Live Together before Marriage Essay

Up to 78% of teens nowadays are in relationships. They find out that their relationships start with friendship and further proceed to romance and later lead to sexual intercourse. All of these experiences relate closely to the time they spend living together. Although many think that living together before marriage benefit both parties, I strongly believe that it is unacceptable for young people to live together before marriage due to several reasons. Some people may think that if couples live together, their common interests can be shared. They maintain this kind of thinking because people around them have proven this mindset to be true. However, this does not mean that the same case can be applied to every couple. Most of the teens in this modern age want to have freedom in doing everything; love and relationships are not excluded too. Teens feel that either their boyfriend or girlfriend should deserve to have own privacy. There is always something that either party intends to hide from another, such as family problems etc. By living together, personal secrets might be exposed to his/her lover. Besides, he/she can concentrate doing own things. Without much distraction around, one can be more focused on performing tasks that yield good results. On the other hand, one’s social life is not restricted. For instance, a girlfriend seems reluctant to talk to males around her, as she cares about the feeling of her lover. As a res ult, this debars her from learning valuable experience of adjusting to others. There are many things to be said in favor of teens living together before marriage, the most obvious being that is it undoubtedly gains more understanding between couple. Without the benefits that cohabitation brings, the world would have higher rate of divorce. The aforementioned statement, although literally true, is nevertheless misleading. Couples who live together may have greater chances to discover their partner’s weaknesses. Since they are living in a same room, each of their negative behavior and manner are highly visible by another partner. Consequently, they will be sick of one another one of these days. Because of misunderstanding and intolerance between couple, there may be more arguments and conflicts. Furthermore, relationship with partners may get worse under certain  circumstances. When no one is willing to give in on things which they argue for, this may be considered as a critical situation for both parties. Another argument that put forward by opponents is that relationship of couples who live together lasts longer. As far as relationship is concerned, cohabitation is often beneficial. While it is true to say that the sweet memories they build together result in a more firm relationship, these memories sometimes can also turn out to be nightmares. Firstly, either party may be pressurized to have sex. If one decides to abstain from sex until marriage, yet he/she is regularly pressurized to have sex, he/she may not feel being respected and trusted. Secondly, girls may end up with premarital pregnancy. Studies show that majority of teenagers aged between 15 and 20 who live together with their partners have become pregnant. Pregnancy further leads couples to a lot of complications like abortion and so on. Therefore, their relationship is greatly affected. Lastly, couples may get infected with Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD). STD can cause serious illnesses and long-term effects on both males and females. If one is being infected by STD, he/she will lose faith in their relationship. It seems that the openness of the society encourages cohabitation; parents should play role in influencing their kids and not allowing their kids to cohabit with partners. If something is not going to be done to address this problem, more and more teenagers will be suffering from the consequences that arise from cohabitation. Having said these, the behavior of young people living together before marriage is unacceptable. Bibliography: http://www.greattowait.com/relationships.html

Not My Business and ‘District 6’ compared Essay

The poem ‘Not My Business’ is written by a Nigerian poet Niyi Osundare. This poem is a dramatic monologue and uses a fictional narrator to reflect upon how the Nigerian society is affected by the political and military misuse of power and authority in addition to the people’s rejection to revolt against injustice. The poet uses the narrator’s ignorant and selfish personality to display the abuse of power not only in Nigeria but also around the globe. The title ‘Not My Business’ is short and simple to communicate the idea that South Africa’s socio-political status has not changed since the end of apartheid. The tone is very direct and shows the narrator to be ignorant and selfish. In addition to this, the structure of the poem emphasises his detachment with the people; the lines in which the narrator talks about himself are kept separate by the poet to stress his feeling of superiority over others. However, the narrator suffers the same fate at the end of the poem. The first stanza consists of Akanni being kidnapped. ‘They picked up Akanni one morning’. The poet uses the kidnapping to emphasise how the government’s attitude towards the public is like. The use of ‘they’ is an obvious indication of the military to the audience but is kept vague to engage the reader’s mind to the poem. Furthermore the poet uses ‘stuffed him down the belly’ to make the reader feel as though the government are like predators waiting to leap at anyone who opposes them. Osundare also uses this stanza to elaborate on the soldiers’ relentlessness towards the people, ‘beat him soft like clay.’ He uses this line to show the cruelty and injustice laid upon the people, because of the abuse of power and violence used to discourage individuals who resist them. The word ‘clay’ helps to describe the methods of torture used to punish attempts at what the government calls transgression. The poet goes on to show the ignorance of some of the people, ‘What business of mine is it so long they don’t take the yam from my savouring mouth.’ The narrator’s selfishness is shown by the mention of ‘yam’ which represents his food, comfortable home and self-occupied lifestyle, despite mentioning what happened to Akanni. Also, the poet uses the narrator’s eccentric personality to reach out to people who share a similar attitude. Additionally, the word ‘savouring’ helps to illustrate the greediness and materialism of the narrator in the reader’s mind. The second stanza begins by showing the mysteriousness of the military, ‘They came one night’. This implies that the army can come at anytime and the people are never safe. The narrator further goes on to show the brutality of the military, ‘booted the whole house awake’, which suggests that the army has injected fear in the minds of people. An abrupt feeling is formed with the use of ‘booted’ creating a sudden sentiment of fear. Furthermore vague terminology is used by the narrator to describe what happened to Danladi. ‘Then off to a lengthy absence.’ This emphasises the narrator’s desire to distance himself from reality. The poet uses the phrase ‘lengthy absence’ to show the narrator’s unwillingness to acknowledge that a threat is eminent from the government. Therefore the narrator regardless, lives with the atrocities that surround his society. In the third stanza Chinwe is fired from her job. ‘Her job was gone.’ The poet once again shows the government can strike at anytime any day. Osundare uses the repetition of ‘no’ to emphasise that Chinwe was sacked without legitimate reason. He does this further with ‘a stainless record’. This shows the influence and injustice of the government in the society as well due to the incident occurring in spite of Chinwe’s innocence. The refrain is used to make the reader feel that the narrator doesn’t have any remorse or guilt for not caring about the other people around him. The last stanza involves the narrator himself being taken away, ‘And then one evening as I sat down to eat my yam a knock on the door froze my hungry hand.’ The narrator’s tone is fearful and surprised. His ‘hungry hand’ shows his selfishness and greed. The poet uses alliteration to put emphasis on this. Furthermore, the repetition of ‘waiting’ creates tension in the reader’s mind and stresses the helplessness of the narrator when his own words come back to haunt him. It also coincides with the second stanza where the jeep is also ‘waiting’ for danladi. Lastly, the structure of the stanza shows the irony of the narrator’s situation, that he also suffers the same fate as his neighbours. The poem District 6 is written after apartheid by Tatamkhulu Afrika who is a white South African poet and is a dramatic monologue. Afrika amplifies his anger at the situation of South Africa by using a black South African narrator to show that discrimination is still widely active. The narrator feels the post-apartheid period should have been different. Throughout the poem the poet voices his disappointment with the racism and discrimination. The poet’s attitude consists of anger and frustration which is reflected and emphasised at the end of the poem where the narrator want to resort to violence. District 6 is shown to now be a run-down levelled place, ‘Small round hard stones’. This quote displays to a certain extent how District 6 has not changed since the apartheid government destroyed the area. In addition, the poet uses the consonance in ‘small round hard’ to depict the hostile and unpleasant environment. Furthermore, he uses a bitter tone, ‘seeding grasses thrust bearded seeds’. This is shown by ‘thrust’ which carries an aggressive attitude making the statement resentful. This is emphasised by the continuous repetition of ‘sss’ sounds used in this stanza. The narrator continues to stress District 6’s destruction, ‘trodden on, crunch in tall, purple-flowering amiable weeds’. He repeats the same idea twice using ‘trodden on’ and ‘crunch’ for emphasis showing the unchanged situation of district 6. The poet further uses the narrator to show a sense of belonging to District 6 in the second stanza, ‘my feet†¦my hands†¦my lungs†¦my eyes.’ Throughout the stanza the narrator emphasises his recognition and ownership of District 6 as if he grew up there. His defiant tone suggests that he is demanding back what is his and continues to do this with the repetition of ‘my’. At the end of the stanza anger is shown which shows his connection with District 6. The poet goes on to emphasise his anger at the contrast between races. ‘Brash with glass, name flaring like a flag, it squats’. He uses an aggressive tone to display his fury at the existence of a structure with thrives on racism. The rhyming ‘ss’ sounds at the end of ‘brash’ and ‘glass’ help to fuel the effect of anger in the reader’s mind. Also, the narrator shows how active and unopposed racism thrives through, ‘name flaring like a flag’. This shows the freedom of racism specifically because the inn is located in District 6 due to its significance in South African history. Furthermore, a mocking tone is used for emphasis with ‘it squats’, suggesting the white are occupying the inn illegally. Tatamkhulu relates to the title in the fourth stanza, ‘No sign says it is, but we know where we belong.’ The narrator conveys a mocking tone which echoes the idea and base of the poem, coming from the title ‘Nothing’s Changed’, that the situation of District 6 has been constant due to whites still occupying it since apartheid. The stanza is used to remind the reader of the cause of the destruction of District 6 which happened due to racism and discrimination. Furthermore, the poet uses the narrator to how his exclusion and separation from the white society, ‘I press my nose to the clear panes.’ This shows the narrator’s curiosity, but also suggests the existence of an invisible barrier, ‘clear panes’, between him and the whites. In addition, the narrator anticipates and emphasises the lavish lifestyle, ‘know before, I see them, there will be crushed ice white glass, linen falls, the single rose.’ The poet creates an atmosphere of luxury and beauty in the reader’s imagination. The use of ‘single rose’ at the end of the stanza suggests an upper-class influence. The reader is made to feel anger and disposition to antagonism towards the unfairness and discrimination directed from the white society. The next stanza leans towards the inequality still overshadowing the non-white society, ‘working man cafe sells bunny shows, take it with you, eat it at a plastic table’s top.’ The blacks are shown to be a lower class which contrasts to the upper-class whites in the previous stanza, despite the end of apartheid. The narrator also uses ‘plastic top’ to show the difference and neediness between blacks and whites. The last stanza reverts to the main picture of the poem, ‘boy again†¦hands burn, for a stone, a bomb to shiver down the glass’. The use of ‘boy again’ suggests that nothing has changed since the narrator was a boy and the word ‘shiver’ reflects the frustration in the narrator’s mind. Furthermore, the use of ‘stone†¦bomb’ helps the reader to understand the possible causes of violence throughout South Africa to be like calls of anger against racism. To conclude, the poem ‘Not My Business’ was written because the Nigerian public has no motivation to rebel and fight against injustice or tyranny enforced by the government. The narrator is shown as an example of what will happen to the people if they refuse to repel the injustice laid upon others and that they will eventually succumb to the same fate if they continue to be ignorant. In the second poem, ‘Nothing’s Changed’ summarises that South Africa has not yet managed to overcome its issues of racism, injustice and inequality despite being in the post-apartheid era. The poem acts as a plea to all South Africans to come together and unite to create a civilised society with equal rights. In my opinion, both poems share the idea that the people should unite and act against injustice and oppression, though in different ways; the message is universal: Unity will bring peace and harmony amongst the people.

Code-switching among students in the UK Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Code-switching among students in the UK - Essay Example Without doubt, the intertwining of the languages can be noted as a globalization issue, which has occurred in unprecedented way in the today’s highly communicative world. The standardization of the world has been brought forth due to the immense communication as well as escalating of the process of globalization (Rouchdy, 2004). It follows therefore that the increased spread of English language, the pace of globalization and the media progression has ease the potential of â€Å"code-switching† each day (MacSwan, 2010). On the other side, code switching is taken as a negative experience. As much as it is a frequent phenomenon in several parts of the globe, many assert that code switching is a sign of illiteracy or the lameness of having the ability to control two languages (Poplack, 1980). Among the Mexican-American the term â€Å"Tex-Max,† which can be noted as a derogative is used to indicate the mixing of the English and Spanish. In the same way the French –speaking but Canadian communities, the word joule is used to point out a speakers who posses poor language skills just to mention but a few (Nortier, 2008). There are several notion of pointing out fingers to some individuals who usually switch codes (Warner, 2007). At most, they find themselves being sidelined. However, the question is, what is the reason behind these increasing negative attitudes that faces those individual who switch codes? According to scholars, one of the major reasons behind this is the adherence to social norms that goes against the use of mixing codes in the scholarly scenario. One of the areas that code switching has been viewed as a negative phenomenon even by teachers is Hong Kong. In addition, students have joined the teachers in support of negativity on the code switch ing (Suleiman, 1974). This has instilled fear into many students during lesson,

Man of Marble Film Review Movie Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Man of Marble Film - Movie Review Example ick layer whoselected by a filmmaker, Jerzy Burski (Tadeusz Lomnicki) to star in an advertising film in which he with four others laid 28,000 bricks in 8 hours. This represents "collective working" which symbolized the nature of Communist strength. In this film, the character of Birkut demonstrates the face of the common men, symbol of all common workers in communist Poland. There are three distinct kinds of scenes in this movie - the black and white documentary materials of 1950s, basic accomplishments of Socialism and the idols of the working class. There are also numbers of sections from the 50s shot in color, displaying the exact situation of that time. The third types of scenes are about the actual trouble face by Agnieszka and her team in 1970 while doing this documentary. From a broader perspective, Man of Marble  is a remarkable sample for the blend of diverse messages and subjects in a single film. Both the characters Agnieszka and Birkut are full of optimism and modest in their rigid approach towards the scope of the politics. The significance of this movie lies in the demonstration of the difference among the black and white publicity footage and the colour realism shots which help to expose the temporary nature of political reality. There are two scenes worth mentioning regarding the role played by the movie to demonstrate the political nature of the country. One is about showing Birkut coming out of jail and casting his vote in the elections and encouraging others to do the same. In that part of the movie, there is a clear description about the development of the country under communist rule. . The second scene is about the demonstration of the economic achievement of socialist Poland shoot in colour with the presence of background disco musi c. That disco music is the clear indication of the growth and development of the country under communist rule. From the point of view of above two scenes if we analyze the two main characters of this movie, it is

JUDGEMENT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

JUDGEMENT - Essay Example gusz, especially during Christmas, who has become increasingly isolated and distrustful of everyone, living without a phone and scared of being burgled2. In addition, there is no evidence that Mr Bogusz has been in contact with his Ukrainian family. There are several facts that give rise to donatios mortis causa. Vallee visited Mr Bogusz on the 6th of August 2003 and found him to be quite unwell with a â€Å"chesty† cough, although the two did not discuss any diagnosis. When they referenced the next Christmas period, Mr Bogusz said that it was not his expectation that he would live for much longer. In fact, he claimed that he may not live to see the next Christmas. According to Vallee, Mr Bogusz wanted the land to pass on to her after his death, giving her the keys and title deeds to his house3. However, over the course of the appeal case at the High Court, she corrected this to mean one key, which she did not retain. In addition, Mr Bogusz gave Vallee a plastic bag that contained his photo album and war medals. However, Mr Bogusz continued living in his house and property and Vallee had no access and did not visit him after that4. Thereafter, Mr Bogusz survived for at least another four months before dying on the 9th of December 2003 from bronchopneumonia. Initially, this was thought to create bona vacantia and intestacy. Ms Vallee intimated a claim to TSol who rejected her claim of a donatio mortis Causa5. The defendant involved heir hunters to trace a brother, as well as other relatives living in the Ukraine and, in 2009; Tsol accepted the brother’s entitlement. Ms Vallee instituted a claim in 2012 and circuit judges decided in her favour during the trial in Oxford County Court. This they did with little academic analysis, while they did not cross-examine Ms. Vallee. The case was appealed at the High Court Chancery Division to Judge Jonathan Gaunt QC, sitting as deputy judge. The case was again dismissed and the case was appealed at the Court of

Normalization of Deviance CJ403 WK 6 Research Paper

Normalization of Deviance CJ403 WK 6 - Research Paper Example Vaughan cited the space shuttle Challenger disaster as an example. It led to the loss of 7 crew members because of the failure of the vehicle’s O-ring seal. There were already apparent flaws regarding its design in the early stages of the project. The first time that it was damaged, experts found a way to repair it. However, intermittent failures occurred in the testing stages. Besides the evident danger, the engineers decided that the Challenger was ready to be launched with â€Å"acceptable risk†. Then, after it fragmented 73 seconds into its flight, they were completely staggered. Basing on the aforementioned discussions, both the offender and the organization share the responsibilities. Using the Challenger example, the engineers on the project should have been sensitive enough while the observers and other individuals in NASA should have pointed out the obvious concerns. Since the offender is mostly unaware of the gravity of the situation, the organization must take aggressive measures. Hence, stopping the normalization of deviance is quite important in preventing mishaps. Astronaut Mullane (2009) specifically identifies several ways on how to deal with this phenomenon. It is significant to be acquainted with one’s susceptibility to it. Furthermore, planning the work and working the plan must be a religion. It is also valuable to contemplate on one’s instincts and to review past mistakes as well as near-misses. In general, the normalization of deviance has negative effects. If left unchecked, sizeable losses may ensue. Thus, individuals must be vigilant in addressing this social concern. Those who are affected must be wise. And those who are uninvolved must be courageous enough to point out the

Mahler And Strauss Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Mahler And Strauss - Essay Example Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss were two of the most famous composers of the last 19th century. Both were influenced by Beethoven, and both were extremely proficient and had a lasting impact on classical music into the 20th century. It is very interesting and instructive to examine their aesthetics and the various techniques they used to help establish their remarkable reputations and make such wonderful music. To begin with, both Mahler and Strauss were composers in the late Romantic period. Their music featured clear harmonies and melodies and had themes that were often rooted in nature and in love—indeed, some of their best works were inspired by failed love affairs (something everyone can identify with). Both also involved and were inspired by various folk songs of their homelands. Another important element seen in the works of both men is tonality. Mahler experimented with tone a lot A lot of this can be said to have influence later atonalist composers like Schoenberg, who really respected Mahler and drew a great deal of inspiration from the older man. Mahler pushed what was then seen as the limits of conventional tonality. Strauss too would experiment with tone in his tone poems. He started off quite conservative, but after discovering Wagner, began to experiment a lot more.

Interpersonal Relationships and Team Effectiveness Essay

Interpersonal Relationships and Team Effectiveness - Essay Example This project has taught me much more than I had imagined in the beginning. Surprisingly, majority of what I have learnt was from outside of the multitude of course books. During my project, almost all kinds of experiences occurred, from memorable to impressive. The major problem occurring in any team is ineffectiveness of team members and adverse interpersonal relationships. If team members do not have better understanding and acceptance of each other’s differences, then resulting conflicts might not let the group members work on an assigned project. If looked from a critical eye, those experiences have brought change in my personality and have furnished my understanding. I certainly developed myself in many areas after this project. This paper will be examining and reflecting upon my behavior and self-awareness and shows an analysis of my role with respect to my team. It also highlights the roles of my team members and ways through which we increased team effectiveness. The p rinciple purpose of this reflective essay is to examine our team coherency and team effectiveness while working on our group project. This process will be evaluated in the light of relevant academic theories such as communication, and leadership, as well as few models of behavior in team such as Adair-Action-Centered Leadership, Belbin Roles, Tuckman’s Stages of Team Development, and Hofstede’s cultural dimensions. ... On the very first day, many complexities occurred among us as team members primarily due to unfamiliarity with each other. Largely, these complexities were related to lack of interpersonal relationships with each other. Some of them included communication gap, fear, not listening to each other’s ideas, running away from assigned tasks, and egoistic nature. Some complications relating directly to projects were availability of group members at certain time and schedule for discussing project details, time, and schedule for discussing the project proceedings with professor, company to be selected for the project, assigned task, and responsibility of each group member etc. I had no idea about how to approach these problems and I had no clue what I could do to solve these problems. Rules of task were also not known to us due to which we acted independently. Each one of us was lacking planning, understanding, and communication. All the group members appeared to be astounded by the p roject. It was looking very hard to complete and I, as a group leader, was feeling fretful regarding how I would carry out the entire project with increased complexities among group members. The team consisted of five group members, which means several ideas for the accomplishment of project. Suddenly, the best idea came to mind. In our very first meeting, I was able to convince my group members for this idea. I explained the importance of this project for each of us. It was 30% of our course, so we all have to contribute substantial attention to this project. The goal of all of us was same, that is, getting as higher points for this project as we could. The first thing that united and created harmony among our team was our common goal of ‘achieving excellent

Supply Chain Management Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Supply Chain Management - Research Paper Example s that allows companies to effectively utilise its people, technologies and other resources required to move its products or services from the suppliers to the consumers. It can further be explained as a network of services and delivery options that facilitate to execute the task of procurement of raw materials and make conversion of the resources available into intermediate as well as complete products along with distributing these finished products to the customers. This system or chain has been observed to be present in both the services as well as manufacturing companies. Although it has been observed that the process and complexities of this system vary from organisation to organisation. Supply chain is a very effective method in planning the overall production and distribution of companies which could further lead towards cutting down of costs of the products and would certainly enable to deliver an attractive final product that would be more preferred by the customers. A compa ny that succeeds in proper implementation of supply chain in its operations would have the competitive edge in the global market in comparison to its competitors. However, there are certain risks and uncertainties that are involved in the incorporation of supply chain network. As there are many steps involved in the process of the supply chain management such as procurement of raw materials, manufacturing of the finished products and delivery of product among others, a failure in any of the mentioned steps would undoubtedly affect the operations and functioning of organisation (Ross, 2010). With this notion, the paper aims at illustrating the risks and uncertainties that are involved in the supply chain network or management process. Furthermore, the paper would also epitomize the phenomena and behaviour of the Forrester Effect, as one of the models for demand uncertainty and would attempt to provide the countermeasures of such effect. Moreover, the paper would further intend to

Gender, Authority and Dissent in English Mystical Writers Essay Example for Free

Gender, Authority and Dissent in English Mystical Writers Essay The Book of Margery Kempe certainly provoked an intense amount of controversy, not least in the present but in her own time as well; a debate that centred on her position as a mystic. This position entailed having true knowledge of God, to work towards a union with him where they would essentially become one. Margery Kempe, at the very least views herself to be one of Gods vessels through which He can allow her to experience spiritual visions and feelings. It is in her book that Kempe conveys through words what she considered to be the most significant of these experiences, in order that those who read them would derive great comfort and solace. It is Kempes individual and brilliant adaptation of what was originally a discipline for cloistered elites1 that draws attention to her. Yet it is this individual voice, the style she uses, and her firm relationship with the market world that questions her experiences of higher contemplation. Certainly Kempe does not conform to the solitary life of a conventional mystic, much like Richard Rolles statement of running off into the woods, and at one point she is even sorrowful and grieving because she has no company. Yet she uses many of her interactions with others to confirm her position as a mystic. She visits the revered mystic Julian of Norwich to seek advice as to whether her visions were genuine or not (Chapter 18), and receives confirmation from Thomas Arundel, Archbishop of Canterbury. Essentially what it has been suggested that Kempe experiences is a higher level of contemplation positive mysticism. This was the search for God through human imagery, which insists on the physical as a legitimate means of access to the spiritual.2 Certainly one of the standard patterns in mystical experience were the feelings of love between the mystic and God which is often described as fire, hence Rolles Incendium Amoris. Kempe notes that there was an unquenchable fire of love which burnt full sore in her soul, and that Christ had set her soul all on fire with love. Thus the intensity of her visions can not be brought into question as she certainly shares with [the tradition] a mystical sense of God at work in human experiences.3 These human experiences included her own body, as she suffers illness and indulgences in self-mutilation, wearing a haircloth, fasting and even biting her hand so violently that she has to be tied down. However, the visions that Kempe experiences, as mystics viewed them as gifts, are not a product of studious praying and meditating. In most ways what she conveys is an imitation of what many female European mystics experienced, like Bridget of Sweden and Dorothy of Montou or Catherine of Siena. She seeks justification for her mystical standing by linking herself closely to others and, though illiterate receives much of her inspiration from such mystical texts as Incendium Amoris, Stimulus Amoris, and Walter Hiltons Scale of Perfection. However, as Glasscoe has pointed out, her spiritual experiences were not an easy thing for Kempe to meditate on. Whereas Hilton focused on inner spiritual growth, Kempe can only explain her transcendence through what was familiar to her the body.4 She even says that sometimes, what she understood physically was to be understood spiritually. Thus, whereas her visions may at many points seem extreme and even distasteful it does not necessarily mean that she was experiencing anything less than what is considered mystical. What also inspires Kempe, whilst also bringing into question her status as a mystic is the fact that she was a woman who was firmly placed in the world. David Aers describes her as an independent businesswoman, who before her initial vision was active in the market economy, investing money, organising public work and employing men.5 Mysticism was overwhelmingly contemplative, and there was not much spoke about the active life, with the exception of Walter Hiltons positive description of the mixed life. However instead of accepting that she is too busy with worldly occupations that must be attended to6, like Hilton proposed, Kempe integrates the economic world into her mysticism. Shelia Delany proposed that in her work one is constantly aware of the cash nexus. 7 This is true in the sense that Kempe even strikes a deal with Jesus, in the sense that he becomes the mediator between Kempes social responsibilities as a wife and her desire to lead the spiritual life. Through Christs help she can lead the chaste life by buying off her husband, hence paying off all his debts (Chapter 11. p.60). Atkinson, commented that what Kempe creates is a God, who controlled the economy of salvation, [and] functioned as a great banker of a merchant prince.8 Also Kempes drive for more is also indicative of her market drive values, in the same sense that she sees that by giving charity to her fellow Christians she will receive in heaven double reward. This unusual market driven line of thought is not the only factor that distinguishes her from her predecessors. Her style of writing is different and her visions are certainly unique. She actively takes part in many of the experiences, using speech, as Carol Coulson has suggested to inject herself into the holy narrative,9 even at one point acting as the handmaiden to God, and as a replacement to the biblical figure Mary Magdalene. Her first vision is also very personal, and in some ways domesticated. Jesus is said to have appeared in the likeness of a manclad in a mantle of purple silk, sitting upon her bedside. The Incarnation is taken to the extreme, where her visions sometimes sit outside the historical moments of the Bible and become part of her own world. Despite distancing herself by calling herself the creature throughout the text many have accused her work of being self-absorbed I have told you before that you are a singular lover of God, and therefore you shall have a singular love in heaven, a singular reward and a singular honour. Certainly her relations with God are very personal, and in many ways conveyed in sexual terms, as when Christ says to her Daughter, you greatly desire to see me, and you may boldly, when you are in bed, take me to you as your wedded husband. However, again this great pomp and pride, is said to emerge from her experience as a female within an urban class which fostered within her a strong sense of class identity and self-value.10 A self-value that she never really agrees to give up, thus because she refuses to traditionally quieten the self, Kempe does not sit comfortably as a mystic. Similarly she never really abandons her desire for worldly goods. She even admits in the first chapters that after her initial vision she refused to give up her worldly leisures, and still took delight in earthly things. This earthiness continues throughout the book. At one point she explains that she was embarrassed because she was not dressed as she would have liked to have been for lack of money, and wishing to go about unrecognised until she could arrange a loan she held a handkerchief in front of her face. This embarrassment does not hold well with the lower stage of mysticism in which the visionary is to dispel themselves of all earthly matters so that their soul is open to heaven. Her mysticism is driven to accumulate. She refuses to be content with the goods that God has sent her, whilst ever [desiring] more and more. From God she can attain spiritual status, whilst through her (fathers) social position she maintains earthly standing, thus she is caught between two (masculine) worlds. As David Aers has noted the market world never really receives rebuke in her mystical world, in fact it remains a natural part of it.11 Yet to see her as the victim of a capitalist society is, as Glasscoe maintains, to ignore her avowed purpose.12 Yet it is hard to ignore the element of hysteria in her work. She certainly experiences the traditional mystical dilemma that her visions will never be truly conveyed to those who stand outside it, that herself could never tell the grace that she felt, it was so heavenly, so high above her reason and her bodily witsthat she might never express it within her world like she felt it in her soul. However her Gift of Tears, in which she cries abundantly and violently, break quite brutally this silence of contemplation. It may be however that her loud screams and cries convey her devotion and justify her higher state. Certainly tradition showed that mystics thought of themselves as vehicles for suffering and their broken voices and lacerated bodies reflected the stress under which they laboured.13 Her crying brought attention to her being, even in her own time when crowds flocked to see her, becoming somewhat of a spectacle. These tears are almost a sign of her fertility in her contemplative life, and also justified in the Bible Psalm cxxvi, 5-6 says that they that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing Her tears therefore, although extreme and lead many throughout her work to rebuke her, are essentially a sign of grace demonstrating that the Incarnation for Kempe was an ever-present reality.14 Ursula Peters suggested that female mystics, through mysticism turned inward and [discovered] ways to describe their own experiences.15 In fact the role Kempe plays as a woman is very important to her whole mystical experience, and in some ways may even bring it into question. In her experiences with God she plays the wife, the mother, the sister and the daughter. When her husbands exclaims that she is no good wife it again demonstrates that Kempe struggled between two worlds, that of the spiritual and that of her family commitments. St Bernard once proclaimed that natural human feeling doesnt have to be suppressed but channelled into God, and in some ways this is exactly what Kempe achieves. By using the idea that she is a holy vessel she is able to assert herself as a woman in the highly competitive world quite drastically. She refuses to abandon her personality and quite forcefully, hence her adamant desire to be chaste, asserts who she is. The Church even attempted to denounce he r as a Lollard, which shows that she was a threatening (female) voice and the only way to quieten her was to denounce her as a heretic. Rather than being a mystical treatise, The Book of Margery Kempe is a narrative account, almost a story, or even an autobiography as many have stated it to be, in which she attempts to adopt the contemplative ideal of piety.16 In fact it is more than mysticism, it is the experiences of a woman trying to find her voice in a masculine social world, and the only way that she can achieve this is through having spiritual authority. Certainly her devotion can not be questioned, and she cant even predict herself when the intensity of Christs Passion will overwhelm her, be it sometime in the church, sometime in the street, sometime in the chamber, sometime in the field. Yet her extreme metaphors and use of language certainly bring into doubt her status as a mystic. As Susan Dickman has suggested prayers and visions certainly occupy the text, yet they are embedded in a larger structure17, namely how she was painfully drawn and steered, [her pilgrimage acting as a metaphor for her mystical journey] to enter the way of perfection. Certainly painfully is an apt description, leading many to criticise her as a charlatan, a terrible hysteric and even one who was possessed by the devil. Yet this account is from a very independent and highly spirited woman, who although struggled with her identity and sought the higher state to explore that larger structure of herself through God, was deeply devoted to her faith. In the end her piety was very ordinary, it is her style of conveyance however, the lack of the abstract vocabulary of Julian of Norwich, Rolle and the Cloud author18 that brings her status as a mystic into controversy. Bibliography Aers, David., Community Gender and Individual Identity in English Writing, 1360-1430 (London, 1988) Bancroft, A., The Luminous Vision: Six Medieval Mystics and their Teachings (London, 1982). Evans, Ruth and Johnson, Lesley (eds.)., Feminist Readings in Middle English Literature: The Wife of Bath and All Her Sect (London, 1994) Klapisch-Zuber, C (ed.)., Silences of the Middle-Ages (London 1992),447 Glasscoe, Marion (ed.)., The Medieval Mystical Tradition (Exeter, 1980) http://www.anamchara.com/mystics/kempe.htm http://www.ccel.org/h/hilton/ladder/ladder-PART_I.html http://www.sterling.holycross.edu/departments/visarts/projects/kempe/index.html Knowles, D., The English Mystical Tradition London (London, 1961) Meale, Carol. M., (ed.)., Women and Literature in Britain 1150-1500 (Cambridge, 1993) 1 C. Klapisch-Zuber, Silences of the Middle Ages (London 1992),160 2 J.Long., Mysticism and hysteria: the histories of Margery Kempe and Anna O, in Feminist Readings in Middle English Literature, ed. R.Evans et al. (London, 1994),100 3 M. Glasscoe, English Medieval Mystics: Games of Faith (London, 1993),268. 4 M. Glasscoe, English Medieval Mystics: Games of Faith (London, 1993), 268. 5 D. Aers, Community, Gender and Individual Identity English Writing 1360-1430 (London, 1988), 112. 6 http://www.ccel.org/h/hilton/ladder/ladder-PART_I.html 7 J.Long., Mysticism and hysteria: the histories of Margery Kempe and Anna O, in Feminist Readings in Middle English Literature, ed. R.Evans et al. (London, 1994), 87-111 8 D. Aers, Community, Gender and Individual Identity English Writing 1360-1430 (London, 1988), 106 9 http://www.anamchara.com/mystics/kempe.html 10 D. Aers, Community, Gender and Individual Identity English Writing 1360-1430 (London, 1988),115. 11 Ibid. 12 M. Glasscoe, English Medieval Mystics: Games of Faith (London, 1993), 275. 13 C. Klapisch-Zuber, Silences of the Middle Ages (London 1992),446 14 M. Glasscoe, English Medieval Mystics: Games of Faith (London, 1993), 276. 15 C. Klapisch-Zuber, Silences of the Middle Ages (London 1992),447 16 http://www.anamchara.com/mystics/kempe.htm 17 S. Dickman., Margery Kempe and The English Devotional Tradition, in The Medieval Mystical Tradition, ed. M. Glasscoe (Exeter, 1980), 156-172 18 M. Glasscoe, English Medieval Mystics: Games of Faith (London, 1993), 272.

Explain Formally The Environmental Kuznets Curve Hypothesis Economics Essay

Explain Formally The Environmental Kuznets Curve Hypothesis Economics Essay Clearly as countries strive for increased growth they attempt to produce greater output and logic dictates that with greater output, ceteris paribus, there must be greater input and thus a depletion of resources from our environment. Simultaneously greater output leads to greater levels of emissions and waste, thus the carrying capacity of the biosphere will be exceeded sooner. Simon Kuznetss Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis states that economic inequality initially increases, reaches a critical threshold, and then decreases as the country develops (Economic Growth and Income Inequality, 1955). The hypothesis is shown by Figure 1 below. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/Kuznets_curve.png Figure It is important to realise the relationship of the EKC shows a correlation between environmental equality and income, not causation. This simply means that a trend has been realised between income and economic inequality which states that initially as income rises so does inequality, however at a certain threshold inequality begins to diminish, and the reason for this change is not immediately apparent. The concept that environmental equality is influenced by economic growth originated from earlier economic theory, as in many 1970s theoretical literature on pollution and growth, optimal pollution control models have inverted U curves of pollution implicitly embedded in them (Selden, 1994). There are two main economic explanations for the Kuznets Curve hypothesis. Firstly the environment can be viewed as a luxury good. This means that although initially individuals are not willing to trade consumption for environmental investment, at a certain level of income individuals begin to increase their expenditure on the environment to enjoy its benefits. It can therefore be argued that economic development is a means to environmental improvement and thus whilst initially the environment will suffer from growth, it will benefit from the economic prosperity in the long run. Secondly as countries experience growth and income increases there are recognised historical structural development stages to the countrys economy much like, as Roslow noted, the moving from traditional to industrial economies and then to a mature mass consumption economy (The Stages of Economic Growth, 1960). For example, in a Less Developed Country (LDC), a structural transformation from primitive agriculture, through manufacturing and into services would initially utilise the environment efficiently through agricultural trade, with greater income this might transform into manufacturing which is highly dependent on environmental resources and also carries large negative externalities such as pollution. However once again, with further growth industry and trade will move towards services which have the least impact on the environment. The study by Syrquin in 1989 econometrically ties structural changes to economic growth and is often used to discuss the EKC hypothesis (Grossman, et al., 1995). It is obvious to conclude that if these developmental stages occur and the transitions between the stages correlate with specific per capita income levels, then a relationship where pollution levels initially rise before subsequently falling, as average incomes increase. Unrah and Moomaw argue that we cannot be sure whether the stages of economic growth are a deterministic process that all countries must pass through, or simply a description of the development history of a specific group of countries during the 19th and 20th centuries that may never again take place (An alternative analysis of apparent EKC-type transitions, 1998). We can look at the turning point in the EKC from increasing environmental inequality to diminishing environmental inequality as a change of individual interest from self-interest to social interest. However Arrow (2000) points out that the EKC provides very little information about the mechanisms by which economic growth affects the environment. For example, as income increases industry developments and innovations may have reduced negative externalities on the environment. Also with greater national income and wealth there is greater demand on the authorities for environmental regulations. There have been several empirical and analytical studies of the EKC hypothesis and whilst some support the conclusions of Kuznets others counter his findings. There is however, little debate that many pollution emissions in the developed countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have stabilised or indeed declined over recent years whilst these same countries per capital incomes have simultaneously increased (An alternative analysis of apparent EKC-type transitions, 1998). Unrah and Moomaw demonstrate in their 1998 empirical study of France GDP growth against CO2 levels an inverted U-shaped curve is produced which supports Kuznets hypothesis (An alternative analysis of apparent EKC-type transitions, 1998). Image Figure France CO2 vs GDP 1950-1992 Grossman and Krueger in 1994 produced a study with an N-shaped curve where after a high enough threshold there were increases in environmental degradation. Grossman also in 1994 found that the turning point is sooner for an obvious short term environmental hazard for the local population (Grossman, et al., 1995). Arrow in 1995 stated that responsiveness is not immediate so income growth does not spontaneously bring a reduction to environmental degradation. As such Arrow concludes that while short term indicators would support Kuznetss hypothesis, long term indicators would not. The huge potential for economic growth through effective utilisation of the environment has made efficient and socially desirable management of environment resources is a key issue within economics. The environment surrounding each individual economy has always been fundamental to the performance of economic growth. Along with creating economic prosperity the environment also performs the essential function of supporting life and thus managed with care and responsibility. As has been seen through history, exploitation of the environment which has provided crucial economic inputs may also be the instrument which impairs the earths ability to support life. For example, in last decade we have seen the emergence of concern about how economic expansion of the world economy is leading to irreparable global damage (Silbert, 2009). As such decisions regarding the environmental trade-off between economic growth and preservation require careful consideration from political authorities. Kuznets EKC Hypothesis EKC Analysis Conclusions One policy proposed by economists is to allow countries to economically grow out of environmentally damaging activity. Looking at countries with already large economies, we see signs of environmental regulation such as emissions standards, extensive recycling programs, and limited timber harvesting. The economists supporting a policy that initially allows for environmental degradation assert that if a country can achieve sufficient economic growth in a short period of time then perhaps environmental damage should be tolerated. A well-known hypothesis providing support for a policy that emphasizes economic growth at the expense of environmental protection is the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis. It posits that countries in the development process will see their levels of environmental degradation increase until some income threshold is met and then afterwards decrease. If true, economic policies should allow extensive, although not necessarily absolute, use of the environment for growth purposes. But carrying out such policies involves inherent dangers. If developing countries decide to overlook environmental protection by counting on rising incomes to abate environmental damage the consequences could be devastating. The most pressing danger is that additional environmental degradation could cause some irreversible and significant harm. This could occur before the predicted income threshold is met. The other concern with counting on incomes to reduce environmental damage is that the EKC hypothesis could easily be incorrect and relying on its predictions would lead to consistently insufficient protection. This paper evaluates the validity of the EKC hypothesis and argues that it is not a sound basis for policy formation and justification with so much at stake. The plan of the paper is as follows. Section II examines the basis for the EKC hypothesis and conditions under which it may accurately predict a countrys future environmental status. Section III briefly summarizes empirical studies investigating EKCs and looks at the findings of these studies. Section IV identifies the inherent dangers in determining environmental policy based upon the EKC hypothesis. Some concerns are relevant if the hypothesis does not hold and others are present even if it proves a correct forecaster of environmental quality. Section V concludes with my assessment of how well the hypothesis works as a justification for dubious environmental policies. Section II: The Concept of the Environmental Kuznets Curve The EKC hypothesis asserts that countries will naturally move from relatively low environmentally degrading activity to highly degrading activity and then, once a certain income threshold is achieved, will proceed to less degrading activity once again. This assertion allows one to predict the relative level of environmental damage being caused by a country by looking at GDP per capita. However, this prediction is relative to individual countries. In other words, each country has its own EKC, based upon resource endowment, social customs, etc., from which it progresses along relative to its GDP. A graphical model of the hypothesis helps illustrate the inverted U shape of the relationship: Environmental Damage Y* Income per capita The y-axis represents the amount of environmental damage due to economic activity and the x-axis represents income per capita. Y* represents the threshold income, sometimes referred to as the turning point. That point signifies the income level at which environmental damage per capita begins to recede. It is important to note that the theoretical EKC graph does not explicitly express time as a dimension and for this reason the use of the EKC hypothesis to justify policy decision an action that by definition incorporates time would appear inadequate. Only by comparing two different countries can the inverted U shaped curve be derived as seen above. However each country possesses its own unique EKC and therefore each countrys policies should be organized accordingly. In order for the graph to show an EKC, and thereby be valid as policy justification, we must incorporate a time dimension. We find a time dimension along the x-axis. The EKC hypothesis assumes that changes in income per capita only occur over time. By including this supposition of changes in income inherently signifying time, the graph can now show an EKC for a specific country. The identification of a countrys particular EKC provides a basis for using it to influence policy. Possessing the theoretical model by which t he EKC hypothesis is used for economic policy we turn our focus to explaining why the inverted U shape exists. There are two primary explanations for the proposed shape of the EKC. The first examines the history of developed countries and the paths they took to achieve development. The second reflects the changing preference for environmental quality as incomes rise. Historically, all developed countries economies were originally based upon agriculture, a state that produced little environmental damage. Their economies later switched to a much more environmentally damaging state that focused on industry and manufacturing. Finally, upon switching from heavy industry to the now-prevalent service-based economies the levels of environmentally damage fell in most developed countries. Two main factors lead to environmental damage that occurrs during industrialization. First, the harmful by-products of production damage the environment. High levels of pollution and water contamination accompany the expansion of industry. The second factor is the increased consumption of natural resources. The extensive over-use of land, deforestation and mining of mountains is a form of environmental damage in and of itself. A common conclusion of this development pattern is that LDCs must pass through the same phases in order to achieve economic growth. Furthermore, if forced to adhere to strict environmental regulations, LDCs will be at an economic disadvantage compared to the already developed countries. Many LDCs point to this competitive disadvantage when rejecting global environmental standards. The next stage of development saw industrial nations switching to service-based economies, a trend that all global GDP leaders tend towards. During this phase the income threshold of for the EKCs for certain substances appear to have been reached. Service-based economies are able to avoid many of the most environmentally damaging economic activities. Also, highly resource-dependant production is cut significantly which reduces the impacts of resource input and harmful emissions. The graph reflects the switch from an industrial to service-based economy somewhere around point Y*. The decreasing industrial production decreases the environmental damage despite the rising GDP associated with the service sector economy. Environmental impacts also fall as a result of improved technology discovered in developed countries. In some cases technology leads to a more efficient use of inputs. Other technological advancements make it possible to restrict the harmful effects that economic activity have on the environment. The second reason that a high-income level can reduce environmental damage is by altering the demand for environmental quality. Known as the income effect, sufficiently high GDP per capita often leads individuals to place environmental quality above additional economic growth. The aggregation of these individual preferences plays an integral role in determining the income threshold. The EKC income threshold aggregates all environmentally damaging agents into a single numerical value. However, taken individually economists can place dollar values on the turning points of damaging agents. For example, in a 1997 paper by Cole, Rayner and Bates, the authors found the turning point of CO and NO2 emissions to be around $9,900 and $14,700, respectively. Using environmental quality preference as an explanation, the income threshold represents the income level per capita at which the preference for environmental quality outweighs the preference for additional income. This change in preference occurs on a public level, rather than a private one. Microeconomic decisions to support more environmentally friendly goods and services cannot account for the income effect. The issue is instead a matter of public policy. The changes in environmental standards reflect political pressure on the federal government and state governments. Effective lobbyists have altered the political and social landscape to favour one of increased environmental quality. Despite the clean nature of high-income countries it remains difficult for EKC supporters to explain certain things such as the fact that the United States is, by far, the worlds largest greenhouse gas emitter. Defenders of the EKC hypothesis say this is due to the incredibly large economy of the U.S. and that the seemingly large figures are, proportionate to GDP, not as astonishing as they appear. The only other defense to the greenhouse gas emission statistic is that the income threshold may not have been reached. According to the EKC hypothesis, changes to evolving economies and the individual preference for environmental quality combine to determine the income threshold. However, whether or not an inverted U shaped curve exists at all is still up for debate. Section III: Evidence For and Against the EKC Hypothesis Evidence regarding the EKC hypothesis is circumstantial and inconclusive. Most early studies that supported the hypothesis focused on a single damaging agent, such as a pollutant. Identifying key characteristics associated with agents that have been studied we find that only certain types of agents exhibit an EKC. Evidence supporting the EKC first began in 1994 when Selden and Song found an EKC for SO2 (Environmental quality and development: Is there a Kuznets curve for air pollution emissions?, 1994). A later test in 1995 by economists Grossman also found SO2 emissions to follow an EKC (Grossman, et al., 1995). They found a turning point between $4,000 and $6,000. Another early documentation of EKC support came from Theodore Panayotou who found the turning point of deforestation to be $823. After the initial studies, other economists began to investigate the validity of the EKC hypothesis and found refuting evidence. In the 1997 paper by Cole, Rayner and Bates, they found no EKC for traffic, nitrates or methane. A different study in 1997 by Horvath examined energy use and found no EKC; rather, energy use per capita rose steadily with increased income. Evidence appears to support the EKC hypothesis only for a limited type of damaging agents. The emission SO2 is found in urban waste areas and is thereby characterized by its locality. Deforestation also reflects a situation involving a specific location. Damaging agents that affect only a particular site tend to show EKCs. However, a damaging agent such as traffic is plain to see and also affects certain areas heavily. In this case the agent is dominated by a scale effect increased activity leads to increased environmental impact. While traffic-related pollution is generally iterated by population size, damaging agents such as energy production by-products increase with GDP per capita. Section IV: Dangers of the EKC Hypothesis as Policy Justification There exist many dangers in allowing an economy to simply grow out of environmentally damaging activity. Some of these dangers arise because the EKC hypothesis does not hold true in all cases. Others exist even if we assume the hypothesis as an accurate predictor of environmental conditions. The following is a list of concerns regarding the EKC hypothesis: (I) It remains inconclusive if most damaging agents follow the EKC. (II) The threshold income may be irrelevantly high or the temporary period of increasing environmental damage too long. (III) The decrease in environmental damage seen in developed countries may reflect the production of dirty products abroad and subsequent importation. (IV) The absorptive capacity of our earth is unknown. (V) EKCs may only exist in certain political atmospheres. A detailed examination of the above concerns illustrates the inherent dangers in accepting the EKC hypothesis and afterwards using it to justify policy. As discussed above, only local and regional damaging agents show signs of EKCs. Other difficult to detect agents may simply increase with GDP per capita. This discovery leaves open to question whether more agents than not respond to income increases. If there exist more agents that do not respond then attempting to grow past these impacts would be impossible. Many damaging agents may respond to income levels, but not until GDP per capita approaches out-of-reach levels. If in a developed country, the turning point for a damaging agent is above, say, $50,000 then neglecting to react will create damage for a considerable amount of time. Over the time it takes to achieve the turning point, the environmental damage may prove more costly than its worth. Obviously, in an LDC the turning point value needs only to be considerably lower and still have the same adverse effects. It is important to note that it is unclear if forgoing the opportunity for economic growth may is the right or wrong decision. Nonetheless, using solely the EKC hypothesis to justify this action remains unwise, as the outcome is not known. Another consideration that challenges the EKC evidence is that wealthy countries may be importing dirty products, thereby contributing to environmental degradation; the only difference is that the degradation is not domestic. The first hypothesis to bring up this possibility was the Pollution Haven hypothesis. It states that developed countries export their dirty industries to LDCs whose governments have more lax environmental standards. Many economists discounted this hypothesis with strong evidence showing that capital flows do not follow environmental regulations. However, this does not exclude the possibility of dirty industries existing in LDCs and coincidently exporting their products to wealthy countries. In this case, wealthy countries only started along the downward slope on the EKC by domestically reducing environmental damage. When taken globally their increased consumption due to income may still be increasingly damaging. Another danger is that leaving the quality of our environment subject to economic activity, even for only a short period, may be disastrous. The ability of the earth to absorb the damaging agents produced by economic activity, called absorptive capacity, is not yet known. A good example is global warming. More and more studies confirm that rising global temperatures are due at least in part to human activity. Predictions regarding the consequences of this change are still being debated. But further activity could push the environments limits to a point that causes serious repercussions for humanity. A final concern is that even if developing countries can achieve high levels of income per capita they may not possess a political atmosphere conducive to environmental protection. Assuming that the aggregate turning point is in a country reached, that country it is not necessarily going enact protection. Countries that possess sufficient demand for environmental quality still only achieve it with policy revisions. The most successful avenues for obtaining environmental quality are lobbyists. Without a government that responds to political pressure by these public groups there is no reason to believe that its policies will reflect the demand for a cleaner environment. In addition to this point, it also remains to be seen if all cultures place similar values on environmental quality. While constituents of currently developed countries may desire protection, countries in the process of developing may reach a point of equivalent income and still not demand environmental quality. Convers ely, they may actually demand protection earlier. Section V: Conclusion The questions and concerns about the EKC hypothesis that I have examined in this paper raise significant doubt as to the wisdom of adopting environmental policy based upon the EKC hypothesis. Even assuming its validity, the EKC hypothesis generates considerable doubt as to its effectiveness at balancing economic growth with environmental protection. Given these doubts policies must be, at most, based only partially on predictions by the EKC hypothesis. The correct balance between environmental protection and economic growth continues to be debated. Both of the opposing views present important arguments. Obviously, having either extreme either unhindered economic activity or overly protective environmental measures is an inadequate solution. The largest problem facing the debate is the lack of knowledge regarding the degree of robustness present in our earths environment. Still unclear of its ability to offer its resources and to soak up our by-products, our only course of action is to, with both needs in mind, tread carefully.

The Devil in the Shape of a woman Essay -- essays research papers

The Devil in the Shape of a Woman â€Å"The Devil in the Shape of a Woman† was an excellent book that focuses on the unjusts that have been done to women in the name of witchcraft in Salem, and many other areas as well. It goes over statistical data surrounding gender, property inherence, and the perceptions of women in colonial New England. Unlike the other studies of colonial witchcraft, this book examines it as a whole, other then the usual Salem outbreaks in the late 17th century. To completely understand the history of New England witchcraft you have to understand the role of colonial women. The author of this book, Carol Karlsen, used a lot of Secondary and primary sources to support her thesis. She uses first hand accounts of witch trials. Which I found very interesting to read. Such as her use of Cotton Mathers personal writings. She also used court records as one of her sources to writing this book. These records showed the detailed court proceedings, depositions, and court rulings. The book begins with a brief history of the colonial witchcraft. Each Chapter is structured with an orientation, presentation of evidence, and her conclusion. A good example of her structure is in chapter two on the demographics of witchcraft; here she summarizes the importance of age and marital status in witchcraft accusations. Following this she provides a good transition into chapter three in the final sentence of chapter two, â€Å"A closer look of the material conditions and behavior of acc...

Linguistic Stereotypes Essay -- Research Papers Language Essays Langua

Linguistic Stereotypes Language is a method in which individuals communicate in order to get their opinion across to the listening party. Language is the tool which ideas can be conveyed in various ways. Typically, language is referred to verbal communication, however, it ranges to all methods of communication i.e. sign language. Linguistic stereotypes are an existent form of discrimination. Since, languages are criticized and mocked due to the connection between language and cultural character. Thus, language is significantly related to the identity of the speakers. In addition, languages are vulnerable to criticism due to differences in cultural behavior. Firstly, according to ‘dictionary.com’ identity is defined as the variety of characteristics by which an individual is recognizable as a member of a group. Or in simpler terms the individuality of a person which makes him part of a society or creates a cultural connection or resemblance. These characteristics can be religion, culture and any other form of behavior that shows a sign of distinction. A personal interpretation is, the link established between an individual and a group which have unique characteristics. Language has a personality and a mood, created by the behavior of the speakers and their cultural identity. Moreover, this includes the tools speaker use to communicate through i.e. sign language. Languages can be described by human emotions and feelings; therefore, language is personified and dynamic. Historical events have lead to changes in languages in caused flexibility and dynamicity of language. Globalization and colonization also had an effect in word borrowing, and many languages have been altered due to this. Languages are also interpre... ...conversation and mood. Finally, the media’s involvement in creating stereotypes, and their ability to harness linguistics to establish links between language and identity. Comedians use accents as a method of criticizing a group of people and referencing to cultural behavior. Therefore, Linguistic stereotypes occur due to the association between language and the identity of a group of speakers. Works Cited: Preston, Dennis R. ‘Do you speak American?’ 27 April 2005. . Rabidcow. ‘Language Stereotypes’. 26 April 2005. Spark Notes.com ‘Casablanca, study guide’, 27 April 2005. . ‘Dicionary.com Definition of Identity’

Art :: essays research papers

I. Reading Clive Bell Sometimes I wonder about Clive Bell. After all, the man was obviously no fool. On the contrary-his every credential, every little detail of his career tells us otherwise: his life as the brilliant young student educated at Trinity College, hob-nobbing with other future intellectual heavyweights such as Lytton Strachey, Sydney-Turner, Leonard Woolf; the young scholar (described by friends as being „a sort of mixture between Shelley and a sporting country squire ¾) who, along with Thoby, Adrian, Virginia (later Woolf) and Vanessa (later Bell) Stephens, was to become part of the very core of „Old Bloomsbury ¾; the eminent art critic who proved crucial in gaining popular acceptance for the art of the Post-Impressionists in Great Britain-all of this serves as an almost overwhelming body of evidence pointing to the fact that this man was an intellectual of the very finest water. For myself, however, the above also serves to add a measure of urgency to this question: why do I find myself in almost constant disagreement with practically everything that Clive Bell has to say about art? I am inclined to say that it has something to do with the fact that, for him, it is not „art ¾-it is Art, art-with-a-capital-à ¥a ¼, so to speak. What I mean by this will be made plain through a discussion of his main book on the topic, (the very imaginatively titled) Art. Bell starts by postulating that there is but one kind of emotional response to all works of art, or at any rate to all works of visual art. This is what he calls the „aesthetic emotion ¾; it is intrinsic to both the appreciation and creation of art, and it is a response triggered by what (according to him) all works of visual art have in common: „significant form ¾ (which is a concept that I ¼ll have more to say about later). True, he says, different people respond differently to the same works, but what matters, according to him, is that all of these different responses are not different in kind. For according to him „all works of visual art have some common quality, or when we speak of à ¥works of art ¼ we gibber ¾. This extraordinary statement is to be found on page 6 of the edition of the book that I have before me-and here, already, I find myself in disagreement with Mr. Bell. In his statement of the case, is there any logical reason to believe that we do not gibber?

Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer

National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Section A: COMPULSORY Answer ALL questions 1-12 1. A resistance temperature device has a resistance R0 = 100 ? at 0o C. If the resistance RT = 197. 7 ? in an oil bath, what is the temperature of the oil in the bath, given that RT = R0(1+? T)? Take R0 = 100 ? R0 = resistance at 0o C ? = 3. 9083 x 10-3 /o C (2 marks) NDE Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer Exam 2008 Name: _______________________________________ Read all the instructions before starting Do not open this paper until instructed Time allowed: 2 hours (plus 5 minutes reading time) Attempt ALL question in Section A (questions 1 – 12) Attempt any TWO from Section B (questions 13-15) Answer the questions in the spaces provided on the question paper. Use the back of the previous page if required. If you attempted all three questions in section B, then cross out the question you don’t want marked. The marker will mark the first 2 questions not crossed out. Show all relevant working. Marks will be awarded for method as well as correct answers Add your name to the top of this page 3. A steel shaft has a diameter of 25. 0 mm at 20 °C. A brass retaining collar has an internal diameter 24. 95 mm at the same temperature. If the shaft is cooled to 0 °C, find the temperature to which the retaining collar must be heated if is to have a clearance of 0. 10 mm when it is fitted to the shaft. Take ? Steel = 12 x 10-6 /oCand ? Brass = 19 x 10-6 /oC. (4 marks) 2. A steel casting (C = 460 J/kgK) of mass 2. 4 kg is cooled from 350 °C by placing in a container of 12 kg of water (C = 4200 J/kgK) at 18 °C. Assuming no heat is transferred to the container, calculate the final temperature. (4 marks) Instructions: Attachments: Marking: Formulae, saturated water tables Individual marks are shown on each question. There are a total of 70 marks representing 50% of your final mark in this subject. A minimum of 40% in this exam is a requirement for course completion Thermo exam November 2008 final. doc Version 23-Sep-08 ?Mechanical Consortium Printed 11/04/08 Page 2 National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering 4. Heat was added to 10 kg of saturated liquid water at a pressure of 2 bar at the rate of 20 kW for 10 minutes. Given the following information from the saturated water table, and assuming perfect insulation: hf = 505 kJ/kg, hfg = 2202 kJ/kg, hg = 2707 kJ/kg, Ts = 120. 2 °C a. Find the dryness fraction of the steam after the initial 10 minutes. (4 marks) 5. For the complete combustion of acetylene, C2H2: a. Write down the balanced combustion equation (2 marks) b. Determine the stoichiometric air to fuel mass ratio (5 marks) Atomic weights: H = 1, C = 12, O = 16, N = 14 Air composition: 23% oxygen, 77% nitrogen (by mass) . Calculate the time (in minutes and seconds) for which the steam must be heated at the same rate in order to become fully dry. (3 marks) 6. Prepare a labelled sketch of a manometer inclined at 5o to a horizontal datum. If the manometer contains oil with a density of 800 kg / m3, and a change in the pressure applied to it is 50 Pa, find the oil deflection in mm. (4 ma rks) O f il de lect ion 5o Thermo exam November 2008 final. doc Version 23-Sep-08 ?Mechanical Consortium Printed 11/04/08 Page 3 Thermo exam November 2008 final. doc Version 23-Sep-08 ?Mechanical Consortium Printed 11/04/08 Page 4 National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering 7. Explain for the Seebeck effect and how it may be applied to temperature measurement. (3 marks) 10. Find the total heat transfer, per m2, through the wall shown below. Neglect radiation. Air temperature –5 °C h = 10 W/m2K Brick 70 mm thick k = 2. 3 W/mK Air Gap R = 1. 5 m2K/W (5 marks) Surface temperature 25 °C Gib 9 mm k = 0. 1 W/mK 8. The non-flow energy equation is given as Q – W= ? U. State the equation as it applies to: a. Isothermal b. Polytropic, and c. Adiabatic processes . (3 marks) 9. 50 litres of oxygen at 200C has a pressure of 850 kPa (abs). Find the pressure if its volume is reduced to 100 litres at: a. constant temperature Batts R = 2. 2 b. 850C 11. A chilly bin is 400 mm long, 200 mm high, 200 mm deep and is made from material 2 cm thick with a coefficient of thermal conductivity of 0. 028. The chilly bin contains ice – how much ice will melt in eigh t hours if the ambient air temperature is 300C? Take enthalpy of fusion for water as 335 kJ/kg. (5 marks) (5 marks) Thermo exam November 2008 final. doc Version 23-Sep-08 ?Mechanical Consortium Printed 11/04/08 Page 5 Thermo exam November 2008 final. doc Version 23-Sep-08 ?Mechanical Consortium Printed 11/04/08 Page 6 National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering 12. Air is compressed from 99 kPaABS, 20 °C and 1. 5 litres to a volume of 0. 2 litres (5 marks) according to the law PV1. 25 = C. Find the following; a. Determine the mass of the gas Section B Answer any TWO questions from questions 13-15 13. A steam pipe is 75 mm external diameter and is 80 m long. It conveys steam at a rate of 1000 kg/h at a pressure of 2 Mpa. The steam enters the pipe with a dryness fraction of 0. 8 and is to leave the pipe with a dryness of not less than 0. 96. The pipe must be insulated – the material to be used has a thermal coefficient of conductivity of 0. 08 W/mK. If the temperature drop across the pipe is negligible, find the minimum thickness of insulation required to meet the conditions. The temperature at the outer surface of the insulation is 27 0C. (10 marks ) b. Determine the final pressure c. Determine the final temperature End of Compulsory section. Answer only TWO of the remaining questions. Thermo exam November 2008 final. doc Version 23-Sep-08 ?Mechanical Consortium Printed 11/04/08 Page 7 Thermo exam November 2008 final. doc Version 23-Sep-08 ?Mechanical Consortium Printed 11/04/08 Page 8 National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Answer question 13 here 14. A one-shell-pass, eight-tube-passes heat exchanger is used to heat glycerine from 25oC to 60oC at mass flow rate of 3000 kg /h. The heating liquid is water which enters the thin-walled, 12 mm diameter tubes at 90oC with a mass flow rate of 26 kg / min. On the shell side the convective heat transfer coefficient is 2000 W / m2 K and on the water side the corresponding value is 2400 W / m2K. After some time in operation a fouling factor of 0. 0004 m2 K / W develops on the outer tube surfaces. Take cGLYCERINE = 2. 43 kJ / kg K and cWATER = 4. 2 kJ / kg K. Calculate: Glycerine in Water Glycerine out a. The rate of heat transfer in the device before fouling occurs. (1 mark) b. Outlet temperature of water. (2 marks) c. Log mean temperature difference (LMTD). (2 marks) d. Coefficient of heat transfer after fouling has developed. (2 marks) e. Total length of tube required, using â€Å"dirty† coefficient of heat transfer (3 marks) Thermo exam November 2008 final. doc Version 23-Sep-08 Mechanical Consortium Printed 11/04/08 Page 9 Thermo exam November 2008 final. doc Version 23-Sep-08 ?Mechanical Consortium Printed 11/04/08 Page 10 National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Answer question 14 here Thermo exam November 2008 final. doc Version 23-Sep-08 ?Mechanical Consortium Printed 11/04/08 Page 11 Thermo exam November 2008 final . doc Version 23-Sep-08 ?Mechanical Consortium Printed 11/04/08 Page 12 National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Answer question 15 here 15. Argon gas flows steadily through a turbine. The flow is entirely adiabatic. Entry conditions are 900 kPaABS at 450o C with a velocity of 80 m/s through an inlet measuring 75 mm x 80 mm. Argon leaves the turbine at 150 kPaABS at a velocity of 150 m/s. Work output from the turbine is 250 kW. Given the following ideal gas properties for argon R = 208. 1 J /kg K and cp = 520. 3 J /kg K, find: a. Mass flow of argon Inlet 75 mm x 80 mm p = 900 kPaABS T = 450oC V = 80 m/s 250 kW p = 150 kPaABS V = 150 m/s (3 marks) b. Outlet temperature of the gas. Assume change of height negligible. 7 marks) Thermo exam November 2008 final. doc Version 23-Sep-08 ?Mechanical Consortium Printed 11/04/08 Page 13 Thermo exam November 2008 final. doc Version 23-Sep-08 ?Mechanical Consortium Printed 11/04/08 Page 14 National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Extra page for working if required Saturated water properties Thermo exam November 2008 final. doc Version 23-Sep -08 ?Mechanical Consortium Printed 11/04/08 Page 15 Thermo exam November 2008 final. doc Version 23-Sep-08 ?Mechanical Consortium Printed 11/04/08 Page 16 National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer Formulary PV = mRT Q kA't x P1V 1 = P2 V 2 T1 T2 Saturated water properties P V1n 1 P 2 V2 n n 1 Q hA't A't R T1 T2  §P · ? 1? ?P ?  © 2? n 1 n  § V2  · ? ? ? V ?  © 1? Q R CP CV Q UA't 1 1 J W cp cv PV1 P2V2 1 n 1  ¦ 1  ¦ W  §V  · ? ? PV ln ? 2 ?  © V1 ? Q ‘ l = loD'T Q = m ‘h Q = m c ‘T ‘U P= Q 2? l't ?  § ro  · ?  « ln ? ?  » ? r ?  ¦  «  ©k i ?  »  «  »  «  »  «  »  ¬ ? 2S rlk ‘t x mcv ‘T F A for all processes Q Q H V AT 4 hA'T 5. 67 x10 8 P Ugh ‘U W OUTPUT 100 INPUT Q V W m2 K 4 K= Q UA't Mean t Mean ? 1 ? 2  §?  · ln ? 1 ? ?  © 2? 2  § V2 V12 m? h2 h1 ? 2  © T1 m h2 h1 S. T. P. = 0 °C and 101. 3 kPa N. T. P. = 15 °C and 101. 3 kPa Cwater = 4200 J/kgK For Air Cp = 1005 J/kgK Cv = 718 J/kgK R = 287 J/kgK ? =1. 4 Q W mc p T2 g z2  · z1 ? ? ? Thermo exam N ovember 2008 final. doc Version 23-Sep-08 ?Mechanical Consortium Printed 11/04/08 Page 17 Thermo exam November 2008 final. doc Version 23-Sep-08 ?Mechanical Consortium Printed 11/04/08 Page 18 National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Thermo exam November 2008 final. doc Version 23-Sep-08 ?Mechanical Consortium Printed 11/04/08 Page 19

Nature and nurture shape our personalities

Each person is unique and a person of worth under his/her own right. This statement defines who a person is, one s endowed with the faculties to exist and be a contributing member of society. However, how a person develops certain characteristics and traits have aroused the curiosity of the scientific and academic community. Even parents want to know how personalities are developed so they would be able to rear their children in the proper way and become adults who have a well rounded personality. The questions remains, how do people develop their personalities and what factors influence it. Although some people believe that personalities are influenced by nurture while others believe that personalities are influenced by nature, but it is a combination of both nature and nurture that shape our personalities. The nature-nurture controversy has led to the different perspectives on how an individual’s personality develops. Relevant materials: The Boy Who Became a Girl The nature perspective says that a person comes into this world with a certain traits and characteristics which make him/her predisposed to behave and think in a certain way. The nature perspective is largely biological and genetic; wherein it is thought that personality is often passed from parents to offspring and that a child may inherit the traits of the parents (Carlson & Buskist, 1997) just as they inherit their father’s eyes or their mother’s skin. Moreover, the biological perspective has said that a child is already born with certain personality traits that are enduring and stable over time. If a child has a difficult temperament as a baby, it can be expected that as an adult, that child would still be moody and temperamental. Finally, the nature perspective says that personality types are based on the gene pool of the individual, they say that aggression or predisposition to violence is genetically based, some people are just born to have the violent gene and that there is nothing that can be done to change this (Friedman & Schustack, 2006). The nature perspective may seem to be deterministic and narrow, once a person is said to be shy or timid, then that person will always be shy until the end of his/her life. The nurture perspective was borne out of the reaction and revolt against the nature perspective, the proponents of the nurture perspective found the biological view close and incomplete, it was not able to account for the concept of choice and free will and that each person has the capacity to change and become better persons. The nurture perspective advocated that individuals are fundamentally good and that each person can be trained and influenced to be a better person or have positive personality traits (Friedman & Schustack, 2006). Therefore, a person may come from a family of criminals or psychotics but with the right nurturing environment and love and care the child can grow up to become morally upright and compassionate. The nurture perspective places greater importance to the quality of care and the kind of environment that a child receives during his/her early years can affect the child’s personality and will form his/her characteristics and traits. The nurture perspective does not allow for any biological influence, in fact John B. Watson in his famous declaration has been known to say that he can train children to become whatever he desires them to be (Friedman & Schustack, 2006). The nurture perspective is more positive as compared to the nature perspective when it comes to personality change. The perspective holds that each person with the right support and guidance will be able to change his/her personality traits for the better. As the nature-nurture debate wore on, scientists and philosophers were finding evidence that suggested that personality development is not solely nature nor nurture, but a combination of both perspectives. Relying on the nature perspective alone does not present a complete picture of how personality is developed. They say that personality traits are not observable and one cannot identify which gene carries what trait therefore the perspective lacked credence as traits are not adequately labeled. At the same time, saying that the environment alone is the sole influence that affects personality development is wrong. There is always the continued interplay between nature and nurture and in reality; personality is molded by the combination of these two conflicting views. Personality traits and characteristics are developed and molded by both nature and nurture factors wherein the individual finds him/her self. It is true that one’s biological traits affect the individual and can be used as basis to predict the behavior of the child in the future as well as what kind of personality he/she will have. Personality traits that are expressed through emotions have been found to be affected by the endorphins and the hormones that a person has (Carlson & Buskist, 1997). For example, men and women differ in their personalities because women have more estrogen which activates the body into being more emotional and easily affected by feelings and situations while men who have a very low estrogen levels are hardier, more composed and calm than women. The physiology of the human brain also influence the personality of the individual (Carlson & Buskist, 1997), those who have a more developed language area are more vocal, more able to express their emotions while those who have more developed logical area are more rational. Moreover, intelligence which is a key ingredient of a person’s personality is also genetically based, those who are highly intelligent will be more critical, more resilient and more introverted while those who are more socially adept will tend to be extroverted. The influence of the environment over the personality of the individual has been demonstrated by the number of cases of wherein the child has been brought up in a positive environment despite being borne in a dysfunctional family grew up to be straight and proper. In the earliest experiments of human contact which tackles the issue of nurture it was found that monkeys reared alone and without a nurturing mother was cold, lifeless and unable to relate with other monkeys. On the other hand, a monkey which was reared together with a mechanical monkey displayed more positive behaviors than the first monkey (Westen, 2003). This showed that a nurturing environment is important for the developing child, in a similar light; it was found that those children who were exposed to aggression also imitated the aggressive behavior that was shown to them (Huesmann, Moise-Titus, Podolski & Eron, 2003). These underscores the double edged sword that nurture is because a positive environment may lead to positive outcomes while a negative environment may also be a threat to the development of the child. However, taking both of the perspectives explains far more completely how personality is developed and formed. A child’s genetic make-up provides for the predispositions that a child has, while the kind of environment that he/she grows up in will also form part of his/her personality. Personality tests have often found that personality traits are stable and enduring (Westen, 2003), a child may be stubborn in his/her younger age may mellow down and with the societal influences and an environment that promotes respect and obedience may tame the stubbornness, but in the end, his/her stubbornness may prevail when placed in a difficult situation or when she has to cope with a certain issue or problem. Moreover, a child may be overly active and vocal since childhood but through experience and social forces may transform the child into an adult who excels in sports or who are activists and leaders. This is also true for the other side of personality, the evil and dark side. Some children are evil and these can be observed in their behavior towards other children or other creatures, and sometimes they grow up to be criminals and sociopaths (Westen, 2003). In a same vein, children who have experienced abuse and traumatic events tend to develop personality disorders that affect their quality of life and relationships. Lastly, it has been reported that injuries to the brain have often resulted to a change in personality (Westen, 2003) and these had adverse effects to the individual and his/her family. The person’s behavior becomes erratic; he/she may have mood swings or may even portray a personality that is completely uncharacteristic of him/her. Without a doubt, personality is shaped by one’s biological predispositions and environment, each one of us have heard a small voice inside of us that shares our thoughts and feelings, while the most important persons in our lives have influenced and inspired us to dream and fulfill our ambitions in life. In the past the nature versus nurture debate was intensely championed by both sides, but at present it has been realized that acknowledging both the nature and nurture aspect of one’s development and personality provides a more complete and accurate picture of human nature. References Carlson N. & Buskist W. (1997). Psychology: The Science of Behavior 5th ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Friedman, H. & Schustack, M. (2006). Personality: Classic theories and modern Research 3rd ed. Boston: Allyn & Bacon. Huesmann, L., Moise-Titus, J., Podolski, C.   & Eron, L. (2003). Longitudinal relations between children’s exposure to TV violence and their aggressive and violent behavior in young adulthood: 1977-1992. Developmental Psychology, 39, 201-221. Westen, D. (2003). Psychology: Brain, Behavior, and Culture. New York: Wiley & Sons.

No Child Left Behind and Special Ed Essay

This paper is written on the topic â€Å"No Child Left Behind† and how this law pertains to and how it affects special education. This act was passed n 2001 and is abbreviated as NCLB and at times pronounced as nickelbee. This law was proposed by President George W. Bush in 2001 and it is a US federal law. This legislation was base on blueprint and was represented by John Boehner, George Miller, Judd Gregg and Edward Kennedy after which it was signed by President Bush. (Abernathy, 2007). This law was basically aimed to bring improvement in the performance of the primary and the secondary schools in the United States. Moreover, this law also aimed to elevate the standards of the schools making sure that they are provides flexibility in choosing school for their children. It also focused on reading and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 was also re-authorized. This Act was introduced during the 107th Congress, was passed by the House of Representatives on May 23, 2001and was actually signed into law by on January 8, 2002. The goal was basically to reform education and to set high standards and to ensure that these goals can be measured and improved. The Act further states that the basic skills must be enacted in the students and schools must receive federal funding. Standards of education are set by every state keeping in mind the control over the schools. Furthermore, this Act also states that the schools must also provide the details of the students such as their name, phone number and address to the military recruiters and institutions of higher education and this must be done unless the parents of that child do not ask the school not to provide any details. After this Act was passed, the measures of the act were fervently debated over its effectiveness. It has also been criticized and the criticism actually was that effective instruction and student learning could be reduced. However, in support of this Act, it is said that systematic testing provides data and so they schools that do not teach the basic skills in an effective manner can be highlighted after which improvement can be made based on the evaluations. This would improve the outcomes for the students and will also minimize the gap of achievement that persists between the students who are disadvantaged in any way. (Hess & Petrilli, 2006). At the time this law was implemented, the federal funding of education was increased by the Congress and the increase was from$42. 2 billion in 2001 to $54. 4 billion in 2007 while No Child Left Behind received a 40. 4% increase from $17. 4 billion in 2001 to $24. 4 billion. Later, the funding for reading quadrupled from $286 million in 2001 to $1. 2 billion. In 2008, a study was carried out by the Department of Education that showed the No Child Left behind Act on which around a billion dollars were invested actually proved to be ineffective. The special education programs were introduced in the United States and they were made compulsory in 1975. This was the time when the Congress passed an Act for the support of the disabled children. This ensures that every disabled student gets free and appropriate education and to apply least restrictions to such students. Moreover, to further enhance and make sure that this Act is being implemented, regular meetings are held between the professionals and the parents of the disable children to ensure that the specific needs of the children are being met and so that modification could be provided for the children who needed them. According to FAPE i. e. Free Appropriate Public Education, the disadvantaged children are to be provided free education at public expenses. They are also directed by the public and no charges are applied. It ensures that the individual needs of the child are met and free education is provided to them from preschool to secondary school education. The FAPE also prevents segregation that is done unnecessarily and to ensure that they have access to the maximum extent. Special education services and special equipment has to be given to the disabled children and a transition plan must be developed. This plan focuses on the future goals of the learner and to help him to live his life in future. Educators also believe that the disabled children should be taught together with the normal children because isolating these children would reduce their self esteem as well as their abilities. This is called mainstreaming i. e. the integration of the disabled and the normal children. However, they also have to have special classrooms and services and must also have a trained teacher. Moreover, the sessions that are held for the special children are called resource rooms that are equipped with all the required material. However, the disabled children can also join other children for other activities and there should be no restriction in it. (Pierangelo, 2004). Reference Abernathy, S. (2007). No Child Left Behind and the Public Schools. University of Michigan Press. Hess, F. M. & Petrilli,M. J. (2006). No Child Left Behind. Peter Lang Publishing. Pierangelo, R. (2004). The Special Educator’s Survival Guide. 2nd Edn. Jossey-Bass.

Taco Bell Case Study

Workshop Case Study – Taco Bell Design, Layout & Process Choice â€Å"Design for Transformation† In 1999, three out of every four Mexican fast-food meals purchased in the United States were made from one company – Taco Bell. However, this market dominance may never have come about unless the company had not transformed its operations throughout the 1980’s. In the early 1980’s, Taco Bell was typical of this kind. It was essentially a job shop operation. Nearly all food production was carried out on site: – –foodstuffs were prepared from their raw state; food items such as ground beef for tacos were cooked for a period of several hours in vats; –guacamole and other sauces were made-up; –beans were washed, cleaned and cooked; Once these items were ready for sale, they were then assembled in response to a customer order. This meant that wait time at the cash register was 105 seconds on average, an even slower during peak peri ods. This type of operations led to a number of management challenges. Staff had to be scheduled and organised in shifts so that they mainly prepared food items and cleaned the unit during slack periods, whilst they assembled orders and served customers during busy times.It was estimated that the restaurant manager spent an hour each day working on his crew schedule in order to match labour supply as closely as possible to potential demand, and thereby meet the company’s cost targets. Food cost control was also a priority, which meant that a great deal of time and effort went into ensuring no menu item was prepared in too small or too large a quantity. But the complexity of this operation, lead to quite wide variations in food quality, both within single units and between units in the chain. This was not helped by inconsistency in the quality of raw materials, which were ainly sourced locally. The emphasis on in-house food production meant that that the ratio of kitchen to di ning space was 70:30. Moreover, the main assembly line where food items were made to order ran parallel to the service counter, so that employees on the line were facing away from the customers. At that time, Taco Bell did not have a drive-through window, even though 50 per cent of competitors’ sales were from this source. Beginning in 1983, the CEO of Taco Bell, John Martin, made a number of major changes to the physical layout.The food assembly line was reconfigured to have two shorter lines at right angles to the service counter. This improved product flow and improved customers’ perception of the operation. The introduction of electronic point-of-sale not only improved order taking and cash handling, but also provided improved data on which food forecasting could be made. Other changes included: – –adding new menu items; –increasing the average size of new units from 1600 up to 2000 square feet; –adding drive-through windows; the upgradi ng the decor and uniforms of staff. However, external pressures meant that Martin also had to adopt a new operations process. By the mid-1980’s, the US fast-food market had matured and competition was fierce. Previously performance was judged on growth, which could be achieved by opening new units. In the mature market-place, market share became much more significant. Labour shortages also meant an increase in labour costs, up by 18 per cent for the industry, but by 50 per cent for Taco Bell due to its relatively larger, skilled workforce.Whereas chains with burger or chicken concepts could offset this increase by taking advantage of falling food costs, Taco Bell’s food cost remained at around 30 per cent of sales. So by 1989, Taco Bell was a relatively small player in the market being squeezed by rising costs. In a series of initiatives, the operation was transformed. K-minus was a project that turned the kitchen into just a heating and assembly unit. Nearly all food preparation (chopping, slicing and mixing of vegetables and meat) and cooking was eliminated.Beef, chicken and beans arrived in pre-cooked bags, lettuce was pre-shredded, hard tortillas pre-fried and guacamole delivered in cartridges. This changed the ratio of ‘back-of-house’ to ‘front-of-house’ to 30:70, reduced staffing levels in each unit and increased the operational capacity of each unit. The SOS (speed of service) initiative was designed to respond to market research that showed customers wanted their food fast. Recipes were adapted and a heated staging area developed so that 60 per cent of the menu items, representing over 80 per cent of sales volume, were pre-wrapped ready for sale.This reduced (Total Automation of Company Operations – TACO) was an IT project designed to computerise in-store operations and network each unit to headquarters. TACO provided each manager with daily reports on 46 key performance measures, assisted with production and labour scheduling and aided inventory control. This reduced the time restaurant managers spent on paperwork by up to 16 hours a week. These process changes and the investment in technology were also accompanied by changes in human resource management. The restaurant manager’s job was now very different from what it had been due to K-minus, SOS and TACO.Taco Bell recognised that managers should now focus much more on ‘front-of-house’ and on the customer. The management structure within each unit was therefore changed along with job descriptions and remuneration packages. Much more pay was performance related, so that top managers could earn $80, 000 a year, a huge increase on previous salary scales. Selection criteria for the new restaurant managers were also adapted to reflect the new style of operation. Between 1984 and 1994, Taco Bell doubled its sales and tripled its profits. Despite this, competition remained tough.With the right processes in place, Marti n could now look to other ways in which to improve operational performance. So, in the mid-1990’s the focus switched from technology to human resources, with the growth of team-managed units and the development of the learning organisation within Taco. (Source: Brown, Lamming, Bessant & Jones, Strategic Operations Management, 2nd edn. Elsevier, 2005) Tasks Clearly from the Taco Bell case, managing the process transformation is an enormously important challenge for operations managers in both service and manufacturing settings.Success does not come about purely by having the correctly designed layout, process and technology. Other skills and tacit knowledge also come into play. Task 1 Critically evaluate how strategic operational initiatives such as K-minus, SOS and TACO struck the right balance of addressing the â€Å"hard† & â€Å"soft† operational problems Taco faced and delivering customer satisfaction. Task 2 Changing the transformational process (i. e. to t he layout, product and process control) has a direct correlation to improving customer service and satisfaction? Discuss.