Culturally Poetic

Culturally Poetic Cultural identity is the collective personality of a people usually associated with a certain group or culture, or that of an individual in relation to certain behavior, thoughts, and influences. (Central Michigan University) These beliefs and shared characteristics allow a group to establish a common ground and in turn make them unique to others. A cultural identity may be national, ethnic, or even generational. Our identity is based upon our differences when compared to other groups. Cultural identity is essentially defined by differences rather than likenesses to others. The identifiable aspects of culture are historical, linguistic, and mental. These three factors may also be found in poetry and are related to the views that an author wishes to express. In my essay, I will seek to identify elements of culture in the following poems: â€Å"Bully†, â€Å"What it’s Like to Be a Black Girl†, â€Å"Self-Pity’s Closet†, â€Å"Rite of Passage†, and â€Å"The Panther†, In Martin Espada’s poem, â€Å"Bully† cultural identity is evident throughout the length of the poem. The poem is introduced by way of location, the time period, and the year, â€Å"In the school auditorium / the Theodore Roosevelt statue / is nostalgic for the Spanish American War† (713). The poet themes seemingly focus on change within American society. This theme is noticeably identifiable in the following stanza: But now the Roosevelt school is pronounced Hernandez. Puerto Rico has invaded Roosevelt with its army of Spanish-singing children in the hallways, brown children devouring the stockpiles of the cafeteria, children painting Taino ancestors that leap naked across murals. 714) Espada effectively provides contrast between Roosevelt’s belief of ethnocentrism and the invasion of the Spanish colonies by comparing the immigration of Puerto Rican families in a 1987 Boston, Massachusetts. At the poem’s ending we are able to envision a revenge of sorts with the children now invading Roosevelt himself. The following stanza is irony at its best and brings the ele ment of culture and change to the forefront, Roosevelt is surrounded by all the faces he ever shoved in eugenic spite and cursed as mongrels, skin of one race, hair and cheekbones of another. (714) This bit of irony is representative of the fact that change once experienced on the island of Puerto Rico now too is prevalent within America. Roosevelt is declared the â€Å"bully† by his conquest and those that were once without power are now empowered through change and assimilation. This poem uses historical factors to establish a cultural identity. Patricia Smith’s, â€Å"What it’s Like to Be a Black Girl† (for Those of You Who Aren’t) approaches the idea of a black girl becoming a woman at a time when race matters were still prevalent. The author begins with a direct but conversation like tone to denote the importance of what is being imparted: First of all, it’s being 9 years old and/ feeling like you’re not finished, like your edges are wild, like there’s something, everything, wrong†¦(672) The theme here is puberty based changes that takes place according to a â€Å"black girl. † The girl feels incomplete because her body is experiencing changes. Smith goes on to describe the girl’s desire to fit into society by wanting to have the physical traits of a white woman. The young girl is displeased with being black and seeks to change her appearance: †¦it’s dropping food coloring In your eyes to make them blue and suffering Their burn in silence. It’s popping a bleached White mophead over the kinks of your hair and primping in front of the mirrors that deny your reflection†¦(672) She goes on to describe the Black Power Movement and the Motown era by mentioning â€Å"it’s flame and fists and life according to Motown. † As a blossoming young girl approaching womanhood she finds it not only difficult to become a woman, but a black woman. Finally, the girl looks forward to every woman’s dream of becoming a bride. This is evidenced in the final three lines: â€Å"it’s finally having a man reach out for you/then caving in/around his fingers. The girl anticipates a completed transition when she will become married. This poem uses mental aspects to form cultural identity during a time or racial tension. Michelle Boisseau’s, â€Å"Self-Pity’s Closet† focuses on the way that society views beauty, self-image, and self-confidence. Boisseau uses figurative speech, imagery, and perceived sounds throughout the poem to bring light to a poor self image. The theme of this poem is equated to as the poem states self-pity. What seemingly appears as others judging us blinds us to the fact that we judge ourselves far worse than others would. The closet so to speak is within the individual feelings of: â€Å"Depression, loneliness, anger, shame, envy† (999) are the basis of self-pity. Feelings of self-loathing and self-hurt are evident in the following lines: after your vast and painful declarations subtle humiliations creeping up like the smell of wet upholstery, dial tone in the brain, the conviction that your friends never really loved you†¦(1000) The author seeks to express an inner fight a person struggles with when worried about the way others perceive them. The narrator uses the words, â€Å"dial tone in the brain† to describe a continuous mode of embarrassment within herself. She is unable to part with a feeling of inadequacy and is therefore trapped by her very own self pity. This poem uses mental aspects by associating self-pity with not being able to identify with the status quo of our cultural identity. In Sharon Olds’s, â€Å"Rite of Passage† a mother examines the behavior of her son and his friend during his birthday party. The title of the poem allows the reader to relate the â€Å"rite of passage† being the journey that her son will take toward manhood. Male maturity is the theme of the poem. What makes the poem ironic is her ability to view them as men though they are but six and seven years old. The following lines are quite imaginable to any mother noticing the machismo nature of young boys: As the guests arrive at my son’s party they gather in the living room— short men, men in first grade with smooth jaws and chins. Hands in pockets, they stand around jostling, jockeying for place, small fights breaking out and calming. One says to another How old are you? Six. I’m seven. So? (811) In the last line we experience a typical conversation between two boys that are likely â€Å"sizing† each other up; the six year old responds to the seven year old â€Å"So? The mother then goes onto visualizing the boys as men with careers by stating, â€Å"They clear their/throats a lot, a room of small bankers/they fold their arms and frown†¦Ã¢â‚¬  One cannot help but to envision the boys as men at a table matching wits at an older age. The birthday boy as if chairman of the bank settles the dispute between his friends in the following lines: â€Å"speaks up as a host/for the sake of the group. /We could easily kill a two-year old,/he says in his clear voice. † The group agrees and the children return to playing or as the mother describes, â€Å"†¦they relax and get down to playing war, celebrating my son’s life. Just as Smith’s â€Å"What it’s Like to Be a Black Girl† focused on a girl approaching maturity so did Olds’ â€Å"Rite of Passage. † Olds uses mature language and terms to equate the behavior expressed by the boys as being their way of coming into manhood. The boys feel a need to intimidate each other with physical threats which showcases their immaturity on their way to adulthood. This poem identifies with the culturally defined behavior of a male having to prove he is a â€Å"man. † In Rainier Rilke’s poem â€Å"The Panther† the poet uses the panther a wild animal to express personification and similes to express confinement. An obvious reason for the panther being the subject is because its color represents a seemingly dark nature and contributes to the poem’s tone. A panther is also known to be a solitary creature that stakes out its prey. The use of the panther represents a theme of entrapment that most readers are able to identify with. The panther’s discontentment and longing to be free from his troubles is expressed as the cage’s bars. He has become so accustomed to seeing the bars that he no longer sees anything but what appears directly in front of him it is as if he has lost himself. The panther’s desperation in a sense mirrors human personality. Rilke’s offers her interpretation of this poetically by saying, His vision, from the constantly passing bars, has grown so weary that it cannot hold anything else. It seems to him there are a thousand bars and behind the bars, no world. (674) Rilke’s makes us aware that although the panther is confined we are still able to see its power and its beauty. Though caged he is still himself though he feels â€Å"paralyzed† by the cage; this feeling is interpreted in the following lines, â€Å"As he paces in cramped circles, over and over/the movement of his powerful soft strides/is like a ritual dance around a center/in which a mighty will stands paralyzed. The idea of confinement is relatable to a prisoner or anyone trapped in a situation with seemingly no way out. The panther yearns for more and this is evidenced by his pacing and boredom with his life. In the end the panther has lost his soul and his excitement is reduced to the opening of his eyes ever so slightly . It seems that the panther takes his final glance that touches him inwardly to the point his body becomes tense and his heart is excited for a split second until he realizes his situation and no longer bothers to react. This idea is well expressed in the final stanza. Only at times, the curtain of the pupils lifts, quietly—. An image enters in, rushes down through the tensed, arrested muscles, plunges into the heart and is gone. Rilke in â€Å"The Panther† and Boisseau in her â€Å"Self-Pity’s Closet† both convey the message of an inner struggle within their subjects. The poems are able to speak to the reader on a personal level and make the connection of human emotion with their dark but personal nature. â€Å"The Panther† embodied a feeling of weariness and surrender that human often time encounter in not one but within all societies and cultures. Often times we find ourselves staying within the box or the status quo instead of stepping outside of the box-in this case the cage. In comparison, the five poems that I have chosen to review are full of impact and take on a deeper meaning. They touch on outward appearances as well as inner feelings. They were all able to bring out identifiable aspects that we are all able to connect with through either personal or secondary experiences. In contrast, â€Å"Bully† came from a historical standpoint, while â€Å"What it’s Like to Be a Black Girl† and â€Å"Rite of Passage† focused on what is accepted by society. Lastly, â€Å"Self-Pity’s Closet† and â€Å"The Panther† dealt with inner struggles and the way that we tend to view ourselves when we take an inner look. Works Cited Central Michigan University. Cultural Identity as an Instrument. 8 May 2006. 3 November 2009 . Boisseau, Michelle. â€Å"Self Pity's Closet. † Mayer, Michael. The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2009. 999-1000. Espada, Martin. â€Å"Bully. Mayer, Michael. The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2009. 713-714. Olds, Sharon. â€Å"Rite of Passage. † Mayer, Michael. The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2009. 811-812. Rilke, Rainier Maria. â€Å"The Panther. † Mayer, Michael. The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2009. 674. Smith, Patricia. â€Å"What It’s Like to Be a Black Girl. † Mayer, Michael. The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literat ure. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2009. 672-73

Anatomy and Physiology of the Breast

Anatomy & Physiology Information Flowchart/Display The Incredible Human Body Flip Charts 03. 03. 001 Your body is one of the most amazing machines you'll find anywhere! Find out what's inside of you, and learn about how your different organs work. Look at the clear plastic overlay charts to see how the different body structures fit together. And when think you've learned everything, try out the Mix ; Match Human Body Sticker Quiz! The is flowchart includes: 12 body charts, 5 guesthouse layer posters and 18 reusable peel-off stickers. Copyright 2008, Hastings ; Rather Health Promotion Resources CentrePage 1 Anatomy ; Physiology Game The Body Game 03. 04. 001 Jane Bunting and Jane Coney All children are fascinated by the human body and how it works. The Body Game is a fun way for children to find out about different parts of the human body and discover what these parts of the body can do. Designed for children aged 3 to 6. Page 2 Anatomy ; Physiology Model/Teaching Aid Cross Section He art Model 03. 07. 020 Female Reproductive Display 03. 07. 017 This soft foamed model separates to create a cross-section view of the heart for hands-on classroom demonstrations. https://donemyessay.com/anatomy-and-physiology/The areas of the heart are labeled on the inside. Model measures CACM in diameter. Ages 7+ The Female Reproductive Display effectively shows the parts of the female each part has and process of fertilization. Complete with 7 removable parts, 8 labels, teachers' notes and work sheet. Size 42 x CACM. Eye In Orbit 03. 07. 010 Flexible Spine 03. 07. 012 This model shows the eye with optic nerve in its position in the bone orbit (floor and medical wall). The eyeball is dismissible into both halves of the sclera with cornea and eye muscles, both halves of choroids with iris and retina, lens and vitreous humor. Times fulfills, with 7 parts. Dimensions: 18 x 26 x LLC. Flexible Spine with Pelvis: showing indications of spinal cord, nerve roots, vertebral arteries and prolapsed disc. Complete with stand. Giant Three-part Ear 03. 07. 01 1 Female Pelvis 03. 07. 002 A detailed representation of the female pelvis (median section) with sexual organs is given in this two-part, life- size model. Its internal sexual organs, urinary bladder, and rectum are removable. Dwarfing ordinary ear models, this unbreakable polymer reproduction depicts the human organ of hearing and balance scaled to 5 times life size.Thirty-six hand- numbered features are identified in the accompanying key. Overall dimensions of Giantess: 16 x 11 x 7 inches (41 x 26 x CACM) Page 3 with a stand, and has movable arms and legs. Head & Neck: Median Section 03. 07. 004 Organ Tunic This model (median section of head & neck) is life-size and shows important This highly tactile resource, includes 11 velour-on D organs and it is embroidered with a pelvis, spine and D ribcage. The intestine may be unraveled to show its length. Includes a set of 11 detailed labels and a reference sheet. Size 700 XML Heart: Model 03. 07. 006This heart model is enlarged to about twice natural size and can be separated into four parts, mounted on a base. Pelvic Model 03. 07. 014 Male Reprod uctive Display 03. 07. 021 A convenient, portable model providing a dimensional visual aid, can be used to demonstrate the insertion and location of a diaphragm or intra-uterine device to patients. Lunches an information Brochure Pupils need to understand the process of reproduction; using this interactive display the main components of the reproductive organs are clearly demonstrated. Includes 9 removable parts, 9 labels, teachers' notes and worksheets. Size 42 x CACM.Section Of Skin 03. 07. 005 Relief model of the skin showing two hair follicles (fully exposed and in section) and two sweat-glands. On a base and approximately 70 times enlarged. Mini-skeleton 03. 07. 008 Approximately 26†³ high, this mint-skeleton is a first-class model of a human skeleton. Suitable for teaching basic anatomy, it comes Copyright 2008, Hastings & Rather Health Promotion Resources Centre Page 4 Unhealthy Organ Pack 03. 07. 009 The Anatomical Chart Series This Anatomical Chart Series features 48 t itles in full color. Charts sorted into 3 sections:- Systems of the Body, Structures/Organs and Disease/Disorders.Pop open the hidden easel, flip charts for individual viewing. Ideal for studying human anatomy, patient consultation or quick reference. Using differing textures, colors & lumps these organs show the harmful effects of smoking and alcohol. The pack includes 8 organs, 7 labels, 10 blank labels and detailed teacher's notes. This pack of organs is highly effective when used in conjunction with the organ tunic [03. 07. 003]. The Human Body: Bag Of Bones 03. 07. 015 This realistic embroidered skeleton has a full set of bones which velour to the aground. The background can be folded into a carry case for storage.Includes 20 fabric bones, 2 sets of labels and reference sheet. Size: 50 x 140 CM (unfolded) Torso 03. 07. 001 This mint-torso shows anatomical details and consists of seven removable parts. ? Right and left lung? Heart? Liver? Stomach? Small and large undomesticated on a stand. Page 5 Anatomy & Physiology CD-Room body, and learn about everlastingly part where it is found, what it does, and how it works. My Amazing Human Body 03. 09. 003 My Amazing Human Body CD-Room is packed with interactive games, hilarious animation, and stunning D graphics.Not only will it give children a unique insight into the workings of the human body, it will also stimulate them to investigate for themselves. They will love taking the body apart, extracting teeth, taking x-rays and measuring organs. Promotes active learning and makes â€Å"finding-out† fun. Simple navigation makes this CD-Room ideal for school or at home. The Ultimate d Skeleton The Ultimate D Skeleton CD-Room enables you to explore the entire human skeleton in D. Not only can you identify and learn the function of every bone in your body, oh can also play film sequences that allow you to look at bones from unusual angles.The index is specially designed to give the user access to information on any part of the human skeleton and the exciting quiz feature tests what you have learnt. The Ultimate Human Body 03. 09. 001 This CD-ROOM takes the most fascinating Journey of all – an exploratory trip into the secret world of the human body it-self! You can look beneath your skin, take a guided tour of the structure, systems, and organs of your Copyright 2008, Hastings & Rather Health Promotion Resources Centre Page 6 Anatomy & Physiology Video Bones & Movement 03. 1 1. 001 accompanies the series.Aimed at 9-11 year olds. Heart & Circulation This video incorporates live-action, animation and x-rays illustrating how bones are held together by ligaments, how different kinds of Joints function, and how bones are cushioned from shock. The process of the body's healing of a broken bone and the positive effect of gravity on bone strength are also demonstrated. 03. 11. 002 Food & Growth 03. 1 1. 003 This video explains that for the human body to remain alive and active, its cells ha ve o be supplied with nutrients and oxygen and waste products must be carried away.This process is accomplished by your blood and heart, which keep blood traveling through two complete circuits. This video explains how we grow and the importance of food to the human body. Explaining in detail how the digestive system works. The Human Body 03. 1 1. 004 Health E: Series 1 03. 11 . 005 woman called Blood.

12 Angry Men †the Definition of a Leader Essay

Yvette Perkins MBA-6620/Paper 1 The definition of a leader can be expressed in many ways. In reference to the movie 12 Angry Men, I have come to agree with the quote of our sixth President John Quincy Adams which states â€Å"if your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader. † (Smith, 14) In this movie the main character Davis played by Henry Fonda was able to influence 11 other jurors by introducing the concept of possibility. Davis exemplified leadership through his behavior, thinking, and communication skills in his efforts to persuade the other jurors. To begin, Davis’ behavior displayed positive energy throughout the entire movie. Upon entering the room he remained silent and observant of the other jurors. From our discussion packet I have learned an important success secret, which is to be â€Å"quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. † (Smith, 31) This method proved to be meaningful through his actions. He was able to keep his composure during the arguments of the jurors. In order to become an effective leader, your passion, confidence, and determination must be expressed through your body language, as did Davis. In addition to that, I have come to learn that â€Å"thinking is the deliberate exploration of experience for a purpose. † (Smith, 3) In my opinion, Davis followed the trinity thinking model. In pursuit of his purpose he used direction by asking the other juror â€Å"is it possible†. He used perception by being observant of his surroundings and the others that surrounded him. Finally, he used lateral thinking by assessing the possibilities. Davis stood by his assumption that there was reasonable doubt in his mind. I believe that he saw the evidence as â€Å"EBNE†, it was excellent nut not enough. (Smith, 7) In his exploration of possibilities he took the approach of two Greek philosophers. One was Socrates and the approach through question and two Aristotle the approach through box logic. In this case Davis thought outside the box. Last but not least, communication skills are crucial to becoming an effective leader. As we have learned from our discussion on how the brain flows into perception, people are happy with stability and are reluctant to change their ways. Well, in the movie some jurors were reluctant to change their perception of the case, which we also know as â€Å"blocked by openness†. (Smith, 19) Davis try’s to challenge their perception by using, manipulating, and managing the facts presented in the case. By asking questions he was able to uncover insights and new evidence which lead to the other jurors changing their votes from guilty to not guilty. To conclude, â€Å"It is what you cause to happen in the mind of a listener that makes you interesting†. Smith, 19) I truly believe that the hardest obstacle of life is getting people to think what you think and fighting human nature. However, Davis has showed us that it is possible. According to the five stages of thinking from the packet, the stage of possibility is the generative stage. This stage is where we create possible solutions and approaches. My definition of a leader is someone who analyzes information, challenge the facts, and initiates change; which was demonstrated by Henry Fonda in the movie 12 Angry Men.

Intercultural communication( this is the course I'm studying, not the Assignment - 3

Intercultural communication( this is the course I'm studying, not the topic) - Assignment Example These include eye contact, tone, and nodding. Compared to juror number 3, who uses a confrontational tone, this juror is emotional and touching in his speech. This appears to be a necessary part of his struggle to express himself and have the courtroom to better understand the accused. Juror 3 and 11 seem to be the opposites of each other (Reilly and Stooksbury 37). I think that classmate one has provided an accurate depiction of juror number 3, and helped to reaffirm my argument that he exhibits a striking contrast with juror 11. I believe that the experiences and personalities of all jurors are manifested in their behavior in the courtroom. The case has presented them with an opportunity to characterize the accused based on what they feel and think (Niemiec and Wedding 19). I also agree with classmate 2 on his description of juror number 8, although I think that he left out critical points like the juror’s background that defines his

Whats Your Dangerous Idea Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Whats Your Dangerous Idea - Essay Example Common people or the governed want to be left on their own to manage their own affairs. On the other hand, the ruling class or the elites are always seeking for a pretext such as war, social disorder and poverty to increase their power over common people, hence, even in the aristocratic nation, one expects the ruled in defending their interests to delay the growth and development of centralized authority. Aristocracies or governments that repress class conflicts are always successful. For instance, countries such as ancient Rome and U.S became powerful and successful because her citizens were warlike and truculent (Machiavelli 23). Politics and religion were distinct in the sense that people in ancient Rome were not godly and absolute in anyway but they are still in a position to provide vital insight in how people operated. This is the platform and foundation of political thoughts, and how the society is to be planned and organized so that every individual benefits. My political theory offers a cure to the diseased politics in the sense that my interest in the conflicts in early societies is a reflection of my personal concerns with current state which is rife with conflict. For instance, there was tension between the Italian bourgeois and the nobility, and the poor were excluded from other social classes in society. Therefore, with all these dissensions, someone has to emerge as a winner while another as a loser. In such a case, the loser has to submit to the winner in order to establish social stability (Machiavelli 55). Politics is not similar to science because of the absence of absolute rules and regulations for how to attain and maintain authority. There are certain actions to be taken but not police to resolutely and absolutely direct ad guide people’s actions. This is because contexts, time and situations transform. Therefore, the ruler or president will not remain

Opportunity Analysis of New Business Venture 03067 Essay

Opportunity Analysis of New Business Venture 03067 - Essay Example A major advantage of the photography business is the low barriers to entry. Additionally, the capital investments are also low as compared to other conventional business sectors. The manpower requirements are also little. Major investments in such a business category are primarily incurred in respect of technology such as procurement of highly efficient cameras (Bowman, 2012). The current paper analyses the feasibility of the new business venture ‘Clickpix’. Clickpix would be a professional photography studio, which expertises in still photography. The company would provide photography services for special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, corporate parties, baby shower and so on. It would also provide non occasional casual photography services. Apart from providing the photographs through albums and mails, the company would also provide services such as engraving and imprinting photographs upon different materials such as tiles, clothes, showpiece items, key rings, wall clocks, coffee mugs. Photo framing services in different and unique forms would also be provided. The company would facilitate its clients with customized photography and photo presentation services. Clickpix aims to specialize in portrait photography. The business would be to set up at a prime location in the city of Ottawa. Ottawa consists of the most ed ucated population of Canada and is considered to be the nation’s cultural hub. The standard of living in the nation is seen to be high leading to elevated income earning potency. Due to the existence of such high standards of living, residents of the city are used to luxurious living. Such factors are likely to create more opportunities for the growth of Clickpix as the spending power of the target population especially on luxury products and services is considerably high (Pomfret, 2013). Every business plan requires careful opportunity analysis so that suitable techniques can be

Strategic Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 2

Strategic Management - Essay Example Based on the industrial analysis, it presents which the position in the industrial life cycle in which it belongs. Focusing on the opportunities and threats emerging from the industry analysis and the present position in the industrial life cycle where it belongs, the project makes an analysis of the future outlook of the company. It presents the future strategies that the company should resort to. Secondly, it makes a competitive analysis of the industry also. This is done using the Porters’ Forces Model which emphasizes on the factors like the suppliers and the buyers bargaining powers, the threat of new entrants, the entry of substitute products and services in the industry and the existing competition between the rival firms. About the Company HSBC is considered one of the largest financial and banking services providers in the world. The company’s international network is comprised of 7500 offices across 87 nations in Europe, Asia Pacific, America, Middle East and Africa. The company serves more than 100 million customers through its wide range of financial services. Among its major services are Commercial Banking, Personal Financial Services, Global Banking and markets and finally, Private Banking. It is listed in the stock exchanges of London, Paris, New York, Hong Kong, and Bermuda. The company holdings are shared among 220,000 numbers of shareholders across the world located in 124 nations and their territories (HSBC-a, 2011). The company has a unique international pedigree. A number of HSBC’s companies had started operations years ago and they have all attained extreme success and prosperity. The company is named after the founding member, Hong Kong and Shanghai Corporation Limited which was set up in the year 1965 for financing the upcoming trade between Europe and China (HSBC-a, 2011). Industry Analysis The global financial industry including banks suffered a major setback after the advent of the financial crisis that engulfed t he entire financial markets. After a period of continuous slowdown the banking industry is expected to witness positive growth rates following improvements in the overall macroeconomic outlook of the world. This was mainly possible because of the strong support provided by the governments to bailout the financial institutions who were on the brink of a severe crisis. A study by the Boston Consulting group pegs the total value of market capitalisation of the global banking industry at 6.4 trillion US dollars which is more than double of the figures of the previous years. The total shareholder returns offered by the banking industry was at its highest since the onset of global recession in 2003 and as valued at 47.1 percent (The Boston Consulting Group, 2010, p.1-2). Figure 1: World Economic Outlook Projections (Source: Reserve Bank of India, 2011, p.17) The figure above indicates a strong positive outlook for the forthcoming years. The interesting part of this is that along with the developing economies the positive trend can also be traced to the developed economies who bore the maximum brunt of the economic recession (Reserve Bank of India, 2011, p.15-20). The analysis of the markets reveals a situation of

Mental health schizophrenia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Mental health schizophrenia - Essay Example These patients are usually confused about their medications, their discharge and their rights under the Act. The Act makes it mandatory for a patient to take his or her medication. But according to the Act the patient also has a right to know the type of medication he is on. If a patient is capable of making a sound decision and poses no threat to himself or the people around him, under the influence of a drug or medication, then that person cannot be detained as an involuntary patient. However, in most cases the patient is unaware of this fact and is forced to move into an institution. Hospitals and mental institutions are required to provide an interpreter to foreign patients who have trouble understanding English, so that when the patient’s rights are read to him he understands them properly. Most institutions are not equipped with such facilities and are the least bit bothered with what the patient understands (McCullough, 1992). Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a mental con dition where the patient is unaware of his environment and has trouble differentiating reality from fiction. The patient also suffers from lack of appropriate emotional response. Schizophrenic patients usually have to be taken care of by someone else as they are unable to perform event the simplest of tasks. Hallucinations and losing touch with reality is one of the major symptoms of schizophrenia. Loss of speech and poor hygiene are also common in schizophrenic patients. In some extreme cases the patient loses his ability to speak and makes no interaction with anyone. Schizophrenia usually strikes a person either in their early childhood or in their early adulthood, when the person is in his late teens or early twenties. Nurse management of schizophrenia A nurse has the ability to asses a mental patient. An interview with the patient shows the nurse all the symptoms the patient possesses. No emotions and inability to conversate properly are the first signs a nurse should look for i n a schizophrenic patient. Isolation and history of attempted suicide or violence lead to the conclusion that the patient might be a danger to himself and others. The nurse should see how much knowledge does a family has regarding schizophrenia, and if they have the ability to emotionally and physically support the patient. A recent survey showed that the trend for hiring nurses to take care of schizophrenic patients is rising. The author also believes that proper education, treatment and proper coping could help reduce the burden of the care provider. Mental health nurses also help the family to learn to live with the patient through family behavioral programs that in the end would contribute positively to the health of the patient. Moreover, the study suggests that for learning the true impact that nurses can have on patients more research must be put into this topic (Macleod et al., 2008). Treatments for the two patients For anxiety disorder the common medications are beta blocke rs, antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. The beta blockers are used to help patients control any involuntary movement that may occur. Antidepressants would help the patient cope with the depression that she feels. The antidepressants would put her mind in a state of calmness and counterbalance the effects of

Professional organization Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Professional organization - Coursework Example There will also be a vendor fair where professionals will be given a chance to showcase their services and technologies, which they can apply in their workplaces or academic institutions. This is an important event, which will give me an opportunity to share ideas with other professionals and improve on my career. For instance, during the fair, I will teach the participants on ways in which wearable technologies can be integrated with other forms of technology to enhance learning objectives and provide mobility. This is a an exceptional occasion that will bring practitioners, policy-makers, and researchers together to explore the field of technology, ways it can be improved, and some of the regulations that should be applied. Today, for nations to cope with competition and grow successfully, it is indispensable for experts and entrepreneurs to contribute in a humanistic and sustainable way, using innovative as well as advanced technology. Sharing and production of such knowledge is essential in tackling social and business related needs; hence, this conference is aimed at doing exactly that. Therefore, attending this monumental event will not only be an individual advantage but will also go a long way in improving the organization and guaranteeing a competitive edge in an era where technological changes are

Philosophy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 14

Philosophy - Essay Example apitalism in essence can be neither egalitarian nor authoritative, while Rawls felt that capitalism could afford basic rights and liberties to all while still allowing people to pursue their own desires. As these are contradictory viewpoint, they both cannot be correct. It is my position that Rawls’ theory is idealistic and doesn’t have much in common with the society in which we actually live, and that Kristol’s theory stands as the stronger of the two. Rawls’ basic conception of social justice is dependent upon two claims: 1) that people should have the most amount of personal liberty possible that is compatible with others’ and 2) that it is possible to arrange inequalities in regards to social and economic status so that can be to the advantages of all. Rawls’ position is an extrapolation of the idea of the social contract; the social contract is the idea that people enter into an agreement with each other and form a system by which they all agree to be governed. How Rawls’ idea differs is that he views justice as the that which is the product of the agreement, as opposed to a particular form of government. To differentiate his conception with previous ideas, he refers to his idea as ‘justice as fairness.’ Rawls feels that his two basic principles would be agreed upon by rational people. He feels that people, in order for his conception of social justice to work, must not be aware of their own individual assets, as far as natural abilities, dispositions, place in society, etc. This is where his idea of the ‘veil of ignorance’ comes in; the veil of ignorance makes everybody fair and equal, as there would be no way for a person to create an advantage over another through their own personal abilities. This would be most desirable because it would be the most fair, and any rational person would agree to enter into this sort of arrangement. In theory, this plan might sound ideal, but the problem is that there is no real life way to

Ideas of Nietzsche on Religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ideas of Nietzsche on Religion - Essay Example Why did Nietzsche have a lunatic say the words? How does it affect modern society? Doubtless, Nietzsche sought to find another source of human values, some source deeper than the Christian faiths. He saw Christianity as having no philosophical system on which to base our lives. Thus, he believed that Christianity has a tendency to limit the creativity of man. Nietzsche’s statement about God’s death did not quickly change the course of history. The Christian churches still exist, just as he prophesied they would, at least for a few hundred years. Nietzsche said, â€Å"God is dead; but given the way of men, though there still may be caves for thousands of years in which his shadow will be shown.† (Section 108) Perhaps he had a madman elicit the words because he believes that we humans destroyed God ourselves by our life styles. (Nietzsche Section 125) Any value system based on Christianity or other metaphysical element will become protective of its teachings and consider nonbelievers to be unworthy of being listened to. Yet, Nietzsche, himself, said the same words himself later, in the same book.

Comparing Two Computer Advertisements Two Computer advertisements Essay Example for Free

Comparing Two Computer Advertisements Two Computer advertisements Essay Whether you like it or not, the media, to a large extent, defines your life and the way you think. It includes television, cinema, radio, video, magazines, books , the internet and newspapers. In this essay I will be taking an analytical look at two computer advertisements that caught my attention in two different newspapers, namely The Guardian, and The Sun. What is amazing is the amount of space taken up by both advertisements. Both adverts can be categorized as advertorials as the companies they represent are describing and promoting their respective products. As the Guardian is a broadsheet and The Sun a tabloid, it goes without saying that each will target a different audience. The content in text A features a computer and tells the reader about the software and hardware that they are trying to sell. The article is written in quite a persuasive style. The Macintosh Performa in text A is advertised in The Sun and makes use of an attention-grabbing heading that is also ambiguous: Difficult. Temperamental. Hard to understand. On a quick glance at the text and looking at the picture of a sullen-looking boy, one is ready to make the association about a boy who is possibly throwing a tantrum. And it is in the ambiguity where the punch-line lies. Unlike the boy who will be tantrumming from time to time, with the Macintosh Performa, theres no frustrating, baffling patience-trying set-up procedures. The layout is really spectacular. The article takes up an entire page. The main text is set out in three columns, relatively densely printed with early paragraphs playing on the implication that both computers and children can be Difficult. Temperamental. Hard to understand. The rest of the text stresses that the Performa is a well-behaved and versatile computer. The text is broken up by the use of two line drawings of the computer and the software. The tone of the text is reassuring, helpful, and stresses accessibility of the Performas functions. The price of the computer is tactically delayed until the third column: The price of the computer start at just à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½1,099. The reader or prospective buyer will at this point feel that it is worth every penny with all its functions. There is also a constitutional reference to the model featured and appears in very small print at the foot of the page. And a list of dealers is also in very small print at the foot of the page. Advertisement B shows a weak distant view of the front of an Aptiva computer. The company that promotes this product is IBM and their logo is located in the right hand corner at the bottom of the page. The complete system is there for the reader to see. I also think that they are trying to tempt the reader as they use a cluster of adjectives: Loud, colourful, fast-moving, enjoyable, stuff The immediate contrast between the two texts is the layout. Unlike text A, that has three columns, text B has no columns, only paragraphs with sub-headings. And this makes the advert appear dull and unattractive to the readers. But then again, the audience in this case is different to that of text A. As this advertisement appears in the broadsheet newspaper, its readers are usually keen business people and the emphasis is not so much on entertainment but on efficiency and cutting edge technology. Therefore, when the price 1,799 is quoted the reader will not be surprised at all. However, a touch of humor is added when OK, maybe not for dogs. appears in very small print next to the price. This humorous note may have been included to discourage readers from dwelling on the price. Reference to the model featured appears in a very small print at the foot of the page. The heading is fairly conventional, using bold, white lettering against a black background. The main text is set out in paragraphs and the word Stuff is repeated in the large 5 sub-headings. The tone of the text is light-hearted, whimsical, with a joke in each of the first two sections. You can also see the TOYS R US logo under the photo of the computer which tells you they are the outlets for the new Aptiva. Both advertisements use persuasive techniques for example, repetition in text B the word stuff. The word stuff gives it a more colloquial style. Of the two advertisements I liked the Performa more as it appears to be very user friendly: As soon as you plug it in, the Performa can run, However, it needs to be said, that when you buy an Aptiva, you buy into a new lifestyle.

Role and Employment of Women in the Indian Armed Forces

Role and Employment of Women in the Indian Armed Forces CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION The highest national priority must be the unleashing of woman power in governance. That is the single most important source of societal energy that we have kept corked for half a century. -Mani Shankar Aiyar 1. It is the society that is the feeder to any organization within its realm and the same is seen through its functioning projection. Traditionally, men were the warriors the women housekeepers, the roles were well demarcated. Changes over the period have merged this distinguished line of specific gender task distribution and has managed to put a wedge into the male dominated culture. The first batch of women officers got commissioned in1992, now 17 years past women still have not been able to break the barrier fully inspite of breaking the crust and making inroads. Yet with time they have started to see the bigger canvas and so also their scope on the same. 2. Defence readiness is one major aspect which is required to be borne in mind throughout while considering their employability options. Their career aspects and opportunities need to be viewed holistically keeping the final aim in focus. Yet a few discriminatory policies as been professed by the government need review such as their short service commission, combat exclusion, and entry into ranks and so on. Fore- planning and systematic approach should be the correct approach prior to deciding on any such issue. Nevertheless, a small beginning is ensuring a greater role for women. Government of India, after the high Court ruling, has decided to grant Permanent Commission in select cadres.[3] 3. Different set of policies will only affect the working efficiency and interaction between the two genders in the services. This exclusion from select working places will only harm the organization and upset the normal working routine. Notwithstanding this, Armed forces have been constituted with the sole purpose of ensuring defence of the country and all policy decisions should be guided by this overriding factor. All matters concerning defence of the country have to be considered in a dispassionate manner. No decision should be taken which even remotely affects the cohesiveness and efficiency of the military. Concern for equality of sexes or political expediency should not influence defence policies.[4] 4. Induction of women into selected fields of Indian Armed Forces has given rise to the issue of their employability in various spheres and how training is to be affected. This study seeks to analyse the above issue in Indian context. CHAPTER II METHODOLOGY Statement of the Problem 5. Justification for the Study 7.Scope 8. This study concentrates on the issue of role training of women in the Indian Army. Questions that are likely to be raised in the context of Air Force and Navy in the light of this study are kept beyond its purview. will only be dealt with in passing as far as its relevance to women in general is concerned. It will restrict itself to the . Methods of Data Collection 9. The following techniques of data collection have been used for the purpose of the present study:- (a) Objective type questionnaires circulated within student officers, staff at DSSC, Wellington and lady officers serving and retired. (b) Interview with a serving lady officer. (c) Books, magazines, journals available at DSSC library and information from the net. 10. Due to vastness of the subject, it is intended to study important aspects of the subject in seven chapters as follows: (a) Introduction. (b) Methodology. (c) Historical Perspective World Overview. (d) Employment Problems and Present Status. (e) Training and Related Aspects. (f) Future Role Prospects. (g) Conclusion. Source of Study 11. Sources of study are the Defence Services Staff College library, personal experiences and Internet. Bibliography is attached as appendix. CHAPTER III HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE AND WORLD OVERVIEW 12. The Indian mythology sources the whole energy in the entire creation to a female deity called Shakti, the consort of Lord Shiva. The scriptures very vividly describe the first ever war fought in the creation, i.e., between Devas and Rakshashas wherein the commander of Rakshashas, Mahishasura, was killed by none other than the overall commander of Devas, named Durga. To this day we celebrate this victory every year as Durga Pooja. All civilizations have myths based on female goddesses- hunters, warriors, nurturers and preservers. The Greek goddess Athena, Roman Diana, Nordic Valkyries and the Amazons are cases in point. History is replete with such female warrior commanders, Maharani Laxmibai of Jhansi, Razia Sultan and Chand Bibi to quote a few. This trend is in no way extinct. Nonetheless, the women culture in armies drew controversies during the medieval period and since then has refused to die down. Despite various roles in the armies of past societies, it is only recently tha t women have begun to be given a more expanded role in contemporary armed forces of the world, and thus, the debate picks up more vociferously. INA – The Forerunner in Identifying Women Power 13. Subhash Chandra Bose, was the pioneer in recognizing the untapped potential of the Indian women. He therefore, involved them in Indian National Army, which was raised to snatch independence from the colonial builders. The first Rani of Jhansi training camp was inaugurated under the direct guidance of Subhash Chandra Bose, near Singapore on October 22, 1943.[5] The seed sown back then has gained a definite contour whilst making women in Indian Army an imperative part. The image of women of the Rani of Jhansi regiment left the British spellbound. Women in India have always played an active role when it comes to safeguarding the nation. But organizing women into an army was, probably, done for the first time by Subhash Chandra Bose. The women in Indian National Army (INA) fought for their country`s independence along with their male counterparts with equal courage and valour. A World Scan: Recent History of Changes in Womens Roles 14. Its been only 17 years since the women wore the ranks of a Second Lieutenant in the Indian Armed Forces. This period is a very small window in the history of women sacrifices for the military cause in contemporary world. To understand the various facets of this gender developing through the time there is a need to scan through the world armies that gave women equal opportunities to serve their countries alongside men without discrimination. The evolution in various countries is enumerated in subsequent paragraphs. Australia 15. The first women became involved with the Australian Armed Forces with the creation of the Army Nursing Service in 1899. Currently, women make up 12.8% of the Australian Defence Force (with 15.1% in the Royal Australian Air Force, 14.6% in the Royal Australian Navy and 17.5% in the Australian Army).[21] In 1998 Australia became the second nation in the world to allow women to serve on its submarines. Australia does not permit women to serve in military positions involving direct combat. Australias first deployment of female sailors in a combat zone was during the 1991 Gulf War. Britain 16. Women join the British Armed forces in all roles except those where primary duty is to close with and kill the enemy. Today, 71% of all jobs in theNavy, 67% in the Army and 96% in the Air Force are tenable by women. Female personnel currently make up around 9% of the British armed forces.[24] Canada 17. Women served in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps during the World War I and II; however they were not permitted to serve in combat teams. Same was during the Korean War of 1950-1953.In 1970 the government created equal opportunities, making it possible for women to reach any rank. In 1982 laws were passed ending all discrimination in employment and combat related roles in the Canadian armed forces were opened for women, with no restrictions in place, with the exception of the submarine service. In 1990 the Ministers Advisory Board on Women in the Canadian Forces was created. Women were permitted to serve on board Canadian submarines in 2002. Canadian women have also become clearance divers, and commanded large infantry units and Canadian warships. On May 17, 2006 Captain Nichola Goddard became the first Canadian woman to be killed in combat during operations in Afghanistan. Today women account for close to 13 percent of the total strength of the Canadian forces. Denmark 18. Women were employed in the Danish Armed Forces as early as 1934. In 1962 women were allowed to volunteer in the regular armed forces as long as they did not serve in units experiencing direct combat. The year 1971 saw the enlistment of women as non-commissioned officers. In 1978, based on the reports of studies on the topic, women were allowed to enlist in an all areas of the Danish armed forces, with combat trials in the eighties exploring the capabilities of women in combat. In 1998 women were allowed to sample military life in the same way as conscripted men, however without being completely open to conscription. NATO reports also indicate that the Danish military does not promote women to positions of leadership.[26] Denmark has different basic physical requirements for men and women in their armed forces; however the requirements for the more physically demanding jobs do not differ for either sex. Finland 19. Finnish Defence Forces does not conscript women. However, since 1995, the women between 18 and 30 years of age have the possibility of voluntarily undertaking the military service in the Defence Forces or in the Finnish Border Guard. In garrison environment, the females are lodged in separate rooms and are given separate toilet and bath facilities. In exercises and aboard ships, women are lodged with men. Yearly, some 500 women complete the voluntary military service.[40] France 20. A study (December 2006[41]) shows that women represent 19% of all French military personnel. They are allowed to serve in all posts (including combat infantry), except submarines and riot control units. However, they still represent a small part of the personnel in combat role specialties. Germany 21. Germany had employed one of the most conservative gender-policies of any NATO country. During the final months of World War II, young boys and old men were called up to fight the advancing Soviet forces, however no woman was called upon, despite the countrys long history of female fighting figures. In the year 1975 the first women were appointed for the medical service of the German Bundeswehr. But it was not until January 2001 that women joined German combat units. Women represent a share of 7 percent of all troops except conscripted soldiers. Women in the German air force have received their jet fighter license.[46] Israel 22. Several women transport pilots served in the 1948 War of Independence, but later the Air Force closed its ranks to female pilots. There is a draft of both men and women. Most women serve in non-combat positions, and are conscripted for only two years (instead of four for men). In 2001, Israels first female combat pilot received her wings. Up to 83% of positions in the Israeli army are open to women. Combat duty is voluntary for women. Norway 23. Women in Norway have been able to fill military roles since 1938, and during the Second World War female officers served in all branches of the military. Between 1977 and 1984, laws expanded the role of women in the Armed Forces, and in 1985 the equal opportunities legislations were applied to the military. Norwegian women are permitted to serve on a voluntary basis, however in the event of national mobilization they will be under the same pressures as men. In 1995, Norway became the first country to allow women to serve on its military submarines.[49] All women between the age 18-20 are given the opportunity to attend national conscription selection. Russia 24. Women have served since World War I as all-female units. Women make up 10% of Russias military strength. Several programs during the height of the cold war were set up to encourage women to enlist. Participation in military orientated youth programs and forced participation in the reserves for ex-servicewomen up to the age of 40 are some examples. United States 25. The United States is considered a pioneer[6] and a trend-setter as regards induction of women in the services. There are approximately 200,000 American women on active duty in the US armed forces. They constitute nearly 20 percent of its strength. The scope of combat-risk assignments for women was redefined to open additional appointments to them. The Womens Army Auxiliary Corps wasestablished in the United States in 1941 and saw combat during World War II. The Womens Naval Reserve and Marine Corps Womens Reserve were also created during this conflict. There were 350,000 American women who served during World War II, 16 were killed in action and 83 were captured and spent three years as Japanese prisoners of war. In 1948, women were fully integrated within units during peace time, with only the WAC remaining a separate female unit. The 1991 Gulf War proved to be the pivotal time for the role of women in the American Armed Forces to come to the attention of the world media. Over 4 0,000 women served in almost every role the armed forces had to offer. Today, women can serve on American combat ships, to include command. However women are not permitted to serve on submarines or to participate in Special Forces. Women are barred from serving in Infantry, Special Operations, Artillery, Armoured, and Forward Air Defence. Some Other Countries 26. Bulgaria has adopted a highly flexible model. Women are appointed to professional military service in the Armed Forces on appointments proposed by the Chief of the General Staff. They have equal training standards and equal professional rights as men. Women constitute about 7 percent of the total force. 27. Turkey has introduced the first female combat pilot of the world. 28. Since 1989 there are no gender restrictions in the Swedish military on access to military training or positions. They are allowed to serve in all parts of the military and in all positions, including combat. [55] 29. Thailand has recently begun recruiting and training women to conduct counter-insurgency operations.[56] 30. Libya is the only Islamic nation to have women in the military. The 500-strong unit of Presidents bodyguard is called variously the Green Nuns and The Amazonian Guard.[47] CHAPTER IV EMPLOYMENT PROBLEMS AND PRESENT STATUS Men are the historic authors of organised violence. Jean Bethke Elshtain,1987[7]. Issues Regarding Womens Role in the Military 32. The role of women in the military has become a burning topic for debate in all Armed Forces and the governments all across the globe. With equality and parity being the norm of the day, womens combat exclusion is tagged as gender discrimination. Thus, the debate continues to rage. Arguments both for and against for inclusion of women as combat soldiers are placed by all in the organization as well as those who are analytical of the same. The Arguments 33. Many argue these arguments have been showcased by those who favor women serving in combat roles as well as by those who are against playing with the system. Much of these arguments are not only based on the physical and physiological differences between the two sexes, but also on varied behavioral aspects and the fallout of the presence of the fairer sex on the battlefield. Some of the arguments are discussed in the succeeding paragraphs. 34. Physical Limitations. One of the most visible attributes in regards to the argument is the fact that, on average, female soldiers are physically weak in strength as their male counterparts. 35. Behavioural Concerns. The dilution of a fighting units esprit de corps is highlighted as another reason for women to be excluded from forward-line combat actions. Indeed, many soldiers have stated that they could not trust a woman to perform her duties in a place where trusting your fellow soldier would be exceedingly critical.[13] 36. Gender Discrimination and Past Trends . Many have viewed the sidelining of women from jobs which can prove their equality with men as the biggest gender discrimination. They advocate that women should not be deprived from serving in these roles just by citing historic well defined gender roles, which view soldiering as a profession for men, and that equal opportunity be applicable in the military. History also provides examples of women outperforming men during conflicts and in specific in the combat roles. 37. On Ground Concerns. Reason for removing female soldiers from the front lines is no reflection of the performance of female soldiers, but that of the enraged male infantryman after witnessing a woman wounded. Australian soldiers had reported reluctance to take women on reconnaissance or special operations, as they feared that in case of combat or discovery, their priority will be to save the women and not to complete the mission. Thus while men might be able to be programmed to kill, it is not as easy to program men to neglect women.[14] [15] How will the media and the public react to the spectacle of a woman being beaten and paraded on TV by her foreign captors? But, is there a difference between male and female POWs? Many offer views regarding females in battle, and that they would be as effective as men. They may be right but then let us put the possibility of one of our female officers being captured and raped, or worse still being repatriated pregnant or bearing the enemys children. The very notion creates turmoil. This point is countered, however, by the fact that women in non-combat roles are also exposed to the similar risk without having benefit of being armed and trained adequately to combat and defend them. In general, it can be stated that volunteer soldiers are expected to have accepted the risk of such treatment when enlisting regardless of gender. When one of the woman officer was asked, if she had fears of being captured and tortured, exactly the same fears as you had imagine, she replied. Why do you feel the need to worry about me? If I get captured it will be my problem, not yours. 39. Dilemma for Commanding Officers. Commanding Officers (COs) have a great role to play in shaping the career of young officers. Therefore, opinion of COs carries heavy weightage since these are formed directly from on ground performance. It becomes their utmost responsibility to ensure safety and security of women officers under their command which they find it quite difficult, especially during field exercises. Another problem encountered by them is regards to their efficient employment. Employing them in isolation and during night hours as duty officers and on other tasks creates threat to their safety and dignity. Thus their male counterparts have to undertake added responsibilities, which they silently detest. 40. Referring to the recent increase in womens service, some COs pointed out that at 14 years of service a lady officer will be second in command of a unit and will officiate as its commanding officer. Initially having been employed on softer appointments, there is an obvious disadvantage to the unit when they grow in rank and service without matching experience. 41. Extra Burden Felt by Male Colleagues. The male fraternity adores the commitment of lady officers. It not only understands but appreciates as well the challenges they faced whilst trying to adapt into a male dominated environment. However, it is desired from the women officers to perform their part without much ado. Biased treatment expected and willfully accepted by them is just not warranted. One officer was outspoken enough to state They have joined the military on the plank of equality of sexes but this plank vanishes the day they join the training academy. Thereafter, they again become the weaker sex needing special dispensations. An officer recounted that a lady officer posted to an Ordnance Depot declined to carry out periodic stocktaking of stores lying in isolated sheds unless provided with escort for security. Other officers had to do her job. 42. In army there is a concept of field and peace postings. Every officer looks forward to a good peace posting to be with his family and sort out family issues. But a large number of peace postings at junior officers level are held by the women officers, thereby depriving male officers of their due share. It has become a sore point with many and cause of low morale. 43. Soldiers View. Most soldiers view womens induction as a fall-out of Government policies and generally take it lightly. They are convinced that women can never lead them effectively. Some Junior Commissioned Officers were blunt enough to state – An officer, who cannot run with us, cannot train with us and cannot exercise with us can barely be expected to lead us. 44. Notwithstanding the above, India is proud of the fact that women in the Indian services are being treated in a manner befitting their dignity and self respect, despite the fact that the Indian soldier is drawn from rustic stock where women to date are confined to household chores. In this regard, India can rightfully claim to have a record which is far better than that of any advanced nation in the world. Major Issues Experienced 45. Women in all militaries are confronted with social, behavioral and psychological problems at all levels. According to many surveys carried out women are not fully satisfied with the ethos of military profession. Some of the major issues concerning women in all defence forces are discussed below in the succeeding paragraphs. 46. Sexual Harassment. This is one single concern that has defied solution so far how to ensure safety and protect dignity of women in the forces. Almost all women view this as their major fear. What hurts women most is the attitude of military officials who dismiss complaints as frivolous and due to over-sensitivities of women involved. Even serious accusations of sexual assault are many times treated in a perfunctory manner. Moreover, many officers tend to adopt an attitude of acquiescence by resorting to boys will be boys apology. 47. Low Acceptance. Acceptance of women in the military has not been smooth in any country. Every country has to contend with sceptics who consider it to be a counterproductive programme. They tend to view it as a political gimmick to flaunt sexual equality, or, at best, a necessary liability. Additionally, every country has to mould the attitude of its society at large and male soldiers in particular to enhance acceptability of women in the military. 48. Lack of Job Satisfaction. Most women feel that their competence is not given due recognition. Seniors tend to be over-indulgent without valuing their views. They are generally marginalised and not involved in any major decision-making. They have to work twice as hard as men to prove their worth. Many women complain that despite their technical qualifications. Lack of individual challenge confronts a vast majority of servicewomen who find themselves in catch-22 situation of being a non- combatant , and often without responsibility commensurate with rank, position and seniority- the three most acknowledged tools of authority in the armed forces.[16] Since women are assigned only to support branches/ corps, the majority of profiles to which women are designated tend to be routine and uninspiring desk jobs. The thrill and adventure associated with a career in the armed forces remains an unfulfilled aspiration for most. Most women find the Services not matching with their expectations, in terms that their work pro files are not challenging enough. Women who do cite achievements in the armed forces are more as a matter of chance and the right connections rather than systematic opportunities accorded to all women officers in the Services. 49. Poor Comfort Level. Most women accepted the fact that their presence amongst males tends to make the environment formal and stiff. Mutual comfort level between men and women colleagues is low. Men miss their light hearted banter which is considered essential to release work tensions and promote group cohesion. They consider women to be intruding on their privacy. 50. Doubts about Role Definition. The profession of arms is all about violence and brutality. To kill another human is not moral but soldiers are trained to kill. They tend to acquire a streak of raw ruthlessness and coarseness. This makes the environment highly non-conducive and rough for women. Women, in general, are confused about the way they should conduct themselves. If they behave lady-like, their acceptance amongst male colleagues is low. On the other hand, their active participation in casual repartee carries the danger of their losing colleagues respect. 51. No Kid Glove Treatment. Women who are mentally robust, physically fit and highly motivated resent preferential treatment being meted out to them. They want to be treated at par with their male colleagues so that they get a fair opportunity to prove their worth. They demand same selection criteria, same training standards and same work schedules. They do not want to be treated as weaklings as it offends their sensitivities and self-respect. They take exception to some women seeking kid-glove treatment to escape hardships. 52. Mismatch between Perception and Reality. However, most of the women opting for a career in the services belong to families where their upbringing has been in a highly sheltered environment. A career in the military is at the other extreme. They admit having limited knowledge of military life at the time of joining. Subsequently, life in the military comes as a big shock to them. While some adapt to it well others find the task to be too daunting. Additionally, many women officers are unsure of their identity they want to be officers and yet be given the deference of service wives. It has been a cause for despair for many. 53. Hardships of Married Life. Women normally get commissioned at the age of 23 to 25 years. Soon, thereafter, family pressures start building up on them to get married. Many women confess that managing married life with military service is difficult, though marrying a service officer helps. Subsequent pregnancy and motherhood prove very demanding. 54. Short Service Commission: A Demoralizing Factor. All the three services offer only a short service commission (SSC). Unlike male officers, who have the option of a permanent commission at the time of joining or at the time of completion of their initial term if SSC officers, women officers are not extended the option of a PC at any stage in their service. At the end of their maximum tenure of 14 years they have to leave the service. The ceiling on their tenure of service has a serious limiting effect on the career, as they reach a certain dead end in their career while they are in their early or mid thirties. As long as women officers in the services are denied the choice of a permanent commission, their service in the armed forces will remain merely a job and never a dedicated career option. 55. Since the shortage of officers is being experienced only at the junior levels, the armed forces do not envisage any role for women officers at senior levels in the foreseeable future. This propensity is reflected in all current policies regarding employability and opportunities offered to women in the armed forces. With a limited service span and the restrictions placed on their role employability, women have a double disadvantage of a prejudicial policy, which even if they overcome, they do not have the experience necessary to attain higher ranks. Since women are not employed in any mainstream roles they miss out on important rungs on the ladder of experience, which are crucial for a command and therefore have no representation at the decision-making levels.[17] This, of course, excludes the Medical Corps. 56. A limited service tenure has overall critical ramifications for women. In their early thirties, faced with a dead end and unemployment, women officers have little choice but to either resign themselves to their domestic responsibilities or to struggle all over again in a highly competitive environment to re-establish themselves in a new career field. To have no options to continue in the armed forces after giving the organisation the best years of ones life is a highly stressful experience and often leads to periods of grave depression. Women officers, once they complete their tour of duty, have to cope with a sudden loss of status, occupation and remuneration all in one sweep. At the end of their short service tenure women officers are not eligible for any pensioners benefits either and so, they lose out on economic gains as well. 57. Combat Exclusions. Career prospects of women are enormously constraint limited due to a strict and formal combat exclusion policy for women.[19] 58. The way to power decision making which includes command of troops with seniority is through tenures in field combat application. Since women officers have been denied this arena they are considered to be on equal footing. Lack of field experiences will never let them compete for higher decision making positions therefore will not be able to stand tall at par with their male counterparts. CHAPTER V TRG RELATED ASPECTS 59. Why women have traditionally been absent from the battlefield is, of course, their relative physical weakness. From antiquity males have been considerably larger and stronger than females; indeed some biologists believe that nature has made them stronger in order that they might fight. Over the last twenty years, studies found that the average US female army recruit was 12 centimeters shorter,14.3 kilograms lighter, had 16.9 fewer kilograms of muscle, and 2.6 more kilograms of fat than the average male recruit. She had only 55% of the upper body strength and 72% of the lower body strength of the average male. Since fat mass is inversely related to aerobic capacity and heat tolerance, women are also at a significant disadvantage when performing aerobic activities such as marching with heavy loads and working in heat. At high altitudes, womens handicap is such that it may affect their ability to reproduce. Finally, even when the experiments were controlled for height, women only ha d 80 percent of the strength of men. Overall, only the upper 20 percent of women can do as well, physically, as the lower 20 percent of men. 60. Thanks to the superior ability of men to add muscle to their bodies, intensive training, far from diminishing the physical differences between the sexes, tends to increase them still further. After eight weeks of such training male plebes at West Point demonstrated 32 percent more power in the lower body and performed 48 percent more work at the leg press than female ones. At the bench press, the men demonstrated 270 percent more power and performed 473 percent more work than the women. One biologist claims that, if the hundred strongest individuals were to be selected out of a random group consisting of one hundred men and one hundred women, then ninety-three would be male and only seven female. Another

The Impact Of African Dance

The Impact Of African Dance This study aims at pointing out one of the upcoming dances with its origin from Africa which is becoming very popular within its short time of invention. In an attempt to do this, this study will be looking at Roland Barthes arguments on Semiology and Structuralism within the language system and its relation to modern dance. The specific objectives of this study are to determine the level of popularity of Azonto dance and its relating music genre amongst other nationals from other parts of the world, to find out whether Azonto dance has any effect on peoples dancing styles, to find out the level of acceptance of Azonto dance and music to people from different ethnic and national backgrounds, and to identify the way in which people understand the gestures and signs associated to this dance. Dance in Africa is a holistic part of society. It is not truncated or separated as an entity in and of itself. Dance is used to facilitate all phenomena in most African societies (Welsh, 2004:14). The African dance has a lot of variation in terms of the various cultures on the continent as well as the different musical and movement styles which goes along with them. Every dance has its own style and movement which reflects the culture of a particular group or ethnic setting in way. Most of these dances are very communicative and this resemblance is evident in a lot of the dancing styles on the African continent. There are countless dance forms that identify the numerous ethnic groups and cultural differences in styles of the Ghanaian people (wikipaedia). African dances are largely participatory, with spectators being part of the performance. With the exception of some spiritual, religious or initiation dances, there are traditionally no barriers between dancers and onlookers. Even ri tual dances often have a time when spectators participate (Welsh, 2004). Ghana has a lot of traditional dances like the Adowa, Kpanlogo, Agbadza and Damba which are primarily performed as ceremonial dances. There have also been other popular and more contemporary dances like moon walk, slide, creep walk, etc in the past few years. Unlike the traditional dances whose motives are to tell a story or express some idea or emotion, most popular dances in Ghana are performed for fun as social interactions, especially among the youth. However, one particular popular dance which seems to have defied the odds of modern dance in Ghana is the Azonto. This African dance form incorporates complex co-ordinates body movement and non-verbal communication in a rhythmic fashion in very few one-two timed steps. Just like most African dances, knee bending and hip movements are rudiments to dancing it. The dance involves movements of the feet, knees, hands, and hips in rhythmic fashions which can actually be coordinated in a style to communicate a message. Generally, the dance reflects the creativity, intelligence, and rich sense of humour of the Ghanaian people. Background of Study According to Welsh (2004), no dance form is permanent, definitive, or ultimate. Change occurs, but the basic rudiments of dance remains the same. Dance is for all people. One need only recall that dance needs neither common race nor common language for communication; it has been a universal means of communication forever. The dance, which is usually performed with an accompanying smile, evolved from the combination of several local dance moves that originated from Ghana during the early 2000s. There are different stories about the origins of Azonto and its subsequent popularity. One story about the Azonto dance has it that it started somewhere in Bukom, Chorkor and James Town (all being suburbs in Accra) where it was first called Apaa (work for pay). It was a form of dance that represented movement activities like ironing, boxing, driving, washing etc. Another source of information has it that the term Azonto was first used by students of the Senior Secondary Schools to mean life (or the hardships of life abraabo) (ModernGhana.com). Features of the Kpanlogo dance, the traditional dance of the Gas, can also be seen in the Azonto. The same goes for the Gawu dance, an adopted dance of the Ewe but originally from Togo. The dance has evolved with the fast pace dance culture of modern West Africa. The dance was made popular by the Ghanaian football star, Asamoah Gyan in his goal scoring celebrations for his club and for the Black Stars (the senior national football team of Ghana), especially during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa (ibid). Currently, the dance is continuously evolving with complex dance styles and movements. The latest dance craze has become so popular that it now dictates the rhythm of hip-life music (which is a contemporary genre of music in Ghana which fuses the traditional hi-life music with the modern hip-hop music). The commercialization of this dance has made Hip-life musicians include Azonto in their music lyrics and video clips. The dance is very popular among the youth and can be performed by anyone regardless of gender or ethnicity. With traditional dance facing serious threats of decline especially among the youth, Azonto represents a combination of modern and traditional elements. Azonto epitomizes Ghanas ingenuity and originality through the spirit of dance (World Press). It primarily embodies sociability and socializing. It was stated on ModernGhana.com that the dance is spreading fast in the USA, U.K and other parts of the world with large populations of Ghanaians. Even Prince Williams is said to have deeply fallen in love with Azonto and he dances it at any opportunity he gets (Source). Ghanas Azonto dance been rated as one of the top 10 African dances to have gained global stature either recently or, in the case of Soukous, in the last 40 years (MyWeku). The Azonto dance has threatened to eclipse the success of some of Ghanas famous exports like cocoa, gold and its exciting brand of football. The Azonto is still going strong, and was last seen on Londons Oxford Street (ModernGhana.com). Methodology A qualitative research approach is proposed for this study. Primary data would be used for the purpose of this study through interviewing which would be designed in the light of the objectives of the study. This research will be a qualitative research. Scholarly works of other field of study that will be useful to this research will be used. Print and electronic works such as newspapers, articles and journals will also be used. I also will adopt the use of a case study, although due to the nature of the research, I will not be administering a questionnaire but would conduct conducting an interview, I will strictly base my arguments on past works and use real life examples to achieve my aim and purpose of the study. The sample of the study covers African students currently studying in Cyprus International University. This sample of 20 students where 10 males and 10 females (50% male and 50% female) would be selected purposively from African students with different nationalities. Respondents opinion regarding the effect of African dance and the popularity of Azonto would be collected through the interaction and interviewing session. Dance and Semiology Most of the students were identified as music and art lovers because they all stated their passion for the love and interest in such art. They had all come in contact with different forms of dance styles especially those from their communities and cultures. They stated a common characteristic of African dance being full of energy, interesting, communicative and full of life. Some also thought of African dance as a way of identifying a particular culture. Some students also saw some of the indigenous African dance as being passionate and addictive especially with the tunes that went along with them. They believed dance in general is never full without the presence of a form of music to go along with it, thus, they go side-by-side. We can relate dance as a language from the perspective of Roland Barthes who describes language as a system of signs that expresses ideas, and is therefore comparable to a system of writing, the alphabet of deaf mutes, symbolic rites, polite formulas, military signals, etc. He calls this semiology. Azonto is a communicative dance which is full of signs and symbols, and involves a lot of communication between the dancers and the audience. Barthes states that signs and codes are meant to be historically and culturally specific. If you relate this Barthes concept of sign, and the concept of semiology to dance, you will realise that dance is not a universal language. That there are hidden signs which must be understood in order for a spectator to fully understand a particular dance movement. Azonto as a dance has its origin from some indigenous Ghanaian dances like Kpanlogo (a traditional dance of the Gas) and Gawu dance (an adopted dance of the Ewes). Though the Azonto dance is more of a fusion of other contemporary dance elements, it still has its roots from very indigenous dances from the Ghanaian culture. All these traditional dances involve symbols and signs made by the dancers. Roland Barthes goes on further to argue that material reality can never be taken for granted. It is always constructed and made intelligible to human understanding by culturally specific systems of meaning. These codes and signs are not universally given, but are historically and socially specific to the particular interests and purposes which lie behind them. Azonto as a contemporary dance involves a lot of movements and communication through the use of gestures and hand signs. For instance, a dancer could be making dance movements and at the same time trying to draw the shape of a heart with his/her fingers. This shape could be translated into several meanings depending on the background or culture of the observer. One could just interpret it as a shape of a heart whiles another would interpret it as a sign of love or a way of telling the observer that he/she has a kind heart. So we realize that a sign or symbol may not have the same meaning to the observer upon seeing it. Fernando de Saussure argues that it is not possible to understand individual linguistic signs in a piecemeal, ad hoc or empiricist fashion. He goes on further to say that they have, rather, to be explained by showing how they fit together as arbitrary signs in an internally coherent system or structure of rules and conventions. These signs cease to be arbitrary and become meaningful once they are located within the general structure of the language. Barthes notes that any semiology postulates a relation between two terms, a signifier and a signified a distinction elaborated by Saussure. There is also another term in this, the sign itself (be it linguistic or mythological), which contains the signifier and the signified, in the case of the actions and gestures made by the dancer and the observer who would be in the position to interpret these actions. Strinati (2004; 224) stated that the rise of modern mass communications, and the associated proliferation of popular media culture, therefore become central to the explanatory framework of postmodern theory. What is inferred from this is that the mass media have become so significant for communication and information flows within and between modern societies (and consequently the popular culture they broadcast and promote increasingly defines and channels everyday life in these societies) that they, along with consumerism, have given rise to the characteristic features of postmodernism. We realized that the advent of television and other tools communication tools like the radio has been aiding tools for the popularization of this particular kind of dance. Most of the students either had first contact with the Azonto dance via internet on YouTube, or on television and/or musical videos. We realize that the advent of technology has helped in the awareness and advertisement of this kind of dance across the continent and beyond. This is a reflection of modernity and post modernity in our current cultural set ups. Since the Azonto dance is originally from Ghana, technology has played a very important role in the awareness and public knowledge of this dance. Most individuals across the world heard or saw this dance through mediums like the internet and television. A lot of these enthusiasts learnt their basic steps through these same channels without going to the dances place of origin. Roland Barthes goes on further to say that meaning is not something which is given or which can be taken for granted. It is manufactured out of historically shifting systems of codes, conventions and signs. We realized that the various dance symbols associated to Azonto had its origin from other indigenous dances. This new dance has metamorphosized into a dance where by the dancer can express him/herself freely with personal gestures. Its a dance which has no particular pattern with the exception of fusing some basic dance steps to distinguish it from other emerging dances. Strinati (2004: 101) stated that cultural meanings are not universal, nor are they divorced from the social conditions in which they are to be found. Rather, they present themselves as universal when they are really historically and socially fixed. Conclusion Dance, in general, reflect the way of life of a group of people. It is an essential part of culture. It could carry a message through its gestures as well as it being a medium of communication. More recently, there has been an influx of different dancing styles and patterns which are contemporary forms of ancient and traditional dances from all over the world. The beauty of it all is how individuals embrace these various dance patterns into their own way of dance movements. Africa is the second largest continent in the world and it has a very large number of people who also reflects its pure culture and heritage. Among such traditions of the people on this continent is the uniqueness of every tribe or ethnic groupings own practices. Dancing has been a way of life for almost all these cultures and it is part and parcel of these people. Azonto dance from Ghana is no exception in this context. The dance is quite new and its spreading like wild fire on the world stage where this dance is gaining popularity every minute with the help of the internet especially on YouTube. It has become one of the biggest things to come out of Ghana in which most music lovers and dance enthusiasts identify this country with. It isnt shocking to find yourself nodding your head or tapping your feet to tunes of Azonto or falling in love with the unique movements by its dancers. One easily falls in love with the dance upon seeing it. The dance is one of the easiest to learn and its so unique that you can incorporate your own movements to suit yourself. Azonto is an expressive dance. This means you can tell a story, show your emotions and personalize it. So an individual doesnt have to be afraid to do crazy things with it. Even though you can do this dance with almost any song (well, except classical music), it helps the dancer a lot if he o r she is dancing to a high-tempo up-beat like Afrobeat tunes, pop music or a typical Azonto tune. Dance can be used as a tool to get people closer and also can help in relating to people more easily because they share something common. They have something that can be easily identified with even though they may be coming from different backgrounds or settings. Therefore we dont have to speak the same language or come from the same place before we can get along with others, but tools like dance can be a very effective medium through which people can take away all barriers and make them feel as one because most of the actions of dance is universal and can make people share a common feeling or mentality. A world renowned dancer, writer and scholar in the field of Dance and Black Studies by name Dr. Kariamu Welsh when asked about the future of Africa/Back dance and the direction she saw it moving in the future, she stated that Black Dance will take many directions. As a genre, it will continue to self reflect and redefine itself but it will remain an artistic and creative force for many of us. Black Dance is ancient and it has many stories to tell. These stories will take the form of narratives, abstract works, improvisations, neo-traditional dances, slamming, jamming and other forms that have yet to be imagined. The beauty of Black Dance is that it is a place where new and innovative movements are born. Those creative sparks influence many people and every once in a while they actually inspire a revolution (Glocke, 2011: 263)

Adolescent Computer Use :: Technology Internet Papers

Adolescent Computer Use The rising numbers of computers and the internet in American households over the past two decades have had many profound impacts for individuals and families. In 1997, the U.S. Department of Commerce estimated that half of Americans used computers, and about a third used the internet. By 2001, two thirds of Americans were using computers, and 54% were using the internet. For 9-17 year olds, internet use has doubled from 1997 to 2001 (from one third of Americans to two thirds) (NCES, 2004). These trends have significantly impacted interpersonal communication, as computer based forms of communication have become either dominant or complimentary for most adults and teens. While these computer advancements have had a positive impact for many American teens and adults, there are some growing concerns about increased computer activity becoming an integral part of individual’s lives. The Pew Research Center reported in 2004 that roughly 55% of parents think that the internet is a good thing for their kids to become acquainted with, and that it is essential for their kids’ world skills. However, 67% of those parents also expressed concern that the internet is keeping their children from important things, like schoolwork and reading, family time, etc. The statistics represent the growing paradox concerning child and adolescent increased computer use. So while the internet and skills associated with it are becoming increasingly important for young adults academically, many are speculating that the cost concerns the displacement of other valuable experiences characteristic of youth (Jeffery et. al, 2003). These concerns rest largely with possible associated decreases in physical activity/exercise and effects (still being investigated) involving social development (Levin, 2004). There is already a sizable literature concerning adolescents and younger children watching significantly more TV and health related effects of these trends. Children in the US, on average, watch 3-4 hours a day – where increased TV watching a playing video games is also associated with a lower quality diet (Levin, 2004). Subrahmanyam et al (2000) surmise that the overall increase in â€Å"screen time† (including TV, computer use, and video games) may be linked to obesity and loneliness – but they also suggest that further research is necessary to examine these relationships.

African Influenced Christianity in Toni Morrison’s Beloved Essay

Religion has influenced fiction since people first began writing fiction. Christianity tends to be one of the most influential forces on western writers in the last couple millennia, but the introduction of other cultures changes the influences present in books. The forced migration of enslaved Africans created a fascinating fusion between Christianity and native african religions, primarily totemistic but often involving archetypal pantheons. The slaves often identified with the Israelites enslaved in Egypt, and such parallels between biblical stories and their own experiences hastened the adoption of a modified Christianity by the slaves. Events in Toni Morrison’s Beloved reflect the experiences of the Israelites and other biblical figures in ways modified by native African religions. The slaves identification with the Israelites is used by Toni Morrison, who gives Paul D an equally divine rescue. So he raced from dogwood to blossoming peach. When they thinned out he headed for the cherry blossoms, then magnolia, chinaberry, pecan, walnut, prickly pear. At last he reached a fiel...

“Yi-Yi, a One and a Two” Film Assignment

â€Å"Yi Yi, A One and A Two† is a ?lm that has been talking about three families and their family members’ lives. Interestingly enough, it seems like that family members have been focusing on their own life most of the time through out the movie. Instead of showing closely connected families, the characters in the movie are living their own lives while living under the same roof. One of the examples is that when Min Min decided to move out, she didn’t even talk to NJ about this, and when NJ saw her getting on the bus to the mountains, he didn’t have the attempt to stop her or ask her why.Which is quite unusual to closely connected families. Below are the characters' relationship ?gure and theories applied to explain the events and the relationships I observed in the movie. 1. Bowen’s Family Systems a. Marital Con?ict Xiao-Yian and Adi’s marital con?ict was caused by the presence of Yun-Yun at Xiao-Yian’s party. Yun-Yun’s Adiâ⠂¬â„¢s ex-girlfriend. But it seemed like Xiao-Yian was not playing fair when the three of them were in a love triangle relationship, which worsened the relationship between the girls. Xiao-Yian got pregnant ?rst and kicked Yun-Yun out of the relationship.Since then, both of them had been hostile towards each other. Thus, Yun-Yun’s presence at XiaoYian’s party was de?nitely not something Xiao-Yian would want to see. Which caused Xiao-Yian and Adi’s marital con?ict. Min Min and NJ’s marital con?ict, on the other hand, was caused by grandma’s sudden illness. Min Min felt that all the burdens were on her, and she could not ?nd a way out of the routine work, which made her felt lost and hopeless in her life, eventually she could not take it anymore. But NJ was not doing anything before Min Min shouted all these out.However, it was all too late, Min Min decided to leave instead of staying and face all the complicated troubles. NTU B00610017 Joanne Lin-Ju ng Chiu b. Triangles /Emotional Distance / Emotional Cutoff There exists an emotional distance between Lily and her mother. Lily’s mother had been busy doing her job and spending lots and lots of time with her new boyfriend. And apparently, Lily’s not happy with her mother’s new boyfriend. Upon feeling neglected and feeling like an outsider, Lily acted like an outsider. Thus caused an emotional distance between Lily and her mother.As the distance kept growing and growing, Lily started to form an emotional cutoff between she and her mother. Instead of repairing the relationship with her mother, she started to rely on her new-formed relationships with Fatty and the other new boyfriend. 2. Brofenbrenner’s Family in Human Development a. Mesosystem Models To both Yang Yang and Ting Ting, they have their school and peer groups as the mesosystems. Take Yang Yang for example, his experience at school (bullied by the girls and humiliated by the teacher) did actual ly affect his behavior at home (i. . sad expression).However, Ting Ting’s mesosystem didn’t seem as much affecting to her life and behavior as Yang Yang’s in the movie. b. Exosystem Models Min Min and NJ both have their world of work and the neighbors as their exosystems. Min Min’s colleagues told her to go to the mountains so that she can escape from the dull life she had. Her colleagues was some sort of emotional support at the time. Also, the neighbors discussed with Min Min about the new neighbor’s private life.The neighbors were another emotional support and practical support when grandma fell ill. NJ met Ota at work, who led him to think deeply into life and human’s fear. This also gave him some support when NJ was facing his ex-lover and his current family. c. Chronosystem Models There are several transitions that can be found in the ?lm: Normative: Xiao-Yian and Adi’s marriage was obviously a normative transition. They got mar ried, shared their lives together. Ting Ting’s got a new boyfriend (though it only last for a very short time) indeed was a normative transition.But it seemed more like a normative transition to her own instead of to the whole family in the movie, the others weren’t aware of Ting Ting’s romantic relationship. NTU B00610017 Joanne Lin-Jung Chiu Non-normative: Grandma’s coma was a non-normative transition, which made Ting Ting felt worried and guilty, made Min Min stressed and helpless and made the family fell out of balance and soon fell apart. Min Min’s moving into the mountains was another non-normative transition. Min Min has always been the one whose been making a lot of effort to keep the family functioning.However, when grandma fell ill, the stress, fear and anxiety that fell upon her was far beyond the amount that she could handle. And thus she listened to her colleague’s advice and moved into the mountains. After she moved into the mo untains, the family looked unaffected because most of them were focusing on their own life. But, that was just how it seemed, the family was actually falling apart (not physically, emotionally instead). 3. Mating Preferences Women exhibit a stronger preference to the men with more ambition, social status, ?nancial wealth and desire for children and a commitment to family.That’s why Adi kept boasting how much money he has or earned, broadcasting what his ambition in work was and saying what he’s been doing at work made him a socially dominant man through out the entire ?lm, he wanted to be popular among women. On the other hand, men exhibit a stronger preference to the women with more features of youthfulness, health, physical attractiveness and attributes that indicates reproductive potential. This explains why Lily and Ting Ting both wore shorter skirts and shorts when dating with a guy —– that showed more youthfulness and are probably physically more at tractive to men.And this also explains why Adi chose Xiao-Yian over Yun Yun, Xiao-Yian was apparently more youthful and physically attractive than Yun Yun. 4. 9 Constraining Beliefs about Mate Selection (Larson, 1992) a. Try Harder Ting Ting fell into this constraining belief when she was trying to convince Fatty to have sex with her in order to show his love to her. Love isn’t something that can be improved only through hard work. b. FInding a New Love Should Be Easy Lily kept dating new boys and dumping the old ones.I think it could be that she did not think ?nding a love is something difficult or serious. However, love isn’t something that can be turned on and off like a switch of the light bulb. NTU B00610017 Joanne Lin-Jung Chiu 5. Marital Processes in Context a. Microcontext: Life stressors & Transitions Adi tried to commit a suicide at home but failed, this traumatic event strengthened marital ties for Xiao-Yian and him. Xiao-Yian and Adi were ?ghting all the ti me for many reasons such as Yun Yun’s presence, Adi’s living habits and money. But after Adi’s attempt to suicide, Xiao-Yian tarted to realize how much she needed him, and thus strengthened their marital ties. Grandma’s death also strengthened Min Min and NJ’s marital ties eventually. Soon after grandma’s gone, Min Min went back home from the mountains and realized how much she needed her family and that life was not as difficult as it seemed like. NJ went back from Japan and learned a lot from Ota. They started to face the events coming to them together. Their marriage ties strengthened, the family was united again emotionally. b. Microcontext: Children Adi and NJ’s children both stabilized their marriage.NJ was struggling between Min Min and his ?rst love Sherry after he met her again at Adi’s wedding banquet after 30 years. Sherry was trying so hard to convince NJ to start a new life with her. But after a second thought, he decided to stay with his family instead of going off with Sherry. I think apart from what he said in the movie (â€Å"I would make the same decision if I have the chance to live twice†), Yang Yang and Ting Ting should be one of the main reasons why NJ chose to stay. Adi was not over with Yun Yun like what he had said to NJ and Xiao-Yian at all.They still have sexual relationship and ?nancial partnership after they broke up. The main reason why Adi married Xiao-Yian instead of Yun Yun should be XiaoYian’s pregnancy, which is quite obvious. And the newborn baby became a strong bond that ties Adi to Xiao-Yian somehow. Adi took video tapes for the baby and they took the baby with them when they visited NJ, all these showed that because of the baby, Adi began to make more effort in the family and the baby became something that Adi and Xiao-Yian shared. The baby surely stabilized their marriage in some ways. . Parenting Styles The parenting style in Lily’s family coul d be Uninvolved Style. Thus Lily showed moody, impulsive and alienated characteristics. In the movie, Lily’s mother spend most of her time with her boyfriend. Lily’s mother chose to give Lily money and ask her to watch a movie with Ting Ting and spend time with her boyfriend at home instead of going to the movie with her daughter. The parenting style in Ting Ting’s family, however, is more like Authoritative Style. We could see that Yang Yang is a friendly and explorative child, while TingNTU B00610017 Joanne Lin-Jung Chiu Ting is independent and optimistic. NJ always shows an positive attitude towards Yang Yang’s questions and problems. For example, when Yang Yang was asking NJ questions like â€Å"what people see and what people cannot see? †, NJ didn’t show any negative expressions, instead, he answered each questions Yang Yang asked patiently. NJ also taught Yang Yang rules. When Yang Yang was being impolite by staring at the neighbor in sunglasses, NJ told him not to do so and explained why it’s wrong to do that after they got to the parking lot.