculture, fishing, hunting, and forestry. More than 30 percent of African children aged between 10 and 14 are working in agriculture sector. In most countries which are producing raw materials, children are used to work on agriculture estates of cocoa, coffee, and cotton. Also in Africa, the incident of child labour varies among areas in the continent. Child labour occupies nearly most of the teenagers population in the countries of central Africa. Meanwhile it is nearly absolutely lacking in South Africa, and the similar situation occurs in the nations of northern Africa. As stated by the ILO in 2003, there are 400,000 child labourers in Rwanda. Within this number, there are 120,000 are considered to be engaged in the worst forms of child labour, while a number of 60,000 identified as child domestic workers. In Rwanda, children are also involved in prostitution in several large cities. The report showed that 94 percent of these child prostitutes lived in extreme poverty stricken, 40 percent had missing both of their parents, and 41 percent had never enroll themselves in schooling. In Zambia, according to the Zambian, there are a number of 595,000 child labourers in the country. Of these, 58 percent are below age 15, thus, disallowed for any kind of employment as controlled by the Employment of Young Persons Act. According to the ILO in 2003, as much as 1.9 million children in Kenya, with age ranges between 5 and 17, are child labourers. Only 3.2 percent of this population has accomplished a secondary level (school) of education, and 12.7 percent had never been to school. In Kenya, during the peak coffee picking season, it was approximated that up to 30 percent of the coffee pickers are under age 15. In Tanzania, it has been estimated that 4,600 children working in small-scale mining. It is common to find children as young as eight digging thirty-meter underground in mines for at least eight hours per day. It is usually been carried out without proper light and ventilation, and child workers are exposed to risk of injury or death underground. Furthermore, in Zimbabwe, it was approximated that 5 million children with ages between 5 and 17 are being compelled to labour work. While, a survey conducted on child labourers in small-scale mines in Madagascar found that 58 percent that population were aged 12 or under. In addition, only a third had being exposed to learn skills, and half were belonged to families that trapped in poverty stricken with bad living conditions. Moreover in Africa, a number of 120,000 children below the age of 18 have been forced into military labors such as child soldiers, or military messengers, cooks, porters, or sex slaves. An amount ranged 10,000-15,000 children from Mali are working on plantations in CÃ ´te dIvoire. Most of them are victims of child trafficking. It is estimated that 50,000 children are working as household servant in Morocco. In West Africa, an estimated 35,000 children are in commercial sexual exploitation. The Sub-Saharan Africa is the geographical area of the world with the highest rate of child labour. As stated by the ILO report, the high populations growth rate in Sub-Saharan Africa corresponds with the increasing of poverty in the region (ILO, 2004). In addition, the HIV/Aids outspread hinders all effort against child labour although the report does show clear evident of improvement in gross school enrolments, where the primary school registrations in the area have raised by 38 percent between 1990 and 2000. The Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that in 2002, regarding child trafficking in Togo, asserted that the governments of western African countries had done fragile enforcement to curb the prevalent trafficking of child labour (Human Rights Watch, 2003). As reported by HRW, the local crisis of children trafficking was brought about by HIV/Aids. A large number of these children are orphans, compelled to work for survival after the death of their HIV- positive parents. The HRW asserted that children are forced into labour work in several countries in western Africa. The traffickers attract the children by promising them with professional training as well as sponsored schooling. The vast majority of these children were trafficked by neighbouring countries, such as Burkina Faso and Mali. The incidence of child labour trafficking occurs in many paths, as the government didnt execute strict enforcement to ban it. Girls were sold to work in the night markets, and during the day as baby sitt ers, and victims are generally subjected to physical violence and psychological abuse. The countries of destination of child trafficking in general have power over economies of western Africa. The report by Institute of Tropical Agriculture in 2002 showed that 70 percent of world cocoa production made in western Africa (Boas, M. Huser, A., 2006). From this statistics, 43 percent world cocoa production supplied by Cote dIvoire, 15 percent in Ghana, 7 percent in Nigeria, 4 percent in Cameroon, and the remains 1 percent in other regions in western Africa. In these supplier countries, the ripe cocoa is collected from plantation and processed by children. Children aged between 5 and 15, all came from poor background, were lured by the traffickers to leave their countries, even with forged labour contracts, were sold to the owners of agricultural estates. Often the children realised of their condition only afterwards, when they are forced into sheds and locked up inside. Children who ran away from the plantations disclosed of how they were victimised, exploited and tortured , and never received any pay. 4.0 Major Determinant of Child Labor Child labour is an issue in worldwide concern, especially in least developed countries in Africa, with many governments officially declares laws that protect children from labour work. There is no single root of child labour in Africa, and the important factors that cause children to become labourers are wide-ranging. Indeed, the particular conditions will differ depending to the different background between children. In spite of this, the determinants of child labour may be categorised into two groups based on 1) demand determinants or market mechanism, and 2) supply determinants. This classification is based on the works by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (Edmonds, E. V., 2003; Bhalotra, S., 2003). Demand side determinants are the factors which encourage an employer to employ children into labour work. While, supply side determinants are the factors which induce the parents or head of the households to make a decision about the exploitation of children s time into labour work. Demand side determinants of child labour are the composition of labour market, the current production technology, the weak law-making or weak implementation of legislation, childrens beneficial features for a specific work, small amount paid to children with extra working hours, and little bargaining power of children. In contrast, the supply side determinants of child labour origin from the household background. These include a range of socio-economic variables such as poverty, lack of educational and public facilities, unemployment of adults, and population pressure. These variables are associated with the decision making of the household to send the children to work. 5.0 Curbing the Child Labour in Africa: A Few Recommendations on Development Policy for Human Capital Improvement Most countries in Africa prohibited the employ of children in economic activities, especially the worst form of child labour. This was due to its bad consequences of the children in their present and future time. However, most of law enforcement failed to curb child labour. Labour intensive industries and agricultural sectors will always welcome a huge demand for cheap labour, in other word, child workers. Moreover, parents are willingly to send their children working to increase household income in order to survive in poverty stricken. Drawing upon the historical experience of several countries, both economic factors and legal restrictions played a role in reducing child labour, although legislation appears to have been less significant. I suggested that banning child labour through law enforcement and legislation is an inappropriate action. This is because this action will reduce the welfare of people. The primary purpose of working is to earn money, to earn living. Parents submitt ed their children to labour work to help families income, to maintain their life survival. After studying the conditions child labour in several African countries, I would like to suggest some development policies that can be implemented by their governments in order to curb child labour, then improving the welfare of children in order to develop high human capital in Africa in the future. Those recommended policies are: 5.1 Reducing Household Poverty The first and major cause of child labour is poverty. Absolute poverty as a synonym for extreme poverty is the lack of enough resources (such as financial resources) to ensure of obtaining basic life necessities. The poverty is concerned with the income level of the household. A strong negative relationship exists between child labour and total income of a household. The additional level of income will reduce the probability of a child to work. Most of the incident of child labour as a parental decision, where parents will only send their children to work when compelled to do so by poverty stricken. Therefore, when parents income surpasses some threshold, parents tend to withdraw the children out of labour market (Basu, K. Van, P. H., 1998). A historical analysis has shown that the decline of child labour was highly associated with the rise of married womens participation in the labour force (Cunningham, H., 2000). This is because the rise of married womens participation in the labo ur force had caused the childrens contribution (income) to the economy of the working class family become less significant. I would like to suggest for governments to implement the minimum wage legislation on adults. The increase in adults wage will decrease the population of child in labour market since fewer children in a family will have to work. The increase in income by implementing the minimum wage legislation will reduce the frequency of child labour. Therefore, the implementation of minimum wage laws policy in African countries is an appropriate action in checking the stagnation of child labour. I would like to recommend for the government to increase employment opportunities for women. Government ought to stimulate sectors of economies that highly associated with women, such as laundry, cleaning, cooking, and sewing. Poor families must also be allowed to have loan from financial institution, so that they will have opportunities to start their own businesses and economic activities. This will be an embarkment of a large scale poverty alleviation program and target income support, in purpose to keep children away from work market and attending schools. 5.2 Providing Better Quality of Education for Children Evidence from communities areas in Ghana showed that the incidence of high childrens employment and the low school enrolment is caused by the bad quality of education (Ray, R., 2002). This has led to the lack of importance of education for children as viewed by most parents. The likelihood of full-time school attending could be increased by reducing the cost of schooling. The expansion of school allocation by government, which reduces the opportunity-cost of schooling, would decrease the number of working children, but attending school (Cigno, A., Rosati, F. C. Tzannatos, Z., 2002). I would like to advise for the government that the education policies should aim to improve the quality of schooling, and expansion in schooling subsidy must prove impressive in order to encourage parents keeping their children in schools rather than submitting them employed. Government policies should center on improving school infrastructure facilities and quality of schooling especially in rural areas. The quality of education will determine the parents awareness concerning the education route as a way to advance life status. The low quality of education will dispute the need of schooling for their children if to have a promising future with a stable and well-paid job. This kind of judgment is normally found among people communities with low income level because their occupations are commonly requiring no formal education attainment, but basic skills as a cheap labour. I would like to put forward for the reduction of costs of schooling. This is purposely to reduce opportunity cost of schooling, in term of payment (salary) obtained from working children. Scholarships for schooling students should not for only school tuition fees, but must cover other benefits, such as school accessories like school uniforms and free meals in order to make education more attractive. The school enrolment, especially primary school enrolment is most essential for children to ensure of obtaining basic and necessary education before jumping into the higher stages of education. Students who are obliged to attend a longer years of education by compulsory education laws will make higher wages in their future as compared to others with less years of education. Therefore, public investment in improving school infrastructure will give rise to a significant beneficial effect to born better educated labour force in the future with higher productivity to the society. 5.3 Controlling the Family Size through Policies Among fifteen countries with highest fertility rate in the world, the fourteen of them are belonged to African countries (United Nations, 2007). The high fertility and birth rate each year had caused to the large family size in Africa. And, the larger the number of children, so then the larger the total cost of living and rearing children. The big number of siblings had forced the elder siblings to working, instead of attending school. According to a study, this additional work increases with the number of younger siblings and the spacing between siblings. Because family sizes raise, the additional work for elder siblings will significantly be increased to help additional households income (Edmonds, E. V., 2006). I would like to advocate for the government of those African countries to implement the one or two-child policy in their countries. This is purposely to decrease fertility rate in those countries. This policy can be adopted from the China one-child policy introduced in 1978. It was created by the Chinese government to alleviate social, economic, and environmental problems in China. After the introduction of the one-child policy, the fertility rate in China fell from over three births per woman in 1980 to approximately 1.8 births in 2008. In my point of view, the controlling of family size will reduce the total cost of rearing many children in a family. This will increase disposable income in a family, in which this income can be saved for future use and to finance good quality education for children. The government must promise a direct benefit for the only first one or two children in the family, such as free schooling or educational subsidies. This family size control may promise a better quality of children with high human capital, even with smaller numbers, rather than having a large number of children but with low human capital. This not only improve the welfare of each children, but also give to human capital improvement in Africa, and thus in long-term will bring about healthier economic development. 5.4 Introducing Modern Labour-Saving Technologies into Economic Sectors The major characteristic of labour markets in most developing countries is a high proportion of employment of unskilled labour force in the informal sectors. This trait has led to a creation of large labour intensive market space with low-level of technology that encourages the demand for children to become labour force (Edmonds, E. V, 2003; Dinopoulos, E. Zhao, L., 2007). Thus, the level of technology in an economy will determine both the supply and demand for child labour. I would like to suggest that the introduction and adoption of modern labour-saving technologies as a tool to inhibit child labour. At a distance from raising agricultural productivity, the adoption of modern labour-saving technologies could free children from repetitive working duties in agriculture and thus increase their chances of attending school. Therefore, policies and programmes that promote the adoption of land and modern labour-saving technologies should be listed as policy tools to curb child labour in the African countries. The introduction of new technologies such as mechanization or automation in industries, and the use of improved strains and fertilizers in agricultural sector will reduce the demand for unskilled child labour. A study had also found that the returns to education will also increase because people understand the need for higher education attainment to fulfill the high demand for high-skilled labour. (Cigno, A., Rosati, F. C. Tzannatos, Z., 2002). Thus, t his will discourage the supply of child labour. This low motivation of supplying child labour and low interest to employ unskilled labour will further the declining of children exploitation into economic activities. In my opinion, from the technological perspective, it should be noticed that childrens participation are unnecessary in the process of industrialisation because child workers keep low human capital stock. In addition to the least developed African countries, in most industries where children work, there are existing technologies that being utilised in developed countries. Thus, the employment of these modern technologies by African countries would replace tasks performed by child labour, and finally reduce child employment in productive economic activities. I would also like to advise the African countries to welcome globalisation in their economic policies. The accepting of globalisation will improve capital market through foreign direct investment (FDI), and will generate technological and knowledge spillover. This will help introducing new modern labour-saving technologies as a tool to improve economic sectors, and at the same time will inhibit child labour. This is according to a study which had found that the forces of globalisation can curb the phenomenon of child labour through the trade policies that beneficial for modern sector, and the increase in FDI in modern sector that will reduce the demand of child labour without deteriorating the wage-income distribution. (Dinopoulos, E. Zhao, L., 2007).

Workplace Bullying Mobbing

Workplace Bullying Mobbing Workplace bullying is the tendency of individuals or groups to use aggressive or unreasonable behavior to achieve their ends and it is the repeated mistreatment of one employee targeted by one or more employees with a malicious mix of humiliation, intimidation and sabotage of performance. Unlike the more physical form of schoolyard bullying, workplace bullies often operate within the established rules and policies of their organization and their society. Workplace bullying is also referred to as mobbing, although mobbing can also mean any bullying by more than one person, psychological terror or aggression, hostile behaviour at work, work place trauma, emotional violence! In practice means  »ganging up « by co-workers, subordinates or superiors, to force someone out of the workplace through rumor, innuendo, intimidation, humiliation, discrediting, and isolation. Mobbing is typically found in work environments that have poorly organized production and working methods and incapable or inattentive management. A recent reliable study estimates that approximately 1 in 6 workers has directly experienced destructive bullying. Half of all bullies (58%) are women. Half of all bullying is woman-on-woman. Women comprise 80% of targets. The vast majority of bullies (71%) are bosses. Why bullies bully can be reduced to 3 factors. This are competitive schemes, peoples who live to manipulate others to accomplish their own goals and when employers reward the aggression with promotions and rewards. Research indicates that adults who bully have personalities that are authoritarian, combined with a strong need to control or dominate. A person can knew when is bullied because of experinces from work and outside of work (always talking about work). There are four types of bullies. Chronic bullies (tries to dominate people in nearly every encounterat work and away from work), opportunist bullies (he/she knows that beating up other people will lead to winning), accidental bullies (is truly unaware of the effect of her actions on other people) and substance abusing bullies (very dangerous and threatening because she may not be in control of her decisions at all). We can protect ourselves of bullying! There is no direct law abou bullying (only in Sweden, Norvay and Finland) but it should be in the employers interest to establish a policy in preventing conflicts from escalating into dangerous states. As well as practical measures a bullying target can take, there is some legal protection or redress against some types of behaviour, although a suffering employee must look to different parts of related employment law. Although you should first realized that this is not your foult that you are bullied, to informed a manager about that, consider changing your job, to tell a bully that this kind of behaviour is not exceptable, The most problematic and serious mobbing or bullying we can find in army workplace! The U.K. army defined bullying as: â€Å"the use of physical strength or the abuse of authority to intimidate or victimize others, or to give unlawful punishments! Every year we can hear about skandals in armies all over the World. In Russian army is still a lot of violence although there was establiseh military police like in other countries. Some argue that this behaviour should be allowed because the soldiering is different from other occupations. Soldiers expected to risk their lives should, according to them, develop strength of body and spirit to accept bullying.

Summary of Vietnam War :: Vietnam War Essays

Summary of Vietnam War Ngo Vinh Long   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In this reading, Long discusses the history of Vietnamese resistance to colonial and oppressive forces. Long states that American historians and statesman claim that other factors contributed to the disastrous conclusion of the Vietnam war, but that the real truth is that the American’s were not prepared to meet such a formidable foe. The Vietnamese had been resisting the Chinese for over 1,000 years and had held on; when the French arrived the same policy of resistance was practiced. Ultimately, due to the oppressive nature of the French and WWII, the French were ousted and a new communist government under Ho Chi Minh was established. Having just been under an oppressive force, and being very knowledgeable about how to deal with oppression, the American’s were caught by surprise. Ho Chi Minh   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the first set of readings, Ho Chi Minh calls upon Western powers to honor the principles of freedom they so ‘righteously’ proclaim. Speaking specifically to the French, Ho Chi Minh proclaims that the right of the Vietnamese people to be sovereign is inherent in the ideology of French ideology and he calls on them to follow through.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the second selection of reading, Ho Chi Minh recounts his eventual conversion to Marxist/Leninist ideals. He tells of his participation and final acceptance of communist ideals.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the final selection of reading Ho Chi Minh calls upon all the people of Vietnam to join in the fight for full independence. In this letter Minh appeals to heroes of the past who have resisted oppression and relates these heroes to the present struggle. Johnson   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In this selection of reading President Johnson is defending his Vietnam policy. This address by Johnson lays out many arguments for why the war in Vietnam is necessary; they are as follows: (a) the self-determination of nations; (b) aggressive forces; (c) communism as a menace to the world; (d) idea that everything operates like dominoes; (e) avoiding another Munich; (f) responsibility of the American people; (g) a â€Å"new deal† for third-world countries; (h) a better tomorrow for the world Scheer   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In this article Scheer explains why the US got involved in Vietnam. Three primary reasons were the imminent collapse of the French government, the success of the Viet Minh, and the instability of the puppet Diem regime. Duncan   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In this narrative, Duncan explains through various stories why he believes the war in Vietnam simply propaganda; he concludes his narrative by saying that it took him 10 years in the military to figure out that the government was feeding him lies.

Albert Einstein :: essays research papers

Albert Einstein   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Einstein was a German/American physicist who contributed more to the 20th century vision of physical reality than any other scientist. Einstein's theory of RELATIVITY seemed to a lot of people to be pure human thought, as did his other theories. LIFE Albert Einstein was born in Ulm, Germany, on March 14, 1879. Einstein's parents were nonobservant Jews. They moved to Munich from Ulm when Einstein was an infant. The family business was to manufacture electrical equipment. When the business failed in 1894, the family move to Milan, Italy. He decided to officially give up his German citizenship. With in a year, still not having completed secondary school, he failed and examination that allow him to follow studies that would lead to a diploma in electrical engineering at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (the Zurich Polytechnic). He spent the following year in Aarau where there were excellent teachers and an excellent physics facility. In 1896 he returned to the Zurich Polytechnic, there he graduated in 1900 as a secondary school teacher of math and physics. Two years later, he acquired a post at the Swiss patent office in Bern. While he was employed there from 1902 to 1909, he completed an extraordinary range of publications in theoretical physics. Most parts of there were written in his spare time. In 1905 he submitted one of his many scientific papers to the University of Zurich to obtain a Ph.D. degree. In 1908 he sent another scientific paper to the University of Bern and became a lecturer there. In 1914 Einstein returned to Germany but did not reapply for citizenship. He was one of only handful of German professors who was opposed the use of force and did not support Germany's war aims. After the war, the allies wanted the removal of German scientist from international meetings, but Einstein was a Jew and traveling with a Swiss passport, he remained an acceptable German delegate. Albert Einstein's political views as a pacifist and a Zionist placed him against conservatives in Germany, who labeled him a traitor and a defeatist. In Germany there was a rise of fascism, so he moved to the united states in 1933 and abandoned his pacifism. He unwillingly agreed that the new danger (the Germans) had to be brought down by force of arms. In 1939 he sent a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt that urged America to continue to develop an ATOMIC BOMB before the Germans did. This letter was one of many exchanges the White House and Einstein had. This contributed to Roosevelt's decision to fund what became the MANHATAN PROJECT.

Krishna :: Religion Religious Hinduism Essays

Krishna Krishna, revered as a glorious manifestation of the Supreme (Vishnu). He is often picture as drawing humans to the Divine by the power of love, symbolized by the lure of his flute. (Living Religions, 14th edit; p. 93) The textbook, The Humanities by Witt, Brown, Dunbar, Tirro and Witt, states that Krishna is the ninth and most recognizable incarnation of Vishnu. People of compare the relationship between Vishnu and Krishna to the Christian belief of God and Jesus. In the eighteenth book of the Mahabharata, The Bhagavad-Gita (â€Å"Song of the Supreme Exalted One†), Krishna appears as the charioteer of Arjuna. (Living Religions, 14th edit; p. 93) In the Bhagavad-Gita, Arjuna is going to fight in a battle that places him in the position of fighting his own people. Arjuna then turns to Krishna for guidance. In the Bhagavad-Gita Krishna is a wise teacher, as well as Arjuna charioteer. In R. Zaehner translation of the Bhagavad-Gita, Krishna in response to Arjuna plight says: â€Å"Never was there a time when I was not, nor you, nor yet these princes, nor will there ever be a time when we shall cease to be – all of us hereafter. Just as in this body the embodied [self] must pass through childhood, youth, and old age, so too [at death] will it assume another body: in this a thoughtful man is not perplexed. But contacts with the objects of sense give rise to heat and cold, pleasure and pain: they come and go, impermanent. Put up with them, Arjuna†¦.† Arjuna is told to withdraw his attention from the impetuous demands of senses, ignoring all feelings of attraction or aversion. This will give him a steady, peaceful mind. He is instructed to offer devotional service and to perform the prescribed Vedic sacrifices, but for the sake of discipline, duty, and example alone rather than reward. Krishna says those who do everything for love of the Supreme transcend the notion of duty. Everything they do is offered to the Supreme. Thus they feel peace, freedom from earthly entanglements, and unassailable happiness. This yogic science of transcend the â€Å"lower self† by the â€Å"higher self† is so ancient that Krishna says it was originally given to the sun god and, through his agents, to humans.

Main Causes of the US Automobile Industry Crisis Essay

Recent happenings in the US automobile industry point to an industry that is steeped in a crisis of monumental proportions, one that it has never had the misfortune of staring at since the advent of the automobile as we know it today. Sales at the Big Three motor companies (Ford, GM, and Chrysler) have touched historic lows, not only pushing industry profitability levels down with them, but also triggering off a rare spectacle characterised by all the largest American carmakers bleeding in red ink. Writing for one of the premier automotive media, Krebbs and Visnic (2009) adduce data fresh from the oven that point to as much. According to Krebbs and Visnic (2009), the American industry posted the lowest levels of sales in sixteen years in the year just past. While GM witnessed a drop in sales of 23%, Ford saw its sales revenues shrink by a massive 20%, and Chrysler posted sales that were 30% lower than the previous year. Other automakers in the country such as Hyundai, Toyota, and Nissan did not fare any better. On average, the industry shed off some 3 million units in lost sales, which translates into a contraction of 18%. With such massive declines in sales, the Big Three have become deeply steeped in debt, and are staring bankruptcy right in the face in spite of the massive bailout packages tailored for the industry by the Obama administration. As a matter of fact, GM (which is the largest of the Big Three) and Chrysler have already filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. As the Wall Street Journal (2009, p.A1) points out, GM went under in June under a massive debt of $172 billion (against assets of only $82 billion) in what has been described as the second largest industrial bankruptcy filing in the US. After 84 years, the icon of American industry had its name struck off the Dow Jones, hot in the heels of Chrysler which had filed for bankruptcy just months earlier. It is not just dwindling sales and profitability that have afflicted the three largest American carmakers, they have also been steadily losing market shares and particularly to their more fleet-footed Asian rivals who include Toyota, Nissan Honda, and Hyundai. For example, GM, Chrysler and Ford had market shares of 23.8%, 12.9% and 15.5% respectively in 2007, which fell to 22.6%, 11% and 15.1% respectively in 2008. In contrast, the market shares of Honda, Nissan and Toyota increased from 9.7%, 6.6% and 16.3% respectively to 10.8%, 7.2% and 16.8% respectively over the same period. This is an indication that the US carmakers are losing out to other foreign carmakers (Krebbs and Visnic, 2009). Various factors have been cited as being behind the poor performance of the US automobile industry, but there are three main reasons that stand out. These include the meltdown in the US economy that was largely triggered off by the sub prime mortgage crisis, the failure by American carmakers to respond adaptively to the dictates of the external environment, and a poor business model characterized by factors such as huge legacy costs. Economic meltdown: One of the major causes of the declining fortunes of the US auto industry is the meltdown of the US economy which is mainly attributed to the sub prime mortgage crisis. The sub prime mortgage crisis occurred when banks and other financial institutions made out loans for the purchase of homes to a segment of the market that is considered risky due to its poor credit history and low ability to repay given their low income levels (this segment of the market is what is referred to as the sub prime segment). These loans were made out at the height of the boom in the real estate industry with expectations being that the boom in the industry would continue and that the buyers of the homes given the mortgages would be able to refinance their homes and pay back the loans. With the unexpected and sudden burst of the real estate bubble however, the sub prime borrowers were unable to refinance their homes due to plummeting values of real estate, leading to huge defaults that triggered off massive foreclosures never before witnessed in US history (Zeese, 2008; Rasmus, 2008). This caused banks and financial institutions to write off billions of dollars in bad debts, leading to a huge liquidity crisis and credit crunch that hit the economy and caused the current recessionary conditions being witnessed in the US and in much of the world. It also brought about a sharp and dramatic spike in unemployment rates which have affected demand for cars. The economic crisis has had the effect of drying up credit, which has made many potential car buyers unable to access car loans, a factor that has in turn triggered a massive decline in the demand for cars. Additionally, car makers have been unable to access debt finance for investment and working capital requirements, which has also impacted them negatively (Zeese, 2008; Rasmus, 2008; Borade, 2009). Failure to adapt to the external environment: Firms operate in an external environment in which its operations are affected either positively or negatively by political-legal, economic, socio-cultural, and technological forces. The role of the company therefore is to scan the external environment for opportunities or threats which these forces may present, and to implement strategies that will help the organization to either capitalize on the opportunities or avoid the threats (Saloner, Shepard, and Podolny, 2008). The troubles afflicting the US automobile stem in part on the failure of the US carmakers to assess changes in their external environment and to respond adaptively. Over much of 2008, oil prices soared at one tine time touching all-time highs of $147 per barrel. The rise in oil prices triggered a corresponding rise in gasoline prices (to a high of $4 a gallon), which pushed the commodity out of reach for many Americans, and especially those with large fuel guzzling vehicles such as trucks (e.g. GM’s hugely popular Hummer) (Krebbs and Visnic, 2009; Zeese, 2008). Concomitant with the rise in the price of oil and gasoline has been an increasing consciousness towards the need for environmental protection, which has caused the rising popularity of cars that have higher fuel efficiency. These two factors contributed a great deal in shifting consumers’ tastes and preferences away from large fuel-guzzling cars such as trucks towards smaller more fuel efficient models. Unlike Asian car makers which recognized these trends and moved towards the manufacture of small models and green vehicles, all the Big Three firms continues producing large fuel guzzling cars such as SUV’s (Zeese, 2008). The result of this is that SUV and truck sales plummeted, hitting hard the revenues and bottom lines of the American firms, as consumers shifted their purchases to the smaller models manufactured by the Asian carmakers. Krebbs and Visnic (2009) write that as a result of these trends, car sales surpassed those of trucks in 2008, the first time that has ever happened since 2000. An example of   how hard SUV and large vehicle sales were affected as a result of these trends is given by the case of GM and its Hummer brand, which Hummer, which â€Å"suffered the biggest decline of all GM’s brands with sales plummeting 51 percent — its lowest sales level since 2002† (Krebbs and Visnic, 2009, p.2). Poor business model: The third factor that has contributed to the dramatic decline of the US auto industry’s fortunes is the fact that the industry has a poor business model. The US automobile industry is unique among all car industries worldwide due to the fact that it is saddled with huge and unbearable healthcare costs which produces one of the highest cost structures that makes American made cars uncompetitive against Asian made cars, for example (Zeese, 2008). According to Zeese (2008), failure by successive US administrations to reform the country’s healthcare system has resulted in car manufacturers paying healthcare costs for their employees to the tune of billions of dollars. Zeese (2008, p.1) writes that â€Å"It would not be unfair to describe General Motors as a health insurance provider who happens to make cars. GM spends $5 billion annually on health care for 1.2 million people – only 150,000 of whom work for the company. GM, Ford and Chrysler have a combined unfunded retiree health care obligation of more than $90 billion. Health care adds $1,500 to the cost of each vehicle.† With the American carmakers saddled by such huge costs, it is little wonder that their products are uncompetitive when compared to cars made by foreign manufacturers such as Toyota (which has one of the most admired lean manufacturing systems that keeps costs very low). Conclusion: The US automobile industry is in a big crisis. Other than declining sales and profitability, the industry is losing out to foreign car makers and particularly Asian rivals such as Toyota, Honda and Nissan. This has been brought about by three main reasons, which include the meltdown in the US economy triggered off by the sub prime mortgage crisis, a poor business model adopted by the industry, and failure by the US car industry to respond adaptively to changing environmental conditions. References: Borade, G. 2009. US economic crisis: impact on automobile industry. Retrieved on 11 July 2009 from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/us-economic-crisis-impact-on-automobile-industry.html King, N and Terlep, S. 2009, June 2. â€Å"GM Collapses into Government’s Arms.† Wall Street Journal. Retrieved on 11 July 2009 from   http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124385428627671889.html