Monday, September 30, 2019

Balance in Life

Living in today’s fast-paced lifestyle is a very common scene among us and sometimes we took for granted that our life is no longer in balance. Our way of life is already a very stressful one for the reason that we do not know how to balance it anymore. Some of us may able to ask ourselves with â€Å"what does it feels like having a balance life? †, â€Å"how can we achieve that balance so we could minimize our stress? †, and â€Å"what is life in balance means? † Defining balance in life is a very vague perception among people.We all have different ideas about the subject and we have different ways of measuring it (Mundell, 2004). Moreover, knowing what balance in life means would also depend on the context of the conversation and the person’s viewpoint. (Lockwood, 2003) â€Å"A figurative definition of balance refers to a big-picture notion of our lives as a whole. † (MSN Arabia, 2005) We try to define balance by comparing our normal daily activities with an additional tasks, like for instance of being a mother, a wife and going on a job. Achieving this balance in life is through adjusting our priorities and knowing what is important to us.As a mother, a wife and a worker/employee, we try to balance the conflicts that exist between the need for security with work and the need to satisfy our family. (MSN Arabia, 2005) We define balance in life as it relies on our desire to feel successful both at work and our personal life at the same time. (Mundell, 2004) Balance in life could mean having a balance diet also. Our body needs a well balanced diet, like good supply of carbohydrates, especially high-fiber foods, water, vitamins and minerals, a certain amount of protein, fat, and bacteria.Thus, in preparing our meals, we can control what we are going to add on it and what we are going to cut back, like adding more fruits and vegetables to our food and cutting back those saturated fats. (MSN Arabia, 2005) Balance in life al so imply achieving physical balance both internal and external, thus, when we are able to achieve that physical balance, we can attain a sense of beauty. Because natures follow a balancing act, when we attain physical balance, we become more beautiful in the eyes of the beholder. (MSN Arabia, 2005)Generally, when we speak about balance, what comes into our mind is the management of time. Sometimes we always run out of time for ourselves, we always gave this time for other people especially for our love ones. When we already have to do something for ourselves to make us better, we always makes excuses that we are busy enough that we do not have time to do it, and we are tired of doing it. Continuing this unhealthy habit of time management would just make our task or work unproductive, even worst we could also make the people around us feel ungrateful.Thus, if we both have balance in life and time management in harmony with each other, we can have effectiveness in everything we do. We could find a room and a time to do everything that we enjoy. Finding time for ourselves benefit us of self-confidence and pride in ourselves. (MSN Arabia, 2005) Balance in life could also mean helping conquering our limitations. Since fears set our limitations of doing something we love to do, we get frustrated in life by not achieving what we want. Once we can conquer that fear we are facing, our lives gets easier and we can enjoy being ourselves.We could accept our limitations at present but we could look forward improving it. Finally, balance in life means achieving a fulfillment. We need to balance ourselves such that the various elements in our life focus on our fulfillment, to help us eventually reach a level where we can pursue our personal desires. (MSN Arabia, 2005) We need to work in balancing our life or else we will lose the balance of body, mind, and soul. Sources: MSN Arabia, (2005). Adding Balance Back to Life. Retrieved March 27, 2007, from MSN Arabia Web site: http ://www.arabia. msn. com/Family_Home/health_fitness/17/ Mundell, Heather (2004, November 9). Ending the Battle for Balance. Retrieved March 27, 2007, from Selfgrowth. com: The Online Self Improvement Encyclopedia Web site: http://www. selfgrowth. com/articles/Mundell1. html Lockwood, Nancy R. (2003, June). Work/life balance: challenges and solutions – 2003 Research Quarterly. HR Magazine, Retrieved March 27, 2007, from http://findarticles. com/p/articles/mi_m3495/is_6_48/ai_102946878 (Lockwood, 2003)

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Initial Public Offering Essay

Introduction To get a small business to be successful increase must occur. Increase in a company sometimes happens either by funding through debt or equity. IPO’s can be quite useful in the strong growth of a company and are extremely complicated involving many crucial role players. We shall additionally insure the dangers involved with creating an IPO and how safety regulations offer with. Additionally an problem which will increased variable to the IPO of a worldwide business is going to function as the problem of foreign currency exchange rates. These rates may also be mentioned and how they could be coped with. Role of Investment Banker and Underwriter The part of the investment banker and underwriter demands the 2 to work and perform as a team for the business they’re representing and also the traders they’re encouraging to put money into the first stock offering of a brand new public company. An Investment Banker is a tactical adviser to the managing of a business on a wide range of fiscal issues. As a way to offer the proper guidance to some business it really is critical the investment banker has a comprehensive knowledge of the tactical initiatives and directives of the corporation. The investment banker functions closely with sales along with the underwriters in this regard. Moreover, the investment banker is endeavor with making certain all legal, bookkeeping and regulatory files are ready and filed so. The Underwriter accounts for the sales of stock a company gives in its initial public offering (IPO). As suggested, the underwriter works closely with all the investment banker along with the business in creating the cost  of the primary stock offered. The crucial is the evaluation of the inventory to be certain it is just not exceptionally over or under priced to be able to market successful to any or all kinds of investors. For their providers, the underwriters are compensated a charge for marketing the inventory and so are incented to be sure there are purchasers for the accessible shares. Those shares more than these sold are bought by the investment company. Originating house and syndicate In the IPO to get a international business, the business that handles the underwriting is known as the originating residence (Mayo, 2012). These businesses have bought the securities from an organization that is attempting to improve capital and after that searches to offer the lists to the public. The entire process of selling these securities isn’t always managed by one business. Together, the brokerage companies underwrite the firm’s offerings and offer them to the public. The edges of numerous businesses joining together to fingers the sale of a organizations offering is more accessibility to possible buyers also in addition it reduces the quantity of securities each business must sell. The dispersing of the selling procedure reduces the chance for every business involved with the method. Pricing the offering When establishing costs for securities, there are various variables which affect the purchase price. Prior to listing a certain cost, underwriters should conduct numerous study of info through the enterprise to learn exactly what the greatest for the business. There are frequently times when costs may be at an wrong sum which may possess an adverse effect on exactly what the business was wanting to be successful. When a cost is a lot higher, it may create a business possess a monetary weight. In circumstances like this, there are a few alternatives in marketing the securities. â€Å"The expense bankers got two alternatives: (1) to keep the offer price and also to hold the securities in stock till they’re sold, or (2) to allow the marketplace find a lesser price level which will get investors to buy the securities.† In addition, in the event the securities can be purchased to get a lesser cost compared to the business could overlook the chance to reach any profits. Risks in the public offering As a way to create a public offering in order to get a business in order to get the required resources to be able to enlarge numerous important variables come into play with securities regulations and the way you need to work within these regulations. In the event you should happen to make an unregistered offering because there is nothing demonstrating them to what they were getting in to plus they may be purchasing soil in the air current, now filing with all the Securities and Exchange Commission makes folks whose cash you seek sense a little more relaxed and they’re more at prepared to spend money on the community providing. We’d also need to determine just how much capital we were searching to lift as we need to enroll that as well revealing the would be investor simply how much cash we were seeking in the 12-month interval, the guidelines we adopted would restrict the sum we’re able to receive and indicate to traders what we were searching for. In the event the principles weren’t in location together with the SEC firms would venture out and oversell alternatives in their own public offerings and folks could be stuck with only luck of the draw on what was going on using their investing. The rules are made to indicate to potential investors precisely what the firm is attempting to do and be able to provide the investor the very best opportunity at producing a profit. Foreign exchange risks The money rate for global funds transforms daily. In case the rate of exchange should happen to choose a steep fall throughout the IPO procedure, subsequently the level of funds the business is expecting to increase might not be satisfied. This situation may likewise alter the promotion efforts of the broker to the market securities to the public. In case the exchange-rate becomes too large to buy the securities, traders might be taken back from the added cost linked to the rates of exchange for the correct money. Conversely, rates of exchange which are radically lower may entice investors to the IPO due to the sensed deal linked to the purchase of the organization’s securities. To battle this kind of predicament in explosive exchange rates, setting an IPO in nation with like money rates as the corporation’s home land or running the raising of money in states using a  steady history of rates of exchange. Conclusion There are lots of advantages of forming an IPO or going community. Forming an IPO can assist a small business raise big levels of money and open more chances for increase in the company. To ensure an IPO works along with the first sales of the company’s shares is large, the crucial players for example the underwriters as well as the originating house should be included of experienced investors. Understanding as much as you can regarding the foreign currency exchange rates in the nations where the first shares will probably be sold to the general public is crucial to get a small business. Satisfactorily supervising and managing all those regions may help mitigate a big part of danger related to an IPO which will in turn, ensure the IPO is profitable creating high discuss costs and sales. Reference Mayo, H. B. (2012). Basic Finance. An Introduction to Financial Institutions, Investments, and Management (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. http://econintersect.com/b2evolution/blog1.php/2014/09/29/educating-investors-about-investing-in-unregistered-securities-offerings-under-regulation-d-of-the-securities-act

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Hierarchies, Incentives and Firm Structure Essay

Hierarchies, Incentives and Firm Structure - Essay Example They suggest that it contains the majority of elements that a partnership has only that it defines the period that it will end. However, joint ventures have been said to have their own predicaments. This paper describes the joint venture of SynChem and Henlin Biotech in utilizing their power in chemical research in technologically upgrading the chemical industry in China. This happened after SynChem had submitted their first application for a patent after discovering the linker technology anti-body drug conjugate (ADC) (Cheng, p.76). The paper additionally describes the benefits and/or problems that all of one of the participants in the joint venture. Finally, it discusses how the joint venture could be set up in such a way so that it still produces the potential benefits but avoids some of the pitfalls inherent in such projects. 2.0 Benefits and Pitfalls The chairman, president and other esteemed guests from Henlin Biotech visited the offices of SynChem with an intention of negotiat ing a joint venture with the company on upgrading the chemical industry in China. These visitors said that by combining their capabilities in research, both companies would greatly benefit in modernizing or upgrading their technologies. There are numerous benefits or pitfalls that such a joint venture may encounter during the course of executing business. The companies in the joint venture may benefit by making local contacts with people who have a greater understanding of the problems that technology is having within the Chinese chemical industry (Ekvall & Evan, p.90). These local contacts may help the companies in building closer relationships with other players in the industry who may bring in additional information and resources for the benefit of the joint venture. Both of these parties that are involved in the joint venture may in turn gain experience on the matters affecting the industry in addition to becoming more familiar the rules or practices used within the Chinese chem ical industry (Bouchikhi & Kimberly, p.112). The joint venture that SynChem and Henlin Biotech are into will greatly benefit both companies that have combined their talents along with resources for achieving their objectives (Cheng, p.88). This is mainly because the companies will be able to pool together their individual workforces, equipment, finances and expertise in overcoming any risks that they may encounter in the industry. Both of the companies in the joint venture may also be able to obtain additional capital sources for facilitating their activities. Their joint venture will enable them to have stronger capital bases from which they can draw finances, additional cash or contributions on their capital from the shareholders within them (Hamilton & Zhang, p.165). The move would greatly enable them in preventing shortages of cash which may hamper their activities or the profitable completion of their projects. The companies within this joint venture which are SynChem and Henli n may additionally benefit through their increased bidding powers and bonding capacities. The companies combined efforts may assist them in attaining more powers when making bids in future projects. This is because the companies in the joint venture may have an extra ability of raising the resources and finances required to complete various projects (Campbell, p.87). Since SynChem is more experienced and

Friday, September 27, 2019

Legalisation of Sex Work Outline Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Legalisation of Sex Work - Outline Example The Policing and Crime Act 2009 delineates stringent liability offence criminalising customers of sex workers that are subjected to mistreatment. These provisions were intended to decrease demand for sex workers, hence associated human trafficking. The Policing and Crime Act 2009 further introduced soliciting offences in Northern Ireland, Wales, and England. The legislation, therefore, prohibits imploring a person in public places like streets and parks to get sexual services from the individual as a sex worker. Law in Netherlands Criminal Code 8, a legislative piece that banned brothels, was lifted in the year 2000. The lift made way for regulation of sex work under both labour and administrative laws. This ban lift also made it possible for the government to treat sex work as ordinary labour. The Dutch Penal Code also ceased to treat prostitution by adult males or females as a crime following the landmark 2000 change. This applies provided the sex worker consents to the transaction . This implies that it is legal for a person to operate a prostitution business, as long as it involves consenting adults aged 18 and above. The current legislative piece 273f CC9 deems certain elements of sex work criminal. These include violence or threat of aggression, coercion, deception, and abuse of power regarding both recruitment and working conditions. These elements, combined with undesirable forms of sex work like involuntary sexual exploitation of minors, are more strictly penalised under the current law in Netherlands.

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Morality of punishment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Morality of punishment - Essay Example It is important to note that punishment should not be used as to serve an example but as fitting and appropriate for a criminal action. In any criminal proceeding, there is the burden of proof which most often falls upon the victim. It is known that in many circumstances hatred and thoughts of revenge are acceptable in the most heinous of criminal acts (Murphy). In questions of morality, we must examine the victim’s response to the action; does this response indicate to us some degree of what the victim has suffered in order to determine an appropriate deterring punishment? Victim hatred in most cases would lead the justice system more towards a retributive system and in securing these interests more libertarian beliefs may allow for social contractors to maintain a system of revenge beyond what is allowed. Herbert Morris is grounded in his belief that we have the right to punish as well as the criminal right to be punished (Morris). In claiming the right to be free we are in as much agreeing to the doctrines and laws that must followed in order to allow one to remain free. This paper will review and discuss some of the morality issues, questions, and beliefs concerning punishment from several angles. Morality of Punishment To distinguish punishment as an entity that is well defined and definitive is impossible. It is thought by Hegel that free will is such a thing that can have visible existence though it is realized only in the moment or instance that it is manifested; such as in violent actions, force, or in the decision to devoid other’s rights (Hegel, p 87, 2001). Free will is something considered destroyed by violent actions and a principle that is canceled by violence. It is the nature of the human mind to value honor above most other attributes. Kant states that those who commit murder should be inflicted the ultimate punishment of death yet in opposition of this humanity asserts that any capital punishment is wrongful and violates a conta ct of justice and civil behavior (Kant, & Gregor). Punishment is not suffered because one has willed it to be so; rather the individual has willed a punishable action. Crime is a negative judgment in its complete sense; while the right to injure is available, the consequences and punishments are defined. Injury is a right of the criminal and the expression of their inherent will demonstrates the freedom and liberties that are granted (Hegel) It is both reasonable and just that punishments are established and connected with violations of the rights of others (Morris). Those who violate established rules have renounced self-control or self-restraints. It is seen by some that Americans may do as they please provided there is no one willing or able to prove that their actions are fundamentally wrong. This creates situations where victims fall prey to the system and are accounted for by the burden of proof. This in itself constitutes the re-victimizing of a victim. Are criminals granted the right to be protected and shielded from the potential hate and desire for strong revenge from victims? Is this a constitutional or fundamental right that should be ensured in severe cases of victimization? Are victims expected to show little emotion, anger, rage or hatred towards their violator? (Murphy) Those intent on arguing against hatred and rage will state the emotions involved in these situations are

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

As It Is in Heaven Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

As It Is in Heaven - Essay Example At the beginning, the presence of the church environment gives an assumption that everything is going well in this society. It is not until every individual’s privacy is revealed that the viewer realizes that family issues are a society planning issues that has remained largely unresolved. When Daniel sought refuge in his home village, he is received by a church minister who hands him a bible. Daniel is used to capitalistic life in town, and he tries to shun social life as seen when he turned down the minister’s invitation to a diner. However, the pressure from the church choir and music in him is too high and he accepts to join and train the choir members. The armature singers use the music to placate their familial challenges. In their chapter seven article Massey and Denton (1993) start by quoting Pam Grier who analyzes that people are hopeless in the society because their daily lives are challenging, hence prompting them to go to some sort of entertainment. In this film, music is the outlet that the choir members chose to indulge in to release their live stresses. David teaches them how to sing as they listen to their hearts, how to perfect their vocals and how to cooperate and not compete in their common endeavors. This goal is of great importance because it symbolizes the way family institution should function in the society. It is a contrast of how the families in the movie have been operating and how women have been enduring their problems. For instance, Daniel is caught in a web of attention when several women from the choir start competing for his attention. His attention was caught by Lena, a young attractive girl in the choir. As their love grows, the personal problems of the other choir members confront him. This is a microcosmic example of the family issues in the society. For example, Inger the minister’s wife also secretly admires Daniels because she is sexually repressed. The woman is enduring a failed sexual relationship w ith her husband. This is a depiction of how the church has failed to plan family matters. The extreme of this irony is when the church minister becomes jealous when the choir starts succeeding. He is threatened by the unity and the zeal of the choir. He tries to shatter their dreams but he failed and this failure leads to his ultimate nervous breakdown. Daniel engages the choir members into lessons that liberate them, and the first person to be set free is the minister’s wife. Inger later goes to her husband and tells him that she no longer believes in sin. She claimed that their marriage is spoilt by the religion, which was brought to the community by outsiders. Gabriella is a highly talented singer in the choir, but her husband always batters her and the village is not concerned; everyone is minding his own business. It was Gabriella’s husband, Connie who schooled with Daniel and drove Daniel out of the village. Connie is later left by his wife and he blames Daniel a nd the choir for influencing his wife wrongly. He attacks and assaults Daniel, an act that sends him to jail. Individual freedom and the society relation with members The movie gives an excellent depiction of how individual freedom is compromized by the society members. At the beginning of the movie, the viewer meets Daniel who has already returned to his village after

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Wk4Dis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Wk4Dis - Assignment Example he tasks and resources needed to realize the strategic goals, budget planning details how the resources will be acquired and distributed across the various tasks and departments. Therefore, budget planning helps the organization realize the tasks that are detailed in the operational plan by allocating human and financial resources. Budget thus planning helps the organization prioritize the activities included in the operation plan based on the required resources and expected returns. Since system thinking is a holistic approach in understanding the organization, it helps improve operation decision making by examining the interactions between various parts of the organization. It helps show how a change in one section will affect other sections in the organization, thereby allowing for well informed decision making. For example, through the system thinking approach, an organization will understand which areas modifications need to be made. In addition, system thinking allows for an organization make decisions that tackle the specific cause of a problem or specific areas where the problem lies since the entire system is analyzed. Deliberate strategies involve the set of intended actions that are taken after careful planning and deliberation. Deliberate strategies require that actions undertaken are not influenced by external forces, and must be accomplished as originally earlier agreed. For example, as noted in the article by Moore (2011), deliberate strategies are formulated based on a preexisting model that is made to fit the organization or industry. Emergent strategies on the other hand are those decisions taken and adapted over time and are not intended. This involves the organization understanding what best works in practice, and such actions are not pre-planned. Emergent strategies are useful in a future strategic planning process because they help the organization when plans fail. These strategies help the organization cope with unexpected events or

Monday, September 23, 2019

Feasibility Experimental Research and Bias pertaining to a Hypothesis Essay

Feasibility Experimental Research and Bias pertaining to a Hypothesis - Essay Example It has been suggested that the use of human growth hormone therapy (HGHT) helps among other things to reduce body fat, give higher energy levels, enhance the strength of bones and enhance sexual performance among the old population among other benefits (Artwelle, 2008, 67). Today, the use human growth hormone in treating adults has been approved in many countries and the obtained results have been shown it to be popularly effective. The effectiveness of human growth hormone therapy in treating age related illnesses has however been questioned by many including researchers and practical patients. This sets the basis for the first hypothesis that the paper aims to prove; that human growth hormone therapy is not as effective as many clinical experiments have indicated. Further, it can be argued that many people are reluctant to use the therapy to treat their age related illnesses and thus the second hypothesis that as age increases, many patients are reluctant to use HGHT to solve their health problems. To test the first hypothesis, experimental study design will be used to test the variables with the dependent variable here been the type of age related illness and the independent variable been the effectiveness of HGHT in treating the particular illness. ... Simple random criteria will be used in selecting the participants from a population of two hundred patients. For one to be considered as a potential participants, he or she must be above the specified age limit, be suffering from a given age related illness and be willing to participate in the study. Here, the type of age related illness will not be a major determining factor though the patients must be suffering from diseases that are claimed to be potentially healed through HGHM. The methodology to be used in testing this hypothesis will incorporate statistical tests and in particular the Z-test in which case statistical calculations will be carried out based on the results obtained. In this case, significance level of 0. 05 will be assumed and where the z-score assumes a negative value, the hypothesis will be discarded as null or void (Rand, 2005, 231). Testing the first hypothesis is however susceptible to participants' bias as participants may give false or contradicting results. For example, where the health problem is decreased sexual activity, an old person may lie about his sexual participation due to shyness or other factors. To avoid or mitigate this bias, only individuals with testable illnesses will be selected to participate and the success or failure of the therapy will be recorded at minimal time intervals preferably after every fifteen days. To test the second hypothesis, observation study design will be used in which case interaction with the selected population will be relied in giving concrete results. In this case, research assistance will be contracted to interact with the chosen participants drawn from a population of age bracket of between 35 and 79 years.

Sunday, September 22, 2019

John Updike`s A&P Essay Example for Free

John Updike`s AP Essay â€Å"A P† is first-person narrative revealing the delusively ordinary story related by the checkout boy in the grocery store named in the title. In â€Å"A P† the first-person narrator is defined largely by his tone and vocabulary. Updike molds his protagonist through the use of specific writing style, thus Sammy is casual and colloquial. The customers in his grocery are referred to as â€Å"the sheep† the commonness of which has been one day disturbed by the appearance of a sexually uninhibited, young ladies in bathing suits. Surveying the three girls as they wander the aisles, Sammy describes the girls, and here Updike’s style is prolifically intoxicated with the description of the girls with the flights of slang language, trying to show why these teenagers deserve the sacrifice: chunky with â€Å"a sweet broad soft-looking can†, breasts, on the other hand, become â€Å"two smooth scoops of vanilla†, the shoulder bones become â€Å"dented sheet of metal tilted in the light†. Besides, Sammy’s narration is lard with the discourse markers that make his flow of narration softer and folksy: â€Å"kind of jerk†; â€Å"she kind of led them†; â€Å"she had sort of oaky hair† The colloquial style is expressed not only in the vocabulary of the protagonist but in the violated sentence structures. Updikes uniqueness lies in his process of detachment. Coming in adjective or adverb modifiers rather than main sentence elements, the ironic posture emerges without affecting plot: â€Å"and a tall one, with black hair that hadnt quite frizzed right, and one of these sunburns right across under the eyes, and a chin that was too longyou know, the kind of girl other girls think is very â€Å"striking† and â€Å"attractive† but never quite makes it, as they very well know, which is why they like her so much† Not rare are also broken structures like: â€Å"She had on a kind of dirty-pinkbeige maybe, I dont knowbathing suit†, or â€Å"The sheep pushing their carts down the aislethe girls were walking against the usual traffic (not that we have one-way signs or anything)were pretty hilarious. † The story is presented through the present-tense narration. Such choice of grammar technique imparts narration the sense of immediacy, makes it a chronicle of one event, so that reader feels as if he himself is a witness of that event. â€Å"IN WALKS these three girls in nothing but bathing suits†, â€Å"The girls, and whod blame them, are in a hurry to get out, †, â€Å"Lengel sighs and begins to look very patient and old and gray. † Updikes striking adjectives appear often: â€Å"kind of dirty-pinkbeige maybe†, â€Å"chubby berry-face†, â€Å"long white prima-donna legs†, â€Å"the cat-and-dog-food-breakfastcereal-macaroni-rice-raisins-seasonings-spreadsspaghetti-soft-drinks-crackers-and-cookies aisle†; Their intrusiveness increases and besides literary irony, they produce an ambiguity of intent or author’s attitude (hence diction) in his story, which is matched somewhat by unexpected metaphors or visual comparisons, like â€Å"two smoothest scoops of vanilla†, â€Å"outside the sunshine is skating around on the asphalt outside the sunshine is skating around on the asphalt†, â€Å"his back [was] stiff, as if hed just had an injection of iron†. All of these figures, although appropriate functionally to the text, often call attention to themselves and piece out Updike’s style. Updike, John (1962) Pigeon Feathers, and Other Stories. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Gleaning Rich Insights from Works of Literature Tackling Fatherhood Essay Example for Free

Gleaning Rich Insights from Works of Literature Tackling Fatherhood Essay Reading works of literature by different authors on a common topic broadens our understanding about human nature, cultures and history. Poetry that expresses angsts and pangs, or exalt the beauty or of things around us, in forceful language or elevated style like the lyric poem, can be an enriching experience. Watching or reading a play can likewise be an inspirational experience. Indeed, there is a variety of meanings, sentiments, and even moral lessons that unravel to readers exploring poetry and play focused on a central unifying theme. This paper presents six types of fatherhood types as gleaned from five poems and one play: (a) the grieving father, (b) the despised father, (c) the hardworking but detached father, (d) the itinerant far-off dad, (e) the involved father, and (e) the deadbeat dad. The selected works of literature all say something about the human experience, motivation, and condition, with special focus on the overwhelming father-child bond. While all of them are created in thought-provoking manner and are replete with figurative language, taking the reader on a journey and letting various insights linger in the memory, they differ in their approaches. In effect, the different perspectives on fatherhood are crystallized into an integrated idea with a richer context. â€Å"On My First Son† by Ben Jonson has an opening line that reflects a father’s deep melancholy and anguish as he mourns what most people may consider to be their greatest loss: the death of one’s own child. When Jonson writes, â€Å"Farewell, thou child of my right hand, and joy† (Ciuraru 191), there is heartfelt grief as he shares a painful loss. The use of the word thou, oftentimes used in formal religious context as prayers, adds impact because it conjures an image of a father paying his last respects to his young son. The last few lines which echo the poet’s relief that his son has escaped the trials and tribulations of this world (Ciuraru 191) point to how the author attempts to soothe his intense pain and reflects his acceptance of his son’s fate as well. On the other hand, â€Å"Daddy† by Sylvia Plath speaks from a daughter’s point of view for a father who has passed away. It has a somber and dark mood and the feelings of intense hatred and betrayal are shown in the very selection of words and imagery. â€Å"Perhaps no poem is as explicit and powerful as Sylvia Plath’s `Daddy,’ which describes an idealized yet oppressive father, one whom the speaker rejects with a resounding, forceful brutality† (Ciuraru 14). Parental relations, as most psychoanalysts may confirm, carries over into one’s adult relationships, and this was clearly the case with Sylvia Plath. During her childhood, she lost her father, Otto Plath, to complications from surgery following a leg amputation (Martin, para. 1) and this, along with her memories of feeling smothered and betrayed, appeared to have left an imprint on her. Plath uses metaphors, notably a shoe to describe her father, and herself as the foot that is in some way trapped in the shoe, to express just how suffocated and oppressed she felt. As many who are familiar with Sylvia Plath’s life would know, the talented writer had a tumultuous relationship with her poet-husband Ted Hughes, and â€Å"personal jealousies, differences in American and British views of gender roles, and a return of Sylvias depression complicated the Plath-Hughes marriage† (Martin, para. 8) and she makes references to how her very life was sucked out of her the way a vampire drinks the blood of its captive, in her poem. In the 15th stanza, she states: If Ive killed one man, Ive killed two The vampire who said he was you And drank my blood for a year, (Barnet 703) There are many other figures of speech, including similes, rhyming and tone, that helpfully lend emphasis and effectively transport readers to a time when people felt quite shackled by parental authority and were powerless to do something about it. Plath’s poem ends with a sense of closure, nonetheless, reflecting her resolve to take matters into her own hands. As for â€Å"Those Winter Sundays† by Robert Hayden, the specific use of figurative language effectively highlights the hardworking but detached type of father that many of us may be familiar with. Upon reading the poem in its entirety, one senses a certain remoteness shown by the father, or as perceived by the son from his father. The first line in the second stanza, which says: â€Å"I’d wake and hear the cold splintering, breaking† creates a mental picture in the reader’s mind, through poetic devices like rhyme and assonance or the use of long vowel sounds to slightly slow down the poem for emphasis. The reader also senses that cold refers not just to the weather but to the feeling that envelops the son as he rouses himself from slumber and faces his father. Hayden also places specific words at the beginning of his lines to give it focus and importance. The very last line in the poem which describes love as being austere is an indirect acknowledgment that love dwells even in a home where the patriarch rules in an authoritarian or a cold, forbidding way. The very first stanza also reveals that the father is very hardworking and sacrifices his own physical well-being for his family’s sake, but gets no appreciation for his efforts and dogged determination to carry out his parental duties. Another poem, â€Å"My Father in the Navy: A Childhood Memory† by Judith Ortiz Cofer speaks of a daughter’s longing for a father who is busy working in distant shores. The reader gleans how the poet’s career Navy father requires him to be apart from his family for considerable lengths of time. As such, the speaker in the poem aptly phrases the love, intense longing, as well as pride for the traveling father who looked â€Å"stiff and immaculate in the white cloth of his uniform and a round cap on his head like a halo† (Barnet 727) in such creative and vivid manner: His homecomings were the verses we composed over the years making up the siren’s song that kept him coming back from the bellies of iron whales and into our nights like the evening prayer. (Barnet 727) The author’s use of simile, personification and metaphor, among other literary devices, added to delivering a poem with grace and impact. The poem, in effect, strikes a resonant chord among readers who, at some point in their live, have had to be apart from a beloved father or father figure, and fully know what it is like to celebrate their return. The poem, â€Å"A Parental Ode to my Son, Aged Three Years and Five Months† by Thomas Hood conveys the vulnerability of the new and involved father. This special father-child bond is written about only on few occasions by a handful of writers seeking to dwell on such topic. The first few lines of the poem, which contains metaphors, mirrors the unrestrained happiness and amusement of the father for his toddler. His lines, like â€Å"Thou happy, happy elf! Thou tiny image of myself! Thou merry, laughing sprite! † (Klein 109) are punctuated by asides that let readers experience his joy. The poet also juxtaposes poetic verses with a very fatherly voice describing a much-loved child. Aside from the use of rhythm and rhyme, Thomas Hood likewise uses other figures of speech like similes and alliteration to express his terms of endearment for his young son. Another work of literature, the well-known â€Å"Death of a Salesman† by Arthur Miller, has a common thread that ties it to the five poems explored in this paper, in that it revolves around the life and dreams of a main character who happens to be a father. Willy Lohan, the salesman, represents the dog-tired father who has worked all his life to provide for his family’s needs (Williams 51), and nurtures big dreams for his sons, but the demands of fatherhood have drained him. Though his mental faculties appear to be failing him and one of his sons tends to belittle him and finds him off-track, his all-consuming fatherly concern is unassailable. Referring to his son Biff, whom he mistakenly hopes will follow in his footsteps, Willy says, â€Å"That boy’s going to be magnificent† (Williams 79) reflecting a father’s immense pride and rosy hopes for his son, even if he had been a bum for years. Readers of the play, with its timeless theme of reaching for one’s dreams, will attest to the great impact of this piece of literature. As one of them said, â€Å"Reading drama was far more enigmatic than reading prose fiction† (Oates, par. 4). All the works of literature studied here contain immense value, not just for their stylistic accomplishments and the succinct voicing of themes that are usually treated in traditional or melodramatic fashion without the rich context. Compared to the portrayal of fathers in other non-literary media like movies or television, poetry and plays rely heavily on figurative language that help elevate the experience for readers, and underscore life lessons, while bringing to readers’ minds their own poignant family experiences. The language and literary devices contribute much to a broader understanding of the subject matter. Analyzing a group of poems and a play bordering on the same subject showed that gathering different points of view or interpretations, reflecting various angles, leads to a clearer and more comprehensive study. Works Cited Barnet, Sylvan, et al. An Introduction to Literature. 14th ed. New York: Longman, 2005. Ciuraru, Carmela, ed. Poems About Fathers.. New York: Random House, Inc. , 2007. Klein, Patricia, ed. Treasury of Year-round Poems. New York: Random House, Inc. , 2006. Martin â€Å"Two Views of Plaths Life and Careerby Linda Wagner-Martin and Anne Stevenson. † Modern American Poetry Home. 1994. 11 May 2008 http://www. english. uiuc. edu/maps/poets/m_r/plath/twoviews. htm. Oates, Joyce Carol. â€Å"Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman: A Celebration. † Weblog entry. Celestial Timepiece: A Joyce Carol Oates Home Page. 11 May 2008 http://www. usfca. edu/~southerr/arthurmiller. html. Williams, Liza M. , and Kent Paul. Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman Book Notes. New York: Barrons Educational Series, 1984.

Friday, September 20, 2019

Personal Leadership Skills Analysis

Personal Leadership Skills Analysis For this essay I have audited my leadership skills using theoretical models and referred to specific situations and experiences. This encompasses personal, academic and professional reflections and explores opportunities for my career paths and personal development with an Action Plan for the future. This has required critical evaluation of my own development needs in light of my own aspirations, establishing an understanding of my transferrable skills and how these can be enhanced. For this I have considered situations in which my leadership traits, styles and skills have been utilised to help create successful outcomes. Background My career path has involved working closely with and taking an interest in people, both clients and colleagues alike. In developing my management skills, I am continually pursuing further ways of improving the effectiveness of these interactions which is immensely rewarding for me. On leaving school, my first employment was within the travel industry. From the outset, I sought to improve skills and enjoyed the challenge of meeting the needs of customers, budgetary targets, training of staff, problem solving, through to the opening and management of a travel agency branch several years later. Apart from the GCSE qualifications gained at school, any further academic or professional learning has been gained whilst in employment. The skills and achievements in my personal life are equally transferrable to my work life. For example, as Chairman of a genealogical society for several years and public speaking engagements both serve as reminders that I have organisational, research and presentation abilities which I can and should be utilising and developing along my career path. I am a prison officer and, three years ago, I learnt that my establishment was funding a Foundation Degree in Offender Management. My initial reaction was one of excitement as I had, for several years, considered some form of Higher Education by way of personal and professional development, but had never explored the options. It was a source of immense satisfaction to pass the course and achieve Distinction grade. My learning journey, experiences and personal developments, undertaken in the last three years, would take more than the word count of this essay allows, yet there are key points to reflect on in order to analyse my own leadership skills and continue their development. Theoretical Models and Personal Experience of Reflection in my Professional Development: From my earliest days in retail employment, then Care Work and on to prison officer, I have been fascinated by people and behaviour. Working alongside others, as well as empowering and training gives me great personal and professional satisfaction. Using reflective models such as Gibbs (1998), shown in Appendix III, I came to realise that how I interpret situations influences my interactions with others. As I will illustrate, this relates directly to my personality style and how I manage people and situations. Linked to this is the importance I place on how I am viewed by others and naturally seek collaborative and open relationships. Many of these values are found in Carnegie (1938), listed in Appendix I. The Study Skills Self-Assessment which I completed on 23 October 2007 (Appendix II) highlighted three main employability skills I need to develop as: Improving own learning and performance Application of number (data collection and interpretation) Information and technology proficiency Alongside these, to develop, are my personal attributes of Self confidence Flexibility and adaptability Judgement In this assessment I also reflected on my own specific weaknesses which include being too self-critical and not praising my own achievements enough which can affect my ability to be objective about my performance. I have a strong underpinning need to defend others and leap to their rescue which I have come to see as a hindrance to my own development and of those I seek to help. This is a particularly important area for me to address as future management roles will require me to allow others to take their own personal responsibility and only offer guidance as appropriate. This rescuer style is schema-related and I have considered schema theory and how this applies to me. Beck, (1967:233), described a schema as ..a cognitive structure for screening, coding, and evaluating the stimuli that impinge  on the organism. In short, schemas are the filters or core beliefs we have about ourselves or the world around us which influence how we interpret different situations in our lives. The nature of the work I do in offender rehabilitation requires me to undertake regular de-briefing, supervision, yearly health reviews and bi-monthly counselling. This, together with schema theory and other therapy models I use with prisoners, which I have also applied to myself, means I spend a lot of time being introspective and sharing reflections with colleagues. This helps define practical steps for a successful future but also enables me to gain wider perspectives in understanding, leading and managing others with a range of resources and situational analysis capabilities. Whereas, in the past and even recently, I have questioned the decision making processes of management, this has reshaped into a desire to gain a holistic overview of the work environment. Understanding the way we think and manage ourselves and others has been an important facet of my learning over the last three years. Straker (2008) who expands on the work of Gardner (2006) was helpful in appreciating that how we interact with people, at all levels, and is crucial for self development. Overcoming objections to understanding others, for fear that this might disprove our own theories about ourselves and the world are key hurdles of which I must continually be mindful. Negative experiences in this have resulted in an unhealthy view of the workplace but, as I said earlier, the benefits of a more engaging view have proved beneficial in my work and personal well being. As well as using Gibbs Reflective Cycle (1998), Kolb (1984) also helped me to evaluate experiences and test hypotheses but I did not find it took me to the point of action whereas Gibbs sets out the plan for ongoing development which is crucial for me so as not to remain procrastinating. Moon (2004) has been a useful resource on reflective practice, reminding me that reflection is not just important in itself, but must also lead to positive change, In observing what gets in the way, rather than being stuck in analysis, to move beyond and set goals for positive development has been essential learning for me and has been a surprising benefit which I had not expected several years ago. Leadership Employability Skills I recently completed an Employability Skills self assessment exercise which we first undertook in the first semester of the Foundation Degree. On doing this, I compared the results from the two. It was encouraging that one of my main developments appears to have been in problem solving and I consider my Higher Education studies over the last three years as contributing to my deeper analysing abilities. In light of earlier descriptions of my learning journey and reflective logs, it is gratifying to see that I have come a long way in, not only overcoming my own obstacles to learning, but making measured and significant achievement which then enables me to guide others in their roles. Among the key learning experiences for me, alongside the above, are a recognition of the roles of others, networking and effective communication. My career path has involved working closely with and taking an interest in people, both clients and colleagues alike. This was particularly apparent when I recently updated my Curriculum Vitae (Appendix IV), which was last compiled almost fifteen years ago. In developing my management skills throughout my degree studies, I have discovered further ways of improving the effectiveness of these interactions which is immensely rewarding for me. Through networking with management and departments for resources on researching prison policy, security and management skills, I am now feeling positive and motivated to succeed in career development. Not only is this important from a practical, self-development perspective, but also the fulfilling sense of achievement this will bring. Until recently, I was Supervisor of the Core Sex Offender Treatment Programme which was an important role in developing my leadership skills, promoting staff well-being as well as guiding staffs professional development. Another important aspect of this was to remain flexible yet consistent in balancing these needs whilst focussing on the goals of the establishment Business Plan and Key Performance Target (KPT) priorities. This mirrors Handy (1987) who argues for such flexibility in his Trust Control Theory. I find myself taking the opportunity to develop the skills of others very seriously and is personally rewarding and empowering. The values I attribute to this mirror those of Kandola and Fullerton (1994) in their Mosaic Vision which I have included in Appendix V. In Transactional Analysis Theory (Bern, 1961), every individuals personality is made up of three parts Parent, Adult and Child. An assessment of my own revealed a predominantly Nurturing Parent relationship style which is immensely rewarding personally, but can prove emotionally draining and is not without its practical problems. However, developing assertiveness skills in establishing my own identity and skills base has the benefit of overcoming any negative rumination and keeps lines of communication open. An example of achieving this was in challenging my line manager over my yearly performance review where I was rated Achieved and not Exceeded which I felt was deserved. I could have overlooked this and ruminated unhelpfully, believing him to be responsible for not recognising my achievements, but chose instead to manage my manager and argued my case. I found the www.h2training.com website interesting which had useful strategies for reminding me how to maintain my own degree of self-determination. Quoting from this site: Its unreasonable to expect your manager to be entirely responsible for accelerating your career: ultimately, its your own responsibility. Remember that an expectation is also resentment waiting to happen, and it is very difficult to hide resentment. http://h2training.com/managing_manager_tips.html [accessed November 2010] Suffice to say, my performance record was amended accordingly. I recently had to step down from Sex Offender Treatment work which I found difficult to accept. I, therefore, reappraised my personal development and used reflective skills (Kolb, 1984 and Beck 1967) to help evaluate the experiences and to understand how I was interpreting them. By doing this, I was able to negotiate a role within the drugs support team after originally being offered an office based assessment position which I would have found unfulfilling. Indeed, on reflection, assertiveness and negotiation are two core management attributes which are now part of my skills set. Drawing together the range of experience and interests I have enjoyed over successive years keeps me, first and foremost, actively engaged in working for and alongside others. My role as a drugs support worker requires the key skills I possess with the realisation and expectation that they can be further developed with a particular emphasis on evaluating the management requirements of this work. This is encouraging and, in this period of change, I have come to realise the importance of job satisfaction as a key motivator for me. An important element of my professional life is to uphold personal and corporate values of decency and ethical practice including cultural diversity. I was pleased to be able to highlight these values in my Diversity Foundation Degree project from January 2009 where I made recommendations for valuing the diversity of staff and prisoners and improving ethical practice in Programmes Awareness training at Full Sutton. This was well received by the treatment management team resulting in the training being strengthened in this area. On sharing the findings of my Transactional Analysis with a work colleague, my nurturing parent style was acknowledged and confirmed through my perceived empathic nature. In looking at my management style, it is important that I maintain a balance between this and being careful not to go into White Knight schema-driven mode, where I need to defend others at all costs. Developing a style which cares for others yet enables them to function on their own merits allows me to function better as a genuinely caring person in my work and as a leader. Maslows Hierarchy of Needs theory (1943), reminds me that my own needs count as well as those of other people. In other words, putting other people first all the time is detrimental to my own well-being and valuing myself is, in itself, a key assertiveness skill. I continually remind myself of the announcements on aircraft during safety briefings where, in the event of oxygen masks being deployed, you are instructed to put your own on first before aiding anyone else. If you dont, you might pass out beforehand and then no one is saved. Critically evaluating My Leadership and Management Style Some years ago, a colleague of mine who has since retired, told me his thoughts on a particular Senior Manager. He used a phrase which, though meant in a derogatory sense, I have never forgotten. He said ..as a leader of men, I would only follow him out of curiosity. This colleague had spent many distinguished years in the Armed Services as a Regimental Sergeant Major and had been in the Prison Service for around 15 years. He had, therefore, some considerable experience of different management and leadership styles. Using established theory I continually analyse my own strengths and weaknesses in areas of leadership and management. Fayol (1916) highlighted five commons elements of management which are essential to the role. These include the ability to look to the future, to be organised and co-ordinate the organisational objectives, leading (though he defined it as commanding which is unhelpfully autocratic) and, finally, to control the above elements using all means at his or her disposal. Whilst this was written at the beginning of the last century, the basic tenets of management Fayol lists are still valid though ones own personality also engenders an effective workforce which can achieve results. The latter is personally important as I seek to have followers rather than delegates and makes me, as a manager, more of a leader. I recently completed the Myers Briggs Personality Type Questionnaire. Having done this a couple of years ago, I decided to redo this using an internet-based assessment resource (www.teamtechnology.co.uk) [accessed 15 September 2010], which produced a comprehensive 200 page report. Summary in Appendix VI The results proved very interesting and formed a cohesive assessment which affirmed the beliefs about my personality and leadership attributes gained over the last few years. This was confirmed through the initial questionnaire together with a separate subtest which had similar outcomes and, interestingly, the results were very similar to my previous assessment two years previously. Essentially, I have a strong focus on values, feelings, compassion and important beliefs where current experiences hold great learning importance. Team values are high and my role in ensuring the well-being of those with whom I work is important to me. There are, however, elements of this personality type which I am aware can be problematic if not managed appropriately. I do have a tendency to avoid conflict yet can be stubborn where my own values come into conflict with corporate ideals in which I run the risk of failing in objectivity. These are negative traits which I have been consciously working on over the last few years and serve to remind me that, whilst having a default style, this does not preclude effective working on these to the benefit of all concerned. Interestingly, the top two best matches of jobs for me based on enjoyment are actor and musician; for match came out as counsellor and customer care and a combination of match and enjoyment came out as counsellor and actor. All of these I have both experience and interest in and the traits from these have indeed shaped my leadership style. The Humanist approach described by McGregor (1964) looked at how individual attitudes can affect behaviour. He purported that there are 2 types of leader (using an X and Y continuum ranging from a negative to positive view of subordinates respectively). The latter, he showed, have a greater chance of effective performance from the workforce through a nurturing approach which I can identify with. A reflective log from December 2009 is included in Appendix VII. Again, as with most models, there is a typical style for each individual manager but even the most open and supportive one can revert on occasions to X-typical strategies and responses. This can be somewhat confusing and lacking in continuity for the workforce and, potentially unsettling as I will illustrate later in this essay. The model is similar to Tannenbaum and Schmidt (1958) who use the continuum from Authoritarian Task Orientation to Democratic Relationship Orientation where I operate towards the latter and Goleman (2000) on which I identify with the Affiliative (people come first) stage. Operational leaders, as covered by Maxwell (2002) have great value to an organisation in providing stability, devising systems and solving problems with positive engagement. However, because of their focus on detail they can overlook the bigger picture, sometimes lack motivation and are not effective in dealing with conflict. Very often, paraphrasing Maxwell here, operational leaders are not very good at getting their hands dirty but readily raise the flag at the moment of achievement. Thankfully, whilst viewing myself as an operational leader, I do like to share in tasks as well as delegate. John Adair (2002) in his range of leadership treatises, (which, incidently, build on the previous models of Maslow (1943), Herzberg (1964) and Fayol (1916) highlights three key management responsibilities under his banner of Action Centred leadership. Achieving the task Managing the team or group Managing individuals Whilst advocating a shared responsibility between the individual and external factors, it does not, however, take stock of the individual in the leadership role which I view as crucial. A similar but more complex model I have become interested in, is known as Crew Resource Management (CRM) which was originally devised by NASA to explore the human factors in civil aviation accidents in the 1970s. Several industries have adopted and adapted their own models accordingly and my interest will culminate in a dissertation for my Degree on the benefits of adopting a CRM approach to Prison Service critical incidents. Tasks or people? Workforce or Team ? It is clear that leadership is different to management though a good leader will have good management skills. In considering whether I impose myself as leader to focus on task or allow the team to flourish utilising their own skills, I completed the T-P leadership questionnaire (Appendix VIII). This scored exactly midway between the two, highlighting my awareness and flexibility to respond to both important aspects. How we respond to a leader gives some indication of our own skills and that of the one in the supervisory role. As one who aims to lead by inspiration, I am more inclined to follow Kolbs (1984) model of learning and encourage people to adapt concrete way of doing things to update their skills base and find more effective ways of working (feeling, watching, thinking, doing). An autocratic leader would be less inclined to allow such flexibility and attempt to ensure compliance from those who might be more inclined to kick and scream in and against the process. An effective leader should also take individual learning styles into account as no one method fits all. Honey and Mumfords Learning Style Inventory (1982), highlights the differences that exist, as I have found even within small teams, yet we all work together and effectively, notwithstanding that everyones experience of being under the same leadership will be different. One of the most important sources of reflection in considering my own style of leadership, plus a reinforcement of my own beliefs and values, is represented in the Style Theory of Leadership developed by Blake and Mouton (1964). This, essentially, follows on from McGregors X-Y theory and is more relevant to those predominantly on the Y axis and where a level of trust in management structure exists in the workplace. However, Blake and Mouton explored the benefits of those that put tasks before people and vice versa. Ultimately they considered whether concern for people or concern for production was more important for leaders. As with other models, the day to day style of individuals in leadership roles can vary but everyone has their own default mode. Where productivity appears more important than the maintenance and well-being of the staff, I can find myself at odds with the management and perceived ethos of the establishment at which I work. With the Blake Mouton model, I was relieved to have my default leadership style confirmed as Team Leader. This is indicative of high concern for both people and production where emphasis is placed on a spirit of teamwork and mutual co-operation. This also engenders a safe environment in which commitment from all sides is more readily forthcoming. However, in completing a recent practical assessment for a promotion board I failed to attain the required grade. I knew this as soon as the assessment was over, though I had to wait two months for the official result. In fact, I knew during the assessment, I was reacting totally contrary to my normal sense of priorities when faced with a constant stream of problems to solve. I found myself focussing primarily on the tasks and not enough on the personnel. For example, when faced with a member of staff who was emotionally upset at a domestic issue, I asked if he was okay to continue to get his landing unlocked and would look to help him with his problem later. Afterwards I learnt that the assessors were looking for Utopian responses in all scenarios assuming all needs could be immediately provided so I could have put staff welfare first, getting his role covered immediately so he could then get home to sort his issues. However, I reverted to my current work role where the pressure to meet deadlines sometimes overrides well-being. As this was completely at odds with how I believed I would normally have reacted, I was left feeling ill at ease and questioned why I persisted in this way when I am naturally Y (using McGregors model, 1960) and more team focused than task orientated (Blake Mouton, 1964). Whilst I may not fully understand why, at least it is a recognised trait à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦..theory X managers (or indeed theory Y managers displaying theory X are primarily results oriented Internet source http://www.businessballs.com/mcgregor.htm [October 2010] On reflection, I am convinced that the culture and environment of the higher management structure (which demands and focuses on results and targets) filters down and, no matter how much one tries to resist or even kick against it, it permeates ones own work practice after a while. The climate in which I work consistently places emphasis on the meeting of Key Performance Targets (KPTs) and now, the Service Level Agreement (SLA). In meeting these as well as ever increasing budgetary constraints, every facet of work culture is placed under the microscope and, wherever possible, cut, yet the targets must be met regardless. However, no matter the circumstances in which we find ourselves or expectations laid at our office door, it is how we respond that is important and the acceptance of our personal responsibility to be channelled into effective working. An important element of relationships, at all levels including personal and business, is trust. Where one perceives this to be eroded or not present due to conflict in aims or values, it can have a destructive affect on effective co-working. As can be seen above, this is something I am struggling with in the corporate ethos where I am constantly second-guessing the motives behind management decision-making. However, to be an effective manager, I am mindful of maintaining a healthy approach to embracing the mission of the workplace even though I may not fully understand or have access to the full rationale behind the decision making processes from Higher Management. As a leader, I have to convey to those I wish to work effectively under me, that this mission is achievable and in the common interest despite my own such uncertainties. Maintaining personal integrity and establishing trust are essential in my personal, professional and leadership identity. Straker (2008:208) talks of transaction cost and trust boundaries. Essentially he argues that trust, if allowed to erode or not fostered within an organisation can impact on delivery and there has to be a cost on both sides to re-establish this. As he says .. the overall cost can be minimised with up-front investment in, and subsequent maintenance of, trust. If one does not have that sense of belonging within the trust group then there is something wrong with the work relationship and part of effective management and leadership performance is to be pro-active in fostering trust and encouraging people to enter the trust boundary. It begs the question, therefore, who and under what conditions will we follow? Should we be expected to lead and expect blind faith? What criteria and principles should be presented in order for others to set out on the journey with us ? Handy (1987) suggests that in order for an outcome to remain constant, the Trust-Control balance might need to shift between leader and subordinates and I can see merits in this as relationships, as well as work pressures, are fluid in nature. There are three established styles of leadership: autocratic, paternalistic and democratic. History records successful leaders who have exhibited all of the above. Each style can work and produce results but demands a flexibility on the part of the workforce to fit in with the style and it is that response which can be acknowledged and worked with or not as the case may be, As for my own style, confirmed as a nurturing parental approach, this has immense benefits for myself and for those who work under me as they feel supported and, more importantly in my opinion, affirmed in their roles with their own skills base recognised and developed. As with any style there are costs and, as I am finding, where my own sense of values conflicts with the demands laid upon me, this can have a detrimental effect to my own sense of purpose within the organisation. It is important, therefore, that structures and lines of communication are open which allow for that expression of view. However, this, in itself, is not without the potential cost. As I found when raising my head above the parapet on several occasions, to express concern and personal frustration with the direction expected by senior managers, it can blot ones copybook. Again, it is important for me to consider how much of this is down to my own personal perception and how able I am to see my subordinates perspective and, crucially, the aims and focus of the establishment delivery objectives. Conclusion In terms of future roles, I am best placed to consider managerial positions. The Foundation Degree and BA(Hons) are regarded as valuable qualifications both for their content relevant to the Criminal Justice System and Leadership and Management but also symbolising the desire and commitment I have and have shown for continued self development (Appendix IX). In the final analysis, the human dynamic is the most beneficial resource in the workplace but it is also the most fickle and, at times, fragile. To lead is a privilege and to follow is an opportunity. I can only strive to make myself worthy of the trust placed in me to, not only get the job done, but to enable others to be the very best they can be and, in the process, ensure I am followed out of respect and not coercion or, indeed, curiosity. Appendices: I. Excerpt from Carnegie (1938) II. Study Skills Self Assessment III. Gibbs (1998) Reflective Cycle IV. Curriculum Vitae V. Kandola and Fullerton (1994) Mosaic Vision VI. Myers Briggs Personality Type Questionnaire VII. Reflective Log on McGregor X,Y Theory VIII. T-P Leadership Questionnaire IX. Professional Development Plan Appendix I Excerpts from How To Win Friends and Influence People Carnegie (1938) Fundamental Techniques in Handling People Dont criticize, condemn, or complain. Give honest and sincere appreciation. Arouse in the other person an eager want. Six Ways to Make People Like You Become genuinely interested in other people. Smile. Remember that a mans Name is to him the sweetest and most important sound in any language. Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves. Talk in the terms of the other mans interest. Make the other person feel important and do it sincerely Twelve Ways to Win People to Your Way of Thinking Avoid arguments. Show respect for the other persons opinions. Never tell someone they are wrong. If youre wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically. Begin in a friendly way. Start with questions the other person will answer yes to. Let the other person do the talking. Let the other person feel the idea is his/hers. Try honestly to see things from the other persons point of view. Sympathize with the other person. Appeal to noble motives. Dramatize your ideas. Throw down a challenge. Be a Leader: How to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment Begin with praise and honest appreciation. Call attention to other peoples mistakes indirectly. Talk about your own mistakes first. Ask questions instead of directly giving orders. Let the other person save face. Praise every improvement. Give them a fine reputation to live up to. Encourage them by making their faults seem easy to correct. Make the other person happy about doing what you suggest. Appendix II. Study Skills Self Assessment Appendix III. Gibbs (1998) Reflective Cycle Appendix IV. Curriculum Vitae Appendix V My Personal and Professional Values Related to The Mosaic Vision (Kandola and Fullerton, 1994) Mission and values (I tend to have a rescuer style in

Thursday, September 19, 2019

The Birth of Computer Programming Ada Augusta Byron King Countess of Lovelace :: Essays Papers

The Birth of Computer Programming Ada Augusta Byron King Countess of Lovelace In a world of men, for men, and made by men, there were a lucky few women who could stand up and be noticed. In the early nineteenth century, Lovelace Augusta Byron King, Countess of Lovelace, made her mark among the world of men that has influenced even today’s world. She was the â€Å"Enchantress of Numbers† and the â€Å"Mother of Computer Programming.† The world of computers began with the futuristic knowledge of one Charles Babbage and one Lady Lovelace, who appeared to know more about Babbage’s Analytical Engine than he himself knew. At the time of Lovelace’s discoveries, women were only just beginning to take part in the scientific world, and her love of mathematics drove her straight into the world of men. Her upbringing, her search for more knowledge, her love of mathematics, and her inherited writing abilities brought to life what we know today as computer programming or computer science. Lovelace Augusta Byron was born to the famous British poet George Gordon Byron (Lord Byron), and Anne Isabella Milbanke on December 10, 1815. Her parents marriage lasted the short time of one year, and one month after Lovelace was born, Lord Byron left. From that point in time until her death, Lovelace’s life was governed by her domineering mother. As a child, Lovelace’s tutors and governesses were all instructed to teach her the â€Å"discipline† of mathematics and music in such a way that Lovelace would never find the love of writing that her father possessed. For fear that Lovelace would develop the same mood swings and torments that her father had, Lovelace was not allowed to really read her father’s poetry. There were claims that Annabella, as her mother was called, kept Lord Byron’s poetry in a case that Lovelace could access at anytime. She was even encouraged to read the poetry later on in life, but the â€Å"discipline,† as An nabella called it, of mathematics had been instilled into Lovelace and her spark for poetry was smothered. It was by smothering Lovelace’s tendencies towards poetry that she ended up studying the women’s forbidden subjects of mathematics and science. â€Å"Undoubtedly, Lovelace was better off not attending a school where she would have been obliged to follow the typical curriculum for young ladies of her class.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Essay --

This paper will address recent trajectories of college tuition, fees, and financial aid in order to assess the extent to which fiscal assistance has kept pace with increases in tuition. Agenda setting constructs will then be used to contexualize this relationship, as well as student loan debt in general, and to identify applications of this issue to macro level social work practice. Trends in Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid Among public four-year institutions, the average cost of tuition and fees has increased by 2.9 percent for the 2013-2014 academic year, rising to $8,893 for in-state students. This trend was mirrored among out-of-state public four-year institutions as well; tuition and fees increased by 3.1 percent from $12,887 to $13,310. With regard to private four-year universities, the average cost of tuition and fees increased by 3.8 percent, a difference of $1,105. Although it appears as though the momentum of tuition increases has continued, it is important to note that the ascension of published costs between the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 academic years is the lowest proportion in increase over the past 30 years. That is, tuition and fees are continuing to increase with each academic year, however the percentage by which they do so is actually decreasing (Baum & Ma, 2013). When assessing college affordability, it is important to not only understand trends in tuition costs, but it is also necess ary to differentiate between the published costs of schools and the net prices that full-time students actually pay throughout their enrollment. Tuition and fees might vary according to reciprocity agreements between adjacent states, duration of enrollment, and student aid disbursements; these are all factors which could impact th... ...tarian education policies that make college more affordable and accessible in order to promote a competitive labor market and cultivate a proficient workforce. Conclusion Although the inflation of tuition and fees among post secondary institutions has begun to subside, the trajectory of federal financial aid and grant assistance has become increasingly unable to compensate for this trend. Increases in tuition and, subsequently, student loan debt can be attributed to agenda setting initiatives that supplement revenue losses, but simultaneously marginalize many students and increase the inaccessibility of higher education. In effect, the byproducts of tuition increases underscore the importance of macro-level social work practice and its ability to critically reframe fiscal education policies that best promote the economic welfare of students and their communities.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

A Scientific Solution to the Whaling Problem

Science faces a dilemma when it comes to consider the breakdown of society in the face of technological advance. The situation is even more difficult when science takes the environmentalist stance and then finds itself in opposition to native culture, which it also wants to preserve. Anthropological studies have shown that many cultures around the world are integrally linked to whaling, both economically and culturally. But now that whales are facing extinction, the scientific community must make a decision as to which is more worth preservation, native human cultures, or the population of whales. In my opinion, science should support the latter cause. It is an accepted tenet of modern life that technological advance breaks down old modes of social solidarity, and introduces new forms of connectedness. These new spheres of connection bypass locality and ethnicity, so that the tendency is towards a global culture and economy. What seems to be initially a cultural loss is not so, for culture is evolving in step with technology. However, the extinction of whales is a true and final loss. In 1999 the international whaling commission lifted its moratorium and allowed the Makah Indians of Washington State to hunt whales for the first time in 70 years. Charlotte Cote, a descendant of whaling Indians, enthuses over the decision, and describes how whaling has â€Å"reaffirmed their identity as a whaling people and providing a symbol for tribal resiliency, adaptability, and cultural survival† (2006, p. 177). However, Richard Caulfield, who has carried out extensive research into the whaling tribes of Greenland, opines that we cannot view these cultures in isolation, and these people have always retained links to mainland Europe. The recent speed of technological advance has only intensified these links. It is obligatory, therefore, that the remote whaling communities collaborate with the international community (Nuttall 1998, p. 831). The best role for the scientific community would, thus, be to effect a dialogue between the natives and the international body politic, while carrying out research from both points of view.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Cells: from Earthlings to Martians

Daniel Petrov 8e Cells: From Earthlings to Martians? Mr F. Ade-Davis Science Our model of the cell developed from a lot of good scientists such as Robert Hooke and many others. Robert Hooke discovered cells when he looked at a slice of cork in a microscope. And he had also found out that it was made of many tiny cells. Furthermore, a Dutch scientist had discovered a large variety of red blood cells and sperm cells and egg cells. Cells are the basic building blocks of all living things.A cell is something really tiny that could not be seen with a naked eye but only using a microscope. They also take in nutrients, convert these nutrients into energy, carry out specialized functions, and reproduce as necessary. Cells have many parts that each do a large variety of different things. Some of the things a cell contains is a cytoplasm and a nucleus. A cytoplasm is a jelly-like fluid that surrounds the nucleus and a nucleus controls the activities that the whole cell does.Cells also act toge ther to form and create everything that exists in this world today. One type of cells are known as Bacteria cells. Bacteria were among the first life forms to appear on  Earth, and are present in most  habitats  on the planet, growing in soil, water,  acidic hot springs, radioactive wasteland and deep in the  Earth's crust, as well as in organic matter and the live bodies of plants and animals. The vast majority of the bacteria in the body are rendered harmless by the protective effects of the  immune system, and a few are  beneficial.However, a few species of bacteria are  pathogenic  and could cause some serious infectious diseases, including  cholera,  syphilis,  anthrax,  leprosy, and  bubonic plague. They contain a well developed  cell  structure. Bacterial cells are fairly small cells that come in many different types such as spheres, rods and spirals. Bacteria cells do not have a nucleus unlike early all of the other cells. They also contain a cell wall, cyptoplasm, a cell membrane and ‘Free’ DNA.A meteorite had been found on mars that contained many unusual things and forms of life inside it. The objects in the mars meteorite could have been either cells , unknown animals or even Martians. The evidence for this information being true could be that when scientists had examined the marvellous rock , the gas trapped inside it matched the atmosphere on mars. Also, the rocks that fall on earth every day are not usual types of rocks, but rocks that are often very hard to be recognized. Scientists could and hould share their findings with other scientists so they can link the things that they have found out. By sharing your findings, not only would they learn new and interesting things from each other, but they would also see if the information is correct and very accurate. Furthermore, Peer review could be a good thing to do because people would learn a great deal about their writing, they get good feedback from f ellow scientists and they are able to improve their findings by using other peoples information.On the other hand, peer review could not be such a positive but a negative thing because they could not like for other people to see their findings and work, or the information given could not have strengths but weaknesses. In conclusion, I personally think that the objects and gasses found inside the meteorite could be real because scientists have observed the rock and have also found out that gasses the rock contained matched the whole of the atmosphere on Mars.Also, peer review is a good thing to do because you share you findings with other scientists and get positive feed back and how you could improve the things you have found out by being more accurate. This also links to the development of cells because Robert Hooke had found out that the strip of cork he was observing using the microscope contained and was made up of many small cells, and he had shared this with many the other sci entists and thats how the understanding of the cell has been improved through these many years.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Romanticism in El Matadero

Esteban Echeverria, who spent five years in Paris before returning to Buenos Aires in 1830 when he became a political agitator against the tyrant Juan Manuel de Rosas, is credited with bringing romanticism to Spanish America. As a poet, he is remember for his narrative ballad La cautiva, the story of a white girl’s escape from enslavemente by nomadic Indians. Echeverria inaugurated the theme of the pampas as an archetypal landscape – a place of barbarism; but also the crucible of national identity for Argentina. He also wrote El matadero (‘The Slaughterhouse’, 1838), a short satirical prose piece in which a slaughterhouse becomes a powerful symbol of Rosas’s oppression of liberals in Buenos Aires. In 1839, Echeverria helped to found the Asociacion de Mayo, a group of young anti-Rosas activists, many of whom were to become important writers and future liberal leaders of Argentina. The gauchesque genre had its origins during the wars of independence in the River Plate area. It was influenced by the Spanish tradition of the cuadro de costumbres. Gaucho costumbrismo appealed to the romantics because it seemed to reflect a truly American way of life. By transforming the gaucho into an ambivalent national symbol, Echeverria crystallized the problem of national identity which all the Latin American republics would experience. Echeverria's renown as a writer rests largely on his powerful short story El matadero (â€Å"The Slaughterhouse,† written in 1839 but not published until 1871), a landmark in the history of Latin American literature. It is mostly significant because it displays the perceived clash between â€Å"civilization and barbarism†, that is, between the European and the â€Å"primitive and violent† American ways. Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, another great Argentine writer and thinker, saw this clash as the core of Latin American culture. Read in this light, â€Å"The Slaughterhouse† is a political allegory. Its more specific intention was to accuse Rosas of protecting the kind of thugs who murder the cultivated young protagonist at the Buenos Aires slaughterhouse. Rosas and his henchmen stand for barbarism, the slain young man for civilization.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Persuasive paper Essay

Is it right to die? I would state the question in another format, is there a right to die? It is the most difficult question to receive an answer as we focus on people suffering from different conditions, be it psychological, physical or emotional, that beyond doubt, have led to terminal illness. I cannot give a straight yes or a straight no. The debate has been so hot in several nations. Several stakeholders are considering going the Oregon way. The whole debate focuses on suicide. By way of philosophy and other disciplines of ethics, it is very difficult to judge whether suicide is wrong or right. It has hitherto paused hard questions that get diverse responds from different persons. These persons can be philosophers from different eras, different geographical regions, and customs. It is further mesmerizing that those of the same times, similar traditions, and even same places arrive at different answers as pertains this very subject. If euthanasia was to be made legal, there are no criteria that can be used to determine the very genuine cases. Those people who proposes this action, as they define the rights of a person focuses narrowly on the normal cases only; an adult person, who is in his or her right mind, acting in their own volition, putting in consideration his or her own possessions or those entrusted to this person. I would therefore question the basis for determining the abnormal circumstances, and the limits that are sensible in today’s cultural situation. In this, we think of the slippery slope concern, soon many cases will transit to explicit murder. We will not have guarantee for people who instigate murder and claim that the people they killed were more than willing to die. The people that will fall as victims of this murder are the disable, disadvantaged, or those considered to be â€Å"undesirable† in the society – those who are a burden to their caregivers or even the state, which should be obliged to giving indiscriminate care to all groups of people. Goldberg (n. d), states that, â€Å"Thus, many U. S. ommentators fear that, if assisted suicide and euthanasia were legalized, death would be inflicted unwillingly on disabled, disadvantaged, or otherwise â€Å"undesirable† individuals who might be considered a burden by their caregivers or the state† (Goldberg, n. d). He continues to say that â€Å"Biased physicians, family members, or managed care organizations might consciously or subconsciously influence difficult or expensive patients to take advantage of assisted suicide† (Goldberg, n. d). It is also clear that no human endeavour is immune of abuse. This will make the Oregon requirement difficult to trust. Even ‘acting on one’s own volition’ is still not good because many patients may act quickly without enough information of existing medical care, thinking that their fate is just death. So why wont we restrict the ‘person’s autonomy’ till the person is fully informed? Thinking this way will definitely call for not legalising euthanasia. John Stuart Mill gives an example of person who wants to cross a broken bridge, as he concludes he says that this person would not really continue to do that if he is fully informed about the dangers of going that way (Mill, 2005). The other concern that we have is that this practice will be in total contradiction with the present physicians’ role as healer. It is a stipulation that physicians should always do their best to save lives and not destroy them at all. The physicians’ role should be limited to saving lives as it has been over time. Legalizing euthanasia means that the physicians’ role is broadened to the point of the patients’ advocate in the maters concerning their own health and ways they want it to be handled. This will arouse the craving of patients to commit suicide and allow many cases that would otherwise be alleviated, to run to the worst. Still on the issue of rights, every one has a right that is inherent in nature and anyone should not interfere with the individual’s rights. People should therefore exercise their own rights without interfering with others’ and no one should interfere with the autonomy of this individual. As we say that rights are inherent in an individual, we are saying that these person posses this rights because of the life that he has. Without this life, the rights he claims to have are null and void. This takes us to the point that no one should interfere with the life because it is the carrier of this same rights. Mill states that, â€Å"But by selling himself for a slave, he abdicates his liberty; he forgoes any future use of it, beyond that single act† (Mill, 2005, pp 67). He continues to say, â€Å"He therefore defeats, in his own case, the very purpose which is the justification of allowing him to dispose of himself† (Mill, 2005, pp 67). In our case the person who decides to die no longer has the autonomy that we advocate to give in allowing them to die. The person defeats his own reason for wanting to die. Mill continues to say, â€Å"He is no longer free; but is thenceforth in a position which has no longer the presumption in its favor, that would be afforded by his voluntarily remaining in it† (Mill, 2005, pp 67). He concludes on this matter that, â€Å"The principle of freedom cannot require that he should be free not to be free, it is not freedom, to be allowed to alienate his freedom† (Mill, p 67). If we have to protect the autonomy of individuals then we should protect their lives too. We can still work without euthanasia because many of our physicians have worked hard and are still working hard to come up will the best palliative care for the terminally ill people. Under good circumstances of proper palliative care, this practice will be unnecessary. This care can conserve the dignity of terminally ill people till they die. It is therefore our responsibility to give them this care rather than to help them kill themselves, which is not dignified at all (Chochinov, 2002). Though, the numbers of people supporting euthanasia is growing with time, everyone should think about the above-discussed concerns. This will help each one of us know that we are capable of giving good care to terminally ill patients without letting them die suicidal deaths. We can think it right that allowing them to die is actually denying them their autonomy, and hence the inherent rights. We should always strive to give perfect care than to kill.

Friday, September 13, 2019

4 Anthropological Concepts Applied

Anthropologists believe that we learn to interact by picking up cultural codes of conduct starting from infancy; hence human behavior isn’t biologically acquired, but shaped by a guider. For example, in the documentary â€Å"Acting like a thief† by Kerim Friedman and Shashwati Talukdar,the â€Å"Chharas† were brought up in a nomadic lifestyle,where stealing was the norm. Dakxin’s grandmother admits that â€Å"people saw them as artists as well as thieves†. In 1871, they were labeled as a â€Å"criminal tribe† and were sent to prison camps by the British. Here the government kept strict checks on them, to the extent of following the women to the bathrooms, while men were forced to work or were beaten up. The social stigma that developed as a result of the people being labeled â€Å"born criminals† was internalized by their own grandparents, and the children let it define who they were as they grew up. This is evident by the response of one of the children, Vivek after he saw his mother getting beaten up on a street because she was caught in a burglary was that, â€Å"I don’t have a problem saying that my mother used to be a thief. Since I live in a society of born criminals, so of course I am a son of a thief, not a government official. † The idea that the guider shapes the identity of the community is also exemplified by the fact that even if the children wanted to get rid of the criminal stigma attached to them, it wasn’t an option. They weren’t given the opportunity to get jobs and hence had to resort to the illegal brewing of liquor as their only source of income. As is evident in this documentary, we can see that the behaviors and culture of a person is influenced by the culture of the society or group that he was born in. The concept of racism developed in the 19th century when colonialism was at its height and anthropologists tried to understand the many diverse people they encountered. They tried to evaluate the differences, classifying the world according to biological aspects like skin colorant important part of the social practices of racism is Ethnocentrism, which is the â€Å"belief that the moral standards,manners,attitudes and so forth of ones own culture are superior to those of other cultures† (Bailey,Garrik and James 15). This helped people justify the systematic violence and oppression on people of one society by another on the basis of factors like ethnicity and caste. At that time, on top of the framework of evolution was the western European civilization. The British believed themselves to be the pinnacle of evolution, the most culturally, physically and socially evolved (Bailey, Garrik and James 68). This thought process was a big part in the colonial apparatus and was also one of the reasons the British were able to label the people of chhranagar as â€Å"Born criminals. This label attached the stigma of a criminal community to the Chharas even after they got de-notified after India gained independence. Therfore, it allowed the police to get the power that they had accumulated and abused. According to Kalpana, â€Å"the police used to take the women back to the station after bail, tie them to a tree, beat them and give them electric shocks. †Innocent people were forced to admit to crimes , and if they refused they were beaten to death-as in the case of Buddhan. The injustice of such acts was apparent but so was the fact that â€Å"the police could do anything they want to. According to Dakxin, even the proof of a man’s innocence was rendered â€Å"useless. † Based on their ideas of being morally and culturally superior, the police had taken away the Chharas basic rights to freedom of speech and expression. â€Å"Rites of passage are a specialized set of rituals associated with the life cycle of individuals; the culturally defined age categories through which a person passes between birth and death. It is a public ceremony or ritual that marks a change in social status, usually brought about or related to increasing age† (Bailey, Garrik and James 201). People from various religions have different kinds of rituals with varying meanings attached to them. In Hinduism, an important event in the life cycle is marked by invoking the presence of the warrior goddess; Durga. This ritual is called a Jagrata. In Cat Viberts documentary, â€Å"a Rajasthani Jagrata, we see how Rathore takes his first born child to the â€Å"village of his heritage† for a ceremonial head shaving on his second birthday. Vibert described her experience of the ritual at the temple, â€Å"mediums gathered around a drum and began collectively chanting. A man stood up and began to lurch and yell. After sometime his eyes rolled back into his head, he ran into the temple and rang the bell. He was being possessed by the Goddess and the embodied deity sealed herself in the temple and the villagers went in one by one to ask her questions. † Besides the ritual, there is a lot of singing and dancing and the hair cutting ceremony to welcome the child in the family as he turns two. Gender Classification is one example of cultural knowledge. Cultural Knowledge involves shared knowledge about how we behave in ways that are meaningful and acceptable. It guides behavior such that the people can survive, reproduce and transmit their culture. † Every individual has a different social identity and expectations attached to them. Women typically are expected to stay in their homes and fulfill their domestic duties, whereas men take care of the responsibilities outside the house. During the whole trip that Vibert took for the ceremony, we saw the responsibility of the women to overlook the children, make the chapattis and do the domestic chores. Even during the ritual, the women were seated at the back whereas the men stayed in front. Moreover, the fact that the barber performing the ritual was a man and that the goddess possessed a man, shows how men had a more elevated stand in society. An anthropologist views different societies from an insider’s perspective and tries to understand human nature and behavior. Through their ethnographies and documentaries, they give people a voice to express their point of view and rid themselves of generalizations that put them at a disadvantage.