EDUCATION WELFARE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

EDUCATION WELFARE - Essay Example It is common for these kinds of families to collapse, with spouses being left as single-parents. This is precisely what Childers’ describes in her book. While Childers is between the age of 10 and 16, she describes the tough circumstances in which she lives. Childers is the eldest of 7 children, and she is often left in charge of them when her mother wanders away. At home, they do not have a telephone, and there is often no electricity too. They also went to bed to bed hungry. Childers often regrets what she has experienced. The 1960s was a period when non-whites were locked in a struggle to attain equal social rights. However, this did not mean that whites were well off, as many of them lived at or below the poverty line. The United States was increasingly engaging in war in Vietnam, and this put a strain on the economy. Yet, there was some form of welfare to rely on. Amid getting an education through welfare, Childers experienced poverty, violence, neglect and shame. While these are experiences that one may not be able to recount calmly, she succeeds in doing so with honesty and grace. It is here that it is noteworthy to mention that she looks back at her dreadful past as though she appreciates what she has been through. Perhaps, these were hard lessons that taught her well. Childers was not alone in her battle, as her family fought for survival. However, it is her recount of prevailing over unwanted pregnancies and cruel boyfriends that impresses us. She managed to keep her education going despite her struggles outside and within the home. While they lived in bleak conditions, Childers and her sister, Joan, had come to realize one important thing. They knew that they must break the cycle of poverty, and they could do this by getting educated. At home, she had to contend with single mother who was an alcoholic. While she describes how much she

How to be happy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

How to be happy - Essay Example The quote illustrates the differences in perceptions, the complexities in the society and peace of mind that results from personal fulfillment. Equally, people have particular hobbies and leisure activities. There is no point in life that someone’s view of life or actions shall please everyone. It is in this context that the quote becomes handy by telling people to take responsibility for their happiness. The society will always find a fault in someone’s actions, dressing, education levels, or development. It is imperative to practice what you feel comfortable in and aim to make life enjoyable. The society has mixed characters, and we have to learn to accommodate everyone without hurting our feelings. Some people appreciate our efforts while others are jealous of every progress. Therefore, to be happy people should not care about others views so long as the actions are right. Happiness emanates from an individual’s satisfaction with him/herself. Hence, persons should act according to their principles to reduce instances of stress, acquire life fulfillment and happiness. Precisely, life is a cycle. The actions we undertake in the present shall influence our future. However, it is important to incorporate the aspect of one’s happiness in the pursuit of good health and long life. It is also essential to note that we are responsible for our happiness. We may end up living a boring and stressful life if we seek happiness from other persons. Therefore, take action to improve and appreciate yourself.

Coping Skill and Lazarus Stress Theory Essay Example for Free

Coping Skill and Lazarus Stress Theory Essay Each individual experiences stress and problem in life. These will serve as measurement to know how emotionally stable individuals are and how they will handle everything that come their way. The ways of coping from stress, anxiety, and problems are the basis of how well-adjusted an individual is. Coping with difficulties of life is hard especially when the situation is complicated. It is a natural reaction that everyone will be experiences at one time or the other. As cited by Luthans (2005), Ivancevich and Matteson see stress as â€Å"the interaction of the individual with the environment†- an adaptive response mediated by individual differences and or psychological process, that is consequences by any eternal (environmental) action, situation or even that places excessive psychological and or physical demand on a person. Stress in college will comes in many forms. You will become essentially responsible for yourself: doing laundry, preparing your own meals, cleaning your own rooms. This will of course in addition to studying hard to achieve good grades. You will also have to deal with peer pressure, dating predicaments and drinking situations. Coping with stress will prove to be a daunting task. Every trying moment that you will encounter in college is only temporary. Coping with stress in college will be part of life, if you can hurdle over your stress, you will surely become as stronger and tougher person. Such that when you will absorb by the workforce, your will be better equipped to face the challenges of your job. Students will deal with stress differently. If you are one of these students who will have a hard time coping with stress, you should not be ashamed to seek the help of others, especially your counsellors who will be there for you for a reason. Stress will seem to be an especially common feature of college student life, particularly at highly competitive colleges and universities. Stress-coping mechanisms are behaviors and thoughts people employ to calm themselves when they will feel upset, angry, overworked, or otherwise overwhelmed by tension. Being under stress will affects your heart rate, blood pressure, mood, and contributes many diseases such as obesity and asthma. Coping mechanisms can be described as the sum total of ways in which we deal with minor to major stress and trauma. Some of these processes are unconscious ones, others are learned behaviour, and still others are skills we consciously master in order to reduce stress, or other intense emotions like depression. Not all coping mechanisms are equally beneficial, and some can actually be very detrimental. One may have various ways of coping with stress, anxiety and problems. Acceptance may be one by which individual wholeheartedly accepts the situation, the persons will learn to understand the things on the way it should. Others, on the other hand, may still look on the good side, putting more attention and emphasis on the things that could be better and would bring better to them. This study will determine what the most prevalent sources of stressors among our students are, and to evaluate the coping mechanisms adopted by them. Background of the Study Stress (2000) is generally defined as the body’s nonspecific response or reaction to demands made on it, or to disturbing events in the environment. It is a process by which we perceive and cope with environmental threats and challenges. Personal environmental events that will cause stress are known as stressors. Therefore, stress is simply defined as emotional disturbances or changes caused by stressors. Stress which promotes and facilities learning is called good stress. An optimal level of stress can enhance learning ability on the other hand; stress which inhibits and suppresses learning is call bad stress. The bad stress must be prevented and avoided. It is noteworthy that the same stressors may be perceived differently by different students, depending on their cultural background, personality traits, experience and coping skills. The purpose of this study is to gather data on the stress prevalence, stressors and coping strategies among second year students of Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurial Management, hence it will provides valuable information for future study in such students and teachers to understand better about this common problem. The second year students of BSEM are prone to pressure for the reason that they are the last batch of this said degree and because of that they are threatened to study hard, to give a good image and expected to build a better name for their degree. Though college may put you under a lot of stress, most students accept this as a given something one should just learned to deal with. And although work overload is a constant in all schools, many students notice discrepancies among different universities and colleges. Theoretical Framework The study will focus on the stress and coping mechanism among the Second year students of BSEM in regarding to their demographic profile. Coping with stress in college just like any other stress coping mechanism is seeing past the negativity of the moment and embracing the potential for good in it. Numerous theoretical provides sufficient background on the nature of stress individuals encounter and a multiple functions of coping for the optimum development and adjustment. The foremost theories represented in the study are enumerated, (a. ) Systematic Stress: Selye’s Theory, states that stress is a state manifested by a syndrome which consists of all the non-specifically induced changes in a biologic system. (b. Psychological Stress: The Lazarus Theory, states that two concepts are central to any psychological stress theory: appraisal, individual’s evaluation of the significance of what is happening for their well-being, and coping, individual’s efforts in thought and action to manage specific demands. Since its first presentation as a comprehensive theory the Lazarus stress theory has undergone sev eral essential revisions. In the latest version, stress is regarded as a relational concept; stress is not defined as a specific kind of external stimulation or a specific pattern of physiological, behavioral, or subjective reactions. Instead, stress is viewed as a relationship between individuals and their environment. Psychological stress refers to a relationship with the environment that the person appraises as significant for his or her well-being and in which the demands tax or exceed available coping resources. (c. ) Resource Theories of Stress: A Bridge between Systemic and Cognitive Viewpoints. Unlike approaches discussed so far, this theory of stress is not primarily concernedwith factors that create stress, but with resources that preserve well-being in the face of stressful encounters.

Media: Promoting And Protecting Right To Information

Media: Promoting And Protecting Right To Information Freedom of expression, unrestricted propagation of ideas and ready access to information are essential for the functioning of a democratic government. If people are unaware of what is happening in their society or if the actions of those who rule them are hidden, then they are prevented from taking a significant part in the affairs of the society. Access to information not only facilitates active participation of the people in the democratic governance process, but also promotes openness, transparency and accountability in administration. It is thus a crucial facilitator of good governance, as it reflects and captures Government activities and processes. In the same light, the right of every citizen to access information held by or under the control of public authorities, has been as effective tool for ushering in good governance. The Indian Parliament enacted the Freedom of Information Act, 2002, to promote transparency and accountability in administration. This was subsequently repealed and later a new act, The Right to Information Act, came into force on 12 October 2005. Under the law the Indian citizens are empowered to seek information from a Public Authority, thus making the Government and its functionaries more accountable and responsible. The Act has now been in operation for over three years and has benefited many, including the poor and the underprivileged. The many provisions of the Act mandate a legal-institutional framework for setting out the practical regime of right to information for every citizen to secure access to information under the control of public authorities. Participation, rule of law, transparency, responsiveness, equity and inclusiveness, effectiveness, efficiency, accountability, strategic vision and consensus-orientation are the major characteristics of good governance. Transparency refers to decisions being taken openly and being enforced according to rules and regulations. It mandates that information should be freely available and directly accessible to those who will be affected by such decisions and their enforcement. It also means that enough information is provided to all the stakeholders and the media, in easily understandable forms to enable their meaningful participation in the decision making processes and criticism of the same. Accountability ensures that public institutions and functionaries are answerable to the people and to their institutional stakeholders i.e. those who will be affected by its decisions or actions. Accountability cannot be enforced without a regime of transparency. We discussed the factors contributing to good governance. Herein, it is pertinent to mention that a direct relationship exists between right to Information, informed citizenry and good governance. On one hand good governance aims at putting an end to inconsistent government practices and establishing a responsive State, the Right to Information provides citizens the opportunity of being informed of the Governments actions. Public participation in Government, respect for the rule of law, freedom of expression and association, transparency and accountability, legitimacy of Government, and the like, which are the core values of good governance, can be realised only if the right to information is implemented in the right spirit. The role of media organisations assumes considerable importance in realising the objectives of the RTI Act. The media can not only play an important role in monitoring public service delivery by invoking provisions under the RTI Act, but can also facilitate in generating awareness and capacity building on RTI among the community. Thus the media performs an important role in the governance process by acting as a bridge between the community and public agencies. The media can make a real difference to the lives of poor and disadvantaged people and aid in development by making people more aware of their rights and entitlements and enabling them to have access to government programmes, schemes and benefits. Besides people can be made more aware of political issues which would help to stimulate critical thinking and debate. This creates pressure for improved government performance, accountability and quality. The media also helps in drawing attention to institutional failings corruption, fraud, waste, inefficiency, cronyism, nepotism, abuse of power and the like. It fosters exchange of best practices, knowledge resources, access to better technology, and to better choices. A discursive space for citizens to dialogue with other actors in the governance process is also provided by the media. Empowerment, social awareness action and good governance are the three key areas through which the media can make a significant impact on development and poverty reduction. Firstly, the media gives voice to the needs and aspirations of the people and provides them access to relevant information. Thus, it cannot be denied that the media has a definite role to play in the empowerment of citizens. In all its varied forms, media has opened up the potential for new forms of participation. The access to information and accessibility of information has increased with growth of print and electronic media and the Internet. In contemporary times, the media is being used even by the vulnerable and marginalized sections of the society to make their voices heard. Secondly, the media can be effective not only in preserving freedom but also in extending it. The news media plays a decisive role in establishing a discursive space for public deliberations over social issues. The formative influence o f the media on public attitudes, thoughts and perceptions is fundamental to the process of citizen engagement in public dialogue. Giving a voice to the poor also entails giving the poor people adequate opportunities to take initiatives for overcoming their problems. The media, through its role in shaping public awareness and action, can be a critical factor in facilitating sustainable development and poverty reduction. Lastly, a free media is a necessary requisite for good governance. As an information channel between corporations, government, and the populace, the media acts as a watchdog against government malfeasance, while at the same time fosters greater transparency and accountability. The media monitors public service delivery and reports on key issues to the public at large, thereby exerting pressure on public service providers. The media creates the right framework of incentives for good governance, by highlighting institutional failings to guard against as well as institut ional successes for replication. It lets people voice diverse opinions on governance and reform, exposes corruption and malpractices and helps build public consensus to bring about change. The World Association of Newspapers (WAN), the global organisation of the worlds press has long argued that a free and unfettered press is a positive force for accelerated and equitable socio-economic development. It held that the predominance of free and independent press accompanies economic growth and human development. In countries with free press, human development indicators such as school enrolment, teacher-pupil ratio, pupil performance, infant mortality, maternal mortality, nutritional status of women and children etc. tend to fare better than countries with restrictions on press and freedom of information. The work of the Nobel Laureate, Amartya Sen has even established a link between active media and the avoidance of disasters like famines. The role of media as a watchdog of the government and the corporate sector, a transmitter of new ideas and information, a voice of the poor, a safeguard against the abuse of power and neglect of the socially vulnerable, and a builder of public consensus to bring about change is pervasive. However, the independence of the media can be fragile and easily compromised. It is clear that to support development, the media needs the right environment in terms of freedoms, capacities, and checks and balances. The Right to Information regime does give the media that critical support. Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations states: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. The above provision only reiterates the fact that the mass media is the most important vehicle for information, knowledge and communication in a democratic polity. They are pervasive and play a significant role in shaping societies by providing the public sphere of information and debate that enables social and cultural discourse, participation and accountability. Being the most accessible, cost-effective and widespread source of information and platform for expression the media plays a crucial role in building an inclusive Information Society based on knowledge power and its distribution. However to ensure that the potential of the media is truly achieved steps should be taken to protect and extend media freedom and independence, and rights of access to information by actively developing the potential of media to provide information along with a forum for debate on topics of public interest, cultural expression and opportunity to communicate, especially to the poor and marginalised. Strengthening the capacity of media should be facilitated, to promote and help build an Information Society by raising awareness, channelling civil society concerns, debating policies and holding government, private sector and civil society accountable. An RTI regime can enable credible, evidence-based and factual reporting on key issues of public interest. It can enable the media to expose mal-administration, corruption and inefficiency and to propagate stories and instances relating to accountability, transparency, effective administration and good governance. By using the RTI Act, the media can play an important role in highlighting issues related to public service delivery and the efficacy and accountability of public officials. Under the RTI Act, the journalists reporters, like citizens, can: Demand from the Government information pertaining to any of its departments Demand photocopies of Government contracts, payment, estimates, measurements of engineering works etc. Demand from the Government certified samples of material used in the construction of roads, drains, buildings etc. Demand to inspect any public development work that may be still under construction or completed Demand to inspect Government documents construction drawings, records books, registers, quality control reports etc. Demand status of requests or complaints, details of time delays, action taken on Information Commissions decisions etc. The media thus can play a constructive role in the governance process by acting as a catalyzing agent for the implementation of the core provisions of the Act. As the fourth pillar of democracy, the media not only has an important stake in what the RTI Act purports to provide and achieve, but also in entrenching the implementation and enforcement of this significant piece of legislation. Besides, fundamentally the media aids in providing information to the citizens and building awareness among the masses on the Act. Despite the provisions that have been made to access information, citizens resort to media like newspapers, radio, television etc. for day to day information about public authorities and their activities. The media provides a link between the citizens and their government. The medias right to information or right to tell is not a special privilege but rather, an aspect of the publics right to know. It thereby gives voice to the Citizens. As part of the civil society, the media is obligated to articulate the needs and aspirations of the people. Using the Act, the media can highlight key issues faced by the citizens, particularly those faced by the poor and voiceless. The role of the media as a watchdog on behalf of the citizens cannot be ignored. The best service that the media provides to the public, whether in a mature or emerging democracy, is that of a community watchdog. Journalists should see and perform their role keeping in mind public interest. Using RTI, the media can expose corruption and inefficiency. However, in performing a watchdog role and digging out the truth, journalists should be careful in interpreting facts and evidence. The multi-dimensional facets of the importance of the media reiterate that the media plays the role of an honest broker of information for its readers without deliberate bias or favouritism. The media must consider its independence to be its most valuable commercial, editorial and moral asset. Maintaining its independence through professional behaviour and a code of conduct that is subscribed to by all journalists, the media can be a powerful user of the RTI Act and an agent for the empowerment of people through an Information Society. The objective of the Act to usher in a practical regime of right to information cannot be attained without a proactive role played by the media.

The Underworld as the Key to Living the Greek Life Essay -- Odyssey

The Underworld as the Key to Living the Greek Life Beyond relaying a fantastic journey, featuring a glorified hero who embodies to perfection Greek ideals, Homer uses the epic books of The Odyssey to explore all the nuances of Greek culture. Each part of The Odyssey possesses a purpose beyond detailing popular mythology. Book Eleven’s Underworld becomes the culmination of all the values and ideals that Homer touches on in prior books. Homer uses the underworld as a catchall to reinforce societal protocol and religion among other things. Specifically, by focusing on the reason for Odysseus’ journey, the journey itself, the scenery of the Underworld and its occupants, Homer reveals and reinforces views on kleos, the role men and women play in society, the proper hero, religion – especially in conjunction with fate and the idea of death and rebirth. Homer’s carefully crafted views can be experienced relative to Odysseus’ journey, starting on Circe’s island. Homer sets a sumptuous scene, but Odysseus’ men are called by duty and the need to return to their homes. It is the men that spur on Odysseus. Like a responsible leader and hero, Odysseus responds immediately to his men’s pleas and, with the help of Hermes foresight, he makes plans to leave Circe’s island. This shows not only Odysseus’ responsible behavior, but also the gods’ anticipation of Odysseus’ actions. Bit by bit, in scenarios like this, the gods reveal their knowledge of fate, which their actions support. Odysseus requests that Circe â€Å"make good a promise† to which she favorably answers, adding that she will help him (10:532). Beyond the fact that a promise holds Circe to freeing Odysseus, her heritage as a goddess allows her to know that eventually he must... ...ot use The Odyssey as an editorial; rather, his oral epic artfully entwines the desolate landscape of the Underworld, the flitting shades, and Odysseus’ interactions with deeper visions of a well-structured society. As a bard, Homer keenly felt the importance of the host-guest relationship with his aristoi hosts. He achieves his purpose while spinning tales that would be entertaining to his audiences. What Homer leaves behind is a legacy that engages in discourse with the past and present and which future literature will emulate, comment on and celebrate. Works Cited Dimock, George. The Unity of The Odyssey. Amherst: U of Mass. Press, 1989. Foley, John Miles. Homer’s Traditional Art. PA: Penn State UP, 1999. Griffin, Jasper. Homer on Life and Death. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1980. Homer. The Odyssey. Ed. Robert Fagels. New York: Penguin Books, 1996.

Treatment of Transgender Prisoners Essay examples -- Rights of Transge

Transgender people in today’s society have it hard enough; going to prison is even harder due to the risks associated to someone who is transgendered. People who are transgendered risk their health and well-being while being locked up in prison. They face a variety of issues while they are incarcerated such as housing, physical, emotional abuse and most of all denial to their basic medical needs that helps express who they are through their gender. Transgender people are discriminated against due to a variety of reasons. We will look at how being transgendered in prison affects their right to health care, how health care laws are changing for people who have transgender identity disorder (GID) and how the Eighth Amendment is changing the care they receive while they are incarcerated. Without the right to receive hormone therapy, that they would otherwise receive on the outside, they risk having both emotional and physical issues. â€Å"The federal government and almost every state recognize transgender people’s right to change their name and to have identification documents with the gender marker that matches their gender identity.† (Jami Kathleen Taylor, 2007) There are a lot of misconceptions on what the meaning of transgender is, some think that they only become the person whether it is male to female, or female to male after surgery. What people fail to realize is that every transgender person transitions in their own way. So what does transgender mean and what is transgender identity disorder? According to the American Psychological Association," transgender" is "umbrella term whose gender identity, gender expression, or behavior does not conform to that typically associated with the sex to which they wer... ...ation and the Law. Thomson West. Phillips, J. (2012, September 28). Gender Identity Disorder in Prison: Depending on a Diagnosis That is soon to Disappear? Retrieved October 4, 2013, from PSYCHIATRIC TIMES: http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/gender-disorders/content/article/10168/2105073 Silpa, M. (2011). Note, Hormone Therapy for Inmates: A Metonym for Transgender Rights,20. CORNELL J.L. & PUB. POL’Y , 807, 819–20. Standards of Care. (n.d.). Retrieved November 8, 2013, from World Professional Association of Transgender Health: http://www.wpath.org/documents/Standards%20of%20Care%20V7%20-%202011%20WPATH.pdf. WIS. STAT.  § 302.386(5m)(b). (2009-2010). WIS.STAT.  § 302.386(5m) (2009–2010). www.basicrights.org. (2012, August 22). Retrieved November 8, 2013, from hhttp://www.basicrights.org/featured/affordable-care-act-aca-implications-for-the-transgender-community/

Impact of the American Culture

Impact of the Popular American Culture Melinda A. Valdez Soc. 105 March 17, 2010 Impact of the American Culture There are many advertisements being held by the media and television commercials that affect the American culture. They do not just affect the adults but the children as well for instants, this week my children and I were watching the Disney channel and we saw a commercial of Chucky Cheese and right away my children say they want to go there, so to satisfy my children now I want to take them there so they could enjoy themselves and now I am going to have to spend money that I was not planning on and it might not even be that exciting to them as it was shown on TV. In the past three days not only was I coming across kid commercials but make up products, red lobster, and movies that are just coming out, and when you see these they encourage you to go out and get them. These advertisements are not things that I have to have in life to survive; they are stuff to pleasure me and to entertain me as well. Personally I know that the media has impacted my lifestyle in many ways even though I am aware of the influence it has on my decision making. For example, the makeup commercials, do I need the makeup more likely no but I see the commercial and see what it might make your skin look like and even though I know that they are doing it to sale there product it just looks so good that I have to try it. I honestly think I have more luxury in my house than what I really do need. Such as my television it is a sixty two inch do I really need a TV that big, no but it looks nice. Overall I do think that the media and advertising has a big impact on our American culture and yes we can say no to advertisements but we are more likely not to.