Monday, September 30, 2019

Cortes Conquers the Aztecs: Spanish Conquest or Indian Civil War Essay

The Spanish conquests of Montezuma and the Aztecs were both a Spanish conquest as well as an Indian civil war. The thing that ties them both together is the Conquistador Hernan Cortes. You could argue for both sides as to which played a more significant part in the fall of the Aztecs, however, I feel they both played an equal role in the defeat of the Aztecs and the fall of Tenochititlan to the Spaniards. When Cortes first came to Mexico, he did not know the language spoken by the Indian tribes. He was fortunate enough to have two interpreters; Aguilar, a shipwrecked Spaniard who had learned the Maya language, and Malinche. Malinche was a young maiden â€Å"given† to Cortes as an offering. Between her and Aguilar, Cortes was able to become familiar with the way the Aztecs lived, thought, and fought. He used this tactic to aid in expedition and to guard against any attacks. By far, one of the biggest downfalls of Montezuma and the Aztecs was the role of the God Quetzalcoatl. The majority of the Aztecs’ lives and beliefs was centered on their Gods. One of their biggest beliefs was of the God Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent. Montezuma believed that Cortes was the human version of Quetzalcoatl. The legend of Quetzalcoatl depicted a bearded, white God who looked similar to Cortes. Quetzalcoatl was prominent during the Toltec rule and had supposedly left the valley because he was unhappy with the way things were. The Aztecs believed he was expected to return and bring back good times and good fortune. Cortes took advantage of their beliefs and immersed himself into the Aztecs lives. Against the advice of his royal family, Montezuma welcomed Cortes and the Spaniards with open arms. They wanted Montezuma to kill the foreigners. The Aztecs tried giving the Spaniards gold and other riches to get them to leave their city. This only fueled their desire and ambitions for more, and they refused to leave. The more they gave, the more the Spaniards wanted. Cortes made Montezuma a prisoner of his own city, which led to an uprising by the Aztecs known as â€Å"La Noche Triste†, or The Sad Night. Many lives were lost on both sides. Many other factors contributed to Cortes’ victory over the Aztecs. His soldiers had far more superior weapons and they had horses. The Aztecs were very afraid of the horses because they had never seen anything like them before. Disease also played a huge part in the defeat of the Aztecs. The Spanish brought ailments that the Aztecs had no immunities for. Three-fourths died from either violence or diseases such as small-pox and the measles in just the first century of the conquests. The Aztecs’ tactics of war were quite different from those of the Spaniards, and this was also a point in the Spaniards’ favor. The Spaniards fought to kill. The Aztecs did not. The Aztecs fought to capture and get prisoners so they could later use them as human sacrifices to their Gods. In fact, Cortes himself was captured several times but was re-captured by his men and rescued. The most important factor by far in the defeat of the Aztecs by Cortes, according to some historians, is the help he received from the other suppressed Indian tribes in the area. This is why I believe one could view this as not only a Spanish conquest, but also as an Indian civil war. These other Indian tribes chose to help Cortes fight because they felt they would benefit greatly from the defeat of the Aztecs. They were tired of living under the Aztecs’ rule and saw Cortes as a type of hero, or liberator. They were more than happy to help wage a war against the Aztecs if it meant they could have better lives. After many deaths on both sides, The Aztec capitol fell in August of 1521. After capturing Tenochititlan, the Spaniards destroyed the city and on top of it built was is now present day Mexico City. I believe the preceding statements support my argument that the most important factors in the demise of Montezuma and the Aztecs were from the equal combination of having to deal with a Spanish conquest and an Indian civil war. Sources: Vigil, James Diego From Indians to Chicano Internet site, Then Again Info World History Chronology Project; www.thenagaininfo Matthew, Roy T. and F. DeWitt Platt Western Humanities Sullivan, Richard E., Dennis Sherman and John B. Harrison A Short history of Western Civilization Wood, Michael A Legacy- The Search for Ancient Cultures

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Drug Abuse Essay

Drug abuse has an effect on all aspects of life; overall health and wellness, family life, and the community. With there being so many different kinds of drugs the effects are endless. The effect of drug abuse does not discriminate or focus on any one person. Drug abuse can be found in any area of the world and the overall effects can be devastating to anyone involved. A person’s choice to use any kind of illegal drug or abusing prescribed medicines can have a damaging impact on their overall health and wellness. This damaging effect on addicts overall health and wellness can be both short and long term. An active addict can face many health changes and challenges throughout the time that they choose to use. There can be many short term effects that depend on exactly what drug is being abused. There are drugs that can raise your heart rate, make you hallucinate, and even dehydrate you badly. â€Å"The impact of addiction can be far reaching. Cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and lung disease can all be affected by drug abuse. Some of these effects occur when drugs are used at high doses or after prolonged use; however, some may occur after just one use.† An addict can face many mental health issues during their addiction that can have a devastating effect on their own life. Women substance abusers are more likely than men to have poor self-concepts (low self-esteem, guilt, self-blame) and high rates of mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar affective disorder, suicidal ideation, psychosexual disorders, eating disorders, and Post traumatic stress disorder.† â€Å"Chronic use of some drugs of abuse can cause long-lasting changes in the brain, which may lead to paranoia, depression, aggression, and hallucinations.† The addict has a giant effect on their family and home environment. There can be many issues that a family must face when an addict is living in the home. There can be many forms of abuse in a home where there is an addict. There can be sexual abuse, financial abuse, physical abuse and emotional abuse in any home. The addiction is not responsible for the violence but can intensify and make it more common. When an addict is deep in their addiction they will often put financial responsibilities of the home off to get high instead. This can cause child neglect by no food being in home, no  electricity or heat. There can be consequences for the children living in a home with an active addict. These consequences may not show up for years until the child of the addict is grown. â€Å"The disturbed home and family setup, the inter-parental and parent-child conflict, parental neglect in large families, defective disciplinary techniques (too lax or too strict) and family disorganization ar e considered as some of the causes of drug abuse.† There is a higher risk of children of an addict growing up to become addicts themselves An addict has an effect on the community in which they live. This effect from an addict can cause problems for the entire community There is more possibility of crime and erratic behavior in the community where an active addict is living. A defining characteristic of addictive behavior is that they involve in the pursuit of short-term gratification at the expense of long-term harm When a person is under the influence of any drug they may not be fully conscious of the choices that they are making. When there is an active drug area in the community there is usually more violence and less desired living situations. When there are drugs in a common area that area becomes more prone to violence and could actually desensitize the people in the community When you have shootings, robberies, rapes, and murders in any area there will be less of a desire for anybody to want to live there. Conclusion In conclusion with their being so much drug abuse in today’s society where do we begin to help break the cycle? We have seen that the problem is a mental health issue that begins with the addict; however drug abuse has an effect on all aspects of life; overall health and wellness, family life, and the community. If we stop judging the addicts and making them feel so much shame and embarrassment, we can lift them up, encourage them and support them to better then it can change the overall hurt and damage that is being inflicted on our people and society.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Thermodynamics Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Thermodynamics Paper - Essay Example With most substances, the temperature and pressure related to the triple point lie below standard temperature and pressure and the pressure for the critical point lies above standard pressure.   Generally, at normal pressure, as temperature rises, most substances convert from their solid state, to liquid and lastly to a gaseous state. In the same reverse sequence, at standard temperature as pressure decreases, most substances change from the gaseous state to liquid and eventually to the solid state. As noted earlier there are three states of matter, these state are commonly referred to as the phases and they are gas, liquid, and water. In addition to this it is well evidenced that most substances can exist in different states under different conditions, mainly the surrounding temperature and pressure. In the case of water it exists as a solid i.e. ice at temperatures below 0o  C, and as a gas at temperatures above 100o  C. It is important to understand that in most cases the evaluation of these different states is commonly carried out in the near earth environment. This is important to be noted because any given environment is mainly characterized by the temperature and pressure (Gupta 180). Hence under these two parameters, water is in its liquid state at normal atmospheric pressure and at a temperature of 99o  C, however, when the pressure is at 71 cm and the temperature remain constant at 99o  C the phase is changed to a gas. In most substances their boiling points are lowered as the pressure decreases, moreover, their melting point reduces as the pressure decreases. However, the melting point of water is an exception to this rule; ‘It gets lower as the pressure gets higher’ (Gupta 79) Real gases react in the same way just like ideal gases at high temperatures. However, under low temperatures the connections between the molecules and their volume

Friday, September 27, 2019

Study skills Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Study skills - Essay Example To begin with, the report will analyze on the powers and responsibilities of the Great London authority and the mayor (Mayor of London, 2011). Secondly, the report will have a reflection on the policies that are related to the environment, as introduced by the mayor in the last five years. This will be a critical analysis of the policies and a critical evaluation of the evidence as provided by literature reviews. Thirdly, the report will include focus on the existing gap between policy, public policy initiatives and general practice. This will be in line with the London developments in line with the established policies during the time of governance by the incumbent mayor. Lastly, the report will direct its focus on the concerns about the effectiveness of the greater London authority. This will also reflect on the effectiveness of the mayor in making it a key success in executing all the stated policies. Similarly, the report will have information about the environmental developments that have been effected by the great London authority. The success of the policies will be used to evaluate the performance of the great London authority and the mayor. Therefore, positive accrual will refer that the great London authority has been successful, alongside the services of the mayor, which is a positive trait. Powers and responsibility of the mayor The mayor and the great London authority have various obligations in their mandate, which need to be executed while in office. The GLA is a considerable administrative tool that was incepted in London to take care of the developments. It has vast responsibilities in ensuring there is rapid development in the area. The body is vested with powers and responsibilities that used to execute the decisions. Therefore, the development of London is the initial responsibility of The GLA (Edwards and Miller, 2008). London is a city that needs exponential development with a rapid improvement over the years. Apparently, the GLA is consid ered the apt option that would deal with the development of the city. This is a vast responsibility that needs ample preparedness and stratification of strategies on the development. In the recent times, the GLA has been coming up with developmental programs that are functioning to the advantage of the city. Therefore, it has been responsible for most of in its functions in the city. This shows that it has been effective in implementing it responsibilities. In addition to this, the environment has record rapid improvement as the city generates better services to the people. In essence, the implementation of the strategies by GLA has been successful in the city with more progress recorded in the past five years. The first responsibility of the Great London Authority is social development. Social development is an initiative that is geared towards providing a social induction that makes all the people have a better social life. The people have to be contented with their residence in t he area. This is only done through the provision of highly rated social services. Therefore, it is in the best interests of the GLA to ensure the people have the best social services. The social services include recreational grounds, effective transport and social living. With ample provisions of these services, the GLA will have successfully executed its responsibilities. In actual sense, the GLA will have accrued an effective performance in accordance to its obligations. The second obligation of the Great Lond

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Green IT - hype or real chance for savings Article

Green IT - hype or real chance for savings - Article Example Global Warming is caused primarily by the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas and large scale deforestation. Burning of fossil fuels releases a large amount of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). These gases act as a thick blanket and absorb thermal radiations emitted by the earth’s surface, thereby resulting in the planet to warm up significantly. According to the reports of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, global greenhouse gas emissions have grown with an increase in 70% between 1970 and 2004 The increase in temperature is a kind of anomaly in ecosystem and this anomaly will have severe consequences to follow. It will cause severe storms and droughts, glaciers to melt, rising seas, changes in weather pattern and spread of diseases. There will be an increase in the sea level and the low lying islands will left completely devastated. The inhabitants of the cities as well as other vegetation will see a dramatic increase in pests and other insects who will thrive due to an increased temperature, thus leading significantly to unexpected calamities. Loads of animal and plant species will be extinct and the habitat such as coral reefs and alpine meadows will be disheveled. Heat waves, due to global warming, have already caused a loss of 30,000 lives in Europe and 1500 deaths in India, in the year 2003. Therefore we come to a conclusion that change in temperature will have an unbearable impact not only on the human civilization but also on the entire race of different species existent across the globe. These days, most of the industries, including the IT industry is under the scanner of government in order to curb the emission of green house gases. You may be astonished as to how can an IT industry be a contributor in emission of greenhouse gases. The blame goes to the huge data centers and gigantic servers which are used to store the information in such industries. The

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

MySofa.co.uk digital marketing plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

MySofa.co.uk digital marketing plan - Essay Example These are some of the most critical aspects that have the potential to bring critical challenges in the company’s expansion plan. Among these factors some are controllable or manageable (like selection of local vendor, supply chain and logistics) while others are uncontrollable (like government restrictions). In the present situation we are required to create a digital marketing plan for the brand â€Å"My Sofa† by the renowned sofa company of UK, Stokers. Sofa reflects the taste and preference of the users and thus it makes significant furniture among others. Whenever a visitor steps into the house, he or she faces the drawing room first where they are offered seats. These seats leave an impression in the person’s mind about the owner of the house as well as about the other members of the house. Thus it is of utmost importance to place a suitable sofa in the drawing room that would help the outsiders to have an impressive inkling about the people staying within the house. My Sofa is a luxury brand that aims at capturing the attention of the aged generation who mostly prefer a traditional, classic and sophisticated look in their drawing room. The digital marketing plan would create an online platform for the buyers and sellers where the customers will be able to choose the perfect sofa for their house without even visiting the store. The main aim of the website is saving the time and effort of the modern customer base that mostly remain busy with their professions. The online platform would also prove to be helpful for the sellers since the transactions will get recorded automatically that would save their time and effort and this platform will also provide the sellers with the opportunity to offer customized products and service to their customers. A situation analysis and clearly defined objectives The furniture and furnishings sector of UK is a significant industry. It accounts for ?9.4 billion to the nation’s GDP, which is equiva lent to 1.7% of the manufacturing yield, and provides job opportunities to almost 116,000 people inside  8,180 firms. In addition, the business  recruits 17,000 people in dedicated furniture and furnishings wholesale and retail, 7,000 in leasing, 2,000  in repair and a section of the 42,000 listed professional designers (The British furniture Confederation, n.d.). The Sofa Market is estimated to be worth ?2.8b annually by industry insider reports. Of this it is thought that 30% (?850m) are ‘quality seekers’. These are aspiring consumers who are proud of their home. This group of consumers can be split into 3 sub-groups according to their family, age, income status and their relationship with children: 1. Young established shoppers within the age group 25 to 35. These shoppers mostly do not have kids. The audience size is 3.4 million. The sofa market size is 230 million pounds. This group is basically considered to be the youngest among the three groups with urban lifestyle and modern outlook. Their choice

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Should Sex educations be taught in public school Essay

Should Sex educations be taught in public school - Essay Example ‘If they know about they will do it; knowledge is dangerous.’ It’s not a ‘revelation’ that the far right conservative religious factions are championing this concept much as they have for many centuries. Thankfully, most Americans have taken the reasonable point of view that not including sex-ed in schools would be inexcusable because knowledge is power and the lack of it, particularly in this case, would be physically and emotionally detrimental to the children these parents wish to protect. There exists no credible data that suggests that Sex-Ed courses encourage increased instances of sexual activity according to the World Health Organization. Moreover, abstinence-only programs are significantly less effective than comprehensive sex-ed classes which comprise safe-sex practices in addition to abstinence instruction. These deductions came at the end of research conducted on 35 sexual education programs of school systems around the world. Nationwide r esearch by Guttmacher Institute and Planned Parenthood produced the same conclusions. Most parents recognize that increased awareness actually encourages increased responsibility, as a study conducted by Hickman-Brown Research found, 93 percent of the American public believes Sex-Ed should be required in at least high school while 84 percent answer it should also be taught in middle school. Most parents recognize that young people will be sexually active and are at increasingly earlier ages than previous generations. Two-thirds of American high school students have had sex by their senior year. These teens are being exposed to and spreading sexually transmitted diseases partly due to their lack of knowledge. â€Å"People under the age of 24 are responsible for 65 percent of all sexually transmitted infections contracted in this country† according to the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control (Masland, 2006). The factions against sex education have forced at least a portion of their will on society and society’s children have suffered because of it. So to not offend this vocal minority, many Sex-Ed classes in America’s public schools have been eliminated or scaled back. What parents want their kids are learn in Sex-Ed falls well short of what is in fact being taught. Parents merely want their kids to understand the risks associated with sexual contact and the ways to avoid them, just as they would regarding other aspects of their kids lives. â€Å"Contrary to common wisdom, when it comes to sex education, parents want it all, from abstinence to homosexuality,† said Steve Rabin, senior vice president of the Kaiser Family Foundation (Levine, 2000). This study surveyed more than a thousand high school youths, parents and educators in addition to more than 300 school administrators. According to the study the majority of parents thought that classroom discussions concerning rape were necessary in Sex-Ed curriculums and that education regarding homosexuality is crucial as well. Additionally, parents want public schools to talk about sexually transmitted diseases, the use of contraception, abortion and pregnancy. Rape is an unfortunate reality and parents, it has been demonstrated, understand that the more education their girls receive regarding rape prevention and dealing with the emotional aftermath can be only be helpful. The same as any other subject in school parents believe that the more

Monday, September 23, 2019

Forms of Business Organizations and Int'l Law Essay

Forms of Business Organizations and Int'l Law - Essay Example Further, the death of either of the partners is enough reason to cause dissolution of the partnership regardless of whether the remaining partners resolve to continue or not. The fact that Raylan and Boyd had agreed orally to set up a partnership and share profits and expenses equally does not amount to an agreement in law because in absence of a written document containing provisions and guidelines about the partnership, the courts will apply the state law on partnerships (Bagley and Savage, 2010 chapter 20). (b)Party to be sued by Sassy Sauces if Justified BBQ refuses to pay at the time Raylan and Boyd are winding down the business The partnership will be the one to be sued by Sassy Sauces and bears full liability to pay for the supply of the BBQ sauce. A partnership is created expressly or implied by two or more people with a common understanding about capital input, sharing of profits and losses, efforts and labor as well as skills. Even with the implied agreement, decisions on t hird party transactions made by some partners without consent from the rest are binding on the partnership and not on the individual partners involved. In this case, Boyd entered into a third party transaction for the supply of BBQ sauce without the knowledge of Raylan. In spite of the contract price being overstated, the transaction was binding to the partnership and is viewed in the eyes of the law as though it was a consequence of a shared decision. Partners owe each other duty of care in regards to entering into irresponsible business transactions as Boyd did in order to get the attention of the receptionist in Sassy Sauces and they should hold in trust the property and profits of the partnership business. These fiduciary duties towards each other continue until the business is wound up completely (Bagley and Savage, 2010 chapter 20). (c)Responsibility for payment for the BBQ sauce if Justified BBQ was a corporation and went bankrupt The corporation would be the one to pay for t he BBQ sauce. In law, a corporation is a legal entity different from its owners and the liability of the shareholders is limited to the amount of investment in the corporation therefore the corporation carries the responsibility arising from actions of the shareholders and/or directors although the veil of incorporation may be pierced to determine the real owners and hold them personally liable. In the worst case scenario, Boyd as a shareholder would lose the amount of capital investment equivalent to the payment required by Sassy Sauces. Because ‘Justified BBQ’ has two owners only then it would most probably be a close or closely held corporation. If it as a close corporation in which case shareholders have an option in written agreement to run the day to day operations and not appoint directors, the actions of a shareholder (like Boyd in this case) would translate to personal liability because the veil of incorporation would ordinarily be lifted or pierced to establis h who are the real owners of the corporation involved in swindling the corporation of its resources and apportion the loss accordingly. In the case of a closely held corporation which is identifiable with lack of a market for its stock, greater responsibility is placed on the majority shareholders and the directors, in this case Ralyan. Boyd will still be held accountable for his actions because Ralyan did not a

Sunday, September 22, 2019

The Effectiveness of Computer Applications in Second Language Research Paper

The Effectiveness of Computer Applications in Second Language Vocabulary Acquisition - Research Paper Example The following is a list of some of the factors that determine the number and choice of words a learner is expected to know when learning second language. According to your own understanding, which factor(s) are the most important? The following is a list of various approaches to second language vocabulary acquisition. According to your own evaluation, please indicate your ranking of their effectiveness by assigning them ranks from 1 to 4, where â€Å"1† is the most effective and â€Å"4† is the least effective Accelerated Reader is an example of computer application in second language vocabulary acquisition, in which many of the popular books and cloze tests are stored and used to check the children’s cognitive ability. Do you think this is a bright idea? If yes, check its relevance (Tick where appropriate) Computer technology also offers teachers the opportunity to present still pictures and motion videos to enable learners to make associations with new vocabulary. Please classify this technology according to the importance you attach to

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Understanding Cultural, Ethnic and Gender Differences by Managers and Professions Essay Example for Free

Understanding Cultural, Ethnic and Gender Differences by Managers and Professions Essay It is nearly impossible to have a successful business without considering the important aspect of the cultural, ethnic and gender differences among the employees. Culture refers to a set of beliefs that a certain group of people have in common. In at least every working environment, it is more than obvious to have people having different cultures, ethnicities, and of course different genders (Carlozzi, 2004). In order to ensure that people work together and efficiently, it is highly advisable for the managers and professionals to understand these diverse cultures (Carlozzi, 2004). Most countries have different cultures, and it is possible that in any given working environment, there are many cultures that exist. It is therefore an apparent fact that there is a need in the understanding of cultural, ethnic and gender differences to ensure success in businesses. Understanding cultural and ethnic differences at workplace can be termed as cultural diversity and not biasness as may be conceived by other critics. Cultural diversity encompasses race, gender, ethnic group, age, education and background among others. Understanding cultural and ethnic differences does not only involve how people perceive themselves, but how they perceive others. What results is that those perceptions affect the way they interact with each other at the work place (Carlozzi, 2004). For many employees to perform effectively in an organization, managers and professionals in human resource need to deal effectively with issues related to communication and adaptability and change (Carlozzi, 2004). Communication is the most basic concept of success in any business environment. If it is not properly fostered by the managers to their employees, the success of the business may be at stake. This implies that the managers and human resource professionals, should take the initiative to understand the cultural values and ethnic differences so as to know how well to approach issues with the employees without collusion. From the look of things, the issue of understanding cultural differences is likely to increase significantly in the coming years. Managers and professionals in all those businesses that have succeeded have come to see the need in building an understanding of cultural differences in the work place. They are ready to spend even resources, if needs be, to manage cultural diversity. It is very beneficial in many ways, and most importantly, they help to create an understanding in the working environment. A business entity’s success and competitiveness depends upon its capability to understand different cultures and ethnicities and realize the benefits involved. If a business organization actively assesses its handling of workplace diversity issues, and develops and implements diversity plans, multiple benefits can be realized (Carlozzi, 2004). One benefit is the increased adaptability of one another. Getting used to each other in a business environment is very vital in the success of the business. There will be free flow of information because people will be free to each other, and with perfect communication, issues will be approached in a friendly manner. Business organizations that embrace cultural diversity have the capacity to supply a greater variety of solutions to problems in service, sourcing, and allocation of resources. Employees from different backgrounds bring individual talents and expertise in suggesting of ideas that are flexible in adapting to fluctuating markets and the demands of the customers. With understanding of cultural differences and ethnicities, the business organization will have a broader service range, in terns of business delivery. The presence of different cultures in a business implies that there is a collection of skills and experiences in that particular business. This allows the enterprise to provide a service to customers on global basis. The managers and professionals in human resource department will give positions to employees with regards to capacities (Carlozzi, 2004). After understanding each individual’s culture, they will know where and on what field someone is good at. This will make the business succeed because an employee will be given a position where he or she is likely to perform best. This will also reduce job burnouts which greatly lower the performance of employees. The understanding of the cultural, ethnic and gender differences will enable managers to understand different view points that their employees possess. Different cultures in the work place possess different ideas, skills and experiences. In decision making process, different ideas will be suggested which will obviously find a solution to the problem at hand. This will only be achieved if there is cultural, gender and ethnic understanding by the managers. It will be better and most comfortable to communicate varying points of view as it will provide a large pool of ideas and experiences (Carlozzi, 2004). The business organization can now draw from that pool to meet the needs of its customers more effectively. In conclusion, it is wise to say that promoting cultural, ethnic and gender sensitivity in a business setting does not really mean promoting biasness in the business scenario as most people may try to argue. Instead, this clear understanding will take into account variations in the interactions of each employee to facilitate cooperation and communication in the business. Understanding the employees and trying to exploit their different potentials is a practice that can really benefit the business to grow to prosperity.

Friday, September 20, 2019

Asylum Seeking Families In The Uk Social Work Essay

Asylum Seeking Families In The Uk Social Work Essay Asylum seeking families come to the UK with high hopes for their future and are often seeking protection from a perilous past. They are exposed to destitution, poor health, depression, physical assault, sexual harassment, loneliness and stress and family breakdown. The children of asylum seekers are vulnerable and in need of considerable support (Fitzpatrick, 2005). Young asylum seekers are often torn violently from their past life and forced into a new environment where they do not understand the legislation and the rules of social life. In the current climate of antagonism they face suspicion and mistrust (Sales, 2007). The 1951 Geneva Convention is the basis for international refugee law. It provides the right to make an individual asylum claim and protection from being returned to face danger. Those seeking protection go through a formal process to establish whether they fit the definition of a refugee (Sales, 2007). Asylum seekers live below the minimum benefit levels other hous eholds would receive and are clearly very poor but New Labours pledge to eradicate child poverty altogether by 2020 does not include the children of asylum seekers (Reacroft, 2008). The 2004 Children Act and Every Child Matters (DfES, 2004) identify five broad outcomes for every child, whatever their background or circumstances to have the support they need, however children who are subject to immigration control are systematically excluded from some of the measures proposed to deliver the five outcomes related with the Every Child Matters framework (Crawley, 2006). The tensions between policies for safeguarding and protecting children and controlling immigration is evident in policy and practice. This dissertation is an attempt to investigate the governments response to asylum seekers with reference to child poverty. The dissertation also attempts to consider the impact and implications for social work practice as social work professionals become entwined within processes which mon itor and control those subject to immigration controls. The first chapter will provide a historical background into the arrival of asylum seekers and concerns associated with them. The movement of people geographically is part of human history and controlling it a moderately recent phenomenon (Hayter, 2000). Calls for controls have always been posed, from the 1905 Aliens Act, through to the Asylum and Immigration Act 2006. The arrival of international migrants in to the UK is no new occurrence. This chapter will explore the governments response to groups of refugees and how it has changed through the years. Chapter two will examine asylum legislation and policy, focussing on its impact on children. It will also focus on child welfare legislation. Since 1989 more immigration legislation has passed through the UK Parliament than at any other time during history (Rutter, 2006). Since 1993 and particularly since 1996, asylum seekers are very high on the governments political agenda and therefore a vast number of policies have been implemented . Britain has become one of the leading proponents of the EUs increasing restriction toward asylum seekers and refugees in the last decade (Joly, 1996). Tighter pre-entry deterrent measures have been implemented, with a regime of welfare disentitlement and social exclusion for those who have managed to gain access. This chapter will focus on the radical change of policy on immigration with particular focus on New Labour and their focus on unwanted migrants. Chapter three will investigate the tensions that have arisen with regards to the government paper Every Child Matters and the immigration policies. UK policy and practice in many other areas is based upon the notion that children should be treated differently from adults because they are children. By contrast, children who are subject to immigration controls are currently treated as migrants first and foremost (Crawley, 2006). Local authorities are encouraged by recent policies to exclude children of asylum seekers from the Children Act 1989 as part of the wider government purpose of controlling immigration. Chapter four will explore the tensions for social workers. Social workers who should be protecting and supporting children are required to act as if they are immigration officials. Social workers are poorly trained in issues of immigration and are not encouraged to view asylum seekers as service users (Collett, 2004). The role of the social worker in the lives of asylum seekers w ill be assessed as will asylum seekers experiences of oppression. The final chapter of this dissertation will provide a conclusion, containing a critical assessment of the implications of the discussions for contemporary/future policy and practice. Chapter 2 A brief history of asylum in Britain Asylum achieved a great political profile in Britain during the late 1990s. In order to fully understand the issues and concerns of asylum, an awareness of the historical background of asylum seekers will be focussed upon throughout this chapter. The concept of asylum or refuge has existed in the UK since the Middle Ages. However the first piece of legislation to preserve the notion of asylum in British law was the 1905 Aliens Act. The act defined those who would be excluded from restriction much more cautiously and it was eventually approved through parliament. The 1905 Aliens Act set the outline for rest of the century and ensured that the British welfare state, far from being universalistic, are narrow, exclusive and nationalistic. (Cohen, 2002). The London County Council seemed to have taken a hostile attitude towards Jewish refugees fleeing Nazism in the 1930s. This was on the foundation that refugees were a drain on the local authority administered welfare. Immigration controls ensured that few refugees managed to gain entry to the UK and those which managed to did so on the accepting that the jewish community would take upon collective financial responsibility (London, 1999). Such a financial undertaking could not be sustained and the government was eventually forced into providing some assistance . As the circumstances of European Jewry deteriorated, the British Governments behaviour did not alter fundamentally. Britains overall response to the difficulty of Jews was characterized by caution and pragmatism subordinating humanitarianism to Britains self interst (Friedman and Klein, 2008). Jewish refugees were also associated with supposedly criminality and lack of hygiene. As Jewish refugees became linked with the social problems of urban life, attention was directed on their likely social cost. Recently created immigration officers now needed to make judgements about who was likely to be a burden on the rates. It becomes apparent at this time the need to let in only those who will be economically useful to the British nation and those not likely to need welfare (Hayes Humphries, 2004). Between November 1938 and September 1939, the numbers of Jewish refugees entering Britain were in excess of 40,000 (Stevens, 2004) and by the start of the war, about 80,000 refugees had come to Britain, including 10,000 unacompanied children on the kindertransport The reality that Britain took in these Jewish refugees has an iconic significance for its self definition today as a generous and hospitable nation. The anniversaries of the Second World War has been on Britains heroic role, not only in defeating the Natzis but in providing a place of safety for Jewish refugees. However there was significant resentment towards the refugees from all the divisions of society, particulary the press (Friedman and Klein, 2008). An editorial in the Sunday express in 1938 stated: [But] just now there is a big influx of foreign Jews into Britain. They are over-running the country. They are trying to enter the medical profession in great numbers. They wish to practise as dentists. Worst of all, many of them are holding themselves out to the public as psychoanalysts. There is no intolerance in Britain today. And by keeping a close watch on the causes that feed the intolerance of the Jews in other European countries, we shall be able to continue to treat well those Jews who have made their homes among us. Conflict also came from professional and trade bodies. Jewish refugee doctors coming over to Britain had a difficult time and negative attitudes were also found in the foreign office. Common anti-Jewish prejudice was influential in preparing government policy (Friedman and Klein, 2008). Following the end of the second world war the shortage of labour required many European countries to look to Asia, the Caribbean and Africa for workers to rebuild the continent. Britain, looked towards its old colonies and in the 1940s and 1950s many African-Caribeean, Southeren Asian and African people entered Britain (Okitikpi, 2003). Unlike the Jews before them, these black immigrants had citizenship rights as well as a strong idedological connection. However these citizens were treated as short-term visitors, migrant workers and it was hoped that they would return home and not require the benefits of long term settlement (Hayes Humphries, 2004). By the 1960s and the 1970s the enactment of successive excluding immigration and nationality acts certified the tightening of the immigration rules in order to decrease the flow of migration into Britain (Hiro 1992; Seddon, 2002). In 1978 Margeret Thatcher expressed her thoughts about the swamping of Britain by immigrant culture,it is apparent that the old racist xenophobia was not far under the surface, such a logic was implicit in the way an alleged popular opinion against immigration was used to build support for new nationality laws in Britain which was pursued by the Thatcher government (Baumgartl and Favell, 1995). Towards the end of the 1980s there was an increase in the number of asylum- seekers arriving in Britain. Between 1981 and 1988, the average number of asylum-seekers arriving each year in Britain was less than 4000 increasing in 1989 to 11,640 and it reached a peak in 1991 to 44,840 asylum applications (Bloch, 2000). The year 1989 marked a turning point, with the start of an asylum migration of Turkish Kurds, Somalis, Anggolans and Congolese. The government viewed asylum as a policy problem (Rutter, J, 2006). The media and public opinion. Conclusion It is easy to forget that the arrival of large numbers of Jewish refugees was regularly met with a less than rapturous welcome by the Government, trade unions, certain newspapers and indeed sections of the Jewish community itself. chapter 3 Legislative Asylum achieved a great political profile in Britain during the 1990s. Until the 1990s, Britain had no specific asylum legislation (Sales, 2002). The Asylum and Immigrations appeal Act 1993 was the first act, concerned predominantly with controlling entry. It created processes for dealing with asylum applications, introduced restrictions to social housing for asylum seekers and benefits for asylum seekers were set at seventy percent of income support. An asylum seeker would only be housed in temporary accommodation while his/her asylum claim was being determined. This is a lengthily process and can sometimes take years. Asylum seeker families can be kept in inadequate housing for lengthily periods, with no security, subject to sudden moves, resulting in difficulties in securing school and nursery places and being able to register with a GP (Fitzpatrick, 2005). The Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 also restricted the social rights of asylum seekers. The act withdrew cash benefits for asylum seekers and introduced vouchers following court judgement that local authorities should provide necessary subsistence for destitute asylum seekers. Adults were not allowed to receive cash, but were housed and given subsistence in kind and in the form of vouchers (Sales, 2002). The labour Party came into power in May 1997. It assured to alleviate the pressure on local authorities and began a review of the system for asylum seekers. The result was the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (which came into effect in April 2000). This Act was more draconian than any other measures introduced by the previous Conservative government (Fitzpatrick, 2005). The Act confirmed that with exceptions contained in regulations, everyone subject to immigration controls is to be denied council housing and a range of non-contributory benefits. These benefits comprise the core, means tested benefits of last resort (income support, income based jobseekers allowance, council tax benefit, housing benefit, a social fund payment) and family and disability benefits ( working families tax credit, child benefit, severe disablement allowance, invalid care , attendance allowance, disabled persons tax credit, disability living allowance). In addition, the act disentitles those subject to controls from National Assistance Act and Children Act support, solely on the basis of destitution (Cohen, 2002). The Act gave a series of new powers to the Home Secretary, mainly in relation to appeals (Chatwin, 2001: 7) and extended the powers of search and arrest and detention of asylum seekers. The most controversial clauses concerned the extension of the voucher scheme to all asylum seekers and compulsory dispersal. The local authorities direct role in supporting asylum seekers ended and was replaced with NASS (National Asylum Support System). NASS operates on the presumption that the mass of asylum seekers are undeserving and bogus, while the minority granted Convention status are the deserving (Sales, 2002). Vouchers Asylum seekers who receive section 4 support are entitled to free temporary accommodation and thirty five pounds a week in vouchers provided by accommodation providers. No change can be issued for these vouchers. Vouchers come in a variety of forms, such as paper vouchers, luncheon vouchers and card gift vouchers (where credit is loaded onto a plastic card and deducted as it is being spent). Luncheon vouchers are accepted in more than one shop, whereas paper vouchers and card gift vouchers limit the person to shopping in certain shops. Long distances may have to be travelled to collect these vouchers from the post office and when using the vouchers difficulties can arise in the shops. Shops that accept vouchers are more expensive than other shops and markets not participating in the scheme, shop staff may not always recognise or know how to process vouchers (British refugee council, 2008). A study from the home office (home office, 2001) which was used as evidence about the operation of the voucher scheme when it was reviewed in 2001, found out about asylum seekers experiences of using vouchers. 205 asylum seekers completed questionnaires which were translated by trained interviewees. In depth interviews were also conducted with asylum seekers. Many asylum seekers completing the questionnaire reported they felt embarrassed when collecting the vouchers because they perceived that people were looking at them. Asylum seekers also felt embarrassed when other people complain about the asylum seeker in the queue as delays have occurred. Many asylum seekers also felt distressed about the difficulty they have adding up the shopping and knowing which vouchers to use. The Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 This Act allowed for asylum seekers to be accommodated in large accommodation centres, with sites containing about 800 people, asylum seekers would receive health care, full board and education. Regardless of being expensive to build, the Home Office was clear on its justification of the new centres as a means of preventing asylum seekers from working illegally (Home Office, 2002). By the end of 2002 the Home Office identified eight prospective accommodation centres, the planning applications for these centres proved to be a focal point for anti-asylum campaigns. Another focus fo ant-asylum campaigners was the publication of quarterly asylum statistics. This occurrence became a radicalised ritual. The Home Office published its data and the tabloid media responded with articles on the growing issue of asylum seekers. But in concentrating on the crisis in numbers the government creates an image of hordes of people seeking to enter the UK (Rutter, 2006). The legislation also enables NAS S benefit to be withheld from a person who fails to make a claim for asylum as soon as possible when entering the country. Initially this power applied only to single asylum seekers, but has been extended to families. This has led to many people being left without any means of support and homeless. Local authorities are prevented by the legislation from providing support to failed asylum seekers. This excludes vulnerable children who may be at risk from accessing support from social services (Fitzpatrick, 2005). Asylum and Immigration (treatment of claiments) Act 2004) This particular Act contained 50 sections. The Act was nearly twice as long as when it was first presented to parliament. The legislation allows for asylum seekers to be moved to a third world country (of which the asylum seeker is not a citizen) without having a right to appeal or entering the thorough determination procedures (Refugee Council, 2004). The legislation also provides electronic monitoring of asylum seekers who appear over 18. This was suggested by ministers as a humane alternative to detention (Rutter, 2006). Furthermore the legislation widens the existing power to deny support from asylum seekers who fail to claim asylum immediately when entering the UK. NASS benefit may then be withdrawn from failed asylum seekers who refuse to return home. Parents may then have to consider leaving the UK and returning to a place of danger or the possibility of having their children removed from them. Asylum and Immigration Act 2006 Although the number of asylum seeking applications had decreased at this point, the government aimed to enhance the immigration system in line with their objectives of stronger immigration controls. This is achieved by introducing civil and criminal penalties of up to  £2,000 per illegal employee and a possible 2 year prison sentence for those who knowingly employ an illegal worker. Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 The legislative changes in this Act are projected to compliment the Australian stle points based system introduced for immigration. The detention of children still remains at this point. Child poverty Act 2010 Every Child Matters In 2001, the opening of the public inquiry into the death of a child abuse victim Victoria Climbie led to the government paper Every Child Matters (DfES, 2003). The chair, Lord Laming assured that it would mark a turning point in the protection of vulnerable children. The inquiry report (Laming, 2003) made 108 recommendations and seeked to ensure that children do not fall through the safety net of protection. It identified five broad outcomes for children. These are to be healthy, to stay safe, enjoying and achieving, contributing to society and achieving economic well being. They aim to provide children and young people with support, sharing, promote better information and a comman assessment framework for professionals to certify clear accountability and to establish multi-disciplinary teams based around universal services. The Laming inquiry is significant to the situation of asylum seekers. Victoria Climbie, who came to the UK with her great aunt was tortured and neglected and eventually died in horrifying circumstances. Victoria was not an asylum seeker, she and her Aunt were French nationals but their immigration status excluded them from claiming benefits and housing under the habitual residence test. It is apparent from Lord Lamings report that it was the issue of accommodation and financial support that brought Victoria to the attention of social services. The government however subsequently introduced legislation to prevent EU nationals and asylum seekers in the same position as Victoria Climbie from accessing this type of help from social services (Fitzpatrick, 2005). It would appear that asylum seeker children are not treated as children in the general population and their immigration status is viewed first and foremost, rather than the fact that they are children and that every child in the U K should matter, regardless of their immigration status. Chapter 4 Tentions This chapter will attempt to assess the governments assurance that every child matters in the UK and how far this is extended to including asylum seeking children. There are a number of pieces of legislation that are of concern to asylum seekers and legislation that appears to exclude them. Section 9 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claiments, etc) Act has been a severely controversial provision which gives the Home Office powers to terminate all welfare support to failed asylum seekers. The tension between policies for safeguarding and protecting children and controlling immigration is evident in policy and practice. Every child matters As discussed in the previous chapter, in 2004 the government published Every Child Matters: Next Steps (DfES 2004) a green paper on childrens services, followed by the children Act 2004. The green paper and legislation was prompted by the inquiry into the murder of eight year old Victoria Climbie. Prior to her death, Victoria Climbie and her carers had extensive contact with social services, the police and hospitals, all of whom failed to share information with one another and ultimately failed to intervene to protect Victoria Climbie (Lord Laming, 2003). The Every Child Matters (ECM) framework aims to bring about root-and -branch reform of childrens services at every level to ensure that all children and young people achieve five main outcomes. The governments aim, whatever their background or their circumstances, to have te support they need to: Be healthy (physically, mentally, emotionally and sexually), to follow a healthy lifestyle and choose not to take illegal drugs; Stay safe (from maltreatment, neglect, violence, sexual exploitation, accidental injury and death, bullying and discrimination, crime and anti-social behaviour in and out of school and to have security, stability and to be cared for; Enjoy and achieve through learning by being ready for school, attending and enjoying school, achieving stretching national educational standards at primary and secondary school, achieving personal and social development and enjoying recreation; Make a positive contribution to society by engaging in decision making and supporting the community and environment, engaging in law abiding and positive behaviour in and out of school, developing positive relationships and choosing not to bully or discriminate, developing self confidence and successfully dealing with significant life changes and challenges and developing enterprising behaviour; and Achieve economic well-being by engaging in further education, employment or training on leaving school, being ready for employment, living in decent homes and sustainable communities, having access to transport and material goods and living in households free from low income. The ECM framework is considered a positive step in improving childrens services however there is a view that immigration controls take prority over welfare consideration. The UKs Reservation to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), confines the application of the principles of the CRC in the instance of children and young people who are subject to immigration control, has been in place since the convention was confirmed in 1991 and has been criticised by parliamentary committees in the UK and the international monitoring body for the CRC which states: The committee is further concerned that..the ongoing reform of the asylum and immigration system fails to address the particular needs and rights of asylum-seeking children and recommended that the government: address thoroughly the particular situation of children in the ongoing reform of the immigration and asylum system to bring it into line with the principles and provisions of the convention. Committee on the Rights of the child (2002) Concluding Observations on the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Paragraph 47 and 48(g). Whilst the Reservation has been present for some time, the difference with the existing approach is the extent to which local authorities and others accountable for providing protection and support to children and their families have been encouraged to prevent children subject to immigration control from the provisions of the Children Act 1989, Children Act 2004 and the CRC. Consequently, the two systems with which children subject to immigration control are most affected immigration and social services- are gradually more at odds with one another. As they have competing objectives and aims, each has tried to compel the other to behave differently (Crawley, 2006). Social service departments have tried to provide support and improve the worst effects on children within hostile practical and political contexts. This position has produced complications for local authorities who are not fully reimbursed for these costs and for the children and families who do not get the thorough protection they need. Imperative questions are raised about the extent to which social services departments can be expected to provide on their duty under welfare law and at the same time participate in the role in controlling immigration. Accompanied asylum seeking children have less rights than citizen children as they are supported through NASS and do not usually have access to child welfare benefits or the provisions of the Children Act, although they do have the right to health care and legislation. Unaccompanied children and the question of age. An unaccompanied minor is a child under 18 years of age who has been separated from both parents and is not cared for by an adult, who by law or custom, is responsible to do so (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 1997). Children who are separated from their parents or carers and who try to claim asylum in the UK battle to negotiate an asylum system designed for adults and a child protection system focussed on children who live in their own community within their own families (Crawley, 2006). Many unaccompanied young people find their plea for asylum to be disbelieved. Those who should slot into the care system as children find their application challenged by immigration officers who class them as adults. Age is key in determining the treatment of young asylum seekers. Many asylum seekers do not have the correct documentation and there is no reliable medical test. The burden of proof is with the applicant (Mitchell, 2003). Age determines the treatment of asylum seekers by s ocial services. Many social services departments remain hesitant to treat 16 and 17 year olds as children in need and often treating them with suspicion (Morris, 2003). Many are supported under section 17 of the 1989 Children Act, often in poor quality bed and breakfast accommodation. The organisation Save the Children, reported concerns about children living with adults not known to them, some were placed in hostels with adults who suffer mental health or drug problems (Mayor of London, 2004). A child whose age is unclear will also be treated as an adult for the purpose of asylum determination procedures. Reasons as to why it is unsafe for a child of his or her origin to return back to their country will not be taken into account when assessing the asylum claim. The fast tracking of age disputed cases can result in vulnerable children being returned back to their country of origin with no appropriate reception arrangements in place and without the assistance of an in-country appeal (Crawley, 2006). Home Office statistics on age disputed applications were published for the first time in 2005 and indicate that in 2004, 5,335 asylum applications were made by individuals who stated that they were less than 18 years of age. Of these, nearly half (44%) were age disputed and treated as adults (Home Office, 2005). This implicates the support and welfare that is made available to them. Clearly there are powerful child protection arguments for ensuring adults do not find their way into the care system.. However if a child is incorrectly identified as an adult they can be forced into adult asylum and accommodation arrangements, including detention or dispersing them to an area in the UK where they have no contacts or support and will not be subject to child protection procedures or be entitled to leaving care services. Section 9 Section 17 of the Children Act obliges practitioners, wherever possible, to provide services for children and their families with the aim of promoting the up bringining of children in their families. It makes clear that the welfare of a child is paramount and that a childs interests are best served within its own family. However local authorities are openly prohibited from using Section 17 of the Children Act to provide support to children and families made destitute as a result of Section 9 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claiments, etc). Local authorities then have little choice but to separate children from their families and support them in local authority accommodation under setion 20 of the 1989 Children Act. The governments stated justification for implementing section 9 has been disputed. All the evidence implies that improving the scope and quality of voluntary removal schemes, rather than making families destitute, would be a more successful way of encouraging v oluntary removal (Cunningham and Tomlinson, 2005). The Home Affairs Select Comittee (HASC) rebuked the Home Office for pushing ahead with such contentious legislation. The HASC questioned the Home Office Minister, Beverley Hughes, on the proposals on 19th November 2003. Whilst she began by declaring that it was not at all the governments intention to make people destitute, her testimony offered little reassurance. David Winnick, one of the Select Committees Labour MPs, asked whether it would be fair to describe the policy as starve them out? Whilst Hughes denied this when asked whether the government intended to deny families every form of support and allow their children to be taken into care, she replied, Yes, that is what we are proposing (HASC, 2003: Evidence pp. 8-9). In short, some of the most vulnerable children in the world are routinely denied basic protection

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Plagues And Diseases Essay -- essays research papers fc

Plagues and Diseases Plague. A word that has struck fear in the hearts of man since the earliest of times. It has also lead to some of the greatest historical events and stories of our time. The ancient cities of Rome and Athens, in their downfall, were finished off by pestilence. The Bubonic Plague, also known as The Black Death, devastated Europe in the 14th century, starting a new age. The great warrior Ivan the Terrible was stricken with disease, and driven mad. During the "exploration" of the new world, Cortes's greatest ally against the Aztecs was smallpox. Napoleon's Grand Army was defeated by the Russians, and typhus. Queen Victoria spread hemophilia to her heirs, leading to the illness of the only son of Czar Nicholas, and the fall of monarchy in Russia.1 All the events are horrible in every way, but have struck a chord with people around the world. Perhaps it is our inherent morbid curiosity. So, the question is, if these events happened once, why can't they happen again? Let us take a look at the most horrible, so far, of the plagues: The Black Death. It took Europe by storm from approximately 1345 to 1361. It would also make small comebacks throughout the next 400 years, but never like it did the first time. It also reached into Africa, China, Russia, and the Scandinavian countries. It was truly a worldwide pandemic. But, it has a secondary effect that not many people are aware of. The colonies of Greenland, settled by the Vikings, were stricken by the plague and they soon disappeared. It is known that these colonies kept in contact with "Vinland", which was near New Foundland, in Canada. The Vikings had already discovered North America! But, alas, with these colonies all dead, Greenland was forgotten, and not discovered again until 1585.2 It is estimated that the plague took 24 million lives, about a quarter of the European population. This may seem incredulous to people today, but it happened. During those times, where there were humans, there were black rats. And where there are rats, there are fleas. And where there were fleas, there was the plague. Bubonic plague, and also pneumonic plague, were everywhere. France, Italy, Russia, England, you name it. When a village was infected, people fled, most likely taking the plague with them to the next village.3 One ca... ...n't, but it sure does sound good. I hope to have entertained you through this paper, and given you something to chew on for a few weeks. And I have just one more thought. When people think of the end of the world, they think of a big mushroom cloud destroying everyone in a pillar of light. But, I just don't see that. I see something less spectacular. When the end comes, it won't be with a bang. No one will see it coming. An army of the smallest soldiers will attack us from the inside out. One-billionth of our size, and they'll beat us. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Abel, Ernest L. America's Top 25 Killers. Hillside, N.J.: Enslow Publishers Inc., 1991 2. Archer, Jules. Epidemic! New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanich, 1977. 3. Berger, Melvin. Disease Detectives. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell, 1978. 4. Cartwright, Fred F. Disease and History. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell, 1972. 5. Guerrilla Warfare. "Time: Frontiers of Medicine." Vol. 148, No.4, Pg. 58-62. 6. McNeill, William H. Plagues and Peoples. New York: Anchor Press/Doubleday, 1976.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Free Essay on Shakespeare’s Sonnet 65 :: Shakespeare Sonnet 65

Here's Shakespeare's sonnet no. 65. I'm going to (a) space it out and (b) add in a running commentary that might be helpful to suggest the kinds of reactions one might have in reading it. Let me know if this helps. Since brass, nor stone, nor earth, nor boundless sea "nor"="and not". A list . . . a slowly paced list. Of what sorts of things? what scope? what do they have in common?. . . Sentence is just beginning . . . But sad mortality o'er-sways their power, Ah . . . none of them last. And yet they sure seem strong and long-lasting. Is it true what he says? And anyway, so what? why mention this? Sentence not yet reached its main clause . . . How with this rage shall beauty hold a plea, Aha: here's the point: the sad pathetic vulnerability of "beauty". Very general though. Does he mean any particular beauty? "Hold a plea" is nice: a sort of legal image, no? Whose action is no stronger than a flower? Beauty doesn't have much going for it to oppose time. "Action" seems to continue the legal metaphor. The image gets more particular--"a flower"--though it's still relatively general. We're most conscious of the tone of the lamenting speaker, less so of any particular things he's naming. . . Poor pathetic beauty . . . Sentence has ended. Oh, how shall summer's honey breath hold out Against the wreckful siege of battering days, Fresh start: new sentence. Saying it again, more intensely. It's getting better, more specific. Lovely fresh sensuous appeal in "honey breath". Summer is a sweet-smelling person, a beloved presumably (you'd hardly enjoy smelling the sweet breath of anyone else). Its breath can hardly "hold out": wonder what that means? Last long enough? A singer sustaining a long note or phrase needs breath that will "hold out." And to "hold out against a siege" means to withstand a siege: so now the summer has turned into a besieged fortress or city. And the besieging enemy is using battering rams, and trying to wreck everything. Imagery: note that we're not totally visualizing summer as a person; it's a delicate suggestion that glides into the next image, that of the besieged town. And we don't visualize summer as a town, either. In fact "visualize" is too crude a term for what imagery this subtle does.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Incorporating Other Music into West African Music Essay -- Music Histo

Music throughout West Africa has a history of evolving in an encompassing manner, involving many different kinds of music. It begins with different musical traditions across West Africa influencing one another, and since the 19th century involves the influences of popular Western music in West African music. Roughly between 1200 and 1900, a succession of ancient African empires with centralized governments flourished across West Africa, with various kingdoms, such as the Kingdom of Songhai and the Ashanti Kingdom, covering much of contemporary Mali, Ghana and Nigeria. Large ensembles of royal musicians accompanied the trade of gold, ivory and salt between these empires, serving as sonic symbols of the kings’ power and prestige . As a result, musicians across West Africa became aware of the different musical traditions in existence throughout the region, and began to incorporate elements of these traditions into one another. One sign of the unifying effect this had on music in West Africa is the incredible similarities between certain rhythms found in the music of Liberia, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Central African Republic. Of course, there exist a plethora of different musical traditions both between and within these nations, and these differences continue despite their i nfluences on one another. Though these are countries with vast spaces between them, and yet they have come to embrace some of the same characteristics in music making. Popular Western instruments, including guitars, harmonicas, accordions and brass instruments, were introduced along the Western coast of Africa during the 19th century, with the arrival of European traders and missionaries. Cosmopolitan cities accommodated an increased flow of people... ...g West African culture. West African music has been influenced by a wide range of Western popular music, such as jazz, soul, funk and hip hop, largely through the flow of ideas and exchanges of culture that has resulted from modern day globalisation. Musicians of West Africa have been incorporating aspects of other music into their own, resulting in new and original forms of musical styles. Bibliography Charry, Eric. Hip Hop Africa. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2012 Collins, E.J. ‘Post-war popular band music in West Africa’, African Arts 10 (1977) 53-60. Salm, Steven J. ‘Globalisation and West African Music’, History Compass (2010) 58-76. Stone, Ruth M. Music in West Africa. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005. Veal Michael E. Fela. The Life and Times of an African Musical Icon. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2000.

African American Discrimination Essay

African Americans and Discrimination Originally from Sub-Sahara Africa, thousands of African Americans were kidnapped and brought over to and sold in the United States during the Atlantic Slavery Trade. By 1860, before the Civil War, 3.5 million African Americans lived as slaves, mostly in the Southern United States. More than 500,000 lived as free persons in 33 states across the United States (2008). Today, many African Americans believed to have come from European American or Native American heritage. They believe to be direct descendants of captive Africans who were enslaved. The original Africans were not given the chance to colonize or immigrate to the United States; they were hunted down and chained together like animals, stacked on top of each other on the bottom of the ship, and sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to a life they were not accustomed to- slavery. January 1863, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation declaring freedom for African American slaves in sla very states. Following the signing of the bill, African Americans started facing even more problems with racial discrimination, segregation, racism, and prejudice. African Americans were beaten, put in jail, put to death, and denied basic human rights. To say African Americans were racially discriminated against only because of the color of their skin is an understatement. They were also racially discriminated against because of their sex, their religion, and their social class. During the last decade of the 19th century, racial violence and racial discrimination dramatically increased against African Americans. African Americans were not allowed to anything white people considered to be for â€Å"whites only†. They could not join any â€Å"white† organizations, attend any â€Å"white† schools, eat at â€Å"white† restaurants, or work at â€Å"white† establishments. Voting rights were stripped away, economic opportunities were denied, and suitable housing was not an option for them. In some areas in the South, African Americans couldn’t even worship at their own church or attend their own schools. African Americans were kept in a state of illiteracy and treated as if they were inferior to w hites. Life conditions were hard in the South for whites, new immigrants, and former slaves; that brought about the Great Migration to the Northern  states. African Americans went to the North searching for a promising life full of freedom, equality, and prosperity (2008). Between 1954 and 1968, the Civil Rights movement fought to abolish racial discrimination in the South. African American political leaders sought out ways to gain equality for blacks. Civil Rights programs were designed to enable people to become full citizens (Sykes, 1995). The Civil Rights Act of 1964 covered discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, and sex (Schaefer 2006). The United States Constitution was written to give Americans, not just African Americans, legal rights. The first amendment gave people the freedom of speech, assembly, and religion, and press, the fourth amendment guaranteed equal protection under the law, the thirteenth amendment made slavery illegal, and the fifteenth amendment forbids racial discrimination in access to voting. It took quite a few years for everyone to get used to having their newfound freedom. In the early 2 0th century, African Americans were still struggling for equality among whites in the workplace, education, income status, and social class. Many people are still being passed over for promotions because they are not what corporate America wants. Women have been pushed to the back of the line and given the lowest paying position resulting in double jeopardy (the subordinate status twice defined, as experienced by women of color) (Schaefer 2006). The glass ceiling, glass walls, and glass escalator (barriers that prevent the promotion of a qualified worker because of gender or race) effect has made an impact in the workplace with African American men and women as well. Whites have been given the best of everything over African Americans- positions, salary, housing, education, and political power. To help fight for change, affirmative action was created. Affirmative action (positive efforts to recruit subordinate group members, including women, for jobs, promotions, and educational opportunities) (Schaefer 2006), gave power back to the African American people. Today, African Americans have broken down barriers and achieved great success in several areas of life such as buying houses, getting college educations, obtaining high paying jobs, and joining distinguished groups. Not all discriminatory acts have been abolished completely; African Americans are still facing subtle racist acts against them that they tend to go unreported or unnoticed. As long as people continue to fight for positive change it can be achieved. References African American contributors. (2008). African Americans. New World Encyclopedia Sykes, M. (1995). Origins of affirmative action. National Organization for Women. National NOW Times. Schaefer, R, T. (2006). Racial and ethnic groups (10th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Consider the ways in which Margaret Atwood Essay

   â€Å"I used to dress like that. That was freedom† / I’m looking down, at the sidewalk, mesmerised by the woman’s feet† This however is countered by â€Å"We are fascinated, but also repelled. They seem undressed. It has taken so little time to change our minds, about things like this† This clear distinction between how she’s expected to feel and how she actually feels becomes distorted as we are unable to define where one starts and the ends. This however is not the first time and this help gain interest into Offred, as one wonders how much she’s begging to believe what she’s being told. This is one of the defining aspects of the novel during the opening chapters as Offred’s characters is never directly revealed to the reader as she sways between survival and ambition. As each chapter unfolds we are offered more into the feelings of Offred into the society of Gilead however it is often difficult to determine what comes from herself and what is simply repeated from the Aunts. The Japanese also act as a way for Atwood to ask of Offred what the reader clearly wants to ask; â€Å"Are you happy†. To this Offred eventually answers â€Å"Yes, we are very happy† however by the text surrounding her answer it is clear to the reader how she really feels. This novel is at heart an exploration of individuality and the need in human nature to express one’s own personality through freedom of thought and speech. In order to complete this at an effective level Atwood has had to create Gilead, a society with a complete blindness to the needs of its individuals, for reasons that become apparent as the novel continues. The severity of Gilead’s members’ loss of control over their own lives is highlighted by Atwood on many occasions during the first 5 sections. â€Å"She wanted me to feel as that I could not come in the house unless she said so. There is much push and shove over such toehold these days. † This quote appears shortly after Offred offers a description of the Commander’s wife in her past, as a television celebrity. â€Å"she could smile and cry at the same time, one tear or two sliding gracefully down her cheek, as if on cue†. The stark contrast between the later quote and the action of Serena Joy once under the control of Gilead offers insight into how the society has affected the lives of everybody, not only the handmaid, as everyone makes a desperate grab for some form of power. Atwood chooses not to give the handmaid a name during the first 5 chapters and this helps distance her from the reader and re-iterate her lack of individuality. This creates interest as the reader questions firstly whether she has a name and secondly what her motives are for not telling us, is she ashamed, afraid? We know from her time at the red centre that names were very precious to them, maybe they’re considered unnecessary for a woman of her position. This adds further mystery to her tale and encourages the reader to continue so that they can understand more into the society. The extremety of Atwood’s fictional society takes the novel into an area often described as Sci-fi, here though, we are shown Atwood’s most important trait; the incredible personalised style of writing associated with her novels. This, alone, is what separates â€Å"The handmaid’s tale† from other books of a similar concept, as by using a first person perspective Atwood is able to explore rather then describe Gilead and therefore the society appears more definite and believable, all of which helps the novel become more interesting during the opening 5 sections. Many details into the society are left undescribed, we know of an existing war through the talk of the frontline, ration books and the loss of Central America to the â€Å"Libertheos†, however Offred never offers more than this. It appears as though this is because Offred expects to know a certain amount into the society of Gilead already, as though we are expected to read this book in the aftermath of the society. A secret diary almost The readers interest is maintained throughout the opening 5 chapters by masking the character of Offred, Giving hints towards a possible escape or ending in another manner and by slowly introducing an unusual society which has clearly developed in America from the present existing population. Offred’s character is masked by; Not introducing the reader to her by name, quoting the opinions of others in order to create confusion as to what she truly believes, contrasting her past actions and beliefs with those actions in which she participates in the present and that which she feels now. The hints into escape, of some form, are offered in two main forms; Through her understanding of the actions of others in order to end their own life and her seeming acceptance of the reasoning behind it and her continued rebellious nature in always looking for a way to break and bend rules. The society unfolds in front of the reader in a mixture of normality and genuine discontentment, prompting the question How, When and Why? All this ensures one’s desire to discover more into the life of Offred, the society she lives in and her intentions for the future. Tom Smith 2002 Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Margaret Atwood section.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Sociology and Understanding Human Behavior †Socl215

September 8, 2011 Phase 4 Individual Project Sociology and Understanding Human Behavior – SOCL215 The sports sociology exists because of the strong relationship between sports and society. As a culture, we as Americans value sports for the entertainment, physical activity and many other benefits it provides to us. I believe that is the reason so much research has gone into discovering how and why it affects us as a society. Sports are enjoyed all over the world, particularly soccer and baseball in many parts of the globe. I am a really big fan of and enjoy football. It is my favorite sport. During the fall and winter months much of my life rotates around being able to watch professional football games and to cheer for my favorite team, the Carolina Panthers. It’s my favorite sport because I enjoy the energy, the socialization, competition and action. Because it is so widely revered in America, it is not very difficult to find another football fan or sports bar. Football is widely represented in the media which also helps to be a fan. ESPN (Entertainment Sports Programing Network) covers games if you may have missed a game or play as well as offer news about teams and players. During the local news broadcast a sports segment is always included. And in local as well as nationally published newspapers a sports section is included. I however am not a typical viewer/fan in the football demographic. Most fans are middle aged white men that make $55,000. However the number of women watching football is on the incline. According to the New York Times the number of women watching â€Å"Sunday Night Football† has increased 23 percent over the last two years. (Baker, 2011) The fan base for football is expanding for minorities as well. I think this is because more minorities are playing the sport. To get a better understanding of how sports and society affect one another I went to a local high school football game. I have always gone to football games as a fan, never as an observer and I knew this experience would be different. I decided to attend this event because I enjoy football and I knew a few of the students from work that go the high school. It was also an opportunity to learn more about high school, I usually only watch NFL (National Football League) football games. The following are my observations from the fieldwork done during the football game. The setting for this game was a high school football game was Carolina Forest High School. The elements that would affect behavior included banners, posters and cheerleaders. This affected the home team in a positive way as they feel more support and motivation. It could negatively affect the away team as they feel intimidated and home team as they could feel more pressure to win. The attendees/fans were students, parents, cheerleaders, ROTC members, teachers and other dance team members. Most of the fans were white high school students between the ages of 14 to 17. I would say it was divided pretty evenly between males and females. They seemed upper middle class with a few that seemed to be upper class. The players were similar to the fans as they were high school students, 14 to 17 years old and middle class but there were a few more black players than white. The dress of the fans was typical of teenagers. Students mostly wore jeans, T-Shirts and flip flops. Many were shirts that had the schools logo and mascot on it. There was a group of young men with hair dyed black and wore similar skateboard type attire. The students seemed to stay in groups together as did the parents. There definitely seemed to be groups that stayed to themselves and did not socialize with anyone outside of their group. This behavior applied to parents and students. The students in these groups were of the same social class and did dress similarly. The atmosphere was very positive and happy at the football games. The home team won which helped with the atmosphere. There were a couple moments of tension when the home team had a penalty or was losing. I saw symbolism in the flags used by the high school’s NJROTC drill field team. Other symbolism I saw was used by the referees. They used hand gestures to convey the penalties being issued to either team. The other observation I noticed was the language used during the football game. Students used chants that were exclusive to their school to show their support. There was also verbiage used to describe which down and field position the game was being played at. There was also commentary from the announcers tell the audience which players were preforming which plays and their positions. From my field work I learned that energy of the game is in direct correlation of fans. Because many high school students don’t know the rules of football and go to games as a form of socialization only the energy isn’t as high. However there seemed to be less tension and conflict among the fans as a result of this. When emotions run high, there is a greater risk of conflict. This seems to happen a lot in football because of the loyalty fans feel for â€Å"their† team. I previously stated in week one’s assignment that functionalist perspective was most useful when looking at the sociology of football because it played a part in society has a purpose to fulfill as a whole. And I still believe holds true. It helps to bring people together, gives a sense of competition and a role model for children. It also helps fund the education of promising athletes and promotes good physical wellbeing. American football culture has a positive impact on society. College students that show promise are able to get a higher education on a full paid scholarship. This allows more potentially more successful people in society. People throughout the world love sports. Mankind loves to get together for a common interest and celebrate. Even in the face of war and other devastating losses, we as a society will feel hope and inspiration from the victory of our sports team. This is the reason why sociologists are so interested in researching sports. It is a strange and intriguing phenomenon. I think the reason the so many participate is the social status it gives you. Children look up to athletes as role models. There is also the factor of money as well. Fans will dedicate a lot of money and loyalty to their favorite players. I also think they enjoy the feeling of having people rely on their abilities and come from very far away to watch them play. Many just have a passion for the sport they play. Fans play large roles in society. One way they do this is by providing economy to metropolitan areas that have professional or college sports teams. They are also the reason why sports media has grown to be what it is now. If it weren’t for fans there would be need to have things, like instant replay that has helped the integrity of many sports. We wouldn’t have tailgate parties so more members of society can come together for a common interest. â€Å"The importance of sport varies with the individual. It plays little or no role in the lives of some people. For others, it is a light diversion from the cares of everyday life. But for many, it is a central feature of their existence. † (Delaney, 2003) Sports will continue to play a part in society, people will gather from all across the world to watch sports like we do with the Olympics. There will also be controversy and conflict but I believe the benefits of enjoying sports still make being a sport’s fan worth the effort. References Baker, K. (2011, January 28). Gridiron Girls. Retrieved September 8, 2011, from nytimes. com: http://www. nytimes. com/2011/01/30/magazine/30FOB-wwln-t. html? _r=1 Delaney, T. (2003). Sports and Deviant Behavior. Retrieved September 8, 2011, from philosophynow. org: http://www. philosophynow. org/issue41/Sports_and_Deviant_Behavior Response to Peer Discussion Board Suggestions and Questions: I think the number of women watching football is unsurprising because many women have men in their lives that love football and expose women to the sport. I grew up watching the New York Giants because my father and our family favored that team. I stopped watching football so often until I met my husband and now we watch every game that is played by his favorite team. If I didn’t have these influences didn’t exist in my life, I wouldn’t watch sports at all. I’ve always enjoyed independent research. I like to work with groups and on my own which is a wonderful benefit to going to Colorado Technical University. I like being able to physically research and see for myself the ideas and concepts that are in our textbook. It makes the subject of Sociology feel more â€Å"real. † An interesting point is that fan behavior is not only affected by the game it is also affected by the team or sponsor they play for. I think it’s very true that some fans are definitely â€Å"fair weather. † Meaning a fan likes a team or supports a team because they win or are winners. I believe in supporting a team even if they lose or are not a very popular team. Another point I didn’t mention was how fans affect the player moral in a game. I think that if fans are cheering for a team and have good energy that this can affect a team in good and bad ways; good because the team will try to perform better and bad because they may not perform as well because they feel they don’t need to try as hard. There can also be the opposite effect of a team that is not doing well and is not being supports. They can either succumb to the negativity or work harder to overcome it.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Managers’ Encouragement Essay

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY DECLARATION Breaches of academic integrity (cheating, plagiarism, falsification of data, collusion) seriously compromise student learning, as well as the University’s assessment of the effectiveness of that learning and the academic quality of the University’s awards. All breaches of academic integrity are taken seriously and could result in penalties including failure in the course and exclusion from the University. Students should be aware that the University uses text-matching software to safeguard the quality of student learning and that your assignment will be checked using this software. I acknowledge and agree that the examiner of this assessment item may, for the purpose of marking this assessment item: reproduce this assessment item and provide a copy to another Griffith staff member; and/ submit this  assessment item to a text-matching service. This web-based service will retain a copy of this assessment item for checking the work of other students, but will not reproduce it in any form. Examiners will only award marks for work within this assignment that is your own original work. I, hereby certify that: except where I have indicated, this assignment is my own work, based on my personal study and/or research. I have acknowledged all materials and sources used in the preparation of this assignment whether they be books, articles, reports, lecture notes, or any other kind of document or personal communication. I have not colluded with another student or person in the production of this assessment item unless group work and collaboration is an expectation of the assessment item. this assignment has not been submitted for assessment in any other course at Griifith, or at any other University or at any other time in the same course without the permission of the relevant Course Convenor. I have not copied in part or in whole or otherwise plagiarised the work of other students and/or other persons. I haven’t made this piece of work available to another student without the permission of the Course Convenor. Providing this declaration falsely is considered a breach of academic integrity. I have retained a copy of this assessment item for my own records. Acknowledged by: Enter nameDate:       (Signature) Where the item is submitted electronically Clicking â€Å"I Agree† constitutes an electronic signature for the purpose of assignment declaration compliance. STUDENT CONSENT (to be completed by the student before their essay, assignment or other work is uploaded to an internal/online learning University website or used for the purpose of moderation (not to be used if there is to be public access to the work) At Griffith the use of assessment exemplars by academic staff is encouraged to inform students’ understanding of the performance standards associated with learning and achievement in the course. An assessment exemplar is an authentic example, actual sample or excerpt, of student work that has been annotated to illustrate the ways in which it demonstrates learning, achievement and quality in relation to the intended learning outcomes (including graduate outcomes) for the course. Assessment exemplars may be made available in a range of ways. In order to collect assessment exemplars students are asked to consent, on every assessment item submitted, for their work, without disclosure of the contributor’s identity, to be used, and reproduced as an assessment exemplar for standard setting and moderation activities. I acknowledge that for the purpose of standard setting and moderation activities the examiner of this assessment item may wish to store, reproduce, annotate, and communicate my work to others, including future students, without disclosure of my identity. I consent to my Work, Enter title of Assignment itemwithout disclosure of my personal details, being stored, reproduced annotated and communicated within the University’s secure online learning environment. I do not consent to my Work, Enter title of Assignment itembeing stored, reproduced annotated and communicated within the University’s secure online learning environment. Acknowledged by:  Date:       (insert name here) Where the item is submitted electronically Clicking â€Å"I Agree† constitutes an electronic signature for the purpose of assignment declaration compliance. Several studies have been conducted on how managers’ encouragement of employee voice can lift well being and productivity. Do managers really help open the door for employee voice? ‘Managers’ encouragement’ is seen to be the support or direction given to employees from co workers who regulate worker behaviour. Through this professional relationship, managers may behave in a way that deters employees from engaging with their managers and their work, decreasing productivity and well being. Other issues within the contemporary workplace, such as job scarcity or the diminishing union presence, may also affect the well being of employees and may have a negative effect on businesses. Today’s work environment is very evolved. We live and work in a recognisably equal and fair society with very few big issues troubling workers. Or so it seems. Although that with the presence of unions and established organisations such as the FWC, a workplace without any idiosyncrasies is still, unrealistic. Competition for jobs is a pressing issue that may lead to a lack of confidence within the workplace. This lack of confidence can cause workers to feel invaluable and may, in-turn, suppress employee voice. â€Å"Many individuals do not work in an environment where they where they see it safe to speak up†(Millican, Morison and Hewlin, 2003: Ryan and ostrich, 1998) Although it may be beneficial for an organisation to receive feedback and knowledge from an employee, employees simply see ‘ the risks outweighing the benefits’.(Academy of management Journal 2007, Vol. 50, No 4, p869-884). In recent years, the number of unionised workplaces has slowly faded , along with the presence of unions themselves. In the UK alone, over the past 30 years, the percentage of union members has fallen from 58% down to 28% of the total workforce(Barrat 2009). Does this lead us to believe that the role of trade unions and unions alike also fade? (J Benson, 2002). Trade unions and similar organisations (such as the FWC) were put in place over 150 years ago to aid the working class citizens to stop employers from creating inhumane working conditions. In today’s work environment the role of unions is to negotiate with employers over terms and conditions of employment as well as employee salary. Unions also continue to help provide fair working conditions for employees and maintain economic interests for employees’ (Tannenbaum 1964). Will employee voice be further suppressed due to lack of union presence? ‘Employee voice can be describes in many ways, however in this case, Employee voice is: â€Å"A whole variety of processes and structures which enable, and at times empower, employees, directly and indirectly, to contribute to decision-making in the firm† (Boxall and Purcell, 2003: 162) A Managers professional obligation towards their company is their personal responsibility to assist in allowing their co-workers perform to the best of their abilities. Businesses and corporations are represented and established by their people, thus managers are upheld by their corporate social responsibility to perform (Ali M. Quazi, 2003 (D. J. Wood, 1991)). Managers’ utilize employees’ skills knowledge and efforts in an attempt to create the most efficient form of productivity. (R.Loudoun, RMcPhail, Awilkinson p27) The fact that this obligation to the business takes priority may alter Managers’ behaviour towards employees. Without the correct understanding of the employee, this can easily negatively affect the well being and productivity of the employee. â€Å"Engagement is about establishing mutual respect in the workplace for what people can do and be, given the right context, which serves us all, as individual employees, as companies and organisations and as consumers of public services.† Employee engagement is one of the fundamental pieces of a functional business and is a by product of successful employee voice. . â€Å"A ‘Good manager’ should be empathetic and open minded towards their co workers.† (Says R.McMaster – Employee @City beach DC) It is known that if a person takes time to invest an interest into another person, that person feels valued. (article by Cath Everett) The same goes for the workplace. As managers become closer to their co workers, a relationship of trust is formed, making the communication of information more efficient, therefore increasing productivity. Can employee voice within the workplace lift well being and productivity? It has been discussed whether or not employee voice is heard and/ or promoted along with other aspects of working conditions within the work place; However, does managers’ encouragement of employee voice lift well being and productivity? It is obvious that managers’ encouragement for employee voice positively effects well being and productivity. With the encouragement of employee voice, employee engagement is also lifted. With the correct management approach, ‘Performance and profitability can be transformed by employee engagement’(D McLeod, N Clarke). As an engaged member of a work force, an employee would be able to conduct themselves in a more efficient manner. With engagement comes interest and motivation, with that behind them, employees can work at their best to produce results. â€Å"Employees who are more engaged with their work are said to be more likely to behave in positive and cooperative ways† (Rees, C., Alfes, K. and Gatenby, M. (2013) ) The heightened engagement of employees positively effects all parties involved; better quality of work and a statistically greater productivity throughout the workplace can be achieved. References: http://www.hrzone.com/topic/managing-people/encouragement-managers-increases-staff-engagement/110457 . 2014. . [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.sagepub.com/wilton/Chapter%2010%20-%20Employment%20Relations.pdf. [Accessed 28 September 2014]. Rees, C., Alfes, K. and Gatenby, M. (2013) Employee voice and engagement: connections and consequences, International Journal of Human Resource Management, 24:14, 2780-2798. Wood, D.J. (1991), â€Å"Corporate social performance revisited†, Academy of Management Journal, Vol. 16, pp. 691-718. David MacLeod, Nita Clarke Engaging for success: enhancing performance through employee engagement. A report to Government Page 7, paragraph 2: http://dera.ioe.ac.uk/1810/1/file52215.pdf JAMES R. DETERT Cornell University ETHAN R. BURRIS University of Texas at Austin Academy of Management Journal 2007, Vol. 50, No. 4, 869–884 John Benson December 2002 Employee Voice in Union and Non-union Australian Workplaces 16 DEC 2002 Tannenbaum, F1951, Philosophy of labour, Alfred Knopf, New York. -1964, the true society: a philosophy of labour, Cape, London.