Effect of Same Sex Parenting on Adolescent Developement

Effect of Same Sex Parenting on Adolescent Developement Outcomes for children with gay and lesbian parents: A review. What evidence is there to support the assumption that gay or lesbian parents have a negative impact on child and adolescent developmental outcomes? Same sex parenting remains a controversial topic; the most important assumption being same sex parenting has a negative impact on children and adolescent developmental outcomes. The term â€Å"same-sex parenting† is intended in this paper to include families headed by gay and lesbian couples. The literature in this review is limited to studies of children from divorced lesbian and gay parents, as well as studies conducted on children of gay and lesbian families that are planned. The paper will consider whether the evidence suggests a negative or positive impact on children, or none at all in terms of gender role, behavioural and emotional development of children raised with gay and lesbian parents in contrast to heterosexual parents, to ascertain whether sexual orientation of parents is a key indicator to the impact of development. The scope of this review will cover all children from a life-span perspective (0-24 years) to include those born into a divorced lesbian, those ado pted or conceived through artificial insemination. This review will begin with an overview of previous research in the results section of this paper. A critique of the assumptions guiding this area of research will follow in the discussion section together with highlighting the limitations of these studies and provision for further research before a conclusion is drawn to ascertain whether same sex parenting has a positive or negative impact on developmental outcomes. Findings from the research on long term development of children and adolescence raised by gay and lesbian parents is of high relevance to both theoretical debates; particularly the importance of mothers and fathers and their effects on child development, and also public debates to provide assistance concerning parental rights of gay and lesbian parents (Patterson, 1992). Historically, lesbian mothers were denied artificial insemination and same sex parents were denied the permission to adopt children on the grounds that they were unable to provide an optimal family environment in contrast their heterosexual counterparts with the assumption gay and lesbian parents have a negative impact on the long term developmental well-being of the child. Commonly, women who had bourn children in a heterosexual relationship which broke down irretrievably, were denied custody of their biological children on the grounds that the children would show atypical gender development, causing behavioural and emotional problems in long term development due to the mother not been an affective parent. However, (Patterson, 1992) has provided research on the psychological development of children raised in lesbian mothers and has failed to provide empirical evidence which supports the assumption that same-sex parenting has a negative impact on long-term development, suggesting that they are developing well psychologically, behaviourally and emotionally in positive directions across the lifespan Method A comprehensive review of the literature on the outcomes for children with same-sex parents was conducted in an attempt to understand the key patterns in the body of literature to consider the development of gender role, behavioural/emotional outcomes of children with same-sex parents. A search of the literature was limited from 1990 and up to 2014. A search of the following databases was conducted; Summon, Academic Search and Google Scholar and sought to identify key patterns found in case studies, research studies, peer reviews, journals and books. Key words were chosen with the purpose of the literature review in mind and modified on the basis of the demonstrated location of the pertinent literature. Examples of keywords used are as follows: (â€Å"same-sex parenting† or â€Å"gay† or â€Å"lesbian†) (â€Å"heterosexual parenting† or â€Å"mothers† or â€Å"fathers†) (â€Å"lesbian families† or â€Å"gay families†) (â€Å"child rearing† or â€Å"child adjustment†) (â€Å"prenatal† or â€Å"children† or â€Å"adolescence†) (â€Å"divorced† or â€Å"planned† or â€Å"adoption† or â€Å"surrogacy) (â€Å"psychological† or â€Å"behavioural† or â€Å"emotional outcomes†). A review of the literature was carried out on all works located through the limited search and which were relevant to the topic under discussion. Additional materials referenced in the works were read which appeared relevant to the topic. Results Gender development Many discussions surrounding the controversies of same-sex parenting is headed by the assumption that gay and lesbian parents have negative effect on gender development of a child. For the purpose of this paper, â€Å"gender role† is intended to include; gender identity, gender-role behaviour and sexual orientation. Tasker and Golombok, (1995) conducted a follow up study of 46 young adults aged 17-35 and concluded there were no significant differences between young adults from lesbian mothers in contrast to those headed by heterosexual single-mother households. From the 46 participants, 6 youngs adults (five daughters, one son) raised by lesbian mothers, reported same-gender sexual attraction and had entered into a same-gender sexual relationship. However, due to the in semi structured method adopted in the follow up study, this figure may be underestimated. Moreover, all the young adults from the study had experienced at least one opposite-gender sexual relationship but none of the adults from households headed by a heterosexual single mother reported same-gender sexual attraction. From the sample, only two women were currently in a lesbian relationship with the majority identifying as heterosexual. Bos, van Balen, Sandfort and van Den Boom, (2006) strenghtened these findings when they suggested daughters (around 10 years old) concieved through aritificial insemination by their lesbian mothers were less likely to have heterosexual idenitity than those who where conceived conventionally with opposite-sex parents. Although, these findings are relatively low, they do provide evidence against homosexual families, notwithstanding, it would not be proper to conclude same-sex parents have a negative impact on child development, without reviewing further research from advocates of same-sex parenting. In contrast, (Crowl, Ahn, and Baker, 2008) conducted a homogeneity test across 19 studies in relation to include six developmental outcomes (parent-child relationship, cognitive development, gender role behaviour, gender identity, child sexual preferences and psychological adjustment). The study adopted the fixed effects model with 64 effect sizes between same-sex and opposite-sex parents. 564 same-sex participants and 647 heterosexual participants concluded the sample; the children’s age was from 5-24 years. In comparing the groups, the study concluded heterosexual parents reported having a significantly better relationship with their children. Interestingly, there was no significant difference in parent-child relationship reported by those children living with same-sex parents and those living with opposite-sex parents, the findings concluding that there is no significant difference in gender role development between children of same-sex parents and opposite sex parents. Bailey, Bobrow, Wolfe, Mikach, (1995) recruited a sample of 82 sons of 55 gay and bisexual fathers to conduct a study of sexual orientation. In their report, clear indications were concluded that 90% of sons are heterosexual which implies, gay fathers do not impact on the sexual orientation of their sons. The study also concluded, there was no positive correlation between the likelihood of being gay and the time which the sons lived with their fathers. However, the study has the limitation of no control group, partly as a result of population-based surveys being inappropriate in comparision due to underestimations of homosexuality due to underreporting of noncoporation. Notwithstanding, its limitations it is clear from this conclusion, that a large number of sons lead by gay parent households are heterosexual which in turn dilutes the theory that sexual orientation is lead by environmental factors. Bailey, Bobrow, Wolfe, Mikach, (1995) study can be concluded as an advocate for positi ve gender role developmental outcomes for children with same-sex parents. Turning to another dimension of gender development in children of same-sex parenting, (Fulcher, Sutfin, and Patterson, 2008) conducted a study of 4 to 6 years old boys and girls from lesbian parent and heterosexual parent families and reported no significant differences in preferences for traditional masculine and feminine activities and occupational preferences between the two groups. The study concluded that children found with parents who had less stereotypical attidudes held less gender-stereotypical attitudes creating a healty structured environment. The conclusions raised in this study, is that same-sex parenting does not create less masuline and feminine environments, rather it highlights the importance that non-traditional gender stereotypical environments can create a healthy child and their attitudes towards gender.

The Vampire Diaries: The Struggle Chapter Nine

â€Å"I know I'm going to be sorry I asked this,† Matt said, turning red-rimmed eyes from their contemplation of I-95 to Stefan in the passenger seat beside him. â€Å"But can you tell mewhy we want these extra-special, not-available-locally, semi-tropical weeds for Elena?† Stefan looked into the back seat at the results of their search through hedgerows and rough grass. The plants, with their branching green stems and their small-toothed leaves, did look more like weeds than anything else. The dried remains of blossoms at the ends of the shoots were almost invisible, and no one could pretend the shoots themselves were decorative. â€Å"What if I said they could be used to make an all-natural eyewash?† he offered, after a moment's thought. â€Å"Or an herbal tea?† â€Å"Why? Were you thinking of saying something like that?† â€Å"Good. Because if you did I'd probably deck you.† Without actually looking at Matt, Stefan smiled. There was something new stirring inside him, something he hadn't felt for nearly five centuries, except with Elena. Acceptance. Warmth and friendship shared with a fellow being, who did not know the truth about him, but who trusted him anyway. Who was willing to take him on faith. He wasn't sure he deserved it, but he couldn't deny what it meant to him. It almost made him feel†¦ human again. Elena stared at her image in the mirror. It hadn't been a dream. Not entirely. The wounds in her neck proved that. And now that she'd seen them, she noticed the feeling of light-headedness, of lethargy. It was her own fault. She'd taken so much trouble to warn Bonnie and Meredith not to invite any strangers into their houses. And all the time she'd forgotten that she herself had invited Damon into Bonnie's house. She'd done it that night she had set up the dumb supper in Bonnie's dining room and called out into the darkness, â€Å"Come in.† And the invitation was good forever. He could return any time he liked, even now. Especially now, while she was weak and might easily be hypnotized into unlocking a window again. Elena stumbled out of the bathroom, past Bonnie, and into the guest bedroom. She grabbed her tote bag and began stuffing things into it. â€Å"Elena, you can't go home!† â€Å"I can't stay here,† Elena said. She looked around for her shoes, spotted them by the bed, and started forward. Then she stopped, with a strangled sound. Lying on the dainty crumpled linen of the bed there was a single black feather. It was huge, horribly huge and real and solid, with a thick, waxy-looking shaft. It looked almost obscene resting there on the white percale sheets. Nausea swept over Elena, and she turned away. She couldn't breathe. â€Å"Okay, okay,† Bonnie said. â€Å"If you feel that way about it, I'll get Dad to take you home.† â€Å"You have to come, too.† It had just dawned on Elena that Bonnie was no safer in this house than she was. Youand your loved ones , she remembered, and turned to grasp Bonnie's arm. â€Å"Youhave to, Bonnie. I need you with me.† And at last she got her way. The McCulloughs thought she was hysterical, that she was overreacting, possibly that she was having a nervous breakdown. But finally they gave in. Mr. McCullough drove her and Bonnie to the Gilbert house, where, feeling like burglars, they unlocked the door and crept inside without waking anyone up. Even here, Elena couldn't sleep. She lay beside Bonnie's softly breathing form, staring toward her bedroom window, watching. Outside, the quince branches squeaked against the glass, but nothing else moved until dawn. â€Å"Stefan!† She had never been so glad to see anyone in her life. She flung herself upon him before he could even shut the car door. He swayed backward with the force of her impact, and she could feel his surprise. She wasn't usually so demonstrative in public. â€Å"Hey,† he said, returning the hug gently. â€Å"Me, too, but don't crush the flowers.† â€Å"Flowers?† She pulled back to look at what he was carrying; then, she looked at his face. Then at Matt, who was emerging from the other side of the car. Stefan's face was pale and drawn; Matt's was puffy with tiredness, with bloodshot eyes. â€Å"You'd better come inside,† she said at last, bewildered. â€Å"You both look awful.† â€Å"It's vervain,† said Stefan, some time later. He and Elena were sitting at the kitchen table. Through the open doorway, Matt could be seen stretched out on the family room sofa, snoring gently. He'd flopped there after eating three bowls of cereal. Aunt Judith, Bonnie, and Margaret were still upstairs asleep, but Stefan kept his voice low just the same. â€Å"You remember what I told you about it?† he said. â€Å"You said it helps keep your mind clear even when someone is using Power to influence it.† Elena was proud of how steady her voice was. â€Å"Right. And that's one of the things Damon might try. He can use the power of his mind even from a distance, and he can do it whether you're awake or asleep.† Tears filled Elena's eyes, and she looked down to hide them, gazing at the long slender stems with the dried remains of tiny lilac flowers at the very tips. â€Å"Asleep?† she said, afraid that this time her voice was not as steady. â€Å"Yes. He could influence you to come out of the house, say, or to let him in. But the vervain should prevent that.† Stefan sounded tired, but satisfied with himself. Oh, Stefan, if you only knew, Elena thought. The gift had come one night too late. In spite of all her efforts, a tear fell, dripping onto the long green leaves. â€Å"Elena!† He sounded startled. â€Å"What is it? Tell me.† He was trying to look into her face, but she bowed her head, pressing it into his shoulder. He put his arms around her, not trying to force her up again. â€Å"Tell me,† he repeated softly. This was the moment. If she was ever going to tell him, it should be now. Her throat felt burned and swollen, and she wanted to let all the words inside pour out. But she couldn't. No matter what, I won't let them fight over me, she thought. â€Å"It's just that – I was worried about you,† she managed. â€Å"I didn't know where you'd gone, or when you were coming back.† â€Å"That's all.† Now she would have to swear Bonnie to secrecy about the crow. Why did one lie always lead to another? â€Å"What should we do with the vervain?† she asked, sitting back. â€Å"I'll show you tonight. Once I've extracted the oil from the seeds, you can rub it into your skin or add it to a bath. And you can make the dried leaves into a sachet and carry it with you or put it under your pillow at night.† â€Å"I'd better give them to Bonnie and Meredith, too. They'll need protection.† He nodded. â€Å"For now – † He broke off a sprig and placed it in her hand. † – just take this to school with you. I'm going back to the boarding house to extract the oil.† He paused a moment and then spoke. â€Å"Elena†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Yes?† â€Å"If I thought it would do you any good, I'd leave. I wouldn't expose you to Damon. But I don't think he'd follow me if I went, not any more. I think he might stay – because of you.† â€Å"Don't eventhink about leaving,† she said fiercely, looking up at him. â€Å"Stefan, that's the one thing I couldn't stand. Promise you won't; promise me.† â€Å"I won't leave you alone with him,† Stefan said, which was not quite the same thing. But there was no point in pushing him further. Instead, she helped him wake up Matt, and saw them both off. Then, with a stem of dried vervain in her hand, she went upstairs to get ready for school. Bonnie yawned all the way through breakfast, and she didn't really wake up until they were outside, walking to school with a brisk breeze in their faces. It was going to be a cold day. â€Å"I had a very weird dream last night,† Bonnie said. Elena's heart jumped. She'd already tucked a sprig of vervain into Bonnie's backpack, down at the bottom, where Bonnie wouldn't see it. But if Damon had gotten to Bonnie last night†¦ â€Å"What about?† she said, bracing herself. â€Å"About you. I saw you standing under a tree and the wind was blowing. For some reason, I was afraid of you, and I didn't want to go any closer. You looked†¦ different. Very pale but almost glowing. And then a crow flew down from the tree, and you reached out and grabbed it in midair. You were so fast it was unbelievable. And then you looked over at me, with this expression. You were smiling, but it made me want to run. And then you twisted the crow's neck, and it was dead.† Elena had listened to this with growing horror. Now she said, â€Å"That's adisgusting dream.† â€Å"It is, isn't it?† said Bonnie composedly. â€Å"I wonder what it means? Crows are birds of ill omen in the legends. They can foretell a death.† â€Å"Yes,† Bonnie said. â€Å"Except for one thing. I had this dreambefore you woke us all up screaming.† That day at lunchtime there was another piece of violet paper on the office bulletin board. This one, though, read simply:LOOK IN PERSONALS. â€Å"What personals?† said Bonnie. Meredith, walking up at that moment with a copy of theWildcat Weekly , the school newspaper, provided the answer. â€Å"Have you seen this?† she said. It was in the personals section, completely anonymous, with neither salutation nor signature. Ican't bear the thought of losing him. But he's so very unhappy about something, and if he won't tell me what it is, if he won't trust me that much, I don't see any hope for us. Reading it, Elena felt a burst of new energy through her tiredness. Oh, God, she hated whoever was doing this. She imagined shooting them, stabbing them, watching them fall. And then, vividly, she imagined something else. Yanking back a fistful of the thief's hair and sinking her teeth into an unprotected throat. It was a strange, unsettling vision, but for a moment it almost seemed real. She became aware that Bonnie and Meredith were looking at her. â€Å"Well?† she said, feeling slightly uncomfortable. â€Å"I could tell you weren't listening,† sighed Bonnie. â€Å"I just said it still doesn't look like Da – like the killer's work to me. It doesn't seem like a murderer would be so petty.† â€Å"Much as I hate to agree with her, she's right,† Meredith said. â€Å"This smells like someone sneaky. Someone who has a grudge against you personally and who really wants to make you suffer.† Saliva had collected in Elena's mouth, and she swallowed. â€Å"Also somebody who's familiar with the school. They had to fill out a form for a personals message in one of the journalism classes,† she said. â€Å"And somebody who knew you kept a diary, assuming they stole it on purpose. Maybe they were in one of your classes that day you took it to school. Remember? When Mr. Tanner almost caught you,† Bonnie added. â€Å"Ms. Halperndid catch me; she even read some of it aloud, a bit about Stefan. That was right after Stefan and I got together. Wait a minute, Bonnie. That night at your house when the diary was stolen, how long were you two out of the living room?† â€Å"Just a few minutes. Yangtze had stopped barking, and I went to the door to let him in, and†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Bonnie pressed her lips together and shrugged. â€Å"So the thief had to be familiar with your house,† said Meredith swiftly, â€Å"or he or she wouldn't have been able to get in, get the diary, and get out again before we saw them. All right, then, we're looking for someone sneaky and cruel, probably in one of your classes, Elena, and most likely familiar with Bonnie's house. Someone who has a personal grudge and will stoop to anything to get you†¦ Oh, my God.† The three of them stared at one another. â€Å"We're so stupid; we should have seen it right away,† said Meredith. For Elena, it meant the sudden realization that all the anger she'd felt about this before was nothing to the anger she was capable of feeling. A candle flame to the sun. â€Å"Caroline,† she said, and clenched her teeth so hard her jaw hurt. Caroline. Elena actually felt she could kill the green-eyed girl right now. And she might have rushed out to try if Bonnie and Meredith hadn't stopped her. â€Å"After school,† said Meredith firmly, â€Å"when we can take her somewhere private. Just wait that long, Elena.† But as they headed for the cafeteria, Elena noticed an auburn head disappearing down the art and music corridor. And she remembered something Stefan had said earlier this year, about Caroline taking him into the photography room at lunchtime. For privacy, Caroline had told him. â€Å"You two go on; I forgot something,† she said as soon as Bonnie and Meredith both had food on their cafeteria trays. Then she pretended to be deaf as she walked rapidly out and backtracked to the art wing. All the rooms were dark, but the photography room's door was unlocked. Something made Elena turn the knob cautiously, and move quietly once she was inside, rather than marching in to start a confrontation as she'd planned. Was Caroline in here? If so, what was she doing alone in the dark? The room appeared at first to be deserted. Then Elena heard the murmur of voices from a small alcove at the back, and she saw that the darkroom door was ajar. Silently, stealthily, she made her way until she stood just outside the doorway, and the murmur of sound resolved itself into words. â€Å"But how can we be sure she'll be the one they pick?† That was Caroline. â€Å"My father's on the school board. They'll pick her, all right.† Andthat was Tyler Smallwood. His father was a lawyer, and on every board there was. â€Å"Besides, who else would it be?† he continued. † ‘The Spirit of Fell's Church' is supposed to be brainy as well as built.† â€Å"AndI don't have brains, I suppose?† â€Å"Did I say that? Look, if you want to be the one to parade in a white dress on Founders' Day, fine. But if you want to see Stefan Salvatore run out of town on the evidence of his own girlfriend's diary†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"But why wait so long?† Tyler sounded impatient. â€Å"Because this way it'll ruin the celebration, too. TheFells' celebration. Why shouldthey get the credit for founding this town? The Smallwoods were here first.† â€Å"Oh, who cares about who founded the town? All I want is to see Elena humiliated in front of the entire â€Å"And Salvatore.† The pure hatred and malice in Tyler's voice made Elena's flesh crawl. â€Å"He'll be lucky if he doesn't end up hanging from a tree. You're sure the evidence is there?† â€Å"How many times do I have to tell you? First, it says she lost the ribbon on September second in the cemetery. Then, it says Stefan picked it up that day and kept it. Wickery Bridge is right beside the cemetery. That means Stefan was near the bridge on September second, the night the old man was attacked there. Everybody already knows he was on hand for the attacks on Vickie and Tanner. What more do you want?† â€Å"It would never stand up in court. Maybe I should get some corroborating evidence. Like ask old Mrs. Flowers what time he got home that night.† â€Å"Oh, whocares ? Most people think he's guilty already. The diary talks about some big secret he's hiding from everyone. People will get the idea.† â€Å"You're keeping it in a safe place?† â€Å"No, Tyler, I'm keeping it out on the coffee table. How stupid do you think I am?† â€Å"Stupid enough to send Elena notes tipping her off.† There was a crackle, as of newspaper. â€Å"Look at this, this is unbelievable. And it's got to stop,now. What if she figures out who's doing it?† â€Å"What's she going to do about it, call the police?† â€Å"I still want you to lay off. Just wait until Founders' Day; then you'll get to watch the Ice Princess melt.† â€Å"And to say ciao to Stefan. Tyler†¦ nobody's really going to hurt him, are they?† â€Å"Whocares?† Tyler mocked her earlier tone. â€Å"You leave that to me and my friends, Caroline. You just do your part, okay?† Caroline's voice dropped to a throaty murmur. â€Å"Convince me.† After a pause Tyler chuckled. There was movement, rustling sounds, a sigh. Elena turned and slipped out of the room as quietly as she had come in. She got into the next hallway, and then she leaned against the lockers there, trying to think. It was almost too much to absorb at once. Caroline, who had once been her best friend, had betrayed her and wanted to see her humiliated in front of the whole school. Tyler, who'd always seemed more an annoying jerk than a real threat, was planning to get Stefan driven out of town – or killed. And the worst thing was that they were using Elena's own diary to do it. Now she understood the beginning of her dream last night. She'd had a dream like it the day before she had discovered that Stefan was missing. In both, Stefan had looked at her with angry, accusing eyes, and then he had thrown a book at her feet and walked away. Not a book. Her diary. Which had in it evidence that could be deadly to Stefan. Three times people in Fell's Church had been attacked, and three times Stefan had been on the scene. What would that look And there was no way to tell the truth. Supposing she said, â€Å"Stefan isn't guilty. It's his brother Damon who hates him and who knows how much Stefan hates even the thought of hurting and killing. And who followed Stefan around and attacked people to make Stefan think maybe Stefan had done it, to drive him mad. And who's here in townsomewhere – look for him in the cemetery or in the woods. But, oh, by the way, don't just search for a good-looking guy, because he might be a crow at the moment. â€Å"Incidentally, he's a vampire.† She didn't even believe it herself. It sounded ludicrous. A twinge from the side of her neck reminded her how serious the ludicrous story really was. She felt odd today, almost as if she were sick. It was more than just tension and lack of sleep. She felt slightly dizzy, and at times the ground seemed to be spongy, giving way under her feet and then springing back. Flu symptoms, except that she was sure they weren't due to anyvirus in her bloodstream. Damon's fault, again. Everything was Damon's fault, except the diary. She had no one to blame for that but herself. If only she hadn't written about Stefan, if only she hadn't brought the diary to school. If only she hadn't left it in Bonnie's living room. If only, if only. Right now all that mattered was that she had to get it back.

Travel Writing Of The 21st Century An Exploration Of...

Travel Writing in the 21st Century: An exploration of Relevance through William Dalrymple. The creation of Google Earth has made the foreign ever more familiar by making the foreign accessible to anyone with access to a computer or internet cafe. The growing popularity of the internet has contributed to a â€Å"sense of information omnipotence [which] has proved horribly illusory† (Dalrymple 4). Travel writing provides global context and depth that is difficult to access through the internet, lending first-person perspective to international experiences. In Introduction to the Best Travel Writing 2010 author William Dalrymple uses persuasive techniques such as personal anecdotes, repetition, and quotes to convince readers of the continued relevance of travel writing in the 21st century. According to Dalrymple, travel writing is key to a comprehensive understanding of globalization within a contemporary context. (Dalrymple Introduction to Travel Writing 2010) Without travel writing, Dalrymple argues, there would be no genre where an author could â€Å"really assess another culture in some depth, without using academic jargon or disappearing down a well of academic over-specialization† (Dalrymple 4). â€Å"Academic over-specialization,† as Dalrymple so aptly puts it, serves to alienate readers who are unwilling to read something reminiscent of a textbook. By picking up a book about travel writing, the reader has the unique opportunity to read a first-hand account of an experience that

The Worst Tragedy Within The World - 1355 Words

The worst tragedy within the world, in my opinion, is the death of a child. At fourteen years old, one of my best friends’ brother died of a bad heart at age fifteen. The amount of pain I saw within the eyes of my friend’s parents was dramatic. I had and still have the upmost sympathy for them, wishing no one has to ever go through that type of pain. Being a small city boy from Iowa, that death is about as tragic as any event has gotten me. But, as searching for a topic on social justice, I learned that twenty-one thousand children died each day on average according to UNICEF in the year 2013. That means that thousands of parents go through the horrible pain that my friends parents did, but the difference is that these kids are dying of poverty stricken crises. What I mean by poverty stricken crises is death of starvation, or by a disease that is curable but not treated. Poverty is an inescapable idea in the world. All throughout history there has been poverty. 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It can be said that the play veers more towards being a sub-genre ofRead MoreComedy Makes Us Superior to Absurdity660 Words   |  3 PagesTragedy is what comes to us in the perception of absurdity; it is when we recognize it but we hate it. However, Comedy is the acceptance of absurdity. By examining the works of Much Ado about Nothing, Dr. Horribles Sing Along Blog, and Candide we can see that only through comedy do we make ourselves the superiors of absurdity and therefore we need tragedy to keep the balance between laughter and torment sustainable. In the version of John Whedons, ‘much ado’ parts of tragedy are combined with elementsRead MoreScience-Fiction And Fiction : Pessimism In Science Fiction1198 Words   |  5 Pagesin the future. When indulging in the world of science fiction literature, it is recommended to consider whether a story is pessimistic or optimistic. 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They knew the economicRead MoreThe Integrity of Humanity Explored in The Tragedy of King Lear1119 Words   |  5 Pages In our world, there are people like the woman who yells at her children and disciplines them with physical punishment, but also the boy who talks to the student that always sits alone at the lunch table and is socially different than others. Some people may lead a life based upon universally established morals, while others tend to let out a side of their being that is more beastly than human. Humans have the ability to make choices based on reason, while the animals of the earth have only theRead MoreEssay On Robin Hood1544 Words   |  7 Pagesensure I was safe. He receives Christmas cards and emails from me and my family to this day. He brought compassion and hope to this tragedy, showing me that even when our worst fears have become reality, there’s still someone out there who cares about us and is willing to help. I will never forget that. It has become human nature to think negatively about the world. Those that have been through what we have tend to excel in this. We focus on everything that has or could go wrong, until it begins

Causes Of Pregnancy Aches And Pains, And How Prenatal...

Causes of Pregnancy Aches and Pains, and How Prenatal Massage Can Help By Melanie G Gallant | Submitted On July 17, 2012 Recommend Article Article Comments Print Article Share this article on Facebook Share this article on Twitter 1 Share this article on Google+ Share this article on Linkedin Share this article on StumbleUpon 1 Share this article on Delicious 2 Share this article on Digg Share this article on Reddit Share this article on Pinterest Over the past 10 years, working as a RMT, I have seen a huge increase in the demand for pregnancy massage. I am very excited that more and more mothers-to-be are incorporating prenatal massage into their health care regimes. Although massage therapy is very safe during your pregnancy, it is still important that you inform yourself about how massage can help, as well as how to find the right therapist. This short article will cover the musculoskeletal changes that occur throughout pregnancy, how massage therapy can help, as well as how to find a qualified Pregnancy massage RMT. Changes that occur in the body during pregnancy AS a mother-to-be you have probably already started to read up on what s going on with your baby, how it s growing, and how to keep it safe and happy. Unfortunately many women are so focused on the baby they forget to think of themselves as well. As the baby grows, there are many changes that need to occur in the mothers body in order for the pregnancy to progress normally. These changes vary fromShow MoreRelatedMaagang Pagbubuntis Ng Mga Kabataan9395 Words   |  38 Pagesthe: a)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  strength of the teratogen ï‚ §Ã¯â€š  Ã¯â€š  Ã‚  ex. Radiation – in small amount sun rays it causes no damage, but in large amount like in cancer treatment, serious fetal defects or death can occur. b)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  timing of teratogen ï‚ §Ã¯â€š  Ã¯â€š  before implantation = zygote is aborted or is unaffected ï‚ §Ã¯â€š  Ã¯â€š  organogenesis – vulnerable to injury ï‚ §Ã¯â€š  Ã¯â€š  Last trimester – decreased harm (except syphilis and toxoplasmosis these infections can cause abnormalities in organs that were originally formed normally). c)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  teratogens affinity

Summary of the Film “The Smartest Guys in the Room” Free Essays

string(98) " to say escapes from Enron with 250 million \$ and becomes the 2nd largest landowner in Colorado\." ‘Enron: The Smartest Guys In The Room’ Frauds and financial scandals in the business world were before an Enron’s case and will be after it. That’s in human nature. But a chain of events lead to an enormous shock on the Wall Street and went down in history as one of the biggest business scandals. We will write a custom essay sample on Summary of the Film â€Å"The Smartest Guys in the Room† or any similar topic only for you Order Now For a long time sequence of events was a basis for articles and books, documental films and analytic researches. Specialties were retold and discussed by analytics. It was real human tragedy. The film ‘Enron: The Smartest Guys In The Room’ tries to answer the questions that all people somehow connected with the business world were interested in: How it could happened? What are the reasons and who is responsible for that? The film tries to lift the veil. From the beginning of the film it is clearly stated that the Enron case is exceptional. Working in a field of energy and power, having reputation of ‘unsinkable’ ship and demonstrating fascinating financial results, Enron dramatically collapsed almost in a day. But the beginning of this story is bright and ambitious. Enron represents a company of great promise. The first seconds of the film represent an end of it: John Cliff Baxter committed a suicide, being heartbroken with what was happened. And it was a conviction of the fraud that was happened. After this crucial episode, viewers come to the best years of the Enron. It is a seventh largest corporation in America, valued 70 billion $. It is an innovative business with absolutely new business model. But how it starts? It starts with Ken Lay, who comes to the story of Enron from humble roots. His father is a Baptist minister and their life is rather poor. Probably, his background plays an integral role in having huge ambitions to make wealth of him. Ken Lay wants to change a market of power and energy. He convinces that government is not a solution but a problem to the business. In other words, he involves in the idea of deregulations. Not only he but other participants of a power and energy business share this outlook. A tendency to deregulations starts to develop in 1985 and in this very moment the Enron is founded. Kay Lay thinks that it would be beneficial for his new company that gas prices float with the currents of the market. That is the power of deregulations. An important episode of Enron is a contribution to the presidential campaign of George Bush, who lately helps to secure money in government subsidies and to promote Ken Lay with idea of deregulations. Trading in oil market considers as a very risky business. But Enron always wins. Even then an improbable success gives a rise to doubt about legality of Enron’s business. Illegal actions start with the president of Enron Louis Borget, who takes about 3 billion $ of corporate funds in his personal account with the help of a treasurer Mastroeni and his phony books. When the rumors become too strong, Mastroeni discloses real books and it becomes clear that all reserves of Enron are gambled away. This tremendous news is hidden by the bluffing of the market and that is how Enron stays afloat. But a little later Enron is forced to disclose the information about those manipulations and all guilt is focused on Mastreoni and Borget. Mastreoni receives a suspended sentence, Borget spends 1 year in a prison. So who will make money now? The second period of Enron’s history is connected with Skilling, who is a person with the biggest ideas of all. He is a great visionary as a Ken Lay. It is he who comes up with a new idea: make energy a financial instrument like stocks and bonds. And it is like an explosion in the industry. Enron becomes a genius of the industry. All employees are proud of being working in Enron. It is worth mentioning, that it is a moment when SEC approved an implementation of a mark-to-market accounting approach, which allows estimating assets of the company by a market price and not by a real. It also allows booking potential profit as it is already gained before money comes to Enron. That is the first almost unobservable alarm bell to a room for unethical actions and frauds. If to speak about work environment, it is clearly seen that Skilling is an unconstrained leader. Interesting fact of his power is that when he stops wearing glasses, everyone in the company does the same. But the culture that is cultivated is aggressive and tough, like in a wild nature with the basic instincts of survival of the fittest. Skilling is convinced that money is the only thing that motivates people. He wants employees to show him great results, great profit. Therefore, traders are encouraged to gamble. Making money no matter what the methods are used. Skilling also implements a system of evaluation of employees and every employee who does not meet the demand of Skilling’s vision is fired. As a result of this system, turnover index is 15% that is really negatively impressive. Skiling’s vision of people is based on the theory of ‘People with spikes’. Only extraordinary and exceptional people deserve his attention and respect. The list of people consists of Ken Rice who is a salesman of Enron; John Cliff Baxter who is very talented but prone to depression (as viewers of the film know, that will be a fatal point in his future). The list continued with Lou Pai – a key skilling lieutenant, working in one of the business units of Enron – Enron Energy Services (EES). His activity is wrapped in a mystery; employees even call him ‘Invisible CEO’. Lou Pai is highly motivated by money. When he loses interest in his work in Enron, put another way, when he achieves a marginal profit, he leaves or better to say escapes from Enron with 250 million $ and becomes the 2nd largest landowner in Colorado. You read "Summary of the Film â€Å"The Smartest Guys in the Room†" in category "Papers" The next stage of Enron is connected with its stocks that are being increased significantly day by day. Everyone wants to play in the market because prices go up and up; there is an illusion that it will never end. The heading of this time is ‘A new day a new record’. By all means, these records have a direct impact on a profit of Enron, which gets higher and higher. But how they get these numbers? It is a questionable issue. In the books everything goes perfect but in reality it was quite the opposite. At this time Enron invests in India that is unreasonably risky. And they fails because India could not afford to pay for the power which Enron offers. As it is said in the fim ‘Failure was not an option’. Hence, Enron hides nsuccessful results in India, continuing show artificial bright results. Later, a merger with electrical company makes it possible for Enron to come into a new deregulated market of California. The company shows unrealistic results: stock price are soared by 34% in 2 days. Analysts were blinded to the doubtful information that is already occ urred. It is not an unfortunate occurrence, but it will be disclosed only later. Enron diversifies its activities; in particular, it covers a new market of broadband. But it does not work. It is a mark-to-market accounting that helps Enron to book revenues as it is wanted to be. In reality there are not any revenues. And that is the moment when executives of Enron begin to understand a certainty of collapse; they start to sale their stocks. In other words, they leave a sinking ship. The end is coming. In 2001 dotcom companies undergo massive difficulties whereas Enron is a shining star of an American economy. It is named as the â€Å"most admired† corporation by Fortune magazine. But Enron is a black box. Nobody knows how exactly money is made. Suspicions of falsification of financial statements begin to occur. The next key figure in the Enron’s case is Andy Fostow who is a financial officer. He is motivated by a future career. He tries to please Skilling and therefore he hides debts in artificial companies and handles finance so that stock prices continue to going up. Moreover, he encourages 96 individual banks to put their money in LGM (Andy’s artificial company) to somehow change Enron’s situation. Why respectful banks do not suspect illegality? Analytics suppose that they do suspect, but agree to give money because Andy Fastow plays on their greed. They are ‘useful idiots’. Actions cross the line when Skilling responds unethically to one reporter. It is already seeable that Skilling starts to lose his countenance. He does not know how to keep stock prices high. Meanwhile, one more illegal chance to keep Enron’s stock prices takes place. It is called ‘California’. Enron produces an energy crisis. Blackouts take plays; as a result a demand on electricity is soared and so do the prices. Consequently, Enron gets money. These manipulations lead to a lot of domestic problems of citizens of California but nothing changes. During this part, there is a comparison of Enron’s activity in California with Milgram’s experiment which is quite remarkable. Both ‘experiments’ are about how people can be convinced to do something morally wrong if a person in authority tells them it is his responsibility and he will not be blamed. As in the Milgram’s experiment Enron continues to manipulate with electricity and things become worse and worse. People understand that nothing is left to accident, they blame Enron in this; desperate protests take place. In this time George Bush becomes a president of the USA and therefore with the old beneficial relations Enron does have an easy access to the administration. As a consequence, government does not interfere in the Californian difficulties. People stop believe in Enron and its stocks begin to fall. In this moment Skilling suddenly announces that he resigns from Enron. Employees take this is as a betrayal. One of the employees – Sherron Watkins becomes aware of the fraud that takes place at Enron. She tries to speak with Ken Lay but he does nothing. Meanwhile Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) starts an investigation and discovers that in reality millions of assets are millions of debts. And it is Andy Fostow who is blamed by all Enrons’ executives for falsifications. It is interesting to note that the same situation was with Borget and Mastreoni in the early 1990s. The end comes in 2001 when Enron declares a bankruptcy. Employees feel that they are on the sinking whip without lifeboats. They lose everything. Cliff Baxter commits a suicide 7 months later. Concerning tragic specialities, $ 1,2 billion in retirement funds and $2 billion in pension funds are disappeared in a matter of weeks. 20,000 employees lose their jobs. Ken Lay and Skilling are under a precise look of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The congressional committees launch court proceedings. It is the end of the film ‘Enron: The Smartest Guys In The Room’. Enron’s tragedy is often compared with Titanic. And that is not just empty words. In both cases there were a lot of warnings of possible danger but ‘ships’ continue a full-speed running. In both cases there were great opportunities but then a combination of human errors and hubris lead to a fatal meltdown. The fall of Enron is a story not only about people but about whole system, consisting of government, financial and business institutions, conditions and relations. All participants in fraudulent actions have their share of a pie. That is why this story is called ‘a story of synergetic corruption’. I am absolutely fascinated by this film, to be precise, by a scale of greed and addiction to money and power. Understanding that characters of this film are the real people and all actions that were showed really took place makes me fascinated even more. To my mind, Enron case is not an aberration; it is a consequence of way of living. It is a ‘dark shadow of the American dream’ as it is said in the film. Therefore, it can be repeated. And it can be us who would be affected by manipulations. That really boggles the mind. How to cite Summary of the Film â€Å"The Smartest Guys in the Room†, Papers

Hip Hop Never Stops free essay sample

Music is a language understood all over through Its rhythm and the feeling It can give a person. It defines personality and demonstrates emotions better than any other means of expression. Hip-Hop gives adolescents a way to escape from problems and troubles of their lives and articulate their emotions through dance, rapping, beat boxing, Digging and graffiti. Hip-Hop is more than Just a genre that most people dont understand. It is a civil movement of the public conveying who they are and what Is on their minds.This movement does nothing but bringing people gather while at the same time bringing out ones uniqueness. The connotation that Hip-Hop culture creates is generally one of violence, corruption, and misogynistic views on women, but the Hip-Hop culture creates a way for the youths of America to express themselves in an innovative, musical, and artistic fashion. Rap is about true life and the ups and downs everyone has. We will write a custom essay sample on Hip Hop Never Stops or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Rappers are thought of as thugs because they had a hard life and would do anything to get money. They rap about their mistakes so that other people dont make the same mistake. When people hear drugs n a song they always look at it as there rapping about doing drugs, but in reality rappers tells kids not to do drugs because they did and do not want others to have same life they did. When people are faced with adversities, troubles, and hardships throughout their lives they resort to something they can relate to. To teens Hip-Hop and Rap music Is their something to relate to. It provides encouragement and motivation to ease their minds and go on living life.The people born in this generation have experienced many of lifes hardships, rap and hip-hop music revives reassurance that the troubles the average teen faces will pass. Hip hop was founded by people who were in violent environments during violent time and were treated violently. When artists speak about their experiences in their music they are lust being truthful In what they say. To some It may sound Like they are encouraging this violent behavior, but they are simply enlightening the listeners of the artist familiarity with bad times.Rappers are conscience in what they say to influence the listener in a positive manner. For Instance, the Hip Hop artist Common Is compared o some of the great musical influences of our time like Bob Marble, Marvin Gay, and Steve Wonder. He believes that music deserves a message, not Just someone talking on a track. Like in his song The People when he says, Yeah, Its for the People. This is street radio, for unsung heroes. Riding in they regal, trying to stay legal. My daughter found Memo, I found the new primp. Yeah you know how we do, we do it for the people-And the struggles of the broths and the folks.With lovers under dope, experiment to discover hopes. Scuffle for notes, the rougher I wrote, times were reader. Went from rocky starter to a voice of a martyr. He explains to his audience that he experienced hard times and did bad things but he wants his audience to do and be better than him. Common feels that if he can positively Influence just one person, he has done his Job as a musician. He is known for being a rapper that has positively Influenced adolescents across America by sticking to what Is Important. Common Speaks about prejudice, politics, and doing what is right.Along with Common on the influential rappers is Taliban Swell. Taliban suggest that people merely bout how difficult it is to live in the bad neighborhoods across America. For instance in his song Going Hard he says, muff say you never scared theres kids in other countries. Making Jerseys, Jeans, and sneakers they could never wear. Parents never there, theyre busy building homes they cant afford to buy. Cars they cant afford to drive. Working Jobs that dont support their life. You busy screaming gangs, gangs all that talk is trite.You already know lost the fight if you dont know the cost of life. These kids are forced to fight a war they cant outrun. Anti got no shoes but got a UN. He is known for breaking down stereotype barriers not only through his music, but through his words outside the sound booth as well. Taliban is proud to wear his title of a conscience, underground rapper because his intention was to positively influence not only the listeners but the critics as well. Also with Common and Taliban Swell is KIRKS-One. KIRKS has influenced America through his words since the beginning of the rap genre.KIRKS has influenced the people of America through his words as an outspoken and influential activist a book author and one of the primary choices of socially conscious rap. He feels that all rap and that the concept of rap itself is socially conscience. Yes there are some artists that take the easy way out and exploit the illegal and bad part of how they were brought up instead of taking the path of the truth that takes more work and effort to be a positive influence. For example when KIRKS-Ones song ,Philosophical, he says, Higher consciousness, truth, Ill be reaching for it.Metaphysics, heres an example cause Im speaking of it. Put your hands in the air, but you must be aware. That even if your hands are down, anti they still in the air? I be taking you all the way down the road, taking you there. Im living and giving Just a smidgen of what I share. The style that Im kicking, lyric lickings from over there. We rocking forever, we get better with every year. With letters and intercessors I sever every fear. Looking here, like UPS KIRKS takes it there. Lets make it clear, thought waves go through the air. You can act like you busy or you dizzy or you dont care.But listen here, everybody got a fear. An insecurity, some type of thing they goat clear. So hats when l, reappear, from the rear. Philosopher, follow the bright light to right here. I might wear, light gear. Appear when you least expect it, telling you now how to fight fear. With faith, you hear the bass, well clear the waste. You goat get the negative cats out your face. Get that irrelevant crap out your space. Conceive it believe it decree it achieve it with HASTE! These three very philosophical and profound lyricists are few of many positively influential Hip Hop artists. Many people do not realize Hip Hop began by bringing communities and neighborhoods together on the trees of south Bronx. For years, the positive and respectable aspects of the movement have been hidden by violent or misogynistic messages from certain pop rappers. This movement has inspired universities, schools and institutions devoted to the expansion of the Hip Hop cultural movement. These multiple foundations drive towards using them as opportunities to promote dialogue and cultural understanding. They teach the origins of Hip Hop and what its all about which is to convey ones independence and personality in an artistic matter.Since the beginning of mankind music has been a method for us to communicate. Before there were genres, there was music to send a message. Hip Hop and rap music are no different than any other genre. Artists make it to create a message and to create or the divine, it is all in the music no matter which genre you are listening to. Hip Hop has become its own culture and part of ours. Instead of fighting it, we should be embracing the difference that Hip Hop and Rap brings to America. The Hip Hop Movement is here to bring us together, not to divide.