Life Worth Living Essay

Mysterious is what life seems to be and time seems too short for us to enjoy it. Most of us are often told to live life to the fullest but we were never told how to do so. As we grow, we continue to search on how we will make our life worth living. We tend to be adventurous to try to know the world and what we can do to say that our life is worth living. People have different perspectives on how is life worth living. For me, there are many things that make my life worth living. Life offers many challenges but through the love that I receive from my family and friends I become strong enough to face them. Love that I can receive as I live is what makes my life worth living. The opportunity to receive and share it to others really makes my life worth living. Happy moments that I spend with my loved ones also make my life worth living. They help me create good memories as I continuously live. Another one is the chance to improve myself as an individual and to have a purpose on other’s life. As I explore my potentialities, it’s worth living to have an impact on other’s life. It’s like knowing that if I leave this world, I’ll be remember by those people which I have left an impact. And life is worth living because it lets us experience failures and attain success. Failures strengthen us to face the struggles and obstacles that we will encounter while success makes room for more improvement to be an individual worthy to be called as successful. Life that I have now is worth living. I was given the chance to experience many things. I was also given the time to be with people who completes me as an individual. Enjoying life to the fullest along with my loved ones makes my life worth living. To be able to live with people who I have a purpose and to experience being loved by them makes my life worth living. Life full of mysteries is worth living although time is too short too to enjoy it, as long as long as our family and friends are there to add colors to our life and to take part in our ups and down.

Religion in the Workplace Essay

Introduction Religion is a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. Under the First Amendment, Americans enjoy two freedoms with respect to religion: the right to be free from a government-imposed religion, and the right to practice any religion. While private employers are not bound by the Constitution’s restrictions on government, they are subject to federal and state laws that ban religious discrimination in employment. Given the number of employed persons, the diversity of religious faiths in this country, and the freedom we enjoy to express our views, the subject of religious discrimination continues to pose tough questions for employers and the courts. The Workplace Because of our country’s great diversity, employers may hire employees from a great variety of countries and religious backgrounds. In an ideal work environment, the religious beliefs of a given employee, or of the employer, do not create conflicts. Either is free to believe as he or she chooses and, as long as the work gets done satisfactorily, neither will encounter difficulty on the basis of religion. Yet, in the world we live in, a number of issues can arise to create friction. An employer and employee may discuss, or even argue over, religious principles. Religion is not simply a matter of belief. The faithful practice their religion through various actions to include; styles of dress, manner of keeping or wearing one’s hair, trying to recruit others to their faith, following certain diets, praying, fasting, avoiding certain language or behavior, and observing  certain religious holidays. Put simply, the many characteristics of different religions provide ample ground for disagreement, conflict, or even harassment among employers and employees on the job. In deontology, the golden rule is to treat others as you would have the treat you. I know that if I respected someone’s beliefs to be Muslim, I expect them to have the same respect for me and my belief in God or whatever religion I choose to place my faith in. Deontologist insists that actions should not be evaluated on the basis of the action’s consequences. Utilitarianism and Discrimination A utilitarian might argue that in a given company, the majority of its members belong to a certain faith tradition. The greatest good for the greatest number would seem to allow that majority to pray and participate in religious activities in the way they desire (Mosser, 2013). Rule utilitarianism argues that participating in something that causes harm decreases the happiness of those who participate, even passively, in that harm. For example, discrimination occurs when the employer maintains (or allows) a hostile environment for employees of particular faiths. Typically, this arises where co-workers harass an employee on the basis of his or her faith, to the point of creating an abusive or intimidating work environment. The harassment must be severe or pervasive in order to constitute discrimination under a hostile work environment theory. Thus, a simple disagreement over religious principles would probably not constitute unlawful harassment. Severe insults or threats, or continuing words and actions meant to harass or intimidate an employee on the basis of religion; however, it may cross the line of lawful conduct. Relativist Relativist believe that different cultures have different attitudes towards life, as well as when it begins and ends. They say the same about religion. Many believe that God created life and God ends life. Take a survey in the workplace and you will probably get a more diverse answer. Different cultures have different religions. But who is to say which religion is right? Some companies believe that the workplace is not a place for religion. Their attitude towards life is basically work is work and your  personal life (which includes your religion) is simply that. Your personal life should not conflict with your job. Leave your religion at home. Little do they know, religion is what’s keeping majority of their employees. Accommodating Religion in the Workplace While employers have a duty to accommodate the religious beliefs of their employees, the employer does have some leeway in how it conducts its business. There is a point where the changes that are required to accommodate an employee become a burden on the employer. Most likely, a request by an employee to trade shifts when his or her faith prevents working on Saturdays is likely to be reasonable. However, less reasonable might be a request that an employee have a particular holy month off each year. Whether an employer’s policy that limits the conduct of members of a particular faith is unreasonable depends on the circumstances. For example, a restaurant owner may require its cooks to wear hairnets or short hair, even if this creates an inconvenience for members of a faith that does not allow them to cut their hair. A job may also have certain qualifications or requirements that have the effect of limiting participation by a particular religious faith. A radio station that pla yed rock and roll music, for example, would be allowed to fire a disc jockey that refused to play rock and roll because it was against his religion. Deontology Deontology tells us to act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other. All human beings deserve dignity and respect and to treat a human being solely as a means to an end, to treat a human being instrumentally is to violate the categorical imperative and, thus, to act in a fundamentally immoral way. Regarding the workplace, we should treat each other’s religion as we would want our religion treated. Someone might need their religion at their job to keep them calm and sane. Some may need their religion at their job to keep peace and love between the employer and employees. In conclusion, the law gives broad protections to employees and managers when it comes to religious beliefs, â€Å"but once an employee’s conduct in the workplace creates problems because of their beliefs, it is problematic  (Tahmincioglu, 2012). Maybe religion should be accepted at work but at a distance. Use it to the point where it is accepted and once it gets out of hand, remove it. REFERENCES Mooser, K. 2013. Ethics and Social Responsibility, Second Edition. Tahmincioglu, E. 2012. Religion at work can bring fire and brimstone. From http://www.today.com/money/religion-work-can-bring-fire-brimstone-460844

Commercial Arable Farming Essay

Seeds Breeders keep bringing out new varieties that are more productive than their predecessors. This is achieved in several areas, better resistance to disease, better standing power (we do not want crops flat on the ground at harvest time) greater tonnage with better quality characteristics. The future is genetic modification (GM) assuming this is put in place with the appropriate level of environmental sensitivity and consequential research. The simple fact is that if it can be made to work we will be able to design plants that will no longer need spraying. These plants will be specifically designed to withstand the diseases and predators in the environment in which they are grown. The only sprays required will be roundup (which biodegrades naturally within ten days) to control all weeds growing in the crop and an herbicide that kills the volunteer crop after harvest. We are talking of an organic utopia. No wonder the Organic lobbies having invested in there so called conversion are so opposed to cheap organic food for all. We are talking vested interests, no moral high ground here. The other major plus of GM is the potential to design crops for the specific purpose of industrial end use such as medicines plastics and oil. The benefit other than renew ability of these organic products would be to take significant arable acres away from growing food. The result might be to see slightly more expensive food, good for this vested interest! Factors Commercial agriculture contains six key factors: 1. Location Commercial farms must move their products to market. Farms need to be located near transportation systems. Trucks, ships, planes, and trains are several ways that products can be moved from where they are grown or made to where customers can buy them. 2. Climate A farm’s soil, as well as the climate of the region in which it is located, determine what crops will grow there or whether the land can support livestock. The temperature and rainfall can also determine the type of crop grown. For example, oranges must be grown in a hot climate. They will not grow if the temperature is too cold. 3. Raw Materials A commercial farm depends on raw material. For example, a farmer will plant grain to get wheat. A farmer will have dairy cows to produce milk. Seeds and animals are two examples of raw materials used in commercial agriculture. 4. Market Forces Supply and demand are important for selling agricultural products. If there is a high deman for a product and low supply, the price will be increased. 5. Labour People who work on farms provide different types of labour. Labour is needed to plant crops, as well as to harvest them. This is important because some produce, such as grapes, need to be hand harvested. 6. Transportation Movement of agricultural products to market depends on transportation systems. For example, produce is shipped by rail in special refrigerated cars, then shipped across the ocean. Some crops such as fruit, must get to the market quickly, or else they will rot; crops like these are often shipped shorter distances or are sold in the regions where they are grown. Physical Factors There are a number of physical factors that makes arable farming in this area Relief- the land is very flat and is mostly 100m above sea level this makes it easy to use machinery and roads and railways have easily been constructed. Soils – mostly fertile boulder clays that were laid down during the last ice age are good for growing cereals, sugar beet and potatoes. Loam soils are good for growing vegetables, fruit and cereals and retain the plant foods and moisture. Waterlogged soils are good for grazing cattle for dairying and the infertile soils in this region such as Breckland can be planted with trees such as pine which can be harvested. Climate – The area tends to be in the rain shadow and rainfall is mostly in the region of 500-700mm per year. There are long warm summers with average temperatures of 17 degrees and long hours of sunshine in the summer which allow sufficient crop growth and the ability to ripen cereal crops. Human Factors Location – it is situated in the east of England to the North of London which means that it is close to a good market for the produce. There is a good motorway network to the most densely populated regions of the UK and also a good east coast railway line which means rappid transport of produce (this is important with perishable food stuff) Politics – Since joining the EU many of the farmers in East Anglia have benefited from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) as they have recieved subsidies for growing certain types of cereal crops such as wheat, oilseed rape and linseed. Development Commercial farming is a progression from diversified (sometimes called mixed) farming, when the farmer’s intention is to produce goods for sale primarily for widespread consumption by others. The farmer may acquire a sufficiently large amount of arable land and/or sufficiently advanced technology. In advanced countries, there is also investment in expensive capital equipment like tractors, harvesters and so forth. At this point, it may become more profitable for the farmer to specialize and focus on one or a few particular crops due to economies of scale. This may be further augmented by higher levels of technology that might significantly reduce the risk of poor harvests. Thus, the key difference between commercial farming and less-developed forms of agriculture is the new emphasis on capital formation, scientific progress and technological development, as opposed to a reliance mainly on natural resource utilization that is common to subsistence and diversified agriculture. Types There are types of commercial agriculture: * Intensive Commercial Farming: A system of agriculture in which relatively large amounts of capitol or labour and applied to relatively smaller areas of land. It is practiced in countries where the population pressure is reducing the size of landholdings. The State of West Bengal in India provides one of the best examples of intensive commercial farming. * Extensive Commercial Farming: It is a system of agriculture in which relatively small amounts of capital or labour investment are applied to relatively large areas of land. At times, the land is left fallow to regain its fertility. It is mostly mechanized as labour is very expensive or may not be available at all. It usually occurs at the margin of the agricultural system, at a great distance from market or on poor land of limited potential. It is practiced usually in the tarai regions of southern Nepal. Crops grown are sugarcane, rice and wheat. * Plantation Agriculture: Plantation is a large farm or estate usually in a tropical or sub-tropical country where crops are grown for sale in distant markets rather than local consumption. Factors Commercial agriculture contains six key factors: 1. Location Commercial farms must move their products to market. Farms need to be located near transportation systems. Trucks, ships, planes, and trains are several ways that products can be moved from where they are grown or made to where customers can buy them. 2. Climate A farm’s soil, as well as the climate of the region in which it is located, determine what crops will grow there or whether the land can support livestock. The temperature and rainfall can also determine the type of crop grown. For example, oranges must be grown in a hot climate. They will not grow if the temperature is too cold. 3. Raw Materials A commercial farm depends on raw material. For example, a farmer will plant grain to get wheat. A farmer will have dairy cows to produce milk. Seeds and animals are two examples of raw materials used in commercial agriculture. 4. Market Forces Supply and demand are important for selling agricultural products. If there is a high demand for a product and low supply, the price will be increased. 5. Labour People who work on farms provide different types of labor. Labors are needed to plant crops, as well as to harvest them. This is important because some produce, such as grapes, need to be hand harvested. 6. Transportation Movement of agricultural products to market depends on transportation systems. For example, produce is shipped by rail in special refrigerated cars, and then shipped across the ocean. Some crop such as fruits, must get to the market quickly, or else they will rot; crops like these are often shipped shorter distances or are sold in the regions where they are grown.

Corporate strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Corporate strategy - Essay Example The HTC started its operation with the basic goal of developing small, handheld, computer-like devices. In order to achieve this goal, the company management decided to use the Windows CE as a basic platform. However, the HTC initially focused on the development of note books as a result of unavailability of skilled engineers to make handheld devices that time. Although the company succeeded to create the world’s first pocket-size PC with Microsoft a year later; high production costs, lack of brand recognition, and technical glitches put the firm’s main note book business into troubles. The ballooning loss figures persuaded the company to exit note book business and refocus on handheld devices. The HTC’s initial difficulties came to an end in 2000 when it manufactured a PDA, the iPAQ, for Compaq Computer. The Compaq commissioned HTC as an original design manufacturer with the purpose of engineering and designing the products for the company. In addition, the HTC also entered into ranges of other business segments such as mobile phone operator business. So as to accomplish its objective of international expansion, the HTC established a separate research and development team which can effectively design innovative models that would best fit with changing market trends. Recently, the newly appointed CEO, Peter Chou decided to brand and sell the products under company’s own name in order to overcome international growth limitations. Despite harsh comments from shareholders, HTC proceeded with its venture and the company faced stiff competition from the world’s biggest handset manufacturers. The company’s intention was to achieve a powerful global brand position as that of Nokia or Samsung Electronics. Although, the company could effectively confront with market challenges, the HTC brand still has a long way to go in order to accomplish its ultimate objectives. Question 2 From the case analysis, it seems that most of the iss ues that HTC faced emerged as a result of the strategic failure of the company management. Firstly, the company’s decision to brand and sell the products under its own name found to be a worse strategy since the HTC had not well established in the industry so that it struggled to defend the tough competition from global giants like Nokia and Samsung Electronics. The company’s different top executives possessed different views regarding market operations and it led to total disorder. For instance, Cher Wang, one of the founders of the firm gave more emphasis on market competition while the Chief Operating Officer Fred Liu and CMO John Wang focused on brand value building. The lack of conceptual coordination in the operation of the HTC management raised barriers to its rapid international expansion. Although, the company could perform well in Europe and Asia, its operations in US market were not satisfactory. The market surveys showed that the US had offered a potential market for mobile phone manufacturers. Therefore, the HTC could not adequately take advantages of the large and potential US market as a result of its poor brand promotion strategies. Increased cost of production was another potential issue that threatened the existence of HTC. An HTC sponsored survey reflected that 80% of the US consumers did not like to buy a phone that cost more than $200. However, HTC did not have the necessary scale to drive costs down and it gave opportunities to Nokia which had well excelled in the area. Moreover, it is observed that the company

Nanna Ziggurat and Khafre's Pyramid Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Nanna Ziggurat and Khafre's Pyramid - Essay Example Similarly, the Nanna Ziggurat constructed during 2100-2050 BC in ancient Middle East or contemporary Iraq was dedicated as a place of worship or temple (Stokstad and Cothren 36). The Nanna Ziggurat and Khafre Pyramid, were constructed based on the conviction of celestial gods, nonetheless they served dissimilar functions. While Nanna Ziggurat was basically a temple, the Khafre pyramid acted as a funerary complex. The aim of this essay is to analyze the similarities and variations of the two monumental structures, and trying to show how both structures served symbolically as a link between the earth and heavens, or some form of eternal life linking room. This paper shows that even though both structures had a common function of acting as the bridge linking heaven and world, they had different connotation and composition in terms of being the center of convention for the people and their gods. Discussion First and foremost, both cultures were highly intelligent in terms of how they wen t about constructing the elaborate and enormous monuments. Nanna Ziggurat is situated in Ur, the capital of ancient Sumeria civilization or present day Iraq, on the banks of river Euphrates, while the Khafre pyramid was constructed in Giza, Egypt on the river Nile plateaus (Stokstad and Cothren 82). ... The river Nile played a crucial role during Egyptian civilization, and its yearly flooding was considered a miracle, consequently the Egyptians turned to religion to acquire a sense of security and everlasting life. That is why they constructed the pyramids as the Imperial symbol of supremacy and authority, since they considered their pharaohs as earthly form of their sun god Re who would then preserve their agrarian life from natural disaster (Stokstad and Cothren 52). The architecture and size of both Nanna Ziggurat and Khafre’s Pyramid are very dissimilar from one another, coupled with a huge variation in scale.  While the Nanna ziggurats is a large stepped structures with numerous temples and a shrine on top, the Khafre pyramid had a rectangular base with three platforms and stairs that converge on the first platform.  The Khafre’s Pyramid at Giza was a massive structure with a faultless pyramid shape and a square base. It has four oblique sides which perfectly meet up at a tip at the top.   However, both Nanna Ziggurat and Khafre’s Pyramid were not the outcome of rebuilding, but rather extensive and detailed constructions. The Nanna Ziggurat base covers roughly 28,905 square feet, in addition to being 100 feet tall.  On the other hand, the Khafre’s Pyramid had a base that covered 566,280 square feet with a height of roughly 471 feet (Stokstad and Cothren 56).   Khafre Pyramid The Nanna Ziggurats was erected using repetitive building, whereby the rubble from all construction was used as groundwork for the subsequent ones. Nevertheless, both monuments have slightly leaning walls that helps in shielding their foundations from flooding, but the Sumerians built Nanna Ziggurat using diverse materials, with the greater part being mud bricks. This helped

Position review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Position review - Essay Example from advocating fully for their children`s rights, thus there is need to educate them.3)a)in paragraph three, inability of the parents of children with disabilities to understand terminologies has been brought out clearly. Teachers, therapists, health professionals, and even child advocates who provide services to these children often use terminologies and specialized language and forget that the parents cannot understand them including the most astute. b) In paragraph three, the writer states that even the most astute parents cannot understand the acronyms used by the professionals. Therefore the parents fail to understand them due to lack of knowledge and they feel embarrassed about that (Wilmshurst and Alan 241). c) In paragraph five, the writer makes appeals that include the use of simple language that the parents can easily understand and also parents accessing websites that can assist in understanding the various acronyms used in special education.4) the passage is more persuas ive in paragraph five, where the writer comes up with ways in which the problem could be solved where special educators can be made aware of the problem and then they communicate with the parents in manner that they are likely to understand. Parents are also encouraged to access websites that can assist them in understanding the various terminologies used (Wilmshurst and Alan 208).5) The writer has created an active voice. The use of active voice is appropriate as it tries to enlighten the problems the parents of children with disabilities face and what can be done to assist them by the special educators.by use of active voice the writer creates adequate ethos.6) The writer makes use of pathos by highlighting the problems the parents of children with disabilities go through while trying to understand special educators, who use acronyms that can hardly be understood by the parents.7)There is need for parents of children with disabilities to learn special education as it is unique and has

ENG 315 Presentation Critique Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

ENG 315 Presentation Critique - Assignment Example While it can be concluded from the title that the program is a meal-delivery system for the seniors, the presentation could have started with a visual description of how it will be like to have food easily and readily available to people who need it. However, this did not ruin the overall understanding of the audience on the topic. The opening statement is very catchy and able to get the audience interest. The speaker said: â€Å"Meals on wheels is taking action to end senior hunger.† Not only is the opening line catchy, it immediately gives a hint of the problem that the presentation is trying to resolve. The main points, such as what the program is, what the problem is, statistical data proving there is indeed a continuing problem, why the problem needs to be alleviated, and what the program can do were properly emphasized. However, the important detail of how a senior can enroll in the program was left out. The speaker utilized the â€Å"problem solution pattern† of speech, where the presentation informs the audience of the risks of the problem, the importance, the causes, and the solution. This pattern is alerts the audience to the fact that the issue is something to be concerned of. No, there were no transitions carried out, which makes some area of the presentation abruptly stopped. Good transitional phrases would be: â€Å"Why do we need to know this?† Such would also recapture the attention of the audience. The presentation was summarized, but somewhat too briefly. The summary was only about what the program does. It did not reiterate the reality of the problem, and did not restate how the program is a big relief for this problem. Taken on the emotional level, the closing statement is strong. However, it lacked information. The closing statement seems to call for people to take action: â€Å"Every one of us can play a very important role in the life of a senior. I encourage you to make a difference!† How? Can ordinary people call and enroll a

Why are great Italian Renaissance architects more famous than their Essay - 1

Why are great Italian Renaissance architects more famous than their great gothic predecessors Discuss how and why the role and image of the architect changed during the Italian Renaissance - Essay Example European Renaissance is a period of history when a great deal of cultural change was noted. Among different expressions of the Renaissance period, Italian Renaissance remains the most widely known of all because they have distinctive styles to approach design and reality. Other than being the most well-known manifestation of European Renaissance, Italian Renaissance remains the oldest in terms of cultural change. It should be noted that the Italian Renaissance began by the end of thirteenth century as cultural shift became a part of European society. The transition in this era was particularly noted or observed within medieval and early modern ideology. Most of the historians claim that Renaissance itself is a symbol of modernity that took the cultural shift to a complete different level in terms of societal outlook. Among various contributors of Italian Renaissance, Jacob Burckhardt is the most well-known. A number of contributors other than Jacob Burckhardt tried to bring cultural change to a full swing. The fact remains that the change in culture or cultural shift did not attain its finest form until 19th century. Herein, it can be marked that the changes which were noted in the context of architecture during Italian Renaissance was increase theoretical practices. In simpler words, it can be said that the Italian Renaissance architects made use of roman theories for practice. A similar pattern was observed within the field of literature where roman influence was evident in different readings. Therefore, Roman theories were generally accepted which led Italian arts to feel confident about Roman theories in their practices. On evaluation of the classical Italian Renaissance architecture, it comes to understanding that Roman detailing was greatly used and practices such as columns, pilasters, pediments, domes etc. Also,

Potential Short-Run Economic Impacts of the Recent Japanese Disaster Essay

Potential Short-Run Economic Impacts of the Recent Japanese Disaster on the Australian Economy - Essay Example According to the research findings, it can, therefore, be said that specifically, the study of microeconomics allow us to have better understanding about the movements of money from the local firms to household which often times is dictated by the movements of a curve in demand and supply of goods and services in domestic and global markets. Furthermore, the study of microeconomics allows us to reflect on interrelated between salary and wages, employment and unemployment rate, its potential effects on business performances, and the economy as a whole. Based on the Keynesian model, economic recession and contractions are usually caused by the presence of inadequate demand for Australian goods and services. In fact, the post-Keynesian economics proposed the theory of aggregate employment such that the distribution of income, economic growth and developments in trading practices are dictated by the demand-side curve, Although the post-Keynesian economic theory suggests that the market o f a competitive economy is dictated by the demand-side curve and will never attain or satisfy the idea of full employment, economists generally believe the presence of inadequate demand for goods and services can cause a serious market failure and economic problems. With this in mind, the presence of inadequate demand can result in the presence of high unemployment rate. The recent tsunami in Japan has to lead to a significant decrease in the demand for Australian coal and iron ore. The problem with a sudden decrease in demand for goods and services is that the business owners of local firms in Australia may simply lay-off some of its current employees.

The Role of Media on Emergency Contraception Essay Example for Free

The Role of Media on Emergency Contraception Essay The purpose of this paper is to examine the role media has played in shaping public perception of emergency contraception. Some of the major issues found in the key findings of empirical studies and current cognition, and the relevance for everyday life will all be discussed. Media such as news and internet represent the most easily remediable influence on people and their views even down to their sexual attitudes and behaviors. â€Å"In 1922, Lippmann argued that mass communication could become the basis for people’s views of the world† (Perse, 2001). After much empirical research, ninety years later there is no disbelief that the media can be very influential on many issues. The media has influenced popular opinion in many controversial matters and one of the most controversial is emergency contraception. What has been the role of the media in shaping public perception of emergency contraception? That very question is what this paper will address. Before examining the role media has played on the public’s perception it is important that a general understanding about what emergency contraception is be established. Emergency contraception (EC) or the morning after pill is a contraception that prevents pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse due to contraception failure, non-use or rape. EC may work in two ways: 1) by inhibiting ovulation or 2) by preventing the implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus; however, it cannot work if you’re already pregnant. EC is not an abortion pill. Furthermore, use of EC can reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy by up to 75%-89% if taken within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse or ontraception failure. According to the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP) â€Å"unintended pregnancy continues to be a major public health issue in the United States. † Out of the 6-million pregnancies in the United States each year about one-half are unintended. (See Figure 1) Figure [ 1 ] Annual Pattern of Pregnancies in the United States: Intended versus unintended (6. 3million pregnancies totals). Data Source: Association of Re productive Health Professionals October 16, 2012. After several years of petitioning by various officialdoms the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finally approved EC for over the counter (OTC) sale to women 17 years of age and older in 2009. However, recent research has shown that EC seems to be underused. Whereas access to EC has been improved â€Å"its success is linked to the dissemination of accurate information about EC via trusted informational sources, such as family, friends, healthcare providers, and the media† (Vahratian, Patel, Wolff, Xiao, 2008). Today information is gained from many different sources types, news stories which are ranked second according to how reliable they are generally perceived to be, the Internet and television; but not all sources convey accurate information. In 2010 the World Health Organization (WHO) put out an official report discussing the effects of media’s coverage on emergency contraception. According to the authors muck raking news analysis was most likely connected to why use of EC pills were still low and pregnancy rates still high. The WHO listed BBC as one of the news organizations inaccurately reporting on EC. Reports that â€Å"regular usage of emergency contraception may cause infertility and in some instances increase the risk of cancer† (Westley Glasier 2010) had only alarmed women and may have kept some from using the method when they needed it most. Sometimes these stories are picked up by Internet bloggers, reporters etc. and circulated like an illness. Today, the echo chamber that is the Internet can quickly spread and amplify media stories, particularly if they are sensational. An e-mail circulating for several years describes a true story of a woman who died of a stroke while on hormonal birth control; recently, this story morphed and now states the cause of death continuously taking the morning-after pill (Westley et al. , 2010). Stories such as that are then picked up by the populist and the disease of misinformation continues. Stretching half-truths to the point where people believe them . Education on EC continues to be very important aspect on perception and use. However, even in places where knowledge of EC is higher like in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, use stayed low. A big reason for this is that education on fertility, contraception and pregnancy risk is poor. Further compounded by factually incorrect media coverage, which Westley et al. considered to be motivated by concerns over sexual irresponsibility, and was hidden behind false scientific validation. Given that EC is now accessible OTC in the US to women who meet the age limit, proper public health messages should be established to increase women’s awareness of, dismiss myths about, and encourage correct use of emergency contraception as an instrument to help avoid unintended pregnancy and birth. â€Å"Accurate media coverage has played an important role in spreading the news about health risks, healthy behaviors and new products; sensationalist and frightening coverage can have the opposite effect†( Westley Glasier 2010), hence the significance of factual information. Subsequently media coverage that paints a negative light with inaccurate information has given sensationalists with an agenda fuel against EC use. This is often seen from politicians, religious groups and other activist. Essentially the right for a woman to choose has been tossed in the political ring. Thus the media jumps all over it playing it up. Some of these individuals believe that because EC pills may work by stopping the implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus, that this is abortion. â€Å"The moral equivalent of homicide,† as Dr. Donna Harrison, is quoted, the director of research for the American Association of Pro-life Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Republican Party Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum have also made similar statements recently calling EC â€Å"abortive pills. † However, according to an article published recently in the New York Times theses qualms maybe unfounded. â€Å"It turns out that the politically charged debate over morning-after pills and abortion, a divisive issue in this election year, is probably rooted in outdated or incorrect scientific guesses about how the pills work† (Belluck, New York Times, 2012). It maybe that package labeling is the root to the fertilized egg debate. Leading scientists are saying that studies have not proven that EC pills inhibit fertilized eggs from implanting in the uterus. Rather they postpone ovulation, release of eggs from ovaries that happens before eggs are fertilized, and others â€Å"thicken cervical mucus so sperm have trouble swimming† (Belluck, New York Times, 2012). Obviously there is a need to re-educate policy makers (who hold women reproductive rights in their hands) on EC and advance their knowledge about EC. In addition, it’s also been reported that EC has slashed abortion rates but James Trussell, a Princeton population researcher said â€Å"The impact is still too small, considering that each year million American women have unintended pregnancies more than a million of which end in abortions† (Health Study, 2002). There were 47,000 fewer abortions that can be explained by the growth in EC use from 1994 to 2000 a forty-three percent drop. Figure 2 shows nationwide, the number of abortions. Similarly, the abortion rate declined 29 percent over the same period, from 27. 4 per 1,000 women aged 15-44 to 19. 4 per 1,000. Figure [ 2 ] Data Source: Ms. Magazine. com October 16, 2012 The chief concern in all of this and the relevance for everyday life is the health issues linked to unintended pregnancy. Now a common problem in the US approximately 1 in 20 women between the ages of 15 and 44 reported an unintended pregnancy in 2001. This epidemic of unintended pregnancy can have negative health repercussions for both the newborn and mother. Unintended pregnancy has been associated with delays in obtaining early prenatal care (sometimes connected with delays in pregnancy recognition) and delays in curtailing or ceasing tobacco and alcohol use, all of which can adversely affect fetal development. Women who have an unintended pregnancy are less likely to take vitamins and, consequently, have an increased risk of a neural tube defect in the fetus. Infants born to women who had not intended the pregnancy are more likely to be of low birth weight, premature and/or small for gestational age. In addition, there is some evidence that unintended pregnancy is associated with child abuse and neglect suggesting that unintended pregnancy can have long-term adverse health implications for the infant† (Goldsmith, 2008). Conclusions There is hardly any question if media influences not only views but behaviors of people. However, sometimes those influences may be factor on half-truths and misconceptions. Success or failure depends on the information received. Even though EC has been approved by the FDA research has still shown an under usage, and no expected impact on unintended pregnancy. According to WHO inaccurate muck raking reports are linked to why usage of EC is low. The Internet is also a place where misinformation is widely spread. Sensationalist, politicians and religious groups follow the misinformation as a platform to the agendas. This is hidden behind false scientific justification, and powered by the want to control a woman’s choice to reproductive health. While countering every health-related rumor on the Internet and inaccurate story in local newspapers and magazines is surely a fools errand, it is increasingly important to be ready with the facts when reporters, community members and patients voice concerns† (Westley et al. , 2010). It is important that accurate media coverage is conveyed not to ward off women if they are in need of EC. There are times and situations as rape or incest where access to EC can be better than the alternatives such as abortion. In addition, the general public must be informed of the attributes, side effects, and availability of EC. Based upon my research I found that EC maybe an underutilized resource because the big impression media leaves on people and their views. Lack of knowledge about EC continues to be a barrier to its use. It is my personal opinion that use and access to EC is better than the alternative of unintended pregnancies. Many people have their opinion on this matter case in point one I don’t agree with that of Richard Mourdock. Quote: â€Å"I’ve struggled with it myself for a long time, but I came to realize that life is that gift from God. And even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen† he says that he struggled with this issue, but he really has not, and never will. Policy makers who have never struggled to keep a rapist from violating their body, nor will ever grapple with the decision to end a pregnancy should not be the one deciding what should happen as a next step.

Structural Performance Of Lightweight Concrete

Structural Performance Of Lightweight Concrete The Romans reportedly first used lightweight concrete during the eighteenth centuries. The application on the The Pantheon where it uses pumice aggregate in the construction of cast in-situ concrete, according to Hjh Kamsiah Mohd Ismail, Mohamad Shazli Fathi and Norpadzlihatun bte Manaf (2003), all with the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Institutional Repository, confirms the Romans use of lightweight concrete. In the journal article, Study of lightweight concrete behavior, Ismail, Fathi and Manaf recount that during the late nineteenth century, American and English builders used clinker, a form of lightweight concrete in their construction projects like the British Museum as well as in low cost housing. DAnnunzio (2003) reports: Lightweight concrete can achieve similar strengths as standard concrete, and it produces a more efficient strength-to-weight ratio in structural elements (p. 2). During the research paper which investigates the structural performance of lightweight concrete, the author asserts: When the builder or developer uses lightweight concrete, then à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ completing hypothesisà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ the rest is just to show progressà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. DAnnunzio (2003), reports the use of lightweight concrete as a roof decking and insulation system has expanded in the past five years. Increased usage can be attributed to the recent industry-wide insulation shortages and delamination deficiencies (p. 1). The increase can also be attributed to the economic and environmental advantages that lightweight insulating concrete (LWIC) provides in roof assemblies. Lightweight insulating concrete (LWIC) provides The reported recent industry-wide insulation shortages and delamination deficiencies. The increase can also be attributed to the economic and environmental advantages that in roof assemblies. lightweight concrete as a roof decking and insulation system has expanded in the past five years. Increased usage can be attributed to The lightweight concrete was also used in construction during the First World War. The United States used mainly for shipbuilding and concrete blocks. The foamed blast furnace-slag and pumice aggregate for block making were introduced in England and Sweden around 1930s. Nowadays with the advancement of technology, lightweight concrete expands its uses. For example, in the form of perlite with its outstanding insulating characteristics. It is widely used as loose-fill insulation in masonry construction where it enhances fire ratings, reduces noise transmission, does not rot and termite resistant. It is also used for vessels, roof decks and other applications. Figure 5 shows some examples of lightweight concrete used in different forms. Lightweight insulating concrete (LWIC) provides The reported recent industry-wide insulation shortages and delamination deficiencies. The increase can also be attributed to the economic and environmental advantages that in roof assemblies. lightweight concrete as a roof decking and insulation system has expanded in the past five years. Increased usage can be attributed to Lightweight concrete can achieve similar strengths as standard concrete, and it produces a more efficient strength-to-weight ratio in structural elements DAnnunzio (2007, p. 2). John A. DAnnunzio (2003), president of IRT Inc., asserts in the article, New Lightweight Concrete Technology, as with all site installed materials, the quality of the finished product is based on the skill level of the applicator. Structural lightweight concrete, made with accumulation of lightweitght concrete aggregate, has been used in the United States for approximately 50 years. The article, Concrete in practice, what, why and how?, (2003) explains structural lightweight concrete has an in-place density (unit weight) on the order of 90 to 115lb/ft3 (1440 to 1840 kg/m3) compared to normal weight concrete with a density in the range of 140 lb to 150lb/ft3 (2240 to 2400kg/m3) (p. 1). Lightweight aggregates, such as clay, shale or slate materials, are typically used to make structural lightweight concrete. These lightweight aggregates are fired in a rotary kiln to cause this type concrete to have a porous structure. Air-cooled blast furnace slag may also be used to create lightweight concrete aggregates. There are other classes of non-structural lightweight concretes with lower density made with other aggregate materials and higher air voids in the cement paste matrix, such as in cellular concrete (Concrete in practiceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦, 2003, p. 1). This type of concrete is typically used for insulation properties only. Lightweight concrete may be produced by injecting air in to the composition, by leaving out the finer sizes of the aggregate or by replacing the aggregate with hollow or porous aggregate. Hjh Kamsiah Mohd Ismail, Mohamad Shazli Fathi and Norpadzlihatun bte Manaf (2003), all with the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Institutional Repository, purport in the journal article, Study of lightweight concrete behavior, particularly, lightweight concrete can be categorized into three groups: No-fines concrete Lightweight aggregate concrete Aerated/Foamed concrete (p. 5). No-fines concrete may be defined as lightweigh concrete that is created by combining cement and fine aggregate. This type of concrete has evenly spaced holes throughout it. Strucural lightweight concrete is mainly used to minimize the dead load of a structure that is made out of concrete. This allows the designer to decrease the size of columns and footings, or other load bearing essential features. Structural lightweight concrete mixtures can be designed to achieve similar strengths as normal weight concrete. The same is true for other mechanical and durability performance requirements (Concrete in practiceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦, 2003, p. 1). Strucutral lightweight concrete also produces a better strength to weight ratio for structural materials. Although lightweight concrete is more expensive than traditional concrete, the cost is offset because of the reduced volume of lightweight concrete, allowing designers to use less, which turns out to be less cost. When builders and developers choose to use structural lightweight concrete, the construction costs are lower and the building is much more durable. The researcher will purport the: Advantages and disadvantages of lightweight concrete; High Performance Fiber Reinforced Lightweight Concrete Proper Mixing Methods Volcanic Pumice Offer Conclusions Advantages of Lightweight Concrete Two of the distincitive features of lightweight concrete are its low density and thermal conductivity. Ismail, Fathi and Manaf (2003), explain advantages are that there is a reduction of dead load, faster building rates in construction and lower haulage and handling costs. Lightweight concrete maintains its large voids and not forming laitance layers or cement films when placed on the wall (p. 1). A great example of the durability of lightweight concrete is The Pantheon in Rome, which was built over 18 centuries ago. Sructural lightweight concrete is in high demand for use in construction because of its lower density which results in designers ability to have a smaller foundation due to the use of smaller load bearing elements or cross sections. Harun Tanyildizi and Ahmet Coskun (2008), both with the Department of construction education, Firat University Elazig, Turkey, explain in the journal article, The effect of high temperature on compressive strength and splitting tensile strength of structural lightweight concrete containing fly ash, lightweight aggregates are broadly classified in to two types-natural (pumice, diatomite, volcanic cinders, etc.) and artificial (perlite, expanded shale, clay, slate, sintered PFA, etc.). Lightweight concrete can easily be produced by utilizing natural lightweight aggregate i.e., pumice or perlite aggregate ( ¶ 2). The main advantages to using structural lightweight concrete are increased strength, more flexible and less coefficient of thermal expansion. Disadvantages of Lightweight Concrete Lightweight concrete applications do have certain disadvantages and liabilities, typically having to do with the cabability of the contractor istalling it. John A. DAnnunzio (2003), president of IRT Inc., asserts in the article, New Lightweight Concrete Technology, as with all site installed materials, the quality of the finished product is based on the skill level of the applicator. Lightweight concrete has additional constraints because the success of the system is based on the proper mix ratio (p. 2). One of the major problems with lightweight concrete is if the lightweight concrete is not mixed properly, it may have empty spaces that can lead to deficient strength. The compressive strength of lightweight concrete come from a foam additive, when it is mixed correctly, this additive molds around the cement which serves as an aggregtae. If the foam additive is not properly mixed, there is a probability of foam collapse, which weakens the products compressive strength (DAnnunzio, 2003, p. 2). One of the factors that leads to lightweight concrete failing is the mixing process is typically done at a jobsite, which may lead to human errors. Concrecel USA has developed pumping equipment that percisley weighs the ingredients and accurately mixes the foam and cement, to elimante the problem of human error. Table 1 depicts the advantages and disadvantages of lightweight concrete. Table 1: Lightweight Concrete Advantages/Disadvantages(Ismail, Fathi Manaf, 2003, p. 8). Advantages of Lightweight Concrete Disadvantages of Lightweight Concrete Quick and relatively simple construction Very sensitive with water content in the mixtures Economical in terms of transportation as well as reduction in manpower Difficult to place and finish because of the porosity and angularity of the aggregate. In some mixes the cement mortar may separate the aggregate and float towards the surface. Significant reduction of overall weight in saving structural frames, footing or piles High Performance Fiber Reinforced Lightweight Concrete Typical lightweight concrete is weaker than traditional weight concrete. It is critical to improve the strength of lightweight concrete in order to promote it for use for structural applications. Bengi Arisoy, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, Bornova, Turkey and Hwai-Chung Wu (2008), Advanced Infrastructure Materials Laboratory, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Wayne State University, Milwakee, explain in the journal article, Material characteristics of high performance lightweight concrete reinforced with PVA, with a much higher ductility high performance fiber reinforced lightweight concrete (HPFRLWC) becomes superior to regular concrete because of elimination of sudden catastrophic failure of otherwise brittle concrete. Ductility results from imposed crack resistance due to bridging fibers (Theoretical background section,  ¶ 1). The researchers found that fiber reinforced lightweight concrete, when made with lightweigh ag gregates and air entraining agent, displays strain hardening by the addition of 1.5% fiber volume fraction. By adding about 10-20% fine cement substitute such as fly ash and silica fume, it improves both ductility and flexural strength. Improvement of high performance FRLWC may be summarized as follows: 50-150 times (5000-15000%) increase in flexural displacement (ductility) at ultimate load than plain lightweight concrete, 50-250% increase in ultimate flexural strength than plain lightweight concrete, 30-65% decrease in weight than normal weight concrete (Arisoy Wu, 2003, Conclusion section,  ¶ 1). Proper Mixing Methods The concrete mixture design, especially for lightweight concrete, has stressed compressive strength, and also the durability of the concrete. Chao-Lung Hwang Department of Construction Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan and Meng-Feng Hung (2005), Department of Civil Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan assert in the journal article, Durability design and performance of self-consolidating lightweight concrete, ACI 318 structure code stresses both the maximum w/cm ratio to highlight the usage of pozzolanic material, and the minimum 28-day compressive strength to guarantee construction safety while considering durability of normal weight concrete ( ¶ 2). If a concrete structure cracks or become porous, it is more sustable to be subjective to harsh outside elements, such as acid rain and seawater, that may lead to its deterioration and the quality of a structure. Lightweight aggregate has a porous feature, because of that its compressive strength is typically low and the capacity it has for absorpution is fairly high. Hence, it needs large amount of cement paste to achieve suitable workability and designed compressive strength. This may violate the durability requirement of normal weight concrete as mentioned ( ¶ 4). Because the porous aggregate reduces the density of the lightweight aggregate concrete (LWC) and because it fractures easily when mixed, it is critical to design the LWC with increased strength and durability. In various field conditions, lightweigh concretes, in regards to carbonation performance, have typically performed adequately. T.Y. Lo, W.C. Tang and A. Nadeem (2008), all with the Department of Building and Construction, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, explain in the journal article, Comparison of carbonation of lightweight concrete with normal weight concrete at similar strength levels, some field investigations on the carbonation performance of LWC in ships and bridges at exposure age from 15 to 43 years, compressive strength from 23 to 35 MPa and density from 1650 to 1820 kg/m3 have been reported (Carbonation of lightweightà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦section,  ¶ 1). The depth of carbonation in these structures varied in regards to exposure conditions, density and strength, and was typically less than 10 mm. What effect moisture content, porosity and cement to water ratio have on the limits of carbonation, have been studied by researchers. For example, Swenson and Sereda, prominent researchers found that the moisture content in lightweight concrete, whether high or low, was not favorable to rapid carbonation. Swamy and Jiang found that carbonation was higher for concrete with higher total porosity at a given water to cement ratio. Bilodeau et al. attributed the low carbonation in high strength LWC to low water to cement ratio (Lo, Tang Nadeem, 2008, Carbonation of lightweightà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦section,  ¶ 2). Finally, Gunduz and Ugur analysed the carbonation of pumice aggregate lightweight concrete and expressed the carbonation was lessened when the aggregate to cement ratio of lowered. Volcanic Pumice This one is way over my head need to add a little from 8-next page 80 in raw research Pumice, a natural material, comes from volcanos when gases are released and the lava solidifies. Khandaker M. A. Hossain, Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada and Mohamed Lachemi (2007), a Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Construction and a Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Ryerson University, both ACI members, assert in the journal publication, Mixture Design, Strength, Durability, and Fire Resistance of Lightweight Pumice Concrete, world pumice production was 14.4 million metric tones Mt in 2004. Globally, Italy remains the dominant producer of pumice, with production estimated to be 4.6 Mt per year ( ¶ 3). Pumice is mainly used an an aggregate in lightweight building block and other building products. Volcanic pumice (VP) has been utlizied as an aggregate in producing lightweight concrete. Pumice has been used for builing over 2000 years, especially in Rome and Europe where many pumice structures are still standing to this day. Lightweight concrete made with pumice and pozzolanic cement with volcanic ash/lime (developed in Mexico by the Totonacas) has survived more than 2000 years and provides an example of a low strength concrete and very long-term performance (Hossain Lachemi, 2007,  ¶ 4). Using pumice and perlite as additives has been found to supply increased resistance to the freezing and thawing of concrete, cement pastes and mortar.

Problems of Working Women

Problems of Working Women While discussing the issues and concerns about working women, the main emphasis should be on the opportunities for women, as it is of utmost importance. Like every human being, a woman has a natural desire for the expression of her inborn knack and abilities; even a small baby shows his natural guts through his actions and movements. So, if a woman learns something, she craves for expressing it in some way. It is quite encouraging that nowadays, women have much more opportunities and prospects for the assertion of their individuality and talents. The services sector has increased the chances for women with its comfortable environment, where they can actively participate and excel, even from a distant place. Hence, if the focus is right, this issue will, hopefully, find its way towards a positive solution. In short we need revamp in all round corners with respect to working womens lives. We need to help each other, join together in chorus to raise our issues, put them in a proposal to government for new legislations angled at improving working womens lives. 1. Introduction In India, men do not share on most of the household chores, it is women who have to cook, clean the house, do the dishes, wash clothes, get their children ready for school etc. Men just took care of few chores that are to be dealt outside the house. So the major burden of running the family is on the shoulders of women. It was alright for women to handle all the chores as long as they were homemakers. Now with their increasing need for getting some income for the family, they have to work all the more harder. They have to take up a 9 to 5 job plus handle all the household chores that they handled as a homemaker. Mens role has not changed much. The status of Indian women has undergone considerable change. Though Indian women are far more independent and aware of their legal rights, such as right to work, equal treatment, property and maintenance, a majority of women remain unaware of these rights. There are other factors that affect their quality of life such as age of marriage, extent of literacy, role in the family and so on. In many families, women do not have a voice in anything while in several families; the women may have a dominating role. The result is that the empowerment of women in India is highly unbalanced and with huge gaps. Those who are economically independent and literate live the kind of life that other women tend to envy about. This disparity is also a cause for worry because balanced development is not taking place.1 2. Objectives of the study: To study the status of working women in India. To study the problems faced by working women in India 3. Scope of the study: The scope of the study is limited to the present status of working women in India 4. Review of Literature: Hate (1978) in her book stated that there is positive change in the political, economics and social status of middle class working and non-working women living in four cities in Maharashtra with the advent of independence. Robinson and Skarie (1980) in their article on stress of working women stated that in the area of stress and its relationship to locus control reveals that internally oriented individuals show less perception of role overload and role ambiguity Chandrika (1982) in her study stated that in the last decade of the 20th century the spotlight fell on various specific issues of women, these include multiple feminine identity, gender and sexuality, feminization of poverty environment and sustainable development, planning and power globalization, sex tourism, sexual harassment at work place, Dalit womens issues, tribal women and minority womens problem, womens rights as human rights, communal fascism, women and media. These yielded truly in depth analysis, studies and discussions and action programmers. Seta Vaidayalingam (1994) discussed the problem and concerns of Indian women. According to working women are subject to more explanative problems and pressures then their non- working sisters. Finding a suitable occupation in the first problem right and proceeds it and of course fighting for the right amount of education to secure a decent job, tops it all, after having completed her education when a women steps the field of vocation are not quite correct, we find to be womens staying capacity and the usual remarks is adequate. This kind of attitude spoils a womens changes at all levels and particularly in the field of self -employment with a job come other problematic situations, kinds of people at work especially men. Number of lawyers do not encourage women simply because the later to level the office at about 6 p.m. in order to reach home early despite the fact that a busy lawyers office is at its best after 6 p.m. Single working women have the accommodation problem, if working i n a city their families do not live with them. One has heard and read in the newspaper of the unfavorable conditions prevailing in hostels which in any case among to meet encouraged to need. My own mother has never done a days work despite having secured a medical education from the Madras Medical College. Let us look at some of the basic problems faced by working women in modern-day India. 5. Status of Working Women in India Status of Indian working women is far from being satisfactory.. 6. Data Analysis Interpretation Most commonly used development indicators are work and employment as an economic empowerment measure for women via-avis men, participation in Decision Making in Administrative and Political power. The status of working Indian women has been shown in Table 1 during the recent past of post independence period. From 1971-2001 the overall work participation rate for women has gone from 34.3 percent to 39.26 percent, just a marginal increase of 5 per cent over a long period of three decades. Ideal share in work participation of women should have been equal to sex ratio of women in the total population of the country. We are far away from this ideal even after 65 years of independence. Work participation in higher administrative posts is miserably low. Though there has been a cry for equal political participation for women in political decision making, barring a single exception of Womens participation in Local Self Government bodies, the rate of womens participation in state assemblies has hardly increase by .0.5 percent over the period of 15 years from 1985 to 2000 whereas the participation in MPs in Parliament has increase just by 4 per cent over a period of 20 years from 6.1 per cent to 10.1 per cent. Shall we be able to bring gender equality in near future? How long we should wait for bringing gender equality in real terms? 7. Problems of Working Women Acceptance As Working Professionals Most Indian men are yet to come to terms with the fact that women are also capable of working with them, shoulder to shoulder, in any field or professional sphere. They still visualize women as individuals who should be in charge of the kitchen and other domestic affairs. Work is either seen as a temporary evil for women whose husbands do not earn enough, or the domain of women who do not know their place. As a result, Indian working women do not get the respect they require from their male colleagues in the workplace. Balancing Work-Family Life No matter how high their position or designation is in the office, women in India are still viewed as the family manager back home. They are expected to return home at a certain time, cook, clean and take care of family affairs. In fact, men who help out around their house are often the butt of jokes by their male friends. This makes life extremely stressful for women who have little help around the house and have to do it all. Travelling For Work is Not Acceptable One of the problems faced by married working women is that they cannot travel or go on tours without having to answer uncomfortable questions by most of their friends and family. This is especially true for married women, who also have a flourishing career. Their professional obligations often depend on the support and understanding of family members. A married man can go on long official tours outside his home city, without raising eyebrows and questions from his family members and peers, but his equally-successful wife would face disapproval. As a result, women often have to opt out of jobs than involve travel or settle for not being promoted as a result. Safety Of Working Women The nosey questions factor aside, there is still the concern for safety of working women who need to travel on official business. Women travelling out of their home city for work trips are considered vulnerable and an easy target to fulfill the lewd intentions of their chauvinist male colleagues. Checking into a hotel alone is one of the problems faced by working women, even if the trip is purely official. Many hotels refuse to allot a room to a single woman (under strange pretexts) because of their own safety concerns or if a woman decides to stay alone, she is viewed with suspicion. Unequal Pay One of the raging topics of discussion in the context of problems faced by working women (not only in India, but also in many other nations) is that of equal pay. Legally, a woman is entitled to get the same salary as their male colleagues for the same kind of work done by them. However, gender discrimination is rampant as many companies still do not adhere to these guidelines and pay women less than their male colleagues. Education Though it is gradually rising, the female literacy rate in India is lower than the male literacy rate. Compared to boys, far fewer girls are enrolled in the schools, and many of them drop out. According to the National Sample Survey Data of 1997, only the states of Kerala and Mizoram have approached universal female literacy rates. According to majority of the scholars, the major factor behind the improved social and economic status of women in Kerala is literacy. Under Non-Formal Education programme (NFE), about 40 Per cent of the centers in states and 10 Per cent of the centers in UTs are exclusively reserved for females. As of 2000, about 0.3 million NFE centers were catering to about 7.42 million children, out of which about 0.12 million were exclusively for girls. In urban India, girls are nearly at par with the boys in terms of education. However, in rural India girls continue to be less educated than the boys. According to a 1998 report by U.S. Department of Commerce, the chief barrier to female education in India are inadequate school facilities (such as sanitary facilities), shortage of female teachers and gender bias in curriculum (majority of the female characters being depicted as weak and helpless). Discrimination at Workplace However, Indian women still face blatant discrimination at their workplaces. A major problem faced by the working women is sexual harassment at the work place. Further, women employees working in night shift are more vulnerable to such incidents. Nurses, for example, face this problem nearly every day. There is nothing that is done in hospitals to tackle and address the danger they face. Such blatant disregard of current Indian laws is one reason why sexual harassment at the workplace continues to increase. Also, Indian women are often deprived of promotions and growth opportunities at work places but this doesnt apply to all working women. A majority of working women continue to be denied their right to equal pay, under the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 and are underpaid in comparison to their male colleagues. This is usually the case in factories and labor-oriented industries. Land and property rights In most Indian families, women do not own any property in their own names, and do not get a share of parental property. Due to weak enforcement of laws protecting them, women continue to have little access to land and property. In fact, some of the laws discriminate against women, when it comes to land and property rights. The Hindu personal laws of mid-1956s (applied to Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains) gave women rights to inheritance. However, the sons had an independent share in the ancestral property, while the daughters shares were based on the share received by their father. Hence, a father could effectively disinherit a daughter by renouncing his share of the ancestral property, but the son will continue to have a share in his own right. Additionally, married daughters, even those facing marital harassment, had no residential rights in the ancestral home. After amendment of Hindu laws in 2005, now women in have been provided the same status as that of men. In 1986, the Supreme Court of India ruled that Shah Bano, an old divorced Muslim woman was eligible for maintenance money. However, the decision was vociferously opposed by fundamentalist Muslim leaders, who alleged that the court was interfering in their personal law. The Union Government subsequently passed the Muslim Womens (Protection of Rights upon Divorce) Act. Similarly, the Christian women have struggled over years for equal rights of divorce and succession. In 1994, all the churches, jointly with womens organizations, drew up a draft law called the Christian Marriage and Matrimonial Causes Bill. However, the government has still not amended the relevant laws. Crimes against women Police records show high incidence of crimes against women in India. The National Crime Records Bureau reported in 1998 that the growth rate of crimes against women would be higher than the population growth rate by 2010.Earlier; many cases were not registered with the police due to the social stigma attached to rape and molestation cases. Official statistics show that there has been a dramatic increase in the number of reported crimes against women. Domestic Violence Globally, one out of every three women faces violence at the hands of their husbands, Fathers, or brothers and uncles in their homes. Domestic violence can be described as when one adult in a relationship misuses power to control another through violence and other forms of abuse. The abuser tortures and controls the victim by calculated threats, intimidation and physical violence. Although men, women and children can be abused, in most cases the victims are women. In every country where reliable, large-scale studies have been conducted, results indicate that between 16 and 52 Per cent of women have been assaulted by their husbands/partners. These studies also indicate widespread violence against women as an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Such violence may also include rape and sexual abuse. Psychological Status of Women in India: Problems and concerns 25violence includes verbal abuse, harassment, confinement and deprivation of physical, financial and personal resources. For some women emotional abuse may be more painful than physical attacks because they effectively undermine womens security and self-confidence. In India, violence within the home is universal across culture, religion, class and ethnicity. The abuse is generally condoned by social custom and considered a part and parcel of marital life. Statistics reveal a grim picture of domestic violence in India. The National Crimes Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India reports a shocking 71.5 Per cent increase in instances of torture and dowry deaths during the period from 1991 to 1995. Dowry Another serious issue in modern India is Courts are flooded with cases related to death due to dowry harassment by husband and in laws. In ancient times women were given Stridhan when they departed from the house of their parents. This amount of money was given to her as a gift which she can use on her and her children but her in-laws did not have any right on that amount. This amount was supposed to help the girl in time of need. Slowly this tradition became obligatory and took the form of dowry. Nowadays parents have to give hefty amount in dowry, the in laws of their girl are not concerned whether they can afford it or not. If a girl brings large amount of dowry she is given respect and is treated well in her new home and if she does not bring dowry according to expectations of her in laws then she has to suffer harassment. Due to this evil practice many newly wed women of India have to lose their lives. 8. Conclusion: Thus, while discussing the issues and concerns about working women, the main emphasis should be on the opportunities for women, as it is of utmost importance. Like every human being, a woman has a natural desire for the expression of her inborn knack and abilities; even a small baby shows his natural guts through his actions and movements. So, if a woman learns something, she craves for expressing it in some way. It is quite encouraging that nowadays, women have much more opportunities and prospects for the assertion of their individuality and talents. The services sector has increased the chances for women with its comfortable environment, where they can actively participate and excel, even from a distant place. Hence, if the focus is right, this issue will, hopefully, find its way towards a positive solution. In short we need revamp in all round corners with respect to working womens lives. We need to help each other, join together in chorus to raise our issues, put them in a proposal to government for new legislations angled at improving working womens lives. A couple of visibly clear steps the government can take to improving working womens lives are: Give higher interest in all bank deposits to women Give 30-50 Per cent discount in all Rail/bus/plane fares to women Legislate strict laws against sexual harassment in offices Setup special courts for handling complaints of working women against their employers Legislate leeway for special leaves needed by working women Legislate laws to curb inequality

Home :: essays research papers

Home is more than just a word in the dictionary. First, and most basic, a house is a roof over people’s heads. Second, a residence is a place to go and truly relax. Third, and most important, a household is a place to laugh and cry with loved ones. A home’s most basic trait is its ability to provide shelter from weather. Rain or snow, a house will always be there. In the cold times of the year, the heater will be there to warm the house. The heat of the summer is no problem for a good home. The ideal dwelling definitely must have a dependable central air conditioner. When located in an area abundant with tornadoes and hurricanes, a home must have a safe place. A storm shelter or a basement is an excellent place to hide. Besides shelter from weather, a home will also provide shelter from the storms of life. When work or school is just too much to take, folks can go home, kick back, and reflect on the good things they might have. Kids can go home to hide from the bullies or the kids with cooties. No matter what the problem is, going home and relaxing can provide some relief from them. The most important thing about home is that it is where loved ones will be. On a good day, they will be there to share. A household is a place to share a funny joke or a good story. A haven is a place where people who care about each other can share a quiet night. More important than providing a place to share good times, a home also provides a gathering place for people who care during bad times. A family residence is a good place to get support for the bad happenings in life. The bad times can range from the death of a family member or friend to just a simple bad

Language Differences in America Essay -- Essays Papers

Language Differences in America America is a country of immigrants. Lots of people from other countries are coming here each year. Most of these people don’t know the language, so they face a lot of difficulties at first. Even after they’ve been in the country for quite a while they still have an accent and sometimes their grammar usage is not perfect. Often people, who were born and raised in the United States, cannot understand what people with different dialect or accent are saying, so that creates problems and uncomfortable situations for the immigrants. Sometimes people with an accent would be treated differently, as if they were not as intelligent or as smart as others. I am foreign myself and I can tell from my personal experience that it is really hard to start a new life in another country. Amy Tan in her â€Å"Mother Tongue† describes an example of the situation like this, when Amy Tan’s mother’s CAT scan results were lost and hospital would not apologize to her. All of this was because of Amy’s mother’s dialect, but when Amy, who speaks a perfect English, herself talked to the hospital â€Å" lo and behold – we had assurances the CAT scan would be found, promises that a conference call on Monday would be held, and apologies for any suffering my mother had gone through for a most regrettable mistake.† Sometimes it is necessary for the people to understand that person, who has a dialect or an accent, is not that much different from them and that person has to be treated equally, as well as someone without an accent. Different people come to America; they have different traditions, religion, lifestyles, and lots of other things, but all of them are trying to start a new life, because the one they had in the ... ...elf in the other persons place.† I think that she is right and we should have respect for each other and accent should not become a barrier for the communication. I agree with Thomas Bray that, â€Å"one becomes American by buying into a set of ideas honed by long — and often bitter — experience about what works and doesn’t work† but he also says that all of us need to assimilate to one culture and one standard, and personally I think it is not right and it can not happen, because if you are an immigrant, you cannot just ignore your whole past, but what would be better is to bring something special, bright and exciting from your past, and leave all the bad things behind. In this case both, the American society and you, would win. And our society has to help people do that, and it should not think of the people, who come here, as of unworthy their attention and respect.

The Philosophy of the Human Person

But the outcome of any philosophical inquiry is determined by its starting place† relates to the question of horizon, a limit of what can be seen from a definite perspective consisted of a subjective and objective fixed point of reference. Horizon is not a figure of speech but our framework to understand something and to make a decision. It is a framework of choices. It is our awareness of the choices among the philosophies in life. Choice connotes freedom. We are free to choose a philosophy that is best for us and apply it. If what we chose as a philosophy is inapplicable, then we choose another philosophy and change our perspective.As stated by Professor Florentine Horned, â€Å"Our horizon affects the choices we make about what life is. When one's horizon is bigger, the choice is more difficult. † How do we know our horizon? It poses an inquiry, â€Å"Do we believe in anything? † And the answer depends on our choices of what to believe or not to believe. Ultima tely, the question â€Å"Who am l? † will be answered in determining our horizon. William Shakespearean Hamlet line, â€Å"To be or not to be, that is the question† finds application in the starting point of one's horizon. Likewise, we adopt Socrates' statement â€Å"Know Thy Self† which is an examination of one's life and purpose.For example, we examine if our purpose is to serve others, if it is, then our horizon is about selfless service. We are inclined to offer ourselves for humanitarian causes. We are engrossed in helping others in need and in distress. We are engaged in an active social work as a volunteer. Another example, an elementary grade pupil named Lily who dreams of becoming a lawyer like her father. The philosophical inquiry of Lily is â€Å"what is Justice? † The outcome of this inquiry is determined by her horizon. Obviously, Lily's idea of â€Å"Justice† is narrow and limited.She, by reason of her tender age, can be influenced ea sily by his parents' or schoolteachers' definition of Justice. When she saw a neighbor being arrested and handcuffed by the policeman, she heard that her neighbor shot another and she immediately concluded that her neighbor is a criminal who deserves to be Jailed not knowing that there is a legal process for it known as a trial. She lauded the act of the swift arrest by the policemen on her neighbor who was not doing anything other than resting in his house. She says that there is Justice in the country because what she heard from her teacher, † A Justice delayed , is a Justice denied. In the case of her neighbor, there was no delay of Justice because of the abrupt arrest. When she became a high school student, her idea of Justice changes. Her horizon broaden because she watches TV programs and reads newspapers. When she became a law student, her horizon further broaden because she studying Justice in its legal sense. She now knew that the neighbor's arrest was illegal because said neighbor was not in the act of committing a crime or has committed it. There was no warrant of arrest presented to her neighbor, a constitutional violation under Article Ill, Section 2, Philippine Constitution.She learned that her neighbor was a victim of injustice. So, she wanted to defend him or someone like him who is a victim of injustice. After passing the bar, Lily became a lawyer who was accepted as a public attorney, a paupers' counsel who represent and defend them for free in court. Then, Lily came across a case similar to her neighbor. She defended him well contending the illegality of his arrest. When the decision was pronounced, she witnessed the crying ND anguish of the family members and relatives of the victim shot by her client. The court acquitted the man because of the able defense and trial skills of Lily.However, outside the courtroom, the man admitted the killing and thanked Lily for defending him to escape punishment even he is guilty. Because of this exp erience, Lily's horizon expanded. She saw the injustice committed on the victim and the family members because of the acquittal of the man, she thought was innocent but actual a guilty one. When Lily was promoted as a public prosecutor, her experiences as a public attorney is carried to her new role, thereby, giving her evolved notion of what Justice is. And finally, when Lily became a Judge, she has a different view of the philosophical inquiry of â€Å"what is Justice? And its outcome is determined by its starting point, that is, the horizon of Lily as a Judge. Her horizon is not only looking at the east side of the sky as a public attorney or its west side as a public prosecutor but looking at the entire sky to answer the philosophical inquiry of â€Å"what is Justice? † Our basic drive is to know. Our human knowing is through our senses like seeing, hearing, smelling, touching and tasting. The rationality of knowing consists of inquiring, imagining, understanding, concei ving, formulating, reflecting, marshalling and weighing evidence.The enlightenment of knowing are Judging, deliberating, evaluating, deciding, speaking and writing. â€Å"The intrinsic objectivity of human cognitional activity is its intentionality' can be restated to be the essential external reality of knowing is its purpose. Our goal of our knowing and perceiving is in its intention. We are living questionnaires by nature. When we experience things, we ask question like â€Å"Why it is so? † that leads to the formulation in definition, hypotheses ND theories. Accordingly, the intention is a dynamic structure of knowing.This intention is unrestricted and limitless because there is nothing that we cannot question. The same intention is comprehensive because our questioning probes every aspect of everything. As answers stands to questions, our cognitional activities stand to the intention of our being. Our answer is to a question because both have the same intention. Thus, t he intrinsic relation of the dynamic structure of human knowing passes from the side of the subject (intention intendeds) to the side of object (intention intent). For example, the question, what is this? Ends an information to our mind the words â€Å"this† and â€Å"is†. The â€Å"what† refers to â€Å"this†. This sending of an information did not settle any issue but it did raise an issue described by Bernard Lonelier, SO to be â€Å"neither knowledge nor ignorance of the essence and existence but it is the intention of both. † What the essence is and if the essence exists are questions not answers that unites the side of the subject (intention intendeds) to the side of object (intention intent) in our knowing and perceiving. To explicate this, let us take a case at a police station.There are three suspects for investigation by the police Homicide section. A man was killed by an unidentified assailant. The three suspects interposed the defense o f denial and alibi. The first suspect said that he was at their province when the crime occurred. The other was attending a fiesta. The last suspect claimed to be at his brother's house. The witness identified the three to be perpetrators of the crime. They were indicted by the public prosecutor. During the trial, the cross-examination by a prosecutor is a cognitional activity.The object of such is either to build up the theory of prosecution r to destroy the theory of defense. So, every question is loaded with a purpose. Otherwise, the truth will be elusive that will result to injustice to all the parties. â€Å"Why is this crime committed? † the prosecutor in knowing this passes from the side of the subject (intention intendeds) to the side of object (intention intent). This intention is unrestricted and limitless because there is nothing the prosecutor cannot question to the accused at the witness stand.From our viewpoint, we can no longer think of life as a mere and pure spontaneity. We can no longer think of reflection as our life's antagonist. It is essential to adopt that reflections are part of our life. â€Å"Reflection is one of the life's ways of rising from one level of being to another. † Reflection is a process of recalling or re-examining our past experiences in order to understand them. It is either a primary reflection or secondary reflection. The primary reflection examines its object by abstraction, by analytically breaking it down into its constituent parts.It is concern with definitions, essences and technical solutions to problems. It answers the question â€Å"What am l? † while the secondary reflection is synthetic that unites than vides and answers the question â€Å"Who am l†. As stated by Professor Florentine Horned, â€Å"The primary reflection is a pragmatic solver of problem like posing a question, if you do not know how to make a living, how can you feed the hungry? There must be a solution too proble m. † The balancing of primary reflection (â€Å"What am R†) and secondary reflection (â€Å"Who am I†) is the existential fulcrum.To reflect is to ask oneself something that occurred and to go back in time and recall the moment. We exercise it on things that are worth reflecting about. We reflect on our experiences. The richer is our experience, the more is our reflection. When we experience obstacles and adversities, our reflection occur being checked by a certain break in the continuity of experience that it becomes necessary to pass from one level to another. In passing from lower level to higher level, we recover from the higher level the unity that was lost on the lower level.For example, when a judgment was rendered at a Regional Trial Court, there was a reflection made by the Presiding Judge on the evidence presented by the prosecution and defense and their respective arguments. When the Judgment was appealed, the decision was reviewed y Court of Appeal Ju stices. There is another reflection on the case to arrive at a judgment whether to affirm or reverse it. When the Judgment is reversed, the reflection is raised up from one level, the reflection of a Judge in the Regional Trial Court, to another level, may be a higher one, the reflection of a Justice in the Court of Appeals.When the Judgment of the Court of Appeals is brought up to the Supreme Court, the Judgment rendered by the latter is a reflection that is raised to the highest level, which everyone, must respect and abide for our Supreme Court is a final arbiter of a case. There may be a fresh set of Jurisprudence created out of this reflection. â€Å"Each symbol gives rise to comprehension by means of interpretation. † Signs are expressions that carry out meaning revealed through the intention of the signifying that is conveyed by words. Not every sign is a symbol. A symbol suggests â€Å"something†. All symbols are full of meaning.Different people interpret symbo ls differently. Every symbol is subject to different interpretation. Hence, a symbol can have different meanings. How can the symbol be a starting point for thought without leading back to the same old interpretations? The answer lies in the relationship between symbols and hermeneutics. This interpretation is both in the symbol and beyond. There are three (3) stages of this interpretation which are: (1) phenomenology which is the comprehension of the symbol by the symbol or by a symbol as a whole. Professor Florentine Horned said, â€Å"The things should be interpreted by going back to the things themselves.The realities should be studied not contemplated. The whole should give meaning to the parts while the parts should give meaning to the whole. † His example is the image of the Mama Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. She symbolizes purity, spotless or cleanliness, thus the description â€Å"Immaculate† Mary from a root word â€Å"Macaulay† meaning a spot or s tain. Her description is attributed by the story in our Bible that she conceived Jesus Christ, the son of God, without having engaged in a sexual intercourse, which the act itself is viewed to be dirty or unclean.Another example our Professor Florentine Horned discussed is the word â€Å"extrapolation. † â€Å"Ex†, meaning out, Nina† meaning way which is the truth. For him, â€Å"there is a road and there is an outside to the road. Our world has the inside and outside. It has a right side and wrong side. Sometimes, we get lost due to equal value of things. We do not know what philosophical side to take even though philosophy is simple. We complicate it. † ; (2) the hermeneutics which is the interpretation applied in each case to an individual text.This is a start of intelligent deciphering symbolized by a knot, interpreted as a circle expressed in a statement, muff must comprehend in order to believe but you must believe in order to comprehend†; and (3) the thought starting from symbols which is finding a philosophy hidden under symbols and the task of philosophy is to promote and shape the meaning in a creative interpretation. To illustrate, the symbol off Justice is a blindfolded lady carrying a scale. This is interpreted by another symbol of a balance or weighing scale known as phenomenology.When the lady blindfold is removed or the scale carried is heavier at one side than the other, this is an interpretation of injustice, this is known as hermeneutics. There is a message behind the symbol to be deciphered intelligently. When the symbol of lady Justice is changed, thereby promoting and shaping the meaning in a creative interpretation, this is what Paul Recover's referred to as the â€Å"thought starting from symbols. What new symbol can represent Justice in our modern times? The thoughts from the symbol of Justice creates a new philosophy giving us new comprehension as to what justice is that is responsive to our times.We interpret, we comprehend. New symbols are born with this comprehension. Our union of encounter is based on experience. It is a mystery that takes place on the higher level of our human existence. In many cases, we have no physical contact or material contact in our encounter with others but the result of union is deeper than anything. Deeper than what our bodily contact can produce. Thus, â€Å"We have the existential presence which is a common spiritual bond in virtue of which each is present in the other and participates in the being of another. This existential presence differs from spatial proximity or nearness which is indicated in our daily life as â€Å"presence†. An example is a congregation of lawyers attending in a convention. They are proximate to each other but they are not existentially present to one another unless there is an introspective communion between them. This communion is exemplified by the talking and debating of these congregation of racers in the c onvention who get the chance to know each other, thus, starting to recognize each other's presence.The nature of this existential presence cannot be forcibly realized in opposition to spatial proximity. In our example, the congregation of lawyers made their proximity to each other possible even with them objecting to it because there is a rule to follow for them to be proximate to each other like they have their respective seat assignment. This cannot be in existence presence. The lawyers who are seatmates during the convention can choose not to talk to each other. They can choose to completely ignore each other from start to the end of the convention.One lawyer cannot be forced to be present to others without his liking much more when he is opposed to the existence of the said presence. For existential presence is not subject to a rule unlike spatial proximity. Engineers Van Greengrocer elucidates this with his example, â€Å"l am able to stay near someone against his will and I m ay compel someone else to remain with me. But the communion can be obtained only through the free mutual engagement of the persons involved. I may appeal to the there to be existentially present with me, but if he refuses, I cannot force him.The very imposition of my will would emphasize the separation between our personal being and destroy even the possibility of an encounter. Similarly, I may offer myself to be authentically with the other but if he does not freely open himself, my insistence is in vain. Existential presence, therefore, cannot be forced. All I can do is open myself to it and welcome it when it is realized. † As the old saying goes, Mimi can lead the horse to the river, and you can even try to bring the water to the horse, but you cannot force it to drink the water. †

Aboriginal Canadians and European Settlers

Aboriginal Canadians and European settlers In the history of contact between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in Canada, there has been an imbalance in acculturative influences. Generally, Aboriginal peoples have been changed substantially, with serious erosion of their cultures and identities. However, this dominance by Euro Canadian peoples has also been met by resistance by Aboriginal peoples.Policy and programme changes to alter the relationship between these two sets of people are suggested, including a reduction in pressures toward assimilation and segregation which have historically resulted in the marginalization of Aboriginal Peoples in Canada. When individuals experience intercultural contact, the issue of who they are comes to the fore. Prior to major contact, this question is hardly an issue; people routinely and naturally think of themselves as part of their cultural community, and usually value this attachment in positive terms.Of course, other life transitions (su ch as adolescence) can lead people to wonder, and even doubt, which they are. But it is only during intercultural contact that their cultural identity may become a matter of concern. The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples established a research project on Aboriginal cultural identity, and commissioned reports on the subject.This paper is based on one of those reports, and draws upon concepts, data and analyses that were carried out as a consultant to that project The main line of argument in this paper is that intercultural contact between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in Canada (both historically, and at the present time), has initiated a process of acculturation (at both the cultural and psychological levels), during which Aboriginal peoples have experienced cultural disruption, leading to reducedwell-being and to identity confusion and loss.It is further argued that sincethis process has resulted from interactions between Aboriginal and nonAboriginal peoples, the key to reestablishing a sense of well-being and secure cultural identity resides in restructuring the relationships between these two communities. This paper contains four sections: a discussion of the concept of cultural identity, as it derives from the social science literature; a brief review of the process and consequences of intercultural contact; a summary of the main findings; and a discussion of their implications for policy and programmed.May lead to more positive identities, and to cultural and psychological outcomes that are more fulfilling. Breton and Norman fishermen came into contact with the Algonquians of the northeast at the beginning of the 16th century, if not earlier, as they put into natural harbors and bays to seek shelter from storms and to replenish water and food supplies. There is some indication that these first contacts with Aboriginal inhabitants were not always friendly.A few individuals were kidnapped and taken to France to be paraded at the court and in p ublic on state and religious occasions. Also, precautions seem to have been taken to hide the women inland when parties landed from ships engaged in cod fishing or walrus hunting. On the other hand, there were mutually satisfactory encounters as trade took place. The Algonquian brought furs, hides and fish in exchange for beads, mirrors and other European goods of aesthetic and perhaps spiritual value. Both sides seemed content with this growing exchange.Soon the Algonquian exacted goods of more materialistic value, such as needles, knives, kettles or woven cloth, while the French displayed an insatiable desire for well-worn beaver cloaks. In the 16th century, the French, like their western European neighbors, proceeded to lay claim to lands â€Å"not possessed by any other Christian prince† based on the European legal theory of Terra Nullius. This theory argued that since these lands were uninhabited, or at least uncultivated, they needed to be brought under Christian domini on.The royal commission to ROBERVAL for the St Lawrence region, dated 15 January 1541, and La Roche's commission for SABLE ISLAND in 1598 enjoined acquisition either by voluntary cession or conquest. By the early 17th century, as the FUR TRADE expanded and Catholic missionary work was seriously contemplated, a policy of pacification emerged. The fact that the French chose to colonize along the Bay of Fundy marshlands and the St Lawrence Valley, from which the original Iroquoians had disappeared by 1580, meant that no Aboriginal peoples were displaced to make way for colonists.This peaceful cohabitation remained characteristic of Aboriginal-French relations up to the fall of ACADIA (1710) and of NEW FRANCE (1760). Beyond the Acadian farmlands and the Laurentian seigniorial tract, the Aboriginal peoples on their ancestral lands continued to be fully independent, following their traditional lifestyle and customs. Royal instructions to Governor Corellas in 1665 emphasized â€Å"the off icers, soldiers and all His Majesty's adult subjects treat the Indians with kindness, justice and equity, without ever causing them any hurt or violence. Furthermore, it was ordered that no one was to â€Å"take the lands on which they are living under pretext that it would be better and more suitable if they were French. † Royal instructions in 1716 not only required peaceful relations with the Aboriginal peoples in the interests of trade and missions but also forbade the French from clearing land and settling west of the Montreal region seigneurs. In the PAYS D'EN HAUT, care was taken to obtain permission from the Aboriginals before establishing a trading post, fort, mission station or small agricultural community such as Detroit or in the Illinois country.Following a conference with 80 Iroquois delegates at Quebec in the autumn of 1748, Governor La Galissoniere and Intendant Bigot reaffirmed that â€Å"these Indians claim to be and in effect are independent of all nations , and their lands incontestably belong to them. † Nevertheless, France continued to assert its sovereignty and to speak for the â€Å"allied nations† at the international level. This sovereignty was exercised against European rivals through the allied â€Å"nations,† not at their expense through the suppression of local customs and independence.The Aboriginal peoples accepted this protectorate because it offered them external support while permitting them to govern themselves and pursue their traditional ways. The MI'KMAQ, and later the Arenac, accepted the Catholic religion, even in the absence of large-scale sustained evangelization, as a confirmation of their alliance and brotherhood with the French and resistance to Anglo-American incursions. When the Milkman eventually signed a treaty of peace and friendship with the British authorities at Halifax in 1752, the ABENAKI who had taken refuge in Canada rebuffed the official delegate of the governor at Boston.Beg inning their apostolic labors in Acadia in 1611 and in Canada in 1615, Catholic MISSIONARIES dreamed of a rapid conversion of Aboriginal peoples and even wondered if they might not be descendants of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. Traditional Milkman and Montagnais hospitality dictated that the itinerant missionaries be well received. Soon evangelization efforts were centered on the sedentary, horticultural and strategically located HURON confederacy (see STE MARIE AMONG THE HURONS).But factionalism arising out of favoritism shown to converts and the EPIDEMICS that decimated the population almost brought the mission to a close. On two occasions, the JESUITS were spared execution or exile on charges of witchcraft only by French threats to cut off the trade on which the Huron had become dependent. Following the dispersal of the Huron in 1648-49, the missionaries turned to other groups in the Great Lakes basin, including the IROQUOIS confederacy, but they never enjoyed great success. Ab original peoples assumed a tolerant dualism: â€Å"you can have your ways and we will have ours, for everyone values his own wares. More success was achieved on the reductions, or reserves (see INDIAN RESERVE) as they came to be known, established within the seigniorial tract of New France. In 1637 the seigneur of SILLERY near Quebec was designated a reduction for some Montagnais encamped nearby as well as for all the northern hunters who would take up agriculture under Jesuit tutelage. Although the Montagnais did not remain long, some Arenac refugees came to settle, and finally Huron who escaped from the Iroquois conquest of their country.Eventually there were reserves near each of the three French bridgeheads of settlement: Loretta near Quebec for the Huron; Betancourt and Saint-Francois near Trois-Rivieres for the Abenaki; Kahnawake near Montreal for the Iroquois and Lac-des-Deux-Montagnes for both ALGONQUINS and Iroquois. These reserves were relocated from time to time at ever greater distances from the principal towns not only because of soil exhaustion but also because of the desire of the missionaries to isolate the Aboriginal converts from the temptations of alcohol, prostitution and gambling.The Kahnawake reserve, with the connivance of certain Montreal merchants, became an important link in an illicit trade with Albany and New York. The French designated those Aboriginal peoples who settled on these reserves under the supervision of Missionaries as â€Å"Indiens domicilies† (resident Indians). Those who came to live on reserves were motivated by religious ideals and the need to escape persecution or encroachment on their lands, but in time the economic advantages became quite substantial. It was often on the reserves that canoemen, scouts and warriors were recruited for trade and war.The products of the field and the hunt, as well as the manufacture of canoes, snowshoes and moccasins found a good outlet on the Quebec market. At the time of th e British CONQUEST of New France in 1760, the â€Å"resident Indians' were united in a federation known as the SEVEN NATIONS of Canada. It is possible that this Aboriginal political organization, whose membership evolved over the years, dates back to the early days of the French regime at the time when the first Aboriginal â€Å"reductions† (reserves) were created in the St Lawrence valley.Official French objectives had been to christianize and francize the Aboriginal peoples in order to attain the utopian ideal of â€Å"one people. † The church tried to achieve this objective through itinerant missions, education of an Aboriginal elite in France, reserves and boarding schools, but in the end it was clear that the Aboriginal peoples would not abandon their culture, even when converted. It was the missionaries who, like the fur traders, learned the Aboriginal languages and adopted Aboriginal survival techniques.Racial intermarriage, or metissage, traced its origin to t he casual encounters, almost exclusively between Aboriginal women and Frenchmen deprived of European spouses, beginning with the fishermen and sailors along the Atlantic seaboard, and spreading into the hinterland as traders and interpreters, later unlicensed COUREURS DE BOIS, and finally garrison troops came into contact with the interior communities. VOYAGEURS and canoemen travelling to and from the upper country of Canada in the interests of the fur trade acquired the services of Aboriginal women to make and break camp, cook, carry baggage and serve as mistresses.Many of these unions became long-lasting and were recognized locally as legitimate a la facon du pays. Canon law forbade the marriage of Catholics with pagans, so missionaries often had to instruct and baptize adults and children and then regularize such unions. In 1735 Louis XV forbade most mixed marriages; nevertheless the rise of METIS communities in the Great Lakes basin, particularly along Lake Superior, indicated t he prevalence of the practice. Warfare was an aspect of Aboriginal life in which the French soon became involved.Most of the Aboriginal people remained steadfastly attached and loyal to France through to PONTIAC's rising in 1763, with the exception of the Iroquois, Fox and Sioux. Champlain, by supporting his Algonquian and Huron trading partners in 1609, earned the long-lasting enmity of the Iroquois. The French were unable to save the Huron from destruction at the hands of the Iroquois in 1648-49, nor were they able to stop Iroquois incursions into their own or their western allies' territories until the peace of Montreal in 1701 (see IROQUOIS WARS).The Fox became hostile in 1712 and were the objects of several military expeditions before their dispersal in 1730. The Sioux also often attacked France's trading partners and allies before agreeing to a general peace settlement in 1754. Canadian militiamen and Aboriginal auxiliaries distinguished themselves also in expeditions to aid L ouisiana against the Chickasaws and the Natchez. The escalation of tensions between the French and English over control of the fur trade in North America led to the signing of the TREATY OF UTRECHT in 1713.Under the terms of the treaty, France retained access to Cape Breton Island, the St Lawrence Islands and fishing rights off Newfoundland but ceded Acadia (Nova Scotia) to the British and recognized British jurisdiction over the northern territory of RUPERT'S LAND and the island of Newfoundland. The Mi'kmaq, MALISEET and Passamaquoddy of the area, considered themselves to be friends and allies and not subjects of the French Crown, as well as the rightful owners of the territory ceded to the British Crown.The lack of consultation regarding the terms of the treaty, and the lack of compensation provided to the Mi'kmaq, Maliseet and Passamaquoddy upset them greatly, significantly shifting the balance of power and Aboriginal-French relations in the area. France spent large sums of money for the annual distribution of the â€Å"King's presents† to the allied nations. In addition, the Crown issued clothing, weapons and ammunition to Aboriginal auxiliaries, paid for their services, and maintained their families when the men were on active duty. These Aboriginal warriors were judged invaluable for guiding, scouting and surprise raiding parties.Their war aims and practices, including scalping and platform torture, were not interfered with as they generally fought alongside the French as independent auxiliaries. In defeat, the French remembered them, obtaining in the terms of capitulation (1760) that they be treated as soldiers under arms, that they â€Å"be maintained in the Lands they inhabit,† and that they enjoy freedom of religion and keep their missionaries. These terms were further reiterated in the Treaty of Oswegatchie, negotiated by Sir William JOHNSON, at Fort Levis (near present-day Ogdensburg, New York), on 30 August 1760, and reaffirmed at Ka hnawake on 15-16 September 1760.These two treaties set out the terms for British protection of the interest of the Seven Nations and for the peaceful colonial occupation of their lands. As a result of this conquest, the French monarchy capitulated New France to Great Britain and on 10 February 1763, France and Great Britain signed the TREATY OF PARIS. The treaty outlined the conditions of the capitulation, which involved a series of land exchanges in which France handed over their control of New France to the English.Article 4 of the treaty provided for the transfer of French control of lands in North America east of the Mississippi River to Great Britain. Under the terms of the treaty, Great Britain also gained control of Florida from the Spanish, who took control of New Orleans and the Louisiana territory west of the Mississippi River from the French. In order to establish jurisdiction in the newly conquered Canadian colonies, on 7 October 1763, King George III and the British Imp erial Government issued a Royal Proclamation outlining the management of the colonies.Of particular importance, the proclamation reserved a large tract of unceded territory, not including the lands reserved for the Hudson's Bay Company, east of the Mississippi River as â€Å"hunting grounds† for Aboriginal peoples. As well, the proclamation established the requirements for the transfer of Aboriginal title to the Crown, indicating that the Crown could only purchase Aboriginal lands and that such purchases had to be unanimously approved by a council of Aboriginal people.The proclamation also provided the terms for the establishment of colonial governments in Quebec, West Florida, East Florida and Grenada. The colonies were granted the ability to elect general assemblies under a royally appointed governor and high council, with the power to create laws and ordinances, as well as establish civil and criminal courts specific to the area and in agreement with British and colonial l aws.References: 1994 Aboriginal Cultural Identity. Report submitted to the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. Ottawa, Ontario Aboud, F. 1981 Ethnic Self-identity, in R. C. Gardner and R. Kalin (Editors): A Canadian Social Psychology of Ethnic Relations. Toronto: Methuen. Keefe, S. E. 1992 Ethnic Identity: The Domain of Perceptions of, and Attachment to Ethnic Groups and Cultures. Human Organization 51 :35-43.