The Man Who Was Almost A Man

Richard Wright’s â€Å"The Man Who Was Almost a Man† is a story of a 17-year-old teenaged boy, Dave, who wanted to be called a completely grown up man.He was though approaching adulthood but still was an adolescent and he was viewed as an adolescent and a kid by the adults. This was the most annoying factor for him. However, Dave possessed certain qualities that really represented childish behavior in him. Because of his childish attitude many people won’t believe in him as a grown up mature man.The story themes are centered on racial differences, poverty and sufferings of a black youth. He’s disgusted at being still too young. He wants to get old and rich and wanted to become a respectable citizen of the society. However, whatever actions the emotional and anxious kid takes are ridiculed and makes him younger in adult’s eyes. David Glover was from a poor family with not enough resources to develop a social status. He lacked economical influence and his social status was negligible because of poverty.In the story he acted in a way to acquire power but was rebuked and threatened by the adults for behaving childishly. He takes the gun to make and think of himself more powerful. â€Å"It was empty if anybody could shoot a gun, he could. He put the gun into his hip pocket and started across the fields. When he reached the top of a ridge he stood straight and proud in the moonlight, looking at Jim Hawkins’ big white house, feeling the gun sagging in his pocket.† (Wright)â€Å"  Ã¢â‚¬ËœWhut yuh do wid tha gun?’ his mother asked.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"’What wuz he doin wida gun?’ his father asked.†He was obsessed with the feelings of adulthood. He finally decides to get apart from a society that does not accept him as an adult. Dave is portrayed as an emotional kid who wants power, fame and high social status. He strives that the society should accept him as a noble man.â€Å"Dave turned and walked slowly. He heard people laughing. Dave glared~ his eyes welling with tears. Hot anger bubbled in him. Then he swallowed and stumbled on.† (Wright) Though people used to laugh on him he was still very serious regarding his actions and to be a man.†That night Dave did not sleep. He was glad that he had gotten out of killing the mule so easily, but he was hurt.† (Wright)He’s a kind of emotional, childish and lacked an understanding that why was he not accepted as a man.Richard Wright himself as a black narrates the difficulties he encounters as a black person while dealing with whites. He encountered whites during is professional career at jobs. He noticed violence and discrimination against blacks.Wright is a deliberate man who struggles through his life years. Other characters in the stories are also vibrant and well-drawn but Wright is shown as the most powerful and influential of all. As we go through the complete book we get more familiar with his charact er and how he’s being hurt. His pain is that why such dishonesty persist in this world.Most of the black characters are usually ridiculed for any of their set backs or made the point of humor. They’re shown as fat and whatever they do as funny. American culture is filled up with racial discrimination from school, education, and business to film, media, screen and shows. Color has become an integral part of our society and we don’t have much to talk about if we would no discriminate between colors and whites as inferiors and supers respectively.   

Once You Open Your Eyes Essay

When a human being is a victim, they need to have courage and follow their ways, no matter what others say. Jem and Scout see people become victims of prejudice, rumors, poverty, and other atrocities in their own little town, as they grew older. In To Kill a Mockingbird, the children learn life lessons from witnessing people striving to survive different situations within Maycomb. When a challenge causes one to struggle, the children see that person, or themselves, have to have courage to do as they have before. Jem and Scout see their small town judge the Radleys, but the Radleys still do what they have done for as long as any single person can remember. They never talk to their neighbors or open their doors and windows on Sunday. Since they have odd habits, from other’s perspectives, and keep to themselves, citizens of Maycomb start rumors about them, saying â€Å"Radley pecans [will] kill you† (Lee 9). These rumors criticized the Radleys and made people afraid of them. Calpunia had something to say about them, stating one day that Mr. Radley was â€Å"the meanest man God ever blew breath into† (Lee 12). Since he was â€Å"mean,† that held more rumors to be made about them. The stories make children believe Boo was locked up in a damp basement in the courthouse for years and is now chained up in his house. The Radleys stay the way they are; despite the rumors, remaining removed from human contact. The Radleys are victims of misunderstanding and people’s cruel stories â€Å"unwilling to discard their initial suspicions† (Lee 9). Jem and Scout witness the Radleys to stick to their ways since they go against the crowd, despite society’s wants. The Finch children begin to notice many children’s families are victims of poverty, especially the Cunninghams, but the Cunninghams are different; they never take charity or have to depend on others. The Cunninghams are one of the poorest families in Maycomb, but they have the strongest determination to survive; and are the hardest workers. They have a great deal of pride and are respectable people. â€Å"‘The Cunninghams never [take] anything from anybody, they get along with what they have,’ † states Scout (Lee 20). Walter Cunningham would not even take a quarter of a dollar to buy a lunch because of how he was raised. The Finch children realize the Cunninghams are a brave family to live under their circumstances and not accept anyone else’s charity. If one does not accept others’ charity, they suffer more and do not always know when they are receiving their next paycheck. It is scary to not know these things, but the Cunninghams are proud and brave when to not accept the offerings of other people. The Finch children understand this from listening to Atticus talk about the Cunningham family. Tom Robinson suffered because of people and their prejudice beliefs. He also suffers from others misdeeds and died as innocent as a mockingbird. Jem becomes a victim when Tom Robinson was found guilty. He realizes the court does not always work. Jem became a victim of the system’s flaws and shortcomings. He used to believe that the court always worked, but learned it did not, when a jury found a clearly innocent man guilty. This crushed him, but it made him grow up and learn to accept things like this, because when maturing, one has to realize the world isn’t perfect. He had to have courage to accept this factor in life. It is a atrocious crime to take a persons life to merely keep the truth in the shadows; but with the pain of Tom’s death blooms a new hope of equality for the town of Maycomb, with just a baby step. Like all other children, Scout and Jem have to face all the challenges of growing up, but they have to keep going on with their lives, no matter what problems arise for them. Scout experiences the challenges of growing up when her aunt moved in. She criticized Scout for wearing pants and not acting in a lady-like manner, but that was only a small problem, and Scout stayed herself. She kept wearing pants and speaking her mind because she wanted to be an individual. Scout is surprised by prejudice, while going up. She was not aware that prejudice existed. She witnesses others victimize each other because they are different, either because of their color, friends, how they act, or many other reasons. She learns and sees this happen when listening to neighbors gossip about the Radleys, her teacher bad-mouth African Americans, or even her own self be criticized by the way she speaks her mind. Scout does not understand why people are like this, putting labels on certain types of people, like African Americans, saying â€Å"all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are basically immoral beings, that all Negro men are not to be trusted around our women† (Lee 204). Scout knows that not all people are perfect. She has to accept that some humans do not always treat others with kindness. Both Jem and Scout have to be brave and deal with the changes in the world. Scout and Jem learn from people, or themselves, when they are victims of different situations, but they are still brave. Atticus points out that real courage is when someone goes through life, still fighting, even if they are victims of prejudice, rumors, lies, hate, misunderstanding, or life’s shortcomings; to not give up even if you’ve already lost . Jem and Scout learn to keep their ways, adjust, and not judge people without knowing the full truth about them. They hope for the world to be a more understanding place.

Continuing Professional Development Essay

With the rapid pace of change, many people may find that their skills and knowledge, acquired over the recent past, are outdated. In order to update their members, many professional groups have introduced the concept of Continuing Professional Development (CPD). (Foot and Hooks, 2002). The Royal Town Planning Institute (2001) holds that CPD is the means by which members of professional associations maintain, improve and broaden their knowledge and skills and develop their personal qualities required in their professional lives. A guide for employers of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST, 2001) states that CPD is the term that describes how employees maintain their competence in the workplace. CPD comprises of updating particular areas of competence, developing personal and management skills and broadening experience leading to new opportunities. The challenges and opportunities of the work experience provide the central mechanism for maintaining CPD and professional and other organizations should encourage and support their members to maintain their CPD. Here, CPD can be organized so that it can be carried out almost automatically. It is a continual process of planning, completing activities, assessment of those activities and review/feedback to the plan. A system that encompasses these four stages must be set up. Many employers have a system in the arm of the Human Resource Department and professionals should be encouraged to include their employers in the CPD process, as ideally, it should be a partnership that will benefit employee, employer and the company. The annual appraisal interview is the ideal time to plan development targets and assess progress. The details of CPD are very much the property of individuals and one should not rely on the company’s personnel system. If not maintained properly, it may be of no support to an employee if he no longer works for that particular company. The planning stage is the most important of the four core aspects of CPD. There should be an analysis of the current job, concentrating on knowledge and skills. Then, the same thing should be done for the job/position targeted. Consultation with a mentor at this stage may be helpful. A skills and knowledge gap analysis will identify appropriate learning and  development activities. Available opportunities and personal constraints, such as money availability, should be taken into account and targets should be high, practical, achievable and challenging, bearing in mind that the plan will change regularly. (Porter 1998). Relevant information such as technical subjects, foreseeable career opportunities and in – house or external development courses should be gathered. An outline plan stating objectives, priorities, target dates and appropriate activities must also be developed. If suitable, the plan should be agreed with interested parties such as colleagues, employer, and mentor or development specialist. The outline plan should be developed into a structured detailed plan to include such information as targets agreed resourced, agreed support, agreed control and responsibility. To meet development need and to achieve targets, a wide range of activities may be chosen and support of the employer may sought. Activities may be formal and structured, for example, as in courses, distance learning, conferences, presentations or research. The advantage of formal activities is that they will often offer tangible evidence that can be incorporated into a record of CPD, the disadvantage being that the employee may feel some of the cost, especially in the cases of external courses. CPD will be a combination of this formal structure as well as less structured activities such as work experience, assignments, on the job training or mentoring. Advantages derived here are the unexpected challenges and the professional contact leading to better learning. Successful development usually requires that learning activities be matched with practical applications. An important outcome of activities is the compilation of a detailed record of activities undertaken, which should show what activities have actually occurred and with what consequence. A suitable log/record book should include certificates of attendance at events, training syllabuses, completion certificates, performance appraisals as well as a personal development record. The review against the CPD plan must be measured in terms of new/improves  levels of competence. Some useful questions to ask at this stage include ‘ What added value was gained from this activity? What can I do now, do better, that I could not do before? How do I plan to use my new abilities? Am I making progress towards achieving my learning objectives? What lessons have I learned and what should I do next?’ As stated previously, CPD is a continuous process of planning, completing activities, assessment of those activities and review/feedback. Having completed the review and feedback stage, the plan must now be amended to start the process again. The benefit derived here is the regular updating of achievements, which will act as a useful historical record and a powerful document when in discussion with a current or potential employer. In terms of CPD, professional associations are particularly helpful in conducting a skills audit gap analysis, determining the knowledge and skills required for a particular job, setting development objectives and assessing learning experience. They also aid in deciding the next necessary steps and may offer encouragement and provide motivation to persist with a CPD activity, as well as suggesting other CPD activities. Advantages and disadvantages may arise from choosing professional associations from within and external to an organization. Benefits may include a structured plan being presented, mindful of deviations and credible certification. A downside from an internal association may be the training to a specific and specialized field, as in the case of Information Technology, thereby limiting employees. The advantages and disadvantages of CPD in relation to professional associations, employees and employers may best be shown by how CPD obligations affect those particular groups. CPD is important to employers because it involves the competence and efficiency of the workforce. Professionals aged under 30 ranked career development opportunities higher than salary, while those over 30 still place it high on their demands. (IMarEST 2001). Today, technology is  changing at such a rapid rate that individuals must keep up to date in order to remain competitive and employable, and, businesses must invest in their workforce in order to remain competitive and profitable. The crucial role played by people in a company is now widely recognized and now many firms are becoming involved with initiatives such as ‘ Investors in People.’ The employee who maintains his competence through CPD will be a highly valued member of the workforce, giving assurance to the truism that ‘ the investment in people appreciates, whilst investment in equipment depreciates.’ (IMarEST 2001). This investment by employers may be double edged, as people in the U K change their employers every 4.5 years on average, either voluntarily or compulsory, for example as a result of redundancy. Thus, one employer after investing in an employee’s CPD may find that he has prepared his employee for another employer. Investment in employee development provides a benefit to the company which result in ‘ bottom line profit.’ Even in the short run, payback can significantly exceed the outlay because when employees understand the processes they are working with, and appreciate the business objectives that they are working towards, their productivity and creativity improve. Individuals also gain greater job satisfaction which lead to a greater commitment to the company’s performance and therefore a lower rate of staff turnover, an advantage to employers. Employees should be encouraged to take a proactive role in deciding what training and development activities they should undertake, whilst employers should be helping and guiding such decisions to ensure that corporate goals are met. Individuals have a responsibility to themselves and their employers to consider what might be required in the future and to prepare themselves to be ready when opportunities occur and when changes are necessary. At the same time, employers have a responsibility to their company and their employees to provide an environment where people can develop the necessary skills and knowledge to take on new responsibilities as the need arises. (Christopher 1998). The days when we did a three to four year course and thought we’d been  trained for life have gone. Evolving technology, faster rate of product development and the need for employees to work across several disciplines, require everyone to be aware of the need to regularly update their skills. CPD offers a well recognized mechanism for all to update their technical competence, communication and management skills, and an appreciation of the commercial aspect of their industry. CPD will allow a person to spot opportunities and exploit new ideas effectively. From the point of view of not performing CPD, we can highlight some inherent disadvantages to all concerned parties. Clients are becoming more involved with their investments in terms of scrutiny. Vocal groups of shareholders may be ready to arm themselves with litigation, lobbying powers and letters whenever they feel professional standards may have slipped. CPD will be the proof of continued development and reviewing of professional standards, reducing an organization’s vulnerability to its professionalism being brought into question. Correctly maintained CPD will also have the benefit to review and explore one’s career and to discover strengths and weaknesses, holding to the adage ‘ to learn now ensures that you earn later.’ (Evans 1997). Every company need some form of career development program to produce a succession of motivated upward moving employees. Even employees who are destined to remain at the same level may need career development as their job change or become obsolete. Employers may invest in the CPD of their employees by some transparent actions. They need to clarify how business objectives may best be met by the investment in employees, and should use opportunities like annual appraisals to discuss individual development. They should listen to employees’ ideas and encourage them to consider personal goals, and setting realistic expectations, as there will be limited resources of time and money. Employers should persevere in CPD of employees, with regular review progress reports, as it will lead to tangible improvements in productivity and in the competitiveness of the business. A mentoring scheme should be established to assist in setting medium and long-term career goals. The wide ranges of activities that take place, daily, in the workplace provide many of the most important learning skills. People should be given the chance to experience different situations and develop a wide range of skills. In specific instances, formal, off the job training may be required. Employees should be encouraged to read widely to gain an appreciation of the wider issues related to their job. (Beer 1985). The professional development of staff should not be confined just to technical competence but should include the wider issues of environmental protection, health and safety, interpersonal skills, management techniques, and legal and financial knowledge, where necessary. Employers should actively encourage their employees to attend events organized by local groups of professional institutions and similar relevant organizations. These meetings offer both technical updating, by means of formal lectures, and the opportunity for discussion with other professional people working in related fields. Encouraging staff to network in this way is a key means of increasing competitiveness. It is of great benefit to employees to have help in reviewing their progress and guidance in choosing which routes to follow. Managers within a company should be aware of the importance of individual development and be able to guide those for whom they are responsible. They should be aware not only of development goals, but also of the different types of training requirements that different people have. (Bernardin and Russel 1993). It is strongly recommended that, where possible, a fellow professional act as a mentor to facilitate the CPD of employees, as helping individuals improve their performance will improve overall business results. There are no hard and fast rules for the amount of time to be spent on staff development. It is the benefit of an activity to a particular employee rather than the activity itself that is important and all learning opportunities, however informal, should be seized when they arise.

Organizational Behavior & Human Resource Management Coursework

Organizational Behavior & Human Resource Management - Coursework Example This would eventually boost the basis of the workplace sanity that the employees look forward to receiving in the coming times, and the manner under which proper procedures and codes are followed. What is important here is the fact that the team domains should be highlighted as they work towards bonding the employees more than anything else. The team effectiveness is manifested by a sense of doing things right for the sake of the organization and properly aligning them to achieve results that are deemed as attainable right from the very beginning. Therefore team effectiveness is directly dependent on how the team environment has come about within the workplace and how this will mean long term results for it. (ii) The organizational and team environments depend on the role of the top management as to how the same will manifest their incorporation. What is important is the fact that the team environment does bring about team effectiveness in the long range scheme of things. This is som ething that is seen as an important undertaking of the organizational and team environment domains because the employees’ undertakings are taken into account. ... The element of righteousness within the organizational and team environment would mean that the team effectiveness exists for all the correct reasons. This is much needed as it will help develop the organization as a whole and let it grow even further in the times to come. 2) Explain what can organizations do to increase the effectiveness of the financial rewards? (i) The organizations can increase the effectiveness of the financial rewards by telling the employees what it expects of them in the long run, and how they shall go about doing things the organizational way to achieve maximum success, both personally as well as professionally. This will ensure that the financial rewards are the drivers behind the organizational hard work and commitment shown by the employees. They will give in their best to achieve maximum mileage and value for the sake of the organizations that they work for and thus manifest their long term commitment with them in the sheer sense of the word. The effecti veness of the financial rewards can also be increased if there are proper procedures and codes behind these incentives in place. This shall tell the employees that they are being looked after well and that their work realms are being monitored in an adequate way. What this will eventually do is to build up trust and confidence in the employees that if they go out of their way and manifest hard work and devotion towards the work processes, tasks and actions, they will be given their due in terms of the financial rewards that have been decided by the organizations. (ii) The role of the organizations in increasing the effectiveness of the financial rewards is such that it wants to

Simon Everly PLC Financial analysis and decision making Essay

Simon Everly PLC Financial analysis and decision making - Essay Example INTERPRETATION OF LIQUIDITY RATIOS Liquidity of an organization is its ability to meet its short term duties (obligations), and it is amongst the major measures of organizations’ financial health (Brigham & Ehrhardt 2011). The liquidity ratios for Simon Everly PLC determined in this task involved: Current Ratio and Acid Test Ratio. Interpretation of the Current Ratio This ratio shows the ability of an organization to pay its short liabilities using its short term Assets (Brigham & Ehrhardt 2011). Current ratios of orgainzations should be equal to or more one (1). If the ratio is either equal to one (1) or more than one (1), the organization is capable of satisfying its short term obligations using its current Assets (Brigham & Ehrhardt 2011). A current ratio that is less than 1 (one), on the other hand, means that cannot satisfy the needs of its short term liabilities, and therefore, is facing liquidity problems (Brigham & Ehrhardt 2011). Simon Everly’s Current Ratio Th e current ratios for the organization as of the 2011/12 and 2010/2011 financial years were shown in the below: Current Ratio as of 2011/12 Financial year was 1.72. Current Ratio as of 2010/11 Financial year was 1.94. ... This shows that even though the organization’s current ratio liquidity was more than one (1), it was on the down trend, and if proper actions are not taken on time the organization may be faced with liquidity problems in future. The consequences of this downward trend can be solved by the proposed strategy to obtain more funds for additional investments. Interpretation of the Acid Test Ratio The use of current ratio alone is not sufficient to determine liquidity for organisations since it involve certain current assets such as inventory that may be hard to convert to cash. Therefore, Acid test ratio which eliminates these assets (Assets that are difficult to convert into cash such as inventories) will give the real picture of the organization’s liquidity (financial health) (Thukaram 2007). Its interpretation is same as that of current ratio. That is, if it is more than one the organization is financially healthy in terms of liquidity and vice versa if it is less than on e (Thukaram 2007). Simon Everly’s Acid Test Ratio The Acid Test ratios for the organization as of the 2011/12 and 2010/2011 financial years were shown in the below: Acid Test Ratio as of 2011/12 Financial year was 0.9055 Acid Test Ratio as of 2010/11 Financial year was 1.19. While the Acid Test Ratio for 2010/11 Financial year was more than one (favourable, 1.19), the one for 2011/12 Financial year was less than one (unfavourable, 0.9055). This means the organization was able to meet the all obligations of short term liabilities using its current assets during the 2010/11 financial year. As of the financial year 2011/12 the organization’s liquidity was questionable. Therefore, necessary actions are required in order to improve the organization’s liquidity. It is suggested that the

PERSONAL STATEMENT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

PERSONAL STATEMENT - Essay Example I have had a good record in performance right from my elementary studies with my high school GPA being 4.0 while the current college one is 3.7. I have developed some interest in pursuing my summer programs in photography within Italy at the American University within Rome having been attracted to the program through the institution’s website. Am currently 19years old and have been brought up in Venezuela with my family currently living in Rome and am sure that the photography sessions will be instrumental in my major in journalism. I must admit that the love of the country (Italy) has also triggered my interest to study there as I have been visiting there at least twice a year. An opportunity to study there would not only present an opportunity to re-unite with family and moot of my friends but also an opportunity to study in a beautiful and historic country. Besides, I have deep appreciation of different cultures and such an opportunity to undertake studies during the summer season within Italy would give me an opportunity to interact and appreciate cultural diversity. I am disciplined, dedicated and much focused in my studies and success is all that matters to me. I therefore believe that if accorded the opportunity, I would gain the most from the program while contributing positively towards the success of other students and the course at large within the

Organizational Culture Assessment of Terre Haute Economic Development Assignment

Organizational Culture Assessment of Terre Haute Economic Development Corporation - Assignment Example The company has an added location advantage which makes it accessible from air, highways, and sea. The company has a high culture by way of integrity and sense of unity among the employees, as well as a â€Å"can do† attitude. Historically, in Terre Haute/Vigo County the economic development has not been smooth and keeping in view the county’s requirement of economic development services, THEDC was originated to provide strategic solutions to economic problems and development. This corporation works jointly with other entities for the all-round economic development and emphasizes on business development, attraction, and retention. Terre Haute/Vigo County is a place where leadership and creativity flourish in the unity between community members and government agencies. The most important matters that need strategic solutions range from growth, management to green living. The sincere efforts of leaders and citizens of Terre Haute are a contribution towards the development of the county. I choose this company for its competency and because it had some very significant successes for the community, and also because it is the Lead Economic Development Organization (Welcome to Terre Haute/Vigo County, n.d. ). In this paper, I put forward interviews taken on 5 people who are currently working in the management body of the corporation. The employees in the corporation are recruited across a range of industries according to their skill, productivity, and experience. THEDC offers workers to other industries at lower wage rates compared to other parts of the county. I have taken interviews of 3 women and 2 men who belong to the age group between 35 and 40 years. I have taken face to face interview with all the 5 people. I visited their office at allotted times after prior appointments.

American Jezebel by Eve Laplante Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

American Jezebel by Eve Laplante - Coursework Example She further explains how the government issues entangle with the church issues as the puritans became divided from the Church of England (Kohlman 1). This meant that they needed to create a new church empire, by obtaining colonies. Eve Laplante has also written other books such as Salem Witch Judge, a biography of the judge who carried out the trial in which Anne was found guilty (Laplante 1). In the 1600s, asking a question was regarded as inappropriate, especially for women, but Anne Hutchinson not only asked a singular question, but many questions (LaPlante 30). That was illegal according to the biblical teaching at the worship places. Firstly, being a woman, and secondly, because these questions were directed to other people apart from her husband, and lastly, because she was teaching women about her own misgivings. She had believed that individuals could communicate with God without assistance from church ministers or even the Bible. This gave direct contradiction of the teachin g of the long-established religion (Rlm73 2). However, the rest of the masses strictly adhered to the Bible, especially New Testament. It provided various teachings such as â€Å"women shall remain silent at worship† (Rlm73 3) and of these, there had been expectations that Puritan women had to follow: only men could talk, preach, ask and answer questions. â€Å"A woman should ask her husband if she had any question†. Instead, she continued to ask questions to church leaders, and as it is known, none was her husband. The Bible says,† women may teach only other women†, and was adhering to this by teaching women about the religious loopholes. However, this was acceptable, but she was moving away or rather preaching against the Puritan teachings (Rlm73 2). The Puritans had the privilege of worship, but were never allowed to think freely. Puritan church leaders gave teaching that people could only see or rather find God by only observing his teachings from the B ible, made possible through the ministers since they knew how to God’s teachings. Eventually, Hutchinson had been brought into particularly biased trial, but there was no woman to stand up for her (Rlm 4). Anne Hutchinson had been found culpable and was casted out of Boston (Rlm73 4). Her family relocated to Rhode Island where they stayed until her husband, William Hutchinson, died. In Rhode Island, free worship was not practiced, and no restrictions as long as there were tranquility in the community. In 1643, the family of Anne Hutchison was attacked and then beheaded by an Indian tribe (Rlm73 6). However, only the six youngest children of Anne Hutchinson were beheaded, and the seven children were able to avoid the brutal murders (Rlm73 6). She lived with the Indian tribe for several years, but later she returned to Boston where she was re-united with the older siblings (Rlm73 6). Later, she was married and moved to Rhode Island where she raised a loving family. Anne Hutchin son, bared 15 children, they all survived their childhood. However, this was extremely rare in the olden times. Having been a midwife (LaPlante 1), Anne knew kept her family well. Of these 15 children, six were killed by the Indians while two died of a plague in England. The five older children, as well as the youngest survivor, reached adulthood and had their own families. During the casting out of the family in Boston, some children

Research Proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 4

Research Proposal - Essay Example For instance, IBM is availing opportunities to enable managers to obtain necessary skills as well as an orientation for coping with the different culture (Okoro, 2013). According to Kawar (2012), cross-cultural communication can be defined as the study of how people of different cultural background can communicate with each in relation to same or different topics. Kawar (2012) also, addresses that today cross-cultural communication is essential for international business due to the development of global business, internet and technology (Kawar, 2012). Okoro (2013), also addresses that cross cultural communication is essential in international business for conducting the different needs of IBM effectively with the use of advanced technologies and internet. Through the cross-cultural communication, managers at IBM Limited can communicate with the people belonging from different cultures. In addition, it can effectively gain insight into the different operations that needs to be undertaken for conducting successful international business (Okoro, 2013). According to Guang & Trotter (2012), for the enhancement of successful international business, there should be collaboration between various departments at Coal India Limited and the cross-cultural communication. However, Guang & Trotter (2012), in his article does not cover what types of problem a manager can face in the process of communicating with people of foreign countries while travelling abroad for the first time. Therefore, there should be further research related to the sele cted topic to mitigate the number of gaps. These gaps should be identified to develop potential solutions through which the problem can be solved (Guang & Trotter, 2012). On the other hand, Matthews & Thakkar (2012) comments, there should be effective communication among the managers and juniors employees to reduce the organizational problem and chances of grapevine in communication could be reduced largely.

Global Finance Environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Global Finance Environment - Essay Example Other than trade, globalization has affected the social realm through change in social relations and customs change in consumption patterns and lifestyles, and through important domain values like religion. Additionally, globalisation has affected the political ream through the widespread of multiparty democracies, pluralism, free elections, human rights, parliamentary systems, and independent judiciaries. This paper will focus on the global finance environment addressing some main drivers of globalisation, risks associated with globalisation, and the importance of cultural sensitivity to global finance issues. OECD statistics reveal an increasing trend in global trade patterns. Driving Forces of Globalisation The first main driver to globalisation is advancement in technology in the fields of ICT and transportation, which has reduced the costs of trade. Internet enables global interconnectivity where people can interact and pass information regardless of the physical proximity. With the interconnectivity, firms who have reached their full-scale production in their home country prefer to cross borders and secure other smaller companies. They do this through amalgamations, joint ventures, or partnerships. Internet has lowered the cost of transmitting and communicating information empowering multinationals. For instance, a company can have one CEO abroad who oversees all the operations of a company through the internet. Additionally, multinationals management team can use teleconferencing to communicate and hold meetings where each of them is contributing. With better technology, the cost of shipping has come down due to containerisation and bulk shipping. In addition, competition between airlines has lowered the costs of travelling abroad on business. Secondly, multilateral trade liberalisation has boosted globalisation. Globalisation involves creation of linkages between nations. One means of achieving interconnectedness is through reducing pre-existing barrier s to trade through liberalisation. Countries trading with each other have collaborated and reduced trade barriers between them increasing their potential to grow. Statistics reveal that over the last decade average tariffs has gone down from 30% to 10% in developing countries and from over 9% to 4% in developed countries. Successful economic reforms on the emerging markets have fostered globalisation. For instance, India’s economy was in a bad state in the early nineties and the country was almost defaulting in payment of its loans. Economic reforms like working in favour of a more open market and market-oriented economy has enabled the country to pick. Liberalisation was another move that enabled India to venture its products in the international market. In fact, India scrapped off the industrial licensing regime, reduced the number of areas reserved for the public sector, and reduced in tariffs and rates (Rodolphe, 2010). Lastly, migration is a main driver to globalisation. Often, people migrate in search of greener pastures or because of political instability in their country. Widening inequalities has increased pressure on the citizens to move. Statistics reveal that in America alone over 38 million of its population consists of persons born abroad. At least one person in 10 living in developed

Working in the Sport Sector Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Working in the Sport Sector - Coursework Example For that, the individual must determine his/her career goal in the beginning and strive to attain the goal through planning and implementation. Therefore, it is necessary to look upon how one can determine a career goal, develop a plan and strategies to achieve the goal and keep oneself ahead in the dynamic environment of job market. The present work discusses and exhibits the basic issues on career planning and development in detail and how one is able to develop a career plan who wish to attain a job in the sports sector. One can prepare for a career in a variety of ways. Some careers are normally entered through an apprenticeship, vocational school, or on-the-job training program. Others require either a four-year or five-year college degree. One should know the educational requirements for his chosen career; where are the appropriate schools located What are the entrance requirements How long is the training Such information can be had from the official websites of governmental and non-governmental agencies. Other helpful resources include College Souvenirs, news papers and sources such as Sports Council/Development authorities/Clubs etc. The job openings in a given field generally depend on a number of factors, especially the rate of growth or decline in the field, the need to replace workers who retire and changes in technology, societal factors. Each year a number of new jobs open up. Some of them are expected to grow faster than the average; some are expected to grow more slowly than the average. Therefore, everyone should keep in mind that his/her own career outlook involves a number of factors like the unusual opportunities available to him/her, his/her special abilities and experience, and especially his/her personal drive. Sometimes, it may be difficult to change career goals for many reasons. However, one should weigh the short-term losses with the long-term goals. If he/she realizes that a small sacrifice now may greatly increase his career satisfaction for the rest of his life, he should go for a change. In the US, roughly one worker in nine changes his or her career each year. In most cases, the positive gains far outweigh the costs involved, for there is nothing to compare with really enjoying what one does in life, and being paid for it as well. Career Development Career development is the formal way of planning one's career and its development over a period of time to attain the career goal. It involves the determination of different career moves along the career path in order to achieve the career goal. "Career development is about your individual career path - planning ahead in your career, identifying your next and future moves, working out if there are any gaps in your existing skills and experience, and finding ways to fill these so that you can achieve your career aims, but also enjoy your work and find the right balance between your life and career" (Career Development, para2) How to prepare a Career Development Plan Create a career development plan to articulate your SMART goals and plan concrete steps to achieve them. 1. Reflect on your career Reread past performance reviews, talk with your supervisor about your strengths, skills and interests and use the following questions to help you get started. Where are you in your career Are

Secondary labor market Essay Example for Free

Secondary labor market Essay Many Liberal feminists believe that gender role of socialization is the major reason for sexual division of labor. The main act which is responsible for this change is because of the activities and nurturing that is been followed right from the home of the girl or the boy. At homes there is mainly manipulation and canalization where in girls or boys are forced to use things or do acts which are gender specific. For example, a girl is assumed and encouraged to be emotional and caring while a boy should be brave and strong at heart. In certain cases, a woman is still expected to be associated with the typical roles of a housewife / mother which restricts her from being a career oriented individual. Most of the time they take a back seat for their children’s upbringing , because they have been nurtured from home to be the nurses of the family and are known to be the maternal nurses. According to Marxist feminist, these inequalities will end once capitalism ends. Racial discrimination starts from home in the relationship between a wife and a husband. The way men would behave with women at work is directly related in majority of cases with their behavior with women at home. There are different reasons for gender inequalities. The reason is not always that a woman is forced to remain at home but in most of the cases she chooses to be. But most of the feminists deny this theory as they feel this inequality is due to the employer’s attitude then mere women’s choices. Even in instances where in a women may be career oriented but still will be differentiated based on the salary front. Women are also considered to be slow at work and less committed and unskilled which prevents them in the eyes of the employer to take on higher posts. There are two kinds of labor market that exists, Primary labor market which comprises of managerial and professional workers and Secondary labor market comprises of unskilled and semi skilled workers. Most of the instances show that if a women have taken a 5 year break from their career for their children then getting back in the job industry will be very difficult for her as she is considered to be less skilled for the same job. Hence they are restricted to be promoted at higher levels of the management. Employers consider women as a reserve or a back up labor force in companies as they will recruit them only if they have certain less skilled jobs to be carried out. Shifts in the gender inequalities are mainly differentiated based on ethnic groups, age and geographical regions. The expectations according to UK labor are that women will be â€Å"individualized† and will be economically better advanced. But still women are disproportionately employed as part time employers and are sometimes not paid even. Certain studies show that production and reproduction are required for the existence of human society but for women to bear children is incompatible. Low fertility of women, maternal responsibilities often are the causes of women’s underachievement compared to men at the working place.

The American Company Kraft Foods Ltd Marketing Essay

The American Company Kraft Foods Ltd Marketing Essay In the current economic situation, companies are putting all their efforts to keep their customers loyal and present market shares. To attain these objectives they are launching new products, implementing new and more interesting marketing campaigns or releasing loyalty programmes. No matter the industry they activate in, all the companies want to build long lasting relationships with their customers, as it is easier and cheaper to keep existing customers rather than acquire new ones. This paper will focus on the operations of one giant in the food industry, the American company Kraft Foods LTD, and all the attention will be centred on the chocolate confectionery branch of the organisation and on its leading chocolate brand in Europe, Milka. After a thorough analysis of the chocolate confectionery industry in the United Kingdom, the introduction of a new product in the Milka range will be discussed. Corporate Objectives Kraft Foods is the worlds second largest food organisation with revenues over $42 billion as they state in their fact sheet published in 2008. It has operations in many subsectors of the food industry such as: snacks, beverages, cheese, convenient meals and groceries (Datamonitor, 2009a). The companys manufacturing plants are located in 70 countries all around the world and it sells its products in more than 150 countries (Kraft Foods, 2009a). Being such a big company in the industry, it has set well defined long term objectives to help its growth strategies. Firstly, the company is well aware of the new trends in its sector and is aiming to offer consumers healthy products, as people have become more health conscious. Secondly, the issue of conserving the environment is intensively discussed nowadays therefore Kraft Foods has decided to implement projects for sustainability. Also, the company wishes to expand even more and increase its world coverage (Kraft Foods, 2009b). To satisfy this last objective the company is acquiring different companies which are operating in key markets. One example could be the recent acquisition of the British chocolate manufacturer Cadbury, which offers the company to opportunity to consolidate in the UK chocolate market (Mintel Oxygen, 2010). Kraft Foods also wants to expand to Southeast Asia as the countries here present high growth rates in the food industry (Mintel Oxygen, 2008) Furthermore, since 2008 the company has decided to implement a restructuring plan designed to lower its cost structure and optimize capacity without affecting the quality of products (Kraft Foods, 2009a). Market Overview As stated before, this paper will focus on the chocolate confectionery operations of Kraft Foods in the UK market and therefore an overview of this particular market is necessary. Datamonitor (2009b) states that the chocolate confectionery industry accounts for almost 67.5% of the total value of the UK confectionery market, which also includes gums, cereal bars and sugar confectionery (Chart 1). Chart 1: Market segmentation in the UK (Datamonitor,2009b) The UK chocolate confectionery industry has been in a permanent growth from 2003 until 2008, increasing by 11.1%. (Mintel Oxygen, 2008b). This particular segment is characterised by fierce competition as some of the most well known food giants are competing here. The main players in 2007 were Cadbury, with 35.3% market share, Masterfoods, with 30%, Nestle, with 14%, Ferrero, with 4% and Kraft Foods with 1.8% as it can be seen in Chart 2. Mintels 2008b forecast on market growth states that it will grow by 17% until 2012, if the prices of chocolate would have remained at the 2007 value. In real terms and taking into consideration inflation this growth will be of just 2%. Chart 2: Manufacturers value shares in the UK chocolate market 2003-2007 (Mintel. 2008b) The report on chocolate confectionery published by Mintel Oygen (2008b) states that current trends in the market highlight the fact that more healthy foods need to be released on the market, forcing in this way companies to produce healthier chocolates. As childhood obesity is an important issue in the UK, there is an absolute need of healthy products and what now is a trend it will later become a way of living. Also, consumers tend to become more educated on chocolate and soon will demand high quality products. Moreover, the same report shows that consumer preferences have started to change and shortly they will ask for new flavoured chocolates. Marketing Audit: Internal and External After getting a brief insight on the chocolate confectionery sector in the UK, an internal and external marketing audit needs to be done in order to identify which are current problems of the company. Firstly, since it has consumer products the overall marketing mix implemented needs to be analysed. Then, the strengths and opportunities must be identified in order to overcome the companys weaknesses and threats. Also with the help of the PEST model and Porters five forces the chocolate confectionery industry will be further analysed. Marketing Mix Kraft Foods is doing business in the consumer products domain, therefore its marketing mix is specially tailored for its consumers. Its main products are food items such as chocolates, biscuits, different beverages, snacks and convenient meals. Some of the companys products have become leading brands worldwide proving that the company offers qualitative products and also knows what its customers want. The company prefers to buy its raw materials from third parties such as agricultural cooperatives and independent producers to ensure high quality of the final product. (Kraft Foods, 2009a) The pricing policy of any company has to be elaborated in such a way that it retains current customers and also attracts new ones (Brassington and Pettitt , 2006 pg.431 ). The company charges acceptable and affordable prices for its products. However these prices are affected by raises in raw materials, as was the case in 2008 when the company had to raise prices to dairy, coffee, cocoa, wheat or nut products as a result of price increases for the raw materials (Kraft Foods, 2009a) When talking about promotion, Kraft Foods invests important amounts of money into well developed marketing campaigns which are meant mainly to attract new customers but also to consolidate its image in the eyes of present consumers. The company uses some of the tools in the promotional mix such as advertising, sales promotions, public relations. The organisations products have a wide distribution, reaching many markets all around the world. The main places where the products can be fund are supermarket chains, wholesalers, convenience stores, retailers, club stores or mass merchandisers (Kraft Foods, 2009a). SWOT As it has already been stated, Kraft Foods operates in different sectors of the food industry and in many markets in the world, so for each sector the company faces particular threats and has different strengths and weaknesses. In the case of the chocolate confectionery industry in the UK, the following SWOT analysis can be elaborated based on information provided by Datamonitor (2008). Strenghts: Kraft Foods has a strong brand image worldwide Well developed distribution network Manages a variety of brands in UK such as Milka Chocolate, Oreo biscuits, Toblerone, Terrys Chocolate Orange and others; well managed brand portfolio The raw materials used for production are always of high quality Weaknesses: Over the years the company had to recall some products, action which has damaged its image Its margins have constantly decreased causing problems in the implementation of new growth plans Opportunities: The acquisition of the British chocolate manufacturer Cadbury offers access to its expertise, research and information on consumer trends in the UK Permanent growth in the demand for healthy products New technologies and developments in the industry Threats: Fierce competition in the UK Governmental laws regarding alimentation Too much divestment, having a large portfolio of brands worldwide might affect the companys cash flow PEST Kraft Foods is doing business in a constant changing environment and as a result it must always know what is happening in the UK environment. The UK business environment is continuously affected by political/legal, economical, social and technological /environmental factors. Political factors The laws in the UK regarding alimentation are quite tough with for companies, but they work in the benefit of the consumer, demanding more usage of healthy products. Any law imposed by the UK government or by the European Union can affect the companys operations and revenues. Economical factors Currently the UK has not entered the Euro Zone and it is still able to have a stronger currency then the Euro Zone. However, in the context of recession, the UK has reported a drop in GDP and in the third quarter of 2009 the GDP contracted by 0.2%, and remained 5.1% lower than in the same period of 2008 (www.statistics.gov.uk, 2010a). The recession has affected greatly this country and as a result the disposable income has decreased, affecting the populations buying habits. Consequently, companies had to reduce prices and implement different schemes to maintain their customers and lose a small percent of sales. Social factors The UK population is very affected by the recession and many of them have lost their jobs. Unemployment rate has reached 7.8% in November 2009, but however there has been registered a decrease in the number of unemployed people (www.statistics.gov.uk, 2010b). Since unemployment is quite high, not many British people afford to spend money on other things that are not of strict necessity, such as chocolates. Confectionerynews.com (2009a) states that women are more likely to have chocolate due to the fact that when they reach menopause they become more stressed and need to get relieved. Technological factors Technological advances always occur in any industry. Companies in the chocolate confectionery sector have to invest in research and development in order to come up with healthier products as customers demand these intensively. Recently, Kraft Foods and Nestle were accused of using palm oil and indirectly encouraging deforestation in Indonesia (www.confectionerynews.com, 2009b) and as a result both companies had to review operations and decided that from 2010 will use only certified palm oil. Porters 5 Forces Analysis The UK chocolate confectionery industry can also be assessed by using Porters five forces. Threat of new entrants The UK industry is quite fragmented with many companies competing within. Since some of the largest companies are present here such as Nestle, Kraft Foods, Cadbury and Mars Inc. it is very difficult for a smaller company to enter this market. However there are also niches, such as premium chocolates which could still welcome new players. This particular threat is considered to be low as it is difficult to enter the UK market. Competition It is common knowledge that the UK market presents high levels of competition. The worlds food giants are in a continuous quest for market shares and increased sales volumes. This particular force might seriously affect Kraft Food since it still doesnt have a high market share, but because of the new acquisition of Cadbury this might change. This force is considered to be high, as there are important companies battling for supremacy. Buyers bargaining power Nowadays British people choose to spend money just on the necessary products and have eliminated premium products from their daily shopping. As a result, this force is considered to be quite high and have serious impacts on the companies activating in the industry. Suppliers bargaining power Over the years companies have built lasting relationships with their suppliers, as a result suppliers work jointly with buyers to ensure productivity. Due to these relationships the suppliers bargaining power is considered to be medium, as raises in raw materials can occur and affect the final products of the company. Threat of substitutes Chocolate can have many substitutes such as gums, candy or ice cream. As new consumer trends show that there is a serious shift to healthy products chocolate could be seriously affected, unless producing companies launch healthier versions. Consequently this threat can be considered as being medium to high. Current year Competition Five years time (assumption) New entrants Power of buyers Substitutes Power of suppliers Figure 1: Porters five forces (current year and five year prediction) Assumptions The VAT has increased to 17.5% (www.hmrc.gov.uk), automatically causing increases in the prices of all products. A further increase might endanger future plans for launching new products and present product sales might be affected. Also, if the UK decides to join the Euro zone serious price changes might occur and people might think they are paying more for a product then when they were using the sterling pound. It must not be forgotten that consumers are changing their buying patterns and preferences so they might choose to replace chocolate with other sweets. Marketing Objectives and Strategies for new product Growth Strategy As it has been previously presented, Kraft Foods does not have a considerable market share on the UK confectionery industry. It should focus more on its leading European chocolate brand, Milka, and make it a preferred chocolate in the UK too. Milka chocolate is present on the UK market in just six assortments (www.milka.co.uk, 2010) while other chocolate brands have more assortments. The need for a new product has been identified, and the proposed product is Poppin Milka. This new product will be alpine milk chocolate and in the interior it will have a bounty of popping candy. Since it is a new product for the Milka brand, Ansoffs new product existing market growth strategy will be followed (Dobson and Starkey, 2002). Marketing objectives Gain more market share on the UK chocolate market Build a strong brand name and image for the Milka brand Attract new customers, while retaining current ones Identification of Alternative Plans In the worst case scenario the new product could prove to be a failure, even though prior research would show that it should have success. Since the product has already been launched Kraft Foods could enhance it by adding new flavours such as melon, strawberry or cherries, fruit flavours which make a good combination with popping candy. Confectionerynews.com (2009c) shows that nostalgia has helped boost the UK food market, and since popping candy was very popular few years back, it could make a comeback. Also, it should be noted that the new product will be targeting children, but their parents are the ones who have to be convinced to buy the product. If the product does not manage to reach forecasted sales for the first months, the marketing plan should be reviewed and changed where it went wrong. Promotional Programme Objectives of the campaign: the main objective of the campaign will be to draw attention on the new Milka product and promote it throughout the year. Also, through this campaign it is intended to raise Milkas brand awareness and help build a stronger brand image. Target audience: the main target audience is children aged 5-13, but indirect target audience is men and women aged 25-40, who have children aged 5-13, since they are the ones who will buy the products, even though they might not be the users. Message: since the product is mainly targeted to children, the message has to be appealing and funny. It will stress on the fact that it is fun to have popping candy together with chocolate, a soft and creamy chocolate like Milka. Budget: the product launch campaign could be quite expensive, but Kraft has to take the risk and invest approximately  £2 2,5 million, to develop an effective and integrated marketing campaign. Since the company is a world giant it should be able to afford such a campaign especially when aiming to gain market share. The company already has a contract with Ogilvy to make the advertisement for Milka, so it can count on the help of a well known advertising agency. (Mintel Oxygen, 2009) Promotional mix: prior to the actual launch of the product (two weeks ahead), a guerrilla marketing campaign will be conducted such as to raise interest in the new product. Teaser ads would be placed in supermarkets and short TV ads will be played on kids TV networks. After the launch, samples will be given to customers of selected supermarkets such as Tesco or Sainsbury for a period of one month. Then full length ads will be played on kids TV networks for the next three to four months. In conjunction with TV ads billboards will be posted close to supermarkets and playgrounds to make sure the target audience becomes familiar with the product. At celebration times sales promotions will run to encourage and increase the product sales. The tagline used in all the ads will be Poppin the magic with Milka and will feature the Milka symbol, the liliac cow dancing on a popping candy dance floor and in the end the dance floor will explode as fireworks, showing the properties of popping candy. Time frame: the marketing campaign is designed for a period of twelve months commencing January, 2010. Measurement, Review and Control Any marketing campaign has to be evaluated before, during and after implementation (Brassington and Pettitt, 2006). The campaign will be evaluated before implementation through focus groups. During the campaign, sales will be closely followed and on-site interviews will take place. In the end, the campaign will be assessed by evaluating sales volumes and revenues, and check if the marketing objectives have been attained. Conclusion Launching a new product in a market where Kraft does not have high market share might be very difficult, but such actions must be done in order to become known on the market. With a well designed product and marketing campaign the new product should be able to reach expectations. Poppin Milka should be a success since Milka chocolate is a European leading chocolate brand, and British people are familiar to the brand.

Caring for a Child or Young Person with Severe Illness

Caring for a Child or Young Person with Severe Illness Introduction This assignment will reflect on and critically study an incident from a clinical setting whilst using a model of reflection. This will allow me to analyse and make sense of the incident and draw conclusions relating to personal learning outcomes. The incident will be described and analysed, followed by the process of reflection using Driscolls Reflective Model (2000) as it facilitates critical thinking and in-depth reflection which will help me to accumulate learning objectives for the future. To comply with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) (2015) Code of Conduct, confidentiality will be maintained therefore the individual will be known throughout as Ben. Reflection is defined as a process of explaining and expressing from our own experiences and helps to develop and improve our skills and knowledge towards becoming professional practitioners (Jasper, 2003). I have chosen to use the Driscolls Reflective Model (2000) as a guidance as it is straightforward and encourages a clear description of the situation which will allow me to look at the experience and identify how it made me feel, asking what was good and bad, and what I can learn (Sellman and Snelling 2010). Wolverson (2000) includes this as an important process for all nurses wishing to improve their practice. What? Ben was born prematurely following an emergency caesarean section, whereby he received prolonged resuscitation and suffered severe hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE). According to Boxwell (2010), infants with severe encephalopathy have a 75% risk of dying with coma persisting, or progressing to brain death by 72 hours of life. There was a realisation that continuing treatment may be causing Ben harm in that it was unlikely to restore his health or relieve suffering. Boxwell (2010) further states that survivors of HIE carry an almost certain risk of poor neurological outcome. It is these times when consideration must be given to withholding and/or withdrawing treatment, subsequently re-orientating treatment to compassionate care. I was informed by my mentor that there would be a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meeting to discuss and justify the decision to withdraw treatment. I was invited into the MDT meeting by my mentor to both witness and actively participate in the discussion if I felt confident enough. The MDT consisted of two paediatricians, a paediatric registrar, the neonatal sister, and myself, a paediatric student nurse.   The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) (2004)   suggest that all members of the health care team need to feel part of the decision-making process in that their views should be listened to. At the time, I was hesitant to contribute due to my knowledge, understanding and experience surrounding the clinical and ethical matter. However, I was reassured that greater openness between disciplines will facilitate better understanding of individual roles and enhance the sense of responsibility (RCPCH, 2004). We considered what was legally permitted and required, but also at what was ethically appropriate. In considering quality of life (QOL)   determinations, it was important to refer back to the ethical foundation involved with surrogate decision making, which is the standard of best interest. Some professionals argued that Ben had no prior QOL on which to base a judgment. The Children Act (1989) provides an overall statutory framework for the provision of childrens welfare and services but makes no specific provision concerning withholding or withdrawing treatment (RCPCH, 2004). It does however state that the welfare of the child is paramount which is further supported by The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). Article 3 under this legislation states that actions affecting children must have their best interests as a primary consideration (RCPCH, 2004). The NMC (2015) framework governs the maintenance of standards of practice and professional conduct in the interests of patients, acting as a guide to ethical practice within nursing. The principle of non-maleficence is one of the hallmark principles of ethics in health care which prohibits healthcare professionals from doing any action that will result harm to the patient. Also paramount, is the goal to restore health and relieve suffering, promoting good or beneficence. In the principle of beneficence, nurses are obliged to protect, prevent harm and maintain the best interest for patients (Beauchamp Childress, 2001). Those involved needed to be conà ¯Ã‚ ¬Ã‚ dent in their ability to understand the ethical dilemmas they faced, and had to ensure they were aware of the underlying ethical principles to support their contribution to the discussion. The decision to withdraw life sustaining treatment should be made with the parents on the basis of knowledge and trust, but ultimately, the clinical team carries the responsibility for decision making, as an expression of their moral and legal duties as health care professionals. It is not uncommon for parents to feel indecisiveness, shame or guilt about the decision to palliate their neonate, particularly when the outcome of the neonates condition is uncertain (Reid et al, 2011). However, the final decision to withdraw intensive care was made with the consent from both parents, and this was clearly recorded in his clinical notes, together with a written account of the process and factors leading to the decision. So What? Parents impending the loss of their infant experience a complex emotional reaction to their situation, typically one of anticipatory grief, shock and confusion (Gardner and Dickey, 2011). They may also experience feelings of profound loss, related not only to the imminent loss of their child but also to a loss of their expectations, aspirations and role as parents (Gardner and Dickey, 2011). Parents are fundamental in the decision-making processes around neonatal palliation and as it is they who will be the most significantly affected by these decisions (Branchett and Stretton, 2012), neonatal EOL care places a particular focus on caring for parents. Developing a flexible, transparent and family-centred care plan is essential, and so that their preferences are met, parents should take a key role in this process (Williamson et al, 2008). Spence (2011) recommends that a holistic approach is taken to clarify the familys wishes, desires and needs in order to effectively advocate for infa nts. Whilst most parents wish to be involved in decisions and planning around EOL care for their baby, some may find this responsibility overwhelming (Williams et al, 2008). Despite this, we exposed the parents to a range of options which they synthesised in order to make the best decisions for their family. However, it was important for the neonatal nurse and I to realise that highly emotive situations can often cause significant deficits in parents ability to comprehend and process such information (Williams et al, 2008). As competent nurses, it is our responsibility to provide nursing care that advocates for our patients rights in life and death, showing respect and dignity towards them and the family. We advocated for Ben by protecting his rights, being attentive to his needs, ensuring comfort and protection, and by participating in the ethical discussion to ensure a collaborative perspective of ethical negotiation (Spence, 2011). The National Association of Neonatal Nurses (2015) suggests that palliative care should include comfort measures, such as kangaroo care, an ongoing assessment of pain using an appropriate pain assessment tool and written care plans to manage discomfort, pain and other distressing symptoms such as seizures using the least invasive effective route of administration. As the parents wished to be present at time of death, the neonatal nurse prepared the family for what they would observe as life-sustaining treatment was discontinued. This included informing them of gasping and other noises, colour changes, and stating that Ben may continue to breathe and have a heart rate for minutes or hours. This is an fundamental aspect of palliative care, and provides the family with the opportunity to ask questions. However, a study conducted by Ahern (2013) stated that nurses often express anxieties surrounding how to support parental grief and how to prepare them for the imminent death of their inf ant. Parental preferences were also assessed, including whom they wish present, whether they want to hold the infant, and whether they wished to participate in any rituals or memory-making activities. Although my mentor took the lead role in planning the infants EOL care, my contribution focused on memory-making activities. Although this is often nurse initiated, making memories is increasingly recognised as an aid in parental coping and grieving (Schott, Henley and Kohner, 2007). However, McGuinness, Coughlan and Power (2014) reported that rather than physical keepsakes, parents and families instead appreciated other actions and gestures that demonstrated respect for their needs, including having time alone with the infant and being encouraged and supported to provide care to their baby. I asked the parents if they would like photos to be taken, and although parents declined photography, I offered to take some to keep in the medical records in case they decided they would like them at a later date which they appreciated (Mancini et al, 2014).   Despite this, the parents were acceptant of the offer to keep items that were related to Bens care, including his wristband, blank ets and hat. Throughout planning Bens EOL care, the effectiveness of the therapeutic relationship in meeting the familys needs was achieved by showing empathy, and by doing so I obtained the individuals trust, and respect. Carl Rogers (1961) has influenced the shift from a task- to a person-centred and holistic view of nursing care, with the adoption of Rogers core conditions (Bach and Grant, 2005). Rogers identified unconditional positive regard, genuineness and empathy as necessary conditions for helping someone change effectively through a good therapeutic relationship. This was   achieved through both proficient nursing knowledge and utilising interpersonal communication skills. According to Jones (2007), there is little research in nursing literature that discusses interpersonal skills, particularly in nursing education. There is also a critique that nursing education is often removed from the realities that students experience during their clinical practice (Bach and Grant, 2005). I felt confident and assured that my interpersonal skills would bring positivity throughout a very difficult time, helping them through the grieving process. I acknowledged that both parents appreciated my forward-thinking and empathy towards the current situation. Being empathetic during this situation required my ability to be understanding not only of the parents beliefs, values and ideas but also the significance that their situation had for them and their associated feelings (Greenberg, 2007). Egan (2010) identià ¯Ã‚ ¬Ã‚ es certain non-verbal skills summarised in the acronym SOLER that can help the nurse to create the therapeutic space. I did this by sitting facing the family squarely, at a slight angle; adopting an open posture; leaning slightly forward; maintaining good eye contact, without staring and presenting a relaxed open posture. To enhance the communication through these skills, I used active-listening skills to ensure a successful interaction through techniques that facilitated the discussion. I did this by using sounds of encouragement, demonstrating that I was listening and assimilating the information provided by the parents. This was also done by summarising, paraphrasing and reflecting on the feelings and statements. Effective use of reà ¯Ã‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å¡ective skills can facilitate exploration, build trust, and communicate acceptance and understanding to the individual (Balzer-Riley, 2004). Geldard and Geldard (2005) state that it is often the paralinguistic elements of speech rather than what is actually said that betray true feelings and emotions. Now What? As EOL approached, Ben was extubated on the neonatal unit and transferred to the bereavement suite whereby my mentor continued to provide one-to-one care.   I was not present throughout the final palliative care phase as I wanted to respect the familys privacy. At this point, I held emotions of helplessness, sadness and anxiety, therefore I took some time to reflect on what had happened. It is important that nurses recognise and confront their own feelings toward death so that they can assist patients and families in EOL issues (Dickinson, 2007). Nurses often experience sadness and grief when dealing with the deaths of patients, and without any support, can suffer distress (Hanna and Romana, 2007). Debriefing is a beneficial intervention designed to help nurses to explore and process their experiences. Irving and Long (2001) suggest that debriefing demonstrates a significant reduction in stress and greater use of coping strategies through discussion in a reminiscent fashion to let their feelings out. Through reflection, I have come to the realisation and understanding that patient death is an integral part of nursing practice in palliative care settings. I have recognised that support from all members of the MDT have positive implications for nursing students coping with stressors associated with patient death. Furthermore, the experience helped me learn the importance of both verbal and non-verbal communication. As an aspiring nurse, I have to continuously improve my communication skills because I shall be interacting with more varied patients in the future. I have also been able to utilise my knowledge of ethical principles in relation to withdrawing treatment, thereby integrating theory into practice. Conclusion To conclude, the care that patients receive has the direct potential to improve through reflective practice. Becoming a reflective practitioner will help me to focus upon knowledge, skill and behaviours that I will need to develop for effective clinical practice. Reflection helps to make sense of complicated and difficult situations, a medium to learn from experiences and therefore improve performance and patient care. Reference List Ahern, K. (2013) What neonatal intensive care nurses need to know about neonatal palliative care. Advanced Journal of Neonatal Care. 13(2), pp. 108-14 Bach, S. and Grant, A. (2005) Communication and Interpersonal Skills for Nurses. Exeter: Learning Matters Balzer-Riley, J. (2004) Communication in Nursing. Mosby, MO: Mosby/Elsevier. Boxwell, G. (2010) Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing. 2nd Edition. New York: Routledge Branchett, K. and Stretton, J. (2012), Neonatal palliative and end of life care: What parents want from professionals, Journal of Neonatal Nursing. 18(2), pp. 40-44. Dickenson, G. E. (2007). End of life and palliative care issues in medical and nursing schools. Death Studies, 31, pp. 713-726. Driscoll, J. (2000) Practising Clinical Supervision. London: Balliere Tindall Egan, G. (2010) The Skilled Helper: A problem management and opportunity development approah to helping.9th edition. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole. Geldard, D. and Geldard, K. (2005) Practical Counselling Skills: An Integrative Approach. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan Greenberg, L.S. (2002) Emotion-focused therapy: Coaching clients to work through feelings Washington, D.C: American Psychological Association Hanna, D.R. and Romana, M. (2007). Debriefing after a crisis. Nursing Management. 8, pp. 39-47. Irving, P. and Long, A. (2001). Critical incident stress debriefing following traumatic life experiences. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. 8, pp. 307-314. Jasper M (2003). Beginning reflective practice. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes Mancini, A., Uthaya, S., Beardsley, C., Wood, D. and Modi, N (2014) Practical guidance for the management of palliative care on neonatal unit. London: Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health McGuniess, D., Coughlan, B. and Power, S. (2014) Empty arms: supporting bereaved mothers during the immediate postnatal period. British Journal of Midwifery. 22(4), pp. 146-52. National Association of Neonatal Nurses (2015) Palliative and End-of-life Care for Newborns and Infants. Chicago: National Association of Neonatal Nurses Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) (2015). The Code: professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses and midwives. London: NMC Reid, S., Bredemeyer, S., van den Berg, C., Cresp, T., Martin, T., Miara, N., Coombs, S., Heaton, M., Pussell, K., and Wooderson, S. (2011) Palliative care in the neonatal nursery. Neonatal, Paediatric Child Health Nursing. 14(2), pp. 2-8 Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (2004) Withholding or Withdrawing Life Sustaining Treatment in Children: A Framework for Practice. London: Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Schott, J., Henley, A. and Kohner, N. (2007) Pregnancy loss and the death of a baby: guidelines for professionals. 3rd Edition. London: SANDS Sellman, D. and Snelling, P.C. (2010) Becoming a nurse: A textbook for professional practice. Harlow: Pearson Education Spence, K. (2011) Ethical advocacy based on caring: A model for neonatal and paediatric nurses. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. 47, pp. 642-645 Williams, C., Munson, D., Zupancic, J. and Kirpalani, H. (2008) Supporting bereaved parents: Practical steps in providing compassionate perinatal and neonatal end-of-life care. Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine. 13(5), pp. 335-340. Wolverson, M. (2000). On reflection. Professional Practice. 3(2), pp. 31-34

Destiny, Fate, Free Will and Free Choice in Homers Iliad :: Iliad essays

Fate and Destiny in Homer’s Iliad The Iliad portrays fate and destiny as a supreme and ultimate force that is decided by each man’s actions and decisions. A man’s fate lies in the consequences of his actions and decisions. A man indirectly controls his destiny by his actions and decisions. One action or decision has a consequence that leads to another action or decision. A man is born with a web of many predetermined fates and one or more destinies. A man’s decisions control which course of fate he takes so that he indirectly controls his destiny.Since all mortals die, destiny is what you have done with the fates you have been dealt, and where you have taken your life. Eventually, a man’s whole life may be traced to his very first action or decision. By stating someone’s fate as determined by their actions or decisions, fate is unbreakable, what has been done will control the present, and ultimately the future. The present is controlled by the past so that no one may escape their p ast decisions or actions. The underlying concept of fate is that all man are not born equal, so that fate is the limitations or abilities placed upon him. In The Iliad the god’s fate is controlled much in the same way as a mortal’s, except for one major difference, the immortals cannot die and therefore do not have a destiny. An immortal’s life may not be judged because they haven’t and won’t die. The gods are able to manipulate mortals fate but not their own directly. A god may inspire a mortal to do or create something that might indirectly affect the god’s fate. This reinforces the concept that no one may escape his or her actions or decisions. In The Iliad, the concept that all mortals share the same destiny, that is that everyone dies, introduces the values of honor and courage, and other principles of what is right and what is wrong. Courage is demonstrated unselfishness and the desire to do what is right no matter what the cost. Since all men die a man who is willing to sacrifice himself for what he believes is right shows supreme faith and moral character as well as the admirable trait of putting something else above their own life. Bravery or courage isn’t necessarily aggressiveness or rage; for instance, all of Achilles actions are referred to in the beginning as "the rage of Achilles".

The Yellow Wallpaper, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman :: essays research papers

In Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper,† the wallpaper is a symbol which represents the narrator’s personality. Since the initial description of the rented mansion, eeriness is present throughout the story. â€Å"Still I will proudly declare that there is something queer about it. Else, why should it be let so cheaply? And why have stood so long untenanted?† (paragraph 3). These questions, posed by the mentally ill narrator, imply a strangeness regarding the mansion. The narrator’s initial description of the wallpaper claims, â€Å"The paint and paper look as if a boys’ school had used it. It is stripped off—the paper—in great patches all around the head of my bed, about as far as I can reach, and in a great place on the other side of the room low down. I never saw a worse paper in my life. One of those sprawling, flamboyant patterns committing every artistic sin.† (paragraph 32). This is an unusual description for wallpaper in a mansion. The fact that it is stripped off in great patches suggests an uneven and unbalanced appearance or personality. The narrator continues, â€Å"It is dull enough to confuse the eye in following, pronounced enough constantly to irritate and provoke study, and when you follow the lame uncertain curves for a little distance they suddenly commit suicide—plunge off at outrageous angles, destroy themselves in unheard-of contradictions.† (paragraph 33). Here, she describes herself through the eyes of John and her brother, both practical, logical physicians.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The narrator believes that people see her as she sees the wallpaper, which, in turn, is how she sees herself. In paragraph 78 she states, â€Å"I can see a strange, provoking formless sort of figure that seems to skulk about behind that silly and conspicuous front design.† This is initial evidence of the narrator beginning to use the wallpaper as a way to see herself.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The wallpaper also serves as a distraction to the narrator, who often spends hours analyzing its distinct features. â€Å"It is as good as gymnastics, I assure you. I start, we’ll say, at the bottom, down in the corner over there where it has not been touched, and I determine for the thousandth time that I will follow that pointless pattern to some sort of a conclusion.† (paragraph 93). In addition to a visual description of the wallpaper, this information is the narrator’s means of analyzing her personality.

Start Up of New Fast Food Chain in India

Group 3 Member Debashish Das Pallavi Talwar Hari Das Gupta Pramod Balakrishnan Ans Since the maiden business venture would be the first business venture of the group, we would prefer to keep the funding internal. The business venture we would start is Indian Street food restaurant â€Å" Pao Khao† Executive Summary Pao Khao is a locally owned fast food outlet that will be positioned as an international franchise through our creative approach to the company's image and detail presentation. Pao Khao will provide a combination of excellent food at value pricing, with fun packaging and atmosphere. Pao Khao is the answer to an increasing demand for snack-type & Ethnic Indian food. In today's highly competitive environment, it is becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate one fast food outlet from another. Delhi NCR , has population of more than 2 million. Our main priority is to establish starting in Gurgaon , preferably close to one of prominent shopping malls in MG road. Later, our effort will be a further development of more retail outlets in the surrounding area. This plan is prepared to obtain a location for the initial launch of this concept. Additional financing will need to be secured for the two subsequent outlets, anticipated in month 13 and early in year three. The financing, in addition to the capital contributions from shareholders, will allow Pao Khao to successfully open and expand through year two. The initial capital investment will allow Pao Khao to provide its customers with a value-driven, entertaining experience through the creativity of its founders. Pao Khao will entice youngsters as well as working couple (DINK) to bring their friends and family with our innovative environment, fresh Indian Snack /Ethnic food . 1 Objectives †¢To establish a presence as a successful local fast food outlets and gain a market share in Delhi NCR Fastest growing fast food industry. †¢To make Pao Khao a destination spot for mall-goers, leisure & pleasure seekers 1. 2 Mission Our main goal is to be one of the most successful fast food outlets in Gurgaon, starting with one retail outlet located inside a major shopping mall as a â€Å"market tester. † Pao Khao will strive to be a premier local fast food brand in the local marketplace. We want our customers to have the total experience when visiting our outlet(s) and website as they will learn about this fascinating new â€Å"pop culture. † We will sell merchandise from pre-packaged chutney and t-shirts, to innovative combinations such as Idli Dhokla, all with our official brand attached to them. Our main focus will be serving high-quality food at a great value. 1. 3 Keys to Success To succeed in this business we must: †¢Create a unique, innovative, entertaining menu that will differentiate us from the rest of the competition. Control costs at all times, in all areas and implement a conservative approach to growth policy. Although, we provide more than enough fund to open more than one outlet, we want to be on the safe side of the business. †¢Sell the products that are of the highest quality, as well as keeping the customers happy with all of our product categories from food to store merchandising. †¢Provide 100% satisfaction to our customers and maintaining the level of excellent services among other competitors. Encourage the two most important values in fast food business: brand and image, as these two ingredients are a couple of main drivers in marketing communications. †¢Get access to high-traffic shopping malls near the target market. †¢Promote good values of company culture and business philosophy. 2. 1 Company Ownership Pao Khao is a privately held company. It will be registered as a Limited company, with ownership 25% – Hari Das Gupta, 25% – Pallavi, 25% – Pramod, 25% – Debashish 2. 2 Start-up Summary The retail outlet will be rented at one of the target location shopping malls. Our preference is Space A, for the main reason of reaching larger traffic. Startup requirements will be financed through owner investments. (all values in INR) a 2. 3 Company Locations and Facilities Pao Khao locations will range in size from 70~100 meter square and will seat from 15 – 25 guests. Our first location will be on the larger end of this range. The location will feature its own originality in merchandise display and other brand building attributes. We will equip the outlet with modern furniture and aim for cleanliness and an open feeling. We are currently looking at several possible sites in shopping malls along MG Road. The space selection will be chosen based upon the following criteria: †¢Community size: minimum of 10,00,000 people within a radius of 5 kilometers. †¢Office Areas and Tourist destination. †¢Easy access. †¢Large percentage of upwardly mobile upper middle class in the community. All of these qualities are consistent with Pao Khao goal of providing a top quality fast food experience. We want â€Å"word-of-mouth† to be our best form of marketing, where our customers value our brand as something exciting and cannot wait to tell their friends and neighbors. Pao Khao will directly compete with several fast food joints inside the chosen shopping mall, including Mac Donald, Pizza Hut and other but create niche for its ethnic Indian Flavour. Products We want to focus only on selling Indian Food. Alcoholic drinks will not be sold in our outlet, as Pao Khao promotes a healthy and positive Indian lifestyle. 3. 1 Product Description Pao Khao primarily ethnic Indian Street/Snack food †¢Chole Bature †¢Dahi Bhalla †¢Indian Thaali †¢Executive Thali †¢Rajmaa chawal or noodles.. (fusion) †¢Pao Bhaji †¢Dhokla etc 3. Competitive Comparison Pao Khao has several advantages over its leading competitors: †¢Unique â€Å"fusion† concept of Indian Food. †¢We expect a high degree of enthusiasm and offer a fun store with friendly staff, that reflects the company's youthful and energetic culture. †¢Supporting merchandise items that support the company's brand building. †¢Our innovative packaging will be more entertaining than our competitors †¢Direct relation with farmers to procure fresh vegetable and grains at lower prices. Core essential for successful business strategy would be 1. Indentifying appropriate and correct place for the first restaurant. 2. Quality of service and food , cleanliness 3. Commitment to customer and creating the right ambience 4. Chefs are key USP and need to have competency to develop this and also keep in mind attrition due to competition. 5. Marketing – Without proper marketing, howsoever a good idea can fail , hence marketing strategy is paramount importance Marketing has to be both ATL and BTL†¦Since we are promoting amidst fierce competition, we need to have aggressive marketing strategy which creates buzz in

Comprehensive Analysis on the Indian Tire Market

Comprehensive Analysis on the Indian Tire Market Bharatbook. com announces a new report on â€Å"India Tire Market Outlook, 2018† which gives the latest trends and major companies are present in the tire market in India. India Tire Market Outlook, 2018 The market value of India tire market is projected to at grow at CAGR of 18% during the period 2013-2018. This would make the total worth of tire market to reach at US $ 22. 38 Billion by the end of 2018. The passenger vehicle tire segment will continue its dominance while commercial vehicle tire segment would increase steadily and exemplifies good growth in future.MRF is the market leader in terms of revenue share followed by Apollo & JK tyres. BKT is the leader in OTR segment and leads the export market of India. More than 90% of BKT tyre are export across the 120 countries. http://www. bharatbook. com/automotive-components-market-research-reports/india-tire-market-outlook-2018. html India Tire Market Outlook, 2018 is a comple te analysis of the Tire industry in India. The past data for both the passenger and commercial vehicle tire segments is included in this report while the forecast up to 2018 has been done by each segment and sub-segments.The share of different region and the different companies as well as the latest trends which are making an impact on the market have been complied in this report. We have also profiled major companies which are present in the different segments of tire market in India. Grootte Exclusive -Past Years Data: Market Size (Sales Volume and Revenue) -Market Segmentation: On the Basis of Companies’ Share & Regional Sales -Demand Forecast For Next Five Years -Complete Coverage Of Regulatory Framework Covered Extensive Distribution Channel -Profile of Major Tire Manufacturers -Latest Trends -Critical Success Factors -Analysis Of Raw Material Utilised In Tire -Production -Industry Risk Scorecard Key chapters of the report : 1. Report Synopsis 2. Global Tire Market Overv iew 2. 1. Market Value 2. 2. Market Volume 2. 3. Market Segmentation by Companies 2. 4. Market Segmentation by Region 2. 5. Market Segmentation by Category 2. 6. Global Replacement Tire Overview 3. India Tire Market Overview 3. 1.India Tire Production   †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ For more information kindly visit : http://www. bharatbook. com/automotive-components-market-research-reports/india-tire-market-outlook-2018. html Or Contact us at : Bharat Book Bureau Tel: +91 22 27810772 / 27810773 Toll Free No for USA/Canada : 1-866-279-8368 Email: [email  protected] com Website: www. bharatbook. com Follow us on twitter: https://twitter. com/researchbook Follow us on linkedin : http://www. linkedin. com/company/bharat-book-bureau   Our Blog : http://blog. bharatbook. com/ ire,automotive,Market Research Reports,market forecast Bharat Book Bureau, the leading market research information aggregator provides market research reports, company profiles, country reports, newsletters, and online datab ases for the past twenty four years to corporate, consulting firms, academic institutions, government departments, agencies etc. , globally, including India. Our market research reports help global companies to know different market before starting up business / expanding in different countries across the world.

Elder Abuse and Neglect: Trends and Implications Essay

Considering the growing number of elder population in the world, and more specifically in the US, the reality of elder abuse or mistreatment has increasingly become a cause of concern specially for the health sector. Political and social forums have lent a stage for policy debates related to elder abuse. Though statistics show that elder abuse is common in many households and health care facilities, it is still considered as an underreported type of family violence. The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization define elder abuse as â€Å"a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action occurring within a relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person† (as cited by Perel-Levin, 2005). Abuse of elderly people occurs in several ways, and often the types of abuse overlap with one another. The five commonly identified categories of elder abuse are physical abuse, psychological or emotional abuse, financial or material abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. (Bergeron, 2005; Dyer and Rowe, 1999; Kingston & Penhale, 1995; Perel-Levin, 2005). Elder abuse is a violation of human rights Perel-Levin (2005) and it constitutes potentially serious health and social problems (Kingston & Penhale, 1995). Perel-Levin (2005) assert that because of the speed of population ageing worldwide, elder abuse will also increase unless interventions are done to address it. A study made by the National Center for Elder revealed that 1996 saw more than 500,000 victims of elder abuse in America and that the great majority (84%) were not reported. This implies that there are several millions of elder abuse victims who continue to suffer in silence and without due recourse or help from authorities (NCEA, 1996). In the UK, at least half a million older persons are abused each year, yet it is believed that most such abuse remains unreported because its victims are too frightened, ashamed or embarrassed to come forward (Department of Health, 2007; as cited in Cronin, 2007). Health professionals as well as researchers agree that elder abuse and neglect often take place in the context of illness and caretaking issues (Bergeron, 2005). It is ironic because these facilities should instead safeguard the welfare and well-being of patients and wards instead of condoning abuse and neglect or turning a blind eye. It is commonly believed that the risk factors for elder abuse are present caretaking facilities that are tasked to safeguard the welfare of the elders. These settings include home health care, mental health clinics, emergency departments, and acute settings, as well as in long-term institutional care (Bergeron, 2005). These contentions support the critical argument of this paper that the reality of elder abuse and its still blurred status in institutional policy orientations augurs many pejoratives and adverse implications for older adults particularly those residing in nursing facilities. A victim of elder abuse would most likely suffer from worsening health condition which could very well adversely affect his social relationships, mental health and life endeavours. Trends Various sectors of the society have taken the cudgel to win the battle against elder abuse, mistreatment and neglect. Heading the cry for eradication of the problem is the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) which is under the auspices of the US Administration for Aging. It is working closely with many other advocates. NCEA is composed of a consortium of professionals and experts from various disciplines, most of them being researchers, practitioners and educators (NCEA website). Addressing the elder abuse dilemma has also been pacing up at the World Health Organization and has commissioned researches to gather information about the problem for it to come up with working solutions and interventions on a global scale. The mandate of the NCEA gives an overview of the efforts of practitioners and advocates to solve the problem on elder abuse and to promote the dignity of elder persons. Elder abuse is studied and dissected in many aspects focusing on 1) causes and risk factors, 2) prevalence and incidence of elder abuse in various contexts (e. g. , the home and health care facilities), 3) clinical screening and abuse identification, 4) evaluation of risk assessment tools and elder abuse instruments, and 5) prevention and treatment protocols with emphasis on evidence-based practice, among others (NCEA website). In a research partly sponsored by the Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education and the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine, it is asserted that family violence which includes child abuse, partnership violence and elder mistreatment has become a â€Å"major social, health and law enforcement issue† as it continues to impact on policy directions as well as strain the capability of law enforcement agencies, judicial bodies, social service agencies, and health care centers (Chalk & King, 1998). Elder abuse and neglect issues have been taken in political agenda. In a remarkable eye-opening testimony by Catherine Hawes (Professor and Director of the Southwest Rural Health Research Center at the School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center), she confirmed to the US Senate that indeed elder abuse is a sad reality in residential long-term care settings. The gist of her testimony contends that patients in such residential facilities are very vulnerable to mistreatment and abuse, that the problem elder abuse and neglect are caused by â€Å"low staffing levels and inadequate staff training†, that evidence suggests to the effectiveness of existing guidelines and practices to minimize the problem in residential facilities, and that the elder abuse problem in such settings have not been given the right attention (Hawes, 2002). Elder abuse and neglect has also become a critical issue in the fields of criminology and law enforcement. The number of elder abuse related studies in the field of criminal justice have escalated. A project conducted by the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging, with the assistance of the University of California , Irvine School of Medicine by virtue of a grant made by the National Institute of Justice, highlights several recommendations relating to medical forensic issues on elder abuse were presented and which may be used as a guide in research and policy endeavors of other practitioners. In another research, Blake & Dolon (2006) gives a comprehensive and methodical approach to the abuse and neglect issue that will be of great use to the criminal justice system and the social services sector, among others. Practical examples and situations are given to illustrate their concepts and to describe proposed interventions in the legal context (e. g. , establishment of guardianship), for the health sector (e. g. , diagnosis and treatment), and in the social services sector (e. g. , home care or counselling). Forensic studies also provide guidance in conducting research-based forensic interviews. One such study is that Cooper and King (2006), which set up clear interview guidelines in aid of forensic investigation of an offender who committed sexual assault against an elderly. An evaluation of the criminal justice response to elder abuse in nursing homes was conducted by Payne & Gainey (2006). Analyzing 801 cases of elder abuse in nursing homes revealed that physical assault is the most common form of abuse and that work stress contributes to elder abuse incidence. The researchers suggest that preventative measures should be implemented forthwith in nursing homes. Implications The health and medical sciences as well as occupational science are linked together because they focus on the health and well-being of human beings. Implications of elder abuse to the health sector come from different perspectives, but the essence of occupational science and justice are mostly integrated in these perspectives. For health care providers, they are not only in an ideal position to engage in early identification, support and referral of persons experiencing elder abuse but should also recognize and accept it as their responsibility to address the risks of elder abuse (Kingston & Penhale, 1995). However, Fulmer, et al (2004) say that the health care sector experience difficulty fulfilling these roles. Citing several studies, it was asserted that elder abuse treatment attitudes among nurses with older patients tend to be negative (McLafferty & Morrison, 2004) and that ignorance in hospitals of the problem of elder abuse is characteristic of the situation in general (Cohen, et al, 2006). Richardson, et al; (2002) found that at baseline, staff often do not recognize, record and report abuse. Still, Nahmiash and Reis (2000) found in their study that the most accepted and successful strategies for abused older adults are concrete: nursing and other medical care and homemaking assistance, thus health professionals, especially nurses, are likely to be among those accepted by abused adults. Accident and emergency departments are often the first point of contact for an abused older person (Dyer & Rowe, 1999). Notwithstanding the problems in recognising abuse and the complexities of dealing with older people, emergency nurses need not prove or disprove it is present; it is their responsibility though to act if they suspect it (Cronin, 2007) and they should not be afraid to seek help if they are suspicious of abuse, lest they fall short of their responsibility. (Dyer and Rowe, 1999). For the occupational therapist, an acute understanding of elder abuse and its symptoms could help him screen and identify elder abuse, refer incidence to authorities or to enhance therapeutic protocols to restore health and well-being of an abused elder. Knowledge of the experiences of an elderly patient will give the practitioner valuable insights on the patient’s physical state and mental condition and which will help the patient-therapist partnership in designing and implementing therapeutic programs. Conclusion The sad reality of elder abuse stares us into the face and we can’t help but stare back in terror and fear. The face of an old person with beaten black and blue or a disposition that showed the heartbreaking misery of being attacked or robbed by one’s own family are indeed not only poignant pictures but terrifying as well. Imagine millions of faces like these. It would be a terrible world to live in. As already underscored earlier, elder abuse is underreported. Even as statistics show that millions of abuse cases have been reported, there are millions more who are hidden and kept secret. The reported statistics is just the tip of the iceberg. As also discussed, elder abuse is committed in residential facilities by no less than the health professionals who are supposed to be the protectors of their health and well-being. This is a cause of panic. This is an issue that should not escape the judicious eyes and ears of law and government. Occupational science could contribute so much in policy-making as well as designing protocols to prevent or treat elder abuse. References Bergeron, L. R. (2005). Elder abuse: Clinical assessment and obligation to report. In K. A. Kendall-Tackett (Ed. ), Health consequences of abuse in the family: A clinical guide for evidence based practice.. Washington DC: American Psychological Association. pp. 109-128. Blakely, B. & Dolon, R. (2006). Elder mistreatment (from Crisis Intervention in Criminal Justice/Social Service). Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas Publisher Ltd. Chalk, R. and King, PA, eds. (1998). Violence in families: Assessing prevention and treatment programs.. Washington, DC: National Academy Press. Cohen, M. , et al. (2006). Risk of abuse by their caregivers: development of a screening tool for identifying elderly people at risk of abuse by their caregivers. The Journal of Aging and Health. Retrieved Sept 25 2008 from ttp://jah. sagepub. com/cgi/content/abstract/18/5/660 Cronin, G. (2007). Elder abuse: the same old story? Emergency Nurse. Vol 15, No 3 June 2007. Dyer, C. & Rowe, J. 1999. Elder abuse. Trauma 1999; 1: 163-169 Arnold Publishers Fulmer, T. (2004). Progress in elder abuse screening and assessment instruments. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Vol 52, No 2. Retrieved January 10, 2009 from http://www. hartfordign. org/publications/trythis/issue15. pdf. Fulmer, T. , Paveza, G. , Abraham, I. , & Fairchild, S. (2000). Elder neglect assessment in the emergency department. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 26, 436-443. Hawes, Catherine. (2002). Elder abuse in residential long-term care facilities: What is known about prevalence, causes, and prevention. Testimony before the U. S. Senate Committee on Finance, June 18, 2002. Retrieved April 13, 2009 from http://finance. senate. gov/hearings/testimony/061802chtest. pdf.