Public finance

The researcher by introduction which includes background to the problem, Statement of the problem, Research questions, Objective of the study, Significance of the study, and the scope and limitation of the study. In the second chapter there is literature review, both theoretical and empirical literature review in which there are some terms defined with relevant theories. The third chapter explains about now the study wick be conducted and techniques that will be used in conducting the research study The third chapter shows and explains the schedule of activities, references and bibliography.The fourth chapter give much details of the research topic by answering the research questions both specific and general research questions. It gives a detailed information gathered during the research period so as to give the real situation of the Ministry in relation to the research topic. The last fifth chapter gives the conclusion and recommendation of the researcher in the research area in re lation to the research topic whether the Ministry conduct the situation satisfactory and if there are some added criteria in order to improve the situation in the research area.CPSP: Certified Procurement and Supplies Professional. MTB: Ministerial Tender Board NBMM: National Board for Materials Management PPA : Public Procurement Act IAA: Institute of Accountancy Arusha Head of Department HOD. PMU. Procurement Management Unit NGO: Non Governmental Organization . United States of America USA' CICA. Competition in Contracting Act : Member of the Parliament MP The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) Head Office is located at the City Centre in Dar-es-salaam at llala Municipal, Pamba Road (Tancot House).The name was officially launched in 1995 and was formerly known as Ministry of works. The ew ministry is the combination of the former Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Communication ; Transportation. It is headed by the Minister Hon. Mr. Andrew Chenge (MP), assisted by Hon . Dr. Maua Daftari (MP) and Dr. Makongoro Mahanga as Deputy Ministers. The ministry of Infrastructures Development is split into two Divisions, namely: 1. Transport Division 2.Communication Division After the introduction of PMS in the year 2003,the ministry adopted a new vision and mission, the proposed functions and structures has put into the new vision, mission and objectives of the ministry. The overall responsibilities of MolD is to structure the transport and communication Infrastructure that is well maintained, providing safe and efficient environment that is friendly and affordable to all parts of Tanzania and one that integrates all modes of transport and communication system economically.Vision of the Ministry: The vision of the ministry is to have efficient and cost effective domestic and international communication and Transport meteorology service to all segments of the population and sectors of National economy with maximum safety and minimum environmental Degradation . Mission of the Ministry: The mission of the Ministry is to have safe, effective and efficient transport and communication and meteorological infrastructures and operations which best meet the socio-Economic needs by improving levels of services at lower costs in a manner which support Government strategies for economically and environment sustainability.Objectives of the Ministry: In order to fulfill the above vision and mission of the sector, the ministry has got the following objectives: To facilitate the provision of adequate, affordable and efficient transport and communication and meteorology infrastructure and services with aximum safety and minimum environment degradation. To ensure a conducive environment for investment in the sector. To improve revenue collection from transport, communication and meteorology service rendered by the sector.To harmonize transport, communication and meteorology standards to those of regional and international groups in which Tanzania is a me mber. To improve services and reduce HIV/AID Intection. Functions of the Ministry. The general function of the Ministry of Communications and Transport are: To initiate and coordinate polices, objectives and strategies on road, railway, pipeline, arine, air transport, posts and Telecommunications. Oversee and co-ordinate performance standards. Monitor and evaluate overall performance contracts.To commercialize and privatize the parastatals in the transport and communication sector The organizational structure of the MolD In order to achieve the objectives, the ministry implements the objectives using five specialized departments at the Head quarter, three regulatory and three Executive agencies: Specialized Departments at the Head Quarters: Department of Administration and Personnel Department of Transport and Communication Department of Accounts and Finance Central Transport Licensing Authority.Regulatory Bodies: Tanzania Civil aviation Authority Tanzania Communication Regulatory A uthority Surface and Marine Regulatory Authority Executive Agencies: Tanzania Airport authority Tanzania Government Flight Agency Tanzania Meteorological Agency. 1. 1 Background to the study Tendering is the method of procurement where by Suppliers, Contractors, and Consultants are invited by procuring entity to compete each other in submitting priced tenders for goods, works, or services (PPA 2004).It is the most popular method recommended by the Act due to its openness, transparency, efficient, and Economy. The history of Procurement Legislation in Tanzania of which tendering found its origin can be traced as far back to 1961 when the Exchequer and Audit Ordinance No. 21 of 1961 was enacted as a Legal mechanism for the purpose of controlling the Public Procurement and Supplies activities. Five years later i. e. 1965 the financial Order part Ill (Stores Regulation 5th Edition 1965) was enacted by the parliament as the guideline to the public Fund by Government officials.Due to the weakness of the old legislation, there was a number of studies carried out in the Country funded by the World Bank to review the Public Procurement System hich eventually found that there was a need for more effective legislation to govern Procurement in the Public Sector to repeal and replace the Exchequer ; Audit Ordinance of 1961, and consequently, Public Procurement Act No. 21 of 2001 came into the e ttect to cater tor the detlciencies ot the old legislations. The enactment of PPA 2001 was only part of the on going Public Procurement reforms.These reforms resulted into the enactment of the PPA 2004 which repealed PPA 2001. The enactment of PPA 2004 was aimed at addressing the deficiencies of the old legislation(s), by enforcing the best practices and professional standards of inancial Management and control of Public properties and resources It is because of this important historical background that TENDERING as a Procurement Method is accorded Importance by the Act due to its o penness, efficiency, economy, and as far as Public Expenditure is concerned.Good practice of tendering reduces total transaction costs and produce timely result, and efficiency use of resources, Poor practice of tendering led to waste and delays and often the cause of allegation of corruption and inefficiency (MasanJa 2004). It follows that the Public Sector particularly the Ministry of Infrastructure Development hould realize the values for money procurement and tendering, among other methods, it must be done in accordance to the existing procedures. 1. 2 Statement of the problem The service oriented organization has a core interest to attain vision and mission.Public Sector in Tanzania, Ministry of Infrastructure Development being one of it, is there to deliver better services to the society, in other hand it spent about 80% of the National Budget on the procurement of goods, Services and works. On realization of this truth the Government has enacted the procurement laws as the gu ide to ensure roper utilization of Pubic Funds. One feature of procurement laws is open/unrestricted tendering characterized by fairness, transparency, and economy.The procedure requires some steps to be accomplished before the contract for delivering of goods, services or execution of work is awarded to the prospective bidder. Open tendering is the most popular procurement method envisage by the Public Procurement Act No. 3 of 2004. It follow that the role of effective open tendering procedures and regulation is to ensure that the system is operated in such away that it reduces the transaction costs, fficiency use of the resources available, efficiency utilization of the time required, and ensure that the system is understood and can be handled by the concerned parties properly.This will Justify the proper use of Public Fund and the attainment of Entitys objectives. The efficiency and adequacies of tendering procedures and quality performance is the end result realization. This is to say that if open tendering is adhered and administrated according to the laid down effective procedures and regulation the end result will be quality of goods, works and services delivered. 1. 3 Research Questions 1. 3. 1 General Question Is open Tendering as a procurement method in Public Sector e 71 32 Specitlc Questions O Are the people involved in procurement?I. e. members, the knowledge of Public Procurement Act 2004? Ministerial Tender Board PMIJ member and HOD have O Are the procedures and Regulation as directed by PPA for open tendering adhered by tender board members or tender evaluation committee or the PMIJ? O Are the tender documents prepared using standard tendering documents as issued by PPRA ? O Can lack of training and understanding of PPA 2004 and their respective regulations contribute to the ineffectiveness of tendering as procurement method? . 4 Study Objectives 1. 4. General Objective The general objective of the study is to evaluate factors that affect the e ffectiveness of open tendering as procurement method in Public Sector. 1. 4. 2 Specific Objectives OTO find out whether the procedures and regulations used for open tendering in the Public Sector are inline with PPA requirements OTO evaluate whether those people i. e. PMU, CTB,;HOD are well involved in the procurement and have the knowledge of the PPA and Regulations. OTO find out whether the lack of procurement capacity in Public Sector contributes to the ineffectiveness of open tendering.OTO check out hether tender documents are prepared according to Standard Tendering Documents and other guidelines (if any) issued by PPRA. 1. 5 Significance of the Study This study has shown clearly problems involved in tendering process including as well as factors hindering proper adhering procedures in Public Sectors. The study may attract the government, donors and NGOs on the need to build Procurement Capacity in the Public Sectors in Tanzania. On the other hand, this study has further served as guidelines for the future reference for those intending to study on procurement laws notably in the area of tendering transactions. . Scope and Limitation of the study his study has been conducted at the Ministry of Infrastructure Development Head Office, which is located in Dar-es-salaam City at llala Municipal. The study has based specifically on such areas as Procurement and Purchasing section, Tendering section and Supplies section. The study has examined the factors affecting the effectiveness of open tendering as procurement method in the Public sector. The coverage included system of procurement in tendering process, tendering documents and prospective laws applied.During the research period the researcher expected the following limitations: O On the Job training took a lot of time for researcher to do other work which has no relation with the researcher topic so time for research has beeen limited to acquire the required data through interviews and questionnaires. (J Som e ot the employees that the researcher managed to nave spot interview they became reluctant to give what is real practiced in the organization in fear that the information collected can be presented to the management and investigation can be made to the concerned staff.Successful Tender â€Å"Means a tender selected by the procuring entity as; offering the lowest evaluated cost in case the method of procurement used was competitive tendering or being the most responsive to the needs of procuring entity if the procurement method used as competitive quotations, single sources procurement, competitive selection or where goods or services are of minor value†. Supplier â€Å"Means company, corporation organization, partnership, or individual person supplying goods, or services, hiring equipment or providing transport services and who is according to the contract is a potential party with the procuring entity' Tender â€Å"Means offer, proposal or quotation made by a supplier, co ntractor, or consultant in response to a request drawn by a procuring entity' Works â€Å"All works associated with the construction, reconstruction, demolition, repair or enovation of a building structure, road or airfield†.Lowest Evaluated Costs ‘Means the priced offered by supplier, contractor or consultant that is found to be the lowest after consideration of all relevant factors and the calculation of any weighing for these factors, provided that such factors have been specified in the tender document†. 2. 3 Theoretical basic of the study. Mhilu (2006) in his paper presented during the 21st NBMM Professional Annual Conference contended that an open tendering is the preferred way to promote open and effective competition. He however agreed on the need to bring a balance etween tendering cost and the benefit received, he further enumerated circumstances where open tendering may not be the preferable method to include if; O There is Justification for single sour ce or emergence procurement or OThe cost of an open tendering exceed direct savings that might be enjoyed or OThere are other benefits foregone by using another procurement method.The World Bank guideline (1999) maintained that the objective of tendering is to attain both the classical and contemporary procurement objectives that include transparent and all aspects contributing towards proper administration of tender, hese are proper goods, works and services of right price, through authorization and in a transparent manner. The guideline further continue that, competitive bidding or tendering is the most effective method in attaining the above mentioned objective when properly administered. i Open Tender This is tendering process which is done through open advertisement through widely circulated media such as newspapers of wide circulation. Through the advertisement a procuring entity states its requirements through specification and terms of purchase. Potential suppliers / Contrac tors & Consultants respond to the

The ultimate financial plan balancing your money and life Essay

Financial plans are written, structured approaches for sustaining financial fitness and attaining financial objectives. An individual might employ a financial planner or not, but it is a personal responsibility to consider and come up with a personal financial plan based on their unique preferences, circumstances and objectives. A personal financial plan is very crucial since it will help me to accomplish both short-term and long-run goals. My short-term goals are the goals I wish to accomplish in less than five years time while my long-term goals are the goals I wish to accomplish in thirty or fifty years. The rationale of this paper is to explain the approaches I will employ to attain my personal goals. Setting my personal goals is the first step of writing a personal financial plan. In my financial plan I will talk about and explore how I will work toward those goals and come up with a comprehensive timeframe to achieve those objectives. I will also include a process on how I will constantly amend my objectives throughout my lifetime. I will also set up significant transformations in your life that might impact your goals. Financial plan take turns around objectives; therefore I have composed my short-term and long term goals. I will also develop a sketch of my objectives that is widespread appropriately to envelop every aspect of my life. Short-term goals will help me to achieve my future goals because it will help me to envisage bigger, life changing adjustments that might not be easily recognizable (Wichner, 1985). The following are my short-term objectives that I look forward to achieve in a span of five years: Firstly, I plan on building an emergency fund. This is a cash saving account that will help me to resolve emergency situations in a swift manner. These include the expenses that are rapid, but must be resolved immediately. An appropriate emergency fund savings usually ranges from three months to years worth of an individual living expenses. I have to decide the extent I wish to build my emergency fund, how much money I wish to deposit in my emergency fund every month; I will operate the emergency fund differently from my savings and checking accounts. Lastly, I will start building my emergency fund. I want to accomplish this in less than five years time, thus I will make it a priority. I prefer to use automatic transfer or direct deposit to make it simpler. This will help me resolve real emergencies (Swedroe et al, 2010). Secondly, I will save some money to study Masters. This is one of my intellectual goals since I want to study Masters Degree after 4 years. I will use the savings in my 529 plans wisely so that I will be able to pay for my masters degree. I will leave the money untouched until I finish my college education so that it can accumulate in the four years time. The money will be earning some interest which adds to the college savings plan account. I will be reviewing the 529 plans annually due to uncertainties. I opt to use the subsidized students’ loan since there are no interest charges. In the meantime, my investment account continues to accumulate in dollar value. Thirdly, I will save for a vacation. This is on my lifestyle goals. I plan to be going on vacation to Tahiti Island in France for two weeks, and I hope to do that after finishing my Bachelors degree, which is in Two years from now. This is one of the things I plan to do for fun and entertainment to achieve necessary for the quality of life I anticipate for. I have learnt a lot from my parent on how to save and invest wisely. These excellent management skills will help me accomplish my lifetime goals. I also plan to build up my personal development goals. Improving my personal development goals are the most lasting and longest objectives and I will continue to develop them. This include cutting negativity, improving my communication skills, identifying my principles and sticking to them, restructuring my priorities, avoiding stressful situation, avoiding conflicts among others. This will help me to relate well with others. They will also enhance the quality of life I anticipate to live. Lastly, Fitness goals are another goal I wish to accomplish. I will set out a work out routine that I will follow and keep it updated to maintain discipline. I will buy gym membership and a workout outfit that will facilitate my health fitness goals I wish to accomplish (â€Å"Importance of Personal Finance†, 2014). On the other hand the following are the long-term objectives I wish to achieve in a timeline of thirty to fifty years: Buying a luxury car is my long-term goal. This can only be attained by proper application of principles of finance to my personal financial decisions. This require me to plan where I will obtain the funds, budget, save and spend money throughout, while considering various financial uncertainties and future life occurrences. Luxury cars are expensive that it required good planning. Saving enough money for a luxury car is not an easy thing, but it requires some patience and hard work. I will visit my bank and plan the financing before visiting the dealership. This will help me to focus on discussing an appropriate price for the luxury car instead of worrying about acquiring a car payment that I can manage to pay for. I will then inform the salesperson that I have the finance arranged, but I will consider giving the car dealer to earn my loan business by listening to their deal. Dealers are likely to offer more attractive policies on a car loan. Buying a luxury car will enable me to enj oy reliability and quality associated with most luxury vehicles (Stovall & Maurer, 2011). Secondly, I plan to buy a home. This is one of the biggest financial steps I wish to undertake. The process of buying a new home is both enlivening and worrisome. I have to be involved, plan a lot for it, but before making any decision I have to be comfortable with the understanding of my finances. I will consider home buying programs that offer limited down payment or down payment assistance options. They will help me to lay a down payment as a first time home owner. My financial position will also determine the home I will am planning to purchase. I will assess my personal finances regularly to determine whether my financial stance will sustain me throughout home buying process. I will request for the credit report that will help me to acknowledge possible blunders, credit rates and flaws. The other long run goal is to pay for my children’s college education. This is another financial goal that requires a lot of planning and preparedness. As a parent, I will consider matching grant options or state tax benefits. A state matching funding for 529 allocations are likely to make depositing to 529 plans concurrent with withdrawing finances in the same year, beneficial. I also plan to keep amending my children 529 plans so that they can have enough money to cater for their college and masters education. I will plan to save enough money for a secure retirement. This can only be achieved by saving 10 to 20 percent of my income. However, I will establish my saving target based on my income since I have various goals I anticipate to accomplish in life. This will guide me on how to save wisely to meet my retirement objectives. An online calculator will help me to determine my saving target. I will also work out to update the calculation year so that I can ensure that I am on the track. The factors that determine my retirement budget include the amount of money I require to live my later years, the time I have to save the amount and the type of investment tools and account I have to employ to achieve retirement goal. I will use pension funds since it is the tax-efficient savings tool. They are also the most famous method to save for retirement (Stovall & Maurer, 2011). In conclusion, personal financial plan is very vital since it help people to achieve their short-run and long-term goals. Short-term are very crucial since they will help me to accomplish my long-term goals. My financial plan is based on my circumstances, preferences and objectives. An appropriate financial plan will guide me to use money wisely. The first step of developing a good financial is to set up personal goals and timeline of achieving those goals. The financial plan also includes the amendments I will employ to ensure that I will meet my goals within the time frame. References Importance of Personal Finance | Personal Finance Basics. (n.d.). Wealth-Steps.com. Retrieved September 16, 2014, from http://www.wealth-steps.com/importance-of-personal-finance.html#.VBfYSWfbFqc Stovall, J., & Maurer, T. (2011). The ultimate financial plan balancing your money and life. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley. Swedroe, L. E., Grogan, K., & Lim, T. (2010). The only guide you’ll ever need for the right financial plan: managing your wealth, risk, and investments. Hoboken, N.J.: Bloomberg Press. Wichner, R. (1985). Personal financial planning: Develop a good financial plan for yourself at an early age and assure a secure future. IEEE Potentials, 4(4), 20-22. Source document

Rewriting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Rewriting - Essay Example (2003, p.288) defines the term as â€Å"a collection of evidence, usually in written form, of both the products and processes of learning. It attests to achievement and personal and professional development by providing critical analysis of its contents.† Race (2007, p.58) has defined portfolio as â€Å"compilations of evidence of student’s achievements, including major pieces of their work, feedback comments from tutors, and reflective analyses by the students themselves.† These definitions clearly imply that a portfolio is nothing but an assessment tool, which is replete with several evidences of learning. That also includes critical reflection on their learning process. Moore (2009) argues that the teachers impart the information to the students and students usually listen to the talk passively. Mohanna et al. (2008) assert that currently, a new trend has set in where students are motivated to get involved, be independent and self-governing. According to Clouston (2005), onus of the learning lies on students while teachers provide an opportunity and congenial environment to facilitate learning. Crandall (1998) argues that a specific attribute of the portfolio lies in its providing an evidence of learning outcomes. A true learning is demonstrated not only by the collection of evidence in the portfolio but also how the students reflect on them. Girot (2000) stresses on the reflection part for the learning to take place and how the learning is applied in practice to reduce its gap with the theoretical aspects. Issues related to the use of portfolios in nursing education have been recorded. (Jasper,1995; Karlowicz, 2000; Harris et al. 2001). The first issue is about time factor as students consider the portfolio development a time consuming process and tend to delay its development. They prefer focusing on other course instead. Faculty too views portfolio development as a process that consumes considerable time.

Explication of a Poem Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Explication of a Poem - Essay Example The main idea of the poem is that the poet sees night as freedom, not daytime, which is unconventional. arms wide In the face of the sun, Dance! Whirl! Whirl! Till the quick day is done. Rest at pale evening... A tall, slim tree... Night coming tenderly Black like me† (Hughes, 2010). The idea is that the narrator would like to whirl and spin in this kinesthetic manner, and is therefore crying out a wish that is in vain. The still image of the tree is a kinesthetic contrast to the dance. These very visual symbols also have metaphorical meaning in the poem as black people and white people. The idea is that the poet narrator is visually breaking through the conventions of using light and bright to mean good, and darkness to mean evil, and asking the reader to empathize with night. In terms of simile, as noted above, the narrator identifies themselves with night as well as a tree. â€Å"To fling my arms wide In some place of the sun, To whirl and to dance Till the white day is done. Then rest at cool evening Beneath a tall tree While night comes on gently, Dark like me- That is my dream!† (Hughes, 2010). The main simile is of the dark. as the sun and the night, or night and daytime. Langston Hughes answers the main question with more questions, because this is a Socratic method of seeking the answers. In terms of whether his views are political and societal, if one cannot say that the author has both intents, the result would be towards societal rather than political, since there are no names named, or parties advocated, in Hughes’ work. There were also other powerful societal critics, who did not explicitly involve politics in her writing, but instead pointed towards social concerns. There are many similarities and differences between the works. Overall, both hope to achieve the goal of societal critique. The most

Crime Pattern and Environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Crime Pattern and Environment - Essay Example It is a process where the detectives try to trace the path of the criminal using specialised tools. They cover an entire area where the crime has been taking place and put it on radar, tracing the possible movements of the criminal through previous precedents. It involves the mental psychology of the criminal as well as once the criminal has committed a crime and moved on to another area, the detectives then try tracing the path from one place to another, understanding the movement of the criminal in order to catch him. Originally it was applied in cases of serial murder, rape and bombings, it is now frequently being used in robbery, burglary, arson and fraud cases as well. This methodology evaluates the location of connected serial crimes in order to figure out the most probable area for the criminal activity. The idea was propounded by Kim Rossmo, who in 1995 wrote a doctoral dissertation on this aspect. This methodology was then taken into practice by the Vancouver Police Department. Rossmo was Vancouver based detective who pioneered this methodology. He then developed a computer programme known as Criminal Geographic Targeting which is used as a tool to trace criminals. Geographical profiling helps to analyse the abundance information via geographical links in order to apprehend the movement of the criminal. It involves having a large pool of information as the first step to gain an understanding on the whereabouts of the criminal. Once the information arrives at the hands of the investigators, geographical profiling helps the detectives to marrow down the area within which the crime has been taking place for better accuracy. â€Å"Geographic-profiling consists of both quantitative (objective) scientific geographic techniques and qualitative (subjective) components e.g. a reconstruction and interpretation of the offender’s mental map.’ The primary geographic technique is a computerized system known

Response to an Article What is for Sale Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Response to an Article What is for Sale - Essay Example †). THESIS STATEMENT This essay intends to respond to the thesis and one of the main ideas, emphasising the socio-political implications of such a transition in the human society, as presented in Sandel’s article i.e. â€Å"What Isn’t For Sale.† DISCUSSION Sandel’s article of â€Å"What Isn’t For Sale† fundamentally demonstrates that everything is made up for sale in the present day context. Sandel also illustrates certain instances that clearly depicts that everything made on this earth today is made for the selling purpose. For instance, as argued in the article by Sandel, the immigration rights particularly to the US is sold at $500,000; again, the shooting right to a jeopardised black rhino is sold at $250,000, and astonishingly, the upgradation of a prison-cell is sold at $90 per night. According to Sandel, not everyone can pay towards buying or availing the above mentioned services. However, the renowned college professor strongly realised that there are numerous ways for making huge money that further has ignited the trend of buying anything and selling almost everything in return of a nominal monetary value. ... From a futuristic perspective and with a hint of scepticism, Sandel also argues that the shift of today’s modern society towards which everything is made up for sale might generate worries in the economy that can further be associated with inequality in proper distribution of wealth along with income (Sandel, â€Å"What Isn’t for Sale?†). The above discussed perceptions presented in Sandel’s article drawing a critical judgement of the idea that everything for sale in this modern day context can be supported by a certain degree. This can be justified with reference to the fact that the market economy has radically transformed into a market society in recent times as compared to the preceding years. In this similar context, Sandel differentiated between the two important market concepts i.e. market society and market economy. According to Sandel, a market economy is often regarded as an effective and a valuable tool, which organises productive activity. On t he other hand, a market society is typically recognised as a place, wherein almost everything has been made up for sale or selling purpose quantifying the values of such objects in monetary terms (MacNeil/Lehrer Productions, â€Å"What Money Can’t Buy’ and What It Shouldn’t Buy†). It has often been argued that certain areas of human life have fundamentally become less market-driven, which eventually contributed in generating market society rather than market economy. One of the areas in this similar concern can be associated with reference to the fact that people had effectually paid for their respective spouses with dowries in the traditional period. In the article,

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY - Essay Example Therefore, like the social, economic, and political elements, which countries borrow from one another, design forms are considered part of a country’s culture, and countries borrow these or elements of these when they come into contact through the process of globalization. This has therefore, resulted in the globalization of designs today (Eldemery 2009). Nonetheless, the globalization or internationalization of designs is not wrong, neither is it disadvantageous to any country in major ways. However, various concerns have been raised today with regard to the globalization of designs. Primarily, some designs are distinct, and only identified with specific countries. These therefore, act as a kind of cultural identity of the countries. Therefore, when such designs are globalized, the country loses a part of its cultural identity, since the design will also be identified with other countries (Eldemery 2009). Therefore, despite the globalization of design forms, it is important f or countries to uphold the cultural, regional, national, and local aspects, as these remain of great importance. This essay will, therefore argue the case for these factors being included as influences on design processes and outcomes. According to Kim (2010), the processes of globalization and internationalization have influenced different forms of designs in different countries, including the architectural designs. However, this was witnessed since the eighteenth century, especially among the East Asian design forms, which were highly adopted by most European countries. The various designs from East Asian countries that were adopted in Europe included fashion designs, architectural designs, and art designs, among others. For instance, the popular American architect Lloyd Wright is known to have adopted various elements from Lao –Tzu, including other design elements of the Japanese architecture. Nonetheless, only the outstanding designs by a country are most likely to be ado pted by different countries. For instance, although Korea belongs in the same region with China and Japan, its designs, including architectural designs, have not attracted interest from outside countries, and this therefore reveals something about Korean designs, which might be unattractive to (Kim 2010). Nonetheless, the first factor, which is considered important to a country and its design amid the high level of globalization today, is mainly the cultural factor, which also includes the historical element. Culture is specific, as each community or society has its own culture, which is distinct, and might not compare to culture from other communities. On the other hand, culture of any community dates back to the historic times, although several components might show great changes today. Furthermore, the culture of a community is responsible for the identification of its people. Members of a community are identified by their cultures, including the various components therein. Archi tectural designs are components of the culture of any community, since each community has its distinct way of designing their buildings. Since this is crucial, countries need to preserve their historical designs, as these give meaning to their cultures, and help countries to restore their originality. An illustration of the cultural aspect might focus on Korea. The architectural designs of the Korea highly borrowed from the country’s philosophy, which is a cultural element. Kim (2010) notes that the Korean, â€Å"pungsu,† which was the Korean philosophy, contributed to the traditional architectural

Representation of women in media Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Representation of women in media - Research Paper Example Most actresses, cover models and ballet dancers (Slater & Tiggemann) weigh less than the average weight of a woman since the media advocates for slender bodies. Women and young girls use diet pills to lose weight (Moffitt & Szymanski, 2011). Pictures describe many things; they display beauty, send a message or simply advertise something. Photographs are a form of communication between the photographer and the audience. Marketers use photographs to advertise their products. People use photos to store information as a form of pictorial memory (Benson & Allen, 2009). Finally, photography can be implemented as a career, which a photographer sells the photos to make money or as a passion. On the other hand, photo manipulation involves altering a photo through a computer in order to improve its look or beauty. Journalists use photo manipulation for resizing photos and cropping images. Secondly, it is also used to restore the structure of a damaged photograph. Thirdly, web designers use it for designing web layouts and navigation tools. It can be used to construct an intact website. Finally, photo shopping is a powerful animation

Wooden Bats versus Metal Bats in Baseball Essay

Wooden Bats versus Metal Bats in Baseball - Essay Example Wooden bats are heavier than metal bats because they are solid, and that is why they require more effort to sway than aluminum bats. They also have a smaller sweet spot due to which the hit remains within range, i.e., the hitting zone is small. In other words, the weight of wooden bats is concentrated far from hands, or in other words, the center of gravity lies in the barrel. Thus, the swing weight is higher, which keeps the ball within range and means that the ball will not go much farther. Metal bats are hollow from within. A metal bat is lighter because of a larger sweet spot (Zumerchik 52), and the weight is concentrated very close to the hands, which will make the hit swing much higher as the swing weight is lower. A ball thrown at a higher or faster pace will also go farther. Wooden bats are safer than metal bats because the exit speed of the ball is much slower in case of wooden bats. Thus, the ball comes off with slow speed, which is good as it reduces the danger of injury if the ball hits another player or pitcher. Also, there is no chance that the bat will get tossed away from the hands of the player. This is why major league baseball authorities endorse the use of wooden bats, considering the hit power of the professional players. Metal bats, as they are lighter, can easily get tossed away to injure another player. Also, the larger sweet spot in case of metal bats causes larger exit speed of the ball, i.e., the ball will jump off faster, which could injure anybody within the hitting zone very seriously. There have been many unfortunate events in the past, in which players or spectators got injured due to this issue, as the Associated Press states, â€Å"A New Jersey teenager left brain-damaged after being struck by a line drive while playing in a youth baseball game will receive $14.5 million to settle his lawsuit against the bat.

Is Eurozone sustainable for the UK to join Literature review

Is Eurozone sustainable for the UK to join - Literature review Example Over the past few years, there has been a considerable debate about the stand that the United Kingdom has taken towards Eurozone. This study explores the topic, ‘Is Eurozone sustainable for the UK to join’. By taking a detailed look at the reasons because of which UK did not join and the reasons due to which the other countries joined, this study would try to analyze the perspective of the UK with regards to Eurozone. A Brief History of Eurozone For many decades, European leaders and diplomats have discussed and debated the concept of a monetary integration of European countries. The arguments were multiple, while some thought that the common currency could prove to be an alternative to the US dollar, some other felt that a single currency would provide many different advantages (Zimmerman, 1995). For some leaders, it meant political symbolism and for some others, it meant the rise a new and improved economic model (Vujic, 2004). After a long era of discussions and debates, the Eurozone came into existence in1999 and the Euro became the legal currency for the member nations (Kleimeier and Sander, 2002). The adoption of a single currency would mean that all the member countries would have a single monetary policy, and would not continue to have separate policies. To regulate this, the European Central Bank came into existence which lays down the Europe wide monetary policies and handles decisions related to interest rates, exchange rates and so on. (Salvatore, 2002). Therefore, if any particular country wants to introduce a separate economy policy, it has to rely on the policies of the European Central Bank as it has become the sole authority of Eurozone. Having a single currency has both advantages and disadvantages and the existence of the Eurozone over the ten years has proved this. The Euro has seen success during the period of 2003-2005, where as it suffered from the loss of its stand during the economic recession that happened during 2008-2009. In recent times, there have been some apprehensions about the stability of the Euro, in the light of the results of the recession where some members of the Eurozone saw major economic crises. Why did the UK Not Join Eurozone? The United Kingdom is one of the most prominent nations of the European Union. Yet, it took a stance on not joining Eurozone. The currency of the United Kingdom continues to be pound sterling and the possibilities of its joining Eurozone look bleak in the near future (Layard, 2002). The Maastricht Treaty (The treaty on European Union) saw the negotiation of an ‘opt-out’ from the common currency (Leblond, 2004). The government that came into power post the 2010 election in the United Kingdom also decided that it would not join the Euro as long as it was in governance. In addition, the UK also has carried out many public opinion polls to take a stance on the whether it should join the Eurozone and the polls in 2005, 2008 and 2009 also demonstrated the opposition to joining the UK. The past three governments of the United Kingdom also took strong stand on not joining the Eurozone. Pr ime Minister Tony Blair set forth ‘five economic tests’ (tests that would help in determining criteria such as the currency

How did government affect agriculture Essay Example for Free

How did government affect agriculture Essay The period of 1865-1900 was classified as an era of Republicans, where laissez-fare governments favored big businesses. Technology was significantly evolving, focusing mainly on urban manufacturing. New technological advancements in farming were sold to the farmers at high prices and shipped at high freight rates. Also, the prices of cash crops dropped during this period, causing many farmers to live in poor conditions. In government, the power of urban industry and big businesses overcame that of the pro-farming politicians. Technology, government policy, and economic conditions effectively declined agriculture politically, industrially, and economically. Impediments such as industrial issues, poor representation in government, and waning agricultural prices that the farmers were forced to face, made agriculture suffer greatly during the late 19th century. During this period, the U.S. was technologically evolving at a rapid rate. New inventions and advancements made life easier for the working class. Railroads, after spreading all over the nation, made any part of the country accessible and expanded the national market. Document B displays that the years 1870-1890, the number of railroads in the nations increased massively. Also, the number of railroads with major land grants grew as well. At first glance, this change seems to have benefited the farmers, but actually did the opposite. It is true that railroads allowed the farmers to expand and have a way to ship their harvest and cattle a lot faster to more markets. However, greedy men like Cornelius Vanderbilt controlled the railroads. Extremely high freight rates made the farmers lose more than they expected. Likewise, the cost of shipping, taxes, low buying prices, overproduction, and cost of equipment, the farmer gained a mere profit. The technological advancements did make farming easier, but often were too expensive for the farmer to afford. In document D, a farmer during a wheat harvest preferred to use a team of about 30 horses instead of the possibly motorized mechanical harvester. New agricultural technology didnt help much or not even as effective as old methods and also was too expensive so farmers chose to stick with the old methods. Technology seemed better when looked at, but not in reality when it was put to use. This is an example that can be characterized by the era named by Mark Twain, The Gilded AgeThe nations government policy at the time was laissez-fare or hands-off government. The  Republicans were in power during this period and favored industry and the big businesses. Consequently, farmers had a poor representation in government both in-state and nationally. Agri cultural process was made, but still were limited gains. For example, a law was carried through the Illinois legislature and then Supreme Court to limit the freight rates and it was passed (Document C). As you can see, it was a small victory for the farmers and others, but still limited to only Illinois. Furthermore, the ones that contributed to the growth of agriculture were those part of the Populist party. The party consisted of people who favored the rights of the farmers. Several organizations were established to favor the farmers. For example, the Grangers and the Farmers Alliance were organizations that allowed its members that shared common goals to organize and unite. In document G Mary Elizabeth Lease delivers a speech to the people, telling them that the government lied to the people and deceived them. She proves her argument with the crop price reductions and claims of overproduction. Also, the government had problems dealing with the Indians and the settling of agricultural acres for Americans (Document I). A huge controversy during this period was the issue of the gold vs. silver standard. The Populists of course wanted the silver standard, for inflation and to flood the economy. This would help out the farmers and miners out west. William Jennings Bryan claimed that the country depended on farmers and without them the country would fall. Also, that the country should be in favor of the farmers because they provide for the nation and are more important than the cities (Document J). The hand-off policy of the Republicans did not allow for much improvement of the nations economy and even let it suffer as did the farmers. Not only did the farmers suffer, but as well as the whole nation because of presidents such as Grant and Hayes. Economic conditions for the farmers were poor and no one was there to help them. The farmers tried, but could not gain the silver standard they needed to improve their positions and finance themselves. Moreover, the big businesses and pro-wealthy Republicans were in the way of the farmers and holding them back. In document A, one can see that as the farmers produced more and more to make more money, the price of the crop dropped as well, thus, leading to overproduction and loss of money. Even if the farmer was  successful, he would have to give up his success to the government and railroads with more power in the industry. Nevertheless, on occasion contracts were signed, for example the one in North Carolina shown by Document E where the farmer would sign away half of his net proceeds, leaving him with hardly anything. The farmer was left crippled in a nettlesome cycle. Many times, the cattle and crops were shipped to far away markets such as Chicago, and the transit fare would increase as the distance increase (Document F). This struck hard at the pockets of the farmers. Many farmers were left to starve, out of work, and poor. Additionally, the poor weather such as hail would ruin the crops or the businessmen would take the crops (Document H). Consequently, the economic conditions did not favor the farmer, even though they provided for the nation, they were ruined by the people they help feed. This period part of the Gilded Age, America suffered because of a weak government policy and the big businesses had the real power. Unfortunately, the farmers were struck with the negative side effects that occurred from all this. American agriculture greatly declined, even though at first it seemed to have been benefited, it was industrially, politically, and economically destroyed and left in a tormenting cycle.

The Practical Use of Research

The Practical Use of Research The term Research is an often misused term. Its usage in everyday language is very different from the strict scientific meaning. The Oxford Dictionary of Current English defines it as the study of materials and sources in other to establish facts and reach new conclusions. The term Research is a multi-faceted concept that has attracted numerous views. It is both a process and an outcome. But no matter the dimension, it should lead to understanding of an outcome. Research refers to empirical data collection in the pursuit of scientific endeavour usually in the form of an experiment, survey or evaluation (Australian Psychological Society, Code of Ethics). According to Osuala (2005), Research is simply the process of arriving at dependable solutions to problems through the planned and systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of data. Research is a most important tool for advancing knowledge, for promoting progress, and for enabling man to relate more effectively to his environment, to accomplish his purposes, and to resolve his conflicts. Another school of thought defines research as the process of investigation, an examination of a subject from different points of view. It is not just a trip to the library to pick up a stock of materials, or picking the first hits from a computer search, but the hunt for the truth. It is also getting to know a subject by reading up on it, reflecting , playing with the ideas, choosing the area that interest you and following up on them. In other wards it is a way you educate yourself (Denscombe, 1998). Creswell (2003) identifies research as the systematic process of collecting and analyzing information to increase our understanding of the phenomenon under study. It is therefore the function of the researcher to contribute to the understanding of the phenomenon and to communicate that understanding to others. From the above definitions of the concept and from my own judgment, I can state from a broad sense of the word that research include the gathering of empirical data, information and facts for the advancement of knowledge. It also involves a dedicated system of scientific methodology that can be used by researchers to arrive at the right conclusion. The three definitions above are not entirely different from my point of view because Denscombe, 1998, seem to explain that research involves an in depth inquiry about a subject to make an informed judgment. Creswell, 2003, agrees with me that data or information obtained and process leads to an increase in knowledge of the subject. However, research is not only about the pursuit of scientific endeavours as stated by the Australian Psychological Society, Code of Ethics, (2001), but a social event as well. The limitation of scientific method must, however, be thoroughly understood. For example, science cannot deal directly with values. It can define some of the issues involved in making value-judgments, but the judgment themselves are outside the scope of science. Research is a tool for studying social events and learning about them and their interconnections so that general causal laws can be discovered, explained and documented. Knowledge of events and social laws allows society to c ontrol events and to predict their occurrence and outcomes. Research is oriented towards the discovery of the relationships that exist among the phenomena of the world in which we live. It is devoted to finding conditions under which a certain phenomenon occurs and the conditions under which it does not occur in what might appear to be similar circumstances. From the above discussions research is a series of linked activities. According to Atkinson and Bouma (1995) research processes has three main phases. These are phase one: Essential first steps Selecting, narrowing and formulating the problem to be studied. Selecting the research design. Designing and devising measures for variables. Setting up tables for analysis. Selecting a sample. Phase two: Data collection Collecting evidence or data about the research question. Summarizing and organizing data. Phase three: Analysis and interpretation of data. This involves Relating data to the research questions and hypothesis. Drawing conclusions Assessing the limitations of the study. Solution to the problem in the form of recommendation Making suggestions for further research. What Research is not Research does not include what is already known, but is reserved for activities designed to discover facts and relationships that will make knowledge more effective. Attempts to classify types of research pose a difficult problem (Best and Khan, 1993). This is because various textbooks suggest different systems of classification. These are classifications by: purpose of research; Method used in the research; and paradigm of the study. Research can be classified into two broad categories namely scientific or experimental research and social science research. For the purpose of my study I wish to explain research under social science. Social science research, irrespective of its type and nature, entails a degree of measurement. This involves categorizing and assigning values to concepts, and is diverse in nature and levels of operation. It is also a very useful procedure because it serves to ensure high quality in research. Diversity in research reflects diversity in the parameters that guide it. More precisely, it means diversity in the Ontology and epistemology that underlie the methodology, which in turn guide the research. Simply, methodologies produce different research designs, because they follow in their theoretical structure different ontological and epistemological prescriptions. Critique of my definition of research Concerns with the definition of research in my opinion may be raised by what I referred to as gathering of empirical data, information and facts for the advancement of knowledge, hence a critique of my definition. Flaws or weaknesses in my definition. There has been considerable interest in recent years in the role of philosophical assumptions and paradigms in doing research. During the 1970s and 1980s prominent concerns were raised about the limits of quantitative data and methods often associated with positivism, the prevailing paradigm. Positivism assumes an objective world which scientific methods can more or less readily represent and measure, and it seeks to predict and explain causal relations among key variables. However, critics argued that positivistic methods strip context from meanings in the process of developing quantified measures of phenomena (Guba and Lincoln, 1994: 106). The issue therefore of empirical approach to research has been justified by its success in measuring quantitative research. However, in more recent years, scientists have been challenged to explain phenomena that defy measurement and their inability to quantitatively measure some phenomena and the dissatisfaction with the results of measurement of other phenomena which have led to an intense search for other approaches to study human phenomena. This interest has led to an acceptance of qualitative research approach which does not need empirical data to discover knowledge. One cannot help but to stuck by the success of qualitative research methods in the marketplace of academic ideas (Atkinson, 1995, p. 117). The background of using qualitative methods to study human phenomena is rooted in the social sciences. This tradition came about because aspects of human science were unable to be described fully using quantitative research methods. More recently, the practice of qualitative rese arch has expanded to clinical settings because empirical approaches have proven to be of limited service in answering some of the challenges and pressing clinical questions, especially where human subjectivity and interpretation are involved (Thorne, 1997, p. 28). However, the use of qualitative research has its own flaws as well. It is unable to study relationships between variables with the degree of accuracy that is required to establish social trends. Empirical scientists who support the Cartesian framework believe that if objective measurement cannot be assigned to a phenomenon, then the importance and thus the existence of the phenomenon may be in question. Many contemporary scientists and philosophers question the value of this system, particularly in situations that include humans and their interactions with other humans. Data quality is very important for the research purpose and if care is not taken often, critics think the nature of data collection could lead to the production of large amounts of useless information. Empirical data should not be the approach of investigating social actions to interpret and understand the actors reasons for social actions, but to subject their action into reality. Information and facts Others may say that what may be a piece of information to one researcher may be irrelevant to another. Therefore how do we determine relevant information or facts for research? Quantitative research methodology has its weaknesses, among other things for the way in which it perceives reality, validity and the methods it uses as well as the relationship it establishes with the researched. Qualitative research methodology has been criticized, among other things for not being able to cope with demands related to reliability, objectivity, representativeness and the value of collected data. Advancement of Knowledge; Again, critiques think that in research people may omit evidence that may not agree with their opinion and could produce inadequate information which does not represent the facts. In other words, beliefs may be established on insufficient evidence. Therefore improper conclusions or inferences owing to personal prejudices may be drawn. The common response to these criticisms is that, these concepts are strengths and not weaknesses of my definition. With the underlying terms or concepts that I have used in my definition, let me consider the following; Empiricism. Empirism goes back to the writings of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and is directly associated with the work of Francis Bacon (1651-1626), John Locke (1632-1704) and David Hume (1711-1776). Empiricism supports the view that knowledge come through experience mediated through the senses and insight can only be achieved through pure experiences. Empiricism assigns a high value to experience and gives primacy to facts. Hence, observation and experience offer the basis of knowledge. For Hughes, (1990), opinions are reflections of our impressions of reality. In a more radical form, empiricism argues that only things that can be verified empirically exist. What cannot be verified does not exist; truths that are not based on experience are meaningless. Quality of data. Often, data collection is essential for a reliable and valid research. Data collection entails decisions and action regarding the collection of the information required to address the research question. Data processing entails grouping, presentation, analysis and the interpretations of the findings. Examine and compare data after which data should be conceptualized and analyzed qualitatively or quantitatively. Empirical data are generally relevant for analysis. Research Information here refers to any relevant material that is useful for and during the study. They may include key informants, study groups, events and methods of data collection and assistants. Ways of Gaining / advancing Knowledge The means by which man seeks knowledge to his problems can be classified under broad categories; tenacity, authority, and science. The Method of Tenacity; under this situation people hold firmly to the truth, that they know to be true because they hold firmly to it, because they have always known it to be true. Frequent repetition of such truths seems to enhance their validity. People also infer new knowledge from propositions that may be false. The Method of Authority; this method establishes belief. If the Bible says so, it is so. If a mother says it, it is true. Life could not, in fact, go on without the method of authority (Osuala, 2005). The Method of Science; Francis Bacon (1561-1626) planted the seeds of acquiring modern scientific knowledge. He suggested that conclusion should be based on observed facts. The triangulation of both inductive and deductive reasoning gave birth to the scientific method. This method has self-correction aspects which it is believed no other method of attaining knowledge has. There are built-in checks all along the way of this method. These checks are so conceived and used that they control and verify the scientists activities and conclusions to the end of attaining dependable knowledge outside himself. A scientist does not accept a statement as true even though the evidence at first looks promising. Dependable knowledge is attained through science because science ultimately appeals to evidence; propositions are subjected to an empirical test. Conclusion: From the above discussions research in my opinion is a process by which we come to know what we want to know. It is a series of linked activities but should not be seen as a set of rigid steps to be followed. The obvious function of research is to add to existing store of knowledge and sometimes remove inappropriate or inapplicable theory. The three definitions and my personal own on research all go to add to further clarify the meaning of research as being purposive in the solution of a given problem, demands logical and objective approach, involves gathering data from primary and secondary sources. It also demands accurate and adequate knowledge about what already exist and how others have tackled it.

Concept of Hope in Nursing Practice

Concept of Hope in Nursing Practice INTRODUCTION The aim of this assignment is to explore the definition and concept of hope in relation with nursing practice. It will also focus on the significance of hope in individuals who are suffering from chronic diseases such as cancer and AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). In addition, the obstacles which can arise while inspiring hope in clients and the problem solving methods which can help to manage the barriers will also be identified. Nurses have an important role to instill hope in the patient which can help the patient to create a positive feeling. Therefore, the significance of the concept of hope is considered as an important aspect of discussion in this assignment. DEFINIING THE CONCEPT Hope is a concept which helps the people to fulfill their life with expectation of good things. According to Holt (2000) hope is an essential but dynamic life force that grows out of faith in God, is supported by relationship, resources and work, and result in the energy necessary to work for a desired future. Hope gives meaning and happiness. The life is more worth when filled with hope. It has great influence in the sick people who are living in the darkness of hopelessness as it gives an optimistic point of view to their disease condition especially, in the patients who are suffering from malignant disease such as cancer and AIDS. Moreover, it has universal phenomenon as it can be seen each and every countries and cultures. Hopelessness can be distinguished from depression and particularly in relation to health. Nurses should focus on hope than on the lack or loss of hope. According to peoples belief that hope is vital to life and that everyone has hope. According to Farran (1995) hope has a power to deliver positive feeling related to good health such as subjective well being, good social and physical status, somatic health and healthy lifestyles. Hope is characterized in many ways as it involves feeling, thoughts, actions and relationship. According to Rustoen (1995) hope is not an enduring state, it is a varying phenomenon. Hope has no age limit, it can be offered to any age group even in child or in aged people. Individuals are able to make a distinction between hope and expectancy as relating to both positive and negative situations. Hope is considered as an emotion or feeling (Rustoen, 1995) which helps to cope with any difficult situation in their life. So, hope can be considered as an acceptable emotion as it provides beneficial effect on patients. Hope is very useful when it is goal oriented, especially in the areas of rehabilitation, recovery, or health promotion. Stephenson (1991) stated that hope is vital in every persons life, as it helps them t o work constantly to achieve their goal or manage their present situation. For example, the patient who is suffering from an incurable disease has a strong feeling of loss and emotional stress. In such situations, hope has an important role in begining positive thoughts and prepare them to co-operate with the treatment regimens (Hinds and Martin, 1988).Thus, hope assists in improving the quality of care. Stephenson (1991) further suggested that, to impart hope in someone there are three appraisals needed such as; firstly, it is important the situation of the individual, secondly, the situation should have a potential to be incongruent with an individuals goals and finally, the situation involves uncertainty (unexpected future). In addition, hope is related to ones emotional status. Davison and Simpson (2006) claimed that it is essential that over all emotion of a person is associated with the hope, because, an optimistic point of view is needed for the positive outcome. There are so me other factors which help to perceive hope. The studies supported that the support of the society, self respect and self esteem and spirituality and religious support which are required for maintaining hope during illness (Stephenson, 1991). Moreover, hope is important as it is focused on how people can endure and look forward to life for the best despite of the difficulties in their life. In nursing care, hope has specific importance because the injured/ill persons need special attention for the rapid recovery. RELEVANCE OF HOPE IN NURSING PRACTICE Hope has a great influence in patient care as it is closely connected with nurses and nursing care. To provide a good nursing care to the patient, nurses should have the qualities like patience, expectation, suffering and ability to adjust with the situation. Hinds and Martin (1999) stated hope as a cornerstone of the role of the nurse. Further, Travelbee (1971) identified the nurses role to sharing the experience of hope with the patients and avoid the feeling of hopelessness. Nurses cannot transform the hope into the patient unless they have it. In the literature by Moores (2005) it is illustrated that the nurses should have a high level of self awareness and have hope in themselves in order to inspire hope in the patients. Moreover, nurses should create an interpersonal relationship with the patient by good communication. This will help the patient to establish a feeling of comfort, care, trust and confidence. Turner (1981) stated that hope is closely interconnected with nurses ev eryday life as well as work environment. However, the term hope used was not clear and ambiguous and this concept was not acceptable in the patient with chronic illness or incurable condition. Therefore, it is essential to create positive attitude in patient for their better future. Nurses have a vital role to generate positive expectation in patients. According to Moore (2005) hope is considered to be a positive concept that can make a difference to peoples lives. In addition, it also presented as a center concept of nursing practice because, it is closely linked with patients experience and improvement. In nursing, hope is considered as an essential perception which helps the nurses to facilitate or continue in others. Moreover, by encouraging patients with hope, nurses can create a positive energy among patient who is suffering with chronic diseases such as cancer and AIDS. Cutcliffe and Grant (2000) stated that relationship between the function of caring activity of helping , an d practice instilling hope in continuing care of cognitively impaired old adults within a continuing care , as basis for suggesting that inspiring hope to clients is one of the primary acts of psychiatric or mental health nursing. Thus, hope helps the cognitively impaired patient to display the qualities of faith and hope as well as will to live and love. Mostly, patient with chronic disease like cancer may have no hope in their life and they leave everything for their destiny. Brumbach (1994) points out that hope is the key encouraging factor which helps patient to go further with expectations. It is difficult to sustain hopefulness in patient without emphasize the importance of hope repeatedly because hope is an active process not passive. So, it is important to make sure that the active participation of patient and the nurse. Furthermore, the main barriers which resist inspiring hope in nursing practice, such as lack of knowledge and communication skill, fear about the disease co ndition, lack of emotional stability and expectation and lack of awareness regarding the treatment regimens (Scanlon, 1989). All these reasons will affect emotional outlook of the nurse. Moreover, recognizing these obstacles will help to understand more about hope and facilitate to provide good care to the patient. Nurses need to give more effort and concern to the patients who are seriously ill. The total health care team is needed for the care of patients. In another word a total team spirit is needed to achieve a goal which is planned for the patient care. However, to achieve a central goal in nursing practice or care, some certain hindrance will occur and it can be overcome through good communication with patients and family members, listing to patients problems, trust full relationship between patients and provide appropriate knowledge regarding diagnosis and prognosis of the disease condition. CONCLUSION To sum up, the concept of hope is applicable in all spheres of life and helps in dealing with the problems and difficulties which make the life stressful. Hope is a light in the life of patient. It helps the individual to maintain the strength of the person. Also for the family who knows about the prognosis of the patient, they prepare their self emotionally and practically. Hope is a belief of them. Always hope for the best. This is a essential part of life and for the human being. In this concept, different authors have different views about the concept. Word Count: 1434

An Examination of Factors Contributing to Identity Development and Adj

The process of adopting a child internationally is lengthy, costly, and both physically and emotionally exhausting.Since it takes so much to adopt, only a small number of Americans can and do; mostly middle- and upper-middle class couples.Therefore, many internationally adopted children grow up in an environment with ready access to resources, with adults who are able to support them financially and emotionally.In such narrow socioeconomic circumstances, the question then arises: What accounts for those internationally adopted children and youth who do not adjust well?What factors contribute to the normal, healthy development of these individuals?Examining international adoption also brings up this point:Is there really a significant difference between the development of trans-racial, internationally adopted children and their peers who are raised by their biological parents?In order to try and answer these questions, this essay will look at a number of studies from several countries , including America, which cover a range of influences: from secure attachment to the pre-adoption situation, to location, to patterns of normal cognitive development which may negatively impact the emerging identity of a trans-racial adoptee. In infancy, researchers study attachment patterns between mother and infant and determine if they are securely attached.Overall, infants who are securely attached tend to cry when their mother leaves, but are happy to see her when she comes back (Papalia, Olds, & Feldman, p. 212). How do internationally adopted, trans-racial infants compare?Juffer and Rosenbloom (1997)?s Netherlands study found that there was no significant difference in attachment between infant-adopted mother and infant-birth mother dyads (... ... passport and inability to speak their birth language. Their development is often accompanied by feelings of anger, frustration, and confusion, which they are confronted with in college, and subsequently address. The literature reviewed in this paper examines factors of attachment, the pre-adoption situation, parenting styles, normal development in middle childhood, the development of ethnic identity, place, and the search for birth origins, in the ways that they impact the adoptees? identity development. Further research could examine the influence of a sibling cohort adopted from the same country as the adoptee, long-term effects of an orphanage stay into adolescence and adulthood [using the People?s Republic as an example], and mono-zygotic, trans-racial twin pairs reared apart, in an effort to control the factors that contribute to a negative sense of identity.

The Spotted Bat Essay -- Animal Biology

Picture a small delicate creature with a contrasting patch on each shoulder, white at the base of the ears and two huge pink ears. This creature is the spotted bat, also known as the pinto bat. It usually weighs sixteen to twenty grams with a total length of one hundred seven to one hundred fifteen millimeters. Its classification is Animalia Craniata Mammalia Chiroptera Vespertilionidae Euderma maculatum. (www.americanzoo.com) The spotted bat can be found in western North America: southern California east to New Mexico and from Montana south to Mexico. It?s most commonly found in habitats dominated by Utah juniper and sagebrush, sometimes intermixed with limber pine or Douglas-fir, or in grassy meadows in ponderosa pine savannah. Cliffs, rocky outcrops, and water are other attributes of sites where spotted bats have been located. Spotted bats roost in caves, and in cracks in cliffs and canyons, with which this species is consistently associated. The spotted bat can crawl with ease on both horizontal and vertical surfaces. There is a possibility that these bats migrate south...

Kashmir Must Gain the Right of Self-determination Essay -- Argumentati

Kashmir Must Gain the Right of Self-Determination The protracted conflict in Kashmir has continually undermined efforts to restore peace and stability to the Indian subcontinent. This South Asian crisis must be resolved so that 'India and Pakistan can devote their resources and energies to the pressing task of advancing the welfare of their people' as espoused by the Simla Accord of 1972. The Simla Accord is the document that states both countries agreed to find peaceful solutions for the promotion of a friendly and harmonious relationship that will restore peace to the subcontinent. The Simla Accord of 1972, however, has not been effectively implemented as the wave of human rights violations committed by both sides has demonstrated over the last decade. Why should Kashmir be granted their right of self-determination? First, the instrument of accession is illegitimate. Second, to stop the atrocities committed by both India and Pakistan that have prevented peaceful relations in South Asia. The need for India to recognize the illegitimacy of the instrument of accession is the starting point toward bilateral and conciliatory discussions between India and Pakistan. This will create an environment in which both countries can work toward establishing an independent Kashmir, the key to peaceful coexistence. Since India is crucial to the initiation of this process, an examination of the instrument of accession signed by the Maharaja Hari Singh and the Indian government on 26 October 1947 immediately follows. India must recognize the underlying weaknesses and the illegitimacy of the instrument of accession. The underlying weaknesses of the signing of the instrument of accession are clear and incontestable. First, the Maharaja l... ...ilitarize and restore peace and security to the Indian subcontinent as already agreed upon in the Simla Accord of 1972, and eventually both sides must work together to decentralize control of Kashmir and allow for the emergence of an independent and sovereign Kashmir. A sovereign Kashmir, free of outside interests and influences, will sustain and maintain ‘peaceful and harmonious’ relations on the Indian subcontinent. Works Cited: Potter, Pitman B. "The Principal Legal and Political Problems Involved in the Kashmir Case." American Journal of International Law, vol. 44, no.2, 1950. Rahman, Mushtaqur. Divided Kashmir: Old Problems, New Opportunities for India, Pakistan, and the Kashmiri People. Lynne Rienner Publishers. Boulder, 1996. Thomas, Raju G.C. et al. Perspectives on Kashmir: The Roots of Conflict in South Asia. Westview Press. Boulder, 1992.

What Are the Ethical Teachings of Al-Ghazali and How Important and Relevant Are They to Contemporary Muslims? Critically Discuss

What are the ethical teachings of al-Ghazali and how important and relevant are they to contemporary Muslims? Critically discuss. Imam al-Ghazali (d. 1111) remains perhaps the most important religious authority in Islam after the first three generations of Muslims. The title, ‘Proof of Islam’, conferred upon him by the majority of Muslims, is a reflection of the complexity of his work, which included jurisprudence, theology, philosophy, psychology, and mysticism.This essay will demonstrate how al-Ghazali synthesised concepts of tawheed (unity of God), islam (ritual worship, virtue, ilham (Godly inspiration) and tasawwuf (Sufism) in a broad ethical theory. His ethics, as illustrated in the Ihya Ulum id-Deen, can be applied by common Muslims, Muslim scholars. More broadly, its implications–spiritual, social, behavioural, and intellectual–can play a significant role in the umma’s Islamic revival.Al-Ghazali’s ethical vision was based on humans att aining happiness, which is ultimately found in salvation in the next life (Hourani 1976, p. 77). The means by which he thought this was achieved best was through spiritual devotion rather than rationality. Al-Ghazali prioritises spirituality over intellectualism in knowing what is right and wrong based on his assertion of the soul as the human’s most important component (Moosa 2005). The soul possesses reason, thus holds the potential of knowing God and the capacity to know the realities of this world.As the immaterial soul is merged with the material body, the temporal worldly form of a human is experienced. The body is the vehicle through which the soul can achieve its potential of knowing God; bodily senses become tools through which the soul achieves ethical behaviour. The body has faculties such as anger, appetites for food and drink, lust and greed. It is possible for the bodily faculties to overcome the soul’s faculty of reason, a condition described in the Qura n as the ‘self that incites to evil’ (Quran 12:53).Conversely, reason can be used to control bodily faculties, and by doing this achieve the ‘serene soul’ (Quran 89:27). A third self is the middle one between the two, the reproachful self (Quran 75:2), which is in constant struggle with temptations of the evil self. The integrated divine and animal souls form the nafs, which is the human’s true self or identity. The coexistence of soul and body is volatile; the soul wishes to know God, while the body desires temporal sensory pleasure.The bifurcation of the human into these two opposing components indicates the necessity for a method of achieving equilibrium, for the solution to the struggle between the divine and animal forces is not a simple separation of soul and body, as this renders void the Creator’s wisdom in creating the worldly human. A more complex method assumes the human comprises other entities integral to the nafs. Here al-Ghazali ’s ethical theory assumes a view of the human imparted by Sufis before him; in addition to the soul and body, there is the ruh (spirit), qalb (spiritual heart), and ‘aql (intellect) (Moosa 2005, p. 24). The qalb is an abstract entity directly linked with the physical heart that contributes to the human experience, the faculties of perception, knowing, and spiritual experience (Moosa 2005, p. 225). The level of integration of the faculties of the qalb determines the success of the soul’s goal in knowing God. Thus, the qalb’s condition is vital to the outcome of the soul’s journey through this temporal life. Hourani (1976) describes Ghazali’s ethical concern as ‘right conduct and the purification of the soul by the individual . . ’ (p. 1). To this end, the method of equilibrium that al-Ghazali promoted, like Sufis after him, is tazkiyat al-qalb, or purification of the spiritual heart. Ameur (2009) notes three aspects of the process of purification: good action; virtues; and knowledge (p. 3). Good action refers to the following of ritual and social behaviour as prescribed by the shariah. Ghazali’s categorises actions in a five-fold system: fardh (commanded), sunnah (recommended), mubah (permitted), makruh (disapproved), or haram (forbidden).The significance of external acts lies in both their being rewarded as obedience, and their contribution to cultivation of virtues (Hourani 1976, p. 77). Good action cultivating virtues indicates a key agenda in Ghazali’s ethics: the restoration of balance between the outward and the inward states of people (Murad 2002). He realised that this balance could be best pursued in the purification of the inward, which requires first the elimination of vices. Vices are spiritual ailments of the qalb and include harmful traits such anger, envy, lust, and riya (ostentation). They form impediments to spiritual progress.The method of removing these impediments is mujahad a (Ameur 2009, p. 4) or what is commonly described by Sufis as jihad al-nafs (struggle against the self). Mujahada is a concept covering a broad array of practices used in tasawwuf to purify the nafs including: tafakkur (introspection); muraqaba (self-awareness); dhikr (meditation); and zuhd (asceticism). The previous two aspects of purification are not possible without knowledge. For al-Ghazali, knowledge is of two types: (a) one that is learnt in tenets of faith and rules of Islamic law; (b) one that is known through the qalb (Ameur 2009, p. ). The first type is all knowledge required to perform good action. This includes the basic tenets of faith, and worldly and religious activities including social dealings and private worship. The sources of these knowledges are – in accordance with Ghazali’s tradition-based approach to theology and jurisprudence – the Quran, Sunnah, ijma (consensus of ulama), and qiyas (analogical deduction from the Sunnah). The second ty pe of knowledge is abstract in nature as its locus is the qalb. This knowledge can be described as insight.One Prophetic tradition warns ‘beware the firasa of the believer, for he sees with the light of God’ (Tirmidhi, cited in Gulen). This knowledge is a set of experiences, or insights, impressed upon the heart through good action and Godly disposition. Such knowledge, Ameur (2009) states, â€Å"is a disposition deeply rooted in the soul, from which actions flow naturally and easily without need of reflection or judgement† (p. 4). This state is described in a hadith Qudsi reported in Sahih Bukhari:My slave approaches Me with nothing more beloved to Me than what I have made obligatory upon him, and My slave keeps drawing nearer to Me with voluntary works until I love him. And when I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees, his hand with which he seizes, and his foot with which he walks. If he asks me, I will surely give to him , and if he seeks refuge in Me, I will surely protect him (cited in Keller 1995). In this way a reciprocal relationship emerges between action, virtue and knowledge; each reinforcing the other.The successful integration of them leads to the soul’s objective of knowledge of God. Here the veil of the human’s limited ‘sight’ is lifted; the result is the realisation of truths (Gardener, p. 136). The culmination of Ghazali’s ethical purification is wilaya (intimacy). For the wali (an intimate) of God, the inner and outer are harmonised in realising tawheed. Here, tawhid (the unity of God) is not merely knowledge of theological principles, but rather it is ‘an inbuilt attribute’, the product of repetitive good acts and strengthening of virtues (Ameur 2009, p. ). For al-Ghazali, like other Sufis, knowledge of tawheed signifies the ultimate ethical goal of attaining happiness, which is experiencing as the nafs al-mutma’inna (the serene s oul). The scope of al-Ghazali’s ethical theory, incorporating shari’ah knowledge, theology, philosophy, and Sufism, ensure its relevance to contemporary Muslims is multifaceted. It holds special relevance to laymen, scholar and umma in general, as illsutrated in the title of the work that is a summary of Ghazali’s ethics: the Ihya Ulum id-Deen (Revival of the Religous Sciences)For the lay Muslim, al-Ghazali’s tripartite system of purification provides a practical guide to living Islam as a whole; hence, the Ihya covers all activities falling under iman, islam, and ihsan (Ormsby 2008, pp. 111-119). It explains the relationship between ritual devotion, social dealings, belief, vices, and virtues. Nofal (1993) uses a specific example from the Ihya that shows the relevance of the latter’s ethics to contemporary Muslims in the area of children’s education. Al-Ghazali says about children that:They must be trained to obey their parents, teachers an d elders, and to behave well towards their classmates’; ‘should be taught modesty, generosity and civility’; ‘[their] tutors must devote attention to religious education (cited in Nofal 1993, p. 5). A noticeable lesson here for Muslim parents and educators is that education ‘is not limited to training the mind and filling it with information, but involves all aspects—intellectual, religious, moral and physical—of the personality of the learner’ (Nafal 1993, p. 5).More broadly, the raising of children described by al-Ghazali facilitates adab, or Islamic culture, which in light of the modern culture of individualism and selfishness, is vital for cultivating Islamic personality. The scholarly class also may benefit from al-Ghazali’s Ihya. Ebrahim Moosa (2005) describes him as an exemplar for ‘critical traditionalism’ (p. 264). His scholarly legacy vis-a-vis ethics, Moosa (2005) comments, is that revival of traditi on entails fostering understanding of the ethical imperatives and practices in tradition (p. 278).This idea promotes juridical ethics over legal scientism, indicating the primacy of the implicit moral code of Quran and Sunnah over its text. In outlining this ethical system, al-Ghazali resuscitated the discursive sciences. The importance of his accomplishment is understood by reflection on his environment. To resuscitate the religious sciences, al-Ghazali effectively bridged the Arabicate and Persianate modes of thought prevalent at that time. Muslim scholars and students today, even moreso than al-Ghazali, face a dilemma of multiple matrices of cultures and politics.Within Islamic thought, Saeed notes eight main trends (ref), which can be characterised as varieties of traditionalism, modernism, and fundamentalism. Al-Ghazali’s approach to ethics could indeed be the bridge allowing crossing of ideas between the three main strands. Julia Day Howell (2001), commenting on Sufismà ¢â‚¬â„¢s role in the Indonesian Islamic revival, says that ‘as part of the broader revival, it has been subject to reinterpretations that have helped break down distinctions between ‘‘Traditionalists’’ and ‘‘Modernists’’’ (p. 710).Finally, the umma at large is also in need of the tasawwuf aspect of al-Ghazali’s ethics. The vagueness of the term within modern society notwithstanding, historical Muslim communities understood its importance, as noted by ibn Kaldun, who says about tasawwuf: This knowledge is a branch of the sciences of Sacred Law that originated within the Umma. From the first, the way of such people had also been considered the path of truth and guidance by the early Muslim community and its notables (cited in Keller 1993). Keller (1995) notes that for the early communities, tasawwuf signified ikhlas (sincerity).Ikhlas is a state of the qalb, and like other states of the qalb such as love, mercy, f ear is obligatory for Muslims hoping for felicity in the afterlife. The Quran says: ‘a day when wealth will not avail, nor sons, but only him who brings Allah a sound heart’ (26:88). Thus tasawwuf, Keller notes, is necessary for ‘fully realising the Shariah in one’s life, to attain the states of the heart demanded by the Quran and Sunnah’. Al-Ghazali’s ethics, as practical tasawwuf, becomes a means of addressing the spiritual aspect of religious life.The broader implications of Ghazali’s tasawwuf lie in negotiating the modern world. Murad (2002) notes that the failure of the ‘Enlightenment paradigm, as invoked by the secular elites in the Muslim world, to deliver moral and efficient government and cultural guidance, indicates that the solution must be religious’. To this end he suggests traditional Islam; it is the middle path between two extreme responses elicited by secularisation: liberalism and fundamentalism. Moosa (20 05) notes that one of the challenges to contemporary Muslim society is epistemicide, the destruction of a social-group’s knowledge (p. 65). The need to stem this epistemicide surely cannot be done by zealots or modernist liberals as the former cannot relate its scripture to changing circumstances and the latter decide to change its basic meanings. Here Ghazali’s ‘critical traditionalism’ may be utilised. Its moderate tradition-based ethics provides an antithesis to the ‘contemporary positivist and scientist ethics of dos and donts’ (Murad 2002). A critique of the relevance of al-Ghazali’s tasawwuf-laden ethics is that it may alienate many contemporary Muslims.The more advanced stages of his ethics involving knowledge of God are ungraspable for the non-initiated ‘purifier’. However, the beginning of his ethics, practice of daily rituals and pursing good character, remains accessible to all people. Therefore, in view of conte mporary society’s focus on materialism, and the lax attitude elicited by modernity towards religious life, al-Ghazali’s tasawwuf-laden ethics, at various levels, provides a robust cognitive-behavioural ethical methodology that can facilitate religious living in contemporary society. In summary, al-Ghazali’s ethics provides a successful method of attaining the ‘serene soul’.He framework of purification of the self involving action, virtue, and knowledge culminates in the state of wilaya wherein one witnesses realities of tawheed. The implications of his holistic ethics are daily application in worldly and religious living, resuscitation and mediation of Islamic scholarship, and a tasawwuf-based spiritual revival of the umma. References Ameur, R 2009, 101466 Ethical Traditions in Islam, The Ritual of the Law: lecture transcript, University of Western Sydney, Milperra. Gardener, RWR 1917, ‘al-Ghazali as Sufi’, The Muslim World, vol. 7, no. 2, 131-143.Hourani, G 1976, ‘Ghazali on the ethics of action’, Journal of the American Oriental Society, vol. 96, no. 1, pp. 69-88, University of Western Sydney Resources Online ( 101466). Gulen, F n. d. , Basira and insight. http://www. fethullahgulenchair. com/index. php? option=com_content&view=article&id=626:basira-and-firasa-insight-and-discernment-&catid=69:key-concepts-in-the-practice-of-sufism-&Itemid=210>. Howell, JD 2001, ‘Sufism and the Indonesian Islamic Revival’, The Journal of Asian Studies, vol. 60, no. 3, pp. 701–729. Keller, NHM 1995, The place of tasawwuf in traditional Islam, viewed 8 June 2011, .Keller, NHM 1995, How would you respond to the Claim that Sufism is bid'a? , viewed 8 June 2011, . Moosa, E 2005, Ghazali: The poetics of imagination, The University of North Caroline Press, Chapel Hill. Murad, AH 2002, The Faith in the future: Islam after the Enlightenment, viewed 9 June 2011, . Nofal, N 1993, Ghazali, Prospects: The qua rterly review of comparative education vol. 23, no. 3/4, pp. 519-542. Ormsby, E 2008, ‘The revival of Islam’, in Ghazali: The revival of Islam, Oneworld, Oxford. Saeed, A 2007, ‘Trends in contemporary Islam’, The Muslim World, vol. 97, pp. 397-404.

Digital Fortress Chapter 13

Tokugen Numataka stood in his plush, penthouse office and gazed out at the Tokyo skyline. His employees and competitors knew him a sakuta same-the deadly shark. For three decade she'd outguessed, outbid, and out advertised all the Japanese competition; now he was on the brink of becoming a giant in the world market as well. He was about to close the biggest deal of his life-a deal that would make his Numatech Corp. the Microsoft of the future. His blood was alive with the cool rush of adrenaline. Business was war-and war was exciting. Although Tokugen Numataka had been suspicious when the call had come three days ago, he now knew the truth. He was blessed with myouri-good fortune. The gods had chosen him. â€Å"I have a copy of the Digital Fortress pass-key,† the American accent had said. â€Å"Would you like to buy it?† Numataka had almost laughed aloud. He knew it was a ploy. Numatech Corp. had bid generously for Ensei Tankado's new algorithm, and now one of Numatech's competitors was playing games, trying to find out the amount of the bid. â€Å"You have the pass-key?† Numataka feigned interest. â€Å"I do. My name is North Dakota.† Numataka stifled a laugh. Everyone knew about North Dakota. Tankado had told the press about his secret partner. It had been a wise move on Tankado's part to have a partner; even in Japan, business practices had become dishonorable. Ensei Tankado was not safe. But one false move by an overeager firm, and the pass-key would be published; every software firm on the market would suffer. Numataka took a long pull on his Umami cigar and played along with the caller's pathetic charade. â€Å"So you're selling your pass-key? Interesting. How does Ensei Tankado feel about this?† â€Å"I have no allegiance to Mr. Tankado. Mr. Tankado was foolish to trust me. The pass-key is worth hundreds of times what he is paying me to handle it for him.† â€Å"I'm sorry,† Numataka said. â€Å"Your pass-key alone is worth nothing to me. When Tankado finds out what you've done, he will simply publish his copy, and the market will be flooded.† â€Å"You will receive both pass-keys,† the voice said. â€Å"Mr. Tankado's and mine.† Numataka covered the receiver and laughed aloud. He couldn't help asking. â€Å"How much are you asking for both keys?† â€Å"Twenty million U.S. dollars.† Twenty million was almost exactly what Numataka had bid. â€Å"Twenty million?† He gasped in mock horror. â€Å"That's outrageous!† â€Å"I've seen the algorithm. I assure you it's well worth it.† No shit, thought Numataka. It's worth ten times that. â€Å"Unfortunately,† he said, tiring of the game, â€Å"we both know Mr. Tankado would never stand for this. Think of the legal repercussions.† The caller paused ominously. â€Å"What if Mr. Tankado were no longer a factor?† Numataka wanted to laugh, but he noted an odd determination in the voice. â€Å"If Tankado were no longer a factor?† Numataka considered it. â€Å"Then you and I would have a deal.† â€Å"I'll be in touch,† the voice said. The line went dead.

Emerging adulthood Essay

One of the most important features of emerging adulthood is that this age period allows for exploration in love, work, and worldviews more than any other age period. The process of identity formation emerges in adolescence but mostly takes place in emerging adulthood. Regarding love, although adolescents in the United States usually begin dating between ages 12 and 14, they usually view this dating as recreational. It is not until emerging adulthood that identity formation in love becomes more serious.[4] While in the United States during adolescence dating usually occurs in groups and in situations such as parties and dances, in emerging adulthood, relationships last longer and often include sexual relations as well as cohabitation.[5] As far as work, the majority of working adolescents in the United States tend to see their jobs as a way to make money for recreational activities rather than preparing them for a future career.[6] In contrast, 18 to 25 year olds in emerging adulthood view their jobs as a way to obtain the knowledge and skills that will prepare them for their future adulthood careers. Undergoing changes in worldviews is a main division of cognitive development during emerging adulthood.[7] People in emerging adulthood that choose to attend college often begin college or university with the worldview they were raised with and learned in childhood and adolescence. However, emerging adults who have attended college or university have been exposed to and have considered different worldviews, and eventually commit to a worldview that is distinct from the worldview with which they were raised by the end of their college or university career.[ Emerging adulthood is the sole age period where there is nothing that is demographically consistent.[16][17] In contrast, of adolescents in the United States up to age 18, over 95% live at home with at least one parent, 98% are not married, under 10% have become parents, and more than 95% attend school.[18] Similarly, people in their thirties are also demographically normative: 75% are married, 75% are parents, and under 10% attend school.[18] Residential status and school attendance are two reasons that the period of emerging adulthood is incredibly distinct demographically. Regarding residential status, emerging adults in the United States have very diverse living situations.[4] About one third of emerging  adults attend college and spend a few years living independently while partially relying on adults.[19] Contrastingly, 40% of emerging adults do not attend college but live independently and work full-time.[19] Finally, around two-thirds of emerging adults in the United States cohabitate with a romantic partner.[20] Regarding school attendance, emerging adults are extremely diverse in their educational paths (Arnett, 2000, p. 470-471). Over 60% of emerging adults in the United States enter college or university the year after they graduate from high school.[21] However, the emerging adulthood years that follow college are extremely diverse – only about 32% of 25-29 year-olds have finished four or more years of college.[18] This is because higher education is usually pursued non-continuously, where some pursue education while they also work, and some do not attend school for periods of time.[4] Further contributing to the variance, about one third of emerging adults with bachelor’s degrees pursue a postgraduate education within a year of earning their bachelor’s degree.[22] Thus, because there is so much demographic instability, especially in residential status and school attendance, it is clear that emerging adulthood is a distinct entity based on its demographically non-normative qualities, at least in the United States.