Describe this pic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Describe this pic - Essay Example The bottom part of the picture is broader than the top part and this gives the picture the ideal shape. The artist might have done this to give it a strong base for supportive purpose. From the information provided, the picture is the courtesy of Casey Campbell and some of the materials used are ink, watercolour, and charcoal. In essence, the abstract painting has colours and designs that do not resemble the physical objects. With this, the painting becomes harder to comprehend than representational painting. The desires and skills of the artist reveal the environment and time in, which he created the art. The striking styles reveal a lot of creativity. On a personal perceptive, the goal of the artist was to show how the colour, style, and form of the subject changed from time to time. This explains why the picture broadens its colour from one circle to the other. The artists took a lot of time making series of paintings from the same subject but different times of the day. This gives viewers a quick sense of understanding what is going into the artist’s mind (Elger and Uta 22). Typically, everyone seems to see the image in a similar manner. The artist established the need to use directional subjects and words that guide viewers through the description and analysis. The focal point of the picture is the circular figure, with different shapes. As previously mentioned, all circles have a strong base decorated in bold colours. The circles consist of space, line, shape, and light and dark colours arranged in similar designs. They consist of proportion, order, pattern, rhythm, and balance. The artist employed these elements to evoke the feeling of hope and direction to the viewers. From the picture, it is evident that many people recognize the artist’s accuracy and creativity to create the image. The primary purpose of the painting was to portray a captivating image. The picture does not fully evoke feelings or emotions.

Leadership Interview Essay Example for Free

Leadership Interview Essay Todays professional nurses assume leadership and management responsibilities regardless of the activity in which they are involved (Koernig-Blais, Hayes, Kozier, Erb, 2006, p. 2). D. Martin. is the nurse manager for The Spirit Medical Transportation Services (Spirit) of Saint Josephs Childrens Hospital in Marshfield, Wisconsin. She started her career as an ICU nurse, and from there moved into medical transportation. She worked as a staff flight nurse in three different programs, including Spirit, for 15 years before assuming the assistant nurse manager role for Spirit, and in the past year moved into the position of manager. In an interview with D. Martin she discussed achieving of a position of leadership in our nursing community. The interview included questions about her background, and the role she has today. Leadership Style D. Martin (personal communication, March 6, 2008) describes a leader as someone who is able to work effectively with other people and facilitate getting the job done. She further discusses the leader needing to have interactive communication skills. These skills she describes as two parts; first is active listening, making eye contact and giving full attention to the person speaking; the second is being able to talk and make a point with sounding condescending. Through her examples, D.Martin has a democratic or participative leadership style. Leaders with a democratic style act as a catalyst or facilitator to guide the group towards achieving group goals (Koernig-Blais et al, 2006). Democratic leadership may be less efficient than other types of leadership, but it does allow for a spirit of collaboration and creativity from group members. This type of leadership can be extremely effective in the healthcare setting (Tappen, 2001, p. 26)Personal Philosophy and Important Qualities of Leadership When questioned about important qualities or characteristics of a leader, D. Martin (personal communication, March 6, 2008) again emphasized the importance of interactive communication. D. Martin (personal communication, March 6, 2008) stated that an effective leader needs to respect their staff, or whomever they are leading. That a leader needs to learn how to be politically correct in all settings, and the  leader as manager needs to learn how to delegate, and to be aware of the fiscal responsibilities within the institution, and balance those requirements with the needs of the department they are managing. Sullivan and Decker, 2005 p. 44 state that all good managers are also good leaders. D. Martin talked interchangeably of leaders and managers, because she views herself as a leader first, and a manager second. Her views are that as a staff nurse, she was viewed as a leader among the flight crew, and now as a manager, she is still that leader, but with the responsibilities of management (D. Martin personal communication, March 6, 2008). A manager is responsible and accountable to the organization for accomplishing the goals of the organization (Sullivan Decker, 2005). When D. Martin was questioned about her personal philosophy of leadership she replied that you are never going to please everyone all of the time, and that the most important thing to remember is that you have to be able to live with your decisions, legally and ethically (D. Martin, personal communication, March 6, 2008). According to D. Martin (personal communication, March 6, 2008), quality and safety should be ranked equally at number one in consideration for what can and should be done. She believes that as a manager, she needs to be the mother tiger looking out for her cubs; that she has to protect the staffs interests. D. Martin also believes that an effective manager should have come up through the ranks. A manager should not ask the staff to do something she has not done, or would not do. Another aspect of an effective manager is that the manager should have been a clinical leader first, that they have been there, done that for years. The manager may not always be able to keep up those clinical skills, and be able to perform the clinical aspects of the job, but if they have done it for years, they will understand the concepts when the staff needs someone to talk to (D. Martin, personal communication, March 6, 2008)Learning Experiences that have Influenced Growth as a LeaderD. Martin believes that her own clinical experiences and what she has done have had the most influence on her personal development. Her bedside clinical experience in an ICU prepared her for her role as a transport nurse (personal communication, March 6, 2008). She was involved in the start-up of two different transport services, and her third experience was a transport nurse on a well established service. The first transport service she was part of was a load and go team with one of the first mobile ICUs in Wisconsin. Her belief is that being on the ground floor of two services, the personal growth from those experiences as the service went through its growing pains, makes her better prepared for the growing pains of going from peer to boss. She also emphasized that managers should not take things for granted, if they have not been where they are asking their staff to go, she feel strongly that she brings a been there, done that style to her leadership (D. Martin, personal communication, March 6, 2008). Evolution of Nursing Leadership in Healthcare TodayThe interview continued with the question of how she sees leadership evolving in nursing today. Her first response was disappointed. When she first started out in nursing, many registered nurses were from an associates program, and the recommendation for a management position, or to teach was someone with a bachelors degree in nursing. Once she had achieved her bachelors, the bar had been raised with the recommendation that managers have their masters degree, in nursing or in business, and that nursing instructors have their PhD in nursing or education (D. Martin, personal communication, March 6, 2008). Her thought is that with the requirement of that much schooling, the people managing departments, and teaching new nurses, are so far removed from the clinical aspects of nursing, that they are not as effective as someone who has recently been a clinical nurse. She feels nursing needs instructors that have been there, and instructors should not be only those with the highest degrees. There needs to be opportunities for nurses to move up through the ranks through independent nursing practice, and recognition needs to be given to the clinical experts at the bedside. The advanced degree should not be more important than clinical expertise in a given field (D. Martin, personal communication, March 6, 2008). Challenges Facing Leaders in Todays Healthcare SystemsD. Martin (personal  communication, March 6, 2008), believes that the most challenging issues in her current position are the need to have a more global perspective, and having an appreciation for it. She described one aspect of that global perspective in terms of the hospital budget. Finding out what the hospital budget is, and that it comes down from the top of the corporation, not just the top of our individual hospital. Patients are important, but from a business standpoint, money is the bottom line (D. Martin, personal communication, March 6, 2008). Healthcare is a business, and needs to be run as a business. She states that the biggest passion she had to give up was that the patient comes first. She had to learn how to facilitate the system, within the budget given, and with the resources available to her. Management cannot give the staff everything they are asking for, the money, and decisions come from the top down. Management would be easy if you didnt have to deal with the people (D. Martin, personal communication, March 6, 2008). The Impact of a Mentor on Leadership StyleD. Martin (personal communication, March 6, 2008) states that she has had three mentors in her career. Each is unique and she is grateful to them. Her first was her nurse manager of her first flight service. She states that he too came up through the ranks. He taught her the importance of creating a balance between management and work. Her next mentor was her first nurse manager when she started at Saint Josephs, Terri. Terri was her mentor through her masters program, and taught her the importance of being politically correct and fair. That, as a manager, you might not agree with what is being said, but you need to have enough self control to not let them see you do not agree with the company line, or to never let them see you sweat (D. Martin, personal communication, March 6, 2008). Her third mentor was her nurse manager for the 11 years she was a flight nurse with Spirit. Through him she learned that different management styles are okay, and that an open door policy was what she respected most about his style. He also taught her the importance of credibility, and to not make promises you may not be able to keep (D. Martin, personal communication, March 6, 2008). Advice to Someone Interested in LeadershipD. Martin (personal communication, March 6, 2008) discussed the difficulty going from peer to boss. Her recommendation would be for anyone in that position to take a class on effective leadership to learn more on how to delegate, find resources and about fiscal responsibility. She did inform me that Saint Josephs Childrens Hospital does offer a two day seminar to employees on this topic, and she further recommends all Neonatal Intensive Care Transport Nurses take this class, as they all function in a leadership role (D. Martin, personal communication, March 6, 2008). Her other advice was to be ready to put in long hours. To be passionate about whom you want to lead. Be clinically competent, and have confidence in yourself, and your knowledge. Stand up for yourself and your staff. Learn to take risks, and trust your instincts (D. Martin, personal communication, March 6, 2008). Conclusion Leadership and management are the responsibility of all professional nurses. Effective leadership and management is a learned process. Mentors can have a positive impact on the personal and professional growth of a nurse. Personal integrity, honesty, and a concern for human dignity should guide all leadership and management decisions (Koernig-Blais et. al, 2006). References: Koernig-Blais, K., Hayes, J., Kozier, B., Erb, G. (2006). Professional Nursing Practice: Concepts and Perspectives (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc. Sullivan, E. J., Decker, P. J., (2005). Effective Leadership and Management in Nursing (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall HealthTappen, R. M., (2001). Nursing Leadership and Management: Concepts and Practice (4th ed.). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.

Arguments For and Against Minimum Wage in the US

Arguments For and Against Minimum Wage in the US Patrick Tawadros, Corinne Dexter, Mark Hanna, Yuanwen Dong Mediated Speech Outline Minimum Wage I. Introduction In this country, regardless of views and opinions, the controversial topic of minimum wage has resounding effects on workers, businesses, and consumers alike. We will try to parse out the gory details by debating the pros and cons of: increasing the minimum wage. We have done extensive research, as well as worked our fair share of minimum wage jobs giving us the ability to speak confidently on matters related to minimum wage. Its likely most of you have minimum wage jobs giving you something to relate. If you dont work for minimum wage you are probably still a consumer and thus either through wage increases or cost increases the results of this debate will have an impact in your life. There are strong arguments both for and against raising the minimum wage including The potential to improve health, academics, and reduce crime rates. The potential to lead to a spike in unemployment The potential to reduce poverty levels And finally the potential to lower demand How might just a few dollars do all this? Well lets start with the first: health academics and crime. II. Body Pro Argument 1 (PATRICK TAWADROS): Increasing the minimum wage would have positive health effects, improve academics in the overall sense, and reduce crime rates. Increasing minimum wage sustains a healthy population and lowers mortality. In a study done by Rajiv Bhatia, MD, on the California minimum wage, it was found that a higher minimum wage would ultimately allow workers to have enough to eat, be more likely to exercise, and even prevent premature deaths (Bhatia). In another study conducted by Barhii, he concluded that policies that reduce poverty and raise wages of low-income people can be expected to significantly improve overall health and reduce health inequities (Barhii). To add to the added health benefits, increasing minimum wage would increase school attendance, while simultaneously decreasing high school dropout rates. Teens living in poverty are twice as likely to miss 3 or more days of school per month when compared to teens who do not live in poverty (Bhatia). A higher minimum wage would reduce crime. In a study done by the Executive Office of the Presidents Council of Economic Advisors, it was found that by raising minimum wage to $12 by the year 2020 that there would be a three to five percent crime decrease. This is primarily due to the fact that higher wages provide viable and sustainable employment. (Executive Office of the President) In another study conducted at the University of Virginia, it was found that an increase in wages is associated with a reduction in property-related crimes. (Fernandez) Response to pro argument (con) (YUANWEN): At first glance, the increasing of minimum wage would allow people of lower incomes to live a better life. But increasing minimum wages adds many potential threats to the equilibrium of the free market. The net effect of this interference is not necessarily good. To specify, increasing minimum wage will cause higher unemployment rate, and has no significant links to lowering the crimes.. There is few evidence to show that there is a link between the increasing of minimum wages and decreasing of crime rates. According to a study conducted by Boston College in 2013, crime will increase by 1.9 percentage points among 14-30 year-olds as the minimum wage increases.' (Fuller). Due to the higher unemployment rate caused by the increasing of minimum wage, some of the next generation will not be able to afford the education. In 2009, a study by the American Journal of Economics and Sociology discovered that in Maryland, a 25-percent increase in the real minimum wage was associated with a 0.55 percent increase in the dropout rate for Hispanic students. (Crofton, Anderson, and Rawe). Con argument (YUANWEN): On the contrary, increasing the minimum wage would force business to lay off more employees to save budgets and raise the unemployment rates. Sub point 1: Increasing minimum wage will raise the cost of businesses, lower their employment levels, and cause higher unemployment rate. Raising minimum wage will increase the cost of businesses, forcing businesses to lay off more employees. The Congressional Budget Office predicted a $7.25 to $10.10 minimum wage increase could potentially cost 500,000 jobs. (Congressional Budget Office). Increasing minimum wages will lower the willingness of businesses to hire more employers, due to the rise of the cost. There was a survey conducted of 1,213 businesses and human resources professionals and 38% of the employers who payed minimum wage said they would resort to letting go some employees if it was raised to $10.10. Among them 54% said they would decrease hiring levels (Kast). Statistically, comparing to countries that do not have minimum wage policy, countries with minimum wage policy have higher rate of unemployment. In 2014, Steve H. Hanke, Professor of Applied Economics at Johns Hopkins University, conducted a survey of the 21 European Union countries that had a minimum wage and discovered they had an average unemployment rate of about 11.8%, which was a third higher than the 7.9% average in the remaining EU countries with no minimum wage (Hanke). Sub point 2: Increasing minimum wage will put lower-skilled worker at a disadvantage, since the rise of wage exposes those lower-skilled to the same competition with those more skilled. Raising minimum wage will put lower-skilled workers at disadvantages. From an employers point of view, people of lower skills do not justify the rise of minimum wages, but they have no choice but to join the competition with the more skilled, if minimum wages are increased. James Dorn stated that a minimum wage increase by 10% leads to a 1-3% decrease in employment of low-skilled workers in the short term, and to a larger decrease in the long run (Dorn). Increasing minimum wages puts lower-skilled workers at a disadvantages by forcing them to be exposed to the same competition with people who are more skilled. George Reisman stated that if the minimum wage was increased to $10.10, jobs that presently pay $7.25 had to pay $10.10, than workers who previously would not have considered those jobs because of their ability to earn $8, $9, or $10 per hour, will now consider them. The effect is to expose the workers whose skills do not exceed a level corresponding to $7.25 per hour to the competition of better educated, more skilled workers presently able to earn wage rates ranging from just above $7.25 to just below $10.10.' (Reisman). Response to con argument (CORINNE): Despite the claim of a rise in unemployment, studies on past minimum wage hikes have shown little effect on unemployment in both federal mandated and state mandated hikes. Sub point 1: A case study of the fast food industry which compared two states, New Jersey and Pennsylvania after New Jersey increased the minimum wage, and Pennsylvania did not, showed that there is no evidence that the rise in New Jerseys minimum wage reduced employment at fast-food restaurants in the state' (Card, Krueger). The department of labor statistics further contends that in 65 years of federal minimum wage hikes, unemployment rates in the past have generally gone down, or stayed the same after increases in the minimum wage with only one exception in the 70s and that unemployment spike is linked to other causes such as recession and an energy crisis (Real Minimum Wage). History shows that it safe to assume that if anything a higher minimum wage will put more money in peoples pockets to be used for discretionary spending which will stimulate the market or keep it the same, but not increase unemployment. Pro argument (CORINNE): What, hoever, minimum wage increases always do, is reduce poverty and in turn reduce government spending. Sub point 1: Currently, the minimum wage is not enough to live on. The economic policy institute using government sources found that the average cost of living in the U.S., excluding discretionary spending is roughly $50,000 more than what a minimum-wage worker earns (Cooper). As a result many people are either barely making it by, or are below the poverty line entirely and relying on government assistance to do so. In the 2014 Congressional Budget Office report, it showed that increasing the minimum wage to $9 would lift 300,000 people out of poverty, while raising it to $10.10 would bring 900,000 people out of poverty (Congressional Budget Office). Accounting for inflation minimum wage should actually be even higher at $10.52 or more depending on where someone lives implying that poverty rates could shrink even lower with a more aggressive raise (Cooper). Sub point 2: By helping families survive off the the diligent work that they do we are also helping the taxpayer burden. It was reported in 2014 by The Center for American Progress that by raising the minimum wage to $10.10, SNAP spending would decline by $4.6 billion (West, Reich). Likewise The Economic Policy Institute found out that by making the minimum wage to be $10.10, at least 1.7 million Americans would not depend on government assistance programs (Cooper). The wage increase would save $7.6 billion on annual government spending for income-support programs (Cooper). This money could either go back into the pockets of the everyday person or be used for other beneficial programs. Response to pro argument (MARK HANNA): Unfortunately a decrease in government spending for income support programs could lead to unintended negative sideeffects down the road for the poor and unemployed. People who have then been laid off would suffer from reductions in benefits because of congressional budget cuts to programs such as the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP, formerly called food stamps), temporary assistance for needy families (TANF), the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), child-care subsidies, housing vouchers, and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) due to the benefit rates fading as income rises (Sherk, 2013). Those people still employed would be able to afford more so the need for these programs would diminish and as more people will have to use those defunded programs as unemployment increases, poverty will rise as the budget will not be able to support them (Sherk, 2013). The standard of living will also increase as minimum wage increases. In a study conducted by Purdue Universitys School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, they found that increasing wages to $22 an hour raises consumer prices by 25% (McClure, 2015). Con argument (MARK HANNA): Thus, raising the minimum wage would actually lower demand for market development and products as a result of higher prices, resulting in negative long term outcomes for families and the economy. Studies show that if the minimum wage was to increase from $7.25 an hour to $10.10 an hour, the demand for workers would decrease and many people would get laid off. Meanwhile, those who were not laid off pay 15% more on payroll and income taxes for each additional dollar that is added to the minimum wage (Sherk, 2013). This decrease in demand will have unavoidable negative consequences for unskilled workers and their families in the long run in the form of less opportunity for employment and skill acquisition. Chaplin, Mark, and Andreas (2003) found through a study they conducted that increasing the minimum wage would lower the continuation rate for grades 9-12 in states with dropout ages under 18. Raising the minimum wage will cause demand to fall for what James and Mary Kau (1973) call industrial incentive, which is described as the incentive for industry to progress itself forward. This fall in incentive was documented in a study conducted by Van Sickle (1946), where he found that the south was booming with industrialization for a few decades then plummeted after the Fair Labor Standards Act was passed. The rising costs created by low demand for work would also impede competition, as the cost of production of goods from the south to the north would increase (Kau Kau, 1973). Response to con argument (PATRICK TAWADROS): Long term effects of the minimum wage being increased do not affect educational opportunities for teen workers and do not hurt demand for consumer goods. In an journal article by Warren and Hamrock (2010), they describe how the effects of a minimum wage increase would not impact teen workers who were not already doing poorly academically as others say it may. They claim it would only impact those who would have had a history of failure; who are not engaged in meaningful extracurricular, social or athletic activities in school; and, perhaps most importantly, who are in a position to meaningfully increase their levels of labor market participation (Warren Hamrock, 2010). They continue to state that if the raise would impact a certain educational subset, it would be those students who are competing with adults for jobs and/or who would be dropouts either way (Warren Hamrock, 2010). Minimum wage increases do not impact market development as innovation has always been outrunning minimum wage increases. This is shown in an article published by The Economist (2015), stating that in most developed countries minimum wages rise with income levels, but in America that is not the case, as one would think that in a country with a GDP of $53,000 per person, the minimum wage should be at least $12 an hour, but it is not. Therefore, because it has not kept up with income rises, it cannot be safely said that raising the minimum wage kills innovation. Thus far, what have we learned from our discussion? Lets recap. III. Conclusion: Ultimately, increasing minimum wage could reduce poverty, hence, improving health, academic performance, and decreasing crime rates. However, on the other hand, increasing minimum wage could pressure business to lay off employees and could decrease demand for labor and products. Regardless of perspective, the controversial and divisive topic of minimum wage is a far reaching issue in the United States of America and so it is important to weigh all sides equally to come to a balanced conclusion. Works Cited Patricks Pro Argument Sources Executive Office of the President, Council of Economic Advisors, Economic Perspectives on Incarceration and the Criminal Justice System, whitehouse.gov, Apr. 2016 Fernandez, J., Holman, T., Pepper, J. V. (2014). The Impact of Livingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ Wage Ordinances on Urban Crime. Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, 53(3), 478-500. Rajiv Bhatia, Health Impacts of Raising Californias Minimum Wage, Human Impact Partners website, May 2014 Bay Area Regional Health Inequities Initiative (BARHII) The Minimum Wage and Health: A Bay Area Analysis, barhii.org, Oct. 2014 Warren, J., Hamrock, C. (2010). The Effect of Minimum Wage Rates on High School Completion. Social Forces, 88(3), 1379-1392. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org.proxy.libraries.rutgers.edu/stable/40645895 The Economist. (2015, May 20). Pay dirt. Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2015/05/minimum-wages Corinnes Pro Sources: Card, D., Krueger, A. B. (2000). Minimum Wages and Employment: A Case Study of the Fast-Food Industry in New Jersey and Pennsylvania: Reply. American Economic Review,90(5), 1397-1420. doi:10.1257/aer.90.5.1397 Cooper, David. Raising the Federal Minimum Wage to $10.10 Would Save Safety Net Programs Billions and Help Ensure Businesses Are Doing Their Fair Share. Issue brief no. 387. New York: Economic Policy Institute, 2014. Print. Real Minimum Wage Rate vs Unemployment Rates January 1950 to January 2013 [Chart]. (2013.). In Bureau of Labor Statistics . Reich, Michael, and Rachel West. The Effects of Minimum Wages on Food Stamp Enrollment and Expenditures. Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society 54.4 (2015): 668-94. Web. The Effects of Minimum-Wage Increase on Employment and Family Income. Rep. no. 4856. N.p.: Congressional Budget Office, 2014. Print. Yuanwens Con Sources: Congressional Budget Office, The Effects of Minimum-Wage Increase on Employment and Family Income, cbo.gov, Feb. 2014 Kast, S., New Express Employment Professionals Survey of Employers Shows 38% of Those Who Pay Minimum Wage Will Lay Off Workers If Wage Is Hiked, prweb.com, Mar. 19, 2014 Hanke, S.H., Let the Data Speak: The Truth Behind Minimum Wage Laws, Cato Institute website, Apr. 2014 Dorn, J., The Minimum Wage Delusion, and the Death of Common Sense, Forbes, May 7, 2013 Reisman, G., How Minimum Wage Laws Increase Poverty, Mises Institute website, Apr. 4, 2014 Crofton, S.O., Anderson, W.L., Rawe, E.C., Do Higher Real Minimum Wages Lead to More High School Dropouts? Evidence from Maryland across Races, 1993-2004, American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Apr. 2009 Fuller, D., Multilevel Study Finds No Link Between Minimum Wage and Crime Rates, uc.edu, Nov 18, 2013 Marks Con Sources Sherk, J. (2013, June 25). What is Minimum Wage: Its History and Effects on the Economy. Retrieved from http://www2.heritage.org/research/testimony/2013/06/what-is-minimum-wage-its-history-and-effects-on-the-economy Chaplin, D. D., Turner, M. D., Pape, A. D. (2003). Minimum wages and school enrollment of teenagers: a look at the 1990s. Economics of Education Review, 22(1), 11-21. Van Sickle, John, Geographical Aspects of a Minimum Wage, Harvard Business Review, XXIV (Spring 1946), 288. Kau, J., Mary L. Kau. (1973). Social Policy Implications of the Minimum Wage Law. Policy Sciences, 4(1), 21-27. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org.proxy.libraries.rutgers.edu/stable/4531512 McClure, G. (2015, July 27). Study: Raising wages to $15 an hour for limited-service restaurant employees would raise prices 4.3 percent. Retrieved from http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2015/Q3/study-raising-wages-to-15-an-hour-for-limited-service-restaurant-employees-would-raise-prices-4.3-percent.html

Brains, Blood, Sweat, and Tears :: essays papers

Brains, Blood, Sweat, and Tears â€Å"You can accomplish anything with thought and hard work† – Justin Craig-Kuhn To overcome obstacles is human. When something stands in our way, it’s â€Å"Give me liberty or give me death!† in many cases. No matter how difficult a project may seem, hard work and determination will pull us through (or at least, that’s what we tell ourselves). In many cases, it turns out that we do pull through, beating the odds, feeling a great sense of accomplishment in the process. A case and point of this would be the technological and architectural marvels modern humanity has created. Indeed, this is exactly what is represented in these two works. Memorial Bridge seems to capture the essence of human effort. This nearly impressionistic piece depicts a scene in which workers are constructing a bridge in the foreground. Receding into the horizon is what looks to be a highly industrialized city (for 1932) , with smoke rising into the air from factory smokestacks. The fact that parts of this piece seem to be painted in an impasto fashion, coupled with the rather bland colors that make up the piece, leads to the idea of â€Å"slow but steady† movement. Indeed, when I look at this piece, I feel as though I am included in this group of workers, helping them to overcome the obstacle of constructing this bridge. If the background goes to show what this city has already accomplished, the foreground tells me that the work is still in progress. In fact, I am led to the idea that our work is â€Å"never done†; we continually strive for bigger and bigger challenges. Only our blood, sweat, and tears stand in the way of g reat material accomplishments. The second painting, by Peters, also represents the idea of human effort. The technique used to paint this picture seems to be very calculated, but simple, hinting that this tectonic painting is about the mind. The huge suspension bridge that is shown seems to disappear into the vastness of the blue sky, reminding me of the old saying â€Å"The sky’s the limit†, even though this no longer holds true (the picture’s point exactly!). This directly leads to the conclusion that this piece is about the abilities of the human mind to overcome problems. The suspension bridge was a rather new invention at the time this piece was painted, leading me to believe that Peters probably looked on this architectural giant as we would look at a space shuttle today (i.

Business: It’s Nature and Environment Essay

Offering a unique look at interior design, Materials and Components of Interior Architecture, Seventh Edition fully covers the nonstructural materials available to interior designers. With an eye on the environment, it provides a firm understanding of the products, properties, and uses of all materials, from floors, walls and ceilings to installation, and recycling. Going beyond paint and carpet, it explores over 27 different floorings and devotes separate chapters to kitchens and baths. Filled with  the latest information provided directly from the suppliers, it helps readers think knowledgably and creatively about the â€Å"nuts and bolts† of interior design—both in terms of structure and style. With an eye on the environment, it provides a firm understanding of the products, properties, and uses of all materials, covering everything from floors, walls and ceiling to installation, and recycling. Progressing from the ground up—literally—it looks beyond the more decorative aspects of design to study the properties and uses of both finishing materials in the design field and structural materials in the architectural field. For interior designers and specifiers. Book Description The fourth edition of STRATEGIC LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT is an excellent balance of theory and practical application and continues to include state-of-the-art logistics information and technology. This is one of the few books to have a view of logistics from a marketing perspective. In  addition, it integrates the areas of logistics, marketing, finance, accounting, technology and manufacturing. Extensive coverage of customer satisfaction, global issues, and accounting/finance issues are incorporated throughout the text as well as in separate chapters. Examples of â€Å"real world† illustrations of concepts are also included in each chapter. This book has been extensively revised and updated in the areas of technology, global coverage, and transportation. From the Author A number of important topics not covered in many other logistics texts, or covered only superficially, are given significant treatment in this book, including: supply chain management, measuring and selling the value of logistics, order processing and management information systems; e-commerce and the Internet; reverse logistics and packaging; financial control of logistics performance; logistics organizations; and global logistics. Our goal in covering these topics in addition to the traditional activities is to provide readers with a grasp of the total picture of logistics within the context of supply chain management processes. There are a number of worthwhile improvements in the fourth edition. We have included many more references and examples from general business and other literature because of the impact of logistics on a variety of business processes. This edition covers the academic and trade literature in the area of logistics extensively, and includes the most up-to-date information and examples. Readers will notice the significant number of citations from the year 2000. We have retained those elements that are â€Å"timeless† and those that made the previous editions successful. About the Author James R. Stock  is Professor of Marketing and Logistics at the College of Business Administration, University of South Florida. Dr. Stock held previous faculty appointments at Michigan State University, University of Oklahoma, and the University of Notre Dame. From 1986 to 1988 he held the position of Distinguished Visiting Professor of Logistics Management, School of Systems and Logistics, at the Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson  Air Force Base. Dr. Stock is the author or co-author of over 90 publications including books, monographs, articles, and proceedings papers. He is author of Development and Implementation of Reverse Logistics Programs and Reverse Logistics; co-author of Distribution Consultants: A Managerial Guide to Their Identification, Selection, and Use; and co-author of Fundamentals of Logistics Management. He currently serves as editor of the International journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management. He received the Armitage Medal (1988) f! rom the SOLE—The International Society of Logistics in recognition of his scholarly contributions to the discipline. His areas of expertise include reverse logistics, supply chain management, and the marketing-logistics interface. He has lectured on various logistics topics throughout Europe and Africa. Dr. Stock holds BS and MBA degrees from the University of Miami (Florida) and the Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. Douglas M. Lambert  is the the Raymond E. Mason Professor of Transportation and Logistics and Director of The Global Supply Chain Forum, Fisher College of Business, The Ohio State University. He is also the Prime F. Osborn III Eminent Scholar Chair in Transportation, Professor of Marketing and Logistics, and Director of The International Center for Competitive Excellence at the College of Business Administrati on, University of North Florida. From 1983 to 1985 he was PepsiCo Professor of Marketing at Michigan State University. Dr. Lambert has served as a faculty member for over 500 executive development programs in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australasia and he has given more than 100 presentations to professional associations around the world. He is the author of The Development of an Inventory Costing Methodology, The Distribution Channels Decision, The Product Abandonment Decision and co-author of Management in Marketing Channels, Fundamentals of Logistics Management, Str! ategic Logistics Management, and Supply Chain Directions for a New North America. He has authored or co-authored more than 150 publications. In 1986 Dr. Lambert received the Council of Logistics Management’s Distinguished Service Award, â€Å"the highest honor that can be bestowed on an individual for achievement in the physical distribution/logistics industry,† for his contributions to logistics management and has also received CLM’s Founders Award (1997) and Doctoral  Research Grant (1975). He holds an honors BA and MBA from the University of Western Ontario and a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. Dr. Lambert is co-editor of The International Journal of Logistics Management.

Rainforest Depletion essays

Rainforest Depletion essays Long ago, the Earth had a green belt of rain forests around its middle that covered almost twelve percent of the earth's land surface.(Miller we can no longer use the excuse of ignorance."(Hammond 2) People need to try harder to stop rain forest depletion. There are two major areas on earth where rain forests are located. One of these areas is called "The Old World Tropics," which includes Africa and Asia. In Africa, the rain forests are primarily located around the Zaire river. The other area in which rain forests are located is called "The New World Tropics," which contains Central and South America. The New World tropics are in lower altitudes as opposed to the Old World tropics, which are at higher altitudes. Rain forests are located around the equator. This location of the rain forests makes them warm and humid all year round. There are never cold winters in the rain forests. During winter in the rain forests, people comfortably are able to wear T-shirts and shorts. The rain forest has a rainy season which usually lasts most of the year. "The rain forests of the world are home to more than half of the animal species that live on earth."(CSIRO 1) Many of these creatures are some of the most beautiful and odd creatures in the world, Such as the large rodent Capybara, the Anteater, and many different colorful exotic birds. There are many beautiful creatures living in our Earth's rain forests. Many people are ignorant to the effects of rain forest depletion on our environment, and this ignorance is a major cause in the beginning of the destruction of the rain forests. "E...

Public Service Essays

Public Service Essays Public Service Essay Public Service Essay Problem with the audience , problem with you etc. Barriers can exist in operation and non-operational situations. Operational situations would rest upon the public service involved. MM An operational situation for the police service might be attending a car crash and for the army it might be a unit in Afghanistan involved in a skirmish with the Taliban. An example of non-operational situation might be when a police officer attends a briefing. Listening Effective Listening Skills Detective listening Skills Is playing attention to want Is Dealing Sal a Decease important information can be picked up through a conversation at any time.

Inflation & Unemployment essays

Inflation & Unemployment essays Assess the Relative Costs of Unemployment Inflation is a persistent increase in the level of prices in an economy; the Retail Price Index (RPI) usually measures it, which is a measure of changes in the prices of consumer goods bought in the UK. Inflation can be caused by: too much demand in the economy. This is called demand-pull inflation, e.g. the UK in the 1980s. If demand increases and firms cannot produce enough output, they will increase their prices. higher costs forcing firms to increase their prices. This is called cost-push inflation, e.g. as happened in Western Europe in the 1970s when oil prices increased. excessive growth of the money supply. RPIX is sometimes known as the underlying or target rate of inflation. It is the RPI minus mortgage interest payments. The RPIY is the RPI minus not only mortgage interest payments but also local authority taxes and indirect taxes. The advantage of this measure is that it shows the underlying inflation rate undistorted by changes in interest rate and taxation. A low and steady rate of inflation provides a number of benefits for a country, in particular that of enabling businesses to forward plan with confidence. However a country with a rapidly rising inflation rate in excess of that its main trading partners will be likely to experience a number of problems, such as: redistribution of income some groups whose earnings are not linked to inflation will find their real earnings fall (e.g. employers with weak bargaining power, such as shop assistants). menu costs e.g. the costs of changing the prices in publicity material, displays, and slot machines. shoe leather costs with inflation, households and firms will have to search for good returns from their savings to protect their real earnings. This involves costs called shoe leather costs. planning difficultie...

Review of litterature Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Review of litterature - Term Paper Example Public health seeks to address health concerns for human populations. It addresses the collectivity of individual persons within a society to make up the entire society that is then referred to as the public. In this context, epidemiology deals with the prevention and control of disease for the benefit of the human population or the public for that matter (Savitz, Poole & Miller, 1999). Essentially, this definition dictates the application of epidemiology in addressing public heath matter. This is to say, the scope of epidemiology in the public health context is limited to the cause and effect relationship of disease variables that pose health risks to the public. Epidemiology as process is integrated in research work to come up with up to date information about disease trends and prevalence in the public domain. In this line, epidemiology becomes a research technique that aids the process of addressing public health concerns. It is important to point out that public health does not only deal with addressing existing and emerging public health issues, but also alleviating risk factors that are likely to result in public health issues (Kelsey, et al., 1996). In this respect, epidemiology guides the activities and practices of epidemiologists and other involved stakeholders. Epidemiology is also regarded as scientific field that generates knowledge bases that are significantly utilized in public health domains. The generated knowledge base is due for application in evaluating and analyzing epidemiologic evidence in a context within or without science. Amid this, criticisms mount on epidemiology as scholars work to link epidemiology to an applied aspect of public health. However, the common denominator is that epidemiology has a substantial role to play in enhancing public health prospects. Research into epidemiology and all its influencing variables essentially lead to

Affect Social Network and Technology in Our Life Research Paper

Affect Social Network and Technology in Our Life - Research Paper Example In this research text, three articles will be evaluated on their mode of expressing the effects of social networking on our lives in which most of them highlight communication and socializing as being the most affected aspects of human life. Quan-Haase’s (2012) book provides both positive and negative aspects of technology and social networking as they affect human lives. It evaluates both sides of the issue, addressing what technology and social networking adds or deducts from our lives. On the positive note, it states that these two have reduced the social constraints caused by say geography, distance, and schedule in which case they enable the world to function like a small town where talking to anyone around the world is so easy. The internet has become a social tool for communication as there are emails, instant messengers, and distribution lists amongst others. These, unlike the traditional means of communication, enable one to expand their friend circles faster, make coordination easier, bring strangers together and all these come readily at a reduced cost. To support this, she defines a study conducted in Australia which suggested that the people who lived before television was available were less sociabl e. On the other hand, she evaluates the negative aspects of the same, adding that depending on use, these two can be hindrances to socializing. To support her argument, she give examples such as how an adult can spend hours during a weekend sitting down and just scrolling through their computers, consuming time which could have otherwise been used for one on one engagement with real people. They suggest that people should cut down on their use of technology and social networks so that they do not replace what should be done naturally. According to Rozenblum & Bates (2013), social networking and technology have contributed greatly

Health final project Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Health final project - Research Paper Example The hazards of obesity can lead to several problems that affect your health, including diabetes heart disease, sleep apnea, cancer, high blood pressure and gerd. The danger with these diseases is dependent on how long you have been obese, what other health conditions you may have as well as connections with your overall health. If you want to ensure that you remain healthy, then fighting obesity can help you to overcome further health complications. The epidemic is one which is now by different types of obesity. The diagnosis is based on how much body fat an individual carries, compared to the percentage of muscle in the body. If this goes over recommended levels by a certain amount, then you also fall into a specific type of obesity. You can measure your obesity level through the following chart. If you are overweight or obese, you can easily find a cure to prevent future problems and diseases. By beginning to fight obesity, you will be able to enjoy life, prevent health problems and can take yourself out of the statistics of obesity. While the percentages are high for those that are fighting obesity, the epidemic can be overcome. The first step is to understand obesity and the several factors which cause the problem by following the following checklist: If you want to know more about how to overcome obesity, then you want to start by not being alone. The rise in the epidemic has led to several support centers that are willing to help you understand more about obesity as well as how to overcome this problem. You can begin by visiting the OAC, or the Obesity Action Coalition. This website can help you to understand the complexities of obesity, as well as how to overcome the problem. By working with others who understand obesity, you can easily begin to overcome obesity while moving into a healthy lifestyle. To start overcoming obesity, you can look at

LeBronomics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

LeBronomics - Essay Example According to the speakers there is a â€Å"shadowy-underworld market† where the real market price is derived. When a black market exists, the cost to the government can be measure in terms of foregone tax income. Moreover, information regarding black markets is unavailable to the policy makers. Therefore the income derived from black market operations is excluded from national accounting such as calculation of the GDP. Predictability of the economic data can decrease due to black market operations. Therefore, the efficiency and effectiveness of the government policies also decreases. These can be considered as the social costs of black market operations. Unavailability of information is a typical characteristic of the black markets. According to the speakers there are agents who buy the tickets to basket ball games and resell them at a higher price and earn a profit. It is unclear how many middle men are involved in the market chain and whether LeBron James’s income ref lects the actual price of tickets sold in the secondary market. Nevertheless the speakers claim that like in other markets â€Å"risk and uncertainty† affect the secondary market operation of basket ball tickets in the USA. The second approach discussed in the podcast involved utility concept. It measures the sold benefits as well as the non market values. Example, the local community gains utility when LeBron James lives in their city. Therefore, he adds value to the Gross National Happiness of the economy. Moreover, viewers gain utility by meeting friends, and associates at the basket ball games. Therefore, LeBron James adds various utilities to the economy that cannot be quantified absolutely. In economics utility is measured by a hypothetical unit called the utile. The absolute utile value which is gained by watching LeBron James playing basket ball is impossible to define however, a

The Impact of Cause Related Marketing on Consumers Research Paper

The Impact of Cause Related Marketing on Consumers - Research Paper Example These will be presented below. This study employs the descriptive research method, which uses observation, interviews and surveys. In this method, it is possible that the study would be convenient and quick since this paper aims to determine the role of training in cultivating corporate culture in managing quality. Descriptive research could also suggest unanticipated hypotheses. Nonetheless, it would be very hard to rule out alternative explanations and especially infer causations. Thus, in this paper it is practical and reliable to use this kind of research approach. This descriptive type of research also utilises observations in the study. To illustrate the descriptive type of research, Creswell (1994) will guide the researcher when he stated: Descriptive method of research is to gather information about the present existing condition. The purpose of employing this method is to describe the nature of a situation, as it exists at the time of the study and to explore the cause/s of particular phenomena. The rese archer opted to use this kind of research considering the desire of the researcher to obtain first hand information from the interviewees so as to formulate rational and sound conclusions and recommendations for the study. All research will possibly involve categorical or numerical data or data that can be use for analysis to help the researcher answer the research questions (Saunders, Lewis,& Thornhill, 2004). Moreover, Saunders et al (2004), defined quantitative as a type of empirical knowledge. Actually, qualitative data are described in expressions of quality (Saunders et al, 2004). Qualitative is the converse of quantitative, which more precisely describes data in terms of quantity (that is, using 'formal' numerical measurement). In connection to this, this chapter will discuss the research approach, information-gathering method, perspective of the research, the research plan, unit of analysis, the respondents of the study, design of interviewing guidelines, validation of the instrument, data representative and reliability, and statistical treatment of data. Research Approach The research described in this document is based fundamentally on both qualitative and quantitative research methods. This permits a flexible and iterative approach. During data gathering the choice and design of methods are constantly modified, based on ongoing analysis. This allows investigation of important new issues and questions as they arise, and allows the investigators to drop unproductive areas of research from the original research plan. Basically, quantitative method is compatible with this study because it allows the research problem to be conducted in a very specific and set terms (Frankfort-Nachmias and Nachmias, 1992). Besides, quantitative research plainly and distinctively specifies both the independent and the dependent variables under investigation (Matveev, 2002). It also follows resolutely the original set of research goals, arriving at more objective conclusions, testing hypothesis, determining the issues of causality and eliminates or minimizes subjectivity of judgment (Matveev, 2002). Furthermore, this method allows for longitudinal

Improving Health Insurance Market from Nursing Perspective Term Paper

Improving Health Insurance Market from Nursing Perspective - Term Paper Example This search for lower costs in the labor for providing these services will translate into nursing services taking up additional responsibilities in the providing of health care services at least in the community settings. Though not all medical professionals agree to the taking up additional responsibilities by nursing services in the provision of healthcare services, nevertheless there is enough evidence to show that there is no deficiency in the quality of healthcare services provided by nursing services in nursing independent care settings. Reducing costs of health care and providing more access to health as the means to improving the healthcare insurance market will require a greater role for nursing services and quite likely as independent services in the community settings. In conclusion, health insurance started in America in the 1930s under skepticism on its success. Since that time health insurance has become the way by which people meet the costs of health care needs. Howev er, this growth has come at the cost of high costs of health care and the poor accessibility to health care. Factors intrinsic and extrinsic to the health insurance industry have led to this situation in the healthcare industry, which has led to the need of the hour being improvements in the healthcare insurance market, with particular emphasis on lowering health care costs and enhancing access. Nursing services can and will play an important role in the efforts to improve the health insurance market.... nwards private insurers did provide accident, burial, and sickness policies, while some of the railroad, mining, and timber companies provided workplace health benefits. However, health insurance in its complete form and in an organized manner took root from the 1930s onwards. Against a backdrop of skepticism prior to World War II of a greater proportion of commercial insurers that hospital and medical costs were an insurable risk, health insurers did offer accident, burial and in America became a reality through the efforts of Blue Cross in the mid 1930s. The success that Blue cross achieved in its health insurance offerings brought competitors into play to share in the health insurance pie in America. This rising potent competition resulted in the erosion of market share of Blue Cross and changed the competitive scenario of the health insurance market. The health insurance market now consisted of the non-profit organizations of Blue Cross or Blue Shield and the for-profit commercia l health insurers (Austin & Hungerford, 2009). Towards the end of the 1950s health insurance had become a standard component of the compensation offered by most of the large employers in America. The Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (FEHBP) which was created by Congress made available to federal workers across the country Blue Cross and Blue Shield health insurance benefits. However, this was the period of time when for the first time a sharp increase in health care costs were experienced. Fuelling this were several reasons that included emergence of new hospitals; growing capital intensity for providing inpatient care; the change from, flat-rate per diem reimbursement for hospitals to full cost payment; and the widening of health insurance benefits that enhanced the ability of

LeBronomics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

LeBronomics - Essay Example According to the speakers there is a â€Å"shadowy-underworld market† where the real market price is derived. When a black market exists, the cost to the government can be measure in terms of foregone tax income. Moreover, information regarding black markets is unavailable to the policy makers. Therefore the income derived from black market operations is excluded from national accounting such as calculation of the GDP. Predictability of the economic data can decrease due to black market operations. Therefore, the efficiency and effectiveness of the government policies also decreases. These can be considered as the social costs of black market operations. Unavailability of information is a typical characteristic of the black markets. According to the speakers there are agents who buy the tickets to basket ball games and resell them at a higher price and earn a profit. It is unclear how many middle men are involved in the market chain and whether LeBron James’s income ref lects the actual price of tickets sold in the secondary market. Nevertheless the speakers claim that like in other markets â€Å"risk and uncertainty† affect the secondary market operation of basket ball tickets in the USA. The second approach discussed in the podcast involved utility concept. It measures the sold benefits as well as the non market values. Example, the local community gains utility when LeBron James lives in their city. Therefore, he adds value to the Gross National Happiness of the economy. Moreover, viewers gain utility by meeting friends, and associates at the basket ball games. Therefore, LeBron James adds various utilities to the economy that cannot be quantified absolutely. In economics utility is measured by a hypothetical unit called the utile. The absolute utile value which is gained by watching LeBron James playing basket ball is impossible to define however, a

Improving Health Insurance Market from Nursing Perspective Term Paper

Improving Health Insurance Market from Nursing Perspective - Term Paper Example This search for lower costs in the labor for providing these services will translate into nursing services taking up additional responsibilities in the providing of health care services at least in the community settings. Though not all medical professionals agree to the taking up additional responsibilities by nursing services in the provision of healthcare services, nevertheless there is enough evidence to show that there is no deficiency in the quality of healthcare services provided by nursing services in nursing independent care settings. Reducing costs of health care and providing more access to health as the means to improving the healthcare insurance market will require a greater role for nursing services and quite likely as independent services in the community settings. In conclusion, health insurance started in America in the 1930s under skepticism on its success. Since that time health insurance has become the way by which people meet the costs of health care needs. Howev er, this growth has come at the cost of high costs of health care and the poor accessibility to health care. Factors intrinsic and extrinsic to the health insurance industry have led to this situation in the healthcare industry, which has led to the need of the hour being improvements in the healthcare insurance market, with particular emphasis on lowering health care costs and enhancing access. Nursing services can and will play an important role in the efforts to improve the health insurance market.... nwards private insurers did provide accident, burial, and sickness policies, while some of the railroad, mining, and timber companies provided workplace health benefits. However, health insurance in its complete form and in an organized manner took root from the 1930s onwards. Against a backdrop of skepticism prior to World War II of a greater proportion of commercial insurers that hospital and medical costs were an insurable risk, health insurers did offer accident, burial and in America became a reality through the efforts of Blue Cross in the mid 1930s. The success that Blue cross achieved in its health insurance offerings brought competitors into play to share in the health insurance pie in America. This rising potent competition resulted in the erosion of market share of Blue Cross and changed the competitive scenario of the health insurance market. The health insurance market now consisted of the non-profit organizations of Blue Cross or Blue Shield and the for-profit commercia l health insurers (Austin & Hungerford, 2009). Towards the end of the 1950s health insurance had become a standard component of the compensation offered by most of the large employers in America. The Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (FEHBP) which was created by Congress made available to federal workers across the country Blue Cross and Blue Shield health insurance benefits. However, this was the period of time when for the first time a sharp increase in health care costs were experienced. Fuelling this were several reasons that included emergence of new hospitals; growing capital intensity for providing inpatient care; the change from, flat-rate per diem reimbursement for hospitals to full cost payment; and the widening of health insurance benefits that enhanced the ability of

Salient Features of Juvenile Justice Act, 2006 Essay Example for Free

Salient Features of Juvenile Justice Act, 2006 Essay The first central legislation on Juvenile Justice was passed in 1986, by the Union Parliament, providing a uniform law on juvenile justice for the entire country. Prior to this law each state had its own enactment on juvenile justice with there being differences in the way juveniles were treated by different state legal systems. The Juvenile Justice Act was thus passed to provide care, protection, treatment, development and rehabilitation of neglected or delinquent juveniles and for the settlement of certain matters related to and disposition of delinquent juveniles There are certain guiding principles which need to be adhered to in the administration of juvenile justice and they form the basis on which the Act and the Rules are formed. The juvenile justice functionaries should abide by the following fundamental principles in order to understand the Act, interpret according to the situation in which the child is taken into custody and most importantly contribute to better and effective implementation of the Act. They are basically drawn from all the national and international standards pertaining to children wherein a strong impetus is given to the fulfillment and protection of the child’s rights. Emphasis is also laid on reintegration of the child into the family system to ensure proper care and protection from all kinds of exploitative situations Principles to be followed in administration of the rules: Principle of presumption of innocence Principle of dignity and worth Principle of Right to be heard: Principle of Best Interest: Principle of family responsibility: Principle of Safety (no harm, no abuse, no neglect, no exploitation and no maltreatment): Positive measures to promote well being of the child, reduce vulnerabilities and aim at development of child’s identity : Principle of non-stigmatizing semantics, decisions and actions: Principle of non-waiver of rights: Principle of equality and non-discrimination: Principle of right to privacy and confidentiality: Principle of last resort: Principle of repatriation and restoration: Principle of Fresh Start When these principles are adhered to in letter and spirit, it would certainly ensure that every child who comes into contact with the JJ System is assured safety, care, protection and justice. History of Juvenile Justice Legislations in India since 1986 and their specific provisions: 1. Juvenile Justice Act 1986 ï‚ · JJ Act was enacted in pursuance of the Beijing Rules 1985, prior to the CRC Definition of juvenile or child – 16 years for boys and 18 years for girls Children were categorized as delinquent juveniles and neglected juveniles Both categories of children were kept in an Observation Home together pending inquiry Juvenile Welfare Board was formed to deal with the neglected juveniles and the Juvenile Court was the adjudicating authority for the delinquent juvenile The neglected juveniles were in the Juvenile Home and the delinquent juveniles to the Special Home The Government of India ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1992 thereby making it expedient to adhere to the standards prescribed in the Convention. Hence, the 1986 JJ Act had to be reviewed and changes had to be made in order to secure the best interest of the child and focus on social re-integration of the child without resorting to judicial proceedings. The JJ Act 1986 was repealed and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2000 was passed taking into consideration all the International standards prescribed as per the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice, 1985 (Beijing Rules), The UN Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency called the Riyadh Guidelines, 1990 and the United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty (1990) 2. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2000 The Title of the Act stresses on the need for care and protection to both categories of children Uniform age for both boys and girls – any child who has not completed the age of 18 fall within the jurisdiction of the Act to comply with the CRC definition of the child Separation of child in need of care and protection and child in conflict with law Constitution of Child Welfare Committees to deal with children in need of care and protection and Juvenile Justice Boards to handle children in conflict with law The category of children in need of care and protection has been expanded to include victims of armed conflict, natural calamity, civil commotion, child who is found vulnerable and likely to be inducted into drug abuse More legal protection assured for the child in conflict with law – detention to be resorted to as the last option, disqualification of past records and privacy maintained The innovation the law makes with respect to children in need of care and protection is the conceptualization of restoration of the child as being the focal point, with restoration being conceptualized as restoration to parents, adopted parents or foster parents. (Sec39). The law outline four options of restoration for children in children’s homes and special homes which include adoption, foster care, sponsorship and after care 3. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Act, 2006 The JJ Act 2000 was subsequently amended and hereafter referred to as the Principal Act The Amendment Act brought about 26 amendments which are in force This Act forms the legal system and framework for the care, protection, treatment and rehabilitation of children of both categories i. The Objective of the Act: To Lay Down A Legal Structure For The Juvenile Justice System In The Country To Provide A Special Approach To The Protection And Treatment Of Juveniles To outline the machinery and infrastructure required for the care, protection, treatment, development and rehabilitation of juveniles To establish norms and standards for administration of juvenile justice To establish linkages and co-ordination between the formal system of juvenile justice and voluntary efforts in the welfare of juveniles To constitute special offences in relation to juveniles and provide punishment. ii. Salient features of JJA: 1. a. The Act known as ‘The Reformatory Act’ deals with two categories of children, namely children in need of care and protection and children in conflict with the law. b. The competent authority to deal with children in need of care and protection is the Child Welfare Committee which constitutes a Chairperson and four other members, one of whom atleast should be a woman. Chapter IV of this Module would focus in detail about Children in need of care and protection and the functioning of the CWC in rehabilitation and disposition of cases c. Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) is the competent authority to deal with children in conflict with law which comprises of three members. The Chairperson of the Board should be a First Class Judicial Magistrate and two honorary social workers out of whom atleast one should be a woman. Special provisions for children in conflict with law and the responsibilities of the Board are discussed in detail in Chapter III of this Module. 2. The Act provides for the establishment of various kinds of Institutions such as Children’s Home for the reception of child in need of care and protection. Special Homes for the reception of child in conflict with law Observation Homes which are meant for the temporary reception of children during the pendency of any inquiry. After-care Organizations which are meant for the purpose of taking care of children after they have been discharged from Children’s Home or Special Homes. 3. A few sections in the Act (Sec 23 – 26) are focused on the offences committed by anyone against a child such as assault, causing mental or physical suffering and employment of a child which are considered as non bailable offences. iii. Rules under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2000 (56 of 2000) and the Amendment Act 33 of 2006): The Ministry of Women and Child Development at New Delhi, the 26th day of October, 2007 notified the Model Rules under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2000 and the Amendment Act 2006 to be administered by the States for better implementation and administration of the provisions of the Act in its true spirit and substance. These rules called the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Rules, 2007 has come into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette and these Rules will be conformed to until the concerned State Government formulates Rules specific for the State with effect to implementation of the JJ Act. The Act in Section 68 prescribes various areas wherein the Rules can be applied to for better implementation of the Act, specifically with management of the homes, standards to be adhered to, roles and responsibilities of the JJ functionaries, procedures and functioning of the competent authorities, rehabilitation mechanism and operation of JJ Fund. It is recommended that the Act is implemented in line with the Rules to promote better understanding of the Act in order to benefit the children who come in contact with the JJ System.

Buoyancy of an Orange: Analysis

Buoyancy of an Orange: Analysis Joseph Wong Brendan Mullins Nathan Shoemaker Mike Dorazio Abdul Aldualeg Guillermo Venancio Buoyancy is the upward force from the water needed to stay afloat. Since pressure increases with depth, there is a higher pressure and the bottom of the volume of fluid than the top. The pressure difference results in a net force that will accelerate an object upward. The magnitude of the force is proportional to the pressure difference and is equal to the weight of the displaced fluid, which is a property explained in Archimedes’ Principle. The first person to realize a concept that related to buoyant forces was Archimedes. Archimedes stated the basic concept of buoyant forces in his famous Archimedes’ Principle, which states that the weight of the fluid that anybody displaces when submerged either partially or fully, is equal to the buoyant force exerted on said body. This buoyant force is what allows any object to float on the surface of any liquid as long as the buoyant force is large enough of counter the weight of the object; otherwise, it will sink. A good example of this principle is a floating aircraft carrier. Although the ship is made out of heavy steel, it is constructed so that there is a large amount of open space in it to stay afloat. In addition, what determines whether the object is heavier than the buoyant force is its density. Density, by definition, is the mass of the object per unit volume that the object takes up and is denoted by the Greek letter Ï  (rho). Since the buoyant force is equal to the weight of the water displaced by the object, if the submerged object is denser than the water, it will sink because it has a greater weight than the water displaced. In this experiment, we test this theory buy using a common orange. One can think of the peel of an orange like a life jacket that might keep you afloat while in the river. The density indicates how close the atoms of the object are packed together. In the case of an orange, the atoms of the peel are not packed near as closely as the actual fruit, causing it to float when the unpeeled orange is placed in the water. This project involves two oranges, weighing approximately 0.49 pounds each. When dropped in water, it can be observed that both oranges float when they are unpeeled. In an orange, the peel is a spongy material and has tiny pockets of air, which makes the density of orange less than the density of the water, in turn, causing it to float. When the second orange is peeled and dropped in water, it sinks to the bottom of the container. This simple experiment is a great way to demonstrate buoyancy and density. The orange is enclosed in a porous rind, which has a spongy look and feel and contains air pockets, which help to provide buoyancy to the floating orange. When the unpeeled orange is put into the water then the air pockets of the rind fill themselves with air, the submerged orange is activated as a life jacket, the orange is saved from drowning into the water, and it floats on the surface. The similar concept is used in the life jackets, which help the humans to stay afloat in the waters. All the people riding on the boats or travelling in the sea are educated and advised to have a Personal Floating Device (PFD) with them so that in case of emergencies they can be save d from any kind of mishap. It is very interesting to note here that most of the deaths that occur on the waters are not far away from the shore but they occur quite near the shore, on the inland waters within a radius of about a 50 m from the shore due to the sheer negligence of the swimmers because of their insistence on not wearing a life jacket. The thing to note here is that the efficiency and the coverage of the state on the waters is so amazing that the state does not allow any passenger on the waters to stay on board without a life jacket. There is an exemption to the passengers if they are staying in the cabin or any other closed place on a boat. The state offers a guidebook for the travelers and the passengers on the waters and it clearly states and advises the presence and wearing life jackets so no loss of any kind or any other harm can take place. So, what is in a life jacket that it has become a serious part of any passenger’s life that commences his trip on the waters? The life jacket provides the extra buoyancy needed for the person to stay afloat and save himself from drowning. The life jacket is filled with air on the inner side, which helps to control the relationship b/w the buoyant force and that of the person floating. It helps to carry the weight of the person floating above the water so that his or her weight does not become a serious concern and drowns the person. Gone are the times when one would have to wear inflated life jackets that were also heavy and bulky and were also a problem for the person to wear and be comfortable with it, with each passing day the scientists are very much concerned about the welfare and well-being of the people so they are developing new up to the mark jackets that are easy to wear, inflate themselves in water, are very comfortable with huge arm outlets to ease the movement in the waters. Nowadays one has to ensure the presence of different personal floating devices for different purposes i.e. for inland water use, for staying on board, for float purposes. The life jacket is not a fit for all object, it is to be chosen for people of different ages and sizes. It provides inflation according to the buoyant force needed for the person to stay afloat. One of the biggest advantages of having a life jacket is that it comes in shiny colors that are visible for the rescue staff and it is easier for them to save the drowning or in danger person. On board staff are advised to have some floating aid for the people drowning in the waters so that they can provide support to them in the hour of need and can save a human life with the instant aid. The state ensures that all the people must have some sort of floating aid and for that, the lifeguards as well as the coast guards are advised to ensure the usage of the life jackets and their presence on the boat. Caring about the life jacket is a very important part. The life jacket that is not in a good shape and is torn or have some cuts on it can be of great danger to the user as it can cause the drowning so the life jacket must be properly checked and it should be ensured that they work properly before someone takes a dive into the waters. The safety of the person depends a lot on the reliability of the device that is being employed to save the person from drowning. The basic thing needed for the proper use of the life jackets and their importance in saving the lives of many is conveying the proper education and information to the people on board and to those venturing the waters for any reason whatsoever. The lifeguards and the coast guards should give proper lessons to all the people around the waters. They should arrange a session for all the people that are new to the waters so that their lives can be saved by just a simple precaution of wearing a life jacket. It is easier to save so many just by educating them because every life matters. It can be summarized as the buoyant force generated in case of an orange residing on the surface of the water is basically given by the rind of the fruit which has air pockets and when the fruit is submerged into the water then air pockets are full and the necessary buoyant force is applicable to the weight of the orange and it stays afloat. Life jackets are a useful part of the people travelling on shore and it has to stay with them in the hour of need so that they can save themselves from any difficulty on staying above water or any other danger of drowning. There should be education concerning the proper use of the personal assistance device which helps is saving lives. In addition, the people associated with the business should be given proper instruction to ensure the use of the device. Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buoyancy http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/water-sports/life-jacket1.htm http://www.ehow.com/info_12045878_science-projects-kids-floating-oranges.html

A Raisin in the Sun Essay -- Character Analysis, Walter

A dream is a wish that someone hopes to fulfill in their lifetime, or in the near future. The American dream is interpreted in multiple ways, and even though this is true, the structure of the American Dream is the same. When talking about the American Dream, most people think of families thriving together and succeeding in what they want to do. The American dream is based on freedom, justice, success, and in socioeconomic terms. In A Raisin in the Sun, the Younger family have different dreams and all of them felt that their dream is more important than their families’ dreams. Most of the members of the Younger family face difficulties in achieving their dream, but only a few will accomplish this. The value and purpose of the Younger family’s individual dreams and values are crucial to them because of the effect it has on them, but their ultimate American dream is happiness for the family. Big Walter had lots of values for his race and worked very hard for those values to ensure happiness for his family. The American dream was a dim reality because of the harsh working conditions of Chicago blacks in the 1920’s (M’baye 175). This is how mama sees Big Walter, as a courageous man who fought all his life to secure a happy future for his family. As M’baye states, â€Å"Big Walter’s life was a constant struggle against a personal sorrow and a hostile economic and social world that discriminated against him† (175). Big Walter has the most dignity for his family and his actual dream is the happiness of his family. Mama always mentions Big Walter in the story every time Walter or Beneatha does something that she thinks is wrong. Mama says that Big Walter hated domestic jobs and that farming and... ... sick people—then go be a nurse like other women—or just get married and be quiet† (Hansberry 38). The value of every dream is crucial to every member of the Younger family because of the effect it has them, but it is the family dream to own a house that hold them together. At the end of the story, Mama convinced Walter that buying the house was important for the family because the thought of living in the apartment for the rest of their lives was unbearable. Big Walter had to fight and was struggling to achieve his dream of buying a house, which ended up becoming the families dream. Walter’s dream interfered with Beneatha’s dream, and the families dream. This had a major impact on everyone’s life, especially after Walter lost the money. In the end, the Younger family was all happy about Walter’s decision. That is the Younger family American dream.

Xenotransplantation Essay -- Medical Research Transplant Donor Essays

Xenotransplantation Physicians today are faced with a growing list of patients awaiting transplants for organs that have failed, but there are not enough donors to meet these needs. Countries all over the world have a â€Å"human organ shortage† and the waiting lists for organ transplants only seem to grow longer (Melo 427). In the United States 62,000 patients needed a kidney, liver, or pancreatic transplant in the year 2001. Xenotransplantation, which refers to the transplantation of organs, cells, or tissues from animal species into human beings, has been heralded as a promising technology that will help us save more lives and lessen the dire shortage of transplantable organs. Organs from pigs, goats, monkeys, chimpanzees, and baboons have been used in xenotransplant experiments conducted so far. It promises to be a good treatment option for patients with end-stage organ failure (Williams 12). The transplant surgery could be scheduled at the patient’s convenience rather than scheduling an emergency surgery as soon as the human donor is found. Patients would be able to receive transplants when they first need them rather than having to wait until a transplant is the only remaining option that can save their lives. When transplants are conducted earlier, the patient will be stronger and have a better chance of recovering. Xenotransplantation appears to have several advantages as a medical procedure, but like any medical procedure it is not without its risks. Before we embrace xenotransplantation as yet another boon of science, we need to consider the ethical dilemmas surrounding this medical technology. History of Xenotransplantation The concept of using animal organs in human beings is not a new one. On... ... Xenotransplantation.† Bioethics. 2001 Vol 15 Number5/6. Nelson, James Lindemann. â€Å"Transplantation through a Glass Darkly.† Hastings Center Report. Sept-Oct 1992: 6-8. [Online] http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/GEessays/Transplantation.htm â€Å"The Ethical Implications of Xenotransplantation.† American Medical Association. CEJA Reports 2000-2002. [Online] http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/upload/mm/369/ceja_report_113.pdf Veatch, Robert M. The Basics of Bioethics. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2000. Williams, Rebecca D. â€Å"Organ Transplants from Animals.† FDA Consumer. June 1996, Vol 30 Issue 5. [Online] http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/596_xeno.html Windsor, Roger G. â€Å"Spare Body Parts from Animals.† Spectrum: The Wholistic News Magazine. Mar-Apr 1997. â€Å"Xenotransplantation.† Natural Life. Jan-Feb 2000, Issue 71. [Online] http://www.life.ca/nl/71/xeno.html

Changing Attitude Towards Child Sex Preference Essay

This paper focuses on the intensity of preference for sons over daughters in anticipation of old age security both physically and financially, and its impact on the care and support/ well-being of the elderly in Nigeria in general, and in particular among the Yoruba of Southwest. The paper examines the impact of social change on child sex preference as old age security. Before delving into the theme of the paper, the concept of social change was briefly discussed. The reasons for having children generally are discussed, child sex preference among the elderly were equally analyzed; the pattern it took before now, the changes that have occurred and the attitude of parents toward child sex preference as old age security in the contemporary Nigerian society were equally examined. The effects of sex preference and other socio-economic factors on the status of the elderly and its implications for the family were mentioned. Various literature and theoretical models on the subject matter were reviewed and finally, a general conclusion was drawn. Introduction Startling transformations have occurred all over the world, particularly on the mode of caring and supporting of older persons and there are a number of important issues, which arise as a result of these transformations and the major structural shift in the population. One of these issues is the concern of social gerontologists for the needs of older people for support in the society. Although, it should be mentioned at this uncture that this transformation (that is, social change) affects different people in different ways, depending on sex, location, size of cohort, economic resources (individual, familial and national), norms inherited from the past and individual’s live experiences and personality. For example, marital status and earlier patterns of childbearing are significant factors influencing the nature of the support available in old age. While co-residence of older persons and adult children is common in many developing countries, the tendency worldwide is for this arrangement to become less common. This has direct consequences for economic security, especially in the numerous societies (and particularly, their rural sectors), where pensions are paid only to a small proportion of older persons who are eligible because of earlier employment in the former sectors or few older persons who were able to save or invest for their old age. Even in countries where pensions are more generally available, the burden of an ageing population is increasingly being regarded as unsustainable, particularly since there is an increasing tendency for those able to do so to take early retirement. For many, especially women, there is a real threat of poverty in old-age, and this problem may be exacerbated by social exclusions and the deteriorating health conditions experienced by many older persons particularly, women at more advanced ages. Care of the frail and disabled becomes increasingly problematic, both in terms of stress placed on care providers and care-givers and also the mobilization of the appropriate resources of families, agencies and programmes to meet even the basic needs of older persons. According to Peil (1991), as life expectancy rises, young couples are more likely to be called upon to provide for their older parents than these parents were at the same stage of the life cycle, at a time when increasing emphasis on educating one’s children, rampant inflation and widespread unemployment of young adults make adequate provisions for older parents difficult. The situation among older people without children of their own were even more pathetic. For instance, old people who have no living children tend to risk the chances of isolation and lack of support. Personality is another very crucial factor to be considered; this is because, personality can make considerable difference to the help received. For example, an older person who was hard to get along with is more likely to lack support than the cheerful old person who gets along well with family and neighbours (Peil, 1991). All these are important variables, which determine whether individuals will receive adequate care and support from family and society. It is evident from the various literature that, very little attention has been paid to older people of modern industrializing societies of the world. In Nigeria for example, as well as in most developing countries, the need to plan for the welfare of older persons has received very little attention. There are clear evidences of lack of formal social support services for older people in Nigeria, such as Social Securiy, Pension, Health Insurance Scheme, Old Peoples Home, etc. One of the explanatory factors arises from the belief that the existing extended family system generally protects and provides for the welfare of old people in rural and agricultural societies. Hence, where an older person is childless, his/her brothers or sisters or even the children of his siblings are believed to be responsible for his/her maintenance. This may not be unconnected with why most policies, programmes and projects in the developing countries such as Nigeria have been concentrated on the children and the youths at the expense of older persons in the country. Both national and international organizations are seen working tirelessly on programmes and projects that would benefit the children and the youths, forgetting that the children and the youths of today would be the adult and older persons in the near future. Such beliefs and practices give the impression that the aged, unlike children, represent a discomforting second-order dependency on the younger working generation. But it should be mentioned at this juncture that old people are not always dependent on others for survival. For example, old age may not necessarily symbolize dependency especially in modern Nigeria in which the possession of landed property by older people and access to business opportunities may earn them some income. Hence, while it is generally believed that old people in general depend on the younger people for their survival, it can be equally true that some younger people do depend on such old people for their survival. In fact, some older persons in Nigeria may be rich enough to provide educational assistance for the children of their brothers and sisters as well as their own. Put differently, the prevailing view of older people as a ‘social problem’ emphasizes the ‘burden’ of older people in the population. This negative and blinkered vision has almost entirely neglected the provision of care by older people themselves, although there are some notable exceptions. It should also be said that prevailing ‘social problem’ focus has stigmatized older people as a dependent and unproductive group. This negative stereotyping is partly because of invisibility of informal work as a contribution to society. Older people are givers as well as receivers through their substantial caring for other older people, unpaid domestic work, care for grandchildren and voluntary work. However, it should be mentioned that differences occur between male and female in terms of access to, and possession of wealth in the society. This, in turn, leads to differences in the care and support given and received by older men and women in the society. This we must emphasized has affected older persons’ attitude towards child sex preference as old age security globally and particularly in Nigeria society. A pronounced preference of parents to have male children has been noted in a number of countries, although a desire for a balanced number of sons and daughters is also common (Williamson, 1976; Arnold and Kuo, 1984). Son preference is particularly prevalent in countries with strong patriarchal system or tradition (Cleland, Verrall, and Vaessen, 1983; Cho, Arnold, and Kwon, 1982; Freedman and Coombs, 1994). The extent of son preference has been the subject of considerable discussion and debate in most literature. Sons are preferred for a variety of reasons, including family name propagation, old age security, provision of labour, and the performance of ancestral rites (Wolf, 1985; Zhao and Zhu, 1983). Also, the Fifth National Women’s Congress (1983); Haupt (1983); Li (1982); Liu (1984); Tien (1985); Wolf (1985); all maintained that traditionally, sons were considered advantageous for two economic reasons, namely: support for their parents in old age and the provision of labour for the farm or family business. They argued further that the former is still an important consideration in most societies, despite the recent introduction of some forms of social security. So much has been written about social change that it is really not of much use for us to start a process of seeking definitions. At the level of the daily lives of ordinary citizens, it is even doubtful whether our people are really interested, one way or the other, in what intellectual ideas may really be. It is the manifestations of their collective cynicism towards this concept that one feels ought to worry us, unless we are able to capture the reasons for this drift, we run the risk of merely speaking to ourselves. The concept of social change may mean different things to different people, depending on the available indicators in any given social milieu. Many sociologists view social change in the structure of society or alteration of the social structure (Morris Ginsberg, 1958:205). Others stress that social change is not only a change in the structure, but also in the functioning of society. According to Allen, (1971:39) social change comprises modifications in social systems or subsystems in structure, functioning, or process over some period of time. It should be mentioned at this juncture that quiet a number of scholars have adopted a number of different definitions/approaches to the study of social change at various levels. (For more details see Amitai (1964), Appelbaum (1970), DeVries, (1961), Peter, (1966), Moore & Ogburn, (1922), etc. ) In spite of the cynical attitudes of the people about the concept of social change, effort is made to give a working definition of social change within the context of this paper. Social change within the context of this paper can be defined as he transformation of culture and social institutions over time. It should be mentioned at this juncture that our society has experienced social change over the past two or more centuries. Nigeria, like any other country of the world, has changed particularly, in the area of agriculture, urbanization, industrialization, family/personal relationships. Social change has influenced nearly every aspect of our life. Although, we should also mention here that people are not equally affected by these changes. This is because social change affects different people in different ways, depending on sex, age, work experience, location, class, size of cohort, economic resources (individual, familial and national), norms inherited from the past, individual’s live experiences and personality. All these are important variables, which determine how individuals are advantaged or disadvantaged by their position. Reasons for having children In many Third World countries or societies, having a large family is an eminently rational strategy of survival. Children’s labour particularly that of sons is a vital part of the family economy in many peasant communities of Africa in general, and in Nigeria in particular. Children help on the fields, tend animals, fetch water and wood, and care for their younger brothers and sisters freeing their parents for other tasks. Quite early in life, children’s labour makes them an asset rather than a liability on family income (Betsy Hartman, 1998) . In urban settings, children often earn income as servants, messengers, etc, or else stay at home to care for younger children while their parents’ work. Among the Yoruba community in Nigeria, demographer John Caldwell (1982) found that even urban professional families benefit from many children through ‘sibling assistance chains’. As one child completes education and takes a job, he or she helps younger brothers and sisters move up the educational and employment ladder, thus the connections and the influence of the family spread. Another reason for having many children, according to Cain (1983) is security. According to him, in many Third World societies, the vast majority of the population has no access to insurance schemes, pension plans, or government social security. For instance, in Nigeria, little or nothing is known, said or done about social security, i. e. about how to guarantee the individual against want, poverty, destitution, disease and idleness which may be thrust upon him by the varied hazards and vicissitudes of social life: notably loss or suspension of income or means of sustenance, resulting from sickness, maternity, injury, invalidity, old age, death of a breadwinner or unemployment. According to Nwabueze (1989) there is no clear statement of policy regarding social security and little is spent on it by the state, except in the capacity of the employer. This neglect manifests itself in the hordes of the elderly people engaged in public alms solicitation in our urban cities in the country at large, and most especially in southwestern Nigeria. One of the reasons adduced for the policy neglect is that, children are expected to care for their parents in their old age. Without them, one’s future is endangered. The help of grown up children, particularly male children, can then be crucial in surviving the periodic crisis-illness, drought, floods, food shortages, land disputes, political upheavals, which, unfortunately, punctuate village life in most parts of the world. Folbre (1983) further maintained that, in most developing countries of the world in general, and in Nigeria in particular, son preference can be another important motive for having larger families. The subordination of women means that, economically and socially daughters are less or not valued as highly as sons in many cultures, particularly among the Yoruba of the southwest Nigeria, most especially in the traditional era. Not only does daughters’ domestic work have less prestige, but daughters typically provide fewer years of productive labour to their parents, and leave home to live with their husbands and in-laws shortly after puberty. Son’s preference, combined with high infant and child mortality rates, means that parents must have many children just to ensure that one or two sons survive so as to serve as old-age security, most especially in the face of economic uncertainty. As a corollary to the above point, Lappe et al (1979) maintained that in the 1960s, an Indian couple had to bear an average of 6. 3 children to be confident of having one son who would survive to adulthood. Male dominance in the family, patriarchal social mores, the systematic exclusion of women from the development process, and the absence of decent birth control services combine to force many women into having more children than they want. Put differently, the social environment, in effect, leaves them (women) little or no reproductive choice. Thus, there is tendency among them, to have more children in order to guarantee the future of the lineage. Sex Preferences and Worldwide Patterns Parental preference for sons over daughters is a common phenomenon in many parts of the world. Son preference has been well documented in a large number of countries, including Nigeria. But the degree of such preference varies substantially from one country to another, depending on such factors as the level of economic development, social norms, level of education, cultural and religious practices, marriage and family systems, degree of urbanization, and the nature of social security systems available. The preference for sons tend to be particularly pronounced in developing countries, in rural areas, and among more traditional couples and couples of lower socio-economic status. Although son preference is still common even in many economically developed countries (Bennett, 1983), this preference often exists side by side with parents’ desire to have, at least, one child of each sex. The World Fertility Survey (WFS) found that son preference was moderately strong in Lesotho and the Sudan, and very strong in Jordan and Syria. In Asia, son preference was found to be weak among women from Indonesia (except for the first child). The survey also found a moderate degree of son preference in Malaysia, Thailand, and SriLanka, and son preference was extremely strong in Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and South Korea. The WFS result for Asia generally agrees quite closely with the findings of Williamson (1976), who reviewed the literature on sex preferences throughout the world in the mid 1970s (Arnold and Liu; 1986). Further, son preference has been found to be prevalent in all East Asia and among groups outside of that region that share a heritage of Confucian patriarchal tradition. According to Arnold and Kuo (1984:301), son preference in South Korea and Taiwan is both pervasive and extreme. This finding has been confirmed by a number of other studies (see Williamson, 1976; Coombs and Sun, 1981; Cho, Arnold and Kwon, 1982; Chung, Cha, and Lee, 1974). In spite of the foregoing, it should be mentioned that in some countries, couples exhibit little or no son preference, and there are even a few instances in which a preference for daughters has been documented. For example, WFS found that considerably more women wanted a daughter for their next child than a son in Jamaica and Venezuela (Cleland, Verrall, and Vaessen, 1983). The WFS also found little or no sex preference of any type in most South America countries, in parts of the Caribbean and in Kenya and so on, to mention but a few (Arnold and Liu, 1986). Sex Preference among the Yoruba Concern among the Yoruba of Southwest Nigeria about son preference, as an old age security is a long-standing one. Mao Zedong vividly depicted this problem in a talk with Edgar Snow in 1970. â€Å"In the country side, a woman still wants a boy child. If the first and second babies are girls, she will make another try. If the third one comes and is still a girl, the mother would try again. Pretty soon, there are nine of them, Then, the mother is already over 45 or so and she finally decides to leave it at that† (cited in Katagiri and Terao, 1972:2). A variety of historical, moral, ethical, and economic factors underlie son preference among the Yoruba of Southwest Nigeria. In the past, the male patriarch dominated the family in Nigeria, and the practice of ancestor worship gradually developed. Hence, the patriarchal family structure and the resulting strong preference for sons became institutionalized values among the Yoruba. These traditions also stress the importance of carrying on the family line through male progeny. Traditionally, apart from social prestige and the felt need to continue the family line, the existence of sons among the Yoruba is considered advantageous for two economic reasons. These are, support for their parents in old age and the provision of labour for the farm or family business. The former is still an important consideration in Nigeria in general, and among the Yoruba of Southwest in particular, despite the recent introduction of some forms of social security in Nigeria. Other reasons for sex preference among the Yoruba include son’s financial contribution to the family income; emotional support and the need for sons to meet religious obligations, and so on. Finally, the productive utility of sons is still an important factor underlying son preference among the Yoruba, where traditional notions about the appropriate division of labour by sex are still prevalent. Child Sex Preference, Old Age Security and the Welfare of the Elderly. Income in later life may come from a variety of sources, including earnings, family members, the children, the state or charity. The balance of these sources has shifted over time as a result of social change, modernization, urbanization, westernization, education of women, more women in formal sector of the economy, coupled with the cracks in the extended family tie and introduction of pension systems by government. In particular, older people’s economic reliance on their children or older people’s reliance on their children as old-age security has declined, allowing them the dignity of financial independence of kin. The twenty-first century has seen a dramatic shift in the sources of income of older people in both industrialized and non-industrialized countries of the world, but the changes differ profoundly according to gender. For men, the change has been from mainly earnings to mainly pensions, while for women, the change has mainly been from reliance on family members (particularly the children), to income from private business and the support from the spouse. Heavy reliance on private support and support from spouses have not guaranteed or ensured women’s economic security in later life and this has further led to gender inequality of income among older people (Ginn, 2001). Having said the foregoing, it is germane to mention that the old-age security and child sex (gender) preference are two highly controversial hypotheses regarding the influence of household fertility and welfare in less-developed and developing countries of the world such as Nigeria. The old-age security hypothesis postulates that in environments where parents face uncertainty about the ability to support themselves during old age, they would expect such support from their children (Raut, 1996:81-104). This motive could be strong particularly in rural areas of less-developed or developing countries such as Nigeria, particularly among rural dwellers of the Yoruba of Southwest Nigeria where available resources both financial and physical (materials) tend to yield low or negative interest. Therefore, these are not able to provide for parents’ needed welfare at old age, so that children may provide a more efficient hedge against old age disability risks (Raut, 1985; 1990; 1992; Nerlove and Raut, 1995; Cain, 1981; 1983; Nerlove, Razin, and Sadka, 1987 and Nugent, 1985). The gender preference hypothesis postulates that parents exhibit preference for having children of a particular sex. In most developing or less-developed societies, parents seem to have preference for sons rather than daughters. The preference for sons may be rooted purely in taste and cultural values or it could be the outcome of some economic calculations. For instance, sons generally stay with their parents, while daughters are married off to another household or family, so that sons tend to provide better support in old-age as well as augment current household income. The extent to which the preference for sons occurs as an economic response to underdeveloped capital markets and incomplete risk markets has been a long-standing issue in economic demography literature. Ben Porath and Welch (1976); Heer (1983); and Leung (1988) have examined the consequences of this motive for population growth, and sex ratio. Also, the consequences of child sex preference (sons preference) on the allocation of human capital and bequest among children have been discussed by Behrman, Pollak and Taubman, (1982). Generally, children are expected to provide long term net benefit streams by supplying labour for family enterprises, generating monetary income stream, providing for old-age security, and acting as a form of insurance. In a setting of risk and uncertainty, parents engage in strategies to influence the pattern and guarantee the reliability of long-term intergenerational benefit flows. Such self-interested strategies to promote parental well-being at old age include conditional inheritance benefits, practices controlling the mobility of children, and sex differentiated educational and nutritional investments. According to Fapounda et al (1988), West African parents invest more in the education of male children since the financial returns on their education are relatively high. On the other hand, parents are more oriented towards the receipt of a one-time financial payment, a bride price, from the marriage of their daughters than to an economically uncertain investment in their daughters’ schooling (Fapounda et al 1988). Caldwell further maintained that, in rural Nigeria, for example, one of the reasons for sons preference is that, male children (boys) produce more than they consume by the age of ten to thirteen; and by the age of fifteen their total production has exceeded their cumulative life-time consumption. Although, female children (girls) likewise perform a number of valuable economic tasks, which include helping their mothers with cooking and the post-harvest processing of crops etc. , this is insignificant when compared to the contributions of their male counterparts to the family economy (Caldwell, 1982). Today, the expected increase in the absolute number and proportion of the elderly raises serious concerns about their welfare in the country, particularly given the absence of social security scheme and formal social welfare services for the old in most African countries. A number of studies have therefore, focused on examining the extent to which the family is involved in providing assistance to the elderly (Peil, 1995; Apt and Katila, 1994; and Togonu-Bickersteth, 1989, 1997). All confirm that the families, particularly children, are the principal source of old-age support in the various African countries studied. It has also been found that assistance is usually offered by children to ensure some level of physical and economic survival for their elderly to the extent that the former can afford. By contrast, parents in industrialized countries and their affluent counterparts among Third World urban elite have much less need to rely on children either for labour or old-age security. The economics of family size changes as income goes up, until children become a financial burden instead of an asset (Folbre, 1983). According to him, when children are in school, for example, they no longer serve as a source of labour. Instead parents must pay for their education, as well as for their other needs, which cost far more in a high consumption society than in a peasant village. And there is often no guarantee that parents’ investment will buy the future loyalty of a grown up child. As economist Nancy Folbre (1983) noted, â€Å"The gift of education, unlike a bequest, cannot be made contingent upon conformity to certain expectations. Once given, it can hardly be revoked†. In industrialized societies personal savings, pension plans, and overnment programs replace children as the basic forms of social security. These social changes fundamentally alter the value of children, making it far more rational from an economic standpoint, to limit family size. Folbre (1983) also argued that as the value of children decreases, male heads of households are more willing to allow their wives to work outside the home, since the contribution of their wages to the family economy now exceeds the value of their household work. This further spurs low demand for children and less craze sex preference of a particular child.