Living Through the Pain of Ankylosing Spondylitis Essay Essay Example

Living Through the Pain of Ankylosing Spondylitis Essay Essay As I sit following to my sister. Natalie. she seems saddened as she tells the narrative that started her hard journey of covering with a womb-to-tomb disease. As she describes it. â€Å"At the immature age of 13. when my girlfriends were believing about an approaching 1950s-genre sock hop. I found myself in a Milwaukee back brace to handle a curvature of my spinal column called scoliosis. The brace keeps the spinal column virtually immobile. It held my caput in alliance with metal bars. clear down to a plastic cast over my hips. I wore the brace for two old ages and the childs in my school would inquire if I had been in a auto wreck. We will write a custom essay sample on Living Through the Pain of Ankylosing Spondylitis Essay specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Living Through the Pain of Ankylosing Spondylitis Essay specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Living Through the Pain of Ankylosing Spondylitis Essay specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer I subsequently started high school in new Nike tennis places and the awkward metal brace. When I was a sophomore. I developed a terrible intestine redness episode which the physician idea was bacterial dysentery. It was atrocious. and small did I know that this was the start of a series of jobs that are all portion of a chronic disease. About two hebdomads subsequently. I developed painful puffiness in my right articulatio genus. It was terrible plenty to necessitate remotion of an remarkably big sum of synovial fluid. A few yearss after the right articulatio genus seemed to mend. the left articulatio genus swelled up. The same form continued for the following several old ages and the physicians said it was merely arthritis. I so developed an oculus infection called iritis in my right oculus. It was so terrible that it needed daily cortisone injections for 10 yearss. oculus beads and resting in complete darkness. For the following four old ages. I experienced terrible hip ( sacroiliac ( SI ) ) hurting that made walking hard. A pelvic X ray was taken. which showed merger in one of the SI articulations. I was tested and found positive for the HLAB27 cistron. The rheumatologist changed the diagnosing from arthritis to a unequivocal Ankylosing Spondylitis which is a debilitating. painful disease. without a remedy. that would go on to decline throughout my life and would most likely terminal with me crippled and in a wheelchair† ( Rasmussen. 2010 ) Ankylosing Spondylitis ( AS ) is a ruthless. familial disease that makes life really painful and hard for those affected by it. AS affects every bit many as 2. 4 million people in the US today. which is more than multiple induration. cystic fibrosis and Lou Gehrig’s disease combined. Scientists are presently trying to happen out what this disease is. how it is contracted. and what can be done to assist those who have AS pull off their hurting. avoid farther bodily harm and hopefully happen a remedy. Pathophysiology: Ankylosing Spondylitis Ankylosing Spondylitis ( AS ) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis and an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease is when the body’s natural immune system. that is supposed to contend against sources or foreign cells that enter your organic structure. misidentify its ain healthy cells as being encroachers and assail them. This can impact any portion of the organic structure or many parts of the organic structure at the same clip. In the instance of Ankylosing Spondylitis. the immune system attacks its ain cells doing arthritis of the spinal column. sacroiliac ( hip ) articulations and can do redness of the eyes. lungs. and bosom valves. It varies from intermittent episodes of back hurting that occur throughout life to a terrible chronic disease that attacks the spinal column. peripheral articulations and other organic structure variety meats. ensuing in terrible articulation and back stiffness. loss of gesture and malformation as life advancements. Signs and symptoms The get downing physical marks of AS normally start to look in late adolescence or early maturity ( ages 17-35 ) . but the symptoms can happen in younger kids or much later in life every bit good. The first symptoms of AS can include frequent hurting and stiffness in the lower dorsum and natess. and symptoms semen on bit by bit over the class of a few hebdomads or months. At first. uncomfortableness may merely be felt on one side. or alternate sides. The hurting is normally dull and diffuse. instead than localized. This hurting and stiffness is normally worse in the forenoons and during the dark. but may be improved by a warm shower or light exercising. Besides. in the early phases of AS. there may be mild febrility. loss of appetency and general uncomfortableness. Many people with AS besides experience bowel redness and iritis or uveitis ( redness of the eyes ) . About one tierce of people with AS will see redness of the oculus at least one time. Signs of iritis or uevitis are: Eye ( s ) going painful. watery. ruddy and persons may see blurred vision and sensitiveness to bright visible radiation ( Van der Linden S. 2009 ) . Changing degrees of weariness may besides ensue from the redness caused by AS. The organic structure must utilize excess energy to cover with the redness. therefore doing weariness. Mild to chair anaemia. may ensue from the redness. which can lend to an overall feeling of fatigue. In a minority of persons. the hurting does non get down in the lower dorsum. but in a peripheral articulation such as the hip. mortise joint. cubitus. articulatio genus. heel or shoulder. This hurting is normally caused by enthesitis. which is the redness of the site where a ligament or sinew attaches to cram. Inflammation and hurting in peripheral articulations is more common in juveniles with AS. This can be confounding since. without the immediate presence of back hurting. AS may look like some other signifier of arthritis. AS is more common in immature work forces than in adult females. Typically. 1 in 200 work forces have AS. whereas 1 in 500 adult females have the disease. The symptoms or form of the disease are different in adult females. Quoting Dr. Elaine Adams. â€Å"Women frequently present in a little more untypical manner so it’s even harder to do the diagnosings in adult females. For illustration. some adult females with AS have stated that their symptoms started in the cervix instead than in the lower back† ( Adams. 2010 ) . The hurting usually becomes relentless ( chronic ) . is felt on both sides. and lasts for at least three months. Over the class of months or old ages. the stiffness and hurting can distribute up the spinal column and into the cervix. Pain and tenderness spreading to the ribs. shoulder blades. hips. thighs and heels is possible every bit good. Advanced AS sick persons finally experience deficiency of spinal mobility due to spinal merger. Spinal merger occurs when harm to the joint and environing bone causes Ca to construct up which acts like a cement to maintain the castanetss from crunching together. Fusion eliminates the hurting caused by the castanetss crunching together. but creates the complication of limited flexibleness or stationariness. Diagnosis There is no direct trial to name AS. A clinical scrutiny and X-ray [ gt ; 0 ] surveies of the spinal column. are the major diagnostic tools. A drawback of X-ray diagnosing is that marks and symptoms of AS have normally been established every bit long as 8–10 old ages prior for alterations to be seen on a field movie X-ray. which means a hold of every bit long as 10 old ages before equal therapies and interventions can be introduced. Options for earlier diagnosing are tomography [ gt ; 1 ] and magnetic resonance imaging [ gt ; 2 ] ( MRI ) of the sacroiliac articulations. but the dependability of these trials is still ill-defined. Besides. MRI can be cost prohibitory ( Thomas E. 1998. pp. 343-7 ) . A physical scrutiny by a physician or rheumatologist is necessary in decently naming AS. The scrutiny would imply looking for sites of redness. and look intoing for hurting and tenderness along the dorsum. pelvic castanetss. sacroiliac articulations. thorax and heels. Other symptoms and indexs are besides taken into history. including a history of iritis or uveitis ( redness of the oculus ) . a history of GI infections ( for illustration. the presence of Crohn’s Disease or ulcerative inflammatory bowel disease ) . a household history of AS. every bit good as weariness due to the presence of redness. The Schober’s trial [ gt ; 3 ] is a utile clinical step of flexure of the lumbar spinal column performed during scrutiny. Ankylosing Spondylitis is considered a familial disease and surveies have linked AS with a familial marker called HLA-B27. However. proving positive for this marker is non a warrant that a individual will contract the disease. Approximately 90 % of AS patients carry the HLA-B27 marker but 10 % who exhibit AS disease features do non. The association between AS and HLA-B27 varies in different cultural and racial groups. 95 % of people in the Caucasic population who have AS trial HLA-B27 positive. However. merely 50 % of African American patients with AS possess HLA-B27 marker. Therefore. 5 % of Caucasians and 50 % of African Americans who have AS do non transport the HLA-B27 marker. In 2007. a collaborative attempt by an international squad of research workers in the U. K. . Australia and the United States led to the find of two cistrons. ARTS1 and IL23R [ gt ; 4 ] . that besides contribute to the cause of AS. The findings were published in the November 2007 edition of Nature Genetics. a diary that emphasizes research on the familial footing for common and complex diseases ( Brionez TF. 2008. pp. 348-91 ) . Together with HLA-B27. these two cistrons account for approximately 70 % of the overall incidence of the disease. Treatment with Medications There are many medicines available to handle AS and its symptoms. Depending on the phase of the disease and its rate of patterned advance. different medicines are recommended. Peoples respond to medicines with changing degrees of effectivity. therefore it may take clip to happen the most effectual medicine for handling person with Ankylosing Spondylitis. Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs ( NSAIDs ) NSAIDs are the most normally used category of medicine used in handling the redness and swelling associated with AS and therefore cut down hurting and stiffness. For illustration. Ibuprofen is a generic NSAID and is found in nonprescription hurting stand-ins such as Advil and Motrin. They normally come in tablet signifier and are taken orally. Sometimes high doses of NSAIDs are needed to keep alleviation from the symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis. This can present a job in that NSAIDs can do important side effects. particularly in the GI piece of land ( tummy. bowels. etc. ) . NSAIDs can do decrease in the protective mucous secretion in the tummy. which can do stomach annoyance. In clip. this can take to heartburn. gastritis every bit good as ulcers and even hemorrhage. Peoples can take other medicines. such as alkalizers. to neutralize or forestall the production of extra tummy acid or take drugs to assist coat and protect the tummy and aid reconstruct the lost mucous secretion. Harmonizing to Spondylitis Association of America. there is a different category of NSAIDs known as COX-2 inhibitors ( or COXIBs ) have helped some patients cut down the hazard of GI complications associated with traditional NSAID therapy. An illustration of a COXIB is Celebrex ( Celecoxib ) . which is still being used to handle spondyloarthritis. Others. such as Vioxx. were pulled from the market because of possible cardiac side effects ( SAA Medication Treatments. 2009 ) . Although NSAIDs are normally the first line of medicines used to handle Ankylosing Spondylitis. sometimes they aren’t adequate to command the symptoms. NSAIDs may merely be partly effectual or the side effects excessively terrible to go on their usage. In this instance. a physician may order one of the undermentioned medicines: Sulfasalazine Sulfasalazine is one type of medicine that can be helpful to some people with this terrible disease. It is known to efficaciously command non merely hurting and joint swelling from arthritis of the little articulations. but besides the enteric lesions in inflammatory intestine disease. It comes in tablet signifier and is taken orally. Side effects are comparatively infrequent. but can include concerns. abdominal bloating. sickness and unwritten ulcers. Rarely. person being prescribed this medicine can develop bone marrow suppression. which is why it is of import to on a regular basis supervise blood counts. Methotrexate Originally developed to handle malignant neoplastic disease. this chemotherapy drug is widely used and frequently really effectual for the intervention of arthritic arthritis. When prescribed for handling Ankylosing Spondylitis. it is given in much smaller doses. Methotrexate can either be taken via a self-injectable shooting. or orally in tablet signifier. When taking amethopterin. it is besides necessary to take the vitamin folic acid in order to assist stamp down possible side effects. Oral ulcers and sickness are the most common side effects. but can be minimized by taking folic acid. Because of other possible serious side effects. the frequent monitoring of blood counts and liver trials are required. Methotrexate lowers the ability for patients to contend infection. Therefore. patients taking it should avoid contact with those who are ill. Corticosteroids Corticosteroids such as Orasone can be effectual in alleviating the redness of AS. but the side effects of long-run usage can be really terrible. Corticosteroid injections into the inflamed articulations can supply impermanent alleviation of the hurting caused by arthritis or bursitis. In cases of Achilles’ tendinitis. such injections are seldom. if of all time used because of the hazard of tearing the Achilles sinew. Besides. the utility of corticosteroid injections to alleviate the symptoms of plantar fasciitis ( list hurting ) is non clear. Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha inhibitors AS patients produce excessively much of an inflammatory substance called Tumor-Necrosis-Factor alpha ( TNF-a ) . TNF-a blockers are biologic medicines that have shown great promise in handling AS by adhering the extra TNF-a. therefore cut downing redness. TNF-a blockers slow the advancement of AS in the bulk of clinical instances. assisting many patients receive a important decrease. though non riddance. of their redness and hurting. They have been shown to be extremely effectual in handling the arthritis of the articulations and the spinal arthritis associated with Ankylosing Spondylitis. Examples of TNF? [ gt ; 5 ] blockers are: Enbrel ( etanercept [ gt ; 6 ] ) . Remicade ( infliximab [ gt ; 7 ] ) . Humira ( adalimumab [ gt ; 8 ] ) and Simponi ( Golimumab ) . Besides the frequently high cost of over $ 600 per injection. the most serious known side consequence of the TNF blockers is the fact that these drugs increase the hazard of infections. particularly TB. Therefore. a TB trial is normally required before get downing any of the TNF therapies. Patients taking the TNF medicines are advised to restrict their exposure to others who are or may be transporting a virus ( such as a cold or grippe ) or who may hold a bacterial or fungous infection. A really rare possible complication is increased frequence of malignant neoplastic disease. particularly of the blood. such as leukaemia or of the lymphatic system as in lymphoma. ( SAA Medication Treatments. 2009 ) .

Technology is Changing the Way We Listen to Music essays

Technology is Changing the Way We Listen to Music essays Downloading MP3s from the Internet should be made legal. An MP3 is a near CD quality digital recording of a musical piece that is compressed so it can be distributed through the Internet (Simple Net). High prices, new technology, and availability are causing most music lovers to turn to the Internet to listen to their music. It's convenient to search a computer database for a song you've been wanting to hear by your favorite artist, download it, and copy it on to a CD. More and more people are doing this because with the help of search engines it's possible to find any song imaginable and download it for free. What most people don't realize is that the reproduction of a musical work, distribution of copies of a musical piece, and the public performance of the work without the copyright owner's consent are all violations of copyright laws (Anderman and Paez 5). However, they do know that getting caught for this crime is very unlikely. Catching those who violate copyright laws is very tricky because in most cases it's hard to tell who is at fault. Because of very detailed, complicated copyright laws even prosecuting a web site for promoting pirated music is almost too difficult to attempt. New digital audio compression technologies have made promoting, distributing, and selling music very easy (5). Sound files called MPEG 1 Layer 3 or MP3 for short allow users to download digital quality music for free over the Internet. These compressed audio files can be played on an individual's computer by using special software. With the help of CD-writers, a relatively new computer technology that allows people to create there own CDs, illegal copies of the copyrighted material can be made at near compact disc quality (Anderman and Paez 6). Portable MP3 players have now been developed that make pirating songs even easier. Instead of having to search for and buy expensive music, people are simply downloading the songs they want and de...

The Meaning of -N Desu in Japanese

The Meaning of '-N Desu' in Japanese The phrase –n desu (ã‚“ 㠁 §Ã£ â„¢), meaning it is, is sometimes used at the end of a sentence. It is also commonly used in conversation, though it might be difficult for beginners to learn. The phrase has an explanatory or confirmatory function. The difference between –masu (ã€Å"㠁 ¾Ã£ â„¢), another nominal ending for a verb, and  Ã¢â‚¬â€œn desu is very subtle. This makes it very hard to translate. The nominal ending  Ã¢â‚¬â€œn desu can be translated as it is the case that or it is for the reason that. However, there is no true English equivalent. –N Desu Versus –Masu One of the best ways to understand the subtle, nuanced meaning of –n desu is to compare it to  Ã¢â‚¬â€œmasu  by viewing how two sentences use these endings differently: Ryokou ni iku n desu ka? (りょ㠁“㠁† 㠁 « 㠁„㠁  ã‚“ 㠁 §Ã£ â„¢ 㠁‹ã€‚) Are you going to travel? Ryokou ni ikimasu ka? (  Ã£â€šÅ Ã£â€šâ€¡Ã£ â€œÃ£ â€  㠁 « 㠁„㠁 Ã£  ¾Ã£ â„¢ 㠁‹ã€‚) Are you going on a trip? In the first sentence, which uses –n desu, the  speaker assumes that the listener is going on a trip and just wants her to confirm it. In the second sentence, which uses –masu,  the speaker simply wants to know if the listener is going on a trip or not. Formal Versus Informal You also need to use a different form of  Ã¢â‚¬â€œn desu when it  is attached directly to a plain form of the verb in an informal situation. When the circumstances are informal, use –n da  instead of –n desu, as demonstrated in the table. The sentences are written first in hiragana, which is a phonetic syllabary  (or transliteration) made from simplified  kanji  characters. These sentences are then spelled using Japanese characters. An English translation follows on the right side of the table. Ashita doubutsuen ni ikimasu.明æâ€" ¥Ã¥â€¹â€¢Ã§â€° ©Ã¥Å"’㠁 «Ã¨ ¡Å'㠁 Ã£  ¾Ã£ â„¢Ã£â‚¬â€š(formal) I am going to the zoo tomorrow.(simple statement) Ashita doubutsuen ni iku.明æâ€" ¥Ã¥â€¹â€¢Ã§â€° ©Ã¥Å"’㠁 «Ã¨ ¡Å'㠁 Ã£â‚¬â€š(informal) Ashita doubutsuen ni iku n desu.明æâ€" ¥Ã¥â€¹â€¢Ã§â€° ©Ã¥Å"’㠁 «Ã¨ ¡Å'㠁 Ã£â€šâ€œÃ£  §Ã£ â„¢Ã£â‚¬â€š(formal) I am going to the zoo tomorrow.(explaining his or her plans for tomorrow.) Ashita doubutsuen ni iku n da.明æâ€" ¥Ã¥â€¹â€¢Ã§â€° ©Ã¥Å"’㠁 «Ã¨ ¡Å'㠁 Ã£â€šâ€œÃ£   Ã£â‚¬â€š(informal) Note how in Japanese, social context is very important. In English, the social situation, or position of the person you are addressing, would make little or no difference. You would tell a good friend at school or a visiting dignitary at a formal state dinner that you are going to the zoo using the same words. Yet, in a formal situation in Japan, you would use –n desu, but you would use  Ã¢â‚¬â€œn da if the circumstance were less formal. In the case of the first two sentences above, you would use –masu  in a formal situation but omit the ending altogether if the setting or circumstances were informal. Why Questions In Japanese, why questions are often completed with –n desu because they are asking for a reason or an explanation, as the table demonstrates: Doushite byouin ni iku n desu ka.Haha ga byouki nan desu.㠁 ©Ã£ â€ Ã£ â€"㠁 ¦Ã§â€"…é™ ¢Ã£  «Ã£  Ã£â€šâ€œÃ£  §Ã£ â„¢Ã£ â€¹Ã£â‚¬â€šÃ¦ ¯ Ã£ Å'çâ€"…æ °â€"㠁 ªÃ£â€šâ€œÃ£  §Ã£ â„¢Ã£â‚¬â€š Why are you going to the hospital?Because my mother is sick. Doushite tabenai n desu ka.Onaka ga suiteinai n desu.㠁 ©Ã£ â€ Ã£ â€"㠁 ¦Ã© £Å¸Ã£  ¹Ã£  ªÃ£ â€žÃ£â€šâ€œÃ£  §Ã£ â„¢Ã£ â€¹Ã£â‚¬â€šÃ£ Å Ã£  ªÃ£ â€¹Ã£ Å'㠁™ã â€žÃ£  ¦Ã£  ªÃ£ â€žÃ£â€šâ€œÃ£  §Ã£ â„¢Ã£â‚¬â€š Why don't you eat?Because I am not hungry.

International political economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

International political economy - Essay Example Entrepreneurs, leading corporations, and even social activists are taking the step to show how this phenomenon is changing the lives of people across the world. This book forms the basis for this review as it tries to identify the realism of this phenomenon, and if the corporate world is entirely ready for it. The definition of social business in this book is that it is a sustainable business that guarantees return on start-up capital, but does not offer investors any return. It is the author’s belief that the current practices, for example; social enterprises and non-profit are what may lead to more poverty among countless individuals. Social business offers an owner a return on their start-up capital, regardless of the time it takes to get this capital back. According to the author, this phenomenon (social business) has stopped being just a theory that is discussed in corporate boardrooms, and is being introduced in some areas in Asia, the U.S., and even Europe. By introduci ng, embracing, and trying the social business theory, the author develops an idea about a new form of capitalism that is opposed to some current methods and practices present in most organizations (Yunus 2011, p. 103). Products offered by social businesses may rake in profit, but do not offer dividends (Yunus 2011, p. 229). They are also capable of satisfying the needs of the less wealthy individuals in society. All profits gained have to go back to the society in which the business is located. According to the author, the case studies are a way of showing individuals that it is possible to incorporate this in the economic world and find a way to provide everyone with their needs. This is while reducing the pressure of money among the less privileged. Something worth noting about the author is that he is the founder of the micro-credit agency, Grameen Bank. It offers services (financial) at an affordable rate of interest. The author’s economic stand is brought out in the book as it struggles to change the perception that establishments can only belong to one of two economic camps, which are; non-profit and for-profit. However, the book might fail to address some crucial elements that surround the progress of the theory of social business. Some of the issues brought out in the book offer advice on what might be the best possible way for people to start their own businesses (Bari 2011, p. 78). This is not geared toward encouraging the growth of the phenomenon in most corporate structures in the business world. A great idea might lie behind the author’s intention of getting people to know what needs to be done to start and run a successful business. Sadly, it does not delve into advising would-be business owners on what needs to be done to exactly capture all the latest trends in the economic world. The ends of the first chapters in the book talk more of the steps in the development of the Grameen. This, according to me, makes the chapters seem lack lustre in their presentation. The didactic aspect of the book leaves no room for the profit and social business aspects that most readers may want to attain at the end of the book. It is next to impossible to attain a clear perspective on the part profit aspect of a

Request for college transfer Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Request for college transfer - Essay Example As a result of my continuous interaction with the students, I have also gained a lot of improvement owing to the fact that practice makes perfect. By taking the students through music lessons, I have had to come in contact with major changes and advancements in this ever-changing profession. I have gained a lot of personal experience with music instruments and key terms that are very essential in the career. Besides working as a music tutor in the college, I also play piano in my local church every Sunday and other days when the church is holding a special event. This has helped me in developing my skills as well as gaining more experience on this basic music instrument. In addition to that, I attend recitals at school so as to enhance my performing skills. With the skills that I have gained over time, I have managed to inspire many students who have greatly benefited from my initiatives. I take a personal approach in my teaching duties by responding to the specific needs of the stud ents. I have developed an approach of extending the individual programs to students who need special attention and are unable to cope up well in the general class lessons. As a music performer, my songs are aimed at addressing the key issues affecting the society as well as the various means of overcoming the global challenges. I desire to positively impact the society around me using music which is a very strong tool of communication and light means of speaking against the evils propagated by various people in the society. I have a deep believe that this transfer will enable me fulfill my childhood dream of becoming a successful musician who will impact the whole world through music. My other goal is to pursue a degree in music as that will go hand in hand with being an accomplished musician.

Decision Model Theory Essay Example for Free

Decision Model Theory Essay Case Here we use the Thompson Lumber Company case as an example to illustrate these decision theory steps. John Thompson is the founder and president of Thompson Lumber Company, a profitable firm located in Portland, Oregon. Step 1 The problem that John Thompson identifies is whether to expand his product line by manufacturing and marketing a new product, backyard storage sheds. Step 2 * The second step is to list the alternative. * Thompson’s second step is to generate alternatives that are available to him . In decision theory the alternative is a course of action or strategy that the decision maker can choose .According to him his alternatives are to construct: 1†¢ a large new plant to manufacture the storage sheds 2†¢ a small plant, or 3†¢ no plant at all * So, the decision makers should try to make all possible alternatives ,on some occasion even the least important alternative might turn out to be the best choice. Step 3 * Third step is to identify possible outcomes. * The criteria for action are established at this time. According to Thompson there are two possible outcomes: the market for the storage sheds could be favorable means there is a high demand of the product or it could be unfavorable means that there is low demand of the product. * Optimistic decision makers tend to ignore bad outcomes; where as pessimistic managers may discount a favorable outcome. If you don’t consider all possibilities, it will be difficult to make a logical decision, and the result may be undesirable. * There may be some outcomes over which the decision maker has little or no control is known as states of nature. Step 4 * Fourth step is to list payoffs. * This step is to list payoff resulting from each possible combination of alternatives and outcomes. Because in this case he wants to maximize his profits, he use profits to evaluate each consequences .Not every decision, of course, can be based on money alone – any appropriate means of measuring benefit is acceptable. In decision theory we call such payoff or profits conditional values. Step 5 6 * The last two steps are to select and apply the decision theory model. * Apply it to the data to help make the decision. Selecting the model depends on the environment in which you are operating and the amount of risk and uncertainty involved. * Decision Table with condition values for Thompson TYPES OF DECISION MAKING ENVIRONMENTS * The types of decisions people make depends on how much knowledge or information they have about the situation. There are three kind of decision making environments: * Decision making under certainty. * Decision making under risk. * Decision making under uncertainty. Decision Making Under Certainty * Here the decision makers know about the certainty of consequences every alternative or decision choice has. * Naturally they will choose the alternative that will result in the best outcome. * Example: Let’s say that you have $10000 to invest for a period of one year. And you have two alternatives either to open a savings account paying 6% interest and another is investing in Govt. Treasury Bond paying 10% interest. If both the investments are secure and guaranteed, the best alternative is to choose the second investment option to gain maximum profit. Decision Making Under Risk * Here the decision Maker knows about the several possible outcomes for each alternative and the probability of occurrence of each outcome. * Example: The probability of being dealt a club is 0.25. The probability of rolling a 5 on die is 1/6. * In the decision making under risk, the decision maker usually attempts to maximize his or her expected well being. Decision theory models for business problems in this in this environment typically employ two equivalent criteria: maximization of expected monetary value and minimization of expected loss. * Expected monetary value is the weighted value of possible payoffs for each alternative Decision Making under Uncertainty * Here there are several outcomes for each alternative, and the decision maker does not know the probabilities occurrences of various outcomes. * Example The probability that a Democrat/Republican will be the President of a country 25 Years from now is not known. * The criteria that is covered in this section as follows: 1 – Maximax †¢ this criterion find the alternative that maximizes the maximum payoffs or consequence for every alternative. Here we first locate the maximum payoff with every alternative and then pick that alternative with the maximum number. This is also known as optimistic decision criterion. * Maximin †¢ this criterion finds the alternative that maximizes the minimum payoff or consequence for every alternative. Here we first locate the minimum outcome within every alternative and then pick that alternative with maximum number. This is called as pessimistic decision criterion. * Criterion of Realism: Also called as weighted average, is a compromise between an optimistic and a pessimistic decision. Let the coefficient of realism is ‘a’ selected. The coefficient is between 0 and 1. When ‘a’ is close to 1, the decision maker is optimistic about the future. When ‘a’ is close ‘0’ the decision maker is pessimistic. It helps the decision maker to build feelings about relative optimism and pessimism. * Weighted average =a (maximum in row) + (1-a)(minimum in row). * Equally likely (Laplace)-one criterion that uses all the payoffs for each alternative is the equally likely also called Laplace decision criterion. This is to fi nd alternative with highest payoff. * Minimax Regret †¢ the final decision criterion that we discuss is based on opportunity loss or regret. Expected Value of Perfect Information * Formula EVPI = A – B A = expected value with perfect information B = expected value without perfect information Calculation of (A) value: A = the best of each outcome x their prob. The best of outcomes: Best outcome= (100,000) (30,000) A= 0.6 x 100,000 + 0.4 x 30,000 = 72,000 Calculation of (B) value: B = we select the max value of each given below Outcome of each event: 0.6(50000) + 0.4 (30,000)= 42,000 0.6(100,000 -0.4(40,000)= 44,000 0.6(30,000) + 0.4(10,000)= 20,000 The max value for all computed value = 44,000 EVPI = A – B = 72,000 – 44,000 = 28,000 Expected Opportunity Loss The expected opportunity loss is the expected value of the regret for each decision (Minimax) EOL (Apartment) = $50,000(.6) + 0(.4) = 30,000 EOL (Office) = $0(.6) + 70,000(.4) = 28,000 EOL (Warehouse) = $70,000(.6) + 20,000(.4) = 50,000 Marginal Analysis * Most of our decisions are made following our â€Å"marginal analysis† of costs and benefits * To achieve a given outcome we often have to make a choice from among alternative means; we normally try to make the â€Å"least costly† choice among the available means * Sometimes our decisions result in benefits as well as costs; * How much food should you buy? * How many years of schooling should you have? * How many hours should you work? * How many workers should you hire? * How much should save/invest?

Social Costs To Those Entering Gender-Specific Sports :: Sociology Essays Research Papers

Social Costs To Those Entering Gender-Specific Sports not Their Own I was part of the wrestling team when I was in middle school and in high school. While in middle school, the wrestling coaches were supportive of me and the other four girls on the team. We were trained as if we were men and competed with other team members. One girl was even cut from the team for not keeping up with the training that was expected of all team members. The other coaches in the school were not as supportive. P.E. teachers that were once friendly to the five of us became aloof and discriminatory. Students – other athletes, some on the wrestling team – taunted us. We five women on the wrestling team found we were no longer accepted by teachers and friends. We were never told that this change in attitude towards us was directly caused by our participation in a man's sport, but wrestling seems to be the only reason five women of different race, religion, and social grouping would have undergone such an experience. My teammates and I were outcast by many of our peers and punished in our classes by some of our teachers for participating in a non-traditional sport for women. When I received a wrestling injury that ended my wrestling season, I was still outcast because I carried the stigma of being a wrestler. In high school, I did not try out for the wrestling team until my sophomore year because I was afraid of the social implications that joining the wrestling team had. When I did try out with a friend in our second year of high school, we were accepted onto the team automatically so that our school could compete on the female level. We were not supported by the coaches or any of our teammates and were forced to sit out during trials. Off of the wrestling mat, we did not face any social repercussions for wrestling. Then again, we were not wrestling. We were not trained, we were not expected to weigh in, we were not a part of the team. In both middle school and high school, the social benefit would have been acceptance of female wrestlers and propagation of competitive female wrestling. My friends and I failed in both situations and suffered socially in one way or another for our efforts as a group.

Economics, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development

A bustling mall with Christmas shoppers, a hearty Christmas meal served with wine and epicurean meals, and Christmas gifts galore under the tree, brand new cars for gifts and other high priced consumer gifts are a healthy sign of economic growth. Basically, they were available thanks to a robust economy supported by plentiful jobs enhancing the lifestyles. Economic growth is the byproduct of economic development. That is to say, economic development starts with enhancing aspects of economic composites such as industry, real estate, and factories. When all the underpinnings are working efficiently like a well-greased machinery, high output results to economic growth directly evident in the form of high living, high consumerism, and affluent society. Economic growth is one political trump card that catapults a presidential aspirant to the White House, possibly after having pandered on the voters appeal with a rosy economic picture, but only to be busted soon as put in the position. Because the economy is as volatile as our behavior, interestingly enough, to bring about sustaining economic growth, what is needed is what is called â€Å"applied intelligence† (Wanniski) in practical sense as Hitler did employing bright minds managers that helped solve mass unemployment plaguing his regime. Sustained economic development is achievable, if hope and incentives can be provided, (Leisinger). Economics, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development Question 2: Explain the causes of and solutions to environmental degradation in general. We are at a critical period confronted by a big dilemma that of maintaining our own survival as a species in the highest totem pole of biological hierarchy. Studies after studies have established that we are our own threat. This is an unfortunate reality that sustaining our prodigious population, exponentially growing, is paradoxically pushing us out of existence. Our very needs to support our life have caused severe degradation on our ecosystem. On this endeavor alone, it is said that each individual requires 1600 calories per day, and more, just to fuel other of our vital activities, such as recreation, writing, going on vacation, to name a few. Since our sustenance comes from food, keeping us well fed requires that agriculture be stepped up with the demand. In so doing, the soil has suffered grave depletion of nutrients, and fertilizer is introduced to the rescue, but ultimately found has its own caustic effect on the environment. More spaces are being carved out from the forests to grow more food, get wood for lumber and cooking. This activity has introduced the problem of deforestation negatively manifesting in soil erosion, flooding, depletion of oxygen, endangerment of our flora and fauna that are vital to the natural balance. Toxic gas is emitted from using wood for cooking, rampant among the third world countries. Combined with combustions from factories, power plants, and cars, the build up of pollution in the atmosphere creates a phenomenon called global warming. Weather becomes more wacky and wicked descending on land in the form of catastrophic magnitude typhoons, hurricanes, tornado, and drought. We’ve felt the force of Katrina, devastations in the south by tornadoes, perpetual drought in Ethiopia and other African countries, and devastating typhoons in Asia. Our ozone layer is thinning out exposing us to more radiation from the sun. â€Å"That the high use of aerosols in Australia is said to cause droughts in Ethiopia† (Rotstayn). In summation, what scientists have found out is a colossus of a problem expressed in the following: (EPA) Studies using the ‘ecological footprint’ formula show that if everyone in the world consumed resources at the same rate as people in the richest countries, humans would need at least three planet Earths to support everyone. Like any other problems, environmental degradation begs for solution, what for a magnitude such as we face now? While ideas may differ, scientists are very much united in voicing out that we need for us to change our ways, i. e. abits, thinking, and acts. We need to be highly aware and conscious that we are the biggest generator of problem that can destroy our one and only home planet Earth. It makes it imperative to abandon the old thinking system that our earth is infinite and so whatever we do, it has an ability to absorb and continue to adapt and evolve for us. Instead, the popular preaching is that we need, firstly, to change, do whatever log ically is necessary to biologically fit into the natural scheme of things. Economics, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development ) What are the biggest problems associated with population growth? Which solutions are currently and potentially effective? Answers must include citations from Garrett Hardin`s Tragedy of the Commons. (I will upload this article. ) As man like the fictional spaceship Enterprise proceeds merrily in its destiny-led travels, great many things have occurred on its wake. Foremost is the concomitant increase in population without a clear sight whether it is heading to infinity or finiteness resulting from its own obsolete moral bearings and perhaps to its own extinction as a species. Garrett Hardin, a moral scientist in his essay The Tragedy of Commons has discussed in length about humanity’s direction leading to disaster without a full awareness of nature’s biological make up as the governing power over everything, including the most intelligent creature mankind. The un-curved human population growth has now forced itself into the human scene, big, magnified, and digitalized, it is hard to ignore the magnitude of the problem. Associated in the population growth is the problem facing mankind sustainability of itself in the hierarchy, as it derives support from the ecosystem. To support the burgeoning population, mankind, in the process, depletes the natural resources around needed to sustain its own life. That is, natural fauna and flora habitats are harmed irreversibly. Mankind left supporting its own priorities for materialism and un-tempered freedom is proving to be the greatest human folly, a grave shortsightedness with a devastating end. The beauty that Hardin’s thoughts come in the provoking curtailing measures by which to ensure the perpetual existence of humanity, perhaps even beyond a cataclysmic biological attack. Mankind, he says, must do some minding. Solution he espouses to solve Economics, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development population growth is the necessary and urgent change in morality, no longer the prudent Puritanical canons of morality closest to Eucharistic ad infinitum ordinance of multiplication. On the other hand, â€Å"necessity to abandon the freedom to breed†¦only so, we can put an end to this aspect of the tragedy of commons,† (Hardin) is the urgent call of the times. Economics, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development 4) Compare and contrast three different methodologies used to monetize environmental benefits. Under which circumstances is each appropriate? In the studies of ecosystem and environmental services, three forms of methodologies are used with similar focus and dissimilar applications. All three are used to estimate the economic use or non use value of certain ecosystem or recreational sites in varying degrees. The Contingent Valuation Method is widely used, and very suitable to estimate the non use or use of remote ecosystems and environmental services. This method obtains valuation contingent on the answers that people give to direct questions asked, versus being observed, which characterizes its weakness and strength, and it is notoriously a costly method. The Hedonic Pricing Method is used in estimating the economic values of ecosystem and environmental services as it affects the market prices. Basically, the method obtains estimate in real figure how much people would want to pay for some enhanced changes in goods or services. For instance, offered access, addition or elimination of a recreational area, improving the quality of a certain recreational site. Another is the Travel Pricing Method. Obtained data based on the actual trip and cost incurred by visitors to see a particular site as validating factor to its economic use value. This method is fairly less expensive and much simpler than the other two. (http://www. ecosystemvaluation. org/travel_costs. htm Economics, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development 5) In what situations is cost-effectiveness analysis most useful? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this methodology? How is it conducted? In every research, cost factor is a big consideration. Researching on situations where the economic nonuse value is being determined, cost effective methods is proving most useful. Contingent Valuation Method known for its high cost is used to weigh between the values of protecting wild species vs. pening the land for commercialization such as for lease. Empirical use of the method has been used in the following studies: Mono Lake Project research is undertaken to know how much water will be provided to Los Angeles coming from sources feeding the Mono Lake, and any decrease would impact the nesting birds in the lake. A study conducted by the Federal Regu latory Commission wanted to resolve the issue of allowing more water to the recreation areas, with a consequential reduction of available water to produce hydropower. The Bureau of Reclamation and National Park Service conducted the study plan and determine how rafters are affected in their recreational activity during the even base flow and the low peak flow. Whether protecting the endangered fish denizens of the Four Corners’ Region is economically beneficial considering the meticulous maintenance, for instance, providing fish passageways and simulated natural flows from the dam essential for the fish survival is the correct project to pursue was the objective of the study. The Salmon Restoration Economics, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development tudy basically wants to determine if destroying two dams that offer no conduit for salmon to jump over to its upstream spawning ground would be a beneficial undertaking, Economics, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development to realize a threefold increase in salmon migration after the demolition costs of the dam between $100-125 million. Advantages of Contingent Valuation Method are its high flexibility to apply to studies on many kinds of non market goods and services, non use or use economic values; existence values, and bequest values; data are easier to describe and analyze; and the method is under constant improvement. The downside of the method are the inherent high cost; skepticism whether it is measuring exactly the people’s attitude to pay for having upgraded the environment; that questions tend to be bias, incomplete, unrealistic; validating the estimates on nonuse values are difficult to do empirically; expensive to conduct because it requires longer time doing the pretests and surveys; and last, its results are not considered reliable by many, including economists, jurists and policy makers. When using the CVM method, it is imperative that a very competent surveyor to handle the survey plan and implementation for reliable data to result, given the many issues surrounding the validity of the method. (http://www. ecosystemvaluation. org/travel_costs. htm) Economics, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development 6) How would you evaluate a CVM study to determine its credibility? Look at all the design variables in detail. Considering the inherent questionable nature of the method, a researcher should initially be highly aware of its inadequacy as a reliable method, and thus improve its chances of getting credible results. Make sure that the survey is well designed and subjected to pretests before implementation. Ask focused and specific questions, preferably giving no leeway for misinterpretation in the minds of the respondents, making the services from the setting distinct and clear. Beforehand, obtain the population’s overall knowledge about the good or service, then select the appropriate survey sample. Depict the event picture using photographs, videos, descriptions personally conveyed, and in multi-media. Ask focused and specific questions to respondents to get clear and valid answers back. Demography of the population should be exact, and validate the questions to ensure clarity is achieved, and ensure that the results are evaluated and interpreted by professionals. Economics, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development 7) What are the four prevalent hyposeses on the cause of world hunger? Explain all four in detail and give your own opinion on the validity of each. Global Scarcity World hunger is so prevalent a condition in countless countries, and it remains according to WHO, â€Å"the major health risk globally. † (Vanderslice). Global food scarcity is occurring primarily because of an unabated population growth. The world population now at 6. 6 billion, statistically and logically, this size of population is un-proportionate to the methods and technology, at present, being used to produce the material sources to sustain this enormous numbers of people. Another parody of the situation is the fact that most density of population is centered in the third world countries, devoid of technological know-how to adequately supply the people. In my opinion Global food scarcity is a hypothesis that is assumptive and prescient. It is said that with the present food production of the industrialized countries combined, it can feed the worlds’ people. While that maybe true, but empirically, we can only see for ourselves the limitations that overpopulation can cause to the environment that sustains it. Land could not be simply used to produce foods, because it has other utilization for houses, grazing land, agriculture, dump, recreation, and other life essentials. 70 percent of the globe is water, and while human ingenuity can develop it for accommodation space, the effect of humungous population remains a doomsday scenario for human species without a sensible, biological plan. Economics, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development Distribution of food resources At present, majority of food is produced with high efficiency in the western world, among the highly agricultural countries with advanced technologies. Though supply is in overabundance, but sending them to the needy countries is as much costly than to produce it. It is reported Great Britain has massive food wastage, precious commodity that can augment life to the starving communities, such as in Africa. But without the additional source of money to fund the transportation cost, the food lay wasted. Without doubt this is happening with food dumped in garbage bins of America. The lopsided situation in food production causes the inadvertent distribution problem, and grave malnutrition among the needy people. 80% poor peoples just consume 14% of the goods worldwide. (Shah). As stated beforehand that cost of distribution is another aspect of hunger problem. Food distribution problem indeed is huge. An attestation that NGOs such as Feed the Children, a worldwide nonprofit organization, actively solicits donations towards food distribution cost Natural Causes When factored in, weather is a whimsical variable in the food production equation. Just about yearly, reports of destruction and devastation occur from regions of the world from natural forces of the weather. Be it abnormal amount of rain, snow, wind, hot temperature and the agriculture easily gets destroyed, registering negative storage facilities to deflect a local or bigger size climate aberration on its food impact on the amount of harvest. Mostly hard hit, are the impoverished nations who lack Economics, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development production. Thus, easily, hunger sets in to affect a mass of people. Weather is a realistic phenomena exhibited by nature. Who could doubt the excessive force weather exhibits at its full force. We have heard and seen the tsunami occurring in Asia and some parts of the globe; onslaught of Katrina in America; and the perpetual drought in Africa. Thus far, there is no known technology that could stop its destructive force except for forecasts that save lives, and nothing to protect the agriculture left open in the fields. Inefficient food production Faddish diets are in, and this causes food production to swing where most consumption is, motivated by financial gain. Diets are of all kinds, and causing confusion to the many. There are those that desist grain-based diets who are abstaining from carbohydrates. While those who sustains on animal products for more protein, consumes more milk, chicken, eggs, and lean meat. Some cultures consume nothing but vegetable diets. For any shift or change in health style, results to a concomitant difference in raising and growing these foods. But regardless of the ways and means, still production remains strenuous to the environment. It is not what is being grown, rather it is the rate of consumption that I believe most affective, and thereby registers negative impact on the environment. What faddish diets demands to produce, has a continuing strain on the environment. If the diet is heavy on animal products, then more animals needs to be Economics, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development raised, and producing them entails, in many respects, costly means such as more farmland to sustain great numbers of herds. From all these hypotheses, the scenario remains that man has to eat and maintaining that appetite and health demands is what strains the ecosystem to the max.

Scanning the Environment

Evaluating the relative positions of competitors allows business firms to discover threats and opportunities relative to organizational strengths and weaknesses together with an understanding of the political, economic, socio-demographic and technical forces shaping the competitive environment (Saloner, Shepard & Podolny, 2000). Insights from environmental scanning support sound strategies as shown in the succeeding discussion. Demographics and Socio-Cultural Trends and Choice of Strategy Demographics and socio-cultural trends reflect changes in consumption so that the firm that can match the pace of consumer behavior would likely achieve an edge in the market (Porter, 1998). Amazon Grocery is responding to the growing adoption, by the niche market of non-price sensitive consumers, of the health conscious lifestyle resulting to an increase in demand, for fresh and healthy food products, especially with media buzz on diet and weight-loss regimen by applying the niche strategy. Aldi’s targets a different trend, which is the growth in the middle to low income group leading to the rise in price-conscious consumers seeking low priced products but of high quality. Effect of Advertising on Strategy The audience reached by television and online advertising explains the strong impact of advertising on business strategy (David, 2007). Amazon Grocery likely engages extensively in advertising through both television and online advertising focused on reaching its targeted niche market. Advertising in the timeslot of food and lifestyle shows and creating websites or forums on healthy food suggestions are means of reaching the niche audience. Aldi’s also engages in television and online advertising with a broader perspective because it is targeting a wider market and it has a wide range of options from airing during the timeslot of children’s shows and soap operas together with company website and forums. Relative Positions of Competitors. Collated information on demographics and socio-cultural trends and advertising strategies appears to support Aldi’s better position. Aldi’s targets a wide range of consumers, which means leeway for expansion and growth when compared to the easily saturated niche market of Amazon Grocery. Aldi’s has two value offerings, which are quality and low-price allowing the firm to gain a bigger market share while Amazon Grocery only offers the value of quality healthy and organic foods. Recommended Strategy for the Grocery Store Chain. Based on recent trends and changes in the market, the effective strategy for the grocery store chain is to develop a one-stop store chain providing a section on high quality but low-priced (if not the lowest priced) healthy and organic foods and a section for high quality and low priced (if not the lowest priced) other food items. The grocery could also consider establishing a ready-to-eat and non-food sections both adopting the quality and low price value combination. This would allow the grocery food chain to tap into both the markets of its competitors and reach untapped segments giving it an edge. Strategies and Improving Image as Corporate Citizen in the Community Strategies can enhance the image of firms as contributing members of the community by providing products and serviced that improve the wellbeing of fellow community members (David, 2007). Amazon Grocery supports the health of community members, Aldi’s empathize with the limits of the purchasing power of residents, and the grocery store chain provides every possible need of the community. Conclusion Knowing one’s competitive position and that of close competitors supports the development of effective strategies that create an edge for firms.

Juvenile Delinquency Essay Example

Juvenile Delinquency Essay Example Juvenile Delinquency Essay Juvenile Delinquency Essay Trappings of childhood When a child kills, does he instantly become an adult? Or does he maintain some trappings of childhood, despite the gravity of his actions? These are the questions oppressing our legal system today, as the violent acts of Juvenile delinquencies continue to make headlines. Some people believe that children should be tried as adults when prosecuted for certain serious crimes. Others feel that children should be tried as minors because they are not yet adults, and therefore, they should be reated differently. This is an important debate because how we choose to punish juveniles affects both our current and future society. Teens all over the world are being tried differently in court, and it is not fair to Judge and punish them inconsistently for the same crime. I believe that, without exception, children under 18 should be tried as minors. Our society has set 18 as the age of adulthood. Eighteen is when a person is expected to know what is right and wrong, and understand his responsibilities in the community. The responsibility to vote, sign contracts, make out wills, sign leases, and decide on medical treatment are not acquired until the age of 18. By 18, a person has experienced enough to know what he should and should not do. Then, why those under 18 are tried as adults? A person under 18 is a child and should be treated as such by the courts. When Juveniles receive a life sentence in adult prison, they never get a second chance. When they commit crimes and were punished properly, they should learn that their actions were wrong and not to do it gain. Juvenile detention helps show their mistakes and gives them a second chance, while prison does nothing to help a child. Adults have already had their chance; they should know the difference between right and wrong by the time they cross into adulthood; therefore they deserve an adult sentence. According to Dr. Brenda Plattner, affective dysregulation is at the heart of disturbances stemming from childhood drama and can result in lone-term impairments in functioning including impulsivity and anger-control problems. Young brains are not fully developed, so humans do not understand the full consequences of their actions until about the age of 23. Teenagers essentially lack wisdom, so their perception in life comes from what they are thought at an early age. Teens commit crimes for a reason. Maybe they are angry or want attention from their family. Committing a crime is the only option they see. In the Juvenile system, they can learn other ways to express themselves. Then they can return to society with a new chance at life. Juvenile Delinquency By darlyn09

Absent Fathers

In The Other Wes Moore, by Wes Moore, both boys named Wes Moore without fathers living in their immensely poor neighborhood display the effects of living in a destitute area without a proper male mentor. Wes Moore, the author, was left without a father at age 4, which may have caused him to feel a lack of direction in the beginning of his life; in addition, living in a poor neighborhood may have caused him to be unable to see how success can come through education. His mother did indeed give him love, tried to get to him do well in school, and sent him to a private school, but Wes didn’t feel like trying to do well in school for at least two likely reasons. Wes always grew up in a place where most families had a low income. At Chinquapin Middle School in Baltimore: â€Å"Close to 70 percent of the kids were on the school lunch program†. Many of the parents of the community couldn’t afford to feed their children without financial aid from the government. Although he spent a lot of time living outside Baltimore, in the Bronx, he still lived in a place where crime and drugs were rampant. In places such as these, academic success would seem to be futile because of the lack of impression from people in their world. There wouldn’t be very many scholars, who had achieved a higher education and led a successful career that brought them happiness and a handsome salary. Living in Baltimore and the Bronx, Wes had nowhere to actually see with his own eyes how education could take him to great places. The death of the author’s father, and lack of a male mentor, definitely caused a stir of anger, confusion, fear, and possibly ended up in a depression that even affected how well he did in school. At such an early age, being hit with the sudden reality that your father is no more, emotions can become bottled up. According to a study in The Journal of Adolescence, the lower the GPA of students, the more commonly they were depressed. Wes had been left with a mental stigma for a part of his life, because of the death of his father, and his terrible performance in school is undeniable. In the third grade, he was reading at a second grade level. When attending Riverdale, he was hardly attending school and doing so terribly in academics that the principal called his mother. His mother then sent him to military school and because of that he was able to have male role models. Having male role models, arguably, was the main factor in how he turned his life around. He no longer felt the repressed emotions from when he was a child, and he eventually started to enjoy academics. Had he a father for all his life, he might have never had the same problems with academics and such. The other Wes Moore’s life was greatly influenced by his life’s circumstances. He also was raised in a destitute area where crime and drugs had taken over neighborhoods, and never had a real father figure. Young boys need a role model, and because he never had a male hero in his life, he looked to his brother as a role model. Even though his brother did not want him to get involved in the same crimes he was involved in: â€Å"To Wes, Tony was a ‘certified gangsta’† (Moore 27). Tony had an immense reputation in the drug game. He worked his way to the top, and naturally, such respect and reputation would appeal to other people. Wes eventually followed in Tony’s footsteps. He was also gravitated toward dealing drugs, because the only neighborhood he knew was filled with demand for drugs. His mother spread thin financially which was in part because they didn’t have any income coming from their father, and drugs seemed an easy way to make money in his world. He became heavily involved with selling drugs, and ultimately, he joined Tony in committing the crime that got them both into prison for the rest of their lives. With no father, Tony was the only one to look up to. Adolescents without fathers are twice as likely to drop out of high school, just as Wes did. Wes seemed doomed to never make it out of his poor, crime infested neighborhood, because of the environment and the absence of his father.

State of women's equality in Canada Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

State of women's equality in Canada - Essay Example Do factors like ethnicity and economic status determine the establishment of equality of women in Canada along with policymaking? Women’s interests were a part of policy making since the seventies. In the 80s the issue of representation of women in state legislations came into play. A comparison can be made in terms of the policy process between Canada’s Royal Commission and Commission for Gender Equality between Men and Women of Switzerland. In fact in case of women of Sweden and Canada, commitment to equality encompasses gender bias to some extent. In fact the effectiveness of government policies also depends upon how far women are able to organize and discipline themselves to face the resistance of men towards policies which endanger their conventional role of dominance. In Sweden women defended their position as â€Å"insiders† within political parties in order to have equal position with men in both private and public fields. In Canada however, the campaign of women’s equality moved slowly beyond communities of women who had hardly any effect on the men’s dominant position in political groups. In order to defend their status as outsiders they used the Royal Commission on the Status of Women in 1960. They presented their interests at the hearings of the Commission (Briskin& Eliasson, 1999, p.120). However the recommendations of the commission regarding women’s position were limited. The commissioner pressed the government for raising the funding for women’s groups and thus they rather established the outsider’s role of women legally than challenging the system of representation. Also the hearings and procedures favoured the elite groups of women from conservative households rather than the poor and working class or immigrant and ethically inferior women. Most of the representations came from the well known established groups (Briskin& Eliasson, 1999, p. 126). Canadian government introduced the Equal Op portunity Act as a tool against sexual discrimination. The act encouraged formation of unions by women activists. This emphasised an innovative structure of leadership and emphasis is led on accountability, participation (not representation) and bringing in more democracy in decision making amongst women (Briskin & Eliasson, 1999, pp.128-129). The book The Jade Peony discusses distinct women characters who reflect strength and determination in the form of decision making. Poh-Poh, the grandma, symbolizes respect and order. She teaches everyone in the family with the help of superstitions and encourages the younger generation to speak Chinese instead of following the Canadian culture. She is superstitious and always talks of superstitions and ghosts to teach the family members. The story represents immigration and the low economic status of the immigrants whose jobs were unstable. Women had no power within family and in decision-making roles as per the Western values but Grandma is m ore inclined towards Chinese customs according to which women played dominating roles in the family. Grandma’s adherence to superstitions is another escape from the poor conditions of livelihood. Her hands symbolize knowledge, creativity skills that are earned in the difficult way. Chinese people were brought in to do the hard manual jobs like railway building and then passed the law to freeze immigration from China. The old