Are humanities relevant to the 21st century Essay

In this annotated bibliography I will be trying to answer the question of the importance of humanities in the 21st century. I will be using sources from newspapers, books and blogs in which I found either in the UEA library, internet and other sources of information. I will be making summaries of the content which I read and evaluate the source as a whole, for this annotated bibliography most of the sources which I came across coincidently were about the usefulness of the humanities in education or in the work place in the 21st century. In addition, I incorporated film, literature, art and history making my range of sources broad. 1) Arnheirn Rudolf, 1932, film as Art, London, university of California press This book is mainly about theory, the authors main argument is that human beings are losing their ability of creativity. For example, the author talks about the â€Å"limitations of the medium, the absence of sound, the absence of colour and the lack of three dimensional depth† Arnheirn Rudolf (1932), these limitations created a new distinct art however due to advancement everything is about realism and because of these advancement creativity has been lost in the world of film. â€Å"The thoughts that made the picture move† Arnheirn Rudolf (1932) can be interpreted as realism bringing truths of world into the limelight such as the violence which occurred around the world. As a source it has very little relevance to the humanities in the 21st century, when reading this book it seemed very personal to the author the way he wrote it seemed as if he is defending something very important to him. Also, from what I had read there wasn’t much evidence to support his claims and was more like an aggressive rant about the mechanical advancements in the film industry. 2) Belfiore Elenora and Upchurch Anna, 2013, Humanities in the 21st century, Hampshire, Palgrave Macmillan This book is mainly a collection of essays and articles from different authors that has been edited by the authors. They talk mainly about the connection between the markets and the humanities. Their main aim was to â€Å"exercise of critiquing the present state of the humanities within and outside of the academic practise† Belfiore Elenora and Upchurch Anna (2013). The authors describe the history of the humanities and stated that the humanities came from the united states which spread to great Britain and then explained that social science came out of humanities which is why the humanities is the parent of the social science. The two authors compiled a collection of original essays that tackle the question however I did not read any views the authors had. 3) Corrigan timothy, 2012, film and literature: and introduction and reader, second edition, Abingdon, Routledge. Timothy Corrigan’s main argument is that he argues without the literature there will be no film and they need each other. â€Å"While the blockbusters harry potter films would constantly draw masses of young people/readers to the movie theatres and lines of moviegoers into the bookstore† Corrigan timothy (2012). He also argues there is a renewed interest in literature and film as â€Å"30% of movies today derive from novels and 50% of books classified as best sellers have been adapted to cinema† which enforces his argument that literature in fact is still important. Later in the chapter he gives disadvantages of turning novels into film by stating it destroys our imagination. When reading a novel we use our imagination to create a reality in the novels world however when watching a film adaption of that same novel your imagined world becomes the film directors interpretation and your imagined creation is lost. In this book the author clearly states 4 disadvantages of literature and not one positive or advantages to literature making me think that his views to a certain extent is biased. In addition, this book contains bucket loads of information from theories to history of film and this book is an educational one therefore contains information directed to students and is also the second edition generally meaning is an improvement to the first edition. 4) Grafton Anthony, (2010), 05/11/2013, Defending the Humanities, www. youtube. com Grafton Anthony is a historian that delivered a lecture in the University of Hampshire. He argues against a claim that humanities as a subject is ‘dying’. His argument boldly states that professors teaching the humanity  subjects are being force feed useless knowledge and information which will not help undergraduates in the future. He states that humanists should be creators of conversations between the graduates, the historical thinkers, ancient musicians and great artists which is critical and exciting, instead of creating of theories and drop everything we teach though it ‘like a sausage grinder’. He concludes, and states that humanities as a subject is improving and is always being rewritten when new information is available. Grafton Anthony uses the American civil war as an example, as a child Grafton Anthony in school had never heard of the presence of the African Americans in the civil war and parents would never take their children to historic battle sites because they felt offended. However, in today’s age African American parents joyfully take their children to these sites due to historians re-writing history and creating a true story that African Americans were in fact involved in the civil war. This lecture was really about promoting humanities as a subject. This is a good source as it emphases the problems of humanities being taught in the 21st century and also gives information on how to improve humanities in general in addition; his points are being reinforced by Bill Smoot who also had similar ideologies. 5) Grafton t. Anthony and Grossman James, 2013, the chronicle of higher education: the humanities dubious battle, 19th October 2013, pages 13. The authors as a summary basically belittles the humanities and talks about history are not needed in the economic and capitalist world. He quotes â€Å"Why would a company like Enterprise Rent-A-Car care if a prospective employee took the initiative to read the company history? What could the study of the past contribute to a career in, say, medicine? † Grafton t. Anthony and Grossman James (2013). He also makes the point that the humanities do not lead into any clear cut career than let’s say engineering, medicine and law. They then go on to say that the humanities is not totally dead as from a Harvard report stated that there are more people studying humanities in private universities and are mainly for the ‘elites’ â€Å"Humanities education provides the foundation for leadership, and wider access to such education implies wider access to positions of leadership. † Grafton t. Anthony and Grossman James (2013). Personally I didn’t like this source as the authors slightly changed their view from stating that the humanities is a rubbish subject to learn to the humanities being this epic subject that only the ‘elites’ should learn. The source was very simple to read and it seem to ‘speak’ to you as if you were having a conversation with the writer and made you think about subject. In addition, an article which finally sits on the other side for a change, It was interesting to find a source and authors who argued that humanities is useless so reading from an objective view it was a new insight into the subject of the relevance of humanities in the 21st century. 6) Kagan Jeome. (2009) The Three Cultures: Natural Science, Social Sciences, and the Humanities in the 21st Century, Cambridge: Cambridge University press. This book defines the three cultures and then compares them to one another. The author’s main argument is that the three cultures cannot survive without the fuel each culture provides. One example used is climate change kagon Jeome (2009) stated 50,000 years ago climate changed in northern Europe which destroyed our protein supplies and in turn the human population in northern Europe dropped drastically therefore if humans were involved in climate change it would be more rapid. The author then concludes that the sciences and humanities need each other and are both important to the 21st century as without the literature humanities provided the less likely research may have taken place. The author is American psychologist suggesting that he is very well educated and has written many books in regard to psychology, the book was also published by the Cambridge university press meaning that it is more likely to be intellectual. The book was written in 2009 which in regard to humanities and his major points is not too long ago. However, this book was basically a revamp C. P. Snow’s work who was a chemist and novelist who published â€Å"the two cultures and scientific revolution† which was written in 1959. 7) Pring Richard, 1999, oxford review of education, political education: relevance of the humanities, p71-87, volume 25 issue, Taylor and Francis. In this article the Richard Pring puts an emphasis on education being used as tool to control the young to becoming a model citizen and uses the phrase â€Å"developing desirable attitudes†. He next explains why he used that phrase and backs up his point by stating the â€Å"government is worried about the consumption of drugs amongst young people; therefore, schools are being instructed to teach about their evil effects†. Furthermore later on in the article he explains why the humanities is important not only because the humanities teaches us how to be †Human† but it gives us the skills to incorporate into politics such as critical writing and analysis. This journal is very detailed but is rather old compared to evidence I can acquire from books, blogs or other forms of sources. A lot of things have changed since 1999 such as the economy, which has gone through major changes during this time so views have changed. In terms of relevance to the question is that it is relevant to a strong extent from a cultural view. He describes that humanities is all around us and is impossible to miss. 8) Small Helen, 2013, the value of the humanities, oxford, oxford university press The book value of the humanities provides a critical account of the principal arguments used to defend the value of the Humanities. The claims considered are: that the Humanities study the meaning-making practices of culture, and bring to their work a distinctive understanding of what constitutes knowledge and understanding. The authors of this book made a very deep arguments from the contribution of human happiness to the â€Å"driving force for democracy† Small Helen (2013). She later concludes that the purpose of the humanities is to explore the grounds for each argument, and test its validity for the present day and â€Å"promise to sharpen the terms of public debate† Small Helen (2013). I believe this a very good source, firstly because it is very modern and up to date, academic slightly hard to read aimed at the educated and scholars. The author is a professor of the English literature at the University of Oxford which suggests she is smart enough to look at this question from an objective view. 9) Smoot Bill, (2011), 04/11/2013, Humanities in the 21st century, http://www. edutopia. org/blog/humanities-twenty-first-century-bill-smoot , Online Blog This blog offers information about the humanities in the 21st century, the author writes about his personal experience and feelings to the killing of Osama Bin Laden. He writes about how he felt satisfied for the killing of a man who may or may not of deserved it and as a English teacher he takes an objective look on different people’s reactions to the news and states he saw people crying and praising the death of a man, another group were indifferent and quoted â€Å"it is unholy to gloat over the bodies of the dead† Smoot Bill (2011). He later explains that we need humanities to teach the students habits ‘of critical thought and the historical perspective necessary for citizenship in a democracy’. The blog is aimed for people in the position of power. In terms, of relevance to the question I believe it answers the question because his simplistic writing explains why humanities are needed in the 21st century. However, a blog is an individual record of opinions so it does not carry weight as a good source but it gives an opinion so in that respect it becomes useful but not very reliable. 10) Stern Nicholas, Mon 22 July 2013, Don’t neglect the importance of the humanities, the independent, pages 7. In this source, the message is a lot more political. Firstly Nicolas Stern describes that there is a shift in every subject due to the lack of trust in intuition and lack of confidence in existing ideas and models and politicians are not inspiring the younger generations. He later describes the Science, engineering and medicine are vital drivers of human progress and we must celebrate and nurture them. However, without the humanities and social sciences we can never find responses to the urgent issues that trouble us. He then backs up his points with facts and figures for example â€Å"The UK economy is now 75 per cent services, hugely reliant on the analytical, negotiating and communication skills which humanities and social sciences disciplines develop in people† Nicolas Stern (2013) and â€Å"Most of the leaders in public life – government, commerce, public sector – were educated in humanities and social science disciplines. † Nicolas Stern (2013). In my opinion I believe this is a very good source as the author makes a point and then backs up his points with evidence and statistics. It is also a newspaper article meaning that the general public have access to it and create an opinion about the matter. However, the only disadvantage about this article is that the author doesn’t write about the advantages and disadvantages of humanities and only keeps to the positives and belittles other subjects. 11) Vianello Andrea 16/11/2013, http://www. bronzeage. org. uk/the-value-of-the-arts-and-humanities-in-the-21st-century-a-report. aspx, blog The author of the blog describes that he went to a debate about the importance of the arts and humanities in the modern day life and business. During this debate the author states that at this debate everyone assumed that they all agreed on the fact that â€Å"the humanities in modern day society are pretty much over due to the subject having no impact on modern society† Vianello Andrea (2013). The author concludes; with his own personal opinion which was that the value of the humanities is unique in terms of the way humanists’ think and its potential for sciences and businesses and that graduates who have studied the humanities have been equipped with transferable skills and a unique way to approach and solve problems. The author makes valid points with evidence which makes the author argument about this subject stronger however, he criticized in a negative light all the researchers and educated opinion that did not agree with his side of the argument making his view very personal not hold a lot of weight as a source. In terms of relevance to the question it is very relevant however due to his opinion being very personal and biased it’s a useless source and weak in terms of argument. 12) Warwick Clare, Terras Mellissa, Nyhan Julianne, 2012, Digital humanities in practise, London, Facat publishing. The authors open up with the definition of what digital humanities is and defined it as â€Å"the collaboration of the arts and humanities with computing† Warwick Clare, Terras Mellissa, Nyhan Julianne (2012). The book mainly talks about the experience of three people in the University of City London which is the leading university for digital humanities.

Research on Premarital Sex Essay

Premarital sex is sexual intercourse engaged in by persons who are unmarried. It is generally used in reference to individuals who are presumed not yet of marriageable age or between adults who will presumably marry eventually, but who are engaging in sexual activity prior to marriage (Wikipedia, 2009). Premarital Sex is so common nowadays because of the messages we receive from most TV shows and movies that tells us â€Å"everyone is doing it†. So, is it okay to engage in premarital sex? That is the common question among teens and engaged couples but then again, there are a lot of factors to consider – Is it moral? Is it safe physically and emotionally? What are the causes and effects of premarital sex? What are the teachings of the Church regarding the issue? Is it moral? Morality is such a big factor to consider when deciding whether or not to have premarital sex. The Bible refers to premarital sex as fornication. Fornication is sexual intercourse between people who are not married to each other (Premarital Sex, 2009). According to the Bible there is a distinction between premarital sex and adultery. â€Å"Adultery involves married persons while premarital sex involves those who are unmarried. Premarital Sex is just as much as sin as adultery and all other forms of sexual immortality. They all involve having sexual relations with someone you are not married to† (Premarital Sex, 2009). Is it physically and emotionally safe? Read more:  Essay on Causes of Premarital Sex People don’t usually consider the physical and emotional effects of premarital sex. Safety is one thing that should be given a careful thought. Condoms could not totally reduce the risk of getting AIDS caused by the HIV virus and other sexually transmitted diseases. â€Å"Sex is an emotional experience and it affects our lives in ways we don’t understand.† (Premarital Sex, 2009) After giving favorable attention or interest to premarital sex, people usually develop feelings of guilt, disturbance, doubt, resentment, lack of respect, tension, low self-esteem, and other unnecessary emotional pain. What are the causes and effects of premarital sex? People engage in premarital sex for different reasons. Teens usually do this because of peer pressure. They wanted to belong and be accepted by their group. Engaged couples on the other hand commits premarital sex because they are hoping for pleasure and the fulfillment of their sexual desires while others do this because of the hope that this might bring them intimacy. The horrible effects of these short-lived reasons are sexually transmitted diseases, early marriage, unwanted pregnancies, abortions, placing a child for adoption and unnecessary feelings like emptiness and unfulfillment. Rarely does a premarital sexual relationship stay together long enough to make it to marriage vows. People engaging in this activity will experience the heart rending emotional upset that comes with breaking up, and when people experience multiple break-ups it numbs them. They have conditioned themselves to run, instead of working out the problems that arises within marriages. â€Å"Divorce statistics are higher when the couple engaged in premarital sex or lived together before deciding to marry.† (Sex beforemarriage, 2009) What are the teachings of the Church regarding the issue? According to the Bible, abstinence is God’s only policy when it comes to premarital sex. â€Å"Abstinence saves lives, protects babies, gives sexual relations to proper value, and most importantly abstinence honors God† (Premarital Sex, 2009).As mentioned above, The Bible refers to premarital sex as fornication. The Bible explains, â€Å"†¦The body is not meant for sexual immortality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body† (1 Corinthians 6:13). Galatians 5:19 talks about the same thing, â€Å"The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Ephesians 5:3 says â€Å"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.† These verses show that the Bible encourages complete and total abstinence from premarital sex. According to Vogt J. & S., (2009), â€Å"The Church calls single people to chastity because human sexual expression carries with it the power of intimate union and of creating new life. It’s not to be taken lightly. If a man and woman aren’t committed to each other for the long haul, the bond created by their sexual union isn’t a total gift of self and is thus conditional.† In context, Hansen H.R. says that sex should be a sacred expression of love between a husband and wife and that both men and women should abstain from sexual activity until their marriage. It teaches that sex before marriage is an expression of lust, not love, and admonishes its members not to participate in it or in any other kinds of activities that excite sexual desires. Pope John Paul II spoke extensively about the holiness of our bodies and the meaning of sexual intimacy in his â€Å"Theology of the Body† lectures. Theologian Mary Shivanadansums up his thinking: â€Å"The b ody constitutes an expression of the entire person and thus calls us to responsibility† ( The Living Light , Spring 2001). This is a sexual responsibility for married couples as well as for single men and women. Premarital Sex is often seen as a recreation. People look at it in a shallow way that they only see sex as something that gives pleasure. Sex was designed for married couples to enjoy the pleasure and excitement of sexual relations (Premarital Sex, 2009). â€Å"The primary purpose of sex is not recreation but rather for reproduction. Sex is meant to be a spiritual experience that extends past the marriage bed into the everyday life of a married couple. It locks the couple together in the purpose that God has set before them which is to procreate† (Sex before marriage, 2009).5 I have conducted interviews regarding my topic, Premarital Sex. I asked people what is their own definition of premarital sex, and the causes and effects of it. â€Å"Premarital Sex is the contact of a man and woman without the blessing of the Church. Teenagers engage in such because they want to forget their problems. Also, they are not guided by their parents. Early marriage and early pregnancy are the effects of premarital sex.† Alona Sace, 30. â€Å"Sex prior to marriage. It is caused by extensive curiosity, and natural instincts. The effects include sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted child birth.† ,Liezel Solas, 22. â€Å"The engagement to pre-marital sex is completely immoral because it’s not blessed by the church, it would disrespect and disobey the law of the church which takes hold to the sanctity of marriage. Premarital sex, is the engagement of two human beings without putting God in the center, it was done out of lust and dirt. It takes away the freedom of each individual. Causes of premarital sex are the lack of the right education on the consequences of premarital union. People engaging themselves were innocent on the outcome and danger that may happen, rebellion to the parents is also a cause and in every cause of a mistake there is an effect that follows. An accident pregnancy or the pregnancy which was not even planned a mistake. An early marriage will also happen wherein both parties ar en’t ready.† Rev. Fr. Jojie Mangui. â€Å"Nowadays, premarital sex is just a trend that is already acceptable. It’s quite normal for people to actually do it no matter what age, or what state in life you have. For me, why give your virginity after marriage, if it will result to break up. Sex is sex, satisfaction guaranteed. If you do it and your partner gets pregnant, there would always be ways. As long as you want to live, you’ll always have reasons to live. â€Å"pavirgin† is not IN nowadays. The common causes why people engage in premarital sex are lack of confidence, women allow themselves to engage with different men because they feel accepted, an, they simply want to try it, feel it, and taste it. In effect, they become immoral, unaccepted by the society and this would also affect the growth of population. And what’s worse is that premarital sex may also lead to death. Not all people who engage in premarital sex are ready to have a baby, so they tend to abort it and completely destroy their lives. † Bethjoven Arenas, 22. â€Å"Premarital Sex for me is okay. Sexual preferences and compatibilities are considered when you are looking for a lifetime partner. It differs from person to person. If you and your partner have different sexual needs and preference, do you think you would create a lifetime of sexual happiness? Or would you live happily ever after? I guess not. I think it is okay to make sure rather than to regret it afterwards.† Criselda Guevarra,31. Summary Premarital Sex is not just about being immoral, but it certainly has risks involved. It is not physically and emotionally safe, plus it has long-term effects that could turn people’s lives upside down. The Church is also against it because it destroys the sanctity of marriage. Staying clean until marriage is the right thing to do if people wish to find a good person as a lifetime partner. The Bible has a word to describe ‘SAFE’ sex: it’s called marriage. Conclusion Premarital sex has no moral grounds, it is against God, and it is unsafe physically and emotionally. Although sex is pleasurable, it is designed by God to be enjoyed by two married people. Bibliography http://www.allaboutworldview.org/premarital-sex-2.htm http://www.allaboutworldview.org/premarital-sex.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premarital_sex

Generation Me Essay

In Twenges’ book she uses purpose in several ways. One of her main purposes is to describe how different generations have completely different views and moral standards. Twenge uses purpose to try and persuade the readers to believe that she has done the proper research for her book, and want the reader to feel like they can trust that what she is saying is the truth. In this book she doesn’t believe that there it is a problem between the generations just simply that there are distinct differences, and she tries to help the reader to discover why these differences occurred. In this book Twenge is really good at giving the audience background knowledge about herself and about the research that she did for the book. If you are familiar with the audience that you are writing to it is easier to persuade them, because you know there interests. I think that Twenge did a good job assessing her audience by asking herself questions like, who is going to read what I am going to discuss, what are their backgrounds, how much do the readers know about the topic I am writing about, and how much background information should I provide to my audience. I feel that when I read this book I can relate and easily understand what she is discussing. She is writing to a younger audience and not to Biochemists. I like the form of genre that Twenge uses in Generation Me. She breaks each chapter in to sub categories to put emphasis on specific topics which allow the reader to see what she thinks is important information. In this book she uses simple language with strong interests to get her point across. Structure is very important to the reader and the writer. Different types of magazines and novels have specific formats and structures of how they should be written. The style of writing is starting to change slowly over time just like fashion changes, but it will always be important to consider your audience when formatting the genre of your book.

Obesity evolved from a private matter to a political issue Essay

Obesity evolved from a private matter to a political issue - Essay Example Also, obesity has been associated with low self-esteem levels, and higher levels of anxiety, depression, and measures associated with impaired quality of life. The debate as to whether the obesity problem is personal or environmental or both will continue as long as the public attention lasts, and the prospect of public policy depends on continuation of publicity of the problem. The complex nature of attribution of responsibility has made it difficult for policy makers to assign blame or develop remedial policies. Even though pressure for action has been growing, the interaction of such factors has made it difficult to predict the future course of policy related to obesity. Policies to address issues surrounding obesity have all failed to pass Congress. Definition of the problem, response from Congress, administrative agencies, courts, and cultural consequences of policy debate is a familiar route for obesity as observed in tobacco and patient’s rights measure. Among all industrial countries, the United States has the highest occurrence of overweight condition, and obesity has become a pandemic problem with over half the population being obese. Diets, eating behaviour and lack of activity have been attributed for the rise of obesity. There has been little examination of the contribution of public policies in agriculture and economics resulting in the current agricultural and food environment. Obesity has been accelerating in the recent decades, suggesting that environmental conditions could be contributing factors in addition to individual eating behaviours and evolving lifestyles (Tillotson, 2004). A study has been conducted to review and understand the relevant history of the issue surrounding the emergence of obesity from a private matter to a political issue. The study has been conducted by review of relevant literature on the matter. The study serves to identify the direction of the issue based on the prevailing debate. Industrialization

Marketing of Chicago Cutlery, Dexter-Russell, Cutco,and Emerils Research Paper

Marketing of Chicago Cutlery, Dexter-Russell, Cutco,and Emerils Cutlery - Research Paper Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that Chicago cutlery was established way back in 1930. The business venture offers knife conditioning service to professional butchers and packing plants. Initially, knife conditioning was their main specialty, but when the demand for sharp knives increased, the business venture (Chicago cutlery) introduced a knife manufacturing business for the meat and poultry industry. Back in 1969, Chicago cutlery also ventured in the retail market with professional cutlery. They designed knives to cater for increasing demands of professional knife users. The knives were also available for home use. At the present, Chicago cutlery brand is owned by world kitchen, LLC. Market segmentation is to identify and profile distinct groups of knife users who might be having homogenous characteristics or needs, and hence, prefer varied genres of knives. Market segments are identified by Chicago cutlery by identifying, notifying and examining demographic, psychograph ic and behavioral differences among buyers. The firms then decide which segments present the greatest opportunity and whose needs the firms can meet in a superior fashion. The cutlery firms also aim at one or more market segments to cater for their needs. For each chosen target market, the firms develop a market offering. To satisfy the needs of the consumers more successfully and reach them in the most effective and efficient way, the cutlery firms identify groups of customers or potential customers with homogeneous characteristics or behaviors and try to adapt their service as much as possible to the unique needs and desires of the segment members. They identify and profile distinct groups of knife lovers who might have the same needs and hence prefer varied genres of knives. Having defined their market that: they need to supply knives to the meat and poultry industry, as well as a house, holds, the cutlery firms then go ahead to design knives for specific usage. The company has s egmented the market according to the needs of the customers. The world kitchen manufactures and markets branded consumer bakeware, dinnerware, kitchen, and houseware tools. Their cutlery products include well-known brands such as Corelle, Pyrex, Corning Ware, and Chicago Cutlery.

Critically evaluate the view that Taylorism and Fordism have been Essay

Critically evaluate the view that Taylorism and Fordism have been replaced by post-Fordism as the means of organizing work in a capitalist society - Essay Example t and set forth new standards for employment organisation, proficiency, and machinery, allowing the system to cope with the continuously shifting market and highly technical atmosphere that is shaping the late twentieth century global economy. Nevertheless, philosophers themselves have criticised this modernisation. To them post-Fordism is just like Fordism. Neo-liberalism is just the same as liberalism and so goes for neo-Marxism and Marxism. According to Green (1997), postmodernism is to be perceived as the continuity of certain ideals current within it and not as a progression beyond it. True can be the same for Fordism and Post-Fordism. This essay will assess the current trends and models that have been adapted by the current society and realise if Fordism and/or Taylorism indeed has been replaced and if this replacement system offered any real changes in the management modules. Jessop (in Amin, 1994 p. 9) revealed the dynamism of Fordism and present four levels of analysis. First, Fordism is a labour process, an industrial paradigm that made use of assembly line technique for mass production, employing mass workers for mass consumption. Second, Fordism is a regime of accumulation. Owing to a steady form of macroeconomic growth, it entails a decent circle of growth owing mainly to mass production and a rise in income associated with productivity. A rise in productivity based on economies of balance. An increase in demand owing to increase in wages, rising profits secondary to full utilisation of productive competence leading to multiplication of investment in improved production equipment and performance. Thirdly, Fordism is a mode of regulation, linking to Taylorism and imploring the separation of ownership from control in large corporations, holding on to distinctive multi-divisional decentralised organisations run by one controlling body. Elevating it to a mode of socioeconomic regulation that takes into account pricing monopolisation, union recognition

Engaging with the Media Product Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Engaging with the Media Product - Essay Example The first one, filtering, occurred when I decided to ignore some aspects of the show and processed the rest of it, depending on what I was interested in. Next came meaning matching, during which I matched the concepts about vampires shown in the show with the ones I already had knowledge about. Finally, when I encountered a message of which I had no knowledge of, or which went against my previous knowledge, I constructed a new meaning for it after evaluating what I watched on this show. While watching The Vampire Diaries, I was particularly interested in a vampire named Damon. Therefore, whenever there was a scene involving Damon, I would pay extra attention to his way of talking, and his attitude to others. As a result of processing all the scenes involving Damon, I can now recall the phrases used by him depending on the situations he faces. Moreover, my mind took in all the information-old and new-that I gained about vampires and other supernatural beings in general, perhaps due to my interest in them. On the other hand, there were messages that I unconsciously filtered out, such as the dates of previous centuries which the show’s characters would state when they would recall instances of the past. Another message which I filtered out was the words used by Bonnie (the name of a witch in the show) whenever she casted a spell. This is because the words used by her were part of a different language which I did not understand. Thus, during the scenes she caste d spells, my mind automatically tuned out and instead focused on the outcome of those spells. Once my mind filtered in all the scenes and messages which I paid attention to, I automatically matched them with what I already knew from before. For example, whenever I think about vampires, I imagine someone who looks like a normal human being, except that he/she has longer and sharper canines and has a thirst for blood. I have learnt this concept because I

What does it mean to say humankind was made in the image of God Essay

What does it mean to say humankind was made in the image of God (Biblical Anthropology) - Essay Example The issue is not with the revelations. Spiritual revelations of all the divine incarnates is one and the same, for they speak from beyond-the mind level, where bliss alone, the Eternal Light alone, revels. That perfect state transcends dualities or confusion. All dogmas are related to the mind-level understanding of the humankind. Perfection is not possible at this level. One has to cross the barrier of mind. â€Å" All dogmatism has this in common, that they are clothed with a certain authority. Naturally, the basis of this authority differs. Scientific dogmas have the authority of the axiomatic or self-evident truth. Philosophical dogmas deserve their authority from the generally admitted arguments by which they are established. Political dogmas are clothed with the authority of the government by which they are decreed. And religious dogmas are based on divine revelation(either real or supposed), and are therefore authoritative.†(Louis, p.18) But revelations are unquestionab le and are beyond the scope of arguments and counter-arguments. The essential difference between religion and spirituality needs to be understood. Spirituality is all-embracing for the entire humankind. If one turns the pages of history, they are daubed in the bloodshed related to conflicts between the different religious communities. â€Å"Hence this should not introduce God as an object about which man must speak, but as a subject which addresses man, and to which man must respond.†(Louis, p.11) When one talks about man in relation to God, the first question that arises in ones mind is the justification for the existence of an individual. There is a purpose behind ones arrival in this planet, a plan behind ones existence and a reason for the final departure, once liberated from the mortal bindings. Being born and to walk up to the grave is not the real purpose of life. â€Å"Christian religious faith is faith in the regeneration of man who is alienated

Impact of brands names such as Levis, McDonald,Starbucks,Disney on Essay

Impact of brands names such as Levis, McDonald,Starbucks,Disney on consumer - Essay Example Different companies use different ways to create strong brands for their products. Among the most successful brand names use pricing, production, promotion or place development or a combination of all these elements to have a strong market presence. This research seeks to identify the impact of brand names such as the Levis, McDonalds, Starbucks, and Disney on the consumer by using branding strategies such as pricing, production, promotion, and development place. Levis For over a long period, Levis, a jeans manufacturing company has made a name for its self, cutting an edge in the clothing industry. Not only does that the company boast of a quality garments, it also has a high market presence ("Levi Strauss & Co"  2). By making sure that it is a global product, it makes it sure, that its customers can assess the great brand from any particular part of the world (Mortimer et al. 90). With an increase in the level of competition in the clothes industry, having as strong brand is the only means of winning a competitive edge over other companies in the business. The market mix of the brand, by offering high quality products, also matches this with the pricing. Levis makes sure that the customers acquire top quality from the apparel industry, especially for their originality and integrity (Doorey 592). Quality, coupled with pricing wins the hearts of the customers, earning the company a larger market share than other companies (Healey, 12). Part of its marketing strategy is identification, which seeks to make sure that kids identify themselves as being â€Å"cool.† As such, it makes sure that its products, though having an innovative pricing strategy, are affordable to the people. However, it does not price its commodities very low, as there is an association between low pricing with poor quality products by customers. The aggressiveness with which Levis markets its products and the coolness identification among the peers is one of the main reasons for the company’s success in the clothes industry ("Levi Strauss & Co† 6). Being a jeans manufacturing company, Levis targets the youth, a market ready to purchase its products, especially due to the recognition of wearing a Levis brand. McDonalds Everybody knows of the McDonalds fast foods restaurant, whether they eat fast foods or not. For most of the people who love fast foods, they are passionate about McDonalds. With its heavy presence among major towns in the country, and the quality of its products, people feel compelled to eat from one of its restaurants (Min and Hyesung 288). The proximity of these eateries to their customers and the quality products they have to offer gives the company customer preference over other fast businesses (Pike 22). Walking into a McDonald’s restaurant, a customer receives everything they need, from food to soft drinks and snacks (Thomadsen 794). McDonalds could have a price higher than most of other companies in the business, but its association with quality give it a competitive edge makes the brand more attractive than other brands in the market. People associate with McDonalds, describing their loyalty to the brand, and as such, prefer eating from the restaurant to other restaurants. Starbucks The giant coffee restaurant has earned a name for its self for providing the best quality coffee

Mahatma Gandhi Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Mahatma Gandhi - Research Paper Example Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi believed that violence merely attracts more violence. He therefore discouraged his true followers from violently engaging the colonial authorities who ruled India before 1947. Gandhi wanted to force the imperialists to consider the harm that their presence in India was doing to the ethnic population. To this end, Gandhi believed that engaging in terrorist acts would not help India’s cause. He read about the concept of non-violent protest, as described by the American, Henry Thoreau, and fashioned his protest movement on precepts that were propagated by Thoreau. During his lifetime, Henry Thoreau was believed to be a dangerous anarchist. This is because he refused to support a government that had rules in place to support institutions such as slavery- which he deeply disapproved of. Thoreau, however, did not try to start a revolution in his time. He was merely trying to convince the public that there could be a more just government if this was demanded by the citizens. Thoreau believed that responsible citizens had the duty to refuse to pay taxes to a corrupt government. Thoreau actually decided not to pay taxes in order to demonstrate this point. He was arrested and confined to jail in 1848 for this action. He disapproved of the actions of the friend that paid his bail. T his experience inspired him to pen the essay ‘Civil Disobedience’, soon after. This proposal on the performance of acts of civil disobedience would be read and implemented years after Thoreau’s death by men like Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. Thesis Statement: Thoreau’s treatise contributed to the transformation of the world when revolutionary leaders like King and Gandhi used it to launch successful protests against colonialism and institutionalized racism. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who would later simply be known as Mahatma

Early Marriage in South Asia Essay Example for Free

Early Marriage in South Asia Essay Early marriage affects millions of children through the world. It is widely practiced in the countries of South Asia where every year millions of girls-preteens and teens- become the wives of older men. Young girls are married when they are still children and as a result are denied fundamental human rights. Early marriage compromises their development and often results in early pregnancy and social isolation, with little education and poor vocational training reinforcing the gendered nature of poverty. Required to perform heavy amounts of domestic work, under pressure to demonstrate fertility, married girls and child mothers face constrained decision-making and reduced life choices. Both boys and girls are affected by child marriage but the issue impacts girls in far larger numbers, with more intensity—and is wide ranging.[1] Early marriage, better known as child marriage, is defined as marriage carried below the age of 18 years, â€Å"before the girl is physically, physiologically and psychologically ready to shoulder the responsibilities of marriage and child bearing†[2]. Many factors interact to place a child at risk of marriage. Parents encourage the marriage of their daughters while they are still children in hopes that the marriage will benefit them both financially and socially, while also relieving financial burdens on the family. Strong correlations between a woman’s age at marriage and the level of education she achieves, the age at which she gives birth to her first child and the age of her husband have been well documented. Early marriage means also the individual becomes sexually active early, raising children while children themselves. The marriage of a young girl affects not only her life but that of the children she will bear. Early marriage is by no means a new phenomenon.[3] It is a socially established practice that has been carried on from generation to generation. This is despite the existence of international and regional instruments that all the States in South Asia have ratified. Governments in the region also settled upon 18 as the minimum legal age at marriage. However, they are often either unable to enforce existing laws, or rectify discrepancies between national laws and customary and religious laws. Most often, child marriage is considered as a family matter and governed by religion and culture, which ensure its continuity. It remains therefore a widely ignored violation of the rights of girls and women and exposes them to multiple risks, including to sexual abuse and exploitation. Compiled from a study undertaken by Mira, B. AGHI, this paper examines early marriage in the region in order to offer information for analysis and discussion. The Prevalence Of Early Marriage In South Asia It is very difficult to get accurate data on the true extent of early marriages. This is because most marriages are not officially registered, and many parents resort to falsifying girls’ ages. Such acts are made easier in rural areas where birth certificates are often non-existent or not properly recorded. There is also very little data on girls married before the age of 15. Available data are often outdated and fail to provide adequate information. Although early marriage is said to be declining in many parts of the world, the total number of girls at risk or affected is very significant and cannot be ignored. It is estimated there are worldwide more than 51 million adolescent girls aged 15–19 who are married and bearing the burden of domestic responsibility and the risks associated with early sexual activity, including pregnancy.[4] In South Asia in 2005, 48% (nearly 10 million) of young women were married before the age of 18[5]. Figure 1 Child marriage, 1987 – 2006. (% of women 20-24 years of age that were married or in union before they were 18 years old) [pic] Despite a shift towards later marriages in many parts of the world, in the countries of South Asia a majority of girls still marry before age 18 (65% in Bangladesh, 57% in Nepal, 54% in Afghanistan, and almost 50% in India). One problem in assessing the prevalence of early marriages is that many are unregistered and unofficial and hence, are not a part of any data collection system. Very little data exists on marriages of children under the age of 10, even less on those below that age[6]. Some countries do have data. According to Bangladesh’s demographic and health survey of 1996-1997, there are 28 million adolescents in Bangladesh, 13.7% of these are girls, and the survey reported that more than half the girls below 19 were married and 5% of 10-14 year old girls were married. Another survey of women 25-29 years old reported that in Bangladesh 81% were married before the age of 18[8]. The lowest age at marriage is to be found in the western and southern parts of Bangladesh – specifically those adjoining India. In India, more than 57 per cent of girls are reported to get married before they turn 18. According to the Reproductive and Child Health District Level Household Survey, 28% girls overall, with 34.5% in rural and 13% in urban areas, are being married before they turned 18. According to a Rapid Household survey conducted across the country, 58.9% women in Bihar were married before the age of 18, 55.8% in Rajasthan, 54.9% in West Bengal, 53.8 % in Utter Pradesh, and 53.2% in Madhya Pradesh. National Family Health Survey data suggests that the median age for marriage in India is 16.4 years. This survey also found that 65% of the girls are married by the time they are 18.[9] There are additional surveys like one in 1993 which reported that in the Indian state of Rajasthan, on 5,000 women 56% had married before age 15, and of these, 17% were married before they were 10.[10] Another report indicated that nearly 14% of the girls in India’s largest state (Uttar Pradesh) are married between the ages of 10-14 years, whereas in the central province of Madhya Pradesh, 11% of urban and 16.4% of rural girls are married between the ages of 10-14 years.[11] In Nepal, the law has helped in increasing the age at marriage. However, the data which included female marriages at all ages showed that ethnicity is the major factor of age at marriage in Nepal. The ethnic groups are mostly concentrated in the Terai region, which borders India, and where the cultural norms and practices are highly influenced by the culture of north India. In contrast to other groups, especially in the mountain region, women belonging to the Terai groups are generally confined to farming; they exercise comparatively less control over the economic resources and decision-making. The most notable data from Nepal is 83.1% of girls of some ethnic groups marry before they are 15 years old. 79.6% Muslim girls marry before they are 15 years old. 69.7% girls in the mountainous and hilly regions marry at the age of 15 whereas 55.7% in rural Nepal marry before they turn 15.[12] Early marriage is more common in Surkhet district of mid-western Nepal.[13] One of the findings of the study is that higher caste girls do not feel the pressure to marry at a very young age and while they are in primary school. But when they reach 13 years, pressure is put on them especially if they fail their school exams. If they are doing well their parents will often let them continue with their studies. Lower caste girls have much higher pressure and less choice.[14] A survey of adults 25-29 years old revealed that in Pakistan 37% of the girls were married before the legal age, which at the time was16.[15] In Pakistan, as in other countries of South Asia, early marriage is more common in rural areas. Also people living in rural areas observe traditions more closely than those who live in urban areas. Causes Of Early Marriage Many reasons are given by parents and guardians to justify child marriage. Economic reasons often underpin these decisions which are directly linked to poverty and the lack of economic opportunities for girls in rural areas. Girls are either seen as an economic burden or valued as capital for their exchange value in terms of goods, money or livestock. A combination of cultural, traditional and religious arguments also justifies child marriage. The fear and stigma attached to premarital sex and bearing children outside marriage, and the associated family honor, are often seen as valid reasons for the actions that families take. Finally, many parents tend to curtail the education of their girls and marry them off, due to fear of exposure to sexual violence and abuse encountered. Early marriage as a strategy for economic reasons Poverty is one of the major factors underpinning early marriage. In many of the cases, the families are in poverty and one less daughter is one less mouth to feed. Poor families may regard young girls as an economic burden and the practice of early marriage, as an act of unburdening and a coping strategy. When poverty is acute, a young girl’s presence in the house is felt as unbearable and her marriage to a much older or even elderly man who can pay a very high price may be seen in her interest. Child marriage is valued as an economic coping strategy which reduces the costs of raising daughters. In this sense, poverty becomes a primary reason for child marriage because of perceived benefits to the family and the daughter. |Ethnicity/culture has emerged as the most complex reason for girls’ early | |marriages. In fact at some places like the Terai region in Nepal, where | |the cultural norms and practices are highly influenced by the culture of | |north India, it has emerged even stronger than the socio-economic | |factors.[16] It has been observed that ethnicity affects not only the age | |of marriage but the timing of family formation and entry into motherhood. | Marriage arrangements and requirements, such as dowry payments in parts of South Asia where parents of the young woman are obliged to give gifts to the spouse and his family, perpetuate child marriages. This is because the dowry requirement often increases with the age and the education level of the girl. Additionally, poor families tend to marry off girls at the same time to help reduce the burden of high marriage ceremony expenses[17]. However, child brides are often more likely to experience domestic violence and least likely to take action against this abuse. The majority of affected girls become condemned to a life of financial and social insecurity. This is a real paradox for many parents, given that they marry off their daughters at a young age in the belief that this will enhance the girl’s and the family’s security. Poverty ultimately fuels child marriage, which in turn perpetuates the feminization of poverty. In many villages that practice child marriage in Tamil Nadu State in India for example, girls are married off before they attain puberty because of the social stigma the community attaches to marriage after puberty. Many such marriages end in divorce. In case there is a large age’s difference, the girls become widows at a young age. Custom forbids divorced or widowed women to remarry, further impoverishing them. Entrenched community norms and myths clearly help to perpetuate the practice of child marriage and related poverty. Son preference is very strong in many communities in South Asia, which may not be unrelated to the expenses involved when marrying off a daughter. The rising costs of marriage ceremonies force many families to marry their daughters at the same time to reduce costs. Boys forced into marriage early may also suffer financially. Economic responsibilities can place heavy burdens on them and curtail their education sooner than they might want. However, while boys can leave their wives at their parents’ homes and seek employment opportunities elsewhere, this option is not available to the majority of young wives[18]. Marriage alliances and traditions Often marriage arrangements are made between families for dynastic, business, property or conflict resolutions. In Pakistan, India and Nepal, children may be betrothed or even married while toddlers or well below the age of 10. This custom is a means of consolidating powerful relations between families, making deals over land or other property, or settling disputes in the way routinely conducted between royal houses and aristocratic families throughout history. It may be a way of maintaining or fostering business ties with them. It may also be arranged as apart of the deal to settle a feud between two families.[19] Early marriage as a way to ensure the protection of girls Early marriage is also one way to ensure that a wife is â€Å"protected† or placed firmly under male control; that she is submissive to her husband and works hard for her in-laws’ household; that the children she bears are ‘legitimate’ and that bonds of affection between couples do not undermine the family unit.[20] It has been observed that in child marriages there is invariably a large gap between married women and their husbands—between 7-9 years.[21] The customary age difference helps to preserve the traditional cultural pattern of an older husband dominating a much younger wife. Social pressure appears to play a significant role in the girl getting married early. If girls remain unmarried by 15, neighbors, villagers and relatives begin to doubt her chastity and health. Parents are under huge pressure not to give a chance to the society to pass any aspersion on their girls. Early marriage is often a way of ensuring that the daughter is not at risk of losing her virginity in an irregular sexual encounter.[22] For many communities, the loss of virginity in girls before marriage is the worst shame that can be brought upon a family. The desire to protect a girl’s virginity drives many parents to force their daughters into marriage at an extremely young age. For this reason and to control girl’s sexuality, girls are married to prevent pre-marital sex or pregnancy. Once it is known in the village that a girl had pre-marital sexual relationship, it could be quite difficult to find a suitable boy who will be willing to marry her. Therefore parents willingly/unwillingly arrange early marriages to avoid such unpleasant situations. In rural communities, fetching water and firewood are usually chores undertaken by young girls. There is frequently a serious fear of their being raped.[23] The rape will be devastating with enormous implications for the girl. In many communities the rape is not considered to be a crime against a girl but against her father, husband, or brothers. Situations of insecurity and acute poverty, particularly during disasters such as war, famine or the HIV and AIDS epidemic, can prompt parents to resort to child marriage as a protective mechanism or survival strategy. Among some populations which have been disrupted by war (Afghanistan), marrying a young daughter to a warlord or someone who can look after her may be a strategy for physical security or family support. In the worst cases, girls are abducted or kidnapped by armed militia or rebels and forced into temporary marriages which amount to â€Å"a combination of child prostitution and pure slavery.† Displaced populations living in refugee camps may feel unable to protect their daughters from rape, and so marriage to a warlord or other authority figure may provide improved protection.[24] Consequences Of Early Marriage The consequences of child marriage are often far wider than just their impact on the individual children affected. The marriage of children has negative effects on families and communities. The practice thrives on poverty and impacts adversely on a country’s health and education sector. Young girls are forced to marry men they have never met before and who may be many years older than they are. Once married, they are responsible for looking after their husbands, the house, and the children they give birth to while still children themselves. This is one of the reasons that offspring born too early in their mothers’ lives are at increased risk of illness and death. These girls often have little knowledge about the responsibilities of being a wife and no information about sex and childbirth.[25] Early forced sex as a violation of rights where a girl is married has not been recognized as a form of sexual abuse except where warlords or traffickers have recruited girls as sexual slaves.[26] Early marriage is associated with a number of poor social and physical outcomes for young women and their offspring.[27] They attain lower schooling, lower social status in their husbands’ families, have less reproductive control, and suffer higher rates of maternal mortality and domestic violence. They are often forced out of school without an education, their health is affected because their bodies are too immature to give birth. |Child marriage impedes the Millennium Development Goals | |(agreed by governments and the international community in | |September 2000). | | | |Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. | |Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education. | |Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women. | |Goal 4: Reduce child mortality. | |Goal 5: Improve maternal health. | |Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. | Health and related outcomes The younger the boy or the girl is at the time of marriage, the worse is the abuse of child and human rights, both on grounds of lack of consent and on grounds of forced early sex. However, the implications for the females are much more severe. The younger the girl at the time of her first sexual relations – with early sex much more frequent and less likely to be consensual within marriage than outside marriage – the greater the chance of severe pain, physical damage, and of birthing complications and injury. Pregnancy and childbirth It is common sense to assume that girls who marry before 18 will usually have more children. Early child-bearing has long been seen as a risk to maternity, contributing significantly to large families. Since girls who are married young have a large number of child bearing years, they are more prone to miscarriage, infant death, malnutrition, cervical cancer, sterility, and maternal death. Even when girls are closer to the age of 18 but not yet that age, the risk remains. Girls between age 15 and 19 are twice as likely to die of pregnancy-related reasons as women between age 20 and 24. Child marriage is the leading cause of young women between the ages of 15 and 24 dying during pregnancy. Figure 4 Percentage of women age 15- 19 who have begun childbearing Selected countries in South Asia, 2004-2006 [pic] Not only the mothers but offspring born too early in their mothers’ lives are at increased risk of illness and death. The babies of child brides are sicker, weaker and many do not survive childhood. Evidence shows that infant mortality among children of very young mothers is almost two times higher than among those of older peers. The health problems linked to early marriage not only affect the pregnant mother but also continue after child birth. Complications are more likely during pregnancy and birth purely because of the mother’s young age. A large proportion of reproductive and sexual health concerns of adolescent girls and women root from early marriage and early pregnancy. In the context of reproductive health girl spouses face well-acknowledged risks. These include the problem of giving birth when the pelvis and birth canal are still under-developed which leads to an increased risk of complications during delivery including protracted labor.[28] Mothers aged less than 15 are especially vulnerable to fistulae – relentless pressure from baby’s skull can damage the birth canal causing breakages in the wall. A girl or a woman with this condition ─ irreversible without surgery ─ is not only in constant pain but will be socially ostracized and may well be divorced because of this.[29] The perils of child marriage are not limited to only health complications during pregnancy and delivery period but in many cases during post-natal period as well. Because of the prolapsed uterus, they suffer from backaches, experience difficulties while walking, working and sitting for a long time. At times they had to give birth even after prolapsed uterus and this made the situation worse for them. [30] Child brides cannot negotiate the terms of sex with husbands who are usually older and have had previous sexual partners.[31] They cannot insist on fidelity or condom use.[32] Research in India (Calcutta) revealed that almost half of the women patients in the hospital interviewed had been married at or below the age of 15 with the youngest being married at 7 years. This age group has one of the highest rates of vulnerability to sexual violence in marriage, second only to those whose dowry had not been paid. The women had forced sexual intercourse before menstruation had started. The sex was early and painful and many still continued to be forced into sexual activity by their husbands. Although young girls had made their husbands aware of their unwillingness to have sex or of pain during sex, in 80% of these cases, the rapes continued.[33] Increased risks of contracting sexually transmitted diseases and HIV Early marriage threatens girls’ health and the health of their children and thwarts efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. Of substantial consequences, yet largely ignored, is the fact that the majority of the sexually active girls aged 15-19 in South Asia are married and these adolescent girls tend to have higher rates of HIV infection than their sexually active unmarried peers. Early sexual activity within marriage is even more likely to expose young people to sexually transmitted infections than sex outside marriage.[34] Crossing the threshold into marriage greatly intensifies sexual exposure via unprotected sex, often with an older partner, who by virtue of his age has an elevated risk of being HIV positive. This dramatic rise in the frequency of unprotected sex is driven by not only the implication of infidelity or distrust associated with certain forms of contraception such as condoms, but often also by a strong desire to become pregnant. Demographic and health survey data reveals that on an average 80% of unprotected sex encounters among adolescent girls occurred within marriage. Not only are married adolescents girls often isolated within their new households and from external public and private support but their needs have not been prioritized or sometimes even considered in current reproductive health initiatives. Moreover many of the most common HIV/AIDS policies and messages are not appropriate for them.[35] Denial of education It is believed that investment in a girl’s education is wasted when she simply going to be married and work in another household.[36] Girls reported that even if married girls are allowed to pursue their education, they cannot continue for too long because of the varied burdens imposed on her by early childbearing and the chores in the house. An important reason why girls in South Asia do not go to school or are withdrawn at puberty is for the assumption of domestic duties and confinement at home as prelude to marriage. Lack of exposure outside the immediate home environment means lower self-esteem, less sense of identity as an independent person with an independent mind, reduced socialization with peers and non-family adults, and considerably less knowledge of what early marriage entails.[37] There is a clear connection between early marriage and low educational attainment. Early marriage puts the young girl at a disadvantage by the loss of educational opportunity. Often girls are not allowed to go to school which diminishes her opportunity to acquire critical life skills. Children benefit as much as their families, since a school-going child has been observed to be an agent of change in rural societies.[38] A girl who is educated will most likely educate her daughter and thus establishes an inter-generational trend of educating girls. Besides, the correlation between the number of years of a girl’s schooling and the postponement of marriage is shown to be firmly established by demographic and fertility studies36. A one year postponement of marriage increases schooling by 0.32 years and literacy by 5-10%.[39]

High School and Graduation Essay Example for Free

High School and Graduation Essay Time gets closer to the day we move our tassels from senior to graduate. Graduation steps on the back of our heels like the annoying freshman running late for class. It acts as if it is going to creep up on us, but we all know it will be here soon. It tip-toes in the back of our minds. Graduation: a day of freedom, maturity, and proof that nobody is any better than another. â€Å"There are many different ways of following through†¦ Sometimes it’s about going there, not getting there. Sometimes it’s the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination. â€Å" –Drake. This quote says a lot. He actually spoke at a graduation, and told that graduation class this same thing. This quote reaches out to me because I know my journey will be a rough journey. Becoming the person I want to be after high school is a journey all its own. I hope I get to where I want to be. Even if I do not, I have learned. Although graduation is only a few months away, I am getting nervous. I am nervous. But graduation day will be the day I go from high school student to adult. Age is just a number. Intelligence proves adulthood. I am proud to say I am looking forward to graduation day. I am looking forward to becoming an adult. I am looking forward to taking that next step in my life. I want the rest of my class to be as ready and nervous as I am because I will not feel alone. I know I am not the only one who feels this way. Every senior all around the United States is put in this position. We all do the same thing. We all walk onto that stage, shake hands, smile, wait for a picture and walk off with our high school diplomas in hand. Adults and older siblings did not lie when they told me that my four years of high school will be the best four years of my life. I have had an amazing four years. I have lost friends, gained friends, met some amazing people, and even met some people that I did not want to meet. I got put in positions I was not sure I was mature enough to handle. I handled them though. I got forced to make choices I did not know I needed to make on my own, but I made them and I know I made the right ones because of the person I am today. I am already ready to walk on that stage and smile. Smile big for those who made choices that caused them to not be able to walk with me. I smile for the  people who have tried to bring me down in life so far. And most of all I smile for myself, I smile because I made it. I made it to this graduation day; a day full of freedom, maturity, and proof that nobody is any better than me.

Development of Water-soluble Metal

Development of Water-soluble Metal Development of Water-soluble metal working fluids and study of their wear properties Chidambaram CT, L.A.Kumaraswamidhas, Suman Dutta* Abstract Metalworking chemistry evolved from simple oils to water-based technology. The tool life was extended by reducing wear by metal working fluids. This study shows parameters affecting on Wear Scar Diameters (WSD) with different water soluble metal working fluid having different mineral oil and phosphorous EP additive content. The optimum mineral oil and phosphorous EP additive content of this metal working fluid has been estimated using 2-level factorial design. The Mean Ware Scar Diameter (MWSD) is determined experimentally. The test is performed at specific speed, load and temperature adopting four balls tribology test method as per ASTM D4172 test procedure. The results from wear tester indicate the role of mineral oil content and mixture of EP additives. The lubricants with poor wear results possess excellent extreme pressure qualities. Keywords : Water-soluble metal working fluid, wear scar, four ball tester, 2-level factorial design Introduction Metal Working fluids principal functions are to accelerate heat dissipation with increased tool service life, lubrication between tool, chip and workpieice with reduced tool wear and improvement of the work piece surface finish. The fluids cool and lubricate the metal tool interface [1]. Metal working fluid requirements will be removal of heat, transport of metal chips and lubricate between tool and metal. Water soluble metal working fluids and Neat oils are two types of working fluid. The simple aqueous solutions provide excellent cooling but are not adequate for maintaining the good lubrication. Under such circumstances, a compromise is achieved by the use of soluble oils that consist of mineral oil together with EP compounds. These soluble oils function satisfactorily in most of the operations but their EP activities remain to a limited extent [3]. The main advantages of water-based fluids are that they resist the growth of microorganisms and the development of objectionable odor s. The functional additives contribute to the total composition which includes emulsification, corrosion inhibition, lubrication, microbial control, lubrication, pH buffering, coupling, defoaming, dispersing and wetting. In order to understand the effects of wear, researchers are able to understand the reaction of two moving surfaces between the metal working fluid and the material [4]. For minimizing the wear, the lubricant plays important role to increase the life time of mechanical components. Extreme Pressure (EP) additives such as sulphur, chloride and phosphorous actually form metal complexes with the metal surface at elevated temperatures. Any of the EP additives or in combination used in formulation of water soluble metal working fluids to impart good lubricity. Wear to the cutting edge is usually accompanied by rounding of the tools tip and permissible wear width is an indicator of tool service life [6]. For this paper, 5% of different water soluble metal working fluids employed to Four ball Tribotester, following the ASTM Standard D4172 [7]. The analyses were focused on the wear scar diameter and the results showed that having poor wear results have excellent extreme pressure qualities. The optimum value of mineral oil and phosphate esters were estimated by 2-level factorial design Level Factorial Design. 2-Level Factorial Design A 2-level factorial design with two factors have been used for this study. The factor considered here are concentration of mineral oil and phosphorous EP additives. The design points are shown Fig. 1 and values of independent variables at two levels are given in Table 1. Materials and Methods. The following section illustrates the experimental procedure and the materials and equipment required for this purpose Materials Chrome alloy steel standard balls as per AISIE-521000 of 12.7mm diameter, extra polish grade 25 of Rockwell C Hardness 64 – 66 HRC. Every test, new four balls were used. These balls were cleaned by using Acetone and wiped by fresh lint before starting the test. Water Soluble Metal Working Fluids The function of Metal working fluids are to aid the cutting and grinding operations with good finish and maintain the work piece quality by extending the life of machine tools. The chemical additives are used to formulate metal working fluid will contribute for stability, lubricity and microbial control. Water soluble metal working fluids with different mineral oil content such as 40%, 43%, 55%, 70% and 90% were defined as test candidates for the study to represent the entire performance bandwidth of the metal working fluids. The above concentrates are mixed with water at 5% concentration are for this test. Water soluble metal working fluid concentrates with 40% mineral oil content was subjected phosphorous EP Additives dosages with 0.01%, 0.02% and 0.03% for providing extreme pressure lubricity. These concentrates are diluted with water at 5% and conducted wear study as per ASTM D 4712. Apparatus Four-ball wear tester used for investigation of understanding the characteristics of lubricants. The above tester uses four balls. Three balls are firmly held in a ball pot which contains the lubricant to be tested and are pressed with one ball on the top. The top ball rotated at 1200 rpm on the three balls at the bottom. The four-ball tribotester machine TR-30L manufactured by Ducom India. This tester is used to measure the wear scar. The oil cup assembly, collect and the ball bearings are the important components shown in the figure 2. Before conducting the test, these components are cleaned with acetone. Test Procedures Steel ball bearings were placed in the ball pot assembly and tightened by using a torque wrench such that bottom steel balls prevented from moving during the testing. In the collector, the spinning ball at the top is locked and tightened onto the spindle. The test metal working fluid fed into the ball pot assembly. The assembly is installed into disc in the four ball machine. The test load of 392N (40 kg) applied slowly to avoid shock loading. The metal working fluid being tested was heated to 75oC by the tribotesters built-in heater. Set the drive motor to drive the top ball at 1200 rpm about one hour when the temperature reached. Oil cup assembly removed after one hour by switching off the heater. The metal working fluid under test drained from the oil cup. The steel balls were wiped by using lint free industrial wipe. The surface of the bearings was captured and wear scar measured by using microscope. Result and discussion With the special microscope, the wear scar diameters of bottom ball bearings were measured and the mean values were calculated. Table 3 shows the Mean Wear Scar. Mean wear scar diameter increases with the load gradually. The mineral oil content plays important role in wear and shown in Table 3 and figure 3 and it has been observed that wear scar value reduced with increase in mineral oil content in the water soluble metal working fluid concentrate. The relation between MWSD and MO content can be represented by the Equation 1 that has R2 = 0.9684 MWSD = 0.00003(MO)2 – 0.0081(MO) + 1.1257 (1) As our aim is to develop water based metal working fluid using minimum MO content. Further down, 40% mineral oil content concentrate taken for study and imparted with Phosphate additives and mean wear scar diameter found. It was observed by increasing the antiwear additive, the MSWD decreases as shown in Table 2. Data in Table 2 have been used to develop the 2-level factorial design. The surface and contour plot of this design are given in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 respectively. The software MINITAB 15 was used for the 2-level factorial design and Table 4 and Table 5 represent the result of the analysis. The regression equation is given by Eqn.2. MWSD = 0.7075 0.0675xMO – 0.0575x PE + 0.0275 x MO x PE(2) The result of Analysis of Variance is given in Table 5. This table gives the value of various errors and the effect of various terms. The response MWSD have been optimized using the MINITAB 15 software. The study shows that 0.03% phosphate EP additive and 90% MO gives the best result of 0.61 within the experimental region. However, we are using 40% MO as discussed earlier. Therefore, the 40% MO and 0.03% phosphate EP additive gives the MWSD of 0.69. The optimum value can be calculated from the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 based on the maximum allowable MO content. Conclusion The tribology behavior of different metal working fluids at load (392N) were evaluated by Four ball tribotester machine and the results were compared. From the results, it can be concluded as 1.From the observation of wear scar condition, all the metal working fluids show abrasive wear. Severe adhesive wear found only in metal working fluid where there is low mineral oil content and rest of the samples found good. 2.Phosphate esters containing metal working fluid tend to impart anti-wear property to metal working fluids and with increase in quantity will leads to instability. 3.There was the general tendency for the wear, as indicated by the increased scar diameter, to increase the extreme pressure properties were improved. 4.Incorporation of antiwear additives for mineral oil containing 90% water soluble working fluid leads to instability. 5.A combination of 40% MO and 0.03% phosphate EP additives can be used production of water based metal working fluid.

Peter Tchaikovsky Essay -- essays research papers

The Life of Peter Tchaikovsky Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, also spelled Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, was born in Votkinsk, in the city of Vyatka, Russia, May 7, 1840. Second in a family of five sons and one daughter, to whom he was extremely devoted. Once in his early teens when he was in school at St. Petersburg and his mother started to drive to another city, he had to be held back while she got into the carriage, and the moment he was free ran and tried to hold the wheels. There is an anecdote of Tchaikovsky's earliest years that gives us a clue to the paradox of his personality. Passionately kissing the map of Russia and then, one regrets to state, spitting on the other countries, he was reminded by his nurse that she herself was French. "Yes," he said, accepting her criticism with perfect sweetness and affectionate docility, "I covered France with my hand." The child is father of the man; here we have already Tchaikovsky's strange two-sidedness: on one hand his intense emotionality in all personal matters, his headstrong impetuosity, leaping first and looking afterwards; on the other his candor and modesty, his intelligent acceptance of criticism, even his carefulness and good workmanship-he had covered France with his hand"! If he had only been able to reconcile that lifelong feud between his over-personal heart and his magnanimous mind, he would have been saved endless suffering. But he was not: in his music his self-critic ism, as on of his best biographers, Edwin Evans, has remarked, "came after and not during composition"-he destroyed score after score. And in daily life he never learned to apply the advice of a wit tot he victim of a temperament like his: "less remorse and more reform." As a youth he reluctantly studied law, as much bore by it as Schumann had been, and even became a petty clerk in the Ministry of Justice. But in his early twenties he rebelled, and against his family's wishes had the courage to throw himself into the study of music at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. He was a ready improviser, playing well for dancing and had a naturally rich sense of harmony, but was so little schooled as to be astonished when a cousin told him it was possible to modulate form any key to another. He went frequently to the Italian operas which at that time almost monopolized the Russian stage, and laid t... ... influence of all this sunshine he partially forgot, or put aside, his shyness, and took up the baton again, at first with many qualms, but gradually with so much assurance that in 1888 he made an international conducting tour, appearing in Leipzig, Hamburg, Prague, Paris, and London. Three years later he even ventured to come across the Atlantic and conduct his own works in New York at the ceremonies of the opening Carnegie Hall, as may be read in his letters in amusing details of his triumph and homesickness. And for the summers there were a series of modest but comfortable country houses in Russia where he could compose in peace, from Maidanova, with which he began to Klin, near Moscow. Only at the end of 1890, three years before his death, came the inevitable rupture with Madame von Meck, and by that time he was financially independent, so the break affected his spirits more than his music. In 1893 he wrote at Klin his most famous work, the "Pathetic" Symphony, and conducted it at St. Petersburg on Oct. 28. It was coolly received, and he did not live to witness its success. Only a few days later he drank a glass of unfiltered water, and died of cholera, Nov. 6, 1893.

Transcontinental Runs :: Running Athletics Papers

Transcontinental Runs One of the most distinct features of humans exists in the fact that we are innately motivated to achieve certain goals. We are in essence a species of curiosity, always testing how much stress we can take both mentally and physically. There have been many people over the years that tested their mental and physical states, but few can say they put their very existence to the limit like James Shapiro and Bhaktimarga Swami. Shapiro, an American runner and author, completed a virtually solo run across the United States in 1980, covering 3,026 miles in eighty days of trials and tribulations.(Shapiro preface) Swami, a Hare Krishna monk in Canada, is well on his way to completing his trek across his native land.(Internet 96) It was the age of 33 in 1980 when Shapiro started to run from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean.(Shapiro preface) While the distance of over three thousand miles seems near impossible, Shapiro had plenty of experience in ultra-running prior to his trip. He began running in his early youth, participating on his schools’ track teams. He enjoyed little success in these early races but was confident that one day he would find a long distance where he could excel. In 1975, after witnessing the Boston Marathon, Shapiro decided that he would run a marathon himself. Five years and thousands of miles later Shapiro had run several marathons and even ultramarathons up to fifty miles long. But the thought of the solo venture across America was not a glimmer in Shapiro's eye until he met two runners who had run the length of England across America. He then made it a point to train twenty miles a day for eight weeks up until his departure in July of 1980.(Shapiro preface) If he finish ed he would join a select group of twelve living runners that have mastered comparable runs.(Shapiro preface) After catching a one way flight to California from his native state of New York, Shapiro settled on Dillon Beach as his starting point for its beauty and openness.(Shapiro preface) Shapiro was going to have to get used to this sense of openness, for except for parts of Utah, Nevada, and Wyoming where a car accompanied him for hydration purposes, he would be traveling the open lands of America alone. "It was scary to sense how alone I was going to be and how much I would have to live with myself, and be comfortable doing so.

Action and Observation in Shakespeares King Lear Essay -- King Lear E

Action and Observation in King Lear      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Auden once asserted that Shakespearean tragedy is necessarily parabolic, pertaining to the only myth that Christianity possesses: that of the 'unrepentant thief'. We as the spectators are thus implicated in the action since each of us 'is in danger of re-enacting [this story] in his own way'.1 The sufferings of the hero could be our own sufferings, whereas in Greek tragedy, such a notion is precluded precisely because the misfortunes of a character can be traced back to the discontent of the gods. Hippolytus is not a moral agent; Hamlet is. The aesthetic of Shakespearean tragedy is therefore dynamic, with an audience that, to a certain extent, are also participants. Auden proposes a model of observing based upon an Aristotelian conception of drama, one that involves the spectator in an emotional relationship with the characters on stage. King Lear too, offers the audience several quite distinct paradigms of both observation and action, and crucially, it is on the var ying successes of these models that the tragedy hinges.    One does not need to look far in King Lear for a figure that might fit Auden's mould. Kent surely embodies that which Schlegel termed the 'science of compassion' in the play.2 He is publicly traduced and humiliated by Lear in Act I, Scene 1, and yet, in the guise of Caius, risks his life in order to serve his king still. Kent observes Lear's 'hideous rashness' (I.i.153) and he is motivated into participating in his master's sufferings:    I have a journey, sir, shortly to go; My master calls me; I must not say no. (V.iii.323-324)    The simple rhyme, metric balance, and monosyllabic plainness of this couplet infuse the lines with a sen... ...onathan Bates, Penguin 1992, p. 381 3 Samuel Johnson, Johnson as Critic, ed. John Wain, Routledge & Kegan Paul 1973, pp. 216-217 4 John Willet, The Theatre of Bertolt Brecht, Methuen 1964, p.170 5 Ibid, p.172 6 Euripides, Alcestis and other plays, trans. John Davie, Penguin 1996, p.80 7 The Romantics on Shakespeare, ed. Jonathan Bates, Penguin 1992, p. 390 8 Kiernan Ryan, 'King Lear: The Subversive Imagination' in New Casebooks: King Lear, ed. Kiernan Ryan, Macmillan 1993, p.80 9 A. C. Bradley, Shakespearian Tragedy, Macmillan 1908, p.55 10 W. H. Auden, The Dyer's Hand and Other Essays, Vintage New York 1989, p.201 11 Harold Bloom, Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human, Fourth Estate 1999, p.481 12 William Blake, 'The Marriage of Heaven and Hell' (plate 3 lines 11-12) in The Complete Poems, Penguin 1977, p.181    Action and Observation in Shakespeare's King Lear Essay -- King Lear E Action and Observation in King Lear      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Auden once asserted that Shakespearean tragedy is necessarily parabolic, pertaining to the only myth that Christianity possesses: that of the 'unrepentant thief'. We as the spectators are thus implicated in the action since each of us 'is in danger of re-enacting [this story] in his own way'.1 The sufferings of the hero could be our own sufferings, whereas in Greek tragedy, such a notion is precluded precisely because the misfortunes of a character can be traced back to the discontent of the gods. Hippolytus is not a moral agent; Hamlet is. The aesthetic of Shakespearean tragedy is therefore dynamic, with an audience that, to a certain extent, are also participants. Auden proposes a model of observing based upon an Aristotelian conception of drama, one that involves the spectator in an emotional relationship with the characters on stage. King Lear too, offers the audience several quite distinct paradigms of both observation and action, and crucially, it is on the var ying successes of these models that the tragedy hinges.    One does not need to look far in King Lear for a figure that might fit Auden's mould. Kent surely embodies that which Schlegel termed the 'science of compassion' in the play.2 He is publicly traduced and humiliated by Lear in Act I, Scene 1, and yet, in the guise of Caius, risks his life in order to serve his king still. Kent observes Lear's 'hideous rashness' (I.i.153) and he is motivated into participating in his master's sufferings:    I have a journey, sir, shortly to go; My master calls me; I must not say no. (V.iii.323-324)    The simple rhyme, metric balance, and monosyllabic plainness of this couplet infuse the lines with a sen... ...onathan Bates, Penguin 1992, p. 381 3 Samuel Johnson, Johnson as Critic, ed. John Wain, Routledge & Kegan Paul 1973, pp. 216-217 4 John Willet, The Theatre of Bertolt Brecht, Methuen 1964, p.170 5 Ibid, p.172 6 Euripides, Alcestis and other plays, trans. John Davie, Penguin 1996, p.80 7 The Romantics on Shakespeare, ed. Jonathan Bates, Penguin 1992, p. 390 8 Kiernan Ryan, 'King Lear: The Subversive Imagination' in New Casebooks: King Lear, ed. Kiernan Ryan, Macmillan 1993, p.80 9 A. C. Bradley, Shakespearian Tragedy, Macmillan 1908, p.55 10 W. H. Auden, The Dyer's Hand and Other Essays, Vintage New York 1989, p.201 11 Harold Bloom, Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human, Fourth Estate 1999, p.481 12 William Blake, 'The Marriage of Heaven and Hell' (plate 3 lines 11-12) in The Complete Poems, Penguin 1977, p.181   

National Home Builders Quality Award

It is recognized as an established source for reliable, objective information and research on housing construction and development issues, while it continues to promote innovation in housing technology to improve the quality, durability, affordability, and environmental performance of omes and home building products. Through its various testing and certification programs, the Research Center seal is recognized internationally as a mark of product quality and an assurance of product performance (nahbrc. com).In an effort to cultivate quality within the home building industry and promote the industrys best practices the National Housing Quality Award (NHQA) was established in 1992. This award represents the housing industrys highest recognition for achievements in the area of quality management and operational excellence in the residential construction industry (nahbrc. com). The NHQ Award is modeled after the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, which was established in 1987, by C ongress to raise awareness of quality management and recognize U.S. companies that have implemented successful quality-management systems (Baldrige. com). The Award promotes awareness of performance excellence as an increasingly important element in competitiveness and information sharing of successful performance strategies and the benefits derived from using these strategies (Wikipedia). Recipients are selected based on achievement and improvement in seven areas, known as the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence, which the NHQA hasPerformance Excellence which has eight categories upon which entrants are Judged. The National Housing Quality Award (NHQA) is open to all US homebuilders, remodelers and trade contractors and is administered by the NAHBRC in conjunction with Reed Business Information, publishers of Professional Builder Magazine. NHQ Award applications are reviewed by a panel of Judges who are experts in both the housing industry and quality management, many of t hem being past NHQ awards winners.These Judges then evaluate the importance of quality in the companys construction, strategic planning, leadership and performance management, trade elationships, customer satisfaction, human resources and business results, which are the NHQA Criteria for Performance Excellence (nahbrc . com). The NHQ Award is presented annually at the Professional Builders Benchmark Conference. Award winners go on to be featured in Professional Builder Magazine articles that highlight the quality management practices as models for the housing industry. The award title is held for one year.AWARD CRITERIA Patterned after the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the NHQ Award was designed to recognize residential construction companies for excellence in quality chievement and promote awareness of customer focused quality as an increasingly vital element of competitiveness and productivity for building professionals. The NHQA has two divisions with one open to all U S companies that build or remodel residential homes using light construction methods. The other is open to all independent trade contractors that provide construction services to builders or remodeling companies.The NHQA consists of a set of eight criteria as outlined in their Criteria for Performance Excellence: Category I Description I Points I Leadership I How does the company's senior leaders, guide the organization towards common purposed based on shared values and priorities? | 10 | Strategic Quality Planning I How does the organization create and implement a strategic plan to achieve a vision for the future, enhance their competitive position and improve overall performance? | 10 | Performance Management I How are the companys business processes developed, managed, measured and improved to achieve performance excellence? 10 | Customer Satisfaction I How does the company manage the design and delivery of products and services that promise a high level of customer satisfaction? | 10 | Human Resources I How does the organizations mployee selection and development practices, as well as staff performance management, well being, motivation, satisfaction and compensation contribute to the growth of the organization? | 10 | Construction Quality I What methods does the company use to drive quality in the home construction process and ensure high performing, trouble free products and services? 10 | Supplier Partnerships Examines how the organization designs, manages and improves processes for implementation to deliver customer value and reach organizational success | 10 Business Results I What are the tangible measurements of the business benefits esulting from the organizations high performance practices in the financial, operational, customer satisfaction and product and service quality areas? | 30 | Despite the fact that the NHQA award is modeled after the MBNQA award there are focuses on quality assurance approaches that ensure high performing, trouble free p roducts and services.In addition the Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award is awarded to a sole winner whereas the National Housing Quality Award has several award categories. The NHQA has three recognition levels: honorable mention, silver and gold. Gold is awarded to those that have attained a national benchmark level within ach area of evaluation; they have mature, fully integrated quality management principles and consistently demonstrate high level sustained results. Silver is awarded to those that are industry leaders in most evaluation areas; they have many refined business practices, key measures for continual improvement and good business results.Honorable mention is awarded in special circumstances for those that demonstrate an understanding of quality principles and show a sound, fact based improvement process. Key measures are in place and good business results are achieved in most areas (Denis 2009). To be considered for the NHQ Award applicants must complete a rigorous applic ation process which includes a 15 page application which is considered an important step in every applicant's road to quality.This is so as participants benefit from the insightful process of preparing the application, which is a long and grueling process, which takes hundreds of man- hours to complete. Judges evaluate each applicant to determine to what extent the entrant embraced a customer focus and systematically embraced it within their business practices. Those that passed the initial selection were scheduled for a site isit. On the site visit, each finalist spent at a minimum a day with a team of Judges. At the end of the visit, the Judges had a clear understanding of the company culture, management practices and the quality results.The final award is given to the organization that is deemed befitting on the overall Judge's findings. BENEFITS OF THE AWARD The NHQ Award is more than recognition of quality achievement. It sets a benchmark to strive for and a model for improveme nt. By preparing an NHQA application organizations get an opportunity to assess their business from a Total Quality perspective. This rigorous process allows organizations to really take a look at their processes and make significant improvements in order to be competitive.The organizations that submit an NHQA application receive detailed feedback on strengths and opportunities for improvement from the expert Judging panel. According to Tom Gillespie, President Kennedy Community Development, a multi-year applicant and 1997 NHQ Award winner, â€Å"no other programs has provided our company with more rewards, both financial and operational, than the NHQ application process provides† (Toolbase. org). This shows the depth of the application rocess and the benefits that can be yielded from its undertaking. Tom Gillespie is not the only one that praises the benefit of the NHQ way.David Simon, president of operations at Veridian Homes, a 2005 Silver award winner, says that, â€Å"t he in-depth review of our application and the detailed site visits provide valuable feedback not only for our strategic planning but also for driving quality improvement throughout the organizations† (Builderonline, 2005). The benefits of the NHQ award are far reaching, applicants benefit Just by undertaking the award application process and y implementing changes based on the feedback that they are provided by the gross profit margins which can be significant.Mercedes Homes, a 1996 NHQ Award winner used the NHQ criteria as a model to â€Å"tune-up† their management practices. As a result of this improvement process they had higher profits in 1996 than the previous five years combined! Scott Buescher, V. P Operations, COO, attributes reports that using the NHQ model was a major factor in their success (Toobase. org, NHQ Agenda). The bottom line is that there are really no losers with the NHQ award as the enefits far outweigh the time and effort that are invested into th e application process.According to Paul Deffenbaugh, editorial director of Professional Builder, as a result of going through the process, NHQ Award winners, â€Å"significantly improve the performance of their companies, making them more consistent and more reliable. Home buyers have found these companies execute the best quality homes and deliver the highest quality satisfaction† (National Building News, 2007). PAST WINNERS Since the inception of the NHQA in 1993 through 2009, 67 builders have received recognition, of which eight builders have earned multiple awards.These organizations range in size from small family owned to large national builders, building a variety of homes in a wide price range. In addition six remodelers and five trade partners have been awarded recognition (Leonard, 2009). NHQ Award winners represent the best of the best in the home building industry. In 1993 Town and Country Homes was named the first National Housing Quality Award winner. This win w as attributed to customer satisfaction and sales as the leading Chicago area home builder (Hauser, 1993). Since then many other organizations have gone on to win what is considered the hardest award to win in home building.In 2009, Tempe, Arizona based builder, T. W Lewis become the sole recipient of the 2009 NHQ Gold Award, having won in 1998 the NHQ Silver Award. â€Å"This award is a significant accomplishment in the homebuilding industry and one that our company and associates are very honored to received,† said T. W Lewis president and COO Kevin Egan. â€Å"The NHQ Award reaffirms the path we have chosen as a company-a path that is focused on productive quality, customer satisfaction and operational excellence† (East Valley Living, 2009).In 2002 only one U. S builder was recognized as a Gold Award winner and that was History Maker Homes of Forth Worth, Texas. History maker attributed their success to the relationships that they have been able to foster. Nelson Mit chell, president of history maker a family owned company said, â€Å"we strive for valued relationships with our customers and with each of our team members, as well. Our company works diligently to maintain the family culture we have enjoyed for many decades† (History Maker Homes, 2002). 002 was a historic year for the NHQ Awards as it was the first year since its inception in 1993 that Silver Awards were gained by two trade contractors as the award was expanded to include ot only builders, but remodelers and trade contractors as well. The inaugural winners in the contractor category were All-tech, Inc. of Monroe, N. J and Tappe Construction of Eagan, Minn. When the NHQ Awards were introduced almost two decades ago, many builders had a hard time figuring out how quality management could help their companies.The longevity of the Awards and the achievements of the winning builders have set this award as the most prestigious award in the industry. Housing Quality Award examines the builder's business and quality management practices. We are concerned with the builder's ability to deliver a quality product onsistently, have satisfied home buyers, and achieve high productivity,† says Liza Bowles, President of the NAHB Research Center, (Professional Builder, 1997). Following is a list of other past winners of The NHQ Awards.For the home building industry the epitome of quality is seen in the National Housing Quality Award, an award modeled after the infamous Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and represents the highest recognition to be gained in the housing industry. The NHQA Criteria for Performance Excellence has been an important tool for hundreds of home builders and trade contractors to assess and improve performance on critical business success factors which has enabled them to grow as n organization.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GigE_Visionhttp://www.builderonline.com/design/awards/the-winning-homes-from-the-2016-gold-nugget-awards_oHome http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/technology/internet/23worm.htmlhttp://www.historymaker.com/dfw/aubrey/arrowbrooke-50s/http://www.nbnnews.com.au/tag/t4/https://www.nahb.org/en/research/safety/~/media/EC307DD0CB534384A60E0E089E7C5831.ashxhttps://uxplanet.org/best-practices-for-microinteractions-9456211aeed0https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:HighBeamhttps://www.tceq.texas.gov/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NAHBGreenhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_Baldrige_National_Quality_Award