Maritime Externalities Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Maritime Externalities - Essay Example This problem of disposal and dumping of radioactive waste and its adverse effects on our ecology has gained considerable attention in recent years. Marine pollution not only effects and pollutes the environment and beaches, it upholds toxic effects for the marine divers, ecologists and marine wild life. It is true that more than 70% of land is water and how awful is the situation in which the marine pollution rate which is caused by ships and cruises is increasing. This rapid increase is harmful for us in dual ways. On one hand it pollutes the sea and marine life, thereby affecting our health indirectly as the same sea food is consumed by us, on the other hand we are directly affected by the marine wastes and polluted environment caused by sea transport. Offshore Externality: Another negative externality is to the fishing industry, which according to research is affected to an extent that there has been a concern about the impact of 'seismic detonations', which means that on a local scale, eggs and larvae are killed and fish are scared off (Vidas, 2000, p. 132). The onus has been on the shoulders of Norway and Russia, both of which are engaged in drilling offshore petroleum in the Barents Sea, whose part has been explored as an important spawning and growth area for the Arctic cod stock, supplying one of the most valuable commercial fisheries in the world. Any accident involving large scale oil spills would end up in severe environmental effects resulting from sea transport. Of course one cannot predict the probability of such accident but it is presumed to occur at higher temperate zones. Also the regional differences in shipping equipment standards and maritime industrial safety levels indicate that the risk is particularly high i n the Russian part of the Barents Sea. Should an accident occur marine life would suffer utmost from the climate and weather conditions. Pollution: The marine externalities are almost common to every country and state, therefore the law is international which suggests that marine environment in context with the rules on pollution from ships are essentially uniform and international at the global level. For example legal implications require that dumping at sea should be followed by a minimum standard on a global platform, but have been supplemented and strengthened by a number of regional agreements or by national legislation. Despite having same rules to be followed everywhere which is based on airborne sources of marine pollution no efforts have been made at the regional, sub-regional or national level to deal with this problem globally. No significance has been given to the environmental impact assessment which results from the basis of marine pollution. Not even legal monitoring of pollution is observed. What has been done so far in order to regulate marine environment is the regulation of International ship-sourced marine pollution which has acquired at least some attention since the 1950s. In this current era where 70% of our seas are polluted, the marine pollution regulation is still following the 1954 International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil. Though the Convention has been designed to combat maritime pollution by prohibiting and limiting the discharge of harmful substances or effluents from ships, but still unimplemented. Being globally accepted and encouraged by marine ecologists, this global application contains

Effects of Agriculture Essay Example for Free

Effects of Agriculture Essay Because it was tremendously essential for survival, had a monumental impact immediately on society and continues to affect us even to this day, agriculture was the most influential development of the early civilizations. The people of the first civilizations needed agriculture because it was an easy, more efficient way of obtaining food. The early peoples had to hunt and gather their food, and, â€Å"Hunting depended on the careful observation of behavioral patterns† (Duiker, W. J. Spielvogel, J. J. 2001). It must have been challenging to always be moving and searching, just so they could find food that day. However, deciding to stop and grow food, in one reachable convenient location, would have solved the issue of having to go through all the extra steps of hunting down animals. After a long time of humans living successfully in the Old Stone Age, and ice age occurred cause a devastating drought, which killed off most of the vegetation. â€Å"All living things started clustering around sources such as lakes and river† (Howe, H. , Howe, R. T. 1992). Because all living things clustered around water sources, there was more competition, human and non-human alike, for the already diminished food supply. Naturally, the people of the early civilizations would need to grow their own food in order to sustain their population. Shortly after farming’s conception many life-changing discoveries, like trade, were made. â€Å"Some people became artisan, made weapons, and jewelry that were traded with neighbors† (Duiker, W. J. Spielvogel, J. J. 2001). When people started to farm they began producing more food then they need. These food surpluses allowed people to do other things with their time such as, make weapons and jewelry that could in turn be traded for other people’s goods. The change to farming also immediately affected the relationships between men and women. â€Å"Men assumed the primary responsibility for working in the fields and herding animals, jobs that kept them away from the home. Women remained behind caring for the children and weaving cloth, making cheese from milk, and jobs that required considerable labor in one place† (Duiker, W. J. Spielvogel, J. J. 2001). The men had to go work in the fields because planting, growing and harvesting crops required long hours of great physical labor that the women couldn’t take. Also the work in the fields was seen as more important, and so men assumed a more dominant role in society. Not only did agriculture immediately change society, but the changes it created are still evident today. Trade is done in the almost same way and for the same reasons as in ancient times. People still make goods and perform services in exchange for something else. However, rather than exchanging work for another good or service, people today use the cash system. In the cash system people provide labor so they get money in return. The money they earn can then be used to by various products or services. The relationship between men and women established because of agriculture is prevalent today as well. Not only do men still have a more dominant role in society but they still do more difficult and important work. The standard of men working while the women stay home and care for the house is still typical for families today. If the women do work though, they almost never have physically demanding jobs with long, hard hours like being a construction worker or farmer. Also not only are the vast majority of politicians, C. E. O. s, business owners, and other powerful workers men, but men also more often than not get paid higher than women. Truly, because of the fact the early people needed a more steady food source, it almost instantaneously changed humankind, and it evidently still affects the world today, agriculture was the most significant advancement of the early peoples. Bibliography Duiker, W. J. Spielvogel, J. J. , (2001) Third Edition World History Comprehensive Volume. assBelmont, CA: Thomson Learning, Inc. Howe, H. , Howe, R. T. , (1992) A World History. White Plains, NY: Longman

A Discussion of The Wound-Dresser and Leaves of Grass Essay -- Wound-

A Discussion of The Wound-Dresser  and  Ã‚  Leaves of Grass During the late romantic period, two of history’s most profound poets, Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman, emerged providing a foundation for, and a transition into Modern poetry.   In its original form, their poems lacked the characteristics commonly attributed to most romantic poets of the mid to late nineteenth century who tended to utilize â€Å"highly stylized verses, having formal structures, figurative language and adorned with symbols† (worksheet).   Unique and â€Å"eccentric use of punctuation† as well as â€Å"irregular use of meter and rhyme† were the steppingstones for this new and innovative style of writing (worksheet).   Even though these two writers rejected the traditional approach, both remained firmly dedicated to their romantic idealism of the glass of water being â€Å"half full† opposed to â€Å"half empty.† Noted for his frequent practice of catalogs and parallelism, Whitman stirred up much controversy with his fir st edition of â€Å"leaves of Grass† in 1855.   Many critics responded negatively to the ...

Education and Typical Public School

Another problem pestering the quality of Philippine education is the quality and proficiency of the teachers. According to a recent article (Gerochi, 2002), Filipino teachers lack proficiency in English, Science and Mathematics. Many said that these areas should have been trained comprehensively since as teachers, they should be able to teach the students with a more quality for future growth. But with what I see, the teachers have problems of their own. One example, and the most obvious, is the low salary and terrible working condition. Many public school teachers opt to have â€Å"sidelines† during class that sometimes the teacher simply forgets to teach. But who can blame them if their salaries of around 8000-10,000 pesos, plus deductible, who can a teacher provide for his/her family? And with the rising cost of living, these figures are not enough. Others cannot teach well in class because of the ratio of students to a teacher. In a typical public school, in every one teacher there are 50-60 students in a class! The school facilities can also be a factor of the problem. The Philippines, both in private and public, lacks sophisticated laboratories and facilities to cater the needs of the students. For example, many public schools are still lacking the basic computer laboratories and it is so ironic that computer nowadays, computer education is crucial for future Computer Studies student. Without proper training in computer, how can a student be competitive and computer literate? Jose Rizal reminds us how modern and latest technologies are important in a student’s development in his novel El Filibusterismo. Like in the novel, the laboratory equipment are stored shut in a cabinet and never to be used in class because of the insufficient number of equipment. And when it is shown in class, it is presented like a monstrance of a priest! And prophetic as it seems, Rizal’s time is happening all over again in our contemporary times. Lastly, a common problem of our Philippine education is the rising cost of sending a child to school. Private schools charges skyrocketing tuition and miscellaneous fees to a student that parents are having a hard time to cope with the rising cost of education. Even sending a child in a public school doesn’t fare better since even the poorest of the poor cannot afford to send a child in school. I remember vividly a story of a public school teacher with a pupil of him. He said that this student was so poor that teachers pay for everything so she can go to school. The teachers don’t mind this sacrifice because the student is so bright and intelligent. She never went to college after high school since she cannot really afford it anymore. What saddened the teachers is that this student passed UP but with no scholarship. Right now, many see education not as necessity but a luxury they cannot afford (Reyes, 2002). The state of Philippine education is indeed sad and disheartening. We probably are all asking who’s to blame for all this mess. But we cannot simply point finger since we all have responsibilities to solve these problem. The government tries its best to give the country and it seemed not enough. But we should not blame the government entirely since it is just not the government’s problems. It is the problem of each and every one of us. If we want the highest quality of education in the country, we should work together to solve this problem. As a teacher, these problems will be a big cross to bear. But if I can help solve this problem in my own little way, the cross can be lighter and easier to bear. This is the bitter cup of a teacher to bear. But we must remember that the teacher and every one of us will determine the course of our country’s development through education. Even Rizal said that for a country to progress, education is the key to that success. Solving the problems of Philippine education is a long way to go but if we work for the better, we can attain that quality education we all hope for the best.

Cold War Literature – The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Waiting for Godot, and Red Alert

The period of Cold War literature dating from the second half of the twentieth century is distinctly seen as a time of enduring relevance; marked with a deep moral questioning of morality and the institution, a heightened sense of paranoia, as well as with a firm shattering of religious persuasion. Significant texts arise from particular ways of thinking to reflect both a societal loss of innocence and social naivety, presenting a widely pessimistic picture of a civilisation awaiting imminent annihilation. A strong reaction to the context of After the Bomb, which created a sense of fragmentation and social alienation, the Cold War texts of The Spy Who Came in From the Cold by John Le Carre, Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett, and Peter Georges’ Red Alert all arise from particular ways of thinking evident in the philosophical, religious, economic and technological paradigms of the period and thus they possess an enduring relevance.Could Cold War Have Been Avoided? The questions surrounding both the reasoning and necessity of the dropping of two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki arguably surround the most significant moral debate of the twentieth century and it is in this context, that George’s Red Alert and The Spy Who Came in From the Cold by Le Carre, explore the philosophical reasonings of morality. The Spy who came in From the Cold raises such concerns as it shatters illusions of the previously perceived ‘noble cause'. This is evidenced as Control briefs Leamus when he rationalises that â€Å"the ethic of our work†¦ we do disagreeable things†¦ we are defensive†. This not only causes the reader to question the â€Å"ethic† of intelligence operations but also to compare the actions of both the East and the West throughout the novel. Additionally the emphasis of the italicised â€Å"defensive† highlights the belief that such operations cause concern, as the manipulation and deception of others by the Circus causes the readers to weigh up the â€Å"ethics†. This is highlighted especially as it becomes apparent that the British are instigating the protection of a former Nazi, another scenario raising concerns of morality. Control then says that â€Å"intelligence work has one moral law – it is justified by results†. Control, as suggested by his title, hold considerable power which The use of â€Å"law† suggests a concrete framework of standards and expectations, which is not only unrealistic within an intelligence setting, but also a complete untruth, Control having just said that they are â€Å"defensive†. Additionally the issue of amorality surfaces within the conversation between Control and Leamus as the reader questions whether the â€Å"results† justify the means. Likewise, when Fielder interrogates Leamus there is a discussion about philosophical and ideological beliefs of British and East German intelligence agents. Fielder believes in that â€Å"the whole is more important than the individual†. This statement, explicit and direct, emphasises options of morality for both. Similarly, perhaps as a justification, it is also said that â€Å"it is expedient that one man should die for the benefit of many†. Apart from a criticising intelligence work, Le Carre also questions both the direction and morality/amorality of humanity itself. Through the use of â€Å"benefit†, the reader is forced to ask if any death is a â€Å"benefit† to society, allowing contextual components to come into play. Similarly, George’s Red Alert as a text is characterised by intensified questioning of humanity and human values. The sustained metaphor likening General Quinten to the mongoose who kills the snake from Rudyard Kipling’s Rikki Tikki Tavi spans most of the novel. The juxtaposition of Rikki Tikki Tavi with General Quinten highlights the debate surrounding â€Å"aggression for self-defence†, which juxtaposes both scenarios in irony. Another philosophical facet of Red Alert is the validity and morality of the institution. This is a particularly potent issue shown through the rare satirical undercurrent of the Pentagon War Room. Satire is used by George throughout the meetings of â€Å"big bomb diplomacy† as leaders from East and West throw around moral questions of whether there is a difference in killing â€Å"thirty millions or sixty millions†. This, in addition to the granting of permission to destroy an un-evacuated Atlantic city so that â€Å"few would have to suffer for the sake of many† highlights contempt for political institutions making decisions for the world, who through the use of alliteration are â€Å"powerless to prevent†. This also relates to Fiedler’s belief in that it is â€Å"expedient that one man should die for the benefit of many†. Thus through the questioning of morality in Cold War society, both Le Carre and George, present texts which both depict highly differing perspectives of their surrounding world and which are, to a large extent shaped by the particular ways of thinking present at the time. Thus both texts possess an enduring relevance through the challenging of ideas such as morality and the presence of seeming amorality. The Cold War era was one of permeating anxiety, vulnerability and fear especially pertaining to the fatal flaws of science, as well as to those attributed to the human condition as conveyed in Peter George’s Red Alert and Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot. Winston Churchill’s 1946 Sinews of Peace alleged that â€Å"with cooperation†¦in science†¦there will be an overwhelming sense of security†[1]. Red Alert is a text, seemingly devoted to the disproving of this affirmation. The novel invalidates the â€Å"safety† of the machine, particularly through the ironic repetition of the acronym for Mutually Assured Destruction, MAD. Similarly, the religious imagery of explosives â€Å"crossed and recrossed in a lethal pattern† is both symbolic of the danger and fatality of nuclear technology, and foreboding of the â€Å"self-immolation [of] their destined end† – a reference to the perceived martyrdom of the appropriately named Alabama Angel bombers. In 1961, John F Kennedy stated â€Å"the world is living under a nuclear sword of Damocles which can be cut by accident, miscalculation, or madness. †[2] It seems the fatal flaw of technology, as conveyed in Red Alert, is human nature. This is particularly evident as â€Å"no system yet devised is proof against any and all human failings†¦the human element has failed us† which again plays on the threat of technology as well as alludes to the existing atmosphere of paranoia prevalent throughout both the novel, and the Cold War period. Similarly, in Waiting for Godot â€Å"Beckett is concerned with†¦demythification, with exposing myths such as†¦science†[3]. Through absurdism, Beckett conveys the â€Å"dark summation† of the human condition with compassion and humour. The seeming nothingness of the existence and experience of all characters in the play can be distressing for the audience, who are presented with a disillusioned, harsh depiction of their world. This is somewhat symbolic of the realities of the human condition in relation to despair, fear and loneliness in an alien and hostile universe. Additionally, the relentless cycle experienced as Vladimir says â€Å"we’ll be back tomorrow†¦ then the day after†¦and so on† creates both pity but also fear for the audience especiallyu as Estragon asks â€Å"why don’t you help me? , thus appealing to Vladimir but also the audience who are both powerless to offer help and protection. It is thus evidenced in both Waiting for Godot and Red Alert, that the fear and paranoia depicted in both texts is to a large extent a reflection of the ways of thinking of the time. The impact of the political context of the Cold War in clearly evident in Le Carre’s The Spy Who Cam e in from the Cold, however, in Samuel Beckett’s play Waiting for Godot, although still existent, the political influence and ways of thinking is somewhat more subtle. The Cold War era is often characterised by deceit, manipulation and betrayal, thus challenging values of honour and loyalty as society learnt of defections and double agents. The idea of manipulation, perhaps an illusion to political manipulation, is conveyed strongly in The Spy who came in from the Cold particularly through the use of repeating images of children, which appear throughout the text as symbols of innocence, easily swayed by others. The manipulation of Liz in the courtroom â€Å"like a blind child† conveys the potential control over interpretation through the suppression of context. The simile not only likens Liz to the ideas of innocence and naivety but also raises the question of whether there can be truth without context. Similarly, the novel sustains repetition of an image haunting Leamus; that of a â€Å"small car smashed between great lorries and the children waving cheerfully through the window†. The obvious conclusion drawn by readers is of the lorries as a metaphor for the ideological conflict between East and West, communism and democracy. The small car on the other hand has numerous connotations potentially being Leamus, society in general as a helpless unit, or even the opposing nations caught in between the ideological forces. The â€Å"children waving cheerfully† presents an image of innocence, and lack of awareness, a stark contrast to the looming lorries. Thus, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold reflects, to a very large extent the political atmosphere of the Cold War, and thus possesses enduring relevance as a depiction of reality for many throughout the era. Thus, the particular ways of thinking present throughout the Cold War period largely influenced the composition of The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Waiting for Godot, and Red Alert. The permeating philosophical, scientific, political and religious paradigms give all three texts an enduring relevance in the modern, twenty-first century context.

Drought Causes, Stages, and Problems

Drought Causes, Stages, and Problems Every year as summer approaches, areas around the world grow concerned about seasonal drought. Throughout the winter, many places monitor precipitation and the snowpack to prepare for what the warmer, drier months may bring. In addition, there are areas where drought is a regular year to year occurrence that lasts longer than just the summer. From hot deserts to the freezing poles, drought is something that affects plants, animals, and people worldwide. What Is a Drought? Drought is defined as a period in which a region has a deficit in its water supply. Drought is a normal feature of climate which happens in all climate zones from time to time. Usually, drought is talked about in one of two perspectives- meteorological and hydrological. A drought in terms of meteorology takes into account deficiencies in measured precipitation. Each years measurements are then compared to what is determined as a normal amount of precipitation and drought is determined from there. For hydrologists, droughts are monitored by checking stream flow and lake, reservoir, and aquifer water levels. Precipitation is also considered here as it contributes to the water levels. In addition, there are agricultural droughts that can impact crop production and cause changes to the natural distribution of various species. The farms themselves can also cause droughts to happen as the soil is depleted and therefore cannot absorb as much water, but they can be impacted by natural droughts as well. Causes Because drought is defined as a deficit in water supply, it can be caused by a number of factors. The most important one though relates to the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere as this is what creates precipitation. More rain, sleet, hail, and snow can occur where there are moist, low-pressure air systems. If there is an above average presence of dry, high-pressure air systems instead, less moisture is available to produce precipitation (because these systems cannot hold as much water vapor). This results in a deficit of water for the areas over which they move. The same can also happen when winds shift air masses and warm, dry, continental air moves over an area as opposed to cooler, moist, oceanic air masses. El Nino, which affects the oceans water temperature, also has an impact on precipitation levels because, in years when the temperature cycle is present, it can shift the air masses above the ocean, often making wet places dry (drought prone) and dry places wet. Finally, deforestation for agriculture and/or building combined with the resultant erosion can also cause drought to begin because as the soil is moved away from an area it is less able to absorb moisture when it falls. Stages of Drought Since many areas, regardless of their climatic region, are prone to drought, different definitions of the stages of drought have developed. They are all somewhat similar, however, usually ranging from a drought warning or watch, which is the least severe. This stage is declared when a drought could be approaching. The next stages are mostly called drought emergency, disaster, or critical drought stage. This final stage begins after a drought has occurred for a long period and water sources begin to be depleted. During this stage, public water use is limited and oftentimes drought disaster plans are put into place. Short and Long Term Consequences Regardless of a droughts stage, there are short and long term consequences with any drought because of nature and societys dependence on water. Problems associated with drought can have economic, environmental, and social impacts on both the areas where they occur and areas that have relations with those where the drought happens. Most of the economic impacts of drought are associated with agriculture and the income generated from crops. In times of drought, the lack of water can often cause a decline in crop yields, and thus a reduction in income for farmers and an increase in the market price of products since there is less to go around. In a prolonged drought, unemployment of farmers and even retailers can occur, having a significant impact on the economy of the area and those with economic ties to it. In terms of environmental problems, drought can result in insect infestations and plant diseases, increased erosion, habitat and landscape degradation, a decrease in air quality and that of what water is present, as well as an increased risk of fire because of drier vegetation. In short-term droughts, natural environments can often rebound, but when there are long term droughts, plant and animal species can suffer tremendously, and over time desertification can happen with an extreme lack of moisture. Finally, droughts have social impacts that can cause disputes between users of available water, inequalities in water distribution between wealthy and poor, disparities in areas in need of disaster relief, and a decline in health. In addition, in rural developing countries population migration can begin when one area experiences drought because often people will go to areas where water and its benefits are more prevalent. This then depletes the natural resources of the new area, can create conflicts among neighboring populations and takes workers away from the original area. Over time, increased poverty and social unrest are likely to develop. Drought Mitigation Measures Because severe drought is often slow in its development, it is relatively easy to tell when one is coming and in areas that are capable, there are several mitigation measures that can be used to reduce the impacts felt by drought. The most important steps in lessening the effects of drought though are soil and water conservation. By protecting soil, it is better able to absorb precipitation, but it can also help farmers to use less water because it is absorbed and not as much run off. It also creates less water pollution by the pesticides and fertilizers present in most farm runoff. In water conservation, public use is often regulated. This mostly includes watering yards, washing cars and outdoor fixtures such as patio tables, and swimming pools. Cities such as Phoenix, Arizona, and Las Vegas, Nevada have also implemented the use of xeriscape landscaping to reduce the need to water outdoor plants in dry environments. In addition, Water conservation devices like low-flow toilets, shower heads, and washing machines can be required for use inside the home. Finally, desalination of seawater, water recycling, and rainwater harvesting are all things that are currently under development to build on existing water supplies and further reduce the impacts of drought in dry climates. Whatever method is used, however, extensive monitoring of precipitation and water usage are the best way to prepare for a drought, inform the public on the problem, and implement conservation strategies.

A comparison of manned missions to space and robot missions essays

A comparison of manned missions to space and robot missions essays Since the Soviets put Sputnik into space, there have been many missions into space. Robots have done some missions and people have done others. Robots do not possess human judgment or the abilities necessary for solving problems. However, manned space missions are much more costly than robot missions and they have more risk. In space, there are lots of unpredicted variables and things that we do not expect to occur. Due to this, it is important to have manned space missions. Humans are capable of solving problems, whereas robots only know what theyve been programmed to do. Apollo thirteen would have been destroyed if it were a robot, but since it had a human crew on board, it survived. They were able to solve their problems because they were capable. Also, in space, it is necessary for on the spot judgment. Humans possess the capability make decisions, but robots can only do a limited amount of tasks. This is a large con to sending robots into space. On the other hand, manned missions are much more expensive than robots. A single flight of the space shuttle costs around $420 million dollars. In addition, manned shuttles need places to stay. The International Space Station has already cost $16 billion to build and the price is expected to reach over $40 billion. The expected price was $8 billion. Robots are much cheaper. The Mars Pathfinder cost only $265 million and it brought back lots of useful scientific data. Robots are more economical than manned space flights. Furthermore, manned space missions have greater risk than robot missions. As in the case of Apollo 1 and Apollo 13, accidents occurred on manned space missions. That puts peoples lives in danger as well as space shuttles. If a robot malfunctions or breaks somehow, not as much is lost. When astronauts are lost, new ones have to be trained and prepared for space flight. When a robot is destroyed, a new one can be made and any problems wi...

10 Page Term Paper

10 Page Term Paper 10 Page Term Paper 10 Page Term Paper If you are writing a 10 page term paper, you must pay special attention to the quality of information and structure. In particular, you should use headings and subheadings to ensure a better flow of ideas. is a professional and legal site offering custom term paper writing help to students who care about their grades but have no time to write term papers. In addition, we have an absolutely free paper writing blog with numerous tips on writing and pre-written sample term papers. Sample Term Paper on Baby Boom A necessary step in scientific speculation is to specify precisely what is to be explained. At the demographic level, we have explained the baby boom mainly as an increase in the proportion of women having at least two children accompanied by a compression of fertility into a shorter, earlier period of time. (Another way of describing the same phenomenon is in terms of a significant decline in the average age of childbearing.) Being married and having a family (though not a large family) had become the norm during the decade after the war. Bachelorhood, childlessness and having only one child became increasingly unusual. What kinds of social change occurred during this period that might help explain this trend? One persuasive theory proposed by economist Richard Easterlin is that the postwar period witnessed a combination of two basic forces which encouraged optimism and relaxed earlier constraints on marriage and having children: an unprecedented demand for goods and services otherwise known as the postwar economic boom; and an accompanying shortage of labor. This shortage was caused by low birthrates in the twenties and early thirties which reduced the number of job seekers two decades or more later. In former periods, this demand for labor was met by immigration but the restrictive legislation of the twenties had effectively dried up this source of labor. Thus young people in the early 1950's were relatively few in number and were faced with many well-paying job opportunities in a rapidly expanding economy a particularly propitious set of circumstances for encouraging the formation of families. Other factors also contributed to what appeared to be a headlong rush into marriage and childbearing. Credit for home purchases and other consumer goods became widely available. With little investment and long amortization schedules it became possible for masses of people to satisfy home ownership aspirations, to escape the city and to have a better place for the kids to grow up. With little or no down payment required, suburban developments mushroomed and young couples with young children moved in, their homogeneous concentrations undoubtedly reinforcing the norm of fertility. Pregnancy and motherhood no longer signified a withdrawal from social life; on the contrary, pregnancy seemed almost fashionable at the time. In the new child-centered suburban life separated physically and psychologically from the work environment -childlessness was the deviant form of behavior. The pressures for conformity were such that sterility was probably a more socially acceptable justification of chi ldlessness than lack of interest in children. Term Paper Custom Writing If you need professional help with 10 page term paper writing, do not hesitate to use our custom term paper writing assistance at any time. We are open 24/7 and guarantee timely delivery. Our term paper writers are educated and you will be satisfied with the quality level!

The History of Love Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The History of Love - Essay Example The novel has two main characters who also act as narrators of their specific sections. The first narrator is Leo Gursky, an 80year old Polish immigrant in New York. We are first introduced to Leo Gursky when he believes his life is coming to an end, living alone in a small apartment in Manhattan â€Å"I often wonder who will be the last person to see me alive. If I had to bet, I’d bet on the delivery boy from the Chinese takeout. I order in four nights out of seven. Whenever he comes, I make a big production of finding my wallet. He stands in the door holding the greasy bag while I wonder if this is the night I’ll finish off my spring roll, climb into bed, and have a heart attack in my sleep†(Krauss 3). He is scared of dying on a day when nobody has noticed him and says and believes he has to persuade himself of his existence by making himself noticeable. This drives him to mildly attention-seeking behavior like creating a disturbance by dropping his change in a shop or trying on shoes that he does not intend to buy. Gursky passes for a man without much of a life, but we later learn that he was once a man very rich in art and love. He was once in love with a woman called Alma back in Poland, but due to the chaos and tragedy of war while making his way to America, he is separated from his true love Alma who ends up marrying somebody else. Leo’s art is manifested when we are told of a novel he wrote in Poland, The History of Love, but entrusted it to his friend Zvi Litvinoff who later told him that it was lost. The second character is Alma Singer a fourteen year old girl living with her widowed mother, Charlotte and her brother. We later learn that Alma was named after the heroine of a book her father, David singer loved and that Leo Gursky’s book was not lost after all but it was published in Spanish in Chile and that’s how it ended up in the hands of David singer Charlottes’ husband. Alma’s mother is tran slating a novel called The History of love she was given by her husband from Spanish to English. Krauss’s novel centers on the book that was written by Leo in Yiddish, in which all the girls are named after his love Alma. According to Gursky, just the same way Eve was the first woman in the bible is the same way Alma will be the first girl (Krauss 38). As Alma grows up, she is determined to find the real life Alma whom she was named after. Her detective work spurred after a mysterious stranger sends her mum a letter requesting her to translate the Spanish version of â€Å"the history of love† into English. She sets out to bring back her mother into loving again and decides that the mysterious stranger who commissioned the translation of the history of love into English might be a love interest for her mother and she does sets to find out who the stranger could be. As the novel progresses, we start to get passages from Gursky's novel laid out within the Krauss’s novel. Krauss is able to connect the two levels of fiction - the novel within and the novel without. Gursky’s tone is a disappointed, dry voice while Alma's tone is more engaged and naive with most of her expedition written as a comedy. In the young Alma's story we find a charming girl emerging into adulthood

Asbestos at the Regional Airport in Virginia Case Study

Asbestos at the Regional Airport in Virginia - Case Study Example Asbestos fibers do not have any detectable odor or taste. They do not dissolve in water or evaporate and are resistant to heat, fire, chemical and biological degradation. Because of these properties, asbestos has been used in a wide range of manufactured products, mostly in building materials, friction products, and heat-resistant fabrics. Asbestos has been used in building-construction materials, cement, textiles, missile and jet parts, asphalt and caulking compounds and paints, and in friction products such as brake linings. These materials are needed for the construction for the new Virginia airport. According to (Timbrell, 2000) "Exposure to asbestos fibers and dust, however, can cause asbestosis, a disease of the lungs caused by the inhalation of asbestos particles, and, after a latent period of up to 30 years and more, various cancers, especially lung cancer and mesothelioma, which is an inoperable cancer of the chest and abdominal lining" Since some materials are not as hazardous like asbestos its better to discontinue patronizing all the products that contain high in asbestos materials for constructing the airport.

/Fostering Motivation, Civility, and Integrity Assignment

/Fostering Motivation, Civility, and Integrity - Assignment Example ehind this principle is to establish a classroom culture wherein students would be more aware and afraid of violating the school law regarding cheating and plagiarism. Doing so, the students would be more careful in terms of obliging with the school policy. Although maintaining a good relationship with the students is necessary in terms of encouraging the students to build trust with their professors, school teachers should be clear that it is their responsibility to draw a line between being lenient and strict. Through the proper use of school teachers’ authority in class, it would be easier for teachers to win the students’ cooperation not to violate the rule behind cheating and plagiarism. Upon involving the students to participate in classroom discussion regarding the school policy behind cheating and plagiarism, it is also possible to encourage other students to report any person they know who is cheating or plagiarizing their school paper by giving them rewards (Forsyth, Increasing Academic Integrity, 2002). 2. On page 211, Forsythe presents 3 case studies (originally defined by Carbone, 1998) of ways to manage civility / incivility in the classroom. From a psychological standpoint, why do you think each of these will be effective or not? (Feel free to use whatever theoretical approaches you are comfortable with/subscribe to?). Personally, for you, which of these methods, or blending of methods seems the most useful? From a psychological standpoint, creating a classroom norm is effective since the students are made aware of what to expect each time they decide to violate the classroom and school policy. Since the practice of incorporating rewards and punishment in a classroom norm makes the students aware that violating one of the school and classroom rules is equivalent to a specific punishment, the students would think twice before they decide to misbehave in class or cheat in their academic papers. For this reason, most teachers find this technique

If Black English Isnt a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is by James Essay

If Black English Isnt a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is by James Baldwin - Essay Example For example, reading about Congo Square, made me aware of Black American history, and Baldwin’s own identity. My biggest comprehension problem was Baldwin’s comments on the language used in England. It took several readings to understand that one’s social background and education are reflected in the way one speaks English, and one’s language determines one’s chances of advancement in life. In his essay, James Baldwin defends the unique form of Black English. He sees it as a mark of identity, and is proud of its difference from mainstream English. He traces the origins of Black English to the despicable tradition of slavery, and states that the language evolved from the need for self-protection, and a common means of communication. He argues that Black English reflects the reality of the Black American experience. Baldwin holds that Black English is a language, not a dialect, and defends its use by Black children in schools. He is scathing in his criticism of those Americans who despise it, and accuses them of

Movies Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Movies - Assignment Example The words further make the intention of the marketer controversial as they, one way of the other, promote and highlight supremacy and reign of White over the Black (Stuart, 2006). After watching this advertisement, the general perception I drew about the Whites was somewhat grand and physically powerful while the image of Blacks went down to slavery that was ever associated with them. Although it is an advertisement of gaming consoles, the idea about the racial differences remain an important part of this billboard advertisement making it questionable and unacceptable for many viewers. In my opinion, the advertisement is disrespectful to one race and provides a hidden meaning of superiority of Whites over the Blacks that remain discriminatory in its true essence. If someone was to learn about racial dynamics in the U.S. purely through this ad, he/she might think of blacks as socially lower class and disrespected people and Whites as dominant and powerful who may control

If Black English Isnt a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is by James Essay

If Black English Isnt a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is by James Baldwin - Essay Example For example, reading about Congo Square, made me aware of Black American history, and Baldwin’s own identity. My biggest comprehension problem was Baldwin’s comments on the language used in England. It took several readings to understand that one’s social background and education are reflected in the way one speaks English, and one’s language determines one’s chances of advancement in life. In his essay, James Baldwin defends the unique form of Black English. He sees it as a mark of identity, and is proud of its difference from mainstream English. He traces the origins of Black English to the despicable tradition of slavery, and states that the language evolved from the need for self-protection, and a common means of communication. He argues that Black English reflects the reality of the Black American experience. Baldwin holds that Black English is a language, not a dialect, and defends its use by Black children in schools. He is scathing in his criticism of those Americans who despise it, and accuses them of

Ethical Issues in Adoption Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Ethical Issues in Adoption - Essay Example The topic of adoption has sparked heated debate, especially in social, religious, and political forums. In such debates, people from various agencies have raised their concerns about the ethics of adoption. While the topic of adoption has gained wide acceptance across the globe, some quarters within the society still think that adoption is marred with ethical issues. Certainly, I agree that there are ethical issues in adoption just as Proops states in her article. In as much as opinions are divided whether adoption can offer the solution to marital problems, it is worth mentioning that the issue of adoption is ethically significant, especially in the contemporary world.Unlike two decades ago, the modern society has embraced adoption to the extent that some spouses opt not to bear their biological children. Most of these people claim that adoption offers a solution to barren couples and people who want to stay single. From this perspective, adoption appears to be right. Nonetheless, t he gay, bisexual, and transgender community, commonly known as the (LGBT), have taken adoption to a completely new level. Initially, adoption was meant to help less fortunate children and infertile parents. However, the question that rages today is whether to the gay community ought to adopt children. Nevertheless, another critical question is whether adopted children ought to live families where the parents are not straight or whether they ought to live with same-sex parents.

Aspects of human behavior Essay Example for Free

Aspects of human behavior Essay There are some aspects of human behavior and mental processes that would not be ethical to study even if the participants freely consented to be studied. Ethical standards with regard to experimentation are subject to governmental regulations where federal funding is apparent (Kornblum, pg. 41). The text lists 5 key ethical issues revolving around human psychological research, including: Freedom from coercion, informed consent, limited deception, adequate debriefing, and confidentiality (Lahay, pg. 48). According to Lahay, requirements for institutions conducting research include approval from a board of outside scientists (pg. 48). I believe there are certain aspects of behavior and mental processes that should not be studied even with the participants approval. Study of subjects that were involved with committing crimes would be at the top of the list. For example, a study involving naturalistic observation of a kleptomaniac in action seems to me as unethical practice. While the observer is not taking part in the crime, he is not actively preventing it either. Furthermore, there may be a possibility that the said criminals need to steal is heightened due to the researchers requirement for consent. Another example of studying behavior or mental processes that may present itself unethical might involve studying children. Even though parental consent may be given the child would not necessarily have to be informed of the study. An example might be a study where a badly behaved child is seated next to a compliant child to see if the behaviors change. Regardless of the effect on the badly behaved child, the compliant child could quite possibly experience higher levels of stress or anxiety. I think that good example of not ethical experiment would be little Albert. John Watson, the founder of behaviorism, conducted an influential early study of generalization. Watson and Rosaline Rayner examined the generalization of condition fear in an 11 month old boy Albert. Like many babies Albert was initially unafraid of a white rat. Then the Watson and Rayner paired the presentation of the rat with a loud, starting sound. Albert did show fear in response the loud noise. Five days later, boy was exposed to other stimulus that resembled the rat in being white and furry. Alberts fear response to other white, furry objects (rabbits, a dog). My opinion is that children should not be used in research. Another type of experiments, that I think are unethical, are Near-death experience is the perception reported by a person who nearly died or who was clinically dead and revived. They are somewhat common, especially since the development of cardiac resuscitatation techniques. For example, in one, a woman accurately described a surgical instrument she had not seen previously, as well as conversation that occurred while she was clinically dead. I think that death or dieing is something that we as a human should not be involved in.

Pre Bored Steel H Piling System

Pre Bored Steel H Piling System Although Hong Kong is featured of its Skyscrapers all over the world, and it seems that H-Piling system may not have enough bearing capacity to their superstructure, there are still many servicing buildings and small-scale infrastructure developing, the loading of which is capable to be borne by H-Piling system, in the city. In the following words, a brief introduction over Pre-Bored Steel H-Piling system will be presented associated with related cases applying such kind of piling system in Hong Kong in order to draw a more detailed picture over the application of Pre-Bored Steel H-Piling system in Hong Kong. The principle of Pre-Bored Steel H-Piling system is similar to the Bored Piling system. Both of them are replacement pile and require boring the initial hole on the site for the insertion of the temporary or permanent steel casing, depending on its design. After the completion of the boring process, the soil and rock inside the steel casing will then be extracted and the workers will place the reinforcement material inside the steel casing. That is the major variation between Bored Piling and Pre-Bored Steel H-Piling System. For Bored Piling, the reinforcement bars will be bent in order to form the circular cage (Figure 1). However, H Steel Pile will be the reinforcement material in Pre-bored H-Piling system. Grouting is then started after placing reinforcement material to form the pile. Since the diameter of Bored Piling can be larger than Pre-Bored H-Piling, the former one can typically take up more loading than the latter one. Therefore, small-scale construction project is most likely to use Pre-Bored Steel H-Piling system in Hong Kong. The cases introduced later are small in scale, but they do play an important role in our city. D:yr1 sem1BRE 291 Con techProject Photos (Construction site)Week 4 23102009CIMG0341.JPG Figure 1: Reinforcement Bar for Bored Piling Figure 2: H-Pile for Reinforcement in Pre- Bored H-Piling system The first case being examined is the construction of Queen Mary Interchange near Queen Mary Hospital and Pok Fu Lam Road. It is a road improvement project initiated by the local government at the two junctions, which are in Sassoon Road and Bisney Road with Pok Fu Lam Road, on Hong Kong Island. The aim of this project is to relieve the congestion problem existing in these roads by constructing a new interchange, comprising of several bridges. C:UsersAlan KwokDesktopperspec.jpg Figure 3: Model of proposed development Figure 4: Queen Mary Interchange à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬ Still in the progress of construction As we can see in the model of proposed development (Figure 3), the interchange, which located at the bottom of the figure, is locating on a slope. Since the the soil in slope exert a considerable amount of bending and tensile stress, according to Tomlinson (1994), H-pile is able to withstand such kind of extreme situation due to its unique H design. Therefore, the authority concerned decided to build the interchange with Pre-Bored Drill-in Steel H-Piles. Moreover, the short erection time and economical construction cost are also the reason to make use of such kind of piling system in this project. According to Kumaraswamy, Mohan (2002), the whole process of developing a Pre-Bored drill-in H pile, i.e. pre-drilling, drilling and grouting, can be finished in 3 working days. We can also see that the site is not so spacious enough to place some large-scale machinery during the pile development. The development of Pre-Bored Drill-in Steel H-Piles can overcome this problem because the diam eter of this pile is only 600mm in this case The size of drilling techniques can be controlled and fitted into the congested site. C:UsersAlan KwokDesktop1000.jpg Figure 5: The congested site on a steep slope in this construction of Queen Mary Interchange Before the development of pile in this project, several raw materials and tools are required to present. Here is the table showing what are needed, C:UsersAlan KwokDesktop8.jpg Circular steel casing of internal diameter 600mm and thickness 25mm C:UsersAlan KwokDesktop10.jpg Steel H-pile, which will be inserted in the steel casing C:UsersAlan KwokDesktop843.jpg Hydraulic hammer mounted on crawler crane Table 1: Major Material list for constructing pile of Queen Mary Interchange In the very first stage of developing Pre-Bored Drill-in Pile in this project, engineers will have a pre-drilling through the soil layers and rock within the site in order to identify the underground condition, such as the rock head levels and the strength of the soil. It is an important procedure since it will determine the type, length, etc of the pile. Any wrong measurement, especially overestimate the soil/rock supporting capacity, will make the whole project lose ground because the whole structure will be ruined, the typical case is the Block E and F of Yu Chui Court, demolished after discovering the corruption scandal, which developed by piles shorter than the standard and cause possible dangerous to its users . After the completion of soil investigation and analysis, the engineers would then design and choose the most suitable piling system for different project. In the construction of Queen Mary Interchange, the engineers found out that the Pre-bored piling system is suitable for construction of high-way bridges at the steep slope on the site. The site-workers firstly pressed the circular steel casing inside the ground through the help of Hydraulic Hammer which is mounted on a crawler crane. The reason to plug the steel casing into the ground was to prevent the soil from collapsing inside the hole, which would be placed H-pile inside it, during the process of drilling. C:UsersAlan KwokDesktop1.jpg C:UsersAlan KwokDesktop9.jpg Figure 6: Inserting circular steel casing into ground by hydraulic hammer mounted on crawler crane Figure 7: Connecting two steel casings by welding when the length is not enough The process in Figure 7 happened when the steel casings being installed were not long enough to reach the target depth into the soil. By welding the end of two steel casings, the total length of it can be extended. For the inadequate length of H-Pile, their length can also be extended through welding. When the steel casing reached the bed rock level and formed a socket, the next stage is to remove those soil and rock inside the steel tube, as shown in Figure 8. The ground was drilled with a hammer mounted on a drilling rig so as to remove the obstruction underground. This process could enable the hard rock and pressed soil to become extractable out of the steel casing. In this project, the obstructions were then extracted out by flushing the case with water and compressed air. The compressed air acted at the initial force and the water acted as a transferring medium to carry out the obstruction out of the earth. The above two procedures will take turns to start until all of the obstruction inside the tube were wholly carried out. C:UsersAlan KwokDesktop2.jpg C:UsersAlan KwokDesktop3.jpg Figure 8: Removing obstruction by drilling with down-the-hole hammer mounted on drilling rig Figure 9: Withdrawing soil from inside the casing by flushing with water and compressed air The H-Piles would then be installed inside the empty steel casing after the clearance of obstruction inside. Meanwhile, a 20mm diameter grout tube was also placed to full length of the pile in order to prepare its grouting process later on. C:UsersAlan KwokDesktop4.jpg Figure 10: Installing steel H-pile inside the empty steel casing The grouting process is to have a re-bonding between the soil and the H-piles with the suitable grade of concrete by tremmie method from the bottom to the top of the casing. Tremmie method is a concrete-pouring method in some dry spaces underground deeply. Since a tube is used to pour the concrete from the bottom, the force of falling concrete can be controlled through shortening the distance of freely movement of the concrete. It can prevent the concrete from improperly mixed when it is placed at the bottom of the casing which result in voids and air packet which can cause possible danger to the whole structure. The temporary steel casings were extracted gradually when the fresh concrete was pouring inside since the bonding force of the concrete is not strong at this moment. However, engineers maintained the bottom of the casing at a level of at least 2 meters below the grout surface to ensure that there was enough time range for the concrete to form the circular shape. The grouting operation was stopped when the uncontaminated grout flowed out of the hole to ensure the purity of concrete poured inside the casing. C:UsersAlan KwokDesktop5.jpg C:UsersAlan KwokDesktop7.jpg Figure 11: Grouting the steel casing with suitable grade of concrete by tremmie method Figure 12: Extracting the steel casing while grouting is going on C:UsersAlan KwokDesktop6.jpg C:UsersAlan KwokDesktop11.jpg Figure 13: Grouting the steel casing with suitable grade of concrete by tremmie method Figure 14: Extracting the steel casing while grouting is going on The finishing of grouting process means that the whole development of Pre-Bored Drill-in H-Pile system is come into the end soon. After the dewatering process of the concrete attached to the H-Pile itself, the drilled-in H-Pile was finished. Figure 13 shows the product of the above stages. It is a group of drilled-in H-Piles that were formed a combined pile cap for the highway bridges in Queen Mary Interchange. To verify its bear capacity, loading test was taken place in order to test its vertical deflection. Once the test was passed, the superstructure developments were then taken place. Pre-Bored Steel H-Piling system is not only applied in local road constructions, but it is also applied in some small-scale construction of buildings in Hong Kong. There is a typical example, which is the construction of Sheung Wan Stormwater Pumping Station (SWSPS) on Hong Kong Island. It is a single-storey building with a underground water tank with 11 meters deep at the Chung Kong Road, which is the waterfront of Sheung Wan. This project was to alleviate the flooding problem in Sheung Wan. C:UsersAlan KwokDesktop391 projectProduct of construction.png Figure 15: Sheung Wan Stormwater Pumping Station Figure 16: Location Plan of Sheung Wan Stormwater Pumping Station According to the paper presented by Leung,Li and Leung (2009), the site of the Sheung Wan Stormwater Pumping station was reclaimed in 1982. The material used for reclaimed it are as followed, Fill (medium grained granite) Marine Deposit Alluvium Completely Decomposed Granite (CDG) Originally the engineers decided to build up this service station with 60 numbers of large diameter bored piles, and the diameter of which are ranged from 1.2 meters to 1.5 meters. Figure 17: The Original Bored Pile Layout Plan of SWSPS Figure 18: The Geological Section Across the site (LandÃÆ' ¯Ãƒâ€ Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Seawall) But later on, the contractor of this project advised the government to build up the superstructure and sub-structure over a combination of rock socketted H-piles, mini-piles and raft foundation. The government finally accepted the advice from the contractor and starting the construction process. Referring back to the Figure 17, the PC5 Zone, all of the piling would be changed into the Pre-Bored H-piling system. For the other zoning, mini-piles were used. The major reason to change the piling system, as the paper disclosed, was because of the cost effectiveness. First of all, since the diameter of the steel casing used in Pre-Bored Steel H-Piling system is far smaller than the bored piling system. The grouting process of the former one will consuming less amount of concrete than the latter one, which can reduce the cost of development. Table 2: The difference in pile foundation between the initial and final plan Besides the cost consideration factor, the time used for developing these two different kinds of piling systems is different. As what Kumaraswamy, Mohan (2002) said, the whole process of developing a Pre-bored H-piling system only cost around 3 days. However, the development of a foundation pile normally takes up more than 3 days. Since the amount of pile developed in this project is large, i.e. nearly 50 piles are changed from bored pile to pre-bored H piling system. The time cost saved through the final plan is considerable. In the aspect of technical operation, the required pile capacity of the pumping station is 6900 kN. For bored piling, For bored piling (The government of HKSAR,2006), typical sizes of these piles range from 1 m to 3 m, with lengths up to about 80 m and working loads up to about 45 000 kN. When high grade and heavy steel H-pile section is used, the load-carrying capacity can exceed 5 500 kN. We can see that the loading capacity of bored piling is far more than the loading requirement of the pumping station. However, we can also discover that a maximum of 1400kN was not be able to supported by Rock Socketted Steel H-Pile. The solution, as shown in Figure 18, is to place in 4 numbers of T50 steel bars inside each of the casing for reinforcement so as to remove the discrepancy. Therefore, the final plan can enable a more efficient use in the resource than the initial one. That is why it is reasonable for the government to change its decision. Figure 19: Typical detail of Rock Socketted H-piles of Alternative Design For the developing processes of the Pre-bored socketted H-piling system, most of them are the same as the Pre-bored Drilled-in piling system. The major difference between them is that the steel casing used in Pre-bored socketted H-piling system is permanently fixed inside the soil, while the steel casing used in Pre-bored Drilled-in piling system was temporary in used. They are removed during grouting. In this project, the rock socket H-piles were installed through the help of concentric overburden drilling system with air-flushing. It uses a rotary-percussive action for drilling and uses air flushing for removal of debris before casting in the H-pile inside the tube and grouting. In conclusion, the loading bearing capacity of Pre-Bored Steel H-Piling system is relatively lower than the other common piling system used in Hong Kong. However, due to its mobility during installation and its strength, it is still also commonly applied in some small-scale development in local projects. -The End-

Socialization test :: essays research papers

Socialization Test #2 1. Social interaction is absolutely necessary for one to develop a sense of self and of oneness. Our sense of self is not an inherited or instinctual realization. Rather it is a co-developed understanding of ourselves and those around us. We can’t solely develop an understanding of who we truly are any easier than we could examine the features of our face w/o the use of a mirror. Social interaction is that mirror for us. Its allows us to see inside of ourselves based on the interactions we have with others like us, or society as a whole. It allows us to make a sort of measuring stick to see where we stand in life. To develop a sense of who and where we are. Social interaction is the dominant creating feature in the way we view ourselves as humans and as members of society. Without social interaction we would never begin to be able to live at the mental capabilities that we have now. A good example of this I believe is to compare two dogs raised in different habitats. The first dog will be an example of our society, it will be raised by a loving family who provides it with attention similar in itself to our own social interaction. The second will be left to raise itself in a kennel or what have you. The first dog, dog A, will learn things such as its own name. When you call to dog A using its name it will respond to you where as the second dog, dog B, will not. Eventually you might get the second dog to come to you or to respond, but it wouldn’t care what you said, it would simply respond to the noise it hears. Dog A however would respond to its name and its name alone. This demonstrates how the constant interaction between two beings helps to develop one’s sense of self. 2. Education plays a major part in our socialization by providing acting as a social institution. By this I mean it is a place from which we draw interaction that stimulates us to further develop as social beings. Schools provide a uniform behavioral learning pattern in relating to socialization that is not found within different families. This helps the children achieve a social "common ground" with which to base their relationships and interactions amongst each other.

Childhood disorders Essay

CHILDHOOD DISORDERS While children can have similar mental health problems that adults have, like anxiety or depression, children’s problems often have a different focus. Children may have difficulty with changes associated with growing up, such as beginning school. They may lag behind in comparison to how other children their age are progressing, or during stressful times, they may behave like a younger child would do. Even when children do have problems that also appear in adults, the problem tends to look different in a child. For example, anxious children are often very concerned about their parents and other family members. They may want to be near loved ones at all times to be sure that everyone is all right. This site covers the following topics: Childhood Anxiety, Encopresis, Enuresis, and Oppositional Behavior. Childhood Anxiety Childhood anxiety occurs when a child is overly anxious, experiences separation anxiety, or avoids certain situations, people, or places. Usual signs of childhood anxiety include excessive distress when separated from home or from family members, worry about losing a loved one, worry about being lost or kidnapped, fear of going to school or away from home, difficulty sleeping away from home, and nightmares. Physical complaints such as stomachaches and headaches are common when the child is anticipating being separated from parents or other family members, such as spending the weekend with grandparents. These symptoms sometimes develop after an upsetting event in the child’s life, such as the death of a loved one or a pet, beginning or changing schools, moving, or being ill. Some evidence suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy is beneficial for treatment of childhood anxiety disorders. While other psychotherapies may be helpful for treatment of childhood anxiety, they have not been evaluated scientifically in the same way as the treatment listed here. The Anxiety Disorders of Association of America: Anxiety Disorder in Children and Adolescents site has specific information about how anxiety disorders appear in children that  may be different from adult anxiety. Encopresis Encopresis is the inability to control bowel movements, resulting in defecation (bowel movement) in clothing, in the bed, or on the floor. Encopresis is diagnosed in children who are at least 4 years old, although frequently children younger than 4 also cannot control their bowels. Encopresis more commonly affects boys than girls. Some evidence suggests that behavior modification is beneficial for treatment of encopresis. While other psychotherapies may be helpful for treatment of encopresis, they have not been evaluated scientifically in the same way as the treatment listed here. The Children’s Medical Center at the University of Virginia (â€Å"Kid’s Health†) has an excellent website with more information about normal bowel habits and facts on encopresis. Enures:Enures is, commonly known as â€Å"bedwetting†, is repeated urination during the day or night into bed or clothes. Enuresis is diagnosed in children who are at least 5 years old, although younger children often do have difficulty controlling urination. Behavioral treatment is well-established as a beneficial treatment for enuresis. Behavioral treatment usually involves the use of a urine alarm device and parent education. While other psychotherapies may be helpful for treatment of enuresis, they have not been evaluated scientifically in the same way as the treatment listed here. Click on the Fact Sheet on Bed-Wetting (PDF) for more facts on enuresis and some tips on helping your child with this problem. If you are interested in obtaining a urine alarm device, use your web browser to search for†urine alarm device† to find companies who sell these products on the internet. Oppositional Behavior Oppositional behavior includes things like losing one’s temper, arguing with parents or teachers, refusing to follow rules, being mean or seeking revenge, deliberately annoying people, being angry and resentful, blaming others for one’s own mistakes, and persistently being stubborn and unwilling to compromise. Usually oppositional behavior occurs at home, but it may also occur at school or in the community. Oppositional behavior is common in both preschool children and in adolescents. Parent Management Training is well-established as a beneficial treatment for oppositional behavior in  children. Parent Management Training involves helping parents learn new skills for dealing with oppositional and defiant behavior. While other psychotherapies may be helpful for treatment of oppositional behavior, they have not been evaluated scientifically in the same way as the treatment listed here. The Not My Kid site has links with information on oppositional behavior, parent guides, anger control tips, and support groups. PAGBASA †¦ ang pagbasa ay isang proseso o paraan ng pagkuha ng ideya, informasyon o kahulugan sa mga simbulong nakalimbag. ito ay nkktulong rin sa ating kaalaman upang lumawak ang ating isipan. Ano ang salik sa pagbasa at proseso ng pagbasa? Ang mga salik na nakakapekto sa pagbasa ng isang tao ay pisyolohikal, sikolohikal, pangkaisipan, pangkapaligiran, panlipunan at panlinggwistika. Ano ang salik sa pagbasa at proseso ng pagbasa? Ang mga salik na nakakapekto sa pagbasa ng isang tao ay pisyolohikal, sikolohikal, pangkaisipan, pangkapaligiran, panlipunan at panlinggwistika. Teorya ng pagbasa: teorya ng pagbasa a. Teoryang Bottom-Up- Ito ay isang traditional na pagbasa. Ito ay bunga ng teoryang behaviorist na higit na nagbibigay pokus sa kapaligiran sa paglinang ng komprehension sa†¦ ang mga uri ng pagsulat ay ang mga sumusunod: 1. akademik 2. teknikal 3. jornalistik 4. reperensyal 5. propesyonal 6. Malikhain Mga Layunin sa Pagsulat Ekspresiv Transaksyunal  © Isa itong impormal na paraan ng pagsulat.  © Gumagamit ito ng unang panauhan naako, ko, akin, at iba pa, sa pagsasalaysay.  © Sarili ng manunulat ang target nitong mambabasa.  © Naglalarawan ito ng personal na damdamin, saloobin, ideya at paniniwala.  © Nakapaloob din dito ang sariling karanasan ng manunulat at pala-palagay sa mga bagay-bagay na nangyayari sa paligid.  © Malya ang paraan ng pagsulat dito at walang sensura. Hindi gaanong mahalaga rito ang gramatika at pagbaybay ng ga salita bagkus mahalaga rito na mailabas kung ano ang talagang naiisip at nararamdaman ng isang tao.  © Halimbawa nito ay dyornal, talaarawan, personal na liham at pagtugan sa ilang isyu.  © Layunin nito na maipahayag ang sariling pananaw, kaisipan at damdamin sa pangyayari.  © Ito ay isang pormal na paraan ng pagsulat na may tiyak na target na mambabasa, tiyak na layunin at tiyak na paksa.  © Karaniwang ginagamit dito ang ikatlong panauhan na siya, sila, niya, nila, at iba pa sa paglalahad ng teksto  © Ibang tao ang target nitong mambabasa.  © Hindi ito masining o malikhaing pagsulat bagkus ito’y naglalahad ng katotohanan na sumusuporta sa pangunahing ideya.  © Nagbibigay ito ng interpretasyon sa panitikan, nagsusuri, nagbibigay ng impormasyon, nanghihikayat, nangangatwiran, nagtuturo o kaya’y nagbibigay ng ensahe sa iba.  © Kontrolado ang paraan ng psagsulat dahil may pormat o istilo ng pagsulat na kailangang sundin.  © Halimbawa nito ay balita, artikulo, talambuhay, patalastas, liham sa pangangalakal, papel sa pananaliksik, ulat, rebyu, sanaysay na pampanitikan, sanaysay na naghihikayat, sanaysay na nangangatwiran, interbyu, editorial, dokumentaryo at iba pa.

Irregular warfare / future war Essay

â€Å"The Pentagon’s New Map† is a groundbreaking bestseller of Thomas Barnett, which became one of the most talked-about books of the 2004 year. It combined economic, political, and security factors to provide a fundamental re-examination of war and peace in the post-9/11. Also it’s compelling vision of the future. It consists of preface, 8 chapters and acknowledgements. This writing is devoted to how Mr. Barnett sees the global security landscape and is built on the works of Fukuyama, Huntington and Friedman. In this book author describes recent U. S.strategy and discusses where military forces will likely be heading in the near future. Barnett states: â€Å"I found myself instinctively exploring the seam between war and peace, locating it first in U. S. military crisis responses and then America’s foreign aid, and finally focusing on its leading edge – the spread of the global economy itself† (p. 5). This book examines a new version of national security for the 21st century, makes important suggestions to the Government on actions the America should take, and theorizes what could happen in the next 50 years concerning the global landscape. The author of the book outlines the crucial role the United States needs to play in establishing international stability. Thomas P. M. Barnett, Blueprint for Action: A Future Worth Creating (New York, NY: Berkley Books, 2005). This book is a sequel to Barnett’s â€Å"The Pentagon’s New Map†. The first book dealt with the past and â€Å"Blueprint for Action: A Future Worth Creating† is a futuristic romp through the next 25 years. It consists of preface, 5 chapters, conclusion and afterwards. First chapter preceded by the glossary of key terms. From Chapter 1, â€Å"What the World Needs Now†, â€Å"Blueprint for Action† is an exploration of a three-tiered argument concerning system and individual struggle to understand the seam between war and peace. If the first book was compelling vision of the future, now military analyst Barnett presents his vision of the future. â€Å"Careers will be made and lost, industries will rise and fall, and waging peace will finally prioritized over waging war† (p. 2). He explores both the long- and short-term pathways for governments, institutions, and individuals. Paying particular attention to regions as Iran, Iraq, and the Middle East, China, North Korea he outlines the strategies to pursue, the entities to create, the pitfalls to overcome. His favorite concept is the theory of anti-access. Author states that â€Å"instead of focusing on classified â€Å"black project† to facilitate the Leviathan’s lofty ambitions, the Pentagon conducts secret talks with allies on how they might better shoulder the SysAdmin’s many burdens† (p. 2). The battle space is Leviathan and SysAdmin takes over in transition and peace, also considered â€Å"the areas of everything else†. So â€Å"Blueprint for Action† is something like a road map through a chaotic and uncertain world to â€Å"a future worth creating. † Joseph R. Cerami, Richard A. Chilcoat, and Patrick B. Baetjer, eds. The Future of Transatlantic Security Relations (Carlisle Barracks, PA: Strategic Studies Institute of the U. S. Army War College, 2006). This writing is a compilation of reports and materials from the conference about the future of transatlantic security relations hold on March 8, 2006, Annenberg Presidential Conference Center in College Station in Texas. Materials of the conference was edited by Richard A. (Dick) Chilcoat (Dean, Bush School of Government and Public Service) and Joseph Cerami (Director, Public Service Leadership Program, Bush School of Government and Public Service) as members of the Executive Committee. The book consists of introduction preceded by a foreword and a letter from President, 4 chapters (panels). After the main text go extra materials – list of addresses, remarks, conference papers, biographies and sponsor information. The purpose of the conference was to examine the future of the NATO. Conference panels examined U. S. and European foreign policies and the potential for forging a new consensus on U. S. and European foreign policy and military strategy. Dr. Steinberg stated that â€Å"The difficulty remains that the United States and Europe do not have a sense of a compelling need for cooperation, thus even the smallest differences tend to divide them† (p. 14). It is needed to develop a deeper understanding of key security issues facing the U. S. and Europe at this critical time. James S. Corum, Training Indigenous Forces in Counterinsurgency: A Tale of Two Insurgencies (Carlisle Barracks, PA: Strategic Studies Institute of the U. S. Army War College, 2006). Book by James Corum tales about training indigenous police and military forces for counterinsurgency campaigns. The book consists of introduction preceded by a foreword, summary, biographical sketch of the author. After introduction go case study Cyprus, case study Malaya, conclusion and recommendations. Author states that â€Å"While every insurgency has its unique aspects, there are also circumstances that often are repeated in other insurgencies. This conclusion offers a few general insights to help understand the nature of counterinsurgency operations, as well as some specific recommendations to change U. S. military doctrine and policy for training indigenous police and military forces in counterinsurgency†(p. 34). This monograph aims to help fill the information gap about how indigenous security forces should be trained for counterinsurgency. Corum outlines the level of training which security forces need to conduct effective counterinsurgency operations, defines the role of the police in counterinsurgency, and discovers the role of irregular security organizations. Besides this the author tells about different training programs for producing effective military leaders. Martin Van Crevald, The Transformation of War (New York, NY: The Free Press, 1991). Israeli military historian Van Creveld advances a new understanding of the ends and means of war in his book â€Å"The transformation of war†. There were perhaps 160 armed conflicts around the world since the end of WWII. Those conflicts were not global. Therefore author speaks about low-intensity conflict (LIC) which is the true nature of contemporary war. Its principal characteristics are as follows: â€Å"First, they tend to unfold in ‘less developed’ parts of the world†¦. Second, very rarely do they involve regular armies on both sides, though often it is a question of regulars on one side fighting guerrillas, terrorists, even civilians, including women and children, on the other. Third, most LICs do not rely primarily on the high-technology collective weapons that are the pride and joy of any modern armed force† (p. 42). Israeli historian states that existing of empires made impossible for the ‘subjects’ to take the conflict to the heart of the empire. Van Creveld compares clashes between Hindus and Muslims in 1947-49, Nigerian Civil War from 1966 to 1969, Vietnamese conflict; analyses conflicts which taking place in the Sri Lanka, Iraq, Kurdistan, Sudan, Angola and half a dozen other countries. Book of Van Creveld answer a question what war is today. Thomas A. Dempsey, Counterterrorism in African Failed States: Challenges and Potential Solutions (Carlisle Barracks, PA: Strategic Studies Institute of the U. S. Army War College, 2006). The book of Thomas Dempsey examines three failed states in Sub-Saharan Africa – Somalia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone to give an outline of the terrorist groups operating there. â€Å"Counterterrorism in African Failed States† consists of introduction preceded by a foreword, summary, biographical sketch of the author. Then go defining state failure, case study methodology. Dempsey states that criminalization and disintegration of administrative structure of the failed state, collapse of public security forces provide advantageous circumstances for terrorists. The author focuses on the current the characteristics of a network of terroristic organizations and covers up two very different types of cells: terrorist nodes and terrorist hubs. â€Å"Hubs provide centralized direction and communication linkages among nodes that are decentralized and largely, if not entirely, independent of each other† (p. 6). Research reveals presence of both types of cells in those states. To fight with terrorist groups operating from failed states Dempsey suggests new strategy that combines both military and law enforcement efforts, supported by intelligence capabilities and intelligence-led policing. Thomas X. Hammes, The Sling and the Stone: On War in the 21st Century (St. Paul, MN: Zenith Press, 2006). Colonel Thomas X. Hammes contends that American military forces are engaging in a fourth generation of warfare, which he labels â€Å"4GW† (Fourth Generation Warfare) throughout â€Å"The Sling and the Stone: On War in the 21st Century†. That’s the only kind of war America has ever lost. First generation of war, Hammes sees, was conflicts of Napoleonic era, the second generation was World War I, and the third generation was World War II, focuses on examples of the evolution of 4GW. In the writing are analysed conflicts in Afghanistan, Vietnam and Iraq. And a new, forth, form of warfare â€Å"directly attacks the minds of enemy decision makers to destroy the enemy’s political will† (p. 11). Hammes contends Mao Tse-tung was the first who started a new form of war and Vietnamese general Vo Nguyen Giap have been influenced by Mao. The main author’s concept is that expanding of 4GW encouraged the fact that â€Å"only unconventional warfare works against established powers† (p. 103). The author asserts that current concentration on advanced technology is incorrect because the wars â€Å"are long term struggles that will be won or lost primarily with human skills and knowledge† (p. 14), because high-tech weapons have a little meaning when the enemy has a different concept of conflict. Samuel P. Huntingdon, The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of the World Order (New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, 1996). In â€Å"The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order† Samuel P. Huntington suggests a new view international political theory, contending that in modern world the most important distinctions among peoples are cultural, but not political or ideological. â€Å"While nation states will remain the principal units of analysis in international affairs, their behavior will be shaped most decisively not by the pursuit of power and wealth (as realism suggests), but by cultural preferences, commonalities, and differences† (p. 21). The author argues civilization divides people of the same race, but at the same time people of different races are united by the same civilization. Huntington understands religion as a central uniting characteristic of civilizations. The global dynamic will be one of the civilizational â€Å"fault lines† along which civilizational blocs would engage each other. According to an author view civilizations clash because conflict is naturally prevalent in the international system. Therefore there are two levels of conflict between civilizations: micro-level (conflicts between adjoining states from different civilizations) and at macro-level (conflicts occur between major states of different civilizations). But to achieve cultural cohesion every civilization should develop its values, institutions and culture. Mark D. Mandeles, The Future of War: Organizations as Weapons (Dulles, VA: Potomac Books, Inc. , 2005). Mark D. Mandeles analyses major post-9/11 military events in his book to make consideration about future of warfare. The book consists of seven chapters. Its main theme is influence of organization upon military operations, and Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA) plays centrally into it. A qualitative improvement in weapons transforms the character of warfare. Mandeles states that military organizations will have to adapt in fundamental ways to seize the advantages offered by technological superiority, seeking optimum utilization of technology. But the optimum utilization can occur only through optimum organization. Author insists on â€Å"relationship between the difficulties of coordinating large organizations composed of many people and offices having specialized roles, and the challenges of calculation, attention, and memory that face individuals making decisions with inadequate or ambiguous information under short deadlines or stressful situations† (p 3). â€Å"The Future of War† gives information how command and control should be organized in the context of the changing new technology. Jerry Mander and Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, eds. Paradigm Wars: Indigenous Peoples Resistance to Globalization (San Francisco, CA: Sierra Club Books, 2006). â€Å"Paradigm Wars† is an anthology, edited by Jerry Mander and Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, which is dedicated to modern international relations. In this book twenty-seven intellectuals tell about globalization and how native peoples resist to it, about economic institutions and the indigenous nations. It records examples of how indigenous communities have used the global economy to create sustainable industry (such as ecotourist programs by communities in Belize and Australia), the role played by American Indians in a safer energy future and how the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Monetary Fund struggle for resources (wood, genetic materials, oil) situated on the native peoples lands. â€Å"Paradigm Wars† details impacts of extractive industries and bioprospecting on the environment, damage done by conservation groups. It gives information about degrading of cultural artifacts and languages and how indigenous communities protect their sovereignties as no community is more directly impacted by globalization than 350 million indigenous peoples. Anthology assures us that indigenous nations continue to resist against the New World order. Michael McClintoc, Instruments of Statecraft: U. S. Guerilla Warfare, Counter-insurgency, and Counter-terrorism, 1940-1990 (New York, NY: Pantheon Books, 1992). The book of Michael McClintoc is a study of how the U. S military applied special-warfare doctrine in third world nations. Scope of the book consists of introduction, 18 chapters divided to three parts and an epilogue. McClintoc tells about unconventional warfare, which in fact is state supported terrorism waged against ideological adversaries, from the Truman administration up to the recent war in the Persian Gulf. The author gives an expose of the dark side of American foreign policy, narrates about using of terroristic activities (torture, kidnapping, sabotage and assassination) to overthrow the foreign governments. The writing provides interesting facts for example that CIA helped to develop the infrastructure for state terrorism that appeared in Latin America during the 60s. It examinates tactical roots of U. S policy from the pronouncements of Clausewitz and Raymond Aron, to its ideological basis in the Monroe Doctrine and Woodrow Wilson’s post-colonialist crusade. And it’s continued nowadays. Michael McClintoc states that â€Å"special operations in the new world order would have a new range of objectives, with their missions—and pretexts—adjusted to the end of the Cold War. The new missions, such as drug enforcement, will provide a vehicle for continuing some of the old missions that persist from the Cold War and the counterinsurgency era. † Steven Metz and Raymond A. Millen, Future War/Future Battlespace: The Strategic Role of American Landpower (Carlisle Barracks, PA: Strategic Studies Institute of the U. S. Army War College, 2003). In monograph by Steven Metz and Raymond A. Millen, authors examine new trends in the strategic environment in their development in a future war. They outline tremendous challenges in war fighting in the post 9-11 era and insist on the need that U. S. Landpower should adapt to new type of conflict. As â€Å"transformation must continuously develop new operational and strategic concepts, educate soldiers and officers to implement them, and develop organizations and technologies to ensure they function† (p. x). To make that adaptation real, the monograph gives a scope of what will be the shape and characteristics of the future international security environment, responds characteristics of the future battlefield, and outlines the potential or probable roles and missions of the Army. After transformation â€Å"the Army is vital to the type of strategy that would best promote American interests over the long term† (p. 33). Williamson Murray, ed. National Security Challenges for the 21st Century (Carlisle Barracks, PA: Strategic Studies Institute of the U. S. Army War College, 2003). An anthology edited by Williamson Murray consists of reports written by officers who participated in the Advanced Strategic Art Program (ASAP) during their year at the U. S. Army War College. ASAP is a course instructing in theater strategy. Essays included in this volume provide insights into challenges facing the defense establishment in the United States at the beginning of the 21st century in the post 9-11 era. In the foreword of the anthology Murray states â€Å"that America needs officers who possess a deep understanding of the difficulties involved in the use of force in the international arena as well as understand the complex problems involved in the political and strategic challenges confronted by the United States†(p. 1). So the authors speaking about present army problems address such issues as the development of officer’s carrier and make predictions about how could be â€Å"combined tactical and operational excellence with intellectual curiosity in their careers† (p.15). Williamson Murray, ed. A Nation at War in an Era of Strategic Change (Carlisle Barracks, PA: Strategic Studies Institute of the U. S. Army War College, 2004). This book is a compilation of essays, edited by Williamson Murray, written by the students enrolled in the Army War College’s Advanced Strategic Art Program (ASAP). It consists of 14 essays preceded by a foreword and an introduction. The authors give coverage to some issues connected with transforming the U. S. Army to engaging in active combat operations associated against terrorists. The main theme of the anthology is lessons of Iraq conflict. Dr. Murray states in foreword that â€Å"the victory over Saddam Hussein’s forces underlined that the fundamental nature of war is not going to change,† because of â€Å"the technological monism† of American forces â€Å"has quite simply foundered on the realities of the battlefields in Iraq† (p. 2). The editor observes that â€Å"the conflict also suggests that the American military needs to think in a more holistic fashion about the conduct of war at the operational level† (p.3). The authors of the compilation provide thorough examination of the lessons from the battlefield, outline the U. S. national strategies, rise up the problem questions and offer ways to resolve. The final conclusions of the compilation states â€Å"The United States needs to focus on learning the right lessons from its past conflicts by examining not only what went right, but also by examining what went wrong and what adjustments potential adversaries have made as a result of U. S. actions† (p. 361). Henry E. Sokolski, ed. Taming the Next Set of Strategic Weapons Sets (Carlisle Barracks, PA: Strategic Studies Institute of the U. S. Army War College, 2006). This volume edited by Henry Sokolski features research the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center commissioned. It consists of 9 chapters divided into three sections, preceded by an introduction. The book starts with the statement that nowadays nuclear technologies have become much more difficult to control. â€Å"Attempts to develop a legally binding inspections protocol to the Biological Weapons Convention were recently rejected by U. S. officials as being inadequate to catch serious violators while being prone to set off false alarms against perfectly innocent actors. † Therefore the anthology is designed to illustrate what might happen if these emerging threats go unattended and how best to mitigate them. Patrick Clawson of the Washington Institute makes clear the issue of further proliferation is Iran in Chapter 2, â€Å"Proliferation in the Middle East: Who is Next after Iran? † By the end of the chapter Sokolski argues â€Å"that the greatest security danger renewed strategic arms proliferation presents is not the increased chance of nuclear theft or terrorism† (p. 6). The book explains how the United States and other advanced states might share unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) services and turn-key missile systems rather than handing over the means for their production. Strobe Talbott and Nayan Chanda, eds. The Age of Terror: America and the World After September 11 (New York, NY: Basic Books, 2001). â€Å"The Age of Terror: America and the World After September 11† was written just a few months after the terrorist attacks. But each of the eight chapters provide critical analyses of the American and international developments and events that are as helpful in explaining 9/11. The authors of the book placed events of September 11 into highlighting political and historical contexts. â€Å"The post-cold war era began with the collapse of one structure, the Berlin wall on November 9,1989, and ended with the collapse of another, the World Trade Center’s twin towers on September 11† (p.3). Ideas shared by Strobe Talbott and Nayan Chanda compose serious discourse about American post-9/11 policies. The authors states that â€Å"Americans were not responsible for the Pearl Harbour, but they would have been irresponsible in the extreme if they had not, as a consequence of that attack, dramatically altered their policies†(p. 5). And the crucial conclusion which is drawn in the book is that the geographical position and the military power of the U. S. are no longer sufficient to ensure its security.

Church and Dwight Essay

A. Executive Summary 1. Summary statement of the problem: Church & Dwight, more commonly known by its brand name â€Å"Arm & Hammer,† has held a commanding lead in the sodium bicarbonate product market for over 160 years with virtually 99 percent of all consumer products in households within the United States. However, in order to promote growth and diversity while maintaining a steady profitability rate of three – five percent per year, the company has expanded uses of sodium bicarbonate products so that it is no longer the only focus. The acquisition of a diverse group of consumer products in international markets has been viewed as a viable option to sustain the profitability margins well into the 21st century (Wheelen & Hunger). 2. Summary statement of the recommended solution: Since Church and Dwight is a relatively small company, when compared to competitors in household and personal care product markets they must recognize the challenges of growing sales through acquisitions to promote growth and competitiveness within those markets. Church & Dwight must incorporate additional acquisitions of solid brands and products in order to grow market share through an expansion of product lines into a variety of â€Å"personal care, deodorizing and cleaning, and laundry products† as well as â€Å"specialty chemicals, animal nutrition, and specialty cleaners† (Wheelen & Hunger). In addition, to maintain its position in the world market place, Church & Dwight must expand into international markets and gain footholds in product markets through acquisition of manufacturing assets. Simply shipping domestic product lines overseas is cost prohibitive. Foreign manufacturing assets will allow product recogniti on by local consumers in foreign countries and markets. B. The Situation After 160 years, Church & Dwight is a giant in the household domestic product market with brand name recognition more commonly associated with â€Å"Arm & Hammer† products. However, this achievement in the market only nets $2.5 billion in annual sales worldwide. The company’s brand portfolio includes over 80 popular brands and competes for market share with other giants including Colgate-Palmolive, Clorox, and Proctor & Gamble, which have combined sales of over $100 billion. The company has also expanded over the past decade into other household product lines through acquisitions of consumer brands including Mentadent, Pepsodent, Aim, and Close-up, as well as Trojan. Church & Dwight has a core of specialty products primarily based on its successful sodium bicarbonate line of products. It currently holds 75% of the sodium bicarbonate market share. Expansion in the domestic markets has proven successful because of the â€Å"company’s pristine balance sheet†. Growth into the foreign markets has proven more challenging than domestic markets. Foreign market net sales in 2009 were only $393 million compared to domestic net sales of $1.8 billion (Cook). II. ANALYSIS A. Analysis of the Situation 1.Management – The Church & Dwight Company has continued a tradition of slow and steady leadership with a solid focus on long-term goals. The steadiness of the company’s leadership can be primarily attributed to the fact that 25 percent of outstanding common stock is owned by descendants of the company’s original cofounders, a tradition that continues today. In addition, the management of the company over the past 160 years has been handed down from generation-to-generation until recently when Dwight C. Minton passed on the position of Chief Executive Officer in 1995 to an outsider, Mr. Robert A. Davies, III (Wheelen & Hunger). This focused leadership style has enabled Church & Dwight to overcome potential leveraged buy-outs and hostile takeovers with a series of calculated actions and savvy business decisions. These actions allowed the board of directors and management to amend the company’s charter and allowed shareholders four votes per share. The board of directors was also re-structured into classes, in which each class serves staggered three-year terms (Wheelen & Hunger). In addition to staggering the tenure of the directors, the company initiated employee severance agreements with key officials, providing a severance package agreement to provide a â€Å"safety net† should any of the board member positions be terminated by a hostile takeover or leveraged buy-out by an unwanted suitor. By providing these lucrative packages for senior management, many were able to stay with Church & Dwight. This allowed for continuity of leadership styles, vision and mission focus. Because of this steadfast devotion to principles, steady growth over the years has occurred, identifying Church & Dwight as a Cash Cow, using the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Growth-Share Matrix. However, as the company focuses more on international markets and enters other potential avenues of growing product lines, it will surely find itself labeled a s a Star. 2.Operations – Church & Dwight have peacefully existed over the past 60 years with sustained growth and profitability because it virtually held the market in the palm of its hands as other companies searched for ways to enter the household and personal care product lines. As a result of the constant forces in emerging markets, Church & Dwight has come to the realization that they have major challenges to overcome if they are to compete with other giants in the industry and continue to thrive. As the company gains a stronger market share in the international consumer products, the growth and profitability standard will continue well into the future. However, Church & Dwight also recognize they must remain vigilant to quickly and adequately deal with Porter’s Five Forces: Bargaining power of suppliers; Threat of new entrants; Threat of substitute products or services; Bargaining power of buyers (customers); and Rivalry among existing firms (competitors) (Wheelen & Hunger). When considering Bargaining Power of Suppliers, the force rating could be considered Medium as management must be constantly aware of any potential market shocks or trends. If an affiliate retailer is affected by unforeseen supply chain issues, like increased fuel prices, then those costs throughout the company may be affected to remain competitive. In addition, Church & Dwight are well aware of the economic situations that may affect their trade customers who may reduce distribution of products in which sales may decline, or adversely affect the financial performance of the company (Craigie). There was never historically a threat of new entrants into the sodium bicarbonate market prior to 1970. However, since the company has developed new product offerings and other established consumer brands, they now face the same competition threats of mature and domestic and international markets for consumer products. This threat of new entrants has emerged over the past decades and may now be rated high. The threat of substitute products or services is always considered high, as well, because consumers might choose a substitute item, if it is cheaper. This is a problem for any company. Bargaining power of buyers (customers) is generally a medium concern as consumer satisfaction is evaluated in a variety of ways. Otherwise, dissatisfactio n can drive prices up or down based on demand, or the lack of. Quality is a hallmark of Church & Dwight and the perception by consumers of any potential lowering of standards to decrease prices will typically drive loyal customers away. Finally, rivalry among existing firms (competitors) is high as competitors try to achieve greater market shares to grow potential profit shares. â€Å"Church & Dwight has in an enviable position to profit from its dominant niche in the sodium bicarbonate products market since it controlled the primary raw material used in its production† (Wheelen & Hunger). 3.Marketing – The Church & Dwight marketing strategy has been fairly simplistic since its focus has been on the sodium bicarbonate product lines for over a century. However, with additional acquisitions over the past 20 years, and the expansion into other household products, the brand recognition has become even more important. As a result, â€Å"marketing expenses for 2009 were $353.6 million, an increase of $59.5 million or 20% as compared to 2008† (Craigie). In addition, Church & Dwight caters to people of all ages and backgrounds. This wide range of customers allows them to develop more and more organic products and services with large scale agreements to satisfy those demographics. As the company expands globally, markets for one region could also be satisfied by other regions as production opportunities allowed greater cost-effectiveness. Unfortunately, â€Å"attempts to enter international markets have met with limited success, probably for two reasons: (1) lack of name recognition and (2) transportation costs† (Wheelen & Hunger). Finally, the company began a ground-breaking marketing campaign by airing commercials for condoms on prime-time television. This â€Å"shock† strategy increased its marketing strength and enabled the partnership with Quidel Corporation, â€Å"a provider of point-of-care diagnostic test, to meet women’s health and wellness needs† (Wheelen & Hunger). There are potential problems if various brand names fall into â€Å"the precarious line-extension snare† (Wheelen & Hunger). As the company expands and acquires more product lines bearing the â€Å"Arm & Hammer† trademark, the potential for substandard quality or customer satisfaction could cause a back-lash resulting in reduced sales around the world. Therefore, product marketing is essential to reinforce brand name recognition so consumers never forget the value and quality of a company’s name and its product lines. 4.Finance – Initially, the company’s domestic markets have proven successful. However, in keeping pace with competition in expanding product line markets, acquisition of assets has taken place, which could negatively impact the overall financial picture if profitability is not maintained. In 2009, Church & Dwight’s performance worldwide achieved an increase in sales of 4 percent; organic sales increased 5 percent, gross profit margin increased 44 percent while global marketing expenses only increased 20 percent; and the Net Cash Flow grew to a record level of $401 million (Craigie). Perhaps even more significant to investors is the report that earnings per share grew 23% and dividends on investments increased by 35 percent (Craigie). In contrast to the growing profits and expenses, the comp any also jettisoned noncore assets for the first time, including â€Å"five domestic and international consumer product brands acquired during the 2008 Del Laboratories transaction† (Wheelen & Hunger). This posturing of assets will enable a financially sound balance sheet in the future. Therefore, the financial status of Church & Dwight continues to grow as it has achieved modest gains from year to year, with hopes of even greater revenue and sales. Finally, the CEO remains focused on â€Å"building a portfolio of strong brands with sustainable competitive advantages† and the â€Å"long-term objective is to maintain the company’s track record of delivering outstanding TSR (Total Shareholder Return) relative to that of the S&P 500† (Wheelen & Hunger). 5.Administration – Church & Dwight enjoys a sound management strategy. It incorporates affiliates through agreements to sell its products. In addition, the former CEO, Mr. James R. Cragie, stated â€Å"†¦We have added $1 billion in sales in the past five years, a 72% increase, while reducing our total headcount by 5%, resulting in higher revenue per employee than all of our major competitors† (Wheelen & Hunger). While it may appear unsympathetic to the employee perspective, techno logical advancements allow for increased productivity in various aspects of manufacturing and labor allowing for greater productivity without the added expense of additional manpower. Church & Dwight also continue to operate with an ethical employment code in keeping with today’s expectations of utmost respect for both consumer and employee. The following is the company’s published Ethical Standards: â€Å"The reputation and integrity of Church & Dwight Co., Inc. are valuable corporate assets, vital to the Company’s success. Each Company employee, including each of the Company’s officers and general managers and each Company director, is responsible for conducting the Company’s business in a manner that demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards of integrity. Specifically, we encourage among Company personnel a culture of honesty, accountability and mutual respect. Additionally, we provide guidance to help Company personnel recognize and deal with ethical issues. Finally, we have provided mechanisms for Company personnel to report unethical conduct. Dishonest or unethical conduct or conduct that is illegal will constitut e a violation of these Standards and are grounds for disciplinary action† (Church & Dwight). 6.SWOT a.Strengths – The Church & Dwight Company has many strengths, with brand recognition being their greatest. In fact, Arm & Hammer continues to be their greatest asset and strongest product on the market today; the little yellow box is in over 95 percent of all households across the country. The sodium bicarbonate product line has proven itself for over 160 years with uses in baking, cleaning, and deodorizing, and as an added ingredient for things like drain openers and neutralizing agents. While there may be other similar products, Church & Dwight have virtually cornered the market by holding 85 percent of it. b.Weaknesses – A potential weakness within the company is the overextension of branding into many other product lines. â€Å"Until 1970, it produced and sold only two consumer products: Arm & Hammer Baking Soda and a laundry product marketed under the name Super Washing Soda† (Wheelen & Hunger). The company enjoyed success domestically, but â€Å"in the int ernational arena where growth was more product-driven and less marking sensitive, the company was less experienced† (Wheelen & Hunger). Therefore, they relied on acquisitions and management changes to improve its international footprint and reach. With ever-expanding product lines, suppliers, and retailers, the potential for an inferior product or service can cause a negative reputation, impacting the overall brand. Therefore, brand recognition should continue to be the focus when researching future products or investment avenues to ensure the quality of the product/service in the name of the company. Entire corporations have gone away because of a negative connotation to its brand name in the eyes of consumers. c.Opportunities – The possibilities are endless as Church & Dwight continue to pursue additional product lines in household, personal care, specialty, and international products. Future expansion in acquisitions and assets may prove more advantageous as potential consumer products become even more attractive to increase the profitability as the manufacturing base is expanded around the globe. Perhaps i n 20 years, we may have cars manufactured by Church & Dwight, as well. d.Threats – The primary threat to Church & Dwight is competition. Competitors have an even greater market share and larger marketing campaigns to remain leaders in their respective niche. There are always going to be threats to its business operations, products, services, and reputation. Therefore, ongoing evaluation of partnerships, agreements, consumer satisfaction, quality of production, quality of service, etc. is always continuing. Without a continuous evaluation process, companies may find themselves outsmarted, out-marketed, out-produced, and out of a job. Church & Dwight have done a great deal in maintaining a very loyal customer base through evaluations of consumer trends and ensuring affiliates maintain the highest standards to retain the reputation as the leading household product manufacturer 7.Products or Services – Church & Dwight continue to produce some of the most widely known household care products. These products are based on differences in the nature of their uses and organized into three reportable segments: Consumer Domestic, Consumer International and Specialty Products (SPD) (Craigie). The company currently produces 80 different product lines, in which eight major brands make up a total of 80 percent of its business (Craigie). The most famous of the company’s products is Arm & Hammer Baking Soda. As a company focused on quality and innovation, Church & Dwight has â€Å"a discreet marketing team focused solely on new product development† (Church & Dwight). In addition, the company is focused on goals to develop differentiated products with new and distinctive features, increased convenience and value, and engaging outside contractors for research and development activities (Church & Dwight). B. Problem Definition 1.The Church & Dwight case study identified a corporate problem needing to continue expansion in products and services, while presenting a consistent operating profit and increasing market shares of the household product industry. Expenses were continually evaluated and streamlined to reduce inefficiencies; including product research and development to identify â€Å"new uses/markets for an existing product† (Wheelen & Hunger). Unfortunately, constant pressure from global competitors seeking to enter domestic and international markets, as well as an overall poor economy, is creating an atmosphere where continued growth must be developed through new opportunities for expansion into new geographical markets, new products/uses, all while striving to control increasing transportation costs. 2.In order for Church & Dwight to retain its position as the leading household product manufacturer, it must continue to provide outstanding customer service, excellence in product quality, invest in cutting edge technology to remain a viable resource for consumers, as well as developing new uses for its primary product line to ensure customers remain satisfied with the product, as promised. In addition, expanding its share of other household product opportunities and innovations will be key to any future growth. Yet another opportunity for Church & Dwight to grow is in the business-to-business exchange market for suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to use. By providing this service to its affiliates and partners, they would be able to achieve greater operational efficiencies in their supply chains. 3.As Church & Dwight enjoy a considerably large loyal customer base, competing with Proctor & Gamble and other industry giants to get customers to switch competitors is no easy task. However, with any challenge comes greater innovation and new ideas. Relationships with suppliers, manufacturers and other retailers allow for greater efficiencies in costs by consolidating orders, developing greater discounts on shipping costs, or even creating greater financial incentives for affiliates to increase sales and customer satisfaction rates by increasing consumer awareness of the quality and reliability of services and products available to them. III. SYNTHESIS A. Alternative Solutions Brand recognition for ARM & HAMMER brand products has already been established within the domestic markets of the United States. International markets continue to challenge emerging companies due to cultural differences in market populations, cultural differences in marketing strategies, and language barriers requiring new brand names more suitable for local languages/cultures. With low population growth rates and households in international markets, increasing transportation costs, and intense competition and higher commodities costs, manufacturers are turning to new and innovative processes to increase their share of the household product markets. For example, rising gas prices are a concern since it directly contributes to increased production costs. In response, household and personal care product companies are making efforts to stimulate sales in varying ways, such as entering new markets, creating new product segments, strengthening strong brand image, acquiring businesses, targeting market audiences, and increasing advertising budgets. Another alternative could be to develop joint-business ventures with suppliers, manufacturers, distributers, and retailers. The benefit to this option would be to streamline production and sales and allow the ease of marketing products and services to its affiliates and partners. This option would also allow greater operational efficiencies and translate into lower costs for Church & Dwight and lower prices for consumers. B. Recommendations and Conclusions As Church & Dwight look to satisfy competitive pressures while still reeling from the recent economic crisis, the following recommendation and solution is presented in hopes of reducing expenditures and continuing company growth through new product development and market expansion. Expanding into new markets with â€Å"major competitors jockeying for shelf space and retailers seeking to rationalize their breadth of product offerings, more changes may be considered† (Wheelen & Hunger). Therefore, the best recommendation for Church & Dwight at this point in time would be to implement the first alternative, delving into new product lines both in domestic markets and even greater exploration of international markets. This option would be advantageous because of the limited financial investment required to grow already established footholds in foreign countries to manufacture and transport new product lines. In addition, by improving upon past successes and avoiding past mistakes, a sound marketing campaign could attract additional consumer traffic to its existing retailers and product outlets. Arm & Hammer also has premier brand recognition within the United States, which would look to use its large customer base to compete against Proctor & Gamble or Colgate-Palmolive, and Clorox. Finally, to satisfy any shortcomings in this solution, it is further recommended that Church & Dwight initiate an aggressive marketing strategy incorporating foreign experts in business and marketing development to identify focus groups to better understand cultural differences and expectations in product innovations. Understanding why a specific culture or race chooses one brand over another is key to identifying potential aspects of a new product line that would be warmly received in another country rather than simply pushing an American-made product brand on a culture that has no experience with the product or whose name may have a derogatory meaning in their language. This option could also allow Church & Dwight to market potentially less expensive alternatives to Proctor & Gamble or other foreign corporations specializing in household products in another country or region. This recommendation provides a potential solution to increase sales while growing market share and staying ahead of the competition. References Church & Dwight, Co. Inc. (web). Churchdwight.com. Retrieved on April 8, 2012 from http://www.churchdwight.com/index.aspx Craigie, J. R. (February 24, 2010). Church & Dwight co., inc. 2009 annual report: Churchdwight.com. Retrieved on April 8, 2012 from http://www.churchdwight.com/PDF/AnnualReports/2009-CDH-Annual-Report.pdf Wheelen, T. L., & Hunger, J. D. (2012). Strategic management and business policy toward global sustainability. (13th ed., pp. 19-20). New York, NY: Pearson Hall.