American Culture Essay - 939 Words

One could say that America has changed all other cultures around the world. America brought the world, cars, computers and the assembly line. But one of the most important things that America has given all other cultures is music (Crawford, 58). From the jazzy tunes of New Orleans to the soulful Native American Music, they have all changed the way others due business. Without Americas additions to these cultures, music would be very different compared to the multitude of music that America has today. A lot of people have been exposed to music, whether it be on a commercial or a music video. Music is bound to pop-up somewhere. America invented so many musical genres, beats, and lyrics that most people listen to today. America wrote the†¦show more content†¦According to Fleming(345), the public also believed that these elements of music could only be heard in cabaret houses and dancing was completely forbidden. America changed these believes around the mid-19th century. The fi rst cited jazz performances were reported by a man named Roger Prayer Dodge. This New Yorker opened the world to this new type of music that was often low-key and unheard of. Jazz opened the doors to dancing to music. In the past it was harder to dance to an orchestra or get your groove down to the latest church music. Base on the book of Fleming (214), Mr. Dodge was different from other people at the time, he looked at music as music and not as something that was proper. He rose awareness to jazz by the end of the 19th century with the death of Beethoven and the ending of a western music phase. So by then people were looking for something new and different. By 1920 the music began to be accepted as a musical practice and Dodge had accomplished what he dreamed of doing. Jazz spawned off into blues which spawned off with a combination of both making RB. Jazz opened the doors for plenty of types of music and without its inclusion many styles of music would not be around today. Americas music also served in defining people who were commonly looked over. America incorporated many AfricanShow MoreRelatedAmerican Culture1480 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿ Americanization Culture influences different aspects of an individual’s identity. In its purposefulness, it creates a feeling of belonging and a shared lifestyle among people, while it divides the world into communities of common customs, values, religion, practices, and law.1 American culture can be seen as more diverse and complex; however, people manage to find common ground through music, art, fashion, science, technology, worldviewsRead MoreA Comparison Of American Culture With The Culture1344 Words   |  6 PagesA Comparison of American Culture with the Culture of the Kung People in Kalahari Desert in South Africa Culture is defined as the way of life that a particular group of people practice because such practices determine vast aspects of their lives. Culture is fostered by social and environmental aspects. Thus, different people in the world respond to their surrounding environment in vast ways and such responses inflict the cultural aspects. The most amazing fact about culture is that everyone in theRead MoreAmerican Culture And Their Influence On The Culture960 Words   |  4 PagesOften in the case of anthropology people like to view the extreme sides of the field; either popular culture, typically seen in the United States, or remote locations only impacted by their local folk culture. In Return to Laughter, Lauren Bohannon, or her nom de plume Elenore Smith Bowen, experiences the latter as she leaves the comfort of her first world culture to spend time with the Tiv tribe in Western Africa. The Tiv is a group that lives quite differently from what Bowen is used to. They liveRead MoreC ulture : The American Culture1014 Words   |  5 PagesCulture cannot be defined because it is completely unique to the individual. Culture is something that we choose to create which helps identify ourselves as a person. Throughout the world there are many different cultures. Culture can can be based on things such as language, religion, and tradition or customs that we were raised in. Culture allows for groups of people to come together with similar interests and backgrounds to come share one common ground. Culture is everywhere we look and is in ourRead MoreReflection On The American Culture1384 Words   |  6 PagesReflection on Class Sources American culture refers to the traditions and practices of the people of the United States. Culture comprises of the nature of buildings, religion, music language and marriage. The population of the United States is more than 320 million people making it the most culturally diverse country in the globe. Books such as Crabgrass Frontier, Manifest Destination and Muscular Christianity are important sources of information about American culture. This paper is a reflectionRead MoreMulticulturalism And The American Culture871 Words   |  4 Pagesto understand and appreciate different cultures. Multicultural education seeks to reduce social conflict between minority groups because it allows the majority (Americans) to have a better understanding of the nations vast amounts of diverse cultures. In relation to the English-only laws, it sees the notion of multiculturalism as undermining American traditions and history. They tend to favor cultural literacy, in which schools teach and empath ize American values in the educational system. MulticulturalismRead MoreThe American Culture : Key Values10736 Words   |  43 PagesThe American Culture Some Key Values †¢ Individuality †¢ Results orientation †¢ Pragmatism †¢ Direct communication style Greetings and Goodbyes For most Americans a smile and verbal greeting are appropriate. In a business context, however, a firm handshake is used. Weak handshakes can be perceived as a sign of weakness. It is likely the handshake will be brief. Men usually wait for women to offer their hand before shaking. Also, direct eye contact is also appreciated. Americans tend to dislike over-formalisedRead MoreThe Culture Of American College2371 Words   |  10 PagesCultures vary tremendously throughout the world and within many of these cultures are sub-cultures that do not necessarily operate under the same standards for example, the culture of American college students. â€Å"Subcultures, according to Clark and Trow, represent clusters of attitudes, norms, and models of behaviors rather than groups of people† (Warren, 1968). It is hard for someone to not have any ethnocentric bias to a culture they have not yet been part of or witnessed first hand. TransitioningRead MoreThe Culture Of American Culture1414 Words   |  6 PagesAmerican culture is portrayed as that of every other countries traditions, rituals, and cultures. As Americans, do we know our culture to be as anything other than that of a melting pot? That being said, is it ok to say for us to say,†I can take your culture because it’s meant to be shared any way. Most of us have lived here our entire lives and it’s what we have grown accustomed to. Can we speak on anyone else’s behalf? I can. Even though I am American by birth, my blood is Mexican. I may not faceRead MoreAmerican Culture And Business Culture1719 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction This report consists of the issues on whether it can or cannot be argued that culture shapes the way business is done in a country. The country that is focused in this report is America. It also discusses on the major distinguishing features of American culture and business culture in comparison to current Australian culture. The impact that culture has on business performance is also taken into consideration and how this affects the performance of the staff members and their work.

The Macdonald Triad - 772 Words

ABSTRACT The Macdonald triad, also known as the triad of sociopath is a set of three behavioral characteristics which are associated with sociopathic behavior. How are all these tied into each other? What are some of the characteristics that are associated with the Macdonald Triad? The Macdonald triad is a set of three behavioral characteristics which are associated with sociopathic behavior. These behavioral characteristics are found in the childhood histories of individuals with sociopathic behaviors. We will examine each one of these that is associated with the Macdonald Triad. J. M. Macdonald suggested that cruelty towards animals, fire-setting and excessive bed-wetting during in childhood linked violent behavior in adulthood. This†¦show more content†¦To me there isn’t enough data to back the theories validity. The studies described in the text consist of research counts of 84, 102, 1200; that is not enough research or statistical data collection to convince me that these behaviors are direct links to the behaviors shown in serial killers. The simple downfall of this theory is the lack of research and study groups. I believe that the strength of this theory is its potential. With more money, research, studies, and attention I believe this theory’s reputation could improve. The Macdonald Triad does a good job of describing the emotional behind the act of the act. The connection between nature/nurture and a child’s emotional development process is extremely important and often times are direct indicators of how they will act or react as an adult. Now I agree that animal cruelty shows inner aggression and hatred towards themselves or another person, that bed-wetting shows lack of control, stress and signs of fear and that fire-starting is a sign of needingShow MoreRelatedEssay on Ch 4 Notes Crim 260 Serial Killers1192 Words   |  5 PagesAn altered state of consciousness whereby the individual is faced with a psychologically unresolvable conflict, which then results in a split between the psychic structure of the personality and the rest of the personality. (p.138) MACDONALD TRIAD: A triad of maladaptive behaviors that include animal cruelty, fire-setting, and enuresis. (p.123) MEPHISTO SYNDROME: A syndrome found in those who exhibit a combination of dissociation and psychopathy. (p.138) NEUTRALIZATION THEORY:Read MoreThe Culture Of America By Mark Seltzer1578 Words   |  7 Pagesvictims. Paralleling childhood experiences, psychiatrist J.M. MacDonald began to observe sadistic patients to discover the underlying traits of their childhood that becomes the building blocks of what is now known today as a killer. These observation lead to the MacDonald Triad, which states that three common behaviors during childhood can point to murder-prone children: â€Å"bed wetting past the age of five, animal cruelty and fire-setting† (MacDonald). Although these traits are common in adolescence yearsRead MoreEssay on Robert Ressler Coined the Term Serial Killer1131 Words   |  5 Pagesshowed sign of abuse as infants that may cause them to develop a pessimistic view of the world and of other human beings. Finally, but most importantly, most serial killers exhibit the Macdonald triad when they are infants. This triad is highly correlated with later violent tendencies, includ ing serial killing. The triad includes fire-setting, animal cruelty, and enuresis (bed-wetting). A highly debate issue around serial killers is the reason behind their actions. Although many theories exist aboutRead MoreStarbucks : A Large Transnational Corporation1435 Words   |  6 Pagesreflects their economic status. Thus, a large amount of stores are located in the global triad since countries within these three locations are where Starbucks can get the most profit. For example, Japan ranks high compared to other countries in terms of global economic success. As a result, many Starbucks stores are located in Japan, especially in Tokyo since it is one of the wealthiest cities within Japan (Macdonald 12). This further supports the theory that Starbucks expands its company based on theRead MoreSerial Killers : A Serial Killer1219 Words   |  5 Pagespsychologically abused as children. Also, they may often begin fantasizing about murder during or before adolescence. Criminologi sts have described the most common childhood behavior which leads to the creation of a serial killer as the â€Å"MacDonald Triad.† This ‘triad’ includes fire starting, cruelty to animals, and bedwetting during a person s childhood. Serial killers tend to behave different before and after committing their crimes. Some post-crime behaviors include: feelings of remorse of guiltRead MoreSerial Killers787 Words   |  4 Pagesnot date, possibly high school dropout, kills and leaves corpse at the scene and depersonalizes victims, thinks of them as â€Å"it†. C. Serial killers have often shown three common behaviors in there childhood. 1. These are known as the Macdonald triad they include; bed-wetting, firer setting, and animal cruelty. D. Many Serial killers have often suffered from a childhood trauma. 1. When children are neglected they don’t learn about love, trust, empathy, and how to interact with othersRead MoreThe Problem of the Trinity1660 Words   |  7 Pagesessence. The Spirit guided Jesus and connected him with his Father. The Spirit also guided the Church and communities through the ages. Girzone shows how the Spirit guides communities and individuals still today. To Girzone and other scholars such as MacDonald, this concept of the Trinity can best be understood in terms of Bubers idea of God as an I-Thou relationship where the Thou can never be boxed into any perimeters and is understood more as a presence that fills and stretches along an infinite spectrumRead MoreArthur Shawcross Killer 974 Words   |  4 Pagesinflammation of the brain and had multiple head injuries. He also claimed that he was subjected to emotional, physical and sexual abuse as a child (68) although his family denied any abuse. Additionally, he possessed the characteristics of the MacD onald Triad: cruelty to animals, enuresis and fire-setting in which a strong correlation between these behaviors and the serial-killer population exists (Hickey 123). Given all of Shawcross’ physical shortcomings, I do believe they predisposed him to theRead MorePsychological Analysis and History of Richard Trenton Chase523 Words   |  2 Pageskilling and dismembering animals to drink their blood (Storey, Strieter, Tarr, Thornton, 2005), as he had already developed an acute hypochondria. The Terrible Triad of sociopathy – and an indicator of likely violent behavior in the future – has been utilized by psychologists and criminologists alike since 1963, coined by J. M. MacDonald. It has often been used to link serial killers through these classic traits they almost always share. However, this has been given much criticism as of late, mainlyRead MoreAnimal Cruelty And Cruelty Should Not Be Considered Property Under The Law1957 Words   |  8 Pagessevere outcomes of violence towards animals, these cases provide a crash course on its manifestations and the outcomes of such acts, for both the animal victims and the animal care providers. The literature review covers research that examine the ‘triad’, i.e. bedwetting, fire setting, and torturing small animals; literature that explores animal cruelty as a precursor to human violence; studies that address animal cruelty as part of an antisocial continuum that may pre-date or post-date violence against

The Effects of Drug Abuse free essay sample

Many people do not understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. It can be wrongfully assumed that drug abusers lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop using drugs simply by choosing to change their behavior. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting takes more than good intentions. In fact, because drugs change the brain in ways that foster compulsive drug abuse, quitting is difficult, even for those who are ready to do so. Through scientific advances, we know more about how drugs work in the brain than ever, and we also know that drug addiction can be successfully treated to help people stop abusing drugs and lead productive lives. Today, thanks to science, our views and responses to drug abuse has changed dramatically. â€Å"Groundbreaking discoveries about the brain have revolutionized our understanding of drug addiction, enabling us to respond effectively to the problem,† (Volkow). Addiction is a developmental disease that begins in infancy and adolescence and is influenced by a combination of factors involving genes, environment, and an individual’s age at first drug use. The genes that people are born with in combination environmental influences of their addiction defenselessness. To addition that, gender, ethnicity, and the mental disorders may influence risk for drug abuse and addiction. â€Å"Scientists estimate that genetic factors account for between 40 and 60 percent of a person’s vulnerability to addiction, including the effects of environment on gene expression and function. Adolescents and individuals with mental disorders are at greater risk of drug abuse and addiction than the general population†, (Volkow). Few weakness genes have been found for alcohol dependence and nicotine addiction. Alcoholism is a genetically inherited disease. There are several evidences proving that â€Å"Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine conducted a genome-wide association study in 2006 and identified several novel genes involved in nicotine dependence. In 2004, researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found a protein, called Arc, which may be a culprit in drug addiction. The protein helps the brain retain memories for longer than an hour or two†, (Association of American Medical Colleges). â€Å"In 1994, scientists at the Oregon Health amp; Science University were the first to clone the mammalian gene for the D2 dopamine receptor. Dopamine is a brain neurotransmitter that is thought to be essential to the brain’s response to drugs like opiates and psycho stimulants,† (Association of American Medical Colleges). Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine researchers reported in 2006 that men’s brains show evidence of up to three times the amount of the brain chemical dopamine as women’s brains when exposed to amphetamines. This is the first clinical study that explains why more men than women abuse amphetamines and could lead to tailored treatments for drug abuse and neurologic al diseases†, (Association of American Medical Colleges). On the other hand, many people believe that â€Å"Addiction is a choice†, meaning anyone can stop or moderate their use of addictive drugs anytime they want to by just going to Meditation, Yoga, Exercise, Acupuncture and Counseling. However, drug addiction is a certain disease because one of the main reasons is called dopamine. â€Å"Addictive drugs trigger the release of the brain chemical dopamine, which in turn creates a reward circuit in the brain. This circuit registers that intense experience as important and creates lasting memories of it as a pleasurable experience. Dopamine changes the brain on a cellular level, commanding the brain to do it again, which heightens the possibility of relapse even long after the behavior (or drug) has stopped. Dopamine also helps to explain why intense experiences can be just as addictive as drugs,† (Smithstein). A person’s environment includes many different influences, from family and friends to quality of life in general. Factors such as peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, stress, and quality of parenting can greatly influence the occurrence of drug abuse and the growth to addiction in a person’s life. Many people today do not understand why some become addicted to drugs or how drugs change the brain to foster obsessive drug abuse. Parents who abuse drugs or engage in criminal behavior can increase children’s risks of developing their own drug problems. Use of substances by parents and their children is strongly correlated; generally, if parents take drugs, sooner or later their children will also. Teenagers who use drugs are more likely to have one or more parents who also use drugs. Children who depend on illicit drugs usually have poor social skills or academic failures. In 2004, researchers at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA used structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computational brain mapping to reveal structural abnormalities in the brains of chronic methamphetamine users†, (Association of American Medical Colleges). â€Å"A 2005 study at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine showed that functional MRI might be used t o predict relapse in substance-dependent individuals. A simple two-choice test correctly predicted 20 of 22 subjects who did not relapse and 17 of 18 subjects who did†, (Association of American Medical Colleges). In one study, 41% of addicted parents reported that at least one of their children repeated a grade in school, 19% were involved in truancy, and 30% had been suspended from school†, (National Association for Children of Alcoholics). People, who believe that drug addiction is not a disease, claim that have nothing do with the environment. But the scientist says that a people were influenced by a combination factors including genes and environment increased drug abuse. â€Å"In 1995, nearly 3. 1 million children were reported to child protective services as abused or neglected. Approximately one million of these reports were substantiated. Substance abuse was found to be a factor in a majority of these cases†, (sparkaction. org). Behavioral treatments help engage people, modifying their attitudes and behaviors related to drug abuse and increasing their life skills to handle complicated, stressful life circumstances and environmental cues that may trigger intense cravings for drugs. Additionally it can enhance the effectiveness of medications and help people remain in treatment in the longer term. The combination of genetic and environmental, factors with serious developmental stages in a person’s life to affect addiction vulnerability. Even though taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, the earlier that drug use begins, the more likely it will progress to more serious abuse, which teenagers will suffer more. Because their brains are still developing in the areas that choice, and self-control, young people may be especially prone to risk-taking behaviors, including trying drugs of abuse. Babies may be born premature and underweight were exposed to legal and illegal drugs in the womb. This drug exposure will damage and slow the child’s intellection and behavior later in life. Adolescents who abuse drugs often, do poorly academically, and drop out of school. They are at risk of unplanned pregnancies, violence, and infectious diseases. Adults have problems thinking clearly, remembering, and paying attention because the drugs damaging their brain cells. They often develop poor social behaviors as a result of their drug abuse, and their work performance and personal relationships suffer. Parents’ drug abuse often means chaotic, stress-filled homes and child abuse and neglect. â€Å"Such conditions harm the development of children in the home and may set the stage for drug abuse in the next generation. It is a proven fact that substance abuse is the leading cause for people to commit crimes. Drugs and alcohol can mess with a person’s mind and cause them to do stupid things, as in robberies, murders, become violent, etc. Drugs such as alcohol, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, narcotics and non-narcotics (prescription pills), opium, ecstasy, and mushrooms can all lead to psychological effects on a person’s mind. â€Å"Amphetamines and cocaine increase wakefulness, alertness and vigilance, improve concentration, and produce a feeling of clear thinking (Barton Ramp;M, 2008). There is generally an elevation of mood, mild euphoria, increases sociability, and a belief that one can do just about anything. Depending on the drugs that are being used and the way they are being used, depends on how long the effects from it will last. Some can last from a few minutes to a few hours. Usually the prescription pills last for hours and cocaine effects last for only a few minutes. Any drug can lead to problems with a person’s brain; it can make one mentally disabled. It c an also lead to regular nose bleeds, loss of smell, swallowing problems and inflammation of nasal septum. This can occur if one abuses drugs by snorting it through their nose. The abuse of prescription drugs are the second most abused drugs in our Nation, with Marijuana being first and Cocaine being third, heroin fourth, and methamphetamine fifth. This list will give an idea of exactly how serious this type of drug addiction is to our Nation today and how it will impact our future. According to the National Health Institute about 20% of people have used prescription drugs for non-medical issues (National Institutes of Health). When you are prescribed pain medication for an injury you may be told to take one pill every 4 hours but you feel that one is not working so you take two this is prescription drug abuse. You may not think that it is that big of a deal but studies say that if you abuse it once you are more at risk of abusing prescription drugs again. Although most people who abuse prescription drugs abuse pain killers there are other types that are abused also. Drug addiction is a chronic yet preventable. According to NIDA-funded research, they have shown that prevention programs relating families, schools, communities, and the media are effective in reducing drug abuse. Although many actions and cultural factors affect drug abuse trend, when people recognize drug abuse as harmful, will stop taking drugs.

Metropolitian Museum Social Atmosphere Review Essays -

Metropolitian Museum Social Atmosphere Review The social atmosphere at the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art was very mixed. I noticed that once we got there, there were a lot of people just hanging around outside on the stairs. Most of those people were younger, in the 20s and such. A lot of them looked like those weirdo art people. When I went inside, I noticed the crowd varied much more. The age ranged from very young children to very old people. People of all ages and races were there. Everyone was just admiring all of the wonderful works in there. As we walked around, I noticed that it was relatively quiet, but not silent like I would expect or remember. People were discussing things but in a very low tone of voice. I dont really go to museums so I expected it to be like, totally silent since I didnt know what to expect. I noticed that everyone was dressed very casually and comfortably. I expected to see people dressed in suits and all that jazz, but it was pretty different. Arts Essays

5 Types of Errors When Representing Numbers

5 Types of Errors When Representing Numbers 5 Types of Errors When Representing Numbers 5 Types of Errors When Representing Numbers By Mark Nichol Publications generally use one of two systems of referring to numbers: Spell out numbers to ten and use numerals for all larger numbers (with some exceptions such as informal usage of large round numbers such as â€Å"a thousand† or â€Å"a million†), or spell out to one hundred and use numerals otherwise (with the same exceptions). Beyond that, several subtle rules and conventions exist, often pertaining to use of punctuation and other symbols such as hyphens. This post presents five sentences that include types of errors pertaining to such use; each example is accompanied by a discussion and a revision. 1. The twelve jurors deliberated for 21/2 days before reaching their unanimous verdict. In a mixed fraction, the fractional element must be separated from the whole number with a letter space (unless the second element is formatted as a case fraction, with small numerals set vertically above and below a horizontal line): â€Å"The twelve jurors deliberated for 2 1/2 days before reaching their unanimous verdict.† 2. To that end, we suggested in 2014 12 ways our product contributes value. Two separate numerals placed consecutively, even when separated by punctuation, can confuse the reader’s eye, so recast the sentence so that the numerals are not adjacent: â€Å"To that end, in 2014, we suggested 12 ways our product contributes value.† (As mentioned above, many publications style numerals one hundred and below as words, which would obviate the problem shown here, but the publication this sentence is excerpted from uses Associated Press style, which spells out numerals only up to ten.) 3. An overwhelming majority of 18-to-29-year-olds get news from social media like Facebook. Number ranges involving more than just a pair of numbers are often treated using suspensive hyphenation, with the second element of a phrasal adjective, which would normally be repeated in two similar phrases, elided because it the omitted element is obvious from the context. Here, no symbol serves to bridge the number range; that function is performed by to, and the hyphens link elements of a phrasal adjective: â€Å"An overwhelming majority of 18- to 29-year-olds get news from social media like Facebook. (In a sentence referring, for example, to people ages 18–29, the symbol used is often an en dash, not a hyphen, though many newspapers and some other publications use the latter symbol.) 4. More than four-out-of-five members of that demographic use social media sources to read and watch news reports. The expression â€Å"four out of five† does not require hyphens; the phrase accompanies but does not modify members, so is not a phrasal adjective: â€Å"More than four out of five members of that demographic use social media sources to read and watch news reports.† (The same is true if numerals are used in place of words.) 5. 80-percent believe the region is a great place for career growth, 88-percent say it’s a prime place for innovation, and 70-percent say the Bay Areas economy is better than the national one. By convention, a number that begins a sentence is spelled out regardless of the prevailing style about spelling out numbers or using numerals, and numbers representing percentages are not hyphenated to the word percent: â€Å"Eighty percent believe the region is a great place for career growth, 88 percent say it’s a prime place for innovation, and 70 percent say the Bay Areas economy is better than the national one.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Style category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:How to Format a US Business Letter40 Synonyms for â€Å"Different†A Yes-and-No Answer About Hyphenating Phrases

Good Writers, Bad Books A NaNoWriMo Debrief

Good Writers, Bad Books A NaNoWriMo Debrief Good Writers, Bad Books: A NaNoWriMo Debrief NaNoWriMo is over! Whether you're out celebrating your achievement, or still mulling over your newborn novel, we thought we'd share  a personal, warm and fuzzy  NaNo experience with you, straight from our editor Rebecca Heyman, who did herself complete NaNoWriMo a few years ago. The first and only time I completed NaNoWriMo was back in 2004. I was a sophomore at NYU, and spent most of that November holed up in a coveted single dorm, smoking cigarettes out the room's lone window overlooking Third Avenue. As I recall, the manuscript was built around motifs of twinning, incest, stalking, obsession and - every college English major's favorite - death. We should all take a moment to give thanks to our respective gods that the entire thing was lost along with the hard drive on my first MacBook. It was the baddest of bad books, to put it very mildly.

Way of Thinking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Way of Thinking - Essay Example Although critical thinking or reasoning or way of thinking seems easy actually it’s a tough affair, as it requires the natural skills like consideration, reflection and deliberation. However, in order to justify the various aspects of any idea, high level of intellectual talent and knowledge is required so as to arrive at logical conclusions. On the other hand, experience of the senses may not present accurate results, as it does not include any sort of evidence. Therefore, it might be stated that critical thinking or rationale is extremely essential to attain relevant and justified conclusions that may be accepted by all individual. For example recruitment of an experienced leader or manager in an organization is accepted by all in order to enhance its productivity and profitability.Such an idea is the desire of all, i.e. manager as well as the employees. In addition, reason may be used for synthesizing and evaluating varied information in an apparent and rational way, in ord er to enhance its quality of evidences. However, it might be possible only by scientific investigation of various resources and evidences so as to reduce the pitfalls. By doing so, the accurate and actual facts might be analyzed very easily and effectively rather than the experience of the senses. So, the way of thinking or explanation is considered to be the most trust-worthy phenomenon for any individual as compared to the experience of the senses.Furthermore, reason is considered as a mental procedure that may be used in order to attain purposeful and self-regulatory analysis and judgments. By doing so, the exact problem of any situation might be analyzed or diagnosed prior finding its solutions. So that the solution might be at-per with the situation and may be accepted and acknowledged by all. However, such a facility may not be attained in case of facts evaluated through experiences of the senses.  

Health of children living in poverty in hong kong Essay

Health of children living in poverty in hong kong - Essay Example Acording to statistics in 2005, a family of three took home $8,000 while that of four and two earned a low income of $9,800 and $6,400 respectivley. Analysts have intimated that the growing disparity between the rich and the poor is one of the greatest contributor to the poor education levels of the children in Hong Kong as there is no possibility of bridging it to make things better. In essence, the rich only associate with the rich while the poor have no option other than to keep by themselves meaning that it is a continuing cycle of poor education access for the poverty stricken because they cannot free themselves from it. According to the General Household survey of 2012 (89), a significant percentage of the population above 15 years and less than 65 is economically inactive in Hong Kong hence explaining the high levels of poverty in the region. The statistics also shows that Sha tin, Kwai Tsing, Kwun Tong, Wong Tai Sin, Yuen Long, and Tuen Mun are the principle districts in Hong Kong that have continued to register high numbers of poor households. Ideally, child poverty tends to have an effect on the feeding of the same in that it creates malnutrition for those affected by the scourge because these children cannot afford to feed properly as per the nutrition requirements. Most of the children drop out of school because they have to fend fro themselves rather than study because their parents cannot afford to put them through school. Other than this, children living in poverty tend to have self-esteem issues as they tend to feel marginalized and humiliated because of their non-desirable financial status hence making them to avoid going to school(Ngo 2013). Poor health and poverty also means that these children are likely to fail attending school because they are forced to help their parents in fending especially those from single parent households.. On other the other hand,

Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway Essay Example for Free

Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway Essay Hemingways story Hills Like White Elephants appears on the surface as a brief and unremarkable vignette written almost all in dialogue, with minimal action and an unclear final resolution, the story is actually a watershed of narrative invention and a radical shift from Hemingways usual perspective, as it is most often defined by readers and critics. As Alan Cheuse remarks in his essay Reflections on Dialogue: How Dyuh Get tEighteent Avenoo and Sixty-Sevent Street? American writers, possess an acute ability to create skeins of seemingly natural language that make up a world out of human speech (Cheuse) and also represent a special gift for create entire worlds through dialogue, as is readily manifest in Hills Like White Elephants. Hemingways style of natural language is an elementary base of his technique in Hills Like White Elephants. Another narrative strategy is that he strips away the expository writing or the direct information to the reader which would help the reader to place the action of the story in context. Rather than weigh down the narrative, Hemingway leaves his story lean and bare, primarily relying on conflict-charged dialogue between the storys two main characters. By refusing to included background information or even internal monologue on behalf of the two characters, Hemingway leaves virtually everything, even what is at issue between the girl and the American, for the reader to figure out, and this strategy includes the storys final resolution: whether or not the girl in story opts to have the couples child or whether she chooses as is the mans desire, to have an abortion. The lack of final resolution is notable enough that even critics are left to their own devices to decide what happens to finish the story and conclude the conflict between the two characters. As one scholar commented, the ending has seemed stubbornly indeterminate (Renner); however, the same critic, Renner, has forwarded a compelling theory as to how the resolution of Hills Like White Elephants can be deduced from a careful study of its narrative form, imagery, and symbolism, The conflict in the title: the burden of something unwanted a white elephant merged with the symbol of hills suggesting rich fertility extends throughout the story, forms its basic theme, and functions as an axis on which the changing attitudes and evolving conflict between the characters spins. In order to integrate the various levels of narrative along Renners theoretical lines in order to find the storys true resolution, the piece must be examined from a formal perspective with due note given to its imagery and symbolism a well as the nuances contained in the storys plentiful dialogue, (Renner) which leaves the reader able to deduce that the man in the story has indeed been sensitive to the womans situation. According to Renner, the story takes place in four distinct movements and these movements are the key components to understanding the resolution of the story. Renners distinction of the four movements follows an ascending structure of character development and character conflict: In the first movement we are shown the stereotypical passive female, not even knowing her own mind, accustomed to following a masterful male for her direction in life, the next movement illustrates the girls character development toward a dramatic realization of her own mind-her own welfare, dreams, and values; by the third movement, the girl begins to assert herself, and by the fourth and final movement, we see the result of her development toward self-realization which Renner insists reveals, also, the actual conclusion of the story, (Renner). To extrapolate a probable resolution for the conflict in Hills Like White Elephants it becomes necessary to examine the conflict which lies under the overt abortion-question of the story. If the story is, indeed, about the capitulation of the girl, then her refusal to capitulate is evident form the action of the story. When the girl says Would you please, please, please, please, please, please, please stop talking, her victory is indicated. The abortion will not be performed and the realization of her independence form the man has been attained. In this way, Hemingways story reveals a feminine point of view and a feminine dominance which is usually not associated with his fiction (Renner). Works Cited Cheuse, Alan. Reflections on Dialogue: How Dyuh Get tEighteent Avenoo and Sixty-Sevent Street? . The Antioch Review Spring 2005: 222+. Meyers, Jeffrey, ed. Ernest Hemingway: The Critical Heritage. London: Routledge, 1997. Renner, Stanley. Moving to the Girls Side of Hills like White Elephants. . The Hemingway Review 15. 1 (1995): 27+.

Free Essays - Animal Farm :: Animal Farm

Having so much power is not always a good thing. In George Orwell’s classic novel Animal Farm, this is proved to an almost scary extent where the characters are mainly animals, not people. In this novel, the animals speak to each other as humans would talk to other humans, making the novel very interesting to read. The point I am trying to make here as it is proven time and time again in history, as well as in this book, is that absolute power corrupts; and it corrupts absolutely. It all starts on The Manor Farm, where Old Major (the elder pig), makes an announcement. He includes in his speech that one day the animals will revolt against the humans taking charge of them, and treating them unjustly. He ends his speech with a song, called the Beasts of England that he taught the animals from his childhood. On the farm were two pigs who Mr. Jones (the owner of Manor Farm) was breeding up for sale. One was Snowball, the other, Napoleon. Snowball was more of a talker and Napoleon more likely to take action. The rest of the pigs were porkers and there was a little fat one that was well known to most of the animals on the farm and was very persuasive, he was called Squealer. There were also sheep, chickens, and horses, the only one worth mentioning is Boxer out of the lot. Boxer was the strongest animal and the hardest worker on the farm, and so, as you could imagine, was a great help to it. As time passed, so did Old Major, and Mr. Jones was treating the animals unfairly. One night, he got drunk and didn’t come back for a whole day and even when he did, the animals were not fed. As a result the animals had enough and took a stand, they chased Mr. Jones and his men off the farm as they called it their own. Celebrations followed and life was good for the animals, they even changed the name of the farm, and got rid of anything that reminded them of humans or Mr. Jones. A few months passed and the pigs revealed that they could now read and write. As a result of this, Snowball set up the "Seven Commandments" that every animal must follow with no exceptions, but the main idea was that all animals are equal.

Spss report

Environmental problems such as climate change, ozone layer depletion, global warming, and so on are now growing at an alarming rate. Many of this problem are believed to be increasing due to human impacts as a result of irresponsible environmental behaviors, which is highly influenced by the attitudes people possess The research survey was carried out to find out the environmental attitude of respondents and their opinion on environmental issues facing Australia and the world at large.The aim of this study is to determine how some of the demographic characteristics affect environmental attitudes of the students surveyed. Thus, the differences between the environmental attitudes of the students will be explained. This study aims to find the answers to these questions: Are there any differences between the environmental attitudes of students surveyed and the degree they are enrolled in? Is there a difference in environmental attitudes to their gender? Is there a difference in environme ntal attitudes to their socio-economic status?Data was collected using an environmental attitude questionnaire which was administered to students in ENVENOMS and TIOGA of Flinders University, Forty two respondents ere received. In order to get a balance view from respondents the questionnaire has a section that asked questions on the demography of respondents which was aimed at collecting data such has age, gender, degree studied, ALGA, household and type of dwelling place. Figure 1 below shows that of 100% that responded to the survey 54. 8% were female, 42. 9% were male while the remaining 2. 4% were missing.Tablet shows that 41 respondent indicated their age with a mean value of 24. 12, while the least and maximum age of respondent is 17 years and 58 years old respectively. All respondents where from various academic background I. E. 33. 3% enrolled in B. EVEN. MGM, 26. 2% enrolled BAA, 7. 1 enrolled in B. DE, 11. 9% enrolled BAG'S, 2. 4% enrolled in B. ARCH, 4. 8%enrolled B. SC and 4. 8% enrolled in B. INTO. STUDIES. This varieties of educational background gives the survey a more outward and broad view of environmental attitude from people with different orientation.The respondents that were surveyed come from 13 different Local Government Areas of South Australia with 10 been the highest number of respondents from Inappropriate Local Government Area and Alexandrine, Norway, Payment & SST Peters, Tea tree gully and Unless having 1 respondent each this is shown in table 2 below. Majority of the respondents 64. 3% lived in a house hold as part of a family and 14% lived as a couple while the remaining percentage of respondents were shared relatively among living as group, by themselves and in a non-private home. Figure 2 below shows that 78. % of the respondents dwell in a separate house, 7. 1 in a flat. The questionnaire was designed to profile specific environmental attitudes of students which focused more on everyday activities of the respondents. The col lective information of the demography shown above shows the characteristics of the respondents which can be used to show the attitudes of the students to environmental issues based on the questions asked in the questionnaire. The first series of question were asked to ascertain the type of environmental friendly activities the students are personally involved in.Table 3 below shows that 4. 8% of the respondents are members of Land care, 1 1. 9% are members of Greenback and 14. 3% are members of a University group while 19. 0% are members of other environmental groups, 61. % of the respondents refuse excessive packaging, 73. 8% shop with their own bag, 83. 3% minimize paper use, 16. 7% attend rallies and demonstrations and 4. 8% writes letters to politicians. The array of information gotten from this section shows that a large percentage of the students are environmentally conscious and seeking to improve the quality of the environment..The second series of question were asked to sho w the type of environmental features present in the students dwelling. The table below show that 52. 4% of the students has compost bin or heap, 9. 5% has worm farm, 31. % has a rain water tank plumbed into their dwelling while 52. 4 has a rain water not plumbed into their dwelling, 9. 5% has their hot water powered by solar, 7. 1% has their electricity powered by solar, 83. 3% has compact florescent bulbs, 28. 6% dwelling has passive design while 31% has some other type of environmentally friendly features not included in the questionnaire.Table 4 below shows the average level of the respondents' agreement to the questions asked in section 3 which is aimed to determine get their opinion on different environmental issues. The average level of students that agreed that the welling they live is environmentally sustainable in terms of the energy and water they use is 3. 02, The average agreement level of students that agreed that free market mechanism, such has polluters pay, are the b est ways of dealing with environmental problems sis. 76 and 2. 7 is the average level of those that agreed that environmental protection is more important than economic growth. Those that agreed that Australian environment is in a better state now than 10 years ago has the highest level of average in this survey while those that agreed to be strongly omitted to minimizing environmental impact in their day to day activities has the lowest level of average. The level of average of those that agreed that Australia's environmental issues are cause by the actions of miners and farmers, An average of 3. 6 of the student also agreed that in the long term Australia would be acting more responsibly to the environment if it develops its nuclear resources in order to reduce the emission of CO into the environment from burning fossil fuels. The students average level of agreement that the world faces the collapse of major ecosystems within the next 20 years is 2. 4 while those that agreed with the view that scientific research and the careful actions of government and communities can repair the damage done to the environment is 2. 4. Question 4 of the questionnaire asked the students to indicate one most serious environmental issue they think is confronting the world today and 59. 5% wrote that Global warming is the most environmental issue confronting the world today while 2. 4% wrote that loss of biodiversity is the most problem facing the world as shown in figure 3 below. In question 5 the scale of the question in question 4 was changed to Australia and it as notice as shown in figure 5 below that majority 73. % wrote that water issue is the most serious environmental issue confronting Australia while loss of biodiversity and global warming are the least of the environmental issues confronting Australia. It can be deduce from the responses gotten from question 4 and 5 that global warming is the most serious environmental issue confronting the world but that Water issue is the most environmental issue confronting Australia which shows and indicate that different environmental issues is confronting different areas of the world.Question 6, 7 & 8 are questions based on the mode of transportation that each individual uses to ascertain the level of impact their mode of transport is causing the environment. Table 6 below shows the percentage of respondents that uses either the Adelaide public transport or use bicycle as means of transport and it is noticed that 38. 1% of the students use Adelaide public transport most days while 16. 7% hardly ever or never used the Adelaide transport and in contrast it is noticed that just 4. % of the students used bicycle most days compared to the 38. 1% that uses the Adelaide public transport while 47. % of the student hardly ever or never use the bicycle. It is noticed in the response of the students to question 6 and 7 that there seems to exist a relationship between the two mode of transport I. E. The percentage of usage of Adelaide transport reduces from most day (38. 1 to hardly ever or never (16. 7) use the percentage usage of bicycle increases from most days (4. 8%) to hardly ever (47. 6%) as shown in figure 6 below.Table 6 below shows the outcome of comparing the gender of respondents with their environmental attitudes based on whether they agree strongly to been committed to missing environmental impact and minimizing the use of paper. It is observed that there is a significant difference in the percentage of female 91. 3% compared to 72. 2% of male that said yes to minimizing the use of paper and these is further strengthen by the result shown with 30. 4% of female strongly agreeing to been committed to minimizing environmental impact while no male strongly agreed to the statement, Though majority of the male(88. %) agreed to been committed while compared to the 56. 5% of female that agreed. This result implies that females are ore inclined to be committed to minimizing their impact on the environment by participating more in minimizing their paper use When the degree enrolled in by the respondents was compared as shown in table 7 below it was observed that students enrolled in bachelor of environmental management and bachelor of Art are more inclined to going to the shop with their own containers than the remaining students enrolled in other courses.With students enrolled in bachelor of environmental management having the highest percentage that go to shopping with their own bags and container it shows that environmental attitudes of student enrolled in environmental topics have a higher tendency of participating and engaging in more environmentally friendly activities Table 8 and 9 below which compared the socio economic status of students surveyed with their environmental attitude based on their response to different question clearly shows that students with socio economic status above 1000 have a higher percentage of solar electricity and rainwater tank plumb ed to their dwelling than their counterpart with socio economic status below 1000. This implies that students room high socio economic status are more inclined to be able to afford environmentally friendly feature in their dwelling. Its is also notice from this study when the age of the respondents was compared to the number of students that use the Adelaide public transport and bicycle has their mode of transport. It is noticed that respondents aged 18 and 19 are both the highest(18. % each) user of Adelaide public transport, while respondents within the range of 36 to 57 years did not make use of Adelaide public transport at all. This may be as a result of older people having owned their personal vehicle. Conclusion This study was aimed at determining the environmental attitude and opinion of students and the effects of their degree of study, age, socio economic status and gender and on these environmental attitudes. In this study it has been observed that the degree a student is enrolled in has a significant effect on their environmental attitudes when the students take more environmental courses, because the participation in their environmental attitudes increases.As a result of the study, it could be concluded that the students surveyed generally had positive attitudes toward the environment regardless of the demographic characteristics used. Findings in this studies can be significant, because to face the challenges of environmental problem it is important to know the attitudes of students who are the potential leaders and policy makers of the future, so as to acquaint these younger generation with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitude relating to the environment regardless of their demography characteristic, because this students will affect and be affected by the environmental policies and decisions undertaken today.

“Remember The Titans” Directed by Boaz Yakin Essay

In the film â€Å"Remember the Titans† an important scene is at the Gettysburg battle location. Here, Boone makes an impacting speech to the players on overcoming their racism. Boone is the head coach of the mixed coloured football team he is speaking to. The film is set in the 1970’s, when racism is common. The Gettysburg scene has some visual techniques which helps one understand why it is important. One example is the silhouette with Boone the background. A verbal technique is the Boones voice is serious. Gettysburg is the turning point in the film, where the players over come their racism. At the football training camp in Gettysburg, the head coach Boone, takes them on a run at three o’clock in the morning. He takes them to the scene of the Gettysburg battle. The weather is foggy and damp. The mist from the fog, gives a softening effect on the cemetery behind Boone, when he gives his speech. The gravestones in the cemetery resemble the men killed in the battle. The gravestones also give the scene a serious effect. When Boone is speaking, one knows that what he’s saying is important because Boone is talking in a very serious and flat tone. â€Å"50,000 men were killed fighting the same fight you’re fighting.† The fight is the fight of racism. The men in the battle fought over political issues, including the use of the black slaves. The quote means that the players are fighting over racism, when the fight has already been fought with a drastic outcome. The tone of Boone’s voice is very serious, because it is clear and does not change tone. His voice impacts one because the only thing that can be focused on is the words. His voice helps me understand why it is important because he asks rhetorical questions and the words are powerful. â€Å"I don’t care if you don’t like each other, but you will respect each other.† When Boone speaks at the scene, he is standing in front of everyone, and the assistant coach, Yoast is standing with the players. This shows that Yoast connects with the players. During Boones speech there is a silhouette of Boone and the cemetery behind him. This gets the viewer to focus on the words he is saying, and the cemetery behind him, not on what he looks like saying them. â€Å"Did the die for nothing?† When he says this, the viewer is taking in what he says because one is focused on Boone himself and his words. When they get back to the camp, during a training session, the two captains shout the mantra, â€Å"left side† â€Å"strong side† to each other. This shows a new understanding and respect towards each other. They impact the rest of the team, which then come together as well. On the bus ride too the camp, the players are not talking to each other. In comparison to this, the bus ride on the way back to school, the players are all singing together. This is the turning point which shows me that Gettysburg is important. Overall I think that Gettysburg is an important scene because through Boone’s speech, the cemetery and the reactions after the speech, it shows that it affected the players because they changed from disliking and not trusting each other, to trusting and respecting each other. This shows that it must be important because of the result.

International Marketing Management Essays

International Marketing Management Essays International Marketing Management Essay International Marketing Management Essay Avery Wellness (M) Sdn Bhd is a private company specialise in total skin care and beauty product solutions in Malaysia. The company began its operation in Malaysia since 1990. Follow Me Industries Sdn Bhd is the sole manufacturing facility for all skin care and beauty products to Avery Wellness (M) Sdn Bhd. Avery Wellness business model involved in marketing and distributing skin care and sun care products within Malaysia market. The main distribution centres in Malaysia focus in all pharmacy chains, departmental stores and beauty retailers.The company is envisaged to transform from a local enterprise into a multinational brand company with growth plan to tap into overseas market. The company has a headquarter base in Subang Jaya Industrial Park with total 80 employees. The advantage of Avery Wellness products are HALAL accreditation and this gave the company a strong market presence in Muslim segment. The company with its marketing and branding strategy by le veraging on local Muslim celebrity as ambassador to successful help the brand enters the Muslim market. 2. 2 Vision and MissionAvery Wellness is visioning to capture the South East Asian market and to emerge as a dominant company in providing skin care and sun care solution for all consumers. The mission of Avery Wellness is to provide continuous innovative and reliable product to overcome all man and woman skin problems with a product certified halal accreditation. 2. 3 Sales Revenue Avery Wellness average sales revenue for the past 3 years from 2010 to 2012 mainly contributed from 3 major brands which are Ageless solution, Clear Clean and Sun Safeâ„ ¢ (Table 1).The percentage of contribution is 46%, 20% and 34% respectively. The Sun Safeâ„ ¢ brand has two main sun care products which are Sun Safeâ„ ¢ Face and Sun Safeâ„ ¢ Body. Currently the market share for these two products in sun care category is more than 35% in Malaysia. Table 1: Sale Revenue on Skin Care Brand for Avery Wellness Brand2010 (RM/Million)2011 (RM/Million)2012 (RM/Million)Averagepercentage Ageless5. 55. 86. 05. 7746% Clear Clean2. 42. 52. 52. 4720% Sun Safeâ„ ¢4. 24. 34. 34. 2734% Total Revenue12. 112. 12. 812. 5100% 2. 4 International Market Entry Objective In view of sales revenue stagnancy from year 2010 to 2012, and increasing of fixed and variable cost yearly such as cost of goods sold, salaries and wages, interest expenses and promotion, thus impacting in net income yearly. In fact, there is significant descent of net profit from 11. 4 % to only 9. 9% in year 2012 (Appendix 1). In order to sustain business growth and achieve imperative profitability, step to enter international market is essential.In particular, sustained economic growth has been experienced in emerging economies, which have become a source of expanding market opportunities and are currently underpinning the global recovery (Zizah Che Senik et al, 2010). Malaysia policy of governance encourages local SME to go International. In the effort to encourage SMEs to go global, SME Corp has introduced the National Mark of Malaysia Brand which is a certification process, audited and monitored by Sirim.Through this initiative, Malaysian Brands are developed not just for the local market, but with the intention that they would be good enough to penetrate international markets (Mohd Rithaudden Makip, 2012) In addition, the SME Master plan (2012-2020) has also outlined a High Impact Programme – Going Export Programme that will focus on addressing challenges faced by SMEs on entering new markets overseas, which include high upfront costs and the lack of detailed knowledge about the markets and local competitors (Charles Fernandez, 2013). 3 Country and Market Entry Analysis 3. 1 Country AnalysisIndonesia, Thailand and Singapore are selected as the potential markets for Avery Wellness’s expansion plan to sell HALAL accreditation sun care products. In order to minimize business fa ilure and find out the best of the country market, three candidate markets (Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore) which are the most nearest country to Malaysia are chosen to make comparison for the first step of Avery Wellness to success. The selection of oversea markets is a vital issue for a company, this is imperative as the international business environment is turbulent and more uncertain as compared to domestic market.Therefore, fully identify the potential opportunities cab be exploited while minimizing threats and risks (Fariza Hashim et al, 2010). 3. 1. 1 PESTEL Analysis PESTEL analysis will be used to focus the discussion within this analytical framework on the political, economical, social, technological, environmental and legal factors that may influence the business operation for the company (Kotler 1994). A company must be aware of many considerations such as differences in language and customs as well as political and legal when doing business internationally (Farese et al, 2002).Table 2: Comparison of PESTEL on Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore Analysis FactorCountry IndonesiaThailandSingapore Political Legal(tax)Doing business in Indonesia is complex and time consuming. This is because of negotiation through the regulatory and industrial landscape. Corruption in the country is active at all levels. Skin care Import duties and taxes of 10% are applied in this country. Thailand is an export-dependent country. A total of $ 223 billion worth of goods in 2011 were exported, accounting 69% of its GDP. Corruption and lack of transparency still a major concerns especially in procurement tender.Thailand’s average applied tariff rate is 11%. Highest tariff rates applied to imports competing with locally produced goods. Skin care is 35% of import duties and taxes. Singapore is a free port country. More than 99% of all imports enter Singapore duty-free. It is a liberal trading regime. Singapore is a strong intellectual property protection country wi th virtually no corruption. Singapore levies a 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST), including skin care products. Economic (Gross Domestic Product) Indonesia is the largest population with 240 million in Southeast Asia.GDP growth above 6. 5% in 2011 and projected to remain above 6%. GDP per capita of $3,500. .The total population in Thailand in year 2012 is 67 Million. Thai economy grew only 1% in 2011, as the devastation caused by severe flooding that happened yearly in the country. GDP growth rate only 5. 5% in year 2012 and estimated will be above 7. 5% in year 2013. Total population in in year 2012 is 5 Million Singapore economy expanded by 14. 5% in year 2012, become the second fastest growing economy in the world. GDP is expected sustainable growth of 4% in 2013.Social CulturalRich natural resources country with very strong domestic demand. Bahasa is a common speaking and language used in Indonesia. Indonesian labor cost is relatively low by compare other Southeast Countries. Con sumers are extremely price-conscious; prefer lower prices over product quality. Thai and English are the most common spoken language in the country. Labor cost is moderate, where unemployment rate in 2010 only 1% of the labor force. Most citizen and people are highly educated. English is common language for business and education. Local labor laws are flexible.EnvironmentInfrastructure and service networks still under developed in the country. Most of the area are rural and with more than 180 islands in the country. Severe flooding occurred yearly. It caused thousands of homes were inundated and many business operations affected. Singapore levies high excise taxes on motor vehicles and petroleum products due to environmental reason. TechnologyMobile internet is now emerges in the country, providing opportunities to do business through internet. E-Commerce technology enables Thai to support â€Å"business to business† collaboration.It is another technology upcoming trend in th e country. Telecommunications and Internet facilities in Singapore are extremely well developed. Resource: 2012 Country Commercial Guide for U. S. Companies ( state. gov/) 3. 2 Selection of Country Base on the PESTEL analysis (Table 2), Indonesia will be the best country as the target market of Sun Safe expansion plan outside Malaysia because of its the excellent overall performing ability, widely accepted culture, comparably higher economic growth with less interest rate, and moderate corporate tax rate.What’s more the fact that Indonesia is the largest population growth country which means a vast room for expansion has make it a more attractive market than Thailand and Singapore. 3. 3 Type of Entry mode The expansion into Indonesia market usually could be achieved by indirect investment such as exporting, licensing, trading, joint venture and direct investment. Export Trading Company acts more like an agent to pay the manufacturer for the exported products and thereafter se ll the product to interested buyers.There is an advantage to help securing foreign market share on behalf of its clients (Fariza hashim et al, 2010). Avery Wellness is recommended to start its business by appointing a local trading and distribution company in the targeted sun care market. The reasons of appointing a trading company are 2 folds: First of all, risk can be transferred to the appointed local company in the new market development. This is because risks still exist since such market expansions come along with potential failures besides profit makings.Secondly, a well established local trading and distribution company has been proved successful pool their resources such as experiences, technologies and capitals together to expand the business in a fast speed. 3. 4 Trading Company Analysis and Selection In order to minimize the rate of failure and ensure the success entry to Indonesia market, an audit to local well known trading companies is made to compare the background o f the company, services provided, distribution channel coverage and the reliabilities of the company (Fariza Hashim et al, 2010).There are 3 local trading companies which are PT Dos Ni Roha, PT Maha Jaya Suksesindo and PT Fremont Nusametal Trading that already well-established in Indonesia (Table 3). PT Dos Ni Roha is the best trading company of Avery Wellness because of its market expansion in Indonesia that covers a lot of states and operational experiences in the business. Table 3: Comparison of Trading Companies in Indonesia PT Dos Ni Roha (DNR Distribution)PT Maha Jaya Suksesindo (MJS)PT Fremont Nusametal Trading (FNT) Company BackgroundPT Dos Ni Roha (DNR) was established in year 1963. The company is now a truly professional distributor in the country.PT Maha Jaya Suksesindo (MJS) is a 15 years old trading company in Indonesia and primary business is exporting fast moving consumer goods to Indonesia Borneo and Sumatra island, and other part of ASEAN countries. PT Fremont Nusam etal Trading (FNT) main business is distribution home appliances for international brands such as Sony, Panasonic and LG in Indonesia. The company was established in 1985. Scope of ServicesSales and distribution of pharmaceutical products, consumer products, medical supplies and equipment including after sales service. Logistics services including importation, storage, shipping and inventory managementExport and distribution of consumer goods. Trading and distribution of home appliances. Distribution ChannelDNR has 30 branches and 19 sub-branches spread out all over Indonesia: Java Island (greater Jakarta, west Java, central Java, east Java), Bali Nusa Tenggara, Sumatera, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Jayapura. MJS distribution is mainly in the sub-urban and rural areas of Indonesia especially in Sumatra island. The 8 sales offices of MJS are for exporting businesses. FNT has the largest distribution coverage across the 3 main islands of Indonesia – Java, Sumatra and Borneo. The bus iness model of FNT is wholesaling of the home appliances.Business LicenseTrading license with ability to do product registration as currently distributing consumer health supplement products. Trading and Export license but MJS only experience in trading locally produced consumer goods. Trading license on home appliances Current Business PartnersDNR is one of the trading company for international consumer goods of Unilever, Kraft Food and leading local beauty products Mustika Ratu and international L’Oreal and medical products B. Braun, Novartis, Schering Plough. Yummy Food Utama is the largest consumer goods in Indonesia with brands such as Indomie and Yam Yam instant noodles.MJS is the sole trading company. Wholesaling partners for Sony, Panasonic and LG. FNT also is sole distributor of Yamaha heavy equipment in Indonesia such as water pumps, and power generators. Source: Indonesia Business Directory, www. gdgindonesia. com 4. Market and Industry Analysis 4. 1 Porter’ s Five Forces Analysis Competitive rivalry within an industry An industry could be defined as substance between the established competitors and the substitute products (Porter, 2008). And the competitive rivalry exists between the established competitors in the same product segment and it is the center of the Michael Porter’s five forces model.Sun care industry in Indonesia, though there are many large corporations such as Beiersdorf and Oriflame Coemetics, but the industrial competitive rivalry would not obviously affect Avery Wellness as there is still a large potential growth of sun care in the country. Bargaining power of customers The bargaining power of the customers also poses significant influence over the business behaviors within the sun care industry. Such forces usually could be seen in term of forced down prices, demand for higher-quality or more services and pit rival organizations against one another (Porter, 2008).However, most customers with small quantity of purchase still having low bargaining power though they only demand in effectiveness product. Threat of new entrants The threat of new entrants comes is quite high due to the low entry barriers in Indonesia. This is because Sun Care products can be imported easily into the country of only 10% import taxes imposed. Besides, Indonesia with population of 240 million people among Southeast Asia country is attracted with all multinational company to tap into this large resource country.Bargaining power of supplier Collaborations with manufacturer Follow Me Industries Sdn Bhd in Malaysia has given Avery Wellness a quality assurance and stability supplied of innovative products. Base on the excellence working relationship for more than 20 years with existing cooperation, it should be possible for Avery Wellness to control such increases in bargaining power from suppliers due to the increasing demand of products during the execution of the Indonesia market expansion plan. Threat of substitu te productsThe threat from substitute products to sun care products is very less thanks to the ingredients of sun reflective function named titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. This is because the 2 main ingredients only can be used on sun protection purpose. 4. 2 SWOT Analysis SWOT analysis used to summarize audit which concentrates upon main issues for objectives, strategies and tactics. The audit consists of internal current strengths and weakness that largely controllable, and also external future opportunities and threats that unpredictable (Lancaster Massingham, 2011). Table 4: SWOT Analysis InternalStrength: Both have been establishing for more than 20 years and expertise in product sales and marketing strategy. -Halal certification for both sun care products help to gain more Muslim consumers which is occupied of 65% of Malaysian populations and 95% of Indonesian populations. Weakness: -Avery Wellness as a Distribution company in fact fully reliable on Follow Me as a Manufactur er to provide sun care product. -Market development solely dependent on PT BNR as trading company without involving in any management and strategic planning. ExternalOpportunity: -Indonesia population estimated to be more than 250 million with 58% live in Java island. Similar tropical country with sunny weather almost throughout the year to promote the using of Sun Care product. -Common language and culture between Malaysia and Indonesia which provide easy platform for market development. Threat: -Sun Care products can be imported easily into Indonesia because of only 10% import taxes imposed. -Plenty of existing premium Sun Care brands such as Cllinique, Clarins, Biotherm are entering Indonesia market. -Sun protection awareness is still primarily high only in Jakarta district. But the sub-urban and rural populations are very lacking of health conscious towards sun protection. 4. Total Market Size and Share of Sun Care Despite the market size of Sun Care in Indonesia relatively low compare to other country such as Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand even though at same currency exchange, whereby Indonesia population is 5-10 times larger compare to these countries, but still it shown the growth of sun care market ascent almost double from 11. 3 bn Rupiah to 20. 2 bn Rupiah within 6 years from 2007 to 2012 (Table 5). Positively, a sun care product is expected to have greater growth rate in Indonesia market. Table 5: Sun Care Market Size of Indonesia Sun Care2007200820092010201120122012 * (RM mn)World (US$ mn)6,817. 17,557. 77,521. 28,161. 89,043. 39,094. 22,860. 0 Indonesia (Rp bn)11. 311. 911. 613. 516. 720. 26. 36 Malaysia (RM mn)9. 39. 49. 69. 79. 910. 110. 1 Singapore (S$ mn)14. 515. 416. 217. 318. 619. 648. 9 Thailand (Bt mn)1,046. 21,200. 81,183. 01,282. 21,401. 71,597. 0162. 0 Resource: Euromonitor International 2013 *Equivalent to Ringgit Malaysia Table 6: Indonesia Sun Care Brand and Company Shares 2007-2012 BrandCompany Name (GBO)200720082009201020112012 NiveaBeiersdorf AG40. 141. 446. 042. 236. 843. 0 OriflameOriflame Cosmetics SA24. 319. 19. 214. 321. 412. 2 Nu SkinNu Skin Enterprises Inc6. 6. 28. 39. 210. 010. 9 The Face ShopLG Household Health Cate Ltd8. 08. 39. 09. 6 VaselineUnilever Group-4. 35. 15. 55. 67. 4 Banan BoatEnergizer Holdings Inc3. 74. 14. 43. 93. 24. 3 BiothermLoreal Groupe3. 23. 33. 73. 43. 02. 9 CliniqueEstee Lauder Cos Inc1. 62. 22. 52. 42. 22. 0 ClarinsClarins SA1. 21. 71. 81. 61. 51. 4 RossolareGalenium Pharmasia Laboratories PT0. 30. 30. 40. 40. 40. 4 The Face ShopFaceshop Co Ltd6. 76. 7- OthersOthers12. 610. 710. 68. 86. 96. 0 Total100. 0100. 0100. 0100. 0100. 0100. 0 Source: Euromonitor International 2013 from trade sources/national statistics (Sun Care in Indonesia)The Sun Care brand shares held by most leading companies in Indonesia remained fairly stable from year 2007 to 2012 (Table 6). The top 3 sun care brands mainly imported from international market are Nivea, Oriflame and Nu Skin, total dominated 65-70% of sun care sales in Indonesia from year 2007 to 2012. Beiersdorf Indonesia with its Nivea Sun brand continued to lead sun care with a 46% value share in 2009. The notable fluctuation brand was Oriflame, which its overall share declined from 24. 3% to 12. 2% throughout year from 2007 to 2012 instability.However, Rossolare is the only local sun care brand owned by Galenium Pharmasia Laboratories PT at 0. 3% of total market share (Table 6). 5. Marketing Strategy 5. 1 Marketing Objectives Key Objective of Avery Wellness and PT BNR are to have Market Development of Sun Care segment in Indonesia market order to achieve: 1. Increase company sales revenue contributed from sun care brand market penetration: a. 10% in year 2013, b. 20% in year 2014 and c. 25% in year 2015. (From RM 12. 6 Mil- 2011 to RM 21. 0 Mil- 2015). (Appendix 1) 2. Capture 20% of sun care market share in Indonesia (2012 total market size in Indonesia RM 6. Mil/ 20. 2 bn Rupiah) 3. Achieve 15% net profit margin i n Sun Care product segment in line with profitability generated from other skin care segment within 3 years. 5. 2 Financial Budget 5. 2. 1 Funding Avery Wellness indirect investment strategic to appoint a local trading company in entering Indonesia new market development needs both parties commitment to success the plan. So, both parties need to have contribution in startup capital base on 2:1 ratio whereby Avery Wellness will be contributing RM 500,000 and PT DNR required allocating RM 250,000 as capital to start up the business in Indonesia (Appendix 2). . 2. 2 Working Capital Cash Flow statement is an indication to show cash coming in and out every month. It is essential for a company to use cash to pay business expenses such as bills, wages, merchandise and even unexpected expenses (Farese et al, 2002). Projected cash flow statement (Appendix 3A 3B) shows the budget planning start from December 2012 as a business startup month. Total funding of RM 750,000 (value equivalent to r upiah VER) use to pay for 2 months inventories (sun care products), import duties of 10% and promotion support in Indonesia market.Account receivable is base on 60 days term and expected cash is recovered in month of March 2013 with RM 120,000 (VER) sales collected on every subsequent month onwards. Monthly wages, general operating and administrative expenses start from month January 2013 at fixed cost of RM 24,000 and RM 5,500 respectively base on monthly basis. Inventory cost at RM 84,000 (VER) will be paid quarterly to store for 3 months supply. Product registration cost of RM 8,000 is used at one off payment to get qualified certificate to sell sun care product within Indonesia. 5. 2. 3 Sales Forecast and ProfitabilitySun SafeTM brand consists of Sun Sport body and Sun Defense face are forecasted to generate additional sales of RM 1. 2 mil in 2013 (Appendix 4). A successful marketing plan is to achieve company main objective by generating satisfaction profit (Kotler 1994). Net profit ranges is expected between 12-19% yearly, which is above the company net profit of 9. 9% in year 2012. 5. 3 Market Mix George Michael (2004) classified the 4 Ps marketing such as Product, Price, Place and Promotion as marketing mix. The target market for Sun SafeTM brand is focused on population in mass market of all age in Indonesia. 5. 3. Product There are 2 Sun care products named Sun Sport body and Sun Defense face to be sold in Indonesia market. Base on Warren Keegan model (table 7), there are 5 international product and communication strategies (Keegan Green, 2011) Table 7: Warren Keegen Model Source: (Keegan Green, 2011)) Avery Wellness is using Straight Extension whereby products that entering foreign market without changes as no requires RD expenses, manufacturer retooling or promotional modification. This will be an added advantage for Avery Wellness as the products is using Bahasa and English as communication to deliver the message.In other cases, this strategy may be a disaster; for example Campbell Soup Company experienced a loss of $30 million by introducing a condensed soup in England. The reason is product communication breakdown as consumers did not realize water is added in the soup by assuming the product in small can was expensive. 5. 3. 2 Price Sun SafeTM brand will be positioning as low pricng with high quality value to win loyal customers (Kotler Keller, 2012). The selling price for Sun Defense Face and Sun Sport Body in Indonesia will be set at RM 29 RM 25 respectively (VER). . 3. 3 Promotion PT BNR will be using straight extension strategy. Therefore, the company does not change the products and also promotion methods since the culture and language for both Malaysia and Indonesia are similar (Kotler Keller, 2012). For example, Ford adapted its advertising message due to the product used in United States would not be interpreted the same meaning by Spanish speakers. Sun SafeTM brand is expected to obtain sales of RM 1. 2 mil lions in 2013. PT BNR is budgeting 10% of the sales revenue for AP purposes.The advertisement campaign is mainly focus on brand awareness and the whole entire activities as below: 1)Press and magazines for sun protection information/article 2)Merchandising at beauty retail outlets. 3)Social media campaign. 4)Public relation of local Muslim Ambassador. 5)Sample distribution in shopping mall. 6)Sales Promotion. 5. 3. 4 Place PT BNR currently is having a very strong and established distribution network in broad channel for its existing product line in 30 branches covered the following chains such as: a. Pharmacy Chains b. Beauty Retailers c. Departmental Store 6. Management Structure and ControllingManagement is the process of reaching goals through the integrated of technology and human resources (Farese et al, 2002). To facilitate the effectiveness of an organization, PT BNR is currently practicing Horizontal Organization structure. Horizontal Organization involves self-managing team s that set their own goals and decisions; it helps the process of making spontaneous decision without delaying any important task (Farese et al, 2002) Marketing plan should be controlled using qualitative and quantitative standards including sales, market share, expenses, profitability and customers tracking.The controlling process is an indication to the evaluation of the effectiveness of an organization marketing plan (Lancaster Massingham, 2011). However, despite Avery Wellness is not participating in any sales and marketing activities but the director of sales will be monitoring and control the sales and marketing plan base on annual, profitability, efficiency and strategic control from time to time. 7. The Challenges for SME to Enter International MarketFrom a viewpoint of SME policy, the drastic changes in global growth and trade dynamics may open up opportunities for SMEs in international markets. However, they also pose a new challenge to policy makers in the need to design , adapt and implement effective policies to facilitate internationalization and enable SMEs to take full advantage of its benefits (Zizah Che Senik et al, 2010). In general, SMEs are considered to experience greater difficulties relative to large firms when operating internationally because of constrained resources and lack of international experience.Furthermore, the regulatory framework of some high-growth economies makes it more difficult for SMEs to enter the markets, which can be characterized by an unpredictable business environment likes frequent regulatory changes, weak protection of property rights, non-transparent judicial systems, inadequate enforcement of commercial law and specific institutional constraints. All these factors create additional challenges challenge to SMEs, which are typically resource constrained and inexperienced (Zizah Che Senik et al, 2010).A study on â€Å"Removing Barriers to SMEs Access to Global Markets† has identified in some of the barri ers that affect the decision in entering foreign market. Table 6 has shown the ranking of the barriers (Koji Ito, 2013). Table 8: Types of Barrier of entering foreign market RankingTypes of Barrier 1Inadequate of well trained personnel 2Working capital shortage 3Insufficient and limited information on market audit 4Wrongly identifying foreign business opportunities 5Time management to manage international business is lack 6Inability to rapture potential customers in oversea market 7No strategy to develop products for foreign markets Unfamiliar foreign business practices and regulation 9Product quality and standard not meet the country requirement 10Unfamiliar exporting procedures and processes Source: US International Trade Commission (2010). 9. Recommendations It is suggested that Avery Wellness should build a network in Indonesia by appointing PT BNR as a trading company to distribute its products in the country. However, it is recommended that Avery Wellness can use direct entry mode after the successful of product penetration into Indonesia market.

Soil Erosion in Africa

Soil Erosion in Africa Soil erosion in Africa threatens food and fuel supplies and can contribute to climate change. For over a century, governments and aid organizations have tried to combat soil erosion in Africa, often with limited effect. The Problem Today Currently, 40% of soil in Africa is degraded. Degraded soil diminishes food production and leads to soil erosion, which in turn contributes to desertification. This is particularly worrisome since, according to the UNs  Food and Agriculture Organization, some 83% of sub-Saharan African people depend on the land for their livelihood, and food production in Africa will have to increase almost 100% by 2050 to keep up with population demands. All of this makes soil erosion a pressing social, economic, and environmental issue for many African countries. Causes for Erosion Erosion happens when wind or rain carry topsoil away. How much soil is carried away depends on how strong the rain or wind is as well as the soil quality, topography (for example, sloped versus terraced land), and the amount of ground vegetation. Healthy topsoil (like soil covered with plants) is less erodible. Put simply, it sticks together better and can absorb more water. Increased population and development put greater stress on soils. More land is cleared and less left fallow, which can deplete the soil and increase water run-off. Overgrazing and poor farming techniques can also lead to soil erosion, but it is important to remember that not all causes are human; climate and natural soil quality are also important factors to consider in tropical and mountainous regions. Failed Conservation Efforts During the colonial era, state governments tried to force peasants and farmers to adopt scientifically approved farming techniques. Many of these efforts were aimed at controlling African populations and did not take into account significant cultural norms. For instance, colonial officers invariably worked with men, even in areas where women were responsible for farming. They also provided few incentives - only punishments. Soil erosion and depletion continued, and rural frustration over colonial land schemes helped fuel nationalist movements in many countries. Not surprisingly, most nationalist governments in the post-independence era tried to work with rural populations rather than force change. They favored education and outreach programs, but soil erosion and poor output continued, in part because no one looked carefully at what farmers and herders were actually doing. In many countries, elite policymakers had urban backgrounds, and they still tended to presume that rural peoples existing methods were ignorant and destructive. International NGOs and scientists also worked off of assumptions about peasant land use that are now being called into question. Recent Research Recently, more research has gone into both the causes of soil erosion and into what are termed indigenous farming methods and knowledge about sustainable use. This research has exploded the myth that peasant techniques were inherently unchanging, traditional, wasteful methods. Some farming patterns are destructive, and research can identify to better ways, but increasingly scholars and policymakers are emphasizing the need to draw the best from scientific research and peasant knowledge of the land. Current Efforts to Control Current efforts, still include outreach and education projects, but are also focusing on greater research and employing peasants or providing other incentives for participating in sustainability projects. Such projects are tailored to local environmental conditions and can include forming water catchments, terracing, planting trees, and subsidizing fertilizers. There have also been a number of transnational and international efforts to protect soil and water supplies. Wangari Maathai won the Nobel Peace Prize for establishing the Green Belt Movement, and in 2007, the leaders of several African states across the Sahel created the Great Green Wall Initiative, which has already increased forestation in targeted areas. Africa is also part of the Action against Desertification, a $45 million program that includes the Caribbean and Pacific. In Africa, the program is funding projects that will protect forests and topsoil while generating incomes for rural communities. Numerous other national and international projects are underway as soil erosion in Africa gains greater attention from policymakers and social as well as environmental organizations. Sources Chris Reij, Ian Scoones, Calmilla Toulmin (eds). : Indigenous Soil and Water Conservation in AfricaSustaining the Soil (Earthscan, 1996) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Soil is a non-renewable resource. infographic, (2015). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Soil is a non-renewable resource. pamphlet, (2015). Global Environmental Facility, Great Green Wall Initiative (accessed 23 July 2015) Kiage, Lawrence,  Perspectives on the assumed causes of land degradation in the rangelands of Sub-Saharan Africa.  Progress in Physical Geography Mulwafu, Wapulumuka. : A History of Peasant-State Relations and the Environment in Malawi, 1860-2000.Conservation Song (White Horse Press, 2011).

Final paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Final - Research Paper Example In order to grasp a clear understanding regarding the subject matter, a thorough yet simultaneous discussion will be conducted in the paper. It will show views of different historians about the reconstruction being a very imperative subject in the lives of African Americans. The significance of discussing this topic is because this was an era when major changes in the lives of African Americans took place. As a matter of fact, some of the white Americans were not able to agree with the fact that African Americans were going to gain equality by taking up jobs in the government, etc. It is imperative to understand reconstruction era before assessing the possible impact that it had on the lives of African Americans. A number of Acts were passed while this era as a number of cases was files regarding rights of African Americans and the liabilities of the white Americans to bring equality and stability within the society. Famous African American leaders were able to put forward their mandate or agenda in front of the American government to prove their mindsets and approaches towards bringing stability in the American societies. Herein, it should also be noted that the research conducted so far on the subject of reconstruction remains debated. There seems to be a lot of consensuses when it comes to the success of reconstruction (Gao). It should be noted that despite the fact reconstruction era was commissioned in order to provide a new way of living for America, it continued to spread tensions between the whites and blacks. It was noticed that during the reconstruction era, difference of social class remained high where the entitlement to natives and immigrants was also marked as a root of discord. The improvements that were more likely to take place for African Americans were in the governmental sector. For instance, African Americans were given a head start to work in the politics within the Southern region. However, many writers and historians claim

International Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 14

International Business - Essay Example In the year 2008, more than 1 million people acquired certification in IELTS (IELTS Press Release, 2008). Every year, more than 2 million people hailing from nearly 135 countries appear for IELTS (IELTS Press Release, 2008). Amongst them, a vast number of candidates happen to be from India. With the opening up of economy and the onset of globalization, every year a vast number of Indian citizens, aspiring to study or immigrate abroad, appear for IELTS (McDaniel, 2004). Considering the fact that a majority of these candidates give great importance to this test, owing to its pivotal role in the achievement of their career goals, setting up a chain of IELTS coaching centers in India stands to be a very positive business proposition. A majority of the employees recruited for this venture will be Indians. This is because they are apt to possess the local cultural competencies, which will go well with the Indian customers. Hence, awareness of cultural dimensions and characteristics will play a pivotal role in the chalking out of an effective business strategy in India. However, as IELTS is a test with an international appeal, care will be taken to introduce at least one native English speaking teacher at each center. The planning and administration will be such as to show sensitivity for the cultural norms and values of the Indian employees and customers. Specific effort will be made to make decisions guided by the insights gained into the values and attitudes of Indian employees. Locations: Due to strategic reasons, the first five coaching centers will be started at New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Chandigarh. The reason is that these cities stand to be urban and economic hubs in India. The employees here will be more likely to be open to cultural convergence. The value system of administrators and employees recruited from these places are more probable to be in consonance with global values and norms. They will be more willing to customize their

A Risk Assessment on My Comrade's Suicide-Potential Essay

A Risk Assessment on My Comrade's Suicide-Potential - Essay Example I had, and continue to have, a good share of risks -- be it at school, work, home, or community for which I serve. However, there are still those risky experiences or scenarios which seemed to test my core values and character, as a whole. One particular scenario, which this paper attempted to examine, is an encounter with my comrade’s attempted suicide. Description My comrade had been deployed for the longest time (around six years) in Base X and considers the base his second home. Though, as a soldier, he recognized and was trained to understand the mobilized nature of a soldier’s life. He still felt unprepared after being informed of re-assignment. He was not only re-assigned to some far place, but also singled out of our troop (since only he was qualified for the particular mission). He was to spend one final week with us before his re-assignment. On the first two days, I observed his covert display of depression. With these observations, I resolved to profoundly ch eck on him. Potential Consequences Mandel (2007) defined risk as referring â€Å"to the expected loss associated with an event† (p. 14). At that time, it was what I saw as a consequence of my comrade’s depression and my probable lack of intervention -- the loss of his life and the guilt-stricken me. These potential consequences plagued and pushed me not to leave him alone and check on accessible firearms he could use. The Department of Health and Human Services (2001) acknowledged an individual’s â€Å"responsibility to intervene in a timely and effective manner† on suicide attempts (p. 78). Reflecting back, I seemed to strongly identify myself as having that responsibility. Probabilities Apart from his covert efforts in displaying depression, his words had a consistent sad tint in it. Though he tries to be elusive about how he feels or what he thinks, â€Å"out-of-character comments† would eventually slip. Phrases like, â€Å"it’s never go nna be the same,† or â€Å"I think I’m weary† got followed with deep sighs and a sarcastic or cynical smile. In other words, though my comrade made an effort on sounding alright, his body language illustrate how he genuinely felt. On the days that followed, he showed signs of withdrawal. Our troop-mates would shrug at this and say that his just preparing to get used to it. However, I just went more suspicious. At one time, I saw him clean his rifle; and though cleaning is part of our routine, I cannot help but notice the way he looked at it -- it was with reverence and gloom. All of my observations accounted to the higher probability of his suicidal attempt. Impact The risk factors I identified did not just have an impact on me and my comrade. The impact of the probable consequences will surely ricochet to his family, to our troop, and direct head. Though the possible taking of his own life is his decision; we, as part of our comrade’s support system, do h ave an immense culpability in fostering a ‘distanced environment’ that allows him to commit suicide. Risk Scale and Assessment On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is no risk and 10 is the devastating loss of material assets or life, my assessment of the risk involved in this solution (i.e. my intervention) is 8. If my theory was wrong (i.e. his not going to commit suicide), then he would just laugh it off, recognize me as a true, caring comrade, and I would be extremely relieved. If my theory was right, then it would be crucial to be careful in my intervention. If I were hasty, or