The Influence of Sharing Economy for Sustainability - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 5 Words: 1569 Downloads: 10 Date added: 2019/08/02 Category Biology Essay Level High school Topics: Sustainability Essay Did you like this example? Abstract With the development of economy, the sharing economy, an emerging economic model, has drawn increasing attention of both the public and government. In order to explore the influence of the sharing economy for sustainability, the survey via questionnaires were conducted in April, 2018 among professors about their attitudes and opinions towards sharing economy and social, economic and environmental sustainability. The 250 questionnaires have been answered, but only 246 are valid. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "The Influence of Sharing Economy for Sustainability" essay for you Create order According to the results of the survey, the sharing economy promotes human development, lets cost-saving and optimizes resources allocation, decreases emission and saves energy. Their worries are mainly due to imperfect operation and management mode of sharing economy and think sharing economy will case a waste of resources. In the future, the sharing economy should strive to improve the management mode and give full play to its positive role in sustainability. Key words: sharing economy; sustainability; questionnaires; social sustainability; economic sustainability; environmental sustainability; Introduction There is rapidly growing interest in the nature and impacts of the sharing economy amongst entrepreneurs, innovators, incumbent businesses, policy-makers, media commenters and academic researchers alike (chris,2015). In 2011, Times listed the sharing economy as one of the top ten ideas that will change the world. In the academia, sharing economy also caused a heated (Wu 2016, Zhi 2016). As the term of Sustainable Development was put forward by World Commission on Environment and Development in the report named Our Common Future (Brundtland, 1987), it attracted attention wildly. There are three types of sustainability, namely, social sustainability, economic sustainability and environmental sustainability (Wu 2016? Zhi 2016). In this paper, I will discuss what impact will the sharing economy takes to sustainability, included social, economic and environmental. From the perspective of social sustainability, scholars concluded that sharing economy will promote human development (Hancock , 2001), safety and effectiveness (Feeney et al., 2015; Lee et al., 2008) as well as offering more jobs (Fang et al., 2015) while others suggested that regulations are necessary to confront with potential problems (Harding et al., 2015; Schechner, 2016; Sun, 2015). From the perspective of economic sustainability, scholars deemed that although being cost-saving (Shaheen et al., 2007; Bonsall, 1981; Porter et al., 2011; Zhao J, 2015), shared economy may face problems like monopoly and collusion (Matzler et al., 2015; Qiang et al., 2016; Zervas, 2015). From the perspective of environmental sustainability, studies show that sharing economy will benefit environment by optimizing resources allocation (Hamari et al., 2015), decreasing emission and saving energy (Kriston et al., 2010; Belk, 2014; Martin et al., 2011; Jeremy Rifkin, 2015; Leismann et al., 2013) while also releasing pressure in other ways due to its easy accessibility (Schor, 2014; Yuliya Voytenko et al., 2015). Materials and Methods Participants A standard questionnaire was mailed to a randomly sample of 250 persons in April, 2018, which was responded by 241 (96.4%). Among the 250 respondents, all of them are professors and 156(64.7%) are male and female 35.3%. All of them are 40 to 70 years and have profound knowledge, so the results are credible. Procedure Questionnaires designed for anonymous response comprised of 9 questions. These questions can be divided into five parts with regard to their purposes: Q1 and Q2 gauged the common knowledge about sharing economy and sustainability and both of them are closed questions. The answer included four grades from high to low, which are know a lot, general understanding, know a little and never know. Q3 and Q4 want to learn the situation of the sharing economy around people so bicycle sharing, the most common case of sharing economy, is as the object of investigation. Both of them also are closed questions and their answer is also four grades for respondents to choose. Q5, Q6 and Q7 are open questions and they were designed to investigate the experts the influence of sharing economy for social, economic and environmental sustainability. I asked that the answers of Q5, Q6 and Q7 can not be less than twenty words. Q8 is a separate questions and it is also an open question. The purpose was to find out the disadvantages of sharing economy. Q8 and Q7 are similar but the purpose of Q8 was attempt to ascertain which sustainability is conducive to t he sharing economy. Results Table 1 shows that there are more people in the last options of Q1 (63.8%) and more people in the first options of Q2 (66.7%), so people know more clearly sharing economy than sustainability. Table 2 shows that although most people (96.7%) use sharing cycle, the future of sharing economy is contentious. This means the sharing economy still has problem unsolved so someone isnt satisfied with it. Table 1 QuestionKnow a lotGeneral understandingKnow a littleNever know Knowledge of sustainability(Q1)53(21.5%)36(14.6%)75(30.5%)82(33.3%) Knowledge of sharing economy(Q2)79(32.1%)85(34.6%)33(13.4%)49(19.9%) Table 2 Question Everyday Often Sometimes Never Usage of sharing bicycle(Q3)37(15.0%)92(37.4%)109(44.3%)8(3.3%) Optimistic Neutral Controversial Negative Future of sharing bicycle(Q4)84(34.1%)56(22.8%)67(27.2%)39(15.9%) According to table 3 ,sharing economy promotes social sustainable development in many ways. From the perspective of entrepreneurship, Schaltegger et al. stressed that shared economy does not only devote to the sustainability of itself but also to social sustainability (2011). Martin et al. (2011) and Bin Fang et al. Q6 shows sharing economy is believed as sustainable consumption (Albinsson et al., 2012; Gansky,2010), which is beneficial to decreasing the search cost and transaction cost (Nadler, 2014). Q8 shows that Sharing economy is expected to be highly ecologically sustainable (Prothero et al., 2011; Sacks, 2011) and highlights the resource-saving potentials of shared economy. Table 3 Question The influence of sharing economy for social sustainability(Q5)Sharing economy will promote human development, safety and effectiveness as well as offering more jobs while others suggested that regulations are necessary to confront with potential problems The influence of sharing economy for economic sustainability(Q6)Although being cost-saving, shared economy may face problems like monopoly and collusion The influence of sharing economy for environmental sustainability(Q7)Sharing economy will benefit environment by optimizing resources allocation, decreasing emission and saving energy while also releasing pressure in other ways due to its easy accessibility Table 4 shows problems remained to be settled down within regulations, included economic problems and environmental problems. From the table 5, we can learn that environmental sustainability is conducive to the sharing economy. Table 4 Question Disadvantages of sharing economy(Q8)Sharing economy may face problems like monopoly and collusion Table 5 Question Social sustainabilityEconomic sustainabilityEnvironmental sustainability Which sustainability is conducive to the sharing economy(Q9)75(30.5%)62(25.2%)109(44.3%) Discussion The purpose of this paper is to find out the relation of sharing economy and sustainability and what is the impact of sharing economy on sustainability. This paper discussed the influence of sharing economy on sustainability. From the perspective of social aspect, positive influences included improving employment, safety and effectiveness while problems remained to be settled down within regulations. From the perspective of economic aspect, sharing economy is cost-saving and innovative for yielding economic benefits while confronting with the issues like instability on supply and demand sides, collusion and monopoly. From the perspective of environmental sustainability, sharing economy helps allocate resources and decreases the emission of green-house gases. Considering the availability, it may cause more frequent uses, which is negative to the environment. Overall, there are three suggestions, Firstly, as presented above, sharing economy influences sustainability both optimistically and pessimistically. Therefore an effective design for regulation is needed. Secondly, future research is supposed to fill the gap of international-compared as well as empirical work in terms of the impact of shared economy on sustainability. Thirdly, in the banking sector, we should give preferential treatment to sharing economy entrepreneurs, such as tax and loan. The government can promote the development of sharing economy artificially. Reference [1] Chris J. Martin. The sharing economy: A pathway to sustainability or a nightmarish form of neoliberal capitalism? 2015, 7(11). [2] Kriston A, Szabà ­? T, Inzelt G. The marriage of car sharing and hydrogen economy: A possible solution to the main problems of urban living[J]. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2010, 35(35):12697-12708. [3] Bà ¶ckmann M. The Shared Economy: It is time to start caring about sharing; value creating factors in the shared economy[J]. University of Twente, Faculty of Management and Governance, 2013. [4] Soota S. Taxi! Taxi!: The Impact of E-hailing Apps on the Singapore Taxi Industry[J]. 2016. [5] Chan J W Y, Chang V L N, Lau W K, et al. Taxi App Market Analysis in Hong Kong[J]. 2016. [6] Sloboda M. Uber in Bratislava[J]. [7] Charoen D. GRABTAXI: A Taxi Revolution in Thailand[J]. 2015. [8] Rayle L, Shaheen S, Chan N, et al. App-Based, On-Demand Ride Services: Comparing Taxi and Ridesourcing Trips and User Characteristics in San Francisco University of California Transportation Center (UCTC)[R]. UCTC-FR-2014-08, 2014. [9] Li Y, Xia T, Duan H. The Impact on Taxi Industry of Taxi-Calling Mobile Apps in Shanghai[C] //Transportation Research Board 93rd Annual Meeting. 2014 (14-3867). [10] Report T B. Our Common Future,(The Brundtland Report)[J]. 1987. [11] Hancock T. People, partnerships and human progress: building community capital[J]. Health Promotion International, 2001, 16(3): 275-280. [12] Feeney M, companies Uber R. Is Ridesharing Safe?[J]. Cato Policy Analysis, 2015, 767: 2. [13] Lee W C, Cheng B W. Incorporating e-technology to advantage in a greener taxi industry and its impact on driving performance and safety[J]. Transportation Planning and Technology, 2008, 31(5): 569-588. [14] Fang B, Ye Q, Law R. Effect of sharing economy on tourism industry employment[J]. Annals of Tourism Research, 2015. [15] Harding S, Kandlikar M, Gulati S. Taxi apps, regulation, and the market for taxi journeys[J]. 2015. [16] Schechner, Sam. Technology: Uber Gears Up for French Trial Car-hailing apps top brass will face six charges in an emblematic battle. Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition [New York, N.Y] 11 Feb 2016: B.4. [17] Sun Y. Ubers Bumpy Ride in China[J]. 2015. [20] Shaheen S A, Cohen A P. Worldwide Carsharing Growth: An International Comparison[J]. Transportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2008, 1992(458718).

Common Themes of Edgar Allan Poe - 3152 Words

An Analysis of the Common Themes Found in selected works of Edgar Allan Poe A Research Presented to The faculty of the English Department In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in English IV By March 2010 Acknowledgement The researcher would like to thank the following people who help and give guidance to make this project To the Project adviser and the home room adviser of the researchers, who gave his outmost patience and time to check the drafts and format of each part of this very momentous research. To the peers of the researchers that gave courage and support in pursuing in making this research. To the family of each researcher, In particular to their mother, father and siblings for their moral†¦show more content†¦2. The researchers conclude that any failures that you have been experienced in life can lead you to the success you do not expect. The following recommendations are forwarded on the bases form the study: Further research is recommending to the following areas that are not part of it, such as the successes and failures of Edgar Allan Poe as a writer and as well as how his works differ from the works of others writers pursue the same genre. This study also recommends further researches recommended focusing not only to biography of Edgar Allan Poe. Instead it should focus on his writings. The researches also recommend to researchers also recommend to search for references that are accountable in particular to Edgar Allan Poe. This study also recommends using other methods in explaining to the topic and expository to thoroughly in information TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE Title Page†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.....i Acknowledgement†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...ii Dedication†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦....iii Abstract†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦........................................iv Table of Contents†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.v CHAPTER I. 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Nursing Assignment Safe and Quality Practice

Question: Discuss about the case study Nursing Assignment for Safe and Quality Practice. Answer: Introduction It is important for nurses to think about continual improvement while delivering their services in order to ensure safe and quality practice that can ensure best possible outcomes for patients. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia has laid down seven standards for registered nurses that emphasize the provision of good practices. When evidence based practice is followed by nurses it combines the clinical expertise of a nurse with the recent, valid and updated research findings. Through critical reflection a practice nurse can build upon current strengths and take appropriate action in future. A nurse can endeavour to provide better patient care by using the NMBA standards as a guide and incorporating the use of evidence based practice and critical reflective thinking.(Professional-standards). The nurse is expected to discharge duties in a culturally unbiased manner. As a thinking professional, a nurse critically reflects upon past actions to analyse how the service could have been delivered better. While remaining aware of all legislations, rules and regulations, it is the duty of a nurse to tread an ethical path. The registered nurse is expected to engage in forging contacts with patients and colleagues within the legal framework so as to achieve best health outcomes for the patients. A nurse is expected to engage in lifelong learning and take responsibility for the procedures carried out in a patient-centric manner. A nurse remains informed and has the expertise to assess the availability of resources, so that planning of service can be done. A nurse is able to quickly identify and cater to the nursing needs of patients. Identification and reporting of risks associated with procedures and being able to alert the system so that the delivery of standard practice is not be low par is ensured by a registered nurse. It is the duty of a nurse to document and communicate the priorities and goals with colleagues and patients as per the requirement in a given situation. (Professional-standards.aspx, 2016). Evidence based practice incorporates the newly acquired ideas and findings from research into clinical practice. It is important for the nursing staff to remain aware of the latest findings published in nursing journals and put the advancements and improvements into practice so that better patients outcomes are achieved and better quality of service is ensured (Stevens, 2013). Evidence based practice requires that a closer working relationship be maintained between the researchers and clinicians. It makes individualisation of care possible which in turn becomes more effective. It helps the nursing staff to remain abreast with the latest technological advances and to be better able to advantage of newly learnt knowledge (Youngblut Brooten, 2001). Evidence based practise is now considered central to the profession of nursing, with the Joanna Briggs Institute working solely to bring research into nursing practice. (Pearson, Field, Jordan, 2009). Critical reflective thinking is a method of self-critiquing one's practice in a methodical manner. It helps a nurse to look back upon the care given and consider the pros and cons of the care given to a patient. The technique of analysing one's actions leads to better awareness about oneself and subject one's own actions to self-evaluation. (Dube Ducharme, 2015). There are cases when a care giver has done well at providing service and cases when the care giving has been below one's own levels of satisfaction. A nurse knows through instinct and is able to differentiate between the two. It is this ability to discern the quality of care provided that can be analysed further. The technique of self-evaluation can be put to practice and identification of what could have been a better approach can be made. When translated into action during another case of care-giving to another patient, the exercise of critical reflection turns into a technique of improving the quality of care provided. W hen does continuously the activity improves the quality of nursing care by several fold. A continuous graph of learning, developing and growth can thus evolve and improve the nursing professionals attitude towards work. Conclusion Providing better care to patients is a constant endeavour for those in the field of practising nursing care. The standards laid out by NMBA are detailed and cover several aspects of how to improve the quality of nursing care delivered to patients. Ensuring best practice by nurses is also possible through following evidence based practice, where the nurses combine their expertise and experience with the incorporation of the latest research in the field and incorporate the latest knowledge and technology in the delivery of care to the patients. This ensures a high quality of updated service provision for the patient. Critical reflection is another method through which nurses can constantly watch and think back about their own clinical experiences and analyse how to deliver better quality care. References Critical-Reflection.pdf. (2015). Retrieved from https://www.fons.org: https://www.fons.org/resources/documents/Creating-Caring-Cultures/Critical-Reflection.pdf Dube, V., Ducharme, F. (2015). Nursing reflective practice: An empirical literature. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 91-99. Pearson, A., Field, J., Jordan, Z. (2009). Evidence-Based Clinical Practice in Nursing and Health Care: Assimilating Research, Experience and Expertise. John Wiley Sons. Professional-standards. (n.d.). /Professional-standards. Retrieved from https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au: https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Statements/Professional-standards.aspx Professional-standards.aspx. (2016). Retrieved July 30, 2016, from https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Statements/Professional-standards.aspx Stevens, K. R. (2013). The Impact of Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing and the Next Big Ideas. The Online ?Journal of Issues in Nursing, 18(2). Youngblut, J., Brooten, D. (2001). Evidence-based nursing practice: why is it important? AACN Clinical Issues, 12(4), 468-76.

When A Person Commits An Act Of Euthanasia, He/she Brings About The De

When a person commits an act of euthanasia, he/she brings about the death of another person because he/she believes that the latter's present existence is so bad that he/she would be better off dead. The word euthanasia originated from the Greek language: eu means"good" and thanatos means "death". The meaning of euthanasia is "the intentional termination of life by another at the explicit request of the person who dies" (Religious Tolerance). However, euthanasia has many different meanings, which tends to create confusion. It is important to differentiate between the various terms used in discussing euthanasia. Passive Euthanasia refers to removing some form of life support which allows nature to take its course. Forms of life support include: removing life support machines, stopping medical procedures and medications, stopping food and water, or not delivering cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Active Euthanasia refers to causing the death of a person through a direct action, in response to a request from the person. Physician Assisted Suicide refers to a physician supplying information and/or the means of committing suicide to a person, so that he/she can easily end his/her own life. This may also be referred to as voluntary passive euthanasia. Involuntary Euthanasia refers to the killing of a person in opposition to their wishes. It is basically a form of murder (Religious Tolerance, 2-3). Euthanasia has been accepted both legally and morally during the times of ancient societies. For example, the Romans and the Greeks both believed that "dying decently and rationally mattered immensely" (Hamel, 20). The Greeks and Romans were sympathetic to active voluntary euthanasia provided that the acts were done for the right reasons, such as, to end the suffering of a terminal illness. As a result "of this moral acceptance of active voluntary euthanasia under certain circumstances, Greek and Roman physicians typically did not feel that they had to prolong human life" (Hamel, 19). The Greeks and Romans believed that it was important to die a "good death", which refers to a clear and calm psychological state of mind (Hamel, 16). Therefore, "it was the physicians role to support the patient in the dying process and to help ensure for him or her a good death" (Hamel, 20). According to ancient societies, euthanasia was an approved custom. But, "with the rise of organized religion, euthanasia became morally and ethically abhorrent" (Microsoft). The religions of Christians and Jews both hold human life sacred and consider any form of euthanasia as an act of murder. "According to Jewish law, a dying man is regarded as a living person in all respects. Active euthanasia is considered murder" (Kohl, 6). To Christians, "only God had the right to give and take life, active euthanasia was viewed as an illicit exercise of divine prerogative" (Hamel, 20). According to traditional Christian beliefs documented by Thomas Aquinas, all forms of suicide and/or euthanasia were condemned for the following reasons: "1) it violates one's natural desire to live, 2) it harms other people, 3) life is the gift of God and is thus only to be taken by God" (Religious Tolerance, 3). But despite strong religious beliefs, euthanasia tends to "occur in all societies, including those in which it is held immoral" (Microsoft). The issue of euthanasia has been a hotly debated topic of various religious and political groups. The main question posed by each group is whether or not a person should be given the option to request assistance in dying. Advocates of voluntary euthanasia contend that if a person is: 1) suffering from a terminal illness, 2)unlikely to benefit from the discovery of a cure for that illness, 3) suffering intolerable pain as a result of the illness 4) has an enduring and rational wish to die, and 5) unable to commit suicide without assistance, then there should be legal and medical provision to enable him/her to be allowed or assisted to die (Overberg). Ultimately, euthanasia is a question of choice, empowering people to have control over their own bodies. But, the choice is only to be given to an elite group of terminally ill, dying patients. Another growing debate is the legalization of active voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide. Organizations supporting the legalization of voluntary euthanasia were established in Britain in 1935 and the Unites States in 1938. They have gained some support, but so far neither nation has achieved its goal. In the last few decades, Western laws against passive and voluntary euthanasia have slowly been eased, although serious moral and legal questions still remain (Overberg, 117 - 119). Legislators are manly concerned with what is called the "slippery slope" issue. "Slippery slope" is a term used to describe what

Rohypnol essays

Rohypnol essays To inform people about Rohypnol Topic: Rohypnol (date rape drug/roofies) Its strange how someone can be having a great time one minute and the next, be fighting for their life. Well, numerous teenage girls have been in this situation. Some are fortunate to have another shot and fight in order to go back to the life they knew before that dreadful minute, and others remain forever lost in those sixty seconds. According to the website www.faculty.washington.edu accessed on October 24, 2004, Ellen Kuwana, a Neuroscience for Kids Staff Writer, stated that Rohypnol, is a drug that depresses the central nervous system and is also used as a sleeping aid. Although illegal in the U.S., Ellen Kuwana states that Rohypnol is made in Europe and Latin America and is distributed throughout the world. Rohypnol is a serious problem affecting todays youth all around the globe. Today I will discuss what Rohypnol (the date rape drug) is as well as its different uses. Second, I will tell you about who uses Rohypnol, how, and why there has been an increase in the teen use of t his substance. Finally, I will share with you what happens as well as what the side effects are of using this potent drug. O Lets shift over to my first point. I. Rohypnol (the date rape drug) is a drug and has several different uses. A. The manufacturers of Rohypnol and what it is made for. 1. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administrations website accessed on October 24, 2004, Rohypnol is made by Hoffman-La Roche, Inc., which is a large Pharmaceutical company. 2. This drug demoralizes the central nervous system. 3. This drug is colorless, odorless, and flavorless. B. The different uses of Rohypnol. 1. It is also used in combination with other drugs such as heroin, and cocaine to make he effect of the drug even more powerful. 2. Rohypnol is used as an aid for insomnia. It also allows individuals taking i ...

Confucian dynamism Essays

Confucian dynamism Essays Confucian dynamism Paper Confucian dynamism Paper In my essay I will hope to discover the true essence of Guanxi. What it means. Where it came from and how crucial it really is when conducting business in China. My aim is to bring together the views and opinions of a cross section of people and interpret them into my own understanding. After analysing the topic in question I will go on to conclude, The significance of Guanxi. With foreign trade in China totalling US$509. 77 billion in 2001, and with investments from over 180 countries ( REUVID, J) differences in culture, business practice and perceptions will become evident. One subject so wide spread and intriguing that it is becoming the subject of study is Guanxi. Guanxi has two common translations they are connections and relationships (wikipedia 2007 [online]) It may be seen that Guanxi is a set of personal connections with other people by which their position or knowledge can be utilised to each other advantage. This informal favour will be reciprocated by the debtor at a future date. The two parties need not be of the same social status and repayment of the favour is returned over a period of time. Where incurring a debt in English business practise is seen as unhealthy and will result in quick trade offs to balance the books, Chinese see quick reciprocation as an unwillingness to become involved with the other party, as balancing the debt end the relationship'(BURNS 1998) Some believe Guanxi is a deep rooted fact of Chinese culture, Douglas Guthrie (1998) in his journal Declining significance of Guanxi in Chinas economic transition argues that Guanxi as an institutionally defined system i. e. a system that depends on the institutional structure of society rather than on culture that is changing in stride with the institutional changes of the reform era. The typical English interpretation of Guanxi is networking. This however does not reflect the implications that Guanxi embodies. Hammond and Lowell (2002[online]) suggest you could compare the recently published Western Social Network theory to Guanxi in three main ways. Information and sustainability: Both imply that information is essential to sustain a social system. Order and chaos: Both Guanxi and SNT characterize randomness and order as essential, though Guanxi favours certainty and trust over chaos : Change and emergence Relationships are characterized by constancy or change. Change in information flow creates change in social order. Both Guanxi and SNT offer a theory of change coupled with an ethic of sustainability where order is created by trust as a local, relative phenomena. In order to understand Guanxi you have to look at the environment in which it was conceived. China was for three decades a communist country. During the chaos of the Cultural Revolution adults and their children faced being sent to the countryside or had the constant threat of denunciation. Individuals relied on the exchange of gifts and favours among personal connections to find ways to deal with these social crises. (GUTHERIE 1998) He suggests that Guanxi and gift giving have evolved together and work along side each other. The term business as we know it today did not exist. People worked for the state meeting quotas and in return their immediate needs were accommodated by their work unit. Having good relationships with people was also a way of gaining things that were not made available to you. While a market economy emphasises marketing, financial and operational savvy, the planned economy places more importance of government relationships and Guanxi. (GULAIT and LEE 2004) Under Mao Zedong Guanxi thrived as a way of allocating investment in the absence of a market. Geoffrey Murry suggests it stems back further during periods of strong rule, imperial powers reached into the furthest corners of the Chinese empire. The exercise of this power was arbirary and brutal; the mandarin was both prosecutor and judge. A separate judiciary was never established, and hence the ordinary person never looked to the law to settle his grievances. He suggests that this tradition of looking around the law for the solution has carried on. If obligations of a person take over civic duty in order to satisfy Guanxi then is this not corruption? If one were to focus directly on Guanxi being reminisant with corruption then one would miss the positive implications Guanxi evokes. In order to educate a foreigner on Guanxi you have to look at the context in which it is used. Guanxi is not generally used to describe relationships within a family or with friends. Anthropologists and theorists alike will try and depict differences in social interaction between countries. Research by Hofstede (1988 ) into organisational culture in the international arena shows that Chinese peoples short term orientations are that of protecting face, respect for tradition and reciprocal greeting and favours. He classifies theses as Confucian dynamism. Further observations have been made to try and distinguish Chinese culture characterists. How the Chinese view time. That they do not hurry decisions negotiations take longer then in the West.

Methods Of Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Methods Of Research - Essay Example In examining the level of evidence, there is a hierarchical structure in place. This hierarchical structure is such that the highest level of evidence can be arrived at through the utility of randomized control trial (RCT). At the second level are Quasi-experiments whereby there is no random assignment of participants to treatment groups, however, treatment and the causal relationship is determined utilizing the same standards as RCTs (Penrod & Morrison, 2004). This is followed by case control studies, case series studies and expert opinion (Slade, Kuipers, & Priebe, 2002). An examination of the implications of the research methodology utilized begs a closer look at RCTs and the Phenomenological approach to research. First and foremost, randomized control trials are defined as study designs where treatments, interventions, or enrollment into different study groups are assigned by random allocation rather than by conscious decisions of clinicians or patients. The goal of RCTs is to ensure that the results obtained from a study are strictly based on the treatment administered and not a direct result of bias or other confounding variables (Philadelphia Panel, 2001). The Phenomenological approach to research, on the other hand, is one that dates back further than the advent of the experimental approach which utilizes RCTs. It is an approach that inextricably links people and the environments of which they are an integral part. Furthermore, it operates from the vantage point which dictates that by virtue of being human, we are dynamic in nature and the dete rminants of health, behavior and other attributes can be described and summarized utilizing clear and concise qualitative methods. These methods as delineated in the phenomenological approach to research offers a vehicle for exploring as well as explaining the experiences of the individuals being studied. In so doing, the data is captured utilizing phenomenological methods and are reported utilizing statistical methods designed for categorical data (Sandelowski, 1986). Qualitative and quantitative research methodology In order to fully explore the similarities and differences between RCTs and the phenomenological approach to research, it is prudent that we first make a distinction between quantitative and qualitative data. First and foremost, quantitative data can be utilized to articulate some notions that may be true when applied generally, they cannot be applied to any specific cases. For example, quantitative methods can be utilized to gather data on the number of patients who respond positively to a certain level of radiation delivered to the tumor and how those numbers compare to similar data collected over the course of several years. In so doing, the data cannot explain why the patients respond to the treatment in a positive manner or what may influence the way in which they respond. Essentially, quantitative methods are limited. As a direct result, quantitative methods prove inadequate when the nature of the research dictates that an explanation of behaviors is needed and qualitative meth ods are called to task (Sandelowski, 1986). In connecting RCTs and phenomenological research methods, with the notion

Cross National Perspectives on Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Cross National Perspectives on Education - Essay Example to one thing; that since it determines our lives to great extents, then the quality of our lives is directly dependent on the quality of education we get exposed to. This study text will analyze education issues on a cross-national perspective by comparing education in the United Kingdom and Japan while focussing on dominant affecting factors such as the cultural, political, and educational contexts. There exist broad parities of issues critical in determining cross-national perspectives and international education. Internationalized education may refer to transcend of national borders by one in seeking for cross-border education, and again, it may refer to the preparation of scholars to be active contributors to the interconnected globe (Wiseman 2005, p.6). Either of these definitions is driven by different values such as international communities, globalisation, market economies, and the profile of finance to mention but a few. In a collective perspective, education is in most cases driven by internal affairs which remain the duty of authorities at institutional levels such as the government (OECD 2003, p.62). In a governmental context, this will be further determined by factors which construct the ability of the government’s influence which is solely its economic performance, thus its profile of finance. Governments understand that low quality education frustrates the strides of applying education as a boost for economic development and growth, and this would in the end lead to an underperforming state in this highly globalized instant of time (Eicher & Bailey 2002, p.32). Therefore in enhancing the goals of education, governments are one, redefining the traditional approaches of providing educational. These include financial increment and providing measurable educational behaviours, competencies, knowledge, and skills. In addition, and most importantly, depicting much interest in achieving education that can be weighed at international and cross-national

Advanced Practice Nurse and United Kingdom Essay Example for Free

Advanced Practice Nurse and United Kingdom Essay Introduction The roles of the APRN are continuously evolving. From the early 1960s to present day, advanced practice nurses continue to rise to meet the needs of our communities and abroad. As the number of nurse practitioner-advanced practice nurses (NP-APNs) on a steady incline, the various barriers in defining their roles in the US as well as internationally has limited their ability to function at their full potential. As discussed in An International Survey on Advanced Practice Nursing Education, Practice, and Regulation (Pulcini, Jelic, Gul Loke, 2009), NP-APN nomenclature, scope of practice and education are factors in the development of the roles of APRNs internationally. NP-APN Nomenclature The United States and United Kingdom both utilize the title of nurse practitioner; however, other countries, such as South Korea, Singapore, and Switzerland continue to use the title advanced practice nurse (Pulcini, Jelic, Gul Loke, 2009). This can lead to confusion on the part of the patient and family member who may not be familiar with the role of the advanced practice nurse in the clinical setting. Also, the authors’ state that the United Kingdom uses the terms specialist and NP interchangeably. According to Pulcini et al (2009), â€Å"This interchange of terms most often occurs when the nurse who has specialized knowledge in a certain area has a advanced practice title (p. 32).† Scope of Practice As mentioned by Joel (2009), â€Å"The degree of autonomy afforded to APNs varies from country to country, and even within the country (p.76)†. The NP-APN scope of practice includes advanced health assessment, diagnosis, disease management, health education and promotion, referral ability, prescribing diagnostic procedures, medications and treatment plans, admitting and discharging privileges, patient caseload management, collaborative practice, evaluation of healthcare services, and research (Pulcini, Jelic, Gul Loke, 2009). The United Kingdom and United States have similarities in their origins. Both were established to help meet the needs of the rural and underserved areas as well as the overall population. In the United Kingdom, NPs were utilized as the first level of care for patient triage and in primary care (Pulcini, Jelic, Gul Loke, 2009). Another similarity is their prescriptive rights in both the US and the UK. According to Joel, â€Å"The move, originating in England, to enable nurses to undergo a specified nonmedical prescribing program has resulted in over 10,000 nurses who are now classed as independent prescribers, and as a consequence, can prescribe almost everything from the British National Formulary (p.90)†. Educational Requirements As in many professions, education is the key element to being successful and productive. The standard educational requirement for NPs in the United States in a master’s level degree; however in the United Kingdom is still trying to adopt a master’s level program. According to Pulcini et al (2009), â€Å"While the Royal College of nursing in the United Kingdom has developed a master’s curriculum for NP education, universities are not obliged to adopt it (p.33).† Furthermore, NP courses are both offered at the baccalaureate and master’s level in the UK. Conclusion The United States and United Kingdom have numerous similarities and differences in the roles of the APRNs. In the future, these roles will continue to evolve to meet the needs of the community.

How media affects us Essay

Media affects everyone’s life that comes Into contact with It. There are many disadvantages and advantages to media and advertising. This essay will talk about the advantages and disadvantages evolving around the media. A few advantages that this essay will talk about is that media can target a global audience as they can reach outto us and that it can be used tor educational purposes to help people learn all around the world. A few disadvantages are that It can be manipulated very easily and hat it can easily tell us exactly what to want. hat to wear, how to think. taking away our freedom. An advantage Is that the media and advertising can reach a global audience, informing anyone. anywhere and anytime. Most people read or see advertising and media on the internet, which is mostly accessible to a large audience, allowing more and more people to be exposed to it. This can be useful as it can inform a lot of people around the country and world If there Is a disaster, allowing t hem to give aid o the unfortunate victims. For example, the typhoon in the Philippines that happened mid-2013 and the mega earthquake in Japan were able to show images, videos and stories to people in other countries that otherwise have known nothing about It and would not have been able to help. A disadvantage of media and advertising however, is that the media and be manipulated extremely easily. For example, if you look to the right you can see an example of this. It Is Just one Image, yet can give the audience a very different viewpoint. From one side It looks like they are giving aid and water to a poor man and on the other it looks as if they are going to kill him or take him as hostage. Another example of this would be in magazines that are trying to sell. Some might write about a couple’s night out as a lovely story, whilst another might write about how they were fighting the whole time. They will usually Just write a story that will grab the reader’s attention.

Don Quixote Response

Michael B Reader Response (Don Quixote) Don Quixote is an alias taken up by a middle aged man in La Mancha Spain who has driven himself mad through the reading of old chivalrous stories that tell of knights and great battles. He soon decides to become a knight and after finding and fixes his old family armor sets off for adventures and glory. Obviously these books have had profound effects on him as he loses his grip on reality. The first incident happens when he comes upon an inn that he believes to be a castle where he insists that the innkeeper, who he believes to be a king, knight him.He spends the entire night there until he gets into a fight with some men who try to take his armor out of their mule’s trough and he attacks them. Soon after the innkeeper pronounces him a knight simply to be rid of him. Cervantes draws the reader in with his use of Don Quixote’s perspective. Quixote sees what his imagination creates from these stories he’s read and not what is actually there or happening. Later after he leaves the inn Don Quixote hears crying and comes across a boy being flogged by a farmer.When questioned the farmer explains that the boy has been failing in his duties but the boy tells Quixote that the farmer has not been paying him. Don Quixote hearing this thinks that the farmer is a knight and tells the man to pay the boy. When the boy tries to explain that the farmer is not a knight Quixote ignores him and asks the farmer to swear on his knighthood that he will pay the boy and once Quixote leaves the farmer continues to beat the boy but this time more severely.Cervantes here gives us a perfect example of why the modern term Quixotism was coined from the novel Don Quixote. The definition of quixotism is when someone has succumbed to misguided idealism. In this scene Don Quixote because of his misplaced faith in the old stories of chivalry intervenes in a situation and only succeeds in making things worse for the boy he had originally tried to help.Another example of this Quixotism in the novel is when Don Quixote attacks a windmill believing it to be giants and ends up making himself look foolish in front of his squire who for some reason tries to ignore the fact that his master is clearly unhinged mentally. This brings to mind that although Quixote’s actions are admirable they are doomed to fail because he is out of touch with the world he lives in. Both of these situations show that our intentions however admirable may succumb to failure if the onsequences of our actions are not considered. Opposingly it was G. K. Chesterton a British journalist of the time that claims that by writing from this perspective it made it difficult for â€Å"modern† men and women (of their time) to take the values of chivalry seriously. Don Quixote can be looked at from many different angles whether they be as a commentary on chivalry, a comedy, or even a more philosophical way considering the idealism Don Quixote is so known for.

Mass Media and Body Image

Mass Media and Body Image Free Online Research Papers Whoever controls the media the images controls the culture. Allen Ginsberg I have a six-year-old cousin who thinks she’s fat. This whole idea is really disturbing, because I didn’t even realize six year olds were aware of the concept of being overweight. I remember being young and playing make believe with dolls, and not being conscious of the concepts of sexy, or skinny, or hot. Now my cousin and her six-year-old girlfriends play make believe ‘adult’. They dress up not as princesses or pirates, but as adolescent girls, wearing mature dress up clothes and ‘playing make-up’. She is already aware of the media pressure to look a certain way, which subsequently makes her feel fat. She does not come from a family environment where weight is a topic discussed in terms of value or appearance, only of health and nutrition. In fact, the words ‘fat’ and ‘overweight’ aren’t used around her. For a normal six year old girl to start worrying about being skinny makes me wonder how strong these media messages are, and why are they more powerful than the primary messages she receives at home. There was no direct moment when these thoughts became a subject of conscious awareness, rather, after many visits to my Aunt’s home I became hyper vigilant to the different questions my cousin would ask, and the various responses my Aunt gave. When the topic of weight came up, my Aunt immediately censored the conversation to not contain any hot words like ‘fat and skinny’ rather she used words like ‘healthy and unhealthy’. When my cousin would come home from school, excitedly explaining some new piece of clothing all the girls are wearing, my aunt doesn’t discourage her excitement, but challenges her to why she would want to wear a revealing halter-top. Instances like these started to become a subject I would think about quite often on my visits, and I soon felt very overwhelmed with what I perceived as the intense pressure to look a certain way from such a young age. I realize now, that my Aunt is trying to envelop my cousin in an environment where value doesn’t lie in your outward physical appearance, specifically in your weight. Health is what matters, as well as taking into account how you feel about yourself, as opposed to how the media and her media influenced peers judge. My Aunt is trying to challenge the media messages my cousin receives multiple times on a daily basis. This is no easy task, and one that quantitatively she will not succeed in. The mass media has a devastating effect on what women and young girls perceive to be as the attainable ideal body type, which can often have detrimental psychological consequences such as depression, eating disorder symptamology, and distorted self-concept. The mass media generally associates good with beautiful and bad with ugly. Being thin is associated with happiness, success, and youthfulness. Being overweight means laziness, no self-control, and fat. This paper will discuss the mass media and body image in terms of its history, body image and the mass media in present day, research about how the media effects our perception about the ideal body type, effects on pre-adolescents, cultural changes, and the counter-culture that has emerged out of the effects of the media. A quick reference to classical art will tell you that the feminine ideal throughout most of history was much fleshier and round then what is ideal now, great examples being the curvaceous body of Botticelli’s Venus rising from the waves, to the buxom forms painted by 17th century master Peter Paul Rubens. Voluptuousness is still referred to today as ‘Rubenesque’. In the past the most sought after female body types were represented by a curvy figure with a great deal of plumpness by today’s standards, which equated to a well-fed and healthy woman during what could be difficult times. No women during the plagues could probably be found obsessing over their weight, unless it was in terms to wanting more food, and wanting to be fatter. It’s important to note, that while there was not a preoccupation with the excessively thin ideal we see today, the pursuit of an ideal feminine figure has been recorded throughout history. Dr. Norman Bridge wrote a paper o n the psychology of the corset and found that: The desire of womankind to shape the female figure according to standards of beauty must have begun almost with the savage. In the ruins of Palenque, in Mexico (of which there is not a scrap of written history), was found in stone a bas-relief of a woman with bandaged waist. Circular and transverse folds and loops- strips of cloth used to compress the form- are clearly shown in the sculpture. In the 19th century, Victorian women were laced and pulled into restrictive corsets to achieve their present ideal form: the hourglass figure. The gradual tightening of a corset would eventually take a 27 inch waist (which in perspective is already relatively small) down to a waist that measured a hand span. Cracked ribs were not uncommon and fainting resulted because of the lack of oxygen to the lungs (Prasch192-202). This shift from the 17th century to the 19th century is something that should be seen as dramatic, even though people have always been concerned with outward physical appearance, it wasn’t until the Victorian era that it was documented enough to invade popular society either through advertisements for corsets, or various creams and tonics to help achieve this unnaturally hourglass idea (192-202) Although not entirely analogous, the extent to which women suffered with the restraining corset can now be seen today in women with eating disorders. The things women will suffer to be considered beautiful have changed over time, but there is a constant theme that for a woman to achieve the popularized ideal figure, she must endure some sort of physical anguish. The message continues to be that women are not okay and beautiful naturally, and that something must be done to remedy this. During the 20th century, the most dramatic shifts occurred in what is considered the ideal feminine form. Women were slowly making a mark on society by demanding equal rights, and as women’s activities increased, so did the ideal body type. Women fighting for the right to vote took them to a public arena, where their ideas as well as their bodies were on display. Coming from an age where women barley had a right to speak in public, this newfound public display also started sexualizing women. The slim, sexy, Gibson Girl of the turn of the century, what Catherine Warren refers to as â€Å"the first mass-media stereotype†, reflected women’s new interest in athleticism. This occurred at a time when science and medicine were starting to focus on body weight and the concept of calories (219-223). The most dramatic look and body type of the 20th century was that of a flapper girl. She had short hair, and more importantly, a boyish, athletic figure. This was a sharp contrast to the tight-laced figures of the Victorian era. By this time, women were slowly starting to work, which gave them personal economic power for the first time. This new found responsibility and liberation reflected in how women looked and dressed. The first breast-reduction procedures occurred during this time to allow women to achieve the much sought after flat chest of the boyish, athletic figure and breast binding was certainly not uncommon. The flapper girl was the beginning of an era in regards to the ideal feminine figure, with every following decade in some way embracing skinny women with only a short shift of attention to the curvier figures in the 50’s (Warren 219-223). During the 30’s and 40’s, the Great Depression and WWII stunted any real shift that could have been made and women remained athletic looking and slim. Women did however gain some important ground in their shift out of the home, as women started working more and more in factories. It wasn’t until the 50’s that the next shift took place, with post-war abundance bringing back female curves as the new ideal figure. The perfect personification of this would be Marilyn Monroe, a size 14. This look carried into the next decade, as more women went to work in the 60’s and were liberated even further, with the first birth control pill going on sale in 1961 (Newman ,226). A waif-like, underweight, and lanky ideal took stage during this time with the likes of Jean Shrimpton and Twiggy. From then on, slim was definitely in. The 70’s saw women burning their bras and obtaining even more liberation from their role in the home. The correlation between fitnes s and health was increasingly becoming more apparent and was reflected in the changing shape. By the 80’s, diet and health influenced every aspect of the beauty industry, and subsequently the media. Into the 90’s, little had changed. Ironically, a super-sized, processed diet and increasingly sedentary lifestyle means there are more overweight people than ever, but a weight-obsessed media has ensured that the thin ideal remains. Throughout the recounted history of the ideal feminine body type, socio-economic factors influenced what was considered ideal, and not until recently has the mass media had such an impact on what is considered beautiful. Often misunderstood, the actual ranges of body types from the past are no different than what is around today. There have been no genetic changes that have allowed for a more slim body type to emerge. What has changed however is what the ideal is. In the Barnard/Columbia Women’s Handbook, a study shows that 25 years ago the average American model weighed 8% less than the average American woman. Today’s models weigh 23% below the national average (Banard/Columbia Women’s Handbook). The fact that the models that represent the ideal are 23% more underweight than the general population isolates women and denies the natural range of body types and appearances especially from culture to culture. Instead of recognizing and celebrating the diversity of one another, person-to-person, culture-to-culture, we compare ourselves with these models, thus objectifying our own and other women’s bodies. This social idea that we have all powerful control in achieving this ideal weight and figure is presumptuous on the fact that we can completely control our body size but â€Å"in fact, the size and shape of our bodies are as genetically determined as skin and eye color.â € . (Douglas pg. 30-42) People are predisposed to a certain body type, and the amount of fat a person stores in their bodies has a lot to do with family history. Yet, the media continues to push a message that through diet-pills and the right exercise any woman can look like the models and actresses that we idolize on magazine covers and in film. When many women learn that despite their most consistent efforts they are still not thin enough, their feelings of body dissatisfaction can have detrimental psychological results. Twenty-five percent of fashion models today meet the American Psychiatric Association’s guidelines for anorexia nervosa (Hesse-Biber, pg.3). There is something almost intrinsic about our society in promoting this unhealthy ideal. One aspect of this may be that mental illness is still stigmatized to such a degree that people with eating disorders are looked at as if their problems aren’t real, and since â€Å"limits on desirable thinness have not been set, the popular notion is that, as long as a woman isn’t â€Å"badly† anorexic, being thin is not hazardous† (Feminism and Women’s Studies). Nowhere in intelligent societies is it looked upon admirably to be a little cancerous, but somehow the media and its effects on society have made it acceptable to starve oneself and sacrifice one’s own health to just be thin. The resulting physical and psychological effects of an eating disorder are widespread. It’s a disease that the media is marketing as a good thing. This is not to say that every woman who experiences some sort of body dissatisfaction will develop an eating disorder. There is no direct correlation of cause and effect that can state that mass media portrayal of underweight women leads women to have eating disorders. However, the portrayal of these underweight women does send out the message that thin, often underweight women are the ideal, and when women try to obtain that ideal and fail, their feelings of self-worth and self-esteem suffer. In a study preformed by Lucas and his colleagues entitled â€Å"50-year Trends in the Incidence of Anorexia Nervosa† it was found that the â€Å"incidents of anorexia nervosa during a 50-year period and the incidence of anorexia nervosa among 10-19 year-old girls paralleled the change of fashion and its idealized body image. The thin ideal preceded the times when the rates of anorexia nervosa were highest.† Content Analysis (where the frequency of portrayal of particular images is recorded) has shown that women are portrayed as abnormally thin in the media whereas men tend to be portrayed as a normal weight. For example, Silverstein et al. (1986) â€Å"found that, in thirty-three television shows, 69 percent of female characters were coded as ‘thin’, compared to only 18 percent of male characters. Only 5 percent of female characters were rates as ‘heavy’, compared to 26 percent of males.† Silverstein also found that models in high fashion magazines such as Vogue had become increasingly and radically thinner since the 1930’s, stating that: â€Å"†¦present day women who look at the major mass media are exposed to a standard of bodily attractiveness that is slimmer than that presented for men and that is less curvaceous than that presented for women since the 1930’s.† (Silverstein et al., 1986: 531) Marjorie Ferguson (1985) studies women’s magazines from a sociological perspective and argues, â€Å" †¦that women’s magazines contribute to the wider cultural processes which help to shape a women’s view of herself, and society’s view of her. Women’s magazines are read by a large proportion of women with each copy seen by many women (on average, each copy of Vogue is read by sixteen women)†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Since so many women read these magazines, they are inherently exposed to the standard of being slim that Silverstein analyzed. From a young age, girls are constantly taught that their self worth is wholly dependent on how they look. Case and point: the fact that women earn more money than men in only two jobs- those being modeling and prostitution (Wolf, 1992). More alarmingly, children are being exposed to the effects of mass media at a much earlier age at present, and therefore pre-adolescent girls are now becoming the target cohort for body dissatisfaction. In earlier years, adolescent girls were primarily the targets of body image research, but now girls as young as six are being documented with the desire to be thinner according to Dohnt and Tiggemann (2006). In fact, in their study, â€Å"40 percent of 6 year old girls reported wishing that they were thinner.† Historically a response to body dissatisfaction with one’s body type has led older women and female adolescents to diet, and now in the same way, pre-adolescents girls are reporting attempts to diet, or they are in the very least aware of the concept of dieting. The effects of the media now have a more powerful link to children than the children’s primary sources of their parents, friends, and community. Disney movies including the ever-popular Beauty and the Beast (the title says a lot), Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty, seemingly innocent, depict almost every female lead as skinny and beautiful, with the bad guys often being overweight and ugly, an example being Ariel from the Little Mermaid and her nemesis Ursula. This is a huge obstacle because, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, â€Å"in an year, the average child spends 900 hours in school and nearly 1,023 hours in front of a TV.† It’s of course, unrealistic to try and restrict this magnitude of exposure to the media, especially since most children not only get exposure from the TV, but within their peer-groups at school, the topics seen on TVs are discussed that reinforce this exposure (kidshealth.org). Children’s toys are also made and marketed in such a way that we quickly become desensitized to what it real and normal. Barbie, for instance, is a staple in most girls lives from a very young age, and even those parents who restrict these types of toys can’t possibly confiscate them from schools, daycares, and friends houses. It is probably near impossible to prevent exposure to Barbie for most young girls. Barbie is a cultural icon in America, and what’s so disturbing about this fact is that she is a most dramatically disturbing ideal. G.G Fein discusses Barbie in the article â€Å"Toys and stories† and describes her as: Not only would she be 7 feet 2 inches tall, but she’d also boast an impressive 40† bust line, a tiny 22† waist, and 36† hips. In addition to these absurd, and physiologically impossible statistics, her neck would be twice the length of a normal human being. On top of that, Barbie would not have enough room in her tiny waistline to have full sized organs, nor would she be able to menstruate. Due to her proportions, she would have to walk on all fours because her body would not be able to adequately support her. (153) Barbie’s body is literally completely out of range from what all girls and women can attain. When Mattel did try to change Barbie’s body type and market a more life like doll, it did horrible in today’s marketplace and the demand for this Barbie was significantly lower than that of the unrealistic body type Barbie (Fein, 1995). It can be speculated that society rejected the realistically proportioned Barbie because we are already conditioned to respond and strive for a thin ideal whether in ourselves or in our toys. In our society, we can become desensitized to all the information the mass-media puts out about weight and image, but the fact that girls as young as six are aware of this social pressure is quite disconcerting. Most research shows that girls at 4 and 5 show little signs of this sort of body awareness, but attitudes toward weight and being thin shift when a girl enters kindergarten. This suggests that it’s not only the media alone bringing out these attitudes about weight and image in young girls, but also the discussions and relationships these girls have with their peers. In earlier years there was a correlation being that the younger a girl was with body image discrepancies, the more likely she was to be Caucasian. But even this gap is now closing according to Clay, Vignoles, and Dittmar, with girls that are of a minority matching the rates of girls who are white in their views of body dissatisfaction or lack there of. Hispanic girls in fact, are now being reported at a higher rate with complaints of body dissatisfaction than any other group. It can be hypothesized that this is greatly a consequence of the trends in Hollywood to be skinny, which has caused Latina role models like Jennifer Lopez and Penelope Cruz to become more ‘Americanized’ ( Clay, Vignoles, and Dittmar, 2005). Waif-like fashion models and movie actresses are hard to avoid in glossy magazines and even the regular evening news (read: Paris Hilton) and these images are obviously detrimental to girls still forming their identity and self-concept. This perfect, thin, and sickly ideal is something that is a cultural construct, being that not only do women not really look like this as proven by the statistic of underweight models, but those who try, usually can’t achieve this ideal, meaning that â€Å"merely being a women in society mean feeling too fat† (Rodin, Silberstein, and Striegelmoore., 1996). We can now understand that the media has detrimental effects on what women perceive as an ideal body type, but we are still largely in the dark as to why the media popularizes this body type and why women strive to attain it. Many theories and counter-cultures have emerged through this speculation, and one of the more prominent ones being that of the Fat Feminists. Our society has drawn a line between fat people and thin people, similar to (but not exactly like) the lines it has drawn based on gender, skin color, sexual orientation and class. (Lehman, pg. 13) The Fat Feminists basically materialized out of the Feminist Movement, because they felt that they were isolated and marginalized for their weight even amongst their peers who fought for equal treatment and rights across gender. They are a sub-culture amongst today’s women and Susie Orbach a founding activist of the movement and author of â€Å"Fat is a Feminist Issue† states that Fat Feminists, â€Å"believe that one’s size has nothing to do with one’s value as a human being† (Lehman, pg.13). This culture of women, make up the size-acceptance movement sometimes referred to as the fat liberations movement. It really started as a grassroots effort by people who identified as Fat Feminists and wanted to change societal and media views of fat people. Different groups and organizations such as The National Association for the Advancement of Fat Acceptance (NAAFA), and the International Size Acceptance Association (ISAA) formed throughout the diet-crazed years in the 1980’s and 90’s and advocated a â€Å"health at any size† approach to the medical treatment of obese people. These groups also point out the discrimination that fat people endure, such as the fact that employers still tend to react negatively to large job applicants. The Body Positive organization, which was founded to, â€Å"to create a cultural shift in people’s attitudes about weight, health, movement and beauty† conducted a recent study, which found, â€Å"that among their business school graduates, fatter or shorter executives earn less than their thinner and taller counterparts†. The authors of this study noted that they could not draw any significant conclusions about large women, because there weren’t enough large female business school graduates. In present, we now are living in a society where the ideal body type is literally unattainable to most women. The media isolates millions of these women from feeling normal and beautiful by perpetuating this ideal thin body type. The effects from the media have intensely damaging psychological and physical effects and this has prompted a new counter-culture to emerge and fight for the acceptance of fat people. Berel, Susan, and Lori M. Irving. Media and Disturbed Eating: An Analysis of Media Influence and Implications for Prevention. The Journal of Primary Prevention 18.4 (1998): 415-30. PsycINFO. Virginia Commonwealth University, 23 June 2007. Bridge, Norman M.D. â€Å"The Psychology of the Corset.† The Rewards of Taste and other Essays. 25 June 2007. Calogero, Rachel M., William N. Davis, and J. Kevin Thompson. The Role of Self- Objectification in The Experience of Women With Eating Disorders. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research. 52.1-2 (Jan 2005): 43. InfoTrac. Virginia Commonwealth University. 14 June 2007 . Clay, Daniel, Vivian L. Vignoles, and Helga Dittmar. â€Å"Body Image and Self-Esteem Among Adolescent Girls: Testing the Influence of Sociocultural Factors† Journal of Research on Adolescence.15.4 (2005): 451–477. PsycINFO. Virginia Commonwealth University, 23 June 2007. Dohnt, Hayley K., and Marika Tiggemann. Body image concerns in young girls: the role of peers and media prior to adolescence. Journal of Youth and Adolescence. 35.2 (April 2006): 141. InfoTrac OneFile. Virginia Commonwealth University. 14 June 2007 Douglas, Susan. Where the Girls Are: Growing up Female with the Mass Media. New York: Three Rivers Press, 1995. Dowshen, Steve. â€Å"How TV Affects Your Child.† Kids Health. February 2005. 19 June 2007. Feminism and Women’s Studies: Body Image and â€Å"Eating Disorders† Columbia University. 20 June 2007. Ferguson, Marjorie. Forever Feminine: Women’s Magazines and the Cult of Femininity. Chicago: Aldershot, 1983. Lehman JoAnne. â€Å"The Web of Size Acceptance: Internet Resources for Exploring a Feminist Issue.† Feminist Collections, 24.3 (2003):13. GenderWatch. Virginia Commonwealth University. 19 June 2007. Lucas, A. R., Beard, C. M., O_Fallon, W. M., Kurland, L. T. â€Å"50-year trends in the incidence of anorexia nervosa in Rochester, Minn.: A population-based study.† American Journal of Psychiatry. 148.7 (1991). PsycINFO. Virginia Commonwealth University, 23 June 2007. www.apa.ord/psycinfo Newman, Caryn E. â€Å" A History of Contraception and Abortion in the West.† Journal of Women’s History. 9.4 (1998): 226. GenderWatch. Virginia Commonwealth University. 19 June 2007. Park, Sung-Yeon. â€Å"The Influence of Presumed Media Influence on Women’s Desire to be Thin.† Communication Research. 32.5 (2005): 594-614. GenderWatch. Virginia Commonwealth University. 21 June 2007. Prasch, Thomas. â€Å"Victorian Women and The Gendering of Culture.† Journal of Womens History. 9.1 (1997): 192-202. GenderWatch. Virginia Commonwealth University, 19 June 2007. Rodin, J., Silberstein, L., Striegel-Moore, R. Women and Weight: A Normative Discontent. Psychology and Gender. (1983): 267-307. Nebraska Symposium on Motivation, Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press. Silverstein, B., Peterson, B. and Purdue, L. â€Å"Some Correlates of the Thin Standard of Physical Attractiveness of Women.† International Journal of Eating Disorders. 5: 898-905. PsycINFO. Virginia Commonwealth University, 23 June 2007. The Body Positive. 02 July 2007 Warren Catherine A. â€Å"The Girl on the Magazine Cover: The Origins of Visual Stereotypes in American Mass.† NWSA Journal. 15.3 (2003): 219-223. GenderWatch. Virginia Commonwealth University. 19 June 2007. Research Papers on Mass Media and Body ImageRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenAnalysis Of A Cosmetics AdvertisementPersonal Experience with Teen PregnancyMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows EssayHip-Hop is ArtTrailblazing by Eric AndersonStandardized TestingThe Spring and Autumn

How to Avoid the Freshman 15

How to Avoid the Freshman 15 The Freshman 15 is one of the things incoming students hear about the most. Legend has it that the average student gains fifteen pounds during their first year in college. Urban myth or not, keep these tips in mind to ensure you eat and stay healthy as you adjust to eating on campus. Walk whenever and wherever you can on campus. Your campus may be big or small, hilly or flat, but regardless: its probably walkable. Do your best to take the long way when you can. Join an intramural sports team. Never played rugby or softball before? Who cares! Intramural sports can be a fun way to learn a new sport, meet people, and stay healthy during your time at school. Use the campus gym. Its most likely free, or very cheap. Make the most of it while you can. Get a workout partner. Not good at always making it to that 8:00 a.m. spin class? Find someone else who is interested in attending on a regular basis, and help hold each other accountable. Choose diet soda instead of regular. You might be surprised at how quickly all of those calories add up! Eat a salad (or a piece of fruit, or a healthy side veggie) with whatever else you grab for dinner. And do it every time. Eat a healthy breakfast. Your mom was right: your day does go better when you eat a good breakfast. Avoid the d onuts and grab some oatmeal to go. Keep healthy snacks in your room. Even if you dont have a fridge in your room, you can still keep pretzels, fruit (dried or fresh), healthy nuts, and energy bars on hand. Dont get dessert every time you eat. True, the dining hall may have unlimited self-serve ice cream, but that doesnt mean you should eat it every night. If youre going to order food late at night, make smart choices. Up late studying with your roommate and want to order pizza? Choose cheese only instead of loading up on toppings. Do something physical every weekend. Go for a run, join a pick-up game, play Ultimate Frisbee with some friends. Just get your body moving. Walk when you go off campus. Are your friends and you heading to a nice, neighborhood restaurant to get away for a while? If you can, try walking as a group instead of hopping in a car. Let yourself splurge every once in a while. Giving in to the self-serve ice cream machine is fine, as is the donut you are craving for breakfast, as long as you dont do it every day. But you do deserve a treat every once in a while! Drink water throughout the day. Do you go for 8 hours straight, from work to class to your club meeting to work again? Bring a water bottle with you to make sure you stay hydrated and healthy. Dont go long periods without eating. Running around all day, only to realize you havent eaten in a long time, isnt good for your body. It also may increase the likelihood that youll eat whats first available, instead of the food and nutrients your body needs. If you know you have a long day coming, pack some snacks ahead of time so your body has the fuel it needs to keep up with that big, college-educated brain of yours.

Reading and Comprehension of texts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Reading and Comprehension of texts - Essay Example The title of the poem is â€Å"Death of a Naturalist†. Through analysis of the title, an individual can understand the themes of the poem. Moreover, the classroom setting of the poem indicates safety and danger as the teacher uses expressions such as â€Å"daddy frog† to give various examples of safety and danger. Besides, ideas of safety nightmarish images and ideas of safety and danger such as the use of words like the "punishing sun" and "Flax had rotted there." The purpose of the text is to show the dangers involved throughout a Childs life incorporating challenges of nature by using a frog. Additionally, nature is represented as an educational force in a Childs life. The safety and danger of situations among children develops in the poem since in the last stanza, and Heaney says that good times represent by the presentation of the weather. Frogs are yellow in the sun to represent danger while they are brown in the rain to represent safety. The reading of texts such as poems generates knowledge without involving teachers. The main points in the text reflect the challenges of safety and danger experienced by children. Some of the points that indicate safety in the poem includes flax-dam fostered in the heart. It appears in the first stanza and reveals various aspects of safety that a child should have. Besides, the sixth line of the poem, reads, â€Å"Wove strong gauze of sound around the smell,† .It represents dangers within the environment that a child need to notice and take necessary steps to escape from danger. The title of the novel is â€Å"The One Thing Needful†. The novel reflects hard times by booking the first sowing. Moreover, the author insists on the importance of facts among boys and girls. Additionally, it points out the importance of facts, as the only thing wanted in life since it’s a part that forms enhances rational thought. Sticking to facts should be the core principle parents bring up their children. The

Impact upon the Merger Case between BRITIVIC and AG Barr Essay

Impact upon the Merger Case between BRITIVIC and AG Barr - Essay Example The main aim of this article is to analyze the case of the merger of Britvic as a strategy to compete with Coca-Cola and the various issues that arose post-merger. In the UK, carbonated soft drink market can be identified as tight oligopolistic market structure according to Shepherd’s classification of markets but majority dominated by Coca-Cola with a 57% market. Britvic is one of Coca Cola’s rival in a position of the second biggest but only with 14% market share. Faced with the much stronger market position of Coke Cola Company, in 2013, Britvic announced the intention to merge with AG Barr, which has the third biggest market share by 4%, as one way of acquiring enough strength to compete with the Soft Drinks Giant. In response, the Office of Fair Trade announced the need to make a thorough competition analysis for the two companies to identify the possible impacts of the merger in the market. The merger between is a typical horizontals merger as both companies produce the homogenous product. According to Britvic, a merger will help the company to gain enough ground to compete with Coca-Cola which would reduce their dominance because horizontal integration in the industry would have the significant impact upon changing of the market structure. If the monopoly effect in the industry can be declined due to two small market share equipped companies combined to compete against the dominant company, the consumers will have a higher bargaining power and may have the opportunity of purchasing soft drinks at a cheaper price. However, the Office of Fair Trade identifies that the merger will result in the formation of two giants, which will reduce completion and the risk of hiked prices after the merger.

Operations and Information Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Operations and Information Management - Essay Example This was a significant and big expansion by the retail shop moving towards becoming a huge retail chain in the country having its stores across in all the main places. MobUlike also had its two stores in Italy which gave the chance to Smartz to spread its business even in Europe. Through this report using various theories and aspects the importance of usage of new IT strategies like ecommerce in the business expansion and its benefits are been seen and understood. Along with this the importance of information management system for a company in its process improvement is been studied which gives a clear understanding over what and how IT system helps in growth of a particular company. The particular retail chain Smartz sells smartphones and its accessories. This company is looking to grow its chain widely across the country and trying to reach every customer by providing the best facility and good products and a good price. The company owner has looked to take up packaged software’s from commercial vendors to interconnect the whole process of Smatrz, MobUlike and also the end consumers in all aspects. The acquisition of MobUlike by Smartz is a big change in the business process for the company. The company is looking to take up the process of ecommerce to reach the end consumer which is a big step towards the growth as the ecommerce usage in the country has grown a lot and that to at a rapid pace (Doyle, 2001, pp.34-45). Business process management is basically the process involved in management of the overall business in an efficient way as per the requirements of the client or the customer to achieve the customer satisfaction by fulfilling their needs and wants. In this case the owner Imran needs to manage the process of both Smartz and MobUlike and integrate them along with launching the ecommerce process (Golden, 2005, pp. 65-72). The It systems in both the companies are different as a result the integration of

Analysis of Child Development Research Essay Example for Free

Analysis of Child Development Research Essay The purpose of the study was to compare the outcomes of youth in long-term foster care with a group of children who entered into foster care and were subsequently adopted before reaching the age of 7 (Vinnerljung Hjern 2011). Previous research conducted by Bohman and Sigvardsson found that at the age of 15, foster children who had been adopted performed as well in school as their peers who had never entered foster care. Children who were still in foster care had poorer grades and more behavioral problems. This gave the first implication that differences in child rearing environments are a strong factor in the positive or negative development of a child. The study consisted of a sample of 3,951 Swedish children born between 1972 and 1981. Each child entered care before the age of 7, and they were tested periodically until age 26. Of these children, 899 were adopted before the age of 7, and 3,062 grew up in foster care for more than 12 years (before aging out of the program at the age of 18). Adopted children spent an average of 1.6 years in foster care before adoption, while long-term foster care children spent an average of 16 years in care. The control group consisted of (consensus) data collected from 900,418 children who were never adopted or in foster care. These groups were adjusted for confounding variables, such as parental mental health problems and substance abuse before and/or after birth, as well as for age at entry into care. The outcomes were measured by an intelligence test that consisted of four subtests: logical, spatial, verbal, and technical capabilities. The scores ranged from 1-9, with 5 being average and a higher score indicating a higher cognitive competence. Both experimental groups had weaker outcomes compared to the control population, but foster children measured lower than adopted children in school performance, educational achievement, self-support capability, and cognitive competence. Children who were adopted at ages 4-6 showed improvements in cognitive ability over time, and by their late teens typically scored closely to their non-adopted or fostered peers. Negative outcomes were found to be far more likely for those in long-term foster care, regardless of gender, while adopted children had more favorable outcomes for school performance, cognitive test scores, educational achievement, and reliance on public welfare. Foster children had, on average, lower grades and cognitive abilities. Half of fostered boys had very low or incomplete grades from primary school, compared to 1/3 of adopted boys and 1/5 of the control population boys. For girls, the data was 1/3, 1/6, and 1/12. Attrition rates for grades at the age of 16 were the following: 13.4% for long-term foster care children, 4.3% for adopted children, and 2.4% for non-fostered or adopted children. By the age of 25, around 30% of fostered boys and 25% of fostered girls had only received a primary education. This is three times that of the control population, and twice that of the adoptees. Similarly, more fostered children were dependent on welfare at age 25 than children of the control group or adopted children. PAPER TWO: Developmental outcomes after five years for foster children returned home, remaining in care, or adopted Similar to the first, this study compared the developmental outcomes of children who entered into foster care as infants and either returned home, were adopted, or remained in foster care long-term. The first years of a child’s life are critical for proper development, particularly because younger children are more easily influenced and have the highest levels of brain plasticity (Llyod Barth, 2011). Furthermore, previous research has suggested that young children in foster care are at a developmental risk compared to their peers. It is possible, then, that either reunification or adoption might alleviate these risks. The sample consisted of 353 children who were initially tested at 13 months, then again at 18, 36, and 66 months. The assessments were conducted with the child and the child’s current caregiver (whether that be biological parent, adoptive parent, or foster parent). The child’s status at 66 months determined their group designation of adopted, reunited/in-home, or fostered. All of the sampled children had to have at least one allegation of maltreatment. Maltreatment was divided into type (physical, emotional, neglect), to adjust for confounding factors. Many different tests were used to assess cognitive and behavioral delays in the children. These included: the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales Screener (which screens for problems in adaptive behavior and daily living skills), the Pre-school Language Skills (which assess developmental domain of language), the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (which assess cognitive development in children over 4 years), the Woodcock-Johnson III tests of achievement (which assess educational outcomes of children at least 5 years old), and the Child Behavior Checklists (which assess behavior problems in children ages 2 and older). Far fewer children in the adopted group were classified at high developmental risk. This group also scored significantly higher on cognitive stimulation and caregiver responsiveness. The foster care group had the lowest means in cognitive and language skills, but the highest scores in adaptive behavior. On these measures, adopted children and children who were returned to their homes scored relatively close to one another. There were no significant differences among groups in different poverty rates. In conclusion, reunification and adoption generally led to more positive outcomes, while long-term foster care typically resulted in poor developmental outcomes. These findings further suggest that adoptive placement specifically leads to improved social competence, language skills, and reading skills, but lower adaptive behavior development, while reunification mainly leads to better language development, math skills, and reading skills. PAPER THREE: Developmental, Cognitive, and Neuropsychological Functioning in Preschool-aged Foster Children: Associations with Prior Maltreatment and Placement History This study differs slightly from the first two by investigating the physical and cognitive developmental differences between foster children and children living with their biological parents. Typically, younger foster children display higher rates of developmental and mental health problems, which are often associated with maltreatment, multiple placements in foster care, and younger age at initial placement (Pears Fisher, 2004). However, the majority of children receiving social and mental health services are over the age of 6, despite the fact that most children in foster care are between the ages of 2-5 years. Likewise, studies show that around 60% of the preschoolers entering foster care receive no treatment for developmental delays. The sample consists of two groups of children: the first consisting of 99 3-6 year old foster children, and the second of 54 non-maltreated, same-age, comparable SES children living with their biological families. There were no major differences in mean child age, gender, or ethnicity between the two groups. Height, weight, and head circumference were used to measure physical growth over time. Neuropsychological function was tested with the Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment, which includes 11 subscales in five domains: visuospatial processing (visual and spatial information processing), memory and learning, sensorimotor function, language, and attention/executive function. Cognitive function was measured with the Weschler Preschool and Primary Scales of Intelligence-Revise. Auditory comprehension and expressive communication were measured with the Preschool Language Scale-Third Edition. Executive function was further measured with two different tasks: the stroop task, where, when a card with a sun on it is held up, the child must say day, and when a card with a moon on it is help up, the child must say night; and the card sort task, where the child must first sort cards according to the shape on the card, and then according to the color of the shape on the card. Height for age was positively associated with memory and language in both groups, although the correlation was slightly stronger in the foster group. Foster children were, in general, shorter and lighter, and had smaller head circumferences than same-aged children in the control group. Children in the control group scored higher than foster children in visuospatial functioning, language, and general cognitive functioning. There was a moderately positive correlation between the age at which a child was first placed into foster care and the child’s executive function. Children placed in foster care before the age of 2 scored significantly lower on visuospatial processing, and children with more than the average number of placements had lower scores on executive functioning. IMPLICATIONS AND POSSIBLE INTERVENTIONS All three of the studies show that children placed in long-term foster care typically have more developmental delays and behavioral issues than children who are adopted, reunited with their biological families, or never enter foster care in the first place. A general conclusion can be made in that foster children need higher quality care and support from their foster parents, caseworkers, and doctors. The negative educational trends found by Vinnerljung and Hjern (2011) suggest that foster children received less satisfactory support in their schoolwork than adopted children. Foster parents and caseworkers could benefit from lessons in how to interpret a child’s behavior, nurture the child, and create a supportive learning environment for the child. This is especially important for younger children. Limited caseloads for social workers would allow for workers to concentrate on children and spend more time ensuring that they are receiving proper care. It is also clear that foster children would benefit from more early intervention services. Early development, as discussed by Lloyd and Barth (2011), is rapid and easily influenced by environment and quality of caregivers. Intervention services could prevent developmental delays, and lessen preexisting ones. Currently, resources within the system are limited, and largely consumed by older foster children. This is assumed to be because as children age, they become a larger threat to themselves (by displaying instances of self harm, suicide, increased violence, etc.), and thus, are referred to mental health specialists. However, most of these behaviors stem from existing conditions present at a younger age, and would be more easily controlled if addressed at the younger age. It would then also be important that these children receive consistent, satisfactory health care. Screenings for developmental delays and other behavioral problems would increase the ability to catch these problems early on, and treat them when the child is still young, and potentially easier to help. As well, because foster children are constantly changing homes, it would be important to maintain records of these screenings, so that the information is always readily available to caregivers, caseworkers, and doctors. This will ensure that the child is always receiving appropriate care. All three studies show the negative association between long-term foster care and a child’s development, even with skilled caregivers and placement stability. Working toward the preservation of families and the avoidance of placement in foster care may benefit the child developmentally. If necessary, the child may be removed from the home for a period of time, but there should be increased efforts made to reunite child and parent. Increased programing for parents (rehab programs, teaching about early childhood development, etc.) could increase such potential. References Llyod, C., Barth, R. (2011). Developmental outcomes after five years for foster children returned home, remaining in care, or adopted. Children and Youth Services Review, 33(8), 1383-1391. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2011.04.008 Pears, K. Fisher, P. (2004). Developmental, cognitive, and neuropsychological functioning in preschool-aged foster children: Associations with prior maltreatment and placement history. Journal of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics, 26(2), 112-122. Vinnerljung, B., Hjern, A. (2011). Cognitive, educational and self support outcomes of long- term foster care versus adoption: A Swedish national cohort study. Children and Youth Services Review, 33(10), 1902-1910. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2011.05.016