Saturday, December 28, 2019

The Language Of Language And Language - 1554 Words

Have you ever experienced what it feels like to be bullied for your differences? I was in the 5th grade when I first encountered what it meant to be ridiculed for the way you speak. There was a time when my classmates made fun of another boy for the way he was speaking English. The boy was very quiet and only spoke to his cousin during class. The only language he was comfortable speaking was Chinese. My classmates at the time were taking turns recreating what they thought his language sounded like. Every so cruelly they mocked him in a way that was extremely racist; they were bullying him. I specifically remember one girl telling him, â€Å"Does your language sound like, ching chong, chong?†, she proceeded to laugh while she asked him. I never stuck up for him when I heard this, and I feel ashamed till this day that I didn’t speak up for him. Language shaming can come from anyone, and it takes many forms. In â€Å"Coming to Language† by Jimmy Santiago Baca, the p assage gives us a personal experience, he has with language shaming from a teacher and how it affected his life and his journey of finding freedom through writing. In addition we see, another example of language shaming in â€Å"Living with Dyslexia† by Gareth Cook where he talks about his learning disorder and how it altered his relationship with teachers and his life. There is great similarity between Baca, Cooks and I’s encounter with teachers and language shaming. Since I’ve been in college, I have had three professors tell meShow MoreRelatedLanguage And The Language Of Language1117 Words   |  5 PagesLanguage wields immense power over humanity. It is used to ignite war, to enforce peace, to remember the past, to dream of the future, and to connect with others. People from all over the world travel great distances with their words. The art of language bridges cultures and borders to bring ideas and messages near and far. However language is not alone in o ur difference from the animal kingdom. Creativity has pushed us from a survivor’s existence into a time of excess and an enjoyment of life. TheRead MoreLanguage, Language And Language970 Words   |  4 Pagesever listened to someone from another country speak English? A lot of times, people speaking a second language will pronounce things a little differently than native speakers, or they will talk at a different rhythm. Languages have their own pace, places where you expect people to pause or speed up or articulate more clearly. We call this part of language an accent. People speaking a secondary language may have a foreign accent, while those speaking a native tongue have a local accent. Music is a lotRead MoreThe Language Of Language And Language853 Words   |  4 PagesDurell is surrounded by different language ideologies that show us what concepts of language he was exposed to and the impact he had on him. At home, school, and the community, people embrace the concept that any language, learn to any degree, used in anyway is good proper language. We see this in his teacher emphasizing learning language makes children a better learner because gain the benefits of new ways of thinking. There is the mom who says all and any language will help her son get a better jobRead MoreLanguage : Language And Language841 Words   |  4 PagesLanguage in society is constantly being spoken in several different ways—whether that consists of speaking in different languages, or communicating differently when speaking and writing. Furthermore, language is often described as words used to communicate amongst others around you. As you become older, you quickly realize that language comes with much more than words. Many languages; if not all, have several different dialects—some to the point where the words can’t be recognized whatsoever. ConsequentlyRead MoreLanguage, Language And Language1188 Words   |  5 PagesLanguage, comprising as it does of groups and blends of words, is the prime method for correspondence between individuals. Obviously, language is by all account not the only method for correspondence, yet it is the centrepiece of correspondence in human culture. Language is understood by people in terms of their own social and cultural backgrounds. From when we are born, we learn and follow in speaking socially by imitating others around us (Gee Hayes, 2011). In other words, we learn from othersRead MoreLanguage, Language And Language Essay2278 Words   |  10 PagesIntroduction: Language is what sets the human race apart from every other animal species on earth. It is comprised of not only spoken words, but also written text and symbols, braille, body language and sign language. The ability to communicate with each other via language allows humans to share a common means of expressing and understanding their own thoughts and emotions as well as those of others, whilst also facilitating learning, teaching and collaboration opportunities. Language is a set of socialRead MoreLanguage : Language And Language991 Words   |  4 PagesLanguage Oh Language â€Å"The history of HCE has inspiring accounts of resourcefulness, intellect, and competence that both reflect and sustain local Hawaii culture.† (Kanae, np) There is no other place in this world like Hawaii. There is a mixture of nationalities and languages that have made our islands the unique and special place it is. One of the most important components in a culture is language. Language is used to communicate daily among multiple ethnic groups. In HawaiiRead MoreLanguage Between Language And Language1680 Words   |  7 PagesLanguage arose out of a need to communicate ideas and commands. Initially it was very basic, but in its current form language is very complex. It a adapted to the changing need of speakers. In this sense, language is a living entity which evolves in response to the changing cultural context in which it exists. Because language evolves in response to culture, the full quality of its meaning is derived from understanding the context in which it takes place. Educators must be aware of the socioculturalRead MoreLanguage Attrition : Language And Language1602 Words   |  7 PagesBot (1995), language attrition in the other words is loss of language skills. There are both bad and good news from the research. For the bad news, it basically tells us that everyone is a loser because everyone is going to lose the language. And this language loss can be divided into group and individual level. Group means that a gro up of people started to shift from speaking an original language to another new language, and the next generation started to stop using the old language. Because ofRead MoreLanguage And The English Language1333 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"Is Language powerful?† It certainly is, but is it powerful to an extent that effaces any possibility of controlling it? The answer to this question varies from perspective to perspective, but in order to give a more solid response to this question, we have to acknowledge that the importance of comprehending the influence of language is critical because it is one of the most essential things in humans’ lives, which automatically makes it a topic of major relevance. This paper will be focused on the

Thursday, December 19, 2019

The Life and Writings of Kurt Vonnegut Essay - 2248 Words

Kurt Vonnegut is celebrated as one of the most successful novelist in the Post-Second World War period in the America. His literary works have had varied impacts on American culture, including the use of the word â€Å"karass† amongst college students, the naming of the pop groups â€Å"Ice Nine Kills† and â€Å"The Billy Pilgrims†, and the frequent use of the term â€Å"So it goes† as written in Vonnegut’s obituary on the New York Times (Farrell, p.ix). This article examines the impacts of Vonnegut’s on his literary work. It reviews the influences of his childhood experiences, his education, service in the army, and employment at various settings on his work as a writer. His work caught the attention of a larger audience due his simplicity and humor†¦show more content†¦This could be explained by his earlier educational life as a science student at Cornell University and his interests in science fictions. Even though Vonnegut was supportive of talking of the contributions of technology in the modern life, he was not quick to embrace technology in his literary works. For instance, â€Å"he typed his essays and stories on a typewriter rather than a computer; he always relied on the U.S. Postal Service rather than e-mail; and he warned repeatedly of the dangers of technological advancement,† (Farrell, p.ix) His dissenting views on technological advancement are illustrated in his literary works like Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Welcome to the Monkey House which depict how humans can face serious problems associated with population explosion if all the infectious diseases are eradicated. In the Player Piano, he explains how human labor will be taken by machines, creating a condition of extensive joblessness and helplessness in the modern world. Also, in Cat’s Cradle, he talks of the detriments of technological advances in military science, which could lead to the creation of deadly weapons such as â€Å"ice-nine† or neutron bomb which destroyed Midland City, Ohio as depicted in the Deadeye Dick (Farrell, p.ix). In his works, Vonnegut also uses ill fated characters, individuals who are pressed by conditionsShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Kurt Vonnegut s Slaughterhouse Five 1634 Words   |  7 PagesKurt Vonnegut once said, â€Å"So it goes† to describe the unavoidableness of fate. This aspect of seeing terrible things and being able to continue on would become a main theme in his novels. Vonnegut, as an author, received his essential voice by writing about his own experiences, using what would become his signature pessimistic yet humanist view. Vonnegut is described by Lindsay Clark as, â€Å"Worse than a pessimist†¦ he is an eternal optimist doomed to disappointment† (Clark, â€Å"Viewing Four Vonnegut NovelsRead MoreKurt Vonnegut : A Hybrid Of Science Fiction And Satire1716 Words   |  7 PagesLeanne Arata English 11 Mrs. Wheeler 5/8/2016 Kurt Vonnegut The idea of making a work that does not fit into a single category of work is how Kurt Vonnegut has become such a phenomenon. Kurt Vonnegut has a hybrid writing style which allows him to critique human nature and this is evident in his work. A hybrid writer is someone who makes something by combining two different genres to create something new. Vonnegut’s work is a hybrid of science fiction and satire. Satire is an author’s way of sayingRead MoreSlaughterhouse by Kurt Vonnegut819 Words   |  3 PagesKurt Vonnegut followed many principles in his writings. He claimed that â€Å"people do not realize that they are happy† (PBS NOW Transcript). Feeling that people had the wrong view on war, he felt that he needed to get the facts straight. Vonnegut believed that art can come from awful situations, and that the truth is not always easy to look at. Kurt Vonnegut wrote Slaughterhouse – Five to tell of his experience in the bombing of Dresden, as a prisoner in war and the atrocities that occurred. VonnegutRead MoreThe Role of Religion and Morality in Cats Cradle Essay959 Words   |  4 PagesCradle As an author, Kurt Vonnegut has received just about every kind of praise an author can receive: his works held the same sway over American philosophy as did those of Jack Kerouac or J.R.R. Tolkein; his writing has received acclaim from academics and the masses alike; and three of his books have been made into feature films. Society has permanently and noticeably been altered by his writing. Through accessible language and easily-understood themes, Vonnegut has created works subtle,Read MoreKurt Vonnegut s Personal Experiences1599 Words   |  7 PagesTHESIS STATEMENT Kurt Vonnegut’s personal experiences of World War II and the firebombing of Dresden were important factors in determining his writing style and the political and philosophical views that it conveyed. Throughout his works, the overarching message that Vonnegut delivers is the need for love and compassion in a world where humans are helpless against an indifferent fate. PURPOSE STATEMENT Through critical analysis, historical research, and textual evidence, a study on Kurt Vonnegut’s backgroundRead MoreStyle Analysis of Kurt Vonnegut on Slaughterhouse Five1623 Words   |  7 Pagesbrilliant piece of literature. One example, for instance, is Kurt Vonnegut who may have been stimulated by the war, thus writing Slaughterhouse Ââ€" Five. Though one may categorize this piece as science fiction or even auto - biographical, it can also be interpreted as an anti Ââ€" war piece. Because Vonnegut is classified as a post modernist, one can take into account all the details, such as the similarities between the main character and Vonnegut, the Tralfamadorians, and the style and themes of the novelRead MoreKurt Vonnegut Analysis825 Words   |  4 PagesThe attempts by scholars to define Vonnegut’s style of writing lean toward the belief that his work may be modern, postmodern and postmodern humanist (Davis). Accordingly, following the postmodern lean, Davis describes Vonnegut’s fiction as â€Å"lies that enable a humanism of practice.† (Davis). Decidedly anti-war, Vonnegut refused to glorify his most hurtful memories of World War II. His writings took on a common thread of sharp wit and satire. Hilariously, he made fun of his world and attempted toRead MoreKurt Vonnegut : First Generation German American Parents1213 Words   |  5 Pages1, 2017 Rough Draft Kurt Vonnegut was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on November 11, 1922. His parents, Edith and Kurt Sr. were third-generation German-American parents. Vonnegut was raised without any knowledge of the German Language. Edith the daughter of Albert Lieber, a millionaire and Indianapolis brewer while Kurt Sr. an architect. The only profound name on Kurt Sr, side was his great-grandfather Clemens Vonnegut, founder of Vonnegut s Hardware Store. Kurt Vonnegut graduated from ShortridgeRead MoreThe Impact Of Science Fiction in Our Life: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut815 Words   |  4 PagesFiction Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five brilliantly illustrates how being in combat traumatically affects soldiers in time of war. Indeed, the author uses science fiction and the creative use of time travel as a mold to bring about his true feelings towards war, thus making Slaughterhouse-Five a quintessential anti-war book. Vonnegut’s usage of science fiction creates an outlet to the planet of Tralfamadore where Billy is able to escape his mental damage from war. The author, Kurt Vonnegut, sawRead More The Mind of Kurt Vonnegut946 Words   |  4 PagesMind of Kurt Vonnegut Kurt Vonnegut is one of the preeminent writers of the later half of the twentieth century. His works are all windows into his mind, a literary psychoanalysis. He examines himself as a cog in the corporate machine in Deer in the Works; as a writer through the eyes of Kilgore Trout in several works; and most importantly, as a prisoner of war in Slaughterhouse-Five. Vonnegut created short stories and novels that dealt with events in his life. One of

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Buddhism And Taoism (2272 words) Essay Example For Students

Buddhism And Taoism (2272 words) Essay Buddhism And TaoismThe belief in some higher presence, other than our own, has existed since man can recollect. Religion was established from this belief, and it can survive and flourish because of this belief. In Chinese history, Taoism and Buddhism are two great phiosophical and religious traditions along with Confucianism. Taoism, originated in China around the sixth century B.C.E. and Buddhism, came to China from India around the second century of the common era, Together have shaped Chinese life and thought for nearly twenty-five hundred years. One dominate concept in Taoism and Buddhism is the belief in some form of reincarnation. The idea that life does not end when one dies is an integral part of these religions and the culture of the Chinese people. Reincarnation, life after death, beliefs are not standardized. Each religion has a different way of applying this concept to its belief. The goal in Taoism is to achieve tao, to find the way. Tao is the ultimate reality, a presen ce that existed before the universe was formed and which continues to guide the world and everything in it. Tao is sometimes identified as the Mother, or the source of all things. That source is not a god or a supreme being, as Taoism is not monotheistic. The focus is not to worship one god, but instead on coming into harmony with tao (Watts, 1957). Tao is the essence of everything that is right, and complications exist only because people choose to complicate their own lives. Desire, ambition, fame, and selfishness are seen as hindrances to a harmonious life. It is only when a person rids himself of all desires can tao be achieved. By shunning every earthly distraction, the Taoist is able to concentrate on life itself. The longer the persons life, the more saintly the person is presumed to have become. Eventually the hope is to become immortal, to achieve tao, to have reached the deeper life. This is the after life for a Taoist, to be in harmony with the universe, to have achieved tao (Watts, 1957). To understand the relationship between life, and the Taoism concept of life and death, the origin of the word tao must be understood. The Chinese character for tao is a combination of two characters that represent the words head and foot. The character for foot represents the idea of a persons direction or path. The character for head represents the idea of conscious choice. The character for head also suggests a beginning, and foot, an ending. Thus the character for tao also conveys the continuing course of the universe, the circle of heaven and earth. Finally, thecharacter for tao represents the Taoist idea that the eternal Tao is both moving and unmoving. The head in the character means the beginning, the source of all things, or Tao itself, which never moves or changes; the foot is the movement on the path (Schipper, 1978). Taoism upholds the belief in the survival of the spirit after death. To have attained the human form must be always a source of joy. And t hen to undergo countless transitions, with only the infinite to look forward to, what comparable bliss is that! Therefore it is that the truly wise rejoice in, that which can never be lost, but endures always (Watts, 1957, p90). Taoist believe birth is not a beginning, death is not an end. There is an existence without limit. There is continuity without a starting point. Applying reincarnation theory to Taoism is the belief that the soul never dies, a persons soul is eternal. You see death in contrast to life; and both are unreal both are a changing and seeming. Your soul does not glide out of a familiar sea into an unfamiliar ocean. That which is real in you, your soul, can never pass away, and this fear is no part of her (Watts, 1957, p59). In the writings of The Tao Te King, tao is described as having existed before heaven and earth. Tao is formless, stands alone without change and reaches everywhere without harm. The Taoist is told to use the light that is inside to revert to t he natural clearness of sight. By divesting oneself of all external distractions and desires, only then can one achieve tao. In ancient days a Taoist that had transcended birth and death, achieved tao, was said to have cut the Thread of Life(Schipper, 1978). The soul, or spirit, is Taoism does not die at death. The soul is not reborn, it migrates toanother life. This process, the Taoist version of reincarnation, is repeated until tao is achieved. Broken Spears Essay5. Right Livelihood involves choosing an occupation that keeps an individual on the Path; that is, a path that promotes life and well-being, rather than the accumulation of a lot of money. 6. Right Effort means training the will and curbing selfish passions and wants. It also means placing oneself along the Path toward Enlightenment. 7. Right Mindfulness implies continuing self-examination and awareness. 8. Right Concentration is the final goal to be absorbed into a state of Nirvana (Sangharak*censored*a, 1990, p11). Compliance to the path does not guarantee reaching Nirvana, but it is the only path that leads to Nirvana. Only through following this path established by Buddha does a Buddhist have a chance to reach enlightenment, to free oneself from the continuous rounds of birth, death andrebirth, to have reached the ultimate goal to be absorbed into a state of Nirvana. The goal in both Taoism and Buddhism is to reach the ultimate goal, to transcend life on earth as a physical being, to achieve harmony with nature and the universe. The ultimate goal for both religions is to achieve immortality. The Taoist called this ultimate goal Tao, while the Buddhist seek Nirvana. Whatever the name, the followers of these religions believe there is an existence beyond life which can be achieved provided the right path or behavior is followed. The path to Tao and Nirvana are similar, yet different. Both believe there is an inner light which guides a person in the right direction to the ultimate goal. Personal desires must be forsaken to enable the inner light to guide a person to achieve eternal bliss. The inner light concept is similar, but the actual path is the difference between Taoism and Buddhism. The path toward enlightenment for the Buddhist was defined by Buddha in his Eightfold Path. Only through following this path does the Buddhist reach Nirvana. The path to Tao is individual, it comes from within. No one can define a path for the Taoist, it must come from the inner light. Tao means way, but in the original and succeeding manuscripts no direct path is explored or expounded. Desire, ambition, fame, and selfishness are seen as complications. That idea is consistent with Buddhist teachings; it is the personal life of each individual that gives Taoism its special form (Watts, 1957). Taoism and Buddhism perceive life, death and rebirth as a continuous cycle. This cycle has no beginning and no end. The soul is eternal, yet the soul is not the object of reincarnation. Taoist believe the soul is not reborn, it migrates to another life (schipper 1978, p90). Buddhist also believe the soul is not reborn, but instead a consciousness containing the seeds of good and evil deeds is the object of rebirth (Harvey, 1990, p171). One major difference between Taoism and Buddhism is the concept of karma to the Buddhist. This idea that all actions are the display of thought, the will of man, is known as karma. Karma determines the Buddhist actions and position in life. A persons karma limits the goals which can be achieved. Karma determines where in the cycle of birth, death and rebirth the consciousness returns. This return can be in the form of an animal or human, and the Buddhist must progress through a hierarchy to achieve Nirvana. The Taoist has no concept similar to karma, and no mention of the soul migrating to an animal form. The determining factor to ones life is contained in the individual behavior for the Taoist. By forsaking personal desires in life, by concentrating of the self, a longer life is prolonged. Eventually, by following the inner light, immortality can be achieved. The similarities between Taoism and Buddhism in the belief of life after death far outweigh the differences. Both religions b elieve the individual must focus on the self to achieve the ultimate goal. To focus on oneself, all desires and personal ambitions must be forsaken. Onemust focus on the self and the proper way of life to reach immortality. The cycle of life continues indefinitely until the Thread of Life is broken. These two religion teach us only through proper living, by following the correct path guided by the inner light, one can achieve the ultimate goal of Tao or Nirvana. There exist so many different religions, and a lot of them are the basis of people’s culture and belief. They seem to provide various tpyes of beliefs and principle. People worship numerous â€Å"gods† for different occasions. In ultimatum, the religion can be anything a person makes of it. Religion Essays

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Happy, Productive Employees Essay Example For Students

Happy, Productive Employees Essay Happy Employee are Productive EmployeesA just-released longitudinal study adding to the growing body of scientific evidence on employee productivity confirms that depression is common in the workplace and detrimental to employee performance. These findings are reported in the May issue of The American Journal of Psychiatry, the monthly scientific journal of the American Psychiatric Association. The study found that absenteeism due to health problems was twice as high for employees with depressive symptoms compared to those without depressive symptoms. The study also revealed that the likelihood of decreased performance on the job is seven times higher for depressed employees. The longitudinal study of more than 6,000 employees at three corporations took a close look at the relationship between depression, satisfaction with health care and employee productivity. The study also found that employees who complained about their health care including problems with access, communications, choice and continuity of care were also more likely to be depressed and work less productively. According to Lloyd Sederer, M.D., Director of the Division of Clinical Services for the American Psychiatric Association, The message is clear: there is both medical and financial value in better detection and effective treatment for depression in the workplace.the enddddddb dddd dddd dddd ddddd dddd dddd ddd dddddddd ddd ddd dd ddd ddddd ddd ddd dddd dddddddddd ddddd ddddd dddd ddd dddd dd ddd dddd ddd d ddd dd d ddd ddd dd dd dd dd ddd ddddddddd ddd ddddd dddd dddd ddd dddd ddddd ddd dd dddd dddd d d ddddddd dd ddd dddd dddd ddddddd dddd ddd ddddd d ddd dd dddd dddddd ddd ddd dddd dd dddddd ddd ddd dddd d ddd dddd ddd ddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddWords/ Pages : 294 / 24

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Language Defines Gender Essays - Social Psychology, Gender Studies

Language Defines Gender Matchmaker.com: Sign up now for a free trial. Date Smarter! Language Defines Gender How do men and women communicate clearly when most of their ways of communicating are so different? In today's society language plays a key role in defining gender by phraseology, vocabulary, and also their nonverbal vocabulary. Each one of these different types of ways of communicating is prominently different between men and women. Webster's defines phraseology as "a choice and pattern of words." Many studies have been done on the differences between men and women's phraseology. It has been noted in many different studies that men tend to talk much more than women do. This was proven true in a study that Lynette Hirshman did in 1974 (Glass 33). It has also been proven that women tend to speak faster than men; this is due to the fact that women tend to be interrupted more often than men are, and also have the ability to speak more clearly, precisely, and more quickly than men can. In one study it was found that women spoke for an average of three minutes describing a painting, as opposed to the thirteen-minute average it took men to describe it. (Glass 33) Women tend to be more detailed when describing events, persons, places or things. Linguist Robin Lakoff states in her book, Language and Woman's Place, women use greater description when describing colors. (Glass 31) Women notice more detail than men causing women to be more perceptive; they notice things such as tone of voice, facial expression, and body language. Being able to pick up on those three types of communicating helps women better understand what is actually being said in a conversation. Men and women's styles of communicating are close to being directly opposites of one another. Men tend to be louder more aggressive speakers; they mumble many of their words and tend to be sloppy in their pronunciation of words. Men tend to use loudness when emphasizing words instead of inflection and pitch to emphasize points. According to Webster's, inflection is "a change in the tone of the voice," or "the change of form in a word to indicate number, case, tense, etc." (Glass 51) Women tend to use pitch and inflection more so than men do. Men have a tendency to speak in a lower tone and rarely change from that tone to any others. Women on the other hand speak in five different tones, which makes them sound more emotional. (Glass 50) Women also speak more fluidly, which makes them easier to listen to, where men use choppier more fragmented sentences. Women are more soft spoken than men are, which allows men to monopolize most conversations. (Glass 51) Men are much less verbose and they are more direct in getting their point across. Women tend to "beat around the bush" when getting a point across; this causes men to become very agitated while listening to a woman tell a story. Men talk much slower than women do and are more silent during conversational lulls. (Glass 52) Men also have a tendency to make more direct accusations and statements. (Glass 51) Men also answer questions with declaration, ("It's two o'clock."), where as women answer with a question. Men are more commanding in their style of speech, however women ask for things to be done in a more polite manner and usually in terms of endearment, ("Honey, would you please..."). (Glass 53) Men also make more declarative statements, instead women tend to make more tentative statements and use " tag endings". (Glass 53) Women would say, "Would you like to go to the beach today, but we don't have to." A man on the other hand would say, "We're goin' to the beach today." This sentence also shows that men have poor grammar, as opposed to women generally have good grammar. (Glass 53) Men also use one-word answers, rarely use conjunctions, and hardly ever use adjectives of adoration. Women tend to have lengthy responses, long sentences that are adjoined with words like"and", "but", "however", etc., and always use adjectives of adoration such as "cute", "adorable", and "sweet", etc. Men use more foul language, slang, and make simpler, more understandable requests, but women do all of these things exactly the opposite. Men, as most people know, lecture and have use more of a monologue, where as women have more of a give-and-take dialogue. (Glass 55) Men and women also tend to have a very different nonverbal way of communicating, which can also make it very hard for one another to understand what the opposite

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Management of financial resource and performance at Vodafone The WritePass Journal

Management of financial resource and performance at Vodafone Introduction Management of financial resource and performance at Vodafone IntroductionTypes of communication system and Its ImportanceRole of stakeholderFinancial AnalysisConsolidated statement of financial position  Information SystemsStrategiesMarket StrategiesProductPriceAdvertisement and offersFinancial risk managementForeign exchange managementLiquidity risk ManagementConclusionReferencesRelated Introduction Being the largest mobile company of the world it is giving job opportunities to more than 65000 people.It is succeed to popularised its name as a   new largest communication company of the world.Around 130 million people are being the costumers of this company.It   does not see its business and service only but a best and effective communication too provide all over the world.It’s increasing its level of selling power to high status.Vodafone has made its aim   to grow its revenue and improve its profit margin by adding value to its products and services i.e. earning more from each product sold and to be the leadingcompany in the communicationsmarket. Vodafone also has a commitment to  Corporate  Responsibility (CR). This is when a business tries to ensure its activities have a positive influence on the people and places where it works. Vodafone is planning to reduce the company’scarbonfootprint by encouraging therecycling and re-use of old phones.   The Voda fone live! service enables customers to use picture messaging and to download   ring tones, colour games, images and information, through an icon-driven menu.This service will soon be further enhanced by picture messaging libraries, video clips and video telephony (seeing the person youre calling) and improving download speeds. Another service is the Vodafone Mobile Connect Card, which enables customers to access their normal business applications on a laptop when out of the office. Such services add value to the product, and high profile effective promotion will help sell these services to existing and new customers. The head quarter of this company is in London.It operate more than 30 milllion subscribers by the year 2010and largest company is in United States also. As we go to the history of vodafone ,we find its progressive report since 1982,extending from Racal strategies Limited.The Racal got its name change as Racal telecommunication Group Limited in 1995 and in 1996 Racal Electronics bought out the minority shareholders of Vodafone for GB £110 million.The name Vodafone comes from voice data fone, chosen by the company to reflect the provision of voice and data services over mobile phonesThe name Vodafone comes from voice data fone chosen by the company to reflect the provision of voice and data services over mobile phones.(Anderson,T.J.,2006). Types of communication system and Its Importance One-way communication involves a company distributing information via brochures, letters, or with an exchange of information and ideas among stakeholders and the company.   Information is usually exchanged. The next type of communication is stakeholder engagement or stakeholder dialogue.   The intent of stakeholder engagement is learning stakeholdersà ­ issues and concerns. If well designed, dialogue leads to knowledge being gained by both the company and stakeholders.   The company commits itself to considering stakeholder input in making its decisions with an exchange of information and ideas among stakeholders and the company.   Information is usually exchanged The next type of communication is stakeholder engagement or stakeholder dialogue.The intent of stakeholder engagement is learning stakeholders issues and concerns. If well designed, dialogue leads to knowledge being gained by both the company and stakeholders.The company commits itself to considering stakeholder input in making its decisions. Vodafone operates a global Performance Dialogue process for every employee. The process ensures that employees can make a clear connection between their goals and the business objectives. Each individual’s performance is discussed with their manager and career development goals are set. 93% of managers completed the Performance Dialogue process in the 2007 calendar year and 83% of employees approved development goals with their manager. Finally, with participatory/interactive decision making, a company collaborates with stakeholders in making decisions.   Shared decision making is not appropriate in all situations, but can be effective in helping a company design a plan that, when implemented, will be acceptable to its stakeholders. communication and stakeholderTo be a good corporate citizen, your company should be communicating with and involving its   stakeholders to determine their issues concerning a particular facility.   There are costs associated with conducting these activities; however, costs to the company can be even greater if stakeholders take action against the company (e.g., hurting the company’s image through a media campaign, holding up permits, suing the company).   Being aware of issues and concerns and working to resolve them early before they turn into negative action is time and money well spent.   On a positive note, ideas and suggestions from stakeholders can often be insight ful and useful in improving a facilities planning and operation. In this light, stakeholders can be seen as consultants to a company. The basic principles of stakeholder involvement are   Voluntary involvement:   Everyone involved should be committed to progress and full participation.   Openness, honesty, trust:   Open and honest communication is a requirement for mutual trust. Inclusiveness:   Strive to include all interested parties in some form of dialogue.   Common information base: Participants should have access to the same information.   Mutual learning: All parties, including host and stakeholders, should come to the discussion  Ã‚  with a willingness to learn.   Creative options: Have a diverse set of stakeholders as a catalyst for creative thinking.   Collaboration in decision making: Build ownership to increase the likelihood of implementation, and future collaboration.   Coordination of stakeholder feedback: Communicate how you will use stakeholder feedback. Even if consensus is not possible, it is important that stakeholders feel their concerns are heard. Communication and stakeholder involvement should be a continuous activity conducted at a facility level and then augmented during periods of change or crisis when major decisions are being   considered.   This guidebook describes the overall process, which can be tailored to fit the circumstances at your site à ± resources, history of community interaction, the role of the facility in the community, and decisions being contemplated.†This is a new venture for many if not most   cement companies so don’t be discouraged if your communications plan is basic and lacks the involvement of stakeholders†(Barne J,1991).Theenvironmentalandsocialperformanceofcompaniesisincreasinglyunderscrutinyfrominternalstakeholders (e.g. employeesandstockholders) andexternalstakeholders (e.g. localcommunities, activists, regulators).   Greaterscientific, economicandsocialknowledgeisf uelingstakeholders   demandsforincreasedinformation, clarity, andinvolvementinbusinessoutcomes. Role of stakeholder The basic principles of stakeholder involvement are Voluntary involvement:   Everyone involved should be committed to progress and full participation.   Openness, honesty, trust:   Open and honest communication is a requirement for mutual trust. Inclusiveness:   Strive to include all interested parties in some form of dialogue.   Common information base: Participants should have access to the same information.   Mutual learning: All parties, including host and stakeholders, should come to the discussionwith a willingness to learn.   Creative options: Have a diverse set of stakeholders as a catalyst for creative thinking. Collaboration in decision making: Build ownership to increase the likelihood of implementation, and future collaboration.   Coordination of stakeholder feedback: Communicate how you will use stakeholder feedback. Financial Analysis If we talk aabout financial seector of the company we get that It had amarketcapitalisation of approximately  £93 billion as of 9 March 2011 and it is making itself as   the fourth largest company on the London Stock Exchange.Vodafone Group plc is providing its products in Europe, Africa, the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and the United States. The company offers various handsets; voice and messaging services; data services comprising Internet, email, music, games, and television; and fixed services, including fixed voice and fixed broadband solutions. It also offers value added services, such as Vodafone Email Plus and Windows Mobile. It also offers value added services, such as Vodafone Email Plus and Windows Mobile Email, which provide enterprise customers with real time handheld access to email, calendar, and address book; Vodafone PC Backup and Restore that enable users to remotely store data automatically through their Internet connection.Training and development Consolidated statement of financial position 2010  £m 2009  £m Non-current assets Intangible assets 74,258 74,938 Property, plant and equipment 20,642 19,250 Investments in associates 36,377 34,715 Other non-current assets 11,489 10,767 142,766 139,670 Current assets 14,219 13,029 Total assets 156,985 152,699 Total equity shareholders’ funds 90,381 86,162 Total non-controlling interests 429 (1,385) Total equity 90,810 84,777 Liabilities Borrowings Long-term 28,632 31,749 Short-term 11,163 9,624 Taxation liabilities Deferred tax liabilities 7,377 6,642 Current taxation liabilities 2,874 4,552 Other non-current liabilities 1,550 1,584 Other current liabilities 14,579 13,771 Total liabilities 66,175 67,922 Total equity and liabilities 156,985 152,699      Information Systems Vodafone Information Systems depends on service level agreements (SLAs).according to this system it provides srvice through central reporting system.and brings the different datas from differrent sources.and rpovides them all the time to the employees and costumers.For a long time, Vodafone Information Systems used a combination of two applications for reporting purposes, both of which ran on an IBM mainframe. Training and development Using SAS, Vodafone Information Systems employees are now able to bring together data from a wide range of sources with a few mouse clicks and to create sophisticated reports in a very short period of time. At the heart of the new system is SAS, which allows IT system managers to have a single point of control over all the IT processes. Measurement data from sources. The system also offers completely new ways of presenting the information. Employees and customers can access the reports via the company intranet or the Internet using a Web browser anywhere and at any time. As the SAS solution has been integrated into the V.E.C.T.O.R. reporting system developed by Vodafone Information Systems, the company can guarantee that employees and customers can only display the information that is relevant to their needs. Customers themselves are able to choose the level of detail in the reports and therefore receive only the necessary information that they need to be able to complete their tasks . The simple archiving process means that developments can be tracked over a longer period without any additional work being involved. IT service providers like Vodafone Information Systems depend on service level agreements (SLAs) as a measure of their success. In order to ensure that the agreed service level is provided at all times, the service provider needs a central reporting system, which brings together measurement data from a wide range of sources. The increasing heterogeneity of the IT environment – which includes a host, UNIX and Windows operating systems – makes central access to the relevant data essential. For a long time, Vodafone Information Systems used a combination of two applications for reporting purposes, both of which ran on an IBM mainframe. In spite of the capabilities of these applications, they werent scalable and were no longer able to keep pace with the most recent   requirements.. Strategies Vodafones Partner Network strategy represents an increasingly significant development in the delivery of Vodafones mobile services and Og fjarskipti will be an ideal partner for the further development of mobile services. Vodafone is already established in many regions   through its operator like Vodafone Sweden, as well as Partner Network Agreements with TDC in Denmark and Radiolinja in Finland, and this new agreement will increase one after another.Vodafone will continue to develop the Partner Network strategy, so the customers and partnerscustomers can use Vodafone services in an increasing number of countries.Following todays announcement, Vodafone global services, supported by its global brand communication, will be available in eight Partner Network countries: Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Kuwait and Slovenia, in addition to its subsidiary and associate markets.In course of making strategies it has forwarded the following points. A regionally focused Group: Europe, Africa and India Mobile data: accelerate exploitation of mobile data growth opportunity Enterprise: selective expansion in growth segments Emerging markets: drive penetration and data across attractive footprint Total Communications in Europe: continued capital efficient approach New services: growth opportunities including machine-to-machine and financial services Exploit scale to enhance efficiency and deliver cost benefits Generate free cash flow or liquidity from non-controlled assets building on the China Mobile and SoftBank disposals Rigorous application of capital discipline to enhance shareholder returns Market Strategies Product A product with many different features provides customers with opportunities to chat, play games, send and receive pictures, change ring tones, receive information about travel and sporting events, obtain billing information and soon view video clips and send video messages. Vodafone live! provides on-the-move information services. Vodafone UK operates over 300 of its own stores. It also sells through independent retailers e.g. Carphone Warehouse. Customers are able to see and handle products they are considering buying. People are on hand to ensure customers needs are matched with the right product and to explain the different options available. Price Vodafone wants to make its services accessible to as many people as possible from the young, through apprentices and high powered business executives, to the more mature users. It offers various pricing structures to suit different customer groups. Monthly price plans are available as well as prepay options. Phone users can top up their phone on line. Vodafone UK gives NECTAR reward points for every  £1 spent on calls, text messages, picture messages and ring tones. Advertisement and offers Advertising on TV, on billboards, in magazines and in other media outlets reaches large audiences and spreads the brand image and the message very effectively. This is known as above the line promotion. Stores have special offers, promotions and point of sale posters to attract those inside the stores to buy. Vodafones stores, its products and its staff all project the brand image. Vodafone actively develops good public relations by sending press releases to national newspapers and magazines to explain new products and ideas. There is good balance, 70/30 consumer/enterprise, and good balance, more or less 70/30 mature/emerging.the new strategy is composed of five elements. The first one is clear focus of the companyis in three areas – Europe, Africa and India.The second will be   growth; coming from data in different ways.   The vodefone Groupl talks a lot about mobile data, and what internally it call   ‘Supermobile’, but also enterprise and also some regional differences between Europe and emerging markets, and some investment in new services, which, in the future, will be appealing to the customers. Continuing to leverage on our scale advantage, it can really create a difference for our customers in terms of lower costs. It will deal with the assets below the line in an approach to generate liquidity or cash flow from all of our non-controlled assets, in terms of portfolio strategy. Then it continuing to apply capital discipline, financial objectives and commercial tests to al l investments it   makes, internal and external. Financial risk management The Group’s treasury function provides a centralised service to the Group for funding, foreign exchange, interest rate management and counterparty risk management.Treasury operations are conducted within a framework of policies and guidelines authorised and reviewed by the Board, most recently on 1 February 2011(Mc,Hee). A treasury risk committee comprising of the Group’s Chief Financial Officer, Group General Counsel and Company Secretary, Corporate Finance Director and Director of Financial Reporting meets at least annually to review treasury activities and its members receive management information relating to treasury activities on a quarterly basis. The Group accounting function, which does not report to the Group Corporate Finance Director, provides regular update reports of treasury activity to the Board. .Risk management purposes only that are transacted by specialist treasury personnel. The Group mitigates banking sector credit risk by the use of collateral sup port agreements. Financial risk management:Under the Group’s interest rate management policy, interest rates on monetary assets and liabilities denominated in euros, US dollars and sterling.are maintained on a floating rate basis except for periods up to six years where interest rate fixing has to be undertaken in accordance with treasury policy where assets and liabilities are denominated in other currencies interest ratesmay also be fixed. In addition, fixing is undertaken for longer periods when interest rates are statistically low. Foreign exchange management As Vodafone’s primary listing is on the London Stock Exchange.Its share price is quoted in sterling. Since the sterling share price represents the value of its future multi-currency cash flows, principally in euro, US dollars and sterling, the Group maintains the currency of debt and interest charges in proportion to its expected future principal multi-currency cash flows and has a policy to hedge external foreign exchange risks on transactions denominated in other currencies above certain de minimis levels. As the Group’s future cash flows are increasingly likely to be derived from emerging markets it is likely that more debt in emerging market currencies will be drawn. As such, at 31 March 2011 130% of net debt was denominated in currencies other than sterling (55% euro, 47% US dollar and 28% other) while 30% of net debt had been purchased forward in sterling in anticipation of sterling   denominated shareholder returns via dividends and share buybacks. This allows euro, US dollar and other debt to be serviced in proportion to expected future cash flows and therefore provides a partial hedge against income statement translation exposure, as interest costs will be denominated in foreign currencies. Yen debt is used as a hedge against the value of yen assets as the Group has minimal yen cash flows Liquidity risk Management At 31 March 2011 the Group had â‚ ¬4.2 billion and US$4.2 billion syndicated committed indrawn bank facilities and US$15 billion and  £5 billion commercial paper programmes, supported by the â‚ ¬4.2 billion and US$4.2 billion syndicated committed bank facilities, available to manage its liquidity. The Group uses commercial paper and bank facilities to manage short-term liquidity and manages long-term liquidity by raising   funds in the capital markets. â‚ ¬4.2 billion of the syndicated committed facility has a maturity date of 1 July 2015 and US$4.2 billion has a maturity of 9 March 2016 which may be extended by a further year if agreed by those banks who have participated in the facility. Both facilities have remained indrawn throughout the financial year and since year end and provide liquidity support. The Group manages liquidity risk on long-term borrowings by maintaining a varied maturity profile with a cap on the level of debt maturing in any one calendar year, the refore minimising refinancing risk. Long-term borrowings mature between one and 26 years.Liquidity is reviewed daily on at least a 12 month rolling basis and stress tested on the assumption that all commercial paper outstanding matures and is not reissued. The Group maintains substantial cash and cash equivalents which at 31 March 2011 amounted to  £6,252 million (2010). Vodafone also produces proportionate customer number figures on a similar basis, e.g. if an operator in which it has a 30% stake has 10 million customers that equals 3 million proportionate Vodafone customers. This is a common practice in the mobile telecommunications industry. Year ended 31 March Turnover  £m Profit before tax  £m Profit for the year  £m Basiceps (pence) Proportionate customers (m) 2010 44,472 8,674 8,618 16.44 341.1 2009 41,017 4,189 3,080 5.81 302.6 2008 35,478 9,001 6,756 12.56 260 2007 31,104 (2,383) (5,297) (8.94) 206.4 2006* 29,350 (14,835) (21,821) (35.01) 170.6 2005 34,073 7,951 6,518 9.68 154.8 2004 36,492 9,013 6,112 8.70 133.4 Conclusion Valuation plays a key role in many areas of finance – in corporate finance, in mergers and acquisitions and in portfolio management. The value of the company can be directly related to decisions that it makes – on which projects it takes, on how it finances them, and on its dividend policy. Understanding this relationship is the key to making value†increasing decisions and to sensible financial restructuring. In the focus of this thesis was the value of Vodafone Group, who is operating the biggest mobile network worldwide with presence in both emerging and mature markets. Drawing from the analyses of Vodafone and its environment, the major influencing risks, that are the most critical in terms of the future profitability and hence the value of the company, were found as following: 3G market take†up, fixed mobile line substitution and level of regulations. The equity value of Vodafone was calculated using the discounted cash flow scenario method ( £87,954mln) (Domadaran,2008). Provided that the assumptions on which the forecasts were based and the probability distribution are correct, the Vodafone is currently under priced by almost 11%.The following actions could constitute the strategy that will maintain strong performance and deliver value to both customers and shareholders of Vodafone Group: cost reduction and revenue stimulation in mature markets, development of new products and services, extension to new emerging markets and selling unprofitable businesses. As a concluding remark, one has to keep in mind that although the discounted cash flow framework, along with other valuation models, is a quantitative tool, but the inputs leave plenty of space for subjective judgements. A mixture of financial theory, accounting methodology, industry knowledge and sound assumption was used to evaluate the equity of the company. As the underling assumptions change, the estimated value of the firm may change as well. References Andersen, T. J. (2006). â€Å" Global Derivatives   A Strategic Risk Management Perspective†, Pearson  Ã‚  Ã‚   Education,   Harlow, England. Andersen,   J. (2006). â€Å"Perspectives on Strategic Risk Management†,   Copenhagen Business School Press N.P. Barney, J. (1991). â€Å"Firm Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage†, (In Journal of Management, 1991, vol. 17, no. 1, pg. 99†120). Damodaran, A. (2002). â€Å" Investment valuation: Tools and Techniques forDetermining the Value of Any Asset†, John Wiley Sons, New York. Damodaran, A. (2008). â€Å" Strategic Risk Taking†,   Wharton School Publishing,New Jersey. Johnson, G., Scholes, K., Whittington, R. (2005). â€Å" The Environment In Exploring Corporate Strategy†, Earson Education, pp. 64†87). McGee, J., Thomas, H., and Wilson, D. (2005). â€Å"Strategy Analysis Practice†, McGraw†Hill Maidenhead, UK Miller, K. D. (1992).†A framework for integrated risk management in international business†,( In: Journal of International Business Studies.vol. 23, no. 2, pg. 311†331) Wise, D. (1991). Vodafones solo debut could boost share price,The Guardian (Guardian Newspapers). Cane, A. (1996). Companies and Finance: UK: Vodafone acquires Talkland in Pounds 60m deal,Financial Times. p. 22. Reguly, E. (1996). Vodafone pockets Peoples Phone.The Times (Times Newspapers).   News Digest: Vodafone snaps up Astec. Investors Chronicle: p. 55.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Blog Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 5

Blog - Essay Example In every fragment of the technology zone, leaders are beleaguered to concentrate on enhancing the processes that transport IT services to their industries, conglomerates and consumers. Reducing costs, giving speedier services, and increasing the value of a company or organization are all prerequisites in the world of Information Technology nowadays. The world is revolving so fast and the innovative advancements are comparable to an avalanche of new ideas and revolutionary approaches. A fluctuating and shifting demand is expected to take place. If these demands are left unaddressed, it can bring massive disasters toward a certain company. Seen this way, a necessity to align our IT services with the growing and varying tastes and trends of the consumers is imperative in maintaining the value of an organization. According to the Bloomberg BusinessWeek (2010), in a survey conducted in about 150 IT subdivisions at middle-sized companies, â€Å"IT Leadership Exchange found that 90 per cent of CIOs expect that the IT department will be misaligned with business needs in an economic recovery†¦this will threaten the business’s long-term competitiveness†. The job of bringing IT services and business precedence into line is more than scientific in context. Nevertheless, by way of continuing dialogue with the IT officials and by aligning our business objectives, the IT Leadership Exchange "finds that an IT department can boost its effectiveness to the company by 54 per cent" (Bloomberg, 2010). We see the importance of aligning our IT service and its management with the current inclinations of the consumers as part of the business goals of the company. But how do continual improvement on IT services and its management contribute in bettering the operational and process effectiveness? Also, how does it aid an organization to achieve cost effectiveness? In dealing with these critical points, there are manifold factors to consider: the IT

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

The theme of death in selected works of Edgar Allan Poe Term Paper

The theme of death in selected works of Edgar Allan Poe - Term Paper Example Some of the romanticism that has surrounded the history of Poe has created a mythology that is not fully supported by history. However, his stories do reflect the prevalence of death within his life, his construction of the dialogue about the subject placing it in a position of darkness and shadow. Poe wrote about death in such a way to express the theme through universal concepts that touched upon the fears of all human beings about the inevitable encounter they would have with death. Death The theme that will be discussed in this essay is death. Poe uses death as a central theme to most of his works as he relates stories that end in death, ponder death, or speak about crossing the boundaries that separate life from death. Poe has been analyzed for the psychological foundation for the themes from which he creates his work. Peeples states that â€Å"Theorists and critics quickly recognized the opportunities that Poe presented for psychoanalytical study, given his fiction’s em phasis on hidden motives and detection, altered states of consciousness, sadism, and obsession, as well as the self-destructive tendencies he exhibited in his own life† (Peeples 30). ... It may never be fully clear the extent to which his work is devised through literary intent and how much is reflective of a dark soul developed from the difficult events in his life. Poe is remembered as a morose drunk, lost in the laments of the loss of his wife, but he was not merely a gothic figure up in a darkened room penning out his tales of horror. Poe was actively seeking a literary career and intended to become a known author of his time. This can be understood by the activities he engaged in towards getting published. His work, â€Å"The Raven†, was his first published work which appeared in 1845 before he lost his wife in 1947 to tuberculosis (Bloom 46). It is a myth of literary history that it was written after she died and that he wrote it in his despair, maddened by alcohol and grief. It is a romantic notion, but it does not reflect the facts. When exploring the possible foundations for the work that Poe has created, some of the themes begin to emerge as reflecti ve of his personal experience. While the myth has taken aspects of his life and connected them in a way that has created an image of the man, his reality did provide a pool of resources from which to explore the theme of death and the many horrific connective themes from which his work was drawn. He approaches death through terror and horror, his stories built upon the predication that death has a connection to darkness. There is beauty in his horror, but little beauty in his death, his concepts built upon a romanticism that defines the experience of death as literary tragedy, a result of shadowed intent. In this exploration, one might surmise that the writer may

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 7

Assignment Example The trends observed in 2010 was comparable to those observed in 1980s (Martin et al 1). These changes in fertility rates are caused by fertility rates among women of different ages, population groups and geographical regions. Trends of the fertility rates are affected by the changes of fertility rates within individual groups of the American population. Also, the rates change within some age groups and consequently affect the total fertility rate. For instance, there was an increase of the fertility rates among women in their twenties. A great decrease in the rate of birth among teenager women is notable, this decrease was negligible compared to the increase of fertility rates among older women. The trends of fertility rates are influenced by the lifestyles among women (Martin et al 17). Good medical care and diet lead to increased medical care while increased alcohol consumption and smoking of tobacco decrease fertility rate. This was ascertained in the trends of the trends recorded in 1999 and 2000. The increase in fertility rates was due to decreased alcohol consumption and smoking of tobacco among pregnant women. A fertility rate of about 2,100 births per 1,000 women is considered sufficient for a generation to replace itself. In 2006 and 2007, fertility rates were above this rate but it has been below this figure. Most of groups within the American population do not meet this rate while some of them meet. The AIAN, non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black fertility rates are mostly below replacement but those for Mexican and other Hispanic are mostly higher (Martin et al 38). The ratio of total live births to the population in totality in a specified community or an area over a specified time is referred to as birth rate. This ratio is mostly an expression of the number of given live births per 1,000 of the total population per year Total fertility rate

Friday, November 15, 2019

Ethical Issues in Advertising to Children

Ethical Issues in Advertising to Children Executive Summary The purpose of this research is to distinguish the ethical issues that have in advertising targeted to children. Such unethical conducts and advertising implications had inherently becoming a controversial issue that raise to an alarming rate among nations. In which, those ethical issues that had causes health problems to children is widely discuss. In addition, the ways of developing an advertisement is further questioned for its credibility and deceptive tactics that is made for children. Furthermore, this paper also identifies how conflict of interest and misleading had significantly affected the children interest. And, as well identified how one-on-one marketing manipulate children and occupy their minds in a subliminal way are also discussed. In light with all the issues, the possible consequences that jeopardizing to both advertisers and consumers as well as the moral intensity of the situation is highlighted. It comes with recommendation that works side by side with the 7Ps of marketing and extended marketing mix which embedded throughout the entire research paper. Nonetheless, an additional discussion for the potential issues that may happen to children in future is discussed and determined for its possible consequence. Introduction Marketing ethics are dimensions that portray marketers morality attitude behind marketing or advertising. Additionally, it is also subjected to the way of marketers conducting advertisements that determine whether it will bring positive or negative values to the targeted consumers. However, it is known that advertising is often done in a framework that has inclined the value of true marketing. For instance, if an advertisement targeted to children violates its credibility, transparency, integrity or privacy of the children, it is recognized as unethical conducts. In this ethicals viewpoint, it raises unique issues. So often, these issues cluster with inseparable arguments as identified in (Winston 2004, 11), whether or not, children understood certain marketing principles? Concurrently, if political, policy makers and regulatory controls should cease advertising for children? In (Alcohol Consumption in Australia 2006) pointed, whether children could identify the negative aspects of the products that promoted to them? Lastly, do marketers actually get parents consent for children in deciding the final purchase authority? As to say, these questions had shown that children markets are so fragmented and in this rapid changing world, marketers tend to make use of this fragmented market as their sole target to scavenge for more profits (Faith 2002, 1001). On top of that, advertising to children are about manipulating the mindset of their customers (Paul 2000, 25). In other words, (Winston 2004, 11) pointed that children market are known as No other market simultaneously involves advertising to users who are rarely purchaser; and purchasers who are rarely users. Without a doubt, it reflects the reality of the marketplace. Thus, we can no longer assume that the truth of conventional marketing and advertising is merely to transmit information and generate acceptable profits for the company. For keeping up with the ever changing trend, conventional marketing has been redefined by (Debra and Michael 2008, 910) to persuade and remind their public of their wares into ability to inform and offend. Due to these ethical issues, marketers are facing great challenges from various authorities bodies during advertising their products into the children marketplace. However, in (in what) (Henry and Frank 2000, 482) by Ambler (1996); Boddewyn (1994); Madden and Grube (1994) had question about the effectiveness for having all the advertisement bans and whether such practice is ethical to demonstrate positive effects to marketers and as well consumers. Therefore, in order to produce good advertisement, marketers are to consider unethical strategies that could assist them to reach their objectives at all costs. To tackle these unethical issues, this research paper will further depicting the intrinsic values of relevant 7Ps come separately from Marketing Mix (Product, Price, Place, Promotion) and Extended Marketing Mix (People, Process, Physical Evidence), which impacted by the highlight ethical issues towards Children industries in later discussions. Childrens Health Abuse Issues: Obesity Numerous health related issues has been identified in advertising to children. Among them, the one that causes greatest problems is shamefully crowned by obesity. It has been defined as overwhelming fat accumulation that may impair ones health (Obesity and overweight 2006). In todays world, the situation in several countries and especially US are so severe where children prefer to spend their evening with TV and snacks than to outdoor activities. According to (Carolyn 2010), children is naà ¯ve and equipped with least ability to justify what and which is actually good for them, what they have is the desire of obtaining foods from the ads that pitched them. Ironically, according to (Bette and Jackie 2001, 75) {Bette and Jackie (2001, 75)} childrens segments are on top of the important business opportunities which merchants cant afford to miss it. In addition, (Aysen and Scott 2000, 299) {Aysen and Scott (2000, 299)}also supported the aforementioned facts, and further by McKay (2005) pointing US is spending $10 12 Billions to advertisements that targeted to children for foods. It is ascertained in (Elizabeth 2004, 161),{Elizabeth (2004, 161)} pointed that Children account for approximately $24 Billions in direct spending each year. Here, regardless of the return they can make, in (Aysen and Scott 2000, 299) {is this a secondary source reference bro?} quoted by Kotz (2007) learn that the Kaiser Family Foundation had found out Children are exposed to more than 7,600 commercials on candy, cereal, and fast food in any given year. Hence, it is because of all this vulnerability that making marketers so actively and cleverly penetrating childr en with vague information. A study of WHO had defined Overweight as BMI more than 25 and Obese as BMI more than 30, WHO also projected in 2005 to have approximately 1.6 Billion (age 15+) were overweight and at least 400 millions were obese (Obesity and overweight 2006). In a recent statistics survey, it had shown that 50% of elementary-school children and 80% of teenagers will battle obesity throughout their lifetime (Aysen and Scott 2000, 299). These staggering figures are so devastating that it is in high chances to invite premature death and disability in adulthood. Namely, some of the harmful chronic disease such as Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes and Heart Disease which thanks to the intensive and unethical marketers that promotes junk foods without concerning childrens health. For an instance, an advertisement from McDonald of its Supersized French-Fries and Soft drinks by just topping up with 39 Cents had received critics for encouragement of overeating. In marketing mix viewpoint, McDonald cleverly uses its products, prices and promotions tactics to invites people to dine in by having greater portion with merely 39 cents added. They constantly setting a mindset for Children that food are fun, as physical evidence shown that McDonald had packages made specifically for just children that comes with toys and collectibles. Furthermore, it depicts for rather just selling for fast food but is a family adventure for having meal together at McDonald fast food centre. In addition, McDonald uses prints calorie count sheet in trays and claiming that their food will not caused obesity if consume accordingly. The impacts that brought by such ads is unforgiving. The aftermath for such unethical advertisement contributes more health issues and shifting not just the diets of consumers but it fact, it lead to Supersized consumers from their products by every topping of 39 Cents (William n.d.). Hence, actions have to be taken to effectively deal with these unethical conduct that leads to obesity and other health issues. Credibility and Deceptive Conducts to Advertisements In addition to health concerns, other ethical issues are involved with advertising to children. As though a lot of studies filled in with interesting details by stating that advertising had unprecedented ease of access to an array of innocent children. Despite in some countries like Sweden, Norway, and Netherlands had give in a lot of efforts in reducing and banned the advertisement targeted to children (Tammo, Wilma and Britta 1998, 172). Somehow, the marketers will keep on finding ways within this regulated market-space to produce inadvertent adverse outcome that compromise the credibility of the advertisement in a deceptive ways. In (William 2002, 73),{the article name/title or maybe you want redo it:- As William (2002, 73) mentioned, Peggy Chan as the founder and president of the watchdog group Action for Childrens Television, pointed that TV is a media that taught children by tendering for unnecessary products instead of to save for the instance. It is informed that children are less than able to fully understand and to comprehend the real intention that marketers deceptively made for them. Thus, in a real life example of Campbell Soup back in the late 60s. In order for all the vegetable and the alphabetical wordings visible during the shot, the ads are found to be placing clear marbles in the bottoms of the bowl. However, it is complaints for untruthful display as though the vegetable and alphabetical wordings arent as visible as in the ads (William n.d.). For this reason, these deceptive practices and degrees of credibility is proved to be questionable. In the end, the potential impact will make consumers losing faith towards its products and ways they promote it. Campbell resulted in considerable negative publicity for the company and it is no longer a prices concern than to ethics concern for vast consumers. Another ethical issue that draws the attention of researches is when marketers involve childrens psychologists in their market research. The reason is clear that these psychologists are at its best from their profession. They were hired to launch attack to the childrens mind. As said by the advertising president (Special Issues for Young Children n.d.), Nancy Shalek, Advertising at its best is making people feel that without their product, youre a loser. Kids are very sensitive to that. {Move it to here (Special Issues for Young Children n.d.)}, From the 3Ps of extended marketing mix perspective, the people and process that get involve is unethical, and the physical evidence is the advertising itself. The fact had shown that marketers are viewing children as a cash machine that constantly generates profit for them. Hence, it is in need of setting stricter rules from the government and policymakers to iron out the unhealthy advertising that aims to children. Thus, it equally means tha t by enhancing the credibility and reducing the deceptive adverse could dramatically infuse promising outcomes. Conflict of Interest Misleading Approach in Advertisements At the root of a success trade comes from an interest of a purchaser. Whereas, research had shown that such interest often germinate by marketers and advertisers in an unethical approaches. They cultivate children desire by continuously enriching children horizon to an extent of homogenizing them to be part of the market segment. And legitimately, children turn out to be a good target, a target that unable to makes accurate decision due to the information that captured by them are misleading and of conflicting their real interest. Hence, in short, marketers and advertisers are at their best in limiting children alternatives to only their merchandise (Paul 2000, 27). Separately, in (Elizabeth 2004, 162){suggest u slot in the article name if u structure yr sentence this way then follow by (Elizabeth 2004, 162)} it is said to be by constantly misleading children from intricate advertisement content in their young ages, it could lead to some undesirable social values such as materialism and materialistic. The effect is so prominent, as young children are unable to resist the attraction of purchasing the products that promoted to them from ads that starring by kids celebrities, famous cartoon icons as they believe it could provide exaggerated qualities when they have it. Thus, children will crave for all these sort of unnecessary products by all means and not to mention the amount of wasteful money parent need to spend. For this reason, a lot of countries had prohibited famous icons to go on air and recently in early 2010, Childrens Television Standards (CTS) in Australia was established and had set rules that promotion through popular characters are ceased to be used as an endorsement in commercial products (Jamie and Andrew 2010, 1). Such practices are accredited for tackling the outrageous marketing attitudes that deploy by unethical marketers and advertisers. There was evidence in {in what bro?}(Debra and Michael 2008, 911) being identified by Jardine and Wentz (2004) saying that Ireland restricted celebrities to appear in foods advertisement that aimed to children. It is due to policymakers and researches view a childs capacity to recognize advertisings persuasive intent as a developmental milestone (Elizabeth 2004, 162). As to say, it is the marketers themselves who provide opportune for the authorities to minimize their advertisement boundaries. Another example of McDonald, according to {to what?} (Paul 2005, 9) collectibles and toys are so often comes with meal. These collectibles are a series of characters that could not be missed by children. For this reason, children would need to buy many of those meals to have entire set to be collected. As defended by the merchants, their goal is to provide fun for children while having meals. However, such advertisement measuring the same thing differently when goes to children. This is when misleading and conflict of interest happen as children are craving for the toys and collectibles than to the foods (Paul 2005, 10). It is certain that such ads are unethical, they had ignored the consequences that compromise children health, parents spending and as well forgone the fact that fast food is junk food. Most notably, in order to get these collectibles for their child, parent are force to purchase specific kids package in a designated price and dont have alternatives for the food withi n the package. In long term, when consumer realize that such unethical conducts are made for lure them to purchase unwanted toys for their children, in return, the company might in face with sales shrinking and end up with fewer profits. Thus, it is this misleading and conflict of interest that leads to a failure which impacts to marketers marketing mix in term of product, price, promotion and placement concern. (Paul 2000, 27){Paul (2000, 27)} suggested that it is better for each and every company jointly helps in diminishing intricate junk food advertisements content and portraying better message to promote healthier lifestyle that enabling judgments towards the integrity of the advertisements message when targeting to children. One-on-One Marketing: Minor as a Target Issue Clearly, when comes to marketing, it is about timing and precision when the message that intended by advertisers being delivered precisely to their target. It is important for advertisers that those children receive an impact towards their products when advertisement was viewed. In another term, it is known as S{s}ubliminal. It is a visual stimulus that so quickly masked into the mind before one could actually process it and having no consent that it had actually take place (Johan, Wolfgang and Jasper 2006, 793). Thus, for such advertisement to be effectively done, the degree of distraction during the advertisement have to be minimal and it is best when children are alone and vulnerable. It is an undeniable fact that such exploitation of childrens mind was said to be unethical. For instance, given in{in what?} (William 2002, 74) of a real business environment, cartoon characters are widely recognized by children that, They are created just for them, hence, the ethical issues that arise, is where such advertisement are usually broadcasted in the afternoon childrens television programming. At this timeframe, it turns out to be the weakest parental supervisions period, as to say, such isolation in the afternoon perfected the intention of marketers. Undoubted, it is to have children viewed the advertisement at all costs. As a result, in children mindset parent is the only channels that can potentially purchases what is made specifically for them. Thus, it is well aware that such violation is unethical, in addition to spoiled childrens attitude, it would literally put parent in face with financial hardship as well. Advertising targeted to children alone often exceeded the limitations and resulted with various ethical issues. There is ample estimate that had shown children influential in family purchase itself are about $500 Billions a year (Elizabeth 2004, 161). Furthermore, another study in{?} (Christine and Nancy 2001, 21) mentioned that the children spending alone had account for another $14 Billion from their pocket money in country like US. Concurrently, a UK survey also uncovered that children possess a lot more liberty in spending and as well influence over their parents (Lionel 2000, 326). Hence, when the advertisement is targeted to children, and so often, advertisers are intended for an outcome that favor to them. For this reason, it is believe that sooner or later, two of their marketing mix elements which are the ways of promoting and placement will further intervene by authorities bodies and invite new regulations to minimize attention that can be drawn towards children. In a study, the author pointed that it is a controversy for saying that with least cumulative exposure of advertisement to children which in turn could compromise childrens understanding of advertising intent (Alcohol Consumption in Australia 2006). However, according to{to what?} (Tammo, Wilma and Britta 1998, 176), there is evidence to say that by having healthier content in the advertisement is much more effective than by having parents controlling or restricting children on their TV times. It can be conclude that the negative impacts which happen is neither benefiting consumers nor to the advertisers. For example, advertisers can always give a warning sign saying that Parental supervision is required during the advertisement is on air. Therefore, it would be better off to embark advertisement onto children in an appropriate manner, in a way that do not appear to be aiming to just children but with the consent of their parent (Jeffrey 1999, 114). {will it be conflicting of what u hv presented earlier as u mentioned that advertising aim at children on the weakest parental supervision timing, so if there is a warning sign the parent will not notice it also right? It just my opinion bro} Recommendations: Responsible Advertising with 7Ps Advertisers Responsible in advertising is not about restricting or banning the advertisement. It is apparent that advertising brings in ethical issues for children. Children are a vulnerable segment and due to the advancement of technologies, it further enhances the transmission of message instantly to children. However, the responsibility of protecting children is still on the advertisers hand. Advertisers have to appreciate and abide to the rules and regulations that set by ethics initiatives representative, taken up these code-of-conduct as an important guideline and to be best, inputted into respective companys rules during advertisement. For an example, if the advertisement projecting a message for a product that deemed as a must-have item for children and it is known that such exclusivity is unethical. Clearly, it is vital to come up with a solution towards the issues by conducting advertising in a way that neither tipped to consumers nor favor to advertisers. (Paul 2005, 9-11). Advertisers would need to constantly market their products but in a way that promoting further space for children in future rather than rigorously conquering all they have. This can be best achieved by treating children as an informed consumer by teaching them what {and} how to foresee marketing is all about. Consequently, it will further enlighten them about what is market segment and in return, for children to germinate a priceless asset decision making. Such realization of the intricacies advertising tactics at an early age can ensure children be aware to the fundamental of the marketing environment. (Paul 2000, 28-29). Due to the fast moving pace in todays business, children had becomes a promising spending group. Thus, if children have the ability to make decision, they can decide whether or not such products is a necessity or unnecessary. Accepting the facts that parents are unable to fully shielded their children away from advertisement, thus, the best practice is makes children to cope and gain experiences with what is about to fall upon to them. (Paul 2000, 26). It literally means that children will no longer being viewed as a vulnerable group that advertisers can take advantage on. Children can develop themselves with the knowledge to make comparisons between products, prices and promotions. Hence, by not undermining the message behind advertisement, children could turn their weaknesses to strength and the concerned ethical issues of childrens naivety will further be diminishing in a healthier way. (Elizabeth 2004, 163). Parents and Authorities Bodies Furthermore, parents should play as an important role in tackling the advertising ethical issues. According to{?} (Lionel 2000, 327) parent should educate their children and make known for children about the marketing strategy that draw by advertisers. This can be achieved by setting it as a learning milestone since they are young. This will drastically develop children to be aware of advertisers marketing processes by identifying the content and terminology used by them. Moreover, given that authorities bodies are already in place, but there is always a need to further emphasis when pursuing for unethical conducts. For instance, it is suggest having government intervene in setting rules and regulations in the TV advertising industries for the reason of minimize advertisement that make directly to children. In term of products promotions and placement, according to Dibb (1996) in{?}(Tammo, Wilma and Britta 1998, 172) identified that countries like Norway, Sweden and Netherlands was found aired less than 5 advertisements in one hour of television programming for children. In addition, informed advertisers to collaborate parents and family members for advertisement that be put on air or by reducing advertisement during childrens programming period. Some country like France are in face with choosing between attach with a health message in their advertisements or to paid 1.5% tax based on their advertisement budget to foot the healthy related message (Aysen and Scott 2000, 301). Separately, even the fast food typhoon{tychoon or typhoon?}, identified by Jardine and Wentz (2005) saying that McDonald is adhere with the strict rules and providing differing strategies in each country based on how to advertise their products. For these reasons, in order to success, changes have to be made with an immediate effect as evidence shown that the existing practice had flawed into a devastating phase. It is clear that with the cooperation from advertisers, it could propel to have healthier products sales, widely accepted promotions strategies and with reasonable pricings for the general consumers. Conclusion Overall, the aim of this comprehensive research was to scrutinize that ethical issues in advertising exist and will gives impacts towards children through various channels. A channel that remit for obtaining nothing else but profits from their targeted segments and therefore, as said in{?}(Aysen and Scott 2000, 300) The judgments and behavioral intentions are important constructs to gain insights regarding advertising directed at children. It is clear that when advertisers properly fill up the gap by regulating their content which adheres to the rules, it helps in realizing and educating their targeted audiences that overindulge for their products in a better way. So as to say, advertisers have to know that the boundaries of reasonable practice have been severely breached and they should not dismiss the attention that has been given in respect for a cleaner outcome of their advertisements. Thus, those outrageous advertising claim that previously roamed the media have to be virtually impossible in the current situation. As a result, if all these groups take their responsibility into account, the accomplishment of advertising towards children will be more ethical and approachable in future. Discussion: Other Ethical Issue in Future This paper examined the ethical issues have in advertising towards children and as well recommendation directed to 7Ps has been identified accordingly from conventional marketing medias. The disguise advertisement that makes children vulnerable via the internet is yet to be scrutinized in this topic. This study is in an attempts to fill up the gap from another medium of communication; The Cyberspaces. A disguise Advertisement is better be known as a breakthrough from typical advertising technique that being put in TV ad, magazine and etc. It had further exploited into the internet world where advertising is at the ease of fingertip. They can transmit the message at a lower cost and with better influence. It was a cover-up in a way that people are unaware that the advertisement had moved in to their mind. (Austin and Reed 1999, 590-591). For an example, nowadays children are quick in learning and blogging had turn out to be a typical ways of projecting ones stories and endeavors. Thus, some food industries has been found to hiring famous Blogger to make disguise news for promoting their brands, products, products price and place to find their product as though the blogger himself are telling his daily endeavors. Hence, the digital age had further facilitated children and adolescent to view on their beloved blogger flawed statement and pursue for what is recommended by them. (William n.d.). Such disclosure is unethical, unethical in a way that they need not to hold any responsibility about the content that being uploaded into blogs and ignoring the harm that possibly brings to consumers, notably, children and youngsters. Thus, supervision that needed is crucial, as if these advertisements will intrude even to an adult and not to mention the vulnerable children. (Austin and Reed 1999, 590-591). Reference Austin, M. J., and M. L. Reed. 1999. Targeting children online: Internet advertising ethics issues. Journal of Consumer Marketing {16 (6): 16, no.6: 590 602. http://www.emeraldinsight.com (accessed March 3, 2010). Australian Bureau of Statistics: Alcohol Consumption in Australia. 2006. http://abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[emailprotected]/mf/4832.0.55.001/ (accessed February 24, 2010). Aysen, B., and V. J. Scott. 2010. The Ethics of Food Advertising Targeted Toward Children: Parental Viewpoint. Journal of Business Ethics {91 (2): 91, no.2: 299 311. http://www.springerlink.com (accessed March 3, 2010) Bette, A. S., and G. Jackie. 2001. Ethical issues in electronic commerce. Journal of Business Ethics {u need to input vol issue only}2 34, no. 2, (November 1): 75-85. http://www.proquest.com (accessed March 7, 2010). Carolyn, S. 2010. Ethical Issues When Marketing To Children. http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/ethical-issues-when-marketing-to-children-1897536.html (accessed March 6, 2010). Christine, P., and R. Nancy. 2001. The impact of consumer environments on consumption patterns of children from disparate socioeconomic backgrounds. Journal of Consumer Marketing {18 (1):} 18, no.1: 21-40. http://www.emeraldinsight.com (accessed March 10, 2010). Debra{is it just debra?}., and H., Michael. 2008. Advertising in Australia: the big issues. International Journal of Advertising {27 (5)}27, no. 5: 910-915. http://web.ebscohost.com (accessed March 8, 2010). Elizabeth, S. M. 2004. Children and the changing world of advertising. Journal of Business Ethics {52 (2):}52, no.2: 161-167. http://www.springerlink.com (accessed March 3, 2010). Faith, M. 2002. Marketing and advertising: Harmful to childrens health. The Lancet 360, no. 9338, (September 28): 1001{}. http://www.proquest.com (accessed February 11, 2010). Henry, S., and C., Frank. 2000. The effect of tobacco advertising bans on tobacco consumption. Journal of Health Economics {19 (6):}19, no.6: 1117 1137. http://sciencedirect.com (accessed February 27, 2010). Jamie, N., and D. Andrew. 2010. Australia: Revised Childrens Television Standards for Commercial Television. http://www.mondaq.com/australia/article.asp?articleid=93136 (accessed March 11, 2010). Jeffrey, G. 1999. Children and Advertising The Research. Young Consumers: Insight and Ideas for Responsible Marketers {1 (2):} 1, no.2: 113-118. http://www.emeraldinsight.com (accessed March 7, 2010). Johan, C. K., S. Wolfgang. And C. Jasper. 2006. Beyond vicarys fantasies: The impact of subliminal proming and brand choice. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology {42 (6): 792-798.}42, no.6: 792 798. http://www.sciencedirect.com (accessed March 12, 2010). Lionel, S. 2000. Marketing to kids in the 21st century? Policy and Legislation Affecting Advertising to Children. Young Consumers: Insight and Ideas for Responsible Marketers{1 (4): 325-332.} 1, no.4: 325 332. http://www.emeraldinsight.com (accessed March 10, 2010). Obesity and overweight. 2006. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/index.html (accessed February 28, 2010). Paul, C. 2000. Advertising and Marketing to Children: Exploitation or Socialisation?. Young Consumers: Insight and Ideas for Responsible Marketers {2 (1): 25-30.}2, no.1: 25 30. http://www.emeraldinsight.com (accessed February 23, 2010). Paul, K. 2005. Responsible marketing to children in the US. Young Consumers: Insight and Ideas for Responsible Marketers 6, no.4: 8 12.{6 (4): 8-12. http://www.emeraldinsight.com (accessed February 28, 2010). Sharon, B. 1998. Marketing to Children. http://www.uow.edu.au/~sharonb/children.html (accessed March 9, 2010). Special Issues for Young Children. n.d. http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/parents/marketing/issues_kids_marketing.cfm (accessed February 17, 2010). Tammo, H. B., C. Wilma, and B. Britta. 1998. Childrens Understanding of TV Advertising: Effects o Age, Gender, and Parental Influence. Journal of Consumer Policy 21, no.2: 171 194.{21 (2): 171-194. http://www.springerlink.com (accessed March 3, 2010). William, M. O. n.d. Ethics and Advertising: Advertising Society Review. http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/asr/v008/8.3unit13.html (accessed March 6, 2010). William, S. B. 2002. Ethics and the Business of Childrens Public Television Programming. Journal Teaching Business Ethics 6, no.1: 73 81.{6 (1): 73-81} http://www.springerlink.com (accessed March 8, 2010). Winston, F. 2004. The Challenge of Advertising to Children. Young Consumers: Insight and Ideas for Responsible Marketers 5, no. 2: 11 15. {5 (2): 11-15. http://www.emeraldinsight.com (accessed February 23, 2010).

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Social Change Theories Essay -- Sociology

Social Change Theories Richard Roberts said, "As long as our social order regards the good of institutions rather than the good of men, so long will there be a vocation for the rebel." Moreover, the theories of functionalism, the conflict theory, and punctuated equilibrium enable rebels to emerge due to their theories' misplaced sense of value. Functionalism, largely influenced by Talcott Parsons, can be interpreted in several ways, creating the different versions of functionalism such as biocultural functionalism and structural-functionalism, which have different main aspects of belief. Bicultural functionalism expresses the belief that because of physiological needs social institutions were created in order to fulfill these needs. This belief suggests that functionalism, the belief that anything simply occurs because it serves a function, is based upon the individual's needs which include reproduction, food and shelter. Alternatively, the social structure and society as a "system of relationships" is also part of functionalism as the structural-functionalism view. According to the structural-functionalism it is not the individual that is important, but society as a whole. "He suggested that a society is a system of relationships maintaining itself through cybernetic feedback, while institutions are orderly sets of relati onships whose function is to maintain the society as a system." Overall functionalism in the idea that there is a disconnect between the mental states and the physical, and that mental states can only be identified through their functional role ("Functionalism." Web. N.p.). Parsons "[†¦] contributed to the structural-functionalist school conceptualized the social universe in terms of four types and levels of '... ...ll College. N.p., 21 Feb. 2000. Web. 25 Apr. 2012. . Morrow, Sarah , and Robert Lusteck. "Marxist Anthropology - Anthropological Theories." Department of Anthropology - The University of Alabama. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2012. . Porth, Eric, Kimberley Neutzling, and Jessica Edwards. "Functionalism - Anthropological Theories." Department of Anthropology - The University of Alabama. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2012. . "Punctuated Equilibrium | Academic Room." Educational Websites | Online Books | Online Classes | Open Access. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2012. .

Sunday, November 10, 2019

American Shaolin 1

In American Shaolin, Matt, the main character has a defining characteristic of being idealistic. To be idealistic one has to be merely honest. The concept of idealism is to act or practice of envisioning things in an ideal form. This idealism is rapidly seen in first chapter of book one, Matt develops a list of things wrong with him, he annotates the following, â€Å"Things that are wrong with Matt: 1. Ignorant 2. Cowardly 3. Still a boy/not a man 4. Unattractive to the opposite sex 5. Spiritually confused (14). Matt wrote the list at age fifteen, which was back when he was a bully’s favorite target. Since the beginning of the book Matt seemed to point out that he was â€Å"weak. † It was mentioned a numerous amount of times that throughout his school years Matt was a ninety-eight pound boy, which one knows is not heavy at all, so it’s very easy for bullies to pick on him if they wanted to. Referring back to the list Matt wanted to change himself, he wanted to o ne day become a tough fighter that would be able to protect himself in similar situations to those the same he had faced from his past. In doing so he took action and decided to take a year off college, Princeton, and use that same college money to travel to China. Matt was on a mission to find the Shaolin Temple. He had figured out that in order to break out of the shell of being bullied he wanted to study the martial arts of kungfu. â€Å"[He] had been taking kungfu classes since freshman year, because when [he] was nine years old [he] had seen a rerun of David Carradine’s Kung Fu and was never the same again (15). He didn’t figure this out alone, with the help of Professor Gu, he made his decision. Are you afraid of chi ku? † Professor Gu asked â€Å"Eat bitter? †Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"No,† I lied†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"Then you must go to the Shaolin Temple (16). † Although Matt did not have the support he wanted, his idealistic mind did not stop him. He was going to do what he set his mind on. In taking money from his college fund he was really taking action for what he wanted to do. Not onl y was it something his parents did not agree it, but it was something he had to go through alone, which one can say depicts the â€Å"cowardly† part off the list. Although he claims to have been a coward since grade school, if Matt was truly a coward he would have not taken that big step in life all on his own. But since this was something he did want, he did the actions to make his dream possible. Not only does he manage to get to China alone, but he has to find his way alone. All he can do is ask directions it doesn’t take a coward to confront random people, whom don’t speak English, and ask them for help in a different continent in which one is new to. Although he claims to not be so good at his Chinese, Matt seems to get plenty of compliments of how well he does speak the language. â€Å"Aiya, you speak Chinese! † she cried clapping her hands to her mouth â€Å"Just a little. † â€Å"Your Chinese is so good! (16)† Since the beginning Matt seemed to cross off â€Å"ignorant† from his list all on his own. Since his junior year of high school Matt decided to take steps forward and become a very successful person. He felt that although he was only at his junior year of college, he was done with college. As I finished, I leaned my head back in my chair with pride, and the list flashed in my head. I was suffused with a sweet glow of success (14). † After having the feeling of relief Matt soon started to feel like he needed to work on eliminating more of the factors wrong with him from the list. That is when Matt’s idealistic mind take role and speaks for itself. His steps to going to China were g etting closer, [his] obsession with kungfu had led to an interest in Chinese culture†¦ [He] was all flight ad no fight (15). As much as Matt was learning about the Chinese culture to link with â€Å"unattractive to the opposite sex he learns that â€Å"because the Chinese tend to hit puberty later (at fourteen to sixteen) and because it is a sexually conservative country, especially in rural regions, the Chinese don’t usually start dating before they are eighteen†¦It was common for Wushu Center monks who had reached the peak of their power to find a special female friend to focus the extra energy they no longer needed to improve their kungfu skills (116). Matt has an open mind and is learning much from his time in China. One can say that if things go well for Matt, maybe after he’s completed his kungfu training he might just find that one girl who will make him cross off his factor from the list. Towards the middle of the book Matt sets an example of how he was a coward, when one day he had a conversation with Coach Cheng and he was asked if he was afraid of being hit, Matt replies, â€Å"The pain. † He looked at [him] for a long time. When you were little, did they beat you? His question caught [him] off guard. [His] eyes got hot. â€Å"Classmates? † [He] nodded (161). † Matt shows that he is being idealistic because he really wants to change the way things have been from his childhood, he doesn’t seem to give up. His actions speak louder than the words he himself speaks. With his mind set in moving forward, he is acknowledging more wisdom as every day goes by. To be idealistic is take action as to for one wants to accomplish in their lives. Matt has shown that he is very idealistic by going to China to study kungfu. Generally, Matt's idealism is negotiated throughout his character, affecting his decisions to change the way he is and the way he will be for the rest of his life. If it wasn’t for his idealism, Matt would not be where he has gotten so far, he would have been back at home lacking the experience he went through still depicting about how he lived a bullied childhood. Matt's idealism developed from the moment he was back at home to now when he lives in China.