Why, despite Seemingly Copious Sources, Is Our Knowledge of Celtic Essay

Why, despite Seemingly Copious Sources, Is Our Knowledge of Celtic Mythology So Fragmentary - Essay Example The Romans considered their Celtic neighbours to be barbarians, but their observations provide much of our body evidence in the study of   mythology, in particular Julius Caesar, Lucan and Posidonius (Brezina, 2008, p.11). The two cultures co-existed but often clashed, as they were built on entirely different beliefs, traditions and values (Aldhouse-Green, 1998, p. 8). Furthermore, their relationship was also marked by conflict; the Romans successfully conquered Celtic Britain in the first-century, only to have their capital sacked by the Celts two centuries later (Brezina, 2008, p. 7). Consequently, historians such as Aldhouse-Green, have warned of the problems of using Roman sources as evidence. She argues that that there is a real danger of "bias distortion, misunderstanding and admission" which will affect the authenticity and usefulness of their opinions and observations. Classical writers may well have sensationalised   or deliberately selected aspects of Celtic behaviour a nd ideas to create the image of an "uncivilised" race, and thus add to their own sense of superiority (1998. p. 8). The Romans may well have â€Å"singled out† or exaggerated particular Celtic ideas and beliefs which seemed alien to them. Brezina has commented that they offer â€Å"confused† and â€Å"fragmentary† accounts of the gods especially as they seemed very strange to the Romans ( 2008, p. 11). Their accounts also present difficulties for the historian because they employed Roman terminology when describing Celtic religion. This further compounds the difficulties of interpretation (Maier, 1997, p. 24). The second type of source to be discussed come from the Middle Ages and were compiled throughout Britain. Once again, the historian is immediately confronted with a problem which potentially affects their reliability and authenticity; the influence of Christianity (Aldhouse-Green, 1998, p. 9). Maier argues that this influence means that such accounts are n ot a true reflection of â€Å"pre-Christian mythology† and should actually be viewed as a â€Å"creative interpretation†. To be able to use them correctly also requires an excellent knowledge of Medieval Welsh and Irish sources, and a constant reviewing when new material is discovered.

Health Care Project Essay Example for Free

Health Care Project Essay Team B has chosen prescription drugs for our health care reform project and how our current economic status is influenced. We will give ideas and solutions to show how to decrease the drug pricing. Ways that can be implemented toward a solution. Pharmaceutical company’s need to amend their business practices from a high profit, low development model to a moderate profit, moderate to high development model. Structures and regulation that will explain the competition, barriers to entry, and regulations. Taking a look at drug pricing from different perspective, like cost, research, and development, marketing, and the manufacturing of pharmaceutical drugs. The Monopoly of pricing who is involved, and the curves associated with it. Price discrimination how it changes who’s involved and what the criteria are for groups as well as pricing for individuals. How cost of co pays differ from brand names to generic and how the drug formulates come into play. How to make the system work for everyone that will amount to higher than just a 30-day supply, pharmacy assistance programs, local charity programs, and low income opportunities. Better ways to enforce existing legislation, vote in new legislation, and regulate prices across the board. The above affects the insured and non-insured American’s. For most American households, paying for health care to include prescription drugs and medical bills has been one of the hardest financial strains out there. According to a report published by (Consumer Reports, 2012), many have cut back on other household expenses or taken potentially dangerous measures with their health to afford their medications. The most affected population is the working-age Americans who do not have prescription drug insurance coverage. More than half of the people who completed the survey requested by Consumer Reports took one or more prescriptions had to reduce other household expenses or make changes in how the general population manage their finances. These reductions included how much they spend on their groceries, entertainment, activities with the family, and using their credit cards to purchase medications. The problem  was more severe with younger people than elderly people age 65 and older. â€Å"84 percent of them said they had to resort to such measures† (Consumer Reports, 2012) as previously listed. Prescription drugs or better yet the cost of prescription drugs is a discussion in the country of importance. The rise of the cost of prescription drugs is of important to many people in the United States and plays a huge role in the economics of health care. The elevated pricing of prescription drugs has become a focal point of politics and in need of some governance. Even though healthcare and prescription drugs are seen as a private sector issue, the discussion of some socialist measures put into place is a definite need for the economy. Some of those ideas include price-capping expensive drugs and even importing drugs from Canada. Healthcare and prescription drugs have been privatized; however, the government has a huge influence on them both. According to the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, the government, including state, and federal, has contributed more the 2.7 trillion in 2011. This shows that we have hidden, or more politically correct, blurred the view of a socialist healthcare system. The currently health care system with health care reform has caused confusing for co nsumers. Many people are struggling to pay for the high cost of medication they are on. Some of the patients have to take a different type of medication, which is called alternative medication because their insurance denied paying for it in addition; the process to get approval from insurance takes longer time and more paperwork back and forth from doctors and insurance companies. In reality, health care consumers are the victims, they suffer from their medical illnesses, and they suffer for the high cost of prescription drugs. Health care reform in theory is helping more than forty million people to have health coverage, the demand curve shifts to the right. The important matter at the present time is the supply to cover that many people to have a quality care whereas the economy is gradually recovering. The unemployment rate is not changing much, it is still relatively high. When the prescription drug cost much of our income, seeking for other solution becomes a must do from consumers, they tend to dismiss their prescriptions or buying medication from online market, w hich may cause bad health than curing purpose.

Importance of Womens Empowerment in India

Importance of Womens Empowerment in India Abstract- In India, The realities of rural life in India are difficult to comprehend. We are now witnessing a steady improvement in the enrolment of women in schools, colleges and even in profession institutes. Their health is better as compared to earlier decades. In this decade, women are entering into the job market in increasing numbers field showing their skills even in non-traditional sectors like police, defence, administration, media and research fields. In the political field, the reservation for women is a significant step forward towards their political empowerment. When thirty-three percent reservations for women in Parliament becomes a reality, womens voice will be heard in the highest forum of democracy. The day, women of India will reach zenith in their empowerment. People were not allowed to share own property, they did not have a Share in the property of their parents, they had no voting rights, and they had no freedom to choose their work or job and so on. The prese nt seminar has been planned with a view to discuss the various issues related to the Empowerment of Women and to suggest measures for achieving this end. In India population according to the 2001 Census, the percentage of female literacy in the country is 54% up from 9% 1951. In order to help women to be in popular, they necessary to be empowered. There is a condition for empowerment of women is to the transform a developing country into a developed country. In this paper we are highlighting that in India country womens strength is critical and we explain the critical value of women how improve their value status for some ways. Keywords- Economics, Status, NGO, PEP, Improving, CEDAW, Introduction In the empowerment of women include many things economic opportunity, social equality, and personal rights. Women were deprived of those human rights, often as a matter of tradition. In rural areas, women are generally not perceived to have any meaningful income generation capacity, and hence, they are relegated mainly to household duties and cheap labour. We are now witnessing a steady improvement in the enrolment of women in schools, colleges and even in profession institutes. Their health is better as compared to earlier decades. In this decade, women are entering into the job market in increasing numbers. They are showing their skills even in non-traditional sectors like police, defence, administration, media and research fields. Twenty-six laws have been enacted so far to protect women from various crimes [7]. In particular define empowerment is depend just like that power cannot change if power cannot be change. If this is inherent in neither positions or nor people, then empo werment impossible, nor is empowerment conceivable in any meaningful way. Bookman morgen et.al [5] in 1984 defining that empowerment status of women level on that time, women level on that only born child and work at home [4] VARA LAXMI is definition in an article way by A Sustainable approach for Women Empowerment through Micro-finance, the micro-credit or micro-finance has got much avowed attention among government circles, voluntary sector and the academia. More importantly after the success of Bangladeshs Grameen Bank started by Prof Mahammad Yunus who bestowed with the Nobel Peace prize for 2006, for the efforts to create economic and social development from below. There is also mounting evidence to show that the availability of financial services for poor households such as micro-finance -can empower the rural people to achieve their goals and enhance their lives accordingly. It is assumed that womens control over income will lead to increased well-being for women and their children. This individual economic empowerment is also assumed to lead to wider social and political empowerment. [8] NGO plays an important for role for improving empowerment. This Asian-foundation organization two running program MDG-3 (Gender, Equality and women empowerment) the convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) for women empowerment. CONCEPT In India, the empowerment process has already begun. For centuries women were not treated equal to men in many ways. While a small minority of people in major cities have benefited from the information revolution of the past decade, the lives of most people in rural India (over 650 million) have hardly improved. Now that we have come out of those dark days of oppression of women there is a need for strong movement to fight for the rights of women and to ensure that they get all the rights which men have or in other words a movement for the Empowerment of Women. Twenty-six laws have been enacted so far to protect women from various crimes. These are very positive signs which imply that women can be leaders. Though some women have shown their mettle yet a large number of them have to sharpen their leadership qualities in various ways. The recent law on the protection of women against domestic violence satisfies the long pending demand of the women activities. But a lot of work has to b e done as there is a category of women (who consider themselves highly educated) that proudly accepts that they dont have digital literacy even though they own a computer, they cannot even operate bank accounts or make travel arrangements for family or handle hospital admissions even during emergencies. Even for a simple task like social visits or shopping generally they need the company of their husbands. Women should remember that they are also rational, intelligent and thinking human beings. Dependent women are not empowered women. If modern women think that they are empowered, its a myth for them. Empowerment means to inspire women with the courage to break free from the chains of limiting beliefs, patterns and societal or religious conditions that have traditionally kept women suppressed and unable to realize their true beauty and power. Different Levels of Empowerment In line with most theorists on empowerment the one has to view empowerment as taking place on different levels and that change on all levels is necessary if the empowerment of women is really to occur. We have to relate empowerment at three levels: empowerment on the individual, group, and societal/community level and the interaction between these. The individual level deals with individual womens abilities to take control over their lives, their perceptions about their own value and abilities, their abilities to identify a goal and work towards this goal. The group level deals with the collective action and sense of agency that woman experience together, in a group. The societal level deals with the permissiveness of the political and social climate, the societal norms and the public discourse on what is possible and impossible for women to do, how women should behave etc. The different levels are seen as connected and mutually reinforcing, e.g. when empowerment on individual level occurs, this will have effect on the group and societal level. Women who are empowered on an individual level will most likely go on and affect the other levels. Empowerment on a group level e.g. women organizing around a particular need is likely to have effect on the individual empowerment of the women in the form of increased self esteem and sense of agency. Historical Background of Women Empowerment in India The status of Women in India has been subject to many great changes over the past few millenniums. In early Vedic period Women enjoyed equal status with men. Rigved Upanishads mention several names of women sages and seers notably Gargi Maà ®tre. However later the status of women began to deteriorate approximately from 500 B.C., the situation worsened with invasion of Mughals and later on by European invaders. Few improvement movements by Guru Nanak, Jainism, Raja ram Mohan Rai, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Pandita Ramabai and others did give some relief. It is not that Britishers didnt do anything for improving the condition of women. Some laws were enacted such an Abolition of practice of Sati, Widow Remarriage Act 1856 etc.Feminist activism picked up momentum in India during later 1970s. Later on many groups and NGOs have been working for the Empowerment of women. We are proud that in India Women got voting right much before USA and some other European countries. Empowerment of Women in Rural India Today The realities of rural life in India are difficult to comprehend. While a small minority of people in major cities have benefited from the information revolution of the past decade, the lives of most people in rural India (over 650 million) have hardly improved. A majority of villages do not have sustainable economies, and only through oppression of women and lower castes can the landlords, upper castes, and government officials support a better life for themselves. Private initiatives are lacking as the government, to preserve its power, has placed obstacles and disincentives at every step. For example, modern healthcare for all of rural India is a free government service, but the reality is that the delivery of primary health care has failed miserably. A number of charitable institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have played a positive role, often assisted by government grants and foreign donations [2]. NGO, s and civil society at large in order to use the research document as a springboard to launch a sustained advocacy strategy to achieve the MDG-3 target of 33% of women in parliament. Our operating premise is that improving, economic and political opportunities for women improve societies as a whole. The foundation seeks to identify change agents build constituencies for reform around key issues affecting womens states and promote internal efforts to identify and solve problems [8]. Empowerment of women involves many things economic opportunity, social equality, and personal rights. Women are deprived of these human rights, often as a matter of tradition. In rural areas, women are generally not perceived to have any meaningful income generation capacity, and hence, they are relegated mainly to household duties and cheap labour. Without the power to work and earn a good income, their voices are silenced. Even in matters of sex and child bearing, women often do not have the ability to oppose the wishes of their men. Birth control and reproductive health of women are behavioural issues affected mostly by economics, access to health care, and education. Until this reality is accepted, the desired changes may not be attainable in the foreseeable future. In a society where men control the destiny of women, how is it possible to empower women? Simply encouraging women to resist the wishes of men would not only fail, but would create mistrust of any goodwill attempts from the outside to help rural communities. Women will gain power only when both men and women begin to respect and accept the contribution of women. Developing womens capacity for income generation without threatening men is key. Two Stories (First story) First story based on The George Foundation placed in Bangalore, India and founded in 1995, was established to help alleviate poverty, promote health and a clean environment, and to strengthen democratic institutions and values in India. We have come to know of the following two events, among many others, in the course of our work with the families of the children in our boarding school, Shanti Bhavan. The first case involves a young pretty mother who was living with her son in a small hut. Her husband had earlier abandoned her, and she was not able to return to her parents as they considered her unworthy. One morning, she accompanied two men from the city who promised employment for her in the Middle East following an interview at an office somewhere, only to be gang raped and then returned to her village after a few days. Her absence was noticed by her neighbours, who blamed her for the outcome and accused her for the separation from her husband. Feeling shame, and finding that she could no longer live in the community, she set herself on fire with kerosene. Second story The second story is about a middle-aged woman whose husband had more than one wife, a common practice in rural India though not officially allowed. One of his wives contracted AIDS somehow, and while her illness had become generally known, he continued to have sexual relationship with his other wives. He made no effort to medically test or to take adequate protection measures for himself or his other women, and soon all involved contracted the disease. These two real life stories represent the endless number of lives lost from ignorance, the low status of women and their inability to control their destiny. Some example work improving reason for failure Dharmapuri District in Tamil Nadu State, India, has been identified as one of the most backward districts in the nation in terms of health and development. This District is remote and the project described below is carried out in an area about 24 kilometres from the nearest city, Hosur. Infrequent and irregular public transport hinders quick access to government emergency health services. Education facilities are limited to government primary schools of poor quality, and the nearest high school is located 10-15 kilometres from many of the villages served by The George Foundations projects [1]. Reason: In Dharmapuri District the Foundation has attempted to facilitate the development of a model community consisting of several villages that prosper from sustainable and integrated economic activities. Health and education facilities are being renovated, and economic opportunities are being shared, especially among the socially disadvantaged castes and women [1]. In this article Transitioning from a command and control culture to employee empowerment requires a commitment to long-term change. Too often, management fads and quick fixes in the name of empowerment have been implemented rather than relevant changes in management systems, structures, and cultural values. To be successful, empowerment must be seen as a long-term program of employee participation and involve-ment.but this type of program cannot run for long time [10]. Why is there still a Need for Women Empowerment? In spite of the various measures taken up by the government after Independence and even during British rule the Women havent been fully empowered. We may be proud of women in India occupying highest offices of President, Prime Minister, Lok Sabha Speaker, Sonia Gandhi, and Leader of the Opposition or women like Ms. Chandra Kochar occupying highest positions in the Corporate Sector but the fact remains that we still witness dowry deaths, domestic violence and exploitation of women. Some create history in space sport like Sunita Williams Saina Nehwal, Sania Mirza Anju Bobby George The female feticide is common phenomenon. The male female ratio though improved over last few years is still far from satisfactory. It is 940 women per 1000 men for India in some states it is as much lower as 877. These are the states where female feticide is maximum. The female literacy rate is also lower than the male literacy rate. The ground reality is deprivation, duration and exploitation of women sp ecially women from rural areas and those belonging to deprived sectors of the society. The Urban à ©lite class women have no doubt been benefitted by the efforts of women empowerment. IV. Way of Improving Empowerment of poor women in India The World Bank has been the major source of external funding through loans to governments (never directly to private institutions) for specific projects. Very few projects have ever met their goals; in fact, most rural projects have been dismal failures. Unbearable bureaucracy, terrible inefficiency, and corruption at all levels of the government have wasted much of the money allocated to rural development. Furthermore, the local officials who manage projects that target women do not themselves believe in the potential of women. Yet the process continues, without an alternative. International agencies continue to pour money into these programs, only to benefit the middlemen. Clearly, a new approach is required to have an impact on the lives of women in rural India, and to ultimately help stabilize population growth [1]. In this article the people empowering People (PEP) program uses the definition of empowerment to connect research, theory and practice. The PEP program builds on theo ry of critical adult education developed by Friere (1970), Horton (1989), and others. The focus is on the connection between individual action and community action encourages individual change through training sessions and discussions and supporting action through participants give people the opportunities, resources and support that they need to become involved themselves [7]. Nanette Page review in own article about PEP, empowerment as a multi-dimensional social process that helps people gain control over their own lives. In PEP as in we strive to teach people skills and knowledge that will motivate them to take steps to improve their own lives-to be empowered [3]. President Pratibha Patil said that women empowerment is of utmost importance if we want womens progress. He said Creating the environment which imparts equal status to women in family, society and country is the sole motive behind various facets of programmes being run for women empowerment. We have to work towards maki ng them able to take their own decisions, .Stressing on the importance of education, the President said, Education is the first tool of empowerment. Right to Education, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan have ensured that education is available to children between the age group of six and 14. Be it a boy or girl, every child must get education. It is these educated women who can in turn educate other women and teach them independence and self-confidence [9]. In this report develop the empowerment improving mater from Financial Inclusion. MasterCard embarked on an initiative to further the process of womens empowerment in the country in partnership with SEWA (Self Employed Womens Association). SEWA is a leading Indian organization that works towards helping women in securing employment opportunities, empowering them to be self-reliant with supportive services. I had the unique privilege of participating in SEWAs activities and witness their success first hand at the recent inauguration of the se venth Rural Urban Development Initiative (RUDI) processing centre at Bodeli, near Vadodara, Gujarat supported by MasterCard. Through this program we will provide full-time employment opportunities for women in 100 adjoining villages to begin with and will expand to a catchment of 300 to 500 villages in Gujarat. This will help benefit approximately 2,000 farmers and 400 SEWA members [11]. Womens Economic Empowerment through Co-operative Farming, Vocational Training Business Development Due to the lack of specific implementation plans and faulty representations, local communities have not adequately accepted government and private schemes for the upliftment of women. Women have not actively participated in their own emancipation due to their lack of economic independence and rampant illiteracy. Therefore, The George Foundation decided to address this important issue of womens empowerment in India by raising the status of women in Hosur Taluk through economic empowerment and education. Krishnagiri District is the most backward district in Tamil Nadu. In the geographical location selected, there are no high schools, no private schools, inadequate primary health sub-centres, and no NGOs. Roads, water supply, drainage and communication network are inadequate to augment economic development. Fragmented land holdings are not conducive to commercial farming. Child labour is rampant in this socially backward area. Population statistics of our country clearly indicate that quality education is out of the reach of the poor and marginalized irrespective of their innate potential. Women are often exploited by their communities. They have very little voice and no knowledge or means of improving their social and economic status. In the villages of the area, the caste system is deeply entrenched. The lower caste colonies are ostracized and basic facilities are denied to them. Female infanticide is a common practice and women are punished socially for bearing girl Children Gender biases are very evident in the preferential treatment given to the male child. Rain-dependent agriculture, home-based animal husbandry, silkworm rearing and brick making are the main income generating activities. Fisheries, horticulture and industries have been established in a few select areas such as Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri and House. Rural folk find it difficult to travel to these cities in search of jobs. The average family income level is below the poverty line. One of the popular schemes employed by several NGOs, and supported by some international and bilateral agencies, is the so-called micro-finance or small loans that usually range up to $100 (Rs. 5,000) per woman to start some form of business. Notable successes have been recorded, and the program has received considerable world attention. Most poor women entrepreneurs are said to have been able to make their businesses successful, and repay the loan. However, our experience in this area with lower caste poor women has been somewhat different. Poor women, especially from backward communities and lower castes, are mostly illiterate, untrained, and have very little social and economic status. In India, there are over 350 million such people, mainly in rural areas. The unemployed are nearly 200 million people, a great majority of them belonging to these deprived sections of the society. Without meaningful skills, social status, and economic power, they are unable to do any business on their own even with financial assistance. To start even a small rural business, it takes no less than $500. According to some studies conducted by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, Ahmadabad, the average capital need for a one-person small business is in excess of Rs. 1 lakh ($2,000). Further, the chance of making any business successful is very small the odds are barely 1 in hundred for an educated person. Uneducated lower caste rural women find it almost impossible to starting any such entrepreneurial work without adequate capital, proper training, and on-site daily support. Based on our understanding of the problem faced in our rural community, we have devised a scheme for empowering poor and socially deprived women. The key ingredients of this program can be summarized as follows: Adequate training in an area where the women have natural abilities and understanding (for example, farming and cattle rearing) Use of superior technology to obtain better output and higher profits (modern farming techniques, such as use of proper fertilizers, deep ploughing, drip irrigation, etc.) Creation of financial assets through savings (from profits generated from sale of produce, over and above wages received) Ownership of physical assets (use of financial assets to buying cultivable land  ½ acre per family) Sharing of resources such as wells, tractor, etc. among several farmers Provide a support system that addresses concerns, difficulties, know-how, etc. Access to information and markets (knowing what high-value crop to grow and when, which markets offer higher prices on a given day, tie up export contracts, etc.) Only when these requirements can be met, we believe poor illiterate rural women can be expected to turn into entrepreneurs. The George Foundation has purchased/least 250 acres of land. An executive committee composed of representatives of The George Foundation, village panchayats, and agricultural consultants has been formed. Under its direction, the soil is being prepared for crop cultivation. Superior seeds of selected crops have been purchased. The panchayats members are highly motivated about this project.People from the surrounding villages is participating in the preparation of the land for farming. This program will be expanded to cover the neighbouring state of Karnataka in its later stages. Members of the village panchayats, the village administrative officer and the block development officer have been with the project from its planning stage. The geographic community and the community of beneficiaries, particularly poor rural women, were involved in planning and implementation of the project. Changing Social Institutions to Improve the Status of Women in Developing Countries Figure 1 highlight how social institutions affect the economic role of women, i.e. their chances to have access to the labour market and to better paid and more qualified jobs such as professional workers, technicians, administrators and managers. Social institutions can exert their influence in two ways. Traditions, customs and social norms can constrain womens activities directly by not allowing them to start their own businesses, by refusing them jobs that involve contact with or managing men, or by simply not allowing them to leave the home alone. All these direct factors lead to an exclusion of women from entrepreneurial activities that are often the first step towards independence, self-esteem and liberty of choices. Morrison and Jutting (2004) analyse empirically the relationships between social institutions and the economic role of women. They measure the depth of discrimination caused by social institutions with economic (ECO) and non-economic (NON-ECO) indicators (for expl anation, see Box 1). They find that the higher the value for ECO and NON-ECO variables the lower the probability that women will play an active role in the economy. A further econometric analysis puts into question the widely believed view that a rise in income will generally facilitate womens access to the labour market [2]. Figure-1 Conclusions The Empowerment of women has become one of the most important Concerns of 21st century not only at national level but also at the international level. Efforts by the Govt. are on to ensure Gender equality but Government initiatives alone would not be sufficient to achieve this goal. Society must take initiative to create a climate in which there is no gender discrimination and Women have full opportunities of Self decision making and participating in the Social, Political and Economic life of the Country with a sense of equality. Then only the Vedic verse Wherever Women is respected, God resides there would come true. The best gift parents today can give to their daughters is education. If women choose to be ignorant then all the efforts taken by the Government and women activists will go in vain. Even in twenty-fifth century, they will remain backward and will be paying a heavy price for their dependence, so, it is a wake-up call for women to awake from their deep slumber and unders tand the true meaning of their empowerment. In the end I would like to conclude with the following words, Women as the motherhood of the nation should be strong, aware and alert. Despite the difficulties that are likely to be encountered, we believe it is possible to bring about major improvements to the lives of women in rural India. Well-planned and properly managed private initiatives can succeed in empowering women, provided the approach taken is sufficiently holistic. The time has come to go beyond small pilot projects that hardly ever lead to major undertakings. There has been much needless suffering for too long by a majority of the worlds population. It would be a noble and worthwhile effort to prove the concept on a large scale, probably for several million people in an area. That would require considerable organizational skills and management talent, with a clear focus on accomplishing set goals in a time-bound fashion. The success of such a program would be the model that international funding agencies and philanthropic institutions can build upon, and serve as a departure to the failed policies and programs of the past.

Early History Of The Pipe Organ :: essays research papers fc

Early History of the Pipe Organ The â€Å"king of instruments† has a long history, one which can arguably be traced to the concept of a collection of â€Å"fixed-pitched pipes blown by a single player (such as the panpipes)† (Randel 583). The first examples of pipe organs with the basic features of today can be traced to the third century B.C.E. in the Greco-Roman arena; it is said to have been invented by Ktesibios of Alexander and contained â€Å"a mechanism to supply air under pressure, a wind-chest to store and distribute it, keys and valves to admit wind to the pipes, and one or more graded sets of fixed-pitch pipes.† (Randel 583) These early organs used water as a means to supply air-pressure, hence the use of the terms hydraulic and hydraulis. Hydraulic organs were in use for several hundred years before the concept of bellows, similar in concept and style to those of a blacksmith, came into use with the organ. Numerous bellows were used to supply air to the wind-chest, often being pumped in pairs by men. The disadvantages of this method of air supply include the lack of consistent pressure, which leads to inconsistent pitch and tuning; also, many people were required to operate the bellows since there were upwards of twenty-four bellows per organ (Hopkins & Rimbault 35). Also, with organs of this size, the bellows took up large amounts of space, thus forcing the organ to be located in a fixed place, such as a church. Up until the eleventh century (approximately), pitch and range of organs were extremely limited, mainly in part to the lack of a any style of keyboard. Keys of a sort were introduced around this time, though not in the manner we are accustomed to. â€Å"The earliest keyboards were sets of levers played by the hands rather than the fingers.† (Randel 428) They looked similar to large rectangles â€Å" an ell long and three inches wide† (Hopkins & Rimbault 33) and were played by pushing on them with a hand, although some were large enough that one might need to step on them. While allowing no real technical dexterity, they were sufficient to play plain-song and chant melodies, particularly with the use of more than one player. As time progressed, the keys became smaller and more numerous until they began to resemble the modern keyboard (except for range) in appearance ca. 1400. While these large early organs were used in limited fashion in churches, many of the organs of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries were known as portatives or regals. Portatives were small enough to be carried and played by a single

Characteristics of a Good Learning Environment

Characteristics of an excellent learning environment. The physical place of the classroom can affect a students learning. I noticed that many classrooms are shaped like a box. In which the teacher stands at the front providing the students with information, rather than knowledge. Classrooms should be designed so that the teacher and students can meet as a group, as well be able to work independently. The method that I find works the best is when students work together as small groups. Information can be better examined and be explained in different perspectives.Students need excellent instructors in their classrooms. Instructors create a natural critical learning environment for their students. Every instuctors environment will be different in some type of way. Some instructors create this environment with lectures, discussions, or role playing. These types of teaching will help students to learn new material and apply it in their lives. Many times an instructor’s lecture is e xtremely long, and I lose interest. I often look at the clock or daydream after a while.It’s not because I don’t care what their talking about, it’s just that I enjoy working hands on. Instructors play an important role in a student’s success and should teach in a way that students best learn. The role of grades is an important part of evaluating a student. A student who works hard and puts forth a lot of effort will normally earn good grades. The students are eager to learn new material and apply it. Me, myself often works extremely hard to earn good grades. Many times I do not get my desired grade because many times I just do enough to get by.I often get frustrated with myself for not achieving a grade I could have earned. Learning is my number one role and responsibility as a student. If I fail to learn it who will learn it for me. I have to be one hundred percent dedicated to learning new things. I know that every class hat I am attending in college w ill be applied in my career. I know that I am far from being a good writer but I’m willing to learn how to become one. I will also learn how I could have written this essay better from my instructor.

Ethics Of Trial Design Health And Social Care Essay

Compare and contrast the rightful outlooks that patients and research topics may hold of the medical professionals they encounter in the clinical and test scenes. What aspects of test design prevent chase of the research topic ‘s best medical involvement? Be every bit specific as possible. Rights of patients in clinical scenes and the right of research topics in the test scenes Introduction Narratives of patients who have been denied attention or coverage with black and sometimes fatal effects[ I ], together with a series of incidences in the past such as the Washington Post narrative in late 2000[ two ]( of a 1996 medical experiment conducted by Pfizer research workers in Kano[ three ], Nigeria, depicting the slow decease of a 10-year-old miss known merely as Capable 6587-0069 while Pfizer research workers, watched her deceasing without modifying her intervention, following the protocol designed to prove their antibiotic Trovan in kids ) and the â€Å" Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis in the Negro Male †[ four ]has led to 1 ) relevant governments taking legislative and oversight involvement in the intervention of patients and the behavior of clinical tests, 2 ) a subdivision of the public naming for confidence that all those involved with patient hospitalization or intervention and clinical tests will put the protection of the rights and public assistance of patients and human topics above all other involvements and 3 ) patients and research topics anticipating and demanding certain rights. There are similarities and unsimilarities in outlooks that patients and research topics may hold of the medical professionals they encounter in the clinical and test scenes. Similarities Areas were similarities exist include ; 1. Rights to information Patients in clinical scenes expect to hold a right to information about their intervention program such as type of intervention and options available and the hazards associated with them, so that they can do informed determinations. Similarly, topics in test scenes expect to be good informed about all facet of a test they are about to inscribe in such as the rights, benefits and hazards. This is usually done via an â€Å" Informed consent †[ V ]mechanism. 2. Rights to decline intervention or medicine As a corollary of the above, patients and capable alike besides have rights to do of import determinations such as refusing, authorising or holding to undergo specific medical intervention or take any medicine or take part in a test. This is possible through the procedure of communicating between a patient and medical practicians ( a.k.a. informed consent[ six ]) , which is non unlike in the instance of topics in test scenes. In both instances the medical practician must obtain informed consent from the person concerned without coercion and incentives, utilizing a linguistic communication that they understand. The cardinal message is that consent is voluntary with freedom non to take part or retreat any clip. 3. Rights to Confidentiality Another country of similarity is the issue of confidentiality. Patients in clinical scenes have the right to speak in private with medical practicians and to hold their wellness attention information protected at all times. Similarly topics in test scenes expect medical practicians to do equal commissariats to protect their privateness and keep the confidentiality of their records. Dissimilarities[ seven ] Areas of contrast in outlooks between patients in clinical scenes and topics in test scenes include ; While patients expect that the result of their relationship with medical practicians will ensue in the proviso of medical attention, clinical tests in topics aim at advancing improved medical attention from cognition gleaned from controlled experimentation. Subjects enter into tests without the chances of holding any medical benefit. These tests are conducted on the footing that the cognition to be gained will be valuable and hence warrant the hazards. On the other manus, patients accept the hazards of medical intercession on the footing of possible medical benefits to their individuals. The medical practician has a fiducial duty to patients in a clinical scene to work in their best medical involvement. On the contrary, because the chief purpose of clinical tests is research, the medical practician in test scene has no fiducial relationship with the topics enrolled in the test. Decision In contrast to Thomas Chalmers place that the pattern of medical specialty is more or less the same thing as carry oning clinical research, because harmonizing to him every practicing physician conducts clinical tests every twenty-four hours as he sees his patients and that â€Å" clinical test † research is nil more than a formalisation of this procedure[ eight ], the similarities and unsimilarities enumerated above prompts one to differ with his positions because the unsimilarities are so important that disregarding them will ensue in non seting in topographic point the right steps to guarantee the best involvement of patients or topics are served in either the pattern of medical specialty or in clinical research. Aspects of test design that prevent chase of the research topic ‘s best medical involvement In order to reply this inquiry we have to define between healthy and non-healthy voluntaries. The facets of test design that prevent the chase of the non-healthy topic ‘s best medical involvement during research, is the usage of placebo controls, randomisation, blinding, protocols curtailing intervention flexibleness, and research processs to mensurate survey results during tests.[ nine ]This concerns whether a control group in a test must have the same intercession as the trial arm. For illustration, tests that compared a short class of Retrovir with placebo for the bar of antenatal transmittal of human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV ) infection generated considerable contention as some participants were intentionally put at hazard.[ x ]These issues are non of concern in surveies utilizing healthy voluntaries. Another aspect common to both healthy and non-healthy topics is in instances were there might be â€Å" Financial Conflicts of Interest In Clinical Research † . Significant fiscal involvements in human topics research can show serious issues and expose topics to hazards[ xi ]. The Task Force on Financial Conflicts of Interest in Clinical Research, under the protections of the Association of American Medical Colleges, in their 2001[ xii ]study pointed out that â€Å" chances to gain from research may impact – or look to impact – a research worker ‘s judgements about which topics to inscribe, the clinical attention provided to topics, even the proper usage of topics ‘ confidential wellness information † . â€Å" Fiscal involvements besides threaten scientific unity when they foster existent or evident prejudices in survey design, informations aggregation and analysis, inauspicious event coverage, or the presentation and publication of research f indings † they added.

The triumph of christianity over paganism in the middle ages.

The triumph of christianity over paganism in the middle ages. I could tell you all about the Greeks and Romans, and the wars, but anytime religion comes up, I get confused. I am not an atheist by any means, but I am not a religious fanatic. Unlike the Pagans, and even our everyday Christians, I do not rest my fate in the hands of any god or gods, or even goddesses. I believe that I control my own fate, and I do not go out of my way to please any spiritual being to insure my health and well being. I also do not understand the whole concept of fighting between the pagans and the Christians, therefore I do not believe that the triumph of Christianity was much of a historical necessity. Perhaps it was just the naive attitudes of the polytheistic Pagans, or maybe the monotheistic Christians.One of the most prominent things to stand out about Pagan religion is the belief in more than one god.Greek Easter Dinner PlateThat is the basis of being pagan. Early Greeks dating back to about 1325b.c. in Athens. The people of Athens believed in many gods, who each one in their own represented an evolutional part of life. The goal of the Greeks was to please the gods living on Mount Olympus in any way that they could. Some even went as far as sacrificing their own children. Many of the cities in Greek had their own gods, proving the polytheistic Paganism to be throughout the civilization. For example, there was the god of the sea, Poseidon. The Greeks believed that it was he who controlled the sea, and brought smooth sailing to those who deserved, and death to those who deceived them . Although Pagans worshiped more than one god, they were not known to shut out the Christians, because even thought the...

Deductive Essay on Tobacco essays

Deductive Essay on Tobacco essays Tobacco products kill more than 400,000 people in the United States a year. That is more than the number deaths from homicides, fires, AIDS, alcohol, car accidents, suicides, and illegal drugs put together. It is by far the number one cause of preventable death in the United States. Action should be taken to stop the use of this legal killer. Death is not the immediate consequence of choosing to use a tobacco product though; first you must go through the minor, disgusting, sometimes uncomfortable results that progress over years of smoking. Premature wrinkling of the skin, bad breath, clothing and hair stench, and yellowing of the nails and teeth are some of the common side effects that are not life threatening. Smokers not only put themselves at risk for disease and death, they also put at risk their family and others close to them. Infants and children are the most susceptible to disease from second hand smoke. Children are most vulnerable to disease if their mother had smoked during pregnancy or immediately after. When people smoke, it is very likely that they dont know exactly what they are inhaling. The active ingredient in tobacco is nicotine. When smoke is inhaled, nicotine is carried deep into the lungs where it is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream and carried to the heart, brain, liver, and spleen. It is a fast acting drug that affects the central nervous system, containing both stimulant and depressant characteristics. Nicotine produces elevated blood pressure by increasing heart rate and constricting blood vessels. It also acts as an antidiuretic, the effect being fluid retention. Nicotine is as addictive as heroine or cocaine. The body becomes physically and psychologically dependent on it. Smokers may not know that when they indulge their habit, they are taking in, not only nicotine, but also tar and 4,000 other harmful chemicals. Any one of these elements alone is deadly. Among the chemi...

Co-Evolution of Innovation Policy in Demark Term Paper

Co-Evolution of Innovation Policy in Demark - Term Paper Example Modern researchers who have tried to understand the correlation between Denmark’s innovation policy and industrial structure have come to conclude that a very central part of that country’s innovation policy has depended on the technology perspective of innovation. In this paper, the various roles that technology has played as an innovative tool and policy for Denmark shall be discussed. In doing this, various ways that the industrial structure and system of Denmark can management technology shall also be discussed. This means that the co-evolution of innovation policy and industrial structure in Denmark shall be taken from a technology perspective with technology management as the focus. When discussing the economic growth of nations and the input of their industrial and institutional sectors towards such economic growth, researchers always try to find a middle ground where the various challenges, changes, and improvements in the industrial and institutional sectors are measured with. This is done because industrial and institutional transformation does not happen in a vacuum or in isolation (quote). The middle grounding factor that is often linked up with; or otherwise attributed to the industrial transformation is what is referred to as co-evolution (quote). In the Danish case study of her industrial structure and institutional systems, therefore, the middle grounds that could be pointed to is the innovation policy. Most often than not, the term, co-evolution is used because the changes occur concurrently. In this scenario, therefore, we could be talking about innovation policies that went on just at the time Denmark was experiencing industrial structure transforma tion and institutional system changes. The need to always find a middle ground or a coordinated system is because such systems help in the monitoring process.  

How does DNA relate to you Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

How does DNA relate to you - Essay Example s is because, the telomeres; as a result of preventing fraying, they also prevent aging and the development of malignant tumors that threaten appropriate health (The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Washington Post, 2008). Moreover, through participating in exercise, the telomeres experience extended life by making them appear younger and thus staying in place. This leaves an individual healthy showing the direct relationship between an individual and the DNA in them. In addition, DNA is unique in everyone, which, in turn, makes every person unlike the other who follows mutation during replications. These mutations occur during terms of misprints and entire changes in replicated DNA. Therefore, this information indicates that only DNA of identical twins is similar (Port, 2008). In terms of survival, for one to live in adverse conditions, genes contained in the DNA effect changes (Designed DNA, 2012). These changes lead to evolutions and adaptations that allow an individual to cope in adverse conditions. In addition, changes could be physical in the form of shape of the teeth or hair color and even the behavior of an individual so as to escape danger (San Diego University of Man, 2001). In conclusion, the relation between an individual and DNA cannot be refuted as it is the DNA that accounts for the unique characteristics they possess. The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Washington Post. (January 29, 2008). Exercise linked to â€Å"Younger† DNA. The Seattle Times. Retrieved on 2nd July from

Criminal justice Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Criminal justice - Term Paper Example This paper will give the history of drug trafficking, the causes why it still continues to become a looming social problem, the negative effects it will do to the user and how the current justice system of the US government is coping with the preventive and corrective measures at present time to cure this problem. Keywords: illegal drugs, drug trade, capital punishment, death penalty, imprisonment, justice system ILLEGAL DRUG TRADE IN AMERICA Illegal drug trade has already been a part of the world culture and the number of drug dependents who get hooked on these substances continues to grow especially in the later years. Studies show that drug dependents are most likely to commit heinous crimes like, rape, murder, manslaughter, robbery, kidnapping with ransom and other serious crimes. The continued use of illegal drugs have destroyed the lives of innocent victims. The current justice system must be stricter in imposing stiffer penalties to prevent hardened criminals from ruining the society. Sherman (2010) has stated in her report that: â€Å"Drug trafficking is another term for drug trade. ... ses, the drug trafficking organizations are more powerful, better funded, and more heavily armed than the governments of the countries where they operate (Sherman 2010). HISTORY Seelke, Wyler and Beitter (2011) reported that: â€Å"Drug trafficking has been viewed as a primary threat to citizen security and U.S. interests in Latin America and the Caribbean despite decades of anti-drug efforts by the United States and partner governments. The production and trafficking of popular illicit drugs which included cocaine, marijuana, opiates, and methamphetamine is known to have generated an income worth of multi-billion dollar black market in which Latin American criminal and terrorist organizations thrive. These groups challenge state authority in source and transit countries where governments are often fragile and easily corrupted. Mexican drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) largely control the U.S. illicit drug market and have been identified by the U.S. Department of Justice as the â€Å"greatest organized crime threat to the United States.† Drug trafficking-related crime and violence in the region has escalated in recent years, raising the drug issue to the forefront of U.S. foreign policy concerns†. It is fact that dealers of these illegal drugs engage in the business of trading drugs because of the lucrative profit they will earn. The demand for the production is present so they continue to keep the illegal substances coming through any means they can think of. â€Å"Other researchers suggest that the drug enforcement and supply reduction efforts will fail because they cannot succeed in meaningfully raising the price or reducing the availability of the drugs. In this view, they is plenty of supply of traders who will run the moral, economic and physical risks of dealing

Computed Tomography (CT scan) Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Computed Tomography (CT scan) - Research Paper Example The last two decades have seen popularity in terms of the increase of usage and new technological implications that can enhance this machine to produce even more detailed imaging solutions in the future. That being said, the potential side effects of this imaging that have been known to cause cancer or kidney problems in most cases, make a strong case against the development and use of such a technology. This paper will elaborate on the technology and its usage with a study on the potential side effects of this kind of imaging. It will also shed light on is wide spread application in today’s medical world and means through which the harmful implications from the use of radiation technology of CT scanning can be minimized. The word tomography is derived from the Greek language where ‘tomo’ means ‘slice’ and ‘graphien’ means ‘write’ (Medical News Today, 2013). The technology basically involves the creation of 3-D imaging with the help of many 2-D images taken of the body, referring to the ‘slicing’ of images. First introduced in the 1970s, the technology has come a long way as far as the mechanism and clinical usage patterns of this technology are concerned. Starting off with the technology itself, computing tomography or Ct scanning conventionally makes use of an x-ray tube and sensory detectors that rotate behind the circular surface of the scanning head. Several functional options enable doctors to focus on a specialized scan that may be used to evaluate a specific body part for example blood vessels, nerves or bones. As the rotation takes place several mages are captured and collected as sonograms. These multiple sonograms are then made into information that can be interpreted. Sonograms combine through tomographic reconstruction to produce a series of cross sectional images. There are various types of mathematical and geometric techniques that can be used for this conversion, like linear algebra, filtered back

Should the US Taxpayer Bail Out the US Automobile Industry Term Paper

Should the US Taxpayer Bail Out the US Automobile Industry - Term Paper Example The answer to such a query should certainly be no, as such an approach goes against the sound economic principles and the spirit of a free market, which have been able to furnish the US economy with a competitive edge and a resilient sense of sustainability till date. Besides, there exist questionable approaches and elements within the framework of most of the top US automakers, which is supported by a bailout, stand to persist. The fact is that the American automakers seek money from the US taxpayers to retain their status quo, rather than for embarking upon an ambitious program to weed out the inefficiencies and lacunas existing within their setup (Gattuso and Loris 1). The politicians prefer to justify such emergency measures by citing the massive losses incurred by the US automakers. Off course, there exists ample truth in such claims. In October, the sales of GM fell by 45 percent (Gattuso and Loris 1). The Chrysler and Ford also reported respective plummeting of sales by 34.9 and 30.2 percent (Gattuso and Loris 1). The automakers ascribe this drastic drop in sales to the existing credit crunch. Still, one can not deny the reality that the US automakers did take many shoddy decisions before the credit crunch that unleashed the current crisis (Gattuso and Loris). Consequently, the US auto industry ought to change the way it works and operates, rather than attempting to stubbornly continue with its unsoun d policies by seeking a bailout. First and foremost, the US automakers must take care of the huge disadvantages in the costs that they suffer from when compared to the foreign brands. The average hourly compensation paid by the US automakers to their employees is way ahead of the remuneration extended by the foreign brands to their workers (Perry).  Ã‚  

Assignment3 economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Assignment3 economics - Essay Example When computed on an annual basis, CPI is seen to rise 4.8% during the entire year. Because of these developments in the economy, it is expected that the price of supplies and other miscellaneous expense incurred by the business organization also rises in accordance to the CPI. However, as the CPI measures only a common basket of commodity, the rise in expenditures might be bigger or smaller than CPI. Thus, the company's expenses in these goods can affect bottom line especially if prices are of our merchandise are held constant. It is therefore recommended that per unit price of merchandise increased in order to keep up with the rising expenditures. If not, net profit will fall and the company might be recording losses in the near future. The increase in the general price level is detrimental to the organization if unmatched by subsequent hike in our merchandise prices. Unemployment rate represents the percentage of unemployed individuals in an economy compared to the total labor force. In order to understand this term, it is essential to define the workforce. The entire labor force is consists of individuals from 16 years old and below retirement age who are actively looking for a job or employed. On the other hand, unemployed are those who are in the age bracket who are looking for a job in the past four weeks or those who had been laid-off (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2008). During the past month, unemployment have declined by .3% meaning that there are less people who are looking for a job. The decline in unemployment undoubtedly means increase in the employment rate. When the number of people looking for a job declines, it often means that it is much harder to find individuals who will fill up the positions in our offices. In order for us to be able to gain applicants, I strongly suggest that we review our benefits and compensation packages in order for use to attract the best potential employees. Rising monetary rewards can be enticing to applicants. However, we should also take note of non-monetary compensation like recognition, work environment, and communication processes which are also considered by individuals who are looking for a job. Employment Cost Index indicates the rise of fall of the cost of employment in the economy. This is a highly watched economic variable as it typically gives business organizations an idea of how they should tailor their employees' salaries and other paid benefits according to how the whole economy is behaving (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2008). The government reports that the ECI increases by .8% from March to April thus representing an increase in employment cost. It means that generally, employers are paying their employees .8% higher monthly or 9.6% annually. In order to keep up with this development, our company should also increase our employees' compensation together with other paid benefits in order to reduce the risk of employee turnover. This often happens when employees are not well compensated and there are opportunities in the market which offers them more benefits. However, this will affecting our bottom line as it will irrefutably increase expenditures that we shoulder. Thus, it is recommended that we also increase the price of our products and services in order to maintain our profitability. Productivity refers to the resources generated by the company's resources, per unit of input. A business

Computed Tomography (CT scan) Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Computed Tomography (CT scan) - Research Paper Example The last two decades have seen popularity in terms of the increase of usage and new technological implications that can enhance this machine to produce even more detailed imaging solutions in the future. That being said, the potential side effects of this imaging that have been known to cause cancer or kidney problems in most cases, make a strong case against the development and use of such a technology. This paper will elaborate on the technology and its usage with a study on the potential side effects of this kind of imaging. It will also shed light on is wide spread application in today’s medical world and means through which the harmful implications from the use of radiation technology of CT scanning can be minimized. The word tomography is derived from the Greek language where ‘tomo’ means ‘slice’ and ‘graphien’ means ‘write’ (Medical News Today, 2013). The technology basically involves the creation of 3-D imaging with the help of many 2-D images taken of the body, referring to the ‘slicing’ of images. First introduced in the 1970s, the technology has come a long way as far as the mechanism and clinical usage patterns of this technology are concerned. Starting off with the technology itself, computing tomography or Ct scanning conventionally makes use of an x-ray tube and sensory detectors that rotate behind the circular surface of the scanning head. Several functional options enable doctors to focus on a specialized scan that may be used to evaluate a specific body part for example blood vessels, nerves or bones. As the rotation takes place several mages are captured and collected as sonograms. These multiple sonograms are then made into information that can be interpreted. Sonograms combine through tomographic reconstruction to produce a series of cross sectional images. There are various types of mathematical and geometric techniques that can be used for this conversion, like linear algebra, filtered back

Assignment3 economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Assignment3 economics - Essay Example When computed on an annual basis, CPI is seen to rise 4.8% during the entire year. Because of these developments in the economy, it is expected that the price of supplies and other miscellaneous expense incurred by the business organization also rises in accordance to the CPI. However, as the CPI measures only a common basket of commodity, the rise in expenditures might be bigger or smaller than CPI. Thus, the company's expenses in these goods can affect bottom line especially if prices are of our merchandise are held constant. It is therefore recommended that per unit price of merchandise increased in order to keep up with the rising expenditures. If not, net profit will fall and the company might be recording losses in the near future. The increase in the general price level is detrimental to the organization if unmatched by subsequent hike in our merchandise prices. Unemployment rate represents the percentage of unemployed individuals in an economy compared to the total labor force. In order to understand this term, it is essential to define the workforce. The entire labor force is consists of individuals from 16 years old and below retirement age who are actively looking for a job or employed. On the other hand, unemployed are those who are in the age bracket who are looking for a job in the past four weeks or those who had been laid-off (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2008). During the past month, unemployment have declined by .3% meaning that there are less people who are looking for a job. The decline in unemployment undoubtedly means increase in the employment rate. When the number of people looking for a job declines, it often means that it is much harder to find individuals who will fill up the positions in our offices. In order for us to be able to gain applicants, I strongly suggest that we review our benefits and compensation packages in order for use to attract the best potential employees. Rising monetary rewards can be enticing to applicants. However, we should also take note of non-monetary compensation like recognition, work environment, and communication processes which are also considered by individuals who are looking for a job. Employment Cost Index indicates the rise of fall of the cost of employment in the economy. This is a highly watched economic variable as it typically gives business organizations an idea of how they should tailor their employees' salaries and other paid benefits according to how the whole economy is behaving (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2008). The government reports that the ECI increases by .8% from March to April thus representing an increase in employment cost. It means that generally, employers are paying their employees .8% higher monthly or 9.6% annually. In order to keep up with this development, our company should also increase our employees' compensation together with other paid benefits in order to reduce the risk of employee turnover. This often happens when employees are not well compensated and there are opportunities in the market which offers them more benefits. However, this will affecting our bottom line as it will irrefutably increase expenditures that we shoulder. Thus, it is recommended that we also increase the price of our products and services in order to maintain our profitability. Productivity refers to the resources generated by the company's resources, per unit of input. A business

Media on Youth Essay Example for Free

Media on Youth Essay Media, the widest influence known to humans. The powerhouse of civilization. Why do the youth of today praise the photo-shopped bodies of Victoria Secret or Calvin Cline Models? Why do they thrive to keep track of the latest fashion trends that they see within the pages of popular magazines such as Vogue or Cosmopolitan? It’s the type of question that has no real answer, but far too many consequences. The ‘perfect’ body. Browse through the magazines, it’s there. Most teens will do anything to get that stick figure and emphasize on anything. Eating disorders are commonly found in youths. Disorders such as Anorexia and Bulimia are mental disorders that force youths not to eat because they believe they are ‘fat’. They then refuse food, vomit food they have eaten or in some cases, use pills to lose the pounds and continue to do so even when they are considered ‘skinny’. They gradually become too thin and frail. Some teenagers become obsessed with working out which is healthy, but not when they workout two to four times a day. Obsessive working out usually allows the patient to build muscle rather than lose weight. In this mental state disorder, they don’t want rock hard abs or strong calfs, they just want to be ‘skinny’. Flip open a magazine, proceed through it and Stop! Whats there? Probably an ad from a designer, or anything subliminal that enters the mindset of a teenager. This promise for beauty and perfection is brainwashing. Fashion this summer is going retro which means the youth will ransack expensive stores looking for the latest trends they saw in that Teen Vogue magazine, or during the commercial break while watching T.V. or maybe even mounted on a giant billboard. If it says â€Å"buy this†, teens will do anything to buy it. Some teens may get into shoplifting or stealing money from their parents to get these items. Money is hard to come by when young and out of work so staying on top of the trends becomes harder to achieve. The youth should learn the value of money which media does not teach. Youth should not obsess over their bodies. With a healthy balanced diet and the right exercise, they can stay in shape and look and feel good. Teenagers don’t need a new wardrobe every week. Buy clothes that is needed at reasonable prices, or look for sales to find bargains. The youth should not buy something because of impulse. Media makes it look so easy to have or get, but in reality it’s tempting youths to be something or someone they’re not. Media is a huge influence but with the right mindset, it can be overcome and taken lightly. Media will always be there, it’s up to the individual to take what they want from these messages within reason.

Mills Sociological Imagination On Individual Problems

Mills Sociological Imagination On Individual Problems Mills (1959) talks of a sociological imagination when looking at the problems of the individual. How might this sociological imagination assist social workers? How might sociological theories offer useful insights into the socially constructed nature of many of the contemporary social problems encountered by social workers? Do this by reference to a contemporary social problem that social workers may have to work with. This paper will explore Mills theory of a sociological imagination when looking at the problems of the individual, and explain how this theory might assist social workers. The focus will then turn to poverty as a contemporary social problem encountered by social workers. Poverty will be explored and discussed by reference to how sociological theories (Marxism, Functionalism and Feminism) offer useful insights into the socially constructed nature of poverty. C. Wright Mills (1916 62) was, according to Cunningham (2008, p7) a flamboyant American sociologist. Slattery (1991, p210) claims his aim was to reform society as much as explain it, to popularise sociology and develop a sociological imagination amongst the American public. Matthewman (2007, p91) explains that a sociological imagination requires a special quality of mind. When we process it we are able to see links between biography and history, to see how the personal relates to the public, and the individual to the structural. Matthewman is supported by Leon-Guerrero (2005, p14). By continuing to develop a sociological imagination and recognising the larger social, cultural and structural forces, we can identify appropriate measures to address social problems. Cunningham (2008) explores this using an example of a person suffering from depression after losing their job. Without recognising factors outside of the personal (such as the current economic or political conditions), the p roblem cannot not be sufficiently understood, addressed or resolved. Consequently failure to develop a sociological imagination could result in judgements or assumptions being made upon the failure of the individual, rather than societal structures. Stepping back to see the bigger picture can avoid granted assumptions, labels or ones personal values coming into play. Finally, Cunningham (2008, pg7) argues that learning to think sociologically is one of the most important skills a social worker can bring to their practice. Poverty is a long standing social problem and one which is prevalent among service users. This is supported by Smale et al. (2000, p18) who claims those who use, and are required to use, social work services continue overwhelmingly to be poor and disadvantaged. Despite this, social workers have been criticised about their knowledge of the effects and origins of poverty and lack of awareness regarding societal structures in relation to poverty. Becker (1997) cited in Cunningham (2008, p47) claims social workers have little understanding of the complex processes that generate and maintain poverty; they have limited insight into how their political and welfare ideologies and attitudes to poverty affect their daily practice with poor people; they have failed to place poverty on the agenda for social work theorising, education, policy and practice. Krumer-Nevo et al. (2009, p225) writing for the Journal of Social Work Education agrees and argues that despite the profound commitment of soc ial work towards people living in poverty, the social work profession has failed to develop practice based on awareness of poverty. To measure poverty, it first it has to be defined. There is no universal agreement regarding how to define poverty, although Cunningham (2008) and Leon-Guerrero (2005) describe two main methods used, Absolute and Relative poverty. Absolute poverty constitutes a lack of basic necessities such as, food, shelter and clothing. It refers to a lack of physical needs and is more like to be found in third world countries. Relative poverty was developed by Peter Townsend. It focuses on the inequalities in society. Leon-Guerrero (2005, p224) states that it is based on the premise that some people fail to achieve the average income and lifestyle enjoyed by the rest of society. Relative poverty is a widely accepted definition in developed countries and is used by the government in the UK. The Poverty Site (2009) confirms that the (UK) governments target of halving child poverty by 2010 is defined in terms of relative poverty. Moulder (2000, p2) confirms that sociologists came to define social pr oblems as problems that concern large numbers of people, have social-structural causes, and require social-structural solutions. Leon-Guerrero (2005, p3) explains first, a problem is a social condition that has negative consequences. If there were only positive consequences, there would be no problem. Poverty has many negative consequences personally and structurally. Poverty is more than a lack of money. According to a report by the Department of Work and Pensions (2009, p2) research about the impact that poverty can have on peoples lives shows that the experience of poverty is almost always overwhelmingly negative, and can have psychological, physical, relational and practical effects on peoples lives. Moreover, poverty is a highly stigmatised social position and the experience of poverty in an affluent society can be particularly isolating and socially damaging. Beresford et al. (1999) concurs with the Department of Work and Pensions findings. Additionally, the media often report on links between poverty and health, educational attainment, teenage pregnancies, anti-social behaviour, mental health and social exclusion. All of which have a negative impact and consequence upon society. Leon-Guerrero (2005, p3) informs that a social problem has objective and subjective realities. A social condition does not have to be personally experienced by every individual in order to be considered a social problem. The objective reality of a social problem comes from acknowledging that a social condition does exist. It must be recognised at an agency (individual) level as having negative consequences for those who experience it. Poverty is apparent at an agency level in society: local clothing banks, annual Children In Need appeal; deprived areas we may have seen or live near, Big Issue sellers, seeing the homeless or beggars on the street, and in the media (reality documentaries such as The Secret Millionaire). Leon-Guerrero (2005, p6) addresses the subjective reality. The subjective reality of a social problem addresses how a problem becomes defined as a problem. It is defined by powerful groups in society (politicians, religious leaders, pressure groups, the media or even gr assroots). As noted earlier, the UK government has defined poverty as a social problem. Leon-Guerrero (2005, p6) states, they become real only when they are subjectively defined or perceived as problematic. Recognising the subjective aspects of social problems allows us to understand how a social condition may be defined as a problem by one segment of society, but be completely ignored by another. Cunningham (2008, p33) explains that in the 1980s and 1990s Conservative ministers used absolute definitions to refute claims that Britain had a significant poverty problem and that their policies had led to increased levels of poverty. The problem was defined away. This paper will now explore functionalism, Marxism, radical and liberal feminism. Functionalism was developed by Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) and further developed by Talcott Parsons. Functionalism views society on a macro scale. Slattery (1991, p63) uses a biological metaphor to explain Functionalism. It functions like any other natural organism as a system of independent parts the economy, the family, the government and so on held together by not a central nervous system but a central value system, a set of sociological guidelines called norms based on underlying moral consensus, or collective consciousness. Matthewman (2007) asserts functionalists view society as a complex system, involving a vast array of political, economic and social roles, all of which play an essential part in ensuring society functions and continues to develop. Consensus is at the heart of this theory. It assumes individuals are socialised to fit in, taught the norms of society, primarily by the family unit, secondly by educational institutions, peers, the workplace, and wider society. Le on-Guerrero (2005) claims social problems are not considered in terms of how severe they are, but how the problem arises from society, and whether it serves a function. Leon-Guerrero (2005, p228) argues that poverty is seen as a natural consequence of system stratification. This refers to rapid changes that took place in society economically and technologically. It created a workforce that was unskilled for the new economy. Functionalists believe inequalities within the workforce are inevitable. Social status, wealth and power is earned, rewarded and deserved, through skill and hard work. Davis and Moore (1945) cited in Best (2005, p29) support this, stating social inequality is thus an unconsciously evolved device by which by which societies ensure that the most important positions are conscientiously filled by the most qualified persons. A well-known writer from the political right perspective H. J. Gans (1971, p1-5) explores how poverty may exist to serve positive functions for society. Some of these include: the poor perform work others do not wish to do; they provide employment for the professionals that service them; activities such as drugs, pawn shops and prostitution continue to prosper; they serve as scapegoats (the honest and hard working can accuse them of being dishonest, lazy and scroungers); also poverty acts as a measuring tool in terms of status for the non-poor. However, Gans suggests that many of the functions served by the poor could be replaced if poverty were eliminated, but almost always at a higher cost to others, particularly more affluent others. He believes that a functional analysis must conclude that poverty persists not only because it fulfils a number of positive functions but also because many of the functional alternatives to poverty would be quite dysfunctional for affluent members. Ga ns believes poverty will be eliminated only when it becomes dysfunctional for the affluent or powerful, or when the powerless can obtain enough power to change society. Interestingly, Gans states his aim with this paper was, to show functionalism is not an inherently conservative approach, but that it can be employed into liberal and even radical analyses. The social construction of poverty from a functionalist perspective is seen as natural and beneficial for the affluent and society, or at least parts of it. Leon-Guerrero (2005, p228) supports this assertion. Functionalists observe that poverty is a product of our social structure. Functionalists do not inherently agree with poverty, they acknowledge it has functions as well dysfunctions but recognise that it has a role to play in the structure of society. They strongly believe power and wealth is earned through skill and hard work, not everyone has the talent to succeed, therefore, inequality and poverty is inevitable. The poor are seen as flawed, marked out from the rest of society, deviant and non-conforming. The current recession in the UK which has forced many more into poverty would, from a functionalist perspective, be viewed as a natural temporary occurrence. The role of a functionalist social worker would be to support individuals to get back into their role ensuring the smo oth running of society. Karl Heinrich Marx (1818-93) was one of the key influences in sociology according to Slattery (1991). Marxism is a conflict theory, which like functionalism, views society on a macro scale. However, they argue that poverty is the consequence of a capitalist society; it is constructed due to an unequal distribution of power and wealth. The main thread of the Marxist argument is that conflict exists between the classes: the bourgeoisie (who own the capital) and the proletariat (who provide the labour). Giddens (2006, p16) explains capital is any asset, including money, machines or even factories, which can be used or invested to make future assets. Giddens (2006, p16) asserts the bourgeoisie own their means of a livelihood, whereas the proletariat are wage-labour. The proletariat must seek employment from the bourgeoisie, who form a ruling class over the mass proletariat population. Payne (2005, p228) claims capitalism is an economic system in which a few people accumulate capital to i nvest in producing goods and others sell labour to them for wages. The profit earned by the bourgeoisie is seen as exploitation of the proletariat. Moreover, the bourgeoisie create a false consciousness controlling the media, policies, laws, religion and education, influencing and shaping the proletariats norms and values, idealising how society thinks. This false consciousness leads the proletariat to believe economic inequality is fair and just. This is supported by Best (2005) and Taylor et al. (2002). The most crucial point is the relationship between the two classes. Giddens (2006) explains that although each class is dependant on the other this dependency is not balanced. Giddens (2006, p16) explains the relationship between classes is an exploitative one, since workers have little or no control over their labour and employers are able to generate profit by appropriating the product of workers labour. Hilary Searing (2007) writes from a radical social work perspective. In an article Poverty in the Big Issue written for the Barefoot Social Worker website, Searing claims poverty is structurally constructed and the consequence of a modern capitalist society. Poverty and inequality seem to be an intrinsic part of modern capitalism. She criticises the government suggesting that poverty has been ignored in order to achieve economic prosperity. This Labour government, by continuing the neoliberal, modernising agenda of the previous government, regards poverty and inequality as the inevitable price to be paid to maintain competitiveness in the global economy. Like Marxists, Searing believes social class is a major factor. The social class a child is born into is a major determinant of their life chances. Searing believes social workers patch the cracks regarding poverty, rather than tackling the real structural cause. The government assumes that social workers can deal with poverty withou t tackling the underlying causes. Searing believes Labour demean social-structural causes, consequently placing the onus of poverty upon the individual. She states the government chooses to minimise the part played by social and economic factors, outside the control of the individual, in causing poverty and implies that in most cases personal inadequacy is at the root of peoples failure to remain independent and self-supporting. In summary, Marxists believe poverty is constructed by social structures; society fails the poor and the abolition of capitalism in favour of communism is the solution. According to Giddens (2006) Marxists believe revolution among the proletariat to overthrow the bourgeoisie is inevitable, and that it will bring about a new classless society. Giddens (2006, p17) explains Marxists do not consider inequality would be eliminated. Rather, that society would no longer be split into a small class that monopolises economic and political power and the large mass of people who benefit little from the wealth their work creates. Marxists would argue that the current recession was caused by greed and unethical risk taking amongst the bourgeoisie, and the proletariats will be left to bear the real costs. Cunningham (2008) argues that Marxists see social workers as agents of social control on behalf of the state, acting in the interests of the bourgeoisie. Their motive for helping people is to get them back into the work force. They believe that much of social work is around control, surveillance and assigning blame upon individuals. Payne (2005, p231) echoes Cunningham suggesting social workers are seen agents of class control enhancing the oppression by capitalist societies of the working class. They simply enable the capitalist system to reproduce itself in the next generation by helping people to cope with the difficulties of the system. Poverty is of particular relevance to feminist theories since Taylor (2002, p179) claims women are more likely to experience poverty than men. In an article for the BBC News website (2008) entitled Womens Low Pay Behind Poverty, womens pay was seen to be a major cause. The TUC said that mothers were being trapped in part-time, low-paid jobs. More than 75% of part-time workers were female. The gender pay gap for full-time workers was 17.2%. In the same article, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber asserts as 40% of households are now headed by single mothers, this has concerning implications for tackling child poverty. Haralambos and Holborn (1995, p145) claim household incomes are not distributed equally. Women tend to have smaller independent incomes than men and there is no guarantee that they will share fully the income of their husbands or partners. Additionally, women are less likely to have occupational pensions and income from investments; married women are less likely to work than married men; more women than men rely on benefits as their main source of income; lone parents are vulnerable to poverty, and a large majority are women. The majority of pensioners are also women. Glendinning and Miller cited in Haralambos and Holborn (1995, p145) claim women are more likely to live in poverty than men because they are viewed as secondary workers, their primary role is seen as domestic and they are less important than that of their husbands so they are not expected to earn a family wage. Moreover, women are disadvantaged in access to social security benefits. Only 60 per cent of women are entitled to maternity leave and many women care for sick and elderly relatives, yet they receive very small state allowances for doing so. This intermittent and often part-time employment of women leaves many illegible for unemployment benefit and redundancy pay. Moreover, within the household men command more of the family resources (of money, of food, of space and so on) an d this is legitimised by their status as breadwinners. Hill writing for The Observer (2009) suggests women suffer financially after divorce, while men become richer. She argues his available income increases by around one third. Women, in contrast, suffer severe financial penalties. Regardless of whether she has children, the average womans income falls by more than a fifth and remains low for many years. There are varying perspectives of feminism, the main three being liberal, radical and Marxist. According to Trevithick (2005) while there are differing perspectives they generally agree on certain principles. The main aim is gender equality; however, they differ on the cause and solution to this problem. Haralambos and Holborn (1995, p592) state most radical feminists broadly share the same aim as Marxists and liberal feminists they seek equality between the sexes rather than dominance. Haralambos and Holborn (1995, p592) state radical feminists see society as patriarchal it is dominated and ruled by men. According to Haralambos and Holborn (1995, p602) Kate Millet was one of the first radical feminists to use the term. Giddens (2006, p471) argues from this perspective men are responsible for and benefit from the exploitation of women and that patriarchy is viewed as a universal phenomenon that has existed across time and cultures. Leon-Guerrero (2005, p230) claims feminist scholars argue the welfare state is an arena of political struggle. The drive to maintain male dominance and the patriarchal family is assumed to be the principal force of shaping the formation, implementation, and outcomes of the U.S. welfare policy. In the UK, the preservation of marriage and the nuclear family is on the political agenda. Gentlemen (2009) writing for The Guardian claims the Conservatives say marriage is key to addressing social breakdown. They also propose rewarding married co uples. Bingham (2009) in the Daily Telegraph alleges the Tories are proposing tax breaks for married couples which would allow women who stay at home to pass on their allowance to their husband. Abramovitz (1996) cited in Leon-Guerrero (2005, p230) claims that welfare has historically served to distinguish between the deserving poor (widows with children) and the undeserving poor (single and divorced mothers). For instance, Margaret Thatcher condemned single mothers in the 1980s. According to the Workers Liberty website (2007) she once infamously proposed cutting all benefits to single mothers, stating that they should live in Salvation Army hostels or give up their children for adoption if their own families wouldnt support them. Haralambos and Holborn (1995, p592) allege the family is often seen by radical feminists as the key institution producing womens oppression in modern societies. Giddens (2006, p471) supports this stating radical feminists often concentrate on the family as one of the primary sources of womens oppression in society. They argue that men exploit women by relying on the free domestic labour that women provide in the home. As a group, men also deny women access to positions of power and influence in society. Firestone (1970), a radical feminist cited in Cunningham (2008, p96) claims womens inferiority is linked to their biological sex. Haralambos and Holborn (1995, p471) explore this further suggesting men control womens role in reproduction and child-rearing. Because women are biologically able to give birth to children, they become dependant materially on men for protection and livelihood. Most importantly this biological inequality is socially organised within the nuclear family. Giddens (2006) argues that not all radical feminists agree with Firestone, but rather believe that it originates from culture and socialisation. Haralambos and Holborn (1995, 592) argue that radical feminists believe that gender equality can only be attained by overthrowing the patriarchal order. Giddens (2006, p592) asserts that many radical feminists reject the assistance of males in reaching their aim, because men are seen as the enemies of womens liberation. In contrast, Liberal feminists according to Cunningham (2008) agree that equality should be more equal between men and women. However, unlike radical feminists they do not believe that patriarchy is the cause of womens oppression. Giddens (2006, p468) claims that liberal feminists look for explanations of gender inequalities in social and cultural attitudes. Cunningham (2008, p97) agrees with Giddens but probes deeper stating the roots of womens oppression lie with the irrational prejudice, stereotyping and outdated attitudes and practices that lead to sex discrimination occurring in all spheres of life. Like radical feminists they believe the family is oppressive to women. Women are expected to play the social role of wife and mother along with carrying sole responsibility for the household chores that go with it. Cunningham (2008, p97) believes it is an ideology that is perpetuated by the media and popular culture. A womens role is laid out before her, she is not free to find their own fulfilment. Life opportunities are not equal to that of mens. Dunne, Kurki and Smith (2009) assert that economic insecurity is believed to exist due to gender inequality. Women are disproportionately located at the bottom of the socioeconomic scale in all societies. Womens disproportionate poverty cannot be explained by market conditions alone; gendered role expectations about the economic worth of womens work and the kinds of tasks that women are expected to do contribute to their economic insecurity. In terms of addressing equality Giddens (2006, p470) claims liberal feminists tend to focus their energies on establishing and protecting equal opportunities for women through legislation and other democratic means. Haralambos and Holborn (1995) explain how liberal feminists supported the Sex Discrimination and Equal Pay Act, hoping these would help to end discrimination. They believe gradual change can be brought about within the existing social structure. Cunningham (2008, p98) states they would also support further female representation and involvement in politics by the introduction of women-only shortlists. Liberal feminists are modest in how they aim to bring about change, through anti-discriminatory legislation rather than overthrowing the system like radical feminists. Finally, Cunningham (2008, p99) points out that liberal feminists believe nobody benefits from gender discrimination. Women lose out on the ability to develop their talents, business loses out because it fails to harness the potential and ability of 50% of the population, and men lose out because they are denied the opportunity to develop close ties with their children. This paper has sought to explore how Mills theory of a sociological imagination may assist social workers when considering the problem of an individual, and how three grand sociological theories can offer useful insights into the socially constructed nature of poverty. To conclude, this paper shall consider the use of those theories upon social work practice. Cree (2000, p7) asserts sociology offers social work the opportunity to explore meanings beneath taken-for-granted assumptions about behaviour, action and social structure. It offers a knowledge and value base which is not rooted in individual pathology but instead seeks to understand individuals in the context of the broader structures that make up their lives (including social class, gender, age, race, and ethnicity) and the historical movement within which they are living. Sociology provides competing theories that offer differing perspectives to explain the emergence, existence and persistence of poverty. Moreover, they can raise awareness of oppression and disadvantage that may be constructed in social structures. Cree (2000, p208) confirms that inequality and oppression exist at both individual and structural levels. Dominelli (2002) argues that practitioners who follow emancipatory approaches seek to achieve anti-oppressive practice by focusing on the specifics of a situation in a holistic manner and mediating between its personal and structural components. To obtain this impact, social workers and their clients develop clear goals to pursue and use networking and negotiation techniques to secure change. Change usually occurs at the micro-level where interpersonal relationships are the target of the intervention(s). Such an approach could be, as suggested by Cunningham (2008, p48) task-centred. This approach offers a very practical model which is potentially very empowering. The service user decides which areas they should like to work on. Practice is based on the premise that the service user will work in partnership with the social worker and learn new methods that will equip them in the future. In this sense, workers could adopt a very practical way to address some aspects of poverty. However , Cunningham warns perhaps this still doesnt go far enough, as this method of practice is based upon an individual approach and doesnt address the bigger picture. Possibly combining task-centred working with other more radical methods of working might address this. Dominelli (2002, p86) agrees with Thompson, and suggests if poverty is causing personal hardship, institutional (meso-level) and/or societal (macro-level) changes may be required alongside endeavours aimed at helping the individual to control its deleterious effect on his or her life. Feminist and Radical methods of practice both focus on the bigger picture. According to Drakeford (2008, p310) radical social work, essentially Marxist in persuasion, suggested that alliances could be formed between clients in social welfare which would allow for vested interests to be challenged and authority to be redistributed from the powerful to the powerless. Trevithick (2005, p284) states that this approach emphasises the importance o f social, economic and political solutions to social problems, thereby shifting the onus of blame from the individual without denying responsibility. This involves social workers challenging the social structures that oppress and discriminate. Trevithick (2005, p285) claims that practitioners who work from a radical/progressive/activist perspective are passionately committed to the issue of social justice and to working alongside people from disadvantaged groups in order to initiate change. Feminist social work, according to Dominelli and MacLeod (1989, p1) is informed by a feminist analysis of social problems. Dominelli and MacLeod (1989, p.23) assert the feminist approach has focussed on identifying the specific ways in which women experience their existence; drawing peoples attention to the lack of resources, power and emotional fulfilment which hold women down; exposing the social relations and social forces responsible for creating their state of affairs; and placing the plight of women firmly on the agenda for social change. Dominelli (2008, p113) suggests feminist social work practice is also relevant to children and men. This is echoed by Cree (2000). A limitation, according to Trevithick (2005, p282) is that most women experience additional oppressions, such as discrimination in relation to class, race, age, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture and religious beliefs. And that these additional oppressions are not always given sufficient weight. Cree (2000, p209) informs that sociology may not be able to provide social work practitioners with answers, but the questions themselves lead to the potential development of sensitive, anti-oppressive practice. This is because all theories, ideas and practices are based on a particular set of political and moral principles. We therefore have to make choices about what theories we believe are most useful, and what actions we think are most helpful (or perhaps least damaging) for those with whom we are working. Social work is fundamentally about values and about value-judgements. Sociological knowledge can provide us with a framework for anti-discriminatory, anti-oppressive practice, by giving us the analytical tools with which to begin to explore the relationship between individuals and society. Mills (1959, p8) personal troubles and public issues. Cree (2000, p5) argues sociology and social work construct the individual. It is also for this reason that social workers need a sociologi cal imagination. Additionally, social works central purpose is to work on behalf of society to help those individuals and groups who are vulnerable and marginalised. If a service users problem exists due to structural of inequalities in society, and a social worker fails to make such a connection, they risk blaming the individual/group, perpetuating the oppression and discrimination already felt by social structures. Consequently, social workers need to have an awareness of the discrimination and oppression some people or groups face in society and be guarded not to perpetuate assumptions, labels or blame. Thompson (2005, p137) claims oppressive practice can happen through naÃÆ' ¯vetà © or ignorance: failing to recognise significant issues of inequality and thus exacerbating them by not addressing them. And by reinforcing stereotypes: jumping to conclusions about a particular individual without actually assessing their circumstances. Therefore, by developing and using our sociol ogical imagination and by being aware and open to theoretical perspectives and approaches to practice, we can take necessary steps to guard against anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory practice.