Executive Summary about Global Marketing Research Paper

Executive Summary about Global Marketing - Research Paper Example These are followed by explaining the reasons for venturing to employees, and selecting an executive officer for the foreign market. This foreign executive officer controls the risk such as economic and political disruptions, language and communication, difference in culture and religion and the business culture (Gillespie et al. 47). Under this extended network of the global economy, the need to have a permanent store or plant and offices is not requisite. This is because the marketing executive at the foreign location can actively engage the locals through the websites. Those executives at the headquarters may also choose to build a global business portfolio, which implements efficient global strategies. Therefore, strategic global marketing must consider all the risks, solutions and any other available alternatives. Strategic global marketing needs to take into account of the whole company group’s, environmental piles and resident people’s contentment (Gillespie et al . 75). Globalization, in some aspects, is described as a myth because most business activities, by large companies, take place in regional blocks (Gillespie et al. 38). The rival multinational enterprises from the regional blocs compete, for regional market shares, to consolidate their economic efficiency. These results to the top executives being compelled to design regional based strategic plans and not only the global plans. Marketing strategies should be regional in scope and not global or uniform to be responsive to local consumers. Global trade also depends on the statutes and provisions of the World Trade Organization. The executive both at the headquarters and the foreign market should make appropriate considerations and obtain certification from the world trade organization (Gillespie et al. 27). Another international organization that can be consulted for grants is the World Bank. These can offer loans and grants for the business expansion to foreign

Ranking of Learning Benefit of Each CEO Essay Example for Free

Ranking of Learning Benefit of Each CEO Essay For those who have not read any great leaders biographies and theirs accomplishments, the book provide good introduction of all the seven exceptional corporate leaders and their signature strategies. The books should be able to stir reader interest for more serious reading and learning on other more in-depth leadership books. 2. Strengths Kramess rigorous analysis of each of the CEO and their strategies, provide reader an understanding of what are their strategies and how the strategies implemented and why they were implemented. The book not only discusses the framework of each of their strategies but also entails some of the example of the leaders relevant experience. Through these leaders, the book portrays proven business insights, ideas and innovations of practiced by these world-class organizations. The inclusion of thoughts provoking case studies and self-test Assessing Your CEO Quotient at each of the chapters provide interactive learning experience. 3. Weaknesses The book could have provided experience from wider spectrum of leaders from other non-profit organization, corporate leaders from emerging economies and corporate leaders from Asia. The definition of successful leaders in this book is narrow is the sense its only from the perspective of immediate financial wealth creation. 4. General Learning Benefit The author, being a novice in the area of strategic leadership studies found that the book provide a very good introduction to strategic leadership and corporate strategy. The books open the author mind on the dynamism of strategic and critical thinking of addressing corporate problems. The author found that the More Lesson From CEO sections at the end of each chapter were practical and applicable to the author current profession. Ranking of Learning Benefit of Each CEO Out of all the CEOs the author has learned the most is from Andy Grove. Turning from negative situation to positive though it took resourcefulness to achieved, without real strong courage and determination, many leaders would not succeed. These strong qualities possessed by Grove no doubts would have developed through his early days hardship and this had earned Grove the respect of being a leader. Through his ability see the condition Intel from the perspective of an outsider enable him to prepare Intel for drastic change and turn into a multi-billion dollars business. The author admired Grove leadership style based on truth telling. Ranking second after Grove is Herb Kelleher. The author learned the important of building performance-based culture in business. Kellehers down-to-earth leadership style, by putting customer and employee, putting aside title and protocol caught the attention of the author especially when it came from the leader from big organization like Southwest. Kelleher lean management structure that made him accessible by his front lines supervisor plus his flamboyant and people treatment breed loyalty and commitment from his staff. Ranking third is Sam Walton. Walton continuous endeavor to be better by learning from his competitors, and remain faithful to his vision to provide lowest cost impressed the author. Normally when organization became big, they will not adopt lowest cost strategy. Lesson that the author draws from Walton leadership style was to lead by example in the aspect of learning from others. Ranking fourth is Bill Gates. Bill Gates leadership approach to knowledge management was definitely a lesson that that the author have learned. Gates ability to see the future label him as visionary leader. Ranking fifth is Jack Welch. Jack Welch was good corporate strategies. Though through learning organization make GE a great company, his number one or number two strategy was mean and neglected the human aspect which the author believe negate the overall leadership pursuit. This strategy though might work with big corporation like GE, might not work on the smaller organization. People commitment to their job could be due to job security. Ranking sixth is Lou Gerstner. Gerstner approach to put IBM under the scrutiny of its customer and use the market feedback to transform IBM would be expected of him. His previous experience in Nabisco naturally would give IBM a fresh perspective of how to business would be directed. No doubt his leadership abilities would have contributed to his success transforming IBM. Ranking seventh is Michael Dell. Dell approach to build DELL business model surround the customer and his strategy of mass customization would be the natural things to do for highly competitive industry like computers. Whereas other failed, Dell succeeded to harness the power of Information Technology to build DELL supply chain. Probably other computer makers would have recognized the important of bringing the business closer to the customer but they fail to know how. 6. Other Prominent Leader. Another leader that the author regards to be prominent is Fujio Cho, the president of the Toyota Motor Corporation. Fortune reported that Toyotas worldwide sales leapt 10%, to 7. 5 million vehicles, posting strong growth in all regions. Toyotas profits for fiscal year 2003 exceeded those of GM, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, and Volkswagen combined. (Annex A) Cho portray his leadership style particularly dedicates his time through interaction with the working group on the production floor, congratulating them of their best achievement. Cho leading by example has earned him admiration and respect from his employees. (Annex B) Cho none compromising stand on environmental issue evident went he lambasted his own company saying The sense of crisis we feel, despite increasing sales and profits, stems from our fear that we have no kept up. Particularly fears that we have not kept up with environmental issues (Annex C) To be globally competitive today, according to Cho, a company must be agile, able to make rapid decisions and respond quickly to changing business environments (Annex D) and this factor has brought Toyota to the current level. Cho leadership exemplifies the quest for organization for continuous improvement. Lesson that can be drawn by the author from his leadership and strategy are, his treatment for his employee, passion for quality and meeting customer expectation and respect for the environment. Conclusion The reading of the book provides the author a good introduction of the practice and the dynamics of strategic leadership. Based on experiences of these CEOs, the author realized that the application strategic leadership varies depending on the personality of the leadership and the circumstances and type of the organization they are in. Source:Â  http://www.fortune.com

DBS - DIRECTV and DISH Network :: essays papers

DBS - DIRECTV and DISH Network Remember when Cable TV came into the picture and began bullying around the network stations for all their lunch money? Well watch out Cable because you might get a little taste of your own Medicine from a powerful extra terrestrial,... satellite that is. A multi-channel alternative to cable television known as Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) is now available in theUnited States of America and boy is it ready to rock. DBS provides picture perfect cable-like television programming directly from satellite dishes approximately 18 inches in diameter. Millions of households now subscribe to DBS services resulting in what appears to have the cable industry wondering what’s going to happen. Cable was introduced in the late 1940’s in the â€Å"boone docks† of Pennsylvania when it’s original name was known as CATV, or Comunity Antenna TV. During this time there were only a few stations and in order to even recieve any picture, a TV set had to be in the vacintaty of antenna where a signal could be recieved. Anyone with a TV who lived to far from the antenna would be crap out of luck. Finally an appliance store owner named John Walson hooked up an antenna to a nearby mountain where he recieved a signal from the cities transitter and wired it down to his store for a good picture. When his clients witnessed that good picture could be brought to their area, John Walson’s TV sales went up drastically. From then on cable started multiplying like horny â€Å"GREMLINS† and â€Å"GOONIES†. In the past cable’s main purpose was to bring network stations to the rural areas. Today cable is capable of carrying hundreds of channels and is the leading source in TV programming with over 60 million subscribers and tons of diverse programming. Before it was all networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX that could be seen on TV. They led the way for a while until cable came along. Today with help from satellites, 24 hour sports(ESPN) and movie(HBO) programming is availible in most cable packages and that was the main reason why cable became so popular. It’s been over 50 years of success for cable, but with the turn of the century coming, what kind of future does cable have with these new media technologies on the rise?

Investigation of the hill reaction

Theory: Photosynthesis is a process carried out in plants, in the photosynthetic organ which is the leaf. CO2 + H2O –> (CH2O)n + O2 A plant takes in CO2 and H2O and absorbs sunlight in order for photosynthesis to take place. These reactants then travel to the chloroplasts in the palisade cells of the leaf, where the actual process takes place. In photosynthesis there are two reactions; the light dependant reaction and the light independent reaction. The light dependant reaction takes place in thylakoids of the grana of the chloroplasts whereas the light independat takes place in the stroma. The thylakoids of the chloroplasts contain pigments which can be divided into accessory and primary pigments. These pigments form light harvesting clusters which can then be divided into different photosystems, those being photosystem I and photosystem ll. In photosystem I, the accessory pigments trap energy from the sunlight and funnel it to the primary pigment or chlorophyll a. This then becomes excited and releases an electron which is accepted by an electron acceptor. The electron then moves through a series of electron carriers arranged in order of their redox potentials. Meanwhile, the photosystem is said to be unstable as a result of chlorophyll a losing an electron. The electron then moves back down the series of electron carriers to return to stability producing energy thus A.T.P. Photosystem II differs in that the process is non cyclic (i.e. the electron emitted from chlorophyll a does not return to chlorophyll a), it produces NADPH and O2 as a by-product in addition to A.T.P. and photosystem I is in fact a component of photosystem II. In this case the electron emitted from chlorophyll a travels through a series of electron carriers and then is accepted by a hydrogen ion (which is then picked up by NADP+) and this upsets the equilibrium for the splitting of water, causing more water to split. However, the electrons harvested from the splitting of water goes to photosystem II(which would have been energized to release an electron simultaneously with photosystem I), which would have been unstable. Also, the electron that left chlorophyll a from photosystem I would have passed through a series of electron carriers, arranged in redox potentials, to stabilize photosystem I producing A.T.P. The NADPH and A.T.P are then transported to the Calvin cycle. Apparatus: * Filter funnel * Muslin * Mortar/pestle * Ice/salt water bath * Lamp * Test tubes * Foil Materials: * Lettuce * DCPIP (blue) * Isolation Medium * Chloroplast suspension Method: 1. The chloroplast suspension was prepared and placed in test tubes covered with aluminium, then placed in salt/ice water. 2. 0.5 ml of the suspension was then placed in another test tube followed by 5 ml of DCPIP. 3. The foil covering that tube was then removed and the exposed solution in the test tube was placed next to the light source of the lamp at a measured distance of 10 cm. 4. The time for taken for the blue DCPIP to turn from blue to colourless was then observed and recorded. 5. 0.5 ml of the isolation medium was placed in a test tube followed by 5 ml of DCPIP solution. 6. This solution was then placed at a distance of 10 cm away from the light source and the time taken for a colour change was observed and recorded. 7. 0.5 ml of the chloroplast suspension was placed in a test tube followed by 5 ml of DCPIP. This was then placed in the dark and the aluminium foil was not removed. 8. The time taken for a colour change from blue to green was then observed and recorded. Diagram: Diagram 1.0 shows setup of apparatus to check time taken for colour changes in tubes. Results: Tube Time taken for colour change from blue to colourless/min 10 cm away from light source 1.53 100 cm away from light source 15.55 Isolation in medium only No change Tube in dark No change Table shows different times for colour changes to be observed. Discussion: Photosystem ll as mentioned in the theory, NADPH and 02. In this process light strikes both photosystem l and ll, the energy is funneled down by the accessory pigments to the primary pigment and this causes the primary pigment from PS l and PS ll to release an electron. The electron from PS l is accepted by an electron acceptor and then passes through a series of electron carriers arranged in their redox potentials. The electron then is accepted by another electron acceptor and then neutralizes the H+ in the splitting of water. H2O – 2H+ + 2e- + O2 This H is then picked up by NADP and forms NAPH. NADP is therefore an electron acceptor. As the H is picked up, this disturbs the equilibrium causing more water to split. However, Robert Hill discovered, that isolated chloroplasts can in fact, liberate oxygen, from the equation above, in the presence of an oxidizing agent or an electron acceptor. In photosynthesis this is NADP but another one, that being DCPIP can be used in isolated conditions. In this process, the DCPIP which is blue becomes reduced DCPIP which is colourless. This is known as the Hill reaction. In the experiment, the mortar/pestle was used to grind the lettuce and the muslin is used to collect the isolation medium. The isolation medium is a solution made up of sucrose and potassium chloride dissolved in a phosphate buffer. The isolation medium provides a buffered environment which does not allow the chlorophyll to leave the lettuce leaves. In this experiment, the light source used was a lamp. In this case, the light intensity was varied by changing the distance from the light to the tube. The relationship between the amount of light and the distance is said to be one that obeys the inverse square law. For example if 10 cm were 100 units then 20 cm would be 10 units. With all other factors being constant and optimum, the light intensity is said to be a limiting factor, i.e. a factor that would the control the rate of photosynthesis. Therefore as the light intensity increases, so should the rate of photosynthesis thus, as the distance of the tube from the light source decreased, the time taken for the colour change to take place should have taken longer, which was the case. It can be observed that as the distance increased to 100 cm away from the lamp, the time taken for the colour change at 10 cm, 1.53 minutes increased to 15.55 minutes. The investigation then goes on to show that in the presence of the isolation medium only, in the tube there was no colour change at all. This is because the isolation medium contained no chlorophyll for photosynthesis to take place. However, when the tube with the chloroplast suspension which includes the isolation medium was placed in a tube, but in the dark, there was no colour change either. This shows that light is needed for photosynthesis to take place. Precautions: * The amount of chloroplast suspension and DCPIP placed in the tube was standardized. * The distance of the light source from the tube was ensured with a centimeter ruler. * The salt/ice water was used to preserve the samples so that no biological activity would have taken place before the experiment had taken place. * The aluminium foil was used so that no light would have entered the sample before the experiment started. Limitations: * The DCPIP was blue in colour and the chloroplast suspension was blue in colour. Therefore, the colour change was not from blue to colourless and this could have affected one's observation of the colour change. Sources of error: * The experiment was done during the day and sunlight entering the room could have affected the results in some way of it had any exposure to the test tubes. Improvements: * It could have been ensured that the room was completely dark or sunlight was not reaching the tubes in any way. * The amount of light could have been reduced by putting layers of tissue paper between the light and the test tube to produce a range of light intensities.

My Bedroom

Homework, music, and tranquility are three things that come to my mind whenever I think of my bedroom. It’s a special place that’s important to me and holds many memories, even though other people may not see it that way. This is a place where I spend most of my day to relax and forget about the problems of everyday life. My bedroom is like a sanctuary to me because it’s quiet and peaceful like a walk through misty woods in the early morning hours. It’s somewhere I look forward to going when the â€Å"ordinary day at school† is done. The first thing I see when I walk into my bedroom is my clothes dresser. It’s a cherry wood color, and is furnished with a stereo, small ceramic statues, a small white lamp, and a 3-dimensional wood carving of my first name. These items hold some level of significance to me in that they were given to me by people I care about. The next thing I notice is the two display shelves that are positioned directly above my dresser and are of the same cherry wood tone. These hold the memories of friends and loved ones in the form of pictures, seashells, and small trinkets. On the right and left sides of these two shelves hang two pictures: one of my family during the Christmas of 2009, and the other of three angels flying carelessly through Heaven’s beachside paradise. Another item that stands amongst everything else in my bedroom is my bulletin board. Here, important events and notes are kept within reach whenever they may be needed for future reference.

Essay Sample on Child Abuse and Conduct Disorder in Children

Essay Sample on Child Abuse and Conduct Disorder in Children According to Sadock B., Sadock V. Sadock V.A.(2008, P.96) in their book, Kaplan and Sadock concise textbook of child and adolescent psychiatry, there in a common consensus on the fact that those children that chronically experience sexual or physical abuse when they are young are at a risk of developing aggressive behavior at later years. They also assert that the onset of aggressive behavior in children with a history of maltreatment manifests early in boys than in girls. That is to say that, conduct disorder reaches diagnostic criteria at the age between 14 and 16 for girls and at the age of between 10 and 12 years old in boys (Sadock B., Sadock V. Sadock V.A., 2008, P.96). For instance, McCabe, et al (2005,p.575) conducted an experiment with an aim of testing the hypothesis that those children who are exposed to violent behavior end up developing conduct problems during their adolescence. This was a two years study that used a sample of 423 adolescents between the ages of 12 to 17 years old. This was a random sample of high risk youths being treated in public psychiatric hospitals. The information needed was collected from studying the adolescents’ pattern of treatment and care (Mc Cabe, et al 2005, p.575). The results put in their article titled, The Relation between Violence Exposure and Conduct Problems among Adolescents: a Prospective Study indicated that those children who had been exposed to community violence had a higher chance of developing conduct disorder which would manifest in external symptoms. On the other hand, child maltreatment predicted psychiatric disorder that manifested without externalizing the symptoms. However a child’s exposure to violence between intimate partners did not predict either of the two outcomes. Even where child maltreatment and exposure to violence between intimate partners were controlled, a child’s exposure to violence was a great contributing factor to adolescent misconduct. It is therefore impe rative to form treatment solutions that address the internalizing and externalizing symptoms, in the treatment of socially deviant adolescent with a history of child maltreatment. The study also gives significant pointers towards the prevention of psychiatric disorders in young people. Romano, Zoccolilo Paquette (2006, p. 329) did a study that investigated the relationship between child maltreatment and behavior disorder in a sample of pregnant adolescents. Cross-sectional information was collected from a sample of 252 pregnant adolescents from a home group setting, hospitals and high schools in Canada. The girls filled up a questionnaire and underwent an interview on their history of psychiatric disorder. The study used latent class analysis to associate child maltreatment and behavioral disorder. The results in their article, Histories of child maltreatment and psychiatric disorder in pregnant adolescents showed that 79% of the pregnant adolescents had not experienced child maltr eatment while 21% undergone some kind of mistreatment at a young age. The study also showed that the child maltreatment latent variables had no connection with psychiatric disorder. Instead, aggressive behavior was associated with only the sexual form of child maltreatment. The results also showed a significant association between depression and psychiatric disorder in the pregnant adolescents at the ratio of 3.70.In addition and compared to the non maltreated girls, those girls who had experienced multiple forms of maltreatment were four times more likely to develop conduct disorder. In conclusion, the study proved that prior experience of sexual or multiple form of child maltreatment was a factor that predisposed adolescents to behavior misconduct (Zoccolilo Paquette 2006, p. 329).More studies of the maltreatment history of a child will help to form better understand adolescent misconduct and come up with remedies that can help to prevent such outcomes. Relationship between depres sion and conduct disorder in children with child abuse Rutter Taylor argue in their book (2002) argue in their book, child and adolescent psychiatry that, one of the identifiable causal factor for conduct disorder is child abuse. This is because child abuse leads to concurrent alterations in various emotional, cognitive, neuroendocrinological and neurohumoral regulatory processes. It is the variation in either of this processes that charged with causing depression that leads to behavior disorder in young people. Mash (2003) in his book child psychopathology argues that, the maltreatment of a child can lead to negative psychological consequences that persist into ones adulthood. This means that most of the adult psychiatric patients are victims of childhood maltreatment. He further asserts that those adolescents with a history of physical abuse are at a higher risk of developing chronic problems in self concept, self esteem, behavior and emotional self regulation and psychological o utcomes like dissociative behavior, depression and PSTD. This can later in life cause more serious problems including sexual problems anxiety disorders, or depression. According to the American Psychiatric Association diagnostic manual (1987), the relationship between adolescent depression and conduct disorder is not random. This argument is supported by Kovacs, Paulauskas, Gatsonis Richards(1988) who argue that the estimated prevalence of comorbidity for conduct disorder and depression in children and adolescence was from their study found to be at 23%.This number has risen up to between 32 t0 37% in other separate investigations.Benamos Bathsheva (1992) argued in his article, depression and conduct disorder in children and adolescent: A review of the literature, that the relationship between depression and conduct disorder in young people has been historically explained using either the theory of direct causal relationship, the theory of indirect causal relationship or the theo ry of the â€Å"final common pathway† hypothesis. According the direct causal relationship model, depression was viewed by early psychiatrists as a masked form of behavior in young people which manifested itself in either the form of antisocial behavior, general anxiety, school under achievement or psychomatic problems. Delinquency was considered to be a defense against parental deprivation or abuse and depression as the second defense option once the antisocial behavior failed to capture the attention of ones parents. This argument was however deemed invalid in the 1970s by later day explanations (Ben-Amos Bathsheva 1992, p.188). The indirect causal relationship succeeded the above model. According to this model, depression was recognized as a disorder separate from conduct disorder. It explained the association between depression and conduct disorder in two ways. The first one presented depression as a result of abandonment where by a young person defended himself against his depression by either demonstrating rage, withdrawal or by acting out. The second explanation saw depression as a result of aggressive behavior in a manner that one is seen to condemn himself for carrying out deviant behavior. This behavior is presented as a result of expression of anger towards a needed individual who in this case might be dissociating himself from the young person either by sexually of physically abusing the minor. This argument is faulted for not showing how early depravation is more significant than a parents psychopathology in causing depression and antisocial behavior in young people (Ben-Amos Bathsheva 1992, p.188). Finally, the final pathway model explains the relationship between depression and conduct behavior in maltreated children by seeking to find similar symptoms in the two disorders. This is done using a diagnostic spectrum of several borderline personality disorders. This model however fails in giving a clear explanation that may lead to the deve lopment of proper treatment options since it cannot provide distinct symptoms for each disorder. However it gives significant insights into further studies on how pharmacology can be applied in the treatment of both depressive disorder and conduct disorder in young people (Ben-Amos Bathsheva 1992, p.188). Relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder and stress disorder in children with child abuse According to Myers (2005, p.205) in his book, Myers on evidence on child, Domestic and elder abuse cases, those child who experience physical abuse are at a higher risk of developing psychiatric disorders and adjustment problems. For instance physically abused children may end up becoming abusive parents towards their own children. However research has shown that the intergeneration transmission of this kind of abusive behavior is estimated at between 18 to 40%.Myers further argues that other than physical abuse, a child might be a victim of sexual abuse, psychological abuse or malt reatment in the form of neglect. He quotes research conducted by Vincent Felitti and his contemporaries to demonstrate the effects of child maltreatment. This research involved the analyzation of 8,506 questionnaires given to a sample of adults from the Kaiser Permanente health care at San Diego. The average age of the respondents was 56.They were supposed to answer whether they had experienced any of the 7 childhood traumas including, domestic violence, psychological trauma, sexual abuse, physical abuse, drugs or alcohol abuse by a household member, mental illness or whether the imprisonment of a household member. Over 6% of the respondents had experienced one or more of the traumas while 6% had experienced four or more childhood traumas. The experience of this trauma was associated with later day mental and behavior disorders. The research showed that improper handling of childhood trauma led to post traumatic tress disorder and behavior problems which manifested itself in behavio rs like depressed mood, suicide attempts smoking, severe obesity, alcoholism, and drug abuse and multiplier sexual partners. This For instance 25 % of the respondents who were sexually abused as children, took up smoking at an early age compared to only the non sexually abused who only stood at 9%(Myers, 2005, pp. 206-207). Having seen the origin of both post trauma stress disorder and conduct disorder it is importance to show how they are related. Greenwald (2011, 304), asserts that although the effect of trauma borne out of child maltreatment can manifest in several ways trauma plays a major role in the development of conduct disorder. Improper handling of childhood trauma leads to post traumatic disorder where by the child basic trust is violated, his attachments are detached and his sense of empathy destroyed. At this point, the child’s sense of inhibition is reduced such that it becomes easy for the victim to commit crime against other people. Post traumatic stress disor der is such that the victim of abuse remains perpetually alert to potential danger to a point that this kind of sensitivity contributes to a sense of biased hostility. The child social competence is impaired by the internalization of anger which manifests itself in aggressive and sometimes violent acts. Post traumatic disorder also manifests itself in the form of intolerable emotions like intense sadness or fear which may lead to substance abuse or other high risk behaviors. The worst occurs when the effect of trauma manifested in post trauma stress disorder and conduct disorder lasts indefinitely and becomes part of the individual’s behavior and personality. Most anti social youths who have experienced some kind of child maltreatment have been found to suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder with the prevalence rates ranging from 24% to 65% (Greenwald, 2011, p. 304). While some studies have hypothesized conduct disorder as a direct symptom of post traumatic disorder other see both disorders as a direct result of trauma in which some symptoms are similar. For instance, a study of combat veterans discovered that war related trauma predisposed both Post trauma stress disorder and antisocial behavior (Greenwald, 2011, p. 305). Relationship between executive function and conduct disorder in children with child abuse Hyman (2001, p. 680), has stated in his book, the science of mental health: personality disorder that there is empherical evidence that those children who grow up to be persistently antisocial suffer from deficits in their neuropsychological abilities. Research has ruled child abuse and neglect as some of the possible causes of kind of brain damage that lead to anti social behavior and consequent neuropsychological impairment. The two major types of neuropsychological deficits in antisocial children are impairments in verbal and executive functions. The verbal functions affected in antisocial children are concentration in reading, listening, w riting, expressive speech, problem solving and memory. The affected executive functions on the other hand are a form of compartmental learning deficiency whose symptoms include impulsivity and in attention. Hyman (2001, p. 680), continues to argues that both conduct disorder and deficiencies in executive functions share a variance that does not depend on ones social class, academic attainment, race or test motivation. This deficiency in cognitive skills can affect both slow-witted and undetected delinquents. He also adds that there is a strong research based evidence to show that in executive functions is associated with the kind of anti social behavior that starts in child hood and is sustained afterwards for a long period of time. In their book, Helping adolescents: prevention of multiple problem behavior, Biglan, Brennan, Foster Holder (2005, p.77) argues that evidence has demonstrated that specific executive functions deficits are significant risk factors towards substance abus e, overt aggression and latent conduct disorder. These executive deficits may vary from problems in inhibiting negative behavior, poor ability to plan, problems in verbal processing and difficult in sustaining attention. Executive cognitive deficits have therefore been linked to alcohol or substance abuse in high risk youths. The significant association between the deficit in performance of executive functions and conduct disorder has been applied by some researchers to explain the increased rate of comorbidity attention deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and in conduct disorder. The diminishing arousal of the nervous system leads to ADHD and hyperactivity that specifically affects the brain area that is responsible for behavioral inhibitions and higher order cognitive skills. When the ADHD in a child with a history of maltreatment is accompanied by serious disruptive and aggressive behavior, there is an increased likelihood of future conduct disorder and substance abuse (Biglan 20 05, p.77). To investigate the kind of relationship that exists between executive function and conduct disorder in maltreated children, Mezzacapa, Kindlon Earls(2001, p. 104) carried out a study on 126 boys aged between 6 and 12 years old and who attended either a therapeutic school for children with behavioral of emotional problems or public schools. They were put into 3 categories of public schools, none abused and therapeutic all of which were based on either ones school of origin or his history of maltreatment. The study controlled the boys medical status and IQ then made comparison of the boys in the three categories based on, the experimenter observation of the children’s behavior during the research; the ratings given by the teacher on each boy’s behavior; on the boys performance of a task that tested the capacity to act in progress or inhibit and the capacity to passively avoid responding to questions that had adverse consequences. The test also examined the ave rage group variances in behavior, symptoms and task performance. There was also an analysis of differential age based changes in the behavior, symptoms and task performances within each group. In their article, Child abuse and performance task assessments of executive functions in boys, Mezzacapa, Kindlon Earls (2001, p.104) reported that those non abused children attending therapeutic schools showed comparatively significant higher levels of externalizing and internalizing symptoms and those of redirecting to a given task in comparison to those children who attended public schools. Compared to public school boys, both therapeutic abused and therapeutic none abused children demonstrated capacities to inhibit an act in progress and ability to avoid giving a response with adverse consequence that was relatively poor. With increasing age, those children who had a history of maltreatment had lower improvements in their capacity to avoid responses with serious consequences compared to b oth non abused therapeutic children and those attending public schools (Mezzacapa, Kindlon Earls (2001, p.104 This reported therefore collaborated previous hypothesis and researches conducted by behavioral scientists towards the argument that, child abuse contributes to the alteration of a child’s cognitive abilities especially in the executive functions. Such deficits are in turn linked to psychopathological behaviors manifested in poor self control and abusive aggression. The results of this investigation can however be best validated by conducting a longitudinal study that will investigate the influence of age on behavior regulation in individuals with a history of child maltreatment and consequence cognitive and behavior disorders (Mezzacapa, Kindlon Earls (2001, p.104). Relationship between conduct disorder and attachment disorder in children with child abuse Abel Southwest Minnesota State University (2009, p.8) asserts in their book titled childhood trauma and attac hment disorder in foster children that a child’s first lesson in trust comes from his parent. The kind of nurturing she gets at the youngest age helps to build either a healthy or unhealthy attachment behavior. In most cases, the process of attachment is inhibited by factors such as abuse, death, maltreatment, chronic trauma, violence, neglect and out of home placements. Such factor may leave a child with attachment deficits that make them develop trust issues, social insecurities and physical detachments. The above problems are accentuated by the statistics that, young children and infants are being taken and sustained in foster cares in numbers that are relatively higher than that of older children. The prevalence of domestic violence and child maltreatment occur in 30 t0 60 5 of families that experience any kind of violence. A majority of youth undergo multiple foster care placements with some undergoing up to 7 placements before reaching their adulthood. In addition, by 2006 118, 000 children in foster cares were still waiting to be adopted while according to a 2005 report from the children defense funds millions of children all over America are witnessing family violence every day. There is therefore a need for permanency, stability and proper role adoption in family life in order to avoid attachment disorder in children (Abel South West Minnesota State University, 2009, pp.8-9). In essence, any kind of parental care that is characterized by parent child conflict, lack of involvement or warmth, poor supervision and harsh styles of disciplining are associated with disrupted behavior in a child. In their book, women’s mental health: a lifecycle approach Romans Seeman attempt to demonstrate how poor or abusive parental care may contribute to aggressive behavior in a child. In fact, they are that the relationship between the behavior of a parent and that of a child are directly related to each other. Such that conduct disorder in a parent can be remedied using interventions that put their focus in the alteration of the parent’s behavior. However, Romans Seeman(2006, p.102), go ahead to say that although most studies in the consequences on parental practice on a child mental and behavioral health has been conducted on boys, a few isolated studies on girls have indicated that the behavior outcomes for boys and girls in the same coercive family vary. For instance, a study conducted on boys and girls in Pre School indicated that maltreated boys in Pre School were at a higher risk of developing aggressive behavior at their school going age compared to girls. The level of attachment that a child has with his parents depends on how well or how poorly the child perceives parental response and availability. The quality of attachment that a child has with his parent influence the kid of relationships he has in the future. Family risk factors like parental separation or divorce, marital conflicts, large family size and int ense family stress has been linked to later aggressive behavior violence and criminal convictions. On the other had, the attachment deficit associated with child abuse and neglect has been associated with conduct disorder in children (Romans Seeman, 2006, p.102). In their book, Child Neuropsychology: Assessment and Interventions for Neurodevelopment Disorders Semrud-Clikeman Ellison (2009, p.201) argue that familial factors like maternal depression, family aggression and conflicts are some of the causes of attachment disorder in children. On the other hand, children with conduct disorder come from families where there is frequent parental substance abuse, and parent’s capacity to be coercive towards their children. Consequently those parents with punitive, coercive and inconsistent management styles predict attachment disorder which is converted by anger to conduct disorder. It is therefore important for psychiatrist to come up with treatment intervention that has its roots in the quality of attachment that a child has with his parents or guardians (Semrud-Clikeman Ellison, 2009, p.201). Conclusion In conclusion, children with experience of maltreatment are exposed to a high risk factor of developing conduct disorder as a way of dealing with their pain. Several models have been used to link depression to conduct disorder. However, only an integrated research approach towards finding a cure for both depression and conduct disorder in can help find their association. In addition, Post traumatic stress disorder alters a child’s ability to inhibit aggressive conduct and increases his capacity to give responses that have adverse consequences leading to the development of conduct disorder. Child abuse and neglects creates deficits in a child’s executive functions. Research has shown that such deficits are high risk factors towards the development of aggressive behavior and conduct disorder. Decreased child’s attachment to her parents du e to neglect or coercive behavior of the parents causes attention deficit disorder. Those suffering from this deficit handle it through manifestation of aggressive, suicidal or violent behavior that are a symptoms of conduct disorder. In summary, child maltreatment can either directly or indirectly lead to conduct disorder in an adolescent. For some individuals, such a behavior extends into their adult life.

Dark Life essays

Dark Life essays When he lifted his head a little, he saw his vaulted brown belly... were waving helplessly before his eyes. Gregor Samsa has gone through a metamorphosis. This change has turned Gregor into a monstrous vermin. Kafka expresses the anxieties, inner terrors, and cynicism, which fill Gregors life, throughout the story, metamorphosis. Franz Kafka uses these feelings as an element of expressionism to convey Gregors attitudes towards his life and society. Examples depicting this element of expressionism used in the story are Gregors feelings towards his job, the effect his job has on his family, and the cruelty that his family displays. The story opens with Gregor in his monstrous state, late for work. He infers that his job as a traveling salesman is very consequential, yet he is growing tired and frustrated, The upset of doing business is much worse than the actual business in the home office, and, besides, Ive got the torture of traveling, worrying about changing trains, eating miserable food at all hours, constantly seeing new faces, no relationships that last or get more intimate. To the devil with it all! (Scott 221-223) Gregor has a great amount of fury towards his job, which eventually led to his anger towards society as a whole. The fact that his office manager showed up at Gregors house plays an immense role in creating trepidation and anxieties in Gregors mind. Gregor feels strangled by his job and is too weak to tolerate the pressure. In addition to the pressure created by his office manager and society, the Samsas, especially Gregors father, take advantage of him. Gregor earns the basic income to support his family. But of course he actually could have paid off more of his fathers debt to the boss with this extra money, and the clay on which he could have gotten rid of his job would have been much closer, but now things were undou ...

Womens Anti-Pass Law Campaigns in South Africa

Women's Anti-Pass Law Campaigns in South Africa The first attempt to make black women in South Africa carry passes was in 1913 when the Orange Free State introduced a new requirement that women, in addition to existing regulations for black men, must carry reference documents. The resulting protest, by a multi-racial group of women, many of whom were professionals (a large number of teachers, for example) took the form of passive resistance - a refusal to carry the new passes. Many of these women were supporters of the recently formed South African Native National Congress (which became the African National Congress in 1923, although women were not allowed to become full members until 1943). The protest against passes spread through the Orange Free State, to the extent that when World War I broke out, the authorities agreed to relax the rule. At the end of World War I, the authorities in the Orange Free State tried to re-instate the requirement, and again opposition built up. The Bantu Womens League (which became the ANC Womans League in 1948 - a few years after membership of the ANC was opened to women), organized by its first president Charlotte Maxeke, coordinated further passive resistance during late 1918 and early 1919. By 1922 they had achieved success - the South African government agreed that women should not be obliged to carry passes. However, the government still managed to introduce legislation which curtailed the rights of women and the Native (Black) Urban Areas Act No 21 of 1923 extended the existing pass system such that the only black women allowed to live in urban areas were domestic workers. In 1930 local municipal attempts in Potchefstroom to regulate womens movement led to further resistance - this was the same year that white women obtained voting rights in South Africa. White women now had a public face and a political voice, of which activists such as Helen Joseph and Helen Suzman took full advantage. Introduction of Passes for All Blacks With the Blacks (Abolition of Passes and Co-ordination of Documents) Act No 67 of 1952 the South African government amended the pass laws, requiring all black persons over the age of 16 in all provinces to carry a reference book at all times - thereby inforcing influx control of blacks from the homelands. The new reference book, which would now have to be carried by women, required an employers signature to be renewed each month, authorization to be within particular areas, and certification of tax payments. During the 1950s women within the Congress Alliance came together to combat the inherent sexism that existed within various anti-Aparthied groups, such as the ANC. Lilian Ngoyi (a trade unionist and political activist), Helen Joseph, Albertina Sisulu, Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, and others formed the Federation of South African Women. The prime focus of the FSAW soon changed, and in 1956, with the cooperation of the ANCs Womens League, they organized a mass demonstration against the new pass laws. Womens Anti-Pass March on the Union Buildings, Pretoria On 9 August 1956 over 20,000 women, of all races, marched through the streets of Pretoria to the Union Buildings to hand over a petition to JG Strijdom, South Africas prime minister, over the introduction of the new pass laws and the Group Areas Act No 41 of 1950. This act enforced different residential areas for different races and led to forced removals of people living in wrong areas. Strijdom had arranged to be elsewhere, and the petition was eventually accepted by his Secretary. During the march the women sang a freedom song: Wathint abafazi, Strijdom! wathint abafazi,wathint imbokodo,uza kufa! [When] you strike the women,you strike a rock,you will be crushed [you will die]! Although the 1950s proved to be the height of passive resistance against Apartheid in South Africa, it was largely ignored by the Apartheid government. Further protests against passes (for both men and women) culminated in the Sharpeville Massacre. Pass laws were finally repealed in 1986. The phrase wathint abafazi, wathint imbokodo has come to represent womens courage and strength in South Africa.

The Great Depression Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

The Great Depression - Essay Example As opposed to the belief of Keynes, Hayek had the belief that in order to recover from a booming crash the solution was not just adequate spending but also a return to the sustainable production at the same time. The production that had been purged by distortions in the boom era due to the availability of easy money needed to return to the level of sustainable levels so as to recover financially. The theory of Hayek was dismissed as many held the belief that he tried to liquidate labor, stocks and the farmers. However, it seems that the Hayek was right due to the fact that after there has been unsustainable boom period it is really required to liquidate the thinks so that the distortions can be removed. For instance, after the financial crisis of 2008, the recipe for straightforward revival would be to liquidate all the assets which led to the subprime bubble due to the easy monetary policy. In short, Keynes gave a recovery that seems painless for the economy by giving the economy ex tra money. The believers of Hayek’s theory understand that there is no painless recovery option that is available for recovering from an unsustainable boom. The only way an economy can recover from such a period is to try and avoid the boom itself. In light of the great depression, the two economists Keynes and Hayek held different views and options that could be used by the economy to recover from the recession. The views of the two economists differ substantially and offer different explanations for the cause of the economic crisis.

Business memo Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Business memo - Assignment Example As for privacy, the candidates should not give out their passwords and neither shall information obtained used for any other different purpose. The search should look for factors that can make a candidate the best suited for the job or factors that can make him or her unsuitable. From, the social sites searches, Ms. Flanders will be able to learn more about the interpersonal skills of the candidate such as non-verbal communication skills and the social life of the candidate. Because Hathaway Jones is a luxury apparel retailer, Ms. Flanders should look for the fashion sense of candidates through the photos they post. Secondly, Ms. Flanders should gauge the behavior of candidates as suggested through their photos, comments, and conversations with their friends. From this information, Ms. Flanders will learn more about the prospective candidates. Through Google search Ms. Flanders can verify the authenticity of the academic qualification stated by the candidate and the work experience. Secondly, through Google search Ms. Flanders can be able to know of the candidates’ criminal record or past misdemeanor that can make him or her unsuitable for the job. In order to ensure that the searches do not incur the company a lot of cost, the company should state in their job adverts that those wishing to apply for the advertised positions should ensure their personal profile or page can be viewed by the public in either Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. This will minimize the time for carrying out the searches and the labor required since it will be a simple task. In order to ensure that the searches are uniform for all candidates the same checklist or criteria for searching should be applicable to all candidates to look for similar factors or issues about each candidate. In order to prevent against any form of discrimination, candidates should ensure that their

How Critical is the Critical Period Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

How Critical is the Critical Period - Essay Example Cognitive scientists are finding it important to understand the stages of language development, prior to understanding how humans learn to talk. According to Penfield, there is assistance for language acquisition during childhood which also disappears in adult life, which if based on speech and brain mechanisms, makes it more meaningful to teach foreign language from the first grade on (Singleton & Lengyel, 1995). This was the fundamental view point based on the formulated idea of critical period hypothesis. The critical period hypothesis was popularized by Wilder Penfield and his co-author Lamar Roberts, but Eric Lenneberg promoted it further while relying on the biological foundations of language. Cognitive scientists believe that language and self-awareness are found in the part of the brain, but study also shows that they can also take time to develop with substantial exposure to others (Chomsky, 2003). Therefore, this leads to a growing interest in finding how children acquire and produce language, but one of the most interesting views that will be linked to this consideration is finding the critical period as to when will be that remarkable time for language acquisition. The work at hand tries to establish the point that language is innate in humans and there is a critical period for language acquisition that along the way will be nurtured by the environment and may potentially diminish as the person grows older because of other vital considerations. Language is such a complex tool that humans use for them to interact every day of their lives. However, as observed the young child does not speak the language the way as adult do, but this does not contest the fact that even in their own simple ways, young children are capable of producing a language that is enough for the adults to understand. The very basic of this for instance is shown

EasyBuys' Mobile On-line Shopping Project Essay

EasyBuys' Mobile On-line Shopping Project - Essay Example However, no one in the company, IT department included, is familiar with the mobile application and the different platforms of mobile. Due to these facts, this report will help the EasyBuys’ management and the IT department as a guide through the MOSA project. EasyBuys’ management should pay keen attention on the agile approaches as will be illustrated in this report, which aims to analyze the approaches of agile, their strengths and weaknesses and recommendation for adoption. Agile approaches have emerged so as the changes needed for development may be adopted quickly and with ease. This is in contrary to the non agile approaches which are plan driven and traditional. The main idea behind the agile approaches is to release early the working software via responding quickly to the alterations in specifications through the use of code refactoring, collaborative techniques, customer involvement, and test driven development. There are various agile approaches that can be us ed by companies such as the EasyBuys, however the focus is the same as they all emphasize on efficiency and effectiveness, and therefore in this report, we will put emphasis on the Scrum agile approach (Glass, 2001). Scrum is a business oriented framework used for managing development of software process. This agile approach was created by Jeff Sutherland and Ken Scwaber. It is an iterative, incremental that uses using rolling wave planning in order to determine, identify and prioritize project requirements. The team, such as the IT department for this report, works on the requirements in a prioritized manner in order to deliver feature of the highest value as possible. Some of the areas that the Scrum approach puts emphasis during implementation include: customer collaboration when doing business, individual interactions when using tools and processes in the project, response to change over the abrupt need by the market, and the working software for reasons of comprehensive documen tation (Fowler, 2000). The Scrum agile approach has defined principles and values that the practitioners, the IT department, will have to follow during its implementation as a guide. The Scrum agile approach has various strengths and reasons that lead to great demand by other companies, EasyBuys’ management, included. Some of the strengths that the management are likely to derive from the agile approach include: better management of priorities of change, better business IT alignment, high acceleration of time to market, enhances quality of software, and increasing company productivity. These strengths give the Scrum agile approach an upper hand for adoption and implementation in the company. The approach however demands that, for successful implementation, the project for which the agile approach is being adopted must be planned and defined, executed as detailed in the plan, and the management of the project must monitor and control the results (Highsmith, 2000). For instance , during the adoption of this Scrum agile approach, the EasyBuys’ management and the IT department will, from the outset of the project, work closely with their customers in order to understand the vision for the project, how the newly updated systems will be used, and how the projects support the goals of the business. In addition, this agile approach demands that

Smoking in public places Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Smoking in public places - Essay Example 5). Banning smoking in public places will result to saving of many lives as well as monetary costs (Cunningham 250). Nevertheless, smokers are a significant source of tax income to governments, and prohibiting smoking in public places will undoubtedly reduce the income. Second hand smoke or environmental tobacco smoke, which lingers in the air hours after extinguishing of cigarettes or stoppage of smoking, has adverse health effects such as cancer, respiratory infections, and Asthma. Active smokers in public places needlessly expose nonsmokers to grave danger. Secondhand smoke contains 4000 kinds of chemicals; 43 of these chemicals are carcinogenic attributable to thousands of lung cancer deaths, respiratory tract infections, and heart diseases among nonsmokers (Rabin 213). The only logic to minimize the ballooning number of smoking induced diseases among passive smokers is banning smoking in public. Allowing smoking in public is sound. First of all, the broad scale prohibition of smoking in public is prejudicial against smokers whose rights should be safeguarded (Rabin 214). Public establishments should reinforce the needs of the public wholeheartedly but not sideline certain individuals because of their personal choices. Banning smoking in public spaces such as bars jeopardizes the sustainability of the places. It may also result to business closure since smokers shift to spaces where smoking is unrestrained such as at home. Nevertheless, banning smoking is compensatory as smoke free zones will equally attract non-smokers who do not want to be exposed to second hand smoke. Banning smoking in public is helpful as it minimizes the frequency of smoking as well as forces smokers to surrender the habits altogether. Banning smoking in public breaks the sequence or renders it harder for smokers to keep up with their habit such as having to leave the bar to have a cigarette. This compels smokers to reduce the frequency of

Peace and conflict studies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Peace and conflict studies - Essay Example Conflict resolution can be defined as a situation in which the conflicting parties go into an agreement that provides solution to their core incompatibilities, acknowledge the other individual’s continued subsistence as parties and stop all violent actions directed towards the other individual. Conflict resolution usually comes after a conflict (Wallensteen 8). Conflict Resolution Paradigm: Peace through the Power of Communication The paradigm provides a more practical approach to peace through the creation and refinement of the skills necessary for the analysis of conflict and responds to the conflict with effective communication and negotiation strategies (Funk 1). According to this paradigm, conflict is found at all the levels of organization and human interaction and it ranges from interpersonal to international. Although conflict causes great human suffering and separation, it does not lead to violence; the conflict is necessary for the main changes in the social systems and relationships (Funk 1). Peace is a continuous process that skillfully deals with the prevention or the transformation of conflict. Effective management and resolution of conflict requires the awareness of an individual’s attitudes towards conflict and regular conflict management styles such as collaborative, competitive, submissive and avoidant and other styles. This is done in order to achieve freedom that defines an individual’s response in a coordinated and proactive manner. The awareness enhances the chances of a win-win rather than lose-lose or win-lose solution. The paradigm helps the individual (a) to understand and operate his or her emotions, (b) to create openness to a more reliable communication, and (c) to manage the processes that can lead to escalation of a conflict (Funk 1). Conflict resolution paradigm proponents approach peace through straight interactions with the others. If peace is required, the suggestion provided is the development of skills f or coexistence and communication (Funk 1). Nonviolence Paradigm: Peace through Willpower The paradigm proposes that the government power is derived primarily from the people’s consent and secondarily from intimidation. By consenting to the affairs of the state and working within the norms’ framework, the individuals authorize that order. If the norms are dehumanizing, the individuals dehumanize and disempower themselves (Funk 1). The peace that coexists between human communities cannot be attained through violence nor can the democracy be achieved through armed rebellion within the society. Therefore, peace cannot be disentangled from justice and justice encompasses the lack of oppression; this is regardless of whether it was perpetrated directly through the use of weapons or indirectly thorough the inequitable institutions and structures (Funk 1). In a nutshell, peace only coexists in the absence of violence. According to this paradigm, the legitimate power is derived from the human solidarity and willpower rather from the violence; the violence undermines the community and bears seeds of destruction. The nonviolence paradigm provides a move towards peacemaking. Peacemaking has been utilized to counter any forms of political repression and social discrimination and resist foreign occupation and imperialism (Funk 1). My Opinion

Smoking in public places Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Smoking in public places - Essay Example 5). Banning smoking in public places will result to saving of many lives as well as monetary costs (Cunningham 250). Nevertheless, smokers are a significant source of tax income to governments, and prohibiting smoking in public places will undoubtedly reduce the income. Second hand smoke or environmental tobacco smoke, which lingers in the air hours after extinguishing of cigarettes or stoppage of smoking, has adverse health effects such as cancer, respiratory infections, and Asthma. Active smokers in public places needlessly expose nonsmokers to grave danger. Secondhand smoke contains 4000 kinds of chemicals; 43 of these chemicals are carcinogenic attributable to thousands of lung cancer deaths, respiratory tract infections, and heart diseases among nonsmokers (Rabin 213). The only logic to minimize the ballooning number of smoking induced diseases among passive smokers is banning smoking in public. Allowing smoking in public is sound. First of all, the broad scale prohibition of smoking in public is prejudicial against smokers whose rights should be safeguarded (Rabin 214). Public establishments should reinforce the needs of the public wholeheartedly but not sideline certain individuals because of their personal choices. Banning smoking in public spaces such as bars jeopardizes the sustainability of the places. It may also result to business closure since smokers shift to spaces where smoking is unrestrained such as at home. Nevertheless, banning smoking is compensatory as smoke free zones will equally attract non-smokers who do not want to be exposed to second hand smoke. Banning smoking in public is helpful as it minimizes the frequency of smoking as well as forces smokers to surrender the habits altogether. Banning smoking in public breaks the sequence or renders it harder for smokers to keep up with their habit such as having to leave the bar to have a cigarette. This compels smokers to reduce the frequency of

Mildred Pierce Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Mildred Pierce Assignment - Essay Example The first purpose, which relates to placing a woman at the center of the story universe, best describes the messages in Mildred Pierce movie. Indeed, this purpose is very dominant in the film as the film revolves around the life of a long-suffering mother and her ungrateful daughter. In fact, the film focuses on domestic life in the context of women, motherhood, and the female opinion. In fact, Mildred Pierce is a homemaker who sacrifices everything and tries all income generating projects to support her ungrateful daughter (Mildred Pierce 1945). The movie even presents female rivalries between the younger woman and the older woman. We can also see Mildred getting married to a newly unemployed Pierce who later leaves her with no income (Mildred Pierce 1945). Moreover, we can see Mildred surrounded by weak men and supportive women that confirms the purpose of placing a woman at the center of the story universe. In fact, the questioning of Mildred by police after they discover the body of her second husband, Monte Berago forms the basis of the film (Mildred Pierce 1945). These aspects confirm the purpose of placing a woman at the center of the story universe in the Mildred Pierce film.... Such an association depicts bad motherhood. On the other hand, Mildred could only become a waitress, a fact which she hides from her daughter Veda (Mildred Pierce 1945). Such lies do not represent good motherhood and consequently we can identify with Veda’s infuriation on learning the truth about her mother’s job. Additionally, Mildred acts unethically by entering into a loveless marriage with Monte Beragon for purposes of improving her social class to please her daughter (Mildred Pierce 1945). Ultimately, we can see Mildred supporting Beragon who is a playboy that consequently led to her financial dismal performance. As a good mother, Mildred would have focused on providing for her children but not seeking to improve her social class. Ideally, we only see Mildred focusing on providing for Veda to the neglect of the 10-year-old Kay (Mildred Pierce 1945). Response 3 Kathryn D’Alessandro describes how many of the visual images (cinematography, lighting) in Mildred Pierce are reminiscent of film noir. Mildred Pierce is a film noir that represents the sacrifices of a mother to provide for her ungrateful daughter. Indeed, the film has a cinematography that enhances darkness in the plot and theme. In fact, the film has inky blackness and images with long and sharp shadows (Mildred Pierce 1945). The long and sharp shadows show that the filming took place indoors or in places with low-key lighting. All these aspects explain how the visual images in Mildred Pierce are reminiscent of film noir. Response 4 Sybil DelGaudio defines the racial stereotype of the "Mammy" role in the "Mammy in Hollywood" article (DelGaudio, 2005). The character of Thelma McQueen who was Mildred’s

World War II Essay Example for Free

World War II Essay Within the first 15 years, Soviet Russia used veto power 56 times. The Western powers, in retaliation, have similarly abused it for their own interest. Thus Big Powers have made it impossible for the United Nations to restore peace on various occasions. Above all, the collective security is the main purpose of the UN. But, as various incidents have proved, the member-nations are more interested in their own security than in collective security as such. The relation between what Fredrick Schumann calls ‘Marx land’ and ‘Freeland’ has been far from cordial and even hostile at the end of World War II. This was due, according to some, to the division of the world into two camps one led by the Soviet Union and another by the U. S. A. This bi-polar interpretation of world-politics failed to take into consideration the existence of neutral nations like India, Indonesia, Egypt and other states which had disassociated themselves from joining in any one of the camps. This two camp- theory gave birth of the cold war. The cold war was kept alive by the rivalry of Soviet bloc and Western bloc to gain the hegemony of the world. The Western bloc looked upon the communist countries as totalitarian states and the neutrals as misguided. The communist countries, on the other hand, considered the capitalists states as seeking to exploit the underdeveloped countries for profit and frantically trying to maintain their hold over areas producing raw material. Their mutually opposing views had produced rivalry in the post-World War II period which is known as cold war era. The first victim of the cold war was the United Nations organization. As soon as the giants fell out the ‘Big Five’ failed to reach agreement. The Soviet Union was the only state from the communist block. In other word the Soviet ‘veto’ prevented the actions that the western countries desired to take on many questions. The Greek question, the Trieste issue and the question of admission of new members created much difference. It paralyzed U. N. action and by the end of 1946 it became clear that the United Nations will not be able to carry the responsibility conferred upon it by the Charter. The establishment of people’s Democracies in Eastern European countries brought with the Russian sphere of influence nearly 120 million people. The Soviet Union denounced the western powers as war mongers. The Soviet Union was accusing the western powers of an attempt to encircle her to counteract which she entered into alliance with the People’s Democracies and strengthened her defenses and maintain peace in Europe. Warsaw Pact was coming as a reaction of NATO in the year 1955. Warsaw Pact was signed by the central and eastern European communist countries like Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Albania and Soviet Russia. Warsaw Pact had two branches – one is Political Consultative Committee (use for non military purpose) and other is Unified Command of Pact Armed Forces. The main aim of this pact was that, if one of the member countries of this pact were attacked by the western powers then all the member countries will defend victim countries and at the same time they defend one another. The creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is fundamentally the outcome of fear psychology. The establishment of communist holds over Eastern Europe and the possibility of further expansion of Soviet communism produced the Western response in the NATO. It was felt by the policy-makers in U. S. A. the war-torn Europe was not in a position to act as a deterrent on the Russian shadow over the continent. Similarly the CEATO, MEDO, ANZUS and other military groups created by America in order to resist any type of communist aggression. According to the terms of these treaties, if any of the signatories fall victim of any communist attack, others will come forward in order to prevent the aggression. These military treatise have also undermined the importance on UN, because there existence implies that the signatories have not believed on the assurance of the UN that it would guarantee collective security of any member in case of any aggression. Conclusion It is thus amply clear that the conflicting interests of the big powers paralyzed the League of Nations. Mellowed by its sordid experience, the makers of the UN made so many improvements in the Charter of the UN. But, the conflicting ideology and political interest of the super-powers have similarly weakened the United Nations. Their self-interests have been reflected both inside and outside the UN. Naturally, it is facing the same problems which destroyed the Leagues within 20 years of its emergence. Reference Tandon, M. P. International Law, Allahabad Law agency, Allahabad, India, 1969, pp 462-464 Eichellberger, C. M. UN, Sterling Publications, 20 Laski, H. J. A Grammar of Politics, Modern Academy Publishers, 7th Indian Reprint, Mumbai, India, 1996 Mowat, R. B. A History of European Diplomacy, Edward Ronald Co. , London, 1961 Nicolas, H. G. The United Nations, Oxford University Press, London, 72 Clement, S. International Relations, Kitab Mahal Allahabad, India, 1971, 483 Russel, B. Which Way to Peace, p. 110

The failure to Prevent 9-11 :: essays research papers

Failue to Prevent 9/11   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When a giant explosion ripped through Alfred P. Murrah federal building April 19,1995, killing 168 and wounding hundreds, the United States of America jumped to a conclusion we would all learn to regret. The initial response to the devastation was all focused of middle-eastern terrorists. â€Å"The West is under attack,†(Posner 89), reported the USA Today. Every news and television station had the latest expert on the middle east telling the nation that we were victims of jihad, holy war. It only took a few quick days to realize that we were wrong and the problem, the terrorist, was strictly domestic. But it was too late. The damage had been done. Because America jumped to conclusions then, America was later blind to see the impending attack of 9/11. The responsibility, however, is not to be placed on the America people. The public couldn’t stand to hear any talk of terrorism, so in turn the White House irresponsibly took a similar attitude. They con centrated on high public opinion and issues that were relevant to Americans everyday. The government didn’t want to deal with another public blunder like the one in Oklahoma City. A former FBI analyst recalls, â€Å"when I went to headquarters (Washington, D.C.) later that year no one was interested in hearing anything about Arab money connections unless it had something to do with funding domestic groups. We stumbled so badly on pinpointing the Middle East right off the bat on the Murrah bombing. No one wanted to get caught like that again,†(Posner 90). The result saw changes in the counter terrorism efforts; under funding, under manning, poor cooperation between agencies, half-hearted and incompetent agency official appointees and the list goes on. All of these decisions, made at the hands of the faint-hearted, opened the doors wide open, and practically begged for a terrorist attack. So who’s fault is it? The public’s for being 2 96304812 unaware, uninterested, and inadvertently the driving force behind American Democracy? No, of course not, that would be a completely ridiculous idea. In the events of September 11, 2001, the United States Government, by ignoring signs of a terrorist attack and continuous blunders in American intelligence, failed to accomplish one of their basic responsibilities as a governing body: keeping us safe.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  September 4, 2001, just a week before the attack on the World Trade Centers. A teletype regarding known facts about a suspected Islamic extremist, Zacarias Moussaoui, was sent to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Customs Service, the State Department, the Immigration and Naturalization Services, and the Secret Service.

Vincent Van Gogh Essay -- Essays Papers

Vincent Van Gogh The people back in the 19th century really didn’t accept Van Gaogh’s truthful and emotionally morbid way of expressing the way of art is to himself. It finally was seen as art through the people’s eyes. This set a stage of art that is now known as Expressionism. It is best characterized by the use of symbols and a style that expresses the artist’s inner feelings about his subject. His style of painting is exemplified by a projection of the painter’s inner experience onto the canvas he paints on. Van Gogh’s paintings are done with his feelings that goes on in his life. (Mark Harden’s Artchive) In Vincent’s own words he said, " What lives in art and is eternally living, is first of all the painter, and then the painting." (Mark Harden’s Artchive) A lot of people think that Van Gogh’s life had a lot of failure and that’s why his paintings are about his feelings, but his experiences demonstrate biological and psychological abnormality, causing behaviors that alienated those around him. He started to become isolated from the society, by working on his paintings all the time. He began to use all his energy and all the outburst into his paintings. This caused him to be institutionalized, due to working on his paintings all the time and nothing else. It became so serious that he committed suicide by shooting himself at the age of 37. (Shearer West) During his short life, he only sold one of his art works. He sold it four months before his death and sold it for 400 francs, It was titled "The Red Vineyard," even though he produced so many masterpieces that will go in history. Most art lovers see Van Gogh as a troubled person, but a successful artist. This is far from the actual truth of his turbulent life, which was fraught with failure in every occupational pursuit he attempted, including painting and was marked by intermittent episodes of depression, violence, and out going behaviors. ( Encyclopedia of Arts – Mark Harden’s Artchive) They have nearly completed t he understanding the feelings, experiences, and views Van Gogh had, by the notes that were preserved that he sent to his friends and family, especially the all the ones sent to his brother Theo. Mark Harden’s Artchive) Before Vincent became a painter, he was a Protestant minister and a art dealer. He failed at both of these and then started to study art world. His... ...ure. That’s it as far as I'm concerned†¦ I feel that this is the destiny that I accept, that will never change." (Mark Harden’s Artchive) One of the last paintings Van Gogh did was "Wheat Field With Crows." There's dark clouds in the background that seem hopeless and depressive. Psychologist say that Van Gogh might have had polar disorder, which means manic depression. On July 27, 1890 Vincent killed himself with a gunshot to the chest and then six months later Theo died of lung disease. (Encyclopedia of Arts) Van Gogh is considered one of the most powerful Expressionist. His paintings sell for millions of dollars today even though he only sold one during his lifetime. (Voyager) WORK CITED "Vincent Van Gogh." Mark Harden's Artchive http://www.artchive.com/artchive/ftptoc/vangogh/vangogh_bio.html (7 April 99) "Van Gogh: Starry Night." Voyager http://voyager.learntech.com/cdrom/cataologpage.cgi?starrynight (7 April 99) "Vincent Van Gogh." Encyclopedia.com http://www.encyclopedia.com/articles/13346.html (7 April 99) "The Bulfinch Guide to Art History." Shearer West Ref 700.9 B871gu page 475 "Encyclopedia of the Arts." Ref 703 En19 1966 pg 348

Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibilty Essay

Business ethics and corporate social responsibility Introduction Anglo American is one of the world’s leading mining companies. It is a UK public limited company and operates on a global scale. Anglo American operates mainly in the primary sector of the world economy. This, as the name suggests, covers industries involved in the first stage of economic activity, such as mining and agriculture. Anglo American operates throughout the world. It has extensive operations in Africa, where 76% of its employees live. It is also a major employer in Europe. Its Tarmac aggregates and construction products business employs nearly 7,000 people in the UK. As a primary producer, Anglo American plays an important role in the world economy. Anglo American produces five main types of raw material.†¢ Business ethics †¢ Corporate social responsibility †¢ Effects of ethical behaviour †¢ Benefits of ethical behaviour Public limited company: a company whose shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange, denoted by the initials plc. Primary sector: the first stage in producing goods. Pressure group: an organisation formed by people with a common interest who get together to further that interest, for example, nongovernmental organisations. Ethics: moral principles or rules of conduct and behaviour accepted by members of society. Corporate social responsibility: the responsibility of an organisation to wider society, to a range of stakeholders including the community and society at large. Mining operations can have a big impact on the environment and on the societies where they work. Since most mineral resources belong to nation states, mining companies largely depend upon a licence to operate from governments. This allows them to extract and process minerals in return for investment and the payment of taxes and royalties. Increasingly it is also important to get the consent of local communities to mining development – a ‘social licence’ to operate. Like all businesses, mining companies are under increasing scrutiny from pressure groups as well as the general public. Anglo American seeks to adopt fair and sound business practice. The company believes that it has an important role to play in building the capabilities of the communities where it works. Issues such as combating corruption and promoting revenue transparency are high on the company’s business agenda. This case study shows how Anglo American seeks to make ethical choices in its business practice. What are business ethics? Business ethics are moral principles that guide the way a business behaves. The same principles that determine an individual’s actions also apply to business. Acting in an ethical way involves distinguishing between ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ and then making the ‘right’ choice. It is relatively easy to identify unethical business practices. For example, companies should not use child labour. They should not unlawfully use copyrighted materials and processes. They should not engage in bribery. However, it is not always easy to create similar hard-and-fast definitions of good ethical practice. A company must make a competitive return for its shareholders and treat its employees fairly. However a company also has wider responsibilities. It should minimise any harm to the environment and work in ways that do not damage the communities in which it operates. This is known as corporate social responsibility. ANGLO AMERICAN 25 www. thetimes100. co. uk The law is the key starting point for any business. Most leading businesses also have their own statement of Business Principles which set out their core values and standards. In Anglo American’s case, this is called ‘Good Citizenship’. A business should also follow relevant codes of practice that cover its sector. Many companies have created voluntary codes of practice that regulate practices in their industrial sector. These are often drawn up in consultation with governments, employees, local communities and other stakeholders. Anglo American has played an active part in initiatives such as the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, the United Nations Global Compact and the Global Reporting Initiative. GLOSSARY Code of practice: written guidelines governing business behaviour. This could take the form of a voluntary code or a legally enforced set of regulations. Universal Declaration of Human Rights: a declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948 outlining human rights that should apply to all people. Engagement: the process of involving others in the decision making process. Anglo American has also contributed to the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights. This code sets out principles and practices for ensuring that a company’s need to ensure the security of its employees and operations in volatile countries does not adversely impact upon the local population. Thus the Principles provide guidance on how both private and public security forces assigned to protect a mining operation or an oil and gas facility should be vetted, trained in human rights, monitored and controlled. Anglo American also aims to ensure that it plays a role in protecting the human rights of its employees and local people in countries in which it operates. The company supports the principles set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. All companies need to make a profit. However, Anglo American recognises that this objective must take account of ethics as shown in its statement on corporate responsibility: ‘Though providing strong returns for our shareholders remains our prime objective, we do not believe that these can or should be achieved at the expense of social, environmental and moral considerations. Indeed a long-term business such as ours will only thrive if it also takes into account the needs of other stakeholders such as governments, employees, suppliers, communities and customers. ’ An important process used by Anglo American is that of stakeholder engagement. This enables it better to understand the perspectives and priorities of external groups that are affected by its activities and to factor them into its decision-making processes. To support this work at a local level, Anglo American has developed a Socio-Economic Assessment Toolbox or SEAT process. This ‘toolbox’ helps managers to measure the impact of activities on the company and communities. It also helps to improve a mine’s contribution to development through, for example, using its supply chain needs to generate new businesses or to improve the water or electricity infrastructure. They use this toolbox to engage with stakeholders including community representatives. 26 Sometimes communities have to be resettled, with government sanction, in order for important mineral deposits to be accessed. This can cause controversy and divisions in the communities concerned. International best practice sets out a number of key stages in such a process including the need for structured consultation, fair compensation and the importance of restoring and enhancing the livelihoods of people in their new locations. Recently Anglo American has had to undertake two such relocations in South Africa at the villages of Ga Pila and Motlhotlo. These were undertaken with the support of the provincial government and local tribal leadership and after consultation with local people lasting for several years leading to agreement with each householder. New villages have been built with better houses and infrastructure and more land for farming. The relocation programme was voluntary. The relocation programme at Motlhotlo is still under way but at Ga Pila 98% of those living in the old village took up the offer to move to the new village. www. thetimes100. co. uk GLOSSARY Empowerment giving responsibility for making decisions to lower levels within the organisation or community. Indigenous: naturally existing in a place or country rather than arriving from another place. Why should a business act ethically? Businesses have great potential to transform people’s lives and to alleviate poverty through generating economic growth. They produce goods and services that customers want and they create jobs. Through paying taxes, they contribute to government revenue that can finance schools, hospitals and other public services. However, a business must keep in tune with the wishes of the societies it serves or it runs the risk of alienating its shareholders, stakeholders and customers. This would be bad for business, reducing growth and potentially affecting profit. Anglo American has to deal with many different levels of interest when setting up a new project. This includes, for example, the owners of the land and the people and services in the area. The current South African government has a policy of transferring a share of the ownership, management and benefits of the country’s mining industry to people previously excluded from the economy. Anglo American is backing the South African government in this process. This includes supporting black economic empowerment deals (BEE). Through this process, Anglo American has sold (usually at a small discount) 26% of its assets in South Africa to BEE groups. For example, Anglo American was instrumental in the creation of Exxaro. This is now the largest black-owned and managed mining company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. It also aims to have at least 40% of its managers drawn from the ranks of previously disadvantaged ethnic groups. Governments in the developing world face many challenging social and economic problems. They need companies that are ready to be part of the solution. Anglo American believes that it can support governments in reducing poverty and inequality and in improving health and welfare. In South Africa, the company has been a major campaigner for AIDS education. It was the first major company in South Africa to announce that it would provide free anti-retroviral drugs to its HIV-positive employees. It now has the largest workplace HIV/AIDS education, voluntary testing and treatment programme in the world. After running the programme for five years studies have shown that the programme has become self-financing through reducing deaths and the attendant loss of skills and cutting absenteeism rates by boosting the health of infected workers. What are the effects of acting ethically? Most business activity incurs financial costs such as equipment and labour. Non-financial costs include noise and impact on the environment. There is a financial cost to acting ethically. To engage stakeholders takes time and money. Mining in ways that minimise environmental impacts is more expensive than extracting resources regardless of impact. An ethical business also recognises its responsibility for minimising the non-financial costs. The Pebble Project in Alaska is a good example of the way that Anglo American takes account of non-financial costs. This is a gold and copper mining project in the early stages of assessment. This could provide new jobs and revenues for the Alaskan economy at a time when oil and gas revenues have been falling. However, some people are concerned that the mine could damage fish stocks and wildlife. Therefore, Anglo American has been consulting widely and through a structured process with local people, politicians, businesses and especially indigenous people. 27 ANGLO AMERICAN Anglo American has made it clear that it will only seek to proceed with the project if it can be done without damage to the local fisheries. It will also give priority to the recruitment of local people. www. thetimes100. co. uk The benefits of ethical behaviour Anglo American establishes goals each year for sustainable development. These goals include: †¢ working without fatal accidents †¢ eliminating occupational diseases †¢ increasing diversity in the workplace †¢ increasing the benefits of mining for local communities †¢ increasing energy efficiency. By working towards these goals, Anglo American hopes to gain a competitive advantage. By demonstrating a more caring and sustainable approach, the company is able to differentiate itself from rival mining companies. It makes Anglo American more likely to be the partner of choice for many governments and communities in the developing world. It also helps with its position on the stock market. Most long-term investors, such as pension funds that run investments for millions of ordinary people in the UK, believe that it is important for a company to consider social and ethical issues and not just the financial bottom line if a business is to be sustainable. Anglo American sees shareholder returns and social and environmental responsibilities as complementary activities. This puts the company in a stronger position. All stakeholders benefit – shareholders, employees, governments, local communities and suppliers. GLOSSARY Sustainable development: development which meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to achieve their own needs and aspirations. Competitive advantage: a strategic element that enables an organisation to compete more effectively than its rivals. Governance: the process of making decisions and governing. Conclusion Anglo American is a multinational organisation with a high profile in the primary extractive sector. Because many new mineral deposits are to be found in developing countries, some of which have weak governance, Anglo American recognises that it must be rigorous in observing local laws, even if they are not always enforced. It has a significant role in supporting good governance initiatives and boosting the opportunities available to the communities associated with its mines. The company is involved in a range of initiatives to help these communities, such as AIDS testing and provision of new local services like schools and clinics. Its socio-economic assessment toolbox helps it measure its impact and engage with local communities to resolve issues and to underpin initiatives like small business development or partnerships with local farmers. The Times Newspaper Limited and  ©MBA Publishing Ltd 2008. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of information, neither the publisher nor the client can be held responsible for errors of omission or commission. The financial and non-financial benefits to the company and shareholders are shown in several ways. Anglo American is trusted as a business partner that takes into account social and environmental issues. It has licence to operate in countries like South Africa, Brazil or Chile, where it is playing an important part in encouraging local business development. Questions 1. What are business ethics? Give two examples of business practices that stakeholders would regard as ethical and two that might be considered unethical. 2. The benefits of ethical business behaviour affect the business itself and the wider community. Taking an example of an Anglo American business project, identify the benefits to the local community and to the company’s shareholders. 3. How is Anglo American’s reputation enhanced by engaging with local communities in decision-making? Why is it important for this engagement to be an ongoing process? 4. Some business decisions involve a careful balance of social, economic and environmental considerations. Evaluate how Anglo American achieves that balance, using examples from the case study.

Becomin a Dentist Assistant

Dental assistants work closely with, and under the supervision of, dentists. (See the statement on dentists elsewhere in the Handbook. ) Assistants perform a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties. Dental assistants should not be confused with dental hygienists, who are licensed to perform different clinical tasks. (See the statement on dental hygienists elsewhere in the Handbook. ) Dental assistants sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment, prepare and lay out the instruments and materials required to treat each patient, and obtain patients’ dental records. Assistants make patients as comfortable as possible in the dental chair and prepare them for treatment. During dental procedures, assistants work alongside the dentist to provide assistance. They hand instruments and materials to dentists and keep patients’ mouths dry and clear by using suction or other devices. They also instruct patients on postoperative and general oral health care. Dental assistants may prepare materials for impressions and restorations, take dental x rays, and process x-ray film as directed by a dentist. They also may remove sutures, apply topical anesthetics to gums or cavity-preventive agents to teeth, remove excess cement used in the filling process, and place rubber dams on the teeth to isolate them for individual treatment. Some States are expanding dental assistants’ duties to include tasks such as coronal polishing and restorative dentistry functions for those assistants that meet specific training and experience requirements. Dental assistants with laboratory duties make casts of the teeth and mouth from impressions, clean and polish removable appliances, and make temporary crowns. Those with office duties schedule and confirm appointments, receive patients, keep treatment records, send bills, receive payments, and order dental supplies and materials. Work environment. Dental assistants work in a well-lighted, clean environment. Their work area usually is near the dental chair so that they can arrange instruments, materials, and medication and hand them to the dentist when needed. Dental assistants must wear gloves, masks, eyewear, and protective clothing to protect themselves and their patients from infectious diseases. Assistants also follow safety procedures to minimize the risks associated with the use of x-ray machines. About half of dental assistants have a 35- to 40-hour workweek. Most of the rest work part-time or have variable schedules. Depending on the hours of the dental office where they work, assistants may have to work on Saturdays or evenings. Some dental assistants hold multiple jobs by working at dental offices that are open on different days or scheduling their work at a second office around the hours they work at their primary office. Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement [About this section] Back to Top Back to Top Many assistants learn their skills on the job, although an increasing number are trained in dental-assisting programs offered by community and junior colleges, trade schools, technical institutes, or the Armed Forces. Education and training. High school students interested in a career as a dental assistant should take courses in biology, chemistry, health, and office practices. For those wishing to pursue further education, the Commission on Dental Accreditation within the American Dental Association (ADA) approved 269 dental-assisting training programs in 2006. Programs include classroom, laboratory, and preclinical instruction in dental-assisting skills and related theory. In addition, students gain practical experience in dental schools, clinics, or dental offices. Most programs take 1 year or less to complete and lead to a certificate or diploma. Two-year programs offered in community and junior colleges lead to an associate degree. All programs require a high school diploma or its equivalent, and some require science or computer-related courses for admission. A number of private vocational schools offer 4- to 6-month courses in dental assisting, but the Commission on Dental Accreditation does not accredit these programs. A large number of dental assistants learn through on-the-job training. In these situations, the employing dentist or other dental assistants in the dental office teach the new assistant dental terminology, the names of the instruments, how to perform daily duties, how to interact with patients, and other things necessary to help keep the dental office running smoothly. While some things can be picked up easily, it may be a few months before new dental assistants are completely knowledgeable about their duties and comfortable doing all of their tasks without assistance. A period of on-the-job training is often required even for those that have completed a dental-assisting program or have some previous experience. Different dentists may have their own styles of doing things that need to be learned before an assistant can be comfortable working with them. Office-specific information, such as where files are kept, will need to be learned at each new job. Also, as dental technology changes, dental assistants need to stay familiar with the tools and procedures that they will be using or helping dentists to use. On-the-job training is often sufficient to keep assistants up-to-date on these matters. Licensure. Most States regulate the duties that dental assistants are allowed to perform. Some States require licensure or registration, which may include passing a written or practical examination. There are a variety of schools offering courses—approximately 10 to 12 months in length—that meet their State’s requirements. Other States require dental assistants to complete State-approved education courses of 4 to 12 hours in length. Some States offer registration of other dental assisting credentials with little or no education required. Some States require continuing education to maintain licensure or registration. A few States allow dental assistants to perform any function delegated to them by the dentist. Individual States have adopted different standards for dental assistants who perform certain advanced duties. In some States, for example, dental assistants who perform radiological procedures must complete additional training. Completion of the Radiation Health and Safety examination offered by Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) meets the standards in more than 30 States. Some States require completion of a State-approved course in radiology as well. Certification and other qualifications. Certification is available through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) and is recognized or required in more than 30 States. Certification is an acknowledgment of an assistant’s qualifications and professional competence and may be an asset when one is seeking employment. Candidates may qualify to take the DANB certification examination by graduating from an ADA-accredited dental assisting education program or by having 2 years of full-time, or 4 years of part-time, experience as a dental assistant. In addition, applicants must have current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. For annual recertification, individuals must earn continuing education credits. Other organizations offer registration, most often at the State level. Dental assistants must be a second pair of hands for a dentist; therefore, dentists look for people who are reliable, work well with others, and have good manual dexterity. Advancement. Without further education, advancement opportunities are limited. Some dental assistants become office managers, dental-assisting instructors, dental product sales representatives, or insurance claims processors for dental insurance companies. Others go back to school to become dental hygienists. For many, this entry-level occupation provides basic training and experience and serves as a steppingstone to more highly skilled and higher paying jobs. Employment [About this section] Back to Top Back to Top Dental assistants held about 280,000 jobs in 2006. Almost all jobs for dental assistants were in offices of dentists. A small number of jobs were in the Federal, State, and local governments or in offices of physicians. About 35 percent of dental assistants worked part time, sometimes in more than one dental office. Job Outlook [About this section] Back to Top Back to Top Employment is expected to increase much faster than average; job prospects are expected to be excellent. Employment change. Employment is expected to grow 29 percent from 2006 to 2016, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. In fact, dental assistants are expected to be among the fastest growing occupations over the 2006-16 projection period. Population growth, greater retention of natural teeth by middle-aged and older people, and an increased focus on preventative dental care for younger generations will fuel demand for dental services. Older dentists, who have been less likely to employ assistants or have employed fewer, are leaving the occupation and will be replaced by recent graduates, who are more likely to use one or more assistants. In addition, as dentists’ workloads increase, they are expected to hire more assistants to perform routine tasks, so that they may devote their own time to more complex procedures. Job prospects. Job prospects for dental assistants should be excellent. In addition to job openings due to employment growth, numerous job openings will arise out of the need to replace assistants who transfer to other occupations, retire, or leave for other reasons. Many opportunities for entry-level positions offer on-the-job training, but some dentists prefer to hire experienced assistants or those who have completed a dental-assisting program.