Nicaragua Geography, History, Climate Facts

Nicaragua Geography, History, Climate Facts Population: 5,891,199 (July 2010 estimate)Capital: ManaguaBordering Countries: Costa Rica and HondurasLand Area: 50,336 square miles (130,370 sq km)Coastline: 565 miles (910 km)Highest Point: Mogoton at 7,998 feet (2,438 m) Nicaragua is a country located in Central America to the south of Honduras and to the north of Costa Rica. It is the largest country by area in Central America and its capital and largest city is Managua. One-quarter of the countrys population lives in the city. Like many other countries in Central America, Nicaragua is known for its high levels of biodiversity and unique ecosystems. History of Nicaragua Nicaraguas name comes from its native peoples that lived there in the late 1400s and early 1500s. Their chief was named Nicarao. Europeans did not arrive in Nicaragua until 1524 when Hernandez de Cordoba founded Spanish settlements there. In 1821, Nicaragua gained its independence from Spain. Following its independence, Nicaragua underwent frequent civil wars as rival political groups struggled for power. In 1909, the United States intervened in the country after hostilities grew between Conservatives and Liberals due to plans to build a trans-isthmian canal. From 1912 to 1933, the U.S. had troops in the country to prevent hostile actions towards Americans working on the canal there. In 1933, U.S. troops left Nicaragua and Nation Guard Commander Anastasio Somoza Garcia became president in 1936. He attempted to keep strong ties with the U.S. and his two sons succeeded him in office. In 1979, there was an uprising by the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) and the Somoza familys time in office ended. Shortly thereafter, the FSLN formed a dictatorship under leader Daniel Ortega. The actions of Ortega and his dictatorship ended friendly relations with the U.S. and in 1981, the U.S. suspended all foreign aid to Nicaragua. In 1985, an embargo was also placed on trade between the two countries. In 1990 due to pressure from within and outside of Nicaragua, Ortegas regime agreed to hold elections in February of that year. Violeta Barrios de Chamorro won the election. During Chamorros time in office, Nicaragua moved toward creating a more democratic government, stabilizing the economy and improving human rights issues that had occurred during Ortegas time in office. In 1996, there was another election and the former mayor of Managua, Arnoldo Aleman won the presidency. Alemans presidency, however, had severe issues with corruption and in 2001, Nicaragua again held presidential elections. This time, Enrique Bolanos won the presidency and his campaign pledged to improve the economy, build jobs and end government corruption. Despite these goals,  however, subsequent Nicaraguan elections have been marred with corruption and in 2006 Daniel Ortega ​Saavdra, an FSLN candidate, was elected. Government of Nicaragua Today Nicaraguas government is considered a republic. It has an executive branch made up of a chief of state and a head of government, both of which are filled by the president and a legislative branch comprised of a unicameral National Assembly. Nicaraguas judicial branch consists of a Supreme Court. Nicaragua is divided into 15 departments and two autonomous regions for local administration. Economics and Land Use in Nicaragua Nicaragua is considered the poorest country in Central America and as such, it has very high unemployment and poverty. Its economy is based mainly on agriculture and industry, with its top industrial products being food processing, chemicals, machinery and metal products, textiles, clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear,  and wood. Nicaraguas main crops are coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton, rice, corn, tobacco, sesame, soya, and beans. Beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy products, shrimp,  and lobster are also large industries in Nicaragua.​ Geography, Climate,  and Biodiversity of Nicaragua Nicaragua is a large country located in Central America between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Its terrain is mostly coastal plains that eventually rise up to interior mountains. On the Pacific side of the country, there is a narrow coastal plain that is dotted with volcanoes. The climate of Nicaragua is considered tropical in its lowlands with cool temperatures at its higher elevations. Nicaraguas capital, Managua, has warm temperatures year-round that hover around 88ËšF (31ËšC). Nicaragua is known for its biodiversity because rainforest covers 7,722 square miles (20,000 sq km) of the countrys Caribbean lowlands. As such, Nicaragua is home to large cats like the jaguar and cougar, as well as primates, insects and a plethora of different plants. More Facts About Nicaragua Nicaraguas life expectancy is 71.5 years Nicaraguas Independence Day is September 15 Spanish is the official language of Nicaragua but English and other native languages are also spoken Sources: Central Intelligence Agency. CIA - The World Factbook - Nicaragua.  https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/nu.htmlInfoplease.com. (n.d.). Nicaragua: History, Geography, Government, and Culture- Infoplease.com.  infoplease.com/ipa/A0107839.htmlUnited States Department of State. Nicaragua.  state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/1850.htmWikipedia.com.  Ã‚  Nicaragua - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia.  Ã‚  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicaragua.

Personification vs. Anthropomorphism

Personification vs. Anthropomorphism Personification vs. Anthropomorphism Personification vs. Anthropomorphism By Maeve Maddox A reader asks: Is there a difference between  Personification and Anthropomorphism? If theyre not the same, could you please explain it? Both words convey the idea of attributing human characteristics to something not human. Personification comes from the verb personify. One meaning of personify is â€Å"to represent or imagine a thing or abstraction as a person.† For example, â€Å"Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars. –Proverbs, 9:1.† The abstract concept wisdom is personified by the use of the feminine pronouns. Another meaning of personify is â€Å"to be the embodiment of a quality or trait.† For example, â€Å"Adolf Hitler has become infamous as a personification of evil.† Poets frequently employ personification, as in the opening lines of â€Å"Ode on a Grecian Urn† by John Keats (1795–1821): Thou still unravish’d bride of quietness, Thou foster-child of Silence and slow Time, Sylvan historian, who canst’ thus express A flowery tale more sweetly than our rhyme. The subject of the poem is an ancient urn or vase depicting a pastoral scene in which male figures seem to be pursuing women. Keats humanizes the inanimate urn by addressing it with the pronoun thou and calling it a bride, a foster-child, and a historian. The concepts Silence and Time are also personified by identifying them as the parents of the urn. Many of the ancient gods were personifications of natural phenomena or intellectual concepts. The goddess Iris, for example, is the personification of the rainbow. Cupid is the personification of desire or love (Latin cupere, â€Å"to love†). English speakers personify ships as female, as Holmes does in his poem about the USS Constitution, aka â€Å"Old Ironsides†: Ay, tear her tattered ensign down! The word anthropomorphism has two main applications. The first definition given for it in the OED is â€Å"ascription of a human form and attributes to the Deity.† Descriptions of God walking in a garden, having the whole world in His hands and â€Å"having His eye upon the sparrow† are examples of this kind of anthropomorphism. A second definition of anthropomorphism is â€Å"ascription of a human attribute or personality to anything impersonal or irrational.† This is the kind of anthropomorphism that leads doting pet owners to stage weddings for their dogs. Anthropomorphism is a popular story-telling trope. Puss in Boots, Black Beauty, and Rocket Raccoon are anthropomorphized animal characters. Inanimate objects can also be anthropomorphized, like the vegetables in Veggie Tales and the vehicles in the movie Cars. Television advertising is rife with anthropomorphism, ranging from cute (MM candies) to revolting (Mucus). If there is a difference, it’s a subtle one. I think personification is more appropriate for discussions of literature and as a synonym for embodiment. Anthropomorphism seems to suit more general contexts. One drawback to this advice is that anthropomorphism is harder to say. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:7 Types of Narrative ConflictTop 11 Writing Apps for iOS (iPhone and iPad)Woof or Weft?

An assessment of whether the differences in practice between Essay

An assessment of whether the differences in practice between facilitatory and evaluative modes of mediation are such that it is inappropriate for both forms to - Essay Example The facilitative style of mediation involves a third party mediator who does not actively participate in the mediation process but rather functions as a catalyst, helping the parties to discuss their problems and negotiate a solution in an atmosphere of goodwill and trust. In the process of evaluative mediation however, the mediator is a person who may move beyond the role of a facilitator and may offer an opinion on the issues under dispute, including an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the cases of the parties and the possible solutions that could be suggested. The spirit behind mediation is that of allowing a resolution to a dispute that is negotiated by the parties in a non adversarial environment. However, the evaluative mode of mediation is increasingly being likened to a court style adversarial approach and the differences developing between the facilitatory style and the evaluative style raise the question of whether it is appropriate to include both these forms of alternative dispute resolution under the common umbrella of mediation. Therefore, the question posed by this dissertation is: Is it appropriate to include both facilitatory and evaluative modes of mediation under the common umbrella of mediation or is it inappropriate to do so? Chapter One of this Dissertation sets out the premise of this research study, its scope and objectives, methodology and limitations. Chapter Two offers a discussion of the two forms of mediation and the kinds of practices that are used in each. Chapter Three offers a literature review of comparison and contrast of the two systems, employing the views of experts. Chapter Four includes a discussion of the issue of including both these kinds of mediation under a common umbrella and whether or not it is appropriate to do so, thereby also offering recommendations for future research. Mediation is

Effects of divorce on children Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Effects of divorce on children - Essay Example It is obvious that no parent likes to experience the divorce, so why would they want their child do experience it Regretfully, divorce is quite common in present-day society, but researchers have proved that there is a negative impact on the children and their future. A lot of children do not recover from a divorce and their inability to cope with it affects their relationships later on. When parents decide that they will have a divorce, it is not in happiness as most children seem to feel. A recently divorce man/woman will feel a loss concerning their spouse and their marriage. There is also a sense of relief that the faade is over and they can start healing themselves against the pain and suffering they were going through. For those people that do not have children is easier to avoid each other as they will have no strings attached and are in a sense 'free', but those with children need to adjust to their setting quickly and then help their children with the process and help them understand the reason so there are not negative effects of feelings. With or without the divorce, almost all parents want their child to do well but research again shows that children from divorced family do worse, some of them repeat a grade and have a 5% more chance of being expelled. Younger children become more dependent, demanding, unaffectionate and disobedient than children from patched families. They are terrified of being left alone or being unloved, therefore carrying these problems with them to school as well as start using drugs, get into violence, try to commit suicide and have children out of wedlock. Some children believe that they are the source of the divorce because of their misbehavior, due to which children just shut down and keep their feelings to themselves, losing the friends they have and creating a shell around them that doesn't let anyone in. Some effects of children in divorced families are: Being poor Problems in school - lower grades, being held back, dropping out Poor health Higher probability of abuse, mental illness, criminal behavior and early sexual activity Feeling of loss over one parent's absence due to divorce Risk of being abused Impulsive and impatient behavior Anger at others Oppositional, rebellious, defiant, or conduct problems Breaking rules and testing limits Destructive behavior Anger at self Self-blame or guilt Self-destructive or self-harming behavior Apathy or failure to accept responsibility Isolation and Withdrawal Becoming divorced themselves someday Yearly, over 1 million American children experience the tragedy of divorce, and half the children that are born within the year will have parents who will divorce before they turn 18. American society has to teach it citizens that marriage is the best surroundings in which to raise healthy, happy children who reach their potential and family is the essential item for a social well-being. The best thing that parents can do for their child while the divorce is to assure them that the divorce is not the child's fault and to tell them constantly assure them that they are loved by both parents and the relationship with either parent will not be

Elements of Marketing Mix Essay Example for Free

Elements of Marketing Mix Essay Elements of Marketing Mix A typical marketing mix includes a product, offered at a price, with some promotion to tell potential customers about the product, and a way to reach the customers place (Perreault McCarthy, 2004, pg. 36). A company will use the marketing mix in order to control variables in marketing to satisfy a target group. This paper will describe the four elements of the marketing mix; product, place, price, and promotion. In addition, the four elements of the marketing mix will be discussed on the impacts in the development of Starbucks marketing strategy and tactics. ProductThe product area is concerned with developing the right product for the target market (Perreault, 2004, pg. 38). This requires a company to determine what item or service is desired by the customer in order to fulfill needs. The product needs to provide a service, cover the expected needs for the customer, or deliver the expectations created by other elements of the marketing mix. Service, benefits, branding, and packaging are some things that are taken into consideration with an organizations product (Perreault et al, 2004). The overall objective is to offer a product that will satisfy the wants and needs of people. PlacePlace is concerned with all the decisions involved in getting the right product to the target markets place (Perreault et al, 2004, pg. 39). Place refers to the delivery of a product or service to a location that customers may obtain from. This step is needed to get the finished product from the company or origin to the consumer. Marketers need to consider the most efficient method to distribute an organizations product. Channel type, market exposure, locations of stores, service levels, means of transportation and distributing are factors that are taken into considers when marketers need to develop a strategy for place (Perreault et al, 2004). The overall objective is creating a place in order for customers to buy the product. PricePrice setting must consider the kind of competition in the target market and the cost of the whole marketing mix (Perreault et al, 2004, pg. 40). The price is the amount that will be charged for the product. Managers  must know current practices as to markups, discounts, and other terms of sale (Perreault et al, 2004, pg. 40). The prices set by competitors will affect the price of the product. Organizations use pricing techniques in order to reach a competitive price of the product. Prices are set by a company in order to become profitable or to even reach the break even point. Flexibility, product life, cycles, geographic terms, discounts, and allowances are factors that must be considered before setting the price of a product (Perreault et al, 2004). In addition, pricing strategies also will vary according to region. For example, a product that sells for a price of 10 dollars in California may only sell for 7 dollars in the state of Georgia. The overall objective is the set the right price for the product. PromotionPromotion is concerned with telling the target market or others in the channel of distribution about the right product (Perreault et al, 2004, pg. 40). Promotion is how the marketer will communicate, inform and persuade customers to purchase a product or service. There are many ways in which to market the product. The marketer must take in account multiple ways of promotion; personal selling, mass selling, and sales promotion. All can be mixed to create the right blend that will target the marketplace. Personal selling involves direct communication between a company and their customer, usually face-to-face. However, direct communication can also be through phone interviews or sales calls, conferences through video and the internet (Perreault et al, 2004). Promotion can also be used to target a large group of consumers at the same time such as radio or television advertising. This is known as mass selling. Finally, sales promotion refers to promotion activities that do not in volve advertising and personal selling. Contest, coupons, and special offers are some examples of sales promotions (Perreault et al, 2004). Starbucks Marketing MixStarbucks Coffee mission statement is to establish Starbucks as the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world while maintaining our uncompromising principles while we grow (Starbucks, n.d.). Starbucks has utilized the four marketing elements to help create an excellent impact in the development of their marketing tactics and strategies. Starbucks originated in Seattle, Washington, over 30 years ago,  and owns more than 12,000 stores worldwide. Starbucks achieved this by creating a successful marketing strategy. Starbucks was recognized 7 times as one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by Business Ethics Magazine (Shareholder, 2007). Starbucks customers include people of diverse ethnicity, income, and age groups with varying tastes and interest. With this diverse clientele, Starbucks has made marketing a challenge to target all these diverse groups of people. ProductStarbucks is dedicated to purchasing the highest quality coffee and paying premium prices to reflect ongoing commitment to coffee-farming communities (Shareholder, 2007). The reason Starbucks offer so many different varieties of products is to satisfy the diverse clientele. This company has continuously been able to influence their clientele by offering products that appeal to all cultures. Starbucks has been able to meet a specific market demand. Starbucks gives a wide range of food and beverage options, from indulgent treats to lower-fat and reduced-calorie choices for all consumers tastes (Shareholder, 2007). Starbucks continues to innovate and extend the Starbucks Experience with imaginative new ready-to-drink beverages and expanding coffee offerings. PlaceStarbucks stores are strategically placed in locations that are visible and have a great deal of traffic. Starbucks is successful at placing their products strategically in order to impact sales volume. According to the Starbucks 2006 annual report, we opened 2,199 new stores globally (ahead of 1,800), at an average pace of six new stores per day, bringing our total to 12,440 stores in 37 countries (Shareholder, 2007). They have locations on busy street corners, in malls, theaters, office buildings, grocery stores and airports which have allowed them to be clearly visible. Almost anywhere a person turns there is a Starbucks around the corner. PriceStarbucks does not consider their price to strategy to be of significance compared to the other elements in the industry. The companys 12-ounce tall latte ranges from $2.25 in Minnesota to $3 in New York City (Wong, 2004). Like any company, prices are based on the level of economy in each area. Starbucks prices largely are also based on manufacturing.  Starbucks prices reflect cost of coffee beans, sugar, geographical areas, and the overall experience. Distribution also plays a role in how the product is priced at each company. PromotionStarbucks employs a mix between personal selling and sales promotion. Personal selling lets the salesperson adapt the firms marketing mix to each potential customer (Perreault et al, 2004). Starbucks does not just have salespeople, but baristas. Starbucks baristas inform and sell the product face-to-face to the customers. Starbuckss promotions do not include traditional advertising, but global sales promotions. Sales promotions spark purchases by customers through different channels. In August of 2006, Starbucks supported Jumpstarts Read for the Record campaign. They sold 53,000 copies of The Little Engine That Could and hosted 330 reading events setting an official Guinness world record. Furthermore, incentive sales promotions included donating 5 cents for every bottle sold for the Ethos Water Fund. The Ethos Water Fund focuses on improving local water sources and providing sanitation and hygiene education to the communities in Ethiopia and Indonesia (Shareholder, 2007). People want to be apart of Starbucks global efforts and these are examples of effective sales promotions. ConclusionWhen developing a marketing, all decisions impacted the four Ps should be made at the same time. The four elements of the marketing mix are equally important. This is because the products, places, prices, and promotions of an organization surround the most important element; the customer (Perreault et al, 2004). According to Starbucks 2006 annual report, There are numerous competitors in almost every market in which Starbucks operates and in which it expects to expand in both the specialty coffee beverage business and the specialty whole bean coffee business (Shareholder, 2007). Starbucks has proven to stay on top of their market. However, Starbucks and any organization need to continuously examine their marketing mix in order to stay competitive and profitable. By successfully completing the circle of the four Ps, Starbucks has established a multi-million dollar organization that is a Fortune 100 Company. References Perreault, W. D. McCarthy, E. J. (2004). Basic Marketing: A Global-Managerial Approach. The McGraw-Hill Companies. Retrieved Nov. 11, 2007, from https://mycampus.phoenix.edu/secure/resource/resource.aspStarbucks, (n.d.). Retrieved Nov. 11, 2007, from http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/environment.aspShareholder, (2007). In Starbucks Coffee 2006 Annual Report. Retrieved Nov. 11, 2007, from http://www.shareholder.com/visitors/dynamicdoc/document.cfm?CompanyID=SBUXDocumentID=1382PIN=Page=13Zoom=1xWong, B. (2004, Sept. 28). In Cup of Starbucks going up average of 11 cents Oct. 6. Retrieved Nov. 11, 2007, from http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/192721_coffeeprice28.html

Bears :: essays research papers

Traveling in bear country can be quite thrilling. Coming face to face with a bear would be terrifying. Most bear attacks can be avoided, but there is always a chance of encountering a bear. Although nothing is one hundred percent guaranteed effective, here are a list of some tips that might prove to be useful in a bear encounter. Be Alert in Bear Country . Always have Bear Deterrent Pepper Spray in its holster ready for immediate use. Don\'t bury it in your pack. . Be alert where recent bear activity has been documented by park officials: Fish and Game, Forest Service, and other Public Service people. Some Common areas where bears like to roam are: avalanche chutes, stream beds, dense edge cover and, in late summer, berry patches. . Use extreme caution when traveling on trails at night or at either end of the day. . Be careful with food smells - never cook close to camp. Store all foods in plastic away from camp at night when camp is unattended. Store them at least 100 yards away from camp. Hang them at least 14 feet up a tree and hung 4 feet away from the trunk. . Watch for fresh bear scant or tracks on the trail or near possible camp sites. . If possible, make plenty of noise on the trail, especially on blind curves, in dense vegetation or areas with limited vision.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   . Be aware of the wind - bears have an excellent sense of smell. If the wind is at your back, the chances are a bear will smell you and leave well before you reach it. If the wind is blowing in your face, the chances of an encounter will greatly increase. In high wind situations or along creeks and streams, a bear might not hear you coming or you might not hear it. . Dead animal carcass - If you come upon a dead animal carcass, immediately leave the area. Bears will often feed on a carcass for days and also stay in the area to protect their food. . Bear cubs - If you see a bear cub, chances are the mother is not far away. Female bears will fiercely defend the young, so it is best you leave the area and find a different path. . Keep dogs under control - dogs can lead an angry bear back to you. . Do not travel alone in bear country. Invite a friend.

Does A Modern Instance champion or disdain divorce?

A Modern Instance is a complex novel with an engrossing plot-line and a subtext of ideas that make it relevant, not only as a source for the moral questions of the Nineteenth century, but also for dilemmas faced today. One of the major questions that it raises is how far a person should remain true to marriage vows when the other partner has flagrantly broken them. To put it simply, should the heroine of the novel, Marcia, divorce her unfaithful husband, Bartley, who has abandoned her in Boston in order to seek adventures and freedom in the West? The novel asks whether an absolute or relative morality is most virtuous and/or most practical in a world in which people like Bartley are all too common. The dichotomy between â€Å"championing† and â€Å"disdaining† is not as simple as the title of this essay suggests. It seems clear that Howell’s sees the strength in traditional virtues while realizing that at times they need to be discarded. Thus in some ways he disdains divorce as a general precept while championing the need for it within extremely negative marriages. If one party to a marriage abandons it in favor of freedom, then does the marriage really exist? In the initial stages of the marriage it seem as though A Modern Instance champions the ideals of domestic harmony within marriage almost at any cost. So while Bartley acts in a feckless and lazy manner, refusing to pursue a career in law even though his education was paid for him, it seems as though Marcia will always forgive him. In this sense Howells paints a rather traditional portrait of â€Å"love is blind† and suggests that a marriage can work even under the most difficult of circumstances in which one party to it really is not worth much. The portrait of their marriage for much of the book implicitly disdains divorce as Marcia forgives Bartley everything. Forgiveness, even if it stems from either stupidity or blind love, is apparently better than any consideration of divorce. The idea that marriage is kind of Elyria that cannot never be bettered is exemplified by the important sub-plot involving Ben Halleck. Halleck went to college with Bartley and knows that he is not to be trusted. Halleck discovers, to his complete horror, that he loves Marcia, and ends up lending money to Bartley that he knows will never be returned as a kind of penance. If ‘love’, in its truest form, rather than the convention of marriage were more important within the world that   Howells is portraying, then Marcia and Halleck might at least think of starting an affair. But this does not happen. Instead, Halleck imposes exile on himself, constantly tortures himself with the shame of loving another man’s wife and eventually becomes a church minister. The idea of divorce is a last resort, an absolute last resort to many of the characters in the book. The fact that Marcia and Bartley are married gives their relationship an infinitely higher worth to conventional characters such as Halleck than any he could have with the beautiful woman. Yet the society in which they all live is rapidly moving more towards Bartley’s rather casual view of such matters rather than Halleck’s seriousness. The first time the word â€Å"divorce† is mentioned in the book occurs in the following manner: â€Å"It’s just so with the newspapers, too,† said Bartley. â€Å"Some newspapers used to stand out against publishing murders, and personal gossip and divorce trials, There ain’t a newspaper that pretends to keep anyways up with the times, now, that don’t do it! The public want spice, and they will have it!† (Howells, 2006) While Bartley is the putative â€Å"evil character† in the novel, he is, at least to the modern reader, one of more engaging and charming characters in a book that often seems to rely upon stereotypes. Perhaps Bartley is the most attractive because he is the most modern. Yet Howell’s himself is clearly condemning this casual attitude towards divorce as just another feature in a kaleidoscope of salacious entertainment for the public. Bartley makes what might be seen as a reasonable argument regarding his application for divorce to Halleck, saying â€Å"that was the only way out, for either of us . . . we had tried it for three years, and we couldn’t make it go; we never could have made it go; we were incompatible.† (Howells, 2006). Such a statement could have come straight from a simple, non-contested divorce case in 2007 in which two people find that they are not compatible even though they thought that they were. But again, because it sounds reasonable to modern ears, this does not mean to say that Howell’s is condoning the point of view. Indeed, the fact that he puts such opinions into the mouth of the character who cheats, lies and abandons people throughout the book:- albeit in an affable, likeable way – suggests that Howells is condemning this view of divorce as a merely practical virtue when a marriage has obviously failed. Yet Howells is not blind to the realities of the world. In one of the more memorable conversations of the book, the nature of love, marriage and the lack of love are discussed by two characters: Halleck turned. â€Å"What could be a worse hell than marriage without love?† he demanded , fiercely. â€Å"Love without marriage,† said Atherton. (Howells, 2006) While this may become somewhat reminiscent of the old Frank Sinatra song â€Å"Love and Marriage†, the paradox explicated by Atherton and Halleck is at the heart of the novel. A loveless marriage is indeed hell, as Halleck suggests. But within the moral code of the time so is love without marriage. This is a hell because it cannot be fully realized within a lasting relationship or consummated if the couple are to maintain a semblance of morality. The actual divorce case with which the novel ends is rendered in a manner that makes the proceedings tragi-comic in nature. Thus when Bartley appears to have won the day through Marcia not coming to the Court it seem as if his thoroughly amoral perspective on matters has finally vanquished the morality of the past. But eh subsequent arrival of Marcia and her father, together with the cross-complaint for divorce, renders the whole rather farcical in nature. At this lat moment divorce seems to be neither championed or disdained, rather it is a rather neat plot trick to bring matters to a sensible and neat conclusion. Howells mixtures melodrama, as Marcia â€Å"started half-way from her chair, and then fell back again . . . she looked round at Halleck as if for help, and hid her face in her hands† (Howells, 2006) with the â€Å"bad† man Bartley going into exile because of fallout from his failed lawsuit. The final statement of the book is rather ambiguous. Apparently the fact that Halleck had loved Marcia while her husband was alive makes him ineligible, in a moral sense, to ask her to marry him now that she is a widower. The novels ends ambiguously, as if pointing the way to the relativistic morality of the Twentieth Century that Howells seems to sense is coming, and which he fiercely resists: Of course it isn’t a question of gross black and white, mere right and wrong; there are degrees, there are shades. There might be redemption for another type of man in such a marriage; but for Halleck there could only be loss, — deterioration – lapse from the Ideal. . . . (Howells, 2006) To conclude, it seems clear from this that the absolute morality of the Nineteenth Century, something which Halleck takes to almost absurd lengths, would not forgive him his love for another man’s wife even though it was a loveless marriage that has been ended through death. Howells believes that divorce may be a last resort needed in cases of great cruelty and/or abandonment, but he also sees it as repugnant. Marriage is sacred, even one as loveless and broken as that portrayed in this novel. Works Cited Howells, William. A Modern Instance. Hard Press, New York: 2006.

Parenting Styles Essay

Researchers have studied parenting styles extensively. Many studies have aimed to find a greater connection that shows the impact of each parenting style on the development of the child and how its influence in various aspects of life including self-confidence, self-esteem, academic achievement, and personality. This study used previous empirical research to examine the various impacts of parenting styles on children’s developmental processes. This study begins with a review of the classical studies of Baumrind (1991) and Maccoby (2000). Maccoby used 12 scholarly articles published between 2007 and 2013. Many of the findings in the research support the notion that the authoritative parenting style is the most advantageous in child development. Parenting Styles and their Impact on Child Development Developmental psychologists are interested in comprehending how parents influence their children’s development. However, many of these psychologists have not yet found an actual cause and effect connection between the actions of parents and children’s behaviors. In various cases, researchers have observed that even children who are raised in drastically different environments grew up to have personalities that are very similar to one another. On the other hand, children who share a home and are raised in similar environments often grow up with extremely different personalities from one another. While this counterintuitive phenomenon exists, researchers have uncovered many connections between parenting styles and their effects on children. The effects of parenting styles on children were examined to determine whether parents have a significant impact on their children’s development. It is widely accepted from layman science that children learn many aspects and acquire many of their personality traits from their social lives and the environments in which they are brought up. The question that lingers is exactly how much parents actually influence their children in terms of genetics compared to their development after birth and throughout childhood? Psychologists agree that a child’s learning curve is partially based on the timetable at which development begins and is defined as how fast an infant learns to walk and talk, and progress through other developmental milestones. Society has made it the parents’ responsibility to develop their children according to the standards, morals, and values within each society. This responsibility includes teaching the children how to behave while at home, around friends and family, and while in public. Society expects children to act in a specific way, which may include not pestering their parents, behaving in an appropriate manner in public, and participating in household chores. However, the outcome of a child acting in such a way depends on how the parents have fostered these ideas within the child, which is a determinate to the growth and development of the child’s personality. A child’s development does not only depend on the environment and parenting styles involved. To some extent, predispositions such as genetics are also potential factors that can significantly impact growth and development of the child. This study used the classical works of Baumrind (1991), Maccoby (2000), and Martin as a framework upon which further research concerning this topic can be carried out. A thorough discussion of the work of these researchers provides the opportunity to draw conclusions in which to answer the following question: To what extent does parenting style impact on child development? Materials and Methods This research did not use an experimental study; rather, it is classified as a qualitative analysis in which a review of literature was conducted to draw conclusions on the research topic. Therefore, this study is more of a literature review in which previous works on the impact of parent styles on child development are discussed. For example, this study scrutinizes the works of Maccoby (2000) who obtained data from other studies and analyzed it to her specifications. Maccoby assessed several studies and found that the methods used include observations on child-parent interactions, interview, and reviews of various records of participants. This study used a minimum of 12 scholarly articles been published in the last 5 to 6 years using an empirical research method. This review allowed the researcher to make recommendations, based on recent research, on best practices in assessing the significance of parenting styles on child development. This study used only experimental studies to provide a basis of legitimacy based observed  data. Before recent research is assessed, a background of this topic is established by summarizing the classical works of Baumrind (1991), Maccoby, and Martin. Difference between Parenting Style and Practice Before the works of researchers are discussed, it is important to highlight the difference between parenting styles and parenting practices. According to Spera (2005), it is essential and imperative to comprehend the difference between parenting styles and parenting practices. Spera noted that parenting practices is defined as specific behaviors use to socialize with their children. An example of such socialization is when parents sit down with their children to guide them with their homework or when they set aside a specific time for reading or making school a top priority by attending school events such as parent-teacher conferences. These actions show that parents have a desire for their children to do well in school. On the other hand, parenting style is more of a characterization of the emotional climate that surrounds in the environment in which parents rear their children. According to Baumrind (1991), parenting styles can be characterized over several dimensions in which parental responsiveness and demand is asserted on the child. Baumrind, Maccoby, & Martin: Theories of Parenting Styles and Child Rearing Baumrind (1966) developed a theory on parenting styles that proposed that parents fall into one of three categories of parenting styles, authoritarian, indulgent, or authoritative. Baumrind later expanded this theory and included a fourth parenting style known as negligent. The typologies of Baumrind’s parenting styles were concluded after conducting extensive research using interviews and observations with parents and children. Participants included 32 middle class white families who were observed in a nursery school setting. The methods of naturalistic observation, parent interviews, and other research methods resulted in four important dimensions of parenting, disciplinary strategies, warmth and nurturance, communication style, and expectations of maturity and control. Baumrind’s (1966) parenting styles included authoritarian, authoritative, indulgent/permissive, and negligent/uninvolved. The proposed parenting styles have different consequences on children regarding competence and development based on social and cognitive traits. Additionally, each style differs in terms of behaviors, standards, and values that parents expect  their children to adopt. Authoritarian Parenting Under the authoritarian parenting style, children are expected to follow a strict set of rules established by the parents. If the child fails to follow these rules, the parents will administer some sort of punishment. Observations suggest that parents who use this parenting style tend to fail when it comes to explaining the reason(s) behind their rules. When parents were asked to explain the reason(s) behind rules, the most common answer was, â€Å"I said so, that’s why.† These parents also tend to have high demands but are not very responsive of their children. According to Baumrind (1966), these parents tend to be obedience- and status-oriented, and they expect their orders to be obeyed without explanation. Authoritative Parenting The authoritative parenting style is similar to authoritarian as parents who operate under this style also have established rules and guidelines that their children are expected to follow. However, this style differs in that it is more democratic in the sense that authoritative parents respond to their children and are willing to listen to questions that the children might have. For example, if a child were to fail to meet any of the established expectations, these parents would be more nurturing and forgiving, rather than simply administering a punishment. According to Baumrind (1966; 1991), these parents tend to monitor and impart clear standards concerning conduct and behavior. Additionally, these parents are not assertive but may be more intrusive and restrictive. The disciplinary methods of the parents are more supportive as they want their children to be assertive, socially responsible, self-regulated, and cooperative. Indulgent/Permissive Parenting Permissive parents tend to make very few demands on their children. These parents are known to rarely discipline their children because of their low expectations of maturity and self-control. These parents are also more responsive than they are demanding, and they are considered nontraditional and lenient. Parents known to use this style do not require mature behavior, allow considerable self-regulation, and tend to avoid confrontation. These parents are also nurturing and communicative with their children, and they are usually found taking the status of a friend rather than a parent. Negligent/Uninvolved Parenting Negligent or uninvolved parents tend to have very few to no demands, low responsiveness, and very little to no communication. These parents fulfill the basic needs of their children; however, they are very much detached from their children’s lives. Observed in extreme cases of negligent parenting, these parents might even reject or neglect the needs of their children. Baumrind’s (1966) initial study of child development has led other researchers to conduct studies to elaborate on this work. Maccoby (2000) found some impact of these parenting styles on children’s development. Maccoby’s work extended the research on the influence of parenting style and that of the genetic makeup of the child, which she proposed effects behavioral characteristics. Maccoby also proposed that genetics also influences the way in which parents treat their children. Maccoby (2000) used twin and adoption studies to provide a logical basis to estimate the strength of genetic effects. Her study found that heritability estimates for a given trait vary widely. Maccoby argued that basing assumptions on the strength of genetic factors were not enough because they are not sufficient to develop a basis to make such estimations because of additional environmental factors that are involved. If researchers make these assumptions, they will systematically underestimate parenting effects. Maccoby believed and established that children’s genetic predispositions and their parent’s parenting style are interconnected and that they function, which results in the overall effect of a child’s development. According to the studies conducted by Maccoby, each parenting style as the following influences on children: 1. Authoritarian parenting. This parenting style leads children to be very obedient and proficient. However, they will end up ranking lower in the amount of happiness, social competence, and self-esteem. 2. Authoritative parenting. Parents, who raise their children using this style, have children who are happier, capable, and successful individuals. 3. Permissive/Indulgent. Parents with this style of parenting will have children with low amounts of happiness and self-regulation. These children also have significant problems with authority and tend to perform  poorly in school. 4. Negligible/Uninvolved. Parents who use this style of parenting have children who rank the lowest across almost all domains of life. Many of these children demonstrate a lack of self-control, low self-esteem, and are known to be less competent than their peers. Many researchers agree that the authoritative parenting style is the most advantageous of all the parenting styles. When children comprehend and perceive their parents’ requests to be reasonable and fair, they are more likely to conducting themselves according to those requests (Bernstein, 2011). Another reason for the successfulness of this parenting style is that children are more likely to accept the rationale for behavior as their own, which results in a greater amount of self-control (Bernstein, 2011). Recent Studies Many recent studies have been conducted on the effects of parenting styles on the development of children. Such research has focused on the effects parenting styles have on in regards to academic performance and level of education. Hernandez (2013) examined the impact of parenting styles on self-efficacy and level of education among Latinos. The study included 199 participants who ranged in age from 25 to 79. The researcher used a correlational method to configure the effects of parenting. Hernandez found a positive correlation between the level of education of both parents and participants’ levels of education. Rinaldi and Howe (2012) found those mothers’ and fathers’ self-reported parenting styles explained 44% of the variance found among youngsters’ externalizing behaviors. Their study included 59 families with children aged 32 months. Recent studies have also shown that children’s externalizing behaviors are negatively and moderately associated with fathers’ authoritative styles, and positively associated with fathers’ authoritarian styles. Additionally, studies have shown that children’s internalizing behaviors are positively correlation with fathers’ authoritarian style of parenting (Schary, Cardinal, & Loprinizi, 2012a; 2012b, & Loprinizi, Schary, Beets, Leary, & Cardinal, 2013). Recent studies have found connections between parenting styles and child development, specifically, on school achievement. Kordi and Baharudin (2010) reviewed empirical studies on school-related achievements. The researchers found that the authoritative parenting style was highly associated with higher  levels of school achievement. However, Kordi and Baharudin noted that these findings are inconsistent between cultures and across various societies. Cramer (2002) examines the relationship between parenting styles and classroom motivation. The researcher found that mothers’ authoritative parenting was positively correlated with first graders’ mastery of concepts in motivation. Based on this finding, Cramer suggested that authoritative parenting leads to higher levels of intrinsic motivation. Conversely, fathers’ authoritarian parenting was significantly and positively correlated with first and third graders’ motivation and teachers’ perceptions of children’s classroom motivation (Cramer, 2002). Hong (2012) also expanded on Baumrind’s (1966; 1991) parenting styles and their effects on the children’s schooling. She examined the ways in which parenting style impacted child’s behavior and found that the influence yielded predictive effects on children’s academic achievements. Hong (2012) also found a correlation between parenting style and children’s behaviors, which eventually defines their academic achievements. The researcher also found that child’s academic achievement is a result of the mix between parenting style and parenting practices they exert in the child’s environment. Conclusion Although significant research has been conducted to find connections between parenting style and child development, more effort is needed to find an exact cause and effect relationship between these two variables. Through various studies were reviewed here, it seems that the authoritative parenting style produces the most advantageous and positive impacts on a child’s development and academic achievement. Exactly to what extent this parenting style has on children needs further study. To understand the extent of the influence of parenting styles better, the inclusion of parenting practices also need to be considered. Such research can be used to create practices for parents to follow, to aid their children in becoming fully developed adults and influence their development in a positive way. References Baumrind, D. (1966). Effects of authoritative parental control on child behavior. Child Development, 37(4), 887-907. Baumrind, D. (1991). The influence of parenting style on adolescent competence and substance use. Journal of Early Adolescence, 11, 56-95. Bernstein, D. A. (2011). Essentials of psychology. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Cramer, K. E. (2002). The influences of parenting style on children’s classroom motivation. Retrieved from http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-0712102-125121/unrestricted /Cramer_thesis.pdf Hernandez, M. (2013). The impact of parenting styles on Latinos’ level of education and self-efficacy. Retrieved from http://gradworks.umi.com/1522577.pdf Hong, E. (2012). Impacts of parenting on children’s schooling. Journal of Student Engagement: Education Matters, 2, 36-41. Kordi, A., & Baharudin, R. (2010). Parenting attitude and style and its effect on children’s school achievements. International Journal of Psychological Studies, 2, 217-222. Loprinizi, P. D., Schary, D. P., Beets, M. W., Leary, J., & Cardinal, B. J. (2012). Association between hypothesized parental influences and preschool children’s physical activity behavior. American Journal of Health Education, 4, 9-18. doi:10.1080/19325037 .2012.749685 Maccoby, E. E. (2000). Parenting and its effects on children: On reading and misreading behavior genetics. Annual Review of Psychology, 51, p. 1-27. doi:10.1146/annurev.psych .51.1.1 Rinaldi, C. M. & Howe, N. (2012). Mothers’ and fathers’ parenting styles and association with toddlers’ externalizing, internalizing, and adaptive behaviors. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 27(2), 266-273. doi:10.1016/j.ecresq.2011.08.001 Schary, D. P., Cardinal, B. J. & Loprinizi, P. D. (2012a). Parenting style associated with sedentary behavior in preschool children. Early Child Development and Care, 182(8), 1015-1026. doi:10.1080/03004430.2012.678596 Schary, D. P., Cardinal, B. J. & Loprinizi, P. D. (2012b). Parental support exceeds parenting style for promoting active play in preschool children. Early Child Development and Care, 182, 1057-1069. doi:10.1080/03004430.2012.685622 Spera, C. (2005). A review of the relationship among parenting practice, parenting styles, and adolescent school achievement. Educational Psychology Review, 17, 125-146. doi:10.1007/s10648-005-3950-1

Capitol punishment essays

Capitol punishment essays The Argument Against the Death Penalty The feeling of the condemned man was indescribable, as he was minutes away from being executed by an unjust decision. The verdict of his case was guilty on the grounds of circumstantial evidence. When in all reality, he was guilty because he was black, poor and socially unacceptable. His case never stood a chance, it was over before it started. The judge and jury sentence the man to die in the electric chair. The condemned man sat in the chair sweating profusely, waiting for a someone to wake him from this nightmare. A certain death awaited this young mans future. He could not believe that a country like ours upheld a system of such unfairness. Then as he was executed, he shouted his last plea, I am innocent, please wait... How can this innocent man be put to death in a system based on fairness, and a theory of innocent until proven guilty. There have been circumstances such as this, that were said to be true. This is one example why capital punishment should be abolished in our country. Or should it? Is capital punishment fair, and based on equality? Does it cost less than other alternatives? Is it considered cruel and unusual punishment? And does the presence of the death penalty deter crime? These are questions that need to be answered to determine whether capital punishment should be abolished or maintained in our society. To start, capital punishment is a racist and unfair solution for the criminals in our system. It discriminates toward individuals on the basis of their race, wealth or social standing in society. It is not right to kill nineteen men a year out of hundreds and hundreds of convicted murderers. These men are not being killed because they committed murder. They are being killed because they are poor, black, ugly or all of these things. As capital punishment becomes less and less likely to be applied, it becomes more likely to be used ...

Signifying Definition and Examples in English

Signifying Definition and Examples in English Signifying is a combination of rhetorical strategies employed in African American speech communitiesin particular, the use of irony and indirection to express ideas and opinions. In The Signifying Monkey: A Theory of African-American Literary Criticism  (Oxford University Press, 1988), Henry Louis Gates describes signifyin(g) as a trope in which are subsumed several other rhetorical tropes, including metaphor, metonymy, synecdoche, and irony (the master tropes), and also hyperbole, litotes, and metalepsis ([Harold] Blooms supplement to [Kenneth] Burke). To this list, we could easily add aporia, chiasmus, and catachresis, all of which are used in the ritual of signifyin(g). Examples and Observations Above all, signifying is a ritualistic practice that serves various functions in different African American discursive and communal spaces. Some scholars define signifying as primarily a male-dominated activity (the female version is called specifying). African American men in this verbal art form focus their anger, aggression, and frustration into a relatively harmless exchange of wordplay where they can establish their masculinity in verbal battles with their peers. This form of signifying lends itself to validating a pecking order style of dominance based on the result of the verbal exchange. . . .Signifying can affirm, critique, or build community through the involvement of its participants. (Carole Boyce Davies, Encyclopedia of the African Diaspora: Origins, Experiences, and Culture. ABC-CLIO, 2008)Women, and to certain extent children, commonly use more indirect methods of signifying. These range from the most obvious kinds of indirection, like using an unexpected pronoun in di scourse (Didnt we come to shine today or Who thinks his drawers dont stink?), to the more subtle technique, of louding or loud-talking in a different sense from the one above. A person is loud-talking when he says something of someone just loud enough for that person to hear, but indirectly, so he cannot properly respond (Mitchell-Kernan). Another technique of signifying through indirection is making reference to a person or group not present, in order to start trouble between someone present and the ones who are not. An example of this technique is the famous toast, The Signifying Monkey. (Roger D. Abrahams, Talking Black. Newbury House, 1976) Rhetorically, for the African American community, the strategy behind indirection suggests that direct confrontation in everyday discourse is to be avoided when possible. . . . Normally, indirection has been treated as a function of the speech acts and not as a rhetorical strategy in oral discourse. Boasting, bragging, loud talking, rapping, signifying, and, to a degree, playing the dozens have elements of indirection. . . .While signifying is a way of encoding a message, ones shared cultural knowledge is the basis on which any reinterpretation of the message is made. Theoretically, signifying (Black) as a concept can be used to give meaning to rhetorical acts of African Americans and indicate a Black presence. Rhetorically, one can also explore texts for the manner in which the themes or worldviews of other texts are repeated and revised with a signal difference, but based on shared knowledge. (Thurmon Garner and Carolyn Calloway-Thomas, African American Orality. Understanding Afric an American Rhetoric: Classical Origins to Contemporary Innovations, ed. by Ronald L. Jackson II and Elaine B. Richardson. Routledge, 2003) Also known as: signifyin(g), signifyin

Argument on Censorship Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Argument on Censorship - Research Paper Example This paper is a critical evaluation of censorship both as a positive and a negative instrument. Censorship Censorship, as stated herein, is an instrument used by governments, religious groups, and media among other groups to prevent the flow of information, which has a real or perceived capacity of destabilizing the society. The government and other interested parties such as the church, have the role of ensuring that moral values are protected in the society by all means available. This is necessary especially with the ever increasing accessibility and utilization of internet resources, not only by adults but also under age users. Apparently, the internet has got thousands of sites, which contain pornographic contents ranging from videos, photographs and texts. In this era of high HIV prevalence, every parent must be worried and careful on the kind of information their children are getting from the internet as pornographic materials have the capacity of creating curiosity which may end up being satisfied through engagement in illicit sex. In order to achieve this, censorship on such materials is essential and every internet provider should be held accountable if they do not apply filter on such contents (Heins 58). However, censorship in the past has been used as a means of keeping the citizens in the dark and protecting governments from criticism (Jansen 22). In this context, laws are put in place with the intention of gagging institutions such as the media and monitoring the internet so as to ensure that they do not broadcast information which is anti government. China for example has been criticized several times for applying censorship to protect the communist party. In this case, critics indicate that the government is keen on covering up past and present failures of the party so as to let people continue believing that their government is perfect and responsible. In addition, it is believed that censorship in this country is also used to shun penetration of western ideologies in the society especially due to the fact that most of the western nations are pro democracy and in that aspect, allowing free flow of information from their sources may open the eyes of Chinese citizens to alternative forms of governance (Barbour 61). This in itself is highly unethical on the part of the government as it enhances ignorance on matters concerning politics and also creates a platform for mismanagement of public resources and limitation of fundamental human rights such as freedom of expression and the right to hold demonstrations. It also puts media personnel at loggerheads with the authorities, which puts them in danger of being arrested or losing their operating licenses (Jansen 36). Countries such as Ireland have also in the past passed legislations promoting censorship of books and other materials believed to touch on issues that are perceived to be sensitive. These are for example the Censorship of Publications Act, 1929, 1946 and 1967, whic h restricted the publishing or possession of materials discussing reproductive health (Maurice 19). This is to imply that any information regarding contraceptives, sex, condoms, abortion among others were not to be circulated in the society, a move which was seen as favoring the