Black Women and the Abolition of Slavery

â€Å"Rachel Weeping for Her Children†: Black Women and the Abolition of Slavery by Margaret Washington Photograph of Sojourner Truth, 1864. (Gilder Lehrman Collection) During the period leading up to the Civil War, black women all over the North comprised a stalwart but now largely forgotten abolitionist army. In myriad ways, these race-conscious women worked to bring immediate emancipation to the South. Anti-slavery Northern black women felt the sting of oppression personally.Like the slaves, they too were victims of color prejudice; some had been born in Northern bondage; others had family members still enslaved; and many interacted daily with self-emancipated people who constantly feared being returned south. Anti-slavery women such as Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman were only the most famous of the abolitionists. Before either of these heroines came on the scene and before anti-slavery was an organized movement, black women in local Northern communities had quietly tur ned to activism through their church work, literary societies, and benevolent organizations.These women found time for political activism in between managing households, raising children, and working. In the late 1820s, Zion’s African Methodist Episcopal Church in New York City, Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, and the African Meetinghouse in Boston were centers of female anti-slavery activity. Black women proclaimed that their cause was â€Å"let the oppressed go free. † They organized bazaars to promote the purchase of goods made from free labor, met in sewing circles to make clothing for those fleeing bondage, and raised money for Freedom’s Journal, the nation’s first black newspaper.In 1830, when Boston editor William Lloyd Garrison proposed his idea of publishing a newspaper devoted solely to immediate emancipation, a committee of black women began raising funds for it. The first copy of the Liberator appeared on January 1, 1831, wi th strong financial backing from black women. At their literary-society meetings, black women switched from reading European classics to discussing the Liberator and anti-slavery pamphlets, and inviting male speakers to expound on the evils of slavery.Throughout the 1830s, black women engaged heavily in activism. They vowed to â€Å"heed the enslaved mothers’ cry for children torn away† and designated their dwellings as â€Å"free homes† for those fleeing bondage. For example, Hester Lane of New York City, a successful black entrepreneur, used her home as an Underground Railroad station. Lane also traveled south to purchase enslaved children whom she freed and educated. Mary Marshall’s Colored Sailors’ Boarding Home was another busy sanctuary.Marshall kept a vigilant eye out for refugees from bondage, and was determined that â€Å"No one who had the courage to start should fail to reach the goal. † Other black women organized petition drives , wrote anti-slavery poetry, hosted traveling abolitionists, and organized fairs. By 1832, black women had formed the first female anti-slavery society in Salem, Massachusetts. They also held executive offices in biracial female anti-slavery societies in Philadelphia, Boston, and elsewhere.Anti-slavery black men insisted that black women work only behind the scenes, but women sometimes refused to do so. In New York City, a group of black women confronted white authorities in a courtroom where several self-emancipated women were about to be returned to bondage. Black men accused the female protesters of bringing â€Å"everlasting shame and remorse† upon the black community and upon themselves. In 1831, black women in Boston organized the African American Female Intelligence Society. This organization became a forum for Maria Stewart, the first woman to speak publicly against slavery.Stewart proclaimed that she was called by God to address the issues of black emancipation and t he rights of black women. â€Å"We claim our rights,† she asserted, â€Å"as women and men,† and â€Å"we are not afraid of them that kill the body. † Stewart also published a pamphlet in the Liberator on behalf of black women and the enslaved, but Boston’s black male community censored Stewart for her public expressions and forced her into silence. She soon left the city. Although she never again spoke publicly, she remained active through women’s organizations and conventions.She joined other black women who held office, served as delegates, and otherwise participated in the biracial women’s anti-slavery conventions in 1837, 1838, and 1839. The anti-slavery movement took a more progressive turn in the 1840s, when the American Anti-Slavery Society (Garrisonians) welcomed women as officeholders and speakers. Most black women continued their quiet anti-slavery work, but some were outspoken. The first black woman to take the public stage for t he American Anti-Slavery Society was Sojourner Truth.Born into slavery in 1797 among the Hudson Valley Dutch and emancipated in adulthood, Truth was already known as a preacher when she joined the Garrisonians in 1844. She made anti-slavery speeches throughout New England, and in 1845, gave her first address at the American Anti-Slavery Society’s annual convention. Sojourner Truth became known from Maine to Michigan as a popular and featured anti-slavery speaker. Truth published a Narrative of her life and used the proceeds to purchase a home and finance her abolitionist work. Another surge of radicalism occurred in 1850 with the passage of the Fugitive Slave Law.It decreed that any citizen could be enlisted in the service of a slaveholder to capture an enslaved person, and it nullified the individual civil rights that a state guaranteed its citizens, including those formerly enslaved. That same year, Harriet Tubman, a thirty-year-old self-emancipated Marylander, began defyin g the Fugitive Slave Law by leading enslaved men, women, and children out of the South. With slave catchers lurking everywhere and a price on her head, Tubman safely conducted her charges through the Northern states and on to Canada.Mary Ann Shadd (Cary) was a twenty-five-year-old freeborn schoolteacher when the Fugitive Slave Law was passed. Inspired by her father, whom she described as a â€Å"chief breakman† on the Delaware Underground Railroad, Shadd soon moved to Canada and established herself as a militant abolitionist, influential emigrationist, and the first black woman newspaper editor (of the Provincial Freeman). In 1854, twenty-eight-year-old Frances Ellen Watkins (Harper) joined Sojourner Truth on the Garrisonian lecture circuit. Born into a well-connected Baltimore family, Watkins was a poet and teacher.She was drawn into the abolitionist struggle by the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which rescinded the restrictions on slavery in the remaining territories acquired under t he Louisiana Purchase. Watkins traveled throughout the Midwest, sometimes with Sojourner Truth. Watkins spoke eloquently of the wrongs inflicted upon her people; she sold her books of poetry at anti-slavery lectures and used the proceeds to support the Underground Railroad. In 1858, Watkins joined black male leaders in Detroit and led a large group of angry citizens in storming the jailhouse.The group attempted to remove from protective custody a black â€Å"traitor† to their cause, who had intended to expose the operations of the Underground Railroad. Despite the Fugitive Slave Law, the Underground Railroad remained the â€Å"heart’s blood† of black resistance. Black woman abolitionists played a vital role in this work. They were often the ones who intercepted refugees; who provided them with food, clothing, shelter, health care, and spiritual and psychological comfort; and who directed them to the next station. Women sometimes confronted slave catchers and kid nappers, who were often right on the heels of the â€Å"fugitives. Caroline Loguen, the wife of Syracuse, New York, abolitionist the Reverend Jermain Loguen, answered many a midnight knock during her husband’s frequent absences. Once she and her sister successfully fought off slave catchers attempting to enter her home in pursuit of â€Å"fugitives. † In 1858, Anna Murray Douglass, wife of black leader Frederick Douglass, hosted John Brown, the famous white abolitionist, for a month. Brown was in hiding after having been charged with murdering pro-slavery farmers in Missouri. In the Douglass home, Brown perfected his plans for the raid on Harpers Ferry.In an 1859 meeting with Brown in Maryland just before the assault on Harpers Ferry, Douglass gave him ten dollars from the wife of a Brooklyn couple, the J. N. Gloucesters, who like Douglass himself were close to Brown. Along with the money, Mrs. Gloucester â€Å"sent her best wishes. † When Brown was captured, t ried, and sentenced to death, black woman abolitionists sent money to his wife, Mary, and wrote letters expressing their deep regard for her husband. Frances Ellen Watkins also sent gifts as well as one of her poems, â€Å"Bury Me in a Free Land,† to Brown’s condemned men.During the antebellum era, black woman abolitionists moved, in keeping with the urgency of the times, from quiet activism to militancy. By 1858, even Sojourner Truth, the archpacifist, recognized that war with the South was inevitable if black people were to obtain their freedom. Black women furthered the goal of emancipation during the Civil War by continuing their abolition work. Harriet Tubman offered her services to the Union Army. Sojourner Truth lectured throughout the Midwest, where she confronted threatening pro-slavery (so-called â€Å"Copperhead†) mobs.Black women organized petition campaigns to Congress and the president; they sent food and clothing to the Union front lines for desti tute blacks; and they went into Union-occupied areas to provide education for black refugees. After the Emancipation Proclamation was signed on January 1, 1863, black women immediately began working on the next phase of their mission—the task of uplifting their race as a free people. Margaret Washington is a professor of history at Cornell University. Her publications include Sojourner Truth’s America (2009) and A Peculiar People: Slave Religion and Community-Culture among the Gullahs (1998)

Impact of Gold on GDP Essay

Impact of Gold on GDP In ancient times, India was referred as Golden Bird and In the modern times, She has emerged as the largest consumer ot gold in the world. The importance ot gold can be understood in the saying all glitters are not gold. Gold is an important participant in Indian culture, traditions and economic policy. Gold has several applications or uses and the main reasons why Indians take to gold are: Gold is considered an equivalent for liquid cash: Gold is highly liquid and portable as a Security or Asset. It can be converted to cash anytime when an emergency arises and Is considered a friend In eed. Gold is considered as Status Symbol: Especially in India gold symbolizes wealth. often, gold Is Important consutuent of the bridal wealth In the wedding. Indian weddings without gold are unimaginable. Gold is a very good investment: Gold is an asset which has consistently increased in value and thereby considered as a safe and secure Investment. Gold Is considered an effective diversifier which helps to reduce portfolio risk. Gold Is considered as a good gift item: Gold is precious and worthy across all cultures and times. The gold Jewelry Is given as gifts during weddings, festivals and other pecial occasions. Gold has great religious significance: Gold is the symbol of the Hindu Goddess Laxmi and considered highly auspicious. Gold is brought or presented on testivals like Dhanteras and Akshaya Tritiya. Toe rings are never made of gold as it represents the goddess of wealth and should not be soiled by touching a human’s feet. Great Ornamental Value: Women of every age and time have always loved wearing gold ornaments. Moreover. Gold Ornaments are never out of fashiorn It also may be remembered that Wedding rings are also traditionally made of gold to mark a long asting relationship. Great value as Heirloom: Gold jewelry is something which can be passed down from one generation to the other as ancestral property Not only In India, but In rest of the world also, gold Is also one of the most valuable assets. Like most of the commodities, gold prices are also determined by demand and supply. The global demand for gold has many layers. For the last 5 years, Jewelry has consisted of of the overall demand for gold. The major players for gold jewelry with over of the demand are China, Turkey, and the Middle East. Gold, as gold coins or bars, adds another 20% of the demand where the united states, India, and Europe play a vital role. Industrial demand lead by Japan makes up the last 12%. Mining constitute 59 percent of the global gold supply, net official sales constitute 6 percent and recycled gold provides 35 percent ot the global gold supply. But many other factors also play their role In determlnlng the gold prices like dollar prices, crude oil prices, inflation etc. Even today, despite of US Dollar being acceptable in International trade, gold is still considered the safest option. It is because ot this reason gold prices are otten attected by the change in Dollar prices. Anyone who follows the gold and currency markets closely will realize that the IJS$ gold price and the Dollar Index generally trend In opposite directions. I ne reason tnat gold ana tne collar generally trend In opposite alrectlons Is tnat In one respect gold is Just another currency. As a result, when the dollar weakens on the foreign exchange market over an extended period then the IJS$ gold price will generally rise during the same period; and when the dollar strengthens over many onths the IJS$ gold price will usually fall. There are, of course, leads and lags and there’s no reason to expect that percentage changes in one will be accompanied by equal-and-opposite percentage changes in the other, but when charts of the dollar and gold are compared it quickly becomes apparent that the two have been inversely correlated. On the contrary, gold prices and crude oil prices tend to rise and fall positively with one another. There are two reasons for this- historically, oil purchases were paid for in gold. Even today, a sizable percentage of oil revenue ends up invested in gold. As oil prices rise, much of the increased revenue is invested as it is surplus to current needs and much of this surplus is invested in gold or other hard assets. The second reason is that rising oil prices place upward pressure on inflation. This enhances the appeal of gold because it acts as an inflation hedge. Over the last 50 years or so, gold and oil have generally moved together in terms of price, with a positive price correlation of over 80 percent. Apart from above factors, gold also provides hedge against inflation and therefore there is a positive relationship between gold price and inflation. During times of economic growth there is an increase in wealth which leads to higher demand for luxury goods like gold. During times of economic recession, gold can be used as an asset that protects against inflation and devaluing paper currencies. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has concluded the purchase of 200 metric tonnes of gold from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), under the IMF’s limited gold sales programme. This was done as part of the Reserve Banks foreign exchange reserves management operations. RBI’s decision to shore up its gold reserves needs to be seen in the ontext of other central banks across the globe increasing their gold reserves. In fact, the share of gold in India’s total reserves has dwindled over the decade. In March 1994, the share of gold in the total reserves of the country was 20. 6%; by the end of June 2009, gold constituted only 3. 7% of the total reserves. The purchase resulted in increasing the share of gold in total assets of RBI to 6percent. RBI’s foreign currency assets consist mainly of sovereign bonds, mainly US treasuries. So, buying more gold had helped the Indian central bank to diversify its assets. RBI’s foreign exchange reserves consist of for eign currency assets, gold, special drawing rights (SDR) which is an international reserve currency floated by International Monetary Fund (IMF) and RBI funds kept with IMF. India is the largest consumer of gold in the world, consuming around 18 per cent of the total world’s production. India has to import around 70 per cent of its total gold consumption, thus imparting a lot of foreign exchange to major gold producing countries. With the development of the stock markets, especially on-line trading systems, urban India is lowly shifting its investment focus from gold to the other avenues of investment such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds etc, but, rural India still has its major investments in the form of gold. Around 65 per cent of the total demand for gold in Inala Is Trom people Involved In agrlculture ana alll around 30 per cent of the GDP of the nation. ea Inaustrles wnlcn contrlDutes to Thus gold is still as important for Indian economy as it was ever. Gold is also the important source of income for many least developed countries of Africa where countries like Mali, Ghana get majority of foreign exchange from the export of Gold.

Business Ethics and Hospitality

Under the continual changing environment in petitive business, organisations are always r mended to e up with several advanced avenues to stay ahead in respective sectors. The invention goals are always encouraged for the business organisations, in order to achieve sustainable growth in the petitive markets. The goals of the managers in the hospitality and tourism sector are involved with responding to the collaborative relationships locally. However, many organisations are there to consider environmental values as the keys to their successes in modern era hospitality business. Dubai is mainly in the tropical climate that is predominantly based on desert area. Dubai has been suffering from the carbon footprint and this country uses large natural resources. The process of urbanisation creates environmental issues, however, they face scarcity in water, food and building materials. This study has focused on these issues analytically through the activities of Grandiose Resorts and SPA, a widely acknowledged hospitality centre in UAE. R mendations have been given at the end regarding environmental issues of Grandiose Resorts and SPA and an overall conclusion has been provided in the final section. Grandiose Resorts and SPA is working on hospitality sector and this resort has 250 rooms that contain 1 presidential suite in main building and 2 royal presidential suites that provide bird view and tiger enclosure. This resort includes 50 deluxe rooms and 197 superior rooms. This resort is 20 floors in main building and it is located on Jumeirah beach road, UAE. This resort has the features of 2 restaurants, roof top bar with organic herb garden with a butterfly garden. There is pools and game room in the hotel. This resort has the special facility of hunting which is not real and the people can have experience of private beach. The hospitality industry is largely based on the ethical and cultural resources and the hospitality industry engages interacting with the natural system. The practitioners of hotel industry use to ascertain the importance of implementing the ethics and keep developing them to ensure the improvement goals for the hospitality sector. As per the discussion of Collins (2012), tourism has emerged as one of the top industries in last few years. This industry has driven up the global economic growth radically and increased diverse opportunities for the practitioners. With the development of this industry, countries around the world had been able to take part in it either as the source market or as the tourist destination. However, the entire industry is usually operated within a plex environment. This plex environment is often found endorsing negative environmental and social impacts for the businesses. Grandiose Resorts and SPA is a widely recognised tourist destination in UAE, which is visited by numerous people every year. It has earned major acclamations in the petitive markets of his sector and has flourished globally. Grandiose Resorts and SPA has acknowledged the environmental considerations into their ethical values, which have provided them a r mendable goodwill in the market. The energy saving policies they endorsed at their restaurants, bar roof top or all along the hotel property have let them contribute to society at major scale. People within the society have also acknowledged their contribution widely, which had given them a massive drive in the petitive market. Grandiose Resorts and SPA has enabled an advanced waste management system in their organisation, which have again brought them extensive customer loyalty. They have addressed an advanced technology to extract fertilisers from waste food and also recycle them to produce foods for the fishes, animals or the birds inside the hotel. It has been considered as a major step to save the natural resources. The hospitality industry has also expressed their major concern on the animal and aqua lives as well, which had brought them enormous goodwill from the nature lovers along with the conservators (Talib, Rahman & Qureshi, 2012). These moral issues have led them much ahead in the business in parison to their petitors. According to Ferrell, Fraedrich, & Ferrell (2012), Grandiose Resorts and SPA has played a major role in saving the aqua live by installing a grand tank for the fishes in their resort. They have also propagated public awareness on the aqua lives, and other sea animals which had pr ovided them with a massive plight in moral consideration issues. Ethical decision-making approaches are highly prioritised in this modern era of hospitality business. Most of the organisations in this sector have enabled their management to follow the guidelines of ethical considerations in order to sustain in the petitive markets for long-term. Most of the decision-making methodologies in the hospitality sector are based on two fundamental approaches, such as Deontology and Teleology. The approaches in the decision-making methodologies of the managements of the business organisations are liable to lead the loyalty through a large-scale consumer satisfaction (Hartman & DesJardins, 2011). Grandiose Resorts and SPA has enabled both these principles in action while ensuring their decision-making methodologies. This organisation has considered all the needful actions under considerations related to the principles of Deontology and Teleology. However, they are not limited to implicate the service options only, they also have aligned them with the present scenario of the business. They have considered diverse factors under control, such as environment, marketing, and people. These factors had been found liable to address the fundamental needs of this sector from the large groups of consumers. Grandiose Resorts and SPA has addressed another framework to be considered in their ethical decision-making process, which were proved as highly effective for the growth of their business. They have followed a Venn diagram that is liable to consider all the needful factors in action. According to Easterby-Smith, Thorpe, & Jackson (2012), ensuring all these three responsibilities in action provide the opportunities to the hospitality organisations to gain massive loyalty among the consumers in a society. Figure 1: Venn diagram of Corporate Social Responsibility (Source: Hooley, Wellens, & Marriott, 2012) The ethical responsibilities followed by Grandiose Resorts and SPA, under the Venn diagram, had considered several environmental issues. They have planned fruitful designs to save the marine lives and conserve them for the benefits of mankind. They have also encouraged the waste management system that is liable to preserve the natural resources and save them from pletes exhaustion. This has been recognised as a major step from their end, mostly in the context of UAE, where the natural resources are being exhausted rapidly due to the rich lifestyles of their residents. The Legal Responsibilities of Grandiose Resorts and SPA have insisted them to follow all the Government rules and regulations. They have ensured all the Corporate Social Responsibilities in their organisation and kept checking them with care. They always tried to imply them into their decision-making policies (Rettab, Brik & Mellahi, 2009). Organisations in Hospitality sector are always liable to earn the maximum profits from their marketing, as it has already been recognised as the most revenue generating industry across the world. They are also liable to provide the highest levels of services to their guests and maintain them always to achieve sustainability in the market. However, in the argumentative words of Politis et al. (2009), managers from this sector often confront massive issues related to the ethical considerations. As per the discussion of Burchell & Cook (2006), the hospitality industry has been found as the major responsible for the negative impacts of the environment. This industry is believed to have frightening consequences over the environmental issues. However, the recent environmental considerations addressed by most of the organisations have changed the perception radically. In most of the cases, the ethical considerations from these organisations have empowered the environmental sustainability effectively. It not only has encouraged the managements to earn more customer loyalty through this, however, it also has allowed them, to meet their financial expectations as well. In the words of Katsioloudes & Brodtkorb (2007), the successful implications of ethical considerations have allowed the organisations to bring an environmental sustainability issues in forth. Grandiose Resorts and SPA has also approved these considerations as beneficial enough for their financial expectations and cons umer trustworthiness.   Grandiose Resorts and SPA has played a major role for the environmental causes and enabled promising actions in energy saving policies. As per their reviews, the hospitality sectors are mostly responsible for the damages in nature as they ruin the biodiversity massively. They find themselves responsible enough for exhausting the natural resources rapidly along with the water resources. Grandiose Resorts and SPA has coined these issues and grudges from the perspectives of the social people. They have always considered these obligations carefully while planning their policies of corporate social responsibilities. Hotel industry provides or contributes largely impact on the environment and this industry is trying to improve the condition at the regional or local context. Grandiose Resorts And SPA produces daily various hazardous products that are liquid, gas, powder, solid or dust particles. These products are not healthy at all. On the other side, non-hazardous products that are non-toxic es out from resorts. These products mingle with sea water and pollute the water. The waste disposal is increasing day-by-day. Grandiose Resorts and SPA can try to manage this with recycling projects. As stated by (Alonso & Csaba, 2012), these toxic and non-toxic products are harmful to both human and animals. Birds are facing issues from the polluted water. Not only water, air is polluted with the hospitality industry. The waste from the hospitality sector gets higher with the advancement of time and these affect the environment directly or indirectly. In global basins, 920, 000 tonnes of food items are wast ed from which 75% food items can be eaten. In the case of Dubai, the cost of food that is wasted in UAE from the hospitality sector is estimated at a few billion per year. As the researches done in the recent time, it is clearly showed that hospitality sectors create the waste that is mostly from 90% of the UK citizens, 30% Americans citizens and 70% of Australian citizens. Plants, sea and animals of Dubai get affected of this place. Local animals in Dubai are Arabian fox, sand Gazelle, Arabian Tahr, Arabian Leopard, Hare and Spiny tailed lizard. This country has several sea animals like, Pelagic, Demersal Fish, the shallows, Khor Kalba etc. Several marine animals are there like, Sea turtles, sea sharks, whales and Dolphins. Dubai faces the issues undrinkable water and emissions of carbon di-oxide etc. In most of the cases, the fundamental idea of improving the social and environmental practices is involved with sustainability. Thus, they are often enabled in the market segmentation processes as well. This process always indicates at a collective form of services, through which organisations are liable to enhance their loyalty from both people and government perceptions. Grandiose Resorts and SPA has also taken several factors into consideration while designing their environmental practices. They have strategized several goals on the basis of their prof itability. However, most importantly they had succeeded to engage their shareholders and stakeholders in their environmental practices Pearce (2012). This consideration has brought them enormous success in the hospitality sector. Grandiose Resorts and SPA must follow Federal Law NO. (24) Of 1999 that is for the protection and Development of the Environment of UAE. The economic responsibilities have also been followed by Grandiose Resorts and SPA, which included several actions under consideration. They have implicated strategies to involve guests in the environmental practices while strategizing the CSR activities. They have also propagated public awareness policies while promoting their services. In the words of Hooley, Wellens, & Marriott (2012), appointing local people and training them to work under a workforce culture have benefited the local economic structures effectively. Dubai is a country which is clearly based on the energy of oil resources and the water and air of this place are affected of this. Moreover, in Dubai region where the Grandiose Resorts and Spa are located is nearby the sea as it is on Jumeirah beach. As this place is nearby the sea, the saline water is not healthy for a drink. It is very difficult to purify the sea water as the seawater is very saline. The sea water cannot be drunk and Dubai region is full of oil resources. Energy resources are the main economical standpoint for Dubai and financial support es from energy that is oil-resources. Grandiose Resorts and SPA generates a significant amount of waste that is organic and the hospitality centre can follow recycle option. In addition with this, this organisation can follow reducing the waste costs as it helps to develop reusable resources that e from the landfill.   Any sort of diversification within it may change their goals and conclude with a mere failure in the industry. Approaching towards the maximum number of consumers and providing them the best services are considered as the top priorities for them. However, they are also liable to follow their corporate social responsibilities as well. As stated by Fineman (2001), CSR activities are meant to be providing financial supports as well for the organisations through customer reliabilities. (Refer to Appendix) In Hospitality sector, most of the organisations are associated with the shareholders and stakeholders, who always expect value for their money. They are r mended to be learnt it extensively and convinced about the economic success through it. According to Gentile (2010), controlling the food waste and providing donations of food that have been wasted have allowed them to assure food preservations for the munity and poor people. This is a major advantage they have addressed in order to earn a major scale loyalty among the consumers. Grandiose Resorts and SPA has introduced the most effective tools for their energy consumption policies. One of them is known as the Energy Star Portfolio Manager, which is liable to provide the additional information about nature as well. The use of Centralised Room Management System (CRMS) in Grandiose Resorts and SPA has effectively controlled the air conditioning system. It has allowed them to prevent massive carbon emission caused by the uses of air conditions in the organisation. The use of Centralised Room Management System also helps the organisations to control lightning in the guest rooms. The use of occupancy sensor all along the guest rooms has reduced the overall electricity consumption. Using the LED lightning in the rooms has not only reduced the electricity consumptions, it has also reduced their costs up to 50% per month. Management of Grandiose Resorts and SPA has considered their ethical values with active manner. They have led their strategical movements to the ne xt levels from the conservative techniques. Grandiose Resorts can install a reflective roof with energy curtains in freezer rooms with SAS switched to LED lights as the cost of $2,307 and with the savings of the first year would be high. The technique of solar panel can be taken that reduces the cost of electricity with giving natural energy and heating. mercial fuel cell system can give Grandiose Resorts and SPA a domestic hot water that is more efficiently than electricity. They have also focused on saving the water resources and enabled recycling policies to save the other natural resources. Grandiose Resorts and SPA has coined an extensive range of trustworthiness among the global travellers, who are highly concerned about the natural resources.   Recycling the wastage foods for the animals and produce substances from them for the animals along with the aquatic lives has also provided them with a massive success from environmental perception. Reusing the attributes and other materials for the guests along with the employees have also reduced the consumption of natural resources. The organisation can recycle the food scraps with bulk waste that contain intensive liquid fertiliser. Enabling recycle technologies in the organisations have allowed them to enjoy a r mendable position in the hospitality business sector. They have focused on contributing towards the natural resources and conserve them for the future generations. They have found these techni ques fruitful enough in their economic growth as well, which have encouraged them to introduce several other actions, such as wide solar scales, mercial fuel power system, refillable amenity dispenser, megawatt system, soil moisture system, rainwater harvesting systems, and aerators. Grandiose Resorts and SPA can ensure several actions under their ethical considerations, which included energy management policies for the future generations, water management policies for preservation, and waste management policies for recycling. Grandiose Resorts and SPA can use laundry equipment that has microprocessor with the controlling system, they can implement an ozone system with installing waterless urinals in public and employee restrooms and bathrooms. In the roof, Grandiose Resorts and SPA, they can   use rain gauge for watering the organic garden and they can use soil moisture for pouring water to butterfly garden. Harvesting water that has saved in rain and bio-retention basin can be helpful. Reusing the guest linen and their towels saves the energy and water for the organisations. Water is an issue mostly in Dubai, Grandiose Resorts and SPA can use Aerators on all the place in public and hotel places that helps to reduce the use of water consumption by 40%. Grandio se Resorts and SPA need to maintain the pool where water leaks and waste most water. Moreover, Grandiose Resorts and SPA can distribute 2 types of bins for waste management to the local munities to provide support to the government’s reunification policies such as, plastic, waste. They can use green waste bins for recyclable waste and black for non-recyclable products. Tourism biodiversity conservation in hospitality is one of the important aspects of conservation of animals, birds and plants altogether. Conservation and biodiversity are significant for the corporate social responsibility. Nature conservation is important in Dubai and hospitality industry should look into this. Grandiose Resorts and SPA needs to focus on their CSR activities and enabled their workplaces to follow them effectively. They have encouraged several ethical and moral considerations in their workplaces in order to gain the desired reputation from the global tourists. The proper implications of CSR activities have provided them with a massive loyalty in this sector. Besides, they have also succeeded to gain desired trustworthiness from the government officials and nature conservationists. Under the moral and ethical considerations, they have also insisted their shareholders and stakeholders follow all the guidelines of their environmental practices and CSR activities carefu lly. It is really hard for an organisation to convince them to conduct the CSR activities and consider the ethical values in action. Biodiversity is associated with the ecological processes and it is associated with the human needs. The policy that can be taken by Grandiose Resorts and SPA is reducing the cycling, soil management, purification of water and providing pure oxygen. This system can regulate the climate and manage the air. Corporate Social Responsibilities are considered as one of the most popular terms of modern era hospitality business. Organisations in the hospitality sector are always liable to follow them with proper ethical and moral considerations. Grandiose Resorts and SPA evaluate their ethical and moral standpoints that indicated towards conducting operations without harming the others. This study has tried to analyse all the factors that enhance these considerations. This study has also focused on the issues, which are liable to influence the ethical considerations for the organisations in this sector. The financial expectation goals are also addressed in this study with respect to the implication of environmental considerations. Grandiose Resorts and SPA has provided major evidence in regards to their environmental and social considerations, which have allowed the study to r mended further actions to the organisations. Alonso, M. J., & Csaba, N. S.   (2012).  Nanostructured biomaterials for ove ing biological barriers  (No. 22). Royal Society of Chemistry. Blowfield, M., & Murray, A. (2008). Corporate responsibility: A critical introduction. Oxford University Press. Burchell, J. (2008). The Corporate Social Responsibility Reader: Context & Perspectives. London: Routledge. Burchell, J., & Cook, J. (2006). Confronting the â€Å"corporate citizen† Shaping the discourse of corporate social responsibility. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 26(3/4), 121-137. Campbell, T., & Miller, S. (Eds.). (2006). Human rights and the moral responsibilities of corporate and public sector organisations (Vol. 20). Springer Science & Business Media. Carroll, B. A., & Buchholtz, A. K. (2015). Business and society, ethics, sustainability, and stakeholder management (9th ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning. Collins, D. (2012). Business ethics: how to design and manage ethical organisations. NJ: John Wiley & Sons. Crane, A., & Matten, D. (2010). Business ethics: managing corporate citizenship and sustainability in the age of globalisation (3rd ed.). UK: Oxford University Press. DesJardins, J. R. (2012). An introduction to business ethics (4th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R., & Jackson, P. R. (2012). Management research. Sage. Ferrell, O. C., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell, L. (2012). Business ethics: ethical decision making and cases (9th ed.). Mason: South-Western Cengage Learning. Fineman, S. (2001). Fashioning the environment. Organization, 8(1), 17-31. Fisher, C. M., & Lovell, A. (2009). Business ethics and values: Individual, corporate and international perspectives. New York: Pearson education. Gentile, M. C. (2010). Giving Voice to Values: How to Speak Your Mind When You Know What? s Right. USA: Yale University Press. Grace, D., & Cohen, S. (2010). Business ethics (4th ed.). South Melbourne, Vic: Oxford University Press. Hartman, L. P., & DesJardins, J. R. (2011). Business ethics: decision making for personal integrity and social responsibility (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Irwin. Hooley, T., Wellens, J., & Marriott, J. (2012). What is Online research?: Using the Internet for social science research. London: A&C Black. Hyde, K. F., Ryan, C., & Woodside, A. G. (Eds.). (2012). Field guide to case study research in tourism, hospitality, and Leisure (Vol. 6). Emerald Group Publishing. Katsioloudes, M. I., & Brodtkorb, T. (2007). Corporate social responsibility: an exploratory study in the United Arab Emirates. SAM Advanced Management Journal, 72(4), 9-11. Pearce, D. G. (2012). Frameworks for tourism research. UK: CABI. Politis, Y., Litos, C., Grigoroudis, E., & Moustakis, V. S. (2009). A business excellence model for the hotel sector: implementation to high-class Greek hotels. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 16(4), 462-483. Rettab, B., Brik, A. B., & Mellahi, K. (2009). A study of management perceptions of the impact of corporate social responsibility on organisational performance in emerging economies: the case of Dubai.Journal of Business Ethics, 89(3), 371-390. Swailes, S. (2013). The ethics of talent management. Business Ethics: A European Review, 22(1), 32-46. Talib, F., Rahman, Z., & Qureshi, M. N. (2012). Total quality management in the service sector: a literature review. International Journal of Business Innovation and Research, 6(3), 259-301. End your doubt 'should I pay someone to do my dissertation by availing dissertation writing services from

Summary of the Patterns Movie Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Summary of the Patterns Movie - Essay Example On the other hand, Ramsey was compelled to enter into an agreement with Staples due to the situation that made him kill Brigg. However, his moral grounds were based on what was best in accordance to nature in the prevailing circumstances. Rationale for Epictetus response to the proposed strategy adopted by Staples The main teaching of Epictetus is on ethics. On his discourse, he lays out his ethical principles, which were formulated in forms of arguments in order to cure human souls (Guthrie 122). In the case of Staples’ proposed strategy, Epictetus could have argued that one has to abandon the attitude of a private individual and fulfill the ideal of a man in a moral progress. In this regard, it is true to argue that Staples ought to have stood on his morals and do what was right without compromising it with the job offered to him by Ramsey. This should also have been in line with what Aristotle argued to be the practice of good actions. Although Staples could have decided to take Ramsey’s offer basing his take of the position by reasoning as a means to living a life of virtue, his caveats seemed to contradict his morals. However, his decision to warn Ramsey about what he felt concerning the death of Brigg was such a good move, which shows his virtues. Nevertheless, Staples can be argued not to be fully committed to his moral virtues. According to Aristotle, moral virtue is constituted by correct action and emotion (Guthrie 130). Although Staples’ emotions symbolizes his true moral virtues, that is, his caveats about his feelings towards Brigg’s death and what he felt about what Ramsey did, his actions were not compatible with that. He was offered a job by Ramsey, and this could have acted as a bribe, which compromised his moral virtues. Aristotle’s point of view on individual change of heart in the business environment was that individuals must make choices that have consequences. For example, these choices should be in line with their impact on the society, if the consequences of bad behavior remove the individual further from achieving and contributing ‘good’ which, by endowment, yields a positivity to humanity, then that choice is uncalled for. It is further believed that ne person’s action can infuse the whole society. It can be argued that Staple’s action to take the job offered by Ramsey could play two major roles. Firstly Ramsey’s deeds could be encouraged as long as Staples accepted the offer of taking the job. This has an implication in that, since the offer was a kind of a deal; Staples could not disclose what happened. This, therefore, means that a culture of impunity would gradually be developed. Secondly, Staples could be compelled to sealing of such deeds even in the future as long as there is a reward offered. According to Aristotle’s concept of telos (end purpose), which articulates on the professional practice of public administration, the good life for each person is based on the move towards the perfection (Haskins 120). In this regard, it can be argued that both Ramsey and Staples were trying to move towards perfection of their good life. However, the bone of contention is on the end results of their move towards perfection of their good life. That is, the evaluation of their human soul and if their actions brigs them joy, hope, grief, or fear. The summary of the twelve angry men In the case of the young man charged with the crime of patricide, the

Importance of Communication Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Importance of Communication - Research Paper Example With respect to Hindustan Lever Limited (HLL), the company provides great example for understanding that how the market scenario had provided decision makers to understand the problems and opportunities and turn them to innovation. Innovation may rake the shape of a unique product, different methods or new approach of performing business. It arrives from inside of a company. Successful innovations take place by different outlooks and concepts. HLL had put great deal of efforts to develop innovative approaches and increase sales in the rural poor market of India. Generally, the products of multinational companies are targeted for developed market and the price is often beyond the purchasing power of rural citizens. Thus, multinational companies always market their products for the top level customers in poorer nations. HLL seeks to take the opportunity of making products available for poor consumers. They seek to reach to the poor customers by research and development approach. HLL ob served that to sell their products in the rural market of India there is need to shift from traditional media. In India, there were differences in using the television media among poor people and thus there was need for more direct and individual approach to communicate their message to the poor consumers. The main problem HLL faced for selling the products was illiteracy among poor Indian people. The decision makers had recognized that customers need to be educated first to understand the benefits they can get by using HLL products (Achtmeyer, â€Å"Hindustan Lever†). There was a great opportunity in front of HLL as the food market was strong in India. Food accounts for almost half of all commercial consumptions in India. India’s market was characterized by overwhelming national and social diversity. The HLL market researchers had studied the market of India and learned that majority of food purchased by poor people are raw in nature. The food products where made as w ell as sold locally. Each food products such as wheat, rice and salt among others have separate supply chain. As salt was the key input of majority of HLL products, the decision makers had selected salt as prospect for market growth (Achtmeyer, â€Å"Hindustan Lever†). HLL entered in the salt market of India by their new product ‘Kissan Annapuna’ in the year 1995. At that time, 10% of total consumer salt was sold branded. The decision makers had recognized the need for improving the customers’ knowledge. Besides the rural market, the consumers of urban market also purchased unbranded salt. In order to expand their business, HLL concentrated on the urban market to demonstrate the practicality of their branded salt. The demand and production of salt was well in India, thus HLL focused on upgrading the quality of their salt and purity in their products. The major issue for HLL was the price of product as their main competitor was local salt which was inexpens ive. The cost of HLL salt was high because it included the shipping expenses, packaging expenses and refinery expenses that were absent in local products.

Summary of the law of accelerating returns Essay

Summary of the law of accelerating returns - Essay Example According to the article, ‘Law of Accelerating Returns’ evolution relates to constructive feedbacks relating to a phase of evolutionary progress is used to form the next phase. Therefore, the rate of advancement in an evolutionary process escalates exponentially over a period, which highly influences the ‘Law of Accelerating Returns’ that involves rapidity, cost-effectiveness and complete "power" of a procedure. The second phase of exponential development occurs when higher resources are organized in the direction of further advancement. ‘Biological and technological evolution’ can be referred as evolutionary processes. For an instance, transistors are incorporated within a circuit to create powerful computers, which in turn provides a prospect for exponential growth until the computers become powerful. This induces a paradigm shift, which ensures that the process of exponential growth keeps persisting at a rate, which doubles in each decade (Ku rzweil, â€Å"The Law of Accelerating Returns†). The Singularity is the technical revolution, which is so prompt as well as intense that the rate of exponential growth has become infinite and technology seems to be mounting at limitless speed. Therefore, it can be considered that the Singularity will transmute different facets of our lives socially, sensually and economically. Advanced technologies in the present day context, has been subjected to law of accelerating returns. ‘Moores Law of Integrated Circuits’ came into existence, which was highly recognized in the public as a paradigm for exponential progression in computers. The overall speed of computers has doubled each year, which has given rise to flat chips used in computers. Moores Law has extended to such a level in terms of computational power due to which exponential progression has not been viable. Thus, ‘Moores Law’ can be considered as S curve. In agreement with the

Strategic human resource management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Strategic human resource management - Essay Example Human resources of a company are the most valuable and important assets.The terms Human resource management deals with a wide range and dimension of people. Human resources form the heart of every company The various skills as well as the motivation of the individuals help each individual enhance their performance and together they work towards achieving the goals of the organization. Human resource management is a very crucial part of any business and the human resource managers play a crucial role in the overall success of the business as well (Armstrong). This paper aims at discussing the role of HR in strategic planning of an organization as well as how the human capital planning has an impact on the overall business planning. The next section will briefly deal with the strategic role of HR. Strategic Role of HR: Human Resources Management is one of complex nature and the skills of the people in the organizations are very different and varied. Hence due to complex nature of the s kills and the people HR is more a strategic function than anything else (Carlie). The strategic planning of an organization depends on the Human Resources Management to a great extent, as HRM plays an important role throughout the life span of an employee in the organization, including recruitment, training, development and retention. It has been noted in the current times that the role of the HR is more strategic in nature than the traditional approach. There are mainly two areas that the HR tends to follow, i.e. the overall performance of the company and the role of the HR in terms of solving and resolving the business problems. Hr focuses more so on the overall issues and performance of the company than the performance of individuals and the individual roles (Noe, Hollenbeck and Gerhart). With the intense levels of competition, strategic human resource management involves management of available resources both for short as well as long term goals of the organisation. Business str ategy has been defined as game plan of the management and business strategies have been recognised to be the main source that allows better usage of all resources within the business. In the current time where competition is at its peak, it is clear that every business wishes to use all of its resources to the maximum and to benefit the most of all the resources (Carlie). Strategically using the resources to gain optimum utilisation of the resources is referred to as strategic human resource management. It is crucial that these strategies are in sync with the overall business strategy to create a well balanced business including all aspects like finance and marketing. Importance of HR: Effective human resources management is an important element of business in the current time. The success or failure of a business can clearly be based on the competencies and the attitudes of the human resources of a company and it is now becoming imperative for businesses to attract, retain and also nurture good talent (Noe, Hollenbeck and Gerhart). Currently the boundaries of human resources are clearly being defined by innovativeness and proactive. It is now evident that the success of a business is more so based on the human resources rather than simply wealthy physical resources. The quality of the human resources has become a major element for the overall success of the businesses and also the nation as well. With the intensive growth of technology and the high levels of globalization, it is clear that the businesses are now more knowledge and information based, service oriented, customer centric and competitive. Success of any business is clearly dependent on the level of dynamics of the business and it is here that the human resourc

Enhancing the Patient Experience Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Enhancing the Patient Experience - Essay Example Due to space imitation, the paper will focus only on the challenges that were experienced during the case study discussed, and not on the treatment. Different studies have revealed that person-centred care not only gives psychological satisfaction to patients, but also helps the nurses to gain psychological satisfaction in their job, as person-centred care not only makes easy their ‘job’, but also provides certain sense of spiritual meaning and depth to the process of caring. The Case Study The case study included in this paper is of a teenage female client who was recommended by her school for counseling and therapy. The physical examination of the client had revealed that the client was severely overweight and was suffering from obesity related problems. Her academic performance had gone down drastically in last six months, and she was becoming emotionally and psychologically distant from her peers and teachers. However, the decision to send her for counseling was take n when her parents approached the school regarding her performance and expressed worries over her behaviour problems. The method used to understand the client was personal interview. Six sessions of interview were conducted with the client. It was found that she was suffering from low self-esteem and insecurity. ... The client’s eating pattern was related to the emotional insecurity and unfulfilled needs. Hence, it was very necessary to adopt a person-centred approach to gain her confidence and faith. Person-centred approach is one of the most effective approaches in care. According to Ford and McCormack (2000), â€Å"in order to provide person-centred care, practitioners must acquire knowledge about the person which allows them to provide care and services that are compatible with individual’s values and which are, as such, highly valued† (Clarke, Hanson and Ross 2003, p.697). However, understanding the values of a person is not an easy task. There were many challenges that were experienced during the journey of the treatment process. Interestingly, the challenges started right from the beginning of the treatment as the first challenge was faced when I had to understand the core values of my client. Building mutual trust Communication between nurse and patient is an importa nt aspect of a successful treatment. However, communication is possible only when the patient trusts the nurse and believes that the details of his personal life will remain confidential. Hence, in order to encourage my client to open up emotionally, it was necessary for me to gain her trust. It was important to assure her that I was not going to judge her in any way, but understood her point of view completely. It has been observed that due to differing interpretation of illness and related conditions, the mutual trust between the nurse and the patient, which is necessary for good communication, cannot be developed (Sartain, Clarke and Heyman 2000, p. 913). Mutual trust can be enhanced by accessing and resolving the difference in patient’s and service provider’s interpretation of the medical

Apital punishment Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Apital punishment - Research Paper Example Of the developed western countries, only the United States continues to actively practice capital punishment, and this varies significantly between different states. History of capital punishment Prior to the 18th-century, capital punishment was prevalent in England for a range of types of crime, including theft and assault. However, as power shifted towards a parliamentary system, and away from the monarch having sole power, the use of capital punishment decreased. This was partly driven by a desire to see more democracy, and also because the death penalty was becoming ineffective at reducing crime rates (Lieberman 200-203). At this time the list of crimes that were punishable by death was so extensive that enforcing the law was difficult and often impossible. Because the only option for those convicted of capital crimes was death, many were released or recommended for royal pardon, based on compassion (Lieberman 209). Consequently, the use of capital punishment began to decrease, a nd there was an increase in the rate at which criminals were imprisoned In southern France 1977, a Tunisian worker was killed by guillotine as the result of a conviction of murder. While there was nothing significant about the conviction itself, this was the last time that an individual was executed through capital punishment in Western Europe in the 20th century. This trend was prevalent throughout the world, and in the same year only two people were put to death in the United States (Zimring 15-16). The worldwide perception of capital punishment has changed throughout the decades. Initially, Europe believed that the presence of the death penalty was the decision of the individual nation. However, since 2000 Europe has placed a strong emphasis on the human rights aspect of capital punishment, believing the use of the death penalty to be a violation of human rights (Zimring 17). Capital punishment in the United States The occurrence of capital punishment within the United States of America remains an issue of significant moral, political and legal relevance. America is the only developed nation in the western world that continues to use capital punishment as a legal means of punishing criminals (Zimring viii). The use of capital punishment in the United States is varied, and some states actively use the death penalty, while others have abolished it altogether. While the number of people sentenced to death has been dramatically increasing, the same trend has not been observed in number of people executed (Zimring 6). The history of capital punishment in the United States is surprising and unpredictable. In the 1950s and 1960s the pattern of executions followed that of the rest of the western world, with a steadily decreasing number of deaths by capital punishment per year. By 1965, this figure had decreased to less than ten executions each year. A moratorium was released on capital punishment in 1972, which lasted until 1970. However, from 1970 to the present d ay, the nationwide rates of capital punishment have been increasing, and they currently resemble the rates that occurred prior to the moratorium (Zimring 6-7). Capital punishment shows substantial variation across the states. Thirty-eight states have legal statutes that allow the death penalty, although several of these have not executed an individual for decades. Furthermore, variation among the states that practice the death penalty is significant. In 2000, 40 people were executed in the state of Texas, out of the 85 executions that occurred across the nation (Zimring 7). One significant change that has occurred in the death penalty since its inception is the movement

Analysis case with economics theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Analysis case with economics theory - Essay Example m a one-on-one interaction both between the students and with their tutors and employment opportunities that arise from physical learning institutions. Starting off with the costs, basic classroom learning doesn’t require any special equipment besides the usual paper and pen for the majority of the courses. Most campuses offer accommodation cheaply for their students besides subsidized meals. These ensure the costs are kept down so that more and more people can have the privilege of accessing university education. Compared to online learning, lots of costs are incurred with reference to high-speed internet costs, powerful computers and having to rent a house at high costs if one isn’t lucky enough to study from home. The advantage of having many students enables economies of scale and thus most costs can be cut for affordability’s sake. It is an advantage in the sense that students stay on the campus and focus on studying and developing other skills being aware that their other needs are taken care of. My second point for classroom learning is a lack of interaction among the students themselves and between the students and their teachers (Filimban 66). This leads to the students not developing their mental capabilities beyond what they know due to less challenges and the tendency to have ‘closed minds.’ Compared to classroom learning where students get to share ideas freely thus enhancing thinking capacities and developing better personalities through socializing with others, online learning only aims to impart knowledge and little else. It should thus be left to specialized graduates who have already developed their characters accordingly and need the special knowledge to further their professions. Online learning removes the natural and traditional hands-on experience where one learns through practical settings that ensure the lessons are absorbed and kept well. The fact that classroom learning brings the students into direct contact with their

Abraham Lincoln Bio Essay Example for Free

Abraham Lincoln Bio Essay Since his death in 1865, Abraham Lincoln has been immortalized as one of, if not the greatest hero in American history due to his role in ending the Civil War and abolishing slavery. He led our country through its’ darkest days and was able to prevent the south from successfully seceding and preserving the United States. Throughout history many have been called heroes, some deservedly and others not. Lincoln’s recognition as a hero is valid because of his many achievements and his leadership style. Lincoln was born in February 1809, in Kentucky. His early life was difficult, losing his mother to illness at 9 years old. The family was poor and Lincoln needed to work to help support them. As a result, he had very little formal education, but it was this hard work and humble beginnings that ignited the spark in Lincoln to learn. When he was a young man the family moved to Illinois and it was there that Lincoln learned the law and became interested in local politics. In 1834 he was elected to the Illinois State Legislature. He taught himself the law, was admitted to the Bar in 1836 and also began a career as a successful lawyer. Between 1847 and 1849 he served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives. As a result of the increased opposition to slavery, the Republican Party was born and Lincoln joined the party in 1856. It was his anti-slavery views and the continuing passing of laws to protect slavery that further sparked his interest in politics. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate but obtain national exposure from the race due to his unique communication and debating techniques. It was this exposure that found him as a candidate for President in 1860. He was elected the 16th President of the United States and the first President from the Republican Party. Because of his well-known views on slavery, the  secessionists began their plans to split from the Union prior to his taking office. The Civil Was began in April of 1861 with the attack on Fort Sumter in South Carolina. Almost immediately in his role as President, Lincoln was faced with the most challenging situation of any President prior to him. His decision-making and communication skills, though unpopular at times, would be a vital part of his success over the next several years. Lincoln possessed strong social intelligence skills. He was sensitive to other people’s feelings and moods, and he was particularly adept at reading people. Lincoln had a great ability in understanding the motivations of others, and was skillful at getting others to cooperate with him. He knew to be pleasant and approachable while also being fierce when fighting for causes he believed in. One tool that Lincoln would use was storytelling. He would use stories from his past which would put people at ease while at the same time relaying his point in a clear way. Another method he would use was to ask questions to get his rivals to see things his way. His communication style and speeches were simple and logical. Abraham Lincoln’s most famous speech was the Gettysburg Address given in 1863 at the dedication of the National Cemetery after the battle at Gettysburg. The speech last just over two minutes and was an example of how Lincoln understood his audience. There had been much â€Å"Pomp and Circumstance† throughout the ceremony and many long speeches prior to his. The words he chose were short and to the point, but were full of inspiration and emotion. The speech focused on the principles of the founding fathers of our nation and the words from the Declaration of Independence that â€Å"all men are created equal† and that all men have the unalienable rights to the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness. One of the main things Lincoln wanted to accomplish with this speech, was to rally support for the 13th Amendment, which would abolish slavery and was in jeopardy of failing to pass in Congress. Lincoln again used his influence as a communicator to get the 13th Amendment passed. He would spend hours with his political rivals building relationships. It was important that he understood their perspectives on the issues and would give them the opportunity to express their views and needs. His approach was thoughtful and personal. This bill was met with much opposition and it took great skill and tenacity on Lincoln’s part to insure its passage. Many Presidents since Lincoln have also faced challenges when trying to pass  legislature, among them our current President Barack Obama. Whether or not you are a supporter of our current President aside, some similarities can be seen between the two. As was the case with Lincoln, Obama is known for his listening skills, and taking in ideas from all sides. He is a skilled orator and there is a strong sense of morality in his tone when speaking. There are many references to President Lincoln in Obama’s speeches which show the influence the former President has on him. Abraham Lincoln led our nation through one of its most turbulent times. He used his communication skills and understanding of people to obtain success. His ability to talk to people and understand what they stood for while moving them to see things his way led him to be regarded as one of our greatest Presidents. References A-E Networks. Abraham lincoln biography [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.biography.com/people/abraham-lincoln-9382540 Abraham and Mary Lincoln: A House Divided PBS. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/lincolns/player/ Hubbard, C. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.historynet.com/abraham-lincoln Communicate like Abraham Lincoln. Retrieved from:http://www.communitelligence.com/blps/article.cfm?weblog The Connections Between President Barack Obama and President Abraham Lincoln (n.d.)Retrieved from: http://www.reobama.com/ObamaLincoln.htm House passes the 13th Amendment. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/house-passes-the-13th-amendment

The ICT Project Essay Example for Free

The ICT Project Essay Introduction: I have been given a task to find out a real end user for my project who is currently having problems with paper. I am brainstorming different types of techniques to improve the efficiency and quality of the paper based problem. I have found an end user for my project; it is one of my teachers in Sir John Cass, Mr Shah who is a key skills ICT teacher. His currently having a paper problem he needs to input details of individual student of their term report, his currently using a pen and a paper to input all the details such as the whole terms attendance, predicted grades etc. The type of software I will be using is Spreadsheet because it is one of the criteria in my project. Spreadsheet is an application used to input data into table graphs. This application will require basic computer (including input devices) and the spreadsheet application with a connected computer per unit. The way in which the spreadsheet will be constructed is a big factor when deciding its effectiveness and speed of input for example I do not want to overcomplicate the system. I will be using well known software called Microsoft Excel, which is ideal for the creation of tables and graphs as stated earlier. I in this case will be easy to use interface. Although the end user is not adept to the use of ICT I will be creating the system for a user with no ICT skills as this in a sense will speed up the input process further. Why not continue the old methods of registry and late entries: 1. All the work is written down so there are human errors such as spelling and when something like this is to happen you have to start over because on a formal piece of information there cannot be mistakes this can be time consuming. 2. Accuracy will be greatly increased with the user friendly interface which in addition to accuracy increases efficiency. 3. You may not able to make immediate electronic copies of information tables. 4. The special features available with Excel (spreadsheet) are no longer an option such as, immediate calculation, from entry, graphs and charts, etc. 5. Most of the surnames and first names are the same it can be difficult to find phone details, however with this system you can have this information automatically loaded with the name entry. Current System Mr Shah teaches year 7 to year 11 students for Key Skills ICT, the problems his currently facing is filling in individuals students records such as their term report, attendance record, working grade, everything on paper as it is a bit time consuming to find all the records of each students when filling in their report. Mr Shah is a very busy man as he is also the head of year of ICT key skills. The current system involves Mr Shah marking grades by using a pen and filling in term reports by manually and keeping records of individual students which involves writing everything on paper. Therefore I have stepped in to help him with his problems. I will be mainly focusing on year 11 as it is important for them because their about to face their exams. Problems with Current System: By reviewing Mr Shahs problem I have found out what the current common mistakes happened to be, they are: * The current system is inaccurate and most of the time he makes mistakes. For example, when she is working out percentage and grades for each student, she often makes calculation errors. * It is very time consuming, especially the calculation of percentages attained in marked worked and grades obtained overall. * As the names of students are not in order he finds it difficult to find the student to record a mark. * The report could easily get lost. * Also writing in individual names several times, which is time consuming. Interviewed Questions What is your position at this school? What type of system do you use for your mark tracks? What method do you use to mark your student work? What problems are you facing with your current system? How would you want your current system to be improved? What do you think is the major failings in your current system? Have you ever used a computer for tracking marks? Can you give me any samples of your current system? Is there a CD ROM drive in your computer? Do you have a printer? How certain are you when using computers? How certain are you when using Excel? What features and functions are you aware of in Excel? Do you keep all your records? Do you have any additional questions? End User Requirement Statement of user requirements Mr Shah feels a computerized system will solve some of her current problems as she thinks she has some knowledge about Excel. She feels I will be able to create an effective, fast, and easy to use automated system to calculate her students marks for her, which will enable her to solve her problem. They are the following things she expects to get from a computerized system. Input * She wants the new system to enable her to make management decisions that she uses to support student, which need help, whether parents need contacting, whether other action is required e.g. Detention. * The system should automatically calculate the percentage and grades of each student. This system will therefore make her work more accurate and easy to use. * Mr Shah wants the new system to be able to enter student personal details, e.g. DOB, tutor group, surname, etc. * She wants the new system to be able to edit student personal details. Also she wants the system to able to delete student personal details if a student moves form her teaching group. Output * Mr Shah the new system to use colour coding when displaying grades of each student, e.g. Green for A*, Blue for A etc. * Mr Shah would like a report facility where she can select a student from a list and the report will show the students name, gender, from group, overall percentages mark, grade obtained and an automatic comment on progress. * The system should be able to produce chart, which will analysis student overall performance and also compare girls and boys performance. Processing * The system will put the names of student in alphabetical order. * Mr Shah wants the new system to automatically convert numerical marks to percentages. Storage * Mr Shah wants the new system to be able to store 30 students personal detail and also store results for up to 70 tests. * Finally, the new system should not be used by anyone else except Mr Shah, I will make sure the system is safe and I will make sure it has a security code. Backup protocols are a necessity in the event that the master copy is lost or destroyed. Backup up will be provided by an external hard drive, and the system will be backed up periodically, i.e. every week, or in special circumstances, for example, there is a significant in take of data into the system. Furthermore, the backup copy will be stored of site, so that if theres a natural disaster affecting the main site, the backup copy will remain. Plus, this method of backup can be described as differential backup, which practices a cumulative backup of changes from the last full backup , allowing a full system restore based upon the last full backup. Due to the non existent computer skills of the employees, an introduction into the use of computers is necessary. To accompany the basic skills they will acquire, I will need to develop a user manual which will provide detailed instructions in performing various tasks in the system as well as maintaining it, which is vital to its integrity and reliability. However, Victor has advised me to provide a manual of minimal size and contents in order to avoid confusion and enable the employees to read it swiftly, so they can get on with the job as soon as possible. Source Documents The source document that I have provided is a copy of marks book that Mr Shah uses to record her student marks. As you can see there is a lot of data to be inputted by hand. This is one of the problems that Mr Shah has. The calculations of total mark and overall have to make using calculator, which is time consuming. Objectives of the new system * The new system will perform the following tasks: * It should be able to identify students with poor performance by using a visual alert. * Ability to edit incorrect mark, so whenever Ms Gammon make an accidental mistake, she will have the ability to correct it. * The system should be able to produce average performance percentage of each student for her class. * It should have the ability to Edit and Delete students details if required, thorough the use of data forms. * Easy and clear to use. * It should automatically calculate percentages and grades from the inputted a student marks and maximum mark available for each test. * Cell, formulae protected to prevent accidental deletion. * It should automatically work out a students grade, based on overall percentage for all tests taken. * It should be able to generate an automated report for students showing student performance. * Password (security) on file access. * It should automatically colour code student grades. User Skill Level Mr Shah has used Microsoft Excel but does not use it to calculate percentage, and grades of her marks. She is an average user, which means she does not understand most of the advanced features. Such as Vlookup, IF Statement, Macros, etc. Project Constraints Mr Shah uses school standard PC that I will be using to calculate percentages and grades for the new system. It has a four processor, which has 512 MB of RAM and 30 GB hard disk. It has Microsoft software including the excel 2000. Mr Shah Pc has CD Rom, USB and floppy drive, which are also connected to school network. This will make my work to be easy when loading the new system onto her computer because I can store it on the CD or floppy disk and transfer the system. Ms Gammon has printer in her office, which will be used to print out reports of student performance Performance Criteria These are the performance criteria that are going to be used in the new system that Mr Shah asked for: * MR Shah will be able to correct mistakes that she might make during marking; this will make the system to be more neatly presented and pleasant. * It should be able to add and delete students if required. * The system will generate automated reports of each student by click of a button showing their performance that can be sent to parent. * It will be easy and clear to use. * The new system will produce an average performance percentage for each student. And also it will automatically convert numerical marks to percentages. * It should have protection to prevent accidental deletion of important formulae, numbers, table, chart and text. All the sheet and cells in the system must be protected with security to prevent these. * Graph and charts should be generated quickly and easily to compare boys and girls performance, All student and by form. * The new system will not take more than 4seconds to view performance and grades for each student. * The system will generate automated colour coding when displaying grades of each student. * The system will store 40 student personal details, and also store results for up to 50 tests. * Mr Shah will be able to select student from a list and the report will show the students name, gender, overall percentage mark, grade obtained and an automatic comment on progress. Design Choice of Software I think that Microsoft Excel is the best option of software because it has got many features such as: * It has advanced functionality such as pivot table, sort, forms, Vlookup, average, and write protection. This will make things more automated for the user. * Pivot: this will hold table for charts. This will not need to be seen by the user. When they select the chart that they require on the student summary sheet, the pivot table on the sheet will change to represent that choice. It will also used to summaries archive data for use in charts showing: 1. By gender 2. Form * Data entry form will be able to edit and delete student records. * Conditional formatting will allow automatic shading of cells to give visual message for highlighting grade attained and also table displaying student grades. * Macros can be used to perform complex tasks at the press of a single button. * It can perform complex calculation such as working out the grade for each student. * User Forms for controlling actions with macros using buttons. * Chart /Graph: can be used to display output of information such as averages, predicted grades etc. * The user wants the system to be as error-free as possible. Excels Validation facility will allow me to set up range validation to control data input when entering student personal details, overall mark etc. * Protections of cell so that user cannot accidentally delete information. Statement of Input, Processing Output requirement The input would be: Personal Details: First name Surname Gender Date of Birth Form Roll number Student marks: Assignment marks Maximum /minimum mark Grade Boundaries The Processing would be: Calculating the grades through a Vlookup to the grade boundaries table. Sorting, grouping and summarizing data with a pivot table. Calculate the average of total marks Using Vlookup work out a grade for the average. The output would be: Pivot Chart/Graph showing comparisons between gender, form-by-form and overall year group achievement. Give students their grades using report card. Table displaying student grades. Creating report for using student with performance. School letter, which would be sent out to parent using conditional formatting to highlighting grade attained. Data Set Because of Data Production Act, I cannot be able to use the real detail of Mr Shah Students. For that reason, I will create my own data set of example student details, which I will work with.

Health Essays Gender Health Disparities

Health Essays Gender Health Disparities Mens Health: Men Are far from being the Stronger Sex, they are Actually the Opposite Introduction: Gender-based Health Disparities While the study of gender in health has allowed for tremendous strides, there has been little benefit to advancing the understanding of mens health (Habben, 2005). While the majority of social, political, legal, and religious systems favor men, this favoritism has not served to improve mens health status (Lantz, Fullerton Harshburger, 2001, p. 189). Generally, men suffer more life-threatening and chronic illnesses such as heart and cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, certain cancers, and emphysema (Lantz, Fullerton Harshburger, 2001, p. 189). Men have higher age-adjusted mortality rates for the 15 leading causes of death than do women (Williams 2003, p. 724). Furthermore, they have at least two times higher death rates than women for suicide, homicide, accidents and cirrhosis of the liver (p. 724). The two leading causes of death for men in the U.K. are circulatory disease (including heart disease and stroke) and cancer (NSO, 2004a). Numerous health statistics illustrate the increased vulnerability of men to certain illnesses. In 2001, almost half of men were considered overweight compared to one-third of women (NSO, 2004b), men are twice as likely as women to exceed the daily benchmark for alcohol consumption (NSO 2004b), and life expectancy at birth is lower for males than for females at 75.7 vs. 80.4 years (NSO 2004c). In the United States, men have a higher incidence of seven out of the ten most common infectious diseases, and three quarters of deaths from myocardial infarction occur in men (Courtenay, 2000, p. 1385). Cancer is a prime example of the effects of male gender on health (Nicholas, 2000). Cancers of the larynx, oral cavity, pharynx, bladder, and liver occur highly disproportionately in men (Nicholas, 2000, p. 27). Further, men are more likely to die from cancer than are women. Biology vs. Gender Socialization Differences in health between men and women are not merely biological, but also include lifestyle differences and gender socialization factors (Peate, 2004). Gender differences in health and longevity can be explained partly by health behaviors (Courtenay, 2000, p. 1386), and recent discussions of mens health have emphasized the importance of masculine gender role socialization (e.g., Nicholas, 2000, p. 27). Mens concepts of maleness or masculinity guide their decisions about accepted behaviors. For example, risk-taking behaviors such as excessive alcohol or tobacco use are influenced by beliefs about masculinity (Nicholas, 2000, p. 28). The study of mens health goes beyond an emphasis on physiological structure and biological sex to include a broader analysis of social, cultural, and psychological issues pertaining to the traits, norms, stereotypes and roles associated with male gender (Brooks, 2001, p. 285). Men, in their quest to embody a strong masculine role, may predispose them selves to psychological, emotional, and behavioral disorders (Brooks, 2001, p. 287). Gender may be defined as the expectations and behaviors that individuals learn about femininity and masculinity  (Sabo, 2000, p. 133). Gender socialization influences health-risk behavior, mens perceptions of and use of their bodies, and their psychosocial adjustment to illness (Sabo, 2000, p. 133). While establishing his braveness or manliness to others, a man who conforms rigidly to the masculine ideal by ignoring pain and other illness symptoms is at increased risk of developing chronic diseases (Sabo, 2000, pp. 135-136). Beliefs about masculinity play a role in the health of men, and may lead them to engage in harmful behaviors or to refrain from health-protective actions (Williams, 2003, p. 727). Male-like qualities such as individuality, autonomy, stoicism, and physical aggression, as well as avoidance of showing emotion or displaying weakness may combine to lead to poorer health in men (Williams, 2003, p. 726). In addition, gender roles can help explain mens reluctance to seek medical care, their avoidance of expressing emotions, engagement in unsafe sexual behaviors, drug use, crime, and dangerous sports (Lee Owens, 2002). Further, men may be more likely to identify themselves with their work and to spend less time with family (Lee Owens, 2002). While men who are socialized to have more feminine attributes may be more likely to be aware of and concerned about their health and health-compromising behaviors (Kaplan Marks, 1995), men who step outside the gender boundary may be perceived as deviant (Seymour-Smith, Wetherell Pheonix, 2002). Gender socialization may influence the extent to which boys adopt masculine behaviors. Boys are encouraged to play like other boys and discouraged from playing with or like girls. To do otherwise could lead to rejection. Parents often instill in boys that they are strong and that big boys dont cry ideas which help form the boys personality. The masculinization process may make men have difficulty asking for help (Peate, 2004). Society places great value on the stereotypical image of the male as strong and silent, contributing to the idea that men are invulnerable (Fleming, Spiers, McElwee OGorman, 2001, p.337). While women value interdependence (e.g., consulting others and accepting help ), men value independence and avoid acknowledging a need for help (Lantz, Fullerton Harshburger, 2001, p. 190). Strict adherence to idealized masculinity may lead to a number of mental and physical health problems. This may be due not only to strict adherence to a rigid masculine role, but also to a sense of failure when men fail to live up to this role (Nicholas, 2000, p. 31). Such failure may lead to increased anxiety, psychological distress, poor relationships, cardiovascular reactivity, anger, decreased self-esteem, and unwillingness to seek health services (p. 31). Risk-taking Men are more likely than women to engage in risky behaviors and to hold risky beliefs (Courtenay, McCreary Merighi 2002). They are more inclined than women to engage in behaviors that increase morbidity and mortality such as smoking and alcohol abuse (Williams, 2003, p. 727). Men and boys are socially pressured to endorse gendered societal prescriptions such as beliefs that men are strong, independent, self-reliant, and tough (Courtenay, 2000, p. 1387). As a reflection of such gender stereotypes, men often exhibit risk-taking behaviors such as smoking, poor diet and exercise habits, drinking to excess, and overworking (Lantz et al., 2001, p. 191). While men tend to know less about health than women, they also perceive themselves as less vulnerable to illness than do women (Nicholas, 2000, p. 29). As a result, men may be less aware of recommended screening and common symptoms of disease. More men than women smoke cigarettes and use excess alcohol. These behaviors often occur together, thereby increasing the incidence of oral and throat cancers (Nicholas, 2000, p. 28). Excess alcohol and tobacco use is a risk factor in 80% of cases of head and neck cancers (p. 28). The causes of death that affect the most mencompared to womenare those most influenced by behavior or personal choice (e.g., suicide, homicide, accidents, and cirrhosis of the liver; Habben, 2005). Alcohol and illicit drug abuse are largely male problems in which the social construction of masculinity plays a significant role (Brooks, 2001, p. 290). Alcohol abuse is a major contributor to mortality from liver cirrhosis, accidents, suicide, and homicidethese being the four causes of death where men double the rate of women (Williams, 2003, p. 727). Further, men are more likely to believe that high-risk behaviors will not impair their performance (e.g., drinking and driving; Williams, 2003, p. 727). Throughout life, men are at a higher risk of dying than are women. Lifestyle factors related to this include an increased likeliness of having accidents, having a dangerous occupation, and experiencing higher risks when at work (Peate, 2004). Men tend to underestimate the risks involved in physically dangerous activities and may feel that enduring physical punishment and pain are part of being male (Nicholas, 2000, p. 29). Men are more likely than women to work in hazardous occupations such as construction, agriculture, oil, transportation, and forestryoccupations that increase mens exposure to known carcinogens such as asbestos, benzene, chromium, and vinyl chloride (Nicholas, 2000, p. 28). In addition, risk-taking may include playing of dangerous sports (e.g., football or rugby), or engaging in high-risk sexual behavior. Taking risks confirms a mans masculinity to himself and to others. Further, gender is related to power, and the pursuit of power may lead men to engage in harmful behaviors (Courtenay, 2000, p. 1388). Behaviors such as refusing to take sick time off from work, insisting that they need little sleep, and boasting that alcohol or drug use does not impair their driving serve to demonstrate the dominant norms of masculinity (Courtenay, 2000, p. 1389). Under-utilization of Health Care Services Since illness is seen as a threat to masculinity, men are less likely to seek help when ill (Fleming, et al., 2001, p. 337). This may be related to the male tendency to suppress the expression of need and to minimize pain (Williams, 2003 p. 728). Men tend to reinforce social beliefs that they are less vulnerable than women, that their bodies are stronger than those of women, and that caring for ones health is feminine (Courtenay, 2000, p. 1389). In fact, utilization of health care and exhibiting positive health behaviors or beliefs are constructed as part of idealized femininity, and must be resisted in the expression of masculinity (p. 1389). Mens reluctance to discuss personal concerns may extend into the patient-provider relationship, where men may be less likely to fully report their health history and the exact details of their illness symptoms (Lantz, Fullerton Harshburger, 2001, p. 194). Men are less likely to engage in health behaviors such as reporting symptoms, practicing health-promotion, and utilizing health care services (p. 189). Medical encounters also differ between male and female patients, with men receiving less time, fewer services, less information and advice, and less encouragement to change health behaviors (p. 728). Further, when men do receive care, they are less likely to adhere to their medical regimen (p. 728). The socially conditioned suppression of pain by men may lead to delayed help-seeking (Brownhill, Wilhelm, Barclay Parker, 2002). Gender socialization may be responsible for the fact that men value more concrete rather than abstract information (Lantz et al., 2001, p. 194). Thus, men may be more likely to ignore vague somatic symptoms and to wait for more concrete signs of disease, thereby delaying treatment until the more advanced stages of disease (p. 194). Often, when men seek care, their disease process is more advancedleading to higher morbidity and mortality (Lantz et al., 2001, p. 191). While women are more likely to seek care for symptoms, men generally seek medical care for employment or insurance reasons (p. 191). Delaying medical intervention leads to a state of urgency once assistance is finally sought (p. 191). In men, emotional distress in men may be masked by outward symptoms such as chest pain, deliberate self-harm, drug or alcohol abuse (Brownhill et al., 2002). Further, men expect health care professionals to be able to read their signs and symptoms without themselves having to disclose anything (Brownhill, et al., 2002). Other reasons for mens reluctance to seek health care may include a lack of understanding of making appointments, inconvenient opening hours, long waits for appointments, lack of trust, and fear of being judged. Men may feel social pressure to not reveal any weakness that may lessen their masculinity, and thus may not seek care. Solutions might include providing services that men can access anonymously (e.g., via the internet or telephone help-lines), and extending opening hours of services to include evenings and weekends. Conclusion: Possible Solutions for improving Mens Health Health educators and advocates for mens health should encourage men to consider the effects of gender on health behaviors and outcomes (Sabo, 2000, p. 139). Health education for men should address enhancing mens awareness that some of the culturally supported masculinity norms can lead to health-damaging behaviors (Williams, 2003, p. 730). Williams suggests that the meaning of manhood needs to be re-defined in a more positive way along with changes in cultural institutions and social structures, thus reinforcing positive health behaviors in men (Williams, 2003, p. 730). Modification of health behaviors may be one of the most effective ways of preventing disease (Courtenay, 2000, p. 1386). One solution could be to provide earlier socialization of boys and young men that health promoting behavior is positive, that reporting health concerns is not a sign of weakness, and that better health encourages a more positive self-image (Lantz, Fullerton Harshburger, 2001, p. 195). The development of the male gender role should focus less upon the roles of protector and provider, and should emphasize more greatly mens abilities as caregivers and nurturers (Brooks, 2001, p. 293). Such emphasis would enhance the presence of nurturance, attachment, and intimacy in the social construction of masculinity. References Brooks, G. (2001). Masculinity and mens mental health. Journal of American College Health, 49: 285-297. Brownhill, S., Wilhelm, K., Barclay, L., and Parker, G. (2002). Detecting depression in men: A matter of guesswork. International Journal of Mens Health, 1: 259-80. Courtenay, W. (2000). Constructions of masculinity and their influence on mens well-being: a theory of gender and health. Social Science Medicine, 50: 1385-1401. Courtenay, W., McCreary, D., and Merighi, J. (2002). Gender and ethnic differences in health beliefs and behaviors. Journal of Health Psychology, 7: 219-31. Fleming, P., Spiers, A., Mc Elwee, G. and OGorman, M. (2001). Mens perceptions of health education methods used in promoting their health in relation to cancer. The International Electronic Journal of Health Education, 4: 337-344. Habben, C. (2005). Mens health in primary care: Future applications for psychologists. In James, L. and Folen, R. (Eds.); The primary care consultant: The next frontier for psyc hologists in hospitals and clinics, pp. 257-265. Kaplan, M. and Marks, G. (1995). Appraisal of health risks: The roles of masculinity, femininity, and sex. Sociology of Health and Illness, 17: 206-21. Lantz, J., Fullerton, J. and Harshburger, R. (2001). Promoting screening and early detection of cancer in men. Nursing and Health Sciences, 3: 189-196. Lee, C. and Owens, R. (2002). Issues for a psychology of mens health. Journal of Health Psychology, 7: 209-357. Nicholas, D. (2000). Men, masculinity, and cancer: Risk-factor behaviors, early detection, and psychosocial adaptation. Journal of American College Health, 49: 27-33. NSO (2004a). National Statistics; Gender; Health: Women Live almost 5 years longer than men. National Statistics Online. Retrieved from the World Wide Web on 23 March, 2005 at http://www.statistics.gov/uk/cci/nugget_print.asp?ID=438 NSO (2004b). National statistics; Gender; Health related behavior: More overweight men than women. National Statistics Online. Retri eved from the World Wide Web on 23 March, 2005 at http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget_print.asp?ID=439 NSO (2004c). National statistics; Health; Health expectancy: Living longer, more years in poor health. National Statistics Online. Retrieved from the World Wide Web on 23 March, 2005 at http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget_print.asp?ID=918 Peate, L. (2004). Mens attitudes towards health and the implications for nursing care. British Journal of Nursing, 13: 13-26. Sabo, D. (2000). Mens health studies: Origins and trends. Journal of American College Health, 49: 133-142. Seymour-Smith, S., Wetherell, M., and Pheonix, A. (2002). My wife ordered me to come: A discursive analysis of doctors and nurses accounts of mens use of general practitioners. Journal of Health Psychology, 7: 253-67. Williams, D. (2003). The health of men: Structured inequalities and opportunities. Public Health Matters, 93: 724-31.