Monday, September 16, 2019

Leadership, education and diversity

The ever changing demographics undoubtedly have both current and future Impacts on education system. The Increased diversity can Impact the society either positively or negatively thus knowledge and capacity should be developed for education leadership that is one of the most diversified sectors of the society. It is encountered in various fronts and categories revolving around: organization, individual and program levels. In multicultural settings, mechanisms exist to ensure social Justice without any form of discrimination.In the contemporary world, leadership is viewed s an Interactive social process despite Its complexity. The dynamic leadership approaches require Informed and Inclusive mechanisms to ensure success of the system. Leadership plays a critical role either in practice, theory or research thus it is expected that it influences the lives of a diverse group of people. In a given context like a learning institution or organization, leadership models ought to reflect that the members are both leaders and followers in spite of being distinct (Bishop, 2005).Educators regardless of their racial and cultural associations need to be equipped tit competencies and pedagogies to effectively manage the dynamic population of students. Native teachers have their own cultural affiliations which coupled with unique personal stories, form a basis in creating a general mix of a school's diversity. Teachers can best establish an inclusive and comfortable learning environment if their leaders use engagement strategies that are nonjudgmental. It should be acknowledged that racial, cultural, and economic differences exist and have an impact on the education system.Brown (2004) explains that the transformation learning, adult learning and critical social theories are significant In Increasing installation and action plans In preparing transformation leaders. The theories are closely interrelated with the three the three pedagogical strategies of critical reflection, ra tional discourse, and policy praxis. LEADERSHIP, EDUCATION AND DIVERSITY 3 The other strategy is to establish the need for both personal and professional progress. Brainstorming sessions and retreats by educators and leaders create a climate of constructive discussions and builds mutual trust necessary for solving the crisis.There is sensitivity and respect for diversity coupled with team building capacity in teamwork. Educating all leaders on the essence of integrating a diverse composition of the organization Is necessary for achieving the goals and objectives. From a critical perspective, the insights to be discussed will present effective approaches to address challenges encountered in preparing education leaders dedicated to ensuring social Justice and equity. Factors that form the basis for delimitation such as race, gender, sexual-orientation and dillydally require social justice educational leadership.Leaders should embrace accountability in their systems and encourage all t o create a diverse and inclusive work environment. Citizens in a particular country should recognize the diversity in all aspects of cultural, political, economic, and social life. Embracing diversity normally poses a the population. Multiculturalism goes beyond ethnicity. Despite the efforts to assimilate culture and heritage, there have been intact community Ethan-cultural institutions, structures, and characteristics.We all have different sub-cultures thus multiple identities. Demographic variation implies that social beings tend to associate themselves with certain ethnic group or identity. However, other people may not exclusively give emphasis to their ethnic background. Similarly, others are not minding to identify themselves with gender, social class or sexual orientation. Multi-ethnic identities have become common due to intermarriages and migration. It is important to motivate learners to explore and define their own identities (McDonald, 2009).LEADERSHIP, EDUCATION AND DI VERSITY 4 However, as far as am concerned, issues to deal with cultural incompetence of leaders posed a great challenge both in social life and performance in a multicultural environment. This creates a bias and discrimination by leaders towards their objects. In addition, it seems inappropriate dominant social group members derive comfort, social, economic and political satisfaction at the expense of the less fortunate in the society. The low-status groups endure suffering ranging from poverty, disease to ignorance.Although the extent of hierarchical organization may vary over a period across societies and within the same society, such approaches still find a way in the modern society. Discrimination of the different nature in institutions is very rampant especially in hiring, promoting staff or delivering court Judgments. Poor leadership is known to perpetrate favoritism such as in distribution of resources. It is worth mentioning that I have had to encounter the chauvinistic soci ety given my social and gender identity.Despite the civilization and the aspects of having earned a decent education, there are still some prejudice in terms of group segregation and gender roles. It is expected that even in a diversified society, women are obliged to provide care to children and cook for their families. Another unclear issue is the influence of race and ethnicity of teachers on the learners. Patterns of discrimination ND prejudice may be difficult to identify by leaders in a systemic manner as well as their impact on institutions and society in general.Transformation school leaders identify and deal with contextual issues thus ensuring a Just learning environment for building a holistic individual. This implies that the challenge in the system that deprives the marginalia learners of the right to be heard is overcome. Students are viewed as subjects and not objects in the pedagogical approach. LEADERSHIP, EDUCATION AND DIVERSITY 5 Educators have been urged to ackno wledge the great diversity among the student population to avoid normalization and oppression of those of a different race, gender, social class or sexual orientation (Kashmir, 2000).Ann-oppressive education involves selectivity's and dealing with the crisis critically. In retrospect, by promoting multicultural education, diversity is enhanced thus the stakeholders should be inclusive to foster social integration. Democratically multiracial societies or nations should foster coexistence because unity and diversity have cross-linkages. Planning curriculum for schools in a multicultural nation should be inclusive of both advocates for cooperation, mutual respect, the dignity of persons and social rights. Linguistic diversity is another aspect that cannot be ignored.Therefore, leadership needs to promote affirmative action for languages to correct the past inequity in schools and society. Educational policies that entail an inclusive curricula should be formulated and implemented. This will serve as a reflection of diversity and equity in the allocation of resources. Schools play a role as agents of colonization in the society thus conceptual approaches to put up with cultural diversity. In addition, issues to do tit staffing should be handled in a manner to ensure that there is heterogeneity.Kashmir (2000) observes anti-oppressive education can be conceptualized by considering these approaches: nature of oppression, pedagogies, curricula and policies. It is prudent that the education system should embrace assassination of learners on human rights and how the codes take effect in multicultural societies. Learners should be aware of social Justice even in their learning environment so that they can relate effectively to the outside world. There should be a guide and strategies to encourage respect, concern and care for self, colleagues, LEADERSHIP,EDUCATION AND DIVERSITY 6 organisms and the environment. The curriculum can be reorganized to enhance its effectivenes s, but also emphasis needs to be given to traditional education systems. The issue of equity when integrated with leadership development programs is capable of supporting an interactive learning process and consequently promotes equity in school practice. Eventually, personality will have a significant effect on life- span development. Educators should be aware of the current generation of learners who may not perform concrete-operational and formal-operational assignments.Education plays a critical role in building the intellectual capacity of an individual. Numerous scholars have given great and in depth analysis of the education systems in all corners of the world. Substantive changes in preparation and professional development programs need to be adopted to ensure an accountable and socially equitable learning process both in the present and future (Brown, 2004). In view of the theory of androgyny as documented by Malcolm Knowles presents concepts that shaped and builds the lear ner (Merriam et al. 2007). A learner takes control of the learning process and uses disoriented approaches of life. However, the learning process and approaches have its shortcomings: the multi-cultural and multivalent learning environment pose a challenge especially for immigrants. There are expectations from instructors in the way learners behave, relate to fellow learners and also the assumption of certain responsibilities. At times, instructors may use negative criticism in public oblivious of the embarrassment thus lowering the morale to learn.Self-Directed Learning approach requires a determination to take charge of one's own learning process owing to the motivation and desire to achieve academic and career goals. In addition, I should improve the family life, health, and enhance my intellectual capacity among others. It effective because it is aligned with daily routines, there enthusiasm about the LEADERSHIP, EDUCATION AND DIVERSITY 7 process, there is interaction with other s and also the process is reflective and action oriented. Unfortunately, the process can be ineffective and cumbersome due to: relationship.Education serves as an eye opener and equalizing factor for mankind regardless of their backgrounds or affiliations. In my view, education without interest or passion is futile, because that is a factor for one to succeed in life. In my view, only interest cannot suffice as aptitude, determination and hard work is necessary. The effectiveness of any learning process depends on the level of understanding of how students learn best from the teacher. In view of my self-identification, the life in a multicultural and multiracial society provided me with an opportunity to acknowledge my background.My ethnic origin being Arabian, I had a desire to identify a certain group that constitutes my racial and ethnic background. Furthermore, I have gained a good understanding of how individuals of mixed irritate attempt to identify themselves and counteract w ith oppressive systems in the society. A woman's contemporary position in the Saudi society has an impact on the development process considering that religious perspectives have been a limiting factor. The symbol of cultural identity and integrity has been the veil and headscarf.Nevertheless, most women have devised unique strategies to counteract gender inequality to ensure social Justice in all spheres of life besides education. It is worth differentiating the Islamic cultural practices and their normative teachings. Instead of Irving as an agent of social change, the role of women in education has been to bolster conservation in the conservative society. To this far, it is plausible that the Saudi Government signed a pact in 2001 with the United Nations to discourage all forms of discrimination against women.Pigged presented a developmental stage theory whereby an adult uses a complex and internalized set of behaviors to interact with the environment. It is worth mentioning that his theory popularly known as 8 Cognitive Developmental theory, clearly reflect the adult development in the society or school set up. The entry into adulthood occurs after a full understanding and evaluation of how an individual is like. Perceptions change can be attributed to a considerable change of culture.It is apparent that a change in both concepts and personality will have a bearing on the expected changes in one's career. The development in personality can be attributed to genes, childhood experiences, environment and gene-environment correlations (Salesman & Rider, 2011). The needs and norms of different cultures tend to respond to their environment in a fundamentally human manner considering its set of beliefs, language and values. Communities should be responsible for enhancing good citizenship virtues through mutual respect and recognition.In a democratic society, social integration should be fostered regardless of cultural or ethnic barriers. Martin (2011) observes tha t teachers and administrators should combine efforts to bring about positive reforms in the school's social Justice. They should be well equipped with skills and knowledge that is sensitive to specific needs and environments of their students. The main aim of educators should be to establish capacity building and assistance to ensure responsible citizenship.Students tend to respond to the system by creating cultural groups to meet their different interests and aspirations while in school. In addition, the interactions such as sports within a multicultural, multivalent, multiracial and multicasts helps discourage Teacher education institutions ought to have the capacity to effectively build professionals who are sensitive about ethnic, racial and cultural diversity that exists in schools and communities.The leadership should adopt appropriate initiatives and approaches that focus on transforming the education system as agents of change. Yester and elite institutions can be developed to cater for certain vulnerable races, genders, ethnicities and economic statuses thus minimizing any form of discrimination. Social Justice can be better enhanced through combined efforts of education leadership to carry a radical transformation of structures in the system. This will require integrated and continuous approaches that are informative and efficient.The fundamental transformation of existing structures and apparatuses implies that strategies, curricula, research methodologies and programs have to be articulated sugarless of the barriers that exist. The stakeholders, particularly education leaders, need to highlight the perennial challenges in the sector by monitoring trends both in school and the community. The use of media as a medium of teaching provides environments that relate theoretical and practical aspects of learning among students, school, community and society as a whole.Media platforms such as internet and video provide a pedagogical avenue for enhanced con ceptualization of the curriculum. Both philosophical and legal policies that promote diversity should be developed. The leadership should focus on creating an environment that is supportive to issues of diversity including debates. Leaders should encourage the selection of women and the less privileged in learning institutions and offering incentives for their promotion and retention. Community awareness on the importance of diversity in creating cohesiveness should be created.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Sustainable Fashion

One of the most heavily discussed topics, in this last decade, is the environmental decay of our planet. Diverse concepts have materialized in order to find solutions for the problem. Ecology and sustainable growth have been confirmed to be the main solutions currently. Innovations for sustainable growth include: creation of hybrid cars, recycling and minor discharge of carbon dioxide in factories among others (Christ 23). Environmental awareness was also introduced to the world of fashion, unfortunately, it wasn’t very successful; lately there has been a change of situation and that is what we are going to attempt to understand. For almost twenty years now, people have been relying on fast fashion, a fairly new notion, which entails rapid garment production in a cost efficient manner. This efficiency is attained through the retailers understanding of the customer’s wants, which consist in having high fashion looking garments at reasonable prices. Lots of stores have mission statements that endorse this concept of affordable high fashion such as Zara, Mango and H&M and so forth, they are very successful worldwide, has completely taken over; this position for fashion is at its most of unsustainability, as Sandy Black says: â€Å"The production and consumption of fashion represent the two extremes of a very long, fragmented and complex supply chain that transforms fiber into yarn and fabrics, which is mediated by designers, manufacturers and buyers into the clothing on offer at retail. †. Fast and cheap fashion implies more disposability, which incites more consumption. Therefore, when eco friendly fashion made its appearance, people weren’t convinced because it looked too cheap and unfashionable––when envisioning eco fashion, people automatically associated it with a variation of earthy colors (brown, khaki, grey, etc. ), highly flammable fabrics, to cut a long story short, people thought of them as ugly. It is an eco friendly clothing cliche. Hence, a global pejorative connotation built up over time and these clothes were perceived as cheap which also meant that they were unfashionable in some way. Sustainable fashion isn’t an entirely new phenomenon, we know that past generations recycled clothing without knowing it; when there were special occasions, they would take their casual clothes and add ornaments and all kinds of things to make their garment look dressier––they knew how to transform they’re clothes–– Also in families with siblings, most of the time, the younger ones wore â€Å"hand me downs† from their older siblings, some people still do it now. The point is, back then they knew how to remodel something they already had as well as create something new; and we kind of lost that for a few years with the rise of fast fashion. However, nowadays with this eco movement, it is all becoming about knowledge once again; Today on numerous fashion blogs and sites (HonestlyWTF. com; ecouterre. com; woolandthegang. com and many more) people can find the DIY (Do it Yourself) category, it gives us all the steps on how to create fashion items that are trendy and/or featured on the site/blog. In general, the materials needed to create DIY pieces are ones that we are most likely to have already, so we can recycle. Currently, people still shop of course but they also spare time for things they can put together themselves. Eco fashion reflects a natural change of values. Another solution for being â€Å"green† in fashion is to reduce the impact of washing and aftercare. As Black explains: â€Å"With most clothes we wear close to the body, the environmental impact of washing, drying and ironing is far greater than the manufacture of the items themselves, so any reduction in washing needs can be very significant in terms of carbon footprint. With nano-coatings and treatments, clothes can be made stain and dirt repellent and reduce their need for frequent washing. This potential longer life using less energy needs to be balanced with the fact they will not be able to be recycled after use. Basically, Black tells us there is another answer to maintaining our clothes; it is eco-friendly on one point of view and not from another point of view. The fact that it is possible to treat the clothes for them to simply not be able to receive dirt is eco friendly on long term because that means we wouldn’t need to wash the clothes as much but then th ose same clothes cannot be recycled and that is not eco friendly––Is it better to keep clothes as they are and waste more energy or to treat them but not recycle them after use? It is a dilemma. Finding an exact definition for the terms â€Å"sustainable fashion†. â€Å"Green†, â€Å"Eco fashion† to a name a few, is close to impossible. We all have the impression everyone understands it the same way but it is false, it has different meanings for all of us. The word sustainability itself implies some sort of length, in the sense that something can last long, it also. Here are some of the definitions people have of sustainable fashion: â€Å"Quality items that stand the test of time – it is this concept of sustainability, symbolized by a timeless handbag that ou wear again and again, and can pass on, that I am always thinking of when I design. † Says Frida Gianni Accessories are a very important part of fashion and should be considered so a good example for this definition of sustainable would be the Hermes’ Birkin bag. The Birkin bag is a highly exclusive handmade bag from France; it is very expensive because of its exclusivity but al so because of how it is constructed and the materials used to put it together. These bags are made of calf leather, ostrich, crocodile, and lizard and are a symbol of wealth due to their high prices and elusiveness to the public As Black says â€Å"Fashion is full of contradictions––it is ephemeral and cyclic, referencing the past but constantly embracing the new; it represents an expression of personal identity and difference, while also demonstrating belonging to a group [†¦]†. â€Å"Sustainable fashion implies a commitment to the traditional techniques, and not just the art, of making clothes. I work today in the same way that I first learnt in the ateliers of Balenciaga and Lanvin 50 years ago. We need to ensure that the next generation of seamstresses and tailors have the skills necessary to develop clothes that are not only beautiful but extremely well made. † Says Oscar de la Renta, Oscar de la Renta and Frida Gianna’s definitions are quite similar, although de la Renta is specific about clothing. According to him, what truly makes a garment sustainable is the way it was crafted. As mentioned previously, a few years back, the fashion may have been slower but the garments were carefully created with â€Å"traditional techniques†, therefore they lasted much longer than fast fashion pieces. This type of clothing is still available but only to a certain crowd; pieces that are meticulously sewn are most likely to be found in the expensive range of clothing (Couture or designer wear). â€Å"I would define the ideal as locally sourced materials that don’t pollute in their creation or demise (preferably recycled) and with limited transportation to achieve the completed product. Says Anya Hindmarch, initiator of the â€Å"I am not a plastic bag† initiative. With her campaign (I am not a plastic bag), Hindmarch designed a tote bag and used her influence in a positive way to make it fashionable not to use plastic bags. â€Å"Most of what we may currently refer to as sustainable fashion is a contradiction in terms. It refers to how the fabric used for a new garment has been produced †¦ Yet, I believe, we need to consider this issue from a more macro and profound perspective. Though cotton may be unbleached, we need to examine how it arrives to the manufacturer or to us the wearer. What was the ‘carbon imprint’ of its delivery, for example? † Says Dries van Noten. Dries van Noten doesn’t think that changing the method of production for a garment’s fabric is enough to claim its sustainability; the fabric’s â€Å"journey† should also be considered otherwise there is no major difference between fast fashion and eco fashion. It is well know that fast fashion products are most likely to be manufactured in foreign countries for more production and lower cost and that is exactly the opposite of what the eco movement is about. When the eco movement first appeared in the food industry, people had to be educated on how it better to consume products that are locally produced to reduce carbon imprint among other reasons––the same thing has to be done, when it comes to fashion because people are unaware if they don’t inform themselves. With all these definitions above we cannot say that one is true or false they are all relevant in a way. All that can be observed is that most of the time when people approach the subject of sustainability, ethical, green and whatnot, their definitions are closer to the ones that Anna Hindmarch and Dries van Noten provided. The Eco movement in general, has now gone from being just a trend to a lifestyle. We can be â€Å"green† in every aspect of our lives now; people are trying to combat the fastness of our lives with it; to be more specific, they are privileging the Eco movement to go against, the fastness of our economic development and the associated mass production. Eco friendly fashion in not only about tangible aspect, which is the material that is used when and how it is also about the human aspect, the ethical characteristic it has which respects social standards such as limited working hours or minimum wages; Ethically correct production also means child labor is forbidden. Back to the material side of things, sustainable fashion supports cotton farming, and the changeover to more environmentally friendly materials and dyes. As mentioned anteriorly, sustainable fashion also includes recycled materials used to create new ones. People are craving lifestyles based on health and sustainability. Today, when looking for new products, customers not only look for quality and design but also ecological awareness. Green designed products are a path into the green lifestyle which now combines once opposing fields eco and fashion. Environmental awareness has taken over every aspect of our everyday life: fashion is the latest target. Therefore the rise of Eco chic makes perfect sense, it was bound to happen. People want to promote the fact that they are green and show that they are in style. However, it not only about the physical aspect now, people also want to show off their good conscience or sometimes they simply care when it comes to ethical fashion –– Ethical fashion is healthy, sustainable, and fair. Eco chic clothes tend to be more expensive than regular clothing so people also like to show ¬Ã‚ ¬ –– especially in these hard financial times–– that they can still afford expensive clothes. Having noted designers join the movement by the creations has really increased people’s desire to be green. It looks like sustainable fashion is attracting more people; the future of this movement is very promising.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Effects of Alcohol and Nicotine Use

The Effects of Alcohol and Nicotine Use Tobacco and alcohol use are common addictions amongst Americans. Each of these products are easily accessible at any convenience store and are perceived to be pleasurable activities as a result of their prevalence in American society. Both drugs also have significantly adverse effects on an individual's health and overall well-being. However, tobacco and alcohol consumption are quite different in the nature of the addiction, and the risks each drug pose to one's health. Tobacco has been present even before the establishment of America.In 1492, Christopher Columbus was offered dried tobacco leaves from the Native Americans he encountered. By 1600, tobacco was used for its assumed healing qualities and was often used as currency. Not until 1826 was the pure form of nicotine finally discovered and labeled a dangerous poison. During the 1980's, many lawsuits were filed against tobacco companies because of the harmful effects of their products. Smok ing became politically incorrect and more businesses began to prohibit smoking on their premises.Despite this, cigarette consumption in America is still common. Today, Marlboro is considered one of the most valuable brands of any product in the world, valued at over 30 billion dollars. (NCSU Libraries) Although the supposed health benefits of tobacco have been promoted by both a variety of cultures and corporations alike, the physical effects of nicotine on the body are now indisputable. In as little as ten minutes after consumption, nicotine can raise blood pressure, heart rate, and constrict blood vessels,thus increasing the chance of heart attack and stroke.Habitual use has been linked to cancer of the lung, throat, mouth, esophagus, bladder, cervix, kidney, larynx, and stomach. (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) Even casual use is accompanied by increased coughing, congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Aside from the havoc wrought internally from the frequent us e of tobacco, it also causes negative changes to one's physical appearance. These changes include, but are not limited to, tooth decay, gingivial recession, halitosis, stained fingers, and an unpleasant odor on one's person. University Health Center at the University of Georgia) According to the American Heart Association, in as little as one cigarette, a user may be addicted to nicotine. Nicotine addiction is recognized by the uncontrollable cravings to consume tobacco products. An addict may feel anxious about the next time they are able to use, and may be very irritable until their craving has been satisfied. As a user decreases their use of tobacco, they begin to withdrawal. Indications of withdrawal are different for each individual.A person will generally be cantankerous, and may suffer physical ailments, such as headaches, nausea, and cold like symptoms. Increased appetite, impaired work performance, and depression are additional symptoms linked to nicotine withdrawal. (Natio nal Library of Medicine) Alcohol has been a prevalent substance in human culture since 6400 B. C. According to Dr. William L. Smith, excavated clay jugs dating back to neolithic periods suggest the intentional fermentation of alcohol. Alcohol most likely originated in Middle Eastern regions, and was used primarily for its healing, antiseptic and religious purposes, often as a gift to the divine.Alcohol has always been a part of American culture, as it was first brought over by English settlers. One of the first laws regarding alcohol was passed in early seventeenth century Virginia. The law prohibited public drunkenness, as it was a threat to society. Though, the first alcohol related laws did not prohibit the substance itself. In 1920, National Prohibition took effect, consequently the 18th Amendment of the United States Constitution. However, in 1933, the 21st Amendment repealed the prohibition, legalizing the creation, sale, and consumption of alcohol. WWW2 Webserver) Laws in reg ards to alcohol had to be placed into effect in order to ensure the safety of America's people. Whether or not the alcohol use is routine, the array of symptoms that may be exhibited have the opportunity to be devastating to the user and to the public.In one night of drinking, the intoxicated individual has already put themselves at risk for alcohol poisoning, miscarriage, violence, and death. One of the least tolerated criminal offenses of today is driving while intoxicated (DWI), or driving under the influence (DUI), which is defined by a blood alcohol content level over . 8%. A few sips of an alcoholic beverage can debilitate the driver, causing them to careen in and out of lanes, run red lights, and other dangerous driving practices. Alcohol is also a common factor in regards to risky sexual behaviors. The impaired ability to make responsible decisions increases the chance of accidental pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. Heavy alcohol use over the lifetime causes ann ihilating physical and psychiatric damage to the body. The user becomes at risk for a variety of health issues, including cirrhosis, dementia, liver disease, and stroke.Long term use also puts the individual at risk for mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and colon cancer. While the internal damage is taking place, the individual is slowly using their ability to function in society. The daily drunken stupor or hangover prohibits the person from excelling in the work place and in the classroom. Stomach pain, headache, and irritability are common symptoms that hinder the usefulness of the individual. If these characteristics persist, job loss and expulsion will occur. Aside from the regression of skills and potential successes, an alcoholic will induce detriment upon their family and friends. Center for Disease Control and Prevention) Alcoholism is, according to the University of Maryland Medical center, a â€Å"chronic, often progressive disease in which a person craves alcohol and dri nks despite repeated alcohol related problems, like losing a job or a relationship. † The disease is often accompanied by a significantly high tolerance to alcohol, drinking in order to feel â€Å"good† again. An addict may sneak or hide drinks, plan activities around drinking, or drink to escape life's hassles. Family and friends of the victim may notice personality changes, mood swings, and broken promises.The addict may feel troubled by how much they are consuming, and may be quick to defend themselves with confrontations regarding their drinking habits. When an alcoholic is unable to drink as much as need be, they suffer from physical withdrawal symptoms that inhibit them from feeling well. Nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, are all common signs of alcohol withdrawal. Insomnia, hand tremors, and fatigue are additional symptoms that may be experienced. (University of Maryland Medical Center) Alcohol and tobacco products are commonly used in not only American s ociety, but in cultures around the globe.They have each continued to be advertised as enjoyable experiences, thus their social acceptability. Despite their prevalence and media allure, scientific evidence is irrefutable. Single and habitual use of nicotine and alcohol both affect the body in significantly negative ways. These substances are both linked to a variety of cancers, amongst other health issues. The forgo of these drugs results in mild to severe emotional discomfort. Typical behaviors include depression, irritability and apprehension. In addition, visible cues such as sweating and shakiness are common in withdrawal.Based upon scientific study, alcohol and tobacco use are practices not to be taken lightly. Their toxic effects on the human body are disregarded in American culture, however, it is imperative that every user understands each substance in its entirety. A nicotine addiction is quite different from an alcohol dependency, as nicotine seems to be primarily a physica lly unhealthy habit, and alcohol becomes a lifestyle. Nonetheless, each addiction is completely detrimental to one's health, and all risks should be considered before taking that first sip or smoke.

Friday, September 13, 2019

Is horror a good movie genre for children Essay

Is horror a good movie genre for children - Essay Example The need is to understand that horror can have long-lasting effects on the minds of the young ones and it is best advisable to keep them away from such shocks. It must be understood here that the horror movies produced to date have been very direct as concerns to the viewers, children here specifically. These movies have instilled a sense of ‘what will happen next’ regime within their minds. Some of them cannot even watch such movies whilst being alone. They need company in order to avoid the horror element of such flicks. Some of them start weeping and shouting in the middle of a horrific scene, thus adding to the mental agony of such a genre of movie viewing. It must be comprehended here that horror movies depict violence, manslaughter, killing, blood and nasty language. The scenes are utterly disdainful for the young audiences, since the effects are abysmal to state the least (Tamborini, 1996). The impact of such elements on the human mind is serious and when one discusses the same for the sake of children, there could be drastic issues for them, left, right and center. These children suffer trouble whilst sleeping while th ey also get scared in a dark room or whenever they are alone. Their confidence takes a very wrong turn and this essentially makes them feel very scared at the end of the day. The need is to have proper training and education imparted by the parents and/or guardians. Their help and assistance could mean wonders for these children who should be told that these flicks are a part of the world of fiction and nothing else at all. One should believe that horror is indeed not a good genre for children since these children go through a lot when it comes to understanding the after effects of watching horror flicks. They get scared, have severe fear within their ranks and stop meeting people who they consider closely resembling one of the evils shown in the horror movies. They also like to

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Investment Analysis of Tesco, and Marks And Spencer Research Paper

Investment Analysis of Tesco, and Marks And Spencer - Research Paper Example (Penman, 2003). In other situation, investors make investment decisions following his or her instinct or based on the information provided by the market. Here, Penman (2003) referred to Investors who make investment decisions following their instinct as intuitive investors, while those who make investment decisions following market data are passive investors (Penman, 2003). This study is aimed at carrying out a comparative analysis of two United Kingdom based retail companies with particular focus on its financial performance and share valuation for the two periods under review, to enable the researcher gain a reasonable basis for providing recommendations to investors on which company's stock they should buy, sell, keep or hold. The remaining part of the paper looks at the two company under review. Like macroeconomic analysis the analysis of the industry is important because it enables the analysts to make abnormal profits arising from information asymmetry between the proper analyst and competitors who fail to carry out a proper analysis. Just as it is difficult for a firm to do well in a poor macroeconomic environment, so too is it difficult for a firm to perform well in a troubled industry. (Bodie et al, 2002). Similarly, as performance can vary across countries, so too does it varies across industries. (Bodie et al, 2002). 2.1 Tesco Plc Tesco PLC is an international retailer. The principal activity of the Company is food retailing with over 2,000 stores in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Turkey, Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Japan and China. It activities include, simple travel insurance, Tesco personal finance, telecom and retail outlets. Financial Ratio Analysis for Tesco Plc. a) Profitability Ratios for Tesco Plc Ratio Formula1 2006 2005 Profit margin Return on Capital Employed Return on Equity Return on Investment The profitability ratios show that the company is doing quite well. In 2006 for example the was an improvements in all the profitability ratios when compared to 2005. Compared with the ratios for the other firm (Mark & Spencer) we see that Tesco performed better than the industry average, and better than M&S. However, Marks and Spencer also proves to be a profitable company. b) Liquidity Ratios for Tesco Plc Ratio Formula2 2006 2005 Current Ratio Quick Ratio Cash Ratio Tesco current ratios have also witnessed improvements in 2006. The current ratio and quick ratio show that Tesco has enough current assets to cover its short-term liabilities without facing business risk that is the risk that it might not meet its short-term commitments. However, the cash ratio shows that Tesco could only cover 50% of its short-term liabilities in 2005 and 90% in 2006. It is again doing better in this domain than its M&S. c) ) Long-Term Solvency Ratios Solvency Stock Measures From above, it can be observed that the company uses more debt than equity in financing its activities. This is evidenced by the debt-to-equity ratio of 1.4. There is

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

MONEY AND BANKING ASSIGNMENT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

MONEY AND BANKING ASSIGNMENT - Essay Example Besides, they also purchase and sell bonds. Macesich (2000) argues further that money plays a vital role in the economic activities since it virtually makes economic transaction possible. When the supply of cash is higher in the economy, consumers tend to have more money. This in turn encourages spending. On the other hand firms or businesses or ventures respond by increasing either raw materials or production. Because business activities tend to be spread, the demand for labor as well as capital goods increases. Increase in expansion of money supply consequently results into increase in prices more so if the growth of output approaches the limited capacity. At this stage, consumers begin anticipating inflation. However, lenders begin aggravating for higher interest rates to balance the anticipated reduction in the purchasing power while offsetting the loans. The converse is true when money supply subsidizes or the growth rate declines. For instant, Federal Reserve policy plays a crucial role in determining money supply. It d oes so by influencing its deposits in the bank. They do this by mandating commercial banks to hold part of the deposits that they accept. These institutions comply by either holding cash in the vaults or holding deposits that they make at the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve in turn manipulates their reserve by lending cash to banks and changing the discount rate on loans. Therefore, when the supply of money in the economy is high, despite the interest rate target, the central banks tend to device mechanism that are aimed at limiting cash flow in the economy. When this is done, the demand for cash that is apparently at the bank reserves increases. This increase in the demand compels the central banks to stop holding money in the reserves. Central banks encounter a challenge of policy enforcement in the domestic banking system

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Sketches Bill Cleggs and Mathew Dickmans prescription for eudaimonia Essay

Sketches Bill Cleggs and Mathew Dickmans prescription for eudaimonia - Essay Example For this reason, Aristotle’s ethics and politics are both heavily focused on virtue (Gallager, 2010). According to Rorty (1980, pp.07), Eudemonia essentially involve just the activity of the theoretical intellect of human life and action and accordance with the broader excellence of moral virtues and practical wisdom. This view connects the eudemonia with the conception of human nature as composite, that is, as involving the interaction of reason, emotion, perception and action in a body full of soul. Ninety days is a short novel that situates a lot of drama into an easy to read 194 pages. This book covers the months following Cleggs decision to go into an inpatient facility to renounce cocaine and alcohol at age 34.  It’s the story of Cleggs battle to get back his life, an obvious and persuasive story of the opportunity of recovery. However, it sketches an overwhelming depiction of the loads of challenges one will tolerate on this journey. The twin brother of poet Michael Dickman, poet Matthew Dickman was born on August 20, 1975 grew up in Lents, a working-class suburb of Portland, Oregon. He was raised by his mother. He earned a BA at the University of Oregon after that he earned an MFA from the University of Texas at Austins Michener Center. Dickman’s unveiling collection, All American Poem (2008), was chosen by Tony Hoagland for the American Poetry Review’s Honickman First Book Prize in Poetry and also won the 2009 Oregon Book Award for Poetry. According to Perring (2012) Ninety Days  is a follow up to Cleggs tale of his decline into drug use and his ultimate entrance into drug rehabilitation. Bill Clegg discloses to his readers as he explain the laborious journey he took to attain his first 90 days of sobriety. Any person who has not gone through the experience of substance mistreatment would not be able to recognize how an individual feels who has exactly gone the whole thing. Actually it is a