As She Grows – Creative Writing

â€Å"And it's another thing to have that one person not love you back, not the way you want them to. † (Cowan 106). As She Grows by Lesley Anne Cowan tells us the story of a teenaged girl, Snow, who grew up with no mother or father. The person that acted as her â€Å"parent† was her grandmother, a drunkard. Growing up with no love at home, she leaves for a group home. It is there she makes her life changing decision. To keep her child and to give her a home showered with love and happiness. Throughout this book, the author shows Snow's journey, separation when she leaves her grandmother, initiation when she gets pregnant and decides to keep the child, and return, when she decides to return to her former life in order to raise Betty. In As She Grows, Snow struggles to show her daughter the love that she had never experienced, so that her child might have the life she never had, filled with love and care, demonstrating the power of love to transform lives. The most significant reason for this was the lack of family love for Snow. Snow grows up with her grandmother, an alcoholic. Her mother drowned and her father is unknown. She grows up used to feeling needed by her grandmother, but she is tired of following her grandmother's crazy antics. She finally decides to leave her grandmother and moves into a group home. â€Å"I wait to feel something, anything other than this blankness inside. † (Cowan 277). Snow leaves her grandmother, hoping for a better future, away from her grandmother. When she first arrives at the group home, she finds some bad in each person, giving her a reason for her to hate them at first sight. Yet soon, she discovers that she was wrong and finds qualities in them for her to appreciate. Her â€Å"parents† are now composed of a group of people called â€Å"Staff†. The way Staff acts like a parental figure makes Snow feel a deficiency of love, even away from her grandmother. â€Å"At some point, I saw them differently and I actually wanted to belong. † (Cowan 207). Even though she did not like the group home or the people living there at first, she learns that they were good friends to her when she needed them to be there for her. Another reason for her change is that Snow slowly learns to put trust in her friends. When Snow finds out that she is pregnant, she tries to accept the truth by herself. Yet, she soon finds out that this is too much for her to carry by herself, so she tells this secret to one person. Each person living in a group home is assigned to a counselor. To Snow, going to a counselor is her price to stay in a group home. Her counselor, Eric, slowly persuades her to tell him about her reasons of leaving her grandmother. Soon, she breaks down and tells him why she left and even about her pregnancy. â€Å"Some words spill out of me and other are forced through my throat. † (Cowan 178). At thins point, Snow tells Eric that she is tired, that she does not want to plan her next step in life. She tells him, â€Å"I have no fight left in me. † (Cowan 179). After her friend Jasmyn's persuasion, she tells the group home and Staff that she is pregnant. Soon, Snow learns that sometimes outsiders that are not related to you in any way can become the closest people in the world, the ones you can rely on most. To Snow, going to this group home was her life-changing decision that altered her future for the better. The final reason for this change is to show the maternal love she never received in her childhood to her baby daughter, Betty. Snow struggles to understand the meaning of maternal love. In the very last line of the book, â€Å"If I rise in you, bury me. † (Cowan 289). She tells her daughter that if Snow's life is going to be seen in Betty, she must somehow break away from it. A couple weeks after Betty's birth, she tells her daughter, â€Å"People are afraid I won't know how to love you. (Cowan 225). Snow believes that she will find that courage and bravery in her that is needed to take care of her. Snow is a perfect portrayal of a victim of a society. Society thinks that all teenaged mothers will not know how to love their children. â€Å"Moments when I think, I can actually do this. † (Cowan 126). Snow sometimes has doubts about her ability to raise her daughter, but she also has times where she knows that she can raise her daughter, and not allow her to relive her own life's journey. Yet Snow is not so confident for the majority of the time. â€Å"Look away from her piercing eyes and whisper, ‘I'm sorry', into her soft skin. † (Cowan 277). Snow worries that her daughter's present and future. In the present, Snow is afraid she will not know how and when to love her. In the future, Snow is afraid about what life her daughter will choose to take. She wants the best life possible for Betty, and Snow thinks the life she had was the worst life imaginable, a kind of life she doesn't want Betty to have. In the last two lines of As She Grows, â€Å"If I rise, bury me. If I rise in you, bury me. † (Cowan 289). Snow's difficulties in raising Betty are shown. Her lack of parental love in her childhood has caused Snow to learn maternal love for her child, because she does not want Betty following in her old steps. Even near death, Snow still wants the best for her daughter. She loves her and says that if her bad characteristics or her life ever appear to surface in Betty's life, she is to bury all of this.

Writing A Paper Takes Patience and Time

A good piece of writing job is never easy to do. Writing is not as simple as it looks. There are too many things to think about even before a person would start writing. The first task of a writer is to think of a subject or topic that he or she is interested in writing about. He or she would then have to do researches to know if there will be sources to back up the paper. Next, the writer should make an outline to make his or her ideas organized, which would help the the whole paper to make sense. After making an outline, the writer can start with the writing process and make a first draft. Everyone should remember that they should never be satisfied with just a first draft because there are still many things to do after writing this draft. Usually, papers take too long to be written because writers tend to spend too much time thinking and deciding what topic to write about. However, once the writer knows what to write about, everything is expected to go smoothly. A lot of time and effort goes into researching about the chosen subject. At times, problems would be encountered when the writer finds out that there are only few sources that he or she can use. Researching requires a person to go to the library, conduct surveys, or search the Internet. All of these things take up time, which is why writers should allot enough time to write their papers. Or else, if unavoidable circumstances arise, it might be too late to do anything. Making an outline will make one's ideas flow continuously without awkward transitions from one topic to the next. A good writer also knows that to be able to produce a sensible paper, he or she has to follow a schedule because this would lessen the chances of cramming. A paper will always look as if it is rushed so having a schedule is better than to receive a failing mark. Before even beginning to write the first draft, writers should think of their audience. This is the people they intend to talk to through their work. Writers should know how knowledgeable their audience are about the topic being talked about so that no one will get confused and effort would not be wasted. Knowing who the audience will be also contributes to the ease of writing because the writer will know how extensive he or she needs to get on the paper to be able to communicate with the audience. Writers should readily accept that first drafts really do have mistakes. This is why they are called drafts. Not all writers can perfect a writing job the firs time around because it is hard to concentrate on thinking what to write and think about the grammatical structure of the whole paper at the same time. Drafts are meant to have mistakes and writers should always remember to make room for improvement. Writing takes time because writers should make sure that what they are writing about makes sense. They should be able to write sensibly and continuously without gearing off the topic or focusing on one aspect of the paper that other topics are being left out. After making a draft, writers should revise their papers and have them proofread by someone who has knowledge on the subject or someone who has the authority to do so. Revising will correct mistakes and make sure that the whole paper is complete in terms of ideas. Allowing somebody else to read the paper would help produce an unbiased opinion about the areas of the paper that need improvement. Revising would take time because checking for mistakes can take into two forms: one is for grammatical mistakes, and two is for the content errors. One cannot check for both at the same time. After having the first draft revised and proofread, the writer should follow the suggestions and comments by the other person and apply the corrected mistakes on the next paper. This process is repeated until the time comes when both the writer and the editor are satisfied with the work. Aside from these things, writing does take time because of the writers. It is known that writers cannot force themselves to write whenever they do not have the proper inspiration to do so. There are those who can write only at a certain time of the day. There are those who has to have a something before or during writing that without it, they will not be able to function. This is because writers need to be in the right state of mind and at the right moment to be able to come up with a good paper. This is opposed to other types of work where people can start and end their jobs at designated times. Writing does take a lot of patience and time but this is only because writers want to make sure that they bring out the best piece of writing to their audience. It does take a while and writers need to go through several processes but these efforts would pay off when they see the results of their work.

Performance Management Questions Essay

Answer only two (2) of the following essay questions (up to 5 points each). Direct, succinct answers are expected. Key words, not the amount of verbiage, count the most. Bullet statements are OK. You will be graded on content. Use knowledge from text, handouts, articles or lecture. Do not answer more than 2 essays. Cite main source of material – but no References page required. 1. Explain the Performance Management system, its main purpose and key components 2. Explain the three areas of a needs assessment – as it used to decide if training is the proper approach to an issue, problem – or new program – and what type of training is best. The three areas of training needs assessment are as follows: Occupational assessment(examines skills, abilities and knowledge that is needed to execute success in occupational groups) organizational assessment(determines level of organization within a specific division of a company), and individual assessment(determines whether the level of expertise of a single person are up to par for the job title they hold.) 3. In your opinion, and use of our text – what is HRM’s role as a strategic partner in an organization? Include several duties and decisions HRM would make in strategy.(NOT about HRM functions) Provide one example. 4. In your opinion – what is the most important Employment law passed – and why? I believe the most important employment law is the equal pay act of 1963. This law ensures that pay is equal between two employees regardless of gender, race or any other physical attribute not pertaining to the job. I believe this law to be the most important not only in the field of employment but also for civil rights.As it let the American people know that they were equally compensated in the work place and that no one is beneath another.

Response paper for art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Response paper for art - Essay Example The floor lines being â€Å"tilted up† as well as the â€Å"bold contours† accentuate focus on the frontal plane, where various constituents of the piece, such as â€Å"words, performers, spectators, and lights† appear parallel (Kiehl & Cate, 1988). Another element that can be seen in this work, is the Japanese influence Lautrec has in his art, such as shedding partial view on La Goulue, the sensual female dancer depicted in the image. In this poster, Lautrec uses the technique of brush and spatter lithography, and on a closer inspection, it can be seen that the poster is a print comprising of four colors on three sheets. The poster is made out of the primary colors â€Å"red, blue and yellow† and makes use of thick audacious lines at places. Lautrec has deftly captured not only the setting, that is, the Moulin Rogue, but also the various people and the actions they perform, and this characterization makes the work a

Internet Censorship Laws Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Internet Censorship Laws - Research Paper Example However, as this essay will prove, such reservations on the intention of internet censorship laws should not derail people from the political, social and security importance of such laws. Therefore, internet censorship laws should be applied in the necessary areas to ensure people feel safer when online. Introduction of internet censorship laws is important in the preservation of the country’s social norms. The internet has come with other social vices whose propagation should not continue unchecked. One good example of such vices is pornographic contents available on different websites. The explicit sexual content in these websites introduces children to immoral behavior, which they copy, and practice. Such content makes children feel that sex at a young age or outside marriage is okay. In such cases, censorship of such content is important as an effort to protect children from early exposure to sexually explicit content. Some of the internet sites use children as characters in their picture whether moving or static. Such internet websites have been used by pedophiles to advance their social vices. The websites provide an avenue for child molesters to get their victims and clients for their illegal business (Weinstein and MacEwan 347). It is not clear whether the presence of the internet has increased child pornography or has only acted as an avenue for its transmission. However, Weinstein and MacEwan (347) assert that the internet has clearly increased the accessibility, volume, and range of sexually abusive images, which also includes child pornography. Censorship becomes the best options in curbing the spread of such vices therefore; there should not be opposition from anyone who stands for moral responsibility. The importance of internet censorship laws does not end with stopping the propagation of pornographic content. The censorship will also help in covering areas where hate speech propagation targeting some groups of people in society through th e internet has been reported. The internet has provided many people with an avenue for making anonymous statements and valuable space for virtual communities. However, not every internet user engages in constructive dialogues, given that there are those who promote racist diatribes and other discriminatory views (Bidgol 351). Therefore, internet censorship laws help society get rid of those whose aim is to create social disharmony. There have been cases of violence against some groups in society that have originated from the internet. A good example of such internet websites is Stormfront formed by white supremacists and provides an avenue for white nationalists and other racial extremists to make their views public. Such websites play a key role in the condoning and incitements of acts of discrimination and violence against a section of the population (Weinstein and MacEwan 355).  Ã‚  

Replacing the income tax with a national sales tax Research Paper

Replacing the income tax with a national sales tax - Research Paper Example As might be expected, one of the reasons for why a value added tax/sales tax/†fair tax† has not caught on within the United States is due to the fact that a preponderance of negative trade-offs exist with regards to implementing this. As a function of seeking to understand this issue to a more full and complete degree, the following analysis will present the reader with an understanding of the way in which a federal sales tax represents both positive and negative externalities and could ultimately harm many at risk individuals within the current society. Through such a level of argumentation, this particular researcher will seek to expound upon the complexities of a federal sales tax and the manner through which the trade-offs for this particular approach compare to the current income tax structure that currently exists. Although the analysis will most certainly go into a greater level of death concerning each of the pros and cons of a potential federal sales tax, figure 1.0 below helps to sustain sleep illustrate some of the key points that will be under discussion within this brief analysis. Figure 1.0 Trade-offs of a nation-wide federal sales tax structure       Pros levels the playing field between all tax payers    aids investments       benefits businesses       stimulates saving       eliminates IRS and the headache of "filing taxes"       Cons       disproportionate impact upon the elderly    disproportionate impact upon the poor       lack of deductions for expenses       depends too much on spending       increases potential for tax evasion    As can be seen, the main benefits that a federally mandated sales tax could incur would most certainly be with regards to leveling the playing field between all taxpayers within the system. The current system is one that places an undue level of stress upon certain individuals within society while others do not have any tax burden whatsoever (Jones 6). As suc h, a federally mandated sales tax would be a system that would invariably change this dynamic and ensure that each individual who participate in the economy would be a same rate. Another added benefit is with regards to the fact that a nationally mandated sales tax would in fact serve to increase investment. Due to the fact that investments themselves and savings would not be taxed, individuals would come to the realization that a heavy national sales tax burden would encourage them to save their money rather than spend it. By much the same token, a direct level of benefit would be with regards to businesses as they would no longer have the headache of engaging with the Internal Revenue Service and providing certain levels of withholdings (Ling & Petrova 371). Furthermore, it can also be understood that eliminating a federal income tax would also have the added benefit of doing away with an incredibly costly and inefficient Internal Revenue Service; a branch of the government that i s recently come under a great deal of scrutiny recently for its unjust, unethical, and illogical political torment of those that have alternative views to the current administration. However, it must not be understood that simply eliminating the income tax is going to be a solution that invariably benefits each and every participant within the economy. For instance, the first and most salient concern is with regards t

Cmrj 502 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Cmrj 502 - Essay Example They work in partnership with the police forming part of the prosecution that ensures correct charges through elimination of non-viable cases (Cook, et al., 2005). With the help of use of â€Å"threshold test†, the decision on whether a bail or custody is to be executed is determined before charge. The decision on how to carry out the prosecution process is divided into two stages where â€Å"two stage tests† are undertaken. The two tests are carried out in turns by the crown prosecutors. The first stage which is the evidential stage involves the submission of sufficient evidence that must provide a realistic prospect of some conviction. If the case does not go through this stage, the case does not proceed. The public interest is the second stage where the interest of the public is considered. This is because according to lord Shawcross (1951), prosecution has never been automatic since public interest must be satisfied if conviction is to result in a sentence. As part of their role, CPS advises the police on cases for possible prosecution while being guided by the code for prosecutors on how to give timely responses while sticking to their charging standards which aims at restoring the CPS/police arrangements and joined up working (Vines,

Tactics during Donation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Tactics during Donation - Essay Example In other words, the tactic can be said to mean that as long as an individual has donated, the donated amount is helpful regardless of the amount. This tactic is used as an encouragement the donors that the donation process will achieve the targeted goals that may include eradicating poverty in the society. The steps refer to the charity organizations’ strategies to ensure that the donations received have been utilized towards attaining achievable objectives for the donor’s money, which facilitate increased donations. The tactic phrased in terms of a question means that individuals have the will for donations, and they will donate several bucks in during the donation. This implies reciprocity and provides an encouraging message for more donors towards donating towards a donation exercise. In other words, it means that I donate first for other to follow suit or motivate and convince others to

Neutral network and machine learning Research Paper

Neutral network and machine learning - Research Paper Example Problems used to be in form of binary strings of 0s and 1s. Currently, there is usage of other encodings. This evolution normally begins from a group of randomly created phenotypes and this process takes place through generations. During each generation, the fitness of each individual in the population/group is cross examined, multiple phenotypes are chosen from the group as per their fitness and then they are modified and can be randomly mutated to create a new population which is then used in the iteration calculations whose procedure is step-by-step also known as the algorithm. This algorithm is mostly terminated after the production of a maximum number of generations. A fulfilling solution may or may not be accomplished if the algorithm has been terminated when because of a maximum number of generations. The most widely accepted representation of the result is using an array of bits. Any other arrays can be used similarly. What makes the representation that uses genetics convenie nt is the fact that their parts can be aligned conveniently because of their fixed size. This facilitates easy crossover operations. 1.2 Applications and results of Genetic Algorithm 1.2.1Metaheuristic This term is designated from a computational method which optimizes problems through iteration. This iteration tries to improve the solution of a candidate as per a given measure of quality. Few or no assumptions are made about the problem being optimized. As far as candidate solutions are involved it can search very large spaces. However, optimal solutions are not guaranteed to be found by Metaheuristic. Stochastic optimization is mostly implemented in a metaheuristic way. It can also be referred to as: Derivative free Direct search Black box Heuristic optimizer 1.2.2 Computational creativity This is also referred to as artificial, mechanical creativity and sometimes creative computation. It comprises of the bringing together of fields such as cognitive psychology, artificial intelli gence and philosophy. Computational creativity improvises the combinational perspective which allows one to model creativity in form of a search procedure through several possible combinations. These combinations can be as a result of composition of different representations. Cross over representations which capture different inputs can be generated using neural networks and genetic algorithms. 1.2.3 Multiple sequence alignment This refers to a sequence alignment of at least 3 biological sequences namely: Protein Dna Rna Most of the times the sequences are assumed to have an evolutionary relationship through which they are descended from a common ancestor hence share a lineage. As a result, sequence homology can be inferred from the Multiple Sequence Alignment and to look into the sequences’ shared evolutionary origins phylogenetic analysis is carried out. In trying to widely simulate the evolutionary process which gave rise to the broadening of the query set, genetic algorit hms have been used for production of Multiple Sequence Alignment.This is done by breaking several potential MSAs into pieces and rearranging the pieces repeatedly.Gaps are introduced at several positions.During simulation a common objective function is achieved which is the sum-of-pairs function that emerges in the broad programming Multiple sequence alignment. 1.3 GA (genetic algorithm) used with NN (neural networks) 1.3.1 Evolving weights The frequent use of GA with NN is because genetic algorithms

Should the U.S. emphasize multilateral over unilateral initiatives in Research Paper

Should the U.S. emphasize multilateral over unilateral initiatives in foreign policyC.Q. Researcher, Feb. 2, 2007, vol. 5, issu - Research Paper Example 4. Many important international institutions require multilateral cooperation. 5. Multilateral initiatives allows for more alliances. CONS: No, the U.S. should NOT emphasize multilateral over unilateral initiatives in foreign policy. 1. The U.S. may have a disadvantage in multilateral negotiations because some countries outstrip the American influence in many consensus-oriented fora such as the ASEAN, Asean Regional Forum and APEC. 2. Some of the benefits of multilateralism can be achieved in through other strategies such as bilateral agreements, which sometimes could be more forceful and effective. 3. It is less decisive in addressing immediate threats or issues that need immediate attention. The dominant opinion domestically and internationally is that the United States is better off pursuing a multilateral approach to its foreign policy instead of unilateralism. This is exactly what is being pursued by the current Obama administration. For example, in the current civil war happeni ng in Libya, the US is working with the North Atlantic Territory Organization (NATO) and the Arab League in order to best solve the crisis. When several airstrikes were finally launched against Moammar Gaddhafi’s military installations, they were done within the auspices of NATO and were explicitly projected as international efforts with the French or the British, possibly taking the lead. American policymakers are careful to avoid the failures of the previous administrations in its foreign policies, particularly that which concerned the unilateral invasion of Iraq, including the policies that came to constitute the American War on Terror. The confidence-building capability of multilateral initiatives has been demonstrated by Japan – a state now held in high esteem by most of Asia – after its much derided status during the Second World War. Through its strategy, it was able to achieve a kind of diplomatic influence that sometimes surpasses that of the US. For ex ample, through the years, Japan has cultivated strong economic relationships with member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN). Multilateralism’s benefit for Japan is quite clear. Today, the country has two major East Asian multilateral foreign and security policy options: the first is the ASEAN/ARF structure, which are now consisted of most of the states in Southeast Asia, South Asia and East Asia.1 Then, there was also the case of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which the first Bush administration encouraged and ratified under President Clinton’s watch. This initiative to engage Latin America, wrote Horwitz, helped redirect the foreign policies of thirty-four Western Hemisphere states in favor of closer political and economic ties.2 This engagement also facilitated the pursuit of common goals that led to the solution of common problems such as illegal drugs and immigration. Engaging other states and international institutions makes an initiative legitimate or, at least, provide a semblance of it that might otherwise be perceived as narrow political/military/economic interests of the US. According to Parmar, the popular critique against the recent Bush administration was that it had alienated the world by â€Å"by-passing international institutions, flouting international law and norms, and disregarding the interests and opinion of states.3 Anjali

Culture and Care Value Base Essay Example for Free

Culture and Care Value Base Essay In this assignment I am going to examine and explain my own personal values and principles influence my own work in professional practice. I will compare my principles and values with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council codes of practice and the Care Value Base. The NISCC and the Care Value Base have many similar codes of practice which all health and social care practitioners should adhere by and work with. The values I feel that are relevant within my experience of healthcare and within my current placement are confidentiality, dignity and respect, effective communication, anti-discriminatory practice and culture and beliefs. In researching NISCC codes of practice and the Care Value Base, I have found that their values are also similar to my own values within my care practice. The first value I am going to discuss is confidentiality. According to the Care Value Base maintaining confidentiality of information is an important part of caring. Any information clients give is private and confidential. Individuals need to be aware of what they say to other carers and clients and also who have access to client files. Previously undergoing work experience in the stroke ward I found that all patients’ medical information is on a clipboard on the front of their bed, anyone could read this information, I feel the patient’s confidentiality is  being breached. During my work placement at Ceara School, I observed that each pupil has individual care folders within school; these are kept in a secure filling cabinet and only the members of staff who are looking after a particular pupil is allowed access, I feel this is very good practice to uphold confidentiality. Within my placement I feel my values would be similar to the Care Value base, if a service user informed me of private information I would keep it to myself to build trust and confidence unless the individual or others were at harm. The second value that I feel is most important and relevant to my experience and work placement is effective communication. According to NISCC, one of their codes of practice is to communication in an appropriate, open, accurate and straightforward way. Within my work placement you have to have recognition and respect of the pupil’s opinions and ideas so they gain confidence within you and be more comfortable to talk. You also have to talk respectfully and use a lot of humor and creativity to keep them interested. On a regular basis there are group conversations and also one to one conversations, simple language is used that is easily understood and additionally open questions are applied to develop the conversation. With having previous work experience in Craigavon Area Hospital I have learnt the importance of communication. Many doctors used jargonistic terms, which can be very hard for patients to understand, I consider this to be ineffective communication. I feel my values are comparable to those of the Northern Ireland Social Care Council. I think that my value of communication within my work placement will come across positively. While in placement I make the speaker feel heard and understood, I make sure to create an environment where pupils feel safe to express ideas opinions and feelings. I keep suitable eye contact and show interest in what is being said and sure my posture is open and inviting. The Care Value Base deems that it is important to acknowledge an individuals personal beliefs and identity. The NISCC feel that respective diversity and different cultures and values are very significant and can have extensive affects on a persons care. I went to an integrated secondary school with many cultures and religions. I took part in a multi-cultural day in school, I got to see other communities and cultures and what they believed in, this widened my views and changed my opinions of different religions. While in Craigavon Area Hospital completing work experience I learned that meals and meal times were very important in some religions and culture. Some individuals were vegetarian; I had to be very respectable of their culture and identity. They were supplied with a different menu with different foods that they could choose this promotes the right of choice and independence. Before my work placement commenced I hoped that the employees and pupils had the same value as myself in consideration of different cultures and are open to express their beliefs and identity and be proud of who they are. My next value is extremely important in my care practice and that is upheld by NISCC and the Care Value Base is anti-discriminatory practice. Anti-discriminatory practice is action to prevent discrimination against people on the grounds of race, class, gender and disability. Anti-discriminatory practice promotes equality by introducing anti-discriminatory policies in different situations of work. http://uk.ask.com/question/what-is-the-definition-of-anti-discriminatory-practice The Care Value Base describes one of their values by promoting anti-discriminatory practice and to protect the individual from abuse. There are many pieces of legislation that are in place to protect individuals from discrimination including the Disability Act 1995, Human Rights Act,  Equality Act 2010 and the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995. In my work placement I will work in an anti-discriminatory way, I will not discriminate or judge the service users on their gender, race, class or disability. I believe everyone is different and we all have rights set in place to prevent us from being discriminated against. While undertaking work experience in Craigavon Area Hospital, disabled individuals were protected from discriminatory practice, there were lifts and ramps so all wheel chairs could access the building. There were wide and automatic doors so wheel chairs could get through them with no difficulty, although I feel this is very good practice there was also bad practice within the hospital. I consider individuals with different religions and languages were discriminated against. There were no interpreters for different languages therefore the patients didn’t know what had happened or what was about to happen. I feel my values hinder those of the Care Value Base and I imagine my values will come across positively within my work placement. I feel my personal culture and experience has influenced me in many different ways in supporting users of services and others in health and social care settings. My parents have taught me from a young age to say please and thank you and to be respectful to others. I have grown up knowing these simple values and therefore it has influenced me to show dignity and respect to all service users. Although I am of a Catholic background and practice the Catholic faith, I went to an integrated primary school and secondary school with many different religions and cultures. I now have an understanding of other cultures within health and socials care settings and I am able to accept other religions and their beliefs. I believe this have had a positive influence on my personal culture and experience. When I was in primary school, I met my best friend, he was homosexual. My parents were quite weary of this as they didn’t like the way he dressed and  acted. They came to the terms of his sexual orientation and accepted him; because I have had the privilege of meeting him it has allowed me to open my eyes to all sexual ordinations. When working and supporting users of health and social care service I wouldn’t mind what sexual ordination the service user was, I would not discriminate against them. I would promote and uphold my values to protect them from harm. From experience I know many people have been discriminated on because of their gender. Some individuals will not be chosen for a particular job because they are male/female. Service users are also judged on their sexual ordinations, recently in the news according to Poots, Northern Irelands Health Minister he said that all gay men are not allowed to give blood. I feel this sexual ordination is being discriminated against, it is very bad practice and defeats the purpose of legislation created to protect individuals from this happening. I will promote and uphold my values to protect individuals from being discriminated against. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-15014823 I think a pedophile and a murder would cause a barrier in the care setting I am working in. I have grown up knowing that they are bad from family, friends and the media. This may affect and hinder my work but as I am now aware of this negative point I need to work on this barrier. I can not make an assumption until I work and understand them, until then, I will try not to judge this group. New developments and changes to personal values can have a major impact on working in the Health and Social Care sector. Firstly a new development of mine is starting a new course; I have met new people and got to know them. Working in different practices can impact work in a care setting, partnership can be developed and new skills can be gained. I have started a new placement in Ceara School, I am very excited to see if it is the right area of health and social care I want to do further studying in. I feel this experience can be very education and rewarding. This experience will help me in my future and will give me a good start. I can now see that it is the first time I have looking at my values thoroughly and reflected on them, I  will challenge my values to become a better professional. I feel guest speakers were a new development of mine, they give me an insight into their organisation, and they also give me information on how I could get work experience. New developments and changes to my personal values can benefit the service user. I could reflect more in action rather than later, use communication more effectively and user my initiative in different situations. To conclude I believe that personal values is very significant in influencing my own work in the health and social care sector. I have found that my values are similar to the values of the Care Value Base and the Northern Ireland Social Care Council. I have found that there is legislation to protect individuals from unconfidentiality and anti-discriminatory practice also to promote dignity and respect, effective communication and culture and beliefs. I have also explored my new developments and what changes I could make to my personal values to create more effective and efficient care.

Mahindra project report Essay Example for Free

Mahindra project report Essay After concrete efforts of our Management, the students of Kohinoor Management School got this esteemed opportunity to have an Industrial visit to a prestigious company like Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. We appreciate the efforts of the management of KMS MM for executing this successful Industrial trip. Introduction to Mahindra: Mahindra Mahindra Limited is the flagship company of the Mahindra Group, a multinational conglomerate based in Mumbai, India. The company was set up in 1945 in Ludhiana as Mahindra by brothers K. C. Mahindra and J.C. Mahindra. Mahindra Mahindra is a major automobile manufacturer of tractors, utility vehicles, passenger cars, pickups, commercial vehicles; its tractors are sold on six continents. It has acquired plants in China and the United Kingdom, and has three assembly plants in the USA. MM has a global presence and its products are exported to several countries. Its global subsidiaries  include Mahindra Europe Srl. based in Italy, Mahindra USA Inc., Mahindra South Africa and Mahindra (China) Tractor Co. Ltd. MM is one of the leading tractor brands in the world by volume. It is also the largest manufacturer of tractors in India with sustained market leadership of over 25 years. It designs, develops, manufactures, and markets tractors as well as farm implements. The Journey Begins†¦. We reached the Mahindra plant at Kandivali, Mumbai. We headed to the Conference room and were briefed about the Company by a presentation on the leadership and the entire group of MM followed by the Q A Session which lasted for an hour. The honors were done none other than Mr. Shirish Tawde, the Deputy General Manager (DGM) of the Company. Accompanying him were Mr. Kishor Sonawane (Manger Business Excellence), Rajendra Sawant (Sr. Manager Business Excellence), Mr. Mahesh Dalvi (Manager Business Excellence, Sector Sustainability). With such dignitaries explaining us the world of MM, we were just as grateful. This plant mainly deals in manufacturing of Tractors and Farm Equipments. The plant is one of the oldest manufacturing plants in the production of tractors in India. After decades in leading the tractor sector MM have diversified into the roots of farming and have positioned themselves in the Farm Sector. After being briefed through the introduction of MM plant, we were about to explore the India’s most Prestigious Companies. We were divided into 2 groups of 15 people so as to have individual attention . We visited 3 units of the plant right from examination of engine parts, assembling of engine and main manufacturing of tractors. They manufacture 2,00,000 tractors annually. The FES contributes 35% market share. Hands on approach to Production (where theory meets practical): Each Group was taken separately and explained functioning of the plant. A lot of theory is learnt is class regarding how the manufacturing units focus on Total Productivity, Total Quality, Zero Defect, etc†¦but by far this was the  first hands on experience on how does a Manufacturing unit or plant works. Here we are explained about how the assembly line manufacturing process works. This section of the plant deals with the installation of the main engine of the tractor. In this picture we are introduced to how the stations work in co-ordination to get optimum results. In the pictures below, the students are taken through a complete channel of stations on the assembly station and the supervisor explaining each of this complicated process. The lag or lead time is calculated and each one at every station tries to improve on it so as to reduce the time effect in assembling each engine. The units where tractors are manufactured in assembly lines follow Total Quality Management (TQM) and Total Productivity Management (TPM). Every sub-unit contributes to the production. They avoid material handling losses with pulleys and fork-lifts. All these techniques add value to the production. Indeed there is no surprise they improve their quality and reduce time with ever unit of production of tractor. Here, we are shown how the final tractors are put in place Students Opinion: Kohinoor Management School gave us the Golden Opportunity to visit the Mahindra and Mahindra plant at Kandivali. It was a great experience to know the organization internally. They are successful enough to balance between Business Excellence and Individual Dignity. Their main focus on farm tech prosperity is what like me a lot, as agriculture is the base of the Indian Economy. -Pratibha Shinde. Visit to the M M was an eye-opener. The journey unfolded various aspect of the tractor division. Starting from the nuts and bolts, the engine, to the massive structure which forms the backbone of the Indian farms and agricultural sector. The gains or the take away from the visit were splendid. The use of Japanese technology in the assembly line, the step by step process layout, the plan B; the vision of always staying ahead were the insights. Lots of management mantras were demonstrated and inculcated. A great learning and an honour to see the invasion of the GREAT INDIAN TRACTOR DIVISION. -Yogendra Joshi. It was my first Industrial visit to any manufacturing plant and enjoyed every bit of it. To be a part of such an esteemed organization and having a look through all their process was an intriguing experience after all. -Shraddha Salunke On behalf of all the Management and the students we take this opportunity to thank the entire team of Mahindra and Mahindra for providing us with the practical information and well as wonderful hospitality. We take moment to offer our greetings to the entire Mahindra and Mahindra team.

Cultural Aspects in India

Cultural Aspects in India If the 20th century was generally recognized to be the American century, then the 21st might very well be regarded as the Indian century. After all, following China, India has the largest population in the world. Like China, it too has a large and fast-developing economy, and it is steadily converting these economic gains into growing political power abroad. Unlike China, however, India is governed by a vibrant, participatory democracy, which, while chaotic, reflects the political values of human rights and pluralism so cherished in the West. Indeed, as countries which have long guided the West in leading the world begin to lose ground to counterparts in the developing world, India is one of the few major future powers in a position to pick up the Wests mantle of human progress and freedom. Though like the West in its commitment to democracy, India brings with a unique set of circumstances, informed by a history and culture, which stretch back for thousands of years. The common theme of Indian history has been heterogeneity. The abundant diversity found in India today was present almost from the beginning. The countrys oldest historical document, the Rig Veda, which is also a religious one, recounts a massive migration of one conceived ‘ancestor group and its intermingling with a loosely described native culture (Keay, 19-56). Scholars have found evidence of civilizations on the Indian subcontinent stretching back to times concurrent with the first city-states of Mesopotamia, Indian history (Keay, 1-18). Between the time of the Harrapan City States of around 3,000 B.C. all the way to Indias current prime minister Manmohan Singh, India has absorbed wave after wave of new peoples, new beliefs, and new ideas and added this to an already heady mix with every passing c entury. As a result, Indias startling diversity and variety were multiplied in countless directions. Nowadays there are over 400 languages spoken in India with over 14 official languages recognized according to the CIA World Factbook. Its population, which had stayed predominately rural until recent years, is becoming more urbanized, and two of the worlds five most populous cities are located there. The Indian parliamentary democracy is multi-party, regional, and highly factionalized, reflecting the drastic differences that exist between districts even within the same province. With all this diversity, it is tempting to impute irreconcilable contradictions between the types of people, institutions, and beliefs found in India. One might ask: how can one form a coherent statement about the existence of an overarching Indian culture? The answer to this has been as much a problem for government leaders as it has been for scholars, but it is one this paper will endeavor to supply in the following ways: We will discuss the major components of Indian culture (people, frames of references / communication, and group interactions) to illustrate the staggering variety of Indian cultural practices. We will focus on the notion of the Indian family and its characteristics, and attempt to make the case that the family as an institution provides a unifying theme for Indian culture, and a vehicle, which simultaneously relieves and reinforces the tectonic tensions brought on by societal diversity. We will discuss the findings of our interviews and outside readings to form a â€Å"big picture† analysis of Indian culture. II. Culture Components Gannon and Pillai supply readers with two metaphors through which to conceive of the sheer magnitude of diversity found in Indian cultural practices: the Dance of Shiva and a Kaleidoscope. In either case, there is a dynamic tension between change and stasis, creation and destruction, and the rules of general and specific; both metaphors create a framework for understanding that heterogeneity is the rule of thumb when conceiving of India as a whole. To view Indian culture in all its staggering complexity, it is necessary to begin with the component parts: people, frames of references / communication and group interactions. A. The Indian People For Westerners seeking to understand the staggering diversity found on the Indian Subcontinent, there is a helpful quote from a Hindu religious prayer, which can assist: â€Å"May good thoughts come to us from all sides† (â€Å"Religions†). Its simplicity reveals an acceptance of variety, heterodoxy and the unconventional; it turns on its head the notion of diversity being a challenge, and refashions it as an asset. To effectively argue that there is a general, overarching Indian culture, it is important to first acknowledge as true that such a culture is also served by many distinct parts, which have guided that nations historic, political, social and economic development. When considering the citizens of India, it is similarly important to perceive the numerous and stark divisions with regards to ethnic / linguistic groupings, social and economic levels, as well as religious and philosophical make-up. i. Demographics; Social and Economic Levels India is the second most populous nation in the world, having an estimated population of 1.17 billion (CIA World Factbook, â€Å"India†). Though the World Factbook only subdivides Indias immense population into four ethnic categories: Indo-Aryan (72%), Dravidian (25%), Mongoloid and other (3%), the plethora of languages spoken in India 400 at last count, plus 2,000 dialects speak to a diversity almost beyond the average Westerners comprehension. India is also a very young nation, with the mean age being 25.3, and with nearly 95% of the population under the age of 64 (CIA World Factbook, â€Å"India†). Indias population is also increasing at a brisk, if not explosive rate; it ranks 84th in the world in terms of highest growth rates higher than the United States (CIA World Factbook, â€Å"India†). Literacy is at 61%, and only 29% of the population is urban—a number which has been increasing at the slow creep of 2.4% over the last five years (CIA World Factbook, â€Å"India†). When adopting a big-picture perspective, noticeable differences appear between men and women: males tend to be younger, more literate and more educated (CIA World Factbook, â€Å"India†). Males also tend to be more plentiful earlier in life, with a higher birth rate of 1.12 males to every female, but their life expectancy is lower by almost five years (CIA World Factbook, â€Å"India†). One of Hinduisms most potent legacies, insofar as demographic effect is concerned, is Indias hierarchical caste system (Lonner; Zhang, 11 and 14). Although the caste system evolved from Hinduism for over 1000 years, some groups of other faiths such as Christians and Muslims adhere to this ancient social structure (â€Å"Religions†). Indias society reveals large gaps between the lifestyles of upper and lower class Indians; the bottom 10% hold only 3.6% of the nations wealth, where the top 10% have accumulated 31.1% (CIA World Factbook, â€Å"India†). By purchasing power parity, India is the 5th largest economy in the world, yet, it remains one of the poorest, with an estimated 53% of the population subsisting on less than one dollar a day in income (CIA World Factbook, â€Å"India†; Gannon and Pillai 469). Compounding economic difficulties are social, geographic and political realities, which prevent equal development for all. In a submission to the periodical Cultural Anthropology, writer Kaushik Ghosh describes the conflicting strains of â€Å"indigenousness, locality and transnationalism,† which combine to blunt social and economic development efforts being made in India. The reality for India is that, given its immense, far-flung borders (greater than the continent of Europe, according to WorldBusinessCulture.com), extreme geographic features, and the extreme multiplicity of the ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups, it is not possible for any change to be applied uniformly and in a way that affects all people equally. Ghosh depicts the isolated tribes of Jharkhand, India, who, in their efforts to lobby their local government and national representatives, become effectively nullified when they are lumped in with other, separate interest groups that are labeled â€Å"indi genous.† Another writer, Navtej Dhillon, shares that â€Å"the majority of Indias 150 million muslimsMuslims suffer relative deprivation when to education and access to public employment.† For a time, the Indian government had utilized socialist economic policies, and today the state is still a large player in economic development. The role taken by government can be paternalistic, and elected officials try to reward their voters and supporters with jobs and economic opportunities. Combine this economic reality with the fact that Indias multiparty, parliamentary government is characterized by heavy regionalism and identity politics, and you get the following: certain groups are sometimes purposefully excluded from lucrative government business opportunities (Bellman, â€Å"Politics Economics: Reversal of Fortune Isolates Indias Brahmins†). In an article published in the Wall Street Journal, journalist Eric Bellman describes a government policy in the State of Tamil Nadu, which allocates 69% of government jobs and public college slots for lower castes. Though this policy actually has its genesis in the Indian Constitution, which itself was formulated to correct concentrations of wealth and privilege in the higher castes, the article documents a new dimension to the state policy, which is considerably less altruistic and more partisan. Yet for all that academics, journalists and political leaders have described the staggering dimensions of social and economic inequality, it is apparent that within India itself, there is consensus insofar as a solution is concerned: education. Gannon and Pillai describe the perceived success of Indias educational sector, which, as mentioned above, has produced an enormous pool of highly-educated and specialized workers (Gannon and Pillai 504). Indias success in these areas also masks startling inequalities, namely the low literacy rates and a general lack of access to education for many people (505). Competition to rise above ones peers is inordinately tough given the limited number of slots open at public and private universities, and in secondary school, a performance test is given to determine which field of study for which a student is eligible (Cheney, Ruzzi and Muralidharan, 8). Despite the systemic challenges like a drastic lack of funding, deficient facilities, and teacher a bsenteeism, the value placed on education and knowledge is so present in Indian culture as to make â€Å"millions of students achieve at remarkably high levels.† It is this valuing of educational attainment, which has established India as a preeminent figure in high technology fields, and paved the way for long-term economic development. Despite the endemic poverty, economic development in India has given rise to a sizeable and growing middle class, which contains in its membership the â€Å"largest number of college-educated scientists and computer specialists in the world.† (Gannon and Pillai, 469). India is now looking inwards to, in the words of Indian President, Manmohan Singh, â€Å"a vast unfinished agenda of social and economic development,† to correct abuses and disparities which occur due to culture, history, politics or environment. ii. Religion and Philosophy Every aspect of Indian culture has been impacted by religion. Prominent Hindu and philosopher Swami Vivekananda stated, â€Å"Each nation has a theme in life. In India religious life forms the central theme, the keynote of the whole music of the nation† (Gannon 470). Martin Gannon wrote, â€Å"For 2000 years of its history, India was almost completely Hindu, but for the last millennium or more, Indian culture has been a synthesis of different racial, religious, and linguistic influences† (470). Tolerance has also sustained religious pluralism of Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Secularists, and other persuasions (Census of India). Despite having an 80.5% Hindu population, Indian culture is not only a Hindu culture (Census of India). The other major indigenous religions in India are Jainism (0.4%), Buddhism (0.8 %), and Sikhism (1.9%), and the major imported religions are Christianity (2.3 %) and Islam (13.4%) (â€Å"Religions†). Other smaller religions comprise 0.6% of the population, and are namely, Zoroastrianism or Parsi, Bahai Faith, Jews, and tribal persons who practice the most ancient religion of animism (â€Å"Religions†). 0.1% of Indias population did not state a religion (Census of India). Hinduism is tied with the ancient Vedic tradition estimated to have formed around 1500 B.C. and had continued to be the sole religion of India up until a thousand years ago or more (Gannon, 470; Heitzman). Indian philosophy, with its thematic undercurrents of cycles, owes much to Hinduism and later dharma traditions (Gannon, 471). The dharma and ancient monastic tradition of Jainism, owes much of its religious precepts to Hinduism (Census of India; â€Å"Religions†). Experts speculate the formation of Jainism began in the 9th century B.C. by Parshvanatha whose teachings required a path of non-violence for all living beings and other practices to guide the soul to divine consciousness (â€Å"Religions†). Similarly, Buddhism was inspired by the life and beliefs of Siddhartha Gautama, or Buddha, between the 6th and 4th centuries B.C. (Census of India; â€Å"Religions†). Buddhism is a dharma religion consisting of varied philosophies, beliefs, and traditions that hav e spread to the East. Buddhists in India near the Chinese border mainly follow Tibetan Buddhism or Vajrayana, which means from Sanskrit â€Å"Vehicle of the Thunderbolt†; and those located near the Myanmar border practice Theravada, translated from Pali â€Å"Way of the Elders† (â€Å"Religions†). Sikhism was established by Guru Nanak in the sixteenth century, who attempted to reform specific Hindu tenants like eliminating the caste system, race, and gender inequities (Census of India; â€Å"Religions†). Islam arrived in India during the early eighth century; largely from the Sunni sect (Census of India; Heitzman; â€Å"Religions†). The division of the British Empire at Indias independence forced many Muslims to migrate to Pakistan and Hindus to India, but Islam still remains the largest minority religion today (Census of India; â€Å"Religions†). Indias Christian inhabitants are majority Roman Catholic, but consist of several other denominations, including both independent and consolidated Protestant churches of Church of North India and South India (Heitzman; â€Å"Religions†). Indias small community of Parsis comprises the last practitioners of Zoroastrianism, which was brought by Iranian immigrants one thousand years ago. There are small communities of Judaism, Bahai Faith, and tribal animists (â€Å"Religions†). After Indias independence in 1947, the establishment of a secular government further facilitated mutual respect of all religious practices in public society through legislation advocating neutrality in all things rooted in an individual or groups faith (Sen, 19). Notwithstanding its constitutional obligation, religion and government do still intermix, shown in the management of Hindu temples by the Tamil Nadu state government or the Sikh political party exerting full authority over the state assembly in Punjab (Heitzman). Furthermore, Indias long tradition of religious tolerance began to be challenged by fundamental ideologues starting from the 1960s. From the 1990s to the present, riots and religious-based political parties continue to impact public life and its relatively neutral governmental body (Heitzman). 1. Hindu Religion Philosophy The general premise of Hindu philosophy is that truth is organic, pluralistic, and sometimes inconsistent, and should be arrived by multiple sources, rather than dogmatic principles (â€Å"Religions†). In other words, context matters most in India, a culture that Edward Hall refers to as high-context (Hall, 101). Hinduism is an ancient polytheistic faith originating from Vedism, or simply Brahmanism, brought by invading Aryans in 1500 B.C and thus is subsequently deemed to be the oldest â€Å"living† religion (â€Å"Religions†). Hinduisms major groups are Vaishnavism and Shaivism, though membership in these groups is loose, dynamic, and vague (â€Å"Religions†). The leading sects are the Vaishnavas, who worship Vishnu god or a related avatar such as Rama and Krishna, Shaivas which worships the god Shiva, and Shaktis, a cult that worships the manifestations of Shakti, the mother goddess and companion of Shiva. Other smaller sects advocate religious reform and revival, charity to the poor, or follow the teachings of a charismatic leader (â€Å"Religions†). There is said to be â€Å"five tensile strands† in Hinduism: doctrine, practice, society, story, and devotion (â€Å"Religions†). All Hindus follow these strands to varying degrees and accept their distinct tensions and contradictions, favoring religious enthusiasm over â€Å"fundamental rigidities of practice or doctrine† (â€Å"Religions†). To achieve absolute happiness one must live beyond worldly possessions through spiritual enlightenment—a journey in search of salvation or mukti in which leads to an ethereal transcendence called moksha (Gannon, 475). Hindu philosophy guides each person on a distinct path to this exultation from worldly suffering along four fundamental avenues that often are intertwined: intense devotion or love of God (bhakti yoga), selfless work or service (karma yoga), philosophy or knowledge of self (jnana yoga), and meditation or psychological exercise (raja yoga) (Gannon, 475). The difficulty of achieving moksha in ones l ifetime is accommodated by the concept of reincarnation in which souls or jivas enter the world through Gods power mysteriously and ascend from the simplest life forms to the most complicated bodies or human form where the search for mukti begins (Gannon, 475). The degree of these three fundamental qualities is determined by the equilibrium of rights and wrongs done in past lives, called karma and is predicted by astrological charts at birth (Gannon, 476). Hinduism also gave rise to the caste system. A caste or jati (translated as â€Å"birth†) is a social organization into which someone is born. It is also a system purported to provide social support and established economic and social roles, making it the most influential contribution to Indias collective culture (â€Å"Religions†; Zhang, 11-13). There are over 2000 distinct jatis in Indian society today (â€Å"Religions†). Each member marries within the same jati and follows specific rules of behavior such as kinship, profession, and diet, and interacts with other jatis according to their social position (â€Å"Religions†). Each jati is associated with five caste clusters or varnas in descending order: Brahmans which are priests, Kshatriyas as warriors, Vaishyas which were originally peasants but now associated with merchants, Sudras as artisans and laborers, and Panchamas which historically had been excluded from the system because of their occupation an d ways in life (â€Å"Religions†). The fifth varna reveals the mechanism for determining the level of the caste: purity. The rate at which a group comes into contact with pollutants such as dung, menstrual flow, leather, dirt, hair, saliva, and blood, determines its ranking within the social caste system (â€Å"Religions†). Panchamas are avoided for fear of contamination, hence the name â€Å"Untouchables,† but the Constituent Assembly of India adopted legislation after Indias independence outlawing the reference (â€Å"Religions†). More recently, the phrase â€Å"Dalit†, which means â€Å"Oppressed†, has been utilized in contemporary India, but is officially called â€Å"Scheduled Castes† (â€Å"Religions†). One sixth of the population belonging to this caste are typically landless, have agricultural professions, and other ritually contaminating occupations such as leatherwork which is the largest Scheduled Caste (â€Å"Relig ions†). Author Richard Lannoy demarcates mutually exclusive Western conceptions of â€Å"right and wrong† or â€Å"good and evil† from Indias philosophy which stresses finding the middle way (227). Furthermore, the cyclical nature of Hindu thought lends to an â€Å"open-ended sense of perfectibility, less anguish in the face of time, a less fanatical will to achieve everything in a single lifetime† and manifests in Indias holistic, non-linear, and inductive styles of reasoning and dialogue, harmonious existence with its environment, fluid sense of time, and high Long-Term orientation (Hall, 17; Lonner; Zhang, 20). 2. Holidays, Traditions Celebrations Both religious holidays and secular celebrations are observed broadly in India, often time with the same holy day being celebrated in unique ways by the varying religious and secular communities. For example, in Hinduism the festival of Diwali plays a significant role, but is interpreted differently by other related religions, such as BuddismBuddhism, Sikhs, and Jains. In its most generic form, Diwali is the festival of lights. Easter, Christmas, Islamic New Year and many others are also broadly celebrated by the Indian populace. In addition to holidays, the religions of India tend to be very ritualistic traditions as well. One such ritual is the lighting of the lamp before the altar of Lord Brahma while saying a prayer. This lighting represents darkness, knowledge, and ignorance. It is common in many Indian homes to have an altar or a prayer room. This symbolizes the Lord Brahma as the master of creation, and thus reorients the lives of people who occupy the surrounding space towards him and themselves. Hindu women often wear the pottu or tilak, which â€Å"invokes a feeling of sanctity the wearer and others†. The different colors and forms depend on the caste and religious subdivision. Taken as a whole, all these act of devotions large and small present a pattern as to the approach a great many Indians take toward religion and spirituality: integration. Indians of all religions are also known to regularly make pilgrimages to visit certain holy or nationally evocative sites. This attribute attests t o the powerful force of religion in an Indians daily life. B. Frames of Reference / Communication In the latter half of the 20th Century, pioneering anthropologist and culture-expert, Edward Hall conceived of what he called â€Å"the silent language† of culture. By extending the notion of culture from the more well-known and studied â€Å"front-stage† elements, and exploring the rich â€Å"back-stage† of culture, Hall demonstrated how beliefs, schemas, associated meanings and symbolism could affect intercultural communication as assiduously as spoken language might. The second subdivision of the component parts of Indian culture consider the communication patterns and frames of reference utilized by society as a whole, beginning with an exploration of the expressions and general attitudes found in contemporary Indian society, continuing with a discussion of role relationships, and ending with gestures and non-verbal communication. i. Expressions and General attitudes Like few other cultures, the belief systems found in India tend to be exhaustive and encompass a variety of values and philosophical perspectives on a wide variety of issues, such as nature (environment), human nature, privacy, individuality, wealth / material possessions, social positions, government, politics, childhood and child-rearing, time, crime, violence and others. A prominent feature of Indian society, even in non-Hindu cultures, is fatalism, which is an ultimate acceptance of the hand of fate insofar as guiding ones affairs are concerned (www.communicaid.com). Fatalism is tied to the Hindu notion of Karma, that â€Å"everything happens for a reason† and breeds and encourages passivity, and a surprisingly low uncertainty avoidance score for a country with such traditionalistic cultures (www.communicaid.com). Indian society is high context and collectivist; thus a prevalent concern in all interactions is the maintenance of social relationship and the preservation of social face. As such, activities which would provoke harsh judgment from ones peers isare frowned on. Many experts have noted that successful communication in India depends on precise knowledge of the status of the individual with whom one is speaking, and the relative standing between each party. Edward Hall diagnosed India as having a high-context culture, which is characterized by indirect, face-saving and listener-centric communication styles (Hall, p. 101). In India, communication is informed by role relationships, which, reflecting the society at large, are varied and complex. ii. Role relationships Role relationships in Indian society are in some instances outgrowths of the traditional caste system, as well as religious beliefs. The Indian caste system has been and continues to be influential in everyday life of the people. The main purpose of the caste system is to bring a sense of order in the society. The caste system enables people to have their own place in society and keeps away from any conflict. Outside of the traditional, economic and religious strictures of the Caste system, India as a society is marked by high power distance and tends to embrace clearly articulated lines of authority and respect. Indians base this respect on the behavior, title, class, and status of the person with whom he or she is interacting. The status of an Indian is determined in part by his or her possession of a university degree, his or her profession, age, and caste. In terms of professions, given the deference provided to authority figures, it is considered more impressive to work for the government than the private sector. Gender-based differences also exist, despite laws to the contrary. The head of the family is almost universally the eldest male. Male chauvinism is well-established, and women do not have the same privileges as do males. iii. Gestures and Non-verbal Communication As a high context culture, Indian communicators tend to rely heavily on indirect verbal and non-verbal cues to reinforce their message. In addition, Indians rely on a variety of contextual cues for comprehending meaning. For example, the word â€Å"No† or any kind of direct refusal is absent from most Indian discourse because it implicates an aggressive, harsh, impolite, and arrogant tone. Instead â€Å"vague and open-ended answer such as ‘Ill try or ‘I will confirm with you another time† are considered acceptable answers (â€Å"India: Prosperous Entertaining Part I†). Subsequently, a â€Å"Yes† does not always imply agreement or acceptance. Extrapolated further, some of these cues have taken on a life of their own, which is separate and considered standard when interacting with others. For instance, in order to show respect, greetings are offered with what is termed the ‘namaste or the placing of both hands together as if praying coup led with a slight bow. Use of the right hand when touching people or objects is recommended; due to the cultural association, the left hand is viewed as being unclean. Head bobbles, head wobbles, and Indian head shakes refer are a common gesture found in South Asian cultures, most notably in India. The head shake is the non-verbal equivalent of a multipurpose and omnipresent Hindi word, accha, which can mean anything from â€Å"good† to â€Å"I understand.† Shaking a head sideways is taken as non approval of certain things, whereas shaking a head up and down is taken as approval, though the meaning is reversed if you are aan Indian from the South. Similarly, a side to side hand wave is frequently interpreted by Indians as â€Å"no† or â€Å"go away.† Eye contact with an elder or person in a senior position is considered very rude. Avoiding eye contact with the seniors is considered as a sign of respect. Another non-verbal taboo is to touch a persons head because it ; The head is considered sensitive and so shouldnt be touched. Likewise, one should never point with a single finger or two fingers, instead, point with the chin, whole hand or thumb. Prostrating before God and elders and touching their feet is the humblest way of conveying respect in Indian culture. Known as Sashtang Namaskar it is bowing with four limbs of the body touching the ground. Touching feet of the elders is showing respect. Staring is also acceptable, as staring at strangers is a Western cultural taboo that does not carry the same weight in India. Many people feel quite free to stare at anything, or anyone, that is different from them and as part of their culture. Interpreting this as rudeness is unproductive. C. Group Interactions The third component of culture is group interactions, which are limited here to general social interactions amongst friends, peers and professional settings. Generally summarized, interactions can be sub-categorized into greetings, visits, and meetings. i. Greetings Renowned expert organizational behavior and psychology, Dr. Madhukar Shukla, describes Indians as outgoing and friendly, an attitude that is bolstered by a sense of privacy, which is less guarded than in the West (Shukla, â€Å"India: ConversatonConversation Part 1). One should not, therefore, be surprised by the ease with which conversation is started, nor with which it covers ostensibly private subject matters. There are several different naming forms in India, which vary from region to region (Kwintessential.com, â€Å"Global-Etiquette: India-country profile†). In the north of India, it is common to see a given name, followed by a surname or family name, whereas in the south, names commonly begin with a reference to the town or region the person is from, followed by the fathers name, and then lastly their given name. Similarly, in Muslim culture, surnames are not common, instead, have a derivative of their fathers name tacked on after the given name by ‘bin if the person is a male, and ‘binti if they are a female, which in both cases means ‘of; the name ‘Hajji might also have been added if this person had made the pilgrimage to Mecca. Sikhs,Sikhs also have a unique naming system, which is the given name followed by the name ‘Singh (Kwintessential.com, â€Å"Global-Etiquette: India-country profile†). In all cases, however, it is recommended that w hen addressing someone, one should give the correct name, prefaced by Mr.† or â€Å"Mrs.†, or by his or her professional title: doctor, director, chairman/woman, and so on (Shukla, â€Å"India: First Name or Title?†). Furthermore, the same source points out that despite the variety, in many parts of India, people will conform to the Hindu style of naming, which is the most widely used. Upon entering the room, greetings should be offered first to the oldest or most senior person present; in many cases, the oldest person will be the most senior-ranked. Offering a â€Å"Namaste,† a handshake or even a pleasant â€Å"hello† is acceptable, though there are important caveats to note. Depending on the religion of the person with whom one meets if he or she is a muslimMuslim a â€Å"Salaam Wale Kum† might be more appropriate (Shukla, â€Å"India: First Name or Title?†). Handshakes are acceptable for men; however touch is a sensitive area for many Indians, so a handshake might not be as acceptable for women (Shukla, â€Å"India: First Name or Title?†). Experts suggest respecting the physical space of Indian counterparts, and any physical interactions should be at their initiative. The recommendation of the â€Å"hello† and slight wave,wave should only be acted upon if the audience is younger, as it is reasonable to assume they wou ld be familiar with this aspect of western culture. (Shukla, â€Å"India: First Name or Title?†) ii. Visiting â€Å"Hospitality is a key value in Indian culture, and the guest is considered the equivalent to god† (Shukla, â€Å"India: Prosperous Entertaining Part I†). Foreigners and Indians alike can attest to the geniality one encounters from invitations by those they just met to â€Å"drop on by† at any time. The Indian hos

Seneca Falls :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Title:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The road from SENECA FALLS. (cover story)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Source:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  New Republic, 08/10/98, Vol. 219 Issue 6, p26, 12p, 3bw Author(s):   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Stansell, Christine Abstract:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Reviews several books related to women’s suffrage and feminism. ‘The Selected Papers of Elizabeth Cady STANTON and Susan B. Anthony, Volume One: In the School of Anti-Slavery, 1840-1866,’ edited by Ann D. Gordon; ‘Harriet STANTON Blatch and the Winning of Woman Suffrage,’ by Ellen Carol DuBois; ‘Woman Suffrage and the Origins of Liberal Feminism in the United States, 1820-1920,’ by Suzanne M. Marilley; More. AN:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  888132 ISSN:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  0028-6583 Full Text Word Count:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  9663 Database:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Academic Search Premier Section: BOOKS & THE ARTS The feminism of the mothers, the feminism of the daughters, the feminism of the girls. THE ROAD FROM SENECA FALLS I. One hundred and fifty years ago this summer, in the little country town of SENECA FALLS in upstate New York, several dozen excited women and a few interested men held the first meeting in the world devoted solely to women’s rights. It was 1848, the â€Å"springtime of the peoples† in Europe; and, although these Americans were far removed from the emancipatory proclamations in Europe, they caught the fever and produced one of their own, the Declaration of Sentiments: â€Å"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal.† Compared to the apocalypticism of The Communist Manifesto, another product of that year, the SENECA FALLS Declaration seems modest, a relic of right-thinking republicanism rather than a portent of wrenching revolutionary transformation. Yet its effects were destined to be no less profound, and far more benign. The gathering in 1848 emerged from a long, fitfully articulated history of women’s grievances, though the participants were not aware of it. The interruption of historical memory and, in its absence, the strains of improvising a politics of grievance on the spot, have always characterized this tradition. The written record of female protest extends back to the late middle ages, to the French woman of letters Christine de Pizan and her Book of the City of Ladies. It was in the late eighteenth century, however, that the language of the rights of man gained momentum around the northern Atlantic world, shifting the idea of justice for women out of the register of utopia to make it, for a few highly politicized women in the age of revolution, a plausible goal in the here and now. Thus, in 1776, Abigail Adams admonished her patriot husband, away in Philadelphia at the Continental Congress, to â€Å"remember the ladies† in their declarations, a nudge tempered by coyness but at heart quite serious.

Essay --

ME: I spent nearly 15 years harboring un-forgiveness against an individual. I was 7 years old I lost my Mother .My father was left to raise seven children. We didn’t have much and it showed in my appearance and unkempt hair. I remembered sitting in class one particular day; the teacher asked each of us what we wanted to be when we grew up. When the time came for me to answer I stood up and said that â€Å"I wanted to be a teacher† and she looked at me and said â€Å"you should think of something else more realistic. I had heard hurtful words repeatedly as a child but that day, I was crushed by them. I recall how the entire class laughed and made fun of me and years later I believed that I was never going to amount to anything, and everything I attempted failed. It was as if those words were like a ball and chain on me. My Dad was a weekend alcoholic back then and he worked hard during the week but on the weekends he was never around. My childhood was a very lonely one, I didn’t have any friends, only associates, but there was this guy name Chris, he was a sweet and very nice boy. I use to talk to him from time to time but he was very reserved and was always by himself. I felt badly for him, after all, I felt that we were both misfits. We had become good friends, and even though he wasn’t much of a talker, neither of us seemed to mind, we were just grateful to have the other as a friend. Then one day I learned that he had committed suicide. We hadn’t been friends all that long but he was the only friend I had and I was really hurt, angry, and I even questioned and blamed God for allowing it to happen. I couldn’t understand how he would allow it and I had a hard time dealing with it. I had to get away, so when I turned 18 I decided to ... ...e command, or any Holy words provided, as they are in the other two Sacraments. Also, a foot washing is void of evangelical grace, or pardon of sin, which is why it should not be practiced in the church as Sacrament. I pray that you learned from this study of Jesus’s example, and I pray that God continue to stir us up to live lives which are pleasing in His sight and from which He get all the honor and glory. It was due to this study that I was able to free myself by forgiving the teacher who spoke nothingness into my life and those who made my life a living hell growing up. Immediately when I forgave them I felt as if that ball and chain that was attached to me just broke into and fell off. I no longer receive the report of others; I believe what God said about me. I perform feet washing according to the teaching of Jesus; I just do not perform them as Sacrament.

Ciminal Insanity Essay -- Judicial Criminal System

â€Å"A judge's ruling today that an Irvington babysitter who stabbed her 5-year-old nephew 57 times is not guilty by reason of insanity was followed by screams of agony from the dead child's father.† (Juri, 2009) This woman will be locked up, but in a maximum security psychiatric facility not a prison. Is this just? Is this fair? It may be. What if this woman did not know that the child was what she was stabbing? What if she saw a dog that was attacking her, or maybe she was even farther removed from reality. This is the difficulty with criminal insanity cases. Sometimes, even if the person is mentally ill a murder is a murder; theft is theft. Should criminal insanity be a useable defense in Canadian court systems? Through the history there have been three basic definitions of legal insanity. First was the M'Naghten Rule. This rule stated that a person was only considered legally insane if they were "incapable of appreciating his surroundings"(Montaldo, 2010) due to a mental illness. This is a quite strict definition without much room for special cases. It caused a â€Å"black and white† view of criminal insanity cases. The M'Naghten Rule lasted until the 1950s when in the Durham v. United States case the court ruled that "would not have committed the criminal act but for the existence of a mental disease or defect."(Montaldo, 2010) the Durham method got a lot of criticism because it was very lenient on the definition of criminal insanity so that it almost depended on the judge to decide if the person was to be considered criminally insane or not. To address this problem a third method was created by the American Law Institute and was published as part of the Model Penal Code. The Model Penal Code provided a standardized idea of crimina... ...us reus. Retrieved from http://www.answers.com/topic/actus-reus Burns, K. (2008, May 16). Criminal insanity . Retrieved from http://karisable.com/crmh.htm Dryden-Edwards, MD, R. (2010). Schizophrenia. Retrieved from http://www.medicinenet.com/schizophrenia/page3.htm Farlex, . (2010). Insanity defense. Retrieved from http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Criminal+insanity Findlaw, . (2010). The insanity defense: history and background .. Retrieved from http://criminal.findlaw.com/crimes/more-criminal-topics/insanity-defense/insanity-defense-background.html Juri, C. (2009, January 06). Judge accepts insanity defense from babysitter in irvington child's slaying. Retrieved from http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/01/a_judges_ruling_today_that.html Montaldo, C. (2010). The insanity defense. Retrieved from http://crime.about.com/od/issues/a/insanity.htm

Freedom Writers Essay

The ‘Freedom writers’ is a movie which embodies the story of an English class in an urban long beach high school. Directed by Richard LaGravenese and produced by, Danny DeVito , Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher, the ‘Freedom writers’ is based on the struggle of a new teacher, Mrs. Gruwell, to maintain an ambitious environment in her class room. Her tolerance, trust and respect is not taken for granted as she climbs success alongside her students in the hopes of taking them out of their misery and showing them a life to live and look forward to. As part of Mrs. Gruwell’s struggle, she is faced with a group of students whose lives revolve around war, gangs, violence and protecting their own. Her racially opposing students most often choose to be a part of the epidemic which now governs the school. Yet, Mrs. Gruwell takes on the challange to defeat the odds. She realizes that these kids are looked down on because of their race and as a result they rebel and create borders among themselves. These ‘mini territories’ are created to bring a sense of equality among those of the same race. Overcoming adversity, family relationships, inequality in education, success and goal setting is what Mrs. Gruwell aims to have instilled in those around her. A theme which surfaces in the movie is that of Mrs. Gruwell’s courage. How would one react if they were placed in such a troubled school setting away from the safe environment that they are used to? Mrs. Gruwell had the courage to take on the task of helping those to pursue their goals. Her never ending attempts to teach the ‘unteachables’ and her desire to help her students succeed are inspiring. Her attempts to relate with so many of her different economic, cultural and racial students took a lot of courage. Another difficult challenge for Mrs. Gruwell was to teach students who were at war with each other.

Citizens United: the Death Knell of Democracy Essay

In 2010, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled on the Federal Elections Commission v. Citizens United, a case that will have drastic effects on our political system. Large corporations and labor unions will now have unprecedented influence over America’s national, state, and local elections. If Congress does not overturn the Supreme Court ruling on Citizens United then, as a result, the decision has the potential to lead to political corruption, the increase of voter apathy, and the drowning out of third party ideas. Soon our country’s political system will no longer work for the good of its citizens, but rather be beholden to whomever has the most money to contribute. The Supreme Court decision on the Citizens United case is one of the most devastating court decisions in our country’s history, but many people know little to nothing about the landmark case. Citizens United is a conservative non-profit organization, and in 2008 they attempted to violate federal campaign laws by distributing a documentary critical of Sen. Hillary Clinton. The law Citizens Untied violated was the part of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act that prohibits, â€Å"Broadcast advertisements mentioning a candidate within 30 days before a primary or 60 days before a general election† (par. 19). As a result, the Federal Election Commission blocked the film and Citizens United sued on the grounds that it violated their first amendment right to free speech; however, Citizens United lost the case in Federal Court, but they appealed and the case went before the Supreme Court. The question proposed before the court was whether Citizens United should have been allowed to show the Clinton documentary. According to Adam Liptak, a political columnist for The New York Times, â€Å"Instead, the court addressed the questions it proposed to the parties in June when it set down the case for an unusual second argument in September, those of whether Austin and McConnell should be overruled† (par. 26). The court ruled 5-4 that Citizens United had the right to show the Clinton film, but in the process they also overturned Austin and McConnell, two cases that had previously banned corporate and union contributions to political campaigns . Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the majority opinion, â€Å"By definition, an independent expenditure is political speech presented to the electorate that is not coordinated with a candidate† (par. 17). Justice Kennedy’s opinion equates money to free speech as long as the money is not directly given to a candidate’s campaign. Justice Kennedy went on to state that, â€Å"Political speech is indispensable to decision making in a democracy, and this is no less true because the speech comes from a corporation rather than an individual† (par. 20). Justice Kennedy believes that corporations are entitled to the same rights as human beings. The Supreme Court’s decision on Citizens United has now enabled corporations and unions to pour exorbitant amounts of money into America’s electoral landscape. First, endless negative campaign advertisements bombarded Americans for nearly two years before the presidential election, and a vast amount were paid for by Super PACs. These immense political action committees are a direct byproduct of the Citizens United decision, and are funded by corporations, wealthy individuals, and labor unions. There are no laws limiting how much one can donate to these Super PACs, and they are allowed to spend millions of dollars towards the victory or defeat of a candidate. As long as Super PACs do not directly contribute to a candidate’s campaign, they are allowed to spend as much money as they please. Most of the advertisements sponsored by Super PACs mirror the views of the candidate they support. One realizes that Super PACs cannot contribute fiscally to a candidate; however, that candidate directly benefits from the millions of dollars spent on political ads by a Super PAC. Second, with the seemingly endless amounts of money Super PACs can raise, they possess a vast amount of political influence. Super PACs have the potential to cause political corruption on a level not seen since the Water Gate Scandal during the Nixon administration. For example, Super PACs can use their political war chests to defeat nearly any candidate that does not support their agenda by flooding every media source with scathing attack ads. As a result, politicians will feel compelled to vote in favor of the bills that would benefit the donors of a Super PAC. Politicians will be extremely reluctant to go up against a Super PAC that has an almost endless supply of money that could be used to support a challenger. It may only be a prediction for the future, but many Americans already believe Super PACs will cause corruption. For example, a survey of 1,015 adults conducted by the Brennan Center For Justice discovered, â€Å"69% of respondents agreed that new rules that let corporat ions, unions and people give unlimited money to Super PACs will lead to corruption† (par. 7). The American public is noticing the effects of the Super PACs and they foresee a bleak political future. Third, voter apathy is on the rise and Super PACs are the main contributor; for example, a survey of 1,015 adults by the Brennan Center For Justice found, â€Å"One in four Americans — 26% — say that they are less likely to vote because big donors to Super PACs have so much more influence over elected officials than average Americans† (par. 14). The Brennan Centers survey shows that a significant amount of Americans believe that their vote is worthless. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens wrote in the minority opinion for FEC v. Citizens United, â€Å"A democracy cannot function effectively when its constituents believe laws are being bought and sold† (qtd. in Dionne, par. 7). Justice Stevens believes the unlimited amount of money labor unions, the wealthy, and corporations can spend on political campaigns in order to meet their own agendas will cau se Americans to lose trust in their government, and when our government loses the trust of its citizens our democracy will dissolve only to be replaced by an authoritarian state. Fourth, Citizens United will officially end the third party system, but the most tragic will be the end of third party ideas. Some of the most important legislation in our country’s history started out as third party ideas. For example, abolition of slavery, child labor laws, workers compensation, direct election of Senators, global warming, and women’s suffrage were once the basis of the third party political platform. Super PACs have the resources to pay exorbitant amounts to spread their messages through advertisements, but third parties do not possess the resources to fiscally compete with them. Super PACs have the fiscal ability to monopolize every media source in order to drown any ideas that do not coincide with their own. The first amendment protects the right to communicate one’s opinion and ideas, but the Supreme Court has stripped that right away from our third party system. It is abundantly clear that the Citizens United decision has unleashed a scourge on the American political landscape in the form of Super PACs. As a result, our federal representatives must pass a constitutional amendment overturning the Citizens United decision, and pass new campaign finance legislation requiring campaigns to only be funded by the government. The benefit of having campaigns paid for by the government is every candidate will get the same amount of money, and politicians will no longer have to feel beholden to wealthy donors and corporate interests, but rather work for the good of their constituents. In conclusion, our country has been through many crises and it has always overcame them. One has to believe that our government will make the right decision and overturn the Citizens United decision, thus restoring our trust in government by taking the power away from the labor unions, millionaires, and corporations, and putting the power back where it rightfully belongs with the American people.

Energy drinks research paper Essay

Modern life has become fast-paced and the multitudes of work to be done require plenty of effort now more than before. Be it in school or in the office, many people have turned to energy drinks as a source of boost for their inadequate physical endurance and mental strength in addressing the demands of modern living. As the name itself easily suggests, ‘energy drinks’ are supposed to supplement people with the energy they need. Since they contain a combination of vitamins and plenty of caffeine, energy drinks have become a popular alternative to coffee and other caffeinated beverages. It is not surprising, therefore, if there are people who have developed a form of dependency on energy drinks after consuming them regularly for a certain period. However, there are also those who see energy drinks not as a boom but as a bane to the health of individuals. While these drinks may provide people with additional energy, it is often stated that they also have negative effects on the human body especially if they are taken habitually and in amounts that exceed safe limits. There are reasons why certain people support the consumption of energy drinks. On the other hand, there are also reasons why some others oppose the same, to the point that attempts have been made to ban the production, distribution and sale of energy drinks in some areas. This paper seeks to explore those reasons by surveying past and recent literature with respect to the effects of energy drinks on the human body. After an assessment on whether energy drinks can potentially endanger the lives of people, this paper will suggest ways on how to increase the awareness of the people on what these drinks have to offer, whether good or bad. This paper will also try to explore the possible measures which can be adopted in order to properly regulate the production, distribution and actual selling of energy drinks to the larger public. Energy drinks: the good side There are several reasons why people buy energy drinks. Today, it may be said that even age and status in life no longer pose rigid limitations as to who exactly can take advantage of what energy drinks have to offer. Some individuals can consume a certain dose of energy drinks for no strong reason except that they simply want to quench their thirst. The most apparent effect of energy drinks is that they boost a person’s energy. This is due to the ingredients contained in most energy drinks. For instance, energy drinks contain caffeine, sugar, B vitamins and certain kinds of herbs. The combination of these ingredients is said to help increase a person’s physical, mental and cognitive performances. For this reason, it is not surprising that people have patronized energy drinks. In fact, there are numerous brands of energy drinks out in the market, each one purporting to cater to specific preferences and conditions of the consumers. Some brands are labeled as an excellent source of energy for athletes while some other brands are tagged as powerful mental boosters for office workers and students. At any rate, it may be said that the fast-paced modern world requires from every person quick and efficient responses—and energy drinks are there to help them achieve that daily routine. Aside from caffeine, there are at least other common ingredients of most energy drinks: taurine and glucuronolactone. Both are produced naturally by the human body. Energy drinks can replace both glucuronolactone and taurine that the body loses during stressful situations and high physical activity (Olson). Both are important to the human body as they naturally cleanse the body from harmful toxins and provide natural energy boost. People who work overtime or who labor intensely are part of the large numbers of those who consume energy drinks. Even students who are prompted by long hours of studying and doing schoolwork have the similar disposition to use these drinks as a source of the energy they need in order to complete their tasks over extended durations. In a way, it can be seen that energy drinks may be responsible for motivating people to continue with their tasks. On a larger scale, a workforce able to perform better and produce more output within a constrained period will certainly yield positive results. Although energy drinks may not be solely responsible for such consequence, it may nevertheless be safely assumed that it has its share. The history of the energy drink is replete with indicators that it was initially produced to aid the physical well-being of individuals. As early as the second half of the twentieth century, energy drinks were already being produced in Japan with the same modern tagline as increasing an individual’s physical energy levels. Without doubt, early energy drinks were particularly formulated for people engaged in intense labor or those involving protracted hours of work that require physical endurance. Through the years, the benefits of energy drinks were later seen as applicable to athletes. Today, athletes and even people who are active in sports rely on energy drinks in order to supplement or quickly replenish their stock of energy. Similarly, energy drinks are oftentimes labeled as drinks that promote wakefulness. Apparently, those who stand to benefit from the mental alertness induced by energy drinks are the people who are in a desperate need to stay fully awake due to particular circumstances. Students who need to study overnight or to be awake in class after still feeling sluggish belong to this group. In particular, employees who need to beat deadlines the following morning and who are barely able to stay awake for the rest of the night also fall to this classification. Some employees working in graveyard shifts also consume energy drinks. For example, nurses and doctors who spend late hours in the hospital may rely on energy drinks from time to time in order to help them keep awake and alert for the rest of the evening. The same may also be said about corporate employees in outsourcing companies that serve clients from other time zones. At the most, energy drinks are perceived as useful aid for those who need to stay awake for different reasons. Without doubt, there is a different side to energy drinks. There are concerned groups who express their opposition to the consumption of energy drinks especially on regular intervals. At the heart of the sharp criticism against energy drinks is that they are said to contain chemicals and other substances that may endanger the health of individuals. While it may be conceded that energy drinks have short term benefits, it is likewise urged that they also have negative consequences in the long run. Thus, instead of promoting a person’s health, energy drinks may actually harm a person. Energy drinks: the bad side. Monster Energy is one of the more popular energy drinks available in almost every store in America. Interestingly, the product contains double the worth of strong coffee’s caffeine for every single serving of sixteen ounces (Laitner). It may be admitted that there is nothing inherently wrong with drinking caffeinated beverages like Monster Energy. In fact, medical experts may even suggest some of their patients experiencing sluggishness to consume a certain dosage of energy drinks every once in a while. However, it is the dosage and frequency of consumption that is crucial. Like other beverages sold in the market, energy drinks should be consumed only in moderation. Stated otherwise, people should not consume energy drinks more than what is actually needed by their body. As of the first quarter of 2011, the American Association of Poison Control Centers has already logged at least three hundred and forty incidents of adverse health effects as a result of consuming energy drinks with high caffeine levels, and that most of the data gathered revealed that many young people are part of the statistics (Laitner). The numbers may be insignificant on the whole scale but they tell one thing: the risks are real. More importantly, even young people who are presumed to be at a better health condition than most adults are not immune from the risks. That being said, the effects of energy drinks potentially cut across the age borders. There are also alcoholic energy drinks being sold in other parts of the world. In Australia, medical authorities have warned about the negative effects of these drinks to young people (Collier). What is more interesting is that these drinks are being consumed by teenagers aged between twelve and seventeen (Collier). At a very young age, these individuals are already exposed to the harms brought about not only by energy drinks but their combination with alcohol. Apparently, the effect on the body of these alcoholic energy drinks is a combination of a feeling of being simultaneously ‘alert’ and ‘drowsy’. The Australian Drug Foundation has already warned about the negative effects of these drinks and the research recently conducted confirms these effects (Collier). One of the more serious consequences of consuming energy drinks on a regular basis and beyond the required amounts is that it can cause health problems to a person’s cardiovascular, central nervous, musculoskeletal and renal systems (Babu). These risks are not to be taken lightly since they comprise the critical parts of the human body. Impairments in any one of these system of organs can greatly weaken a person and affect one’s daily routines. Apparently, these effects may come in the long term. This is probably the tricky part. Since these effects begin to be felt only after a certain period, a person may initially think that his consumption of energy drinks has not been affecting his health. However, once the effects have already begun to set in, it might be too late and the person may require hospitalization and complicated medical treatment. A harmless start may soon turn into a physically daunting end. Energy drinks contain plenty of sugar and the sugar contained in them are known to cause diarrhea and gastrointestinal pains which, in any case, will never improve the performance of any office employee, student or athlete (Miller). The effects become more pronounced if a person consumes energy drinks on a regular basis. Without doubt, a person may thereafter suffer from regular stomach upsets and diarrhea. Instead of actually helping an individual perform better at his or her tasks, the contrary is more likely to happen. It has been noted that the American diet is already filled with B-vitamins and, consequently, energy drinks which are most of the time likewise filled with B-vitamins do not really help the body. On the contrary, energy drinks can only potentially yield to an overload of B-vitamins in the human body (Brody). In effect, the body may not be able to absorb the overload of B-vitamins thereby resulting to certain bodily reactions. Vitamins should still be taken in moderation only as they can also adversely affect the body when taken in uncontrolled amounts. Even the term ‘energy drink’ is highly ambiguous. For the most part, the term itself is neither approved nor created by the FDA and the USDA; the manufacturers themselves coined the label (Babu). While these drinks are not being pulled out of the shelves for using a label that is not sanctioned by the FDA and the USDA, they continue to play on the sensibilities of the public. It is a fact that energy can be taken from any food. Most of them come in the form of calories. To say that a certain beverage is an ‘energy drink’ is to create the impression that it gives energy more than what one could normally derive from the average daily meals and snacks. It may be true that these energy drinks can provide people with energy but it is another matter altogether to claim that they can radically increase the energy levels of an individual. It may even be pointed out that a person may opt to eat fruits and vegetables several hours before a physically and mentally grueling task instead of consuming a can of energy drink before performing the task. It is a healthier approach with more benefits for the human body without the aid of artificial ingredients and chemicals. Identifying the problem and providing solutions It may be said that a person has the freedom to choose whatever he wants to consume. The basis for saying this is that a person has full autonomy over his own body. Thus, no one can be prevented from purchasing what is openly available in stores. This proposition is crucial since it establishes the idea that the main concern should naturally be focused on the individual. However, this does not relieve the manufacturers of energy drinks from any responsibility. On the contrary, the imperative to pay attention to the consumers necessitates that manufacturers have a big role to fill. It has been observed that there is little scientific research available and government regulation with respect to energy drinks (Seifert, et al.). This is worrisome since energy drinks have been manufactured and sold throughout the world for at least two decades. It may be one of the significant reasons why there are only very few available comprehensive information about the negative effects of energy drinks on the human body. In this day and age where more and more energy drink products are being produced—an indicator that there is a growing market for energy drinks—it is indeed imperative that more information about energy drinks should be made available to the public. It is important to inform and educate consumers about the effects of energy drinks on the human body. One way to achieve this is to provide the right information on the labels of products. Instead of purely flaunting catchphrases that tease the sensibilities of consumers, products should contain labels that clearly warn consumers of the negative effects of energy drinks if and when they are consumed in high quantities and in regular intervals. It is safe to say that a serving of Monster Energy once every week, for example, does not necessarily endanger a person’s health. However, regular consumption of the product—akin to an addiction—will certainly take its toll on the body. For this reason, products should contain warnings about the regular consumption of energy drinks. The warning should be visible enough and should not be placed in an obscure part of the product. This is a direct approach in informing the general public about energy drinks without the intervention of the government. Manufacturers should be responsible enough to take the initiative. Schools can also take part in informing young students about the energy drinks. Forums and symposiums may be conducted within school premises. Medical practitioners and representatives from the FDA and USDA can be invited as guest speakers. Students should be encouraged to give frank questions about energy drinks in order to remove any lingering doubts about their effects. Teachers may also include in their discussions on biochemistry or on human anatomy the benefits and harms of energy drinks. Documentaries about the effects of energy drinks may also be presented before classes of students. All of these suggestions can easily be done and require very minimal resources on the part of the school. Moreover, they immediately address the need to inform the younger population. The government should regulate energy drinks more stringently. The legislature should come-up with laws that will put a limit on how much caffeine, for instance, can be included in energy drinks. The same should also apply to other chemicals in these drinks. This approach has been done in other consumable products and should likewise be applied in the case of energy drinks since even teenagers today are getting hooked on the product. Needless to say, it is the duty of the government not only to make sure that the products available in the market are safe for human consumption but also to provide guidelines on product manufacturers so that no harm will be made. The FDA and the USDA should also do its role in making detailed analyses on every energy drink sold in the market and in crafting a comprehensive assessment on whether or not each of these products is safe for human consumption. The reports may also serve as the basis for the legislature to impose certain limits on the amount of chemicals that can be put into the products. These agencies have the expertise and skills to make conclusive and, in some cases, binding reports that cannot be dismissed easily by product manufacturers. The government can also carefully scrutinize the published and broadcasted advertisements of energy drink manufacturers in order to determine whether these manufacturers are making any unfounded claims which can gravely confuse the consumers. False advertising can certainly fool consumers into thinking that what the product professes to offer when in fact such is not the case. In order to clear any misinformation, the advertisers themselves should have the moral impulse to avoid making false claims just to make a sale. Needless to say, any false advertising can backfire on the advertiser, especially if the negative consequences of it have begun to take shape and an increasing number of consumers have likewise begun to air their grievances. Before it is too late, advertisers should take the initiative. Doing so can save them time from long years of litigation and money. A more radical suggestion is to impose an absolute ban on all energy drinks. Unfortunately, this suggestion will not hold water. Although it is admitted that energy drinks can potentially endanger the health of the people, imposing a full ban will likewise affect those who consume energy drinks within prescribed safety limits, especially those who need these drinks at the most important moments in their lives. Even the federal government can also face losses in the form of revenue taxes if and when the production of energy drinks is finally banned throughout America. Given the reports earlier mentioned that children nowadays are more and more becoming immersed in the consumption of energy drinks, it is also important to address this vital concern. The first step is that local grocery stores should see to it that they do not sell energy drinks to children especially those below seventeen years of age. This is a measure that can easily be done. However, it may be admitted that it has certain limitations. For instance, children can consume energy drinks at home if their parents stock a certain supply of this beverage. Still, something can be done. Parents should see to it that their children do not have access to energy drinks at home. This is where responsible parenting is of full use. Older siblings can also prevent their younger siblings from getting their hands on energy drinks whether at home or in the public. Efforts will have to come from the entire family. Teaching children at a young age to refrain from consuming energy drinks at their stage is crucial. It will help reinforce the idea in the child’s mind that there are consumable products that are not yet fit for their health. In the long run, children who will grow-up in an environment where they are taught to refrain from consuming energy drinks may soon minimize their consumption of such products when they have already grown. Independent research organizations should further engage themselves in the current efforts to comprehensively study and assess the consequences of energy drinks on the human body, from children to adults. Since more energy drink brands are being manufactured and sold, it is admitted that any attempt to make a comprehensive research can take a long while. Apart from time, more financial resources will also be needed in order to carryout a comprehensive study. Nevertheless, civic organizations can provide research grants. The government should likewise tap the private sector actively engaged in doing research by providing similar research grants. People and energy drinks: the future America is teeming with activity around the clock. Many people living in cities that never sleep, so to speak, are oftentimes predisposed to take full advantage of every waking hour of their lives. They work for protracted hours in order to get a bigger pay. Students do their school tasks over long hours. Young people party from dusk until dawn. On the other hand, many athletes and individuals with very active lifestyles maintain their physical routines almost every day. It is not surprising, therefore, if energy drinks have become an integral part of the American lifestyle. By themselves, energy drinks can help an individual, especially if these drinks are consumed in moderate amounts. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. There is an imminent danger: as the world becomes more fast-paced, people may fall into the temptation to consume energy drinks to the point that they will become dependent on these beverages in order for them to perform their daily routines. If the government fails to step-in and regulate energy drinks, and if very little research is done in the coming years, there may come a point when energy drinks will eventually become an indispensable part of the American culture. People may no longer begin to express their concern over the consequences of energy drinks since there is no comprehensive and conclusive basis to back-up their concerns in the first place. This can only push manufacturers to further develop their products, which translates to energy drinks with other chemicals that replaces caffeine, for instance, but with twice the effect. In general, energy drinks if left thoroughly unchecked can only grow into an even bigger social bane. In the end, nothing can replace a healthy lifestyle—not even energy drinks. A healthy body and a healthy mind need not depend on energy drinks in order to properly function even under stress. Proper diet, regular exercise and a lifestyle free from any form of vice are still the best solutions for any person who expects to face tight deadlines and activities at work or in school. 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